How did this happen?

I was determined that apart from my Manos designs (more about that in a minute) I would not be casting on anythign else this month. I've got a quick knit to finish for a magazine for end of next week, my Knitty submission and a few other projects on the needles and I do not have time for a new wip now.

But yesterday I was in knitting heaven, ie Spin A Yarn. I'd seen some gorgeous Alchemy yarn the previous week which I'd resisted then and nearly bought yesterday but I managed to resist, but this ball of Noro Kureyon Sock yarn was just too tempting for me. Actually I bought 2 balls.
Then when I came home I looked through my stash of beads and found these gorgeous purple ones from a cute little bead shop in Totnes.

A few ideas went through my head and before I knew it I had this one the needles:

And look, as well as lots of gorgeous purple and violet shades, there's green in there too. the beads are perfect. I won't say too much about what I'm knitting yet as it may become a secret project.

So I gave in to temptation last night and allowed myself to knit on the new project all evening. It was a nice and easy knit and I was tired.

Had a great day at Spin A yarn by the way. Pixie came down for the day too and it was nice to catch up. We didn't have time to stay for as long as normal yesterday as I had to get back for a meeting at school.

Now to my Manos del Urugay news. Artesano, who distributes Manos del Urugay yarns in the UK, have asked me to design 3 patterns for the new Manos laceweight yarn. The new lace yarn is a gorgeous blend of baby alpaca, silk and cashmere and is lovely to knit with. I've been doing a lot of swatching with it and have just e-mailed off the pattern to Pixie so she can get started on one of the designs for me. I'm doing the other two myself. I'm designing one lace scarf and two lace garments. Now, I know a lot of people will probably think 'a sweater in a laceweight yar?? never! It'd take forever'. Well, most of the sizes take about 150gr of laceweight yarn and if you think about it, a big lace shawl is 100gr, so a sweater is not really that much bigger than a shawl. Anyway, I'm very excited about this assignment and can't wait to get started with it. I've got a short deadline though as it all has to be finished by end of FEbruary so I really cannot afford any more distractions like the one last night.

E-mails have apparently already gone out to yarn shops about the new Manos yarn and the accompanying designs. Two other designers are working on designs for this new yarn too but I'm not sure who they are or what they're knitting. I can't wait to see all the new yarns and the designs in yarn shops soon though.

I've spent the morning grading and writing up the pattern for the garment Pixie is knitting up for me. Now I've got to go and get hte sock club parcels done. Huge apologies to hte sock club members again. Parcels will be going out tomorrow which is a few days late. Yarn's looking gorgeous though.

Friendship Shawl

The Friendship Shawl is ready and can be downloaded here. The pattern is offered for free but in return I ask that you consider making a donation to Shelterbox. Shelterbox is a charity which responds instantly to natural and man-made disasters worldwide by providing boxes of aid to those that are most in need. Each box supplies an extended family of up to 10 people with a tent and essential equipment to use while they are displaced or homeless. I've seen an example of the boxes and they're really cool.

You can download the pattern here and donate through Just Giving on the same page. The shawl is suitable for all levels of experience. Even if you've not knitted lace before this pattern is not difficult at all and contains charts and written instructions for the lace pattern. You'll need 200gr of 4ply/fingering weight yarn and 4mm needles.

I've updated the shop today too. We've got some Supreme Sock:

Some Exotic Cobweb Lace:

And only two colours of Supreme Lace, but aren't they pretty:

I've got tooth ache and have been to the dentist today for a temporary filling and antibiotics. Not slept very well for the last two days which has increased my neck pain too and I've got a thundering headache. Not my best day. I hope things improve for the weekend.

Have a great weekend.

Rowan Fashion Show

I had a great evening out last night. First I made a quick trip into Spin A Yarn for a ball of yarn for my Mum so she can finish off her Rowan cardigan. Then I headed down the road to a pub and knitted while waiting for 2 friends to turn up. We had a drink together and knitted and chatted and nearly got to the fashion show late. The fashion show was held at hte Devon Guild of Craftsmen which was right next to the pub and I looked at my watch and realised it was 18.23 and it started at 18.30. time flyes when you're knitting. The coffeeshop was packed when we turned up and we struggled to get a seat. In the end we sat in the comfy sofa and coffee table corner rather than at any of the proper tables. Much more comfy really. I immediately got my knitting out. I was working on a sleeve last night and as I'm struggling to get this project finished on time I didn't want to miss an evening of knitting. i knit continental style and I knit quite fast and I don't normally look down at my knitting much if I'm doing stockign stitch. So I was sitting there chatting with my friends and knitting along while people were queing up for the bugget. The queue went right past our table and we decided that instead of standing in a long queue, we'd just relax and wait. The number of people who were looking at my knitting style and commenting on my speed was quite funny and made me feel a little self-conscious. I just kept feeling eyes on me. Several people were amazed that I didnt have to look at all and how fast I knitted. Proof again how quick and efficient the continental method is. I took the opportunity to point out that I teach continental knitting at Spin A yarn. Spin A Yarn was hosting the event.

On the coffee table in front of us was piles of yarn which turned out to be the raffle prizes for the evening. MOst of it was Rowan and it was all divided into bags of 3 or 4 different types of yarn. I was lucky to win one rafffle prize and my friend one a prize and let me choose the yarn. I had threee yarn combos I was keen to win but unfortunately they went before my ticket was called out.

I won this trio of felted tweed, kid classic and kidsilk aura. All Rowan yarns. I've never knitted with any of htem actually. I frequently buy odd balls of yarn to use for swatching for new designs, so that's what I'm intending to do wiht this lot.

My second prize was a group of summery yarns. The pink one is Rowan Pima Cotton DK, the green one Rowan Lenpur - which I love, the blue one Rowan silk cotton which I'm not sure is still in their reange and the beige one is unlabelled but feels like cotton. Again I'll use some of them for swatching and the others I may crochet some dishclots out of eventually.Now to the fashion show. Grace and Annabel from Rowan were there. Grace is Rowan's new designer and is a customer at Spin A Yarn as is her mum and grandmother apparently. She was showing her new designs for Rowan Studio. They were nice and obviously aimed at the young and trendy. Not quite my taste but then I'm probably 20 years older than their target age range. A lot of reverse stocking stitch which I don't like. The rest of the collection featured a variety of designs, most in very neutral colours. There were one or two things I liked but nothing that stood out really. Several people were unimpressed with the designs on show actually. I liked seeing the new Rowan yarn Revive (I think thats what it's called) Don't think it's in the shops yet but it sounds like an interesting yarn. Grace and Annabel were talking about the designs as they were being modelled but neither of them had a microphone and it was difficult to hear what they said.

But even though the fashion show was a bit of a disappointment the evening was great. Food was great and saw a lot of people I knew. I'd definitely go again.

Now i'd better get back to my knitting.

Dont' forget to check the post below for the winner of the organic merino shawl name competition.

Name Competition - winner

I've just written down all the name suggestions for the shawl and wow, so many great suggestions. My favorites are Ice Queen - but I feel it's too close to Snow Queen and I've already got a shawl named Snow Queen, Hugs, Warm Embrace, Cherish, Frost, Friendship and Douillet. My final short list is Cherish and Friendship and I'm finding it hard to decide between the two. So I'll think about it while I finish this post.

I've been dyeing yarn this morning, some Exotic Cobweb Lace, Supreme Sock & Lace and the sock variety club yarn for February. The sock club yarn will be posted on Monday. Should be posted on Friday but I don't have the car on Friday and there are too many parcels to walk to the post office. I've dyed a few spares so if you fancy joining there is still time.

In a little while I'm off out for the afternoon and the evening. I'm going to a Rowan fashion show at the Devon Guild of Craftsmen in Bovey Tracey. The fashion show is organised by Spin A Yarn and i'm popping in there before the show too. Not to get any yarn for myself but to get some more yarn for my Mum, she's nearly finished a Rowan cardigan and has run out of yarn. Then I'm meeting a couple of friends for a drink and some knitting before the show starts. I'll be knitting my way through the show as I've got a deadline this week and i'm a bit behind right now. I'm taking the sleeve as a stocking stitch sleeve is easy to knit while i'm watching the fashion show. I've got some shopping to do on the way too.

My biggest decision this afternoon is trying to decide which knitted scarf/shawl to wear. It's between the new Rosebud Stole and the organic merino shawl. The Rosebud Stole is gorgoeus and the colour matches the purple top I'm wearing today. But it's cold today and the organic merino shawl and the matching handwarmers would be warmer. Perhaps I'll wear the organic merino shawl on the way there and change to the Rosebud Stole for the fashion show. Decisions, decisions! I'll try and take some pictures. I'm assuming it'll be the Rowan spring/summer collection on show today. I've never knitted a Rowan pattern but I did translate the pattern for my Mum's cardi for her.

Right, decision time. I've decided that the organic merino shawl will be called 'The Friendship Shawl' and the winner is Mieke. Can you contact me through my website please and I'll organise your prize to be sent to you.

The pattern is not quite ready yet, I may get it ready for tomorrow but it's more likely to be Thursday or Friday. My deadline project has to take priority this week so I think I'll say that the pattern will be launched on Friday. That'll give me time to sort everything out. I'll tell you why I chose Shelterbox as my charity too then.

New Design

The Rosebud Stole was first published in Yarn Forward a couple of years ago and I've been meaning to add it to the website for a long time but I wanted it re-knitted in one of my current yarns. As I kept pushing it down my to-do list I finally asked Pixie to knit it up for me. She did a fantastic job and the pink version in the pics below is the new Rosebud Stole knitted up in Angel Lace. It can also be knitted up in Bambino Lace, Exotic Lace and Supreme Lace. It takes 800m/100gr laceweight yarn.
The orange version is knitted in Merino Lace (I think Pixie knitted this one too) which I don't stock anymore. The pattern is now available from the Anni Design Ravelry shop and my website.

I promised a more indepth post about the new organic merino shawl and Shelterbox. I've been rather busy but I promise I'll try to find time to do a proper post about Shelterbox and the shawl tomorrow. I'm also hoping to have the pattern ready tomorrow or Tuesday.

In the meantime, if you want to join the naming competition, see the post below. This pattern will be available for free in exchange for a donation to Shelterbox.

We've had gorgeous weather this weekend and went for a walk this afternoon at Mount Edgecumbe Country Park which is across the river from Plymouth. We had fabolous views across the river to the Devonport Dockyard and up the Tamar river. I should have brought my camera but forgot.

Knittingwise, I'm still working on a secret project and I've been doing a lot of swatching and charting for a new secret project. This new secret project is using an exciting new yarn which I'm loving. I'm not sure how much I'm allowed to say about this yet so I won't tell you anything more now. But it'll be my main project for February and it's a big assignment and I'm very excited about it.

Tonight I'm looking forward to a relaxing evening watching Dancing on Ice and knitting. I may even pull my spinning wheel out for a bit of spinning. i've nearly finished the grey merino I've been working on for months now.

Check back tomorrow for the winner of the organic merino shawl competition. See the post below for more details about that.

Name Competition

I've decided to have a name competition for the new Organic Merino Shawl. I can't think of a name. It's incredibly soft, warm and feels very comforting to wear. Like wearing 'a big hug'.
I'm planning to offer this pattern as a fundrainsing pattern for Shelter Box. But more about that tomorrow or Friday. I don't have time to write about all the details and the good work Shelter Box do now.

If you'd like to enter this competition. Write your suggestion in the comments and check back on Monday when I announce the winner. The winner will win two skeins of sock yarn suitable to knit this pattern and a copy of hte pattern. I'm hoping to have the pattern ready by next week and more on the fundraising tomorrow or Friday.

Off the needles!

I have had a very succesful weekend when it comes to finishing projects. Two projects have come off the needles this weekend and two more were started (but more about that later). The first project that came off the needles was my Organic Merino Shawl, which doesn't have a name yet. I finished it on Friday evening and blocked it immediately so I could wear it when I went to Bovey Tracey on Saturday afternoon. I love it! It's so soft and warm and felt really cosy worn as a scarf.

I quickly did some photos this afternoon, they're not brilliant but I'll try and do another photo shot tomorrow but doesn't it look pretty:
Here's a close up of the border which is knitted at the same time as the body.

This shawl took 2 skeins and was knitted in two havles. I also have matching handwarmers but forgot to photograph those.

Recently I finished a new version of the Scrolls Cowl. I included some shaping to make it sit better on the shoulders. The original version was knitted in Luscious Lace but this one is knitted in Fantasy sock yarn which is gorgeous to knit with. I also knitted some cuffs which I've not photographed. It was actually the cuffs I finished this weekend. I was nearly finished wiht the first one on Friday night and by Sunday afternoon the second one was off the needles. I'll try to get a photo of both tomorrow.

After getting these two projects finished I hadn't planned to start anything new apart from my next secret project. But last night i needed to wind some yarn for my Granny Square blanket and got a bit carried away and wound up one skein of Fantasy sock yarn and a skein of cashmere 4ply. Having wound the yarn I had to start something with it. So with the cashmere 4ply I started a shawl which is gorgeous. I have decided to keep this as a secret project as I may submit it somewhere - not quite decided yet.

With the Fantasy sock yarn I cast on for a pair of socks using my square needles. I'm not sure about these needles yet, I've not used them much yet. I've started a new pattern featuring gorgeous cables. This design suddenly popped in to my head last night and I just had to start. I actually had a different idea for my next pair of socks but never mind. I'm thinking this pattern may be used for the March Sock Variety Club, I don't think I'll have time to finish them for the FEbruary club.

Tonight I need to start a new secret project for Let's Knit. I've done the grading today and just need to draw it up on graph paper then I'm ready to start. I'd better hide the two projects I started this weekend for the time being. they're too tempting.

I had a great afternoon in Bovey Tracey on Saturday afternoon, I spent a while in Spin A Yarn looking at yarns and choosing some yarns to swatch for autumn designs. I got some more purple Silk Blend for my Giant Granny Square. Also spent a while looking at patterns for dog coats and berets with my friend, Marianne. I couldn't believe how busy the shop was when we were there. It's great to see a thriving yarn shop. Afterwards we met Marianne's friend, Barbara, at the Devon Guild of Craftsmen and had a lovely lunch at their cafe.

On Sunday afternoon we went to a lake up on the moors, Siblyback Lake, about 10 mins drive from us. We walked a 1/4 way around the lake then back again. Afterward we went over to the club house and I sat down knitting and Simon and Emily were doing a bit of bird watching and duck spotting. Lots of birdlife around the lake.

Here's a view of the lake with hte club house in the distance:

Emily, wearing my King Cole Alpaca Sweater from Let's Knit January issue, birdwatching:

Wonder who she's spotted here?

I've done a yarn update now, only a few skeins of Silky Merino, Supreme Lace and two skeins of the brand new Supreme Sock, which is the same merino/silk blend as Supreme Lace. I also dyed some grey Falkland Merino for myself. I'm spinning some natural grey merino but I've only got 100gr. I thought about plying it with some natural grey alpaca but I've decided to spin the second bobbin of singles with the grey Falkland Merino instead. I think I'll try to make some time for spinning tonight.

I went to see a friend this afternoon. She's been given an old Louet spinning wheel and was having problems and wasn't sure whether it was her technique or the wheel. I had a play with it. Can't say I was too keen on it. Adjusting the tension was a bit awkward but we got it right in the end and Claire had another go and managed to spin some quite nice looking yarn in the end. It made me want to make more time for spinning so this week I may try to spin for 30 mins every evening before I go to bed.