Talavera; new pattern in PomPom Summer!

 

It's rather exciting - I have a new pattern released, which is published in this quarters PomPom Magazine!  I've always loved this little mag,  & I am guilty of repeatedly flicking through drooling over all the pretty patterns, pictures & articles.

The other evening in the Dumpling Monkey (yes, this is the name of one of our favourite restaurants), we had a lovely evening - each of us having gained something this week, whether small or large, which made us feel a little sense of affirmation about what we're doing.  

Talavera is a lace top, knit in the round on 4mm needles.  Its easy peasy, and a quick, lightweight knit for summer.  I promise: knit in the round to the underarms, knit the front flat, knit the back flat, join the shoulders, knit the collar in the round as you've just knit for the body.  Done.

It's inspired by outdoor summer strolls, by delicate stems & that rich green which only appears in full bloom.  For me, this season is nothing if not time to get a little obsessive over green yarns & gardening.   I live near the river Kelvin, which bypasses both tree museums & artisan pubs, so you'd likely fall in love with it too.

It is often difficult to decide what to knit in summer (do you really need chunky sweaters, right now?), and my go to is always an openwork project.  Given that I wear more lacy tops than shawls, this was bound to happen.  

PomPom is a great publication (with an awesome podcast!).  Set up in 2012 by Lydia & Meghan to fulfil their knitting vision, which they've certainly achieved.  You can read more about them here.  

The yarn, from Kismet, is *beautiful*.  I really can't express how lovely this was to knit with.  Their camel/silk blend was both soft and light, but still hung wonderfully in the garment.  They have lots of great colours, & their studio is incredible!  (They also do some great gradients, which I chatted about before)

Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

Finished bust: 88.5 (98.5, 108.5, 118, 128, 138) cm / 35 (38¾, 42¾, 46½, 50½, 54¼)” – to be worn with up to 7.5 cm / 3” positive ease.

Yarn: Kismet Refuge (4ply/Fingering weight; 50% baby camel, 50% silk; 401 m / 438 yds per 100g)
Shade: T-Rex; 2 (2, 2, 2, 3, 3) skeins.

Gauge: 16.5 sts x 28 rows = 10cm / 4” over lace pattern

Needles: 4 mm / US 6 circular needle, 60-80 cm / 24-32” length
4 mm / US 6 circular needle, 40 cm / 16” length for neck and 3-needle cast off
Always use a needle size that will result in the correct gauge after blocking.

Notions: stitch marker, stitch holder or waste yarn

Notes: Talavera is knit from the bottom upwards in the round to the underarms before splitting and working flat. Shoulders are seamed using a 3-needle cast off and the lace pattern is continued in the round for the collar.

For more information, see here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/talavera

Sleepy Sunday & Braeriach Sock

After a wonderful day at Ginger Twist Studio yesterday (more on that later), today is a day for knitting, reading and reorganising my stash several times until it is lined up just right.  

I'm very excited to tell you that my new sock pattern is out.  It's called Braeriach and is inspired by one of the highest mountains in Scotland.  Scrubby mountainside plants, beaten by the howling winds. Even on days with bluebird skies, you’ll find yourself buffeted in every direction by the mountainside ‘breeze’. An icy bite is never far away when wandering a Scottish Munro like Braeriach, but you could always rely on good socks to keep you going!  Braeriach is the third highest mountain in Britain (and feels like it, when attempting your journey up).

I'm going to level with you all, I strongly dislike climbing up a mountain.  Yes, yes, it's all very pretty and theres a sense of achievement when you get to the top - but it's freezing, and windy, and I can't knit.  

Don't get me wrong, strap some wooden planks to my feet and send me down a mountain and I'm happy as the proverbial pig, but there are wee lifts there to take you up again.

These socks are made from Ginger Twist sheepish sock, and it is very yummy to knit with.  

Whilst I was in Edinburgh I bought a set of hiyahiya interchangables, mainly so that I could have the wee Panda needle toppers and that they were on the needles they were supposed to be on.  It's not excessive, it was totally necessary.  Also totally necessary was the small 9" metal sock circular - because I bought a wooden one the other day and now have to compare them.  Yes. 

I also left with another skein of Jess' lovely yarn in merino/silk Hocus Pocus colourway.  Is is beautiful and incredible and I shall spend the day smooshing it.  But first I must finish things I'm supposed to be working on.  How many projects do you currently have on the go?  I'm trying to reduce the amount of WIPs lying around so am determined to get some of these finished.  Also, I'm sure I had more cables, so perhaps I have some long-lost projects hidden somewhere, long forgotten. 

Best of all, PomPom arrived this weekend, just in time for my cozy kntting & chilling session.  There are some truly beautiful items inside this quarter, and I'd love to knit them but am unsure how patient I am!  There is a glorious laceweight top, but I might have to wait until a few exciting secret things are finished first. 

What do you have planned for this weekend?  Are you venturing outside or settling down on the couch? 

PomPom!

There are good pompoms, and bad pompoms.
There is also a limit to the number of pompoms one individual can handle.

Don't know about you, but I tend to sign up for a magazine, or read a blog, and remain relatively loyal to it.   This week for some reason I drew a line (was it because of another tiny project I'd never want to make?  A home idea I felt would make my living room look like I had children - we're talking about a lot here, 'cause this is coming from the girl who knits three different kind of fox...).  Maybe I've just been in a rather bad mood :p

Ironically, I cancelled one subscription due to over-familiarity with pompoms and ended up subscribing to.. you guessed it, PomPom Mag.

There are some very pretty projects included this month, and it's a very well presented, well thought out little publication.  Also, it comes prettily wrapped!  I'm a sucker for packaging.  And pencils.  And notebooks.


I've also been watching the Great British Bake Off!
Best of intentions abound, I did want to bake the challenge cake.  However, my work is killing me, and I can't bring myself to bake :'(  There will be a coffee & walnut cake though, because I really want to eat one...

Maybe I'm judging too harshly, but I definitely have my favourites (and least-favourites) already!


It also inspired this wee range of stitch markers!  They're in the etsy shop at the moment!

Last, but not least, I was SO ASHAMED today when I listened to the Caithness Craft podcast by Louise - and was named and shamed for only just joining the group!   I don't know why I wasn't a member before, I love this little podcast :)  You can find Louises group on Ravelry here.

I first met Louise at the Edinburgh Yarn Festival where I still feel bad because I literally didn't have a minute to talk to her properly.

Sounds like I need to make some stuff up to someone, eh?!




Do you have magazines and podcasts you love?