The workshops for Squam Fall 2016 were announced earlier this week here and I'm downright ecstatic to have been asked back. I'll be teaching a veritable smorgasbord of techniques in a Squam-inspired headband with bobbles, cables, shaping, applied i-cord, lace and chart reading (I got tired just writing that!). As soon as I packed my bags and left Squam in September I knew I wanted to return back. I'll be looking forward to September 2016 with anticipation! Registration starts November 16th, so get on their email newsletter list to get info firsthand.
Since I've had Squam on the brain this week, I'd like to share two patterns with you today. The first, Lovley Aphrodite, are lace fingerless mitts that I designed and taught specifically for Squam 2015. My students ROCKED this pattern and while it's a bit tricky at first, they knit up more quickly than you'd think, are great fun to knit and scream "I am a knitting master, hear me roar!" For this pattern release I've tried something new and added a photo tutorial for the oyster stitch. Since I can't be there lurking over your shoulder like I was for my Squammies, this is the next best thing!
Knit with 1 hank of the glorious Hazel Knits Lively DK, the oyster stitch is super stretchy and the pattern is truly one size fits all. I love Hazel Knits because her colors absolutely sing and every time I wear something knit in her yarn I get asked "What yarn is that?" Knitting up on US 6's, almost all my students finished 1 mitt in our class time together and knit the other while still on our retreat. I'm happy to now make this pattern available to all.
The second pattern is a hat I was working on while teaching at Squam. I worked on it mostly on the docks of Squam Lake, my feet in the water, chatting about life and making things with my fellow teachers and students. I was inspired by our surroundings - the lake, the trees, the people and the colors. There was never a doubt in my mind that this hat is 100% Squam, hence the Squam Lake Hat.
I love this hat. Fair Isle, corrugated ribbing and colors that pop are classic TanisKnits. Knit up in Alchemy: Yarns of Transformation's Temple, a simply beautiful superwash hand dyed, this hat holds such fond memories, wonderful conversations and time spent with amazing people who are friends for life. Alchemy is in a league of their own color-wise and the 4 autumnal colors knit up on US 5's make me think "Squam."
Love how this hat comes together at the crown!
I hope you enjoy these Squam-inspired patterns and I do hope I'll see you next September on the Lake. Until then, I'll keep my memories from the retreat close to my heart and dream of when I'll be back.
Download the Lovely Aphrodite pattern here and the Squam Lake Hat here.