The Wool Palace

Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun

It's blowing up a storm outside The Wool Palace tonight, but the weather over the last few weeks has been autumn at its best.  Every day when I thought the colours had reached their peak, the next day would bring even more vivid yellows and reds.

We've been out quite a few times enjoying the crisp air and bright sunlight, but I usually forgot the camera, or forgot to take it out of my pocket.  So when we went up on the hills behind the village the other day, I made sure I took some pictures for you.

Then of course, there was Bonfire Night.  This always seems to mark the beginning of 'hat and coat' weather and I think this year has been no exception.  We had planned to go to one of the organised displays but ended up seeing friends that night instead, so we made do with watching other peoples' displays across the valley and had sparklers in the garden.

Next up - Christmas!

Camped by a billabong

Finally managed to get around to taking photos of my Ally Pally purchases.  The light is going much faster these days and I got caught out about 3 days in a row.

I had a great time at the show.  It's always fun to catch up with knitting friends and find out what everyone is up to.  I did take my camera, but was too busy shopping and chatting to take any photos.

So, on to the purchases.

A book on Orenburg shawls, the new issue of Yarn Forward and an Elizabeth Zimmerman that I've wanted for a while.

Sock yarn from Web of Wool.

Cashsoft DK for some bedsocks for Christmas presents.

Colinette - this has already been made into a scarf for Josie. 

Dream in Colour sock yarn from Socktopus, who weren't listed in the show guide, so very nearly got missed.  I may also have paid a quick trip to their website a few nights ago when I realised I'd missed the Shelridge Farms Ultra.

Goodies from Habu to make a Kusha Kusha scarf.  In the interests of full disclosure, I should also say that I ordered a sweater kit as well, which will be coming from New York soon I hope.

Lovely, lovely laceweight silk from the totally new to me KnitWitches.  Even my non knitting sister and her friend were drooling over this.

And that is about it.  How do you think I did?

Temperate zone

After the grey, we've been enjoying some gloriously sunny days.  All around, there are signs that winter's grip is loosening.

The early appearance of daffodils might suggest that this winter's grip has been more of a limp handshake than anything with substance.

It was the sight of my neighbour's beautiful purple crocuses, in full bloom, that made me realise why this yarn has been especially appealing lately.

Time for a pair of spring socks I think.

Hi Ho, Hi Ho

We're off to the Lakes for a few days, taking in some climbing, some walking and of course, Woolfest.

I'll be there on Saturday, so if you're around please come and say hello.

See you next week!

Bristol Rovers

Of course the photos were in the Recycle Bin - thanks to Dawn for reminding me.  Must remember to think before I start to scream and shout.

Before I forget, the socks in the previous post are knitted in Opal but as usual, I have lost the ballband so can't tell you the shade.  I was sent it as a gift from the States last year so can't even shed any light on where it was bought, I'm afraid.  I'm guessing it is either Elements or Lollipop if that helps.  If anyone knows, leave a comment.

So, where were we?  Ah yes, Get Knitted.  I forgot my camera on the day but Amelia has kindly sent some photos that I can show you.

Here's Jacinta and me on the train on the way there

and here's Dawn and I on the way back, haul on the table in front of us.

We are looking a bit dishevelled as we very nearly missed our train home and had to run for it, with about 2 minutes to spare.

Even running for a train couldn't spoil the day.  Sue and her team were great hosts as always and much shopping was done by all.

Looking back at last year's pictures, I don't think I bought as much.  I was conscious that Woolfest is coming up very soon, so tried to stick to things I knew would get used up (ie. sock yarn) and not get tempted by large packs of yarn.

So here's what came home with me.

Lorna's Laces sock yarn in two yummy solid colourways - Old Rose and Cranberry I think.  No, not Cranberry - Manzanita.

Opal and Lana Grossa in Sam-friendly shades.  Although, having seen Anna's utterly fabulous Jaywalkers I am tempted to keep the Zebra one for myself.

Cherry Tree Hill merino lace.  This is the Java colourway and doesn't look much like the photo at all.  I tweaked the colour to get it as close as I could but it is much browner than this.

Some Fleece Artist sock yarn - my new favourite.  Quite frankly, I would have been happy to take the whole basket home but I stuck to the Hercules colourway, for now.

Lamb's Pride Worsted.  First time I'd seen this.  I got more than this but some is already on the needles for a project I'll show you another day.  Stash stock this as well and Get Knitted has the bulky weight also.

This ball of laceweight was going begging at a bargain price, so I couldn't say no.  I'm not that keen on the colour so might overdye it with red or brown.

So that was all the yarn.  I bought a few Clover goodies and quite a few patterns as well.  Some nice Fiber Trends shawl patterns, an Alchemy cardigan pattern and some White Lies and Knitting Pure & Simple ones as well.

All in all a good day out.  If you fancy a trip, remember there is an open day every month, but none now until September.  Next up, Woolfest!

Brighton rock

Sure enough, my yarn arrived bright and early on Saturday morning.  Credit to the postman, he knocked as well.  I couldn't cast on straight away as I had a train to catch to Brighton, with Jill and Dawn.

We were off to the Creative Stitches & Hobbycrafts Show, where a good time was had by all.  We did a couple of hours on the Knit n Knatter stand, so Yvonne and the other volunteers could get a well deserved break.  Yvonne had made herself the most fabulous Knitting Olympics shirt - hopefully she'll put a picture of it up on her blog.

There weren't a huge number of knitting stands at the show, but it was a case of quality rather than quantity.  I hardly bought anything - sock yarn doesn't really count does it?

Fabulous Fleece Artist merino from Kangaroo.  They had a basket of this when the three of us descended in a sock buying whirlwind - that basket was almost empty when we left 5 minutes later.  The Regia and Opal goodies were from Web of Wool, as was the Limbo DK, destined for some thick socks for Toby.

This was the sky when we came out of the show.  Pretty isn't it?  The pier was destroyed in a fire a couple of years ago.

Despite all the sock yarn purchases there will be no sock knitting at the Wool Palace for the next 15 days (or maybe it's 14 already?).  I am concentrating on my Knitting Olympics project.

Concentrating is the right word too.  I am knitting Maimu's Mittens from Folk Knitting in Estonia as my Olympic challenge.  And boy are they challenging.  I feel like a complete beginner again.  So far I've had to master a double-start cast on, yarnover braids, nupp stitch and the whole holding 2 yarns at once and stranding without pulling too tightly.  I've also had to master the complete stupidity that led me to think that even though I'm knitting in the round I will still read the chart back and forth as if I'm knitting flat.  Here's where I'm at after 2 days of Olympic coverage.

I should point out that even though I have sat in front of the television for 2 days of Olympic coverage, that is,  2 days of the highlights on BBC2, I have seen very little of it.  I have heard quite a lot, but most of the time my eyes have been firmly fixed on my knitting.  I heard the men's downhill, which seemed quite exciting but I was deep in yarnover braids at that point.  I also heard a lot of a film we watched last night about skateboarders in the 70s but that was when I was in the middle of the whole ripping out the rows that I'd done while reading the chart wrong.  I think I'm getting into the swing of it now so maybe I can actually watch ER tonight rather than just listening to it.

How is your Olympic experience?

Boogie nights

I never go out on Saturday night anymore.  Saturday night used to be all about getting dressed up, meeting friends and going to clubs.  Now Saturday night is usually about renting a DVD and having some wine and maybe a takeaway.  Oh the joys of parenthood.

This Saturday (that's the one just gone) was different.  I got to go out.  True, I didn't dress up and I did buy some wine, but I still went out, in the dark, on my own.  Which is pretty exciting.

Even more exciting was the fact that I was hooking up with Kristine and Aimee at their swish 'garden' flat in Knightsbridge.  Jacinta, Sharon and I went along for a wine and cheese soiree and we had a lot of fun.  Things got kicking once we got iTunes going on the laptop and there was plenty of 80s music for us to listen to.

There was a mirrored wall in the living room, so where better to indulge in a knitting fashion show?

Here's Jacinta working it in the shawl collared jacket from Simply Soft.  The Cashmerino Astrakhan is absolutely gorgeous - so soft and such a great texture.

Aimee modelling the Shaped Edge Jacket, also from Simply Soft.

The star of the show was the Bolero Jacket from the cover of Simply Soft.  We all tried it on and agreed it is the sort of thing you wouldn't necessarily pick to knit from the photo, but once you've tried it, you want it.

See how happy I look?  Obviously I hadn't seen my hair for a couple of hours.  I had it cut the next day.

We also had a look at Mermaid which was a lot shorter than I had pictured.  However, it hadn't been blocked and even a short Mermaid looked beautiful.

Once we were done modelling, there was plenty of time to knit and chat. 

Sharon with her lovely Clapotis.

Kristine working on her Marlowe from the new Jaeger book.

Good wine, good food and good friends  - what more could one ask for on a Saturday night?  For the record, Aimee was still wearing the bolero jacket when I left to get the bus home.

Hopping Along

I hope everyone had a good Easter break.

We went to Somerset for a few days to stay with Toby's family, which is always nice.  So much more space and fresh air than in London.

We had an Easter Egg hunt in the garden.

Success feels (and tastes) good!

We went to Dartmoor.  Sam and Toby did some rock climbing.

Josie and I stayed closer to the ground.

Dartmoor is one of my favourite places in England.  My father is from Devon, as was his father and their love of the place has definitely been passed on to me and my sisters.  I love taking my children to places that I was taken to as a child, remembering stories my father told about being taken to the same places by his parents.  It was very misty when we were there this time, but I still find it so beautiful.

 

Toby and I are back at work today.  Sam and Josie are staying on in Somerset for a few more days.  I don't think they'll miss us too much, as they have seven of these to play with.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, I didn't do any knitting.