And we’re back!   Yes I know it’s been a bit quiet over the spring, but suddenly, summer seems to have arrived and it’s spurred a flurry of activity over on the website.  We’ve now got the fabulous Artesano Superwash Merino DK, a 100% washable merino yarn that is probably the most scrumptious thing I’ve knitted with since getting my hands on a skein of Malabrigo.  It’s incredibly soft, totally non-itchy and comes in 25 gorgeous colours… I may just start my winter knitting early this year!

Artesano Superwash Merino

I know the web page isn’t very pretty yet – I’m waiting to get my hands on the official colour card photos from Artesano, and when they do, it’ll be all shiny and pretty and new.  But if you want to get your order in early, then the page is active and the ‘add to cart’ buttons all work, even if it’s not very aesthetically pleasing.

Patterns will be available shortly too – watch this space!

In addition, there’s a new colour available in the Wensleydale Longwool Sheepshop 4ply, and it’s a beautiful light purple called Wild Thyme.  There are limited stocks of the Natural Black left until this year’s spinning, so if you want some, grab it now!

I adore geek knittery – this link was very kindly forwarded by Sarah (thanks for the distraction!) 

Bizarre and Beautiful World of Knitted Science.

Aren’t the plankton beautiful? 

It's 100% British sock yarn!

Gorgeous Spring Forward socks, made in 100% British Natural Dye Studio “Dazzle” – wonderfully soft 4ply sock yarn. I’m using ‘Spring Greens‘, which adds its lush semi-solid tones to a wonderful (free!) pattern. And it’s a super fast knit too, so you could whip up a pair of these for someone as a last minute present!

Try using Brittany dpns and see how quickly this grows!

Fame at last – Ecoknits in the newspapers!  Well, in one newspaper, my local Doncaster Free Press.  Just over a week ago, I took several baskets of lovely yarn to the Doncaster Dome for the Success Doncaster showcase – lots of local businesses, some very new starters, all putting out their wares for others to see; a chance to network, speak to various professionals of differing sorts and generally have an enjoyable day talking about nothing but their business – which is great for me as I got to spend all day talking yarn and knitting!

However, their online side of things is lacking somewhat and the photo and write up isn’t there yet.  However, dear reader, I will keep you posted and get the link up just as soon as it’s live.

In the meanwhile, here’s a gratuitous picture of this year’s stand.  Which, oddly enough, is quite similar to last year’s. 

I finally finished the most beautiful shawl this weekend – the Girasole shawl by Jared Flood.  It is simple and it is stunning – thank you Jared, you’re a genius. 

I made it in my own Wensleydale Longwool Sheepshop 4ply, using natural black as I love the rich chocolate brown.  And, modesty aside, I think it turned out rather well, don’t you?

Girasole shawl

I love it when knitting stories appear in the mainstream press.  And I love it even more when friends cut out articles to give to  me!  Have a look at this one: The Wonder of Wool.  From The Daily Mail, 7th October 2009.

Four delicious new arrivals have prodded me out of my blogging stupor.  I really should keep you good folks up to date with what’s going on around here, shouldn’t I?

Check out the Artesano Alpaca Hummingbird page for four incredibly beautiful new colours in the squishably lovely pure alpaca DK.  Robin, Quail, Peacock and Chaffinch – sumptuous reds, oranges, blues and greens, just in time for your holiday knitting.  And it’s soft.  Smooshably so.

Artesano offer a whole heap of brilliant patterns for this stuff, and you can use pretty much any of their DK weight yarn to knit them.  How about using four hanks of the rich red Robin to make Rapt to wear at Christmas?  Or for a twist on the traditional sock gift, why not knit someone the Twist socks using just one skein of stunning Peacock?

And make sure you follow us on Twitter, to keep up to date with new arrivals and great deals.

On a slightly more personal front, I’ve almost finished the most stunning Shetland style shawl made in the fabulous Wensleydale Longwool Sheepshop 4ply.  I’ll be posting pictures soon, but if you scroll down to the bottom of the Wensleydale page, you’ll see the first dozen or so rounds on four dpns.  It’s now up to 640 stitches on one long circular needle!

Do I spend nearly £20 on genuine ink for my not-very-old Epson printer, as it won’t accept refills or copy cartridges, or do I buy a good quality brand new HP printer for £40 on special offer at eBuyer?

Darn those advertising emails.

Last week, I did a show at the Doncaster Dome.  It was a Business Enterprise event, and all the small businesses that Success Doncaster and Business Link had helped set up in the past twelve months were invited to attend, allotted a table and it actually turned into a very enjoyable day out.

I set my table up and it just looked so yummy to have all that luscious yarn out on display in baskets that I had to take a couple of pictures. 

Ecoknits stall at the Dome

Table display

And yes, that is a small green Land Rover sat on a pile of patterns.  My small boy was present for part of the day, and had to bring x number of small wheeled objects with him.

I got a blog.  Better think of something to write in it…