Through the Loops!

Montrachet

Two color shawls are my weakness. I cannot think of a better way to spend a day than digging through my stash, or my LYS's shelves to find that perfect combination of colors on a beautiful fingering weight base. So when the good folks at Mrs Crosby Loves to Play offered to send me a few skeins of their luscious Satchel to create a two color shawl, I jumped at the chance. They have a unique range of colors -- both solid and variegated -- that cover the gamut from delicately kissed with hue to brazenly bright. After dreaming over the countless possible color combinations I selected a more subdued combination of African Grey, and Wild Huckleberry to create the Montrachet Shawl. These colors work well to echo, and compliment the hues in my urban landscape. If I were to go brighter I might try Flame Colored Tanager with Scarlett Ibis, or Great Tailed Grackle with Peacock. I'd love to knit a single color version in Varied Bunting. If you want to see these wonderful colors, and think about combinations for yourself head over and see them on Mrs Crosby's Website.

 

 

I knew I wanted to create a design that would highlight a range of combinations, and make pairing highly variegated yarns with more solid shades a breeze. I began with a body of garter stitch since the texture works so well with either variegated or solid yarns. Next I added in my second color and moved into a pretty ripple stitch -- excellent of showcasing two or more colors, before finishing the shawl off with one of my favorites for shawls -- the picot bind off.

 

 

Designs of this sort lend themselves to experimenting, and I encourage you do try different combinations and color placements on this shawl. Perhaps a highly variegated body and a variegated and solid border, or the entire shawl worked in a single color -- all variegated or all solid. Maybe try a striped body, and a solid color for the ripples, or use three colors, one for the body and bind off, and the other two for the ripples.

 

 

The possibilities really do go on and on. If you knit a Montrachet, I'd love to see what you come up with. I've created a thread in my Ravelry group for the pattern. Show off your version there.

 

 

 

Montrachet

Size: One size. 

Finished Measurements: 12.5” deep x 64” wide

 Yarn: Mrs. Crosby Satchel, 100% Superwash Merino, 370 yds per 100 g skein. 

MC:  African Grey: 1 skein, CC: Wild Huckleberry: 1 skein.

 Needles: US 6 (4mm) 32” circular needles  or size to obtain gauge

 Gauge:  16 sts & 36 rows = 4”/10cm in garter st blocked, always take the time to check gauge

 Other Materials: tapestry needle

Price:  $6.00 US

Fiber College Photo Round-Up

I don't have time for a long post today. I need to get myself together and go to Pilates. But I do want to share some photos of my trip to Fiber College. Each year this trip recharges and inspries me. All of the fiber, and crafting are one thing, but for me the best part of Fiber College is the time spent with smart, wildly-talented, funny, like-minded friends, like Gale, Mary Lou, Beverly, Ellen, Jani, Cal, and Amy Lou.

Felt at Clementine (go there if you are ever anywhere near Rockland Maine!), Dye selection in Ellen & Jani's dye tent, My baskent of yarn, Purchases at Clementine

Plying Class with Dyemama Jackie Ottino Graf, Mary Lou's first lobster in decades, Beverly's joy at her newly dip dyed sweater, Ellen matches her knitwear to her fries

Gale and Jani enjoying the view, Storm clouds rolling in

Second Thursday Swatches

Thank you all for your excellent blog suggestions. My Bloglovin list is growing thanks to you. I especially loved it when some of you sent links to your own blogs. It's really fun to see what you are all working on. Please keep the links coming!

As part of my commitment to blogging I've come up with a schedule of the types of posts I'd like to do. Each Thursday of the month will have it's own theme, with Second Thursdays being all about swatches. Since today is the second Thursday, I'd like to introduce you to Second Thursday Swatches. 

For today's swatch I have a fun clustered stitch that gives an almost crocheted effect. I promise you though, this is entirely knit. I don't know the name of this stitch pattern, if anyone out there does let me know and I'll add it. ETA: Dana commented and told us that this pattern is a variation of the Anemone stitch. Thanks Dana!

This stitch pattern is great for cowls, shawls, and scarves because it looks great on both sides. It's also an excellent choice for variegated yarns. I've shown it knit in a single color and then as a two color pattern. As you can see in the photo above, both side look great either way. So for this one I am not going to say which is the RS and which is the WS.

If you swatch this pattern, I'd love to see your swatches. So please send a photo. If I get enough photos of your Second Thursday Swatches I'll start a album so that we can see them all in one place.

Here's how I did it. If you work it as a two color pattern work rows 1 & 2 in one color, and rows 3 & 4 in the second color.

Instructions

This stitch pattern is best for an intermediate to advanced knitter. Row 2 below is the trickiest bit. The idea is to create 5 elongated sts by dropping the double yarn overs from the previous row and then clustering them by knitting the 5 elongated sts together, then without dropping the 5 elongated sts work 9 new sts into them, so that the 5 elongated sts become 9 sts.

CO a multiple of 5.

Knit 2 rows

Row 1: (Yo twice, k1) to end. — note that the first yo twice will be at the beginning of the needle, before the first knit st.

Row 2: *(Slip 1, drop both yarn overs) 5 times, knit these 5 elongated sts together but do not drop them off the needle, (yo, k1) 4 times into the k5tog, drop the 5 elongated sts from the needle. Repeat from * to end. — each cluster creates 9 sts from the 5 elongated sts that are knit together.

Row 3: (K1, k2tog 4 times) to end. — stitch count after this row should equal the number of sts cast on.

Row 4: Knit.

 

The Specs on My Swatch

Yarn: Anzula Oasis, 70% Silk and 30% Camel; Colors: Temperance (gold) and Denim (blue)

Needles: US 5 / 3.75 mm -- use the needle size that creates a fabric you like with your yarn and knitting tension. If I were to knit a cowl or scarf in this pattern with this yarn, I would probably go up a needle size.

Gauge: I'm not going to tell you my gauge. See my note on needles above.

Cast On: 25 sts

Finished Measurements: 4" wide x 3.25" high