28 April 2014

Kimpton Scarf

Kimpton Scarf & Wrap by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
You know how it is at this time of year… one minute it's warm, and the next you find yourself looking for an extra layer which you can quickly throw on. This is where this new pattern, the Kimpton Scarf and Wrapfits right in.

There are three different versions, and all of them are lacy and lightweight – perfect to add some much‐needed warmth when the evenings start to chill down.
Kimpton Scarf & Wrap by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
The pattern takes its name from Kimpton village in the English county of Hertfordshire. We had been to the village and were driving away when my husband Tim saw a scene he wanted to photograph. The rapeseed fields were in full bloom and the church was bathed in sunlight, as you can see in my last blogpost here.

I sat on a large fallen log to finish knitting the scarf and saw how my yellow yarn was reflected in the colours in front of me, so it seemed the perfect name for this new pattern.
Kimpton Scarf & Wrap by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
That night I blocked the scarf out and loved the way the patterning showed after it had been finished. This is Garter Drop Stitch from our Reversible Knitting Stitches book and it is easy to work. The scarf has been worked lengthwise so that the patterning runs along the length of the scarf. The result is simple yet sophisticated and is the perfect accessory for Spring and Summer.

Instructions are included for three different sizes to give two lengths of scarf and a wider version which is just right for a wrap or stole.

For more details about the Kimpton Scarf & Wrap pattern, please click here. The pattern is available for immediate download from the site.

Happy Spring Knitting!

Moira 
Keywords: Patterns/Women’s Scarves & Wraps,,
Spring, Summer, lace, lace knitting, mesh, mesh pattern, reversible scarf, reversible knitting, reversible pattern, knitting stitches, #summerknitting, yellow,

21 April 2014

The yellow theme continues

Kimpton Church, Photo by Tim Ravenscroft for blogpost by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs 3029
In my last post, I could be found sitting looking at a carpet of yellow daffodils and knitting a tension swatch for a new scarf. This week I have been finishing off that same scarf surrounded by yellow rapeseed fields!

The picture above shows Kimpton Church in Hertfordshire, nestled in an absolute swathe of yellow flowers. The countryside around Kimpton is always beautiful, but it was especially so on that day, and the heady aroma filled the air as we walked around.

Kimpton itself is a small, pretty village which throws its doors open to the public at the beginning of May for MayFest. The church is bedecked with paintings in a well‐attended art exhibition and there are lots of other events too. We enjoyed the traditional maypole dancing on the village green the last time we attended. And of course the cream teas are always welcome on a warm day. It's well worth a visit if you're in the area.
Rapeseed fields, Hertfordshire, Photo by Tim Ravenscroft for blogpost by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs 2320
In my childhood, there were often yellow fields but then it was usually where farmers were growing mustard. Now that has been largely replaced by rapeseed instead. However, both are equally stunning, especially when you are up high and see the fields in the distance.
Rapeseed Horizon, Cambridgeshire,Photo by Tim Ravenscroft  for blogpost by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs 2335
In the photo above, we were driving across to Cambridgeshire and the thin yellow band is a field of rapeseed just appearing over the brow of a hill.

Now the yellow scarf I was working on in my last post is pinned out on a blocking board and I will be posting the pattern for this very soon. Look out for the Kimpton Scarf & Wrap pattern coming shortly!

Happy Knitting!

Moira
Reversible Knitting Stitches by Moira Ravenscroft & Anna Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
Last Blogpost: Sunshine and Daffodils
Next Up: Kimpton Scarf and Wrap

​​Our book: Reversible Knitting Stitches
My Website: www.wyndlestrawdesigns.com

Many thanks to my husband Tim for the wonderful photos.
​Please see his Flickr page to see more of his work.
Keywords: Travel Notes,
Spring, Summer, rapeseed flowers, UK, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Cambs, Herts, #summerknitting, yellow fields,

08 April 2014

Sunshine and Daffodils

Narcissi in Maryland, USA - photo by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
Spring is such an amazing time of the year, isn't it. About 10 days ago the cars and roofs around here were under several inches of snow after an intense storm blew through. Then just 3 days later, on April 1st no less, it was so warm that everyone was wearing T‐shirts!

I took the opportunity of the warm day to have a walk and I spotted this little clump of narcissi in a sunny, sheltered spot. They reminded me of the ones we used to have in our garden when I was a child. These had originally come from my grandparents' house in South Wales where they grew in profusion by the back wall.

These tiny perfect flowers would come up every year at the end of February, and on March 1st (St David's Day ‐ the patron saint of Wales) we would all go to school with one or two of them in our buttonholes.
Kimpton Scarf & Wrap by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
I returned home and found myself looking through my yarn collections for a similar yellow, and was so pleased when I found a lovely cotton mix yarn in just these Spring‐time yellow shades. I immediately washed and dried it and it is now ready for sampling. This is Knit Picks "Shine" Sport yarn, and it is absolutely beautiful.

I am going to sit out on the porch now with a cup of tea to hand, the scent of flowers in the air and try out some stitch patterns.

Happy Spring Knitting!

Moira 
Keywords: Travel Notes,
Spring, Summer, daffodils, #summerknitting, yellow,

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