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!