Changing Tastes

When I first learned to knit as a youngster I remember thinking that 4mm (US size 6) needles were oh so thin and therefore slow to knit with. Similarly DK yarn was a pain and I much preferred the speed of larger needles and chunky yarns.
How times have changed!
Now I prefer to knit with 4ply (fingering weight) yarn and I feel that 4mm needles are large and cumbersome.
Who would have thought it?

Stay safe and happy crafting

Mary

When it all goes Fumph!!

Anyone who has ever wound yarn skeins will probably have encountered what happened to me this afternoon.
I began with a lovely skein of yarn to wind

all was going along swimmingly with yarn, swift and winder

when suddenly all hell broke loose and I was faced with THIS!!!!

I almost cried!!
At least one hour later I ended up with a fully caked skein

which with the one above it I hope to turn into a Catkin shawl as a present for myself for my birthday next month.

Off to start the knitting now

Stay safe and happy crafting

Mary

Who's a Lucky Girl Then?

Me, that's who!
Last year I was delighted to attend the first ever Edinburgh Yarn Festival. It was a lot of fun and proved to be such a success that the organisers have started preparations for an even bigger and better event to be held in March 2015. As part of these preparations they ran a prize draw on Ravelry, Facebook and Twitter to win a shawl pattern, yarn and project bag. I was the lucky winner of the Ravelry contest and early this morning the postie brought my prize.

The yarn is so soft, a 50-50 silk and merino mix, and the shawl pattern looks like it will be such fun to knit. The pattern is Gilver by designer Jo Kelly.
So as I say I am a very lucky girl.

Stay safe and happy crafting

Mary

Baleshare - Island 6

My latest finished project, socks for me. I whipped these up in less than a week whilst juggling work, housework and life in general. The yarn is from Ripplescrafts, one of the Assynt Storms colours from last year called Monkey's Wedding and the pattern is Hermione's Everyday Socks which is a very popular free pattern on Ravelry. I loved the simplicity of this pattern. After just a couple of repeats it is very intuitive and it made great TV knitting.
I wore these to work yesterday and my feet felt wonderful all day long. Cosy and cosseted, just how feet should feel. I have a suspicious feeling I will be using this pattern many more times.

Island link - Baleshare

Stay safe and happy crafting

Mary