A challenge for me!

Hello I'm back again! It's Wednesday's post, from my new Monday, Wednesday, Friday blogging regime, and after an initial feeling of unease about not popping in to say hello to you, every day of the week, I'm starting to get into the swing of it.

It's giving me lots more time to do my painting, or whatever needs doing, which feels luxurious. Infact, yesterday I had the time to write up two step-by-step tutorials. One for the 'Little Squares Scarf', and one showing how I do my sewing up, to create an invisible stitch. All step-by-step, with loads of photos. I felt a bit square-eyed when I'd finished. But that's two done and dusted, and almost ready to put up for your use! Hurrah!

So I think my having more time to myself, might actually be mightily beneficial to you, as it turns out, which is something that makes me feel good.

So what's all this about then, you might be wondering. These balls of yarn, which have ball bands proclaiming they're made by Patons.

Well, this is the "something I've never done before", I mentioned in Monday's post.

Nessy, who runs the website for Coats Crafts, (and reader of my blog), sent me a tentative question, just before Christmas. That question was along the lines of, would I be interested in doing something for the Coats Crafts website, (which you can see here. It's a rather beautiful website, some very interesting things to look at, free patterns, crochet, knitting, quilting, sewing content, something for everyone. And free patterns, well, I don't know about you, but free patterns are always very interesting to me).

I was curious about what might be involved, and wanted to find out more, so Nessy explained.

Nessy would send me a goody bag of Patons yarn, and some booklets. In return, I was welcome to knit with the yarns, and talk about them if I wanted to. And one more thing,I am also to create one or two quick patterns, using the yarns.

Once I've done this, my patterns will be published on the Coats Crafts website for a month, and they will link to my blog, and I'll be crowned 'Blogger of the Month'. After that month is up, I will be free to publish the patterns on my blog.

I have to admit, it all sounded very interesting, something I'd not taken part in before, and the clincher? What blogger could not resist being crowned 'Blogger of the Month'?!

So I said yes! And waited nervously for the goody bag to arrive. My main worry was that I would dislike the colours I was sent.

It would be someone elses choice of colours, and that makes me a bit nervous.

As it turned out, I didn't have to worry, I liked everything, with one exception The olive green aran yarn. That dark green just doesn't get me excited I'm afraid. I love that turquoise cotton though, turquoise is a colour I've recently become obsessed with. And the Fairytale Colour 4 Me variegated is bright and lovely. I use Diploma Gold DK a lot, (and the 4ply). My last two projects used the DK, one I haven't shown you yet, the other, the fair isle scarf I've been showing you lately. My local yarn shop stocks it, and it is such a good price, has lovely colours, and really very nice to knit with. I'd go as far as saying it's an exceptional yarn. There's one strange thing about the 4 ply and the DK, in terms of their colours. They seem to have different colours in the 4 ply, than in the DK. There's a sort of duck-egg blue, which is an exquisite colour, in the 4-ply, and you can't get the same colour in the DK. So frustrating, as I love that colour. (Is it worth writing to the managing Director of Patons about this colour discrepancy do you think?!)

And the other colours? I can work with the other colours. Definitely!

What else came in the goody bag, apart from the yarn? Well, the fab spotty bag, made by Nessy herself, that was a lovely gift. Very nice indeed.

I was very taken with the Gedifra sock yarn booklet, showing things other than socks, to be knitted. These variegated sock yarns do lend themselves beautifully to things like scarves, I always think.

All those lovely subtle changes of rich colours, it's always fascinating to see how the yarn knits up.

Gorgeous colours! Whilst sock knitting isn't my thing, I love the photo above, from the booklet.

There were also these four other booklets, above, in the goody bag. I like the look of the pattern from the Gedifra booklet in the top right-hand photo. It's a shame the booklet is in German, but I imagine there will be one available soon, in English.

I rather fancy knitting up this tank top, above. Though I would want to knit it in multi-coloured stripes, or even a Fair Isle pattern.

So it's up to me now! I've got to come up with some patterns, using these yarns! I have had my thinking cap on, and I do have an idea, but of course, it has to remain top secret.

Top secret hey. Love that phrase, it's an exciting phrase, don't you think?

I'm off to my Wednesday night knitting group now, so I'll say ta-ra till Friday.

Love Vanessa xxx

Comments

[gill]

vanessa
this sounds really exciting - i'm sure you'll rise to the challenge and we'll all benefit!!! can't wait to see what you do with all that yummy yarn. enjoy your knitting group
love gill
xx

[jane smallcombe]

I cannot wait to see what you come up with from your bundle of yarns. I love Patons Smoothie DK and that magenta colour looks rather nice!!!

I think a striped tank top would be fabulous.

Good Luck

Jane x

[Janice Perkin]

what a lovely new venture - see how your fame in other areas is spreading - clever girl!

[Siobhan]

Hello! How exciting this is all going to be - for us and you. I agree with you on the green yarn and I really love green but that is just too dark for most things. I was scrolling through the patterns with you and when I got to the grey tank top I thought Oooh, that's nice, so I when I saw that you are thinking about doing it, I was really rather pleased. Can I say yes please!? I think it would be gorgeous in stripes or fair isle. I have a lovely stripey one in nice colours which I wear all the time, and a hand knitted one would look even better, there was a nice fair isle one too, but the colours were not so good - you would choose lovely colours. Whatever you decide, I'm sure Patons are going to be thrilled they picked you, so well done for being the chosen one!

[florence]

Can't wait to see what you will do with all this yarn! They are not even the same sizes... I'm curious!
And top secret hum? Definitely super curious :)

[Hen]

Oooh, how exciting, Vanessa, can't wait to see what goodies you come up with. Lovely photos, thank you for that shot of prettiness and colour. the Spring flowers are so lovely, aren't they? Can't wait until they're in the garden for real which looks such an embarrassing tip at the moment!
Hen xxx

[Jennyff]

That is an exciting venture and deserved recognition of your creative work. Bet your head is full of ideas and colours, can't wait to see what your produce.

[Ella]

Wow, that yarn looks so yummy. Can't wait to see what you'll make of it. If you need help with German knitting terms, just let me know, I'll gladly help out.

Ella xxx

[mlle paradis]

Those scarves are very inspiring!

[wonderwoman]

that all sounds amazing - look forward to seeing your pattern!

xx

[paintdropskeepfalling.wordpress.com]

What a fab opportunity - lucky you! Looking forward to seeing it all unfold. Gorgeous photos too :)

[driftwood]

how wonderfully exciting xoxoxo

[Amy]

What a great opportunity - I love Patons smoothie DK - and I also really like that jacket on the cover of their pattern book - might have to look it up. Look forward to seeing your patterns!

[Denise]

How exciting Vanessa, those patterns are superb,I love the scarves and the Grey Jacket. I know you will triumph and come up with some wonderful colourful patterns, good luck in your conquest. Denise x

[sofy]

uhh how exciting!
And yes - I was wondering what those balls of yarn were for when I started to read your post:) Can't wait to see the result

[felicity]

oh lovely, have fun! have you seen in smiths there's a knitting mag with 40s patterns in it says land girls on the front but they are lovely patterns! fliss xx

[Kate Bruning]

That is just so exciting - a professional blogger and crochet/knitter for a month. I would like someone to send me something free to try too but unfortunately in our house it is farming stuff. One time we were sent these free stickers to put on the cows back, indicating when they were about to come on heat. They gave Jonno a free pocket knife to say thank you. Which was nice. But I wouldn't blog about it.
Hope you are well and shiny. Love Kate xxooxxooxx.

[frances]

What an interesting development. I know some of those Paton's yarns, but we don't generally see them all over here in the States.

It's grand that you've been given the opportunity to show what those yarns can become in the hands of someone with your imagination.

I promise to be patient, yet already just wonder what you'll be up to. (Please don't neglect those watercolors.) xo

[Pipany]

It is exciting Vanessa. I loved your Fairisle scarf anf want to see more pics please! x

[Petit Filoux]

Oh whao that's so cool!!! Can't wait to see what you make with all that lovely yarn xx

[Barbara]

What a lovely post Vanessa and how exciting to be part of the Coats website, enjoy creating something special with that beautiful wool, that photo of the multi-coloured shawl looks special ...

[Laura]

That's really exciting news, Vanessa! Patons is going to be so glad they asked you to design and knit for them - your talent with colors is unique and fresh and so attractive.

[penny]

What a challenge! I'm sure you will rise to it! I don't know about you but I get quite nervy when confronted with a colour out of my personal comfort zone but sometimes you need that push to come up with something exciting. The tank top is very you, but NOT in that colour, who needs fag ash grey?!

[Lorraine Tarr]

That is super-exciting! You are so creative and talented - no wonder they want you.
I'm sure you'll come up with something amazing - those colours are fab (agree about the green, but know you'll sort that out in your own inimitable way)
Lurve that piccie of the socks :0) xx

[Erica K]

Wow, that's exciting and fun! Best of luck!

[Jacqueline]

Oh Vanessa, this sounds so exciting. I'm really looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

[sumea]

What a super Exciting post! and I Love the sound of a striped or fair-isle multi-coloured tank top - yummy!
I just posted a pic of the Beautiful 'Happy' painting I bought from you last year xxx ThankYou again, I really do Love it :o)

Warm Hugs and Happy weekend wishes xxx

Sumea

[Barbara P]

Hi Vanessa, its the first time I took a peek at your blog and I have been blown away by the beautiful use of colour you have! I loved the fairisle scarf but all the photography is wonderful, its so pretty the way you group things together. I can't wait to see what you come up with from the wool supplied. I always have difficulty breaking into the wool to start with, I like to just look at all the different coloured balls (I know I am odd) - colours are my thing and although I am quite a large lady I do not limit myself to black !
Good Luck - we will all be waiting to see your next photos. Barbs

[Janet]

You seem like a very creative person, so I'm sure you'll come up with something beautiful. Have just discovered your blog and really enjoyed reading it, especially the knitting posts.

[EcoChic Furniture]

Just loving all ur blogs...
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