tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82893995317781617572024-03-14T08:51:00.275+00:00InterKNITionalKnitting my way around the world.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger109125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8289399531778161757.post-33519226154538989562017-03-26T17:01:00.002+01:002017-03-26T17:01:59.563+01:00Planning Our Next Trip<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYIubDNE3vz5AserXZlpYZSgjfVmFO0xo_BY-XIqdva5B61Xd7HHGdZCM8D5ZvCgeSBxL47Y5-0vA0bjDIWh5ke-nslwP6foZseUTleq6m-Rugveo2NYL7LC4zguzsz3j_Hdf6ryD6CQ8/s1600/Corfu_from_ISS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYIubDNE3vz5AserXZlpYZSgjfVmFO0xo_BY-XIqdva5B61Xd7HHGdZCM8D5ZvCgeSBxL47Y5-0vA0bjDIWh5ke-nslwP6foZseUTleq6m-Rugveo2NYL7LC4zguzsz3j_Hdf6ryD6CQ8/s320/Corfu_from_ISS.jpg" width="149" /></a>Spring break is coming soon and we're planning a trip to the Greek island of Corfu, and can't wait to hang out on the beach, read and knit.<br />
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I watched <i>The Durrells </i>television series last year, and really fell in love with the story. Started reading Gerald Durrell's <i>The Corfu Trilogy </i>on which I believe the series was based. Can't wait to see the island and some of the places mentioned, although I'm sure much as changed.<br />
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Already started doing research on knitting shops on the island. I don't picture Greece as a bastion of knitting (although I think I might be wrong on that count). In my limited research, seems that knitting materials and yarns may be found in ladies underwear shops. Some people say that there are some really nice things and at cheaper prices than can be found in the UK. I'm not really going to be in the market for anything, but love to poke around and see what's available. Will keep everyone posted on what I find.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8289399531778161757.post-50227054319833810602017-03-26T16:10:00.002+01:002017-03-26T16:10:53.332+01:00Spring Has Sprung!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWlIWJ-_ZiFqurtTCrmATFfi9dlQbMHjb6aN5g20fUunrDSmW09IIVY_oq5BQRD2oJTzGSXo3v5p31BjFPYYuErC47RDvXKdCyqZ5bcsYxPzEBGFZIAtVJKaMTtB8WCRjS4kKCyy2kVg/s1600/IMG_1759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWlIWJ-_ZiFqurtTCrmATFfi9dlQbMHjb6aN5g20fUunrDSmW09IIVY_oq5BQRD2oJTzGSXo3v5p31BjFPYYuErC47RDvXKdCyqZ5bcsYxPzEBGFZIAtVJKaMTtB8WCRjS4kKCyy2kVg/s320/IMG_1759.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
A wonderful weekend in London. Love knitting in the sun, and this weather is a welcome change. Loving the sun, the flowers, and the warmth.<br />
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If you've never traveled to London, spring is a beautiful time to do it. The weather is never predictable, but when spring is good, it is the best place to be.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YHvVBGZAZeXK8-FGyot4nueQWxsoE1l_wE_wmbdV13iWfStXTOqymApRNaxpghZOCzMnkbZk_miD4JJ2gcpVT6qealOjjKCvQhSrzDZ6NphevRM318Bjxsm_LPDuoTsdYbsFKPNglv4/s1600/IMG_1762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YHvVBGZAZeXK8-FGyot4nueQWxsoE1l_wE_wmbdV13iWfStXTOqymApRNaxpghZOCzMnkbZk_miD4JJ2gcpVT6qealOjjKCvQhSrzDZ6NphevRM318Bjxsm_LPDuoTsdYbsFKPNglv4/s200/IMG_1762.JPG" width="200" /></a>Still loving the scarf I'm knitting. Can't say that I'm moving very quickly on it, but the pattern is super easy and looks great. Sort of thinking it might be fun to find a pretty cotton in three bright colors for spring and summer wearing. Will take a look at my stash to see what I already have.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8289399531778161757.post-46966475267399131372017-03-19T17:29:00.000+00:002017-03-19T17:29:27.819+00:00Rowan Subscription Gift<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCXPPx_y_iqEtkaRSRJI0e2lRo0rkrb-01fhrvpqmmcHif_InV5SytzQPW7aMdPTFis1NW_IMhCSoCEUlRAYIPeXlXVW86pJhn5IwMm_jc4mbcVdIaGSoE2OgtBPbpe502TzlfBBB0new/s1600/IMG_1698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCXPPx_y_iqEtkaRSRJI0e2lRo0rkrb-01fhrvpqmmcHif_InV5SytzQPW7aMdPTFis1NW_IMhCSoCEUlRAYIPeXlXVW86pJhn5IwMm_jc4mbcVdIaGSoE2OgtBPbpe502TzlfBBB0new/s320/IMG_1698.JPG" width="320" /></a>I'm going to finally do it! I'm going to start and finish the knitting of my Rowan subscription gift this year. I have started in the past, but never finished. Last year's is still in the box.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXNDzTtMspxEgNla5DqE5M2JN9K5Wp1yfbCpw0ZpwVCkLDqC62zmBTtDr9qBMM9fTDYc18pWv12CdoZmZUJ1OUEAxde4QaA7zsSsvhi4zNqLXBExBWlEwHIRMyNHEZKG2CRpMfHpDufQw/s1600/IMG_1700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXNDzTtMspxEgNla5DqE5M2JN9K5Wp1yfbCpw0ZpwVCkLDqC62zmBTtDr9qBMM9fTDYc18pWv12CdoZmZUJ1OUEAxde4QaA7zsSsvhi4zNqLXBExBWlEwHIRMyNHEZKG2CRpMfHpDufQw/s200/IMG_1700.JPG" width="150" /></a>This year's is now on the needles and I'm liking it. Would never have chosen these colors or put them together, but that's what's sort of nice with these patterns... makes me try something new and different.<br />
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I'm always shocked on Ravelry how few people knit the Rowan patterns. Not sure if people don't like them or if Ravelry is very US-centric and people aren't Rowan members there. Some of my favorite sweaters have been from the Rowan magazines I get twice a year in the mail through my subscription; <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/kfield/fancy" target="_blank">Fancy</a>, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/kfield/moustiers" target="_blank">Moustiers</a>, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/kfield/hope" target="_blank">Hope</a>, and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/kfield/finna" target="_blank">Finna</a> have all been great sweater patterns.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8289399531778161757.post-47615819305151413882017-03-19T17:10:00.000+00:002017-03-19T17:10:23.148+00:00Auction Over... And Out!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Q1W7yPpAJF-puY_5-hEXYhf8GwX01ZntRxfzio-ChtDyTig16N762Q5x16gRYL6KYeczY28wkz9Iw6_aT8AgJwBCs0Bx0dAxPNcDD4H9hKNA-OU5z9WlZFhFgEdIk5cyZRR_5ovnM6I/s1600/IMG_1702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Q1W7yPpAJF-puY_5-hEXYhf8GwX01ZntRxfzio-ChtDyTig16N762Q5x16gRYL6KYeczY28wkz9Iw6_aT8AgJwBCs0Bx0dAxPNcDD4H9hKNA-OU5z9WlZFhFgEdIk5cyZRR_5ovnM6I/s200/IMG_1702.JPG" width="152" /></a>Remind me not to knit for the school's auction again. For the hours of time I put in, the items never raise as much as I would like. My knitting class did okay and I heard a group of women are very excited about it. They're all super nice so it should be fun. But the knitting... just not worth it. At least this time I didn't spend a fortune on yarn.<br />
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I know it's for "charity," but I do have other charities I can knit for that may make me feel better about helping people than this does.<br />
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Lesson learned.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8289399531778161757.post-88200141294588439702017-03-04T18:09:00.000+00:002017-03-04T18:19:08.912+00:00Auction Knitting Complete<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Really wanted to get the auction knitting done and off my plate, so spent an entire weekend in my jammies finishing up the project. I know it seems incredible that I couldn't do it in less time, but to be honest, the fingerless gloves were the hold up. BTW, thanks to Liz from the Advancement office who modeled the set for me.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3pTqQ2rJf5jFzOAJ5goD77R9rljl-QqKErMnsBfxmrs4SFyZzuz2pMToA7jq3kVF3SXAtt3Lr7Lp0v2ouHcSGL0UFC55aqoHGJeqz-HOdDobJENjYFOusYyJxfBFfCYWyqZTkiuD7jY8/s1600/32856579470_6acc947f4e_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpvT_s0_U0MYlHUVoFIe9dDskrrFPbEZ9zkcuYeTbjTJQCmU_uwHfgeO3HMMfkg-cav6k_ok-l_BxCPJG9P2vnvZUJytGA12X9yt6MKnPmqY-wKgnf8PSu_qOGWgcMzWcTWmt4-dGRZs/s1600/IMG_1617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Other than stitching in the ends, the scarf was completed during our February break. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/blue-strips" span="" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Blue Strips</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> by Andrea Halasi is a beautiful pattern, but black didn't show off the lacework of the pattern. If I were to knit it again, I'd definitely use something lighter.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3pTqQ2rJf5jFzOAJ5goD77R9rljl-QqKErMnsBfxmrs4SFyZzuz2pMToA7jq3kVF3SXAtt3Lr7Lp0v2ouHcSGL0UFC55aqoHGJeqz-HOdDobJENjYFOusYyJxfBFfCYWyqZTkiuD7jY8/s1600/32856579470_6acc947f4e_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3pTqQ2rJf5jFzOAJ5goD77R9rljl-QqKErMnsBfxmrs4SFyZzuz2pMToA7jq3kVF3SXAtt3Lr7Lp0v2ouHcSGL0UFC55aqoHGJeqz-HOdDobJENjYFOusYyJxfBFfCYWyqZTkiuD7jY8/s200/32856579470_6acc947f4e_z.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Also loved the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cable-knit-hat" target="_blank">cable knit hat pattern</a> I chose<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> by Anne-Mari Kokkonen (free pattern on Ravelry). I was working on the same needles as I did for the scarf, so I needed to CO more stitches than the pattern asked for. Started with 100 for the ribbing and then adjusted that number to work with the cabling. Worried the entire time that it wouldn't be big enough, but the cable was very stretchy, which worked well as I was trying to knit a hat to fit all sizes of head. The pompom is just tied on the hat so it could be removed if necessary. Ordered a "fur" (and I use that term very loosely) pompom in orange that I thought might be cute, but it was the more horrendous thing I've ever seen. Tacky, cheap, and not fur-like in any way. Put two plastic googly eyes on it from your crafts drawer and you'd have a <a href="https://youtu.be/VM1f0RKQtmc" target="_blank">Tribble</a>.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpvT_s0_U0MYlHUVoFIe9dDskrrFPbEZ9zkcuYeTbjTJQCmU_uwHfgeO3HMMfkg-cav6k_ok-l_BxCPJG9P2vnvZUJytGA12X9yt6MKnPmqY-wKgnf8PSu_qOGWgcMzWcTWmt4-dGRZs/s1600/IMG_1617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpvT_s0_U0MYlHUVoFIe9dDskrrFPbEZ9zkcuYeTbjTJQCmU_uwHfgeO3HMMfkg-cav6k_ok-l_BxCPJG9P2vnvZUJytGA12X9yt6MKnPmqY-wKgnf8PSu_qOGWgcMzWcTWmt4-dGRZs/s320/IMG_1617.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The fingerless gloves were really what took me two days to complete. I wanted to use the </span></span> pattern I'd used in the past as I really like the look, especially of the palm. Although the pattern on the back of the hand is beautiful, I knew that I really needed to continue with the simple cable pattern from the sides of the scarf and throughout the hat. Problem was, the yarn was smaller, the needles were smaller and the counting was, of course, different. Started with two cables on the back of the hand and made it past the gusset and up quite a ways before I realized it just wasn't working. Frogged and started again, this time with three cables. Much better, but had a little problem with my counting and had to frog down to the ribbing and start over again. The third draft of the pattern worked and although there were a few more hiccups, the glove finally looked okay in the end. Finished the second glove on Sunday, and of course, it went much more smoothly. They look a little rough in the photo, but on the hand, they are quite nice. Now I'm just hoping that someone, anyone, will bid on the set.</div>
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<span new="" roman="" serif="" times="">There's another <a href="http://www.theknittingandstitchingshow.com/spring/" target="_blank">Knitting and Stitching Show</a> in London tomorrow. Just got an email that they've discounted the Sunday tickets to half price. May have to look into it, but as we all know, I can't ever go to one of those without coming back with something I don't really need. </span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8289399531778161757.post-11316945252068976592017-02-13T09:57:00.001+00:002017-02-13T10:04:52.376+00:00I'm Having the "I Hate the Color Combo" Blues<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span new="" quot="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;" times=""><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm currently knitting a scarf, hat and fingerless glove set for our school's auction. Love the pattern, but semi-embarrassed to knit this in public as I absolutely hate the school's colors. . . so Halloween. The pattern (<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/blue-strips" target="_blank">Blue Strips</a> by Andrea Halasi) is really beautiful, but I've done away with many of the stripes as I just don't like the orange and black combo. I'm thinking the hat and gloves will be solid black and not include the orange accents that I'd originally planned. The auction organizers talked me into school colors, but it's just not doing it for me.</span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8289399531778161757.post-5084162533122628612017-02-13T09:55:00.002+00:002017-02-13T09:55:48.797+00:00One Down, Many More to Go<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDlAU8OFstpau_gO40yJNDcPg8p0iQ2MimRde6OLqfSUswG95rXLYyNOBbsP2JuQWEtz5sMqBo7MwAz1pBC958xtDfU_Jt99QHo3S9CErS4lA97G9bzJY-0XVtpZX5D13fth8fsxDcVto/s1600/31950043470_1c7fca6327_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDlAU8OFstpau_gO40yJNDcPg8p0iQ2MimRde6OLqfSUswG95rXLYyNOBbsP2JuQWEtz5sMqBo7MwAz1pBC958xtDfU_Jt99QHo3S9CErS4lA97G9bzJY-0XVtpZX5D13fth8fsxDcVto/s320/31950043470_1c7fca6327_o.jpg" width="320" /></a>Finished the <a href="http://www.ballstothewallsknits.com/2015/09/sailors-rib-fingerless-gloves.html" target="_blank">Sailor's Rib</a> Fingerless Gloves by Gretchen Tracy last night. Have not blocked them, which might improve the look. Can't say I've done my best work, but I think they will do.<br />
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Started other pair, but this time using <a href="http://www.yarnspirations.com/patterns/fingerless-gloves-4.html?id=195508" target="_blank">Yarnspiration's Caron Fingerless Glove</a> pattern. I realized once I started that the pattern was for single pointed needles, but I had already cast onto double pointed, so I scrambled to see if anyone had already reworked the pattern. Luckily, I found <i>arbettes' </i> <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1B_kBZ28qBonJv7ZFzSGGYZyr4auiqGDKJZ76ebDPWfc/edit" target="_blank">rewrite for circular needles</a> on Ravelry. Seems to be working quite well.<br />
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Again using some older yarn that I got several years ago at the London Knit and Stitch Show. I had enough at one time for a sweater, but there always seemed to be a project to knit using a ball here and a ball there until I now don't have enough left for anything substantial. Probably should just get rid of these through trade to someone who needs a few extra balls. Off to get more done.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8289399531778161757.post-77794800354359982052017-02-02T06:17:00.005+00:002017-02-02T06:17:56.704+00:00Sometimes You've Gotta Improvise<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglfCAtN8PNGCgjSeT1z1ADO3d_nvu-Y32TQJZyHTBWsgp3vgnbDhB_3VUCwkSM_MhXDW4OP0QQhoh9eNDm25KM40OYXXlmlAV69KqKBRayHKgAEnFtGJIONPY062ZBqbI99WGWotZDzDQ/s1600/32231304450_f9140bff22_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglfCAtN8PNGCgjSeT1z1ADO3d_nvu-Y32TQJZyHTBWsgp3vgnbDhB_3VUCwkSM_MhXDW4OP0QQhoh9eNDm25KM40OYXXlmlAV69KqKBRayHKgAEnFtGJIONPY062ZBqbI99WGWotZDzDQ/s320/32231304450_f9140bff22_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Rushed out of the house on Saturday morning to catch a train to Sheffield for my daughter's swim meet. Thought I had everything packed to knit a scarf for the school's auction. Hadn't really read the pattern properly so didn't even noticed the small cables up the sides. So with no cable needle on my person, but not wanting to waste a solid two hours of knitting, I improvised. Can't say a plastic fork was the <i>best</i> option, but it was the only one I could find. Knitted for probably ten hours on that thing, but nice to get home to a real cable needle. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8289399531778161757.post-14207019798384108272016-12-26T23:54:00.002+00:002016-12-26T23:54:38.301+00:00Boxing Day Knitting<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80MZsVF4ziK-p_aRcH4lXaawllI5Z-pjbqZHY8a-RvxXjlIjLfbsnNIIAlDaxwqd-TC0PYZtP_aS-0ZwubTx5r1SbRWz3afqmVVgJb-ciXS83iargHw1Yjs7UkDTotWP7hB4fa-LRj6s/s1600/IMG_1141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80MZsVF4ziK-p_aRcH4lXaawllI5Z-pjbqZHY8a-RvxXjlIjLfbsnNIIAlDaxwqd-TC0PYZtP_aS-0ZwubTx5r1SbRWz3afqmVVgJb-ciXS83iargHw1Yjs7UkDTotWP7hB4fa-LRj6s/s200/IMG_1141.JPG" width="150" /></a>Seems like I have to go through this every so often... finishing up projects that I have abandoned... vowing not to start anything else until everything is complete. Once again, I find myself in this spot and the end of the year seems like as good a time as any to clean things up and start fresh.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30XBJ-Z-E40UUnxuoucbU8wJrYWLoHVtEXPVz3Lsg1hs_hBxXWnBjTAKi58QFfpuZUNRm8x9GPLqQ7OhHqRejsPM9PFVVtqBxepuYLCxJpJ0X520U4R17rzdSABMkSjO7qVHKv82CK_8/s1600/IMG_1137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30XBJ-Z-E40UUnxuoucbU8wJrYWLoHVtEXPVz3Lsg1hs_hBxXWnBjTAKi58QFfpuZUNRm8x9GPLqQ7OhHqRejsPM9PFVVtqBxepuYLCxJpJ0X520U4R17rzdSABMkSjO7qVHKv82CK_8/s200/IMG_1137.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT56Ih456NhMQesmK7lL3BNB3T1clHe0bkSYSRUr80rh9NBx3NLyO4FVSrRtbJeHCgic99i4VWnG9cnSwuodYc04mZo6uY_yueUtWuvLM0tsYR6XRG2cbnChUSXrhFgI1Gn24S4TpDq-k/s1600/IMG_1139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT56Ih456NhMQesmK7lL3BNB3T1clHe0bkSYSRUr80rh9NBx3NLyO4FVSrRtbJeHCgic99i4VWnG9cnSwuodYc04mZo6uY_yueUtWuvLM0tsYR6XRG2cbnChUSXrhFgI1Gn24S4TpDq-k/s200/IMG_1139.JPG" width="150" /></a>Today I finished a hat for my youngest. It was a Toft pattern that I bought as a kit at the Knitting and Stitching Show in London that I went to with my mother-in-law this fall. Although this is the photo from the pattern itself, the one I knitted for her was a lovely camel color with an off-white-colored fluff bit at the top. Hopefully a photo to come later.<br />
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I then tackled a pair of short socks that I knitted to use up some of my leftover scraps of yarn this past summer. This is the second pair... one I finished this summer. For some reason, I totally misread the pattern and knitted an extra large men's size for my daughter. Needless to say, those socks stayed in my drawer at the lake to be worn around the house. They were hideous and way too big. This is the same pattern, but but this time in the right size. I used some bits of cotton wool that I had remaining from other projects. Figured as short socks, they might work fine with my Birkenstocks. Couldn't find the original pattern, so I guessed a bit on the toe of the second sock. As imperfect as they are, I'll be the only one wearing these.<br />
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Still have a few projects to go. Mittens for my eldest and a pair fingerless gloves for someone at work. Not too much left to do in the last few days of the year.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8289399531778161757.post-57035969503961720862016-12-19T11:08:00.000+00:002016-12-19T11:08:47.360+00:00Fingerless Gloves for Warm London<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzNkPAiNiY3e4Bms6ubr_ldw8EWvOZHHtW-nDivoNeb7HQi1PgtI5X8F3kt9ewVWp0fQxGBdZkZLoCvgpdIgRqBRJplHeRawAbe89QBUc4a0aEjlUzL4lA5jzB00wHscm07D6f4rXNg4/s1600/Thorobred.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzNkPAiNiY3e4Bms6ubr_ldw8EWvOZHHtW-nDivoNeb7HQi1PgtI5X8F3kt9ewVWp0fQxGBdZkZLoCvgpdIgRqBRJplHeRawAbe89QBUc4a0aEjlUzL4lA5jzB00wHscm07D6f4rXNg4/s320/Thorobred.jpg" width="320" /></a>While an <i>Arctic Blast</i> causes plummeting temperatures in parts of the United States, London is still relatively warm. Have even opted out of wearing a coat the last few days... long sweater is all that's needed, especially when going into overly heated stores to Christmas shop. Although I'm currently working on a pair of mittens for my eldest who goes to school in central New York state, I'm also finishing a pair of fingerless gloves for someone at work. I think I've worn gloves only a handful of times this season and didn't really need them even then. Thought that this year I might just knit everyone fingerless gloves as they are really perfect for London much of the time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYVEiE3vSgg7XrZFOdFhXv2ndae4c-6sYcViXv-LAf-dT31u8fDHTa-biCK0lO-rLHEr-mWfu-m1464rj_hbMeO0VvUVZG7uSZs1T-zDedIC_Q4oeIYN5Dl98CQd8b58QfvbxjEIMr24/s1600/thorobred+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYVEiE3vSgg7XrZFOdFhXv2ndae4c-6sYcViXv-LAf-dT31u8fDHTa-biCK0lO-rLHEr-mWfu-m1464rj_hbMeO0VvUVZG7uSZs1T-zDedIC_Q4oeIYN5Dl98CQd8b58QfvbxjEIMr24/s200/thorobred+2.jpg" width="200" /></a>Decided on the <a href="http://www.ballstothewallsknits.com/2015/09/sailors-rib-fingerless-gloves.html" target="_blank">Sailor's Rib</a> Fingerless Gloves by Gretchen Tracy because of all the interesting textures in the pattern, from the palm to the top of the hand. My friend suggested navy or gray and I happened to have two balls of something old I had gotten at a garage sale. In my mind I thought this yarn might be acrylic, which I guessed would be fine for a glove which may need to be washed more often. but when I looked more closely at the aging label, I realized it was actually 100% wool from New Zealand (or Australia), quite soft and a nice weight for the pattern. I've tried to research the company to see if they are still around, but I can't seem to find any information. When I look up Thorbred yarns, I see a few other labels, but truthfully, nothing that looks this old. Would love to hear if anyone knows how old this wool is. Still in very good shape... looks and feels great.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8289399531778161757.post-78350326529626461932016-10-16T12:39:00.000+01:002016-10-16T12:40:41.917+01:00Iceland Is Cool!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRbJqAOGV8cDUr2l7-SkTHd__kTd48dJ9Nt3W347izfv2rPkO3Z8JizQVSxWsQ8rcC_OGzbC5HCB5A4F73PTj1PZAuRkN3qIMysq2NYtJEBgQxju7Rrcd4CJhmo6JjGguyUL0xI4O7Yo/s1600/29964931315_afa2e8ba09_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" span="" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRbJqAOGV8cDUr2l7-SkTHd__kTd48dJ9Nt3W347izfv2rPkO3Z8JizQVSxWsQ8rcC_OGzbC5HCB5A4F73PTj1PZAuRkN3qIMysq2NYtJEBgQxju7Rrcd4CJhmo6JjGguyUL0xI4O7Yo/s640/29964931315_afa2e8ba09_z.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">So Iceland is pretty cold, but it's also really cool. Took a group of 20 students for a four-day tour of the country several weeks ago and learned a few things on from our guides that impressed me. By the way, did you see the politician giving a speech before Parliament while <a href="http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/parenting/babies/icelandic-politician-delivers-parliamentary-speech-while-breastfeeding/news-story/e50c82a11031b77b29315dd5c9b36ae0" target="_blank">breastfeeding</a>? We stood in front of and behind that parliament building where there was zero security as it's not needed. Although there are protests, they are peaceful... except for the racket. They bang on <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/icelands-pots-and-pans-revolution-lessons-from-a-nation-that-people-power-helped-to-emerge-from-its-10351095.html" target="_blank">pots and pans</a>. Our guide carries a wooden spoon around in his backpack in case he happens upon a protest and wants to join in. We also learned about Össur Kristinsson whose company <a href="http://www.ossur.co.uk/" target="_blank">Össur</a> produces prosthetics... you know, those blades that the Paralympians wear? Almost all from that company. Very progressive country when it comes to the rights of women and workers and there's an extremely low unemployment rate (thanks in large part to tourism).</span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsKjD_H1-CWcCQQjMXGMDc-PT-FYh9B2c5FRkQXJ8SbNBNwvj856N5f5V9gKSrTUg6U1hbY3VO-LpJFmPnX-SHOEVt92uKpH7uQmfJfe4ya30CSPM_ZcVs3d_zGwhUDFxQq_ZoOCiCPA/s1600/29869656141_cbf6bb814d_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsKjD_H1-CWcCQQjMXGMDc-PT-FYh9B2c5FRkQXJ8SbNBNwvj856N5f5V9gKSrTUg6U1hbY3VO-LpJFmPnX-SHOEVt92uKpH7uQmfJfe4ya30CSPM_ZcVs3d_zGwhUDFxQq_ZoOCiCPA/s200/29869656141_cbf6bb814d_z.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span 21.4286px="" line-height:="" open="" quot="" sans="" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />Besides the natural beauty, there was some wonderful wool as well. With 20 kids in tow, didn't really have much time to do wool shopping</span>. Some that I did see was a bit scratchy, but to be fair, I only handled a couple of skeins in one shop. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span 21.4286px="" line-height:="" open="" quot="" sans=""><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span 21.4286px="" line-height:="" open="" quot="" sans="">One of my favorite finds was a</span> mitten that keeps your hand from getting cold when drinking a cold beverage outside. I so wanted this pattern, but couldn't find it for sale anywhere. Found the mittens, but didn't want to buy them already finished, so checked out Ravelry where I found a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cupholder-mitten" target="_blank">free download</a>... might need to give it a try.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQoz07Qxv60YUz0FFqKui6rOWGBP7QMalFZ0XTmZ3ZrrnWrNZTZt0Pztg8238uOyt8TNblgo76UuDzkdjjFfuel2KLlnnuLXdnJ2mMbJIK0kJD64MRwJ0SEzqao5F37nOjvczuIDIA1hc/s1600/30060564290_5f7208f102_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQoz07Qxv60YUz0FFqKui6rOWGBP7QMalFZ0XTmZ3ZrrnWrNZTZt0Pztg8238uOyt8TNblgo76UuDzkdjjFfuel2KLlnnuLXdnJ2mMbJIK0kJD64MRwJ0SEzqao5F37nOjvczuIDIA1hc/s1600/30060564290_5f7208f102_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQoz07Qxv60YUz0FFqKui6rOWGBP7QMalFZ0XTmZ3ZrrnWrNZTZt0Pztg8238uOyt8TNblgo76UuDzkdjjFfuel2KLlnnuLXdnJ2mMbJIK0kJD64MRwJ0SEzqao5F37nOjvczuIDIA1hc/s200/30060564290_5f7208f102_z.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It wasn't until the airport t<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">hat I finally had a minute to pick up a skein. Hespa seemed like the yarn of choice at Keflavík International. Not sure I can find a website to show the product as Icelandic businesses often seem to rely on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Hespa-127274923961928/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> as their official form of communication.</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Possibly </span><a href="http://www.icelandcolors.com/" style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;" target="_blank">this is the company website</a><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">, but not entirely sure. If I ever go back to visit without students, I would love to visit where they make this plant-dyed yarn. The colors are absolutely beautiful. Would love to see more selection as well. </span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here on the right is the one lonely ball of yarn that I purchased in Iceland. Not sure what it will become, but loved the vibrant color.</span></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiop6U-CT68T2jBK06amesJiy7e_UN4ZuaCMppZKOASbMzfjQuOL6ci1BCS4AfeqZTM28ymPddvlhhIxr-UiGrYyXm3ICcuOPUEMjn8uWi2BrqZbuoHTZKFxiQS7oTEkYXnHjJLzQ03WXM/s1600/30060559590_96bdd85983_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiop6U-CT68T2jBK06amesJiy7e_UN4ZuaCMppZKOASbMzfjQuOL6ci1BCS4AfeqZTM28ymPddvlhhIxr-UiGrYyXm3ICcuOPUEMjn8uWi2BrqZbuoHTZKFxiQS7oTEkYXnHjJLzQ03WXM/s200/30060559590_96bdd85983_z.jpg" width="150" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you're planning a trip, I highly recommend Iceland. We went when the weather was amazing, but have heard that it can be windy, wet and bitterly cold, so make sure to pack the wooly sweaters you've made and some knitting needles in case your need to whip up another hat or scarf to keep you warm.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8289399531778161757.post-29138160222815222142016-10-15T08:54:00.000+01:002016-10-15T08:56:41.815+01:00London's Stitching & Knitting Show<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaC6sY0KsVqnsaKznRyYjMBbKNSMuUngKJoDrMp1JbALUJ09Nyk5_wNQH6Kk8Gm3TE7oe0Bu3WSHNJL2it6Jd6RdFceX-strsw2Uu3mdlGemMv41gnri33X1w4XQSTa65ZUn6KH4IIAuE/s1600/30280121546_9ca6b11117_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaC6sY0KsVqnsaKznRyYjMBbKNSMuUngKJoDrMp1JbALUJ09Nyk5_wNQH6Kk8Gm3TE7oe0Bu3WSHNJL2it6Jd6RdFceX-strsw2Uu3mdlGemMv41gnri33X1w4XQSTa65ZUn6KH4IIAuE/s200/30280121546_9ca6b11117_o.jpg" title="" width="200" /></a>My in-laws visited London recently and it just so happened that the <a href="http://www.theknittingandstitchingshow.com/london/" target="_blank">Stitching and Knitting Show</a> coincided with their visit. My mother-in-law is an avid quilter, knitter and cross-stitcher, so I figured she'd enjoy the show. I hadn't been in several years because it seems I can't resist temptation. In previous years I'd go thinking, "I'll just look," but I <i>always </i>came home with bags of yarn that I loved but had no immediate plans for (and we all know what that means... it sits in a bag in the closet for years, untouched). I have spent the last five years avoiding Ally Pally, trying to work through my stash instead of adding to it. As Grandma DeeDee is rarely in town, I decided to take her and I braced myself for the spending spree to come. </div>
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Held once again at Alexander Palace, the show was an old familiar friend. Not much has changed since I last attended. There were still row upon row of vendors selling everything imaginable from quilting squares, notions and buttons, to knitting needles, patterns and sewing machines worth more than a small car. There were still the three-foot-high piles of bagged wool on the floor at the massive <a href="http://www.blacksheepwools.com/" target="_blank">Black Sheep Wools</a> stall. Women (and a few men to be fair) waded and pawed through to find deals on the yarns they love: Rowan, Debbie Bliss<span style="font-family: inherit;">, Sublime, Louisa Harding, </span>Noro (which I bought) and more. Then there were the galleries with the really amazing "artsy" museum pieces (a few pix below). And finally, the workshops, fashion shows, etc. All very familiar.</div>
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<b>Color</b></div>
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I love the color at this show. The whole thing is a bit sensory overload. Found these pieces in the Gallery area and took photos just to remember the color combinations, which I loved.</div>
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Also love looking through the quilting squares (Liberty fabric or colorful batik prints are my favorites), often organized by color scheme or ROYGBIV. Then there were the balls of yarn spilling out of half-price bins or bagged up in stunning combinations of color and coupled with a fair isle pattern. Funny what the eye is drawn to and how different it can be from one person to the next. I love the combinations above, but sometimes found myself questioning others. Funny how we can be drawn to such different things.</div>
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<b>Shading</b></div>
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Took photos of the needlework on these two cuties... the shading, which my horrible, rushed photos don't show well, was absolutely incredible. It was like the shading you do on an oil painting but done with thread. </div>
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I suppose like anything, there's a huge difference between the average Joe who does some knitting and needlework, and the artists who did these. Part of me would love to be snarky about some of the tacky, kitschy stuff that people make or sell, especially after seeing what real "art" looks like, but I suppose the point of handwork isn't always the artistry of the end product, but the simple act of creation. Sometimes the function of a piece is more important than how unique or special it is. Sometimes the point is in the doing and the learning, not in the beauty of the finished piece. </div>
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Just yesterday I was trying to explain that to a friend who was given some lovely yarn years ago that she doesn't know what to do with because she doesn't really knit. She brought the wool and a foot of a scarf on needles into work to show me. She hadn't touched the scarf for many years. It was riddled with holes from dropped stitches toward its start, but the knitting smoothed as the piece neared the needle. She doesn't have a burning desire to knit. It just doesn't seem interesting to her, but I encouraged her to give it another try, to continue for a while longer on the scarf and once she remembered what to do and the stitches once again smoothed, we could frog this mess and start again. I remember back to my first end products. So proud of them, even though they were a mess. And I WORE them! I didn't care what they looked like; I was proud that I had created something. </div>
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These shows remind me that we're all in different places in our knitting or quilting or crafting lives. The final product doesn't have to hang in a glassed frame on the wall to make it worth doing. It was incredible to see so many people finding joy from the act of creation (or at least from the act of buying the materials to create). </div>
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Hoping my mother-in-law enjoyed her visit to Ally Pally. We both left with a couple of bags. Tried to leave only with yarn I had a plan for... wish me luck getting through these new projects. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8289399531778161757.post-25522930823270653792016-06-13T19:26:00.002+01:002016-06-13T19:26:43.516+01:00Making Progress on a Hectic Rainy London Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_3u25evnaI5SLz-V4nEGkJTlPhHm7NIouxgpIw9Jr5SABPyjJoz_QXdcSCJo2gIhoNkEP1-H0HsD0zDwCez2UCaNGC0jTpW91qkMXzZLgss50-ibj-J_F_dpmq-ECu3LV9csr4Nx0kQc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-06-13+at+7.10.46+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_3u25evnaI5SLz-V4nEGkJTlPhHm7NIouxgpIw9Jr5SABPyjJoz_QXdcSCJo2gIhoNkEP1-H0HsD0zDwCez2UCaNGC0jTpW91qkMXzZLgss50-ibj-J_F_dpmq-ECu3LV9csr4Nx0kQc/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-06-13+at+7.10.46+PM.png" width="320" /></a>Crazy thing about London... rain is what it's known for, but even then, I can't say that constant downpours all day long is the norm. London rain tends to strike and then blue sky peaks out or the sun makes the clouds that remain look spectacular. Don't get me wrong, it can definitely happen. Cloudy days week after week aren't uncommon. But we don't often have downpours all day long. But today, a day I had many errands to run because we're heading to the States for summer break, was just one of those days where the sky dumped over and over again. Had a paper bag from UNIQLO that turned into mush, and while walking under an umbrella! Okay, there were driving winds and rain in sheets, but still! Luckily I noticed before I'd lost my purchase on Oxford Street.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BOl0fMTElrtpMn4c0Q2MFa61oKSmehom7bTPI4_bRECYHc37NIn6VCPDtNpNmzf4flkA6MtWsfmi8Fh85cIvCiAsol4LPYaMY-uLrNrfRAe_4qdViKSboP7zjk-1nn8Fjdx870l9JLA/s1600/image_27614391826_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BOl0fMTElrtpMn4c0Q2MFa61oKSmehom7bTPI4_bRECYHc37NIn6VCPDtNpNmzf4flkA6MtWsfmi8Fh85cIvCiAsol4LPYaMY-uLrNrfRAe_4qdViKSboP7zjk-1nn8Fjdx870l9JLA/s320/image_27614391826_o.jpg" width="239" /></a>These crazy rainy days are good for knitting. No reason to do much else (unless you need to be out), so once errands were done, I headed home and got the knitting out. Loving this pattern, loving the Rowan Cocoon, and loving getting back into knitting.<br />
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Will take the chance that I can get my knitting needles on the plane. It's always hit or miss. Don't know if I ever wrote about the time my needles were confiscated in Switzerland... after my initial outrage, I was sort of resigned to the fact that they threw my needles away, although they were terribly expensive (what was I thinking?). Just cooling down, waiting to board, I looked over and another passenger had her needles out (very similar to those that I'd just lost), and was happily knitting. So wanted to go say something, but couldn't do that to a fellow knitter. Hopefully that Karma has helped me keep my needles since.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8289399531778161757.post-20923062052022330712016-06-11T11:50:00.000+01:002016-06-11T11:50:07.763+01:00The Grays Have It!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0kpRzekKz8yGecMjdPEjGvAM8MGFz1D4S1ir3PrSd9VLECI9Bn0Ar5YuudVbzCB9bfT1_ChCR3uHmth-N_PMja8K6mZKTJozdAbw6WJrxm4ENc4PO-B0ZCm8X6XIBSybiebsjUTISBo/s1600/DSC_2871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0kpRzekKz8yGecMjdPEjGvAM8MGFz1D4S1ir3PrSd9VLECI9Bn0Ar5YuudVbzCB9bfT1_ChCR3uHmth-N_PMja8K6mZKTJozdAbw6WJrxm4ENc4PO-B0ZCm8X6XIBSybiebsjUTISBo/s320/DSC_2871.JPG" width="320" /></a>School's out for summer and I finally found the time to get down to John Lewis to look at their grays or greys (depending on from where you hail). OMG... gray is almost as bad as blues when it comes to finding just the right shade. You know those navy shoes that don't match that navy dress which doesn't match the navy purse although all under the name "navy." That was part of the problem on my little quest for grays yesterday. The other problem--the weight. Found a couple very good shades, but the weight didn't work.<br />
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Went with the Rowan Cocoon in Scree, Shale & Mountain. Would have preferred using the darker two shades along with black, but Cocoon doesn't come in black. My impatience got the better of me so I just went ahead. Hopefully won't be disappointed.<br />
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Off to get a start.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8289399531778161757.post-82131678388265767812016-06-07T18:51:00.000+01:002016-06-07T18:51:25.493+01:00What's Up, Doc?!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Just got back from my shoulder scan and I'm healing! Such great news. Told me to get back on the anti-inflammatories as there's still some swelling, but he said the ligament is at least starting to look like a ligament, which makes me very happy. He still reiterated that my shoulder was VERY bad (the third worst he's ever operated on), so I shouldn't be too impatient. But of course, I'm impatient.<br />
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Didn't order wool online. Just can't make a decision on grays without looking at them. Will be heading to the yarn shop this weekend. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8289399531778161757.post-37539069462887544652016-06-05T10:25:00.000+01:002016-06-05T10:25:35.168+01:00Contemplating Getting Back in the Game<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUT-9hnF_YdJFSpUvv3qRLyjyZsNsLzXNL6ScK7mFEpgfTdpnyRdBLP0s0weQSlgeRGzlFFVjvvPyD6cwSHcS8IqL6Aed7ULfMk6C5u36nMXtDY3EYhEEfCrJ3OYcXang6jadUEFzTQ4/s1600/7ecdc78e833075d404e78948c84e4754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUT-9hnF_YdJFSpUvv3qRLyjyZsNsLzXNL6ScK7mFEpgfTdpnyRdBLP0s0weQSlgeRGzlFFVjvvPyD6cwSHcS8IqL6Aed7ULfMk6C5u36nMXtDY3EYhEEfCrJ3OYcXang6jadUEFzTQ4/s200/7ecdc78e833075d404e78948c84e4754.jpg" width="162" /></a>So I've been gone awhile. The shoulder never did get better so after five years of struggle and pain, two shots of cortisone and hours and hours of physio, I finally went under the knife in March. Great doctor here in London and I'm optimistic that I'll be back doing everything (including swimming) soon. Has taken longer than normal because when the doctor got in there, he said it was much worse than he'd expected. "Not the worst I've worked on, but the third worst," were his exact words. He also said the ligament, which is meant to look like leather looked more like cotton wool. "I couldn't have stitched it up if I'd wanted to. You just have to give it time to heal." So I've been giving it time. Go in for another scan this coming week to see if all is well.<br />
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I will likely wait to knit until the verdict is in, but I'm itching to knit something I saw the character of Claire Fraser wear in the television show <i>Outlander</i>. It's a simple pattern, so I thought it might be a good starting project. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/" target="_blank">Ravelry</a> has a few free downloadable pattern, so I've chosen one and will likely order wool today.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRveGbfeqDeH1K5rnqVraf4mbBwYKWykD2Ih2KkTR-flRbxr_b2HhIUonV2iZhKw_GOO-e2bxCPuPJBjN6-3r1scK_LYBxCmci7BpOrJLft1itHDpIRi2CdjSg6px9MYQr8Cewu_Ex61g/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-06-02+at+10.43.03+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRveGbfeqDeH1K5rnqVraf4mbBwYKWykD2Ih2KkTR-flRbxr_b2HhIUonV2iZhKw_GOO-e2bxCPuPJBjN6-3r1scK_LYBxCmci7BpOrJLft1itHDpIRi2CdjSg6px9MYQr8Cewu_Ex61g/s200/Screen+Shot+2016-06-02+at+10.43.03+PM.png" width="176" /></a>Claire wears the shawl in different ways, which I really love. In the photo on the right, she seems to cross it over and hook it in the back. Looks cozy and like it might be nice for those evenings at the lake when it cools off once the sun goes down. I'm going to go with two pretty dark grays and black even though I've noticed many who have knitted this pattern have gone with some color. What I love about this is the subtle differences in the colors, so I don't want to lose that. So many lines of wool seem to have just two grays... dark and light, so the challenge will be to find more variation. Off to do some online research and wool shopping. Wish me luck.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8289399531778161757.post-12844740622225853302014-09-23T19:29:00.000+01:002014-09-23T19:29:13.796+01:00Is Knitting Ruining My Shoulder?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mEEj7-mFps1GA5FX_GSPS4W9dW_nXeaqu7uFL68AXgJq146hBpoOT3V5c59kVU1_tdl3ancKMfZLlvIhb8wlRKtATFnTBCyQPe_NtuITbdywNVj7jyvQFtDk5IHz1GLn6yMq0ry5ABA/s1600/Transaxillary_CR_shoulder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mEEj7-mFps1GA5FX_GSPS4W9dW_nXeaqu7uFL68AXgJq146hBpoOT3V5c59kVU1_tdl3ancKMfZLlvIhb8wlRKtATFnTBCyQPe_NtuITbdywNVj7jyvQFtDk5IHz1GLn6yMq0ry5ABA/s1600/Transaxillary_CR_shoulder.jpg" height="195" title="" width="320" /></a>Two years of on and off physiotherapy, loads of anti-inflammatories, an MRI and a sonogram, topped off with a painful shot of cortisone, which the doctor doesn't seem to be too optimistic about. Looks like I may be on my way to surgery on my right shoulder. The burning of the bursitis which keeps me up nights always seems worse when I've done a lot of knitting and now I'm beginning to wonder if I need to re-assess the way I knit. I've traditionally been an English knitter and find that my stitches this way are almost machine-like and I'm fairly fast. I know how to knit the Continental style, but I never feel I have the control of the yarn in the same way and my stitches are looser and less uniform. At this point, although it's meant to be faster and should be, I'm still not comfortable enough to make it the faster, better choice. My shoulder, however, may make the switch necessary as that repetitive motion of throwing the yarn around the needle causes me pain.<br />
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Currently on the needles: a baby gift for a couple at work who had their first child, a baby girl. I had some leftover pink cotton yarn, so I'm going with the stereotypical color choice here. The pattern is "Demne" by Annie Cholewa. I've never really used the provisional cast-on before so needed to learn that. I'm knitting all these sections and I'm still not clear how it's all fitting together. I'm sure it will all become clear soon.<br />
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Thinking about knitting scarves for all my kids' teachers (like 16 of them) for Christmas. I've finished two and have another almost finished. I'm thinking these might be good to practice my Continental stitching on.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8289399531778161757.post-28124094373362537332012-03-04T20:13:00.007+00:002016-06-05T10:33:05.705+01:00Knitting Rowan's Finna for My Daughter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQGjg0JOhDf9_Z6uE6bMJyu8GUa5ecKR4B0zuUnjYKOMfYbFCUR6oygQ9mFtdW5KO-8AIkSVQjGUKfF8GXUADtvWhL3DbHo7y6WAwCF8bV1jzLjdmWz-Jg7hd1F31F0x-5kZ98HhYuLU/s1600/9625631572_25eb15a50b_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQGjg0JOhDf9_Z6uE6bMJyu8GUa5ecKR4B0zuUnjYKOMfYbFCUR6oygQ9mFtdW5KO-8AIkSVQjGUKfF8GXUADtvWhL3DbHo7y6WAwCF8bV1jzLjdmWz-Jg7hd1F31F0x-5kZ98HhYuLU/s320/9625631572_25eb15a50b_z.jpg" width="240" /></a>After last week, it seemed that winter was nearly over here in London, so of course <span style="font-style: italic;">I </span>decided to finally get a start on Rowan's <span style="font-style: italic;">Finna</span> for my daughter. That makes no sense, but that's the way I roll. Turned chilly, windy and rainy so didn't seem quite so stupid today.<br />
It's a nice fair isle pattern, but I'm glad that I got on Ravelry to check out the comments. Although it's pretty evident from the photo, I'm not sure I would have been observant enough to notice the extra-large neckline. I think I'll knit up a bit higher and go less wide on the shoulders.<br />
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Bought the yarn online and had it delivered. It looked a little more blue than grey in the photo, so I wasn't quite prepared for what I received. <span style="font-style: italic;">C'est la vie! </span>I think Chi would have liked it better in a blue, but she's so easy-going about it all that I kept it. The pattern is very large, which was also mentioned on Ravelry. I thought I might go sort of big for her anyway so knitted a medium first, but I think that size would have hung on me, so I frogged it and knitted a small. Back is done and the front is on the needles, so it's time for a post after a year.<br />
I'm knitting for my daughter. That doesn't happen much anymore. I knit hats and scarves and the like for them, but I haven't knitted anything "big" for a few years. I knit for babies all the time. I think there's something about how long it takes to make sweaters for bigger kids and the fact that they continue to grow, and grow out of my creations that makes it less than appealing. Let's call it the time-knitting to the time-wearing ratio. I think there's a mathematical formula there that explains everything.<br />
But now I'm pretty sure my eldest is about done growing. At 5'8" she's now my height and although slighter, she's gotten past that middle school skinny stage. I now feel that anything I knit her, she will either wear forever or until it wears out, or I can take it back and wear it myself. If worse comes to worse, we can always hope that one day her little sister might steal it away. I just want things I knit to find a home and be appreciated.<br />
So all this growing up talk makes me a little pensive. Yesterday my daughter said, "Can you believe that we're only a couple weeks away from 4th quarter? Pretty soon I'll be a sophomore!" Only three years left with her... It seems like only yesterday she was a tiny little thing and everyone with older kids was saying, "Appreciate every minute; they grow so fast." It seemed cliche at the time and all I could think was about getting more sleep. I think sleep deprivation really keeps you from enjoying it to the fullest, if at all :)<br />
So I'm going to work on my Finna sweater and think about those 15 years I some how let slip by so quickly. Some of those stitches will make me think of the giggles and smiles and silliness. Some will make me think of the all my worries--cuts and bruises, the hurt feelings, and tears. Others will make me wonder how my daughter turned out to be so much better than I ever was at her age. I often tell people my kids are somehow more evolved than I ever was. I think I was well into my 20s or even 30s before I had their wisdom. I will knit all those feelings and thoughts into the sweater. I will sew it up with all my love and hope it will keep her warm and happy and healthy. What I'm trying to say is it's nice to want to knit for my eldest daughter finally. It seems an important milestone in my knitting.<br />
Let's now take bets on whether the sweater will ever be worn. Whether she'll like it or whether she'll complain about it being too itchy, or too big, or too small... Just kidding. That's not really fair. She is a knitter (a better one than she likes to admit) and knows the time put into a project like a sweater. She will appreciate it. And even if she doesn't like it, I can be rest assured that she will say she likes it and will wear it. She's a good egg, and she deserves someone to knit her more than a hat. Off I go.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8289399531778161757.post-62612032170015683742009-10-17T21:10:00.000+01:002009-10-17T21:35:13.991+01:00Finished My Rowan "Moustiers" Sweater<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bLH5lms9Ujn5_u5WTMqs6aBD7zZN3XRhfhnNieCITdYAOEk3PuIAAUChvpTW8OysjSaTHvqgc4lhAVhMPmhtJB2-EMFxF4tc4xhJQiWhjVmAgnlk8lxLU6-y57vXUQICTm_UcJIptxA/s1600-h/DSC06068.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bLH5lms9Ujn5_u5WTMqs6aBD7zZN3XRhfhnNieCITdYAOEk3PuIAAUChvpTW8OysjSaTHvqgc4lhAVhMPmhtJB2-EMFxF4tc4xhJQiWhjVmAgnlk8lxLU6-y57vXUQICTm_UcJIptxA/s200/DSC06068.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393664783423342034" border="0" /></a>I finished knitting this sweater months ago... just needed to sew it up. Decided I better get it together as fall has officially hit London. My Sunday mornings are taken up with a long commute and sitting around while my daughter is at field hockey training--three and a half hours--so that gave me plenty of time. You know this is my least favorite part of the job, but each time I finish, I say, "That wasn't so bad!" But I never seem to remember that...<br /><br />It was the first time that I bought the exact yarn and color for a pattern I found in a book. When the yarn finally arrived I had a "yuck" moment. Loved the texture, but the colors just didn't seem to go together at all. Decided to go for it anyway. Ended up liking the fit, but made a few changes along the way. Made the arms a little longer and took away the fullness around the hips. Nice to have it done. My husband said it's his favorite.<br /><br />Have a baby vest that needs to be finished. Maybe I'll work on that tomorrow on my long tube ride to field hockey.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8289399531778161757.post-36714234872386560562009-06-15T18:30:00.000+01:002009-06-15T19:24:26.394+01:00Just Needed a Break... It Was Weird<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPmbFXkqTEF1N0hSCtCYz0G9nK48mRB1b4kSUPmU-PGOiPEaFSm6FcThAxTkG3JYDJcA9zkLOq1KVmDB3PRd4__qyw90HrQyvV4rzePTo5831UFAUJ7iYF2xbo6Lw9K8T28mskIKfeo_w/s1600-h/DSC05301_medium.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPmbFXkqTEF1N0hSCtCYz0G9nK48mRB1b4kSUPmU-PGOiPEaFSm6FcThAxTkG3JYDJcA9zkLOq1KVmDB3PRd4__qyw90HrQyvV4rzePTo5831UFAUJ7iYF2xbo6Lw9K8T28mskIKfeo_w/s200/DSC05301_medium.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347615060802596418" border="0" /></a>I have been knitting quite a bit for a few years now and it has become therapy for me... relaxing, enjoyable, productive. However, I went through a two-week period a little while ago where I just didn't knit a thing. Not one thing. Couldn't find the time... couldn't be bothered... didn't feel like it... nothing interested me... not sure what it was, but I just did NOT knit for two whole weeks. Normally I knit a little something pretty much every day so it was a weird feeling. Wondered at one point if that was it. I was done, had lost interest and would never pick up the needles again. Kaput. But almost as suddenly as it had started, it ended and the joy of knitting returned and I am at it again.<br /><br />Of course this time of year is crazy. Just had the people from my department over for a BBQ this afternoon. Sunny, warm, perfect weather. They've been gone about an hour and it's just started to thunder and lightning and hail. What luck! Great way to end a great school year! One more day at work tomorrow and then off for the summer.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihS5ynUXyKgHSrAMSsrYK2gQZDN3lduC7Nkcl7qCjgzBvN9Xb4O7rYDwEdOoCTpXR7jZKhWOg7Pnhcx034n2UW0ElcWtWl1FX-dZqup1zlc_t2H9Q9e9gU1u2NJXiK4Wb1QTzzEqUtI5M/s1600-h/DSC05315_medium.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihS5ynUXyKgHSrAMSsrYK2gQZDN3lduC7Nkcl7qCjgzBvN9Xb4O7rYDwEdOoCTpXR7jZKhWOg7Pnhcx034n2UW0ElcWtWl1FX-dZqup1zlc_t2H9Q9e9gU1u2NJXiK4Wb1QTzzEqUtI5M/s200/DSC05315_medium.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347616869521787826" border="0" /></a><br />Have tons of knitting plans for vacation. Just hope I can get some things done. I've been working on finishing up projects instead of starting anything new, but there's so much pretty summer yarn that I have that I might have to make something summery and ditch the fall sweater that I'm currently working on, the Moustiers from Rowan 45 (see March 17th post). Still haven't gotten far as I've been knitting baby items and <a href="//www.creativestitchonline.com/pattern.html">Duduza</a> dolls for charity. This little organic chicken below is one of two that I've made. it's really quite easy and although I never thought I'd be the type of person to knit a stuffed animal (whatever that means--just not my thing), here I am thinking this is the cutest little guy ever. He's from the <span style="font-style: italic;">Rowan Organic Cotton </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfYNBvwPrYobK9DPYJP_6dvPI7DFeq0i-b0aE1QeVF0b5nNQREyylpFmw3GwpiPxQZXFXrol5O1rYoeAfiMQmCUaJ1hRkWedEc69koz5dfSL4POc0t80t_Zq3CzuPIOsZODy87t6VjbY/s1600-h/DSC05306_medium.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfYNBvwPrYobK9DPYJP_6dvPI7DFeq0i-b0aE1QeVF0b5nNQREyylpFmw3GwpiPxQZXFXrol5O1rYoeAfiMQmCUaJ1hRkWedEc69koz5dfSL4POc0t80t_Zq3CzuPIOsZODy87t6VjbY/s200/DSC05306_medium.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347615972717490050" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Kids Collection</span> book. Many of the stuffed animals in that book are really cute. Also finished some ankles socks for my daughter made from some fun Crystal Palace Panda Soy yarn. Feels great to the touch. We'll see how it holds up.<br /><br />Glad the year is over. It's been a good one, but now I'm bushed. Have had tons of interesting adventures this year, our first year in London. Saw many musicals and plays... most recently saw the Shakespeare's <span style="font-style: italic;">All's Well that Ends Well</span> at the National Theatre and Jude Law as Hamlet. Spent a rainy Saturday morning watching the Colonel's Review of <a href="http://www.army.mod.uk/events/ceremonial/1074.aspx">Trooping the Colour</a>. It's an impressive ceremony that takes place on the Queen's birthday. We just saw the practice so no queen, but still fascinating to watch with the marching band, bagpipes, horses and foot guards.<br /><br />Hopefully now that summer is here I will find more time to write.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8289399531778161757.post-73532033888702195442009-04-20T19:51:00.000+01:002009-04-20T21:11:35.771+01:00Joy! Joy!It's done! It's done! I finally finished the "Bookworm Tunic" from <span style="font-style: italic;">Hip K</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1I2oN5ek0ybm5KJ8ttBxpIIHVjsQFjv6Pc-0OfB064c2oM3Zj96wZ3bijlF9mPSvPEN336YcmwuYHHUpGRCpsNM06vFeWN5ICW132HDiKpMOFtFiaVJwooDi4OvVWUM2v8R43cz31nGo/s1600-h/IMG_0521.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1I2oN5ek0ybm5KJ8ttBxpIIHVjsQFjv6Pc-0OfB064c2oM3Zj96wZ3bijlF9mPSvPEN336YcmwuYHHUpGRCpsNM06vFeWN5ICW132HDiKpMOFtFiaVJwooDi4OvVWUM2v8R43cz31nGo/s200/IMG_0521.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326848953940961282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">nits</span> that has traveled with me from the States to Prague and then made the move to London. I told myself that I needed to get this sweater sewed up before the vacation was over so of course I put it off until Sunday evening and had stay up until 11:00 p.m. finishing it. It only took a couple of hours, but I just kept procrastinating. Wasn't difficult... actually sort of fun. Why did I wait for nearly two years to do it? Really... two years!<br /><br />I'm not the only one though. A woman who organized the Prague knitting group had a bedspread that she'd started in the States, took with her to Africa and then to Prague. She kept dragging it out during knitting group, but she never actually worked on it. I think that project was going on ten years.<br /><br />Also just w<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhQrg4SKfKaMkSmZQocpgzf6wPUHACfbu_OjDP1LFZqQZuEZDWo86DXuqNqlCo62b9H8vwCr8WKg55UgOhlj1X1QL2E94QSWxusKF1M14CFkDBY2_YDPHh-6YrheKbHJQnmyNafyF1xI/s1600-h/IMG_0515.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhQrg4SKfKaMkSmZQocpgzf6wPUHACfbu_OjDP1LFZqQZuEZDWo86DXuqNqlCo62b9H8vwCr8WKg55UgOhlj1X1QL2E94QSWxusKF1M14CFkDBY2_YDPHh-6YrheKbHJQnmyNafyF1xI/s200/IMG_0515.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326866872579121346" border="0" /></a>anted to post a couple of felted ditties that I made. Hubby started wearing those dime store reading glasses this past summer and he needed a little something to hold them in. Someone gave me some nice yarn, but there wasn't much, so I had to come up with a small project. Also decided to make him a cover for his iPod. There is no creative knitting here... felted them and they work. However, when we were in Switzerland visiting his sister, he loaned her his phone and now his phone case is M.I.A., so he's using the iPod cover for his phone (probably fits better).<br /><br />Waiting for some Rowan yarn that is back-ordered to come in. I think the package is waiting for me at the Post, but when I walked down to collect it, I found that they closed at 1 p.m. and I didn't make it there until 1:30p.m. Drag. What closes at 1 p.m.? At least it was a sunny day and a pleasant walk; however, I really want to work more on this sweater, but there is nothing I can do until I get this yarn. Even went down to the John Lewis on Oxford Street where they have a pretty good selection of Rowan yarn. They had tons of the Calmer yarn, but of course nothing in the color that I needed. Will have to make another trip to the Post tomorrow, but not sure that's possible as I have meeting after meeting.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8289399531778161757.post-63449036348111554472009-04-17T09:34:00.000+01:002009-04-17T10:57:01.451+01:00Just back from Switzerland<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Nv5Kt-l6Z_bRy-H7pvpXaZ9ET9kPP1IB1htt2y7go0lOuIQQTOG0tJ89isw84qekuJoz8mMzLXqr1noB3m2Sp7RHRvUQaJFIUmM44WdrQCJR7975bJagP0RPJP4NFLmm2I_P7XR32XI/s1600-h/IMG_0361.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Nv5Kt-l6Z_bRy-H7pvpXaZ9ET9kPP1IB1htt2y7go0lOuIQQTOG0tJ89isw84qekuJoz8mMzLXqr1noB3m2Sp7RHRvUQaJFIUmM44WdrQCJR7975bJagP0RPJP4NFLmm2I_P7XR32XI/s200/IMG_0361.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325595747896534658" border="0" /></a><br />Returned two days ago from Basel, Switzerland where we visited my husband's sister and her family. We had warmth and sun every day... it was beautiful. Took the kids to <a href="http://www.europapark.de/lang-en/c51/default.html">EuropaPark</a> one day, visited the <a href="http://www.tinguely.ch/en/museum/index.html">Tinguely Museum</a> and the <a href="http://www.kunstmuseumbasel.ch/en/home/">Kunstmuseum</a>. Took beautiful walks along the Rhine and ran in the hills by their house in the village of Gelterkinden. Also took a gondola up one of the local ski hills and scootered down. Super fun, but what is it about that jarring of your arms that makes them so itchy? It was nuts.<br /><br />Visited a number of yarn stores while there. Some in Germany but one in their village of Gelterkinden. Bought a few things... mostly for gifts. Wish I didn't have so much sock yarn at home waiting to be knitted because there is so much cool stuff out there, and what's nice about these shops is that they seemed to always include sample socks in each of the yarns. So helpful to see how it will knit up.<br /><br />My sister-in-law has been trying to knit for a couple of summers now... gets into it while we are<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFJ5AoNclq_LSLQuowxJTSXO8skGrdWDu64PxsyW6-ovjldRymhCult3hzVPFO8Qp_JA238-B0-EykfEJTw__3x3EbGKwRZriTU7jl2XovHCRba71CbWQi4DOMH9A58ZtJjoFI2o6_HA/s1600-h/IMG_0312.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFJ5AoNclq_LSLQuowxJTSXO8skGrdWDu64PxsyW6-ovjldRymhCult3hzVPFO8Qp_JA238-B0-EykfEJTw__3x3EbGKwRZriTU7jl2XovHCRba71CbWQi4DOMH9A58ZtJjoFI2o6_HA/s200/IMG_0312.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325592486337692610" border="0" /></a> together (and with her mother who knits), but then we all leave and she never finishes her projects. My kids made her children monsters (see the pictures of their monsters). She decided that if the girls could knit a monster, so could she. Just before we left for the train to go to the airport, she finished her monster... the first project she ever finished. Not sure I remember the first project I ever completed, but I'm sure it was a scarf, but I'm sure the feeling was the same... great!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAr8lowPlA-AbiP_eY5ih0y7auFW38cfWMPwQQp1KROshLGBmGbSNn3RNUICMLDQ2BLecdopLTNugA3YckkeA3AMcmmvsCF5kJ5YaABdY2Juh-GDrNPiuvD7KH9_t6hxEYmFdB0INHcs/s1600-h/IMG_0280.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAr8lowPlA-AbiP_eY5ih0y7auFW38cfWMPwQQp1KROshLGBmGbSNn3RNUICMLDQ2BLecdopLTNugA3YckkeA3AMcmmvsCF5kJ5YaABdY2Juh-GDrNPiuvD7KH9_t6hxEYmFdB0INHcs/s200/IMG_0280.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325590651445547906" border="0" /></a>I have way too many projects going at the moment. You can see the socks that I knitted for a friend's birthday. I have to admit that it's the first pair of socks that I ever knitted. I've done one, but never the second. Finally got smart and knitted two at once. They are nothing special, but at least there are two. Had my daughter model them as my feet are much too big.<br /><br />Off to try and finish some things. Wish me luck!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8289399531778161757.post-15153832120091278412009-03-21T07:16:00.000+00:002016-06-05T10:35:38.052+01:00Frogging at The Pitmen Painters<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyE8k6WskCTR48LUbfhe9dW1m7GDwCRiaIW0EXpoNWOy-QI3xSlS36Sq3o5ZLwiQWsPELIxr6FGrRsncTAAzn3-Vz0OqHBfR6oAB2zQ9Jt41bglyQ88HA3djLjF51KWqUmfDFc0eH8Bg8/s1600/1317136867_Image1_pitmen_painters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyE8k6WskCTR48LUbfhe9dW1m7GDwCRiaIW0EXpoNWOy-QI3xSlS36Sq3o5ZLwiQWsPELIxr6FGrRsncTAAzn3-Vz0OqHBfR6oAB2zQ9Jt41bglyQ88HA3djLjF51KWqUmfDFc0eH8Bg8/s400/1317136867_Image1_pitmen_painters.jpg" /></a>My brother is in town visiting so we went to see <span style="font-style: italic;">The Pitmen Painters</span> at the National Theatre last night. Great play based on a true story. About a group of miners (pitmen) who start an art appreciation group in the 1930s through the WEA (Workers' Educational Association). They are uneducated and most have never seen a real painting before, and although they want to understand art and be able to know the meaning of a painting, they lack any sort of real experience. Their tutor decides to have them start painting to understand art (not technique, but the feeling you get when creating). There were so many times I thought about knitting and the act of creating something. One of the characters talks about what it feels like to actually create something, even if it isn't technically good, it's that he made it himself and he put himself into it. He describes how he worked a full shift in the mines, came home to paint and before he knew it, he was finished... just as the sun was coming up. He'd painted through the night and was exhilarated. Sound familiar? This is based on a true story and they have some of the Pitmen Painters' pieces in the Tate, among other places, and they had an exhibit at the National Theatre, mostly of Oliver Kilbourn, the main character in the play.<br />
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Took my knitting. Noticed a little blip about five rows down that no one, not even a good knitter would notice from more than two inches away, but I knew it was there. Tried to just fix it, but made a mess of things and had to frog down to that point. Should have left well enough alone. Really, had I made a certain side the inside, there wasn't even a mistake. What was I thinking? Spent the intermission putting stitches back on the needle.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8289399531778161757.post-21920636164066874822009-03-17T22:27:00.001+00:002009-03-17T22:54:47.383+00:00Finally Over the Hump<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wogvDlz8_wuM-Naosk-iDYl41-Ltl75-uQQpVROiYfrcPdBypF8Fit18cmDKCU0Rrg8bWy6K6dsBp4LOWO6tzB-c8g8pxyHMHvcfxRmldNx4J1tK-PSdSZgllkoVheSEb1BAlO4oHtw/s1600-h/RW-MAG45-D31.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 152px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wogvDlz8_wuM-Naosk-iDYl41-Ltl75-uQQpVROiYfrcPdBypF8Fit18cmDKCU0Rrg8bWy6K6dsBp4LOWO6tzB-c8g8pxyHMHvcfxRmldNx4J1tK-PSdSZgllkoVheSEb1BAlO4oHtw/s200/RW-MAG45-D31.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314291082299887522" border="0" /></a><br />I'm working on a Rowan sweater, Moustiers by Marie Wallin. Started with the large, but then realized that the back itself was a sweater and a half. I never know what size I am. Frogged it, started again, this time with the medium, but I didn't like the flair around the waist so I started with the number of stitches that you get to midway up. Seems like it will still be plenty big. I frogged a couple of times... always seemed just a<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWSxyBY5hhg9zjOKnxohx3dW2GMyiyC-ARFiivgsVlrHIsW8PdueUjupbuAEjcTjhrYHyWpwwkEG7Grl3-eD5TcRGkQYxQjuG79WmZyf6a2gJlQ_PM5kvpPq-dM27tjmnnhYoMXA9lAfU/s1600-h/DSC05214.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWSxyBY5hhg9zjOKnxohx3dW2GMyiyC-ARFiivgsVlrHIsW8PdueUjupbuAEjcTjhrYHyWpwwkEG7Grl3-eD5TcRGkQYxQjuG79WmZyf6a2gJlQ_PM5kvpPq-dM27tjmnnhYoMXA9lAfU/s200/DSC05214.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314290951311450690" border="0" /></a> little wrong... a missed stitch, whatever... just want it to be perfect. I'm about two inches into the sweater now, and after about five false starts, it feels good to finally feel like I've gotten over the hump.<br /><br />Did something that I almost never do. I bought the exact yarn and in the exact color as the picture in the book for this sweater. Funny how the shade of the "red" is so different. You can see the difference in these two pictures.<br /><br />After swimming today, talked to a little girl whom I see a lot at the pool. She is so intrigued with my knitting and is super outgoing and very sweet. She was wondering if I might knit her something very colorful after I'm done with my sweater. I'll have to find some bits of leftover yarn that's pretty and colorful and make her a little hat or something. I told her I'd only knit for her if she promised it wear it. She said, "I always wear what people make me... I love when people make me things!" I believe her.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="gallery"> <div class="ads"> <div class="worldcat" style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 1em;"> </div> <div class="worldcat" style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 1em;"> </div> </div> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8289399531778161757.post-15596377830705070332009-03-17T22:27:00.000+00:002009-03-17T22:28:29.517+00:00Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0