Posts tagged DK
MINNA TOP | A Crochet Project
 
MINNA Top in DHG Lincoln

Every now and then I dip my toe into the world of crochet.

It’s never been my strongest skill, but every time I go back I try and learn something new. Slowly I inch forward to mastery 😉

It might sound strange but only just last year I learned how to read a crochet pattern, and now there’s a whole new exciting world of modern crochet for me to explore. I’m not looking back!

Up for the challenge - this time to get through a pattern and figure out how to increase/decrease, I combed the Ravelry archives and the L+S store for project inspiration.

The result was the sleek and modern Minna Top by Susanne Müller, worked up in DHG’s mercerised cotton yarn, Lincoln.

Enjoy!

Andrea | Loom + Spindle


STUDIO PROJECT | Minna Top

INTENTION

Crochet the Minnna Top pattern and explore:

  • Working with Lincoln

  • Reading written crochet instructions

  • Working double-crochet decreases

DESIGN

Minna Top was published in May 2019 by Susanne Müller, a knitwear designer from Coburg, Germany. The pattern is available as a digital download on Ravelry and Etsy.

The pattern is available in 3 sizes with finished bust circumferences of 88cm, 95cm, and 104 cm.

I knit size 3.

SKILLS

  • Double-crochet worked flat

  • Double-crochet decreases

  • Working button holes

TOOLS

MATERIALS

PROCESS

YARN SELECTION

  • I was drawn to the dense yet silky hand feel of Lincoln. I chose the colourway Moss as it’s a very wearable colour for me.

CONSTRUCTION

  • I followed the pattern as written. I didn’t add any extra length to the body.

  • I blocked the piece prior to working the button bands.

FINISHING

  • Once all the crochet had been worked I blocked the piece again.

  • The only finishing touches were to sew on the buttons.

INSIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

YARN

  • The loosely plied Lincoln does make it a little splitty. You do need to keep an eye on your stitches if you’re prone to missing a thread or two.

  • The yarn was a breeze to work at this crochet gauge.

CONSTRUCTION + FINISHING

  • The pattern was very straight forward. I didn’t have any issues keeping track of my rows.

  • The classic top design was easy to work up. I didn’t find any elements to fiddly.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I’d recommend this pattern to anyone wanting to explore crochet garments.

It’s a great first piece, simple and modern.

Lincoln is a stunning yarn, the extensive palette has something for everyone.


Knitting the Minna Top in Lincoln?

Here’s what you’ll need for sizes 1-3: 3 ( 3 , 4 ) skeins

If you would you like to save this project for later add it to your Ravelry favourites HERE.


THANK YOU FOR READING!

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LAID EDGES | A Sock Project

I’m rounding out this year’s Socktober festivities with one last sock project.

This one was a bit of a challenge for me, not because the pattern was overly complicated, but because I chose an unlikely yarn for the experiment.

Knit up in Mirasol’s Ch’ichi, an alpaca/linen/bamboo blend, it wasn’t the easiest on the hands particularly while knitting in a small circumference.

But the results were worth the persistence!

Find my project notes below for the Laid Edges socks.

Enjoy!

Andrea | Loom + Spindle


STUDIO PROJECT | Laid Edges

INTENTION

Knit the Laid Edges sock pattern and explore:

  • Working with Ch’ichi

  • Working cable details on small circumference knitting

DESIGN

Laid Edges was published in May 2020 by Kellie Macpherson, a London horticulturist and budding knitwear designer. The pattern is available as a free digital download at Ravelry.com.

The pattern is available in 3 adult sizes with adjustable foot and leg lengths.

SKILLS

  • Knitting in the round

  • Simple cabling

TOOLS

  • 2.5 mm (no US equivelent) sock needles

MATERIALS

1 x Ch’ichi | Elderflower 03

PROCESS

YARN SELECTION

  • I was drawn to dense and weighty hand feel of Ch’ichi. It had a nice firm ply structure that I thought would be hardwearing enough for socks.

CONSTRUCTION

  • I followed the pattern as written. I didn’t add any extra length to the leg as I new yardage would be tight.

  • For the cuff cast-on I used the alternating cast-on method. To close the toe I used the Kitchener stitch as suggested in the pattern.

FINISHING

  • After weaving in the ends I gave the socks a short soak, after pressing out the water I used sock blockers to hang and dry.

  • The finished gauge was 28 stitches over 10cm (7st per inch).

INSIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

YARN

  • Ch’ichi is such a curious yarn, it has some softness, some drape and a durable hand-feel that all together is quite unique.

  • Without a lot of natural spring in the yarn (when compared to say a 100% wool yarn), it was tricky to work at such a small gauge. But, not impossible.

CONSTRUCTION + FINISHING

  • The charming cable detail is certainly what drew me to the pattern. Worked over just a few rows it was simple to remember and worked up fairly quickly with a bit of focused effort.

  • The twisted rib cuff was a nice detail that I think adds a clean modern look.

FINAL THOUGHTS

It was certainly fun knitting socks in Ch’ichi, but definitely not an experience for the faint hearted knitter.

Having got this experiement out of my system, I think I’ll stick to the recommended gauge for any future projects.

The resulting socks are comfy and warm.

Who dares me to rock them with sandals this summer?

…have to show off those toe to cuff cables some how, right!

Knitting Laid Edges in Ch’ichi?

Here’s what you’ll need for sizes 1-3: 1 ( 1 , 2) skeins

If you would you like to save this project for later add it to your Ravelry favourites HERE.


THANK YOU FOR READING!

GET 10% OFF YOUR NEXT CH’ICHI PURCHASE.

Simply join or confirm your subscription to the Loom & Spindle newsletter and get your discount code.


 
 
 
 

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Ethical + Regenerative | Millpost Merino

Australian superfine Merino.

Ethically and regeneratively grown. 

Produced on a family farm by lifelong wool lovers right here in Australia. Do I need to say more‽

Yes, of course I do. It’s one of my favourites for good reason.

Millpost Merino starts its journey on a single farm in Bungendore on the Southern Tablelands of NSW where the multi-generational Watson family have been practicing regenerative agriculture since 1979.

Early adopters of permaculture principles and methods, the Watsons farm their flock of Saxon Poll Merino sheep with the aim of minimising their impact on the surrounding ecosystem, always working to improve the health of the land they farm.

The farm to yarn journey continues when the best of the clip is sent off to New Zealand to be processed and spun by experienced hands. Returning home, the resulting yarn is incredibly soft and sumptuous offering makers a unique yarning experience.

Available in both 4 ply and 8 ply weights, Millpost Merino is perfect for all those special knit and crochet pieces where they’ll be appreciated and cherished by their wearer for years to come.

Shop all shades HERE.

Andrea - Loom & Spindle


4 Ply Colourways

8 Ply Colourways

THE YARN

FIBRE CONTENT: 100% permaculture grown superfine Merino wool
NET WEIGHT: 50g (1.7oz)
YARN WEIGHT EQUIVALENT: 4 Ply / 8 Ply
APPROX. YARDAGE: 171m (187yd) / 114m (125yd)
CONSTRUCTION: Worsted spun, moderate twist
ORIGIN: Southern Tablelands, NSW
CARE: Cold hand wash

PROJECT SUGGESTIONS

Millpost Merino is suitable for a range of knit and crochet pieces. For project inspiration check out our pattern favourites on Ravelry - 4 Ply Projects | 8 Ply Projects

ABOUT MILLPOST MERINO

Millpost Merino is a single-source Australian Superfine Merino yarn grown at a family run farm practicing regenerative agriculture in Bungendore on the Southern Tablelands of NSW. To learn more about the Millpost farm you might like to check out their blog HERE.

 
 
 
 

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