Here Be Knitting

Australia Calling... Survived for Another Week...

G'day Shelagh

Welcome to the land of Blogging!  It is a funny country that can be very addictive.  Your photos were lovely.  The Clapotis is stunning and the bag is wonderful.  I own the Stained Glass Bag pattern - I really must get my act into gear and rustle up one of my own.  Your garden is so green!!!!  The flowers are beautiful - the Columbines (we also call them Granny's Bonnets - do you?) are some of my favourite cottage garden plants and alliums in all their forms are spectacular.  Both are obviously very tough in cold weather :) 

We have been back to The Block and ..... our plants (and fence) have survived.  They have grown as well although that is hard to see.

The kangaroos had been looking but couldn't get in:

The clouds were amazing - like cotton wool teased across the sky:

And I can never get enough of our trees:

I have also been knitting.  My second Beaded Lace Scarf in the Nature's Palette is almost finished.  This one is for me.  I am glad - I am over the pattern; at least for now.  The result is stunning, I think all these Beaded Lace Scarves have improved my lace knitting and definitely my blocking skills. But.enough.is.enough.

The first in the Nature's Palette has been blocked:

And is now off the pins:

I am definintely a process rather than product knitter.  Having finished The Hanami at Easter, I have also finally (finally, finally.....) blocked this beauty

Have you had any further thoughts about our Lace Knitalong?  The Girl and I are about to embark on a trip away for almost three weeks.  Two for chess and one for a family holiday in Melbourne.  We are all converging on Melbourne - it should be fantastic fun.  The Girl and I are away early Thursday morning to Adelaide and from there onto Melbourne and then Geelong.  I am already planning what knitting will come away with me.  I think it deserves its own suitcase this time :)

Enough for now....

These Stilettos were made for ...... Knitting!

I have been very extravagant.  Lately, I have been purchasing plenty of yarn, books, magazines and .....

My new Stiletto needles!  I purchased the size 1-5 set and they are wonderful ...

I can't use circulars for my lace knitting (I can't keep tension even), so when I saw these, I just had to have them and they have not disappointed.  Beautiful tips, perfect for their purpose and pretty to boot - not to mention their potential as weapons :)  I will, in the next few months, get the 6-10 set as well (I can hardly wait, they make with shiver with anticipation - sad isn't it??!!)

I have now finished, but not blocked...

The Beaded Lace Scarf II in the super gorgeous Nature's Palette.  So, of course, I have already cast on for the same pattern in my second skein of this wonder of the knitting world using, you guessed it, my new Stilletos.  Here's another photo of the finished scarf because you just can never have too much of a good thing

I've finished some socks:

These are the Hedgerow Socks in STR colourway Lenore.  Easy, simple to memorise pattern with lovely results.  I will knit this pattern again.

And I've begun another pair:

These are the Primavera Socks in Jojoland Melody sent to me by a friend in the US.  Another great, free pattern.

We are off to Sydney tomorrow for 3 days of The Girl's chess. I am taking the Moroccan Days Shawl and moving it onto my new needles - did I mention I purchased some new lace needles :)  Because I haven't really begun I don't think there will be any harm done swapping over to my preferred new obsession.

Next week, I've got some big (huge, ginormous...) news about changes to The Blog. Stay tuned.

And a final dose of needle porn:

Enough for now...

Scarves, What Scarves

I have been knitting while I have been absent.  I have also been purchasing yarn, books, magazines and knitting tools as if tomorrow it all becomes illegal.  Shhhhhhhhhh...... don't tell Her Dad - he's becoming a little suspicious of the illegal story :)

On the finished front, this:

Became this:

A merino rose laceweight Beaded Lace Scarf II.  It was for a friend's birthday and I'm happy to report that she loved it.  This was one of the images I had in my competition from last month, for those who might be wondering.  Here is a closeup:

I have begun another Beaded Lace Scarf.  So this beautiful merino/silk skein of Nature's Palette from Hand Jive Knits:

Is becoming:

And another photo just because.....

The yarn is divine - soft and smoochy with a wonderful spring; the naturally dyed colours are luminous.  This scarf is for my Rowanette Exchange Partner.  This year's theme is Footloose and Fancy Free and I nominted myself in the Fancy Free category.  I think a beaded scarf with this yarn meets the bill, do you agree?  I have another whole skein of this perfection, so think I will create a scarf for me.

I've also begun another scarf for a friend's birthday.  So these:

Are working with me to create:

The Melon Scarf from Victorian Lace Today.  I am using a simple garter stitch border of 6 rows cast on and cast off and a 4 row garter stitch border on each of the sides.  The birthday is at the end of July, so am trying to get through 2 repeats of the 6 row pattern each night.  The pattern is quite straightforward and so far I am on track.

Unfortunately this:

Has progressed no further towards:

This wonderful shawl Moroccan Days.  It was the second entry in my Competition.  As you can see I have knitted the beaded border (which is gorgeous) and completed only a few rows.  It is my Saturday afternoon football knitting (you know, the TV you can easily watch and concentrate on the impossible project).  But... I haven't had many Saturdays at home since I began - out with chess mostly, but life in general seems to get in its way.  I've even dedicated a table to its production:

It is on threat of death that anyone touches this table!  I am determined, so hopefully this weekend I will begin again - wish me luck I will need it.

Enough for now...

 

Competition

Last night, I decided on a little competition - to see if anyone can guess what I am knitting now.  I realise now that my second photo is really pretty unfair.  So, here they are again:

and:

Something knitterly for the first to guess either or both of these patterns!  The competition is open to Friday.  You can ask me questions in the comments if you would like some further hints :)

Enough for now...

Ugly Duckling and Some Things New

It has been awhile.  No excuses, just haven't been feeling on top of things lately (again....).  If this low goes on for much longer, I will have to seek some help.  I'm taking a mental health week next week.  Hopefully this will improve things.  I think we will go away, maybe to the beach and that really would be lovely.

I finished the Hanami on our Easter long weekend:

I think at the moment it looks rather like the proverbial ugly duckling.  Her Dad is going to make some stainless steel blocking wires and also some ss blocking pins.  At the moment, I am waiting patiently.... When blocked, I do have faith that the swan will be born.  I don't know that I would knit it again.  Once you get the hang of the pattern, it does drag a little as it is the same over and over.  However, I have seen some stunning versions on Ravelry in black, so that may tempt me to make another.  Of course, I also have so many "firsts" I want to knit that repeating seems a little like a waste to me.  We'll see.....

A few weekends ago, we travelled to Ballarat for another chess tournament.  Not one of The Girl's best tournaments, but she has bounced back now.  They held the event in The Old Ballarat Gaol.  That made me giggle a little - chess players are such a subversive lot that they certainly do need locking up (or perhaps their parents do for being so barking loony to be taking them all over the country) :)

Beautiful building:

 

and

I think my favorites were the original gutters (I know, I know the pun is just too obvious...) and the chimney:

I've got lots more on the history of Ballarat and some of its beautiful buildings, but they can wait for another post.

I have begun two new projects.  Here is just a taste of both:

and

Any guesses at what they might be?  Leave a comment if you have an idea and I will give a small knitterly something to any who guess correctly.  I'll leave it open until this Friday.  Have a go - I usually have nice "somethings" to give away!

Enough for now....

The Knitting. I'm Baaaaaaccccckkkkkk.....

I'm back, I'm feeling much better, thanks for asking and The Knitting has actually ahappening been :)

It seems to be a season for multiple repeat knittings of the same pattern and I'm not immune.  Here is my very own Simple Beaded Lace Scarf completed 4, almost 5, times.  One for me (the multi-colour Ovation) and 4 for stash gifts (Using Elann's Kidsilk Haze equivalent in mohair/silk):

I love this pattern.  Very simple, great TV knitting, but the finished scarf is just stunning.  Easily made into a goassamer thin night time jewelled beauty or a wonderful addition to a day wardrobe.

I've also finished Sock One of the Embossed Leaves:

The Girl very begrudgingly allowing me to use her leg as The Model.  Another easy pattern that gives a lovely fabric. 

I've also begun another pair of simple socks - The Hedgerow - for Her Dad. I'm knitting these with STR yarn (again!).  They are stretchy, soft and quick to knit:

 

The yarn is darker than it appears here and the pink is more a blood red - the problems of taking photos late at night.  As there is a history of Her Dad's socks ending up as gifts for others, I hope he actually gets to wear these ones.  Especially as knitting for Size 12 feet really is a labour of love I would prefer to repeat only very ocassionally - so very like child birth really :)

The Hanami is through pattern repeat 4 and now about halfway through repeat 5 (although photo is only to end of 4):

As you can see, an awful lot of difference from the last photo :)

We are planning on heading out to The Block tomorrow, so I should have some photos to share.

Just to leave you with some taste tempers - some wonderful sock patterns I have discovered that I plan on knitting soon:

Primavera Socks and

The Firestarter Sock (click on the last sock in the photo to take you to the pdf).

Enjoy.

Enough for now...

The Knitting. Pay it Forward

Sorry I haven't posted in a while.  I have been travelling, mostly for work, and haven't had the time or the head space to post.  I also haven't had much time for knitting.  I have completed only a little more on the Hanami, I've not really touched any of the socks, have begun and finished another scarf in Ovation (just like The Girls) for me and have begun two simple (one knitted on the diagonal and the other feather and fan) scarves to take with me for knitting in the car.  All very boring.... and, at the moment, no photos because I have no energy to go and get the camera and hussle the projects into some sort of photogenic order.

Tomorrow we are off to Sydney as The Girl has another chess tournament.  She did well in her last one.  She came into the tournament 64 of 64 participants and finished equal 27!  She was very pleased with herself and it has reinvigorated her interest in chess.  Chess is such a confidence game; you really need to believe that you can beat the person across the Board.  In terms of psychology, it ranks with boxing(I'm not sure I would call boxing a "sport" as I can't support that level of brutality as anything other than gross, but I digress....) as being one of the hardest sports so it can be tough on the ego, although at least it is gentler on the face :)  As the forever suffering parents, we get to sit around in chess venues and wait for her to finish.  This has its upsides - generally lots of quiet and plenty (plenty, plenty....) of time for knitting, reading, podcasts etc etc.  So the next two days should be great - The Hanami here I come!

I have joined the Pay it Forward knitting project with Lynne.  I know, I know (and as usual) I am getting to this late as most of blogland has already signed up.  But.... if you would like to play and haven't yet acted, the first three commenters to this post will receive a knitted gift from me sometime in 2008.  I'm not promising what it will be or when you will get it, but you will get one.  You just need to promise to do the same on your blog.  I hope this makes sense (its late and I'm tired).  I don't mind sending to anywhere in the world, so if you would like something from an average Aussie Knitter please don't hesitate to leave a Comment.

We have a public holiday here on Monday and other than some cleaning of this pigsty we loosely call home; I have a relatively free day - Yah!!  I promise to post photos of our recent travels and my projects then. 

Oh... and I need some cheering up, so please don't just lurk, leave me a comment and make me smile!

Enough for now.....

The Knitting. The Things I have Learnt....

1  I should complete "serious" lace knitting on straight rather than circular needles:

Here is The Hanami Take Two Day Three.  I have completed one pattern repeat of the basket weave.  And a close up:

I am happy now with how it is knitting up.  I have gone down .5 mm to 3mm needles but the real difference is in the straight needles.  They provide rigidity to my knitting which is desperately needed.  When I knit lace I knit pretending to not be a mollyduker - ie as a right hander (the pattern row anyway, on the "return" row, I just turn around and knit left-handed - I'm such a cheat).  This right handed knitting means that I throw, drop and grab needles and yarn in a very ungainly, painfully slow way.  It also means that I can't keep even tension on circular needles.  Change needles and problem fixed - yah!!

2  Lace isn't always stretchy.

These Feather and Fan socks don't fit me or The Girl :(  The pattern is very unstretchy and this surprised me.  I am hoping they will block a little wider and I will then send to my MIL whose feet are narrower than mine or The Girl's - here's hoping.

3  I don't like the Dutch heel.  Although it is a pretty to look at heel, it is very narrow - see 2 above.  I won't be using it again and will substitute my normal short row heel I think.

4  STR yarn is truly beautiful.

This is STR's Bella Coola and the pattern is Embossed Leaves from Interweave's Favorite Socks.  The pattern is lovely as well and the leaves are actually on show much more than this photo would have you believe.

5  Sometimes I don't know my own stash.

I have been happily quoting this yarn as coming from Sundara and being her Lenten Rose Colourway.  Actually, this is STR Monsoon colourway.  I realised this last week when I thought I had lost my Monsoon yarn and couldn't identify the other sock yarn I had in my "soon to be used stash" - duh!!!  The unidentified and unused sock yarn was, of course, Lenten Rose.  These socks also reinforce Number 4 above as do the Feather and Fans.

6  Sometimes knitting can be painful.

All my sock knitting, especially the lace, has literally cracked the back of my finger in three places.  Do you know how painful revisiting this injury with knitting needles can be....!!!

7  Photographing fingers while holding the camera is hard.

Enough for now....

The Knitting. Now You See It, Now You Don't...

The Hanami at the end of Day Two:

The Hanami at the End of Day Three:

I was growing very uneasy about how large my yarn overs were.  I wanted to commit to ripping it out and beginning again with a size smaller needle, but couldn't bring myself to do it.  And... then I stuffed the pattern on row 17 and it seemed the decision was made for me!  I might begin again tonight or leave until tomorrow, I'll see how I'm travelling.

In better news, the Feather and Fans are almost at the toes.  Photo is at the end of last night:

I should have a photo of a finished sock tomorrow - oh... and a finished sock of course :)

Enough for now....

The Knitting. The Hanami Begins

I have loved The Hanami for many months.  Shelagh sent me the Knit Picks yarn used in the pattern; I purchased an Addi Lace Turbo especially for the job. Shelagh and I are completing this as our own little KAL. And last night, I began.  I don't have a crochet hook that small, so I threaded the beads and created the cast on row slightly differently.  My love for The Hanami only grows:

The Knitpicks yarn - Alpaca Cloud - is gloriously soft and the colour so delicate.  I like how the beads have worked.  I'm only 4 rows through the first pattern repeat, so there isn't really much to see, but it is such a lovely thing I just had to show it off :)

The Girl and Her Dad are away this week at a chess tournament.  I get to accompany The Girl next week.  But this week, this week... I'm home alone - yah!!  I've done a little spring cleaning, a little cooking and washing. But for most of the time I've watched the cricket and the tennis and knitted.  I'm also a terrible night owl, so last night I watched the extended version of Part 3 of the Lord of the Rings and continued my knitting.  Bliss.

Achievements:

Earl Grey Socks finished.  You can't really see the patterning, but Her Dad's feet are in Sydney so we'll just have to make do.  These are knitted as specified in The Yarn Harlot's pattern.  The yarn (I think) was Brown's Wildfoote.  The pattern is well written and straightforward.  I would knit it again, although knitting socks for size 12 feet feels a little like knitting two long sleeves - they go on forever......

Almost down to the heel on the second Lenahlia socks.

I've also begun the Feather and Fan socks from the Socks, Socks, Socks book in STR lightweight Firebird.  I'm really enjoying these socks.  I think the colourway works well with the pattern and I'm a huge fan of feather and fan - such a pretty effect for so little lace work :)  I'm actually down to the heel and will turn and begin the foot today (yah for no family here...)

This STR colourway is one of the exclusive yarns I received from the sock club this year.  It is one of the primary reasons I didn't rejoin the club.  Don't get me wrong - I love the yarns, I usually like the patterns, I love the getting a surprise parcel, but, in the end I often don't use the yarn intended to knit the pattern sent.  I sometimes don't even use the patterns.  It seems a waste of money somehow.... So this year I'm not going to pay the premium to be in The Club and just order yarns as I want (or to stash of course) and see if I miss the surprise.  Good plan?  I hope so, it's too late to change now.

Enough for now....

The Knitting. A Quickie....

I'm making this quick, it's late and I'm very tired.  I've been off the computer for a few weeks due to computer problems.  Back now, so will have to catch up with a few postings.  First up, I need to thank Shelagh for an absolutely fantastic final gift box in our 2007 exchange.  The swapping has been great, the making of a new friend positively beyond words.

The photos:

Some yummy chocs, hair clips and great Christmas themed pot holder, hand towels and gingerbread man!

 

A kitty themed calendar, bookmark and notelets, some metallic pens, 10 (count 'em 10!!) skeins of Knit Picks Shine Sport (60/40 cotton modal) in colourway crocus and some gorgeous hand made stitch markers.

A stunning hand knitted hand felted bag - glorious isn't it?

A close up of the Stitch Markers.  Aren't I lucky??!!!

Enough for now....

The Knitting. Not Much Happening Here....

It has been over a week since I last posted and I feel like I have achieved very little.  To this end, I think I hate the Yarn Harlot - she makes me feel so slack, inadequate, slow :)  Not only does she knit absolutely stunning gifts for her lucky family and friends, but she churns them out like some sort of human factory - how does she do it?  I seem to spend a lot of time knitting, but I have nowhere near the finished objects to show for my trouble.  My efforts over the last week and a half are as follows:

The First Earl of Grey is off the needles:

Her Dad has decided to gift these to his Brother in England for Christmas.  Great - nice sentiment, he "might" get them in time for Valentine's Day....

I do like these Dahlias (and I'm not just sayin it now).  I haven't cast on for the second one yet, I've got a Christmas pair of Size 12's putting the pressure on now....  And before you say anything about how much I have achieved, please remember that both these socks were past the heel when I last blogged them.....

I have completed something for The Girl:

And a close up of the stole:

A very simple pattern using about 1 and 1/2 skeins of the lovely lace weight mohair/silk that Shelagh sent me.  I think I will knit one for myself - it is lovely finished and I have skeins left - woohoo.

And finally, a photo of my knitting corner with all my knitterly bits and pieces.  I haven't started the Christmas pudding, the oven is on the blink and no present has yet been purchased, but my knitting corner is comfy and complete - all is well with the World (who am I kidding - but it does sound great, don't you think??)..

Enough for now....

Added Later:

And now I feel sooooo guilty.  Stephanie over at the Yarn Harlot has fallen down her basement stairs, injured her elbow and thrown out the knitting schedule.  I hope it wasn't me who jinxed her..... :) :)   Although she did at least have a great time with friends decorating gingerbread :) 

The Knitting. The Dahlias, The Lentens, The Earls...

As promised, a photo of the original Dahlias on the feet, so to speak:  Noice, are they not?

And here are the Earls on Her Dad's whoppers:

Spiffing, me thinks.

And here, are the Identity Crisis socks, still not sure who they want to be - Dahlias, Lenten Roses, or socks for our troops:

 

See what I mean?  I'm going to say that I like them, mostly because they don't look quite so bad in "real life", but also because I've come too far to leave them all behind (sorry very bad music taste rearing its ugly head) to stop now.  Let me know if you still like them, I won't be offended - ugly ducklings don't always turn into swans :)

This last weekend, we were out at The Block.  Some lovely Briar Roses were flowering:

Roses, particularly old fashioned roses, are my very, very, very most favourite plant of all.  And these simple pure varities deserve their place, weeds or not. 

But, these simple little creatures I could do without:

There were thousands of the beasts!  I wandered around with my skirt over my mouth and nose (it is a scary image, don't dwell too long on the thought) to keep them out.  Yuk.  I have since purchased myself one of those fly meshes that go over your hat. Yah. Me and the flies can lead entirely separate lives. 

But... we did see some truly beautiful things:

You really need to click on this one to get it.

Isn't she lovely...

Enough for now.

The Knitting. There's a Pair in There....

Finally.Some.Finished.Socks.

And.....

Both of them Sundara's Dahlia Sock pattern from her Petals Sock Club Collection.  The red/pink is Sundara's yarn (heavenly soft) and the blue/purple variagated is a Skacel yarn.  Both are Christmas presents, so nice to get them off the needles.

I will get The Girl to model them and put up a "full frontal" over the next few days.

Saturday night was election night and I watched the ABC's broadcast from 6.00 pm through to about midnight.  Surprisingly interesting - it is one of the few nights that politicians put aside most of the politics and analyse what is going on and what it means for their parties and for the wider community.  It is also great knitting TV - so I began:

This is Dahlia (again - I want a whole garden of them!) in Sundara's yarn "Lenten Rose".  I love the Hellebores and their bright spots of colour in the winter garden so this yarn is just beautiful.  I'm not so sure about the colour pooling - I can't decide if I like it or hate it - it is unusual for sure.  Perhaps knitting kharma strikes when you try to knit Dahlia Socks with Lenten yarn - the back begins to look like camoflauge socks:

I just can't get enough of Dahlia. I can often be seen just sitting and staring at the pattern created.  Pitiful, I know.  I am hoping that three pairs will get her out of my system.  It is something I am working towards.

Saturday elections also brought forth:

The Yarn Harlot's Earl Grey Socks.  I am knitting these in Wildfoote from Brown Sheep in Brilliant Bouquet (from Stash - yes!!).  Her Dad chose the colours and I must confess that I was surprised.  He was given this and a blue/grey very subdued colourway from XXL and, well, he obviously chose the brighter of the two - wonders sometimes never cease :)

And just so you know why Stephanie's design for her Joe's size 12 foot is so very relevant here:

Size 12's dwell in this house as well....

I am knitting both socks on my new KnitPicks metal circulars.  They are fantastic - can't recommend them enough.  They make the knitting so much easier.  My first Addi Lace Turbo arrived today - specially ordered for the Hanami.  Shelagh and I are commencing our own little knit-a-long for the Hanami beginning on January 2.  I am stuck in Sydney with The Girl for 9 days of chess and Hanami will be just what I need to relieve some of the boredom....

It has been pretty stressful here for the last few weeks.  It has kept me away from the Blog.  I miss it already.  Work has been mad busy and some important issues at home haven't gone our way.  During this time, knitting saves me.  And.I.Love.That.It.Does.That.

Enough for now....

The Knitting. And She Laughed...

I am not smart and I'm dumb enough to keep forgetting it.  I got down to the heel on my red/pink Dahlia socks.  I looked at the pattern; it said 9 repeats before the heel.  I looked at my notes from sock 1; it looked like I had only 8 repeats.  I looked at said sock; I counted the repeats.  It looked like 9 repeats.  I must have just missed the last repeat in my notes (having only knit the sock a few weeks ago, you would think I could remember or at least count!).  I could not possibly have misread the pattern when I knit Sock 1.  That is just so not like me (hah!).  I completed 9 repeats on sock 2 and knitted the heel flap.  I compared sock 1 to sock 2.  Sock 1 seemed a little shorter, but I'm sure it must just be because of where I was in the knitting (where I was in the brain more like it..). I completed turning the heel, picking up the gusset and began the decreasing.  I checked again - nope all was good.  I continued decreasing.  I thought to check again.  And. then. again.  And then I finally acknowledged what I had really known all along.  I. had. only. done. 8 (count them 8). repeats. on. the. first. sock.  I sat and stared and ranted and raved - at the sock of course.  I threw it away and refused to look at it.  And T.K.G - oh  how she did laugh. I drew a deep breath and then began the task of ripping back.  So, here it is, having its second life....

And I've included sock 1 just to show, me more than you, that they do actually match. Sigh.....

Her Dad likes to pay homage to Minerva.  He regularly attempts to keep her assuaged (AKA bought off) by throwing away small coins and other little trinkets in beautiful places.  Heh... who am I to argue - it seems to work - Minerva has very little influence on our lives :)  It made me wonder what could be done to keep TKG happy, off my back, living at someone elses's house?

Shelagh's gift has arrived, so here it is unwrapped:

Mira and Rain who submitted guesses were pretty close with quite a few things :)  I have sent a little something to them both for their efforts.  My favourite above (other than the beaded scarf of course) is the Judy Horacek tea towel.  What's not to like - go check it out....

Enough for now....

 

The Knitting. Together a Pair

I've done it.

 

I've created a pair of the Dahlia Socks.  The blue, purple variagated I knit in just a few days - that is a record for me as I am not a fast knitter - very far from it in fact.  The pattern repeat of the Dahlia seems to help the sock knit faster somehow - you always want to finish at the end of the repeat and so you keep knitting a few extra rows, again and again...

The pattern is Sundara Yarn Dahlia Socks.  The Pink/red colourway is from Sundara's Petals Collections - heavenly soft.  The blue/purple variagated is Skacel Collection Trampoline.  It is nowhere near as soft as Sundara's yarn, but I am hoping a soak and a block will help soften it.  I have knitted the Skacel one as a boot sock and I think it will work quite well for that purpose.  I have decided that both will be gifts.

Here they are in their individual glories:

 

I have now gone back to the mate for my pink Dahlia (you did know I would finish them both, didn't you??) and I am already at the heel.  I only began it yesterday, so it really does go very quickly.  After that I will complete the blue one, unless onesockitis sets in.  Lets hope, for my Christmas gift list, that it doesn't.

Finally, on the knitting front today, my latest kit from Kim Hargreaves arrived today.  This is all Dawn's fault.  Although I love Kim's designs and have purchased kits in the past, I had never taken any notice of Eve as it really doesn't look very appealing in the photos - downright ugly in fact.  But Dawn's photos of her project really opened up the design and showed how pretty it is. 

I have purchased mine in Kidsilk Night, in a lilac and purple colour way.

The darker of the two purples is not "that" dark in the flesh although the lilac is pretty accurate.  Isn't the model severe??

Enough for now...

The Knitting. I'm Not Very Loyal...

As promised, here is a slightly better photo of the beautiful pattern on Sock One of the Dahlia:

  It is a lovely pattern and easy to memorise which helps the knitting to go faster.  I really struggled with keeping my gauge even on the foot portion of the sock - I don't know why that was, isn't normally one of my problems.  Obviously, The Knitting Goddess (TKG) was just making sure I knew she was around.

As I said yesterday, my fingers were itchin' and I've gone and begun another project:

No prizes for guessing which one has caught my imagination :(  I'm in real danger of having two dahlias, just with the slight technical problem of two different yarns.  Won't TKG be laughing then!!

I don't think anyone will notice. 

Enough for now....

The Knitting. A Tease, an Apology & a Chance at Stash Enhancement

Dear Shelagh

Here is your next parcel.  I am sorry, I know it is almost a month late (!!) but at least it is in the mail now :)

And the stash enhancement .... I've numbered all the parts of the gift.  A wool prize for the commenter who makes the best or funniest guesses as to what might be in each one.  I think some of them are pretty easy.  I'll leave the competition open for a week.

Come on, lets see what you've got....

The Knitting. Shelagh's Gift

I am in the WeLuvKnitting 2007 Gift Exchange.  There aren't very many of us who are regulars to this list, but we have remained faithful to each other for quite a number of years and usually have at least one exchange a year.  The 2007 Exchange involves sending 4 parcels to match the changing of the seasons to someone from our list. 

This year was slightly different - we know who we are sending to and have the chance to really get to know each other.  Shelagh from Canada is my partner this year and we have become good friends over this time.  In fact, there have been some really horrible events in my life this year that I have been able to share with Shelagh and she has shouldered this burden willingly.

Shelagh's gift box arrived today:

Don't you just love when boxes arrive :)  This one, as usual, was packed full.  The gifts inside had been carefully and beautifully wrapped by Shelagh:

There was also a large packet of Chocolates to share - but these had already been "stolen" by The Girl so didn't make the photoshoot.  Needless to say, those chocolates were definitely a hit!  The 3 magazines are Easy Knitting, Creative Knitting and a Canadian Living magazine.  I love my magazines!

Unwrapping the gifts revealed some beautiful knitting:

The avon product is a lavender body spray.  Shelagh has already sent me the hand lotion which I use at work - this is the perfect additon.  There is also some Kool-Aid for either dyeing or drinking and I haven't decided which yet.  If I don't keep it away from The Girl, I won't need to decide :)  The Canadian pencils have already headed her way. 

There is also some beatiful Knit Picks Alpaca Cloud in Peppermint for the Hanami Shawl.  Both Shelagh and I love that shawl and now I can knit it in the recommended yarn.  This is my first experience with Knit Picks (as they don't send to us here in the Colonies) but it is certainly very, very soft and the colour is perfect for the Hanami.  Shelagh also knitted me some beautiful personal items - some fingerless gloves that fit perfectly and a lace face cloth in a beautiful soft yarn - this will definitely only be used by me!!!

Again, thank you Shelagh, these gifts are just wonderful.

Finally, for today, I have taken a page out of the Yarn Harlot's book and am trying to do some spinning on Tuesdays.  Here are my efforts for today:

It is a merino, pre-dyed tops, spun to about 4 ply and enough for some socks, a scarf or a hat.

In the next few days, I need to update The Block entries - lots of photos.

Enough for now.....

The Knitting. True Love

I am in love.  At least, either I am in love or I am balmy (or it could be both - one does usually follow the other after all).  After more than 8 attempts to begin this sock:

I am now 6 of 8 repeats through the leg of Sock 1!  I can almost not believe it.  I don't normally stay that determined to master a pattern. Especially since these errors were infuriating and simple, yet I didn't seem able to find my way through to a solution.  For the first 5 times, I cast on and joined in the round and then tried to knit like a right handed person - therefore not having to think about the slope of the decreases.  This way, though, I couldn't stop the huge gap that appeared between needle 3 and needle 1(my lack of coordination as a right handed was showing).  So, I finally (I am dimwitted a very slow learner) decided to give up on the right handed knitting and go back to left.  It then took me a number of goes to work out the decreases to get the slope just so.  I already knew before I began how I needed to change the pattern for this, but from my head to my hands took some working    

But now, right now, I am totally besotted, head over heels, in love..... It was totally worth the effort (and perhaps that makes the love deeper still).  I think the colours, the Dahlia theme of the sock and the pattern make the sock a delight.  So, some further photos of my glorious friend sock:

       

When I have finished these, I am going to cast on another in a solid purple yarn that I have in stash.  I don't think just one pair of these socks will ever be enough.

Enough for now.....

The Knitting. I'm not very Faithful

After all that talk about Serrano being the next big project, I've gone and started a Classic Elite Project (the one on the left) in this yarn Colourway Love - a rich red brown.  I am altering the pattern so that it has these sleeves rather than the shapeless shoulders/sleeves of the original.  I began on Sunday night and already have about 8 inches completed - very quick for me!

I think the colour is working well with this pattern.  It is a cotton ribbon yarn (93% cotton and 7% nylon) so I have to regularly untangle the yarn otherwise it twists horribly.  Other than that, it is a straightforward knit.  The stretch of the yarn also seems to work with the pattern and will help the garment keep its shape.  It should be great for summer. 

Over the last few weeks, a number of magazines have arrived.   

I subscribe to Rowan, Interweave Knits, Spin-Off and Knitters.  I adore the first 3 and re-subscribed to Knitters to give it another go.  I hadn't, however, been particularly impressed with their magazines of late and had probably decided to not subscribe again and then the last one arrives on my doorstep and there are 3 patterns that have headed into my Knitting Queue:

I think this one, Jade Empire, is my favourite of the 3- perfect for our spring and autumn.  I like the colour, the simple lace and the yarn with the silk and llama looks heavenly.  The other 2 have some of my favourite things - raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, lace and cables!  So now Knitters has redeemed itself and I might just have to re-subscribe :)

The Girl has said she likes this one from Knit n Style:

Although not in these colours. Given she is inclined to NEVER like my knitting, this one has definitely gone onto the To Do list.  Pathetic isn't it?  I mean, given she shows so little interest in my knitting 99.9% of the time and usually thinks my addiction passion a bit of a joke (she's not alone there) I shouldn't really be bothering wasting my precious time with the very ungrateful.  Instead, the slightest interest and I'm like the puppy wanting to please - she likes a pattern, is interested in the way it looks, the colours and she's got me - I'm sitting obediently on the floor, thumping my little puppy dog tail and I can't wait to begin!  As I said... pathetic. 

I've begun the Dahlia Socks 3 times now and each time I've ripped it out.  Horrible, horrible - I just can't seem to get the join between needle 1 and 3 happening without huge gaps... sigh... I will begin them again when I can do so without crying.

Enough for now.....

    

The Knitting. Up Where We Belong (AKA Back To The Beginning)

My Bird of Paradise Socks are now almost a pair of lovely birds.  After all the trials and tribulations, heartache, soul searching... (and, no, I don't think I'm exaggerating) it is nice to get back to here:

Although cheating a little, I am going to count these as my first finished pair for the Southern Summer of Socks KAL.  I have certainly sweated enough over them to include them as part of my summer knitting!  There are some really nice elements in this sock pattern from Sundara Yarns.  I liked the use of double yarn for the cast on - it gives a very springy, generous cuff edge.  The toe is not finished with a kitchener but another simple decrease method which works really well and looks effective.  As you come off the leg and heel flap and begin the gusset, the pattern very nicely divides and becomes a real feature of the socks.  It looks really clever, but I did nothing but follow the pattern - just what I like....

I have also decided on my projects for the Southern Summer of Socks KAL.  These actually weren't particularly huge decisions.  Unless I want to totally waste a rather large investment, it makes very good sense to knit up my STR projects.  That is 4 socks already decided.  By the end of the KAL, it will be 6 projects I didn't have to make any decisions on.  I "only" have to knit them....

Without further ado, here are the 4 socks I'm going to try and get through.  And... after all that about STR socks, the first of these is a sock pattern from Sundara Yarns that I want to knit first, because the colours are heaven, but I digress... Withouth further (further....) ado:

What can I say? The yarn is beautiful, buttery soft and the colours are stunning.  The pattern is gorgeous, but most important of all, these are for meeeeeee. I can see these under my Birks when the summer sun finally fades and it is cool in the evenings.

Here are the STR kits:

These patterns aren't available for sale yet and are part of the whole package deal for the STR membership, so I have smudged the writing to protect the innocent