Thursday, March 09, 2006

Spring Has Sprung

Well finally it looks like spring has actually arrived. Literally overnight. One day freezing. Next day mild. Its quite amazing how your mood changes with some sunshine. Though now we're having lots of rain, but who cares, its not freezing any more!



The last of my Valentine's sock yarn arrived from Germany. Fab colours and I really love the dark pink/red colourway and am glad I got that as well. Spot the booklet that came with the yarn? As well as having pics of all the Lana Grossa Milenweit colours it has the fab Simply Splendid Socks pattern from Lucy Neatby. And even better, her pattern instructions for the heel are how I did my last pair and loved it, with the slip stitches on the purl row rather than the knit row. Much easier. So I'm very happy ;) Her heel turning instructions are different though and I've no idea what its called. Hopefully they'll fit real good, otherwise there will be trouble!



On the sock subject, I'm sorry to bore those that have already seen the single sock, but I had to share this photo of the pair. They are just wonderful. Perfect for brightening up the day - and did I already mention how well they fit? Plus they're also the first FO of March to appear. Many more should follow.....

It was my DHs birthday this week and to celebrate we went to our favourite indian restaurant. I just love Indian food, no trouble with allergies or intolerances there. And the food here is amazing. Just perfect for a night out.

The downside to the birthday celebrations was that I didn't get much sewing up or finishing done. Well its my excuse and I'm sticking to it ;)

However I did pick up the border for Deep which is now all done. I won't bore you with details but will say it was an extremely painful process and not one I wish to repeat for quite a while. I knew it wouldn't be good, but I didn't expect it to be quite so hellish. The border does look lovely though and DH was suitably impressed when I tried it on, even without the arms which was a good sign.

So now just the arms to sew up. I'm deliberating whether to try and sew up with Summer Tweed or see if I can find something else to make the job less painful. Tips anyone?

As the knitting part of Deep was finished I got to start a new project. YAY!!! So I started a design called Chardonnay which is a strappy holiday top knitted in Jaeger Trinity, which is just so lovely and soft. Much softer than Summer Tweed, though still bobbly and textured. I'm using Shell which is discontinued and from my stash. Oh yes, aren't I good? It's a bit boring at the moment as there is yet more ribbing to be done. I'll be glad when the ribbing is done and I'm back to lovely plain old stocking stitch.

The pattern is from Knitting magazine, and is the ONLY pattern I've seen in it that I knew I would make. My DH usually laughs hysterically at most of the patterns. He does the same with Simply Knitting too and says it isn't worth the paper its printed on. Some issues he most certainly does have a point. But both mags have lots of ads that are always interesting and stuff on new items. And Knitting has superb technical articles that are worth keeping. And I can always flog copies of Simply Knitting on Ebay - as I have done in the past. So I carry on subscribing.......and give my DH a good laugh into the bargain. Can't ask for more than that ;)

8 comments:

Chris said...

The pair of socks is really cute! I just love bright stripes... And the Meilenweit looks like it will be a lot of fun to knit.

Anonymous said...

Lovely sock wool. The Lucy Neatby pattern is one of my favourites - I rely on her instructions for short row heels. As for men and knitting magazines - do they ever do anything except laugh?!

soapy said...

What GREAT yarns and sock patterns! Spring Fever!

Anonymous said...

I managed to sew up with Summer Tweed but I think I'd prefer to use 4-ply cotton or embroidery thread. Great socks!

Anonymous said...

Yay for the pair!!! They look so cute. And a word on your new sock yarn... it's great, I too love the pink/red/purple colourway. Sounds like you'll be busy sock making!

xx

Kelly said...

Wow, I appear to have stumbled on Sock Nirvana...

I am turning the heel of my very first sock this evening and am in awe of everyone else's completed beauties...

Anonymous said...

I absolutely love that single sock you showed. Where did you find the pattern for Simply Splendid Socks?

Carol in WI

RoxyK said...

Oh thank you! I got the pattern for Simply Splendid Socks free with an order for Lana Grossa Milenweit yarn, but the pattern is by Lucy Neatby and easily available on many websites. Searching on google would be best as the companies I use are mainly in the UK.