Magpies on the Move & Summer Knits.

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Hello everyone.

I’m afraid my plan to write more regularly hit a stumbling block. My lovely stepfather of thirty-eight years had been terminally ill. After a wonderful Christmas spent with my mum at ours, one of his last goals, he deteriorated quite quickly. Up until February we cared for him at home until the last few days which he spent in the wonderful Myton Hospice. As you can imagine time since then has been spent with my mum and dealing with the never ending practicalities. Now there is time to take the occasional breath so here I am 😊

Now I’m all about winter, I love summer knits on others but am definitely a cold water animal. This year however I decided on a very summery knit from Pam Allen for Quince & Co. A camisole called Azalea. I couldn’t get hold of the yarn here in Blighty as the only UK stockest was out of the colour. I did however find a lovely substitute from Kelbourne Woolens in the guise of Mojave, a gorgeous blend of primary cotton and linen. It is a delight to work with and the lace hem on the camisole really displays the stitch definition.

Note my very cute angel fish marker 🐠

In my usual magpie fashion why start one project when I can start many, after all it’s not as if life is busy……… On receiving my copy of Amarisu (which I always look forward to immensely) my Eagle, sorry magpie eye was immediately drawn to the wonderful tunic on the cover. It is called Breeze and has been designed by Megumi Sawada. She knitted it up in STRΓ… from Woolfolk Yarn. Sadly I couldn’t get this in Blighty and the powder pink shade she used was out of stock at Woolfolk too. I put on my best Hercule Poirot head and went off on a virtual search for an alternative πŸ”ŽπŸ”ŽπŸ”ŽπŸ”ŽπŸ”ŽπŸ”Ž Imagine my delight when I found Rachel of Tangled Yarn https://www.tangled-yarn.co.uk/ was stocking a new yarn from de rerum natura ( https://www.dererumnatura.fr/en/19-yarns ) called Robinson. A beautiful light worsted / dk weight combining recycled cotton with merino, 60% unbleached Arles merino / 10% black French merinoΒ / 30% recycled cotton. Natural plant dyes are used to make gorgeous sludgy shades. I’m knitting Breeze up in eau de rose.

Always good to find your yarn tones with your project bag.

On a non knitty note we toddled off to our favourite seaside house rental for a week again, it is the wonderful Sunset Cottage in Whitstable ( rented via the most excellent https://www.whitstableholidayhomes.co.uk/sunset-cottage ). The Lily hound loves it there as she has uninterrupted views for bossing all passing pooches and the beach is her garden. I love the fabulous balcony knitting spot.

Whilst there I took myself off to get my long awaited hummingbird tattoo from the very talented Ileen at High Tide Tattoo Studio. She came up with this beautiful watercolour design which I’m thrilled with.

Now for our big news: The Magpies have bought a new nest! I am ridiculously excited about this. Not only are we moving to the Devon coast but we found a 1930’s house with lots of original features left, sea views and best of all (cue Agatha Christie music) residents of The Avenue each have a key to a secret path down to the beach. I. Cannot. Wait. we are due to complete in a few weeks so I’ll then bore you senseless with pics of new knitty spots being tried out.

Right I’m off to do some packing up and will try very very hard to write soon.

Stay safe and well.

Love

Magpie. 😘

A Year of Slow Crafting.

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Hello folks and a very Happy New Year to you all. I know I’ve been remiss in the extreme, my only excuse is that my brain needed time to stage a reset after life changes – but here I am and I shall try to be more consistent 😊

This year the plan is not to keep casting on All Of The Things but to take pleasure in the making. I’m someone who likes to be doing numerous things at once (plus I have the attention span of a 🐠) so I’m constantly seduced by the next project. Now my seventy twelve WIP’s are not going to dissappear overnight but I’ve made a start. These are the totally stunning Late Bloomer Mittens and I really enjoyed the embroidery finishing.


The pattern is from Kristin Ledgett from Making Magazine no 10 / Intricate.
I’m using some of Lichen and Laces gorgeous yarn, Marsh Mohair in Amber blended with  Rustic Heather in Pollen bought from Loop London .

Another project I absolutely loved was the Meadow Wrap from Dee Hardwicke https://deehardwicke.co.uk/ . This was a Christmas gift for my mum and it is so gorgeous I think I shall be doing another for myself at some point. This was knitted in Knit by Numbers merino from John Arbon which is wonderful for colourwork. Also talking of Dee I’m hugely excited to be attending her art & knitting day at Kew Gardens in March. As my fine hand movement leaves a bit to be desired my art is likely to be a tad abstract 😁. I’m going with a good friend who is also a talented artist so she may take pity on me and help…..

This year, triple vaccinated n all my plan is to learn some new things and get back out into the world a bit. Along with DeeΕ› class I’m hoping to attend one of Erica-Janes ( https://wilderstitch.com/ ) workshops. Erica makes the most beautiful fairytale creations as well as wonderful kits so her website and Instagram page are certainly worth a visit.

My big indulgence project for the year, which will encompass slow crafting in the extreme is to join in Marie WallinΕ› Fairisle 7 group. The end result should be a stunning fairisle jacket crafted in a number of pieces using some techniques I’m familiar with and some not so much ( Steeking – πŸ˜±πŸ™ˆπŸ™ˆπŸ™ˆ not one of my superpowers) The yarn for this arrives in the next few weeks and the project commences mid February so I’ll post updates and cries for help along the way.

Along with taking my time enjoying the craft journey I need to pay a little more attention to my health and get it into my skull that I’m not going to beat chronic disease and mobility deterioration ( it’s only taken me since 2006 to accept this so not too bad). Therefore I’m declaring a truce. Next week I’ve planned an immune superboost week with lots of cold pressed juices and green soups, And No Crisps! I’ve also got on order the most perfect cross between a stick and walking staff being made by the incredibly talented Stck Man. Instead of having to flex my wrist as with a normal stick which my joints find problematic this is taller. The head is carved into the shape of a Hare with a thumb extension rest between its ears to keep that particular joint in place. I can’t wait to take it on walks with the Lily hound.

Just before Christmas himself and I took ourselves off for a few days to stay in Winterton Lighthouse https://www.wintertonlighthouse.com/ This was the perfect spot to hide away with good food, books and yarn. It was seal pupping time too so there were seals everywhere. It was the perfect spot to finish mums Christmas present.

We are still househunting as our planned move to the coast hit a large stumbling block when our house purchase fell through in the autumn. In the meantime I’m packing and organising my yarn / fabric / craft room ready for viewing folks – wish me luck πŸ€

That is me off to do some sorting and inventory now so I’ll say goodbye. Do let me know what you have planned for the year ahead.

Lots of love

Magpie 😘

So 2021 begins……

And I really wish you and yours a happy and above all healthy one.

This picture was taken in Dartmouth at the beginning of December, before we were once again plunged ( too late in my opinion) into a full lockdown.

The sweater in the pic is my newly finished Nili sweater by Christina Danaee. The yarn is German Town by Kelbourne Woolens, a totally new yarn to me. Also and unusually for me I bought this as a kit from Fig Tree Yarns based in Jersey. I’d fallen for the sweater as designed and Fig Tree are fabulous for US yarns if you are in the UK especially. It was an enjoyable quick knit ( and if you are new to colourwork ideal as you only knit a round in one colour at a time). Also shown is the Beret no 1 from My Favourite Things Knitwear. I have knitted so many of her patterns and they are always a joy to both knit and wear. Two new yarns were combined and worked beautifully. Yarntelier which is a Cashmere Lace from Yorkshire and Biches & Buches lΓ¨ petit silk mohair. I’ve barely taken this off my head since completing it.

We were hugely fortunate in booking the most beautiful pink thatched cottage in a tiny village near Dartmouth, South Devon. As this is the general area we are hoping to move to this year (all planets aligning), it was wonderful to be here and back by the sea. Lily dog absolutely loved it and the week consisted of long walks, cooking lovely slow meals and yarn related goodness (me) catching up on reading ( himself) plus singeing fur in front of the fire ( hound).

Our hideaway cottage.
This is another My Favourite Things Sweater too – Sweater no 3. Worked in Erika Knights Wool Local knitted double plus a strand of Bear in Sheeps Clothing Bear Fluff.

Socks were the order of the day for my holiday project. Those of you that know me appreciate I have a very debilitating condition, that of second sock (& glove) itis. This means I generally have one sock, glove , mitt lying around forlornly awaiting a mate. Therefore what did I decide to do with these socks? – make them as over the knee boot socks knitted on 1.5mm & 2mm pins. What an utterly wonderful idea! Now (& you may have guessed this), I’ve finished one 😁. Now in my defence I love it and the second is due to be cast on. I have however had to rest my fingers with a slip n slide knit as they are not behaving ( darn you EDS). I also treated myself to the tiny circular set from Chiagoo for socks and gloves which are wonderful.

One sock down…….. Yarn is Zebra from Life in The Long Grass with some Grey Sheep Hampshire 4ply for the contrast.

Before Christmas I decided to knit my mum a cardigan to wear as a hug as we are not able to see her. This was the result and she loves it.

A hug in a cardigan.
The pattern and yarn are from the lovely Trine, CaMaRose. The pattern is Dreamy and the yarn Snefnug which translates to snowflake. I bought both from Loop in London.

Now the beginning of this year is to be spent on completing some of my ever present WIP’s. One of these will be the very long socks! Plus I’m currently really enjoying one of the supremely talented Di Gilpins patterns. Oak. This is a very sculpted sweater which was inspired by a Stag appearing from the forest. There is a lot of cable and then the back has further cable latticed into it after completion to form a 3D peplum. I’m knitting this in her beautiful and incredibly soft Scottish lambswool.

A taster to show you the stunning yarn for Oak.
The sweater behind is one I’ve finally finished for himself which just awaits suede elbow patches. I’ll show you both when fully complete.

My other WIP which was my New Year Cast on is a cardigan. I’ve cast this on to rest my hands as it is knitted on 4mm needles. It is the Winter Whispers cardigan from Loop. A crew neck, semi fitted cardigan with a twisted cable yoke. I’m knitting this is some gorgeous Bear Rustic DK from my stash. The colourway is Roxanne. However the amount of yarn I have means I’m knitting a size down (πŸ™ˆ), time to work off the cheese & mince pies. 😁

Nails to match project. 😁

Now I’ve also increased my store of knitiq’s blocking mats. These now come in a choice of cases. Either the cream linen or the retro pattern. I love both (I do write for knit iq but have no affiliated sales with them so opinions are always true).

The new patterned case from knit iq. This can be bought separately from the mats too.

I’ll finish off with a little Christmas & knitty montage of some of my favourite treats.

Stay well everyone and will chat soon.

Lots of love Magpie 😘

A most beautiful leather 03 bag bought from Hide & Hammer. Beyul yak yarn from Kettle Yarn co ready for a first knit from Winters Amirisu magazine. Must haves from Tribes Yarn plus a gifted bag from Milli. πŸ€—
The Starry Night candle is from Chase and Wonder and the lovely mini tree display Bloom and Wild.
Finally the knitty tree decoration is from Liberty.
I’m now on a no spend January! 🀣

Hello Autumn. πŸπŸ‚

So here in Blighty the nights are drawing in, in fact 20:00 hrs last night found himself watering the plants by torchlight. Helpfully assisted by the Lily hound.

The Lily Hound

Now I don’t imagine I’m in the minority here in liking sweater weather, woodland / coastal walks and a roaring fire. Quite aside from the knitty element my autoimmune conditions do not like the heat and really make their displeasure known. I am therefore delighted to have finished my autumn version of Ghosthorses which I used Spincycle’s dyed in the wool in Stay Out of the Forest. I love everything about this.

Ghosthorses pattern from Boyland Knitworks.

I’ve also almost finished my first memory piece which is Andrea Mowry’s Rose Cardigan. I’ve knitted this in memory of my close friend Jacqui who died in December. She loved roses so it seemed a fitting piece. Throughout the project I remembered the fun and not so fun times we had shared in over thirty years of friendship. She and her husband John were like honorary siblings and I do miss them ( John died suddenly a few months before Jacqui). Regular readers will know this is how Lily came to live with us and now happily rules the Magpie roost. I used yarn from the lovely Bernie Bear ( A Bear in Sheeps Clothing ). The colours used made up the Cognac colourway. I’ve just finished the edging so need to attach and then give it a final block.

Rose Cardigan in Cognac colourway ( awaiting edging ).

Now as usual I’ve far far to many things on the go, let alone those projects I’m waiting to start on. The three that I’m hoping to finish over the next few weeks are The Nili Sweater by Xtinawithwolves. This is knitted in Germantown from Kelbourne Woolens. A totally new yarn for me and a departure from my usual UK fine yarns as it is a US worsted. I’m very impressed so far. I’m only a few rows in but you can see the design developing.

Nili Sweater.

My second project is for Mr Magpie. He said he would like a fine knit merino, not a fussy design to replace a rather lovely one than has a few pesky moth nips now. The So Basic Sweater from Max the Knitter fits the brief perfectly. I’m using a really nice 4 ply from Fyberspates in Bronze and Silver. It must be love as the blooming thing is on 3.5mm pins.

So Basic Sweater – Max the Knitter.

Lastly in this current phase are the Lucky Sunflower Mitts from Charlotte Stone ( Stoneknits). These are great trans – seasonal mitts for autumn and I’m using stash yarn from John Arbon for the mc and contrast in the form of Mad Tosh’s Unicorn Tails.

Lucky Sunflower 🌻

Finally you may remember I said I was writing a few bits for KnitIQ- those of my favourite blocks. This is a post I wrote last month on my thoughts on knitting & fast fashion. If you have chance to read it I’d love to hear your thoughts. https://knitiq.com/blogs/articles/is-knitting-becoming-fast-fashion

Now I’m off to continue to try and bring some order to my post lockdown life, I have no idea where all this yarn has come from……

Until next time stay safe & crafty.

Love

Magpie. 😘

Yarn, Yarn and more Yarn!

Hello Everyone.

I do hope you and yours continue to be well in these ever stranger times.

Now as some of you know around the time of my last bout of surgery the collective opinion from my various medical teams ( the majority of whom were also work colleagues & friends so pulled no punches) was that I needed to give up work for good to maximise my health situation. It wasn’t easy but I did so and have now formally retired from the NHS after thirty five years, some fourteen years early.

I am the eternal optimist but was very concerned about filling my time and using my brain. Surgery, finishing work and going straight into Shielded status for Covid has been surreal to say the least. I don’t quite know what I’ve been doing with the time (although I’ve embraced the advice for an afternoon rest and 14:00 finds me and the Lily hound on the sofa, with a blanket and audiobook. These ninety year olds who go off climbing mountains would do well to take a leaf out of my book)!

Now when I say I don’t know what I’ve been doing a glance into the spare room suggests I’ve spent most of this time buying yarn. I shall show you as I start projects or you may think I have a problem πŸ™ˆ

A special skein of Quivet that comes in it’s own leather case. More on the reason for this indulgence later. The bag is one of my beloved #03 from Nu at Hide and Hammer. Gin and Bear it was a gift from Bernie ( we did manage a virtual G&T last week).

Now projects. The giant charity blanket was finished and the lovely lady who won the bidding for it was delighted (see title pic for the finished beast). I have to confess I was quite nervous until I heard from her. She also wanted a special date on it but being herringbone it was impossible to incorporate so we decided on a separate knitted panel appliquΓ©d on.

All complete.

Last time we spoke I was about to cast on the Ingalls Sweater by Caitlin Hunter (Boyland Knitworks) in some fine dk from John Arbon Textiles. Not only did I cast it on I also finished it and adore the slouchy design with it’s dipped back hem.

Comfort summer knit.

I still have too many WIP’s and still can’t manage more than around three hours yarny stuff a day but never mind. It is making me think more about each cast on. One such project is one of my memory pieces. Having lost so many friends and family in a short space of time I decided to knit things that would remind me of them individually (as well as the planned Harlequin Blanket that I don’t yet have the dexterity for).

The first of these is the Rose cardigan from Andrea Mowry which will remind me of my friend Jacqui who died in December (Lily’s original owner). This is a lovely cardigan in a fade reminiscent of a rose blooms. Jackie adored her roses so this seemed fitting. It is in a pallet called Cognac dyed in Ireland by the lovely Bernie (Bear In Sheeps Clothing) and I bought it from Tribe Yarns in Richmond (Milli always has a fab selection of goodies so well worth a virtual or when able a physical visit).

Now the gorgeous skein of Quivet I showed you earlier. This was a total indulgence I admit as a form of celebration treat. Regular readers may remember in the past I’ve chatted about a young company called KnitIQ who I first encountered after purchasing some of their brilliant blocking mats. Anyway they dropped me a line asking if I would like to write for their blog occassionally. After establishing it actually was me they had meant to email I jumped at the chance so if you pop across to their site at any time you may come across a post by yours truly. My first one is on their now, all about washing your wool. 🐏 https://knitiq.com/blogs/articles/how-to-wash-wool (In the interest of transparency they do pay me for articles but there are no affiliated links). I just added this in cos I’m a little bit proud 🦚 that they liked my writing and that is why I treated myself to the Quivet so that I remember that lovely things can happen when you least expect them too.

Stay safe everyone and here is to more settled times.

Love

Magpie. 😘

In these times of strife………

The one thing us crafty folk have no problem doing is filling time at home.

Now I can’t pretend the evil that is Covid 19 isn’t with us so this is giving this particular 🐘 in the yarn store the only air space it’s getting. Suffice to say I hope you and your loved ones are currently safe and well whilst sadly accepting none of us are likely to escape completely untouched.

Now current projects. As usual ( and especially bearing in mind I’m still on ‘light duties’ which in knitty terms means a max of three hours per day) I’ve far too many on the go. I really don’t know how I manage it, I never mean to, it sort of just….happens!

I’m working on the Herringbone Blanket which was an auction prize I pledged to the one held for Australia Wildfire relief by I Love Whippets. The winning bidder, a lovely lady called Karen knew it would be a while before I could make it but was happy with this. She chose her yarn, a lovely Humbug mix merino so this blanket is called BaaBaa Humbug πŸ™‚ It is coming along slowly but beautifully and was the perfect excuse for a new project bag from Knit with Attitude. This from Kelly Connor Designs is perfect for blankets and throws as holds yarn & project. Plus it zips up to keep Lily’s ever exploring nose out!

Lily trying to figure out how to steal yarn.

I’m currently trying to do two hours a day on it, it’s 5′ wide and I’ve just hit 3′ in length so a way to go yet.

I’m also knitting up some beautiful yarn from John Arbon’s Knit by Numbers range. A gorgeous lightweight organic merino dk with loads of dye to order colour choices. These are a departure from my usual grey, pink, plum spectrum but made me think of spring. The pattern is the glorious sloppy Joe sweater from Caitlin Hunter called Ingalls. The colours just make me think of spring.

Sweater pic courtesy of Caitlin Hunter. Inadvertent nail colour match courtesy of me. πŸ’…

As well as these I’ve managed to cast on a cute little cable cardigan and a second Barn sweater from knits about winter, they are both asleep this week whilst I concentrate on the above two so I’ll show you those shortly.

In other news himself and I decided in February ( before the madness hit) to take Lily the Wilful Westie to Cornwall for a week. A couple of reasons for this, we were sorely in need of a break and friends who used to own the cattery where Mia & Zorro spent many a happy holiday recently moved near to Falmouth so we could visit them ( nose around their new home) too. We booked a waterfront cottage and off we pottered in one of the wildest storms this year. I do love the British coast in winter. I also did a little sleuthing after booking and found that Falmouth is home to a wonderful store called Stitches and Cream. A treasure trove of yarn, fabric and accessories owned and managed by sisters Jane & Sandra. They also run classes and have a great online service so definitely reccomend a visit be it virtual or in person. I’d had some virtual chat with them prior to visiting and ordered some ditsy print needlecord and a pinnafore pattern as this year I want to improve my sewing skills to at least competent beginner. As my workroom is also totally overloaded I figured ordering in advance would stop me buying anything else – you can see from the pic how well this worked!

Spoils from Stitches & Cream plus the view from our holiday cottage.
Mrs Moon Alpine Hat knitted quickly up in plump dk ready for the holiday.

I hope you are all occupying yourselves with lovely crafty projects, let me know what your current favourite is and I’ll see you soon.

Love Magpie. 😘

It all went a tad pear shaped…………

Hello Everyone and a much belated Happy New Year!

I’m sorry I’ve been MIA and thank you for those who have been in touch and been a great support.

Deep breath now – It’s been a combination of my surgery, my parents being burgled the day after my surgery, one of my closest friends passing away in her sleep ( totally unexpectedly) the day after that, trying to maintain a semblance of normality for the family staying with us over Christmas and then my lovely aunt passing away just after new year.

I couldn’t write to save my life so I am starting 2020 again as of now.

So, to the projects I had on my needles, all completed plus two extra before my surgery. Hubby’s uncles sweater was perfect. I totally adore my Eastwind Jacket and Stonecrop cardie and I finished Ghost Horses. This I love but due to ginormous amounts of steroids I feel at the mo it looks more like a ghost sausage trying to get out of its skin so it’s staying in the drawer!

Eastwind from Emily Foden’s Knits about Winter.
Stonecrop Cardie from Andrea Mowry.
Ghost Horses from Boyland knitworks. This was knitted in Kettleyarns Northiam Fingering in Shale and Spincycle dyed in the wool in Ghost Ranch.

Now the couple of extra projects came about because my surgery was a little later than initially planned – every cloud. I’ve developed quite a passion for patterns by My Favourite Things Knitwear and both of these designs are hers. The sweater I had been hankering over for ages ( pattern sweater no 3 ) and decided it would be the perfect winter hug. It is knitted in yarn by some of my favourite folk, not only talented but incredibly nice people. Erika Knight who a lot of you know I adore ( yarns, patterns and herself) and Ms Bernie Bear – she of A Bear in Sheeps Clothing. If you’ve not come across her fab indie dyed yarns get hunting, they are wonderful. So this is knitted with two strands of Erika’s new Wool Local yarn along with one strand of Bernie’s Bear Fluff. I adore it.

😍😍😍

The second one is using another indie dyer’s that I’m loving working with. Kettle Yarn Co. She has some very luxurious yarns and one of which I used in a tank top for my mum ( ten days before my op she said I’d really like a tank top for Christmas, I know you won’t have time to make me one so a bought one will be ok!!!). Rapid ordering of Baskerville DK and even more rapid knitting ensued. She is delighted with the result.

Mums tank top.

Now I mentioned I’d let you know why I was meeting lots of lovely new folk as well as spending time I should have been ‘working’ playing with Erika’s dog. I was lucky enough to be invited to the inaugural workshop of Creative Collaborations dreamt up by Erika and her fab team. I happily booked a day off work, hopped on trains from Birmingham to Hassocks ( near Brighton, I’d never heard of it) and spent the day meeting lots of fab new folk ( Jeanette Sloan was also there, fan sigh). This collaboration was knitting from Erika joined with embroidery by the wonderful Anette Eriksson. The project was a yarn embroidered cushion front with a knitted back. Mine is still ongoing. Now I have to confess being dog mad I was delighted to see Winnie, Erika’s chihuahua in attendance. I spent a large part of the morning with her settled on my lap – it would have been rude to move her. Once I got home I decided that I could try left handed embroidery post op so undid the meagre amount I’d completed. The left handed thing is slow but going well. I’ve also bought a couple more of Anette’s kits to complete.

Left handed tree beginnings.
Erika, Anette and Winnie.

Finally I’d like to introduce you to a new member of the family. Her name is Lily and she belonged to my late friend ( sadly it was her husband that passed away in the summer). Now I’d not intended to have any more animals after the death of Zorro in September for a while but fate is a strange thing. Jacqui & John’s grown up son is allergic to dogs so Lily couldn’t go to he and his wife. She already knew us well and so here she is ( the cover pic shows her mud surfing, a favourite pastime)! She is totally adorable and keeps J & J with us daily. Sadly she has zero yarn etiquette so I’m having to hide everything from her.

Our new addition.

Next time I shall be able to show you the couple of things that are my return projects. Like last year rehab will be extensive but I’m able to start slip n slide work for an hour or so a day.

Happy Crafting every one.

Love

Magpie. 😘

Winter woolly knitting season is here and some sad news.

Hello knitty & all crafty folks.

I don’t know about you but I am definitely an autumn winter soul. I always feel dressed when in woolly finery, perhaps it’s just because our British summers are so hit and miss it’s so hard to get the look right.

I did however finish the Camisole no 2 from My Favourite Things which I knitted in Knitting for Olives pure silk in Rhubarb. I absolutely love it and will likely do another at some point.

Last time I told you about the Shifty Sweater from Andrea Mowry I was working on using some stunning yarn from The Little Grey Sheep Co – they are the definition of flock to needles. The sweater is a joy, however I’m not totally loving the fit, it feels too big. I am therefore thinking I’m going to spend a rainy day ripping out all the colourwork and re-knitting it πŸ˜•

I’ve currently three and a bit projects on my needles that must be finished before my upcoming hand surgery ( we’ll pretend the other hundred or so skulking in the craft room are merely a wicked rumour)! The first is a sweater my husband’s aunt had not long cast on for her husband when she suddenly passed away a few months back. I’ve bought it home to complete, it’s slightly slow going as Sandra knitted on straight pins which my hands really don’t like and as I’m trying to match her tension it’s little and often.

The second is the Eastwind Jacket from Emily Foden’s stunning Knits about Winter book that I’ve been chuntering on about. I am in love with this project and about 60% complete. I’m using a combination of The Fibre Co’s Lore in Gentle overlaid with artyarns silk mohair in rose ombre. The edging is working beautifully in one of my all time favourite yarns from Erika Knight – British Blue 100, this is Cymbeline. You will also notice Monty Mouse poking out of the pocket, a little bit of whimsy from Loop London I fell for.

The ‘a bit’ project is one that wasn’t on my radar until I noticed Magpie Fibres & Andrea Mowry’s KAL, The Stonecrop cardigan. I loved the Bloomsbury set feel of it in rich winter shades and have used John Arbon’s Devonia yarn in Ocean Rain plus Urth Uneek for the contrast from Tribe in Richmond. Urth plant a tree for every skein sold which is a fab idea. This is almost done and was my first attempt at steeking. Let’s just say it wasn’t the tidiest attempt ever so I will be inserting a placket lining.

The fabric under the cardigan was for a bag, when I rediscovered it though it is now earmarked for a skirt.

The final project I have only just cast on so I’ll save pics for another time, it’s Ghost Horses from Boyland Knitworks and I’m using Dyed in the Wool in Ghost Ranch from Spincycle Yarns and Northiam from Kettle Yarns in Shale. Kettle Yarn is a relatively new find for me and I’m already considering it a new favourite.

Now for a few of my favourite things. I love to share new discoveries as that is often how I find new goodies to investigate. I don’t advertise or have any sponsors so anything I chat about will be something I have bought and genuinely love ( If on the odd occasion anything has been a gift I will say so).

A few months back I noticed a little olive wood dish from Under the Olive Tree knits. This had been made by her talented hubby David ( @dave_and_his_lathe ) on Instagram. I got in touch and the result from this lovely pair was a customised dish with my logo and some treats inside from Jem. This dish sits on my lamp table and is a work of art in it’s own right.

Another company I’m growing ever fonder of are Knit IQ. I first came across them after purchasing some of their fab, very thick blocking mats. I joined their VIP club ( would recommend doing so) and tried out their lovely wool wash, both of which I’ve talked about previously. They have recently bought out a deluxe set of their mats in a fab canvas case with a cute tin on T Pins, and for some lovely reason sent me a set as a gift so here they are. Along with the ones I’d bought earlier I’m using them for blocking, sample mood boarding and steeking safety to prevent slippage where you don’t want it πŸ™„ They would be a great addition to any knitters Christmas wish list imo. X

My final favourite for this time is my Lykke needles. I first came across them after buying a couple of fixed circulars. Their set of adjustable ones went on my Christmas list last year and hubby got the many hints. The reason I’m mentioning them (aside from the fact they are gorgeous) is for some reason I find working with them seems to put much less strain on my temperamental joints than other circulars of the same ilk I have tried. I’ve no idea why but if you have any hand / finger joint issues you may want to give them a try, I’d love to see what you think. They also do tiny fixed circulars which mean you can knit socks, gloves and sleeves in the round without magic loop or dpn’s- joy.

Now for my sad news. You’ll notice my beloved old mad cat on the title page this month. Sadly the time came for him to join his sister in catty afterlife. He was just over 19 so had a long and spoilt life but anyone who has lived with very chatty Burmese will know just how quiet the house is now.

Next time I’ll update you on my progress on the projects above, I think I’ve about seven weeks before my right hand and wrist are reconfigured so no pressure!

I’ll also tell you why I spent the day with Erika Knight and Anette Eriksson last week ( so exciting) even if I got totally sidetracked by Winnie the three legged chihuahua!

I hope you all remain well and suitably immersed in your chosen crafts.

Til next time

Love

Magpie 😘

Summertime Knitting

Well in typical British summer weather we’re either melting or considering lighting the log burner! Today is wet and humid so an ideal time to get my act together regarding a new post ( sorry it’s been a while, two completely unexpected family bereavements sent my writing mojo awol).

As usual I have far too many WIP’s in progress, I have no idea how it happens. Now, I tell myself ( in much the same way I tell myself I don’t need more yarn ), no starting anything else until this is complete . ‘This’ refers to 2 projects. A requires no thought TV/ travel project and something that makes me concentrate removing the white noise from my brain. Currently I have 7 ongoing projects, I can only conclude the bad knitting sprite πŸ§šβ€β™€οΈ casts them on when I’m sleeping.

A little more about some of these:

Quite a departure for me is Camisole no 2 from My Favourite Things ( @myfavouritethings.knitwear ). I’m knitting this up in Rhubarb Juice from Knitting for Olive. It’s an ethically produced pure silk which is beautiful to work with. It’s a departure in that it is a fitted, ribbed cami and with my current ‘let’s keep you alive ‘drugs I’m heavier than I’m comfortable with, however I’ve decided that the fact I’m currently well is more important than losing that 8kg! This shows it just cast on ( the feature pic is at Hampton Court Flower Show where a few rounds were completed sitting with a glass of fizz listening to Jazz). This also shows my lovely new bag which I bought from Antler & Acorn ( @antlerandacornuk )which perfectly matched my project. Also making a guest appearance is The Old Mad Cat whose vet continues to coo over him saying ‘isn’t he a marvel ‘. She however doesn’t live with the fact that his nocturnal chattyiness now requires a verbal response from you, if he doesn’t get one he puts his mouth next to your ear and shouts, on average every 90 minutes throughout the night!

The second I’m currently working frantically to finish is the Shifty Sweater from Andrea Mowry. I’m using totally delicious yarns from one of my favourite suppliers: The Little Grey Sheep ( http://www.thelittlegreysheep.co.uk @thelittlegreysheep ). Their yarns epitomise flock to project as they live a very pampered life, are cared for and sheared by their resident shepherdess. The yarn is then spun ( not at the farm ) before being returned for dyeing by the owner. I have never been disappointed by any of the yarn I’ve purchased from them. The base colourway for this is Sahara which is stunning with contrasts of Acid Rain, A Summer Abroad and Reputation, what Reputation! These are working perfectly together and there is just a sleeve to go.

This pic also shows a marker from Rebecca’s Room (@rebeccasroom ) where I happily add knitty trinkets to my shopping basket. Plus another ( I know, I know ) project bag. This one from Hide & Hammer ( @hideandhammer ), in my defence I just happened to be online as these were released and as they are as hard to come by as hens teeth I snapped it up.

As you know from last time I also have Fettle from Erika Knight ( http://www.erikaknight.co.uk @knightkraft ) in progress using her new Wool Local which is gorgeous.

I do have a bit of her thing for her yarns ( as in a collection requiring curating) and I may or may not have just ordered some Wildwool ( a nettle & wool mix ) to knit up her Downhill dress! I was really torn on the shade to pick for the dress but have decided on Dawdle as it will be perfect under Eastwind ( which features a guest appearance from British Blue 100 ). I also absolutly love one of the new colours in Wild Wool called Swagger, a burnt orange so may well do a second Downhill next year using that as I adore sweater dresses.

What I do need to do is decide what I definitely want to complete before my winter hand rebuilding extravaganza begins which is planned for around November- Noooooo Knitting for ages ( but worth it in the long run ). My plan is to finish the above plus definitely start and finish Eastwind by Emily Foden ( @violaemily )from her lovely Knits about Winter book. Some of you will recall the yarn for this was a total treat from me to me after my left hand was redesigned last winter so time to start.

A project just commenced that will go on hold is a blanket. As I mentioned we’ve had some sudden deaths in the family, unexpected and too young. I decided to commence a memory blanket and the gorgeous Harlequin one from CaMaRose.dk (@camarosedk ) was perfect. In part as it was designed from her memories of Tivoli in Copenhagen it felt it was meant to be as this was where we visited following the death of my father as a memory trip a couple of years ago. The pattern plus the yarn shades I’ve chosen are shown here, I purchased them from one of my favourite knitting stores – Loop ( @looplondonloves ) and they also have kits in the pattern colourway. Eventually it will form a special throw for my vintage day bed.

As an aside none of the insta links / names to any of the above are affiliated. They are purely small businesses I enjoy buying from (and to make it easier for you to peruse should you wish to as it saves you messaging me to ask where things are from).

This year was my first visit to Hampton Court and I loved it. It felt so much more relaxed than Chelsea and so on a final note here are a couple of pics of my favourite show garden there called Naturecraft, plant dyed skeins and fabric drying in the sun were my idea of garden perfection.

Next time we chat I hopefully will have made more progress on my WIP’s and finalised my to do before surgery list. I’m also planning to carry on sharing some of my favourite things / folk / businesses as am trying really hard to move away from the big corporation guys when it comes to buying and a lot of the people I do buy from I’ve discovered by others sharing.

Until next time

Love

Magpie 😘