New Editions

Knitting first for a change well not actually knitting, yet more kits put together

Not all play 

and some more photos taken,


new kit shot 

and my yarn for my rowan exchange dyed. I had a bit of a disappointment with some yarn, I found Hip Knits via indie knits and got excited as they hand hand dyed cotton on sale called flame see below.

Hip Knit 3ply cotton 

Unfortunately two of us obviousley ordered it almost similtaniously so I lost out. Hip Knits have been very nice about it though and have offered me free postage on my next order.
And I added another Body Cheveron to me modular jacket which I am determined to finish for autumn.

Check out Silkwoods Blog that I keep updated as they have just announced a competition to name one of their new bunnies and win some yarn from his first clipping.
Now for the none knitting section look what Kim and Dan brought me for my Birthday (early)


Niki or Kim not sure which 

well in fact there are two of them but the other one wouldn't stay still for long enough to have her phot taken. They Russian Dwarf Hamsters according to the pet store, but as it is not the best pet store in the world I wouldn't be suprised if they turned out to be something else, I have two girls so no babies!!!! and after a short ride on Dans Moped have taken up residence in their palace of a cage in the studio (one of those Rotastak ones). They are so cute and I have been wanting a pet for a while since we lost the dog a couple of years ago especially since I started looking after Silkwood Bunnies and finally decided that a hamster would be the most practical.

What a disappointment

I was so excited yesterday some friends of mine had got free tickets to see the recording of Jonathen Ross' programme but as you can see from the ticket not everything went as planned.

ticket 
It was our own fault it will teach us to read the back of the ticket, apparently they distrubute more tickets and seats. So us not knowing this set out for the studio to arrive about the time the doors opened only to discover a really long queue and when we finally got to the fronet of the line we found we were the final standys to be admitted so we sat around in the foyer for around an hour only to be told that there was no room for us. The upside of this is that I was introduced to a most wonderful vegitarian resturant in Goldhawk road, just down from the tube, called 'Blah blah blah' no website I'm afraid. Now for a vegitarian recently lapsed who is used to going into resturants and usually having no choice it was amazing and good value all using fresh ingriedients and also,which I always like, you could see into the kitchen. I will be going back as I have to try everything else because it was a struggle to choose.

Knitting wise not a lot going on, I got the hundred set of needles from coates, and managed to skein a couple of cones of Shetland ready for dyeing today.

Baby Bunny

As promised heres a photo of the baby bunny one of six now not three as first thought they are so sweet

Baby bunny 
and there mum is so good, I am looking forward to the end of the month when I get to look after them as apparently by that point they are far more active and will be coming to the fronet of the cage and are likely to fall out.

bundles of bunnies 


Now you remember a couple of weekends ago Sue came over to the studio to teach me machine patchwork and I was very proud of my finished bag well see what the professional does with the same pattern, its something to aspire to. I love the quilting on this bag.
Pretty in Pink 


Unfortunately I didn't manage to get my yarn for my rowan edgy exchange project yet but I think I know what I'm going to knit.

Also started yet another version of this felted bag kit on the train to Tess' yesterday but I think I am going to frog it again and go back to the original as although this pattern is simpler I prefer the shape of the more complicated pattern.

What I forgot to tell you about yesterday besides all the train difficulties when I actually walked onto the platform at barnes I thought great there is a train on the platform to find a steam train there having its water tanks filled up from a fire engine, guess who didn't have her batteries in her camera, typical.

Short and Sweet

Just a short message this evening a sit is getting a little late and blogger has only just let me on.
I had a wonderful day at Tess' and we Dyed a lot of yarn so much we decided that we couldn't fit all of the images on my blog so we started one up for them so try out Silkwoods blog, at the moment I have only posted photos of the new baby bunny and its mother but when the computer is feeling more co-operative I'll load the images of the yarn we dyed.

As promised photo of patchwork squares recieved 

Manic Monday

Not a big knitting day today, Mondays always busy.
I am very excited about my Rowan exchange as I got all my information this morning and they have given me the perfect match so big thanks to Emma and Polly who let me join. So although no knitting all I've been thinking about all day are different designs and can't wait to get started.

I also recieved one of my ebay wins today which is material for patchwork but a little different as all naturally dyed I will post a photo tomorrow as the picture I took doesn't show the colours well, but the exciting thing is that they also do wool its worth a look at The Natural Dye Studio.


I talked to Tess from Silkwood also this morning and arranged to go over on Wednesday and I'll get to see the new bunnies, apparently all doing well.

This evenong I put on my other hat as Youth Worker and besides an hilarious half hour of making ginger bread men after finding all the kitchen cupboards padlocked so lots of improvisation. Followed by a wonderful session of Jewellery making with Friendly Plastic brought from the wonderful crafty notions see some of the examples below not bad for seven to thirteen year olds,


necklace one 


necklace 2 


necklace 3 and nose 

sorry no pictures of faces as illegal which is a pity as you would see how proud they were with their creations. Thats what makes it all worth it.

I also finally solved my problem with coats and ordered 100 more circulars from them so I can now really get on with kits for Ally Pali.

Yvonne's Blog

Finally found where Yvonne's blog has been hiding with the help of Polly nice to see my rival in stash back blogging :)

Lazy Sunday

Quiet day for me today little achieved seemed to have gained some kind of bug (me and not the computer for a change) a splitting headache and even my fingers ache, so have watched a DVD this morning ('Life as a house'a good traditional weepy with Kevin Kline) and have done a little of my modular jacket but a little to heavy on the fingers, but just for those who keep asking here is a recent picture.


Module cardigan so far 

What I did find was a great set of copyright free images of knitting and crocheting these just remind me of our history and how our craft links us through generations and reminds me that we're not the first.


bliss 

I love this ine as it reminds me of sitting in my grandmas kitchen learning to crochet while she was cooking and the whole new world she unlocked and even then thinking how those first stiches could become an actual jumper.


another great picture 

And this photo also reminds me that she had a rocking chair that I spent many happy hours sewing and making.

Oh this little snap is to show you the newest edition to the studio, yes it is plant life and no thats not an outside shot, its a plant that grows up the back wall of the studio and is growing through the wall.


newset edition 

The owner of the plant has been asked to do something but refuses so what do I do, it is definitely doing damage to the wall. I had a suggestion that I should let it grow and when I had a few good leaves on it get some of the weed killer that you paint onto the leaves which travels back to the root ball and destroys the whole plant, but I can't bring myself to do it...

Joining in the Fun

Ok as you can see the extra buttons in the links coloumn I have signed up for my first ring (still having a few technical difficulties with this) and a Secret Pal scheme its going to be fun I hope.

Now on the knitting fronet the Shardigan, oh my I have now run out of one of the yarns not a big hassle considering the pattern but the only person I think this is ever going to fit is a stick, I take it for granted when I read a pattern that says one size fits all that its not likely to fit me but please, ok I know I haven't finished the garment yet and blocking can be very persuasive. See wht you think.

Shardigan so far 

Just some quick picks of the hanks I dyed yesterday, some subtle tones for me.

yet more wool 


and more 


Oh and I spotted this out of my studio window this afternoon when I was supposed to be working.

Glorious Pink Bench 
Isn't it cute, I know I am trying to get out of my pink phase but still.

Twice in one Day.

Well I finally got the batteries in my camera charged so this is going to be a photo heavy entry as I have a lot to catch up on.
First of all my start of the shardigan, I've knitted it with Patons Cargo and whisper, plus rowans cotton tape and Silkwoods Starflower yarn.
Shardigan 
I am still struggling with the way the pattern is written a lot of rereading but have got a little further than in this picture, I may still frog it as it is very heavy (this is down to me and the yarn I chose to use) but also the so called one size fits all bug has struck again, we will see.

The second photo is the patchwork bag which is the product of a wonderful Saturday spent with Sue, who patiently taught me the basics of machine patchwork with the bag as the result.
patchwork sucess  My finishing on it leaves a little to be desired but the idea is great and am now working on a smaller version to use a s purse.

Just a quick shot of some of the Funghi that I have finished.
Magic mushrooms 

Successfully dyed a few more skiens today for kits but although the day started well it soon went down hill when I had to deal with 'Coats' again, this time they sent me a reminder bill for something that I paid three weeks ago and have no record of the payement, I wouldn't mind but I paid it straight into their bank account. So the rest of the day went downhill from there really roll on tomorrow.

I'm Baaccckkkk!!!!

I'm back on line at home so I can start adding photos once more, Matt has done a great job what a hero!!!!!!
Now back to doing some work I guess and no more disappearing to the local internet cafe.

Baby Bunnies
After all that worrying will they won't they one of the bunnies actually produced three baby bunnies when we were doing the show at Morden Hall Park, it kind of made up for the show, not a great one for sales and not a whole bunch to see either, the only bonius being was some wonderful bacon that I brought, no shrinking and no white stuff oozing from the rashers. I did manage a little knitting or should I say large knitting on Les' needles and working on a pattern for a one day shawl. I decided on a simple eyelet shawl, maybe not the best idea when having to talk to the public at the same time. The other bonus that has come up from the show is the possibility of Silkwood doing the craft fair at Hampton Court.

Knitting News
I finally let my curiosity get the better of me and brought one of the shardigan patterns,
Shardigan I have to say not that convinced by it yet especially as it is so bsdly written and I would have thought almost impossilble for an inexperienced knitter to follow as this experienced one is struggling a little.
I have also cast on a little baby cardigan in Silkwoods new 4ply. Plus I am still working on the funghi for the guild.

Good Morning

Probably my final post for a bit as I am heading home today,Tess and Les are on the way home and I still have 21 bunnies eight cats and a lit raeburn!!!!!

Spent most of yesterday fighting off a really horrible headache but still manage dto wind up and label a lot of the yarn that I have managed to dye over the last few days and am trying hard not to buy any. I di go for a quick walk down the high street for cabbage for the bunnies, Morrisons do a nice range of selected seconds cabbages and lettuces. I have to say the high street is a little deceptive as you are lured further and further down the road only having to struggle my way all the way back up the steep hill with the shopping.

I had a wonderful suprise this morning, Ceri, Robins son, sent me some wonderful photos of Robin taken on a day trip they had out last October, in fact thinking about it it would have been the Knitting and Stiching show weekend at Ali Pali. They are wonderful shots of the three generations, Robin his son and grandson, I admit I shed the odd tear all I have to do now is work out how to print them off lol.

Quick Note

Yes I still have 21 rabbits (no babies) 8 cats (including the dirty stop out) and a lit raeburn so all going well this morning, nothing else much to report on except nearly finished the pair of socks that I left here last time 14 rows to go and I'll be done and have manged to hank and label all the yarn I dyed yesterday so ready to tackle the next bunch.

Dr Dolittle I'm not

So ok the story so far one mild panic as only having seen seven of eight cats for twenty four hours discovered happily sat in empty rabbit cage, just a dirty stop out.
Possible pregnant rabbit no sign of any action just enjoying being spoilt with fresh veg, other bunny who is having phantom pregnancey very depressed and off food, such a pity as she had made the most beautiful nest, even bribery of a cabbage leaf had no effect.

Only thing behaving itself is the Raeburn just a little worried that I might run out of fuel.

On to more knit based things, I visited a LYS in Cheam this morning called Whichcraft, nice place well organised staffed by a very nice lady as I know the owner has a full time job elsewhere. They are a Rowan stockist and seem to have a good amount of stock, they also stock Patons and Twilleys, the main reason for my visit was because they stock Silkwoods yarns. The only complaint I had, well not really a complaint was the fact that not everything was out on display so my advice would be is if you can't see it ask.

Before you ask yes I did buy something I brought four balls of Twilleys freedom, basically a roving similiar to brown sheep so going to have a little experiment with a felted bag.

I came back and dyed another four lots of wool, including another batch of water lily as apparently it has been very popular at the Sheppton Mallet show.

Lessons in Dyeing

Number one. always check that your hank that you are dying is correctly tied otherwise you will end up with the mess I had all over the kitchen table this afternoon.

Number 2 Kemtex Slate isn't grey in fact its a veru nice denim blue but not quite what I was looking for.

Lesson over other than a couple of mistakes managed to dye around half a kilo of yarn and it is all dried, weighed and labelled.

Unfortunately we did have an unwanted visitor this afternoon, a fox sunbathing in the middle of the lawn, I feel another sleepless night ahead, also I have a bunny that might be about to produce little bunnies (definitely no sleep). Raeburn still alight though.

Shopping Monster

Its terrible now that I have access to the computer I've gone mad and have been checking out all the american knitting websites and book sites and got very excited when I came across one fine yarn as they did the Jill Vosburg patterns and the shardigan plus the crayon box pattern that they are talking about on the ample knitters site, so I merrily ordered away including a couple of odd balls of yarn that I couldn't resist, I came to the checkout and attempted to pay by Paypal, as I don't have a credit card, to be told after filling all my information that they only accept US funded paypal accounts how frustrating.

I still have 21 rabbits, eight cats and one lit Raeburn so all going well if a little tired from lack of sleep. Dyed two sets of yarn last night and am about to go and tackle another batch.

Bad Blogger!!!!!!!

I know slap my wrists its been a while but the god news is that Yvonne's husband Matt has taken pity on me and has taken my lap top to give it some TLC so hopefully work schedule allowing I may be back online from home real soon. In the mean time I am back at Silkwood for the week to play while they are away, its great here its like a home from home with the added bonus of a dedicated space to dye in.

The weirdest thing just happened to me though on my way back from stocking up for the week in the high street on the way back I bumped into one of my best friends from Uni who I haven't seen since 1999 when we graduated, between him and Kerry I managed to survive my final year of my degree including the highly stressful final show, I would never have made it without his belief in me and my work. We lost contact shortly after we graduated due to illness, I was so upset at the time because he made me feel like I could do anything I chose to do (which is still with me today, he was a huge influence in my life). Well I gave him my phone number as he was in a rush, on the school run, unfortunately I don't think he'll call too much time passed, but just in case he ever reads this I just want to thank him for everything he did for me. (I know all a bit sentimental but I mean every word)

Fiddly Funghi

I am so fed up with not being able to post photos on this thing. I would really have liked to show you the yarns I dyed at tess' on Wednesday when I had a great time down in the dye cellar where she just let me loose. So if you buy any yarn from Silkwood then it might be one of my skeins. I now have the task of tackling the cotton that she has there when I go and look after their place next week.

I also brought DK cotton in pinks and greens last night for a modular bag pattern. It seemed quite a quiet night considering it was the first Thursday in the month at Liberty but fun none the less, especially inspired by Jane from the Guild wanting knitted Funghi for the leighton buzzard festival, which gave me an excuse to visit borders afterwards and of course their famous double choclate cheesecake, dragging Yvonne with me.

Now off to dye some yarn for these funghi and then to dig out some fine needles (not like me at all) to work out the construction.

Oh yes stand booked at ally pally, we are now in the main hall with a corner stand.

Conquering Olympus

Well we had a wonderful time at Olympia with Silkwood and have been asked to come back next year so we must have done a reasonable job. Many thanks go to Jill, Yvonne and Sue who came and helped us with the Knit and Relax.
We have also taken the next step to signing up for Ali Pali in October so fingers crossed, it will make it easier going with Tess and Les as I then don't have to worry about furniture removal and there are more of us to guard the stand and I can still go and play on the Knit and Relax stand.
My spending at Olympia was very restrained in fact the only Knitting item I brought was some lovely angora fleece from Tess to practice my spinning on. To be honest there wasn't to much else there, Magknits were there and Black sheep but nothing to much to tempt me but maybe I was just to tired as although the shops are fun its exhausting and am now suffering from a loss of voice after four days of none stop talking.
I also talked to people from the new Knitting magazine who are interested maybe in some of my patterns and maybe doing an offer including my kits, we will see.

What beautiful weather

And I had plent of time to admire it as I walked over hammersmith bridge due to some idiot in a barge running in to it, its fine in this weather but having experienced it in all weathers I am not looking forward to it in the rain.
Kits going well, twenty five complete and ready for the show and still a couple of days to go so maybe some more. Unfortunately with all this kit prperation very little knitting being done and starting to get withdrawl symptons.
I have had a quiet easter to myself mostly in the studio, all it needs is a shower and a bed and I'd move in. The boat race caused the normal disruption to the local area yesterday including the helicopters ot always sounds like an invasion for at least three hours and that doesn't include the rehersal fly pasts the day before.
As you can tell the computers still down and will make a concerted effort to get to the Apple store this week.

Olympia here we come

As the title suggests I have got myself in trouble again, whilst spending a wonderful day with Tess and Les from silkwood yarns (see link) we got talking about this up and coming show and I mentioned that I thought I would just go along as a punter and see if it was the normal cross stich madness that it usually was, then we got onto the subject of Relax and knit and the next thing I know we are on the phone to the organisers and thats it we have a stand and a relax and knit with both my kits and silkwood yarns on the stand so guess whose going to be burning the midnight oil again to get kits ready for seven days time, at least its a little closer to home. All I have to do is resist Silkwoods new yarns absolutely heavenly colours in the 4ply (pictures to follow).

We had a nice relaxed evening at Liberty this evening, with a rather to successful trip to a new bead shop in Kingley Ct in Carnaby Street. Lots of new things to play with and no time to do it.

Comission shawl finished and picked up, unfortunately no picture as stupidly forgot to take camera to studio this morning but Teresa was thrilled with the simple lace and drop pattern. Also a nice visit from Jill with some wonderful wools to swell my kit stash, she is an angel.

Sunshine !!!!!!!

Still no photos I'm afraid, as my home computer is still out which is such a pity as I have so much to show you all, I have the comission shawl pinned out in the studio drying from its blocking, just the fringe to do. And then there is the progress on the Brilliant Knits jumper. Also I found the other night when on a search for knitting needles my one sock syndrome stash one of which was my first ever sock, this was back when I knew no better and had attempted a sock in the Kaffe Fassett style which has made it completely unwearable due to the tightness round the heel and we won't even talk about the yarn I have used (acrylic heaven).

Feeling a little more positive maybe because of the brilliant sunshine we had on Saturday with our felt making class, not as organised as my normal classes but fun all the same.

I decided to try and cut myself a couple of pattern blocks for myself using a second hand book I picked up locally, I am nowon my third redraw as I obviously don't scale up the same as thier table suggests but I think I have the top almost licked next the challenge of the sleeve.

Been a while

Sorry its been a while since I've been here, its strange I start to think that things are kind of getting back to normal and something comes along and it all hits you again like a large black tidal wave. It was a combination of being asked out by somebody from my past (I was definitely not ready for it but felt having turned down four others in the last three months that maybe it was time) and Robins Grand daughters birthday combined with the three month anniversary of his death coming up I think it just all got on top of me and I am back to taking it a day at a time.

Enough about my personal stuff and more about the important things in life knitting.
I'm still working on the pattern from brilliant knits, its growing fast but looks a little like a blanket at the moment. I have a new comission from Teresa for another shawl for her travels round the festivals this summer and so far I am using two shades of Giotto, one shiller and one point five from Colinette and the bright cerise Kid Silk Haze and some home dyed lime greem double knit. She wanted something more cob webby than the last one but still has to be quite tough so am using 12mm needles with a simple eyelet lace stich with the occasional double wrap. I promise pictures when my computer works properly.

Went to Liberty last night, it was a nice quiet night with everyone I think having been at the sale the day before but I got to see Brooke and Sirus, so cute and such a good baby.

Sorry

Sorry that its been a while it hasn't been a great week for me, besides a few personal things my computer is now completely frozen and I can't face fighting with it anymore.

Knitting wise I'm not doing to bad after my delivery from get knitted I started on my modular jumper and of course got impatient with it and am not quite doing it in the right order but I think it will be ok but I think maybe a couple more balls of yarn are required (as if I need an excuse to buy more :).

I alo got my ebay win through the post of some Kon Tiki yarn by Robin in bright orange which is going to be great for kits.

Finally unpacked most of the boxes from the show and the studio almost back to normal for the felting workshop in two weeks time.

Hopefully going to visit the Knotiing show at the craft council tomorrow before Liberty's but we will see, I'm bacj to taking it a day at a time unfortunately.

Delivery day

First things first please see below my first attempt at a square from the heart patchwork from the adorable crochet for babies book, ignore the colours as they were just odds and ends I found round the studio, I think that the written pattern is slightly wrong as it doesn't tally with the chart but I think I have worked it out.


First test crochet square 

Now for my confession, I ordered some yarn and needles for my jumper from get knitted on Monday and it arrived today including a beautiful hank of Lorna laces in purple orange and magenta and considering I was going for autumnal colours its all gone a bit pink. But I havew already done my tension square and am preparing to settle down in front of a film and start more photos tomorrow in the daylight.

Colours for my jumper