Turning Japanese...

Sakuban terebi o mimasita sochite amimono o shimashita.

(Last night I watched TV and did some knitting)

I am really enjoying Japan season on BBC 4. Watched about five programmes yesterday, loved them all, plus as I was watching them I knitted some sushi. I knitted it for my Japanese teacher Yuki because it is my last lesson on Thursday.

I think it looks quite good


I also finished sock number 1, which I am also pretty pleased with (just need to start the second one now)

Can you tell that it was a nice day, so I spent some time posing knitting items in our garden?

Busy, busy, busy

Another busy weekend, enjoyable, but I quite fancy a nice weekend at home, where I actually get to do some knitting! Not only do I have loads of projects to finish off (a jumper, a cardigan and socks all spring to mind), but there are loads more things that I really need to start.

Our friends have just had a baby boy, and my cousins baby is due in May. I am planning on knitting a lobster for the Coat for a Boat project. I am really excited about that pattern! I also have an un-bloggable project that I need to start! Hmmmm

Maybe I had better get started - or maybe I'll just spend a little more time on Twitter...

Photography Fail!

Well it has been a busy weekend, on Saturday I went to a knitting class at I knit London. It was really good, I learnt a lot :

• How to cable without a cable needle
• Knitting backward
• Magic loop
• Judy's magic cast-on
• Turkish cast-on
• Norwegian Purl
• Channel Island cast on
• Short rows and wrapping stitches
• and the basics of entrelac including picking up stitches.

Quite a busy 3hours, it was great because there were only three of us in the group so we got a lot done!

I'm not sure I will use all of these in the future (Channel Island cast on - very interesting, but possibly a little too fiddly) and I won't use Norwegian Purl unless I sort out my tension in continental knitting - it could happen though!

Knitting backwards I can really see being useful, not having to turn the work (especially for short rows), plus the magic loop technique and cast-ons for toe-up socks.

Then today I spent the day trying to sort out my Etsy shop, this has not really happened, mainly due to some truly terrible photography:

(My laptop has now gone on strike, (it is obviously trying to save you from the horrors) but just imagine some really blurry photographs and you will get the idea!)

Everything else is basically sorted, I just need some good light to attempt some more photographs and type up all the details etc!

I haven't got round to doing any knitting though, maybe I'll get a few rows of sock done during the Dancing on Ice Skate off! I'm making the most of the boyfriend being out by watching programmes that he hates!

I knit weekend countdown!

Yeah it's only like 6 months away! But I am so excited. I really enjoyed last year, I went with my Mum and met the Yarn Harlot

I thought she was a brilliant speaker and had such a great day. Obviously lots of people must have enjoyed it as this year it's spanning two days!

I am going for both days, have booked myself in for two presentations and a workshop!

It's lucky I don't really have any other hobbies, it could get expensive...

A selection of books...

I got my prize today - not the most exciting bit (which will be seeing my pattern in print) but 3 books and a cheque - always nice :) I'm not sure that the books are ones that I would have bought myself, but they do have some nice patterns inside.


This book has some lovely patterns (despite the lack of babies or toddlers in my life) but if any of my friends start reproducing I now have some really cute presents in mind.

Not all of the socks in this book are to my taste, but I do really like the pattern for 'On the edge verticals' which are knit sideways, so you end up with vertical stripes when knitting with a variegated yarn. Could be interesting!








Finally the book of hot water bottle covers, could actually be useful as I have a naked (gasp!) hot water bottle in my cupboard. I really like the idea of the entrelac cover, it looks so snuggly (plus I keep meaning to try some entrelac).

In other news I have been making some stitch markers to sell on etsy, I have made several sets - I just need to take some photos then I can set up the shop. Very exciting, I've got a sneaky peek for you:
And finally I have started knitting a new pair of socks, I have chosen to ignore my normal hatred for combinations of lace and variegated yarns - I take it all back! I like the way these socks are turning out so far. This is where I would post a lovely picture of my new sock, but my computer is not playing ball and won't let me add any more pictures! It's my picture on twitter and I will go add it to Ravelry. The pattern is Hedera by Cookie A.

I can't believe it...

I literally cannot believe it, my knitting pattern for the cafetiere cosy actually won the Knitting magazine competition! I am so proud!


My pattern is going to be printed in May - I don't think I can wait!

Yippee!

Just another manic Sunday...

Well I really enjoyed my weekend (I'm not being sarcastic here - for once). I sorted out loads of knitting stuff in my house. I got all my books together from around the flat (except for the ones that I am actually using right now) and put them all together on a shelf - this was a little bit of a shock.I am ashamed to say that this is not all of my knitting books (the rest are still in Newcastle - sorry Mum) along with the majority of my stash.


I put the majority of my knitting 'stuff' into a box so that I can actually find it and so we can move around the flat. I have kept my ball winder out - I think it acts as decoration. Plus I have some lovely skeins of sock wool to wind.

Plus once I have been brave and taken it off the spindle so I can set the twist - I have my first handspun.......


I am actually pretty proud of it - no way is it something I would buy though. The orange runs through it all but then different colours twist in. I think I need some more practice with my drafting (it's pretty chunky) and I don't think I could do it in public - a little too much swearing. But I did enjoy it really!

In a fit of productivity I have finished the knitting for my jumper, seamed the shoulders (not great) picked up stitches (not great) and knitted the ribbing and buttonholes. This is how it looks right now...

So just the sleeves to set in and the body to seam and the button to sew on. Then done!
I'm aiming to get it done by knitting group on Wednesday, mind you I was also planning to get it done for Christmas.....Wish me luck