Just the other day, we realized in our team meeting that we were somehow still stuck in the beginning of the year. It's a bit of a shock to realize that it's already May and we're in the middle of the second quarter. The signs are pointing to spring - even if we still - or again - have one or the other cozy piece on the needles. But read for yourself:
Marisa is really bad. So everyone on the team is bad, but Marisa is the worst. I would never have knit myself a shawl in baby blue. I do now. Namely our beautiful Luna clothfrom the equally beautiful Midnatssol by CaMaRose in Dueblå. Sometimes you just have to see colors in others first. I already told you at Saturday Coffee that we are currently revising the pattern, because in this case the gauge doesn't work and we are adding a sequence. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at "support@maschenfein.de".
There - together with Jule - Sandra always helps you. For me, she was the pinnacle of knitting discipline for a long time. One project, maximum - but only in exceptional cases! - one additional, no stash. Well.
And now? There I open Sandra's mail with the photo of the current project, expect the TheCozyHoodie from Clarissa Schellong and what do I see? A gauge! From Piper. For the Anna Cardigan. Her message about it, "Reason or not, when the boss lets such a great yarn move into the store, you almost can't help it... it all looks a hell of a lot like a #maschenfeinannaKAL. Who's in?" As quickly as you ordered Piper, I can tell Sandra either way: there are a few in!
Jule has decided on the following motto: "After winter is before winter." For this reason, she is knitting a new headband design. She has already explained to me how the plaiting will work. And I can promise you that we will make a video about it. The knitting will be done with the wonderfully soft Tibetan by Pascuali. The yarn (70% merino, 30% yak) already exists - but it has had an update: The merino portion is now certified organic and the color palette has gotten a huge expansion. From August you can choose between 38 colors. Personally, I think Jule takes a ball of yarn to cuddle in bed with her in the evening. That's how much she raves about it.
I hereby declare myself the new queen of knitting discipline. If Napoleon could crown himself emperor, that won't be so bad. And so I continue to knit Carla - our Mother's Day shawl this year. I have now cast off part 1 and am looking forward to starting the second part with Premia by LAMANA. Whereby the Kinu from ITO has very excited me in the first part - it simply creates a beautiful knitting feeling!
And what do you have so in May on the needles? Feel free to tell us!"On the Needles" is a series from Maschenfein. Just comment here under this post or link up in the links section. On Instagram we use the hashtag #ontheneedles.
You can link all month long! Attention: You must set a backlink to this post or blog in your post, otherwise it will not work with the link tool. A backlink is nothing more than a link to this blog :)!
Are you visiting here for the first time? Every month we collect knitting projects that are linked here in the respective blog posts on "Auf den Nadeln". You can find all past collections to browse in the On the Needles section.
I hardly dare to say it, but I think spring is here. So now really. Yes, ok. The weather app shows rain again, but at least no more single digit temperatures (for daytime at least). Yes, I know. The Ice Saints are also still coming (As a namesake, I am of course always aware of this fact). But we're pretending now, at least for the next few leisurely Saturday coffee minutes, that sock season will soon be over, deal? I won't make the jump too hard either - promise! A wonderful good morning so to a spring Saturday coffee with net whisper!
When the sun shone so beautifully one afternoon this week, I sat in the sandbox in just a t-shirt and a cardigan (I had pants on too, of course!). No more jacket to hide the beautiful knits. Instead, just our "old" Mother's Day shawl Zora around the neck - done.
Perfect as a cardigan would have at this point also the designs Bramsche from Ankestrick or the Champagne Cardigan from PetiteKnit would have fit perfectly. Both top-down designs, but so different in character. And both have something for themselves, of course!
Bramsche is a pretty cardigan with round yoke. Eye-catcher is the delicate hole pattern. And although knitted with 4.5 mm needles, the jacket does not look robust at all. In the knitting kit you will find the Sandnes yarns Double Sunday and Silk Mohair.
A word at this point right away about out-of-print colors and general "unavailabilities". You all know (and feel) how much Corona still determines our lives. This is no different for our manufacturers, who source their raw materials from various parts of the world. Again and again there are delivery delays because of this. Everyone is doing their best, but we still have to ask for your patience. And just keep hoping that someday things will get back to normal. So feel free to ask us for alternatives. You can also replace Double Sunday by double-knitting Sunday, for example.
And when we can eventually relax and go to a cafe or stroll along a beach again, that would be the perfect moment for the Champagne Cardigan from PetiteKnit. A model that I was rock solidly convinced at first that I wouldn't have to re-knit. And then it kept popping up in my mind's eye. And now it has landed on my knitting list. Not only because it has such fine details like a double knit button placket. But also because I really want to try the yarn Double Sunday, which is also used here. Maybe even in a very bright color. Somehow I've taken a liking to the statement green and I never knit green otherwise!
But for this cardigan I would make an exception. Simply because I so long for color and warmth and a world without Corona, I imagine this green killing that little shit virus. Not going to happen, I know. But I can wish for it.
Also my third model with sleeves has triggered such head cinema with me that I had to show it to you. The Neighbor sweater by Millamila from Norway would just fit so perfectly on a nice garden party, that I want to knit it absolutely. So fluffy and delicate and then the slit in the back... hach! Knitted is stockinette stitch top down. All hems have an icord finish, which I really, really like. As a yarn we would suggest Premia from LAMANA double held.
The story of Millamila I also find really heartwarming: The label was founded by two Norwegian women who met by chance. One was sitting at home knitting and didn't know what to do, when the other rang the doorbell and asked if she could borrow some sugar. Really true! Said sugar seeker, called Marte in real life, has fortunately been knitting forever and was able to help Silje. The label is named after her two daughters, Milla and Mila. In turn, the mothers are each married to a musician. The next time I read a stupid message, I will remember this story. And I'll remember that there are also many, many good things happening in this world.
Oh....Green!
Why all of a sudden the color green keeps popping up in my head? Maybe it simply has something to do with the following model: the Sweater No. 15 from My Favourite Things Knitwear.
I myself knit cable stitches rather rarely. But this model tempts then perhaps yet to deviate from the rule. Also because, if I see it correctly, it does without a cable needle - at least I haven't come across one in any photos on Instagram. And if I took up knitting with a cable needle - I'd tell everyone and anyone about it! (Update: The first comments trickle in and tell me that knitting with a cable needle is done here after all. So we do not get around it ;-))
Sweater No. 15 is loosely cut and is knitted top down. As yarn you can take for example the combination of Sunday and Tynn Silk Mohair , but also Alpakka Silke and Tynn Silk Mohair would be possible. Here I imagine especially the light silky sheen of the Alpakka Silke beautiful. Jule has also created a kit for you directly. There is no really bright green, but many other beautiful (green) tones. And who wants to let it really crack, simply takes the color That Orange Feeling.
Attention, now it's getting warm!
So. As I said, I wanted to take you all gently over towards spring. How about a spring-like headdress, for example? Very fresh from Paula_m is the Sofie Béret a crocheted (!) beret that makes us dream of croissants and lattes.
Susanne crocheted her hat in three different variations: From Kos by SANDNES, from Bergamo by LAMANA and from a cotton yarn for which we would suggest you alternatively Ica, also by LAMANA. Perfect for the Sofie Béret would be the Jules Sweater would fit perfectly to the Sofie Béret - also in the Ica variant.
And if you already want to prepare for even warmer temperatures, you should definitely check out The Fluffy Crop Top by Lia Lykke. The top is knitted in a half brioche top down - and can of course also be worn over a shirt.
I know many of you are always looking for mohair-free alternatives, but I think this top stands out just because of its fluffiness. Maybe you could knit three strands of Premia from LAMANA. Shall we just do a stitch test for you?
If you are easily cold or just need something warm in the morning, you can still knit the Cozy Cowl by Anne Ventzel. First work the front and back separately and then join them. Then knit the turtleneck. In the kit you will find the wonderful combination of Como and Premia from LAMANA.
Make yourselves comfortable again: Now the whispering starts
Now it really does not take much longer and 52 Weeks of Shawls can finally be shipped to you. The books have already arrived in the warehouse and are now waiting for April 30, the official release date of the shawl book from Finland.
At Ravelry you can already browse through all the designs. One of my favorites is Stairway by Susanne Sommer. The Austrian has already collaborated with Laine several times and is known for her brioche designs. I already have this stole here from her and love it very much!
By the way, if you like yarns, knitting kits or accessories, you can add them to a wish list in your customer account. Again and again, we receive questions about whether the old wish lists will soon be available again in your customer accounts. We have tried many things for a long time, but unfortunately we had to realize that a mistake happened during the move and we can no longer import old wish lists.
We are very sorry about this, because we know that many of you have created extensive wish lists. We hope that you will now create new ones and fill them with all the beautiful products that have moved into our store since the relaunch. As for old orders with downloads: We are still working on them and hope to be able to import them successfully by the middle of the year. If you are missing a download before then, please send us a mail to "support@maschenfein.de", and we will add the corresponding pattern directly back into the customer account. Thank you for your understanding and help!
Maschenfein knitting round
I could also thank you every week anew for your numerous pictures that you share over in the Facebook group and also in our #maschenfeinstrickrunde on Instagram. Thank you for being so passionate about it!
Numerous pictures are of course from our mystery cloth Carla. On Thursday the second part of the tutorial was published and I'm curious when I will discover the first pictures with the contrasting colors... 😉 Surely very soon at Marie and charlima42, who show above the first part of this year's Mother's Day shawl.
For Carla you can now also find a third knitting kit in the store. Since many of you want to knit with blue tones, you can still let off steam with Puno Winikunka from Pascuali. And if you have difficulties starting with part 2, you can also find a video on our YouTube channel. There Sandra explains everything in detail.
At Suzanne 's you can see the Trifle the easy one by ChrisBerlin. Here in the combination of Alpakka Silke by SANDNES and Cashmere Haze by Rowan. Katja has finished the Ribbed Raglan from Anne Ventzel. Knitted from the Snefnug by CaMaRose it is certainly a true cozy dream.
We wish you now a beautiful weekend with lots of knitting time and hopefully warming spring sun!
The past year has been difficult. The pandemic has turned all our lives upside down to such an extent that we are still standing there in disbelief, wondering when a bit of everyday life will return. And right now, this everyday life is becoming even more distant. That's when you might bury your head in the sand. To counteract this feeling of despair - and of course to continue a tradition! - this year we're going to have a fine Mother's Day Mystery Knitalong. Together with you we want to knit the shawl Carla. We didn't choose the name without reason. Because Carla means "the free one".
This meaning fits perfectly for us: because even if we ourselves currently still have to live with restrictions, the cloth reminds us that other times will come again. While knitting we can dive into another world, enjoy peace and distract ourselves. In this blog post, I'll introduce you to our knitalong in a little more detail and tell you about the yarns we used. Oh, and there is also a little news in the store!
What actually is a Knitalong? And what is "mystery" about it, please?!
The Mother's Day Mystery Knitalong is taking place for the third time. Basically, a Knitalong - KAL for short - is about a group knitting together. With the same wool, the same project, designs of a certain designer or or or. Usually there is a fixed starting point. The whole thing becomes mysterious when the knitters don't know what the finished model will look like in the end.
And that's how it is with us: You only know that you're knitting a shawl and, of course, you know your yarn. But what Carla looks like in the end - we won't tell you! Have a look at Zora and Amelia. These are the shawls from the last two years. And I think, then you can calmly get involved with the (still) secret Carla 😉 Of course, she is quite different from her predecessors - for example, less playful than Amelia. But beautiful they all three are.
Start of our Knitalong is the 15th of April. Then you will also get the first part of the tutorial. Part two will follow on April22, part three on April 29. The shawl should be ready for Mother's Day on May 9 - but don't put yourself under pressure. Everyone knows how much we have to get done at the same time. And Carla can also be given away as a gift after May 9. Or keep it.
When you buy one of the knitting kits, you will receive the first information about the shawl: the finished measurements, needle size, gauge, but of course also the general amount of yarn, if you want to knit Carla from a different yarn. As usual with our own designs, you can also buy the pattern separately. Just click here. As with the kits, you will first get the basic information and on the days mentioned above you can download the other parts ofinstructionsttern in your customer account.
Our Mother's Day shawl this year we have developed in collaboration with ITO. The design itself is from Sandra, who knitted her shawl from Kinu and Sensai. With a final measurement of about two meters long and one meter deep, you'll get a real cozy dream thanks to the Sensai (60% mohair, 40% silk). Kinu is made of 100 percent bourette silk. This is also called organic silk , because it is made from the spinning residues of filament silk. The beautiful melange effect is achieved by spinning different colors. You can find the knitting kit here.
If you don't like mohair, you can take a closer look at our second kit. In it you will find Kinu and Shio (100% wool). This combination also really impressed us in the test knitting.
Which color should I use?
Well, if it were that easy! I have shifted my colors back and forth over several days. And thought about it. Because you don't just make a color choice like that. Too beautiful are the many different tones at ITO.
Our samplers, which of course we can not yet show you in full glory, we have knitted in different color combinations. For each variation, we swapped the main and contrasting colors once, so that each shawl has a negative counterpart, so to speak. These were our colors:
Kinu #382 Navy + Sensai #341 Orient Blue Kinu #393 Pale Blue + Sensai #324 Pale Blue
If you need help with the color selection, write us an email to "support@maschenfein.de". Sandra and Jule will be happy to help you. The color cards are already drawn! In addition, we have preset several color variations in the kits themselves, so that you can see directly which colors of the respective yarns go well together.
And then I promised you something new in the store: From now on we have - in limited edition - keychains, with which we carry our knitting love with us at all times. Here you can find the pendants.
And otherwise: Share your yarn combinations and other pictures on Facebook and Instagram. Just use the hashtags #maschenfeinstrickrunde and #muttertagsmysterykal. We are looking forward to seeing you there and defying Corona together with us!
Hand on heart: Are you disciplined knitters who work only on one project and only after completion the next strike? Or are you like me others (no idea who!), who also like to have a second and third project on the needles? Of course you don't have to tell (but you may!). But if one or the other is looking for a little variety (on the needles!): Welcome to the Saturday Coffee with small and big knitting ideas for new projects, with net talk and a little walk through our Maschenfein knitting round.
Two in One Guide
There is never such a thing as the perfect solution. Not even when it comes to pattern. But some of them come quite close to an all-round carefree package: For example the one Thea Top by Susanne Müller.
This is what she released late last summer. This week came the (free) update to it: With a few modifications and the new Como and Premia yarn combo from LAMANA, you can easily knit yourself a pretty sweater. The Thea Vest is a great in-between seasons project. You can easily make it before spring really gets going. And even if it gets warmer then: Mette from PetiteKnit, for example, regularly shows that such a slipover does not have to be styled winterly at all. By the way, sweaters and tops are knitted in one piece top down.
If you would prefer something with sleeves, you could knit the Featherweight Cardigan by Hannah Fettig. It might be the right piece to carry you into spring with its three-quarter sleeves and shortened cut. The pattern for the top-down model are also available in German. As yarn we would suggest the Balayage from Pascuali. We're waiting on a few colors right now, but a sunny orange or even the bright yellow-green Piura would be there. The muted blue-gray tones I also find great.
Perfect as a second, third or (yikes!) fourth project are socks. They can be very simple, plain knitted designs or ones with delicate patterns. I admit it: I love to look at beautiful socks. Preferably the ones from 52 Weeks of Socks from Laine.
But also in the magazines there is usually always a sock model. In issue no. 3, for example, it was the design Anouk (the pattern are also available separately). In issue no. 8 you can find Heather. I don't know if I would ever manage to knit such socks - but aren't they just beautiful? If you prefer to follow a German tutorial for patterns like these, you might want to check out Miamare from Schachenmayr. The yarn used here is the Krönchengarn Premium Cashmere, which you can also use for the other two designs mentioned. I would also find Premium Silk just as noble. Now that I write it like this: Maybe I should finally knit some socks with LACE pattern!
At our knitting kits you will find now also very fresh the packages to the current free patterns from SANDNES. The first is the Blomsterjakke, which is knitted from Duo by SANDNES. As a second design you will find the Sweater Frescoknitted in two strands from Duo and Tynn Merinoull (also SANDNES). Children's designs are also super projects that you can cast on the side. In this case, the only restriction is that you can not leave them too long, because children are known to grow quite quickly. #fromtested
If that's too daring for you, you could reach for the Yamagata scarf from ITO. The model is easy to knit and is made from Awayuki, a fluffy yarn that consists of 80 percent mohair and 20 percent silk. You can either choose your own colors or use a ready-made kit.
Pssst....! Net whisper!
And even if traveling is still one thing... knitting in company is simply fun. An alternative to analog knitting meetings is a virtual knitalong. Our Jule is organizing a TeeKAL with her knitting group. In the last blogpost On the needles I already told you what it's all about: drinking tee and knitting T-shirts. Lotilda is also organizing a Knitalong to coincide with the start of spring. The cardigan Jona will be knitted, starting on March 22.
For the Knitalong we offer you two knitting kits: In this one, for all you mohair lovers, you'll find Tynn Silk Mohair by SANDNES. And in this knitting kit we have put the Midnatssol by CaMaRose - a perfect alternative for all who like fleece but don't want to knit or wear mohair. Knitting is four-thread in both cases. All info about the Knitalong, where Tanja will also provide you with step-by-step photos, can be found for example in this Instagram post.
Maschenfein knitting round
If we now set off on our little virtual walk through our Maschenfein knitting round, you could fill up your coffee and tee cups again. For example, the pretty mugs by Minuk from Hamburg, which are now also available for purchase. The drawings are very typical for Antje and her small label and simply make a good mood.
I always get in a good mood when I see your knitting pictures. So many different designs - crazy! Katrin, for example, is busy knitting her Hokei Scarf from ITO and Anna shows you a great Lacetuch, knitted from Merida by LAMANA.
Stephanie has finished her Anker's summer shirt - and is thus well prepared for spring. The above mentioned Midnatssol you can find at Larissa - and exactly for the soon starting JonaKAL. Well, who has got the desire now?
I hope you now have some ideas what else you could knit, in case one project is not enough for you... I for one have to knit a sample now. For a, hmm, third project. Anyway! Have a great weekend with lots of knitting time!
The other day, in group chat: "I'm so torn about what to knit!" "I don't know what yarn to use!" "That sweater triggers me sooo much!"
No, it's not easy to decide sometimes. Then there are conversations to be had, yarns to be compared, designs to be studied. Then comes a decision. So maybe. Maybe you wait for the next Saturday coffee - who knows what will come? As is well known, there is always a lot to come. And so it is today: Welcome to the Saturday Coffee in the in-between season! With lots of inspiration and net talk. Because don't worry: There's a suitable project for every pot!
Julie & Me, Me & Julie, ....
I am a big fan of Julie Hoover. We don't need to talk about it for long. After Marisa and Sandra discovered the Loop Encadré last year, I was hooked. Julie and me, it just fits! Her whole style is just "thumbs up" for me.
I can therefore simply not help it and rummage around again and again (just for you of course!) On her Ravelry page. Because what makes Julie Hoover's designs above all, is the timelessness.
One of these timeless designs is Lohman (Does anyone here remember a time before Corona? I don't.) The short sweater has so-called Dolman sleeves, meaning: wide at the top and narrow(er) at the bottom. But the slight batwing cut is so subtle that the sweater doesn't lose its shape. Another eye-catcher is the garter stitch knitted shawl collar.
Lohman & Me, Me & LOhman
I had actually already selected the sweater for last week. But then other designs came in between and somehow I was distracted for the time being. But whenever I let my thoughts circle, they returned to Lohmann. And to our great yarn suggestion: Shio and Urugami from ITO. I'd be lying if I said the wool wasn't already in the shopping cart for a test run. Wool is not the best choice here, since Urugami is made of almost 30% paper. Isn't that madness?! That we can knit a sweater with our hands and a raw material like paper? For all of you who don't have too much experience with ITO yarns yet, I once again recommend our podcast episode with Tanja, the founder of ITO. You'll end up wanting to knit paper and steel, then embroider with Iki, and finally dye something in the shibori technique. No kidding!
Let's talk about re-jeans
In general, the entire needlework industry is a real haven of creativity. This applies to end consumers, of course, but also to manufacturers. Pascuali, for example, has a yarn in its range that is made from recycled denim cotton. The fibers come from jeans manufacturing, where fabric scraps are re-dissolved step by step down to the individual fiber and cleaned. The fibers are then remixed and spun into yarn.
Knitting kits with Re-Janes at Maschenfein
In the store you can already find some knitting kits with the special yarn. Among them these three designs, which are perfect for the current in-between season (Shall we call it "Frinter"? "Spring" I find so cumbersome...).
Because men's designs are also always requested, I have chosen the sweater Navin and the cardigan Tarun. Both come from the house of Pascuali and are knitted top down. The sizes range from S to XXL or XXXL; thus makes six to eight or nine balls of Re-Jeans.
The neckline of the sweater is formed with short rows and the increases for the shoulders are made on the four raglan lines. Knit all cuffs in garter stitch, otherwise work stockinette stitch.
The cardigan is constructed in a similar way; here, too, the increases are made at raglan slants. Knit the body in rows, the sleeves in rounds.
Of course, you can also knit super designs for ladies from re-jeans: For example the Jacket in pearl pattern by Rosa P. The cardigan with pockets and long sleeves can be perfectly combined. Knit from the top down.
Or would you prefer another bit of cozy knit?
If you don't want to let go of winter knits yet or if you want to take precautions for the next fall/winter, you might want to take a look at the following designs. Marisa for example is very fond of the Sweater No. 14 from My Favourite Things Knitwear.
Like you and me, she immediately tapped into Sandra's vast wool knowledge and asked about a possible yarn combo. The result: Duo and Tynn Silk Mohair from SANDNES.
The Sweater No. 14 is an oversize model with wide sleeves and an extended back. Knitted seamlessly top down.
The other sweater has discovered TrüffelschweinchenSibel and it was immediately clear that he fits quite wonderfully in this Saturday coffee. And when I write "fit", at least one of us said "It fits perfectly into my pattern" 😉 Another advantage: Depending on the yarn combination, you can also make it spring-like light.
Calliope is knitted seamlessly top down. I especially like the long sleeve cuffs. It's those little details that make a design seem even more interesting all at once.
For the yarn, we have several combinations in mind: very classy would be the Shibui combinations Koan and Lunar or Koan and Silk Cloud - whereby the latter has a more airy stitch definition. But especially now for spring, and maybe with a white blouse underneath, we imagine it really chic. Possible, and again with more compact stitch definition, but would also be Sunday from SANDNES double held. By the way, here are also the new colors arrived in stock and available. My colleague Jule called it "the selection of the century" and I fully agree with her. Here is something for every taste.
If you're still looking for a little something for Easter, you might be happy with our latest addition to the tutorial. Bunny Mümmel is a cute cozy toy that looks wonderful in Easter nests. It is knitted with the new wool-silk yarn Saffira by Pascuali. The amount in the knitting kit is enough for two bunnies.
You can also discover the bunnies at Sandra's test knitters. Among them is Elisa, who not only has a little bunny in her garden, but also a veritable sea of flowers. Nanni 's colors are also very spring-like: she knits sweater #02 from the current LAMANA magazine. The color really makes you want to be in the sun!
You can find softer tones again at Simone and Bettina. Simone knits the September jacket from PetiteKnit. Also a project that is on my list. And at Bettina 's you can see the Powder Vest by Clarissa Schellong. I really like this one, too! Knitted is like the September jacket with Sunday and Tynn Silk Mohair from SANDNES.
And? Are you project-technically supplied for the next few weeks or do you need more inspiration? Of course it will keep coming... you know that! But now we wish you first of all a nice weekend with lots of knitting time!
I feel like a little crocus at the moment. I'm very, very carefully sticking my little head out of the ground. A bit disheveled. Not quite awake yet. "Spring, is that you?", I ask. I am not sure. One should not praise the mild temperatures before the last late frost (farmer's wisdom I know...). But so be it. I'm craving color, light yarns, short sleeves, and sunshine! So welcome to a spring-like Saturday coffee with high vitamin D content, with easy knitting ideas and good-humored net talk.
Delicate pattern
Ever since the magazine came out, I've been sneaking around the shirt by Flower Buds by Astrid Troland. It was published in May 2019 in the eighth Laine Magazine. In the meantime, however, the pattern are also available individually on Ravelry.
The shirt is knitted in two parts, so at the end there is a bit of sewing work waiting for you. For knitted designs without sleeves, however, I think this can be tolerated. Suitable would be for example the mattress stitch, which we explain in our basics book Stitch by stitch explain. With this type of sewing, the edge stitches disappear on the back of the knitted piece. The result is an almost invisible seam.
But now to the most important thing - the yarn! We would advise you to use the LAMANA combination Piura and Milano. The color palette ensures that you can go for both soft and bold colors, depending on your taste. Or how about combining two colors for a delicate melange effect?
Spring love
Regular shock I had fallen in love while looking for designs for this Saturday coffee in Chabot by Alma Bali. The French architect designed a beautiful sweater with batwing sleeves. The tight sleeves are an interesting contrast to the loosely cut sweater. The V-neckline and the delicate pattern in the middle provide the necessary lightness. So? Did you fall in love too?
Yarn-wise, we landed on the Merino Twist Solids from Cowgirl Blues. The pure virgin wool yarn has a silky shimmer thanks to the superwash treatment and so many great colors to offer that it's almost hard to decide. Almost. I spontaneously settle on Ruby Grapefruit. I told you at the beginning that I was craving color! Take that, winter and coronablues!
Who would like to orient itself knitting-technically still more correctly early summer (besides, one must plan also time for knitting), becomes in any case with Isabell Kraemer fündig.
A bit older, but timelessly beautiful, is the sweater ...a hint of summer. Stripes, loose cut, 3/4 sleeves, top-down, deep shoulders... I like such cuts very, very much! For the yarn, we suggest either Kinu by ITO or - if you prefer a vegan version - Nepal by Pascuali. Both yarns are wonderful for summer. Silk, for example, develops a cooling property when it gets really warm. The same goes for Nepal, which is made of cotton, linen and nettle. Hach, you know that feeling of wanting to stroke yarn? I have it really bad right now when I write about Kinu and Nepal.
The shirt Edie is knitted from Sparrow by Quince & Co. and also top down. The pattern is simple, but pretty - and also has a very practical function: Sparrow is a pure linen yarn. The stripes prevent too much tension. In general, you should not be irritated when knitting pure linen yarns. Sparrow grips tightly, but becomes wonderfully soft, light and airy after washing and tensioning, and also through wearing. And as mentioned above: linen unfolds its cooling effect in warm temperatures, making it the perfect companion for summer.
...and vice versa! Cloths just always go. Very fresh on the market in the homeschooling influenced Variablending from Kerstin. Her son went through equations with several variables in math. So math also has positive sides. I always have to convince a bit ... 😉 But the cloth with lifting stitch definition is definitely a good argument. The pattern are designed to change the pattern after every 20 cm. As yarn we recommend you the combination of Premia and Piura from LAMANA. Do you already see the combination pink and curry, like me? Or maybe jeans and silk gray? You will find it - guaranteed!
Already as a knitting kit we have for you Noora from Rosa P. Equipped with our hand cream yarn Cashmere 6/28 from Pascuali. The shawl is knitted from the left tip to the right edge with increases on the right and decreases on the left. It is knit in the main garter stitch and has a ruffle facing that is worked with turn-ups. So if you like it playful, you will be happy with Noora!
You will also be happy with our fine collection of accessory bags, which we have designed in collaboration with Franziska Klee. Until the end of February you can order the bags, which will be handmade for you.
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If you want to learn more about Franzi, her story and our collaboration, I highly recommend our latest podcast episode. I just love listening to other creative people talk about their passion and career - and I'm sure you'll find it exciting too!
You can also get another look behind the scenes of the label Franziska Klee in our video, which Marisa recently recorded with Franzi. On Instagram, the Leipzig native took us live into her studio and told us more about her work. I warn you though: In the end, you might end up buying a bag from her. At least that's what happened to three of the four Maschenfein employees. The fourth will probably fall over soon, too. So if you want to take the risk: You can find the video here.
We are looking for you!
Well, and then... Then we are looking for reinforcement for our team! To develop our website further, we need support. Maybe it's one of you? Or someone you know? Feel free to tell others about our search! You can find the complete job ad here.
It's getting cozy again in our maschenfein knitting round on Instagram. At Melanie 's you can see the Erikka Slipover by Rosa P. from the Snefnug by CaMaRose. By the way, supplies are on the way! You have us there pretty emptied. 😉 And with Mareike you can admire the finished Coat for Roxane from Kathrin Schneider. Knitted from Bergamo by LAMANA and just beautiful. And a dog is on the photo. A dog!!11!1
You won't find a dog, but you will find two Osakas at Franziska 's and at Silke's. You know the old knitting law, passed down from generation to generation, that every knitter needs an Osaka? Don't you? Then hop, hop, choose your colors! I'm knitting myself another one this year, too. Is namely the perfect project for the year 😉.
But now we wish you a nice, quiet, sunny weekend. With lots of knitting time of course!
We've been through this before. So far, 2021 has rather half-heartedly stepped out of the big shoes of its predecessor. But (!): January is now more or less over. So 1/12 is done. Got it done. Rocked! And we? We just don't give up hope. And create little islands of happiness for ourselves. Right now. So, grab a coffee and then it's back to: A wonderful good morning to Saturday coffee. With knitting ideas and webtalk. And the bush radio is beating the drum, I tell you! Because there is news from the "our-new-page-goes-online" front!
But first we start with the necessary inspiration: Who wants to knit with regard to the advanced time no more heavy winter sweaters, for the perhaps slipovers, pardon, would be something! Yes, I know. They are (almost) in the same league as slipovers. But I personally like them very much. And if it's just shivering times, you just quickly pull a slipover over and it's warmer again.
From PetiteKnit there are two more designs: The September Slipover complements the cardigan and sweater of the same name. I really like the brioche pattern - knitted from Sunday and Tynn Silk Mohair by SANDNES. The beginning, namely the upper back, is knitted in rows first. Then the shoulders follow, and then everything is closed to form the round. And think of me as a knitting nerd, but I find increases in the brioche just extremely pretty to look at!
The Zipper Slipover is also knitted from the top down. The high collar, which is closed with a zipper, protects you from cold winds and is knitted in a rib pattern and then folded over. So it becomes really stable and cozy. As yarn Mette suggests Alpakka Ull and Tynn Silk Mohair from SANDNES.
On Instagram the other day - as so often - I discovered a new design and wanted to save it for me a bit. Naive as I was, I thought no one else would discover it. There I underestimated on the one hand, of course, the effectiveness of social networks, but especially the many sleuths among you 😉 And promptly appeared the Hokei Scarf a few days later in our Facebook group. Anyway, I thought I would show it to you again.
This design is knitted from Shimo and Sensai from ITO. The base yarn is the wool-silk blend yarn Shimo. Knit smaller squares into the larger squares by combining Shimo and Sensai. Working the two qualities together creates a mottled intarsia effect. In the end, the scarf is over two meters long. And I imagine it would be great as a stole, too.
Such a pole would also fit the following scenario: Because when I see the designs of ROWAN, my head always starts spinning. English country house, someone is aristocratic and Inspector Barnaby is also coming over for tee. Around five o'clock, I guess. And usually after a murder.
In the case of the two designs above, I assume that they at least got along without Barnaby and crime. It didn't hurt in any case. The sweater Galbraith reminds of a poncho, can be thrown over easily and is knitted from the bottom up. I especially like the high collar. You're knitting with the Felted Tweed Aran.
The blanket Marram is knitted with the Brushed Fleece and Creative Linen. The different textures of the two yarns used give it a unique texture. The zigzag pattern is worked in several colors using the Fair Isle technique. The blanket is certainly not a project that you can knit up quickly (but who, if not you?!). But maybe it's a nice piece that you can take in your hands again and again over the next months and knit a few rows on it. And in the next winter you will have a warm blanket. By the way: You can find both pattern in ROWAN Magazine 68, which we also have in our store.
What I also always find great: When I get a tip for a model from you. This happened on Thursday at our first virtual knitting meeting. We talked about the (wonderful) Snefnug by CaMaRose. And suddenly Anja told us, that she knits from the Snefnug the Felix Sweater from Amy Christoffers. And is very enthusiastic about yarn and pattern.
The sweater is knit from the top down and has a shortened look. The great thing about top-down designs: You can easily adjust the length. Just keep in mind that you will need a little more yarn. A little eye-catcher in Felix is the hole pattern on the raglan slopes.
Maschenfein knitting meeting
À propos knitting meeting: Our first virtual knitting meeting was a lot of fun! It was so nice to see at least a part of you "with a face". We are already looking forward to the second round next week and are sure that there will be a sequel at some point. Because sentences like "I belong to the (Maschenfein) family since then" are simply the best medicine against Corona blues. And if someone can say "I knit like a madwoman" that's nothing to worry about, at least in our opinion 😉.
And anyway, we receive such nice messages these days! A customer wrote to us that our book on the basics had Stitch for stitch has finally given her an important insight. Contrary to popular belief, she was not knitting incorrectly, but simply in the English or American way, when she guides the working thread with her right hand. Her teacher had always tried to break her of this habit, but without success. And now she knows that everything is "all right". Is there any nicer feedback on our work? I don't think so.
Whereas, a "competitively beautiful feedback" comes to mind: When you knit things that we suggest to you. Of course, it can also be a coincidence or two, but still... Ani, for example, is knitting the Ribbed Jumper by Anne Ventzel from Milano by LAMANA and silk-mohair yarns, including Sensai by ITO. Katrin actually already has the Hokei Scarf on the needles. And there is even a knitalong for it. Have a look here.
At Silvie there is the good mood booster in the form of a cheerful colorful Osaka scarf. I am very fond of the bright colors and notice myself how I long for spring.
Finally, at my colleague Jule 's you can see a slightly modified slouchy hat - namely The simple knit hood by Lia Lykke. You can also wear the hat as a hood. I think it looks great on Jule!
Our baby: the new Maschenfein site
You know what else looks great? The new Maschenfein website, which we are working on every day. It's supposed to go online next week. Matching the TV report of the RBB, which was Marisa's guest on Wednesday. We are so excited! TV report about Maschenfein. Then our new branding. The new site. And your feedback on it! Because we're excited to see if you like the new site as much as we do!
Until then, we still have to turn a few screws. But it's running. And if the nerves flutter too much, we turn a few rounds on the needles. And you? What will you knit next? Tell us in the comments or link us on Facebook and Instagram - we're looking forward to it and hope you have fun knitting!
[Please insert here independently an introductory sentence including Corona reference!] Guys, guys. This pandemic really has stamina (me rather less). That makes it not so easy to say "hello" and at the same time to find a reference to the current situation (especially since it is not very encouraging at the moment). So while I really just want to, well, yell at Corona, these days I look all the more lovingly at my knitting basket. Sometimes also quite longingly. Because time for knitting is rather less in the lockdown everyday life. Still, it's never wrong to think about what you might knit next. That's why: Welcome to the virus-free Saturday coffee, with nice knitting ideas (also for beginners!) and a bit of net talk.
I'm finding January, and probably February, not so easy knitting-wise. Do I want to start another big winter sweater project? At the risk that a pandemic (or even the dull everyday life) interfere and the dream sweater will be finished only in March / April and then can not be worn? Or do I prefer to knit thin shirts and delicate cardigans already, even if the thought of it still makes me shiver? Difficult!
One solution: knit accessories! For example, cozy hats that you have ready in no time and can therefore still safely carry out this winter. If you like cable stitches and maybe you've already worked with a cable needle, hat No. 02 by Rosa P. would be a great model for you. You start at the cuff and work in rounds upwards. If you like, you can top the hat with a pompom or a (fake fur) bobble. Knitted with the Carpe Diem from Lang Yarns.
I also find the Nabo Hat from Woolfolk very chic. At first glance, I thought the hat would be knitted in brioche. But instead it is knitted in two colors in the so-called corrugated rib bing. The special thing about this hardly stretchy ribbing pattern: all stitches knitted right are knitted in one color, all stitches knitted left are knitted in the other color. For the yarn, we would also go for Carpe Diem here.
Sweater for beginners
Again and again we are asked for knitting projects suitable for beginners. By chance (or by destiny) I have found the days a sweater. It is suitable for all who would like to start with the "sweater-and-cardigan knitting", but perhaps do not yet know a suitable model.
One Sweater from The Fibre Co. is a classic top-down model, meaning it is knit from the top down. You'll be working with both short rows and raglan stitches. Please don't be alarmed: This sounds more complicated than it is. What I also find great about this model: You can knit it in many different sizes and vary the length. In addition, it can be worn by both men and women. In addition, The Fibre Co. has also produced videos that supplement the individual steps of the pattern. You can also find video material here, for example on short rows with double stitches (in German, of course ;-)). Just have a look here. By the way, the sweater tutorial is also available in German!
The yarn used by The Fibre Co. is, of course, an in-house quality: Cumbria Is a combination of brown wool from the English sheep breed Brown Masham (30%), American merino wool in superfine quality (60%) and Argentine mohair (10%). Unfortunately, we do not have sufficient stock of all colors at the moment. As an alternative we can imagine Cotton Cashmere from Rowan. Here you also have the advantage that the knit is not as warm as with Cumbria. So you can also wear the sweater wonderfully in the spring.
Fluff alert!
Mapala Sweater...
...in the fleece variant
Fluffy, pink, mine. Mapala Sweater by Rosa P. Photos: Rosa P .
For advanced beginners, the Mapala Sweater by Rosa P. in the mohair edition would be a nice project. The sweater is knit in double yarn with a round yoke top down. The high neck cuff is first cast on provisionally, then folded inward and knit together at the cast-on edge. For the hem cuffs of different lengths, the front and back are divided and finished separately.
I really like these cuffs of different lengths. And the fleece. And the color Rike chose for her model. By the way, I also like the yarn combination we chose for you: double-thread Tynn Silk Mohair from SANDNES. Depending on the gauge, you'll be knitting with about 6 mm needles, so you'll be snappy. The sweater is designed for a chest circumference of 97 to 137 cm. If you are not a fan of mohair, you could knit the original version of the Mapala. In the knitting kit you will find the Valley Tweed by Rowan made of 100% wool.
Shawls always go
Again and again as a project, of course, go cloths. I should know: One is actually always in the project basket. And one I have around my neck. And in the closet...well, you know.
Directly I would love to cast on the stole Aisé II from Espace Tricot. The pattern are in English, but looking at the finished piece, I think it's really easy to master. The yarn combination we would suggest here would be Kinu and Sensai from ITO. Without mohair, Duo from SANDNES would also be possible.
And for all who need a hug in these times again (the little snowman Olaf sends his regards!), would be - absolutely corona-compliant - the scarf hug from Janukke a nice option. A luxurious yarn choice here would be Cashmere Worsted by Pascuali (due to the softness of the yarn, hand cream would be virtually included). Also possible - and cozy - would be a combination of Mini Alpakka and Tynn Silk Mohair as well as Duo and Tynn Silk Mohair (all SANDNES). With the latter, you probably won't quite get there with the gauge, but that should be manageable for a shawl. The pattern consists of right and purl stitches that resemble diamonds. When you knit with mohair, the pattern fades into the background - of course, you should keep that in mind when choosing your yarn.
Still quite fresh in the store is the great dyeing accessories from ITO. For all those who have not found their color. The rescue a failed project or wanted to batik again. On the blog I have explained to you this week exactly what you need to consider when dyeing with the ITO products. Sandra has tried out the individual steps for you and provides us with detailed step-by-step pattern.
In the store we also have new additions to our books. Namely from Laine from Finland. I tell you, now they are cooking in Tampere! But they also do it well and beautifully illustrated. Laine is the publisher, Pia Alapeteri is the author of Friends in Food. And basically the book is ideal for planning the meal now, when we can finally, finally feast, enjoy and tell in large company again.
You may already know the second book: In Fair Isle Weekend you will find eight unique Fair Isle projects by Mary Jane Mucklestone. The designer gets her ideas and inspiration directly from the island of Fair Isle, which belongs to the Shetland Islands. Last fall I told you more about multicolored knitting - feel free to check back! And I'm getting such an incredible wanderlust right now. Man, Corona, go away!
Maschenfein knitting round
Of course, Corona does not. So I console myself with your beautiful pictures from our knitting fine round.
Melanie has a new project and a bit of spring coming in - that sounds like a perfect combination! Which project she knits, you can find out in her latest post! And Simone has the cardigan Mariechen by Isabell Krämer in Premium Silk by Regia on the needles. In a very, very beautiful color, I think.
Of course you can always find shawls in our knitting round. At Danny 's for example the Water cloth from the Snefnug. And then I was happy about another Loop Encadré happy about. Francesca knitted her version from the Milano by LAMANA. Turned out great, didn't it?
We wish you now a nice weekend with more coffee and especially a lot of knitting time!
Sometimes it is not there. THE color that you would like to have for your new project. Or you have a finished knitted piece and you don't really like the color. Maybe it's because you've knitted different batches or made a mistake with the color. Or maybe you just want to try something new or have a certain effect. No matter what your reason, dyeing would be a good option for all of them. Recently, thanks to ITO, you can also buy dyes and accessories at Maschenfein. So that you are as well prepared as possible, we give you an overview of the individual products and provide you with initial experience and tips.
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Tanja already told us about it in our podcast "Just one more row" in October: ITO is also bursting with ideas. And one of them was to bring the art of Japanese dyeing to Germany.
Three different variants are now available in our store: Hot Dye, Cold Dye and the React dye. For each of the dyes you will receive an English manual. You can download the German translation directly from the ITO website(here for Hot Dye, here for Cold Dye and here for the React dye).
Before we delve deeper into the matter, here's a little (warning) hint and a tip: We cannot guarantee a reliable color result. When dyeing yarn - whether animal, vegetable or chemical fiber - there are simply too many imponderables. We therefore recommend that you start with a small project and knit a sample with the dyed yarn to see if the result fits the project.
Hot and Cold Dye differ - as the name suggests - in the temperature required. For cold dye, lukewarm water from the tap is sufficient; for hot dye, the water needs a temperature of 85 degrees. However, it may cool down during the dyeing process. Which one you choose depends on the desired color intensity and your material. Polyester, for example, cannot be dyed cold. With wool, on the other hand, you run a certain risk with hot dyes - but it's not impossible! React is mainly suitable for vegetable fibers (but we will show you an exception directly below ;-)) and leads to an even more intensive result. The advantage here: You can also paint fabrics, for example, or use it for batik (yes, you're doing that again now) or for Japanese shibori art (we'll explain that below as well).
Important ingredients: salt and vinegar
With Cold Dye you can dye vegetable and animal fibers as well as nylon. The colors tend to be a little lighter than if you were to hot dye. Nevertheless, on plant fibers such as cotton, hemp, linen, viscose, cupra, wood or bamboo, there is a nice color intensity. You will get brighter colors on animal fibers like silk, wool and other animal hair as well as on nylon and polyurethane. However, please note the base color of your material: If you dye colored textiles, this color will affect the result of the dyeing process. The color indicated on the package can only be achieved on white textiles.
If you are dyeing vegetable fibers, you still need salt when dyeing and should fix the result at the end. For this purpose you can get in the store the "Fixing Agent". When dyeing animal fibers, you also need vinegar. Fixing the color is not necessary. By the way: Both Cold Dye and Hot Dye are skin and environmentally friendly and are available in 28 colors each, which you can of course also mix. One can of Cold Dye (20 g) is enough to dye 250 g of yarn, knitwear or fabric. The exact quantities of water, vinegar and salt can be found in the pattern.
With Hot Dye you can dye vegetable and animal fibers as well as polyester. Since you do not have to maintain a constant temperature of 85 degrees, you can also dye in a bucket, for example. Similar to Cold Dye, you can achieve good color intensity on plant fibers such as cotton, hemp, linen, viscose, cupra, wood, bamboo or on animal fibers such as silk, wool and other animal hair as well as on nylon and polyurethane. On polyester, the colors will be lighter. When dyeing plant fibers, you will need salt again as well as a subsequent fixation. For animal fibers, you will need to use the vinegar bottle again. If you want to dye polyester darker, you can, for example, dye on the stove top and keep the temperature above 85°C. In addition, you can use the "D" dye. Additionally you can use the "Dye Accelorator". One can of dye (20 g) is enough to dye 250 g of wool, knitwear or fabric.
Sleeves up: Here are the step-by-step pattern
For you we have tried Hot Dye and React as dyes. Actually, it was Sandra who took the knitting needles aside at home and instead took the dyes in hand.
You will need: knitwear to be dyed, dye, decolorizer if necessary, water, vinegar or salt (depending on the base material), measuring cup, fixative if necessary (for plant fibers), bucket, wooden spoon, disposable gloves.
Hot Dye she used for her finished Caramel Sweater. It had a not very pretty block in the middle - a production error of the manufacturer. The fact that the colors of the individual strands were different (despite the same part), she unfortunately noticed only when knitting. And ribbing was not an option. Instead, Sandra finished the sweater and resorted to ITO dye. Please note that animal fibers can only tolerate warm water to a limited extent and can shrink. In this case, Sandra took the risk and used hot dye to get an intense color result.
First step: decolorize the knitted piece. Because on the dark gray, dyeing would have been possible only with black to get the desired effect. You can find the appropriate products at your local drugstore. Be prepared, however, that the smell is very unpleasant during this step. Sandra then washed her sweater on the wool cycle.
Second step: Mix the dye according to the pattern. Since you do not have to keep the temperature of 85°C constant, you can dye well in the bucket.
Third step: Then your knitted piece must be rinsed again until no more color flows out. Sandra washed her sweater first by hand with detergent as described in the pattern and then (additionally) put it in the washing machine again (wool wash cycle!). After that it came on the mats to dry.
The result: an intense blue! A bit smaller the sweater has become, but still good to wear. And thus definitely not a part for the back corner of the closet (or worse).
Dye strands with React
The process is a little different if you want to dye wool before knitting. For this step-by-step tutorial, Sandra dyed Rakuda in white from ITO with React blue and Rakuda in camel with React blue and emerald green.
You will need: Yarn, dye, water, salt, vinegar, measuring cup, jar or baking dish, wooden spoon, disposable gloves.
First step: Before you start dyeing (in this case with React), you need to wind the yarn into a skein. It's important to remember to use a catch loop to help you get your skein out of the dye bath after dyeing. It is also advisable to tie off the skein in several places. This prevents the threads from slipping and makes it easier to wind it into a ball again later. Including the catch loop, Sandra tied off her skein in four places. You can also tie several cones/clusters into one skein. To do this, knot the ends together.
Tip: If you lay your skein into a circle and tie it off tightly in several places (similar to batik), you will get special dyeing results!
Second step: After setting, your skein goes into a vinegar bath. Here we deviate from the ITO pattern, since React is actually intended for vegetable fibers. In this case, you just need to wash your textile and leave it wet. Since Sandra wants to dye an animal fiber, she put it in a water bath with a good shot of household vinegar.
Piece by piece, the skein is...
...put into the jar alternately with coloring agent.
Water is then poured over it.
With the help of the wooden spoon you can hold the skein (here with React Blue) in place. But then please do not move it!
Third step: The wet (!) skein is now placed in a tall preserving jar. With the help of a wooden spoon, press a piece of the skein into the jar and then sprinkle some dye over it. Then again a piece of skein and again dye over it. Continue in this way until the entire skein is in the jar.
Fourth step: Now prepare your dye water. Since we're dyeing an animal fiber, we'll supplement ITO's pattern here with Sandra's knowledge from a dyeing workshop with Ute Rehner and Schachenmayr. You mix...
1 l of boiling water with 0.5 l of cold water. This way you get approx. 60°C warm water. Then add 1 tablespoon of vinegar essence OR 100 ml of household vinegar and 3 tablespoons of salt.
Carefully pour this mixture onto the skein. After that, do not move the glass. This is how you get the desired irregularity. Alternatively, you can place your skein(s) in a baking dish and then sprinkle the dye over it. Then carefully pour the prepared water over it as described above. Sandra put her casserole dish including the dyeing water into the oven at 60°C. Depending on the desired color intensity, leave your yarn in the dye water for 20 to 40 minutes.
Here you can clearly see how the skein was tied off during winding.
The skein finished dyed with two colors.
Depending on the technique, you will get more or less strong color gradients.
Fifth step: After dyeing, you need to wash out the strands and hang them up. It is advisable to place collection containers under the strands to catch any leftover dyed water. And don't get confused: It's not the wet color that's final, it's the dry color! Once your skeins are dry, you can wind them back into a ball and knit them.
ATTENTION: In the pattern of ITO for dyeing in the bucket dye and water are mixed and then used for dyeing. However, this is mainly about dyeing textiles. So think carefully beforehand about which dye is best suited for your project. All steps are described in detail in theinstructionsttern.
You can also find good inspiration for shibori on InstagramPhoto via Instagram
The React dye is particularly suitable for creative dyeing techniques. This includes, for example, shibori, a Japanese way of dyeing similar to what we know as batik. Take a look at Instagram under the hashtag Shibori, where you'll get a good overview of the many ways to artfully dye textiles. With the help of the Bleeding Inhibitors you can also paint textiles. The Shibori Plastic Sheets you can in turn use for shibori. You can find out exactly how to prepare your materials for this in the enclosed pattern from ITO at React.
You can see that the possibilities for coloring are almost endless. You can dye or paint anything. And even if we have explained the dyeing of strands here with React - the procedure for Cold or Hot Dye is similar and you can always take a look at our pattern. Do you want to try one of the dyes now? Tell us about it - and of course share your results with us!
2020, is that you? Are you just calling yourself 2021 now, as a cover? That's kind of how it feels right now. Of course, I knew that a fresh date wouldn't change the current situation, but that's how it always is at the turn of the year. That one has the hope for change after all. And so the most common words these days are still C*****, pandemic, lockdown, homeschooling, contact restriction and so on. But you know what's coming up again? Saturday coffee! It's back at the start now. With this in mind, welcome to the first Saturday Coffee of 2021, with knitting ideas, distractions, and webtalk from the world of (fine) knitting.
A good start to the new year succeeds by the way particularly well with a freshly filled wool basket (#füreuchgetestet). Sandnes knows that too and has equipped the above wool basket with Kos - and in a very pretty color selection, I think. Kos and related projects are of course also available here. You can also use the filter function to search our knitting kits by yarn. To see all knitting kits with Kos, please click here.
For me, for example, the Cecilie Skog Genser from Kos has been on my knitting list for a very long time, and it's available for adults and children. Every time Marisa wears hers and shows it on Instagram, I think to myself, "I'd like that one too!". I just really like the yarn (I used it to knit myself the Soul warmer Bjarka knit); it's soft yet lightweight and wears great.
But again and again we get the question about the synthetic fiber content. Who would like to do without this gladly, can reach for Snefnug from CaMaRose. The contstruction of the yarn is the same( I wrote about ithere before). But the Snefnug has a cotton instead of a nylon part.
In general, we are big fans of Snefnug, which we also noticed in our joint podcast episode at the turn of the year. Snefnug is wonderfully soft, knits great and is also really quickly processed by working with heavy needles.
A project, what you can knit from it, is the Eezra Sweater by rosa p. with patch pockets. Marisa's copy recently arrived in Berlin (many thanks to the hard-working knitter Ruth!) and what can I say: It's love at first sight! So with me and Eezra, but also with Marisa and Eezra. It's just a great design, which is made for these gray January days.
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If you want to scold me and say: "Sophia, we know all that already! - then I say: "Yes, I know!" But sometimes I find it quite practical and am happy about supposedly "old designs", because you can easily lose track of the many designs that are now available. Of course, I have you but also picked out other designs!
I have found, for example, the Carlie tee from Pernille Larssen. And was directly a bit in love. Which is because I just like gray. Imagine the sweater with saddle shoulders times to the dark jeans. Would be perfect!
As a yarn combo, we can very well imagine Kinu and Sensai from ITO for this top-down model. With the pure silk yarn Kinu and the silk-mohair yarn Sensai, you end up with a really classy and comfortable sweater. And I don't know about you, but when I always see the ITO cones, my fingers are itching to knit with the Japanese yarns again.
Really - I can't say it any other way - cool I also think this cardigan from La Maison Rililie. Winston is knitted top down and impresses with the striped pattern, which merges into the light batwing sleeves. The pattern are also available in German.
As a yarn, we imagine Cowgirl Blues' Merino Twist Solids would be great, and they come in a variety of colors. Actually, the Merino Twist Solids are a sock yarn, but it's much too bad that they can't be turned into other garments. Especially since the superwash finish also gives the pure new wool yarn a delicate shimmer. Also possible, by the way, would be Rakuda from ITO. Also a great yarn, consisting of wool and camel hair.
Let's stay briefly on the subject of stripes. The Sweater No. 12 by My Favourite Things Knitwear is a supposedly classic stripe sweater, but it has a little extra: a broken rib pattern. It's knit from the top down. For the yarn, we're thinking either Sunday and Tynn Silk Mohair by SANDNES or, if you want a cashmere component like in the original, Milano and Premia by LAMANA.
Favorite knitted piece of the week
Admittedly, my favorite knit of the week is also a bit of self-praise. You see, after a good ten months, I finally managed to finish my Robin Sweater from Paula_m. By "finish" I mean that I finally knitted on the cuff, after I'd done a bit of ribbing because it was a bit too tight for me (hello Christmas waffles!).
It's a paradox. At least for me. There's just a tiny bit missing and you (I) know exactly that it would be finished in a few evenings. And yet you (I) manage to start various other projects instead and to finish at least a part of them. One (I) must say it so clearly: I am extremely rarely faithful to knitting projects.
But the work on the Robin Sweater was worth it in any case. The sweater, which we have in the knitting kit with the Sunday from SANDNES, is knitted seamlessly top down. First the collar is worked in the rib pattern in rounds, then the neckline is shaped using short rows. After shaping the neckline, knit rounds and work increases at the shoulders for the batwing sleeves. For the armholes, briefly separate the front and back and then continue to knit in rounds. With the following decreases you decide how tight you want your sweater to be. For me, as I said, not quite as tight as the pattern 😉 And now? Now I wear the sweater almost every day and am super happy with it!
Have you already seen in our accessories section that we've really stocked up at Tulip? In addition to knitting needles, you'll also find crochet needles and sewing needles. There are also pins, as well as a knitting gauge. And don't forget to have a look at our knitting kits. If you click on "Sort by newest" above, you'll see directly what we've just added for you.
When I looked at our #maschenfeinstrickrunde on Instagram I was really amazed: Amazing how much you knit! But the time between the years is perfect to start and/or finish projects. Three scarves Ava at Silvie's, at Sandra 's (who is also the designer) and at Sibel's. Sandra also shows her new Morginn Cardigann, which keeps you super warm in winter weather.
That the shawl love is big with you (and us) is also shown by the shawl Hinata at Isabella (even presented in the same style as in the shawl book!) and the Osaka at Verena Mathilde. And frolein_d has knitted a cozy version of the Jules Sweater. Made from Snefnug. Well, you see, you can't get around this yarn in 2021!
So I would say, good that it's only January. And thus a (almost) full year lies ahead of us, in which we hopefully come much and with pleasure to knitting. We are happy if we can inspire and accompany you also this year (so we say here in Franconia). A happy and healthy new year to you all!
In the mood for spring? Here you can find spring yarns 
Esther Sweater Baby 
We have new Muud products in the store 
You can find all Maschenfein pattern here
