Alveare

Alveare by Woolly Wormhead, knit in my own hand dyed Flamboyance Yarns Bailey aran (100% BFL). It took around 88g for the medium size. I absolutely love the decrease pattern, it creates a very distinctive pentagon shape. I didn't block this over a form, as I wanted to keep a little of the beehive look. The BFL knit up very well, with great stitch definition, and it also has a lot of "body" even after washing and blocking.

My current WIP is a Citron shawlette in Flamboyance Dashing 4ply (100% superwash merino), in a shade I named Tangerine Dream. I'm using 5mm needles, as the pattern is written for laceweight on 4mm needles. It's a simple effect to execute and looks good so far. It will be interesting to see how far the skein goes, I am prepared to use a toning yarn for the ruffle if need be!



I'm also currently trying to decide which book to read next. I finished "I Robot" a wee while ago, and it's in a volume with "Robots and Empire". The latter isn't inspiring me much though, so I'm going to start either the first True Blood novel, or The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. I'm leaning towards the latter, no doubt partly inspired by the new series of Wallander on BBC4 - the original Swedish version which I do much prefer to the Kenneth Branagh adaptations. I've not yet read any of the Henning Mankell books but have found a useful website dedicated to the books and their adaptations.

Hemlock Ring blanket

A Hemlock Ring knit in Rowan Pure Wool Aran, shade Forest - a gorgeous green and from one of the Kemps Rowan bargain bags. It took just 3.5 skeins, I stopped at the default place on the chart rather than do any extra repeats. Blocked, it measures around 41" across at its widest, so a good-sized snuggly blanket for the sofa. I did the crochet version of the cast-off, which seemed an awful lot simpler than the knit version.

I finished these a wee while ago, but they had to wing their way to Australia. A Felicity hat knit in Rowan Calmer for Lynne, along with a purple Ballband Cloth:





I've just finished an Alveare hat in my own Flamboyance Bailey BFL aran, pictures once it is blocked. I've also started a Citron shawlette in Flamboyance Dashing sock yarn!

In non-knitting news, I was absolutely thrilled with the first episode of the new series of Doctor Who. Matt Smith is a wonderful Doctor - when I first saw him I instantly thought of Patrick Troughton (2), and this has been borne out in the first instalment. Ashes to Ashes is also back on our screens, and should give us some answers to the whole Life on Mars/Ashes/Gene Genie conundrum. I'm hoping for an appearance by Sam Tyler I have to say!

Also exceedingly happy last Sunday to have my Red Bull F1 boys get a 1-2 at the Malaysian Grand Prix. I'm much more of a driver fan than teams per se, but as it happens my absolute #1 Sebastan Vettel, and the fabulous Mark Webber, both drive for the same team. I'm also really pleased for my other two favourite drivers, Robert Kubica and Heikki Kovalainen, both doing well with their new teams this year.