Entrelac Knitting

I have completed this cowl for a friend's birthday next month using the Entrelac knitting style.  The yarn is a new DK Indiecita colour (code 7757 deep blue) by Alpacayarns.co.nz . If you haven't seen their yarn range - check out their website.
To learn how to knit this technique, google "Entrelac Knitting".  There are several " you tube" videos and other sites that offer a free pattern.  Some I notice use six stitches in each block.  I have used eight.

 

Yesterday one of our regular customers who is a beautiful knitter showed us this shawl (below) she has just completed for a friend's birthday (lucky friend).  I happened to have my mobile in my pocket and with her permission photographed it.  Its made from two ply hand dyed yarn. She came in with it rapped in the towel she had blocked it on.  If you can, scroll into the photograph for detail of the lace work - you'll see how perfect her stitches are.



 

Its great when people bring their work into the shop - its like a "show en tell every day."

Four sided Kaleidoscope class - Coastal Quilters

Wow I had fun on Saturday in the Technology block at Plimmerton School with members of Coastal Quilters. Great class and relaxed atmosphere.
Check out these photographs.

To create more spin these blocks were
cut into triangles. 

These look far better on point and blocks will "pop" when surrounded by a
solid colour.



To reduce the strong red strip from over
powering this delicate print squares
were then sub-cut into triangles
thus reducing the strong red strip
and enhancing the elegant flowers.

 By double pinning the center seams (June Nixey tip) before sewing - each student had perfect seams.

Lee Ann Newton - Pinestream Quilting Club

Thursday last week we had the pleasure of hearing Lee Anne Newton talk about her stunning quilts and we were encourage to touch them.  They were breath taking and inspiring.
I do encourage you to visit her blog  lee-annnewton.blogspot.co.nz to read the stories behind these stunning pieces.

Happy stitching

Entrelac Knitting

This style of knitting is really cool and I have purchased patterns from both Knittingdaily.com and Craftsy knitting site.  Both were for scarfs.  I prefer to wear cowls at work as they do not get in the way.

My first trial cowl is made with a gorgeous hand dyed Malabrigo  merino (12ply) from Holland Yarns in Petone (NZ).  I have knitted it length wise with the ends stitched together.   Its colourful and cosy to wear.  It was a little baggy so I have folded it over and stitched on a button.

My second cowl is knitted in  Indiecita baby alpaca DK yarn.  Using a solid colour definitely enhances the knitting pattern.

This time I knitted the cowl width wise.  Entrelac knitting works in blocks of eight stitches so I cast on 96 stitches.  This gave me one firm and one loose edge which enables me to wear this cowl in several different ways.







firm edge on the top of this cowl - loose edge at bottom.

Firm edge is on my shoulders - loose edge around my throat opening to the center.



Firm edge on my shoulders - loose edge around
 my throat opening to one side.

Loose edge on my shoulders with firm
 edge around my throat.

 
   

close up of the Entrelac knitting.

I'm about to start my third piece for a friend.  This time the cowl will be a little longer with button holes.  I will knit it length wise.  Will post when its finished.

Happy stitching friends.