Dilemma

So, as if by magic, the missing post has reappeared.......thank God it's Friday!

Do you ever feel that there are just too many yarn related decisions to make? I was pondering whether or not to rejoin Natalie's sock club. Not because I wasn't happy - far from it - but because I have enough yarn (how can that be, I hear you ask) and I'm trying very hard to knit from stash, and I want to get some blue faced to dye my own and now I can hear that I'm rambling almost incoherently! Then this arrived yesterday which has made the decision even harder. The colours in this months offering are absolutely gorgeous, inspired by the strawberry patch in Natalie's garden. Bear in mind that I still have April and June sock club yarn to knit. Of course, she also runs a merino club. Now that might be nice to try for a change...........

Lost post and new pics

Last Saturday, Liz invited the Cambridge k2togs to her home to take part in a little acid dyeing, and on Sunday I posted these pics but blogger threw a hissy fit and decided not to publish! So I'll try again. These first two pics are the results of a great afternoon - as one of our number remarked "like all the best bits of primary school" - of sloshing seemingly random dyes over yarn pre-soaked in water/vinegar, wrapped in cling film and steamed for 20 minutes, et voila! The yarn is my favourite at the moment, laceweight, and my youngest daughter has laid claim to the first skein, and would like a shawl.

The colours in this skein aren't quite true - it's much brighter than it appears, leaf green through to turquoise and I'm keeping that one for myself, but I need to sit and look at it for a while longer before I decide what to turn it into.

Next, a WIP - spiral rib socks in Yarn Yard club yarn from a month or two back. The pattern is my first attempt with the sole solution software. No, I'm not a contortionist - there's another skein of yarn stuffed into the sock so I can show the half handkerchief heel and shaped sole.

And finally, the sock itself, this time on foot, but apologies because I forgot to rotate the pic before I downloaded it so feel free to twist around to veiw it right way up! I like the star toe - a new one for me but it seems to fit better. Maybe I just have pointy feet.

I have one new WIP which I started whilst waiting for my turn at the dye pots last Saturday, but I'll leave that for another day.

Dyeing fun!

On Saturday, Liz hosted an acid dyeing workshop at her home, and I had sooooo much fun! I felt like a kid in a candy shop! They were about 8 of us and we took turns to do our knitting, or play. So I did this.....

and this.........

The yarn is lace weight, 1000m skeins, Tamsin (youngest daughter) likes this skein, so I'll make her a shawl. If you go here there are more photos of other peoples offerings. So, once again thanks Liz, I had a great time and think I feel a new hobby calling!

Silent, but still knitting!

Yes, I am still here - things have been a little hectic, hence no photos at the moment but will attempt some soon. Finished the first sock to test the sole solution program; it turned out really well. I used a spiral rib pattern which is more effective that I anticipated with the hand painted yarn. Also did a half handkerchief heel, a shaped sole and a star toe, none of which I'd tried before, and the result is a snug fitting and extremely comfortable sock!
"Vivid" blocked well - just waiting for Mr.Diviknitty to take a proper photo on his fancy camera so I can show her off in all her bright pink glory!

Vivid blocking

A couple of quick pics to show Vivid is blocking, but in 2 halves because I don't have enough room to lay her out flat all at once - yes, she's very long but very pretty so she can be forgiven!

Worldwide Knit in Public day

Here we all are in the abbey gardens in Bury St.Edmunds on Saturday, worldwide knit in public day, and as you can see, it was a glorious day! The group generated a lot of interest from passersby, including a brave Swedish man who actually sat and learned to knit with one of the ladies! The local press were also in attendance!

Cast on for a new pair of socks to try out the sole solution software using Aprils Yarn Yard sock club offering and a spiral rib pattern. I don't expect to progress too quickly on these - socks aren't exactly summer knitting - as I'm still plodding on with the pink stole. It's appoaching 72" long now and probably long enough, but I like to be able to wrap this type of thing around a couple of times, so I'm going to keep on knitting till all the yarn is used.

New Stuff

On Bank Holiday Monday, Kerrie
had a half price moving sale. Always on the look out for a yarn bargain, I picked up these - 200g of silk, approx 2000m! Had to have it - it was £1! Couldn't believe my luck - I usually miss out on things like that! I have no idea what I'll make with it, but at that price, who cares?

Next, 3 skeins of Schaeffer Anne, different colourways, and I think I might make some waistcoats or vests for the winter. The colours are really bright and cheerful; can't wait to start playing with it!

As far as actual knitting goes, I've been working away at the Vivid stole I pictured last time. It's about 5 foot long now and I still have loads of yarn left, so I'll carry on for a bit longer. I manage about 2 pattern repeats in a good knitting evening, and I've managed to memorise the pattern now, so I get along a little bit quicker than I was doing.

I found these two books in the 2nd hand book shop at Wimpole Hall this weekend. Both published in the early '70s so not exactly vintage; I tried my hand at macrame as a kid and thought it would be an interesting alternative as an edging for just about anything really. And this is just one of the fabulous designs from the lace knitting book - again, a couple of bargains!

Lastly, I treated myself to a software program for designing socks. Called "The Sole Solution" I haven't had chance to test it yet but basically, you knit a swatch in your chosen yarn and stitch pattern, enter in a few details (construction method, type of heel/toe etc) and the program does the rest! Cost $29.95 (about £16 in real money) which I think is really good if, like me, you're into designing your own stuff but hate the maths!

Looking at this post, it seems like I've spent a fortune, but I really haven't. The whole lot pictured here was less than £35 and will keep me happy for months, because I really HAVE TO start using up the ever growing stash!

To anyone out there who's going to the Bury St Edmunds knit picnic on Saturday (Worldwide knit in public day) I can't wait! Look forward to seeing you in the abbey gardens at high noon!