Finished, Finished, Started

 Yesterday was definitely a good knitting day.

Firstly I got all the ends sewn in on my Foxtails Wrap (WestKnits design). It's confirmed a couple of things - firstly, I enjoy brioche knitting so the brioche sweater I was considering will be a good idea (barring the high possibility of snagging the finished item) - secondly, I don't enjoy knitting long repetitive designs. The pink yarn, from North Shire Yarns, which included silk and cashmere in the mix was wonderful to work with. The grey brushed alpaca from Drops acted as the perfect counterpoint.

The next finish was my third Snuggle Is Real cowl designed by Max the Knitter, this one's for me and given the sudden appearance of warm temperatures (for the UK) next week somewhat seasonally inappropriate. THe body of the cowl was knitted in two limited edition yarns from Giddy Aunt Yarns, lovely to work with I will definitely be ordering more from them. The cowl is lined with yet more Drops Brushed Alpaca.

I enjoyed the Giddy Aunt yarn so much that I used the leftovers in my new project. A pair of two at a time mittens using the World's Simplest Mittens Pattern which is free from Tin Can Knits. Ive been wanting to try two at a time socks for a bit but I thought these mittens might be a easier project to start with.

So all in all a good knitting day.

Getting Crafty in London

I haven't, for obvious reasons, been to London in two years. Although realistically I only went once or twice a year before that - so many other places to visit - but the big city always offers lots of entertainment and interest.

Last weekend The Stitch Festival (previously The Knitting and Stiching Show I think) took place in Islington and my sister and I got ourselves organised enough to visit for the day.

Once we'd worked our way through the hoards of Scouts and Guides (so many of them no idea why) and had a Google Maps fail at finding the entrance rather than following the signpost we made it to the Business Design Centre (a more interesting and attractive venue than it sounded but I still think Alexandra Palace would've been nicer...).

This show was very interesting with sewing, knitting, crochet, cross-stitch, and many more - excellent for the multi-crafter and immensely tempting. 

I went with the aim of finding a pattern to go with some fabric I impulse bought and to take the opportunity of seeing some online retailers and their products in the flesh so to speak.

I'd call this a success, the smock should work with my fabric and otherwise I didn't go too mad and add to my crafting queue. Although I did pick up a heap of retailers cards so when I need to lengthen the queue I'm ready.

Whilst in Islington we paid a quick visit to Loop London to squish some yarn. I was unbelievably restrained there and left empty handed. Lovely shop, just a little busy and I didnt want to carry a bag of yarn around for the rest of the day.

As is traditional for London in the evening I visted a couple of lovely pubs, where I completed avoided the craft beer!