Look what arrived from my SP8_pal - hand knit socks for me on Posh Yarns Cashmere!!!
There was a lot more in the package - photos and effusive thanks will appear later once my computer is fixed. I'm writing this in the cafe and don't have access to a lot of my links and settings!
Saturday afternoon was spent in the company of Two Sue's and Beth, lots of knitting, crochet and drooling over Japanese bag patterns. I'm trying to resist the temptation of heading off to Ebay to buy my own copies.
For some reason Sue turned bashful when I tried to take her photo - can this really be the same person who had her face in two of the knitting magazines this month?
I've finished Pampas, just need to finish blocking it and sew on the frogs and buttons. I ripped back 4 rows of the Swallowtail as I lost track of the Lily of the Valley pattern. I plan to do a test piece in dk cotton this afternoon before I go back to the alpaca
I'm getting ready to post my final SP8 gift and have managed to misplace the item I knitted for my pal - it hasn't turned up in any of the usual places I hide items that need sewing up so she may have to wait for it!
I've had a quiet weekend at home with the exception of a short drive out with Matt in search of a graphics card for his computer. We ended up sitting in a traffic jam on one of the busiest stretches of road in SE London but the view from the window were rural.
A few years ago we would spend nearly every Sunday up here flying kites and then heading to the pub with the boys - wish I had the stamina for that these days!
Progress on the knitting front - Pampas now has a back, 2 fronts and a sleeve completed. The 2nd sleeve is on the needles so I read the next bit of the pattern and it says I have to crochet scallops all around the garment - better get the swear box handy!
Last weekend was very difficult here, Matt had a very stressful day on Friday combined with feeling ill. He fell asleep on the train coming home, missed his stop, woke up further down the line and jumped off the train only to realise moments later that his camera case was still on the train.
He called me, I called the transport police, they radioed the train driver who searched the train (3 stops down the line) but found nothing. Matt was seriously annoyed with himself as he had lost his favourite camera and lenses - a mere £4000+ worth. I'm sure you can imagine how he felt.
We went through the rigmarole of reporting it, listing all the individual bits and pieces. They asked what was in the bag that would make it distinctive from other camera bags - his answer was "a Knitting Magazine" - it was only then that I realised he had been carrying it around for over 6 months and showing anyone who would look his first published photos (of the knitted nature trail).
The insurance company would do nothing for 10 days in case it was handed in - fat chance we thought looking at the local area.
Yesterday I got a phone call to say that something sounding like his case had been handed in. He collected it and everything is there - huge sighs of relief. The person who had found it had had to wait to hand it in to station staff on Monday, refused to leave a name so we cannot say thank you or show our appreciation.
My faith in human kindness has been reinforced!
Dawn reminded me that I've not blogged for a while - no I haven't been on holiday but stuck in the office for most of last week with NVQ candidates portfolios deadlines and an inspection on the same day!! I finished work early yesterday and treated myself to a quick visit to her office on the way to the station - I got to drool over her laceswap package. I've finally got all the bits together I plan to send and the package will go out at the weekend.
This week is Girl's Week - I can usually escape for a few days and go and play. This time around I managed a day and had a great time decorating light bulbs and playing with Friendly Plastics making pendants with the girls - great fun!
There is some knitting going on - I'm acting as an "Angel" for the Rowan Hearth and Home Exchange and that is nearly finished so I'll be able to show photos soon. I started the Swallowtail Shawl, dropped a stitch and ended up ripping 80+ rows . I restarted it yesterday so we'll see if I can finish it this time!
I'm also working on Pampas from Rowan 40 but using some Ribbon Twist that I had to hand not the recommended Big Wool.
The stitch pattern is one I'm very familiar with - it's known as the FAVE by my dishcloth knitting pals!
Earlier this year I promised Matt that I would sort out and get rid of some of my book, magazine and yarn stash. Since then a lot more has arrived and it is time to keep my promises.
I'd also pledged to try to raise some funds to help with the KCG libray move - so here is the first item to get listed on ebay!
and here's the link http://cm.ebay.com/cm/ck/1065-29296-2357-0?uid=5579343&site=0&ver=LCA080805&item=180015308912&lk=URL
I haven't given up my dream of one day knitting China Roses but decided that as I already have 2 copies of the pattern this one can go!
Finances Chez Stash are tight again (albeit temporarily - we hope!) so Matt had to get creative over my gift this year. What do you do for the woman who owns so much yarn, computers and cameras?
You take her away for an weekend trip to stay here, a quiet hotel about 2 hours drive from home with good food and wine.
Normally our short trips away include a visit to a National Trust property, a zoo or an event. So what had he planned for my entertainement this time?
Bet you didn't suspect this!
Or this?
I had 2 days of opening boxes and discovering some of the buried treasure of the KCG Library. I found knitting videos I had never seen; audio tapes of people I had never heard of and some that I had and wished I had a cassette player handy to listen to immediately!
There were full sets of partworks; boxes of magazines; a treasure trove of Rowan including copies of their Journals and boxes and boxes of miscellainious patterns.
Here are some of my favourites from the first box I opened....
I want to come and play here every day!
On a serious note - the Guild will need to raise significant funds to rehouse the Library - I think I see some serious destashing of personal possessions soon, probably via ebay and I'll donate the proceeds to the Library Fund
Fantastic timing - my Rowan Exchange gift arrived this morning - my birthday!
Deb Jenner has excelled herself knitting me the cable socks from One Skein and then indulged my passion for lace knitting by sending a pattern and some fabulous merino laceweight
I've had a very knitterly birthday so far - thanks to everyone who has sent cards and gifts. The yarn content was high much to Matt's dismay but I'm happy I have yarns for 4 lace projects (Misti Alpaca in 2 different colours, Jaggerspun Zephyr and merino lace) and my youngest sister sent me enough Rowanspun Aran to knit a coat. I have patterns for crochet flowers, shawls and hats - I really don't know where to start!
My SP8 pal is brilliant ! After a great package a few days ago this arrived on my birthday - now there's no excuse for not having the right tools with me when I do a show
Lixie - I don't have any instructions that I can email over - what a disgrace - I'll have to see what we can do about that. There is a good DVD to buy that has lots of examples and hints by Dorret Conway knitknack
Gill - the tank is based on the Lotus Blossom tank from IK. I worked out what needle size I would need to make it fit in the bust area and then what finished measurement I would need around the hips. basically, I used a needle size 3 sizes larger for the first lace section, then dropped a size per lace band until I got to the right size and gauge for the bodice. I wanted the neckline higher so knitted the back section first and then worked the front but extending the section by a further 12 rows (continuing with the decreases as set). I pinned it and tried it on, decided it needed to be higher so knitted a further 6 rows before casting off. I used the SWT Bamboo yarn and it was a joy to work with
Question
My USA lace patterns come in page protecters with 3 holes - why can I not buy a 3rng binder over here to put them in? If anyone nows of any sources I'd be grateful as I need to get them all stored in one place!!