Cascade Yarns Blog

Ribbed Cowl - Designed by Shannon Dunbabin So, I found myself in a situation where I had to sit for an entire day and needed something to keep my hands busy, but I had to be involved in conversation the entire day.  Around this same point in time, I realized that we didn't have any cowls knit in Pure Alpaca which is perfect for a cowl and I had great intentions to do a few rows of ribbing with a simple lace pattern.  Well, I suddenly realized that I had several inches of ribbing and it was squishy, soft, and warm.  So, I made the best of it and just continued in 2 x 2 rib.  I picked 2 denimy heathers, but it would look great in a variety of other color combinations. The pattern is quite simple - cast on 88 stitches using size 9 needles.  Join in the round.  Do K2, P2 until reach desired length.  Bind off.  Weave in ends.  Enjoy.

The Wrap that almost wasnt.... So, we decided to do a secret Santa at the office this year and I pulled a person that is always cold and loves purple.  Normally with the craziness of life (especially going into the holidays), I would've picked something quick that I wouldn't stress about finishing, but I ended up going on a last minute international trip.  I came up with the great idea of stranding 2 shades of Venezia Worsted using a feather and fan pattern, thinking I would have at least 18-20 hours of knitting between the flight there and back.  That worked great on the way there.  On the return trip (in which everything that possibly could go wrong, went wrong) my knitting was confiscated on the flight because knitting needles were not allowed on that airline on international flights.  Obviously the stewardess was not a knitter and didn't have any knitter friends or she would've known that I stay much calmer while knitting.  I was able to get the proj...

Fair Isle Cowl So, I had lots of time in a car last week as I traveled around Eastern Pennsylvania with our rep Erlinda (whom has become quite a good knitter) and I had 2 balls of Cloud with me.  I hadn't found the time to be able to play with this lovely yarn very much besides a swatch up to last week.  It is a squishy blend of 70% merino wool and 30% baby alpaca in a crocheted tubular construction.  The yarn has an amazing amount of bounce and energy as does its undyed sibling - Eco Cloud. So here is the result... And here is the pattern: Fair Isle Cowl Designed by Shannon Dunbabin A sqishy-soft, warm cowl. Size:  Approximately 21” circumference and 8.75” long Gauge:   4 ½ stitches = 1” on US 10 Materials: Cloud –( 70% Merino Wool /30% Baby Alpaca; 164 yds/100 g) – 1 skein each of 2 contrasting colors (shown in MC 2122 and CC 2123) US 10 – 16” -20” circular needle 1 stitch marker Abbreviations: K – Knit P – Purl K2P2 – Knit 2, Purl 2 MC –...

So, yesterday that Cascade Sheep made it over to Milford, PA and found a yarn shop - Jilldeal, Inc and a lovely cowl.  The cowl was designed by Jilldeal to match the  Eco Duo Slouch Hat  designed by Betty Balcomb.  The cowl only requires 1-2 skeins (depending on the length) of Eco Duo (70% undyed Baby Alpaca/30% undyed Merino Wool - 197 yds/100 g) Of course, the Cascade Sheep thinks it needs to have this cowl made..... Per Jilldeal, "This Cowl can be made in 2 lengths.... the original 33" finished....but can be made smaller is desirous of being closer to the neck with little drape.  So smaller or large, you decide....." Abbreviations: YO - Yarn Over K2Tog - Knit 2 Together SSK - Slip, Slip, Knit Cast on 100 (130) stitches on a US 10 - 16" circular needle. Rows 1 - 3:  Purl Rows 4-10:  Knit Row 11:  Purl Row 12:  Knit Row 13: [YO, K2Tog] - repeat to end of row Row 14:  Knit Row Purl Work Rows 1 - 5 Work Rows 4 - 1...

Quick Lacy Slouch I've become a very big fan of fun projects that I can do and be able to pick it up and put it down (and not loose my place and have rip a good part of it out).  We got in a new yarn - Pacific Chunky - it is super soft, has lots of color choices (34 solids and 8 multis), and knits up quickly.  I picked this color because it was the one multi that was self indulgence when I put it together. So here is the pattern: Quick Lacy Slouch Designed by Shannon Dunbabin   A simple lace pattern works up quickly into a fun, soft hat. Materials -          1 skein Pacific Chunky Multi (60% Acrylic/40% Superwash Merino Wool – 120 yds/100 g) – shown in 609 -         Size US 10 (6.0 mm) 16” circular needle -         Size US 10 (6.0 mm) double point needles Abbreviations -         K –...

 Betsy is ready to add her thumb! Bonnie has made great progress after having to rip everything out.  We helped her get started on her thumb earlier this week.    I actually got some knitting in last weekend!  I am doing a slip stitch everytime I change colors and left the thumb open at the end.   Stacy had to rip hers out and start again - I look forward to seeing her progress next week! Ann has been working on some projects for the office and has not gotten much knitting in.... hopefully soon!

So I got some time to knit and am quite pleased with the progress. I assured Rob that the one finger completed is actually for the index finger... One change I did was to slip every other stitch when I changed to a new color to get a more jagged line.