Friday 22 February 2013

February sunshine

A full seven days without rain (or snow) here on the West Coast of Scotland deserves a blog mention. No worries about the camera getting wet, the sheep are at leisure and the landscape looks wonderful. Still very chilly during the day and sub zero at night though - winter is not over yet.


Sunday 10 February 2013

A Cup of Tea and Knit Now Magazine Review

An afternoon baking followed by a sit down, a cup of tea, cake and a nice knitting magazine brightened up a very grey and dull Saturday. The coffee and walnut cake recipe by Simon Rimmer was found on the BBC website. I decided to make 18 smaller cakes instead of one large one. It's very easy and can I recommend it. This is the second time I've used the recipe, the coffee is not over whelming, even Mr Hand Knitted likes the cakes and he claims not to like coffee!



 Coffee and Walnut Cakes

 
Grey overcast through the window



The publishers of Knit Now magazine very kindly sent me a complimentary copy of Issue 17.  My first impression on browsing through is, there are a lot of patterns to suit all knitting abilities along with lots of features, including yarn reviews and designer profiles. There is a free gift, a pair of craft scissors which are sharp and cut very nicely. Also included is a supplement with eight additional patterns titled 'Warm Winter Knits', including a jumper, hats, scarves and a shawl.  I thought I'd share a selection of my favourite articles from the main magazine.



Firstly the monthly 'Bookshelf' feature and the word Scotland caught my eye. Knit your own Scotland by Jackie Holt and Ruth Bailey includes characters from William 'Braveheart' Wallace to Andy Murray.

As a keeper of sheep and (hopefully spring lambs) Mr Fox is not my favourite wildlife character. However, this foxy red hat does look great. It is classed as beginner knitter and uses chunky weight yarn.

When I have time I would like to cast on these lovely geometric cable socks, the pattern comes in three sizes small, medium and large and uses one skein of Lorna's Laces Shepherd sock yarn and classed as intermediate knitter.

I love the stripe combination of these jumpers by Ann Wilkinson. The pattern is graded as suitable for beginner knitters and uses dk weight yarn.


Each month Knit Now challenges it's Design Team to  make something new using less than 100g of yarn. In this issue they chose to use Herdywool which is 100% British. There are three projects, an ebook cosy, a cowl and a hottie cover.

I love the vibrant colours of this Herdy range.

Next is the'Wish List' feature 'Time For Tea', more eye candy...and a selection of tea cosy yarns.

And finally this inspiration list of 'Golden Glow yarns to add some warmth and sunshine to a cold February afternoon.