The Wool Palace

I went for a walk

It's been a bit of a grey day today.

When I pulled out my current projects to photograph, I noticed they matched the weather.

Socks for Sam; for him grey is the only way to go.  This is more of my favourite Lana Grossa.  It's been in my stash for ages, possibly since our first Get Knitted trip.

The cardigan continues.  It's not the fastest of knits or the most interesting, at this stage, but it will be worth it in the end.  For those who asked, the pattern calls for Rowan Scottish Tweed DK, 18 balls for the smallest size, 19 for the medium and 20 for the large.  My budget didn't run to that much Rowan yarn, so I've subbed Cascade 220.  My gauge is a smidge off, so I'm doing the largest size to compensate.

Now, the sticky question.  As you can see, I have miscrossed (is that a word?) a cable, third twist down from the needle.  There's no way around it, fixing it would involve ripping.  A lot of ripping and a lot of reknitting.  What do you think?  Initially I was feeling all gung ho, 'I'm not ripping, it's fine', but now I'm not so sure.  There's a sneaky voice telling me that I'll regret not fixing it.  I had a vague idea of knitting past one more cable to see if the mistake starts to blend in but potentially I'm setting myself up for more ripping.

Can you help me with my indecision?

Have you seen the spring preview up at Interweave Knits?

The Cable Down Raglan and Slanted Neck Pullover are calling my name.  Plus the socks, oh the socks!  Which to do first - Roza's socks are wonderful but I don't think I'll be able to resist casting on for the Entrelac ones.

I'm off to see what solid sock wools are in my stash...

Precipitation

This weekend marked the beginning of a cold snap, or rather, a return to the normal temperatures for this time of year.  Fortunately this also meant we had some sun, very welcome after days of rain and wind.

We were looking after two of Toby's mum's dogs for the weekend, which gave us a good excuse to get our and about.  Toby and the children went to the beach on Saturday while I was at Get Knitted, so on Sunday we decided to vist a new (to us) bit of the Quantocks.

Things didn't get off to a great start.  When we were halfway to the car park, Sam tentatively asked, 'Should I have brought my walking boots?'.  To which we replied, quite emphatically, yes he should have and no, we weren't going back to get them.  So Sam had to walk in his Heelys, sans wheels, which meant, he declared, that his 'heart wasn't in it'.

Still, the sun was shining, so we set off - and then there was a hailstorm.

Even the dogs aren't looking too impressed are they?

Luckily it passed and the weather cleared.

We spent a happy couple of hours tramping through mud and enjoyed some good views across to Bridgwater Bay.

It was the first time in a while that we've all been out together; it felt good to get some fresh air.

I'm away for work for the next couple of days so probably won't be posting or replying to email.  Normal service should resume in the second half of the week.

Day return

I've just done a post about our trip to Get Knitted on Saturday but Typepad crashed and I've lost it all, along with the will to write it again.

Suffice to say, it was great day.  Sue and her team have done a great job on the shop, which is huge and wonderfully stocked.

I met up with some of the Liberty knitters for the first time in ages and had a wonderful time with them; it was lovely to see everyone again.

I managed to forget my camera, but luckily Amelia, Dawn and Polly have done sterling work at capturing the day and there are more photos on Get Knitted's flickr stream.

There - a slightly grumpy post about a distinctly less than grumpy day.

PS. Polly has pictures of everyone's shopping baskets in her entry.  Can you guess which one is mine?

Traversing the time vortex

True to my word, I had a look at the WiPs today.  It would appear that I am in possession of a magic bag.

How else can you explain how this

could contain all of this?

Some of the stuff can be got rid of pretty quickly, such as the bag of odds and ends, which has gone straight back upstairs to join all the rest of the odds and ends.  I live in hope that one day I will come up with a magnificent plan for them all.  Let's have a look at what else is lurking in there.

This Lamb's Pride worsted is Josie's knitting that she works on from time to time, so that can stay

However, these other random skeins of Lamb's Pride can go back upstairs.  I'm not really sure why they were downstairs in the first place, I have a vague memory of thinking about a hat but don't know what pattern I had in mind, or what possessed me to think I would want a pink, purple and green hat.

I brought this Lang Jawoll downstairs as a possibility for Toby's stepdad's socks but decided against it.  One ball has been frogged from a Retro Rib I did eons ago.  Back to the sock yarn stash it goes.

Lizard Ridge squares done in odds and ends of Silk Garden.  I have no more Noro at the moment but will keep these downstairs for now.

The completed back of Lucky.  Must crack on with this as the baby isn't getting any smaller.

Ene's scarf, or is it shawl?  The crumpled look to the photocopy of the pattern shows how long it's been languishing.  And yes, the row counter is right, I have only done 9 rows. 

The beginnings of my Cabled Blanket Coat.  I'm going to start working on this again tonight.  I'm trying not to worry too much that I don't seem to have a copy of the pattern, or any indication of how far along I am.

The Cabled Slipover from the Wensleydale Longwoool Sheep Shop, intended for my father.  My parents aren't visiting until May or June so I figure I've got time; no sleeves to do should help I think.

I calculate that makes 4 WiPs as I'm not counting Lizard Ridge.  I know there are a couple more in the photo album, but I packed those away when we moved and have to admit I'm not sure where they are.  There is also a sock lying around somewhere, but that hardly counts does it?

What does your knitting basket look like this January?  I'm off to see if I can find my copy of the pattern for the Cabled Blanket Coat, but I'll be back soon to see what you all have on the needles...

Thirsty work

It took me longer to take the photos for these socks than it did to knit them.  Josie jumped at the chance to stand on the table, but sadly the camera battery died after we'd taken one photo - good job it turned out OK.

The socks are done on 2.5mm needles over 56 stitches.  I used approximately 70g of a skein of Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Merino, one of the Potluck colours, this one is 'Water'.  The yarn was wonderful to work with and has a lovely sheen to it.

I've saved the leftovers for use in a Stashbuster Spirals in the near future.

I've been guilty of focusing exclusively on socks for the last couple of weeks.  Tonight it's time to look through the WiPs pile and see what else needs my attention.

Some of you were asking about knitting and reading.  I only do it for stocking stitch, or garter if I'm doing it.  I was an extremely bookish child and read while doing pretty much anything; walking to and from school, in the loo, under the covers with a torch when I was supposed to be asleep.  When I learnt to knit I saw no reason not to combine reading and knitting, so I just trained myself to knit without looking.  I think there are special book weights one can buy, as well as book stands etc; personally I find my mobile phone does a fine job of keeping the book open.  For those of you that read and knit, I'd be interested to know what solutions you use.

Sunshine on a rainy day

Dawn was right, a good book really does make the knitting fly along.

Socks really are perfect reading knitting.  Well, stocking stitch socks are.  No need to look, except for periodic checks on length and maybe a little break during the heel turn and gusset.  The book is one I picked up on impulse at the library last week; a good read, absorbing and very interesting.  Now I want to visit Eastern Europe.

Today's reading is not so exciting - invoices and meeting minutes mainly.  Still, the sun is shining and we can see the hills for the first time in ages.

Apparently there is more rain and wind on the way, which isn't great news as the streams at the front of the house are already very swollen.  However, for today I am going to work at the dining room table and enjoy the view.

Spit, spot

Right, let's start the new year as we mean to go on.  (Although if that was true, I would be spending 2007 feeling vaguely nauseous and watching too much daytime television - we'll draw a veil over New Year's Day shall we?)

My first two completed projects should serve as a lesson not to become complacent over Christmas knitting.  Remember the hat I boasted about being so quick to do?

It's done, only two weeks late.  I can't show you any pictures of me wearing it as they all came out awfully.  Maybe my sister will model it when she receives it.

The pattern is from Loop D Loop, the Corrugated Rib hat I think it's called.  I did the same modifications I did last time to size it up for a larger head.  The yarn is Lamb's Pride Bulky in Dynamite Blue, which is much brighter than the photo.  I used almost a whole skein, knitted on the 10½ size in my Denise needles, which I think corresponds to 6.5mm.  A quick knit, just not knitted quickly at the correct time.

Next up in the belated Christmas gift list :

Socks for Toby's stepdad.  I did my usual top down pattern, 64 stitches on 2.5mm needles, a double rib cuff and a standard heel flap.  The first one was complete for a Christmas Day fitting and was pronounced satisfactory, so I knitted the second to match.  The yarn is Lana Grossa Scala, which I really like, but it would appear Lana Grossa don't, as it is being discontinued.  I have a couple of different colourways in the stash - I think I got this one, 6537, from Get Knitted, who currently have the yarn on sale.

I was pleased to finish these socks, not because I didn't enjoy knitting them but because I was eager to cast on another pair.

My sock yarn stash is stored in a big clear plastic crate which currently sits in our bedroom near the bed.  This skein of Cherry Tree Hill has been catching my eye over the last week or so and I knew I wanted to use it for my next pair of socks.  It is one of the 'Potluck' colourways of their Supersock - the Water one.  I bought it at Ally Pally in November and thought it would be perfect for Josie.

Isn't it pretty?  I'm sticking with plain stocking stitch to show up the shifts in colour.  Even though it's for Josie it won't be especially quick.  I measured her feet last night while she was asleep (I was in a hurry to get started) and they are only ½ inch shorter than mine.  I think I am destined to be outgrown by both my children quite soon...

Like a bee

I'm beavering away on my second completed item for 2007 - the second of two that should have been done in 2006.  They're both small so I'll post them together when the second is done.

In the meantime, I found this on YouTube today and haven't seen it linked to before so thought I'd share it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7rhUmpE0II

They are obviously from the UK, anyone know anymore about it?

Regrets, I've had a few

I thought I'd take a look back at how I did last year, knitting and blogging wise.  I tell you, I am shocked and ashamed by my performance.

Lets start by taking a look at what I actually completed, shall we?  I have to say, it's not impressive.  2 pairs of gloves, 1 scarf, 1 jumper, 6 pairs of socks, 2 lace pieces (both pretty small), 2 baby jumpers and 1 cushion.  To make matters worse, I haven't even got around to putting them all in the photo album.  Less than 20 things finished and I can't even get it together to put the photos up - what is going on!

The piece that attracted the most comments was Tubey, coming in with 34 comments, not too shabby.  The piece that attracted the least interest was the Swallowtail shawl, with 11 comments - people, I'm hurt and so is the shawl.

I took a look at how many times a month I posted through the year and it's not a pretty picture either.  I started the year on a high in January, with 14 posts in the month; not too bad, more than 3 a week.  Sadly things went downhill from there, until we reach the shameful depths of August, when I only managed 2 posts in the whole month - but hey, I did move house, so I suppose that's some excuse.  Thankfully things seem to be improving, October and November I was back up to around 2 posts a month and I just scraped through December with about the same.

I had 4 competitions this year.  The one that attracted the most entries was back in February, with 43 entries.  The least interest was shown in my September competition, when there was an actual question to answer, rather than just a 'leave a comment' system. 

So, armed with all the depressing statistics, what shall I aim for this year?  Well, taking a look at my 'In Progress' album, there's some stuff knocking around in there that was started in 2005, for goodness sake, so I think I should start with some ripping or finishing of a few things.

Next up, my resolutions made last January.  Book of the Month failed dismally; as soon as I feel I have to knit something, I lose my enthusiasm, so I think we'll let that one fall by the wayside.  We only have to look at my completed total to see that the whole 'more garments' thing didn't work out, so that will have to go right up to the top of the list for this year.  More colourwork, hmmm, that didn't really come about either, although I did do the Estonian Mittens, so at least that's a bit.  May do some more this year, although I'm not really feeling the colourwork love right now.

New plans?  Well, maybe post a bit more often, try and keep it around 3 times a week if possible.  Finish more things - there was a lot of ripping last year, or leaving things undone.  Remember the mitred squares?  Let's try not to have a repeat of that this year, I think.  Oh, one more, update the bloody photo albums!

So, pretty succinct really; finish more, blog more.  Can I do it?  Only time will tell...