Harrogate Knitting and Stitching Show

So off we went on Friday afternoon. Good job it's indoors, it was bucketing it down. Sarah and I had originally planned to go, and Baldeesh, from out knitting group decided to come at the last minute. Good job she did, she fed us! She kept saying, 'I know, I have children, you need to bring a picnic on a car journey'! 'Have an apple', 'Have a banana', 'Have a cheese sandwich', 'Go on, have some Pringles'! She's AMAZING!

Anyway, we also met up with the lovely Prrrl (technically, Kat) from Knitty. It was a shame we couldn't stay longer. She was super friendly with an amazing grin!

Here's my (mini) haul.

Firstly, some beautiful silk from knitshop.co.uk. You should definately try them. Their website is a bit higgledy piggledy and some words have got lost in translation. I can't vouch for their mail order but the products are gorgeous. They also had one of the best looking stalls at the show. The whole show was a bit disappointing. I had hoped to see Colinette Jitterbug, Lorna's Laces, that kind of thing. A bit too much novelty yarn. Maybe we were in a rush and missed stuff. It would have been nice to stop and talk to people too. Next year I'll make the effort to go to London. Anyway, silk. I bought two hanks, for about £9 each. One is a dk weight and has 300m! The other is an aran weight. The paler one is going to be combined with some orangey hipknits silk for a scarf, the other, who knows!

Also shown above are some handmade ceramic buttons for Pat at the group.

I am quite excited about this fabric though. I am told that it was from the end of a bolt from Paul Smith. Only £4 per metre! Whether it is PS or not doesn't matter, it's lovely, woven cotton shirting and will make PJ bottoms for James for Christmas. That sounds like he's 85, but hopefully they will turn out like this. Do you think we'll be transported to a beautiful beach house like that too?? I quite fancy a matching pair, but Sarah threatened never to talk to me again if we started wearing his and hers!

You got me Annie!

A) Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. Waitress
2. P.A
3. Finance Office Dogsbody
4. Barmaid

B) Four movies I would watch over and over
1. Lost in Translation
2. Pearl Harbor
3. Hocus Pocus
4. Four Weddings and a Funeral

C) Four places I have lived
1. Nottingham
2. London
3. Rural Leicestershire
4. ........

D) Four TV shows I love to watch:
1. Eastenders - what will it be like without Pauline!
2. Friends
3. Antiques Roadshow (!!)
4. Invasion

E) I have been on vacation:
1. France
2. America
3. Thailand
4. Australia

F) Websites visited daily:
1. Knitty Forum
2. Blogs at right (and a whole load I'm meaning to add!)
3. Google
4. email

G) Four of my favorite foods:
1. Chocolate
2. Crumpets
3. Cherries
4. Starbucks Very Berry Scones

H) Four places I would rather be right now:
1. At Sally's holiday place in France
2. On my sofa with James and the Kitties, knitting
3. Lying in the sun on my bed, napping
4. Riding

I) Four people I’m tagging with this questionnaire:
1. Scary Bez
2. Linda (of twopinkpossums)
3. Lilith
4. Liz (of everwhelming)

I really shouldn't have admitted to half those things. 'Antiques Roadshow' I hear you laugh! You know you love it!

What I did with my Saturday.

I had a busy Saturday. I sat and knitted a little pouch for my Mother in Law's birthday. I filled it with her favourite chocolate covered ginger. If you read my post on Knitty, you'll realise why I needn't have bothered. Anyway, I enjoyed knitting it, and it was vaguely appreciated. I think next time, I'd knit in in finer yarn, with a taller portion above the drawstring. I had adapted it from a pattern on scrumptious living's blog. The pattern suggests a picot bind off which is lovely and a knitted drawstring. Neither I had time to do. I was pleased though with my twisted yarn drawstring, a mega-quick alternative. Thank you Seven for pointing me toward the pattern.

I've just noticed that you may be interested to see Ted's attire too. He is wearing a jumper my mum knitted maybe 20 years ago? It matched one that she made for me. Its actually a lovely pattern, with moss stitch cuffs, yoke and hem. She used up all her odds and sods for the middle section for mine and ted's.

This is the other thing I did on Saturday.

I chopped all Monty's hair off! Remind me next time that I really shouldn't wait until November to clip him. His hair is so thick and long by now that the clippers struggle to get through it. At one stage a had a panic that I was going to have to leave him half clipped. It really wouln't have been a good look. Especially for Monty who is concious of these things. Someone even described him this morning as being a 'Womaniser'. And at the grand old age of 17. Doesn't he look cute with a short back and sides though? Although I don't think he's terribly impressed, it means he now has to wear his PINK pj's!

And this is the Blue Sky Cotton mentioned in the previous post. Yummy!

So you wanna see Yarn on this knitting blog!!??

Well, here it is!

Whilst in New York we visited three Yarn shops. The first was Seaport Yarn, in the Wall Street area. I was told by some Knittyheads, that it was a must, just to see the bizarre location. So, we went to the address that I had, and couldn't find it anywhere. We went into the building (and office block) given as the address. The front desk guy said we had to sign in. 'We're just looking for Seaport Yarn' I said. 'That's fine' He said, they have the whole fifth floor!'. So up we went in the lift. And when I say this place is bizarre, I mean, this place is bizarre.

One of the ladies (co-owner?) met us at the door and showed us where everything is. It is literally room after room, after corridor of yarn. I've never seen anything like it. Mum bought some Blue Heron something or other and some Garnstudio SilkeTweed. Mum, Fan and J got bored after about an hour (although Fan got some photos of J reading Knitting books!) and went to Starbucks. This is what I bought (also not shown, are some items that I have left out for SP security reasons, a chibi and Vogue Holiday 2006).

Firstly, some Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in colourway Irving Park. I love love love this yarn. I've only got as far as a tension sqaure, but it's beautiful. Soft, but with a cotton-like sheen. Just awesome. I'll buy this again.

This is Noro Lily, which I have never seen before, a blend of Solk and Cotton. Again, lovely. I'm going to make another Icarus type scarf (because I wear the current one all the time!) as I'd like one with a bit of sheen.

Later that day (it was J's birthday, he was MEGA patient considering!) we found the Point, which to be honest, I was a bit disappointed with. It's a lovely shop though, and had we not stopped at a bar five doors down for drinks and fries we would have had tea and cupcakes. Next we went to Purl, which was a bit busy to fully appreciate. They also have an overload of Sheperd Sock, I thought, and it's all a bit pricey. Howver, I fell in love with Blue Sky Cotton, and I bought two skeins, one purple one grey for a scarf. It's so soft!! Blogger is not playing ball, and won't post these photos. Maybe later.....

Altogether the trip was sucessful, yarn wise. Mum and Fan stumbled across the Yarn Tree in Brooklyn, and bought me a really lovely tote (which was lucky because my suitcase was overflowing on the way back!) with their signature tree on the side, and a copy of Interweave Holiday 2006.

Continued.......

*Please read the next post first!!*

Also on the same topic, we went to Ellis Island, to the American Museum of Immigration, viewing Liberty Island on the way. This is what Hilda would have seen first!

The reception building is so impressive. I got a copy of the Ship's Manifest that brought her over. One of the curators told me that she was second class, therefore may not have come through Ellis Island, as these passengers were pre-approved and went straight to Manhattan. It's nice to know that she went over in relative comfort. She left her parents (in Derby - 20 miles from where I live now), but was born in London, (just like me!). How odd to go from living with your parents, to moving thousands of miles to get married (my great grandfather paid her passage) at just 20. Amazing.



This post is for you Great Grandma Hilda!

New York New York!

We're back! And we had an awesome time. I have lots of photos, including lots of yarn-related! Its going to take me some time to show them to you, so today I'll start with the highlight of my trip. When I have good light to take photos that do my new yarn justice, I'll post them.
We were staying in Tribeca, in downtown Manhattan, which was perfect. However, next time, I'd stay in Brooklyn. We fell in love with the Heights, the first bit you get to if you go over Manhattan or Brooklyn bridges. Mum and Fan went off to have a wander about (and found the Yarn Tree!). James and I walked down to Bay Ridge, it took about an hour. These are some nice, typical, buildings we saw on the way. We stopped for cream cheese and smoked salmon bagels on the way. The man behind the counter was baffled, until we realised we needed to ask for 'Spread and Lox'!!






Bay Ridge is a strongly Hispanic, less wealthy area (in comparison to Manhattan) in South West Brooklyn. It seems to have an amazing spirit and strong community. It is also where my Grandfather was born (to British parents) in 1917. Firstly, we went to the address where his parents lived at the time (or at least the address he has from letters from the time). They lived in several addresses in the same row of buildings, for several years, with close relatives. This is it!

Secondly, we went to the church where my great-grandparents got married in 1912, St Micheal RC church. Now, I am not religious at all, but I can appreciate how stunning this church is. Built in 1903, it would have been relatively modern then. They must have been terribly proud of it. The inside has beautiful mosaic floors and painted ceilings, with so much gold! It is unbelievably huge, with massive ceilings! I desperately wish I had photos, but Mass was in progress when we got there, so it wasn't possible. This part of Brooklyn would have been predominantly farm land then, so I suppose these buildings were significant.



Across the road is now a Police Station, but presumably would have been there, if very new. It is the first thing they would have seen coming out of the church!

Blogger can't cope with too many photos so this will be continued above...........

I'm finally blocking..

So I've finally gotten around to blocking my Little Icarus Shawl. Go me. I've been wearing it all the time since I finished it. It was a good oppertunity to Febreeze it too, it was starting to smell like cats. Anyway, it's made a massive difference, the pattern shows a lot more clearly. I really should be less lazy in future. Usually I'm an iron it and be done with it girl. To be fair, I thought wet-blocking a DK scarf wouldn't have the same effect as if it was lace weight, as the original pattern.

I know, I should have finished the socks by now. I nearly have. To be fair I spent the weekend finishing mum's cardy, which now has just to be sewn up. Both projects need to be finished by Thursday, or I'm in trouble. I bought a lovely box to give Mum her cardy in, is that a bit OTT? It's a box she can keep using for something else afterwards.

So, here's some Guy Fawkes' fireworks for you. We went to Boots' (as in The Chemist) display on Friday with Gem and Chris, Laura and Judge and Harry. Poor Harry was being matchmaked with a random too, I don't think he really noticed though, bless. I was trying out the 'Firework' function on my camera. I'm sure it's not called that, but it worked quite well.

I'm having a sock yarn moment

Here are some photos of recent sock yarn acquisitions, for your viewing pelasure. They are not great photos and I apologise. There is a sunlight deficiency in our house at the moment. Get up in the dark, go home in the dark, grumble grumble grumble........

Firstly, this is Knitpicks sock garden in Zinnia, from a swap with JamieKate from Knitty. This is for socks for dad for christmas. Since he's the type to buy white socks and dye them pink/orange/red/blue on purpose. And James wonders why I'm slightly eccentric.

And this is Fyberspates sock yarn in blue/green/yellow. It's lovely and it was on sale but I have a small rant, and I've put it here. Save me writing it again.


If I don't post on Monday, a picture of J's finished socks, will someone come and beat me around the head??!!

Hee hee hee!

This came in an email last week. I guess it's only funny if you know what a 'Rich Tea' is!! Rich Tea - Richie, geddit?

The Screen Room

Last night we had a lovely evening with my work colleagues. Sylwia was leaving to go and work in Aberdeen, so one of the girls booked The Screen Room in Nottingham. It has to be one of Nottingham's gems. Apparently, it is the UK's smallest cinema, with 21 seats. Its a bizarre place, small, and it smells musty, but it was ace. Nice and cozy. In big cinemas I always get cold - too much air conditioning! You can hire the whole thing and they show whatever you want. Vic chose One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, as she managed to get out of Sylwia that she really wanted to see it. James and I saw it in the West End with Christian Slater and McKenzie Crook, but I'd forgotten exactly what happens. Sad, but good. A thin line between crazy and normal.

Speaking of gems of Nottingham, I found the Oxfam bookshop last weekend, and I'm thrilled! I can't believe I never found it before! It is a gorgeous shop, huge and airy with wooden floorboards and a chesterfield sofa. Just how bookshops should be (there's never anywhere to sit in Waterstone's!). They have books (including such titles as 'Reinforced Concrete'), videos, a few clothes, CDs and even fairtrade food. Awesome. I found a great pressie for James' birthday. I have a sneaking suspision he reads my blog, so I'll tell you about it later... I also bought a brand new hardback Jodi Picoult novel for Karen, for £2.99. Brill.

Since this post has turned into one singing Nott's praises, here are some photos. This is the sky this morning (ignore the towerblocks!) at about 7.30. In the far distance, on the centre right is the castle - important if you're a fan of Robin Hood, but there are also some great exhibitions.

And here are the autumnal colours on campus yesterday. My colleagues thought I was mad.....

Avrienne, I hope this is nostalgic for you and hubby!!

Kitties

I have a lack of anything to post at the moment, so here are some pictures of the kitties. I'm making an effort to take better photos for you all, and I think these are nice. Good natural lighting and stuff.

I feel a bit sorry for Daphne, she's quite needy of her sister, who's just bonkers. Daphne was doing a nice job of cleaning out the inside of Velma's ears the other night. She then lay in front of her Velma, ear first as if to say, 'my turn now'. Velma just got up and walked off. All that revolting effort, for nothing! Poor Daphne!

They're very chatty at the moment too. They don't stop mewl-ing! They have been doing a very good job of keeping me company this week, whilst J has been away. He's on a course for work ths week (otherwise known as a great-exuse-for-a-piss-up!). I made the mistake of watching an ITV drama called 'Bon Voyage' on Tuesday night and it frightened the living daylights out of me! It was about this freaky guy in a caravan who kidnapped children. At least I had two thirteen week old cats to protect me. Did I watch part two last night? No I did not.

My mum went to Italy and all I got was.......

.......some yummy boucle yarn from Filatura di Crosa! How nice it is to have something we don't get here, and in gorgeous autumnal colours. Thanks Mum.

There is enough for a lovely hat to keep my head warm on the impending visit to NY. On small needles I'm hoping it will be nice and warm and squoshy.

Speaking of heads, yesterday, a crow dropped a conker on my head. It really hurt. I wasn't anywhere near a tree, I was washing horse dribble off my hands at the yard tap. You can imagine my shock to be bashed over the head with a conker from a great height! Owww...

Little-Icarus

I've finished my version of Icarus, to be known as Little-Icarus.

Pattern : Icarus Shawl by Miriam Felton. Interweave Knits, Summer 2006

Yarn: RYC Cashcotton DK in Apple, 4 balls

Started: Monday 9th October

Completed: Monday 16th October

Satisfaction Level: Mega!

(Thanks go to Karen for the fab photography!)

I am so so pleased with this! I have always loved lacy shawl patterns like this, but never have the patience to knit them in the recommended yarn! So, I've scaled this pattern down, and used a DK weight yarn. If you are interested in doing the same, then I followed the pattern, but instead of repeating the main body of the shawl 5 times, I only did it once. I'm wearing it today, and it feels lovely wrapped around my neck, but without the 'ends' that give a big lump under your jacket! An alternative to a traditional, 'long as you are tall' scarf. I really enjoyed knitting it, I couldn't put it down. The pattern was totally straightforward, even for soemone who doesn't do a lot of lace. I'll do it again, maybe in something shiny, and definately won't shy away from this type of pattern again. Although I must learn not to be such a lazy blocker........

New look blog

So whadya reckon.....

I apologise if it looks a bit topsy turvy in the forthcoming weeks. I'm trying to get to grips with HTML (I don't even know what it stands for!) and make it look a bit more interesting and unique. The website that helped me changed the colours (colour schemer) reminded me of these.

When I was little I used to go with dad to the paint shop and watch the paint mixer spinning around. I was clearly an odd child. I also loved these little cards. I used to come out with handfuls. And picking these up on Tuesday, still has the same effect. How sad is that!? These were my suggestions for the front door. Although I asked my architect dad what colour Victorian front foors would originally have been painted in a street like ours. Apparently, unpainted. Unless you had extra dosh and you may have afforded brown or neutral coloured paint. So not green then. And apparently definately not blue. Blue pigments were impossible to make then. Interesting huh? Well Ok, maybe not.

Kitty Cam

So, I'm joining in Knitty's Blog Stalking game. I'm just warming up - so bare with me on this one (I think I mean 'bear', don't I?!). Our house has very little furniture in the living room (hence why small kittens are relegated in there - less to pee on!). But the most exciting game is jump in and out (and in and out and in and out) of a carboard box. Believe, me HOURS of fun.

And this, this is a Kitty Theme Park equivalent. They race at a million miles an hour up the stairs then launch themselves off the top stair. Again, hours of fun. You'd think they'd need a nap after that. I wish.

Because I had to have another WIP.

Honestly, I did. I really needed more knitting. To distract me from James' socks and mum's cardy. Both not yet half knit and with a deadline of November 10th! Yeah right I needed another WIP. But I just couldn't help it. Inspired by brooklyntweed's beautiful site and beautiful knitting I cast on for IK's Icarus shawl (fall 05?). Because it's DK (the RYC I bought last week) and not lace weight I'm going to size it down. Hopefully this pattern should make good christmas scarves for a few select people!

However, since I forgot to put it away this morning, it maybe a big chewed kitten-spit mess when I get home...

Velma and Daphne

So we've decided to call the kittens Velma and Daphne. Velma for the tortie because she's the clever one and Daphne for the tabby beacuse she's the pretty (prettier!) one! It was suggested on Knitty to call them Thelma and Louise. We loved that, but I don't think Louise is a cat name, albeit a lovely person name. So, from that we came up with Velma and Daphne. All we need now is a puppy to call Scooby (er, or not, two kitties is enough!) Here they are, playing with a sleeping James' feet. Don't they look tiny next to him!

Anyway, I had a great trip Hobbycraft last night. I managed to pick up four balls of RYC cashcotton at 30% off, three in a lovely leafy green and one in a kind of lilac. They're going to at least be some mittens. So soft! This pic doesn't do the colours justice, the colours are a lot less acidic. Hobbycraft has a new range of novelty yarns, which usually I wouldn't be a big fan of, but they had some great colours and interesting textures. I didn't buy any but I did also get some handmade paper and a sheet of card printed with buttons all over. I was feeling crafty yesterday.

As for feeling craft, I wanted to show you this, some beautiful fabric by a company called Hoffman. It is from their Kimono range. I love it. I wish I could buy a whole bolt and have it all around the house! The waves are actually quite small, and it's more subtle than it looks here.

I have a tiny remnant, (I lined Karen's christmas bag with it last year) that I want to do something special with. Any ideas? Anyone know a sewing knitty equivalent? They also do it in gold and cream colourways. I'm going to get three Fat Quarters, one of each, from an eBay seller I've found and cover some small wooden frames and hang them on the wall. You know, as 'art'. :0) Then I can look at this fabric all the time!

Ramble ramble ramble...

Well, the cats have 'flu. Boo. It doesn't seem to be affecting them, but it's the cause of their cloudy eyes. Our friend/neighbour/vet Laura didn't seem overly concerned. In fact, by the way she was talking it was as if it's not unusual. She did say that they would always be prone to runny eyes and stuff. They seem happy and are still bouncing about so I'm not going to worry too much. I've just seen a post on knitty about someone's flea worries. Now I'm panicking that the kitten's are starting a major flea infestation in the house........ They only have one or two, the plan was to get some Frontline when they go to the vet tomorrow for jabs. Maybe I should have made it more of a priority! the tortie has been nicknamed Monkey for now. She is so naughty, and knows it! She hangs from the side of the sofa by her claws and then jumps and runs before you can tell her off. She is also gwetting into the habit of chasing the end of my needles and James has taught her to play with and old scrap of wool. Fantastic. Tabby Cat just hides in the corner.

I was very excited to find this in the University Bookshop the other day. Mma Rawotswe makes me happy. I have to admit, and I'm slightly ashamed, that I am not a massive fan of literary fiction. I like to read, but I like my books to have obvious stories about people. I struggle if you have to try and elucidate a deeper meaning. I hate finishing a book and not having a clue what it was about. Perhaps that's to do with my scientist's mind. I'm not a thinker. It's a bit embarrassing, my sister has a drama degree and my mum is a writer, they're big readers of good books. Although, mum has always said, it doesn't matter what you read as long as you do read. I must admit to agreeing fairly frequently, although not always, with Richard and Judy. So, The Number One Lady's Detective Agency Series, I love. Easy reads, with great stories. And I've just spotted this too, also by Alexander McCall Smith! It is the third in the 44 Scotland Street series, the first of which I loved, and the second not so much. And this one will be next (although buying hardbacks is naughty so it'll have to wait til next month). Adriana Trigiani is ace, and silly as it sounds, reading Big Stone Gap was life changing for me. I really should re-read it. This latest one is the fourth in the Big Stone Gap series. Her others in between kind of tailed off a bit. Anyway ramble ramble ramble, I recommend all these authors!

I've decided that I'm going to start replying to your lovely comments in the comments section, so make sure if you've left a comment to check back. I'm not sure why I haven't done this before really. Perhaps because I don't ever re-check other people's comments. Maybe I'll start.

Kittens at last...

Check out these babies! We have kittens at last, and I can become a crazy cat lady. We were only supposed to have one, but they were so cute, I just couldn't resist. James went mad. Although only a bit because he loves them really. I'd kept it quiet we were having them as we've been trying to get a cat for ages and it kept falling through. I was worried I'd jinx it if I talked too much about it! They're the first cats either of us have had since losing childhood cats. My cat, Miranda died in 2004 at the age of 17, and her brother two years before.

The tortie is a girl, as they usually are, and we're pretty sure the tabby is a boy. That sounds stupid, you'd think it'd be obvious but when they're that small? It's hard to tell. The lady who gave them to us was convinced they were ALL boys.

Although they're litter trained (what a relief!) they are very timid, and are not keen on coming out from under the sofa!

I love the little spot she has on her nose, it's just like Miranda's! We think she may have been the runt, she's smaller and perhaps a bit weaker. I think she may have a mild infection in one eye and walks a bit stiffly. Our lovely neighbour Laura is a vet and they're going for a visit to her practice later this week, so we'll get it checked out.

They don't have names yet. James likes Enzo for the tabby (after Enzo Ferrari - typical), and I like Blossom for the girl. However, it would be nice to give them a pair of names. James' family have always named their cats in pairs. Nut and Bolt, Whisky and Biscuit (I don't quite get that one) and Tom and Geraldine. Although baby James couldn't say Geraldine so he called her Jelly Bean.

We'd love to hear your suggestions, answers on a postcard.........

Strawberry Hat

Yesterday I popped into one of my LYSs, one I haven't been to for a while, on the way back from the vets. Previously, Gweneth's (Blackberry Yarn, Mountsorrel, no website) stock has been good but limited. Now though, she has much improved. I bought some new Sublime yarn (the new luxury arm of sirdar). I am so impressed. I have put a mini-review here if you're interested. I bought a bright pink and a limey green, for a hat for a friend's baby girl.



I hoped I'd be inspired by a pattern when I got home. I started off using a very simple DB pattern for a roll brim beanie hat. I sized it down however, as the smallest size was 3-6 months and the baby is new! I was aiming for her to be able to wear it from now through autumn, about a 3 months size I guess. Although who know how big a baby's head is? So I started knitting and it occurred to me, I could use the green to make it look like a Strawberry! I know this is not that original, there are loads of similar ideas out there. So I made the rest up as I went along. I wanted to incorporate the leaves in with the main body of the hat rather than have the leaf sewn on afterwards. This is how it turned out.

I'm so pleased! My colourwork is usually rubbish, but this came out OK! I never know if I'm doing fairisle or intarsia. I was carrying the colour along the back and twisting as I went, no loops at the back? Which is that? I do get in a muddle whilst doing it! I was aiming for the leaves not to look too perfect and be a bit random, like a strawberry actually is. I hope baby Mia likes it!

James is away on a course so I had a very nice, quiet evening, with uninterupted knitting and one of my favourite films on ITV3, 40 days and 40 nights. I know I know, its rubbish, but very funny. And it's Josh Hartnett again (are you noticing a theme here?). I felt thoroughly content, but perhaps I should have taken the oppertunity to do some Jamesy-sock-knitting whilst he's away.....

BTW, thank you all for your ongoing sweet comments :0)