A Mysterious Knitalong for the Ravellenic Games

Now here’s a cool idea: as part of the “Ravellenic Games,” Raven Knits has designed a mystery shawl knitalong that will be released periodically during the course of the Olympics (which start Friday!).

It’s not a complete mystery; you can get a look at the Tsuga shawl right now, but the pattern is being released in pieces. First will come a gauge swatch pattern, which for some reason isn’t going to be released until the 24th, with steps of the pattern being released on July 27 and 31 and August 4 and 8. The full pattern will be available August 16.

What we do know about the pattern is that it’s a top down triangular shawl with flared wing tips and the option of adding beads in a couple of sections. It looks like a beauty if you’re still looking for something to knit while you watch the Games.

And if you don’t know about the Ravellenic Games, that’s an opportunity for knitters and other fiber artists to challenge themselves to create something they start during the opening ceremony of the Olympics and finish before the Games are over. (Just don’t call it Ravelympics, OK?)

Are you knitting something for the Olympics? Spill it!

[Photo by Raven Knits.]

It feels like it’s too early to be thinking about back to school, but as I write this my daughter has just a couple of weeks of summer left! So let’s get in that school and fall knitting spirit by looking at some apple knitting projects.

If you have a 22 needle circular knitting machine, knitting an apple is one of the easiest things you can do. I have an apple pattern over at Our Daily Craft that will take you just a few minutes to knit and they’re a great addition to your fall decor.

Apple hats are a classic, and whether you want to knit a hat that looks like an apple or one with apples on it, we’ve got you covered. For hats that look like apples check out the rolled brim version from Emma Crochet Design 4 U, which uses worsted weight yarn and comes in sizes for kids of all ages; and the ribbed brim version from Hand Knit Hugs. This one also calls for worsted weight yarn and comes in four kids sizes. Both include a stem and leaf.

If you’d rather have apples on your hat, try the Red Apple Hat from Little Red Window. This one is sized from newborn to 2T and calls for four colors of worsted weight yarn.

How about apple socks? You’ll find Ariel Chang’s Apple Picnic Socks as a free download on Ravelry. These use three colors of sock yarn and come in three sizes. Stone Knits also a pair of stripey apple socks that show the inside of the apple. These also have three sizes but they use six colors total, with the main color being a self-striping yarn.

If you want a little apple accessory for the house, the apple potholder from Nifty Knitter Designs is cute and a great way to practice double knitting. It uses two colors and you’ll find the colors in the reverse on the other side. The pattern only uses about 50 yards of each color of worsted weight yarn, so it’s a great use for odd balls, too.

Once you’ve got your double knitting skills sorted you can also try the double knit apple scarf from Crow and Chai Shop. The Winter Apples scarf is shown in red and gold, but you can use whatever colors you like. There are apples, stars and random stitches in the design, which calls for DK weight yarn. There’s also a matching fingerless glove pattern.

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