New projects

 I seem to have been working on the same projects for ever. Well, some have been finished, ( see previous posts for the Exmoor Fair Isle sweater, and Fialka shawl, ) and some have bitten the dust. More of that anon.

 

The first of the new is yet another Annis by Susanna Ic. This is in a John Arbon 2/3 ply alpaca, in the most amazing rich ginger. I find myself in need of a bright shawl, which I will use as a scarf, to brighten all the neutrals that I wear.

 Just before we left for Wales, I started a pair of socks in a beautiful green. I found a lovely contrast for the toes and heels at Wonderwool. Oddly enough, it was from fivemoons! ( Of course it was... I know her sock yarns are reliable! ). On our return home, I finally decided, (with half a  sock made) that I did not like the yarn which the body of the sock was made from. ( not a fivemoons). So, I ripped it out. A jolly outing to see Sharon at fivemoons this week, and I came home with some lovely Luna Plus 4 ply, in Herb. As you see (above ), it sparks off beautifully against the  Pumpkin mini, (also Luna Plus 4 Ply), which I bought at Wonderwool.

 I also brought home some really cheery minis, which I could not resist. All Luna Plus 4 ply Minis.
                                                             Summer Marmalade
                                                         Geranium, and  Foxglove.
Sharon and I discussed the possibility of an improved version of the Firedrake scarf/shawl, which I made last Autumn. Possibly in a much heavier weight yarn, but still something really soft and luxurious. Hmm. Thinking caps on!

Testing...

A new project is always fun to plan, and this one came about through the collision of two trains of thought.
There is a wonderful pattern called Treccia, that has been on my 'desirables'  list for some time. A Susanna Ic, naturally. It is a wrap, rather than a shawl, in a chunky weight yarn. Trying to find a suitable yarn, in something truly snuggly, was proving a headache. While chatting about the problem with my lovely boss, Asti, she came up with a solution. There were a number of yarns that Asti was looking at, with a view to try them out for new lines for  Juno Fibre Arts.

One of the yarns was this gorgeous 100% Baby Alpaca chunky. Asti ordered the yarn, and after we had all petted and cuddled it, she dyed it.

A new, delicious colour, that really suits the project. Otter's Tummy.
The deal is, that I do the test knit, and make an item that shows the yarn off. Which makes the decision on whether to introduce it as a new yarn line easier. I get the perfect yarn for my project, in a perfect colour.

Project already cast on!

Lace

 

Lace shawl knitting is something I really enjoy. It is no secret that Susanna Ic is my favourite designer of lace shawls. So, it will come as no surprise to anyone that my latest finished object is.......  Centifolia, a lace shawl designed by Susanna. This was completed on the 25th January.  ( above , before 'dressing')

(this version is pinned out, being 'dressed' or 'blocked' ).Apologies for the quality of the photo....the light was dreadful. I will try to get some better pictures when the weather improves.
The yarn is, once again, Garnstudio Drops baby alpaca and silk. Lovely to work with, gorgeous against the skin.

 

The Southport  I was working on is back in its bag. I am bored with it. It feels as though I have made it three times already, and yet it is still unfinished.  I suppose it does not help that I really do not like the yarn. The colour is lovely, but that is not enough to make a project joyful.

 

Knit-knit-knit

 The Susanna Ic Autumn Mystery Knitalong has come to a close. People are finishing their projects, and posting photos of their shawls. Here is mine. It is the large size, no beads, in a lovely deep Moss colour. It will make a lovely Christmas gift for my Mother. 51% baby alpaca, 49% cashmere, it is as soft as butter to handle. I do hope she likes it.

Detail of the lace from the shawl.

 

 

The BFL/Masham  DK that I received a while ago, has knitted up beautifully.  It feels like Shetland wool, when I am knitting it, and does resemble it, once knitted up. Since the picture (above ) was taken, I have unravelled the sample, knitted a proper test sample, and washed and blocked it. It came out at 22 stitches by 30 rows over a 4 inch square. Standard double knit. Phew!

So, I have cast on , and am in the process of working up a cowl. There should be a skein of the same yarn, dyed in a good heart's blood colour, arriving shortly. A simple fair-isle design is wafting around in the ether, here at Dragonside.