Tuesday, September 18, 2018

All good


It seems that I have been living under a rock. I thought I knew what was percolating in the knitting world, but clearly I did not. This all is most likely familiar to you, but it was not for me (hello from the dark!).

Not long ago I started to watch the Grocery Girls videocast on Youtube. Jodi and Tracie, the hostesses, are funny, kind and entertaining, and very, very inspiring. They both have various items on the needles and they feature great patterns and yarns. Occasionally they introduce new podcasts too. They sent me to listen to Espace Tricot’s video channel. Espace Tricot is a Canadian, beautiful yarn store (I wish I could go there, but I don’t think it is ever going to happen!) and the owners Lisa and Melissa always have stylish and sophisticated knits to show. 

Lately in Espace Tricot, there has been a parade of big, simple sweaters, interesting shawls and cute hats, all done in fabulous yarns; lots of rustic wools but also soft mohairs and alpacas blended in. After seeing all the mohair combinations, it made me go deep diving in my stash and I unearthed all my Kid Silk Haze balls because after seeing all the exciting knits, I wanted to knit the same things everyone is knitting. 

I cast on for a new shawl – which was not a good move in the end, I should have waited for a bit, because on September 1st I wrote down my knitting goals for September, maybe not goals but rather a list of items I needed to finish and knit. 

I wrote down a sweater (now done!), 
three pairs of socks (one pair done, one half done, one just cast on), 
pair of mittens (one is missing a thumb, the other has been cast on) and 
a shawl. 
The shawl was cast on in August, it is Casino shawl by Anne Hanson.
I am knitting my fourth Casino (I thought I had knitted this only two times before, both were given away), with Woolsilk by Hjertegarn col 3019. I love the shawl but… I organized my closet last week and took out all my knitted shawls and realized that I do have this shawl after all, in natural white and it is lovely. Realizing this sort of took the wind from the sails. I do not remember knitting this, and I don’t think it is documented. The yarn is Wetterhoff Silvia and I think I used either 3mm or 3,5 mm needles and am sure I adjusted the shawl to be little bit bigger than in the pattern. 

But I am so far in the process of knitting Casino – again! – that I will keep adding rows to it, but it is yellow, not the autumnal soft yellow but rather the spring yellow, so it might have to wait until February to get done, nonetheless, I love the pattern.

The new shawl is just few rows in, and it might change, so I won’t be sharing those pictures just yet; instead here is the finished (modified) Ziggurat sweater.
Once I had it on the dress form, it looked so simple, it really needed something and whilst cleaning the above mentioned closet, I also found this flower shawl.
The design is my own, simple, little shawl (increases/decreases every fourth row) with cabled edging but I do like it a lot. (I don’t have a clue of the yarn.)

But the knitting scene… boxy sweaters and huge shawls, lots of different stranded yoke sweaters too. Boxy sweaters bring back memories and I did always love them, I lived inside them decades ago, they do feel like home. I clearly remember long, brioche sweater in tweedy light gray, boat neck. The sleeves were quite wide then, and I like more the modern skinny ones. I need to cast on for a new sweater, but I am not yet sure which one or if I should dream my own.

Confession: I bought Stephen West’s Mystery shawl 2018 pattern Texture time.
I don’t know speckled yarns, not at all, I don’t have a clue how I should pick up four colors to make up a beautiful shawl, but then, the fun is in the surprise I think. I probably should just follow the guidelines in the pattern and pick the colors I like and then on October 5th just happily cast on.

Exciting! Cannot wait!

Thank you for reading and thank you so much for your comments, xx.
It is wonderful to be knitting. I love all the new designs. Crave for all the new yarns. I could not be happier.

Wool with you,
Lene


12 comments:

  1. I can just feel all the softness and warmth in those photos!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think your photos show some things that are not just lovely, but inspiring!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh my... that dress is stunning! Confession time... I hope we all have a knit or two in our closet that we don't remember making, I know I do. The yarn for your sweater dress looks like it is a gradient yarn... truly lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  4. The sweater dress and the shawl look like they were made for each other. Beautiful just beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your Ziggurat sweater/dress turned out lovely, I love the color! I have also knitted a ziggurat, a cardigan, and it is one of my best fitting knits. Just a pity that I don't like the color I chose for it, so I never wear it! I have also bought Steven West's mystery shawl, and am now going through some difficult times trying to decide on the colors! I am looking forwards til Oktober 5th to get the first clue!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Is the sweater you never wear in a fibre that could be dyed? Just a thought....

      Delete
  6. Anonymous16:29

    Such a beautiful dress! I am inspired.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Lovely dress. Very 'you'. And the shawl - how could you forget knitting such and heirloom? Beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  8. The dress and the shawl are just simply Gorgeous Lene! I love them and together they are perfect. Vertices looks like something I would love to knit - looking forward to pictures you will share!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Beth in Maryland21:14

    I can't decide whether I'm more thrilled by the loveliness or more awed by the workwomanship! You are a marvel, Lene. Thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I absolutely LOVE the dress! It is so snuggly and yummy and seems perfectly ready to protect you from a cold winter

    ReplyDelete
  11. Gorgeous! Lovely combo...

    ReplyDelete