On my recent yarn shopping expedition, I found this pattern book by my favourite designer, Martin Storey.

I’ve got a great plan for my final two garments for the year using this book, but first I’m going to have to return it to the shop in the hope I can get a better copy. Because, you see, when I got it home and took a proper look, I found it is missing half the patterns. The page numbering goes: 1-48, then 33-48 again, then 65-99. Bit of a printers’ error there. Up to page 69, the instructions are in English; from page 70 the instructions are repeated in German, so it’s the English instructions that are interrupted. Part of me thinks that I could just follow the German instructions (not that I can speak more than three words of German) but that’s not the point. The point is, you buy a book on the understanding that you will get all the pages you need. Or, if the book has some kind of major error, it’s sold as a second and you buy it at a reduced price knowing that you’ll need to use a bit of initiative.

I almost feel like saying “Nul points, Rowan, on this occasion,” but in my heart I know I can only dock one point for the massive printing error because the designs are just so good. My vision is for some kind of curated collection of hand-knits based on these designs which means I’ll probably be revisiting my favourite “mix and match” yarn, which is the good staple Shetland-style offering from J C Rennie. They went through a rough patch where supply was limited and I haven’t ordered from them in ages, but their coned yarns hit the right spot so far as colour range and price go. I do love indulging in a bit of yarn marling – holding two shades together to create a patchy effect such as in my gold cardi and my pink jumper, and the 4-ply Shetland wools are excellent for this. The only downside is the tendency to shrink them when I wash them without thought – such as in my pink jumper….

The other thing to come home with me from that shopping trip was a pretty skein of sock wool from Urth Yarns. I’m not too sure where this brand hails from – the website suggests the USA, but the yarn is marked as being produced in Turkey. My eye was first drawn by one in gorgeous shades of purple, but really I need to rein back on the purple a bit, so I went for a skein that just has every colour known to man. This is, pretty much, my ink collection splashed onto yarn!

Whilst 100% wool isn’t my usual choice for socks – I feel they need some nylon added for durability – I do intend to use this for socks. After all, who doesn’t want a pair of luxury socks to keep for very special occasions? Not everything you own has to be equal to the rough and tumble of everyday life. There’s room for a bit of Sunday Best.