Colinette Arizona Dreams – Yosemite – Heart Sing

I have finally finished the first of two Arizona Dreams kits in the Yosemite design that I have been working on for a couple of weeks.

This one is knitted in the Heart Sing colourway which is mainly plum, turquoise, lilac and orange.

When I started knitting it I was not sure whether I liked it, but it grew on me.

I like the variety of the Yosemite pattern – it is a bit like knitting 3 throws in one.  I finished off the edges with some tassels. 

I hope it will not be another week before I can show you a finished version of the other Yosemite throw that I have been making.

Noro Lace – 30 Exquisite Knits

I saw this book advertised and I ordered it at once!

As it says – it contains 30 knits.  I am not sure that they are all “exquisite”.  The yarn certainly is, but I think some of the patterns are a bit odd – at least – not something I would want to knit.

I often look at a Noro pattern and think it is too basic – so I thought “Noro Lace” might have some more interesting patterns in it – and it does.  There are several cowls, scarves and shawls that are very attractive and a cropped cardi which I particularly liked. 

The scarf on the cover is something I might knit one day but my favourite pattern is a vertebrae stitch afghan.  It is knitted in two shades of Silk Garden and needs 14 balls so it would cost a fortune – but it is lovely!  I think it would be a project to knit using discontinued colours which can be found at reduced prices.  I sound as if I am talking myself into it.  I will add it to my “maybe one day” list.

Colinette Arizona Dreams – Yosemite – Jabba Juice

This week I have finished knitting samples.  The photo below shows one Lone Star sample and one Vatican Pie.

I have now made a start on a new throw.  It is the Yosemite pattern and the colourway is called Jabba Juice.

I am not sure the photos show how gorgeous the colours are.  This colourway is a combination of greens and browns with a red and orange contrast.

Since I have started working on this throw I have thought of another jacket I could knit.  I found the pattern in a Debbie Bliss book I was leafing through while I was waiting for my computer to load.   I have a pile of Noro yarn that has been looking for a pattern.  This is conveniently ignoring that I have 3 unfinished jackets to get back to!

Yesterday I was reading the Spitalfields Life blog which I find inspiring although it is nothing to do with knitting.  It included some artistic representations of London buildings and my immediate reaction was: “I could knit something like that” and make them into a throw depicting all the places that my mother’s family are associated with!  I think that might be a very ambitious project for the future when I have nothing to do!

Passionate Patchwork by Kaffe Fassett with Liza Prior Lucy

I am always looking for new ideas for colour combinations or patterns.  I have a large number of books that I look through for inspiration.  I am still looking for ideas to use up odd yarn.

This is an excellent book about making quilts from fabric.  I am not keen on sewing but I can appreciate the skill of those who are good at it.

This book has lots of colourful photographs of gorgeous quilts.  There are several ideas that I am going to knit one day!  I love the quilt on the cover.  The text actually refers to Horst Schulz knitting this pattern. 

There is also another quilt made from blue and white shirt fabric which I would like to use as inspiration for a knitted throw using up all my odd bits of blue and white yarn that I have got left over from making tea cosies.  I know I have a large sackful of part-balls. 

All this will have to wait as I am still knitting samples at the moment.