Skein Studio
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Skein Studio - Episode 141
Episode 141 · Notes & links
Knitting with a story
A finished scrappy cardigan, a favourite sweater revisited, and a growing fascination with the stories behind our knitting. In this episode, I’m sharing my Cruiser Cardigan and returning to Porto, the textured sweater I originally knitted while travelling through Portugal in 2018.
I’ve also been reading and watching more about traditional Guernsey and Gansey knitting. The people, working lives and stitch patterns behind these garments have given me plenty to think about as I begin another Porto.
Settle in with your making, and find the patterns, yarns, watching recommendations and community links below.
A scrappy finish
The Cruiser Cardigan
After the colour decisions and all those ends, my scrappy Cruiser Cardigan is finished. I’m sharing how the colours came together and taking a look at the completed garment.
Pattern: Cruiser by Kristen Finlay / Skein Designs
Returning to an old favourite
The Porto Sweater
Some handmade clothes stay with us for years. Porto is one of those pieces for me, with memories of travelling through Portugal knitted into its fabric.
This month, I’m returning to its relaxed shape and textured stitches with a new version in Sportlicious. In the episode, I share the original sweater, my new knitting and the inspiration behind the design.
From the dye studio
Weathered Coast
Our November palette accompanies a month of texture and coastal knitting stories. I’m sharing the Porto kit colours, including new shades Kelp, Port Wine and Shell Cove, alongside familiar favourites.
The kits use Sportlicious, our sport-weight merino yarn, with 280 metres per 100g skein. The Porto pattern is included with your kit.
Reading, watching & discovering
A little Gansey inspiration
My interest in knitting increasingly reaches beyond the finished garment to the people who made and wore it. Traditional Guernseys and Ganseys offer so much to explore, from their textured fabric to their place in working lives.
These are some of the resources I’ve been enjoying. If this part of the episode caught your attention, there’s plenty more to discover here.
Scottish Fisheries Museum
Explore the museum’s YouTube channel.
Knitting the Herring
Gansey talks, readings and demonstrations from the
Scottish Fisheries Museum’s project.
The Skein Journal
Follow our November exploration of texture and
coastal knitting stories.
Make along with us
The Skein Texture Makealong
Join us from 16 November to 27 December for a relaxed celebration of texture. All textured knitting and crochet projects are welcome, using any yarn, including projects already underway.
Make at your own pace, with no finishing deadline. A colour choice, a few rows or a texture you’re enjoying all belong in the conversation.
On Instagram, tag @skeinyarn and use #SkeinTextureMAL.
Come and say hello
A little company for your making
Share your plans, ask a question or show us how your project is taking shape. Our new private Facebook group, The Making Room, is open, and you can also join us on Ravelry or Discord. Choose wherever feels most comfortable.
Letters from the studio
Stay in touch
Join our emails for Wednesday’s reflective Notes from the Dye Studio and Friday’s collection of new yarns, Journal posts and studio news.
Skein Studio - Episode 140
Episode 140 · Notes & links
Scrappy knitting: choosing what comes next
A scrappy project unfolds one colour at a time, with each new addition changing how we see what came before. This week, I’m sharing progress on my Cruiser Cardigan and talking through the colour decisions shaping it.
I’m finding myself drawn towards a darker cardigan overall, with little hints of light, pops of bright colour and supporting mid-tones. We’re also chatting about weaving in ends: the inevitable companion to all those colour changes, and a slower part of making that I actually find relaxing.
Thank you for spending a little making time with me. Below are the patterns, yarns and links mentioned in the episode.
What I’m wearing
Duet
Duet is one of my own knitting designs. The version I’m wearing is knitted in Pirate Purl Blackbeard, in Hard Candy shade 18 and Coal.
On my needles
The scrappy Cruiser Cardigan
My Cruiser Cardigan continues to grow, bringing plenty of opportunities to play with leftover yarn. In this episode, I share how the palette is developing and my thoughts on choosing colours as I go.
Darker shades are becoming the foundation, with lighter touches and brighter accents adding contrast. The mid-tones have their own part to play, helping connect those moments across the fabric.
View Cruiser by Skein Designs on Ravelry
Browse my Ravelry project notes
The quieter part of making
All those ends
Frequent colour changes mean plenty of ends to weave in, which can be a drawback of scrappy knitting. For me, though, there’s something relaxing about settling into that repetitive task and giving the finishing its own time.
Alongside the colour chat, I share my thoughts on this practical part of working with leftovers.
Make along with us
Scraptober at Skein
Our relaxed October scrapalong welcomes scrappy knitting and crochet projects of every size. There are no deadlines or prizes, just an invitation to enjoy your leftovers, explore your colours and make at your own pace.
Find the weekly inspiration and free Scrappy Log Cabin Blanket recipe through our Scraptober page.
Share your projects with #SkeinScraptober and tag @skeinyarn.
Explore ScraptoberA little shop news
Just For You — Skein Gift Box
An invitation to set aside a little time for yourself. Our Just For You gift box brings together two matching skeins of Allure with four thoughtful treats to accompany a quiet afternoon of making.
Choose from Neutrals, Greens, Pinks or Blues, with semi-solid and tonal colours to enjoy planning a project around.
Discover the gift boxKeep in touch
More from the studio
Our newsletter brings together reflective Notes from the Dye Studio, making inspiration and shop news.
Join our newsletter
Read the Skein Journal
You can also find me on Ravelry as k10, join our Ravelry group, or chat with fellow makers on Discord.
Skein Studio - Episode 139
Episode 139 · Notes & links
A little scrappy knitting
In this episode, I’m sharing a finished Scrappy Log Cabin Blanket, another blanket on the needles, my Cruiser Cardigan and plans to cast on a Ranunculus. There’s also a look at our Pick & Mix Cushy DK skeins and a few lovely knitting notions.
Thank you for spending a little time in the studio with me. You’ll find the patterns, projects and links mentioned below.
Make along with us
Scraptober at Skein
Gather your leftovers and join our relaxed October scrapalong. All scrappy knitting and crochet projects are welcome, with no deadlines or pressure to finish. There’s plenty of room to experiment, enjoy your colours and see where they take you.
Share your making with #SkeinScraptober and tag @skeinyarn.
Explore ScraptoberWhat I’m wearing
Navona
My Navona design, with the pattern and project details on Ravelry.
Finished & on the needles
Scrappy projects
Scrappy Log Cabin Blanket
One finished blanket and another in progress, using the same free recipe and a fresh mix of leftover yarns.
Ready to cast on
Ranunculus
A new cast-on planned with Daintree: Ranunculus by Midori Hirose.
From the shop
Yarn & little extras
Pick & Mix Cushy DK
Our 50g Cushy DK skeins, ready for mixing colours and building your own combinations.
Pretty Warm Designs
The stitch stoppers and markers mentioned in this episode.
Stay a little longer
More from the studio
For studio letters, new yarns and making inspiration, join our newsletter or explore the Skein Journal.
You can also find me on Ravelry, browse my project pages , or join the conversation in our Ravelry group and on Discord.
