A Bit of Show 'n Tell!!

Hello again!! Today I just wanted to share with yall some great show ‘n tell!! Diane, Joan, and I all finished something fabulous this week! I feels great to finish projects! Now all we wanna do is start more ;)  

Remember that wonderful new yarn, “Embrace”?. I shared it a couple of weeks ago.... it’s that gorgeous yak yarn with a purpose from Reywa Fibers! Joan Made up a cowl out of just one skein....and it is to DIE for!!!!! 

Here I am trying to be a good little model/blogger for you! ;) When Joan brought this in, after washing and blocking, I just couldn’t get my hands off of it! So soft and luxurious! If you have been reading my blogs you will know how I feel about cowls...can’t get enough of them!! The pattern is by Reywa, and is free with the purchase of Embrace. You must come feel! This would be a wonderful, special gift idea for the holidays. 

My knitting pal and co-worker, Daine, finished a cute little shawl by Steven West called “Pogona”...

Wow! Those colors! Guess what yarn?! That’s right....good old Madelinetosh Tosh Sock!! Everyone’s favorite! The pattern comes from Westknits Book 1. This cute little uniquely shaped shawl takes only one ball of Tosh Sock or about 400 yards of sock or fingering weight yarn. Pogona has simple stitch patterns that are ideal for showcasing a variety of yarns from variegated to soild. Every one of Steven West’s designs are so fun to knit and also very unique! We carry many of his patterns and all of his books - Westknits 1-3 and soon to come out Westknits Book 4!!!

As for myself....I managed to finish up 2 shawls this week! One of them I’m very proud to finish because it has been cast aside for many months. You all remember that Kinetik Mystery Knit Along back in January? With all those beads?? Well....here is mine all finished! 

Yaaay! It feels so great to get that one off the needles! It was quite a challenge with all that lace and don’t forget all those beads!! The yarn was very generously dyed just for me by Joan. I love it, love it! I’m wearing it right now as I’m typing! If you are up for a lacey beaded challenge, then the Kinetik Shawl is the project for you. Although very beautiful and unique, this shawl is not for the faint of heart. 

Up next is my “Coquille Shawl” made out of one of our newer yarns, Fame Trend “Paljett”! 

This shawl is knit side to side with little short row “wedges” along the bottom to shape a ruffle. There is also some “condo knitting”, which is simply using a small needle then a large needle to get the elongated stitch look. A very fun knit! The pattern is free at knitty.com. Only one ball of the Pajett is needed! I had lots left over! Don’t you just love the little sequins in the Pajett?! I love anything that sparkles! 

That’s the show and tell folks! I hope we have inspired you. A quick tip before I go....all these items didn’t just come off the needles looking this good. Blocking is essential to get a good finish...especially with lace. What I do is first soak your item in warm water with some wool wash like Soak (about 15 to 20 mins) 

Then I gently squeeze the water out and lay the item on a towel and roll it up burrito style. Stomp on it a couple of times to get all the eccess water out. Then I use my awesome blocking set by Knit Picks, they are great you can build them into whatever size/shape you need for a blocking board. They are like foam puzzle pieces. They break down and store nicely as well. 

Then I take my Blocking Wires and weave them under and over stitches along the edge. This helps give a nice straight edge. 

I use T-pins to stretch the wires outward and pin it down. This helps open up any lace pattern so it is more visible. I also use the T-Pins to help pin out points like on the edge of a shawl....

I then let it dry compleatly. Then voila! It’s like magic. The difference is just astonishing. All the tools I used are available right here at Monarch. Please come by or call if you need any more tips on blocking. We are always happy to help fellow knitters!