May 2004 Archives

Well as it was Bank Holiday week-end and I had a packet of Rowan Cotton Braid by my side I thought I would start something new. So I cast on the sweater version of Bel Air from the new Rowan Cotton Braid book and boy on 8mm needles does it knit up quickly. In no time at all I had knit 2 balls.

When I first saw this yarn on the shelf I wasn't too sure about it but knitted up it looks good. it is very soft - must be the cotton, viscose and linen together.

I am knitting Bel Air in Picasso shade

Bel Air

Every now and again one has to start and finish something in a very short space of time!

Don't despair though my other projects are making progress. I make sure I do at least one row a day of the 4 ply jumper so I can safely say I "worked" on it. Actually it is coming along nicely and I think will be finished before summer is over - just in time for Autumn.

Well a Bank Holiday week-end and the sun goes in!

Although my poppies in the front garden have opened up

They are just a beautiful colour.

Well some of you will know that I live in a town called Newbury and have done so for a long time!. Newbury is often referred to as a market town although we are getting a grip of todays modern life in more ways than one.

Starbucks had recently opened and seems to get a brisk trade through out most of the day. I haven't spotted any knitters in town yet though so have not yet endulged in my Venti Skinny Cappucino and a dose of knitting.

One of Newbury's features is the Kennet and Avon Canal which runs right through Newbury. There is a good pub called The Lock Stock & Barrell which sits along side the canal and today I visited initially for a drink but our visit soon turned in to lunch. David and I sat there for a few hours and how pleasant it was. The sun was shining one moment and the next it was clouded over and yes I had my knitting - even David's jumper was in my bag so out it came and grew quite a few rows. However I have discovered the weight of it has bent my needle.

I have finished the front and back of picot in Rowan Denim and now have to do the collar. The two pieces are both exactly alike

This will get a lot of wear if the weather warms up but I don't think I shall be wearing it to the Motor Show at the NEC tomorrow.

Well I know it was a while ago but I did promise a picture of my opal socks so here we are

Opal Socks

There has not been much knitting this week I am afraid. It has been a strange week - really busy at work and too warm to knit wool.

I am pleased to say I am on the second side gusset and strap of my "Spaced Out" bag. Handknit dk cotton is lovely to knit in the hot weather.

I have read the instructions for lining the bag and am not sure I understand them - will need to read again but had better buy the material first to line the bag with. Debbie used one of the Kaffe Fassett squares I think to do hers so may have to pay the Rowan Shop in Oxford a visit as I think they stock it or otherwise wait until I next visit Liberty's.

The side piece I have finished is 50cm long so I am hoping this will be long enough to carry on the shoulder - shall let you know. I used a whole ball of yarn for the strap but have over half a ball of each of the three colours left so could always do another bag with a different background colour.

I am away to see how far I have got with Brooklyn this evening - it must be a week since I made some progress on this project so I must make sure it receives the attention it deserves. It is so close to being finished and then I shall hold my breath as I try on - it may be too small!

My balls of Calmer are still sitting well behaved on the shelf - Audrey Knitalong! This will be a lovely jumper for September time!

Well I am loving my "Spaced Out" bag more by the day. I am doing the side gusset and the strap at the moment and I love the way it gets thinner as it gets longer. There is a decrease through the moss stitch after every 15 rows.

Side gusset and strap

I went to a workshop a couple of week-ends ago with Debbie Abrahams and showed her the bag I was knitting and she was very impressd with my intarsia and commented on how neat my knitting was which gave me a bit of a boost. I sometimes think I haven't quite got the twist of the yarns correct when doing intarsia.

Spaced Out beginning to take shape

The theme of the workshop was colourwork and Debbie brought with her some colour grids of patterns from her book "Blankets and Throws to knit". I completed 2 squares.

Squares for a throw

I am certainly collecting together a lot of odd balls of cotton glace which these squares were knitted in but am not sure I will ever make a throw.

I am looking forward to Debbie's new book 25 cushions to knit

I feel a run of cushions coming on after the bags!

David's 4 ply jumper is coming along well. It manages to increase by a few rows everyday - in fact I am nearly up to the armholes on the front. Polly you sure gave me a nudge I kind of feel obliged to give you one back!

Have I left it too late to join the Audrey Knitalong!

At long last my pair of opal socks are finished. I had to enlist the help of Polly to finish the toe on the second one. I got in a mix up with my markers on the shaping so when Polly asked "what are you doing with markers? You don't need them anymore" I ditched them and soon the toe was done.

So I have my first pair of hand-knitted socks for moi and they fit!

A photo will follow - I need to buy myself paint shop pro to instal and learn and then hopefully there will be lots of photos. I do take the photos, honest - they are just not making it to my site at the moment.

This evening I have picked up the stitches for the side gusset and strap of my Debbie Abrahams bag. The strap is done in moss stitch and is shaped up the centre. I found it difficult to pick the stitches up along the moss stitch edge but my persistence paid off and after a few attempts I managed to get the right number of stitches.

David's jumper is coming along too - I made good progress on that on Saturday and am almost up to the armholes on the front. Two sleeves to follow then!