Step away from the washer ...

Your brain is mush.

The last pair of socks I knit last year were a bit of a trial. I started them when we went to Cornwall in September and ended up frogging nearly an entire sock as I refused to try it on even though I knew it was too small.

Finally, I bowed to the inevitable, went up a needle size but added in an extra couple of stitches. This would have been perfect EXCEPT that the yarn pools unattractively so I ripped it back.

I then recast on without the additional stitches and knitted a pair of socks that fit snuggly but as they were wool they'd give just enough to make them perfect.

I wore them once and they were really comfortable and I loved the colours.

This morning, feeling a lot better than I have in the last couple of weeks and believing that the cold fog had lifted I put a load of darks in the washing machine.

Let me tell you, Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn in Misty Moor does not withstand a 40C wash without some felting.

It may be a while before my niece can wear these knee high felted socks!
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A Scarf for Iain

Last year, Iain asked if I would spin and knit him a scarf. Of course, I jumped at the chance but progress had been slow.

I am spinning BFL humbug and hope the yarn will be a smooshy soft as the top I have been spinning from. Since the New Year I finished the first bobbin and spun all the second bobbin. I only have one more bobbin to spin and then I can ply the yarn.

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Sleeves in your Pi - A Challenge

Last year, rashly Puddytatpurr and I decided to carry out a spinning and knitting challenge. For me this will be the first time I've spun for a specific project and, being people who like a challenge we wanted to leap frog onto something slightly more spectacular.

The pattern we are working to is Sleeves in your Pi (Ravelry link) and we start today and aim to complete by Woolfest.

Last year I purchased a silver grey Shetland fleece that came from a sheep called Stelatta. I am using this beauty to make my Sleeves in your Pi. Slight problem is, I haven't finished washing it yet. I do have enough washed fleece to start the project though and this afternoon I will be spinning for Iain's scarf and this evening for my Pi.

A word of warning, there follows some rather dull photos showing green fleece, and drying fleece. If you're not interested I'd stop scrolling now.

 The fleece being unrolled - it has already been skirted (sigh).

The darkest pieces removed from the fleece ready for washing.

The first load drying. The colour variation is clear to see.

The top layer is from the back towards the top of the neck.

At this stage I am slightly concerned I will not have enough fleece to make the whole project. I will have weigh and do some calculations. If I don't I'll be hunting for a Shetland fleece.

Christmas and New Year

Oh my, I can't believe it is 2010 already. We had a really quite night playing Wii and I shared a Crafters New Year Party on Twitter with some of the lovely people I have met.

Of course, before that was Christmas and I just want to show off some of the lovely things I was gifted.

From Sam came the beautiful purple laceweight from the Yarn Addict. It is soft and smooshy and there is 2,200m, that is going to make a BIG shawl.

The other 3 yarns were from my sister. She doesn't craft but totally loves receiving anything I make and I was stunned, delighted and touched. When Sue attended her village fair she came across a spinner called Mavis de V. Ashbee.  Each yarn is gorgeously soft and they are: white - local icelandic wool raised in the village (now that is local!), the magenta is white suffolk, red merino and rose silk and the lilac is alpaca and bourette silk.

Also nestled in the pack is The Yarn Lover's Guide to Hand Dyeing by Linda La Belle which I am really looking forward to reading and practicing with.

DH gave me a Wii (squeeeee!) and also a SIGNED edition of The Death of Bunny Munro by Nick Cave. My husband just spoils me rotten. He also gave me these cute buttons from Badge the Badger. I shall smile each time I see one.

Anyway, happy New Year to you all.

The Wiltshire Guild has a New Home

Today was an important day at the Guild. We had an important discussion this morning regarding the future of our Guild and it has been decided we will move into new permanent premises in Steeple Ashton. This new venture will mean a lot of work but is hugely exciting as we will be able to have looms and offer workshops in a variety of fibre crafts and all forms of weaving. The Guild will also be able to grow their own dyer's garden in secure grounds so they won't be damaged.

Some members would have preferred the status quo which is to be expected as everyone has slightly different requirements and/or expectations.

I think it is very exciting.
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I'm A Winner ... Again!

Oh, my. I could say I never win anything but it appears that would be a lie.


Recently I won this lovely glove pattern from Jackie of JL Yarnworks.

And on Thursday, I won a prize in the daily raffle run by Lush on Twitter.

My prize arrived very quickly in its cute box

and it included the following loveliness:

A small size of SnowShowers the new limited edition shower jelly, a small Dream Cream which is a totally gorgeous moisturiser and a honeycomb of Honey I washed the Kids soap.

Lovely!

Thank you Lush.

A Right Pudding!

Every year we buy a Christmas decoration for the house. Not for us the sophistication of colour co-ordinated decoration. We prefer the riot of colour and the memories of past holidays as each item is pulled out of the box for another year.

I still have my dad's first Christmas decoration, the glass silver glitter has tarnished to a dirty green and the white glass has faded to a mottled cream but I love it. I look at it every year and it makes me smile.

With all that has been going on, I was going to suggest to my husband that we forgo this ritual for 2009 when he presented me with the cutest Christmas pudding.

If you like it too, check out StitcherScribbler. She is on Folksy and Etsy .
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