Hello Everyone!
April is a wrap and we enjoyed ourselves by knitting portable projects. As part of our theme, “April Showers Bring…Small, Fun-Filled Projects!”, we explored the fun that comes with knitting smaller projects. Smaller projects portability lets us take our stitching projects with us on those road trips or as a sports spectator. There is definitely a satisfaction to finishing a smaller project more quickly. Of course small does not mean there won’t be new and skill-building techniques. Our first April project, Sweet Little Cowl by Rachel Brockman for Universal Yarns, has Brioche Stitch, Provisional Crochet Cast-On, and I-Cord Bind Off. Purl Soho has one of the best tutorials for Provisional Crochet Cast-On. Check it out the one step method here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/provisional-cast-on-video/
This pattern underwent a change on April 20thin the form of erratta to the Two-Color Pearl Brioche portion. Like many of you, I had already knitted the original pattern for my first cowl. The pattern is beautiful in the original form. It’s equally beautiful in the update, so I decided to knit the second cowl with the new stitch pattern. The designer has actually just updated her pattern to reflect these two versions of the Two-Color Pearl Brioche stitch pattern. Per her Ravelry page and the updated pattern, Rachel Brockman added, “The errata on this cowl turned out to be a happy accident, so at the advice of a customer, we’ve decided to include instructions for two versions. Version A reflects the sample photos – the Pearl Brioche has a “v” shape. Version B reflects the happy accident in which the two-color portion has small bars in place of the “v” shape shown on the samples.”Both versions are wonderful and look great together! And did I mention that Universal Yarn FibraNatura Cottonwood is so soft and in your hands as you knit? As Rachel says, “Knit, Relax, Smile, Repeat!”
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| Sweet Little Cowl (LMB) |
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| Log Cabin Mitts (LMB) |
Our next project, Log Cabin Mitts by Karen Templar, combines semi-traditional log cabin squares without intarsia and then moves onto a clever joining method and miter techniques. This project is a great way to use up small amounts of yarn and can be knit in colors that contrast, compliment, or in one color. The one color log cabin pattern plays on texture and is a great alternative if you want a one-color mitt. Since the April weather has been quite cold, these mitts worked perfectly and looked great! Watch out, because we bet you cannot knit just one pair!!
And our pop-up project brought smiles and cuteness in threes! Ernie, Esther,& Enid Easter Chickens by Janice Anderson brought us these fabulous and funky toy chicks. There is something so fun about making “stuffies”. The extra embellishments, the little techniques to make your toy unique and special, all of it are smile inducing. I made wings for my chicks by using the part of the crocheted technique for the legs. I used pony beads in the bottom stuffing, and then I stuffed those little chicks to a high cuteness level of chubbiness. It has been pointed out to me that I do like to stuff my toys. Remember Fa-la-la Fred? Well, my Fred is known as Fat Freddie!! More to love, that’s what I say!!
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| Esther, Ernie, & Enid |
Lastly, April 21st saw the first annual LYS Day. Local Yarn Store Day is a brick-and-mortar yarn shop appreciation day created by The National Needle Arts (TNNA) Yarn Group. The inaugural LYS Day takes place today on April 21 and is designed to show support for small businesses while bringing together a unique community of knitters, crocheters, weavers and spinners to drive awareness and celebrate the craft. We thank our amazing stitching community for all your support and encouragement. We are very grateful for all of you!!
In closing, April brought us small, fun-filled projects that taught us new techniques and put huge smiles on our faces. April is in the books and now we look forward to YAY!!! It’s May!
Knit, Crochet, & Stitch On! Lisa
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