3 Color Cashmere Cowl or Shawl KAL at Stash!

Join Stash for the 3 Color

Cashmere Shawl or Cowl KAL

Fridays, Feb 26, March 4, 11 & 18 , 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm 

This is the perfect project to try a color outside of your comfort zone but have always wanted to knit.  For me it's the Glow Stick color by Knerd String.  It's so bright, I gotta wear shades to knit it!

The 3 Color Cashmere Cowl is a lovely little pattern to let the days go by while peacefully knitting away… There are no complex stitches in this cowl, just putting together some stripes, texture and lace as they suit you best!

3 color cashmere cowl by joji locatelli

3 color cashmere shawl by joji locatelli

The 3 Color Cashmere Shawl was inspired by the 3-Color Cashmere Cowl, the shawl version is for those who prefer the freedom of a shawl, or for those simply looking for an excuse to make this fun project again! There are no complex stitches in this shawl, just some stripes, texture and lace put together to peacefully knit away.

You will need: for the cowl: 3 colors fingering weight yarn approx. 200 yards each.  for the shawl: 3 colors fingering weight yarn approx. 350 yards each.  We recommend Knerd String Fingering or Wonderland Yarns Queen of Hearts.  Needle: Us 6 circular. Patterns are available for purchase at Stash!

This is also a great stash buster for those single skeins of fingering weight yarn you may have stashed away somewhere!  

We also have a few of our favorite color combos in Knerd String and Woderland Yarns for you: 

Times Square KAL: Day 1

Did you start your Times Square today?  We had fun starting ours at Stash!  If you are knitting along with us at home here are a few tips:

1.  Knit a gauge swatch and wet block it to get correct gauge!

2.  The pattern refers to using a fancy "alternate cable cast on"  I chose to use this one, if you choose to use your good ole stand by, the long tail, it will be just fine!

3.  We also found it easier to keep track of your pattern by placing stitch markers on Row 1 (after the ten rows of garter) as follows:  (P1, K1) 7 times total (or 14 sts) p1, place marker here, knit recommended sts, place marker here,  continue in pattern.

It's fun to see the many ways people knit, the colors and yarn they choose, and the accessories they need.  I managed to remember to take a few pictures of our KAL at Stash

I'm a little old school, I like to use the paper pattern and write notes all over it, I also need my stitch markers ready.  Kate on the other hand seems to be very minimalistic, just her project and IPad.  Margaret, like me, has all her supplies at the ready.  

Times Square KAL

Times Square Knit-a-Long starting September 2nd!

This sweater will be your absolute go-to piece for the season and maybe for the rest of your life!  It has timeless style, great fit, and is knit with the most amazing yarn!  Times Square is worked in one piece form the bottom of the back to the bottom of the front.  There is minimal seaming and no picking up stitches.

Join us in person at Stash 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

or Knit-along with us on our blog where we will be posting our progress and tips!

knitting my swatch for the times square KAL

My swatch is knit and ready to go!  Do you have your swatch done yet?  We can help you with that!  Swatching is one of the most important things you should do before you start any project.  The next most important thing is to block that swatch!  Read all about the importance of blocking from Courtney and Kate of Kelbourne Woolens on their blog.

times square by norah gaughan
knit with knightsbridge beaverden

times square knit by kate
with knightsbridge poole

For more information visit our web site: www.stashcastlerock.com

Hitchhiker Shawl KAL!

I think everyone I know who is a knitter has this project in their favorites or in their queue on Ravlery.  I know I do!  It's time we cast on the Hitchhiker Shawl.  What better way to do it, than to do it together!  We will meet Wednesdays in July on the 8th, 15th, and 22nd at 10:30 am - 12:30 pm.

July 8th: part 1, we will meet, get yarn/needles/pattern, CO project and get started! Pattern available at Stash!

July 15th: part 2, we will meet to work further on the shawl and encourage each other to keep going so we will finish!

July 22nd: part 3, we will discuss BO options and hopefully BO our project so we can enjoy our shawl for when we need it for those cool Autumn evenings!

hitchhiker shawl
picture by designer taken from ravelry

Stuff it Stocking KAL with Ewe Ewe Yarns!

Tis the season!  Are stockings on your knit list this year?  Join me at Stash for a knit-along with Ewe Ewe Yarns to make the Stuff It Stocking.  These stockings will look great on your mantle and will make great gifts too!

Ewe Ewe yarns hosting a KAL for the Stuff it Stocking starting December 4th.  It’s a simple pattern using US8 needles and Wooly Worsted yarn. You can make the stocking even if you’ve never knit a sock before.  And the pattern has a few extra techniques for the more experienced knitter.  You will be finished with your stocking well before Christmas.

Stash has great colors to choose from including traditional colors and non–traditional colors.  

This pattern takes one skein each of three colors.  Join us on Fridays (12/5, 12/12, and 12/19) from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, for the KAL where you can get help, offer tips, share your color choices, and knit in good company!  You can also follow the KAL on the Ewe Ewe Blog

Here are the dates and topics for each section for the KAL:

Thursday 12/4: Casting on, knitting in the round, working the hem at the top

Tuesday 12/9: knitting the body of the sock and carrying colors while striping

Thursday 12/11: Making the heel flap, turning the heel, knitting the instep

Tuesday 12/16: Decreasing for the toe and Kitchner Stich.

Thursday 12/18: Hang loop i-cord, finishing and blocking.  Santa’s coming!

Call, email, or stop by Stash to sign up for the free KAL and purchase your supplies!

pictures courtesy of ewe ewe yarns blog

Short Rows for the Pop Blanket

If you are thinking of knitting the Pop Blanket and are not sure of short rows, here is a great tutorial from the Purl Bee on wrap-and-turns on the knit and purl side:

picture from the purl bee

Another way to do short rows is the Yarn Over short row method.  Here is a great pictorial of Yarn Over short rows: 

picture from socktopus

Which method are you using?  I decided on the good ole wrap and turn method.

Take a break from Sunday Football and the holiday rush and join me anytime time this Sunday, December 5th from Noon - 4 pm to knit this adorable family of snowmen. This is a very quick knit and would make a great gift too!

"Who Me?" Cardigan KAL begins this Wednesday

Join Suzanne this Wedensday, 1 pm - 3 pm, as she leads the "Who Me" Cardigan KAL.  I can't wait to see how everyone's cardigan turns out.  I know some who are using Vintage, Rowan Cashsoft, and Remix.  I still have to decide which yarn I will be using!  Make sure to come by and see the sample Suzanne knit up out of Amy Butler's newest yarn.  Details about the KAL on the Stash web site.