What an exciting few weeks, since I last managed
to get a news letter written!!
Several Mr Darcey Designs have been published
in all kinds of magazines. Hooray!!
As I mentioned in the February newsletter,
a scarf, in Manos silk blend with tiny iridescent beads,
has been published in Simply Homemade, Issue 3
and features on the front cover!!!
.jpg)
It only takes 1 skein to make a scarf approximately 1m long
(2 skeins if you want an extra long scarf!)
-as always I am available via email
(mrdarceyscottage@btinternet.com) if you need any help.
There is also a Special Reader Offer for the yarn!!
Look out in a future edition of Simply Homemade
for a pretty summer bolero, with a soft ruffled edge
in the new Manos yarn, Serena
(60% baby alpaca and 40% pima cotton)
It is beautifully soft, a dream to knit with
and comes in a range of gorgeous subtle gentle colours
-ideal for that little summer knit!
There are several new patterns available for this yarn
including my design for a little lacey vest top, with beads,
(again!-can you see a theme developing here ??)
featured at the neckline, hem and around the armholes.
These patterns can be seen on the Artesano website
(www.artesanoyarns.co.uk) and yarn and patterns
are available from Mr Darcey.
Take a look at the FREE pattern page
at the Artesano website
for a brand new range of patterns for Manos wool
(all available for FREE download!!)
My contributions to the range were the sampler shawl -
Brunswick (an ideal way to try out
all kinds of new stitches in a huge shawl /throw
-keep it on the back of the sofa for cuddling under when watching late night TV!)
and Manitoba
(a lacey swing jacket in a beautiful sea green colour)
My latest design for Artesano coincides with
the launch of new colours in
the Manos Laceweight Range.
(5%cashmere, 20%silk, 75%baby alpaca)
It is an easy to wear sloppy Joe tee shirt style top
called 'Gee Whizz it's you' - the yarn is very soft and light
and comes in a gorgeous range of colours.
There has been so much interest in this design,
that I am offering the yarn and pattern
as a Special Offer Kit -
normally this would retail at over £80
but will be available for the Special Price of £70
with FREE Postage.
There is also an additional bonus pattern
for a matching striped scarf to use up the yarn
left over from the tee shirt knit.
It is available in a Pink colourway ~ as in the picture ~
(Fuschia/cream/red/pink and olive/
baby pink/teal and pink) or in a blue/grey colourway
(Deep Blue/cream/baby blue/ petrol blue/
aqua and cream/grey and cream)
-see side menu for details of how to order.
There are currently more kits being developed
so keep popping back to the website
as I will add them as they become available.
The Summer edition of Verena is now on sale
but I understand that there has been
some difficulty obtaining the English Language version here -
however you can still download the patterns
from the Verena website.
The 2 designs I have featured in this edition
are Monterrey -a longline jumper in Artesano DK alpaca
in charcoal and deep yellow,
with pearl beads (beads again!) at the neckline and cuffs -
the jumper has a separate band tied at the hip
-the design was based on the flapper dresses of the 1920's !
The second design is a little summer tunic top,
based on the empire line dresses of the Regency period
-very Jane Austen!
Again in Artesano Dk Alpaca in aqua,
with a matching Hummingbird variegated yarn
providing the accents.
Fans of 'The Knitter' magazine will have seen
the Ariel top and gauntlets featured in Issue 29.
A pretty little vintage style fitted lacey cardigan
with short sleeves and tiny silver buttons
and matching gauntlets -
On the workshop front, my Fair Isle Workshop
for Black Hills Yarns in Henley on Thames
had to be postponed
but will now take place on Saturday 4th June
so plenty of time left to book your place
-contact Penny at Black Hills Yarns.
The Summer Bunting Workshop
meant that some people had their very own,
handcrafted bunting for the Royal Wedding!
If you missed this workshop but would like to have a go
then drop me an email (mrdarceyscttage@btinternet.com)
and I will let you know when the course will be running again.
The popular Freeform Knitting and Crochet course
is running again on Saturday 10th September
and can be booked with Heather at Cool Contours (heather@coolcontours.co.uk)
14th -22nd May is Oxfordshire Arts Week
and Cool Contours is the venue for 4 different artists
-open from 12-6pm -all the details can be found
on the Cool Contours website (www.coolcontours.co.uk)
Recently the needles have been flashing along
to get other designs ready for deadlines
including 4 for the Autumn edition of Verena
and several more for other magazines (Watch this space!)
so there has been a lot of knitting and not much housework
at Mr Darcey's Cottage of late
-I have an ironing mountain to rival Everest!
But keep watching for the latest Julie Ferguson knitting designs!