Ahhh! AC

The humidity is stifling so we stayed where it's cool. But if you had to be outside, the Panopeia top that Cinzia knitted would be the perfect garment to beat the heat. She used a buttery yellow silk and merino blend yarn that was perfect for the drape-y fabric.

Last week I mentioned I was designing a cowl pattern. Well, here it is! I call it "In Threes Cowl" and it is currently being test knitted by Carole, Jan, and Cinzia. When they clear it for publishing, I will post it on Ravelry as a freebie.

Carole finished up her Squishy Soft Cowl using a Universal Brand yarn in bulky weight. It knitted up quickly and was finished...

before she left. It has nice body so it stays against the neck to keep the wearer warm.

Barbara B. started a sweet baby cardigan called Basket Weave Baby Sweater. It's a free pattern which includes sizes birth to 7 months.

Margaret is working on another of her original designs. It is a basket weave too which will become a warm hat.

Maureen worked on her Close to You Shawl using a pretty purple fingering weight yarn. This is a free pattern also.

Cinzia was all set to start the test knit of the In Threes Cowl when she realized her yarn needed to be wound into a cake from the hank.

She started the provisional cast on and was on her way.

Carole worked on her variation of the Lacy Hitchhiker. We discussed whether we use life lines or throw caution to the wind and just knit. If the pattern is an intricate lace, it would be good practice to use a life line after each correctly knitted pattern repeat if for not other reason than to preserve your sanity. There's nothing more depressing than trying to frog lace and find the dropped yarnovers!

Maureen's baby gift the Olive You Baby Sweater is made with a machine washable yarn in a rich deep red. The detail on the asymmetrical front is a nice touch.

I started a companion piece to the In Threes Cowl, a hat. I think one or two more repeats of the lacy section and then I'll knit the stockinette crown to the finish line.

I'm excited to get back to this hat so I'll finish here and should have the finished hat to show you next week. Don't forget to keep those needles clicking!

 

The smoke is back and so is the humidity

The Canadian wildfire smoke is lingering in the air. That combined with the heat and humidity made it easy to stay inside to knit. Our conversation centered on grandchildren. Did you know we have three sets of fraternal twins among the grandchildren of the Chicks? Maureen has a boy and a girl, Carole and Jan each have boys. It was interesting to hear how the different ages handle conflict and comaraderie.

We also talked about each of us learning to knit and crochet. Barbara B. learned knitting and crochet at the age of 9 or 10 from a neighbor. Jan was 10 or 11 when her grandmother and mother taught her to knit. Carole was 9 or 10 when she learned to crochet and 11 when she learned knitting, taught by her mother. Maureen's neighbor taught her to crochet when she was about 7 but didn't learn to knit until as an adult when her mother-in-law taught her. Cinzia learned as a student in grade school in Italy when she was 6 or 7. And my grandmother taught me to crochet when I was about 7, a neighbor ( a sweet Norwegian lady) taught me how to knit slippers when I was about 12, and then my mother taught me more knitting skills by the time I reached high school. It's such a nice tradition to hand down to the next generations. I feel grateful to have learned by the side of family and friends.

On to our FO's! I finally finished Carol's Clever Little Shawl. It took me a few days short of 3 weeks but it felt like forever.

I used an oatmeal colored Plymouth Encore and steam blocked it to open up the lace stitches. I like it so much I might have to make one for myself in a summer weight fiber to wear with my sundresses.

Carole finished her Raven Beanie. She fiddled with the pattern so she could use a heavier weight yarn than what the pattern recommended.

And Jan finished her Swirl Hat in worsted weight yarn.

Barbara B. completed the Pussyhat in the round in 4 gauges. She liked this pattern because it didn't require some of the sewing techniques that others of the same design needed.

Maureen brought us her finished Bewind Hat. I think all these hat patterns are free on Ravelry.

Carole modeled the Hot Springs Willow Hat that Barbara B. made.

This is a paid pattern on Ravelry. Look at the beautiful design the stitches make!

Cinzia knitted the last few rows on her Saurey lace baby blanket which is a Berroco pattern and will steam block it to open those lace stitches. She was pretty sure the yarn is acrylic so we did a little experiment and set fire to a scrap of it and sure enough! It melted so it's plastic! If it was wool it would put itself out and smell like burning hair.

Jan did a lot of knitting on her Easy Scarf and is not far from the end.

Maureen is making a baby gift for a friend's granddaughter on the way. It's a kimono style sweater called Olive You Baby with a neat detail and asymmetrical front closing.

Barbara B. started the Seven of Hearts Beanie using a pretty cornflower blue yarn.

I was feeling creative after watching a YouTube video presented by a Turkish knitter. So I'm in the experimental stage of making a cowl. I suspect I might have some tinking or frogging to do as I work out the kinks. If it turns out the way I see it in my mind's eye, I'll post the pattern.

I'm expecting my personal IT technician (my son) any minute to help with some email questions so I'll leave off here. Hope it's cool where you are and keep those needles clicking!

 

85 degrees, feels like Satan's lair

We sat on the deck today with two fans blowing in our direction hoping it would be comfortable enough to stay outside for two hours. Dorah came pretty close to cashing in her chips but she's a brave soul and stuck it out. After the rainy weather we've been experiencing lately, the sun was a welcome guest. We distracted ourselves with conversations about garden shares and how to prepare collard greens. 

Dorah finished her Changing Staircases Scarf/Shawl and the colors are stunning. My photo doesn't do it justice. It was hard to get a good respresentation when it was so sunny.

Barbara K. turned in her completed Mistake Stitch Scarf which looks great with her shirt today!

Jan finished her Close to You Shawl and steam blocked it perfectly. I used to use the soaking method but I might give steaming a try. It certainly is quicker and looks just as nice as a tedious bath method.

She also handed in two hats for the inventory. This one is the Bewind, knitted in a bulky weight yarn.

And this is the Lazy Traveler Beanie. Both these patterns are free on Ravelry.

Carole showed up with a new purse....THAT SHE MADE HERSELF!!! It's adorable and made with cork fabric.

It has all kinds of zippered compartments and flaps.

And a pocket on the back. If I didn't like Carole so much I'd hate her. ROFL!!!

Barbara K. started the Ex's and O's Hat for her granddaughter using that lovely pink yarn on a black background. You know someone REALLY loves you if they knit something for you with black yarn!!!

Jan reached the half way point on her Easy Scarf and needed a little reassurance that she is knitting in the correct direction. I have made this and was knitting the wrong way at this part of the pattern so I know how she felt.

Carole worked on the Raven Beanie which has a stitch that looks a lot like the Mistake Stitch Scarf.

And here is Dorah's Easy Scarf and she is at the exact same spot in the pattern as Jan. The sun washed out the colors but the yarn is a beautiful variegated of berries and greens.

Carole brought along her variation of the Hitchhiker Scarf by Martina Behm. Someone on Ravelry decided to make a row of eyelets to break up the solid field of garter stitches to give it more of a lacy look so Carole tried it out and it looks great.

I am past the halfway mark on the Carol's Clever Little Shawl and have finally memorized the pattern. The opposite end will have the same kind of "keyhole" opening just before the end so it can be slipped into the slot and the scarf will stay around the shoulders without having to knot or pin it.

Only 4 or 6 more points to go (it depends on if I want to make the small version or the large version) and then I can block it. I'm going to try Jan's steaming method since this yarn has some acrylic blended with the wool.

I'm going to fix myself a tall, cold glass of iced tea and congratulate myself for being outside for two hours. Have a great week and keep those needles clicking!