Yesterday was a very grey and damp day in London. The commute was dire but everytime I looked up from my knitting and looked around total strangers were smiling at me. At first i thought I must be dressed oddly; then I worried I might have something sticking in my hair etc.
It was only when I saw them looking at my hands that I realised the smiles were for pink frilly knitting!
back to work yesterday to hear the good news that one of my staff has had a baby girl - the first girl for me to knit for in 3 years!
So this morning I grabbed a ball of pink 4ply, picked out a frilly lace cardigan pattern, found my small needles and set off for work. I got ready to cast on for the back and for a newborn size (finished chest = 16") they want me to cast on 316 stitches!
Think I'll be surfing the net in my lunch hour to look for something more suitable!
Later Entry
Once the caffeine had kicked in I realised (before Fred pointed it out!) that of course it needed the extra stitches for the frill - it was just the shock of casting on that many for a 2 day old baby!
I decided to start with a front to see how I got on - all I can say is that there must be easier ways of making a ruffle - still once I got down to a more manageable number of stitches the stitch pattern for the rest of the cardigan is easily memorised.I'll persevere tomorrow and see if I can get to a photo stage with any of it.
Polly has managed to get us back up and running - you can now leave comments and will have to preview them before posting - that much of th explanation I understand - the rest of it was far too technical for me!
Feeling somewhat better today and armed with a new folding walking stick I ventured out this morning. The first stop was the post office followed by coffee and Knit session 1 with Sue She's busy stoking up on food ready for the Moonwalk on Saturday.
I then hopped onto a bus and headed for town where I met Matt and Dawn for lunch and Knit session 2. No real knitting done but Dawn bailed me out of the Neroli dilema by handing over a ball of chamonix in the right colour and dyelot! We also talked stash until Matt's eyes glazed over.
Knit session 3 happened after I had been to the osteopath, I needed ro recover before the journey home so 3 hours of sitting and knitting in Liberty's was very theraputic.
It's a few years since I've had to resort to using a stick to get around and people's response to it was amazing - did you know that using a stick makes you an invisible customer in department stores - normally you have to run the gauntlet of people wanting to spray you with perfume, cover you in make- up etc. , today I was invisible.
The journey home was enlivened by a young man covered in tatoos and piercings who kept singing on the train having enjoyed a few alcoholic beverages. We got off of the train at the same stop, I waited to let the stampede of suited gents go up the steps. The singer waited as well and then with great courtesy offered me his arm to lean on to climb the steps safely.
normal life has been disrupted yet again!
This time round it's an attack of gout which has had me feeling miserable since saturday. Still at least this time I get to sit at home with my feet up and knit.
I'm being entertained by Matt who has found the last 49 years of Eurovision winners and is playing them to me out of sequence and making me guess the artist, the year and the country.
Late tonight he found this years entries - I'm looking forward to hearing Terry Wogan's comments on the Lithuania entry.
p.s. we've been hit by mega spam so you can't leave a comment at present!
I'm looking forward to spoiling my SP8 pal, I have the details and I've also had a card from the person spoiling me so life is looking up - I do enjoy those mystery parcels coming through the letterbox!
I've also got my partner for the Rowan Hearth and Home Exchange which means I plan to spend most of the weekend with my head in the books plotting what to make and then diving into the stash garage to see what I have to make it from. If there is nothing suitable then I can go yarn shopping - that could be dangerous!!
T Twist tee
A great , fast knit that I enjoyed wearing. Knitted over 2 weekends using a cotton aran yarn supplied by my yarn pusher.
I can see me making more of these.
A bit of a nightmare trying to photo this one, the light kept bouncing all over the place! Just to prove that it is finished and before the baby is born. Hope the boss likes it.
Apples at Liberty
The artsy shot c/o Nickerjac
Texas Shawl
After all the finishing comes the start of a new lace project - this time it's the Daisy Meadows Shawl knitted in mohair sent from Texas by my SP7 Pal, Angi.
On TWO items this weekend!
The Apple blanket is done, I decided to not do the final block as it would have made the blanket too long for it's intended purpose. I wanted it to be suitable for the pram or carry cot and doing 4 blocks is plenty long enough.
The pattern is from the RYC Bambino book and I used the recommended yarn. I liked the pattern, I liked the yarn, I like the finished object so why did I not enjoy the process of making it! I prevaricated like nobody's business!
The second item is the T Twist Tee and was made over 2 weekends using a cone of that wonderful cotton from Coldspring Mill. An easy pattern to work and one of the best fits from a garment I've had for a long while - I think I can see more of these in my future!
Pictures to follow once the items are dry.
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I'm beginning to enjoy working with finer yarns and prefer to use wool, mohair or silk. My favourite staple yarn is Jaeger Exra Fine Merino DK. Last year I discovered Wagtail Yarns 4ply mohair and fell in love with the yarn and the colours.
I find working with cotton and linen very hard on my hands. I do work with Acrylics when knitting for my nieces as their mum wants things she can throw in the washing machine.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
When not being used they are in a 6 drawer cabinet, divided into UK (metric and English) and US sizes and then into straights and circulars I alo have a couple of needle cases that I use when I'm working at shows and dream of finding the perfect "toolkit" case for shows
3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
Over 40 years! I'm prepared to have a go at most things once but am better at lace than cables.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
I have lists with Amazon.com and with Amazon.co.uk
5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
I like single flower scents ie rose, lavender. I'm allergic to Vanilla
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I do but I'm diabetic so should not be encouraged to indulge!
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I crochet and sew. I like portable crafts as most of my craft time is on public transport.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
My tastes are fairly eclectic, playlist today includes Kate Rusby, Michael Bouble, The Eagles and the Stereophonics. I play MP3's on my laptop
9. 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 reds, blues and purples but have also recently included dark browns, golds and orange. I look ill in pale/neutral colours
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Married to Matt for 25 years in October, no kids of our own but knit for my nieces age 3 and 5. No pets at present (unless dust bunnies count)
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I wear shawls, hats and gloves.
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Shawls and hats
13. What are you knitting right now?
A Baby blanket, a lace shawl, a cotton top for me, wool cardigan for me and several dozen other wip's that were stalled but I'm now determined to finish
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
I love them!
My first Secret Pal exchange was over 8 years ago and I was given a crocheted chatelaine which included a pin cushion, clippers, needle gauge and thimble holder. I have used this daily ever since.
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I tend to knit on circulars, addi or innox but my favourite is my ebony 4.5mm. I plan to invest in more in smaller sizes.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Both but still prefer to wind by hand unless it is laceweight
17. How did you learn to knit?
My Gandmothers, Aunts and Mother knitted as did 2 of my uncles - I can't remember a time when I didn't knit
18. How old is your oldest UFO?
The oldest project i'm still hoping to finish is 4 years old
19. What is your favorite holiday?
Anywhere I can sit in peace and warmth and knit prefeably in the fresh air
20. Is there anything that you collect?
Vintage patterns
21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I've just had a book buying binge but there are still plenty on my Amazon lists. There's a new paisley stole pattern from Fiddlesticks Knitting that I'd love to own.The other pattern I keep meaning to buy is the Peacock shawl.
I subscribe to both UK knitting magazines; Interweave Knits; Inknitters; Cast On;Vogue Knitting and Knit Simple.
I'd like to see the US Creative Knitting as I can't get that easily in the UK
22. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
How to make Orenberg lace
23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I'm not a sock knitter as I have gauge problems and my hands don't like me knitting so tightly. I'm a real fan of wearing handknit socks and the pairs I own are treated with reverence! I wear a UK size 8 shoe
24. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
August 3
A dress rehersal for the wedding next weekend - the girls put on their outfits and danced around the room!
Not much knitting done as I found it far more interesting to play with the girls; go shopping at a European Food Market and then cook dinner for 8 people.
Matt fixed phones, repaired computers, walked dogs and took loads of photos.
We had a good journey back home as well and now reality has struck and I need to get some chores done and some work for the office.