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 . . . . .