good news, bad news

I have to blog this - there is no one at home but me and the babies and I have to tell someone! The post has just arrived! Time for a quick post while the children are having their Weetabix.

I submitted two designs to the Knitting mag. competition.  I worked late into the night and this was what the kitchen looked like when I'd finished!

Into one of them I poured all my ideas and inspiration, fair isle, knitting in the round, shading colours, clever design details.  But it was not quite a tradtional knitting pattern for children, so on my husband's advice I quickly cobbled together a second design with some intarsia motifs and stripes, that's more the usual thing you see in childrens books. I have a horror of picture sweaters, you see, I like my intarsia geometric and subtly coloured. 

You can guess which one is through to the final! Yes, not my darling creation, but the last-minute one. ?Ha! Serves me right, that.  Really I am very chuffed to have got into the last six, and of course have another knitting deadline, but can I have some knitterly commiserations for my suffering design muse in my hour of need?

They are going to have to remain shrouded in mystery though. I'm going to work the Fair Isle one up in Rowan Pure Wool and try it for submission to Knitty - might even introduce a steek.  But it would need to be an original design, not blogged about.

Rowan Exchange - one sock finished, one two inches in.  Looking good, progressing slowly. T'was ever so.

Added later

I've realised that I might have come across as rather ungracious about being a finalist! I'm thrilled to bits, really I am.  I think I should give Coats the credit for knowing what their target knitting public want to see. And can't wait to get knitting, either.  Note to self: never blog before having a cup of tea in the morning.

Comments

[Jacinta]

Fantastic news!! Here's hoping that your design makes it to the magazine!

[Louise]

Congratulations on reaching the final six, I'm sure you'll do even better. Definitely submit the fairisle one to Knitty, it sounds to be just the sort of thing we adventurous knitters want to do.

[willowcaroline]

Aww....Congrats on getting in. I totally understand your sentiments though. Enjoy the rest of the process though and fingers crossed here that you end up a winner. Cannot wait to see what you did!

[Jill]

Your design was far too good! subtle shading, clever design details? When did that mag. ever carry a design like that? These British mags. always underestimate what knitters want to knit - they cater for the lowest common denominator. I'm sure your 'other' one is better than what they usually have - I hope it carries the day! Is it going to be at Ally Pally where the public can vote?

Well done!

[Emma.]

Well done ! I feel your pain for the rejected design. I bet it's beautiful, and full of knitterly delights. Magazines underestimate the skills and desires of a large number of knitters.

[Tracy]

Congratulations on getting throught to the final six, that's brilliant news Well done! Sorry to hear it isn't the one that took all the time and planning though, isn't this always the way! Good luck with the Fair Isle design with Knitty, in pure wool it is sure to become a favourite classic for years to come! Fingers crossed for winning through the final six! Bestest of Luck and look forward to seeing pictures of both your designs on your blog soon :-)