Knitwits Yarns knitwitspenzance.co.uk

As promised - another day of pattern inputting (and customer serving - yes, tinebeest - those pesky customers [without whom I wouldn't be here so I'm only joking, OK?!]).

Some nice new patterns from Stylecraft in Life DK - here (patterns down the left hand side, as always). Including a rather nice man's waistcoat:

















One new pattern in Stylecraft Pure Merino, which includes that Peruvian style hat everyone's been asking for for the past 12 months - here. It also gives you a chance to practice that Fair Isle that you've been swearing you'll have a go at for the past 5 years:

















I've also put in a load of back copies of Yarn Forward magazine and Inside Crochet. I've divided the magazines into Knitting and Crochet to make it a bit simpler and put the latest copies first. I really like both these magazines - they're run by the same company (KAL media) and they're always full of interesting articles and loads of new patterns. Kerry Allman, who started it all, is one of those people who you wonder how on earth she manges to do so much and stay sane and stay married (to her fantastically supportive husband) and look after 3 children (with number 4 on the way). We were fortunate to have adjacent stands at Ally Pally last year and are lucky enough to keep bumping into each other at the various shows we do. If you haven't read any of their magazines, I strongly recommend you give them a go. Knitting mags are here. Crochet mags are here.

Finally, I've managed a start on the Katia patterns. I adore their patterns and their yarns but the inputting can be a bit slow as Spanish patterns are written slightly differently to English ones. I've started with Azteca patterns. Azteca is aran weight and knits into bands of colour - completely gorgeous. Patterns are here (down the left hand side - click on the pattern you want for details). I particularly love this one:

















but, as we all know, I don't have time to knit (and I'm remaining faithful to the Beaded Gorgeousness) so I'll leave you to have first dibbs on the wool.

It's a gorgeous day down here so the hunter-gatherers have gone fishing again - not strictly true, actually, G has gone to play a rugby match. 19 was a lot of mackerel, yes, so we gutted them all, ate some and froze the rest - and we did have the MinL for supper too as she's just flown in from a week in Crete. Tonight she's cooking a chicken in her kettle barbecue so I know it'll be fantastic - it always is.

How much are you willing to bet that FB hasn't put any sun tan cream on and will come back bright red?

Fishing Update

Knitwits Yarns knitwitspenzance.co.uk

My hunter-gatherers came home with 19 mackerel last night. The chicken was abandoned - to be eaten another day. They were delicious!

Knitwits Yarns knitwitspenzance.co.uk

I've been having a bit of a "Stylecraftfest" for you this afternoon so there are now patterns for the gorgeous "Signature" yarn - here. Patterns are down the left hand side of the screen, yarns in the middle, click on a pattern for details. Sample pattern here:

















I've also inserted another new Stylecraft yarn - Brushstrokes. Only came in the shop on Wednesday so pretty hot off the press! It's a lovely brushed chunky with 10% mohair and has been flying out today - partly I think because it's got a good yardage so not too many balls required and a really good price. I had a lady who bought enough yarn to do 2 of this:

















It was such a good price (£18) and she couldn't decide on a colour so she took 2! Yarn pics and patterns are here.

I've got a few more new Life DK patterns for tomorrow and some more magazines (which I've been very lax on inserting) and then lots of lovely Katia - which I may, or may not, get round to depending on what time I get in. I know - you all want me in at 8.30 to get everything inserted but, hey, it's nearly 7pm now and I would like to see my family at some point this weekend.

FB, G & T have gone fishing. FB phoned me before they left to give me instructions to put the chicken in the Aga when I get home - clearly, he's not over-confident about catching anything.

Do you really want to know what FB stands for or shall we let it run .......... and run .............?

PS Had a Debbie Bliss delivery today - new yarn - oh, yeah!

Knitwits Yarns knitwitspenzance.co.uk

This week is "Pattern Week" so I've been scanning loads in and FB has almost finished formatting them. On top of which we have new yarn as well so it's all quite busy!

Today I've uploaded all the Adriafil patterns. These are all, also, downloadable from Adriafil's site in Italy but I've tried to make your lives easier so I've downloaded them here, printed them off and now uploaded them on to the site. I tell you - it's astonishing how long it all takes - especially when you have customers to serve as well, a window display to change, orders to fulfil, etc, etc.

There are 3 patterns in Baba - here. Here's a sample:

















Two in Duo Plus - here. Here's a sample:

















8 in Kid Mohair - here. Here's a sample:

















3 in Knit Col - here. One of my favourites:

















and, finally, one in New Zealand prints - here.

















Tomorrow I have new patterns from Stylecraft (Signature and their new yarn, Brushstrokes) and loads from Katia. FB is cursing me but, let's face it, it keeps him out of mischief.

As predicted, now that the children have gone back to school the weather has turned glorious (after several horrible dank and drizzly days when, frankly, it could have been November). FB, G&T are planning to go fishing after school tomorrow - think I'll get the sausages out of the freezer tomorrow morning.

Knitwits Yarns knitwitspenzance.co.uk

Have been beavering away on the site today so lots of lovely goodies for you to check out:

For all you sock knitters - new colours in Zig Zag - this is the zingiest of the 2:















Find it here.

Before we went to Fibrefest (and due to popular request), FB toiled in the dye house for long days and nights and dyed up some Cornish Organic Chunky:










Some are the traditional C.O.W. colours but there are a couple taken from the Wool Britannia range - so, for example, you can have C.O.W. chunky in the incredibly popular Lime Green. Find them here.

We had a huge delivery from Stylecraft on Thursday so the Life DK quantities are all topped up plus 5 new colours - find them all here. Plus we had some more bits in Kon Tiki, the big 400g balls of Aran (although we've had a bit of a run on those in the shop today so they're going fast - must be the autumnal weather) and Life 4ply.

Stylecraft have also brought out a really lush new yarn called Signature. 50% wool, single twist with a really lovely mixture of colours in each ball - and it's only £2.95 per ball - fantastic! Here's one:

It's a standard chunky and has its own patterns which should be on the site next week.

Find all the colours here.

Next week I'm concentrating on patterns - they do take a bit of effort uploading and I'm conscious I haven't done the wonderful Katia ones yet but, hopefully, next week should be slightly less manic (boys back at school now - yay!) so I can get some hours in inputting. Watch this space.


In answer to Anonymous's comment - your guesses for "FB" are pretty close. Anyone else think we should run a competition on this one? Comments/suggestions gratefully received so long as they are publishable!


Comment overheard in the street today - "Ooh look - an old fashioned wool shop". Had to bite my lip from shouting out "it is a wool shop, madam, but it most certainly isn't old fashioned"!

I'm hoping to do some knitting tomorrow but, you know me, don't hold your breath.

I've Been Having An Affair

Knitwits Yarns knitwitspenzance.co.uk

I have to confess to you all that I've been unfaithful to the Beaded Gorgeousness.

A couple of weeks ago I might have mentioned that the Adriafil Kid Mohair:













and the Katia Paillettes:













had been calling to me (and to each other) across the shop.

Well, in the end, the yelling and hollering from them both had got so embarrassing that it was beginning to upset the customers so I thought - well, if I put a ball of each in my bag with a set of needles they might shut up.

Did they?

Did they heck as like.

I got them home (in a bag) and the kefuffle was a nightmare - it was upsetting the boys. So I thought - well, if I just cast on and knit a few rows that might shut them up.

Did it?

No.

It got worse.

So I knitted and knitted and knitted and as I did the perfect union of these two perfect yarns was begun and gradually they got quieter and quieter until their perfect match - a match made in heaven I think you'll agree - was done and all was peaceful and quiet.

And I give you - the perfect scarf:

















One ball of Mohair, 2 balls of Paillettes, 4.5mm needles, 25 stitches, garter stitch. Knit until you run out of mohair and there's plenty of Paillettes left for tassles.

The Paillettes sparkles slightly (some colours have more sparkle than others). FB did his best to photograph the sparkles and you can just see one or two.

The scarf is perfect - it's in my window and is getting much admiration - order now to avoid disappointment but, be warned, the noise from those little blighters is deafening so you'll need to knit them together the moment you open your parcel.

Knitwits Yarns knitwitspenzance.co.uk

I had a lovely day off - met up with friends for lunch and then did some gentle garter stitch in front of the telly. All being well - photos tomorrow.

Monday I had a migraine (there's a surprise) so managed some gentle paperwork before admitting defeat mid-afternoon.

Today we've had a King Cole delivery so a few more updated lines here.

Also two good new colours in Zig Zag sock wool - hopefully on here tomorrow - watch this space.

It has rained all day here - children go back to school tomorrow so, presumably, the sun will come out.