Skein Queen Club & Follow Your Arrow 2

 

  

I'm not normally a fan of pink, but when this little bundle appeared on my doorstep I couldn't help but fall in love with it.  

As ever, Skein Queens book club provides one skein of variegated & one skein of semi-solid.  This time, they were based on Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, and named Pink Martini (the caked one) & Feminine Charms (the semi-solid skein). The base is exquisite twist; 80% merino, 10% cashmere & 10% nylon. 

Much like everyone else, I'm aiming to reduce the amount of yarn I buy this year, because my stash really is becoming ridiculous.  However, I have decided to keep up the clubs I'm a member of, because I simply can't do without these beautiful little surprises appearing through my door.  Though, if being honest with myself, more single skeins are the last things I need!

In an attempt to actually start knitting with the lovely yarn Skein Queen has been posting to me these past three months, I decided to cake up her most recent club in order to join a KAL - Ysoldas Follow Your Arrow 2. 

Following the great success of Arrows original last year, Ysolda has cooked up another multi-optional shawl for us to get excited about.  As with last year, some knitters are managing to knit several of these in order to try as many of the options as possible, but I think I'll stick to one!   It appears that this year the shawl will involve lots of texture, and I'm intrigued to see how all the different combinations will turn out. 

Last year, my arrows was knitted with Manos.  It is beautiful - and definitely not worn enough. 

I've said it before, and I'll mention it again - KALs are wonderful.  They bring knitters together in a way that feels so sociable and encourages us to be part of something.  For some, they provide motivation, others reassurance.  Some simply enjoy browsing through the many different ways knitters can form one item, the yarn and techniques they have used to do so.  Those tiny adjustments, tweaks and personal additions which make each and every garment unique whilst always keeping in touch with the original.  

In a small way, it makes me happy to see so many people come together with one simple goal.

There's also a small situation arising, because I have just this minute spotted another yarn club which looks exciting.  Did you know (because I didn't), that Ysolda is starting a Yarn/Shawl club this year?  I have to stop looking at it before more clubs fall into my letterbox.  Must.  Stop.  No.  Looking. 

Do you take part in any yarn clubs or KALs?  Why do you love those ones in particular?

Amanda & The Three Arrows

Once there was a girl who liked to knit.  One sunny day, she stumbled across a pretty knitting pattern in the middle of the Ravelry forrest.

The pattern arrived, and sat on the table, and Amanda pondered over which yarn to use for the arrow shawl.

First, she tried a lovely handspun silk yarn, but it was just too thin!
Next, she tried some scrunchy worsted rowan yarn, but it was too thick!

Finally, she tried a yarn which was hand-dyed by a co-operative of women in Uruguay, called 'Manos Del Uruguay Silk Blend Fino', and it was just right :)




So she sat contentedly, with her new teacup from the lovely Karry during the TOK christmas swap, knitting her arrows.

First and second attempts:

And the wee arrow necklace!!!  It's so cute!  They're made by AGirlCalledBoz, who is nice :)

And finally, apparently my friends think I am organised.  I would like to argue that I am not, as evidenced by my workspace.  

Last night over dinner, we discovered the revelation that in each relationship, there is a 'putter' and a 'leaver':

• The Putter (not me), will have 'placed my keys on the side', 'put the magazines into the rack' and 'put all the messages away on the appropriate shelves in the fridge/cupboard/kitchen'.  
• On the other hand, there are the Leavers (me); 'Oh, I left it in the hall', 'I think they're in the living room' and 'They're on this desk somewhere'. 

Now, I am probably selling myself short.  I get lots done with my time.  However, I do concede that more could happen if I actually knew where things were.  Here is a list of things I have yet to locate after 'putting them somewhere safe':  spare keys, passport, driving license, good pen, £40, heart necklace, fox earrings, notes on mitten pattern, notes on hat pattern, book of notes, size 5mm needles.  These are but the ones I currently remember.  

Are you a 'Putter' or a 'Leaver'?  (And how many of you don't know where things are on a regular basis, just so I feel less disorganised :p)

And just to prove how organised I can be, there's a newsletter now :D

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