Smugness

My name is Andrea, and I'm a yarnaholic.

The minute I decided to stop buying yarn was the minute I was extremely tempted to buy yarn. I wandered by Tricoterie's etsy store, where I constantly drool over what I might buy, especially the laceweight. I geared myself up for a session of drooling over my keyboard, and what happened?

She has Twilight Yarn. I ended up in tears of laughter.

If you ever want a giggle, tell Felix you loved the Twilight book series. He rants. It's really funny, but also familiar. Mention airlines and knitting rules and the Australian government, and I rant. But Felix is really fuuny when he does it.

The yarn crisis averted I turned back to what I have. So, here's my birthday present from Chantal.














Here Be Dragons shawl and two skeins of Alpaca with a Twist Fino! I LOVE Chantal so much. She is very very good with knitting presents. Very good.

So, as soon as I finish my Incoming socks and my Garden Shawl, I have my next project already waiting.

Yarn shopping unnecessary.

An aim, not a resolution - Part 2

Just a few points to clear up.

1. Felix will not be buying yarn on my behalf, not even with unsubtle hints or outright begging. He is buying the yarn for a Doctor Who scarf for me to knit up, but believe me that's definitely not through my begging for it. Who'd beg to knit up 14 feet of scarf?!?
2. All yarn related emails will be deleted from my inbox - sorry, but temptation is far too great sometimes, and I really don't want to risk it.
3. No yarn expeditions, no matter what. Just walking in to the places causes my purse to come out and next thing I know I have yarn and less money, all because EFTPos is too easy.

Hope that clears it up. Now to go away and put on my hair shirt.

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Currently I'm knitting a scarf. A long scarf. A scarf with 398 stitches. This is not my scarf, it is the work of Jade, my knitting conspirator. It's her third project and it's a (belated) Christmas present for one of her friends. So now it's late and I also want my Clover 4.5mm circular back (it's Clover for pity's sake!).

It's not exactly my kind of colour range either. Imagine if Rainbow Brite was run over by a massive ball of acrylic...

An aim, not a resolution

Due to a massive party last night, today's post is a day late. I would like to apologise, and also to speak on those rumours about myself, Jade and Yutika and the Twister mat: no comment.

Today was a yarny sort of a day with a trip to buy the loveliest burgandy sock yarn for my da, to be knitted up in the Yarn Harlot's Earl Grey pattern. For solid colour sock yarn lovers, visit here. Fabulous range of straight, non-pooling yarn - perfect! I wended my way back to show my prize to Felix who promptly asked "Don't you have enough sock yarn?"

After my initial shock and response of "Are you INSANE?!?!?!?" I calmed down and thought about it a bit. I don't own that much sock yarn, actually. I have another 4 balls of Patonyle, some leftovers from my Entrelac Socks, some Wired for Fibre Rita and one rare ball of Opal Ladybird. Compared to some, that's quite minor. I also have yarn that could be used as sock yarn, various DK's etc, but still not that much.

Rose Red is having her own personal Sock of the Month Club, and I thought it was a fabulous idea - take 12 sock yarns, put them in brown paper bags and pull one out each month to make a pair of socks. I was planning my own version, where my mum will send me some sock yarn each month from my stash, having already had a head start with my Incoming!!! socks - I brought the ball of Tofutsies with me.

Felix's comment gave me pause for thought. I own an awfully large amount of yarn, almost all of it in plastic bags with the pattern I have planned for it inclosed. So, I've had an idea I'd like to suggest. This is a New Year aim not a resolution - no guilt for breaking it.

I, Andrea of Let Me Knit, hereby swear to try and live a year without buying more yarn.

I swear that when I feel the need to start a new project I shall send for a plastic stash bag and knit whatever is chosen for me. I declare that any purchases by others for me do not count and are therefore not only welcomed, but highly encouraged. I promise that I shall have a full 48 hours of amnesty for the Bendigo Wool and Sheep Show, but not to go over the top with shopping frenzy.

So it is written, so it shall be done. Well, hopefully!

Finished Objects 2009 - #2

I like my new beret - for 'tis slouchy.














(Felix is working tonight, so I'm afraid the only pictures I have of the beret in use are very MySpace-y)














The third repeat that I added on made the difference. The beret is deep enough to be loose, but the brim is perfect for my gianormous skull. Feel free to add any jokes you deem appropriate.

In other knitting news I am but a toe shaping away from finishing sock #1 in my "Incoming!!!" socks. Fine yarn, small needles, 64 stitches per row. There was some bribery involved to make me knit these so swiftly.














Zenses Rainforest and Jewel Masters, both on the DS. 5 minutes knitting, 1 brief game. 5 minutes knitting, 1 brief game. Seemed to work, actually. Odd.

What next?

Yesterday I managed to knock myself out using a ceiling beam. It's a lot easier than you think. The result was a lazy day, full of knitting - the best kind.

I worked tirelessly on my Meret (Mystery Beret) and succeeded in wrapping it up by 9pm. Then I tried it on. Then I ripped it back.















I added one repeat "for extra slouch". Turns out if you have a freakishly large head -as I do - an extra two or three repeats might be better. I'll see if I can get the stupid thing finished by the end of today.

I also came to a very hard decision about my SoleSilkSkein (One-Skein Wonder). It's a great pattern, easy to follow, and I'm glad I bought it. I was using Noro Silk Garden, in the most wonderful colours and it's a fantastic yarn.



















But not together. So I'm frogging the project and saving my two balls of Silk Garden for something else. For some reason, I feel like a nice cabled tea cosy.

As I need another small project until I can get a 3.5mm circular for my Garden Shawl (no-one around here has one!) I started a set of Tidal Wave socks for my mum. I had bought the yarn specifically with me to make her a pair, so socks it is. The cast on was probably the most fun - Twisted German Cast On. It's a new skill, and I'm rather chuffed about it.














I keep getting images of Goethe in my head as I say "Twisted German Cast On". Or Armin Meiwes.

Messing about in blogs

Self explanitory, really. I'd do more, but it's 2:16am and I'm thinking sleep will help.

Finished Objects 2009 - #1

Feel the smugness! Less than a week in and I'm one project down.


















This is the Celtic Hearts Shawl, by Simple Knits, and it is fast. Really fast. I finished it in a week, with two days off in the middle - ridiculous! It's an 8-ply (DK) knit, and the pattern is easy to follow. I'd recommend this to anyone.



















It's a birthday present for my nana at the end of the month, so I'm posting it out on Friday. We're planning a jaunt up to Glamis Castle on Thursday, and my two grandmothers will need photos and details about that, so I'll send it all together.

My Garden Shawl is currently is hiatus, all because I don't have a circular knitting needle. The nearest wool store doesn't have a 3.5mm circular, and it's a 20 minute walk to the next store. I wouldn't mind, but it's snowing intermittently today. Walking whilst being snowed upon is far less fun than you'd think. Snowflakes are pointy when they hit your eyeball.

New year, new knits!

Thus begins a new year of knitting, and I hope you all had a lovely safe New Year celebration, wherever you are. Mine was cold. Very very cold.

I had to wait until the 2nd to start my first project for the year, my Garden Shawl. It is beautiful and very very scary. 180 rows isn't too much, unless you're increasing every row, each row has some form of patterning, and you can never ever stop counting rows (two different row counts at all times).


















I was feeling rather confident after the set up rows, but now the enthusiasm is flagging, the adrenalin is wearing down and the long slog is before me. I like the long slog because it affords you those lovely moments, the ones where you suddenly remember how much you love the patten, or the yarn becomes even softer, or you get the rhythm just right and suddenly you're flying through the rows.

I'm so looking forward to that bit.

What a difference a year makes

Last New Year's Eve in Melbourne the temperature didn't drop below 30 degrees until after midnight. Tonight, Felix and I are off to celebrate Hogmaney in Edinburgh with the expected temperature of -4. Felix is looking forward to any excuse that allows him to wear his Ni beanie.

I've been working on my nana's birthday shawl since Saturday night and I plan to get up to the border rows today, which is pretty great considering I added a repeat.


















I'm pretty happy with the progress I've been making.

Looking back, this has been a fantastic year for my knitting. I've been very prolific, 40 finished items (yes I know it said #39, but I helped Jade knit a scarf so I'm counting that as well) although a lot of them were beanies. For Felix.

I plan to challenge myself further next year. Thanks to Bells and her Long Lacy Summer, I've become a lace addict. The fun of watching something that looks like uncooked 2 minute noodles become art as soon as you drop it in water and block it? Indescribable.

That's why I've already planned next year's first knit.


















Insanity, thy name is "Andrea".

Have a great New Year's Eve, and I'll catch you all next year.

Finished Objects 2008

• Entrelac Socks
• Jogging Gloves
• Moss Stitch Washcloth
• Jade's Christmas Bedsocks
• Nosferatu Shawl
• The CARdigan
• Cascading Leaves Shawl
• Cobblestone Jumper
• The Ni! Beanie
• Amelia's Shawl
• Felix's Gloves
• Cat Toys
• Trinity Stitch Beret
• Ice Queen
• Really Easy Booties
• Baby Hat
• Baby Surprise Jacket - Greens
• Felix's Surprise Beanie
• Saartje's Booties
• Felix's Grey Socks
• Mum's Birthday Socks
• Baby Raglan
• Mum's Pot Holders
• Da's Fingerless Gloves
• Nana's 90th Birthday Socks
• Baby Jacket
• Chunky Red Shawl
• Matisse's Shawl
• Drunken Argyle
• Passepartout's Beret
• Rosy Cosy
• Kitri Socks
• Grey Knee High Stockings
• Sammy's Scholar Collar
• B.S. Johnson
• Beanie for Felix
• Diadem
• Quantified
• Pedicure Socks
  

Finished Objects 2008 - #37, #38 and #39

Saturday was a daemon day for knitting (doesn't "daemon" look cooler than "demon"?). I finished my cleaning up bright and early and settled down to block my Entrelac Socks and see what else I could finish.

While the socks were drying I finished off a moss stitch washcloth. No pictures, because it put to good use a few hours later! Then I decided that I needed some plain fingerless gloves for walking around outside and knitting, so I whipped up some Jogging Gloves.



















That took me past three episodes of "Dexter" and on to the beginning of a new shawl (yes, another one), this time Celtic Hearts again from Simple Knits. This is fast, so I'm hoping I can knock it off before the end of next week as that's when I'll need to post it to Australia for my nana's birthday.

Yesterday was another day of knitting in the afternoon, and I finished off my Entrelac Socks.






















I am completely overwhelmed by these socks. They took two months of knitting here and there and they were worth it.


















I knitted them while watching "History of Britain" in the mornings and "History of Scotland" in the afternoons. Lots of history and lots of knitting.



















The part I'm most proud of is that I did all of my entrelac squares without turning the knitting. I purled backwards. I did a p2tog backwards! It's easier to purl backwards than knit backwards and it did help me speed things up.


















The tassels make it.

Finished Objects 2008 - #35 and #36

Due to work commitments I've been far too busy to do anything. This is what happens when you volunteer to decorate the hostel. And make a gingerbread house.


















And a winter village. And hand sew 12 felt stockings.


















Mad.

However, I did find time to finish my Nosferatu shawl.
















This was a fabulously easy knit - just knit the plain/eyelet base until you think it's wide enough, then knit the lace pattern.



















Not too much lace, but just enough to make it interesting. I think this still counts as a lace piece for the Long Lacy Summer - what do you think, Bells?


















I completely stuffed up pinning out the fish tail. It's very full, and ripples, so I think I'll claim it as a design feature, rather than a flaw.

This will be my reading in bed/slobbing on the couch (in style)/wandering the moors looking for my lost love shawl. It has that kind of vibe.

Another delay to my posting and knitting was the hostel's Secret Santa lists. I picked the first name and got the uber-awesome Jade, who is a knitting convert. Couldn't have been easier.

A yarn zombie keyring, two packets of red string licorice to make 302 Calories and these.
























Clafoutis Bedsocks. If they were any easier it'd be illegal. I made them in ten hours. TEN HOURS. Be warned - these are my new present staple...

Merry Yarnmas!

From the lovely climes of Scotland,
























may your Christmas be filled with love, laughter, figgy pudding and fibre-related presents!

Insomniac knitting

So, it's 3:33am and I'm wide awake and sitting in the hostel dining room. I've spent an hour wathing the last episode of "The History of Scotland", and I'm still annoyed that they ended on James I. Boooo! I want Reformation, and the total collapse of the Scottish kingdom - blame Panama. Oh, and England. Technically. (See? Insomnia = waffling.)

Insomnia means I can knit while I watch tv on my laptop. My Nosferatu is blocking, so instead I've dedicated myself to finishing up my entrelac socks, resisting all urges to swatch for the One Skein Wonder using Noro Silk Garden. Why, yes, it did hurt to decide that - how did you know?





















However, it looks like I'll actually have these socks finished up by Monday night (current rate continuing). My apologies for the awful picture - my camera is up in our room, and I decided to test out my webcam.

Still nice socks, though.

Finished Objects 2008 - #34

Meet The CARdigan.
























So called because I knitted every piece of it while I was driving. The back, two front, sleeves and even the mega-huge hood - all while driving.

Feel free to call me irresponsible. I care not. I can drive and knit - hell, I can change gears and cable! The doubters are just jealous because they didn't think of it first.























Anyone who has driven next to the 'G at 6:10 on a Friday night will understand. 20 minutes to drive 200 metres is incredibly frustrating. This project made it less so.

Besides, I'm too far away to prosecute now!

I started this last September and almost finished it the morning of our departure, so recently when my mum insisted on sending me parcels for my birthday she included my CARdigan, with it's one, sad little side seam to sew up (see? Almost finished!). In half an hour last night I finished it up and now refuse to take it off.



















The yarn was Patons Caressa DK and it was $2 a ball in the Cleggs mid-year sale last year. I was planning to dye it but I've changed my mind. I think I like it just the way it is.

In other knitting news, I went on a mild shopping binge for my birthday. Just patterns with a small teensy bit of yarn too.

I bought Habitat,























the Celtic Heart Shawl,















the One Skein Wonder pattern,
























and the best one yet - Garden Shawl. I must be insane.
























I asked Felix to pick between this pattern and another, and the response was "That one looks harder. Get that one." The man knows me too well.

The order is from The Wooly Workshop, and the owner Gill called the very next day to talk about the Jaggerspun Zephyr I ordered to knit this creation from, and the lack of matching dye lots, so it's delayed for two weeks. On the other hand, I've just found myself a local enabler!

Finished Object 2008 - #33

I've been a busy little monkey the last few weeks. I dedicated my life solely to finishing my Cascading Leaves shawl and spent half an hour yesterday pinning it out in my blocking room.


















Felix decided that helping was exhausting. I hope this bodes well for my desire for blocking wires...


















But let us start this story about eight days earlier.


















As I worked on my shawl, my room-mate/work-mate Kay would comment on how much she loved my knitting as she watched. She liked the design, she loved the colour, she thought it was just great.


















Now, I was knitting this shawl purely for the sake of the knitting. I had been planning to knit my Victorian Lace Blouse, but I could't find the yarn I needed for it (some has magically turned up, so that's January/February ready for the book group). I'd planned this shwal for my next book group project, so I just started it early.



















In other words - I had a shawl, and Kay needed one (well, I say she did, anyway).
























Then Kay announced she was leaving to start a new job down in London, so it became a race against the clock to finish the shawl. I blocked it yesterday and handed it over last night.























Kay was stunned (this photo was taken pre-stunned, and isn't one of my best. Kay's a very smiley lady) and very very happy.



















I'm reasonably chuffed myself. Now, to finish my Nosferatu shawl for my "Dracula" book reading...

Rant. A huge massive rant.

I give up.

I received an email from the suppliers of the DMC Baroque cotton that I wanted for my Victorian Lace Blouse. Apparently I'd been undercharged postage because I was ordering from the UK. Fair enough. Understandable.

Oh, wait. You want to charge me US$48.65 for my order, which had to be over US$50 to be placed internationally in the first place?

...
...
...
...
...
...
...

Go to hell you skeezy evil bastages. I'll die before I submit to that kind of robbery.

In the meantime, the alternatives suck also. No matter where I look here in the UK it's going to cost me a minimum of US$42 to get anything even close to what I need.

It's crochet cotton for feck's sake! How can it be this expensive?!? It's $5 a ball in Australia!

*sigh* Now I really do wish I was home.

GIMME!!!!!

I'm not known for my patience - yes, I know I'm a knitter, but still - so waiting for an order from the US is frustrating. Especially as the tracking number is never "available" to check.

I am this close to losing it, I swear...

Finished Objects 2008 - #31 and #32

I managed to lose my camera for a week. Considering it's brand new, I was more than slightly annoyed. Eventually, using my mad skillz of deduction I realised it was in the bag with my Amelia Shawl. Typical.

In the intervening period I knitted a lot. Last Thursday I went off on a teensy shopping trip to St Andrews, which is a charming university town, therefore filled with Australian and American students. Want fun? Catch a bus with an American student two days after the US election, especially if they voted for the losing side.

I'd read on Ravelry that there was a knitting store on South Road, but for some reason I didn't twig that Di Gilpin was the same Di Gilpin whose ads I read in Vogue Knitting. The store was a treasure trove of yarn and it took a lot of self restraint to leave with only four balls. Well, not really when you consider I went in for two balls. But I could have bought a lot of Kidsilk Haze and I didn't. Just this Noro.





















Yes, I bought Noro. I've spent so long proclaiming that the colours were all murky and then I saw this. The sods. Still not quite sure what to make with it.

The main yarn bought was a ball of Rowan British Breed Suffolk Steel Grey and a ball of Rowan Scottish Tweed Aran for a project for Felix. The project? Dwarven Battle Bonnet.























It was requested and I delivered. Everyone else seems to think it's pretty awesome, and it does make me laugh, but it feels like a waste of knitting skills.
























However, knitting to make Felix happy is always satisfying, so that's how I'm thinking about this one.

Knitting that makes me happy as well as Felix can be summed up in two words: Cobblestone Jumper.
























If you make only one jumper this year (or ever) make this one. It's just darn awesome, as shown by the pose.























I finished it the night before we left, and Felix wore it to the airport and as we arrived in Edinburgh, but I've only just blocked it (lazy, I know).
























When I cast off the neckline, I got Felix to try it on. He wandered off to where a mirror was in the bathroom and from down the hall he yelled "I love it!" Cheers babe - that's why I knit for you.

* * *


My plan was to start my Victorian Lace Blouse for the Long Lacy Anti-Summer, but finding crochet cotton in Scotland is impossible. I gave up and ordered the DMC Baroque from the US. Hopefully, it should be here tomorrow, which means a weekend of knitting lace (my new favourite kind!). In the meantime, I cast on another project: Cascading Leaves Shawl.























I had planned to knit this for my January/February Knitting 19th Century Novels project ("The Blithedale Romance" by Nathaniel Hawthorn), but I need something lacy to knit now. I'm worried about having two lace projects on the go, but considering this is about 3 hours work, I think I'll be fine.

Fun with graves

I had planned to take some pictures of my finished Snowdrop Shawl at Glamis Castle, but we didn't make it last weekend after all. Instead I give you pictures of somewhere equally historic - the Howff.


















The Howff is a graveyard, situated in Dundee on the site of the gardens of The Greyfriars monastary founded by Devorgilla Balliol in the 13th century.

Devorgilla was also the founder of Balliol College at Oxford, and the mother of King John I of Scotland.

The Howff is just fun - the tombstones are all old, some crumbling, most illegible.
























This one belonged to one John Sim, and I did apologise for borrowing it briefly.




















Not sure who this one belonged to. But I think I may have stood on the owner's head.

Next up? Well, I'm reading "Dracula" for my 19th Century Novels group, and Bells is having a Long, Lacy Summer, so to satisfy both, there can be only the Victorian Lace Blouse by Michelle Rose Orne. I obviously have a lot of time on my hands these days.























I suspect this may have belonged to a pirate...