Sunday 3 June 2007

A Grand Day Out


Charlotte is finished and blocked at last, here she is on the back of our settee. I promise to post some modelled pictures later; I have to wait for Mr Knitbert to wake up first. He arrived home at 7.30 am this morning, woke me up, trashed the kitchen (laundry everywhere), the bathroom (towels all over the floor)and the living room (open suitcase and clean clothes, bags, keys, little rucsacs), had two cups of coffee and a bath and is now sleeping off his jet lag upstairs. It's nice to have him back! The Glaziers (see an earlier post) are coming again on Monday morning to ruin his day off.

Yesterday I went to Get Knitted in Bristol with a group of friends from the Crafty Threads and Yarns Forum. I had a lovely time, and bought some much needed yarn stocks (yeah right). It is just so nice to spend time with other knitters and see what they are doing. I took the opportunity to get a second opinion on the Ribby Shell situation, and my fellow knitters were in agreement with me that the texture of the Jaeger Trinity at the correct tension was too loose and not elastic enough - which is, after all, a fairly key feature of the Ribby Shell design. I frogged it then and there, and the Trinity is back in the yarn cupboard for now. I have chosen two new yarns for the Ribby Shell; Rowan Calmer in this lovely coral colour (now OTN!)

I've never used Calmer before and OMG I love this stuff! It is very soft, a little bulkier than the Trinity, so the texture is just right at gauge, and it is lovely and stretchy and elastic. I think it is perfect for the pattern and if I like the result I will get some more in another colour to knit another one. I also got some Rowan Bamboo Tape in a nice purple colour to knit the Ribby Shell (I like this pattern, can you tell). It is very soft and there was a knitted swatch in the shop which made me think it would be lovely for this. It comes in some fabulous colours...

What else did I get? Well, I got some Noro Silk Garden and some Cash Iroha to knit Poppy from Yarnplay (the red looks a bit too red because of the flash - it is more of a dark russet colour in real life):


I got some Trekking XXL and some Lana Grossa Mega Boots:


I also got some Twilleys Freedom Spirit in Air, to knit a tank top, the Freedom Spirit pattern booklet, and a pair of addi lace circulars. Here's the whole haul all laid out nicely!



And why do I want to knit a tank top? Well, I saw this one worn by Eva Mendes in a movie called Hitch the other night. I will need to modify the Twilley's pattern a little (by dropping the neckline), or make my own pattern, but I think it is a great look, and would be fab in Air with a white linen shirt. What do you think?

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glad Mr knitbert arrived home safely!

Looks like a great haul from GK. Sounds like you had a fab time - makes me wish I wasn't 7000 miles away!

The tank top looks lovely - will look forward to seeing progress on that.

Glenna C said...

Wow, check out that awesome stash enhancement! I admit I fell down a little in the yarn shop yesterday but only to the tune of 4 skeins - I will live vicariously through your haul! Looking forward to seeing what the Trekking and Poppy yarns turn out to look like all knitted up :)

And congratulations on the graduate!

Fiona Reynolds said...

Vicarious SEX. There are some lovely goodies there!! Charlotte is stunning.

Billy Badger said...

Charlotte looks fantastic, must go and re read your previous posts to get the details.

fibreclaireUK said...

Charlotte is beautiful. Its was great to meet you yesterday and now I can visualise you. I look forward to seeing the Calmer knitted up.

Cindy G said...

Charlotte is beautiful, and I'm drooling over the stash enhancements - love the color you picked for the new version of Ribby.

miss mandy of flitwick said...

the shawl is fantastic I love the colours, and glad you had a good time at GK, and of course welcome home to mr knitbert

Seahorse said...

Beautiful shawl!

What lovely purchases. Tank tops are definitely 'in' again aren't they!? The one in the link is very chic.

Linda said...

What a great time you had a get knitted with all that yarn! Fab!! I like charlotte, it is such nice colours.

belaybunny said...

what a fantastic shawl. And lovely goodies there. I wish I could knit lace!!

Lindsey said...

Charlotte's Web is lovely. Well done!

And man, that's some serious yarn shopping you did....drool, drool!! What a lot of loveliness. Not sure what I like best...but can't wait to see what you make!!

florencemary said...

The 'Web' looks amazing! And I'll be converted to blocking one of these days....! The yarns look wonderful too - I really like the colour shading on the Lana Grossa Mega Boots.

Joy said...

Welcome home to Mr Knitbert!

Charlotte's Web looks fantastic.

I must admit to being slightly taken aback to walk into the cafe on Saturday morning to find you sitting there frogging away! You made some wonderful purchases.

WildPurl said...

LOL Aknita, I suppose it was a bit surprising! I think I already knew I was going to frog it but wanted some feedback from other knitters to confirm it.
The Calmer is making good progress actually, I am almost through the first ball, and it is suiting the design well.

Donnae said...

Charlottes'Web is beautiful. Love your new purchases. I must visit GK, it is under an hour's drive away! I had tension problems with Jaeger Trinity and I decided to buy a pattern book specifically designed for the yarn - chicken eh!