New Edition (not the eighties band)

Well I'm home and look what I fond waiting for me in the hall when I got home......

FANG 
Ok for those of you who don't know I don't have a kitten so I was a little confused I found a note in the kitchen from my brother saying don't let the kitten out its locked in the living room (turns out its quite a clever cat and had managed to escape. I thought maybe we were looking after it for my sister but after a few phone calls I managed to catch up with my brother who o told me that he'd got a cat, now the kitten is very cute but I know what is going to happen I'm going to be left to look after it. My brother has a very short attention span as the bowling ball that I trip over every time I walk in the front door, brought after a couple of trips to a bowling alley and never used again.


he kitten has no name as of yet but my paticular favourite at the moment is Fang.

My thanks goes to Tracey who is trying to help me with my button problem still trying tonight but will suceed.

Packed and ready to go

Thanks to Indie Knits for my latest addition to my side bar its good fun.

I'm all packed and ready to go home and although I feel at home here at silkwood there is nothing like sleeping in your own bed. Also back to my computer so maybe I can sort out this button problem I'm still having also I can upload some more pics of baby bunnies and the self patterning socks.

Having a button problem

I don't know if I am just to tired but am having problems up loading I heart wool button so in the mean time hit the link above until I feel a little less like throwing the computer across the floor and I will retry. ONly nine of us listed from the UK so far.

Just a bit of fun

Something I found via Blog of a different colour.


You are Mohair.
You are a warm and fuzzy type who works well with
others, doing your share without being too
weighty. You can be stubborn and absolutely
refuse to change your position once it is set,
but that's okay since you are good at covering
up your mistakes.


What kind of yarn are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

I'm just having a break from knitting my hands are starting to ache but have now finished the second pair of socks so I guess I should get on with the knitting I was supposed to be doing :)

Still waiting expectantly for the information on my Secret Pal ...... I have already got some ideas of things to send.

Shopping!!!!

Just a quick note to say I found this site that takes paypal and has some exciting yarn, I definitely got too much time on my hands but am so fed up with finding all these american sites with wonderful yarn only to find they only take credit cards.I admit to ordering a couple of things but as one of them is a present no clues I'm afraid but I did order some Lion Brand Magic Stripe yarn for more socks.

Socks etc

I had a good time in the Dye house yesterday and managed to dye just over 3 kilos of roving as you can see they are just waiting to be labelled and weighed.


some new experiments 
I am tempted to buy my favourite one to knit that moss stich bag from the first Simply Knitting but must not buy more wool, honestly its the only problem with helping Silkwood out is that I end up being tempted by all the yarn I'm surrounded by.


A bit blurry but the one in the front is my favourite 

I still have all the rabbits and cats and had a better nights sleep after constructing a far better gate to keep the foxes out. I don't see so much of the cats as I usually do I think because they have lost the raeburn to lay in front of but it didn't stop them sleeping on the bed last night I woke up tto find four of them surrounding me.

Only got a few rows done on the self patterning socks yesterday as I was trying to be strict with myself and finish the socks in Regia using Jill Vosburgs short row toe and heel pattern that I left here on my last visit just eleven more rows to go and I can cast off.


Almost there 

Heres a photo of the Aloha socks all but finished just need to sew in the ends, I 'm quite pleased with them will make them a little narrower in the foot next time. Also I might try and add lace to the cuff but as I only generally knit trainer socks there isn't much space to play with.


First Aloha socks finished 

Secret Pal 5 Questionaire

Ok here it is my questionaire all filled in and I am so excited as this is my first Secret Pal:)
1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?
I love anything new to play with, Red Heart and Lion Brand are exciting to me as unavailable here.
2. Do you spin? Crochet?
Yes, I am a beginner spinner but have been relegated to my drop spinner while my wheel is being repaired, I also crochet not much but if a pattern takes my fancy well I go back to the one needle.

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
Ok don't laugh but I can't wear wool even if it contains a small amount in the mix but this doesn't stop me knitting with it and the one exception to that seems to be sock wool.
Also nuts are a little iffy, so I try and avoid them if I can.

4. How long have you been knitting?

To be honest I can't remember I've been knitting as long as I can remember, I think it must have been one of my grannies that taught me as they were both excellent knitters. I've gone through phases of knitting ever since, but I picked it up again in 1999 after graduating from uni and obviousley came down with every bug going so was confined to the house for a couple of weeks.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Yes but a little out of date so not worth looking at at the moment

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
I love vanilla and a candle I found last time I was in the US which was called washed linen also one called midnight rain, basically as long as it is not to flowery I enjoy most scents.


7. Do you have a sweet tooth?

Oh Yes!!!!!!

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
I really like felt making and have just started to learn machine patchwork but really anything crafty from jewellery making to bookbinding there aren't enough hours in the day.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I like a wide range of music, at the moment my favourite CDs are 'Blue' by Joni Mitchell, 'Hopes and Fears' by Keane and The Scissor Sisters. I have an IPod so I assume that I can down load MP3s to that but at the moment my computer doesn't have any sound (as you can tell I'm not very technical)

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
I just love colour, I struggle a little with orange. I love pink and kahki and everything in between.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I've just returned to the family home after losing my partner last year and have just got two Russian White Dwarf Hamsters for my birthday.

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
To be honest not sure right now, I would like my buisness to take off to give me a chance to do something i enjoy to earn a living but whatever will be will be.
13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
That changes on a regular basis, I'm having a bit of a sock knitting phase at the minute but can flit from lace weight to Super chunky at the drop of a hat in fact you would probably find me using both for a bit of scribble lace:)

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I don't think there are any I think that everything has its place.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
Modular knitting is definately a favourite right now but anything that tackles me technically is always a must.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Anything technically challenging preferably without to much straight stocking stitch.
17. What are you knitting right now?
Where do I start, I have a pair of Aloha socks on the needle plus I am working on the modular jacket from the front cover of brilliant knits and another modular jumper by Jill Vosburg being knitted in Rowan Calmer, and many other UFO's Oh I almost forgot the Color on color scarf from scarf style (just the I-Cords to go)
18. What do you think about ponchos?
Never want to knit another one ever again, give me a shawl any day.


19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
I quite like circulars as I travel with my knitting a lot and they are more convinient but have just discovered what I think are called Susan Bates Quick Silver needles and I am quite enjoying working with those.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Definitely not plastic if I can help it as I have a tendency to snap them but saying that anything colourful I always end up buying my favourite at the moment are 4mm circulars that are purple from Boye's
21. Are you a sock knitter?
Yes, usually just the one unfortunately

22. How did you learn to knit?
As I mentioned before I can't remember learning but I think frobably one of my Grans taught me, both were very crafty

23. How old is your oldest UFO?
No comment, I'm pleading the fifth especially if that includes the second half of a pair of socks!!!
24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
I'm having a bit of a Jim Henson moment right now so I guess either Gonzo or Elmo

25. What is your favorite holiday?
I love the idea of christmas all those oppurtunites for craft

26. Is there anything that you collect?
Besides wool and knitting needles I guess studio pottery would be one and blue glass and anything with a butterfly on it is usually a good bet.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
Don't have any at the moment, I'm a regular visitor to Borders where I try to pick up anything that interests me.

28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?
There are a couple of modular ones about to be published that look interesting.

Rabbits and Bunnies everywhere

So here I am back at Silkwood and including the baby bunnies I have twenty nine bunnies to take care of plus eight cats, thankfully because of the weather they have let the Raeburn go out for the summer yeh!!!!!


so cute 

The baby bunnies are so cute they are all out of the nest and do look like pom poms and are all very inquizative and I have to be careful when feeding them that they don't jump out of the hutch. I must admit though having the baby bunnies here makes me even more paranoid about the Fox which meant a very restless night last night as every small sound (including Thistle the cats snoring) made me jump up I have added another three wind chimes to the defences so fingers crossed I will have a better night tonight.

I did start on my so called self dyed self patterning yarn socks yesterday and I am getting stripes but I think I should probably leave it to Opal, mind you I have only just got past the fan toe so we will see what this straight bit of knitting brings.


Not quite self patterning yet 

Well the afternoon plans consist of me tucking myself away downstairs in the dye house and see what I can come up with.

Tangle Free Zone

Just a quick entry just got back from Liberty where the wonderful girls helped me untangle the mess of my newly dyed self patterning yarn, especially Angeli who definitely has greater patience than me but with a mug of tea at borders I managed to finish the job and have now got three balls of yarn ready to be cast on.


Yes I did finish untangling that mess 
If I can find a reasonable size crochetr hook in the house I will cast off the now complete aloha socks and have the new sock ready for the journey to Silkwood tomorrow.

The postman delivered a much anticipated parcel today, I won some extra bits for my hamster cage on E-bay, so took them into the studio where we washed and anticepticed it all (including Mark Drying Up a rare sight apparently) and he set too work to construct this luxurious dwelling, it was like watching a young boy with a lego kit at christmas, I just sat back and watched.


Hamster heaven 

I am not complaining in the slightest as he is volunteering to look after them while I am at Silkwood for the weekend looking after` the rabbits and cats so expect a few gratitous photos of baby bunnies.

And the really big news of the day is that Get Knitted have ordered kits and will be going up on the site later this year,

Self Patterning Woman

Well yesterday after a luch out with my friend Di I got back to the studio to find Jac waiting for me and we worked out a website for a key stage two class (shes doing a teaching degree) on recycling I knew all that work with kids would come in useful apparently I tell her the same as the lecturers just without the fancy words.

Well after that around seven last night I decided to take on the challenge presented by this book.


The book 

Tess Lent it to me yesterday and wasn't to fond of it so I thought I would give it a go considering my recent sock knitting frenzy, it involves making a 12m hank so found the best place to do it was out on the balconey of the studio round the scaffolding.


Yarn down the length of the balconey 
So I took two balls of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, which I know will do me a pair of trainer socks and merilly wound the wool around the poles much to the amusement to Mark in the next door studio and his student. Measured out all the lengths including this section of dashes.


The dashed section 

This is where our roses changed colour a little, well so did the scaffolding and the floor, well actually me too. I added my three colours, they were quite a strong Pink, Purple and turquiose because usually this wool doesn't take the colour so well because of its blend.

Then sprayed it all with vinegar and wrapped it all seperately in cling film, it took me two and a half hours to get to this point.


The final package 

Microwaved for four minutes and the most difficult bit unwrapping and rinsing, unfortunately it had got a little dark by that point to take a picture but I think it has worked all the colours seemed to have stayed seperate so we will see what the knitting brings pictures tomorrow I promise.

So apologies to anyone going to Liberty tonight as I do have bright blue hands.

Another day another dollar

I had a wonderful day at Silkwood Yesterday, mind you I always enjoy myself there. I got to see the baby bunnies who have grown so much and very sctive, see more photos on Silkwoods Blog They are so cute especially the darker ones. I aslo got to see the new bunny in the name the bunny competition and he has the most wonderful ears as he has the most wonderful Pom poms on his ears and is a very calm bunny when being held.
I of course got the chance to play in the dye house.We got through a couple of Kilos of yarn getting closer and closer to the knitting show at Alexander Palace.


Washing Line full 


The only thing to hang on your washing line this season.They also intoduced me to a wonderful Khebab shop who make fresh Hummus to order it was heaven.

I've almost finished the aloha socks just another twelve rows I think and I will have a whole pair of socks.

Today I am back to joining the book binding Frenzy that is underway at the studio (no I'm not taking up bookbinding) but I've been helping a friend dye Vellum well its more like 100 things you shouldn't do to vellum.


look at the beatiful hand writing 



It does look pretty though but for future reference do not put it in microwave or in boiling water it shrinks.


Dyed Veluum 

Oh I almost forgot (how could I) when I was with Silkwood yesterday I met Shelagh from the Yarn House in Caterham and also took some kits to sell in the store. I'm going to be knitting samples for ever at this rate.


A cat picture just because 

Parcels Galore

I made great progress on these damn socks (excuse the language) as I said before I think Crazy Toes and Heels socks has some great ideas in it but I think it suffers from being self published as I personally find it quite frustrating

Sock so far 

(Spot the mistakes!!!)

but saying that I love the heel on it (basically an unwrapped short row heel) as the main thing I don't like about knitting socks is picking up the stiches along the heel flap, I already knit the Jill Vosburg short row heel toe up socks but now I can combine it with the two circular needles and two socks at a time idea and I might actually knit a few more socks.
I also managed to do a little work on some experiments for my next kit design,


latest experiment 
still needs a little work yet but like the colours.

I also recieved two more packages this morning (I told you I had a bad time at the beginning of the week, the first is some more patchwork fabric from ebay. A real bargin with the exchange rate.

Patchwork heaven 
Notice my favourite with the Sesame Street characters on it, obviously trying to wean myself off Pink isn't going well :)

My second parcel is to feed my new habit for Japanese puzzles,

my new obsession 

I know you are sitting there thinking that I have jumped on the band wagon of the Sudoku craze that seems to be sweeping the nation well I've been doing those for around a year now and have moved onto my new favourite 'light up' check out this website if you like puzzles Puzzle Japan there are lots of free puzzles and also instructions in english. My other favourite is Edel.

Great News

What a great way to start the day Brooke has very kindly agreed to stock some of my kits at yarnsmith and they went up on their site today so fingers crossed, I've been lucky with SIlkwood kindly taking my kits to all the shows they do but this is an added bonus.

Knitting wise I have just got to the gussett increases on my socks and am having the odd wobble about my rowan edgy exchange project but I think it will be alright.

I also recieved my first parcel from Amazon yesterday (no knitting books yet) but this lovely book on embroidered bags


new arrival 
which has some great shapes in it which maybe be worth tackling in a knitted felted bag.

Big Smile :)

Thanks for all the nice messages, its always nice to recieve comments especially after such a bad day, but Yeaterday was a lot better especially once I finally got to Liberty last night, its always nice to sit and knit with friends.

I did actually do some knitting yesterday I started on a pair of socks what a suprise I decided to try Queen Kahuna's method from her crazy toes and heels book,

Fan toe 
I'm finding the book quite frustrating but the technical instructions are great well worth it.

The other nice suprise for yesterday was my birthday present from Yvonne all parceled in the wonderful bag.


Beautiful bag 

Lool at the beautiful shells added to the ties.


something new to play with 

It got better she also gave me some interesting yarn a denim type with lurex glittry bits running through it.

One of the vogues on the Go Knitting book, with at least a couple of projects I want to tackle especially the mittens.


new book 

And look at this beautiful necklace, isn't it gorgeous, she knows how much of a butterfly thing I have (she also tucked in a butterfly patch)

Isn't it beautiful 
also the necklace is resting on the soap that was also included in this wonderful parcel it smells gorgeous.

I'm really lucky to have such good friends.