The BIG Knit Kick Off

This past Monday was a special event, twas The Big Knit Kick Off event (prosecco included). I teamed up with Age Scotland and Awesome Folk to organise this gathering of charitable souls, and we knit as many teensy tiny hats as we could manage. 

Bottle Topper Super Models

 














It was truly a lovely evening, and thank you everyone who came along! And now for some knitty gritty action shots!

Moi guiding Kate of Awesome Folk

 

Elaine Liner of The Sweater Curse

 










I was churning out some really basic models and sending them along to the 'embellishment factory.' Here is the tale of a plain white hat who was transformed into a ghost, and then moved on to become a punk rocker ghost. 

Pre-Punk

Post-Punk

Today I've just picked up a giant glass bell jar to function as a sort of collection tank. So for any folks who would like to participate, just bring your wee hats into Ginger Twist Studio, and I shall do a big send off in October. So keep on knitting those tiny hats!

For more information on The Big Knit, please see: http://www.innocentdrinks.co.uk/bigknit

The Fringe

It's here! The Fringe has arrived and Edinburgh has exploded! 

This month would not be complete without a show on knitting. And in that respect, the first show I went to see this year was on that very subject. Elaine Liner's The Sweater Curse is a brilliant and funny (yet heartbreaking at one point) one woman play. 

 

Follow Elaine on Twitter: @TheSweaterPlay

Have you heard of this curse of the sweater (or jumper)? It basically suggests that if you knit your lad or lady a sweater, the relationship is doomed. Read the official Wiki page, it's legit! Has anyone suffered from this curse that is sweater? 

Coming to us from Dallas, Elaine is both the talented writer and performer of this show. The audience is encouraged to knit during the performance! Amazing. I even knit a few rows on Elaine's travelling scarf. And after the show I got the opportunity to have a wee chat with the lovely lady, as well as a mini photo shoot.

I have not yet suffered from the said curse, as I have not yet tried to make my fella a jumper. But Christmas will be here before too long. Shall I temp the fates?

Lucy Hague: Designer of the Month

August is upon us, and the Edinburgh Festival is quickly approaching! Exciting times ahead. August also sees Ginger Twist Studio's first Designer of the Month. And the results are...(drum roll please)...Lucy Hague!  I've known this lovely lady for about a year now, and boy can she do some neat things with her needles and imagination!

Lovely Lucy

Growing up in the Orkney's, knitting is in Lucy's blood. Starting out knitting clothes for her Barbie dolls, she has now been designing since 2010 and gained a large following. She has been featured in Knitty, Knit Now, and now Pom Pom Quarterly. Cables and lace are her specialty. If this is not enough for ye, Lucy also plays in two traditional Scottish bands.

Ms. Hague's advice to budding designers and new knitters: DO A SWATCH! 

Ginger Twist Studio's window display features 3 of Lucy's shawls:Firiel (left), Hildina (middle), and Averin (right).

It should also be noted that the mitts I'm wearing in the photo are my rendition of the first pattern she ever designed: Hands of Blue. In this shade, don't they just scream 'mermaid?!'

And if you have been keeping up with the blog, you know that I've also been working on Lucy's cabled shawl: Taliesin. I'm working on the border now, and am quite determined. It shall be on display in the shop soon, that is a promise. 

As far as her future knitty plans go, Lucy would like to publish her own book; a collection of themed shawls. If you are interested in keeping up with Lucy's activities, sign up for her newsletter!


Lucy's shawls and patterns are now available in Ginger Twist Studio!

Prep

Ginger Twist Studio has been open just over a month, and there are loads of fun and exciting plans to be revealed. As a knitter and general crafter, I am always planning ahead. If I want a hand made jumper to wear this Autumn, I need to give myself time to actually make it. 

August is quickly approaching, in which Ginger Twist Studio will be featuring a local designer. You may have already figured out just who that will be...but I won't spoil the surprise for those of you who don't know. Official announcement to come soon!

For this purpose I am working on a gorgeous cable shawl that is certainly not for the faint of heart! 

 












Done in the King Cole 4ply, the cables blossom and grow like the branches of a tree. I'm now working on the last chart that is the border. I may just manage to finish in the week I have left!

I've also just gotten a very small selection of Cascade's Baby Alpaca Chunky, in which I have written up a for a beginner cowl deemed Lavender Seeds. 

This pattern (free with alpaca purchase) only took 1 skein of the alpaca and is super soft and luxurious.

Calling all Twisters! Show your stuff! We need photos of pieces you are proud of for Ginger's Cork Board of Fame. 

It would be nice if it is made out of wool from the shop, but not a strict requirement. :) 

Email your submissions to gingertwiststudio@gmail.com

Stellar Mohair

In my woolly experience you either love or hate mohair. There is no in between or compromise. I happen to love mohair, and have fallen head over heels for Marta's Mohair Mist. This luxurious and fluffy stuff is spun in France and dyed an array of beautiful shades in Australia. My Fair Isle obsessed pal Sylvie was so inspired by this 4ply fluff, that she designed a piece for the shop. The results of her labours are a whimsical and starry cowl called Stellar, and will keep you warm in approaching season. 

S T E L L A R

Yes, I know it is summer, but as a knitter I am always thinking ahead to the cooler times!

Mohair Tip #1: Keeping Mohair in the fridge makes it easier to knit with (particularly in this heat). When mohair is warm, it is more challenging to work with. So keep your mohair chilled like a nice bottle of champers. Believe it or not, it's a scientifically proven fact. Hence, the mohair in the fridge pic.

 

Stellar kits are available at Ginger Twist Studio (kid mohair and patter)for £24, so come pick out your colours today!

Back in the Groove

I'm back in my knitty groove with my productions rates back on track. Yay! So this past week, I've finished a few items: 2 jumpers, 2 hats. Not too shabby.

The first to be finished was a project that has been in my queue for ages and ages, TinCanKnits' Snowflake. This jumper has a lovely lace yoke, and best of all...buttons! Isn't choosing a colour always the most difficult? I try and vary my choices, and not always go for the same shades. Here is Snowflake, knitted up in New Lanark DK (limestone and wisteria).


 



















Next project to come off the needles was another one by TinCanKnits (obsessed much?). The Sitka Spruce Hat was a delight to knit, and the lace looks so lovely and squishable in the Cascade's Eco Alpaca. 

After this I was really feeling the whole hat vibe, so I made a baby hat out of Cascade's Luna (100% Peruvian Cotton). I'm the first to admit that I am not usually inspired by cotton. But I'm so pleased by how this turned out, and the colour is just fantastic! This wee elfkin hat shows off this cotton's lovely texture. Folks, I need a baby/smallish person to model this hat...or I may be forced into using my dog.

Free pattern on Ravelry: Aston

And finally, my pride and joy of the week: I call her Jewel. This summery jumper is PurlSoho's Cap Sleeve Lattice Top. It takes very little wool (for a jumper), and what a walk in the park! I wanted something to show off the stunning shades of METRO dk (wool of the month), and here it be!

More on knitting and such nonsense next week. But before I leave you, here  is a wee teaser. Does this photo mean anything to you? 

Let's play 'what doesn't belong.'

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!