Tiger Bargain

Akira and I wandered up to North Finchley yesterday and popped into Tiger. This shop often has yarn, usually acrylic but occasionally wool, so it is worth checking regularly as stock changes weekly. At the moment they have Bumbo Mohair which is 51% mohair and 49% acrylic. Each 25g ball is 100m and a £1.00 a bargain. It doesn't feel squeaky like some synthetic yarns. the colours are warm not garish and I'm curious to see how it knits up.

Tiger have the traditional French knitting bobbins for a couple of pounds and the larger ones for three pounds. They also have bags of beads for £1, wood and plastic.

Cactus heart

After psyching ourselves up to battle the hoards at Wembley Ikea, we discovered the halogen bulbs we required had been discontinued ....a year ago! Dispirited we sought refuge in the cafe and consoled ourselves with Swedish apple cake and cinnamon buns. When we had regained our sense of humour, we ventured out and made Ikea an adventure; sat on every sofa, tested every bed, spun on each office chair, munched on biscuit samples, sniffed flavoured teas and coffees, planned kitchens , marvelled at wardrobe storage options and giggled at the hazard tape across the display toilets. Our expedition was halted by a call from Koji demanding we came home 'cos he was starving!

On the way to the checkout, we passed through the plant department. Akira has a fascination with cacti and was very keen to buy a three foot monster. After some gentle persuasion, he was thrilled to buy some lucky bamboo and a heart cactus.He read the care instructions and proudly put them on the fireplace in his room. It says a lot about this family's ability to nurture houseplants when he came to show me a chart he had drawn to record which plant died first!

On a crafting note, Ikea has some attractive embroidered cushion covers with a vintage feel. Of course, they are not the same standard as those you could make yourself but good value.

Knitty 34 Winter 2011

I've just caught the latest Knitty edition. My favourite is Cartouche, a shawl by Janelle Martin. It is so different to the many shawl patterns around at the moment. I love the intricate geometric shapes and the way the cable outline really pops out. Her instructions are very detailed and include useful photographs of techniques. This might just be my Japan project this year which is very apt as Janelle lists Japanese stitch patterns as her current obsession.

The name of the designer also made me smile; the only Janelle I've ever met was a friend of my housemate in Spain. She was a larger than life New Yorker whose enthusiasm for life was contagious. We'd all bounce around in the wake of her energy and good humoured irreverence.I remember her delight when in Gibraltar she discovered Sobranie cocktail cigarettes; bright pastel shades with a gold filter which she declared "fucking orgasmic!"

At some point I will knit Fleece by Kieran Foley. Of course, I just happen to have enough Zauerball in my stash.Palisander is worth a look as I like scarves which are patterned on both sides but is not on my immediate list. Whereas, I have already printed out Joanie but will have to do something about the floppy neck. The Sweetheart socks will be good for using odd hanks of light worsted which, hopefully,will mean they are a quick knit. The Chrysanthemums are gorgeous but will I really commit the necessary time to mitts I will leave on the bus? Shetlander, for me, life is just too short!

"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.