Project overload!

Okay, I now have more than I can handle with project line ups and on the go.

The Garnstudio Cotton viscose arrived today from Scandinavian Knitting Design in the UK. Bruce Bailey from SKD could not have been easier to deal with. He ordered in the colour I requested and it is here in Sydney today. My initial order was January 12th. I'll order from this UK store again!

The cotton viscose is gorgeous - 54% Egyptian cotton 46% viscose, with a beautiful sheen and texture. Looking forward to knitting this cardigan.

2PAW have you noticed a definite trend here ... it's really cool being green!

Marta's Yarns - sad, sad news ...

Just received an email that Marta has sadly passed away.

A fabulous, enthusiastic colourist who will be sadly missed.

A Gathering of Lace on eBay ...

Look at this listing on eBay - Item # 110082827469 with a starting figure of $6.50!

Good luck people!

It's here! It's here!

I have Victorian Lace Today in my hot little hands!

It is a beautifully presented book and there are several items I will be knitting ... in due course.

I ordered VLT through Angus & Robertson Winston Hills Jan 14th and collected it today Jan 25th. $45.40 in store. So good being able to order books through a store, close to home and not have to pay until it is in stock.

Wishing all Australian's, where-ever you are in the world, a fabulous AUSTRALIA DAY tomorrow - OI OI OI!

The beginning ...

I've never knit a lace shawl/wrap designed by someone else ... I found this one a couple of days ago and thought it would be a perfect knit, as the pattern says it's a quick knit - done in 24 hours.

I've discovered the chartered instructions are far easier to follow than the written word.

Let's see how long it takes me. I'll link to the free pattern and give yarn information when complete.

Creative Talent ...

Knitting Through the Looking Glass, Pamela, who I do not know, but frequently visit her blog, has an amazing post on the Swallowtail Shawl she is knitting in HandMaiden Sea Silk, Ocean (the very yarn I have been lusting after for ages!).

Pamela has taken the scarf sized shawl pattern, expanded it and is making a large wrap. Some people are just so very clever.

Pop on over and see for yourself, and leave Pamela a note. She deserves a good pat on the back for this one.

Fabulous, fabulous knit Pamela!

Knit Avenue Button ...

I've made myself a button. Whohooo some of you will think, but let me tell you people - it was not easy. The mere fact that I was able to insert Knit Avenue on the photo as well as plonking it in the side bar is a miracle, as I'm flying blind not being trained in writing code of any form. It's all copy, copy, fingers crossed, eyes shut and hit that key! As to inserting a line of text without throwing out the whole blog sidebar is, at the moment, described in one word ... impossible.

So you know what to do, link to KA, but please, save the button to your own server. Thanks!

Silk Lace weight yarns

A little self promotion here - I don't usually do this, but I thought once wouldn't matter. I've found some gorgeous lace weight yarns in the stock room, so listing them on my site for sale. Take a peek!

I'll be listing more as I've found a bundle of them, about 10 lots, all different colours, but the same weight and length. Some are still in hanks and some have been wound into balls with a winder. Unfortunately, I do not have any information labels, as these were purchased over the years as samples, but I do know they are all 100% silk.

Victorian Lace Today : xrx books

This is all Grumperina’s fault !

As mentioned in my last posting ... I'm weak, very weak, in fact so weak I've once again surrended and ordered another book.

Last November I read a review Grumperina posted on VLT and thought there were too many shawls and nothing that really tempted me to purchase the book, but ... there is always a but, Grumperina goes and knits the Melon Scarf in a yarn I have been lusting after for a long time, but not purchased, as I was not sure what I would use the HandMaiden Seasilk for.

I now have reason to purchase this gorgeous yarn.

Honestly, there are so many appealing, wearable, patterns available now, I need to knit 24/7 ... if only.

After searching the net for many hours, I decided to order through a local book store, Angus & Robertson. I'll have the book within four weeks, which will give me time to complete other projects I have waiting in line.

With that in mind I'd better get going and actually complete something.

'till next time...

Ballet Wrap Cardigan - gifted knitting

Ballet Wrap Cardigan by Katy Ryan
Interweave Knits Winter 2005 page 16
Yarn : Colinette Prism Jay #85 - 6 x 100g skeins
Size : 87.5cm (second size)
Needles : Addis 6mm, 6.5mm, 8mm
Modification to pattern : Knitted in one piece to underarm
Swatch : washes and blocks perfectly

This pattern is well written, easy and fast to knit, even though I knit it in one piece, it was still easy to follow. I did not alter the amount of stitches, as one would, allowing for the side and end stitches (4).

The pattern for this size requires 6 skeins - there is approximately 73gms left.

Colinette Prism is a pleasure to knit and work with, although a little challenging at times sewing in the sleeves with the thin and thick yarn, making sure there were no big gaps. I used mattress stitch to sew in the sleeves and it worked beautifully. I am a firm believer in mattress stitch and have never had a problem with my work unravelling or snapping, even after years of wash and wear. The only time I have known MS unravel or snap is when insufficient side bar stitches have not been picked up. This is where many people fall down, shortcutting the process thereby not having a flawless seam and problems. When this method is worked correctly, you can tug and pull on the seams as much as you like and they will not give way. Practise people, you'll love the end result!

This wrap is a gift for a blogless knitting friend - B. She celebrates her birthday Australia Day, January 26. It is far too hot to wear this wrap in Oz this time of year, but I knew she liked this pattern and knew I could achieve a completed garment in time for the big day.

I will return to Ariann and complete her as I've just purchased A Gathering of Lace and will be knitting the Vine Lace Cardigan in Garnstudio Cotton Viscose #11. I fell in love with this knit when I first saw it and have not wanted to pay the price of the book for just one pattern. I'm so weak ....

I've already ordered the yarn from Scandinavian Knitting Design in the UK. They will have to order in colour #11, so will not be arriving in Oz for about three weeks. Now that should be enough time for me to complete Ariann and prepare myself for tiny needle knitting.

I'm sure I'll require some encouragement at times, as I think this knit will be a challenge timewise rather than patternwise.

Catch up soon!

Flea has lost her password to her blog ...

everyone get on over there and help her find it!!!

Pictures and knitting news tomorrow.

Toodles ...

National De-Lurking Week Jan 8-12

National De-Lurking Week

Obviously we get 2 days off for good behaviour!

I'm not keen on the two buttons available this year, so will post the same as I used last year.

Look forward to hearing from everyone!

Flea-Bites ... yeeeeouch!

Flea just sent me an email scolding me for not posting.

Hey guys - I'm on holiday!

Actually, I have been doing a little knitting and will post a photo to the blog shortly. It's a birthday gift for a friend, so really couldn't say much, but now she knows and I've almost finished. Just the sleeves to attach and knit the ties. It looks sensational on the birthday girl as she's a red-head and the yarn is Colinette Prism Jay.

That's all for now. Catch up Thursday!