Blog Archives
Knittea: High Tea Collection
This past week I became smitten with a gorgeous sweater called Assam. It turns out it is the newest release from Tabetha Hedrick and is part of the new Sweet Georgia collection of patterns called High Tea.
Assam pattern by Tabetha Hedrick, available on Ravelry for $9.00 Canadian (approx. $7.04).
The full collection which includes an additional sweater, a shawl, and a hat (for a total for 4 patterns) is available for $15.00 Canadian via Ravelry.
The Corner of Knit & Tea: Episode 137, Sweaters and hats and socks oh my!
Welcome to episode 137! Today I talk about all my knits and spins, as well as Raishan, the pattern I released this week. I’m still going strong on socks for the Sock-a-long as well. Come join us!
Please come and join the Ravelry group.
You can also find me on Ravelry as Fluffyk, Twitter, Instagram as Fluffykira, and in my shop The Corner of Knit & Tea.
Tea:
- David’s Tea, Sugar & Spice (discontinued)
Knitting:
- Finished: Baby & Child Sophisticate by Linden Down, Cascade 220 Superwash in Cobalt Heather
- In progress: Vanilla Socks in Opal Best Friends (Attachment 8863)
- In progress: Buccaneer by Justyna Lorkowska, O-Wool O-Wash in Barn Owl and a gradient on Iachos from A Hundred Ravens.
Spinning:
- Finished: Hello Yarn Polwarth in Citrus Citrus
- On deck: Southern Cross Fibre South African Superfine Merino in Boil and Bubble
Extras:
- I am currently hosting a Sock KAL (knit or crochet) from May 1 to June 30. Come visit the group thread for details.
The Corner of Knit & Tea: Episode 132, Ramblings about design.
Welcome to episode 132! Today I have two FOs, and some knits and spins, and I ramble my way through sharing a new design with you. I hope you enjoy!
Please come and join the Ravelry group.
You can also find me on Ravelry as Fluffyk, Twitter, Instagram as Fluffykira, and in my shop The Corner of Knit & Tea.
Tea:
- Upton Tea, Sweet Almond
Knitting:
- Finished: Cape Cod Socks by Knottygnome Crafts, Lamby Toes Sweet Pea Sport in Sweet Tooth
- Finished: Yonder by Sweet Birch Designs, Cascade 220 in Heather and Birch Heather
- In Progress: Baby & Child Sophisticate by Linden Down, Cascade 220 Superwash in Cobalt Heather
- In Progress: My dragon design, Cascade 220 Superwash in Turtle
Spinning:
- Finished: Two if By Hand Superwash Merino in Sinister Foxy
- On Deck: Hello Yarn BFL in Pink Treacle
The Corner of Knit & Tea: Episode 125, A really big show.
Welcome to episode 125! Today’s podcast runs a bit long – I have so many knits and spins to share with you. At the end, I also announce the winner of Mina’s New York Sock Collection subscription.
Please come and join the Ravelry group.
You can also find me on Ravelry as Fluffyk, Twitter, Instagram as Fluffykira, and in my shop The Corner of Knit & Tea.
Tea:
- Mt. Rushmore souvenir tea, Moroccan Mint
Knitting:
- Finished: Faro Pullover by Amy Christoffers, Green Mountain Spinnery Weekend Wool in Teal
- Finished: END ALS hat, Cloudborn Worsted in Magenta and Natural
- In Progress: Sowerby by Annika Barranti in my handspun
- In Progress: Find Your Fade by Andrea Mowry, Yarns: Lamby Toes Sweet Pea Sport in Sweet Tooth, Suzy Parker Yarns BFL in Tangerine Twist, Hedgehog Fibers Twist Sock in All That, Knitcircus overdyed by me, The Fiber Seed Sprout in Merlot, and Supernatural Yarns Nymph in Malfoy Manor.
- In Progress: Fiber Trends Felted Clogs by Bev Glaskas, Cascade 220 in Irlande and Birch Bark
- On Deck: Conwy by Nancy Bush, Manos del Uruguay Alegria in Turmeric
Spinning:
- Finished: Fat Cat Knits Corriedale Cross in Smoke for my Hap Shawl
- Finished: Pigeonroof Polwarth in Millefiore
- On deck: Spinsters 2017 Crazy Batts
- On deck: Simply Ewe Fiberworks Targhee in Berrylicious
The Corner of Knit & Tea: Episode 122, Just WIPin’ along.
Welcome to episode 122! Lots of WIPs today to share with you.
Please come and join the Ravelry group.
You can also find me on Ravelry as Fluffyk, Twitter, Instagram as Fluffykira, and in my shop The Corner of Knit & Tea.
Tea:
- Teapigs, Apple & Cinnamon
Knitting:
- In progress: Faro Pullover by Amy Christoffers, Green Mountain Spinnery Weekend Wool in Teal
- In progress: Neat Ripple by Lucy of Attic 24, scrap sock yarns
- In progress: Fierce Feminist by Kiki Hall, Knit Picks Capra DK in Flamingo, Fuchsia and Black
- On deck: Test knit baby sweater, Knit Picks Stroll Tonal in Deep Waters
Spinning:
- Finished: Tempted Alpaca/Merino/Silk in Sex N Candy.
- On deck: Hello Yarn Polwarth in Troll.
Extras
- There are only a few days left in the Selfish Craft-a-long. After two months of crafting gifts it’s time to craft something that brings you joy! Details are in the Ravelry group.
The Corner of Knit & Tea: Episode 119, New setup
Welcome to episode 119! Today I head back to the craft room, but with a new setup. I’ve got one FO, progress on my WIPs, and I’ve started a new sweater.
Please come and join the Ravelry group.
You can also find me on Ravelry as Fluffyk, Twitter, Instagram as Fluffykira, and in my shop The Corner of Knit & Tea.
Tea:
- Tea Time Scottsdale, Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake
Knitting:
- Finished: Pussyhat Project by Kat Coyle, Cascade 220 in Dark Pink
- In progress: Vanilla Socks in Gynx Yarns Sport in Gingerbread House
- In progress: Faro Pullover by Amy Christoffers, Green Mountain Spinnery Weekend Wool in Teal
Spinning:
- In progress: Hello Yarn Merino in Nimble
- On deck: Nerd Girl Yarns SW Merino in Secret Spiders
Extras
- January 1 marks the start of the Selfish Craft-a-long. After two months of crafting gifts it’s time to craft something that brings you joy! Details are in the Ravelry group.
A Very Buffalo Christmas.
As some of you know, I didn’t grow up celebrating Christmas. However, when I married my husband I was adopted into his family’s Christmas customs.
Since I don’t have a collection of Christmas ornaments for our tree, I decided that I would build our collection with intent, making each ornament special. Every year I buy an ornament that corresponds to our wedding anniversary. For the 7th anniversary (last year), the Hallmark traditional gift is iron. I perused Amazon and Etsy and I found a wrought iron buffalo ornament that I liked; we had just been on a long vacation to Yellowstone and seen tons of buffalo. So I ordered it.
Imagine my surprise when it arrived and it wasn’t a tree ornament, but over a foot wide, and at least 8” tall.
My husband suggested I knit our buffalo a Christmas sweater. This is the result.
When knitting a sweater for a buffalo, short rows for the hump are a must.
The Pattern: Heavily adapted from A Tiny Flock of Sweaters for Good by Susan B. Anderson
NaKniSweMo 2016 in the books!
A month ago I shared with you my plans for NaKniSweMo 2016. As I suspected, my sweater didn’t end up being 50,000 stitches, but I did finish in time and I’m thrilled with the finished sweater!
Just so the details are all in one place:
The Pattern: Lady Marple by Nadia Cretin-Lechenne
The Yarn: Spirit Trail Fiberworks Zalti in Hydrangea Blue
The Needles: US 8 MarblZ
The Buttons: Briar Rose Fibers
NaKniSweMo 2016
Every year since 2010, I have participate in NaKniSweMo and this year is no exception.
For this year, I was excited to knit something with my recently acquired Rhinebeck yarn. I’ve settled on a beautiful cardigan with lacy details: Lady Marple by Nadia Cretin-Lechenne.
Lady Marple by Nadia Cretin-Lechenne, pattern available on Ravelry for ~$5.20
I went to Rhinebeck with this sweater in mind and found exactly what I was looking for at the Spirit Trail Fiberworks booth. I’m using the Zalti base which is an aran weight yarn made from 100% Targhee. It’s squishy and soft and I love the hand of the fabric.
I purchased two skeins in the colorway Hydrangea Blue.
A bit later on I was wandering through the Briar Rose Fibers booth and found the perfect matching buttons.
This past weekend I sat down to swatch for my sweater. After checking the math, I’m good to go. Let’s get this party started!
Rhinebeck Sweater
For years now I have wanted to go to Rhinebeck, or the New York Sheep & Wool festival held in the Rhinebeck Valley in New York in the fall. Late last year Ana and (sadly blogless) Beth and I decided that 2016 was the year.
In our flurry of preparations, we have each been talking about knitting a sweater for the event for months now. The “Rhinebeck sweater” is a ritual that many festival attendees create each year. I spent some time trying to decide what kind of sweater I would want to wear at Rhinebeck (I’m hoping the weather cooperates – some years it is hot and others it is snowy!). Frankly, I wanted it to be a sweater of the “magnum opus” variety. That is, I wanted to knit something spectacular to wear there. So I perused Ravelry and came up with something I really thought would be a good fit for me. Cables? Check. Tunic length, meaning excessive yardage? Check. Overall cozy New England feel? Check. Good for use in Kansas winter? Check. I selected Dallas by Amy Miller.
Dallas by Amy Miller, pattern available via Ravelry (photo: Amy Miller)
Next it was time to ponder yarn choices. The pattern called for Plucky Primo Worsted which was a little out of my budget. I debated whether I wanted my yarn to be buttery soft, but with potential for pilling (thank you Yarn Harlot for making me realize I was making yarn noises!), or a bit hardier but eliciting a fewer oohs and ahhs. I also wanted to buy a color I didn’t already have in my wardrobe. I ended up deciding to use Cascade 220 in a fabulous green shade called Irlande.
Then I set about swatching for my sweater. I don’t always take the time to swatch carefully before knitting (I know… I know…) but I really wanted this sweater to be a success. As I knit the swatch, however, I found that I wasn’t completely excited about the sweater. I don’t know whether it was the seed stitch in the cable, or the suggested positive ease of 4-9 inches, but I wasn’t feeling this sweater.
So I had a little heart to heart with myself (and some text messages with a friend). I went through the pattern search on Ravelry again. I looked for my cables, and my extra yardage, and my “New England feel but good for Kansas weather” sweater. And I re-swatched. And I’m happier with my second choice – Ardara by Carol Feller.
Ardara by Carol Feller – pattern available via Ravelry (photo: Carol Feller)
So now I wait for the swatches to dry and I contemplate all the possibilities for my Rhinebeck sweater. I guess I’d better get to knitting pretty soon, right?
