Tuesday 27 January 2009

New Yarn, New Projects, New Techniques

I had college today. Sadly there were only 3 of us and I am getting worried that they may cancel the class if more people do not enrol. However, it did mean that we got alot of individual attention when we were trying our new techniques.

First new thing was knitting a leaf motif which involved making stitches with yarn overs and picking up between the stitches.



This leaf motif is used in a hat pattern that we have been given to do as homework. The pattern uses the leaf motif to increase the stitches in the hat. I am looking forward to this new project as it uses moss stitch, bobbles and the leaf motif. I think using all these new(ish) skill will be fun and I bought some new yarn especially.



This yarn is Rowan Natural Silk Aran and is an interesting texture. It is comprised of 73% viscose, 15% silk and 12% linen. The subtle shading in the yarn created by the blend of materials is very attractive and I think will go with most things. I think this will be ideal Spring or Autumn wear as it will go with my nice cream woollen wrap that I wear at that time of year. The wool was in the sale with 1/3rd off at Fenwicks. I couldn't resist this bargain as I needed aran weight wool for this project. As there was a 1/3rd off all Rowan wools, I decided to get a couple of balls of Kidsilk Haze, "just because".



I love this mink colour and I think I will probably make a cowl in this yarn - eventually. I have the pattern queued in Ravelry which calls for Kidsilk Haze which is called Abby and I think it will look lovely in this colour.

The other technique we were taught at college today was Gansey knitting. We had to design our own little pattern over 11 stitches wide and 12 stitches high. This design will be used on the back of some fingerless gloves.



I am pleased with the way my little sketched design looks, on the swatch and can't wait to see what it looks like, repeated on the gloves. These gloves are to be done in double knit weight yarn, and I think I will use the nice alpaca that I bought yonks ago on ebay. I will probably use the hot pink colour as I think patterned gloves are a bit more feminine. I'll keep the navy alpaca for some nice manly gloves for later in the year.



I've been wanting to use this yarn for ages, and can't wait to use it, but as I have just finished my Inaugural Gloves, I think I will do the hat first.

Oh and as an aside, I blocked some more of the squares for my KAL Blanket.



I now have 5 squares done. I think the having the cabled squares next to each other, like this, is really effective and will make a nice frame for the blanket. I can't wait to get started on the next part of this blanket, it is great fun seeing the design grow, in the way I imagined.

4 comments:

  1. Thanks for telling me about the Abby pattern, I checked it out and it's gorgeous. I printed it out and added it to my list of 'to do' knitting. I was gifted two different balls of 1ply mohair last year and this little neck warmer would be perfect.

    It's so hot here today and will be for the next week or so. I am feeling the need for another trip down the river on a lilo but alas I have a mountain of ironing and the iron warming up, back to work tomorrow. Yuck!

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  2. Ugh, hot weather and ironing, the two should never meet!

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  3. Oh dear, I hope the sale is still on in Fenwicks tomorrow - 1/3 off Rowan yarn - sounds yummy!

    Lovely to meet you too today Chrissy!

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  4. thanks for the compliment on my ladybug bag! i hope she likes it!

    wow... i love the stitch patterns you are learning! i feel like 2009 is my year to learn how to knit! (although i do say that every year...lol)

    and i think the pink alpaca will be perfect for your gloves... love that yarn!

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