KNIT // thrummed mittens

Ah the thrummed mitten. A magical invention from the cold and devastatingly beautiful province of Newfoundland. I once owned a pair. They were mismatched - one grey and one blue, both with cream colored thrums. They were the warmest mittens I have ever worn.

As it has been one of the coldest and snowiest winters we've had in some time, I decided it was time to make the man who frequently shovels, waters the plants and drives me places the warmest mittens EVER.

We've had a large amount of colorful roving hanging around since the brief felting extravaganza of '13. I stumbled upon this pin and was inspired by the uniquely colorful thrums. From bright orange to teal and pretty fuchsia, these mittens have it all! I used a 100% grey wool (from this darling shop) for the base color. I tried to make each thrum about 1.5" long and about the width of the wool (when twisted). The most difficult part of the endeavor was trying to keep thrums consistent in size.

Ready to learn how to thrum?

First, insert your needle into the stitch below the stitch you are thrumming. Twist and wrap your roving around the right needle and pull it through the bottom stitch as if you were knitting.

Next, insert your right needle into the back of the current stitch and knit. Now you should see your newly knitted stitch next to your roving on the right hand needle.

Now, insert your left needle into the front of the roving stitch and pull it over the knitted stitch. 

Pull the roving a little tighter and continue to knit until it's time to thrum again. I love how they look like perfectly knitted V's!

If you're confused - this video is a life saver.

See my interpretation of the pattern below:

Supplies
worsted weight 100% wool
US 7 DPNs
wool roving
darning needles
scrap yarn (for slipping thumb stitches onto)

CO 33 stitches evenly distributed among 3 needles
join in the round - be careful not to twist!

Section I: Cuff
K2, P1 rib for approximately 3"

Section I: Body
K one round
*K2, thrum* until end of round
K next four rounds
*thrum, K2* until end of round

Section II: Thumb
K next two rounds (your mitten should be approximately 4" long from the beginning)
K2, slip 9 stitches onto a piece of scrap thread using your darning needle, CO 9 new stitches using a backwards loop cast on method (this video will show you how in the first 2 minutes)
continue to knit until end of round

Section III: Body
K next round
*K1, thrum, K1* until end of round
K next four rounds
*K2, thrum* until end of round
K next four rounds
*thrum, K2* until end of round
K next four rounds
repeat bolded section until mitten is 9 1/2" from beginning

Section IV: Decrease
*K5, K2tog* until end of round
K
*K4, K2tog* until end of round
K
*K3, K2tog* until end of round
K
*K2, K2tog* until end of round
K
*K2tog* until end of round
break yarn and thread through what should be approximately 7 stitches using your darning needle. Pull tightly and pull end through the inside of the mitten.

Section V: Thumb
distribute your yarn evenly among the 9 thumb stitches.
K joining in the round
*K2, thrum* until end of round
K next to rounds
repeat bolded section until thumb is approximately 2" from base
*K, K2tog* until end of round
K next round
break yarn and thread through remaining stitches using your darning needle.

Now repeat the ENTIRE pattern again! I'm still new to pattern writing, so if you have any questions don't hesitate to drop me an email at grace.macneil0@gmail.com.

Happy thrumming!

INSPIRED // Things I like Thursday

{source}

Happy Thursday! Here a few things that made me happy this week.

One of my biggest struggles is taking photos of projects I complete. I have a fancy camera, so the photos should automatically be good right? WRONG. Elise Blaha gives some great tips for photographing babies (and pretty much anything) on her blog this week. Everything she does looks so flawless!

My Instagram was flooded with photos from the National Stationary Show that was held this week in NYC. My favorite is Emily McDowell. She and Amanda of Whit & Whistle make me want to design cards.

Since getting engaged recently (OMG, I know) I have this fantasy of knitting all of my bridesmaids sweet cardigans to wear over their dreamy mint green dresses at our perfectly mild fall wedding. But then I remembered I only like to knit in straight lines and hate counting. So enters THIS easy, light, lacy shawl. It's currently a work in progress - I'll keep you posted.

Do you think it would be appropriate to store both wine and yarn in this "wine rack" method of yarn storage?

I used to say "I'm not creative - I just like to draw". What a kooky thing to say! If you're feeling silly like that, this article in YES Magazine will have you thinking differently.

When I'm not knitting and watching British period dramas (re: Downton Abbey + Call the Midwife) I'm cooking, eating and reading my one and ONLY magazine subscription: Bon Appetit. It inspires me to cook great food and enjoy every second of the process. It also inspires me to travel to far away places and indulge in local cuisine. Interested? Check out this internet feature on where to eat and drink in Barcelona.

Have a great weekend!

INPIRED // crafty illustrations

How badly do I need this Sarah Burwash print for my (not yet existent) craft room? 

I almost purchased it at Inkwell during my last Halifax trip, but went with the very nautical Salty Dog instead (AJ had done some lobster fishing last summer, so it had to happen). And then during a summertime trip to Salty Rose's it was decided that we also needed to have Whales and this coral print. I'm in love with pretty much everything by this BC born, NS based artist. And when you live on an island, it only makes sense to fill your home with hip, nautical decor.  

PS: If you're ever in Ingonish in the summertime, make sure you stop by Satly Rose's. So, so lovely!

Hope your weekend is filled with lots of relaxing and hot drinks! Even though I have a lot of unpacking to do, tea and snuggles with this lunatic will be my primary focus this weekend. 

INSPIRED // giant knitting

{ 1 2 3 4 }

I am naturally drawn to bulky yarn and bigger needles. Is it because the bigger the yarn the quicker the project? Maybe. But mostly because I like all things cozy.

I'm interested in the challenge of working with large needles. I can only imagine that working with large straight needles would be physically demanding - imagine how heavy they are and awkward they would be to maneuver. Considering that, I found myself fawning over these US 50 25mm circular needles a few weeks ago.

But who can really just drop $40 on a pair of knitting needles on a random Sunday evening?

My other dilemma - where am I going to get the giant yarn?

The method shown in the first link above is very lovely, but it looks like a lot of work. I watched this tutorial on creating your own giant by chaining yarns together with a crochet hook. Clever! I love the natural, fuzzy fibers so, so much though. I know these natural fuzzy fibers do not come cheap, either. A giant blanket is likely going to be an expensive endeavor. This may all pay off though as you definitely will not be knitting for as long as you would a blanket made with regular sized yarn / needles. The blanket will also be nothing short of uh-MAZING.

I've come to the only real conclusion. I need a sheep. I would be able to shear it and spin my own fabulous giant wool (and then dye it with kool-aid) and my cattle dog can herd it around the yard. Win / win.

Have you ever considered raising live stock?

CROCHET // Happy Valentine's Day!

And happy quarter of a century birthday to ME! I whipped this up the other night for fun. Do you like the addition of the initials? Hehe. I thought AJ would take it to work and hang it on his bulletin board, but he never did. Weird. 

Here's the pattern. This was my first time doing "trebles". What an adventure! 

This is a fun, quick in between project. 

Sending extra love out on this special day! xo 

KNIT // brioche infinity scarf

In my sweet 18 months of knitting, I have made a lot of scarves. Some very long, many not long enough. Some have been too stiff, while others just hang too loose. Finding the perfect balance between warmth and loftiness + length has been an equation that has kept me up at night. It has been something that has led to many hours scouring raverly, pinterest and craftgawker. I was looking for something that looked like a rib - I love those little sideways V's - but something that wasn't a rib. Something different.

Finally, back in the fall I came across this pattern on raverly. For the love of bulky yarn, I swapped worsted weight for something heavier and the US 7 needles for US 13s. After a few cast ons and unraveling due to mistakes and missed yarn overs, I got the hang of it. And then my life was changed forever. 

The Brioche stitch is fun. It is not so complicated that you can't do it while you watch Netflix (thank GOD!). But it has enough yarning over and slip stitching to keep you interested.

The best quality of this scarf is that it falls really beautifully while wrapped around your neck. It is lofty and light. It will keep you warm when you're out walking in these winter months. But it's also light enough that you can wear it throughout your day as a hip neck accessory.

I've written out my version of the pattern below. It looks intimidating, but once you get going it is easy-peesy-lemon-squeezy.

Let's get knitting!

supplies:
2 skeins of Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick (in the very rich, Dark Burnt Orange)
US 15 straight needles
Darning needle
Scissors
Measuring tape

OR 

2 skeins of Loops & Thread Charisma (the one I am wearing in the photo is in "Taupe", so perfectly neutral - it goes with everything. The one I am beginning is in "Grass". )
US 13 straight needles

(you're going to have left over yarn for both)

abbreviations:
sl - slip stitch knit wise (slip needle into stitch as if to knit, but just slide it off your needle)
sl pw - slip stitch purl wise
k2tog - knit two together
yo - yarn over

cast on 15
*always slip the first stitch*
Row 1: sl 1, *yo, sl1pw, k* repeat * until end
Row 2: sl 1, k2tog, *yo, sl 1 pw, k2tog* repeat * until 1 stitch is left, k
Row 3: sl 1, *yo, sl 1 pw, k2tog* repeat until end

Repeat row 2 and 3 until scarf is approximately 55". Bind off and leave a long tail. Invisibly seam ends together using a mattress stitch and your darning needle.

Are you confused? This is a great tutorial video to show you exactly how it is done.

Now you can gift this luscious scarf to a loved one OR keep it for yourself. It's funny, I always make garments such as these with intentions to gift them or sell them in my imaginary Etsy shop. But somehow they always end up around my neck?

What is your favorite scarf stitch?