YPF...................Orange Blossoms

This weeks skein is Orange Blossoms: a 4ply Merino Cashmere Sock yarn (new) by The Knittery. The Knittery has closed up shop in Australia and has moved to the US. The shop is closed until further notice so I snapped up this skein before Socktopus runs out of it altogether. The yarn is gorgeous to handle and makes lovely socks and shawls.

I love the rich fruity colours in this skein.

Don't you?

I feel like its a bowl of fruit salad like the chews of my childhood.

It looks so soft!!

And it is!!

I only wish I had the time to knit all the lovely patterns that would be perfect with this yarn. Here's one I fancy. What would be your first choice if it was your skein? :D

Parcel........... numero dos

The second parcel to arrive this week was my lovely parcel from Alice! A newly wed too!! Congratulations!!!

I love it! And apparently I am still to get my sock blockers, so the experience of receiving is extended still. :) The sock is a lovely toe up pattern by the talented Erqsome. I have wound one ball already in anticipation :) But I have a couple of PIF gifts to finish first and then I will start! :)


The yarn is Shelridge Farm Ultra Handpainted Sock in Arcade Fire. :)



It is lovely and soft too :)

More socks..................

Another pair of socks for January. These are knitted to my own pattern which I still need to type up. This pattern was created specifically for the Evolution yarn from Chameleon Colorworks, which I displayed yesterday on YPF. The cuffs are a little short, although I personally like short ankle socks, however there is enough yarn left over to knit another 2 inches of rib on the cuff if that is preferred. I was just afraid of running out of yarn initially as these skeins are smaller [2oz/154yds (~57g/141m)] than some but ?sportweight :) These socks were knitted on 3mm Knitpick Options DPNs. The socks are for a UK size 6 Foot length 9 3/4 ".

I also cast on another pair of Monkeys. I had been wearing the No Purl Posh ones and just had to have another pair to wear while the other one was drying! These are cast on in SkeinQueen's Plushness (same base yarn as Posh Emily) the colour is Sugared Almonds. The yarn reminded me of the little 'favours' we had on the tables at our wedding reception. Here is the progress pics. One done............I also used my Harmony Options Dpns 2.75mm for the first time and I love them!!





I must add a word or two of Congratulations to Kerrie et al at Yarn Forward Magazine. This edition is the best yet! I loved the 'real life' models way better than airbrushed stick insects . Lots of very interesting articles which held interest for my children too! Loved Tess' Rabbits but the kids CANNOT have one! Lovely knits in the magazine, new techniques (to me anyway) and a very easy to read layout. I enjoyed my first skim and am looking forward to more in depth reading and knitting. I will definitely be renewing my subscription!





Another Congratulations to a Forum Friend Anni from YarnAddictAnni blog on her sock design. Diamonds are very pretty and are a girl's best friend after all :D

Evolutionary processes........

The first of the adult size version of the little ribbed socks I did for my son is now completed. This wonderful yarn Chameleon Colorworks Evolution is 100% wool but because of the treatment it receives during processing it loses nearly all of the stretchiness that you expect of 100% wool. The challenge when knitting socks with it is to use a pattern which will compensate for that loss of stretchiness. This pattern I believe does that. I will test knit the second next and write up in a future post for anyone else who wants to have a little silky soft evolutionary sock. :)


This sock is for a UK size 6 foot and is knitted with 3mm needles. As you can see there is enough yarn over to make a bigger sock than I have knitted. I was being cautious with the first skein. The colourway is Peacock and I bought it at Socktopus. I also received Cat Bordhi's new Sock book from Alice this morning. Wow!!! I will be busy for a while reading that...........

Having a Blue Period!!!!

I've noticed a blue theme with the last 5 WIPs. I wonder why, any ideas? I'm not feeling blue.

First: Progress with my Salish Sea Socks by Cat Bordi knitted with STR-M Coola Bella (RSC dec 07). I'm disappointed that the blog is now closed and help with these is no longer available through the usual channels, rug and off feet springs to mind!

Second: Progress with an Adult version of the Evolution Rib socks I knit for my DS2. The colourway is Peacock and I got it from Alice at Socktopus.

Third: My first knitted dishcloth, this is small at the yarn is fine fingering weight/knitted on 3.25mm needles. I tried a pattern, can you tell what it is?

Fourth: the first of my Posh Emily Monkeys in Stormy Seas colour.


Fifth: The Haven scarf for my aunt in Hipknits Silk/Cashmere 4ply, also blue.


I am going to finish at least 3 of these before casting on another knit!! I promise. :)

'Gifts' Galore...............................

I got home from picking my sister up from Newcastle Co Down this morning to find the postman had left 3 parcels. One was some Piece of Beauty discontinued Merino Sock yarn I had 'traded' off a fellow Ravelry member. Another was another 'trade' from a friend Piglottie and the third was a thank you gift from my Monkey Pal Sheryl who I had sent my Monkeys socks etc to me a few weeks back. I love the Eleanora sock pattern, it was on a 'to buy' list. :) What can I say I'm overwhelmed by the pleasantness of the trades and the gifts, Thank you all :)