Busy busy

WIP update:

Flash's vest is 20% finished - not certain if he will get it this winter, we'll see!

I started a Baktus this morning, using my hand dyed handspun superwash merino (above) in the "60 seconds" colourway (you know the ad - lichen, moss and mildew - just spray and walk away!) I blame Ailsa for this - her Baktus was so lovely and versatile, I just had to make one for myself. It is racing along, very addictive and great tv knitting.

and this is a version of the Ruffle lace scarf I cast on 200 sts and am working in garter st, increasing every 4th row, using 2 skeins of Madil Kid Seta in the the 681 colourway...love this yarn despite the imaginative colour description, it makes other Mohairs feel like a brillo pad.

I'm also working on a mitred square baby blanket - no photos yet.

I have finally finished most of my secret projects - phew! I can start sharing my work with you again soon.

C is for Charlotte

completion, and contemplation of projects to come.

Above - Charlotte's grown up Weasley sweater, the "C" is in a pretty script, knitted using the intarsia method, the yarn is Paton's "Soft haze" 70% acrylic, 20% wool, 10% bamboo, I didn't like it much I'm afraid, but she chose it and she likes it, and it will stand up to her punishing laundery regime for a while, actually with that smidge of bamboo it may wear better than I am anticipating. The white yarn used for the "c" is a rayon/acrylic/wool blend with sequins. The design is very simple, set in sleeves and a slight scoop neck.

My sidewinder socks - 6 months from start to finish...nevermind they are done now!

Mirror twins in Noro Kureyon sock, which washed up beautifully. The grafting was a bit of a drama as this singles yarn twisted back on itself relentlessy for the first third, then it settled down. Speaking of grafting - this sock has shown me the meditative qualities of grafting, once you get into the rhythm it is actually very relaxing and enjoyable.

If you are interested in taking your grafting (and therefore your finishing) a step further, I am extremely impressed with the standard of Woolly wormhead's grafting tutorials - she has a method for every situation, I think her hat patterns are brilliant, but the book is worth it for the 8 kitchener stitch tutorials alone!

Mackenzie's sweater, Charlotte's sweater and the sideways socks, tick, tick,tick now my personal wips are clear and I have a little headspace I can go and dig out that baby kimono!

"Blow, blow, thou winter wind!"

The wind blows, the lightening flashes and the rain pelts the windows ferociously, the studio has been reorganised and is even lighter and airier than before, I have lit the woodburner up here for the first time and the effect is comforting, efficient and cosy - perfect for the day I have planned...finishing Mackenzie's sweater, writing up a pattern for a simple wee hat, snuggling up in my wingback chair and watching a movie while I knit another linen washcloth.

The hat pattern will follow shortly, but I'll tell you the story first...Mel McMillan sent me a sample of Woolganic yarn to try, and I am very impressed - this 100% wool yarn is incredibly soft and sproingy (that's a technical term!) and the colour range is much more sophisticated than the usual offerings, once I have finished my current crop of designs I will be experimenting with garments using this yarn for the Just Jussi range - but in the meantime I have designed a baby hat- which uses 25 grams of this DK weight yarn. I had an idea in my head of using the spiralling decreases necessary in a hat to create the organic bending of fern fronds - the Silver fern is a symbol of New Zealand, and the unfurling tip of the frond - the "koru" is a sacred symbol of creation and hope for the future - perfect for a baby!...my first attempt did not bend at all - the fern fronds sat stolidly, stubbornly straight - but I had my answer, the second attempt gave me the elements I was looking for, the fern fronds gently angling and terminating in 3 i-cord koru hence the name of the pattern.