Summer Knit-Spiration: Creekbed Scarf

Creekbed Scarf

I think this little free pattern is a hidden gem and a great opportunity to play around with self striping yarns. It's knit with light, sock weight yarn, which make for easygoing summer projects. It's also light on the cerebral side, with just enough interest to keep you from nodding off in the heat. Add a colourful, self striping yarn like a Noro and it'll be easy entertainment. It's also a grab and go project, easy to travel with (even if you aren't going any further than your porch). 

I love kristenlynnea's version (above) made with Noro Silk Garden Sock and other scraps. It also looks great in CompulsiveKnitter's version made with Schoppel-Wolle Zauberball.

Suggested Yarns

• Noro Silk Garden Sock  $19.97 x 2 
• Schoppel-Wolle Zauberball $20.97 x 1 

I think I would make a few stylistic modifications to the pattern:

1. If using a striping yarn I'd drop the big centre band, I don't think it would do anything for the design.
2. If I was making the 2 border bands in a contrast colour I would make it a neutral (grey or brown) with a low to medium contrast to the main colours. A high contrast is too much for my delicate sensibilities (ie. no likey black). 
3. If using Schoppel-Wolle Zauberball I'd skip the border colour all together and let the yarn do all the work. 
4. If using  Noro Silk Garden Sock I'd choose 2 colourways and alternate every other row. Alternately, you can use 2 skeins of the same colourway and start the first from the inside and the second from the outside, and alternate every other row. 

As always, you can find us at Knitomatic.com

Summer Knit-spiration: Wingspan

More summer knit-spiration ....

Wingspan

Wingspan is a really cute little scafy-wrap that only uses 1 skein of sock yarn! It looks equally great with self striping yarn or semi solids. You can make it I think it's both a great summer knit but also a great holiday gift - it's always nice to double end your knitting.  It's also an easy knit that has a little technical interest and isn't too-too boring, and travels extremely well. Plus, the pattern is a freebie! 

Suggested Yarns

• Noro Taiyo Sock  $19.97 x 1 
• Noro Silk Garden Sock  $19.97 x 1 or 2 
• Schoppel-Wolle Zauberball $20.97 x 1 

Make a larger version by using a thicker yarn:

• Noro Taiyo $19.97 x 2
• Noro Silk Garden $11.97 x 3

Make a lighter, airy version by using a lace weight yarn:

• Zephyr Lace Weight  $17.97ea x 1
• Malabrigo Merino Lace  $11.97ea x 1

As always, you can find us at Knitomatic.com

Summer Knit-spiration: Color Affection

What to knit in the Heat?

Color Affection

I love this shawl. I've been eyeing it since it started making the rounds on Pinterest, and now that it's taken off in the blogosphere I've been hearing a lot of good things about it ("Addictive" is my favourite). You can make it with sock or lace weight yarn, nothing heavy in the heat. It doesn't involve too much thought, but it isn't too boring either.  Me likey!

Suggested Yarns

• Fleece Artist Trail Socks  $17.97 ea x 3
• Dream in Color Smooshy  $25.97 x 3
• Zephyr Lace Weight  $17.97ea x 3
• Malabrigo Merino Lace  $11.97ea x 3
• Madeline Tosh Merino Light x 3

As always, you can find us at Knitomatic.com

Market Bag Survey: Results!

You may recall several weeks ago we held a fun survey to see which colour you would choose to make a Knit Market Bag. The colours were drawn from Pantone's Spring 2012 Fashion Colour Report, and the pattern was the Ilene Bag, a popular freebie on Ravelry. 

As promised, we made our bag in the popular choice, Tangerine Tango. We used just over 1 skein of Super 10 cotton. If you want to make the strap long, you'll need 2 skeins of the Super 10, but if you are ok with making it a little shorter you can get away with one. Read more about our bag HERE.

As always, you can find us at Knitomatic.com!

New Soak Boxes & Handmaid have Arrived!

Soak Boxes  $49.97

The awesome new Soak Boxes have arrived!  Each Soakbox includes:

• 1 skein of custom hand-dyed yarn by Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport 
• A unique Fiona Ellis pattern for fingerless gloves   
• Essie nail polish (matching the yarn)
• 90ml bottle of new Soak Handmaid luxury hand cream
• 90ml bottle of Soak in the same scent as the hand cream (new airport-security friendly size) 

You have a choice of 4 colours/scent combinations and different patterns:

• Red: Soak Celebration, pattern Clark Cable, Essie Poor Lil Rich Girl
• Taupe: Soak Lacey, pattern Double Pointe Pink, & Essie Mink Muffs
• Pink: Soak Unscented, pattern Cuff Au Lait, & Essie Prima Ballerina
• Teal: Soak Aquae, pattern Lace Kelley, & Essie Going Incognito

Your opinion counts! Please take our online survey and tell us which is your favourite Soak Box? http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZC7S7RX  

Soak Handmaid  $9.97

We also have the hand cream that inspired the Soak Boxes! Handmaid is a luxury hand cream from the experts at Soak Wash. Enriched with shea butter, olive oil and vitamins A & E, Handmaid rejuvenates skin and protects overworked hands. The directions are simple: apply sparingly, rub thoroughly, get back to it. Handmaid is designed for knitters, crafters and busy folks who work and play with their hands, and comes in all your favorite Soak scents (Aquae, Lacey, Celebration and Unscented).   

As always, you can find us at Knitomatic.com