This shawl is absolute magic to knit. With a simple lace pattern, you get into a lovely rhythm while knitting it. And the style of stitches chosen doesn't "fight" the patterning of the multi-coloured yarn. They all just enhance each other, just mesmerising. I doubt that you can go wrong with choice of colours, so it's also a very suitable project for using up incomplete hanks. The book prescribes 5 different shades, but in truth, the finished shawl weighs a mere 125 grams. This weight is based on my version, with the garter stitch triangle edge rather than long tassels, but even with tassels, 3 hanks or 150 grams should be plenty. Which makes it a very interesting option to knit in Koigu Mori as well (the stunning merino/silk blend). I'll have this shawl on display at Ally Pally and Harrogate Knitting and Stitching Shows, but until that time, here are some pictures before and after blocking (if ever you needed encouragement to bloack your lace, these pictures should do the trick!).

Any questions or comments very welcome!

First up: unblocked shawl, fresh off the needles.

And this is the same item, on the blocking wires!

And lastly, one detail picture before and after blocking:

For those of you who'd like to cook this dish, here's the list of ingredients:
Laminaria is available for free from Knitty.com.
Fyberspates Royal Lace is available from me, HERE.
3.25 mm circular needle (80 cm long), either already present in your collection or buy a fixed circular HERE or an interchangeable one HERE.

Pattern notes: the Laminaria shawl pattern is written to be knit using a 4-ply yarn on 3.75 mm needles.If you use a 3.25 mm needle and Fyberspates Royal Lace and follow the knitting instructions for the Shawl, you'll end up with a finished shawl that's just in between the Shawl and the Shoulderette version, with a centre back length of 30" (75 cm) and a width of 56" (140 cm).

Oh, and a quick message for those of you waiting for more Knitting Smock stock: I'll bring some new ones with me to Knit Nation in London at the end of the month!

Please keep your feedback coming, by email, phone or face-to-face at any of the shows coming up.
For now, in the pipeline: a range of organic (un-dyed) yarns, expected to arrive just in time for Knit Nation.
And of course, more Tales Knitting Smocks including a size 0.
Onwards and upwards!

Also in the process of sorting out my Newsletter software, so I will finally be able to send newsletters not just bursting with news, but looking good as well.

Be back soon…

Apologies to those ordering Fyberspates yarns from me and fishing behind the net; there was a setting on the site not working properly, which led to items that had sold out still showing as available. New stock is imminent though, so please check back in a couple of days.

Also coming soon: a selection of patterns, some for sale, some as free downloads and some for free with purchase of a particular yarn.

If you get fed up with my irregular blogs, please follow me on Twitter. I contribute regularly, as the on-the-hop quick messages seem to suit my flighty schedule.

The focus of the book is on different dyeing techniques to be used on animal fibres (plant fibres need a different dyeing process). Like Helen’s previous books, this book offers methods and techniques that are all executed at home, in your own kitchen. No need for any special equipment or dedicated space. The only things you have to buy are a hank of yarn and some dye. Everything else you’ll use will already be in your kitchen.
The book does not presume the reader to have any prior experience of dyeing yet it goes well beyond simple, basic dyeing techniques. As a result, more experienced dyers may also find that the ideas and techniques shown give them new insights.
The 8 dyeing chapters are then complemented by a chapter of 11 knitting patterns. The patterns range from very simple to quite advanced and all were chosen to showcase a particular dyeing technique.

Following below is the contents page of the book to give you an idea of the different techniques that are covered.

The books are arriving in the week of 7 September, so I’ll have them with me at iKnit.
The laser print mock up did its work at Fibrefest last week though; I took lots of pre-orders, so I’ve already got a pre-written stack of envelopes waiting to be stuffed as soon as I’ve got the books hot off the press.

I will add the option to pre-order the book to the shop. It’s a great offer, at £13 incl. postage. As soon as I’ve got the offer posted, I will also email the long list of people waiting to be notified that the book has arrived. You’ll all have ample time to pre-order the book at this special price.

In the meantime, the Summer has flown by. The kids are back to school later this week. I feel as ambivalent as ever about this. On the one hand, I love having them around me, on the other hand it’s so much more of a struggle to find the time to keep all the plates spinning, especially on the work-front. The site desperately needs updating, I’ve been promising people the option to buy patterns online for ages and the free pattern section is still not there.

Still, onwards and upwards; I am counting the days to have the books and be able to sell them at iKnit and see them reveiwed in some of my favourite knitting magazines.

I’m also trying to add my regular Twitter messages on this Blog. I seem to Twitter much more often than blog. I’m sure that says something about me, just not sure if I want to know what…