Here’s a quick last-minute crocheted git idea, the “Fast Julep” version of my Julep beret pattern.  Worked with doubled sock weight yarn and a size J hook, this version works up quickly out of stash yarn.

Following the Julep pattern (available here), and using doubled yarn and a size J hook, work rounds 1-3 of the pattern as written.  Rounds 4-8, work as for rounds 4-12 in written pattern (48 sts).  Rounds 9-13, work as for rounds 13-20 in written pattern.  Band: Rounds 14-1, work as for rounds 21-25 in written pattern (64 sts).

This version shown in Luxe Merino Fine in Dolce.

Original Julep pattern available for $5.00.

I have several other things that I should be working on right now, but instead I’ve been trucking along on this Pavo Real shawl that I started last weekend.  It’s been a nice break before I plunge back into winter work.  Since it’s the fourth one I’ve knitted (and having written the pattern doesn’t hurt), it’s definitely comfort knitting.

It looks like there will be enough on this ball of Luxe to get one or two more repeats, so it should be finished tonight or tomorrow.  I’ve gotten a few inquiries about the colorway, which is one of my Odd Ducks, but the closest regular colorway would be Memphis, a soft blue with hints of grey, or if you’d like something in the same vein but a little more neutral, Dexter, a nice silvery blue-grey (You can see them both in my previous colorplay post).

I’m knitting this shawlette on my brand spankin’ new Hiya Hiya interchangeable needles, and early holiday gift to myself (I’ve got such a great boss!).  I am in love with these needles!  Since I was introduced to the Hiya Hiya stainless steel circulars a couple of years back, they have been my go-to circulars for everything.  Durable, lightweight, great join, flexible but substantial cable, and relatively inexpensive.  So when i hear about a interchangeable set in the works, i couldn’t wait to see them.  I got my hands on a single circular preview at TNNA in June, and it was a beauty.

Here’s the 411:

First, the case.  Gorgeous chinoiserie fabric, compact, and ties with a sturdy bow.  Open it up, and you’ve got lots of extra needle tip pockets, a zippered notions pocket, and on the back, a zippered pocket for cables.  I ordered the smaller size set, with needle tips in whole sizes US 2 through 8, and 4 cable, sizes 16″ through 40″.  You can purchase/order extra tips and cables, and I love that they left lots of extra space for that.

The tips join up with a nicely-machined brass fitting, no tools required.  I was a little iffy on the screw-in, no latch fitting when i first saw it, but since i’ve been working with the circulars, i haven’t managed to loosen the connection once it’s hand-tightened.

See that join?  Super smooth!  You can feel it if you run your fingernail over it, but it doesn’t catch the yarn.  Sweet!

A small set like this runs $65-68 retail.  It looks like pieces and parts are a little hard to come by right now; Hiya Hiya does have periodic backorder slowdowns.  I was thinking about adding some of these to sell in the etsy shop, anyone interested?

Want to see what inspired the rich blue of the Peabody colorway?

The saturated blue glazes of Egyptian ceramics, like this adorable hippo from the Metropolitan Museum in NYC, were the color idea behind Peabody.  The color name is a tribute to one of my favorite geeky childhood havens, the Yale Peabody Museum in New Haven, CT, where I spent hours and hours scouring the exhibits, sketchbook in hand.

Ever since I’ve seen the crocheted bracelet pattern from Laura Normandin of Wren Handmade on the Purl Bee blog, I can’t stop crocheting these adorable little tidbits of jewelry.  I’ve done some in tiny cotton thread, in heftier pearl cotton, and in sock yarn scraps.  The sock yarn version flies by on a size B hook!  Simply chain on fewer stitches (subtract from the pattern’s suggested starting numbers by multiples of four), and go to town!

These bracelets were crocheted in our Luxe Merino fine cashmere blend, in Peabody and Sucre.  So soft!

The following colorways of Luxe Merino Fine, our cashmere blend, are ready to ship.  E-mail me (mail {at} kitchensinkdyeworks.com) and let me know what you’d like, I’ll send you a PayPal invoice.  First come, first serve, and I’ll update this list as often as possible over the next week to keep it current.  If we sell out of your color, as always, I’m happy to dye to order just for you!

3 skeins each: Barefoot, Grass, Dram, Kristen, Laurie, Scout, Dolce, Peabody, Edgar

2 skeins each: Sucre, Goldbug, Charlotte, Liam, Veronica, Twila, Memphis, Sean, Ren, Flavia,

Single skeins (get ‘em while they’re hot!!): Emily, Cottington, Sonia, Fresas y Leche, Levi, Morel

We have the lovely cashmere blend sock yarn she mentioned, Luxe Merino Fine, available as custom order colors (you pick, I dye), or drop me a line to see what we have ready made in our remaining Sock Summit stock, to avoid the wait.  I’ll post a list of in-stock colors tomorrow morning.