Did you bind off your Burning Branch Shawl? One of my favorite parts of any project with lace is the blocking.

Because of the unusual shape of this shawl, it can be a little tricky to block  I laid it out on m blocking board and pinned out the SSKs then smoothed the rest of the shape and pinned it.

I love taking a dried lace project off the blocking board. It is so satisfying when you remove the pins, pick it up, and the beautiful shape stays.

Now you can wear your finished shawl. Check out the different ways Katie is wearing our sample.

Do you love your shawl? Any questions we didn’t answer?

Now that we have completed our three leaf repeats, it is time to work the last leaf and twig border. You’ll work the first part until there are 9 stitches between each marker.

The twig pattern is formed in the next section and is repeated until you have 2 stitches before marker B. This will be your k1 and ssk like before.

Tip: As you’re working, you’ll being to be able to read your knitting. There were a couple times I was purling back on the wrong side row and I realized I missed a yarnover. This is super easy to fix without undoing what you’ve already done. When you get to the point where there should be a yarnover, simply pick up the bar between the two stitches and purl it – instant fix.

Kirsten designed this pattern to use all of the BFL skein, so you may run out before you finish the pattern repeats, but the great thing about how she designed it is that it’s okay! I ran out (with enough to bind off) when there were five stitches between the markers and it still looks amazing. You could also do the last section in a coordinating color for a different look.

Next week, we’ll wrap up the Burning Branch Shawl KAL and block our shawls!

This week, we move on to knitting the leaves of the Burning Branch Shawl. I love the leaf pattern of this shawl and the way it develops. It has me thinking spring, and I’m definitely ready to see leaves on the trees again.

In the first row of each leaf section you’ll be placing your ‘B’ markers. this is why it is important to have two different colors of markers.

Tip: If you don’t have different color markers, you can use scraps of yarn. I often just grab a short length of yarn from a nearby scrap ball and tie it and use it as a marker. Then I don’t have to worry if it falls off and rolls under a chair since it is just scrap.

For each repeat you’ll work until there are two stitches before your ‘B’ markers. These will be your k1 and ssk.

After working the first leaf you’ll repeat it two more times.

The wrong side purl rows are starting to get long! Purling is not my favorite thing to do, but I’ve been catching up on old TV shows on Netflix as I knit this.

How is your shawl coming?

We’re kicking off our latest KAL (knit-a-long) here on the blog today! When Kirsten finished 514 Burning Branch Shawl, we loved the unique shape and the BFL Fingering dyed by Gail is amazing to work with and wear.

For the KAL, you’ll need a skein of Valley Yarns BFL Fingering Hand Dyed, size US4 needles (I used 32″ Addi Lace circulars), and stitch markers*- 6 each of 2 different colors, and the pattern.

In the first section, you cast on, place you ‘A’ markers and work 12 rows to set up the pattern.

If you’re going to be at Stitches West this weekend, make sure you come visit us in booth 604-612 and 703-711. We’ll have the sample, pattern, and yarn so you can start right away. You definitely want to check it out in person. It is gorgeous!

We’ll continue next week. Hope you’ll join us!

*My stitch markers were purchased from Knitifacts etsy store.

This week, the staff at WEBS is buzzing about…

Jeff’s mother, Lise, made him yet another fantastic hat for winter. Windschief by Stephen West was knit out of Jade Sapphire Brigadoon to create this hat. Jeff says it’s so soft, “It feels like my head is surrounded by puppy ears!”

I was looking for a fun and colorful scarf to brighten up my winter. This pattern (Mister Hannah from the CEY Color By Kristin Book 2) was easy to follow and the colors really zing! I used the “Color by Kristin” yarns called for; Raspberry, Spring Green, Geranium, Turquoise Sea and Aubergine. The contrast stitching and tassels really make it work! > Suzette J.

I love seasonal accessories. Luckily, I work at Webs. I have access to the best raw materials and after I’m done, I can wear my crazy knitwear around people who will appreciate it. These arm warmers and boot toppers were inspired by my favorite seasonal candy, Candy Corn. I started to see all sorts of knitted things based on Candy Corn all over the internet. I thought I would make my own. These were made with some yarn off our bargain shelf, but could easily be made with Cascade 220 fingering in Burnt Orange, Goldenrod, and White. They were quick to knit up and have already been stolen by my 13 year old! > Amy S.

The Spring Ribbed Cardi by Hannah Fettig was a lot of fun to knit! While being fairly easy to knit I love the free and easy look of the finished cardigan. I used a discontinued yarn to knit mine, but some great substitutes would be Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool, Madelinetosh Sport, or (if you want something really luxurious) Madelinetosh Pashmina. > Greta S.

With a birthday coming faster than I realized and loving the challenge of a new pattern I decided that would take one of my workhorse yarns, Berroco Comfort on a recent trip with my husband. I heard for years about The Wonderful Wallaby pattern yet had not taken the time to research and make it. It was such a wonderful knit and I loved the process so much that not only did I make Luke his for his first birthday but also one for Hannah for her first day of preschool. > Lise G.

This week we feature another free pattern that uses yarns from our Anniversary Sale. The Bessie Positive/Negative Stole has an ethereal beauty reminiscent of shooting stars and the night sky. The wispy S. Charles Collezione Luna creates a delicate halo, while S. Charles Collezione Stella creates the clearly defined, contrasting lines.

Luna is a light, airy blend of super kid mohair, silk, and lurex. It has a wonderful halo and just a touch of sparkle that makes it perfect for special occasions.

Stella blends silk and lurex for a sophisticated yarn with sparkle that won’t be overbearing. The two yarns pair beautifully in this project.

There’s no better time to grab the yarn for this project than now, when it’s on sale. I don’t know about you, but I can’t believe there’s only one week left until May. It seems like just yesterday we were discussing what yarns were going to go in the Anniversary Sale, and now it’s almost over. That reminds me, I’d better figure out what I want to stock up on!

Click here for a link to the free pattern.

Hi Everyone,

This week’s free pattern is a free Ravelry download from the folks at Be Sweet. The Light as a Feather Wrap is knit in Be Sweet Medium Brushed Mohair.

This wrap has finished measurements of 40″ x 80″ so it’s perfect for cuddling up in! With the wacky weather we’ve been having (mild one day, frigid the next) that sounds perfect. You’ll also find directions for a 22″ x 80″ shawl. It’s a simple pattern with a lovely crochet edging.

The wrap is worked in Be Sweet Medium Brushed Mohair. I could see this wrap in one of the brighter colors just as easily as I can in one of the more neutral colors. It would be great for adding a dramatic burst of color to your outfit.

Click here for a link to the free pattern.

Enjoy!
Mary

Hi Everyone,

This week’s free pattern is crocheted in Cascade Ultra Pima. It is the Lavender Reverie Wrap.

It is created by crocheting a series of motifs and joining them later, so you could use this as a travel project over the winter and you’ll have a great layer for spring and summer.

Cascade Ultra Pima is a soft, 100% cotton that is machine washable. It has 220 yards per hank and comes in wonderful colors. It has a nice sheen too!

Click here for a link to the pattern.

Enjoy!
Mary

Hi Everyone,

This week’s free pattern is the Dandelion Lace Shawl from the folks at Classic Elite. It is knit in Classic Elite Silky Alpaca Lace. It is a beautiful blend of alpaca and silk that works up into lightweight and airy projects.

The pattern offers three different shawl sizes each taking just one back of the main color and one of the contrasting color. The sample is a size small, which is a great size for a little shawlette or to wear as a scarf. The largest size is 54″ wide and 21 ½” deep at the center point.

The dropped stitches on the lace border are fun. If you’ve ever knit a Clapotis (from Knitty.com), you know how much fun it is to drop stitches on purpose!

I love that you can make this shawl your own by choosing the color you like, or even knitting it in just one color. It would make a lovely gift too, since it is time to start thinking about that. (I’ve already started making a list in my head, we’ll see how much of it I get done.)

Click here for a link to the free pattern. If you’re not already subscribed to Classic Elite’s Web-Letter, sign up. It’s a great way to get a free pattern delivered to your inbox every week!

Happy Knitting!
Mary

Hi Everyone,

The free pattern this week is the beautiful Lace Shawl from Regia.

It is knit in Regia Lace which is a blend of superwash wool and polyamide with a lovely color effect that transitions from color to color. It is a charted pattern, so you’ll want to keep that in mind. I love working lace from charts. To me, it is a great representation of what the pattern looks like and it makes more sense to my brain looking at that rather than a jumble of words.

Click here for a link to download the pattern.

Happy Knitting,

Mary