March 2004 Archives

You may have read over at alltangledup that Polly attended a Debbie Bliss workshop at the week-end.

Unfortunately I could not go as my very good friend Joanna was getting married and her twin sister Emma was bridesmaid. I have known Emma since she joined the RBS where I work 12 years ago and I have become good friends with Joanna too.

Emma and Anna waiting for Joanna at the church - yes she was late

Jill Richards also attended the workshop and to make up for me not being able to go Jill kindly agreed to see if there was a copy of Debbies new book Simple Living to buy. Hey presto look what arrived in the post this morning

I think this is a great book and there are some lovely home furnishings to knit. I have selected a chosen few which I would love to do at some point.

The cushion is lovely - it is a cabled floor cushion measuring 65cm x 65cm and is knitted in Debbie Bliss cotton denim aran. I have yet to try that yarn so this may just be the project to try it out on.

The lined bag would be lovely for the ensuite to keep my hairbrushes in.

Sock number 2 is almost done - a few more rows and I will be on to the toe shaping. I wonder if it will look the same as sock number 1

opal sock

A few week-ends ago I had the pleasure of visiting Rowan's Mill at Holmfirth for a workshop - Crochet for Beginners with Eleanor Yates.

There were 23 of us on the workshop including Rowanettes Nancy Billings Martin, Liz Jenks and Sheelagh Kendra.

We had to take with us scissors and a sewing up needle. I guess they thought we might actually finish something. Throughout the workshop we used Rowan Handknit DK Cotton and Cotton Glace which were provided free of charge by Rowan along with crochet hooks.

I also took with me 4 balls of Rowan Handknit DK in Lupin together with Erica Knight's book Simple crochet. I was hopeful that I may at least make a start on the turkish slippers that I have wanted to do since I got the book last May.

As it happens I never made a start! I spent the week-end perfecting my granny squares. Here are a selection.

Granny squares

I intend to make more as and when. The cotton glace was lovely to crochet with
I treated myself to a selection of crochet needles before I went on the workshop - a mixture of woods - bamboo, rosewood, birch and ebony in different sizes.

Crochet needles

So don't you think a pair of crochet slippers in lupin would look lovely for spring?

Happy Knitting.

Well doing the CAN CAN can have a very negative impact on your knees, but this means no housework and more time to catch on up your knitting - yes you have guessed it Anna thought she could do the CAN CAN and get away with it. Quite clearly I cannot.

On Wednesday evening we had an office night out and caught the train up to London Waterloo. We boarded a boat at Embankment for a 3 hour cruise along the Thames whilst enjoying a 4 course meal and a few glasses of wine. Towards the end of the evening 4 of us got up to dance and finished the evening with the CAN CAN. At the end of it I realised "oh dear my knee hurts"!

Well I have hardly been able to walk since although each day it gets a little easier. The diagnosis from Minor Injuries is torn ligaments in the knee.

As a result of my restricted mobility sock no 2 in the opal yarn is over half done and I am up to the heel.

Late last night after returning from my friends wedding, WHERE I DID NOT DANCE
I studied the pattern for the Peak Experience sock which I plan to knit in Regia mini ringels in the royal blue shade.

Peak Experience

I have started the Mexican Stripe bag by Brandon Mably from Rowan book 35 and am up to row 22. There are another 74 rows to go and as it is stocking stitch it seems to knit quite quickly. The colours in the cotton glace look beautiful and have a lovely sheen on when knitted up.

Mexican Stripe

My yarn for Audrey is waiting patiently. I have chosen the coral colour. There are a few reservations about the neck line and all the rib so..... we shall see. I do love the pattern.

Audrey

Shall I join in?

So no more CAN CAN but lots of knitting to do!

HAPPY DAYS