There's not been an awful lot of knitting content on this blog for a while, but I promise I have been working away behind the scenes!  I've been doing some experimenting with the new DK yarn that I have in the shop, and I have to say it is lovely.  First up I made up a simple pattern for some long wrist covers to go under my jacket when I go dog walking.  I'm not a huge glove person as I like my fingers free, but these keep your wrists and the bottom of your hands really warm, and I find my fingers don't get cold when I wear them.

gloveon

But I decided to play a bit with colour, and this was the result:

colour-exercise

Now the pattern and colour repeats on the central part of both mitts is exactly the same, but because of the different colour edging it changes the whole "look" of them doesn't it?  I haven't quite decided which one I prefer yet.  Anyway, when I get a chance the pattern will be written up and posted.

Also on the pins is this:

new-scarf

Here's a closeup of the stitch pattern:

pattern-closeup

Once again, pattern will appear once I'm happy with the final result.

Today, while browsing Ravelry, I discovered this gorgeous pattern - Bluebird.

[caption id="attachment_2301" align="aligncenter" width="432" caption="Picture used with kind permission of Designs by Romi"]Picture used with kind permission of Designs by Romi[/caption]

You can see a few more pictures here, and here is the link to purchase the pattern. (And while you're on Rosemary's website, do have a look at her beautiful shawl pins.)  I've not had much time to indulge in lace knitting recently, but I'm planning to make this once I have dyed up my stock of Assynt Mist, which will hopefully be arriving with me next week.  Assynt Mist is a new addition to my range, and it has a fibre content of 70% superfine kid mohair and 30% silk.  I've test dyed some already, and it takes the dye beautifully.  I'm very excited about it.  Many of you know of my fondness for Rowan's Kidsilk Haze, and I have been looking for a base that is similar in fibre content to this for some time, and I think I've got it now.

While on the subject of birds, we had a little confused visitor yesterday.

lost-bird

You can see how tiny she was by the size of her head in relation to Stevan's thumb.  Unfortunately she flew into the window, and Stevan went out to see if she was alright, and she was very stunned, so he picked her up and bought her indoors to keep her warm for a wee while.  Eventually she perked up, opened her eyes, and started to take an interest, so Stevan took her back out to let her go.  She flew away quite happily!