New From TrendSetter Yarns….

A couple of years ago, while at the Northern Michigan Lamb and Wool Festival, during one of my recent “parades around the vendors booths” a skein of Trendsetter Yarn attacked me. Yes! Attacked. Viciously, and thoroughly and by the time the war was won, it was not me who claimed victory. Or was it? This yarn jumped out at me, and into my basket. I loudly and quite decidedly proclaimed that I did NOT LIKE trendy sorts of yarns. The argument went on and on, and though, while not proud of arguing with yarn in a public place I had to admit defeat. Then, no sooner after I succumbed to it’s charmed, 5 of it’s buddies jumped into my basket also. It was a tag team, no doubt.

This little skirmish started my love affair with Trendsetter, so when my email box proclaimed that this company had another yarn to offer, I had to take a closer look.

And I submit to you, these two delights: The first one, Soleil has leaves in it! Now I remember a day when I had leaves in my yarn I would pick them out. Now they’re there on purpose!

Here’s the other: Ministrone. This little gem comes in 4 colorways, and I’m really, really hoping that when I attend the Northern Michigan Lamb and Wool Festival in a week and a half, there won’t be any. I will be helpless to resist!

Even with the leaves…..

Go here for more info on this stuff!

Getting ready for back to school makes me think about pencil crafts, so let’s take a look at some pencil themed knitting patterns!

I recently made a pencil on a circular knitting machine, and it was a fun, quick, easy project that uses little bits of leftover yarn (and if you don’t have yellow you can make it a colored pencil using whatever color’s your favorite). And if you want to make a bigger version check out this pattern from Orange Olive Road on Etsy.

If you want to knit a pencil pillow by hand, check out Sketchy, available on Ravelry from Shana S. Cohen. This one uses worsted weight yarn and has two size options and the choice to make a pencil with an eraser or a colored pencil.

Pencil scarves seem to be the most popular kind of pencil knitting pattern, and there are lot of cute ones. This one from Cosy Craft UK mostly uses garter stitch, with some welts to add texture and what looks like an I-cord edging. It calls for DK weight yarn.

If you want to go all garter stitch try this version from Emsley Co Creations, which uses five colors of DK weight yarn and just a little shaping to make the point of the pencil.

There’s also this fun, mostly stockinette so it looks like it curls a bit, pencil pattern that looks like it’s worked in chunky yarn from Little Knits Studio. This one uses just a little garter stitch and easy shaping for the point.

If you don’t want a pencil scarf, how about some pencil socks? The No. 2 Pencil Socks from The Yarn Enabler are available from Ravelry and use five colors of sock yarn. They feature wide ribs to mimic the texture of a pencil and have options to be worked from the top down or the toe up.

Needs Sharpening by Alexander Walker is a free pattern on Ravelry that uses five colors of sock yarn to make a sort of shortie sock. The little bit of black at the tips of the toes inspired the name. These, too, can be worked in either direction and are available in three sizes.

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