Wednesday 19 February 2014

Yarn Along.....oops, two more projects on the needles.

Hello there, my friends, how is your week going? I don't know about you knitters out there but if I'm stressed or upset, I knit more!!!!! That's what's happened this week, I've cast on another two new projects and have finished one.

The first one I want to show you is the Frangipani Shawl by Helen Stewart, this is the first pattern from the Dream Big 2014 e-book. There are ten patterns altogether and at the end of each month you receive a new pattern up until October.

I've been itching to knit a shawl for a while now and when I saw this pattern, this was the one, it takes two different colour, 100g of 4ply/fingering. I'm still stash busting, so I went through my yarn and found two 100% pure silk skeins. They are both from the Natural Dye Studio, I thought the silk would be perfect for a summer wrap.

The blue-green is Spyder Silk 4ply called Silverside Perch, I've tried to capture the colours as best as I could, the colours range from greens to turquoise blue, it is so pretty. The oyster grey is Precious 4ply called Lynton Town, both have a beautiful sheen to them and feel gorgeous knit up, so light and soft with a wonderful drape. It's the first time I've knit with silk so I wasn't sure how I'd like it but I would definitely use it again.

This pattern is very easy to knit and would be perfect for someone who wanted to knit a shawl for the first time but also would keep an experienced shawl knitter interested too. I've got to compliment Helen on how she's written this pattern, it's done as a spreadsheet. The rows are colour coded so you know which yarn to change to, after the increases it says how many stitches you should have and also the progress in percentages, which is very handy if you're not sure if you've got enough yarn. I did this in an evening and have completed 10% of the shawl!!!!

The other project I've cast on are the Tuuli Mitts by Lydia Gluck, the pattern is from Pom Pom Quarterly and the yarn is Dyed in the Wool by Spincyle which I won from last month.

I love how this yarn stripes when you knit with it from both ends.

The textured cable stitches also look fantastic by using both ends, it's a very clever pattern and use of the yarn.

I've just started a new book called The Cornish House by Liz Fenwick, it's an easy read chick lit. I'm 20% into it and nothing has really happened as yet, apart from she has moved to Cornwall after her husband died and she is bringing up her stroppy teenage step-daughter. I'm not sure if I'm going to enjoy it as I haven't taken to either of the main characters, so we'll see how it goes. Pop over to Ginny's blog to see what others are reading and knitting this week.

Also take a look over at Tami's blog to see more WIP's.

Thanks for stopping by, have a great week.

xxxxDebxxxx

 

19 comments:

Corrie B said...

I love the colour and delicate stitching in all of these. Beautiful! The Frangipani Shawl is especially gorgeous.

Hope things get less stressful soon!!

Amy at love made my home said...

Your new projects look very pretty Deb!! But.... no socks! xx

Jo said...

Some nice projects there. Look forward to seeing them finished. Jo x

Cloudberry said...

Beautiful projects you have on your needles!
Love the colours on the Frangipani.

thesnailgarden said...

Beautiful choice of colours for both projects. I've just managed to get my hands on a Pom Pom magazine, but I am trying very hard not to start another project just yet! I'm not going to admit to how many I have on the go! :) Best wishes, Pj x

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

These are beautiful!! LOVING the colors on the shawl!!!!!

Donna said...

That silk yarn is just stunning. I love how those colors are blending. That hand spun you are using looks great with that pattern. So much beauty going on in your knitting world!

wynette vass said...

Beautiful projects!! Love all the colors you have chosen.

Tonya Gunn said...

That silk yarn is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

Sarah said...

I love your silk shawl!! Its so beautiful!

CathieJ said...

I love those two new knits. The yarns you chose are absolutely beautiful especially that for the mitts.

Hannapat said...

Love the look of those mitts, hopefully one day I will be able to have a go at making some. Pretty colours you have chosen for your shawl too xoxo

Stefanie said...

My gosh! What eye candy before my eyes. Those colors of your shawl are pretty. So interesting to knit from both ends of a yarn cake and to get that result.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful knitting and the Frangipani shawl just matches your header perfectly!

Ros Crawford said...

Lovely work on your needles ... I Like those cable stitches too ...

Ros Crawford said...

Lovely work on your needles ... I Like those cable stitches too ...

Unknown said...

I love the yarns you're using for your shawl. Very Spring-like :)

Unknown said...

Such pretty knits again Deb! Love your shawl, these colours look stunning together! Perfect for spring! Ira x
Ira’s Crea Corner

Unknown said...

It's all just too much for me, Deb, you keep doing this - too much prettiness in one post! I'm swooning yet again over your knitting, your wonderful choice of patterns, and the exquisite colours. Slow down and let me catch my breath! Those pastels of the shawl...I'm in heaven! Chrissie x

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