This weekend, our weather app predicts 100% chance of rain. Usually they’re not so certain and like to hedge their bets a bit, but rain must be a pretty sure thing around these parts today and tomorrow. (And, actually, it’s pretty much been raining non-stop since I started the first draft of this post earlier this morning).
This changes my plans somewhat, but it’s always a pretty safe bet that my weekend forecast includes chance of knitting: 100%.
You may have seen that I recently published Willow.
The name Willow evokes all things graceful: willows are strong and elegant, and, well, willowy. I find myself wearing my Willow often. It’s great to throw on when I get home from work in the evenings; I often get chilled, but if I can get my shoulders warm, the rest of me is warm, and Willow does that for me.
Willow is worked flat using bulky/chunky weight yarn, then seamed together with two quick seams. There’s even a tutorial for the seaming, here: Cabled Poncho Seam. This would be a great pattern for someone just starting out with cables.
Beth made this beautiful purple Willow.
I love what she says about her Willow:
I finished my Cabled Poncho test knit for @knitequalsjoy and I LOVE it! I thought I wasn’t a poncho person…turns out I just hadn’t found the right one. I knit mine in @blueskyfibers Extra, (alpaca and merino blend) which has beautiful drape and will keep me warm! And of course, it’s purple.
Such beautiful knitting! Thank you, Beth!
Currently in testing is Bold…with undertones of chocolate. Now, whether you interpret that as referring to coffee or to beer is up to you!
Bold is an oversized sweater knit top down, seamless, and stockinette-side-out. It took a bit of engineering to get the sweater to be reversible and to include a giant cable, so I was thrilled when I was able to make it work. If the ends are worked in carefully, the sweater truly is reversible, and can be worn with either the stockinette or the reverse stockinette side out, depending on your whim.
The pattern will be available for 5 sizes ranging from 32-50 in. (bust measurement). If in between sizes, one can choose from the actual finished sizes for the best fit. It’s worked on size 8 and 9 needles, so it’s a pretty quick knit.
I’ve worn my Bold to work a couple of times and have felt like a million bucks in it each time.
The pattern should be released sometime in the summer or early fall.
Finally, I’m working on a new sweater design. I recently found this yarn by Yama Fibre Arts and was smitten by its colors and textures. This is the YAMA Merino Linen Singles in Grey Sage and Nomad B3.
I’m using the two colors together. It’s a subtle contrast, and I love it, but I can see this sweater in so many different color combinations.
A few designs seem to write themselves (like last year’s Autumn Spice Pumpkin 
) – and this one seems to be doing that as well. I think the color, fiber content, and spin of the yarn must suggest what will work for the yarn. It doesn’t always happen; sometimes the yarn puts up a stubborn and dogged fight against my ideas for it, but that’s another story…
This is worked in fingering weight and small(ish) needles, so it will be in the works for awhile before it’s ready for testing. I’ll probably be posting lots of progress pictures on Instagram, so you can catch those in either the Instagram feed or the Knit Equals Joy Facebook page.
I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend and that the chance of rain wherever you are isn’t 100%! Maybe your chance of knitting is.
xoxo
Carol
So much to love!!! 🙂
Thank you so much! <3
All this yummy yarn! Love how you’re designing away, Carol.
Aww…thanks so much, Stef! <3