New Louisa Harding Books and Yarns

Trying to keep my promise to blog more often...

Infact cant really keep this to myself as I am so excited..............

The new range of Louisa Harding Booklets arrived mid Feb and have been selling like hot cakes. (Not Little Cake - see what I did there - if not its a bit of an in joke)

The books use the beautiful yarns Mulberry Silk, Merletto and Albero. All of the new shades are in stock.

A new Book - Louisa Harding Chinoiserie is due into stock in the next 2 weeks. This book features two new yarns - Aimee (90% cotton and 10% cashmere) DK weight - 12 gorgeous shades and Fleuris (70% bamboo and 30% wool) Aran weight - 13 shades. Check out the website to see pics of the contents and yarns which will all be available from www.knitsinthecity.co.uk

I am a real Louisa Harding fan - I love the way her garments are shaped to flatter the figure. I am looking forward to making a couple of things from the book for myself.

I am still working on, what shall always be referred to as the "fresian cow" at the moment - actually only cast on on Wednesday but am half way up the left front. It is turning out well and as it is colourwork (my fave) I am not bored with it at all.

I am however bored with the Revive project I am working on - Cardoon. I know the garment is going to be great when finished and very wearable but it is ribbing and we what can I say its ribbing....Yawn... dozes off at the mere mention of the word. If anybody is having trouble sleeping I recommend making this garment. Really there is only so much Knit 3 Purl 3 anybody can take.

On the other hand if you are a beginner and want to make a nicely shaped cardi - I would also recommend this.

Other yarns which are flying off the shelves at the moment are - Gedifra Barina and Amara. These have been really popular and I am guessing that they will continue to be popular right through the summer.

Will blog again soon but just had a call from a friend who wants a good gossip - so signing off.

WOW How long has it been?

wCant believe I havent blogged since before Christmas!!

Seems a bit late to do the "How was your Christmas?" and "Happy New Year" so I will skip it. The reason for the lack of blogs has been the volume of sales and the amount of new stocks coming in.

OK so here is the rundown.

New into stock - Rowan Magazine No. 47, Rowan Casual Classics (best seller at the moment), Rowan Summer Crochet, Rowan Miniature Classics, Rowan Kids, Rowan Recycled Collection (Revive Yarn) and Rowan 18 - check out the website for further information.

Gedifra Moments 217, 218 and Highlights 101 including 4 new yarns Barina, Jalia, Fiorista Fino and Satata

Debbie Bliss New Additions - Amalfi book and yarn - Eco Baby book and yarn - both lovely additions to the DB Stable. The Eco Baby knits up like Baby Cashmerino so there is fantastic pattern support for this yarn and as you know I like eco yarns!!

I am now stocking the Mirasol range of yarns including two newbies. Lachiwa (60% pima cotton and 40% linen) which is already selling well even without pattern support - the patterns are due in by the end of the month and Wachi (85% pima cotton and 15% silk). Hacho is flying off the shelves. I wasnt sure about this yarn when I saw it on the skein but knitted up it looks fabulous.

Two new Noro Yarns are due in any day now Taiyo and Furin. These yarns are featured in the new publications including Catwalk 2 one of my favourite Noro Books.

I hope you have all seen the articles in the magazines. Knits in the City did the 5 minute interview with Lets Knit and also did Top Knits in the Knitting Magazine recently. The knitting group is going to be featured in The Knitter in issue 17 or 18.

I just have to submit the pics, garments and write up about the members. Keep an eye out for it.

I hadnt had many pics of finished garments and then a couple came through.

Pic 1. is Margaret Whyte (from Ireland) in Miss Marple - Margaret and I did a knit along for this garment made in Louisa Harding Willow Tweed (nice yarn) I think Margaret made a fantastic job of this.

Pic 2. is Annette Harrison (from Staffordshire) in Sixties Jacket in Gedifra Videra. The sleeves on this garment are crochet and I think the look is very effective.

I have just agreed to stock Designer Knitting (was Vogue Knitting) at the request of one of my customers and have got to say I love it. The magazine comes out each quarter and I have just received the winter copy. The pics attached show one of the stories from the mag - Traditional - and I have decided to make the third cardigan in for the Races this year (that it the Grand National to those people who arent local to Liverpool) It is one of the annual girls get togethers and everybody dresses to impress. I usually do a posh frock, high heels and hat but this year I am going to try a Katherine Hepburn look. Will keep you posted on the progress. One of my so called friends recons I will look like a fresian cow in this cardigan - well what can I say - some of us can carry it off and others ............... nuff said.

Wow once I get blogging I can stop!! Didnt make a new years resolution as I dont tend to keep to them. Loosing Weight - HA! Going to the Gym HA HA!! But I am going to try (no promises as I would hate to let you all down) to blog more regularly.

Hope to hear from you all soon with orders for some fantastic projects for Spring Summer.

Chris.

So here it is Merry Chistmas everybodys having fun.........

Hi long time no blog. I have been sooo busy, not that I am complaining, but I havent had time to blog.

The dressage champs are on Sunday so I have been trying to squeeze in as much riding as possible, I have also been busy trying to send out the back log of Percy Penguin Knitting Kits.As well as finish off all of my Christmas and birthday knitting. Tracy called round last Sunday and I realised that I still hadnt finished her Birthday Present (her birthday was in August!!) so I had to finish it off for her whilst she visited. Just in time I think as the weather has gotten really cold over the past couple of days. Its going to be Minus 5 tonight so her Frost Hat (by Louisa Harding featured in Knitting Magazine) should come in handy.I eventually finished Miss Marple. I love it - Willow Tweed is such a lovely yarn it is really soft when knitted up. I do like Louisa Harding patterns though as they are great figure flattering garments. I have also finished at last a jumper I started last winter from the Rowan Kid Silk Aura book - havent taken a pic yet but it is a proper Christmas Jumper Red/Green/Cream - No Reindeer but a bit Val Doonican - now you all cant wait for the unveiling can you? As soon as somebody comes round for a visit I will pop it on and get the picture. The Noro gloves also got finished this week in time for Secret Santa. I love them - really funky with a black coat. If I get fed up over the Christmas period I might make myself a pair.

Had a visit from the Rowan Rep today - still not allowed to have the pics of Issue 47 on the website yet. The magazine is due in 15th of January so will have till wait with breathe that is baited until I get the go ahead. My knitting kit for the new Revive yarn turned up though today. So I will be busy making Cardoon over the next couple of nights. Not sure if I have raved about this yarn enough yet....... 100% Recycled Cotton, Silk and Viscose - very drapey - just lovely.

If you buy any of the knitting publications that are out there keep your eye out for "5 Minutes with Knits in the City" in Lets Knit and Knits in the City "Top Knits" in Knitting. Both articles are in the Feb issues.

I advertise in these mags every month so it was a nice bonus to get these article opportunities.

We had a Stitch and Bitch Christmas do on Tuesday night where we exchanged Secret Santa gifts. Everybody made a real effort and we thoroughly enjoyed the evening. NOTE - I obviously dont get out much as my ability to drink alcohol has wained. Three wine and sodas and I was well away. Apologies if my Amsterdam stories offended.

Will post pics of the Secret Santa gifts when I get some pics from Candice.

Have a great Christmas everybody - and lets all have a brilliant 2010.

Dressage Local Championships

Well this should make you laugh.

Me and my horse (Treacle - show name Reynard)

have qualified for a local Dressage Championships that will take place at Aintree. So for the next few weeks I will be trying to learn Novice 38 (that is the test that I have to perform).

Sounds easy - well not for me - in my old age I seem to have developed a loss of memory. Dressage tests are made up of a number of movements that you have to perform on your horse (a bit like figure skating although you don't jump into the air and do a triple salko unless you are really unlucky) so you have to learn these movements and perform them in a set routine.

When we were younger (that's the horse and I) we were OK at this but after my many accidents (broken neck, splintered hip and broken leg) I am a bit stiffer and Treacle who is also ageing is stiffening up too.

I will be quite happy if we remember the test, Treacle doesn't decide to stop for a Pooh and the Lady in the canteen doesn't decide to make a round of Cappuccinos when I am on my way into the ring. So keep your fingers crossed that we make it round in one piece, without any errors and that we don't come last..........

On a knitting note - I have almost finished off Miss Marple - hee hee - well who doesn't want to finish her off? Miss Marple is a sweater that was featured in The Knitter Issue 11 I think. I am doing it as a KAL with one of my customers. Just finishing off - should be done by the weekend.

I have completed Featherbed a hat from the Louisa Harding Little Cake Book. Its for a present so I didn't make it too slouchy - used some Kashmir Aran that I had left over and think that it has turned out OK. I have to use the bear as a model as there wasn't anybody available to take my pic in it. He looks better in it anyway.

I think I might make a few more for presents. Off to finish off Miss Marple now!! Small things really do amuse me.

OOOh This is One Student I'd Like to Get my Hands On

Ben FoglePublished: 1:15PM GMT 20 Nov 2009

Ben Fogle learns how to knit with Gerard Allt at his 'I Knit' shop in London

Despite the fact that I have put myself through extremes all over the world, I was out of my comfort zone with this one.

The closest I have ever come to knitting was 10 years ago on Castaway when I had to darn my socks. And I couldn't help thinking about the 7th Earl of Cardigan, after whom the knitted garment was named. He led his woolly-jacketed cavalry in the Charge of the Light Brigade and dropped much more than a stitch.

Today, knitting is largely considered a feminine pursuit yet hardy sailors, fishermen and shepherds were among the first knitters in history. As well as its purely practical benefits, knitting enhances motor skills and concentration, plus there's that sense of pride and fulfilment on completion of your creation.

Armed with these thoughts and a pair of size-8 needles, I turned up at I Knit, a small, welcoming London shop where knitters can chat, drink and relax late into the night.

The plan was to make booties for my newborn - for a novice like me, this seemed over-ambitious. But what are challenges about if not perseverance?

I eventually completed two neat(ish) rows, though I confess knitting is a lot harder than it looks; lose concentration and you lose your place.

As I got into my stride, my competitive edge came out. I found myself sneakily looking to see if my fellow knitters were progressing faster than me (happily, they weren't). I began to realise how therapeutic - not to mention handy - this skill could be.

I could use it on expeditions to patch ripped tents. People may laugh at the thought of James Cracknell and me sitting knitting in Antarctica, but you really have to make do and mend down there and it'd be fun to make woolly scarves in cold places.

These days there is a growing demand for hobbies that enrich your life, and research conducted by American Express has identified the rise of these "Potentialists", a merry band I count myself among.

Knitting is an art I could develop with time. I have this romantic notion of sitting at home, my wife feeding the baby and me knitting little hats. We'll be relaxed with the dogs at our feet. So I'd better put in more practice.

Daisychain Designs: Finished projects#links

Daisychain Designs: Finished projects#links

www.knitsinthecity.co.uk

Bonfire Night!!!

Its Bonfires and Fireworks everywhere tonight and typically it is raining. I am obviously indoors try to keep my neurotic dog quiet. She has been whining for 3 hours solid and keeps landing slap bang in my lap at the most unfortunate moments - whilst trying to drinking a super hot cup of coffee and more importantly whilst blogging.

I was advised to ignore her yelps and to encourage her to play but she is not having any of it. When I send her in search of the stringy (toy) she just does a few laps like a panther about to strike and then starts whining again...........

Had a visit from the Designer Yarns rep today and have taken delivery of two new Noro Books.

Both are really lovely - sometimes I think the Noro designs are a bit antwacky (unfashionable for those who don't speak fluent scouse). But these two books are great value at £7.50 - the designs on the cover say it all.

If anybody hasn't met the members of the Prescot Stitch and Bitch a picture of the crew is shown below. This isn't all the members but just a select few.......

I have finished off a few items lately - haven't been able to take pics of them all but the bag - yes the bag that caused a few issues - how to sew together etc. is finished!!!! Hip Hip





It isn't too bad is it? The Pudsey Bear is for the Wine Bar where we have our Stitch and Bitch Sessions - they are having a charity night. Not my best work but hopefully he will help them raise some money for children in need.

Just shouted at the dog and she is sulking. Have a great Bommy Night.