I thoroughly enjoyed my morning dog walk, it was beautiful out there and has now turned into the most glorious of days.  Spring is definitely in the air, which has really helped us as we had our Olann and photo shoot earlier.  I’m really excited about this coming issue and I know I’ve said that before, but it really is getting better every time (well I think so)  I’m not sure if it’s because we’re more knowledgeable about the process, or whether we’re just more comfortable with what we’re doing?  Whatever it is, it feels very much like it’s working.

The garments for this issue are fantastic and we’re thrilled to be featuring them.  I know I’ve been posting lots of close-ups, or black and white photographs of the design I’ve been knitting, but I’m desperate to show it off in all it’s woolly goodness.

I posted another hint this morning on Facebook, a little pile of ends after I’d finished sewing them in.

As you can probably imagine, with our publishing deadline fast approaching, I’ve been rather attached to my computer, or out and about over the last week. Sadly, that means there hasn’t been my usual amount of knitting time 😦  If I’m honest, I’ve been feeling a little twitchy as a result and have found myself off looking at patterns on Ravelry in between typing.

Last week I had to drive to Galway and back, to drop my eldest son off.  Whilst in the area, I decided to pay a visit to a yarn shop I’d heard about from a friend.  It was only another 20 minutes away and completely worth it, although it did mean I arrived home a little later than planned.  I became a little distracted – oops!

I’m not going to go into to many details here about the shop, as we’d like to include it in a future issue of the Local Yarn Shop feature in the magazine.  However, if you happen to be in the area, a visit to Knitwits & Crafty Stitchers would be well worth a visit.

I was actually in need of some more short 2.25mm circular needles as the tip on one of my sets had sort of split and had been driving me mad.  Unfortunately, there weren’t any available on the day, so I had to make do with a few yarnie purchases instead 😉

It was a hardship, but I finally decided on this beautiful yarn from Mondial, which is a beautiful aran weight organic wool.  Originally I only picked up 2 of the brown colourway to knit my son another of his wardrobe staple hats, but then realised I’d made him one in a similar shade already.  So I pondered for a while and decided to take the extra ball and one each, of two other shades to use for a shawl.

I also spotted some Drops Andes, which is the ideal yarn for my Toasty & Textured Hat, my current wardrobe staple accessory.  I’ve noticed my ears are getting super cold lately and as a result, I can be usually found wearing a hat, whether I’m out and about or just sitting at my desk.  Thankfully, if the season is on the change, I won’t have to resort to wearing them in bed.

Most of the hats I own are different shades of blue (obviously), so I thought it would be nice to go for something a little different for  change.  I’m obviously being drawn to warmer shades and browns of late, but promise you’ll SHOUT loudly, if it starts to get too beige.

I was also quite taken with this warm, mid grey.  I tend to avoid grey if possible as it’s not a colour that particularly works on me.  The beautiful silvery shade that seems to look lovely on everybody else, makes me look completely washed out and exhausted.  Hopefully with the warmer tones, this will work out fine and if not, I’ll have a gift knitted up to add to the box, or to give to charity 🙂

Whilst perusing the lovely shop, I spotted this and as I’ve seen it mentioned in so many of my sewing books I thought I’d pick it up so I have it the next time.

There were also buttons

These I love and know they’ll fit beautifully with my Sunset Cardigan, that a good friend is knitting for me.

There was no leaving these little beauties behind me either, as I think they’d make a great addition to a rustic washing instructions tag, with a knitted gift.  I could even be tempted to sew one on as a decoration.

There was a little ‘me’ knitting too, not much though 😦

I couldn’t locate my Arne & Carlos socks and I was rushing out the door on my way to Midleton the other day.  So I grabbed a ball of sock yarn from my stash and cast on some new socks.

They’ve since turned into the Blueberry Waffle Socks, which is a free pattern on Ravelry.  I’ve loaded them up as a project on my Ravelry Page, as I’m trying to make more of an effort since we started the Olann and Ravelry Group.  It wouldn’t be ‘proper’ for one of the administrators not to be trying now would it? (very trying at times I know)

Come along and join us, we’d love to see what your busy making and we’re going to be running our first KAL in the next issue, so we’re looking forward to chatting about it there.  We had our first of many Ravelry giveaways last week and it’s the ideal space to ask us anything about the current/previous issue.

I’m off now to begin photo editing.  Hope you all have a a lovely weekend.

Happy Making!

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