As I write this, I can't believe it has taken me until January 20th to wish everyone a happy new year! We have been busy in the Haesemeyer household: Wade is burning up the court on the basketball team this year and Paul just had another orchestra concert. Kate is loving her new hamster and has many conversations to and with and about Pip.
I am most excited to tell you my friend and tech editor, Kristen TenDyke, has a new book out, Finish-Free Knits from Interweave Press. There are 20 projects, rich and varied in complexity and style and, yes, they truly finish free! When your needles are done clicking, the projects are ready to wear. I was fortunate enough to knit 3 of the samples for her book.
First up is the first project in the book, Ease Tank:
Ease has nary a purl in sight. This is the perfect no brainer knitting project that can keep your hands moving with minimal effort. The yarn is a lovely blend of 70% organic cotton and 30% linen, Classic Elite Allegoro and gauge is 23 stitches and 34 rounds in 4".
The plackets are worked flat and separate. They are then joined to work in round. Here I am knitting away on the body:
And the finished tank:
I also worked Harmony Dress, which was a very satisfying knit:
Four different sizes of needles were used to shape the dress portion and the lace pattern is much easier than it looks! I ripped through this one quite quickly. It was worked in another yummy Classic Elite yarn, Classic Silk, which is 50% cotton, 30% silk, 20% nylon. Here he is in perfect little ball form:
My last project was the Tranquility Tunic:
This one was a bit of a brain bender for me at first, but then I caught on:
The yarn is absolutely scrumptious. Period. It is from The Fibre Company called Road to China Light made from 65% baby alpaca, 15% silk, 10% camel and 10% cashmere. HEAVENLY, PEOPLE!! Yes, if you want to try a new yarn, this is it, is all I am saying quite loudly.
My favorite projects from the book that I did not knit, though I would love to knit them for myself are the Calm Tee
and the Unity Pullover.
Can't you see me wearing those F.O.R.E.V.E.R? Okay, yes, the Calm Tee involves a lot of positive thinking for the weather to be warm enough, but I could wear it in Arizona a ton too when visiting all of my people.
Last, but not least, is the most fabulous truly Divine Vest:
And the back:
How cute is that? What a perfect layering piece. If you haven't already, check out Kristen's new book. I know it is at our Barnes & Noble in Billings and hopefully at the B&N near you or your local yarn store.
What are you planning on knitting this year? Maybe thinking about trying a new technique? The great news is there is no wrong answer -- hooray! To a new year -- knit on.
