Yes I'm still alive....

... and this is what I've been doing. Both making baskets (although not this one - that's last year's effort!) and Digital Scrapbooking about it. What do you think? I'm getting used to the process of scrapping digitally, my design skills could do with some improvement though.

Created with PSE6 using several products from DesignerDigitals.com. (I'd give the details, but no-one actually READS this blog anyway. If you really want details, leave a comment and I'll get back to you!)

Holiday Knitting

I'm just back from 10 days visiting family in the Algarve region of Portugal. Here's what I've been knitting while I was away....

I started Luna Moth shawl, got a couple of repeats in and decided I didn't like how it looked, so I frogged it and started a crochet shawl. I didn't like that either so I frogged that too and started on this: 

That was going fine until I got to the part where I had planned to put in repeats of a different lace pattern to spice it up a bit. However that turned out to be too complex for holiday knitting, so I decided it was time to set it aside for a while.

Fortunately I had come prepared, and I had yarn and needles with me for a Revontuli (Northern Lights) Shawl. Seven days later, and here is the result:

Pretty, isn't it? This was a single ball (150g) of Kauni Effect Yarn and the finished shawl blocks out to 160cmwide by 80cm long - a nice, medium-sized shawl. The fingering-weight wool is cozy too, and it's a fairly solid knitted piece so it is lovely and warm. I'm wearing it tonight as it's very cold outside again and it gets cool in the house late at night.

And on that note, I think I'll go to bed now. I have a busy weekend ahead.

Knitting progress

A few pics of my Topsecret sweater. I used a provisional cast on for the sleeves and only knit the top 5cm before joining - I will pick up and knit downwards later.

I have decided not to add the roll 

neck, I think I will just add the purl border now and cast off at the neck.

Just the sleeves to go then!

UFO resolutions

I made a resolution at the start of the year to clear up all the UFO's (UnFinished Objects for you non-knitters!) that are cluttering up my home. I have also added a few that are unstarted but I want to do this year! I am sure my family and other animals will add a few more as the year goes on (like my son who needs a new winter hat).  Here's my progress so far.

1. Tudora 2 now finished 
   
2. Just Enough Ruffles scarf now finished 
   
3. Flora Crochet Mobius cowl now finished 
   
4. Baby Surprise Jacket now finished
   
5. Felted Snuglets finished
   
6. NDS socks (“pot-pourri socks”) finished
   
7. Topsecret sweater about 35-40% done
8. Fishing Mittens (my husband wants me to make a pair - I have finished one.)
9. Buzzbee
   
10. “Leftovers” Tank 
    
11. Shilasdair sweater (to frog and start over as CPH or Rogue?)
12. Wool Peddler’s Shawl (USO)
13. Lake of the Woods wrap (in Manos Silk Blend) (USO) 
    
14. Wicked (in Debbie Bliss Maya) (USO)
15. Gytha in Angora 50%

UK Swap Catchup - Warming your knees.

What has been your favourite finished blanket/lapghan?

I have never knitted one! Oh wait, I did a modular one in mitred squares for my son in 100% acrylic (well babies puke a lot!), it's not on my Ravelry page though. I tend to put on a jumper if it's cool, and if it's chilly in the evenings I snuggle under a HUGE (big enough to cover a king sized bed) fleece blanket on the sofa.

Do you have a favourite pattern that you'd like to make in the future?

I love the Natural Dye Studio's Bessie's Blankets - both knitted and crocheted. I love them all, but my favourites are the triangles, comfort blanket, and watercolour blanket. The colour variations in them are just stunning.

Do you have a favourite type of yarn for making blankets/lapghans

Not yet - I haven't made any apart from the acrylic one mentioned above (and there's enough of that in my stash already, thank you very much!)

UK Swap Catchup - Warming your feet.

What is your favourite way of keeping your feet warm?
Handknitted socks of course!

Do you have a favourite pair of socks you reach for to keep your toes toasty?

Whichever handknit pair are a. near to hand and b. relatively clean...

No seriously, I like all my handknits, a couple of favourites are Firestarter and a Knit-to-fit toe-up pair. I also made myself a pair of grown-up booties, but unfortunately my husband threw them in the wash and they are now tiny felted booties....

Is there a pair of socks/slippers you have been wanting to make for ages but haven't got around to?

I love the Knotty or Knice socks, they remind me of Celtic knotwork patterns (as do these Viking Socks), and there are several patterns in Knitting on the Road that I've been meaning to get round to. I also intend to do Master Coriolis at some point as I have heard good things about Cat Cordhi's patterns but have never tried one. I bought myself the Snuggs pattern too as I thought they look really cozy , but I haven't done those yet either....

What is your favourite finished object that warms your feet?

Socks. I only once got round to making myself a pair of slippers (see above)

What is your favourite yarn to use for socks/slippers?

The Yarn Yard Hug for really soft squishy cozy ones, but I tend to collect lots of different artisan-dyed sock yarn pets, so I always have something new to try. A look at my stash on Ravelry can be pretty revealing....

UK Swap Catchup - Warming your neck.

What is your favourite neck warming pattern?
I don't have one favourite, I have lots... the one I have knitted recently was the Tudora from Knitty.com.  I might make another but to a looser gauge than stated as it was a bit too small for my (freakishly long) neck. Others I like include the Crofter's Cowl, Dragon Scarf, the yummy Confection and the versatile Wisp from Knitty.com.

Do you have a favourite FO?

I often wear my Prismatic scarf, knitted with the lovely skein of Manos Silk blend I received in the last swap, but my current favourite is the crochet cowl I just finished - I have taken to wearing it around the house in the evenings. Amanda has designed a similar cowl called Cassia, which I would like to try too...

Is there a style of neck warmer you particularly like?

 I like the cowls for wearing with a jumper or under a jacket, although if it's really cold I might wrap a big scarf or even a shawl around my upper body under my coat to keep me cozy.

UK Swap Catchup - Warming your head.

What is your favourite style of hat?

I like all sorts of hats - I often wear a red cord cap that matches my red cord coat, but I also wear a fleece hat or a handknitted hat when the weather is cold... I like to change styles to suit my mood! For a slightly smarter option the slouchy berets are a good choice at the moment, but you can't beat a great beanie for cosiness. The Koolhaas is a favourite in that category, interesting and unusual without being outlandish,and I suspect the texture makes it really cozy. I must be one of the few Ravelers who haven't yet knit that one... 

Do you have a favourite yarn for making hats with?

Mostly the same yarns I use for other things - natural fibres, one-off, hand-dyed skeins, it has to be soft or I get an itchy forehead...

What hat patterns are in your queue at the moment? (pops off to check!)

Um, I have twenty-seven hat patterns in my Ravelry queue at the moment, of which only five are for my sons.... as I was saying, I have rather eclectic tastes in hats!

A few of my favourites are the Meret, (and in fact most of Wooly Wormhead's berets!), the Fern Glade, and Porom. For more funky colours, I like this ribbed one, and the Selbu Modern looks like fun to knit too - maybe in slightly less "loud" colours than the sample photo though!

I have also been meaning to knit myself a Fountain Hat for some time now, I just have never got around to it. 

Do you have a favourite handmade hat that you (or someone else) has made?

My Urchin (with a naff photo-sorry!), which I knitted from the leftover skein of yarn from my poncho knitted by my husband - so I can go out all "matchy-matchy"!

Warming Your Hands

I'm posting this late, but better than never....

So, what is your favourite winter warmer for your hands?

I don't have any handknitted gloves or mittens! I have knitted a few pairs of wristwarmers and ended up giving them away as gifts. Mittens are warmer, but of course you have to take them off to open a zip, turn a key, etc. Usually in Scotland it's not so cold that it's a problem for a few seconds though!

I love the stranded mitten patterns - Hippocampus  springs to mind, especially with the lovely variegated colours in it. The Sea Mineral mittens by SpillyJane are beautiful too, I love those colours... I have also bought myself a couple of patterns I haven't knit yet - Very Terhi by Yarnissima, which I have totally gone off after knitting a single "La Digitessa" Sock and deciding the result really wasn't worth the effort... and a favourite one I just bought the other day actually, Fiddlehead Mittens by Adrian Bizilla. I don't have stash yarn for that yet though. There are some really nice colour combos on the Ravelry pages for that pattern.

Are there any patterns out there you would love to own?

I have been trying to get a copy of the Selbuvotter book for ages, it doesn't seem to be available in the UK though. As far as individual patterns go, I love the Lotus Leaf Mittens By Elli Stubenrauch and of course the Fiddlehead mittens, which I already have...  

Or do you already have a winter warmer and you would like some mittens/gloves/handwarmers to match?

Actually I would like to knit a pair to match my Urchin hat, but as the Rowan Chunky Print is now discontinued I think I'm out of luck there. I did finish a scarf in Manos Silk Blend, maybe I could knit a hat or gloves to go with that.

Post about "Warming your hands" on your blog and then link to it in the comments so we can all see what you like!  

Consider it done!

A Finished Object!

I have knitting news! I have been knitting like a crazy woman, and I got it finished in time!

Want a look?

This is the Cheshire Cat Stole I made for my mum for her birthday which is in a couple of days. I finished and blocked it last night and it is ready. It is 170x55cm (blocked) and it took one 55g skein of The Yarn Yard's handdyed "Mist" yarn. I am so pleased with my first "proper" lace project.

Now, Sssshh! No telling my Mum, okay? It's a surprise!

UK swap Questionnaire - Round 3

What kind of kit are you interested in receiving?
Knitting / crochet kit for slippers, mittens, hat, blanket or shawl. Go on, surprise me!

Are you interested in any particular techniques?
Crochet granny squares appeal to me although I don't much care for the "traditional" lurid acrylic granny square blankets (ever noticed the ones in the Dingle household on Emmerdale? Those are totally not me! The Bessies blankets from NaturalDyeStudio though, are a different creature altogether). I also like the idea of combining the knitting and crochet in one project.  I have done a little lace knitting (see below) and a fair number of cabled items. I have never tried two-colour / fairisle, so if you want to include this please keep it simple!

Do you knit, crochet, or both?

Both, although I mainly knit recently. I would not be averse to a nice crochet kit.

What is your favourite colour?

Red, purple, royal blue.

What is your least favourite colour? 

Puce, beige, black.

What’s your style? (elegant, traditional, glamourous, girly, natural, sporty, outgoing, etc.)Hmm this is a tricky one. My style is quite variable! What I like to wear and what I end up wearing are two different things... I like skirts, tights, nice boots or shoes with a bit of a heel, dressy tops; I wear jeans and t-shirts a lot! What can I say, I have two toddlers in the house.  I like timeless classics, the kind of thing that has been tried and tested, maybe with a quirky twist to update it. I'm not averse to things that are a little unusual.

Do you have a favourite type of fiber or brand of yarn?  Anything natural and soft, I adore the Natural Dye Studio and am gradually amassing a collection of "pet" skeins.

Do you have a least favourite type of yarn? Scratchy yarn next to the skin, and anything made from petroleum...
Do you do any other crafts? Yup. Spinning, weaving, dyeing, scrapbooking, feltmaking, soapmaking, papermaking, basketweaving, pottery...  more to the point, what haven't I tried? (answer: Nalbinding and Lucet cord-making)

Are there any knitting accessories you are interested in receiving? 

A £50 Namaste knitting bag? (only half joking!) Actually I have been looking for some kind of tube type thing to store my "sock-in-progress" in, if such a thing exists?

What do you like to eat?

All sorts. My weakness is savoury things - peanuts, salted popcorn, crisps... but I also regularly scoff a Flake if available (or half a tub of Ben&Jerry's!)

Any allergies/preferences (fiber-wise or treat-wise)?

No allergies, although I try to avoid wheat as it doesn't agree with me (and I hate to be disagreeable).  I am working hard to lose weight though so please don't tempt me with a pile of high-calorie snacks!

Anything we missed that you’d like your partner to know?

My home has wooden floors so slippers with wool or felted soles would be, well, slippery!

And I am a "tea jenny" (is that just a Scottish phrase or is it used in the rest of the UK?). By which I mean that I constantly drink tea of many kinds - green, oolong, white tea, herb tisanes (fennel or peppermint). Teabags always go down well! But I don't drink coffee.

Also I imagine myself as a mini-eco-warrior (my family would say hippie) insofaras I am concerned for the environment and have an interest in recycling, composting, conservation, growing vegetables etc. I keep hens in the garden and prefer to avoid non-organic meat where possible.

My family will also tell you I talk a lot. I'll shut up now.

S

x x x 

Knitting Progress

A little about my current projects.

1.Binsenkorbcher socks by Stephanie Van Der Linden.
These are for the October challenge of the Sock Knitters Anonymous Ravelry group.



2. Cheshire Cat Stole
Intended as a gift for my mum, this is progressing far too slowly for my liking




3. Mystic Ice - This Mystery Shawl Knitalong begins on the 17th November. I have set aside a beautiful skein of Angel Laceweight yarn from The Natural Dye Studio in the Aegean colourway.

A Surprise Invitation

It all started a couple of weeks ago with an innocent little envelope, dropped through the letter box. Addressed to me and my father-in-law - although apparently it was intended for my husband and I. My friend (who sent it) was being assisted by her sister, who confused us with another couple. The wife has the same first name as me, and the husband - the same first name as my father-in-law! However, she did manage to get the surname right...

Anyway, I digress. I opened the envelope and found a small card inside - an invitation. Nothing unusual about that - we're always getting invited to little Johnny's Birthday or wee Sarah's Halloween party. But this was no children's party invitation. Oh no, this is an invite to a proper "do". A "Dinner Dance". A Ball.

Of course, I have not been to a ball, in ah, let's see now number of years. Well before I became pregnant with my eldest son (now almost four). The last dress I wore was as my sister's bridesmaid - in 2002! An that was given away a while ago (now several sizes too large). So the only things I have in my wardrobe are jeans, t-shirts, one white shirt, and one smart trousers / jacket outfit. That's about it.

Time for some serious shopping!

I had no Idea where to start, so I booked an appointment with the Debenhams Personal Shoppers, on a morning when my children were at the childminder's. Those ladies are fantastic! They made me a cuppa, sat me down, asked what I wanted and what my preferences were for length / colour cut (not a clue!) what size I wear (and I'm not telling!) and any accessories I might need (magic undies, shoes, jewellery, clutch bag, shrug...)

Then I sat and drank my Earl Grey while they shopped for me! All I had to do was try on dresses and choose what I liked best. Then they brought shoes, bags, undies, a shrug, even jewellery to match. It was the best shopping trip ever. Normally I hate shopping but having someone choose things that a. fit b. suit me and c. are fashionable was brilliant! I spent more than I had hoped (mainly on the shoes) but I am now the proud owner of a beautiful deep red taffeta dress.

I shall go to the ball!

Goodies!!

It has arrived! The parcel from my lovely swap partner, Sally, has arrived. Who wants to see inside?

Just look at all those lovely goodies - all for me!

First up, we have the "pointy things" - lovely wooden needles with the cutest Fimo tops! I will enjoy knitting on these...

Next (and a vital component of every swap parcel!) - sock yarn!  A skein of Bonny from The Yarn Yard in a lovely terracotta colour. 

A book! Sally must be psychic as she managed to work out that I am an avid reader without my ever mentioning it (at least I don't think I did...). Of course this one has a knitting theme, even better!

Next up... more Yarn Yard loveliness. This time it's a soft, squishy batt of lovely carded fibres ready to spin! I can try out my recently-acquired wheel with this! Might even spin some sock yarn...

The next one is slightly surreal. Without further ado, I present to you - a tube of Udder Cream!

I have not been brave enough to use it on my milk-producing organs yet, but I have used a dab on my hands and it is lovely.

And last up, but by no means least... I have saved the best till last.

(A hushed silence of anticipation would be appropriate at this stage...)

Just look at this! I am in love with a skein of yarn! Silky and soft and yummy, and the most beautiful colourway imaginable! I have been coveting this for some time now. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Sally, it is sooo lovely.

And just to sum up, a piccy of all the goodies together. Just because.

EXCITED?

Just a short post today. I received an email from my "Secret Pal" to tell me that my UK Swap parcel is on it's way! I will be shadowing the postlady until it arrives.

Photos will be posted as soon as it gets here! Goody!

I have not yet posted mine but I have started wrapping things up, it will be on its way very soon...

Question of The Week no 6

The topic is music this week:
Of all the bands/artists in your cd/record collection, which one do you own the most albums by? U2

What was the last song you listened to? Misere Mei, Deus - Harry Christophers and The Sixteen

What’s your favorite local band? Honestly? I don't know any! Mums of toddlers don't get out too much :o(
What’s the worst CD/record/etc. you’ve ever bought? Something by Jason Donovan - I can't remember which one it was!
What was the first single/album you ever bought? Something by Jason Donovan... see above!

Question of The Week no 5

Quick fire questions this week, based on a game I've played with friends whilst on (very long) car journeys!Choose one - don't think just choose...
1. Stop or go? Go
2. Going out or Staying in? Staying In
3. Small town or big city? Small town
4. Happy or sad? Happy
5. Straights or Circulars? Circulars
6. Red or Blue? Blue
7. Seaside or countryside? Seaside8. Fish or chips? Fish
9. Surprises or plans? Surprises
10. Wine or beer? Wine
11. Sweaters or cardigans? Sweaters
12. Pizza or Pasta? Pizza
13. Chopsticks or fork? Chopsticks

14. Early Bird or Night Owl? Night Owl
15. Knitting or crochet? Knitting
16. Hot or cold? Cold
And here's the mosaic generated from my answers:

1. Go Green!!!, 2. Like stay in heaven., 3. small town, 4. don't worry be happy new year, 5. Circular Staircase at the Lighthouse, Glasgow, 6. Blue Morpho, 7. Seaside Symmetry, 8. Fishing, 9. Surprised door knob, 10. 41/365 Wanted: Wine Gum Conveyor Belt, 11. tree sweater, 12. Pizza Mau, 13. ...what kind of chopsticks, today?, 14. Fred the Night Owl, 15. bowl of knitted easter eggs, 16. Cold feet at Multnomah Falls

Question of The Week no 4

A knitting theme this week...

What is your favourite thing that you have knit? (It might not be your favourite thing to wear but it was the most enjoyable to knit). The Mary Poppins Socks I have just finished!

What is the worst thing you've ever knit? A Shawl in Fleece Artist Kiss Curls. Horrible colours, horrible yarn - just horrible , really!

What are your favourite knitblogs?  I don't read any but I like to watch the LetsKnit2gether podcats and listen to Lime'n'Violet.

What is the most amazing knitted thing you have seen (This Ravelry thread might help)The knitted coracle in the back of "A Gathering of Lace". I have no idea why anyone would want to knit such a thing, but it was impressive nonetheless.

What is your favourite knitted item to wear? Post a picture if you can. Socks! These are the ones I just finished:

Week 3 Questionnaire

I know, I'm doing these out of order and way too late. I have been away though!

Is there a TV programme you watch religiously? Actually I don't have a TV... I have been renting Heroes on DVD though and am really enjoying it!

What TV programme(s) do you avoid like the plague? "Reality TV" - Big Brother, The Island,  anything that involves voyeurism and voting off contestants. I'm just not interested.

Is there a TV programme that you find works particularly well for knitting along to? Anything I can follow by listening to it, without watching too closely.

What was/is your favourite kids TV programme? Postman Pat. He is one serious dude. He can snowboard, play football, fly kites - your classic all-action hero! And a nice guy too...

Sock Knitting & Circular needles

Some knitting progress: I have recently joined the Colin's Sock Knitalong Yahoo group, learning to make sock using Colin Andersson (knitman) 's method.

I had a couple of false starts as my two longest toes are significantly longer than the others, so my overall foot shape is fairly pointed - and the first couple of toes I knit were too wide.

I think I have finally cracked it though - here is a picture of my progress so far. I am knitting the main part of the sock in a simple charted lace pattern that I adapted from another pattern I saw on Ravelry. (I think it was socks called Spring Forward from Knitty.com)

I started each sock on one circular using magic loop, once I was sure they would fit I got them both to the same point in the pattern and transferred them so I can knit them "two socks on two circulars" style.

I had treated myself to some new circular needles for this, and as I couldn't decide what brand would be best, I ordered one each of four types - Addi "premium" (also known as Turbo I think), Addi Lace, Knitpicks, and Knitpicks Harmony.

My first impressions were that they were all good needles, so I picked two at random when I started knitting - the two Addis. They both have reasonably flexible cables and the points are good, Addi claim the lace ones have sharper points but on a 2.5mm needle there's not much in the point itself, although I think the shaft of the lace needle is tapered slightly further up. 

The red cable on the lace needle feels firmer to the touch than the premium, but it have found it to kink less often. 

However it is in the coating on the needle that I really see a difference. New, they both felt similar - perfectly smooth and shiny. However after knitting only one sock toe on each needle, I find that the lace needle is dragging the stitches, making them difficult to slide along the needle - and I am not a particularly tight knitter. When I transferred the socks to the two circs, I took out the lace needle to have a look at it, and the shiny gold-coloured coating now looks dull. I tried washing the needle as I wondered if it had become coated in someting transferred frm my hands, but it made little difference. The impression I have is that the perspiration from my fingers might have corroded the surface of the needle - I can't use standard cross-stitch needles for that reason, needing to buy gold-plated ones instead. I have swapped it for the Knitpicks metal needle as it was becoming so difficult to work with.

The knitpicks has a much softer cable than the Addi, and again the tip is a similar shape and made of smooth metal. I can't yet comment on how it is in use as I've not used it enough. Ditto the Knitpicks Harmony which I haven't used at all yet.

I have to say that overall I am disappointed with the Addi Lace needle - the other Addi is fine, but both are more expensive than the alternatives (the Addis retail at £4.95 each, both knitpicks types at £3.00 each, and HiyaHiya stainless steel ones at £3.29 each)

For the money, I would have expected the Addi Lace to perform much better than it has - I may still contact the retailer about it and see if I can get a replacement. In future though I think I'll stick to HiyaHiyas or Knitpicks, as so far I have failed to see an improvement in quality to match the increase in price. However if the environment is your main concern, my pick would be the Addi premiums. Manufactured in Germany, they have a much lower transport footprint for UK buyers than needles manufactured in China or the US.