Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Yarn Along - C1AC2A...

... in other words Clue 1A followed by Clue 2A.  I'm well into clue 2 of  Ysolda's Mystery Knit Along, and what a mystery it is, I don't have the faintest idea what this shawl is going to look like when it's finished.  With another two clues to go, many 'forms' are possible!  I'm more than happy with the Phildar Givre yarn that I'm using, not only is it's slightly fluffy texture so soft to the touch, it also hides little errors very well - ah hem - a forgotten-but-fixed-next-row-yarn-over!
Clue 1A
Not so happy with my socks.  Love the color way and while the heel and foot fit like a glove, or a sock as the case may be, the leg part is too baggy.

If I use this pattern again for adult socks I think I will go down a needle size for the leg part.  The problem was easily fixed (I don't actually have a set of smaller dpn's) with Tino's socks by ribbing the leg section.

Just finished Death Comes To Pemberely and can highly recommend it - P D James incredible talent for murder mystery coupled with the formidable cast of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice comes up trumps in my book.
We have a Chamonix Ladies Book Club (it's a book exchange, we don't all read the same book) on Friday evening so I'm hoping to pick up a few gems there.  We will also be debating the influence of 'Kindle' and other e-reader devices on the dwindling attendance of the club, and possibly creating a new section for those who want to all read the same book via Kindle etc.   Should be an interesting evening.
Do you belong to a book club and how does it function?  I'd love some useful feedback to take to Fridays meeting!
Linking up with Ginny for Yarn Along.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Yarn Along - Biting off more that I can chew?

One of my resolutions/projects for 2014 was more sewing - I've been trying to establish a relationship with my 'Singer' for years, even arranging a 'spot' in the house for my machine and supplies.  But well, for some reason I always seem to find a valid excuse for doing something else!!
So here are my current excuses:


1 -My Favourite Things Infinity Scarf - a neighbor, quite unaware of the project I was working on, bought me 150 Scandinavian Knitting Designs for christmas.  However, a few other more pressing projects have come up so my scarf is now on hold - as is my ripple blanket (due to the fact that someone ate my 3.5 mm bamboo crochet hook! three possible suspects were in the room at the time, two of which are goldfish, so my money is on this guy)...
"what me?"
2 - New Born Milo for mid January for Richard's cousin - that shouldn't take too long once I've decided on which cable motif to use.
3 - Whilst picking out the yarn for the Milo, Tino chose some bright sock yarn for himself.  There's not really a deadline here but as soon as I cast on he'll be following me around asking "are they nearly done yet?"


Also started a pair of basic socks for a good friend who's having a rough time of things at the moment and needs cheering up, this project should really take priority don't you think.
And, if that's not enough to be getting on with I've signed up with Ysolda for a mystery kal.  I found the yarn I want to use, will just have to hope it arrives on time for the first clue on Jan 13.  But I've got a funny feeling I'll be playing catch up.
I also have a FO since my last yarn along.  This great hat from the Taproot Issue 8 :: Reclaim.

I used some Phildar Laureate mohair/acrylic yarn from my stash and it knitted up so quickly and is so toasty and warm.  Definitely a christmas-gift knit idea (oh lets not talk about christmas knitting in January, please!)

Forgot to take a pic of my book but I'm reading Death Comes to Pemberley, a follow on to Pride and Prejudice, by the great crime fiction writer P D James.  Only just started so it's hard to comment but I'm expecting good things!

Linking up with Ginny, what are you knitting and reading this week?