Hi there!

I just finished knitting a Top Secret Birthday gift!

​Now that it's been delivered I can share it with you; 

The pattern is Autumn Blush by Joji Locatelli. It's a beautiful shawl pattern that is perfect for showing off the texture and color of hand dyed yarns. 

The pattern is worked tip to tip, sideways, using short rows for shaping. It's a little intimidating when you first get started but once you get more familiar with the pattern you won't even need to reference it until your short row shaping sections. 

This yarn is just magical. I seriously can't say enough good things about this stuff. It's ridiculously soft, and while I did have to do a considerable amount of frogging, it never broke or fuzzed or pilled up. It is beautifully hand dyed. I used three skeins for this project, I was a little worried about them not matching up exactly, but they did! No alternating skeins for me! It blocks up really nicely and is just a joy to work with. 10/10 will buy again. 

I like that this shawl wide enough to work as a wrap with a fancy dress but long enough to wear as a scarf on a cold day. I'm proud of how this project turned out and I hope Austyn enjoys it for many years to come! ​

Let me know what you think!

Is this a pattern or yarn brand you've been thinking of trying?

Thanks for reading!

-Ashley

Hi there,

I'm working on another selfish knit from my #makenine2018 list!

I'm knitting the pattern Iris by Melody Hoffman!

It's a light, lace shrug knitted in fingering weight yarn. 

The pattern is well written and easy to follow. I especially enjoy the template that shows how the piece is constructed. It definitely helped me visualize the somewhat unusual design of this garment. ​

The yarn I'm using is SO PRETTY! 

Seriously, I can't get enough of this stuff; 

It's Eden Cottage Yarns Nateby 4ply. It's 75% Extra Fine Merino Wool, 20% Nylon and 5% Silver Lurex. The colorway I'm using is called Lobelia and it's the perfect shade of purple. 

I'm totally obsessed. I see more of this yarn finding its way into my stash in the future. It's soft and so sparkly and from what my swatch tells me, it's going to block up wonderfully. 

I'm right at the part in the pattern where I'm taking out my provisional CO and picking up stitches to work the other half of the lace panel. It's a little more challenging than I thought it would be but I'm sure I'll get there in the end!

Definitely give this pattern a whirl, it's works up pretty quickly for a lace pattern and it's perfect if you have a few skeins of gorgeous sock yarn waiting to turn into something a little more luxurious than socks.

Let me know what you think of my version! Would you wear a super sparkly purple shrug? To loud? Not loud enough!?  

I'll keep you updated on my progress!


Thanks for stopping by!

-Ashley

Hi friends!

I'm excited to share my finished #205 Two Way Wrap Cardigan with you today!

The yarn I used is KnitPicks Simply Alpaca in the colorway Alaina. 

The pattern is #205 Two Way Wrap Cardigan by SweaterBabe on Ravelry.​

This sweater, true to it's name, can be worn two ways. Here it is upside down...or, right side up? 

The pattern was well written and easy to use. I only had one issue with this guy and it was easily solved; the instructions for the neck band don't specify whether to use a loose or basic bind off. I used a basic bind off and it was a mistake! the neck band hung tightly across the back of my neck like a rope and was very uncomfortable, and when flipped upside down the garment did not drape nicely. I took the neck band out and bound it off with a yarn over bind off and all was well. 

I'm pumped I was able to finish this sweater before the weather really starts heating up. This way I can live in it for the rest of Spring! 

What do you think of the finished product? Is this a pattern you would try? 



Bonus pics of Moonunit helping with the photo shoot!

If you'd like to read more about this project you can find more pics here and here.

Thanks for reading!

-Ashley

Hi friends!

Is it getting toasty where you are? It's getting warm here in the PNW. I don't know about you but when the weather heats up I like to switch to lighter yarns and smaller projects. I've compiled a little list of my Summertime favorite yarns, give these a try and let me know which ones you dig!

In no particular order...

1.) KnitPicks, Shine; 60% Pima Cotton, 40% Modal (natural beech wood fiber) This is not your basic dish rag cotton. This stuff has a magical, silky feel to it. It's has great stitch definition and a smooth, buttery texture. (Plus it comes in two different yarn weights.)
*Pattern is Yarn Cozy by Bailee L. Wellisch

2.) Cascade Yarns, Sunseeker; 48% Acrylic, 47% Cotton, 5% Metallic. I'm a sucker for a glittery yarn. This stuff is softer than you would imagine an acrylic/cotton to be, plus it's machine wash and dryer safe. 
*Pattern is KouYou by Angela Tong

3.) Tuskenknits, Shilling Silk Merino Singles; 70% Superwash Merino, 30% Silk. This single ply yarn is perfect for Summer garments. It has lovely drape and shine. Also, the colors are absolutely gorgeous. 

​4.) Blue Sky Fibers, Organic Cotton; 100% Organic Cotton. This yarn is plump and squishy and knits up beautifully. 

5.) KnitPicks, Comfy; 75% Pima Cotton, 25% Acrylic. This yarn feels like Chenille. It's light and soft and you can pop it in the washing machine. I'd definitely recommend this yarn for Summer tops. 
*Improvised pattern

6.) Spud and Chloe, Sweater; 55% Superwash Wool, 45% Organic Cotton. It doesn't sound like a Summer yarn, but just think of it as a Worsted weight cotton blend instead of a Wool blend with the word "Sweater" in the title. This stuff is delicious. It's soft and velvety and knits up like a dream. 

7.) KnitPicks, Billow; 100% Pima Cotton. This yarn feels like a well worn pair of jeans. It's a soft thick and thin yarn that has a fun, vintage look to it. This is a perfect Bulky yarn for knitting up quick projects even in the middle of Summer. 

8.) Fierce Fibers, Pandora; 70% Superwash, 20% Cashmere, 10% Nylon. Summer is for sock knitting imo. This yarn knits up into lovely socks. The Cashmere gives it an extra touch of softness and the yarn gets silkier and more luxurious after blocking. 
*Improvised pattern 

9.) Berroco, Folio; 65% Superfine Alpaca, 35% Rayon. I will find any excuse to knit with Alpaca, even in a heat wave. This yarn is so lovely to work with, it has a nice halo and a sparkly metallic sheen. 
*Pattern is Positive Thoughts #1  by yellowcosmo


​I hope you discovered a few yarns that you want to try out. Please share your favorite Summer yarns below! I'm always excited to find new and exciting fibers to try! 

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Spring!

-Ashley

Hi friends!

I wanted to share this lovely scarf pattern with you!

The pattern, written by Lauren Sanchez, is based on a scarf featured in the mini series Hatfields and McCoys. This project was commissioned by a friend through my Etsy shop. Here it is beautifully modeled by my adorable partner, Alex. 

I did have a few technical difficulties with the beginning of the pattern, (you can read more about the specifics HERE on my Ravelry page) but once I got to the cable chart it was smooth sailing. 

The yarn I used is KnitPicks Swish DK Superwash Merino Wool in the colorway Twilight. I love this stuff. This is the second piece I've knitted with Swish. The yarn is super soft and washes up so nicely (I haven't tried machine washing it but it hand washes up nicely.) 

This scarf is going to be heading off to his forever home on Monday. In the meantime I'm starting the sleeves on Hannah's sweater; 

AND! I just got my yarn to finish my Two Way Wrap Cardigan! I'm super pumped to finish my Cardigan before the weather gets too toasty to wear it!

What have you guys been working on? Are you already switching from Wool to Cotton in preparation for the warmer Spring weather? 

Bonus pic of me and Moonunit taking in a sunshiney sunset before all the rain set in. 

Happy Knitting!

-Ashley

Hi guys!

 I've got a few new things up in the Etsy shop today!

These projects have been finished for a while but somehow I never got around to listing them! First and foremost, I have a new skein of hand dyed yarn in the shop. He's a Superwash Merino/Nylon blend fingering weight. Perfect for your Spring knitting needs. ​

I've also listed two pairs of socks. (Both a US Women's Size Med 7-9)The first is a Merino/Silk blend in Masala orange.

The second is a Superwash Merino/Nylon pair of 'Rose City Roller' socks in a lovely stripey pattern. 

I've also included an Acrylic/Wool blend Turban style headband in a vibrant purple, bulky weight yarn. 

And, finally, I've listed my hand dyed, hand designed Dandelion Cowl (which I'm hoping to release a pattern for soon!) 

This cowl is knitted in a Peruvian Highland Wool/Superfine Alpaca blend yarn. He's squishy and bright and just what your Spring wardrobe is missing!

Just look at that cowl in action!

That's it for my Spring Etsy shop update!

I hope you found something you like, and if you dig that Cowl, keep your eyes peeled because I may need a few test knitters soon! 

Thanks for reading! I'll be back soon with a fun, cabled commission I've been working on that I'm excited to share with you.

Happy Spring, y'all!

​-Ashley

​I'm knitting this sweater for my dear friend Hannah. I had her pick out the yarn and the pattern so hopefully she will love the finished product. 

The yarn she chose is KnitPicks Andean Treasure in the colorway Aurora Heather. It's a magical sport weight yarn made from the softest baby Alpaca. It's wonderful to work with and is a joy to wear. (I have my own Andean Treasure sweater and I love it.)

Hi guys!

I've been working on a project just for me this month!

As you might have noticed by now, I'm completely obsessed with Alpaca yarn. So, when KnitPicks came out with their new Simply Alpaca yarn I jumped at the chance to make something warm and squishy!

I searched high and low for the perfect pattern. At first I wanted to make a big shawl to wear while enjoying my tea on frosty mornings. Then I decided it should be a cardigan so I can wear it on Winter nights when I do my baking. Then I realized I needed a "Slanket!" A half shawl, half blanket hybrid! So I started hunting. 

I searched for days until I found the perfect pattern; #205 Two Way Wrap Cardigan by SweaterBabe. I was super pumped that the pattern just happened to be by a designer who's patterns I have used before and had great success with. I even contacted the designer on one occasion for help with a pattern and she was very sweet and helpful so I knew if I had issues, SweaterBabe would be there for me. 

The yarn is so nice to work with. It does say it's an Aran weight but works up more like a Worsted. I don't mind for this project though, it's just going to be a little more lacy than the original pattern which I think will show off the detailed stitch work nicely. 

I did have a little confusion with the transition from the Smocked Lace section to the Bottle Stitch section. I ended up using the photos as a guide to get the appropriate amount of repeats and a clean looking transition. 

I've finished the Back Panel (here's a shot of him before blocking.) Since taking this photo I've almost finished the Left Front Panel and unfortunately I will be out of yarn soon!!! 

KnitPicks will be sending me an email notification once they get some more Simply Alpaca back in stock. I should have more by the beginning of April. (Waahhhh!) But I did find myself another Alpaca project to work on in the meantime (surprising, right?) I'll be sharing more about that project soon. 

Bonus photo of Prince guarding my yarn bowl just in case my yarn decides to make a quick escape!

I hope your post-Holiday knitting involves some selfish knitting too!

Thanks for stopping by!

-Ashley

Hi friends!

It's finally finished! 

Kecia's Favorite Sweater is done!

As some of you might know, I've been working on recreating my cousin Kecia's very favorite (but very well worn) sweater. I've been knitting this guy since August, so I'm pretty excited to finally have him off the needles!

The yarn I used is KnitPicks Comfy, which is 75% Pima Cotton, 25% Acrylic. It's wonderfully soft and feels like Chenille when knitted up. 

I created my own pattern for this sweater based on Kecia's old model. I used a few resources such as getknitting.com for shaping calculations and Purl Soho for picking up collar stitches on a diagonal. 

I am happy with how this sweater turned out, it's giant and super soft and will hopefully keep Kecia as warm and cozy as her vintage version. 

ORIGINAL                                                                                                             NEW AND IMPROVED

I'm proud of this guy, but I'm definitely ready to move on to some new projects! I've got some sweaters lined up as well as a bunch of yarn dyeing to do and a big Etsy shop update coming soon!

If you'd like to read more about this sweater project you can find more progress shots here, here and here. 

Thanks for following along with me on another sweater journey! 

Later!

​Ashley

Hey guys!

Is anyone else compiling a list of projects they'd like to knit over the New Year? I doubt I'll be able to get to all these beauties but here's a little preview of what I'd like to create this year;

#1.) Illas Cies by Anne Hanson:

 I plan to make this lovely sweater as a gift for a friend. I have the perfect yarn in mind for this guy; a Sport Weight Baby Alpaca in the colorway Aurora Heather.
​
​
​#2.) #205 Two Way Wrap Cardigan by SweaterBabe:

I'm obsessed with this Sweater! KnitPicks just came out with this delightful natural Alpaca yarn and I had to find the coziest pattern ever to try it out on. I got the yarn in a magical snowy white and I can't wait to cast this puppy on. (PS. I love SweaterBabe patterns, they're well written and great to work with.)

​

#3.) Moonlight Garden by Melody Hoffmann:

I've been eyeing this half circle shawl since it popped up on Melody Hoffmann's Instagram. It just looks so cozy. I love the combination of textures and the generous size. I don't have a yarn set aside for this project yet but I'm sure I'll know the right yarn when I see it. 



​#4.) Zinone by Andi Satterlund:

I think this lovely top (the one on the Left) will be my porch knitting project this Summer. I've got a few skeins of fingering weight yarn squirreled away that could be perfect for this top. 



​#5.) Mae by Andrea Mowry:

I love the shape of this top. It's a V-neck in the front and the back and just long enough to wear with leggings. I think this guy will be a perfect transitional garment. (Plus the broken stockinette takes me back to my first couple years of knitting when I thought that broken and regular stockinette were the same thing. Whoops!)
​

#6.) Fair Isle Flower Sock by Candice DeWitt:

I picked out this pattern about 3 years ago and still haven't gotten around to it! I have the perfect glitter yarns picked out; Knitpicks Stroll Glimmer (which it looks like they no longer carry!) in white and turquoise. I don't have a lot of experience with Fair Isle so we'll see how it goes! My plan is to work on these around Christmas time because festive glitter times+festive glitter socks seems like a fitting combination. 

​

#7.) Gillam by Kate Gagnon Osborn:

As soon as I finished the Mazzy Cardigan last year for a friend, I totally fell in love with KnitPicks Swish yarn. It's Superwash Merino Wool and it's ridiculously soft. I picked up a dozen skeins of pumpkin orange at the last KnitPicks sale and it's destined to turn into this cabled sweater. 

​

#8.) Paraphernalia by Taina Anttila

This cabled sock pattern is too cozy not to make! I'm thinking a fuzzy tweed or one of the magical Fierce Fibers yarns I got for my Birthday last year. 

​

#9.) Iris by Melody Hoffman;

This kimono is so simple and elegant, I want a whole closet full of them. This is another project I don't have yarn picked out for yet but I'm thinking of going full on goth with some black sparkle yarn! 



In all honesty, I probably won't get to most of these because personal knitting always takes a back burner to commissioned knitting, but I can dream! I already have commissions piling up and a big 'ol batch of yarn to dye up for the Etsy Shop! It's gonna be another busy, crafty year!

Make sure to add your projects to the #makenine2018 hashtag on Instagram so everyone can follow along on your craftastic journeys too!

I hope I've filled you with knitting inspiration!

Thanks for reading!

​-Ashley