• Recent Project Extravaganza!

    I’ve been on a serious knitting spree this summer. Kind of contradictory, I know–who wants to hold five pounds of wool in their lap on a 95 degree day? Still, this summer I’ve wrapped up tons of long-overdue projects and whipped up a couple of new ones. 

    From top to bottom: Bundled in Brioche by Stephen West, an original pattern I’ll be sharing soon!,  Viajante by Martina Behm, a random bastardized DROPS pattern I have never been able to find again, and Women’s Cardigan Style No. 150 from Free Vintage Knitting

    Currently on my needles: Ladies Classic Raglan Pullover by Jane Richmond in Cascade 220 (the color scheme is Neapolitan Ice Cream, of course), and a pair of rainbow socks in Manos del Uruguay fingering weight for my niece. 

    I’ll have more new patterns coming your way soon! 

    xoxo

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  • Favorite Yarn: Araucania Huasco

    Image: earthfaire.com

    Oh yeah, this blog is about knitting too, right? Well let’s talk yarn!

    I’ve had a skein of Araucania Huasco Botany Lace sitting around in my stash for at least two years. As with any great skein, I bought it because it was just so damn pretty–a beautiful kettle-dyed mix of blues and greys. Yet, being a fingering weight, I have resisted using it because I either can’t decide on a project or don’t feel like self-inflicting carpal tunnel with #1 needles that day. 

    Finally, after completing a ginormous sweater for Rhinebeck (that can only be described as Bjorkian) I wanted to do something small-scale with a bit of intricacies. I pulled out my Araucania, some #4’s, and cast on for a hat. 

    I am literally addicted to knitting with this yarn right now–which doesn’t bode very well considering it’s finals week and I’d rather make a hat and watch Sailor Moon. The texture of the yarn is squishy, never stringy, and the variegation in color is oh-so subtle. The best part: the stitch consistently is really beautiful. I’m working the honeycomb stitch in the round and the results have been really even and lovely. 

    This would be a seriously rad yarn for a sweater or bigger project (if you have the patience…pshhhh). I can’t even imagine these colors on a large scale! The yarn is delicate and it’s advised to be dry-cleaned, so I wouldn’t suggest socks despite how good they would feel. I think scarves, shawls, hats, and other down the middle projects would be made really special with this yarn.

    Have you knit with Araucania before? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

    xoxo

    Shop Araucania Yarns at KnittingFever.com

     

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