Holiday knitting July 24, 2008

 

 

 

Well, now the summer holidays are finally here I can really get back into my knitting again. Pictured above are some recent additions to my stash and will hopefully be knitted up this summer. The Blue Patons 100% cotton DK will be another lace-edged cardi for my boyfriend’s mum. I made myself one last summer and she liked it and put and order in (I’ve been waiting for the yarn for ages and it was finally delivered this week) I’m not actually looking forward to knitting this again and the lace panel was never ending!!

I’ve also bought some Patons ‘Washed Haze DK’ in slate grey, I’m planning on making a cardi in this but not decided on the patternm yet. I love this yarn, you wouldn’t know it was 50% acrylic as the cotton mix is so soft but without the heaviness of a cotton yarn. The Debbie Bliss ‘Stella’ was bought in John Lewis yesterday for the bargain price of 95p per ball!!!!! I have no idea what I’m going to knit with it but it was such a bargain I had to get it.

 

This is my current WIP. Its the ‘gathered Pullover’ by Hana Jason from Interweave knits (downloadable through Ravelry) I’m knitting this in Rowan Felted Tweed in colour ‘Bilberry’. So far this has been a very quick knit, the body is knit in one piece on a circular needle. I’m now on the first sleeve which is taking ages! The pattern says to knit the sleeves on DPN’s but I hate the things so I’m knitting it on two circulars, seems to be working out anyway. I’m loving this wool so much, its a lot softer than it looks and a yummy texture.

I’m off up to my boyfriend’s parents farm next week, then off to Dublin, then off to Cornwall and finally back here to do my school work before going back to work in September – so blogging may also have to take a holiday! have a fab summer everyone

Bottoms up top finally finished July 21, 2008

Finally finished and blocked. This is ‘Bottoms up’ by Alice Bell and available as a free ravelry download. I used Shepherd baby wool 4 ply in a very bright pink – I Love this baby wool, its really soft and knits up to a nice soft fabric. The pattern was simple to follow (although there were a few errors in the printed version I had from ‘yarn forward’ magazine) If I was to knit this again I would make the body a bit longer, but a good blocking stretched it enough to wear without a vest underneath.

I’m currently working on a gathered front pullover in Rowan Felted Tweed, pictures to follow. School breaks up tomorrow forever, the school has closed after 37 years which is really sad. I have visted my new school twice and I’m excited and scared about the new challenge but really looking forward to teaching Nursery children. This summer i’m going for a long weekend in dublin with my mum and a week in Cornwall staying with my Aunt and Uncle. I will also be up in Lincolnshire visiting my boyfriends parents on their farm. I can’t wait for the summer holidays so that I can relax, recharge and knit knit knit!

Gluten Free knitters swap – questionnaire July 4, 2008

I’m taking part in yet another swap, this time a special swap as it brings together two of my main interests: knitting and gluten free food! (http://gfswap.blogspot.com/2008/06/timeline-questionnaire-up-on-blog-or.html)

My questionnaire:

1. Ravelry name – Sleepknitting
2. Please list your food intolerances/allergies/sensitivities: (Please indicate whether or not you are happy to receive items containing wheat starch.) – Coeliac, can’t have wheat or gluten containing products, also can’t have codex starch. Don’t get on with spicy food or spicy tea either. ALSO- I’m demi-vegetarian / pescetarian (don’t eat meat or meat products, only fish)
3. A food item you always use – Cinammon, it livens up most GF baking!
4. A food item you would never use – Meat, cucumber, white chocolate….. YUCK!
5. Type (or difficulty level) of cooking (or baking) you prefer: – Fairly straightforward, no more than 30 mins prep time!
6. Favourite flavours – Cinammon, apple, strawberry
7. Favourite smells – Cinammon, vanilla
8. Favourite beverage – Wine! ( and tea)
9. Please list your knit/crochet/weaving/spinning/sewing crafts/hobbies: – Just knitting, often felting knitted items and needle felting.
10. Small projects you enjoy – Socks (on two circ method), hats, scarves, felted bags
11. Projects you dislike – dishcloths (why knit these?!?), shawls, capes, ponchos
12. Favourite yarn/fiber – Something soft and natural like alpaca, merino, cashmere, silk or soft bamboo
13. Favourite colour – purples, light and bright greens, pinks and turquoise
14. Favourite colour combination – purple / green
15. Yarn/fiber and colour you would never use – acrylic, nasty novelty yarn like eyelash (YUCK) and chenille. Don’t like Oranges and yellows very much, not into cream or bland colours.
16. Wish list items you would like to receive (and can’t find locally) – Lantern moon needles, any yarn that fits the description really. 
17. Things your swap partner might like to know (example: family situation, kids, pets, blog url, etc.) – blog is here obviously. Not much that isn’t mentioned on my blog, only that I am a teacher and during the summer holiday (late July to early Sept) I travel about a lot and only have sporadic internet access.

optional questions I know I wouldn’t mind answering
and the more a swap partner knows, the better the package!

Favourite animal(s)  – I’ve never had pets but quite like dosile cats.

Favourite books/magazines/TV show  – Harry Potter books

Favourite symbols/shapes/icons  – Stars

Collections? -buttons and ribbons.