One of the first fibre-folk I met when we moved to Manitoba was Ash Alberg, you may also recognize them by their beautiful line of naturally dyed yarn - Sunflower Knit! I knew that Iiked Ash immediately and I admired the enthusiasm and passion for the local Manitoba Fibre Scene that exuded from Ash!
So I was very excited with the newest pattern book Flotsam & Jetsam: 15 knits inspired by ocean-bed debris was released! I went to the release party, and picked up a signed copy of the book, and admired all the beautiful samples from the book, then I took the book home and it has sat eagerly waiting to be read on my bookshelf. Well now that 'most' of the urgent farm chores are done, I decided to sit down with some coffee and finally crack the cover of this beautiful book!
hot coffee, knitting book and new yarn
I have some beautiful 'Pioneer' yarn from A Verb for Keeping Warm in Oakland, CA - I love that shop, I love what they do, and I love this yarn, so I decided it would sit with me as I dive into the book.
Perhaps because I did my undergrad in Nova Scotia, or perhaps because the photo's are such a stunning representation of the Bay of Fundy and the landscape of Nova Scotia, but I was almost in tears as I finished the introduction. I won't spoil it for you, but sincerely read the introduction to this book - it really is a 'love letter' to the Maritimes.
I've now wound my yarn, added my pumpkin-banana bread (because all the pumpkin), and I'm ready to go.
Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned knitter there is something for everyone in this book. The patterns are well written, there is a great range in sizing (including the garments) and so diverse!
I did a little recap of my favourite items!
Wild & Reckless Heart - because a fisherman's pullover is always a perfect choice, especially one with beautiful cables like this one! (top left)
Oxidized - these socks are lovely (especially with local Manitoba dyed yarn) and the detailing is subtle and compliments the colour changes! (top right)
Abalone - This is my most favourite pattern from the book, the way the colours and the neutral dance around the lace, I fell in love with the real life samples I saw of this shawl, and I will definitely be making it in the near future (bottom right)
Rockweed - fingerless gloves are something I make every year, and I absolutely love these, it might be the most excited I've ever been about bobbles! (bottom left)
I waffled back and forth on whether to knit the Fishbones hat or the Dulse boot cuffs with my yarn, but I decided on the boot cuffs, because they are amazing and quick and the perfect project to keep my legs warm, or to look good! I finished about four rounds by the time my coffee was finished, and the boys were begging me to cut them another slice of pumpkin bread. I'm hoping to steal some time this afternoon and hopefully I can share pictures of the finished cuffs by the end of the week!
The start of my Dulse boot cuffs and the end of my coffee
Speaking of the end of the week, Ash has generously offered to participate in a giveaway with me! For your chance to win a copy of this book, and one of our shetland sheep project bags, just leave a comment on your favourite project from Flotsam & Jetsam in the comments below! After a week we will randomly select a winner!
Giveaway of this book and project bag (details below)
You can find the ebook or hard copy on Ravelry, or pick up a copy at Wolseley Wool if you are in Winnipeg. It is worth it!