Month: october 2015

A wonderful good Saturday morning for coffee and net talk with a few nice links from the knitting world.

In the picture you can see a beautiful GOTS certified merino yarn from Rosy Green Wool, which will become a scarf. The sample is even already on the needles, you may have discovered on Instagram. At this point I also link again to the post from Strickspleen about vegan wool. Very worth reading and thinking about.

Jule from Hey Mama Wolf has opened her Etsy store Hey Mama Wolf Yarns, where she offers from now on her beautiful plant-dyed yarns. The wool comes from small sheep farms from all over Germany, preferably from controlled organic livestock. It is washed in a fiber- and environmentally-friendly way using only soap and spun in the Czech Republic. Jule then dyes the resulting yarns by hand with dye plants and plant dye extracts. I find this totally exciting and will soon ask again in more detail, after all, Jule still lives in Berlin, I look forward to meeting you soon!

Until tomorrow you can still participate in my raffle for the great knitting video course "Design your own sweater". So hop right over and leave a comment. The course is very worthwhile!

DaWanda has opened the new DIY portal, yesterday there was a small blogger meeting in the Snuggery for the opening. The knitting section is also gradually filled with pattern. I'm curious what develops further there.

October is almost over again, so you should definitely hop back to On the Needles October and browse all the participating blogs!

Have a great weekend!

I am always very happy about new books from fellow bloggers. Today I present you the new work of Ela, who blogs at ela-strickt. After her first work, the Mama Baby Knitting Book, she has now written a book with 20 really beautiful pattern, which she has divided by seasons: Knitting through the year has come out and really super beautiful.

It is a book that you like to leaf through, with beautiful photos and colors, a great layout and loving texts. Ela has put her heart and soul into this book, as she did into the first book. And you can feel that when you leaf through, look at and read.

There is something for every season and right at the beginning of the book is also explained in detail which materials are best suited for which projects and seasons. In autumn and winter there are cozy jackets, gloves, hats and scarves. In spring, among other things, a light jacket and a beautiful scarf. Then in the summer, among other things, a merino shirt and a delicate stole.

After all, you can knit all year round, you just have to choose the right projects and materials! Ela has used very nice yarns for the projects, you can find all the details in the book. Among other things, yarns from Lamana and Rosy Green Wool, of which there is already a skein ready here. The Rosy Green Wool yarns I will introduce you soon in more detail.

Knitting through the year
by Gabriela Widmer-Hanke
Edition Michael Fischer

You probably know this: you hardly hit something, it is actually already finished knitting in the head and you would like to start the next ten projects. I feel like that all the time. In recent weeks, I have become a little better organized and now write down my ideas, including yarn favorites and patterns, really systematically. For the different ideas in between, I like to knit single columns to different gauge loops, with different patterns or colors. Today I show you a few new yarns that I have just tried and with which I have something in the next few weeks.

Of course, I don't keep all the stitch samples, but I do keep many of them. They are labeled and then go either in a drawer with many samples or in a small project bag in which the upcoming projects are waiting.

I've been trying out three new yarns from Rowan over the past few weeks: Alpaca Merino DK, Hemp Tweed and Big Wool Silk. In the upcoming picture you can see Alpaca Merino DK and I'm still so excited about this yarn while looking at the pictures, that I can't wait to cast on the scarf that will be made in about this pattern. I've knitted the whole ball with several different pattern variations, but I like this one the best. The yarn is mostly alpaca with a small amount of wool and a little nylon. The nylon adds a bit of strength to the yarn, which is so super lightweight and knitted in a warp construction of sorts. It is a slightly heavier yarn (for needle size 4.5), but super light due to the construction.

The stitch definition will be totally interesting, don't you think? I'm really looking forward to showing you more soon. Hemp Tweed, tried here in the "plum" (purple) version, is made of wool and hemp and is available in various mottled colors. It's strong and sturdy, and is intended to become (albeit in blue) a men's scarf. The must be finished as soon as possible for an upcoming birthday. If not, just for Christmas.

The last thing I did was knit Big Wool Silk into several samples, because I've been looking for the right heavier yarn for a cardigan for what feels like forever. I knitted it with a 12 gauge needle, but somehow that's too tiring for me. The yarn is nice and light and cozy (70% wool and 30% silk), but I'm just not the chunky type. Knitting with the big needles is no fun for me in the long run, so I couldn't knit a whole cadigan that way.

Eventually, it will still be a cap. I could well imagine, I've recently seen somewhere on the street a super heavy cap with coarse braid, which I liked very much. For this, this yarn would certainly be suitable and above all, the cap would be finished in an evening Ruckzuck!

As you know, I'm a big fan of knitting podcasts and video lessons in knitting. When I enjoy half an hour of coffee time in my favorite coffee shop in the morning before I go to work, I usually listen to podcasts, gladly some episodes several times. While knitting in the evening, I like to watch video courses. Today I'm featuring a course that I was very excited about, because I was still able to learn an incredible amount. And since I think it's so great, I simply asked Makerist if I could give away this course here. I'll tell you how to enter the rafflecopter below. Now I'll tell you what this course is about: Design your own sweater with Rita Maassen.

As the name suggests, it's about calculating your own sweater design. But it's not just about sweaters, it's basically about taking the right measurements and correctly calculating the desired design - whether it's a sweater or a cardigan. With your own individual yarn. And with your own individual patterns. In other words, a tailor-made design. A sweater like I've always been looking for, simply calculate and knit it myself.

The course runs for a total of 11 episodes plus two bonus episodes. First of all, it's about the right choice of materials. Then about making a sketch and thirdly about taking the right measurements. This was actually an episode that helped me immensely. I've always been a bit sloppy or lazy when it comes to taking measurements. It's at least as important as the gauge if you want to knit a really perfect fitting piece. By the way, it is also important if you knit according to a good pattern that contains different measurements. Rita then explains where and how measurement allowances are calculated and how all these numbers are now to be transferred into the pattern.

Once the measurements have been taken, the next step is, of course, the stitch test. Based on this, stitches and rows are then calculated, also for any patterns. An entire episode is devoted to the subject of the arm ball, which is, after all, the most complex part of knitting a sweater or cardigan. At the end, it's all about sewing the pieces together correctly.

In the bonus episodes, Rita also explains how to convert pattern to other sizes or (very important) how to coninstructionsttern to other yarns.

All in all, a really great course with over 4 hours of video material. If you want to learn more about designing your own knits, I highly recommend this course.

Here with me you can win it now! You hop into the lottery pot by leaving a comment below and tell me if you have ever designed and knitted a sweater without pattern. Or if you have already conveinstructionsttern for other yarns. Or if you have never knitted tops at all? I'm curious, tell me!

Conditions of participation: This raffle ends on Sunday, 01.11.15 at midnight. All participants must be of legal age. I will inform the winner drawn at random by e-mail. The legal process is excluded, the prize can not be paid in cash.

If you are interested in how to convert existing pattern correctly, there is also a course on adapting and converting knitinstructionsttern. Also with Rita and just reduced!

************* Raffle ended! Won according to random number 26, which is Jana without blog! Congratulations and have fun with the course! *********************

With me, the eye definitely knits with and so I was very curious at the very first announcements of the novelties from the house Addi. Now the new olive wood needles are also finally available in stores and they are fantastically beautiful. You can tell that much just by unpacking them. As with all Addi products, you can simply see the quality and careful production on them.

I love knitting with Addi needles, just treated myself to one of the beautiful Colibri needles for a future project. About the click system, which I use very often, I have already written a more detailed report. With the olive wood needles I have already been allowed to knit a few stitch samples in the spring and am not only thrilled by the look. The needles are really great! The olive wood is warm in the hand and is very little slippery. It is somewhat firmer, perhaps also heavier than the light bamboo needles.

The olive wood needles are unfortunately not (yet) available for the Click system. I very much hope that this will change soon. For me personally, the purchase of several circular knitting needles is no longer an option, because I change the rope length far too often, or knit back and forth rows in different needle sizes. For me, the Click system is absolutely the first choice, but at the same time I would like to have the option of switching from bamboo to olive wood.

The olive wood needles were provided to me by Addi for testing, but the joy of knitting with these needles was not affected.

A wonderful good morning to Saturday coffee with some nice links from the knitting world.

Lamana has published a new magazine, on Facebook you can gradually admire the new designs. Beautiful pattern among other things also from the Como yarn, of which I raved the other day already. When I saw the first model, a hole pattern triangle shawl, I had to gulp though, I have pretty much the exact same pattern in a different yarn on my needles and was just about to write downinstructionsttern. The pattern matches my Lakota hat, so this scarf tutorial will not be available here after all. But looks in the Cusi yarn from Lamana also wonderfully seductive.

I have a new favorite crafty course that I listen to while knitting, Know your Yarn by Clara Parkes. I also have her "The Knitter'S Book of Yarn" sitting here, I think she is the queen when it comes to material science and her course always teaches you something even after listening/viewing it three times. The other book "The Knitter's Book of Wool" is on my Christmas wish list.

In the picture you can see my patchwork knitting explorations of the last weeks. It will be a cozy triangular scarf from many triangles. Not difficult at all, I will report about it.

On November 7 and 8, Stephen West will be visiting the beautiful Hamburg wool heaven mylys. It's certainly worth it if you're in the area! Today (October 24) is also Ankestrick from 14-17 clock there on site.

On Pinterest I have discovered a totally cute poncho for children. As is sometimes the case, the link leads to nirvana, but the part is also totally easy to knit, so as inspiration it's good and of course also works for adults.

Oh, and for a super overview of the different stitch piecing techniques, how they work and look, click here.

Have a great weekend!

I have another special treasure in my knitting library, which I would like to present to you today and highly recommend. Maybe it's already something for your wish list - Christmas is coming. The ingenious sock workshop published by Topp Verlag. I have knitted exactly one pair of socks so far. I'm put off by the fact of having to knit the same thing twice (I don't like sleeves either). And somehow sock knitting has always seemed too complicated to me, too. I flip through this book all the time, though. It's been here for quite a while and in my head I've already knitted a whole wardrobe full of socks.

I like the book because it is so comprehensive and complete. It includes the different cast ons, all possible cuff variations, different heels, soles, toes and also a whole chapter on pattern knitting for socks.

By the way, one of the two authors, Stephanie van der Linden, has also written the book Stricken - Das Standardwerk (Knitting - The Standard Work ), which I have just recommended to you again in my newsletter (you can subscribe to it at the bottom of this blog). An absolute knitting bible. Both books are similarly extensive and detailed and I like that. Particularly challenging techniques are shown on an included DVD. They are both really good reference books that no knitting library should be without. The sock book also has a few pattern at the end, but they just round out the book. You don't buy a book like this because ofinstructionsttern.

Sometime. Maybe during the Christmas vacations. Then I'll finally knit my second pair of socks, too. Until then, I'll just browse from time to time, get inspired and learn the theory.

The ingenious sock workshop
by Ewa Jostes & Stephanie van der Linden
published by Topp Verlag

Poof, it's already here, the finale of the Brooklyn Tweed Knit Along. That sounds so solemn, only I had feared it, I have today unfortunately still no wearing photo for you. But at least the front and back are washed and stretched and the first sleeve is almost finished. For the rest I'll keep you (and myself) in suspense for a few more days.

But that does not really matter, because there are already so many great parts on the blogs and Instagram (#btmaschenfein) together. Take a look at these, for example:

1. back to the wheel (gloves) 2. back to the wheel (hat) 3. simple knitting (guernsey wrap) 4. morning pink (hat) 5. soozasknitting (snow stars hat) 6. marion wernsing (bedford) 7. thousand stitches (aster) 8. neva cat (aranami shawl) 9. ulla (merle)

Are you guys ready yet too? I'm attaching the Brooklyn Tweed linkup below. Share your link here or show your results on Instagram with the hashtag #btmaschenfein. Among all participants I will raffle a Woolspire voucher worth 50,- Euro at the beginning of November.

[inlinkz_linkup id=555628 mode=1]

The other day I got a message on Facebook from Kristin, who I know from a group of DaWanda sellers. She runs her own little store where you can buy fine cashmere beanie hats, among other things, and her first book was just launched at the book fair: "Stricken - Einfach, achtsam, kreativ" (Knitting - Simple, Mindful, Creative) from the Handarbeiten für die Seele series by Trinity Verlag.

It is a small, fine booklet, with carefully selected projects and accompanying knitting pattern. They are all projects that are very easy to implement and cozy knitting, such as a loop, a baby blanket and a hot water bottle cover. Not too complicated, but well suited for meditative knitting, because knitting is yoga. It makes you somehow satisfied just by looking at it and browsing through it.

A really successful and beautiful booklet to give as a gift for stressed girlfriends or mothers. Congratulations, Kristin!

Knitting. Simple, mindful, creative
by Kristin Joél and Ulla Rahn-Huber
published by Trinity Verlag

A wonderful good morning to Saturday coffee with some nice links from the knitting world.

In the picture you can see the wonderful merino yarn "Como" from Lamana, which I have already stacked here for one of my next projects. It's going to be another baby blanket. I tell you, ~~late~~ mid-thirties is the baby blanket knitting age. I've come up with a nice pattern, you may be curious! I had already knitted Como for the baby blanket "Kora" and I can absolutely recommend it for baby blankets now, even after a few months of baby use with my friend. The stitch definition becomes a little irregular at first, but after washing and stretching it becomes nice and soft. Above all, the blanket is suuuuper light and yet nice and warm. absolutely great!

Karen from the blog Fringe Association has called for Slow Fashion October. I read quietly with and find that a nice action! I'm not (yet) so far that I could daily wear self-knitted, but that's not necessarily the point. Slow Fashion October is a kind of extended counterpart to Me Made May, in which sewing bloggers in particular wear and show self-sewn clothes for a month. May doesn't suit us knitters quite so well in terms of temperature. You can wear knitted but much better in October. So this is the starting point. Karen is not only interested in knitted items, but also in raising awareness about the origin of the clothes we wear every day. And of course, we will see many many home-knitted and sewn clothes in this campaign. On Instagram, the hashtag #slowfashionoctober is used.

Jule from Hey Mama Wolf did a very exciting experiment a few months ago and knitted stitch samples of one and the same yarn with different needles, but in the same needle size. So wood, square needles, bamboo and metal. Depending on the needle material, the stitch samples turn out differently! This shows once again how important, important, important, knitting stitch samples is. Especially when knitting larger garments. How annoying when they later turn out too big or too small, right?

At the needles has already come together again a lot, go there necessarily browse. Andrea knits the BeauB Cardigan from rililie, it's so beautiful! Mrs. Wollwesen knits Pam Allen's Morning Glory, I also like it very much. And anyway, it's fun to click through all the projects.

By the way, I wanted to recommend the Craftsy course Cut Your Knitting: Skein & Steek With Confidence. All methods are explained in detail and a small project guides you through the world of multicolored knitting.

Thank you so much for the super positive feedback on my new knitting tutorial - the diamond scarf! I am very excited about the first pictures, feel free to send me a link or tag me @maschenfein on Instagram when you knit the scarf. I look forward to it!

Have a great weekend!

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