We're Back!

We had a fabulous time in Kefalonia. The weather was hot and sunny and Kefalonians are so friendly and helpful. We enjoyed it a lot more than expected. It was certainly a lazy holiday, much more than usual on our long haul trips, and mostly revolved around eating. Boy the greeks love to cook and eat and it was great dining out each night at a different restaurant or taverna trying something different. Even I was fine being a lactose intolerant veggie. I did get rather addicted to greek salads and had one every lunchtime ;)

Photos will come eventually. Probably once the mountain of paperwork and washing has gone down a bit........

For the first time I actually knitted by the pool. Only after lunch and under an umbrella whilst lying on the sunbed. It caused quite a bit of interest as you can imagine and I almost finished it before I went, just finishing the toe when once we were back. The colourway is Happy Valley which is such a pretty summery colour and will always remind me of Kefalonia. Pic will follow next post.

The animals were all pleased to see us back, especially Thunder who has been running round excitedly for days now. Bless ;)

This is what I got for my birthday the day before we left....... yes more Socks That Rock and the yarn to make the Blue Sky Alpaca Crochet Trimmed Hoodie pattern that I bought a little while back. It's in the most luxurious alpaca/wool yarn and in the palest pink ever. Hmm, can't wait till I can start that one. A fabulous new black Lumix camera which I am just in love with. Of course I've actually been using it for the past month or so, just to test it out of course, but had to give it back to DH so he could wrap it up. A knitted wire bracelet kit from TajCrafts that I really wanted to try. And a lovely Dr Hausckha gift set. Not bad eh he he? I also got a few holiday clothes too and some money which I used for some pretty M&S undie sets and also to renew my Rowan membership.

Here's a close up of my latest STR babies - 1 skein in Rhodonite and 1 in Chapman Springs. They're both absolutely gorgeous but Chapman Springs is really to die for. The colours are so vibrant which of course never shows onscreen.

We did end up going out for an Indian at our favourite restaurant and I'm glad we did. And finished off my birthday by watching Happy Feet on DVD! Boy I loved that film, it was excellent. I wasn't stressed in the evening as I'd done pretty much everything I needed and DH was also nice and helpful too.

The STR April Sock Club Kit arrived a few days before my birthday.... and I just love it. The new Silkie yarn is so tactile, you can just sit and stoke it for ages........of course it will be a little while before I get to start the sock what with holidays and the fact I haven't finished my Monsoon sock yet. Hope to get back working on that again soon.

Remember all that finishing I was doing before we went away. Well finally I got round to finishing my Fletcher coat in Noro Iro and it is beautiful. Of course it is totally the wrong time of year for a jacket or coat but who cares, she will be ready and waiting for me come autumn. The sense of accompliment once she was totally finished was truly amazing. This was some serious project!

Also finished is Soleil in Rowan Summer Tweed and I can't tell you how pleased I was with this top, especially the edging which I replaced as I wasn't keen on the original. Summer tops are usually very hit and miss and I'm rarely ecstatic over them. Maybe because the fit and shape of tiny summer tops are much more crucial, or maybe because knitting yarns are much thicker than the little stretchy vest type tops I wear. Whatever the reason, they're never in the same league as the wraps, shrugs, cardis etc. that I make. But not this one, this one is beautiful and something I would definitely wear out. It's a fabulous design and if anyone was thinking about making it, I'd definitely recommend it.

I tried to show a close up of the crochet border but it isn't that clear. If I remember I'll take a macro shot. The crochet edging is from Crochet Edgings & Trims by Susan Smith that I bought sight unseen from Amazon. A bit of a gamble but luckily it paid off as this edging has worked out brilliantly. It also boosted my crochet confidence too. Which is well needed for when I attempt the Crochet Edged Hoodie......

I've decided to have a yarn stash clear up and sell any yarns that I've had a while and still have no plans to use. Mostly from the days before I realised how often yarns are discontinued and sold off cheaply. Nowadays I'm a lot fussier on what sale yarns I buy. Which means I should have more room for my ever increasing STR sock yarn stash ;)

My last post was full of things that had gone wrong and it was quite a stressful time. Our holiday of course was totally relaxing and enjoyable, so you can imagine why I hit the roof the the evening we came home when I discovered my car insurance had expired 3 weeks before!!! A horrendous mistake which shouldn't have happened. I only rang up to ask for the 10% discount I was due to be applied to the renewal, so how that ended up with me having no insurance I have just no idea. A 2 page complaint letter is currently being drafted. Just what you don't need..... of course I'm now insured again but still amazing such a mistake can happen. Luckily I have my lovely knitting to keep me calm :-)

Oops - somehow Blogger's default setting was at 'no comments'. Thanks Chris for letting me know - all fixed now!

Life Gets A Bit Weird

You know things aren't going great when you come home from a manic morning at work to have your lunch to find the police have sent you a summons. Yes, apparently I went through a red light somwhere in Leicestershire at 8.15am on a Tuesday morning. Bit difficult when my car was outside my house at the time before I trundled off to work. In Weston-Super-Mare I might add. This kind of thing just sends your stress levels haywire. You know it isn't you, but the summons form didn't have an option for that. So then begins the fun of trying to ring and speak to a person.....

I did manage after several tries to leave a message and thankfully a few hours later was called back with an apology as it had been an error. I'm really glad I managed to get it sorted the same day. It would have played on my mind terribly.

Good news at work though. We interviewed 3 people in the morning and I rang and offered the position to our favourite in the afternoon. And even better, she accepted! Usually the manager does interviews but he's on holiday and the new person would be working with me and the other office administrator so it made sense we chose and interviewed. Though timewise we could have done without it, it all went well and finally there's a little light at the end of the tunnel.

I did more hours overtime over the last month than hours I work per week which is fine for the extra money but not good for my sanity and definitely not good knitting wise. Though I've said no more o/t or not much now as we'll shortly be off on our hols and no way will I get stressed from work before we go. I'm behind as it is without work stress. Is it just me that sorts everything holiday related out or does anyone's DH help out too?

I've also realised going away the day after my birthday is not actually a great idea. Not sure if I'll feel like a meal out as I'll be running round like a headless chicken trying to get everything ready. Oh well, we'll see soon enough won't we?

Added to the fun of receiving the summons we're having trouble with our burglar alarm and have been let down by a recommended company 3 times out of 4. Not good before you go away. Neither is having your electricity meter stop working again. Its lasted a year! If that hasn't been enough I've had an absolute nightware with the edging of Tulip. The knitted on edging is fine, but the edging knitted separately has been horrendous. The pattern isn't clear and the instructions make little sense. If you look at both pics of it in Rowan 41 you can see the edgings have been done completely differently on both tops - 1 has the ws edge facing and the other rs facing. It gets worse. The sleeve edging isn't long enough to go around the armhole. I've tried and failed to get it right countless times. Frankly, I'm sick of the sight of it. The main body edging is done and I don't care how it looks anymore or even if it wants to stick out a little. I shall bash it about with the iron a bit. No way will I redo it!

I will start again with more stitches for the sleeve edging though after sewing up the sides and deciding how long the edging really needs to be. Then finish the ties one which is almost done. Amazing how long that takes too. I really hope its worth all this trouble in the end.....

All this ranting might make you think I wouldn''t have much to show for my recent efforts, but surprisingly I have quite a few FOs to show. DH scared me last week when he said you realise its only 2 weeks till we go away and it dawned on me the amount of finishing I had to do. So rather than start a nice new calming project I've done non-stop finishing.

And first FO is the lovely Monsoon sock from my Blue Moon Feb Sock Kit. I haven't managed to start the 2nd but hopefully will get around to it once all this finishing is out the way ;) I've really enjoying knitting the sock and though it had lots of firsts for me, I found it all relative simple and easy to follow and lots of fun. The shape still amuses me no end ;)

Next FO is the Halterneck Top in Rowan Calmer. Officially it is the last 2006 FO as that was when it was knitted. It always amazes me how long a crochet edging or tie can take. DH loves this top and asked if I'll be taking it away with me on our hols. Praise indeed!

Third FO is After Dark in Rowan Summer Tweed which is a really pretty top. The Rowan beads look fabulous and I'm really glad I got them. I will try something else for the ties though as I'm not totally keen on using the same yarn for the ties. It looks ok but think they could look better. It'll do for the time being though.

Last but not least are my Mango Speed Demon Sweet Georgia socks. Boy are these lovely & warm and oh so comfy. Perfect house and bed socks especially for those cold spring evenings.

This will be my last post till we're back from our hols. Its my birthday at the end of the month and we're off to Kefalonia the day after for 2 weeks. Fingers crossed we get warm weather! Being used to the tropics and not going to the Mediterranean for 20 years we could be in for quite a surprise. I'm sure it will be lovely though doubt much time will spent in the sea ;)

PS Sad news I'm afraid. Our beloved hamster Custard passed away on Sunday in his sleep. I know he was 3 years and 1 and a half months old but it was still a shock and we both really miss him. We gave him a little burial and hope he's happy in Hammy Heaven feeding on a never ending supply of organic sunflower seeds.

Finally.....

Yup, at last, Tulip is almost finished. The fronts and back are done and shoulders bound off. It's been pressed (this is definitely a yarn that looks much better after pressing) and is ready for edgings. Which will take forever no doubt. I feel really relieved the main body has been done. It's really felt like its dragged on, though maybe this hasn't been helped by the multiple WIPs I seem to have right now.

There is the Kim Hargreaves lace shrug which I wanted to take on holiday this year. Which is next month. Yes, you can stop laughing now. Problem is, I can't stand lace. Really, it winds me up. I keep asking DH if he can imagine me wearing it as I'm not sure (in the hope he'll say its horrid and I can frog it) but he keeps insisting he can picture me in it. Darn! So its a very slow going project as even 10 rows of lace is enough to send me barking mad ;(

So I need a nice 'proper' project to keep my sanity going in the evenings after I've done some horrible lace. And I think it has to be Foxglove in Rowan Calmer. Soft, soothing & oh so pretty. Perfect ;)

But I've been really good and carried on with my other WIPs first so I feel I've actually made some real progress at last. A good feeling ;)

I've actually gone and done some pressing. Well quite a bit in fact! This was quite a surprise but unfortunately rather necessary before I drowned in a pile of FOs waiting for pressing and finishing. So After Dark is pressed and a matching yarn found. Thats it so far though, whaddya expect - miracles? Soleil is also pressed and waiting some attention. And a couple of bits that needed seams pressing have been done too. Phew, glad the pressing is all done for a while......

My lovely STR Fairgrounds sock now has a mate! Yippe, another pair of socks have landed ;) I love them. They love me. All is good. Except I've had to start handwashing my handpainted socks yarns. No more chucking them in the machine for me I'm afraid. My X-Mas Rock STR became a struggle to get on........making me wonder if my ankles had grown. But no, they've started to 'bloom' quite a bit more than older socks. The machine has to be blamed (though possibly I could have washed them on the wrong setting...) but to be safe and keep both them and me happy handwashing is the way to go. It's not a big deal I've found out, especially using Lakekand's Lavender Wool Wash which is a wonderful no-rinse product.

My washing machine is notorious for felting things when its not supposed to and I know it shrinks my socks a little each time. But they usually stretch back again. Obviously this isn't really the best way to treat expensive handpainted yarns.......no matter what it says on the label!

My STR Monsoon sock is doing rather well. Even DH commented on how fast it seems to have grown ;) The garter stitch heel was rather fun to do until I realised the sock was too long and I had to frog 10 rows of rib and do it again! I can't quite work out how you make sure the sock is the right length when doing toe up. Especially as I like a snug fitting sock. But not having to decrease on the gusset was truly wonderful and the cable leg part is flying along. I do wonder though if the 2nd sock (when I get there that is!) will drag and I'll suffer from SSS. Time will tell no doubt :)

Does anyone else think my sock reminds them of umm, something usually related to male anatomy??? Makes me smile whenever I knit the sock. DH thinks the same too. Sure is one strange looking sock ;)

The garter stitch toe (yup, another first) was simple to do and a success until I realised it was much too big so I had to redo that on fewer stitches. All good fun though eh and practise does make perfect doesn't it?

Good news on my Fletcher coat. It's all sewn up now. Just seams to be pressed then the fun of making loops and toggles. Why is this prospect just so not exciting me......hmmm could it be the fun of making loops out of Noro Iro which just loves to break? Ho hum.

Hope everyone is having a good Easter. It's the first time I can remember it being sunny all Easter for a long time and its great. We were at the beach and had chips on the pier Friday which was fab ;)

Highs and Lows

What an interesting couple of weeks its been. The highs are easily the long awaited arrival of my first Socks That Rock February Club Kit!!! The lows were the long waiting time which caused much anguish and frowning of brows and almost endangered the life of our postie. Turns out the package cleared customs on the 11th March, but didn't arrive till the 19th! What was it doing for 8 days - crazy huh? So it actually took longer to reach me once in the UK than it did to get to the UK in the first place. Oh I was so not happy ;(

But joy was back in the house once again after arrival of said and much loved parcel. I was so impressed with the kit and the colourway. I love those colors. Reminds me of rainforests and my trip to Kenya which brings back great memories. I'm even 'shock horror' actually going to attempt the pattern too! This is a highly unusual step for me, as I'm a cuff down plain sock slip stitch heel flap girl all the way. But there's something about it that makes me want to try. It will be the first time of using mediumweight STR as well as a toe up sock and all that entails. Should be fun........oh where is that Lucy Neatby DVD hiding ;)

Of course due to the delay and my very obvious disappointment lovely DH took me to Get Knitted to cheer me up. However I didn't think he was that lovely after the parcel arrived on the Monday and he said 'so you'll be taking it all back then'! Of course I ignored him as seriously, he must have been joking. I mean, what was he thinking. Take back.....what does that mean exactly???

The taking back would have deprived me of the lovely Blue Sky Alpaca hoodie pattern (yes, another hoodie), the lovely skein of Jitterbug in Alizarine and the gorgeous skein of Lucy Neatby's Celestial Dream in Fiesta. Not forgetting the Lucy Neatby Socknitting Techniques DVD 1! Of course taking any of this back was never going to happen and although not the cheapest of retail therapy shopping trips, I was extremely happy with my purchases. Good job I did all that overtime then.....

Tulip now has one front and back which were attached with a three needle bind off. And to my delight I didn't even have to think about the short row shaping for the shoulders! I was rather impressed with myself. It's nice when that happens ;) I've just started the right front though admittedly it is taking longer than I'd anticipated. Reminds me why I like chunky yarns so much!

I have one STR sock in Fairgrounds the second is half finished. I really should finish it before starting on my sock kit.......we'll see shall we. My Mango Speed Demon Sock has had some progress too and I'm now on the gusset and finished all the dreaded ribbed cuff. Remind me not to do that again.

Thats it really knitting wise. Work has been manic and I've done hours and hours of work at home too so have only really managed to knit for an hour or so each evening as I'm just so tired. We're advertising for some help so I'm hoping we get someone in quick so I can stop bringing so much home.

I did do some sewing up that I'm rather proud of and now my Fletcher coat has one side and sleeve seamed. She looks fabulous and I can now try her on. She's kinda jacket length rather than coat length which is just perfect for me. Maybe soon she'll get to go on an outing!

I've been watching bits of the Lucy Neatby DVD Knitting Essentials 1 that I mentioned previously and am so impressed. Already I've picked up hints and tricks that I will definitely try. Reading about other methods doesn't really inspire you to try them unless its because you're unhappy with your current one. But seeing other methods in front of you is superb - finally you can visualise them and see their benefits. I can't recommend the DVD highly enough and I expect the Sock Knitting DVD to be just as great. It really is excellent for anyone wanting to improve their knitting or try out new methods whatever their skill level, or not as the case maybe ;)

Before jetting of to Dublin I just had to make myself another mini sock to attach to my bag. This one is in the colours I did for my friend Joanne that I forgot to take a pic of, so I can now put a photo in for the keyring in my 2006 FO list. Although of course I have one attached to my keyring, if I'm out with DH we usually bring his keys so my lovely mini sock has to sit at home all alone. Now I have a portable one too and all is well ;)















Sweet little Custard has had his home renovated after I found him struggling to get up the tube to get to his bedroom & bathroom which are on the top level of his cage. So now he has a bungalow ;) He was not happy at first but I couldn't bear the thought of him strugging to get upstairs again. It was quite awful to watch as he struggled for what felt like a few minutes and I couldn't help him at all. Poor old thing. He has settled down now and has a new ground floor bedroom and bathroom. Doesn't stop him from climbing the sides of his cage now though ;)

A Short Break

It's all been a bit busy here lately, hence the later than usual post. DH & I went to Dublin for 3 nights to celebrate his 'special' birthday which was on Tuesday which was lovely. Neither of us had ever been to Ireland before so it was a real treat and great to do something different. I hardly did any knitting at all while away, though I did finally manage to cast on the second Sweet Georgia Speed Demon sock........ though have managed only about 20 rows so far ;)

I was surprised at how little yarn was on sale in Dublin, and not one single skein of Rowan was seen! We popped into a shop that I'd heard had some but only had acrylic and eyelash yarn so that info was out of date. We happened to spot it as we were wandering around so at least hadn't made a special journey. There is a shop listed on the Rowan site but as it was a bus ride away didn't think it fair to DH to drag him off, especially as the break was for him.

The only knitting related item I bought was a pair of angora/wool socks which are lovely and soft. But when I put them on was really disappointed with the toe seam. Boy doesn't making your own socks really appreciate well made socks! They are comfy though and are great bed socks.

We did manage another visit to Get Knitted the previous weekend where I stumbled on some GGH cashmere in the sale for £1 a ball! So of course I had to buy some. You can't turn down bargains like that, I mean.....100% cashmere! I also picked up the sock yarn in the sale too and the latest issue of Knit Simple which I really like for once. It is a surprisingly good issue. And somehow the Lucy Neatby DVD managed to fall in my basket - how did that happen? Unfortunately I've not had any time to watch it yet which kinda says how its been round here lately. And lastly some DPNs in the new Clover sizes, this set are a 2.75mm in case my new sock kit contains some mediumweight STR. Ya gotta be prepared ;)

Work went absolutely manic before we left and it was a pretty stressful time and all the things I'd planned to do just didn't get done. Happens that way sometimes doens't it? I have done quite a bit knitting wise these past few weeks but just haven't had the time for finishing, sewing up or photos. Maybe next post eh?

I did manage to finish After Dark which only used 3 skeins of Summer Tweed for the size 8. She looks really lovely already and I think will be fab when all complete and beads added. Talking of beads, I was kinda shocked when I realised they would cost £9! I mean, thats almost the price of a couple of skeins....but then when I had a look at alternatives realised there were plenty of beads far more expensive and of course I really wanted the Rowan ones as they look so lovely. So DH got them for me as a little treat. I would have got them eventually, but it is nice to have them all ready and waiting ;)

Tulip has been started and the back isn't far from completion with only the short row shoulders to do but no photo yet as there isn't much to show really. I'm loving knitting with Damask though which is much softer than I expected. Its a very tactile yarn which surprises me considering the composition. Though I'm finding it a little hard going using 3.75mm needles. It definitely feels like its taking forever. Definitely not a quick knit for me ;)

I was so expecting to have my Socks That Rock Sock Club Kit arrive whilst in Dublin but they didn't which was a little disappointing, but they're on they're way and hopefully will arrive really soon. I can't help hoping they'll arrive each day and have given reading up the KAL as I don't want to hear about everyone else having theirs already! So instead of a pic of my not yet arrived kit here we have a WIP of the lovely colourway Fairgrounds which is not far off finished now. Only one more sock to go then......

Our super duper lovely hamster Custard also celebrated a special birthday and has now reached the grand old age of 3!!! He is still lively if a little wobbly on his legs which explains why its so hard to get a photo of his face these days as I don't like using the flash much near him anymore. Doesn't my Iro coat look lovely though (yes, its still waiting to be sewn up...). Custard is such a sweetie and really quite tolerant of his daily eye drops and totally addicted to organic sunflower seeds ;)

Hurrah!

Finally. It's here, at last. Yup, Kitsch has landed and been finally sewn up. Just waiting seam pressing now. I won't describe the very colourful language used during said sewing up. Use your imagination ;) It was so difficult to get the stripes on the sides to match up and I had to restart several times. Weirdly though the arms were easy peasy......funny that. Anyway, she looks lovely and I'm very happy with her and can't wait for warmer weather so I can actually wear the little darling.....

I visited Get Knitted again a week ago last Thursday with my mad knitting friend Jackie and it was just such a fabulous visit. Imagine being surrounded by loads of lovely yarn, knitting books, knitting magazines, Brittany needles and Clover doodahs. If that wasn't enough you can make yourself a drink and looks through all the lovely books and magazines.....honestly, it really is knitters heaven ;)

Sue has been ever so kind and let me swap my skein of Colinette Jitterbug Popsicle sock yarn for a much brighter version. No doubt to stop me harping on about how different some of the skeins are compared to others .....can you believe this is the same shade? Now we all know I love bright socks so I am just delirious that I can change the much greener version for the funky bright lary one! Very big thanks to Sue ;)

I was very restrained with my buying and bought enough Damask in Zircone for Tulip from Rowan 41 and a Cropped Cardi pattern from Blue Sky Alpacas. I'd seen the shade cards but boy was it different seeing them in the flesh. I totally changed my mind from what I'd seen in the shade cards. They really only give you an idea. This design is my favourite from the new magazine and the one that as soon as I saw it just had to have it! Of course, you will know exactly what I mean ;)

It's been a busy time with all sorts going on. I upgraded my Blogger template so had some tidying up to do as re-inserting all the various HTML codes that hadn't migrated. Amazing how much time that takes but all is well now.

I've done lots of knitting but not so many photos. I've finished the knitting part of Soleil from the new Rowan Kasbah Collection and its waiting sewing up and then the border to be added. The pattern has a sewn on knitted border but I don't fancy that so will try some type of crochet border me thinks.



I'm now working on After Dark also from the Kasbah Collection using yet more Summer Tweed from my stash. Oh it does feel good using yarn from stash :)


My Fletcher coat has all been knitted and pressed and is now next in line for sewing up. I was so elated after finished Kitsch that I sewed a sleeve on straight after. I surprised myself totally by doing this but was glad I did. Thankfully sewing up Iro is far far easier than the dreaded stripes of Kitsch. So not too long now and I will have me a knitted coat! YAY!!!

I've also had lots of time to think and decide on what else I want to make from Rowan 41 so here goes:

Foxglove just wowed me straight away. I almost have enough Calmer from stash but not quite and as I didn't fancy frogging the vest top that is just waiting to have crochet straps added I managed to order an extra 2 balls to make sure. The shade I have Flamingo is discontinued and I wondered if I'd manage to get any more, but luckily I did. It might not be the same dye lot but hopefully I'll get away with using for edgings & the tie.

The only thing I'm not so keen on is the crochet flowers which are really too girly for me. So any suggestions for an edging would be gratefully received! I did see a book on Amazon for 150 Crochet Edgings - maybe that would be a good idea especially as I need an edging for Soleil too! If anyone has seen the book, opinions would be great ;)


I love this vest top Juniper. I love Calmer. What a perfect partnership. And yep, I get to use more stash! Though of course I don't expect I'll do stripes, maybe just a little border instead.






Spice tempts me too and I was umming and aahing between this and the next design Maris. They're still on my possibles but I think Foxglove is the way to go. Isn't it fab there are so many garments in Calmer to choose from! This makes me v. happy indeedy ;)




I think Maris is the more versatile of these 2 but we'll see how things work out. By the time I've finished the next few planned projects who knows what I'll want by then ;)







And last but definitely not least, my Valentine's Day gift from my DH. Yup more Socks That Rock, this time in Fire on The Mountain and Fairgrounds. I've started Fairgrounds already, I kinda feel lost without having a pair of STR on the go. They relax me so much watching the fabulous colours appear, kinda like therapy really, but much more enjoyable ;)

It's Arrived!

Thank you for the lovely comments on my hoodie. It is indeed the softest yarn imaginable and this is one yarn you can wear next to your skin without any irritiation whatsover. In fact I would wear it with nothing underneath except for the fact I'd need to wash it each time. Thats how soft it is.

Get Knitted a week ago last Saturday was amazing. The shop is LARGE, light and airy full of wonderful yarns. Sue & co have really done a fantastic job and it is well worth a visit, or preferably several. Having only just paid for my STR Sock Club I only bought a couple of items but it is just so good being able to see and fondle all the lovely yarns in the flesh ;) There is just so much yarn though its a little hard to take it all in. Most yarn shops are teeny and you're falling over people. Not here, oh no, there are sofas and drinks and magazines, oh and did I mention all the YARN!!!

The Clover Soft Touch Crochet Hook I bought is truly amazing. I've been crocheting a dish/washcloth and finding my finger got very sore and almost blistering forcing me to stop. It was metal as a smallish size so I really needed an alternative so I tried one. And I love it. So much so I've had to order a set from Web of Wool with case of course and will probably sell my old ones. I can't stand metal anyway so the smaller ones will definitely have to go. I thought crocheting dishcloths might make them a little more hardwearing and also would avoid the dreaded cotton arm ache. But defeats the object if the hook makes my fingers sore. Hurrah to Clover! Clever lot they are.

I also picked up a tip for the KnowKnits case which I've found to be pretty useless as I can't get it to close it properly. Again, defeats the purpose. But Carol said some vaseline on the cord sorts that problem out. Good idea, cheers Carol! I tried it with some lypsyl and that worked a treat - yay :)

It is that time of year again. Oh yes, the new Rowan collection came out on the 1st Feb accompanied by new yarns and new booklets. I absolute love the new Rowan Magazine 41 which arrived yesterday to my delight and surprise which will explain the late post! Sorry guys, but I had to drool over the new mag. I love this mag and already have several items I want to make. I'm ecstatic, a lot of it will be from stash which is even better though I can't wait to try the new yarn Damask. More next post, once I've whittled down my many favourites ;) Oh so different from last season when I struggled to find new things to make.

Also arrived were the fabulous Crystal Palace DPN's in the 2.25mm sizes that I'd been desperate for. They are indeed stronger as I'd been told and I so wish they were sold in the UK.

And I forgot to mention the Rollie Stitchkeepers I got from Web of Wool. They are really handy when you're knitting the cuff or foot but I discovered are no use when you're knitting the gusset. But a great asset to the sock knitting addict who likes to take a project with them wherever they go.

Oh yes, what have I been knitting? Well the Fletcher coat in Noro Iro is 5 cm off from being finished. Can you believe I ran out - seems to be a habit with Noro as it rarely if ever happens with any other yarns. Anyway as its the hood I'm not worried about dye lot so had to order another skein. It sure makes it an expensive knitted item though quite reasonable really for a coat.

When it turned cold I decided to knit the second Fuzzy Feet slipper sock which was whipped up in no time. Here we have a pre-felting picture - my they are large!


And then a post felting FO picture. This is after the second time in the machine. Just one wash proved very unsatisfactory but they're better now, though still too wide for my liking. Maybe they'll have another trip through the washer at some point. But no way are they as nice as my Kureyon felted slipper socks which are far nice and a much much better fit. The Fuzzy Feet have a kind of pixie foot shape thing going on which I'm not so keen on. They do the trick though, but I wouldn't make another pair. I kinda expected Lopi to felt quicker than it did, but I know for next time.

This is the wonky crochet washcloth that gave me a blister I mentioned earlier which is really rather embarassing and shows off my crochet skills to a t. But hey, I got the hang of it after a while as you can see and managed to do the rest of it straight. Practice makes perfect eh? And I'm sure the next one will so much easier with my lovely Clover Soft Touch hooks ;)

I've also been working on a few summer bits that were hidden in the depths of my Bagsmith bag but there's nothing to show yet. I'm just picking up whatever I fancy. I'm holding off starting a new big project till I've made a decision on the new Rowan collection and had a look at the new yarns in the flesh.

But I couldn't leave you without this fabulous FO. Yup, another pair of Socks That Rock, these in X-Mas Rock. I can't tell you how much I love these socks. Just amazing ;) And I just love the flash pooling on the gusset - just like go faster stripes!