Sadness

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I sat down today all prepared to begin typing up some of the many posts that I have notes written for in my little book. First though, I thought I’d have a quick scan over Ravelry for a little link to post up on the Facebook page.  Noticing the new issue of Petite Purls is out I went straight over to their site to have a look at all the yummy goodness in issue 16.

As per usual the cover alludes to much knitty joy, particularly as it’s the Upsize Issue.  On opening the magazine I clicked  straight on the ‘note from the editors’ link, which is where my sadness comes from. Allegra Wermuth & Brandy Fortune have announced that issue 16 is their final issue of Petite Purls 😦

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My absolute favourite from this issue is the Child – Teen Radiant Vest and the separate Adult Radiant Vest.  It is split into two individual patterns to accommodate the vast range of sizes between the two patterns – six years to adult 54″ (wow!).  The sleeveless cardigan is knitted sideways in chunky yarn, with short row shaping to create the yoke.

It’s sad to see the end of Petite Purls but here’s hoping Allegra and Brandy move on to bigger and better things.  No doubt the resources from their time at Petite Purls will continue to delight knitters for years to come.

Happy Knitting!

The Knitting Group ‘Summer’ Event

OK so it’s not summer, but on Sunday the 20th October 15 members of the shop’s various knitting groups all took part in our summer gathering.  The year has completely run away on us and between one thing and another we hadn’t gotten around to doing something earlier.  I think all involved will agree with me that it was definitely worth the wait.

Our felting queen arrived just after lunch to spend three hours teaching us how to get to grips with wet felting.  Our first project, and the one we all attempted, was a beautiful star that can be used as a hanging decoration for the tree or (as it stands by itself) sitting on a shelf/mantlepiece.  The star is hollow so it would also make a great receptacle to pop a piece of jewellery in to keep it safe for posting.

For our second project  we could choose from several different items.  The majority of us opted to have a go at making a robin whilst a few of us chose to make a boot or a Christmas pudding.

As you can see from our photos our efforts weren’t at all bad.  We’re hoping our felting queen will return soon to offer felting workshops in the shop.  if you’re interested please let us know and we’ll keep your contact details on file.

Happy Knitting!

The Mohair Bouclé Is Back

Feature Boucle mohair knitting kit

I know there are quite a lot of you that love the Mohair from Cushendale just as much as I do so I thought I’d show you a couple of pictures with all the lovely new shades that arrived in late, last Friday.

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The shawl is a super quick knit, 1 ball, 34 stitches on 12mm needles and plain garter stitch all the way until the ball has gone.  A good tip is to make sure your cast on and cast off are on the loose side so as not to pull the ends of your shawl in.

By happy coincidence several new designs in the shawl pins have arrived in too, just in time for all your Christmas gift knitting.  Who knows I might even get some made.

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Happy Knitting!

New, New, New

The very much anticipated Pompon Party from Rico arrived in the shop last week.  As you can see from the photograph, the 6 new shades are baby inspired and great for blankets and cushions.

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Sadly, as you might expect some of the old shades have been retired to make way for the new colours, including the beautiful cornflower blue and the cheerful carnival multicoloured Pompon Print 😦

I’m often asked if I could post up the information sheet I give you when you purchase the yarn and I will ASAP, promise.

In addition to all the lovely yarn I’ve been unpacking of late these little beauties arrived yesterday and were waiting for me when I got home.

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We’ve been fans of McAnarcks Buttons for some time now and this is the latest batch from Fran.  All handmade, aren’t they lovely?  I’m sure they’ll sell as quickly as ever, so if you’ve been waiting on them to come back in get into us quick fast.

Shall have to go now as I really must finish my latest shop sample – a little raglan cardi.

Happy Knitting!

 

More Items of the Woolly Persuasion

Two more beautiful yarns for you to cast your eyes over.  Some of you may have already seen them in the shop though as I’m a little late getting the photos uploaded, sorry.

First there’s Rico Essentials Super Chunky

100m per 100g of squishy 50% wool & 50% acrylic

Knits to a tension of 9stitches to 12 rows on 10mm needles.

Great to use as a substitute for all your super chunky patterns

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Here’s my Super Chunky Ribbed Tea Cozy shop sample.

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Lastly for this post is Rico Essential Big

Each 50g contains 48 meters of smooth yarn which will show of your stitches perfectly.  Neither a standard chunky or super chunky the yarn is again made up of a 50% wool/50% acrylic blend.

Knitting up with a tension of 11 stitches by 16 rows on 7/8mm needles.

bigThis is the cowl I made recently for the shop sample modeled by what most be the most tolerant daughter in the whole wide world.  Her enthusiasm for the job at hand is obvious don’t you think?

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Not sure the hand over her face is doing much to hide her gorgeousness though.

Happy Knitting!

Some Of The New Stuff (items of the woolly persuasion)

As I mentioned on Facebook last week we’ve had so many deliveries arriving that I’ve found it a little difficult to keep up with everything of late.  Those of you that know me, know I struggle with organization at the best of times 🙂

Like everyone that knits or crochets I still get excited at the prospect of new yarn, it hasn’t stopped just because I own a shop, if anything it’s worse.  When i open the boxes the sense of desperation to get playing with the new goodies is a bit overwhelming.  I tend to select a display garment pattern when choosing the yarn and will often order an extra pack to knit it in.  At this time of year I find myself a bit bogged down with things to knit and my number of WIP’s increases alarmingly.

So in order to get back to some bookwork and knitting here are some of last weeks arrivals and I’ll pop some more on a second post.  Another bag has already arrived this morning to be unpacked too – woolly heaven?  Most of the time, anyway.

Happy Knitting!

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Sirdar Faroe Chunky
The new colours in Sirdar Baby Crofter
The new colours in Sirdar Baby Crofter
A Wee Willie Winky hat shop sample in the new Baby Crofter
A Wee Willie Winky hat shop sample in the new Baby Crofter
Wendy Mode Chunky (love the colours especially the blue)
Wendy Mode Chunky (love the colours especially the blue)
New shades in Wendy Merino DK
New shades in Wendy Merino DK

I Think We’re There Now

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The last two weeks have seen an enormous amount of squares and finished blankets being handed in to us at the shop.  So many in fact that I’m pretty sure we’ve now passed our 83 blanket target – YIPPEE!

I know from talking to many of you that there are still squares out there yet to be handed in and we will still happily sew them up into the blankets.

Hopefully the Global Missions Ireland team will welcome a few extra blankets, if not I have a few other charities in mind for the surplus.

A humongous, ginormous, gargantuan THANK YOU for all of you that have supported our collection.  It is heart warming to see the extent of people’s goodwill.  I will take lots of pictures of the piles of blankets when all the sewing and crochet is complete.

Happy Knitting!

Look At The Pictures

Loads more yummy yarn has arrived over the last few days and I’m trying to stay ahead and photograph them as they come in for those of you that use the blog to plan your trips in. It’s definitely becoming more difficult because of the sheer volume of supplies and my ever growing list of shop samples to get knitted.

Undeterred here’s some of the latest arrivals.  I think it might be quicker to just do pictures.

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New shade in Rico Essentials Merino Aran
New shades in Sirdar Snuggly Double Knit
New shades in Sirdar Snuggly Double Knit
New Hayfied Aran With Wool 100g
New Hayfied Aran With Wool 100g
New Sirdar Snuggly 4ply
New Sirdar Snuggly 4ply
Gorgeous Katia Merino 100%
Gorgeous Katia Merino 100%

In addition to all the lovely new yarns there have been more books and patterns.  Here are just a few to wet your appetites.

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New books from Sirdar
New Sirdar Snuggly DK patterns
New Sirdar Snuggly DK patterns

They’ll be lots more to come, watch this space.

Happy Knitting!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve Actually Managed To Finish Something.

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I thought I’d pop up the photos of the finished baby jumper I’ve been knitting with in the new Merino Flash from Katia.  The 0-6months jumper literally only went into the third ball for about a third of the second sleeve (grrr).

So in a bid to be more aware of my ever expanding stash I decided to knit the accompanying hat.  Now I only have a little bit of the yarn left and a much clearer conscience.

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Not sure that button is in the centre now though?  I’m sure it was when I first sewed it in.

Happy Knitting!

 

 

Love This New Yarn

The boxes are arriving thick and fast at the moment.  All full of lovely new yarn to tempt and patterns to add to the list.

The first yarn I unpacked this week is Basic Merino Flash from Katia and I’m completely in love with it.

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There are 8 beautifully variegated shades in this double knit yarn.

Each 50g ball contains 120 metres/131 yards and its a wool blend.  52% wool, 48% acrylic.  Machine washable and according to the label it can go in the tumble dryer too.

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I’m presently knitting one of the designs from Katia book 44, which is a special issue for beginners and I’ve deliberately chosen to work with a colour I wouldn’t usually choose straight away (I’m a blue girl).

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I’m impressed though, I think it’s going to make a lovely little garment that may even end up in the grandma box.

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For those of you wondering, it’s knit sideways from sleeve to sleeve.

Happy Knitting!