Knitting

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Eye Candy: SWTC Saphira

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saphira swtcOne of the great things about all the knitting-related work I do is that I get to play with a lot of different yarns and work on a lot of different projects. I thought it might be fun for you (and keep me trying new things so I can share them) if I posted every now and then notes on what I’m working on and what I’m working with.

Today I got into a moment (OK, a couple of hours) of panic about how soon it will be time for me to turn in my book and how much knitting I still have to do before then. I also got word that an adorable set of twins — a boy and a girl now eight weeks old — are going to model for my book. Which means I need something for them to wear.

I’m planning a pair of intarsia sweaters, probably one with a flower and one with a truck, but I’m not sure yet. I’ve long known, however, that I wanted to knit them in Saphira, a bulky superwash merino from South West Trading Company. I had a tiny (and I mean tiny, what you see in the picture is all there was, I didn’t even leave enough to bind off) sample of this yarn to play with and I love the softness, the fuziness and the nice even stitches, which should be great for intarsia. It also knits up super fast, which is great for needing to make two sweaters while the kids are still the same size!

Now that I know my gauge it will be a lot easier to estimate how much yarn I’ll need and to make the charts for my intarsia designs. I guess that’s what I’ll be working on this weekend!

What have you been working with lately? Any new projects on the horizon for the weekend? Spill it!

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Comments

  1. I can’t wait to see what your intarsia sweaters look like. That is so cool you are giving away a copy of Stitch London.

Have you read?

Knit a Spiky Balaclava

Not too long ago my daughter and I had a discussion about what a chestnut really looks like. The nut itself is small and brown, of course, but on the tree they’re covered with this weird kind of spiky, kind of fuzzy shell. It’s a wonder anyone ever figured out they were edible.

If you didn’t know that, you might wonder why this project is call Chestnut balaclava, but now you know.

This fun design from Yevheniia Pyroh is covered with spikes just like a chestnut shell, and is even the same color, though of course you can make yours whatever color you like. It uses two strands of fingering weight yarn held together (which it says is fingering weight but you could try a light/DK yarn and see if you get gauge with it if you’d rather).

There are two different design options in the pattern. One is a more fitted balaclava style hat (it doesn’t cover the face but does go around the neck) and a looser fit hood.

It’s worked primarily in garter stitch, with shaping done by knitting and purling in the same stitch and through various decreases (including a knit 3 together).

The pattern is charted but also explained in words. It’s worked flat to the size you want, and then joined into a hood shape with ribbing at the neck. The opening for the face is finished with I-cord.

This hood/balaclava would definitely be a conversation starter and in different colors it might read more dinosaur than chestnut, which could also be fun. The sizing is totally custom so you can make it fit whatever head you’re stitching for.

If you want to try it for yourself (and I’d love to hear about it if you do!) you can download the free pattern from Ravelry.

[Photo: Yevheniia Pyroh]

Balaclava Knitting Patterns

Colorwork Balaclava Knitting Pattern [Knitting]