"Woven" Fingerless gloves

I've completed my first project from Sock Yarn One-Skein Wonders. I own the whole series but this book is the best yet. The Woven Fingerless Gloves are a quick, easy knit. The only change I made was to use 2.5mm needles. These were knit using the skein of Koigu I bought at All the Fun of the Fair. I have 10g left so I should have been braver and made the wrist ribbing a bit longer.

I always used to think that fingerless gloves were totally useless as it is always my finger tips that freeze but I find myself wearing them more and more.They are so practical when pegging out washing or cutting rosemary in the garden. I may knit a pair of pink 4ply gloves to wear underneath or felt some mittens to go on top.

The Observer Knitting Style

The style section of today's magazine features knitwear with the aim of avoiding bulk while keeping warm. The belted look is great on this model but just look at the jumper on the far left. It looks like it has been knitted from snowflake or teddy bear fur! I can't believe it is by Whistles! I hope it looks better in the flesh.

Exchange rate blues

During Hiro's business trip last week, I received the usual call from a store in Dusseldorf to talk me through the yarn. My kind husband has quizzed many assistants in shops all over the world;language differences and lack of knitting skills are no obstacle in the quest for new and exciting yarn. The pound is so weak at present there was no way I could justify more sock yarn when there are several kilos of the stuff hidden under our bed, so I told him not to bother. Instead he arrived home with a box of spring chocolates, a new leather handbag and one ball of yarn. Obviously the exchange rate doesn't bother him as much as it does me but I'm very grateful.

Tendresse aux pommes

In The Times magazine last weekend, there was an article about Christophe Vasseur and baking quality breads. It included a recipe which caught my eye because its chief ingredient is stale bread. We always have plenty of this because people forget/ neglect to put the lid on the bread box or tie closed the bagel bag. Another key ingredient is sliced apples. The boys take lots of fruit in their packed lunches but some of it makes the return journey, arriving a little bruised but good enough to bake.

I suppose Tendresse aux pommes is a kind of bread and butter pudding. The bread and dried fruit are soaked overnight in milk, then mixed with eggs, sugar, apples and rum, baked and dusted with icing sugar. I didn't have rum so I used brandy which always works for me. Cut into pieces, it makes an easy snack. As the bread I used is half rye, I can convince myself that along with all the fruit it is fairly healthy.

Diamond Geezer

These socks for Hiro were started a very long time ago but were quickly put to one side because checking a chart does not make relaxing TV knitting. Nothing wrong with the chart but variegated yarn meant I couldn't read my knitting enough to knit from memory.

The design is Diamond Geezer from Easy Knits and I used a sock flat by Flatfoot called Marine. I knit straight from the roll which didn't cause any problems with the tension. I think a monochrome yarn would be better as this doesn't do the design justice. Although I love intricate socks I'm still not convinced that an item which so few people see is worth all the effort. Hiro is very happy with his socks.

Kenobi Jacket

This weekend I returned to the Kenobi jacket and the tedious task of blocking. I never block before sewing up a garment but this project demands it. The strips of different stitches pull the pieces out of shape making them lop sided. It probably doesn't help that I used an oiled yarn from my stash which has no bulk to it. However, when I washed my swatch it fluffed up beautifully so I remain optimistic.

The Kenobi jacket is by Norah Gaughan and appeared in Knitscene Spring 07. This is for Makoto who resisted my knits after the age of eight. Adrienne gave him a jumper and some socks which he liked and has worn a lot. I knit him Skully and the Antler scarf from "Son of Stitch and Bitch" which received lots of compliments, so we have slowly won him over. A month before he went to college he went on Ravelry, selected four designs and asked if he could have them for the start of term!

Bad,bad girl.

Adrienne had mentioned bargains at "All the Fun of the Fair" in Kingly Court. So of course, when my appointment in town today finished earlier than expected, I just had to go and have a look. Luxury yarns at £5 a skein were too good to miss so I bought:
Drizzle 4ply Sock BFL
2 skeins of Smooshy Sock
Smooshy Baby Laceweight
Vancalcar Acres Flock Sock
Cariad merino and cashmere
Smooshy Classy worsted
Koigu KPPM

I also picked up some vintage ribbon, organza, some Christmas buttons and a gorgeous hand stitched tapestry pin cushion. Yes I've been bad but it could have been so much worse....or better!

Rowan No.49

The new Rowan magazine arrived on Saturday. I've been disappointed in recent years as I felt too many old designs were being rehashed in the latest yarn. I didn't even bother buying the last summer issue which is unusual for me. This edition isn't very exciting either. Of course the photography is good and the shoots are beautifully stylized but there are only a couple of knits that really interest me.

The first is Fancy by Erika Knight in Kidsilk Haze. The shape is simple but the stitch pattern is beautiful and true to the idea of a summer knit. I often wonder if Rowan work on the principle that if they include one truly spectacular design the magazine will sell no matter what else is featured. This design has definitely made it on to my mile long to do list.

The second design is Daydream by Marie Wallin in Purelife Organic Cotton 4ply. This is a stunning victorian feel design but will I seriously knit a high necked cotton jumper? I love the lace stitches so I think that this could be one of those designs that I knit even though I know in my heart that it won't suit me and will just end up cluttering my wardrobe. Dangerous!

There are other designs that I reserve judgement on until I see them in the flesh. Some of Rowans best deigns have been totally uninspiring in the magazine but wonderful knitted up.I'm wondering if I could add sleeves to Allure or if the whole garment would just sag and look shapeless. I like the cut out cable of Cicely and perhaps would use that to knit something else. Pimpernel looks wonderful on the model but I know it is not for me.

First Knit of the New Year

I've completed yet another pair of socks for Koji. This time I used Lion Brand Magic Stripes Brown/Blue Pattern colour 205. I think I picked up this yarn at one of Adrienne's yarn swaps. The yarn is 75% superwash wool and able to go in the dryer which makes it perfect for a teenage boy.

I followed the pattern for basic socks given on the ball band. The only change was using 3mm instead of 3.25mm needles. Of course I knit the foot a bit longer to allow for his rapidly growing feet.

These are slightly thicker socks which will be brilliant in his walking boots, especially if we are hit by snow again.

Whilst knitting these socks, I have been snuggled in one of my Lizard Ridge blankets sitting on a sheep skin. My father-in-law gave us two sheepskins when we bought leather sofas because he said they were too cold for the winter. At first we just humoured him but now I have to confess that there is always a tussle over who gets a sheepskin.

I've also been reading Agatha Christie which is a first for me as I've never really been interested in detective novels. This particular book was regarded as one of her masterpieces. It is certainly clever and a great read for on the tube or the beach when you need something easy to pick up.