Wednesday, May 31, 2006

In the last week

I have not done any knitting I can take photos of :-(
I have been busy round and about, and found out a few things....

Small village churches don't hold a lot of people and you really do have to be there an hour before funerals start. Even though I did have my knitting with me, we were so squashed in the pew I couldn't/daren't do any.
Farmers who dont like diy take chain saws to doors when they have new carpets fitted. They also had a really good game when sitting next to person asleep with mouth open - empty packet of drinks sweeteners into sleeping mouth and see what the reaction is and how long they take to wake up ;-)
It was a happy funeral, church packed, no one wanted to stand outside in the rain listening on the speakers. But the rain did stop for the burial.

Then a rush down the lane and a quick change for by neighbour's surprise 80th birthday party. She really didn't know anything about it, so hard to keep quiet as she has been complaining about the 'thing' her daughter had planned for her - We all got shouted at as being a cheats. It was a good do, and a chance to talk to people that I usually only say hello to in the lane. Next weekend I'm off to a 100th birthday party of someone else in the village - they live long round here :-)

Spent a while potting up plants in greenhouse, still dont understand why I planted so many cucumbers.... the beans have taken to their frame and managing to climb up without much help.

I have done a lot of knitting but at the moment cant show what I've done. Did finish the wide scarf that is as tall as me, currently working on beanie hats and a frilly bag. Yarn is really easy to knit with but going to be expensive.....
Cant wait until I can do some of my own stuff and post pickies ...

And the thing I'm doing most of my time - study. I've got an OU exam on 12 June, the first one for a very long time, three hours, three essays, all on Health and Social Care. An interesting subject but all that writing and remembering strange names, does anyone care who Goffman was or what he wrote about ?
And I'm also doing a couple of short courses, Nutrition and Genetics. Not looked at the genetics yet, but nearly half way on the nutrition, they have only one assignment due either end of July or October, I was planning to go for July but...

And so my knitting is on a back burner, only comes out at night, but I'm hoping in a few weeks exam over, one course down, veg all under control I can start to be creative again, you never know the WRS might make it onto the needle for the third time.....

Friday, May 26, 2006

Interesting Shop Front



Walking the streets of Leamington Spa I knew where I wanted to be but took ages to find it... and here it is....

Why was I so excited by a plain exterior....

Well, Anna doesn't just sell sock wool, she has many other things in her shop.
And one of the better things is that I had it to myself, I could look and fondle without being pushed around and rushing back to the Relax and Knit stand !
Yes this is inside of Web of Wool.

There was Rowan, Colinette, and lots of Clover and Britany.
I got some wool for another sock jumper in greens, blues and creams - this time I'm not going to get it to match. A couple of balls of pink sock wool and several dpn sets, as well as some clover bits and pieces.



I spent a relaxing time in Stratford, nearly drowned in the rain... I had a good time with my friend. Her daughter is just begining a messy battle with her soon to be ex, early days but she will be stronger by the end and I'm we are all behind her and hope he gets all that is coming to him !!

I went to Ryton organic Gardens in Coventry on the way back home. A very interesting place to visit, a bit early in the season. Composting was amazing...

Sunday, May 21, 2006

Baby and Sheeps

Baby Annabelle Chole Emily arrived in the early hours of Thursday morning, and went home wrapped in the mammoth baby shawl. Mother, baby and granny are all fine. Baby hat is slightly too small but it wont take long before it fits. We have decided that she will have to wait until it gets cooler before I start knitting silly littles but as she is a very pink girlie at the moment some pig booties might have to happen soon ;-)

And now for photos of a soggy Small Holders Show in Builth Wells. A good day out, I was very well controlled and did not spend much, and cant show what I bought as they are mostly for my Secret Pal. Sorry there are a lot of photos, not much wool in usable state, mostly on the animal !!


This is a map of sheep breeds and where they live (I think) and what the wool can be used for.




Sheeps in coats - yes honestly they are. Apparently in the fields near Colinette they wear coats made from tea towels, and flowerly material....








Look how tall I am on tip toes ....









Who's eaten all the pies ? This sheep was a fat is it looked. A solid beast, wouldn't like to meet it in a dark alley !!









Let sleeping pigs lie....








Not sure if this was felted or just placed fleece, but a wonderful picture from someone in the Lake District.

And I was going to post some other silly photos - (does anyone know what 'Pig Oil' is ? ) but blogger wont have it....

I'm off for a few days, will try and post on my return (if I remember...)

Saturday, May 20, 2006

Quilts

I've had a really busy day.
First thing I planted up most of the veg plot, then the rain came down. Every day since they said there was going to be a drought it has been raining ... I dont understand....

Then I went to Malvern to Quilt UK.
Arrived at lunchtime, more luck than anything and it was not that busy. I was relatively good with purchases


Some fat quarters in wicked seventies patterns and some farmyard designs.

A pattern for a circular cushion with blue clematis design, a greeting cat for my nextdoor neighbour, she is going to be 80 next Saturday.

And some patterns for Christmas decorations and 3D flowers.

Apart from some stuff for my secret pal that was it.






This was the overall winner.




The best humour - by a quilting group they all had done self portraits, and you could just tell what type of women they were ;-)


Just very pretty...




Pieced woodland - I'd love to be able to do this type of thing - I've got the patterns but time is lacking !











The seams on this were so straight, different colours of organza were used behind the windows to give the light affect. Trees were sort of three dimensional.











And this was a patchwork background with flowers added.

There were lots more quilts, some were well made, some were to my taste but I must admit a lot weren't !
They had white gloves available so that the quilts could be examined more closely if you were so inclined.





I'm now off to watch UK get nil points.
More adventures tomorrow - promise of pictures of sheep, tops, spinning, and maybe yarn ! Might even have done some knitting !!

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Ebay - good or bad ?

I'd been so good for a while, apart from the cashmere I got from here.

Then Knitiotherapy had an auction for some lace wool, but that doesn't count as it is for charity...good luck in the moonwalk :-)

And then the bad, since seeing 'The Fishwife' in action at Skipnorth I decided I needed a spinning wheel that would be easy to learn on.

And this arrived a few days ago. So far I've nearly mastered making the wheel go in the correct way, tried to spin something yesterday and ended up with a tangled mess... I'm hoping that when I go here on Sunday someone will be able to show me what I'm doing wrong !


And my latest purchase a cone of Blue Faced Leicester undyed sock wool, from here

Think it's a really good job I'm away most of next week. I would say away from temptation but I'm planning to visit Web of Wool - how much more stock is there in the shop than Anna takes to shows... photos next week, hopefully ;-)

ps does anyone want to help me knit a five foot long wide scarf, I'm getting bored and I've only done a foot of it.....

Monday, May 15, 2006

Action shots






They managed to rescue all the furniture from the bar & restaurant, including the flowers ! One of the landlord's children had just been put to bed above the kitchen when the fire started :-( Everyone was rescued :-) The saved furniture moved round the village into garages and village hall by human chains. There were 12 fire engines there, but they managed to save a lot of the thatch and stop the fire spreading to anywhere else. Fire people were there all night, most of the village were about until midnight.




And this is the result, not a pretty pub :-(
Sure it will be rebuilt to it's full glory, and the smell of smoke will leave the village soon.

Thanks to P for the photos, the power of email !

And now I'm off to do some study and knit a odd wristwarmer....

Sunday, May 14, 2006

Cherry B


I used to spend a lot of evenings here, but have just been browsing and found out that it lost it's roof yesterday....sounds like a large fire, lots of excitement in small village, the last time there was so much activity on the main road was when the bisson escaped several years ago and ended up in people's front gardens....


After a night drinking beer and/or wine I had to walk up here, my house was next door to the churchyard at the top of a hill, not easy when drunk...

Sorry about the state of the photos, borrowed from here.

And now I'm going to try and clear up the garden, hopefully there wont be another thunder storm for the next few hours and woman can make fire....

Friday, May 12, 2006

Near Naked Man

I was asked today when was the last time I had a near naked man in my garden... the man who questioned me was standing in my pond wearing not a lot of clothes... and so a week in the life of my pond, and the story of pond man and pond boy.

This was the end of day one. Old liner and bits of carpet removed and looking a lot better than previously.
End of day two. I pretty brick wall built to hold liner (lasts longer than the ply wood that was there before).
The following day pond man arrived late. Pond boy had been boxing with his brother and broken his nose, so was taken to hospital to have it looked at. When he returned it didn't look broken, normal shape, a bit red, but the little love kept picking it ...

And this is the final result (fish to be rehomed next week once the water has warmed up). Pond Man spent most of the morning in the pond cementing stones round liner. Pond boy spent his time inching his bum in his baggy shorts...






I haven't done much knitting. Started a French Market bag yesterday, it's huge, using Freedom wool I got at NEC and some from Skipnorth trip. Was sent some yarn porn this morning, so playing with that at the moment - cant settle on one thing, but will take photos this time and post as soon as I can...

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

The start of the puzzle

Since WRS was sent back into it's bag and box I decided to try something more easier on the eye - and this is it

The puzzle wrap from Sharon Miller Only been knitting for a few days, mainly in the morning when hayfever is stopping me play in the garden. Pattern is relatively (famous last words) easy, still haven't mastered the art of chart reading, suppose it would be a good idea to learn before WRS comes out to play again...
Yarn is Crystal Place Yarns Kid Merino.



Weeds are growing quicker than anything, but there again so are the veg seedling.

Pond men managed to drain the pond in the pouring rain on Monday, too much rain yesterday and today they are hoping to build retaining walls... Might have pretty pond by the end of the week and happy fish more 'fish and chase' (thanks for those Fred :-))

Sunday, May 07, 2006

sew and sew

Firstly sorry for the lovely men in lace from the last post, I was doing a lace Scavenger hunt from here and couldn't find any other photos....



Just to prove I can knit sensible baby things and sew them up !!!

A hat and booties made from Fortissima Socka, impossible to match especially if you knit from both end of the ball .... must remember never to do that again ;-)




This is a Math Geek Scarf, pattern from Alchemy Yarns.
Made from some Colinette 4ply that happened to be sitting next to me wanting to come off the cone. Surprised how well the difference in colours works - might try some more for craft fairs....







I did finish my latest Colinette on Friday and was going to take it's photo so I could blog it when the yarn is launched, but before I knew what I'd done it was in the sealed bag... sorry you will have to wait and see it, but I will be knitting the same garment for me as soon as I can get the yarn.....



And for all those pond lovers out there... this is what my fish were up to yesterday (and most of today) lots of flashing of tails and 'kiss chase'. Makes me wonder do fish kiss and what actually happens ?? Just heard from nextdoor, I managed to give her grand daughter some fish with the tadpoles from a few weeks ago... all very exciting :-)


And that ruddy shawl.... WRS is no more, I dropped a stitch and tried to find it again but couldn't so back to the cone it went .... maybe in a few weeks time it will be third time lucky......

Thursday, May 04, 2006

Curious

Something has been bugging me for a few days.
Why is it that I keep being asked if I'm married or have kids ?
When the pond man was round collecting the deposit the conversation went like this:

Pond Man 'What's your name ?'
Me 'Sue ***'
Pond Man 'Are you married ?'
Me 'No, but I was a long time ago, been by myself for 9 years'
Pond Man ' I'm having problems with my wife....'
Me 'Where did I put my cheque book.....?'

I suppose it is different to 'my wife doesn't understand me....' But why the question does my new pond depend on the answer, is he just trying it on (and I'm not going there), or just curious why a single woman needs a three bedroom house with a large garden (if he could see the ammount of stash and seedlings growing he'd know..) Is this one of the unexplained mysteries in life.
And now I'm wondering whether I ask him why he asked, or does that sound like I'm interested, or shall I just wait to see if he brings any talent with him next week...


Sorry about this but here are two strange lace pictures (will explain on next post...)








This is a page from the lovely book on Estonian Lace Liia sent me in SP7
















And this is Debbie New's lace boat from Unexpected knitting.









Right I'm off for the day with Auntie, got I feeling I might not be speaking to her by the end of the day.... feeling snappy... and dont want to listen to how wonderful my cousin's son is all day...

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

SP 8 Questionnaire

Here goes, lots more info than is probably needed....

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Ones that flow round the needles, just done some knitting with kid mohair that I enjoyed. Like Colinette, James Brett Marble, patterned sock wool.
Not keen (understatement) of trendy yarns, ladder or bobble construction, don’t talk to me about Sirdar Dune, Firefly, eyelash types……and as for snowflake don't go there either...


2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
Straights mostly in a tin, rest in a cardboard box, Denise in their box.
Hooks in another tin.


3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
Over 30 years, skills tend to be advanced, but still got lots to learn….

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Not current, daren’t look, too tempting…

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Lavender, sandalwood, mown grass (sorry having a bit of a funny five minutes ….)

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Oh yes Coffee chocolates real favourite, but will try most thing at least once….

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
Here goes… patchwork, embroidery both machine and hand, occasional crochet, felt making dry and wet, got a spinning wheel and still don’t know how to use it, but will work on that soon. Also do diy round house, painting (walls and ceilings !!) and woodwork, and gardening….

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
All sorts, Still not sure if can play MP3’s …..no help there ;-)

9. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
Favourites are earthy tones, purples and greens.
Don’t like wishy washy pastels and orange/yellows. Not too keen on white, but that’s mainly because I tend to spill things……


10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Live alone. Two large ginger toms (cats) for company

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Yes to scarves and mittens, definitely no to hats and ponchos.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Anything rewarding, depending on the mood, scarves for instant fix, lace shawls for the achievement of creating something beautiful.

13. What are you knitting right now?
Probably the same as on SP7 questionnaire….but they are tending to stay in UFO box…Additions that may get finished this side of Christmas - Northwest Pacific Shawl, silly baby things for a friend, DK jumper in James Brett Marble, about to start a fair isle jumper but haven’t decided which one to do….and even sillier things for the touring knitted garden…and the most stupid trying a Wedding Ring Shawl, but progress is more negative than it should be…..

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes .

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminium, plastic?
Depends what knitting, starting to use more circular since I got my set of Denise’s. Straights first choice bamboo, DPN prefer wood, but have got some aluminium, Have got all sorts in my collection of needles…

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

17. How did you learn to knit?
Think Mum and Gran taught me when very young. More complicated self taught…

18. How old is your oldest UFO?
Of the ones I’m ever going to finish, end of last year - Lady Eleanor, and Shetland jumper …

19. What is your favorite holiday?
Getting away from it all, North West Scotland where my mother’s family came from.

20. Is there anything that you collect?
Yarn, craft books, material, embroidery threads, novelty salt & pepper sets.

21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
Subscribe to Vogue, Simply Knitting (UK), Interweave.
Needlebeetle pattern for Seaweed Stole.


22. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Still haven’t tried two handed colour work, different ways of finishing,

23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes, UK size 5.

24. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
8th September.