For Your Knitting Pleasure, a Scarfette and a Book
We are just loving the continuing trend of small scarves that perfectly go around your neck! There are so many of these designs and we’ve found another one that was just published in September. This one is called the Riptide Scarfette and was designed by Jennifer Shiels Toland.
Riptide Scarfette
I tried on our display sample and it was just exactly the right size to wrap around my neck and tie with some of each end hanging down a bit to show off the detail of the edges. There are two sizes, a large and a small. Our sample is the large size.
The pattern is written for DK weight but there are notes about changing weights. All you need to do is change needle sizes. If your fabric looks too loose or the edge slipped stitches look too loose, you need to go down a needle size.
Left to right: Farmer’s Daughter Fibers Pishkun DK, Circus Tonic Merino Possum, Blacker Yarns Samite
This pattern has both written and charted instructions. If you’re going to use the charts, read about them on page 6 of the pattern before you start! Riptide is knitted in thirds: the beginning tip, the straight part, and the ending tip. You will need to weigh your yarn before you start and when you finish the beginning tip (the pattern reminds you to do this) so you’ll know how much to leave for the ending tip. After you make the beginning tip, you’ll knit straight with no increases or decreases, weighing your yarn now and then, until you know it’s time to start the ending tip by the weight of what’s left. This type of pattern is such a great use of a skein of yarn that you’ve been saving for ‘something special’. I have several of those!
Les Garcons British DK, Kaos Yarns Skinny Andean Wool, Sandnes Garn Peer Gynt Tweed
The stitches used in this scarf, besides knit and purl, are: ssk, M1R, M1L, M1Rp, M1Lp, k2tog, k2tog tbl, and a yo. Don’t let those M1Rs and M1Ls deter you; this is a fabulous chance to practice them!
If you choose to use the charts and your eyes are not happy looking at all of those symbols in black and white, use colored pencils! Use a different color for each symbol and you end up with a pretty visual of this design. Everyone’s brain works a little differently but mine cannot imagine working a chart without coloring in the symbols!
Our sample is a lovely neutral gray, however, I think I’d like to make one with a pop of color that I love. I’m thinking maybe a red. What would be your choice? Neutral or pop? Or one of each?
The book that we want to bring your attention to is Happy Nordic Knits by Une Cecilie Oksvold. This book is much more than knitting patterns. It’s a story of Une Cecilie’s life, her challenges with anxiety, and how knitting and being outside has been so valuable to her. There’s a personal story with each pattern and you’ll feel as if you’re getting to know her well. Une Cecilie talks about using color to create a feeling, perhaps of calm, joy, hope, even excitement! I’m going to take that into consideration when I choose color/s for my next project!
There are patterns for every level of experience; most but not all involve some colorwork. Some of the colorwork is easy stripes, some more complicated stranded designs. The first section of the book is patterns, the second section is filled with projects that help you use up leftover yarn, and the last section is a reference guide chock full of information.
Give yourself some time to sit down and look through this book when you’re in the shop. You’ll soon discover how special it is!
In other news
We are looking for knitters who would like to make shop samples. If you make a shop sample, you can either get the yarn free and keep the project after it’s been on display OR you can be paid and the shop keeps it. If this is something that you’re interested in, email Julie at julie@mysisterknits.com.
Socktober
As we do every year, we are collecting new socks for Socktober. These will to go the FoCo Cafe for distribution. Socks are the most needed item for unhoused people and there are never enough! We thank you ahead of time for your generosity!
Happy knitting,
