What's our mannequin wearing?

Well she's getting so excited for the Berroco Trunk Show that's coming up (October 6th from 1pm-5pm) that she broke out her new Berroco Hillside Cardigan. This smart looking v-neck is worked in reverse stockinette and fastens with a single over-sized button. To spice it up, she's thrown on the Elsa Lace Scarf, and has creatively fashioned it into a tiny cowl, or necklace.

Sweater: Hillside Sweater in Berroco Book #324 Boboli, Borealis, & Boboli Quick made with Berroco Boboli Quick Yarn

Button: Find a fun one here! We would chose the Coco Square (1 & 3/8") 

Scarf: Elsa Lace Scarf in the Stacy Charles Knitscape Pattern Booklet knit with Stacy Charles Crystal Yarn

Show and Tell

Michele has been working on two vests for her sons. The pattern is the Marco vest pattern in the Debbie Bliss Rialto pattern booklet. These are just beautiful, and if you haven't knit with this yarn, you may just want to give it a try! It's 100% extra fine merino wool that is machine washable. It's got such a lovely hand, and as you can see, it's great for cables! Don't they look super?

She's also working on another fun project where she is knitting Wope. It's "Wope" with a "W", and it stands for Woolen Rope. It's woolen jute based cord and is commonly used for making ottomans and rugs. Michele is making the "Le Poef Wope Ottoman" which is a free pattern here.

It looks small in the picture, but it's going to be this big:

I've been working on some things as well. I just finished a couple of projects that made it back to the shop with my husband, who just flew back to the states for a couple of weeks. 

This cozy piece is knit with two strands of Berroco Vintage Chunky, and is quite comfortable. Barb enjoyed wearing it around the shop yesterday - too bad we didn't get a picture of it on her, rather than on our form! 

But here's a shot of Helen wearing it before it left Finland. Much larger on her than it needed to be, but she loved it. This is a stretchy piece, so we recommend going small. Pattern will be available shortly.

And I made a cowl/scarf which was really fun and used 4 different yarns. Each year we come up with a mixed fiber shawl that uses gorgeous yarns from different companies. People are sometimes scared to mix fibers, and we love to show people how great the results can be!

We usually have only one pattern option, but this year we've added a second one. We do have the regular lengthwise pattern knit up (this one was done by Kim):

And then to shake things up a bit, I made a side fringing scarf and cowl combination. It all depends on how you want to wear it... as a cowl:

Or as a scarf:

Either way, it's really cute, and the colorways we've chosen for this kit will be up online later today. It's a great gift idea!

Suomen syksy (Finnish Autumn)

I'm not sure I've translated the title of this post correctly. I'm only still a beginner with the Finnish language, and I've learned in three months that even Google Translate has a very difficult time translating Finnish. That's an indication of just how difficult the language is.

This year is my first fall outside of Vermont in 26 years. Fall is my favorite time in Vermont, so I'm definitely sad to be missing it. But I'm keeping busy with so many new experiences here in Finland!

The ground cover is starting to change color

Our summer here was wonderful. Lots of sun, and the temperatures were warmer than average. But then in the middle of August things changed almost overnight. I started wearing jeans and sneakers, and went from exercising outside in shorts, to wearing long pants. 

There are beautiful trails like this throughout the city. What a great place to exercise, and collect your thoughts.

I kept my summer clothes handy, because I thought for sure it was just a cold snap. But after talking with a few new Finnish friends, I realized that every year when school starts in early to mid August, the cool weather returns. Things are starting to look a bit like fall here, but they're feeling a lot colder than any fall I'm used to!

Pumpkins! Not a common sight here. Do you know they don't have pumpkin puree? So no pumpkin bread for us.

This past Saturday it was in the upper 40's with a strong southwest wind. A southwest wind sounds warm, but we're so far north, that it's colder than a strong north wind is in Vermont. The girls and I walked downtown on Saturday and were thrilled we had our Jacoby mitts. I've actually been using them each morning when I walk, since I can't find some of my cool weather running gear.

Gorgeous red foliage creeps up the side of this old building by the girls' school.

Marc was away until that evening, so we had to wait for his help to get down the last winter box from high up in our storage unit. That box contains the ski clothing (too early for that) and all of the hats, scarves and other mittens that are really needed right now. As I unpacked it I realized that we could all do with a few more hand knits this year. So it's time to start planning...

Now those trees remind me of Vermont!

It's been neat to see what people are wearing here to keep warm. I haven't seen as many hats yet - I guess Finns are used to this weather, and clearly tougher than I am so they probably don't pull out the "real" hats for at least another couple of weeks. I'm ready for hats NOW.

A coffee shop encourages outside patrons with cozy blankets.

I've seen many scarves and cowls, some practical, and some quite stylish. Just this morning I saw a beautifully crocheted scarf on a woman - it was a ruffly openwork pattern, and was wrapped about 4-5 times around her neck. I could easily whip one up in a knitted version, but I was more impressed with hers because it was crocheted.

The girls and I take a bus a few times a week to a tennis center, and we pass through the University of Tampere on the way. This means we get to see a lot of students getting on and off the bus. They're definitely wearing a lot of cowls - and I guess the "in" way to wear them is looped twice around whatever hooded sweatshirt or jacket you are sporting, with the hood hanging up and over the back of the cowl. The scarves they're wearing are all big and triangular, with fringe, tassels and pom poms on the edges. There's nothing "plain" in sight!

Even things in the windows are wearing their hand knits. Isn't this a beautiful idea to jazz up plain baskets?

I was inspired by one cowl I saw, and after describing the stitch pattern I wanted and the general size to Barb, she test swatched it, and then asked Kim to knit one up for the shop.

This cowl uses 4 skeins of Berroco Ultra Alpaca which means it's going to be soft and warm and only cost $40 to make. This is a really generously sized cowl for just $40. Not bad! It's also nice and drapey because it's knit on a size 10 needle. The yarn choice was perfect (thanks Barb!) and I can't wait to see it in person! 

This pattern is free with the purchase of any yarn to make it. Just ask for it in the shop, and if you are ordering online, tell us in the comments section that you want the pattern.

Manic-In Monday

This week's outfit is a quick vest done in a bulky cotton and acrylic blend. The bold cable at the front adds interest to this otherwise simple piece. It's got fun front pockets, which are optional if you're not a pocket fan! And since cowls are a "must have" wardrobe staple these days, we've got one of those too. When the vest is worn like this, it's more casual: But belting it kicks it up a notch:
Vest: Pesapallo Vest knit in Berroco Weekend Chunky yarn. Pattern is found in Berroco Book #309.
Cowl: Alice Cowl knit in Fibre Company Road to China Light yarn

Free on Friday

Here's a free pattern from Berroco!This gorgeous cowl, called Ostrom, takes just 3 hanks of Ultra Alpaca Tonal. This simple 2 row rib pattern is worked on size 8 and 9 needles, so will go relatively quickly. Enjoy!

Free on Friday

Today's free pattern is a fun one, and it's a two-skein project! Classic Elite featured this free pattern in their Web Letter, Issue 172, back in late October. I saved it because I really want to make it... I just haven't had time yet! This project uses Classic Elite Lush yarn, which is a true luxury yarn at a not-so-luxury price! It's only $10 per skein, and when you consider that this project only takes TWO skeins, it's a gift that comes in at just $20 (although the recipient will think it's WAY more than that!) It's a great opportunity to practice lace, cables and texture all at the same time. Photos courtesy of Meg Meyers and Classic Elite Yarns.

Manic-In Monday

There's a TWIST to this week's outfit! It's called a mobius. Have you ever joined your stitches in the round with an un-intentional twist? Well, for this cowl, the twist is intentional - it's what makes it spectacular!

This week's outfit highlights a great cotton sweater and this beautiful mobius cowl, done in a self striping yarn. Both of these pieces can be worn year round. Sweater: White Rock Lake Sweater knit with Tahki Mia cotton yarn. Pattern is in the Terra Collection Urban Organics booklet.
Cowl: One skein of Lang Jawoll Magic yarn and the pattern is free.