Friday, February 29, 2008

Loop

Yesterday I visited a shop that is, in theory walking distance from where I work, silly me chose to get the bus. Of course it would have been quicker to walk.
Loop is a bit of a hidden treasure, this is my second visit and I managed without the help of an A to Z. I was very reserved, mainly because I have yet to think of a use for the lovely Blue Sky Alpaca Cotton although the Silk was very tempting. So just came away with this Berry coloured sock yarn.
and
These gorgeous buttons. No idea what for yet but I just needed them, thought at worst they would go together without too much trouble. I was tempted by some others until I saw they were £4.50 each!
After this very pleasant shop I met up with friends for a Chinese buffet meal, never again, its only saving grace was it only cost £10. Wagamamas looked so tempting across the way.Thankfully we usually like to try a new venue every time we meet.
Quick question, have any of you plans for 6th September? Do tell. Clue is here.
Lots of knitting news tomorrow followed by mitts, I hope.
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Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Pay it Forward

Both dispatched and now received.
I only photographed one item, and not very well, in my haste to get them sent.

Midwest Moonlight from Interweave Knits Scarf Style, knit in Hand Maiden Seasilk. Wouldn't mind one myself. This is the second version, the first was almost twice the width and although nice I didn't have enough yarn to make it long enough.

Here's a couple of links to better pictures from the recipients blogs, hope they don't mind.

http://spasticshepherdknits.blogspot.com/2008/02/thank-you-debbie.html

http://theyarnyard.co.uk/newsite/content/blogsection/2/9/ - 11th December entry, if you're interested. These are the 187 stitch socks!

P.S. You may have notice this blog template changes regularly, I have ideas but not time to actually execute them so hopefully this will at least be neat!

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Acquisitions

From Stash in Putney.

Dream in Colour Smooshy, In Vino Veritas. Hand Maiden Casbah, Fruit Punch. As you can see I have 1 project in mind, the Casbah was just too rich a colour to leave behind.

This morning we have been out for breakfast, you have to when you've run out of bread, don't you? With Mothers Day in mind we ventured into our local book seller, bad, bad, extremely bad idea.


This is the Pressie book, notice the sticker? BOGOF


Not one to refuse an offer like that I bought these for me! I am as dangerous in book shops as I am in yarn shops.


I am frantically trying to finish 3 pairs of socks before Natalie updates her shop next week. Will definitely be knitting a few pairs of these.

Enjoy your weekend.
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Friday, February 22, 2008

Walk to Work

Not exactly from Brighton but these are a few views from my journey from St Pancras International Station to the Office.

So from top left we have the departure board at St Pancras with Eurostar departures displayed, it was tempting. This has a wobble, sorry, I was running late.
Two side views of the outside of St Pancras which I think is a fantastic building.
The additional modern structure from where I emerge everyday into a building site which is Kings Cross side entrance.
A view down platform 8 at Kings Cross towards the concourse.
The "Lighthouse" at the junction of Pentonville Road and Grays Inn Road.
A wall of words which is a feature of the new Regent Quarter, this is part of the Kings Cross regeneration project. Believe me my walk has improved noticeably in the last 13 years.
A famous Italian Deli which stocks everything but has retained its original facade, behind the metal gates are paper bags full of baguettes. If I had photographed the opposite way you would have had a lovely view of Tesco Metro which will no doubt put this lovely shop and others out of business.

Finally

I pass platform 9 3/4 every day, usually a little busier with photographers than this.

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Thursday, February 21, 2008

Prizes

I left a comment on this very nice ladys blog and look what I got.
Hand Made Notecards, Stitchmarkers (which actually say "Made with Love"), Chocolate of the very nicest kind.


And 3 balls of this deliciously coloured Bouton d'Or yarn. One I will have to investigate.



I took the camera today and managed to get a few pics despite being delayed. Tomorrow.
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Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Prospecting

Tomorrow I am using up the final half a day of last years leave with a little circuitous journey home.
Stash in Putney via Vauxhall so if I haven't had enough sproglett dodging I may venture into I Knit. Of course its only for window shopping, maybe that might be an itsy white lie.

I'm also contemplating taking my camera to give you some views of my daily commute, watch this space Harry Potter fans.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Picasa

It is an easy way to waste a few hours with quite acceptable results. Picasa

Tulips 19 February 2008


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Saturday, February 16, 2008

Crafty


Sorry for the different picture sizes but I am trying something new out.

Tomorrow I knit!

Enjoy your weekend.
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Friday, February 15, 2008

Hidden

Look what lurks in my button tin.


Not a very active life in The Brownies although I did make Sixer! Gardening, Animals and Collecting.

Girl Guides however was a different matter and still I was 1 badge off queens Guide. Think I'd lost interest by the age of 16.


Some of these I haven't a clue about but strangely I do recognise:
Basket Making.
Housekeeping, someone had me doing their ironing for that!
Childcare, yep I was babysitting regularly.
Cooking-how that popcorn filled the kitchen.
Map Reading.
Camping-never again (the memories of burnt Rice puddings linger still).
First Aid.
Collecting again.
I could guess at Sewing and Flower Arranging
One looks like Fire Making but I think I would have remembered that.
I'm sure I have a Guide Handbook somewhere.

Don't tell anyone but I think we were supposed to return these badges......they should have forgotten by now.
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Thursday, February 14, 2008

Home Made

Inventive, I thought so!
How convenient that my current (well one of) project matched.
Confession time, I know I said I wasn't going to buy anymore but I just had to try Chameleon Colourworks Evolution.
This is Black Cherry and I'm using this very kind ladys pattern.
As you can see its not an easy colour to photograph. Gorgeous colour and very nice yarn.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

It'll all become clear

When we've departed.
This weekend we were in York where it was frosty mornings but very bright and sunny. On Sunday we decided a trip to Whitby was on the cards, good for photography, lots of nice coves along that part of the Yorkshire coast. However the weather had different ideas. The drive over the North York Moors was glorious, they were even burning off some of the heather. Then we saw Whitby Abbey in the distance, or the top of it poking through mist, very artistic but I think you would have needed a stronger lens than even my photographer has. We should have turned back then. Once we had found a parking space, no mean feat but it was free! We walked down past the Captain Cook monument to the harbour where this was the best picture we could get!
You couldn't see one side of the Harbour from the other. To make it worse the place was, not unusually, packed and there were queues at all the open eateries so we decided to push on further north to Sandsend and Staithes. Needless to say the above photograph is all we managed, once you approached all these places you could see the mist just peeping above the surrounding fields then you dropped down into it. So all in all a wasted journey photograph wise but the air was a bit fresher than that in a big city.

The weekend wasn't completely wasted we managed a very nice brunch in Bettys and my hair is slightly more respectable. Its always worrying when your hairdresser says "hasn't it grown"!

And the Moss Stitch Cushion, well that lovely Mummy of mine came up trumps.

Poor thing is somewhat bemused, and a tad disgusted, by her first Appraisal form, you don't expect one of these at the age of 70! So would I be.

Thursday, February 07, 2008

Gorilla for a Pound

I was only talking about knitting a Gorilla the other day when this very kind Lady decided to start a Raffle with the First Prize of..........................a Gorilla, Silver Backed at that. Take a look. You may even be lucky enough to win a Muffin.
Well done Monkee Maker.

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Gift Bag



Leftovers from the Chevron Scarf

The colours didn't do much for the pattern so the next bags will be plain.



Slight hiccup on the focusing front.

Finally making progress on the first Socktopus Sock Club offering, Karenina by Jane Lithgow.

Then I fancied trying Toe-Up again, glutton for punishment I know.

First Crown Mountain Farms Sock Hop in Mustang Sally. Then Posh Yarn Helena in Crisp on my favourite Lantern Moon Ebony Sox Stix.

Both of these are Beaded Rib, this pattern has excellent short row instructions.

Sunday, February 03, 2008

Blocking

This was finished within the Mystery Stole3 (Swan Lake and The Wings of A Dream) Knitalong timescale but has been in a cupboard since. So as I am trying to clear things up this weekend I have got it as far as blocking. Sadly I think it is far too fine for me to wear.

Knit in Yarn Yard Lace (which appears to be this weeks bargain) the pattern was much easier than I was expecting because of the hype. I like to try new things and this taught me how to bead which I am sure will be useful, it is also the first Cobweb lace I have knit and I am sure there are other things but it was a few months ago now.

P.S. The cushion cover is finished and ready for dispatch.

Friday, February 01, 2008

Shame

This says it all.

I have decided to delve into the bottom, the very bottom, of my knitting bag and retrieve the longest outstanding WIP!

The dreaded Moss Stitch cushion cover.

Some of you may have read about my dislike for this stitch.

No?

If I show you the date on the magazine page from which this pattern is taken maybe you'll understand.

I didn't think it had been around that long. At least the magazine is still in existence.

My shame is complete when you see how close I was to finishing it.

About 15cm to the finish.

So with a visit to my very, very clever seamstress (Mummy dear) due I thought I'd dispose of it.

There will be 2 skeins of Rowan Tweed DK left over appx 240yds. Is that too thick or even not enough to knit a Monkey or would it have to be a Baby Gorilla?!

May even get a gift bag started.

One things for sure I will get a bottle of something Red started.

Enjoy your weekend.