Dolly

April 17, 2021

Hello friends! I have been so happy this week. First, taxes are done, out the door, finished--big relief. Second, I am fully vaccinated and my entire family is either fully or almost fully vaccinated. We are planning a reunion in June and I'm floating on air. When I got my second injection, I came home and actually felt like crying I was so relieved. But instead we finished our taxes and then I collapsed on the sofa and thought, what a good good day. 

Also, the roses are starting to bloom and I've finished all four of my test knits that I was working on simultaneously (and then I signed up for two more) and this one, Dolly, is published and I can share it.  




Cutest buttons ever. I think they are Czechoslovakian.




Dolly. Big sigh. This was a pleasant knit all around and designed by one of my favorite designers, Libby Jonson of Truly Mrytle. She runs the loveliest of test groups that I've ever been involved in. Test knitting an unpublished pattern can sometimes be confusing, but encouragement and compliments overflow in a good test group and this group was fabulous. Libby is hosting a knitalong with this pattern and I know it will be fun and helpful. There is one tricky stitch in particular that will need some concentration, but there is a video for it and you'll end up sailing though. The pattern's colorwork uses the mosaic technique. Please note that when you purchase the pattern prior to April 30, you'll receive a mini-pattern that includes sizes, yarn and yardage information, and everything else you need to get started, then at the end of the month you'll automatically receive the full pattern. In that way everyone can be ready with yarn and needles when the KAL officially starts. 


My main yarn is Tukuwool Fingering purchased in Finland two years ago. I always buy yarn souvenirs when I travel and when a knitter visits Finland, Tukuwool is the way to go. In Helsinki we popped into Snurre, a breathtakingly beautiful yarn shop that had a wall of Tukuwool. If you ever visit Helsinki, please plan to stop here. I feel it's a must for any knitter. My husband has no interest in yarn, but we stayed an entire hour; I think he was happy to rest his feet. The yarn comes from Finnish breeds, is strong and rustic, wooly with some muscle, and even primitive. I loved the knitting experience, and while the yarn softened and bloomed after a bath, it is not next-to-the-skin soft to me, but I don't require all my yarn to be super soft. A cardigan (with a tee underneath) is beautiful in this yarn and I've been wearing it every day in my chilly home. Thumbs up on Tukuwool.


Dolly pattern by Libby Jonson and KAL information

My Dolly project page

Tukuwool at Snurre in Finland. Tukuwool at Wooley Thistle in the USA


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8 Comments

  1. Just darling, love a cardigan!
    M. Sullivan

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    Replies
    1. Hi Margie! Me too! Can't wait until we start having regular summer activities like Farmer's Market, First Fridays and even dinner parties!

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  2. Just darling, love a cardigan!
    M. Sullivan

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  3. Hello again, It's Victoria from Australia again. My 5 year old grandson has developed an alergy to wool. Dreadful. I have just finished knitting him a cotton sweater. Do you have any sites that have lovely cotton yarn? Of course I can buy coton yarn in Australia, but it is rather limited. You may know of an Austalian web site specialising in cotton yarn. Or there must be a website in the USA selling 8ply cotton yarn. God bless you, from Victoria from Australia.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Victoria. I hope you come back here for your answer because Blogger doesn't provide me with your email address. YES! There are many beautiful alternatives to wool. I love (and so does my grandson) Softyak DK. It is cotton with a little bit of yak fiber and people that are allergic to wool say this is a wonderful alternative. I also love Cotton Cashmere, but it has a tiny bit of cashmere if that would be a problem. Summerlite DK and 4 ply are 100% cotton and easy on the hands and makes a gorgeous fabric. Handknit Cotton is positively divine and so easy to knit and wear. Creative Linen is 50/50 cotton/linen and not as smooth to knit as the others, but I still like it very much. All above are made by Rowan, highly recommended, can be machine washed and great for children and adults. Three are well priced and two are value priced. I also love Berroco Modern Cotton. I think I'm going to do a post just on cotton summer yarns because I love cotton sweaters so much. I don't know of any shops in Australia but I'm sure many of them must sell Rowan. I think you can find all these yarns online, but may have to pay a little more for shipping. Good luck. I'll get a post going about this and have website links, etc.

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  4. Really lovely sweater! I may cut my mosaic colorwork teeth on this pattern since it is a relatively small amount of the sweater. Snurre. Love the mental sound of this name (so cute!) in my head even though I have no idea how to pronounce it. Did you pick up a copy of Laine while you were there, Kristen? Pricey! But I've heard it is quite beautiful. Chloe

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, Snurre, just the word itself makes me smile. I had to get Sneer out of my head! If you have never knit mosaic I think joining the KAL would be helpful if you are a joiner. You can be as quiet or as talky as you want. I'm quiet as a mouse during most KALs and test knits, but I love the people who are chatty. There is a stitch or two that will require a bit of handholding, but like I said above, there are tutorials and everyone is so helpful.

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  5. Hi there, not sure if you are aware but Libby is the co-creator of one of the biggest anti-vaccination/covid denying/misinformation group currently operating in New Zealand, Voices for Freedom. It seems you would not support these values judging by your blog post. Libby has worked very hard to make sure her misinformation business does not become public knowledge within her knitting business, but I believe you should be fully educated about where your money is going and what you may be unknowingly supporting.

    ReplyDelete

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