Whee!

This has nothing to do with knitting but I'm so excited I'm telling everybody.  My 16yo old niece, Bethany, just got her exam results:  1 A*, 1 A, 5 B, 1 C and 1 D!

I'm so pleased for her.  She's had a rough few years with one thing and another but she got her head down, worked hard and has reaped the rewards.

Ergh!

Ripped back 3/4 of a sock last night because I wasn't happy with the way it was working out.  It was a new pattern that I was trying for the first time and it just didn't seem to be coming out right (it looked more like a sack than a sock!).  I've gone back to using my previous pattern with the exact same yarn and needles and I'm liking it much better.

Also, there is a reason why I should never be allowed to wear white! *looks down at pasta-sauce stained blouse and sighs*

It's taken me almost 5 months but I've finally finished my first pair of socks!

 

Look at them, aren't they fabulous? They're made from Regia 4 ply sock yarn (can't remember the name) and are actually a lot less orange and a lot more red than they appear in the picture (forgive the milk bottle legs, the only way I could take a picture was by laying on the bed and taking it down my body).

I even grafted the toe by myself and everything!  I would like to thank Silver for her on-line sock-tutorial which talked me through everything step by step and which I found immensely helpful.

Now, wonder how many friends I can give hand-knitted socks to for Christmas...

Question...

Does sock yarn count as stash? Especially as the intended socks are going to be Christmas presents?

See, I don't think it does. Dad, on the other hand wants to know why I thought it necessary to add more yarn to the stash I already have (otherwise known as "that bloody crap that's cluttering up the back room"). I tried to explain to him that it's for presents and that it's only sock wool so it doesn't really count but he wasn't having any of it. I am, apparently, not allowed to bring into more yarn into this house until I've used up at least some of what I already have.

Think now would be a good time to tell him about the 2 x 500g balls of baby wool I bought from my local discount store the other day...?

It's too darn hot!

Dear Self,
No matter how much you desire to go to your LYS to drool over the new lot of yarn that was delivered today, you neither need it or can afford it (seriously, you have 41p to last you until next Tuesday, stop it).

Much non-love, Me.

In other news, when did it get so freaking hot in London? According to my thermometer it's currently 27C in my back garden. I know in some areas of the world, that's considered warm but here it's absolutely sweltering!

I'm supposed to be working on Dad's pullover and I have been but I'm just too hot to care.

Joy to the world

Yesterday's poncho today became a shoulder warmer when I discovered that I had knit 3 rounds without increasing, couldn't be bothered to rip it back and so cast-off. It actually looks pretty good and has taught me that not everything has to be 100% perfect.

Popped down to my local John Lewis to purchase the needles to finish Dad's jumper and was gifted with 2 skeins of Noro Blossom by a complete stranger who accidentally smacked me in the face with a curtain rod! This yarn is truly drool-worthy and knitting a scarf in it is going to be my reward for finishing Dad's jumper, knitting my cousins christening gown (although I have until at least February for that one) and knitting stuff for the 3 other babies that are due to join my rather large and extended family.

I also purchased a book of DK baby patterns (on that note, do you have any idea how hard it is to find unisex baby patterns?) and some gorgeous Louisa Harding Kashmir DK yarn in a beautiful soft sage green. This yarn is 55% merino, 35% microfibre and 10% cashmere and is the softest thing I have ever felt in my life. The only problem is that the ball bands contain no wash/care instructions so any advice would be much appreciated.

Bugger!

Was going to start knitting the back of Dad's pullover but have managed to break one of my 3.5mm needles so have instead decided to knit a poncho. In chunky yarn while it's 26C outside...

Stash me, baby!

My knit kit. For the record, I loathe and detest those wooden needles. The damn things bend and break at the slightest provocation. I have no idea if it's all wooden needles this happens to or those in particular but it's put me off ever using them again. The white disc-shaped thing on top of the loathed needles is my favouritest thing ever. It contains a tape measure, scissors, needle protectors etc and goes everywhere with me.
The first half of the second sock I have ever successfully knitted. For some reason, I can't find the pair to it but I don't care, it's still my favourite thing to work on.
A wrist warmer knitted in Patons self-patterning sock yarn.
Baby booties and scratch mitts knitted in multi-coloured sock wool which are perfect for the recipient because the mother is not exactly traditional (but then I knit them, so what does that say about me...)
Finished products. The acres and acres of military grey stocking-stitch is the back of a pullover for Dad. Fortunately the front has cable so hopefully I won't go completely bat-shit insane before it's finished!
My wool stash, including various double knits, cottons, baby wools and way more sock yarns than can probably be considered healthy.

Magazines and patterns













And that's my stash. Not bad considering I've only really been doing this for about 5 months. I dread to think what my house will look like in 5 years!

Knitting is cheaper than therapy

Being inspired by the wonderful Yarn Harlot, I decided to create a blog purely my for knitting adventures (I say adventures because I'm fairly new to it and have no idea where it's going to end up).

I can't promise to be as amusing or prolifically talented as that wonderful lady but I mean to try.