I am a Daffodil What Flower Are You?

Found courtesy of Daisy.

And there was me thinking all this time, I was a delicate and precious orchid.

FO - first socks

So it eventually occurred to me that a broken dpn did not mean the end of my sock knitting. [I've only been knitting for over thirty years, go figure.] I think it's because I'm such a novice when it comes to socks, and still dependant on rules Thou shalt need five needles for the heel rather than looking at the big picture.

But the knitting fairy waved her magic needle, and in a flash I realised (not without some embarrassment) that with the aid of some holding yarn through the unused stitches, I could work quite happily on the heel flap, then a judicious spread of stitches on three needles (hey, that's how it started, right?) meant I could turn the heel and shape the instep.

I had a lot of time on my hands last week, and I stormed through that second sock, STORMED I tell you, and tonight I finished and grafted the toe. My determination was fuelled by the desire for a FO, so that I could cast on the Lorna's Laces socks without guilt. Also, it was important for me to practice as much sock knitting as possible, to allow me at least a fighting chance in the upcoming Sock Wars.

I really loved making these socks. There is something incredibly satisfying in seeing tangible, practical yet pretty results in such a short time. In truth, there were times when knitting with four needles was awkward and fiddly, and Sock Number Two is not as perfect as its older brother and they could both do with being a little bigger, but this has been a huge learning curve for me and I am pleased as Punch with them (and with myself), and proud to add this skill to my repetoire. So, meine Damen und Herren, I present to you my First Socks.

Yarn: Opal Magic in purple
Needles: Schoeller & Stahl bamboo 2.5mm
Pattern: Simple top down sock pattern from Web of Wool.

Ha ha, I have signed up for Sock Wars, organised by the indefatigable Yarn Monkey. And I haven't even finished First Socks number 2 yet. This will be my first exchange and I'm so looking forward to it, although fully expecting to be out in the first round!

One of the appealing aspects for many participants is the stash-busting opportunity it provides, but the only sock yarn I have in my stash, the lovely LL Shepherd Sock yarn pictured below is destined for me. What it does mean, however, that until the Sock Wars pattern is revealed, I can buy more yarn in readiness. Oh my, the hardship.

As one of my bamboo dpns is broken, I've ordered another set of five, this time in aluminium. First Socks was the first time I had knitted with non-aluminium needles, and although I have no complaints and will continue to use them, bamboo needles are not the most robust tools (another one has bent slightly), and it doesn't hurt to have a sturdier pair to hand (literally). I really like the look of the Knit Picks nickel-plated needles, but they don't ship outside North America. What a shame, they look so pointy and so stylish.

Pictures at last

The pc and camera still haven't resolved their differences, so these are pictures using my phone of the Lorna's Laces Shephed Sock yarn.
The colourway is the Purple Club, but unfortunately the colours don't show so well in these photos. It isn't as blue in reality, and the purples are actually quite vibrant, but I am desperate to start knitting with the yarn, so cannot wait for better photos.

While Blogger is allowing photo uploading*, here are [more rather blue, that's a brand new white pillow case underneath] pictures of my gorgeous PINK cardigan.

* Just like other bloggers, have been exasperated by Blogger's unwillingness to upload pictures, and spent ost of the evening working with my Flickr account, which also wouldn't work for me. Much swearing later, I gave up, and suprisingly Blogger suddenly had a change of heart.

I've been wanting to update on knitting progress for ages, but for some reason my camera and laptop are not speaking to each other, so while they sort out their differences, I shall have to give up loading pictures.

It's been too hot (and in so many other ways too difficult) to work on Marlowe, but I finished the last main piece at the last I Knit London meet, and have started picking up the rib around the neck.

As [ahem] already mentioned, I failed my Knitting World Cup challenge. I completed First Socks number one and cast on First Socks number two on the day of the actual final, but since then, progress has been slow, partly because I have broken one of my dpns and partly because ............

........... of a new project. After weeks of research on the internet, I had a short list of candidates for my next main project, and finally, one Saturday went to John Lewis to look at pattern books and compare yarns "in the flesh".

I don't know how I'd missed this before (probably because I usually switch off when it comes to the colour blue), but the moment I saw the ribbon-edged cardigan, in Debbie Bliss' Cathay, I knew she was the one. The pattern itself is simple without being boring, the cardigan looks stylish and the organza ribbon on the cuffs and edges adds a pretty detail. Better still, Cathay comes in the most beautiful dusky pink, a colour to fall in love with. Really, for one who agonises over yarn choice, it was an absolute no-brainer, and I had the yarn, book and needles in a large JL bag, before you could say "swatch". Of course, I simply couldn't wait till I got home, so, over an enormous cup of tea in Costa Coffee I tested my gauge. As usual, my square was too small (I am a very tight knitter), so I bought another set of needles (and more accessories) - not entirely sure why, as I DO HAVE needles at home. By the time I left John Lewis for the third and last time, I had spent four hours there and the staff and I had got to know each other rather well.

I'm generally not a big fan of knitting with cotton as it's less forgiving of imperfections, and this yarn has a tendency to twist, so actual knitting is interrupted too often by me having to untwist the yarn. But I am captivated by the colour and I just love the feel of this cotton/microfibre/silk mix as it moves through my fingers, it's like knitting with cream. Although the pattern is simple, after only 20 rows in, I was stumped by the positioning of the shaping decreases, resulting in me having to undo and redo the first five inches or so several times. I have searched the internet for other bloggers knitting the same pattern, but mostly came up with DB's baby cardigan in the same pattern. In the end, I fudged a solution, which although not perfect, is just about acceptable. Nevertheless, it's disheartening to encounter a problem right at the beginning, and I just hope I don't get to the end and suddenly realise my mistake!

Finally on the knitting front, coming back from our lovely break in Devon was bearable only because I knew a package from Get Knitted, would be waiting for me. My knitting goodies consisted of two lavender sachets, an organza bag, the Sock it to Me - Conversion Guide, two sock patterns (including that for My Oh So Beautiful Socks) and two skeins of Lorna's Laces Shephed Sock yarn in the purple club colourway. It is simply beautiful, and all I do is stare at it. I will post pictures as soon as technology allows me to!