Ambra and preyarn

For some time now Ambra (one of the rare cases of being under her own name on Ravalry!) has been raving on about this Evilla preyarn. To be honest I was not attracted to this rather original unspun 100% wool from Estonia. Quite frankly it just pulls apart as you knit it, and it smells of well ..wool. Perhaps it would be better for felting?

But the dear girl bought me not one but two balls of the stuff and out of respect I started on a Sagrantino shawl. Ambra has made some beautiful examples...check them out, but I soon gave up.

And then one of my favourite designers, Ilga Leja brought out a new pattern called Bermuda. The original is in a gradually self striping blue and the short row shaping and eyelet rows emphasise the feel of waves beating on the shore.

Just perfect for preyarn and this stunning colourway.

And, would you belive it, I really enjoyed making it whilst on holiday.

Still not totally convinced on its strength and almost praying that it would felt and hold together, I got carried away with the waves effect and added a few of my own to make it bigger.

But it DIDN't shrink or felt in the wash. Here is Isshan modelling the results.

Next project? A bag from the same yarn as my first felting project.

wool and walking in the Austrian Tyrol

Essential ingredients for a successful holiday (company apart) include walking poles, long cool lager, maps and knitting.

What about this for a Local Yarn Store ?!!!

Knitting on top of the world!

Traditional crafts

Bergogno held its first medieval festival on Sunday. Despite the heat we did the round walk from the car park to the house on the right, up and down Campola valley to Begogno on the left, up and down the valley to the Tibetan village and back to car park.

Vic entering the village.

We got there a bit early but some handicraft stalls were already set up.

There were spinners, bakers, stone cutters, shepherds...........

....and a man weaving straw chair seats...

And there was even one strange woman knitting......