Now here's a great project, and one that we can all benefit from. Talented designer Ashley Knowlton of Wonk Knits) has decided to do something about the gaps in standard sizing charts - everything from underbust circumference (for a perfect empire waist) to instep, and of course much more. She's gathering the data and will release it (medians, means and all the rest) for the use of anyone who wants to, once it's been turned into useful information.

Of course the success of this depends entirely on getting massive amounts of data, and this is where you come in. You can help by contributing your own measurements here; and perhaps even more importantly, spreading the message via Facebook, Twitter, blogs etc.

Do it for the designers. Do it for the knitters. Do it for us all!

Posted by Robynn at 07:03 PM | Permalink | 0 cups of tea on the table | TrackBacks (0)

Claudia really loves reorganising my cupboards... and bringing me things to pack, when I'm preparing the postal run. Whether or not anyone's actually ordered them.

Posted by Robynn at 07:17 AM | Permalink | 1 cups of tea on the table | TrackBacks (0)

I’ve just heard that the mill that spins Fleece Artist’s gorgeous alpaca-blend lace yarn Suri Blue has closed, so we won’t be getting any more.

This is really, really sad, SB is an amazing yarn and I wish I’d stockpiled while I could - but I didn’t know this was coming! So, consider this your warning: what we have left is all we can give you… and because I love you all VERY MUCH I’m not going to hoard those two last skeins of pumpkin. No I’m not. (Please somebody order it quick and take temptation out of my hands?)

Posted by Robynn at 10:13 PM | Permalink | 1 cups of tea on the table | TrackBacks (0)

Anyone who loves handpainted yarns knows they can be rather difficult lovers. Beautiful, but temperamental and sometimes just plain unco-operative - especially in lacework. All those gorgeous colour shifts tend to obscure the stitch pattern, and that's without worrying about pooling! So, you have to pick your pattern with care. Simpler stitches are generally the best, but can be tedious to work if you prefer challenging projects.

Which is why I was so delighted with Carol Feller's Captiva Wrap. It's just a gorgeous wrap in any yarn, of course, but I think particularly well suited to variegated colourways: a series of garter-stitch wedges, with a scalloped lace edging, allow the colours to play without running wild. And it's fun to make - short-row shaping as well as the edging, worked at the same time as the body, hold your attention without keeping you glued to the instructions.

I love it. What do you think?

Made using 3 skeins of Handmaiden's gorgeous Mulberry Tussah blend.

Posted by Robynn at 12:51 PM | Permalink | 1 cups of tea on the table | TrackBacks (0)