I'm having a hard time settling down to knitting on anything at present. The corset has gone on hold as I can't face any more rib; violets is my commuter project so I don't want to work on it this weekend; Marilyn is too heavy for hot weather so what do I do....
I went to visit Silkwood and Nic at the Hampton Court Fair yesterday, played with a skein of silk and fell in love. I started a test piece for a shawl based on the pattern that Thomas used for the Edgy Exchange shawl he made for Jan.
Other purchases included "Demented Clown" from Nic and a drop spindle made by Les.
Monday was the first day of Girl's week, no photos to show as we haven't had parental consent forms back as yet!
Great fun in the swimming pool, music studio and the arts room which ended up covered in beads. My favourite bit of the day was working with friendly plastics - everyone went home with a a necklace or badge.
On the knitting front not much progress with either the corset or Violets by the River due to swatching for yet another project - Simply Marilyn. Decisions later.
Well work was fun - the water is still dripping through but very slow now so perhaps it won't be long before I can reclaim my wastebin! The promised dehumidifiers have arrived and have been set up so hopefully by Monday we'll see some progress. We have 50% of the office space out of commission and have lost lots of paperwork.
Unharmed, so far, are my arts and crafts materials - good job as Monday sees the start of Girl's week , the time when I get let loose on the local youth and try to interest them in textiles and other activities. We've decided against doing a main project in exchange for giving them lots of "tasters". I am however hoping to get them interested enough to donate an item to my "Knitted Garden".
I've been fascinated by this book by Jan Messent for years and have finally got my hands on a copy. I also found this which has given me even more ideas. I've spent most of today drawing out different design ideas but think I'll go with the idea of doing a number of squares and then moving them around until I find a layout I'm happy with. I'm hoping this will be a real stashbuster of a project and that the end product will be used somewhere - though I do think this could be a never ending project!
On the needles today is my birthday gift from Dawn, "Violets by the River Shawl " in silk - now I've mentioned it on the blog it means I'll have to complete it!
Thought you might like to see what I've been up to:
First here's this weeks project - started on Monday finished Wednesday a real fun knit. This pattern is fast becoming one of my favourites, it's the Oak Leaf Evening Shawl from Fabulous Filigrees. The yarn this time is Blue Sky Alpacas fingering weight and was luscious to knit with!
Wednesday at work was awful! I arrived early only to find that we had been flooded - no lights, only 1 computer working and 2 phone lines for over 100 people!
When I left at 5 the water was still coming through. We sent most of the staff home but still had to run a duty desk and deal with a never ending parade of workmen, inspectors etc. The water in my office was running at the rate of one wastebin full per hour and at one stage there were 4 bins on the go in my room alone. My boss has agreed I can take the day off tomorrow but I have to go back on Friday to run Duty. Hope they've managed to dry it out by then.
On the knitting front - I've been playing with the bright red Blue Sky Alpacas fingering weight yarn I bought 2 weeks ago (fast turnaround for my stash) - wonderful yarn - hopefully I'll have photos to show in the next few days.
I'd hoped to have photos to show you today but for some reason all the shots I took of this sweater at Liberty's on Thursday have come out as white! Difficult to believe when it's a pistachio green!!
I'm nearly finished with this top, only about 3 inches left to do on one sleeve. I've enjoyed knitting it but not a good choice for the hot weather as I don't like the weight of the top down, knitted all in one, sitting on my lap.
I did like the cast on edge, my first attempt at a tubular cast on that has looked good.
I love the increase detail and the fit that it gives
Best of all, I love Medrith's pattern and her style of writing - such a contrast to the sparse UK pattern style.
A non-knitting day today (my arthritis is playing up) so a mooch around the shops in Bromley - nothing took my fancy in the main shops but Oxfam yielded Jean Moss " Knits for all seasons" and Scope provided a copy of Rowan's "The Tweed Collection" now if only my copy of "Knitted Gardens" by Jan Messent should arrive I'd be very happy!
Firstly a huge "Thank you " to everyone who sent birthday wishes - I've had a wonderful week of celebrations which culminated in yesterdays visit to the "Art and design" show at Syon Park. The reason for going was to sit and knit in the wonderful company of Tess and Les (Silkwood ); Nic and Jill.
A day full of colour!
A couple of modest purchases were made, a skein of their aran weight silk and a skein of angora dyed a deep red, both of which I have plans for - watch this space!
50 Today!
I'm halfway through my planned birthday celebrations! Not being one for big parties I'd decided that I'd have lots of small (ok some were not so small) treats and get togethers with friends.
The morning started well with Matt giving me this laptop case
for my iBook. He's gone off to work and I'm sitting here reading a copy of The Times from the day I was born. Mum's asked me to fill her in on the news as she missed reading it that day!
My knitting friends have been incredibly generous:
Polly - love the socks, a perfect fit
Jacinta - wonderful scarf - I'm intrigued at it's construction
Jill - Alice Starmore "American Portraits" and some fantastic feathers which I'm already plotting how to use!
Nic - dyed me some yarn which is already on the needles
Mary Pat - enough reading material to keep me busy for a while
pics will follow once I get the camera charged!
Now I'm off to meet friends for lunch in my favourite Belgian Bar and out to dinner with Matt this evening - a kitchen free day - brilliant!