Here in the Pacific Northwest, the heat of August can sometimes linger well into September–as if our mountains, waterways, and forests aren’t quite ready to let go of summer. And yet, even as the days remain sunny, there’s a subtle shift in the air. Mornings are brisker, evenings are cooler, and the breeze off of Puget Sound starts to pick up . . . fall isn’t too far away!
As wool lovers, we’ve already been anticipating the cooler seasons ahead. Some of us have even been working on cozy projects all summer long so that they’re ready to wear as soon as the weather turns! Others have just begun to plan their autumn knitting, still in the process of choosing yarns and projects. Read on to see what our staff is making this season!
HAT'S ON TO FALL
Lisa thinks of autumn as 'hat-making season.' Each year, she makes a new one! She's currently working on a squishy Minimalist Hat in Shibui Haven and planning to give it some slouch for a casual, cozy look. Jenn's fall-knitting list also includes two cuddly hat projects: a Slouchy Basic Beanie in Wool and the Gang's Alpachino Merino (super easy and super quick in this chunky-weight yarn) and a Boyfriend Watch Cap in String Turin (warm and velvety soft!).
Lisa, wearing her husband's Boyfriend Watch Cap in Rowan Felted Tweed (doubled), likes to knit in a rocking chair in a shady corner of her yard.
Lauren and Freshy also have hats in mind for their fall knitting. Where Lauren's Fair Winds Beanie in Blue Sky Fibers Woolstok (possibly her favorite woolly yarn) has yet to be cast on, Freshy's ready to finish up her Thinking Cap. All that's left is for her to complete the top and then weave in the ends! She chose to knit her cap in Catherine Lowe's Merino 3—the gorgeous, even fabric seems to dress up the cap's easy-going flop.
Lauren is all set to begin her Fair Winds Beanie...
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CROCHET AWAY
Lauren admits she always has a hard time saying goodbye to summer sunshine. She's still working with warm-weather friendly yarns like Rowan Handknit Cotton, making little Oval Crocheted Pouches to hold sunglasses, pens, and pencils. Jenn, a new crocheter, is also trying her hook with those adorable, zippered bags. "I really want to make pouches in all the different sizes and colors!" she says.
It's super easy to make the Oval Crocheted Pouches in just the size & color you like. You can even add stripes!
Speaking of colorful crochet, Kit enjoyed trying out different combinations of new Brooklyn Tweed Tones Light for our updated Half Granny Square Shawl. Designer Freshy figured out how to make sure five shades of Tones Light are used fairly evenly throughout the shawl and yet show up in a playful, seemingly random sequence—a delight to crochet, even more fun to wear.
Kit & Freshy loved revisiting this fun, nostalgic free pattern.
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SWEATER WEATHER
The slow turn in the weather has us excited to pull out our favorite wool sweaters—and to finish up the ones we've got on our needles! Stella is in the midst of making a Quintessential Cardigan using Brooklyn Tweed's worsted-spun Arbor. She's finding it to be an easy, homey project, and "Arbor is just so springy and friendly!"
A friend checks in on Stella's WIPs—a Quintessential Cardigan and Bias 'Before & After' Scarf in Lang Linello!
Meanwhile, Alison took her very first cardigan project—Stria, by Andrea Mowry—to the beach this summer. She's just about ready to cast off, just in time for the fall weather. She chose to knit it in woolly classic Brooklyn Tweed Loft—reliably lightweight and cozy! Denise, another beach-goer, is using Loft's big sibling, Brookyn Tweed Shelter, in a hand-knit tribute to a hero—Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She's making a pair of baby sweaters (Ruth Baby Ginsburg featuring RBG's iconic lace collar in stranded colorwork) for her grand-niece and grand-daughter!
Alison enjoys the sun, sand, and a tubular cast-off at a local beach.
A spectacular view to accompany Denise's stranded colorwork project!
Carolyn is making great progress on a beautifully intricate cable sweater—Rhyllis, a pattern designed by Cheryl Toy and featured in 'Brooklyn Tweed: Homewear' and knit in Brooklyn Tweed Shelter. "It requires my undivided attention (and highlighter tape) on every row," she says. "And I'm having a blast!" For balance, Carolyn also has a Mohair Bias Loop using Shibui Silk Cloud at hand—a simple, go-to project that she's knit before. "My duo of knitting projects puts me in a balanced and happy place!"
Carolyn's learning new techniqes as she knits the Rhyllis Pullover!
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HOLIDAYS AHEAD
A few Mice are keen to get a nice, solid start on holiday knitting. Freshy has a Basic Christmas Stocking using Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Worsted in the works that she'd like to finish up ASAP. "I can then put it away in the holiday bin, forget about it, and then be pleasantly suprised to see it all ready to hang when the time comes!"
Jacqui began her holiday knitting while on vacation this month. Last winter, she knit a Cuffed Basic Beanie in faux-furry Sirdar Alpine. She says, "It's rather quick to knit, it doesn't need blocking, and I recieved compliments every time I wore it." That gave her the idea to knit two more to give her sisters this year—let's hope we're not giving away the surprise!
Lauren also had the ultra-fluffy Sirdar Alpine on her needles—briefly! She whipped up a Quick Faux Fur Cowl in only a few nights of knitting. "It's still a little too warm for it, but I'll be wearing this cowl as soon as we get our first frost."
Freshy has a nice start on the cuff of her Basic Christmas Stocking.
Jacqui checks in from her RV vacation—the Cuffed Basic Beanie is a great travel project, too!
The Quick Faux Fur Cowl might just be the coziest thing Lauren's ever knit.
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JOHN'S TEA CHOICE
John's always ready to tout the benefits of a good cup of tea! He writes, "For the entire month of July I was laid up at home recovering from a bit of knee surgery. Between pain pills, I sought solace with tea. These were the choices currently in our kitchen:
From left to right: in the orange box is the Red Nectar in bags from Smith Tea, a blend of rooibos and its botanical cousin, honeybush, which smooths out the slight but appealing bite of other redbush infusions. In the silver Churchmouse Tea Caddy, from our bulk tea selection, is China Black, a satisfying Yunnan that wins fans after they try it once. In an old Campbell's tea tin, I store bags of Organic Rooibos Redbush Tea. Rooibos is grown only in South Africa and is reputed to be very high in antioxidants—good for healing. Next is Yorkshire Gold in bags, a smooth and hearty English blend that's even better with a dollop of whole milk.
So what am I making?
China Black. You’ve heard me say it before. 'China Black. All day, every day.'" Thanks, John!