Thankyou and good night!

It's with regret that I'm signing off for the time being. I just don't have the time to devote to blogging at the moment.

I'm still knitting every day and you can find me as shawlrat on Ravelry - hope to see you there!

Happy knitting and thankyou to all my readers.

Stash enhancement and the credit crunch

Firstly apologies for absence - busy at work etc.
Now to business and a visit with the laydeez to Ally Pally Knitting and Stitching Show yesterday.
I managed to flash the cash and flex the plastic which could be construed as multi-tasking. In these hard times I feel it my duty to help small businesses.
Above is some of what I bought including Kauni, an Estonian yarn which I had heard about before; 4 Ply multicoloured wool which has a harsh feel but makes up into a much softer fabric. Inside the green exterior is a mix of browns and oranges. I got it from Scandinavian Knitting Design ( website of the same name )where they had some lovely yarns and samples.
It struck me that there were more beads and fabric this year and, although crowded, it was not manic. Speaking to Alice from Socktopus, she said they had a good show but she felt not as hectic as last year.
I also attended a seminar about knitting groups in schools with Erika Knight who is very passionate about reinstating craft work into the school timetable. Certainly food for thought!
We had a grand day out and thanks to Maggie for driving.

Ski scarf

Here is what I've been working on this week - easy knitting with a purpose! I bought one new ball of black tweedy aran to pull the leftovers together and this is the result.

Cast on 52 sts using 5mm needles. Work in 4 X 4 rib in random stripes for as long as you like - et voila! - a very warm scarf for outdoor pursuits and I've used up a lot of leftover yarns.

Currently planning my Ally Pally purchases, but when I get there the plan goes out of the window as I'm confronted with too many temptations!

Latest projects

This is my February sweater in progress - so called because it's based on an Elizabeth Zimmerman design from her Knitter's Almanac ( one of the best value knitting books ever ).
You can get the free pattern from www.flintknits.com where the site owner has upsized it to fit adults.

As you can see it looks like a rag, but somewhere in there is a garter stitch yoke and lace body and sleeves. When it's finished , I will post pictures. Clearly, I am not using the recommended yarn which is aran weight - this yarn is Colinette Parisienne mohair which I had been saving for just such an event. I even did a tension square!

There is a support group for this sweater on Ravelry. I recommend Ravelry - there are support groups for everything and you can really get organised with stash, books etc. There was a waiting list to join but it's worth it and I keep in touch with several old friends that way.

Also, I have been knitting some Noro Cashmere Island fingerless gauntlets which I can't show you because I left them at school. I've also started a scarf for skiing son based on leftovers from all the ski hats I've made him brought together with a base of Rowanaran weight tweed. This is in it's very early stages.

Finally, I have the germ of an idea for a freeform leaf scarf which I may well develop in the near future. The good thing about freeform is making small pieces at a time and using up oddments. Bizarrely, I'm feeling thrifty at the moment. That will all go out of the window at Ally Pally!

Advance warning

If you like Opal sock yarn and / or Harry Potter you'll love the new sock yarn due in Autumn. Go to www.opalsockyarn.com for a slideshow of the colourways - some very good ones!

I'm away for a few days next week on a trip to the French seaside, but not near a yarn shop. Who chose this holiday?

Bookworm

Most of you will know that I am a bookworm as well as a knitter and this is one of my latest purchases. It was something of an afterthought - I was ordering from Amazon and added it as an extra to make up to the free delivery mark. ( The fact that I would have saved more money had I not bought it escaped me! )

Anyway, it turns out to be one of the best knitting books I have bought for a while - "Knitalong"
celebrating the tradition of knitting together, by Larissa and Martin John Brown. There are sections on knitting groups, history, blogs, knitting cafe, swaps and charity knitting. Also, there are 20 patterns for interesting and usable projects which are suitable for group or individual knitting. A comparatively small book with a lot of content.

I had been thinking about using up my leftover sock wool for some time and this book comes up with a great project for this exact scenario ( see blanket on bed above ). Excellent!

Autumn shows

It hardly seems possible, but I'm already looking fwd to the autumn knitting shows. I just booked in for Ally Pally on the Saturday. This is not my usual day, but there is a class that I want to attend on that day. I've been asked to start a knitting group for students at the school where I work and there is a class at the show concerned with just such a scenario.

Also, I'm anticipating I-Knit early in September where I'm hoping that the Yarn Harlot from Canada will be as amusing as her blog.

Two opportunities for stash enhancement - woop,woop!

New yarn purchases

This is Rowan Colourscape Chunky which I got from John Lewis at Kingston on Saturday. The colourways are designed by Kaffe Fassett and the yarn is 100% wool with a very dense feel to it. There's also a pattern book available which I didn't buy; I couldn't imagine a sweater in it - it would feel like wearing a blanket. Also at £10+ a pop, the cost would be very high. So it's back to the trusty scarves for me - this one is similar to one in the book.

I also bought some more aran tweed to make another hat and striped scarf for skiing son. Apparently my hats are coveted by his friends in Australia- maybe there's a business opportunity there!

Off to see aged mother for a few days - back soon!

Just a quick note

This is why I have not been blogging - may I present Mr and Mrs Wyld?

Update

Can't stop! Knit, knit, knit................... - will the shawl be ready for the wedding? AAAAAARRRRGGGHHHH!

Race against time!

I'm working like mad to finish my shawl in time for the wedding, so a brief blog this week with no pics yet. Wimbledon on TV has not helped but at least I shouldn't be distracted after today!

A trip to knit group last week where Maggie has offered to get me a shawl frame from the man who made hers. I have always wanted a proper frame and am looking forward to receiving and using it. Good to see old friends again.

Back soon!

Knitting websites and other news

Two sites new to me which may be of interest to you :

Afghans for Afghans is an American charity website where contributors provide shawls for women in Afghanistan. There are some links to patterns which are suitable for all of us. Find the site at www.afghansforAfghans.org/rectangleshawlcampaign.html

Also, the Rainey sisters website which has some good free patterns and interesting chat at

http://www.theraineysisters.com/

I'd love to have the time to check out all the interesting knitting sites out there.

In other news, it was the future Mrs Wyld's hen night last night at which a good time was had by all. You can see a happy snap above - the Wyld dynasty will survive for another generation!

I am aiming to get to knit group for the first time in 3 weeks, you have been missed.

Bridegroom's mother shawl

This is my mother of the groom shawl which has to be finished by 25 July. It's Jelly colour Kidsilk Haze and is a pattern I had published in Knit Today last year. Then it was in cream yarn and a bridal shawl so I thought I would change the look for myself.

It's to be worn in the evening with the tunic and trousers of my wedding outfit.If it's too hot to wear it I will just use it as an accessory, but with our "summer" so far you never know! I'm enjoying knitting it again because the look is so different from the original.

The first scarf pattern I ever had published is now out of copyright so I will be presenting it to you as a freebie shortly. I had to sign away the rights for a year and I can't believe the time went by so quickly.

Watch this space!

Parisian knitting for you

This Phildar Preface yarn is far more vibrant than the photo suggests. 70% wool and 30% nylon, it was not sold as sock wool but that's what it is. 193m or 211 yds per 50g ball and I got 5 balls.

Regular readers will know I like large scarves / wraps, so at 965m I have more than enough. I'm using 5mm needles.

So here we go :

Cast on 155 stitches and knit 2 rows. Then work every row as follows :

K1,P1,K1,P1 K1, (YO, K2tog to last 5 stitches ), work last 5 stitches as first 5.

Continue till yarn is nearly used up, K2 rows and cast off.

This will provide a length of well over 5 feet and, if blocked, a wide and lacy look. The photo is unblocked and I like it like this. If worked as YO, P2tog the effect would be different but I like to knit wherever possible.

You could use any self striping sock yarn but remember to adjust the starting point when adding a new ball in order to maintain the pattern.

Ideal holiday knitting - the pattern is in your head and you can do it anywhere!

Paris, Edith Piaf and knitting

Yes, I went to Paris last week and here's the proof.

Knitting wise, I got some Phildar sock yarn which I am not going to use for making socks ( that would be far too obvious! ). If you are ever over there, I recommend the Mercerie dept. in Le Bon Marche store on the left bank. They stock Rowan, Phildar, Anny Blatt, Plassard and Elle as well as the best selection of ribbons I have ever seen. There was too much choice, and I don't often say that.

Still on a knitting theme, I watched La Vie en Rose last night which is the latest film about the life of Edith Piaf. This has had mixed reviews, but I enjoyed it. When asked what she did when not singing she answered " I knit. " When touring America she had her knitting with her. A short but tragic life, doubtless made a little happier by knitting.

Rip it up!

This is what I've been doing since last week. The triangular shawl is now a stole in the same pattern - the colours were not looking good to my eye and having ripped it back twice, I decided the straight stole looked better. I'm not usually a ripper, but it had to be done.

A couple of discoveries this week - www.paviyarns.co.uk looks like it might be worth a look. This was recommended to me by Jennie who I met randomly in Tesco's by the hot chicken counter. She used to come to Taj shop regularly but then went to India. I had not seen her for over a year and she came to knit group on Thursday before going off to Switzerland. A busy woman!

Also, Eurovision, which is so bad it's good, now features knitting. The Bosnian entry has backing singers dressed as brides who are knitting. Quite why, I'm not sure but, for comedy value, it has to be watched tonight!

I'm looking forward to a Paris trip this week and it's decision time - what knitting to take and what to buy at the Phildar yarn concessions. There are at least four to be visited and my plastic currently has vacant space!

Back soon!

News and a new project

A new project which looks completely random at the moment but will transform itself into a triangular shawl with a diamond pattern.

The picture shows my poor photographic skills and the shabbiness which is unblocked lace. Whay could be more attractive? However, all us lace knitters know that blocking will transform this monstrosity into a wearable garment.

My previous smooshy project is awaiting blocking and will be revealed in all it's glory soon.

In other news, Knit Today magazine is being sold to another publisher, so I wait to see whether it will continue in the same format ( and whether they still want to publish my designs ). I have bought the last two issues of Let's Knit; although I'm not a big fan of some of their designs, there are some good ideas in there and the magazine has a trendier look than some of the others. It mentions a good charity project; you may like to download a free children's hat pattern from

http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/ - donated hats are sent to Africa to be worn by newborns. Night time temperatures can drop dramatically and hats can make the difference between life and death. A good cause!

Film lovers may be interested in The Jane Austen Book Club - it's pretty lightweight but I enjoyed the book and the film. The members only read Jane Austen and one of the main protagonists is a knitter - scores double points with me!

I hope to be back to more regular posting from now on. Work has quietened down and I have a little more time to myself.

Marking time

Not much progess to report as I've been a busy girl one way or another. However a few good things to report; we had the pleasure of Tracey's company at knit group last week. She is looking well and enjoying her new life on the island.

Maggie has asked me to come up with an idea for her beautiful Colinette yarn purchase. There's not a lot of it apparently, so I'm thinking a stole with provisional cast on so the yarn can be used for a centre panel and then the two ends could be contrasting. I'll be perusing my stitch books this week so I can come up with something for Thursday.

I had an impromptu trip to Anfield this weekend to watch Liverpool, my favourite football team.Enjoyable but tiring! Sadly, number 1 son is under the weather at present so he could not go. Quite a stressful time in my family at the moment, so I could soon be knitting more items that don't need much attention. That's how it's been this year!

Just when you thought you'd finished!

Another hat is lurking in the wings. One of my students has been pestering me for a beanie so I have bitten the bullet.Cygnet DK in dark green and a pattern from the book on the right.

For anyone who's interested , this is a good basic book of patterns and many of them are easy enough for first time knitters. There are teach yourself to knit instructions in the front of the book.

I've owned this for some time and refer to it for standard shapes which I can then customise as I like.

I took a trip to John Lewis yesterday and bought a few Noro goodies for future use - exact plans to be decided, but I'm guessing gloves.

We look forward to a guest appearance by Tracey at knitting group this week. She's been allowed off the island for good behaviour!

Hats done!

Four hats done and that's the lot! There is a limit to motherly love and I feel I have reached it.
However, I have also promised a pair of gloves but I can't face them just yet.

So. it's back to my purple shawl I think, although I may check out the stash today and see what's sitting there. I've lost two stones in weight over the last few months and there are patterns which I like but have previously avoided - now may be the time!

Knit group was a lively affair this week. It amazes me that men are still slightly intimidated by a group of women knitting in a pub - however, they will have to get over it as we are an accepted part of the local scene now. Several group members purchase pub food so I would say we make a good financial contribution to the business.

Back to work next week and to sorting out my notes from the course I went on. Happy days!?

Hat factory and a bit of history

This is hat number 2 which I finished yesterday. It's in Rowan aran tweed which I've had for ages. I adapted the hat pattern in the Noro mini knits book which I bought recently - more stitches and slightly different shaping to take account of the different yarn weight and head size.

The miracle is that it fits!

I'm now on a mission to finish the others and a pair of gloves too as the boy is going to be skiing in Australia from the beginning of June.

Some of you will know that I am very interested in researching my family history and today I bought the latest copy of Family History Monthly; primarily this was because it has an article on the Dam Busters of World War 2 and my father served in that squadron. However, there is a very interesting article on the history of frame knitting and the working conditions endured by the knitters. There's a museum in Nottingham which can be investigated at http://www.rfkm.org/ . While I'm churning out my ski hats, I feel fortunate to be working in the comfort of my own home!

Ski hats for big heads and a new book!

Number 2 son has placed an order for several ski hats ( apparently you can never have too many! ).

So I am looking for aran weight wool in my stash. How is it that it cannot be found? There must be some lurking somewhere.I have discovered one ball of burgundy Rowan tweed that I will use and have sacrificed my Noro cashmere mix which was destined for long gloves. I'm sure there is more but I fear it's not very manly. Therefore I've ordered some Yorkshire tweed in blokey colours ( grey, murky green and rust ).

I'm adapting a pattern I already had by casting on more stitches and making the hat longer so it will cover ears;apparently this is vital to avoid frostbite. Son has a large head like his mother so the resulting hat looks massive but fits perfectly - more by luck than judgement. Photos will be posted but hat is being worn at the moment.

The Lerwick Lace Shawl book is the latest offering from Sharon Miller. This is a fascinating read and contains a charted shawl pattern which she has constructed from an old shawl in her possession. The level and quality of work which has gone into this is truly amazing and something I can only aspire to. The book also contains extracts from Shetland social histories and information on sheep shearing techniques.Is there anything this lady doesn't know about Shetland lace knitting? What also interests me is her discussion on the merits of knitting shawl borders inwards or outwards. I'm an outwards girl myself; it's not the traditional way but is a lot less complex to my mind. This technique was pioneered by Elizabeth Zimmerman.

The book can be purchased direct from Sharon's Heirloom Knitting website and, while it's not cheap at £17.95 for 42 pages, the level of scholarship and amount of information make it a very worthwhile purchase. Link to the site is on the left of this page.

Next week I'm off on a course for a couple of days but will be taking knitting with me for spare moments!

Smooshy shawl

This is my latest wheeze made from Smooshy Dream in Colour sock yarn. It's a complex tale as the yarn was bought to match a top to be worn at Number 1 son's wedding. However, I've ditched that idea and decided to make it into a lace shawl which featured in Winter 2007 / 08 Vogue Knitting ( pattern number 5 ). Yes folks, I'm following someone else's pattern again!

This pattern is a Lily Chin one classed as intermediate. It's described as an allover lace shawl with mitered corners and worked from the neck down. If you are a lace knitter it's not remotely difficult but what does take a little work is fitting the pattern in to the increases.Only 16 rows of the pattern are charted and then it says to work all increase stitches into the pattern ( there are 8 increases on every right side row. I feel this is letting the knitter down in the worst way as there are no further specific instructions until the last 2 rows of the shawl. Yes, I can knit this pattern, but then I'm a confident lace knitter who has designed her own patterns. I'm sure there will be many knitters who might like to make this, purchase the yarn, start knitting and then realise they can't cope with the project. NAUGHTY! - anyway rant 1 over.

Rant 2 : why do executives of major companies lie? Viz : BA chaos at Terminal 5 but "no long haul flights have been affected." I beg to differ - Number 2 son due to return from Calgary to Terminal 4 yesterday but there was no plane! The plane was in the wrong place! So he is flying, as I blog , via Houston in Texas ( don't ask! ) and hopefully arriving today but of course not on BA ( thanks, Continental ). His companions are flying via other North American airports - chaos on the ground and in the skies. Do you wonder why I am not planning to fly anywhere this year?

Is it any wonder that we knit to avoid stress?

Argosy finito!

I am very pleased with this. Readers who saw my earlier postings will know this pattern is from the In a Happy Camper site ( link left ). It's warm, which is very necessary at the moment and I will probably make another in a lighter weight yarn. I will make the next one a little wider, but had this one been wider, and therefore heavier, I think it would have been too much.

The pattern quotes 8 balls of Noro Kureyon with very little left over, but I was into the 9th by the time I'd finished. This is no hardship as I can use the remaining yarn in freeform projects. I blocked the wrap by steaming it over a dry cloth and it has worked a treat. There is no bed in the house long enough to take this without folding and I could not block it on the carpet in case furry friends decided to take up residence on it.

Back to work tmrw after the Easter break - a busy week with a follow up visit to hospital and the return of the prodigal son from Canada. Happy days!

Noro fest

These gloves were made last weekend using a pattern from the book above - Noro designer mini knits. It contains small achievable items such as mittens, gloves, scarves, hats, socks and shrugs made from various Noro yarns. Just the sort of things I like to make! The gloves took 1 ball of Cashmere Island which I can recommend for softness. Clearly, if you wanted matching gloves you would need 2 balls; this doesn't worry me as I like the quirkiness of toning, but not matching, items. The gloves are made on 2 needles and sewn up the side. I have never done this before but they worked out fine.I bought the book from Get Knitted and the yarn from John Lewis who have now broadened their scope from the usual Rowan / Jaeger axis. I also got 2 balls of the same yarn to make elbow length gloves - woo hoo! Pattern is in the book.

To knitting group last night where Dani showed us a Cash Iroha shrug cape she has just finished - very lovely in a fab purple shade. Most people are still doing socks - is there a more useful travel project out there?

I'm grateful to Tracey for the tip off for another website http://www.astridsdutchobsessions.com/ ; this sounded vaguely obscene until I realised it was a yarn website with lots of lovely lace and sock yarns. Tracey knows my taste very well!

Happy Easter to all my readers.

Resurrected in time for Easter!

Apologies to those who are offended by my play on words above. I've been missing because my laptop died but it has been repaired courtesy of John Lewis and is now working. Something to do with the motherboard ( Motherf...... - I called it ).
It made me aware how reliant I am on my computer. I can use my work one for lots of things but not for blogging or Facebook ( understandable! )
Anyway - back soon with more knitting related stuff!

Yarn Harlot visit

Yarn Harlot a.k.a. Stephanie Pearl-McPhee is visiting the IKnit show in London in September. Tickets are available online from www.iknit.org.uk for £14 incl. lecture from Yarn Harlot or £9 for the show only. Tickets went on sale yesterday and I was happy to get one. Although I only live 20 miles from London, I rarely venture there as I find it a grubby and stressful experience most of the time. However, this should be worth the trip.

Yarn Harlot's blog ( see link left ) is one of the better ones out there ( says she whose own blog is so good! ) She hails from Toronto, Canada and has a lot of humorous things to say about the world of knitting. Her books are a good read too.

Meanwhile, on the knitting front, Argosy is progressing well although I'm a little annoyed at the number of knots in some of the balls of Kureyon! At group,Dani showed us photos of her "hommage" to Vivienne Westwood - a felted top with applied leaves. Get the girl a blog I say!

There were 13 of us this week which made for a jolly party.

My first week back at work was OK though a little tiring. Good to get back in the routine though!

New online magazine

Check out The Inside Loop which is a new online mag devoted to British fibre arts. The first issue has some attractive free patterns. For other good freebies don't forget Magknits and Knitty.All links are on the left of this page.

Thanks to Danni for her blog comment.My first day at work went well with only two detentions handed out and one football confiscated - as Elton John once crooned, "The Bitch is Back"!

Argosy on the needles

This is the Argosy wrap mentioned in a previous post. I'm actually using the specified yarn which is a departure for me - it's Noro Kureyon and I used colour 170. I love Noro yarn; they don't do pastels and I don't either unless I'm knitting for other people.

This is going to end up as a diagonal knit, like the Clapotis scarf; it's interesting to knit while being simple enough to complete during TV viewing. Not a cheap item as I'm using 8 balls, but the result will be worth the expense.

Back to work tmrw for the first time in 3 weeks - am I looking forward to it? Answers on a postcard or in the comments box!

So bad it's good!

How cool is this? I'm loving the matching buffalo and the acceptability of pipe smoking and Native Americans shooting endangered species to advertise a knitting pattern.

I picked this up from the Grumperina blog ( see link left ). She has offered to complete this garment which was started many years ago. That's one offer I would not be making.
Sadly, I am old enough to remember when these sweaters were the height of fashion but thankfully no relation of mine was ever seen to wear one in public.

I have done some intarsia work in the past when my kids were small and I made Postman Pat and Thomas the Tank Engine sweaters. Somehow I don't think intarsia ever looks good on adults
but maybe I'm just not cool enough!

Crochet cupcake

Danni made me this at knitting group last night. It's to celebrate my being able to eat whatever I like. It's charming with it's little sparkly beads and I will treasure it. One day, I will be able to say that I knew Danni before she was famous!

Good to meet old friends last night and catch up with their news. It seems like ages since I was at the group. We have a couple of new members and now there's usually about 10 of us at every meeting. Kris did valuable work sorting out some knitting problems. She's run out of sock wool and so cannot proceed with her own work. I sympathise as I have a feeling that I'm going to run out before the toe of my burgundy socks. There should be no reason for this, as I started with a full ball. I'm knitting faster to finish the sock before the wool runs out - think about it - it makes no sense but we all do it!

I am pleased to announce that chocolate has been eaten.

Home from the wars.

Surgery went as well as it could have done. I was kept waiting a while and was glad of my knitting - I took the lace with me and got quite a bit done.

While recuperating, I've been doing more work on my socks and blocking pieces that have been sitting around for a while. This includes a clapotis scarf which you can see here. I made this from Cherry Tree Hill possum yarn that I got from Woolly Workshop. This yarn is very soft but is not regular stock. The pattern is adaptable to whatever yarn you have and I urge you to make it. It's got to be one of the best freebies ever from Knitty ( see link left ).

Another great freebie is the the Argosy series of wrap, scarf, shawl and blanket from In a Happy Camper (see link left ). Danni from group has made the wrap and it's a great bias pattern. Again, this is adaptable to any yarn. Art student Danni is going to Florence on a study trip soon; will she come back with yarn? It's a no - brainer!

I haven't tried the Argosy myself yet but it's a safe bet it will be on the needles soon.

Socks

My brown stripey socks are done and I'm onto a burgundy stripey pair now. What makes sock knitting so addictive? Is it the going round and round or the fact that there's always a different process to do to prevent boredom? Or is it because the yarns are so attractive? It's a bit of everything for me.

At knitting group last night, almost all of us were doing socks. We were discussing the merits of grafting the toes and how we can all graft if we have to. Personally, I have to recheck directions each time I do it and this is what makes a three needle bind off so attractive to me. I don't have to think about that. Clearly the results are quite different and purists will scoff but that doesn't worry me.

Brown stripeys are coming to hospital with me next week where I am being sliced and diced for a couple of days. Two legitimate weeks off work - in any other circumstances I would be looking forward to it! I have easy lace knitting to take with me - or shall I take my socks?

Back soon!

Kureyon sockyarn scarf pattern

This is the finished scarf after blocking and here is the pattern :

You will need : 2 balls Kureyon 4 ply sockyarn ; 3.75mm circular needle ( you can use straight needles for the main body of the scarf. )

Cast on 47 stitches and proceed in stocking stitch ( one row knit, one row purl ) for as long as you like ( my scarf is 160cm. long after blocking ). Knit the first stitch of every row and slip the last stitch of every row purlwise.

Cast off. Do not break yarn. Using your circular needle, pick up stitches down the length of the scarf side.Pick up one for every V shape made by your slipped stitches at the row ends.
( I picked up 262 stitches ). However long you have made your scarf you will need to pick up an even number of stitches.

Work in feather and fan stitch as below beginning with row 4 and then working 5 pattern repeats. Cast off loosely purlwise.

Repeat for the other side of the scarf.

Block severely for best result.

Feather and fan is worked as a multiple of eighteen stitches. However many stitches you have picked up, divide this by eighteen. If you are left with any over, divide by two and knit them at either end of the row. E.g. 14 X 18 = 252 stitches. This left me with 5 stitches to knit at the end of each row.
Pattern : Row 1 ( right side ) : Knit
Row 2 : Purl
Row 3 : * ( K2 tog ) 3 times, ( yo, K1 ) 6 times, (K2 tog ) 3 times. Repeat from *
Row 4 : Knit

Remember : if have any stitches left over you must work them at the beginning and end of the pattern repeat.

Hints : make it narrower and you may only use one ball. The top and bottom of the scarf will roll. I like this look. If you don't, add an edging of your choice. Match your sides by winding off yarn till you reach the correct point in the colour sequence for casting on the second side. Or be totally random - the choice is yours.

This yarn is not currently available in UK. I got mine from Simply Sock Yarn in US. Prompt service and low delivery costs - see the link on the left.

If you're reading this blog as a result of the above company's recommendation - WELCOME!

Everyone enjoy and adapt as you wish.

Wight knitters and a new book

I ordered this on spec from Amazon as an interesting read rather than a pattern book. It certainly is a good read and some great historical pics. I love old adverts and looking at old photos in general. If you're looking for old patterns then this is not for you. There are a few but these are printed verbatim with no attempt to update yarns etc.

Rabbit Sue and Tracy who left our shores for the Isle of Wight are having varying degrees of success on the knitting front. Sue is FORBIDDEN to knit but may spin for a short while ( this would kill me on both counts ). I have been seen to spin feebly using a drop spindle on one occasion under cover of darkness, but it's not for me. I believe in keeping yarn companies in business. Tracy however, is an ace spinner and I was happy to see the scarves she sent up to knitting group last night. These were made to my pattern which you can find in an earlier posting but using yarn spun by her own fair hand. The results were lovely.
Meanwhile group member Lesley had been to Ferret Sue's to try out her selection of spinning wheels. What's with these people? Who has a selection of spinning wheels? Mind you I suppose it's only like my selection of handbags - I must think "outside the box". I will soon be the odd one out but I don't feel I will ever get spinning.

Meanwhile back in the sane world of knitting, we welcomed Dani and Liz back to the group. Dani was knitting the Argosy wrap from the happy camper website. Google Argosy wrap and you'll find it. I feel a new project is imminent!

Kureyon

This is what I've worked on over the last week. It's the Noro Kureyon sock yarn which I've scarfed as usual. It's in it's unblocked state at present but you can see the idea. Pattern may be up as a freebie later on.

Don't get me wrong I LOVE this yarn but I would not use it for socks. It's quite slubby and while overall it's classed as 4 ply, the thickness varies from cobweb to almost aran weight at times. I can see that if you socked it you might end up with thin patches. There is a nylon content to it according to the ball band but, as I can break it quite easily, I'm not sure that it would be very hardwearing as socks.

My lacy Xmas project is being done, but very slowly, as I have to follow the pattern religiously - so unlike me! However, the result will be worth it, I feel.

Bizarrely, I've got hooked on darts on the TV - genius mental arithmetic plus odd looking men - what's not to like?

Interesting knitting

This interesting item was knitted by Jennie ( soon to be daughter in law ). It's a pill holder with 7 sections for her pills and potions so she doesn't forget to take anything. Genius! and much more intriguing than the usual plastic boxes you can get. Jennie is more of a needlewoman than I am and is not afraid to combine her knitting and sewing skills to get a result. This item is the result of an afternoon's effort over the Xmas period.

Meanwhile, the new year is not being kind to me - number 2 son has gone to Canada for a long trip, maybe forever, and I have a date for my surgery in early February. Everyone is telling me how good it is that it's so soon. Why am I not convinced? Still, the recuperation period will give lots of time for knitting!