Magic Moments...

I don't think I will ever fail to love the process of blocking:

Before

and After

(this is my 'Enchanted Canopy' Shawl - from Forest Canopy Shawl pattern by Susan Lawrence)

Goldfinger

I think my favorite thing about living in London (except actually seeing my boyfriend - unlike before when I was in Newcastle) is the amount and variety of different things going on.

For example last week at the VandA I took part in a gilding workshop 'Be bold, be gold' as part of Design week. I took along an object to be gilded (surprise, surprise I took some knitting needles).
The needles that I took are a pair of old bamboo needles that I don't think that I have ever actually used - but now they look amazing. I would defiantly have a go again in the future.


It was surprisingly easy
- paint on the size
- leave it to dry
- talc your fingertips
- lay the gold leaf on the item
- rub it with a paintbrush

And admire.....

My name in lights ...... well not quite

But it is my name in print and I am quite excited anyway!



The book comes out in the beginning of October (Amazon informs me on the 7th) but I got my preview copy early. The book has got lots of nice pictures and it does look good, but I am not quite sure who will need / want to knit 30 different Coffee cozies? Mind you I can't really talk as I have an increasing pile of hand-knit shawls in my bedroom!

I am still very proud - I think it looks great!

I love lace!

After my original thoughts about knitted lace disappeared (i.e who would wear a shawl) it turns out that I think lace is my favorite thing to knit ever (well at least right now)!

I finished my second Ishbel shawl in time to wear it to the wedding, it is a gorgeous dark purple tweedy yarn - hmmm maybe tweed lace is my favorite thing to knit ?


I had also completed my first ever garment Lisel (also designed by Ysolda Teague) which only took a couple of days to knit - I am really pleased with it and have started knitting another - this time with sleeves.



The second one may take a little longer as I have been distracted by yet more lace! Forest Canopy shawl - I have named my version enchanted forest though due to the stunning colours of the yarn that I am using:
And with the lace spread out a little so you can see the leaves:

I Knit Weekender

I had a brilliant time on Friday and Saturday last week. I spent two days at the Royal Horticultural Halls surrounded by knitting.

Friday morning I met up with Sue (despite having forgotten my phone in all the excitement to get there) and we went to a talk about 'Unexpected Knitting' by Debbie New. I was really inspired by this talk and hope to one day knit my own lace boat - kidding (kind of). Debbie showed us all sorts of fascinating items and garments - I really loved her kaleidoscope cones.

Then on to the marketplace which was full of so many amazing yarns, I could hardly choose. After several walks around and seeing many familiar faces I purchased some lovely things:

A shawl pin


A large purple button


Some 2ply Lambswool (black)

Some 2ply Alpaca (black)


And some stunning purple 2ply 100% silk



Can you tell that I have been bitten by the lace bug? Or that I love black and purple?

Then on Friday afternoon I met up with Mel to go to the Alice Starmore talk 'Influences on Design'. Alice showed some stunning photographs of the Isle of Lewis and talked a little about the history of the way of life there. Very interesting - I am not sure it has quite convinced me on knitting a whole 4ply fair-isle jumper, but I am pretty sure I have said the same about lace in the past so who knows!

I then made my way over to the Knitting and Crochet Guild stand to help out there for a bit - I did nip off when it was quiet to go and get my Whimsical Little Knits book signed by Ysolda Teague (please note the purple tweedy Ishbel - I am going to get some better photos for a later blog).Thanks to Sue for the photo! (I fell in love with the jade coloured jumper that is just over my shoulder - there maybe some more grey chunky knitwear in my future...)

Then to end the day a fashion show, there were some very wearable knitted items and some that I would need to be convinced of to leave the house - but very impressive none the less.

Then Saturday began with a bit more inspiration (i.e shopping) where I managed to only buy a set of KnitPro metal interchangeable needles (starter pack only) that I have been lusting after for an age. I love my Denise Set - but these ones are shiny :) I was really pleased because I managed to finish my Leisl (which I had only started on Wednesday night) on Friday so that I could wear it on Saturday (again further pictures to come!)

I then had a class with Annie Modesitt - amazing knitter/teacher/ woman. I learnt loads about modular knitting and was shocked to learn that the squares are not made by increasing then decreasing, but by decreasing only - the crazy world of knitting!

Then another couple of hours on the guild stand where I was lucky enough to get to chat to Joyce Meader and Woolly Thoughts - Pat Ashworth and Steve Plummer for a couple of minutes.

All in all a great two days - Thank you I Knit - see you again next year?

Bank Holiday Weekend

I was very busy this weekend:

Knitting



Spinning



Dying
I also managed to buy a new bike and go for a 7 1/2 mile walk. I need a holiday!