Thordis, Hanami and Finland...

This will teach me to update my blog regularly or pay the price with a long blog post... I have finished knitting the first of three Hanami Stoles, designed by Melanie. This one is knitted for a birthday present, and requires blocking out properly. I've used Colourmart cashmere for this, in Honeysuckle, a soft, warm pinky-peach shade, and it knitted itself. I've got plenty of the cone left for a second one (for a Christmas present) and will be knitting a third, for myself, in Posh Yarns Eva 2 Ply in Petal. All will be beaded on the cast on edge, as well. This picture is of the Cherry Blossom pattern:

And this is the Basket Weave.

The pattern begins with a beaded cast on, reminscent of light spring raindrops, and then moves into the Basket Weave, which is taken from a traditional Japanese quilting pattern, symbolising friendship and family. It then transitions into a pattern of Cherry Blossom falling. Hanami is the Japanese term for watching the Cherry Trees shed their blossom.

Next, I have finished the Thordis (Icelandic) Shawl. The pattern was from Piecework magazine, first published in 1996 by Interweave press, and was found by a member of the MS3 group, and has been Knit A Long-ed by a couple of Yahoo groups. Interweave kindly released the pattern via their Knitting Daily newsletter, and Sarah Siegel made up kits of Jaggerspun Maine Line. It was a very quick knit - just under two weeks from casting on to finishing the crocheted edge, and used a variety of lace stitches. I've been busy at work these past two weeks, with trips up to Aberdeen and Finland, so it's not been a time where I could dedicate myself to knitting too much, but I found the shawl very easy to pick up and put down. And I cannot recommend Sarah's Yarns enough - prices are very keen (especially now, with the dollar to pound exchange rate), and her service is exceptional - from Brooklyn to Newcastle upon Tyne in a week - during the UK's postal strike as well. Lovely lady, good range, and good prices - AND she'll wind you custom sized balls as well, which is great, if, like me, you're not very good at joins...

More Lace News - I won Piglottie's Lace Booty Auction, in aid of her friend Charlotte's charity trek to Peru for the Rainbow Trust. And what booty it is, too - a Fiber Trends Leaf Lace Shawl pattern, enough Fyberspates Laceweight in Ocean to complete the shawl, three fab Piglottie Productions cards, and a lovely little bag, which is the perfect size for a sock project. So thank you Piglottie, and GO CHARLOTTE!!!!

Finally on Knitting News, I've cast on again... I tried Pomotamus, I did, but have put them aside for now. I don't know if it's me, or the pattern, or the wool (not likely, as I love Fyberspates wool), but it's not gelling, so not for me for now. Maybe later, I'll be in the right mood. What I am getting on with, is the Tyrolean Stockings from Interweave Fall 2007. I'm using Posh Yarns Helena in Myrtle, and they're looking lovely to me - they look like snuggly winter socks, and the weather is putting me in mind of snuggles, and wrapping up.

And in non-knitting news, I've been somewhere I've never been before. I was sent to Finland for work, which was great - My main problem was getting there. I'm a very nervous flyer - I panic about it, and can't help it. But KLM and FinnComm looked after me without any drama. All 6 planes on time, and the flights were even quite enjoyable. But I have to admit that my favourite sound on a plane is "Welcome to Newcastle". I found the Moomin Shop, and now have Moomintroll hanging off my phone. I also discovered a new range of alcoholic drinks to enjoy - Finnish Vodka with Arctic Cloudberry Juice was very moreish, and I have brought home Licorice Vodka (yummy) and Tar Schapps (made from the sap of a tree in Finland, and tastes like alcoholic BBQ sauce). And Stroopwafelen from Schiphol (can't go through there without picking up a box - even though they do sell them in Lakeland, it's not the same). What I saw of Finland from the local plane looked beautiful - forests and lakes in abundance, but what I saw on the ground was largely hotel, factory and airport. I shall definitely book some holiday if I am lucky enough to go there again.

Then last weekend, I drove up to Eyemouth, and we had a lovely Sunday. Fish and Chips on the front, and a nice wander - and (the reason why we went) a chance to feed the seals in the harbour. I'll leave you with one of our new friends for now - if anyone's still reading the marathon entry!