Monday 28 March 2005

Holidays

Well I'm on holiday for the next week so probably not much posting because I don't have the net at home at the moment.



I have had my knitting machine fixed at Undy Yarns (FANTASTIC shop!) and brought some lovely mohair yarn ready for dying there.



Have spun a beautiful skein of silk from the last dying batch I posted about. it is soooo soft!



I brought a camera, it's only cheap but it means I can post now. And pictures of the shrug very soon.



Will have loads to show after the holiday.



Happy easter.





Monday 21 March 2005

Shrugs

I finished the commision! The most amazing piece of knitting I have ever done. Dad has taken photo's on his digital camera and will send them to me V soon, and I'll post them.



I managed to handknit it in a few days because it was quite a small piece, but it wasn't plain sailing, we had the fitting on Friday; the arms were much too wide and an inch too long!



Once we had established this I was feeling a little sick, and of course I said yes when she said 'could I change it?'. I left it in horror for while, had some wine, summoned up some Dutch courage, and got out my over locker and 'shaved' the arms into the correct shape, I was shaking as I was doing it, but it was amazing! The cuff flared outwards because of the overlocking, but I sewed the lace on and it looked absolutely beautiful, like it was meant to be!



Adrienne thought it was amazing (thankgoodness).



When Adrienne asked me how much it was worth I didn't have an answer. In financial terms materials cost £20, in terms of time about £150 (and thats only about £6 an hour, although quite alot that was due to it being the first pattern I have developed, so it involved alot of reading and preparation)



In terms of learning about myself and how chuffed I feel, and  the skills I've learnt, the damn thing is priceless!





Tuesday 15 March 2005

Long time no write!

Lots of things been happening, I have been knitting furiously, because knitting machine has died. Strangely the carriage chewed up my needles, which were OK the night before.



So I drove to Mrs Mac's in Swansea and brought some Jaeger mohair art in black, and am so far very happy with the results. I've knitted the back, one sleeve, and am on the second sleeve, once that's finished I just have to make the front pieces, which are rather complicated because their main function is to hold the sleeves and back in place but not to cover the front. Hmm, I hear you say, 'sound's a bit weird!' I don't think it will be, but still I haven't finished yet.



What else? oh it's my birthday tomorrow, but I have given up hopes of having a yarn related present because Anth panicked yesterday after months of ignoring me telling him which websites to get me presents from (knitting related of course) No knitting shops in the capital city of Wales, amazing isn't it?! Although I am pinning my hopes on some cash for shopping in London on Saturday.



all for now .....





Tuesday 8 March 2005

I've been tagged by Luv2craft for a 'knitting meme' (any one tell me what mem is?) Anyway here are my answers



1. Do you knit continental or English?



English, but I am trying continental but I always get fed up and go back to English.



2. How long ago did you learn to knit?



I have no idea, all I know is that at uni, I picked up a pair of needles and knit a scarf so it must have been somewhere in my child hood I guess. But properly, about 4 years.



3. First FO?



A purple and red scarf made in a lovely rowan yarn.



4. Favorite yarn? Definately Noro silk garden.



5. Favorite pattern? The sock pattern from sock 101.



6. Favorite pattern source? I like reading knitty, but I have never made anything from there, to be honest I think French Vogue magazine, not that there are any patterns in it,  but there are always beautiful garments  which make me want to design my own from.



7. Favorite needles? Addi Turbo's.

8. Nicest thing you've ever knit? Hmm, I think it has to be my V neck vest I designed, made in Noro. I love it and wear it as often as I can, and it gets softer everytime I wash it.



9. Most hated project?  A crocheted poncho I made from some ribbon yarn I got from the US, it turned out really bulky and looked dreaful, I hate that yarn!!

10. Who are you going to pass this on to? Hmm Good question I don't want to tag people who have already been tagged, so i'll have to think about this one.





Anyway how's the design for the top going you probably aren't asking yourselves. Well,  I'm struggling a little with the sizing and gauge, but i'll get there, anyway I have no choice Adrienne is coming for a fitting saturday! AHHHHH



PS I joined the machine knitting ring! How cool is that, I can't wait to ask them loads of questions!!





Friday 4 March 2005

Stuff.

I wonder why people feel the need to leave comments which are insulting and bizarre. If the person who wrote 'that' comment reads this, I feel really sorry for you that you feel so uptight about people being true to themselves.



Anyway designing the top is coming along ok. I've just got to knit it now! I just ordered the most fun shoes which are see through so you can wear your funky knitted socks with them! This may seem a little sad, but I just can't resist them.



Here is the link