Sock yarn?

This is the Kureyon sock yarn which arrived from USA today. Colours are S184 on the left and S92 on the right; 420m per 100gm ball. For some reason,as usual, I'm not thinking socks.

By the way, I'm currently half way through the second sock of my brown stripy pair as shown in a previous post. I'm looking forward to finishing them off and wearing them as a cold snap is forecast.

Have a good night tonight and I'll see you next year!

Xmas project

I always allow myself a new project at Xmas and this is it. I am using Touch Yarns 2 ply merino laceweight which I got from Ally Pally. It's a beautiful colour and I was waiting for a pattern worthy of it.The pattern is quite challenging for me in that I can't knit it from memory without following the chart and I don't like charts! Still, I feel that it's worth the effort and I'm looking forward to the result. I love that feeling of knitting a rag - like object and then transforming it into some lovely lace after blocking.

Meanwhile sock 1 of the pair is finished and the other started. This is my mindless TV watching knitting.

I've taken the opportunity of the holiday to review the contents of some of the magazines and books I've brought over the past year. There are lots of possibilities for future projects but I'm sure I will be repeating some of my old favourites too such as the Clapotis scarf and the Baby Surprise jacket. That's apart from working on some of my own new designs!

Merry Xmas!

This sums up how I'm feeling in the run up to Xmas! The fridge is stocked and my annual housework binge nearly finished. I wish you all a Merry Xmas and a good knitting New Year.

Sock progress with interference from a furry friend

I have tried to take reasonable pictures of work in progress but had some help from Baby my little birman cat. Her baleful expression shows the lack of attention she was receiving while I took the pictures. Bear in mind she also lacked 3 days attention while I was away and is therefore officially deprived. She wants you all to know this so please take note.

Anyway, I show you the slip stitch and short row heel, the gusset, the almost completed foot and the slightly longer than normal leg length. I have enjoyed knitting these and the customised fit is perfect for me. For once, I followed the instructions to the letter and took the proper ankle measurements. The result is that I cast on for a 72 stitch sock rather than the usual 64 stitch sock which seems to be the most common size. I will definitely use this sizing again for my own socks.

My new needles are working smoothly and gaining a lovely patina as I knit so, all- in -all, a pleasant experience.

Socks on new needles

This is my new Knitpicks 6" Double Pointed Sock needle set. They are just in stock at Get Knitted ( link left ) and I had ordered them in advance for what seemed like ages. Six sets of needles ( six per set ) in sizes 2mm up to 3.25mm.

I'm using 2.25mm ones to knit my socks seen above. The yarn is Schoeller and Stahl Sockina Colori @ 420m per ball. I got this at Ally Pally from Web of Wool where they were selling three balls for £10. The pattern is one of Lucy Neatby's from "Cool Socks, Warm Feet". She really is the don of customised socks. I like the result I'm getting. I have tried knitting with 2mm needles, as the experts say that you should use the smallest size possible to get hardwearing socks. However, I always find the resulting fabric too stiff and just one size larger needle makes a difference.

I've promised Knit Today a pair of socks shortly and am mulling over my design - toe up or toe down, lacy or not? All will be revealed at some point soon.I'm not one of those knitters who is obsessed by knitting socks. Wendy of the Wendy Knits blog ( link left ) knitted nothing but socks all summer and beyond churning out pair after pair and all of different design. They were fabulous. Her generic toe up sock pattern is legendary and can be printed off from her website for free. I urge you to try it.

Off to see Ma in Liverpool for a couple of days. I shall return!

Now that's what I call a stash!

Let me make it clear from the outset - I do not feel guilty about my stash. Compared with what you are about to see it is minute. This is possibly the world's largest stash. I urge you to have a look and you will never feel guilt about your little yarn purchase ever again.
http://mochimochiland.com/weblog/?p=111 will take you straight to the page. Apparently this is not all of it. To quote one viewer who saw these pictures "Holy crap!". I have to agree.

I will be adding to my stash however. Noro have bought out some sock yarn based on their current colours. It's in stock at Simply Sockyarn ( link on the left ) and I have ordered a couple of colourways. As usual, whether I use them for socks or not remains to be seen. There are some good sale bargains on there at the moment as well e.g. Cherry Tree Hill and Opal.

Xmas holidays start at 1pm tomorrow ( and not a moment too soon ).

Baby surprise jacket for the surprise baby

The top pic is the jacket after flipping two edges. The lower pic is the seemingly randomly shaped piece of knitting after casting off.

If you haven't tried one of these before, you really should. If you do exactly what Elizabeth Zimmerman's instructions say ( and they do seem odd ) you will get the required result.

I love making this jacket and have now made three. Stripey sock wool gives a great result - I made one in Opal DK sock wool in the Flamingo colourway in the summer for a friend's baby. It has been worn a lot and said friend has been accosted by total strangers saying how much they liked his daughter's jacket. He was minding his own business having a coffee in Richmond last weekend when a mad woman (his words) approached him and said she recognised the pattern. On a previous occasion a man told him that he knew what the yarn was - that got him really worried! I've tried gently explaining that knitters do tend to strike up conversations about these things.

There is an adult version but I haven't tried it yet. Happy knitting!

Fleur wrap

This is the latest offering from Sharon Miller, the author of Heirloom Knitting. At the moment, you can get the pattern free if you buy the yarn from her company( see link on the left ). It's Rowan Kidsilk Haze and you need 3 balls. She has it on sale at a reasonable price. The design is based on a Victorian fichu but is somewhat larger. This is just my sort of thing and I'm looking forward to knitting it.

To knitting group last night - the last one of the year. The pub will be very busy providing Xmas parties for the next couple of weeks so we'll reconvene next year.

I'm looking forward to my first offering from the Socktopus yarn club which should be arriving shortly. However, whether I use the yarn for socks is another matter.

Busy, busy at work at present in the run up to Xmas so not much time to knit. I'm looking forward to a couple of weeks off for the holiday season with more time to myself. I'll leave you to guess what I'll be doing!

Inconsiderate

How can a baby be so inconsiderate as to arrive a month early?

I have been planning and knitting a baby shawl for a few months now and doing it in dribs and drabs. The baby was due on 27th December - so plenty of time to finish it along with other Xmas gifts. Not so! Samuel arrived on 26th November, hence I am whizzing through a baby surprise jkt to be finished this weekend. Pic to follow.

Other inconsiderateness to report: Rabbit Su's elbow has given up on her and she is BANNED from any creative action in the sphere of spinning, knitting or crochet for 3 weeks. Her friends are upset on her behalf and are creating at a faster pace to compensate.

If you want to know how other people cope with pressure knitting for Xmas check out the Yarn Harlot blog (link opposite). She always has masses of gifts to make in a limited time and usually manages it somehow. She writes in a very amusing way about it - take a look!

Pi in progress

This is the progress so far on the pi shawl started a while ago. I now have 576 sts on the needle. I started it and then put it aside for a while but, having been ill this last week, I've taken it up again. However I take the picture the wool looks drab - in fact it's a really deep forest green tweed. What I love about the pi is that it transforms itself from a ratty looking bag ( see above ) into a lovely lacy circle. I have plenty of wool to add an extra pattern repeat to make it a decent size.

Knitting group last night where the regulars were enjoying themselves. Strangely enough, not much talk about knitting but more about our various accidents, illnesses and pets. I was glad to be back. We also had random phone chats with Tracey on the Isle of Wight.

Happy to have a message from Rabbit Su on the blog. She is still plucking up courage to start a lacy project - I say "Have a go". If you can count you can do it. Su is a fab crocheter which is not my forte at all. The only time I do a little is as an edge or in freeform work - I just don't really get it in terms of following a pattern. Give me a knitting pattern and I'm there.

I don't think any of us realise what skills we have and that's what's good about sharing in a group. We should all have confidence in our ability to make beautiful things.

Well fed up!

To quote my students "I'm well fed up!" I've lost my voice ( some would call that a result! ). I mean totally. There's no way I can control a class of sixth formers with no voice.

Consequently I did not go to work and will not be going to knitting group tonight which will mean I have missed 2 weeks - what's going on? I haven't even felt like knitting today which is pretty serious I'm sure you'll agree. I may do some later.

Thanks to Becky for her comment on my scarf pattern. I met Becky at the Get Knitted shop in Bristol in August when we were discussing knitwear design. She has lots of ideas but is restricted by childcare and work commitments. Hopefully she will find time to get it together because she had some great ideas for boys' sweaters. There's a gap in the market there.

Update

Tracy tell me she's planning to make a scarf from the pattern I posted yesterday and I'm looking forward to seeing it. Glad to be of service!

My other news is that I have opted to have a keyhole op to solve my gallbladder problem. It's not going to get any better, and while I'm currently controlling it by diet, I don't want to spend the rest of my life on such a strict regime. On the upside, I have lost half a stone in 3 weeks - no dairy, no chocolate, no spicy or fatty food. My life is so exciting! I'm just waiting for a letter to drop on the mat.

Back soon.

Arrowhead scarf pattern

Arrowhead Scarf Pattern from Shawlrats Designs :

Materials: approx. 500 metres of DK / worsted weight mohair yarn. I used 1 skein of Fleece Artist Goldiehair Colour : Paris. Alternatives are Wendy Paris Mohair or Rowan Kidsilk Aura ( an expensive option ). 1 pair of 5.5mm needles.

Tension : Not important as long as your resulting fabric has a soft drape.

Finished size : 78 X 14 inches

Abbreviations : K - knit; P - purl; YO - yarn over; S1, K2tog, psso - Slip 1, knit 2 together, pass the slipped stitch over; rep - repeat.

Pattern rows : Row 1(wrong side) : K1,P1,K1,P to last 3 stitches, K1,P1, K1.
Row 2 (right side): K1,P1,K1,P1, K1, *YO, K3,S1 K2tog psso,K3, YO, K1.
Rep from * to last 4 stitches. P1,K1,P1,K1.

Method : Cast on 59 stitches. K2 rows. Commencing with row 2, work the 2 pattern rows until your yarn is almost used up, ending with row 2. Knit 2 rows, Cast off.

Blocking : I only blocked the ends of the scarf. Spray the two ends with water and pin out the points. Leave to dry.

Finito!

I'm tall and like long scarves but you could make it any length to suit and thereby save yarn and money. The pattern is adaptable to any weight of yarn and needle size and is a simple introduction to lace knitting. The arrowhead motif has been used in lace knitting circles for years.
I used yarn from my stash and have done something similar in self striping sock yarn. The end result has a Missoni style quality to it. ( I once went into the Missoni shop in Rome - fabulous - but sadly unrealistic prices for most of us ).

Hope you enjoy it!

Finishing the scarf

The DK mohair scarf is finished and will be blocked today. I will post the pattern and pics tomorrow.

Thanks to Tracy for her comment on my previous post. I know she is a chart fan and we have had many discussions about this in the past. Whatever works for you is my motto.

I have a hospital appt with the NHS consultant this afternoon. He's having an extra clinic on a Saturday! I couldn't believe it when I got a call asking me to go. Not my favourite way to spend a Saturday afternoon but it has to be done.

I'm hoping to do a LOT of knitting this weekend!

The Art of Shetland Lace

I have finally acquired this book first published in 1981. During this period Sarah Don wrote several books on knitting and needlepoint which I bought at the time, but not this one, as, believe it or not, I was not interested in knitting lace! Of course now it's out of print I have had to pay a premium for it, but at least I have a fine copy.

As befits the time, photos are black and white and patterns are written not charted. The latter suits me as I still prefer written to charted instructions. This is a slim volume and the author states that there is scope for a much larger tome which has been written by Sharon Miller ( "Heirloom Knitting" ). If you don't have Sharon's book I urge you to get it. It's well worth the high cover price. She has also written a book on hap shawls which has very interesting historical detail as well as patterns.

I could happily spend all my time knitting and reading about knitting.

Scarves

This is my latest purchase. I'm a big scarf knitter and am always interested in new ideas. The book has ideas for pleated scarves, i-cord, short rows, scrap yarn slits, divided rib and intarsia. I will use these ideas as the basis for some new designs of my own. The author remarks in her acknowledgements that she has used a subdued colour palette which is not necessarily her personal taste and I do find the colours used a bit dreary. I don't understand why she didn't use colours she liked, unless she didn't have editorial control of the book.

Speaking of which, my lace sampler scarf has been published in the latest issue of Knit Today and I'm very pleased with the result. The staff publish my patterns as I write them, so I am confident that the instructions and processes are correct. If you want to start lace knitting and don't want patterns which are too complex, please try it.

Knitting group tonight and I'm looking forward to seeing my friends.

Cosmic knitting

This is my current reading lent to me by Ferret Sue. An interesting read - the basic theme concerns how the act of knitting can help clear our minds and lead to meditation and other worthwhile thoughts. I certainly find knitting calming particularly after a hectic day at work and if I am stressed I definitely knit more than usual.

One of the examples given is that of Waldorf or Steiner schools where learning crafts including knitting is integral to the education process. Rudolf Steiner, the man behind these schools has said "thinking is cosmic knitting".

Don't you love that thought?

Stashbusting!

Having enforced leisure time has given me the opportunity to check out my stash where I found some Fleece Artist Goldiehair which is a DK weight mohair / silk / nylon mix - colourway Paris. This was one of my bargain buys a few months ago and had been sitting quietly waiting to be noticed.

The need for something cosy and mindless led me to start a simple wide scarf - length to be determined. It may only take one 500m hank, in which case I will have a spare. This is a quick knit and I will post pattern on the blog when it's finished. I'm using 5.5mm needles. The recommended size is 4mm but this would make a ready felted fabric in my opinion.

Moving on, I went to knitting group last night ( clapotis was worn and admired ). It was good to see my friends - this was my first real outing since leaving hospital. I watched them eat CHIPS without a qualm ( memo to self : my body is a temple ). Julie crocheted a circle for the first time, so bravo to her. There was a seance taking place in the meeting room at the pub - lots of ladies went in but only a few came out, so who can say what went on? Meanwhile, we sat and knitted like Macbeth's witches.

Note the new kitten pic on the left which I understand comes from the Bad -Ass Knitters group. I do not condone smoking kittens in any way but it seems to symbolise my feeling on life and the universe at the moment.

I have cancelled my Chocolate Tasting Club membership : repeat the mantra - MY BODY IS A TEMPLE.

Clapotis complete

This is my folded completed Clapotis scarf. It's cosy, which I really need right now. I managed to finish it last night and start a tweedy lace scarf, of which, more later.

I'm having a very quiet week at home just doing the necessary chores and some knitting, reading and telly watching. I may allow myself out to go to knitting group tomorrow night.

The excitement of my life has to be seen to be believed!

Boo Hoo!

Well I got to Poole for one night and then to Poole hospital in the middle of the next night!
I'm at home now, but gallstones are diagnosed and an op is necessary at some point. A low fat diet is required, so no chocolate and everything else I like.

No trip to Florence for me.

However, when I feel a bit stronger, there may be more knitting time than normal. There has to be some compensation!

Ally Pally stashing

No blog for a while having had loads of work, plumbing troubles etc. However, having had our trip to the Knitting and Stitching show yesterday, views of my stash enhancement are posted for your delight and envy.

Top pic is Smooshy handpainted sock yarn from Dream in Color, an American company. It's 100 per cent merino and is gorgeous. The colourway is Happy Forest and I got 2 hanks for a wrap(450 yds per hank). I'd only ever seen this before on American websites but got this from Socktopus www.socktopus.co.uk which is a new company dedicated to importing interesting yarns. The owner is Alice Yu who took a last minute chance on getting a stall at the show. I loved her stuff and she's starting a sock club too. A really nice lady!

Middle pic is all stuff from KnitWitches www.knitwitchesyarns.co.uk From the left : pure silk laceweight (650 yds per hank) chocolate rose colourway; candyfloss colour laceweight mohair ( only 1 hank left ever and I got it! ; cashmere heavy laceweight ( 1170 mtrs ) yummy plummy colourway. The first time this company was at the show and I found their yarns very exciting. Eirwen the owner will dye to order.

Lower pic is Touch yarns stuff from NZ. Great colours. Boucle on the left and 2 ply merino on the right.

So, lovely yarn purchased and now the fun of deciding what to make. I also got some sock yarn from Web of Wool. Julie, Sue and I went together and we bumped into our friends Dani and Liz there. I was pleased to meet up with freeform guru Prudence Mapstone. She taught me all I know about freeform knitting and is always generous with her advice and time.We spent the whole day at the show and then contrived to get slightly lost in Finchley on the way home. However the North Circular was reached eventually and we got home in one piece.

No more for a while now as I am off on my travels to Poole ( work ) and Florence ( holiday ). I understand there are stashing opportunities in Florence !

Back soon!

Knitting Daily

Knitting Daily is a great new email service direct to your inbox from Interweave Knits. There are some good ideas, free patterns and reviews etc. It's good to get knitting related mail on an almost daily basis in the midst of the other dross that often appears in your email. To subscribe go to www.knittingdaily.com

If a day goes by when I don't knit I somehow feel deprived.I've always said that If I didn't knit I'd probably smoke so it's got to be a healthier option.

Stash enhancement has been going on this week - there's some bargain Opal DK sock yarn on sale at Get Knitted. I got 2 balls Tiger, 2 Chameleon, 1 Flamingo and 1 Ladybird. Great for socks or little Baby Surprise Jackets ( see Elizabeth Zimmerman's "Knitting Around" or "Opinionated Knitter" ). I made a jacket in Flamingo already and have seen a sample of a Tiger one - fab! You'd have enough yarn left for bootees too.

Also Simply Sock Yarn has Opal's new Zirkus range.

To view all these items follow the links on the left.

More knitting

Knitting group last night and we agreed to meet weekly instead of fortnightly on a Thursday and drop the monthly Tuesday meeting. There's enough of us to form a pleasant group at every meeting and we're getting to like our venue now, so the decision has been made. See a previous post for venue details

Sadly we had to say goodbye to Tracey who founded the group - at least hopefully we're saying goodbye. Her house sale may be held up which is bad for her but it means she may be around for a while longer which is good for us.Has anyone's house move ever gone smoothly? Tracey has inspired many of us to go our own way with our knitting and encouraged me to publish my work. We will miss her expertise very much.

Three of us organised our transport to the Knitting and Stitching Show at the end of the month and we'll meet up with the others when we get there. The grapevine says that the Birmingham show was not a good one for traders.However, I believe the exhibition side was really good according to one of our art student friends.

Still progressing the Clapotis!

Hockey night at the O2 arena

My belated birthday treat yesterday and I was taken to the O2 arena in London to an NHL ice hockey game between LA Kings and Anaheim Ducks.Ducks won 4 -1. The game clock was fantastic and I would have loved to get my hands on it for a trial run.A great experience and Pizza Express too. A fab day out with the family.

However, no knitting to report apart from continuing with Clapotis and I'm nearing the decrease stage. I've so much to do and so little time at the moment it's driving me crazy!

Reviewing and plugging

The Best of Interweave Knits ( Our favourite designs from the first ten years ) is edited by Ann Budd : some good basic patterns interspersed with Interweave's great instructional pages called Beyond the Basics. Techniques include cast ons, working with two yarns, reading charts, short rows, seams and grafting. Their technique pages really are the best but there are corrections which can be obtained from www.interweave.com

Wrapped in Comfort - Knitted Lace Shawls by Alison Jeppson Hyde contains shawls and scarves. The scarves are pretty basic but the shawls are interesting and I'm looking forward to trying some of them; they are all similar in style and I would describe them as capelike.There are charts and written instructions.There is an inspirational story attached to each design which don't appeal to me personally but that's my personal taste.

I got a copy of the latest Knit Today magazine this morning and I offer a shameless plug for a pattern of mine which will appear in the next issue due out at the end of October.I designed it as a sampler scarf but in the promo picture it's modelled as a stole. It's amazing what professional photography can do for a product and I'm very pleased with the result.

Knitting group

As of last night I'm now the convenor of our knitting group. Tracey and Jo are going to the Isle of Wight and will not be around so often so I'm the keeper of mobile details for our members. We meet fortnightly on Thursday evenings at the Tower Arms in Richings Park, Iver, Buckinghamshire from 6.30 onwards. There is also a meeting on the first Tuesday of the month.We're happy to help new knitters and total ignorance is no barrier.New members welcome!

Please respond to this blog, leaving your contact details if you're interested ( mobile or email ).

Disgruntled of Berkshire

Three new books arrived today. One of them is the original orenburg shawl book "Gossamer Webs" by Galina Khmeleva and Carol R. Noble published in 1998. I knew this had corrections
so proceeded to the publishers website to print them off - www.interweave.com
While there I noticed corrections for the Twisted Knitters Sweater Book and also for the Best of Interweave Knits ( which I got in today's parcel ). Both published in the last couple of months and the latter is an omnibus of previously published patterns from Interweave Knits magaaine. Presumably the corrections for these patterns had been published previously.

Do these publishers not employ proof readers? It drives me crazy when you pay good money for a book and then find it needs corrections straight away.Anyway, I've printed off the Twisted Sisters corrections for Sue and I'm going to return her book with them tonight.

I've had some patterns published previously and I proof read them many times before emailing them to the publishers.I know any mistakes in the resulting print are not mine.

Having said this, Interweave and XRX are good at providing the corrections on their sites. It makes you wonder how many publishers just don't bother.

Rant over!

Visiting

See above for work on Clapotis.I'm on the straight part at the moment developing the ladders so it's easy to see progress.I may need the finished article soon - the weather has changed for the worse here.

Visited Julie last night for an extra knitting group meeting. Rabbit Sue was in the area and came to see us. She has moved to the Isle of Wight and is setting up a group there with Tracey and Jo who are about to move over to the island. Those of us left here may go for a visit next year. It was good to see absent friends including Danni amd Liz who we don't see so much of now. Good conversation, cake, chocolate and knitting - nothing better!

Snippets

These are my random thoughts for the day : I found a new knit blog which attracted me by its title alone - "My yarn stash IS my retirement plan" - see link on the left. I am at one with the author and her way of thinking.

Right now I'm saving myself for the Knitting and Stitching Show in October.I'm going on Sunday which is the only possible day for me; however it's also the day when I'm likely to get a bargain as suppliers, particularly those from abroad, reduce their prices so they don't have to take yarn home.This strategy has worked for me before, but it's a tough call between buying yarn when you first see it or waiting and hoping for a reduction in the late afternoon if the yarn is till there.

Something intriguing I saw this week was "Who do you think you are?" a family history programme. The subject this week had relatives who were taken into care and sent to industrial schools where they were taught a trade. There was a photo of very miserable small boys holding their knitting! Some had made considerable progress with their work. This was in the early 1900's and served to remind me of my grandfather who taught me to knit and who made all his own sweaters and socks. He was born in 1882.

How much more exicting is it to be making socks now? I notice Get Knitted have the third collection of Opal's Rainforest series - not such attractive colourways as the earlier ones in my humble opinion.

Multi - tasking

I'm very good at starting new projects, so I've started Clapotis. It was irresistible. I just love this knitting - pics when the ladders in the pattern start to appear. This won't take all my yarn so there will be some left to sit and wait for more inspiration.

This means 3 major projects on the go at the moment, 2 of which are comfort knitting. I was very grateful for these over the last couple of days as I have had bad news about an ex - colleague who is terminally ill. Knitting gets you through these times and believe me when I say life is too short to be doing stuff you don't want to do.

To paraphrase the actress Katharine Hepburn: "I do what I like. That way at least one person is pleased." How true!

Random thoughts

I've thought of a use for the Adriafil mohair I bought on ebay last week - a Clapotis scarf. This pattern was on the Knitty site in 2004; you can get it from their archive. I made one in the summer in a lace weight, but this will be a lot warmer. It's a great pattern to knit as you can make rapid progress while maintaining interesting knitting. Also, it's adaptable to whatever yarn you have to hand as long as there is about 750 metres. I wish I'd thought of it myself!

Meanwhile, there's more progress on the pi but not much on the baby shawl. I'm not in the mood for it at the moment.

I could do with going to a group meeting this week but there isn't one so I knit on in splendid isolation!

Lace triangles

I had read about this book but couldn't source it at Amazon. However, it popped up on Get Knitted site last week. I love triangular shawls and this is a useful primer on their construction with details on yardage requirements for various sizes and yarn weights. There are details for 4 patterns but I like it most for the inspiration it provides for the experienced knitter. I have written several patterns for plain triangular bordered shawls but this will help me to the next stage.

Some knitting was done at the weekend - the pi is growing. I must continue with my baby shawl at the same time or else the baby will be born before it's completed!

Pi on the Knitpicks

This is the Pi on my new circular needles. They're good to knit with and the connections are smooth and secure. I managed to leave the double pointed needles behind when I got to 144 stitches.

Maggie - if you're reading this - your needles will be back with you at next group meeting.

Now for a relaxing weekend and, hopefully, plenty of knitting.

Pi shawl started

Pi shawl started in Rowanspun 4 ply on 4.5mm needles. There is something very soothing about this pattern and I am enjoying it already. I had to borrow Maggie's needles last night at Knitting Group in order to start it. As it grows, I will be able to put it on a circular needle and return them to her.She is one of those organised people who has all her double pointed needles in a box. Need I add that I am not? I have at least 2 sets of 4.5's somewhere.

There has been some hilarity at group recently regarding old patterns which have been bought for recycling to other members. The pictures are so posed compared to the classy Rowan shoots we see now.Still, the basic shapes are fine for adaptation to modern styles.Amazingly Julie found a doll pattern she had been looking for so she was happy.

Sue has been buying sock wool again. Clearly she has none in her stash! However, no justification is needed amongst friends.

Lots of laughs last night about nothing in particular - that's what it's all about. The guys at the pub where we meet have finally stopped looking at us as though we're crazy!

More stash arrivals

Still not much time to knit, but more yarn is in the building. My Adriafil mohair ebay bargain has arrived and also the Kaffe Fassett sockyarn which I ordered from Get Knitted. Check them out above.Approx 1300 metres of stretch mohair - project t.b.a. The colour is more burnt orange than terracotta as described in the advert but I'm not unhappy with it.

The Kaffe yarn is fab! Great colours, as you would expect and it feels lovely with a firm twist. Will I be ordering more? Most certainly! The maestro has a new book out soon which is a reworking of one of his original books.This may be a future purchase but will need to see a copy first to check out how different it is from the original which I have in my library.

I'd just like a minute to think about anything other than work!

What to do with Rowanspun?

This is my reed green tweedy 4 ply Rowanspun ebay bargain. There are 10 hanks - total 1480 metres - so I'm thinking may be an E Z pi shawl. I've made a couple of these for other people in the past, but this one would be for me. That's only my first thought and I'm going to be thinking for a while!

First weekend of the ice hockey season so far and two wins on the board. My team is Slough Jets - you can check them out at www.sloughjets.co.uk - I'm looking forward to a top season.

Work is manic, so knitting is on the back burner at the moment but I have to do a little every day or else I get withdrawal symptoms. Back to normal shortly!

Ebay stashing frenzy!

I've had some good ebay stashing over the last couple of days.

I got a "Buy it now" bargain last night - 10 hanks of Rowanspun 4 ply tweed in a dark green for £19.50. I know this is a deleted yarn, but I do like it and there will be enough for what I want.

My major bargain is 10 balls of Adriafil stretch mohair in terracotta for £8.50! I have used this yarn before and it goes a long way. This was from a yarn store close down sale, so the owners sad loss is my gain. RRP was £35.

There's a lot of Noro around on ebay at the moment and I'm sorely tempted but am resisting!

Boo to the person who outbid me on a Furla handbag within 20 seconds of the auction ending. I hope you enjoy it. I so didn't need another handbag! ( Since when did need come into the equation? )

In case you think I am a total ebay tart, this has been my first buying visit for a while. Why do I feel the need to justify myself to strangers?

Mind you, I am currently "watching" several other possibilities for stash enhancement.

Knitpicks - part deux

Sue had some knitting on the Knitpicks needles last night. The general consensus was that they are GOOD. The join between the needle and cable is very smooth and the screw in join is secure.

Sue , Tracey and Maggie were knitting samples for a knitted devore class they are going to shortly - sounds strange, but learning a new skill is always useful I guess. The samples were in various very fine yarns on very small needles so you have to be really keen to make them and then burn holes in them - I'm looking forward to seeing the results.

I'm currently working on my 3 ply baby shawl having decided to adapt the commercial pattern as usual. Nothing worth looking at yet - it looks like a heap of white yarn and I'm washing my hands a lot! Will post pics when finished.

New Year 12 students at school today so the real work starts now. I have rediscovered the joys of having groceries delivered - less time in the supermarket and more knitting time. Got to be good!

Knitpicks

I have just received my Knitpicks interchangeable needle set from Get Knitted. Haven't tried them out yet but I think I might prefer them to my Denise set as the needle points are metal rather than plastic. I do use the Denise ones, but only in emergencies, although I have heard of people who use them all the time instead of regular needles.

The Knitpicks ones come in a good zip up wallet and have ends which screw into the cables. However the points are stored on a flimsy piece of cardboard which is not so good.

I've read several reviews of this product on American blogs and all of the ones I've seen are favourable. My friend Sue has some and will find out what she thinks at knitting group.

You can never have enough needles!

Turncoat

I was very excited to receive this from amazon.com today. It's a new book from Interweave Press and comprises knitted kimono patterns. There is a brief history of kimono types and hints on designing your own kimonos. Most of them are knitted in aran weight yarn ( U.S. worsted ).

I'm not too keen on some of the colour choices, but if I look beyond that, there are a lot of styles I would like to make.

I really like the " I am not a sweater knitter " button that I posted last time. However, if kimonos are classed as sweaters, this makes me a turncoat. It's my prerogative to change my mind!

Back home with a detour!

I am officially at home, having survived a trip to aged mother.

On the way home I made a detour to help choose a wedding dress for number one son's fiancee.

A fun afternoon was had but no details can be divulged regarding the dress - top secret! Suffice to say she will look like a princess and I will now have to turn my mind to "mother of the groom" outfits. I will try to choose something tasteful and elegant - in other words totally unlike my usual mode of dress!

Hope you like the button which I downloaded from Grumperina. Non - sweater knitters unite!

In regal company

This is Osborne House, country home of Queen Victoria on the Isle of Wight. We had an enjoyable visit here. In one of the corridors is a large oil painting of Queenie and her daughters knitting striped comforters for the troops. She was clearly not averse to stash enhancement as there was a large wicker basket containing a mountain of wool. So you see we are in regal company! Sadly I was forbidden of photographing this painting and there was no postcard to buy. In another room was her spinning wheel - I am not a connoisseur of such things, but it seemed very small to me. However,as with many things, maybe size doesn't matter or maybe it was a small wheel for a small lady.

This was the view from our bedroom window on the Isle of Wight. A good trip involving many crab sandwiches and some knitting.

Having checked my fave online stores, I see that Woolly Workshop has the new Kaffe Fassett sock yarns from Regia. Will I buy some? What do you think?

Two days at home before tripping again to see my old Mum up North. She is 86 this week. If I live to be as old as her, I will have used up all my stash easily. Therefore more stash enhancement is in order - you see my logic?

Back soon!

Holiday projects

Off to the Isle of Wight shortly so some thought required as to holiday knitting. I'm taking the Canada tubular scarf and I've started a stole in the Haiku mentioned yesterday. This is a pretty straightforward design incorporating simple lace patterns from Barbara G. Walker's "Treasury of Knitting Patterns".

I love these books ; there are four and I regard the first two as essential to my knitting development as a lace knitter. However they also contain cable and other stitch patterns. Mrs Walker was an acquaintance of Elizabeth Zimmerman - do you need any other recommendation? The first two books have written instructions and the other two have charted ones ; you can get them from Amazon.

Off line for a while now - check back soon!

Unexpected stash enhancement!

To knitting group last night where Tracey and Jo were having a clearout and brought a bag of Alchemy yarns which they were selling at a bargain price. So I got some Haiku mohair / silk in blue green Lovely Good colourway ( I'm thinking shawl ); also some Pagoda silk boucle in burgundy / purple / lilac A Breath of Fire colourway ( I'm seeing a scarf ).

Haiku has a massive 325 yards per hank and is very fine - I'm rather attached to it as it was this yarn I used for my first published pattern.Alchemy yarns come from California and I met the owners at the Knitting and Stitching show at Ally Pally a couple of years ago - charming people who had arrived from the US with a suitcase full of yarns to sell. Sadly, they were not there last year - maybe they felt it was not worthwhile.

Their yarns are not cheap ( between £12 and £17 a hank at normal retail prices ). However the quality and colourways are great and I happen to think that my efforts are worth goood quality materials.

Shrugfest

This is front and back unblocked. 3 balls of Adriafil Quarzo mohair from my stash on 5.5mm needles. Basis of my shrug is Aran Weight Top Down Shrug by Michelle Ciccariello on Elann's free pattern page. This is a quick knit! What's next?

To school this morning for exam results - lots of happy students and not too many miserable ones.It makes me cross when the media complains that exams are getting easier. They're not easier, they're different than they were when I sat them 40 years ago. Students are under pressure from day one of sixth form and are focused on passing exams rather than getting an all round education.Off the soap box!

To knitting group tonight and I will take my scarves to work on.

Knitting and videos

This was what I watched this afternoon while knitting my shrug. If you like war films I can recommend it. It's set in Holland and the dialogue is Dutch so there are subtitles. However this does not detract from the action. I guarantee it will keep you guessing till the end.

There is progress on the shrug - I managed to knit both sleeves by bedtime yesterday.

Met Sue for coffeee this morning and we did some knitting. My current takeout knitting is a tubular scarf in striped sockwool. This is for number 2 son who is off to Canada this winter.This scarf will be majorly warm.I got this idea from "Not Just Socks" by Sandi Rosner, a slim volume but not bad for sockwool ideas.

A level results day tomorrow, so I am going into school to mop up tears of joy and sadness!

Funkarama!

My experiment with the Adriafil mohair shrug is progressing - it's knitting up quickly and I'm liking the result so far.

New to Simply Sock Yarns is Opal Hundertwasser Cotton ( sounds vaguely rude! ). Apparently said Hundertwasser was a German artist and good old Opal have translated some of his colour palettes into yarn. I already have some of the wool ones, but the cotton is a new development. Yet again I'm thinking scarf - will I buy some? Probably!

Which reminds me, speaking of Opal, I saw a cute little baby jacket, socks and mitts in the Tiger colourway. This was a sample on show at Get Knitted. I can see myself making that for some as yet unnamed infant. I have just made a Baby Surprise jacket in Opal DK weight Flamingo sock yarn - very funky!Sadly no picture of it as I was in a hurry to give it to my friend. If you don't know what a Baby Surprise is , check out Elizabeth Zimmerman's Knitters Almanac or Opinionated Knitter. Follow the instructions and you will get a cute jacket made in one piece. They are addictive to knit and samples can be viewed on Zimmermania ( link left ). It's official - the woman was a genius!

New ideas

I've had some Adriafil mohair/ acrylic yarn in my stash for about a year now and have finally decided to experiment with it. Those of you who know me will know that my experiments are not an uncommon occurrence!

I chose one of my freebie patterns from elann. www.elann.com - they are a good source of free patterns. I've never used them for yarn so can't comment on this aspect of the site.

The pattern is for a shrug - of course I've used different yarn and needle size from that recommended and will probably change the design slightly as I go. however, I'm hopeful it will work and if it does I'll post a picture and further details.

Work is also continuing on the scarf mentioned in my last post and I'm liking the result.

There are updates left on online sites for free pattern which I 've used.

Tofutsies scarf

This is my first project from my Get Knitted stash purchased yesterday. I'm using a feather and fan border with a lace panel running up the scarf. It's made from Tofutsies sock yarn which is a wool, soysilk,cotton and chitin mix produced by South West Trading Company. Chitin is antibacterial and made from shrimp and crab shells. It's supposed to combat smelly feet but this will be worn round my neck! The yarn has a cottony feel and I like it.

Get Knitted

Friend Sue and I had a fab day out at Get Knitted shop yesterday ( see above ). It was worth the one and a half hour journey to get to Bristol. The staff were charming and there were supplies of tea,coffee, biscuits and sweets available aswell as the essential loo! We lunched in the open air at a convenient snack bar next door.

I can recommend a visit here - it's spacious and zoned according to yarn supplier. There's a designated sock yarn area and you can sit on the comfy sofas and consider your prospective purchases ( I did actually put something back on the shelves! ). We felt right at home and dragged ourselves away three hours later after caning the plastic. I bought lots of Fleece Artist yarn, some sock wool, Addi Turbo needles and the Autumn Rowan magazine - a good issue. I would have liked to see some more knitting books there.

Becky, who works at the shop, is a prospective designer with an interest in childrens' knitwear so I have emailed her my contact details for Knit Today mag. Hopefully she will get some designs published - she specialises in boys' stuff.

Now comes the fun of deciding which project to start first!