I was searching for something to knit with Silk Garden yarn (because I love knitting with it, especially in the fall) when I came upon the Halfobi by Ivete Tecedor.

I’d long been a fan of Ivete’s designs when I had the chance to meet her last winter. She’s as delightful as she is talented. I was taken by the Halfobi not only because Silk Garden’s stripes appear vertically, but because the piece is knit side-to-side, which I’d never done.

It was great fun to knit because everyone thought I was knitting a scarf or a blanket - it gets large towards the end - and was so excited when I showed them how it comes together. There is seaming at the end, but straight edges only, so it’s easy if you’re an experienced finisher and good practice if you’re just learning.

A chunky scarf is great to snuggle into on snowy days, but what if it’s just not cold enough for all of that bulk? It’s time to embrace the cowl!

The Chic Cabled Cowl is the perfect on-the-go winter accessory. It’s big enough to keep the chill away, but small enough to keep in your coat pocket when the temperature begins to rise. Buttons on the side let you control how warm you want to be, and the cables add a classic texture.

For this project I used one of my very favorite yarns, Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Worsted. Shepherd Worsted is a beautiful hand dyed yarn with wonderful stitch definition and great depth of color. It’s also happens to be a superwash wool, which makes it the perfect yarn for outerwear!

Quicker than a full-sized scarf, the Chic Cabled Cowl is a great first cable project. You can keep the cables even, or add a personal touch by working cables at random intervals throughout. The Chic Cabled Cowl makes a great holiday gift, whether you’re planning ahead or looking for a last-minute knit.

CHIC CABLED COWL

MATERIALS
1 hank of Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Worsted in Poppy
Size US7 (4.5mm) needles
4 Buttons
Cable Needle

GAUGE
4.5 stitches per inch on US7 needles

ABBREVIATIONS
k knit
p purl
CO cast on
BO bind off
C2F place 2 stitches on cable needle and hold to front of work, knit 2 stitches from left needle, then knit two stitches from cable needle.

PATTERN

CO 50 stitches.

Row 1 (ws): k2, *p4, k2*
Row 2 (rs): p2, *k4, p2*
Row 3 (ws): k2, *p4, k2*
Row 4 (rs): p2, *k4, p2*
Row 5 (ws): k2, *p4, k2*
Row 6 (rs): p2, *c2f, p2*

Repeat rows 1-6 until work measures 19 inches, ending with Row 5.

Buttonhole rows:
Row 1: p2, k4, *BO 2, k3, p2, k4* rep from *to* to last 8 stitches, BO 2, k3, p2
Row 2: k2, p4, *CO 2, p4, k2, p4* rep from *to* to last 6 stitches, CO 2, p4, k2

Continue in rib pattern for 1 inch.
Bind off in purl, weave in ends.
Sew on buttons 3 inches from cast on edge.

I love a slouchy beret. It’s the perfect thing to cover up my (many) bad hair days and still look stylish, but I can rarely bring myself to buy one. The details are never quite right–the ribbing doesn’t flow into the lace pattern, or the crown decreases seem careless–and I, as a knitter, know it can be done better.

The Grace Lace Beret has all of the right details. The cast on is a modified and simplified tubular cast on, and the simple lace pattern flows evenly from ribbing to crown decreases. The yarn, Louisa Harding Grace, is one of my favorites. The 50/50 wool/silk blend has a beautiful halo and just the right amount of drape. It feels delicate, but wears incredibly well, and is–of course–soft as silk. This season Harding introduced Grace in beautiful hand-dyed colors, too. The Grace Lace Beret works up super-fast, which makes it perfect for last-minute holiday gifts.

If you’re new to lace, or just want to connect with new knitters, we’re offering a Grace Lace Beret class on Mondays, October 20 and 27 from 6 to 8 PM. Space is limited, so be sure to give us a call to reserve your place.

GRACE LACE BERET

SIZE
One size fits most women

MATERIALS
2 balls of Louisa Harding Grace or Hand Dyed Grace yarn
16” circular and DPN in US 9 or size needed to achieve gauge
set of 5 dpn US 4
crochet hook, waste yarn, stitch markers, darning needle

GAUGE
4 stitches per inch in lace pattern

ABBREVIATIONS

K knit
P purl
DD double decrease, slip two stitches together as if to knit 2 together, knit one, pass two slipped stitches over.

PATTERN

With crochet hook and waste yarn, chain 65 stitches. With working yarn, and US4 needles, pick up 60 stitches from back of crochet chains. Distribute stitches evenly over dpn’s and join in the round, being careful not to twist.

Round 1: (increase round) With working yarn, *k1, yo; rep from * across all stitches (120 stitches)

Round 2: *slip 1 with yarn in front, k1; rep from * across all stitches

Round 3: *p1, slip 1 with yarn in back; rep from * across all stitches

Continue in p1, k1 rib for 1 1/4″ from cast on. Remove waste yarn from cast on.

Change to US9 circular needles and work rows 1-10 of chart 3 times, then work rows 1-6 once. (see below for chart.)

Crown Decreases:

Round 1: *k5, DD, k4; rep from * across all stitches. (100 sts)

Round 2: k 1 round

Round 3: *k4, dd, k3; rep from * across all stitches (80 sts)

Round 4: k1 round

Round 5: *k3, dd, k2; rep from * across all stitches (60 sts)

Round 6: *k2, dd, k1; rep from * across all stitches (40 sts)

Round 7: *k1, dd; rep from * across all stitches (20 sts)

Round 8: k1, *dd, k2; repeat from * to last 3 sts, dd, k1 (15 sts)

Cut yarn leaving 8 inch tail. Draw through rem sts and pull tightly. Weave in end on inside.

Lace Chart

Enjoy your beret! And don’t forget to send us a picture!

It’s started to get chilly in the mornings here in Philadelphia. It warms up as the day goes on, yet there’s still a sense of fall in the air. One morning, without warning, it will be cold. And even though I only have a short walk to the shop, I hate to be cold. In preparation for that day, I knit the Montana Scarf.

Made from Tahki Montana yarn, a beautiful bulky 100% unprocessed wool roving, the Montana Scarf is a whopping 7 inches wide by 84 inches long. In the event of extreme cold, you could wrap it around your nose and mouth - even over your head, if you wanted. And while it’s large and warm, it’s light and comfortable.

Here’s the pattern for the Montana Scarf.

MONTANA SCARF

SIZE
approximately 7” by 84”

MATERIALS
3 hanks of Tahki Montana yarn in bark
12″ US 13 straight needle

GAUGE
4.25 sts = 1 inch in stitch pattern, but gauge is not critical for this project

STITCH PATTERN
Row 1 (right side) – *K3, p3; repeat from * to end.
Row 2 – *K1, p1; repeat from * to end.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2.

SCARF PATTERN
CO 30 stitches. Begin stitch pattern with Row 1. Repeat until work reaches 84 inches.

Bind off loosely and weave in ends.

For now, the scarf is on display in the shop. I hope it’s a while before I need it!

Fall is here! As the bright colors of flowers and fruits turn to the deep reds and oranges of pumpkins and apples I need a project to remind me that warm weather will return. The Kaleidoscope Cashmere Crochet Scarf Kit from Artyarns seems like the perfect thing!

Each kit includes 11 colors of Artyarn’s beautifully hand dyed Cashmere 1 yarn, and a wonderfully detailed pattern. Kathy has already started crocheting one and it is absolutely gorgeous. It looks just like a little patch of wildflowers!

The feel of the scarf is perfect, the cashmere yarn keeps it light yet very warm. This scarf will be a great pick-me-up on gray winter days.

The Kelly Cardigan that I knit last year in Alchemy’s Haiku yarn remains one of my favorite finished projects. The design is so simple and the yarn so lovely that I never tire of having it in the store.

This week Kathy P. brought in a Kelly Cardigan that she knit for herself in Noro’s Silk Garden Sock yarn.

The colorful tweedy look of Silk Garden’s blend of lambswool, silk, and mohair gives the Kelly Cardigan a completely new look. And yet, the strong simple design is not overwhelmed by the color and texture.

Kathy used 4 balls of Silk Garden Sock yarn for her size 38 Kelly Cardigan. The pattern can be found in the book Classic Knits by Erika Knight.

I’m a big fan of knit and crochet designer Teva Durham. In her books, Loop-d-Loop and Loop-d-Loop Crochet, she translated her distinctive style into wearable garments. Yes, there were some that may have pushed the envelope, but on the whole, you could see them being worn.

When her yarns arrived last month, I couldn’t wait to use them. I chose to make the Crochet Scarf with Flower from Loop-d-Loop by Teva Durham, Volume 3 using Shale yarn. Shale is a combination of matte brushed mohair and a shiny viscose wrap in a coordinating shade. It’s a very new look for Loop, which I was excited to try.

The scarf is crocheted on a large hook and worked lengthwise. The flower is attached at one end and serves as a button that you push through any of the open spaces. The scarf can be worn short with a long tail, as a big circle, or anywhere in between.

I was so pleased with the results that I made a second one. This is a great project for newer crocheters because you use a variety of stitches. For experienced crocheters, you’ll be done in a night and have a beautiful scarf to wear the next day.

Chic Knits designs are perfect for the modern knitter. Fresh, stylish and filled with options. Sleeves or no sleeveless, shaped or unshaped, cropped or long - the patterns are written to be customized by you to suit your aim. This also makes them a great value because you’ll return to again and again.

One of our favorites is the ChicKami. This versatile top is knit in the round. You can knit the body straight or shape at the waist, and the straps can be narrow or wide.

The pattern gauge is 20 stitches to 4 inches. We chose Blue Sky Alpaca’s Skinny Cotton yarn in french blue.

For winter, you could make a warmer version in Zara or go colorful and use Koigu’s Kersti yarn. It’s really a fun garment for any time of year!

Lately I always have a baby gift on the needles with all the babies my friends and family are having. It’s nice to have a few patterns that I know and can knit quickly and easily.

These Baby Socks from the Fall 2008 Knit Simple are just one of those gifts. Designed by sock knitting master Wendy Johnson, these cute little socks are a snap to knit and are a big hit with new moms and dads.

I knit 2 pair from 1 hank of Koigu KPPPM yarn. It’s a great pattern for using leftover bits of fingering weight yarn.

Knit Simple also includes a women’s version of the sock, so you can make yourself a pair too!

Lately, I have Holiday knitting on my mind. I know it’s August, but there’s no harm in getting a head start, right?

This striped Silk Garden Scarf is a great go-to gift for any occasion. The pattern is unbelievably simple: Grab 4 skeins of Noro Silk Garden yarn in two different colorways, cast on 39 stitches, and work a k1, p1 rib. Alternate colorways every two rows (don’t cut the yarn that’s not in use, just carry it up the side). Work until the scarf is your desired length, or until you run out of yarn!

I can’t say enough good things about Noro Silk Garden yarn. Of course the colors are beautiful, and the yarn feels soft against the skin. The silk adds a rustic look to the yarn, which looks great with any winter coat, or even a pair of jeans! Each ball offers a large range of colors so you don’t have to worry about matching them up to your hat and gloves. Or you could just make a hat and pair of gloves to match!

Scarves like this are sure to be a crowd pleaser. I plan on knitting up two or three before the Holiday season is upon us. And now that Silk Garden Sock yarn is available, I can make a lighter version of the scarf. It’s not just for socks, you know!