Doctor Who Scarf WIP

This is my progress so far on my Who scarf:



I think I'm about a third of the way through. It's good TV knitting!

There is also some exciting news on the shop front. My Sheer laceweight yarn is featured in the new (July 2010) issue of Let's Knit magazine:



I was thrilled to be asked to contribute to the feature on laceweight yarns. The skein in question (Stargazing) has now sold, but my repeatable colourway "Space Odyssey" is very similar.

Citron

Citron from Knitty, main body knit in Flamboyance Yarns Dashing merino sock. The pattern calls for a heavier laceweight yarn with around 500 yards, so the sock yarn ran out just after the increases for the ruffled edge. I used some leftover RYC Cashsoft 4ply in deep purple for the remainder, when that ran out on the last row I cast off with a paler lilac/mauve in the same yarn.

If I made this again I would probably use KFB rather than M1 for the increases - at this sort of loose gauge, the M1s are very obvious when the piece is blocked. I love the shape it creates, and I tried not to block it too harshly to retain as much of the ruching as possible.

I'm now working on a Season 14 Doctor Who scarf, as worn by Tom Baker (the fourth Doctor). WittyLittleKnitter is an excellent resource for Who scarf patterns and information. I'm using Cascade 220 for mine, substituting Beige for sand, and Goldenrod for Gold. I also got Christmas Red standard as the heather version is pretty much impossible to get here at the moment.

Thanks for all your comments on the last post, and particularly regarding "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo". I finally started reading it, but haven't got very far yet, it does seem good though.

I've just seen the news on John Simm Online that he has a new TV project, working with Philip Glenister. That was exciting enough in itself, but it also stars Max Beesley, so I'm one happy bunny today. We don't have Sky any more but it will likely be out on DVD soon after broadcast, judging by the current "Strike Back" made by the same people for Sky.

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.

Just Enough Ruffles

Pattern: Just Enough Ruffles by Laura Chau
Yarn: Jaeger Shetland Aran
Needles: 5.5mm circulars
Yardage: approx. 320 yards, 1.75 skeins
Size: approx, 51" long before blocking, 60" after

A fairly speedy scarf to make, it is knit lengthwise using short row shaping. The yarn is gorgeous, blocking really well, and the scarf was a big hit with the recipient. I might have to make one for myself!

I am currently knitting a Hemlock Ring blanket, and am well over 400 stitches on the needle at the moment.

This is how it looked when I'd just started:



I'd also like to say a big thank-you for all the comments and good wishes for Flamboyance Yarns. I'm pleased with how it is going so far - the shop has barely been open two weeks but it seems like longer! The shop also has its own blog where I aim to post updates and the like, and it's also on Twitter. This week's update will have laceweight and also Splendour merino/cashmere/nylon 4ply.