Startitis (sort of)

I bring news of great joy, bloggers!
Look what I found under a pile of shoes and handbags by my bed:

My little lost sock and needles! The poor thing looks a bit worse for the wear, but I'm sure with some gentle ripping and caressing it will return to its former glory. I can't believe I found it! (I also can't believe I had such a pile of crap by my bed that a sock could become lost for two weeks)

My Hedera sock progresses:

I'm almost at the toe of the first sock. Still not feeling the love for the yarn & pattern together, but I'll persevere because I'm not ripping out now!

Maybe that's where the little spurt of startitis has come in. I'm not hugely feeling the sock love so instead of finishing Hedera or pouncing on the prodigal sock I've decided to move a million miles away from socks and cast on this baby:

It's the Liberty Bell afghan from Cover Up with Nicky Epstein(Ravlink).

(Apologies if the pattern on Ravelry isn't fully correct, I added it yesterday morning whilst under the influence of lack of coffee.)

I must be mad starting a huge intarsia project like this. I really must. But, see, the thing is that my sister and brother in law are really good to us and let us use their holiday home in Florida every year. If it weren't for them I'd never have seen the States, or bought yummy yarn so I figure I owe them a nice present. I usually buy them a gift for the house each year as a thank you, but wouldn't this be so much nicer draped over the back of their couch?

I think so.

Only problem is I want this to be perfect.

I think it's looking good so far, but I'm hopeless at weaving in ends. They always seem to come loose and pop out after a little while. So, what can I do with this?

I'm knitting it with acrylic so it'll be washer friendly, so I can't felt ends together. What way do you guys weave in ends? Hundreds of ends, so many it will probably take me as long to weave them in as it did to knit the darn thing.

I was also thinking of maybe sewing on some backing fabric once done so that the "ugly" side wouldn't be visible. What do you think?

This doesn't need to be done until October when we go over, so I've plenty of time to finish it off, right? Right??

I also need a project to bring on holidays with me in two weeks time.

I've booked the Golf Villas here for a week at the end of the month to give Mam & Dad a holiday. I can't afford it, but what can you do? They need a break too.

Anyway, I don't fancy bringing down that mammoth afghan so I need something else (along with a sock of course) to knit there. What do you like to bring for holiday knitting?

Good news on the oily dress debacle, almost all of the oil came out so I think it will be fine next wash. It's barely detectable to the non knitter eye now. Phew! Thanks for all the advice on stain removal!

As an aside, one of my work colleagues saw a picture of Alice in the dress and has asked me to knit one for her daughter! errrr, that thing took FOREVER to knit, I don't think so! She asked me if there would be anything else then, so I said I'd have a look. I really don't fancy knitting that again, so any suggestions? I was thinking maybe a skirt instead? Maybe this?

I can't say I'm all that keen on the idea, but can't see how I can get out of it. I'm also not that confident in my knitting skillz for someone to actually pay me for the yarn and for their child to wear it?

Ah we'll see. If I say nothing it may all go away!

Highs & Lows

It's been quite the couple of days, full of highs & lows.

Let's start with the good stuff, shall we?

High 1.

Mam was in great form yesterday. Full of chat and she actually cracked a couple of jokes! She also allowed me to give her a shower. I couldn't believe it. It was lovely to see her in a good mood.

High 2.

My lace scarf from Victorian Lace Today is finished blocking!

Ta da...

Pattern: Scarf with the striped border from Weldon's, Volume 5, 1890

Needles: 4.5mm Knit Picks Options

Yarn: Knit Picks Shimmer in Stained Glass, about 300-350 yards.

I'm really proud of this, my first proper lace item! I think it turned out great too.

High 3:

As I mentioned last post, I was 11 years married yesterday, the 4th. We went out for a lovely Indian dinner last night and look what hubby got me:

Addi Clicks! I'd forgotten all about these. I'm so excited to start a project with them!

They even come with a cute packing slip that's signed by the person who packed the box and a heart shaped pin so you can "Let the world know you are a fan of addi, worldwide friendships will await you"! hahaha

The inside:

Yum.

Now onto the lows.

Low 1.

My Rick socks. They just wouldn't cooperate at all with the Bearfoot yarn. I tried 3 times but no go so I've decided to go with Hedera from Knitty Spring 06.

I got this much done watching the amazing Wimbledon final today. It's going well, but tbh, this yarn is not really good for showing up any stitch pattern. It's better suited to a vanilla sock I think. It's also seriously hairy yarn, there's mohair everywhere.

Low 2:

Alice went out cycling today wearing her Good Stripe Dress and managed to get oil all over it. I've washed it as hard as I dare but it hasn't all come out. I'm so mad. She was really apologetic, but I had warned her not to. There were a few words had. Not too many, as she really was sorry but all that hard work! Hopefully I can get the rest out the next wash.

Low 3:

The missing sock, needles & stitch marker are still missing. At this stage I think it's best to declare them officially gone. A moments silence please.

Low 4:

It's Sunday. I'm back in crappy work tomorrow while hubby & Alice have the day off. I hate my job.

That's my lot, a bit of a mixed bag!

Lost sock!

It's been a bit of a mad week chez moi. Just running round chasing my tail.

I'm nearly finished my lace scarf, I'm on the last chart for the border so I should be done by the weekend.

I'm about to cast on for my July Sock Innovation KAL sock, Rick.

I'm using this gorgeous stuff, Mountain Colours Bearfoot in Wildflower.

Hoping all goes well!

In sad knitty news, I've lost a sock. :( I had just started a pair of socks for Alice using the Wendy Happy yarn in Aquarius I'd bought for her and I don't know where I've put it! The last time I remember seeing it was in my Mam & Dads last Saturday, so heaven forbid, my Mam may have thrown them in the bin. This has become her habit recently, I've rescued plates and cups from the bin already so I'll have to check the bin the next time I'm round.

That's all my news for now, I hope to have the chance to post a proper post at the weekend.

I'll be 11 years married on Saturday, 11! I can't believe the time has gone by so fast. Maybe that's the sign of a good marriage?

Happy Birthday to me!

So it's that time of year again. I'm last year + 1.
I had a great day yestersday, once I'd left work! I hate working on my birthday. Still, I'm off today and I'm test driving more cars, so it's ok.

First up, some lace progress! I know, lace. But I was dying to try it properly so I cast on for this pattern from Victorian Lace Today.

This was how much I had done the other day - the first chart completed.

This is how much I had done this morning. It's a really easy two row pattern repeat and I'm enjoying it! It doesn't look like much now, as always with lace it needs blocking to bring out the true beauty of the pattern. The yarn is Knit Picks Shimmer (Baby Alpaca and Silk). The colour is Stained Glass.

So, shall we get onto birthday pressies? I thought you would want to!
Check out the birthday card John got me:

I don't know if you can read the front, but it says "Surely you can take a little ribbing on your birthday" and on the inside it says "And don't call me Shirley"
Best knitty birthday card ever. He's the best!

Of course there was some stash enhancement too ;)
I don't know what this yarn is. It looks like laceweight and looks like it has mohair in it, but there's no label on it. I know John bought it in Marias Garn in Stockholm but that's it. Does anyone have any ideas what it is?
Isn't it yum?

He also got me a skein of this:

It's hand dyed Fargkraft yarn, Palsblend in Tulpan colourway. Ravelry says it's laceweight, but to me it feels like sockweight yarn.

Amn't I lucky? He's such a pet.

We went to see Bill Bailey last night. He's so funny! I had a great time. Alice stayed the night with Johns brother & his wife so it's really quiet here in the house this morning.

So, another birthday done. I had a great time and it was great to take my mind off things with my Mam & Dad.

TGIF

TGIF. That's all I can say really. My week has been one of highs and lows. Mam was offically diagnosed with severe dementia today. I spent yesterday in the office sobbing at my desk in front of everyone I'm so overcome with the stress and worry of it all. I felt like such a fool. Took the day off work today to be there when the Dr. came to the house, even though I don't have any leave to take. Dunno what I'm going to do for the rest of the year!


Plus, after the Dr. had left, Mam went for me bald headed and accused me of trying to put her in a home. As if. She had me in floods of tears, God love her. I know she was just scared. Still, I have to look at the positives of it all, at least now I can hopefully get some help for them both. A home help would mean so much to them. Fingers crossed the health board will stump up.



In knitty news, an FO!

Pattern: Sunshine by Cookie A from Sock Innovation
Yarn: Pagewood Farms Chugiak hand dyed sock yarn in Rainbow Sherbet
Needles: 2.5mm
Aren't they fab? I finished them about 15 minutes ago and ran out to the garden between showers to get a nice photo with the daisies before lawn mower mad hubby probably cuts the lawn when he gets home.
These socks mean a lot to me. Started during a fantastically relaxing bank holiday weekend that had fabulous weather, and the return of my sock mojo.

So, now I need a new project!
Here's my thoughts so far:
1. A pair of socks for Alice, unsure what pattern yet
2. Noro striped scarf
3. The colourwork sweater I purchased the Shetland for
4. The Cold Mountain Stole from the latest knitty
5. A pair of socks for my Dad that would end up being a very belated Fathers Day pressie, again unsure what pattern
6. Any one of the fabulous lace patterns from Victorian Lace Today
7. Very Berry Shirt for Alice

My initial thought are to cast on two. One pair of socks (probably the ones for my Dad) and one larger project. I'm itching to try lace but my previous attempts have not gone well. Maybe a swallowtail shawl to start (again)? What would you guys recommend as a first attempt lace pattern knit in laceweight yarn?

Have a great weekend everyone!

Wonderful Wednesday

Phew! So much has happened since last Sunday morning!
We went out on Sunday afternoon and Alice bought herself a new bike with her communion money. It's gorgeous. If I were a bit smaller I'd being going for a ride on it!
John has bought a new-ish car - a 2007 Dodge Caliber 2.0 Diesel. It's seriously yum. He got a great deal on it too.
I'm lusting after a brand new Chrysler Sebring Sedan or a Mercedes E Class 2005. The Chrysler is sex on wheels and really highly specced too. Decisions! And no, we haven't won the lottery!

I'm so glad I came home from work today. Work has sucked the big one for the last few days, so much so that I'm seriously considering requesting a transfer to get away from my boss. :(
Anyway, when I got home today look what awaited me!
Not one, but two parcels!
The first one was my Wollmeise:

It's always wrapped beautifully in its own Wollmeise bag. Inside was:


3 skeins of superwash Merino! From top to bottom, Clementine, Sonne & Safran. And a packet of Haribo jellies. I'm fondling as we speak.

The second parcel was my Jamieson & Smith Shetland Wool:
I'm so excited to get knitting on my first colourwork sweater from Knitting Around!
They also included a pattern for a lovely sweater. So nice! I love getting surprise extras in parcels!

The lowdown of the Shetland:

I got 10 balls of the grey, two each of the blues and cream and one of the mysterious green on the top left. I can't wait to get started! Don't the colours look great together?

This is definitely IT for my stash for the forseeable. I actually think i may go to Florida this year and *gasp* not buy anything. I have so much yarn it's obscene. Really.

Work thunders along on my Sunshine sock now it's the only project I have on the go. I'm about halfway down the second foot so I should be finito by the weekend!

Last night I got a great surprise too. One of my best pals is a landscape gardener and he arrived up with a plant for me. A Calla Lily that a customer wanted thrown out of their garden. It's a huge fully mature plant.

I know a lot of people think lillies = death, but this has to be my favourite flower. I had these in my wedding bouquet many moons ago. I keep looking out of my front window at the plant and sighing. love love love!

WWKIP

Morning everyone. It's just after 7am here and I'm up. On a Sunday morning. Not happy. Insomnia sucks.

But, I do have an FO!
My February Lady Sweater. In all it's still-slightly-damp-but-I'm-wearing-it-to-WWKIP-anyway-glory

I love the buttons. These were some of the ones I bought at Ravelry Day last week.

The back:

A close up of the gull stitch pattern. So easy to remember which makes for a very easy knit.

Yesterday was WWKIP day and I had a great time.
Here are some pics:
In the morning we knit on the balcony of the Powerscourt Shopping Centre, location of that fine yarn establishment, This is Knit:





It was lovely sitting there and knitting, although it got a bit hot later on when the sun was shining through the glass roof. I cooked for a little while in it.
This Is Knit had a prize draw for people who spent over €20 in the shop, so of course I had to go in "just for a look". I bought a gorgeous book, Victorian Lace Today, which hopefully will get me knitting lace properly. I also got a skein of this:

Wendy Happy in Aries. They released a different colour for every star sign except mine (Cancer). Boo. So I bought Alice's colour instead to make her a nice pair of socks.

So I was entered into the prize draw. Later in the day the girls from the shop came in to us at the balcony for the draw. They passed round the cup with the names in it and each person picked out a winner. I picked out my own name much to my shock. I couldn't believe it!


My prize? A copy of the Yarn Harlots book, Stephanie Pearl McPhee Casts Off. I'm looking forward to reading it!

Afterwards we headed off to our second location, St. Stephens Green right in the middle of the city. I love this green and often come here at lunch time for a breath of air and some peace away from my crappy job.

We set up picnic blankets and foldaway chairs and got straight down to the knitting.



The weather was perfect. Nice sun, light cool breeze. Perfect.

And we had a brass band to entertain us! They were terrific, and made the day even better.


I had such fun meeting up with people I had only known on Ravelry and we chatted away for ages.

Bioniclaura was spinning with a drop spindle. She's seriously good at this, btw. She showed me how to do it and let me have a go. It was great fun, but I don't think I'll be giving up my day job anytime soon, my spun yarn was very lumpy!

I also learned how to make stitch markers! Teaandcakes very kindly brought along all the bits required and showed me how. I made three and I am hooked. I can't wait to get the gear and get going!

A busy knitty day yesterday but a very enjoyable one. I knit my second Sunshine sock all day. I'm at the heel now, so I hope to have it finished soon.

And I just realised that next Sunday is Fathers Day. So, there goes my plan of making my Dad a pair of socks. Aww.