Showing posts with label yarn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label yarn. Show all posts

Monday, 18 June 2012

On and off the sticks...

I find I enjoy knitting so much more in summer than I do in the colder months. Maybe because it is more portable and I can take it out in to the garden or sit in the conservatory where the light is so much better. I don't ever really knit anything substantial in size so I never need worry about heavy woollen WIP's draping over my lap.




This is LaLa's Simple Shawl and was my last challenge from when Kristina, Nancy and I last visited Kew together. We have decided to use our regular wanderings as a sort of mentoring session to encourage each other on projects or ideas that we are working on or ruminating over. It seems to be a successful way of ticking things off The List.





It looks quite generous draped over Mrs Jennings, my trusty model, but I really would've liked it a little bigger. I have worn it though, and it is just right for adding a little bit of warmth to these chilly days of so-called summer. The linen is soft and supple and I believe it will become butter-soft when I wash it.






As ever, there is another project lined up and this time I needed very little persuasion to purchase some Alice sock yarn. I don't think I have ever felt a yarn so beautifully soft. It is divine. After some deliberation over colour combinations, I went with this warm salmony coral colour paired with a natural cream. Bright summery colours that will give me that much needed yarn-y cuddle around my shoulders.

I seem to have a slight fixation with shawls at the moment and know I am not alone (you know who you all are!).





From tiny beginnings, come forth bigger and softer things. All details over on Ravelry.

Monday, 19 December 2011

19 :: rekindled...

I have the knitting bug back!

It's been ages since I knitted anything and since I finished my wrist-warmers I have been planning and dreaming of yarn!





So, next up on the needles was this ribbed cowl, as recommended by Kristina.  Once again, I used Malabrigo worsted, this time in Pink frost, which is a beautiful, soft dusky pink.  All details on Ravelry.






In fact, I love this colour so much, I have something else on the go already using the other skein I bought...

Saturday, 3 December 2011

3 :: Toast

Having admired Nancy's wrist warmers from both her blog and in real life I thought it was about time I had a pair of my very own.  They are a satisfyingly quick knit.




I had a ball of Malabrigo worsted yarn in 'Hollyhock' in my stash so it was just a question of choosing a colour to go with it.  The grey shade is Polar Morn and has a wonderful pinky tinge to it in places so I think it complements the Hollyhock perfectly.




This yarn is so beautifully soft and the stitch definition is a dream (to me). Pattern here.

Thursday, 16 December 2010

15 :: nest…

Today I made a new discovery! 

 

Nest

Not too far away from home and with a good friend living in the very same road, so more than one excuse to go visiting.  This amazing wreath in the window was actually made of yarn!  Then woven with ivy and berries, clever huh?

 

Nest window

I felt very sorry to have been all bought out what with Christmas and a pile of WIP’s that have exactly one week to become presents, because there was plenty to tempt me inside.

 

Nest interior

Gorgeous colours at every turn.

 

Nest yarn

 

Nest felting tops

 

There was a very inviting sofa and snug that was crying out for some knitting/crochet/chatting/laughter of the bloggy kind!

Tuesday, 15 June 2010

The colour purple...

First things first!  I just wanted to say thank you to all of you who wished my Dad a speedy recovery after my last post.  It's been a painfully slow ten or so days but (fingers crossed) he will have his surgery on Thursday.  I have finally sussed out routes to and from the hospital using both public transport and my own car.  It seems that the London transport system grinds to a halt (particularly going East) at weekends in preparation for 2012.  Never mind, I can ogle all the yummy places as I drive through Islington and then down City Road and Old Street.

Anyhoo, back to purple.



A couple of weeks ago, Kristina and I met up for our monthly visit to Kew Gardens.  I would say that the stars of May were the rhododendrons.  This mauve one was my favourite.  I just love the speckled throats of the flowers.



I had another wonderful day out with Kristina too.  This time we met up with Diana at Petersham Nurseries, which I know is one of these lovely ladies' favourite places and is fast becoming one of mine!  The disappointment was palpable when we discovered that the tea room was closed due to a fashion event.  Best hot-foot it over to Mrs Moon then!  THE most amazing yarn shop EVER!



The girls that run it are brilliantly knowledgeable about all things yarn-y and it really did have the best selection I have ever seen - all the yarns that I drool over online, there for the stroking!  I couldn't resist this scrumptious purple yarn.  It is incredibly soft.  I'm going to make this with it.




It seems that I was unable to resist the lure of purple that day and added some Louisa Harding and some Debbie Bliss cotton dk to my bag.



And keeping to the theme of today's post, my garden has produced this fabulously dramatic allium.  It is HUGE!  At least 12" across - like an explosion.  Love it!


Friday, 22 January 2010

A sneaky peek...






A short but sweet post today, offering a tiny glimpse of my current medium for a project I'm working on. 

My parents finally exchanged contracts today on their house move so I have been helping out with all sorts for them as they are completing in ONE WEEK!  There is some serious packing to be done!  My head is banging.  I think a glass of wine is in order...

Saturday, 16 January 2010

Restraint...



Last week I had a quick scoot into town for a rummage through the clearance bins in John Lewis Oxford Street.

Unlike last year, when I came home with bags stuffed full of yarn, I behaved myself and only purchased 2 balls of this lovely lenpur linen.

I have had my eye on this for some time, as I mentioned in this post.  They only had this colour, but it's a start!

I'm afraid I show no such restraint in my fabric buying pursuits.  Now that my Christmas credit card is paid off, it's back to the fabric stores...