:: festive ::

M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S !

I know this is the season of all kinds of Holidays, for example we celebrate 2 Christmases and 2 New Years, fun isn't it?! All the rushing to finish the gifts in time.. just like many of you I was still knitting on a gift on Xmas Eve... Go me! I finished and it even dried by the Xmas morning, went "green" by skipping the wrapping paper and it's really loved by the recipient. Although his last hat he *cough* felted in a washing machine *cough*, but it all happened to us once in a while....

The hats are never enough, they have to go with some particular outfit, match the style and go in color, at least in my wardrobe... But there are never enough cabled hats. Classic, modern, slightly rustic and soft. I've had a skein of Rowan Cocoon left from my Sideways Cable hat from 2 seasons ago. So I put on a recent Harry Potter movie, get some DPNs to accompany my journey to a new cabled hat.




So this is Hineri.

Hineri in translation from Japanese means "a twist". The cables of this hat are worked with a little more fabric in the twists in order to give them more volume and not be so visibly consumed by the twisting.

Some information about the materials:

Yarn: Rowan Cocoon or 130 yards (119 m) of any Aran weight yarn

Needles: US 8 and US 9 DPNs (or your other favorite method of circular knitting)

Gauge: 15 stitches and 22 rows = 4 inches in over washed and blocked St st swatch worked in the round on larger needle

Sizes available: 22, 22.5"

Pattern here

As it's Christmas, this hat pattern is my gift to you!

We finally hit freezing temperatures here and I know blizzards are raging in the States. Time to go dig your stash for some bulky and let knitting of the hats commence!

Keep warm and stay safe!

:: FLOGS jacket ::

I think I have lost track of all the comments and compliments that poured into my inboxes for the past 4 days! Thank you very much for your gracious and kind compliments on Cable Braided Necklace. I am truly humbled that so many of you have found it amazing and have made it already. That little technique does go even further, but I hope to show it to you possibly next week. With this blog and with projects and deadlines and holiday craze it's hard to keep promises. But we shall see!

Today I want to share a skeleton from my closet... that is something I have knit and worn and loved for many months and years now. It was planned and designed even much earlier prior to its final execution. But a staple that every wardrobe needs. Female or male. It's rather unisex in style and simplicity, the overall textured look of it - effortless and quick. Dress it up or dress it down, for a ride down the country or belt it with a skirt and pair of heels.

FLOGS jacket being chunky shows a great example of Garter stitch and its great versatility. It's very elastic and stretchy. With the right choice of yarn it can easily be that go-to cardigan or jacket for you.

For Love Of Garter Stitch.



Worked top down featuring circular yoke and seamless construction as sleeves are worked in the round. To accommodate many tastes, there are two various length instructions provided for the sleeves. Bracelet length and regular full length.

The stand up collar is great as it can reveal a little and hide some when needed. It's rather wide, so a scarf can easily be worn around your neck and still be visible!



Here are some pattern specifications.

Flogs Jacket

I used Laines du Nord Korall, which is a discontinued yarn, but one can use any bulky weight yarn.

Gauge
15 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches in over washed and blocked swatch in Garter stitch

Required yardage
830 - 1670 yards (759 - 1527 m)

Needle size US 10 (6 mm)

Comes in 15 sizes.

Finished bust measurements: 28.25, 30.5, 32.5, 34.5, 36.75, 38.5, 40.5, 42.5, 44.75, 46.5, 48.5, 50.5, 52.75, 54.5, 56.5”

Queue it up on Ravelry

USD 7.50


Happy Knitting and Happy Holidays everyone!!

:: Cable Braided Necklace ::

Yesterday, I have been deep in thought while sizing a pattern, deadlines all looming and sooo much to do before the year's end. I have thought to share a great little technique with you. Something last minute that you can make for either a gift of for yourself! It's been cool, so having that tiny bit of precious cashmere caressing your neck certainly felt cosy.

So here is what you would need:
Time: 1.5-2hr (excluding drying time).
15-20 grams of Fingering or Sport weight yarn.
Make sure to choose something delectable, tiny bit of cashmere, royal alpaca, merino or qiviut. Try the yarn on your neckline area first to determine the itchiness level as it's highly sensitive area. So you don't end up ripping necklace off after 10 minutes of wearing it. Finished/braided necklace measures approx. 22".

Needle: US 4 (3.5 mm)
Crochet hook C or D.

Gauge: 6 sts and 7-8 rows in 1" over Stockinette stitch swatch

Cabled Braids are made up by knitting 2 strips.

1st strip:

Using needle and yarn CO 9 sts.
Start by purling the 1st row. Work a total 7 rows straight in St st. On next row (RS): K4, yo, k2tog, k3.
Repeat previous 8 rows for a total of 16 times. Then work 15 rows in pattern. BO on the next row.

2nd strip:

Using needle and yarn CO 9 sts.
Start by purling the 1st row. Work a total of 15 rows straight in St st.

On next row (RS): K4, yo, k2tog, k3. Then work 7 rows in St st.
Repeat previous 8 rows for a total of 16 times. On the next row BO all sts.


If you wish to make strips longer - repeat the sequence from *.

Wash your strips, make sure to use wool wash to help and fluff those fibers. Or steam the strips if you don't have time.

Then follow the photo guide to braid your necklace or bracelet or headband.



Insert the longer end of a strip into the first yarn over of the shorter end strip.


Then insert the top strip into the yarn over of the strip below (the first yo of the longer end strip).


Then continue inserting the top strip (they will alternate) into the next yarn over, make sure not to miss any and tug on them evenly.


The view from down under.


Continue braiding and once finished you will get two different textures in the same braid. Neat!

Using crochet hook take the ends of yarn and crochet a chain to make a loop to work as a buttonhole. I have flattened the edges of the strips and joined them together just by whip stitching.

I have had these gorgeous ceramic buttons from Jenny Potter for a while and the print on them matches the texture perfectly! Just sew on the button on the other end and weave in all ends.



There are multiple ways of wearing this little accessory. 22" length was perfect to wear around the head as a headband.. almost makes me think of those very 50ies Prada cabled hair treatments, but I don't have hair long enough to demonstrate it.



Or a nifty bracelet ..

I hope you all like it!

Happy Crafting!!!

Or queue it on Ravelry!

IMPORTANT: THIS PATTERN IS FREE FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY! ANY USE OF THE PATTERN OR FINISHED GARMENTS MADE USING THIS TUTORIAL AND INTENDED FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSE WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION ARE PROHIBITED. COPYRIGHTED. 2010.

Translated instructions for Cabled Necklace in FRENCH.

Translated instructions for Cabled Necklace in ITALIAN.

:: setting the mood ::

getting into the mood for holidays with knits and snow (even if it's a fake snow)

Via Fashion Gone Rogue

:: Detail in a Twist ::

I feel time of the past months just have been running like water in a spring brook. I wonder if all this sunny weather has anything to do with it, if it has been dreary and grey I bet it would have felt much more depressing, but au contraire - cheerful and warm.. even now in it's 50ies, while many others are enjoying the excessive snow early this year!
I have only recently got a chance to start breaking out my hand knits. But I have been knitting so intensely... I feel very inspired this Fall and the opportunities are just great, so I can't wait to share them with you. This week a new collection of patterns from Blue Sky Alpacas has been released and I am so happy to have a design included in it.

Knot sleeve blouse is made using unique and luxurious yarn called Royal. This yarn is from royal alpaca, without a hint of any guard hairs that makes it incredibly soft and warm.

Classically shaped with a deep-scooped neckline this blouse makes it easy to pair up with various other outfits in your wardrobe. Twist detail on the sleeve was really fun to work out as I had a vision how I wanted it to look like. In the end the instructions for it are fairly simple and even a beginner or beginner intermediate knitter can make them without a problem!
I really love the look of this Seaglass colorway, with it's blue and undertones of seafoam teal... I personally think team at BSA did tremendously well with styling and photo shoot. I hope next month to get a window of opportunity and make one for myself, those sleeves just too cool not to have in my collection of handknits.

Here are some pattern specs:

Published in: Blue Sky Alpacas Pattern Leaflet
Published: December 2010
Yarns: Blue Sky Royal
Gauge: In St st with smaller needle, 26 sts and 38 rows = 4"
Needle Size: Size 4 (3.5 mm) 34-36" circular needle, Size 3 (3.25 mm) 34-36" circular needle and set of 2 double pointed needles
Yardage: 864 to 1,152
Sizes Available: 30, 32, 34, 36, 37½, 39¼, 41½, 43¼, 45, 46¾
For more information: www.blueskyalpacas.com
Notes: This exquisite fitted cardigan features a pretty scoop neck and an ingenious knot-sleeve detail.

Queue it up on Ravelry!

Stay tuned, new patterns and more coming this week!