For Better or Worsted

Anzula’s For Better or Worsted!

You know I’m excited about this! Part two of our order from Anzula has arrived.  The folks that recently brought us the kitten soft yarn called Cloud has now brought us this purrfect example of a yarn.

It is what has made this hat a treat to wear everyday for the last few months.  It still looks good-as-new with no pills – thank you very much, and no forehead itchies neither. The hat is  Brooklyn Tweed’s Rosebud pattern.  I made this hat a one skein project by going down a needle size from a 5mm to a 4.5mm, just in case you try to do the same. 

The Anzula, For Better or Worsted is made with 80% Superwash Merino, 10% CASHMERE, and 10% nylon.  It costs  $32.50 for 182 metres (200 yards ).  It does not feel like kittens.  The tight spin gives it a slippery feeling, and it shines as if spun by Rumpelstiltskin himself.  It is also bouncy and springy and full of joy.  It does not feel like kittens, and yet it feels gorgeous just the same.

Like me, the Purl Bee is fond of this yarn and has many patterns for it like this and this and this too.

Can’t wait for you all to see it.

Craftily yours
Kristin

the selfish season

At some time, a while back, I coined an expression I quite liked.  It was in a Knit Cafe Newsletter shortly after Christmas.  It was in this January Newsletter I proclaimed this time of year to be “the Selfish Season” – at least for knitters.
I think after a long period of selflessly knitting for others; thinking of their needs, sizing them up, and picking colours to suit their disposition, it is time to pay a little attention to ones own self.  I’m not talking candlelit bubble baths (although that would be nice). I am thinking that now is a good time to knit one or two things just for you.
I have been taking my own advice.

Here is a very awkward picture of me, trying to get a good shot of the cable detail on my brand new hat.  The pattern came from Brooklyn Tweed.  It is the Rosebud Hat
I thoroughly enjoyed making this hat.  A good combo of thinking and not thinking to achieve it – if you know what I mean. The pattern was clear and easy to follow.  The yarn was a dream.  I am not disclosing, as of yet what I used for the hat.  Let’s just say it was research. The Rosebud  pattern is available here at the Knit Cafe.

Iwona has been taking my advice too

She has been knitting Geordie by Norah Gaughan.  She is blocking it right now in fact, and it is looking gorgeous!  Soon it will be done and I will have a finished picture to show but I just couldn’t wait to share it.  The Geordie pattern was found in Norah Gaughan’s Book Volume 9, which has too many good patterns to mention.  Check it out next time you are in the cafe.  Iwona made this chunky cover-up with Berroco Peruvia Quick, which she has raved about!
I could also not wait to share this↓

I am no slave to fashion, but I have not been immune to how many fantastic sweaters I have been seeing on the movers and shakers around the city.  Fisherman sweaters in all their classic wooly elegance have been admired as they whiz by me on bicycles or saunter by the Knit Cafe window.  I want one! Now that I have found this I feel one is within my grasp.
The Retro Knitting Company, an online retailer of vintage pattern has a slew of such patterns to choose from.  How to choose seems to be the only hurdle.

Happy selfish season everyone!
Craftily yours
Kristin