Interweave Fall 2010

Fell through my letterbox this week and a few items went straight on to my never ending to do list.
I will make the Alpen socken and the Bavarian Tulip mittens as I already have the yarn in my stash. I do love the Proverbial cap but will probably never make it as I don't suit beanie type hats. The Plein Air tote is a possible; the double stranded yarn would make it sturdy. Also considering the Cloisonne Jacket in two shade of grey and talking Makoto into the Point Gammon Pullover. I like the Leyfi Pullover but the neck looks a little uncomfortable and I'm concerned that it will make anyone with boobs look huge. I am improving in selecting projects that I will actually wear.
I was particularly interested in Leitmtif Cardigan by Carol Feller. At the Zimmerman talk at Ravelry Day in Coventry last year, there was a woman in front wearing a great knitted top so I asked her about the design. It was Carol and one of her own designs. She probably doesn't even remember , but I love being able to put a face to a name. She was very friendly and talked about getting the yarn from the USA and the Lizard Ridge I was knitting, so of course I looked her up and have been following her designs ever since. Several are on my list mainly because of their wear ability. How many things have you knitted that have never made it out the house?

Too busy stripping!

Yes, I've been a bad blogger. In truth, I haven't really been knitting much at all because I decided that I was mentally and emotionally strong enough to re enter the world of home improvements. When we bought this house I had great plans which quickly evaporated when the reality of expenses and dealing with builders kicked in. As the boys were young and wrecking everything in sight, it didn't seem worth the stress. I would really like to continue to hide my head in the sand but we've now reached the stage where work absolutely needs to be done. This is an Edwardian house which requires skilled workers. Most take one look and then never come back!

We sent Koji and Akira to Japan on their own this year so I could devote my time to the house. I am exhausted. I have looked at so many bathrooms, paint charts, architects plans etc I can't make a decision any more and all the while pound signs keep flashing in front of my eyes.

As a distraction I have been stripping wallpaper. Tedious but strangely satisfying as I can actually see some progression. With a face mask,goggles and a towelling turban to keep the dust out of my hair,I am a fright. This look is completed by a pair of giant earphones as I can't stand those torturous tiny ear plug things. Since the end of Lime n Violet, I've been searching for something to take their place. Sadly, nothing competes. I discovered their podcast after my Dad died and laughed till I cried. I did enjoy a podcast by Stephen Fry on " iTunes Meet the Author" about the development of computers and the Internet age. Fascinating and entertaining , even for a technophobe like me.

Bee Stripe Jaywalkers

One of my favourite sock patterns, I thought the thin stripes of Lorna's Laces Bee Stripe would work really well but just look at the black pooling. I did try to convince myself that the black abstract pattern added interest but it didn't work.

Frogged!

Bobbin Lace

Hendon library have started a Knit and Knatter session every fourth Thursday. Its a great idea and Lauren, the librarian, does a great job of making everybody welcome and sharing information. The group are very different to the Foyles group so it is really interesting. One of the ladies is about to retire to France and brought some of her lace to show us.


I have always fancied trying this craft. I always knew it would be time consuming but after discovering that this tiny little piece is about two hours work I really don't think its the craft for me. Here I must confess that I do have a cushion and selection of bobbins stashed in the loft.

Clapotis

I finally wore the Clapotis I began when the snow scrambled my brain. It knit up quickly enough but it took me until April to sew in the ends, just in time for the crocuses. Even the snowdrops were two months late this year.


I bought the Lorna's Laces Lion and Lamb in Sweetie from Pauline at the last yarn swap. I love Lion and Lamb and have completed two other clapotis using this yarn. I admit the colourway is bright; Pauline hated it and eldest son said it was disgusting but I am a sucker for anything purple. The dropped stitches help to stop it being overpowering.....I think!

Bella's Mitts

For somebody who knits I have an amazing lack of scarves,gloves and not a single hat. How can this be? I suppose most winters here are so mild there's no real incentive but this winter caught me short and I had to resort to rummaging through the boys things to find a beanie which wasn't emblazoned with skulls and vaguely hygienic.


I tend to avoid knitting mitts/gloves because I am so careless I always return home with just one. I can't bear to think that I've wasted all that time. The shops could only supply cheap and nasty or eyewateringly expensive, so I decided to take the plunge. This pattern by subliminal rabbit is fun and knits up really quickly. I cast on at the Unravel festival but have only just got round to sewing in the ends . I used three skeins of Mirasol Sulka in Pepper. Thick, beautifully soft and a haze of colours makes this interesting. It is not a flat block of colour.


I have decided that through the year I will commit to knitting winter accessories instead of waiting till my ears are freezing and my fingers are numb!

Big Montana Tunic

Hiro brought me some chunky Noro yarn called Circus back from Japan. Mainly black and grey with streaks of cerise and lime green. I loved it but unfortunately he only bought six 100g balls. I rooted through all my patterns and couldn't find anything which didn't require more yarn. When I saw this tunic in Interweave, I thought it was the answer. I started with a rim of cerise around the bottom ribbing and was really happy with the way the yarn handled and the design. It flew off the needles but before I did the armbands I decided to try it on. Disaster!

The lines of bright colour formed chevrons. It was as if I had a huge arrow pointing to my boobs!

If I'm honest I knew in my heart of hearts that this was not the right design for me. Chunky yarn when you're top heavy is never a good idea. However, I loved the fact that it made my flat bum look rounded.