I posted my first vlog yesterday! I have a lot to improve on, but I like the idea of doing a vlog every so often, do you? Also, sorry about the sound quality. I think it’s my Macbook fan. I should probably close some apps before filming videos. Oops!
Luxury Yarn Shawl
Dovetail Shawl
Mitre-Square Shawl
If you’re interested in test knitting any of these shawls, comment below to let me know which. They’re all “as much yarn as you have” shawls, and gauge isn’t important. I’d quite like to see how they look in a variety of yarn weights, actually. I want to get the Mitre-Square Shawl out soonest, the other two aren’t such a hurry, as I obviously have some more designing to do for the ebook. :)
Also comment below or video response with your knitting speed (& whether you were knitting st st, ribbing, garter st, etc.)! I’m curious. :)
If you’re doing NaNoWriMo too, add me as a writing buddy. My username is: maiden & I’m already behind!
Being without an internet connection wasn’t all bad, you know. I did an unusual amount of reading, splashed some watercolours around, managed to connect my Strat to my Macbook, and even ventured into a bank. Oh, and I made this trailer for the Cornflower Hat. It’s a bit better than my last attempt, I think, but hopefully not nearly as good as my next. :)
I think the work you put into your knitting will reward you richly, not just in the beauty of the final piece, but in more profound ways, just like the pretty spring blossoms bear fruit in autumn. That’s the story I tried to tell in this video. Also, of course, that a hat with a drawstring is an excellent place to keep your lunch, perhaps Paddington-style marmalade sandwiches?
You can also amuse yourself by spotting all 5 types of fruit in the trailer, and identifying the following quotations that were going through my head as I shot the clips:
“…sloeblack, slow, black…”
“…it is only flowers, they had no fruits…”
“nobody in the lane, and nothing, nothing but blackberries…”
Sometimes all I want to do is stay at home and play around with my new Macbook Pro. :) I’ve been thinking about making a little knitting pattern trailer for a while, and the new iLife proved to be the catalyst. Hopefully one day soon I’ll be able to shoot a proper trailer with an actual camera, and pretty models who bother to brush their hair. A location slightly more stimulating than my bedroom would also be most welcome. In the meantime, the video for Cherry Blossom Girl’s Etam collection is magnifique & very inspiring!
This is my first new computer in 5 years, so please excuse me while I am absent a little, delighting in the sudden brightness of my photos, the fulfilment of my HDM obsession (snow leopard!), and the smugness that comes from knowing that for a month or so at least, I am UP TO DATE!
Since I demonstrated my purling technique in Love Your Purls, I’ve had loads of knitters contact me to let me know how much it’s helped them get faster at purling, and actually stop hating the process!
I’ve also had a few people asking me to demonstrate how I would work a knit stitch in this way. It certainly wouldn’t make sense to change techniques between knitting and purling, so I shot this video a while back, to show you how I knit and purl. You might be able to tell I’m working the Parasol Shawlette, which will be released oh-so-soon.
Knitters who purchase the Parasol Stole before the release, will get a free copy of the Shawlette pattern. Otherwise, it will be priced as a separate pattern, although I may offer a discounted “bundle” for the Stole & Shawlette together. So if you’re interested in knitting either, it’s best to buy now! :)
Here’s a video I just shot showing you a really neat way to work a central decrease. I’ve used this technique before in my Hottie Cover to decrease 8 stitch (4 over 4) cables, and in this video I’m using it in ribbing. It’ll work anywhere, you can decrease as many stitches as you like, and it’s really easy to remember. I certainly didn’t come up with it, but I love it nonetheless! :) You’ll also get a sneak-peak at my new pattern, which I should have ready really soon. Let me know what you think & if you have any other knitting problems, you can ask them over on Tumblr, or here.
I find it strange that so many knitters have an aversion to purling. After all, it’s almost 50% of knitting isn’t it? I was doing quite a bit of purling on a project a while back, and I found that wrapping the yarn around the thumb of my left hand (I’m a continental knitter) made things go faster. Here’s a video showing you how…
I hope this helps you, and do share if you have any other good tips on making purling pleasanter! ;)
hot water bottle cover with pocket - £3.00 (approx. $4.70)
houses slipover - £3.00 (approx. $4.70)
earring & key holder - free
bow pouch - free
* Paypal will show you the precise currency conversion before you confirm the sale.
(round)about
My name is Derya and I'm 25-years-old. This blog is an experiment in better living through knitting. Learn more about Laylock in the Introduction. If you'd like to get in touch, leave a comment or email me at: d.y.davenport AT gmail.com.
3 November, 2011 | 
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