Another Busy Week of FOs and WIPs

And it has been another busy week at GTS HQ. Knitting, dye studio, and more knitting. Tuesday was another intense day spent in the dye studio. The results are mostly Delight 4ply with a sprinkling of Splendor 4ply, as well a new sock base (love!). The online shop should be updated again this weekend if you don't have time to come in for a peek in the woolly flesh. 

And as I've just gotten in a new pattern shipment from Louise Zass-Bangham, I decided to cast on another Knit Night. I have continued to dream of having a bright yellow neck item, so I've decided to use Ginger's Hand Dyed Sturdy Splendor 4ply in the Liquid Sunshine colour way. This knits up as some seriously soft and squishy garter stitch, and keeps me cheery on overcast days like today. I also plan on doing a beaded cast off, as I have some aquamarine beads in the shop that would really pop. 

I spent most of yesterday evening finishing up a cardigan. This pattern is available in the latest Navia Pattern Book available at GTS, and of course I made it cropped. This only took 4 balls of the Wendy Guernsey 5ply (2 in each colour). You are meant to add a 3rd shade on for the button band and cuffs, but I chose to just stick with this classy blue. Feel free to take a look at my Ravelry project page. Sewing pieces together can be a bit soul draining, but this project just reminded me how important it is to take the time to properly finish an item. For those of you not in the know, we are running the Finishing School Workshop again in September. What has been deemed my School Days Cardi is still blocking, but how cute are these coconut shell buttons?!

Not totally unrelated to knitting, I did go see the new Maleficent film yesterday. Very magical. *No knitting was completed during film. 

The Wool of the Month, Excelana 4ply, has done really well. I am delighted to be keeping it around as a permanent instalment on my shelves. I'm still plotting another shop sample, as the Nile Green (delicious minty shade) has been calling my name. If you have been in the shop, you may have noticed I am missing 2 shades of the collection (Saharan Sand and Natural Alabaster). These should be arriving in this week. Hurrah for more Excelana!

And it shall soon be time to bring in the new Designer of the Month for June. Super duper excited for this one folks!

Wool of the Month: Navia Trio

March is the month for Navia Trio, a delicious blend of Faroese, Shetland and Australian wool. This takes on the form of a worsted weight yarn full of bounce and magic. Look at those shades!

5 shades of the Navia Trio are currently available at GTS, and I've planned on getting more in. It suits colour work really well. And now for the samples. Here is Torshavn by Susan Crawford, which is actually based on an old Faroese stitch pattern. How perfect is that?!

Torshavn by Susan Crawford

Meet VOAR by K.M. Bedigan. Voar is the Shetland word for Spring. And what could sing Spring more than bright turquoise and neon green? These fingerless mitts are actually a sample for a Fair Isle Workshop happening later in the month. There are still a few spaces available, so please do inquire if you are interested. 

Or for those of you already in the know, get the pattern. If you buy 2 balls of Navia Trio from GTS, get a coupon code for your free copy of VOAR.  

Voar by K.M. Bedigan

Speaking of Shetland, I had a lovely visitor in the shop today. Louise Scollay is a delightful wool lover with an infectious laugh. I immediately got the sense we were kindred spirits. There was bonding over tea and cake, as Louise brought along her fancy schmancy recording equipment to include moi in her podcast. 

Woolly ladies

For those of you who have never heard of the amazing Louise, she does a podcast called 'Knit British,' which supports the use of British yarns. So if you enjoy a good woolly podcast, stay tuned for Ginger Twist Studio's guest appearance!

Chasing Rainbows

And the land of the freeeeeeeee and the hommmmmme of the braaaaaaaaave. I didn't seem to have time to knit a miniature American flag (which I had every intention of doing). But what better way for an American in Scotland to celebrate the 4th of July, than with rainbows of wool?

Ginger Twist's wool of the month for July is METRO dk by Marta's Yarns. Come one and all for a squish and view. This wool comes from Patricia, owner of The Thread Room. Some of you may have seen her at the Edinburgh Yarn Festival! Lovely Pat, who recently moved from Australia, has now relocated to New Zealand. I think Edinburgh's weather did not agree with her and her family. Alas, as sad as I was to see her go, I was lucky enough to get the remainder of her stock. So when it's gone, it's gone! The shades are so incredibly rich and amazing. This wool is available to be purchased in 50 gram increments. I have them skeined up in lovely large hanks, and can wind off whatever weight you so desire.

As a sample (and for me to wear of course), I'm currently working on Purlbee's Cap Sleeve Lattice Top. This lovely light jumper is perfect for Edinburgh's summer, and shows off the richness and brilliance of METRO's shades. My only problem was choosing two colours. Oh dear! I was quite fond on this orange and teal option, but then went with the teal and purple combo.

Option #1

Option #2 (WINNER)

Can't wait to get this done so I can wear it! 

On another knitty note, I'm working on TinCanKnits Sitka Spruce Hat in Cascade's Eco Alpaca. It's sooooooooo soft and squishy, and I think this colour will show off the subtle lace pattern very well. The book (Pacific Knits) and materials are all available at Ginger Twist Studio if you fancy making one yourself!

Now, I must get back to my knitting!