I just love this scarf that Susan has created using Blue Sky Alpacas' Melange and Sportweight.  When she was making it she kept calling me saying she didn't know what she should do with all these flowers...  they were so beautiful but she couldn't make her mind up (which isn't unusual for Susan!)

We were really keen on a scarf, she wanted to do a cushion cover.  To be honest either would have been fine, but I just don't get why would you have something so lovely on a cushion.. maybe other peoples' children have more respect for their soft furnishings than mine...?

Anyway, here is the result.  Perfect too... but is you want it to be a cushion cover, go ahead!

As the temperatures begin to soar (?) we have been having a renewed love-in with Spud & Chloe's super Sweater yarn.  It is such a versatile aran weight yarn and is great for summer projects being a mix of wool and organic cotton.  It's superwash too, so you don't need to worry about  how to care for it once it's knitted up and just happens to come in a fabulous range of 28 bright colours which are bang on trend for this summer.

We have always been fans of Sweater and as a result have quite a few of our own designs using it - it has great stitch definition and is also lovely for crocheting .  As you'd expect, Spud & Chloe do their own great patterns which you can now buy as downloads direct from the Spud & Chloe website.

Our Sweater collection here shows (clockwise from hanger on wall) Hampton baby blanket, Teddington and Ailsa crochet throws, Amyand cushion, Beaconsfield baby blanket and BeTween cardigan.

If you've not tried it before, this is a great time to take the plunge!

My criteria for the perfect summer scarf:

1. Must be warm (in case the sun goes in)
2. Must be quick to knit (before the sun goes in)
3. Must be colourful (to cheer you up when the sun goes in)
4. Must be made of cotton (to differentiate it from a winter scarf)

And voila!  Here it is.  Practially perfect in every way.  So quick, chic and satisfying, that I'm making more... (unheard of for me!).  The Blue Sky Worsted Cotton is just the softest cotton imaginable and comes in the best range of summer colours.  With 20 different colours in stock, there are loads of combinations to try. 

The pattern is a great project for new knitters as it uses some basic techniques again and again and again, so by the time you've finished, you'll be amazing at them.  I've knitted picot hems at either end as you go, but you can easily just slip stitch these hems at teh end if you prefer.  All instrucitons are included.

As the pattern only needs a small amount of the contrast trim, it might be an idea to knit two scarves, reversing the colourway.  You will need two skeins 0f each colour in this case.

If you'd like to have a go, you can get the pattern, named Godstone, here.

The second the temperature drops below something like 16 degrees, my hands (which aren't that great at the best of times) turn into craggy old lady hands and I need an emergency pair of gloves or mittens to protect them from getting any worse (that and a supply of Clarins hand cream... other hand creams are available)

So to combat this hideous weather I knitted up this pair of super-easy, basic fingerless mittens in a couple of evenings.  It meant that the very next day I had one mitt ready so could carry things in one hand but not the other and then just one day later had both hands covered.

They are a great gift for someone and will be very gratefully received.  I've used Blue Sky Alpacas' gorgeous Suri Merino... incredibly soft and warm, not too fluffy, not too thin, but any aran weight yarn would do.

To knit a pair yourself you will need:

4.5mm circular needle (for magic loop) or dpns

1 skein Suri Merino (I've used harvest)

Cast on 30 stitches and join in the round placing a marker at beginning.

Round 1: *K3, P2 repeat from * to end

This sets a 3x2 rib pattern.  Repeat round 1 until rib measures 9cm (3 1/2 inches)

Now work in stocking stitch for 13 rounds

Thumb opening:

At beginning of next round, place first 4 stitches onto a holder (or scrap of yarn), then using backward loop cast on, cast on 4 stitches.

Continue in stocking stitch for 11 more rounds.

Now work in 3 x 2 rib again for 9 more rounds and then cast off in rib pattern.

Thumb:

Using dpns, knit across 4 stitches on holder.  Now pick up and knit 11 more stitches around the thumb opening putting 5 stitches each on 3 needles. Work 8 rounds of K3, P2 rib, then cast off in pattern.

If you are using Suri Merino you will have plenty of yarn to make any part of the mitten longer if you want too. 

See?  Easy, wasn't it!  Now make another glove in exactly the same way... no need to worry about right or left hand, it will work out whatever, I promise!