Pink light - sample

I did another sample just a little while ago. This one is for Caterpillargreen yarns. Guys. I LOVE this colorway! And I know you already do too, if you've been on instagram at all.

Basically this shawl practically knit itself. I cast on and then 2 days later, it was done, and blocking. I absolutely love the flecks of pink in the greys. It was such a lovely thing to see them pop up! And of course, that pink! gah! SO vibrant!

The yarn is Caterpillargreen MCN fingering : shawl (self-striping) , colorway pink light. The sample used a 115g/4oz skein, and I used up as much as I possibly could.

It's a dream to knit with. The yarn holds great texture yet still has amazing drape. And it's really soft. So lovely!

The pattern is A Certain Darkness by Sylvia Bo Bilvia.
It's a fantastic pattern, and I highly recommend knitting it. I added the garter ridges randomly as suggested, only I just made sure not to do any garter ridges during a color change in the yarn. I also worked 10 rows of the pattern once I was into the final color change before working the final rows of garter and the picot edge. I used a US4/3.5mm needle.

I totally love that this sample is fully local! Dyer, designer, & sample knitter all in beautiful British Columbia. LOVE.

This yarn has just recently been added to Caterpillargreen's shop. I made sure to nab a larger skein of this colorway. I honestly loved knitting with it so much!

Whats your favorite self-striping yarn & shawl combo? I'd love to hear! xo

sample knit! - Alluvial Plains

I had the pleasure not too long ago, to help mudpunch finish a sample. The fact that we had a very similar gauge with this shawl made this such an easy project to pick up and finish quite quickly. 

That and the most divine yarn. :) Chantel aka mudpunch also has a knack for pairing the most perfect patterns with her yarns. Alluvial plains by Karen MaCall is no exception! 

This pattern is a fantastic match for her speckles and bits set. Don't you agree?

The only mod made with this pattern is the needle size. Chantel opted for a 4mm/US 7. The pattern calls for a 5mm./US 8.  Though this resulted in a smaller shawl , the drape was not sacrificed at all with the smaller needle. Honestly, this yarn is so smooth! 

This pattern is very well written, and has clear instructions throughout. There are lots of "checkpoints" so you can be sure you're on track. The new yarns added are added on both sides, so this really makes for a reversible shawl. You can't tell between the right and wrong sides at all. 

I also really love the picot edging to it. It creates a nice, dainty finish. 

The yarn used in this sample is Mudpunch Vibrant Fingering.  If you remember the Quicksilver sample I knit up for her, you'll also remember just how much I love this yarn. The set used is the blue eyed hex. I totally love this colour combo! It makes me think of summer. LOVE!  I believe Chantel knit up probably half of the shawl, maybe just over, and I finished it up for her. To be honest, I loved knitting this so much that I was a little sad that it was over so quickly! LOL. 

I highly recommend knitting this pattern. It was interesting enough not to bore at all. And the short rows made for quick colour changes. All in all, I used 581 yds. See my Ravelry page for specifics on each colour. 

I don't think I'll ever grow tired of knitting shawls. I love them so much! Want to snag a set of these yarns for yourself?? Check out Chantel's online shop.  

Do you have a favourite shawl pattern on the needles? Do share!! xo

sample knitting!

I finished a sample knit a little while ago..  I loved knitting it so much, I think I will make another, for me.

This is Quicksilver by Melanie Berg.
I knit this sample for Mudpunch Yarns. Chantel chose the colours, and I have to say (though it's probably very obvious), her colour choices are just perfect!

The pattern is very straightforward. Very easy to put down and pick up. I love that even though it's basic knitting, the results are rather stunning!
Here's the "knitty gritty"
Pattern: Quicksilver by Melanie Berg
needle: US5 / 3.75mm fixed signature circular needles
Yarn: Mudpunch Vibrant Fingering in (A) shadow (B) newsprint & (C) life aquatic

It's a massive shawl, using over 800yds. But I would't have it any other way, the drape is amazing! This is much to do with the yarn too...

So let's talk about the yarn. This is knit with mudpunch vibrant fingering. Guys, it's such NICE yarn! It's a mix of 70% merino wool, 20% cashmere goat, and 10% nylon. The cashmere with the merino makes the yarn feel so incredibly smooth! Knitting with it was heaven! It gives incredible drape, and blocks really nicely.

The colours didn't bleed a bit. Chantel makes absolutely sure that her colour sticks, and I had nothing to worry about even with these contrasts.

*for more photos of this sample, & exact yarn usages, check out my ravelry page. *

If you've never knit with mudpunch yarns, I highly suggest you do! You won't be disappointed! Be sure to check our her self-striping yarns too!

Check out her website for all info mudpunch. Her Instagram is always brimming with yarn photos too.

Website | Ravelry | Instagram | Facebook

As for the Quicksilver pattern? Knit it. Just do it. It's so lovely, and stunning! I have a feeling that I'll be knitting a lot of Melanie Berg's patterns. xo

Self Striping Love...

So last year for knit city, I made up a sample for Caterpillargreen yarns. I am sure you already know but it bears repeating that these gorgeous self striping yarns that Catherine creates, really practically knit themselves.

I become obsessed with seeing the next color change, and I just can't put the work down!

This, of course, helps in knitting up a shawlette in a very speedy fashion. :) In this case, the pattern I used is the Simple Yet Effective Shawl by Laura Chau.

The yarn is  Caterpillargreen MCN Fingering. Colorway: Concrete And Tulips. I used my 3.5mm fixed signature needles for this project.

This really is a speedy, and delightful knit. I highly recommend this yarn... if you haven't heard of it before, please, go check out Catherine's website. You'll be able to keep on top of when the next shop update will be. You'll have to know what you want though, because these yarns sell fast!

To find all things Caterpillargreen check out these popular sites:

Website | Ravelry | Instagram  | Pinterest

I think the next self striping shawl I knit up will have to be for me though :) xo Tell me, what's on your needles this week? xo

still knitting!

Really, you all know I never stop knitting. But sometimes, I wonder if YOU wonder what I'm up to, as I don't always have a chance to post what I'm working on....


Well, wonder no more... A week ago, this gorgeous skein fell into my hands...

Cat, of Caterpillargreenyarns is seriously mega talented! Not only does she do the most amazing self striping sock yarns, but shawls too! eeeks!!  Ok. I'm a HUGE fan of this. But really, who isn't? Especially since the yarn harlot became a fan too, we ALL know about Cat's amazing yarns!!! See her posts about Cat's yarns here and here. (yeah, she was mentioned twice!!!)

So really now you have to be speedy to get in on the shop updates, because her yarns are quickly snatched up! To get more info on Caterpillargreen shop updates, check out the website.

Ok. BUT LOOK at this NEW colourway!!!

I love it. oh i LOVE LOVE LOVE it! Not only do I love grey's but the striping is like a gradient self striping grey until POW! yellow. swoon... Want to see more pics of this in progress? Follow me on instagram.

I only wish I could keep this one. ;)

* swoon. * Luckily I do have another skein on hand that I am so looking forward to knit up. It's this one...

So what about you?? What's on your needles? Do tell! xo

cascadia love

I'm sure a lot of you have seen, or heard about the buzz around about Cascadia. A new knitting book just recently released by the fab duo behind knit social. Amanda Milne & Fiona McLean have worked their magic (as best business partners do) and created a knitting book that showcases a beautiful love for the west coast. The patterns are stunning, and all by designers from the region, as well as local yarns that were used!



photo from ravelry

I am thrilled to tell you that I also played a small part in the making of this book, as a sample knitter! I so enjoyed knitting Redcedar. The fact that it made front cover just makes me uber happy! I had the pleasure of knitting with yarn by everything old, and it was amazing! Designer Emily Wessel, of tincanknits has such a talent and eye for lace. I loved loved this pattern! I promise you will too.

There are so many more to knit!! And what perfect timing of this book to be released! Just in time for Christmas gift knitting! (or selfish knitting).

have you checked out the book yet? what's first on your list of patterns to knit? xo