Marly Bird's Blog, page 192

Stellar Stripes Crochet Shawl

This free crochet shawl pattern is one that I designed for the Winter 2014 issue of Love of Crochet. For that issue, the editor asked me to design a striped shawl that was on trend and could also be made in knitting. Mission Accepted!

This pattern has gotten a lot of attention from both Ravelry members and Facebook Friends. Many of you have asked me when it would be available for purchase. Well, good news is that it is available now and it is FREE!

Let me tell you about the yarn I used for both shawls. I got to use one of my favorite yarns by Bijou Basin Ranch named Sport. It is 100% yak! The colors are rich and look lovely coupled together. No matter if you use the same two colors I used or mix and match from the other available colors. You can’t go wrong; and you only need one hank of each color!

**Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links**

This shawl is super fun, super simple and super addictive! It begins at the center top and increases are worked in a manner that will give you a half circle shawl with the edges longer than the body.

The finished sample used nearly two full skeins of yarn but should you have more than just 2 skeins you can easily make this shawl even larger.

 

 

Stellar Stripes Knit Shawl

Add this pattern to your Ravelry Queue and Favorites

Skill level: Easy

Sizes: One size

Finished measurements: Width: 23 1/2″ at widest point; Length: 44″ at longest point

Yarn weight: CYCA #2 sport

Materials

1 skein Sport by Bijou Basin Ranch, 100% yak, (328 yds/100g) in each Blue (A) and Gold (B)

U.S. size 7 (4.5mm) hook or size required for gauge

Removable stitch markers

Darning needle

Gauge

13 dc = 4″ (10 cm) before blocking

Notes

The color pattern for this shawl is made by changing yarn color every 2 rows. It is not necessary to cut the yarn each time you change. Simply leave the old color hanging at the edge, and carry it up when it’s time to use it again.

PATTERN

Shawl

Ch 5.

Row 1 (WS): 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc

in each of next 2 ch, 2 sc in last ch—6 sts.

Row 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in 1st st, sc tbl in

each st to last st, 2 sc in last st – 8 sts.

Fasten off A.

With WS facing, join B in right edge st of row 1.

Row 3 (WS): Ch 1, 2 sc in edge st of row 1, 2 sc in

1st st of row 2, sc tbl in each st to last st, 2 sc in last st, 2 sc

in left edge st of row 1 – 12 sts.

Row 4: Ch 1, 2 sc in 1st st, 2 sc tbl in

each st to last st, 2 sc in last st – 24 sts.

Change to A.

Row 5: Ch 1, 2 sc in 1st st, sc tbl in

each of next 2 sts, * ch 2, sc tbl in next st, ch 2, sc tbl in each of next 3

sts; rep from * to last st, 2 sc in last st—26 sc, 10 ch-2 sps.

Row 6: Ch 1, 2 sc in 1st st, * sc tbl in

each st to next ch-2 sp, sc in next sp, sc tbl in next st and mark this st, sc

in next sp; rep from * 4 more times, sc tbl in each st to last st, 2 sc in last

st—38 sts, 7 sts in 1st section, 5 sts in each of 4 center sections,

6 sts in last section, 5 divider sts (marked).

Change to B.

Row 7: Ch 1, 2 sc in 1st st, * sc tbl in

each st to next marked st, ch 2, sc tbl in marked st and move marker to st just

made, ch 2; rep from * 4 more times, sc tbl in each st to last st, 2 sc in last

st.

Row 8: Ch 1, 2 sc in 1st st, * sc tbl in

each st to next ch-2 sp, sc in next sp, sc tbl in next st and move marker to st

just made, sc in next sp; rep from * 4 more times, sc tbl in each st to last

st, 2 sc in last st – 52 sts, 10 sts in 1st section, 7 sts in each

of 4 center sections, 9 sts in last section, 5 divider sts (marked).

Change to A.

Rows 9-10: Rep rows 7-8 – 66 sts, 13 sts in 1st

section, 9 sts in each of 4 center sections, 12 sts in last section, 5 divider

sts (marked).

Change to B.

Row 11: Ch 1, 2 sc in 1st st, * sc tbl in

each st to next marked st, ch 2, sc tbl in marked st and move marker to st just

made, ch 2; rep from * 4 more times, sc tbl in each st to last st, 2 sc in last

st.

Row 12: Ch 1, 2 hdc in 1st st, * hdc tbl

in each st to next ch-2 sp, hdc in next sp, hdc tbl in next st and move marker

to st just made, hdc in next sp; rep from * 4 more times, hdc tbl in each st to

last st, 2 hdc in last st – 80 sts, 16 sts in 1st section, 11 sts in

each of 4 center sections, 15 sts in last section, 5 divider sts (marked).

Change to A.

Rows 13-24: Rep rows 11-12 6 times, being sure to

change colors every 2 rows as established – 164 sts, 34 sts in 1st

section, 23 sts in each of 4 center sections, 33 sts in last section, 5 divider

sts (marked), color B is last color used.

Change to A.

Row 25: Ch 1, 2 hdc in 1st st, * hdc tbl

in each st to next marked st, ch 2, hdc tbl in marked st and move marker to st just

made, ch 2; rep from * 4 more times, hdc tbl in each st to last st, 2 hdc in

last st.

Row 26: Ch 1, 2 hdc in 1st st, * hdc tbl

in each st to next ch-2 sp, hdc in next sp, hdc tbl in next st and move marker

to st just made, hdc in next sp; rep from * 4 more times, hdc tbl in each st to

last st, 2 hdc in last st – 178 sts, 37 sts in 1st section, 25 sts

in each of 4 center sections, 36 sts in last section, 5 divider sts (marked).

Change to B.

Rows 27-36: Rep rows 25-26 5 times, being sure to

change colors ever 2 rows as established – 248 sts, 52 sts in 1st

section, 35 sts in each of 4 center sections, 51 sts in last section, 5 divider

sts (marked), color B is last color used.

Change to A.

Row 37: Ch 1, 2 hdc in 1st st, * hdc tbl

in each st to next marked st, ch 2, hdc tbl in marked st and move marker to st

just made, ch 2; rep from * 4 more times, hdc tbl in each st to last st, 2 hdc

in last st.

Row 38: Ch 1, 2 dc in 1st st, * dc tbl in

each st to next ch-2 sp, dc in next sp, dc tbl in next st and move marker to st

just made, dc in next sp; rep from * 4 more times, dc tbl in each st to last

st, 2 dc in last st – 262 sts, 55 sts in 1st section, 37 sts in each

of 4 center sections, 54 sts in last section, 5 divider sts (marked).

Change to B.

Rows 39-40: Rep rows 37-38 – 276 sts, 58 sts in 1st

section, 39 sts in each of 4 center sections, 57 sts in last section, 5 divider

sts (marked).

Change to A.

Row 41: Ch 1, 2 dc in 1st st, * dc tbl in

each st to next marked st, ch 2, dc tbl in marked st and move marker to st just

made, ch 2; rep from * 4 more times, dc tbl in each st to last st, 2 dc in last

st.

Row 42: Ch 1, 2 dc in 1st st, * dc tbl in

each st to next ch-2 sp, dc in next sp, dc tbl in next st and move marker to st

just made, dc in next sp; rep from * 4 more times, dc tbl in each st to last

st, 2 dc in last st – 290 sts, 61 sts in 1st section, 41 sts in each

of 4 center sections, 60 sts in last section, 5 divider sts (marked).

Change to B.

Rows 43-46: Rep rows 41-42 twice, being sure to

change to A after row 44 as established – 318 sts, 67 sts in 1st

section, 45 sts in each of 4 center section, 66 sts in last section, 5 divider

sts (marked).

 

 

 

Wingspan edging

Holding both colors together, work 2 rows evenly in sc from tip to tip.

Fasten off A.

Using B only, work 1 row in crab st.

Fasten off B.

 

Finishing

Weave in all ends. Wash and block piece to measurements.

 

 

Don’t forget, there is a knitting version also! 

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Crochetville’s Amy Shelton, National Crochet Month Designer Blog Tour

Crochetville’s Amy Shelton, National Crochet Month Designer Blog Tour creators visited the Yarn Thing podcast with Marly Bird today.

Crochetville began in 2004, grew and outgrew it’s original format! Starting as a free message board, folks could communicate, sharing and encouraging each other. It had to switch from that format because the site was continually crashing, to a paid site for nominal fee. It continues to grow, with an added blog. and has become popular on Facebook with almost 260,000 fans. 

Crochetville’s National Blog Tour Month (this is the link in Facebook) happens in the spring and Marly has participated. In the past they’ve featured a crochet designer a day, but next year they will feature THREE Crochet Designers a day, PLUS giveaways and other fun things. They will be featuring Crochet-Friendly yarn stores, one each day, sharing how the stores are welcoming and promoting crochet.

Currently, Crochetville’s big project is Jenny King’s Get Squared project. This includes classes and a really cool thumb drive with all the how-to’s loaded on it. Jenny’s program includes how to start a garment, with a J-hook, trying it on as you work on the project, without reading a pattern in a simple granny-square raglan-shaped and it always fits. Amy’s enthusiasm for this is apparent, if you were listening, second only to Jenny’s own tickled joy. The class has been really popular and sold-out when offered in an in-person setting, so they are putting together retreats that will also show the attendees their assets and how to highlight them. So you’ll want to follow them…

You can follow Crochetville at their website, also Facebook as we said before. You may want to subscribe to their newsletter so that you may keep up!

{~ Yarn Thing Listeners and Fans of Marly Bird: We also are working with our Yarn Thing Podcast Sponsor, Bar-maids, to create a House Special box. You can do their survey and say Yay or Nay on what they are thinking of doing at this LINK!  Our plan is to do a ‘Marly’s Favorite Things’ (read like Oprah’s Favorite Things – You get one, everybody gets one….) so please take a moment to do the survey and share with your friends! ~}

If you missed getting to hear this live, you MUST go to this link to hear the archived episode http://www.blogtalkradio.com/yarnthing/2015/08/27/crochetvilles-amy-shelton-national-crochet-month-designer-blog-tour or in iTunes.

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The Return of Designer, Teacher Andi Smith

The Return of Designer, Teacher Andi Smith was our theme today, it’s been a couple of years since she was on the Yarn Thing podcast with Marly Bird.

Right off the bat, Marly revealed a big secret of Andi’s: She’s a crocheter! Andi is known for her book, Big Foot Knits, published in 2013 by Cooperative Press, but she says crochet is what she does to relax. She loves the old Victorian-styled doilies.

Andi Smith is from the Yorkshire area of England, she came to the US for school. She went back to England and came back to the the States where she met and married her husband. An acquaintance gave her name to someone from Ohio looking for sample knitters, who turned out to be Shannon Okey, who we know as the wonderful publisher Cooperative Press. That was how Big Foot Knits came about. That was the subject of Andi’s earlier visit to the Yarn Thing podcast.

Andi’s next adventure was self-publishing her next collection (she says she didn’t feel it was enough content for a book) Synchronicity, a series of patterns based on two-color cables. She says people think it’s a complicated technique but once they realize they are knitting with one color of yarn and purling with another, they are very excited.

She says she’s working on another collection of gradients, specifically mini-skeins! Those are so popular, I can’t wait to see them. She also says using yarns from independent yarn dyers is where much of the credit for the beauty of her designs should go.

The newest thing Andi Smith shares with us is her new Craftsy Class, Save Our Stitches: Fixing Crochet Mistakes. (Marly’s affiliate link) The classes flow through Reading Patterns and Understanding Charts, Gauge, through Ripping Out, Cutting Out the problem or Patching it. Sharing this knowledge really puts Andi atop the pile for helpful resources for crocheters.

Andi can be found pretty much everywhere as KnitBrit, for instance Ravelry, Facebook and Twitter. She says she is in Instagram, too, so you can follow her there! Here is the link to her earlier visit in 2013 to Yarn Thing podcast with Marly Bird.

If you missed getting to hear this live, you can catch it live as an archived episode here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/yarnthing/2015/08/25/the-return-of-designer-teacher-andi-smith or in iTunes.

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Marcy Smith, Editor of Interweave Crochet

Marcy Smith, Editor of Interweave Crochet visited the Yarn Thing podcast with Marly Bird.

Marcy says that her career began as an academic, teaching at North Carolina State University, then proceeded to journalism, with a newspaper with a craft column. Interweave approached her when she left the paper, and she’s been there for seven years. She says, it was as if everything in her life had led up to this. Her first thing to do was attending TNNA (Marly says ‘Thrown to the wolves).

Marcy learned to crochet at age 8, her mother crochet aran style afghans. Mom crocheted on road-trips, if you can imagine. She says she put it aside and picked it up again. At one point, someone sent out a call for crochet authors. She said, Sure I can do that! and created The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Crochet Projects.

Marly asked Marcy if she’s noticed big changes in crochet, and Marcy says she admires how much Tunisian crochet has grown. One of the first issues that Marcy edited of Interweave Crochet included projects that combined knit and crochet. She seems to find reason to be excited about every issue though, sounds like the current excitement is for the birthday issue next spring.

Marcy Smith, Margaret Hubert and Marly at the Knit & Crochet 2015 show, in San Diego last month.

The year 2010 introduced Interweave Crochet: Accessories, and Interweave Crochet: Home special editions. Interweave Crochet focuses on intermediate patterns. Another publication Crochet Scene is more trendy items that Interweave also publishes. Marcy says that she will be editing Love of Crochet starting next month, which features more basic skilled patterns.

It was really interesting to hear what they look for in designs to publish and how they get submissions (sometimes they fall in love with a piece but have to put it on hold until it fits with the ‘story’ of an issue), how the photographers try to feature the design and what makes a great cover photo. Then there’s the whole digital vs paper copy discussion…

Interweave Crochet can be found at your local newsstands or at their website. If you missed hearing this live, it is still available as an archive: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/yarnthing/2015/08/20/marcy-smith-editor-of-interweave-crochet or in iTunes.

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JC Briar of Stitch-Maps has NEW Craftsy Class

JC Briar of Stitch-Maps has a NEW Craftsy Class to share with us on the Yarn Thing podcast with Marly Bird.

JC Briar has a very technical mind, she used to write software for a living. That ended with the ‘Dot Com Bust’ in 2002. It sounded like she was ready for that change in her life, because she felt burned out with deadlines and profits were all that mattered. She responded to an ad for a tech editor which expanded her knowledge of pattern development and writing.

She wrote a book, Charts Made Simple and worked really hard to make understanding charts a concise process (this was to topic of an earlier visit to the Yarn Thing podcast — link below). That has been a very helpful book many people may have it in their libraries, but not many know of her Stitch-Maps website. Stitch-Maps takes the grid out of knitting and shows the flow of the fabric, which helps a knitter to see where the directions are going. (At this point, not available for crocheting…) Seeing the way your lacework happens or cables, has made sense for so many knitters that there has been much excitement for every new development at the website. It’s not just JC’s work either, it’s a crowd-source of information, because many people have searched to find the patterns they are trying to figure out, and added it into the website themselves. Then it is there for others to find, understand, and use! The website is supported financially by subscriptions, not ads, as one caller commented during the visit, it’s a visually clean.

There have been a few magazines and books that using Stitch-Maps, for instance Hunter Hammersen’s ‘Curls’, in the e-book are helpful links to the website.  JC also cited that Lorilee Beltman is using Stitch-Maps as she teaches her classes. We will be seeing this happen more and more….

JC has a BRAND-NEW Craftsy Class Socks My Way: Stitch Pattern Savvy (Marly’s affiliate link). JC says she was invited to teach this class as part of the Socks My Way series, and it was renamed from a workshop she teaches already (Socktastic Stitch Patterns). Much of

the class is understanding stitch patterns, choosing stitch patterns

that work well for socks, and choosing stitch counts that create socks that fit. She enjoyed it and hopes to do another class with Craftsy.

JC Briar tells us she loves the texture and patterning in her knitting and creating socks was a great way to do that on a small scale.

JC has visited the Yarn Thing podcast before, but it was in 2012 so it’s especially sweet to get caught up! (Tammy is sneaking the Fiber Hooligan’s visit ~ works better for me in iTunes ~ in here too, that happened in January 2014 and shared a LOT about Stitch-Maps!) You can follow JC Briar at her website, where there are links to her book and Stitch-Maps, also her designs are listed in Ravelry. You can also find JC Briar teaching at the Plucky Shindig (Starting Sept 11th),  StitchesTexas in just a little more than four weeks (!), and at VKLive Chicago in October.

If you missed hearing this live, you can catch the archive where it aired originally: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/yarnthing/2015/08/18/jc-briar-of-stitch-maps-has-new-craftsy-class or in iTunes.

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Colorful Crochet Lace with Mary Jane Hall

Colorful Crochet Lace with Mary Jane Hall was the topic for Thursday’s Yarn Thing with Marly Bird. 

We began with a ‘small world’ moment, where Marly remembers the first time she met Mary Jane at a TNNA, they were sat at the same table. At that time, Mary Jane had just written Positively Crochet, every one has come so far since then.

Born in the ‘Deep South’, Mary Jane says she was all over that area of the US. After college, she married her husband and settled in Ohio, where she lives today. Normally, she likes to be shown how to do things, but she learned to crochet from a book, with a little assistance from other ladies she knew.

Up until 2004, she had crocheted mostly in the winter, working on hats and scarves, with a few baby layettes. Others asked her to teach them to crochet the ponchos that became popular about then, she created a few patterns of different shapes and put them on E-bay. In about two months she sold about 150 copies!

Mary Jane thought perhaps Leisure Arts might be looking for designs so she wrote them (she admits how little she knew) but received a phone call asking to do two booklets of her designs. This was about January 2005, and became Crochet Young and Trendy and Crochet in Style.

Mary Jane began to think she was ready to put together a book. She considered the books of the past and how they had upwards of a hundred patterns, and the range from easy to advance experienced crocheters. That was Positively Crochet. Next she wrote Crochet that Fits.Mary Jane really kept in mind the crocheters that had, up until picking up her book, made afghans, scarves and hotpads. She incorporated a Graduated Stitch Method where adjust the height of the stitch helps the fabric of the garment fit the body better. She says she considers that cute little black dress on the cover of Crochet that Fits as beginner project!

This new book, Colorful Crochet Lace (Ravelry Link) has a Parisian theme, many of the names of the projects featured are French, sha

ped with french design in mind. You can pick up a copy through the Interweave website in both book format and electronic file.

You can find Mary Jane Hall at her blog, also in Ravelry. Plus she is active in social media, so you can find her in Facebook and Twitter as well as many other places.

Mary Jane’s visit was part of a Crochet Blog Tour. You can see Colorful Crochet Lace have been or will be posted in these blogs, check them out!

Vickie Howell, August 4th
Outstanding Crochet, August 5th
Bonnie Bay, August 6th
Crochetville, August 7th
My Little City Girl, August 11th
Hook and Needle Designs, August 14th
GoCrochet, August 17th
Turquoiz Blue — This is Crochet, August 18th
Cute Crochet Chat, August 19th
Hot Lava Crochet, August 20th
Crochet Architect, August  21st
Crochet Renee, August 24th

If you missed getting to hear this live, click this link to listen to the archived episode: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/yarnthing/2015/08/13/colorful-crochet-lace-with-mary-jane-hall or in iTunes.

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Blackberry Boatneck Sweater

A perfect sweater to wear anytime of year, the Blackberry Boatneck Sweater is a beautiful sheer piece that looks great over a simple camisole paired with jeans or a nice skirt. Knit top-down in stockinette for the upper body and a simple lace for the body and sleeve cuffs; this piece is a rather relaxing project.

Subtle a-line shaping around the body and the natural stretch of the lace makes this sweater fit nicely around the body. You can adjust where you begin the lace portion if you are more ample and want a bit more room between your bust and the start of the lace but at the same time I think the lace portion as written looks nice where it lands on the bust.

Honestly, I think this sweater would be beautiful on any body type.

Let’s talk about the yarn I used because that is what really makes this piece PERFECT! As a designer, I try really hard to pick the perfect yarn for each of my projects. I must be honest though, for this one I wasn’t the one to choose this amazing yarn, it was the editor of the magazine it was originally published in so I can’t take credit. Jen Burt really did make the perfect pairing. This awesome top down knit sweater is made all the more beautiful because of the yarn. SweetGeorgia Yarns Silk Mist is a perfect combination of mohair and silk. This coupling creates a perfectly fuzzy, hazy fabric with a little shimmer and strength. It is incredibly soft and wonderful against the skin.

Knowing that the yarn had a little haze to it I kept the lace portion of the bodice simple as the eyelets are obscured by the yarn. But I think the eyelets created with the yarn overs are perfect peek-a-boo’s for the cami you wear underneath.

Now that I’ve told you the history behind the sweater I want to offer you the Blackberry Boatneck Sweater pattern for FREE!

*Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links

BLACKBERRY BOATNECK SWEATER

Add this pattern to your Ravelry Queue and Favorites

Skill level: Intermediate

Finished Measurements: 33 (36, 39, 42, 45, 48, 51, 54, 57)” [84 (91.5, 99, 106.5,

114.5, 122, 129.5, 137, 145) cm] bust circumference.

Sample knit in size 39″ [99 cm] shown on a 37” bust.

MATERIALS

Yarn: Sweetgeorgia“Silk Mist” (60% fine kid mohair, 40%

cultivated silk; 325 yds [297 m], .88 oz [25 g];): Blackberry, 4 (4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6) skeins.

Yarn Alternative: Aloft Super Kid Mohair by KnitPicks

Needles:Size US 5 (3.75 mm); 16″ and32″ circular needles and double pointed (dpns), or size to obtain correct gauge.

Notions: Stitch markers, stitch holders or waste

yarn, tapestry needle.

GAUGE

24 sts and 32 rows = 4″ [10 cm] in St st.

22 sts and 32 rows = 4″ [10 cm] in Lace pat.

Take time to save time, check your gauge.

*Remember that gauge is always given as a blocked gauge. So wash and block your swatch!*

ABBREVIATIONS

beg: begin(ning)

CO: cast on

dec(‘d)

inc(‘d)

k: knit

k2tog: Knit 2 sts

together (1 st decreased).

lhn: left hand needle

m: marker

M1L: (make 1 left slanting) Insert lhn under horizontal strand between st just worked and next st

from the front to the back, knit through the back loop (1 st increased).

M1R: (make 1 right slanting) Insert lhn under horizontal strand between st just worked and next st

from the back to the front, knit through the front loop (1 st increased).

meas: measure(s)

patt: pattern

pm: place marker

rep: repeat

rhn: right hand

needle

rnd(s): round(s)

sl: slip

st(s): stitches

ssk: (slip, slip, knit) slip 2 sts, 1

at a time, knitwise to the rhn; return sts to lhn in turned position and knit

them together through the back loops (1 st decreased)

yo: Yarn over (1 st

increased).

PATTERN STITCHES

Stockinette Stitch (St st) Knit all sts, every rnd.

Backward Loop Cast-on Method: *Wrap yarn around left thumb from front to

back and secure in palm with other fingers, insert rhn upwards through strand

on thumb, slip loop from thumb onto needle, pulling yarn to tighten; rep from *

for desired number of sts.

Lace Pattern: (multiple of 9 sts) (also, see chart)

Rnd 1: *Yo, k2, ssk, k2tog, k2, yo, k1; rep from

* to end.

Rnds 2, 4, 5 and 6: Knit.

Rnd 3: *K1, yo, ssk, k2, k2tog, yo, k2; rep from

* to end.

Rep rnds 1–6 for Lace pat.

Sewn Bind Off: Cut yarn leaving

a tail at least 3 times as long as the edge that will be BO. Thread tail through a tapestry needle and BO

as follows: *put the needle through the first 2 sts to be BO, from right to

left, go back through the first st from left to right, pull the yarn through

and slip the first st off the needle. Rep from * until 1 st rem, pull yarn

through to fasten off.

PATTERN
YOKE

with 16″ circular needle, CO 110 (114, 120,120, 126, 130, 132, 136, 142) sts. Pm for beg of rnd and join to work in the

rnd, being careful not to twists sts.

Knit 4 rnds even.

Pm for Raglan: *K12 (11, 11, 10, 10, 9, 7, 6, 6) for sleeve, pm, k43 (46, 49, 50, 53, 56, 59, 62, 65) for front, pm;

rep from * for second sleeve and back.

Shape Raglan

(Note: Change to longer circular needle when sts no longer fit comfortably on

shorter needle.)

Inc Rnd (body and sleeves): *K1, M1L, knit to 1 st before m, M1R, k1, sl m; rep from * 3 more times—8 sts inc’d.

Rep the last rnd 2 (3, 6, 8, 11, 15, 16, 18, 23) more times—134 (146, 176, 192, 222, 258, 268, 288, 334) sts total; 18 (19, 25, 28, 34, 41, 41, 44, 54) sts each sleeve, 49 (54, 63, 68, 77, 88, 93, 100, 113) sts each front and back.

Sizes 33 (36, 39, 42, 45, 48, 51, 54, -)” only:

Inc Rnd (body and sleeves): *K1, M1L, knit to 1 st before m, M1R, k1, sl m; rep from * 3 more times—8 sts inc’d.

Inc Rnd (sleeves only): *K1, M1L, knit to 1 st before m, M1R, k1, sl m, knit to next m; rep from * once more—4 sts inc’d.

Rep the last 2 rnds 4 (4, 3, 2, 0, 0, 0, 0, -) more times—182 (194, 212, 216, 234, 270, 280, 300, -) sts total; 34 (35, 37, 36, 38, 45, 45, 48, -) sts each sleeve, 57 (62, 69, 72, 79, 90, 95, 102, -) sts each front and back.

All Sizes:

Inc Rnd (body and sleeves): *K1, M1L, knit

to 1 st before m, M1R, k1, sl m; rep from * 3 more times—8 sts inc’d.

Knit 1 rnd even.

Rep the last 2 rnds 18 (20, 21, 23, 24, 23, 24, 25, 24) more times—334 (362, 388, 408, 434, 462, 480, 508, 534) sts total; 72 (77, 81, 84, 88, 93, 95, 100, 104) sts each sleeve, 95 (104, 113, 120, 129, 138, 145, 154, 163) sts each front and back.

Divide for Body and Sleeves:

*Place 72 (77, 81, 84, 88, 93, 95, 100, 104) sleeve sts onto st holder or waste yarn, use the backwards loop method to CO 2 (2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4) sts, pm for new beg of rnd, then CO 2 (2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4) more sts, remove m between sleeve and body, then knit across back sts to next m, remove m; rep from * once more placing side marker and working across the front, then knit to new beg of rnd m—198 (216, 234, 252, 270, 288, 306, 324, 342) sts.

BODY

Work even in St st until piece meas 2½ (2¾, 3, 3, 3¼, 3¼, 3½, 3¾, 4)” [6.5 (7, 7.5, 7.5, 8.5, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10) cm] from

underarm.

Work in Lace Pat until piece meas 16″ [40.5 cm] from underarm, then work in St st for 1″ [2.5 cm]. BO all sts using

the sewn bind off (see pattern stitches).

SLEEVE

Return 72 (77, 81, 84, 88, 93, 95, 100, 104) held sleeve sts to dpns. Beg at center of underarm CO sts, pick up and knit 2 (2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4) sts, knit across held sts, then pick up and knit 2 (2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4) more sts along rem CO sts—76 (81, 85, 90, 94, 99, 103, 108, 112) sts. Pm for beg of rnd.

Work even in St st until piece meas 2” from underarm.

Sizes 33 (-, 39, -, 45, -, 51, -, 57)” only:

Shape Sleeve

Dec Rnd: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1—2 sts dec’d.

Work 23 rnds even, then work dec rnd again—72 (-, 81, 0, 90, -, 99, -, 108) sts rem.

All Sizes:

Cont working even in St st until piece meas 12″ from underarm.

Work in Lace Pat for 5″, then work in St st for 1″. BO all sts using the sewn bind off (see pattern stitches)..

Work second sleeve in the same manner.

FINISHING

Block piece to measurements. Weave in ends.

 

The post Blackberry Boatneck Sweater appeared first on Marly Bird.

Beth Brown-Reinsel, Knitting Traditions

Beth Brown-Reinsel, Knitting Traditions visited us for the first time on the Yarn Thing podcast with Marly Bird! One of Marly’s first knitting book purchases was Beth’s Knitting Ganseys (available only through her website), so for Marly this was a wonderful opportunity to get to know one of her earliest inspirations.

Beth says she learned to knit at about age 7, not from anyone she knew or a relation. Her mom found someone to teach her to cast-on and knit. She found a knitting store and picked up a Columbia Minerva book and learned to cable and bind-off! A relative from Switzerland came to visit who knit Beth’s mother a sweater in a week! She also taught Beth to knit continental (picking the working yarn from the left hand) where she had been knitting English or throwing with the right. Beth says she was set, continued knitting through her teens as well as quilting, spinning, dying mostly with vegetables.

As an adult, Beth sold her yarn at craft shows, which was discouraging. She began a spinning guild, and with two friends began a business, initially to sell natural fiber but later offer what customers wanted. She also began teaching, as a means to show why natural fibers were more desirable.

Beth put together a workshop of Knitting Ganseys, beginning has been sharing them since 1989. If you look at her website, she has since added so many different learning opportunities! If you’re a Local Yarn Store or have a fiber event, you may consider inviting her to share one of them.

If you can’t wait for her to get to your area, you may consider her Brand-New CRAFTSY Class (***Marly’s affiliate link***) where she shares what she’s learned about Swedish Twined Knitting.

She continues to look for ways to teach the craft she loves, right now she says she putting together a workshop for Cowichan Sweaters. Beth’s patterns are also being converted to the Knit Companion ap which is another resource for knitters.

You can follow Beth Brown Reinsel at her website Knitting Traditions where she has a newsletter sign-up and calendar of upcoming teaching workshops, also you can follow her in Ravelry and Facebook. She also has an Etsy Shop for her books and kits, sometimes she makes yarn and puts it for sale there too!

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/yarnthing/2015/08/11/beth-brown-reinsel-knitting-traditions or in iTunes

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Make it Mine Knit Shawl

The Make it Mine Knit Shawl is a FREE PATTERN that I designed while traveling to the various knitting and crochet shows over the past several months. I would work on this knit shawl on the plane, in the taxi, during breaks or even in the booth while selling yarn!

Many of you would stop me and ask about the yarn, about the needles (I used Signature Needles while knitting this), and about the pattern. You would be discouraged when I said I hadn’t written the pattern yet but no worries. Now you can get the Make it Mine Knit Shawl pattern for FREE!

*disclaimer: post includes affiliate links

The yarn I used for this project is Bijou Basin Ranch, “Lhasa Wilderness”. It is my favorite yarn to work with as it feels so good on the needles and as it is wrapped around your neck when you wear the shawl. I used three different colors and tried to use up almost all of the yarn in this knit shawl. You get your money’s worth. Now that I’m giving you the shawl pattern you have a little jingle in your pocket to splurge on this FANTASTIC yarn!

If you are a beginner knitter…PERFECT! This is a great project for you to knit. You really don’t have to worry too much about gauge which is one of the great things about knitting shawls. But even more beginner friendly is that the majority of the shawl is done in Garter Stitch (which is knit every row), with a little Stockinette Stitch (knit on the right side, purl on the wrong side) thrown in with a lot of yarn overs.

The hardest part of this shawl, IMHO, is remembering if you are on a 2 yarn over row or a 4 yarn over row. Have no fear about the yarn overs; as long as you use the stitch markers like I tell you to you will have no problem keeping track of where the yarn overs go. Plus, if you remember that every RS row only has 2 yarn overs and every WS rows has 4 yarn overs you will be okay

Do you want to make the shawl even larger? Not a problem. You don’t have to stop where I stopped in the pattern. As long as you have enough yarn to go further just continue making the knit shawl bigger and bigger.

Okay, are you ready for the pattern? Here you go. Please be sure to share the URL with your friends

Make it Mine Shawl

Add this pattern to your Ravelry Queue and Favorites

 

Skill level: Easy

Sizes: One size

Finished Measurements:
Width: 23″ down center (widest point)
Length: 56″ wingspan (longest point)

Yarn weight: CYCA #3 Lt. Sport

Materials

Yarn: Bijou Basin Ranch, “Lhasa Wilderness” (75% yak down and 25% bamboo; 250 yds/ 2.7oz) Color: Continental Blue (A), Dinna Fash (B), and Watercress (C): 1 ball each color

Needle: U.S. size 8 (5mm) 40″ (100cm) circular needles or size required for gauge

Notions: Removable stitch markers, darning needle

Gauge

17 sts = 4″ (10cm) in Garter st (knit every row) after blocking

Notes

—The color pattern for this shawl is made by changing yarn color every 2 rows until color
C is added. It is not necessary to cut the yarn each time you change up to that
point. Simply leave the old color hanging at the edge, and after the 1st sl st
carry it up when it’s time to use it again. When the pattern color sequence
changes to 4 rows color C and 2 rows colors A and B cut the yarn and join new
color.
—Yarn over Increase at outside edge every row.
—First and last 4 stitches and center 2 stitches are garter stitch throughout.
—To make the yarn overs tighter I knit them through the back loop.
—If you choose, only do yarn overs on the outside edge every row and do a M1 in the center to make the center increases more tight. Just a suggestion.
—The shawl is worked back and forth in rows. The circular needle is used in order to hold the full length of the sts.

 

Abbreviations (in order of appearance)

Wyif—with yarn in front
Sl—slip
pwise—purlwise
pm—place marker
m—marker
yo—yarn over
k—knit
p—purl
st(s)—stitch(es)
LH—left hand
k2tog—knit two together
tbl—through the back loop

 

PATTERN

Beginning Tab

Using A, cast on 4 sts, and knit 9 rows.

Turn work 90 degrees, pick up 4 st from edge, turn
work 90 degrees, pick up 4 sts from cast on edge–12 sts.

Shawl Section 1

Row 1 (RS): Knit.

Row 2 (WS): Wyif, sl 1 pwise, k3, pm, yo, k1, yo,
pm, k2, pm, yo, k1, yo, pm, k4– 16 sts including yo’s.

Change to B.

Row 3: Wyif, sl 1 pwise, k to m, slip marker yo,
knit to last marker, yo, slip marker, knit to end—18 sts.

Row 4: Wyif sl 1 pwise, k to m, slip marker yo, knit
to marker, yo, slip marker, k2, slip marker, yo, knit to marker, yo, slip
marker, k4—22 sts including yo’s.

Continue in established pattern repeating rows 3 and
4 at the same time change colors
every 2 rows 21 times more—148 sts (69 sts between markers 1 and 2 also 3 and
4).

Shawl Section 2

Change to B.
Row 1 (RS): : Wyif, sl 1 pwise, k to m, slip marker
yo, knit to last marker, yo, slip marker, knit to end—2 sts increased.

Row 2 (WS): Wyif sl 1 pwise, k to m, slip marker yo,
purl to marker, yo, slip marker, k2, slip marker, yo, purl to marker, yo, slip
marker, k4—4 sts increased.

Change to A.

Row 3: : Wyif, sl 1 pwise, k to m, slip marker yo,
knit to last marker, yo, slip marker, knit to end—2 sts increased.

Row 4: Wyif sl 1 pwise, k to m, slip marker yo, knit
to marker, yo, slip marker, k2, slip marker, yo, knit to marker, yo, slip
marker, k4—4 sts increased.

Continue in established pattern repeating rows 1-4 at the same time change colors every 2
rows 4 times more.

 

Shawl Section 3

Change to B.

Row 1: Wyif, sl 1 pwise, k to m, slip marker yo,
knit to last marker, yo, slip marker, knit to end—2 sts increased.

Row 2: Wyif sl 1 pwise, k to m, slip marker yo, knit
to marker, yo, slip marker, k2, slip marker, yo, knit to marker, yo, slip
marker, k4—4 sts increased.

Change to C

Row 3 (RS): Wyif, sl 1 pwise, k to m, slip marker
yo, knit to last marker, yo, slip marker, knit to end—2 stitches increased.

Row 4 (WS): Wyif sl 1 pwise, k to m, slip marker yo,
purl to marker, yo, slip marker, k2, slip marker, yo, purl to marker, yo, slip
marker, k4—4 sts increased.

Row 5: Wyif, sl 1 pwise, k to m, slip marker yo,
knit to last marker, yo, slip marker, knit to end—2 sts increased.

Row 6: Wyif sl 1 pwise, k to m, slip marker yo, purl
to marker, yo, slip marker, k2, slip marker, yo, purl to marker, yo, slip
marker, k4—4 sts increased.

Change to A.

Row 7: Wyif, sl 1 pwise, k to m, slip marker yo,
knit to last marker, yo, slip marker, knit to end—2 sts increased.

Row 8: Wyif sl 1 pwise, k to m, slip marker yo, knit
to marker, yo, slip marker, k2, slip marker, yo, knit to marker, yo, slip
marker, k4—4 sts increased.

Continue in established pattern repeating rows 1-8 at the same time change colors as
indicated 4 more times.

 

Shawl Section 4

Change to B.

Row 1: Wyif, sl 1 pwise, k to m, slip marker yo,
knit to last marker, yo, slip marker, knit to end—2 sts increased.

Row 2: Wyif sl 1 pwise, k to m, slip marker yo, knit
to marker, yo, slip marker, k2, slip marker, yo, knit to marker, yo, slip
marker, k4—4 sts increased.

Change to C

Rows 3 and 4: Wyif, sl 1 pwise, knit to end.

Bind off

Row 1: K2, * Transfer the 2 worked sts to the LH needle, and k2tog tbl, k1* repeat from * to end.

Finishing

Weave in all ends.

Wash and block piece to measurements.

 

The post Make it Mine Knit Shawl appeared first on Marly Bird.

Sharon Zientara, Author 3 Skeins or Less: Quick Crocheted Accessories

Sharon Zientara, Author 3 Skeins or Less, Quick Crochet Accessories visited us on the Yarn Thing podcast with Marly Bird. This was her first time visit, but her experiences in our fiber world is was not that of someone who hasn’t had learning opportunities.

Sharon learned to knit when her mom came and taught knitting her second grade class. Her mom, Sharon says is an amazing seamstress who did a little of everything. A friend had an alpaca farm in Colorado so she moved there to help out and get paid in yarn, knowing Interweave was nearby. She applied for an intership, worked with Eunny Jang, and moved along to Interweave Crochet, working also with Marcy Smith.

She moved to Seattle to work with Skacel in their new retail location Makers Merchantile. This was an opportunity to work with many teachers, like Franklin Habit and Cat Bordhi. Meeting June Hemmons Hiatt, who wrote Principles of Knitting, was life changing for her as she and June’s son met and feel in love, he moved to Seattle and they are working to further June’s work, updating and publishing a second edition of Principals, he redesigned The Knitting Belt.

Just last year (amazingly!) Sharon’s first book was published, It Girl Crochet (link to publisher, Interweave), followed by her current book is just out 3 Skeins or Less: Quick Crocheted Accessories both included patterns from a wide variety of designers, with varied collection of projects. She said her goal was great looking modern accessories, not strictly for women, and would make great gifts.

You can follow Sharon Zientara’s work in her Ravelry Designer page (where she admits to owning five cats).

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/yarnthing/2015/08/04/sharon-zientara-author-3-skeins-or-less-quick-crochet-accessories-1 or in iTunes.

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