Report on cross-breed sheep for higher quality wool and John Arbontextiles in North Devon

Devon Mule sheep cross bred Devon breed with Blue Faced Leincester produces softer but strong wool, used in this instance for walking socks.

Countryfile BBC1 Sunday 24th January 2016.

http://bobnational.net/record/357114

Or catch up on iPlayer 

How Zen is Your Knitting?

Do you enjoy knitting in a group? 

Mary Mussett and Dr Vikki Haffenden are very excited to be bringing these developmental Knitting Workshops to various venues in Brighton during 2016. In these workshops we will be combining our professional experience to provide you with the opportunity to enhance your skills in both mindfulness and the craft practice of knitting. 

More information to follow soon

https://www.facebook.com/howzenisyourknitting/

Correction to 'Felted Tote Bag' in The Knitting Book p 350-351.

Correction to 'Felted Tote Bag' in The Knitting Book p 350-351. Corrections in bold and italics. 

Pattern.
Cast on 50sts.
Starting with a k row, and working in st st, inc at both eds on 5th row. Work 10 rows without shaping. (52sts).
Row 16 (WS): Inc in first st. p15, cast off 20sts. p15 inc in last st. (54sts)
Carry on as pattern is printed.

Apologies - just have to remember that those wonderful pattern checkers are not infallible. It's all in the numbers...

British Knitting Awards 2015

A big thanks to all of those who voted for The Knitting Book in the British Knitting Awards 2015.

'The Knitting Book is the book of all books for the knitter, whether you are a beginner or have been knitting for years...This book is so full of great information that it's an essential companion for every knitter.'
(Knitpicks.com )

The Knitting Book is available in Australia and the US, and has been translated into Dutch German and Croation.

Knit Step by Step
is also available in German and Portugese.

Patterns on Ravelry

My hand knit patterns from Rooster Book One are downloadable from Ravelry:

Man and Babies's Hat

 Soft Baby Blanket

both patterns are worked in the lovely Rooster yarns.

My Passap E6000 is out of the cupboard!

I have finally unearthed my Passap E6000 from its hibernation and even got the motor running!
Of course I still don't have much time to use it - but last night I stole a few hours to try to remember how to use it. Luckily I spent the summer servicing a 'green' Passap and bringing it back to life, its just the electronic patterning that I have lost touch with.
So here is my first piece off the machine that even warrants mentioning. Its a racked tuck pattern with a needle selection on the front bed, knitted with manual settings only as I didn't have the energy to tackle the controller at the time. Its knitted in 2/16nm lambswool and washed.

An award!

How exciting to have been awarded a place in the British Knitting Awards. Thank you to all who voted for my book. I will be going to the Knitting and Stitching Show at Olympia next week to receive my award.