Never really finished

we have had a big couple of days

Holly graduated with a Bachelors degree in Viticulture and Oenology

(for the rest of us that just means that she can grow grapes and make them into wine - the commerce part of her degree means that she can sell the wine to you once she has made it, and the management section means that she can boss other people around ...being the older sister she was already pretty good at that!)

the parents, grandparents and great grandparents flew down to Christchurch in order that their hearts may swell with pride and love at this sight.

As the folk who follow me on Twitter already know - there was some frivolity, yarn buying, doughnut eating and general conviviality, Sol Square went off big time, and Cafe Valentino were very obliging when asked if we could re-seat our huge party downstairs due to not wanting to see my 80 plus year old Grandmother slide down those stairs, and there was a proposal of sorts - Holly's boyfriend Nick asked my permission to propose to her - I gave it happily and no doubt there will be an engagement later in the year.

A big couple of days.

Production knitter

I'm having a great run

the patterns for Clipper and the Elann cardigan have been graded and finished.

Atlante from Naturally is a 2nd generation bamboo yarn with incredible drape (by 2nd generation I mean that the things that used to annoy me about bamboo yarn - bittiness and splitting are not present in this one) this looks like a dress because I do not have a 2 year old to display it on - but it is actually a thigh length top, the hem is weighted slightly with beads and the deep points are irresistible. The ribbon can be pulled tight to ruche the bodice or left loose with a bow. The pattern has been written, just need to organise testing.

Flash's vest is coming along nicely - I'm still loving that yarn, I have to stop every couple of rows and admire it - very enjoyable.

Machine knitting a jacket for myself, we're off to Christchurch on friday for Holly's graduation and apparently it is VERY cold already, saddle shoulder, simple stocking st with hems and a scarf style collar, maybe some stitch detail on the hems...not sure yet.

Stay warm!

Time for a somoko

Flash wants a new vest, he has 2 I have knitted him previously - 1 in black italian wool with a marled grey neckband, and the Manly beach vest.

Last year I discovered Somoko by Fleece Artist, a very touchable yarn comprised of merino, kid, nylon and silk - it is designed for socks, but when I realised it came in my favourite Fleece Artist colourway "Ebony" I knew it was for Flash's new vest.

The colourway is exquisite - when knitting it I think Gentleman's clubs, tobacco, mahogany, cognac, cigars, deep buttoned leather. I know this is not PC of me - but, meh! that's the way it is. The skein arrives looking just deep brown, but when you start working with it you realise it has enormous depth - which I of course cannot capture with the camera.

Anyway, I've swatched and swatched, and Flash and I have agreed on this one - it's a tiny cable and slip st pattern which makes the most of the colours, avoids pooling and isn't very bulky.

Now to draught the pattern and get started, it will be worked flat, as I feel side seams are needed to stop it from bagging, with a medium depth v-neck, the borders will all be worked in the same colourway but it's a straight 4 ply merino.

Bets are now on to see if I finish it this year!