Sockmonster

How dumb can I be?

Ok so I knew something was wrong but I read and reread knitty's pattern for the V neck poncho and with gusto knitted around the campfire - bit dificult keeping balls out oof the dirt but great mindless knitting to do whilst chatting - but look at it!!!!

The increases should be either side of the halves instead mine whooshes up one side and is straight the other - it just doesn't work - we've tried it on and no its not ingenious and a new innovation!  So its off to the frog pond for it.  I am really annoyed because I took a bucket load of stuff to knit but only managed this as time and opportunity just didn't permit.  Finished seaming Haigh and only have the ends to sew in - pretty pleased with it. Pic soon!

Stitches n Craft - Melbourne

Yesterday was a fun day as a girlfriend and I set out on an excursion to Caulfield for Stitches n Craft.  We made good time although due to DD having fallen over the day before and being in a sling we took her to school on the way.  My impressions were that there were still only about 6-10 vendors of yarn, a number were the usuals - Sarah Durrant with Colinette (busy as ever), AK with their felted dolls and yarn, threads and more probably held most yarn and the Needlecraft book place was there too.

I was pleased because I got to see a number of yarns I have only ever seen online.  I bought some Noro - Silk Garden, Kochoran and Cash Iroha - really lovely and I expecially like the Kochoran and Cash Iroha.  They also had Himalaya Silk and some Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran that I was hoping to buy.  They didn't have enough so I think I will order direct from them next week as they are having a 20% off sale.  I want to knit the Big Sack Sweater in Stitch n Bitch.

I also bought a few balls of Jo Sharp for a Hearts Illusion Scarf

and some bag handles from Gail B's in Bayswater  (patchworking)

and I also picked up and order of Addis which are for sale (oh ok one or two might go into the stash)  $9 for up to 5mm and $11 for higher (up to a certain mm which I can't recall right at this minute)

After getting home from the show it was manic at home with DS1 coming home from a week of school camp and then off to get DH from the bus - some shopping , tea and then I decided I just wasn't happy with her elbow situation so we flew down to Casey hospital - who's emergency dept had only been open 4 days and closed at 8pm - we made it by ten to eight and they subsequentsly xrayed it.  Turns out she has a small Type 1 fracture of the radius and whilst no cast it has to be immobile for the next 2-3 weeks.  Needless to say I will stop asking her to keep it moving!  But its pain in the you know where because we go camping for the 5 days on Thursday and then its back to school and finally immobile for up to the first week of the hols!  Ah well never a dull moment.  Today DS1 lost his semi final at tennis and I got bit by jumpjack ants.  But it is not all bad news - the olives that we grow (a small 100 tree grove) are all mulched and the olives are looking fantastic.  They are picked and pressed in May - just before frosts hopefully.  Anyway my Dad has taken the kidlings off to the Cockatoo Rodeo and so DH and I are off out for tea! Yum!!

Oh also forgot I got to hold the South West Trading Companys Soy silk yarn and their Bamboo yarn at AK Traditions stand.  Also bought Nicky Epsteins - Knitting on the Edge ( a superb book ) and Nancy Wisemans Traditional Lace Shawls.  Bought a little bead needle with a collapsible eye for yarn and beads - do I dare?  It hink that was it!

cya

Another one bites the dust

Finished another pair of socks that have been hanging around on the needles for the past couple of months.  They are regia Stretch Crazy - Fantastic to knit with.  I'll be going for this yarn again.  They are for DD - and she is very pleased, I never really noticed before how flat her feet were!

Very fluoro very scrummy!

BTW Thank you to everyone that put in Lornas Laces orders.  I sneaked a couple of days and will be putting the order through to them tomorrow (Friday).  SO anyone who needs to adjust an order or add something feel free to email me.  Also remember that an order will go into Germany in a week or two.  I have talked to the LL office and they look forward to our order.

Work is really busy here and I haven't had much time for knitty stuff but I must get on and finish the Zebra pinafore for my niece.

cya

See how my Tahoe Lornas Laces knitted up!

I've knitted like a demon and the family can't understand why I am knitting this when I can only achieve one sock in the next five months til the shipment arrives (I only had one skein as a sample) I explained that I needed to show my knitty friends how the LL's sock yarn knitted up - for me.  So without further ado here it is -

I am VERY happy with it - it has surpassed my expectations. Very nice.

Don't forget LL orders due tomorrow.

My favourite LL colourways

I have to decide on my top colouways for socks from LL - The thing is I will sell most of what I buy so do I buy what I like or do I buy what I think others will like????  You can help - Leave your top 5 or 10 colourways for socks in the comments pages!  Things to take into consideration is that variegated yarns can pool or spiral depending on your knitting - some of this I love others I don't.

My top colourways in no particular order are:

Black Purl

Aslan

Periwinkle Blue

Mixed Berries

Sandridge

Childs Play

Cedar

Tahoe

Motherlode

Grapevine

So there you have it what are your favourite colours????

Lust or Love?

It was interesting last night to catch up with other knitters at an interim SnB meet.  Had a great time with some real eager kin! and loved a couple of projects that were underway.  We were discussing the projects you just absolutely die for to begin with and then fall out of love with and then there are the projects/yarns/tools etc that are just stayers - the true loves of your life.  Are there any yarns in your stash that you would never part with?  Are there yarns that have been your downfall for many years.  I probably can't think of many although I do still mourn a lost grey blue mohair cardi in Patons Fleur from about 20 years ago!  I have fallen in lust with many a sock yarn, only to cast it aside when a new shipment arrives.  I  have now settled on a passion for Regia sock yarns - although some of the colourways in the Opal are great, but I still think the Regia is a beautiful yarn.  Is the Lorna's Laces passion and lust or will it be a long term love?  Only time will tell!  Au revoir for now - my daughter is doing her first year of french lessons and we are all getting lessons!

I Luuurve this Shepherd Sock!

I have been burling along on the sock with the Shepherd Sock Lorna's Laces - It is the BEST sock yarn I have used ever - not that that is saying much but it is smooth, with a lovely twist, colours are vibrant and well spread throughout the fabric.  Very happy Jan!

Update on Lornas Laces and Sock yarn

Ok the following info should update anyone coming by

Lornas Laces

My Lornas Laces pricelist is here, click on the download below

Download lornas_laces_price_list.pdf

Colourways can be found at: Lornas Laces colours

I plan to order on the 16th March so get orders in by then via email at [email protected]

Payment is not due until they arrive.  Lead time is long and could be up to 5 months because Lornas Laces are hand dyed to order and take 90 days before shipping.

I'm knitting up Tahoe in Shepherd Sock at the moment

Opal

Opal Lollipop - $16 17.50 a ball is here

So is Uni $15 16.50 a ball - great bold colours in a 4 ply machine washable - the equivalent of 4 4ply shop bought yarn balls.

T99 - $16 17.50 a ball

Elementes - $16 a ball

and  6 ply! - $20 a ball

More about Regia and Lana Grossa in a day or so.

Sockmonster on a roll!

A great weekend was had by all at our house and beyond  - DH spent a great weekend in Tassie with his brothers fishing and  hiking (and playing X box!).

Meanwhile I had a few knitty friends over and the lovely Ceels seamed my mohair cardi that has been sitting in pieces for two years (Ceels drew the line at sewing ends in though - and I am pleased to say that has been done!) and I also got on with my embroidery on the little fairisle pinafore that was supposed to finish a week ago.

This photo is a bit of a reality check! - I have to lose some weight.

The embroidery

It actually looks like a zebra head!!!!

and yes I started another project - both my mother and my daughter just rolled their eyes and said do you get anything finished?

I also balled up the Tahoe colourway of the Lornas Laces and it is truly beautiful
I'm knitting it now and the colours are gentl, it is a smooth and polished yarn to knit up and doesn't split.

Oldest WIP

I reckon I must have the record for the oldest WIP.  It was one of the first projects I ever attempted and I started it when I was 12 over 26 years ago!  It is a crocheted rug in squares of green, red and yellow trimmed in black.  For many years it was not rectangular and about 10 years ago I squared it up but it is supposed to be bigger.  It still has many of its ends undarned as you can see below.  It has become a favourite blanky for the 10yr old tennis son although he would never admit it.

I also have a baby matinee jacket from before no 3 child - footy son (now 9) was born and am just getting around to finishing a mohair cardigan in L'amour yarn bought about 15 years ago, and knitted 2 years ago.

What's your oldest WIP?