mystery KAL update...

At the start of the year I started two mystery knit alongs.  I know some of you are doing at least one of them... how are you getting on?

In general I'm a bit undecided about mystery KALs.  Choosing yarn and colours is difficult, as I don't know what the end result will be.  It's very much out my comfort zone!

That being said My Follow Your Arrow (by Ysolda Teague) is going very well!  I don't want to put any spoilers in this blog post but if you click through to my Ravelry project page you can see some photos and my choices.

This pattern seems to be great value!  It's now at £4.50, but each week (there are 5) there are 2 options to choose from.

So there are lots of possibilities.  So far the different combinations look great and very different.

There is a group on Ravelry specifically for this KAL.  You can see work in progress photos from the thousands of projects that people have started.  Some knitters have even cast on 2 shawls.  I've already seen another combination that I'd like to try.

As I write this clue 4 has just arrived in my Ravelry library...

The other knitalong is Kirsten Kapur's Sock.

This one I'm not so sure about.  I'm using my Old Maiden Aunt Blue Faced Leciester 4ply (love it) and after a shaky start (I wasn't sure I liked the cast on)  I rattled through the cuff.  Finally deciding that I did indeed like it!

However the leg clue seems too... ornate for me.  There are spoiler photos on this sock here.  And it's not my style at all.  So I put this to one side as I'm not sure I will carry on with it.  I have plenty of other things on the go...  and I don't want to spend time on something that I don't really like.

THEN!  the heel clue arrived in my Ravelry library and the spoiler photos appeared in the forum.  And now it makes more sense,  the design flows and the heel looks very different to any I've done before.

So... I think I may carry one with it...

As I said I'm abit undecided about mystery KALS!

If you'd like to do a mystery KAL- you can still join in with Ysolda's and Kirsten's BUT there is a new one that started on 1st February - Mystery Sock KAL by Sarah Ronchetti,

Not a mystery KAL, but making me happy... my new hot water bottle cosy is progressing...

What have you been knitting this year?  Are you getting ready for summer yet?

Juliet & Noema

New Year... LOTS of new projects

So, yesterday Ysolda Teague's first Mystery Knit Along began - Follow your Arrow.

I choose to use my Artesano Definition yarn (in a lovely school grey) and at the last minute decided to to do a two colour version.  I found a lovely dark charcoal 4ply in my stash (bought on a whim no doubt) and I cast on last night.

I won't do any in-progress photos etc as it is a knit along and I'd hate to spoil it for anyone else.  If you don't mind spoilers then check out Ysolda's group on Ravelry here.

My other knit along is a Mystery Sock by Kirsten Kapur. It starts tomorrow and I'm doing it in Regia Angora Merino in a stunning gold shade.  I have a wee stash of Angora leftovers from previous projects which I'll use for my 2nd colour...

baby socks, Homin Shawl, Elizabeth and Torrent Socks

In mid December this hot water bottle cozy popped up in my Ravelry pattern highlights...

Cozy Bottle
{photo credit - Hinke}

The pattern wasn't available at the time, so it couldn't be my Christmas holiday project (which ended up being this), and after stalking the pattern page for several weeks, the designer sent me a copy of the pattern at the weekend.

I plan to do it in Jamieson's Shetland Heather and I'm leaning towards a full on 70s colour scheme!  Having done two cosies in Shetland Heather already,  I can highly recommend this yarn as satisfying to work with, heat retentive and hard wearing.  Hearts is a great first colourwork project, Snowflakes a bit more complex.  Cozy Bottle seems a little more complex.  A good next step for my stranding skills!

Snowflakes and  Hearts

So that's 3 projects in 1 week...

I recently finished my first crochet blanket and immediately started planning a second.  This is the kind of project that will sit on the couch for 6 months and I'll dip in and out of it.   I'm using this random stripe generator to try and be 'truly' random!

In November I started a shawl in Freedom Alfresco Aran - Sheep Wagon Shawl.

Sheep Wagon Shawl
{photo credit - Joanna Johnson Slate Falls Press}

My first shawl in a heavy weight yarn.  To keep me warm whilst I'm knitting!  I'm not doing stripes but switching between stocking stitch and garter stitch instead.  This is slowing down now as I reach over 500 stitches on the needles (and perhaps because our winter has been quite mild so far).

However whilst tidying our trunk of Debbie Bliss Winter Garden it struck me that all the colours look so good together.  THEY would be lovely as a blanket.  Especially in my newly decorated bedroom.  Maybe a knitted one this time - it is a super chunky so knits up fast...

So that's another 3 (large) projects...

Oops,  I almost forgot, I'm supposed to be doing a Wedding Ring shawl!

Patons 4ply Cotton

Add to that some new shop samples -  a new Winter Garden scarf sample and the 4ply baby cardigan and matching soft toy (currently on my very thin needles) and something in our new sparkly yarn...

That's quite alot...  But completely normal for me!  How many new* projects are you starting 2014 with?

Do you have room for one more?


*I of course have few projects that are currently... (cough) hibernating.  Socks that are not yet a pair.  A cardigan that is over 1 year overdue, but that's a whole other blog post!

New Year... new skills...

Why not learn a new skill in 2014? Learn to knit and crochet and you'll learn a life skill that can be creative, extravagant, economical, solitary, sociable, charitable, stress reducing and health inducing!

These great online resources from Slugs on the Refrigerator are free to access and can get you started.
Remember we're always happy to help in the shop if you get in a tangle.

{image credit - Slugs on the Refrigerator}

If you want to develop your skills further why not try one of our workshops which take place in the shop...

There are lots of reasons why a workshop is a great place to learn:-

• Learning as a group is fun - you're often not the only one stuck on something, you can ask questions of other group members and you can support each other through any tricky bits and encourage each other.
• You get a professional tutor who can start you off with no bad habits and who can encourage you to find your own comfy spot.
• The group is small - only 6 people, so you'll get lots of one-to-one attention if you want it.On these courses all the materials are included so you don't have to worry if you've not got the 'right' yarn or hook or needles.

First Steps in Fair Isle
Sunday 2nd March, 10am - 4pm, £45

.

This workshop is aimed at knitters who would like to try Fair Isle knitting. You will make a sewing needle case using lots of colours of wool!  And learn how to add beads too!
Techniques to be covered: how to knit continental style, carrying both colours - one in each hand, reading a chart, and maintaining a consistent tension.   Using beads in your knitting and how to hand felt.
Class requirements: yarn, beads and knitting needles are provided.
Skill level: you must be confident with knit and purl and following a basic pattern

Read more about our First Steps in Fair Isle workshop here.

Beginners Socks
Sunday 23rd March, 10am to 4pm, £45

Aimed at those who want to knit socks. If you can follow a pattern, knit and purl then you can do this class! You will learn how to knit a sock from the cuff down using a variety of methods - learn how the best cast on and how to graft your toes seamlessly!  You can knit a wee sock in a day!

Techniques to be covered: use double pointed needles, 2 circular needles and magic loop.  cast on for cuff down socks and grafting your toes.  Learn how to make a heel flap and to prevent holes at your gusset!  All these skills are easily transferable to other types of socks.

Class requirements: Please bring scissors. The cost of the workshop includes yarn (100g sock yarn, double pointed needles wool needle and Fripperies & Bibelots stitch markers!)
Skill level:  Must be able to knit, purl, increase, decrease and follow a simple pattern.

Learn to Crochet
Sunday 27th April,  10am -4pm, £45

This workshop is aimed at beginners or for those who have not picked up a crochet hook for many years.

Techniques to be covered: holding the hook and yarn, basic stitches, changing colour, understanding terminology, working in the round. You will make a pretty colourful washcloth or crochet hook case

Class requirements: Please bring scissors. The cost of the workshop includes yarn, a crochet hook and a wool needle.

You can see what happens  at a Learn to Crochet workshop here!

Colour & Steek

Sunday 8th June, 10am to 4pm, £45

A steek is a bridge of stitches placed within the knitting at an opening point. Such as the front opening of a cardigan. It allows the knitter to keep working in the round without interruption. When the knitting is complete, the steek is then cut and reinforced, thus creating the required opening. 

This workshop is designed for those who are interested in learning how to work a simple steek and improve their stranded knitting technique while working in the round. 

Techniques covered: during the class we will work on a mug cosy using your chosen method of circular knitting. You will learn how to carry one colour of yarn in each hand, how to follow a Fair Isle chart and how to complete a simple steek using only your knitting needles, wool needle and scissors. Other methods of steeking will be demonstrated. 

Class requirements:   25g ball of Jamiesonʼs Spindrift, 3.25 mm knitting needles, sharp wool needle are included in the workshop fee.  Just bring scissors. Additional colours of yarn are provided.
Skill level: Must be able to work in the round and follow a simple pattern.

First Steps in Lace
Sunday 29th June, 10am to 4pm, £45

Designed for those who would like to try lace knitting for the first time or for those who need a refresher of the basic techniques. Learn the skills required to knit fingerless gloves with a beautiful lace panel.
Techniques covered: While working on a practice swatch, you will learn simple lace stitches, abbreviations and what they mean. Later while working on the fingerless gloves you will also learn how to read from a lace chart, plus tips and techniques for future projects.
Class Requirements: yarn (Rowan 4ply wool), knitting needles and wool needles are included in the workshop fee.  Just bring scissors!
Skill level: Must be able to knit and purl with confidence and follow a simple pattern. 

New Year... new projects

Happy 2014 everyone!

Have you started a new project for the new year?

{image credit - Ysolda Teague}

I'm busy finishing up some shop samples ahead of Ysolda Teague's first mystery knit along which starts on 13th January. You can read about it here and on Ravelry here. There are over 900 projects already listed on Ravelry!

I think I'm going to use some YarnPony Mustang (hand dyed 100% merino) but given that it's a mystery and I have no idea what is ahead, I'm a bit concerned my colour choice is a bit dark... So I may change my mind!

{image credit - Kirsten Kapur}

I'm also doing another knit along... this time Kirsten Kapur's Mystery Sock KAL which starts on 15th January. For that I'm probably going to use some Regia Angora Merino. This is a supersoft but tough sock yarn.

But again I reserve the right to change my mind.

Both these knit alongs are offered at a discounted price which will rise when the patterns are released. You need to buy them on Ravelry. We can help if you've never bought a pattern on Ravelry!

These knit alongs are scheduled over 5 weeks - and whilst its nice to have a schedule, it doesn't matter if I can't keep up. I'll have a copy of the pattern to finish at any time.

I'm also planning a new crochet blanket. I made my first one in 2013 using an Attic 24 pattern - Granny Stripes. I used a Louisa Harding wool/cotton yarn - Ianthe which is gorgeous but now unfortunately discontinued by the manufacturer.

We have some balls left in the shop in our bargain basket (25% off!) I would highly recommend it (for crochet or knitting).

Having now used my finished blanket, I'm keen to make another one in the same yarn, luckily I have managed to squirrel away a few more balls. This time I have my eye on Grandma's Magic Blanket.

But again I reserve the right to change my mind!

We're also getting ready for this year's Pittenweem Arts Festival Project. If you follow us on Pinterest you may have noticed our newest board... a clue to what Anne Marijke has in store for this year's community craft project!

What are you working on?