Decision time

Unbelievable

Much to my own surprise, I've finished the Kiri shawl.

It's a bit disappointing in a way, because it's a rather nasty colour of Jamieson and Smith 2-ply, and it's small - about four feet across - because I could get only 3 balls of yarn from the shop. Of course, I could have ordered it, but when you want it, you want it. In any case, it's finished. Once Victorian Lace arrived, I had to start some new lace, but even I thought this should be finished first.

So it is! Now - the Melon shawl? or the faggoted scarf? There are so many patterns I want to make - how about the Maltese shawl?

Watch this space.

Resolutions are meant to be broken

Maybe.

I meant to work conscientiously on presents, but then at the park yesterday it was SOOOO cold I started thinking about scarves and mobius thingies. When I got home I just researched a little - the way you do - and got fascinated by this way of achieving the twist while knitting in the round and had to have a try. So here it is, with thanks to 'Simply Knitting' for pattern and instructions. I might experiment now with just knitting a loop and twisting deliberately - the thing we all try to avoid - and also experiment with different patterns.

It's certainly cosy and warm around the neck - it is snugger than a conventional scarf and, of course, avoids the tedious repeats.

New book just arrived - Victorian Lace Today - so am off to read it over a coffee.

Frustrations

I've just lost the post I thought I was editing. AAAgggghhhh.

I hate to repeat myself! But I was rhapsodising about knitting forums. having been suffering from arm pain - from laptop misuse, not knitting, I hope - and was reading the orrespondence on Angel Yarns forum. I've never, in real life, met such a group of concerned and thoughtful people. In fact, I didn't think they existed. But the different forums I visit have restored my trust in human nature. There is such a wealth of interest and support out there, is it any wonder I am overdosing on Internet time?

My geriatric chair has just been delivered: anything for comfortable knitting!

Finally got something to show - a tank top for DD in Rowan Tapestry. I'm quite pleased with myself because I managed to work out the pattern - it's not cabled, but is two strips twisted. Of course, I don't know yet whether it fits! Almost finished is a

scarf, also in Tapestry: I downloaded the pattern - from Magknits, thanks! - and have just used garter stitch instead of the ridged pattern of the original. It's really cosy and pretty too. I might get some more of this colourway of Tapestry to experiment with a domino waistcoat. I love the short-row knitting, though the 'just another block' syndrome kicks in at midnight.

have spent a fair part of today crawling on the floor planning a pattern on graph paper. No posts of WIP from now on until Christmas - even I have to do something about presents. So I'll be trying to get Fig to sit still long enough to be photographed. There's a puppy which looks very much like her in the latest 'Knitting' magazine, so someone obviously thinks she's photogenic.

Now the chair has arrived, the dogs' patience can be rewarded: I won't even try it out before I take them for a walk.

Happy knitting!

Learning

I hate that expression about a steep learning curve, but I'm actually breathless at all I'm taking in. Last time there was a massive knitting explosion (sort of thing) it was Kaffe Fassett, and it was quite a limited movement. Today, however, all facets of knitting are being explored. I'm learning about blocking with wires, about steeks, about designers, about tradition and about experiment. I want to try everything at once, so there has been another explosion, this time of WIPs.

So: these are 2 experimental wrist warmers.

The recipient was lukewarm at best about wearing them, so I won't have to make the pairs.

This is Nora Gaughan's Cable Spiral sweater, and I've just got to the interesting bit. Also on the needles: 2 tanks, one lace in Debbie Bliss's wool/silk mixture, and the second in Rowan Tapestry; it's going to have one of those twisted fronts - a cable made up of two strips of knitting twisted (I think).

Then there's the stash; I've added some of Debbie Bliss's Astrakhan stuff, bought from Chester Stash's sale, and (Yeehaw!) some of the Jaggerspun that Evelyn Clark makes so many of her shawls in - and it's lovely, with a soft sheen and an amazing drape.Can't wait to start knitting it - I have done a swatch, but that's reasonable!

And the blogs! What riches! all of these knitters out there, sharing their enthusiasm and entertaining us. And making us feel less guilty about stash building and ignoring household dust because they do it too! And then of course, the knitting forums and the knit alongs. I joined the Angel yarns forum last week, and can't believe what a warm welcome I received.

When I was a teacher, there were constant changes to adapt to (all creating extra work, of course). Now I'm equally challenged to learn, but with what fun! Thank you, all the knitters out there, who have me returning to the lap top several times a day to find out the latest idea or joke.

Now I just need to solve the problem of how to knit in comfort for the hours I want to spend, while keeping a book open at a suitable height, and i'll know Paradise has been achieved.

Decisions, decisions

Always hard to make! After dithering for weeks, I've decided that until I actually feel the need to do some work outside the house, I'm not going to fret any more about finding a job. I'll just be retired. Part of me thinks that's lazy, but another part can't stand the stress of applying, waiting for replies etc. And the thought of supply teaching doesn't appeal. I've even gone off the whole idea of teaching. It's probably just post-retirement revulsion, but I never thought I'd feel like this about teaching.

So now all the decisions can be easier, right? Wrong! Foremost is what to do about gym membership: it costs an arm and a leg, and at least half of the time I'm not motivated to go. Do I try and force myself, or do I content myself with strenuous walks each day with the dog? After the initial euphoria, being retired is hard work!

I did attempt photos of our aged oaks, but they're not good. Some of the trees are at least 500 years old - impossible to imagine that length of time. The stags have finally re-appeared after the rut. Today is another beautiful day; the views should be fabulous from the tops. One of the things about Leicestershire is that it's comparatively flat, so from the top of Old John you can see for miles in all directions.

The weekend took Gareth and me to Oxford - Salli is in Vegas! We tore round everywhere - Rhiannon and I had forgotten what it's like to go anywhere with him, with his 8-league trainer

Have finished first pair of socks for 40 years - not perfect, but promising - and have started second pair. We all have such big feet in our family! The new pair are going to have short-row heels and toes, to see how they fit. I actually like doing short rows, so should be good. I'm using (very bright) Regia; while I really like the idea of trying some of the flash patterns I've seen, I like these gaudy wools. Just have to make a lot of pairs, I suppose.

I have also bought some Sublime DK to make a top. Initially I planned on a 'lace' top with a ribbed waist, from their own pattern book, but the yarn didn't show the 'lace' up very well. (Inverted commas because it was so few stitches every fourth row that it hardly deserved to be called lace). I have begun this top five times now, experimenting to find a design that would suit the yarn (settled on one from 'Knitting Nature', the raglan sweater with cables at yoke), and struggling with the tension. To use the stated tension of 22 produced a fabric far stiffer than I like, so I'm now using 5mm needles and the fabric has rather more of a drape. The yarn is what I think of as round - although the price is good, I'm not sure I would buy any more. It has quite an elastic feel, which makes me hold on quite tight, rather than letting it flow as I would prefer. Ho hum.

Stash at Chester have a sale - discovered from someone's blog. (I read so many!) I've ordered some Debbie Bliss Astrakhan, which Rhiannon has been admiring since we first saw it, at an amazingly low price. I feel guilty buying yarn in the sale when I'm not a regular customer, but perhaps I might become one?

Wales drew with Australia on Saturday - they played really well. England, on the other hand, are still struggling. Even without their internationals, the Tigers won!

This morning - hoover up cat hairs; go to library. Then I can knit a few rows!

How do I...?

I'm feeling horribly ignorant after reading things on the UK handknitters forum. How do people find out all these things?

Knitter's Review came today by e-mail; I'm glad to see that the Lantern Moon circular needles met with approval, since I treated myself to a pair at the NEC. I'm also very pleased with my Brittany dpns; need to buy more good-quality needles - but where? If I go on an expedition loking in the right kinds of woolshops, I shall end up adding to my stash, and I'm on an economy drive! Yes, I know I can order on-line, but what about instant gratification? I read that Inox needles are recommended for lace knitting, with the helpful tips; need some of those too.

Have turned the heel on the second sock; Anna is quite right, if you start the yarn in the same place for the second sock, you do get matching ones. My pair will be in bright pinks and reds, and I think I'll try the short-row heel, see how it feels.

The kiri shawl is almost done; I'm at the stage of wondering whether more repeats are possible with the amount of wool I have left.

Tried knitting the free pattern from Interweave Knits a while ago - fronts are semi-circles made in one piece with the sleeve. I think it's one of Kate Gilbert's. Unfortunately I couldn't make the wool from the stash get the row tension right, and it's rather critical, so it's back to the drawing board. I'm going to have a go at a floppy-front; more news later.

The weather is beautiful, so the dogs to the park will go. The deer have stopped roaring, and the green woodpeckers are fairly silent at the moment. On the other hand, the trees are just starting to turn, and the mallards' heads are the most stunning green. When the weather is like this, you can see for miles from the highest point, in all directions. This photo isn't the one I wanted to show - my laptop is being skittish this morning. Perhaps I'll take the camera and get photos of our very ancient oak trees.

Meanwhile - time for second coffee!