Undo it and knit it again

Wildlife

2007-02-24T09:44:00.000Z

When I visited the small supermarket on the estate a couple of weeks ago there was a stand for the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust. Today their pack of information etc arrived and I am impressed by the number of wildlife sites which they manage in the county.
I'd like to know more about wildlife - I'm not bad on birds and I know where to get information, but I'd really like to know about trees and plants. I might wander down to the centre in Oadby and see if they have any books.
There is a local group which meets in Woodhouse Eaves. I'm a bit nervous about joining that because they are all 'posh' up there, but it's the nearest by a long way. I will have to pluck up courage and go.
This week DIL invited me along to a quizz run to raise money for the RSPCA. It was good fun and raised nearly £600! The fact that we won 4 bottles of wine didn't hurt, either. Quizzes are no fun when you can't answer any of the questions. Usually I hate the music rounds because it's all people I never heard of, but this actually had simple questions on opera etc.
Knitting is not a happy topic since my arm/shoulder continues to plague me. It seems to be better when I work with short needles, like for socks, but I'm panting to do some lace work with lovely yarn. I think a visit to the doc might be in order, but what will I do if he says it's permanent and I can't knit? Ignore him, I suppose. I think today I might experiment with knitting as much as I want, what I want, and see how bad it gets. There is rugby on the tv, I have the first of the House dvd's and will go and buy wine. What more can a woman want?

Froggers of the world ...

2007-02-12T09:31:00.000Z

Yet more socks - these are in Austerman Step, which has aloe vera and jojoba oil in. Tastefully draped over my Denises box! They arrived yesterday, and I am delighted. After I got used to the different feel in my hands, I realised how smooth and lightweight they are.

I'm becoming a champion frogger. It's not so much that there's anything wrong, more a matter of trying to get the best result. So my Colinette socks started by being toe-up, but I didn't like the shape of the toe when I put it on my feet, so that came undone. Then I started top down, and when I began the ss I didn't like the effect, so that had to come out, and I've now picked a pattern from SKS and I'm very pleased with how it looks. Then there's the Opal Rainforest 6-ply in Tiger. I've chosen 3.25dpns because I don't like the coarser fabric. These were going to be short-row heels, but when I did the heel I thought it looked untidy, so it's back to a heel flap for me!

The rugby was a disappointment, though the weather conditions may have been responible; it's hard to play exciting rugby when the ball is so greasy. Nevrtheless, I was horrified when Wales were beaten, and went off yesterday to see a film instead of watching Ireland.

Saw 'Blood Diamond' at last. In some ways it's an unsatisfying film because it mixes a quite old-fashioned style story with politics and neither comes off well, but at the same time Leonardo di Caprio is a superb actor, and the scenes of Africa were stunning. I found the scenes where youngsters are trained to be guerrillas distressing, partly because this is happening in so many different parts of the world. I remember watching an Orange parade in Southport once from the car; small children were marching along with their parents and grandparents, being brought up in an atmosphere of sectarian hatred. My small children were in the car with me. I've never forgotten that image or the horror I felt.

Socks and more socks

2007-02-09T11:20:00.000Z

It's arrived! I've wound my birthday Jitterbug ready. I've decided on the toe-up pattern and now all I have to do is finish the foot of the socks I am working on. Depends on how the arm and shoulder hold out - might get there today. I really need that pair of socks - one isn't enough!

The snow wasn't too bad here. I took the dogs across the fields instead of up to Bradgate because the twisty road to get there was a bit off-putting. I love the walk across the fields and haven't been over there for ages because of the mud. When they ploughed in the summer, they ploughed right across the footpath (are they allowed to do this?) and it made for really difficult walking, up and down the furrows. It's now planted - probably sweetcorn - also right across the path. So I'm afraid I walked on it.

Fig absolutely loves the snow. She was racing ahead and then jamming on the brakes so she could slide. Poor Hesta got nasty balls of snow and ice stuck to her underneath and her paws, which were very difficult to remove, so as the time for their walk gets closer, I'm still trying to decide what to do. DD suggests I bring her back here and use the hairdryer on her.

I hate driving when conditions are less than perfect, so I'm really glad I don't have to struggle to work. I think back to watching colleagues attemting to get through the gate into school across a sheet of ice. Some were lucky and just missed the in-gate and were able to get through the exit, but one poor colleague just kept going and going. Me? I learned from their mistakes and got it right.

School was no fun when it snowed - the bully types were always trying to use it to hurt or demean others. If we kept them in their pent-up energy made them impossible for lessons. If we let them out, they came back soaked and high as kites. The floors were awash with water, and very slippery. I'm glad I'm home, with hot chocolate and cuddly dogs. This afternoon, conditions permitting, I might go to the library - or I might just try to finish that sock!

Birthday stash continued

2007-02-07T15:03:00.000Z

From Posh Yarns: Allegra (lovely name) in Sonnet colourway, and Cecilia in Surf's up. I had to buy the Sonnet stuff because of the name, but I was so pleased that there were 4 skeins, because now I have enough for a laaarge shawl. There's enough of the Cecilia for a smaller shawl. The colours are always gorgeous at Posh Yarns; I really fancied the Saffron colour, but unfortunately it sold before I could get there. And how they manage to send the yarn out so quickly! Puts a lot of other suppliers to shame.

Arm and shoulder poor today; have finished a sock, and am knitting very gently and slowly. I don't think the continental style is really helping, though it's fun for a change. But I need to get back to lace knitting, at least for part of the day.

Wales lost on Sunday, but not shamefully. I'd really like to see them beat England - though having said that, I was glad to see Martin Corry getting some praise. He's such an honest player - for me, in the school of Johnno and Backy - and he took a real pasting when England were losing all the time.

Snow tomorrow? At least now I don't have to worry about getting to work, so I could actually enjoy it. Just totter up to the supermarket on the estate and stock up with perishables, then enjoy the dogs playing. Fig has missed out on the ice this year: she is fascinated by it, and keeps patting and lifting at it to see what it does. And then, of course, she rolled on it. She and Hesta have been funny playing with the ball which Hesta gave me for my birthday. Yesterday, Hesta had the ball in her mouth and Fig was tugging away at the rope. My pocket is filthy because I have to hide the ball in there if we are to get out of the park ever.

The deer continue to be around, so Fig has to stay on the lead quite a bit - if it moves, she'll chase it. Yesterday a pair of swans flew right past me on the way down to the river. They looked enormous from so close. If the ground dries a little bit I'll go looking for kingfishers; at the moment it's hard to keep your feet around where they sometimes perch.

DD is off on a course in Bristol today. Unfortunately it's the wrong side of the city for Get Knitted! I'm thinking about sock blockers, but they do seem expensive for what you get. Need to meet someone who can cut shapes out of plastic. Might talk to DS - he knows all sorts of people. On my birthday (while I was guzzling DIL's champagne) he was looking up Knitpicks on the web - they have a couple of very good friends in the US. You never know!

Am fighting the desire to buy more and yet more sock wool. But when my book comes, who knows wht will happen!

First Instalment

2007-02-05T09:33:00.000Z

Of the birthday stash!

Not a very good image - it was getting dark by the time I got home and, of course, I had to photograph it then so I could start knitting some of it. There's some 6-ply Opal, some Regia Bamboo, some plain coloured Opal for fancy patterns, and at the front, Jitterbug. I also got some very short dpns to try. As some people have commented on the forum, I'm wanting to use finer needles. After wearing my first pair of socks for me on Saturday, I know what kind of fabric I want to create. I can't believe how comfortable they are.

So far I like the dpns, and I'm persevering with continental style. It's quite instructive to be doing this, ecause I find I'm terrified of moving from plain knit stitch - must be feeling just like a new knitter. But my shoulder is less painful this morning, so it's worth doing. I tried the 6-ply socks but don't really like the fabric, so have put that aside and I'm knitting 4-ply for practice, using Step yarn with aloe vera from the stash. When I get up the confidence, I'll use the Bamboo for a fancy pattern. I've ordered Sensational Knitted Socks, so with the Magknits's pattern, and Bronte's Cairi's socks, there's plenty of choice.

On the way to birthday lunch 1 I was haranguing DD about the difficulties of getting knitting needles. I'd wanted 3 pairs of short dpns and had managed to get 2 of them after Anna at Web of Wool opened a box which had just been delivered. And then she gave me my present - a card with a photo of Denises, because they were out of stock at Woolly Workshop! After lunch we went to see 'Gridiron Gang', and one of the lines from it keeps running through my head: 'It feels so good I can't believe it's legal' - about sacking(?) the other side in an football game.

Birthday lunch 2 was with DS and DIL yesterday, another treat. DS gave me a voucher for Poshyarns which I greedily 'spent' yesterday during the Sunday sale. The yarn I bought is for lace, so my lace stash and my sock stash are doing very nicely, thank you.

It's quite embarrassing that DD and DS know exactly what I would like. It says something of how boring I am with my knitting obsession.

Like spring

2007-02-02T16:03:00.000Z

Yesterday and today Bradgate Park has been amazingly spring-like. Yesterday the light had that sort of milky quality, and it was really balmy. Today was colder, but the light was crystal-clear and I could see for miles. The deer are out and about again, and the great tits are ready to explode with the force of their - well, not exactly song. I always think they sound rather like mouth organs - that sort of suck and blow effect. The dogs have been very happy, though how to keep them out of the water is defeating me. They race around, go for an orgy of snuffling and then, when I'm relaxing, plunge straight in the nearest ditch. Since the ditches are nearly full, in Fig's case that means she has to swim to keep her head above water.

My arm and shoulder are still troublesome, but better than they were. I'm trying to do one hour on, one hour off with the knitting, and knitting socks, so I'm using shorter needles. This is yarn from the stash which had lost its band. The photo makes it look pretty, whereas in fact garish is the word I would choose. I wanted bright - and bright I got! I've followed Fiona's (Angel Yarns forum's guru) tips to get a neater effect at the heel and they have worked well. The next pair should be better still.

Birthday tomorrow - will probably treat myself to a visit to Web of Wool. After all, I have to maintain the stash.

Grumps

2007-01-30T09:40:00.000Z

The cold spell last week made me feel (strongly) that it was time to add a sweater (or two) to my own drawers. So I got out my Freedom Spirit and knitted determinedly, to see how fast I could make myself something to wear.
So determinedly that I have hurt my arm/shoulder, and have had to stop knitting.
Which leaves a problem: what do I do if I can't knit? And of course, when you can't knit, you want to all the more. Crochet seems to make things worse. If I try patchwork, pulling the thread through and therefore stretching the arm is painful. Would try bobbin lace only I don't have a pillow or pricking card, and can't find any shops which sell them. I don't want to spend a huge lot in case that doesn't work either.
Definitely grumps.
When I retired, I did think of writing a book. I was going to write about this vampire teacher. But I didn't think I'd be very good, so I didn't.
More grumps.
Cat Bordhi's book arrived this morning so I'm going to experiment with a very little, very gentle sock knitting - on 4 needles for now, since I don't have enough short circs. But worth a try. I'd cross my fingers, but that might make knitting difficult.

Assorted rambles

2007-01-22T09:12:00.000Z

All my photos currently are of WIP's. This is Malin (or will be!) from the second of the small Rowan books. I find myself using Kid silk Haze a lot, which is surprising when you think it's so awful to frog. On the other hand, there is a fabulous range of colours; silk does take colour well, I remember from my bobbin lacemaking days. And it's one of the few really fine yarns which is easily available. The photo really doesn't give any idea of the true colour, which is a vibrant yellowy-green.

Another major WIP is to be seen on the Victorian Lace Today blog KAL - must find out how to import a button! I'm using the Posh Yarns cashmere bought with DS's Christmas voucher for the stripes and torchon shawl. The yarn is lovely to handle, and I'm really pleased with the way it looks, too. I really like the not-solid dye effect.

Saturday saw us exploring Milton Keynes for a change. Breakfast in Ikea, followed by a sit on all the small sofas they have. I'm considering buying a sofa so Fig can sit on it with me, but in the meanwhile I've moved a cushion-topped stool next to my chair for her. She likes to walk over from one to the other, and it seems to have given her confidence to balance on the arm of my chair, which is about 3 inches wide. After IKEA we had a brisk march through the shopping centre, and a lengthy pause in the yarn department of John Lewis, where I was almost seduced by some Noro, but at £7plus for 50 grams it doesn't compare well to people like Posh yarns. It's just that Noro's colours are so intense that I want them ALL. Then we wandered into Lush, as usual. I was impressed with Milton Keynes - loads of shops and not too many people. And I didn't see any of those intimidating gangs of youths who put me off going to Leicester city centre - or Nottingham, for that matter.

There was the suggestion on the weather forecast of snow today. Now I don't have to drive to work, the idea isn't frightening. But it's actually bright and windy. The dogs will probably get wet and muddy in the park!

I want to do some rows this morning because it's the knitting group this evening and I know I can't knit lace there. So I'll go and get on.

Can't spare much time

2007-01-17T10:52:00.000Z

Because I need to be stroking and oohing over the Posh yarns that I bought with DS's Christmas voucher, which arrived this morning. I couldn't order before because of the trip to Devon, so I took advantage of One-off-Sunday to choose this:

I've tried several angles to try and get the best photo, but it still doesn't do justice to the vibrancy of the colours. On the right is Saskia, and on the left Sophia 2-ply. I'm hoping to join the KAL for VLT which has been started by Lothlorien, and intend to have chosen the project by tonight. (I've only been trying to decide what to make out of this book since I bought it MONTHS ago).
Kai tagged me for 6 weird things about myself. Now that's a problem: how do I choose six? Maybe they won't seem weird to anybody else.
1. When I take the dogs for a walk to the country park, I sing as I walk. Yes, loudly. Have I got a nice voice? Well, even my father said it sounded like a cinder under the door. On the other hand, when I used to sing in the car to keep the kids occupied (when they were little!), they didn't seem to mind it.
2. Although I don't like butterflies (that may seem weird to some people), I have a blue butterfly tattooed on my arm.
3.My besetting sin is the need to apologise. Someone bashes into me on the pavement? I apologise. When I've done it, I realise that it wasn't my fault so no need to apologise, but I KEEP ON DOING IT.
4.I'm a binge person. No cleaning for weeks, then I binge on it. Used to be the same at work, and would focus on a task for weeks, day and night, and then just let it go.
5. I still love Elvis. I know he's dead, and those impersonators are disgusting, but he's still the King.
6. I really feel Welsh, in spite of having lived in England for over 40 years.

Things my family find weird, like the obsession with all things to do with knitting, wouldn't seem weird to another knitter.

Time to go stroke some more.

Long time no blog

2007-01-15T10:20:00.000Z

But that doesn't mean no knitting! I succeeded in finishing the shawl for DIL; photos are rubbish, but this is at least a detail. The sparkle of the yarn (KidSilkNight) doesn't show up, though.
I also managed to finish the raglan for my son; he was so pleased he asked for a cardigan! No photo- finished it late on Christmas Eve, so the light wasn't very good.

Since Christmas I have finished a pair of socks. I experimented with the short-row heel, which I like, and the short-row toe, which I don't. I guess that means that from now on I shall make socks with short-row heels and conventional toes. I want to try with DK - would they be miles too thick and good only for socks-about-the-house? They would grow so much more quickly. Would probably make welly socks. So I need a visit to Web of Wool since I haven't found a DK pattern, and I can get some Regia 6-ply there. Then I can start using up my stash. I really like the yarn - probably Opal - it makes up a sort of brocade look, and I'm sorry I didn't do a better job with it.

Also finished is the Wool Peddlers shawl from the book by Oberle. I hated making this - I discover I dislike garter stitch with a passion, and the lace section was dull. The choice of Regia bamboo out of my stash was a bad one, really. It would have been better in DK, and I don't think the colours of the yarn show up very well. But I finished it!

Have been off to Devon for a few days: desperate rainy weather and blowing a gale, but we did at least have some dry spells at appropriate moments. Poor Fig didn't get much in the way of walks, but I did buy her a rather smart flying jacket, which she seems to like a lot, and she snuggles into it happily.

We visited some wool shops (of course!) - Mandy's in Wells, which is quite stunning in the sheer amount of stock they carry. They do King Cole and Forsells coned wool. I really like cones - no ends to darn in! So I bought some cream 4-ply merino for the stole in 'Scarves and Shawls'. We also went to Em's Stitches in Ottery St Mary where we bought some UK alpaca. Then I was trying to see alpacas wherever we went, but failed miserably. I see that will be the mission for the future because they look so strange in the photos.

It's odd that not blogging makes me feel guilty, but it does. So I'll try to be better in future!

Christmas FOs

2006-12-16T16:42:00.000Z

Finished the commissioned scarf, plus a multi-directional one in Rowan Tapestry, in case the secret Santa visits a man.

I've spent a lot of time this week thinking what to do with the knitting. I can produce rather faster than I can find recipients. I really wanted to find a market, but this begins to seem unrealistic. This week I've been thinking about knitting for charity. Since I retired, I've been thinking I should do something for charity, but couldn't think what I had to offer. Well, I can knit! Perhaps baby blankets, or blankets in general: there always seems to be a need for them. I'd like to find a charity I would really like to support, but that's not easy; I don't have particularly strong feelings for premature babies, for example. Perhaps I should just get together some things and wait for a need to become known?

Meanwhile, of course, there's still Christmas knitting to complete. I read a post from a forum member saying that she wanted to start a new project on the first day of the new year, and that seemed a particularly good idea. I'll brood about which shawl I will start then!

Since I retired, my brain seems like smush; I can't remember what used to be important to me. I guess I'm still reacting to being free after all those years of workaholism. I know I'm sleeping more than I think reasonable! It's a disgrace really that there was no preparation for retirement offered. All those years of working for an LEA and not so much as a well done at the end of it. When I think of the years of abuse and stress and fear I endured, cheerfully, I do feel angry that there was clearly no sense of a job well and willingly done. I imagine they will begin to get the servants they deserve!

Rant over. Knitting waits. Hope this piece will be well received!

Comes but once a year

2006-12-11T09:15:00.000Z

I've actually managed to get the photo up this week!

This is a scarf (surprise!) - a commission for DD, though she may change her mind about it. It's the scarf from the Christmas 'Knitting', weighted with 3 rows ofbeaded stocking stitch, instead of beads on the fringe.

The yarn is Kidsilk Haze from my stash. Think it's looking rather pretty, though very PINK.

The last week has been spent knitting, with lots of false starts. After Christmas I really am going to try and stick to making my own things, rather than choosing someone else's pattern for the sake of speed. I want to make a pi shawl, if my copy of E Zimmerman's book ever arrives from Amazon. I get the general construction idea, but I'm not at all sure what patterns to put in each tier, and I don't want to waste nice yarn on something that ends up looking silly.

Christmas fever seems to be all bound up in knitting this year, partly because I've retired, and partly because of the knitting forums, where everyone is frantic to finish presents. But this week end I went to 'Dick Whittington' in Oxford, and got a full dose of magic. The actors were good (mostly) with a surprisingly young and totally infectious dame, but the real pleasure was the audience. Having had an overdose of other people's children for 30 plus years, I don't much like children in the mass, but this lot were amazing! They were quite young - one even had to be taken out, terrified by the good fairy's flash! (Reminded me of Gareth's fear of the Demon King when we first took him to the pantomime) But their faces, and their total absorption in the story! The cast were brilliant, going along with their versions, and it was two hours' total pleasure.

Current reading includes 'Hogfather', put into my head by the fact that it's on the television at Christmas. I can't imagine how they are going to do it justice. All those little jokes which depend on words must be lost, I suppose. And the ironies, and the footnotes. I shall watch it - or some of it - hoping that they bring it off.

Meanwhile, there are films to see: haven't seen the James Bond yet, and then there's 'Happy Feet', and others with pretty men to enjoy.

Back to the scarf!

Another FO

2006-12-02T15:04:00.000Z

I've been working on another tank for DD - trying to match her hair which is petrol blue with pink and black highlights. I think I've failed to get the colour!

I've also struggled with the pattern - was trying to create an off-the-shoulder effect so went for a wide neck, and a panel of moss stitch paralleling the shape of the neck, which I emphasised with a row of double crochet. The intention was to use an i-cord, but the yarn was too stretchy for that - and the dc didn't need any sewing on. I also wanted some shine to highlight, so have painstakingly stripped all the fluffy stuff and used just the ribbon for the edgings.

I haven't managed to upload the photo, and in any case I despair of getting good photos - my hand shakes so much that you don't even get a clear image, let alone an artistic composition!

Back to presents - oh, this was for DD's birthday, which is why the tribulations weren't catalogued before now.

Decision time

2006-11-23T11:10:00.000Z

Unbelievable

2006-11-23T08:35:00.000Z

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

2006-11-22T09:05:00.000Z

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

2006-11-20T14:41:00.000Z

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

2006-11-13T08:30:00.000Z

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

2006-11-06T09:40:00.000Z

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...?

2006-11-02T10:17:00.000Z

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!

Markers again

2006-10-30T08:48:00.000Z

Look! I did this!

Went on a workshop on Saturday with Anna Tillman, of Web of Wool, as tutor. Of course I've made socks before - great grim things in lovat for grandfather-in-law, who wouldn't wear 'bought' socks. But this is something much different, socks for fun, for design, for skills. I really love colour, but I'm so bad at putting colours together. This sock yarn does it for me.

It was a really good day. Inspired by what Anna showed us, I tried out different cast-ons (feeling decidedly cack-handed at times!) that I knew about but had never been bothered with. And my almost-sock uses one of them. I also learnt to avoid ladders. Not that I really had much trouble with them, but I don't really like yanking the yarn, and Anna's way is much better.

The almost-sock is in Regia silk, which feels gorgeous. When I've made this pair, I want to experiment with patterning them. I like the effect Anna showed us when you change stitch every time there's a significant colour change: it gives a great concertina effect. But for that, you have to watch all the time, and I know I'll get distracted by Horatio. Think I'll try out some cables.

Of course the stash increased. It's mostly bright: if you're going to make socks to wear, you want them to be seen. The red is for me! I haven't put all of the Bamboo in the photo; I got enough (I hope) for a jacket with floppy lapels, but when I do a swatch I might think shawl thoughts. The Bamboo is SOOOOOO soft. Perhaps I'll be the shawl and sock lady.

Need also to experiment with wrist warmers.

Oh, the markers? I'm persevering because they do make it easier to follow a pattern. Anna uses small ones - less squirt, but then they go missing deep in the recesses of the chair just when you most need them. Sue had great ones with socks dangling - would they catch in the knitting, though? So I'm using loops of wool: no pleasure to look at, but more controllable.

Tonight should be the knitting group at Borders. Visited yesterday but no poster: shall phone the store later. They can't start up something and just let it drop. There are, I guess, about 15 of us on any given evening, enough potential trade one would have thought.

Can't knit fast enough for all I want to do!

Wednesday's child

2006-10-26T08:13:00.000Z

Is it Wednesday's child who was full of woe? Certainly that was me yesterday. The day got off to a good start - 3 DVD's through the post, good session at the gym, nice vegetables going cheap at Sainsbury's - and then it started to rain.

OK, so the dogs wouldn't get their walk (and neither would I) but what better excuse for a day of wall-to-wall knitting? On goes a dvd and out come the needles. It was the tv version of 'Gaudy Night' which I'd seen the first episode of. It began well, and I was revelling in the period Oxford and fashion stuff when: DISC ERROR. And so it went on until I gave up.

Did some rows of Kiri - they are getting quite long now. And then discovered I had made a mistake so had to unpick all but 2 rows that I'd done.

Started a new jacket. The pattern is from Rowan's Classic silk and wool, and I thought it looked interesting, apart from the pastel turquoise yarn it was made in. French navy, I thought - much more stylish. Several hours later it was clear that the fabric was a lot of trouble to do and I really didn't like the effect. So that came off the needles. I've kept the welt, which I DID like - but have no idea at all what to put on top.

Back to the stash, and swatches. I hope these may be more productive, but really: a wall-to wall knitting day when I complete 2 rows and a welt?

Consolation image: the photo is Hesta, Gareth and Salli's dog, who comes to the park with me when it isn't pouring down.

Good thing it's Thursday.

The boot

2006-10-24T07:56:00.000Z

When I was teaching, on a bad day I would fantasise about what I would like to do to the kids: stick a leg out and trip up the ones racing through corridors and completely ignoring instructions; let a door slam back into the faces of those who regularly did the same to me. And I'd imagine the blood spurting out.

On a really bad day I'd fantasise about torture, including the boot. I can't remember the name of my favourite, where you whip someone with a whip made of silk so that it's pleasurable at first, but keep going and keep going until the skin begin to peel off in strips ...

This picture is of the most modern torture implement known to woman. I decided to get used to using one to save wasting time unpicking. Huh! Every time I slipped it on a needle (Lantern Moon circular), it slipped off again, diving to hide under my legs, or rolling around the floor pursued by a cat. If I tried to be firm, it positively squirted onto the floor. Then, sufficiently subdued to stay in place, it stretched the stitch after it to brobdignagian proportions. More practice? Yeah. Now it tangled itself up in the wool.

So I took it and put it on the table in disgrace and went on without it: after all, I've managed all these years. Guess what? The first row I lost my place in the pattern and was well into unpicking when I realised it was just the centre stitch.

Maybe I just need one of a different design?

This picture is of the Parisienne shawl which is resting while my eyes discover, and the Kiri shawl in Jamieson and Smith's 2-ply which I have begun in the interim. I don't know how far the yarn will go - haven't been able to discover the yardage - so I wanted to knit something where I could just stop when the yarn was used up. The lace books are out again as I plan my first 'own' shawl.

I clearly need to buy some more non-mohair lace yarn. Son Gareth has set me up with an e-bay account (he's a fanatic) and tells me I have to check every day. I did find some last night, but didn't know the brand - the writing on the bands looked either Russsian or Greek. And therefore, of course, I couldn't look up the yardage. Come the end of the month I'll have to have an experiment.

Yesterday's visit to the gym reminded me how nice it is to feel all sort of loose inside your clothes, so I'm keen about today. Dog-walking might be affected by the weather: we had downpours during the night, so everywhere is going to be very wet. I keep forgetting, too, that it's half term, so there are more people about. Fancy forgetting half term!

Monday woes

2006-10-23T08:45:00.000Z

After a happy Sunday making progress on the shawl, I've got sore eyes, and remember that mohair often has that effect on me. Thinking back over the stash, I've got at least seven shawls worth of mohair. I know the trick of keeping the balls in the fridge - but I'm not sure about putting the wip in the fridge between days. I'm going to try having alternate days knitting mohair. There is no way I'm giving up the shawls I have already planned out!

So it's back to the stash (gloating grunt noises). This is the lovely silk/cashmere from Soup Dragon; I've also got the cashmere from Hipknits, which took me an HOUR AND A HALF to wind, and a cone of rather pretty grey lambswool from Uppingham wools. I'm having a play with the grey - no winding required! - it would make a lovely soft cloud of shawl, but need to block a bit first, I think, to see if the springy naure can be tamed.

I nearly bought a winder in the summer but talked myself out of it. The puritanical bit of me thinks it's good for me to do boring stuff like that, as a way of paying for the pleasure ofknitting it.

Today I need to get back to the gym, as all this sitting still knitting goes hastily to the mid section. Even the strenuous walks with the dogs don't seem to do enough in protecting me from fat. So my shopping trip was rigorous - NO TREATS, just good GI food. Now, of course, I'm worrying that the noodles, which I like a lot, are not GI. My problem is, I like carbs. I can do without cake and biscuits, but bread and potatoes ... yum. Perhaps it's the influence of having a grandmother born in Ireland. OK, her family came from Devon, but she always claimed to be Irish.

I remember her photo in the local press when she was in her 80s - crocheting a blanket for some cause. My aunt was amazingly skilled at crafts; I can remember watching her reproduce a fancy cushion she'd seen in a shop without any sort of pattern. My father actually taught me to knit; he'd spent some time in hospital and had been occupational therapied extensively. My mother's family always had some form of work in their hands, mainly crochet. That was the age of the doily! How much time did I spend as a child lifting ornaments and doilies up and dusting? As soon as I had a place of my own I declared a doily-free environment.

Yes, I'm wittering because I'm putting off going to treadmill and cross train myself. After that - weather permitting - it's dogwalking time, and then - oh, then - I can at last get back to the needles.

I've talked myself out of the Monday woes, though.

Floppy fronts

2006-10-22T13:34:00.000Z

Looking through stores window-shopping yesterday, I saw lots of jackets with extended fronts which were just allowed to drape; they looked really appealing to me. Then today, in the supermarket, more of them. I am going to have to make at least one, but how does this fit in with my resolve to make shawls? I have bought two patterns by Evelyn Clark:

they really appeal to me. As does the silk/cashmere lace yarn from Soupdragon which I also bought. Discipline!

At least this week I finished two pieces: the top from 'Knitting Nature' and the tank top in Lassoo. No photos because it was dark when I finished them and I'm still experimenting with lighting.

We had our knitting group at Borders on Monday evening - all arrived to discover that the member of staff responsible had left and, although they had advertised the group, nothing had been done to set up an area for us. We are determined to continue, however. I also looked in vain for the discounts on knitting books advertised in one of the magazines to celebrate National Knitting week. But apart from pinpricks like that, we are getting to know each other.

I'm working on a shawl in Parisienne, a simple pattern given to me last weekend by the lady in The Knitting Hut. It's going quite well. I'm learning a lot: the real Shetland 'lace' wool is rather thicker than I like; they spin another quality which I need to track down. It certainly gives a lovely crisp finish to the holes, but it feels much less appealing than the non-specialist lace yarns. I also learned that if you have dark-ish yarn, a complicated pattern is wasted - should have known that from bobbin lace days. So I'm thinking about a simple-ish pattern for the black Kidsilk Haze in the stash. At the same time, I really want to make up one of the Evelyn Clark patterns: perhaps it would look good in the Soup Dragon space-dyed yarn?

Thanks to Yarn Harlot I have bought 8 plumbing rod things, so I'm ready (ish) to block the shawl when knitted. I keep trying to picture how it works. Will put up a picture when I get there ...

I am watching with interest for some news of Colinette's sock wool, Jitterbug. I found a blog yesterday from, I think, Wye Sue - she'd been to Llanfair Caereinion and had bought some there. I'm due for a sock-knitting workshop next Saturday - wouldn't it be nice if I could get some for that? I did see stuff about their new double knitting, Cadenza. It's good that finer yarns are beginning to be popular.

Meanwhile, my fine yarn in bright charcoal is waiting, along with a DVD of CSI Vegas. On a rainy Sunday afternoon, I expect to feel good.

New (to me) yarn source ...

2006-10-16T08:35:00.000Z

Rhiannon moved safely on Friday. I went over on Saturday to see new place and help with shopping. The bribe was to go to a wool shop in exchange for a visit to Ikea. No problem!

We went to The Yarn Hut, which is in Woburn Sands, a village close to Milton Keynes. I actually went looking for Blue Sky Alpacas, having seen a pattern on another blog. In real, the pattern was disappointing, but the yarn is sumptuous. The proprietors of the shop have decided not to go down the usual stockists route, but to look for different yarns - which is why I went there, of course! They have large ranges of Lana Grossa and Filatu, but they also have smaller companies like one of my favourites, Hipknits. I was in the shop for ages - with so much yarn I'd never laid hands on before, it was very hard to choose, though I did, of course: some Lana Grossa for a coat thing for me. Rhiannon found a pattern she liked in Vogue 1, and we had a lot of help finding a substitute yarn with the right tension. It's a real wool shop, with someone sitting on a sofa being taught techniques - even on a Saturday - and informed and welcoming conversation. I really wished I could have followed their convoy to Ally Pally on the Sunday. Thank goodness Rhiannon has moved to Bicester, because I shall be able to visit often, and their monthly newsletter will keep me informed about new courses, stock etc. This is knitters' heaven! Thinking over all the chat helped me through that visit to Ikea!

So, am I doing any knitting at all? Yes! The Turbulence sweater from 'Knitting Nature' is now part blocked - I wish I could think of a way to do it all at once without using the bed, where I have to fight off Gilbert. I've got layers of blocked bits on the table, but I don't really like using a towel. I get much better results from foam sheet, but that takes up so much room.

What to knit next? Can't decide. Will keep on with domino top, but the cables on the Turbulence one have got me hooked. There's a new Nora Gaughan design in the latest Vogue: perhaps I'll make that. But look what Rhiannon bought me!

How am I ever meant to choose? but never mind, I'll go and gloat a bit more!

Tweakings

2006-10-13T08:17:00.000Z

I set out to finish two tanks before Rhiannon moved house today: FAILED! Not sure why. Here is one, in Colinette Lasso, with the hole-y design adapted from a Rowan pattern. I had intended to lace something through the holes, but she likes the holes naked. The whole thing now needs edgings - drat! I had hoped to get away without them.

Think I might have a play today with some yarn from the stash - a hank of lace-weight cashmere yarn from Hipknits which I got from the Knhitting and Stitching show at the NEC. Think I'll make it with a wide scarf in mind, to see how far the yarn goes. If I'm lucky, it might be a stole.

I've also discovered, through links from someone's blog, that we have a stockist for Jamieson's Shetland yarn about 20 miles from here. I might be tempted to go and see!

Yesterday was quite a good day. This is Gilbert, my cat. A few weeks ago he sprouted a lump on his head, which the vet diagnosed as a tumour. So she sent me home to watch for symptoms of his decline and I've been watching him anxiously ever since. He's been snaffling the dog's food and having mad moments racing all round the house and garden! So yesterday afternoon we went off to the vet, with me prepared to have her say he needed to be put to sleep. Instead, he's actually put on weight, and she doesn't want to see him for 3 months. Obviously, the dog food suits him!

Time to go and wind some yarn.

Just to prove ...

2006-10-10T09:04:00.000Z

...that I do finish some projects.
This one is embarrassingly simple, a basic shape adapted to Noro Silk Blossom, but it is finished! The yarn is horrible to sew up - I had to keep putting a twist on it to stop it simply coming apart.

The day is dark and gloomy, so I've voted myself a knitting day. Even now I'm retired, I still feel guily spending the day as I want. Later I'll take the dogs up to the park. It's beautiful at the moment, with acorns everywhere underfoot, the leaves turning, and the stags roaring (it's the rut).

My little dog is Fig (after a fig roll biscuit!) and although small, she has a huge attitude. I 'rescued' her from the RSPCA just over a year ago. Each day we take my son's dog, Hesta, walking with us. She's a pedigree cocker spaniel and very sweet, though somewhat timid. Yesterday a nice man wanted to feed them biscuits (human kind). Fig snaffled as many as she could, but Hesta ran away crying. I love it when she has a bossy moment and runs ahead up the path, then turns round as if to say, 'What's keeping you?' Wonder if I can upload another photo?

Time to go back to two projects I'm trying to finish for Friday, when my daughter Rhiannon moves to Oxford to take up a new job. Got my work cut out!

Attitude

2006-10-09T09:36:00.000Z

I've chosen this name for my blog in memory of primary school. Every afternoon we girls did some craft work (the boys did art). My family always had some form of work on hand at home, so I learned to knit and sew early. I do remember the day they produced the knitting needles and a ball of knitting cotton. One over-anxious little girl felt totally secure and knitted away happily until the ball was all used up. I took the knitting to the desk to ask what to do next and yes, that's right: was told to undo it and knit it again.

I've been knitting since I was about three so have some proficiency, but until recently have preferred to say nothing about it: it's not cool to knit, people tend to despise you, to think you are dull and boring. For years and years I have been a secret knitter. I have hidden my yarn and tried to pretend I don't really have it. Now, however, I knit when and where I wish. I've learned to refer to my stash with some pride.

What's changed? partly the upsurge in interest in knitting - new shops, new yarns, new magazines; partly the blogs which tell of the things I do and have done, so I know I'm not a total freak. (If you haven't read Yarn harlot, do!) Partly also being retired. Jenny Joseph's poem has the old woman wearing a purple dress and sitting on people's doorsteps if she wants to. Me, I just knit.

My knitting interests are multiple. I love to knit lace, but at the moment I'm also fascinated by Domino knitting. The photo is of my first experiment. I began with a ball of sock wool and picked out some of the colours from it. Now I'm thinking my way towards shaping a tank top. Of course, there is always the practical knitting - garments for family. I'm also being exhorted to knit coats for the family dogs. I think this is a joke.

For the moment I'm trying to discipline myself to finish stuff rather than dashing off to find (or buy) yarn for some new enthusiasm. Surely I've got enough for now!