Two small pumpkins...

... and a ball of wool

My pumpkins were not as prolific and my cats not as keen to be photographed as Isabella

If the weather had not been so dry in the summer they might have been bigger. I'm hoping that good things come in small packages and they taste ok.

Ball is a 100g sock, for scale...


Happy Halloween everyone.

Saturday Skies

As usual I can't decided...



This is nearly the order the skies happened...

12.39 (acording to the camera)

Nice blue skies...

See that tree on the left....



.... it's on the right of this picture

Camera says taken30 seconds before the previous one.....

It's a windy day !!

I didn't see the bird at the time, dont know how he got there....





And at 2.30 it looked like this...

And it hasn't rained - yet !!

But it does look like the Forest might have got a bit soggy

Another reason to be cheerful...

This is a link I've just been sent and have to share....

Go and have a look at this quiz, I think you will like it.... and go see the cards that cant be mentioned... Especially for Ruthie ;-)

Reasons to be cheerful

Firstly the reason why emails haven't be sent and comments haven't been left....

I really shouldn't have decided to do two short OU courses at the same time... or rather I should have done some work while I was away...

Now they are both in the post and I just have to forget about them until I get the results in a few months...

And I should start to catch up on the course I was meant to have started a few weeks ago...




And this was the view out of the bathroom window at 7am this morning...



Bet it will not be as good tomorrow....

Commissions

Just to prove I can do knitting in 'real time'....

This is a clapotis for my friend to wear at a wedding in a few weeks time...

Made in Rowan Tapestry shade SH173

Not the easiest to run the stitches with but it does drape well and I hope should keep Tree warm.






And for those that went to Creative Stitches in Exeter, this is the finished scarf.
I admit that I did have some help with it, and it did stop a lot of people, the number of school children who wanted it.....

Not the nicest knit in the world, and I cant remember what sort of eyelash it was done in....

This is a friend for the 'lovely' pink scarf finished a while ago...


And now the only thing I *have* to make for someone else is a cardi in Parisienne, but that shouldn't be that bad as I have no time limit and it is nicer to knit with than eyelash....

And with a bit of luck I should have a working heating system soon, I have a new tank full of oil, it was going to be connected to Stanley today but it is too wet for holes to be drilled through walls... Good job I've got lots of knitting to keep me warm !! (and my stove is really called Stanley, it's not just me giving it a silly name.....honest.....)

Things to share

Sorry you missed out of the yarns yesterday, light was too bad to taken photos when I got in and I hadn't decided on what to share....


These are going to be two throws. Probably both for Christmas presents but their intended's dont realise what throws look like in their dormant stage...

And they were all from the sale room :-)






And this is some of the new Cadenza Dk, that was stashed for me by Diane (what it is to have friends that work in a wool factory!)
Ten hanks that I have no idea what they are going to be !!

And in the bottom right some yarn with a purpose - another Tara jumper aka Gorgeous. Due to sizing changes I'm going to make her a lot smaller, and she was also from the sale room :-)

I did buy some other bits and pieces but you cant see those as the Christmas fairy has hidden them away....



And look some knitting !!!

This was done in the summer, but does look better on the model.
Bizet sweater from the new Cadenza pattern book.

A lovely knit - there is one already on the needles somewhere... will try and knit some more now that I'm able to share ;-)

Saturday Sky

Sky pictures posted on a Saturday, what is the world coming to ?

In a different country there was blue sky, on the way home it was raining (what a surprise...)








If you have the new Cadenza DK pattern book you might recognise this river.....


I had a good day meeting lots of Angels and I managed to get most of my Christmas shopping done....

And for those that didn't know I was here...






And this was next door...

But I didn't see it under steam today...

And now I'm going to try and do some knitting that I can share ....

purchases and presents

It has taken most of the day to get these uploaded... and they are from Harrogate and Ally Pally, so two shops for one post !



First from Gill samples of her Kool Aid day (hope the smell has gone now)
See how orgainised she is.... packets attached to the washing line!!

Really must have a play day with mine that I got from Anna...





The latest book from Sheila Smith.

I went on a course to learn how to make felted boots with Sheila last year and I have collected all of her books - another thing I need to make time to do...











From The Fabric Colour Workshop of Addingham (web site under construction)
A selection of Adrifil yarns, there are 20 balls in the bag that I didn't want to open (in browns and greens)
I thought I might make a jacket and use the interesting for edging...







From Gill at Woollyworkshop

A haul of Cherry Tree Hilll - two thin socks, two thicker socks and a lot of shawl...

















From Piinu

Some carded multi dyed fleece.... something else I'm going to do when I have the time - or I could just go away with my wheel...









Just because......












From Jamiesons... two books


Because someone else was showing her's off (and I dont have to buy everything she does, but she does have good taste !!)









And I got the wool pack to do this jacket...

And I will probably have some left as I will have to downsize.....









And I picked up my copy of Yarn Forward.

And because of someone (again) I got three bag patterns.

I have found it is dangerous to go shopping before shows open with other bloggers (especially when they come away empty handed) and you shouldn't ask to see what others have bought coz it makes you want to get some for yourself.....

Fourteen years ago

I wore a posh dress.... and changed my name (five years later I changed it back...)

I finished making the dress the night before, and I took great pleasure in riping it apart - think I still have some lurking in my play room....

My bridesmaid, in purple, was the birthday girl when I went to Spain.

Missing Photos

The only way I could get blogger to play was to do a separate photo post....



Saturday Sky.

By the time I got out of the show and realised that I hadn't taken a photo it was getting dark...












And for all those that asked what to do with finger knitting... you get a young child and wrap them up !!!

I would like to say that I did know the child and she asked to be made into a Mummy.... and her Mummy didn't mind.










Prudence Mapstone and Wormhead and her best hat.











Lucy Neatby and an amazing waistcoat.















I'm off to find what I bought and then decide which are for presents and what I can share.... but I think I will be keeping most of the books I got before Ally Pally to myself - the two I've looked at so far are from 1880's one on knitting and one on crochet. Patterns include a 'red riding hood' and 'shawls for the poor', I dont want to damage them by squashing them in the scanner....

If anyone wants a copy of Alice Starmore's Tudor Roses I know someone who has several copies and is willing to take them to Harrogate Knitting and Stitching Show at the end of November, drop me an email and we can arrange something...

Ally Pally and other things...

I was going to post some photos, but blogger says no...
So there will be a few photos at a later date.

Harrogate was a different show, Fashion and Embroidery, lots of pretty things to look at and inspire. I spent a few days with the friend I went to Spain with between shows. I tackled her monster pile of ironing and cleared all the charity shops of their blue wool for the knitted river.

Sorry to Yvonne's mum about the wall.... it was dark when I was trying to park, at least I left the house standing !!

Thanks to Mary's Mum for tea the first night of Ally Pally...

Was wondering whose mum I can descend on next....

Ally Pally was as busy as I thought it would be. There was more disappearing needles and crochet hooks than I thought possible and I found that you can teach 10 children at once while most of them are sitting on the floor or standing up.
I also managed to teach a group of deaf women how to finger knit (I've no idea what I might have said to them in sign language but they went away smiling) I also explained to a one armed lady how to finger knit.

I also managed to remember my name (badge upside down at all times). And I met a few people (sorry I know I'm going to forget some...)

First the non bloggers - from Skipnorth Sue, Laura and Jane.
From Knit & Relax - Adrianne (a wonderful cake maker) and Roberta (a lovely listener)
From West Country Embroiderers - Sue & Cynthia
From Shops - Tess & Les of Silkwood, Sue from Get Knitted, The nice man from Laughing Hens who lent me some crochet hooks for the speed knitting.
Black Sheep crew and the Elle sellers who I taught how to finger knit over breakfast.
I also managed to say in the same hotel as Colinette & staff...

And now the blogger list -
Yvonne, Fred, Sue, Sue, Sue, Ruth, Nic, Mary Lou and her daughters Holly & Emily, Gill, Gill, Mary, Liz, Heather, Nikki, Anne, Gerard, Jan, Hazel, Dawn, Kerrie, susoolu
And I know there were others but sorry I didn't write them down....

I did miss seeing Rosie (and the cider is still in the car for you...) unfortunately life was against her and she did not manage to get to the show :-(

I went on some courses on the Saturday - Lucy Neatby, Prudence Mapstone, Di Gilpin and Ruth Lee.

Wormhead was impressed that Prudence knew her work, I was chuffed that I taught Ruth Lee how to purl backwards...

And if blogger allows there might be pictures at some point - I did manage a Saturday Sky before it got too dark....

zzzzz

10 nights, 5 different beds, roughly 775 miles driving..

Now two very happy cats and my own bed to look forward to....

And I must learn how to get on the North Circular from Ally Pallly, it didn't help going clockwise for a while instead of anti clockwise... at least there were no hold ups, but I cant remember when I was so tired whilst driving...

Glad to be home and when it is light I can empty the car and see exactly what I've come home with....

I will try and do a proper post tomorrow ... at least I should know where I am !!

late sky

There is a good reason why Saturday sky is a day late this week.....


Where I am staying is sheepy !!!

And it might have something to do with the half bottle of wine I had with my tea last night....





Yesterday morning on the way to the show....



The only view of the sky for most of the day... it was hot under the glass but good to see the sun and not the rain I had on the journey up....





And the view out of the cafe when I eventually managed to go for lunch at about 3...


Show is really interesting, lots of buying potential and amazing things to look at. Only things to be rehomed so far are some old mags and books and some scarves... today maybe wool and embroidery things depending on what jumps out at me !!

Off for the last day of show today, then a rest with friends before Ally Pally next week....

If you meet me.....

...please can you remind me what my name is and where I am !!!

I've off again on another show adventure, this weekend Fashion for Embroidery in Harrogate. Then a few days with friend in St Albans (she loved her shawl by the way). And then four days at Ally Pally.

I know by the end of this week I will have problems, there are not many volunteers for Saturday and Sunday, and if it is like Exeter.... I only knew what I was doing coz I was stickered 'Learn to knit with me' and I had my name badge on....

From what I've heard Ally Pally is so busy I think I will loose the plot. I'm spending most of Saturday doing courses some with Ruth, but will be Knitting and Relaxing at lunchtime.

If you do see me come and say hello, I dont promise to make any sense but that is nothing unusual !! I'm hoping to be able to get on line at some point, ten days with blog reading is a long time !!

SP9 Questionnaire

The answers haven't changed much from last time, but here goes......


1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

Favorites are purer yarns, that flow round the needles, silk, kid mohair, cashmere...
Don't like novelty yarns with a passion, most evil are eyelash and plume, but Dune is fairly close to the top of the list !

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

Needles are in a cardboard box but *will* be in needle rolls when I can get to my sewing machine to make them !
Denises are in their box and crochet hooks are also in their zip up thing they came in....
Circular are in a folder, and I've just found some boxes for my dpn's.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

Not sure now long I've been knitting for but I guess it must be over 30 years, think Mum taught me, but more complicated is self taught.
Probably towards advanced, but not for colour work and still have a lot to learn...

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Not current

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)

Lavender, cut grass, freshly brewed coffee

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

Yes :-) :-) Not got one particular fav, but posh chocolates and coffee flavours.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

learning spinning. Other crafts include (coz I'm bound to forget something...) Feltmaking, patchwork, machine embroidery....

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

Most things apart from Jazz and rap-like. Still not sure about the MP3's....

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

Fav - purples, greens, browns, earthy colours.
Hates - yellow, orange, pastels and white.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

Live alone. Two cats and lots of fish in the pond...

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

Yes scarves and mittens, no to hats and ponchos.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

Depends on my mood, not that keen on scarves, get bored about half way through....

13. What are you knitting right now?

Socks, Clapotis, shrug... (that cant be right must have something else on the needles, but did have a massive froggy session a while ago...)

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Yes, doesn't everyone ?

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

There again it depends... I knit underarm so do like long straights, for weighty knits I let circulars take the strain and stop the sewing up. Just started doing socks on two circulars which is also good.
Like wood, bamboo, and set of Denises, try not to use metal unless there is nothing else available ....

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

Yes to both :-)

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

Because I frogged all my ageing wips a while ago, oldest is clapotis started in early September...

18. What is your favorite holiday?

Looking at scenery, exploring and getting away from it all.... with knitting, good food and good company, and the occasional beer !!!

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Yarn , old craft books, material, embroidery threads, novelty salt & pepper sets.Thanks to Ruth, the number of sheep in my house has increased recently !

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

Would love to try some Jaggerspun Zephyr for shawls.
Mags subscriptions: Interweave(US), Vogue(US), Simply Knitting (UK), Yarn Forward (UK).

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

Continential style knitting...

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

Yes, UK size 5

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)

8th September.

Spain

Sorry a lot of pictures again....


This is the villa we stayed in, taken as we left on Sunday night.

There were lots of houses built into the hillside.

The villa opposite had lost some of it's drive during a landslide caused by the rain - not good...






The view from the villa on Sunday morning..

Somewhere near Barcelona, I wasn't paying a lot of attention to where we were !!









The pool and some of the soil and boulders from the landslide...






The builders who started work at 7am on both Friday and Saturday mornings..


Interesting way of building houses... involving a lot of concrete and a very noisy mixer.







And this really was on Saturday !!


Sunset from a beach - sorry forgot the name but on the Med, and the sea was cold...










A window in Pals (could remember that place name !!)

















More of Pals...



















Another beach - or it could have been the same one.....













Pots at Pals....

Very strange....










And a travelling sock picture - taken very quickly on Sunday morning. They sort of understood the knitting, nearly got Saturday Sky, and were pointing out sheep to me, but taking pictures of socks would have been too much !!!





I dont recomend flying with a cold and air turbulence, it was a particularly bumpy landing as well... And if you are flying out of Luton soon leave at over an hour to go through the security checks...
And I'm hoping that my head pressure sorts it's self out over night, otherwise too many things wont happen that really need to before I go off again on Thursday.
I appologise if I forget things that I'm meaning to take to Ally Pally for people. I do know where my course tickets are for the Saturday, and my A2Z.....