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Blocked my @moekeyarns Elena swatch! It's flattened & more supple, but still substantial & it bloomed really nicely. The fabric is really hearty! It reminds me a little of Lopi, though it's much denser. It isn't soft wool, so I probably wouldn't knit something to wear directly next to the skin, but I would adore this in a vest or cardigan. I'm going to try to knit up a colorwork swatch with this this week too! One thing I sometimes notice with singles is a slight listing to the side - my swatch seems to bias ever so slightly. I'm not a spinner so I can't remember what causes this, but I'm curious if knitting with multiple colors will have an impact on that tendency. (It's also possible that I just blocked it crooked. 😬)
Hey, I finally get to share images of the @gaugedyeworks July club pattern! This is Saxe Point, stripey colorwork socks in a dreamy palette. This pattern is exclusive to club members for now, but I'll publish it for everyone next summer. Thanks to @kellybrownphoto for her incredible photography & @parmbhangu for modeling!
I'm sitting here in this clean, safe space where I get to create & design. I also have a bit of an audience so I have to say something different than my usual yarn & maker talk today. I'm a white American & I take it as my moral responsibility to unequivocally reject white supremacy and white nationalism, and to acknowledge current systemic racism that benefits me and other white people to the detriment of people of color. White friends, this is on us - we need to work to educate ourselves, make ourselves better, & create a world that is inclusive. If you're wondering what to do, here's a helpful starting point, "6 Things White People Can Do to Reach Friends & Family Members to End Racism. And if you're looking for books to read, here's a list to get you started: "16 Books about Race That Every White Person Should Read". Edited to move the links to my profile since I guess you can't copy them from here. 👉
Unblocked @moekeyarns Elena swatch. It was fun to knit with - really earthy with a rough texture softened dramatically but lanolin. The fabric is fairly stiff & curly with a rustic look. Right now it has me dreaming of a neutral colorwork vest. That would be so warm, water resistant, & hard-wearing! Can't wait to see how this blocks!
Want to get your copy of AlterKnit signed? I'll be at the @wetcoastwools booth at Knit City Vancouver on Saturday Sept. 30 at 1:30, so put it on your calendar! And there are just a few spots left in both sessions of my Basics of Stranded Colorwork workshop (3 left in Friday's session & 5 left in Sunday's session), so head over to Knit Social to sign up! Link in profile. 👉
I got a new yarn in the mail last week, so I'll be swatching with it to see what its like! @moekeyarns Elena is a traditional Romanian sport weight wool. It's a toothy singles that feels rough to the touch, but also buttery thanks to gentle washing that's left a lot of wonderful lanolin in it. Can't wait to share more about this one with you!
So happy to announce the publication of my Mill Hill Toque! This pattern is a wardrobe staple for men & women - a simple ribbed beanie with clever crown shaping. I designed it as an exclusive gift for my newsletter subscribers & you can get it free by signing up using the link in my profile. 👉 Photo by @kellybrownphoto. Yarn in this sample is @berrocoyarn Remix. I've made other samples with @brooklyntweed Shelter & there are a lot of light worsted yarns that would work well.
If your project is worked in the round, then you'll need to swatch in the round to get an accurate gauge reading. I just wrote a blog post with 2 common methods for doing just that. It may be helpful if you want to knit my new Mill Hill hat pattern! I'll be sharing more about the new pattern soon, but you can get it free by subscribing to my email newsletter! Links in profile. 👉 P.S. if you're already subscribed you'll be getting your download code in tomorrow morning's email. 😊

Hi, I'm Andrea!

I make knitting patterns and love to get outside for adventures in Victoria, BC. I hope my designs inspire you to explore your own creativity. Happy knitting!

I have a new book!

AlterKnit Stitch Dictionary takes an unexpected look at stranded colorwork with 200 new motifs. It's getting rave reviews - read them here!

rugged knits

24 Practical Projects for Everyday Living

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