The Wool Palace

Take a break

Well, the sun is shining, the flat is (reasonably) dry and my neck is looking more normal.  Hopefully things are on the up.

We're off to Cornwall to make the most of the last few days of the school holidays so I will be off line for a week or so.  I know I'm shockingly behind in posting photos of Secret Pal things and so on, but I promise I will be better when I get back, honestly! 

If you are Josie's Secret Pal's mum and you are reading this, please let her know that Josie absolutely loved everything in the package and she will send an email when she gets back.  I've sent my Secret Pal an email, but you will have to wait until next week to see all the lovely things she sent - I am very lucky.

To keep you all busy while I'm gone I thought I'd have a little competition.  I'm coming up to the 500 mark on comments to the blog, so whoever posts the 500th comment can expect a little parcel of woolly goodness from me.  Results to be announced when I get back.

Have a good week.

Chipmunk

Thank you all for your kind comments and emails.  It was lovely to read them all after spending an afternoon wading round the flat. 

Things are looking better today.  Toby brought home a dehumidifier yesterday (the benefits of a husband who works in the construction industry is easy access to these sorts of things) and we've had that on all night.  He will also be able to take care of the damage to the downstairs flat, which I feel terrible about as the tenant is an 80 year old man living on his own, who I'm pretty sure doesn't have insurance.

So all in all, things are brighter than yesterday.  Or they would be I hadn't woken up this morning with one side of my face completely swollen up.  My doctor tells me it is a classic case of mumps, except for the fact that I had mumps when I was a child. 

These things happen in threes right?  Tune in tomorrow, for the next instalment! 

If anyone needs me before then, just look for the person with one swollen cheek, smelling slightly of mouldy water.   

Terrible Day

Possibly the worst day this year.  I have managed to flood our entire flat with more than 2 inches of water in each room. 

Carpets in the children's room and the living room are ruined.  It's too early to know about the wooden floors, hopefully they will be OK.  Most of the wool I keep in the living room is too wet to keep and all my records have damaged covers.  Even worse, the flat downstairs from us is damaged as well.

We've spent the last 2 hours clearing up.  Luckily Sam and Josie are away and hopefully things will be fairly much back to normal by the time they get back.

I could cry - but I've done that already.

Headless chicken

Running around like a mad thing packing.  We're off for a spot of camping, before depositing the children with their grandparents for a week.

Tent pegs are most definitely packed, as is the gas regulator, so food and shelter are both assured.

It's tipping down in London, but my local source informs me that all is well and has even provided me with photographic evidence to prove it.

When I get back, Secret Pal and Kids' Secret Pal goodies to show.

Enjoy your weekend, wet or dry.

At my leisure

I have to work late tonight so I had the morning off.  Hooray!  Sunshine and free time, what could be better.

After I'd been running (6am start this morning Tracy!) I very industriously cleaned the kitchen, did all the dishes and cleaned the cooker - one less job to do when I came back from dropping Sam and Josie off at their playscheme.

When I got back I found Toby had snuck back home and had covered my lovely clean kitchen in crumbs and peanut butter; I was not amused.

I took out River, gave her a little stroke and set her gently on the sofa to wait for me.  I figured I could easily get in an hour's knitting during the morning.

Then I thought I'd be a good wife and mother and take something out of the freezer so we could all have dinner together this evening.  I popped off to Sainsburys to pick up some extra bits and pieces.

When I came back I remembered that I was working late tonight, so wouldn't be back in time to cook a family meal. 

Then I remembered I had to go to the Post Office to pick up a parcel for Toby, so off I went again.

When I came back I had a quick check of emails, blogs etc and then thought I'd just have a little look through the stash for something for Bianca.  Sadly the 4 ply I have stashed isn't enough for Bianca.  However, I did find this.

I dread to think how long that's been on the needles.  At least 2 years I'd say.  Anyway, it is Matchmaker Merino 4 ply, so I am going to rip it back and wash it and rewind it and swatch for Bianca with that and some beads (which I will get tomorrow).

I cast a longing look at River as I passed through the living room

So now I have to leave for work in about 45 minutes.  I have to have some lunch before I go.  I also need to make a loaf of bread due to the whole working-late-not-cooking situation combined with the kitchen-covered-in-crumbs-and peanut-butter situation, meaning Toby will be making the children beans on toast.  Provided there is bread to make toast.  And I also need to put away the stash that is strewn around the bedroom.

River is still waiting patiently on the sofa.

Did someone say something about doing some knitting?

Such a supple wrist

It seemed like a good idea last night to stay up and watch Tommy.

It didn't seem like a such good idea when I got up at 6.15am this morning to go running.

I am feeling sleepy, so sleepy.

So sleepy I may not even do any knitting.

Here's what I got up to at the weekend.

Aren't they cute?  Even better, each one took less than an hour.  I had a skein of Blue Sky Alpacas Cotton left over from the Blanket of Doom/Who Must Not be Named, so I thought I would use it for another friend who is expecting twins in a few weeks time.  Now I just need some booties to match I think.

As far as projects from Rowan 38, well Bianca made a strong surge towards the end of voting, so I will abide by the decision of the people.  I think I have some brown 4 ply in my stash that I may use.  I just need to check the yardage, as it's (shhh) not Rowan.  Oh, and decide what beads I would like to use.

I also had a moment of weakness last night (before Tommy) and did this.

One repeat done of River, in Cherry Tree Hill laceweight merino.  I'm liking it a lot so far, even though she only came 3rd in the poll.

Now, the other question I have is this.  This is calling to me loudly from the new Phildar.

I know I'm tired, but am I the only one who can't find the UK in the list of countries on the Phildar website?  Is there some sort of cruel Phildar conspiracy that I am the last knitter to find out about?  I can always get the magazine sent to my sister in Vanuatu and she could send it back to me, but it seems, to me anyway, a little excessive.  Can anyone out there help?  Before I fall asleep...

Spreading the love

One of the great things about having a blog is being able to participate in some of the numerous knitalongs and exchanges going on out there in blogland.

I signed up for Stitch Ya Neck Out - how could I refuse such a gorgeous button (which I promise I will put on my blog any day now).  This is a slightly different exchange, as we get to select the yarn and pattern we would like knitted, then send it on to some kind soul, then get the finished item in the post a couple of months later.  Meanwhile, we'll be doing the same for someone else.

This is what I sent off in the post today.

I've asked for Branching Out from Knitty.  I had the Silky Wool in stash already, left over from the Viennese Shrug.  It's a lovely yarn to knit with, so I hope my pal has fun with it.  Who is my pal?  Ah, that would be telling.  They're not in the UK, that's all I'm saying. 

In other exchange news, I also participated in the Rowan International Exchange.  You don't need a blog to do this, just to be a member of Rowan International.  It's an annual event, with a different theme every year.  It is organised, with great efficiency, by Rowanettes including Polly and Emma.  This year's theme was edges and I got a lovely package a few weeks ago.

There was a cute pair of sheep socks, some coffee beans coated in dark chocolate - can we just pause for a minute to say YUMMMM - but the piece de resistance was this wonderful 'scarfy capelet' (I'm using the knitter's own words there).

I put it against a white tablecloth so you could see the beautiful edging.  It's knitted in a 70% angora, 30% wool blend and is as soft as, well, a very, very soft thing.  Here's a closeup of the edge.

The creator of this beautiful work was Stephanie.  Thank you Stephanie, I am just waiting for some cooler weather to come along so I can wear my lovely 'scarfy capelet', which is what I am always going to call it. 

I should add there was some lovely hazelnutty chocolate in that package as well, but it didn't last long with 2 sweet toothed children around, I may have helped in some way also.

The other exchange that I'm currently knitting for is Sockapal2za.  This was all going swimmingly.  I was happily knitting the Cable & Rib (or maybe Rib & Cable) socks for the current Interweave, in some truly gorgeous Koigu.

How happy I was when I took this photo; one sock done, heel turned on the second one.  True, when I tried on sock one it was a little tight (this was when it was all done) but hey, it just needed a bit of blocking right?  I was too in love with the Koigu colours to stop.  But as I knitted away happily on my 2.25mm Brittany Birches, there was a little voice whispering, 'They're too small, did you check your gauge?'.  I tried to push it away, but the whisper got louder and louder, until all I could hear was, 'CHECK YOUR GAUGE, CHECK YOUR GAUGE'.  Finally I broke down and got out the measuring tape.  You know the rest don't you?  WAY... TOO ... SMALL.

Last night was spent ripping out all of sock two and starting again on 2.75mm needles, which by the way give the perfect gauge.  Ah, happy days.

Thank you for all your feedback on what to do from Rowan 38.  Bianca has surged ahead, but I'm still vacillating.  So, if you haven't voted yet, you know what to do...

Decisions, decisions

Well, I'm blown away by the number of responses to my message.. Who would have thought there would be so many new projects in need of a knitter?

Having had some time to sift through the messages, I think I've been able to whittle out a few that definitely aren't for me. 

As some of you have said, Grain would be hard work.  Too bulky, too heavy and I just wouldn't wear it.  I do like the colour combination so I might think about using it in a different shape at a later date.

Although I do like Lucy, she's not yelling out 'must knit' to me right now.  I think the texture might be too limp, if that makes sense.

Pandora, well, her message came across as a little prissy don't you think?  Also, she tricked me into thinking that Big Wool was part of the jumper, when it's only used for that strange dangly thing (why?) on her front.  This means she's all 4 ply, so a bit slow.  I might do her later on, without the neck insert.

Foggy Panda, what can I say?  To be honest, I wouldn't mind the graphic on a t-shirt., but on a knitted garment it's just wrong.  Enough said.

That leaves us with the final contenders.  I'm going to need your help here.

I really like Analise.

I like the neckline a lot and could see myself wearing her to work as well as with jeans.  Wool Cotton is lovely to knit with and I like the range of colours.

Then there's River - the little temptress.

I would use the Cherry Tree Hill laceweight left over from the Stonington Shawl debacle, rather than KidSilk Haze.  The word on the street is that River is a simple knit, which sounds good.  Downsides, well, she's not as practical as a jumper - when would I wear her?

Then there's Bianca

She's another versatile knit - reminiscent of Martha from the previous Rowan mag.  I don't mind if she brings Maude along, Maude looks like she'd be a good use for leftovers.  4 ply and beads means Martha wouldn't be a quick knit, but I think she'd be worth it.

Bringing up the rear is Creeper (on the right in the photo).

 

To be honest, the message wasn't the best was it?  But I think Creeper would be a good weekend jumper.  Plaid is lovely to knit with and nice and quick.  I made Josie a poncho last year in one weekend and she's worn it a lot and it's kept its shape.  The downside is definitely the batwing element - I'm just not sure how it will look on me.

So, those are the choices.  Help me out here - who should I go for?

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Lonely Hearts

Experienced knitter seeks new project for fun, friendship and maybe more.  Must be from Rowan 38.  I'm recovering from a bad experience with a shawl, but I feel I'm ready to move on and start a new knitting relationship.  I enjoy walks in the country, socialising with friends and good food and wine.  I'm looking for a project that is stylish, challenging enough to keep my interest but understanding that I will still want to keep up my relationship with socks.  If you think this sounds like you, please call 0870-NEW-PROJECT and leave me a message.

Message 1

Hi Mary, I'm Analise.  You can't really see me very well, because there's only the one picture of me and I've been accessorised with a tartan blanket, caravan and some sort of floral belt.  Don't worry about the extra balls of wool, they're not attached.  Anyway, I'm just what you're looking for.  I'm made in Wool Cotton, which is always good isn't it?  I have an interesting neckline and I just love socks.  Anyway, give me a call!

Message 2

Hi Mary, Grain here.  I know I'm not your usual type, but you're strangely drawn to me aren't you?  I've got Kid Classic in me, which I know you love, plus YT Chunky sounds temptingly fast to knit up.  Don't be scared by my size and put away those thoughts that I only look good on the slim model.  I know it looks like my cuffs are made of cork, but trust me, that's just the way I'm lit.  Come on, I know I could make you happy.

Message 3

Hello, I'm Lucy.  Yes, I know you don't like my neck, but you can change it, honestly, I don't mind.  I'm knitted in Kidsilk Haze and 4 ply soft, so I might take a while, but I'm so worth the effort.  I'm designed by Laura Long and I know you had a good time with Gemma (she wouldn't stop talking about it) so I think we could be happy together too.  Give me a call, I'll be waiting.

Message 4

Hello Mary, my name is River and I know I'm just what you're looking for.  If you choose me, you can forget all about that other nasty shawl.  I'll make you love lace again.  Just look at me, aren't I beautiful?  I know you want to touch me.  I've got beads as well.  Trust me, you can't say no to me.

Message 5

Hi there, I'm Bianca and I'm definitely up for some fun!  I'm knitted in 4 ply soft and I've got beads, plus I've got some cute little trimming action on the edges, which is always fun isn't it?  I'm very versatile, so I could go to work with you or out with friends.  Oh, speaking of friends, can I bring my friend Maud with me?  She's very nice too and I'm sure she wouldn't be any trouble.  So, we'll be waiting to hear from you!

Message 6

Hello, I'm Pandora.  I think I'm very elegant, although the pink dangly thing I have attached to me does spoil the impression somewhat.  Still, I think it's probably not essential.  I have an interesting stitch pattern and the Big Wool will help things zip along.  I'd look very good at work functions.  The only thing I feel I need to say now is that I'm not overly happy about the sock thing - I do prefer a monogamous relationship.  Sorry to sound pedantic, but I do feel it's best to get these things out in the open.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Message 7

Hi Mary, I'm Creeper but I'm not a creep, haha!  I'm casual, yet stylish - or so I've been told by my friend Tibetan, who I hang out with a lot.  Yes, I know there is a hint of batwing sleeve action going on, but hey, take a look at Miss Marple before you start complaining!  Anyway, Plaid is lovely to knit with and pretty quick, so I wouldn't take up a lot of your time and I'm totally fine with the sock thing.  Give me a bell!

Message 8

Yo!  Foggy Panda here.  No, stop laughing.  Hey, that's not fair.  Come on, I know you like your Japanese anime, so how can you not like me?  What do you mean, not to wear?  You'll regret this you know, next year everyone will want one.

A voyage round my knitting

Things are not going well, knitting wise, at the Wool Palace.  I am not happy about this.

I am into my second week of the holidays; plenty of time off work coupled with so-so weather should make for loads of knitting time.  And in fact I have done a lot of knitting.  I worked on the Stonington Shawl on the journey to and from the Peak District (4 hours each way) and for a lot of the time we were in Taunton.

Here's where I'm at.

Spectacular isn't it?  Even better, I've been here twice.  For some reason I keep on messing up the decreases.  Given the stunning progress, I've decided to put it away for a while.

This is what I've got left outstanding.

Sockapal2za socks - one done

Secret Pal project - about 10% done

Striped Regia socks for Josie - on the foot of sock number 2

I'm in need of some inspiration I think.  Something new to motivate me.  The new Rowan magazine should be here any day - maybe there will be something in there?  I certainly hope so.