Seabirds...

In the post I have received the ingredients to knit an Arctic Tern.

The project is organised by Deirdre Nelson in response to the changing migration patterns of seabirds across Scotland's islands.  These knitted 'lost' arctic terns will be arriving on Tobermory Pier in Mull soon, and will then migrate over to the Dovecot studios in Edinburgh.  The yarn has been supplied locally from Ardalanish, Isle of Mull weavers.  It is a rich, tweedy, Bluefaced Leicester, and I can't wait to get my bird started.  As preparation for knitting an Arctic Tern, on Saturday I actually got to see some!  We went on a boat from the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick, out to the Isle of May. This is me preparing for a life on the ocean wave!

The island is currently home to puffins, eider ducks & ducklings, kittiwakes, shags, fulmars, guillemots, razorbills, arctic terns and many more. On the way back the boat took us round Bass Rock, which was literally covered in gannets (and it smelt like it too!).

It was great fun, and perfect research for knitting an arctic tern!

Butterflies and Flowers...

I recently took part in a UK only swap from Craftster.  My swap partner was the very talented loukr (check out her website Dearest Jackdaw... beautiful!).  Inspired by her love of nature, I knitted catching butterflies from tiny owl knits.

 

 

I used Rowan wool cotton for the mittens, so they won't be too hot.  For the butterflies some Sheena Anne Mohair Look that I found in a charity shop, I knew it would come in handy one day!  The pattern was easy to follow, full Ravelry details here.  I'm so tempted to try some other tiny owl knits patterns, as they are very cute!

 

Also in the package, I made some crochet flower brooches and badges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great fun, and I can't wait to receive my swap package in the post!

The start of birch...

After much swatching and head scratching, I have cast on birch.

This is my first experience of using Kid Silk Haze.  The yarn is beautiful, but requires concentration, time and patience.  As those yarn overs and k2tog are quite perilous when using such a fuzzy thread.  For anyone who is interesting in knitting a birch shawl, I would recommend reading these notes here and here.  When not staring at some blue fuzz, I went to for an adventure to Cairnpapple Hill.

A sacred burial ground, with amazing views all the way to Arran and Bass Rock.  And the perfect conditions for kites.

The sun is shining...

Perfect for going on a (inflatable Stonehenge) bouncy castle.

And for a walk along the east shore of Loch Lomond.

 Now, I better get back to my crafting!

My first shawl...

I did it.  I knitted my first shawl.  Zippy is impressed.

Due to my toe injury I had plenty of time for sitting and knitting (and watching lots of Horrible Histories).  Every two rows equals an increase in ten stitches.

Perfect for a spreadsheet.  I knitted approximately 3,500 stitches per day for seven days. 

I used the Drops 120-19 pattern, though decided against the crochet border, as I like it just the way it is.  And next... another shawl!