Black Christmas

Had a great day at the Montpellier Street Christmas Fayre mainly thanks to the my dearest oldest friend, Maud who gave up her Sunday and my lovely hubby who drove us there and helped to unload.

Boy Oh Boy though we were cold - thanks to the friendly ladies from Tiffins we were able to stand on some cupboard. I did have knitted socks on but, as ever market trader knows, the pavement is a cold surface!

Should have covered ourselves in our fab fair isle cushions.

Back to the shop and some new shades of Debbie Bliss Donegal arrived this morning. Can't wait to get knitting with it. Now is the time though to visit us because I was so disgusted by that stupid Black Friday nonsense that I have decided to have a much more sedate Black Christmas with a whopping:
                                       20% OFF ALL STOCK THROUGHOUT DECEMBER!!!

and on that note - just to remind anyone stuck for gift ideas we do vouchers - and, as all us knitters know, we would very much appreciate one of those!
                                         Who knows? Could just be a Black January as well!

So Much Wool And So Little Time!

Right then - just tidied up and loaded my shades of Debbie Bliss Fine Donegal onto the website. Finally got round to putting all the pictures of Cashmerino Aran on and this happened:

A delivery arrived in the afternoon, just after I had got it all tidy and I am now so stuffed with wool, including the new Louisa Harding Susurro which is fabulous, that I really don't know where to put it all:

Any suggestions?
Maybe I could offload some to all of you quality knitters out there?

And, by the way it is not like I have got nothing to do. I have recently inherited a Silver reed knitting machine along with an older Knitmaster. Can't believe how productive I have been in such a short space of time. And it really isn't like I need a new hobby:

This reminds me of the Princess and the Pea!

So I am beetling away for our Christmas fair which darn it I still have to book. Have already picked up a commission for these cosy objects though, and before she heads off with it here it is:

 It's the one on the right. Anyway if worst comes to the worst everyone knows what they'll be getting for Christmas! This weekend I am tackling socks after a great day of lessons from an amazing machine knitter who spent the day showing me shaping and cast on combs and making a v neck etc etc. They will be translated to Christmas stockings for the window. Sorry to say I don't do Halloween - not for religious anythings - but just don't see the point. It was a real non event to the generation I come from and I never did quite get that American thing of flogging us all plastic pumpkins and the like. (Little rant there)

Added to it all I went to see the lovely ladies at the Much Birch WI and gave them all a talking to about spinning, knitting and fibre. I do love doing these - such an amazingly polite audience compared to year 11 boys!!!!

Well, that's it for now - off to the shop today and tomorrow to put all the wool away and reload the website as I now have loads more shades to put in - darn it!

New Wool New Range New Autumn Colours OOOH  New New New

Think I will get Jane and Rose to put this all away!

No no only joking.

An hour after this lot arrived so did a huge delivery from Wendy including (loads of Wendy/Robin faves) and the lovely new Ramsdale DK. Beautifully soft, great for feltingand very reasonable for 50g. Only the browns arrived though and still waiting for all the lovely colours. All Autumny - all very classy. As indeed are all the Wendy patterns - dead good value and surprisingly classic simple designs without any extra designerly frills and lopsided funny bits!

And in this little bundle . . . 

New Noro Hannabatake and Janome (just cant get enough of it.)

New Debbie Bliss Roma, relaunched Aran Cashmerino and Fine Donegal.

Keep those peepers peeled for new KA needles (Japanese high precision engineered bamboo beauties) including asymmetrical fixed circulars for sock making for DPN haters!

Can't wait - now where to put it all  . . . . ?

The Wool Garden

The Wool Garden



BACK FROM THE IONIAN



And ready to knit - I am that cold!



Who says village shows can't be fun? - this was one I did earlier (Aug Bank Holiday) in a heavenly deluge which showed no sign of stopping all day. The Lea Village show was celebrating 70 years of village jollity and so it was very sad when it had to close early for the first time in its history owing to mud!  We really enjoyed the cauliflower sheep and cabbage tortoise in the vegetable animals category in  the large marquee.



More unbelieveable than that though was our dogs Bob and Molly won a couple of classes in the dog show - we were flabbergasted as none of us had ever been in the professional ring before. All thanks to Pumpkin their Junior dog handler!! - and what did I take that day -  £6 which I spent instantly on some local honey - ah well - and so fortunes are made . . . . 

ON a more positive note I became the proud owner of a Silver Reed knitting machine recently - which is daft really because I have had one for three years all locked up in a cupboard covered in dust but this one is white and not the ubiquitous mustard yellow and green - so fickle that I am - I was tempted.



No honestly, the real reason I managed to get it assembled was that it came with a knitting machine table and for all of you who have one lurking away in the closet - get one of those off of E-Bay and get going. It has been completely compulsive - I can see why the relative I inherited it from also had 250 cones to go with it.



Just take a look at these 

With lots of help and advice from my brilliant customers and a lot of You Tube later I came up with these cushion covers (its taken three weeks and a lot of swearing!) and have made so many of the darned things there really is nowhere to sit in my house - unless you sit on a cushion that is! 

That's it for now - but couldn't go without letting you all have a quick peep at the prizewinning pooches:

Cotton Compulsion

Cor Blige!

It's been ages since I have got round to blogging. Too much English GCSE marking!

But take a look at this little lot. I don't need to worry about the colours because Mr Adriafil has done all that for me.

And this is definitely one for the hot hot hot outdoors.

For all you busy gardeners (honestly I am one myself - with the National Collection of Bindweed to boot!) this is a touch of relaxing pacing oneself. Now that just makes me laugh because I was making these little devils at 2am.

                                                                    

I always prefer the squares crocheted together

because they lie flatter and I don't like that ridge - even if you can use it as a design feature!

These started life as a throw but I think they would make an amazing waistcoat

so will adapt one of the Adriafil patterns I think.

All 100% Egyptian cotton and dead easy to work with - Cheope it's called and mercerised so has a lovely sheen and unsplitty for cotton.

Spin Doctor

Not bad for a beginner spinner! Airy rolags two bobbins and some very active plied yarn -which we had to wind on a mug tree because I could not find my niddy noddy!

This was the lovely Mayhill Gotlands lambs locks I acquired from their creative shepherdess.
A lovely day of spinning, chatting and loads of egg sarnies for me - couldn't be more perfect.

Thanks to the triffickly talented Liz Kimber for her amazing beginner's prowess.
She will go on to spin some amazing yarn of that I have no doubt.

New stash of Millamia arrived today and all the colours are putting me in the mood to get on with my American pieced but knitted quilt - inspired by the dear old hexipuff.

Check out our courses for more information about the new short courses and workshops for the next few months.

Just to remind  anyone who has a sudden urge -  we are having a damask (reversible) Fair Isle day tomorrow starting at 10.30 and another Beginner's Fair Isle day next Friday - all taught by Norwegian knitter Marianne Trevis.

On The Needles and Off Her Trolley

The Wool Garden, knitting shop in Newent, Gloucestershire - The Wool Garden, Newent:



Woah - whoever said you need to finish your projects one at a time? Not me - no Sir!!

Apart from all the unfinished garments/bags/socks and ongoing hexipuffs in my workroom in my knitting bag right now is:

 The gorgeous colour combination of the new Navia Faroese yarn - a cool collection of single and 2 plied yarn - I don't have the trio in yet but it is going so well I will definitely be getting that for the winter.



It is 100% wool - light, airy and perfect for Fair Isles and all colour work. The Navia range of patterns are really interesting and it is unbelievably great value as there is just so much blinking yarn in the ball - ie four for a longish cardigan - honestly. Take a closer look:

               

It is beautiful to knit with and fulls and felts like a dream. I am knitting this on 3mm needles but as I am a loose knitter would probably recommend 3.25mm to those with an average tension. I am knitting with the duo - not quite as soft spun as the Uno which I am saving for another rainy April day.









OK so onto my next one - now this is a confession because I visited a very well known wool shop in London and went a bit loopy (geddit?) I pampered myself with a bit of Madeline Tosh and some other brand of hard to find, unusual and luxurious Canadian yarn. I am making a shawl for my son's girlfriend - the very wonderful Pippa Cleary who will be needing it for the opening night of her latest musical project - more of which later  . . . .

This is the heavenly stuff - but I reckon you could get the same effect with botany lace for half the price. I only discovered how easy lace knitting was after I started using my Knit Pro markers. They are just great for splitting the pattern and not discovering you have gone wrong right at the end of the row -  I knew about the lifelines but this stops you ever having to take it back in the first place. I don't know why I had not thought of that before - DUH!

And last, but not least, a Juliet jumper chosen, Debbie Bliss will be pleased to hear, by my very discerning and glamorous daughter - desperately trying to complete for a certain person's birthday.

I would not have picked this one as it is in reverse stocking stitch - bleah! But honestly she loved it. The Juliet patterns are proving to be very popular and the yarn is a beaut to knit with. So that's the latest - apart from uploading the website - teaching English - teaching knitting - WI talks - writing an application for Denman College to teach spinning - Oh yeah, spinning my dogs hair - dyeing - making hexipuffs - designing a commission - upgrading and devising a whole pile of new classes - finalising the stock check - planning next year's craft fairs - setting up my knitting machine - sewing up all my UFOs - revamping the shop window - cleaning the shop workroom - marking English GCSEs - gardening an acre of country cottage not to mention writing a blog. If my friends and family think I have time for them then they are going to be sadly disappointed . . .  (only teasing -  loved ones)

Off to upload - followed by the usual late night knitting spree accompanied by 'Snapped - Women Who Kill' and I'm not even joking . . . . .

Very Hungry . . .

So here's the thing . . . Most beloved but  weirdly published in 1969 - who'd have thought it -  beaten into number two place only by the all time classic Where The Wild Things Are - of which more later . . .

But what a fabulous shape for a baby - there are one or two of these on Ravelry - but I think this pattern is the most illustration like -  this was done with Ushya and doubled up double knitting  for the lighter shade. The hat was done in Ushya's perfect red for the caterpillar and the eyes made from crochet chains are of Adriafil Mirage held double - no need for the felting but you do need to sew every stitch on as the baby's head will stretch it otherwise.



Christmas cocoons to follow - there will also be a   workshop down the Wool Garden making all manner of baby cocoons in May - book online to secure a place.



On a lighter note - just returned from fabulous ladies at the Ross Thursday Club - doing my usual talk about spinning and fibre. What a lovely bunch. Speaking of which  have met some great people this week including Steve with his finger weaving (honestly some people make ya sick - just look at this)

Then this:

This is all done using just his fingers and a bit of wood - like the old Navajos used to

They certainly have a thing or two to teach  us - as does Steve

I discovered all this on a spinning course http://www.thewoolgarden.co.uk/courses/begin-to-spin-1041.html it was all a rouse to spin himself some authentic yarn that he could use for his  lovely weaving technique - go Steve!

Lovely Lovely Hexipuffs

My little hexipuffs!

Gawd - just can't stop myself now - making hexi puff after hexi puff. They are truly an amazing way to waste time - use up waste yarn and create something absolutely stunning plus comfy at the same time. Have lots of thoughts and exciting development on these little gems, how about making something sumptuous out of Debbie Bliss Silk DK for example - of course I have arrived late to the Beekeepers Quilt http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-beekeepers-quilt from Tiny Owl Knits - but they are so compulsive - I have already made this many in a couple of days: I was showing these off in the shop on Saturday and was asked to put a hexipuff workshop afternoon on sometime soon Just so that we can all get into making our community quilts for winter. If you want to include Debbie Bliss baby Cashmerino or Millamia into your sock remnants you will need to cast on 18 stitches not 20 to start with as at a sportsweight they are both slightly thicker.

Good thinking says I! Watch the courses section for further updates.

 I am also going to be working on hexipuff development. What is ingenious about them is the way that they use magic loop on dpns - and this means that you are always on their fronts knitting in the round but on the flat then, of course, they are made for fair isle. You can also make beautiful looking scarves from Noro or something equally lux and, as it is on both sides, no reversing or stupid stitches necessary - so multicoloured yarns can be seen at their best.

 If you want to include Debbie Bliss baby Cashmerino or Millamia into your sock remnants you will need to cast on 18 stitches not 20 to start with as at a sportsweight they are both slightly thicker.

Today's Class

Well I was so impressed with my lovely lady today - from no Granny Squares to this:

and all in one day. In fact - I was so busy chatting and stuffing myself with egg sandwiches that she quite got ahead of me and ended up actually crocheting her piece together -which I reckon looks really nice and gives a border round the squares instead of those raised seams. She has gone off to do a whole pile of them with some lovely shades of Millamia and a bit of Debbie Bliss baby Cash thrown in for good measure.

Can't wait to see her cot blanket made up.

 

 

 I did leave the room in a bit of a mess but

  I will just make Jane tidy up tomorrow

  (Harsh!)                                                             

Spinning Completed

Well finally - here they are:

I have turned my plaited fluff into these - re knitted about 10 times - I started with a cowl and ended up with these little beauts instead. One is slightly larger than the other and I have no idea why - so to tighten them up I slightly fulled them - which also had the added bonus of making them softer and more blended.

I think they're rather lovely and,as ever with hand spinning , no one else has got them.

If you fancy a go at something similar don't forget to check out our spinning courses http://www.thewoolgarden.co.uk/courses/begin-to-spin-1041.html

Next one early April.

Off to teach Granny Squares now . . .check in later

British Summer Time

The Wool Garden:

Cant believe I have finally turned my spinning into knitting! More of that this evening . . .

As the weather turns more lovely (and about time) I need to share a guilty secret! I am one of those people who turn from knitting all day to gardening all day.

BUT - I still knit well into the small hours - and through the summer begin knitting about 11pm and go on and on and on - before I know it - it's 3am! Woke up this morning with 3am knitting arm - pins and needles (not Knit Pro either) and can barely move my bally hand. Yoga, chiropractor and circular needles all help - but am on a Millamia commission. You know the lovely Carlotta dress that uses every colour . . .




I have changed the pattern to knit it in the round - but top tip - if you do this (I am dividing for the neck shaping) you need to take 8 sts off the recommended stitch count (four each side) The benefits are that you are always knitting (so faster) and if you do make a mistake or want to alter the stripe size you match the colours exactly front and back.






                          Two more guilty secrets . . .

                           1. MY KNITTING BAG

                                needs sorting!

                      and 2. I have been thick!


For a year and a half my lovely website http://thewoolgarden.co.uk has been languishing in the doldrums with barely 10 visitors a day - finally I was told to put commas in between my keywords and overnight I have managed to make it to Google's front page! So I have become and overnight SEO expert!

That's it for now - off to the petrol shop for yes - can you believe it? Petrol for the lawnmower - better dust off those soggy cobwebs!!

Will post my gorgeous hand spun gloves as soon as I have sewn the ends in!

Spin a Blog

The Next Stage!


Now I realise if I was trying to produce yarn to sell in the shop I would have an enormous production problem!

However, just for a bit of relaxation and a great sense of achievement - here is the next stage. All plied and put onto the niddy noddy - yep you read that right - the niddy noddy.

This contraption is what produces the twist for the skeins. confession though, I must have been in a bad mood on Sunday listening to The Archers (Helen and Rob!) that I went a bit fast and furious and managed to over ply it. I took it all back off and undid it - the wonders of the spinning wheel and ended up with this knittable and scrumptious looking yarn.

All that effort for 100g of yarn.

But it is worth it because not one person in the world will have this apart from me.

I am going to take this to my WI talk at May Hill tonight so that everyone else can ooh and aaah over it. 

Will post what I knit with it eventually - but they do look so nice in the skein after spinning that to knit with it is like cutting a well iced birthday cake. It has to be done but you have to steel yourself!

Back off to the knitted Hungry Caterpillar and a commission for a Millamia Carlotta dress for a highly valued and tasteful customer.

The Wool Garden

Have been having a very busy week with my friends (also known as customers!) down at The Wool Garden. first a day spent with Kate who managed to produce all of this beautiful hand painted  yarn using my magic wool dyes, a microwave some cling film and a bowl of hot water! Can't wait to see what it knits up to - socks were mentioned!

Secondly a day with Mary producing some great homespun yarn - while learning to spin - to add to the jumper her mother had started. Really satisfying. I do hope she keeps it up because she really is a natural! for more courses don't forget to visit our site - and bear in mind the superb advanced Fair Isle class in damask knitting on Saturday 22 March. All details on our website http://thewoolgarden.co.uk/

Speaking of spinning I have been busy myself - turning some beautiful roving I acquired from Etsy shop The Wool Gatheringshttps://www.etsy.com/shop/woolgatherings

Over the past few wet nights have been turning it into some useable bobbins.







Almost can't wait to shut so I can get home and ply it!



All the brand new wool from Debbie Bliss and the summer pattern support is out and will be up on the site by Sunday. Oh yes - and I have to revamp our shop window while busying myself crocheting a pile of flowers in yellows greens and whites for the new spring look. For some reason I have lambs, primroses, daffs and baby knits all on the brain - musty be something to do with our 10% sale off all baby yarns - including Millamia and Baby Cash - so get over to the website or down to the shop over the next month and grab yourself a bargain!

http://thewoolgarden.co.uk/

 Hey Everyone
Just thought I would share the amount of one handed socks and gloves I have made recently! Must get round to doing the other ones soon. Right, so my mother bought me some wool for Christmas (honestly) and not from my shop either! Still the Latvian mittens are very challenging - but a real good fun knit.
I cant believe they are in four colours - they truly are!

Latvian Mittens - a work in progress

But my piece de resistance is - my own design using Debbie Bliss Blue Faced Leicester double knitting - I have really enjoyed doing these. I know they look a bit wonky but they have a right handed glove and I could only model them with my left because I couldn't take the photo - must get round to writing this one up so I can stick it on Ravelry - free of course - it has got foxes and dogs.
I tried to find a pattern for a bird but it was coming out way too huge so had to think again. All of this ties in very nicely with our up and coming Fair Isle workshop this Saturday.

The Wool Garden

Long time no blogging!
Had bronchitis over Christmas but luckily had done all my knitting by then - mastering good old fair isle - in fact I have gone fair isle crazy and made a zillion (at least 8) bobble hats - much in demand with several commissions,  and as Jim tells me very popular in night clubs! Have had to resew pom pom - whatever do these Londoners get up to?

We have a brill new course available at The Wool Garden on a Thursday afternoon learning all the great new techniques of fair isle and (phew) not taught by me! Our lovely visiting tutor Marianne Trevis - she of the Norwegian techniques - gently tutors knitters in the art of knitting in the round continental style which allows you to make wonderful patterns without pulling, twizzling or untwisting - truly incredible and has transformed me into compulsive colour work person.

I knitted this jumper in the round with Debbie Bliss Rialto Aran - it was really good for showing the picture in fine definiton.

I combined a series of patterns from my fairisle chart library and then gave them to people I liked for Christmas - good grief i even made and lined a bag And my fave - a hat for Jim's girlfriend Pippa who runs Pippa's Poppets up in the big smoke:

http://www.pippaspoppets.co.uk/Home.html

All other offspring get nothing because they are in the boiling hots of Asia - Thailand and Vietnam to be precise and they barely need a Tshirt let alone a bobble hat!
Best get started for next year.

If you fancy a day course there's one coming up on January 25. Just fancy my ancient hobby becomng so trendy!