Frog in knots

The Life of Riley

2008-09-27T12:00:00.004+01:00

Long time no see my dears. Blimey what a year! I finished my teaching qualification successfully this summer but ended up having a slight career change due to illness. I have developed a severe allergy to teenagers and the more chavtastic they are, the more intense my desire to run from the room screaming.

As you can see my alternative career choice keeps me incredibly busy.

This was me at work a few days ago - rushed off my feet as you see. You might also note a slight change of scenery too. I hopped across to Channel to Frogland a few weeks ago and will be here until next the start of next summer. I'm working for a school study tour company at the moment and head off to a ski resort this winter. I have already tracked down the yarn shops in Paris, and am now finding the time to knit again after my relative drought of last year. I've lots to show you, but won't spoil you all at once.

The project in my hands is Juno Regina which spent a few weeks in the naughty corner when I noticed a mistake 16" earlier. I was starting to think it was a project I wasn't supposed to make, but now seems to be behaving itself after a spell in detention. It won't be done any time soon, but is making a great portable project for the time being.

Otherwise it's sweaters-a go-go at Château Rain with this little number from VK Winter 05/06 in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran but more on that soon. I'm now mostly posting projects at Ravelry where my user name is Rainie.

Be good my sweets and I'll hopefully catch up with you all properly soon.

Bezzie would be proud

2008-03-21T10:00:00.000+00:00

What do you get if you cross a wooden coat rack and a string dispenser?

A cheap-ass swift of course!

I was fortunate to receive a gift voucher for Get Knitted for my birthday and I had intended to put it towards a real swift, but my Mum happened to see the coat rack and suggested that it might do the same job if it was attached to a lazy susan or something similar. ~~Necessity~~ Val being the mother of invention after all! So the cheap-ass version was born.

It's not quite as long as I'd like when stretched out, but it does the job more or less. I've also seen plastic versions of the coat rack in Tesco recently if anyone else fancies making one. The string dispenser came from a craft fair and the two pieces cost me £4.50 as opposed to the £40 a real swift would have cost, leaving me to spend the gift voucher on other things...

Excellent transactions all round I think you'll agree!

Tee Hee

2008-01-19T10:30:00.000+00:00

I was conned into buying Simply Knitting recently by a very misleading picture on the cover of a pattern I wanted to make, only to find it wasn't in the magazine, but only an advert for a kit. Damn plastic wrapping. As a small consolation there was a voucher inside for the Bumper Book of Knitting, which I then got for half price. While it's not the world's most amazing knitting book there are a few things in there that I wanted so it was worth it. Not to mention that it includes Alan Dart's Christmas Gnomes.
I'm not really a gnome fan, you know the tacky ugly little pottery or plastic fellows that people put in their gardens that I get the urge to kick over when I see them (I've gone grumpy in my old age), but I couldn't resist this little guy, especially as I was looking for something suitable to make for my tutor. She's Swedish and was throwing a traditional Swedish bash to celebrate the end of term before the crimbo holidays. He was perfect and she loved him. He even got to go with her on her trip to Japan the lucky little bugger. Huge thanks to Hazel for the leftover yarn from her little guy.

It's a pirate's life for me!

2008-01-07T18:00:00.000+00:00

When I heard an old friend had had a baby last year I instantly set about knitting for her. Well, not quite instantly. What does one knit for a goth baby? Obviously pink and frills were out and I didn't feel the love for black and frills, that's a bit too ominous for my liking, so I went with black and cute. Hopefully Jules will forgive me for the little bit of pink on her gothlet.

It's the Pirate Sweater from Adorable Knits for Tiny Tots by Zoe Mellor (again). Same mods as with the red one - I missed out the contrast cast on/off because that would have meant even more ends to sew in and do I not like ends. Fortunately I like the sweater enough to have made it twice in a short space of time. Right, now where's the rum?

Funny Looking Hat

2007-12-31T17:30:00.000+00:00

Turns out it wasn't a giant rasta tam after all...
It's the Pinwheel sweater from Elann. I made it in Sirdar Yo-Yo a chunky self striping boucle yarn that fades in and out beautifully. It was met with much scepticism by those watching me make it who couldn't see how on earth I was supposed to wear such an odd shaped contraption, but all is now clear...I started this in August for the Sweater-a-Month KAL but once I'd decided to go back to University that went out of the window and it's taken until now to finish it. It was worth the wait though.
It's a different tension, which doesn't matter in the slightest for this project and I used the same method as the thumb from Fetching for the sleeves as the one given was more complicated. I also did a simple picot cast off that looks reversible in this yarn. I haven't really figured out a fastening yet, but will either keep the hair stick or buy a brooch to match it. I love it!

I wish you all health and happiness in the New Year!

Erm.............................. oops

2007-12-23T13:45:00.000+00:00

Calling my schedule hectic would be the understatement of the century, which means I've had to develop a new hobby. I have given up knitting and replaced it with stashing. Although I'm starting to think it's more of an illness than a hobby because it's brought on by extreme stress. I think I have an allergy to assignment deadlines, of which there have been plenty.
As you can see I'm in a very purple mood of late.

It's Sirdar Blur and Click, Debbie Bliss Astrakhan and Cashmerino Aran, Manos del Uruguay, Twilley's Freedom Spirit and Hunter's of Brora 4 ply. I've enough for a sweater from each type, with enough for 2 from the Astrakhan.

Although I have been good and branched out to other colours.

Fox Moda, 3 more colours of Manos, more Hunter's, Louisa Harding Fauve and some DB Cathay. Again in sweater quantities. All of this has been extremely bargainous, although I did splurge on some Knit Witches Cashmere lace weight when I went to London for the new SnB book launch, but more on that another time.

Right now I'm too busy fending off my mother's attempts to misappropriate some of it in her direction. Too much yarn? No such thing!

Is it a bird? Is it a plane?

2007-10-28T19:30:00.000+00:00

Is it a giant rasta tam? Actually it's none of the above, but I ain't tellin'. You'll just have to guess.

Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated. The grand move South went very well indeed and I am now installed in a very trendy locale, but it unfortunately means I haven't had much knitting time as I'm now in University and teaching in a local secondary school. I do have lovely classes, but they keep me on my toes. I don't think I've ever done anything this time intensive so you'll have to forgive the lack of posts and blogreading. Roll on the holidays!

Most importantly, I have a few (very) belated thank yous.

The biggest goes out to Carrie Anne for being a truly amazing Summer Secret Santa. The swap took place in July and I received an amazing parcel. The yarn is Brigantia Luxury 100% wool DK in the most gorgeous colours. I was pleasantly surprised with this yarn, the tag says it's 50g skeins but on my second fondle something felt a bit suss so I weighed it and each skein came in at 111g making the posibilities endless. I think it's begging to be made into a vest top of some kind. The other items included a funky crocheted bag, a handmade ethnic necklace, a beautiful personalised notebook full of gorgeous different paper, some incense, some stationery and a brick of fudge (already devoured). Thank you so much Carrie Anne, it was all perfect.

Also the fabulous Queen of the Froggers, the wonderful ArtyFartyKat, the very talented Hila and the other other Rain (not the yarn licker) have all nominated me for a Rocking Girl Blogger Award.

I know it's taken me ~~a while~~ ages to get back to you all about it, but I was really touched by each of you thinking of me. Do go and check out their blogs because they rock too. I also want to thank all of you who've carried on reading even though the blogging has been a bit patchy over the past few months, it's been a funny old year so far. I really appreciate you stopping by to comment as well as those who just read along on the quiet. I also want to thank those of you that have added me to the link lists on your own blogs. I do notice and am keeping you all bookmarked so I can catch up with you at some point. You lot all rock! As for nominations of my own (I hate doing this because I can't pick everyone) I wanted to point you in the direction of three of my favourite blogs. Firstly Areli, she knits the most beautiful things, next up Heather because I want to be just like her when I grow up, and finally Rachel. She may forget to blog or knit, but she never fails to make me smile.

Psst! TG - I'd have picked you, but thought you might get the meme stick out and beat me with it.

Frog on the Move

2007-08-26T15:45:00.000+01:00

I may be as mad as a box of frogs, but this time I have surprised even myself. At the end of last month I decided on a career change and put plans in motion for it to happen RIGHT NOW! I'm going back to Uni to do a post-grad teaching certificate and a part time Masters degree in Education. (Ha ha! Lock up your children!) The fact that my chosen university is in the same city as the best yarn shop in the UK is, I assure you, entirely coincidental...

I have actually been very, very lucky and got a last minute place at one of the best institutions in the UK and am quite looking forward to my move Dahn Sarf. If your name is Sue I'll be appearing in a wool shop near(ish) to you very soon. In fact the course starts in 3 weeks time.

Normal blogging will resume shortly although knitting will have to take a bit of a back seat for a little while. Small projects ahoy!

Yoohoo!

2007-08-06T19:30:00.000+01:00

Hello folks. I am still around I promise, but the world is a-changing at Casa Rain at the moment with big and scary plans afoot. Now I've got you all curious, this is the bit where I don't want to say anything in case nothing comes of it, but you may not see that much of me around for a little while. I have a lot to do and very little time to do it. Unfortunately none of it is yarn related and SHOCK HORROR I haven't knitted a stitch for 2 weeks or more. I'm getting withdrawal symptoms and am starting to gibber.

However, before big scary plans were set in motion I did manage to knock out a wee outfit that I've been planning on making for ages. It's Lavender and Lace from Simply Knitting May '06 made in Jaeger Sienna 4 ply and some mystery mohair that's roughly the same thickness as Kidsilk. The only change I made was to miss the holes out of the zig zag section in the middle.

I really like it but am having a nightmare getting ribbon to match and have been wearing it in public without. I need it really as it would hold the top in place. It could do with a bit more space for the boobage too, but I couldn't be bothered to undo it.

The very lovely lady at the local craft shop even got the ribbon shade cards out to see if she could order something else to match, but the pink is too pink and the lilac is too lilac, so we're stumped. I'm looking for another option to ribbon that involves very little work on my part but am drawing a blank. Answers on a postcard to...

Cold Shoulder

2007-07-26T17:45:00.000+01:00

One problem I have is that I don't like wearing a coat and have been known in the depths of winter to potter out in very little on. This gets worse in the summer, the warm weather (HA!) tempts me out in just a vest (well not just a vest) and when it gets chilly in the evening I freeze. I can't always rely on a beer jacket to keep me warm and have decided that shrugs are the way forward. Step up The Ribbed Lace Bolero.

This is a variation on the Craftster Circular Shrug and can be custom fit to your body size by taking certain key measurements. This took just under 2 balls of Blue Sky Organic Cotton and is great for keeping the chill off, or at least it will be if it ever stops raining.

Sock it and see

2007-07-19T19:45:00.000+01:00

I am very disappointed in you all. I have heard some people mention how difficult it is to take a photo of a sock on your own foot, but none of you have truly conveyed the level of contortion required. In fact I have had you all down as an unsupple inflexible bunch until now.

The sock, Baudelaire from Knitty and my first BTW, is made from vintage wool yarn that a mad old aunt gave to me years ago and is currently missing it's mate. The chances of it getting an identical mate are currently debatable as I rarely wear two socks the same as it is.

I made several attempts to portray the beauty of my latest knit. I tried the 'hold the camera low OMG how fat are my ankles' pose...

then the 'pointy toes' pose...

the 'wave your foot in the air like you just don't care' pose...

the 'oh holy £*=@!^& $#!+ I've got cramp in my hip' pose...

and finally the 'I've been in more comfortable positions playing Twister' pose
Hopefully you've seen enough of it before I have to resort to this, although chances of me getting beyond the first position are slim.

The things I do for you people ;)

'armless enough!

2007-07-13T19:30:00.000+01:00

This month has been a busy one for me so far but with very little knitting to show. I've got an upcoming deadline for a pattern (the SnB one) and that has taken precedence over everything else meaning that I had to find a fairly quick knit for my monthly KAL target. I have to say I was rather naughty with this choice because I went for a short sleeved cardigan which doesn't really count as a sweater in my self-imposed rules. I shall have to do penance later in the year and make myself some extremely long arm warmers to make up for it.

The project is from this year's Spring/Summer edition of Vogue Knitting and is worked in Blue Sky Organic Cotton. The yarn is so lovely to work with and feels incredibly soft. It was very kindly sent to me by the fabulous (and very naughty) T in exchange for some design work I did for her. She knows me too well because I was wistfully fondling this exact stuff only the week prior to receiving it. Thank you T.

I made a few alterations to the pattern adding in 2 inches to the body to try and hide my short torso. Looking back at it now I should have added them into the peplum or rib, but I was trying to avoid having the rib intercept the very part I was hoping to disguise.

After having a play with it I decided to fasten it crossed over slightly as it looks a little more flattering, especially from the back. I had to go down a needle size to get gauge and used just under 5 balls for the biggest size. The remaining yarn was also turned into another quick project but you'll have to wait to see that because FOs are on ration in these parts.

Budge Up!

2007-07-05T21:30:00.000+01:00

Make room boys and girls because I've brainwashed another into this cult of ours...

Although Jenn has knitted before and tends to pick up the needles when I visit, this is the first time I've seen that wild look in her eyes that means she's hooked forever. The phrase 'in a minute I just want to finish this row' was uttered to her husband (really must introduce her to knitting in the round and never-ending rows) and it was an early bedtime for the little one so she could squeeze a few more rows in before turning in herself.

I got the sense that she was chomping at the bit to have a go herself from the wistful looks she gave me while I was knitting this wee number for Scarlett (a simple top down t-shirt in Sirdar Denim with crocheted edges)

and my hand was snatched off when I offered needles and yarn. Jenn confessed she loves to knit but doesn't have the confidence if I'm not around to help, so we did a wee master class in fixing common mistakes and she was off. Can we have a collective aw for the fact that her stash fits in a shoe box and a wicked cackle for knowing that it won't fit in there much longer.

Since she'd nicked my second project yarn I set about raiding her stash (some old scraps of mine for practising with) to knit some clothes for 'Baby', Scarlett's doll that arrived nekkid apart from a hat.To spare Baby's blushes I whipped up a wee cardigan and some lurid yellow trousers.

You might be wondering where my taste went when I made these but they're to help teach Scarlett about getting dressed and her colours. More loud and unmatching doll clothes are on the agenda, although I won't be cheeky and pass these off as my remaining sweater quota. Scarlett's next on the knitter-to-be hit list and although it will be a few years before she's fully turned - the yarn love part started six months ago...

Arrr me hearties!

2007-07-01T21:30:00.000+01:00

Avast ye scurvy dogs! This 'ere knit be not for the lily-livered. On me latest voyage I made a Jolly Roger sweater for the scallywag sprog o' an old school matey fer his first birthday booty. It be from the book Adorable Knits fer Tiny Sprogs by that thar wench Zoe Mellor.

Plunderin' o' the stash chest gave me some acrylic line t' weigh anchor, but them thar many colour changes be shiverin' me timbers, so t'were easier t' be simplifyin' it. Less ends t' sew in ye know an' more effective lookin' o'erall.

Now yer'll all be a-commentin' or it's the plank.

Ahoy mateys! The wee bucko's been sighted in his sweater o'er a cup o' grog. I'll be swappin' arrr for aw from now on.

Topsy Turvy

2007-06-24T23:30:00.000+01:00

This month's jumper for the Sweater-a-Month KAL was the Cable Down Raglan from Interweave Knits Spring 2007. I fell in love with it as soon as I saw the previews and knew I had to get my mitts on the magazine. It's not that easy to find in the UK but I have a friend who lives near a stockist in the South and she offered to get it for me and bring it on her next visit north. I've been twitching ever since to get started but knew I had to get everything else finished first.

It's in RYC Cashsoft DK in Crush and took just under 500g for the 38" size with monkey arm sleeves. I decided to lengthen the sleeves rather than do the 3/4 ones in the pattern. I also altered the raglan increases to either knit or purl M1R/L accordingly as the ones given looked untidy as I worked them. The smaller cables were changed to have an equal number of stitches on each side because I'm OCD about things matching and they bothered me.

I went for a size smaller than I'd usually knit to make sure I had enough yarn and really like the fit. I still feel like I'm knitting upside down with this method, but I do like being able to try things on at an early stage to see how they fit. I don't like knitting sleeves in the round though, they seem to take ages as I have to work them individually. I don't think I'm fully taken with this way of doing things although the lack of seaming is winning me round. I've just ordered Fitted Knits so this won't be the last top down thing you see from me.

Reduced to the status of a bum

2007-06-18T18:00:00.000+01:00

I'll be drinking lighter fluid in the gutter next.

You know your knitting experience is going downhill when you resort to broken needles and novelty yarn. If the FO wasn't for my favourite wee person there'd be no hope of me working like this.

I've broken both my 3.5mm bamboo straights and circ and don't have this size in any other type of needle so with a pencil sharpener and an emery board I produced a (just about) workable tool. The yarn was given to me by a friend who was clearing out her knitting things. In fairness it wasn't too horrific to work with, but I wouldn't be in a hurry to use it again. Being unable to see the stitches drives me potty.

This Teddy Bear Bodywarmer took me a little longer than I hoped because apparently I was drinking lighter fluid in the gutter or damn near to it at Scarlett's Dad's birthday when during the evening of a day long BBQ and drinking session I saw fit to pick up the needles. Despite a fellow knitter begging me to put them down I insisted on KUI (knitting under the influence) and paid it for a day later when I'd obviously made a mistake but couldn't see where the heck it was and had to rip.

I brought it home because I didn't fancy sewing in a zip with the mother of all hangovers but it will soon be winging it's way back to her. This is just a bigger size of the mink gilet I made a while ago. She wore it so often that when she outgrew it her Mum was devastated and asked for another. Although I was dreading using this yarn I felt it was perfect for the project. I didn't follow the pattern (Knits for Babies and Toddlers by Fiona McTague) as it has an awkward construction involving pockets, but instead worked out the size required from my gauge swatch and went from there skipping the pockets entirely. She won't miss them, she's a handbag kinda girl.

Be My Valentine

2007-05-31T19:15:00.000+01:00

Better late than never ;) February's endeavour for the Sweater-a-Month KAL is finally complete. I ground to a halt when I ran out of yarn and decided to put it to one side before I thought too seriously about frogging it and re-knitting it a size smaller. As it turns out, the extra ease I'd chosen to make it with was just right and fortunately I managed to get an extra ball on Ebay which miraculously was the same dye lot. The break inbetween gave me a fresh look at the design so I ripped it back a few inches from where I'd abandoned it to try something different for the arm shaping and finally got to do the long awaited yoke.

It's in Patons Crystal, which is a multi-strand construction made of 100% microfibre. It has really good stitch definition, but is very splitty. It's my own design but I took the heart stitch pattern from a vintage baby book and used it in bands as I didn't want to overdo it or be flashing too much skin. I went for 3/4 length sleeves partly because I was wary of the amount of yarn I had and partly because even when I knit them full length I always seem to push or roll them up.

I think I could have done with putting the middle lace section a little higher. Although it doesn't look like it here, it's on the same level with the ones on the sleeves and I would have liked it where they appear to be in the photos. That said though, I really like this and am very pleased with how it turned out... eventually.

Alien Invasion

2007-05-26T16:30:00.000+01:00

I'm sure I can't be the only one with far too many UFOs. Never mind hiding them behind the sofa, I think I'll evict them and take refuge down there myself. They make me feel guilty when I stumble across them looking all forlorn languishing in a cupboard, pushed aside for nicer patterns, prettier yarns or the latest craze. None more so than this braided cable cardigan from Verena Herbst 2006. I started this with so much enthusiasm in December, but it got sidelined by a more pressing project and by the time that was done I'd signed myself up to the Sweater-a Month KAL and got carried away by that.

It was only when I came back from holiday too tired to think and convinced that I had nothing I wanted to knit and nothing to knit it with, that I turned in desperation to some old projects. I am so glad I picked this up again. I wasn't in a thrilling yarn, just some black aran weight acrylic from my stash, but it's just what I need. I've wanted a long black cardigan for ages and this is just right. And to top it off, it counts as the other half to this month's sweater total.I still need to add some form of fastening. The single hook and eye suggested doesn't seem enough, so I'm thinking about 8" of hook and eye tape from the chest down will be better suited to my needs.I'm thinking of crocheting an edging around the bottom too as it looks a little untidy to me, but as I could wear it in public I'm claiming it as finished. I may even come out from the sofa.

Twisted

2007-05-19T17:30:00.000+01:00

I must be really twisted to think knitting patterns from the 80s is a good idea, but I have news for you - it's coming back, like the monster in a horror film 80s knitting is rearing it's ugly head again. I've had my eye on this pattern from the very day my Mum bought the book in 1987 and now a whopping 20 years later I've finally made it.
And it's a little, well...er twisted. There are so many freaking cables on it making me look like some sort of demented helter skelter.
It's like one of those mind puzzles that starts to move if you look at it for too long.
Am I glad I finished it? Kinda. I started knitting it on a whim pre-Knitting Olympics last year as I was between projects waiting for them to start and it's sat in a cupboard ever since. I get UFO guilt so this is one less thing to niggle in the back of my mind and lets me strike off another half sweater from my sweater-a-month total. I have to say that I did not enjoy finishing this at all, I started it in a time when acrylic yarn and metal needles were my staple diet. In the last 12 months I've used either wood or bamboo needles almost exclusively and I really missed them. Also this acrylic was one of the brands I like a lot less than the one I usually use and found it awful compared to the nicer yarns I've been using more recently. Basically I've been spoilt. I'm not sworn of acrylic forever. In fact I'm knitting with it right now but I think the worm has turned. Next month's it's cashmere for sure.

Excitement City

2007-05-14T15:30:00.000+01:00

I'm miles behind the times with this one but figured you'd love to see it if you haven't already.

Although it won't be out until January this is the cover for the book one of my designs will be appearing in. It looks fabulous and I have the cover sweater (by Olga) on my 'to knit' list already. There are so many names I recognise contributing to this book that I can't wait to see the other items in it. There are more details on Amazon for the curious.

Another thing that's got me all excited is this...

Looks like February's sweater can be finished after all. Not that there's much knitting going on around here at the moment. That very glum looking puppy has just had an operation and needs constant care. I've been told she must be kept completely still until the stitches come out which anyone who has ever had a 10 month old puppy will tell you is nigh on impossible.

Three Bags Full

2007-05-09T22:00:00.000+01:00

Not that I flew halfway across the world to go yarn shopping or anything, but it would have been criminal to be staying down the street from a fabulous store and not go say hi - twice. Well three times actually, but can you blame me? Look at this place it's wonderful.

If you ever find yourself in Vancouver be sure to check out Three Bags Full on Main Street. The choice is amazing and the staff are fabulous and super helpful. They are terrible enablers though and will tempt you will all manner of lovelies that are difficult to resist. While I only managed to bring home two bags full of yarn I was delighted with what I found and could easily have filled a third and a fourth and a fifth...

They were wonderful enough to wind it all for me too.
Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock (80% superwash wool/ 20% nylon) - no ideas yet
Malabrigo (100% merino) - wristwarmers/ headband
Euroflax (100% wet spun linen) - lacy scarf
Blue Sky Alpaca Silk (50% alpaca / 50% silk) - scarf
A few other lovelies may have come home with me too but they're a secret so shhhh!

Oh for more luggage space and a higher weight allowance.

TBF is also where you'll find Christa of the Christa Knits podcast about knitwear design, well worth a listen if you get the chance.

I'd love to say I had a relaxing and refreshing time on holiday but I got a stinking cold a few days before I went which knocked me off my feet a little for the duration of my trip. I still had a lovely time though. I also got to look at the blog from another computer and realised what a mess it looks in other browsers so I'll be working on an overhaul shortly so don't be surprised if things looks a little different over the coming weeks.

Great Expectations

2007-04-18T17:00:00.000+01:00

When I got my latest yarn bargain I fully expected to turn this...

...into that with very few problems. But...

The main problem came when I took a closer look at the pattern (Verena magazine - Herbst 2006) and realised I was short on yarn. It came from a closing down sale for a bargainous £2 a ball (RYC Cashsoft - 57% extra fine merino/ 33% microfibre/ 10% cashmere) it usually retails at £4.45. It was so in demand that it was impossible to get more than the 10 balls I initially purchased. Knowing my recent luck with yarn it just wasn't worth the risk. I uhmmed and ahhed for a few days, considered other yarn in my stash and then proceeded to sulk for 3 days until I decided to live dangerously. I took another look at the pattern to see if I could cut any corners and realised that it was made as two 'T' pieces so that the sleeves were knitted sideways instead of cuff to shoulder. This bothered me to the point that I reached for my clipboard and did a complete re-write of the pattern in a more traditional construction. It took a bit of tweaking and I altered the stitch pattern slightly, but I finally got the numbers to work out in a way that made me happy. I worked the 3x3 rib section in the round and then worked the patterned part flat in one piece to the armholes. The sleeves were then worked separately. I also changed the cables so they twist a different way on each side as I feel it looks better especially when the cables are following a neck line. It was a super speedy knit - hurrah for big needles, I started on the 5th and finished last night - at this rate it could be two sweaters a month! (I wish).
And those great expectations of running out of yarn.....? It only took 8 balls :)

Check out my cheeky pup! While I expect small children to go through that awkward stage where they pull faces in every photo nobody ever mentioned that puppies do it too! She's nine and a half months old now and very much the stroppy teenager.

Sorry folks - I really am neglecting you and your blogs at the moment. Please bear with me, I haven't forgotten any of you, I've been writing the pattern for the next SnB book. I also booked a much needed holiday on a whim a few days ago and have yet to pack a thing. I'm away from tomorrow morning until the 6th of May when I shall sit down with a cuppa and read through all of your exploits that I've missed. Behave yourselves while I'm gone - especially if your name is Sue!

Free Spirit

2007-04-09T11:15:00.000+01:00

Nature is a truly astounding thing that leaves me in complete wonderment, I love seeing the world around me change with the seasons. Cassie and I have been taking advantage of the glorious spring weather in the UK to get out into the stunning woodland that's right on my doorstep. We wait for the early evening and go for a gentle stroll (I stroll - she runs herself ragged) while the late sun comes streaming through the trees and highlights the greens and browns. The woods are still quite bare but it's exciting seeing the buds knowing what's about to come.

My love for natural colours can be seen in my knitting of late as I've been inspired by what's around me. I've recently made this top from the yarn that the fabulous T sent me as part of a secret santa swap, it's Twilley's Freedom Spirit in Earth (100% wool). I've been dying to use it and wanted to make a V neck vest. I worked mainly from the Magknits Ballet Camisole pattern as I loved the shaping in it although I worked a proper V neck. I tried to retain the same shape as the original but without pulling the fabric down to achieve it.

I love the result from this yarn, it's two colours put together as a single ply that gradually change throughout the yarn, the way they mingle in the finished piece looks fabulous. The 40"size took just under 4 balls so I have enough to make a felted bag too. A huge thanks T, it was something I was coveting but not likely to buy for myself and you couldn't have chosen better.

I'm also working in this yarn too. I've had it stashed since my teens without a clue what to do with it until I came up with a cunning plan. I'd tell you what it is but it's more fun leaving you guessing. It's going to be a while before you see the final result though, the white yarn next to it is Crochet cotton no 5 and this is slightly finer than it. My eyes, my eyes!

Psst! I'm not neglecting your blogs, I've just been away from the computer for a while. I'm off to catch up right now.

Glam rock

2007-03-27T21:00:00.000+01:00

Or should I say Glampyre rocks. I've just finished my Simple Knitted Bodice and I love it. This was my March knit for the Sweater-a-Month KAL and despite being the third month of the year it's the first sweater (for me) that I've finished.

It's in Debbie Bliss Cotton Angora in Vintage Rose which I believe is now discontinued but still widely available on the likes of Ebay. It's a dream to knit with and doesn't feel like cotton at all. I describe it as like downy puppy fur running through your fingers as you knit (which makes me Cruella De Vil in the eyes of my friend Adam). On the downside though it sheds and pills like you wouldn't believe even after a few hours (under the arms and where I was carrying my bag) so because of that I'd be wary about using it again despite loving the feel. I finished it late last night and wove in the ends in the car on the way to the shopping centre this morning and put it on straight away so it's as yet unblocked.

This was my first top down pattern and I really liked that I got an early feel for the fit and could keep trying it on as I went along. I made very few alterations to the pattern. I added in an extra two rows after I'd joined it in the round so the purl ridges weren't right at the join and I dropped the lace panels on the sleeves to match the level on the body. I also changed the neck to a mitred V worked in the round rather than a wrapped across piece knitted flat. I also added a little extra length to the lower body. I love this pattern and could definitely see me making another but would perhaps change the whole neck so the V isn't so low. With this version I have to wear something underneath it and it has a tendency to drop so it's slung back over my shoulders. I also think I could get away with a smaller size as I thought it was a generous fit. All in all I really love it and will definitely be getting Stefanie Japel's Fitted Knits as I'm a huge fan of her designs.

Fetch!

2007-03-17T15:00:00.000+00:00

I've finally finished my Fetching. This is the fourth pair I've made but the first for myself. These are in Sublime Cashmere Merino Silk Aran which is a gorgeous yarn. You can get a pair out of one ball so it's ideal as a sub for the Debbie Bliss yarn. I did mean to take action shots with the creature out on our walk this morning but I forgot to take the camera and Cassie was far too tired to play when we got back. I started these when I was in hospital last year but found it difficult to knit with the cannula in my hand. I ended up knitting one from each end of the ball as I didn't have the pattern with me and could only work up to as far as I could remember. When I came home they got dumped in my work basket and have been there ever since with the yarn in the middle transforming into the mother of all knots and the whole thing ending up a bit scruffy. Still I like 'em and they look great with my new coat.

I also have some fab froggy goodies that I've been kindly sent that I want to show off. Apologies for taking so long to do so.

These very cute pens were sent to me by Hazel and Bad Amy sent me this hilarious calendar and frog heart purse. The smaller purse came from my friend Emily.

I've also been sent this great yarn stamp by the very talented Carrie Anne which came with this block print card she made herself. You can now buy both in Hazel's shop - they're great for making care cards or tags for your knitted gifts. Thank you so much everyone, I've had a rough few months and when they've arrived they've really made my day.

I also meant to tell you ages ago to go along and see the very cute version of my Twister pattern that HPNY made. I really liked the much shorter version as it's more practical for some coats than a long scarf.