As you saw, the patterns had been shortlisted and the winner is………… drum roll please……………Eldora from Rowan Magazine 55.
I am using Rowan Cotton Glace from my stash in different colours than suggested. I chose the colours randomly by writing down how many balls I needed by letter, opened the odd ball box and took the colours out on a first come first served basis. For once I didn’t over think it and just went with the flow.
It worked I am really enjoying the way the colours are coming together.  I am finding it very addictive in the same way as cross stitch and colourwork . It’s the colour and pattern changing that inspires me and keeps me going when I should stop. One thing I hadn’t noticed before starting to knit is that it has a few rows of stranded knitting. The only slightly frustrating pattern row is where you have to wind the yarn three times per stitch, which as I’m knitting it in the round seems to take forever. A mini downside is all the ends I’ll have to sew in. The photo shows one not quite finished pattern repeat

I finished Ysoldas follow the arrow mystery knit a long a week or two after the deadline. I really enjoyed knitting this especially having one clue a week.
The result was lovely and if I ever get spare time and have knitted all my patterns I may knit another one.
I used The Natural Dye Studio Precious 4ply 100% silk. I am not normally a fan of silk but this was so soft and silky it was a real pleasure to knit with. I used most of the two skeins

Destashing is still going well but not as strongly as I want.
I have made Evalyns first cardigan using Rowan Baby Merino Silk. I only have a button to add. I really enjoy knitting with this yarn it’s one of those yarns that feels as if it’s knitting itself. The pattern is Sabrina from a Patons booklet.

I have 8 squares to knit for her blanket. I started off so well but as usual fall at the deadline. I have six weeks to finish it which sounds like plenty  oftime but I also have to knit six squares a week for the Rowan Mystery Afghan KAL. This I have fallen behind with, only managing 2 squares a week so far.  This week is a lace square so I should be catching up soon. I really like the Pure Wool Worsted. The colour range is fantastic and it knits properly. I can’t wait to knit some cables in it.

YARN TOTALS
Yarn in 600g
Yarn out knitted 300g
Yarn out sold / donated 2500g
Total 21910g destashed

I appear to be going through a sock knitting phase. I am still determined to lower my stash and after buying some lovely aran yarn from Rosies Moments I was determined to knit my daughter some socks with it. I decided to read lots of my sock books, I have one or two! Some of them were very similiar but one or two stood out for me. The first is Rowans Sock Knitting Workshop by Georgina Parks. It has really clear instructions and good guides to the heel shaping . I have knitted the basic pattern in Rowan Fine Art Sock yarn and am really pleased with the results. After digesting all this information from all sock knitting books I decided to try my hand at writing my own basic pattern. This is something I never thought I would do, design a pattern. As I have lots of small amounts of Aran weight yarn I decided to design in this weight first. It took a bit of trial and error to get the right length etc but I am pleased with the result and will be putting the pattern on Ravelry once I have written it out in electronic form. I used one skein of Rowan Fine Art Aran for a UK size 7 pair .
Edited to add link. Pattern is now live http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/jemma-3

I love the way the colours pool. Next on my to do list is to write one in sock weight yarn. I have also realised that I prefer the kl, sl1 for the heel flap.
I am still destashing and will post an update shortly

This year the International Womens Day fell on March 8th. I spent the day at the lovely Liberty teaching a Learn to Sew class. One of the ladies mentioned it was International women’s day and that some feminists would say that learning to sew would set the movement back we had a good discussion about it inbetween the sewing.
When you think about it learning to sew is very empowering.  If you can make your own clothes and furnishings you are only reliant on the fabrics available to you. You will never be reliant on a high street buyer deciding what you will be wearing. You will always be able to make something for yourself to wear . You will be able repair, recycle and upcycle your clothes. The possibilities are endless. A favourite item of clothing that fits perfectly but is falling apart, can either be embellished to repair and refresh it or unpicked and used as a pattern to make another one. If you wanted to take it to another extreme you coukd weave your own fabric. Buy some plain fabric and print your own design on it. Never again willyou need to ask someone to sew a buttonon or hem a skirt or trousers.
How empowering is that?