January 2016 Dream In Color Club Review

Hi, guys! Today I wanted to show you this month’s Dream in Color Dream Club colorway and pattern. If you are unfamiliar with what a yarn club is here’s a brief run-down: Usually a monthly yarn club will include yarn, a pattern and sometimes an additional bonus item (like stitch markers, a bag, or other knitting goodies). Depending on the club you join, there might be an additional bonus like that the yarn/pattern is an exclusive for club members only. The Dream in Color Club is one that I’ve participated in off and on for a few years now (whenever my local yarn shop has offered sign-ups). I really like getting surprise yarns each month from a yarn company that I love because even if the corresponding pattern isn’t one that I’m particularly keen on, I know that I’m going to love the yarn.

This month was a wonderful surprise because the yarn base is my absolute favorite Dream in Color base: Jilly with Cashmere. It’s a beautiful Merino/Cashmere/Nylon blend that knits up into a squishy, delicious fabric that makes for great accessories (especially ones that will be wrapped around your face/neck). The color artists at DiC really out-did themselves this round with stormy shades of denim blue, grey, black and some undyed sections peeking through. Everyone at Athena’s (my LYS) was drooling over the skeins when they arrived and people who didn’t sign up for the club this round were wishing that they had.

From their Ravelry page: “Jilly with Cashmere is luxuriously sumptuous and soft! The colors come to life. Every stitch knitted with Jilly with Cashmere is a dream, making only the most magnificent of accessories and garments.”

Photo credit to Dream in Color Yarn

The pattern that came in this month’s kit is “Blue Jean Boheme” by: Kalurah Hudson. “These fingerless mitts feature a unique Estonian elongated stitch that travels down the center of your hand. The gorgeous blues in the variegated Jilly with Cashmere lend to the vintage blue jean feel of these pretty gloves. Knit in the round in garter stitch, these will fit a wide range of hand sizes. The tubular cast on and bind off allow for plenty of stretch. The striking thumb gusset is created with slipped stitches that frame the increases.” (from the pattern description on Ravelry.)

I don’t always knit the patterns that come with the club kits, but I’ve been wanting to make some fingerless gloves lately and this pattern incorporates a few techniques that I haven’t tried before so I’m going to give them a shot. Plus, I’m impressed that they included a pattern for a kerchief. Usually you see fingerless gloves paired with hats or scarves/cowls so this is a refreshing change from the norm and the subtle stitch pattern combined with the hand-dyed yarn makes for a super cute accessory set! 

Are any of you in the Dream in Color club? Are you going to be knitting the pattern that came with it or do you have other plans for this amazing yarn? Let me know in the comments what you think of this month’s club kit and what you’ll be using it for. Have a great week guys! See you next Wednesday.  ^_^

Charmed: Whimsical Knitted Accessories

 "Feathers and foxes, gorgeous textures, and pops of color adorn Charmed: Whimsical Knitted Accessories. From cats chasing balls of yarn, to gnomes, to sparkling jewels, these witty pieces will bring a smile to your face and to everyone who sees them. Packed with 23 memorable accessories that make great gifts, Charmed will ensure you're never without your next fabulous and unique knit." - Knitpicks.com

I am so incredibly excited to see this pattern collection finally released!! When working with a publication things usually take 6 months to 1 year from the time that I send in my submission until the collection is released and during that time I know what my interpretation of the theme was, but it's a killer to have to wait to see all the other patterns that are part of the collection. When I saw the mood board for "Charmed" I knew that I wanted to be a part of it if I could because it's just so darn fun and cute! The finished collection blew me away, though and I feel so honored that my pattern (Jewel Be So Cozy Circle Scarf) was chosen for the cover image.

Patterning detail on the Jewel Be So Cozy Circle Scarf

Seriously, there are so many great patterns in here that I want to make as Christmas gifts (and gifts for me) this year. First off is the Rectrix Scarf by Angie Schwenn. To me, this is the epitome of the basic scarf and looks like the perfect comfort knitting right about now. If you didn't already know, I love working the linen stitch and I love it even more when there is more than one color involved because it looks way more difficult than it actually is and the finished fabric drapes beautifully. I'm debating on making mine out of either something from my sock yarn stash or from my hoard of Diadem. The original pattern calls for Andean Treasure which is a sport weight, but it's a scarf and I don't mind if mine is a bit smaller/thinner than the original pattern. Plus, I can always just cast-on a few extra stitches and knit for a little bit longer if I want the exact same measurements as the original pattern.

Loving the super cozy Rectrix Scarf by Angie Schwenn

 Following in the cozy-knitwear-theme is the pattern for the Nora Mitts also by Angie Schwenn. These mitts are right up my alley because there is no messing around with fingers or finger holes. I love gloves best, but they suck so much to knit and usually end up in time-out until I just throw them away out of frustration. So, mitts are perfect! Especially when the part over your fingers is a bit longer than normal as with these ones. I'm also completely in love with the simple texture patterning on them in combination with the color-blocking and 2x2 ribbing. No joke, these mitts just make me so happy. I'm not sure what yarn I want to make mine out of, though. Part of me wants to just order the exact yarn used for the originals (Andean Treasure), but part of me wants to make them to match my Rectrix Scarf. Since Angie has included so many sizing options for this pattern, it shouldn't take more that making a swatch and measuring to be able to substitute the fingering yarn for the sport weight.

Slip-stitch comfort knitting with the Nora Mitts by Angie Schwenn

Every Fall for the past few years I've intended to make myself some leg warmers, but just haven't for one reason or another. This year I'm really super excited about casting on the Eclate Leg Warmers by Holli Yeoh. Normally, I immediately shoot down a pattern if it has bobbles in it anywhere, they just don't do it for me. Holli is brilliant in using them as faux buttons on these stripey leg warmers and I'm just in love with them! I have no idea what yarn I'll be using for sure, but I know that I'm going to be knitting the long size and I want the main color to be a bright turquoise blue with neon yellow and green stripes/bobbles. If I like knitting them enough, I might make a matching cowl, too.

Imagine the Eclate Leg Warmers by Holli Yeoh in 80's neon!!

There are a lot of adorable hats in this collection, all with super puffy, amazing pom-poms but my favorite is the Circus Hat by Trelly Hernandez. It has 2-color brioche ribbing, color-work "dots" (they always look more like mini hearts to me) and a contrast pom-pom to top it off so, obviously, this is the best hat pattern in the book. It's fun and cute and I really want to make one for both me and little Mr. Cairo in Christmas colors. There is only one size written, but it's done in worsted-weight yarn, so I'll try going down a yarn weight or two and a couple needle sizes and I should be able to make it work for a kid-sized hat.

The Circus Hat by Trelly Hernandez is the perfect Christmas hat for Cairo and Me!!

Have you looked at all the patterns in the collection, yet? Which ones are you itching to cast-on and what yarns are you going to use? I'm so excited to see everyone's finished projects!! Tag me ( @YumiYarns ) on Instagram or Facebook if you're making something from this fun collection as a gift for yourself or for someone else.

Have a great week and happy knitting!!  ^_^

What's In A Name & A Pattern Resurection

Change is hard.

I've been going through some of my older posts and patterns on Ravelry and was brought back to my old blog. I really love the layout of that blog. I'm still proud of the header (made by me in MS Paint, lol) and it made me sad that I've deviated from my EdwardRad moniker. You have to understand that I used that name online for lots of forums and websites for about 15 years and I have a lot of internet friends who recognize me across the web as Ed.

As I move forward with getting patterns published, I'm realizing more and more that I need to use my real name and that I need to expose myself a bit if I'm going to reach people. This is kind of a scary realization and part of me wants to just go back to being Ed and using that old blog. It sounds odd, but I've never really connected myself to my real name. I respond to it, but it doesn't hold much meaning for me. It feels like any other word or like something that I have to do just because it's something that must be done. Does anyone else feel that way about their name? I think that is part of why I have such a strong connection to my online names. They are something that I've created on my own and hold a special meaning for me.

My current fiber-related online name is Yumi Yarns because EdwardRad always brought up too many questions from those unaffiliated with Cowboy Bebop (the show Ed originates from, not Twilight). I thought that having a more yarny name would make things a little easier since almost everything that I post is about fiber, knitting or crochet (and sometimes food). Ever since getting my first pattern published, though, I've wondered if I shouldn't just be using Shaina Scott Designs or something along those lines but it sounds so stuffy. And even though I love enforcing the rules at work, I'm not a fan of rules in my fiber world and just want to do what makes me happy. That is after all why I love fiber crafting.

After doing all that reminiscing I've decided to move the free patterns from my old blog to this one so here's the first one:

 Mom's Shower Cloth

   The main stitch pattern that I used in this cloth was one that I learned while making my Sense and Sensibility socks and is a variation of Eye-Of-Partrige. I modified it so that you could make use of the purl-bump pattern that appeared on the inside of the socks because I really thought both sides looked nice and deserved some attention.

There are a couple of techniques worth explaining before you begin your knitting...
Sl 1 YiF: Bring your yarn to the front of your work and slip the next stitch knit-wise. Bring the yarn to the back of your work before continuing to the next stitch.
SL 1 YiB: Bring your yarn to the back of your work and slip the next stitch knit-wise. Bring the yarn to the front of your work before continuing to the next stitch.

Pattern:
Cast-on 54 stitches. Knit 6 rows in garter stitch.

Begin stitch pattern:
Row 1: Knit 3, *K 1, Sl 1 YiF (repeat from * 12 times), *Purl 1, Sl 1 YiB (repeat from * 12 times), K 3.
Row 2: K 3, K 24, P 24, K 3.
Row 3: K 3, *Sl 1 YiF, K 1 (repeat from * 12 times), *Sl 1 YiB, P 1 (repeat from * 12 times), K 3.
Row 4: K 3, K 24, P 24, K 3.
Continue in pattern for 11 repeats.

Begin next stitch pattern:
Row 1: K 3, *P 1, Sl 1 YiB (repeat from * 12 times), *K 1, Sl 1 YiF (repeat from * 12 times), K 3.
Row 2: K 3, P 24, K 24, K 3.
Row 3: K 3, *Sl 1 YiB, P 1 (repeat from * 12 times), *Sl 1 YiF, K 1 (repeat from * 12 times), K 3.
Row 4: K 3, P 24, K 24, K 3.
Continue in pattern for 10 repeats plus rows 1-3.

Knit 6 rows in garter stitch. Bind off and weave in ends.

Have a great week everyone!!  ^_^