NuttyIrishmanKnits

Fall Arrival

Flint Hill by Jennifer Adams

Materials:  Magnum by Cascade Yarns (100% Peruvian Highland Wool; 250g skein approx. 123 yards); 2 skeins in #9459 Yakima Heather

Needles:  One pair straight needles or one 20’ circular needle in size US 15

Ravelers find Flint Hill here.

It's here!  And just in time for Autumn.  The leaves had just begun to turn here, but after a Sunday rainstorm the landscape has changed overnight.  And along with the rain came cooler weather.  Perfect time to begin on Fall and even Christmas knitting.

Flint Hill is now available for purchase here and on Ravelry as well.  A super fast project to match the super bulky yarn, Flint Hill knits up in just a couple of days.  As a matter of fact I think the blocking time is longer than the knit itself!

I've been taken with cowls for some time, and most recently with larger scarf-sized cowls, that can wrap more than once... or be worn around the head and neck simultaneously.  Flint Hill manages both perfectly.  Cascade's Magnum yarn is so light and airy (imagine Peruvia's big brother), that I was able to design a large scarf, 60"x8", without adding weight.  After finishing the piece I soaked it for a bit in Euculan and then draped it over the towel rack to dry.  Doing so really intensified how the cowl drapes, making it easy to slip on and off.

After finishing the pattern I was initially worried that it might be a little finicky to style. But Amy, one of our instructors, proved it was a sinch (see first photo).  She slipped it over her head and it looked perfect!  Thankfully I had my camera on me and snapped a photo right then and there.

We're all having a hard time keeping our hands off of it at the yarn shop.  Everytime one of us walks by the display we adjust it.  I've yet to see a styling I haven't loved! 

 

 

 

Flint Hill

Before our family first moved to Kansas, we heard the same comment, or shared versions of the same sentiment from most every Southern neighbor we knew, "Oh bless your hearts... it's so flat there."  Truth be told we didn't know anything about Kansas. Other than the said reports of it being terribly flat, or stories of winter whiteouts blowing across the western plains, causing travelers to veer from their scheduled arrival at the slopes of Colorado, we were clueless.  But when on our way to Wichita, we took a wrong turn in Tulsa and headed north into the beautiful hills of the remote Chautauqua County, my husband and I could only manage to recite the same four words to each other... "this is not flat!"

Indeed it is not flat.  It's a beautiful state with rolling hills and prairies.  And after settling in Wichita we discovered the name of a certain band of hills we are fortunate to be surrounded by, the Flint Hills.  Covered in Tallgrass prairie grasses and limestone rock formations, the Flint Hills are a true treasure.  Range burnings signify the beginning of Spring in the Flint Hills and then a few months later, chilly weather brings about a seemingly endless sea of muted Autumn colors.

And then there is the wind.  There is always wind in Kansas.  No matter what time of year, or what time of day, there is wind.  It keeps the bugs away in summer, and can chill you to the bone in winter.  So after spending a few winters here I knew what I wanted to design when my friend Shelly approached me about a pattern featuring Cascade's super-bulky Magnum yarn.  A roving yarn made of Peruvian wool and knitting up at 2 stitches per inch I had only one thought in mind: a big-chunky-warm cowl.

Flint Hill

   I wanted to give you a sneak peek of my new pattern Flint Hill that will be available soon here on NIK and on Ravelry as well.  If you're a local who favors our LYS Twist, you'll be able to pick up a copy this week. 

Flint Hill is a simple pattern inspired by the minimalist landscape of the Flint Hills. Thanks to the super-bulky yarn, it provides warmth without adding weight, and it will definitely fit into the category of last-minute gifts. So be looking for the pattern's arrival in the next few days!

Wiggin' Out!

Pigs with Wigs

from Knitting Mochimochi by Anna Hrachovec

Materials: Cascade 220 and Cascade 220 Heathers, 1 skein pink, less than 1 skein denim, small amounts black and white

Needles:  1 32" circular in size US 7

 Ravelers find this little piggy here.

It has been a crazy few months!  I've got sweater bodies littering my workroom and it seems everywhere I turn I see needles poking up from UFO's like weeds in my flowerbeds.  Some things need to be tinked, and others just need to be finished.  But slowly but surely I'll start knocking them out... especially if I want to start on Christmas knitting...

I had a couple of hours the other day and decided to spend them in my local bookstore.  I pulled a few new knitting books from it's shelves and was completely enamored with Anna Hrachovec's latest collection of amigurumi in Knitting Mochimochi.  I've always loved Anna's whimsical patterns but browsing page after page of brightly colored critters in such hilarious and clever positions was more than I could resist.  So, along with a couple of vintage sweater books, I brought this find home, eager to share with little Lu. 

She was immediately taken with this pattern.  And I can't blame her...

I can't look at this little Piggy without cracking up.  I was shocked at how easily the pattern knit up. Especially for a toy!  It's been a long time since I've knit a toy, and it was such a blast!  I soon remembered however how finicky double points and a few stitches are, and had to dig out a 32" inch circular to save the day.  But after that it was smooth sailing.  The pattern is really easy to read and your toy looks surprisingly like the original!  (Which is not always the case with toy knitting...) And then there are the wigs...

Pigs with Wigs comes with four wig options; Awesome Afro, Magnificent Mohawk, Buxom Bob, and Beautiful Beehive.  I opted to kick things off with Beautiful Beehive but have every intention of knitting the others, along with a couple more piggies to complete the collection. 

When working on long-term projects, and finishing up patterns, a sweet little knit like this can not only bring a smile to the knitter, but also provide a fun kick in the pants to finish other things!

Heh... Smiling!!

Still grinning... =)

Happy Knitting!