Once upon a time...

There are so many things to write about. Firstly have you seen this competition? What a brilliant idea - it has definitely got me thinking. The story this month that designs must be based on is Cinderella. I love fairy tales, especially those written by the brothers Grimm. I can remember being read these as a child by my Mum and I still have the old, hardback copy with its beautiful black and white illustrations. I recently bought a new edition of their complete work and I have been treating myself to a couple of dark tales before I go to sleep each night. My Mum is a wonderful story teller, she is a primary school teacher and I have a sneaking suspicion that one of her favourite parts of the job is holding the group of little people spellbound as she reads to them.

This week I started the Rowan dolly bag pattern, I’m really enjoying knitting this. The textures are so interesting and he wool shows them up really well. I also like the colour, it makes me think of cool, crisp apples.

My stole/scarf is still coming along well. I’m knitting this on the train and the bag at home so progress on both is steady rather than fast.

I’ve also just bought the Simple Knitted Bodice pattern. Everyone knows this pattern, it has taken blog knitters by storm. However, I had resisted, I thought it was nice but then I saw this version of it and I HAD TO HAVE IT!! The only worry I have is that I wanted to really blow the budget and buy the Tilli Tomas yarn but, after hearing about the current price fixing controversy on Lime and Violet, I’m thinking about substituting with something else. Actually, I’ve just found an update that says that Tilli Tomas have dropped their key stone policy - so I get to spend a fortune on yarn after all! Now I just need to save up…

18 comments:

nat said...

Your stole/scarf is beautiful! I love the color. :)

Unknown said...

Lovely scarf. I have the dolly pattern too, but I'm not sure if I'm going to make it. I might though and give it to someone. I'm not a small bag person.

Are you going to make the long sleeved version??? I can't wait to see how you do with it! See in in a few weeks at Alley Pally!

Craftydramaqueen said...

I started making the dolly bag but went a bit wrong and ended up frogging. Your bag looks great, well done! Can't wait to see it finished.

dreamcatcher said...

The dolly bag looks great so far, I have the same colour I think. The stole is lovely too :-)

I didn't know there was price-fixing going on with the TT yarn, but it's pricy stuff anyways!

Anonymous said...

Just testing

Anonymous said...

Oh dear. Sorry about that first comment. I just wrote out a long (you know me) comment and then Blogger said I couldn't post it, as I'm now on "beta".

I was just saying that I liked that Simple Knitted Bodice as soon as I set eyes on it but the yarn is too expensive. I would have to have that yarn, though, with the sparkles etc...

As a child, I loved the Brothers Grimm. It's the dark streak running through the stories that makes them so beguiling. I remember there was one that described an old woman with a neck so thin that her head was like a heavy cabbage wobbling on top, which could fall off at any moment. How I worried about that (the head falling off). And then there was the story where there was a dead body in a coffin, placed on view somewhere or other in the dead of night (in a church, I think). The image terrified me but I had to keep going back to read it. Sorry, I can't remember any of the story names. And I know, I know.....this comment has turned into an essay (or a monologue).

T said...

When Alice mentioned Rumpelstiltskin the other day it made me wonder where my old book of Fairy Tales has gone, but I can't remember whether it was The Brothers Grimm as it had Strewwelpeter in it, I'm sure, with Hoffman illustrations that gave me nightmares and I don't think that was a Grimm tale. Now I'm monologuing too :) What a fantastic competition anyway. I'm confused as to which knitting is which but it's all gorgeous!

I have Simple Knitted Bodice pattern but I'm only doing it with some Debbie Bliss (not yet though) and using a carry-along sparkly yarn on the lace. It will be great to see one in the 'correct' yarn :)

José said...

I love the competition, if only i could do something more adventerous than st st or garter!!! Loving your scarf, the colour is great :)

I? said...

Hi Kendra - I love your stole/scarf. The pattern is so beautifully balanced and the colour so vibrant! Brilliant for grey winter. I love wintry season - it's such a good time for knitting! I found loads of interesting stuff in your posts: The Purlescence Competition sounds very interesting - I might even have an idea for it (?). Where is this London knitting group you found? I'd love to go. Gosh, I just realised I'm away during the Alley Palley thing :( I hope you have loads of fun :)

Sarah said...

The group I'm thinking of going to is I Knit London (link below). There is a meeting on Wednesday night near Picadilly Circus. I'm a bit shy of going by myself but I'm thinking that if they are knitters they are probably nice! If anyone fancies going or goes already let me know.
I Knit London

I enjoyed yur comment by the way Alice - the longer the better in my opinion.

handknit168 said...

I like the pattern of the red scarf.

Anonymous said...

Phew! That's lucky. I do get carried away sometimes.

acrylik said...

Both the dolly bag and the stole are beautiful, I especially love the colour of the stole.

Thanks for the link to the competition, that is something to think on.

Anonymous said...

The magenta scarf is so vibrant -- I love it!

I didn't know about the Tilly Thomas situation but will check it out on L&V. I hope you get to splurge after all!

Artis-Anne said...

love the colour of the stole and the colour is fab

Frankie said...

I love the look of that bag. Where is it from? I really admire all this beautiful and delicate stitching you do.
I met a man who goes to I Knit London - he turned up at my choir in fact. He was really nice. I thought I'd try to go myself sometime - perhaps we could synchronise.

José said...

Hey Kendra, to answer your question, yeah i do hope to knit my brother a pair of crazy coloured socks, but i haven't found a pattern thats basic enough yet. Any advise for where to look? :)

T said...

Lovely new layout K :) I've worked out which pattern is which now, lol. I kind of got the dolly bag mixed up with the Cinderella comp. It looks as if it could be a pattern on ballroom wallpaper or something. Ooh, I'm easily confused! ;o)