WIP - Enchantment Shawl by Hélène Rush

I got the yarn and pattern as part of a fabulous knit kit at my LYS, Yarn Junkees. They have a wide variety of knit kits available from shawls to hats to gloves to scarves. This particular shawl kit ran me about $53. Included in the charming plastic bag was the Knit One, Crochet Too yarn brand in Crock-O-Dye #564 Teal and Kettle Tweed #4435 Bamboo, the pattern (which is worth about $6 or so on its own), and the needles required for finishing this project. Each hank of yarn is worth around $25 each and the needles are about $10-ish. You really do get your money's worth with these kits. Not to mention it's the perfect way to pick a project when you're feeling a little indecisive or if you're new to knitting and want to give yourself a challenge.

You begin with the border working side to side as you can see in the WIP photo above. The lacework gives the impression that you're creating cables with the edge, but you're not. They do look pretty convincing though. Once you've finished the border, you pick up the stitches along the edge to begin working on the body. I'm a few rows in and now I'm starting to feel a little lost. There's some confusing phrasing in the directions that I'm having some problems deciphering.

The rows I'm struggling with are as follows:
Row 7: K7, *(k1 wrapping yarn around needle 2 times) 3 times, k7; rep from * across
Row 8: Using B, k7, *sl 3 wyib dropping extra wrap for each, k7; rep from * across

So, I guess I'm not supposed to knit those stitches? I'll figure this out, but for right now I'm stumped. I know that there will be some bobbles up ahead and I'm looking forward to those. From the picture of the pattern it almost looks like the slipped stitches are actually knitted in later which makes a lot of sense. So far, I have to say that this pattern is a lot of fun. I can't wait to start working on the short rows.

As for the yarn itself, I am beyond amazed at the color, texture, and ease. The first thing I noticed were the gorgeous colors of the skeins of yarn of the Kettle Tweed and Crock-O-Dye. The Crock-O-Dye is made with superwash wool, nylon, and silk. It's very soft to the touch and doesn't break easily. One of the things I loved about working with it is that when I needed to do the P2togs with the YOs in the pattern, the yarn didn't untwist very much making it easier to pull those stitches off without having to retry them over and over again. The Kettle Tweed is crafted using merino wool, baby llama, bamboo, and donegal. It has a crimped texture and feels even softer than the Crock-O-Dye. The blending of the earthy colors are even smoother. I'm totally falling in love with this yarn. The cable definition is outstanding.

The Red Scarf Project

This year I've dedicated some of my time and yarn to a very special project that I'm rather fond of. It's called the Red Scarf Project. Basically, knitters and crocheters are invited to use various hues of red yarn to create beautiful, soft scarves for unisex college students. The students are foster kids putting themselves through school and may not receive such a kindhearted gift from a loved one. 

This year I have made three scarves to submit. I wanted to take this opportunity to teach myself some new skills and get rid of some extra red yarn I had lying around the house. Believe it or not, I still have some more. The new technique I taught myself this year was working short rows. You can see how I utilized this new technique in the scarf below:

I also converted a pattern that I've used about 20 times with a beret that seems to be a favorite among my customers. I took the cable panel and added a simple border around it. I plan on using this for future scarves to sell in sets with my berets. They look really lovely as their own accessories, so I can only imagine how beautiful they will look together as a dynamic set!

This year I came up with a clever little way to solve a couple of problems. One, I needed a way to keep the scarves folded. Two, I had such a small amount of each color left over that I really didn't have a lot of options as to what I could use that yarn for. So, I came up with the idea to make a coffee mug cozy to wrap around the scarves. This also presents a new gift to the student who receives this scarf. Not only is this a clever way to keep your scarf in place, but it also gives the student something to keep their coffee mug from being too hot or cold. And we all know how much college students love coffee. 

I've got some of my students making scarves as well. We're all writing letters with words of encouragement and shower them with some love for Valentine's Day. Next year I plan on getting involved much sooner. The range of time that donations are allowed are from September to December. This was a really fun experiment for me! I tried some new stuff and succeeded and tried some other things that didn't quite work out. I'll get it by next year though! 

Pixie Hat Tutorial

What materials you need:

* 7 double pointed needles (dpns) size 8

* Stitch holders

* Cable Needle

What skills you need:

Working in the rnd with dpns

C4b

C4f

C6f

C6b

T3

i-cord

K2tog

K3tog

P2tog

Tbl (through back loop)

Gauge:

22 sts and 26 rows = 4in/10cm worked in cable st in the rnd using US 8 (5mm) dpns

You will be working in the round. Start with three needles and as you increase more sts, add another dpn. Be sure to have even amounts of sts on the dpns.

CO 6 sts
Kfb al sts - 12 sts

(K1, kfb) 6x - 18 sts

(P3, kfb) 6x - 24 sts

(P2, k1, kfb) 6x - 30 sts

(P2, k2, kfb) 6x - 36 sts

(P2, k1, t2, kfb) 6x - 42 sts

(P2, k4, kfb) 6x - 48 sts

(P2, c4f, k1, kfb) 6x - 54 sts

(P2, k6, kfb) 6x - 60 sts

(P2, k7, kfb) 6x - 66 sts

(P2, k2, c6f, kfb) 6x - 72 sts

(P2, k9, kfb) 6x - 78 sts

(P2, k10, kfb) 6x - 84 sts

(P2, k12) 6x

(P2, c6f, c6b) 6x

(P2, k12) 6x

            Rep rnd 16 twice more

19. (P1, pfb, k12) 6x - 90 sts

20. (P3, k12) 6x

            Rep rnd 20 twice more

23. (P3, c6f, c6b) 6x

24. (P3, k12) 6x

            Rep rnd 24 twice more

27. (P2, pfb, k12) 6x - 96 sts

28. (P4, k12) 6x

            Rep rnd 28 twice more

31. (P4, c6f, c6b) 6x

32. (P4, k12) 6x

            Rep rnd 32 5 more times

            Rep rnds 20 - 32 3 more times

59. (P4, k12) 6x

            Rep rnd 59 3 more times

* Divide for ear flaps. You will stop working in the rnd at this point.

P2, place next 32 sts on a holder, turn.

Starting with last 2 sts worked, k2 (p12, k4) 3x, p12, k2

K14 (p4, k12) 2x, p4, k14

K2, p12, k4, p2, place rem 44 sts on a holder, turn.

(Working on first ear flap only) k2, p4, c6f, c6b, k2 - 20 sts

K2, p12, k6

K2, p4, k14

            Rep rows 6-7 twice more

12. K2, p12, k6

13. K2 (p2tog)2x, c6f, c6b, k2 - 18 sts

14. K2, p12, k2tog, k2 - 17 sts

15. K2, k2tog, k13 - 16 sts ****

16. K2, p12, k2

17. K2, k2tog, k8, k2 - 14 sts

18. K2, p10, k2

19. K2, k2tog, k6, k2tog, k2 - 12 sts

20. K2, p8, k2

21. K2, c4f, c4b, k2

22. K2, p8, k2

23. K2, k3tog tbl, k2, k3tog, k2 - 8 sts

24. K2, p4, k2

25. K2, k2tog tbl, k2tog, k2 - 6 sts

26. K2, p2, k2

27. K1, k2togtbl, k2tog, k1 - 4 sts

28. K1, p2tog, k1 - 3 sts

Continue on these 3 sts on one dpn to knit a 10in i-cord.

Cut yarn and draw through sts to secure.

Work second ear flap. Return to sts on holder and with WS facing, work across first 20sts as follows:

(WS) k6, p12, k2, turn, leaving rem 24 sts on holder.

K2, c6f, c6b, p4, k2

K6, p12, k2

K14, p4, k2

            Rep rows 3-4 twice more

9. K6, p12, k2

10. K2, c6f, c6b, (p2tog) 2x, k2 - 18 sts

11. K2, k2tog, p12, k2 - 17 sts

12. K13, k2tog, k2 - 16 sts

Work as first ear flap from **** to end, finishing with another 10in i-cord tie.

Return to 24 sts on holder; beg with a WS row, work 2 rows garter st. BO.

Slip rem 32 sts from first holder to needle. Beg with a WS row, work 2 rows garter st. BO

Sew down front and back loose edges to sides of ear flaps. Make a 2in diameter pompom for the top of the hat and two 4in tassels for the ends of the i-cords; sew on securely. Sew in all loose ends. 

Fall is here!

Fall is my favorite season. Pumpkins, turkey, Halloween, leaves changing color, cider, and sweaters. It's the time of year when it isn't too hot or too cold out. I can go outside wearing a cable knitted hat without having to wear a bulky winter jacket. I can get away with wearing my fingerless gloves and scarves without looking out of place. I can kick beautiful gold, red, and orange colored leaves up as I take a stroll through the neighborhood and enjoy a relaxing cider outside while reading a book. Fall is the best season.

It's also the craziest. As soon as the calendar read October 1, my Etsy shop BLEW up! In the past week I have sold four Jayne Cobb hats, a Dr. Who scarf, a Tardis hat and a Knives Chau scarf. Not to mention what I sold at AWA.

I'm still recovering from Con Crud and I need to get all of this stuff done. I have to have a photo shoot sometime soon to get all of my fall stuff listed. The Dr. Who scarf has to be finished and out the door by next week and I still have a million Jayne hats and chokers to make.

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!

Cables Everywhere!

I've been going crazy with new berets featuring elegant cables and warm Autumn colors. Expect to see some really gorgeous hats on my Etsy as soon as I can do a photo shoot.

Right now I'm working on a fierce new "Pumpkin Spice" line of products. I'm using a super soft and super warm orange fiber to create beautiful coffee mug cozies and hats. I can't wait to get some pics of these new items. It makes me want to drink some pumpkin spice cider or coffee.

I'm definitely excited for this Autumn. It's been way too hot outside! I just want to throw on a comfy sweater and curl up on the outside furniture so I can feel the cool breeze on my face. Book and cider also a must.