Knitting websites and other news

Two sites new to me which may be of interest to you :

Afghans for Afghans is an American charity website where contributors provide shawls for women in Afghanistan. There are some links to patterns which are suitable for all of us. Find the site at www.afghansforAfghans.org/rectangleshawlcampaign.html

Also, the Rainey sisters website which has some good free patterns and interesting chat at

http://www.theraineysisters.com/

I'd love to have the time to check out all the interesting knitting sites out there.

In other news, it was the future Mrs Wyld's hen night last night at which a good time was had by all. You can see a happy snap above - the Wyld dynasty will survive for another generation!

I am aiming to get to knit group for the first time in 3 weeks, you have been missed.

Bridegroom's mother shawl

This is my mother of the groom shawl which has to be finished by 25 July. It's Jelly colour Kidsilk Haze and is a pattern I had published in Knit Today last year. Then it was in cream yarn and a bridal shawl so I thought I would change the look for myself.

It's to be worn in the evening with the tunic and trousers of my wedding outfit.If it's too hot to wear it I will just use it as an accessory, but with our "summer" so far you never know! I'm enjoying knitting it again because the look is so different from the original.

The first scarf pattern I ever had published is now out of copyright so I will be presenting it to you as a freebie shortly. I had to sign away the rights for a year and I can't believe the time went by so quickly.

Watch this space!

Parisian knitting for you

This Phildar Preface yarn is far more vibrant than the photo suggests. 70% wool and 30% nylon, it was not sold as sock wool but that's what it is. 193m or 211 yds per 50g ball and I got 5 balls.

Regular readers will know I like large scarves / wraps, so at 965m I have more than enough. I'm using 5mm needles.

So here we go :

Cast on 155 stitches and knit 2 rows. Then work every row as follows :

K1,P1,K1,P1 K1, (YO, K2tog to last 5 stitches ), work last 5 stitches as first 5.

Continue till yarn is nearly used up, K2 rows and cast off.

This will provide a length of well over 5 feet and, if blocked, a wide and lacy look. The photo is unblocked and I like it like this. If worked as YO, P2tog the effect would be different but I like to knit wherever possible.

You could use any self striping sock yarn but remember to adjust the starting point when adding a new ball in order to maintain the pattern.

Ideal holiday knitting - the pattern is in your head and you can do it anywhere!

Paris, Edith Piaf and knitting

Yes, I went to Paris last week and here's the proof.

Knitting wise, I got some Phildar sock yarn which I am not going to use for making socks ( that would be far too obvious! ). If you are ever over there, I recommend the Mercerie dept. in Le Bon Marche store on the left bank. They stock Rowan, Phildar, Anny Blatt, Plassard and Elle as well as the best selection of ribbons I have ever seen. There was too much choice, and I don't often say that.

Still on a knitting theme, I watched La Vie en Rose last night which is the latest film about the life of Edith Piaf. This has had mixed reviews, but I enjoyed it. When asked what she did when not singing she answered " I knit. " When touring America she had her knitting with her. A short but tragic life, doubtless made a little happier by knitting.