Spring is on Its Way

March 30, 2015March 28, 2015 ~ Holly Priestley ~ 5 Comments

Although we did get a tiny bit of snow the other morning (that was gone before day’s end) there are signs that spring is just around the corner. Little flowers are blooming, the weather is warming up, time spent outside is increasing.

Spring is my favorite season, hands down. Always has been, likely always will be (although I’m up for change, we all know I like regular change).

Green grass and new plants, new life and baby animals, the crispness that lingers on the breeze until Summer fully arrives – Spring is the best.

What’s your favorite part about spring?

WIP Wednesday: Old Stuff, New Stuff, Grey Stuff, Blue Stuff

March 25, 2015March 24, 2015 ~ Holly Priestley ~ Leave a comment

I’m basically a poet, didn’t you know? it? eh?

I’ll stick to knitting, how’s that?

This week I’m here to show you the shawl project I mentioned last week along with another new WIP!

The new project is a Minetta that I’m working on as a KAL with my momma! I’m using some Serena by Manos del Uruguay from my stash in the Seal colorway.

We’re both using a heavier gauge yarn (sport vs fingering) and going up to a US 5 needle. We’re both knitting the 36 size as well. I’m hoping that this will be a great experiment for us and other Minetta knitters!

The shawl is moving along, not too fast since the rows are getting so so long and I really only have time to work on it during my walks to and from work, but progress is progress, right?

What are you working on this week?

WIP Wednesday: Olive Garden

March 18, 2015March 16, 2015 ~ Holly Priestley ~ 2 Comments

The Olive Garden shawl is growing bit by bit. I haven’t had a ton of time to knit lately, mostly on my walks to and from work and occasionally in the evenings. I’m just beginning the fourth eyelet row and enjoying the slow but squooshy growth.

The yarn is Bittersweet Woolery’s Star Dust Lace (the same yarn I used for my Compass Rose Shawl) and I think it’ll go perfectly with the bright yellow beads I’m planning to use on the lace edging.

I almost wish I started using the beads earlier, on the eyelet parts of the shawl, but I don’t want to rip it back now and put them in, so I’ll just wait for the end.

(the above beer color kind of matches the bead color) I originally made “knit something beaded” one of my 2014 goals and although I started this shawl in 2014, I neither finished it nor got to the beaded part during that calendar year…Knitter Fail.

What are you working on this week? Have you ever knit a beaded thing?

New Pattern(s!): Leaves Hat and Mitts Set

March 12, 2015March 11, 2015 ~ Holly Priestley ~ 2 Comments

Here is the second installment of the collaboration that Kirsten Singer and I have embarked on! This time around we focused on colorwork and slipped stitch details.

A slouchy beret-ish style hat and fingerless mitts featuring stranded colorwork leaves and a linen stitch border. These patterns are sold as a set – one price for both! The hat is written for one size that should fit most adult heads. The linen stitch keeps the brim from getting stretched out and the larger-gauge stranded colorwork in the body of the hat adds so much warmth!

The mitts are written for two sizes and, again, the linen stitch cuffs are snug and hold their shape perfectly.

When working linen stitch, you’ll notice that the fabric is *much* tighter than normal stockinette or rib. It may seem tight during the knitting but once you block, the Malabrigo Twist softens slightly and everything seems to let out a sigh – as if it too wanted to loosen up a bit.

This set can be found on Ravelry, Craftsy and Etsy 🙂 Kirsten published her next pattern set today as well so don’t forget to check out her interpretation!

WIP Wednesday

March 11, 2015March 10, 2015 ~ Holly Priestley ~ 4 Comments

Although I haven’t started any new projects since I finished the Pintuck Cardigan, I have been knitting and scheming and planning!

Swatches have been knit and ideas are percolating for some fall sweaters that I can’t wait to share with you.

In the mean time though, I did pick up an old old old work in progress from the basket – the Olive Garden shawl I started in August. I originally started this design because I wanted to knit a thing with beads and I liked this design. I haven’t gotten to the beading part yet, but the squooshy garter stitch is soothing and perfect for my walk to and from work when the weather is nice (if you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen this).

What are you working on this week?

FO Friday: Pintuck Cardigan

March 6, 2015March 4, 2015 ~ Holly Priestley ~ 3 Comments

I have another FO to share today! I finally finished the Pintuck Cardigan (by Bristol Ivy) that I started back at the beginning of August.

This was my first bottom-up construction and required very little seaming (just the armholes, shoulders and neckband). I really like the way it fits, the side shaping is in exactly the right place and how often does THAT happen? Typically my torso is a bit shorter than patterns are written for. The only modification I made to this pattern was not going down a needle size for the two rows of ribbing at the bottom.

I used the recommended yarn – Hikoo by Skacel Rylie – in the Kelp colorway and I totally love it. The yarn is a bit heavy because of the alpaca, linen and silk fibers and it works perfectly with the shape and drape of the sweater – the two are a great match!

Although this sweater sat in the WIP pile for a long time, it didn’t take long to make it into my regular clothing rotation. I know it’s going to be a well-loved sweater, I don’t knit enough cardigans for how often I wear them! Expect that to change in the future.

What have you been knitting lately?

(The hat in the pictures is my Braided Slouch. I wear it all the time and have for quite a few years now and it looks just as good as the day I finished it! Way to go Jitterbug :D)

New Pattern: The Polar Bear Pullover

March 3, 2015March 2, 2015 ~ Holly Priestley ~ 5 Comments

I showed you pictures of the finished project the other week and the pattern is now ready for download!

I kept the details fairly simple with this design because I wanted it to be approachable by newer sweater knitters. This sweater is worked in pieces from the bottom up. The polar bear motif is worked using intarsia and is charted. The drop shoulder and generous fit make the finished garment easy to wear, style and cozy up into.

It is meant to be worn with a few inches of positive ease. These photos are of the second size on two different body types to show versatility. Be sure to leave the 2″ of ribbing unseamed when putting the sweater together to allow for a more flattering fit around the hips!

This was my first time working with Mrs. Crosby’s yarn and I totally loved it! The fiber content (merino, silk and cashmere) is perfect and the yarn has beautiful drape and stitch definition. As with other tonal and hand-dyed yarns, be sure to alternate skeins as you work so that the colors blend evenly.