Malabrigo Nube prepped for spinning. Pretty, huh?
Journey | A Review
At Firefly Fibers, I hand-select our pattern lines from the perspective of knitter, knitting instructor, pattern designer and yarn shop owner. I look for patterns that are well-written, clear and easy to understand, include quality photos and are full of potential for a positive knitting experience - yeah, I know, I'm picky.
Jane Richmond is on my short list of all-time favorite designers and her patterns made a permanent home in the shop shortly after we opened. As an added bonus, she's an absolute joy to work with!
Last fall, Jane released her first book Island and I fell in love with each and every single project. I have - in fact - knit each and every single project in the book at least once. Island is stunning and was a huge hit in the shop with multiple re-orders and it's still selling out. Jane's friend, Shannon, played a huge role in the creation of Island (she's also a wonderful designer) and I had hoped there was more to come from this fabulous duo...
Since Island, Jane had been pretty quiet... Then, the news on Journey was released and it all made sense - pattern writing is no easy task and I can't imagine what goes into creating an entire book. I was giddy with joy for a new book with designs from both Jane and Shannon! Of course, I was instantly emailing Jane asking about pre-ordering for the shop and she handled my enthusiasm (and endless questions) with her usual grace (I told you she's a joy to work with).
A collaboration of hand knits from designers Jane Richmond and Shannon Cook inspired by the journey of self-discovery, independence and the path back to yourself. This gorgeous collection of garment and accessory patterns forms a special book filled with beautiful photography by Nicholas Kupiak - let the pages take you away on your own JOURNEY.
After seeing the designs in Journey, I was again in love and quickly mapped out shop sample projects for all six designs (I admit that I first played a quick guessing game with myself on which designs were Jane's and which were Shannon's. P.S. - I won.):
They're beautiful, aren't they?
Firefly Fibers shop yarn suggestions for all six designs from left to right and top to bottom:
- Climb: Spud & Chloe Fine, Shibui Sock, Sweet Georgia Tough Love Sock
- Onward: Rowan's *new* Pure Wool Worsted Superwash (due for arrival in mid-January in all 50 colors), Spud and Chloe Sweater, Misti Alpaca Tonos
- Spate: Spud & Chloe Sweater (sample on display), Malabrigo Rios
- Swift: Blue Sky Alpacas Sport Weight Alpaca (sample on display), Malabrigo Arroyo
- Antrorse: Spud & Chloe Sweater, Lamb's Pride Worsted
- Inland: Brown Sheep Nature Spun Chunky (available for special order), Cascade 128
The six gorgeous designs are presented in beautiful photography in the first 70+ pages (yes, seventy) that breathe life into each project. Following the photo journey are the project patterns in Jane's signature 'white space' style with additional pages including abbreviations, stitch guides and special techniques. Really, this book has everything.
The balance of design and texture between Jane and Shannon's designs is perfectly executed and I will knit each project at least once. I promise. Spate and Swift are currently on display front-and-center at the shop with Climb up next in the queue.
Journey is truly a "coffee table book" that flows through each of the projects - a huge thank you to both Jane and Shannon for creating this beautiful book. Journey arrived ahead of schedule and is now available at the shop - print copies include a downloadable eBook with individual PDF patterns.
The video for Journey is below. Grab a cup of tea and get ready to take your own journey.
Cheers! Alisa
Thank you very much to Jane for providing the beautiful photos!
Apples and Teasers...
The holidays are fast approaching and I'll openly admit that I'm less than prepared, but I am enjoying myself and know it will all get done with time to spare. I took a break from work and holiday prep today for a little quality kitchen time.
After a wonderful season with our local CSA, we had apples left in the fridge from the last fruit delivery and they've been staring at me for weeks and today I finally made applesauce with some of these lovelies:
All in all, it was a little over 4 lbs of peeled and sliced apples that cooked in the crock pot for about 3 hours with a wee bit of water and a touch of lemon juice. I mushed them with a potato masher (fancy, right?) and water bath canned in half pint jars. I had a small bit of applesauce left and I'm saving that for breakfast tomorrow. It is SO yummy!!!
As for what's on my needles... My holiday projects have to be kept under wraps for now, but of course I'm working on "work" projects - some secret, some not... I recently finished these lovely mitts from the new book Journey:
I just cast off another project from Journey yesterday and there's more to come very soon on this amazing book arriving at Firefly Fibers and details on both FO's along with what's being cast on next - both of these samples will be on display at the shop. As for the secret project...
I'm clicking away on the next shop Knitalong for the 1st Quarter of 2014 and this one is 'hush-hush' (as usual), but here's a photo teaser with some clues:
I know I didn't show you even a smidgen of the actual project (go ahead and shake your fist at me) and like the photo I posted awhile back, it's black & white (more fist shaking here) so you can't even tell the color, but here's what the photo does share:
- A rough idea of the size of the needle and yarn (nothing teeny or ginormous).
- At least 2 skeins of yarn are used - remember this is a WIP so there might be more yarn already knit up.
- There are charts and counting involved - it's good for keeping the brain sharp and it's not a "knit to 'x' length" kind of project.
I will also add that the yarn will be a new addition in 2014 and I love it! Like, REALLY love it!
I'm thoroughly enjoying both the yarn and the pattern and I can't wait to share the details when the new KAL is posted! It will be worth the wait...
Until next time, Cheers!
How's your holiday preparation coming along? Are you on task or am I the only one that's fallen behind already?