#knitspot

[primroseyarnco]

✨SNEAK PEEK✨ at a new pattern Kelsey is whipping up, in collaboration with @knitspot & the awesome team @barenakedwools ♥️ #primroseyarnco #barenakedwools #knitspot #testknittersneeded #testknitterswanted #testingcall #testknittingcall #knittersofinstagram #knittersofinsta #knitters #knittersofig #knitallthethings #handknit #handknitting https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck_b9EdLp_G/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[lizasarusrex]

This is my lil knitting/reading corner full of my lil plant babies! 🍃🌱🌿🌾Where is your favorite place to knit? As much as I love knitting at home in my favorite spots, I really miss knit nights, knitting with friends. Are there any knitters (or non-knitters) that would be interested in knitting together on zoom, or maybe on twitch? Let me know in the comments! ❓❔💭⬇️🖤❔❓ - - #nocturnalknits #knitstagram #knitspot #knittersofinstagram #knittersunite #knittingismytherapy #knittingisthenewyoga #knittingismysuperpower #knittingmakesmehappy #knittersgonnaknit #knitterswhoread #knittersoftheworld #knittersofig #knittersofinsta #knitfastdiewarm #knitlife #knittinglove #knitlove #alwaysknitting #knittingismylovelanguage #zoomknitting #twitchknitting #placesyoucanknit #igknitters #knitters #knittersofravelry #knittersofinsta #instaknitters #readingandknitting #knitting_is_love #knitknitknit https://www.instagram.com/p/CKFDFDUJ32Z/?igshid=1eenokft7dpe8

[askatknits]

Be Still Sunday

It seems that a bug is making its way through our house, so today there will be a lot of nothing being accomplished. Netflix and knitting are on my schedule today, how about yours?  

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[askatknits]

Be Still Sunday

I have been inspired to join the cool kids in NaBloPoMo.  I know! What on earth am I thinking?!? However, I think I have a good plan. I have put together a calendar of the month with a blog plan for the days. What?!? A plan for your blog? In any case, this will give me a good start on ending the year well and a good plan for beginning 2016, which sadly gets closer and closer with every passing…

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[flyinrobin]

Springerle Mittens, my latest Knitspot finish.

[kerriknits]

Cowl Knitting

This fall has been all about cowls for me — I always find knitting scarves to be a bit hard, since they seem to go on forever. There's something comforting about knitting around and around and around on a cowl. These projects go by so quickly! I guess that's why I've (almost) knit three in as many weeks! I finally wove in the ends of my knitspot Boilermaker Cowl, knit in Briar Rose Fibers Fourth of July and Bare Naked Wools Confection Sport — kits are still available here!

I can't believe how lovely this turned out. Doesn't it look amazing at golden hour?

This is definitely a pattern I would knit again — there are so many color possibilities, and each creates such a different look.

I started a new Baltic Amber Cowl in Stone Soup DK - this time in the long loop variation. I love how squishy the fabric is. Not only did I start the new cowl, but I also finished it! Just in time for pattern release, too! Look for this to go up on Ravelry tomorrow!

Now, it's time to go back to photo editing and the rest of my preparations for release day!

[kerriknits]

Yarn in the Barn — Day 2

Saturday was our Color Immersion project day at Yarn in the Barn. We each received a kit for Anne's new Boilermaker pattern featuring Bare Naked Wools Confection Sport and Briar Rose Yarns Fourth of July. Our kits had Confection in Nougat and Milk Chocolate, and Fourth of July in a choice of four colors — green, blue, purple or red! I chose the red and got started on swatching to decide on my color progression.

I quickly decided on a gradient progression, and ran over to the barn to grab a halfsie skein of Confection Sport in Dark Chocolate to complete my gradient. I love the effect.

The great news is that Anne & David have put together kits for you to purchase, too! They are available in the online knitspot shop - definitely go check them out!

What was so surprising about this class was how different everyone's projects looked. There were 6 of us who chose red, but there wasn't a single project that looked the same between us. It's amazing how everything can vary so much! You can check out Anne's blog post about it here — she has photos of a few of the red swatches together.

As I said earlier, I ran back out to the barn during class to pick up a few things from the Bare Naked Wools booth. I bought a halfsie skein of Confection Sport in Milk Chocolate for an upcoming design project, along with a few buttons and a new color card.

It was great to sit down and work on the same project with other knitters, especially with Anne’s wisdom to guide us. We all had so much fun chatting together! If you are going to Rhinebeck this year, I know that Anne still has spots left in her color classes at the Rhinebeck After Party — check it out if you are interested in taking similar classes!

Again, Chris was so generous and each class participant got to choose a special edition skein of Briar Rose Fibers. Here is mine — A perfect blend of fall colors that will turn into a lovely project someday.

After class was over, I went over to a nearby park to get photos of my finished Baltic Amber Cowl sample. It was cold and drizzling a bit, but there were still beautiful things to see.

I can't leave you without a sneak peek at the new design — look for the pattern release later next week!

I promised you all blocked swatches from Day 1 — I washed them on Wednesday evening, and they were dry this morning. There was even enough light to take photos! It’s amazing how much everything evened out with a quick soak. Messy fabric with curly edges turns into a structured, even surface with no curls in sight.

And, I finished up my Boilermaker Cowl! Here it is drying on my blocking mat:

The red did bleed a bit (as did the swatch, but not nearly as much), but I don't mind the effect at all! I know that bleeding is always a risk in colorwork, especially with reds and darker colors. However, I was ok with the idea of the red turning the lighter colors just a bit pink. Indeed, the greys turned slightly warmer, and the nougat color took on a slight pink tinge. Just a little though - a whisper of color that really ties back into the deep red hems. I love it!

Yarn in the Barn was such a fun experience, and I’d love to be able to do it again in the future. I learned so much, and I came home with some really nice souvenirs that will make beautiful projects.

Not only was it a great weekend full of knitting, I was also able to visit one of my best friends! She now lives in the Grand Rapids area, so we spent one evening together as well as a nice brunch on Sunday before I hit the road back home.

Well, I am on the road again this weekend, so I won’t be back on the blog until early next week. Enjoy a knitting filled autumn weekend, and get started on your own Boilermaker cowl projects!

[kerriknits]

Yarn in the Barn — Day 1

I am so excited to share this post with you — a little peek into my classes with Anne Hanson and the overall Yarn in the Barn experience! I drove up to Michigan on Thursday afternoon and met my airbnb hosts — a lovely couple with a growing family. I'd definitely check them out if you are traveling to the Grad Rapids area! On Friday morning, I headed over to Yarn in the Barn, hosted at the home of Chris Roosien, the dyer behind Brair Rose Fibers.

It was rainy and cold for most of the weekend, so it was a good thing that we were inside knitting in Anne's classes! The whole weekend was all about color knitting, and Saturday was our technique day. The morning started off with Color voyage, where we learned how things other than color can affect color knitting — it seems simple, but I had never really thought of that before! While Anne was giving her lecture, we worked on a swatch that illustrates exactly this point.

Oh — that skein on the side there? That was a gift to each class participant as a little thank you for coming to Yarn in the Barn. Thank you Chris for your generosity!

The afternoon class was all about technique. We tried out mosaic knitting, intarsia, and stranded colorwork. Prior to class, I had only ever tried stranded, but I still wasn't that confident in the technique because I couldn't figure out color dominance. After class with Anne, I think I've got it figured out & will be trying a new stranded project soon.

I think my favorite technique was mosaic knitting - I love the graphic look of the pattern. Very mod! I want to explore this technique further, maybe in a hat or mitts project.

We also tried intarsia, and I must say, it wasn't as scary as I thought it would be! It's a bit difficult managing the different strands, but you can use bobbins in a larger project to help prevent tangling and twisting. I definitely think this looks alright for a first go!

I am really excited to block all of the swatches from class to see how the fabric comes together when washed. Anne was talking about how the final blooming of the fibers will really help to make a cohesive, even fabric. I think I'll save that post for next time!

After class, the barn was open for shopping! There were several wonderful vendors in attendance, including Brair Rose Fibers (of course!) and Anne's Bare Naked Wools pop-up shop. Chris' booth was full of gorgeous fibers as always.

If you ever have a chance to see Briar Rose Fibers in person, definitely do so! Chris' colors are rich and full of depth. Not only that, but Chris often sells super-sizes skeins! In fact, I got two for myself. First up is an 8oz. skein of Briar Rose Sea Pearl, a beautiful merino/tencel blend that will be perfect for a summer top.

I also purchased a 16oz(!!) skein of Charity, boasting a whopping 900 yards per skein. I'll be making myself a Swivel Pullover out of this yarn — I loved knitting the sample garment for Interweave, and I can't wait to make one for me to keep!

Anne's Bare Naked Wools booth was lovely as always, full of knitspot samples in her artisan undyed yarns. I never get tired of this booth. I think this was my 3rd visit to a pop-up shop and I'm still in love with these neutrals. I saved my purchases for the second day, so I'll show you those next time.

The Spinning Moon Farm booth was also wonderful, I was really tempted by the roving, especially since each colorway had a swatch spun and knit up. The results were beautiful, slightly heathered colors.

I couldn't resist the contents of that basket though, filled to the top with fun felted pumpkins! These are so perfect for fall decor. Each one is completely unique — look at that range of colors!

And how could I say no to such a cute pumpkin? Here is the one I took home.

That just about wraps up Day 1 — check back here on Friday for Day 2, featuring our full day Color Immersion project class. I'll be sure to have my blocked swatches from Day 1 to share with you then, too!