Norwegian Star Hat...

While browsing the patterns for fairisle hats on Ravelry.com I came across this set of hats, knitted in stranded knitting with multicolour Kauni effect yarn.  The pattern is designed by Ruth Sorensen and this pattern is from the Knit a Hat ebooklet.   I would definitely recommend this pattern.

I do have a couple of balls of Kauni yarn in my stash but there wasn't enough contrast between the colours for them to work well together so I chose to use one of my Noro Silk Garden sock yarns in shades of plum, mauve and olive green for the Norwegian stars contrasted with a dark plum/purple Trekking sock yarn for the dark main colour.

The pattern asked for 3mm and 3.25mm needles but I used 3.75mm needles instead as I have a tendency of knitting quite tightly when doing stranded colourwork in the round.  

Next time I think I would knit a narrower ribbed edging probably using the tubular cast on method for a neat edge.  I loved knitting this pattern and found the shaping for the crown to be rather cleverly worked within the stars.  But I find when I am wearing the hat that the crown goes to a slightly too "pixie" pointy finish for me.  I prefer my hats to be slightly more rounded at the crown.    I have only worn the hat a couple of times so far.  But DH thinks it looks nice on me.

I have some of this lovely yarn combination left over and I am trying to decide whether to design a cowl or fingerless mittens that would look lovely with the hat.  I think I will probaby opt for the mittens.

Stormlit...

Now and again, a yarn arrives, and I just cannot wait to photograph it, I immediately whip out my yarn winder and have it turned into balls immediately...  Stormlit was one of these yarns...  Again, this is from Flamboyance Yarns...  I just love how she works with colour...

Stormlit is from her Hero range and is 100% Superwash British Falkland Merino Wool.  It is a high twist 4 ply sock wool and is wonderful to work with...

The richness and depth of hue in this yarn is amazing and the deep shades just seem to glow as the socks are knitted...  

I love how Stormlit looked when they were finished.  I finished knitting them just before Christmas.  They are comfortable and warm.  I have worn and washed these socks many times now and the colour is staying very true.

Heather Socks...

This gorgeous sock yarn is hand dyed in the Heather colourway by The Knitting Goddess...  I really like the shades of purple and the mint and sage green.  These colours work well together.

It is very soft to the touch.  a 4ply sock yarn in 75% superwash merino and 25% nylon.  (100g/425m).

I bought this from a lady who was selling part of her personal sock wool collection on Ravelry.  

I knit this pair of socks at the same time on two sets of dpn's.  It is my favourite sock pattern.  I find all the elements very comfortable to wear.  A basic ribbed cuff, followed by 40 rounds of stocking stitch, then turning the heel, working the gusset and...

Finishing with a round toe.  I find that this style of toe with even decreases every third round is very comfortable to wear.

I am really looking forward to wearing these socks as they feel so very soft to the touch.  I opted for the plain pattern because the yarn has such a rich colour palette and fine stripes I felt that patterning would be lost.

I love using bamboo dpn's.  I used to get severe pain in my wrists and thumb joints when I was doing a lot of knitting and I find that using the bamboo needles really helps to stop this happening.

I finished knitting these socks surprisingly quickly.  Decided I just couldn't wait to start wearing them, then of course, I bought a great pair of Birkenstock sandals for the summer weather (yep, the first day I wore them, the rain pelted down on me and I really wished I was wearing shoes and cosy hand knit socks).  

But I do think that it will be nice to have a few new pairs of socks for the autumn.  

Woodland Glade...

Flamboyance Pageant - Woodland Glade

I bought this beautiful sock wool from one of my favourite hand dyers a few months ago...  Adore how this yarn knitted up in the sample...  so now I need to decide what I would like to create using this beautiful yarn.  

The touch of russet, grey and taupe is beautiful and softens the lovely sage greens...

I absolutely adore the colours in this sock wool...  It is funny how often I find myself with another beautiful green toned wool...  this one is particularly beautiful...

I twisted it into a nest shape so that I could gain a different view on the beautiful colours...

The yarn has a beautiful repeat that would work well in the small scale knitwear for Sasha Dolls.   

It would work beautifully with the colours I am using for the new Marmalade Compote Collection that I am creating for Sasha Doll Style.