Knit Along with Kaffe Fassett

Rowan is getting set to launch its second mystery knitalong project on Oct. 1, and this time the designer behind the fun is color master Kaffe Fassett.

Rowan’s brand manager, Kate Butler, says in a video about the project that the aim was to get more people knitting in “the Kaffe way,” which isn’t difficult knitting, just a lot of color.

“I only go for the most basic techniques,” he says in the video, “but it’s really extravagant in color.”

The projects involve multicolored squares, and you can choose to make an afghan, a small cushion, an oblong cushion or all three. Four colorways have been selected by Fassett for the project. Each one uses 10 different colors, and you can download the shopping list now (it’s a PDF) if you’re interested in the project.

It uses Rowan Pure Wool Worsted, which is machine washable and worsted weight, so whatever it is you’re making will be colorful, durable and get a lot of use for years to come.

The project will run through Dec. 19 and includes instructional videos by Fassett and designer Sarah Hatton.

If you decide to take part, I’d love to hear about it!

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It’s been well documented that I love a knitting pattern with a bit of whimsy, so when I saw the Mine! Pullover from Sarah L. Kelly recently I knew I had to share it with you.

I mean, who wouldn’t want to knit a sweater with a yoke full of seagulls? And another seagull at the waist? Chasing little crabs?

The story behind the sweater (and you knew there had to be one, right?) is that while Sarah was traveling around Europe there were a lot of cheeky seagulls about. They reminded her of the scene in Finding Nemo where the seagulls say “mine, mine, mine” and thus the Mine! series of patterns was born.

Oh yes, there’s a whole set. It was the sweater I saw first but there’s also a pair of socks (and the pattern says there’s a cowl, too, but I couldn’t find it as of this writing. If you see it let me know and I’ll add the link here!) so you can totally deck yourself out in pesky seabirds if you want.

But back to the sweater for now. This is worked in DK weight yarn from the top down in the round. The yoke and a section at the bottom are worked in stranded colorwork, with stripes on the body, though you could make the body a single color if you wanted. Details like the beaks and eyes are added with duplicate stitch to make the knitting a little easier.

The colorwork sections are charted. The pattern comes in 10 sizes, with a finished chest circumference ranging from 32 to 68 inches, or 80 to 170 cm.

The socks are worked in sock yarn and come in three sizes. There worked from the cuff down and change needle sizes to accommodate the less stretchy nature of stranded colorwork. You can choose from a side profile or a seagull that’s looking out from the sock. Make a matching pair or mix it up.

Both patterns are available on Ravelry: sweater and socks. If you make them I’d love to hear about it!

[Photo: Sarah L. Kelly]

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