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Cathedral Grove Test Knit

lacy scarf or wrap on a mannequin

I love starting a new test knit group. I know some people have bad experiences, but I’ve been very lucky with really lovely and communicative test knitters. I’m sure this one will be no exception!

A thing I love when seeing my pattern knitted by someone else is the yarn choice. People pick amazing yarns that I’ve never heard of or would never have thought of for the specific project. I get so exciting thinking of the design in a new yarn.

I’m really in love with this pattern. It’s a very simple pattern, consisting of a single lace repeat over 16 rows with a picot edging. But sometimes that’s what we want for the scarf or wrap that goes everywhere and can just be thrown on for a little elegance.

Also, a pattern where the repeats can be memorized is a great TV knitting pattern and those are always welcome! I can’t wait to get this pattern through test knit and final tech edits by the end of the summer. It’s just a lovely clean lace

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Cathedral Grove Scarf

This scarf is a delicate marvel. It’s so light you barely know it’s there but there’s strength in the delicate beauty. In a laceweight alpaca this scarf is warm and soft.

Inspired by the first time I saw Cathedral Grove on Vancouver Island one Easter when the snow was still on the ground and the trees towered above us. There are two lace stitches, a traditional Shetland fir cone pattern and a simple lace edging which evokes the snow amongst the trees. The sample is going to someone special but you can make your own soon. Pattern release date is January 2021.

If you are ever lucky enough to be driving to a holiday in Tofino on Vancouver Island, stop in Cathedral Grove. It is truly spectacular.

Vancouver Island Archives | Take Me To The River
Photo from: https://www.takemetotheriver.ca/cathedral-grove/
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Lace patterns – what was I thinking?

Things I like: knitting intricate lace with long repeats.

Things I don’t like: writing out said long repeats, charting said long repeats. Checking for errors.

Why did I do a wrap with a 34 stitch repeat over 24 rows in the pattern?

Because I didn’t really think the writing of the pattern through. And because – it’s so pretty, it looks amazing and it isn’t hard to knit, as long as you use the stitch markers as recommended. But writing it out is painful.

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December Patterns

Two new patterns coming in early December, here’s your sneak peak!

Fireweed socks. These are a great simple sock that look really complicated to make but aren’t. The best kind of socks to make and gift to someone else. They work best in a solid or semi-solid colour scheme.

Pair of handmade socks

Flowering Victorian Shawl. This is a romantic draped lace shawl that uses a lovely frost flower pattern along the arms and wrists with a vine pattern across the back. Shown here in a lilac color, this is gorgeous spring or fall shawl that really shows off your lacework skills.

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Yai’s Tea towels

plate of biscuits with two teatowels

Finally finished the first pass at this tea towel pattern. There’s a few adjustments to make but I’m pretty happy with the striping location and the stich. It’s all in double moss stitch which is great when finished but like many people I get tired doing moss stitch over and over and over. So some noodling. Modelling here with a delicious batch of Anzac biscuits (cookies for the North Americans among us).

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What’s on my needles?

Having gotten all my shawls off needles and blocked I wanted some smaller easier to knock out projects. So I’m finishing my Bad Hair Day Hat. The final wool that was destined for this project has been lost somewhere in a warehouse in Montreal. I am now using some lovely Knit Picks upcycled wool for the final hat(s) that will be photographed. Darn you yarn that got away!

In better news I am using Knit Picks Capretta Superwash which is 80% Merino, 10% Cashmere and 10% nylon for a new sock and fingerless mitten project called Fireweed. I haven’t used this yarn before and it is lovely in the hand while I am knitting.

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Deconstructed

beaded lace shawl on mannequin

I just did the math on the bread and roses shawl. So by the numbers:

  • 815 yards or 750 metres of fingering weight yarn
  • 55grams or approximately 1300 size 6/0 Czech seed beads
  • 20 hours development time
  • 30 hours knit time
  • 1.5 hours blocking out time
  • 12 hours drying time

Thoroughly worth it!

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Changing seasons

It’s definitely fall now in Vancouver. When I was out for a walk yesterday afternoon I got a lovely photo of this plant as it changes with the season. The colour of the berries and leaf shape were the inspiration for my flowering Victorian lace wrap or rectangular shawl.

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Bread and Roses Shawl update

Ivory lace shawl on mannequin

My timeline is holding! The shawl is off the needles and needs to have its ends sewn in and be thoroughly blocked. I’m sharing this photo so people can see how much of a difference blocking makes with something like a lacework shawl. To me it’s the difference between a lovely hand made garment and an ‘oh wow – that is amazing – where did you get it garment.

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Sweetheart socks and Cat

cat lounging beside sock clad feet

I’d finished the socks this Friday and decided to do some photos, get the math finalized and publish pattern by October 30th. I’m still on track for that, but the cat was all interested in ‘helping’ with these photos. My concern is that although adorable he does kind of steal the show! There’ll be other photos that focus more on the socks, but I think I’m leaving this one in there.