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Home Again

March 14, 2016, 5:44 pm
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The flight home couldn't have gone any smoother. We touched down at 5:15 and I was in the house at 6:40. And that included a stop at Tim's for a tea.

Beth texted me this picture late last night.
She knit one of the new bear scarf kits. She wanted easy knitting while I was away. We'll put it together properly in the store tomorrow. She doesn't believe in sewing things.

I can't wait to get to the store tomorrow to see the Cocoknits accessories. The big question - what colour of Knitter's Keep do I want?




Now I need to catch up on TV that I missed while away. And knit. It doesn't happen often but there are days when I don't feel like knitting. Right now it's the opposite. I want to knit all night long. Who needs sleep?
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Crazy times two

March 15, 2016, 9:29 am
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While I was away a box arrived with more colours of Zauberball Crazy ...

 

... and one more colour of Zauberball 100.

Here is my finished scarf (before blocking). I used one ball of Zauberball 100. If you want it to be a shawl then I would suggest two balls. You can purchase the pattern on Ravelry - Crazy Magic Boomerang...
 The yarn was very nice to knit with.




It's time to start thinking about spring/summer knitting. Here are a few pattern suggestions for Louisa Harding Noema.
This exceptionally pretty yarn is a subtle mix of Cotton, Acrylic and Polyamide, it is very versatile, perfect for simple stocking stitch or knitted textures using open stitch.
There is a pattern book and leaflets for Noema. The book and many leaflets are available in the store. You can also purchase the leaflets on Ravelry...
Now it's rearranging time in the store.
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Knitters Frolic

March 16, 2016, 4:40 pm
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Wannietta is knitting with Debbie Bliss' new Rialto Luxury Sock. The minute I saw the yarn I thought ZickZack.
She cast on 72 stitches so that it will be longer and not as wide. I know that she is a very fast knitter but I want her to knit faster. Hurry Wannietta. I want to see this in person.


Have you considered taking a class at the Knitters Frolic?

Workshops are being offered on Saturday and Sunday.
Fiona has used slip-stitch to add interest to many of her designs. It is one of her favorite methods for adding a hit of colour and / or texture. In this class you will learn some of the possibilities this technique can offer, and discuss how and where to use them effectively.

The Amazing Slip Stitch Illusion with Fiona Ellis

Japanese Stitch Patterns and Advanced Lace

Students will learn the Japanese stitches used in Cartouche cowl, cabling without a cable needle, and leave with the beginning of a DK weight cowl featuring Japanese stitch patterns.

The Cartouche Cowl with Janelle Martin

Learn some of the history of the Orenburg knitters’ distinctive shawls, and begin to explore the basic stitches that make up the Orenburg tool-kit, including some of the techniques and styles that contrast Orenburg lace from other northern European lace knitting.

Basic Orenburg stitches with Katherine Matthews

See all the workshops...

It's almost Survivor time. I didn't see last weeks episode because I was flying. Beth told me the drama and I can't wait to see the shake up tonight.
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Bella Lino

March 17, 2016, 11:00 am
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Ms. Canada Post brought in a box from Lynda this morning.
Pattern: ZickZack (free on Ravelry)
Yarn: Mille Colori Baby

We used 2 balls of 56 and 2 balls of 51. The pattern asks for 96 stitches but we did 72 to make it longer.
An impressive yet easy to knit scarf in the style of a great Italian designer.
The chevrons are worked with single increases and decreases – no knots in your fingers trying to knit complicated double decreases and no double increases where the stitches get tight and hard to work with…
Every colorway of Bella Lino is dyed on a natural linen base, so any two colors used together in this double stranded project will blend organically, resulting in unique and subtle stripes. Customize the size, from a simple scarf to an oversized wrap, to create a piece that best works your wardrobe.
The Drop Stitch Wrap pattern is free in Classic Elite's Web-Letter.
58% Linen, 26% Viscose, 16% Cotton
5-5½ sts/inch on US 4-5 (3.5-3.75 mm) needle
150m (164 yards)/50 gram ball
hand wash cool, dry flat
17 striping shades
Beth's scarf is finished and it is way too cute.

Lynda also finished this really adorable baby sweater.

Pattern: Baby Tea Leaves (pattern purchased on Ravelry)
Yarn: 3 balls of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino Tonals
Size: 12-18 months
Now it's time to put the TV on. March Madness has started.
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Spring

March 18, 2016, 6:06 pm
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Today has been all about spring cleaning and rearranging. We are redoing the lace area (inside the front door) which started with Beth and I going to Ikea this morning and buying shelves.
Lynn and Beth spent the afternoon playing with power tools.


Ginga, a new yarn from Noro, is in the store.

40% cotton
30% silk
15% wool
15% polyamide

100m on a 100gram ball.
From the Japanese meaning ‘galaxy’ or ‘Milky Way’ (銀河). This blended yarn captures the imagination with elements of glimmering silk and tonal wools. Shades range from dark and stormy to bright and spirited. On 6.5mm – 8.00mm needles this chunky yarn is bound to transport you out of this world.

This yarn is screaming GAP-Tastic to me.


The new shelves have been changed up a bit to look like this. Tomorrow we might change them again but it's home time now.





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Customer's Projects

March 19, 2016, 7:49 pm
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Today's blog post was easy - Sara brought in some projects this morning to show off.
Pattern: Atalaya (purchased on Ravelry) by Laura Aylor
She knit the larger shawl in tosh vintage - 2 skeins each of Fallen Cloud, Coquette and Fog.
I wanted to knit this shawl when I first saw the pattern and now I really want to make it.
ZickZack fresh off the needles.

Then an email came from Candice to show how her latest project was knitting up. The yarn was shipped to her last week and her fingers have been busy. It looks amazing so I asked if I could share.
It's a baby blanket called 'Cuddle' from Mags Kandis' book " Wee Knits, Too". An oldie but a goldie. The Spud and Chloe 'Sweater' is perfect for baby blankets.
I wanted to share how beautiful Spud & Chloe Sweater looks when it is knit up. Unfortunately the pattern is discontinued. Hopefully we will see it soon on Ravelry or Patternfish.

I couldn't keep my eyes open after work so I had a nice long nap. Now some knitting and House of Cards.
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Boomerang

March 21, 2016, 6:59 pm
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I did a bit of blocking yesterday afternoon. The boomerang is finished and it is a great size for a scarf. If you want it bigger then you keep working pattern repeats.


Pattern: Crazy Magic Boomerang (purchased on Ravelry)
Yarn: 1 ball of Zauberball 100 - colour 1699




Pattern: 3 Color Cashmere Cowl from Joji (pattern purchased on Ravelry)
Yarn: One String Quintet kit from Lorna's Laces - I used Tuba


The box from Fiberstory finally arrived and the new colours of Fave sock are calling me.
A 100% SUPERWASH merino, springy 2 ply with a tight twist and the look of a cabled yarn.  
Perfect for a comfy pair of socks or any other project calling for a fingering weight yarn!
There are 366m (400yards) on a 100gram skein.

We have been in our house for almost a year so I decided it was time to set up my sewing room. I got out some fabric tonight and played with a quilt idea. The thought was right but my numbers were off. Tomorrow night I'll try again. 10pm isn't a good time to be thinking numbers and trying to add fractions and make it all work.
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Rearranging again

March 22, 2016, 6:12 pm
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We're doing more rearranging in the store so Beth went to IKEA this afternoon to pick up more shelving. We've fallen in love with Billy.

Lynn has been having fun playing with power tools.
I just finished a baby cardigan.
Pattern: In Threes (purchased on Ravelry)
Yarn: 2 balls of Sublime Evie
Size: 0-6 months
Evie is made for Sublime in Italy using the finest Mako cotton. They selected a palette of fresh, punchy shades and classic neutrals that work wonderfully on their own as well as in the most stunning colourwork pieces. The lightweight nature of Sublime Evie means that it is perfect for layering on those cooler Summer days.
94% cotton, 6% nylon
115m on a 50gram ball
18 stitches = 4" on 5mm needles

There is a pattern book for Evie as well...


The worsted room has a new look and there are more Billy book cases in Beth's truck to be put together. I think we're going to work on the front room tomorrow.

New colours of Mille Colori Baby arrived this afternoon. I'm a bit obsessed with the yarn right now. There are new colour combinations for ZickZack swimming in my head.
 150
151
153

Beth and I went out front about half and hour ago and there was orange flashing in an upstairs window of the house under construction across the street. The smoke detector was going off and boy was it loud. Beth had her cell and called 911. As she was talking with the officer we realized it wasn't a fire but the officer said that a truck needed to come out. The truck arrived with the lights flashing and the two firefighters went in. Not a fire but extremely high levels of carbon monoxide. The firefighter came over and said it was a good thing we called.

After all that excitement it's time to sit with a tea and knit. I'm going to watch the new show Criminal Minds Beyond Borders and see how it is.
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Billy is my new friend

March 23, 2016, 6:11 pm
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We did more rearranging today. The front room has a new look. Billy is our new best friend. I'm going to head to Ikea next week to get Billy shelves for my sewing room.



Speaking of my sewing room, I started on my quilt after work. I don't really have a pattern. I'm using a free pattern from Amy Butler as a guide. I have a rather large collection of purple batiks. I think that there is enough to make the king size quilt that I want. In my head I see the quilt grading from very dark to very light. We'll see how this works.
The weather outside is not nice. A lot of freezing rain is coming down right now. I hope to be in the store at 10am but if it keeps up I might be a bit later.

Now it's time to watch Survivor and work on my knitting.
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Tough Love Sock

March 24, 2016, 11:38 am
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My day in the store started later than normal this morning. We had quite a bit of freezing rain over night. The trees look beautiful but the roads didn't.
The crackling noise is very loud outside of the store right now.
A shipment is on the way from SweetGeorgia with lots of Tough Love Sock. There are four new spring colours coming. Right now the shipment is scheduled to arrive on Tuesday afternoon.
A perfect blend of warmth and strength to make a hardwearing sock yarn that can stand up to your affection and abuse. Tough Love Sock is our best-selling yarn and knits up beautifully into fine-gauge sweaters, small shawls, as well as socks! Spun from 80% superwash and super soft merino and 20% nylon, this 3-ply yarn is so versatile — knit it firmly for hard wearing socks, knit it loosely for drapey shawls, or knit it doubled for a great worsted weight substitute. Suggested gauge for sock knitting: US 0-1 (2-2.25mm) | 8 sts/1″
80% superwash merino wool, 20% nylon 425 yards / 388m
Here are some suggestions for Tough Love Sock
Finsbury
With delicate leaves of lace and texture, this infinity scarf is a gorgeous display of elegance and colour. Whether worn long for style or doubled up for warmth, you’ll love the lightweight feel and casual sophistication.
yarn: 1 skein SweetGeorgia Yarns Tough Love Sock
needles: Size 6 US / 4 mm needles, circular or straight
Purchase the pattern on Ravelry...

Prismatic
With lace sprinkled across the fabric like a prism of colour, these playful socks are the perfect small-project to knit. Hints of twisted stitches and a fun stitch pattern allow our Bulletproof Sock yarn to shine. 
yarn: 1 skein SweetGeorgia Yarns Tough Love Sock
needles: Size 1 US / 2.25 mm circular needles, 32″ / 80 cm for magic loop
Purchase the pattern on Ravelry...


Lagom
The colours from the Party of Five set gradually, and beautifully, create a gradient that is both rich and subtle. Textural stitches enhance the effect while promising a knit that is luscious in its squishy, lightweight comfort. 
yarn: 1 skein SweetGeorgia Yarns Tough Love Sock in Birch (MC) (425 yd / 385 m per 4 oz / 115 g skein; 80% Superwash Merino, 20% Nylon)
5 mini skeins SweetGeorgia Yarns Tough Love Sock in Swell (CC) (1 set of Party of Five, ~525 yd / 480 m per bag; 80% Superwash Merino, 20% Nylon) 
needles: Size 4 US / 3.5 mm circular needles, 24″ / 60 cm long
Purchase the pattern on Ravelry...

My post for the day is done early and now it's time to add to the website. The new shawl pins from JUL need to go up.
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Good Friday

March 25, 2016, 4:47 pm
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I hope everyone had a Good Friday. My afternoon has been spent quilting. My big decision for the day - do I keep quilting or knit tonight?

The Fiberstory order that arrived earlier this week included Gradient Kits. I forgot how nice the colours are.


This pattern is called the Crosshatch Cowl (a free pattern) from The Purl Bee.

Sarah (the creator of the kits) made the following modifications to the pattern to work with the gradient kits.
In order to use the gradient kit most effectively, I used the following modifications:
Cast on 372 sts with darkest color in gradient. (would obviously work starting with the lightest color, as well!
color 1: Work 5 rounds in pattern
colors 2-6: Work 6 rounds.
color 7: Work 5 rounds.
Bind off in pattern.
The cast on and bind off rows are counted as the 6th round for the lightest and darkest colors, making each band of color approximately 6 rows wide.
Sarah used an 8mm needle.

A few minutes of work (making signs for the shelves in the store because we moved yarn around) and then it's time to relax.
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What we're working on

March 26, 2016, 7:06 pm
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My ZickZack is growing. I want need to get it finished so that I can start another one.

Lynn has a new project. She has been raving about the pattern, the yarn and the needles.
Pattern: Mingus by Cookie A (purchased on Ravelry)
Yarn: tosh twist light in prairie fire
Needles: Knitters Pride Karbonz
These socks are worked in the round from the top down and feature lace and twisted stitches.
 These are Cookie's original socks.

I need to finish my post because it's time to do my Easter baking.

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Rasta

March 28, 2016, 6:12 pm
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I hope everyone had a Happy Easter. We had family dinner in Burlington and it was great.

New colours of Rasta arrived today. You might be thinking that it's the end of March and you don't need super bulky yarn but it was really cold out there today. And if you look at the long range forecast we could see snow on the weekend.
886 Diana
A lightly-fulled single-ply yarn of magnum proportions! Whip out a super-cozy accessory in just hours with this super-sized delight of a yarn. Our premium Uruguayan merino is just as soft as ever, and Rasta comes in a range of our unique “watercolor multi” colorways as well as a rainbow of semi-solid basics. Unbelievably squishy, this is the yarn to turn to when you want the ultimate in warmth (or the ultimate in speed!)
133 Reflecting Pool
 005 Aniversario
136 Sabiduria
035 Frank Ochre
849 Sombras

One skein will make a simple cowl. I love this yarn because you can make something really, really fast. There are times in the middle of a complicated or slow project that you want some instant gratification. Rasta is the perfect yarn for that.

This was sent to me today. Thanks Dalia. Words to live by :)
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Crazy Scarf

March 29, 2016, 7:19 pm
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Beth dropped by the store last week and saw the Zauberball Crazy. She had to knit with it. But it's sock yarn and she doesn't like thin needles. I came up with a scarf pattern for her. 3.5mm needles. Cast on 100 stitches. Join in the round. Knit 2 rows of one colour then 2 rows of the second colour. Keep going until you run out. It will be a double sided scarf which is okay with her. She doesn't have to purl and there isn't a wrong side.

No, the picture wasn't taken here. She flew to Myrtle Beach on Friday to spend some time with my parents.

The dogs and I have moved in to my parents while she is away. We have a small problem at our house - coyotes. Beth saw them walking in the field one Saturday morning. And you can hear them at night. Right now the fence around our yard is temporary. We are afraid that if the dogs hear the coyotes then they will try and find them. With two people it isn't bad but I don't want to have any problems by myself.

The move took a lot. Knitting. Sewing machine. Fabric. Clothes. Shoes. Dog food. Food for me because my parents have been away for a bit so there isn't anything in their house..... I'm not looking forward to pack and move back tomorrow. Going on a trip takes less work to get ready.

Two boxes came today from SweetGeorgia.
These are the four new colours of Tough Love Sock for spring. Celery, Passionfruit, Apricot and Lilac. They remind me of Easter Eggs. It was very hard but I didn't not take any of the Lilac home.

Some time was spent today on the website. The Gradient kits from Fiberstory are now available online. While I was doing this, I made a special section on the website for the mini skeins.

The dogs and I had a long nap after work. It seemed like a good idea at the time but I'm afraid we'll be up all night now. Oh well. Lots of knitting.
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Azalea

March 31, 2016, 1:00 pm
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The plan was to write a post last night but the afternoon/evening got away from me. I had a meeting, then chiropractor, then back to my parents to do laundry and pack up. I was tired by the time Beth got home and we moved everything back to our house. The dogs were very excited to see her.

We have new colours of Azalea from Louisa Harding.

100% Cotton
240 m on a 100gram ball
22 stitches = 4" on 4mm needles

$19.95 a ball.

Louisa Harding has a pattern book for the yarn plus there are designs available for purchase on Ravelry.
Marigold - purchase the pattern on Ravelry...

Thyme - purchase the pattern on Ravelry...

Another idea (which I've seen knit up and it is beautiful) is the Easy Fold Poncho from Churchmouse. 

I don't have a picture of the Azalea poncho but it hangs beautifully like this one. Perfect for summer evenings when you need something light to through on.

4 balls is more than enough to make the poncho.


Cathy and Lynn are busy counting and reorganizing the tosh merino light. We need room because a shipment is coming at the end of April with 100 skeins of One of a Kinds. These could be skeins where the colours didn't turn out exactly like they were supposed to. Maybe whiskey barrel that ended up with purple in it (one could only hope). Or they could be skeins where madelinetosh was trying new colours. We won't know what they look like until they arrive but I have a feeling that they will be awesome. If they arrive in time we will be bringing them to the Frolic.


Now it's back to the website. Lynn and Cathy are making their way through all the madelinetosh to make sure that our numbers are correct.
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Website

April 1, 2016, 5:26 pm
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Something exciting happened last night. OK, exciting for me but probably not for you. Korey, my web guy, figured out and implemented a way for me to add shade cards to the website. In the past I would send him links and when he had time the shade cards would be added. They didn't always happen fast enough for me. Now I can add a yarn and shade cards at the same time.

I was playing at 2am with this and have been working on it all day today. Many yarns have been updated.

This means that I didn't get my scarf finished today. I'm so close. Hopefully tonight so that Lynn can sew the ends in tomorrow :)
 

The dogs went to the salon yesterday and are ready for summer.
I've spent enough time on the computer today so I'm going to hit Publish and pick up my needles.
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It's snowing

April 2, 2016, 6:02 pm
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Beth sent a text with this picture earlier today. Is it April?
ZickZack is finished with the ends sewn in.
The Wild Grape Tendril Shawl Pin from JUL.
My next project? Beth started a cowl a few weeks ago and has decided that she doesn't want to work on it anymore. Yup. I get to finish it.
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Knitting Sunday

April 3, 2016, 4:00 pm
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April is here which means that our spring hours have started.

Tuesday - Thursday 10-5:30
Friday noon-7
Saturday 10-4
Sunday closed
Monday closed

Today was spent knitting and watching TV. Golf. Nascar. Blue Jays. I really need a TV remote that is voice activated. They I don't have to put down my knitting to change the channel.
I'm almost finished Beth's unfinished cowl. It is the Sanibel Cowl (free from Classic Elite) knit in 2 balls of Santorini.

Beth is working away on her Crazy Zauberball scarf. She's already planning her next one. There was a request for me to bring home different colours for her to choose from.

The snow is coming down and is supposed to continue all night - 10-20cm possible. YUCK. I'm glad that my plans for this evening were to continue knitting. :)
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Manos del Uruguay

April 4, 2016, 5:06 pm
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I didn't 'work' today but I spent a lot of time in the store. I was there by 9am to start packing mail orders. After two hours of mailing and working on the website I went to spend some time with the dogs. Then back to the store to meet Canada Post. There are going to be some happy knitters in the next few days.

What else happened today?

I ordered new sock yarn.
This collection offers a variety of choices for each and every sweet fanatic. Sweet fruit nougat, sour fruit gums or spicy black cumin, these eight breathtaking colors, there is no way you could miss a flavor.
Sweet & Spicy 3 should be arriving mid-April. I can't wait. The colours are awesome.

Marina from Manos del Uruguay is now on the website. This great shawl is knit in Marina and the pattern is free.
Marina’s softness and drape feel wonderful next to the skin in scarves or shawls. It comes in tonal and space-dyed colorways and is made of superwash merino, which gives the colors beautiful depth.
I started to add Manos Alegria to the website. More will be added over the next few days.
Sock yarn from Manos!  Alegria is an easy-care blend of ultra-soft superwash merino with durable polyamide.  Its “hand” is remarkably soft and resilient, and the bright, playful colorways would make exciting baby projects as well as socks.
Fiber Content
75% superwash merino, 25% polyamide
Yardage
approx. 445 yds / 425 mts per 3.5 oz / 100g
Some interesting information about Manos.
The Manos Cooperatives were founded in 1968, begun by five women whose goal was to develop economic opportunities for women in a country where there were, and are still, few opportunities for work.
Read more about the work they do and the benefits they provide to their country.

It's been another day where I have spent way too much typing. I'm going to sign off now. The Jays are playing and need my undivided attention.
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The Miller's Daughter

April 5, 2016, 4:40 pm
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Diana came by the store this afternoon with a new sample for us. I'm in love. I'm going to a charity dinner tomorrow night and this could be what I wear.
Pattern: The Miller's Daughter (purchased on Ravelry)
Yarn: Mrs. Crosby Reticule
From the designer, Melanie Berg
We’ve spent our summer vacation in 2015 at an old mill - a beautiful, wondrous place, filled with all kinds of animals, flowers and adventures for the kids to discover.

So while they were busy revealing secrets, playing in the barn and roasting marshmallows at the campfire, I had a lot of time to sit and knit.

It was easy to feel like the miller’s daughter - sitting in the shadows under trees in bloom, watching the cats, listening to the repetitive sound of the mill-wheel and letting the knitting needles do their magic.

So when I was all done with my work, when all stitches were bound off and the shawl was ready to take its first bath, it was perfectly clear to me that only one name would be the right one:

The Miller’s Daughter.
Yardage from the pattern

Colour A - 93 g / 610 yds [558 m] used for sample
Colour B - 95 g / 623 yds [570 m] used for sample
Colour C - 6 g / 40 yds [36 m] used for sample
The shawl calls for 3 colours so that's what we used. The denim colour was only used for a few rows and there is almost a full ball left over. You can add in more rows of the contrast if you want to use more of the skein.
I have an idea going on in my head to use the leftovers. Unfortunately I wasn't smart enough to bring them home with me.
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