knitwise

Not long now...

Not long now before the new Rowan magazine 46 comes out!... It will be available from 15th July and, personally, I can't wait to sit down with a nice cup of coffee and browse through the cosy patterns for the coming Winter.

Of course, Winter seems a long way away, especially after the heatwave we have been through, but winter and knitting go well together.  Usually, I always favour the Winter collections over the Summer ones. I love knitting with aran wool and mohair and this year I will give tweed a go...

But it is still Summer and my cotton/silk Harmony grows well. I am on the last sleeve!...

Summer knitting

This pattern has been on my list "to do one day" since it first appeared as a kit on Kim Hargreaves website.  Then I was delighted when it was published last year in  Nectar.

I also wanted to knit something in plain and simple garter stitch,  ideal for knitting whilst watching a film in the evening without fear of making a mistake!

Summer Tweed  is a bit harsh on the hands but I have found it surprisingly easy to work with (considering I have problems knitting with cotton).  Because the body is knitted in one piece,  there will be minimal sewing later on (one bonus point).  The lace peplum was easy to do. 

All in all, not a very challenging knitting project, but rather a soothing and relaxing one!...

Kit

I have been silent for some time!...  Life became rather busy all of a sudden with visitors, school holidays, the shop, my textile course and extra work to cover holidays.

However, I managed to knit up "Kit" from Kim Hargreaves' new book Breeze.  I love working with Rowan All Seasons Cotton and, with 5mm needles, it knitted itself pretty quickly. I finished it at the end of May, but the weather was so hot that I didn't have the inclination nor the energy to wear it even for a photo shoot!...

Hopefully, life will slow down enough soon for me to post on a regular basis again. I might even change the look of this blog!...

Happy knitting!

News...

  I have nearly finished Charm's second sleeve. What I have to do next is pick up stitches for the front bands and the collar.

Like with every project nearing its end, my mind starts wandering towards new horizons. I know I have to pick up Fontaine from its hibernation (and I will!...), but Kim Hargreaves new book "Breeze" is coming out in the shop at the beginning of April. It will arrive just when a pair of knitting needles becomes free. What a coincidence!...

On the news front, I have just signed up for a City & Guilds Hand knit textiles course. I am very excited about this. It is like going back to school for fun. Hopefully, this course will help me learn about designing and techniques I don't know about. Can't wait to start... 

Next post, I hope very much to be able to show you Charm completed and maybe something new on the needles, unless I choose to be wise and pick up my UFO's...

WIPS...

  Re-decorating my son's bedroom, the half-term holidays and a visit from my family in France  prevented me from posting anything for a couple of weeks.

My knitting time hasn't been regular either but I have managed to progress with Charm: the back and front are finished and I am about to embark on the sleeves. This is a pretty easy pattern to follow and the monotony of the stocking stitch is broken by the climbing of the leaves.

I am about half-way through my blanket and, after working solely on Charm for a while, I must admit that I am itching to start another square... Maybe tonight, instead of casting on Charm's first sleeve, I might open my books and choose another "cable puzzle"...

New Year, new projects...

  A New Year has begun and, with the help of Ravelry, my list of knitting projects is getting longer and longer...

My plans for 2009 are to finish my blanket and pick-up Fontaine again in Spring when the light gets better. Having saying that, nobody starts the year without something new on the needles (surely!...) and I am no exception. I have cast on  for Charm from Ryc Classic Style. 

I have chosen  RYC Cashsoft DK which is  a dream to knit with. I would have posted a picture but my camera refuses to cooperate today and won't catch the colour of the yarn (Lichen).

Have a good week!

Merry Christmas...

  I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

I will be back in January with my hopes and plans for the brand New Year and some knitting on my needles....

A bit of warmth...

  Nothing works better than a change in temperature to get the needles going and finish some forgotten wips...

The cold weather we are having at the moment prompted me to dig out from the bottom of my knitting bag this scarf that I had started some months ago...

Now I can go out and brave the elements. The chances are the weather will warm up again, but now I am prepared...

Lazy/cozy corner...

"Lazy Corner" by Carl Larsson.

I can't see a room with blankets  thrown on the sofa without longing  to wrap up in one with a good book and a nice hot drink... and maybe a box of chocolates...

So I am working  steadily on my knitted blanket... Each square being unique, my enthusiasm hasn't died yet. On the contrary!... As I am about to finish each one, I am deliberating which one I will knit next and when I start one, it is like casting on for a new project. 

I am having fun!...

Winter Treats

  Kim Hargreaves' Amber is out now and once again we are not disappointed...

It is half term and we took the opportunity of the holiday to make a few day trips around.  One of them was to Jane Austen's house in Chawton . What a treat! I loved every minute of it. If you are a fan of Jane Austen and passing through the area, it is worth the detour. Of course, I couldn't leave without buying myself a copy of my favourite book of hers...

It is getting cold and I am going to savour those winter treats in front of the fire with a nice hot cup of coffee...