The Knitting Experience Café

Today's project comes from the clever people at Spud and Chloe. 

They made Ribbit and Rabbit - both free patterns! Each one is made with one skein of Sweater (although, I hear you can get more than one creature out of a skein) and has a tennis ball for a belly so they bounce! How awesome is that???

Ok - they are adorable - but they aren't our inspiration item. For that, I have Sara to thank. She recently requested the Three Brr Bears pattern and I instantly thought, I HAVE TO KNIT ONE OF THOSE BEARS! Just look at these floppy, huggable sweeties.

The pattern includes all three sizes. The smallest uses Fine - a fingering weight, the medium is done out of Sweater, and the largest is out of Outer -a chunky. Since all of the Spud and Chloe yarns are washable, they are perfect for toys. It also helps that their yarns are so soft and squishy, you want to hug them in the skeins.

Saturday night, I couldn't help but giggle  as I knit the bear's bum.  I'm making the medium bear out of Sweater, and going with polar bear white. I love the bears on the pattern, and what could be more perfect in the hometown of the Bowdoin polar bears? 

While we're discussing my current knits, let's look at my Fireside. Another winter white knit. I'm almost done with the second front, which has me ridiculously excited. You see, I am in love with this knit. With every stitch I think about wearing it. And one of the best parts of the design is the back. There are 2 small cables that arch along your spine, creating a very sexy curve. It is going to be quite a sacrifice to put this one in the shop as a model.

Next up is my small, portable project. Don't you find that you need to have one of these going? Otherwise, I end up stuck waiting in line, or for children to get off the bus, with nothing to do. Thus, the go-anywhere knit. Right now, I'm on socks. Just finished up my Berroco socks

using this yarn and the generic toe-up pattern from Figheadh Yarnworks.  If you want to try toe-up, I highly recommend this pattern. It includes every possible size and yarn weight, which makes it like getting 12 patterns in one.

Now, my needles are magic looping Araucania Ranco Multi sock yarn and in this Spud and Chloe pattern.

 There are 2 patterns included in this one. I'm doing the textured rib, which is perfect for a handdyed sock yarn. There is also a lovely lace pattern that I would use with a semi-solid or solid yarn.

We've had some great finished projects coming in the door. Jo brought us this stunning bag knit with Malabrigo and recycled sari silk.

Cheryl just finished this gorgeous sweater for her mom. She even crafted the button!

Peggy is almost ready to felt her new lunch bag.

Lisa now has the most adorable yarn bag.

And check out Marcia's Mr. Greenjeans knit in Dream in Color Classy!

Bridget has been on a finishing spree. She completed her Concetta out of Cascade 220.

(It looks even better on her, but she wouldn't model it for me.)

And...drumroll here....

Her sweater for Brian is DONE! 

It is fantastic -and looks great on him. 

One more thing to share with you. We've added a little something special to our café offerings - candy! Well, mostly chocolate, but there are some jelly beans in there. I am so excited that we now can offer chocolates by Amanda's Own Confections. (No, not our Amanda - this is a company from Ohio.) They make the most delicious dark chocolate treats. What makes them truly amazing is that they are safe for many of the most severe food allergies. They are gluten, dairy and nut free!! We've been getting them for our family for the past few years due to Alec's severe peanut allergy and our switch to a gluten/dairy free diet. At Christmas time, as I was polishing off the last of my stash of chocolates, I thought, why can't we have these every day in the shop? I talked to the lovely people at Amanda's Own and pretty soon, we had all the yummy stuff you see below. There are treats for Valentine's Day and every day. 

Not to get too sappy on you, but I honestly don't think I can tell you just how happy I am with this company. When you have a child with a severe food allergy, everything changes. There are the obvious things, such as ridding your house of anything that ever even thought of associating with a peanut. Educating every adult that cares for your child. Going on alert when your child eats anything that didn't come from your house. Making sure Epi Pens are present everywhere they are. Attending school parties, so that you are on hand - just in case - and to provide safe foods for your child. 

Those are the basics. Those are the things that are a part of our life and to which we have adapted very well.

It is the small things that get to me. When we are out shopping and my little man sees a treat and says "Mommy, am I allergic to that?" More times than not he is, or we just can't be sure of it's safety. With a peanut allergy, the smallest trace can kill. 

To find a company that has dedicated itself to making absolutely delicious treats that are perfectly safe makes me so happy, I could cry. 

I finished my cowl out of Lana Bambu and Kid Seta! The drape is fantastic. It keeps my neck warm and acts as a lovely accessory. Even better, it is a super easy project.  Free pattern below.

Simplicity Cowl by Chesley Flotten

1 skein Lana Bambu

1 skein Kid Seta

16" circular, size US 7 needles.

Gauge= 4.5sts per inch

Holding both yarns together, cast on 118 sts. Join to knit in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches.

Knit in stst for 3 inches.

Decrease row: *k7, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round.

Knit in stst for 2.5 inches

Decrease row: *k6, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. 

(Note: my version is loose around the neck to allow for the drape. If you want a closer fit, add one more round of decreases as follows:

Knit in stst for 2 inches. Decrease row: *k5, K2tog, repeat from * to end of round.)

Continue knitting in stst until you reach the desired length.

Bind off. Weave in ends, and enjoy!

While you are deciding what color to make your very own Simplicity Cowl, let's take a look at how the Fireside Sweaters are coming with our knit along. 

Some really incredible knitting is happening with this KAL. Gorgeous, twisty cables are emerging from needles and wool. Isn't that amazing? Doesn't it just take your breath away sometimes? The way a few movements with sticks and string can make the most beautiful fabrics.  

Luanne has taken the lead. She has the two front sides done and has cast on for the back. Don't you just love the color? She is using Cascade 220.

Here is the start of the back:

Amanda's is striking in a gorgeous red Eco Wool:

Cathy has a stunning purple Eco Wool:

Jen has a lovely grey Eco Wool:

As does Becka:

Donna has a gorgeous heathered purple in Eco Wool:

(Pssssstt... anyone wanting to snag some Eco Wool like you see above should know that we have a BIG shipment arriving this week - Thursday - if my UPS tracking is correct.)

Donna M. was planning on starting with her Ultra Alpaca this past weekend. Melissa joined us with a beautiful blue Ultra Alpaca. I finished one front, and have started on the second. However, I was so excited to see everyone else's sweaters that I completely forgot to take a picture of my own!!

We have a number of knitters knitting alongside us with cable projects of their own. One of the most outstanding is David's Wilson sweater out of Berroco's Ultra Alpaca. (The color he is using is called Lichen Mix.)

The pattern is from Norah Gaughan's Mens collection. The original design called for a heavier yarn, but by using the Ultra Alpaca, David is creating a warm, yet lightweight fabric. 

SInce this picture was taken, I hear he has finished the back. I'm sure it won't be long before he has the whole sweater done!