All finished...

Well here she is in her glory and boy am I glad...now not saying that its not a lovely pattern to knit, but it really is mind intensive. Well I found it so but then again that could be because its only my2nd serious fairisle, although I am rathered hooked on colourway/stranded and all that it encompasses. I suppose for me it is a form of painting and also I don't get bored with it. The yarn is pretty nice too not scratchy and enough hold when the steeks are cut. Don't you find it weird when you have finished knitting...that moment before you wash to block and you think Oh...is it going to fit...my gauge was good but I did hold my breathe a tad..but wonderful blocking...so I will be wearing it tomorrow.

Anyway in the meantime (top two pictures) I have cast on Lady Eleanor using the gorgeous Noro Silk Garden, what a beautiful yarn this is, first time at doing entrelac but it is a lot of fun....heres first piccy.

Where am I?

Progess piccy of Ivy League vest, coming on well but very concentration intensive, will be pleased when its finished as yearning to get on with two other projects.
Also purchased this lovely bag for my knitting, it reminds me of an old carpet bag, anyway its 21"x13"x7" and will hold books, yarns, knitting , purse and all things for when I go to my monthly knitting meet and was a bargain as well£12.00.

Standing on the pavement walk on the River Thames....Big Ben in the background and the Houses of Parliament...went to London for a long weekend and stayed in a great hotel. Went on the London Eye...brilliant and also did the River Cruise...it was a very cold weekend but wrapped up warm and did loads of walking.....me and DH had a lovely romantic time...ahh!

Hello...am still here.

Sorry been away a bit too long but have been waiting for yarn to come through from the US...so at last I have cast on and started EunnyJangs Ivy League Vest.


Am loving it so far...deced to do the 3rd size up...which is the 34 plus booby size...actually it has been quite good as because of the £ to $ ratio...costs me less to get the yarn from the states than buy it here. Have given myself until middle of March to get it finished, and then next on the agenda is a beautiful multi coloured shawl called Swedish Heartwarmer....will get a photo up when I start....but am doing it as a Kal in April...and the yarn is wending its way to me as we speak.
Have been on Ravelry quite a bit, which takes knitting time away but is Oh so interesting....I think I have loads of favs and queued patterns...all very exciting...anyway must away...dog to walk.....then off to babysit DD twins for evening. Byee for now x

Mittens

Have gone mitten mad at the moment....wanted something else to do whilst waiting for some circs to come through that I had ordered.....so stash yarn and so far...this is North Iceland mitten pattern from Folk Mitts....done in jaeger merino double knit.

Anyway as put before have succumbed to Ravelry...wow and wow what a place for inspiration and everything knitty. Only problem being I have so many projects queued etc and so many favourites. Last night went started to go through the pages for the group "stranded"...there are 103 pages and I think I am up to about page 64. Poor hubby wanted to get on here.......did I let him nnnnnnoooooo! was too busy noseying around. Mind you sure by bum will get bitter with sitting around. So this pm dog gets a good long walk. bye for now x

Circular shrug

Finished this circular shrug last night...must admit it has been hanging around for about 3 months....as I wanted some straight knitting at that time and then found it didn't keep my interest. Anyway it is very easy to do straight for about 32" and then joined on the sides. I think there is a pattern on knitting pattern central. I knitted it in double knit on 4mm needles. The size is for a 36" 209 cast on stitches.....5" rib and then 20" stocking stitch then 5" rib. Sew up side rib and then 4" in or whatever is comfy for you. Now here I must admit I could have done with an extra inch or two in length...but unfortunately I ran out of wool.

I now have a confession to make after much deliberating and keeping away from "RAVELRY"....I have succumbed....I know I'm sorry but the pull of everything interesting on there was too much and there's so many interesting groups, even a "BOHUS" group..... I am desperate to get my hands on a kit but at £83...hmmmm! after Christmas just a tad too much for now. Anyway in the meantime I am still waiting for some circs that I ordered to make the Dream In Colour baby jackets for my DDs twins.

Hello.....how was everybodies Christmas. Mine was quiet and over very quickly. So off we go on another year.....always a time of reflection and if ones lucky choosing a holiday. Me and Dh are trying to make our minds up on this at the moment. We have a week booked to go to the Scottish Highlands and I am really looking forward to that, we are going to go on the 43 mile trip from Fort William to Mallaig on the train (which apparently one of the 10 best train journeys in the world) and we go over the viaduct and area that they used to film Harry Potter. Also going to go up Ben Nevis and have a spot of lunch at the cafe place. A trip to Isle of Skye....and hopefully a lovely woollen shop there called Shilasdair. We have lots planned to see and do and hopefully try out a few walks aroundabouts.

Regarding this years holiday, we are quite taken with a cruise but to go up to the Norwegian Fjords and further to the North Cape to experience the Midnight Sun....the only problem here being that the route is across the North Sea erm!!!! can be a tad choppy at times...so we are still thinking. We would love to go across Canada on the Rocky Mountaineer but more in winter time....but thats if you could get access with the weather at the moment. Maybe we need a few more pennies for this one.

But anyway on the knitting front, well my Autumn cardigan that I made, sits in a draw, crying, lonely unloved, unworn. Why? I hear you ask. Because the darn bleeping things too itchy, I have tried and tried its been washed twice, the 2nd time with hair conditioner and still it itches. You know that feeling, you put it on and then your skin starts to crawl and you feel you just want to quickly get it off.....its a shame as it really was a lot of work. Think maybe I should just put it on a hanger and leave it somewhere, so I can admire it...saying that I haven't put any buttons on yet.
Anyway must admit have been rather lax on the knitting front, plenty of things in mind to do...but have made a pair of wrist warmers,



which stop be fingers getting chilling when using the computer mouse and just finished this pair of socks. Sorry not a great photo in shadow (mine)...but anyway the yarn was prettier in the hank than when wound and knit. But quite pleased the way the same colourway has shown on the heel.

So thats all to show for now, hopefully really get into something more soon...take care. x

Well hello if you have stopped by, sorry that there has not been much going on here lately but been very very busy helping daughter with the twins. They are growing very well...so this Nanny and Pops are sure looking forward to lots of cuddles this Christmas.

Well its now 3.30pm on Christmas Eve and have just picked DH up from work as he finished early. I spent the morning sorting out the veg for tomorrow and roasted my potatoes aka...Jamie Oliver...with rosemary and garlic cloves, they have kturned out very well. Also made the Cranberry Sauce with 400gms cranberries 200gms caster sugar...juice of nearly two oranges, used juice of two before and was a tad tart....added a splash of port cooked 8-10 mins and scrummy.....done ready for that ol' turkey bird...also frozen some to go with ice cream. Whilst doing cooking this morning had the TV on and watched "Jack Frost"......love that film so magical at the end, brought a right lump to my throat and tear to my eye.

Had a wonderful Saturday evening...the Choral Society that I sing with had our Christmas evening and we sang.......Balulalow...A Spotless Rose.......Lully Lula..Sans Day Carol....Sir Christemas and Benedicamus Domino......whooah!!!
I tell you there was plenty of harmony singing for me to get into as I sing 1st alto, sometimes wish I sang soprano and then could just sing the tune. Anyway it was a happy evening and we had audience participation with a medly of popular Christmas songs, Winter Wonderland, Sleigh Ride etc.....really put me in the spirit. So dear readers thank you for coming and looking reading, commenting etc and I will say...will leave you with a piccy of my Christmas table that I have just laid up.



THAT I WISH YOU A WONDROUS MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A VERY HAPPY NEAR YEAR.........hugs xxxxxxxxxx