M i n i m a l i s t

Pattern: Mohair minimalist top by Anna Kuduja.
Yarn: DROPS Kid-silk by Garnstudio (75% mohair, 25% silk).
         Colour: 05 heather.

Lehoučký ...

...jako vzpomínka na Paříž, kde jsem nikdy nebyla.

Hřejivý...

 ...jako láska.

Jemný...

 ...jako její vlásky.

E l i j a h

Pattern: Elijah by Ysolda Teague
Yarn: Merino by Vlnap a. s. (50% merino wool, 50% acrylic).

Her first birthday, first photoalbum and first knitted toy..

Elijah is the cutest hand-knitted toy I have ever seen! I wanted to knit it a long time before I had a baby to knit for, now the time has come and gone. I am really pleased with the result considering that the this little toy was a "knitters graduation" for me. 

The pattern involves many difficult techniques - I tried most of them for the first time, -such as 

• unusual disappearing loop cast-on method, 
• short rows, 
• knitting on DPN´s,
• french knots (embroidery), 

and some other basic decreasing and increasing. I found a crochet hook very useful not only for picking stitches but also for knitting first rows of ears, arms and legs - knittng on DPN´s so close to stuffed parts is not easy thing, but surprisingly it was a fun!

My yarn choice was rather practical. I wasn´t sure about the result and didn´t want to spend too much on yarn. Merino by Vlnap a. s. is a cheap alternative for merino yarns, the fabric is soft and it has a nice stitch definition. It seems that it doesn´t pill so far! :-) But be warned to frogg this yarn, please: it will loose the structure and split into threads! If it is for toys I can even stand that acrylic portion...

P.S.: Guess what my daughter did when I gave her Elijah? She just glanced at it and threw it away... sigh... Never mind, still Elijah is a beautiful room decoration and I hope she  will appreciate it later. :-) Next time I would definitely put a small jingle bell inside to make the toy more attractive for babies.

Yarn Review/ Recenze příze: Malabrigo Merino Worsted

 Malabrigo Merino Worsted by Malabrigo Yarn

Composition: 100% merino wool.

Yardage: 100 gr/ 190 m.

Weight: heavy worsted/ aran.

Characteristic: Many knitters say that this yarn is a dream to knit with and I must echo them. MMW has a great stitch definition, it is easy to be cabled without a cable needle, because it doesn´t split and isn´t slippery at all. But the main attribute which makes it so popular among knitters is its softness. It´s described as a buttery soft yarn, I´ve never heard anybody complaining about MMW being itchy! Actually it is the softest yarn I´ve ever touched and wore. At last but not at least it comes in tons of shades: solids, semi-solids (kettle dyed) and variegated. 

However MMW isn´t all purpose yarn, because it pills. I know many people knit sweaters of it, but I probably wouldn´t do so... Honestly I love Malabrigo and I could hardly imagine better yarn for toasty all year round accesories. Buttery soft, squishy, warm, no itchy or sratchy - this yarn is definitely my no. 1 choice for shawls, scarfs, cowls and some type of hats!

MMW is even great for lace projects!

Pros:

• incredibly SOFT
• warm
• wide range of colours
• beautiful stitch definition
• isn´t slippery
• doesn´t split. 

Cons:

• pills.

 

Tribute to "Marabrigo"

Pattern: Mara by Madelinetosh.

Material: Malabrigo Merino Worsted (100% merino wool), shade: loro baranquero.

Love the Mara design! Love Malabrigo! Love my Marabrigo!!! When I complete this simple triangular garter stitch shawl with ruffled edge, it didn´t seem to be anything special. But it has quickly become the most favorite autumn/winter accessory of my wardrobe. 


What makes it special? Yarn, colour, simplicity, versatility, softness, warm... It comes with almost everything and suits many different styles: it can be dressed up with a silk dress and high heel boots or dressed down with jeans and flat boots as well, it can be worn over a coat or with a long hoody wool cardigan... It looks awesome paired with a long sleeved T-shirt, skirt and dark tights. In some way, Mara is a fashion chameleon. :-) And... did I meant softness? I mean softness!

The colour is really diffcult to show in the photo. It is mainly burgundy with indigo, powder pink, grey pink, greyish green and greenish grey and golden touches. I´ve never seen a photo of knitted fabric in loro baranquero, which is nice and make the colour justice... sigh. 

A Joy of Knitting

Zdroj: masha.com/collection/heartknit.html

Love it! Sometimes one picture is better than thousands words. I only regret that I can´t buy this postcard in Czech.

Masha D´Yans je původem Ruska žijící a tvořící v USA. Její pohlednice jsou jedny z nejkrásnějších, jaké znám. Až jednou, až jednou, až jednou, až jednou (!) zase poputuju přes oceán, jednu takovou malou kartičku a klubko příze Knit Picks si určitě povezu s sebou zpátky. Až jednou...!