Articles

Nov 30 2021

Oliver’s Hat

Author: Mairi McKissock

Janice made this striking version of ‘Oliver’s Hat’ for our BC Garn Bio Shetland promotion.  The pattern is Oliver’s Hat, by Sandra Manson, and the yarn, of course, is Bio Shetland.  It’s a lovely pattern that suits the yarn very well.  Janice’s colourwork is beautiful, and the finished hat is delightful.

Janice describes Bio Shetland as ‘a light toothy yarn which makes it perfect for colour work. It is lovely to knit with and the longer yardage comes in handy. Once blocked the yarn felts beautifully showing off the knitted design.’  She particularly loves the way the crown worked up.

She also warns that the pattern is on the small side and recommends that knitters check for gauge etc to get their size.

Nov 14 2021

Pat’s Illusion Bat Shawl

Author: Mairi McKissock

Now you see it, now you don’t!  Pat’s Illusion Bat Shawl is her first foray into the world of shadow knitting.  This is a technique where you knit 2-row stripes in contrasting colours, and make a pattern from the placement of knits and purls.  Purl sections in one colour contrast against knit stitches in the other colour, and vice versa.  The whole design only shows up when you view it at an angle.  Straight on, all you see are stripes.

The pattern is the Illusion Shawl Bat, available on Ravelry.  Pat used four skeins of Artfil Belle, two each of charcoal gray and hot pink.

Like all shadow knitting patterns, it’s very easy to work.  But, you do have to keep track of knits and purls, so there’s a lot of counting involved.  As long as you don’t mind that, it’s a really fun technique!

Nov 01 2021

Sandra’s ‘Veronica’ Cowl

Author: Mairi McKissock

Veronica cowl, pattern by Marie Wallin, hand knitted by Sandra

Sandra made this lovely version of the ‘Veronica’ cowl for our BC Garn Bio Shetland promotion.  The pattern is Veronica, by Marie Wallin, and the yarn, of course, is Bio Shetland.  Sandra’s stranded colourwork is beautiful, and it’s a great pattern choice for the yarn.

Sandra says that she used 16 different colours in this project!  We are hoping to see more of her lovely work as she uses the rest of it in other projects.

Oct 27 2021

Pattern suggestion: Halmstad Sweater

Author: Mairi McKissock

Posting date: 27 October 2021

Today’s sweater suggestion is the Halmstad sweaterby Todd Gocken.  It is available as a free pattern from Knitty.com.  Men are notoriously difficult to knit for.  Maybe your favourite man is an exception, but they do have a reputation for not liking anything that’s actually fun to knit.  This pattern is the answer!

The colourwork patterns are conservative enough for average male preference, but interesting enough for average knitter interest.  Plus, there’s a surprise in the construction.  A fun surprise.  You work the sleeves and body together in one piece, then cut it open at four steeks.  And then sew side and arm seams.   Take a look at the pattern to see how it’s done.  If you’ve done any stranded colourwork before, you’ll know that this makes the knitting very, very easy.  And the stripes are guaranteed to line up.

A steek, for those unfamiliar, is an area of a few stitches on every row that form a bridge between different parts of the garment.  It becomes a safe place to cut the knitted fabric for a seam to be added later.  With a nice, ‘sticky’ yarn like BC Garn Bio Shetland, it is easy to stabilize the fabric before cutting – any method will work, without special precautions.

BC Garn Bio Shetland is a slightly lighter weight yarn than used in the original pattern.  You can use it without modification at the specified gauge, just be sure to check your tension before you start, and modify needle size if needed.  The finished sweater will be lighter in weight, but still warm and comfortable..