There are few things better than a shadey beach daybed with your bestie on a breezy August day. What a view! This was Vietnam, last summer.
Roll on the holidays.
Monday, 26 June 2017
Blue Monday
There are few things better than a shadey beach daybed with your bestie on a breezy August day. What a view! This was Vietnam, last summer.
Roll on the holidays.
Sunday, 25 June 2017
Weekend FO
FINALLY! A FO!
Pattern: Edgartown Light by Alicia Plums
Yarn: Triskelion Heulwen DK - about 4 and a half skein for the 44". It's 70% Alpaca, 20% Silk, 10% Cashmere goat, 100% yum.
Needles: 4.5mm and 3.75mm
Mods: Since this was a test knit, I made a few:
1. I lengthened the body by about 3 inches, as usual
2. I added some increases when the body got to 8 inches - 2 at each side every 11 rows, 4 times, just to give myself a little more room on the hips
3. I finished the neck with an icord bind off. If (when) I knit this again, I will start picking up for the neck at the bottom of the V instead of at the shoulder. This time, I broke the yarn and rejoined it at the bottom of the V to start the bind off, because I was a bit concerned the stitches would pull at the point and throw off the line on the front. This is drapey and plain, so not very forgiving of weird quirks and lines.
The sleeves are also accidentally longer than they should be, as I was supposed to start the cuffs at 15 inches but, by the time I'd finished the decreases, the sleeves were already nearly 17 inches long. As you can see, they're not too long, though.
Loving my neckline work, even if I do say so myself.
This is absolutely lovely and will be toasty warm and comfy all winter. I am very tempted to knit it again in a cotton blend I have lying around from Wonderwool 2015.
Pattern: Edgartown Light by Alicia Plums
Yarn: Triskelion Heulwen DK - about 4 and a half skein for the 44". It's 70% Alpaca, 20% Silk, 10% Cashmere goat, 100% yum.
Needles: 4.5mm and 3.75mm
Mods: Since this was a test knit, I made a few:
1. I lengthened the body by about 3 inches, as usual
2. I added some increases when the body got to 8 inches - 2 at each side every 11 rows, 4 times, just to give myself a little more room on the hips
3. I finished the neck with an icord bind off. If (when) I knit this again, I will start picking up for the neck at the bottom of the V instead of at the shoulder. This time, I broke the yarn and rejoined it at the bottom of the V to start the bind off, because I was a bit concerned the stitches would pull at the point and throw off the line on the front. This is drapey and plain, so not very forgiving of weird quirks and lines.
The sleeves are also accidentally longer than they should be, as I was supposed to start the cuffs at 15 inches but, by the time I'd finished the decreases, the sleeves were already nearly 17 inches long. As you can see, they're not too long, though.
Loving my neckline work, even if I do say so myself.
This is absolutely lovely and will be toasty warm and comfy all winter. I am very tempted to knit it again in a cotton blend I have lying around from Wonderwool 2015.
Monday, 19 June 2017
Blue Monday
I got one of these lacquered coconut shell bowls in Vietnam last summer. I don't like putting too much in it, because it's so pretty.
Sunday, 18 June 2017
Weekend WIP
SO. CLOSE.
I reckon 10 more round on these and I'm done. All the ends are already woven in, too, so it really is within touching distance. They may be a little long in the cuff but whenever I think that the sleeves seem to come out shorter than I thought, so I will keep going.
I reckon 10 more round on these and I'm done. All the ends are already woven in, too, so it really is within touching distance. They may be a little long in the cuff but whenever I think that the sleeves seem to come out shorter than I thought, so I will keep going.
Wednesday, 7 June 2017
Wonderwool 2017
After spending a chunk of my Christmas holiday reorganising and properly recording my stash, I was not in the mood for buying enormous quantities of yarn at Wonderwool this year, especially since I had only knitted up three of the things I bought last year. I had a little list: some black or dark grey 4-ply for a stripey jumper; something for the v-neck I am test knitting; and something from Fivemoons, because I was currently knitting the last of my Fivemoons stash.
Pleasingly, I managed to stick to my little list and not a great deal more. Here's what I got:
Five skeins of Triskelion , which is a luscious blend of alpaca, silk and cashmere goat. It is nearly all used up already, because I bought it for the v-neck pattern (tick)
Fivemoons - three skeins of charcoal grey 4-ply (tick)...
...four skeins of variegated purple DK (tick). Both of these were in the sale bin, hurrah! Bargains galore.
There were a few other bits:
I mean, obviously. This is by Hand-dyed by Kate for Sally. I might have added that last bit on but, come on.
I got these mini skeins (top ones pinker than they look; bottom ones earmarked for Mother Hand) to make some shawls, alongside this:
More luscious Triskelion. I know the lady who works the stall quite well and I'm sure she must rub her hands together gleefully whenever she sees me coming.
This was entirely unnecessary but just too pretty to leave behind. It was by Pook, which I initially misheard as Puke - totally inappropriate for the colourways but it did stick. They very cleverly had lots of samples knitted up and this was gorgeous as a shawl.
I got this our of Jenny's destash. I have such plans for it! Great big bundle of summer top promise.
No buttons. None! And I came home with money in my little bag. Though, the list does seem long now I have written it all down....maybe it's because they're mostly minis, that it feels like less.
Pleasingly, I managed to stick to my little list and not a great deal more. Here's what I got:
Five skeins of Triskelion , which is a luscious blend of alpaca, silk and cashmere goat. It is nearly all used up already, because I bought it for the v-neck pattern (tick)
Fivemoons - three skeins of charcoal grey 4-ply (tick)...
...four skeins of variegated purple DK (tick). Both of these were in the sale bin, hurrah! Bargains galore.
There were a few other bits:
I mean, obviously. This is by Hand-dyed by Kate for Sally. I might have added that last bit on but, come on.
I got these mini skeins (top ones pinker than they look; bottom ones earmarked for Mother Hand) to make some shawls, alongside this:
More luscious Triskelion. I know the lady who works the stall quite well and I'm sure she must rub her hands together gleefully whenever she sees me coming.
This was entirely unnecessary but just too pretty to leave behind. It was by Pook, which I initially misheard as Puke - totally inappropriate for the colourways but it did stick. They very cleverly had lots of samples knitted up and this was gorgeous as a shawl.
I got this our of Jenny's destash. I have such plans for it! Great big bundle of summer top promise.
No buttons. None! And I came home with money in my little bag. Though, the list does seem long now I have written it all down....maybe it's because they're mostly minis, that it feels like less.
Tuesday, 6 June 2017
Tuesday Ten
Ten Plans for the Summer
1. Massive lie in on July 10th. We break up two weeks earlier than everyone else, so this is obligatory.
2. Galapagos Islands. I'm going to cruise round them with a tour group and take pictures of as many different animals as possible. I hope to swim with some nosey sea lions. I aim to jump off the boat into the Pacific, but we'll see how cold it is first.
3. Machu Picchu. SO EXCITED! It's been top of my travel list for ages and ages. I can't wait to go.
4. Celebrating Peru's national day in Cusco. This also happens to be our wedding anniversary, steel, so I had better spend a little time shopping for a present to make it up to Mr Z, who is staying at home with the cat.
5. Doing bikram yoga in Lima. I thought it would be fun to try it in another language. I am hoping that, having now racked up about 80 classes, I know the spiel well enough to be able to follow it in Spanish.
6. Spending my birthday at home. I know, right? First time since 2012. My intention is to go to yoga in the morning and then go to knitting group with a cake. Or buy everyone cake, if we're in a cafe.
7. Italy with Mother Hand. We're going to Siena, where she visited last year but did not see much, due to reasons. Then we'll stay in Lucca for the end of the week and hopefully see the leaning tower in Pisa before flying home.
8. Work conference in Durham. Logistical nightmare because it starts the morning after we fly back from Italy, but I've never been to Durham so when school asked if anyone wanted to go, I was pleased to be able to get a space.
9. Tom's wedding in Wales. It's taking place on the coast somewhere. Excited about spending two nights away with Mr Z, for a change.
10. France with Tutt. We're looking at Brittany this year, but probably not camping again. I think Tutt had enough tent time last year.
Really excited by all of these plans and feeling very lucky. However, next summer I will be at home for most of it, due to new exam board job, so I have really tried to squeeze it all in this year.
1. Massive lie in on July 10th. We break up two weeks earlier than everyone else, so this is obligatory.
2. Galapagos Islands. I'm going to cruise round them with a tour group and take pictures of as many different animals as possible. I hope to swim with some nosey sea lions. I aim to jump off the boat into the Pacific, but we'll see how cold it is first.
3. Machu Picchu. SO EXCITED! It's been top of my travel list for ages and ages. I can't wait to go.
4. Celebrating Peru's national day in Cusco. This also happens to be our wedding anniversary, steel, so I had better spend a little time shopping for a present to make it up to Mr Z, who is staying at home with the cat.
5. Doing bikram yoga in Lima. I thought it would be fun to try it in another language. I am hoping that, having now racked up about 80 classes, I know the spiel well enough to be able to follow it in Spanish.
6. Spending my birthday at home. I know, right? First time since 2012. My intention is to go to yoga in the morning and then go to knitting group with a cake. Or buy everyone cake, if we're in a cafe.
7. Italy with Mother Hand. We're going to Siena, where she visited last year but did not see much, due to reasons. Then we'll stay in Lucca for the end of the week and hopefully see the leaning tower in Pisa before flying home.
8. Work conference in Durham. Logistical nightmare because it starts the morning after we fly back from Italy, but I've never been to Durham so when school asked if anyone wanted to go, I was pleased to be able to get a space.
9. Tom's wedding in Wales. It's taking place on the coast somewhere. Excited about spending two nights away with Mr Z, for a change.
10. France with Tutt. We're looking at Brittany this year, but probably not camping again. I think Tutt had enough tent time last year.
Really excited by all of these plans and feeling very lucky. However, next summer I will be at home for most of it, due to new exam board job, so I have really tried to squeeze it all in this year.
Monday, 5 June 2017
Blue Monday
This cloud appeared over the top of the mountain on the last day of our ski trip to Sauze dOulx in 2010.
Like a huge flying saucer. I'd never seen a cloud like it before, though when we went and looked it up it turned out to not be too rare.
I'm plotting my return to Sauze d'Oulx, maybe as early as next year. Delightful place to ski.
Like a huge flying saucer. I'd never seen a cloud like it before, though when we went and looked it up it turned out to not be too rare.
I'm plotting my return to Sauze d'Oulx, maybe as early as next year. Delightful place to ski.
Sunday, 4 June 2017
Weekend WIP
I'm still plugging away at this sweater I offered to test knit, but feeling very guilty because the designer published the pattern last week and I am still on the sleeves. Shame, shame, shame.
I have finished the body, to which I added some increases and a little extra length - I think 2 inches more. I've also picked up for the neckline and knitted that. The pattern just says, pick up every stitch and knit it, but that made me a little nervous so I roughly measured the neckline and made sure I had about 40 sts either side of the V, which seemed to work out. This meant picking up every stitch and knitting 2 in every 3. I don't think I pick up stitches the same way everyone else does, but it works for me.
I worked my favoured icord bind off on the neckline and it looks very neat. I am pleased with it.
This term might be a little quieter, since I'm not doing the usual exam board work. So, hopefully the sleeves will be done quickly. She says, hopefully.
I have finished the body, to which I added some increases and a little extra length - I think 2 inches more. I've also picked up for the neckline and knitted that. The pattern just says, pick up every stitch and knit it, but that made me a little nervous so I roughly measured the neckline and made sure I had about 40 sts either side of the V, which seemed to work out. This meant picking up every stitch and knitting 2 in every 3. I don't think I pick up stitches the same way everyone else does, but it works for me.
I worked my favoured icord bind off on the neckline and it looks very neat. I am pleased with it.
This term might be a little quieter, since I'm not doing the usual exam board work. So, hopefully the sleeves will be done quickly. She says, hopefully.
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