A Post! With Photos!!!

I’ve not been wasting my time… Finally there was 10 minutes of light yesterday, so I took some photographs. Here we have three handspun yarns. The top one is the End of September club yarn from The Yarn Yard (Bramble Crumble). The second one is also from The Yarn Yard, and came un-named – as I was spinning it, I realised it made me think of Refresher sweets with all the lovely sherberty colours – so I have named this BFL Superwash Refreshers. Finally, there is Lafant Glas – Falkland from Mam a Mi. You may notice that there are only 2 skeins – more on that later. I got 300 yards or so from each 100g, using my Golding Cherry Tsumani for the singles, and then my Louet spindle for Andean Plying.

I’ve also been a bit busy knitting. Firstly, the reason why I only had 2 skeins of Lafant Glas left to photograph - my Spiraluscious. I love this neckwarmer. I love the yarn, the pattern, just everything about it. It’s an Anne Hanson design, and wow – that woman can design good looking but straightforward lace, can’t she? (Yes - I cast on Friday, and grafted the edging together Saturday - have noted in the "omigoditschristmasnextweekandIhavenothingspecialfor..." file!)

Then, I snaffled some Helena Aran from Posh Yarn a couple of weeks ago, and turned it into a Darkside Cowl by Sarah Fama, and a Woolly Wormhead Spring Cap (wishful thinking!).

And, a pair of Aran Island Slippers from Interweave Knits Holiday 2008 for my MiL knitted in Rooster Almerino Aran.

Oh... and I got them off my hands long enough to take a photo! My Cranford Mitts - from The Yarn Yard Kit I bought at Woolfest.

Busy, busy, busy.

On the spindle at the moment is 2oz of Gotland that I got as part of a Spinners Set from Spindlefrog. The Spinners Set is a brilliant idea - 2oz each of 6 unusual fibres all dyed in the same colourway. I love it, as I get a chance to play, and can decide before I commit to a load of something which may be quite expensive, and which I'm not keen on. The Gotland is lovely. Very silky with a long staple.

On the needles are the Estonian Lace Christening Shawl, my Guess at Tess’ Shawl, a pair of Undulating Lace Socks in Wollmeise Suzanne for a Christmas Present, and a Booga bag (adapted slightly by using smaller needles and more stitches to accommodate finer yarn) in Kauni.

In Arm News, there is little news - still waiting for the MRI Results, however things have Deteriorated, and after having negligable sleep for nearly a week, I went to the GP this morning. So I'm on Codeine, which isn't the best, but it has to be better than lying there, tossing and turning, and trying to find somewhere to put my arm where it doesn't hurt!

Busy, busy, busy… But Fun, Fun, Fun!

Feast or Famine....

It's definitely feast or famine round here... I have finished Edgy by Susan Pierce Lawrence (yes, the lady who brought us the Forest Canopy Shawl), and it is blocked and photographed (insert smug look here).

And a close up of the lovely laciness!

It's a lovely pattern to knit, and is available for free via the Knotions magazine which is well worth a look - mine's only the second live project on Ravelry after Susan's! I knitted it in Posh Yarn Lei, colour Peacock, which is lovely iridescent deep blues and greens. It doesn't show up too great in the photos, as the light here has been rubbish since I unpinned it. This is version B, which is for 4-Ply (a DK version is available).
So now that my Ravelympics projects are complete, what's next? Baby things - that's what! My Auntie's friend is due to have a baby in November, and that baby will be kitted out in a BSJ in Colinette Jitterbug in Mardi Gras (mad bright rainbow colours) and Hazel Roots' Estonian Lace Christening Shawl, which I am knitting in the lovely undyed laceweight from Andy at Bluefaced, which is now available from Nicki at Laughing Hens in single skeins (look under Bluefaced, then Angel). 1200 yards per skein is pretty good value - it's cobweb weight, but with a slight halo, and is feeling so soft and snuggly as I am knitting it.
Oh yes - and MS4 is starting next week - sign up now via the link on Pinklemontwist's blog. For this, I'm going to be using Fyberspates Nef Lace in Lilac, together with some transluscent opal seed beeds (the beads are an integral part of the pattern this year, and so not optional. Pretty, pretty colour:

OK - so you're probably all linked out now.... so I'll go.

Ravelympics

Well - thank you Ravelympics! During the Beijing games, Ravelry's been inviting members to knit a challenge, the start time being the opening ceremony and the end time being the closing ceremony. I committed to 4 projects - to finish my Slow Bee shawl in WIP Wrestling (I was really enjoying the pattern, but with over 800 stitches per row, I was really flagging by the final 2 clies), to knit a Whisp Wrist Warmer from my own handspun, to knit Anne Hanson's Orchid Lace Scarf from Knitspot, and to knit Susan Pierce Lawrence's Edgy Scarf.
So how did I do? Let's see the evidence...

This is the Slow Bee 1 - a Faeroese Mystery Shawl by Monika Eckert. Lovely pattern - using over 2000 yards of laceweight and nearly 2 large tubs of Gutermann 9/0 beads. I've not blocked it too hard, as I wanted a snuggly winter wrap, rather than a gossamer weight wisp of a thing. It's massive - I'm 5' 7", so you can probably get the scale from the photo. I used 100PureWool Merino Lace from Uruguay, bought from Ebay.

This is my Whisp - pattern my Mazzmatazz, and published in the Guardian newspaper (although I am currently having some issues with the Guardian - it seems to be using knitting in a peculiar fashion at the moment). The yarn was some merino fibre from Shunklies on Etsy, which I span myself to about a DK weight on my spindle from Whorl Drop Spindles, then knitted up. This is my second handspun that could be called yarn, and since then, I have joined the Yarn Yard Fibre Club, and bought more lovely fibre from Mam a Mi, so I can quite safely say I am addicted. This may only be a teeny tiny knit, but I am so proud of it.

Finally, my Orchid Lace Scarf from Knitspot. I knitted this with Posh Yarn Eva 2-Ply in Faraway Tree, which was a deep, dark forest green with paler flashes. I love the pattern - simple and elegant. Anne Hanson designs such beautiful patterns that are a joy to knit.
I "failed" on Edgy - I am currently 21 repeats through out of 30. I am loving the pattern, and am looking forward to finishing it in the next few days.

FO Eye Candy

You know I've been a busy little bee lately - well I finally got a Round Tuit (feel free to groan - this is a reference to many holidays in the Lake District...) and got busy with the camera...

First, we have Jaywalkers:

Yarn - Posh Yarn Lucia 4 Ply/Sock
Colour - Garden Party
Needles - 2.75mm DPNs
And a quick edit - I have "fluffy" ankles (12" when measured around from the point of my heel in a diagonal) - I knit up the "large" size Jaywalkers, with a cast on of 84 stitches, and they fit me perfectly.

Next, we have Nutkin:

Yarn - Posh Yarn Laura 4 Ply / Sock
Colour - Gypsy
Needles - 2.75mm DPNs

Then, we have a Bonfire Night Scarf in Noro Blossom...


And in more Noro loveliness, a Felted Ruffle Bag in Kureyon:


Clapotis in 100%Wool's Merino Worsted:


And Jared Flood's Koolhaas in Posh Yarn Victoria Aran, colourway Cavern (yes - I finished it, in secret, for Christmas for Jon!)


Finally for now, a WIP - the wonderful Jon bought me Victorian Lace Today for Christmas - what a beautiful book that is. And I couldn't resist. I have my Knitpicks Harmony Interchangeables, I have a ball of Cherry Tree Hill Merino Lace, and I have a photo of the Spider's Web Shawl (Half Hexagon) in progress:


It looks a little scruffy at the moment, however it will block beautifully.

I had a lovely Christmas - I spent the week before running round frantically, before heading down to my Uncle's in Cheshire for a family get together the Sunday before. We headed back on Christmas Eve, and I got my Mince Pies baked and Carols from Kings watched.

Christmas Day was quiet - we spend most of the day together, just the two of us, opening presents, cooking and eating a mountainous Christmas Dinner, and listening to Christmas music. Jon excelled himself with knitting related goodies for me - VLT, Interweave Scarf Style, and a teddy and a Shaun the Sheep kit. Plus lots of little surprises. All good. No stinkers (there never have been, in nearly 15 years). We went to my Dad's in the evening, for a warm cuppa and a natter, then relaxed for a couple of days.

Saturday 29th was Jon's Mum's birthday, so we headed down to the West Midlands for a tour of his family, which lasted through until 2nd January, when we headed back up via Salford, so I could visit the family grave on my Mum's anniversary.

In short, I've done everything I wanted to. We've relaxed, and had a warm family time, which is what I wanted from Christmas this year. Last year was shocked, upsetting, confusing and most of all, busy, with me never being in the right place at the right time - my Mum was seriously ill in Atlanta, so I flew out there at the last minute, booking and changing flights like a professional Travel Agent, then flying back into Paris, on the last leg, I found out Jon's mum had been taken into hospital. All the plans we had were swapping and changing, and neither of us know if we were coming or going. It got sadder, however, we're through it now, and have been able to celebrate and commemerate this year, and spend some time with Jon's mum as well (although she was home by the time we got to Walsall, she wasn't well, and so we didn't want to add to her woes by staying over).

I shed a tear this New Years - mainly because this year has to be a better bet, and I was wrapped up safe and warm with Jon's family.

And - he'll probably kill me for this - but this is he - "posing" in his Christmas present...

A Learning Curve

Firstly, I have learned that if Flickr isn't playing, it's wise to make sure that one is logging on with one's correct account. (ahem).
Newcastle also does not have congestion. That is Official. Even though it took me one hour and ten minutes to get 10 miles tonight, it is not congestion. That is why we will not be getting a congestion charge here. Which I would pay, as it's a pain for me to get to work by public transport - not to mention I'm not happy about hanging around dark bus stops on my own - especially not with Bonfire Night coming up). It would also be cheaper than moving house.
Someone is looking after me - I had got in too late for the Posh Yarn that I wanted (boo!) but Dee had a cancellation - and it was for the yarn I wanted - I was browsing and dreaming, and nipped on and got it.
So I'm feeling a lot better about things. I need to stop being grumpy, as with me, it just breeds grumpiness. I also picked up a Knitmaster Wool Winder for £4 + postage on Ebay, which is going to be great for winding all my skeins. And it's just like the one my Mum used to let me wind her wool with when I was younger, so I got a bit misty eyed when I was playing with it tonight. Small things and all that.
We had a pretty good weekend - Jon is from Walsall, and supports the football team - they were playing in Hartlepool on Saturday, so I drove us down, and we had a really good afternoon. Hartlepool's a great ground to visit - the fans are friendly, there's tonnes of free parking, the food's good (meat and potato pies - heaven for a Lancashire Lass), and there's a pretty good pub on Jackson's Wharf. Then we went to the local pub quiz last night (are we spotting a theme here?), and came second - which was much better than we expected. AND I got the yarn I wanted in the Posh Yarn sale last night.
Good things do happen to me - I should just notice them more. I'm cracking on with my second Hanami, too - I'm into the Transition chart now - and from now, the charts are all different, which will keep me on my toes. I've also been getting on with my second Tyrolean Stocking. Unfortunately, there's no pictures as yet - when I dug out the camera, I remembered that I needed to recharge the batteries... Silly me. Maybe I'll get myself together for next time.
But now I shall go, as Murphy's Law is on tonight, and Jim Nesbitt is a tonic for any female!

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...

Happy Dance!

I'm doing a happy dance today! Look what Anne at Knitspot has published today (please look, please do - NAYY) - her Honeybee Stole! Isn't it beautiful? I was tempted by the triangular shawl, but heard a rumour of rectangular loveliness, so waited patiently. Now what I need to do is find something to knit it in (hint hint Dee & Mr P - something in an amber-y honey coloured 2 ply Eva would be divine, if only I could get to it first!) Of course, this may test my new-found confidence in my ability to knit lace (I just typo-ed "knot" there twice - is my subconscious trying to tell me something?) - it seems most of my "To Do"s at the moment involve laciness - although a couple of them are for Christmas presents - so I think I may be excused...

I also treated myself to a couple of Posh Yarns last night, which has me happy dancing even more. Lucia in Garden Party (which may end up a Christmas present, once knitted, but then again, maybe not), and Emily in Beryl - what vivid greens! I nearly bought something with a similar green in it at Woolfest, but when I looked closely, it had lots of joins in it, which isn't really what I want in my socks. I know I can rest assured that my PY will be one long thread, which suits me much better.

And I'm nearly in the centre of the edging on my fircone shawl. Can't wait to finish and get it blocked out and worn! I must concentrate on that, and not on the future loveliness, or else my magpie brain will start thinking "must knit the pretty..." and I will neglect the poor shawl.

Another FO...

I got a little bit itchy the other night, and actually finished something off! I now have a pair of socks in Eva from Posh Yarn in the colourway "Harem", and I love them. I just knitted them plain so it shows off the variagation well. The socks are slightly different colours - they were from 2 skeins, which looked exactly the same skeined up, but knitted differently, but I love them. Slightly odd socks for a slightly odd woman! And as I tend to not be at my best in the morning I have worn odder! Will post piccies here and on the Posh Yarn group later in the week. And I'm now expecting some beautiful laceweight from Dee in "Morning Star" - so my fingers were fast enough on Sunday - that's already allocated to "Leda's Dream" which was the first "Mystery Stole" - I fell in love with the pattern on Melanie's blog, and as she says, I've fallen down the lace rabbit hole.
Still persevering with the Fir Cone shawl - it will be worth it, it will. It's just that I'm now 27 repeats in, and itching to start on the edging - but I want it to be big, and snuggly, and to wrap me up in, so I need to be patient. Not one of my few virtues, unfortunately. Little Miss Instant Gratification, me.
And I'm planning to block my Field of Flowers on Friday. I'm out on Thursday night, at Jeff Fest in Newcastle (The Quireboys are headlining, which makes me very happy), and have decided not to inflict myself on my work colleagues on Friday - gone are the days when I could fall into bed at 3, and still be up for work the next day. Not to mention the next clue for MS3 is out on Friday, and it's a biggie - and with the new Harry Potter out on Saturday, I need to start managing my time (or finding another couple of days to put on the week!).
Nuff for now.

Claire x