tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161749664202982092024-03-13T00:33:00.043+00:00The Knitbert PrincipleStuff I feel like writing about, lots and lots of yarn acquisition and from time to time even some knitting and sewing projects.WildPurlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05162241249946009555noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216174966420298209.post-51518036979138866662008-06-09T19:47:00.002+00:002008-06-11T20:29:47.879+00:00Knitbert has MovedI've moved to <a href=http://purlsinthepool.blogspot.com>Purls In The Pool</a>WildPurlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05162241249946009555noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216174966420298209.post-31344358386797502492008-04-27T14:03:00.007+00:002008-04-27T14:44:33.068+00:00Start at The End and Work Backwards<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/SBSQW-uvZGI/AAAAAAAAAz0/mnt4puje2dw/s1600-h/IMG_1489.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/SBSQW-uvZGI/AAAAAAAAAz0/mnt4puje2dw/s400/IMG_1489.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193934994735588450" /></a><br />April has been a busy month! I was away for a whole week on a training course, and what with packing to go away and unpacking when I got back...<br />Anyway, I've been doing loads of things. Yesterday I went hiking for almost the first time this year. I started in West Hoathly and walked across the Bluebell Railway and around. Here's me by the railway line:<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/SBSKhOuvZCI/AAAAAAAAAzU/1mWNy49HOa8/s1600-h/IMG_1473_rot.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/SBSKhOuvZCI/AAAAAAAAAzU/1mWNy49HOa8/s400/IMG_1473_rot.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193928573759480866" /></a><br />there was a train due in 20 minutes, so we didn't wait, but we did see several puffing through the countryside as we slogged up the hills and across fields. The best part of the walk was the bluebell woods, which were in full bloom with a carpet of blue.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/SBSKiuuvZDI/AAAAAAAAAzc/-BwM7eZsXMk/s1600-h/IMG_1477.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/SBSKiuuvZDI/AAAAAAAAAzc/-BwM7eZsXMk/s400/IMG_1477.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193928599529284658" /></a><br />While I was away on my course I did make some progress on the Bergere de France Cable Sweater, but since then I have got sidetracked into glove making. I received a request for some more gloves with a skull motif; here is the first one:<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/SBSNSuuvZEI/AAAAAAAAAzk/J-QVKG8tNeI/s1600-h/IMG_1488.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/SBSNSuuvZEI/AAAAAAAAAzk/J-QVKG8tNeI/s400/IMG_1488.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193931623186261058" /></a><br />The second glove will have a smiley on the back. For these gloves I used Ann Budd's "Knitters Handy Book of Patterns". While adding the motif, I noticed again that as the unused yarn is carried around, it shows through a little bit in the black areas, and realised that it would be much better if I were to make the pattern go all round the glove. As these gloves are made to a the requirements of someone else, I decided to start another pair of gloves, for me, to try out this technique. You can see this glove at the top of the post. It has a frill round the bottom and a fairisle pattern band, with stripes on the thumb gusset. I've just got to the ring finger. Here's a closeup of the pattern.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/SBSNTeuvZFI/AAAAAAAAAzs/10SXEQln7H8/s1600-h/IMG_1493.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/SBSNTeuvZFI/AAAAAAAAAzs/10SXEQln7H8/s400/IMG_1493.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193931636071162962" /></a><br />I think that's come out much better. When I've finished these and the second black glove, I have a request for another set of skully gloves, and I am going to try designing a fairisle band with skulls in it rather than a skull motif.<br />Right now I've got two half finished pairs of gloves and a half finished pair of socks to be getting on with, not to mention a cable sweater.<br />As if that weren't enough, I've decided to have a go at dyeing! Not yarn, though, but fabric. I'll tell you all about that next time. PS for Catbert, here's what your fuschia pink skirt looks like at the moment.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/SBSQXeuvZHI/AAAAAAAAAz8/xOzKAvglDTg/s1600-h/IMG_1487.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/SBSQXeuvZHI/AAAAAAAAAz8/xOzKAvglDTg/s400/IMG_1487.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193935003325523058" /></a><br />To be continued...WildPurlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05162241249946009555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216174966420298209.post-54854844248759866432008-04-01T21:20:00.006+00:002008-04-27T14:20:17.921+00:00The Knitbert List - AprilApril's list is My Ten Favourite Places:<br /><br />1. Ambleside in the Lake District. I've had so many happy walking holidays here, with family and friends<br /><br />2. The Bay of Islands, New Zealand. I love this place, especially the little town of Russell. <br /><br />3. Nelson, New Zealand. This town just has a good feel to it, and is near the sea and one of the country's National Parks. It has a great market, too, where I got handmade cork shoes and a lovely necklace and earrings.<br /><br />4. Cambridge. I studied here, and still like to visit and enjoy good food, the river and great pubs, with good friends<br /><br />5. The West Coast of Scotland. I worked in Oban one summer, and a few years ago I walked the West Highland Way. There is a beautiful, dramatic countryside here which is lovely to walk in<br /><br />6. Auckland, New Zealand. Breakfast at the Stone Oven, dinner at Monsoon, sailing in Auckand harbour, the Sky Tower, fantastic shops and a beautiful coastline.<br /><br />7. Paris. I'm going to include Versailles, where I lived for a couple of years. I like the atmosphere and cosiness of Paris, and the grand sweeping avenues of Versailles, not to mention the lovely gardens of the chateau, where I spent many happy Sundays and evenings<br /><br />8. Alderney. I sailed to Alderney once, the very first trip I made in a sailing yacht. I liked the empty sandy beaches covered with shells, and the little towns.<br /><br />9. The Greek Islands, where I travelled and holidayed for many years when I was a penniless student. <br /><br />10. Bath. What a lovely city and so pleasant to wander round. The old Roman Baths are magical too, with the steam rising from the water far below the surface of the modern city<br /><br />Hmmm, can't help noticing that nowhere I am living now or have lived recently is on the list. I think maybe I need to rethink my strategy for choosing a place to live.WildPurlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05162241249946009555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216174966420298209.post-34965886129994006112008-03-29T09:36:00.005+00:002008-03-29T16:22:08.709+00:00Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R-5rK8tvgKI/AAAAAAAAAy0/rtAv3qdxQXc/s1600-h/Catbert+with+DFS_rsz_crop.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R-5rK8tvgKI/AAAAAAAAAy0/rtAv3qdxQXc/s400/Catbert+with+DFS_rsz_crop.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183198056990867618" /></a><br />Here's Catbert at Covent Garden, showing off her Diamond Fantasy Shawl. DSoK the Intern and I travelled to London to meet her on Thursday, in order to collect our Christmas presents, which were tickets to the Lord of The Rings at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. It was a great show, by the way, if you like LoTR I really recommend it. The sets are amazing. We stayed on for a Q&A session with some cast members after the show and I learned amongst other fascinating facts that it takes Galadriel two hours to have her makeup and hair done, and that the hobbit feet are comfortable to wear.<br /><br />Sadly hobbit feet were not on offer in the souvenir gift shop, or I would have been sorely tempted.<br /><br />Here is the shawl before blocking:<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R-5rqctvgLI/AAAAAAAAAy8/OR9H2FSK4u0/s1600-h/Diamond+Fantasy+unblocked+_rsz.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R-5rqctvgLI/AAAAAAAAAy8/OR9H2FSK4u0/s320/Diamond+Fantasy+unblocked+_rsz.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183198598156746930" /></a><br />And after blocking - what a difference! I was afraid it would not be large enough but in fact it is a good size. I used a skein of Lucy Neatby Celestial Merino Dream in Fiery Fuschia, on 5mm Knitpicks Options, and knitted five and a half repeats as I was afraid of running out of yarn. I really enjoyed knitting it and would like to knit myself one now, maybe in a semisolid. <br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R-5rq8tvgMI/AAAAAAAAAzE/VjtrrQbsRAA/s1600-h/diamond+fantasy+crop_rsz.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R-5rq8tvgMI/AAAAAAAAAzE/VjtrrQbsRAA/s320/diamond+fantasy+crop_rsz.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183198606746681538" /></a><br />I've also started knitting the Bergere de France Cable sweater. Here's the first few inches of the back:<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R-5rq8tvgNI/AAAAAAAAAzM/4EmLa-dWHTc/s1600-h/BdF+Cable+sweater_rsz_crop.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R-5rq8tvgNI/AAAAAAAAAzM/4EmLa-dWHTc/s320/BdF+Cable+sweater_rsz_crop.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183198606746681554" /></a>WildPurlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05162241249946009555noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216174966420298209.post-92104631629353962822008-03-15T11:31:00.009+00:002008-04-01T21:21:33.935+00:00There's Hope and Cushions<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R9vUO6WQ_NI/AAAAAAAAAyE/YoRYBvGkUBM/s1600-h/cushion_rsz.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R9vUO6WQ_NI/AAAAAAAAAyE/YoRYBvGkUBM/s400/cushion_rsz.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177965549238418642" /></a><br /><br />Last weekend I finally finished two cushions which have been On The Hook for ages. The first one is the textured cushion from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Simple-Crochet-Erika-Knight/dp/1400050790">Erika Knight's Simple Crochet </a>(a fab book for new crocheters btw). I started this in 2006, I do believe, just after attending the crochet course which got me back into knitting and fibre arts. The yarn is a strange kind of raffia like yarn with beads on it, by Ice Yarns, which I got from <a href="http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Yarn-Paradise_BEAD-SEQUIN_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ8154437QQftidZ2QQtZkm">Yarn Paradise </a>on ebay. I've also got a blue version of this yarn with sequins rather than beads in. <br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R9vUPKWQ_OI/AAAAAAAAAyM/7U9valvfB4Y/s1600-h/Closeup_crochet_rsz.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R9vUPKWQ_OI/AAAAAAAAAyM/7U9valvfB4Y/s400/Closeup_crochet_rsz.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177965553533385954" /></a><br />It is a swine to work with because it splits, but it was manageable for the cushion front, as the lace pattern is quite interesting, so I did that quite quickly. Then you are supposed to crochet the back in two pieces, in double crochet (that's single crochet for any US readers). I'm sorry to say that I'm such a shallow crocheter that I found interminable double crochet with a yarn that splits was not enjoyable. What am I like? So I stopped. For over a year. Finally I worked out that I would just use the front, and attach it to a sewn cushion cover, and that's what I've done. I think it looks really cool!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R9vUPKWQ_PI/AAAAAAAAAyU/eVgBXLbS7RE/s1600-h/cusion_sideways_rsz.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R9vUPKWQ_PI/AAAAAAAAAyU/eVgBXLbS7RE/s400/cusion_sideways_rsz.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177965553533385970" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R9vY5aWQ_QI/AAAAAAAAAyc/ZBoNTAc5y6k/s1600-h/cushion2_rsz.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R9vY5aWQ_QI/AAAAAAAAAyc/ZBoNTAc5y6k/s400/cushion2_rsz.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177970677429370114" /></a><br />The second cushion is made of granny squares, and it is loosely based on the Modern Afghan pattern, also from Simple Crochet. Regular readers may recall that I started crocheting these aquares about one year ago, mainly on the flight from Hong Kong to Auckland. There was one square which I didn't like so much as the others, and until I got around to frogging that square and redoing it with better colours I was stuck. As soon as I had changed that square I wanted to carry on and complete the cushion, so that's what I have been doing. I just love it and it is so cosy and snuggly.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R9vY5aWQ_RI/AAAAAAAAAyk/8Dx3Wr1kE-Q/s1600-h/cushionsofa_rsz.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R9vY5aWQ_RI/AAAAAAAAAyk/8Dx3Wr1kE-Q/s400/cushionsofa_rsz.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177970677429370130" /></a><br />One day I am going to make a granny square afghan, too, as I just enjoy playing with the colours so much.<br /><br />I have also got around to tidying up the blog sidebar a bit. Finished in 2006 has gone; I have added the last two projects for 2007, although I must say that the overall total still looks a little pitiful compared to some; and I have created a Finished in 2008 category. So far, it is mid March, and these cushions are my first FOs, which is a bit disturbing, but the Diamond Fantasy Shawl and the second Snowflake sock are whizzing along now.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R9vY5qWQ_SI/AAAAAAAAAys/eMKz_YkVQow/s1600-h/Babette+Hope_rsz_crop.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R9vY5qWQ_SI/AAAAAAAAAys/eMKz_YkVQow/s400/Babette+Hope_rsz_crop.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177970681724337442" /></a><br />And finally, I have created a section for the Babette Blanket. I intend to post a photo for the colours for each month's theme and then the crocheted squares when they are done. This month's colours are intended to represent new growth of leaves and buds in Spring.WildPurlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05162241249946009555noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216174966420298209.post-6910639122672059112008-03-05T20:19:00.000+00:002008-03-05T20:20:01.230+00:00The Knitbert List - MarchThis year I thought we would have a change from Memory Lane, and have the Knitbert List. I got the idea from <a href="http://jacquie.typepad.com/">Jacquie</a>. So I will publish a list of 10 things each month.<br /><br />March's List is:<br /><strong><br />10 Favourite Foods:</strong><br /><br />1. Smoked salmon<br />2. Any other kind of salmon<br />3. Fish and chips (I prefer plaice, but cod is good too)<br />4. A mixed salad, with watercress and rocket, and assorted vegetables, and a garlic vinaigrette<br />5. Risotto (any kind - I had one with smoked haddock and chorizo last week, and I also like butternut squash risotto, mushroom risotto, asparagus risotto, well, you get the idea...<br />6. Pumpkin and Ginger soup (my favourite Hallowe'en recipe)<br />7. Creme brulee, which I think is a good test of a chef's ability<br />8. Venison. I once had a wild venison burger and chips, in Geraldine, NZ. Mmmm!<br />9. Roast Turkey<br />10. Chocolate mousse. Did you know that this is one of the lowest fat deserts you can have? No really, help yourself to seconds...<br /><br />As it happens, I have been tagged by <a href="http://knitsknotsgnats.blogspot.com/">Fiona</a>, which means I have to give five facts about myself. So there you are, ten facts for the price of five. I should really tag other people, but I'm still thinking about it.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R879jSSnmSI/AAAAAAAAAx8/HWzkUklJMiY/s1600-h/DSCF0037.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R879jSSnmSI/AAAAAAAAAx8/HWzkUklJMiY/s320/DSCF0037.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174351804542458146" /></a><br /><br />Last week I finished crocheting my Romance squares for my Babette blanket, for the Crafty Threads and Yarns Quilt a Long (yes, I know it's not a quilt). I like how they have turned out, and I am currently planning my colours for the March theme, which is Hope. I've got some more Karisma from Scandinavian Knitting Designs on order.<br /><br />I also realised this week that I was about to run out of two marvellous cosmetic creams which I purchased in Singapore last summer. They are by a company called Skin Food, and they really work well, so I was a little worried that I would age ten years overnight, which at my time of life, dear reader, is no laughing matter. Skin Food is a Korean brand, and does not seem to be available in Europe. However, I found <a href="http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Sweet-Violets-Giftshop">Sweet Violet's Gift Shop </a>on ebay, and she stocked some Skin Food products. I emailed her and within 24 hours she was stocking what I had asked about, and some new related products which I most certainly will be trying. I am looking forward to receiving my order, as I'll be able to expose my skin to daylight again.<br /><br />Catbert will be pleased to learn that I have restarted work on her Diamond Fantasy Shawl, and now have only two repeats to go. Go Knitbert!WildPurlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05162241249946009555noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216174966420298209.post-33489949128932667392008-02-25T19:32:00.005+00:002008-02-25T23:37:57.211+00:00Shawl Is Forgiven, but Hooked on Crochet<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R8NOfQXV6bI/AAAAAAAAAx0/VV7qCdtnLAw/s1600-h/Crochet+cushion_rsz.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171063096027244978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R8NOfQXV6bI/AAAAAAAAAx0/VV7qCdtnLAw/s400/Crochet+cushion_rsz.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Oh my! Where has the time gone! It's nearly the end of February. I have finished my crochet cushion - or at least the crocheted bit. I'm really pleased with it, I love the colours. I just have to sew a cushion cover and attach it to the front now, which won't happen this week because I'm away from home. I've also got a cunning plan to finish my other crochet cushion, which (if I've got it in my knitting bag) I'll take a photo of later to show you as it's been a UFO for so long that no living reader of my blog will remember it.<br /><br />Although I have forgiven the shawl, I am temporarily distracted from restarting it (sorry Catbert) by my Quiltalong square for February. The theme is Romance, and I have been crocheting some squares in pinks, purples and greys, which I am enjoying. I was forced to order some new yarn for this, as I did not have anything suitable in stash, and I chose DROPS Karisma from <a href="http://www.scandinavianknittingdesign.eu/index1.html">Scandinavian Knitting Design</a>, which is 100% washable wool and very reasonably priced.<br /><br /><a href="http://s74.photobucket.com/albums/i260/carolaknit/?action=view&current=Babette_rsz.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i260/carolaknit/Babette_rsz.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It turned up the day after I ordered it, and I must say I love it. It's very soft, and the colours are gorgeous, I'll be buying more of this. It's a dream to crochet with, too.<br /><br />I've also been tagged, which I'll respond to in my next post, and apparently I've won an award too! I'm off to the Cabled Climber's blog to find out more...WildPurlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05162241249946009555noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216174966420298209.post-33800238046991323592008-01-27T16:54:00.001+00:002008-02-18T12:08:02.026+00:00A Right Shawl<a href="http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i260/carolaknit/DSCF0002.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i260/carolaknit/DSCF0002.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Last weekend I took Catbert's Diamond Fantasy Scarf to a swimming gala. Now the thing about swimming galas is that mostly all you can see is a lot of splashing, and you can't talk to anyone because you either can't hear them over the sounds of the screaming supporters and the organisers' announcements, or you are being told to be quiet so the swimmers can dive off the side in peace. And they go on for hours and hours. They are ideal for knitting in fact. I confidently expected to complete another repeat at least. After two rows I saw I had made a mistake, and the pattern was one stitch out along the whole row.<br />What would have been the sensible thing to do? Yes, dear reader, I should have tinked back to the start of the row and sorted it there and then. Instead I thought "it probably won't show" and carried on knitting. I carried on for six rows. Each one looked less alright than the last. Finally, I came to the point where if I knitted another row I would be casting off 5 stitches, and I realised I would have to either rip back or forever hold my peace. It really didn't look right, so I began tinking. By the end of the swimming gala I was nearly back to where I had been at the start.<br />I spent most of the next morning with my teeth clenched and snarling "I'm knitting lace" whenever anyone came near me, trying to work out where the mistake had come from and how to fix it. In the end I worked it out, and began reknitting, and now I have finished the rows I had to undo and a couple more. I'm still really cross with it, so I've put it in the naughty corner and have been doing crochet for the rest of the week. It looks OK though! and it is going to be very, very nice.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R5zChksKTXI/AAAAAAAAAxk/Z06UxdrDWj0/s1600-h/IMG_1406.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160213155100118386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R5zChksKTXI/AAAAAAAAAxk/Z06UxdrDWj0/s320/IMG_1406.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I have finished the first Snowflake sock, with a variegated toe, and I really like it. I'll do the second one soon, no really I will.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R5zE40sKTYI/AAAAAAAAAxs/uxQk6nub8xg/s1600-h/IMG_1408.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160215753555332482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R5zE40sKTYI/AAAAAAAAAxs/uxQk6nub8xg/s320/IMG_1408.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Here's the crochet I have been doing, as part of the 2008 Quiltalong on the Crafty Threads and Yarns forum. Yes, I do know it's not a quilt. The theme for January was Snowdrops, so I have interpreted it in colour as crochet squares, using the <a href="http://shop.interweave.com/Babette-Blanket-P235C37.aspx">Babette Blanket </a>pattern from Interweave Crochet. My idea is to do squares from it each month, and have a finished blanket at the end of the year. The photo shows the squares so far, and the colours I have assembled. I will have to be careful not to use too many different colours, so it doesn't look a mess.<br /><br />I've also restarted my crochet cushion with granny squares that I did last year on the flights to and from New Zealand. The first thing I have done is undo and redo one square, which I didn't think was quite right from a colour point of view, and now I'm going to crochet some more squares. I'll show some photos when I have made a bit more progress.WildPurlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05162241249946009555noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216174966420298209.post-87956842878303850042008-01-11T23:52:00.000+00:002008-01-11T23:52:31.877+00:00In Which the Week Ends Better Than It Began<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R4gAD2s0SII/AAAAAAAAAxM/eRU3_m1GXVM/s1600-h/snowflakes2_rsz.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R4gAD2s0SII/AAAAAAAAAxM/eRU3_m1GXVM/s320/snowflakes2_rsz.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154369839748630658" /></a><br />Oh my, I wasn't in a good state on Monday was I? Well, it's Friday now and my cold is better, the weekend is ahead and I bought some yarn this afternoon. I got some Regia Crazy Colour, which looks fun, and some black St Ives sock yarn, which I think may be useful for some Skully Socks I have in mind...so things are looking up. <br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R4gAD2s0SJI/AAAAAAAAAxU/iq986mSNZlg/s1600-h/stivesblk_rsz.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R4gAD2s0SJI/AAAAAAAAAxU/iq986mSNZlg/s320/stivesblk_rsz.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154369839748630674" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R4gAEGs0SKI/AAAAAAAAAxc/-AogdA6xwzI/s1600-h/regia_rsz.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R4gAEGs0SKI/AAAAAAAAAxc/-AogdA6xwzI/s320/regia_rsz.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154369844043597986" /></a><br />I had a bit of an Amazon moment, too, and I have "Favourite Socks" on its way. And aren't the Snowflakes coming on well? This one is up to the toe now. 100% of readers who expressed a preference were in favour of a contrasting toe (thanks Franney!) so that's what I've decided to do.<br /><br />Soooo, what would I like to do in 2008? Mmmm, chews pencil thoughtfully. <br />As far as knitting is concerned, I think I'd like to do the following in 2008:<br /><br />- Design something and then knit it<br />- Knit a lot more than I did in 2007<br />- Knit more socks using my impressive sock yarn stash<br />- Knit up some of my impressive laceweight stash<br />- Knit some cardigans and pullovers (maybe even ones I have designed)<br />- Knit some scarves<br />- Maybe knit a toy...or a Dalek<br />- Buy quite a lot more scrumptious yarn which I haven't bought before to replace what I will be knitting up (yeah right).<br /><br />Most important of all, enjoy knitting and playing with yarn.<br /><br />I do have a mental list of some patterns which I already know I would like to knit, but I think I won't list them, I'll let it be a surprise!<br /><br />I'm also doing a Quilt Along on the Crafty Threads and Yarns Forum. The idea is to do a square each month around a defined theme. The square can be quilted or knitted. I do quite like the idea of making an afghan for 2008, with a square for each month, but after my catastrophic failure to qualify even for the Wooden Spoon award for Sock a Month 2007, I don't want to set my expectations too high. January's theme is Snowdrops, and frankly my brain hurts just thinking about it.WildPurlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05162241249946009555noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216174966420298209.post-2430859783413899352008-01-07T13:51:00.000+00:002008-01-07T14:07:29.075+00:00Hello Cruel World...In the end I took the rest of last week off, I just could not face returning. So this is my first day back. It was cold and dark when I got up this morning. I have a cold. I couldn't remember my password when I arrived at work (what am I saying? I could hardly remember my own name), so I entered the wrong one three times and was locked out of my account until IT could get around to unlocking it. <br /><br />All the things I didn't have time to do before the break haven't got done by themselves, so I still have to do them. <br /><br />I hate January.<br /><br />I think I need to buy some yarn...<br /><br />When I'm in a better frame of mind I'll post a picture of my first Snowflake sock, which is nearing completion. Should I do it with a contrasting toe as well, I wonder? <br />I'll also see if I can think of some objectives for 2008. Groan.WildPurlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05162241249946009555noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216174966420298209.post-23129667131184582682007-12-31T10:27:00.000+00:002007-12-31T11:26:07.673+00:00Fifteen Knitters on a Dead Man's Chest<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R3jJyWs0R-I/AAAAAAAAAv8/kdAVC0KhmFM/s1600-h/IMG_1387.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R3jJyWs0R-I/AAAAAAAAAv8/kdAVC0KhmFM/s320/IMG_1387.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150088040822360034" /></a><br />Well hello there, and I hope you all had a peaceful and enjoyable Christmas. I have been fortunate enough to be on holiday now since the 21st December, so I have comfortably settled into a routine of waking up late, sitting around with a cup of coffee and browsing the web. I am so not looking forward to the hideous awakening at 6.00 am on 2nd January and the realisation that I actually have to get up NOW and go to work.<br /><br />Enough of these horrors, dear reader. As you can see, I have been using some of my time productively. The Skully Knucks are finished, and very nice they look too, at least I think so.<br /><br />Triumph of the season, here are the finished Father and Son socks.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R3jRdms0SHI/AAAAAAAAAxE/qtplPyGQZRY/s1600-h/IMG_1388.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R3jRdms0SHI/AAAAAAAAAxE/qtplPyGQZRY/s320/IMG_1388.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150096480433096818" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R3jJyms0SAI/AAAAAAAAAwM/rrKALRGevGI/s1600-h/fathersoncloseup_rsz.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R3jJyms0SAI/AAAAAAAAAwM/rrKALRGevGI/s320/fathersoncloseup_rsz.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150088045117327362" /></a><br /><br />I have knitted a second set of repeats on Catbert's Diamond Fantasy scarf. She said coldly as she departed here after Christmas, having seen the state of it "well, perhaps it can be finished for my NEXT birthday". Well, perhaps. <br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R3jPMms0SEI/AAAAAAAAAws/eQRRYwk0uqA/s1600-h/IMG_1390.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R3jPMms0SEI/AAAAAAAAAws/eQRRYwk0uqA/s320/IMG_1390.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150093989352065090" /></a><br /><br />And I have not been able to resist the temptation to cast on for the Snowflake Socks which are the December pattern from Sockamania. What am I like! I am using some Cygnet wool rich 4 ply in Lilac as the main colour, and a ball of Opal Lollipop as the contrast colour. The contrast is quite subtle, but I think will look very nice when finished. I am going to do one snowflake band around the top and a snowflake on the heel flap, I think.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R3jPwms0SFI/AAAAAAAAAw0/hqm_lt3RRNM/s1600-h/IMG_1392.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R3jPwms0SFI/AAAAAAAAAw0/hqm_lt3RRNM/s320/IMG_1392.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150094607827355730" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R3jQT2s0SGI/AAAAAAAAAw8/p9obBjBA8xU/s1600-h/IMG_1393.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R3jQT2s0SGI/AAAAAAAAAw8/p9obBjBA8xU/s320/IMG_1393.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150095213417744482" /></a><br /><br />I have been playing with teaching myself continental knitting over the Christmas break. I have mastered the knit stitch well enough to use it for the colourwork on both the Knucks and the Snowflake sock, so I have been knitting them with one colour in each hand, which is quite efficient. I have been practising knitting the Continental way with just one colour, as well, and I have mixed feelings about it. I have been knitting the Other Way (lever action I think my style is called, so not actually throwing, but yarn in the right hand)since I was five, so this new way feels a little awkward, but I suppose practice makes perfect. My tension is not so even with the new way as with the old, and there are some things (like ribbing, for example) which I know how to do easily with the old way but can't really work out with the new. I'm not even sure the new way will be faster, but having started to learn it I am reluctant to give up without mastering it and knitting something significant with it. I think what I really need is a tutorial from an experienced continental knitter. Any volunteers out there?<br /><br />Right, better stop procrastinating and get on, I've got loads of stuff to do this morning and I haven't even had my second cup of coffee yet.WildPurlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05162241249946009555noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216174966420298209.post-59932228276038037532007-12-19T20:48:00.000+00:002007-12-19T21:18:10.789+00:00Bonsoir from Paris<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R2mGTFyycMI/AAAAAAAAAvo/g1ascRkub80/s1600-h/19-12-07_1919.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R2mGTFyycMI/AAAAAAAAAvo/g1ascRkub80/s320/19-12-07_1919.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145791711778336962" /></a><br />Tonight's post is brought to you from The Hotel Mercure, Massy Palaiseau, as I am in Paris for a business meeting tomorrow. It is now possible to connect to the internet in a hotel room through WiFi, which is very civilised. I had a moment of panic when I realised that I wanted to post photos of some of my WIPs, and I had not brought my camera. However, I do have a mobile phone. So these photos are taken on my mobile phone and then transferred to the PC and uploaded to the internet. Isn't technology amazing! <br />The light here is poor, although notice how I've cleverly improvised with some sheets of white A4, and the resolution perhaps not what readers of the Knitbert Principle have come to expect, but I think you can get the idea.<br /><br />I should be knitting Catbert's Diamond Fantasy scarf, and indeed I have made progress! The colours have not come out at all well, but you can see it is bigger than before. Unfortunately, I seem to have got distracted by this fun item:<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R2mGS1yycLI/AAAAAAAAAvg/98GmPUOcQHI/s1600-h/19-12-07_1917.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R2mGS1yycLI/AAAAAAAAAvg/98GmPUOcQHI/s320/19-12-07_1917.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145791707483369650" /></a><br />The glove pattern is <a href="http://www.knitty.com/issuesummer06/PATTknucks.html">Knucks</a>, and I found the skull chart <a href="http://www.supermitten.com/images/SkullCharts.gif">here</a>. Well, I fancied trying some colourwork, what can I say? The yarn is assorted acrylic from my stash. They're cool though, don't you think?<br /><br />I do have an Important Announcement to make - I have finished the Father and Son Socks!I do not yet have a photo, but I will add one when I get home. I started them in March, and they are my second and indeed I think we can safely say final pair in 2007. I did rather overestimate how many pairs of socks I could knit in a year. Not even a bronze medal from the Crafty Threads and Yarns Sock a Month *hangs head in shame*<br />Oh well, I think in the New Year I'll look through the <a href="http://sockamania.blogspot.com">Sockamania</a> archives and try some of Anni's lovely patterns.WildPurlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05162241249946009555noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216174966420298209.post-28800261168175733932007-12-10T13:25:00.000+00:002007-12-13T09:25:26.108+00:00The Past Is A Foreign Country<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R2D4sUv17aI/AAAAAAAAAvA/GWc5yKBFNR4/s1600-h/YoungMe.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R2D4sUv17aI/AAAAAAAAAvA/GWc5yKBFNR4/s400/YoungMe.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143384214824414626" /></a><br />A friend of mine from a long time ago invited me to see his facebook album today. He is someone who takes lots of photos, and when he was a student the wall of his room was covered with portraits of his friends. He has now scanned and uploaded over a hundred photographs of us all at University, including some of me. The photo at the top was taken after a formal dinner in the month of May, when I was 21. I wasn't sure it was of me at first, but there were some others taken at the same time which show what I am wearing, and I recognise the dress, which was white cotton with flowers painted on it. I remember it because I spilled red wine on it that very evening and I never wore it again.<br />I think I look quite calm and collected in that photo, as if I knew what was going on and where I was going with my life, but in fact nothing could be further from the truth. <br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R2D41Uv17bI/AAAAAAAAAvI/NgxE5DSnk4Q/s1600-h/s735678355_459841_4718rsz.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R2D41Uv17bI/AAAAAAAAAvI/NgxE5DSnk4Q/s400/s735678355_459841_4718rsz.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143384369443237298" /></a><br />There are also some other photographs of the college, this time taken in winter. I had forgotten that it snowed in winter in those days, but looking at these photographs I remember the biting cold, freezing feet trudging through the snow, wearing layers of thick sweaters to keep warm and toasting bread on the end of a fork around the gas fire.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R2D5xkv17cI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/XAeQy6Ci4as/s1600-h/n735678355_459839_3797.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R2D5xkv17cI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/XAeQy6Ci4as/s320/n735678355_459839_3797.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143385404530355650" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R2D5xkv17dI/AAAAAAAAAvY/HHnUSUtfdgg/s1600-h/n735678355_459842_5029.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R2D5xkv17dI/AAAAAAAAAvY/HHnUSUtfdgg/s320/n735678355_459842_5029.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143385404530355666" /></a><br /><br />"The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there." <br />L. P. Hartley ['The Go-Between', 1953]WildPurlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05162241249946009555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216174966420298209.post-79661418444008910702007-12-02T13:19:00.000+00:002007-12-02T13:23:32.209+00:00Memory Lane - DecemberThis year has been a year of journeys and discovery, both geographically and otherwise. And that's all I'm saying. So this month I have decided to show some slide shows of the places and people I visited this year. As there are so many to show, I will put a new one up each weekend until Christmas.<br /><br /><div style="width:600px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w74.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w74.photobucket.com/albums/i260/carolaknit/2762f76e.pbw" height="480" width="600"></embed><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/album/slideshow/wrapper_logo.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://s74.photobucket.com/albums/i260/carolaknit/?action=view¤t=2762f76e.pbw" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/album/slideshow/wrapper_viewshow.gif" style="float:right;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://photobucket.com/redirect/album?action=slideshow" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/album/slideshow/wrapper_getyourown.gif" style="float:right;border-width: 0;" ></a></div>WildPurlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05162241249946009555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216174966420298209.post-70076111645920829032007-11-25T21:26:00.000+00:002007-12-02T09:00:50.349+00:00WIP It, WIP It....<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R1JtnEv17NI/AAAAAAAAAtY/3PACdxBqv44/s1600-R/IMG_1329.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R1JtnEv17NI/AAAAAAAAAtY/E0Wy7UZGmGQ/s400/IMG_1329.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139290642839891154" /></a><br />Well, dear reader, I had nearly finished the Father and Son socks and was all ready to start decisively knitting Ivy with the red Berlaine when I unaccountably got distracted. The weekend before last, I went to a meet up of members of the <a href="http://craftythreadsnyarns.myfreeforum.org/index.php">Crafty Threads and Yarns Forum</a>. We had a lovely day, and a delicious lunch, all organised by <em>Granny Smith</em>. Here is everyone chatting and knitting away. <br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R1Ju6kv17OI/AAAAAAAAAtg/qrCInAO2rBM/s1600-R/IMG_1324.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R1Ju6kv17OI/AAAAAAAAAtg/ac9vpcOIAOk/s320/IMG_1324.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139292077358968034" /></a><br />There was also yarn for sale, I'm sorry to say. Here's what I bought:<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R1Jxq0v17PI/AAAAAAAAAto/5x7_C_HxUkk/s1600-R/Stash_web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R1Jxq0v17PI/AAAAAAAAAto/9aLOr-ftiAY/s320/Stash_web.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139295105310911730" /></a><br />L to R: laceweight and hand dyed sock yarn from <a href="http://www.brightdyes.wahmall.co.uk/traderplus/">Bright Dyes</a>, even more lovely laceweight from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5176497">Yarnaddict Yarns</a>, and a gorgeous Merino Tencel sock yarn from <a href="http://theyarnyard.co.uk/newsite/content/blogsection/2/4/">the Yarn Yard</a>. The fibre at the front is the result of my first attempt at spinning with a drop spindle. It's pretty pants, isn't it? I enjoyed trying it though. <br />I wanted to get started on knitting some of this,and I even worked out what pattern I would use with the Yarn Yard Merino/ Tencel.<br />Then I remembered that it is nearly Christmas, and I ought to be knitting Catbert a scarf, which I actually promised her for her birthday (which was in May). So I cast on, and here it is - the Sivia Harding Diamond Fantasy scarf, in a skein of Lucy Neatby Celestial Merino Dream, shade Fiery Fuschia. <br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R1JyLkv17QI/AAAAAAAAAtw/CuOEkZBxgMA/s1600-R/Diamond+Fantasy+_web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/R1JyLkv17QI/AAAAAAAAAtw/BMik8XPluSw/s320/Diamond+Fantasy+_web.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139295667951627522" /></a><br />I'm really enjoying knitting it because the colours are so lovely. And I will so finish the socks. And knit Ivy. And knit my merino/tencel lace scarf. And....OK, I'm off to do some actual knitting now.WildPurlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05162241249946009555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216174966420298209.post-64840913317445371652007-11-16T22:52:00.000+00:002007-11-17T22:28:37.005+00:00A Touch of FrostThis week, in the morning, the roof I can see from my kitchen window was covered in a thick rime of frost, as was my car. I recently acquired a new car, and I have sold the old one to DSoK the Intern. Well, when I say "sold" - he owes me the money for the car and his insurance, road fund, MoT and service. He's a student, you see. I should do a deal like this every day, I'd be rich in no time...<br />Anyway, the car I "sold" had a scraper for the ice and a car vacuum in the boot. It still does in fact. MY car, on the other hand, does not. I mentioned to DSoK that I would quite like to have these items back. He laughed, and said, "you need to chill, Mum". I tried to scrape the ice off today with my Tesco Clubcard, and it sort of worked, but the signature on the back is a bit blurry now. I think I'll need to buy a proper scraper. Maybe DSoK could get me one for Christmas!<br /><br />I promised photos of my Ally Pally acquisitions, and here they are. Two gorgeous skeins of laceweight from Cherry Tree Hill - in shades Serengeti and Fall Foliage.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/Rz9nxZGsJvI/AAAAAAAAAtA/kRMqbo4XL7k/s1600-h/IMG_1349.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/Rz9nxZGsJvI/AAAAAAAAAtA/kRMqbo4XL7k/s320/IMG_1349.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133936198475851506" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/Rz9nyJGsJwI/AAAAAAAAAtI/SwmtmrIUY0c/s1600-h/IMG_1348.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/Rz9nyJGsJwI/AAAAAAAAAtI/SwmtmrIUY0c/s320/IMG_1348.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133936211360753410" /></a><br />The red is a merino mohair mix boucle from Touch Yarns, and is the same kind of yarn I bought in Auckland earlier in the year, but in a different colour.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/Rz9nypGsJxI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/3jQadHZA5Vg/s1600-h/IMG_1350.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/Rz9nypGsJxI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/3jQadHZA5Vg/s320/IMG_1350.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133936219950688018" /></a><br />I think the Fall Foliage CTH would make a lovely Leaf Lace shawl - one day. <br />I'm focusing on finishing WIPs and knitting from stash at the moment. Thanks to a swimming gala I have one of the Father and Son Socks finished now, and the other is well over half way. The next project to be finished will be my Mystery Stole 3, I think - or Swan Lake as I now know it to be. Another project which is capturing my imagination at the moment is my crochet granny square cushion cover, because the colours are so nice.<br />And - a decision - I am going to knit another Ivy with the red Berlaine. I'm swatching now...WildPurlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05162241249946009555noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216174966420298209.post-7315288559184893552007-11-03T22:30:00.001+00:002007-11-03T22:30:52.263+00:00Still Knitting After All These Months<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/Ryz1w7TFICI/AAAAAAAAAso/IHH0wKbr_dM/s1600-h/Assorted+Blog+131.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/Ryz1w7TFICI/AAAAAAAAAso/IHH0wKbr_dM/s400/Assorted+Blog+131.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128744296568397858" /></a><br />Despite many distractions over the last few months, I have been steadily knitting away at my Colinette waffle throw, which is now finished. You can see it in use on my sofa in the photo above. Here it is from the back:<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/Ryz1xrTFIDI/AAAAAAAAAsw/LFNrl8P9LmA/s1600-h/Assorted+Blog+133.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/Ryz1xrTFIDI/AAAAAAAAAsw/LFNrl8P9LmA/s400/Assorted+Blog+133.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128744309453299762" /></a><br />This throw is from the Toast and Marmalade book, and I found it to be a straightforward knit which was good to carry around for knitting at events and in odd moments. <br /><br />I have only got five or is it six WIPs at the moment, so I have gone straight on to Mr Knitbert's socks (which I started in March, in New Zealand) and we'll take it from there. Here's the two socks, I knitted them both on two circulars until I got to the heel flap and then it seemed simpler to knit one at a time.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/Ryz1yLTFIEI/AAAAAAAAAs4/f5DhaxKk_iw/s1600-h/Assorted+Blog+135.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/Ryz1yLTFIEI/AAAAAAAAAs4/f5DhaxKk_iw/s400/Assorted+Blog+135.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128744318043234370" /></a><br />It is now getting cold and dark in the mornings and evenings, and I am experiencing a desire to knit warm winter sweaters. I would like to start Poppy, which I have a bag of lovely Noro for, and I also have a strong desire to knit a Central Park Hoodie in my lovely red Donegal Tweed, and a Bergere de France cable sweater, in some lovely soft red Berlaine. <br /><br />Then this weekend I visted Catbert and we went shopping together. I found a nice wrap top in a lovely apple green, but it was not as nice as the Ivy I knitted at the beginning of the year. I decided I would like to get some more Patons Diploma Gold in Thyme, and knit another one, but John Lewis did not have any in the right colour. Then I thought perhaps, in the spirit of stashbusting, I would knit another one in my red Berlaine. I formed a cunning plan to knit the BdF cable sweater in some very nice pale mauve possum merino yarn I purchased in New Zealand, instead. However, then I realised I still won't have a green wrap top, so maybe I will have to buy some Patons DG anyway. Oh well...<br /><br />I went to the Knitting and Stitching show at Ally Pally a few weeks ago, and bought some gorgeous Cherry Tree Hill laceweight merino (only £18 per skein, how could I not?) and some Touch Yarns boucle in a delightful red colour. Photos of those next time. Oh yes, and I bought a kit from The African Fabric Shop to make a quilt (see sidebar for their website). Their fabrics are stunning, and as you can imagine I desperately need another addictive craft hobby.WildPurlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05162241249946009555noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216174966420298209.post-51812291304225176722007-10-31T13:58:00.000+00:002007-10-31T15:02:42.794+00:00Normal service is about to resume...<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RyiY6rTFIBI/AAAAAAAAAsg/UaCQoad5OFU/s1600-h/Wellington+and+Picton+060_web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RyiY6rTFIBI/AAAAAAAAAsg/UaCQoad5OFU/s320/Wellington+and+Picton+060_web.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127516309583896594" /></a><br />I'm working on a new post, honest I am. I just need photos! I've even finished knitting something.<br />I also had a knitting disaster - I have LOST a Clapotis. I wore my lovely soy silk Clapotis to work one day a few weeks ago, and I went out to lunch wearing it. When I went to leave the office that evening, I couldn't find it. I have phoned and been back to the place where I had lunch, and they do not have it and do not remember seeing it left behind. So, I don't know what has become of it. I hope it has gone to a good home. I am rather sad about it, because it was a lovely soft colour and it went with lots of things, and if I knit another I think I will do a different colour, so I will probably never have a chocolate soy silk Clapotis again.<br />I guess I'll have to be more careful in future.WildPurlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05162241249946009555noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216174966420298209.post-78967398350716313232007-08-26T12:48:00.000+00:002007-08-27T16:24:39.965+00:00An Age of Elegance<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RtF4zI68w_I/AAAAAAAAArU/S7mk66oCmC8/s1600-h/Singapore+Day+5+041_rsz.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RtF4zI68w_I/AAAAAAAAArU/S7mk66oCmC8/s320/Singapore+Day+5+041_rsz.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102992672750879730" /></a><br />The week in Singapore has flashed past, and I can hardly believe that it is over and that we are heading home. I have relaxed by the pool at the hotel, been to lunch and then to dine at Boat Quay, shopped at some more lovely shopping malls, visited Raffles Hotel and been to the Night Safari, which was fantastic.<br /><br />Singapore is just a really nice place and I have had a lovely relaxing holiday. The top photo is of the entrance to Raffles Hotel, which is a lovely old building with a great atmosphere. <br /><br />Here's me in front of the hotel:<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RtF7Yo68xAI/AAAAAAAAArc/pDviT1PzMCA/s1600-h/Singapore+Day+5+037_rsz.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RtF7Yo68xAI/AAAAAAAAArc/pDviT1PzMCA/s320/Singapore+Day+5+037_rsz.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102995516019229698" /></a><br />This is Mr Knitbert at Raffles, looking elegant on the staircase up to the shops:<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RtF9v468xBI/AAAAAAAAArk/UpockOMY0bs/s1600-h/Singapore+Day+5+011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RtF9v468xBI/AAAAAAAAArk/UpockOMY0bs/s320/Singapore+Day+5+011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102998114474443794" /></a><br /><br />We had lunch in the courtyard, which was very pleasant, <br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RtL23I68xEI/AAAAAAAAAr8/LfkDKzAY8Z8/s1600-h/Singapore+Day+5+015_rsz.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RtL23I68xEI/AAAAAAAAAr8/LfkDKzAY8Z8/s320/Singapore+Day+5+015_rsz.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103412754912166978" /></a><br />and I saw this (I think) mynah bird playing in the fountain. <br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RtL23Y68xFI/AAAAAAAAAsE/Kf6-IP3-gpU/s1600-h/Singapore+Day+5+026_rot_crop.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RtL23Y68xFI/AAAAAAAAAsE/Kf6-IP3-gpU/s320/Singapore+Day+5+026_rot_crop.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103412759207134290" /></a><br />After lunch we went to the Raffles museum, which is fascinating and full of memorabilia and photos of people who have stayed at Raffles over the years.<br /><br />Here's the pool at our hotel:<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RtGAC468xCI/AAAAAAAAArs/-bqkwtWbKAA/s1600-h/Singapore+Day+2+001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RtGAC468xCI/AAAAAAAAArs/-bqkwtWbKAA/s320/Singapore+Day+2+001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103000639915213858" /></a><br /><br />and here I am relaxing beside it with my crochet (which has made good progress, I have finished one skein of Tao now):<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RtGB1I68xDI/AAAAAAAAAr0/9_DY9SkAnUs/s1600-h/Singapore+Day+4+008_rsz.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RtGB1I68xDI/AAAAAAAAAr0/9_DY9SkAnUs/s320/Singapore+Day+4+008_rsz.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103002602715268146" /></a><br /><br />The Night Safari is out of the town centre and was just fabulous. It starts after dark, and is basically like a huge zoo or wildlife park full of nocturnal animals from Singapore, India, Africa and Malaysia. It is very dimly lit, so I have not had much luck with photos, but there are a couple I will show you. It is just very atmospheric and really interesting to see the animals at night. I recommend it to anyone. The park also includes the last remaining rainforest in Singapore.<br /><br />Anyway, here is a photo Mr Knitbert took, of a lake which was lovely and peaceful and you can see the water is still and there are reflections of the trees in the water.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RtL4n468xGI/AAAAAAAAAsM/hf7aChNNuUo/s1600-h/Singapore+Day+6+012_gammc.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RtL4n468xGI/AAAAAAAAAsM/hf7aChNNuUo/s320/Singapore+Day+6+012_gammc.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103414691942417506" /></a><br /><br />and here is Mr Knitbert at the entrance to the park:<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RtL5KI68xHI/AAAAAAAAAsU/L8E30csnOjQ/s1600-h/Singapore+Day+6+019.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RtL5KI68xHI/AAAAAAAAAsU/L8E30csnOjQ/s320/Singapore+Day+6+019.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103415280352937074" /></a><br /><br />I asked Mr Knitbert what he had in his pocketses and he said if he told me he'd have to shoot me. And Jacquie's really scary story about hair had me worried! But I'm safely home as I finish this post and so far it seems to be OK....<br /><br />Before I conclude, I'd like to thank the lovely Maid of Flitwick for nominating me for a Rockin' Girl Blogger award. I'm thinking about who to nominate in my turn.WildPurlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05162241249946009555noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216174966420298209.post-38803485700277712482007-08-21T08:37:00.000+00:002007-08-23T00:30:01.266+00:00Bad Hair Season<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RswttI68wuI/AAAAAAAAApM/NxgH9a91lOg/s1600-h/Carol+Singapore+rsz.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RswttI68wuI/AAAAAAAAApM/NxgH9a91lOg/s400/Carol+Singapore+rsz.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101502731416027874" /></a><br />Today I am posting from Singapore, where I have been since Sunday (morning for you, afternoon for me). It is a very nice place, clean and safe and full of greenery, water and some rather large shopping malls. This photo is of me outside our hotel. It is rather hot here and very humid, which is a nightmare for my hair. As some of you have noticed, I have recently been straightening my naturally curly hair. Normally it is fine all day as the air is not too humid at home, but here, as soon as I step outside the hotel airconditioning my hair starts inexorably to twist into corkscrew curls. So I have to take all the photos of me very early in the morning, just after my hair has been styled and before it has begun to frizz.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RszQvY68w2I/AAAAAAAAAqM/UOdPLYA7wig/s1600-h/Me+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RszQvY68w2I/AAAAAAAAAqM/UOdPLYA7wig/s320/Me+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101681990466061154" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RszQvo68w3I/AAAAAAAAAqU/QaDq5vs3aBc/s1600-h/Mr+Knitbert_blog.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RszQvo68w3I/AAAAAAAAAqU/QaDq5vs3aBc/s320/Mr+Knitbert_blog.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101681994761028466" /></a><br />Here are Mr Knitbert and I on our way to the beach.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/Rswzw468wxI/AAAAAAAAApk/v4YJqfARTfc/s1600-h/The+Beach.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/Rswzw468wxI/AAAAAAAAApk/v4YJqfARTfc/s320/The+Beach.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101509392910304018" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/Rswzxo68wyI/AAAAAAAAAps/JfqKNrNFVlQ/s1600-h/Singapore+Day+2+016.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/Rswzxo68wyI/AAAAAAAAAps/JfqKNrNFVlQ/s320/Singapore+Day+2+016.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101509405795205922" /></a><br />Here is the water's edge, and me drinking a smoothie which I had just bought. Mr Knitbert was having a 2-scoop ice cream, but his photo is not very flattering.<br /><br />So far I have been shopping in some great big malls, walked along the beach and had lunch in a little beach side restaurant, and been to Chinatown and bought some silk brocade. This afternoon I went on an amphibious bus, which was once a landing craft in WW2, and which drives around part of the tour and then goes into the water and floats for the other part. Unfortunately I let Mr Knitbert (who has to work in the afternoon and evening) leave with the camera, so I don't have any photos of that bit. <br /><br />In the evening, I thought it would be good to do some exercise, so I have signed up for a week's membership at a nearby fitness club and I have been going to yoga classes. They are called "hot yoga" and this is because they are done in a room which is heated to about 28C, so you sweat buckets but it helps to stretch your muscles. The level is also fiendishly difficult, and as I have not done yoga for a few years (although I do Pilates) I now have muscles aching in bizarre places. On the other hand, my spine is very flexible!<br /><br />I have been getting on with my crochet project from Colinette, the Sweet Chestnut scarf from the Arboretum book. <br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RszUr468w8I/AAAAAAAAAq8/cWR6FynFCAA/s1600-h/arboretum_blog.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RszUr468w8I/AAAAAAAAAq8/cWR6FynFCAA/s320/arboretum_blog.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101686328383030210" /></a><br />It is in TAO silk, which is gorgeous to work with, in colourway moss. It is probably the most complicated crochet design I have done so far and I am coping with it OK, so I am rather pleased with myself. <br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RszTxI68w6I/AAAAAAAAAqs/7wIReZsBlvc/s1600-h/SWChestnut_blog.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RszTxI68w6I/AAAAAAAAAqs/7wIReZsBlvc/s320/SWChestnut_blog.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101685319065715618" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RszTxo68w7I/AAAAAAAAAq0/KLUVj35bwKs/s1600-h/SWChestnut2_blog.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RszTxo68w7I/AAAAAAAAAq0/KLUVj35bwKs/s320/SWChestnut2_blog.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101685327655650226" /></a><br /><br />I have got my Mystery Stole with me, and am plodding through Clue 2, but I feel more like doing the scarf right now, so that's what I am going with. <br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RszUr468w9I/AAAAAAAAArE/dH-3vMA4Klg/s1600-h/MS3_blog.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RszUr468w9I/AAAAAAAAArE/dH-3vMA4Klg/s320/MS3_blog.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101686328383030226" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RszUsI68w-I/AAAAAAAAArM/x8BKIa4OdaI/s1600-h/MS3close_blog.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RszUsI68w-I/AAAAAAAAArM/x8BKIa4OdaI/s320/MS3close_blog.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101686332677997538" /></a><br /><br />I do also have a pair of Mr Knitbert's unfinished socks with me (unfinished since March, that is) and the crochet squares I was doing on the flight to New Zealand, which will one day become a cushion cover. No, really!WildPurlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05162241249946009555noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216174966420298209.post-76066722545772443022007-08-16T19:18:00.000+00:002007-08-16T19:57:49.329+00:00A Tale of Two RoutersAbout four weeks ago now, Mr Knitbert set off for another stay in a luxurious hotel in Singapore, where he claims to be working. For the first week all was well chez Knitbert, I worked my way through the enormous backlog of washing up and washing which Mr Knitbert and DSoK had left behind, and in the evening I logged onto my trusty laptop, and sometimes I even did some knitting.<br /><br />Then, one evening, I logged into my laptop and opened an Internet Explorer window, and it told me that the page could not be displayed and the most likely explanation was that I was not connected to the internet. The router does sometimes drop out, so I entered the router IP address intending to go to the router configuration page and reconnect. To my astonishment the browser could not access the router's own home page. I was bemused. How is such a thing possible? I checked the wireless networks available and our home network just was not there.<br /><br />I took the laptop upstairs and spent a happy hour or two running hardware tests. Everything checked out OK but the router was just not visible to the laptop. Then I had the idea of turning on Mr Knitbert's computer, which is connected to the router by an Ethernet cable. This computer could see the router and told me that it was connected and indeed it could access the internet. Oh thank God! Only two hours with no internet connection and already I was in a cold sweat and having panic attacks. I was able to read my email and talk to my friends for a bit. Then I began to wonder again what was wrong. I ran hardware tests on the router. No apparent problem. I turned off the router and rebooted it. No change. By now it was 1.00 in the morning and I had matchsticks propping my eyelids open, so I reluctantly gave up and went to bed.<br /><br />The next evening, I tried the other laptop, and as it could not access the router either I knew that the problem must lie with the router. Or so I thought...<br />That evening I needed to do some internet banking which Mr Knitbert had been nagging me about over the phone from Singapore only a few days earlier. Now my internet bank has recently changed, and I had completely new details for logging in which I had only tried once. These details were safely stored on my laptop, but not on Mr Knitbert's computer. And I had shredded the letters from the bank. I tried connecting to the internet with my laptop again but there was nothing doing. So I decided to have a go at connecting it to the router with an Ethernet cable. Well. We have three cupboards full of assorted computer and video cables, and it turns out not one of them is an Ethernet cable. By now it was 1.00 in the morning and I had matchsticks propping my eyelids open, so I reluctantly gave up and went to bed.<br /><br />The next morning I got up early and phoned the bank to send Mr Knitbert his money. Overnight I had had a brilliant idea. That evening, I downloaded new firmware for the router! It was a bit scary, especially the bit where it said that the router would be disconnected from the internet and not to even breathe near it until it had compeltely rebooted. All went well, though, and I excitedly turned on the laptop. I had a different error message! Hooray! Well, no, in fact, I still could not connect, and now it told me that the network I was trying to connect to was hidden. By now it was 1.00 in the morning and I had matchsticks propping my eyelids open, so I reluctantly gave up and went to bed.<br /><br />The next day I phoned Mr Knitbert and told him the whole story. He laughed and laughed. <br /><br />Then he made a couple of suggestions for fixing it and authorised the purchase of a new router if those didn't help. When I got home, DSoK was back. He had his laptop out, and it was abandoned on his bedroom floor. He had also worked out that he could access the internet from Mr Knitbert's computer and was going through his emails. "What's the matter with the %$*&ing router?" he asked. I explained. "Have you tried downloading the latest firmware?" he suggested, in that irritating way people have when you have already tried everything. "Yes" I snarled.<br /><br />I tried Mr Knitbert's suggestions and they didn't work, so I ordered a new router from an online supplier. Then I remembered that the virus checker and firewall for both laptops was on a subscription which had recently expired, and because of all the problems with the internet I had not got around to renewing it. I logged into my account and paid for the new subscriptions. A dreadful thought then began to cross my mind...could the lapsed subsriptions for the firewalls have anything to do with the connection problems? It seemed unlikely, and yet....<br />DSoK and I disabled and uninstalled the firewalls, and the laptops were still unable to connect to the internet. Phew! So that wasn't it then. DSoK and I had a Chinese takeaway and watched an episode of House. By now it was 1.00 in the morning and I had matchsticks propping my eyelids open, but I needed to get a route for my next day's trip to a friend's house for the weekend. Idly I opened my laptop and switched it on...and it connected instantly to the internet with no problems. I surfed for an hour and then went to bed.<br /><br />The next morning at 9.30 a courier arrived with my new router. And since that moment my laptop and DSoK's have connected to the internet with no problem at all. Since I paid my Macafee subscription...<br />Spooky eh?WildPurlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05162241249946009555noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216174966420298209.post-59378038057719924212007-08-08T20:26:00.000+00:002007-08-11T18:50:01.444+00:00The Dog Ate My Router<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/Rr34jC0BCzI/AAAAAAAAAoc/7RzKjmQwYf0/s1600-h/IMG_1085.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097503634187422514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/Rr34jC0BCzI/AAAAAAAAAoc/7RzKjmQwYf0/s400/IMG_1085.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Well, hello, dear reader, I'm still here and still knitting; well, still purchasing yarn, anyway! I don't know quite what happened but I've just emerged blinking into the sunlight and realised that a month has gone by and I haven't posted here. I do have a sort of excuse, because I have been having problems with my wireless router. In fact, I now have two wireless routers, and as far as I know they both work fine. I'll tell you all about it in a while, but first let's get up to date with my knitting.<br />Last weekend I was staying with a friend of mine, let us call her Dogbert, who also likes to knit. On Saturday we drove from her house to Colinette's fabulous factory shop in Wales, where we met <a href="http://aknitasknits.blogspot.com/">Aknita</a>, <a href="http://mickandchristinas.blogspot.com/">The Cabled Climber</a>, <a href="http://melodyyarns.blogspot.com/">Melody Yarns </a>and murdo from the Crafty Threads and Yarns forum. Dogbert and I spent a happy morning at Colinette, and I might have bought a few things (whistles nonchalantly). Oh well, OK, since you are twisting my arm, here they are:<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/Rr3Ymy0BCwI/AAAAAAAAAoE/CF9tTBUjMSA/s1600-h/IMG_1097.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097468514239843074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/Rr3Ymy0BCwI/AAAAAAAAAoE/CF9tTBUjMSA/s320/IMG_1097.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This is the Toast and Marmalade pattern book, and the picture you can see is the Waffle throw, which is made from 700g of Colinette Giotto, a rather lovely ribbon yarn.<br />I decided that I would like to have some simple things to knit up quickly in lovely colours on large needles, as an antidote to Mystery Stole 3, which I am progressing with (slowly) which requires quite a lot of attention. In fact if anyone speaks to me while I am knitting it, or in fact looks as though they are going to speak, I have to start aggressively counting out loud and saying things like "yarn over, slip one knit one, pass slip stitch over, knit two together, I'M KNITTING LACE, knit seven....YES?)<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/Rr3Yni0BCxI/AAAAAAAAAoM/LaxQMGtF2UI/s1600-h/IMG_1094.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097468527124744978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/Rr3Yni0BCxI/AAAAAAAAAoM/LaxQMGtF2UI/s320/IMG_1094.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Here is one set of colours I bought for this throw, these ones were from the bargain bin (the other colours I bought weren't though!)<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/Rr3YoC0BCyI/AAAAAAAAAoU/CrzB-W3VHfU/s1600-h/IMG_1095.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097468535714679586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/Rr3YoC0BCyI/AAAAAAAAAoU/CrzB-W3VHfU/s320/IMG_1095.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />and here is the throw just started. It does grow quite quickly so it is a bit larger than that now. Yes those are Lantern Moons, what of it?<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/Rr4A4i0BC0I/AAAAAAAAAok/phETCgK2NBw/s1600-h/IMG_1096.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097512799647632194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/Rr4A4i0BC0I/AAAAAAAAAok/phETCgK2NBw/s320/IMG_1096.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I also bought some Giotto in another set of colours to knit a second Waffle Throw. These are all new colours and I just adore them.The dark one is called Sable, and has black and a deep purple in it, lovely!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/Rr4A5C0BC1I/AAAAAAAAAos/Chbi2dJYYZw/s1600-h/IMG_1092.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097512808237566802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/Rr4A5C0BC1I/AAAAAAAAAos/Chbi2dJYYZw/s320/IMG_1092.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Some Prism in colourway Windfall to knit the ballet wrap from Interweave Knits Winter 2005 (makes mental note to self - must renew my sub to Interweave in time for the Fall issue which is imminent, I think),<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/Rr4A6C0BC2I/AAAAAAAAAo0/M4ZX1huBQsY/s1600-h/IMG_1093.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097512825417436002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/Rr4A6C0BC2I/AAAAAAAAAo0/M4ZX1huBQsY/s320/IMG_1093.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />and some gorgeous, soft, silk Tao in moss, which is to crochet the Sweet Chestnut scarf from Colinette's Arboretum book. The plan is to crochet this on the aircraft because yes, dear reader, Knitbert is travelling again. Next Saturday I am off to Singapore for a week to join Mr Knitbert who has been there for three weeks so far this time. It's a thirteen hour flight, so should be just about right, and I'll have my granny squares as a backup.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/Rr4A6S0BC3I/AAAAAAAAAo8/3ejUrPQmn2M/s1600-h/oneskein_cropweb.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097512829712403314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/Rr4A6S0BC3I/AAAAAAAAAo8/3ejUrPQmn2M/s320/oneskein_cropweb.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Now this gorgeous yarn is handspun and was sent to me, along with these divine stitchmarkers (which she made herself),<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/Rr4A6S0BC4I/AAAAAAAAApE/cymMVaTrrCY/s1600-h/Stitchmk_web_crop.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097512829712403330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/Rr4A6S0BC4I/AAAAAAAAApE/cymMVaTrrCY/s320/Stitchmk_web_crop.jpg" border="0" /></a> by <a href="http://auntienoo.blogspot.com/">Noo</a>, as part of the Crafty Threads and Yarns "one skein" swap. Isn't that a lovely parcel? I am so pleased with it, and it is the softest, loveliest yarn you could ever imagine, and in those beautiful shades of sea green. I think I'm going to make it into a scarf.<br /><br />One final new acquisition and then I'll stop for now. I'll tell you all about the router tomorrow, I promise. When I met murdo at Colinette, she brought me....a set of Knitpicks Options! which she had been kind enough to include in her order from a friend in the States. They are sooo lovely...I have wanted some for a while now, and am delighted with them.<br /><br />The photo at the top is me at the start of a walk I took with DSoK earlier this month, which involved a lot of rain, as you can see...but it's been lovely this week so far, fingers crossed that summer is finally here.WildPurlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05162241249946009555noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216174966420298209.post-17799030774982465612007-07-06T19:18:00.000+00:002007-07-08T21:35:42.840+00:00In Which I don't Visit Woolfest After All, and Mr Knitbert's Computer Makes a Funny Noise.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RpEj914VZbI/AAAAAAAAAnk/sJ20hnYCr4Q/s1600-h/Ribby+Shelll+Front_cropweb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RpEj914VZbI/AAAAAAAAAnk/sJ20hnYCr4Q/s400/Ribby+Shelll+Front_cropweb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084884999620355506" /></a><br /><br />Well, first of all, I am alright Aknita, thank you for asking. And look, I finished my Ribby Shell! I'm rather pleased with it, I must say, and I have plans (and yarn!) to knit another (although possibly not time...). Here's a back view:<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RpEksF4VZcI/AAAAAAAAAns/WKCKX0r4Xdw/s1600-h/Ribby+Shellmod_cropweb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RpEksF4VZcI/AAAAAAAAAns/WKCKX0r4Xdw/s320/Ribby+Shellmod_cropweb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084885794189305282" /></a><br />So, what's the story about Woolfest, I hear you ask? Well, Mr Knitbert and I drove like the wind last Friday evening (although respecting speed limits obviously) and apart from a little traffic around the M25, we reached Southport just before dark in a very respectable six hours, including a stop for food. Aren't those M&S Simply Food things on motorways just fabulous? What a brilliant idea!<br /><br />We spent a convivial evening with our friends, and retired late, awaking the next morning to steady rainfall and severe weather warnings. Over breakfast we considered our options; drive for another two hours in the rain and then visit Woolfest in the rain, or stay in Southport and spend the day with our friends and their family? They did not think they would like to visit Woolfest if it was not going to be a gloriously sunny day, and I could see their point (they don't knit). So, in the end, we decided we would prefer to stay with our friends and we went shopping in Southport, which is a delightful little place, and Mr Knitbert had a Significant Haircut.<br /><br />I was sorry not to get to Woolfest, but I will try again next year, and I did have a lovely weekend. I wish I could say that not going had saved me money, but that's another story!<br /><br />While I was away, Clue 1 was posted for the Mystery Stole, and since then Clue 2 has been posted as well. The first two clues were looking gorgeous in the photos posted on the Group, so I was quite excited about beginning mine. I think the pattern looks quite Elvish, so maybe the theme is to do with Lord of the Rings? Anyway, I got started yesterday afternoon, finally, and here is where I had got to by yesterday evening:<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RpElll4VZdI/AAAAAAAAAn0/6yZmClvSCK4/s1600-h/Mystery+Stole+3+Clue+1+_web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/RpElll4VZdI/AAAAAAAAAn0/6yZmClvSCK4/s320/Mystery+Stole+3+Clue+1+_web.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084886782031783378" /></a><br />As a reminder, I am using Cherry Tree Hill laceweight merino (gorgeous to knit with) in Wild Cherry, and silver-lined amethyst beads, which look just perfect with the colours of the yarn. The pattern is very well written, and the charts are clear, and I am really enjoying knitting it so far. I have got to row 50, so am just about to start charts B and C of Clue 1. I am hopeful of catching up with Clue 2 by Friday, although I do think that any thoughts I might have had about knitting Catbert's (late) birthday present or finishing Mr Knitbert's socks, or even starting some new socks, or...well, you see what I mean. <br /><br />I should also confess that two weeks ago I went into a fabric shop and bought fabric to make three skirts, for which I have first to design the pattern pieces. I don't know what I was thinking of! Except that I really want to make these skirts because they will look so gorgeous. Certainly not of the amount of time I actually have available, that's for sure! I'll post some pictures of the fabric next time, and maybe a sketch of what I am going to do with it.<br /><br />And finally, for Mr Knitbert's army of fans, a story about his computer. Two weeks ago, I was woken up very early one morning by a dreadful rattling sound coming from the computer room. "What the **** is that awful noise?" I asked grumpily. I am not a morning person.<br /><br />"It's my computer," replied Mr Knitbert, gloomily.<br />"What's wrong with it?" I yawned. "And where is my coffee?"<br />" I don't know," said Mr Knitbert, despondently. "I think it might be the CPU cooling fan." Needless to say, dear reader, the side was already off the computer and there were screws and tiny screwdrivers everywhere. <br /><br />Later that day the hoover was in the computer room and appeared to have been used (I was amazed that Mr Knitbert even knew how to turn it on). The hoovering made no difference to the noise, however, so Mr Knitbert decided that as long as he started the computer up, let it run for a few minutes and then restarted it, it worked OK. This worked for two days and then he began having to restart it three and even four times, and it was still making an awful noise. I was getting very grumpy by this time. The constant restarting of the computer was delaying my morning coffee.<br /><br />He then decided that it was definitely the CPU cooling fan, so he ordered a new one. It came two days later by the first post. I heard the sound of him running downstairs to sign for it, and then running back upstairs to the computer room. The next thing I heard was the sound of someone walking very carefully down the stairs as if they were carrying something heavy. Well, in fact, the computer was being carried down to the conservatory to be fitted with its new fan. Half an hour later it was back, and Mr Knitbert switched it on, saying "Tada!"; alas, prematurely. The ghastly rattling sound started up again.<br /><br />"Hmmmm," said Mr Knitbert thoughtfully, "it must be the power supply". We had a spare one of those left over from a problem with DSoK's computer a few months back (would you buy a second hand computer from this family? I wouldn't), so he went off to find that. I should perhaps mention at this point that the last time something like this happened to Mr Knitbert's computer he replaced the cooling fans, the CPU, the motherboard and then the sound and graphics cards just for fun.<br /><br />The next morning I woke up at a normal time to a blissful silence from the computer room. <br />"Oh, " I said, "you fixed it! Was it the power supply then?"<br />" No," he replied, "it was the second hard drive." Sure enough, there it was, in its little tray, cluttering up the desk. And there it still is, and will probably stay until I clear it away.WildPurlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05162241249946009555noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216174966420298209.post-36990570558368410742007-06-28T22:37:00.000+00:002007-06-28T22:42:54.406+00:00WoolfestTomorrow afternoon Mr Knitbert and I are off to stay with some old friends in Southport, from where we are intending to head to Cumbria on Saturday, weather permitting, to visit Woolfest. I promise to take photos and post them when we get back. I have been wondering what kind of stash enhancement I should consider; I think I have enough sock yarn, I certainly have enough aran tweed! I am thinking laceweight is the way to go...<br /><br />On the way back we are calling in to see DSoK, and to pick up all his stuff and bring it here for the summer. He muttered something about being fed up with where he is at present and being ready to come home, from which I deduce that he has run out of money and used up all his clean clothes.WildPurlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05162241249946009555noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216174966420298209.post-14936393837643883822007-06-23T12:48:00.000+00:002007-06-23T13:25:10.808+00:00Swatching in My Sleep?<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/Rn0W0d1fz_I/AAAAAAAAAnU/X9XteBn_rNY/s1600-h/IMG_1067_web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/Rn0W0d1fz_I/AAAAAAAAAnU/X9XteBn_rNY/s400/IMG_1067_web.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079241045361807346" /></a><br />Well, despite a rather hectic week in which I seemed to get home completely exhausted every evening, I have knitted another Mystery Stole swatch in the Cherry Tree Hill laceweight merino, blocked it and chosen some new beads to go with it. I have no idea when I did all this! Maybe I have finally learned to knit while I sleep. Anyway, here is the yarn now wound into a ball, and the swatch. I really enjoyed knitting with this yarn and I adore the colour, which I think is not too variegated to show off the lace pattern, so my choice is made. I ordered three new packs of beads from e-beads, some jet beads which are black and shiny, some rainbow beads which are light coloured, and some silver-lined amethyst beads which are just right!<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/Rn0aQd1f0AI/AAAAAAAAAnc/F3hpVl_VLEQ/s1600-h/IMG_1065_web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oQVfruiOL9k/Rn0aQd1f0AI/AAAAAAAAAnc/F3hpVl_VLEQ/s400/IMG_1065_web.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079244824933027842" /></a><br />Here is a close up of the swatch and the beads on a neutral ground. The beads look quite black in this photo, but in reality they are dark purple with a little flash of silvery purple where the silver lining is. They are absolutely beautiful. <br />I have an idea that I would like to use the jet beads with some grey laceweight. One day.<br />I have knitted another two inches of the Ribby Shell, but it still looks like a featureless tube, so I haven't taken another photo. I hope to get to the front and back later this weekend. And I have done precisely no sock knitting, I really have to do something about this as I will be expelled from the sockamania KAL if I don't join in this month, and I think I should be in line for the wooden spoon as far as knitting a sock a month is concerned. *Hangs head in shame*. So, Anni, I promise that I will at least start July's sockamania socks.<br /><br />I was away from home again earlier this week, in Paris this time, and for once it was a sultry 30 degrees C and did not rain. While I was away DSoK the Intern tried several times to call me, and continued to leave messages on the answering machine. I avoided returning his calls as I was fairly sure he wanted to borrow money, but following a plaintive text message on Friday afternoon I decided I was a Bad Mother and gave him a ring. Well, how wrong could I be! He certainly did not need to borrow any money. However, he did want to arrange when we will drive up to collect all his stuff so it can be stored here over the summer. He also reported that he had been tidying his room for two weeks and it still looked a complete shambles. Mmmmm. I wonder if we have the same definition of the word "tidying"?WildPurlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05162241249946009555noreply@blogger.com4