… and now it is eeasier to see how the pattern repeats. At the moment it is 27″ across the top. The selvedge tightness stops me stretching it any further, though I could (and probably will when I block the finished shawl) stretch it a bit more vertically. I had already been trying to keep the selvedge loose, but it seems I need to try harder on the knit rows as that edge is slightly tighter.

I’ve started a pattern I’ve been wanting to do for a while now. It’s Kinzel’s Springtime pattern adapted to a triangular shawl by Glenda Hunt. I’m doing it in Jaggersun Zephyr laceweight wool/silk on 3.5 mm needles. It is actually Royal Blue, but the flash has affected the colour in the photo. It was going to be for a friend, but I didn’t have the right colour yarn for her, and I do love this colour and the pattern, so …

… well, almost!

I noticed some Sirdar Denim Chunky in Atlantic Blue at my local hobby store when I was there looking for something else. I needed a hat to go with a new jacket, and I knew that colourway would be perfect, so I bought a ball. I was dithering about which pattern to use when a friend (thanks, D!) reminded me of the Quaker Ribbed Bottom Hat. I had to adapt it slightly for the thicker yarn.

Yes, I know it looks like a tea cosy or a loo roll cover, but it really does look much better when being worn. I couldn’t take a picture of it on my own head, though, and I wanted to get the blog entry done before I forgot, so this one will have to do.

I’ve been working on a gift for a friend. In case she looks at my blog before she receives the gift, I’m putting the details and pictures in the extended entry. If you think it might be for you, don’t click!!!

[... and for anyone reading this from the archives, when they are filed the main and extended entries are combined into a single entry, so you'll see it all without clicking anything.]
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… from my generous DH – a Baby Butterfly spindle from Quantum Spindles. It is in ambrosia maple, weighs 30g, has a 2.7″ diameter whorl and is 11″ long. It looks beautiful, but just as importantly, it spins very well too. Here are some pictures: