KNIT NATION ..... STASH!!!!!!!

Hello there! Good to see you again. I seem to be busier on holiday that when I'm at school! Maybe that's because quite a lot of my time gets taken up with my second 'job'...... knitting! Anyway, here I am again. I promised to show you my Knit Nation purchases and here they are in all their glory. Judging by Ravelry pics, my haul is relatively meagre!!!!! Bearing in mind that there will be no 'Knit Nation' next year, due to the London 2012 Olympics, this little lot will have to see me through until 2013. Once I had arranged the skeins in my rather OCD need for colour orderliness, it became distinctly apparent that there has been a definite shift in my favoured colour choices. I had gone with the plan to buy solids and semi-solids, which could be used for patterned socks or shawls and scarves etc. I still love my bright colourways, but they don't work so well with some of my more recent pattern choices; in particular, the fabulous work of Anne Hanson, whose patterns I am becoming addicted to.

There are some really gorgeous yarns there, both 4ply and 2ply laceweight, from some of favourite dyers, such as Old Maiden Aunt, Juno Fibre Arts, Madelinetosh, Skein Queen and Sokkusu. 

I also bought a few pots of Helen Deighan's acid dyes to have a play with and some pretty little stitch markers, which always come in useful. Oh, and some highlighting tape to keep your place when chart or tricky pattern reading.

 Most of our purchasing and browsing in the Marketplace took place on Saturday. We had so much fun! Even the Saturday Bingo evening, the mention of which produced some rather rude guffaws from Mr Snoops, was so enjoyable. We met up and shared a table with two other Norfolk knitters and Anne Hanson came to join us. There were lots of amazingly generous knitty prizes!

 To aid our sock design skills, josiekitten and I had booked in to Cookie A's 'Sock Design' class on the Sunday. It was a lot of fun, very informative and well delivered, at just the right pace. After some detailed theory around sock design and stitch patterns, what works best and what to avoid, we were ready to have a go.

 I chose a fairly straightforward 6 stitch and 6 row pattern repeat and after plotting the rib and the pattern on some squared paper, I was ready for the off.

Cookie was on hand to advise and help out with any problems. After a relaxing knit to get our socks started, we finished with a 'show and tell' session. Everyone had made a good start, with some people choosing to go for some really advebturous pattern ideas.

Sadly my sock has got no further, but I a do plan to get on and finish them this holiday and then I will have a go at writing up the pattern. The phot below shows the true colour. The yarn really is puple and not navy blue!

I have been bursting to show you my fabulous birthday present from josiekitten. We always buy each other yarn related pressies and this year my pal decided to treat me to some of the scrummiest yarn I have ever had the good fortune to get my greedy little mitts on. Want to see!

 You really do need a fondle, but sadly I can't allow that. Just believe me, when I tell you that it is truly beautiful. It's 'Essence' 100% superwash merino in colouway Pussywillow, dyed by Kim Kaslow of  'The Woolen Rabbit' in Conway New Hampshire, all the way across the pond.  It was bought with a very special project in mind; one that I've had my eye on for well over a year. I have the pattern and have made a great start, but you'll have to wait until next time to find out what it is.

For today, let me leave you with a very peaceful shot taken the other evening at our local waterpark. 

So peaceful! Have a good week everyone. I may pop in again during the week, to show you a new toy that should be arriving.