Month: April 2017

A wonderful good morning to Saturday coffee with a little this and that from the knitting world.

Saturday Coffee 119 Blog

The past week has slowed me down extremely in my workflow. From 180 to zero, so to speak. But while I tried to work against it at the beginning of the week - at night or every now and then - I surrendered at the end of the week and just let everything lie that could lie. And somehow it felt good, too. There are a few things I really do every morning. For example, I process all orders and related email inquiries or phone calls every morning. Even when I'm on vacation. But everything else can wait and sometimes the waiting has something good and brings new ideas or absolutely brilliant ideas. Do you know this? I still have to keep the ideas to myself for a while, but they will make my books a little more beautiful and I'm happy about it!

I've linked to it before at some point, but stumbled across it again this week: A nice post about how to design a very simple cutout and the way to do it as a trial-and-error.

The "Olive Basket" I have discovered (again). A great cardigan that calls for Norma or Bamboo Bio. They could both be a good fit from the swatch. The Bamboo Bio comes in a great sunny yellow and anyone who has been following my Insta stories knows that I would love to add something yellow to my summer knit list.... maybe the Olive Basket? After the V-Neck-Boxy, for which Washi and Shio have signed up in the last few days, which is why the Norma might have to wait after all (the downside of being slowed down like this is also the inhibited decision making for not-so-urgent projects).

Another pretty spring jacket I have discovered and from the pictures in the tutorial I would never have noticed the jacket, because you can see what colors can do so.

Someone was looking for a nice men's sweater model the other day. I found one and it would be great to knit in Bergamo!

Have you actually run across these cool ballerinas from Julia Gray on Instagram? I find them sooo beautiful, is a nice, quick spring project, right?

There is also a lot going on at Auf den Nadeln. Ariane has knitted a shawl from a gradient yarn. And again you can see how yarns and colors can change the pattern. She knitted according to tinstructionsttern and I love the result! Since you could also use the Unic for great and who likes it very simple, just grab the Easy triangle scarf pattern for it.

Julia showed off her Shockwaves, which I've also come across in a variety of ways - a great design!

A pretty baby jacket can be admired at Hannah's.

This airy wrap jacket made of mohair from Monika I also find super great! No wonder, I am finally a big mohair fan, as you know. Sensai or Premia would be suitable. And if you like it a bit grippier, combine the Sensai with the Shio (merino variant) or the Premia with the Piura (alpaca variant).

There is a new knitting kit for a nice, airy summer poncho in the store. And the beautiful ITO design for this light summer scarf you can also order along with matching yarn in your favorite colors. Also, the new Como Tweed from Lamana has moved in in the four colors in which the yarn starts. Piura and Cosma were briefly sold out in the color old pink (oh shock!!). But since Lamana always delivers so wonderfully fast and reliable, everything is ready again.

A wonderful good morning to the Saturday coffee with a little this and that from the knitting world and around Maschenfein.

Saturday Coffee 118 Blog

I've put new products and knitting kits online every now and then in the last few days. Brand new in the store there are:

There were also tickets to our first big Maschenfein knitting meeting here in Berlin in June, but they were sold out immediately. I was able to organize a few more seats, but they were also sold out immediately. On the one hand I was really happy about that, but on the other hand I felt sorry for all those who are now on the waiting list. So we are just already thinking about the next meeting and will in any case eagerly take pictures and report.

The day before yesterday, Susan threw the Vneck Boxy by Joji Locatelli into the race as the next project. I don't really have any time for "leisure knitting" right now, because the deadlines for my two new books are looming very close. But the Vneck Boxy has appealed to me so much that I'll at least make a color decision this weekend and put aside the yarn here as a precaution, *cough*. Susan has already ordered the right amount of Nepal - I think she's knitting the version with the round neckline, which is just called Boxy. I'll most likely use Norma and definitely knit the V-neck - it just suits me better. I already really like the Norma gauge, very soft and light. The amount of yarn you need (no matter if Nepal or Norma, they both fit) can easily be calculated by the required yardage for your size, which is already stated exactly in the respective description on Ravelry. This will be a cozy, very slow knitting, because Susann is still knitting on her OSAKA and I still have a few weeks to let the needles rattle for small secret lappets.

Kerstin and Sandra start in a few days with April in Berlin. Since only neckline and non-existent sleeves and length were not quite mine... but I'll try on Kerstin's April then, who knows... They also knit with Nepal, I'm curious!

There are still so many great projects on the needles or just hopped off the needles. On Instagram, for example, there was just the new checkerboard poncho from Frauke to admire. Sandra's Hint of Summer made of Washi and Shio is pretty much finished and looks just great. Many, many beautiful Verena scarves are even finished and new ones are posted daily. Mine is still waiting to be unchained, I'll show it to you soon!

At Auf den Nadeln you must definitely go rummage again, we have also this month soon again 100 projects together!

Oh and for the OZ Verlag I have just tried a few different braid needles, my evaluation and with what I actually knit braids mostly, you can read there in the blog.

Have a great weekend!

A beautiful good morning on Easter weekend. We spend a few quiet days by the sea. I love long car rides as a passenger - really nice knitting time, so my Verena scarf is growing rapidly. In between I am busy knitting swatches in this style:

Saturday Coffee 117 Blog

A few days ago there was a very, very beautifully written text about me in the Pascuali blog. I was very happy about that.

I was asked for yarn alternatives for the Ravello by Isabell Kraemer. I would knit it in Washi with Shio (I like the combination very much, I have already recommended and mentioned several times). Alternatively I threw Niji with Asa into the race, that would be a more airy stitch definition, also fits and is beautiful together.

There is a new summer top to match ITO Kinu. You can also buy the tutorial in German on Ravelry. Personally, I always need a few sleeves (attachments) that cover the upper arms, ahem. But that's individual, isn't it?

Tanja has published her tutorial for the short cardigan in the semi-patent, for which she is currently hosting a Knit Along. She knit the little cardigan with the new Premia from Lamana, which will be available in about two weeks. In the original she knitted it from Cosma and Piura, also a great combination. By the way, you can also see Cosma on the picture above, a beautiful and very soft summer yarn made of cotton and modal. Could also fit to this sweater.

At Very Shannon I was inspired by the idea of the "Make my Wardrobe" Knit Along / Sew Along. However, whether I will really sit down at a sewing machine again in this life, I dare not predict at the moment. Because even if it sounds kind of crazy: I am too impatient to sew. The many steps that are necessary to finally finish a garment on the sewing machine are simply too cumbersome for me. How do you do it? Do you "only" knit or do you also sew?

Another great new scarf from Janukke just went online on Ravelry. A mega idea with crazy great effect. I am thrilled. Be sure to check out the Kite Runner. Suitable yarns would be Merino 150 or Bayak.

At Auf den Nadeln I have also discovered great things again. For example, Anja's Westbourne from ITO Kinu. Or Steffi's cozy, soft jacket in curry. And Augusta's beginnings of a spring sweater also look promising.

Have a wonderful weekend, I wish you a happy Easter!

The Knit Along to the Maschenfein-Verena scarf knit along is in full swing, with many beautiful color combinations. I'll show you some of them just below. There are already over 150 shawls in the works that I know of. Isn't that crazy? I'm sure there are still a few on the needles that I don't know about (yet), and I'm adding more every day. Mine is going, too, of course, and I'd say I'm moving about midfield in terms of speed.

Knit-Along-Verena-Scarf

I knit in the colors anthracite, silver gray and pearl white. Anthracite and silver gray were sold out in no time, but great I was allowed to choose two colors that were re-dyed by express and of course I chose these two, which are so popular. They will be available again in about 1 to 2 weeks, you can already order them again. The colors Mint and Pistachio are now also out of stock, but they will be back in June.

Some people had problems with the Brioche increasesso I recorded a video for you (in vacation mode, with kids bustling around in the background and totally bad sound quality). Yeah. So please overlook all the technical shortcomings, and just pay attention to the needle movement :). -> Click to the video

Knit-Along Edge Stitches-Verena Cloth-Fine

To the Edge stitches I also wanted to write something very briefly: You have to pay attention to the thread tension at the edge, then it will be beautiful. I ALWAYS lead the working thread of the upcoming row behind the other thread at the edge. If you always do this the same way, the edge will be very nice without having to knit extra edge stitches. Give it a try!

Verena cloth maschenfein colors

From top left to bottom right the scarves of Elbpudel, Silvie, Uta, Bea, Wolleria, Birgit, Sandra, Michaela and Marika.

I look forward to all further progress! Please use the hashtags #verenatuchKAL and/or #maschenfeinKAL on Instagram so that I can also find you.

In the middle of the month I always notice when scrolling through my Instagram pictures that I absolutely have to write my review of the past month. On the one hand, to keep you a little up to date on what's going on behind the scenes - after all, very few people are as regular on Instagram as I am. On the other hand, to reflect a little bit for myself what was going on, what has become more, what I have accomplished and so on.

Instastrick March Maschenfein 2017

In March, I have often just shown directly what I wear so. Meanwhile, my closet counts namely already nice many self-knitted clothes or scarves. The patchwork scarf is one of my favorite companions (1) and (6). Paired with the whippet in (1). The chipmunk is used especially often now in spring, in (7) together with the Diary Cardigan. My XXL stole is already soooo old and I still like it very much, in (8) combined with my Cusi Cardigan. The Bergalu poncho (12) accompanies me these days also again more often, perfect in so hermaphrodite weather situations.

In March I had (2) a sweater from a new ITO yarn on the needles: Sweater for the one new book (comes out in the fall), the yarn with strong favorite yarn character is then also here with me from fall. In (4) you can see a doubleface sample, which was used to make two great pieces for the other new book (also coming out in fall), you can be so excited! And the corn stitch in (4) has already grown into a finished project (the corn yarn is available here). Hach, I would love to show you more already. The swatch in (5) is the Alpaca Fino, which is currently #secretly in progress. The ITO cones in (9) have meanwhile migrated to Carina, where another project is being created, the color combination of orange and pink is just the absolute blast, I am now still quite enraptured about this choice. In (11) you can see the brine, also still on secret needles for the one new book. The (12) still gives me a headache, because the Cashmere Light is a cloud of yarn. Only I'm afraid it's a little too pricey for the project in my head. Whether it will be heart or head that decides, I don't know yet. Either way, something pretty will come out of it eventually. And if it is only for me.

I am always very happy to find beautiful pictures of your Maschenfein projects, like this Hinata shawl in (3) from Landherzen. Kerstin had knitted it especially for the h&h fair and how happy we were to meet then you can see below in the picture (20), hach....

Instastrick March Maschenfein 2017

More pictures of my everyday outfits, the diamond scarf in (13), once again paired with the Cusi cardigan. My Loppa cardigan in (14) that so many here in Como are knitting or have knitted. The Alea shawl (15) from my first book, which, by the way, I'm constantly asked about on the street - well, the shawl I mean. In (16) one of my favorites, the shawl Leokadia, also from my first book.

And then again pretty trial. In (17) a beautiful summer yarn that I had not yet managed to put online here. I will present it to you soon. And in (18) I had such an idea from Sensai and Shio, which I had then somehow lost sight of.... was actually not bad, I should do again.

The h&h fair took place at the end of March, and there were a few pictures of it on Instagram. A really great moment was the first personal conversation (19) with my project coordinator Anna from emf publishing in front of the bestseller wall with the huge poster of my book. I was really blown away!

In (20) once again the great Hinata wearing picture with Kerstin.

In the very last picture (21) a little glimpse of another secret project for the one new book. This is a great piece! I tell you!

The past few days have been a little crazy. Because although the Verena Knitting with the Maschenfein exclusive and my brioche pattern shawl only went on sale at all on Thursday, the idea of the Verenatuch KAL has met with such an insane response that I was really quite overwhelmed in the meantime. But I got a grip on myself and we were able to deliver pretty much all orders. Until the color anthracite was completely sold out. And then also silver gray. And now also Mint. Ahem. Anthracite and silver gray will be re-dyed by express, but mint will really come in again in June. But that doesn't matter, because there are so many great color combinations and so many beautiful yarn alternatives with which you can participate in the Knit Along, that all those who want to join later will be spoiled for choice even without Mint. If you want to have a quick look now, you can get the wool package here in the store.

I have decided on the colors anthracite, silver gray and pearl white. My little miss has of course fallen in love with the pink version and at some point I'll have to knit another mini scarf... but that's going somewhere in the middle of my to-knit list for now. Between twelve thousand swatches for the new book coming out in the fall and a Hint of Summer that I'd actually love to knit as well.... but that's just in passing.

Verena cloth maschenfein color combination

So back to the Verena shawl: I was really steadfast and only started winding the skeins Bayak the day before yesterday. I fortunately have a reel and a wool winder, but very, very many have bravely or even with abandon wound by hand. With a little practice, it can be done. At the show, I discovered a new wooden winder that will be here in the store very soon, as soon as it is available to retailers. At the moment you can find this standard winder from Knit Pro and this standard reel in the store. My wooden winder was organized by my husband for my birthday a few years ago. You can order my winder here, but there is a very, very long waiting list.

Yarn skein winding

But back to the Maschenfein-Verena shawl. Before I actually cast on the first stitches for my own sample at the weekend, I'll show you a few impressions from the Maschenfein knitting round on Facebook today. Who is not on Facebook, do not be sad, the most important I will show you here. In addition, you can find on Instagram under the two hashtag #verenatuchKAL #maschenfeinKAL also many, many beautiful pictures.

The Verena shawl is now knitted not exclusively in the original yarn Bayak (75% yak, 25% bamboo), but also in Sensai from ITO (60% mohair, 40% silk), very very often in Nepal (60% cotton, 28% linen, 12% nettle) and also in corn (100% corn pulp) or also in Lamana Cosma (60% cotton, 40% modal). These are the yarns I have in the store, then of course there are variants in other yarns from the stash or wherever.

Verena cloth knit long what yarn

So it really is a motley knit along and I just love it so much!!!

I cast on the first stitches this weekend, and here's an explanation: The pattern had to be pressed together pretty tightly for the magazine, so for expert Maschenfein readers, the beginning may not be obvious right away. But it is simply the three-sided stitch cast on (English: Garter Tab Cast On)!

Three-sided stitch cast on: cast on 3 stitches, knit 6 rows right side up, after the last row do not turn the work, but instead turn it 90° so that you can pick up 3 stitches from the left edge, then do not turn again, but turn 90° once more and pick up 3 stitches again from the cast on edge.

Then we first knit "only" garter stitch. By the way, the long lower side is then about 27 cm before we switch to the two-color brioche pattern.

I wish you a happy stitch stroke! Be sure to make a small stitch test beforehand and test whether you like the stitch definition with the corresponding needle size. This is very individual and it is worth trying it out.

 

A wonderful good morning to the Saturday coffee with a little this and that from the knitting world. Around noon, my first post on the Maschenfein-Verena-Such Knit Along will appear here, but until then you can make yourself comfortable with a cup of coffee or tee and click a little through the knitting world.

Saturday Coffee 116 Blog

Janukke has a new cloth from ITO Kinu on the needles, I'm already very curious about it!

Tanja will start a new Knit Along for her typical fluffy jacket at the end of April. This time she uses Lamana Premia, the new mohair-silk yarn from Lamana, which will be available in beautiful Lamana colors from about mid-April (of course also from me).

I discovered the stEEk-Along at Veryshannon! A fun idea, I think we should do that sometime: Knit stitch samples are knitted, which are then all ge-steeked, i.e. cut open, on Instagram on a set date (in this case Monday). Totally cool, right?

This summer poncho I find pretty and you could knit it great two-thread from ITO Sensai. It would be soft like a cloud.

A great tip on how to start a piece knitted in stockinette stitch without it curling up can be found at Double PointNadelspiel

On Tuesday I was at a great event of Pinterest and have afterwards highly motivated my boards a little tidy. For example, the board with beautiful knitting ideas for children. Go rummage around if you like.

There is a new Lamana magazine, this time with beautiful designs for babies. The matching yarn is available in all colors in the store and a few knitting kits I have also packed.

Something off-topic, but if you still want to let the sewing machine rattle a little on the weekend, you can take a look at Bine and look at the pretty Easter basket of cord, I had discovered in her Insta-Stories. Quickly made (theoretically, cough) and in her blog post she also links the tutorial.

After that, we'll continue here with the first post on the Maschenfein-Verena Shawl Knit Along.

Be curious!

We are enjoying a beautiful and sunny beginning of April. I notice at the moment, nevertheless, nothing of springtime knitting lust. Neither with you nor with me! Of course, I think that's great and I'm looking forward to the Verena scarf, which I will needle in the coming week with many of you here! In March you have linked so really neat projects, who has time to browse, click through there again. I am excited about the April projects.

On-the-Needles-April

I'm now finishing the sleeves of a sweater before I start on the Verena shawl. I confess, the picture is already a little older, but I was not allowed to show it, because there you can see the gorgeous new yarn from ITO that will be available in August/September in stores. It was just presented at the weekend at the fair and certainly many dealers have already struck. Of course you will get the yarn here. Matching the new book, in which there will also be a sweater model, namely this one above, and which will also be released in the fall. Just like the second new book. By the way, as a retailer you could already take a sneak peek at my two new covers at the fair, I can't wait to show them to you as soon as the catalog comes out. It won't be long now.

What are you knitting in April? What has become of your last projects? Will you tell us here? I'm looking forward to it! Just comment here under this post or link yourself in the link collection. You can link up all month long! Attention: You have to put a backlink to this post or blog in your post, otherwise it won't work with the link tool. A backlink is nothing more than a link to this blog :)!

For all of you who are visiting here for the first time: Each month I'll collect your knitting projects by linking your respective blog posts to "On the Needles" here. You can find all past collections to browse in the On the Needles section.

On Instagram I use the hashtag #aufdennadelnapril (and quite deliberately you will also find projects from last year). Join in there too!

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A wonderful good morning to Saturday coffee with a little net whisper from the knitting world.

Saturday Coffee 115 Blog

After a long day at the trade show, I'm sitting here in the hotel just after midnight and all my ideas for Saturday coffee are blown away. Instead, the many impressions of the day are buzzing around in my head. The big shawl knitting bestseller poster at the emf booth, of course. The two beautiful new yarns from Lamana that will be available here soon (finally a Lamana mohair yarn and then another great Como Tweed yarn, both of which I've already tried on for you). A wooden (!) wool winder from Knit Pro. How great is that? Many of you will be happy about it, I know it already.

Very nice were the designs from Mohair Trend and Cashmere Light at the Lang Yarns booth, I will show you tomorrow on Insta. For me exciting novelties from Addi are the sock wonder needles up to 5mm and new also with Lace tips, as well as a few stoppers that hold the needles together in the knitting bag. No idea what they're called, but they're great, they'll be here.

Tomorrow there is still a lot to see. I am already looking forward to it!

In the meantime, you are raiding the Bayak warehouse for the Verena shawl that we will be making together sometime next week. Very many have also chosen Nepal, I'm already excited about it. Some, incredibly, already have the Verena at home on the sofa table. Because the subscribers are served (as I have now learned) with some advance. The others have to wait until April 5. Mean, isn't it?

I still have a few inspirations for you:

Jana from Janukke is just gradually releasing the "Stripes Collection". There will be a total of five tutorials for scarves in different techniques. Every Wednesday a new tutorial comes out.

There is a nice new summer poncho tutorial in the Shibui Knits design. Could you knit from Bamboo Bio or from Nepal (for the latter you might have to convert a bit depending on the gauge). I also like this summer jacket knitted from Nepal....

Have a great weekend!