One Skein Spring KAL
It is officially Spring, even if the weather isn't 100% convinced of that yet. Spring is an amazing time of year where everything seems to wake up after the long dark winter months. Flowers are popping up all around, lots of littler lambs can be seen in the fields around here and I don't know about you but I have more ideas than I know what to do with. With this in mind this year's Spring Knit-A-Long (KAL) is all about one skein projects.
The clever ladies at our regular knit and knatter on Tuesday mornings in the shop suggested the idea as I was trying to come up with a pattern for a Spring KAL/CAL. A more DIY version is a great solution as it allows for lots of flexibility and lots of opportunity to try out a yarn that maybe you've had your eye on or you've been saving in your stash. It also means you can choose to knit OR crochet as we're not bound to either craft by using a specific pattern.
I also love a one skein project because it means I can start a few of them and work on them at different times and I get to use different yarns for different things. It speaks to my desire to KNIT ALL THE THINGS! The parameters for the #OneSkeinSpringKAL are simple, knit/crochet a project using only 1 skein of yarn. The project must be a minimum of 150yds and in order to be eligible for prizes the yarn needs to have been purchased from A Yarn Story and it needs to be a new project, no WIPs please. We're kicking off the KAL/CAL on Sunday April 10th with an end date of May 15th. You can find all the details over in our Ravelry group.
Now onto the fun stuff - what to make? There is so much that can be done with one skein of yarn. Of course Socks jump to mind, of which there are so many good patterns to choose from. I have had Hermoines' Everday Socks by Erica Lueder in my queue for a while now. I love that they have some great texture but are otherwise quite simple looking, just my style. I recently came across the Heart to Heart Socks by Tash Burrett and I think they are super cute. The version with the heart pattern as a band just below the cuff is great. Tash has also included two photo tutorials for working the wrap on the wrap and turn heel which is great for beginners. I can't mention socks without mentioning Kate Atherley, I'm currently loving Jarvis from her Custom Socks book.
One skein of a lace weight yarn will go a long way and the Beetlebum shawl by Renée Callahan has been quite popular in the shop lately. It's a gorgeous lace shawl knit with one skein of Julie Asselin Merletto. Or to get ready for warm summer nights how about the luxurious Shattered Sun Shawl by Felicia Lo knit with one skein of SweetGeorgia CashSilk Lace. This yarn is so incredibly soft and light when it's knit up, one of my favs in the shop for sure. I think that I am personally going to cast on a shawl by Janina Kallio in the new Lithuanian Linen from Midwinter yarns. I've had a couple of her designs in my favorites for a while and I've been waiting for the right yarn. So next Sunday I'll be casting on Antarktis, color is yet to be decided on.
Hats, hats are great 1 skein projects. Ysolda's new pattern Newhaven is great, it's using a sport weight yarn, so Malabrigo Arroyo, Walk Collection MCN Sport of even The Fibre Co. Cumbria Fingering would be great choices. The slight slope of the brim to create mini earflaps is a fantastic feature, perfect for windy walks. Also on my personal list is Seaward by Rachel Coopey from the Boardwalk Collection by Kettle Yarn Co. I absolutely want to knit this in the Padparascha, it's such a glorious bright pink.
I have so many more ideas for one skein projects but I'll just leave you with a couple of cute children's garments for now. Korrigan by Solenn Couix-Loarer is a nice pattern, knit in one piece from the top-down with some simple but oh-so-pretty cables, it's a classic. I've seen this knit in solid, variegated and speckled yarn and it looks great in all of them, so very versatile depending on your taste. The wee Austin Hoodie by Connie Chang Chinchio also caught my eye recently. It's a lightweight hooded cardigan designed for 6 months to 6 years. It's designed in Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light which would be super squishy and soft or The Uncommon Thread Everyday Singles would be a great alternative and we have some beautiful new shades of that in the shop.
I'll have another post up at the end of the week with a few more suggestions but I'd also love to hear from you what you will be knitting/crocheting with one skein? Don't forget to tag your photos on Instagram and your projects on Ravelry with #OneSkeinSpring
-Carmen