tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-257329012024-03-13T13:17:44.120+00:00Ashley Knowlton: Author and DesignerAshley Knowlton, Author and Knitwear DesignerUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger113125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25732901.post-34680482079168069592016-01-28T16:34:00.000+00:002016-01-28T16:34:33.383+00:00Bringing tidings of joy and dreaded price increasesHello all!<br />
<br />
It's been a while...I've been so busy tech editing that I've been remiss in updating this lonely blog, and now I'm here, I'm afraid, to let you know that prices will be increasing on my indy patterns come <b>1 February. </b>It won't be much (only about 50p for each pattern), and it's the first time this has happened in all the years I've been designing (bar VAT--not my fault!), so I hope you'll understand that this increase is just to account for increased expenses and cost of living.<br />
<br />
The US dollar is especially strong against the pound right now, and if you're wanting to buy a pattern or two of mine and have been waiting for a good time to do it, this might be it.<br />
<br />
Happy knitting!<br />
<br />
AshleyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25732901.post-91372266979195366182014-11-17T17:07:00.002+00:002014-11-17T17:07:30.947+00:00Now on LoveKnittingBecause the EU is starting to be a liiiiittle bit demanding and I'm starting to geeeet a little bit nervous that I'll no longer be able to sell patterns on Ravelry come the new year, you may start seeing me pop up in new places! LoveKnitting is a one-stop-shop for covetousness, as they carry gorgeous yarns, knitting accessories, <i>and</i> my patterns. I'm slowly putting my catalogue up over there; <a href="http://www.loveknitting.com/catalogsearch/result/?order=relevance&dir=desc&q=ashley+knowlton" target="_blank">do check it out.</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25732901.post-10300762828820826202014-09-01T14:43:00.002+01:002014-09-01T14:43:28.468+01:00Bygum, some new patterns, I say!My life for the past year has roughly been a strange, insomnia-filled cycle of edit-knit-write-lunch-edit-edit-garden-write-malaria-edit, with not much time left for design work. The next few months, I will remedying that by squeezing some colour (mostly blue) into my life (and yours!).<br />
<br />
Here's a sneak peek:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AjQMmr9QULA/VAR3H8oLh6I/AAAAAAAABqM/Dey-HOt5lJA/s1600/IMG_0629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AjQMmr9QULA/VAR3H8oLh6I/AAAAAAAABqM/Dey-HOt5lJA/s1600/IMG_0629.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/brandybuck" target="_blank">Brandybuck</a> (Out now!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>COMING SOON</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ff4Iw-h2SZI/VAR3S1c4Q4I/AAAAAAAABqc/ZyW8vjjC-9I/s1600/IMG_0645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ff4Iw-h2SZI/VAR3S1c4Q4I/AAAAAAAABqc/ZyW8vjjC-9I/s1600/IMG_0645.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crocodile Lagoon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HjY2VCDpyWU/VAR3QjG-8ZI/AAAAAAAABqU/f6fz8lPsPrg/s1600/IMG_0759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HjY2VCDpyWU/VAR3QjG-8ZI/AAAAAAAABqU/f6fz8lPsPrg/s1600/IMG_0759.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loria Cloche</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Oadn7iWaKQA/VAR3TCIn_RI/AAAAAAAABqg/8-A8rs7XG78/s1600/IMG_0818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Oadn7iWaKQA/VAR3TCIn_RI/AAAAAAAABqg/8-A8rs7XG78/s1600/IMG_0818.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Felted Tweed Cardigan of Undetermined Name</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Keep an eye out!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25732901.post-91086095004517691852014-05-08T08:08:00.001+01:002014-05-08T08:49:07.865+01:00Give me Thin Mints, or Give Me Something Like Thin MintsI've been in the UK for nearly five years now, (six if you count that eye-wideningly educational year in university), and I'm not sure why the urge for Girl Scout cookies is only hitting me hard now. It might be because that I've found myself wanting things I can't have (Of COURSE I love Tootsie Rolls. I've always loved Tootsie Rolls. I'm going to buy some Tootsie Rolls. Why the hell did I say I liked Tootsie Rolls?). It might be because Facebook is inundating me with posts about my American friends kidnapping girl scouts for their biscuit haul.* I'm not sure.<br />
<br />
But to come down to it, I was feeling jealous, so I thought I'd try to make some of my own.<br />
<br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*Possibly slight exaggeration.</span><span style="font-size: 0.825em;"> </span></i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>NOT THIN MINTS</b></div>
(adapted from <a href="http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/chocolate-peppermint-snaps-recipe" target="_blank">King Arthur Flour's Chocolate Peppermint Snaps </a>Recipe)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yhC78M-u86Q/U2sr-0wsmWI/AAAAAAAABnI/z1Oaktb_frM/s1600/IMG_9063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yhC78M-u86Q/U2sr-0wsmWI/AAAAAAAABnI/z1Oaktb_frM/s1600/IMG_9063.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oops...forgot to take photos until this was the only one left...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<b>Dough</b><br />
<ul class="ingredient-list" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.825em; line-height: 1.5; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em -24px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 24px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<li id="IngredientLine" style="border: 0px; color: #282828; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">170g unsalted butter</li>
<li id="IngredientLine" style="border: 0px; color: #282828; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">110g brown sugar</li>
<li id="IngredientLine" style="border: 0px; color: #282828; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">100g granulated sugar</li>
<li id="IngredientLine" style="border: 0px; color: #282828; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">1 large egg</li>
<li id="IngredientLine" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="color: #282828;">1 teas</span>pon vanilla extract</li>
<li id="IngredientLine" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">1 teaspoon peppermint extract</li>
<li id="IngredientLine" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">180g plain flour</li>
<li id="IngredientLine" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">20g cocoa</li>
<li id="IngredientLine" style="border: 0px; color: #282828; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">1 teaspoon baking soda</li>
<li id="IngredientLine" style="border: 0px; color: #282828; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">1/4 teaspoon salt</li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="color: #282828; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 15.84000015258789px;"><b>Chocolate Coating</b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #282828; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 15.84000015258789px;">600g approx 50% Chocolate</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #282828; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 15.84000015258789px;">40g unsalted butter</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #282828; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 15.84000015258789px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<div class="group" id="InstructionSet" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #282828; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.825em; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word; zoom: 1;">
<span id="Instructions" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">Preheat the oven to 180°C (160</span>°<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;"> for a fan oven). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.</span></div>
<div class="group" id="InstructionSet" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #282828; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.825em; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word; zoom: 1;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Beat butter and sugar. Add egg, beating well to combine. Add vanilla and peppermint and beat in.</span></div>
<div class="group" id="InstructionSet" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #282828; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.825em; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word; zoom: 1;">
Add flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Sample dough and eat way too much of it before deciding whether or not you want to add any more peppermint extract. I added about another 1/2 teaspoon.</div>
<div class="group" id="InstructionSet" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #282828; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.825em; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word; zoom: 1;">
Drop cookie dough by generous teaspoonful onto baking sheet, allowing 1-2" between cookies. Bake for 12-13 minutes and transfer to rack to cool. Cookies should be crisp when done.</div>
<div class="group" id="InstructionSet" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #282828; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.825em; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word; zoom: 1;">
When cookies are cool, melt chocolate and butter in microwave and stir to combine. Use a spoon to coat the bottom of each cookie and place on parchment paper. Use spoon to coat each top and allow to harden at room temperature.</div>
<div class="group" id="InstructionSet" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #282828; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.825em; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word; zoom: 1;">
Store in fridge in airtight container.</div>
<div class="group" id="InstructionSet" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #282828; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.825em; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word; zoom: 1;">
<br /></div>
<div class="group" id="InstructionSet" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #282828; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word; zoom: 1;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8n_d13HNIZc/U2sr_7sy7-I/AAAAAAAABnQ/i9wIa4IJfcM/s1600/thinmintfallen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8n_d13HNIZc/U2sr_7sy7-I/AAAAAAAABnQ/i9wIa4IJfcM/s1600/thinmintfallen.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...except this one that managed to mysteriously escape my plate and lodge itself to the kickboard beneath the kitchen sink. So I promise that the chocolate will set!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25732901.post-31107656075114461922014-02-25T14:55:00.001+00:002014-02-25T14:55:25.445+00:00Amish bread rollsI'm posting this here because I am obsessed with this recipe and having to re-calculate into grams every time is driving me crazy. My family loves these things. Four of us sat down and easily ate one entire batch in one go. I could have made two and we'd still have made a sizable dent. Probably not great for your waistline, but a very good way to make friends.<br />
<br />
<b>Amish Bread Rolls (slightly adapted from <a href="http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/amish-dinner-rolls-recipe" target="_blank">King Arthur Flour</a>)</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Ingredients</b><br />
2 1/2 teaspoons instant yeast<br />
510g Strong White Flour<br />
71g sugar<br />
1 1/2 teaspoons salt<br />
2 eggs<br />
85g butter<br />
About 200g potato, mashed (about one medium-large potato)<br />
170ml water (leftover from boiling potatoes, if possible)<br />
<br />
Combine ingredients in bowl of bread machine and set to dough cycle, checking after 10 minutes to adjust consistency for a soft, smooth ball. Complete cycle and let rest for approx 30 minutes, or until doubled.<br />
<br />
Divide dough into 15 equal pieces and place in greased 9 x 13 inch pan. Cover and let rise for 2 hours, pre-heating the oven to 180*C/160-ish fan toward the end of rising time.<br />
<br />
Bake for 20-25 minutes, take out of oven and brush with butter, if desired (I don't think they need it).<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25732901.post-34562948897125264702014-01-26T07:48:00.000+00:002014-01-26T07:48:14.299+00:00Welcome, Fyberspates Blog Tourists!Hello there, and welcome to the next stop on the Fyberspates Blog Tour. How's your trip been so far? Good? Good.<br />
<br />
<br />
My name is Ashley, and, well, I do the numbers*. Right now, I'm trying to think of a way I can "sex up" my days spent on Excel and Word, typing in stitch counts and measurements and formulae and watching my cat groom herself, but I'm failing. Just be assured that I'm the one there poking the designers, prodding the words, and making sure every pattern in our collection is as clear and error free as possible (and our wonderful designers make this a pretty easy task!).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rnHx7zU1LSM/Us_HeDhbyVI/AAAAAAAABk0/2GfyQjOX-CQ/s1600/tech+editing+screenshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rnHx7zU1LSM/Us_HeDhbyVI/AAAAAAAABk0/2GfyQjOX-CQ/s1600/tech+editing+screenshot.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Behind the scenes. My spreadsheet anecdotes can go on for <i>days</i>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Right. So, that done, how about I talk about Lyme Regis instead?<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C4susnqC4z4/Us_I00xGRvI/AAAAAAAABlA/k1fEwMFjjGw/s1600/fyberspates_0207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C4susnqC4z4/Us_I00xGRvI/AAAAAAAABlA/k1fEwMFjjGw/s1600/fyberspates_0207.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeni rocking the Rock Lea Scarf. Photograph (C) 2014 Jesse Wild</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
How beautiful is Lyme Regis? Jeni (<a href="http://www.fyberspates.co.uk/" target="_blank">Queen of Fyberspates</a>) and I are both lucky to live in a stunning little part of England where photo opportunities abound, but when <a href="http://www.jenacknitwear.co.uk/" target="_blank">Jen AC</a> mentioned that we were going to be heading down to the south coast (a place I'd never been - and, to my American, west-coast-east-coast-oriented mind, still sounded impossible. Never mind, you know, the Gulf Coast) to photograph the collection, I may have gotten a little excited.**<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lv_PB_MmLwQ/Us_LgDjtAyI/AAAAAAAABlY/aDPojn8CwUQ/s1600/fyberspates_0631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lv_PB_MmLwQ/Us_LgDjtAyI/AAAAAAAABlY/aDPojn8CwUQ/s1600/fyberspates_0631.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lerryn Mittens (Photograph (C) 2014 Jesse Wild)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After spending a very cozy night at the kind AC house with Jen's cat as a neck-scarf, Nic (our fearless layout magician) bundled me, our photographer, one lovely model, the samples, and a lot of photographic equipment in her van. Hours later, having successfully staved off car-sickness on the windy Dorset roads, we finally made it...to the sea.<br /><br />It was my first proper English seaside trip, so I got to do all of the things that the usual English seaside visitor gets to do in February: buy and eat too many chips from the only open chippy on the beach. Try to not get attacked by seagulls.Huddle in a beach hut or do star jumps and try to keep myself warm.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-evUQqv4-MYU/Us_KsCMrhGI/AAAAAAAABlM/vUGMOgaWTA0/s1600/fyberspates_0078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-evUQqv4-MYU/Us_KsCMrhGI/AAAAAAAABlM/vUGMOgaWTA0/s1600/fyberspates_0078.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kenwyn Hat and Cowl (Photograph (C) 2014 Jesse Wild)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But I'm usually on the technical side of things, so getting to see the photoshoot take place, keep our photographer's special photography umbrella-y thing from flying away in the seaside gales, and watch our lovely models work their magic was quite a treat. I also got to spend a lot of quality time with our samples, and wishing I was wearing all of them at once. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-luWGNHbvZiU/Us_LX6LuwSI/AAAAAAAABlQ/aolPAVeQH5M/s1600/fyberspates_0316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-luWGNHbvZiU/Us_LX6LuwSI/AAAAAAAABlQ/aolPAVeQH5M/s1600/fyberspates_0316.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Larigan was starting to look pret-ty cozy. (Photograph (C) 2014 Jesse Wild)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Now if you'll pardon me, I'll go back to my word processor and Excel document and point you in the direction of the <a href="http://fibrespates.blogs.com/shop_blog/2014/01/scv3-blog-podcast-tour-is-go.html" target="_blank">next stops on our Blog Tour</a>. Take care!<br />
<br />
*I'm the technical editor for the Fyberspates Collection Book 3! <br />
** Estatic that I
was getting the opportunity to work outside the house. Also a little
terrified of having the opportunity to work outside the house.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Fyberspates Collection 3 is now available.</b></div>
<br />
Price: (print and digital) £12.00, $26<br />
<br />
Distributors:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fyberspates.co.uk/" target="_blank">Fyberspates ltd</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/the-scrumptious-collection-volume-3-2" target="_blank">Ravelry download</a><br />
<br />
Retailers:
The Scrumptious yarn and pattern range is widely available from shops
and online retailers around the world. For an up-to-date list of where
to find our products, please click through to: <a href="http://www.tinyurl.com/fyberspatesretailers" target="_blank">www.tinyurl.com/fyberspatesretailers</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Also find Fyberspates at:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://twitter.com/fyberspates" target="_blank">Twitter</a> <a href="http://instagram.com/fyberspates" target="_blank">Instagram</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Fyberspates" target="_blank">Facebook</a> <a href="http://fibrespates.blogs.com/shop_blog/" target="_blank"> Blog</a> <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/fyberspates" target="_blank">Ravelry Group</a> </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25732901.post-26354377296702520652014-01-01T09:45:00.002+00:002014-01-01T09:45:56.325+00:00Chicken DreamsI live in an odd place, a sort of honey-colored dreamworld that I'm not always keen on leaving. If you asked me ten years ago if I thought I would end up in the Cotswolds, I would have said "What's the Cotswolds?" and then carried on worrying about where I was going to go for college.<br />
<br />
2013 was a good year in the Wonk household. My husband landed his dream teaching job and is well on his way to becoming the Best Teacher Ever (if his Christmas gifts from students are to be believed). I wrote a new book and landed my dream agent (hi, Molly!), and am so excited to see where my career is going to take me. I went to New Zealand. I became a UK citizen. We got chickens, sort of.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dm0qDgbQtls/UsPjFHxsQCI/AAAAAAAABkY/sKUBMgSCNQI/s1600/TIFIMG_5016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dm0qDgbQtls/UsPjFHxsQCI/AAAAAAAABkY/sKUBMgSCNQI/s320/TIFIMG_5016.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They're actually my landlords', but Dora's destroyed my flowerbeds, so I think I get some claim..</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Where will 2014 lead? Who knows! Hopefully wonderful places. Hopefully to more chickens, and more books, and a garden that doesn't get overrun in cabbage worm (RIP cauliflower). It's had an excellent foundation.<br /><br />Bye, 2013. It's been real.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25732901.post-5737059720951300092013-11-14T07:38:00.002+00:002013-11-14T07:38:29.287+00:00Free Pattern! On Rice MittsFor my birthday, I'm giving you a gift.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TCPUtuyECqw/UoR9J58K-_I/AAAAAAAABkI/NUXbUwc13n0/s1600/TIFIMG_6131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TCPUtuyECqw/UoR9J58K-_I/AAAAAAAABkI/NUXbUwc13n0/s400/TIFIMG_6131.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZApxMW0k3KE/UoR9Gw0ODgI/AAAAAAAABj4/JECFzs8Dxcs/s1600/TIFIMG_6103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZApxMW0k3KE/UoR9Gw0ODgI/AAAAAAAABj4/JECFzs8Dxcs/s400/TIFIMG_6103.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0CqW1TZ9dMk/UoR9Hi2OyGI/AAAAAAAABkA/8jDzGC36cbI/s1600/TIFIMG_6129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0CqW1TZ9dMk/UoR9Hi2OyGI/AAAAAAAABkA/8jDzGC36cbI/s400/TIFIMG_6129.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/on-rice" target="_blank">On Rice.</a><br /><br />Please pass it on and consider donating what you would pay to support <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/10/help-typhoon-haiyan-relief-effort" target="_blank">Typhoon Haiyan disaster relief,</a> instead. Thank you!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25732901.post-90583554363165466752013-10-30T09:53:00.001+00:002013-10-30T09:53:34.871+00:00Becoming British<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oiK1rAp4iJ0/UnDXAps579I/AAAAAAAABjo/sH3G8DrW9mw/s1600/bunting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oiK1rAp4iJ0/UnDXAps579I/AAAAAAAABjo/sH3G8DrW9mw/s400/bunting.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebratory Bunting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Tomorrow afternoon I will become a British citizen.<br />
<br />
It's been a long road here, full of lots of fretting, stress, worry, and throwing money at the UKBA, hoping it would stick. But I'm here now, and after tomorrow, I am so, so thankful I will (fingers crossed) never have to worry about visas ever again.<br />
<br />
So...the council website says they welcome traditional dress of the applicant's home country. But for some reason, I think faded jeans with an American flag sweatshirt sporting pizza grease stains might be frowned upon. Ideas?<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25732901.post-72426154612060990902013-10-12T22:14:00.004+01:002013-10-12T22:18:23.225+01:00ChangesThere comes a special time a girl's life where she must exercise her high-school-grade, out-of-date web-editing powers and make a few changes to her website.<br />
<br />
So I'm cleaning things up a bit: clearing out the knitwear categories (you will now find my patterns link goes straight to my portfolio on Ravelry - everything is there! Plus more patterns will be coming soon); adding some more information about myself in case you haven't fulfilled your daily recommended intake of narcissism, and trying to update this thing more frequently, because my life is suddenly going in a very exciting direction and I want to have my website ready to go with it.<br />
<br />
Anyway, there you go. I'll be adding some new content to the pages (up there) in the next few days once I'm not relying on an internet connection that has to travel through several feet-thick stone walls. You have my promise!<br />
<br />
Now for some pretty pictures because I'm saving up my brain power for some more book revisions and another full week of technical editing starting on Monday.<br />
<br />
<b>How did I spend my summer?</b> <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-40TSR1PDOLQ/Ulm7J_blE5I/AAAAAAAABjA/TASsTBwxokk/s1600/TIFIMG_5863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-40TSR1PDOLQ/Ulm7J_blE5I/AAAAAAAABjA/TASsTBwxokk/s400/TIFIMG_5863.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wondering how appealing the Devil's Bath Tub would be to actually bathe in. (Sulferic pool, Rotarua, New Zealand)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0q292hO12M4/Ulm7Ol2IcKI/AAAAAAAABjQ/j0MCvYC0xEM/s400/TIFIMG_5905.jpg" width="266" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wondering how the Moa ever actually existed, and only 600 freaking years ago. (Also pictured: my lovely in-laws, for size comparison).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cm2L2HgCFGk/Ulm7Nv-hVtI/AAAAAAAABjI/EKYgrnYBT34/s1600/TIFIMG_5914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cm2L2HgCFGk/Ulm7Nv-hVtI/AAAAAAAABjI/EKYgrnYBT34/s400/TIFIMG_5914.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And coveting border designs in the Wintergarden, Auckland.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Not pictured: playing with kittens; obsessively checking my e-mail; squatting in my garden to see if my vegetables have grown at all since earlier that morning.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25732901.post-53049673733657091142013-06-18T15:01:00.003+01:002013-10-12T20:57:11.563+01:00For the Love of the Ampersand<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Designers!</span></div>
<br />
Do you use Excel to grade your patterns? Do you love the ease with which you can drag formulas across columns and convert inches to centimeters in a snap?<br />
<br />
But do you also struggle with the dark side - do you hate having to type out the results from each cell into one tidy line that most publications require for print? You know the ones - they vary, but they're usually of the same theme. Parentheses and commas, brackets and colons, spaces, no spaces, two spaces. Your fingers flub on the keys and you command knitters to work 1x1 rib across thousands of stitches, or you end up missing out instructions for some sizes entirely and leave a tech editor puzzling to fill in the blanks. Most of all, it just eats into your time.<br />
<br />
But don't worry - I have you covered! And it's easy. It just takes some getting used to.<br />
<br />
I know not everyone wants to marry Excel and have its babies like I do, so I've broken it into teeny tiny steps. If you're impatient and want to get the formula already, just skip down to the bottom.<br />
<br />
So...<br />
<br />
<b>First: Open your spreadsheet. Mine looks like this.</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SqoCYe3_fC4/UcBlI8nYq4I/AAAAAAAABhI/DSTaRAKPlN8/s1600/spreadsheet1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SqoCYe3_fC4/UcBlI8nYq4I/AAAAAAAABhI/DSTaRAKPlN8/s400/spreadsheet1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to look closer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9_tgX37aoVA/UcBlI4BC1XI/AAAAAAAABhM/Ov5HC4a_NrM/s1600/spreadsheet2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />
Of course, yours may look quite different. Don't worry; the basics are the same. As long as you know the names of the cells you want to put into a list of instructions for grading, that's all you need.<br />
<br />
<b>Second: Choose the numbers you want to place in a list.</b> <br />
For the first list, I'm using the row of numbers highlighted here:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9_tgX37aoVA/UcBlI4BC1XI/AAAAAAAABhc/OjPM9egaKlY/s1600/spreadsheet2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9_tgX37aoVA/UcBlI4BC1XI/AAAAAAAABhc/OjPM9egaKlY/s400/spreadsheet2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
These are cells C6, D6, E6, F6, G6, H6, and, finally, I6.<br />
<br />
I've used my own standard method of presenting instructions, with parentheses and each number in the parentheses separated by a comma and a space. You can change this to suit your style, which I'll show you how to do in a minute.<br />
<br />
<b>Third: Find the column where you would like to put your list. I usually choose the first empty column in a row of numbers I want to list. Click on it.</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bN6VA0pG3Ug/UcBlIMjN3PI/AAAAAAAABhU/mO_17NRPSj4/s1600/spreadsheet3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bN6VA0pG3Ug/UcBlIMjN3PI/AAAAAAAABhU/mO_17NRPSj4/s400/spreadsheet3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b>Fourth: This is where things to start to look like a string of incomprehensible symbols and numbers, but stick with me. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Type your equals sign. This lets Excel know that it needs to do some work.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
=</div>
<br />
Next (and this is the important bit), add a parenthesis. <b>This is not part of your list, </b>but just lets Excel know that you're grouping the following numbers. So that cell will now look like this.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
=(</div>
<br />
Appropriately.<br />
<br />
Anyway, this is where you'll actually start to use your precious calculations from your spreadsheet. <b>So select the cell that holds the first number you want to list:</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p3Z2VvRsEzM/UcBlJf6tNwI/AAAAAAAABhg/2IQ0AJfw0nY/s1600/spreadsheet4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p3Z2VvRsEzM/UcBlJf6tNwI/AAAAAAAABhg/2IQ0AJfw0nY/s400/spreadsheet4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>and follow it with an ampersand (&).</b> Mine is shift-7 on my keyboard. It took me a while to find it. The "&" will not show up on the final list of numbers; this is just what connects a string of numbers and characters. If you leave it out, Excel's brain will explode.<br />
<br />
<b>Fifth: You've listed your first number! Congratulations. </b>Now, you'll want to add whatever character separates your numbers. In my case, the first number is separated from the second number by a space and parenthesis. To add a character that isn't from a cell, you will have to place it in quotes. After the ampersand, I will add " (". So in my cell, I will now have:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
=(<span style="color: blue;">C6</span>&" ("</div>
<br />
<br />
What do we need after this? Why, another ampersand, of course!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
=(<span style="color: blue;">C6</span>&" ("&</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Tip:</b> Depending on the finickiness of your Excel, if a cell number is black instead of blue, purple, yellow, etc., it might mean it hasn't been inputted properly. You've probably forgotten an ampersand. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now you just continue adding your numbers, not forgetting the ampersands, nor the quotes around those spaces and commas. By the time I get to I6, my formula bar will look like this:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
=(<span style="color: blue;">C6</span>&" ("&<span style="color: magenta;">D6</span>&", "&<span style="color: #93c47d;">E6</span>&", "&<span style="color: yellow;">F6</span>&", "&<span style="color: orange;">G6</span>&", "&<span style="color: cyan;">H6</span>&", "&<span style="color: magenta;">I6</span>&</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It's a bit confusing to look at at first, but once you get the hang of it, you start to see the pattern and copying and pasting &", "& becomes your friend.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now we just need to close her up. But don't forget your ending parenthesis. The first one, I mean.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
=(<span style="color: blue;">C6</span>&" ("&<span style="color: magenta;">D6</span>&", "&<span style="color: #93c47d;">E6</span>&", "&<span style="color: yellow;">F6</span>&", "&<span style="color: orange;">G6</span>&", "&<span style="color: cyan;">H6</span>&", "&<span style="color: magenta;">I6</span>&")"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It's in quotes, so it will appear in the resulting text. That's the closing parenthesis that you'll want at the end of your list of numbers.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now you just need to add one more parenthesis to close the string of commands:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
=(<span style="color: blue;">C6</span>&" ("&<span style="color: magenta;">D6</span>&", "&<span style="color: #93c47d;">E6</span>&", "&<span style="color: yellow;">F6</span>&", "&<span style="color: orange;">G6</span>&", "&<span style="color: cyan;">H6</span>&", "&<span style="color: magenta;">I6</span>&")")</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Press enter...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D0Zcy_UtA9g/UcBlKHvMBaI/AAAAAAAABhs/WyP7zUFcDhE/s1600/spreadsheet5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D0Zcy_UtA9g/UcBlKHvMBaI/AAAAAAAABhs/WyP7zUFcDhE/s400/spreadsheet5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And voila! A tidy list of your graded numbers, just like you wanted. Messed up? Don't worry, just go back and fiddle with the string in the formula bar.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So that's it. Even better, once you've typed it up once, you can use it through your entire spreadsheet. Just click on the cell that contains your list and copy it (don't click and drag to highlight the contents of the cell, as that will copy the resulting numbers rather than the formula) and paste it into the next row down or any of the rows below (if you move it over to a different column, you'll need to adjust your cell numbers in the list to keep it accurate).</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--rBztjOOsqo/UcBlKRK04UI/AAAAAAAABhw/hFaxiwmnOk4/s1600/spreadsheet6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--rBztjOOsqo/UcBlKRK04UI/AAAAAAAABhw/hFaxiwmnOk4/s400/spreadsheet6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Need to use colons instead of commas? No problem:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
=(<span style="color: blue;">C6</span>&" ("&<span style="color: magenta;">D6</span>&": "&<span style="color: #93c47d;">E6</span>&": "&<span style="color: yellow;">F6</span>&": "&<span style="color: orange;">G6</span>&": "&<span style="color: cyan;">H6</span>&": "&<span style="color: magenta;">I6</span>&")")</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
What about brackets?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
=(<span style="color: blue;">C6</span>&" ["&<span style="color: magenta;">D6</span>&", "&<span style="color: #93c47d;">E6</span>&", "&<span style="color: yellow;">F6</span>&", "&<span style="color: orange;">G6</span>&", "&<span style="color: cyan;">H6</span>&", "&<span style="color: magenta;">I6</span>&"]")</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"But they don't want me to use spaces!"</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
=(<span style="color: blue;">C6</span>&" ("&<span style="color: magenta;">D6</span>&","&<span style="color: #93c47d;">E6</span>&","&<span style="color: yellow;">F6</span>&","&<span style="color: orange;">G6</span>&","&<span style="color: cyan;">H6</span>&","&<span style="color: magenta;">I6</span>&")")</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
That should cover it! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Questions? Let me know in the comments. Otherwise, happy Excel-ing!<br />
<br />
P.S. In the comments, Teresa pointed out you could dedicate a cell to whatever punctuation you need (say, C3 for the comma, and refer to it as a static cell: $C$3), and use that so you don't have to change the lists throughout the pattern in case you need to change the formatting. It wouldn't need to go into quotes in this case.<br />
<br />
This could be especially helpful if you originally published with a magazine but want to self-publish later. Good tip - thanks Teresa! </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25732901.post-31530182533739034892012-12-08T09:59:00.000+00:002012-12-08T09:59:23.729+00:00Giveaway Winner!Our winner has been chosen. By the hands of the fine robots at Random.org, the winner is...<br />
<br />
Number 12, Carla!<br />
<br />
Carla will receive three skeins of Manos del Uruguay Serena and a copy of Hele, or a shawl pattern of her choice.<br />
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Thank you to everyone for entering! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25732901.post-75594423145377031142012-11-30T10:09:00.001+00:002012-11-30T10:09:28.885+00:00Manos Serena Giveaway!To make up for my long silence spent at the bottom of the Well of Spreadsheets (I tech edit everything), I'm giving some stuff away. Well, some yarn, actually. And a pattern!<br />
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<h3>
What we're giving away:</h3>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pTL-Ke1PYY8/ULiDTP0gFkI/AAAAAAAABew/T2tPiDSXGSM/s1600/5004+dancing+jewel+yarn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pTL-Ke1PYY8/ULiDTP0gFkI/AAAAAAAABew/T2tPiDSXGSM/s320/5004+dancing+jewel+yarn.jpg" width="277" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.artesanoyarns.co.uk/" target="_blank">Artesano</a> is very kindly offering three 50g skeins of the lovely, silky Manos del Uruguay Serena in a <a href="http://www.artesanoyarns.co.uk/Yarn%20Pages/manosserena.html" target="_blank">colour or the winner's choosing</a>.<br />
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Three skeins of Manos Serena also just happens to be enough to make...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KGW0RqbPHXE/ULiFYytngUI/AAAAAAAABfA/2QFDifRatug/s1600/TIFIMG_1957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KGW0RqbPHXE/ULiFYytngUI/AAAAAAAABfA/2QFDifRatug/s400/TIFIMG_1957.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hele" target="_blank">Hele</a>! My lovely lace shawl with nupps (or beads, if you'd prefer) and a feathered edging. The pattern will also go free to the winner (or, if the winner already has it, another of my shawl patterns of their choice).<br />
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All you have to do is comment on this post by 23:59 GMT, Friday 7th December and <b>tell me your favourite fibre for Autumn </b>(I know - it may feel like Winter, but that doesn't start for another three weeks!). On December 8th, one lucky winner will be chosen and notified by e-mail, so please be sure to include it in the e-mail field when commenting, or by PM on Ravelry, if preferred.<br />
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Only one entry per person, please, and feel free to comment no matter where you live!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25732901.post-82041389934390283802012-09-28T12:10:00.004+01:002012-09-28T12:10:57.098+01:00Elsie Schematic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lwPGDWXKCN4/UGVcLLEAm0I/AAAAAAAABeQ/XDhRpv8k0WU/s1600/TIFIMG_2024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lwPGDWXKCN4/UGVcLLEAm0I/AAAAAAAABeQ/XDhRpv8k0WU/s400/TIFIMG_2024.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
There are a lot of sizes available for my new cardigan pattern, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/elsie-9" target="_blank">Elsie</a>. Enough sizes where it gets a bit difficult to explain them in just a sentence on the Ravelry pattern page. And I'm a firm believer that you should be able to see the schematic before you buy, so click <a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B7vbWqN2uW4hTC05TW5OQ2RFaVU">here</a> to be taken to a two-page PDF with full schematic information.<br />
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<a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B7vbWqN2uW4hTC05TW5OQ2RFaVU"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ASIoHzBdsd0/UGVcHvjxbWI/AAAAAAAABeI/41J7AQOWLcU/s320/Elsie-Schematic.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25732901.post-44902884749147624462012-09-28T12:10:00.002+01:002012-09-28T12:10:27.565+01:00September is now available!With just enough time to be appropriately named, my new mini-collection, put together in partnership with Artesano Yarns, is now available! <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/september" target="_blank">Get it on Ravelry</a> for <span class="st">£6.50*.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/elsie-9" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K0EzCWuCj0Y/UGVbCa3s2GI/AAAAAAAABeA/wROaGHpg99I/s400/TIFIMG_2032.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/elsie-9" target="_blank">Elsie</a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/aada" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wKFuI8BZYbY/UGVa2kauOmI/AAAAAAAABdw/mkksJqxp4RI/s400/TIFIMG_2044.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/aada">Aada</a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hele" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jNtNGysYCUc/UGVa9F5krwI/AAAAAAAABd4/WQm25EYrTlM/s400/TIFIMG_1962.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hele">Hele</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span class="st"> *Already purchased one of the patterns but want to buy the collection? Don't worry! If you bought Hele or Aada before release, the purchase price of the pattern you already bought will be automatically deducted at check out. </span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25732901.post-8967803250798648832012-08-22T11:12:00.000+01:002012-08-22T11:12:20.539+01:00Early Autumn Pattern PreviewHere are a few teasers of the collection I have coming out next month…enjoy!<br />
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(Hint: there may be a giveaway, as well. Stay tuned!)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DXI073UBQqk/UDSwTkbOSxI/AAAAAAAABdI/dGyaTQyn9bA/s1600/teaser1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DXI073UBQqk/UDSwTkbOSxI/AAAAAAAABdI/dGyaTQyn9bA/s1600/teaser1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_sonsJRN5Vc/UDSwUc0p5iI/AAAAAAAABdQ/M-Uq7qGhDhg/s1600/teaser2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_sonsJRN5Vc/UDSwUc0p5iI/AAAAAAAABdQ/M-Uq7qGhDhg/s1600/teaser2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5897b6vxt0/UDSwVeIjzpI/AAAAAAAABdY/1NQAgbx9D1Q/s1600/teaser3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5897b6vxt0/UDSwVeIjzpI/AAAAAAAABdY/1NQAgbx9D1Q/s1600/teaser3.jpg" /></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25732901.post-17280103134752255942012-07-26T11:48:00.001+01:002012-07-26T11:53:40.778+01:00Summer weather, Winter knittingAfter three months of miserable, constant rain, the sun has finally reached Britain. My garden is flourishing, people are walking around without clothes on, and our complaints turn to another subject besides the rain: how bloody hot it is.<br />
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This is also the time of year that I usually (erm, and belatedly) start speed-knitting my samples for Winter in warm, cozy, swelteringly thick wool. Here's a sneak peek of a few of those. And my garden. And my cat.<br />
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My garden: <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BmJ32SKqnJI/UBEfN2FhZ_I/AAAAAAAABcI/ugkg47zrQ8c/s1600/TIFIMG_0965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BmJ32SKqnJI/UBEfN2FhZ_I/AAAAAAAABcI/ugkg47zrQ8c/s400/TIFIMG_0965.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apparently, one becomes an obsessive waiting for sunflowers to bloom.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4PMZbd8Rluc/UBEfIeC7m7I/AAAAAAAABb4/r3Yb5FoZ708/s1600/TIFIMG_0928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4PMZbd8Rluc/UBEfIeC7m7I/AAAAAAAABb4/r3Yb5FoZ708/s400/TIFIMG_0928.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am going to eat all of them. All of them.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CIgmLFgSJ3Y/UBEfWVuSANI/AAAAAAAABcc/smsN7AbxrM4/s1600/TIFIMG_1013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CIgmLFgSJ3Y/UBEfWVuSANI/AAAAAAAABcc/smsN7AbxrM4/s320/TIFIMG_1013.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cornflowers - a pretty weed</td></tr>
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Requsite cat picture:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bfVbtO1zSrI/UBEfb4oYFeI/AAAAAAAABck/12ZD8ITo6fQ/s1600/TIFIMG_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bfVbtO1zSrI/UBEfb4oYFeI/AAAAAAAABck/12ZD8ITo6fQ/s400/TIFIMG_1024.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dobby</td></tr>
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And some knitting:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JsvaxCPnKJA/UBEfnoRE_eI/AAAAAAAABc8/LUlYucYjue0/s1600/TIFIMG_1037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JsvaxCPnKJA/UBEfnoRE_eI/AAAAAAAABc8/LUlYucYjue0/s320/TIFIMG_1037.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_CV9X4tx1sg/UBEfUUioWeI/AAAAAAAABcU/5WIaNnmoOwM/s1600/TIFIMG_0994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_CV9X4tx1sg/UBEfUUioWeI/AAAAAAAABcU/5WIaNnmoOwM/s400/TIFIMG_0994.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25732901.post-4583370638757559982012-05-23T09:00:00.000+01:002012-05-23T09:00:11.162+01:00A Victory over AsparagusI'm fairly new to this whole gardening thing. While for most of my younger life I resigned myself to the nickname of "Black Thumb," our current flat came with the bonus of a South-facing sheltered courtyard, perfect for lining with potted plants.<br />
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Knowing how expensive and sometimes-rare fresh blueberries are to find here in the UK, my first purchase was a Bluecrop blueberry bush.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3de8etmjBH0/T7yV2LzNDDI/AAAAAAAABbc/7FVQmJXnWZI/s1600/IMG_5678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3de8etmjBH0/T7yV2LzNDDI/AAAAAAAABbc/7FVQmJXnWZI/s400/IMG_5678.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
This was closely followed by a Jersey, and I'm sure there will be a number of others once I, erm, get some more space.<br />
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I careened into gardening with a very blissful ignorance of what would grow in pots. As a result, I am now growing two very large containers of asparagus. The funny thing is, if I were a real, knowledgeable gardener, I probably would have started new seedlings after these ones got legs long enough to make it in Hollywood (badaboom):<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Nx0z_rijls/T7yWzTzssbI/AAAAAAAABbk/trKue3gV5ng/s1600/IMG_4531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Nx0z_rijls/T7yWzTzssbI/AAAAAAAABbk/trKue3gV5ng/s400/IMG_4531.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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But I planted them out anyway. In pots. I'd pretty much given up on them and was just going to let them run their course and curl up and die, but when I was checking up on them today, I found this:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Isv0mqgEjM4/T7yYXxbwbII/AAAAAAAABbs/-2qaJcz5qbE/s1600/IMG_8545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Isv0mqgEjM4/T7yYXxbwbII/AAAAAAAABbs/-2qaJcz5qbE/s400/IMG_8545.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now just to keep myself from eating the shoots for a few years.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I think I might actually be okay at this gardening thing after all.<br />
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Though the sun probably helps, too.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25732901.post-78569669433090166752012-05-20T09:13:00.002+01:002012-05-20T09:14:50.774+01:00New Pattern: GrasslandsSpring always arrives with a herald of lace. Though England has lately been cool enough to have me in wool year-round, to do so feels like a curse on the poor new leaves and flowers struggling into existence amid the cold.<br />
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My first design of Spring 2012, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/grasslands-2">Grasslands</a>, attempts to bring around the lush green Spring I want...if only in knitted form.<br />
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<a href="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/Wonk/103566556/IMG_5536_medium2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/Wonk/103566556/IMG_5536_medium2.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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On this stole, a patchwork of lines and paths shoot diagonally and across. A single-ply
yarn with bias (shown here in one skein of the scrumptious Madelinetosh Prairie, colour Moorland) is used to great effect in a suspended bead edging,
hanging in delicate twists from each end.<br />
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<a href="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/Wonk/103566644/IMG_5544_medium2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/Wonk/103566644/IMG_5544_medium2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The pattern is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/grasslands-2">now available for purchase on Ravelry</a>. <br />
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<a href="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/Wonk/103566587/IMG_7160_medium2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/Wonk/103566587/IMG_7160_medium2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25732901.post-20685275779717273012012-05-17T07:57:00.000+01:002012-05-17T07:57:03.645+01:00Introducing Hill Town Wools<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cy6-8U7Cyuc/T7Sg2DOqpgI/AAAAAAAABbQ/OxTbgsM8eLI/s1600/Hill-Town-Wools-Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cy6-8U7Cyuc/T7Sg2DOqpgI/AAAAAAAABbQ/OxTbgsM8eLI/s1600/Hill-Town-Wools-Logo.jpg" /></a></div>
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I've been working on another project over the past few months, and yesterday I finally unveiled it: my new Etsy shop, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HillTownWools">Hill Town Wools</a>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_570xN.337556428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_570xN.337556428.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelmscott Lace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Hill Town Wools is a selection of some of my favourite natural fibre blends (such as Kelmscott, a BFL, Baby Alpaca, and Mulberry Silk blend) <b>handspun</b> into light, shimmery yarn, made right here in my home in Oxfordshire, England. Stock is limited at the moment, but there will be more added all the time, so <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HillTownWools?ref=top_trail">check back regularly</a>! <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25732901.post-68885887460533662432012-05-05T13:16:00.000+01:002012-05-05T13:17:11.656+01:00May DayIt's been a hard but wonderful week, involving the death of my grandfather (who lived to a well-aged 93, and led a very full life. RIP Grandpa W), a new volunteer job as the dog and cat photographer at my local animal shelter, and lots of opportunities from new dwellings to developing new aspects of my business.<br />
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Some of the best hours of my week were spent with my camera at the shelter, helping my friends find homes.
A few of my favourites:<br />
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Tommy is 18 months old and lost a front leg to a car accident. It doesn't stop him from acting just like a regular cat, though.
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tmCFrHljBDU/T6UY72jmuKI/AAAAAAAABbA/mQS-NLv4XYk/s1600/Tommy_IMG_7013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tmCFrHljBDU/T6UY72jmuKI/AAAAAAAABbA/mQS-NLv4XYk/s400/Tommy_IMG_7013.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Cassie likes to smile when she's happy, which can sometimes look quite alarming! I was proud of getting this smiling-without-the-teeth shot.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ydYF665Vy6Q/T6UY7o4Z7uI/AAAAAAAABa4/g6qjX-DRX_s/s1600/Cassie_IMG_6752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ydYF665Vy6Q/T6UY7o4Z7uI/AAAAAAAABa4/g6qjX-DRX_s/s400/Cassie_IMG_6752.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Jess is my favourite dog I have met in years, and I would take her home in a second if I could.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nn0ie-c_qEA/T6UY7c0v7PI/AAAAAAAABas/c784g_Yu-EE/s1600/Jess_IMG_6395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nn0ie-c_qEA/T6UY7c0v7PI/AAAAAAAABas/c784g_Yu-EE/s400/Jess_IMG_6395.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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Thank you for working the camera for me, guys!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25732901.post-7645162174516347172012-04-14T07:52:00.000+01:002012-04-14T07:52:03.170+01:00Spring 2012 in Pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I'm having what my family would call one continuous love affair with the British countryside. My photo albums on Facebook are so long that most people who even attempt to look at them must give up after the third scroll-and-load (but maybe that's being generous?). But the thing is, how can you not live here and see that certain times must be captured? How can you not want to immortalize the fragile young growth of English Spring?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-loe_yWKYG1o/T4kcA2Ni3ZI/AAAAAAAABZw/AkA64RbD3Ls/s1600/IMG_4991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-loe_yWKYG1o/T4kcA2Ni3ZI/AAAAAAAABZw/AkA64RbD3Ls/s640/IMG_4991.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hD4yILQkwOA/T4kcHLNl8vI/AAAAAAAABaA/ECYOJKDmAHg/s1600/IMG_5231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hD4yILQkwOA/T4kcHLNl8vI/AAAAAAAABaA/ECYOJKDmAHg/s400/IMG_5231.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5kjqVC6eZMY/T4kb1MHabxI/AAAAAAAABZg/pSZ21tgphWI/s1600/IMG_4861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5kjqVC6eZMY/T4kb1MHabxI/AAAAAAAABZg/pSZ21tgphWI/s400/IMG_4861.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GRdMZEE8_4A/T4kbtLxcdXI/AAAAAAAABZQ/FCj4FHFm4tQ/s1600/IMG_4832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GRdMZEE8_4A/T4kbtLxcdXI/AAAAAAAABZQ/FCj4FHFm4tQ/s400/IMG_4832.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AXtb1iuMm-8/T4kcO6tK5vI/AAAAAAAABaQ/DpvB8VZeaPk/s1600/IMG_5667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AXtb1iuMm-8/T4kcO6tK5vI/AAAAAAAABaQ/DpvB8VZeaPk/s400/IMG_5667.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mJdJEwo614U/T4kcL01u4jI/AAAAAAAABaI/1mxZjH1eoJM/s1600/IMG_5305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mJdJEwo614U/T4kcL01u4jI/AAAAAAAABaI/1mxZjH1eoJM/s400/IMG_5305.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25732901.post-42346671013233524712012-02-18T14:12:00.000+00:002012-02-18T14:12:03.730+00:00Update: Test Knitting(cross-posted from my Ravelry group) <br />
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In the coming weeks, I’ll be ready to start testing a few new patterns, and I’m going to have a go at something a little different. I have been testing in the Free Pattern Testers group, which has been great, <em>but I think I’ve gotten to the point where I’m ready to start tests in <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/ashley-knowlton-designs">my own Ravelry group.</a></em><br />
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So I’m going to give pattern testing a go in this group. If it doesn’t work out, I won’t hesitate to move it back over to Free Pattern Testers, but I thought it might be worth a try! The same basic structure and rules will apply, most importantly: please don’t sign up for a test if you don’t have time for it. If you’re unable to finish by the deadline (without good reason), I will not be able to accept you for further tests. If many people are finding it hard to finish on time, I will extend the deadline.<br />
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<strong>HOW IT WILL WORK</strong><br />
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<strong>I will post</strong> a new thread in this group titled “TEST KNIT: Pattern Name (Project Type)” with pictures, pattern details (sizes, gauge, required materials) and testing requirements (number of testers needed, deadline date, etc). I'll announce on Twitter, blog, etc. when a new test knit is ready to sign up to.<br />
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<strong>Please post</strong> in the thread that you’re interested (this is for other members’ reference), and pm me your e-mail address to get started. I will only have limited places, so once I have everyone I need, I will close the thread to further sign-ups.<br />
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<strong>Once enough people</strong> have expressed interest, I will send out the pattern (for free, of course!) to everyone who I have accepted to test (note: almost everyone will be accepted; the only reasons I would decline are if there is a history of not finishing tests or I don’t feel your skill level is quite there yet). You can always use whatever yarn you would like, depending on whether or not it’s appropriate for the pattern.<br />
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<strong>I’ll earburn anyone</strong> who hasn’t posted in a while (say every week or two), just to check up on how you’re doing. I encourage everyone to post progress reports/pics/comments/or just chat in the thread.<br />
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<strong>Please let me know</strong> when you’re done and I’ll mark you as finished, and let me have a link to the project in your notebook. And I love to see pictures!<br />
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I think that’s it. Please let me know if you have any questions!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25732901.post-86534947061437496842012-02-11T08:35:00.002+00:002012-02-11T08:39:13.764+00:00Darlington, RevisitedThis time of year always makes me thankful for my wellies (also called, depending on where you're from, rain boots, gumboots, galoshes, and, I'm sure, a host of other names!). I live in the countryside in the south of England, where wellington boots are worn with the same devotion with which Pacific Northwesterners wear socks with sandals year round. And as any Briton knows, wellies don't fit correctly without the proper knitwear.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/collection/cart_images/win_11/darlington_z_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.twistcollective.com/collection/cart_images/win_11/darlington_z_500.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/collection/cart_images/win_11/darlington_a_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.twistcollective.com/collection/cart_images/win_11/darlington_a_500.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
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So <a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/collection/index.php/component/content/article/93-winter-2011-patterns/1031-ashley-knowlton">Darlington</a> was born, partly out of necessity, partly out of my love of cables. Inspired by <a href="http://www.hunter-boot.com/welly-socks/red">welly socks</a> with their long, fold-over cuffs (the sample is even knit in a colour similar to Hunter red) and over-the-trouser fit, I wanted a sock that would stretch to fit over my jeans (they stay up better that way) and make wellies warmer and more comfortable. And I just thought that I had to share these with the world.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-plwCS5aln9c/TzYnOX3XlxI/AAAAAAAABZI/VetriwhFgSA/s1600/wellieswatch1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-plwCS5aln9c/TzYnOX3XlxI/AAAAAAAABZI/VetriwhFgSA/s320/wellieswatch1.jpg" width="238" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KwUIwEUz21Y/TzYmhfIuVmI/AAAAAAAABY4/Uq_28Y4Be8o/s1600/Wellington-Sketches.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KwUIwEUz21Y/TzYmhfIuVmI/AAAAAAAABY4/Uq_28Y4Be8o/s400/Wellington-Sketches.png" width="251" /></a></div><br />
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Kate at Twist Collective loved the idea, too, and worked with me to create an ornate pair of stockings that look even better outside the boot. Ribbing ensures a good, close fit around the foot and keeps them from sliding down, while a pretty cable winds up to the cuff, with a matching medallion at the calf. Toe-up construction makes it easy to customise the fit and sport-weight yarn makes them knit up very fast. I loved the sample, which meant that right after I made it (sadly, what with my monstrous calves, they don't fit me), I knew I had to make my own pair.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9QY-rEbObio/TzYm1vzvg8I/AAAAAAAABZA/eZec1otX5EU/s1600/Darlington2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9QY-rEbObio/TzYm1vzvg8I/AAAAAAAABZA/eZec1otX5EU/s400/Darlington2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
My own handspun pair have been my constant companions during this long, cold and damp English winter, and have found their own place, nestled inside my wellington boots by the doorway. I'm sure they will keep me company right into English summertime. <br />
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You can find Darlington in the Winter 2011 issue of Twist Collective, and for sale in their <a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/collection/index.php/component/content/article/93-winter-2011-patterns/1031-ashley-knowlton">shop</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25732901.post-23380379197252660192012-02-01T10:34:00.001+00:002012-02-01T10:34:49.503+00:00New Pattern: Old BonesI'm starting a new part-time job (um, making sweets) in a little while, so I'm full steam ahead in getting more new patterns out while I can! And while my samples still fit me...<br />
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Say hello to my new aran-weight small shawl pattern, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/old-bones">Old Bones</a>:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gQQvbfpAOPg/TykUk6pvrFI/AAAAAAAABYc/-TUmAK2wOA4/s1600/IMG_3446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gQQvbfpAOPg/TykUk6pvrFI/AAAAAAAABYc/-TUmAK2wOA4/s400/IMG_3446.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3BPsapznxs0/TykUoXp9WmI/AAAAAAAABYk/QqxLDh4vfms/s1600/IMG_3718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3BPsapznxs0/TykUoXp9WmI/AAAAAAAABYk/QqxLDh4vfms/s400/IMG_3718.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Old Bones is super cozy, warm, enveloping, and quick to knit. I've been living in it since blocking. The pattern is available both fully charted and with full written instructions. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/old-bones">Go check it out and buy from Ravelry!</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2