Poncho fit for a princess!

I haven’t been able to knit much over the last couple of weeks as I have been away at my daughter’s. Before I went, though, I managed to finish a poncho for my two granddaughters, or ‘Princess Cape’ as the four year-old calls it.

I loved making the poncho. It was custom designed for both girls, and they had their own input. It shouldn’t be too close fitting around the neck, as neither girl likes that; it must have stripes; it shouldn’t use ‘scratchy’ yarn; and it should be quite long. Robyn, the younger girl, wanted it to reach the floor, but I managed to talk her out of that.  Armed with these instructions, and considerations, I did my best. I used an Aran or worsted weight yarn for the main color, and Noro Silk Garden self-striping yarn for the contrast garter stitch stripes, collar, and border. Suitable yarns for the main would be Debbie Bliss BFL Aran; Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran; Rowan Wool Worsted: Sublime Aran; Juniper Moon Aran.

I decided to work the poncho from the top down. I enjoy working in this manner, and it’s easy to try the garment on while in progress ( or it would be, if the intended recipients didn’t live 250 miles away. ) I started with the collar, in Noro Silk Garden, and in garter stitch, and then joined the work into the round when the collar was long enough. The body of the poncho was then worked as if I was knitting a raglan sweater, working eight increases on every alternate round. When the ‘sleeve’ section was long enough, I ceased increasing in these sections, and just continued with four increases in the Body sections every alternate round. I then continued in this manner until the poncho was the desired length, minus the border. I decided to work some short rows on the Back and Front borders to give some extra detail, but it could equally well be worked as simple garter stitch. I used a stretchy cast-off, in this case, the Russian Cast-Off, to create a nice edge.

Yarn requirements
Child (10year old) size:
4 x 50g balls Noro Hanabatake

250g Aran weight yarn, so effectively 3 x 100g balls/skeins

Adult size:
5 x 50g Noro Hanabatake

300g Aran yarn

Tension: 18sts and 25 rows to 10cm/4ins. 

Pattern will be available soon.

 

As ever, knit on!
Lesley

Mirasol Flash Sale

We had a great response to our flash sale last weekend – so we are doing it again!

Make a date in your diaries for this weekend as we are offering great prices on three beautiful yarns from the Mirasol range on these dates only. All shades available (whilst stocks last!)

Mirasol Lines included in the flash sale are:

Miski	Paqu Pura	Sami
RRP = £6.95 Now = £3.95	RRP = £12.95 Now = £7.95	RRP = £12.95 Now = £8.49

 

You can find our Flash Sale on the website!

New Debbie Bliss spring/summer yarns now available!

We’ve just taken delivery on some lovely new spring/summer yarns and books from Debbie Bliss!

Debbie has two new yarns for this season, Juliet and Mia.

Juliet, a summery tweed effect yarn is a mix of cotton and acrylic and is available in twelve pretty shades.  A sport weight yarn (between a DK and a 4 ply), Juliet knits to the same tension as Debbie’s popular Baby Cashmerino yarn.

The accompanying book, Juliet has thirteen designs for women including tops, cardigans, jackets and even a skirt which looks fabulous in this tweed effect yarn!  We love this on trend peplum top: 

Debbie’s other new yarn for Spring Summer 2014 is Mia, a soft DK weight blend of wool and cotton:

The accompanying book, Mia has thirteen knits for men, women, children and babies all in a casual, comfortable everyday style.

We love this sweet cardigan for little girls:

Pop back tomorrow for more exciting arrivals with the latest Louisa Harding books and yarns!

Happy Knitting!

Autumn Colours

Hi

Helen has asked me to try and write some stuff for the blog so as it’s my first attempt you’ll have to forgive me if I ramble… 

The shop has got that full of colour and yarns feel that is wonderful, we have all the new yarns for the autumn season although we’re waiting for a few new colours in some of last years yarns – we have enough to keep the eyes busy.

 

The natural browns and greys of Cocoon, one of the new Rowan yarns are beautiful and compliment the patterns well.  It’s proving to be a popular yarn so far.  As is the Kidsilk Aura, the new thick mohair, with patterns that range from basic comfort to intricate stylish patterns. As for me I am captivated by Louisa Harding’s new yarns and can’t decided with one I want to knit with.  I love her colour combinations. I have several projects on the go at the moment, one of which is a cardigan from Studio Four but using Fyberspates Alpaca sock yarn. One I have finished is another cardy in Fyberspates Scrumptious. 

 

 

 I am knitting Hannah from Debbie Bliss’ Rialto Aran book, one of the few patterns which are in Rialto DK, hopefully I’ll have it finished this week and it’ll be in the shop on display.