I placed a note on the “other” to say that we won’t be hosting Knit Night tomorrow evening but we’ll be back to regular scheduling next week.  See you all tomorrow if you can make it during the day!

But then we have a choice: to share or not to share. So I’m putting my hands up and owning up to having a Swiss Cheese brain. I’ll try to give details where I have them, but if I miss something out, and you see your project here, then you can metaphorically raise your hand through a comment and claim ownership. We all love to see what our fellow knitters are up to and, even better, to hear about what you thought of a pattern, any alterations you made and any general wisdom you have to share. So hands up folks, join in!

I know this one! This is Susan’s Lucious Clapotis in the Tuscany colourway of Lion and Lamb. As with any Clapotis, there mustbe at least three gratuitous and arty shots. Well done Susan – it’s fab!

Mary L shows she has well and truly been bitten by the Mobius bug, with this version in Rowan’s softly transitioning Tapestry yarn. Mary chose a simple garter stitch version this time, which suits the variegated yarn perfectly.

Incredibly, this is a nameless project. I can’t quite believe that I haven’t retained that info. What I do know is that this is Sofia from the new Debbie Bliss Pure Cotton/Stella Book, knit in Pure Cotton.

Mary has been busy as always and she treated herself to this version of a curly scarf. We think it’s the short row scarf from “Scarf Style” but we’re ready to stand corrected! The yarn is one skein of Lion and Lamb Motherlode.

Sofia has been popular! This is Mary L’s version. We’re looking for a bit of feedback on the buttons. Mary thinks they might be too dark and I said I’d canvass some opinion. What do you think?

Aha, this one stands out, both on the page and in my head. Ger H did some great work at her Intro to Sock Knitting Class. She chose Shepherd Sock in the Rainbow colourway and we hear rumours her other half (Hi Gary!) is trying to fit his foot into this one!

Georgina brought in this collection of beautiful baby knits.  All are Debbie Bliss patterns in Baby Cashmerino yarn.  The matinee coat and cabled jacket are from the first Baby Cashmerino pattern book and the cuter than cute Garter Stitch Teddy Bear comes from Debbie’s new book Simply Family (available in the shop now and on the website soon).

Found – picture of one gorgeous felted Kureyon bag.  Lost – owner.  Can you help?

Poor Antje’s projects took a back seat to her “Yay Yarn!” fairy cakes a couple of weeks ago.  How could we not share the proof that she is quickly becoming a master of sock knitting?  She was also more than half way through her Cashmerino Chunky hat, with mistake rib edging.  Can’t wait to see the FO Antje!

In further Clapotis news, Edel has been keeping a healthy balance between study and knitting.  Edel has been making great progress with her version in the Motherlode colourway.  What better antidote to the books than the feel of Lion and Lamb?

Keep bringing in those projects girls – or send photos by email – I resolve to keep notes in future!

Well the big day is nearly here! Debbie will be with us from 10.30 to 4.00 on Thursday the 10^th of May to celebrate our new premises and to spend time chatting with you all about her patterns and Spring/Summer yarns.

On the day we will have every shade of the stunning Rialto 100% Superfine Merino Yarn and of the incredibly soft and very popular new Pure Cotton. As a special offer for the 10^th of May only, purchase a pack of ten of either of these yarns and we will give you the accompanying pattern book absolutely free. You can even take the opportunity to have Debbie sign it!

Debbie will also have 30 – 40 sample garments with her for you to check out and try on, so if there’s a pattern you were thinking of knitting then this is a great time to see the construction and stitch detail up close and personal!

Don’t forget to enter our free draw on the day. Simply give us your name and contact details and we will draw the winners on Friday the 11^th of May and notify you if you have won. We will also publish the name of the winners on our website. The prizes are:

1^st Prize: A €50 Voucher for This is Knit (can be used online or in person)

2^nd Prize: Two free passes to workshops/classes of your choice

3^rd Prize: One free pass to a workshop/class of your choice.

We will be topping this all off with tea/coffee and biscuits in the morning and “a little tipple” of red or white in the afternoon so come join the party!

May:

Weds 2^nd: Introduction to Knitting for Beginners

Weds 9^th: All about Knitting in the Round

Sat 12^th: Reading/Understanding Written Patterns

Sat 19^th: Professional Finishing Techniques

Weds 23^rd: Simple Shaping Skills – Increases and Decreases

Weds 30^th: Learn the Magic Loop Technique

June:

Weds 6^th: Introduction to Knitting for Beginners

Sat 9^th: Beginners Crochet – A Simple Summer Wrap

Weds 13^th: Basic Pattern Reading for Beginners

Sat 16^th: Simple Summer Shrug Project Class 1

Sat 23^rd: Simple Summer Shrug 2

Weds 27^th: Simple Cables – From written instructions and charts

Sat 30^th: Introduction to Lace Knitting

July:

Weds 4^th: Introduction to Knitting for Beginners

Sat 7^th: Introduction to Lace Knitting 2

Weds 11^th: Simple Colour Work for Beginners

Sat 21^st: Decorative Edgings – Cast Ons and Cast Offs

Weds 25^th: Simple Shaping for Beginners – Increases and Decreases

Sat 28^th: Knitting Toys – Principles and Techniques

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Saturday Classes are from 10.30 and generally last two to two and a half hours. Out Saturday Workshops are €20 per class. Places strictly limited to 6 per class.

Classes on Wednesday Evenings will be an hour to an hour and a half in duration at €10 per class. On Wednesdays the workshop will start at 6.45pm. Places strictly limited to 3 per class.

A 10% discount is available on all class materials.

So I hope you see something you like here. Just drop me an email if you have any questions and I’ll be happy to provide more info. Book soon!

One thing I can confirm straight away is that the first Wednesday of every month will be beginners’ night.  Pop on in to us at 6.45pm and we’ll get you kitted out with materials and started on your first project.  The class will be for approx an hour and 15 mins and
costs just €5 if you purchase your materials at TIK and €10 otherwise.

There will be lots more Weekly Wednesday Workshops announced soon, together with the Saturday classes, so stay tuned….

Check out the new “Patterns for Sale” section of the website where, if you are looking for the summer knitting project, you can instantly download Aileen Cahill’s Rosy Lace Shrug.  Using just two to three balls of Kidsilk Night or Kidsilk Haze and a easy beginner lace stitch you can have this stylish warm-weather cover up knit in no time!

We will be adding more patterns to this section soon, including Sam H’s “Cat on a Brick Wall” baby sweater and Aileen’s Cashsilk cap-sleeve top.

And then, of course, we have HIPKNITS  – Aran Silk and Sock Weight Cashmere.  All we can say is ooooohhhh    Jacqui has already succumbed to the delicious temptation of the cashmere and I have my beady eye on the Chocolate Cherries colourway in the silk.  We are expecting lace-weight silk by early next week and are already dreaming of floaty summer shawls and wraps…

So, speaking of the backlog, we have moved the Toe Up Sock Knitting class back one week so part one will happen this Saturday, there are spaces available so if you would like to join us just drop me a quick email and I’ll get you signed up. We will be using a “Magic” Cast On and working a short row heel and also providing a few cast off alternatives for plain to decorative cuffs. Toe up socks seem to work up quicker and I love the neat finish of a short row heel so, even if you have mastered the traditional construction, I think there’s lots to get out of this technique also

Later this week keep an eye out for Aileen’s Rosy Lace Shrug pattern, which will be live for download very soon. This beautiful pattern uses 2 -3 balls of Kidsilk Night, but would also look stunning in the traditional Kidsilk Haze.  We will also be selling a paper version in the bricks and mortar shop and if you’re there you can have a feel of the shrug itself too! Sam H has also kindly loaned us her designing services for some children’s knits and her first pattern should be available shortly after Aileen’s. Watch this space.

Lastly, I came across this nifty ticket-generator on Amy Singer’s (of Knitty fame) blog and couldn’t help but play around with it. What do you think?

We are very much looking forward to welcoming her and I am sure that there are lots of you who would love to come along for a chat with the woman herself.  Debbie enjoys meeting fellow knitters, getting feedback on her patterns and ideas for new ones!  So don’t miss this opportunity to bend the ear of one of the most famous knitwear designers today.  She is more than happy to sign copies of her books and there will be plenty of special offers on the day for products in the Debbie Bliss range.  Official times are yet to be confirmed but we expect the event will run from 10.30am to 4.00pm.

See you then!