Knitvent 2018: Frost at Midnight Cowl

Hello, I hope everyone has a good week. Are you all getting into the festive spirit yet? I know that I am and will share some posts with you over the coming days.

I'm here today to share the last design for Knitvent 2018 I can't believe it's the final pattern, it's gone so quickly, the name is  Frost at Midnight Cowl.

“Therefore all seasons shall be sweet to thee, 

Whether the summer clothe the general earth 

With greenness, or the redbreast sit and sing 

Betwixt the tufts of snow on the bare branch 

Of mossy apple-tree, while the night-thatch 

Smokes in the sun-thaw; whether the eave-drops fall 

Heard only in the trances of the blast, 

Or if the secret ministry of frost 

Shall hang them up in silent icicles, 

Quietly shining to the quiet Moon.”

From “Frost at Midnight, by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

The Frost at Midnight Cowl is a sweet, comforting hug of a cowl. Made with a super bulky yarn, it can be knit in just a few hours: about as quickly as frost appears on a windowpane and perfect for those almost-inevitable midnight knitting sessions as the holidays draw near! The design features a simple texture and eyelet stitch pattern to suit both men and women, and while the pattern comes in one size, it’s very easy to adapt for just about anyone on your list.

I'm using We Are Knitters The Wool in the taupe colour, a super bulky, 100% Peruvian Wool. It's a very quick and fun knit, this will make a great gift last minute gift.

Thanks for stopping by and happy knitting,

xxxxDebxxxx

Tulle Shawl........Knitvent 2017.

 Hello my friends, I hope you've all had a good week. I've updated the look of my blog since last week, it has stayed the same for many years so thought it could do with a change. I really like it and think it suits my style more now that I'm more of a knitting blog, I hope you agree.

I'm back to tell you that the second window from Knitvent 2017 is now open, it is a stunning one skein shawl with the most perfect name, the Tulle Shawl.

I used The Wool Barn in Ballet Slipper, I knew straight away that  I'd be using this for the Tulle Shawl, with the colourway name and The Nutcracker theme, it had to be done. There is also the option of adding beads, just for that extra sparkle over the holiday season.

This shawl was such a pleasure to knit with a simple garter stitch body and then a delicate lace border. A little tip, when knitting on the garter stitch section, use a progress keeper just so you know which is the right side of your work. I used this gorgeous, beaded Christmas tree from Eva Faith Etsy shop. She has so many beautiful handmade stitch markers and progress keepers, each one perfectly handcrafted and the quality is superb.

I did add the beads to my shawl, I used clear so it's very understated but still has that bit of sparkle. I used size 6 beads with a 1mm crochet hook. Helen gives a very clear explanation on how to add beads so don't be intimidated with beadwork.

How pretty is the border? The lace isn't too complicated and is very intuitive, after the first row you will know if you've made a mistake before getting too far as it all lines up. I think this would be a perfect first project for those who want to give lace and bead knitting a go.

I think this will make the prettiest accessory over the Christmas festivities, it would also make a great gift for someone special.

Last week, Helen Stewart released this amazing Nutcracker kit with a bag from Louleigh, a skein of yarn from the The Wool Kitchen and a progress keeper from Eva Faith.

The kit sold out within minutes but there are pre-orders over at The Wool Kitchen for this delightful yarn, also Eva Faith has some of the toy soldier progress keepers and coordinating stitch markers in her shop update on Friday 17th. Both are them are perfect for this shawl project.

Thanks for stopping by and happy knitting.
xxxxDebxxxxx

Knitvent 2015.......Winter Wander Shawl.

Hello, I hope you've all had a good week. I want to let you all know that Knitvent 2015 by Helen Stewart has now been released. The first pattern was released last Thursday and is called the Winter Wander Shawl, it's a stunning crescent shaped beaded shawl.

It's a deceptively quick knit, focusing on texture, starting with a squishy garter stitch using a 4ply, then an eye catching lace panel with a sprinkling of twinkling beads, finishing off with a pretty, beaded picot edge.

I used Shibui Staccato 4ply, a merino/silk blend in Ash and Shibui Silk Cloud in Velvet, a super soft mohair/silk blend. If you don't want to add the beads it would look just as pretty without or you could knit it in just 4ply, deciding on a one colour shawl or two.

Don't forget the special discount code, that Helen has kindly offered with the code "imagine15".

Window #2 will be released on Thursday, it's another cracking pattern and a super quick knit as it's using a bulky weight yarn. It only took me two evenings to finish, I'll be sharing it with you next week.

 

I've been test knitting another pattern for the collection, here is the yarn I used, The Fibre Company, Canopy, another beautiful soft blend of alpaca, merino and bamboo.

Here's a little sneak peek, my basket, full of cosy, winter knitting. I'm linking to Nicole's KCCO and Ginny's Yarn Along.

The latest issue of PomPom mag, arrived this week which hasn't been far from my side so I've been reading and savouring every page.

Have a great week and I'll be back next week, to show my next project from Knitvent 2015.

xxxxDebxxxx

 

Summertide Shawl MKAL by Helen Stewart.

Hello my friends, first I'd like to apologize for not been around lately but things have been very busy here. In the matter of a few weeks, we have sold our house, it is moving very quickly and I'm busily packing all our belongings into boxes, so haven't had much free time.

What I have been doing which I couldn't talk about, is an extra special test knit for Helen Stewart of Curious Handmade, it is the Summertide Shawl MKAL and is Helen's very first Mystery Knit-Along.

If you know Helen's designs, you will know she usually does the Curious Collective Shawl through the summer which is a Design Knit-Along where we got to vote on some of the design elements, which was always interesting to see what the final outcome would be. This was my shawl from last year which I loved with the cable and lace details.

This year, she has decided to do a Mystery Knit-Along which I think are so much fun and was very excited when Helen asked if I would test knit it. I knit it as a MKAL, so I didn't see any photos, I was just sent the clues as everyone else will be sent, I love the mystery part and having the anticipation of knitting the next section, not knowing how the shawl will look, though I knew it would be stunning as all of Helen's designs are. I really do enjoy MKAL's and the not knowing but if you do like to know, Helen will put a spoiler thread up which will be clearly marked, for those who want to have a sneaky peek at people's progress.

The design is inspired by those precious summer memories and as the summer comes to an end we can hold on to those feelings for just a little bit longer. The knitting is only part of the fun for me, the other is choosing the yarn, it is a two colour design, though it would work just as well with one colour.

When I have to chose more than one colour for a project, I go onto the web and type in colour combinations, you can get so much inspiration on there. I knew I didn't want to use the lighter summer shades but something a bit more dramatic, I found this photo and loved the dark green of the ocean against the grey clouds.

I decided to use Tosh Merino Light as I'd never used this yarn before and was one of the recommended yarns for the pattern. I bought mine from Meadow Yarn who I highly recommend for their choice of yarn and the super customer service. The colours I chose were Manor and Astrid Grey, I love both of these colours but the green is stunning and has so much depth with the different shades of green. The yarn is a handpainted, single ply merino, it is very soft and squishy, just how I like my yarn to be

The pattern will be available to purchase from the 1st September where you will receive a download with an introduction to the pattern, the first clue will then be released on Thursday 10th September, so the kids will be back at school, we're all back from our holidays and should have a little bit more time to ourselves.The clues will be released once a week, the last clue on the 1st October but you'll have plenty time to finish as the KAL will run until the end of October.

Helen is having a little giveaway over on the Ravelry Group where she is giving away 10 copies of the pattern, all you have to do is create a project page on Ravelry and post in the thread to say you're joining in, you can find all the Infomation on the pattern here.

I hope to see you all over on the Curious Handmade Group, the Chatter Thread is already very active, everyone is very excited about Helen's first MKAL and there are some beautiful yarn choices on there already.

Have a wonderful weekend

xxxxDebxxxx

 

Whispering Island Shawl Pattern Giveaway.

Happy Friday, my friends!!!!!! I hope everyone has had a good week. I'm back today as I wanted to let you know about the new shawl pattern by Helen Stewart.
It's called the Whispering Island Shawl, a beautiful DK weight, textured shawl with a small amount of eyelet lace detail. I love this larger size shawl, knit in a heavier weight yarn, it's perfect for those cooler summer evenings to wrap around your shoulders to keep the chill off.

I test knit it in Araucania Puelo, a 100% Llama on 5mm needles. I used just under the two skeins, each one with 220m and I had 18g left of the second skein.
I did find with this yarn that a lot of dye came off onto my hands when I was knitting with it but it was a pleasure to knit with, very soft and luxurious.
I really like the variegated denim blue but I think it would look amazing in a solid colour to show off the gorgeous texture. I don't have very much DK weight in my stash but I will definitely be buying some to knit another one in a solid colour.

We've had a few nice days here in the UK, recently but the temperature drops on an evening so I've been making use of it in my favourite spot in the garden with my knitting and a glass of wine :-)

As you can see here, it's a substantial size shawl, I know this will be much loved and worn through all the seasons. BTW, it is a very quick knit and whizzes off the needles before you know it, I can see that this pattern will never lose its appeal as its a fun, quick knit.
Helen has very kindly offered me a Whispering Island Shawl pattern to giveaway to one of you, all I want you to do is leave me a comment and tell me if you've ever knit one of Helen Stewart's patterns before and if you have which one was your favourite. I will close the giveaway on Thursday morning, the 19th June 9.00am BST.
Have a great weekend.
xxxxDebxxxx

Yarn Along....Georgie Baby Blanket and Giveaway.

Hello my friends, I'm back today to share with you, the test knit that I was working on last week, all I showed you was the yarn I was using!!!

TaDa!!!! It's the Georgie Baby Blanket by Helen Stewart, a beautiful modern deign. I love the simple graphic lines of this blanket. The main section is knit in one piece and then the border is picked up and knit in the round.

It's a very relaxing knit using slip sitiches to create the eye catching stripes so you are only ever using one colour at a time. The pattern is written for sport weight but works with any yarn weight, I used Drops Merino Exra Fine DK. The contrast colours only used about 24g each colour so great for using up those half used skeins.
If you are using a heavier yarn, check the yardage, you will probably need slightly more than the 5 that Helen used. I used 6 balls of the main colour as Drops don't tend to have as much yardage as other manufacturers. I used every little bit of it and was playing yarn chicken until the end, the problem was half way through every new ball of yarn had been joined with a knot so I had to keep cutting them out and joining back to my blanket. I would have had plenty if this hadn't happened, I know Drops is an economical brand but surely that shouldn't have happened with 6 out of 6 balls!!! Never mind, I was probably just unlucky, apart from the knots the yarn is beautiful to work with and very soft, perfect for babies.

Jodie has seen the blanket and loves it, it's all wrapped and tied with a ribbon, ready for the little man to arrive.
Now if like me and you love Helen's designs and would like to win one, she has kindly offered three single patterns for me to give away to my readers!!! Leave me a comment letting me know you want to enter and I will pick three winners who will be able to choose a pattern each, take a look here at all of Helen's beautiful designs. I would love to know you're favourite and if you've knit any of Helen's designs.

This is what I'm currently reading, The Zookeepers Wife by Diane Ackerman, it's part of the summer read over at Camp Aloha Friends, I'm linking this to Ginny's Yarn Along.

I'm now working on the Twinkle Twinkle Blanket, I'm hoping I can get some of my WIPs finished before I start something new, mmmmm I wonder if I can do it!!!! I'm linking this to Tami's WIP Wednesday and Nicole's KCCO.
Have a great week and don't forget to leave a comment if you want to enter the giveaway, I'll leave it open until next Tuesday and will announce the winner on Wednesday, good luck!
xxxxDebxxxx

What's On My Needles......Pavilion Socks Spoiler Alert

Hello my friends, I'll jump straight in and show you what's on my needles, this week. I'll start with a new project, a very cute teddy bear called Mr Bakery Bear which was released last week, the pattern is by Kay Jones who also designed Mrs Bakery Bear. As soon as Jodie saw this sweet bear, she asked if I'd knit him for the 'little man' and of course I had to oblige. I ordered some Cascade 220 in Sand and so far I've knit the head and ears, I'll share more with you next week.

Kay has been a Ravelry friend for a while now and has recently began a knitting podcast with her husband, Dan. It's called The Bakery Bears and I urge you take to a look, they are such an amiable couple and have so much fun, I laugh out loud through each episode. It's not just about the knitting, each week they take you to a new location in the North of England and walk you around places of interest. On this week's episode I was surprised to hear my name mentioned, I was really touched as she said such nice things about me and my little blog. Thank you so much, Kay.

I've finished knitting Baby's First Cable Cardigan and have just got to finish seaming, sewing in the ends and adding some buttons. I think this is the cutest baby cardigan I've knit, I love it and can't wait to see the 'little man' wearing it. It's from the book Lullaby Knits, I highly recommend this book, it's full of beautiful patterns but not your traditional baby knits.

Clue Three has been released of the Pavilion socks, a mystery knit by Rachel Coopey, I'm on the foot of the second sock. It's been a nice change to do some cable socks, these socks were designed as part of Unwind Brighton, you can see that this design was inspired by Brighton Pavilion.

Last but not least, I've made some progress on the Twinkle Twinkle blanket, this is baby's 'best' blanket. I'm knitting it in Rooster Almerino DK, a luxury mix of merino and alpaca, as you can imagine the blanket is very soft. The pattern is by one of my favourite designers, Helen Stewart, it's a square blanket, constructed of four triangles, knit it in the round. The pattern is very easy to remember and after a few rounds, I didn't need to look at the pattern again.

Now to what I'm reading this week, I'm three quarters of the way through Paris by Edward Rutherford and still very much enjoying it. I'm also flicking through this book on my Kindle, A Paris Journal by Nichole Robertson. It is beautifully written, journal style about a day in Paris and the photos are stunning, I'm dreaming of going back to Paris one day but until then this will satisfy my needs.

I'm linking to Ginny's Yarn Along, What's on my Needles Wednesday and WIP Wednesday

Thanks for stopping by, enjoy the rest of your week.

Happy Crafting

xxxxDebxxxx

FO Friday......two shawls.

 

Hello my friends, how has your week been? I'm back today with not one but two FO's and they are both shawls.

The first one is a test knit that I've just finished for Helen Stewart of the Curious Handmade Podcast it won the Unwind Brighton design competition and is aptly named Pebble Beach. It will be released on the 14th July but for those attending Unwind Brighton, it will be part of the programme!!!

I used Eaden Yarn gradient in Ombré Aqua on 4mm needles and once blocked was 55" wide and 15" from the centre of the neck to the bottom edge.

It was a very enjoyable knit, it holds your attention been a lace pattern but saying that it is not a difficult lace and once I'd read the row I was on, I didn't have to check back again as it was easy to memorise. It feels so light and airy across my shoulders and is perfect for the summer. I will be knitting it again but in a more luxurious yarn, probably with an alpaca content, ready for those winter months. There are more photos of my Pebble Beach project page.

My next shawl is On the Pier by Justyna Lorkowska, this pattern is part of the Unwind KAL's that are going on.

This shawl is a simple garter stitch body with an eyelet detail and lace border, I knit it in Drops Alpaca for the main colour and some leftover Juno Arts Alice 4ply. Again there are more photos on my On the Pier project page.

Thank you so much for stopping by, I really appreciate your lovely comments and encouragement. Have a great weekend.

xxxxDebxxxx

 

 

 

 

Yarn along.......Global Nomad Cowl.

 

Hello my friends, how are you all doing? I would normally show you a few projects that I've been working on but this week, I've been monogamously knitting on the Global Nomad Cowl, a brand new pattern by Helen Stewart.

As soon as the pattern was released, I knew I wanted to cast on and have it finished for this weekend as I'm off to Wales, it's perfect for the spring or those cooler summer evenings. This pretty cowl, fits over the shoulders, like a wrap or can be worn as a traditional cowl. I had the perfect yarn for it too, in my stash, it's Juno Alice which is an alpaca, silk and cashmere blend, I'm only a couple of rows off finishing it so I'll definitely have to blocked and ready to wear by Friday.

I'm still reading The Butterfly Box, which I'm really enjoying, I've also been reading the summer edition of Pom Pom Quarterly, ogling all the beautiful patterns, this is the only magazine that I buy and always love all the patterns, many magazines are very hit and miss.

I've also been doing my first bit of spinning, my husband bought me this spindle and some fibre, months ago but I never knew where to start. On Saturday morning, I went to a local craft shop called Elenor Crafts, who have walk in sessions, where they'll help with any craft projects.

When I arrived they showed me, step by step, from the beginning, they even got me carding some of their fleece. I started practicing with some cheap, undyed fleece, it's thick and thin and. Rey uneven but I left knowing the basics, all I needed now was to practice.

Over the last few days, I've been practicing with some beautiful merino with silk, it's far from perfect but it is looking better, I've been told you need to practice 15-20 minutes a day. I don't think this will ever take over my knitting but I have enjoyed learning something new.

Check out Ginny's and Tami's blogs, for more works in progress, this week.

Enjoy the rest of your week and I'll be back on Friday with my finished, Global Nomad Cowl.

xxxxDebxxxx