MDK Field Guide 18: Beginnings
MDK Field Guide 18: Beginnings
MDK Field Guide 18 contains 6 patterns by designer Karida Collins, the founder and owner of Baltimore’s Neighborhood Fiber Company.
The Theme: Beginnings
The team at MDK say:
We’ve been knitting a long time, and talking to knitters for just as long. One thing we believe in our bones, and hear affirmed constantly by our fellow knitters, is that simple, elemental knitting can often be the most satisfying knitting. We crave this kind of knitting. While we love taking up the challenge of a project that has tricky bits, we return again and again to the relaxation and beauty of knit and purl and simple shapes. The joy of simple knitting has everlasting appeal, even to experienced knitters—especially to experienced knitters!
And of course it’s also great to have a set of designs that we can recommend to beginners as their first projects, because we know they can succeed with basic skills, and we know they’ll be happy and proud to wear the results.
This was the idea that Karida ran with for Field Guide No. 18. It’s a challenge to create knits that are simple but sophisticated, and Karida met that challenge. We will be knitting and wearing her creations for a very long time.
To make the mitts, you need 100g of sock yarn and some 3.25mm needles. Why not choose from the following?
The wool content of this sumptuous 4ply sock yarn contains 35% luxurious Bluefaced Leicester. Available in a range of plain colours and Country Bird colours. Ideal for socks!
Yarn weight: 4ply / fingering sock yarn
Ball weight: 100g ball
Composition: 75% Wool / 25% Nylon
Yarn length: 400m per 100g
Needles: 3.25mm
Tension: 28 stitches x 36 rows = 10cm / 4 inches
(Scroll down for colour chart & more information)
Yarn weight: 4ply / fingering
Skein weight: 100g
Fibre: 70% Easy-wash Merino wool, 20% Easy-wash alpaca, 10% Recycled nylon
Length: 325m / 355yards
Tension: 32 stitches per 10cm
Needle: 2.5mm (US 1.5)
Care: Machine wash on wool cycle or hand wash at 30 degrees. Dry flat.
Amble is a fingering-weight yarn made from a blend of eco-friendly washable wool and alpaca for comfort as well as recycled nylon for strength. Although designed especially for sock knitting, this is a soft and durable yarn also great for easy-to-care-for sweaters and accessories.
‘When The Fibre Co. set out to design a sock yarn, we stayed true to our guiding principle of harnessing the beauty that nature provides in a way that is gentle on our planet. We waited until a recycled nylon and an alternative to the standard chlorine processed washable wools became available. The end result is a soft yet durable yarn from Merino wool and alpaca fibres processed with an eco-friendly anti-shrinkage Easy-wash treatment. The recycled nylon adds strength and durability. We named this yarn Amble to reflect the kind of slow relaxed walking we enjoy here in the English Lake District. Some of the shades are borrowed from the successful palette in our Cumbria yarn with the cream and all heathers using a natural ecru Suri alpaca whilst the others use a natural brown Suri alpaca.’
Amble is also available in 25g mini skeins here
These straight needles are made of birch wood. Ideal for today’s chunky yarns, stitches glide with no snagging. Generous size end caps keep stitches firmly on needle. They are warm to the touch, and gentle in the hand.
Solid, lightweight aluminium knitting needles with smooth, bright-grey surface. Red plastic heart shaped ends.
(Scroll down for more information about sizes)
To make the Scarf or either of the Cowls you could pick:
Discontinued colours of Retreat are available on the sale page.
With a roving quality and a soft twist that glides off the needles, Retreat creates smooth, light fabrics with a luxurious silky texture. Re:treat proudly bears the new British Wool logo, a guarantee that it is British to the core from sheep to showroom. The wool selected to make Re:treat comes from an exciting cross breed of Bluefaced Leicester - famous in British hand knitting for its soft handle - and Kerry Hill – renowned for its distinctive markings and clean white fleece.
Craftsmen have used all of their expertise to transform the Bluefaced Kerry Hill fleece into one of West Yorkshire Spinners’ most beautiful and exciting new yarns. Spun with skill and care, Retreat proudly flies the flag for the unbeatable quality of British yarn today.
In 23 calming and uplifting harmonious shades Re:treat is the perfect yarn to relax and unwind with.
Ball Size: 100gm ball
Yarn Length: 140 metres / 153 yards
Tension: 19 rows x 14 stitches to 10cm (4") sq on 6.5mm (US10.5) needles
Hand Wash
Reshape whilst damp
Do not Tumble Dry
Suitable for felting