Dawn Brocco's Life & Design Blog

Have more Briggs & Little Atlantic yarn coming to me from Cabin Fever on sale - couldn't pass it up. 6 hanks of red - enough for a sweater design - and some grey and blue heathers - enough for mittens, thick socks or whatever I can dream up.

I also ordered 2 hanks of their new Softspun, to see what it's like. I like that they are using domestic (Canadian) wools, not shipping fleece in from New Zealand or Australia. I'm sure it'll be too light for the cabled and ribbed sweater sample, previously posted about, but that's OK. It should work for worsted wt. garments.

For that sweater, I think I'll need to get and swatch Brown Sheep's new Lanaloft. I'd knit it in the natural color Bluefaced Leicester that Wool2Dye4 has, but it *really* should be a yarn that yarn stores can carry, so that's out.

Though W2D4 does wholesale, so a shop *could* get in the natural color BFL, if they desired. Hmmm. I *could* use a sweater in natural - only have that aran tunic in Lamb's Pride aran color, which I shortened from tunic length to normal length 2 years ago, but it's so large on me at 46 or 48". Can't wear it out, tho it's a great indoor cozy sweater.

And am still awaiting the Homestead to come in for those tights...

I began the B&L Atlantic coat swatch and realized the motif would also make a great area rug, so I graphed the main part of that out as well. Now to swatch it and guestimate at the yardage (and cost) needed for both the coat and the rug and whatever accessories I can get from the motif reps...

Finished 3 hat bands. Could go on forever, as there's lots of stitch patterns to choose from, but this gives a taste.

I pulled out my Barbara Walker Treasuries and there's lots of edgings that can decorate a hat. Here's the ones I made:



Knit in Garnstudio's Paris, 100% cotton, 50 g / 82 yds, color #09 Strong Blue
The band used just 22 g.
Size 7 (4.5 mm) ndls

yo = yarn over
k1b, k2b, k3b = knit these sts through their back loops

CO 13 sts.
Row 1 and all WS rows: Purl.
Row 2: K1, ssk, k3b, yo, k1, yo, k3b, k2tog, k1
Row 4: K1, ssk, k2b, yo, k1, yo, ssk, yo, k2b, k2tog, k1.
Row 6: K1, ssk, k1b, yo, k1, (yo, ssk) 2x, yo, k1b, k2tog, k1.
Row 8: K1, ssk, yo, k1, (yo, ssk) 3x, yo, k2tog, k1.
Rep these 8 rows 14x more. BO. = approx. 19" in length before washing and blocking.
Graft CO edge to BO edge.




Knit in Bernat Soy Natural Blends, 50% soy, 50% acrylic, color #15011 Flax
The band used just 18 g.
Size 7 (4.5 mm) ndls

3/3RC = slip 3 sts to cable ndl and hold in back, k3, k3 from cable ndl
3/3LC = slip 3 sts to cable ndl and hold in front, k3, k3 from cable ndl

CO 13 sts.
Rows 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 - WS rows: P1, k1, p9, k1, p1.
* Row 2: K1, p1, 3/3RC, k3, p1, k1.
Row 4: K1, p1, k9, p1, k1.
Row 6: K1, p1, k3, 3/3LC, p1, k1.
Row 8: K1, p1, k9, p1, k1.

Rep from * 13x more. BO = approx. 19" in length before washing and blocking.
Graft CO edge to BO edge.




Knit in Cascade 220, 100% wool, 100 g/220 yds, color #7803 magenta
The band uses just 17 g.
Size 7 (4.5 mm) ndls

CO 12 sts.
Row 1 - and all WS rows - Purl.
Note: on row 7, work k1, p1 into the double yo of the previous row.
Row 2: K3, k2tog, yo, k2tog but don't remove the st yet, knit into the first st again, then slip both sts off, yo, ssk, k3.
Row 4: K2, k2tog, yo, k4, yo, ssk, k2.
Row 6: K1, k2tog, yo, k1, k2tog, (yo) 2x, sk, k1, yo, ssk, k1.
Row 8: K3, yo, ssk, k2, k2tog, yo, k3.
Row 10: K4, yo, ssk, k2tog, yo, k4.
Rep these 10 rows 12x more. BO = approx. 19.5".
Graft CO edge to BO edge.

Back to swatching!

Labels: BFL, Briggs and Little, Brown Sheep, Cabin Fever, hat bands, homestead yarn, Lanaloft, omestead yarn, Softspun