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.

Tender Prey

Expletive deleted...

I am sort of angry and growly as this evening had a rapid decent into uckiness. Having worked late I discovered that my rather expensive rear tyre (which I only replaced 2 weeks ago today!) was looking rather flat. Having driven to the garage to use the air pump I discovered, after much cussing and stomping, that there is a rather large slash in the running surface. Damn ... that's gonna cost.

Anyway, a frantic phone call to DH calmed me down. He is so good in situations like this although how he copes with my moods, I don't know.

So, I limped the 16 odd miles to Bath as all the tyre places had shut. Did I mention I worked late tonight?

Tonight is S&B night and I should be tucked up in the pub, knitting with friends. However, Bath are playing at home and the only car parking space I could find in town just before kick off cost £7.70!

I leave you with a couple of things to play with - the world of Teesha Moore and Poseidon Socks by Tsarina of Tsocks.

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.

Sheep May Safely Graze

I am happy. I popped in to see a friend on my way home from work and was lucky enough to see their new borne lambs, who were less than an hour old. It is so touching and an amazing sight to see such lovely animals taking their first steps and bonding with their mother.

The eldest lamb in the small flock has been bottle feed and is very friendly. It tried to suckle my fingers and eat the hems of my jeans. It was lovely to be able to stroke an animal that provides me with such pleasure and to touch its gorgeous coat.

Such an experience is priceless.

Funeral for a Friend

I was so hopeful of Plums & Custard, so sure I had managed to bring my knitting under control and force the needles to do my bidding. It appears I was mistaken. This is the second time I have had to admit defeat and frog them. I am seriously upset, this is the second time I have had my arse whopped by one circular needle and 100g of gorgeous wool. Plums & Custard, I love you but I fear we have parted ways. I believe we need time apart, meanwhile I mourn your loss my purple and yellow friend. Perhaps when we meet again, you’ll let me know what you want to be … it sure as hell isn’t a pair of damn socks!

It could be Iain sabotaged our relationship, he has been jealous of our relationship. He has been waiting for me to cast on his purple perils.

What a Wonderful World

I have had a great Easter weekend. I was lucky as I was whisked off to Oxford by Iain. A weekend away in a rented apartment and tickets to see Eels on Sunday … I am a very lucky gal.

Anyway, Oxford is a beautiful city with lots to explore; streets full of character, iconic buildings, beautiful parks and riverside walks. We spent a lovely time roaming and we even visited the Bodleian Library which is fascinating. Iain discovered that it was usual for students to stand during lectures; something he thought might be of benefit today. If you love old books or even just the smell of old books, I thoroughly recommend a visit. I am not sure how anyone graduates from Oxford, I personally would spend my time going … ohhhh, look at THAT, its lovely!

The star of the weekend was attending Eel’s concert at New Theatre, see some pics here. I think E might collect rugs; they sure make the stage look homely. The evening started with a viewing of Parallel Worlds, Parallel Lines the documentary made by the BBC looking at E and his father, Hugh Everett III, a famous quantum physicist. The remainder of the evening was spent listening to music and excerpts from E’s book Things the Grandchildren Should Know. I am pleased to report I now own a purple t-shirt and our CD collection has grown (again!).

I did manage to fit in some knitting and Plums & Custard are growing, albeit slowly. Unfortunately, I just had to purchase some Rowan Kid Silk Haze to knit a beret … damn the cold weather and latest issue of Let’s Knit magazine.

Brother, My Cup is Empty

I cast on the first project for my sister’s baby last week and have nearly finished it. It is Debbie Bliss’s Garter Stitch Matinee Jacket from her Baby Cashmerino 2 book. I thought it would be a fun, plain pattern to knit but I am finding it a bit dull as it is all garter stitch. However, I think it is going to look stunning. Pictures coming soon, I promise.

I have tinkered with the pattern so I won’t have any sewing! The fronts and backs have been knitted as one piece on circular needles, removing 1 stitch from the fronts and 2 stitches from the back pieces when casting on. I used a crochet provisional cast on when adding stitches for the sleeves. This has enabled me to knit the fronts and I will then pick up the stitches so I can knit the backs. My plan is to use the 3 needle graft detailed by Sandi Wiseheart of Knitting Daily to join the tops of the sleeves so the jacket appears to have no seams whatsoever! That will amaze my sister.

This is the first time I have used Rowan RYC Cashsoft Baby DK which is lovely and soft. It is easy to split with the needles but has good stitch definition. As general with baby patterns, I didn't bother swatching as baby will grow to fit this item. I am only getting 22.5sts to 10cm and the pattern calls for 25sts on 3.25mm bamboo needles so I adjusted the length of the garment to take this into consideration. However, as I have more of this in my stash I plan to drop a needle size when using the rest of the yarn.

I am lucky enough to live a spit close to Bath, which allows me to enjoy the city after just a short walk. A while ago we were lucky enough to have Oxalis open their tea emporium in New Bond Street. Being partial to a cuppa I think this is a brilliant store where loose leaf tea can be purchased by the bag. They also sell lovely teapots, cups and tea cosies that are knitted by the mum of the man who runs the store. Best of all is that they now have tearooms in the basement of the building. A genius idea that enables you to try a type of tea from their extensive menu before purchasing it from the shop upstairs. The ambience and service was as lovely as the tea and my visit left me with a warm happy glow for the rest of the day. They are also happy to see knitters so, if you have some time available and fancy a pleasant location to knit, drop in and have some tea. I don’t think it will disappoint.