Float'n'purl

Out of the Picture

I won't be posting until after 16th December as I have to go to a dark place called "finishing my thesis". I'll still be checking out other blogs but I simply don't have enough computer time to spend it posting so apologies and see you all soon.........

Clap-happy!

At last I managed to finish my sister's Clapotis the night before traveling to Glasgow to see her! I had to take it up in my suitcase wrapped in towels as it was still damp but eventually it dried out at my mum's. The silk stretched a little and quite a lot of dye came out when I rinsed it so although I was unhappy that it stretched I'm glad that I got most of the unfixed dye out.  I really loved this pattern (as do most other bloggers!) once I got over the "fear" of dropping stitches. It's really clever but at the same time simple to knit and interesting. I only wish the same could be said of Branching Out which I cast on the other night in KSH but I'm not happy with the result. I don't think I've got the brain power at the moment to concentrate on lace knitting (which I haven't done yet!). I'll probably try it again sometime but with another yarn. I also casted on a lacy scarf pattern from Louisa Harding's "A Gathering of Roses" Accessories Book but again I just couldn't get the hang of things so instead I'm doing a bit of "selfish" knitting for myself - the striped beret from the same book in the same black and cream Kashmir DK as the pattern as it looked so nice and I've got two black jackets to wear it with!

As the temperature has dropped I realised that I don't have anything hand-knitted to keep me warm so hopefully the hat will do the trick as surely one of the joys of being a knitter is having a wardrobe full of hats, gloves, scarfs etc?

While visiting my family I had a look through my mum's old patterns. Unfortunately, for reasons unknown she's recently thrown away lots of her really old patterns but I did manage to borrow this one for a tea cosy! I also delivered my mum's Christmas present (as yet unopened) but she did mention that in her 50+ years of knitting this will be the first time anyone has ever knitted her anything - I'm so proud that its me who is the first to do so - I just hope she likes her scarf.

• On the Christmas knitting front there's still the following to do:hat for DH, finish other 1/2 bag for my cousin, sew up hat for fellow knitting chum, possible scarf for DH's Aunty? But I'm not going to stress myself. If things don't get done so be it..........

So, apart from knitting, there's also been a little spinning but more importantly some dyeing! At our spinning lesson on Monday Shirley, Janet and myself dyed some merino roving to look like this using Gaywool Dyes (Peppercorn, Cranberry and Garnet). We also did another lot using Mustard, Peppermint and Watercress which Shirley has to spin. It was so easy that we decided to buy 3 pots each so we have a bank of 9 colours to play with! I can't wait. I also, along with Emma, managed to get my hands on this lovely roving from The Woolen Rabbit! The only problem is that at the moment I'm finding it hard to find the time to spin with studying etc. I know I keep going on about my thesis but I just can't wait until its all over!

Although I haven't done any studying this week (or weekend) as I've been tired and feeling down. Work is pretty crap at the moment as I'm being pulled from pillar to post onto different jobs. I seem to be the person who is put onto a job which is in a mess and expected to sort things out! I get easily distracted if I don't have something "meaty" to get into but just as I start to get into a project I'm moved onto something different (which is why our jobs are in a mess in the first place as they keep moving staff around). Oh well, at least I have my teaching day to relieve the boredom and very soon I can start designing our house in Scotland!! Last week we heard that the diggers  had been on site clearing the land so after Christmas we'll take a run out there after visiting friends and family to do another level survey. In fact it will probably be our last visit before the build actually starts - that is providing everything goes to plan........

Back into the Swing

Just got back yesterday from my three days of peaceful studying. Thankfully I'm now about 75% of the way through my thesis so hopefully I'm still on track to make my deadline. The peace and quiet was lovely - it was so nice to be free of any demands (from work and home!). DH came over on Friday night and we went out for a lovely meal. I also got a chance to relax in a BATH and SAUNA (yet the B&B has its own).

Then it was back to reality yesterday with some Christmas shopping in Chester. I'm going to Glasgow to visit my family next weekend who are all going away for Christmas and New Year so basically I had to do nearly all of my shopping in one day so that I can take it up with me. Thankfully everyone had told me what they wanted so I did it all (hooray) which only leaves a few bits and pieces for friends.........but, I still haven't finished my sister's Clapotis. She's still in the country until 8th of December so I can always post it but needless to say I'll be trying to finish it this week (in between more studying of course).

While in Chester yesterday with my friends I couldn't resist buying something in Stash. Yes, I know I'd promised no more yarn purchases but this Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino is for a friend who is due a baby in February. I'm going to knit the little hooded top from her Special Knits pattern book which was featured in Simply Knitting a few months ago. I'm dying to get started on it but Chrimbo knitting is still a priority with at least 2 and possibly 3 Chrimbo gifts yet to knit!

So nothing much to report and generally I haven't been commenting much on other blogs so apologies to the blogging community and hopefully once this b****y thesis is finished I'll hopefully get my life back!

Peace and Quiet!

I'm going away to the peace and quiet of a B&B tomorrow for three days to try to write my thesis. Its the last three days of my annual leave and the last time I tried to spend time at home writing I was constantly interupted so I'm splashing out on a bit of "me" time, plus I'll have unlimited access to a bath (we don't have one on the boat). What more can I girl wish for...................yes, don't worry, my Clapotis will be coming too (for when I need a break of course)!

Right time for some packing - now where did I put that Lush bag of goodies!!!