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Category: KAL

  1. Knitalong Prizes!

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    It's been a few days since the launch of the Trail and Blaze shawl and I've been blown away with how many knitters have downloaded it already and are joining in the KAL. I'm loving seeing all of the yarn choices and progress pics being posted on Instagram and in the Facebook Group!


    In case you missed my last newsletter, or haven't yet got round to downloading the pattern you can get your copy as a free download from Under the Olive Tree Knits or Ravelry until 31st August.

    KAL

    Thanks to the generosity of my talented friends there are some wonderful prizes up for grabs in the KAL.

    Here's a video in which I show you the prizes, and you can find out more about the lovely people who have kindly donated them! Or take a look below for all the details.

     


    A skein of of bright red British Sock Yarn hand dyed by Camilla at Knitting Needle Lane, a set of Emma Ball 'Kittens in Mittens' themed stitch markers and a Rose Quartz crystal.

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    "Knitting Needle Lane has been established since 2017 first starting life within the Cambridge Market. Now an online yarn shop you can enjoy the delights of our hand dyed Yarns and more. We’ve also cleverly incorporated the use of crystals and candles to aid the calm of crafting by opening our brand new online sections in 2022. Life’s too short not to buy good yarn and crystals right ?! 

    We run a sock yarn club starting on the 1st of each month the theme for 2022 is Zodiac, alongside themed special edition yarn packs available with a new theme every two months. We also run a ‘Yarn Club’ head to our website to find out more .. If you are local to Cambridge we offer a ‘Click & Collect'"

    You can find Knitting Needle Lane on Instagram - @knittingneedlelane


    A skein of pretty purple yarn from Snooptigger Crafts 

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    Snooptigger Crafts is owned by Catherine who is based in the beautiful Devon in the UK. She started life as a designer and a tech editor before moving into yarn dyeing to produce colours that she couldn't find elsewhere.

    Catherine is a huge fan of movies and wanted to share her love of movies through her yarn and the colours she creates. So, all the yarn collections are based on movies/tv series that are her favourites. She specialises in being bold and colourful. 

    Catherine says "This skein of yarn is called Giliken Country. This may be a Country in Oz that you are familiar with. This Country was not mentioned at all in the first book but was mentioned in the second book, The Marvelous Land of Oz. This area has various shades of purple as well as the people wearing it. This is where you will find the Good Witch of the North"

    You can find Catherine on Instagram - @snooptiggercrafts and over at https://snooptiggercrafts.com/


     A set of rainbow glitter stitch markers from Tangerine Jukebox

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    Vero created Tangerine Jukebox as a way to bring her artistic and geeky interests together. She makes laser cut goodies like jewellery and keyrings, and works with small businesses and independent creatives to make their glittery dreams come true. If you want to design your own laser cut jewellery, stitch markers, branded stamps, stationery organisers and more, Vero can help you make it happen!


    You can find her on Instagram at @tangerinejukebox and at tangerinejukebox.com


    A pattern from Knitting designer Erin Clayton - Erineen Designs

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    Erin Clayton is the designer—knitwear and graphic—behind Erineen Designs. She creates patterns that are easy to knit and engaging—and helps small business owners create a business they love by utilizing her graphic design background. She grew up in suburban New York but now resides in New Hampshire with her amazing daughter and a needy golden retriever.

    You can take a look at Erins patterns on Ravelry here: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/erineen-designs, or head on over to her website: erineendesigns.com

    You can find Erin on Instagram at @erineendesigns


    A beautiful, ash yarn bown, hand-turned by David Arrowsmith of Arrowsmith Woodturning

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    David is my husband and when I’m knitting he takes himself off to his ‘lathe cave’ to make all sorts of wonders including bowls, pens and tealight holders. David has always enjoyed working with wood and discovering techniques to make practical as well as beautiful things with it. He bought his first lathe just under 4 years ago on a bit of a whim and has been hooked ever since.

    You can find David is on Instagram as @dave_and_his_lathe or visit his Etsy shop


    A £25 voucher to spend online at Under the Olive Tree Knits!

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     I'm sure you will agree they are all fantastic prizes. THANK YOU to Camilla, Catherine, Vero, Erin and David.


    The KAL is running on Instagram, in the Under the Olive Tree Knitters Facebook Group and on e-mail. To be in with a chance of winning simply post a picture of your finished shawl on either:


    The KAL will run until 31st August 2021 and the pattern will be available as a free download for the duration. The prize draw will take place on 1st September. Good luck!

     

  2. Trail and Blaze - Download the Free Pattern and Join the Summer Knitalong!

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    The Trail and Blaze shawl is now available as a free download and on Ravelry or by using the download buttons below!

    KAL

    Trail and Blaze!

    Make some trails with your stitches and watch the colours of your yarn blaze brightly with this one-skein shawl.

    Trail and Blaze is designed to make the most of your colourful yarn with stretches of smooth stockinette and paths of simple lace yarnovers.

    As you work your shawl, parallel tracks of lace emerge and border a path that zig-zags its way to the edge. Once you near the end of your shawl, the lace and stockinette become straight paths to decorate the edges of your shawl. A reminder that, even though a journey might take you in different directions, ultimately, you’ll always find a path to your home straight!

    So trailblaze a path with your knitting and make your own tracks with this fun project!

    If you are new to knitting lace, this shawl would be the perfect opportunity to give it a try. Using just yarnover and k2tog stitches to create the lace, each section is worked between markers so you can easily keep count of your stitches. A video tutorial on how to work the [yo, k2tog] stitch combination can be found here 

    Trail and Blaze (1)

    Stitches Used – Sl1 wyif, knit, purl, kfb, yo, k2tog, ‘yo, k2tog’ lace stitches

    Sizes – One size

    Measurements – The finished, blocked item has a wingspan of 73” (185cm) and a depth of 20” (51cm)

    Materials

    • 437-464yd / 400-425m, 3.5 oz / 100g 4 ply, sock or fingering weight yarn. The yarn used in the pattern pictures is Under the Olive Tree Knits Chora sock yarn, 75% merino / 25% nylon in the Summerdaze colourway
    • US size 5 (3.75mm) 32” (80cm) circular needle
    • 5 stitch markers
    • A tapestry needle for weaving in the ends

    Gauge: 22 stitches and 33 rows to 4” (10cm) in stockinette stitch after blocking


     The pattern has been professionally tech edited by James Bartley and was tested by a fantastic group of test knitters too!


    Thank you Angela, Aurelie, Cat, Isla, Sharon and Suzanne!

    TandB Test


     New Summer Yarn Colourway!

    Yarn for Blog
    This is Summerdaze, a new summer colourway for 2022 that captures all the colours of summer with grass greens, pansy purples, rose pinks and sunshine yellows.

    Summerdaze was used to knit the sample that you see in the pattern pictures and it is now available to buy on the website.


     Join the Trail and Blaze KAL this Summer!


    The KAL will run until 31st August 2022 and the pattern will be available as a free download for the duration.

    There are some fantastic prizes waiting to be won including:

    Full details of the prizes and the generous people who have donated them will follow in the next newsletter.

    The KAL will run on Instagram, The Under the Olive Tree Knitters Facebook Group and via Email. To be in with a chance of winning make sure you post a picture of your finished shawl either on:

    Instagram - tag @olivetreejem and use #trailandblazekal
    Facebook - In the Under the Olive Tree Knitters Facebook Group
    Email - send a photo of your finished shawl to [email protected]

    Each post of a finished shawl will count as an entry so if you post on all 3 platforms then you will have 3 entries in the prize draw! The draw will take place Live on 1st September


      Watch a Video of the Trail and Blaze Shawl

    This video shows you all of the techniques used to make the shawl, from casting on to blocking. If you are knitting the pattern, this video shows you some key points which you might find helpful if you are new to any of the stitches.

    I hope you enjoy this free pattern and I look forward to seeing your Trail and Blaze Shawl in the KAL :)