Life LackaDaisiCal

What? You don't like to swatch? Well, why not cast on and make a simple cowl swatch... Calculate how many stitches you need for your particular yarn.. (recommended gauge x the size you want your cowl!) cast on, and knit round and round.....let the yarn run through your fingers....how does it feel? Here is an easy, no stress way to "get to know" a new yarn... Does it split easily?  Does it catch? Do you like the colour transfers? Do a bit of rib and see what that looks like... The only way to KNOW a yarn is to KNIT with it! With a hand dyed yarn like Rowan's Fine Art Aran....it is interesting to see how it looks in stocking stitch, and in REVERSE stocking stitch ....I love how the reverse side really mutes the shade changes... Of course, without any rib, stocking stitch will roll...I don't mind, after all, it's a simple swatch cowl! After a quick press with a hot steamy iron, I LOVE IT EVEN MORE! It drapes, it's so soft a...

Quick links: "The Lonely Tree Shawl" by Silvia Bo Bilvia My  Lonely Tree Shawl project page  on Ravelry Yarn: Lorna's Laces Haymarket , in the shade "Flushing" Where'd I get my yarn?  At  The Needle Emporium  Knit Camp! I was determined not to buy any more yarn at Knit Camp... I'd arrived with a bit of my own to knit up, but I fell head over heels for this lovely shawlette and bought a skein of Lorna's Laces Haymarket on the spot.  I just couldn't resist the Flushing shade! It is hard to describe and hard to photograph..... I cast on when I got home from Camp, and cast off on our way to cottage country for the Thanksgiving weekend!  Lucky...as I ended up needing to wear it as it was cold out on the water! I added this shawl to my outfit for the day - it was cool on the water! I was already layered in wool with my Mary and my Easy Folded Poncho!   It was a glorious day, and the fall ...

A little Life LackaDaisiCal fairy tale..... A day out with a friend.... all dressed up with no where to go! Oh, a phone call from the hubby! Him:  Where are you?  You'd better not be at the yarn store! Me:  No dear....not at the yarn store.....yet! ha ha ha ha ha! Quick links: "Easy Folded Poncho" by Churchmouse Yarns and Teas there are 186  EFP's done in Felted Tweed on Ravelry My Easy Folded Poncho project page on Ravelry Yarn: +RowanYarns Felted Tweed DK , shade Treacle (145) My Rowan Stockist -  The Needle Emporium I love the sheer simplicity, the rhythm of stocking stitch....yes, it's a lot of stocking stitch!   When "yarning up" for this project, I knew I wanted the shade "Treacle" but I didn't have enough in my stash for the project.  I had 4 and I needed 7!  So what's a knitter to do! Well, you go to your LRS and buy some more!  I'd had my stash of Treacle for a while, so of course...

I've been down in the basement......in my yarn room......looking at my STASH! Because I've finished Claudia, a Kim Hargreaves design from her "Smoulder" collection! Should my next knit be another Kim design? I'll have to decide.... Someone always wants to join in the photo fun! Quick links: "Claudia" by Kim Hargreaves from her collection" Smoulder "   "Claudia" pattern page on Ravelry My Claudia on Ravelry Yarn:  +RowanYarns   Kid Classic , Shade 872, Earth My Rowan Stockist - The Needle Emporium I thought this "Earth" shade of Rowan Kid Classic yarn would look wonderful photographed outside with a backdrop of glorious autumn leaves! I had planned to go back into the wood lot on the farm next door....but on Friday the wind was howling and outdoor photography was frankly scary and would have been foolish among a stand of old trees. Alternative arrangements had to be made!   ...