It’s gift knitting season! I also review a book, Jewels.
Stay tuned to the very end for a chance to win a copy.
Many thanks to Making Stories for sponsoring this episode’s giveaway!
I received Making Stories’ newest book, Jewels, in exchange for a complete review. I have enjoyed reading it over the past week and am now able to share my thoughts about it below. There is also an opportunity to win a copy for yourself and even some yarn! More on that later.
Making Stories was founded by Berlin-based designers, Verena Cohrs (@sustanablistco formerly known as the Wool Club) and Hanna Lisa Haferkamp (@hlh.designs). Their work is focused on sustainability and ethically produced European yarns. Jewels is their 3rd publication containing 12 modern knitwear designs inspired by “deep strong tones of rubies, emeralds, sapphires and opals.”
Ever since I saw the first teaser photo on Instagram, I knew I had to make it.
The bold lines combined with a boxy, cropped fit and close-fitting sleeves are all elements of my ideal sweater. Not to mention it’s knit using worsted weight. Can it be more perfect?
I knew I wanted to try out the same yarn used for the pattern, De Rerum Natura Giliatt, so I immediately went on their website to choose a color. As always, I find this to be the toughest part! I was torn between genet, fauve, and plume. Unfortunately, genet which was my first choice, and the same color used for the sample wasn’t in stock but that’s ok because I couldn’t take my eyes off fauve.
It’s so far outside my typical color palette, I know! But I’ve been loving earth tones lately and have been craving to add a deep orange to my wardrobe. I also think since I already have a lot of neutrals that I won’t have a problem matching a shawl with it. Plus, it’ll look great with blue jeans 🙂 I can’t wait to swatch!
Here are a few more patterns I’m loving from the book:
The Morganite Hat designed by Imke Von Nathusius is made up of beautiful “diamonds, getting smaller and smaller, flowing out of a line of twisted rib.” I love the color they chose – Darkest Lac from Moel View Yarn.
If you’ve been following me for a while, you know how much I love geometric patterns and the texture of twisted stitches. I can definitely say this is must knit for me.
The Paraiba cardigan designed by Nadya Stallings has an open front, all over texture and has my name written all over it.
Described as “the one garment you’re going to grab from your closet to throw on over your pj’s to have your morning coffee and your black turtleneck when you meet your best friend for dinner”.
Ummm, yes, please!
The only thing I will note is that it is kind of hard to see the texture of the sweater from the book. They’re all lovely photos, don’t get me wrong, but the motif is somewhat lost against the dark background.
I did have a peek on Ravelry, and was able to see the design clearly from one of the project photos. Based on that, I do see myself knitting this in a shade of grey. Instant wardrobe staple!
I have been wanting to cast on a blanket type shawl and the play on bold lines and contrasting colors drew me in.
I did wish they included a photo in the book where I can see the full shape and design of the shawl. I mean, I knew from the description that it was basically a rectangle, but I would have still liked to see it laid out for a clearer view.
It doesn’t bother me though, just a personal preference. I’m totally in love with this design either way and can not wait to make one for myself. It is knit using fingering weight and requires approx. 1690 yards which is going to be a labor of love for sure.
But it’s totally worth it!!!
I have been working on mittens for my kids for Christmas this year. It has been so satisfying to have a quick FO with very little effort so I was thrilled to see a pair included in this book, Spinel by Becky Sorensen (also known as @sopranoknits).
What an adorable colorwork pattern! I haven’t decided if I’ll go with the original 4 colors or just 2. All I know is that this will be the matching mitten to go with my Morganite hat. Both are knit in DK weight and I’ve already made a note to pick up an extra skein 🙂
I always have a pair on the needles and I do have quite the collection already but what I did notice is the lack of lace socks. I’ve only made 1 lace pattern before and I intend to rectify that, starting with this beauty!
There are many more amazing patterns in the book and I encourage you to have a peek at the entire collection. You can find Jewels on Ravelry here.
There is also a KAL happening in the Making Stories group which you can join here. There will be lots of prizes and there is plenty of time to enter. The deadline is not until Feb. 28, 2019. There are also 2 other KAL’s happening right now for Topaz and Rubellite.
Here’s a peak of the rest of the patterns included in the book:
Topaz
Rubellite
Diopside
Tourmaline
Tanzanite
Alexandrite
Jewels also has plenty of insightful articles from Melody Hoffman, Paula Goosen, Diana Walla, and Katie Green on yarn + color substitutions. The book also features a designer and yarn profile where you can learn about their creative inspirations and backgrounds.
As mentioned earlier, I did receive a second copy of Jewels as a brand ambassador to give to you! Look out for that giveaway on the next podcast (episode 6) on YouTube.
I may have also picked up an extra sweater’s quantity of De Rerum Natura Gilliatt to make Citrine. I’ve been wanting to do a giveaway on Instagram as a thank you to my followers. I’m just blown away for reaching over 5k! Can you guess which color I got?
I have been busy working away in the studio and updating the blog has taken a back seat. It’s just me doing all the cutting, printing and sewing and with a few more orders to go before Christmas, I’m taking some time to do a bit of admin work this morning before starting another large production.
It’s been about a month now but nevertheless, I am so excited to let you know that you can now find Pearadise Island project bags at Toronto’s newest and baddest local yarn store – The Knitting Loft!
I had the pleasure of meeting the women behind TKL during their grand opening on Sunday, October 14. Bruna, Maria, Valentina and Viviana are a tight-knit family of makers. Together, they created a homey, welcoming space to gather and knit. Their store is conveniently located just 25 minutes away from me and I’m excited to finally have a LYS filled with an exceptional array of yarns and knitting accessories from all over the world.
Spinnacle Yarns, Hedgehog Fiber, Lichen and Lace, Isager, Madelinetosh, Knitting for Olive, Harrisville Designs just to name a few. They also have a cafe and a studio in the basement soon to be open for workshops!
It is a beautiful store and I highly recommend visiting if you are ever in the area!
The Knitting Loft is located at 672 Wilson Avenue, North York, ON M3K 1E1
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“We are consumed with creative wellness: a necessary pillar to any true wellness cure. We have not only discovered through research and our personal networks that creativity is a transformative practice, but also, through our own experiences that have proven that creativity is a powerful tool for healing. With this in mind and close at heart, we couldn’t think of a better tagline than, “The DIY Prescription”: a treatment for stress and inner calm.”
It’s no secret how much I adore all things Brooklyn Tweed – from their yarn to their patterns and overall aesthetic. I’m like a little kid in a candy store whenever a new collection comes out. I get the goosies. (Anyone else watch the finals for World of Dance Season 2?)
Goosebumps. I get the goosebumps.
It’s been a while since I mentioned anything under this category because A) I’ve been a little busy and totally slacking in the blog department B) a project I cast on that I once was excited about under this category didn’t quite work out (total fail on my part) and C) aside from one other thing that has been sitting in my draft for forever, I haven’t really come across anything that gave me the chills….until now.
So last week, Brooklyn Tweed released 3 new colors for Shelter and Loft to welcome the fall season. Pumice (grey), Iceberg (blue) and h-e-l-l-o Yellowstone!
I don’t have the yarn in front of me (yet) but it looks like the perfect marriage of yellow and green IMO. A yellow chartreuse. A heathered yellow chartreuse!!!
On top of this gorgeous new color, and basically what sent me over the edge is the beautiful lace half-hap design by Gudrun Johnson. The Perch Shawl.
I mean… damn! Isn’t she gorgeous?
I love the texture and the shape so much. I have a soft spot for triangular shawls because I find them effortless to style whether draped over my shoulders or wrapped around my neck a la scarf. I’m also curious about the construction – no spine like most traditional triangular shawls.
I am totally dream knitting this right now. It’s actually forcing me to finish something – anything! (read: I’ve got to get a handle on my castonitis) so I can get this on my needles….STAT!
In honor of Makers Monday, I’m introducing a new section to the blog called “Hey There Maker”. A place where I can share some of the things that follow me home.
This is dedicated to all the makers I obviously admire and highly recommend. You’ll find links to their shops below.
I’ve heard only great things about Catherine’s boxy bags and have been dying to try one out. When she shared a photo of this bag on Instagram, I fell deeply in love. All those socks! In my color!!!
When we were setting up for KW, I was fortunate to have my booth within close proximity to hers. I was even luckier that she set one of these beauties aside just for me! Now, I’m on the hunt for the perfect sock yarn to go in my very own ZigZag Stitches bag! I may paint my nails again to match my bag and future WIP when the time comes because…why not? I already have the matching bracelet to go with it 🙂
Crooked Kitchen’s booth was right behind mine and I couldn’t help but notice her beautiful hand dyed yarns! I was on the market for sock yarn to make the Coffee Talk socks by Tracie Millar (casting on as soon as I finish my Galianos) and really wanted to get something as similar to her version as possible.
It’s a good thing I had a project in mind for this purchase; otherwise, I would have been lingering at her booth for too long! Too many pretties! I chose the colorway Woodnote Symphony.
My kids passed by at KW later in the afternoon so I took them for a quick stroll and introduced them to some of my fiber friends also vending at the fair.
When we came across the Yarn Enabler and Yarn Therapist‘ booth, Vanessa fell in love with Jen’s shawl. A rainbow of all the right colors – pinks and purples to name a few, dyed to self-stripe as you knit!
If you’ve been following along for a while, you might recall me mentioning that I picked up one of these shawl pins for my MIL for Mothers’ Day at the Knitters’ Frolic. Since then, I made a note to make sure I visit their booth at KW so I can get one for myself. I love that it can double as a hair accessory! I’m going back for more on the next Frolic, to hopefully get a lighter wood and black if they have it.
Win a drawstring bag of your choice in my new colors:
To enter this giveaway:
1. Subscribe to my YouTube channel – Pearadise Island
2. Leave a comment on YouTube under Episode 4 with your Ravelry username and style of bag you’d like to win.
*Winner will be drawn in random and announced on the next episode.*
I mean… damn! Isn’t she gorgeous?
Do you get excited when you come across a design that speaks to your whole being? 
