Hot Pink Fuchsia

Some time ago, as part of a different conversation altogether, my very good friend Siobhan requested an Ashford Cowl. Actually, t'was me who offered as I recall.

(You know that wild impulse to cover your friends in your knitting if they will only allow it!)

In pink. She said. Please.

Hot pink.



This is fuchsia.

Hot Pink it is.



For a Hot Pink Momma.

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Yarn Rainbow

I always knew there was yarn at the end of the rainbow!

(Click on image for a closer view.)

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Miss Potter I presume?

I have recently returned to the Miss Potter pattern* as a prelude to self-publishing it in Ravelry.

It's already up there as part of an early Yarn Forward magazine. By coincidence I was also asked by a beloved family member to make a pair for her birthday. You want knitting? Then by golly you shall have knitting!

Hence.

This pair are made from just over 1 ball of Artesano Alpaca DK and are won-der-fully soft.

PS: She just phoned to say that she loves them and can she have a scarf for Christmas. Oh joy!


* A friend of mine is test knitting the pattern before I send it out there. The memoryof the error in the published version are still painful to me!
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Fez Glorious Fez

Despite all the other activities around here, there has been quite a lot of knitting too. Here is the Sunny Textured Hat from the lovely and talented Tottoppers. I just think this is the sweetest pattern.

Knitted from 1 ball of Debbie Bliss Fez (with 1 yard left over), this took less than 24 hours and was a quick hit instant gratification knit. I could hardly put it down.

Simplicity itself, but as yer man Leonardo da Vinci said (yes really) “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” And so it proves.

Here's the early morning dragged-into-the-wet-garden-during-breakfast-almost-smile. Poor child.

And at the pinnacle is the crown. I got so excited about the crown shaping. As each decrease round swirled gently inside the next I felt my little heart sing a pure clear note of happiness. Really. This kind of thing brings me actual joy.

Little Monkey liked it so much she wanted to wear it to school with the ends still trailing. I love the slight slouch at the top. I think it passed the is-it-cool-enough test.

Minor Mod: added rib edging for extra grip in the playground.

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Vertigo

Wow. Be still my beating heart.

I've just stumbled across the latest Twist Collective Winter collection. I like Twist Collective a lot and love looking through their new patterns. The designs, layouts, photography and styling are second to none.

Rarely however do I buy patterns online from any website. Partly due to the potential difficulty of sourcing the same yarn, and partly because many patterns really do work best on a more slender frame than that of my full figured delights.

Mostly however it's because I prefer to hold the pattern or book in my hands and to squish the yarn at the same time. This is the double espresso of inspiration that more usually intices me to part with cash.
And besides, I really do not have time to knit a whole garment. Honestly. I have so many other things to knit urgently that I don't see an actual garment sized item getting finished this century.

You might guess that I am leading up to something.

As always, there are lovely things in the new issue. Some of those hats are very enticing. This bag and this sweater are very appealing indeed.

However. It was when this jacket (designed by Carol Sunday) swam before me that I parted company with my reason. I felt myself rushing backwards at speed and there was a sudden wind rushing in my ears.




Isn't. It. Just. Divine?

Divine I tell you. I'm not mad about reverse stocking stitch as it happens, but perhaps it can be inverse reversed. Or perhaps the yarn will be fine enough to get past the issue. However, I am mad about William Morris, who is the quoted source of inspiration for this design. Plus, I'm happy that the shaping, the v-neck and the wide collar will suit me.

I still don't have time to make it, but by golly I'm gonna have it!

It's even enough to make me bypass the cookie jar for a while. And that's saying something.



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Jolly Green Giant Goes Global

Ok okay. One of the points of suspense in the previous post was on the topic of a podcast that I recently recorded.

Some time ago, the talented designer Alana of NeverNotKnitting suggested that I tell the story of the Joseph Knitting on her popular podcast 'NeverNotKnitting'.



You'll find the Tale of the Jolly Green Giant over here. The story is around min 12:35 secs in, but do check out the whole podcast. Alana provides detailed yarn and pattern reviews, describes her latest patterns and her knitting thoughts. Her designs are really great and she is an absolute professional with her presentation and layouts.

Oh and by the way, it isn't me singing in the story title segment, but isn't it fun that people think that it is? (Until afterwards of course). It's a lady called Wren Ross, and it's a great song choice for the story.

More reveals in a while. Back to scheduled programming now.

Do not adjust your set.
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No more sleeps!

Ah, a terrific weekend with the highlight being the latest Pick Up Your Needles on Saturday. I did an embroidery class with the textile artist Lucinda Jacob and it was great.

We covered lots of types of stitches, which was fab, but also dipped into how to use different kinds of materials and how to unleash inspiration.

Now, that's worth a mess of potage right there.

And yes, I did get some inspiration for my felted bag. More details later when I have pictures. I can't in all conscience witter on about it while leaving you completely in the dark, so to speak. I do have some standards.

PLUS I also finally delivered material to a podcast that I was invited to contribute to. Let you know when it's up and about.

PLUS this afternoon there was a whole new knitting project conceived, knitted and gifted in the space of 6 hours. That was fun. No pictures unfortunately, but I'll make another one exactly the same very soon and get pictures of that.

PLUS, and most importantly of all, I made some crucial moves towards a very exciting venture which I've been working on for a long time.

What did I say about having standards about not leaving you in suspense? They must be around here somewhere, I had them just last week.

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Resonance

Go here for some knitting philosopy which resonated strongly with me this morning and bumped my intended blog post* off the table.

Thanks TECHknitter.


*(It'll be back later.)

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Holy Knitting Batman!

Sumthin's bin buggin' me for weeks now. I gotta get it off my chest.



Is it just me or does anyone else see it?

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Calling Cork Knitters

Announcing more knitting classes, this time in the Cork area.

KNITTING WORKSHOP

Saturday 21st
November, 2009
SMA Parish Hall, Wilton, Cork
Price: €30 per class or €50 for both classes (plus materials).

Carol Feller: Finishing Touches

Sue Cullen: Knitting Socks from the Top Down

Classes run mornings and afternoons, so why not do both if you can?

Sounds like a great day. Have fun!

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Tinahely once more!

Yay. Almost time for the next Pick Up Your Needles at the Tinahely Courthouse.

Saturday 14th November.

This time I've signed up for the Embroidery class with Lucinda Jacob. I've a number of felted items which I'd like to embellish, including the felted bag from the last PUYN.

Okay. OKAY!

This time I'll get photos.

Can't wait.

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