Great excitement today!!

The postman arrived with a Special Delivery Parcel for me – but I can’t tell you what was in it!

I’ll explain.

I saw a plea from KnitOnTheNet for sample knitters to help with testing patterns and knitting samples for the republication of Jane Waller’s book A Stitch in Time. The book was originally published in the 1970s, featuring over 100 original knitting & crochet patterns from the 1920s through to the beginning of the 1950s.

I really value these online knitting magazines like KnitOnTheNet, Magknits and Knitty – full of free patterns, knit-news and technique advice -I have learnt heaps from them. I feel that we knitters should support them if we want to keep them! With that in mind, and too much free time on my hands I decided to offer my services.

There was a well thought out form to fill in asking about my knitting and crochet skills and what techniques I’d be happy with.

Then the big question – Regraded pattern knitting, Test knitting or Sample Knitting?

• Regraded pattern- you knit the pattern in your own yarn, keep the the garment but send details of amendments and problems back to KnitOnTheNet.
• Test Knitting – you do swatches in yarns and stitch patterns supplied
• Sample knitting – The pattern and yarn is supplied – the garment and pattern is returned to KnitOnTheNet to be used in exhibitions (and hopefully photos for the book!)

I chose the Sample Knitting!

Call me easily pleased but I was so flattered to be chosen as one of the knitters. I know they had a huge response.

Before you ask – No – I’m not being paid to do it. I will however get a mention in the book and a free copy once it’s published and the thrill of knowing my garment is out there being looked at at exhibitions 😀 (and I’ll probably be sad enough to go looking for it at exhibitions too!)

So back to my exciting parcel – what was in it? What am I knitting?

Unfortunately, this is all I can show you until the book is published!

It’s understandable that they don’t want their designs all over the web, stealing the thunder from the book. I will be able to show you once the book is out so rest assured. I’ll be taking photos!

What can I tell you?

• It’s a pattern from the 1930’s.
• It’s on fairly fine needles but nothing scary that I haven’t used normaly
• It’s a ladies garment
• It’s fabulous and if I’d seen it in a book I’d want to knit it.
• It’s in a pure natural fibre that’s a dream to work with and probably cost a king’s ransom!
• It’s in a colour I wouldn’t normally choose but I like it.
• I cast on the back within 10 mins of opening the parcel and am halfway to the armholes already 🙂

Damn – I’ve just given away another secret – It’s got armholes! 😯