Nimble Fingers No.31: March 2015

Supporters scarf
KNITTING YARNS BY MAIL
NIMBLE FINGERS No.31
Knitting Yarns by Mail @ Stokesay Mohair Farm
114 Fox & Fanckes Rd, Boolarra Sth Vic 3870
Ph 0408 992 927 email: stokesay@bigpond.com
www.knittingyarns.com.au
Size:
Scarf measures approx. 14cm wide, 146cm long (plus fringe)
Materials:
Heirloom Color Works 8ply
3 balls main colour
1 ball contrast colour
1 pair 4mm needles
Contents
Instructions:
Using 4mm needles and main colour cast on 40 stitches.
P1 Supporters scarf
P2 Editorial
Pattern : K2 * P1,K1, rep from * to end.
Repeat this row to form pattern.
Working in pattern : 10 rows in main colour, 10 rows contrast colour
Repeat this striping twice more (60 rows in all)
P2 What’s new
P3 Shoulder bag for iphone/ipod
Change to main colour and continue in pattern until work measures 122cm.
To Order:
Shop online: www.knittingyarns.com.au
e-mail: stokesay@bigpond.com
Phone: 0408 992 927 (8AM—8PM—7 DAYS)
Mail: Knitting Yarns by Mail
114 Fox & Fanckes Rd Boolarra Sth Vic 3870
MASTERCARD, VISA, AMERICAN EXPRESS,
MONEY ORDER, CHEQUE , DIRECT DEPOSIT. PAY PAL.
(payable to Knitting Yarns by Mail)
8
Direct deposit to our Westpac account
via online banking or at any Westpac branch
B/S/B 033 060 account 12 3687
© 2015
P4 Pattern book reviews
P5 Shoulderette in Panda B.I.G
P6 Multi Yarn wrap with tassels & beads
P7 Techniques & Gift Suggestions
P8 Supporters scarf—pictured at right.
P8 Contact us
Need help with your order ?
Phone Alison 8am—8pm
7 days
0408 992 927
Supporters scarf—pattern P8
Next row: Keeping pattern correct change to contrast colour and work stripes as at beginning of scarf.
Cast off.
Fringe
Cut 2 strands of yarn 30cm long. Keeping strands together, fold yarn in half and draw loop
through knitted stitch at the end of scarf. Pull ends through loop and tighten.
Repeat this process along both ends of scarf.
FLAT RATE POSTAGE—ANY WEIGHT, ANYWHERE IN AUSTRALIA—STILL ONLY $8.00
EDITORIAL
When you live and work with animals everyday it’s
impossible not to stay grounded. Day to day I am
their slave; but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
On the weekends, for a bit of relaxation, I judge
mini goats, angora goats and coloured angoras.
There’s very little chance flights of fancy will give
me ideas above my station. If the goats don’t let
me know what they think of me, then their owners
certainly will. The handsome chap pictured at right
was champion at the Stawell Agricultural Show ( I’m the one on the
left) and he could hardly contain his excitement.
I consider myself privileged to live in such a beautiful part of the
world, spending my time working with animals, designing patterns
and handling some of the worlds most exquisite fibres and yarns on
a daily basis.
I hope you enjoy this edition of ‘Nimble Fingers’ as much as I’ve
enjoyed putting it all together.
May you derive much joy and happiness from your knitting &
crochet projects ( and not too many UFO’s).
Alison, Sharon and the team.
WHAT’S NEW
Lots of new yarns and colours coming in almost every day at the
moment. We love Heirloom Baby Merino 4ply, the perfect yarn for
baby’s delicate skin, and proudly made in Australia.
If you’re looking for softness and quality in a
budget yarn then it would be hard to go past new
Winter Haze 8 ply from Heirloom.
2
HOW TO MAKE A TASSEL
Tassels are one of the easiest and most effective embellishments
you can make.
Cut a rectangle from a piece of stiff card as wide as the length
required for the finished tassel.
Wind yarn around the card until the required thickness is reached..
For a multi yarn tassel, as pictured at right, change the yarn
periodically during the winding process.
Break off yarn, leaving approx. 40cm tail.
Thread this tail end of yarn though a wool needle.
Slip needle through all the loops on the card and tie yarn tightly at
one edge.
Now slip yarn off the card and wind yarn several times around the
loops approx. 1.5cm—2cm from the fold, fasten securely, then
draw needle through the top of the tassel and use this thread to
attach tassel to your work. Cut through folded loops at other end of
tassel and trim ends evenly.
GIFT SUGGESTIONS
Handcrafted by skilled artisans, Knit Pro Symfonie wood crochet hooks are
designed by people who know and understand the art of crochet.
With a beautiful multi-hued finish the hooks are constructed from lightweight, strong wood, polished to ensure effortless glide. Set of 5—
3.5mm,4.5mm.5mm,.6mm and 8mm
Our price $40.00
Knit Pro Symfonie— wood single pointed needle set ,
presented in a stunning jacquard zip up case. The polished
multi- hued needles are a pleasure to knit with.
Set contains pairs of 30cm long needles in
3.5mm,4mm,4.5mm,5mm,5.5mm,6mm,7mm and 8mm
Case contains 4 extra loops for additional needles already
in your collection or for future additions.
Our price $125.00
For a free copy of our mail order catalogue phone 0408 992 927 or email stokesay@bigpond.com
7
Knit the cover - continued from previous page.
SHOULDER BAG FOR SMARTPHONE/IPOD
MULTI YARN WRAP WITH TASSELS & BEADS
We dug into our stash to create this wrap. It’s
a great feeling to make use of all those odd
bits and pieces all knitters end up with over
time. All of our yarns were 8 ply or thicker, but,
if you have lots of 4 or 5 ply yarns to use up,
why not double them up by knitting two strands
together.
Some suitable yarns to select from include
looped or brushed mohair yarns such as Heirloom
Mohair Mist, any 8 ply yarn ( Heirloom Colorworks has some great
shades), Patons Jet, novelty yarns such as Heirloom Amour, Monaco or
Jazz. Don’t forget to save a selection of yarns for your tassels.
Materials
Assorted yarn in a mixture of textures and tones
Pair 12mm needles
Pair 15mm needles
Wool needle to sew in ends.
Optional : selection of beads.
Instructions
Using 12mm needles cast on 3 stitches.
!st row : K1, Kfb in next stitch
( to make a stitch) K1. (4sitches)
2nd row : K1, Kfb into next 2 sts, K1 (6 stitches)
Materials:
1 ball Noro Silk Garden
4.5mm needles
Set 4.5mm double pointed needles or crochet
hook for shoulder strap
Size;
Height 13.5cm
Width 9cm
Instructions:
Using 4.5mm needles cast on 16sts.
1st row:knit
2nd row: purl
Repeat these 2 rows( stocking stitch) until works measures 27cm ending with a 2nd
row.
Cast off.
Handle :
Using 4.5mm dpn’s cast on 4 sts—make an icord 90cm long. Cast off.
OR
Using 4.5mm crochet hook and yarn double make a cord 90cm long.
Makeup:
Fold bag in half and sew side seams. Attach handle.
How to make an icord :
Cast on 4 stitches, knit one row.
Slide work to other end of needle ,without turning, and knit another row, pulling the
yarn firmly around the back of work. Continue in this manner for desired length.
Cast off.
Pattern : Slip 1 , Kfb, Knit to last 2 stitches, Kfb, K1.
Continue in pattern until there are 100 stitches changing yarns/colours every few
rows as desired.
Change to 15mm needles and knit one row without shaping.
Cast off.
Sew in ends.
Make tassels and attach to ends of wrap. Beading is optional.
See P7 for instructions on how to make a tassel.
6
Note: We used Noro Silk Garden 389 for our sample.
As phones and ipods vary in size you may like to add a button and loop fastener to
your bag for added security.
HINT:
With self patterning yarns, such as Noro Silk Garden ,you can manipulate the colour
of your finished project by starting your work at a particular colour section of the
yarn . Often you can see the colour sequencing by looking at the ends of the ball.
3
CLECKHEATON BOOK 977 -AUSSIE ANIMALS
NOW AVAILABLE $19.95
Fast becoming one of our all time
bestselling pattern books.
15 iconic Australian animals to
knit in 8 ply yarn.
Instructions are clear and concise
and any special techniques are
carefully explained and fully
illustrated.
A recent issue of one of Australia’s
favourite knitting magazines,
“ Creative knitting”, features not one, but
two of our own ‘Knitting Yarns by Mail
shawl designs , on the cover.
We were pretty pleased to make the cover
and now you have the opportunity to knit
the cover.
SHOULDERETTE IN PANDA B.I.G
Would the real kangaroo please stand up !
Pictured at far right are our farm supervisors
Dookie and Longie, both raised from tiny
joeys by our local wildlife carer, Jean.
They were released into the wild at our farm
over a year ago but don’t seem very keen to
move on. We love them dearly and they
can stay as long as they want which, we
strongly suspect, will be quite a while.
CLECKHEATON BOOK 978 - CALIFORNIA
NOW AVAILABLE $19.95
4
KNIT THE COVER
12 designs using California 8ply
10 projects to knit and 2 knit and
felt projects.
Our favourites ? The knitted cardigan ,in two lengths, and those
delightful felted bowls . Full felting instructions are included for
both hand and machine felting.
Hand felting uses very little water,
is a quick method and also great
exercise. A win, win, win situation.
Pictured at right, front.
Note : this garment is knitted sideways.
Materials:
2 balls Panda Big
25mm needles
Size : one size fits all.
Instructions :
Leaving a 30cm tail of yarn cast on 3 stitches.
Knit 3 rows without shaping.
Commence increasing
1st row : K1, kfb into next stitch (to make 1), knit to end.
2nd row : Knit
Repeat these 2 rows until there are 20 stitches ending with a 2nd row.
Commence decreasing
1st row : K1, K2tog, knit to end of row.
2nd row : Knit
Repeat these 2 rows until 3 stitches remain
Knit 3 rows without shaping.
Cast off leaving a 30cm tail of yarn.
Make up:
Make a plait at cast on end. Knot a 60cm strand of yarn and plait together with existing yarn tail . Knot end of plait firmly.
Repeat at cast off end. Decorate with beads if desired.
Make a tassel and add to the bottom point of the shoulderette.
Note: if thicker plaits are required add extra strands of yarn.
Shoulderette may be worn loose, tied at front or fastened with a brooch pin.
KNIT THE COVER continued on P6
5
HEIRLOOM MERINO MAGIC 8PLY $ 5.95
HEIRLOOM WINTER HAZE 8PLY—$3.95
100% pure wool, machine washable and made in Australia…
105 meters per 50 gram ball. Recommended tension 22 sts to 10cm using 4mm
needles. The perfect yarn for all your DK knitting projects.
518
chestnut
235
grass
232
turquoise
234 lt
green
215
pink
236
lavender
501
dk taupe
229
blue
213
beige
206
Lt grey
212
mist grn
556
claret
fleck
509
gold
202
brick
555
blue
fleck
507
navy
204
dk grey
228
yellow
554
red
fleck
HEIRLOOM BABY MERINO 4PLY
203
berry
226
natural
515
purple
224
black
552
natural
fleck
221
pond
You’ll be amazed at the quality of this budget priced yarn. 15%wool, 85% acrylic .
All shades are lightly flecked for added interest and are suitable for the full range of 8ply knitting projects. Silky soft, hard wearing and it’s machine washable too. 50gram balls
Proudly made in Australia. Great value for money.
209
burnt orange
873 purple
874 brown
875 blue slate
868 opal
869 teal
870 rust
871 green
872 claret
217
dusty blue
558
black
fleck
CLECKHEATON CALIFORNIA 8 PLY $9.95
Large 100gram/ 185mt balls. Untreated pure new wool. A loosely woven roving style yarn
ideal for all DK knitting projects. Perfect for knit and felt projects. Hand washable.
Cleckheaton pattern book 978—12 designs for California and full felting instructions.
$7.95
100% pure merino wool yarn. Cloud soft ,with baby’s delicate skin in mind. Machine wash,
made in Australia. 50gram balls (180mt) Rec tension 28sts to 10cm on 3.25mm needles.
460
cream
404
frost
444
yellow
402
orchid
443
red
472
stone
424
lavender
484
melon
414
baby blue
405
apricot
411
pink
0018
fennel
482
Ivy leaf
483
478
peachberry silver
474
navy
1211
hot pink
0115
orange
2195 butter
cream
0217
black
2326
plum
0819
camel
5794
storm
0827
teal
5804
grey scale
0999
ox blood
8500
forest
6756
regal
5792Comming soon