28 December 2015

Keep warm this winter

Ocean Currents Blanket by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
We've come to the last blogpost in the "Knitting Ahead" series! It seems a long while since we took a walk in the green woods of New Hampshire and felt the first chill of autumn coming. That was back in August but we have now reached the end of the year and the snow is lying thickly over all the ground outside.

So the last idea in this series is to have two projects going at the same time – one smaller one and one larger project. I proposed this in my last blogpost and there you will find a suggestion for a textural beanie to keep you warm when you venture outside.

But it's a great idea to have a larger project to work on at the same time. Large projects are perfect for this time of the year. You can add an extra log onto the fire, curl up with the cat beside you and just knit all through the afternoon if you like. It's a wonderfully quiet time. The holidays are over and you can sit and take your ease with an audiobook playing along if the mood takes you – your knitting will grow steadily as the story unfolds.

So here's a pattern that will give you many happy hours of knitting and also help make some real inroads into your yarn stash, the Ocean Currents Blanket. What's great about this blanket is that it's designed to use any kind of yarn you have to hand. If the yarns have a similar weight and composition and you think you can make the colours work, then feel free to use them!
Ocean Currents Blanket by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
I have always loved American pieced quilts – they just have a charm and a character all of their own. You can find quilts from early settlers where many different materials have been incorporated: old shirts, dresses, left‐over scraps etc. So this blanket emulates this idea and is made more beautiful by using a variety of yarns and colours.

I chose to use a range of complementary blue yarns, but you could work a multi‐coloured version for a lively look, or choose a series of natural yarns instead. Let your bedroom decor dictate your starting point and see what yarns you have to suit.

​The blanket here started with some left‐over hand‐spun yarns from the Ocean Currents Rug, but then I added in all kinds of other wool yarns that were languishing in my yarn basket and teamed these with some new Cascade Yarns "Cascade 220".
Ocean Currents Blanket by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
There are different dyelots in there too, just for good measure. Have you noticed that you can often get really good bargains at the local yarn stores if you just want a ball or two of a different dyelot? Well, here's you chance to raid those sale bins! The slight change of tone or colour will just add to the charm of the final piece.

The pattern includes three different sizes for a Single/Twin bed, a Double/Queen size and a King‐sized blanket.To read more details about the Ocean Currents Blanket, please click here. The pattern is available for instant download from the site.

Thank you for all the great messages about this series – I am glad that you enjoyed the blogposts and the twelve new patterns! If you'd like to go back to the start of the series and read them in sequence, then please click here to see the first blogpost, and then follow the links at the bottom of each page until you get back here.

I'll be back in the New Year. I hope you all have a wonderful start to the New Year, 2016!

Until then – Keep warm and Happy Knitting!

Moira
Reversible Knitting Stitches book by Moira Ravenscroft & Anna Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs

Last Blogpost: So now what?
"Knitting Ahead" Series Introduction: Autumn is coming!
​Next Up:
 Roc-ing into 2016

Our book: Reversible Knitting Stitches
My Website: www.wyndlestrawdesigns.com
Keywords: Series/Knitting Ahead, Patterns/Blankets,
#knittingahead, knitting ahead, autumn, winter, blanket, blankets, patchwork blanket, quilt, striped blanket, using different dyelots,

26 December 2015

So now what?

Delamere Hat by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
​The après Christmas time can be a bit disquieting for a knitter. There has been such a buzz about getting knitted presents finished, timelines seemingly getting shorter and shorter, what to pack, what to leave behind, whether they'll like it, whether it will fit.... It can all be a bit stressful.

But then the next day comes.
And you feel like saying, "So now what...?"

Well, this "Knitting Ahead" blogpost series has been all about planning for the whole season, so here's the final suggestion: start two projects that will be useful as soon as they come off the needles.

Why two projects? Because you want one design that will be finished quickly, and one larger one to work on steadily through the long winter chill. Then when you finish the smaller item, start yet another one. Soon, you will have a large project growing steadily and impressively, plus a pleasingly large pile of finished objects keeping you and everyone around you warm through the winter.

The projects can either be well within your comfort zone, or a step ahead to develop your skills for the New Year – you decide. Do you feel like some easy knitting to de‐stress, or do you want to challenge yourself and try something you've never tried before? This is "You" knitting, so even if it goes wrong no-one else is going to be wearing it, so now's the time to experiment.

It has been remarkably warm on the East coast of the USA so far this winter, but cooler weather is coming very soon and I am going to suggest two projects to start your post‐Christmas knitting: one is a great Beanie‐style hat and the other is a bedspread / blanket. You couldn't get much smaller or much larger than that! I'll start with the hat and then post about the blanket next time.
Delamere Hat by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
The Delamere Hat has a pleasing rounded shape and features a wide turn‐back brim to keep your ears warm. It's worked in Pinnacle Chevron pattern from our Reversible Knitting Stitches book. This stitch has such a wonderful symmetry and style, and is also deeply textured so it holds the heat well. The pattern also reduces down to a really interesting pattern around the crown, almost like a Spirograph star design.

There are 3 different sizes in the instructions but as the hats can be worked on either slightly smaller or slightly larger needles, there are actually 6 possible sizes from 45‐60cm/18‐24 ins. You'll only need 2‐3 balls of a Worsted‐weight yarn, so have a dig through your stash and see what you have already then you can make a start right away.

For more information about the Delamere Hat pattern, please click here. The pattern is available for instant download from the site, so you can start working on your new project straight away.

I’ll be back next time with the last blogpost of the year, and also the last in this Knitting Ahead series, so please be sure to join me then.

Until then – Happy Knitting!

Moira
Reversible Knitting Stitches by Moira Ravenscroft & Anna Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs

Last Blogpost: No time to knit him a scarf
"Knitting Ahead" Series Introduction: Autumn is coming!
​Next Up:
 Keep warm this winter

Our book: Reversible Knitting Stitches
My Website: www.wyndlestrawdesigns.com
Keywords: Series/Knitting Ahead, Patterns/Accessories,
#knittingahead, autumn, winter, hats, beanie hat, cap, texture, reversible stitch, reversible knitting,

24 December 2015

No time to knit him a scarf.....

Mens Scarves by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
OK, let's not be sexist about this. There's no time to knit anyone a scarf for this Christmas. It's Christmas Eve and unless you're Miriam Tegels (the current record holder for the faster knitter in the Guinness Book of Records), then there isn't even the faintest chance this will get done in time.

So, what to do? Well, here's this week's “Knitting Ahead” idea: package up your Work in Progress! It will still be a wonderful surprise and now they can watch the item taking shape. 
Christmas WIP Projects, photo by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
So here's what you need:
1: A colourful paper carrier bag or box: You can find these at the Post Office or supermarket, and pharmacies often have a great selection too. And if you can't find a ready‐made container, then you can ask for a box at the supermarket and wrap it with some colourful paper.

2: Tissue paper / lining paper: Place a couple of sheets of lining paper in the bottom of your box or bag and then scrunch another piece to add some volume. Loosely place a couple of sheets of tissue paper on top so that the sides of the bag are covered and you have made a "nest" in the middle.

3: Your yarn or work so far: If you have already made a start on the project, then place several unknit skeins or balls of yarn into your tissue paper nest. Now take your knitting needles and put an end‐stopper on the open end(s) – you don't want some troublesome nephew to pull your precious work off the needles!
Fold your work so it shows it's best side so far, and place it on top of the spare yarn. If you are working with straight needles then you can have the rounded ends of the needles showing at the top of the bag. Add another piece of tissue paper or two to cover the contents with a decorative flourish at the top.
Add a colourful sticky note or write on it: "Work in Progress" or "Some construction required." You'll be sure to get a smile when they read that! Fold the page and place it inside the envelope, then position that so it is just showing at the top of your bag.

And you're good to go! Deadlines met and a touch of fun added as well.
4: A large envelope and your pattern: Print out a copy of your pattern, or at least just the first page showing what you are working on. If you have already left home, then you can find many places where you can print a page or two, such as hotels, pharmacies and stationery stores.
Christmas Pudding, photo for blogpost by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
Have a wonderful day tomorrow, full of good knitterly cheer all round.

Oh and if you want to know: Miriam Tegels hand‐knitted 118 stitches in one minute in Swalmen, Netherlands on 26th August 2006. Amazing!

Happy Knitting!

Moira
Reversible Knitting Stitches by Moira Ravenscroft & Anna Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs

Last Blogpost: Cushions for the deep mid‐winter
"Knitting Ahead" Series Introduction: Autumn is coming!
​Next Up: 
So now what?

​​Our book: Reversible Knitting Stitches
My Website: www.wyndlestrawdesigns.com
Keywords: Series/Knitting Ahead, Patterns/Mens Patterns,
#knittingahead, autumn, winter, scarf, scarves, mens scarves, gift ideas, knitting projects, Christmas, Xmas, Christmas gift,

10 December 2015

Cushions for the deep mid-winter

Verwood Cushions by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
Since ancient times, people have been decorating their homes with greenery in the mid‐winter. In the UK, we tend to think that the tradition started with Prince Albert in the 1840's, but in fact the practice of decorating our homes with fir branches goes back several millennia before that.

Earlier Scandinavian and pagan cultures used to decorate their homes and barns with evergreens to ward off evil spirits around the time of the Winter Solstice, and we now know that even the ancient Egyptians used garlands of evergreens to symbolise eternal life.
Verwood Cushions by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
Whatever the origin of the custom, it is hard to think about winter‐time without also thinking about the deep green of fir and spruce. The branches bring in a sense of long life and well‐being from the world outside. Amidst the snow and the cold, they seem to promise the return of Spring and warmer times ahead.

So here’s this weeks “Knitting Ahead” idea: bring that wonderful green into your room by knitting some mid‐winter cushions!
Verwood Cushions by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
And that is exactly what I have been doing! On a recent trip to a local yarn store I came across a wonderful deep green bulky wool yarn and thought immediately how well it would work for some new cushion covers.

These are the Verwood Cushions and they feature a superb cabled design which sits neatly embedded in deep textural ribs. This is Crossed Rib from our Reversible Knitting Stitches book and it really works well in this chunky yarn. The final result is squidgy and huggable – perfect for the time of year.

There are two different sizes of cover so you can choose whichever suits your chairs and sofa best. The smaller size will fit a 40x40cm/16x16 ins cushion insert or pillow form, while the larger is 45x45cm/18x18 ins.

For more information about the Verwood Cushions pattern, please click here. Then all you need to do is to make lots so that everyone has their own cushion to hug this mid‐winter!

Happy Knitting!

Moira
Keywords: Series/Knitting Ahead, Patterns/Cushions,
#knittingahead, autumn, winter, cushion, cushions, pillows, deep green, cables, reversible cables, knitting stitch, reversible stitch,

02 December 2015

New reversible pattern - the Scottswood Stole

Scottswood Stole by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
​This week I find myself at the cutting edge of fashion. Yes I know that's hard to believe. I usually stick with what I like and wait for it to come around again, which it often does with surprising rapidity. I usually find myself "fashionable" about every 5 or 6 years and in-between times I adopt the look of a mild eccentric in her long flowing skirts.

So I was quite intrigued when I completed the Scottswood Stole recently to be told that stoles and wraps are key fashion accessory this year! And not only that, but the colour choice is also perfect too, with Pantone’s "Amethyst Orchid" being one of this season's highlights. How's that for being fashion forward?

I started working on this stole when we were visiting Japan recently and the first rows were cast on sitting on the wooden step where the poet Matsuo Basho wrote some of his most famous poems. Since he lived in the 17th Century and here we are in the 21st, that's quite a timespan this project has seen!
Scottswood Stole by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
The stole can be worked either in a baby alpaca or a merino/cashmere mix for the ultimate in luxury. It’s hard to beat either alpaca or cashmere for pure comfort and warmth. They both feel so gentle to the touch and add just the right degree of warmth just when you need it. As soon as you place an alpaca or cashmere wrap around your shoulders you feel sophisticated and elegant. You just can't help it.

I used Knit Picks Andean Treasure baby alpaca yarn for the purple wrap in the photo above. This is a sportweight yarn and has a beautifully soft halo.
Scottswood Stole by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
However, the Scottswood Stole pattern can also be worked with a DK yarn for a slightly thicker wrap. The blue version above was worked in Willow & Lark Nest DK which has a lovely mix of 69% merino, 11% cashmere and 20% Tencel. The Tencel adds a lovely stitch definition and drape to the other qualities of this yarn.

The pattern features a lovely reversible stitch called Square Lattice from our book, Reversible Knitting Stitches. The stitch has two contrasting looks: one side has echoes of a traditional woven cloth while the other has a modern cubist feel, giving it great versatility.

So who do you know who deserves some extra luxury this season (yourself included)? The instructions include three different sizes so you can choose just the right one for the person you have in mind. For more information about the Scottswood Stole please click here. The pattern is available for immediate download from the site, so you can get make a start right away.

And if you’re counting, this is now the ninth in the 12-part “Knitting Ahead” series! If you would like to see the start of the series and review them all, then please click here to go to the first blogpost, then follow the links at the bottom of each page until you get back here.
Moira Ravenscroft knitting at Matsuo Basho's house, Kyoto – photo by Tim Ravenscroft for Wyndlestraw Designs
Next time, we'll turn our attention back to the home to get ready for mid-winter, but in the meantime I'll let Matsuo Basho have the last words:
Winter solitude –
in a world of one colour,
the sound of the wind.

Matsuo Basho (1644-1694)
Until next time – Happy Knitting!

Moira
Reversible Knitting Stitches by Moira Ravenscroft & Anna Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
Last Blogpost: For him – The Grantchester Scarf
"Knitting Ahead" Series Introduction: Autumn is coming!
​Next Up:
 Cushions for the deep mid-winter

Our book: Reversible Knitting Stitches
My Website: www.wyndlestrawdesigns.com

Many thanks to my husband Tim for his photograph of Matsuo Basho's house at Konpuku-ji in Kyoto. If you would like to see more of his work, please see his Flickr page here, and if you would like to see more photos of places where I like to knit, then please click here.
Keywords: Series/Knitting Ahead, Patterns/Women’s Scarves & Wraps, Travel Notes,
#knittingahead, autumn, winter, stole, wrap, knitted wrap, reversible wrap, reversible stitch, knitting stitch, cashmere, merino, wool, poetry, Matsuo Basho, Kyoto, Japan,

28 November 2015

For him - the Grantchester Scarf

Grantchester Scarf by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
There's an excellent BBC series called “The Cambridge Spies” which shows the recruitment of some of the UK's most notorious spies from the last century. In the first episode, there’s a scene where one of the future spies, Guy Burgess, is in college but permanently attired in a heavy wool duffle coat. One of his friends asks him why he is wearing the coat and his reply is one of the classic lines from the series:
“Vladivostok, Moscow, the Kuznets Basin and Cambridge – coldest places on earth. And of the four, Cambridge... permanently the 19th of February."
I expect we could all name a few other places that Mr Burgess should have included in that list – I'd vote for Boston, for sure. The temperatures there are already down below freezing overnight and we're not even into December yet.

So here's this week's “Knitting Ahead” idea: think of someone you know who lives in a cold climate and knit them something to keep them warm in the deep cold of January and February. This doesn't have to be a Christmas present of course, although that's always a good pretext for a gift. Cozy comforts are always welcome no matter what the occasion.

So let’s start with the menfolk in our lives…. Men generally like simple, muted colours in their scarves but with a lot of textural interest. I have quite a number of men's scarves already in my pattern store and have just added a new one, the Grantchester Scarf.
Grantchester Scarf by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
The scarf is worked in reversible stitch called Ribbon Basket Pattern, from our book, Reversible Knitting Stitches. This has a deep, rugged texture that traps the air and keep you warm even when the temperatures really start to fall. I used Knit Picks Wool of the Andes for this but any worsted weight, aran or similar yarn would work well.

The pattern includes three different sizes so you can work a short neckwarmer, a good medium-sized scarf or a long wrapping style to suit whatever the new owner would like. Have a look at my earlier blogpost for lots of ideas on scarf lengths to see what might suit them best.

So grab your needles and send some instant warmth to someone you know living in Vladivostok, Cambridge or somewhere equally cold!! For more information about the Grantchester Scarf pattern, please click here and to see all my men's patterns, please click here. All the patters are available for instant download from the site so you can get going on your scarf knitting today.

I’ll be back next time with another blogpost in this "Knitting Ahead" series when I will be focussing on something beautiful to knit for the ladies.

Until then – Happy Knitting!

Moira
Reversible Knitting Stitches by Moira Ravenscroft & Anna Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs

Last Blogpost: Home for the holidays
"Knitting Ahead" Series Introduction: Autumn is coming!
​Next Up: 
New reversible pattern – The Scottswood Stole

​​Our book: Reversible Knitting Stitches
My Website: www.wyndlestrawdesigns.com
Keywords: Series/Knitting Ahead, Patterns/Mens Patterns,
#knittingahead, autumn, winter, scarf, scarves, texture, reversible stitch, reversible scarf,

23 November 2015

Home for the holidays

Ryedale Bracelet by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
Do you have children or teenagers coming for the Thanksgiving holiday? If so, you know that when the adults are sitting in a slight stupor digesting their meal, the younger members of the family will be asking what's going to happen next. It's almost as inevitable as the question that came the day before: "Are we there yet?"

And even if you don't have little people arriving, then it's fun to have some activities planned for everyone to join in. So for today’s “Knitting Ahead” idea, here’s a great project that's fun and easy – make some bracelets out of yarn!

Getting the various items together can be the first fun expedition, and then turning the yarn first into I‐cord and then into bracelets will help occupy many a happy hour together.
Ryedale Bracelet by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
These are the Ryedale Bracelets and the pattern includes detailed notes and step‐by‐step instructions, so you’ll soon be making some bracelets like a pro!

I used Patons Grace yarn in bright zingy colours of turquoise, green and hot pink. However, this 100% cotton yarn comes in all kinds of shades and there are some strong masculine colours too, so you can select whatever colour combinations you fancy. You will need 1 ball of yarn in each of 3 or more colours to give you lots of options.
Ryedale Bracelet by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
Then to make the I‐cord, you'll either need some double‐pointed needles, a Knitting Nancy (such as my old faithful above), or an automated cord‐maker. These can produce lengths of I‐cord in a very short space of time, but I also like the knit method too as I can sit and watch TV while producing a whole string of i-Cord.

We have three different methods for producing i-Cord in our Reversible Knitting Stitches book, so please have a look there to see which method will suit you best.
Ryedale Bracelet by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
Then one more item you'll need is a pack of "paracord buckles". These are side‐release buckles with a slight curve on them to fit your wrist. I purchased black ones but they also come in some wonderfully colourful versions too.

You probably already have all the other items you'll need such as a tapestry needle, a crochet hook, measuring tape and a pair of scissors, so then you'll be good to go.

I also purchased an "Ezzzy" bracelet‐making jig (yes, there really are that number of zzz's in the middle of the name)! This is not strictly necessary, but it does seem to make the braiding easier. I like the way you can set the jig to the exact size you require and it certainly keeps everything good and tight while braiding.
Ryedale Bracellet by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
Once you have the I‐cord prepared, you can set it up on the jig then you (and your small helpers) can start knotting away. Before you know it, they'll be finishing off the ends and showing off their brand‐new bracelet – and probably receiving orders from everyone else in the room for one for them too!

And just a final note for knitters: these are not only decorative but incredibly useful for holding spare cable needles and so on while you are working, so these will make great gifts for your knitter pals too.

The Ryedale Bracelet pattern is available for instant download from my website here

Have a wonderful holiday and enjoy your bracelet‐making!

Moira
Reversible Knitting Stitches by Moira Ravenscroft & Anna Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs

Last Blogpost: New pattern – Hamilton Table Runner
"Knitting Ahead" Series Introduction: Autumn is coming!
​Next Up: 
For him – The Grantchester Scarf

Our book: Reversible Knitting Stitches
My Website: www.wyndlestrawdesigns.com
Keywords: Series/Knitting Ahead, Patterns/Accessories,
#knittingahead, autumn, winter, reversible stitch, reversible knitting, I-cord, bracelet, bracelets, children’s activities, braided bracelet, I-cord bracelet, paracord bracelet,

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