kool-aid!

for all your yarn dyeing needs...

now to find some undyed wool and some tutorials....

knitting magazines

some US knitting magazines, courtesy of lovely big brother...

knitting - a new hat

a new hat using Artist Palette Yarns and Lena by Quince & Co.

not sure I like it on me... 

this yarn had been my first shawl - but I didn't like that on me either so I ripped it out

this may be a trend...

knitting to do

I need to finish:-
Baby Miss Greenjeans
Peggy Sue
Handwarmer
Poppy

I would like to start:-
Hotshot
Dew Point
Wispy Cardigan
Lena 
 
I also fancy these Peppermint Twist socks by Kate Atherley using Yarn Yard Clan...

I also have some shop samples to do too...

knitting - red lace socks

Drops Lace Sock

I still can't photograph red well...

I'm only doing one (its a sample for the shop)... I used Drops Fabel.  I like it and I'm not really a red lacy sock kind of person...  would maybe wear it if it was grey or black... and if I knitted another one.

knitting - red racy socks

Drops Lace Socks in Fabel using a lace chart!

I've recently had an urge to knit a plain coloured sock.  I hadn't planned on doing anything lacy (I was thinking cables) but I saw this pattern and thought I'd give it a go.

We're researching yarns for The Woolly Brew yarn shop and we bought a range of Drops yarns to try out... I'm not entirely sure we I choose a red yarn for a sock but now I'm thinking it'll stand out as a sample in the shop...

I've used Fabel before to knit some toddler socks and really liked it - a good economical choice! 

some DROPS

knitting - cardigan

We've started  a Work In Progress Wednesday post on The Woolly Brew website.  Which means I haven't been updating my knitting so much on here...

So for completeness (and since my cardigan saga has been going on for nearly a year...) I'll update here too...

This is what my Peggy Sue (by Linda Wilgus, aka Woolly Mammoth) looked like this last week...

and this is what it looks like this week...

I have done more stocking stitch rows - I think I need to do another 6 or so before I get to the cable ribbing...

I still haven't tried it on (needles too short) although another Raveller who is doing the Knit ALong suggested I put some stitches onto another circular needle.  This sounds so much easier than putting them on a piece of waste yarn....

and it is BLACK not charcoal or navy... or whatever colour the monitor shows it as!  

I am enjoying knitting it and I do feel excited by the possibility of knitting my own cardigans etc - and I'm learning to look at what will suit me and my lifestyle and not be seduced by the bazillion patterns I see on Ravelry.  I especially liked this (lengthy) article on Knitty about knitting your own garments...But Will it Fit? by Jenna Wilson. 

I am a bit concerned that the cotton/linen blend will not work for this cardigan - too loose and drapey, although I am confident (!!??!?!?) that my gauge is ok (I went down half a size).

I'm already planning my next garment project...

knitting - cardigan

I'm struggling to photograph black...

Finally separated the sleeves on my Peggy Sue (by Woolly Mammoth aka Linda Wilgus).

At that point I had 370 stitches on my needles... This is knit top down and seamless.  That should allow me to try it on after separating the sleeves (good for checking fit and adjusting the length of the body).

Sadly my needles are not long enough!  I thought this when I started but cast on anyway...  If I am going to do more top down garments in the future I WILL need to get longer needles...

knitting - mermaid

Kailani the Mermaid by Rachel Borello Carroll

For Nearly School Girl.

She now wants a pink one and a purple one and one for a friend...

knitting - eternity cowl

 Eternity Cowl using Rowan Lima.

Finished.  It is super soft and squishy...

knitting - cardigan

Whilst browsing through the hundreds of projects I have favourited on Ravelry I clicked through to my current favourite cardigan to discover that the designer Woolly Mammoth (aka Linda Wilgus) is having a knit along on her Ravelry group.  So I have decided to take the plunge and start the cardigan (despite having several other projects on the pins...)

I decided on Patons Linen Touch, for several reasons - I wanted a cotton or cotton blend (not too warm and less chance of bobbling) and also to try out the yarn.  My black acrylic swatch was just looking too fuzzy for my liking....

I'm going with black - more chance of me wearing it.  Hope the cabling still looks good...

knitting - eternity cowl

Despite an unfinished Poppy I have cast on for my Eternity Cowl using Rowan Lima.

This yarn is 84% baby alpaca.  It is very very very very soft.  This is my first time knitting with alpaca.  I'm holding the needles very loosely as I don't want to hurt the yarn!  Its soooooo squishy.  It will be very cosy round my neck...

toy issue of Petite Purls!

Texture Bite by Nancy Anderson

lots more here

orange and blue

I picked up some fabric at the weekend.

I also picked up a ball of cotton - very cheap cotton (50% cottton, 50% acrylic).  I used it for a little treble crochet practice.  It came out abit velvety (its the orangey red one).

Inspired I did another one using some Debbie Bliss Eco Cotton (duck egg blue) - it was lovely if a bit splitty.

And to round it off (and to compare mercerised with not mercerised) I used Patons 100% Cotton (the one we use in The Woolly Brew Crochet kit).  Its crispy compared to the others.

knitting - Sea Queen Day

It was rather wet so numbers were down, but it was still a good day... feel abit chilly now though

We had The Woolly Brew kits and the charity stall...

the newborn cardigan and some cakes were unsold and Poppy although unfinished should be sold...

Knitting - Poppy

Poppy by Ysolda Teague

Her pants aren't quite as saucy as Rosie...

Knitting - Poppy

Poppy by Ysolda Teague

Another Poppy for Sea Queen day.

I love this photo of a limbless body... as seen here and here from previous Poppies.

knitting - cardigan

my head may have been turned... Lady Chatreuse Sweater (Ravelry link)

Knitting - cable vest for a baby

I'm currently knitting a cable baby vest for sale at Sea Queen day.  I did have one on my original to do list but I have found myself knitting this simpler one!

pattern free from naturallycaron

The front is done and I've started the back, hopefully I'll finish it soon as Sea Queen Day is 11th June and we're in need of more stuff to sell!

knitting - newborn cardigan

newborn cardigan with short sleeves for Sea Queen

A free pattern using gifted yarn.  Less than 50g!

Knitted top down and seamless.  My new favourite way to knit!

For the Sea Queen stall on Saturday 11th June in St Monans.