Spring are you coming ?

I did not knit a lot this week, had a long week at job and it’s not over yet since I’m also working tomorrow morning and the whole day Monday as well + my normal schedule… so no Easter break for me, I need to fill up my time bank. But it doesn’t mean I have anything to show to you!

First of all, my BF just bought those beautiful flowers yesterday and today looks what great surprise I got when I woke up… How gorgeous is that, it smell like spring coming one day!

Then I get 3 delivery this week, twice for yarn and once for crochet book, I told you, by the end of the year I’ll be back to crochet for sure. I got “Not your mama’s crochet” from Amy Swenson; “Lacy crochet” and “Amigurumi” by Kyuuto! Japanese craft. Those are really fun to browse trough, My favourite one to learn is the first but the 2 other have real bunch of fun when it came to pattern… have to practice first and then I’ll do my first crochet project since the age of… umm maybe 7 years olds!

Then about the yarn… first of all a wonderful sock yarn : Cherry Tree Hill Sockittome Sock Yarn in color Serengeti. (Look at the spring theme…) Still waiting for the other color I order from The Yarn and Fiber Company at the same since it’s back order at the moment, I’ll update when I get it.

Also from then in another order I failed for Elsebeth Lavold Silky wool in color Periwinkle, which a clear blue. It supposed to be a scarf for my grand mother. I give myself up to Christmas to achieve it. (Snow has multiple usage and is a great background for yarn)

I can say yarn sales are dangerous but since I only order this on the whole March sale, I’m proud to say I did not break the bank and I can enjoy my yarn without any regrets.

Book review and new IK

The knitter's Book of Yarn, the ultimate guide to choosing, using and enjoying yarn; by Clara Parkes

I just bought this book on Knitpicks and I went throught really fast at job, it's really a most have book to anyone who love to try different yarn and use them at their very best in your knitted garnments. This book is an investment since we spend so much time on your knitting not to be disapointed at the end by the result which can happen if we don't choose the good yarn for the pattern. You it happens to all of us knitter... spend I don't how much hours on a project and finally keep it for year in the back of the closet because it look horrible, it scratch horribly your skin or whatever other reason...and the list is long !

Back to the book itself ; it's divided in 4 sections which are : Section 1 : Fiber fondation, Section 2 : Making yarn, Section 3 : Ply me a river and Putting it all together. The first section is all about the fiber, different type from protein fibers to synthetic fibers. It's where the book is really useful. You learn about all type of fiber and blend, how they react and suggestion to how to use them. On the 40 patterns displayed in the book many are for beginner and some intermediate. They cover many type of knitted item such, as baby stuff, socks, mittens, hats, cardigan, etc. I do like some of them...

I included for your eyes pleasure some pictures of the inside :

Also I did receive my IK spring edition 2008 last week but I only take a look at it this week.

So far my favorite feature of the magazine is the great article of Véronik Avery (which is the author of Knitting classic style and her web site is gorgeous http://www.veronikavery.com/ ), it's Finishing : the thrill of the CHASE. As the title annonce, it's a finishing recipe for all the knitted item we made, a great check list to be sure not to forget anything. About the patterns now : I'm tempted by

Flutter sleeve cardigan

Holy jacket

Twisted tulip socks

and as always I love Eunny Yang work in the Ladylike gloves

So that's it for now, but I'm pleased with all this content and look further for spring content here as well !!!

Book review : Favorite socks

Favorite socks (25 Timeless designs from Interweave)

I just received it as a gift for my birthday and I am really pleased with it. Since I know Interweave I am a big fan of most of the pattern they published and I am also a new member to the magazine. So I asked for it and now that it is in my hand... umm I can hardly resist to buy many and many yarn to try a lot of patterns in it !

I really like the fact that there are many type of pattern, really simple rib, great lace work, men confort socks, colorwork sock with intarsia. Also some pattern have many size even to fit a child or go from a woman size to a man size. It will for sure increase the number of sock I will cast on this year.

It contains 25 patterns as said on the cover, 19 from previous issues of Interweave and 6 brand new designs to be sure that even you have all issues since 1996 it still a good value.

The book also shown great picture at least two for each models and since it's on a spiral it makes the book to be durable and easy to leave it open at the good page as long as you want. Above I have included some pictures to get you to get your own opinion on it but be sure to so soon a pair of sock from this book here !