Friday, February 29, 2008

New Stuff

I haven't been knitting as much as I want to lately, but I did finish a quick project last week that turned out great.
It is a baby kimono, you can find the pattern here. I used Blue Sky Alpacas Suri Merino, about 1.5 skeins. For some reason, Ravelry lists this yarn as bulky, but it is really a DK. It isn't machine washable, but it is a gift for some friends who are having their first baby, and I thought it would be special. I love how it turned out. My only recommendation is to go up a needle size on the sleeves once you start working in the round. I had to rip mine out the first time and re-knit them.

Baby-Kimono

I also have yet to sew a button in, or block it. It is now a sample in the shop, so I will wash it and block before I give it to our friends.

There are lots of new things in the shop. We have quite a bit of new cotton in. Our favorite at the moment is the Blue Sky Skinny Cotton. The colors are beautiful, and I can't wait to start something with it. We got a great new yarn in yesterday that we have been stoking quite a bit. Dream in Color has a new one, Baby Laceweight. It is very similar to their other yarns, which means that it is incredibly soft. It is 100% Merino Superwash, and has something like 750 yards on the skein. As always, the colors are great. Take a look.

baby-laceweight

We also have recieved some new Mission Falls cotton in multi colors, which use colorways from their existing palette. They are quite interesting, I think you will agree.

mission-falls-cotton

I believe that Nathalie is going to make a childs dress with the pinky one, and I am looking forward to seeing how the colors work up.

I was hoping that spring was here, but it seems to be getting cold again. Not sure whether to start another warm project, or move onto all the lovely warm weather stuff! Decisions Decisions!

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

From the Mountains

Its been a year already, and here I am on the dreaded ski trip. I know, I said that I would never do it again, but the husband and kids seem to like it. This year we have chosen a place that is not in the middle of nowhere (only just a little bit). We are at Club Med, at Tignes Val Claree. There is actually a little town down the road, with a few shops, nothing special, but better than last year. I have booked in at the spa for the next few mornings, which should keep me busy. Yesterday I took the funicular to the top of the mountain, where I saw some spectacular views. The photo doesn't do it justice as I am to scared to go to close to the edge, but here goes.

DSCN1278

I have brought along some knitting, of course. The one that I have been working on most is the Salish Sea socks from the STR 2007 sock club. Believe it or not, I have never done a toe up sock. I am not sure that a Cat Bordi sock is the best one to do first, but the directions are pretty clear so far. I am on the arch expansion, and soon on to the heel. I love the color.

DSCN1283

Before I left, I made a discovery in my closet, one finished sock in Trekking Bamboo from months back. I am going to take the opportunity this week to try and make the other one as well. No photos of those though.

Hopefully you are aware that Stash recieved a huge shipment of Dream in Color Smooshy last week. Get it while its hot! See you back in London!