Sunday, August 4, 2013

August giveaway, more mill ends & another Smokering pattern

The Chevron Smokering

Last months post was about smokerings and again this month. The smokerings i knit last month are now in Germany....my daughter Kyanna went to visit friends for 2 weeks and needed a few gifts to take along....the friends father got qiviut socks, the mother received my best smokering and johanna a lovely Bordeaux lace smokering which is why i'm knitting more smokerings again this month. 
They are the perfect gift.
August is the month that i start my Christmas knitting.
When do you start ?

I love how the wavy edge looks in this Tundra Green I want to do this one a little different from the 2 smokerings i knit last month. As you can see its almost finished. Imagine the cast on edge(wavy end) as the part that frames your face and the end on the needles is going to have eyelets to thread an I-cord through and attached to the ends of the I-cord  lovely fuzzy Pom-pon's ....all from 1 skein of qiviut-queen-merino yarn
This pattern will look stunning knit from mill ends. Mill ends in similar natural shades.

Here is the little basket of mill ends for this month. 212 grams total.. I hope the Lucky winner will get 2 smokerings out of it, one for you and one for a friend.
The two lighter coloured yarns could go to make the pom-pons, the darker shade of pure qiviut could be the cast on edge(the edge that frames the face)-very soft against the skin, with the medium tones as the garter ridges.....or maybe you have other ideas !
 I will wash the yarns so they are all soft and relaxed and ready to knit when you take them out of the bag.

Pattern notes:

This stitch style pulls in the work and combined with my naturally loose knitting gauge you may need to knit with a larger size needle to get the drape required. I used a 5mm-US size 8, you may need a 6mm- Us size 9.

You will need:
5 or 6mm circular needle.
2 D.P.N's needles.
Wool needle
pompom maker.

Cast on 110 sts follow the directions below.
RNDS 1-3-5 purl.
RNDS 2-4 knit.
RND 6: *k2tog,  k2, kmit into front and back of each of next 2 sts, k3, sl1, k1, psso, rep from * to end.
RND 7: Purl.
Rep last 2 rnds twice more. Work 6th rnd again. Then begin at rnd 1 again, rep all until 9 full patterns are complete.
Next knit 2 rnds then make eyelets to thread I-cord through.
Eyelet rnd: *k5, yo, k2tog, rep from * to beg.
Knit another 2 rnds then cast off all sts.


I-Cord.  with 4mm-us size 6 DPN's, cast on 3sts leaving a 8'' inch tail.
 knit 3sts (do not turn work) simply slide the 3 sts to the opposite end of the needle bringing the yarn from behind, putting extra tension on the yarn and knitting the 3sts again. soon the cord will be 24'' inches long. Break yarn leaving a long enough tail to sew pompom to the end and gather up the 3 sts to finish I-cord.

Pompoms. I used a 2'' inch pompom maker and leftover sock yarn in natural color.
Thread the I-cord in-n-out the eyelets then attach pompoms and your done.
Gently wash and block.

To enter August Giveaway tell us in the comments section  

When do you start your Christmas knitting ?

Winner will be drawn at Random,

Open to knitters worldwide.....best of Luck !


From: August 4th To August 31st


Qiviut-Queen yarn contains- 10% qiviut-10%silk-10%cashmere-70% merino.

With only 10% qiviut in the yarn you can really feel the difference in softness. This is a lovely everyday yarn that makes wonderful socks, hats mittens, gloves, sweaters and shawls. 

Qiviut-Queen-yarn has a new price. NOW $26.00 PER SKEIN.

SOLD HERE:www.cottagecraftangora.com/qiviut-queen-merino/4557554607


48 comments:

  1. I start my Christmas projects on January 2nd.

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  2. All Christmas anything is started in January! I hate rushing!!

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  3. Everytime a project is finished and I get inspired with the next item again. Mainly during the winter half year from October to April. After Christmas is the time for knitting things pour moi.

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  4. I just started in July. I always end up getting busy with spinning and gardening in the spring and early summer. Now that its too hot to be outside I start picking up my knitting from the comfort of my air conditioning.

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  5. I try to start in September, but sometimes before September I'll see a pattern that would be perfect for someone, and I start earlier.

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  6. There's not much call for Christmas knitting here in New Zealand, so I just knit year round and gift things as I please :)

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  7. I knit and crochet all year due to so many in my family. But I love it and your yarn.

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  8. My Christmas knitting is all year long and when the month of December shows up on the calendar, the faster my needles click!
    The colors of yarn in the basket are perfect for my mother!

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  9. When do I start Christmas knitting? Well, that depends on how crazy my year is going. Some years big projects get started in February or March, other years small projects are pretty much going all year round, other years, well, other years craziness starts in October!

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  10. I start after the birthday knitting, so October!!
    nzdeb (on ravelry)

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  11. I never stop, it is just a joy to keep the enthusiasm going that it just keeps on a going.. I will admit that I often take a break when the temperature reaches 95' or more. I get the paints out and try to do cool things instead of warm things. Other than that it never stops. The best part are the twins, now age 12 are both crocheting and knitting. One broke her leg quite badly this summer so she is getting a lot of knitting done. I love to see them learn. That puts a smile on my face..!!

    Thanks for sharing your wonderful yarn..

    Lizzi

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  12. I don't often give handknits for Christmas, birthdays, graduations, etc. Most of my knitting gifts are given throughout the year, whenever I finish the, and for no special reason. There's just as much love in them, and they are just as appreciated. I also enjoy the opportunity of finding special non-knit presents on these occasions. Except for Mom. She gets knits all the time, 'cuz she chews me out if I spend money on anything else.

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  13. I knit presents all year around. Save in a basket, and pick some for Christmas.

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  14. In my head I do it all year long. In reality, I am scrabbling around in November, honestly believing I will manage to get some complicated project done (6 times over) before the posting date.

    However, this year I have one project completed already. Will I just send it now as a wee surprise gift or keep it for her Christmas present?

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  15. I like to start at the end of June. Started knitting while watching the neighborhood kids during summer vacation. The kids started knitting then too!

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  16. I am starting to think about Christmas gifts soon after Christmas..... When there are some ideas and materials - it is time to knit! Usually it is the beginning of the year.

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  17. My projects usually begin with the items I didn't quite get finished LAST Christmas, I just roll them over to the next year and keep on going, lol! :)

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  18. Despite my best intentions to start early, I usually start when the weather gets cooler, around October. Thanks for the chance :-)

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  19. I opened up my e-mail this holiday morning (I know . . . not in Quebec) and what did I find, but a new posting for some fibre goodies! To top everything off, I just made a trip to my local yarn shop this past Saturday and bought some new silk yarns to start seriously working on Christmas presents. Hallelujah! I thought I was the only one who started so early. In reality, I'm always thinking and working on handmade gifts all year round because it takes me so long to finish them off. I try to have a stash of gifts because you never know when they will be needed. I recently gave my sister a handknit silk scarf for her 50th birthday. In our family, we don't really give Christmas presents, but we do give "just because" ("just because I love you") gifts whenever we please. I also make "Cinderella" socks (socks with no specific recipient) quite often and find a good home for them at the next family gathering, which is usually Christmas. I haven't made any qiviut gifts yet, but I might if I had some extra yarn. Who knows, I might get lucky this month. If not, I have plenty of yarn in my yarn stash to keep me busy for some time. Happy knitting everyone!

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  20. I knit all year long for Christmas gifts. When something comes to mind for a gift I usually try to make it right away while the idea is fresh. Also because I am a really slow knitter and it takes me so long to finish something. Sometimes I need a whole year!

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    1. Hello Yarn Addict.... congratulations you are our winner !
      Please contact me so i can mail you your yarns.....
      The-Qiviut-Fairy on Ravelry.

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  21. I don't have a set date, but then I don't knit a lot of Christmas presents. It's more like, when I think of something that would be good for a certain person, I decide when I can get it done by, and whether that makes it a Christmas, birthday, or no-special-reason present!

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  22. I knit year long as well - but there usually is a fall rush to make sure just the right project gets completed for that special person!

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  23. Usually way too late! Not too many in my family appreciate hand knits any gifts end up being 'spur of the moment' inspirations. I do make a practice of getting something special for myself every year - sometimes a book I really want or some nummy yarn! - I think a qiviut smokering could be just the thing this year!

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    1. I'm always knitting for Christmas! Its too much fun!

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  24. Well, I've just finished a wrap made with pure angora yarn, and kid silk haze. Lots of short rows done, but it was worth it. It will be a Christmas present for one of my sisters. I guess I do knit all year round making Christmas presents. That's of course in between knitting cardigans for myself and others.

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  25. As Christmas is summer time down under my knitting consists of putting my feet up and seriously thinking - very hard- about what I will knit for our winter!

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  26. I wind up starting giftmas knitting sometime in October. It wouldn't be Christmas if I weren't furiously finishing something on Christmas Eve!!

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  27. I knit Christmas stuff from July 1 to Christmas, and selfish knitting from Christmas to July 1.

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  28. I crochet, spin, knit, weave whenever I feel compelled. I don't set deadlines or expectations since that takes the fun out it. There really is no rhyme or reason for most of what I make. :)

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  29. I work in a hospital (Sick Kids in Toronto) so if I work Christmas I'm off New Years, and vice-a-versa. So I start knitting for me for NEXT Christmas on whichever one I have off. Other peoples projects get started after I'm done my sweater for the coming Christmas, which can be anywhere from Jan to July, or this year Aug.....
    Only about 16 more rws of light sock fingering lace pattern and my sweater will be done.
    I guess that is what happens when you have an infant, priorities change.

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  30. I knit all year round, even in the summer. Then when winter comes around, I have new things to wear or give.

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  31. I don't do Christmas knitting - if I gave handknits for Christmas it would turn the whole thing into a stressful project rather than a fun one. That doesn't mean I don't knit gifts, though. I just prefer to save them for occasions when I only need to finish one project at a time.

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  32. I've usually started the following year's by Boxing Day. Sometimes I give myself a week or two and start in January...

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  33. The last time I knit for Xmas, I started in August. Two small lacy throws in bulky alpaca, done by early December. Wouldn't a qiviut throw be lovely!

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  34. I started in May! This usually never happens, LOL

    Thanks for the chance!!!

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  35. I basically knit all year long. I have a closet that I have gifts that I put things in and that includes my knitting finished projects.

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  36. I start right about now. This time of the year gives me the advance I need. I try not to make big things anymore to give - just hats and such.

    Thank you!

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  37. I usually start in January, it doesn't turn out how I want it to and then I end up buying gifts instead....

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  38. I start as soon as possible. Sometimes I give large afghans and other times socks. So it is good to get an early start.

    sherryglover1@yahoo.com

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  39. Erm, I started a jumper before last year's Christmas and I think I will be finished for this year's Christmas. Terrible I know, but I've had to re knit some of the bits to make it up and after sewing together the back and front I've found I'm going to have to take back to the knitting before the sleeve and make the back longer. If you get my drift... mean time I'm going Grrrrr in my head :-/

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  40. I hope to begin my Christmas knitting just before the end of August. I'm going to focus on small projects, since I would like to knit a sweater for a December birthday.

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  41. Only in November, only small, quick projects and just for a few lucky people that really deserve it.
    asteride on Ravelry

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  42. Already started Christmas knitting a few weeks ago :)

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  43. Last year I gave three sets of hand-knitted scarves/fingerless gloves & one set of a tam + matching scarf. This year I plan for only 3-4 scarves as they are easier to knit but I haven't started yet! I've been working on shawls for myself. Thanks for the chance to win some great yarn. I'd love to make the smoke rings.

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  44. christmas knitting for me is all year long. when someone loves something i've made, it's gifted (mostly, ;)

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  45. Just discovered Quiviut on our trip to the Canadian Rockies. Found it in a wonderful shop in Banff. Started my Christmas knitting today!!

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