Eight-by-Six

Try try again. Not one to usually listen to my own advice (seriously) last night I decided to revisit an old UFO/WIP that I started last April (I think). OK so I was supposed to be pattern testing and I've apologised to the lovely design many many times but I just couldn't get past a 31 row zig zag lace panel decrease. I know what I was doing wrong but late night knitting was proving a stumbling block so it went back into its bag ready to re surface when I was ready. One night last week I was ready and it came out and guess what? Yes, I conquered my fear of the 31 row lace panel and managed to knit 20 rows, yeah! Not only am I in love with this pattern again Follow Your Dream Shawl but I'm also head over heels in love with the Scheepjes Whirl Yarn again that I bought from Lynn at Lusciously Loopy Here is my shawl in progress last week, just a few more evenings and it will be ready to block then wear. About to start the lace panel again lace panel completed ...

I finished my second Hitchhiker shawl on Saturday evening and I have to say I just love it in this Ocean Blue colour. I decided to add the eyelet row to row 8 of the pattern and I wasn't disappointed, just look at that drape! You can find my first Hitchhiker shawl in Batik Swirl  HERE Ocean Blue shawl If you are in need of a hug in a shawl then pop over to my Etsy account, its now listed and needs a new home. In the meantime I've started a new project for me, a Stashbuster jumper using the fabulous Debbie Bliss Rialto DK and Heathers range. Pure luxury just for me. This is the main colour Denim in the Debbie Bliss Rialto Heathers range, isn't it lovely?  (now discontinued but I managed to gran the last 7 skiens in C&H Canterbury) oh happy days.

Have you ever bought yarn and not had a project in mind? Of course you all have. My yarn stash is growing rapidly. I bought the Batik Swirl in colourway stargazer ages ago from Lynn at Lusciouslyloopy  and its sat on my office desk waiting for me to dive into it. I don’t know why it took me so long, maybe its because I have so many UFO or WIPS or because the right pattern hadn’t found me. Last weekend when I was supposed to be finishing a new daisy cowl for my Etsy shop I decided to play around with the Hitchhiker shawl pattern, I was amazed at how well the yarn knitted up. So much so I’ve not really put it down and spent most of Sunday knitting, like you do when you get new yarn you love. Its grown to 27 teeth with another 120 rows left to knit. As the rows get longer the stripes get narrow, I love the way the shawl is evolving and the colours are just so lovely together. Last night I finished the green stripe and started the pink, the two colour combinations tog...