A Little Bit Bohemian

Finally, some Christmas knitting. This was for H, and thanks to H for the pictures.

(Darn you camera. 'Where ARE you?')



Pattern: A Little Bit Bohemian

Yarn: Debbie Bliss Palermo (2 skeins)

Verdict: Quick project, and my absolute favourite scarf pattern. Bar none.

More gift knitting, this time for the Knitting Mama.


A pincushion for the Sewing Table in the Tower. Literally, in a tower. So cool.


Details: Posey, a free pattern from Kris Knits.


Yarn: scraps of Debbie Bliss Fez. Pretty much any yarn would do I'm thinkin' so long as it's knit dense enough to hold the filling (which was in this case scrap yarn ends in many colours.)




It was a little bit fiddly to put together but worth it. The smallest section was puzzling me for a while wondering what it reminded me of.


Garlic. Wouldn'tja say?

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Meryl's Catriona

Intoducing the sleeveless vest 'Catriona' by Debbie Bliss. Isn't it lovely? It's knit in DB Rialto, of which more anon.

Importand disclaimer: Understand this. I DID NOT KNIT THIS!! I just wanted to show it off for someone and this is merely the forum in which it is displayed.

This is knit by my 83 year old friend M for another friend of ours, D.

I'm not saying that this was an easy knit for M by any means but it was a huge success. It was interesting to see how a...ahem...mature knitter of many years like M coped with the modern style of knitting pattern. She found it difficult to follow and felt that it lacked information and clarity. No surprise there.

She was also amazed that there was a combination of knit and purl stitches on the uneven rows, which in traditional Aran knitting are purl only. This creates the garter stitch insets inside the cable design. However, it didn't take long for her to get into the swing of it, and off she went.

There were a few miscrossed cables which had to be fixed, but otherwise, while I know she struggled with the stitch pattern instructions it was reasonably straightforward. Until it came to the blocking.

Jeez people, the blocking gave me heart failures! I had preached the gospel of blocking to M with all the fervour of a fundamentalist convert and extolled how it would straighten out the cabes and smooth out the fabric....etc...etc....and I offered to block it for her. OMG. The pieces grew from 21 inches to 28 inches in length when wet and I really quaked in my boots. The fact that it turned the colour of wet pastry dough didn't help, as it grew and grew in my hands.
Where's my pastry rolling pin? Yikes!

I gotta tell ya folks, I freaked out. I lost my cool. I took the drastic step (prematurely as it turned out) of unpicking the shoulder cast offs and ripping back 5 inches on each piece. It was still way too long, but I didn't have the courage to rip further. Then I seamed it up and (again trying to be helpful) picked up the stitches for the collar. It all seemed ok. Phew.

Then I showed it to M. Curses, she spotted right away how the collar was now far too short for the deep and lovely 'V' of the design. And besides, now that it was fully dry, it had shrunk back to a reasonable length. Sigh. Poor M shook her head sadly at my youthful and impetuous folly and took it away. She ripped out everything I had done and knitted back in 3 inches or so. The seams were fine, the collar was fine, and you can see from the pics that it worked out nicely in the end.

The only real downside was that M lost a little of the trust she had in my ability to navigate her through the choppy waters of modern knitting designs. That was a pity. I lost some of that trust in myself I admit. Certainly, I'll try and remember this project before I go hacking at something before it's fully dry.

Oh yes, and there's me nerves. They were shot for quite a while.




(Jeez. For a short post, this one sure grew - like Rialto!)

PS: I do feel a little badly that I have left you in absolute suspense since this post. As usual, things have been slightly delayed by the intervention of reality. Bummer. Never mind. Let me just say one word.

Etsy.

I'm sure you can work out the rest.

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Ashord Cowl in DB Rialto

Here's an Ashford Cowl in Debbie Bliss Rialto, knitted as a shop sample for The Yarn Room. This was a lovely yarn for this cowl.

Very very soft and smooshy.

It's slightly shorter than the pattern indicates as I omitted the plain rows between the pattern repeats since I worried that I would run out of yarn.

I have some more Rialto in the stash and it's only shorter than the original by 3 rows, so I think 1 skein of this yarn would do it in future with this modification. Christmas knitting anyone?

Love it.

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* cough * JGG

Ahem...*Cough*...clears throat.

There has been JGG knitting going on. Lots of it. Lots 'n lots 'n lots of it. An extra 3 motifs on the existing sleeve, a whole 'nother sleeve to match, and 10 inches or so of the front. Not bad considering the week I had with hubby away for work and the usual mad crazy busy schedule of work, school and craft club.

While I had some real trouble with the motif on the front piece, I'm truckin' away now good-o and am reasonably confident of making my new deadline of 27th March. (Note to self: Over confidence = Disaster. You never learn nuthin'?)

Must be the Spring weather tho'. I got a sudden uncontrollable urge to do some de-cluttering (and boy is it necessary) and came across this carefully stashed away, calling my name.



Yes my treasure, I just couldn't hear you tucked away in that box. Don't cry.

And as soon as I realised that the JGG was not going to make its St Patrick's Day deadline, I just had to pick this up again. If only to stop it whining.

There may have been seaming. I'm not prepared to say.

This baby has been gestating for 2 years now. It's about time it got finished. Heck, if it was a movie, it would be Benjamin Button, born at a great age.

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I'm a Chunky Knitter

OK, so altho' I don't generally get into stuff that's toooo personal in this blog, while on the road to finishing up some UFP's I have come across a curious reluctance to finish something special.

It goes something like this...I'm a chunky knitter. Not a knitter of chunky yarn on big needles so much as a slightly chunky wielder of the needles.

I'm not sayin' this to put myself down, (something I try not to do, honest) but it has led to an interesting hesitation in completing a UFO which has been waiting patiently to be seamed for over a year now.

I refer to the Debbie Bliss Ribbed Cardigan, the longest UFO on the needles. Waaaay longer even than the JGG if you can believe it.





Given that this project was launched with great fanfare at the start of this blog...(end of 2007) it is not surprising that people occasionally ask about it and...ahem...slag me for not having finished it.

(For an early blogpost go here and here and here for some cardigan related stuff.)




The thing is, you see, is that it's fitted, and ribbed and might not look quite as wonderful as I would like on a curvalicious booty such as mine. I had in fact intended that there would be a little less of my loveliness when the time came to cast off, but life intervened and my plans in this regard are enjoying a somewhat delayed success.

(I'll get there by the way, don't fret, this is my year.)

I conclude the following:

- A great knitting project deserves to be finished, regardless

- and this would finally get it off my UFO list (yay)

- and do I really think that I can't finish it in case it looks cr*p on me?

- so while I'm walking around in other clothes I obviously think I'm invisible?

Get up the yard girl, and finish the thing already.

Sheesh.

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Trouble-shooting Christening Sunday Brunch

Many many thanks for your kind remarks about the Christening Sunday Brunch Coat. It means a lot coming from fellow knitters I gotta say. Of course, all the people at the christening had nice things to say about it too, but they had no concept of the work and difficulty involved...or the joy. And besides, they said it in French.

Now, I did say that there were some problems with this project. Some bigger than others. A very wordy post coming up, and slightly traumatic, so unless you're an actual knitter or of a nervous disposition, you might want to leave now and come back another day when there might be pictures 'n stuff of something more interesting.

Problem 1

The pattern itself. Specifically the sizing. I had perfect gauge and was knitting with the recommended yarn (Debbie Bliss Prima), but no matter what I did, the measurements were off. All went well for the skirt part, but the length of the back just would not come right.

Just. Would. Not.

I followed the directions for the back as written (at least I'm fairly sure that I did) and knit it several times. I knit the specified number of rows, but the entire length of the coat came out 9 cms too long. Of course, I didn't realise this until after I had completed the left and right fronts matching the instructions for the back ('cos I was knitting in the round).

Even tho' it did seem to be getting a bit too long, and the top section (i.e. over the eyelet empire line row) seemed out of proportion to the bottom section (i.e. below the eyelet empire line row) I kept going. I blame my native stubborness in the face of a closing deadline for the fact that I ignored all my knitting instincts and just knitted on.

Very relieved to be finished the body, I started and finished a sleeve...at which point my dreams came crashing down around me. There was no way that the sleeve was gonna fit into the armscye.

No. Way. Not-on-your-nelly. Not-in-this-lifetime.

I did my very best to blame the sleeve (given that it would be easier to re-kint it than to go back to the drawing board with the coat itself) but it seemed that the sleeve was indeed the correct size and proportions for the size required.

And the difference was too great to be fudged. A pity, because I'm a fan of fudging if it's an option.

Furious, and frantic over the deadline, I ripped out the coat and re-knit the upper 3 sections, left, back and front, to match the sleeve.

Success. Phew! Quick, knit another sleeve and seam up!

Fabulous. Well done. Now, block the sucker.

Problem 2

Enter the biggest and worst knitting issue that has ever befallen this knitter. You sitting down? Go get a coffee/tea. No, get a drink of something stronger. Just make sure you are fortified. Calm yourself.

I washed the coat ever so gently by hand using my sample of 'Soak' from TIK. Lovely stuff. I even followed the instructions to the letter. That's not always the case with this impatient-hurry-it-up knitter, but I was unusually compliant over this very important project.

However...the coat came out with several LARGE BRIGHT RED STAINS!!!

Arggghhhh! They were mostly along the edging and in the 1st of the two scallop rows.

I couldn't believe it! The shock! I remembered that there had been several red hair-thin threads throughout the yarn...mostly in the 1st ball. I had picked them out as I went along - short, stiff threads and a very bright red. There had also been some tiny red balls of this thread, about the size of a pin-head, which I had also removed.

Obviously there had been some threads that I missed...and they bled bright and red all over the place. Creating damage far greater than their size would have suggested. Good thing I had removed a fairly large tuft that I noticed just before washing it.

Bright bright red stains on my lovely cream coloured coat. Despair. Especially since this is now Dec 21st, and the christening is on Dec 28th, and remember there's Christmas itself and the travelling to France in between...not to mention adding the buttons and embroidery.

I frantically searched my brain for a solution. In desperation I decided I would cut off the offending scallop all the way around and re-knit it top-down. No. It would take too long and I'm bound to screw it up. No. Cut off the scallop and just knit a couple of reverse stocking stitch rows to give a nice edge. That's it. That's the ticket. After all, who (except you guys) would know that there should have been two rows of scallops?

Nobody. Problem solved.

So...after a poor night's sleep coming up with this solution I trotted along to Little Monkey's Nativity Show at Mt Usher, reasonably happy that this would be a solution. While there I met the Knitting-Mum-And-Dad here in their role as eager grandparents, and explained the problem and giving my proposed solution. They went pale and relapsed into shocked silence. I don't know if it was the red dye or the prospect of taking a scissors to it that was worse. Good thing they were sitting down.

Along came friend and talented knitter Jellyknits (Rav link) to have a peek at the nativity show. I told her what had happened and what I intended to do about it. She hopped up and down. Under NO circumstances was I to cut off a scallop. Absolute knitting sacrilige. She looked at my Mum and Dad in horror.

Now, I can't remember who suggested it, but they agreed between them that I should try some bleaching product or colour-run or something. Cutting the thing up was a last resort. (At this point they weren't even consulting me as I was obviously insane.)

I was very relieved to have an alternative option, but not very hopeful, as they hadn't seen how widespread and how red was the stain. You can't see it either in fact, as I was waaay too traumatised to take photographs. As it happened, I had a visitor that afternoon, my friend J, who is a skilled and creative knitter herself. She spent several hours spooning a diluted concoction of ColourRun over the stains. My thanks J, I would have screwed it up.

Success. The stains weren't completely gone, but they had entirely vanished in some places, and were reduced to a faint blush in others. Thanks be to God. After a telephone report, Mum suggested the final saving grace - a shaking of white talcum powder over the pinkish bits.

It worked.

Phew...traumatised? Yup.

My only conclusion is that the yarn picked up some impurities in the factory, or wherever it was dyed and wound or whatever happens it.

So...some valuable lessons learned.

• Don't ignore your instincts, they're there for a reason.
  
• Don't follow the pattern/rulebook blindly, there could be mistakes there or better alternatives available if you have an open mind.
  
• Share your trauma as well as your triumphs with other knitters, they can save the day.

Here endeth the lesson. And as Amos Hart says in the musical 'Chicago', 'I hope I haven't taken up too much of your time.'

If you're wondering why on earth I turned to the scissor option so easily, it's because I had to take a scissors and cut right across my finished Waves of Grain scarf the night before it was gifted.

More on that next time.

(By the way, in case you're wonderng, we did watch Little Monkey's Nativity Display. It was very good.)



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Christening Party

Brace yourselves folks.

Unbearably smug knitting content coming up...



I won't deny that this was a challenge to finish up on time.



Or that the dragonfly was embroidered on the way to the airport.



Or that I had to steal the buttons from another project.



Or that 18 sets of little French Knots isn't a royal pain in the a**.



But wasn't it worth it?

Oh yes.


(There were some key modifications required and some serious mishaps along the way, which I'll report on next time. Let's focus on the joy for now.)
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Winter Essentials

Oh fickle knitter!

Mere hours after changing my mind about Mathilde the Wonder Dress, I turned to a very happy alternative.

Meet Jeanne from Winter Essentials. Isn't she lovely?

Nice and casual yet classic. Much more my style.*

The Lovely Ladies of TIK graciously allowed me to swap my Cash DK** for this DB Luxury Tweed. Perfect! They've loads of lovely new colours in, so go check it out.




* Don't worry. Mathilde will still happen, she's just slipped little further down the queue!

** This nervous exchange of yarns does not indicate any fault with DB Cash DK. The author recognises that it is a lovely natural fiber which naturally will pill somewhat. This can be effectively countered by judicious shaving of the offending fuzz. I will be happy to return to this yarn in the future, especially if pilling is not reported in other projects. Thank you for your attention. Over and Out.

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Reality check

Hmmm.

Well, reality set in about a week after the Knitting & Stitching Show. Several knitters have warned me of the liklihood of the Cashmerino DK pilling on the Wonder Dress Mathilde (Rav link).

I know it's not the 'fault' of the yarn per sae. It's the merino element of the yarn coming to the surface. And I know that it's possible to 'shave' the knitting and restore it's glory. I get that.

But...

I just don't think I could bear it. It's going to be such an investment in time, knitting, yarn...(oh and yes, the knitting budget) for it not to be lovely.

Does that mean that I'm not going to knit it? Nay, nay, say it not.

So I'm looking for a substitute yarn. I'll be able to check out other projects over the next little while (thanks Ravelry!) and see what alternative options are.

The Ribbed Cape however is going to be a winner. I've no problem with some pilling here as it's an outdoor garment and somehow needs to be more robust and work harder than Mathilde.

A knitted dress is entitled to look dainty - (or as dainty as it can do when it's not on a stick insect).

In the meantime, there's frantic knitting on the Secret Project and the Christening Jacket.

All good.

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Knittin' & Stitchin

Well! The show was great people. Just. Great. I went on Friday with my Mum and the girls. There was lots an' lots of yarn related stands and lots an' lots of paper/cutting/cards/stamping/glitter stuff for Little Monkey.

Especially glitter. She was waaaayyyy happy I can tell you.

Foolishly I had thought that since Little Monkey is now old enough to be interested in the show that I would be able to look at knitting stuff. WRONG! She's interested alright, but not in yarn, and Little Mouse, apart from a conveniently times nap just didn't want to stay in the buggy - so I didn't get much peace to look at what I wanted.

I did get a few great things however for some Christmas gift felting projects from The Yarn Room (thanks Stephanie). More info in a later post.

And some embroidery sets as gifts and/or to make at a future date. When I have some spare time. Hah! (** sound of hollow laughter)

Anyhow, this was just my excuse to dash up to the show without children on Saturday morning. Boy was I glad. I got to talk to far more people at the fabulous TIK stand and also to get to the Debbie Bliss Seminar, which I really enjoyed.

Believe me, the irony of falling head over heels in love with not one but TWO of Debbie Bliss recent designs less than 1 hour after commenting that they were starting to look very same-y is not lost on me.

Knit Passion No 1.

Mathilde from Winter Essentials

What can I say? Anyone who was at the seminar can attest to the stunning beauty of this piece. The silkiness of the yarn, the sheer delight of the design and the beautiful flow and drape of the fabric. Words fail me.

So I tried it on. And OK, I'm somewhat more round-y that the model, but I still loved it, and it looked great on everyone there who tried it on. I ran downstairs and invested. They were out of the grey-sheeny colour in the pic so Lisa suggested Cashmerino DK 31, a sort of moody grey green. It's lovely an' all, but I'm having some doubts about the colour and may decide to wait until the silver grey is available or even No 32, a sort of dark maroon which is more my palatte.

It's not like I'll be able to cast on before 2009 in any case, so there's no rush.

Knit Passion No 2.

Ribbed Collar from Como




Now with this, I've no hesitation at all. It looked really great on everyone who tried it on and I've been litereally dreaming of it ever since.

Oh yes, I got it in red of course. What else.

So...to all my fellow knitters and crafters who went to the Ball Show, I hope you had a wonderful time and got something that will enchant you for many moons to come.

Ah, next year!!!
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Berry Cluster Stitch

Well, so far it's all about the swatchin' and I'm lovin' it. My, this yarn is delicious. Soft, pliant, lovely drape.

Funny, it feels like it has the qualities of cotton, but without the stiffness, the kinks or the 'rope-y-ness'. (Isn't my command of language a marvel?) I've heard that it does stretch or drag a bit after knitting, but hopefully this won't be a problem, as it will be lined in anticipation of an Alpine winter's day, and this should give it plenty of structure. Besides, the fullness of the jacket skirt should hide any stretch.

Anyway, here's the Berry Cluster Stitch mentioned previously.

Lovely innit? Happy sigh*.



You can see the experimentation with bobbly embellishment here. The blue/green Prima is lovely, and it will tie in nicely with the baby's light blue Ao Dai.



What you see here is actually a group of embroidered French Knots. They're ok, but a bit chunky. I'll experiment a bit to get a finer, more delicate version.



Of course these beads are nice too, but not so suitable for an infant garment.



Oh this is fun.




* I should point out that what I'm celebrating here is the yumminess of the yarn and the beauty of the stitch pattern, not my actual knitting per sae. I'm not going to deny tho' that I'm pretty pleased with that too!
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Christening Sunday Brunch

Am VERY excited about this project. It’s for my friend’s new daughter Victorine Tam Thomas who will be christened on 28th Dec 2008 in France.

We met at TIK on Saturday and settled on Debbie Bliss Prima to make this jacket. It will be worn layered over a traditional Vietnamese Ao Dai costume for the Christening deremony so it needs to be a little longer to make a more formal/classic look and fit with the full length style of the Ao Dai. Gorgeous.

We put our heads together to come up with a colour scheme and some mods that will make this just perfect. The jacket will be mostly in a delicious cream yarn, with some lovely blue/green for some embellishments and matching Mary Janes. We also picked a stitch pattern from Nicky Epstein's Knitting On The Edge - the Berry Cluster Stitch, only we're using the beaded version...because my friend prefers it....(nothing to do with the bobbles on the Berry version, I swear!).

I couldn't wait to swatch the yarn so I got right on it as soon as I could that evening. I predict a little bit of a Jolly Green Giant delay (sorry Dad!). Got perfect gauge thank goodness and yesterday I started to swatch the stitch pattern for the edge. It's a bit tricky, but after a few goes I think I have it now. It will be lovely.

Yay. I love knitting!

Don't you?

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Professional Finishing at TIK

Well, I gotta tell ya, I had the BEST time on Saturday morning. I was the Magician's Assistant* for the Lovely Lisa at TIK for the Professional Finishing course. And a very professional course it was too. I could talk all day about it and not cover it all. (And I could. Talk all day I mean. Do you doubt it?)

So, briefly, (since ya'll got other things to do today I'll bet):

- I met lots of really lovely knitters. There was great chatting, camarardarie and sharing of funny stories of knitting successes and disasters; (Boy, it was sooooo good to spend some time amongst my own kind.)

- I learned exTREMEly valuable tips on finishing garmets professionally, and especially for set-in sleeves, which are probably the most feared things, and up there with button bands for making-or-breaking the finished garment.

- Lisa did a fabulous job, of course. 'Nuff said.

- It was such fun to watch the beaming smiles of the knitters as they realised one-by-one that their seaming troubles are over. Their happiness was proportionally in contrast to the awful dread and litany of disappointments that is the nightmare of seaming. So, they were very very happy indeed.

This is the Holy Grail of techniques. Really.

- I got to see the Knit Picks Harmony needles in person. And I'll be getting some soon for certain sure. They're soooooo pretty!

- I got a copy of The Best of Interweave Knitting. Another knitting book. So?

- AND I got a set of these clever do-dads. Locking stitch markers. Don't know how I lived without them. And almost the best bit? When you open the packet, there's another packet inside to keep them in, with a secure flap-thingy closure an' all. Fabulous.




So many great knitting things in one day. Heaven.

Inspired, I got up the following day and started seaming the set-in sleeve for the Debbie Bliss Ribbed Cardigan. It's going very very very well (whispering now so's not to wake the mischievous Knit Gods). It's such an improvement on my usual ad hoc stitch where you feel like it and hope for the best freeflow method.

Sound bites from the occasion:

• 'This child is going to be wearing this cardigan for 18 years' - an expectant knitter refers to a lovely sweet baby cardigan.

• 'You can hide a lot of things in your armpits' - Lisa, on hiding excess fabric in your seaming.

I strongly urge you to take this course if you've half a mind to. Even if you've read the techniques already, there's nothing like seeing them in action.

Seriously.

Do it.



*If you'd like to imagine her in a top hat and myself in sequins then go ahead. It wouldn't be accurate, but it might add a little theatrical interest.

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Ribbed Cardigan Update

Well! Just look at this elegant thing. Isn't it wonderful?

(If I say so myself. And it seems that I do.)



This is the back view of the Debbie Bliss Ribbed Cardigan which has been hibernating for an age. There are lots of reasons for delays on this project, but the most recent was that I lost the pattern book with the collar instructions. Found it recently and managed to find the time to get back to it.

It was this back view of the collar in the book that sold me so absolutely on the project so I'm thrilled that the collar has turned out so well.

This part was a real joy. Well the results were. The actual process was a bit more tricky.

When seaming the fronts and back I briefly considered grafting them - and had even left some of the shoulder seam stitches live with that very intention (i.e. didn't cast them off, but left them on spare yarn). However, I recall reading somewhere that seams add structure and strength to the garment and they shouldn't be abandoned just because grafting is an option.

So I seamed the shoulders and was very happy with the result...even tho' it took a few tries to line up the ribbing at the top of the shoulders. I'll try and get a photo of this soon.

The instructions for picking up the collar stitches were a bit confusing however. First you are told to pick up the stitches with 'right side facing', which is clear enough. That's with the right side (i.e. the outside) of the garment facing you.

So far so fine.

However, the very next line gives the stitch instructions (K6, P3, K3. etc) also with 'right side facing'. If you take it (as I did) that you're still on the right side of the garment it soon becomes clear that the ribbing is now 'out of step', i.e. you are knitting where the purl rib is and purling where...ok, you get it. Plus the garter stitch edgings were turning into stocking stitch, which seemed wrong also.

So far, so not fine.

I mulled over this for ages and even knit on a few rows but I still wasn't happy so I finally tinked back and decided to just reverse the instructions so that it would come out right.

And then I realised.

The 'right side facing' in this 2nd instance is in fact the 'right side' of the collar.....and therefore the inside not the outside of the garment. In other words, between the 1st instuction 'right side facing' and the 2nd instruction 'right side facing' on the very next line, you TURN THE PIECE AROUND to reverse the way the garment faces.

In fact it does make sense, because you are just turning around ot the wrong side of the garment and knitting back the way you came in the usual way of knitting. But that's NOT WHAT IT SAYS. I'm just sayin'.

(Funny enough, it wouldn't have happened with straight needles since I would have no choice as to which direction to go in. Never thought there would be a downside to my beloved Addi circulars.)

If you're still with me on this one, go off and get a coffee or strong beverage. I nearly had to lie down in the dark with a cold compress. Guess I just take the written instruction too literally. The point is that you need to watch what you're knitting and respond to what's happening in front of you as well as read the instructions. Between the two methods I might get there eventually.

Anyway, the results were lovely.

(

You'll notice the bobbles? Well, I tried to omit them here, but the purl part of the ribbing is increased in the last few rows to give the right flare. And dammit it just looked bare and lumpy without the bobbles. So they were reinstated. Still don't like them much, but what the hell. I don't think I'll be able to see them when I'm wearing it.

Now for the simple task of setting in the ribbed sleeves and finishing seaming. Might take another few months.

Oh and to find the perfect buttons of course.

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Yarn Smoothies...

An unexpected trip to Dublin on Saturday morning allowed an unscheduled visit to TIK ...where I was hit with these beauties! They're quite spectacular up close, so beautiful and marbley and tempting. All that yarney goodness busrting to get out. And the knitting needle 'straw' is a winner! Haven't you always wanted to take a sip from your favourite yarn?

I'd just like to congratulate the Fairy Godmothers on another winner, and I hope they do well. They're a fabulous gift for a knitter - to give or to receive (which is less blessed I know, but still...).

I nearly wouldn't care what project was in them, they're just so nice to look at. As it happens, I don't actually need one, given the crises proportion healthy state of the stash and the numbers of projects not even started yet, but I was still really tempted by the Aysen Scarf kit. Since when has 'need' actually directed yarn purchase?

And...not only...but also...they have a Party Scarf kit complete with Swarovski crystals packaged in a lovely organza bag. €22 I believe. Yum.

Ah well, when my knitting nieces are old enough some of these will be heading their way.

Go check 'em out!

And yes, an unexpected visit to your LYS does result in unscheduled yarn purchase. Your Stash Defenses are down y'see.

This is for my very 1st felting project. I had a notion to try a felted bowl, like in 'One Skein', but was sidetracked by this lovely yarn. Introducing 'Soho' from Debbie Bliss. I don't think it's dense enough for a felted bowl but I'd like to try a felted bag.

Maybe a wide clutch style to hold a small knitting project, like socks or mittens. Or a pouch style for the traditional purse/keys/phone.

I got 2 balls, so that's 130 yards altogether...sorry, metres. I'm guessing that I go up a needle size to assist in the felting? or up 2 sizes? Or should that be down a size?

I'm a Felting Virgin, so any suggestions for an online pattern to follow or amend would be received with interest.

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More Bliss...

As promised, more pics* from the World of Bliss.



A view of the cardigan back, showing fab cabling detail. See the way all those bobbles are receeding into the background? I think they call that adding perspective or something in the art world. Anyway, they're lovely. (Eagle-eyed viewers will see that there's something in the basket at TIK on 1/2 price sale. A bargin. Get down there, I'll wait. You back yet? OK)

And that's my new cosy jacket that I'm wearing (from Dunnes Stores). I needed something to wear at work that doesn't look dipped in baby spit and domestic chaos crumpled. Smart innit? You can't knit your WHOLE wardrobe.




Here's the cardigan back with the left front piece draped artfully across it. Those cables are quite seductive. If they could, they'd wink at ye. 'Come up and knit me sometime'.....they say.

Even more eagle-eyed viewers will notice that I have ommitted the bobbles all the way up the front. This is because while they serve a purpose on the back, by creating a lovely vertical line and giving the back detail an almost Tudor-like feel...well. ..I ...actually ...hate ...bobbles. Seriously. Hate 'em.

Hate knitting 'em. After all it's the knitting equivalent of running on the spot. All that knitting and knitting and turning the piece around and around, and no progress.

At least on the back I won't have to look at 'em. I permitted them to remain on the front insofar as the cable detail requires them, but I wasn't about to let them creep all the way up towards my neckline-view. Nasty bobbly things! Go 'way! And they were just too much with the button band as well. Trust me.

So...what happened next? Well, I spent HOURS picking up stitches for the button bands. I dislike knitting button bands almost as much as bobbles. (Jeez, I sound like a very grumpy knitter, but I'd honestly rather knit a 3rd sleeve than a buttonband. Go on, admit it. You feel the same.) It took 3 or 4 attempts before the 129 stitches were picked up evenly on one side but mercifully the other side was quicker.

And remarkably, the bands look ok. No flaring to speak of.

Progress on the cardigan has been halted due to the gift knitting. 3 or 4 pairs of mittens and a lacey drawstring bag.

More pics, you've guessed it...

...later.

* These pics also courtesy of the Lovely Lisa of TIK.

.

The suspense....

...is killing me!

The Lovely Lisa (aka Fairy Godmother) of TIK has emailed to say that they have located some of the missing Dyelot 54!!! I believe they had to send knights into enchanted lands to fight dragons and witches, but they have returned triumphant!

Thanks Fairy Godmothers!













I can hardly believe it. In fact I won't actually believe that the dyelot is the very very very very same until I can get into TIK later this week and check. My first chance to do that will be Wednesday lunchtime.

Go on, admit it.

You're curious too, aintcha?

.

The Foolish Princess

Once upon a time there was a Foolish Princess.

The Foolish Princess started out as a Happy Knitting Princess (HKP).

The HKP didn't intend to be foolish, it just kinda happened along the way. The HKP is sorry now and she won't be foolish anymore - at least, not this kind of foolish. (She reserves the right to be foolish in many other ways that she hasn't thought of yet.)

Our story begins long long ago, when the HKP fell in love...no...not with a Handsome Prince, but like many other HKPs before her, she fell in love with a Handsome Yarn and a Charming Pattern.

Such a very Beautiful Project (BP), thought the HKP, I shall be the Happiest Knitting Princess in the land!



When the HKP went home and cast on for the BP, she was a very HKP indeed. The Handsome Yarn knitted swiftly and the stitch pattern was interesting and delightful. The HKP took her progress knitting to show it (off) to the Fairy Godmothers (aka, the ladies of TIK).

The Fairy Godmothers ooh-ed and aah-ed over the BP and suggested that the HKP might like to take home THE LAST BALL of yarn for the BP as a precaution against running out. (Here comes the foolish part.) The HKP foolishly said, 'No thanks, it'll be fine' and foolishly skipped off home.

The HKP (now the Foolish Princess) said this even though she ALREADY PLANNED to make the BP slightly longer than specified. In her defense, if she had known that HKP Mary L had finished the very same BP with only THREE FEET of yarn to spare, she would have answered differently.

[On a serious note however, the cardigan was only lengthened by 4 rows (front and back of course) which doesn't justify running out of yarn to such a degree. AND the HKP left out most of the bobbles on the cardigan fronts - because she just doesn't like bobbles - so that should have saved some yarn. Definitely a pattern warning.]

The FP kept on knitting and knitting but instead of becoming happier, she became sadder and sadder as it became more and more obvious that she would run out of yarn entirely before the end of the 2nd sleeve, with the button band and the collar still to go.

Too late, the FP ran back to the Fairy Godmothers. 'Please, please may I have the last ball of yarn for the BP', she said eagerly. But the Fairy Godmothers couldn't help her. The last ball of yarn was long gone. Sadly they sent her a new ball in a different dyelot in the hopes that it would suit, but in vain. The dyelot was significantly different and just would not do.

The FP searched far and wide and finally found a 1/2 ball of the Handsome Yarn hiding in a stash sale in the Castle of the HKP Knitting Neels. HKP Knitting Neels gladly sent the yarn to the Castle of the FP, but again it was in vain.

In desperation, the FP sent out messages to HKPs throughout the land to see if anyone had some of the Handsome Yarn hiding somewhere.

'Desperately Seeking Debbis Bliss Cashmerino DK, Colour 18004 (Red), Dyelot 54', the message said.

The Foolish Princess sadly put the Beautiful Project away and waited. While she waited, she wondered if casting on for Sofia would ease her pain. 'I'd better shorten the sleeves if I lengthen it', she thought.

The Foolish Princess had finally learned her lesson!


Sofia, from the magic needles of Fairy Godmother Jacqui!