Pattern or Yarn First?
I often see a pattern I'd like to knit that sends me searching for suitable yarns. That's what brought me to look at BC Garn Hamelton Tweed 1 GOTS.
As an Aran weight, Hamelton Tweed offers many opportunities for knitting throughout the colder months. It's a blend of 90% wool and 10% viscose; these are what make the tweed flecks that give this yarn a classic look, although you'll find this much softer than other tweed yarns. It's also quite lofty and light.
Winters Beach Cardi by Andrea Mowry
The pattern in question is Andrea Mowry's Winters Beach Cardi. Whilst Andrea's design calls for a DK, I thought it might be good to swatch to see if I could get the gauge of 19 stitches and 28 rows in Hamelton Tweed. I usually struggle to achieve a pattern gauge, but I was lucky with Hamelton Tweed and managed to get the recommended tension using 5mm needles in moss stitch. As it's a top-down knit, I will try it on as I go to ensure it fits the way I want it to; I typically like to add extra to the length of a garment so that I will knit another pattern repeat and make an allowance for this when I buy my yarn. I'm excited about casting on this project; the combination of cables and moss stitch will be a welcomed break after lots of stocking stitch in my last project.
BC Garn has recently made some changes to Hamelton Tweed 1. It's now organic and holds the GOTS certification, which means it is far better for the environment. I hope to add more organic yarns to our range; we currently have BC Garn Semilla GOTS, Rosy Green Wool, Krea Deluxe, Garthenor and the newly added Yarn Vibes I mentioned in last week's post.
Other patterns you might like to consider knitting in BC Garn Hamelton Tweed 1 GOTS are
- Guilloche Pullover by Ailbíona McLochlainn
- Brighter by Ailbíona McLochlainn
- Gan by Ailbíona McLochlainn
There are many more pattern's on Ravelry so do go and check out those!
I'd love to know how you decide on your next project so do leave a comment below.