Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Reaching the Point

I have reached 'that point' with my Larch Cardigan, I have almost finished it but for some unknown reason I yearn to cast on for another project.  I reach 'that point' with every cardigan/sweater/larger project that I knit and it always happens as I near the end, although this time I think I was helped to reach 'that point' by the appearance of two stunning skeins of yarn...

...Viola Sock and Viola Merino Lace.  I was particularly taken with the beautiful yellow skein, AKA Curry so without any hesitation I cast on for the Shaelyn Shawl.



As you can see its knitting up beautifully and I'm enjoying both the yarn and pattern tremendously.

As if one new project isn't enough, I have yet another project at the ready...



...these two skeins of my Merino/Cashmere Fingering are destined to become the 'And So Are You' shawl which I will be casting on for the Skein KAL which starts tomorrow (feel free to come on over and join in).

So, plenty of new projects to keep me out of mischief...and hopefully a completed cardigan to show you next week!

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Good Bye Autumn, Hello Winter

Even though Winter 'officially' starts on the 1st June, here on the Northern Tablelands it has already begun.  This last week has been cold, windy, rainy and grey, not much fun really.  I did however get about 1 hours worth of yarn drying time outside before the weather decided to suddenly change from sun to rain.  In that time two autumn leaves blew onto the yarn, the colours looked so lovely I had to take a quick picture before rescuing the yarn from the downpour.


 This week I received a long awaited package in the mail that brightened up my gloomy week...


Pata Pri is an Etsy store owned by Yuko Uemura and is full of gorgeous hand-printed towels, bedding, baby wraps even stationary.  I fell in love immediately with Yuko's prints and colours and brought quite a few towels and two sets of LOVELY double gauze pillow cases (soooo soft).



Lots of cheerful prints and colour to chase away the winter gloom!


Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Skein Sock Club

 Its nearly that time again...



 Skein Sock Club sign ups will be opening on Wednesday the 1st of June.

Membership includes…
  • 2 skeins of yarn each month for three months.
  • Each month the yarns will be dyed in TWO exclusive club colourways available only to members. You will receive 2 skeins in two different colourways each month. Members can request custom orders using these colourways during this time.  From now on Skein Sock Club colourways will only be available to members and will not be offered as regular colourways.
  • Yarns include Top Draw Socks, BFL Sock and Merino/Cashmere Fingering.
  • Yarns will be posted in the second last week of each month.
  • Sock Club begins in July with the first first mail out being 25th July.

Costs…
$138 USD (not incl. postage)

Postage rates (in USD)….
Australia $12
USA + Canada $25
EU + Non-EU $30
Everywhere else $25

There will be 50 places available, 25 places will be posted on the shop at 12pm Sydney time and another 25 places available at 8pm Sydney time.

 Hope you can come and join!


Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Socks, socks, socks...





Pattern: Slant by Hunter Hammersen
Yarn: Skein, Top Draw Socks - Colourway Dapple
 
Slant is such a great pattern for hand-dyed yarn, the stitch pattern is a little fiddly at first but, after a little practice its easy and enjoyable. These socks were made for my dear partner who kept asking for a pair of hand knit socks (which is really sweet).  He chose the yarn, I chose the pattern and now he has a nice pair of hand knit socks for winter, how easy is that! (ha!).  Now he has experienced how good hand knit socks are he has asked for a  second pair...who wouldn't :)

 I really love working small projects along side my bigger ones and lately I've been in a bit of a sock knitting mood so, as I knit away on my Larch Cardigan I also cast on Angiee
by Cookie A ...


Im only half way through one sock and am so far enjoying the pattern as well as the BFL sock yarn. I've never knit with BFL before and I really like it.  This yarn takes up dyes really well so there are bits of really intense colour along with the neutral tones.  I should mention this is the Vita colourway which was one of the recent Sock Club colourways.  Speaking of the Sock Club, tomorrow I will be busy playing around with colours for the next instalment due to be shipped on the 23rd May.  Spoilers will be posted next week on the Ravelry group.

I have also been having a lot of fun (and spending way too much time) looking for a shawl pattern for the up-coming SAL (Skein-A-Long) over on the Skein Ravelry group.  If your interested please come and join the group and the SAL which starts on the 1st June.

Have a wonderful week!

Monday, May 2, 2011

Skein meets Falling Stitches

A few months ago I contacted Ariane from Falling Stitches asking whether she would be interested in designing a project or two using my yarn.


I am a big fan of Arianes designs and was so happy when she agreed! 

These skeins of Merino/Silk Sport are now on their way to Montreal Canada...I cant wait to see what they become!