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,

14 November 2015

New pattern - Hamilton Table Runner

Hamilton Table Runner by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Design
One thing I like about this time of the year and the approaching winter season is that the cooler weather outside provides a perfect excuse for some indoor entertaining and parties. What could be better than a welcoming fire, a glass of mulled wine and a gathering of friendly faces to help celebrate Thanksgiving or your other seasonal events.

So make it an occasion everyone will remember with a brand new table runner! A table runner acts to set the scene for the whole room and brings a wonderful sense of elegance and tradition to any event. Add accessories, flowers and decorations to match your colour theme and you will have the perfect setting for the day.

There are lots of ways to use table runners but they work especially well with wooden tables because they bring out the beauty of the wood. You can also drape them over the top of a simple tablecloth for a stunning effect or use a narrow runner on your favourite sideboard.
Hamilton Table Runner by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Design
So here is a new table runner to make your next celebrations extra-special! This is the Hamilton Table Runner and it is the latest pattern in my “Knitting Ahead” seriesIf you missed the start of the series and would like to see all the ideas so far, then please click here then follow the links forward at the bottom of each page until you get back here.

This new table runner shows off a stunning stitch from our Reversible Knitting Stitches book. The stitch is called Elongated Diamonds, and features embossed diamond patterns set between garter stitch ridges. The pattern really catches the light and gives a wonderful sense of proportion to a table setting – perfect for all those winter festivities coming very soon!

The runner is worked in Knit Picks Cotlin which is a crisp cotton/linen mixture, but if you can't get hold of that then Rowan's Creative Linen would be a good alternative.
Hamilton Table Runner by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Design
So make a start for your next winter event by downloading the Hamilton Table Runner pattern from my pattern store here.  I hope it adds that little “extra touch” for your next winter event!

I’ll be back next time with a very different idea for your holiday festivities. Find out more by clicking the link below to go to the next blogpost.

Until then – Happy Knitting!

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

Last Blogpost: So it begins
"Knitting Ahead" Series Introduction: Autumn is coming!
​Next Up: 
Home for the Holidays

Our book: Reversible Knitting Stitches
My Website: www.wyndlestrawdesigns.com
Keywords: Series/Knitting Ahead, Patterns/Placemats & Table Settings,
#knittingahead, autumn, winter, table runner, table setting, Seasonal Knitting, Thanksgiving, Christmas, reversible stitch, reversible knitting, reversible table runner, reversible pattern,

06 November 2015

So it begins

Hamilton Table Runner by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
One of the things I loved when we moved to the States about 20 years ago was that you could tell which month it was by looking at everyone's front gardens! In September, colourful yellow leaves festoon door wreaths and mailboxes for Labour Day, then in October white ghosts float from the trees while fake tombstones sit nestled in the long grass in celebration of Halloween.

In November, the ghosts have been replaced by garlands of red leaves and colourful gourds ready for Thanksgiving at the end of the month. Then in December, Christmas lights and berry‐laden door decorations appear. It's magical.

It's a wonderful build‐up to the end of year celebrations but more than that, the changing of the decorations gives us all a good "Heads Up!" that the Festive Season is well and truly on its way.

So this week's “Knitting Ahead” idea is all about getting ready for your next big family event by making a brand‐new table runner. These are always an elegant way to dress up your table, whether it is a small centrepiece for a display of fruits and vegetables or a lovely long runner falling gracefully over the ends of the table‐top.

I shall be posting details about a new pattern, the Hamilton Table Runner in my next blogpost so please click the link at the bottom of this page to read that. In the mean-time, decide what your “theme” is going to be for the year and that should help you decide the colour you want for your next table runner!

Until next time – Happy Knitting!

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

Last Blogpost: New pattern – The Tromso Rug
"Knitting Ahead" Series Introduction: Autumn is coming!
​Next Up: 
New pattern – Hamilton Table Runner

Our book: Reversible Knitting Stitches
My Website: www.wyndlestrawdesigns.com
Keywords: Series/Knitting Ahead, Patterns/Placemats & Table Settings,
#knittingahead, autumn, winter, table runner, table setting, Seasonal Knitting, Thanksgiving, Christmas,

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