Socking it to Iain

I have finished the socks I am giving to Iain. Based upon Lucy Neatby's Timberline Socks I think they look quite smart. I only made a couple of small changes - changing them to toe up socks, making the longer and knitting to cast off in 2x2 rib. They sure look comfortable. I would say that the garter stitch toe and heel look much better when the sock is worn. As always, I feel that the short row heel is unsatisfactory. I just don't like the holes that appear. By the way, Lucy indicates the knitter should use the tail of the ball (or a second ball) as this gives a neater finish to the heel. As I was knitting both socks at the same time using the magic loop method, I couldn't really do this. I didn't find this a messy heel although I did need to "beautify" one of the heel axis points.



These were knitted in Stylecraft's DK Life yarn on 3.25mm needles. This made for a bargin pair of socks costing only £2! And it wasn't bad to knit with although it didn't pull freely from the centre. This might have been down to the fact it is 75% acrylic and only 25% yarn.

With only Vera and Rosey matinee jacket on my needles I have managed to reduce my WIP's although today I cast on Pilton Jays. These socks are destined to be my Glastonbury knit and are Nataline Knits version of Gumperina's Jaywalkers. I am knitting these in Opal Hundertwasser Der Blaue Mond.















I have to leave them alone until Wednesday though.

In other maddening news, I have been foolish enough to sign up for a Victorian Lace Today KAL. It starts next month and I am totally excited.

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Live!

I have been really remiss about posting, mainly due to work etc. I have entered my really busy season where there are just not enough hours in the day and the last thing I want to do in the evening is log on.

However, today I am on holiday. I am off to London to see Nick Cave. I am so excited and have been looking forward to this treat for ages. I know it will be a really enjoyable evening.

Anyway, in the knitting world I have completed the Purple Perils and they look lovely. DH seems to really like them and they fit well. I had to make a shallower heel than normal to maintain the cable down the length of the sock but it hasn't affected performance.

Finally I blocked my sister's Christmas pressie. It is magic and the stole just looks so beautiful. The girls in the knit club were concerned I was giving it away. Its OK with me though as I know Sue will love it although it might get covered in baby sick! I think Vera will keep me happy.

Sorry but pictures will have to follow as off to London I go!

Spinning a Frog

I have been busy knitting but everything seems to have slowed down. This might be because I frogged Vera. I frogged it because the second closing of the leaves didn't look right and I thought it was too loose.

I looked at the errata for Myrtle Leaf pattern from Victorian Lace Today which is hosted by Knitter's Magazine Online and it just didn't click. I have kept knitting and looking at it and thinking, surely it must become lovely after blocking. After my fourth repeat my confidence wavered and I looked at the errata again. I admit it - I'm thick, or at least I was when I last looked at it. It makes sense - now. I think I have some ripping back to do! The picture shows the patern on smaller needles with the CORRECT pattern.


Anyway, on a happier note Purple Perils are looking good. They have been travelling and took a quick visit to Tulipmania at Dyrham Park. This lovely country house outside Bath was decorated throughout with stunning floral arrangements. A brilliant idea that injects life into what can be a very staid environment. Even DH enjoyed himself and he doesn't like stuffy old houses as a general rule.











I have also been spinning and feel this is improving. As I am teaching myself at the moment I am finding my understanding of the craft is getting better. I have purchased two books on the subject Spin It: Making Yarn from Scratch by Lee Raven and A Handspindle Treasury: Collected Works from the Save the Sheep Exhibit by Spin-Off Magazine. These, together with Yarn Harlot's descriptions way back in March 2005 have really helped to improve my spinning. See these are all my singles so far and I hope to start plying shortly.

Nocturama

I have attached a gratuitous photo of stash. Some have been living with me for a while, and the laceweight has come out of the closet.

As promised, I have been working on the Purple Perils and, once I have grafted the toe I only have its friend to make. So far I am really pleased with them so fingers crossed I can make a matching partner. NYMelissa suggested owning 2 pairs of dpns and knitting the socks in sequence e.g. rib on one sock followed by rib on second sock etc to prevent second sock syndrome. Such a simple idea I think I will try it even though I don’t generally suffer from 2SS (too much!).



Anyway, I have been fighting the lace knitting urge and finally it got the better of me. I just totally caved and sat up until 3a.m. knitting on my gorgeous Helen’s Lace in Vera. I feel slightly mad as I am using my Denises’ and these really aren’t pointed enough for lace generally but as this pattern only calls for SSK, SSP, K2tog and P2tog they seem to be working well. I have had to resist the purchase of KnitPick Harmonies as I don’t have the money at the moment. 2 rear tyres, MOT, road tax and Glastonbury tickets have wiped me out.



I have been reading Wendy Knits and today she has released a video of her cutting a steek. OMG my jaw ended up on the floor and I could not breathe! I think I shall have to purchase some of this yarn as it looks amazing.

Before I go, I am pleased to show bramble and my new hair cut. I would love to say I look better with my make-up on but I don't always wear it.