It's once again time to announce the next square for The Great American Aran Afghan Knit A Long!!!

So far we've learned how to do a basic twist and a basic cable and I sneakily made it a reversible cable with completely reversible square #1!  In Square #2 we learned traveling stitches and that some charts are purposely written opposite of standard charts.  For square #3 we learned how to make bobbles and add some texture fill while practicing our new cabling skills.
For square #4 we are going to do more traveling stitches, learn the trinity stitch and learn how a plait works.  We will learn all of this with the square on page 32 designed by Hanna Burns!  This square features "DNA" strands spiraling away from each other with a beautifully plaited cable up the center framed by elongated twists.  Two side panels of trinity stitch really help to accentuate the purl background making the DNA strands really pop!

For the most part I think most of you will do well with this block, it's still in the easier category.  My first suggestion to help you is to be sure to copy the charts, enlarging them if needed, and using highlighter tape, sticky notes or magnets to block off all the lines except the one you're working.  I say this because I find the traveling stitch symbols difficult to distinguish one from another.  They kind of visually run together.  All become very clear when the rows above and below are blocked off.  Do note that chart B on the left sides of the square begins with row 17 so that it spirals opposite of chart B on the right side.

(And yes for you science nerds like me, this DNA spiral is only a 2 dimensional, artistic representation and is not a true double helix but it's still very pretty! Here is a link with other DNA helix patterns on ChemKnit's blog if you wish to make a true double helix.)

The trinity stitch, aka blackberry stitch, is a pretty texture stitch that makes three stitches out of one and one out of three.  This is done by knitting the next stitch on the left hand needle but don't drop the stitch off the left needle. Instead, yarn forward and purl into the same stitch and still leave it on the needle.  Then yarn back and knit into this same stitch again. This time dropping the stitch off the left needle to complete the three stitches out of one.

The trinity stitch increases your stitch count by two each time you work it. These extra stitches must then be balanced by decreases to keep your stitch count the same. This decrease is done with a purl 3 together (p3tog). This is done just like purling 2 together except you catch 3 stitches instead of 2. A double decrease is the result, turning three stitches into 1. If you have trouble getting your needle through all three stitches try a needle with a sharper point or slipping all three stitches onto a crochet hook purlwise then pulling the yarn through and returning the single remaining stitch back to the right hand needle, being careful not to twist it.

You'll notice that the trinity stitch creates offset rows with diagonal lines. Whereas the moss stitch which looks somewhat similar, is all horizontal and vertical lines.

I hope you enjoy this square! If you have any questions or comment please don't hesitate to send me an email or ask in our Ravelry group thread. I've created a special thread just for asking questions so they don't get lost in the general chat. If you don't already belong to Ravelry I urge you to sign up. It's free and you don't get any unwanted email. It's a wonderful resource for finding patterns, connecting with other knitters & crocheters and keeping track of your projects, needles and stash!

We're seeing some lovely squares completed! Here are those that have been post during the last two weeks.(Sorry for the funky placement, it's not terribly easy to arrange photos in blogger.)

Angela's Square 1

Anna's square 1

Donna's Square 1

Lovely first squares everyone! I love the colors each person is choosing! Many people are using Cascade 220 superwash with great results.

Katy is doing an ombre and chose MadelineTosh Denim for her first square, shown below.

Katy's Square 1

Steph's Square 1

Sandee's Square 2

Anna's Square 2

Angela's square 2

Anna's Square 3

Tanya's Square 3

As for me, I'm only about 2 inches into square 2. I've been working on some other projects that have deadlines. I hope to be back to making some progress on my square after this weekend.

Happy Knitting!
Terry

Back in March, we received a notification that Soho Publishing was looking for designs for their next 60 Quick Knits Book using Cascade Yarns. The book is officially called 60 Quick Knits from America's Yarn Shops: Everyone's Favorite Projects in Cascade 220. Several of us Beans here at JBW submitted designs, and much to our surprise and excitement, two of them were accepted! Both Heather and myself (Kristen) have designs in the book, and we are so excited we can finally talk about it as it's due out next month!



Heather's design is a Colorblock Reversible Cap knit in Cascade 220 Superwash. She originally designed and knit this cap for her husband, and it's since become his absolute favorite hat. When the opportunity came up for her to submit the design, she went for it and was so thrilled when it was accepted! This hat will be her first published design, and she's even designed another piece since then that will be in the next Noro book! We are so excited that she's unleashed her creativity!



My design is a simple shawlette with a garter stitch body that is knit lengthwise with a simple Shell Lace Pattern along one edge. The Shell Lace Shawlette is knit in Cascade 220 Fingering, which is truly a delight to work with. The result is a feminine and cozy shawlette that can be worn with just about anything!


Both Heather and I feel so honored to be a part of this book on behalf of Jimmy Beans! Thanks so much to the fine folks at Soho Publishing and Cascade yarns, for including us in this collection! 60 Quick Knits from America's Yarn Shops will be out next month, but if you are excited to reserve your copy, please feel free to place a pre-order and we'll ship it as soon as it arrives!

To see the rest of the designs in 60 Quick Knits from America's Yarn Shops, be sure to check out the book's Ravelry page.

Happy Knitting!
Kristen

 

Have you ever wanted to learn to knit how to knit cables, bobbles, twists and knots?  Intimidated to knit a whole afghan? Feeling left out of chances to win a whole sweaters worth of Lorna's Laces yarn by being the first to send Lorna's a photo of your finished applied cable sweater from the cover of the new Fall Vogue Knitting?  I have just the solution for you!  The Great American Aran Afghan Knit-a-long!  This is the perfect project for learning Aran stitches with out committing to large, complicated sweater patterns. Knit all the patterns or just the ones you like!

We will be using the The Great American Aran Afghan book which includes instructions for 24 uniquely designed 12" squares, 20 squares are used for the afghan and 4 are used to make two throw pillows. The plan is to start two squares each month over the next year but of course you are welcome to work at your own pace. Squares will be chosen so that the simpler patterns are done first to build skills and then we'll move on to the more difficult squares. To help those who are learning, we will be offering 2 classes each month in our retail shop to get each square started or for help with problems.  The first class is scheduled for Sunday August 24th from 1:30 - 3:30. Then keep a watch on our classes page for future class dates.

If there is interest we can plan some group knitting times in our shop as well.

One of the best things about working a project like this is that you don't have to buy all the yarn at once!  Each square will utilize about 200 yds of worsted weight yarn so you can purchase 1 or 2 hanks/skeins at a time.  Traditionally, Aran garments are made from unbleached white wool but you may choose any colors or fibers you like.  Dark colors are not recommended as it's too hard to see the cable patterns.  The yarn called for in the book is Plymouth Encore which is a good, budget friendly, gently machine washable 75% acrylic, 25% wool yarn.  I'm going to be recommending Cascade 220, Cascade 220 Superwash and Cascade Longwood for those who want 100% wools.  Other great yarns that could be used are Universal Deluxe Worsted & Deluxe Worsted Superwash, Plymouth Worsted Merino Superwash.

The first square we will do is the one on page 22 of the book, designed by Carol Adams. 

Supplies need will be:

The Great American Aran Afghan book
1 hank of worsted weight yarn
Size US 6 (4mm) straight or 24" circular needle
Cable needle
stitch markers are helpful but not required

The book has instruction in both written format and charts so this will also be a great way to learn to read charts!

I hope you'll join us!

(I'm just back from a lovely vacation so next week I'll return to my ongoing discussing on protein fibers)

Terry

Lately I've been seeing inspiration everywhere, especially out in our warehouse full of yarny goodness. But without patterns to inspire us, that yarn would sit untouched indefinitely and we certainly can't have that! Here is what has been inspiring me lately in the way of patterns (all from Ravelry with links provided below), and some yarn suggestions to accompany them:

1) With so many babies being born (all of my friends seem to be at that time of their lives) little fun baby and kid items are on my mind. I love this stack-able Army of Caterpillars from Fancy Tiger Crafts (an adorable LYS in Denver--if you live there, you should check them out!) and could see them knit out of Cascade 220 Superwash for washable durability. So cute!

Army of Caterpillars from Fancy Tiger Crafts

2) Bold stripes are super fun, but scalloped bold stripes are even better! I am a fan of Amy Miller's designs and I could see myself wearing Betsey, a lovely cold-weather wrap, knit in Tosh Merino or Tosh Pashmina Worsted this next winter. It's so bright and fun!

Betsey by Amy Miller

3) Shawls always tend to inspire me, so when I saw this unique take on bias knitting, I had to include it in this list. Freesia, by Annie Lee Designs (also known as Jumper Cables Knitting) is a simple design with a little unique twist for some added interest. This is just the kind of shawl knitting I love--mindless, but not too mindless. This design would be amazing in one of the stunning colors of Wolf Creek Wools Alpaca Sport (one of my favorite yarns!) or Lorna's Laces Sportmate (another favorite.)

Freesia by JumperCablesKnitting

4) Geology and knitting? What more could a science geek ask for?!?! I am a self proclaimed science nerd and I loved geological sciences in college. Later in life I found myself teaching the basic earth science principals to kids in an outdoor school setting and I rekindled my love for geology. I love how this shawl is inspired by the different layers of strata and has a variety of patterning in each section keeping it interesting to knit the whole way. What a lovely design! I would (admittedly) probably go with my old standby, Tosh Merino Light, to knit this shawl, but I am intrigued by some newer yarns we have in stock, particularly All For Love of Yarn's Opulence and Manos del Uruguay's Fino.

Geology Shawl by verybusymonkey

5) Lewis by Jaime A Besel, is a gorgeous summer piece with a bohemian feel. It's a summer to fall sweater that can be layered over tanks on cool summer evenings or worn all day long as the days grow a little cooler. The bamboo and wool blend yarn (the original pattern calls for Arucania Itata which is now discontinued) gives the garment a nice structured drape. I really love the shirttail hem. If I were to cast on, I would use either Classic Elite Vail, Frog Tree Pediboo, or Cascade Heritage Silk.

Lewis by Jaime A Besel

6) Lastly, I know it's too early to start thinking about winter knits, by I saw this finished sweater on Lori from Yarn Pop at VK Live in Seattle and I've been thinking about it ever since. This cozy sweater by Heidi Kirrmaier is knit in a DK weight tweed--warm enough to wear as an extra layer on a cold day, but not too warm to wear inside all day long. I may have to cast on this fall for some selfish knitting--perhaps in Rowan Felted Tweed or Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool... or if you live in warmer climes, you could easily get away with knitting this sweater in a cotton blend like Classic Elite Canyon or Rowan Creative Linen which would add a little more lightness and drape.

Snowbird by Heidi Kirrmaier

Lastly, I'm sorry this is a day late, I've been having blogger technical difficulties, but we need to announce the Kristin Omdahl The Finer Edge giveaway winner! The winner is:

Commenter #18: Carol said...

"I would most likely start with Pompeii Mobius."

Carol, please e-mail me at kristen (at) jimmybeanswool.com to claim your prize. Thanks to everyone for reading and commenting and thanks to Interweave Press for preview copy of the book!

I hope you all have a fabulous week!
Kristen

PS. Have you ever wanted to work in the needle arts industry or for Jimmy Beans Wool? We have a current job opening for a Project Manager position! It's full time and located on-site here in Reno, NV. To read more and find out how to apply, check out our Ravelry group listing here:

http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/jimmy-beans-wool/2608203/1-25#5