Thursday, July 24, 2008

Ahh


I've now got just over two weeks off before I start my new job. So lots of walking the 'dales, spending time with DD
(who has been a lot better recently), gardening & of course knitting. Now all I need is some sunshine!

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Ongoing stuff & a lesson learned

My life has been a bit complicated in the past few months & it's all starting to get a bit much. However I have resolved one 'drain' on my energy & found myself a new job
I now have just one week left in my current employment & then two weeks off before I start my new role. I have been unhappy for at least the past two years but as my job was so flexible around DD & very close to home it was hard to find another with the same 'flexibility'. I've done that now & after 4 hours of interviews in one day (phew!) left with a job offer & a big smile on my face.

I've told the 'big boss' exactly why I was leaving & the person concerned has had a 'talking to'. It's sad that he's continuing to make other people unhappy but at least the MD is aware of what's going on now.

DD has also been giving us grief but that's part of the territory with a teenager (or pre-teen as she doesn't turn 13 until October). We've been attending parent courses to learn how to deal with her behaviour but that has had the unpleasant side effect of dragging up all the 'crap' I endured as a child in the hands of my mother. DH has likened it to a deep festering wound long buried so I'm trying to bury it again maybe slightly healed if that can happen.

So this brings me onto the lesson learned:

Don't, whatever you do, start a sock (or pair of socks) when you're feeling down & depressed. My judgment must have been clouded as I had already swatched in ss & cast on the number of stitches accordingly but of course the socks weren't to be knit in ss!

Uptown Boot socks
Uptown Boot socks in KPPM: to be frogged :(


Pattern: Uptown Boot Socks
Yarn: Koigu KPPPM 044949
Needles: 2x 60cm 2.25mm Knitpicks circulars

Verdict: I adore the pattern & enjoyed learning how to cable without a cable needle. Equally the yarn is gorgeous but the two together don't work with my feet.

Uptown Boot socks
Uptown Boot pattern close up


The cabling pulled the fabric in too tight & if I increase the stitches to the required amount it doesn't work with the pattern. Ho hum....

So I think found another pattern for this yarn & will be casting on very soon. However I'll going to do a round of purl on the knitting I've already done & swatch the new pattern before I frog & cast on again.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Handspun Scarf

Handspun Scarf
Handspun Scarf


Pattern: Yarn Harlot's Handspun Scarf
Yarn: 386 yards (3.9 skeins) of Noro Cash Iroha
Needles: 5mm
Time Taken: October 2007 - April 27th 2008 with a few big gaps in between knitting.

Handspun Scarf
Handspun Scarf


This scarf had been intended as a Christmas present for my Dad & was nearly finished in time. However he then went abroad just before Christmas for a few months so it sat in a corner unfinished. He's now back in the country & loves his scarf.

Handspun Scarf
Handspun Scarf


The yarn was ideal for this pattern as it's single ply really suited the stitch pattern & was so soft after washing.

Sunday, July 06, 2008

More soon

There is a lot going on here; mostly good but definitely stressful. I'll be able to reveal more soon but in the meantime here's my latest knitting project:

Baby Ribbons Blanket
Baby Ribbons Blanket in King Cole Smooth DK


A friend of mine is due to have her baby in five weeks & doesn't want to know the gender so I have chosen a combination of colours which are neutral but hopefully still attractive.

I had planned to cast on another pair of socks for July but have now changed my mind & instead will concentrate on various WIP's in the hope of finishing some....