Scratching the Knitting Itch

The excitement over the launch of Margaret’s new book Wrapped in Lace is growing by the day – especially when on the receiving end of emails about how cool it is to see a whole edition of Knitting Daily devoted to it.

How very, very cool.

I’ve kind of run out of words to describe how awesome it is to have such an inspiring grandmother. Honestly, truly. It makes me wish that perhaps instead of going to university i’d gone for the daydream plan of moving to Christchurch and learning all I possibly could from Margaret.

You’ll see the mention that you can download one of the patterns for free. Yep, gratis! Here’s the link, go and download it. I think the challenge is on to knit it – perhaps once i’ve finished Citron.

See my pretty Citron above? My first ever proper Artisan Lace project, and I love love love it. Such an addictive knit, i’m almost there after about 4 days. Went down to a 3.25mm needle (from recommended 4mm) and will need to do at least one extra pattern repeat to get it big enough. Colour is the lovely Sage, which is now in the online shop if you fancy some 😀

There have been a few blogs posts popping up all over the place about the recent SOAR retreat in Wisconsin. A pretty special few days organised by Interweave and has rather prestigious teachers and attendees.

The Yarn Harlot is one of those knitting bloggers who tell it like it is – the good, bad, ugly and really splendid parts of the craft. Which is why she has a million zillion readers all over the world.

So it’s pretty cool to read about her falling in love with our very own Margaret during workshops at SOAR.

Thanks Stephanie, you’re more than welcome to visit down under anytime!

For those who have got their brand new copies of Margaret Stove’s ‘Wrapped in Lace’ hooray you! I’m am super duper jealous. I had a nosey at the draft copy and it looked amazing. If you are on the hunt for the yarn in the book, and it isn’t up in the shop, flick me an email and I will get back to you as soon as I can. A few photos need taking before I can have all the colourways online, but fingers crossed I will be organised enough to have those done this week.

To be honest, I haven’t yet knitted a single project in Artisan Lace – i’ve been a bit scared. It’s rather intimidating having such a talented grandmother, and I fear not being able to achieve the high quality she does. Today i’m casting on this, my first ever proper lace weight project, in Artisan Lace sage. (which isn’t yet up on the website, will be soon!). It might seem a bit silly not to done of Margaret’s patterns, but the plan is to get accustomed to the different feel of the yarn before I dive headfirst into a bigger, more challenging pattern. I’d love to knit one of the large circular shawls…one day!

PS There have been a few issues obtaining copies of the new book to sell here, however keep an eye out and i’ll post here as soon as they arrive. Can’t wait!

I’m a terrible craft2.0-er – I neglected to do my profile. Le Sigh.

But, here is a fraction of the yarn prepped or almost done in anticipation of Saturday…There is a whole laundry basket with Lea being labelled, plus skeins that I have to label – I better sell some of this as I need my office back!

I’ll also have a selection of Hazel Knits to squeeze, some 12 ply, and a small quantity of Artisan Lace. Not loads, as I have no idea how this is all going to fit on the stall….

The last couple of months have been, shall we say, stressful.

Not because of the lovely knitters, or stockists, or crafters, anything like that. It’s been all the stuff going on in the background that has worn me out.

At the end of September I sighed this great sigh of relief, and gazed longingly at October – a great whole month to get ready for Craft2.0.

What a dreamer! My paternal grandmother decided, after a rough winter, to move from Wellington to Auckland. The best decision for her, and a long overdue one. Seeing as my Dad is in Brisbane, and my Uncle is in Auckland, well – let’s just say it is quite a lot of work reassuring someone, who is anxious at the best of times, that selling a house for the first time ever (ever!) will be just fine. And that everything will be done, even if not as fast as she would like.

Hence lots of things have been neglected, one of those things being taking care of myself. So this week involves getting the last bits of dyeing done in preparation for Saturday, catching up on some emails, figuring out my set up, and most importantly – relaxing. The last thing anyone wants is a frazzled Tash amongst the yarn at Craft2.0.

If you pop over to The Little Craft Store blog you can have a sneak peek at some of the new colourways. But wait, there’s more! Yes indeedy, more new colourways! A whole frigging stall full of shiny new colourways! And, even better, Sonja is coming over from Brissy just for the occasion and will be hanging out too. Oh, and the lovely Lea!

Surely you don’t need more excuses to come along if you’re in Wellington? And even if you’re not, keep an eye here and on twitter where i’ll send out messages once the new colours are in the online shop.

PS I’m posting some other new colours to Michele at Mishi Yarns in Ellerslie too….

PPS I booked flights to Auckland in the first weekend of December – sat to tues. Who wants to catch up? 😀