The Wool Palace

Weekend Blues

A weekend sadly lacking in knitting content chez Wool Palace I'm afraid.

The house has been struck with some nasty gastric virus.  Of course, being a family with children, we can't all get sick at the same time.  So as I am starting to feel better, Sam and Josie are starting the slow slide down.  They're not really ill, just low level grumpy and tired, which makes getting ready for school lots of fun.  I'm at home, just waiting for the phone call to go and pick up at least one of them early.

As well as feeling bleugh most of the weekend, my wrists have been playing up.  I've had Carpal Tunnel problems on and off for the last couple of years.  I was discharged by the Rheumatology consultant about two weeks ago, which means that I am bound to have a flare up now.  When it gets like this, the best thing is to cut back on knitting and key boarding for a few days so that's what I've been doing.

I started another sock.

This is the Retro Rib pattern from the Winter Interweave Knits.  It's very easy to memorise, but has enough variety to keep me feeling interested.  This is the pattern I have planned for my Sockapalooza pal, but probably not in this yarn.  I was thinking of something a bit more jazzy for the exchange, but I'll see how these turn out.

The Debbie Bliss jumper is growing.  It's a fairly quick knit as it's aran weight, but there's not much to see, just miles of grey stocking stitch.  I think I'll definitely need a colour project after this!

For my Secret Pal

I got a message from my secret pal!  Now I'm getting excited.  I thought I'd better post my answers to the Secret Pal questions.

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer high- and/natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?

I tend to go for how a yarn feels, both to knit with and to wear.  For me, that generally means not much acrylic.  I do use some blends, like All Seasons Cotton and of course sock yarns, but 100% acrylic just doesn't do it for me. 

2. Do you spin? Crochet?

Neither at the moment.  I wouldn't mind learning to crochet, but more to use for finishing knitted pieces than to do on its own. 

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)

I suffer from fairly severe eczema, so can't use any perfumed body or bath products.  Mohair irritates my skin also.  I also get hayfever and (oh lucky me) mild asthma.

4. How long have you been knitting?

I learnt when I was 6 or 7, I think.  I had a hiatus during my teens and started in earnest again about 9 years ago, when pregnant with my son.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Certainly do, check here or here

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)

Lavender, vanilla or lemon.  For bath products, I can only use pure essential oils, due to skin allergies.   For room scents, I also love spicy smells, like cinnamon and sandalwood.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?

Dark chocolate for me please!

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?

I like to cook (is that a craft?). 

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

Mix of everything really.  Reggae, jazz, rock, rap, electronica, you name it - not overly keen on dance music though - too much of that in my 20s.  I am also over exposed to country music, thanks to my husband.  I have a terrible weakness for 80s bands.  Can play MP3s/CDs on the computer.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer?

Blue and red.  I also like muted greys, browns, olive and kahkis.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

Married to Toby.  We have 2 children, son Sam aged 8 and daughter Josie aged 6½.  No pets as we live in a tiny flat in London.

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)

Health and happiness for me and my family and a nice house in the country one day.

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?

It depends on the project.  Currently it seems to be Noro, Koigu and lots of Rowan but I'm always looking to try out new things.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I don't get on very well with 'fancy' yarns - the sorts with bobbles and bits on them.  100% acrylic doesn't do it for me.  Not very keen on chenille either.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?

No real obsessions.  I like to keep trying new things.  Though, I have to say, Peace Fleece kits are playing on my mind a lot these days.  I'm doing a lot more circular knitting, so I want to invest in some beaded stitch markers too.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

I always have a pair of socks on the go.  I like lace as well, although I haven't done any since before Christmas.

17. What are you knitting right now?

Socks, a scarf for Josie, jumper for Sam from Debbie Bliss' Junior Knits.  There's Klaralund around here somewhere too...

18. What do you think about ponchos?

Fine for Josie and her friends, but not for me.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?

Circular every time baby!

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Bamboo or wood, plus some Addis and I have set of Denise too.

21. Are you a sock knitter?

Oh yes.

22. How did you learn to knit?

My mother taught me and then I refreshed my memory with the help of a book.

23. How old is your oldest UFO?

Erm, 1½ years old, but it's the only one I swear!

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?

Not really into cartoons, except for the Simpsons.  Can't pick a favourite animal or bird.

25. What is your favorite holiday?

Any school holiday when I have time off work.

26. Is there anything that you collect?

Books

So there you go.  My life laid open for your pleasure!

Entertainment

Rockstar came to visit last night.

A good time was had by all.

And look what came in the post yesterday.

Beautiful book.  I'm itching to start about 10 of the projects right now.  One thing I'm wondering is how this book has managed to get all the way from the USA, while the 2.75mm dpns that I ordered from a company in the UK on the same day still haven't arrived.  I'm starting to feel a bit annoyed, especially as the 2 emails I've sent this week asking when they will be posted, given that the charge has come off my credit card,  have gone unanswered.  I need those needles!  My Sockapalooza socks are calling to me, but I can't start without the right size needles.

I'm thinking of joining in with this (courtesy of Alison)

I have a few things languishing in the knitting basket that could definitely use some attention.  Also, sadly, I think I'm going to have to add Hourglass to the list of 'fixes'.  Since I washed her, she seems to have got a lot looser.  I measured her today and while the length and width of the body are fine, the neckline is 2 inches wider than it should be, so I'm going to have to do some work on that.  At the moment, I look like an extra from Flashdance if I wear her, as she's always droppping off my shoulders.  Not quite the look I was aiming for, so there's going to be some ripping going on there.

Secret Pal 4 is gearing up.  We can expect to get our pal details very soon.  I'm looking forward to seeing who I get.  I'll be posting my answers to the Secret Pal questionnaire in the next couple of days.

Lunchtime update -

Just got a very nice email to say my needles are being posted today.  Hooray!

New Project Alert

I couldn't wait any longer.  I had to do it.

I still have Sock 2 to finish, plus Rockstar Junior, but I needed something bigger to be getting on with.  This evening, Josie was at a friend's house, Sam was playing Empire Earth, so I sat down and did a swatch.

Debbie Bliss sure knows how to make a yarn.  This is the first time I've knitted with Merino Aran and I'm hooked.  It is a dream to knit with, very smooth and no splitting of stitches.  It gives a lovely stitch definition too and feels like it will be lovely to wear.

I don't feel so bad about not finishing Sock 2 as I'm still waiting for my 2.75mm dpns to arrive.  I ordered them last Monday and there's no sign of them yet.  I know they were in stock, so I'm hoping they will arrive soon.  I need them to get started on my Sockapalooza sock.

When I was blog surfing today, I came across these, courtesy of Froggy.  I think they are brilliant.  I love sushi, in fact I love all Japanese food, so what better than sushi stitch makers?  And you get to choose your own fish!  I lived in Japan for a year on an exchange when I was 17, then worked in a Japanese restaurant for 3 years, while studying for a degree in Japanese, so I think I know my sushi.  I'd definitely have to have maguro, as that's my all time favourite; ebi looks lovely too.

Mmmm, going to go to bed and dream of sushi and udon and tempura and okonomiyaki and agedashi-dofu and oden and sukiyaki...

So, how did I do?

Let's review those weekend knitting goals:

1.    Wrist warmers for my sister in Kureyon

2.    Hat for Toby's brother's girlfriend in Plaid

3.    Rockstar Junior for Josie

4.    Finish Sock 2 of Toby's socks

Not too bad, if I do say so myself.  This was taken at midday today, as the hat had to be given to the recipient this afternoon.  This was duly done and it was received with thanks.  The wrist warmers are done and will be winging their way to Cambridge tomorrow.  My sister finished her PhD at Cambridge in the summer.  During her years of study and since her graduation, she has put all her academic skills to work - on a cheese stall in the market.  Only Cambridge could have a cheese stall that is staffed almost entirely by people holding a doctorate.  Anyway, the wrist warmers will come in handy during those cold 6am setups.

Rockstar Junior is coming along.  It is knit in a mixture of Rowan 4 ply soft and Wendy, 'I'm 100% acrylic and I'm proud of it', fluffy stuff that I can't remember the name of.  Not quite Koigu and Norwegian eyelash, but Josie likes it.

I've done more of Toby's sock since the photo was taken.  I'm ready to start the short row heel.  I'm not sure I'll do it tonight as I'm feeling pretty grumpy, having had one of those phone conversations with Toby that goes something like:

'Where are you?  You said you wouldn't be long.'

'Oh, I was just going to call you, we're thinking of going on to another pub'.

Cue further comments like, 'You could have called me 2 hours ago to let me know that' and, 'You don't mind, do you?'.

Hmm.  Sometimes I think mobile phones are more trouble than they are worth.  I do mind actually, as I spent Friday night in on my own too, but there you go.  Oh well, more knitting time for me.

Therapy

I've been shopping.

Want to see what's in the bags?  Of course you do!

Let's break it down:

12 balls of Debbie Bliss Merino Aran for Sam's jumper.  I had to buy 11 of one dye-lot and one of another, as John Lewis is doing a stock take of their 'winter' yarns and won't have another order in until the end of the month.  It's a pretty good match, but just to be sure, I'll do both of the cuffs in the odd dye-lot so any mismatch will look deliberate.

This is a lot of DK cotton for my knitting class.  I teach an after school knitting class for Year 2 and 3 children once a week.  This term we are going to be making bags, so I figured cotton would be good as it won't droop too much.  Up until now they've only knitted with acrylic so it will be interesting to see what they think of this.  I tried to pick lots of bright colours that will appeal to young children.  I am going to wait and see what their favourites are before going and getting more.

A board with magnets, for following charts (and written patterns too, I suppose) and some 4mm dpns.  Liberty were selling very cute short 3mm dpns, which I did pick up, but then remembered that I don't actually use 3mms for sock knitting, so I made myself put them back.

I finished seaming Hourglass yesterday evening and I've been wearing her ever since, except for the time I was in bed.  I love her.  I really should give her a wash and press, but I just can't take her off.

I've decided that this weekend will be dedicated to a few small projects before starting on Sam's jumper next week.  This is what I have planned:

1.    Wrist warmers for my sister in Kureyon

2.    Hat for Toby's brother's girlfriend in Plaid

3.    Rockstar Junior for Josie

4.    Finish Sock 2 of Toby's socks

I figure the wrist warmers can be done tonight, no problem.  The hat needs to be finished by Sunday, so I'll do that tomorrow.  As for the rest, we'll just have to see.

Into the Home Straight

First FO of 2005 is approaching the line.

The knitting of Hourglass is finished.  All I have left to do is sew down the neck facing and turn under the sleeves and hem.

Here she is as of this evening.  Dodgy photo, but the best I could get with the self timer.

I'm really pleased with the fit and feel of this jumper.  It's a testament to her comfort that I am still wearing her now, with circular needle holding the neck stitches and ball of Felted Tweed still attached.  As I write that sentence I realise how strange I would look to someone who walked into the room now.  Mind you, if they were to find this sight strange, they would have recoiled in horror at the sight that would have greeted them had the walked into the bedroom at 7.30am this morning.  Me, lying under my duvet, gently stroking 4 balls of sock yarn, having just ripped open a package the postman had delivered.  Sam did walk in, but this sort of sight holds no fear for immediate members of the family

So, would I have done anything different with Hourglass?  Well, I added 5cm in length to the body, which I think was about right for me.  I left the sleeves the length specified by the pattern and I am happy with the way they look lengthwise.  However, if I was to knit this again (and I think I may) I would make them a little narrower as I find them a little too wide at the wrist.  Nothing unmanageable, but I think they may drag on the desk a little.  The Felted Tweed feels wonderful, very soft and not itchy at all, even to my eczema blighted skin.

I have the day off work on Thursday, so I think I will be off to buy the yarn for Sam's jumper.  But before that, I have some sewing to do.  Completed pictures tomorrow I hope.

Sock it to me

No weekend post and not much weekend knitting really.  As the children get older, our weekends seem to get busier and busier.  Unfortunately, they seem to be busy with activities that keep us all separate, rather than do things together as a family.  Toby had to work for a few hours as well, which ate into our time also, although we managed to reconvene for roast pork in the evening.  We have promised ourselves that we will have a family day out sometime this month - hopefully the weekend after next.

After a rather hectic weekend, it was nice to chill out after school today.  I worked on Hourglass Sweater - only 8 more decreases to go with the raglans.  Sam tried to teach Josie chess and did a pretty good job of it.

As I'm nearing the end of Hourglass, my thoughts are turning to my next large project.  I have promised it will be for Sam, as I did Josie a poncho before Christmas.  He wants this, in, wait for it, grey.  Another grey jumper - we love our neutral colours in this family.

Other thoughts are concerned with Sockapalooza socks.  I have decided to go with the Retro Rib socks from the Winter Interweave Knits.  I fancy something with a bit of texture.  As it's textured, I thought I'd go for a plainish yarn, rather than the pattern getting lost in a variegated one.  I had a look through the sock wool stash and pulled out these.

I'm leaning towards the red - look at the lovely colours close up.

What of Toby's socks I hear you ask?  Of course, they will be finished first.  Casting on before finishing the previous project?  The very idea!

I'm off to watch ER in bed, while finishing off the raglans on Hourglass. 

A spring in my step

Today was a beautiful day in London.  Clear blue skies and sunny.  This is when I fall into my annual mistake of thinking that as Christmas has passed, winter is over.  I have lived in England for 15 years, yet each year I find myself caught out by:

a)    How long winter lasts

b)    How cold it is

c)     How dark it is

I put this down to the fact that in New Zealand (where I grew up), after Christmas is over, summer starts.  So I associate January with the start of a new season.  Therefore, each January finds me complaining about how cold it is, wondering why I don't have any gloves and why it is dark at 4.30pm.

I got to go for a run in daylight today, which is first for this month.  Usually I have to do my running very early, around 6am, before anyone else in the family is awake, or else after Toby gets home, around 6pm.  At this time of year, at both of these times of day, it is dark.  I think this is wrong.

I had no work today, so besides running, I was free to knit all day.  'All day' for me means the time the children are at school so from 9.30am until 3.30pm I indulged purely in wool and wool related activities.  I was alone in the house, which was probably a good thing, as I covered the living room in knitting and pattern books.  And I watched daytime TV while I was doing it.  Can you tell I haven't had a day at home alone for a while?

Hourglass Sweater is coming along nicely.  Here she is at lunchtime today with one sleeve attached.

I love the way you can convert the Denise needles into stitch holders.

These are holding the underarm stitches that will be grafted together after the yoke is finished.

I made good progress on Sleeve Number 2 today.  Here she is, against Sleeve Number 1, for comparison.  The picture is a little dark, as it was dark when I took it.

All being well, she will be finished sometime this week.  A very kind person is sending me a ball of Felted Tweed to replace the one lost in the bus running incident, as this shade has been discontinued.

I did keep an eye out in Brixton the next day, to see if I could spot the missing ball, but she was nowhere to be seen.  I know she was probably swept up into a street cleaners cart, after spending a night out on the pavement being soaked in various bodily excretions, but I like to think that maybe, just maybe, a kind knitterly person saw her and rescued her.  We shall never know.

Phew!

No knitting around here tonight.  Moving your blog is hard work!  There's links to copy, buttons to move over, photos to upload.

How did I miss this?

Yes, it's an Hourglass Sweater Knitalong.  It may be a little after the event, but I think I'll join anyway.

I'm also getting excited about Secret Pals 4.  More info on that should be coming soon.

And of course, I'm not forgetting Sockapalooza

Internet, you are a bad influence!