Scratching the Knitting Itch

All the suggestions for the ‘What colourway is Hermione’ comp were so fantastic I decided I couldn’t possibly choose. So instead, I have used a random number generator to pick me 2 winners. The number 1 winner will receive 2 skeins of ‘Hermione’ as designed by them, and the number 2 winner will receive 2 skeins of ‘Granger’ as designed by them. Hooray!

Drum roll please….the winners for the ‘What colourway is Hermione?’ competition are…

Comment number 5…

Heather Kinne with:

Hermoine is a serious maroon and gray blend with thin bands of Griffyndor gold. There’s probably a mathematical percentage of each color, because knowing Hermoine, she has to get it “right.”

and comment number 11…

Vicki with:

I’m thinking……. various depths of caramel and a bit of golden brown.

I’ll dye these two up in the next couple of days and will post early next week, so Heather and Vicki, please email tash(at)knitschyarns(dot)co(dot)nz with your postal address.

Congrats! And thanks to much to all those who entered!

There have been a few queries coming through lately about Prince William’s shawl, designed, spun and knitted by Margaret as a commission from the High Country Sheep Breeders of New Zealand in 1982, as a presentation gift on the occasion of the prince’s christening.

As it was a private commission the pattern cannot be sold, however Wrapped in Lace does feature a pattern that uses components of the designs.

Last year I wanted to find out where the shawl was held, as we only have average photos of it, and I thought it would be wonderful to see it while I was in the UK. Sadly I didn’t get very far on the hunt, but i’m determined again to track it down.

The information I have from Margaret is that it is in the private collection of the Prince of Wales. It toured Britain in an exhibition of official gifts during the period following Prince William’s birth but she has not heard of it being in an exhibition since then.

The only contact details I can find for Wills is a postal address and phone number, so it looks like i’ll be writing some letters! There is a brain I can pick in the Te Papa textiles department, so at least that is a start…i’ll keep you posted on the hunt!

For an updated blog post on the shawl and the one presented to the Duke & Duchess of Kent on the arrival of Prince George, see here. You can purchase Artisan Gossamer Lace to knit the Filmy Fern shawl with from our online shop.

I’m still mulling over the winner for the what colourway is Hermione competition, and promise i’ll announce the winner (or winners….) by the end of the week.

In the meantime, i’ve been thinking of treating myself. It’s been a super fast, crazy year, and while I should spend money on sensible things, that I need (clothes, or shoes, or a haircut), i’m more likely to end up buying one of these…

An art work by my new favourite artist, Shane Hansen…

Pania and Friendly by Shane Hansen (pic from Clever Bastards)

Tiki Light Blue by Shane Hansen (pic from Clever Bastards)

The lust worthy Frankie bag by Saben (thanks Wanda Harland, just don’t buy it from there, it’s mine!)

What would you treat yourself to, if money was no object? And what is inspiring you this week?

Wow, have you seen the new Twist Collective? It is incredible. How inconsiderate of them to hugely increase my queue, now, when I’m just trying to get through the one I already have amassed?

My favourites? Fireside, Sin Miedo by the lovely Ruth Garcia-Alcantud (wouldn’t they look fabulous in Gold Rush?), the adorable Leif & Astrid, elegant Leaving, and Skalva.

That’s being restrained! Goodness. Twist Collective is one of those truly valuable and revolutionary concepts in knitwear design, and i love every issue. Go and enjoy!

The yarn club invoices have all gone out, and there are 5 (yep, only 5) special spots left for some lucky peeps.

Also added to the shop today are most of the new colourways. Elspeth was a little too popular for her own good, and got herself sold out already. She will be added later in the week when the new batches have finished drying.