Knit Noro Accessories 2 + Interview + Giveaway

Knit Noro Accessories 2 has just been published and it has 30 beautiful accessory patterns. I was proud to be in the first Knit Noro Accessories with my Tulip Scarf and even prouder now to have 3 designs in this book. Noro Yarns' colorways are really great for accessories. Knit with it once and you can see the appeal of the long vibrant self-striping colors. There are 30 projects which include gloves, socks, hats, shawls, ponchos, and more. You can see all the patterns on Ravelry.

I designed a shawl, a scarf and a hat for this book. It was a pleasure to design and knit them for Noro Yarns and Sixth & Spring Books. I hope you will enjoy knitting the patterns from this book. Happy Knitting!

 © 2017 Sixth&Spring Books

© 2017 Sixth&Spring Books

The Garter & Lace Diamond Shawl is knit with alternating strips of garter and lace, knit on the bias to create a diamond with vibrant color and texture. It is knit with 4 balls of Noro Silk Garden Sock in #84 Orange/Red/Pink. You start at one corner and end at the other corner.

 © 2017 Sixth&Spring Books

© 2017 Sixth&Spring Books

The Garter Ridges Scarf is knit with 3 balls of Noro Taiyo in #67 Neutrals/Black/Carnations. It has a subtle knit and purl stitch pattern. It is easy to memorize and quick to knit up.

 © 2017 Sixth&Spring Books

© 2017 Sixth&Spring Books

The Lace Beanie is a slouchy beanie that incorporates simple lace and stockinette. It is knit with 2 skeins of Noro Silk Garden Solo in #12 Forest. After knitting with Silk Garden Solo, I want to knit this hat in every color they have. Even though it is one color and not like their usual self-striping colorways, the colors are deep and vibrant. You can have a new hat knit up in a weekend.

INTERVIEW + BOOK GIVEAWAY

Jen Lucas Designs recently contacted me to interview me for the Knit Noro Acessories 2 book. Plus, she will be giving away one copy of the book to one lucky winner! Head on over to her blog to read my interview and enter to win the book. The deadline to comment on her blog post for a chance to win the book is 5/7/17. Good luck!

Almost Wordless Wednesday

It's fun to look back on my activities and projects from the last several weeks. It's like a week in review with pictures. I always link to products I use whenever I can. Have a great week!

Cashmere Fun Size Bundles from Lux Adorna Knits.

 Planning my weaving project with graph paper and colored pencils.

 Embroidery Alphabet Sampler from KHG Arts.

 Weaving on my Zoom Loom from Schacht Spindle Co.

 Magic Custard Cake is a crowd pleaser whenever I make it for friends.

 Quilkfolk Magazine is a wonderful new magazine for the quilting community.

Knitting with Noro Yarns is always a pleasure.

Review: Kraemer Yarns Tatamy Tweed DK

Spring is upon us and it's time to play with some cotton yarns during these warmer months heading into the hot summer. I recently got some Tatamy Tweed DK from Kraemer Yarns to try out. Normally, I am not a fan of cotton yarns because it has no elasticity and can be hard on my hands. Tatamy Tweed DK is a blend of 45% cotton and 55% acrylic. I had a feeling that I would like working with this yarn because of the blend.

My first impressions when I took it out of the packaging? The yarn was cool to the touch and soft. The colors are vibrant and very pleasing to my eyes. I liked the little flecks that were spun into the yarn.

Instead of knitting with it, I decided to try weaving with it. I used my Zoom Loom to weave some squares. It was easy to weave with Tatamy Tweed DK. The yarn wove smoothly and did not snag or fray. If you have any experience with pin loom weaving, you would know that not every yarn is suitable for pin looms. This yarn held up to the 3 layer warp and then weaving with it.

The woven fabric is light and very smooth. I am delighted by the tweed flecks in it. They add little pops of color to the finished fabric. My photo doesn't do it justice, but the woven fabric is bright and fun. I haven't decided what I am going to make with the squares, but I think it will be something for one of my daughters. I am going to keep weaving and see what it becomes. Tatamy Tweed DK is machine washable which I think it's great for kids because it's easy to care for. It comes in many bright colors and neutrals, too. Whether you knit, crochet or weave, I would highly recommend trying this yarn. The cotton and acrylic blend is perfect for anyone with wool allergies. Thank you to Kraemer Yarns for letting me review your yarn.

Book Review & Giveaway: Mosaic & Lace Knits

Today, I am reviewing Barbara Benson's book, Mosaic & Lace Knits. It's hot off the presses and I am thrilled to have a copy in my hands. Lace is a very popular technique in knitting. Basic lace knitting is as simple as creating yarn overs. Have you ever tried mosaic knitting? Mosaic knitting is also known as slip stitch knitting. It's a fun and easy way to add some colorwork to your knitting. The easy part is that you are only knitting with one color at a time. There is no need to carry multiple yarns. Barbara took lace knitting and mosaic knitting and combined it together. GENIUS!

© Tom Moore

Isn't this gorgeous? I think Ves really shows off the combined techniques of mosaic stripes and lace very well.

© Tom Moore

If I had to pick a favorite piece from the book, it would have to be Isochronal Arc. The color combinations and the stitch pattern creates a dramatic and stunning look. The arc design is carried all the way up the yoke which really completes the design of this piece.

 © Tom Moore

I think the Lozengy Scarf is a perfect project to get you started with mosaic and lace knitting. It uses a super bulky yarn, simple motif and lace and it is knit flat. You can work up this scarf pretty quickly while learning this new technique.

These techniques may look intimidating, but fear not. Barbara has added a instructional section in the book that covers the basics of knitting slip stitches, how to read lace and mosaic charts, how to work mosaic in the round, and tips and tricks to help you avoid potential troubles. She includes clear photos to help you learn the techniques that will lead you to success in knitting mosaic and lace. I really like the part where she goes into detail about carrying the colors up the sides and what kind of selvage it would create. Barbara took the time to knit a swatch to show the different examples and how it would like like if you chose one technique over the other. I am a real stickler about details and finishing techniques and that kind of information is so important, in my opinion.

 © Tom Moore & Barbara Benson

As a knitter, I just love trying trying new techniques. What would I cast on from Barbara's book? Right now, I am trying to choose between Sailing Diamonds or Lacy Pinstripe Cowlette.

If you like what you see, you can check out Barbara Benson's Ravelry designer page and her YouTube channel, Watch Barbara Knit. You can purchase Mosaic & Lace Knits from Amazon, your local book store or your local yarn shop.

GIVEAWAY 

Are you intrigued by mosaic and lace knitting? Would you like to win a copy of this book? Luckily, Stackpole Books is offering to give one of my blog readers a free copy of the book. To be entered to win, leave a comment below letting me know which pattern is your favorite. You can see all the patterns from the book HERE. Enter before April 17, midnight EST time. Don't forget to leave me your Ravelry ID or email so I can have a way of contacting you if you win. Good luck!

Ocean Grove with SweetGeorgia Yarns

Spring has finally arrived and I am excited to announce that SweetGeorgia Yarns just published my Ocean Grove Shawl. This light and lovely shawl is inspired by the Victorian architecture abundant in Ocean Grove, NJ. The highly textural stitches are reminiscent of the details you will find in a Victorian home. The gradient colors add another depth of beauty to further highlight the stitch patterns. It is knit up in Botanic Party of Five set. This gradient set definitely shouts SPRING, don't you agree?

As always, I block with wires and Knit Blockers by Knitter's Pride. It's much faster than using pins. 

You can can purchase my Ocean Grove pattern on Ravelry or from SweetGeorgia Yarns. Read more about the shawl and my Q & A on SweetGeorgia's blog. Also, you might want to check out SweetGeorgia Yarns Spring Party offer:

We are so excited about spring that we've put together three of our favourite gradient shawls into a Spring Party set for the first 100 customers! The set includes Ocean Grove (our newest pattern), Cumberland, and Starburst and each use SweetGeorgia's Party of Five; five mini skeins of fingering-weight yarn with rich hues and lush texture. It's a promise of bright, joyful colour in every stitch. Click HERE to get all three patterns at the bundle price of USD$12.36 (C$16). This sale is limited to the first 100 purchases before it expires, so act fast!