Thank you Facebook

I was really pleased that Facebook reminded me of the shawl I knitted for my friend today as I've never got a picture of it being worn before.  I had a beauty shot of it here, but here's Sarah modelling it - doesn't the blue look great against her hair? If you didn't know, Sarah is the creative talent behind Babylonglegs, where you can find lovely yarns and fibres that she dyes in her studio. Sadly for everyone else, she no longer stocks this yarn base, so I'm very privileged to have had the joy of knitting with it

A Better Beret

So, here's the improved beret, beautifully modelled by my lovely daughter.  I'm not so enamoured of all the pink appearing at the centre where the bobble is as it makes it a bit nippley.  It has led me to save it in my Ravelry projects as the Tit-fer Hat though!

Beret Annoying

As I wrote yesterday, I knitted away on my beret and was waiting for it to dry before I made any remarks.  It has probably dried by now, but Snotticus - the god of colds and coughs - has descended on our household with a vengeance, so I had no chance to poke the beret's inert form last night.

From that, you can probably detect that I was non too happy with what I produced.  Truth be told, the damn thing was so huge that I had nothing large enough in diameter in the house to block it over.  I'd tried it on, unwashed and unblocked and it drooped down over my shoulder. So, I spread it out on a towel, like a deflated something.  What that something was I have no idea, but it just looked limp and lifeless and somehow discarded.  This has played on my mind for over 24 hours.

Something had to be done.  Finally it dawned on me to investigate what others using this pattern have done and tada! - there are ERRATA for the book, including the blooming tam!  So, I merrily decreased every other row as per the book and it should have been every row. No wonder my top was huge,  So much wasted yarn, effort and time.  Gah!  The moral of the story is, of course, to check for errata.  And listen to your inner wisdom.  

Now I've got to find the end that I buried in my icord top knot and pull back to where the decreases started.  Then I get to play with the yarn all over again - yippee!  Maybe this time it won't take about 70g of yarn.......

I promise I will take a pic of the big ass monstrosity so we can compare it to the item of loveliness that will eventually spring forth from my circ (I am determined if not delusional), but for now, it's just words

Mistake? I'll give you a mistake!

A member of one of my online groups shared a really interesting pic of fixng knitting:

I've tried to find the original but to no avail!

It reminded me of the lengths I went to in fixing a mistake when I was a fairly new knitter.  Lack of knowledge, fearlessness and obstinacy are a deadly combination in such circumstances.

It was back in the days when the February Lady Sweater was first published.  I saw this divine pattern race through my friends' feeds on Ravelry and I had to make one.  I worked my way through the garter top and onto the lace.  Quite a way along, I noticed a hideous mistake way back.  It had taken me so long to do the lace that I didn't want to rip back.  Oh, what should a knitter do in this instance?  Cockily, I thought I knew the answer - knit to the stitch that lives vertically above the mistake and just drop it off the needle and let it unravel down, fix the mistake and just bring the stitch back up.......so I did.

And horrified myself at the damage I wrought.

And in trying to fix it had to drop more stitches further back.

And felt close to tears.

So, having lost a couple of hours by this point, I tried writing down what was happening as I unravelled yet another repeat.  (Remember, I was a new knitter, each repeat took so long that unravelling one was a painful process).  It didn't work.  I did not have the vocabulary / charting skills to capture what I was doing, but I did start having a vague idea of what the stiches were doing.

Finally the penny dropped and as I sacrificed yet another repeat, I took a photo as each row was unravelled, then worked back from those.

It took a long time, some mistakes and many curse words, but eventually, and proudly, I picked it all back up, in pattern.  It probably took longer than ripping back and reworking would have done, but I learnt such a lot from it

Five years later, the cardi is still going strong and I can't tell where the mistake and fixing happened

If you want to see more pics, feel free to have a look at my Rav page

AKC (Actual Knitting Content)

From my posts, you might not know what an avid knitter I am. I tend to put my work on Ravelry and forget about anywhere else - oops

Here's a few things I've made

Weekly Therapy

Tonight I was thinking about hobbies and interests.  I've cycled through a lot of crafty obsessions over the years: sewing, quilting, mixed media art, rubber stamping, silversmithing, embroidery, crochet..... But the most enduring one is my beloved knitting (and now its close relative, spinning, of course).

I think this is partly due to it's portability; partly the sheer usefulness of the product that follows so much happy activity; partly due to the community of Ravelry and the instant lessons on YouTube but most definitely due to the weekly therapy that is my Thursday knit night in the pub.

We're definitely not the kind of knitting group that non knitters would think of. With indie dyers, knitting designers and artisan crafters amongst us, our day jobs vary as much as our ages - from 20s to 40 plus - as do our lives outside of knitting.  No tight perms or pursed lips and minds broad and open are the order of the day when we meet.

We've been a group for almost 4 years and we've survived changes in venue; members joining, leaving and returning; unexpected personal pictures and lots more. There's a core of members who have changed from 'other lovely people who knit' to friends who support each other through good and bad. These are the ones who make me cry - once when one of them unexpectedly returned home but more often through sniggering at something a bit rude if not extremely dirty.  There's nowhere else where I experience a cramped diaphragm from laughter on a regular basis and nowhere else where I know I can get a range of viewpoints on any problem, all delivered with love, friendship and a kick up the bum if necessary.  Thursday knit nights have become sacrosanct and I wouldn't have it any other way

I just can't damn well resist

I love charity shops.  You never know what you will find, if anything.  So, after adding to government statistics at lunch time, I stopped off at a post office and popped next door to what my kids call 'The Funny Shop'.

Now, the last time I was in there I asked to see the knitting needles, only to be told that they’d thrown them all away as no one but me asks to see that particular drawer (hidden away in their beautiful haberdasher’s cabinet).  I persisted though as I could see the drawer, then suggested that she let me have everything in there for £5 as there were at least a few things I wanted (I couldn't bear the thought of them going to landfill). DH and I spent an hour matching up needles and sizing everything using the vintage gauge that was in with everything

Today, I could see that the drawer had been filling up again.  I swear, it's my version of crack cocaine,  So, after raking though, I returned home with not quite as bargainous a set of items, but still:

This contains a thread colourway that would not be allowed today - Romany Brown.  Almost as disturbing as the N-word brown crayon that I remember using at my grandparents

I never knew that you could get cotton napkins on a roll!

Poor neglected blog. It’s been quite a few months now..….. Surely not that long?....... Wow! OK, a catch up


I’ve been having interesting times, somewhat like the alleged curse. I’m still in them, partly, but I’ve habituated I think

At least my spell of unemployment has come to an end – albeit temporarily. My current employ blocks access to all blogging and forums / chat rooms so agonizingly I can’t even look at Ravelry – the horror!

Creativity-wise, I’ve been contentedly knitting, star of which has to be the Trinity shawlette I’ve made with some soft and wonderful Babylonglegs Semi-Precious.

There was enough for me to do extra repeats and then when my courage ran out, to extend the border somewhat. Off the needles and preblocked it was 39” wide, 18” tall up the spine and 26” on the diagonal. After measuring, I soaked, rinsed (many times – what a lot of excess dye there was!) and towel blotted my work – always a tense time as I’m forever convinced that despite my best gentle efforts I’ll either tear or felt the work. I’d treated myself to some blocking wires (hulucrafts – fab service, particularly when there was a mix up with some needle tips I ordered at the same time) especially for this shawlette and they were a pleasure to use – definitely worth the investment. I measured during blocking and after – there was only a loss of ½” from one to the other. Finished blocked measurements were 53” wide, 25 ½” tall and 36 ½” on the diagonal – big enough to sit over my shoulders and upper arms, protecting me from the worst of the air conditioning in the office

I am very pleased with how the shawlette turned out – the interaction between the pattern and the beautiful semi solid wool (50% silk and 50% SW merino) is perfect and the weight and sheen of it – I am one proud knitter! It must have been good – DH asked ‘did you knit that?!’, then he asked ‘when?’ – just goes to show how miraculous blocking must be as he had no connection between the blue lumpy thing I’d been working on and the finished article

I’ve also made spiral tube socks for DD, am working on some much longer ones for DH and have started a Featherweight (I think – I am muddled without internet access – whichever is the paid for, Featherweight or Whisper) for myself. I also made a cute elephant that was going to be for a work colleague, but DD fell in love with it so had it instead. Top tip – if you make one, put toy beads in the rear or something else weighty as the trunk pulls it over

I wish I had some sewing or patchwork to report on. I did try to make a bag as a present for my neighbour, but messed it up and it has been punished through solitary confinement in a drawer ever since. I keep intending to make myself a nice lunch bag instead of the greenie meanie reuse of bread bags that I’m indulging in at the moment, but to no avail. I’ve taken a break from morsbagging too – somehow it all got tangled up in my interesting times, so I took a break from it.

Recently I went to the NEC to help out with teaching knitting on the Knit One Pass It On stand and although I looked out for the morsbags crowd, I don’t think they were there. Oddly enough, as I was thinking about it last week, a woman who was meant to drop off fabric in the autumn finally called me and brought around two bin bags full of curtain fabric, so I will take that as an omen and contact the inimitable Rosie.

Otherwise, life has been full of family, pie making and general baking, knitting club (including a new member flashing a photo that made us all wish for brain bleach), friends and general day to day living and all that entails (usually washing and ironing!)

Socksy

Image by lalheg via Flickr

I've been working hard on finishing off a jumper that I knitted for DH.  I thought I'd practice my handwashing skills, so I gathered together the socks that I've knitted over the past few years and gave them a gentle wash, rather than the vicious pounding that the washing machine gives them (which is why one pair of socks knitted for DH are now mine, all mine!  Sometimes shrinkage ends up a positive).  I took pictures but Zemanta seems to be having a wobbly in placing them, so apologies if your screen is randomly festooned!

Picking up the reins

I have a lot of things I want to blog about, not least of which is a wonderful giveaway that I won.  I've failed in getting my photos of that one so far (too busy using a lot of what I won!) so I shall post that one another day.

Today though - a fun day.  I started off with an interview - still waiting to hear on that one, so shh, no tempting fate.  Now I could have gone straight back to the train station and gone home, but instead I walked from one side of Nottingham city centre to the other, up to a new wool shop that's opened - Knit Nottingham.  On the way I walked past a wee lad in a fancy dress costume.  I waited until I was almost level, then just at the right moment and volume, gasped 'Ooh, Buzz Lightyear', then floated down the road to the sound of his delighted, secretive giggles.

I found the wool shop without any problems - it's only a hop and skip up from the Victoria Centre - close enough to town to be buzzy, far enough away to make you feel as though you're in a lovely community and supporting a truly local business.  All the time I was there, people were popping in-  for sales, advice, details of upcoming workshops and even just for a friendly chat.  I really enjoyed the inclusive, welcoming feel that Eleanor, one of the co-owners is building - to the point where I happily sat, knitted and had a cup of tea with her.  Definitely not the treatment you get in larger establishments, or my nearest craft shop come to think of it.

The shop itself is quite small and as I described it on Ravelry is a good range of basics spiced with some fabulous artisan makes, mixed with vintage and served with a great slice of friendliness.  I saw some beautiful handspun / hand dyed and great handmade crochet hooks - all mixed in with good value acrylics in shades that your usual Wilkinsons etc don't carry.  There was a good variety of wools for the size of shop - I was a bit mind blown by my interview to remember makes etc so apologies!

I was frustrated that I had no money in my purse - they are still waiting for their chip and pin machine so that might be worth bearing in mind if you visit.  There is a fee charging cash machine nearby and a free one about a 5-10 minute walk away, but by this time it was chucking it down so I resisted temptation.  I did scrape up £1 to buy a pack of knitters finishing needles - finding them is like hens teeth sometimes so that pleased me!

So, in summary - a good addition to Nottingham's wool shops that I hope is going to grow over time

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Fibre adventure

Lovely Fiona gave me my first lesson in spinning at knit night last week.  It's a lot harder than it looks!  I was instructed to soak the results in hot water to set the twist, so I went the whole hog and had a go at dyeing too, using a pack of Koolaid.  I've a small stash of packets that Lori sent me all the way from S Carolina - many years ago we were all ATC and altered art freaks together - just occasionally there's a benefit to being reluctant to throw things out!   

So, here's my photo story of not quite fluff to finished article, but all the steps in between.  And yes, that is one of Alice Starmore's books - a bit tattered but a bargain from a charity shop.  TBH I don't really get why so many rave about her - can anyone enlighten me?

Oh, can anyone suggest what I can make with about 16 yards of bumpy orange oddness?

My return swap

Now that my partner has received her swap, I can show what I sent. Given that the spending bar for this Ravelry 'Cheap as Chips' Swap is £5, I thought I did well. If you hadn't guessed it, the theme was purple so I had great fun amassing this and making the cover of the notebook.

I won't be able to participate in next month's swap, but I don't want to miss out on the fun, so I've decided to be my own swap partner. The theme is floral I think - wonder what I'll get myself?

Leicestershire Woolfest

Leicestershire had its own tiny woolfest today - it was great!  I met up with various members of Loughborough Knitters, the Big Knit and random woolly minded people (I'm not saying which categories those pictured below fit into!);

wandered up to meet sheep and the alpacas that guard them;

and had a thoroughly great time.  Hopefully this is the start of something great for Leicestershire!

I do knit, I promise!

Given the lovely weather, I thought I'd have a go at knitting with some 80s flavour mint green Cotton Top I have in my stash, courtesy of the local scrap store many years ago. 

I decided on The Incredible, Custom-fit Raglan Sweater for my pattern, using the V neck instructions, adding in a few cream stripes of Fiori at the top for variety (plus I started to get myself worried about how much wool I'd got).  I 'm half way down the body and it is fitting wonderfully.  Shame that mint green isn't so much my colour, but I could have an adventure and overdye it once it's finished.  Any suggestions for a colour would be welcome!

Microwave jam and sulky knitting

I was rummaging in the freezer yesterday and happily found a bag full of strawberries from last summer's picking frenzy.  I'd noticed the homemade jam stocks were running a bit low so it was a great opportunity to indulge.

I let the strawberries defrost, drained off the liquid (added to gin - made an OK drink but not as nice as the mojito I had later on) and combined the same weight of sugar with the berries (300g each).  I meant to leave that for an hour so the sugar would dissolve, but the combination of cocktail, Dodgeball and sulky knitting (DH's jumper is tight around the armholes so is in time out therefore I've cast on a February Baby Cardigan) led to it macerating overnight.  This morning I warmed the mixture on full in the microwave for 10 mins then reduced the power and checked a couple of times for setting point.  It got there after 10 minutes and made one amazingly fruit filled pot of jam.

I make jam both in a huge catering pot on the stove when I've loads of fruit - crab apples and plums, I'm looking at you here - and in the microwave when I want to play, want to preserve particularly fresh tastes or I've not so much fruit.  I've tried strawberry both ways and the microwave is definitely tastier.  I'm quite proud of my jams.  The only one I haven't liked was physalis jam - if I remade it I'd do it again as a jelly as all the tiny pips were horrendous.  Otherr than that I've tried strawberry, plum, crab apple jelly, elderberry jelly, marrow and lemon and mulled wine jelly - the last a try to recreate a red wine jelly I once bought from France and have never found since.

SSSSSSSSocks

Never let anyone tell you that a good way to make socks is to make a cuff, knit a huge tube and finish with another cuff, then start cutting and picking up stitches to make buth toes and heels.

Grump grump - back to toe up for me