February 2004 Archives

The opal sock is finished although I am not sure about the toe so I may have to redo it.

Opal Sock

I knitted this on 2.5mm brittany needles which are only 12cm long each - so dinky! These were kindly sent to me by Polly after I broke 2 of my 20cm long needles. Sorry Polly but I am not sure the needles are as straight as they were when you sent them to me.

Of course I now have to knit sock number 2 - these are for me to keep!

I met up with Jill Richards and Kristine Webster earlier in the week and they got to see Elfin in the flesh. I do need to sew the hook and eyes on though as I think that will make all the difference to the look of those front ruffles - after all they were so much work!

Kristine was telling us about her yarn store. Knit Happens opens on the 5th March. This will be some yarn store and well worth a visit.

Today I treated myself to a couple of new books. The first being "It's my party and I'll knit if I want to!" by Sharon Asis. I am really looking forward to reading this.

It's my party and I'll knit if I want to!

To give you an insight

Knitting as the new feminism? You bet. This is a lighthearted, philosophical look at why knitting is back in fashion and the fabulous women (and men!) embracing the lost arts of their grandmothers.
Knitting is in a major revival. Knitters have been spotted in parliament, in pubs, at the cricket. And they're not just over 50. They're young, sassy, professional women. What is going on here? This is third-wave feminism in action. The previous generation made the workplace the centre for action; now it's the home front. This is a feminism that enjoys a career but doesn't think that a career alone is enough. Answering questions such as: Is it okay to knit in public?; Is it okay to share needles?; and natural versus synthetic?, Sharon Aris tells you how to knit yourself to happiness and truly embrace the world of your grandmother.

Knitting is the new feminism
- Knitting is the new yoga
- The good life
- The knitting circles
- Keepers of the flame
- The problem with penguins
- The slippery slope
- Boom, bust, baby boom.

and you even get a few knitting patterns.

The second book is "one thousand Sweaters" by Amanda Griffiths.

one thousand Sweaters

This will be something different for me as I am one of those knitters that sticks to the pattern. You never know I may just dip my toe in the water with "playing with patterns".

So my current knitting - I need to finish Jane.

Jane

Jane is still doing well - has been resting in the basket for a few days but may well come out this week-end to grow a little more. I have done the back up to the armholes, one complete sleeve and half of the second sleeve. I will then do a front as I cannot finish the back until I know how much yarn a front takes. Jill Richards knitted Jane and had to buy a 5th ball of yarn, I only have 4 balls of the yorkshire tweed aran and doubt I would be able to match the dye lot as I bought it a while ago. So you see the length of the garment will depend on the yarn I have.

Oh and apparently I am Woodstock!

You are Woodstock!


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HAPPY KNITTING

Socks are so portable - I have been carrying these round with me in my handbag and it is surprising how a little spell of knitting here and there can add up to almost a whole sock. These are knitted in Opal yarn I purchased from Web of Wool.

Opal Sock

Remember my walking away socks - well these are progressing slowly but they will be worth the wait. The Lang sock yarn is just so soft.

Walking Away Sock

Which one shall I finish first?

Meanwhile I am zipping away on Jane from Yorkshire Fable. The yorkshire tweed aran knits up so quickly.

Enjoy your knitting.

Elfin is, with the exception of the hook and eyes finished.

ELFIN

If there is one thing I have learnt befor embarking on a project it is to read the pattern through and not just fall in love with the picture. Putting that aside I have really enjoyed knititng this, it was my first time knitting felted tweed and it was lovely to knit with. Despite being on 3.75mm needles I thought it knitted up quickly and as for the kid silk haze well I guess once you have cast on 300+ stitches you can cast on 600+!!

Many thanks to Becky over at Fluffa who put me on the right track in sewing the ruffles on to the fronts.

I will sew on the hook & eyes and then you never know you may just see it being modelled - I cannot wait to wear it now it is finished.

Some of you may recall some socks I was knitting well they are finished too!

These are for my husband, David, a day late for a Valentines present but a week early for a birthday present. These are knitted in regia yarn

SOCKS

and finally

You are Cashmere.
You are sophisticated and luxe. You can often be
found in high-end boutiques and hobnobbing with
the upper crust. You are one of the beautiful
people and you don't let anyone forget it!


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My copy arrived yesterday and I have had a glance through several times but need to spend quality time reading the articles.

There are a few things which are too my liking.

Iris – I was wondering about doing it in Kid silk haze to wear to a wedding at the end of March. I am not very good at subbing yarn though so perhaps I should stick to another "birch" shawl.

Morocco is beautiful but a lot of knitting!

Sampler Jacket – love this but then I would having done a workshop with Kaffe and fallen in love with his sampler scarf.

Tipsy – it is the sleeves which I love

Audrey and Agnes – would be lovely to wear to work

High Society – this caught my eye at first glance, looks lovely

And then there are the bags!

Brooklyn – Martin Storey

Mexican Stripe – Brandon Mably

House – Kaffe Fassett. I must do this especially after Kaffe was so impressed with my "house" at the workshop.

I have no order of priority!

Elfin is progressing well to the point I am in the middle of casting on 617 stitches in kid silk haze for the third frill for the second front.

The first front is finished but I am not sure on the reverse shaping for the second front so if anyone has tackled this and can give guidance it would be much appreciated.

Well I finally managed to finish this jumper last week-end. I did have to buy an extra 3 balls to finish the jumper though so beware if you attempt this one.

I went to a Debbie Bliss workshop at The Yarn House run by Sheelagh Kendra last week-end and wore the said jumper. Debbie was surprised when I told her I needed extra yarn!