Yarn Test Kitchen – Puget Sound LYS Tour Special
Keeley Richardson
Founder and Chief Fiber Officer
Welcome back to The Woolpack Yarn Test Kitchen!
This latest post from the Yarn Test Kitchen is a little different. One of my favorite events on the PNW fiber calendar is the Puget Sound LYS Tour, it’s probably one of yours too. Back in May I set myself a challenge to find eight complete projects (patterns and yarn), to pass on to some of my yarny friends for a Woolpack YTK LYS Tour Special. As I toured, I shopped with friends in mind, thinking of colors, designs and textures that they would all enjoy.
In the spirit of the regular Yarn Test Kitchen, I tried to keep my purchase criteria to smaller one or two skein projects. There were so many wonderful patterns to choose from that it was exceptionally hard to narrow it down to just eight, but I am delighted to share with you what we made for our Puget Sound LYS Tour Special.
Our July Baked Treats:
I would love to be able to say that these delicious scones were baked with my own fair hands, however, that would be untrue. I returned from out of town travels the day before our get together to discover my oven had decided to go on strike. After a moment of panic, which elevated when I realized that our local bakeries are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, the British Pantry in Redmond came to mind. As a Brit in the USA, I am a regular customer of this store and whenever I need a taste of home it hits the spot. Two bags of frozen scones and a jar of clotted cream later I was all set for our sunny Tuesday morning show and share. I am happy to report that those scones went down a treat. Thank you, British Pantry!
Our July Yarns:
All of the beautiful yarns we sampled this month are the recommended pattern yarns and were purchased during the LYS Tour. Here is what we created:
Knitting Pattern from Stilly River Yarns, Stanwood
Yarn Tester: Keeley – Yarn: Juniper Moon Farms cotton Merino – Color Way: Bone – Pattern: Calculated Stars by Lindsey Spoor
Lindsey, the owner of Stilly River Yarns in Stanwood, is such an inspiration – store owner, fiber artist and sheep shearer, so I was delighted to knit her design for the LYS Tour Special. The Calculated Stars Cowl pattern was inspired by the book, the Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal and like the book, the pattern takes unexpected twists and turns but results in a rewarding project. First, a lace triangle is worked, followed by a switch to a garter stitch “boomerang shaped” section. Finally, a garter stitch square is knitted separately and sewn to join the cast on and cast off edges. The Cotton Merino yarn brings the softness making this a fun accessory. I am inspired to read the book now that I have completed the cowl.
Knitting Pattern from Strikke, Bothell
Yarn Tester: Caitlyn – Yarn: 29 Bridges Studio Go to Sock – Color Way: Little Miss Sunshine – Pattern: Sway by Rachel Kieselburg
Caitlyn in her own words: “I love knitting quick projects in between the larger slower things. Socks are the perfect choice!”
For Caitlyn these delightful socks are truly a one-skein wonder. She found the pattern to be well written, easy to follow, and the pattern repeat easy to memorize. Sway socks are constructed using an afterthought heel which means there is no need to break the rhythm of the textured pattern repeat to work the heel and gusset section, as this is all added once the sock tube is completed. If you read the Yarn Test Kitchen regularly you will know that Caitlyn is a huge fan of yellow, so this joyful yarn from 29 Bridges Studio brought her so much happiness.
Knitting Pattern from BTown Yarns, Burien
Yarn Tester: Stephanie – Yarn: Malabrigo Rios – Color Way: Magenta and Fog – Pattern: Farmers Market Hat by Lisa Ellis Designs
Stephanie in her own words: “One of the best things about being a part of the fiber community is the friendships made along the way and the depth of knowledge shared. Simply the best!”
Stephanie enjoyed this fabulous floral design so much! She felt it would make a great first color work project and being a fan of Malabrigo Rios, she thinks the color way possibilities are endless – something pastel and cute for spring, or autumnal hues, both would look adorable. This two-skein design is also great value – simply flip main and contrast colors and you will have enough yarn for a second hat! Make another one for your knitworthy bestie!
Knitting Pattern from Wild Fibers, Mount Vernon
Yarn Tester: Gail – Yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed – Pattern: Chroma Cozy by Brooke Jones
First of all, a confession; this is a three-skein pattern but it is included in the tour special because it’s a pattern that we have all fallen with and it’s easy to see why. Gorgeous colors, an easy to follow in the round pattern that results in a stylish accessory. As Gail says, “what’s not to love?” Can we also talk about the yarn? Brooke, the owner of Wild Fibers put together irresistible color combos of that perennial favorite Rowan Felted Tweed for her tour kits, and the one that Gail chose is especially fabulous. The aptly named Chroma Cozy is something Gail expects to get a lot of wear out of in the fall, and in the meantime, the rest of us will be casting on!
Knitting Pattern from Quintessential Knits, Duvall
Yarn Tester: Talia – Yarn: Studio Q Aqua Splash Collection (Fingering Weight) – Color Way: Winely and Natural – Pattern: Zig Zag Handwarmers by Judith Quinton
Talia in her own words: “I’ve been knitting for over ten years and just recently took the leap in to making the wardrobe of my dreams. I can usually be found reading, knitting or thinking about my next book or project. Every new project is an opportunity for me to unwind and make something that expresses my colorful personality. Even if it is something as simple as a scarf, I get excited to pick out the perfect color to bring my vision to life.”
Talia thinks this is a great first small circumference color work project. A simple color work cuff and one by one edging are just the right amount to practice the stranded color work technique on double points, a small circular needle, or using the magic loop method. The middle section, including the thumb, will give you time to relax with simple stockinette. The overall effect is rather lovely, and the fingering weight yarn means that these are great mitts for our milder PNW fall or spring climate. The two skeins of fingering weight yarn required for this project means that you will be able to make at least two pairs. Talia is currently working on her third!
Crochet Pattern from Fidalgo Yarns, Anacortes
Yarn Tester: Kristen – Yarn: Juniper Moon Farm Summer Solstice – Color Way: Midsummer and Sunset – Pattern: Darling Bucket Hat by Maggie Stiles
Kristen in her own words: ” I am a proudly bi-stitchual fiber artist who brings equal enthusiasm to both my knitting needles and hooks. A lifelong yarn lover, I have mastered the art of incorporating fiber in to every area of my life – at the very least, whether I am writing, teaching, acting, tickling the ivories, or hitting the trails, you’ll always find a project tucked in my pocket ready for those stolen moments of stitching bliss.”
As soon as Kristen was handed this cute project she grabbed the nearest crochet hook (correct size of course), and the hat began to take shape. a couple of hours later it was completed. That’s how compelling a project the Darling Bucket hat is! Two strands of the linen mix yarn are worked at the same time so you can choose to add your own touches to the design – stripes, color blocks or one solid color work perfectly. Kristen chose a dapple effect and then made a cute little flower to bring the seasonal happiness. We are getting serious vintage vibes from this design, but it will look great with any outfit.
Crochet project from The Knitters Studio, Bellevue
Yarn Tester: Yuki – Yarn: Sweet Georgia Yarns Tough Love Sock Mini Skeins – Color Ways: Lilac, Sage, Fern – Pattern: Medallion Necklace by the Knitters Studio
Yuki in her own words: “Color is my love language and I speak it through yarn, paint and ink. Freshly planted in Washington, I’m knitting, crocheting and painting my way through mossy dreams and botanical inspirations.”
Rene from the Knitters Studio put together the most adorable kits for this crochet yarn tour project and Yuki fell in love with this one. Like Yuki’s current creative inspiration this color way evokes the hues and shades found in our Washington Forests – truly beautiful! This is an easy to follow pattern – both written and charted instructions are given, and it would be a fun project for crochet beginners. Crochet circles are worked individually then sewn together; a crochet cord and clasp are added. This is a fun project that can be created in no time at all and worn all summer long.
Knitting Project from Sea Bre’s Yarn, Coupeville
Yarn Tester: Cindy – Yarn: Sandnes Garn Double Sunday – Color Ways: Dark chocolate and Gray Heather – Pattern: Sea Tangle Hat by BreAnna Havel
One of the many things that we shared during our get together was how we all felt that this year’s yarn tour patterns were accessible for knitters looking to add to their skillset. Cindy thought that the Sea Tangle Hat would be an excellent first cable project. The cable section is worked flat – the pattern is easy to follow and memorize. The cable section is joined in the round, then stitches are picked up and knit, followed by decreases to complete the crown of the hat. Cindy’s hat was knitted with two neutral tones, but a single color or a higher contrast would look great too. The “Sea Tangle”, in the pattern name refers to the seaweed found on the beaches near to Bre’s home on picturesque Whidbey Island. A beautiful name for a beautiful hat.
This was such a fun yarn test kitchen to put together. The Puget Sound LYS Tour always brings such inspiration. Next year’s tour is ten months away, but in the meantime you can find all of the information about this year’s patterns on the Puget Sound LYS Tour website with links to the relevant Ravelry pages. All tour projects are available for a minimum price and are a great way to support the many fabulous yarn stores we are lucky to have in our region. Now that summer is here, why not gather friends and do your own mini yarn tour? Keep an eye on this space for inspiration – Woolpack Day Tripper articles are coming soon.
Coming next month in the Yarn Test Kitchen: A fabulous new linen merino mix from Jadawoo Designs,
Yarn Test Kitchen
Your Monthly Yarn Review
One of my all time favorite knitting activities is a “show and share”, with friends – it’s a perfect way to seek ideas, gain inspiration and get helpful advice. This is the idea behind the yarn test kitchen – I hope our projects will have you reaching for your needles as we bring you our ideas on how to turn those neglected single skeins of yarn in to “One Skein Wonders”, and inspire you to try new yarns that are produced and sold across the Puget Sound Region.
Oh, and I’ll also be sharing monthly baking recommendations as we go. After all, who doesn’t love a slice of cake or baked good? Yum!
Happy reading!
Keeley