Puddles looking forward

Puddles 3rd quarter quarterly report

Lindsay Lewchuk Announcements, Designers, Pattern Related, Puddles 1 Comment

It’s third-quarter check-in time, brought to you by the GDCSJ, Puddles. July to September was a busy quarter here… albeit a rather lopsided one. The quarter began with the release of Coastal Reflection, shown in ecostitch ‘s hand dyed sport weight linen yarn and Oceanic – in MKAL form. Then there was a long Jeopardy interlude. 2 months later, patterns came out with a bang – 4 patterns in 4 weeks: Deep Waters (beret), the upcycled leftovers from Oceanic’s mkal, shown in the unique sheep’s green sheep organic cotton and bamboo fingering weight yarn; Apple Tart, shown in Pakucho worsted weight; the Oceanic mystery revealed; and Eastern Continental Divide, shown in Cestari Sheep’s Old Dominion Collection! Phew, I’m still shocked …

Cestari Sheep & Wool Co. Francis

An Inside Look at Cestari

Lindsay Lewchuk Announcements, Designers, eco world, Pattern Related, Yarn 1 Comment

Francis Chester, the patriarch of Cestari Sheep & Wool Co, graciously granted me an interview this week. A fellow indie designer told me about Cestari and when I saw it at Black Mountain Yarn shop, I had to give it a try. Immediately a fan, I wanted to know more about this yarn company, which has such a unique vision and family focus. So without further ado, please say “hi” to Francis! Cestari – what’s the story behind your unique name? Cestari is my Ancestral Italian name from my father’s family who were shepherds for centuries. Your website shows you to be a leader and initiator in many aspects of wool production: from your decades old family-run operation, to your …

Eastern Continental Divide Long Cowl

Eastern Continental Divide

Lindsay Lewchuk 2016 New Releases, Cowls, Men, Patterns

Twisting along the Appalachian Trail and passing not far from my home, the invisible line known as the Eastern Continental Divide diverts waters on the East to the Atlantic Ocean and on the West to the Gulf of Mexico. Eastern Continental Divide cowl mimics the incredible path a single drop of water travels upon falling either on the right or the left of the apex. Everything about this design is local – cotton grown and kettle dyed with eco dyes in Virginia, yarn purchased at my LYS in Black Mountain, NC, inspired by the Eastern Continental Divide and knit in my home close by it. To complete the local lovin’, the photo shoot took place just off the Blue Ridge …

Woodsong B&B

On Location – Woodsong Bed and Breakfast

Lindsay Lewchuk Announcements, eco travel, eco world, Pattern Related 1 Comment

For the past 2 years when traveling for my medical treatments, I’ve been blessed to stay at an eco B&B just outside Toronto, Ontario – Woodsong Bed & Breakfast. Nestled on 43 acres of Ontario’s finest, Woodsong B&B offers comfortable accommodations in a spectacular setting. The front wall of windows opens upon the pond and waterfall with a swimming pool, tennis court, and miles of hiking trails off to the left. Object d’art pop up in the most unusual places from the decor to the landscaping, always eliciting a smile. The innkeepers, Gary and Liivi, make one feel right at home accommodating food allergies (& others too) with graciousness, concern, and care. The furry innkeepers keep their distance until you …

side by side deep waters beret and oceanic

Underwater Cave 6

Lindsay Lewchuk Announcements, Oceanic MKAL, Pattern Related Leave a Comment

Congratulations to Els who won last week’s underwater cave clue with the correct answer: Red. It’s our final Thursday (week 6), which means it is time to feast on your weekly treat one last time while you finish up your FOs for the FOs thread contest. You have until 9am tomorrow (Friday September 2, 2016) to submit your answer to me via PM on Ravelry. What is the relationship between this week’s new release “Deep Waters Beret” and Oceanic?

Baywatch Puddles

Plunging in and soaring out of deep water

Lindsay Lewchuk Announcements, Pattern Related, Puddles 1 Comment

Not all designs come from the trips to exotic locales, hoarfrost articulating the last surviving plant life, or even the interesting way light dances upon the fall leaves. Some designs are inspired by the mundane, the necessary, the painful, and the low rumbling hum drum of life. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!Or in the casebook of knitters, when yarn gives you leftovers make a beret! And that’s exactly the catalyst behind Deep Waters Beret. I had a cavity, UGH, and was in the midst of growing out my untamed hair, double UGH. So with the 50 grams of leftover yarn from Oceanic, I decided to design a beret to subdue those unruly strands while my cavity was filled. …

Deep Waters Beret with Puddles

Deep Waters Beret

Lindsay Lewchuk 2016 New Releases, Head, Men, Patterns, Puddles

When yarn gives you leftovers, make a beret! Dive deep through the currents with this warm weather upcycled hat design. The bamboo blend helps regulate your temperature, while the lace provides fresh air for your little grey cells beneath. It’s a non-pi nonagon! The 9 equal sections become accentuation points at the outer limits of the beret giving it a 3D effect. This spin on the old standard round beret adds styling, structure, and visual interest. The tech edited and test knit pattern is written and charted and includes a blocking schematic. $6.50 Finished Measurements:Stretches to fit: 19”/ 48cm (20”/ 51cm, 21”/ 53.5cm, 22”/ 56cm) head. Head band size includes 3”/ 7.5cm negative ease to head size. Finished Beret Top …

Yarn with chocolate brioche and tea

Underwater Cave 5

Lindsay Lewchuk Announcements, Oceanic MKAL, Pattern Related Leave a Comment

Congratulations to Dolly who won last week’s underwater cave clue with the correct answer (from left to right):Haven, Risa, Beverly, I Have Touched The Sky, The Neutral Zone, Home Soil, The Human Equation, Riker It’s Thursday in week 5, which means it is once again time for your weekly treat. You have until 9am tomorrow (Friday September 2, 2016) to submit your answer to me via PM on Ravelry. What color is not visible in the Bathypelagic Zone?

post photo shoot playing with Puddles

Underwater Cave 4

Lindsay Lewchuk Announcements, Oceanic MKAL, Pattern Related 1 Comment

Congratulations to Els who won last week’s underwater cave clue with the correct answer:“Great Dane in Charge of Spreading Joy – Puddles”Puddles sends tail wags to you Els 🙂 It’s Thursday in week 4, which means it is once again time for your weekly treat. Since MKAL Clue 4 took us into the Mesopelagic Zone aka the Twilight Zone, I thought it apt to head back to the Unique Sheep website, their blog page this time, for this week’s clue. You have until 9am tomorrow (Friday September 2, 2016) to submit your answer. Fill in the blankets with the newly released colorways! Puddles will randomly draw a correct answer from valid players (those participating in the MKAL) and post the …