All Fingers and Thumbs

Or "How a Knitter Saved the Day" Yesterday morning ahead of my friend's wedding in Matlock, Derbyshire the aforementioned lovely boyf and I popped into town for a little essential business - ie I wanted to visit the LYS: Pins and Needles (see left.) I browsed happily for a few moments in the pretty shop, received some helpful advice on the purchase of some cotton for one of these lovely bags and left buying just one ball of yarn. Merrily on our way, I've got the warm glow of having just been fondling yarn and no guilt from buying two tons of the stuff to go in the cupboard or under the bed or wherever it will fit. The sun is trying to shine, we're well ahead of schedule and thinking of a nice cup of tea and a little something to sustain us through the service and then... Disaster struck! Hopping back into the car there was an ominous ripping sound from the direction of my one true beloved's backside. Ejected from the car I assessed him for damage. It was n...

...a knitting book is added to his Amazon order to get the free shipping rather than another CD. My current greatest yarn love is pictured here too - Colinette Jitterbug in Raspberry, leaves and all. As for any other yarn purchases, that's between me and Ravelry these days and anyway most of it is meant for gifts ;0) The second pair of legwarmers are all done; for details see here - these are just a bit longer but still about a ball and a half of the Rowan Plaid. There may well be more of these off my needles in the future as they were well received. I am also tempted by a pair of knee high socks in this yarn - could there be any socks more cosy? These chilly autumn days must be getting to me. There should be much knitting ahead this weekend - which gets a mention today as - joy of joys - it is a four dayer for me! I shall try and put down my needles long enough for my friend's wedding on Saturday.

I seem to have spent most of the weekend collecting items that will compete with my knitting time via two charity book sales and a car boot. Knitting has about halved the amount of books I've got read this year - I think they're staging a fight back! The knitting did get a look in though: I managed to find one bargain knitting book which seems good fun, a stack of murder mystery videos to provide something to knit to and some actual knitting in the form of Lady E. I had meant to complete the legwarmers for my friend for Tuesday but forgot to bring the next ball of wool along for the ride. It's lucky these are a really quick knit as I don't want to gift them with the needles in as I do think that would detract from their snuggliness. There is always such competition for the precious free time isn't there? I empathise with those of you that are too committed elsewhere at the moment to sign up for Pay it Forward, however I've only got two of my three peeps on boa...

Wherever you go in Blogland you see evidence of the amazing generosity of this community and now I have a chance to give something back to you (well three of you in particular) ; via Piglottie I have signed up for the Pay it Forward exchange: It’s based on the concept made famous in the movie “Pay it Forward” where acts or deeds of kindness are done without expecting something in return, just passing it on, with hope that the recipients of the acts of kindness pass it on. I will make and send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment to this post on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I do not know what that gift will be yet (am going to try and knit them - should Christmas gift knitting allow) but it will be sent within 6 months and that’s a promise! What you should do in return, then, is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.

I did knit on this beautiful beach but made just a small amount of progress on the legwarmer due to the many fun hen activities to be getting on with. On my return home yesterday there was a lovely, lovely surprise which rounded off a great weekend. I won a skein of yarn from Stitchville . Thank you so much Gosia . And what yarn it is; I've made sure I've stroked many a skein since I started knitting and I can categorically say this is the softest most amazing stuff I have ever touched. Knitting this by the sea would probably lead to sensory overload.

My Mum's 'summer' socks are done. I am glad what little summer we are allowed this year is happening late as these lacy cotton-blend socks are not quite right for the heading into autumn feel. Pattern: Hedera by Cookie A (love it) Yarn: Lana Grossa Meilenweit Cotton (love it) 3/4 ball Needles: 4 x 2.25mm Brittany Birch (love them) DPNs Started: 11 August 2007 Finished: 14 September 2007 New Skills: Twisted stitches Notes: It's love! Simple 4 row repeat which generates a really lovely effect. The little details are just a sign of the genius of the designer I think - using a twisted rib rather than plain and then pulling the columns of twisted stitches down the pattern separating the lacy sections is just exquisite. I don't think I could have chosen a better lacy socks pattern to start with and I am sure I will knit these again. I am really pleased about the match of yarn and pattern; these are the perfect fresh summer socks I envisaged. I love the yarn and shall get ...

I was never much of a collector as a child, no books of stamps, sets of toys or jars of insects for me. Now I am making up for lost time with a knitting collection. With that first pair of needles should come a warning about storage space. The main focus of my attention appears to be Rowanspun, I loved it when I used it for my first garment and there is a finite amount of it you see - a get it while you can feel to it. Do they just discontinue a yarn to make hoarding types buy up what they can when they see it? I have recently added a sweater sized haul of the gorgeous and aptly titled Mist to my DK weight set and as I have Aran and DK I thought I'd better get the whole family and found some 4ply - love this colourway name too - Sludge. As well as my Rowanspun collection I'm working on the library. This great sale by the UK Knitting and Crochet Guild has helped me along with another couple of titles. I saw the Log Cabin Socks that Kath made recently and thought I would get t...

A picot edge for Esther :o) My first ever, I had no idea how this pretty edging was constructed and was pleased to see it in action. As well as this prettiness I've done most of the leg, a more mindless pattern may have been a better companion but I love every slow growing inch of this sock. The Jitterbug yarn is just so springy and lovely. Thank you all for your kind thoughts and words; I am feeling better than when I left and had a better than expected time - the hotel was near the beach and I can't fail but feel better, whatever ails me, when I can hear the sea.