friday foursome | knitting

One subject.
Four favorites.

I thought that it could be fun every so often to round-up a few things that represent more than just items I want...but a nice little variety of things relative to my favorite past times.

Today's Friday foursome are all about knitting.

photos courtesy of linked sites

love it: I mainly knit in neutrals so this Sparrow palette by Quince + Co. would be a nice change.
visit it: Tolt Yarn and Wool, just outside of Seattle, is not only my favorite shop, but I love their blog.
want it: I am still pretty much obsessed with tote bags especially this one by Fringe Supply Co.
make it: This light summer shawl pattern by Whits Knits would be perfect for evenings in the PNW.

Have a lovely Weekend.

on the needles | the chunky cowl

This cowl is my first completed project of 2014 and therefore worthy of note. I currently have quite a few yarny projects in various states of completion. I thought it would be useful to create a series documenting said projects as a means of motivation (for myself) and sharing (with you). "On the needles" would refer to knitting projects and "on the hook" would be for crochet.

The cowl shown above is essentially the GAPtastic Cowl by Jen Geigley. I came across it by searching "chunky knit cowl pattern" on Google. I was surprised how quickly it worked up. It would probably take a fast knitter no time at all, but I'm kinda slow so it took me about two days of intermittent knitting. I love the seed stitch...it looks like something quite fancy, but it really is just a bunch of knits and purls.

Here are the details

pattern: the gaptastic cowl

yarn: Lion Brand Chunky Wool-Ease in Fisherman

needles: US 15 (10mm) 24" circular needles

changes: I pretty much stuck to the pattern except I cast on 105 stitches rather than 131. I just wanted mine a tad shorter and a bit more fitted when looped. I also used larger needles than the pattern called for because that's what I had.

final thoughts: I want to make 100 of these. It's fast, pretty, comfy and makes me feel like a super-accomplished knitter.

knit+purl | fall edition

 

Autumn is the time to sort through my bins and baskets of yarn...to revisit old, cast aside projects, to purge and collect, to knit and crochet.

I love nothing more than getting a few new things on the needles and hook. I am much more proficient with a crochet hook but probably a bit more enthusiastic with a set of needles. While my experience with crochet makes me more willing to try challenging projects, my current love of knitting and the array of modern patterns means I am more inclined to see those projects through to the end.

I am a simple knitter...scarves, cowls, caps and gloves. While I want to try a pair of socks I fear the complexity will keep me from it...at least for a while. Clothes? Uhm... no, I'm not there yet. I actually have never crocheted or knit an article of clothing...like a sweater. I am more into blankets, caps and scarves. Living in the PNW means that I can indulge in lovely knits practically year round, but this time of year is my favorite. Something about the smell of wood burning fireplaces and all those football games translates into a LOT of knitting in front of the tv.

This past weekend my friend and I traveled a bit east of Seattle to the Snoqualmie Valley and the small town of Carnation. Wa. I am forever mesmerized by the fact that so much nature and beauty exist so very close to the city.  Tolt Yarn and Wool was a revelation...and the Mexican restaurant across the street wasn't so bad either, but back to Tolt. Anna, the owner, is warm and knows her yarn! It was a pleasure watching her chat with customers and talk shop with fiber lovers, some of whom came from Canada to visit. The shop itself has high ceilings and accomplishes that perfect balance of feeling both open and cozy. There are colorful rugs and comfy chairs strewn about. The walls are repurposed wood pulled up from the floor. The fixtures are simple and elegant and we haven't even got to talking about the yarn...oh MAN, the YARN.

This place has the good stuff...much of it local. The samples, merchandising and general loveliness of the place makes me want to go back immediately. I'm sure my pocketbook is happy that it's a 30 minute drive. So here's to Tolt...to yarn and to those of us trying to make the world cozy one scarf at a time.

all images photographed at Tolt Yarn and Wool in Carnation, WA