Intentional Spinning

Over the past few years, I find myself journeying more and more into the land of spinning with drop spindles. Turns out it’s a happy place where I always feel at home.

Sometimes I set out on a new spinning project without a plan—I have a new roving and I just get started, deciding after it’s finished and plied what the yarn might become.

Other times, I’m more intentional and start out with a plan. The stand-alone singles I spun with Three Waters Farm Rambouillet for my Bluetta Scarf pattern are an example of intentional spinning.

Bluetta Scarf, by Bonnie Sennott

My newest spinning project is also intentional. As soon as I saw Diana Niedobova’s Journey of Mind in the KDD My Place project, I wanted to cast on this beautiful stranded-color cowl.

Journey of Mind Cowl, by Diana Niedobova

I’ve decided to spin the two fingering weight yarns needed for the cowl. One color will be undyed mixed BFL from my stash. The other color with be mixed BFL in the Amethyst colorway dyed by Greenwood Fiberworks.

I used the undyed mixed BFL a few years ago for my Spindler Mitts pattern. I think its silvery grey-brown color will be a beautiful contrast to the purples and blues of the Amethyst yarn.

Spindler Mitts, by Bonnie Sennott

For this project, I’m using a couple of Snyder Turkish spindles; one weighs 25 grams, the other 22. I divided the roving into two halves and will spin one half from the teal end of the color sequence, and the other end from the violet end.

I don’t trust this plan to my memory, so I attached labels to each half. I’m also keeping track in my little spinning notebook where I log what I’ve spun, spindle and fiber weights, thoughts about the fiber, etc.

The project’s off to a great start. I’m really enjoying spinning with Turkish spindles—they might possibly be my favorite style. The “over two, under one” winding-on method for the cop is both pretty and fun to do.

They’re also quite portable. On my walk yesterday on nearby trails, I brought my spindle along and enjoyed spinning for a bit at a favorite peaceful brook.

With spring in the air, it feels like the right time to start a fresh new spinning project. And next winter, when the spinning and knitting are done, the cowl will remind me of the My Place project, of spinning outdoors in warm weather, and of the joy of learning a new spinning method.

If you spin, do you treat each project as an adventure, deciding what you’ll make with the yarn after you’ve finished spinning? Or do you start out with a specific use or pattern in mind?

Pattern Release: Winter's End Scarf

As we move into spring (in fits and starts) here in New England, I’m excited to share a new design that’s perfect for transitional weather: the Winter’s End scarf.

The pattern is available at Ravelry, Payhip, and Etsy. Use the coupon code BROOKFIELD when checking out to save 20 percent.

Winter’s End Scarf, by Bonnie Sennott

Winter’s End is knit with Milarrochy Tweed from Kate Davies Designs and is part of her My Place project featuring accessories by independent designers. It was inspired by a place near and dear to my heart—the Brookfield Farm in Amherst, Massachusetts. My essay about the scarf, my design process, and the farm appears on the KDD blog. You can also see all of the My Place designs in the KDD Ravelry group.

Knit in fingering weight yarn (six skeins of Milarrochy Tweed), Winter’s End is a wide, rectangular lace scarf. It’s worked flat, from one end to the other, and after blocking, fringe is added. (Never made fringe? Don’t worry—pattern provides step-by-step instructions for adding fringe with a crochet hook.)

The lace stitch patterns are provided both in written, line-by-line, format and in a chart. So whichever you prefer, you’re covered.

I’ve shared lots of photos of the farm and how I arrived at the scarf’s design over at the KDD blog. It means a lot to me to celebrate the farm I’ve loved for the past 25 years as part of the My Place project. I’m honored to be included among such a talented group of designers who have created such beautiful designs inspired by places meaningful to them.

The Winter’s End introductory sale ends at midnight EST on Sunday, March 28.

Happy knitting, and happy spring!

Pattern Release: Kindred Cowl

Happy New Year, dear blog reader! I don’t know about you, but I’m more than ready to turn the page. I hope with all my heart that 2021 is far less stressful than 2020. May the new year bring us all an abundance of happiness and good health.

I’m excited to share that my Kindred Cowl — first released as part of the annual Bare Naked Wools Red Scarf Fundraiser last fall — is now available exclusively as a Blue Peninsula pattern. To celebrate, I’m offering an introductory discount: save 20% with the coupon code KINDRED20 at Ravelry and Payhip.

Knit in sportweight yarn, the Kindred Cowl is worked flat, from one end to the other, beginning with a provisional cast-on. After blocking, the two ends are joined with a three-needle bind-off.

If you aren’t familiar with these techniques, the pattern has you covered. It provides step-by-step instructions for working the crochet provisional cast-on and for the three-needle bind-off.

These winter months call for warm, cozy knits — and cowls offer so much versatility. On coldest days, you can double a cowl up around your neck for extra warmth. Once indoors, you can wear it as a single long loop (and really let those cables shine). If you’ve been doing nothing but holiday gift knitting, maybe now’s the time to cast on a special project just for yourself!

The introductory 20% off discount ends Wednesday, January 6. Use the code KINDRED20 at either Ravelry or Payhip.

Happy knitting — and 2021!

Pattern Release: Bluetta

I’m pleased to share my last new pattern for 2020: Bluetta, a cozy, feminine scarf/shawlette to knit for yourself or as a gift. The pattern is now available in my Ravelry and Payhip pattern stores, where you can enjoy 20% off with the coupon code BLUETTA.

Named after a variety of blueberries, Bluetta combines easy garter stitch and a scalloped lace edging. Worked from one end to the other, it has a gently tapered crescent shape. And, it’s reversible! No worrying about getting the “right” side up when you wear it.

The pattern provides step-by-step instructions in written form and in a chart. A schematic helps you to visualize the progression of the knitting, the increase and decrease sections, and the piece’s overall shape.

There are two sizes — a scarf and a shawlette — as well as tips for shortening or lengthening the piece.

Any single or plied fingering weight yarn can be used. You’ll need 475 yds/435 m for the scarf and 550 yds/505 m for the shawlette. For the sample, I used handspun Three Waters Farm Rambouillet in the Blue Flourish colorway.

The introductory discount continues through Thursday, December 10, at Ravelry and Payhip. Use the coupon code BLUETTA to save 20%.

Thank you for your support during this year like no other. I couldn’t have gotten through it without you. I’m truly grateful for each and every pattern purchase.

Happy knitting—and happy holidays to you and yours.

Pattern Release: Mill River Socks

Just released and ready for your needles! The Mill River Socks are a fun and easy colorwork project, perfect for holiday gifts or to knit just for yourself.

Save 20% at Payhip and Ravelry with the coupon code SOCKS20. Sale ends this Sunday, November 22, at midnight EST.

The Mill River Socks feature easy-to-knit stranded colorwork on the upper leg, with another "bracelet" of color just before the toe shaping. They're worked top-down, but if you're a fan of toe-up socks, you can easily adapt them — the colorwork patterns are identical in both directions.

To make them, you'll need about 300 yards/275 m of sock yarn for the main color and 75 yards/70 m for the contrast color. For the sample pair, I used OlannGra Tommy 4-Ply Sock in the colorways November Skies and Pigeon Gray.

The pattern's named after the Mill River Conservation Area in Amherst, Massachusetts. The trails in the woods along the Mill River offer refreshing places to walk, sit and reflect, and knit or spin. It's a calming, restorative place, lovely in all seasons, and I'm grateful it's just a few minutes from home.

Find the Mill River Socks pattern at Payhip and Ravelry.

Pattern Release: Next in Line Wrap

Five colors of sock yarn, lots of soothing garter stitch, and a fun log cabin construction: meet the Next in Line Wrap, a striking unisex accessory sure to unleash your color creativity.

Next in Line Wrap, by Bonnie Sennott

The pattern’s available on Ravelry and at Payhip. Save 20% at either site with the coupon code NEXT20.

The wrap’s two ends are knit separately and then joined with garter stitch grafting. Never done garter stitch grafting before? Not to worry — the pattern provides complete, step-by-step instructions.

What colors will you choose for your Next in Line Wrap? Once you cast on, be sure to share your progress on Instagram with the hashtag #nextinlinewrap. You can use that same hashtag to see progress photos I posted as I knit the wrap.

Don’t forget, the introductory sale ends at midnight EST this Sunday, November 8!

P.S. If you’re shifting from Ravelry to Payhip, use the link below to browse my patterns. To make it simpler, I’ve organized them into collections (garments, shawls, etc). Click the blue “follow” button to receive an email whenever I add a pattern to Payhip — it’s an easy way to stay on top of what’s new!

LINKS
Next in Line Wrap - Ravelry
Next in Line Wrap - Payhip
Bonnie Sennott: Ravelry Designer Page
Bonnie Sennott: Payhip

Pattern Sale, and a Spinalong/Knitalong

Where did October go? I can hardly believe it's already November!

I’m excited to announce a big sale, and something fun for spinners — a spinalong/knitalong (SAL/KAL) in the Three Waters Farm Ravelry group. You can cast on one of my patterns using TWF handspun in your stash, or you can start spinning some TWF fiber to use for a Blue Peninsula design. (Or both, I guess, if you’re ambitious or fast!)

I’m honored they’ve organized this event around my patterns, and to celebrate I’m holding a pattern sale. All Blue Peninsula patterns and ebooks are 20% off on Ravelry through Sunday, November 8, with the coupon code TWF20. If you don't use Ravelry, you can also get the discount with the same code in my Payhip store.

I'll be working on the Bluetta Scarf (upcoming pattern, below) that I'm knitting with fingering weight singles I spun using Three Waters Farm Rambouillet in the Blue Flourish colorway. Hope to see some of you over in the Three Waters Farm SAL/KAL!

November’s going to be a busy month — while I work on finishing Bluetta, I’ve got two additional new patterns almost ready to release. Watch for the Next in Line Wrap in the next week or so, and later in November, a new sock pattern. More soon!

Coming soon: Next in Line Wrap

Wrap and Turn (Bike Wheels, That Is)

It’s the time of turning — from summer to fall. From long, hot days to shorter, cool ones. From daylong birdsong to just an occasional racket of jays trying to scare off a hawk. From nights filled with crickets and katydids to ever-increasing silence (except for the coyotes).

Time to say so long to the hummingbirds and monarchs and wish them well on their journeys. (How I wish I could magically fly along and see where they go!) Most days it’s hard to find anything positive to say about the coronavirus pandemic, but there have been a few blessings. Being home so much over the summer meant getting to see the hummingbirds much more than I usually do.

The annual “hummingbird cafe” I grow in pots on the deck outside my living room had lots of visitors every day this summer. It was a joy to see them. Any day now they’ll depart, and then the long season of waiting for their return will begin.

This is a knitting blog, not a nature blog, so I guess I should share some knitting content, right? During the summer, I mostly worked on two new designs that will be published later — one in the fall, and one in 2021. They’re secret for now, and I can’t wait to show you them when the time is right.

I also knit quite a lot on a log cabin wrap inspired by my Next in Line Afghan. The afghan was worked in four colors of worsted weight wool, but the wrap uses five colors of fingering weight or sock yarn. Like the afghan, the wrap employs a log cabin construction and stripes to create a striking geometric design. There are two identical ends — I’ve finished those, yay! — that are joined by a center colorblock section (I’m working on that now). Look for the pattern this fall.

I’ve got a colorwork sock pattern in progress, too — something fairly simple I can take with me on bike rides this month. The yarns were a set I purchased over at OlannGra on Etsy; the colors are November Skies and Pigeon Gray.

I’m riding both indoors and outdoors this month as part of the virtual WillBike4Food fundraiser for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. Cyclists of all ages and abilities are riding to raise funds for emergency meals for those in need in our community. So far I’ve ridden 17 miles and raised $225 — I’m only $25 away from my goal of $250! If you’d like to donate, just visit my donation page.

This is another unexpected positive of the pandemic — the usual one-day ride can’t be held, so they’re doing this monthlong virtual event instead, making it possible for casual riders like me to join the effort. A daylong ride up and down hills isn’t my cup of tea, but I can definitely manage 25 miles in smaller rides. Plus, it’s great to choose my own terrain and scenery, and to ride indoors on a stationary bike, too.

I’m taking the sock along with me whenever I ride. To follow my rides and progress on the sock, follow me on Instagram.

I hope you’re enjoying these late summer days. It’s been beautiful and peaceful here in western Massachusetts, but every day the news reminds me that’s not the case out on the West Coast. The destruction of communities and rising number of deaths caused by wildfires are just heartbreaking to witness. So many have lost their homes and possessions or are dealing with poor air quality; and all this suffering is happening during a pandemic.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and helpless, but you can make a difference. Wear a mask and social distance; donate funds or your time to groups that are helping others; and, above all, exercise your right to vote this fall!

Anything Goes KAL and Pattern Sale

Summer is always a great time for a relaxed, low-pressure knitalong — the kind where you can pick up your project when you’ve got a free moment, let it be when you don’t. Last summer in the Ravelry Blue Peninsula group, we knit socks.

This summer — Anything Goes! Hats, shawls, mitts, sweaters, scarves, cowls, socks: you can knit what you like in this leisurely two-month KAL starting Sunday, June 14.

Now through the start of the KAL, I’m having a sale on all patterns and ebooks in my Ravelry store. Everything is discounted 20%. You don’t need a coupon code — you’ll get the discount automatically at checkout. With this sale, I am raising funds for the Loveland Foundation, which provides therapy support for black women and girls. Ten percent of every pattern purchase through June 14 will be donated to the foundation. I hope you'll join me in supporting their important work.

The Anything Goes KAL starts Sunday, June 14 and ends Sunday, August 16. For extra incentive to finish your projects, there will be prizes (of course!) — I’ve ordered lovely yarn from indie dyers Kim Dyes Yarn and Seven Sisters Arts.

Based in Maine, Karen of Seven Sisters Arts creates gorgeous colorways inspired by nature. A weaver, spinner, knitter, and dyer, she’s been dyeing yarn since the 80s and knows color inside and out. Learn more here.

I discovered Kim Dyes Yarn while browsing the new BIPOC in Fiber website and was immediately smitten with her stunning variegated colorways. Based in Virginia, she has created a Kim Dyes Yarn Community Matters program to assist local yarn shops impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Learn more here.

For the Anything Goes KAL, you can knit whatever you’re in the mood for. Indulge yourself with a lacy summer shawl, make a cozy new pair of socks for fall, or even get started on your Rhinebeck sweater. We'll have fun chatting and sharing our progress all summer long. Hope you can join in!

LINKS

Anything Goes KAL
Bonnie Sennott: Ravelry Designer Page
The Loveland Foundation

New Pattern: Falling Water Shawl

Easy but elegant lace — not too much, just enough to keep things interesting — balanced by soothing garter stitch: doesn’t that sound like the ideal knitting project during this stressful time filled with all kinds of difficulties and uncertainty?

Falling Water Shawl by Bonnie Sennott

During the past month or so, the Falling Water Shawl has kept me (relatively) sane and (relatively) distracted from excessive worrying. It’s been exactly the right project for this unusual spring — fun and not at all stressful. Now that it’s finished, the pattern is available on Ravelry, where you can take 20% off with the coupon code SPRING.

Fun fact about this shawl: you can make it as long (or short) as you like, because the final section of knits and purls can be worked over any number of stitches. My sample is a generous 68 inches/173 cm along the top edge — the “wingspan.”

The Falling Water Shawl features the lace motif I used in my Falling Water Scarf, modified to fit nicely within the shape of an asymmetrical triangular shawl. I’ve also updated the scarf pattern with a new sample, new photos, spruced up instructions, a new chart, and additional sizes. You can use the SPRING coupon code to save 20% on the Falling Water scarf as well as the shawl. This introductory sale ends Sunday, May 3.

Or, purchase both patterns together in the Falling Water ebook set and save even more!

The Falling Water Shawl begins with a cast-on of just three stitches and gradually grows longer, with a column of lace flowing up the right side and garter stitch on the left. Yarn overs worked on the left side create the shawl’s triangular shape. The shawl is knit flat, but a circular needle is used to accommodate the large number of stitches. Stitch patterns are provided in charts and also are written out, line by line — so whichever you prefer, you’re covered.

For the sample, I used O-Wool O-Wash Fingering, an organic, 100% merino yarn. It was a splurge last fall at Rhinebeck — and I'm so glad I didn't hesitate to get it! It's been a pleasure to have on the needles and has a lovely drape that's really perfect for lace. Another fun fact: O-Wool will be a vendor this weekend at the virtual Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. The “real” festival had to be canceled, but they’ve come up with a nifty online event to keep everyone connected.

One of my favorite (and local) annual fiber festivals, the Massachusetts Sheep and Woolcraft Fair — held every year at the end of May at the Cummington Fairgrounds — also isn’t happening, due to COVID-19. Lately I’ve even been wondering whether there will be a New York Sheep and Wool Festival this October — what a shame if it has to be canceled! But let’s not get ahead of ourselves, right? We’ll just have to wait and see what the coming months bring and keep our fingers crossed that big gatherings like Rhinebeck can safely happen again.

In the meantime, keep on knitting, support healthcare workers and first responders, thank the staff at supermarkets and gas stations and pharmacies etc. etc. for being there for you — and above all, be well and be safe everyone.

LINKS
Falling Water Shawl
Falling Water Scarf
Falling Water Ebook Set
Bonnie Sennott: Ravelry Designer Page