Yarn Classes

We had great fun last night, Big Knit hats were being spewed out like there was no tomorrow, 50.5 to be exact!

Calm At The Yarn Room Before The Big Knit Night

Many Hands Makes Light Work

The Yarn Room Big Knit Collection

The Yarn Room House Mouse In Suitable Attire

Information on The Big Knit can be had here!

I finally got around to actually making some wee hats for the Innocence Smoothie campaign in aid of Age Action Ireland. The campaign is called The Big Knit, however, in usual rouge style, I went ahead and made some juicy fruits with my hook. I even included a couple of strawberries with yoghurt in true smoothie style.

Innoncent Smoothie Big Knit © Irene Lundgaard 2010

I’m thinking I perhaps should add a bit of yoghurt to all of the fruits. Come to think of it, perhaps I should take the yoghurt off the strawberries… What do you think?

Blueberries & Kiwi

Orange & Strawberries

Apple & Lime

Click for big pics

On Thursday night we will let the creative juices flow with a Big Knit at Knit Club in The Yarn Room in Ashford, Co Wicklow from about 6.30 to 9.00 pm. Join us if you can!

Note: If you would like to contribute to this fun fund-raiser in aid of Age Action Ireland you can find the patterns here and much more details. The postal address for your submission can also be found on that site.

I have just rooted out my nifty little set of short 3 mm DPNs for a few hats I want to make for the Innocent Big Knit in aid of Age Action Ireland as I might one day need some age action myself.

I was looking through my stash of juicy coloured yarns while I was at it and I fell over some Kauni Effect that might just work. However, the Kauni reminded me that I have completely forgotten to load my free knitting patterns to this site, one of which is The Rainbow Scarf that is worked in garter stitch throughout. A handy number, if you ask me.

The Rainbow Scarf © Irene Lundgaard 2010

I have heard people saying that Kauni Effect is too itchy around the neck. Itch and scratch in yarn is never an issue for me but I did have a think about a possible alternative yarn that might be suitable and I think the fun Schoppel Wolle Zauberball Sock Yarn would be a real good alternative.

Having fondled the Kauni Effect and thinking you-know-what-present thoughts… I thought I would make the free PDF pattern available here. Click to get yours:  The Rainbow Scarf – by Irene Lundgaard

My other free patterns are available here!

I am working on making some nice small patterns for the workshop on Saturday in Tapestry Crochet and I am trying to create some simple design patterns that will have maximum visual impact and will make it simple enough for the participants to get the technique.

Yesterday I ran this little bag off the hook and I have made it a size that it will fit the average small paperback for the summer holiday treks around the world, or perhaps just around town.

I put the carrier strap a bit askew so that it will just hang right across the chest.

Normally when I work with Tapestry Crochet I work with a much smaller hook than usually required for the chosen yarn to get the strongest and tightest fabric possible. However, in this case I worked in Icelandic Ístex Lopi which is an Aran weight so I tried to work it on a size 5 mm hook and it’s just fine although the fabric is looser than normal, but it’s still substantial enough.

I like the colours, they are a bit more loud in reality, but otherwise subtle enough. The Ístex yarns have the most fantastic colour range.

My next tapestry project is quite loud. I’m working in Schoppel Wolle Zauberball sock yarn and I can’t say that the colours are exactly subtle. Watch this space!

Note:
Tapestry Crochet Workshop – €25
• Part 1: Saturday 24th July 2010 from 3 – 5pm
• Part 2: Friday 6th August 2010 from 3 – 5pm (if you just want to learn the technique, you do not need this class)
• Learn how to crochet Tapestry. You will need basic crochet skills to get the most out of the class.
Class booking can be done  at The Yarn Room online shop or by calling the shop on Tel: +353 (0)85 1303762

I am born an optimist and I think making a sun hat these days proves that point to the full. It ain’t exactly sun we are gifted with in Ireland these days, nor is it heat. Nevertheless, I crochet this ladies sun hat, just because I could. I wanted to test the texture that a discreet bit of mesh would do on a hat and I think it works.

Flopsy Dahlia Sun Hat © Irene Lundgaard 2010

I have worked the hat in Cushendale 4ply on a size 4.5 mm hook. It’s worked top down and the floppy brim is worked on a size 3.5 mm hook to make it more rigid. I adorned it with a big fluffy Dahlia-like flower, just because I could. Well, as a matter of fact, it’s more like just because I couldn’t help myself…

Click on each thumbnail for larger view.

I have loaded a few more photos on Flickr which can be seen right here. Now I just hope that Met Éireann are right when they say that a high pressure is due later in the week. It might just, with a bit of optimistic luck, bring some sunshine and a reason to air the hat.

Note: If enough interest is shown in the hat, I will make up the pattern. Please drop me a message if you think I should make this pattern available.

Flower Flopsy Sun Hat © Irene Lundgaard 2010

The Irish summer heat seeped out around July first, we’re back to rain and low temperatures as per usual but who says we can’t use summer colours anyway? I am at the moment.

The Summer Candy Swirl Beanie was completed in fun summer colours. It’s just a little sample that will only fit a child’s head, the spiral on it was fun to make. I enjoy to crochet spirals.

Right now I’m preparing the Tapestry Crochet Class for next Saturday at The Yarn Room and I’m having great fun. I made the first couple of samples a while back, one is the Little Girl’s Pouch which is also very summery in colour indeed.

Colourful Tapestry Crochet Samples In Cotton

I have a little cat crochet in a Egyptian style, it’s fun but it will need much more work. I’ll enjoy the creative journey that will be.

The woollen Tapestry Crochet sample is my all time favourite so far. I adore the coarse Cushendale DK yarn that has such wonderful stitch definition and durability. And then there is the colours that are simply to die for. The saturation is just right, the hues and tones are done to perfection and the fleck is just fantastic!

Tapestry Diamond Bag © 2010 Irene Lundgaard

I will work on a couple more samples and see if I can think up some fun and inspiring designs to work with. You see, to me the best journey of all is the creative process and that is the summer journey I intend for this weekend. Tapestry Crochet, here I come!

Note:
Tapestry Crochet – €25
• Part 1: Saturday 24th July 2010 from 3 – 5pm
• Part 2: Friday 6th August 2010 from 3 – 5pm (if you just want to learn the technique, you do not need this class)
• Learn how to crochet Tapestry. You will need basic crochet skills to get the most out of the class.
Class booking can be done  at The Yarn Room online shop or by calling the shop on Tel: +353 (0)85 1303762

I wanted to have a couple of new hats up my sleeve for Friday when I’m giving the Design A Summer Hat class at The Yarn Room. However, the summer does not really lend itself to the big brimmed floppy affair I had planned. Instead I set to work on a bit of cotton for a beanie in summer candy colours. It’s worked in Lang Golf which I am personally fond of. It’s very nice to work with and I adore the colour possibilities in it. I thought a beanie would be more appropriate for this July in Ireland as it might actually warm the wearer up. The ‘keep sun out of eyes’ type hat is not exactly on the agenda.

All I need to do to finish this is to get the ends dealt with and get the embellishment fixed and then we are good to go. I also need a couple of uninterrupted hours for that to happen. When that will be is a completely other matter!

Note: Class booking can be done  at The Yarn Room online shop or by calling the shop on Tel: 085 1303762

There was cakes to die for at The Yarn Room yesterday, was being the operative word. When I left after a stint of some 3 hours this is what was left on the plates.

Yummy Home Baking – Yarn Room Style

The place was packed with lovely yarnies and very many lovely faces were put on ‘Ravatars’. There was that Yarn Room buzz about the place that is so colourful and inclusive and not least inspiring with people bouncing ideas off each others. It is for a reason that the tag line on The Yarn Room logo is ‘- be inspired’.

This is one year later and I still pinch myself every time I go in the door there. I simply can’t believe I teach and work in this colourful and inclusive environment.

Speaking of teaching. The summer crochet class schedule at The Yarn Room is up and there is something for everybody:

Crochet Classes
Learn to Crochet – €25
• 23rd July 2010 – 3 – 5pm
• Learn the basic stitches
• Get started on your first project.

Improvers Crochet Class – €25
• 30th July 2010 – 3 – 5pm
• Learn new skills by working through a project of your choice.
• The class is small and focuses on the needs of the group.

Crochet Flowers – €25
• 20th August 2010 – 3 – 5pm
• Learn how to make attractive crochet flowers.
• You will need basic crochet skills to get the most out of the class.

Design a Crochet Hat – €25
• 16th July 2010 – 3 – 5pm
• Learn how to design and make a crochet hat. You will need basic crochet skills to get the most out of the class

Tapestry Crochet – €25
• Part 1: 24th July 2010 from 3 – 5pm
• Part 2: 6th August 2010 from 3 – 5pm
• Learn how to crochet Tapestry
You will need basic crochet skills to get the most out of the class

You can book online at The Yarn Room online shop or by calling the shop on Tel: 085 1303762

Today when I locked the door at The Yarn Room I had to pause for a moment and have a last quick look in through the door to make sure that everything was under control. I had to pinch myself when I saw the colour and the bright space that is The Yarn Room.

This week is the first birthday of that wonderful inspiring space so full of colourful wool. A year where I have had unbelievable fun. A year of colour and a year of inspiration.

Tomorrow Stephanie is having her birthday sale with 10% on all yarns and spot prices throughout the day and there are selected yarns reduced to almost 50%. I have my eye on some of it… Perhaps I’ll see you there!

Happy Birthday and congratulations Stephanie on your wonderfully inspiring place! Long may it last!

It felt like it took an age for the Sky Blue Wrap to dry as I blocked it on my yoga mat on the kitchen floor. Every time I went through the kitchen my patience was tested. It really was an age to wait!

Blue Sky Wrap © 2010 Irene Lundgaard

It was an absolute delight this morning when I was able to wrap this light yet substantial piece of crochet around my shoulders.
It’s a couple of meters long which means it sits neatly around the shoulders without even needing a clasp or brooch to hold it in place although I won’t rule out a nice brooch for it…

Blue Sky Wrap © 2010 Irene Lundgaard

The actual crochet didn’t take all that long even if it was a couple of meters x some 60 to 70 cm worth. It was just that there was so many other projects done in between that made it seem like a rather long process. I used 450g of the wonderful Ístex Loðband Einband. The stitch definition is superb in this yarn which is also rather coarse and unwashed. The smell of lanolin is delicious and the yarn just needed a good soak in Kerry Woollen Mills Wool Wash which immediately had a softening effect.

This wrap is going to be glued to my shoulders on cool days.
In other words, it’s a hit!

Note: The wrap was worked on a size 3 mm hook and the pattern will be available at a later stage.