Knitting and Walking

Knitwits Yarns knitwitspenzance.co.uk

Before we went for our weekly walk, FB and I took a few pics of knitted garments for the website. If you've spent any time looking at patterns on the site, you'll have noticed that - occasionally - there's a picture at the top of the garment featured in the pattern as we've knitted it. So, for example, Debbie Bliss has done a garment in Fez like this:



















and we've knitted it like this:














or Katia have done a top in Degrade like this:



















and we/I have knitted it in Samba like this:



















I always feel like a bit of a lemon when being photographed (I couldn't be a model for all the tea in China) but I think it does help to show the garments in lots of different ways.

The real surprise was this sweater:



















which I'd never even tried on before as it's done in this colour:



















which I thought was absolutely not my colour and something I'd never buy or wear and it turned out like this:














which FB thinks is his favourite jumper of them all!

After that we went for a walk. Straight from home and up the hill. This is the view from just above our house:














then along towards Greenbarrow Mine:














Look at these amazing colours:




























Past the Nine Maidens standing stones: (FB getting a bit artistic at this point)







and on to Mulfra Quoit:




























That huge stone I'm leaning against would have once sat on top of the others - if anyone can tell me how ancient man moved those giant lumps of granite, I'd love to know. View from the Quoit:














Then home via a lovely green lane:



















For the true knitters amongst you, the purple jacket I'm wearing is Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Astrakhan (now, sadly, discontinued).

Next week's walk is as much a mystery to us as it is to you - watch this space!

Where Has This Week Gone?

Knitwits Yarns knitwitspenzance.co.uk

Not entirely sure where this week has gone but I am sure we have some wonderful new yarns for you. Briefly: Woodlander from James Brett:

















20% wool, which knits into stripes but somehow looks almost felted when it's knitted - very clever. We've now knitted up a sample square so will photograph that so you can see what I mean.

Tints:








All over specks - again, sample square on its way.

There are also new colours in Marble DK and Marble Chunky - new patterns on their way too - possibly on Saturday if I find the time!

Finally we have the glorious new yarn from Debbie Bliss:








Andes is a DK alpaca/silk mix which is unbelievably soft, yet with a silky sheen - a real treat - even if just for a hat or scarf! I'm still deciding what to knit and with what colour but there's one thing for sure - I will be knitting something with this amazing yarn!

That's all Folks!! - look out for patterns on Saturday.

Land's End

Knitwits Yarns knitwitspenzance.co.uk

In an attempt to quell the Sunday afternoon lethargy in front of the goggle box, FB and I have started a regime of weekend walks. We live in such a beautiful part of the country but, like many people, never see things in our local area. Yesterday dawned sunny and hot and we had to do some promotional photos at Land's End for the End 2 End Sweater so we decided to drive there and then walk along the coastal path. Promotional pics went OK but I always feels like such a lemon standing there with tourists walking past:














The sweater just laid back and took it all in its stride, photoshoots are par for the course now:














We then walked west along the southern coast to Nanjizal and it was simply stunning:




























The building on the cliff here is the Land's End complex:




























Round the corner to Nanjizel cove:
































Cornwall at its most beautiful. Reminds me why I chose to live here!

Learn To Knit!!

Knitwits Yarns knitwitspenzance.co.uk

We've had the most amazing and wonderful yarns in the window over the past few months and several people have popped in and asked if we do classes to teach them how to knit. We didn't - but we are now!

Starting on Thursday, October 7th at 5.30pm we'll be holding 2 hour lessons for 6 weeks. During the course participants will knit their first scarf:


















(and optional wrist warmers), their first garment:














and their first cabled handbag:


















The cost of the materials is included in the total cost of £72.00 so, given that the materials are valued at about £35.00, we reckon that's excellent value for money!

If anyone's interested, please drop us an email or give us a ring on (01736) 367069.

If these classes are popular then we'll put together some more advanced classes and workshops - any ideas of what you'd like to learn or brush up on, please let us know.

Lots of Lovely Goodies!

Knitwits Yarns knitwitspenzance.co.uk

I've inputted loads of lovely goodies onto the site for you today so kick back, get yourself a nice cup of tea/coffee/gin and prepare yourselves for some drooling.

Firstly we have two wonderful new colours in Baba: (slubby, pure wool, absolutely gorgeous)










three new colours in New Zealand Prints: (75% wool, DK)








we have one new colour in Knit Col: (pure wool, DK, self patterning with a bit of fairisle)














one new colour in Duo Plus: (cotton/wool mix, patterning)














new chunky range from Adriafil called Attimo: (wool/mohair/alpaca blend, subtle colour changes, amazingly soft, very, very gorgeous)











and finally from Adriafil the softest, most gorgeous, lovely, lovely 4ply alpaca you could ever wish to see, feel, knit and wear. Customers have been asking us for a 4ply alpaca and this is it! Your search for soft, wondrous alpaca ends here: Sierra Andina is what you've all been waiting for:











For a better, close-up image - take a look at the heathery colours in this little beauty:














We also have 4 new colours in Rico's Poems but have already sold out of one so catch them before they go (brilliant for felting, by the way). We have also completely sold out of Rico's Can Can, of which there's been quite a bit of chat on Ravelry. We had 60 balls and sold out completely in 12 days but have re-ordered and are taking orders both over the phone and online. Get your orders in to avoid disappointment! This yarns is the big hit of the moment and, clearly, we're not alone as Rico have practically sold out as well! Next delivery due to them in late October/early November so still enough time to get those Christmas presents on the needles, off the needles and wrapped for the big day.

Currently I have, on the needles, a pair of socks in King Cole's Riot: (late b'day present for my brother)











and this pattern from Stylecraft:


















(yes, I know it's shown on a child but I'm quite small and the pattern goes up to my size, fortunately and I really like it), which I'm knitting in this:


















Stylecraft's Life Super Chunky, which is lovely and soft and knitted on big needles (8mm and 10mm) so good for those of us with not too much time to knit! (Trying to knit this in the shop - 2 weeks to knit one [small] front.)

Ok - so that's the end of the update - hope you're now drooling - I'm off to continue knitting a very late sock.

Weekend with Friends

Knitwits Yarns knitwitspenzance.co.uk

I have just had the second consecutive weekend with friends and not working in the shop at all. Thanks to Tracey, I've had two "proper" weekends and they were great. Back to normality the weekend coming but, in the meantime, I'm basking in the glow of Saturdays off.

This Saturday we walked across the moor to our favourite "local" pub (about 5 miles) - The Gurnard's Head at Zennor:










After a couple of swifty liveners it became necessary, indeed essential, for rugby to be played:














in the middle of the road ..........














and when cars came along, the game was to lob the ball over the car:














and then see how close to the car you could get. .... this one actually hit the car's aerial (!):














If you were the driver, I hereby apologise for the menfolk's childish and ridiculous (but entertaining) behaviour. (Thank heavens - this being deepest, darkest Cornwall there weren't too many cars - cannot recommend this game for the M5.)

In the evening we headed off to our local Chinese which does the most amazing all-you-can-eat buffet (for just £9.95 per head). After 3 lots of "starters" and 2 main courses our dear friend Rob challenged T that if he could eat a "dessert" of:

ice cream,
4 deep fried chicken balls,
sweet and sour sauce,
sprinkled with crushed up prawn crackers

whilst wearing a peking duck pancake on his head, T would receive the princely sum of £5.00. Never one to resist a challenge T acquired the necessary ingredients from the buffet (yes, that brown goo is chocolate ice cream):














and set to:


















(note the delicately balanced pancake).

Rob duly paid up:














Take note - this is a 15 year old who has just cycled from John O'Groats to Land's End - no challenge is too big or too small.

PS: To our amazement, he wasn't sick!

Adriafil

Knitwits Yarns knitwitspenzance.co.uk

We've had an amazing delivery from Adriafil today - lots of boxes of lovely goodies - sometimes my job is like the best Christmas Day you could imagine! I've updated the stock for Knitcol, Duo Plus, Baba and New Zealand Stampato and I've got some really, really gorgeous things to add to the site, including the softest 4ply alpaca imaginable. Watch this space. Balls have already gone home with FB for photography.

For those of you deeply concerned about Deidre -















we have persisted (with much angst and swearing), his ears are smelling much better, he sees the brown blanket now and tries to run a mile (he forgets, though, that we're a tiny bit smarter than him and close all doors and windows prior to producing said brown blanket), the house is trashed, my cuts are healing and the vet wants to see him again tomorrow. £53 last time. FB and I are still debating whether a re-visit is necessary. I'll let you know.