F.O. A Sparkly Ranunculus by Midori Hirose

Pattern:  Ranunculus

Designer:  Midori Hirose

Colourway:  Sapphire

Yarn:  Sweet Georgia Yarns CashLuxe Spark:  80% Merino, 10% Cashmere Goat 10% Stellina (2 skeins)

Colourway:  Sapphire

Yarn:  Sweet Georgia Yarns Silk Fog:  76% Silk 24% Mohair (3 skeins)

Colourway:  Sapphire

Needles: 6.0 mm

Ravelry:  see notes here

Added Notes:

1.  Last year I ordered the Sweet Georgia Advent Calendar.  In the calendar were a variety of mini skeins, including CashLuxe Spark and Silk Fog.  I enjoyed knitting with these yarns (read more about it here) and fell in love with the Sapphire colourway. I knew that I had to knit a sweater with these yarns.

I made a bunch of elves with the Advent calendar skeins (sapphire on the left).

I knit Ranunculus by combining one strand of CashLuxe Spark and one strand of Silk Fog. The resulting sweater far surpassed my expectations.  I have knit with many yarns over the years, and I have to say that this combination is one of my absolute favourites.  The combination of silk, mohair, merino, cashmere and stellina in the yarns creates an incredibly soft sweater with a slight halo.  The silk gives it a sheen and the stellina gives it a sparkle.  Although the sparkle is a bit toned down by the Silk Fog, there is still a pleasing amount of sparkle in this sweater.  I just love it...once I put the sweater on, I didn't want to take it off.  I wish you could try it on to see how great it feels. 
2.  This is the second time I knit Ranunculus.  A top down sweater knit on 6mm needles knits very quickly, and there is just enough lace at the top to add interest.  Another reason I like this pattern so much is that it can be knit in a variety of yarns and weights.  For example, my first version of this sweater was a short sleeve version knit in a DK weight yarn (see blog post here).  The designer has also provided options with the neckline and sleeve length. It is an easy pattern to modify.

Ranunculus knit in Camilla Fiber Co. CFC Flax DK

3.  I really liked Melissa's version (from Espace Tricot) and I followed her modifications.  I knit the body to 10" then worked 3" of twisted rib.  For the sleeves I knit straight for 11" then worked 2" of twisted rib.  The only difference was I knit the smaller neck.  When I blocked the sweater I just lay the sweater out and pinned only the ribbing.  This sweater grew just the right amount and the sleeves are the perfect length for me.  

4.  I found that I preferred the sweater worn with a camisole.  I did not have a store bought cami in sapphire. However, I did have 100% rayon fabric in the exact colour and the Ogden Cami pattern by True Bias.  Have I mentioned that I am working on developing my sewing skills?  This was the perfect opportunity to sew this popular pattern.  As I am new to sewing I found working with the slippery rayon was a bit challenging.  I am really pleased with the result and I love how it feels next to the skin.  I will definitely be making more versions of this pattern.  I have a long way to go with my sewing skills but as long as you don't look too closely it will do.  : )

Ogden Cami by True Bias

Is this my last Ranunculus?  I don't think so.  I have big plans...stay tuned.

Visiting Loop London & Shell Cottage Socks

On a recent trip to London I had the pleasure of visiting Loop London, a yarn store located a short walk from the Angel Tube Station.  Although I visited right after the store opened for the day, it was already quite busy, with locals, as well as many tourists like me.  

I don't know what other knitters do, but I have learned to prepare myself before visiting a yarn shop on my travels.  I research what unique items the yarn shop carries that aren't available at home.  I find that having a list helps me focus when I enter one of these stores, as every coherent thought seems to leave my mind as I immerse myself in all the delights the store has to offer.  The list helps me to chose my yarn thoughtfully.

Loop is a cosy, two floored store with yarns from around the world. Fingering and lace weight yarn are located on the main floor, while heavier weight yarns and an awesome collection of books and patterns, are found upstairs. 

The main floor:

Yaku Blanket

Snail Yarn

Jamieson's of Shetland

Upstairs:

An amazing selection of books and patterns

Ito Sensai Mohair + Silk

La Bien Aimée

Harlequin Blanket

To be honest I had planned to buy a sweater's quantity of yarn from Loop.  But when I converted the cost of six skeins of yarn to Canadian dollars I changed my mind. However, I did not go home empty handed:

I bought a few skeins of La Bien Aimée which I already have planned projects for.

La Bien Aimée Merino DK
Colour:  Doe

La Bien Aimée Mohair Silk
Colour:  Vespa

La Bien Aimée Merino Single
Colour:  Peerie Voe

On the long flight from Canada to London I worked monogamously on my Shell Cottage Socks by Helen Stewart, and finally finished them shortly after I have returned home. I really admire people who knit lace socks at a quick pace.  Everytime I cast on a pair it takes me quite a while to finish. I knit these socks in Hedgehog Fibres Sock in the colourway Jelly.  The pattern is well written using the percentage system that Helen Stewart is famous for.  The lace pattern is easy to knit, but it took me a lot longer to finish them than I originally thought.  This is my first time using Hedgehog Fibres Sock and I was not too impressed.  Maybe it was the particular skein I had, but I found the yarn split very easily, and I needed to knit with very pointy needles to help compensate for that.  The finished socks are so pretty and I know I will enjoy wearing them.  However, I think my next pair of socks will be a plain vanilla pattern.  

Shell Cottage Socks

Lastly, I want to share with you the cutest sheep cup I found in Marks and Spencers.

Of course I couldn't leave London without it!  If you are planning a trip to London don't miss out on Loop London.  It's worth the visit.