HRYC

The arrival of warmer weather has us thinking about light, floaty, pretty things to wrap up in for the sake of wearing hand knits. (or keeping us at just the right level of warm, but we don't usually think in practical terms :))

So another nosey around Rav is in order. The recent appearance of lovely new Nimu lace weight on the shelves, and more hand-dyed sock yarns on the way, our eyes are open to projects that will show them off!

First pattern to catch our eye is Jared Flood's new pattern, Rock Island. Delicate, however knit in a strong colour like the one below - totally kick ass.

Speaking of kick ass, this one isn't light and floaty but DAMN it is awesome. Also: absolutely perfect to knit with Spinning A Yarn's Super Bulky that we have in store!

No surprises that the colour of this one got us excited at first - but what a beautiful stitch pattern! Nothing like sunflowers to get thoughts of summer in our heads....

Oooh here we go, back to the original purpose of the search - fine and delicate patterns with strong colours:

June Marinella - this is perfect for some yarn in Tash's stash

Rough Sea Shawl - ditto. Not too lacy, nicely geometric, strong colour. And it's a free pattern!

Wow, the last thing I needed was to cast on more projects, but it looks like I will be now. If you click on any of the images it will take you through to the pattern on Ravelry. Are there any great shawl patterns you have discovered lately? If so, share with us!

xx Tash

This week...the dance-worthy NZ group Cut Off Your Hands with Still Fond. (We love to boogie to this song on a Friday afternoon!).

Enjoy!

We thought we should share more of our favourite music with you - so now starts Music Mondays! This week is Gotye (feat. NZ's own Kimbra). I love this video clip, but listen to the song on it's own too - the lyrics are something pretty special.

Sometimes, we all need to do a bit of procrastinating. Lucky that working in a yarn shop means browsing Ravelry still counts as work! So let's do a little Ravelry browse together, shall we?

(all images are thanks to the project pages for each on Ravelry - click on the images to link through to the source.)

This image isn't fabulous, but I love the design of this - it would work perfectly with my new, high waisted wide leg trousers, a la Katherine Hepburn:

Seeing as we've started with a red cardigan - let's keep the theme going...how CUTE is this! (there something awwww-inducing about little kids in hoodies) I reckon it would look cuter still in sunshine yellow or grass green - Cascade 220 would be peeeerfect.

There isn't an actual pattern attached to Forestine, but there is a little part of my brain that would really, seriously love to knit a pair of lace stockings. So here's some inspiration for said crazy lady project:

And finally - stripes! Still a total sucker for anything stripey, and these are knit out of our very own Knitsch Sock (in Zidler, from the yarn club, which isn't available to buy yet but will be next year).

What have you come across on Rav lately that you adore? Share - because we don't need more projects in the queue (yeah right!).

PS all images are thanks to the project pages for each on Ravelry - click on the images to link through to the source.

Some clever chemists from Victoria University here in Wellington have been busy of late, organising an epic knitting project.

Now most of the elements are in their hot little hands, we have the great pleasure of hosting the first stitch up!

So if you'd like to help us start stitching the table of elements together, join us for tea, coffee, cake and element binding!

When: 2pm - 4pm Saturday 8 October
Where: Holland Road Yarn Company, 281 Jackson St, Petone

What to bring: we have loads of yarn needles so all you need to bring is yourself!

You can also RSVP to the event over on facebook - the more the merrier...