I had been planning to do this project for a while, and whilst floundering around recently, wondering what to make next I came across the hand painted 100% alpaca yarn I’d bought months ago in anticipation. All I needed to do was head out and buy some appropriate beads!
I have been working my little heart out, slaving away trying to get these finished! Partly so I can move on to new (and therefore more exciting) projects.
The Catkin is somewhere in the middle of the last chart. It really is an ingenious pattern. Though it looks like colour work it really isn’t. It’s just slipped stitches! And I love the texture that was created through the pumpkin section using just knit and purl stitches!
The rows are over 500 stitches each at the moment, so it’s not exactly fast going. Particularly when I realised I’d missed a button hole, and had to un-knit a row to get back to where I needed to fix it.
Mohair and silk scarf in a fan crochet stitch.
Its not meant to be long, or really warm, but it’s very decorative!
I hope the recipient likes it!
I have been working on a few projects for another swap I’m doing on Ravelry at the moment. The theme is Super Heroes, and I don’t really want to post pictures of those projects until after they’ve been received in case I’m being stalked for information! So you’ll have to wait a little while for those pictures. I’ve been working hard on them and they’ve been taking up most of my time!
But, you’re all in luck! I have also been unable to put down some of the beautiful new fibres I came home from the craft fair with, so I thought I’d show them all off to you!
Though I’ll begin by telling you about the one lone, single, solitary, button which is also in the picture below. I purchased it from Luena and the photo just doesn’t do it justice. It’s made of shell, so when the light catches it at just the right angle it glows with all the colours of the rainbow! I couldn’t leave it there, and I think it will make a wonderful statement piece or brooch! Maybe I can turn it into a shawl pin?
All 3 yarns I got were from Bart & Francis who just have the most amazing and inspiring collection! We spent a fair amount of time in front of their stall listening to all the technical aspects of how the yarns are made and put together. I hadn’t left myself enough budget to purchase any of the really fancy yarns (think; brushed silks, mohair, cashmere …) But I couldn’t walk past the cobweb weight baby alpaca (right), and when I got to the register there was the impulse purchase of the 100% Mulberry Silk (left)!
The silk impulse purchase was aided by the scarf they had made up by the register which showed off the luster of the fibres to perfection! My photo doesn’t do it justice at all unfortunately!
Also by the register was my other impulse purchase. The Silk Shantung. It’s so fine, so delicate, and yet, being silk, a really strong fibre. The swatch piece they had made up to show off fabric made from the yarn, was soft and airy and with a simple but regular pattern. This showed off the texture of the yarn to perfection! Hence, upon coming home and having a quick flick through my stitch dictionaries, I cast on immediately.
This is the perfect knit night piece. It’s easy to follow, and quite a brain dead knit being only 3 stitches in combination. So I can talk and drink while knitting, with little worry about going wrong in the pattern. With all that taken into account though, it still creates an airy, interesting, and textural fabric. I love it!
And yes, I am knitting with something that is the equivalent gauge and density of sewing thread on that spool. Would you expect anything less of me at this point?
So I haven’t caught you up on the knitting for a while, so here goes!
I finally finished the scarf I was making for Himself’s birthday. Turned out rather well I thought! More importantly, He likes it!
I’ve been working out a new pattern for some brooches to sell. I found some beautiful vintage crystal buttons for the centres! And the mohair yarn is incredibly soft! They’re like flowers made from clouds!
I have been forced to stop work on the Evenstar Shawl as I’ve run out of yarn. I have more on the way. It’s just still on its way with all our other stuff.
Of course, working without all my usual tools handy does have a few drawbacks! I’m really missing my swift and ball winder! But we made do. It just took a little longer than usual.
You can’t stop me from knitting! Especially not when I get my hands on my favourite Lorna’s Laces, Helen’s Lace yarn, in the most warm creamy delicious chocolate colour! So smooth! So soft!
It doesn’t look like much yet … Of course as beautiful as that piece is going to be when it’s done, it’s getting a touch big to take to Knit Night. So I’ve begun some socks in a gorgeous yarn sent to me along with a jar of vegemite from the UK! Thank you Clare! It’s just the most beautiful liquid buttery colour!
I’m doing them in a falling leaves pattern in anticipation of my first real Autumn which is on it’s way! Living in a mostly evergreen country up until recently has had it’s downsides. I can’t wait to see all the leaves change colour!
ghoti industries 