Wednesday, August 01, 2007

Anticipation

Yup, its that time of year again when all the new collections and pattern books are due out. I'm excited about the new Rowan mag which I'm waiting for and also Jane Ellison's new Noro book. Though I've succumbed to the Rowan 42 previews and definitely don't like what I've seen so far......though I'm hoping there's more in the mag I do like when it does arrive. Yarnwise I don't think there's anything coming out to thrill me, a lot of it has mohair or something else I'm allergic to but thats ok, I have plenty in my stash including some Noro Kochoran and plenty of Noro Iro just waiting to be knitted up. I really can't wait to put away all my summer projects and get started on something for autumn. Not exactly helped by the awful weather and floods we've had in the UK, though thankfully everything seems to have settled down the last few days and we've had some lovely sunny days.

I've not had a chance to wear either of the summer vesty type tops I made from Summer Tweed earlier this year which is a shame. Maybe next year eh? Though I'm hoping to get some wear of the Crochet Trimmed Hoodie from Blue Sky Alpacas.......as and when its finished of course. I'm on the sleeves, but of course all the edgings have to be done then. Why have I chosen so many projects with edgings that take longer than the main garment to complete??? Remind me not to do it again, it really is not the best of ideas and looks like I've knitted a lot less this year.

You'll be pleased to hear that no major events have happened over the last couple of weeks and I'm just so relieved. I've finally gotten my car back from the garage which of course is now costing more than expected and was also in for longer than expected which was such an inconvenience. Add that to a very expensive van service for DH at a new garage that we won't be using again. But neither of these has stressed me out for long though I was very annoyed when 2 of the guys at worked were mucking about and sprayed deodorant behind me!!! Of course that set off my allergies and I was back to full meds for asthma and of course my exzema flared up badly. I really could have done without that but all things considered, it hasn't been a bad couple of weeks.

We joined our local Gala bingo hall and had a good night out a couple of Saturdays ago. I love bingo though usually only play online every now and then, but now that there's no smoking inside we thought we'd try it out. It was fun, though extremely tiring as we had to concentrate so much. We must have enjoyed it though as we've been back twice since! DH loves it, which is good.

And I even wore the much stressed over Foxglove in Rowan Calmer that is finally finished and a certified FO! Oh the relief, I can't tell you. I was very close to chucking it out the window BUT after finishing the belt etc decided it was rather nice actually. DH loves it and says I looks very pretty in it ;)

I really need to tackle the rest of my almost FO's including the long avoided Tulip. I'lll feel better when its done, really, I'm sure I will. Yes, I'm trying to persuade myself.......

We also went to see Harry Potter & The Order of The Phoenix which was quite enjoyable once it got going. I found the beginning terribly boring but luckily had brought some knitting so that kept me out of trouble till it got more exciting. We even managed a couple of trips to the beach and pier on the few sunny days we've had which was also made much more enjoyable without any smokers. It really makes a huge difference ;)

Back to knitting news. The shock of the week was that Rowan yarns have come to Weston. Yes, really! The Wool Sanctuary has its official opening day on Sat 11th August and is the brainchild of the very lovely Suzie Johnston who has worked for Rowan for a number of years and who hosted the very popular John Lewis Saturday knitclub at Cribbs Causeway, Bristol. She will open for appointments in the evenings during the week and during the day at weekends and hosts a Saturday knitclub where you can even have lunch. Of course I've already been round and sank into a very comfy sofa whilst drinking a cup of earl grey tea AND looking at yarn. What more can you ask for! Suzie will be hosting workshops too and these are all detailed on the site and look most interesting.

Another surprise was that Jaeger will be discontinued. I think we all knew it was on the cards but seeing as new yarn ranges were only brought out in Spring, I didn't expect it would happen this quickly. I'm not too bothered as long as I have enough Extra Fine Merino Chunky to finish a cardi thats been waiting patiently since last year!

If that wasn't enough I discovered a yarn store in Clevedon, which is one junction away from us on the M5. It stocks a little Rowan, and other cheaper brands with a little Lorna's Laces. But also has fabric, haberdashery, needlepoint supplies and will be quite handy when I need bag lining fabric. More interestingly though is a lovely holistic store that stocks many of the organic toiletries I need to buy online or have to travel into central Bristol for, and even better, has a treatment centre downstairs for various holistic treatments and even allergy testing!!! So I might have to book myself in for that.

My much frogged Walking on the Wild Tide STR Silkie yarn is happily turning to socks. Strangely enough the fabric from 2.25mm needles was a little too firm and lost of all its softness and silkiness so I frogged yet again and they're going quite well on 2.5mm, being a cross between Widdershins and Grasshoppers, which is basically the same toe-up style. Mind you, I'm about to turn the heel and don't yet know if they will actully fit ok yet. It has to be said, this is what puts me off toe-up socks. Hopefully they will be fine, as I'm not sure the yarn or me are up to any more frogging really!

9 comments:

Linda said...

Nothing has struck me as very knittable in the Rowan previews either but it always looks better in the flesh so to speak!
I love your Foxglove, it does look so nice and a great fit too.
The new yarn place and holistic store sound good.
I am glad no bad things have happened for a couple of weeks :)

Chris said...

Cute picture! Sorry to hear about that asthma flare-up - idiots. Hmph.

Your Silkie sock is lovely! I think it's just a matter of experience, getting toe-up socks to fit. I only knit toe-up socks! But I basically knit the same basic toe-up sock and plug in stitch patterns. I have the fit thing down pretty well by now.

Anonymous said...

I just love the finished top - it is gorgeous and way better than the original design (which I glanced at and then passed over) yours, I would not only pay loads of money for but would rip off your back and run away with! Really lovely, on second thoughts, you model it so well I won't steal it from you - but it is just gorgeous and I am totally covetous.

Interesting comments on the Rowan Mag - I was having a look through a copy of Rowan42 in Glasgow John Lewis today and initially my heart just sank, eventually getting nearer the middle of the book there were more wearable (conventional / boring?) stuff that I would happily knit, I think I will wait until my copy lands on the floor mat then have another look - maybe it will look better then, but first impressions were not as good as some - I thought at the time I would need to adjust or take ideas rather than actually knit any garments.

Madge said...

Foxglove is beautiful, beautiful, beautiful on you! (and wouldn't a matching pink felted purse be too too much?! *squee*) Lovely job!

Whoa, Jaeger is being discontinued? Do you think it's because it is such a similar line to Rowan? Or is there other dish I don't know about? Please spill! :D

I know your Silkies are proving a little difficult in telling you what they want to be, but their latest version is pretty. The pattern works nicely with the variegation, imho.

Finally, (am I babbling? probably!) it's great that you have two new nearby LYS, and the holistic store, too. Very handy!

Piglottie said...

I actually like quite a lot of the previews in Rowan 42 so cant wait for it to arrive - I think there's some really cute cardigans in there :) I agree with your DH, Foxglove looks really pretty and suits you.

LOL Everything puts me off toe up! I just hate the method, but we all cant love the same things. I do however adore the STR yarn - what stunning colours.

Glad to hear life has been easier for you hun :)

Curly Cable said...

I'm still waiting for the new Rowan mag too, hope it comes soon, I havan't see any previews yet, but oh no, not more patterns with mohair, I'm allergic to this too! Thanks for the heads up about a new Noro book, must check that one out. Sorry to hear you've had another asthama attack, due to the idiotic antics of two fellow workers. Foxglove is fantastic, it really suits you and is so pretty, your edging looks super and is far, far better than the one in the original pattern. Your silkie sock looks great too, the colours in the yarn show really well! Great news that you now have a fabulous local yarn shop and a holistic store too, Now we know where you go to hide;-) Good luck with the Gala bingo, hope you have a good win ;-)

Diane said...

Foxglove looks wonderful on you. Great job!

artyfartykat said...

Pleased to hear that no bad things have happened for a while,excluding the deodorant episode of course!
Foxglove looks lovely, really suits you too. The Wool Sanctuary sounds fab, what a brill idea.
The socks look brill too!

Kath said...

What a lot of lovely goodies you have! They'll keep you busy for a while but great compensation for your stressfull few weeks. Foxglove looks lovely - you must be really pleased with the result. Lucky you having both your IK and VK - neither of mine have arrived yet and I'm not ammused! Ah well!