The Looped Loop by Kirsten Johnstone is a simple, sculptural variation on the cowl. It’s knit in a ribbed stitch pattern and grafted together at the end with a full twist to the fabric. So it’s technically not a Möbius but a loop upon loop when worn. The pattern is available as a free download on Ravelry (membership required). I used Rowan RYC Cashsoft so it is very soft indeed.
[Ravelled]
Last week’s post got me to thinking about more stash-busting projects. Patterns that would make great holiday knitting with the added bonus of using up small amounts of yarn. I took a trip through ravelry and came back with these great patterns. Some of them old favourites, some of them new (at least to me!):
Fetching (L, courtesy of Knitty) and Emerald Fingerless Mittens
Fingerless Mitts
CanCans by Erica Lomax
Upp by Védís Jónsdóttir (from Einband, available from Schoolhouse Press)
Fetching and Dashing by Cheryl Niamath
Purl Beret (L, courtesy of the purl bee) and #24 Lace Beret (courtesy of Vogue Knitting, Holiday 2009)
Hats
#24 Lace Beret by Kate Gagnon Osborn
Purl Beret by The Purl Bee
Ripley by Ysolda Teague
Herringbone Cowl (courtesy of Lauren Osborne, Hungry Knitter)
Cowls
Herringbone Cowl by Lauren Osborne
sev[en]circle by Kirsten Johnstone (free ravelry download, login required)
Cabled Cowl by by Olga Buraya-Kefelian
mara (courtesy of madelinetosh)
Shawls and Other Shoulder Warmers
DROPS 108-53 by DROPS design
shadow[]box by Alison Brookbanks
mara by Madelinetosh
Otto (actually, I like to call her Churchill)
Toys
Otto by Ysolda Teague (or any of Ysolda’s toy patterns, really)
Pile-able Pups by Anna Hrachovec
Rotary Dial Telephone by Katie Park
My bear knit for the Mother Bear Project
Charity Knitting
Good for stash-busting anytime of year, but especially now in colder climates like mine…
afghans for Afghans sends handknit and crocheted blankets, sweaters, vests, hats, mittens and socks to the people of Afghanistan.
Blankets for Canada creates blankets for Canadians in need.
Mother Bear Project sends handknit or crocheted bears to children affected by HIV/AIDS.
This is the project that will accompany me on the five-hour flight from Toronto to Vancouver tomorrow evening. Paper Crane. Just the thing for a confined space and an extended knit session. Tiny stitches on tiny circular needles. And 20 cm of stockinette stitch to go on the body!
Two skeins of Habu Linen XS-21 just waiting for me to start on Kirsten Johnstone’s Paper Crane cardigan pattern. The perfect summer cardigan, or autumn or spring . . . I’m hoping to start swatching sooner rather than later. This grey is the fibre’s natural colour – so lovely and weathered. Linda of Rose Haven Farm Store ordered it for me. This could be the beginning of a dangerous Habu habit.
This yarn bowl was a gift from Katherine – an Etsy find from the Deep South. I love it! The perfect thing to keep this linen in check. You just feed the yarn through the guide and away you go.
And a very happy 33rd birthday to my knitting partner for life! I only wish I could be in Boise to help celebrate!
Three nice things from this week. The first, vintage Japanese buttons from assemblage’s Etsy shop. Just waiting for the perfect project!
The second, the first installment of sweetgeorgia’s May-July fibre club. Bluefaced Leicester fleece in the colourway Foundation, which is named after the restaurant at Main and 7th in Vancouver. This brought back memories of tasty food, my friend Johnny B introduced me to The Foundation a few years ago on a trip back west. A great vegetarian place if you happen to be passing through the city!
The third, a wonderful loaf of St. John’s Bakery Red Fife. Red Fife wheat is a heritage wheat grown in Ontario that has been recognized by the Slow Food movement. It’s a sourdough bread with a nutty flavour, and perfect for summer picnic lunches!