Shifting Rib Cowl

I am not sure that many people know this, but my roots are in designing. In the early days of Anzula, I crocheted accessories and hand spun yarn to sell at craft fairs, farmer's markets, my local yarn shop and a record store. I published a few of my patterns way back in the day, and occasionally designs come to me and I still knit them up. But I don't usually bring them out in public because I don't have the time to write them up.

Last fall, Justin and I were on one of our tours through Arizona and Texas and I had a skein of For Better Or Worsted with me. I didn't know what I wanted to knit, mostly just something that I didn't have to think about and could work on while in yarn shops. I cast on a bunch of stitches and did what comes naturally. I knit. What first began as a nothing that was just something for me to do in my down moments, became a For Better Or Worsted Cowl that I needed a pattern for because others saw me knitting it and wanted to have one also.

We were getting ready for TNNA and Stitches West, and I knew I would have little to no time to write it up, so I asked my friend Miriam if she could help me out. I sent her the knit, and she wrote the pattern and the Shifting Rib Cowl was born.

It is one of my favorite go to knits. I have knit two in For Better Or Worsted, and one in Cole. This summer I cast on another one while Lacie and I were in New York. She needed something to knit and at some point took over knitting it. When we headed home she left it in the truck, and I decided to teach Logan to knit on it. He knit a few rows, then wanted to start his own project. It continued to sit there until this trip. I finished my sweater and picked it up. I had already made the decision to do this one a bit differently, I wanted something I could truly cuddle up with. For Better Or Worsted feels so good against the skin so this would be a two skein version with major color blocking.

Logan loves to drive, so I get a lot of knitting time on the road. It feels like this one knit itself. I'm pretty pleased with how it came out.

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Weaving: The Crickets Meet

We spend a lot of time knitting and crocheting at Anzula, but we love to take little breaks to mix in a bit of spinning and weaving for good measure. The wonderful people at Schacht Spindle Co. are always on board when we decide to stretch our fibery wings.

Today, we are going to share a little company history and a link to a beautiful weaving pattern by Stephanie Flynn-Sokolov:

A Brief History of Schacht Spindle Co.

Schacht Spindle Company, maker of the award-winning Cricket Loom, started in the late 60’s during the craft resurgence when Barry Schacht and his brother Dan, along with girlfriends, sought out a spinning teacher who then asked them to make some hand spindles. After they delivered the spindles which they’d fashioned from doorknobs, it was suggested they make a loom. “What’s a loom?” they asked. With borrowed tools, they made a simple loom and bit-by-bit realized that they were passionate about the crafts of weaving and spinning, as well as making great tools from wood. Soon, they were in business.

Meanwhile in Iceland, Jane Patrick was an exchange student where she first saw a loom and knew she’d be a weaver. She and Barry met at the weaving shop in Boulder, married, and after a stint as a weaving magazine editor, Jane joined Barry at Schacht. Together they work towards excellence in the belief that there is always room for improvement.

Jane Patrick and Barry Schacht make a great team!

Schacht is known for its unique, well-made products that are a joy to use. With weavers and spinners firmly in mind, they start with an idea, develop it with an interdisciplinary team to create, package, and market products that embody their vision—all under one roof. To learn more about Schacht’s full line of weaving and spinning equipment, visit their website www.schachtspindle.com Sign up for a monthly newsletter that features a project, Schacht news, and spinning and weaving tips; follow their blog, and like them on Facebook.

If you don’t know how to weave, but would like to learn, The Weaver’s Idea Book by Jane Patrick is a great resource. Better yet, ask about weaving classes at your local yarn shop. Check the Schacht Spindle website for a list of dealers.

The Multiplication Pillow

When we found out about Anzula Cricket yarn, we knew we had to do a project with it on the Cricket loom.

Cricket Loom working the Multiplication pattern in Anzula Cricket

The Crickets teamed up and at long last, the Multiplication Pillow was created; a mathmagical project that is sure to pique the interest of your favorite math nerd! Look for it at a trunk show in your area. Check out our newsletter for the pattern and more.

Multiplication Pillow woven in Anzula Cricket on a Cricket Loom

What fibery arts are you interested in? Is there something new you'd like to try? Tell us in the comments below.

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Pattern Highlights: November

I check Ravelry regularly to keep our Pinterest boards updated with all the new patterns that independent designers are publishing in our yarns. It seems like every time I log on there's something fresh and amazing! Check out some highlights from November.

One Loop Shy Designs released the Countervail Cowl. It uses Squishy for the body of the piece and Cricket for the edging.

Benjamin Krudwig released the Tectonic Hat in both crochet and knit versions. (If you like the hat, you'll love the Tectonic Cowl he released earlier this year.)

Another awesome hat - the Pen Lucy Hat from Kara McKinley, knit in Nebula. The subtle shimmer and pretty lace pattern would make this perfect to wear all winter.

Bravado is a bright shawl by Taiga Hilliard Designs, knit from two skeins of Cricket. The colorwork is interesting without being overwhelming for the wearer or the knitter.