This week has flown by in a very good busy kind of way. There has been an enormous amount of knitting behind the scenes, plotting designs and sorting out samples. So much fun!!
Although it’s too early to tell you about any of the new things I’m working on, I realise that I haven’t yet shown you the possum version of the Latticework Cowl:
This version is knitted in Zealana Heron in the Cloud Blue colourway. You can see the softer look of the stitches in this version caused by the halo from the possum fibres. Of course, it’s very snuggly and soft as well! I love it as much as the original in Maniototo Wool.
I’m working on a third version in alpaca at the moment. I think it will be interesting to see how the alpaca performs in a structured cable design.
I knitted a quick hat for the older boy over the weekend. Haven’t managed to get a photo yet. It’s a basic slouchy beanie in worsted weight (design out of my head). I had a lone skein of Dark Charcoal Cascade 220 floating in my stash that was the perfect thing for this beanie. He seems quite happy with it. I was so happy with it that I’m knitting another now – this time for my brother-in law.
The Crenate socks were also finished.
I love the fancy detailing around the ankle and heel. It’s interesting that the pattern for this sock instructs a much smaller level of slip stitch rib than is shown in the pattern pictures on Ravelry. I ended up knitting quite a few more rows than suggested in the pattern as the heel was far too shallow otherwise, but I think the heel would be better knitted as shown in the pictures on Ravelry (maybe she updated the design after it was printed in The Knitter, where I got this pattern?) I am slightly worried that the heel will wear out too fast knitted like I have knitted it. However, they do look very pretty. I hope the recipient likes them.
The New Zealand alpaca/merino/nylon sock yarn base I used is so lovely that I’m glad I’ll be casting on using this base again soon for the older boy’s annual pair of winter socks. This time it’s from Happy-go-knitty in a self-striping combination of soft blues that look just like striped pyjamas to me!
Finally, a Happy Mother’s Day to all mums who read this blog! I hope you had (are having) a wonderful day and were/are being appropriately spoiled by your families. I was very surprised to receive a beautiful bouquet from my daughter (who lives overseas). The two boys managed to acquit themselves very well too – the younger boy surprised me by cutting up a plate of fruit and cracking a handful of walnuts for me, all presented very neatly on a plate, as a mother’s day snack, along with a pretty handmade card. He cut out a whole heap of beautiful hearts and decorated the door frame to the living room with them as well. Such a sweetie! And the older boy, not to be outdone, washed and dried the day’s dishes all by himself!! No mean feat considering I decided to get energised on the baking front today and baked no less than two pumpkin pies and an apple cake, and then made a very large pot of soup for dinner. There was quite a pile of washing-up to do…
I have been very spoiled indeed this weekend.