Wednesday 12 March 2014

Yarn Along.......Stripy Mitts and some Fairisle.

Hello, how was your weekend? I had a fab Saturday, I spent the day with friends having a mini spa day with afternoon tea. My friend, Di, had us all around her house and booked a beauty therapist to give us all a treatment. After our treatments we all relaxed and enjoyed afternoon tea and a glass of fizz. It was a wonderful, relaxing day with friends!!!!

In my last post, I told you about the Fairisle workshop that I attended, last Thursday, after it had finished, I went downstairs to John Lewis haberdashery department and picked up a few different colours of the Rowan Felted Tweed DK. I really enjoyed the process of Fairisle but felt as though it would be something that you need to practice, otherwise you could forget the different techniques, so over the weekend with my new yarn, I cast on a Fairisle scarf.

I'd seen a pattern called Leftover Cowl by Wendy D. Johnson, it's a large cowl using leftover sock yarn. I loved the Fairisle pattern but didn't want a large cowl so I decided to use the chart for a Fairisle Scarf, instead.

I'm knitting it in the round using magic loop, knitting Fairisle in the round is so much easier as you don't have to purl, I'm really caggy handed holding the two yarns and purling, so this is a good option for me. It's a 12 stitch repeat pattern but because I'm knitting it in the round, it's two sided you need to cast on multiples of 24. I cast on a total of 144 stitches which gives me a width of 27cm, each pattern uses two colours which I'm randomly choosing from my ten colours. I'm loving this project and find Fairisle very relaxing, this will be a long term project and I might even buy another couple of colours to add to my rainbow of colours.

I've finished the sleeves on my Aureus, I just need to set the sleeves into the armholes, knit the button band and I'll have a finished garment to show you, hopefully by next Friday.

I've also started another new project, I'm joining in with Jane Richmond's Linden Mitts KAL, this will be a fairly quick project as it only uses 50g of Knit Picks Felici or any other self striping yarn.

The pattern gives you the option of 4ply or sport weight yarn, I've had to go down to a 2.25mm needle as the 2.75mm knit up too big for me, I prefer a tighter fitting mitten. Even though the pattern was written especially for self-striping, I think it would work just as well with a variegated yarn. I love the Knit Picks Felici but it's hard to find in the UK, I managed to get this one ball from Great British Yarns but it looks like they aren't stocking it anymore.

This week, I've started reading The Diary of a Provincial Lady by E.M. Delafield, I can't tell you too much about it yet, as I've only just started it but it's a fictional diary about a 1930's lady and her family life. I like to collect classic books with limited edition covers and I love this one designed by Cath Kidston, isn't it pretty? Check out more knitting projects and reads over at Ginny's Yarn Along, also pop over to Tami's blog for more WIP's.

Thanks for stopping by, I really appreciate the time you take reading and leaving me such lovely comments.

xxxxDebxxxx

 

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wonderful projects! The Fairisle looks beautiful and I love the stripes! Enjoy your knitting :)

Caffeine Girl said...

I absolutely love that cowl, but then I love about everything that Wendy Johnson designs. She one amazing knitter! Anyway, I immediately added it to my queue!

That is a beautiful book. Is the content as good as the cover?

sustainablemum said...

Your fairisle is lovely, I have recently found a pattern using this technique that I would love to knit up one day....

steph said...

awesome knits this week…..adore the sweater, and the fair isle is stunning, too! just one more stripe….I get addicted when I knit with that kind of yarn….you have many happy hours ahead of you. enjoy!

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

Ohhhhhhhh these are gorgeous! LOVING those colors!!!!!

Pigtails said...

I was looking at this exact Rowan just this Saturday and wished I lived in a cod place so that I could make something with it. Alas I am on my way back to the very hot and even hotter Middle East and will in the meantime enjoy watching the progress on your stunning scarf - oh my goodness it really is gorgeous the little bit that is finished this far! (Visiting from Tami) xxxx

Unknown said...

Incredibly beautiful knitting! Chrissie x

Jill@NorthStarYarns said...

Your Fair Isle scarf is looking beautiful, I can't believe you just learned how to do it. I really love your colour selection and can't wait to see it finished.

Unknown said...

What colourful projects. I love your fair isle, looking forward to following your progress on it :)

Desiree said...

Your Fairisle is amazing! I tried color work once and I could not get the right tension for piece not to buckle and look all funny! Yours is so pretty!! I love the colors!

Babajeza said...

Beautiful projects!

Unknown said...

Gorgeous knitwear Deb, so love that scarf of yours, fab patterns! Ira x
Ira’s Crea Corner

Ginx Craft said...

The fair isle looks lovely, and I love the picture of your scrummy colours together. I would rather cope with some purl rows that the magic loop though.

Hazels Crochet said...

You have lots of lovely projects on the go Debs! I can't wait to see how your Fairisle scarf is going to turn out!!

Donna said...

Wow your cowl looks awesome! I am just starting to get the hang of colorwork. I like the yarn you are using for your socks. Great colors!

Stefanie said...

The Fair Isle looks great. I used to find it intimidating but now it's more comfy in my repertoire. I knit with both hands. Great sock yarn.

elns said...

Your scarf looks amazing. You're killing me though, with the "fair isle is relaxing!" I haven't tried to learn yet, because I imagine I'll be pulling my hair! You always pick the loveliest shades of purple and pink. Can't wait to see how your sweater sets. I'm a sucker for stripes of all kinds so I already adore your mitts.

Jo said...

Busy week Deb. The lesson has certainly paid off, I think it is good to stretch yourself in your craft otherwise it just gets boring. I am checking in for Fridays post. Jo x

Amy at love made my home said...

All of your pieces are looking lovely Deb, I am amazed by your fairisle knitting, it looks brilliant and I am sure that as you say it is probably a good idea to practice a new skill, so this is such a great idea! Liking the self striping as well!! xx

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

Ooh, lovely projects...your Fairisle cowl is looking beautiful Deb (I love the Rowan Felted Tweed too)....the magic loop technique is great and so is afternoon tea! :-)
Hope you have a great weekend!
Susan x

Hannapat said...

It sounds like you had a lovely girly time together, I am definitely a SPA gal! I love seeing your fairisle knitting, it really does look great. I was booked on a course to do a little fairisle knitting, baring in mind I don't really knit, but sadly my health didn't allow for it, hey ho there will always be another time. For now I can drool over yours! xoxo

CathieJ said...

I love all of your pretty knits. I'm looking forward to trying a fair isle knit in the future.

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