Travelling Women Shawl

I knit this for a friend who has travelling in her future.

It's on the blocking mat right now.

I started Saturday 14th August and cast it off today.

Now I have to make one for me!

Techie bits.

Pattern - Travelling Women by Liz Abinante - free pattern on Ravelry.

I extra repeat of chart A because I used finer yarn and two size smaller needle.

Yarn - Handmaiden Seasilk - 100g skein in a mix of rich orangey tones- deep umbers, through marmalades to rich deep gold - I used 69g in total.

Needle- 3.5mm straights and circs.

Knitting? No...surely it cannot be!

Oh yes my little cheese and onion crisps, there has been knitting. Woooo I feel a little faint, maybe a brief lie down might be of assistance to the shock!

I finally finished the plain pair of socks that I started for M in May. The yarn is from his stash (he wanted socks but is into his clay at the moment so asked me to knit the yarn for him.....no I didn't have his arm twisted behind his back......well maybe just a little) and is Hot Socks we purchased it from The Woolbar in Worthing
which is a lovely little yarn shop. The pattern is just a bog standard Plain Ole Vanilla sock to fit a mans UK size 8 foot over 64 sts on 2.75mm circs using a standard slip-stitch heel flap.

I have also finished another project, pictured above, which is lovely, but I can't do more than show the stitch pattern as I intend to gift them to someone who might stumble across them on here, maybe. Once I've gifted

them then I will post proper pictures.

Waving lace socks.

Finished these last night. They are Waving Lace Socks by Evelyn A Clark. This is the second time I've knit this pattern, the last pair were not a favourite due to the yarn I used, these were made in Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock Multi in colourway Wisteria. I used 2.75mm circs.

Close up of the lace pattern. I think it is very pretty.

A 100g of hand spun Alpaca/silk blend.

Punctured figures and missing mojo

I still do patchwork occasionally, though I tend to hand piece these days in preference to machine piecing, hence the punctured fingers. I'm also covered in lint and have quilting pins stuck in my lapel. I feel like a walking craft table.

Knitting is slow at the moment my mojo is on a go slow more than totally missing. It doesn't help finding all those books in the attic. It has some brilliant books/authors from Stephen Donaldson to Anne McCaffrey. It's like finding lots and lots of old friends.

So far I've read 5 in less than or around a week. I'm loving it but it means my knitting etc is being a bit sidelined - it's been a long time since I've read like this.....so maybe it is a case of knitting mojo on go slow, reading mojo back with a bang.

Maia and Ruby

This is my SIL's new Border puppy Maia who is 8 weeks old and moved in (and took over?) their home this week. She is totally adorable and lovely and squonchy and cute and smells of puppy!

This is who Maia has come to live with - the lovely Ruby - who is actually her Auntie.

Yay more Borders in the family!

What's on the needles? Catch up.

Remiss of me not posting here, but I am on holiday and time is whizzing by.....whoosh!

I had a bad case of startitus and really have too much on the go - but I will get to them all in time - nothing I want to frog, just a case of needing to sit and manage my time and projects (yeah right?!).

Socks;-
M's plain ole vanillas - 1 down (hurrah) number 2, ribbing done and about an 1" of leg
Gifty socks - (secret ones) sock 1, leg almost done.

Crochet;-
Did loads on this but have put back in the cupboard for now until I get some stuff of the needles.

Garments;-
Ruffle mittens - Glove 1 - half way through the thumb gusset. Using some CTH in Champlain Sunset which was a birthday gift from Emma and Jamie, gorgeous, gorgeous colourway.

Banderilla details of design here- I was awaiting a missing ball of yarn from GK (on back order) they got it to me for the start of the holiday so I have knit all the rib, body is knit in one piece, so it's a lot of rib and am now on start of st-st.

Lace;-

Orenburg - still going strong but such fine yarn on little needles (2.5mm) takes time to grow also I need a quiet house for this - but I always had it as a long term project.

Anthemion - ditto the above - lace knitting is difficult for me so I go slow - it is growing - just finished 2nd repeat of chart B.

Cozy - mine is looking a little tatty so I'm making a replacement for winter as it is cozy and I love wrapping myself in it. Using some Manos silk blend that I had left (about 2.75 skeins).

And that's it.

Have also done some patchwork, some needlepoint and a lot of reading - I do knit less when it's warm.

Spinning - nothing since last post.

Sir Conkers McBonkers.....

is 5 years old today. He is celebrating by making a nest in the airing cupboard on the tea towels before heading off up the garden on another kitty adventure. He has lots of new kitty adventures every day, they involve stalking nasty little terrier type things, making Grandma jump, giving hard Paddington stares to the cats next door, chasing Jasmine and laying in the undergrowth surveying his domain. Hard life.

Masham x Shetland

I bought two carded (semi?) batts of this at Woolfest last year. I have finished 2/3 of first batt. It is difficult because my skin dislikes the oils in this fibre and although I love it Shetland fibre/wool doesn't like me much. In the end I broke up the batt and gave it more carding on my hand carders and made rolags. I wanted a thick/thin spin with the odd slub - and that is how it's come out. The above was before washing etc.

The picture below is after soaking in Eucalan for  30+ mins and then dyed with a hard mix of the grape Koolaid (thank you Wibbo). I intentionally made two dye blends, one weaker than the other, it worked and I am happy with the effect.

My hands will need a little recovery before I hand card and spin anymore - this is deffo a long term project.

It's starting to grow.

Actually, it's quite a bigger than this picture already. I've not really worked on anything else in the last few days (a bit of spinning - that's all). I'm loving it.

The hexagons are all sock yarn scraps and the edging is a Rowan Merino 4 ply.

Up a tree.....

fiddlely-diddlely, up a tree. That's the place, the place I long to be.....

If you could see the bottom of the tree, you would see two little terriers trying their hardest to climb up after him, hence the very superior look.

Love me some Conkers.

Polly Jean.

Polly Jean socks by M J Kim.

Started May 2010 finished today - they need washing and blocking.

Knitted for SIL UK size 5.

Yarn - undyed Trekking hand dyed by Pie in 2009.

Needs - 2 x 2.75mm circs.

Another one from my Saddo's Sock Club - done!

Background flowers are 'Love in the Mist' aka 'Fuck in the Fog.

Busy splash of colour

Some colours just work and they shouldn't but they do.

I've recently rediscovered my lost love of needlepoint - it has never been about the image but about the colour.

I've posted my other needlepoint that I'm working on here.

Pinkypurpley handspun

Handspun single ply pure merino wool - colour ranges from from quite a rich purple through pink, lilac and mauve then onto a smokey kind of blue.

Navajo plied. This is 1/2 the amount of fibre approx 49g and tested in 3 places averages out at 16/17 wpi so around a fingering weight yarn. Onto to the next batch.

A new blog

Hmmmmm fancied a change - so I've made a new blog for 'other' stuff -  it's here - this one will continue mainly for my knitting, spinning and handicrafts but all the other old crap will be at my 'waffling' blog.

You're welcome to visit, comment etc.

A brief return

With some knitting. The 'Heart Sachet' from Interweave Press - pattern by Vicki Sever. I made one of these the year the pattern was published and it'ss looking a little worse for wear (see next picture). So I decided, as I was in the mood for a quick knit, to make a replacement yesterday. It's knitted in Koigu PPM on 2.25mm needles. Stuffed with wadding and dried lavender from our garden last year - which still smells really strong. I knit it in about 2 hours in total and love the construction of this pattern, it is very clever and looks great.

The beads are glass ones from my stash - the yarn has brief flashes of pale and kingfisher blue so they work IRL.

 

Here is the original (maybe 5 years old - I've lost track of time). It needs unpicking and restuffing and is also in need of a wash. The colours have lasted well - I still have a scrap of this balled up and there is very little difference in the colours at all. It is dusty though and no longer smells of lavender.

I do love Koigu for the colours - lovely.











Finally a word about my summer hiatus. I will most likely post sporadically but I don't like being on the computer in the summer so instead of a few posts a week it will be when I have some specific to share or when the mood takes me. So for now.......................................................................................

it's back to the fishing.

Gone fishing.

Blog hiatus....be back somewhen.

In the garden

Bluebells.

Creative fidgets

On Friday I......

Did some spinning - on both wheels.
I knit some lace.
I knit on my sock.
I crocheted a hexagon.
I sewed some hand pieced patchwork.
I did some needlepoint/tapestry.

I also read....having another brief flirtation with Sherlock Holmes.....don't tell M.

In other words I have the fidgets. I can't settle. I'm cool with it. I really enjoyed moving from one thing to another but I don't want this to be a long term situation.

I did also do loads of boring chore stuff and stuff with J and dog stuff etc. I also managed a 15 minute snooze and and 45 minute work out.

Yesterday was almost as bad......maybe worse because as well as a repeat of the above, I also cast on a new project.

Today I will try and be still.

Lou-lou Belle

oobles
Originally uploaded by loobles2002

It's been a year this weekend. Even with Lottie and Bog-bog I still miss her every day. Her yodelling bark, her Dally grin, her long face, her solid body that I used to sit on the stairs and hug and general daftness.

I don't miss the size of her turds or her farts!

A different kind of bloom

but often found in the garden. This is the newly pruned Fergustunia. It has a earthy scent and requires a good cutting back two or three times a year.

It is also often found near water and enjoys a good dredging with the hose. With careful management and lots of feed it grows into a wonderful specimin that brings much joy but little beauty to the garden. It's seed deposits are not pleasant and it is sometimes intensely disliked by Border Terriers and little black cats!

Tulip

Nature has the best colour palette.

Home made biscuits.....

for the dogs! How cool is that? Full of good healthy things that doggies love.

Ribbon?

I have never been reticent about how I view novelty yarns. My dislike of them is fairly well documented - lol.
However, ages ago someone in a SP gifted me some Colinette Giotto which has languished at the bottom of a stash bag for a few years. Whilst having a rummage for some cotton yarn I found it and realised that the colours were lovely.

I was in the mood for quick plain knitting over the weekend so it became a drop stitch scarf and guess what? Not only did I really enjoy knitting it, I love the scarf too. I love the colours and the drape, it wears well and is comfortable and versatile. I am not a convert to this type of yarn or knit by any means, but as a one off it was good.

As for the cotton? We need new dish cloths. I like to knit the odd plain dish cloth. It fills an hour with mindless yet useful and productive quick knitting...perfect for my current restlessness regarding my knitting.

Flower

Another Mike photo - gorgeous isn't it?

Clocks

This weekend, like time itself, just passed me by.

There were outings, there was knitting and there was socialising ....whoosh it's Monday.

Knitting needs to be photographed, maybe later today.

Happy Monday to you.


Photo courtesy of M. Lainchbury.

My boyz

Not a sight often seen. But Conks and Bog actually get on really well and have lurve for each other. Conkers rubs Fergus and lets him have sniffies and kitty sniffs him back. They are quite sweet together really.

Perched on top of pin

Even if you don't wobble, you won't win.
Doesn't matter if your precipice is big or small
One false move and you will fall.
And if your abyss is deep and far
The fall will be long and the landing will hurt.
Jarred, broken and smeared in the dirt.
Trying to balance, your whole body will ache,
Limbs will tremble, muscles shake,
Falling is easier and maybe today
I will just choose to fall, all the way.

Hermione's Everyday Socks

hermione sock 003
Originally uploaded by loobles2002

I totally love this pattern by Dreams In Fiber (Erica Lueder) - it's a free one on Rav. Great little knit that produces really well fitting socks.

This is a replacement is my solo sock club.

Yarn is Lorna's Laces in Mixed Berries - I used a little over 1 skein to make these - UK size 5.

Needles - 2 x 2.75mm circs.

Next please!

A brief burst of total beauty

It nevers lasts very long, normally due to high winds, but here is our Crab Apple tree in blossom.

It is right outside the downstair sitting room window and is a wonderful mix of pinks throught to white.

One of my favourites in a spring garden. Lovely.

Big thank you to J for taking these pictures for me this morning.

Saturday morning at Stanmer woods.

Blossom everywhere. Hardly a soul about so the air was full of birdsong.

And the scent of bluebells and rain.

Cowslips.

Awesome silhouettes against the grey sky.

A wondeful start to the day.

A year ago today

I posted this....

very scary haircut!

I can't believe it's a year.

Start-it-us abounds!

Don't know what it is with me right now but I can't settle or find contentment with any project - which has major suckage.

I just have to wait for it to pass....lalelalela.

We did get out with the kites yesterday. T'was like riding a bike, a bit rusty to start with, then it all came flooding back. The wind wasn't clean though and was quite buffeting - on and off. But we all had fun. J flew my 4ft Flexifoil which has virtually no pull but is mega quick. He also tried out M's Scorpion (its sail is looser than mine as it's older - this makes it a bit easier to fly), M supervised him as it was pulling a lot but he seemed to like it and is eager to get out again. We've donated a very old Ripstop Peter Powel Stunt Kite to him it needs big winds but is great to learn on and is pretty indestructible.

We are planning to get out with them again maybe tonight if we can - can't wait!

Fair winds and tight lines.

Lets go fly a kite.

Many moons ago, M and I flew kites - with driven addiction. Every spare minute of every day - into the twilight hours we could be found, windswept on a hill, flying something beautiful, powerful and spectacular. My favourite kite of all time - is this.......a Flexifoil (cobra) Scorpion - though mine is a different color configuration. They are antiques now - but I still love mine. It has an 8 ft wing span and sounds like an old tractor in stronger winds but I love it.

I think when the rain blows over, hopefully after lunch, that M, J and I need to go and blow away the cobwebs on the end of some big kites. J hasn't flown much - he didn't like the pull when he was younger, now he's a strapping lad, I think he'll love it. We still have a Flexifoil Kite Buggy too, so if he gets the hang of it, I think he may like that too.

I borrowed the kite picture from here 

Gone crazy(ier)

About hexagons! A few years back I did quite a few patchwork classes (about 2 years of terms in total) with the wonderful Jo Franklin. She started us from scratch with patchwork hexagons using paper piecing. This week, after sorting through my fabric stash, I felt moved to go back to my patchwork roots and start a piece of fabric.

I have so many wonderful fabrics squirrelled away and loads of scraps from big projects that it just felt right to use some of them up in this basic fashion. I have no idea, yet, what the fabric I make will become but I am enjoying rediscovering the process.

The crocheted ones are growing too. With the one on the hook, I have 30 now.

What else can I do that's hexagonal? :o)

'Define.......shit.'

I like that quote and I can define it quite well.....

Shit is -

People who use you when times are bad and then drop you like a hot potato when times are good.

Waking up late thinking it is Sunday and then realising it is Monday.

The way you feel when you realise someone you thought was a friend is actually a complete and utter c**t.

Thinking there is a bar of chocolate in the cupboard and then finding some other bugger ate it.

Looking for something and then remembering you gave it away.

Thinking you have two bottles of wine, drinking one and then realising that you only had one.

Spending weeks working on something and then fucking it up at the last stage.

Waking up on an important day with a giant yellow and red carbuncle growing on the end of your nose.

Is realising that those around you are wasters, users and tossers and that you've let them get away with stuff you shouldn't have.

Is the dawning realisation that someone you respected never deserved that respect.

That those you thought you could rely on, and would return the help you gave them, don't give a toss.

Casting off a lace shawl and then finding you don't have enough yarn to finish the cast off.

Getting the last yoghurt out of the fridge and finding it is off.

Getting on the bus to go shopping and then finding you left the list at home.

Setting off for a run and then realising you need the loo.

Planning a day outdoors and waking up to continual rain.

Getting stuck in an unexpected traffic jam.

Is something that 'happens'.

Is needing to fart at the most inappropriate times/places.

Realising that the bill you are paying should have been paid a week ago!

Planning, due to predicted high winds, a weekend out with the kites and waking up to NO wind!

I could go on forever but I think this list gives a general idea of how I define shit.

Quoth the raven, 'Nevermore.'

A quote to introduce todays movie quote(s) - yep I really couldn't choose between these two......

'You can't be anal retentive if  you don't have an anus, my friend.'

or

'I'm as anatomically impaired as a Ken doll.' - a line delivered by the wonderful Alan Rickman.

and if you've never read The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe - here's a link The Raven it is a wonderful poem.