New Yarn....New Kitty....Old Mags

I'd been looking for an opportunity to post our new kitty on my knitting blog and he provided that today when he curled up in some recently arrived silk yarn. (I had sort of made a decision to only post about knitting related things on this blog as we have a separate family blog that I post to also).
He's fresh off the streets of Fresno (by way of the SPCA) so he's pretty tough but also very sweet. We've named him Melio after a character in my husbands most recent novel who's a bit of a handsome toughie himself (the character, not my husband....)






























On to the yarn. I did remove the kitten and took some photos that more truly represent the deliciousness of the colours! This is handpainted silk noil from the Sanguine Gryphon. I'm going to come up with a design for Gryphon using this which if she likes it will be sold on her etsy site. She has a bunch of other lovely yarns there so go and check her out. She is also the designer of the Ogee Lace skirt in the current Issue of Interweave and the Merry Maiden Dress which was in the Spring 07 Issue, both of which I love.



Speaking of Interweave I just received an order of back issues (they have a promotion on them just now which includes Knitscene) and I was so excited to get my hands on them. I'm really into examining everyone's patterns these days to learn new ways of construction and be inspired design wise. There are also some great designer profiles/interviews in the ones I got, Veronik Avery, Teva Durham and Robin Melanson (all designers I love) which again have been informative and fun to read. Then there are the technique sections...again very useful to have as many aids on hand when it comes to knitting techniques and their descriptions. I think I may have to order more!