New Threads FRIDAY, yup, TGIF!!
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Twist
Design: Chic Knits
Yarn: Ella Rae *Classic*
Color: #42 Bluish Green
Gauge: 19 sts/24 rows over 4″
Needles: #7

I just couldn’t resist a back-to-back new threads this week! And this second NewT is not only special because it’s FRIDAY! (shout it out), it’s very wonderful because it is the lovely Isobel! She has just finished a Twist sweater (with the collar option) and I must say, it is spectacular! The color and craftsmanship is so very nice..

Now, if I could, I would travel the States (and beyond) and visit knitting groups. Isobel and her friend Jane knit at a place called the Yarn Lounge in Richmond, VA. This group is always making the most wonderful knits and I know that behind the wonderful knitting there is always wonderful knitters :)

Someday, I’m getting on a plane and crashing this partay!

Until then, ladies, and everyone, have a Great Weekend!

Yarn for TWIST (or Ariann or the Ribby Cardi) – Wool, etc.
Gauge: 19 sts/ 24 rows over 4″ St st

Araucania: Nature Wool

Ashford Tekapo:
New Zealand wool

Baabajoes: 10 ply

Beaverslide: Worsted Weight

Berroco: Ultra Alpaca

Blackberry Ridge: Mohair Blend

Black Water Abbey: 2Ply

Brown Sheep: Nature Spun Worsted
or
Superwash Worsted

Cascade: Cascade 220
or
Cascade 220 SuperWash

Debbie Bliss:
Cashmerino Aran
or
Merino Aran

Dzined: Wool/Hemp WWT

Elann:
Peruvian Collection Pure Alpaca
or
Peruvian Highland Wool

Ella Rae: Classic

Filatura di Crosa: 127

Filtes King: Extra

Jaeger: Matchmaker Merino Aran

K1C2: Parfait Solids

Karabella: Aurora 8

Knitpicks: Andean Silk or
Wool of the Andes

Lana Grossa: Cool Wool Big

Lion Brand : Wool or
Woolease

Lorna’s Laces: Shepards Worsted

Louisa Harding: Kashmir Aran

Malabrigo: Merino Worsted

Nashua: Creative Forces Worsted or
Julia

Patons: Decor

Plymouth: Encore or
Galway

Rowan: Kid Classic

Rowan Classic Yarns:
Cashsoft Aran or
Soft Lux

Unger: Utopia

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click this link to email yarn suggestions, ideas or concerns here info*chicknits*com

New Threads THURSDAY!
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Ribbed Beanie
Design: Bonne Marie
Yarn: Noro *Kureyon*
Color: #52
Gauge: 18 sts/24 rows over 4″
Needles: #8

To get this winter party started, nothing seemed more naturale than, well, another Beanie!

I have a bunch of single skeins of Noro Kureyon lounging in the stash and this one is especially exciting. Here’s a bird’s eye view of the top of the hat:

Looks like a totally different hat, doesn’t it? HA! But it works. I would love love love to go tour the Noro factory and watch how they combine the colors. I would l-l-love to understand why they put a certain color next to another. I’ve never been disappointed after the knitting was done, even though sometimes the trust was Not There in the ball…

There is something really wonderful about small projects. They refresh and renew. Give so much for so little. Bring smiles to others FAST!

I was able to help refresh a co-worker’s knitting karma this holiday. After many years away from the needles, she decided she wanted to see how to make the stitches again and I showed her. She is now happily working away on a garter stitch scarf in yummy mango bulky alpaca. It was incredible to see her remember how to stitch; she’d learned when very young from her grandma. The only thing we had to practice with was my little pair of socks in progress and I had her just knit back-and-forth. I think she just let her fingers do the moves without fussing and thinking and before you knew it, there were several rows done with no discernible difference from my stitches. WooHOO!

I have another ball of #52 Kureyon and am going to make a neck warmer. I can’t wear regular scarves while I’m shooting. They really get in the way. A neck warmer is perfect for high activity when I’m jumping in and out of trucks and buildings and don’t want to get my tails caught in a revolving door whilst moving fast.

Also eats up small quantities of yarn. Small is good…

Speaking of good: good snacks fast company, tonight in our new winter HQ, KIP @ Alliance Bakery on 1736 W Division 7-9pm…

Interestingly enough, even though its almost December (!) Chicago people are still firting with the weather.

Even though we know better, even though there might be 40 mph cool-running winds at the bus stop, we are trying to go Bare Naked.

Hatless.

Glovless.

Witless.

Not I.

I admit, for several days, I tried to pretend it wasn’t really cold enough and was forced to repeatedly reach for a gnarly black polar fleece headband I found in one of the many, many pockets of my parka. It is my go-to emergency wrapper, the don’t get caught without it number, and if you live in an environment like this one, you know what I mean.

Just WHEN did it get to be Serious Hatteous Season?

I’d say the day last week when there were 50 mph winds in some parts of town and it just seared through your nostrils like a dental drill.

Sorry.

Chicago is not kind. We are the City of Big Shoulders. The City of Big Winds. Big Chill.

So now that I’m out of Big Denial, I went diving in the closet and tore through all the many, many hats I’ve accumulated.

Most of them are now laundered and safely on their way to the SavArmy because I’ve discovered a very unusual thing.

I only want to wear things I’ve made myself on my head.

And if it’s any indication of a trend, it would appear the hat I most reach for is…

A BEANIE!

Doesn’t blow off. Beckham made it coolio. You can dress it up or plump it up to meet the Windy Need.

The hats above were the ones I chose to keep for myself. And I noticed that I was within the Stylings as indicated by the drawing I made a couple of years ago on the #66 bus. Today’s #66