It's here! MDK Field Guide No. 12: Big Joy

I’ve been so excited to share this news (and this collection) with you! My last post was an ode to Ann and Kay of Mason Dixon Knitting and for good reason – they’ve been a huge influence on my knitting journey over the years and a source of techniques, inspiration and so much more. Last January, Ann, Kay and I had a lunch date in NYC and I almost fell out of my chair when they proposed we do a Field Guide together. Excited is not the word. Ecstatic would be more accurate. So today I am thrilled to share the modern, giftable, super fun-to-knit projects we’ve been working on for the past several months behind the scenes for MDK Field Guide No. 12: Big Joy. (And what a joy it’s been!)

Open this awesome cover (illustrated by Jessie Pickren) and you’ll find chunky knits using Rowan Big Wool that come together fast, perfect for this season of knitting gifts for those we love. The five patterns in this field guide play with scale, texture and color and I made sure that everything comes in multiple sizes. Hats you can make for a baby, a tween or your dad (and everyone in between?) A cardigan in eleven sizes? Yes to all of this. Check out the designs (and gorgeous photos by Elysa Weitala) below.

And … oh yeah. That pie? (Everyone’s been talking about this pie!) More to come on the pie. This was inspired by a pie I made and blogged about a few years ago for Pi Day (March 14th). This pie has a faux knitted crust and became the inspiration behind the Brambleberry Cowl in the Field Guide.

Ready to get your own copy of MDK Field Guide No. 12: Big Joy? It’s available right here. Mason Dixon Knitting also has Rowan Big Wool in ALL the colors, and Addi Rockets to make your knitting extra, extra speedy. (Supporting MDK with your purchases means you’re supporting all that goes on at MDK, including their fantastic content, articles by their amazing contributors and these awesome little Field Guides.) If you’re local, stop by and knit with us at A Tangle of Yarn on September 14, 2019 from 12-4 for our MDK Field Guide launch party! Teresa will have lots of copies of Field Guide No. 12 on hand and I can sign yours if you want. (There will be pie.)

THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for all the kind comments and sweet words of support this week. I’m really excited for this season of knitting and I hope you are too.

xo,
Jen

on my way to TNNA

I'm headed to Columbus, OH this weekend for the 2015 Summer National Needle Arts Association show. I'm excited to be attending with Rowan and rooming with one of my very favorite Rowan ambassador friends, Kristen from Knitionary. I know we will have a fantastic time together and I'm looking forward to meeting up with lots of other knitting pals over the course of the weekend. This will be my first time attending TNNA but from what I've heard, I can look forward to a weekend of exploring downtown Columbus, checking out the new yarns/products/books, attending Marly Bird's Designer Dinner, meeting up with long-distance friends, good food, tasty drinks and the legendary Jeni's Ice Cream that I have heard so much about. I cannot wait.

I am the world's worst over-packer. But the hardest thing is deciding which knitting projects to bring. So much knitting time on the plane! And all of my projects are super bulky. Hmm. Shoes or yarn? Yarn or shoes. That is the question. 

Will I see you there? Have you attended in the past? Do you have any last-minute packing advice for me? I'm all ears.  ;)

Fresh off the needles

Welcome to my wardrobe, new chunky oversized sweater! I just finished knitting this guy over the weekend. This pattern is called 'Ranch' and was designed by the wonderful Martin Storey. I used my favorite bulky yarn, Rowan Big Wool in color 17/Smoky. It's one of those colors that sometimes looks gray and sometimes looks kind of navy. I love it.

I have a weird tendency to accidentally knit things that are a little bit too large for me, and I made this in a size medium. The sleeves are pretty long and the fit is definitely loose. I love big comfy sweaters, so I'm cool with it ... but I can't help thinking about ripping back and knitting a small instead. We will see.

I absolutely love this sweater and pattern in every way; the fit and shaping is really well done. I'm just wondering if I'd wear it more if it was a size smaller. It's such a fast knit that I know I could re-knit it relatively quickly! 

(What do you think? Leave it as-is or re-knit?) 

Also ... photo creds go to Lotus. Isn't she a great photographer? I think she's pretty great. :)