Or, not quite Ravello as i've named it in my Ravelry projects. Inspired by a customer, Barbara, and her amazing version, Ravello was one of those 'I must cast on as soon as possible' projects. Slouchy, simple, stripy, all my favourite things right now. I figured it would be the perfect shop and knit night knitting, and so it was. 

Pattern: Ravello Size: M Yarn: Knitsch Sock in Silver Lining, Yellow Brick Road and Tennant

Except, my approach to knitting it was so relaxed that I missed a crucial step. Which worked out well, in the end.

1. I forgot to cast on the extra stitches under the arms

2. I knit an 5th stripe at the bust (there's only meant to be 4)

3. Because of 1, my FO is a little more snug than the pattern intends 

4. Because of said snug-ness, I went for elbow length sleeves to result in more of a top than a jersey

5. I like the unfinished neckline, so left it, well, unfinished

6. I moved the beginning of round marker so it was close to one of the sleeves rather than in the centre back to better hide the join for the stripes.

I was worried that because of the extra stripe at the bust, it would cut me off in a bad place. The photos show that line at it's worst, not helped by my not standing up terribly straight. It actually sits just fine, and I can see myself wearing this forever. A really great knit that sped along super fast (helped by my wanting to wear it pretty much immediately). I know lots of stocking stitch can get a bit tedious, but I think this pattern is worth it. A great project to haul around and keep you busy at times that might otherwise be boring. Or you're too busy chatting to pay real attention to what you're doing (like me). 

P.S The hat pictured is a new design i'll be releasing in the next couple of days - the Flat Hat. 

I had a blog post mostly written and IT DISAPPEARED. Ah, the joys the of technology. The blog post was really great. This one...probably not as great. Feel free to just look at the pretty pictures.

I've finished Ravello, and Pumpkin Ale (both of which need blog posts of their own, to come later). Little bits and pieces that have been languishing in the 'to-finish' pile are slowly being finished. So what to knit next?

Watson by Amy Miller

Back details will always grab my attention. I love love love designs which look simple from the front, but have surprises waiting on the back. I'm not 100% on the pleat but I suspect if you wanted to skip it, you could. 

Grace Kelly Sleek Pullover by Susanna IC

Back detail: tick. Knitted tee: tick. It's taken awhile for me to come round to the idea of knitting tees, but they are on my radar in a big way for the upcoming summer....which seems like a distant future right now. 

Cassandre Cowl by Julia Barrowcliffe

 So many things to love about the Cassandre cowl - the graphic leaf pattern, the edging, the yarn. Knit with Zealana Kiwi, I could cast this on immediately. Instead, I think i'll keep mulling over what I really, really want to knit. And continue finishing off all the little things. Speaking of finishing, we've got a special event in the planning, which i'll be announcing soon. Happy knitting!

The awesome people at Handmade have give us two Day Passes to give away! Hooray!

All week i've been struggling to decide what sort of challenge I should set for you to enter the draw. I started thinking about learning new things and the challenges we face when attempting to learn a new skill or improve on our ability to make stuff. 

I find my most interesting stories come from my failures. I'll point out my mistakes to illustrate how it can be done better, share the imperfections to demonstrate that you shouldn't do it the way I did. 

The reason i'm giving away two passes, is so there's one for you and you can drag a friend along and share a fun day of learning. Of course you don't have to tell me if you decide to use both for yourself and make an indulgent weekend of it. A day pass gets you into 4 whole classes so you can really squish in some fun.

So, the deal is:

1. Leave a comment telling me about your worst craft disaster. Or, if not your worst, at least your funniest. 

2. Comment by 5pm Wednesday 21 May

3. Draw will be made at 10am Thursday 22 May, and winner will be advised by email

Good luck! And if you need some class-choosing inspiration, i've put together a couple of posts as food for thought. 

Ts & Cs: You may choose any classes you like as long as there are spots available and within the terms of the Day Pass, sorry folks no staff or staff families can enter, comments required by 5pm Wednesday 21 May, one entry per person, winners must arrange own way to Wellington.

Going through the classes for our blog post last week, I mentally made another list of classes I really love the sound of. So! Class picks round two!

Everything in Free Range

Top of my list in the Free Range stream is absolutely Bridget McKendry's 3D printing class. I'm super curious about this way of making objects, it's so complimentary to everyday life. Bridget's also teaching how to add LEDs to paper objects - which is pretty much the most fun you can have with electronics. 

Second is Colleen Pugh's Illustration for Beginners. Colleen is best known for the cult hit tea towels, Dishes I'd Rather Be Doing (including one featuring our favourite, Ryan Gosling). Learn how to put together simple shapes for fun little illustrations. Oh, and checkout Colleen's latest inspiring project, The AntiSocial Club.

I could keep going, but really check out the whole lot. All classes look super excellent.

Hoop Wall Art with Heleen Webb

Heleen is an amazing textile artist who produces absolutely beautiful modern embroidery and fabric designs. Her class covers basic embroidery stitches, plus some more interesting and creative ones. 

Everything in the Taste stream

As per usual, the dumplings class sold out super fast, but here I am drooling over Maestro de Masa, More, More Cheese and Feast of the Southern Wild. Uh, YUM. 

 Keep your eyes on the blog tomorrow as we'll be launching our Handmade 2014 giveaway - you could be in to win a pass for you AND a friend. Hooray!

What, you haven't booked your Handmade classes yet? Better get your skates on! I hear the booking process is a little painful (I swear at Ticketek too) but the pain will lead to glorious joy. 

Here's my picks for this year's Handmade:

Everything in the Manmade stream

I applaud the organisers for adding this stream of classes to the line-up. One of the trickiest things about this industry is figuring out how to get more men along, as the craft stereotype is that handmade is for women. Absolutely not the case, as you know. Bring along your special man friend, or just your regular man friend, and hit up these classes. They all look fantastic - and aren't only for men. I'd love to build my own bike wheel, and a pallet garden has been on my radar for quite some time.

Pro tip: quite often businesses in the industrial streets of Petone will put out their unwanted pallets with a 'free' sign attached. 

Knit your own socks, two ways

2014 sees two different sock classes at Handmade. Belinda Too returns with her excellent class on how to knit socks. Perfect for anyone who has ever wanted to try their hand at socks, this class teaches the Magic Loop technique, and works through the construction of a top-down sock. It really isn't so tricky if you have an experienced teacher such as Belinda to guide you through the process. 

The second class is with yarn maven Morag Mackenzie, and covers sock knitting in the other direction: toe up. If you're really obsessed with the idea of knitting socks, i'd book in for both classes. Honestly, socks are the greatest item to knit by hand. You can carry your project everywhere with you because it's so small, and wearing them when they're finished is a massive treat. 

Need some inspiration? Morag designs some really amazing sock patterns. 

Everything in the Stitch stream

About this point of looking through the programme I wonder if I can leave my amazing staff in charge of the Knit Lounge for the weekend. I'd love to make Kitty the Wheat Bag friend (pictured) with Flora Waycott, or a framed coin purse with Angela Young. My poor sewing machine lives under my desk because there's so much paperwork on top of it that there's no room. These classes would certainly rev up the inspiration enough to make me file all the paperwork and return the sewing machine to it's rightful place. 

Most of the weekend, really, you will find me in the Knit Lounge. I've got some plans up my sleeve for a Ravelry Meet Up and a Spin In, plus some other treats. I honestly can't wait. Have you booked your classes already? Want to see who else you might know is in the same one? We've set up a thread in Ravelry for such chatter. Drop on by and say hello!