Celtic Shawl – new pattern

Celtic Shawls: Margaree Harbour

Margaree Harbour is nestled along the Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia – one of the most beautiful trails in the world with its absolutely spectacular ocean vistas. Along the trail’s length are many small historic fishing communities that still today depend on the sea for their livelihood and celebrate their Celtic culture.  Imagine a fisherman’s wife in days gone by, standing on the rocks overlooking the ocean, wrapped in the warmth of a woollen shawl to keep out the cold winds as she watches for that first glimpse of the fishing boats returning to the safety of the harbour.

Meet the Margaree Harbour shawl – pdf download available through Ravelry.com via the above link. This pattern is charted only.

Visit to Gaspereau Valley Fibres :)

May 2010 Yarn from Gaspereau Valley Fibres

It had been a while since we were up Wolfville way so I was very happy to be able to stop by Gaspereau Valley Fibres Farm Wool Shop again; so much fibre to pet and extremely friendly service — what’s not to love?

I had a list (I’m all about being prepared) – there were a number of yarns I wanted to sample for some projects that are in the planning stages.

So, after a happy half-hour of filling my list and another happy half-hour of browsing, these ended up in my shopping bag for the ride home (front from left to right):

1) Fleece Artist’s Nyoni (65% merino, 20% kid, 10% nylon, 5% silk)

2)Hemp for Knitting’s “Hempton” (AllHemp6) “Foggy 10″

3) O-Wool’s Balance (50% cert. organic cotton, 50% cert. organic merino)

4) Berroco’s Ultra Alpaca (50% alpaca, 50% wool) “black 6245″

5) Brown Sheep’s Cotton Fleece (80% cotton, 20% merino) “Putty”

and at the back (left to right)

6) Crystal Palace’s Mochi Plus (80% merino, 20% nylon) “colour 558″

7) Briggs & Little’s Regal (100% wool) “Blue BW”

Sigh — there were so many other nice yarns that just couldn’t come home with me. Good thing I had a list!

Hmmmm, I see a very blue / neutral theme – wonder how that happened?

Tropical Trapezoid Scarf pattern released

Something to brighten these dreary winter days!

A rope cable runs down the center of the scarf and is flanked by Hurdle stitch trapezoids.

Directions are both written and charted — best of both worlds!

Here’s the pattern page if you’d like to check it out

Pharaoh’s Crown Tam pattern released

The newest for the South Mountain ~ Naturally line: The Pharaoh’s Crown tam.

see all the details

Modeled by the ever faithful, never-complaining Kes   and then also a bird’s eye view.

It’s knit in 6 repeating panels, in the round; one size to fit 18 – 24″ [46 - 61 cm] head with the aid of a little thread elastic in the ribbing.  This little slouchy tam is knit using Green Mountain Spinnery Cotton Comfort — a fine wool/organic cotton blend.

A Free Pattern for You

The Popsicle Scarf

I had 1 skein of Patons SWS (Soy Wool Stripes) in “Natural Green” colourway — what to do, what to do? Well, I was trying out some pattern stitches and thought I’d share this one because I thought it suited the yarn really well.

The yarn is a little splitty, so take care that you knit individual stitches and not catch threads from another stitch. This is especially important because of those “dropped stitch” sections. They won’t unravel well if you’ve snagged the yarn.

1 skein will make about a 24″ [60cm] long scarf, 4 – 4 1/2 ” [10 - 11.5cm] wide; perfect size for a neck warmer!

For a longer scarf you’ll need 2 (or more) skeins.

If you wish to make a wider scarf, add stitches in multiples of 8; so, instead of the 28sts, you could cast on 36 sts or 44 sts. Making a wider scarf means that 1 skein will give you less length, so you’ll need at least 2 skeins for even a 24″ [60cm]scarf.

Directions

Cast on 28 sts on 5.5mm [US9] needles

Knit 4 rows

Work in Pattern Stitch (below) until scarf measures approximately 23″ [58cm] from beginning, ending having finished a R20. Your scarf may be slightly longer or shorter depending on your tension.

Knit 3 rows.

Bind off.

Weave in ends.

Pattern Stitch:

R1(RS): k2, m1, *k1, p2, k2, p2, k1, m1; repeat from * to last 2 sts; k2

R2: p4, k2, p2, k2, *p3, k2, p2, k2; repeat from * to last 4 sts; p4

R3: k4, p2, k2, p2, *k3, p2, k2, p2; repeat from * to last 4 sts; k4

R4: repeat R2

R5: repeat R3

R6: repeat R2

R7: repeat R3

R8: p2, drop next st from left needle and unravel it down 7 rows; *p1, k2, p2, k2, p1, drop next st from left needle and unravel it down 7 rows; repeat from * to last 2 sts; p2

R9: k3, p2, *k2, p2; repeat from * to last 3 sts; k3

R10: p3, k2, *p2, k2; repeat from * to last 3 sts; p3

R11: k3, p2, k1, m1, k1, p2, *k2, p2, k1, m1, k1, p2; repeat from * to last 3 sts; k3

R12: p3, k2, p3, k2, *p2, k2, p3, k2; repeat from * to last 3 sts; p3

R13: k3, p2, k3, p2, *k2, p2, k3, p2; repeat from * to last 3 sts; k3

R14: repeat R12

R15: repeat R13

R16: repeat R12

R17: repeat R13

R18: p3, k2, p1, drop next st from left needle and unravel it down 7 rows, p1, k2, *p2, k2, p1, drop next st from left needle and unravel it down 7 rows, p1, k2; repeat from * to last 3 sts; p3

R19: k3, p2, *k2, p2; repeat from * to last 3 sts; k3

R20: p3, k2, *p2, k2; repeat from * to last 3 sts; p3

Repeat these 20 rows.

Abbreviations:
k – knit
p – purl
m1 – make 1 stitch by lifting the yarn between stitches on the Left and Right needles and knitting into the stitch; normally you would knit into the back of the lifted yarn to avoid a hole in the knitted fabric, but in this case you don’t need to worry about that since that column of stitches will be dropped later

As with all of my patterns, I really appreciate you linking to this blog entry to share the pattern with your friends. All written and pictorial content is copyrighted.

Bayshore and Drumlin Scarves

2 for the price of one!

One very quick-knit and the other requires a little more concentration.

Lots more information on the South Mountain ~ Naturally patterns page.

This downloadable pattern pdf is available through Ravelry.com for $3.95USD

Jenna H. Designer News

Duineil Cabled Cardigan by Jenna H.

Well, LOTS of things have been happening!

Jenna H’s Duineil (Ravelry link — if you’re not a member, sign up — it’s free and gives you access to much fibery goodness!) has been published in the Fall 2009 Issue of Janet Szabo’s Twists and Turns Newletter.   Congratulations, Jenna!

Lasa Cadais Short-Sleeved Top by Jenna H.

Jenna has also just published the Lása series — a set of 3 patterns which includes:

Lása Cadáis (Ravelry link –) is the short-sleeved version

and the Lása Olann Pullover and Lása Olann Cardigan (Ravelry links) — you can also see pics and the story on Jenna’s Knits ‘n’ Wovens blog.

These beautiful patterns can be purchased individually or as a set through the Ravelry links above or from Jenna’s blog.

Lasa Olann Pullover by Jenna H.

(photos published here with permission of the designer)

Lasa Olann Cardigan by Jenna H.

Briar Hill Cowl published

Briar Hill Cowl in Briggs & Little Heritage

The Briar Hill Cowl

Newest Hand-knitting pattern from South Mountain ~ Naturally

see South Mountain ~ NaturallyPatterns page for more info

Stitch patterns are both charted and written.

3 yarn/needle options included in the pattern to provide the 3 different sized cowls

Read here what Clara Parkes (Knitter’s Review) has to say about Patons Classic Wool.

Briar Hill cowl in Patons Classic Wool

Briar Hill Cowl in Mission Falls 136 Superwash Merino

Cowls blocking

Just to show you I have been busy

Here’s a picture of the newest South Mountain ~ Naturally design that’s “in the works”: a set of cowls — all the same pattern but using different yarns to create the various sizes.

They are happily blocking

Yarns:

Mission Falls 136 superwash wool (colour: 536 Aster)

Patons Classic Wool (colour: Grey Mix)

Briggs & Little Heritage (colour: Dark Green)

The pattern will hopefully be published with 2 weeks.

New PS pattern – Cridhe Irish Heartbeat Baby Blanket

Whether you’re looking for a cable baby blanket or a lap rug/lapghan to knit, check out this pattern on the PurpleSage Knitting Patterns page.

The border pattern is adapted from the Reversible Horizontal Rib pattern by Annie Maloney, Knitter’s Guide to Stitch Design (2006).