Knitting Progress on go slow!

Well, the knitting progress has been somewhat rather patchy over the last fortnight, work has gone busy, what with month end to deal with and also the end of the tax year, so all I wanted to do when I got home, is watch a bit of TV and fall asleep.

However I did manage to start the Monsoon STR sock, after a couple of tricky starts with the toe-up, this as previously mentioned I have never done before, but armed with lots of advice on the kal, I did my provincial crochet cast on, now somewhere I read it's best to do this with a brighter or lighter yarn, so is easier to see when having to unpick, so for some strange bizarre reason I thought I'd use some horrendous bright orange cheap acrylic I had lying around, to be honest I can't even remember buying this particular ball of yarn, as it is so gaudy, I can't imagine wanting to make anything with it, but thought this would be ideal, but oh no, when it came to unpick, the orange fibres got well and truly stuck inside the lovely monsoon yarn. Arggh, I had no choice but to cut that piece off and start all over again, this time using a smooth white 4 ply cotton, I have managed to do a few rows of rib on the foot, and I love the way the colours are pooling together.

I have made some progress with DB's Trekking sock, this also has a short row heel, but the instructions given for turning this one, are different to the Monsoon sock, where as on the Monsoon you actually wrap the yarn round the stitch before turning to prevent a hole, on the trekking stitch you actually do a yarn forward, and then when it comes to working the stitches back up, you need to kind knit into the stitch then knit into the back of the yarn forward to prevent a hole, well I must have tried and frogged this at least four times, but each time ended up with the most wonderful lacy heel you could imagine, not at all right for men's socks so on my final attempt I used the wrap round method and hey presto worked perfectly, so I learnt a good lesson there. Here is the progress on these so far.

Over the bank holiday weekend, with the glorious weather, I have been having a few problems on what to make, you may find this quite strange, but I do not really have lots and lots of yarn in the stash, although I have knitted from an early age, it is only the last year or so, I have taken an interest again, so usually I have only bought yarn for a particular project that I want to make. I never really have much luck with sale yarn, my nearest LYS is John Lewis's in Nottingham, and there actual yarn selection has gradually got smaller over the years, so what yarn they do have on sale is usually just a bucket of odd balls and never enough to actually make a whole garment. My other local store, which is about a 20 minute drive away is Yarn at Beeston, which is a fabulous shop, but parking can be difficult, and I am always a bit wary of leaving the car on the street for any length of time, so I usually have to get DB to take me, so he can wait in the car, while I nip in, but there is nothing worse than feeling rushed when in a yarn shop ;-) and although he says he doesn't mind waiting, I don't think he means hours, which is usually what it takes for me to pick and choose. I do not have much luck with on-line sale yarn either, not sure if it's my moniter but when I think I have a bargain, and the yarn arrives, the colour never looks right and it never surprises me why it ended up in the sale. So here I have four days off work, with some time to actually do some knitting, but not got the right yarn or right quantity in stash to make anything for the summer.I was going to get DB to take me to Yarn yesterday (Saturday) but on Friday poor Tess developed a small lump on a very precarious part of her bottom, although wasn't causing her too much distress, it was upsetting for us, so we booked her into the vets yesterday morning, the job of taking her is easier said than done, she's fine walking up to the door, tail wagging but then with one sniff when the door is opened, thats it, tail between her legs and feet digging into the ground and won't budge, strange when she was younger, she never minded the vet examining her but now she gets so nervous, and although she would never bite, it took the two of us to hold her steady, while the lady vet felt all around her, it appears she has a small cyst, and after a course of antibiotics, she may need to go back to have the lump removed next week. Crikey though, I think I must have chosen the wrong career, we was literally in there for three minutes, and we was walking out with a bottle of fourteen small tablets and a bill for forty-five pounds, not that I am complaining about paying, as with all pet owners, the well being of our little furry animals is something you just can't put a price on!

So after that, I didn't get to go to Yarn and of course the yarn shops are now closed over Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. Still I will go next weekend instead.

Although, I could always start Caister, I am not sure with the stripes, does anyone know if it's best to carry the yarn up the sides or keep cutting the yarn and having hundreds of end to sew in. the stripes at some parts would mean carrying up as much as ten rows and then on some are only two, but if I do carry the yarn up the sides, cause I am working with four colours, would this make the seam too bulky to sew. the yarn used is 4ply cotton, I would appreciate any suggestions!

I have very nearly finished the cropped cardigan, the neckband is now finished and sewn in place, I did the three needle bind off and am very pleased with the result. I just need to sew on buttons and press stud, and I haven't forgotten the promise of a picture, so I will get one ready for next post.

As the weather is nice and sunny, we shall be off on a nice bike ride today on the Harley!!!

PROGRESS AT LAST! SLOW, BUT GETTING THERE

Over the last two weeks the knitting progress has been going somewhat better! I finished the G Rock, STR Socks, these have become a firm favourite, both in knitting them and wearing, I did a slip stitch heel on these, like I did on the spindle socks, this seems to somehow reinforce them, where needed, as it is usually the heel that starts to wear first , here is an action shot, or so to speak, just look at all the colours

Closely examined by Tess, who say they are very nice but would look much better with boots, as that usually means a walk, which she says makes her happy and makes her tail wag!

I finished these, just in time for the arrival of, the much longed for, first kit from the Socks That Rock Club, The idea of these kits is to be mystery to those who joined, so just in case, although I do imagine that everyone who has joined and is likely to be reading this has received theirs by now, I have hidden the photograph behind the link, so not to spoil the surprise for anyone still waiting

Socks That Rock Kit - Package 1

I am really delighted with the goodies in the first package, The kit contains Folder, Dyers Notes, Button Badge, Key chain with emergency yarn, Bumber Sticker, The lovely skein and also not photographed the pattern, I haven't started the pattern as yet, but I have wound the skein into a ball and is already to go, the pattern is toe up and also short row heel, something that I have never done before, but with all the help and advice given on the Kal, I am sure will be a lot of fun! The only thing I was a bit put out by was that DB said I couldn't put the bumber sticker on the car, what a spoilt sport, I think its really because he's worried that someone might try and steal it ;-)

Talking of help, Roxy yet again, has come to my rescue, and kindly e-mailed me with lots of helpful hints and tips on how to sew and finish, Roxy's garments always have a lovely neat professional finish, something that I would love to be able to achieve, So together on towels and a slight press with the iron, under a damp cloth, we have this so far

I suppose raglan sleeves are the easiest to fit, I might have a look for a pattern of a simple cardigan or something to knit from stash so I can practise with fitted sleeves, as they look like the most difficult, the Caister cardigan that I am planning to make has fitted sleeves, but with stripes, so it wouldn't be good to practise on this as a first attempt.

All that's left with the cropped cardigan is too finish the two knitted bands at the back of the neck, as anyone got any ideas on the best way to get them to join together neatly? and then to sew the button and press stud on. Hopefully for next post I will get DB to take a photograph of me wearing the cardigan, he has far more patience than me with photographs, I'm a more point and click person, then end up with headless shots or pictures of the floor! Although DB said he was actually have difficulty in taking photographs and may have to go on strike, cause his feet are cold, Do you think that's a hint that he is still waiting for a pair of knitted socks? Well I have started the Trekking socks, and am now about six inches up on the cuff, but mindless rounds of rib in black wool is rather tedious, but still only two inches to go to the heel, but guess what, the trekking sock is another short row heel, so it could become rather interesting! I was even more worried though when DB said that he actually like the skein in the STR kit, more than black. Err I don't think that was part of the deal do you?

Well that's all, till next time and hopefully I will have the cropped cardigan finished, and be a bit nearer with the Trekking socks and have started the STR socks too, I can't wait.

Have a nice week, hope the weather gets better, now we have officially started British Summer Time, Hee-Hee!

ONE STEP FORWARD, TWO STEPS BACK

This is how it's felt with the knitting progress lately, As mentioned in previous post I was rather hoping to have at least one FO, but unfortunately it's not to be, I did hit a snag with the cropped cardigan, yep that darn pattern with all it's errors is "haunting me". I'd knitted the first sleeve, then about half way up on the second sleeve, I decided they didn't look long enough, as the increases given in the pattern on the sleeve do not add up to what the pattern says they should on the size I was making. I had to re-write the particular part of pattern again, to get the right amount of stitches, So I knitted the sleeves to my own amendments, but after realising they were not going to be long enough I re-read the pattern again, and although I had altered it to get the amount of stitches rights, I'd somehow, missed a chunk of the pattern, so I was about 12 rows short, which on 5mm needles is quite considerable length. The tape measure was telling me that I was about two inches short of what the sleeve should measure, and as the sleeves are cropped anyway, mine being even shorter looked really stupid and I was not at all happy with them, so I knew with that dreaded feel in my stomach, that my only option was to frog them, so after a glass of wine (large one) ;-) I ripped it all out, re-wrote the pattern yet again and have re-knitted them.

I also had a few problems locating a button for the front, There aren't any sewing type shops where I live, without taking a trip into town, and going to John Lewis's. which is a long way, just for one button, OK I know I don't really need much of an excuse to have a look at the yarn again, but budget doesn't really allow for it at the moment, and I am certainly not someone with strong-willpower that can just look and then walk away. I did look on e-bay for a button but those are mostly sold in packs of ten, and as I want the button colour shape and size to be just right, It's difficult to see them exactly on a computer monitor and if they are not right and can't be used. it would be a waste of time and money. I also looked in the charity shops, but couldn't find anything suitable there either. So when I mentioned the problem to DB, he said, I'll make you one and the next day after work, he came home with these

So I have a choice of two, both are ideal, and although it's difficult to see in the photograph, he made these from oak and has stained them to show the wood grain. I am not sure which one to use as they are both great and just what I wanted, but then I got that guilty feeling again , as I remembered I still have not started his socks yet.

So now the knitting part is all done and blocked thankfully, I did try to take photographs but couldn't get them to look right and then the batteries in the camera packed up, how come no matter what you are doing, the particular batteries you need are never at hand. So the Laura Long cropped cardigan is now ready and waiting for that wonderful job of sewing up (eyes roll)

On the previous post I mentioned the pattern a day calender, Kat was asking where I'd purchased it from, I bought mine from The Calendarclub.co.uk to be honest I have so far been a bit disappointed with the calender, I have resisted the temptation to look at the patterns still to come, but so far none of the patterns have been anything I have wanted to make or wear. But it's still good fun seeing a new pattern each day and fingers crossed it can only get better

I did manage to win these on eBay, I usually don't have much luck with knitting bargains on there, but this was a exception, and with this I shall be able to make another pair of the Spindle Socks at about half the price.

On other knitting news I have very nearly completed the second G-Rock sock, only about 10 rows to go and the toe shaping, I am also half way up the back of Chamomile, so there is slow progress going on.....

I'm still waiting for the STR package to arrive, I had hoped that it would have come last week, but the Blue Moon Fibers have bit hit with another snag, heavy snowy weather, They really have had the odds stacked against them with this, and it's a shame as the girls have all really worked hard at putting the problems right, whilst still keeping a sense of humour, it seems as though they been having the same problems as me ONE STEP FORWARD AND TWO STEPS BACK

STILL KEEPIN' THE POSTMAN BUSY

Well, over the last fortnight, I have had yet, more goodies arrive. I not sure what part I like about knitting the best, the arrival of nice knitterly things, or the actual knitting itself ;-)

The first to arrive were these, three balls of black yarn, which hopefully shall become DB socks, yes, these still haven't been started and are still in the pending pile, must get cracking on with these, as I may start to feel guilty when the first STR package arrives, which should hopefully be over the next fortnight, but then again STR over lengthy DB black socks, What would you choose to make first? ;-)

The other two items are the new Debbie Bliss books, Out of Town and Pure Cotton book, both of which do have a few patterns that I would like to make, The Pure cotton book, if you turn it over has another section of patterns using the new yarn Stella, so it is almost two books in one.

This pattern has really caught my eye, ALEXA in Debbie Bliss Stella, just ideal for the summer.

The other pattern at the back of the first photograph is the Cropped Cardigan from the Blue Sky Alpacas, I also ordered the yarn for this from Get Knitted, The yarn should hopefully arrive any day now, as they did not have enough in stock and needed to re-order.

Also when ordering I just couldn't resist this, isn't this so cute ;-)


It's the keyring sweater from Lantern Moon

Also to arrive was a skein of Colinette Jitterbug in Bright Charcoal, I have not bothered to photograph this, as I was a bit disappointed, think I may have the same problem as Roxy mentioned on her blog, as I think the bright bits have definitely been missed on my skein, one of the problems with hand painted yarn, so this has been added to the never ending sock yarn stash pile.


This arrived too, after seeing Queen Frogger's copy, I just couldn't resist, so I ordered a copy from Amazon a week last Thursday and was really surprised that it landed on my doorstep yesterday (Saturday), especially as they had said expected arrival time to be April. There are a quite few things that I would like to make and I am really pleased with the book.

I bet after seeing these purchases, you are all thinking yeah, yeah, but when are we going to see some knitting actually been done, after all isn't this what this blog was supposed to be about. Well I have been knitting honest!!! Not as much as I like, as mundane things such as work, housework and paperwork have been getting in the way and the NOT mundane things such as Internet Shopping and reading other people's blogs.;-) I have very nearly finished the cropped cardigan, just one sleeve to go and the sewing up and knitted band etc... and I have completed
the first G-Rock STR Sock, and the second is also well on it's way, so hopefully shall have at least one FO for you next time.

I took the photograph on a white paper background, in hope that you can see the many colours better.

I did have a laugh though, the middle of last week, as the pattern from the Pattern a Day calender was this, for Valentine's Day. "A Valentine Thong"

Even DB couldn't stop laughing, until I told him, that I was going to make him one, instead of socks, his face soon changed and the language to follow, I couldn't possibly repeat on here, "now what yarn would be the best to use" ;-) I do apologise to the person who's design it is or to anyone who has made or considering making this, but for me personally, as much as I like wearing knitted items, knitted pants of any kind is definitely a no-no. So I shall leave you with that chuckle! but seriously if anyone should like the pattern, please let me know and I shall happily pop it in the post, and I promise I won't laugh. (too much....)

Look What's Arrived

Don't you just think that the best sound ever is the knock knock on the door from the postman, especially when you are expecting knitting goodies, I have certainly kept our postman busy over the last week, the first to arrive was this:

Two skeins of Socks That Rock, in shades January one and G Rocks, Blimey I was not at all disappointed with these, The colours and texture are amazing, as I know I don't need to tell most of you, that has already purchased some. I just literally couldn't wait to get home from work and start sock making, just what you want to get through a Monday

This is the shade G Rocks and the colours are more amazing when knitted than in the skein, it certainly become a favourite sock yarn. Also I arrived home to find the new Rowan magazine was on the doormat. I had actually had a sneaky peep at this in John Lewis's on Saturday, amazing last Saturday the sun was shinning and the weather was warm and just perfect for looking at all those summer patterns and new yarns. For me, there is a lot of good stuff in the issue and immediately the pattern Caister caught my eye

and it wasn't long before I found myself choosing and selecting the 4ply cotton ;-) I decided, to opt for the same colour scheme as in the pattern, a bit unadventurous I know, but decided it was best to play safe, I am hoping this will turn out OK as I really have fallen for it, but in the past I know I have problems with 4ply cotton and getting an even tension. but I going to see this has a bit of a challenge and take my time and try to do my best. I can't wait til spring . I also purchased the new summer tweed book, The Kasbah collection, this has a wonderful selection of patterns for summer tops and there are also new shades of Summer Tweed. I can't tell you how excited I am.

But then after all this looking at summer patterns and new summer yarns, what happens in the middle of the week, we get snow!!! Yes scraping ice from the car windscreen and watching big flakes of snow fall, soon brings you back down to earth and makes the summer seem far away. Never mind I really should be sticking to the New Year Resolution and actually have F.O's before starting new one's. I have finished though the front of Chamomile and also have finished the back on the cropped cardigan, this now, I have the amendments to follow has actually become a fast knit and an enjoyable one.

Talking of New Year Resolutions, the healthy eating plan is going quite well and I have started a new plan called the Human Inferno system, basically the idea with this, you start the day with a fairly big meal and then gradually the meals get smaller throughout the day, being your last meal, the smallest at around seven. pm. and the trick is that you don't eat anything after 8pm, it's quite difficult at first to adjust, what with work and everything, but I have tried and over the last fortnight have actually lost four pounds, but without feeling hungry or without sugar cravings, the knitting of course has helped, as by knitting mainly in the evenings it has kept my mind occupied. I Ideally would like to lose another half a stone, and be around 8.5 stone, as this is what I feel most comfortable at.

Back to the knitting purchases I also bought from Angel Yarns a Regia Sock kit in the shade Bonbon

Tess would like to say Hi, and also she would like to tell you it's her birthday today

Yup my little terror is four years old and is being spoilt rotten with doggy treats!

KNITTING UPDATE

Last year, DB and I went on holiday camping, in Brittany, France. Whilst we was there, I came across a yarn store, accidentally of course ;-) I thought I'd like to buy some yarn and make something to keep as souvenir of the holiday, It was a lovely tiny craft shop, which was full of Bergere De France Yarn. The shop itself, was very busy and being so tiny, it was difficult to browse properly, and as they were all speaking french, it was difficult to enquire about anything too, but the lady, who owned the shop did speak a little English, well let's say her English was much better than my French. So when it came to my turn, I decided it would be easier just to purchase one ball of sock yarn, so after a lot of pointing and waving my feet about, the lady nodded and pointed to a small basket of odd balls of sock yarn, to be honest there was not a lot of choice so I quickly selected a ball and purchased it, and as I was going out the door I thought I heard the lady say, that's lovely (something) Bergere De France yarn. Then the other day I was speaking to a Knitter friend, and when I showed her my completed socks, she said, I have some of that yarn in my stash, it is Opal Petticoat, I was a bit startled at first, here's me thinking I have got some unique French yarn, to find out I could have probably purchased it in the UK. now me being a 'complete gonk', a couple of months ago whilst clearing the bottom of my knitting bag, had thrown away a number of knitting bands and alas, I think this was one of them, so now I think I'm going to have to change their name to stripped socks, not very original I know,but I can't think of anything any better at the moment, so here we have Stripped Socks.

and the yarn used will remain a mystery, not that it matters, as I did enjoy making them.

The cropped cardigan, has got off to a very sticky start, The pattern is full of errors, not just one either, each piece is wrong and to top it all, the picture in the pattern is a mirror image, so everything in the pattern is reversed! Yikes, Luckily I had not got very far, before Roxy very kindly pointed them out to me, there has been nothing posted on the Yarn Forward website as yet, in fact it says no errors have been found so far with issue 1 and although I understand very basic principles of decreasing at armholes etc.. how many stitches and when is not something I find easy to digest, I always rely on the pattern to do that, even DB tried to help, but him being an engineer, managed to make it sound more technical. I was disappointed to say the least, as this was something I had set my heart on making. I have tried sending an e-mail a couple of times, to the editor but I am still waiting for a reply. Then Roxy, yet again, has come to my rescue, as she knew another Rowanette, who has made this cardigan and has made and written her own amendments so Roxy has very kindly e-mailed them to me, so all is not lost after all and I will be able to make the cardigan. Thanks ever so much Roxy for sharing this with me, and also thank you to the lady, who made the amendments and has shared them.

In the meantime, I was a bit undecided what to make next, so I decided on this

Its Chamomile from the Rowan Summer Tweed book, I have been wanting to make this for a while and I had purchased the yarn in the shade Denim, last autumn. I have visualised wearing this whilst taking Tess for walks at weekends, and so I don't think the leather thongs would be practical. so I'm doing the neckline the same but without the ties and if it starts to flap open too much, I can always add a hook and eye closure, just to hold in place. I have made good progress so far, and about half way with the front. It's the first time I have knitted with Summer Tweed, and although I like it, I do hope it softens a bit when washed, because at the moment it feels a bit dry and full of twig like sharp bits.

After a bit of searching DB has decided he liked the Techguy Sock pattern from Mag knits the best, but wants them plain, and also chosen black, which is probably one of the worst colours to knit with, so what I think I shall do, is to take these to work with me and perhaps if I just do a few rows at lunchtime etc, it won't be so bad and after all I did promise and he did buy me a place in the STR Club. Talking of which I have ordered a couple of extra STR skeins;-) as they have now sorted the payment system out and I was able to purchase these myself, I can't wait for them to arrive, I am not sure how long the postal system takes, but I am looking forward to it, and I also believe the new Rowan magazine is out this week too, So there's lots of thing to look forward too...

See you next time!

TIME FLYS

Well, I can't believe it is two weeks, since I last posted, where has the time gone, we are already in the middle of January, being back at work is a bit of a drag, especially as the mornings are still very dark.

The New Year Resolutions are sort of going well, I have managed to keep to the healthier eating style and as this is the plan for life and not a diet as such, it should be easy to maintain, In the Christmas sales we bought a bread machine, so all our bread is now made with good natural ingredients and not a chemical insight, DB is an excellent cook, so he has being making some lovely meals and at least we have a bit more understanding of what we are actually eating and where possible making our own, so we can cut out the hidden fats, sugar and salt etc, I have cut down also on the amount of Chocolate and Cake and sugary foods I was eating and think this has actually helped to stabilise blood sugar levels, so I know longer feel so sluggish and lethargic.

The knitting unfortunately has being going a little slower than I liked, I do have my first finished project for 2007 though, the spindle socks, I have really enjoyed making these.




Thank you Anna for the pattern, these were for a birthday present, but as I finished them a little bit too late, I decided to buy something instead, and actually keep these for myself ;)


The Bergere De France second sock is coming on very slowly, as I keep being interrupted by a you know who!!!





with calls of 'Mum lets play a game instead' Talking of socks though, I mentioned in a previous post, that I had wanted to join the Socks That Rock Club, but when I did try to join, it was full up, so I was put in reserve, well it turned out later, that there was still places left, Thanks Roxy for spotting this, You are a star!!! So I tried and entered my pre-registration ID and was taken to the Shopping Cart, I can't tell you the excitement and joy I felt... to then discover the shopping cart had been removed as they had a technical fault, So I sent Blue Moon an e-mail to find out what other method of payment could be used and was told, that everything should be sorted by the weekend, it then transpired, that the girls at Blue Moon had been let down by their bank, as the bank thought that knitting socks couldn't possibly have that amount of interest and assumed with that amount of monies being paid into a sock club, it must be a kind of scam, and returned every ones payment to them. The upset this must have caused them at Blue Moon Fibers is unimaginable, Fancy a bank taking it upon themselves to return your customers money! But the girls have worked very quickly to resolve the problem and have been very good at responding quickly to e-mails, they deserve a medal! After a few attempts I have managed to make payment, although for some reason they wouldn't except my card, so on DB suggestion, I used his, and the payment went through, to his horror though! After seeing Roxy's socks, I was going to order a couple of extra skeins, to keep me going til the first package of the sock club arrives, the colour choices are truly amazing and it is so difficult to choose, but I think I shall wait until the methods of payments are sorted a bit better, I feel a bit greedy keep asking to use DB's Card, as also, that way he can see how much I am buying. He has asked me though in return for using his card to make him a pair of socks, I can't really say no can? but I shall not be using the Socks That Rock yarn, luckily the colours really are not his style, phew!!!. Does anyone know where I can get a man's sock pattern from, preferably fairly chunky to use with boots and one that uses slightly larger needles so its quick???

Now I have finished the Spindle Socks, I am ready to start a new project, this has taken my fancy



this is the cropped cardigan by Laura Long from the magazine, Yarn Forward, this is from the first issue and is really different from all the other magazines you see on the shelves.




I have some Rowan All Season Cotton in my stash in the colour Dusky, a kind of dark blue denim I bought it at a bargain from eBay a few months ago, so is ideal for this, I don't think I shall embroider the flowers though, I am not really a flowery type of girl and I hate sewing, so I am not putting myself under that kind of pressure and would probably make a hash of it anyway.

Well that's all from me for now, I'm off to do a bit more on the sock, whilst playing throw and catch the ball with Tess of course. Have a good week!!!