Follow Your Arrow... finally finished!

(Fiona) Like thousands of others I took part in Ysolda Teague's first mystery knit along - Follow Your Arrow.  A shawl pattern.  If you want to maintain the mystery please stop reading now.  This article has photos of the finished shawl!

The knit along started in January and a new clue was released every week for 5 weeks.

Within each clue you had a choice of 2 options (A or B).

There is a group on Ravelry with lots of in progress and finished photos of all the different combinations of clues.

I choose to do the following combination - ABBBB.  I also used two colours.

Whilst following the mystery knit along you have no idea what is coming next (unless of course you wait a few days and see the spoiler photos on Ravelry!).  So you've little idea how your shawl will turn out...  I based my decisions on how I was feeling at the time... So I did the simpler option for some clues and the more complicated option for others. I choose the 'kite' shaped clue to start with as I've never tried that before.

Ysolda offers lots of advice in the pattern and in the Ravelry group - with video tutorials for the more uncommon techniques).  There is also advice for yardage requirements (which I appeared to have ignored as I ran out of yarn!).  The stitch patterns are both written and charted.

You can still buy the pattern on Ravelry in its knit along format - so you can download each clue as you need to.

My finished shawl looks like this...

I LOVED the knit along format -  waiting for the new clue each Monday was exciting as well as watching for the 'spoiler' photos to appear on the Ravelry group.  I managed to complete each clue within the week, except for the last one which took me 4 weeks!*

This is the first large 4ply shawl I have made - and it is a size that I like alot.  I will definitely be making more shawls this size.

It is also the first 2 coloured shawl I have made, and I will try that again too.

I also liked the knitted on edging - my first time doing one, although it took me ages, and it felt never ending...

However, I'm less happy with my choice of yarn - the dark charcoal alpaca I choose from my stash is too hairy and I feel some of the stitch definition of that knitted on edge is lost.  It would have been better using black  Artesano Definition (like I used for the grey).

I'm also not sure of my combinations...  I wouldn't have chosen to knit this shawl if presented in its final form - I would have been more likely to knit the semi-circle shaped combinations.  It's abit too eclectic for my personal taste.

BUT having said that - I am so pleased I knitted it!  And with its large size you can easily tie it around your neck and all the different sections contrast so well.

I've already picked out a few combinations for my next Follow Your Arrow....

* I did knit a few other things - Azurine, Spring Kerchief, DK socks and Cozy Bottle!

Follow Your Arrow

Have you seen Ysolda's Teague latest project, topping the Ravelry Hot Right Now board...

{image credit - Ysolda Teague}

It's a mystery knit along for a shawl.  There are 5 clues with 2 options.  So lots of possibilities...

At the moment you can buy the 'pattern' on Ravelry for £3.50.  So far its a schedule - giving yardage and gauge requirements and also when each clue is released.

As clues are given the pattern will be automatically updated within you Ravelry library (with an email sent too).  The full pattern will be available on 10th February.

The clues are delivered weekly from 13th January.

So plenty of time to pack away the Christmas debris and settle into some exciting knitting...

You can see full details on the Ravelry pattern page here.

A 4ply yarn is recommended, and you need about 622m (so more than the standard 100g hank).  There are options for 2 colour stripes too... lots of possibilities!

We currently have Yarn Pony Show Pony (and 100% Merino Mustang) in the shop - several shades are available in multiple hanks.

You can buy Old Maiden Aunt direct from Lilith (or maybe you have some stashed away after her recent Woolly Brew trunk show?)

Or another 4ply...  a solid or semi solid shade is recommended so maybe not a Zauberball or Opal (at least until we can see what the shawl looks like!)

Artesano Definition is a lovely solid colour merino...  And we have 14 shades in Rowan 4ply too.

So who is up for it?  Buy the pattern on Ravelry before the 13th January for £3.50 (it will be £4.50 after that), join Ysolda's group on Ravelry and share your progress and of course let us know too!

Ysolda, Rebecca and Sugarleaf

Ysolda Teague will be at The Woolly Brew on Saturday 7th December from 2 - 4pm with samples from her new book The Rhinebeck Sweater...

You can see a lookbook here but come and see the book and sweaters in person and meet Ysolda.

We have copies of all her books, mince pies and lovely yarn. What more could you ask for!

 The Rhinebeck Sweater is a collection of 12 projects by Ysolda and friends inspired by the Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival. Shot on location at the festival, the book is beautifully inspiring, filled with the rich colours and textures of autumn in Upstate New York. Clear patterns in Ysolda’s signature style are included for each design so that you too can make your own special Rhinebeck sweater.

Now!  All this week we've shown some of the sweaters that Ysolda will be bringing on Saturday.  She will also be accompanied by her colleague Rebecca who will likely be wearing her own version of Sugarleaf...

Sugarleaf by Mary-Heather Cogar

{photo credit: Ysolda Teague}

Rebecca's Sugarleaf!

You can read about Rebecca's Sugarleaf on Ysolda's blog here...  She spun her own yarn... on a spindle!

REMEMBER Ysolda and Rebecca will be at the shop on Saturday 7th December between 2-4pm.  Come and get your Rhinebeck Sweater book signed (or any other Ysolda books) and check out the sweater samples... if that's not enough to tempt you, Karen is making shortbread too!

Ysolda Teague and Beekman Tavern at The Woolly Brew

Ysolda will be at The Woolly Brew on Saturday 7th December from 2 - 4pm with samples from her new book The Rhinebeck Sweater...

You can see a lookbook here but come and see the book and sweaters in person and meet Ysolda.

 We have copies of all her books, mince pies and lovely yarn. What more could you ask for!

 The Rhinebeck Sweater is a collection of 12 projects by Ysolda and friends inspired by the Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival. Shot on location at the festival, the book is beautifully inspiring, filled with the rich colours and textures of autumn in Upstate New York. Clear patterns in Ysolda’s signature style are included for each design so that you too can make your own special Rhinebeck sweater.

Beekman Tavern by Thea Coleman

{photo credit: Ysolda Teague}

Read about the Beekman Tavern here and here on Thea's blog.

Ysolda Teague and Apple Cider Donut at The Woolly Brew

Ysolda will be at The Woolly Brew on Saturday 7th December from 2 - 4pm with samples from her new book The Rhinebeck Sweater...

You can see a lookbook here but come and see the book and sweaters in person and meet Ysolda.  We have copies of all her books, mince pies and lovely yarn. What more could you ask for!

The Rhinebeck Sweater is a collection of 12 projects by Ysolda and friends inspired by the Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival.  Shot on location at the festival, the book is beautifully inspiring, filled with the rich colours and textures of autumn in Upstate New York. Clear patterns in Ysolda’s signature style are included for each design so that you too can make your own special Rhinebeck sweater.

Apple Cider Donut by Cecily Glowik MacDonald
{photo credit: Ysolda Teague}

Read about Apple Cider Donut here

Ysolda Teague and Pumpkin AIe at The Woolly Brew...

Ysolda will be at The Woolly Brew on Saturday 7th December from 2 - 4pm with samples from her new book The Rhinebeck Sweater...

You can see a lookbook here but come and see the book and sweaters in person and meet Ysolda.  We have copies of all her books, mince pies and lovely yarn. What more could you ask for!

The Rhinebeck Sweater is a collection of 12 projects by Ysolda and friends inspired by the Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival.  Shot on location at the festival, the book is beautifully inspiring, filled with the rich colours and textures of autumn in Upstate New York. Clear patterns in Ysolda’s signature style are included for each design so that you too can make your own special Rhinebeck sweater.

Pumpkin Ale by Ysolda Teague
{photo credit: Ysolda Teague}

Read about Pumpkin Ale here

Ysolda Teague and Aunt Fred at The Woolly Brew...

Ysolda will be at The Woolly Brew on Saturday 7th December from 2 - 4pm with samples from her new book The Rhinebeck Sweater...

You can see a lookbook here but come and see the book and sweaters in person and meet Ysolda.  We have copies of all her books, mince pies and lovely yarn.  What more could you ask for!

What is The Rhinebeck Sweater?

"The Rhinebeck Sweater includes 12 projects by Ysolda and friends inspired by the Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival. 

She has brought together eleven designer friends, including Gudrun Johnston, Amy Herzog and Mary Jane Mucklestone, to share the sweaters they would wear to Rhinebeck, the site of the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival. 

Shot on location at the festival, the book is beautifully inspiring, filled with the rich colours and textures of autumn in Upstate New York. Clear patterns in Ysolda’s signature style are included for each design so that you too can make your own special Rhinebeck sweater. One of the best parts of a festival is the community: meeting new friends and old, spotting knits in the wild, and learning more about the yarns you buy from the people who know them best. Ysolda brings the stories behind the yarns featured in the sweaters to you, interviewing dyers, spinners and shepherds. No one knows yarn better than Clara Parkes and she shares her experiences of shopping at festivals in an evocative story about the joy of a hand-knit sweater full of memories. 

Making a special new sweater to wear to Rhinebeck has become a tradition for many knitters. Pattern selections are pored over, eye-catching colours are chosen from favourite dyers, techniques are selected to highlight skills. Knitters work furiously before the festival, finishing in the car, blocking on hotel beds, anything to ensure the fabulous new garment can make its debut in the perfect environment — among a community who will truly appreciate it. 

It doesn't matter any more whether a Rhinebeck sweater is actually worn to Rhinebeck, the important thing is to wear it somewhere with pride. Make something that you love, and that demonstrates your love for knitting and for yarn. Find the perfect pattern for yours in The Rhinebeck Sweater."

Aunt Fred by Pamela Wynne

{photo credit Ysolda Teague}

Read about Pamela's design here.

Ysolda Teague is coming to The Woolly Brew!

Ysolda Teague will be at The Woolly Brew on Saturday 7th December from 2 - 4pm.

A fantastic opportunity to meet an amazing designer and get signed copies of her books!

She is bringing sweaters featured in her brand new book The Rhinebeck Sweater.

Come and have a cup of tea and a mince pie* with Ysolda and get your Ysolda book signed!  We have copies of all of them!

*there will also be a tin of Karen's famous shortbread too!

Storm, Smoulder and Rhinebeck in the shop!

New season books by Kim Hargreaves...

and the new Ysolda book... the Rhinebeck Sweater

 look book here

Ishbel and Poppy

Ishbel by Ysolda in Scrumptious Lace

Ishbel is a shawl pattern that can be worked in 2 sizes and 2 different yarn weights. In fact you can try other yarn weights and mix up the sizes!

Ours is the large size knitted in Scrumptious Lace (cherry!)

The solid stocking stitch section gets you used to the laceweight yarn and then you launch into the vine pattern.  Instructions are both written and charted and the main part of the vine stitch is only an 8 stitch repeat.

So not too difficult to keep track off!

Poppy by Ysolda Teague in her Debbie Bliss Rialto Prints dress!

Poppy is a cute doll with a removable dress.  She is knit seamlessly in the round from the top down.  No sewing up!

Ours has curly hair and a nose.

To get curly hair hold 2 strands of 4ply wool together and knit a square (maybe 20cm x 20cm) and cast off.  Wash it and let it dry, then unravel it to make lovely curls.  The nose is simply a few straight stitches.  You can use the same idea to make a belly button... which can cause much hilarity...

Instructions on attaching the hair and knitting the dress (and shoes!) are all included in the pattern.  Its very easy to personalise your own Poppy doll.

Ysolda's version looks like this...

{photo credit Ysolda Teague}

Check out the Poppy gallery on Ravelry...  and Fiona's other versions here and here and this one is in her pants!

Ishbel and Poppy are part of Ysolda's Whimsical Little Knits Book 1.  You can buy the book in the shop (it features 10 patterns in total).

You can also buy the individual pattern pdfs in the shop via Ravelry (you don't need to have a Ravelry account, the patterns will be emailed to you).

Remember we have Whimsical Little Knits Book 2 and 3 too.

Ysolda books in the shop!

FINALLY!

We now have copies of Ysolda Teague's books in the shop...

All three volumes of Whimsical Little Knits (accessories and toys!).

Saturday Treat - now back in stock... check out our expanded range of Scrumptious Lace and 4ply too!  Photos to follow!

AND we have copies of Ysolda's amazing book Little Red in the City - a fantastic manual on how to knit a sweater that fits (and learn more about your body shape!)

£12

£12

£12

£20

£9

More photos (and shop samples to follow!)

{photo credits: Ysolda Teague}