My Blogger Days Are Finished

Blogger got me started blogging, but my days on this site are over. I have been updating both this blog and the one on my website for a year now. It is time to shut this one down. So for all my blogger readers, you can now find my thoughts and whimsy at the following link: 

http://www.gingertwiststudios.com/blog-2/

I will still continue to post every Thursday. Tune in!

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!

May WIPs

Last week kept me busy with participating in Knitting and Crochet Blog Week, which was a lot of fun. It gave me a fresh perspective some ideas to use in my future posts.

Now the sun has come out, and I just feel like knitting something fun! Endless Rainbow by Martina Behm fits the ticket. It was an interesting start, which took a couple attempts. Now I'm getting into the groove of the pattern, and loving working with this yarn. West Yorkshire Spinners BFL is so soft and creamy. It's fun to penetrate this pureness with triangles and stripes of Aire Valley DK Rainbow Stripe by West Yorkshire Spinners. Delish!

This is also about the time of year that I start working on some Christmas gifts, just so I can do this gradually, and not in an absolute panic. I've started on Hunter by Tin Can Knits out of the New Lanark Aran, which is using up some of my stash. I've got plans to do another in the Brigantia Luxury Aran. The cables are actually quite simple, and look impressive enough. All the men in my life need to have this hat large and small!

This past Tuesday was spent in the dye studio plotting and scheming. I have dyed up something particularly special for the Indie Burgh Yarn Crawl. More info soon on that particular plot soon! I will update the online shop early next week with some new shades and such, so keep your eyes peeled for virtual squishing! In the meantime, I have gotten in 8 new shades of the Cascade 220 Superwash. These are also now available for perusal in the online shop. I'm still brainstorming on a sample to knit up for the shop in one of these new shades. Any thoughts?

Day 6: Nana Knits

Growing up in the burbs of Oregon, I recall a lot of time spent at my Nana and Pappy's house. Their place was always where the whole family gathered for every holiday, birthday, and whatever else. Not to mention, they have a pool, so there was many a Summer day to be spent splashing around in their backyard. 

Wedding Day photo of Nana & Pappy

We were always a crafty family. Not only does Nana knit and crochet, but she is a very talented sewer, baker (best cookies ever) and jigsaw puzzle extraordinaire. She is ALWAYS working on something. As a child I remember having a purple crochet blanket made by this lovely lady. I adored that thing, and hope that it is stored somewhere back at my folks' house (Ma, can you confirm?!). As I got a bit older I started making specific requests for various hand knit and crochet items. Then I thought, why don't I just learn how to perform this mystical skill myself?! 

Nana at what she does best

So it was around the age of 12 or 13 that I asked my Nana to teach me the magic that is knitting. I came to find out that this is not magic at all.  Knitting is really a system of making loops upon loops that create a fabric...okay, so it is pretty magical. I'm also left-handed, and Nana taught me how to knit in this fashion. It was quite a challenge for her to teach me to knit backwards essentially, and I'm so delighted she did! Unfortunately I don't have any photographic evidence of this wee adventure. I really have my Nana to thank for where my life has lead to this point. Thanks Nana! 

Day 5: Moth Assassination & Demolition

Do you take your knitwear and wool stash as seriously as I do? Summertime is the high season for moth incidents. Prepare yourself!

Moths = Pure Evil

Team M.A.D. =

M-oth
A-ssassination
D-emolition

*Cedar wood and lavender all also effective measures.

Day 4: I am Miss Hiya Hiya

Good afternoon, I am Miss Hiya Hiya. Please refrain from any quips about how my first name is the same as my surname, thank you. After all, we hardly know one another and should keep things on proper and pleasant terms. 

So yes, with that business taken care of shall we carry on? I suppose you will be wanting to know my purpose in life, duties, etc. First allow me to begin with a description. I am perfect in every way (rather like Mary Poppins). My blue satin exterior gives off a calm and cool aura.I am a also a very organized individual. Every thing and thought has its place, and mine are all in perfect order. 

I spend my days as governess and general guide in life to Miss James. She would truly be lost without my guidance, as she has spoken these exact words herself. We do go everywhere together; tending shop, out for a quiet evening at the pub, to the park, or for a cinema outing. There are a few holidays in our history as well. We do enjoy one-another's company immensely, and as I said before, Miss James truly needs me. Why just this morning we rose a bit early to do a bit of work on the latest Simmer Dim Shawl. This shawl involves switching between two different needle sizes quite frequently on the border. I came to her aid as always, doling out the needle tips as needed. 

In conclusion, I thoroughly enjoy my job and life's work. Thank you for your time and consideration. 

Day 3: Epic Kitten Journey