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A Little Snow Goes A Long Way in Georgia
All it takes is a few snowflakes and I am enamored. These icy, cold days are just the thing needed to get me motivated for knitting pieces of yarnie warmth. Snuggly scarves, cuddly cowls, and warm, wooly socks have been the favorite projects at Rare Purls so far this month. Whether you choose a pattern from the many books and leaflets available, peruse the designs on Ravelry.com (join now, to be ready for winter knit alongs!), or surf the many yarn company websites for their latest offerings, you are sure to find plenty of inspiration for your next cold weather project. Who can resist the warm hug of a bulky wrap or cowl? Or maybe a fashion forward, super bulky, hand knit hat is your ticket to hours of happy knitting. This chilly weather is calling us and we all know how to answer that call - cast on some wooly warmth. So grab your needles and pick a pattern, and start knitting up a winter storm!
One of my favorites this season is the super bulky capelet. Most of the luxury yarn companies have come out with uber super bulky yarns and accompanying patterns for super fast results. If you would like to design your own, t's easy! Just grab a #11 - 15 US circular needle and cast on with a super chunky yarn to knit a tube. With the measurement from around both shoulders (mine are 48 inches) and the gauge from a super quick swatch, do the math and pick your stitch pattern. Ribbed patterns and cables work best with this design, as they have natural elasticity. Remember, when working with large gauge yarns, elaborate stitch patterns with long repeats are more difficult to plug into your size, so keep it simple. Also, although I am always into generously sized accessories, preferring wider scarves and longer wraps, a capelet knit too long can impede arm movement. A capelet that fits from the top of the shoulder to the elbow is the largest you will need. If more warmth or a longer look is desired, choose a full sized cape pattern that incorporates either arm slits or low armholes to accommodate partial movement of the upper limbs. For some examples of beautiful full sized capes, go to the free pattern section of VogueKnitting.com.
Happy Knitting!
On Kay's Needles
The quick and easy success offered by bulky yarns had my needles flying last week. My Snowboard Hat took one hank and one night. Earflap hats look great on guys and dolls, so make an extra for those last minute gifts.
The combination of a bulky alpaca/silk blend and an easy one row repeat pattern had me obsessively knitting this great scarf until it reached over 80 inches long. But, oh, is it snuggly!
The project with the best reviews is Circular Shrug, a free pattern on Ravelry. This has to be the easiest sweater ever!