Had a marvellous time last week at the IKL Christmas party, with much party food, music and wine. I arrived as the party was in full swing, just in time for the secret santa hand-out, and although I shamefully failed to bring a present, I was the lucky recipient of The Friday Night Knitting Club, which I can honestly say I have been wanting to read for some time. Best of all, so many people turned up, including some faces I hadn't seen for a while [hello to Jenni and Ester /wave], and it was great to catch up with every one. I still can't believe how many people managed to fit into that shop.
There has been a lot of other seasonal partying recently, but really for the past month or so, work has been ridiculously busy and stressful [and surprisingly rewarding]. With only one working day left, the IKL party was the start of my winding-down [heh, geddit?], and after everyone had gone, I stayed late, late into the early hours of the morning chatting with Gerard and Craig [sorry boys for keeping you up!].
So much has happened since I last posted; the UK Stitch n Bitch day, Melissa's birthday, Lynsey's career move to LYS sales assistant, Jenni's physical move out of London, a month-long visit from my cat, a fantastic Crowded House in concert and all the other little personal highs and lows............. that I just do not have time to write about. But I can show you some knitting! [Apologies for the photos, lighting has been poor of late.]
First WIP is the Endpaper Mitts in Rowan 4ply Soft. I really love this purple and green combination, but I don't think it works here, as the colours just seem to blend into each other.
I knit the first two thirds of this mitt holding each colour in a different hand, but I didn't like the result; it isn't that clear in the photo, but there is a bit of puckering which I hope will disappear after blocking. I am now using the one hand to switch between each yarn, and although more fiddly, it definitely produces a neater result [although arguably the colours do not "pop out" as much, but that's another story].
Almost an FO: just the grafting to do on a pair of socks in LL Shepherd Sock in the Jungle Stripe colourway. This picture was taken in the glow of a side lamp, so the colours aren't true, the green is actually more grass or pea than olive. I love the thicker stripes on the heel. Wish they were like that all over.
Finally, another WIP, the Flower Basket Shawl in Posh Yarn Eva. I love, love, love this yarn, 50% cashmere, 50% silk, and feels like butter.
The pattern itself is so pretty, but so simple, and I flew through the pattern as specified in three days. However, it is clear from the various beautiful examples on Ravelry, that the specs are for a small shoulder shawl. The photo here shows the shawl with an extra repeat [but without the edging], and even in its unblocked state, is still too small. I have loads of Eva left, so I shall just continue until it feels right.
Again, the colour in the above photo isn't quite right, so here's an earlier picture taken in what passes for daylight these days, and below another showing one skein of the Eva wound up. Yes, I know this isn't a particularly interesting photo, but this was my first attempt at using my new ball winder bought from IKL a few weeks ago, and as such, is an exciting and momentous event which should be recorded appropriately.
The festivities start today with Christmas Eve lunch with friends, then I'm off to the Kentish coast to spend Christmas with the family and cat. To keep me sane, I have packed a couple of UFOs and will hopefully have something to show at the end of it. In the meantime, I wish you a very joyous and peaceful Christmas. Season's greetings to one and all.
There has been a lot of other seasonal partying recently, but really for the past month or so, work has been ridiculously busy and stressful [and surprisingly rewarding]. With only one working day left, the IKL party was the start of my winding-down [heh, geddit?], and after everyone had gone, I stayed late, late into the early hours of the morning chatting with Gerard and Craig [sorry boys for keeping you up!].
So much has happened since I last posted; the UK Stitch n Bitch day, Melissa's birthday, Lynsey's career move to LYS sales assistant, Jenni's physical move out of London, a month-long visit from my cat, a fantastic Crowded House in concert and all the other little personal highs and lows............. that I just do not have time to write about. But I can show you some knitting! [Apologies for the photos, lighting has been poor of late.]
First WIP is the Endpaper Mitts in Rowan 4ply Soft. I really love this purple and green combination, but I don't think it works here, as the colours just seem to blend into each other.I knit the first two thirds of this mitt holding each colour in a different hand, but I didn't like the result; it isn't that clear in the photo, but there is a bit of puckering which I hope will disappear after blocking. I am now using the one hand to switch between each yarn, and although more fiddly, it definitely produces a neater result [although arguably the colours do not "pop out" as much, but that's another story].
Almost an FO: just the grafting to do on a pair of socks in LL Shepherd Sock in the Jungle Stripe colourway. This picture was taken in the glow of a side lamp, so the colours aren't true, the green is actually more grass or pea than olive. I love the thicker stripes on the heel. Wish they were like that all over.Finally, another WIP, the Flower Basket Shawl in Posh Yarn Eva. I love, love, love this yarn, 50% cashmere, 50% silk, and feels like butter.The pattern itself is so pretty, but so simple, and I flew through the pattern as specified in three days. However, it is clear from the various beautiful examples on Ravelry, that the specs are for a small shoulder shawl. The photo here shows the shawl with an extra repeat [but without the edging], and even in its unblocked state, is still too small. I have loads of Eva left, so I shall just continue until it feels right.
Again, the colour in the above photo isn't quite right, so here's an earlier picture taken in what passes for daylight these days, and below another showing one skein of the Eva wound up. Yes, I know this isn't a particularly interesting photo, but this was my first attempt at using my new ball winder bought from IKL a few weeks ago, and as such, is an exciting and momentous event which should be recorded appropriately.The festivities start today with Christmas Eve lunch with friends, then I'm off to the Kentish coast to spend Christmas with the family and cat. To keep me sane, I have packed a couple of UFOs and will hopefully have something to show at the end of it. In the meantime, I wish you a very joyous and peaceful Christmas. Season's greetings to one and all.
