Hat & Cowl Test….

Test knitting is done. I think I passed, whoohoo! Bree is happy with the projects completed, I think.

French Braid Cowl…..Malabrigo Worsted Polar Morn. Needle: 5mm

Size: 28cm x 137cm Blocking Wires: essential, Buttons: East of India

Got rather excited when I was asked to test knit this, so excited, that I knitted non stop, and spend a whole day just knitting in my pyjamas, in my little knitting world, ignoring everyone. Finished a skein in a day.

I couldn’t put it down, we’ve all been there before, love the yarn the pattern, just want to knit all day.

Completed after 4 days, on and off knitting, would have finished it sooner if it wasn’t for my sore arm.  I’m pleased with it, very pleased. Love the design. Wasn’t sure about the buttons at first but I think they are growing on me, yes, I think they work.

Obstacles Hat…..Malabrigo Twist Terron Needles: 4mm and 6.5mm

The yarn is extremely soft, as you expect from Malabrigo. The hat and the yarn choice is a lovely combination. Sadly, for me, not the fault of the design or the designer, this hat is a little too small for me. You see, I have a huge noggin, my mom says I have a huge noggin, thanks mom! So this beautiful hat seems to rise up over my ears and likes to sit snuggly above them. It fits Mr Snobs perfectly, but he refuses to model or wear it, Men don’t do cables……since when??

I should block it, but I love how it looks unblocked…..decisions.

Modelled: My sister

Photography: yarnsnob

Friendship….

……..is the most wonderful thing in one’s life. Friends mean so much, they make you laugh, they share, they are so sweet and so kind. They are an inspiration to me, I love them, they know who they are.

I have a new knitting friend, who has filled me with inspiration and plenty of it. From my knitting to my photography skills, which I may add are nothing compared to this macro goddess. Check this out. TDoesWool.

A beautifully wrapped gift arrived one morning that smelled so divine even my postman Steve (did I tell you he’s not called Steve but Stu???)couldn’t part with it! Christmas aromas of cinnamon and spice filled my home along with Christmas spirit, of joy and happiness.

Scented satchet, Gourmet peanut butter chocolates, I’m selfish, didn’t want to share, beautiful buttons, we share the same taste, scented pillow and cinnamon stick for that final touch.  Theresa you sure know how to spoil a girl, to pack and wrap the most amazing gift. so much thought and effort.

My versions of an arty, macro, out of focus photos, with my limited digital camera.

That’s not all. I have my very own Zakka Pouch. The original designed by Black Dog Designs, but this one is special as this one is a Zakka Pouch Revisited. Designed by Theresa using felted wool…now that’s creativity. I can’t believe I have my very own Zakka Pouch, the one I saw and loved.

A lovely touch….so personal, so special.

Beautiful Japanese Fabric with co-ordinating ribbon…..an attempt at photography composition.

I am spoilt, so very very spoilt. I don’t deserve but I cherish so much. I’m smiling, I’m happy, I thank you from the bottom of my heart, there are really no words to express my gratitude and happiness. XX

Santa Came…..

…..early and with him, he brought me gifts from two of my many wonderful friends….Belaybunny and Sheknitigans.

From Belaybunny, a lovely knitted scarf in laceweight yarn which is ever so warm.

Some of her handspun yarn which is ever so soft

…….and PY Dale/Laura in Purple Perry, so purple, so soft, so lovely.

Thank you.

From my lost twin Coley, I have my first ever Sundara Yarn in Deadly Nightshade.

I know what all the fuss is about with this yarn. The colour is so intense and the base yarn is so soft. Thank you so much for your wonderful kindness and for thinking of me this festive season. Love to you both. XX

Awards, Cable & Button Kick….

First of all, I’d like to say a big “thank you” to those who nominated me for an award…….to:  Lucy for this award

 

Margaret and  Terriknits  for this award

and to Octopusknits for this award

This is rather embarassing as I really should be nominated for “Bad Blogger award.” In fact I think I will nominate that to myself! Haven’t thought about my answers yet but will post when I do! Thanks girls for the nominations.

Well…..what’s been happening then? I’ve developed a love for cables, if you hadn’t noticed already. I find myself looking and touching cable garments in department stores. I’m instantly drawn to them…..it’s weird.

Lina

A cute beanie for my huge head, really I do have a huge head. Really quick and lovely design. I thought I’d finished it rather quickly, tried it on…..it didn’t fit. It kept on rising up to a point. My head really this big? Can’t be!!! I checked the pattern, then realised I missed one repeat!! DOH! Frogged back the decreases, reknit the extra repeat. A perfect fit! Now it covers my eyes!

Cabled Cowl Malabrigo Black Forest

An across the pond KAL with my twin Coley. Absolutely love this project. Not one for sitting in front of the tv knitting as it requires a lot of concentration. Mind blowing cables…wow…I love how they develop before my eyes. Poor little lonely button I was wanting to use these buttons for the cowl but I’m missing one. Sadly, only one survived the long journey but Im sure it will be used for another project. However…….yes, I stumbled upon these:

Aren’t they a beauty!! Made from Coconut Wood carved with a Traditional Oriental Design. I absolutley LOVE LOVE LOVE. I think another fetish is coming!

Lady Malabrigo Geranio….

Back in December of 2007, my dear friend Paula sent me a lovely gift….four lovely skeins of Malabrigo Worsted in colour Geranio. I knew I had to find the perfect pattern for this, as it was something special and so I waited and waited until the right pattern came along. That pattern was The Lady February Sweater by Flint Knits.

Of course you probably know by now that this is the second one I’ve knitted and before you say it…..yes I do have a strange habit of knitting two or more of everything. I just like to see what things look like in a different yarn and colour.

I had wanted to use the Malabrigo as my first choice of yarn but four skeins, I knew this was not enough for my size unless I starve myself or go on a crash diet and knit the smallest size available. BUT….as you know it, I’m very lucky. You see….Paula was overcome by the fumes of Malabrigo in her LYS and she walked out with 10 skeins of that colour, four already landed on my doorstep but I had to find the 5th skein in same dye lot and colour and who came to my rescue…..Paula. She kindly sent me the 5th so I could complete my sweater. Thank you so much, my Lady Sweater is finished and I am so happy with it but of course it couldn’t have happened without the generosity of one wonderful knitter.

Ok….enough of the waffling, time for some pictures. The sweater is modelled on my little sister. She is the worst photographer, ever…she shakes so badly it’s unbelieveable!!! Every picture was a total blurr!!

• Malabrigo Worsted 4.5 Skeins
• Needles 4.5mm and 5.0mm
• Mods: YO’s instead of M1 for raglan increases and KFB instead of YO’s for eyelets, which created a nice raised effect kind of st.
• Buttons on right of sweater 18 repeats for the sleeves and 21 for the body.
• Buttonhole spacing 2.5cm but when I got to the final buttonhole I was a few rows short after completing the YO’s, so I did a few rows of the garter st until it reached the 2.5cm, added the final buttonhole, then continued a further 4 rows of the garter st before beginning the gull lace. My buttonholes, I started at the end of the row rather than the beginning and by making sure my buttonholes were on the right hand side before starting rows 2 and 4 of the gull pattern, this helped me keep track that the buttons would remain on the right hand with the right side of the gull lace showing. I hope I made sense….or am I talking riddles????

Finding the right buttons was probably the hardest thing!! I had everyone….and I mean everyone helping me in the department store, the cashier, the sales assistant, my sister, two other ladies also shopping for buttons, a gentleman sitting patiently waiting for his wife. I had a whole selection of buttons scattered about!! It was hilarious but finally, everyone seemed to think these were the right ones, and these were even my dad’s first choice!!

Who likes alternating yarns when knitting? I don’t, its one of the most annoying things in knitting. Although all 5 skeins were same dyelot number and colour, and almost a semi solid colour, there were sections of light and dark and I did consider snipping the lighter sections of the final skein. You can see on the sleeve the effect it has created by using just one skein, a slightly stripey effect. I carried the two skeins, alternating every row under the arm sections of the body. This helped keep the edging of the buttonhole band neat.

Paula……I hope I have inspired you to cast on your Lady Sweater in the same colourway, and anyone else who hasn’t done so. Once you have knitted this, you do feel more confident with sweater knitting and you can conquer everything….well almost!

Now I’m just waiting for the weather to become cooler so I can strut my stuff!!! One thing’s for sure, I won’t get lost in the dark and Mr Snobs will never lose me when we go out! Which one shall I wear though?

Name That Sheep Competition….

That’s exactly what you have to do!! Sheknitigns is holding a competition to name her sheep.

All you have to do is visit her Blog and on the lefthand side of the page is a link, just click on it and enter, Simple!! You can give her a quirky wacky name or something simple like Shauna! Well we have Shaun the sheep so why not Shauna?! Oops I just told you all my entry…doh!

So what’s the prize? A lovely handspun yarn from her Etsy Store. You have until April 30th to submit your names to “name that sheep“, so hurry!!!! Get your thinking caps on!

Ahhh Ene, You’re So Pretty!…. (pic heavy post)

What you’ve all been waiting for my Ene is finished! wooohooo and if I may so say, I am pretty proud of myself. Ene is beautiful. I’m in awe. I want to show her off. She blossomed into something so stunning, even Mr Snobs has commented on how beautiful I am she is!

Anyone who is going to start this or thinking about it, don’t be put off by the cast on, don’t give up, it gets a lot easier. The finished results are so rewarding, you will see. Trust me.

Was Ene worth the grunts and groans, major ranting, tantrums and head bashing? I think so. Twist my arm, go on…I could do another, if you would be kind enough to cast on for me?

Finished measurements after blocking 191cm x 96cm

Less than 2 skeins of Dream in Colour Gothic Rose (60gm remaining)

Needles used 4mm and 80cm cable

I’ll let the pictures do the talking

 

 

 

Ene was quite difficult to photograph to get a true colour of the Smooshy, but the above photo represents the true colour. Um….excuse the bathroom tiles.

 

 

Thanks Coley for the encouragement, the giggles, for this wonder book and for Ene.

 

Early Birthday Presents….

My birthday is coming up, something I’d rather forget but my lovely friend Christina made me something so wonderful and very useful for my knitting. Fabrics chosen by her DD, hasn’t she got an eye for colour? The stitching is so neat and professionally made and it even has an inside pocket for my mobile phone! How cool is that? It’s beautiful and it matches my small pouch she made for me earlier this year.

I know what all the fuss is about now. My first Piddleloop pouch.

Thank you so much for your time in making me this beautiful project bag. I love them all

Psssst…Ene is finished! Pictures to follow once blocking is done http://mickandchristinas.blogspot.com/

Something Beautiful…..

…..lovely handspun yarns from Sheknitgans aka Coley, Take a look at her beautiful spun yarns.

 

Raspberry Mocha, a beautiful combination of brown and raspberry coloured merino, wonderfully spun into something so soft and divine. I could not resist.

A lovely gift from a wonderful friend Sheknitigans - Knitted Gifts, Scarf Style and handspun yarn from her collection.

 

Two ”must have it” books for your collection : Knitted Gifts and Scarf Style. We’re both working on the Ene scarf from one of the books, a soul sucker project as she has named it and she’s right about that!  It’s taken the life and soul out of me, cast on 375sts……..3 times. That’s 375+375+375= Don’t tell me, I can’t add up. Third time lucky though as I finally got going lol.

More on that later.

Motlen Lava – a mix of grey and purple with a hint of  sparkle! Lovely!

Check out her store for more yummy handspun yarns.

Chevron Scarf #2, Gifts & Crochet….

Do your eyes deceive you? Another Chevron Scarf, this one for a friend.  I actually finished this one in about 3 days or was it 4? I can’t remember as my brain has gone walkabouts. Blocked, wrapped and ready to go. It’s a surprise and I hope she likes it.

Posh Yarn ~ Lucia

Colourway ~Admire (one skein)

Needle size: 4mm

This one is so different from my first one, a more stripey effect created with a bigger size needle and its very effective. I like

I’m really getting to grips with crochet, much to my surprise and not as dumb as I thought I was. I didn’t think I could do it but it did take me two hours “blushes”to figure out this snowflake pattern sample for a scarf that I hope to do. I found reading the chart was much easier but it’s still not perfect, you know me, it has to be perfect.

I think this is the right side up!! I’ve got some Smooshy Worsted arriving soon for this scarf and I am quite excited about it. Just hope it’s not going to be one big mess.

…….and she says it’s not perfect, a little scruffy and untidy?? I don’t think so. My special projects pouch hand made by Belaybunny who has taken up sewing. It’s perfect in my eyes and I absolutely love it. There’s also a skein of Wollmeise Poison just poking out from there and she also sent some crochet hooks too, which my sister has done a runner with even though she can’t crochet. 

It’s lined too with stars!!! How clever! I lurva lurva lurve it. Thank you so much CJ.

Today is DH birthday but the silly man that he is sprained his ankle, it’s bruised, swollen and he’s limping “rolls eyes” He was out at the weekend and was not drunk…so he says but he’s telling porky pies cos I know he had a little to drink. He twisted it whilst walking across some cobble stoned paving! See!!! He must have been drunk!! LOL, so we’re stopping in tonight, a quite night in, just the two of us!!! Aaahhhhhh!!

Hope ya all having a good day whatever you’re doing!! XX

Crafty Cottage Ravelry/Open Day….

I have something to tell you…..Make a note in your diaries, put a post on your blog, shout it out 1st March is Crafty Cottage Day!!

Remember Jo who owns the Crafty Cottage? who I had a wonderful experience with my first order, she is organising a Ravelry/Open Day at her lovely yarn store. She will be inviting members of the local spinners’ guild, embroiders guild and several other knitting groups around the area…….and you are all welcome….and that includes international knitters If you happen to be in UK around that time……pop along. Jo would love to meet you all.

The event is held on Saturday which is also a market day and there are various stalls around that may be very interesting, an Italian chef (now I must make my presence known …..ooohh), French baker (OOhh la la! MMmm, the bread I mean), olives stall, organic fruits and veg, antique stalls etc. If you’re going there with a non knitter, you can shoo them off to wander around the stalls while you can squeeze the lovely yarns, chat with fellow knitters and pick Jo’s brains with your knitting problems Sounds just perfect doesn’t it? There’s something for everyone.

There are 3 floors at the shop…no not all of yarn, but don’t we wish!! Imagine……….ah hem, two floors which are cafes, which is ideal, you can sneak away to the cafe for a coffee and then return to the store but who’d wanna leave all them yarns anyway? There’s a huge huge selection of yarns, Malabrigo (of course), Hand Maiden, Mango Moon, Be Sweet, Knit Global and more. There’s also a nice comfy sofa for all those who have passed out with excitement…….I’ll be one of them

Natter, gossip, drool, dribble, hyperventilate, scream, pass out – whatever happens to you when you go into a store, it should be fun. Gossip about what yarns are hot for this year and what’s not. Help other knitting chums with their knitting problems, ask for advice and or just chill. Perfect! Jo is also offering complimentary lunch to all her visitors too, so if you’re wanting to attend, just want more information about the event or just to say hello send Jo a quick email  joanne@crafty-cottage.co.uk. She’d be more than happy to hear from you and meet you!!!

So make a note in your diary knitters, I may even see you all there Oh….and take plenty of money and hubby’s credit card  very important and spend!! WWWooohoo!!

Mmmalabrigo Mmmadness….

Today, I have had a silly smile on my face all day. I’ve been walking around the house, beaming from ear to ear, singing and dancing. I woke Mr Snobs up this morning, literally swiped the bed sheets off him, shook him so he was fully awake, made sure his eyes were fully open by holding his eyelids so he wouldn’t fall asleep just to show him what I received in the post. Christmas has come extra early at the Snob house.

This was a COMPLETE surprise and I nearly choked on my toast when I opened it.  I had no idea Paula, this very naughty little minx had put these in the post!! I can’t thank her enough for brightening up my day She is just wonderful, another wonderful knitter, one of many that I have built up a great friendship with since I started knitting. She recently burnt her fingers quite badly and hasn’t been able to knit. Please go visit her blog and wish her fingers make a full recovery so she can knit once again!

Malabrigo Worsted Geranio, 4 skeins of raspberry goodness. Aren’t they gorgeous? They are more than gorgeous. I am going to make these lovely skeins into something that will remind me of Paula, maybe a shawl but at the moment, I just want to touch them. Thank you so much Paula, you are so kind and sweet. I love ya hun! Thank you for listening and being there Thank you…mwah x

I say this time and time again, knitters are the most generous people around. There is not one knitter I know that hasn’t touched my heart. You are all fantastic people and all have wished me a speedy recovery and because of all your warm, kind hearted vibes, I am doing just great.

This year has been a great year for me. I’ve made some truely great friends and I sometimes wonder and ask myself what have I done to deserve such kindness? I wonder……

There’s more Malabrigo Madness but more on that tomorrow and I discovered a fantastic new online store which I just have to tell you about. Its a complete Malabrigo Madness day today, but I love it. Thank you Paula ..xx

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Yummy Yarns, STR & Wollmeise….

What a happy day today is!! Despite the miserable wet, cold weather we’ve been having, I am really happy. I’ve been smiling all day. I received these through the post today from a very dear,  kind friend, who thought I needed cheering up. It certainly has worked Thank you so much.

They are the most yummiest yarns ever and smell gorgeous and I feel there will be plenty of these yarns making their way to my stash next year.

Socks That Rock-Lemongrass, Wollmeisse – Dornroschen and some sample yarns from Wollmeisse, all gorgeous. I don’t want to knit them up just yet, they’re going to bed with me tonight and many other nights.

And just look at these….

aren’t they the cutest hands and feet you’ve seen? The necklace is a lovely purple gem, beautiful and all handmade by her. Sadly the jelly teddy bears didn’t make it to the photo, I ate them all.

So you can see why I am so happy, very happy. Thank you so much Belaybunny…..off to have another sniff

A Big Thank You & Some FO’s……

well, sort of

Firstly I’d like to say a BIG THANK YOU to you all for all your well wishes. I am feeling much better now. Your thoughts have boosted up my energy levels tremendously. I have one more hurdle to go and that’s into hospital on Thursday for a minor operation but I should be out late evening.

Secondly, I know I’ve been a very bad blogger. I’ve not posted for days and days. Most of my time has been spent on Ravelry, so blame that. Isn’t it so addictive? My queue for projects is so long and I am meeting lots of you on there too.

Ok, now for some kinda finished knits.

It’s supposed to look like this but it looks more like this. Isn’t it funny? I added way too many repeats on it so it looks really floppy. It’s going to my wacky sister, she’s into this sort of thing.

Some wrist warmers from a magazine.

I need to add some wacky funky buttons on it. These are going to my wacky sister who says she will has some buttons, so I’ll leave that up to her

My So Called Scarf finally finished

which I love and will wear to bed, and who wouldn’t lol

Neckwarmer, using Cashmere Neckwarmer pattern, a very simple but really effective pattern. I can see myself making more of these.

 

It’s not cashmere but the lovely yarn was given to be by the lovely Belaybunny. It is Wollmeise Worsted Poison Nr5. My first Wollmeise yarn and I have to say I do love it, the colours are so vibrant and strong. I need to add a loop and a button and hoping to wear it on Thursday, something to make me feel happy Thanks CJ.

Well my lovelies…I shall see you all very very soon, wish me luck for Thursday and thank you again for all the kind words for a speedy recovery….mmmwah x

The Hemlock Ring Blankets….

Phew….what a blocking session I had over the weekend, on hands and knees, pin pricks, wet patches on my knees…ugh but look what I got to show you all….

2 Skeins of Cascade Ecological Tarnish…(and a bit!)

DPN’s Size 5.5mm

Knitpicks 120cm circulars 6.0mm needles

15 pattern repeats

Bind Off using 5.5mm needles

If it wasn’t for Debbie, I don’t think I would have completed it. Thank you again

There were some issues about the ripple effect on the blanket. As you can see, its very slight in some areas but I block hard….very hard. The width of the Hemlock measures 145cm across, very big huh? I wet blocked it, wrapped it around a towel, stood on it to get rid of as much water as possible. I think some people on the KAL have steam/blocked theirs and have put sections of it under the iron to flattern the centre and the ripples. My centre star is very very flat. Overall, I am very pleased with it.

I had to get an extra set of helping hands from Mr Snobs, who pulled and pinned one section whilst I did the other. It was really difficult as each section was coming undone whilst I did the other and the lack of space wasn’t helping either….and soggy jeans…eeewww!!

Someone has claimed possession of my Malabrigo Hemlock already. I don’t know how she avoided the pins but there’s one stuck right in the centre of the star!

I never let Holly near my knitting or my yarns, she has no interest in them whatsoever unless it’s something I am knitting for her but this morning, I found her on my Malabrigo!!! Arrrrggghhhh!!!!! I forgot to shut the door last night and I believe she rolled around in it this morning. How could I shoooo her off? She looks so happy and comfortable. I guess it has her name on that one now….It’s Mine!

4 skeins of Malabrigo Orchid with 35gm left over from the 4th skein.

15 repeats of the feather and fan section

DPN’s 4.0mm

Knitpicks 5mm circular needles 100cm cable

Bind Off using 5mm needles

Size 122cm full width

Overall I am very happy with the results, a little heavy in weight and sore on the fingers but a pleasure to knit and to watch it grow and grow into something beautiful. Thanks to everyone who have wished and hoped I’d find that *extra* bit of yarn and special thanks to Debbie.

Fun Blind Date….

Today I went on a blind date to meet one lovely knitter! Oh yes….I met the lovely Jacqui. It was kinda like a blind date but so much fun. We’ve never met each other before or do we know what we look like. I was a little early so headed off to the magazine deptartment to browse through some knitting magazines. There was lady standing next to me. I had a little inkling that she was my blind date but rather than make a complete fool of myself, I opted not to tap her on the arm and ask. So headed off to our meeting point.

As soon as I saw Jacqui approaching I started laughing! It was such a weird yet amusing experience. It is so fun to meet the real person behind the blogs that you read everyday.

We headed off for some lunch, chatting away about knitting, PY …(she has a fetish for her lovely yarns and so do I) people from our knitting forum etc.

Jacqui is so lovely, charming fun and more than I imagined her to be. She is such an inspiration. She inspired me to knit FCS……you all know about this and now the Hemlock. We both bought along our Hemlocks and they met for the first time. Oh the beauty of her Hemlock is undescribable. It IS STUNNING. For the first time, I was totally blown away by the beauty and colour of this. It is actually a dark purple and the scallop edging was slighty darker but yet this complimented the Hemlock beautifully. Makes mine look rather plain. (J..you need to improve on your photography )Anyway it really did take my breathe away and I was speechless and that takes a lot of doing.

 (hope you don’t mind me pinching your photos!)

Next she bought out MORE lace knits. All equally as stunning, if not more. Miss Lambert (next on my list, look what you have done lol) Queen of the Waves, Forest Canopy Shawl, Lace Leaf Shawl, a lace shawl she was designing and she was wearing a Clapotis knitted from Lorna Lace Black Purl.

I call her the Lace Queen as Jacqui loves lace and she has a warehouse…yes warehouse full of lace yarns. She also snapped up the lace yarn I had my eye on last week at the PY sale….so Jacqui, if you notice they have suddenly gone walkabouts…you know where to find them haha.

I thoroughy enjoyed myself this afternoon and we are sure to meet up more often. Thank you Jacqui for my cute little sheep keyring and for such enjoyable company. Hope you love your yarn purchases from the store and I will be stalking your blog for more inspiration……. Mmmmwwahh

Oh and one last thing…….my yarn for my Eco Hemlock came from Debs today..woo hoo. I’ve also finished my Malabrigo Hemlock……woo woo hoo. Both finished and ready to block…boo hoo hoo, HELP!

Love Love Love Fellow-knitters…

Don’t you just love fellow-knitters? You are all just awesome I tell you…AWESOME! Not only do you all share my frustration and my tantrums with my Hemlock, which incidentally I have begun to call IT….THAT THING, but some kind knitter has come to my rescue. Am I lucky or what? THAT THING will be finished, no need to tink back a row or frog the 3hour BO. I am dancing with joy, I tell you, I’m ecstatic!

That kind kind person I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart is Debs from Florida (blogless, I’m working on her to get blogging!) What are the chances of an exact match, same colour and same batch number. She answered my pleas which I posted on the KAL a few days back. I was seriously thinking of going back one row just so I can finish it off but hey!!! IT will be finished. Clap your hands….sing for me, boogie with me, yay!!

My Hemlock…..as I now call it has been removed from its naughty corner and made a brief appearance

OK, maybe not the best photograph as it looks more like some weird alien from outer-space or as some people have said, some creature from the sea, but its big, oh very big. In fact, I am frightened of blocking it

….and just look, need I say more? Thank you so very much Debs, you’ve made me smile again. My bottom lip had been curling over for a few days now and was about to stay that way but now curls up with happiness Also, thanks to all who have tried to help.

Are you ready for a wee shop update? Soon my lovelies….soon.

Malabrigo Love, Cascade Eco Arrived, Hemlock, Here I Come….

Hands up those of you who have cast on the Hemlock Blanket? Me Me Me!!

There’s been a slight whiff of sourness/vinegar aroma in the room the last few days as I dig out my Malabrigo Orchid, which had been hibernating in my stash for many months now. I’m not sure whether to call it an aroma or a pong but its strong, oh so strong! Its not off putting as its a delight to knit with but I’d rather have something sweet smelling rather than the room smelling of pickles, you know what I mean

I decided to cast on at 7am yesterday morning after a sleepless night. I think the whiff of Malabrigo was calling me. I knitted all day yesterday amd managed to finish one skein and I’m so delighted with it.

I did wonder if the pattern would be lost in the shade but somehow I think it works fine. A more variegated shade would be a NO NO, the pattern would be fighting with the colours. I love how the stitches knit up, so defined and unique and the softness……I can’t describe. Oh how I love this yarn!!

I go round and round…..

…and round again, you getting dizzy?

Then this morning my postie delivered my Cascade Eco wool.

I had trouble finding a retailer who would ship to the UK. One retailer was requesting almost $60 for shipping one skein. I embarrassingly asked for the help of my knitting friend Plucky who so kindly offered to help. How could I ask someone as busy as Plucky? I couldn’t. I hate asking people for help with something, so the search went on. Then Jen another kind knitter offered to go to her LYS to check out the prices and shipping. She blames me for walking out the store with some Cascade Eco……am I a wicked girl or not?? Hee hee. I thank you both from the bottom of my heart for your kindness and help

Hemlock knitters on the KAL suggested Webs and that’s where the 4 skeins departed from and at a discount price too. I didn’t get stung on any custom charges much to my relief but these bad bad customs people should be locked up for charging knitters these fees…POO to them!

I had a serious mental block of sock knitting the other day. I just couldn’t remember how to do the heel section of a sock. I frogged and knitted and frogged and knitted. I totally forgot to turn the heel and started picking up stitches only to realise, it doesn’t look right. I tried again only to find the heel was off centre ..aaarrggghh!!!! FINALLY after throwing to one side and forgetting about it in the hope it would knit itself (as if) I tackled it once again and hey!!! Look…

You would think I would know how to heel turn by now after knitting several pairs of socks…..I’m embarrassed. Sshhhh….keep this quiet please!! Oh the joys of knitting.

Thanks for all your thoughtful comments for Sebbie, I’m sure he would have been happy to hear them all.

Off to do some serious winding……yeah man!

I’m Back & With A Nomination…..

I’m back! I’ve missed you lot so much and I have so much catching up to do. I spent most of this evening replying my emails and visiting all my regular blogs. You guys have been up to so much since I’ve been away, but it’s great to be back, Oh yes…it sure feels good

I’ve had a fantastic couple of weeks with my sister but sadly it has to end as she has returned back to Hong Kong today, back to her hectic lifestyle as a graphic designer. We’ve had so much fun, visiting places where we grew up, the school we attended, the back yard where we played silly games. Memories of our childhood are such a laugh. I miss her already

Everything is slowing returning back to normal now, house needs cleaning (that’s Mr S department) me, back to my knitting and dyeing which I have missed so much. I only managed to do two rows of knitting.

Now I’m not so sure I deserve this as there are many fantastic blogs out there but Belaybunny nominated ME as a

Who ME??? Yup…me a Rockin’ Girl Blogger. Thanks CJ for nominating me. So, I have to nominate some ”rockers” who I think “rock?” Errrr this is a difficult one as so many of you “Rock”, but if you are reading my blog…..consider yourself nominated, you “Rockin’ Babe!!”

Just so this isn’t a pictureless post again, I was a tourist for a few days and took some pics of my hometown.

Millennium Bridge and The Sage

The Quayside and The Tyne Bridge in the distance

Durham City, where I was born

Durham Cathederal

Naughty Little Minx…..

I really don’t know what I have done to deserve such good and generous friends. There are so many of you out there and I really don’t deserve you all. This morning bought a HUGE smile to my face cos a totally unexpected parcel arrived from Paula. This was just so unexpected, took me by surprise and has really made my day. A box full of the most yummiest of goodies, soap, t shirt, tea, earrings, oven gloves, dream catcher, chocolate, handpainted yarn, just look………..

The dream catcher is so unique and beautiful, I just love it, the oven glove is blue which matches my decor….peeeerrrfecct and look at that beautiful yarn……the colours are just GORGEOUS (how come mine don’t look like that??

And look who else is happy, so happy he is dancing and can’t control his excitement. Isn’t that just awesome, so cute and don’t he look handsome? Oh boy, he’s ready for his first date! This made me giggle when I opened it but its perfect, just perfect.

THANK YOU SO SO MUCH PAULA……I REALLY DON’T DESERVE YOU, thank you mmmwwwahh!

Now I’m off to eat that chocolate before anyone gets their hands on it, hands off its all mine

Wonderful Friends…….

Three posts in one day..this woman has gone crazy…….BEWARE!!!

I really do have some wonderful friends from here and across the waters and they all know who they are. You are all wonderful, generous, funny and I love you all.

The Cabled Climber, kindly sent me her FCS just to say thank you for helping her with an order for some KnitPicks Options needles.

Jam mam sent me a skein of mohair, which was lovely. ( Note: this woman is a serious stasher…..I mean serious!!)

isn’t she strikingly beautiful? Very unique don’t you agree?

Now these two women knit at lightning speed and are the fastest knitter I know. Blimey, wish I knew their secret I think I must be the slowest knitter around!!!

Phew…..*sweats* three posts in a day, will there be a fourth? Nah……I’m beat!!!

Are You Sitting Comfortably?…Then I Shall Begin

This maybe a long post so grab a coffee, some cookies, sit comfortably and here we go

I know I haven’t posted in almost a week but so much has happened since then. My mom who’s in her early 60′s thinks she can run, skip and jump. Last weekend, she ran for the bus and slipped and dived forward…yes literally dived, arms in the forward position, head lowered and dived. She was a few inches from banging her head on the bus stop. She suffered two big bruises on her knees, a swollen wrist and a bruised chin and bleeding in the mouth. Poor mom and she managed to get up and walk home too.

My mom, who doesn’t like to make a fuss didn’t call to tell me about it until the following day!! When I saw her, she was a bit shaken and shocked and kept on saying..Oh those people on the bus….there were lots of them looking. Think she was embarrassed more than anything else.

Anyway I had a look at her wrist and it was very bruised and swollen so I suggested I’d take her to A&E. We waited 3 hours at A&E and x-rays showed she’d fractured  her finger and wrist!! Now can you believe she spent a night in pain and didn’t want to kick up a fuss? Oh mom…you’re a tough cookie!!! Get well soon!!

ARTYARN SUPERMERINO

This woman is very bad influence, evil temptress 

I saw these on her blog…..

and had to have them. Doesn’t it scream Neopolitan ice cream? Can’t you just taste it just by looking at them?..creamy vanilla, strawberry and chocolate ice cream, drizzled with chocolate sauce….dribbles onto keyboard..oops but very yummy.

“Darling can you add a tub of Neopolitan ice cream onto the shopping list?”

 WHAT DO WE SEE HERE?…SOCKS

I’d almost forgotton how to knit socks, its been such a long time and had a moment of utter confusion…how do you knit with 2 circs again?? I blanked, I had to refer to my instructions *blushes*…shhhhh keep quiet please!!

The pattern is from Sensational Knitted Socks…Openwork Rib using Lucia yarn. I took it with me whilst I waited in the fracture clinic with my mom for 3 hours again………I’m slowly whizzing through it and oh the joys of sock knitting lol.

DIY vs KNITTING

Sadly DIY wins hands down. I just haven’t had the time to sit and knit recently. DH put his foot down and said we must finish off the home as its been almost 5 months since work has started. We have knocked through into a spare room to make way for a kitchen diner and work has been a very slow progress as I’d rather sit and knit than do DIY 

The room is south facing and we get sun all year round……(when the sun does shine) and can’t wait for it to be all finished so I can sit and knit whilst looking out of my french doors (was once a window) with the sun beaming through and admiring my rather large collection of peonies that are waiting to pop…….they are like lollipops. Roll on summer.

My “swanky” new designer radiator which I love…..don’t you? Check out those spotlights..14 of them…eeekkk hate to think of my electricity bill

Our hallway which we laid yesterday with laminate flooring. You see the beading around the edging of the floor? Who did that all on her own….Yes ME. Now who said woman are crap at DIY..come on…..you DIY men out there……”biff, bop, wham, bam”….take that!!

DARE you men who think we women can’t do DIY. Think I done a swell job myself, although it took me a bit longer but I DID IT yay!!!

.

…..and I also hung the doors on our new units for the kitchen, drilled the hole for the door handle….just one, but hey…..we woman can do DIY can’t we?……yeah!!!!!!Women DIYer’s Rule OK!!…give me a screwdriver and power drill anyday!!!

and so sadly my arms and fingers ache and knitting had been neglected for now but not forgotten.

MORE YUMMY YARN TO DYE

Mrs Plucky helped me order some of this luscious yarn which I can’t wait to get into my cooking pot. She also sent some yummy goodies too…spiced roasted almonds (gone within seconds) chocolate (also eaten) some flavoured coffee, lovely smelling hand cream and a very pretty cute wallet with her signature colours…….you spoil me wrotten girl…but I love ya hun!!!

….and so this ends my story of the week

~ THE END ~

Feeling Loved And Really Spoilt….

Today I am feeling really loved and really spoilt as my a friend from Canada~Emeraldcutie has sent me all these goodies as part of our Birthday Swap. Just look at all the yummy goodies that she kindly sent me..theres 2 skeins of Lorna Laces Vera , KP Circs, Hot Drinks Mix, Chocolates, Candies, Beautiful vase, Jasmine Tea, A Brooch and a glass ornament with Aries, my birth sign…..isn’t that so so sweet!!!  She has stalked me well and knows what I like!!! Thank You Laura.

Now THIS is very special as its a hand made sewing bag for my sock knitting and it has my name embroided on it..you see??? But in a small tissue wrapping with the words “Something for the future” put an even bigger smile on my face as there inside were the smallest hat and socks I have laid my hands on!!! They are ADORABLE!!! I must work harder with my hubby!!!

…and finally…some Jacquard Acid Dye Set and some sock yarn…………..Oh boy…Im gonna have some fun this weekend!!!

Thank you Thank you!!!!!

Yarn Snob And A Wonderful Friend

This morning I had to run out in my nightwear, slippers and morning hair to catch my postman who was walking away with my parcels. What would the neighbours be thinking and what a sight!!!

It was well worth the embarrassment as not only the KP order arrived but this wonderful parcel, just look

Have you ever seen anything so yummy? Kooistra….you really really spoil me.

We have handmade chocolate (not sharing), the most gorgeous yarn I have laid my eyes on, look closer, there are shiny beads and some stitch markers from Zephyr. Kooistra… you have done your homework, I’ve been pegged. You little devil!!!!

Yarn Snob And Proud Of It!!! that is so me Thank you, thank you. I am so so lucky to have someone who is also a Yarn Snob!! Maybe I should change my blog to Yarn Snob!!!!

Cupcake, Kooistra & Hobbledehoy

I’m shrieking with delight, can you hear me?

I’m being really spoilt here. I received lovely Cupcake from a dear dear friend called Kooistra. She’s hand dyed merino from Hobbledehoy and she is beautiful.
She’s destined to be a cowl and she’s going to be gorgeous and warm. I love the colours, can you tell these are my favourite colours?

Thank you Kooistra for being so kind and thank you Liz for dyeing such a awesome yarn.

…..and Laura

go on…..cast on that Forest Canopy Shawl, you know you want to. I know you’ll be reading my blog …..go oooonnnnnn!!!!

SoapDoc…she’s on the mend!!!

Yesterday I received a surprise email from a lady friend in USA. She has been ill for sometime now but I am really happy she is now on the road to recovery.

Great to hear your’e feeling so much better

My Lovely Dear Friend From Canada

I have to mention this lovely lady from Canada. Her name is Laura and she is sock mad….yes…she loves knitting socks just like me and she knits ever so fast!!!

We’ve done a birthday sock swap, I’ve shipped my swap over to her and I hope she was happy with the stuff. I got her some Lorna Laces Watercolour which she loves and others bits and bobs.

We are going to do a knitalong…maybe a sock pattern that we both like. I know I will need help from her, she’s brilliant.

I’m also dyeing some BFL for her and her cheeky daughter Allie, fingers cross the dye will go onto the wool and not me or the kitchen or the cat. I will have to lock her out or she will be a rainbow cat rather than a tabby!! It’ll be my first attempt at dyeing so it will be fun.