You've been Punked!

The knitting of the Christmas lace scarves continues and I have finished my Oriel Lace Scarf from 101 Designer One-Skein Wonders using some Dream in Color Smooshy in Punky Fuchsia colour way. It is a monster of a thing, about 160cm long, but it is quite beautiful and the colours just are not done justice in photos. My only criticism of the whole project is that the photograph in the book is actually of a double width shawl rather than the scarf that is written. A picky thing I know but I like these things to match up.

This the next scarf. It is the Falling Water scarf with two extra repeats for a little more width made in Wollmeise Sockenwolle 100% superwash, Wilder Mohn colourway.

Okay I could be biased but...

Is this the cutest Tigger you ever did see?


And this the tastiest Birthday cocktail?

Mmm Black Vodka!

Someone else knows the way to my heart

Another early birthday gift for me! Beautiful, hand-dyed yarns from Sam. The green is wool / nylon sock yarn and the purple is 10ply BFL. The only question now is scarf or socks for the 4ply and what to do with the 10. I have to confess that I am leaning towards a lovely lace scarf....

Progress made, a gift and a halt in proceedings.

this is my 201st blog post. Who'd have thought? And I think there are still some people left reading. Miraculous!

The Oriel Lace Scarf is coming along very nicely, or at least I think so. I would reckon that I am about half way through the skein and it does seem a pity not to use it all. Here is some detail of the lace pattern (ably stretched by Bevan for your perusal).

And some idea of it's current, unstretched length. I think this thing is going to be a monster when it is blocked but, as I don't mind a long scarf, I am sure there are others about of a like mind. The colour is funky too. It is much less purple in real life and far more magenta. I need to photograph it in the morning instead of waiting till the late afternoon.

And someone clearly knows the way to my heart. I received an early birthday gift in the mail yesterday from a dear friend in the States (on behalf of all of my dear Haven friends). There was some Bernat Alpaca Blend, some Lion Wool and some Lovely Bamboo that is so lucious. It is almost like chenille but even nicer. There was also a book filled with ideas for felted goodies.

The scarf is on hiatus for a few days oweing to some emergency and top secret knitting that needs to be completed. I can't say much just yet except to tell you that I am deliriously excited and can't wait for you all to find out.

Rivolo

All finished and packed up in a ziplock bag waiting for Christmas. I am not sure exactly who is getting this yet, although I have some ideas. Not to sound immodest, but it is just beautiful. The pattern is amazing. I especially love the detail produced by the different placings of the decreases. The yarn is just adorable. Soft and fluid and I can't rave enough about the colour.

It is so gorgeous that I am sorely tempted to keep it myself but I just have the feeling that it will be so perfect for someone else.


This has started a bit of a lace fad and I have now started the Oriel Lace Scarf from 101 Designer One Skein Wonders. I am using Dream in Colour Smooshy for this in the Punky Fuschia colourway. I am quite pleased with how that is coming along too. This one is destined for Christmas as well.

Wow!

How stunning is this? It has turned out even better than I could have imagined. There have been no mods except for one knit round at the very start to join the 8 cast on stitches into the round. It took 5 1/2 balls of Moda Vera Eleni in Stardust and measures about 90cm across. It is off to my friend Antoinette for the newly born Will. Hopefully they both like it and it keeps him warm and snuggly or sheltered from the sun.

Spring is funny like that and I think that makes cotton the ideal fibre for a baby blanket this time of year. Folded in half it will be quite warm. Singled it will make a great shade cover over the pram. Well off to the hospital to deliver many gifts.

I fear this is becoming an obsession

I saw this pattern - Alexis Layton's Radiating Star Blanket - yesterday morning on the new patterns section of Ravelry. I think that about 10 minutes passed between that moment and the printing of the pattern. It may have taken me about 5 minutes to find the yarn and a few more to find the appropriate needles. No more than 30 minutes later I had cast on and was off and running.

It is great when a design just grabs you and makes you want so desperately to make it that you can't wait. I hope that some of my designs do that to people (but the little person on my shoulder says no). Even better is that it is using stash yarn that I have had forever!

You know the kind of yarn. It was cheap (I think 50c a ball, $1 tops), there were largish quantities and I was there. It is cotton/acrylic Moda Vera Eleni. Not a terrible yarn but a bulky cotton? What was I thinking.

In a happy case of kismet it is performing beautifully in the blanket and I am so enjoying knitting this up. I am up to row 55 (of 95) and the going is slowing but it is still delightful to see the pattern develop as you go.