Julie's Notebook: Team Tanis Ravellenic Games

During the Winter Olympic Games, there is a very fun knit-along called the Ravellenic Games- you cast on during the opening ceremony of the Olympics, and knit like the wind to finish your project by the end of the closing ceremonies.  We had a great team put together in the Tanis Fiber Arts Ravelry Group- here are all our winning Golds from Team Tanis 2014:

From left to right, Row 1: mrsmommy's French Can Can, DishclothDiva1's Sunny and -35, Hockeyfleck's Ravellenics Coast Starlight, JamieLynn16's Bonnie's Olympic Fiddlehead Mittens. Row 2:  highlight's Ravellenic Games, Baileycat0's Ravellenic Games Project,  KarenLC's Butterflies Boot Cuffs, PamDKnits' C's hat.  Row 3: janejetson1's Sencha Scarf,  sixblueirises's Onerva,  cccaitie's Irisa Cowl,  somewickedgirl's Cavalcade Socks. Row 4: LiaIrene's Sugarplum Suncrest,  wkelly123's Snowfling Mitts 2, JamieLynn16's Ravellenics Puerperium Cardigan,  debbieknits5000's Iris Fiddleheads. 

From left to right, Row 1: pugs12's Ravellenic Winter Games,  PamDKnits Pam's Mittens,  Prairie-Knitter Ravellenics Millwater, yarnlaw's Riverbank. Row 2: bubbly-one's French CanCan,  Quellefille's Rosewater,  freddygirl's stripe study, JamieLynn16's Ravellenic Games Baby Kit. Row 3: freddygirl's knotted pine,  woolercoaster's Olympic Snowfling Mittens,  BarbLLKnits Charlotte St Cowl in Canyon, somewickedgirl's Mallard's Song of the Sea. Row 4: Petitethings Cabled Canuck,  YarnAndYarns Hat Halfpipe: Ogiku, missagnes Pemba Headband, KarenLC's My Nymphalidea. 

From left to right, Row 1:  freddygirl's kore,  arlenemarie's Peyton Likes Flowers,  seeyouat5's A Mint One,  Prairie-Knitter's Cabled Canuck. Row 2: Quellefille's Iron Maiden, Quellefille's Go for Golden Clover,  RoseHiver's Touch-Tone Socks,  bethhunt's Hitchiker. Row 3: mgpetitelady's Shetland Cabled Canuck,  MaryKnits7's Pink Grapefruit Swizzle,  JamieLynn16's Ravellenic Games Franco Gramps,  seeyouat5's A blue one. Row 4: knursekettle's San Francisco,  Huntersma's Ravellenics 2014 Hat,  Quellefille's Cream and Sugar Cowl,  Quellefille's Framed Slouch.  

Quite the feast for the eyes, looking at at all those beautiful projects! It was so much fun to see everyone's progress, and we cheered each other on the whole way. We had 49 participants, and  48 Gold Medal winning FOs. Way to go! I'm so super proud to be in league with all these amazing knitters. Just look at those stunning knits up there. If knitting really were an Olympic event, these are definitely the knitters I'd want to have on my team. 

Julie's Notebook: Irisa Cowl (New Pattern!)

Even if you aren't big on colour trends, it's hard to avoid the Pantone Color of the Year, Radiant Orchid- it's been popping up all over the internet, and by spring, you'll be seeing lots of items in the stores in this color. Suddenly, you might find yourself buying a blouse or a new bag in a shade you didn't even know existed back in 2013.

When it comes to trendy knits, a one-skein project is perfect- it's fun to knit an accessory that gives a nod to what's cool, as well as carry you far beyond it (who knows what the color of the year will be in 2015!).

Tanis Fiber Arts is known for it's amazing colours, and while we don't have a tonal or semi solid that is exactly radiant orchid, Iris fits the bill of being on trend and yet timeless. Those little bright spots are definitely radiant orchid-esque:

 That castle and unicorn are getting in the Radiant Orchid spirit, too! 

I love Iris. It reminds me so much of spring- crocuses and hyacinths beginning to pop up, the rich colours after the bleached out greys of winter. This cowl is the perfect quick knit- a great one skein project for variegated yarns in rich, saturated purples that make us hopeful for spring.

Pattern: Irisa Cowl

Needles: 5mm (US 8)

Yarn: One skein of Tanis Fiber Arts Green Label Aran, in 'Iris'

Get the free pattern here!

It can be worn in a single loop, like the top photos, or doubled, for a cozy, keep-the-wind-away look. 

The Irisa Cowl is a very quick and very easy pattern, perfect for busting out of the knitting doldrums and getting a great hit of colour. The variegation in the Iris colourway is highlighted by the simple slipped stitch pattern. I know it won't be spring around here for a little while, but with a lovely colourway like this and a pretty new cowl to keep me warm, I can definitely stand the wait.

Julie's Notebook: Scrap Busting Party and Holiday Decorations

Hi all! Guess what, Julie and I are cooking up lots of exciting new things to collaborate on for TFA in 2014 and the first of them is ready to be rolled out a little early…introducing: Julie's Notebook! A new, monthly blog feature curated and written by Julie for TFA readers. Every month Julie will pick a topic and dazzle you with her mad blogging skills. So, without further ado, here she is with the inaugural Julie's Notebook post! Take it away Julie!

I bet most of you are just like me - you have little balls of yarn leftover from all your awesome knitting projects that are too pretty to throw away, but too small to do much with. Enter the pom pom. Not only do pom poms look smashingly fabulous on top a hat, but they make some very fun and festive holiday decor. Like garlands - I love garlands. They seem like the epitome of party decorations. And there's no law saying it should just be for the seasonal holidays, these would all be equally great for birthday parties, new years, baby showers or even weddings. 

Let's take a look at some inspiring examples!

This multicoloured pom pom garland idea from Emma Lily Allsorts is so pretty:

Or there are these lovely multicoloured pom poms from A Lovely Lark that would be perfect for the brightly coloured odds and ends you've got (I can't be the only one with lots of ping pong ball-sized leftovers that are too pretty to part with!) that are a bit too small for their own pompom, or maybe you like your pom poms to look like rainbow sprinkles:

You could even use your new, bright pom poms to make a pom pom wreath: there are several different tutorials using different methods (and base wreath shapes). Check out one using a flat styrofoam wreath form here, a wire frame here, a traditional round styrofoam form here,

Pom poms not really your thing. No problem. Who says the garland has to be all about pom poms? Check out this beautiful yarn tassel garland from La La Lovely:

And this super cute bow garland from Sew. Craft. Create. :

Stash busting AND decorating for holidays and parties- talk about multitasking!