Bree- Redesigned

Bree
By Brittany Wilson

In 2009 I designed this fun hat with a bow, and in 2013 I decided to revamp it and make some improvements. It's knit in a new yarn, has better sizing information, and more shaping for a fun bow detail.

MATERIALS
Needles:
1 US #5/3.75mm 16” circular needles
1 set US #5/3.75mm double pointed needles

Notions:
- Tapestry needle
- 1 stitch marker

Yarn:
Fleece Artist Peter Rabbit [70% angora, 20% nylon, 10% wool; 275yd/251m per 50g skein] 1 skein; color: Stone

GAUGE
25 sts/28 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch

SIZING
Height: 7-8”
Width at Brim: 17.5-19”
To Fit Head Circumference: 20” (22)”

PATTERN NOTES
W&T- Use your preferred Wrap and Turn method. I like the Shadow Wrap technique shown on the Soctopus website: http://www.socktopus.co.uk/2011/02/short-rows-shadow-wraps/

Gowan Shawl

Gowan
By Brittany Wilson

Gowan is a yellow or white wildflower, like a dandelion or daisy, much like the eyelet mock-cable edging of this lightweight small shawl.

The shape of this shawl is designed to follow the natural contours of the body, increasing at a more rapid rate along the edge to create an arced shape. When blocking the shawl with wires and pins you can choose to make a half circle or arced crescent shape.

The pattern was written in hand spun merino/silk/seacell yarn, but any skein of fingering weight sock yarn would work perfectly.

The size is also easily customizable. Add in extra repeats of the lace/eyelet sections to create a larger size, or go up a needle size for an even lighter and airier fabric.

MATERIALS
Needles:
1 US #5/3.75mm 20-24” circular needles

Notions:
- Tapestry needle
- 1 stitch marker
- Lace blocking wires and pins

Yarn:
Hand Spun Fingering Weight Yarn.
440 yards, 3.5oz, 16-17 wraps per inch.

GAUGE
20 sts/35 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch
after blocking

SIZING
Height: 15.5” along center spine
Width: 38” from wingtip to wingtip

Hibernating

Things on the farm have been mellow and relaxed in the new year. We had a very busy holiday season with lots of family visits and food and we used the cold month of January to gather our thoughts and plan out what we hope to accomplish in 2013.

We've had a few sunny days and used that time to catch up on yard work. We've cleared the land where we hope to plant our garden, gathered up lots of branches we trimmed off trees and created burn piles and chipper piles. Brian has made trips to the dump with all sorts of random "farm junk" we've discovered in our cleaning. Once we get everything cleaned up it's going to be amazing, but I am really sick of clearing land. The last major cleaning project is cleaning the brush out of the irrigation canal before the water starts flowing again.

Brian has been busy playing with his new pottery wheel and planning where we hope to put our new (used) gas fired kiln. We've created a studio out in the shop and spend quite a bit of time playing out there. There has to be a fire running for a good 2 hours before I'm willing to go out there and work, but Brian seems a bit heartier than I and he goes out there almost daily.

The winter here has been incredibly strange. One day we'll have inches of snow, the next it will be sunny and 45 degrees out. We keep alternating between winter boots and rain boots. Bomber has been thoroughly enjoying his time outside, often wandering around by himself, and he seems to be thoroughly entertained by eating snow.
Bomber on December 8, 2012
I have been enjoying some alone time on the farm this January and have a stack of books about farming that I'm trying to get through. Every few weeks I have a new theme. Currently it's chickens. But I can't help but look up from my reading and being in awe of what is going on around me. The neighbors cows are calving, babies are running around everywhere, the sunsets and sunrises have been spectacular, and the birds continue to visit the feeders. Domino the owl appears to have a girlfriend (whom we've named Pepper) as we have a new owl that is very spooky and rarely leaves her nest. All night long the two of them call to each other. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to fall asleep without the hooting of owls if the ever leave.

Our first Robin visitor to the feeders

New Pattern: Libretto

Libretto
By Brittany Wilson





Libretto is the text used in musical work, and to me, the curves and subtle lines of this sweater really do sing. Tosca is a yarn that is full of texture without a complicated stitch pattern, so the slanted ribbing on the cowl/turtle neck, cuffs and an even more dramatic diagonal rib on the hem with a button closer add just enough extra to make a simple sweater more interesting.

This sweater is designed for the advanced beginner. It is worked seamlessly from the top down. You will use a provisional cast on so the collar can be knit later. The hem is knit onto the body at a diagonal once the body is complete.

MATERIALS
Needles:
1 US #13/9mm 20-24” circular needles
1 US #11/8mm 20-24” circular needle
1 Set US #11/8mm double pointed needles

Notions:
- 5 stitch markers, 1 distinguished from the rest to mark the beginning of the round.
- Tapestry needle
- Scrap yarn for provisional cast on and holding stitches
- 2 buttons and thread

Yarn:
Fleece Artist Tosca [96% merino, 4% nylon; 147yd/135m per 200g skein] 3(4, 4, 5, 5, 6) skeins; color: Artichoke

GAUGE
10 sts/16 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch on larger needles before blocking

SIZING
XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL)
Bust Size: 28/30 (32/34, 36/38, 40/42, 44/46, 48/50)