Happy Dance Sunday!

Today's been a Good Day. So far, I have blocked out my Swan Lake (Mystery Stole 3) and my Fir Cone Shawl. Jon has promised to take pictures tomorrow, so I will post then, hopefully. Both are absolutely beautiful - I was in love with Swan Lake as I knitted it, went a little doubtful on the wing, but have fallen madly back in love with it once blocked. The Fir Cone has been well worth it, as well. And whoever first mentioned the Strimmer cable as a blocking aid has my heartfelt thanks. It worked like a charm, and was well worth the muttered curses as I threaded it through the straight edges of Swan Lake, and the straight edge and points of the Fir Cone.
Then, after arriving home nearly 2 hours late, the Helena I had my eye on on the Posh Yarn shop was still there, so I snaffled that as well, as a reward for my blocking.
Finally, upon checking my email, I found my Ravelry Invite! So Panperoxide is now officially there, and will be adding her stash bit by bit. This is going to be a revelation to me - all those skeins of wool I have hidden in nice little hidey holes are going to be forced out into the light for all to see. Ulp.
I've also got up to 5 repeats of the basket weave done on my first Hanami. It's looking very pretty - but I need a little distraction after each repeat so I don't start to get bored... Once I get off the basket weave, it's a new chart every 32 rows, so there's no chance to get bored - not a criticism, just I am a very impatient person, and I'm likely to muck it all up by thinking - well - six isn't so much less than seven, if I'm not careful.
So - more photos tomorrow. Off to carry on happy dancing...

Counting Down....

I'm off to Woolfest for the first time on Saturday - I'm really looking forward to it - I've never been before, but from what other people are saying, it's going to blow me away. I'm going with an open mind, and an open purse (if my bank manager is reading this, I am very, very sorry). No real shopping list, except for about 1000 yards of nice laceweight something in black, white or a variation, in order to start on Mystery Stole 3. And anything else nice that I can think of. It's a lovely drive from here as well - straight along the A69 (A696 if the weather's nice, and I feel brave). I just hope this rain stops and no-one else gets flooded out, and everyone who wants to go can make it. We've been OK up here, but we were flooded out when I was little (Carrie Anne will probably remember this as well), when I woke up one morning to most of the living room furniture stacked in my bedroom, and the Irish Sea in the house. It was exciting when I was 6, (I got evacuated - first to Poulton le Fylde, then to my Uncle's in Stockport) but I feel for anyone affected. I'm thinking of anyone who's having to suffer it.

I'm currently up to 15 repeats on the fir cone shawl, and flagging. For some reason, I seem stuck with a fir cone neckerchief. Perhaps the knitting fairies will pop round and make it grow? Sometimes I seem to get stuck, and suddenly I get a burst, and my WIP comes flying off my needles. Other times, I end up with yet another UFO. And I've started a tie - first of a pair for Stuart Maconie and Mark Radcliffe - I suggested a song for "the Chain" on their radio show on Radio 2, and got on air - they asked what my hobbies were, and of course I mentioned knitting - so we had a chat, and I ended up promising to knit them a couple of ties. Which I've started, so watch this space.

And with Honey Florence arriving, I'm getting a yen to knit cute pink things. I've got my eye on a dress in Knit Today, if I can find a few spare days from somewhere. Hopefully, she's bringing her Mummy and Daddy down to visit soon, so I can dote on her in person, rather than by webcam. Not to mention Deb Barnhill's Coupling socks on Knitty.

Well, nuff for now. Another repeat on the fir cones to do...

Love,

Claire x