Summer is the season for Knit - a - longs! It helps us keep up the knitting mojo when it doesn't feel the weather for it!
The Ishbel - a - long went well , and Karen took lots of photo's of the finished shawls and made photo montage - see here
The latest KAL is the Kaya shrug , and top down seamless shrug knit in chunky yarn . Moira found the pattern and some lovely yarn and was the inspiration for the rest of us . Karen had just ordered in some lovely alpaca/merino/silk/ chunky yarn so some of us took up the challenge. I have just the final ribbing to do on the sleeves , and I kept mine especially cropped as I like that look .
However , tonight some of us will cast-on for the Toe-up sock KAL , using one of the variety of toe-up cast-on methods . Personally I am favouring the Turkish method , but Judy's magic cast-on does give a tighter finish so I am still undecided .
One thing I am decided on though is the pattern and yarn , I will be doing the Brainless pattern with my Hulk yarn! Brainless is another Yarnissima pattern , my friend Irene has already done another Yarnissima pattern called Firestarter , its a very effective pattern and looks great .
My sister is considering some lovely patterns by Wendy Johnson , who appears to favour knitting socks toe-up having written a whole book of toe-up patterns!
For those of you on Ravelry , I believe there are one or two free Wendy Johnson patterns , one in particular that comes to mind is Rivulets, a lovely lacy design .
I guess its time to finish off some WIP's before I start these socks - then again maybe not!
Today I was lucky enough to pay my last respects to my old History Teacher , the (in?)famous Mr Marshall . He was a bit of a legend at my secondary school , and also , it appears , amongst his local community here in Gourock .
It was a "good" funeral service , in that the he had lived a full life , and was fondly remembered by many .
The Eulogies spoke of the different memories each of us had of him , Husband , Father , neighbour , teacher , colleague , friend . The main one was given by a former pupil AND colleague of his , and was done so beautifully , that I was transported back to his classroom 20 odd years ago (I know , I am an old bat myself now!)
Mr Marchall was "old school" strict , punctilious , traditionalist , humourous , eccentric ...... there are a whole book of adjectives that can describe him . In fact if we were to collate them memories of all who knew him , it would be a collection of books bigger than Encyclopedia Britannica!
My memories of him are that he would walk about the school in his tweedy trousers , check shirt and black gown , slightly bald with an RAF moustache humming contentedly to himself , then as soon as he saw or heard mischief afoot , he would roar like a tiger . My earliest memory of him is bursting into our registration class to take R.E. , and announcing that it was the only thing enshrined in Scots Law that he should teach us , but that he was not a believer himself!
He had a soft spot for the girls and wouldn't belt them , but woe betide any boy who crossed him! After the belt was banned , he would stand wayward pupils in the corner , and roar at them if they so much as moved a hair . He had a habit of running up the corridors pretending to be a Sopwith Camel or Spitfire , and I think he may have spent some time in the RAF , but I can't be sure . One day , one of the teachers came out of the class to shout at what they thought was a wayward pupil , and came face to face with Mr Marshall arms outstretched doing the usual aeroplane impersonation !
As part of our World Ward 1 History project , we collated questions that were sent to a surviving pilot whom Mr Marshall had contacted personally , and whose answers were taped and sent back to us . Sadly that elderly gentleman died not long after , but we had this wonderful living memory of his on tape , thanks to Mr Marshall .
I think he must have been getting on when I got him , as he seemed to be mellowing , and would share some private anecdotes (I think the boys had been locked in the cupboard for getting up to nonsense , so it was just the girls) . From these I can tell he thought his wife the loveliest woman , his father was strict but fair , and he abhorred domestic violence , and he loved good home-baking! He would tease those he thought were "too religious" , but in return would take a teasing for his "lack" of faith .
He was a bit of a gardener , and latterly his picture would appear in the local paper for his prize winning Parsley! A lot!
These are really just my memories , fond memories and in the church today I know I was surrounded by people who had their own fond memories including his family .
To me , that is a life well lived . Goodbye Mr Marshall , we'll miss you but not forget you!
Had a bit of a disaster today, one of my handknit socks (my monkeys or rather one of them) got included in a towel wash , that is , a boil wash and a very fast spin! It is now a felted sock , SIGH!
So to cheer myself up , I started this .... in this..... another pair of monkeys in a gorgeous hand-dyed yarn from the US , can't remember the company but the colourway is called Walking . A lovely lady from Montana sent it to me as part of a Dr Who Jelly Baby swap , and I have been eyeing it for months but just wasn't sure what pattern to do .
I love this yarn , and I love this pattern. I got so excited I started the pattern right away and forgot about the rib! Negative knitting!
Talking of negative knitting , here is half a back of my Elspeth shrug (knitted 4 times before I was happy with it!) which I am now talking to again . Did not get this pattern at all , so wrote my own charts ..... back to front .... now written properly ..... and producing knitting.
It does make a rather fetching sun hat though .... and we have been getting a lot of sun lately , I've even had to water the garden . May talk to it again tonight and add a few more inches .
After finding my "two-at-a-time" socks amongst the ironing basket , I am now at the toes , yippee! That's a SMUG smile on my face , because I finished my ironing too (don't ask about the washing basket though ) . Yes , the socks don't match and Yes , I wanted them that way (think Dobby from Harry Potter and the mismatching socks) . This is Tonks colourway and the yarn is Opal Sock , kindly given to me by my sister (I did give her a Dream in Colour Smooshy in exchange!)
Although it is very warm just now , socks not required at present , however that doesn't stop me from investing in (yet more) sock yarn for when the cold sets in again. Mind you , it could make another fetching Sun Hat too .
Its the "Ysolda Red" from Lorna's Laces , and will be featured in Ysolda Teagues new book apparently , have a peek over at her website . Its a lovely blend of orange/reds/deep pink , too lovely to leave on a lonely shelf . I appear to have "rabbit eyes" in this picture , not sure why , I blame it on Harold!
Now should I make socks with it , or something , more seasonal - appropriate suggestions kindly accepted !
(Earings perhaps!)
Just now there are quite a few KAL's going on at Once A Sheep , our lovely LYS . After the Ishbel shawl KAL , there is the Kaya shrug KAL , and I believe Moira is already on to her second one . Some of the girls are using a lovely un-dyed chunky yarn in Merino/alpaca/silk blend available at OAS , and are hoping to dye once finished . Next months KAL will be Toe-up socks using Judy's magic cast-on (or a form of!) , and I will be using my HULK yarn . Can't wait. So excited. Details on Ravelry!
And my marbles !
And my blog postings - this awful internet connection is getting worse - BT here tomorrow to try and sort it!
Also lost my sock knitting in my ironing basket (!?!) and didn't panic for at least a day or three.....
Realised I haven't done a post since the UK election results , I am not very positive about this hung parliament or Mr Cameron/Mr Cleggs abilities in leading our country out of this recession .
Lost my knitting mojo , well, lost my mojo full stop just now .
Not a lot finished recently except my fourth Ishbel , however I did get a very nice surprise the other day - my blog name was pulled out the hat over at Liliths (Old Maiden Aunt) blog prize draw , and I received some fabulous Hulk Green yarn , which I am winding into a ball at present!
A rather bigoted Conservative candidate was canvassing near Liliths studio while she was dyeing her yarn . Her lovely would-be sea green yarn turned Hulk green . So she turned a negative into a positive and asked folk to donate to Stonewall , a Gay rights charity , and she put everyone into a draw .
That's so Lilith!
Its gorgeous , and I love the wee cartoon hulk on the skein band too .
I think some glamourous cashmere socks are in order , maybe I will use the pattern "Brainless" in honour of the above Tory candidate , of whom even David Cameron (Conservative leader and now our Prime Minister) told folk NOT to vote for him!
BUTT KICKED I think! Okay no more politics , it is a knitting blog after all!
It took me nearly a week to block my sisters Ishbel shawl (Ysolda Teague pattern) , but once it was done it looked and felt fantatstic .
I did Charts A and B twice , 6 rows of Chart A again , then four rows of Chart D . I used 4.5mm, 5mm and 6mm needles , 4.5mm for Stocking Stitch , 5mm for forst two pattern repeats then 6mm for the remainder .
The yarn used was Old Maiden Aunt alpaca/silk in a one-off colourway called Rosewood . Just gorgeous!
A certain boy turned 6 years old the other week! First gift was white rabbit named Harold , but who turned out to be a female! Second gift was a huge trampoline and a trip to see Space Chimps 2 .
Finally there was the party at the local community centre (I am still taking the paracetemol) , of which he said "It was the best birthday party 3 days after a birthday that a boy could have! "
Parents and Bank balance still in recovery!
After yesterdays General Election , here's hoping the politicians have the wisdom to get on with the job they have been elected to do and not argue and fight!
(Picture taken is Mural in Garden inside the Victoria and Albert museum - script reads , Wisdom exalteth her children and layeth hold of them that seek her , figures representing age , to her left , and youth is to her right!
I am charging on with my Ishbel shawl, I don't want to finish it as it is such wonderful yarn to knit with , and I just love the colour!
After yesterday , I have knit another pattern repeat, so it is bigger again .
Right , off to google "Care of Rabbits" , as tomorrow we have a new member to the family , an early birthday gift for DS2!
I know I am not alone in this habit......Knitting Startitis! So many gorgeous yarns , beautiful patterns , dreams and wishlists . I have several projects sitting waiting patiently to start , and yet I buy more yarn and start a new project .
Or I buy yarn to start a project and it sits languishing in the stash cupboard , its only solace being that I go in to stroke the yarn now and again .
And I am at it again , but when you see this yarn , you will appreciate why !
I just happened to be perusing the Old Maiden Aunt website , and saw it , and instantly fell in love with it!
And look , there is only one of it , so I just had to buy it , there and then. The waiting for it to arrive in the post was excruciating! But I survived. It was worth the wait. As soon as I ripped open the parcel , I had it on the swift and wound into a wee cake of yarn . Its for a special project you see .
Our local Knitting group at Once a Sheep is having an Ishbel Knitalong . This will be the fourth Ishbel shawl , can you tell I really like this pattern? I had considered knitting on in laceweight , but this yarn only came in sportweight , so sportweight it it . Cast on starts tonight at 8pm!
And here are my new knitpro needles that I'll be using . I am already using the needles for (yet another) project , but as it is an interchangeable set , I have plenty cables and tips for other projects .
As this yarn is sportweight , I think I will start on a 5mm needles , then go up to a 6mm to make the lace extra lacy and curvy .
Hope my good pal Kimmie doesn't mind , but here is her Ishbel that I gave her just a wee help with - isn't the yarn gorgeous, the colours are magnificent .
And it looks fabulous on Kimmie!
Here is another of my talented pals - Eileen showing off her first spindle spun and plied yarn , using corriedale fibre . Just lovely , she has since knitted it into a sock project bag , very apt since she has a sock addict at present!
Right , I am off to get ready for Knitting group .
I got the opportunity to pass on my love of knitting socks the other day , teaching 4 willing students about the Joy of Socks!
I had written out a pattern for a mini sock , but mini socks and normal size double pointed needles can be rather awkward , dpns being awkward enough when knitting normal size socks. Its all about the positioning of the hands and needles , and coordinating it with the position of the yarn and stitches . Once everyone got the hang of it , they looked liked they had been knitting socks for a long time . And for the completely new knitters , to take on a sock when they have just learned to cast on , knit , purl and cast off is achievement indeed .
Miranda mastering the dpns , whilst turning the heel!
Karen , who has just (re) learned to knit is determined to make a sock before anything else!
Rosamund's intense concentration pays off as she finishes her sock with a neat Kitchener stitch .
Sue takes a liking to the knitpro dpns , and look no ladders in her neat stripey sock !
Knitting socks can be addictive , they are so portable and great for (almost) instant gratification , as a simple sock takes no time at all.
I decided to jump in the deep end and try two at a time socks on circular needles . It is reasonably quick , but I think the gusset make have confused me somewhat !I love this Opal self striping/patterning yarn , its so bright colourful and interesting. This is a Harry Potter colourway called Tonks!
I think that I may need a tutorial on two at a time socks to get me round the gusset and on to the foot!
Oh , nearly forgot - look at this gorgeous sock yarn (available at Once a Sheep), 70/30 wool/nylon . A wee thank you gift from Kimmie for giving her a wee help with her Ishbel shawl. This yarn is almost too good to use for socks!
But if I were knitting it into socks , I think it would need to be a pattern from this gorgeous book - Nancy Bush's Vintage Socks .
I do love the snippets of history behind each sock pattern - they are all adapted from Weldons Practical needlework pamphlets from the late 19th early 20th century. But more of them later!
