Float'n'purl

Finished!

At last - my first pair of socks. I can finally hold my head up high in knitting circles. First sock finished way back in August 2005 so you might say I've been suffering from SSS!

Yarn: Regia Mini Ringles colour 5217, Needles: 2.5mm bamboo DPNs

Started: May/ June 2005 (oh lordy), Finished: 30th August 2007!

They're far from perfect and the instep shaping on each is completely different despite the fact I used the same pattern...........but they're mine, made by my own fair hands and I'm over the moon.

Off to Scotland to see the folks tonight so I can show these off to my mum who is a wonderful knitter.

Shetland, Norway, Faroe and Iceland

I'm away at work so I can't show any recent pictures of my sock progress or indeed my first hand spun, HAND WOVEN scarf hot off my knitters loom so instead I thought I would do a little dreaming.........

Shetland, Norway, Faroe and Iceland...........these words represent my fantasy holiday. It would be a cruse between each of these wonderful destinations which fill me with a sense of wonderment. I love islands (especially Scottish ones!) so this kind of trip would be my cup of tea (although not sure it would be DH's). And just think of yarn buying opportunities! Of course I'd also have to through in a stop of on Fair Isle and a trip to Fair Isle Fibres. Each of these islands/ countries have their own unique fibre histories but each interlinked by trading via the sea so what better way to get there. I love northern light - its grey but sharp and darker colours are more intense like the colour of a deep cold sea. I'm also not a fan of heat or strong "sunburn" sunshine. In fact I found it hard to cope with the temperatures here in England last summer so I'm useless at hot foreign holidays, much to DH's disappointment.

My favourite weather is spring time so I'm in my element now. Bright sunny but cool and clear days. Just enough to keep you warm when sitting outside but not enough to make you sweat!

What's your fantasy holiday??????

(picture is of a Welsh Chapel close to work)

O Brother Where Art Thou

Meet my new brother. He just turned up late last night thanks to this site. I posted a "wanted" message last week asking for a sewing machine for a beginner (that's me) and low and behold I got an offer of this beauty straight away. Not bad for a freebie!!

My sewing guru Janet came with me to pick it up last night and she was impressed. Fifteen different types of stitches plus a rising foot so you can sew thicker material. It all seems a bit OTT for me at the moment but it does straight stitches beautifully and that's what I wanted, so expect to see a finished sewn item here (sometime, not promising when).

The Cabin

We had a lovely weekend thanks to Carol and her cabin.

It was cold and very windy outside but thanks to the cosy straw walls (and a lot of hot air from DH!) we didn't need any heating - impressive! It was also peaceful being located on a farm and no road traffic which we are plagued with at home.

I loved the natural clay plaster finish on the walls which really softened the interior and the compost loo was a joy to use. It was quite noticeable how quiet it was to use i.e. no sound of rushing water when you flush, although we don't have a "normal" flushing toilet on the boat. Its a hand pumped sea toilet but maybe that's enough on toilets.

The South facing porch will be great in the summer. All you need is a rocking chair and you've got the perfect knitting spot!

We were also impressed with the solar hot water panels, wind turbine, PV panel, organic cotton bedding and towels, natural paint finishes - Carol really has though of everything! So if your looking for an eco-holiday in the UK have a look at Carol's website for more details.

On the Saturday we went to the market town of Beverly and visited the Minster which was spectacular. The stone carving on the exterior was only the beginning of the storey with one of the most beautifully carved choir stalls inside that I've ever seen (it was too dark to take any pictures inside with just a mobile phone camera).

On the way back to the car I spotted this cafe too late since we'd already been to another tea shop. In fact tea shops are one thing Beverly has in abundance..........perfect!

Two Socks don't necessarily make a pair

In the last couple of weeks I’ve managed to squeeze in a sock, a Colinette sock to be exact. I’ve finally overcome my fear of sock knitting with a little patience. I’ve realised that I kept making the same mistakes on the instep so this time I took it slowly and concentrated. However, that leaves me with two odd socks so now I’ve gone back to my original pair started in 2005 in the hope to finish the 2^nd one off! Then last night I noticed a dropped stitch. I tried to fix it but in my hear of hearts I knew it was useless and ripped out 45 rnds - how depressing. However frustrated I feel this sock will NOT beat me. There are too many skeins of lovely sock yarn out there waiting for me to buy them. I'm so tired of looking at beautiful socks on blogs and listening to Podcaster's rave about sock knitting not to get at least one pair finished. Otherwise will I ever be able to hold my head up in (knitting) public?

The Colinette Jitterbug is lovely yarn but my sock is a bit big so next time I’d knit the smaller size. I love the way I’ve managed to squeeze in some knitting time in what has been a hectic couple of weeks. When DH was picking me up from the station the other night he was horrified to see me knitting while waiting for him. If only KIP was more socially acceptable how much more would I get done? The queue at the supermarket, in the hairdressers, in the pub (although until July it’s too smoky – roll on the ban!).

Strawbale

We're off here later for the weekend and I can't wait! The cabin is the brainchild of my friend Carol who I met on my master's course at CAT. Last summer I helped out (but only one day) on the build so Carol  has kindly invited DH & I to sample the delights of the cabin which has just been finished.  Things have been hectic as always so it will be lovely for us to have two nights away together with no interuptions.

I'm not too familiar with East Yorkshire so I'm looking forward to having a look around.........see you Monday with a proper post and yes, some knitting hopefully (although no FOs as yet).

From behind the lens

I recently had my eyes tested as they were always sore after a long day in front of the computer and much to my surprise the optician said I needed glasses! What do you think? They make me feel very intelligent (even if I'm not) but maybe the novelty will ware off soon!

Indigo a go go

A few weeks ago we had a natural dyeing workshop at Averil's which involved amongst other things indigo dyeing. I'd only ever heard of the wonderful phenomenon of indigo but now I've experienced it first hand.

We used some other dyes (logwood - purple & madder - pink). The skeins are Averil's where as I dyed roving which didn't look nearly as nice although I'm hoping it will spin up well.

Liberty

Last week I had to go to London for a trade exhibition. It was my first visit in two years which is shameful really as I have some good friends who I really need to visit. Despite having lived there for five years I still feel like a tourist (albeit one who knows her way around) and I simply couldn't believe how much building work is going on!

With a only few hours to spare before catching my train home on Wednesday night, and far too many heavy bags to carry, I went here in the vain hope of seeing some interesting yarns but alas it was only the "usual" stuff (Rowan/ Debbie Bliss). However, they did have the best selection of Amy Butler fabric I've seen so far so I treated myself (again).

I then wondered through Soho, only stopping for a very tastey curry here

before taking a trip down memory lane. I had a studio flat on St. Anne's court in London in my final year as a student which was a fantastic experience. As I passed it last week it looked grubby and seedy but that wasn't what I remembered. I took my old route to uni through Soho Square and up Tottenham Court Road marvelling at the changes and things which had stayed the same but remembering the vibrancy and excitement of central London before catching the train home to (relative) peace and tranquility!