Yoked: Our Second Annual Sweater Knit-A-Long!

It's that time of year again, when we all just want to stay inside, cozy up to Fancy Tiger's warm fire and knit ourselves a new sweater. Well you're in luck! Our second Annual Sweater Knit-a-Long is here. Hannah Fettig's new book Knitbot Yoked contains a collection of four round yoke sweater patterns worked from the top down. These patterns are a great introduction to Fair Isle knitting. Hannah Fettig provides extremely knowledgeable tips and techniques especially if this is your first time trying Fair Isle knitting. The yarn recommended for these sweaters is Quince and Co. Owl. We stock all colors of Owl so make sure to get in your special orders (see details below) to make certain we have your future sweater in stock!

Here is how the KAL works:

• Pick your colors and purchase your yarn, book, and needles from us by January 7th and receive 15% off.
• Fancy Tiger will be taking special orders for Owl from Quince and Co. Place your order by December 16th to make sure we have your colors in stock and reserved for you in time for our cast on!
• Cast on! We will be casting on for our sweaters on January 7th at Craft Night for any local folks who can join.
• Knit! We'll be knitting our sweaters together every Tuesday night for the duration of the KAL.
• Finish! We hope to finish our sweaters by March 11th. Bring your sweater to craft night on the 11th (even if its not done) for a photoshoot and a high five!
• If you don't live in Denver you can still join in the fun. Use the hashtag #fancykal on all your photos so we can follow along with your progress virtually. You can order your yarn from us and receive your discount with a quick email of your order, phone number + mailing address to info@fancytigercrafts.com. 

Of Course here at Fancy Tiger we have already started dreaming up our colors!

Kayes Cardigan   |    Barred,  Cinnamon, Acacia

 Basic Round-Yoke Unisex Pullover     |     Huckleberry

Birdie Fair Isle Cardigan  (with additional colorwork options in foxes or bunnies)    |     Hemlock, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Tawny (for a cute fox version!)

Willard Fair Isle Pullover     |     Cerulean & Chamomile

We are so excited to kick off 2014 with a new Fancy Tiger Crafts Knit- a-long! We can't wait to see what you will make!

Jaime's Cardigan of the Month Club!

I'm not sure how, but this is my third knit cardigan in 3 months--cardigan crazy! My new Wispy Cardigan was started way back in 2011 when we first received the amazing rustic Shetland lace yarn from Elemental Affects. This is one of my favorite yarns of all time - US grown and milled, over-dyed natural heather grey, and hardy Shetland wool all in a rustic spun, 2-ply lace yarn. Yumtown.

Despite this cardigan taking 2 years, it really knit up quickly once I gave it my attention. The Wispy pattern is from Hannah Fettig who makes beautiful and classic yet interesting patterns. I loved it. The unique construction has you knit the arms first, side to side and across the back - how fabulous to get the dreaded sleeves out of the way in the beginning!

I made a few modifications to this pattern. First, my gauge was a little off so I just tried it on as I went to make sure it was fitting. The amazingly talented Angelique who works here at Fancy Tiger Crafts made this a while back and suggested that I try a twisted rib stitch instead of regular ribbing at the cuffs, neck and waist. I love the more textual look of this stitch.

This cardigan will be my new go-to cardigan for warmer spring days and cool summer nights - it is light with just the right amount of woolly coverage. It looks great over all of my Wiksten tanks!

Each skein of Shetland Lace comes with 740 yards so I only used one skein for this entire cardigan! I loved working with this yarn so much, I'm already eyeing some Brooklyn Tweed lace shawl patterns for a new project.

Our brand new Anzula Breeze yarn would also make a lovely summer Wispy if you're looking for something a little less woolly for your creation. The silk/linen blend would be perfect for this design.

The Fibre Co. Yarns are Here and We Can't Stop Touching Them!

Two gorgeous new yarns are here from the Fibre Co!

We couldn't keep our hands off of them and we've already knit up two adorbz samples.

Angelique used Terra to knit up this ittybitty Yoked Cardigan by Hannah Fettig. Terra is a luscious Aran weight yarn in a blend of nubby silk, alpaca and merino. Two red tagua nut buttons finish it up adorably!

Sunne made the Bismark Hat by Kate Gagnon Osborn in Road to China Light, a softer-than-you-could-dream blend of natural fibers. Erikia has perfect pom-pom skills--she made that perfect pom-pom!

Terra

Silky nubs take the dyes differently than the the soft alpaca and wool, which gives this lux yarn a beautiful texture accentuated by the depth and contrast of color.

 Road to China Light

This sport weight yarn is the softest! This alpaca/silk/camel/cashmere blend comes in a stunning array of kettle dyed-beauty. We want to eat it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy knitting and crocheting!