Toddler Flax Sweater, a Simple Bonnet and Summer Falls Hat

Three for one FO's, what, what?!  Last spring I finished a Flax Sweater for myself.  I had always intended on knitting a matching one for Xena but didn't actually get around to it until now.

It took less than a week to knit the 4-6 year old size.

I followed the pattern exactly and didn't make any modifications.

Hopefully if Xena doesn't grow too fast, she'll be able to get a couple years out of this one.

I used every last bit of yarn I had left (approximately 360 yds/200g) to knit a matching Atelier Yarns Simple Bonnet Pattern #317 with pompoms!

Since the pattern is written for light weight yarn and I was using aran, I switched to size 6, 14" cable needles and knit until the garment measured 11" from the cast-on edge.

Historically, Xena has always despised hats but she loves this bonnet.

It must be the pompoms!

After days and weeks of rain, the sun came out this morning and we were finally able to have a family photo shoot.

Xena is nothing if not a total ham for the camera.

Some people might knock it or call it corny but I am very proud to be "that mom" who knits matching outfits for her and her toddler.

I just can't wait for the day when Xena knits me a sweater though!

My final FO is the Summer Falls hat from the Ritual Dyes Fall Equinox 2020 offering.

I was already very familiar with Ritual Dyes' Maven and Fae yarns from knitting with them before but this was my first time using their fingering which is a 3-ply twist of 70% SWM/20% yak/10% nylon.  

When all 3 of these yarns are used together, it is pure luxury.

I will admit that it took me an entire afternoon to get the hang of an alternating cable cast-on holding 2 yarns together (it must be easier with just one?) but now my mind is officially blown; it was totally worth it to create this thick, durable and super stretchy brim.

I haven't blocked this hat and because of its slouchy, textured nature, I don't feel it is necessary.  I love how an alternating woven affect is created by slipping stitches in different colors and stitch sequences.

I love the methodical design of this pattern and I very much look forward to knitting it again in the future.  Also, one good sign is that Matt has already threatened to steal it for himself!

Atelier Yarns Stockinette Poncho Pattern #113

 Hello!  I have wanted to knit this pattern forever!

I used the Fibre Company's RTCL in Cobalt.  It's a luscious, sport weight combination of 65% alpaca/15% silk/10% camel/10% cashmere.

The pattern calls for 4 skeins.  I used 3, 50g skeins, plus only 10g of the final skein.  So it looks like I'll have enough leftover to make a pair of matching socks. :)

I love the one size fits all Aran gauge of this pattern.  Because it uses size 9 needles, it's like wearing a cozy cloud.

I wanted to try the pattern first in the yarn it calls for but now that I've made it, I am planning to immediately knit another in a much funkier yarn.

Thanks to my crochet skills, seaming this garment couldn't have been quicker or easier.

And finishing the edges with crochet crab stitch was so much fun and professional looking!

Blocking truly releases the fluffly magic of this yarn.

The before and after is shocking!

This is the easiest pattern ever and a perfect mobile project!

In other fun fiber news, my crochet buddy, Julia, made me these super swank earrings with some blacklight Molly Girl yarn and neon mini-tassels I sent her.

I already posted these images in my IG stories but I wanted to archive them here for posterity.

Working at a yarn store is still the current highlight of my week/month/life.

Here is a photo of one of the samples I just crocheted on display at the store.

Now it's time to get back to work on a sweater I just started for Xena.

Another day, another square

Almost immediately upon finishing the Granny Square Blanket Atelier Pattern #159 shop sample in my previous post, I began work on this on this shop sample using the same pattern but changing colors every round.

I almost never knit or crochet with cotton but my boss requested that I crochet the sample using these colors of Cascade Ultra Pima cotton in the following order:

Silver - 3808

Lavender - 3706

Dark Lavender - 3705

Periwinkle - 3805

Navy - 3724

The finished blanket measures 49" across the diagonal diameter.

Because of its naturally flexible nature, this blanket does not need to be blocked one single bit!

I invite you to come squish the sample at the shop IRL and pick out colors to crochet your own.

Atelier Yarns Granny Square Blanket Pattern #159

As I mentioned in my previous post, I've begun crocheting some shop samples for Atelier.  The first sample that I started and finished this week is Pattern #159, which uses a G hook and 4, 100g balls of Noro Kibou, Col. 7, Lot A.  Obviously you could use whatever colors you like!  

The yarn is a light weight DK cotton/wool/silk blend.

The subtle muted color palette crocheted in a granny square pattern creates the optical illusion that you're changing colors every round when actually the yarn is doing the work.

(Unblocked) this creates a 44" diameter lap blanket/baby blanket.

It took me 23 hours to complete which is real time means less than a week, crocheting a few hrs everyday.

If you'd like to come and squish the shop sample and pick out your own kit IRL, I will be bringing it into work this Saturday.

In other happy fiber news, I waited until New Year's Day to open my Winter Soulstice offering from Ritual Dyes in PDX and welcome in 2021 with some extra good vibes.  I am somewhat embarrassed to admit that I haven't yet cast on their Fall Equinox offering but I swear I'm going to do it soon!