When we first laid eyes on the Colourscape Chunky yarn by Rowan we got lost in the color changes, it is truly amazing how bright green can slowly change into a vibrant orange, or how a deep brown can change into a fiery pink.
We all have Kaffe Fassett to thank for his brilliant use of color in ways most of us can’t imagine. Then we saw the book, The Colourscape Chunky Collection including 14 Designs by Sarah Hatton.
I knew immediately that I was going to knit “Tender” pictured on the front cover of the book in Candy Pink. The loose upper body design with a shapely bottom is comfortable, stylish, and unique to any other sweater design I have seen. When will the yarn be here so I can get started? It has been a few months now since I completed my sweater and I am as in love with it now as I was then. It knits up quickly and not only is the yarn beautiful to look at, the way it feels as you knit is wonderful.
It has a spongy, springy texture crafted of 100% lambswool in Yorkshire, England, on special machinery exclusive to Rowan Yarns. Since our first impression of the yarn we have received several shipments along with new colors and the Colourscape Folk book including 16 new designs by Sarah Hatton. Now the only hurdle any of us have to deal with is what color we will choose for our next project. -Leslie
Give someone a hug this Valentines Day with this vibrant red heart shaped pillow cover. It is a great size to accent and add energy to any room for the entire month of February or maybe you are just a heart shape lover like me! It’s plush design will look cute with any décor, try it on a: love seat, bed, bench, or even on your cozy window seat.
The envelope button design makes the insert removable for stream line washing, or as stream line as you can get when washing wool (ha, ha). Speaking of wool, the yarn used to create this fine detailed project was Rowan Yarn’s Big Wool. The chunky yarn is easy to use, provides its creator swift gratification, and the stitch definition won’t go unnoticed.
The stockinette stitch paired with a distinctive textural seed stitch strip gives the pillow unique character and adds interest. You can check the pattern out in the book Two Balls or Less by Jenny Hill. -Lisa
“Where are my keys?” I can never find them when I need them. Same with my glasses which, I usually find on my 3 year olds face because he wants to be like his mommy. How can I keep up with my glasses and keep my little boy from wearing them? Make something knitted! He knows he is not allowed to touch my projects.
Using Manos del Uruguay kettle dyed wool in dark coffee brown (my favorite color), I came up with this felted glasses case. This wool was a perfect match for a felted project because there is no double stranding and forget about looking for a variegated yarn, Manos is a semi-solid which, gives a nice texture to any project. Like most of us, I would do about anything to make a project seamless. Using the magic cast on from knitty.com by Judy Becker and the magic loop method you can make most any round project just the way you like it (NO SEAMS).
After felting I will usually add some kind of stitch work to my projects to make them more personal. This one has just a little bit of a pomegranate red in the corner in a starburst pattern to add a little fun feminine flair. Now that I have rounded up my glasses in a cute little pouch I will have to come up with some kind of container to keep track of my keys! Hmmm -B
If you are interested in knitting your own glasses case check out the free pattern section of the blog!
I have knitted lots of different washcloths but, what about crochet? Being a pretty new crocheter I decided to come up with a design that is simple for beginners, unique to other washcloths I have seen, and can be crocheted in a couple of hours. The Bud Cloth is what I came up with. You can crochet this cloth quickly by using a series of double crocheted increases, working from the inside out. Make one for your sink, stove, and it would even work for countertop clean up. They make good gifts for friends, family, and new babies. Don’t forget to make one more for the bathroom, the ruffled shape and bumpy texture makes a great loufa. Hope you enjoy this quick, sweet little project!! -Leslie
If you are interested in knitting your own glasses case check out the free pattern section of the blog!
One of my sleepless nights, while watching another friends rerun, I was surfing ravelry when I stumbled upon a destroyed cowl. I thought to myself, “I want a cowl, I’ve never had a cowl”. When I started to look over the pattern I realized that I could up my knitting skills by tackling this project. A provisional cast on, seamless circle, dropped stitches; Yeah, I can probably handle this.
Now what yarn to use…mmm Manos Silk Blend? Yes, you get a wool/silk fiber gem with superb drape, velvety softness & subtle sheen all in a lightweight, DK/sport yarn. Plus it just feels amazing on my hands. You know I had to pick one of the brightest color ways because I like to be noticed in a not conceited kind of way.
When the project was complete and all that was left was to drop the stitches I realized, unlike the Destroyed Cowl by Martha Merzig a free and brilliant pattern on ravelry, I read the pattern wrong and now my drops are in the wrong place. Oh well, this just proves that a big mistake can still turn out beautiful. Don’t forget, you can dress it up with slacks or dress it down with my favorite, sweatpants! -Leslie
