Oops - Catch Up

I have been so busy lately it is going to take a couple of posts to catch up. Last week I had a 24hr trip to the Lakes with KG and sis to meet the Ozzies. As you can see from the pics it was really grey, but still beautiful.

We drove down via the Alpaca centre and I ummed and ahhed about getting some wool like last time, but I am sure they have had a price hike. We enjoyed a coffee then moved on..

We stopped off in Keswick and had lunch at my fav - the Lakeland Pedlar (highly recommended!). While in Keswick also noticed a closing down sale... a tiny little shop but totally packed with stuff. Lots of bargains to be had, although I did restrict myself... After resisting at the Alpaca farm got some in Keswick (actually it seems better spun than the Alpaca select). Also picked up some Regia that Dylan seems to be particularly keen on.

Took my Trekking socks with me and finished the 1st one. Almost down to the heel on the 2nd so will try and press on with them.

Before I left my copy of Charmed Knits arrived (no thanks to Amazon! Pre order - I don't think so!). I am itching to get started, but have decided I must finish a couple of things first....

Retro Shopping

KG and I did a little retro charity shop browsing today in East Lothian. I got these cool stitch holders

Also a small booklet of patterns

I really want to make the 2nd but two problems:
1) How on earth to get it to fit, look at that tiny waist
2) It is made in 2 ply, I would be there forever

I will save it for when I am feeling more ambitious!!

Jen's Bag

Last weekend I decided I would make a bag for Jen for her Birthday... so that gave me a week. Luckily I had a lot of time on Thursday in between people voting to get on with it. KG helped me line it yesterday (well with cutting and sewing on the machine, the bad hand sewing you see is all down to me!). Jen loves purple, so I hope she likes this.

Pattern is from Knitting magazine, yarn is Lana Grossa Mille, colour 002. I used nearly 3 balls, (150g, 165m).

The pattern is in double moss stitch, I think the texture is really nice.

Stripey lining from the Cloth Shop. Nice colours, but I need to improve on my sewing skills! Still I am sure it will stay together.

Main alteration was in the length of the strap, I have no idea how 66cm would be long enough for a shoulder bag... I think it is just ok now, but could have even been a bit longer.

D had to make a trip up to HK for me to pick up the extra ball of wool on Tuesday. He is so sweet, but was not impressed when they tried to persuade him to sign up for the men's knitting class!

Gift List

Don't really like asking for things, but I know I will start to get asked soon so I have added a few things if anyone is looking for ideas on the right of the page.

Had Polling Clerk election training today for next week.... hopefully I will get lots of time to knit and read and the day won't go too slow. Already planning supplies to take with me (mainly meals since I won't be able to leave the polling station from 6.30am to 10pm). Still, nice change from work!

Project Update

Ok I have been studying hard but here is an update of what I have been working on.

First of all the Sublime baby jumper. It is in Alpaca Select DK, which I had left from the first hat I made. I used more than suggested in the pattern but I think this is because it is a lot denser than sheep wool. It isn't necessarily the colour I would have picked if I was buying from scratch but I think it has worked out well. Also not the most practical for a baby since it is hand wash at 30, but it is soooo soft and cuddly.

I think I need to work on the picking up stitches evenly since the neck doesn't look quite right, but this is my first attempt at that and by the time I noticed I couldn't face going back.

I got these cute buttons from John Lewis, I like the metal finish but they are not too heavy.

While getting the buttons noticed this they had made up... it is a simple feather and fan design in Kidsilk Mohair. For a simple pattern, 4th time I have started it and I think this time it is going ok... Looks a bit bunched up here but I am sure it will look ok when it is finished and blocked.

Car knitting at the moment is these ribbed socks for ME. Did put them for one side for a while after KG suggested they looked too small and I was scared to try them on in case I had to start again! But tried them on last weekend and although tight the ribbing stretches ok and I think they will be fine. Lucky I have tiny feet.