Whilst it was battling with some stunning new designs from established designers and festival favourites for attention, I noticed a little spike in activity on my Ravelry shop over the weekend which suggests that knitters' interest was piqued enough to want to see more. It's a start.
For those of us stuck at home there was the #festivalathome organised by Louise Tilbrook of The Everyday Knitter facebook group. Some members really got into the festival spirit at home with lots of new cast ons and a few yarny purchases from the comfort of the sofa (hoorah for no queues!). I joined in by finally casting on a beautiful pair of fairisle wrist warmers that I bought as a kit as a treat for my birthday back in January. Designed by the lovely @lucylocketland (go follow her on Instagram if you don't already!), the kit comes with a printed pattern - including a black and white chart you can colour in with your own chosen colours! - all the yarn you need to complete the project and a cute little stitch marker. There are loads of different colourways available but I fell in love with those nature inspired colours of green and gold. It's a really lovely pattern and I had forgotten how much I enjoy knitting with jumperweight Jamieson and Smith Shetland wool (The last project I knit in J&S was this fab Bonny top in laceweight). Lucy has just released another kit for a fairisle hot water bottle cover which looks just amazing and may well be going on my wish list! I do hope she continues to design more fairisle loveliness for us.
After an enforced knitting break over the past few weeks (due to a trapped nerve in my shoulder made worse by rubbish posture whilst sat in old saggy sofa, knitting) this week I was able to get my knitting mojo properly back up and running and started work on a new design that has been simmering on the back burner for sometime. I am working with the luscious lustrous Tamar by Blacker Yarns which is just an incredibly beautiful yarn to knit with. It has a softness that feels luxurious but a bite that suggests a hard wearing yarn that will only get better with wear. And the colours make me swoon!
Not wanting to give too much away yet but this design uses three colours and there is lace, stripes and lots of lovely garter squish...
So that was my week. I hope yours was good too and as full of yarny goodness!
With love x