Ponderosa by Manderines and a new knitting book.

Hello my friends, I'm back today to let you know about another test knit that I've finished and has just been released. It's called Ponderosa by Manderines and is a gorgeous slouchy beanie hat, knit in DK so perfect for those cooler Autumn days when the tempreture is dropping and the leaves are changing colour. It's a fun knit with lots of texture and Melody cleverly replicates the shape of the pine trees from her beloved woods in Latvia.

Melody has a video podcast called Manderines which is one of my favourite podcasts to watch, she has such a beautiful, gentle way about her. As well as her fabulous knitting she brings a touch of Latvia and nature to us, if you've never watched, I highly recommend you take a look.

I always use 16" circulars for knitting hats and then DPNs for the decreases when the hat gets too small for the circular needles. The pattern calls for a 3.75mm but I only had 4mm so used them, the hat came out slightly bigger but I like slouchy hats so it wasn't a problem. There are two sizes so if you don't like too much slouch you can knit the smaller size though as you can probably guess, I went with the large size. I also went up a needle size for the rib, I used 3.5mm instead of 3.25mm.

I used Rowan Purelife British Sheep Breeds DK which is an undyed natural wool, the breed I bought was BFL so is very soft with a lovely drape. I really liked using this yarn and got it at a bargain price of £1.50 per 50g ball, I bought enough for a sweater so need to find the perfect pattern for it now.

I also wanted to share this new book that I've just received, I pre-ordered at the beginning of August and have been patiently waiting for its release in September. It's called Loop's 10 and celebrates Loop's 10th Anniversary.

It was definitely worth the wait with 12 stunning patterns including shawls, accessories, garments and even a little girls cardigan. It's a beautiful, well laid out book with amazing photography and written descriptions of the projects and yarn used which they've had especially dyed for the occasion. I think these two yarns from The Wool Barn will become an Islington Shawl by Kirsten Kapur, a gorgeous two colour project.

The first project that I'm going to cast on though, is the Bunty Cardigan by Donna Higgins, a classic top down cardigan with a crochet picot edge. I'm going to knit the 0-3 months size but does go up to age 4 years.

My yarn is caked and I'm ready to cast on, I'm using Hartlams Alldays 100 Sock in Fields of Gold, which was an exclusive colour for The Golden Skein, Power of Three Club. It's 100% Superwash Bluefaced Leicester 4ply.

I'm linking this post to Nicole's KCCO and Ginny's Yarn Along, thank you for stopping by, have a great week.

xxxxDebxxxx

 

Succulent Shawl by Maria Montzka.

Hello my friends, I hope you've all had a good week. I wanted to pop in and tell you that the Succulent Shawl by Maria Montzka that I test knit last month, has now been released. It's a top down triangular shawl with lace and stockinette sections at the top, finished with a beautiful lace section and picot bind off.

I used Eden Cottage Titus 4ply, hand-dyed especially for The Golden Skein, Power of Three Yarn Club, it was beautiful to knit with and has a lovely sheen with the 50% silk content.

The actual pattern calls for two x 100g skeins and makes a beautiful, large, lace shawl, very cosy for the autumn and winter months. I didn't have two skeins of the same colour so I did a smaller, one skein version, which is perfect for how I wear my shawls, just draped around my neck, like a scarf. Maria advises you on the pattern on how to change the size, I just did three repeats of Section A and used 70g of my skein. I probably could have made it a little bit bigger but was worried I wouldn't have enough yarn for the picot bind off.

Here's my finished Succulent Shawlette after blocking, it has such a gorgeous drape, the lace looks so fine and delicate, almost like cobweb lace. The weather is dropping here in the UK and definitely has that Autumnal feel so I've been wearing this first thing in the morning, on the way to work. It's perfect as it feels so light and airy but keeps the chill off.

Maria announced on her latest episode that she is having a Shawl Season KAL which this pattern will be perfect to take part in. If you've never seen Maria's podcast which is called Stitched in Sweden, I urge you to take a look. She is such a talented knitter and makes some beautiful projects as well as giving great tips for knitters.

I'm taking part on Nicole's KCCO and Ginny's Yarn Along, where you can pick up so much inspiration, I love browsing everyone else's projects.

xxxxDebxxxx

 

Summertide Shawl MKAL........and a baby knit.

Hello my friends, well I haven't left it as long as before and I'm really going to try and pop in each week, if I can. I just wanted to let you all know that the Summertide Shawl MKAL by Helen Stewart has gone on sale as a pre-release. The summer is coming to an end and the kids are back to school so now is the time to cast on something just for you. The first clue will be released on the 10th September so you can have fun picking out the perfect yarn for your shawl in the meantime.

Helen has kindly offered my readers a 25% discount code until the 10th September and you will get four clues, one each week. I really love this shawl and can see myself casting another one on so I can join in the MKAL, so many things to knit so little time!!!! The DISCOUNT CODE is.... imagine25

I'm having to work on one project at a time at the moment, not having much free time and when I saw that Maria from Stitched in Sweden had released a very sweet baby knit, I had to cast one on. It's called the Ria Vest and is a top down seamless sleeveless top with a pretty little eyelet design, the sizes are from Newborn to 18 months. I had some MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino in my stash so cast on straight away. I knit the Newborn size which only took the one 50g ball and was super quick to knit, this one is going to my friend's granddaughter who is due very soon.

Maria used Quince and Co Chickadee in the pattern which is a yarn I've been wanting to try for such a long time that I decided to treat myself. It's an American yarn and there aren't too many places that stock it. In the UK, I bought mine from Loop based in London. I chose Petal (peach) and Dogwood (pink) and the reason I decided to knit another one and my colour choice was because..........

I'm going to be a Nana again and I'm having a little granddaughter, there are so many things I want to knit for her and the list just keeps growing.

I've just cast on in the Petal colourway as I thought it went perfectly with the little sleepsuit that I bought for her. My next project for her will be a colourwork ballerina style cardigan which I had my eye on when she first found out she was pregnant with Caiden. I'll let you know when I buy the yarn and cast on, there's even a matching teddy bear which I really need to make too.

It's been a while but I'm participating in Nicole's KCCO and Ginny's Yarn Along.

Thanks for stopping by and I'll see you all next week.

xxxxDebxxxx