The slump is over, the needles are clicking!
On Tuesday, I received some wonderful bath goodies from my AKSP in Australia, it's amazing the effect that they had on my creative instincts.
On Wednesday Amazon delivered Wrap Style - a book I was not going to buy until I saw Jill's copy last week! I realised I wanted to make at least 6 of the designs and that I already had most of the yarn needed.
The post man also brought a wonderful packet from Linda Allen (also in Australia) with a yarn swap.
I grabbed the first ball out of the packet, my favourite short 5mm needle and left for work. Dawn reminded me that when in doubt I should knit hats - so here is Wednesday morning's effort in Jo Sharp's Silkroad aran tweed. A wonderful mix of wool, silk and cashmere - a real joy to work with.
Thursday morning saw me set of for work with Frog Tree Alpaca fingering weight yarn (birthday present from Nic) and the start of the Shetland Triangle from the new book and good progress was made on the way to work.
I ended up coming home instead of going to Liberty's due to joint pain - but for once my hands aren't affected so I can enjoy sitting and knitting!
It's been a funny week with lots of demands on my time, some work related, some social and it was not the right time to have no commuting project on the needles.
I tried to start 3 different scarves in 3 different yarns, none of them appealed; I returned to the corset but after 10 rows of rib my hands protested; I did some more of Marilyn but the cone is too heavy to carry around; I found a UFO from 2 years ago using my favourite Jaeger Extra Fine Merino and managed to finish a ball of yarn - can I find the rest of the pack? Can I heck!
So yesterday on my 7 hours on the train from Kent to Birmingham and back I read a book, played games on the laptop and was bored!
I'm refusing to buy any more yarn until Ally Pally, have started compiling my shopping list (and budget) so what can I do in the meantime? I want to work with some of my birthday alpaca yarn but have no clear ideas so suggestions as to what I can make from 600 yds of fingering weight yarn please!
Cutting it fine
proof of how close a call this was!
I've been wandering around gardens both public and private, taking photos by the dozen, looking for inspiration for a knitted garden.
I'm hopeless at plant names but am really intrigued by the construction of this one - somehow I don't think my knitting is up to the challenge!
The "Violets by the River Shawl" is finished with 3 inches of silk left! I knew my gauge was looser than it should be - I was knitting faster and holding my breath during the cast off row.
For those you who need the nitty gritty details of yesterday's stitch losing incident - I'd lost about 20 stitches from the middle of the row of the top edge on row 5 - the most awkward of the Honeybees and Faggoting pattern. The silk then obligingly laddered between 10 and 20 rows depending on the individual whim of each stitch.
I spent my lunch hour catching the escapees and hooking them back up onto the needle. I then dropped them down a pattern section at a time and reknit them using my 2.5 mm glove needles that were in my bag.
By the time I got to Liberty's the Violets were straight so I was able to concentrate on correcting the Fagging before tackling the Honeybees, eventually finishing the repair at 7.10 pm.
In any other shawl pattern I would have just ripped it back but the way this one is constructed would have meant undoing the top section and then the River before getting to the Violets.
The shawl is now dunked in the bath and I will attempt to block it before going to bed.
My thanks to everyone who crossed anything or held my hand through the trauma of yesterday - you are all knitting goddesses and your services will no doubt be called upon again in the future!
I'm on the final part of the "Violets" shawl, have reached row 5 which is the interesting row in the Faggoting and Honeybee section and have dropped a stitch, being knitted in silk This has laddered spectacularly - just as the bus came to my stop!
I pushed it into my bag and will spend my lunch break trying to get it back on track without having to do major ripping!
I'm also trying to work out if I will have enough yarn - my gauge is looser than it should be, I have 5 rows to go and I think only enough yarn for 4 - it's hard trying to knit with my fingers crossed.
Just had a look at Nicerjac's blog and went straight to do this
Your Brain's Pattern |
 Your brain is always looking for the connections in life. You always amaze your friends by figuring out things first. You're also good at connecting people - and often play match maker. You see the world in fluid, flexible terms. Nothing is black or white. |
I wonder if that's why I've always liked purple?
Sarah asked for a glimpse of my flowers - here's a sneak preview of the test pieces - I really must finish the daffodil!
My yarn purchases on Thursday were distinctly green - here's a mini-selection of the Louisa Harding yarns and some of the Rowan Yorkshire and Scottish yarns
Getting ready for Secret pal 6 - I decided to give my pal a head start and do the questionnaire now - not too sure how I feel about some of the questions but I'll be as honest as I can
1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?
I enjoy knitting with wool, silk and cashmere - I've also been known to knit with wire, string and fishing line - the important bit is that I knit - with anything!
2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I've been able to do basic crochet since I was a child. I've had a few goes with a drop spindle and produced some "interesting fibre" but have never used a wheel
3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
Fish, shellfish and bananas. The smell of vanilla.
4. How long have you been knitting?
About 45 years
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
yes with Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk (must update them as I've just been on a book buying spree)
6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Rose, lavender or freesia
7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
Occasionally but I'm a diabetic so try not to indulge too much
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
I sew, make jewellery out of friendly plastics and bead
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
It can play MP3's - I don't listen to much music, mainly because I have hearing problems.
10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
I love colour - purples, reds and blues have been my staples for years. Recently , I've found myself buying greens and browns.
I look ill in pale neutrals!
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Married to Matt for 24 years on Halloween, no kids of our own but some wonderful nieces and a nephew. No pets at present.
12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
to be able to afford to give up work, spend more time with Matt and have time to indulge myself more with fibre things
13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
It does depend on what I'm making but generally wool - Koigu and Jaeger extra fine merino being favourites
14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
My hands ache when I knit with cotton, linen, hemp
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
I've been a fan of mitred knitting for years; have been on a lace spree recently and seem to be moving on to an obsession with cables
16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Hats
17. What are you knitting right now?
There's not enough room to list them all! Read the blog and you'll get a good idea. Current favourites are "Violets by the River", Anne Modesitt's Corset; Marilyn and a cable sweater from Vermont Fiber Designs
18. What do you think about ponchos?
Still trying to recover from the orange acrylic one I wore in the 60's
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
Circulars
20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Ebony, Denise and Addis
21. Are you a sock knitter?
No - but I love handmade socks, I have UK9 feet!
22. How did you learn to knit?
From Mum and Grandmothers
23. How old is your oldest UFO?
Probably about 15 years - a Kaffe Fassett vest - if only I could find it
24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
Labradors
25. What is your favorite holiday?
any that I can spend knitting in either the fresh air or in front of a fire with my feet up!
26. Is there anything that you collect?
Vintage patterns and any patterns with a finished size over 50"
27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
IK; INKitters; Vogue; FCEK; Cast On; Knitting (UK)
28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?
see Amazon lists
29. Any patterns you have been coveting, but haven't bought for one reason or another??
Peacock Shawl
I went back to work on Monday but regretted it almost immediately! The head cold has gone but I'm still left with aching joints and some asthma problems. I had to go back to work - it was too expensive staying at home with the internet and credit card - more of that when the packages arrive.
Progress on the knitting is equally slow but progress is being made on the Violets shawl - I've nearly finished the river section and it has reached that wonderful, crumpled sack look that doesn't work well in photos.
My garden project has made a slow start but I've a few samples ready for inspection on Thursday night at Libertys. I'm hoping to persuade a few of the regulars to join me.
I've been working on the new work rotas which run until Christmas - it's brought home to me how much time I'm going to be devoting to knitting events and shows - I think I only have 4 weekends clear! I'd better start stocking the larder for Matt!
I'm slowly recovering from a few days of the lurgy - no knitting, no work, no Liberty's, no reading,no energy!
Today I feel slightly more human but can't cope with anything more complicated than garter stitch so it looks as if the dishcloth pile will be replenished.
Hopefully I've caught up on things in time to join Secret Pal 6 I enjoy Secret Pal exchanges and have been involved in them on a number of lists for at least 5 years - this is the first time I've joined in the blog one. I hope my pal will identify themselves as SP6 or I could end up totally confusing everyone by thanking the wrong person as I'm still involved with the Welovknitting SKP and AKSKP!
There has been much said and written about Katrina, I've been hearing first hand the impact that it has had on the life of one of my pals and will be putting a care package in the post today in the hope that she will get it when she arrives at the relatives who are offering shelter.
