Sapphire Cheer

I love knitting test knits.  Like really, they are the best knitting ever.  So when I saw a request to knit this gorgeous shawl, I had to give it a go.  This beautiful design is knit bottom up in the shape of a long, wide crescent. 

  It is heavily beaded . . .

 And I had some lovely self-dyed Knit Picks Shadow lace-weight that was just calling out to be used

 So what about this - stunning, right?!

 It was an absolute delight to knit, very quick and easy.  The beads add a touch of glamour and a bit of weight.

The stats are:
Yarn: Knit Picks Shadow lace yarn - 44gms
Needles: 32” Knit Picks Options, 4mm (larger size for cast on)
Pre-blocking: 11” width centre, 6.5” width each side, 33” across
Post Blocking: 14” width centre, 9.5” width each side, 60” across
Beads: Clear glass, silver lined
Cast On: Backwards loop
Cast Off: 3 stitch iCord

I love, love, love this pattern, so why don't you pop over to Ravelry and get your own pattern?   :o)

What is next on the needles I hear you shout . . . . hey, I can be delusional if I so choose . . . well, I am going to work my way through Cookie A's two sock books, knitting up socks mostly as gifts - that way I don't need to get too hung up on sizing, I can just knit them as is, and if they don't fit me, I have a gift for someone else!  The first pattern is Glynis which is quite a straightforward pattern and I hope to have these completed in a couple of weeks as I have an Aunt and Uncle coming to visit from the UK and I think they would be perfect for my Aunt.

Ka'ana Delight

I was lucky enough to be chosen to take part in another test knit - this time for a shawl by Jennifer Weissman - it is a free pattern that can be downloaded on Ravelry.  I have tried a number of styles including the side to side triangle and the top down triangle, but this was a little different. 

Although a top down triangle, there are more increase per row - for a usual right angle triangle there are usually 4 increases every other row, but this pattern increases by 6 stitches each row, meaning that the triangle is long and shallow.

And it is HUGE! I used up every.single.inch. of three 50gm skeins of yarn, and 2 x 9gm containers of Toho 6/0 “E” beads in a shimmery green color.

Before Blocking:
Depth at widest part - 12.5”
Depth at thinnest part (ends) - 5”
Inside (neck) measurement - 69.5”

After Blocking:
Depth at widest part - 19”
Depth at thinnest part (ends) - 6”
Inside (neck) measurement - 80”
Outside measurement - 134”

So, notes about the pattern - this is a great pattern, the garter stitch increases are nice and easy - great TV or car knitting. Initially I found that I my edges were tight, so on the advice of the designer I frogged back and on the first stitch of each row I knit it, placed it back on the left needle and knit it again. Perfect!

The lace portion involved more concentration, but was very quick to knit despite the amount of stitches. I added beads on the ‘stem’ of the leaves, as well as in the in the bottom triangles.
This pattern is a great introduction to shawl knitters who fancy trying a bit of lace, but don’t want a standard triangle shawl. The side edges of the knitting form the top edge and it curves nicely. It is an easy to follow pattern, I used the charts, and they are nice and clear.

So go on - give it a try, it really is a lovely pattern!

Witches Brew Yarn

Having spent Friday and Saturday with relatives, I thought that Sunday would be a nice lazy day, although that was not to be the case, I did I have some fun!  You see, I like to dye yarn - partly for my own usage, but also to sell in my little Etsy Shop under the name of Witches Brew Yarn.

I love how combinations of three colors can come together to make gorgeous shades.

I also had fun 'dipping' yarn.

I dye 100gm (approx 400 - 450yds) skeins of yarn, which is perfect for knitting a pair of socks or a small shawl.  Oh, and I do!

Inspiration

Every now and then I go through a bit of a drought.  I think that the problem is that I love too many crafts.  And I can get a bit obsessive.  I love knitting socks - they are quick (ish), easy and transportable.  They one take about 100gms (or one skein), can be knit up on a circular needle and fit in a ziplock bag I am going to rectify that last comment in the near future and turn some of my fabric into chic knitting bags - watch this space!

I have recently moved into shawls and knit these two:

Grains of Salt

Magarathea

And with the yarn I bought in Tofino, I predict a lot more in the future!

But this is only one hobby - I also enjoy beading, cardmaking, cross-stitch, sewing - you get the picture.  So, I think that I may have to close down one of these hobbies.  At least for the time being.  This will give me more space in my craft room, removing clutter from both the room and my head.  I have been obsessively following the blogs of Male Pattern Boldness, the Diary of a Sewing Fanatic and Frocks and Frou Frou.  The first two are written by two of the most talented sewers I have 'read', and the last two by fashionistas.  And boy are they inspiring.  The two ladies would fit into plus sized styling and are pure inspirations - I would encourage all fashion conscious, vintage inspired, sewing/non-sewing personages to check out their blogs.

So, cardmaking - I am afraid that you will be boxed up and put into the garage for a while while I concentrate on some dressmaking.  I am very excited having recently cataloged my patterns and fabric using a very nifty application on my iPad (hey, I mentioned that I was obsessive).  So this weekend I plan to get my craft room in shape and start planning my new wardrobe!

Just to finish off, I picked our two greyhounds up from the kennels where they had been holidaying whilst we were in BC, and this cartoon sprang to mind . . . . .