crafts & knitting

laid low

This week saw both H and I laid low by the same virulent little lurgy that kept Amy off from school last week and as a consequence I feel as weak as a kitten today. Luckily for me I have lots of balls of wool to play with and cheer me up.

 

Rowan 4ply

So I am sitting here stock-taking my stash and wistfully re-packing my precious but dwindling reserves of Rowan 4 ply cotton.

 

4ply copy

 

1. bloom, 2. cheeky, 3. boudoir, 4. orchid, 5. angel, 6. allure, 7. tutti frutti, 8. mandarine, 9. honeydew, 10. zest, 11. fresh, 12. cooking apple, 13. fennel, 14. monsoon, 15. sage, 16. ripple, 17. tear, 18. baby, 19. bluebell, 20. violet, 21. nightsky, 22. navy, 23. steel blue, 24. cobalt, 25. agean, 26. shale, 27. ardour, 28. aubergine, 29. violetta, 30. flirty, 31. provence, 32. bleached, 33. cream, 34. opaque

 

Luckily I've been able to track a little more of it down recently, thanks to some very nice people over on Ravelry, but in a few colours I'm down to my last precious ball and there are a few colours that I have never had the pleasure of getting my needles into!

It's such a shame that Rowan discontinued this lovely yarn. Hopefully one day they'll see the light and re-release it because in my opinion nothing comes close to it's pretty colours and soft handle and it is perfect for bunny clothing.

 

Girlies2

 

Talking of which, I'm off to cast on a little dress and knit myself better. Happy weekending all x

…………………………………………………………

PS: just to let you know, I've turned on a new comments thingy that lets me reply, which I will endeavour to do when time and Toby allow. So if you ask me a question, check back the next day and hopefully you'll see my answer.

62 thoughts on “laid low

  1. Sorry to hear you haven’t bee well and I hope both patients are now on the mend. The bunnies and their dresses are beautiful.

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  2. What heavenly colors!!! So sorry your under the weather…I have had a spring cold for 10 days and am quite sick of feeling sick!! I think some knitting will help…as for me some embroidery is the plan for the day!!! Feel better!!

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  3. So sorry to hear you’ve not been well this week. Your yarn stash looks lovely in the sunlight! I just hate it when yarn becomes discontinued, and I can’t understand why this type has because as you say, it’s just a dream to knit with. Hope somebody from Rowan is reading and has a change of heart!!!
    Hope you all have a lovely weekend in the sunshine…perfect weather for Toby to spend a few hours in the garden on his trampoline.
    Fleur xx

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  4. I hope you all are feeling better soon.
    What a wonderful selection of colors, I hope they reconsider, or come out with something even more wonderful. Your creations are so adorable, some day I hope to be the lucky person to have one in my home!
    Have a fun day sewing darling dresses.

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  5. Really hope you’re both feeling brighter soon! Nothing like some lovely yarn to play with – just love all those colours, so very cheerful.
    Happy weekend!
    xox

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  6. Hope you both feel better soon,it made me smile to see all your lovely wool.i used to knit years ago children’s cardigans never could manage a knitted toy! Wish I could the other week I had the urge to knit but all my needles are in the loft plus I have no wool!!
    These days I make greeting cards which I’m just off to do,your bunnies are stunning and maybe just maybe one day the number generator will choose me…fingers crossed
    Have a lovely weekend with your family xx

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  7. I think that sounds like the same lurgy that’s been doing the rounds at school – it’s been literally decimated this week. Hope you’re on the mend now, as we all seem to be. Make the most of that lovely wool!

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  8. Sorry you’ve been feeling poorly Julie, hoping you’ll soon be on the mend! Definitely knitting will help and that gorgeous stash of yarn is a tonic in itself.
    Wishing you a lovely weekend,
    V x

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  9. Dear Julie,
    I hope you feel better very soon. It is so strange with the warm weather we have been having here in Touraine – around 27°C in the afternoon – to see nasty viruses are still rampant among children and adults alike. It is such a wonderful feeling when you wake up one day to find yourself over the worst.
    Why, I wonder, did Rowan discontinue this yarn? I’m a little baffled.
    I ADORE your rabbit dresses….

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  10. oh i am so sorry to hear that you and H are unwell, my husband has been rather poorly this week too…there seems a lot of it around at the moment.
    Pretty wool and what a shame for you that it has been discontinued…you bunnies warm my heart…they are just little darlings
    wishing you all a happy and healthy weekend x
    love jooles x

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  11. Sorry to hear you’re under the weather. Hope you feel better soon and it doesn’t ruin your weekend. Love your beautiful bunnies and a very impressive colour selection you have there. Why do they always seem to discontinue the good stuff? It’s so hard to find a yarn that comes in such a good range of colours and they go and get rid of it – typical!
    S x

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  12. Ooh, those bunnies are amazing!! I never get over how cute they are. I hope you find a good replacement yarn soon! It’s a shame when a favourite yarn is discontinued.

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  13. Hi Julie
    I have a few odd balls of Rowan 4 ply cotton which you are more than welcome to have. Please email me if you’d like them. I can’t think of a better use for the yarn than making your lovely bunnies!

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  14. The sight of all those cottons made my heart sing, and then to see all the adorable bunnies in their dresses, it sang even more! I’m glad you have the colourful yarn there to cheer you up – they certainly brightened my day!

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  15. It’s difficult, having to depend on the whim of companies and company people. You wonder why they make the decisions they do, why they take away very good things or change them in ways that remove all the lovely things that made them wonderful. interdependence has its very good points, but there’s always a flip side.
    Now I have visions of you sitting on the floor with the balls all around you, like a cat in heaven. Except you feel terrible. And I am terribly sorry about that. I’d be glad to bring you soup, but it would be cold by the time it got to you.
    Kisses and hugs.

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  16. I just love that bunny on the right hand side (and the others, of course). I hope you manage to knit yourself better!

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  17. I do hope you’ve perked up in this bright spring sunshine, and where better to find cheer than with your fingers in yarn 😀 Feel better soon, both, and have a restful weekend x

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  18. UGH! Virus’ are the worst! Hoping you feel better soon. Here’s something that might make you smile…my 14 month old daughter has two new words today…”NO!” and “poo.” (oh dear. Wait til her Grammy hears!)

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  19. Hi Julie
    Know what you mean about these viruses, ahem, making their way through the family! You lose all your bearings and it takes a couple of days to recover mentally as well as physically.
    Love your colour wheel — I do the same thing with my stash from time to time, because it is definitely colour which inspires me!
    Anyway the main reason for commenting is to pass on a tip — if you are looking for 4 ply cotton a lot of it comes up on ebay.co.uk and usually in larger lots. There’s quite a bit over there now if you look — violetta, bloom, zest, cream, opaque, honeydew, steel blue, boudoir are all there as I type … no greens though, and I think you like the greens a lot 😉
    Keep on inspiring us!
    xxBrittany

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  20. Hi Julie, Those colours would make anyone feel better. Just gorgeous.
    I fell in love with your ‘Me Old China’ blanket when you posted the pics of it, and I am in the process of joining my squares! I tracked down all the yarns and I am so happy with it. The colours are amazing. Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful creativity with us. Love, Louise. xxx

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  21. I feel your pain on the discontinued yarn. I buy a lot of yarn that is on sale because it has been discontinued, and so often I find myself wondering why, complete with gnashing of teeth and gesticulations towards the sky. Which gets odd looks in the shop. 😉
    Hope the dress makes you feel better. 🙂

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  22. Hi Julie,
    I have 180 grm of Rowan 4 ply in shade 131 ( a lightish green)in my stash.I would be happy to send it to you as I don’t need it. Drop me a line with an address if you want it and I’ll pop in in the post.
    Cheers
    Susan

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  23. Sorry to hear you and H are ill but hope a full recovery is just around the corner. I was looking on eBay and there appears to be several skeins of Rowan 4-ply cotton on there on the UK eBay site. Thought you might like to check it out and see if you can use any of them. Your bunnies are fabulous and I love their sweet outfits. Take care.

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  24. I’ve been following you for a while now and I absolutely love your blog…the colors you use in your knitting are extraordinary! I am making a crocheted afghan like yours, but using a different yarn of a like cotton. The colors are a bit less wonderful than yours, but I am hopeful it will turn out just as beautiful. Thank you for the inspiration. Will you by any chance have a pattern for your adorable bunnies? I would love to attempt to knit them as well…they are precious! Thanks and heres hoping you’re on the mend soon! shelley

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  25. Whilst looking for another yarn I noticed that the Cucumberpatch online store has stocks of the Rowan 4ply cotton in approx 12 different shades – on sale too!
    Cx

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  26. Hope you are feeling much better now. Hope the weather is good for the Easter holidays for you, so that Toby can get lots of bouncing and bubbles time.
    Isn’t it sad when a nice yarn is discontinued? Especially one that you use often? The colours in your photo are so beautiful.

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  27. I have the lurgy too, and I’ve heard of so many with it! Mine goes away then returns. Ah! My partner teaches supply at various primary schools so he is a walking lurgy-desert-trolley.
    Strange how some companies discontinue really good stuff. Start writing to them! Seriously, if you do they might send you some old stock, too!

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  28. I also have the lurgy at the minute and am off work! Oh well, it gives me the time to have a nosey at other people’s blogs. Just discovered yours and must say your bunnies are gorgeous! The colours of that yarn are to die for too – how can there be sooo much pleasure in the colour of something 😉 Sometimes these simple things in life are what reminds you how precious things truly are. Hope you get better soon 😉

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  29. Oh yuckiness all over the place!!! I hate being sick!! I hope you get to feeling better very soon and quick!
    Those colors are so vibrant and gorgeous. This makes me sad that this yarn is no longer! It’s like when a good book is no longer published. I hate that!! It shouldn’t be allowed. (Throwing a temper tantrum……….)
    Get well my friend.

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  30. Hope by now you are feeling better..the sunlight does the trick sometimes! Love the gorgeous stash colours…perhaps serious cotton knitters should petition Rowan for this range again…I love it for doll’s clothes. Take care of yourself…..Jennix

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  31. Hope everyone’s better, I too love the Rowen 4 ply after you recommended it, however no where nearby stocks it so I don’t have as much as you stashed as I don;t trust internet colour charts.
    I love the bunny dresses, they are all gorgeous

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  32. Sorry you’ve been unwell. We’re likewise shaking off viruses here – one thing after another!
    I share your love of rowan 4ply cotton. I made 2 cardigans for my eldest daughter which are still going strong for my youngest. It’s got such lovely stitch definition and isn’t splitty at all. Maybe we should petition them to bring it back!
    Beautiful bunnies, and I love their little Spring frocks!

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  33. I love your little rabbits they are so beautiful,would you please consider selling your patterns for them or sell a kit form, I would love to knit one myself.I am in the latter stages of heart failure and find knitting is the only truely way I can relax these days and unwind.

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  34. Hi Julie . I just discovered I have six 50g balls in a dusky pink – shade 120. If you’d like them I’m happy to send them to you. Love your blog and am very envious of your knitting skills!

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  35. Hi Julie, I’m sure you have many people giving you advise etc on Toby, so sorry if I am being a pain, In Australia we have a news show called a current affair. They have just done a story on an amazing ipad app for autistic kids called proloquo2go. I thought you may be interested. You can google it or the a current affair website to see the story and see if you think it would be of interest to you and your family. If you are interested and can’t find the info let me know and I will email you the link. Love to you xxBrenda

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  36. Haven’t read for a while – so sorry to read you’ve been ill. Hope you’re back to full strength. An afternoon nap works wonders for getting through the day, although it’s easter hols now. Emma xx

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  37. Sorry I’ve been so neglectful of your blog of late (long story!) but here I am again. Just wanted to say that I agree with you 100% about Rowan 4 ply cotton – it’s enough to make a knitter weep! Hope you’re fully recovered now Julie. xx

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  38. The rabbits and dresses are adorable!!! Please, is there a pattern? Also, I’d like to make that rabbit dress for my granddaughter!!

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  39. Hi Julie
    I cant seem to find your e mail address but I am trying to contact you as I have a LOT of Rowan 4ply cotton. How can I contact you?
    Julie

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  40. hi Julie ,love your blog especially the garden section, did you know we have a new wool shop now in prudhoe, its so handy .as getting to newcastle isn;t always easy.
    the wool shop is called
    READY STEADY KNIT ,
    AT 17B FRONT STREET PRUDHOE, NE 42, TEL 01661830671 , KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, MARGARET

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