A Life of Colour

Vogue, Victorian & Spindle.

Quite a mouthful that title isn't it? LOL! I haven't posted for awhile so I have a few updates this post. First up, I'm excited to announce that Zen Yarn Garden made the Holiday 2010 issue of Vogue Knitting...woot! We are in the World Section under "Made in Canada" on page 30. The write-up is lovely and although my last name isn't spelled correctly (oops!) I love the write-up. Wish I could be so eloquent...where does one learn how to put words together so well? :)

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And in case you haven't seen yet, I'm participating in a lovely new knitting club in 2011 which will include the likes of Anne Hanson, Sivia Harding and Susanna IC as designers as well as 3 other dyers who are fantastic. Won't you join us? The Victorian Writers Knitting Club is going to be a lot of fun and KALs as well as RALs are being planned!  I can't wait for the first shipment in February as Anne is designing a lovely sock to go along with the first theme of Sherlock Holmes. I'm really pleased with the colourway and the yarn we chose is gorgeous too. Drop by the Ravelry group for more details!

And finally, I am spindling! This past week our local spinning group got together after a bit of a hiatus and I took the plunge. I really love it for how different it is from spinning on the wheel. Spindling is a little slower but I find myself relaxing with the spin a little more than the wheel which tends to have a "produce" feeling to it...that could be my own idiosyncrasy as I tend to get caught up in the "get things done" which the wheel seems to promote as it moves faster. Spindling is so much different though - the twist/spin is only as fast I make it so I can relax a little more as I can only go so fast. I can set the spindle on my desk and spin whenever I like as well - love that part - I seem to be picking up the spindle often throughout the day for a little spin, set it down and pick it up again. So fun!

I decided to treat myself to a Golding spindle to start and am so glad I did - it spins with little effort and is well-balanced for a first-time spindler. 

How are you? Hope you're doing well and that the winter season is still very mild in your neck of the woods as it is here...it doesn't feel at all like winter here this year.

Elektra & Limestone.

I'm so excited! Two lovely and gorgeous designs just got released in two Zen Yarn Garden yarns and it makes me so giddy...putting yarn in the hands of really talented designers who have a way of making knitting sing is awe-inspiring.

First up is Elektra designed by Romi of Designs by Romi. Using Serenity Silk, she has designed a gorgeous shawlette pattern that is part of her 7 Small Shawls to Knit series. When I sent the yarn off to Romi I was elated when I heard back from her saying she was intending to use the yarn for one of her 7 Shawls series. It has turned out so pretty!

Second up is the Limestone One Skein Triangle Shawl designed by Michelle Miller of Fickleknitter Designs. Using Serenity 20, Michelle has designed a truly gorgeous and scrumptious triangle shawl! When I sent the yarn off to Michelle she contacted me shortly after and said she was going to design a shawl and design one she sure did. So pretty! Make sure to check out all her designs while you're over browsing her store - she has lots of fun things to choose from!

Now that I've calmed down a bit from all the excitement, I must say, it's kind of cute that both designs ended up in a yellow-based colourway. It's but one colour I don't dye that often yet both designers chose it! I suppose I should re-visit my "don't dye too much yellow" mantra...LOL

I've cast on Elektra already and am having fun with the beading as it's my first time but now I must find needles to cast on Limestone too...so much for having only one project on the go!

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