If I'm not writing, then I'm knitting

Up on last year!

2012-01-02T15:23:00.002Z

Just the yearly updates for 2011:

Weaving 1,847 m

Knitting 10,613 m

Crochet 10,587 m

That is a grand total of: 23,047m

Happy with that - overall net loss, I think.

However, would be even more happy if I were to put it over the 25k m in 2012.

Well, ya goatta havva goal!

Happy New Year.

Weaving!

2011-11-14T12:55:00.003Z

The loom has been in the house for just over five weeks, and already I'm in scarf heaven.

This black and white number was my first attempt. The selvedges aren't great, but I'm pleased with it as a first effort.

Then came this multi-coloured effort. It's 100% acrylic, but surprisingly soft. I bought it at Ally Pally a couple of years ago, because I fell in love with it, but never knew what to knit. It's interesting, on the skein, it looked more pink and lilac, so I was surprised at how much yellow came through, but it seems to be well received.

And this was my first attempt at solo warping. I thought that it was going to go hideously wrong, but actually, it was fine. Again, a popular effort.

More to follow - as the stash (at last) reduces.

Recent publications

2011-10-28T13:04:00.006+01:00

I've been a lousy blogger - apologies. But here are a couple of recently published items.

Men's accessories for Let's Knit.

I was in the flattering position of being emailed to ask if I could come up with something (given my success at a man's tie!).

Adapting some other patts (including the Long Suffering One's never ending scarf), I came up with the attached. It's in King Cole Mirage - a 50% wool yarn that I really like, it's soft and warm. I had initially suggested blacks and greys, so was surprised when this colourway turned up, but I was very pleased with how the things turned out.

The second pattern (in Inside Crochet) is, again, an adaptation of an old knitting idea, but this time adapted for crochet. The yarn (James C Brett Pure Merino) is beautifully soft.

Something for me!

2011-05-14T21:27:00.003+01:00

This is a cropped cardigan made to wear at my friend's wedding.

Based on an Ann Budd knitting pattern (from the "Handy Book of Sweater Patterns") and adapted for crochet.

Hadn't bought enough yarn at first (by over half!), but managed to get more and same dye lot. The border is worked in a different dye lot, but that's a chance I'll take.

Beautiful yarn, plain top

2011-05-09T16:33:00.002+01:00

Latest publication - Inside Crochet.

The yarn is gorgeous - Louisa Harding, Aimee. Cashmere and Cotton mix. Great to work with.

Turned out nice again....

2011-04-11T18:43:00.003+01:00

.... well, actually, turned out better than I'd hoped! This is the latest published creation (only one more to go, at the moment). This was the second to be made in the "Spicy" colourway of Sirdar Calico and I was very pleased with how it turned out.

Here's looking for more inspiration.....

The joys of being a great aunt....

2011-04-08T09:13:00.003+01:00

... I get to make little things!

The bootees are from a really cute pattern by Irene Strange, in last months' Inside Crochet. Made from some generic acrylic 4ply in the stash.

And the jacket is, of couse, a BSJ. This was made from King Cole Mirage. I fell in love with the yarn when I saw it and felt compelled to buy a ball. I'm glad that I've put it to good use.

Summer's coming

2011-04-06T16:25:00.001+01:00

A picnic rug for Let's Knit!

Good, and yet strangely disappointing...

2011-03-13T12:31:00.002Z

This is a tale of my own vanity.Last month, the "coming next month" page had this design as its main feature.

(Let's Knit!)

I got very excited, thinking I was going to get a "cover splash" all my own.

Don't know if focus groups were involved, and it is still on the cover,but a smaller picture.
Not complaining, just a victim of my own vanity.

This one, however, I never expected to be anywhere near the cover.

(Inside Crochet)

And it was! Again - not main feature, that honour was reserved for an amigurumi lion, but I'm still happy to be there!

A train journey, fugly free yarn and a (hopefully) cute hat

2011-02-06T19:46:00.004Z

So, I had to take a train journey today and wanted to take somethings small and portable.

There is a new baby in the family, so I decided to use the yarn given away free with last month's Let's Knit and to follow one of their patterns for mitts and hat. (Well, the yarn's so fugly, I really couldn't be bothered to design something for it).

The yarn is as horrible to work with as it looks, but I hope that the new mum and dad like the hat and mitts - I think they look quite cute.

As for the rest of the yarn? It's been Russian joined to the scrap ball to be added to the next big blanket. And frankly, I think that's too good for it, but crochet may be a better option.

Starting to find treatment

2011-01-15T14:57:00.002Z

My last post shamed me and so I've finished the most recent Russian joined ball of scraps on the big "granny square" blanket. And I've finished Emma's mitts.

Emma saw my hand-dyed handwarmers at Christmas and said that she liked them. However, she has a horse, and so I figured machine washable would make more sense. She also likes Smarties, and the colour of this yarn is like a whole pile of them, so I trust that will add to their appeal.

Just need to post them to Kernow, now, and we're done.

Feeling better already!

Help me doctor, it's a bad case of "finishitis"

2011-01-09T14:05:00.003Z

What is it about New Year turns my brain into some kind of butterfly?

Some of the magazine editors have sent through their themes for future issues, so that's got the grey cells whirring and designs have been popping up left, right and centre.

I am a truly appalling artist, so when submitting an idea to an editor, I put together a sketch (which is little more than a schematic, to be honest), and a photograph of a stitch sample, so that the poor recipient can have some vague idea what I'm trying to show them.

So, at the moment, I'm all over the place with part finished samples, as well as the things that I'm was already working on.

Part of the problem is that I have this panic that if I don't "get in quick" with an idea, someone will beat me to it. This has happened to me in the last week, so the anxiety isn't entirely unfounded.

But a collection of part finished samples is definitely not going to get accepted, so I need to pull my finger out, and finish at least some of the following:

This little collection contains:

Part finished scrap "blankie" and the next ball of scraps (the round grey boucle)
A pair of handwarmers for my nephew's girlfriend (the pink/variegated)
A sample for a crochet idea (the white)
A sample for a knit idea (the turquoise)
A sleeveless sweater for me in "Reflections" (the other grey/black/white yarn)
An experiment using "jelly"yarn (possibly for a mag, but as it's such an unfamiliar yarn, I thought I'd better make the thing first).

And, on top of this, I've got another idea for something crocheted in cotton, but one thing at a time, methinks.

Must get one and finish one of these, at least.

The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades

2011-01-05T10:43:00.006Z

Mind your eyes, chaps!

This is the latest published pattern, a charming little crochet number for Inside Crochet.

My colour suggestions were purple and gold, but other colours were suggested and as I have no idea what photographs well or is in fashion, I am more than happy to go along with the editor's suggestions.

In this case, the colours as viewed on internet sites did not do the yarn full justice and so these were a little on the bright side when they arrived. To be honest, I think it works, but only just.

I notice that in the mag they suggest classic Chanel type colours, such as navy and cream. Yep - that would work too.

I also made the thing too big - allowing far too much ease. It's not a situation that will recur, although my personal items will still be big enough to swim in!

Of course, the main thing about this design, was the texture, not the colour or shape. I wanted to recreate knitted leaves/buds in crochet and I'm pleased with the result.

Put your shades on and enjoy.

Year Totals

2010-12-29T11:21:00.004Z

I'm not sure if the Knit Meter will change on 1st Jan, so in case it does, I'd just like to record that I've knitted/crocheted 14,277 metres during 2010.

It's more than that, as with the commissions, I don't count them until they're published, but I'm still quite happy with that as a total.

However - I suspect that there has still been a net gain for the year, which is not so good. Must try harder. But it's hard to burn the stash when I'm making things for the magazines, as the yarn gets sent to me.

Hopefully, with willpower, time and organisation, I'll get quite a bit used up. Hope springs eternal, eh?

And here's the list of completed projects:

2010 09 Cardigan in Wendy Fusion
2010 09 Chunky Black Jacket
2010 07 Baby things
2010 06 Handwarmers
2010 06 Cakes
2010 06 Gift Bags
2010 04 Crochet Bag
2010 03 Opera Gloves
2010 03 Tiara
2010 02 Forever Scarf
2010 02 Tunisian Crochet Gift Bag
2010 02 Andrea's Hat
2010 02 Crochet Handwarmers
2010 01 Crochet Wave Hat
2010 01 Black Flapper Hat

Is that it?

A Christmas Greeting

2010-12-19T14:02:00.001Z

A happy Christmas to all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCNvZqpa-7Q

Have fun, stay dry warm and upright.

Sirdar must wonder what the hell's going on....

2010-11-10T10:08:00.003Z

Being November, in magazine world, next summer's patterns are being knitted and submitted.

I have two commissions at the moment, completely different designs, but both suitable for a cotton mix yarn.

When putting the pattern ideas to editors, most designers gives suggestions for yarns but the ultimate choice is theirs.

So, last week, I had some Sirdar Calico yarn through, for one of the commissions. This is a two colour design, but the contrast is really just for highlights.

This morning, I had some more Sirdar Calico through, for the other commision, in the same colour!

The compliment slip was signed by the same person, so I do wonder if she noticed my name crop up again.

To make matters worse, there's another commission on the way (completely different item and yarn), which is also from Sirdar.

I have no connections with this company, whatsoever, but I'm wondering if I should get in contact, to become one of their designers.......

Although I am going to be heartily sick of that colour by the time I've finished!

Crochet Slippers

2010-11-10T09:05:00.002Z

Here is the latest pattern - crochet slippers for Inside Crochet.

The yarn (Louisa Harding, Kashmir Baby) is gorgeous. I think I have something similar/diff name in the stash from my last trip to the USA - I really should use it!

Serious thanks go to Zoe, the technical editor for getting this pattern into publishable shape. I was obviously having a very dizzy moment when I typed it up. And when I sent her my spreadsheet (showing how the increases worked), to show where I'd got my numbers from, I swear she must have thought that I was mad as well as daft. I had the pleasure of meeting Zoe at Ally Pally and so I was able to give my thanks and apologies in person. She's much kinder than I deserve!

Anyway, enough self-flagellation - here's the pattern.

Trend Spotting at Ally Pally October 2010

2010-10-10T07:42:00.004+01:00

(The Rowan Stand)

I wasn't going to go, but in the end, I couldn't resist Ally Pally.

This year, there seemed to be a lot more companies selling undyed yarns (although not many companies selling dyes). And the Rowan Stand was full of their "purelife" etc yarns.

Still plenty of colour, though, which is always good to see.

(Habu)

The place seemed to be more about "stitch" than "knit" this year - if I see another patchwork quilt, I may weep.

The best/prettiest yarns were from The Knitting Academy. Their stuff is on the pricey side but looks and feels absolutely fab.

The black sheep jumble sale was there (but I resisted) as well as all of the usual spinners (large Colinette stall, Rowan, Sirdar etc).

Some obvious folks were missing (Get Knitted for example), and there weren't as many book sellers as previous years, but generally, it was a good show.

And it was absolutely packed with people - I think it was the busiest I've seen it. Which, of course, means that it was incredibly hot, as many were there in their best knitted items!

The student shows were inspiring, as ever - here are a couple of my faves.

Time for a lie down in a darkened room, now.

Stuff for chaps

2010-10-08T10:49:00.002+01:00

The lastest Patterns in Let's Knit

Bias knit for a bit of interest and to show the fab (if muted in this case) colours of the Zauberball.

Editorial control

2010-10-08T09:02:00.005+01:00

This is what the item looked like when it left me:

And this is what it looked like in the magazine.

In 38 years of knitting, this is a first

2010-09-24T08:05:00.002+01:00

Those who know me, know that I never have enough yarn to make a sweater. This is why my creations for myself have blocks, strips and stripes.

And so, for the first time in nearly 40 years of knitting I have made, for myself, a sweater all from the same yarn!

(Pause for fanfare).

It's still pretty colourful, but it is all the same yarn. This usually only happens for design commissions.

It's an Ann Budd raglan design. I made the sleeves, then did a provisional cast on for the front/back and worked the yoke (similar process to the black sweater in an early post).

Then I picked up the prov cast on and worked down until I ran out.

I think that I could have done the neck a little better (bit of a funnel there), but winters a-coming in, and it will keep me warm in my chilly little office.

The yarn is Wendy Fusion, bought a couple of years ago when a local shop closed down (all yarn has to be in the stash for at least 2 years until it's used - that's the law...).

Generally happy with it - the yarn was nice to work with and should be fairly warm and cosy.

Two Patterns in Let's Knit

2010-09-12T18:45:00.006+01:00

I can now reveal two of the "teasers" from an earlier post.

The first is a pair of gloves with the top of the first finger and thumb missing. I call them "commuter gloves" with the idea being that the wearer can keep their hands warm while reading a book or operating an MP3 player while on a draughty train. It was actually my Dad's suggestion, so he should take the credit for the idea - it's just that he doesn't knit.

I have a pair of these in dark colours, sombre for work.

In the same issue, there's a circular yoke crochet cardigan with a swirl pattern. My initial suggestion was for a plain yarn with a variegated swirl. The good folks at the magazine came up with this colour option instead. The yarn is a teal colour, but looks more blue in the mag. Happy with the way it's been styled, though (so much better than simply being laid out on the top of my chest freezer!

Set in Sleeves Chunky Jacket

2010-09-05T11:11:00.004+01:00

When dressing, I tend to go for simply shaped loose fitting items.

When designing, I tend to do the same and these have the added advantage that they are relatively straightforward to put together.

But it was time to bite the bullet, to put my big brave pants on and to have a go at.....set in sleeves!

I have a jacket which I use for work, but it is getting a bit "well used". However, I really like the fit and length of it, so I decided to replicate it in knit.

Although it's not perfect (perfect things and people tend to be very boring), I'm pleased with the results.

The original jacket has a V-neck with lapels, but I decided on a crew with collar. Other details include shoulder pads and knitted in pockets. I didn't bother doing any rib at the top of the pockets as the knitted fabric holds its pattern fairly well and I didn't want to add even more bulk.

Ages ago I bought some King Cole Magnum Chunky, which I used for this. Of course (as suggested in a previous post), I didn't have enough. To get around this (luckily, I realised fairly early on). I worked the sleeves, and then did the fronts on a provisional cast on , starting very close to the armholes. I then finished these pieces, put the whole thing together and then worked down from the prov cast on. The pattern was one row knit, one row single rib, so I did a stripe of stocking stitch (and matched it, in the sleeves), to allow for the change of knitting direction.

Wendy DK, doubled, gave me the same tension as the Magnum, and so when I actually ran out of the yarn, I did four rows of doubled DK in a contrast colour, and then continued until I got the length I wanted.

To avoid any jumps in colour on the button bands, I did 2 rows of the contrast on that, too.

In general, I'm happy with it. Some of the shaping for the hips was unnecessary and there is a danger that it will look a bit like a peplum, but I'll see how it feels and drapes once it's been washed. In my experience, acrylic seems to go a bit saggy, so it should drape relatively softly, rather than looking too strange.

It's taken me a while to finish this, due to interruptions of other projects in the meantime, but I'm pleased with the finished result and hope to get a lot of use from it this winter.

Okay, I can finally reveal my true identity.

2010-09-02T08:33:00.002+01:00

Yes, it's me.

Things I discovered this week.

2010-08-30T10:22:00.003+01:00

1) Double knit, doubled, gives me the same tension as King Cole Magnum Chunky, so I can finish my jacket (yes, Jo, I didn't have enough yarn.....)

2) Texere Yarns are brilliant! Not only did they have the two balls that I wanted, they even matched the dye lots!

3) Tucking a needle behind my ear only really works when it's not a circular!

Great Auntie!

2010-08-07T16:03:00.003+01:00

Having found out that I'm going to become a great-aunt (not sure how I feel about the name...), it was time to get cracking.

The booties are from a Bernat pattern, the mitts and hat are my own. The yarn is Wendy Peter Pan, which is a nylon/acrylic mix and beautifully soft. I asbolutely love working with it (forgive me, purists). The white is just some acrylic DK from the stash.

The blanket is another made using Rico Pompon yarn.

I'm not sure why, but I found this less annoying to use than last time (just as well, as I used 2 balls for this blanket). The red edge is due to the footballing allegiance of the prospective father (I'm surrounded by gooners!)

I have been working, honest!

2010-08-05T12:21:00.004+01:00

The lack of posting may make it seem as though I haven't made anything for ages.

Truth is, I've been busy with commissions, which is great, but means that I can't put my work "out there" until those who are kind enough to pay for it have published it.

So, here are a few cropped snaps to show some of the lovely yarns I've been working with, but without giving any spoilers on the designs.

Zauberball

Alpaca

Merino

More Merino

Georgeous cashmere mix

It's a tough life.......

Hand dyed handwarmers

2010-06-07T11:32:00.002+01:00

Been meaning to post these for ages, just never got around to taking the piccie.

This was the yarn dyed at the workshop organised by Jo. I'm delighted with the way that it has pooled.

Bits of silliness

2010-06-01T18:10:00.003+01:00

Cakes made to show to a couple of friends how easy crochet can be.
Designed and made in an evening. Two other friends (yes, I have four friends - who knew?) were having a combined birthday party. These are re-usable gift bags.

(using up some more of the Adriafil Matisse as well as some Just Bamboo)

E viva Espana

2010-05-24T18:06:00.004+01:00

Ola!

Yes, I've just returned from sunny Germany, oh, okay, Andalucia where the sun shone and the wind blew (but if you build a golf course on the top of a hill, then it's likely to get a bit blowy).

This was a time of R&R as the long suffering one played golf, and I sat by the pool, drinking enough agua con gas to float a battleship.

I took some knitting with me, but this is as much a picture as you're going to get, as it may become a pattern idea, and I don't want to jinx anything.

I also caught up with about half a dozen writing magazines that I hadn't got around to reading. This turned into a very good thing, as I feel quite fired up to crack on with the grand opus and, more importantly, I have discovered a significant flaw in DTD.

As I lay back on my sun lounger, proving that I really can knit (and purl) with my eyes closed, I realised that there was a problem with the characterisation of the protagonist. However, as I'm only one chapter in (still!) I can fix it before it happens. I just need to revise my synopsis and we're away.

To be honest, by the end of the week, I was getting a bit bored on my hols, but boredom is good for us, as it frees up bits of the brain and makes us creative...allegedly. Let's hope I can be even more creative as I plough through the resulting ironing!

Crochet Entrelac

2010-04-10T17:24:00.003+01:00

Well, there's been another slight flurry of activity as "Cleo" a little bag made from crochet entrelac is published this month.

Quite proud of it. I have since perfected the technique (kinda), but the method given in the pattern is absolutely fine for this yarn.

Hoping to see another pattern using the stitch, but in a different way. Fingers crossed and watch this space.

While I'm waiting in the car.....

....and I often am, I've started making crochet hexagon medallions out of the DK acrylic that's creating a fire hazard in the cupboard.

I've done quite a few, so it was time to start sewing them up.

I have a feeling that it will turn into a blanket without end, but at least it's busting a little stash. Each hexagon takes approx 30m (which in acrylic is about 10g). If anyone would like the pattern, it's here.

Love and peace to all.

A night at the opera, a day in a draught and playtime!

2010-03-14T14:23:00.007Z

A Night at the Opera

My opera gloves appeared in this month's Let's Knit.

They were made using a provisional cast on, like a "toe up" sock. This allowed for regular knitting problems of getting fed up with the pattern and/or running out of yarn!

The yarn in this case is absolutely wonderful to work with (Fyberspates Scrumptious). Highly recommended.

Perhaps these gloves would go with the tiara that I made for Andrea. She's going to have a party at some point, and wanted suitable headgear. I've left it fairly plain, as she's an artist, so I thought that she might want to embellish it herself.

A Day in a Draught

It took me a year, but I finally finished the scarf for the long-suffering one.

I used Arequipa, and realised that I wouldn't have enough (he wanted it long enough to tie into a New York knot) and so I put a ball of sock yarn in the middle.

(Modelled by Bert)

The pattern uses the mitre/domino/modular technique (pattern to follow).

Playtime!

Many thanks to the lovely Jo and the ladies of the local spinners' group, for a day of dyeing (note the "e" in the middle).

Having never dyed anything before (assuming a dylon in the washing machine doesn't count), then this was a great experience.

My second batch (the darker of the two) wasn't at all as I had planned, and shows what happens when you slosh too much dye in, but it also proves the joy of a happy accident, as I'm really pleased with both of them.

Not sure what to use them for, but I feel that I am desperately short of waistcoats at the moment, and so there may be some stranded work in the offing.

Also working on an Adult Surprise Jacket, but photos to follow when I'm further along.

Gift bags and....writing!

2010-02-20T12:27:00.004Z

I have decided that it may be more sensible to use up my stash with small items (which I'm more likely to finish, being more of a project, than a process, crafter) rather than large blankets which will never be made.

So, I've made a gift bag. Not sure what gift will go in it yet, but it is re-usuable and has used up some yarn from the stash that I liked but didn't know what to do with. The yarn is Matisse by Adriafil. I got it ages ago and it's pretty, but odd - it's an aran weight, but because it's made of 51% viscose (along with cotton and acrylic), it's got quite a soft drape - not sure that's what I want in an aran weight yarn. Naturally, I didn't buy enough to make a garment (quel surprise), but I've managed to use 2 skeins in my gift bag, so I'm happy.

It's a tunisian crochet rectangle, which I then joined into a tube, and used regular crochet to make the base, and the top.

Writing
I haven't mentioned writing for a while, but I've actually done some!

I had been putting off writing "Scattering" because I had been busy. But, rather more crucially, I'm still not sure where that's going, and if there's enough there for a 100,000 word novel.

However, a new idea has come to me. The working title would be too much of a giveaway of the subject matter, so it will just be called "DTD" for the time being, and I feel very enthusiastic about it.

Hopefully, this will be more of a goer.

Well, I can't have any of my own....

2010-02-18T09:48:00.005Z

It worries me sometimes how some things can make me ridiculously happy or excited.

Why, for example, would the arrival of an ebay purchase from "Mr Polystyrene" (do you think that's his real name?) make me so happy?

But it has.

Maybe it's because I can't have any of my own.

Maybe it's because I feel like a proper designer if I have some kind of model.

Maybe it's because I'm a sad old woman who really should know better.

Whatever the reason, may I introduce to you....

The Kids!

Ladies and gentleman, these two fine individuals are Bert and Ethel (she was going to be Annie, but saying "Bert and Annie" sounded like Hootenanny, and frankly, once a year's enough for that").

Bert is wearing a flapper hat, adapted from a vintage pattern, whereas Ethel is modelling my latest creation, a "disappearing rib hat" made from my own pattern. (Does that make me vain? Apologies if it does). This is for my hairdresser and friend, Andrea.

The hat actually looks very small when it's just sitting on the needles, due to the ribbing, but it does also go around Bert's head, so I'm hopefully that it will be warm and cosy on Andrea.

Prepare yourself for a hat knitting frenzy (I bought a block, too!!)

Ah, those two - they make me so proud.......

The easiest hand warmers

2010-02-15T15:44:00.005Z

This is a pair of ridiculously easy crochet handwarmers.

They used just under a skein (approx 200m) of DK weight yarn and a 4mm crochet hook.

Instructions (make 2 the same):

Make 46 chain.

Base Row: Starting in the second chain from the hook, work 1 double crochet (US term: Single crochet) into each chain (45 sts)

Row 1: 1ch, work 1 dc (US term sc) into the back loop of each stitch.

Repeat row 1 until 34 rows have been worked in total.

Sew up, leaving a gap for the thumb.

Told you it was easy!

Second published pattern for KAL Media

2010-02-14T13:54:00.004Z

Super excited!

This period of activity is a fluke, and after this there will be a gap before anything else is in print, but I'm in another publication this week!

The entrelac edge idea came to me during the first half of last year (also looks great in two colours) but I wasn't sure what to do with it.

My non-knitting husband is actually surprisingly good, when I ask him "what shall I do with this stitch pattern?"

I think that this one was my idea, however, and I'm really pleased how it looks on. Because I am bigger than the average bear, I can never make mag pieces for my size. Plus, to be honest, by the time this little beauty went into the post, I was glad to see that back of it.

Delighted with how it looks, however, so just searching for inspiration now, for the next project.

Muse, where art thou?

First published pattern for KAL Media

2010-02-09T14:21:00.005Z

Very excited.

I love Let's Knit, as we all know. But it's nice to think that more than one editor likes my designs.

I've been rejected this morning by Inside Crochet for a second proposal (it happens, I may be able to improve it and suggest it elsewhere), but that doesn't mean that I wasn't really excited to see this - my first design for them.

Of course, since the preview's been up, I've been obsessively watching the comments on Ravelry, to see what folks think. Generally the response has been positive. Some ladies like it, but showed it to their men, who didn't. Some ladies wanted a female version (perhaps.....). One person didn't like it, thinking it was a bit 70s. Well, it is a tank top.

However, in the end, we can't pander to our audience. I liked the stitch pattern, and I feel that it's come out okay as a finished garment. Now I've just got to keep coming up with ideas that the editors like, too!

Further publications

2010-01-24T10:45:00.003Z

Considering my last post was about buying new yarn, it amuses me that my most recent publications are about using up the scraps and burning the stash.

The wonderful people at Let's Knit even had me on their "designer profile" page at the front this time!

The designs stem from ideas I had a while ago about putting brights against black for a stained glass effect. I've tried this in tapestry crochet, which works okay, but the pattern turned out to be a knitted hat and mitts set.

It's about scraps, Russian joins and magic balls and although the end result would look great in wool (and would be fab in felted pattern) my scraps are all nasty from the stash, so that's what we used.

I liked the name "Tracery", but I know nothing about magazines or marketing, so figure that those who do are best placed to chose the names.

May I introduce Amelie.....

....and Isabelle

My Bad

2010-01-21T19:10:00.003Z

After a year of considerable restraint,

I went mad,

Well, it was half price, and I know that I shouldn't have but

PRETTY!

Forgive me all for I have sinned.

It's a marshmallow world in the winter...

2010-01-09T17:27:00.004Z

...which means that it's bliddy cold and impossible to get anywhere.

Sorry to be a misery about it, but not being a labrador puppy, the appeal of snow is somewhat lost on me.

This is the view from my window.

Bleak, huh?

So, it strikes me that it's hat weather.

As we're hoping to run an "introduction to crochet" workshop at the end of this month, in which we will learn different stitches, it seemed sensible to use them in a pattern.

By using a combination of dc, htr and tr, a "wave" pattern" is produced.

There, ain't that perty?

Tried to deliver said hat to the shop but they weren't around (don't blame them), so I popped it through the door. On my way, I'd fallen over on the damned ice, so now have aches and pains, but we must all suffer for our art!

In the unlikely event that any of your kind folks would like the pattern, it's here.

Stay upright folks, unless you're with someone gorgeous!

Happy New Year

2010-01-02T08:30:00.005Z

Happy New Year to whoever is kind enough to read this.

Another year gone, eh? No point in looking backwards; I've done some things well (sold a few designs, not bought too much yarn) and other things not so well (have read far fewer books than I would have liked, and my time management occasionally went to pot).

So what does 2010 hold? Who knows. I'm not a fan of new year's resolutions - if you're going to change something, do it NOW, don't wait for a point on a calendar and give it a significance it doesn't deserve. So I'm not going to say "I'll knit X items, or I'll stop biting my nails".

Instead, I prefer to have plans. I would like to finish Scattering (the working title of book two). I will try to update this blog more often (hope springs eternal). I will try to keep my accounts up to date, and not assume that I'll remember stuff.

However, I don't believe in planning too closely. This time last year I hadn't had the ideas for designs that I've sold. So who knows what my little brain will come up with this year? Will I come up with the idea for a novel that I must write, putting book two on the back burner? Will I crack some knitting or crochet holy grail and be hailed as a yarn genius? Or will I be sitting here in a year's time thinking "well, that was pants"?

I've just discovered the predictions that I don't even remember writing! How did we do?

1) Will forget to add to the blog. - So yes.
2) Won't read as much as I would like - Absolutely
3) Will finish second draft and send it out - Actually, did it! Got an agent! Have been rejected by some of the finest publishing houses in the country!
4) Will make more knitted items and not buy yarn. Okay, did the latter, pretty much and also the former. Beginning to feel quite smug!
5) Will probably not lose weight - largely correct. (Largely being the best word, here)
6) Must save money - didn't do too badly (see not buying yarn, above)
7) Train for new job and be self employed. - I did it - and that is still scary.

We can't predict the future (although it looks as though I know myself better than I realised...), so I'm just going to work hard, treat others with respect, and keep an open mind.

Peace out.

Where has the year gone?

2009-12-03T12:17:00.002Z

December already, so much to do, so little time.

The problem with December is that it feels cut in half. I have stuff that needs doing by the end of the month (a commission). I would like toget it to them by Christmas, which means that I've got to get it finished in the next week. I don't honestly know how realistic that is (time is a strange master), but I know I'll feel a sense of personal failure if it doesn't happen.

On top of that I've got a bit of Christmas knitting to get finished. A friend of mine wants some mini stockings in white and silver (2 done, 10 to go). They don't take long, but they are part of a list. In addition to that, she's newly in love (aaahhh!), so I'm also trying to knit some "lovers' mitts" (one glove each, and then a giant mitt that they can both wear and hold hands). It's for a bit of a gag, so not the end of the world, if it doesn't get done, but I'd rather it did!

On the plus side, however, another commission which was due to be with the magazine by 16th December was sent off last week, so felt good about that.

Not much writing getting done though!

Atlantis

2009-11-11T16:38:00.002Z

There aren't many downsides to having your patterns published (I'm really rather pleased it's happening!). But the one that I can think of, is the wait between completing my latest pride and joy, and it actually appearing in the world, so that I can put it on display.

Not sure when I finished this bathmat, but it's now in Let's Knit, so I can show it to the blogosphere.

I'm well aware that this is not of interest to anyone but me, but that's what blogs are all about, aren't they?

Getting things finished

2009-11-09T10:43:00.006Z

Knitting

This has been a weekend for getting things finished, and some of them have been going on a ridiculously long time.

Firstly, there's a pair of gloves which are a commissioned pattern, so I'll post a pic when they're published.

Secondly, there's a sweater that has taken me a year to make. Not because it's particularly complicated, just because I kept putting it down and picking it up again.

My mate Mandy wanted a sweater like the Vicar of Dibley's. She tried to describe it to me and the best we could come up with (from descriptions such as - "it was in the episode when...") was this:

As you can see - not much to go on.

So I went to Ann Budd for the basic shape (of course - she is goddess), and created the folowing:

I just hope she likes it, but if I see it in the local Oxfam shop, then I'll know the answer!

Writing

Nothing new to report, although I did send off a short story comp entry a couple of weeks ago. Don't expect to win, but it felt good to enter!

Life

Not much work in (hence my crisis of confidence the other day), so I did my favourite thing; I threw stuff away. We had a bureau in our dining room (very1950s and not in a good way, but a serviceable piece of furniture, none the less) which was filled with all sorts of nonsense. It had become a bit of a "dumping ground" for everything - bits of wrapping paper, batteries, you know the type of stuff.

So I decided to sort it out and then had a thought. The desk in what we laughingly call "the office" was falling apart. This wasn't helped by an incident when I got it stuck over a banister and ended up taking a saw to it, but that's another story.

So it occurred to me that the bureau could go into the office and the desk could go into the tip. Sorry, not very environmentally friendly, but it was so rubbish I didn't feel I could offer it on Freecyle or similar - it was a bit of a health hazard.

So this is what we have done. We now have more room in the dining room, more room in the office (the bureau is slightly smaller than the old desk) and have got rid of an unsightly bit of crap. There's nothing like a bit of de-cluttering to lift the spirits, is there?

Obsessions

2009-10-30T10:50:00.003Z

We all have the ability to develop obsessive habits.

For some of us, it's collecting yarn. For example, why did I buy a large ball of pompom yarn yesterday? Because I want to see what it's like to knit with. Despite those who have tried it saying "they no like" - no, I can't miss out. It's not like I'm short of yarn!

I have recently realised that I have an obsessive habit. Every day, I have to log on to www.suite101.com, to see if more or fewer people have been reading my articles.

If it's any help, I do know that it's pathetic. I mean, what's wrong with me, that I can't just put it on there, and wait for comments.

Mmm - I wonder if there's an article in that.......

Sometimes the darkness comes

2009-10-28T23:11:00.003Z

Isn't it funny how we can turn on a sixpence?

I've not had a bad day - been busy - earned some money, had a nice dinner with a friend.

And then the evening comes and the darkness descends, actually and metaphorically.

Probably I'm just tired, but right now I'm feeling vulnerable, scared and tearful.

I've been full of doubt recently; my life has gone through some changes, so this is probably a natural reaction. Often it's fine, my pride in my own courage is just one of the things keeping me buoyed up.

But then there are the times like now. Have a made the right choice at the right time? What happens if it all goes wrong? Will I recover from disaster?

I know, this is self-indulgence. My biggest fears are growing in the darkness. Perhaps I should try to sleep before they take me over.

May confidence find me by morning.

Whimsical Memories

2009-10-22T13:32:00.003+01:00

Yesterday, I happed to drive past my old school at finishing time. For many people this may be an everyday occurrence, but I live approx 50 miles away from where I grew up, and although my Dad is still near, I'm not usually around on a week day at a quarter to four.

It's funny the memories and feelings that went through my mind.

The building is still the same, but the uniform has changed (I would have killed for a v-neck sweater when I had to wear a crew-neck). As I watched the kids walking along in groups, waiting for their buses and trying desperately to be "alternative" and nonchalant. I couldn't help but smile. I was one of those girls, with band names written all over my school bag, books covered in wallpaper and a desperate desire to fit in by being different.

When I went around the corner, I saw another sight that was different from my schooldays, but yet the same. On a streetcorner (coincidentally the street where I used to go for piano lessons). was a crowd of about 15 girls from my old school, and about the same number of boys from our brother school. (This corner is approximately equidistant from those two august institutions). Some of the kids/teens were chatting, and flirting. On the edges of the group the other kids, the ones more like me, were hanging around. Perhaps jealous, perhaps bored, but unwilling to leave without their more popular mates.

For most of the way home, this song was in my head.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPPi58K6wZs

Perhaps, it should have been "I'm glad I'm not young anymore"!

Oh, the shame

2009-10-09T17:50:00.006+01:00

So, I'm putting together some Christmas Patterns (yes, I know it's only October, but this is for promotion and therefore needs to be early).

I wanted some find some dark green yarn for some holly leaves.

I couldn't find it anywhere. In the end, I got all of my stash and stacked it up on the bed.

I had to leave the room for a moment. I suggested to best beloved that if he wanted to see something horrible, he should look in the bedroom. He gave me a puzzled look, to which I could only reply "my name is Lahlah, and I have an addiction problem".

Here's the proof.

So - this is why I'm NOT going to Ally Pally this year.

I managed to find some dark green. In all of the above, I had two small balls of it - about 15 - 20g each. Unreal!

Still enough to make what I wanted though.

Happy Holidays!

Sleepy

2009-08-19T14:56:00.001+01:00

strikes me that bourbon creams have soporific qualities. Even with the caffeine in the accompanying cup of tea, after two biscuits, I could happily push my keyboard to one side, put my head on my desk (storytime at primary school style) and have a little sleep.

This was worrying me greatly – I even went to my local Lloyds pharmacy and got myself tested for diabetes, but that was all absolutely fine (thankfully).

I’ve always had the problem that ridiculously coloured and sugared sweets at lunchtime leave me catatonic (no, not literally, obviously), but a couple of biggies with a 10 o’clock cuppa shouldn’t be doing this, should they?

Of course, it doesn’t help that I’m at work and automatically bored. This is what has led me biscuit-ward in the first place.

Teaching and....stuff

2009-07-06T16:23:00.005+01:00

It's been pointed out to me that it is many weeks since my last post. I cannot deny it or disagree. However, I have been a very busy girl.

In the last few months, I appear to have developed what I like to call my "bo££ocks of steel" as I now seem to be much less fearless than I used to be. Okay, that's not much, and by most people's standards I'm still a big girl's blouse, but in comparison with a couple of years ago, I have developed a new attitude. Or, as my friend Bea said to me "so what you mean is, you're motto is now "oh **** it"?".

I apologise for the strong use of pound signs and asterisks, but this is no time for weakness!

Basically, Bea is right. I've taken the view that, for example, my book won't get published sitting on my hard drive. Nor will my knitting patterns, or anything else for that matter.

Thus, in this frame of mind, some months ago, I went to a lovely new yarn shop in Eastbourne, run by the equally lovely Kirsty and George.

Despite supposedly going "cold sheep" and not buying any yarn this year, I treated myself. To be honest, an Addi 4mm in bamboo and a ball of sock yarn (not for the same project.... although......) is hardly reckless spending, but I still shouldn't have.

However, I'm digressing. While paying for my new bits of gorgeousness and chatting to the lovely Kirsty, my wotsits of steel made an appearance, as I asked if they would be running any workshops and then I said something along the lines of "I'm thinking more teaching than learning". I mentioned my Let's Knit successes, and Kirsty was very keen on the idea.

To be honest, my wotsits then disappeared, because despite the fact that I've been knitting for 37 years, and have trained probably hundreds of people to do loads of things over my working life, I've never actually taught anyone to knit before. I did explain this, but they were still up for it.

So between then and now we've been putting together workshops and the last Sunday in June was our first one. We were hoping to run two; "Introduction to Fair Isle Knitting" and "Introduction to Crochet" but we only had takers for the second one (hey, it's new, it's summer, we're not going to worry, yet).

The good folks came along, and were of mixed abilities, but all went away knowing how to do a chain stitch and a treble stitch (we were making granny squares).

It was fun!

Bizarrely, at Knitting Group this week, someone else wanted to learn to crochet, so, full of my usual cockiness, I tried to show them.

Maybe it was them, maybe it was me, but it was certainly less successful. We're going to have another go next time, but I was so glad that this was after the workshop and not before - I'd have been a wreck!

That's enough drivel for now. I'm still only about 2,000 words in on the next novel, and haven't written anything (except lots of patterns for the workshop pieces) for weeks, but I hope to be back "in the saddle" soon. (Bad choice of phrase - there can't be a worse place to write!)

I have put together a couple of stitch samples (one knit, one crochet) which I've emailed to a couple of editors - we'll see if anything comes of it. That'll make three things out at the moment. It would be great if they were all go-ers, although I don't want to have to make them all at once!

Keep those needles and hooks clicking and those pages turning.

Home Knitting - amusing update

2009-05-10T19:04:00.002+01:00

So, my best beloved came home from playing golf, and asked how my day had gone.

"I've run out of yarn". I said, guessing that he meant the home knitting, as he knew that I wanted to get it finished today.

The look on his face was something between terror and disbelief. I had to reassure him that I was only talking about the leaking cashmere, not my stash. Man, I will never run out of yarn from that, having reach SABLE (Stash Acqured Beyond Life Expectancy).

Made me smile.

Home knitting - just say no

2009-05-10T12:51:00.004+01:00

Unless you are a champion speed knitter, don't do any home knitting - it's just not worth it!

They pay £37 for a sweater - it's intarsia - it took me 1 1/2 hours just to sew the ends in.

It's, quite possibly, the ugliest sweater in the world (but in cashmere and mohair - who pays hundreds for this stuff?)

The yarn is leaving its dye all over my hands - I look like a negative of the black and white minstrel show

They didn't send enough bloody yarn! So I was thinking I'd get this finished today (and was doing my usual trick of knitting faster because I was running out of yarn), but couldn't do it. I've got about 35 rows of a sleeve to do, so it won't take a huge amount of time, but man am I p-d off!

Pattern published

My second published pattern appeared this week.

(picture as it appears in Let's Knit! Magazine)

This has caused some hilarity, as my original idea was for the buttons to go at the back but still, I know about knitting, not children.

Writing

I've started work on the next book (working title Scattering). Not much written yet, but positive responses from my writing group on reading the first 1500 words, so that's all good.

Life

Tired - too much bloody knitting! Let me qualify that - too much unsatisfactory knitting of horrible patterns for no reward. There, that's better.

Bits of news

2009-04-11T16:58:00.004+01:00

Knitting

I've done a few small projects.

1) I made a tea cosy for a lady at work. My mate Brenda saw it, and commented on how her sister in law likes sheep, so the below is for her...

2) While at knitting group a couple of weeks ago, a lady was wanting help with a circular blanket, which a couple of us were happy to give.

I tried to memorise the pattern and use up some scraps for the RSPCA. It obviously went wrong somewhere, as my blanket had too many stitches to lay flat. However, the mighty Spud seems to like it, so it's hers.

(Please note that this is the only time that the psychotic creature looks cute - don't be fooled).

My next pattern will be in Let's Knit next month. This month, it's in the promo picture for the next issue. "How lovely, I thought, but why is the little girl wearing the dress back to front?"

Writing

Big news!

I've got an agent!!!!!!!

(And I realise that she would probably chastise me for that many exclamation marks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

I'm still in shock about it. After twenty years plus of scribbling, someone finally has enough faith in my book to take it on.

I will love her forever! (If she reads this, she's probably a bit scared now).

We had a good phone conversation and will meet up in a few weeks time, but she's already passed my synopsis and three chapters to a commissioning editor for perusal.

I'm off for a lie down.

Some good some bad

2009-03-22T17:51:00.002Z

Knitting

I've not got any pics (sorry, bad blogger), but I'm in the throes of making a sheep teacosy for a colleague. A friend saw the pattern and may also want one to give as a gift to a sheep fan, so that's keeping me busy.

Writing.

This is the reason for the blog title.

I've had two responses to my synopsis and three chapters.

1) "Thanks, it's fun but not for us". Well, fair enough. Much better than "well, that was crap", or "are you having a laugh" or similar.
2) "Thanks. Could I see the rest of the book?"
Well of course you can!!!

That was sent off last week, and a stony silence has ensued. I like to think it's because the agent is avidly reading it, pitching it to eager publishers, and negotiating my multi-million pound advance in the bidding war.

That's what I like to think. Realistically, it's probably stuck in the Mount Pleasant sorting office.

A magpie landed on my roof this morning (one for sorrow), and if I were superstitious, I would take it as a sign that the novel will never be published. Good job I don't believe in such nonsense then, isn't it?

Wish me luck.

The elements are against me

2009-02-03T17:45:00.002Z

I can't get on my googlepage anymore!

Not the biggest issue in the world, I know, but some of my patterns were there!

Curses!

But now I have a googlesite.

http://sites.google.com/site/knittingandcrochetwithwords/

My cup floweth over.

Another commission!

Sometimes having more front than blackpool works. I've got another commissioned pattern. I am currently knitting frantically to get it back with the mag by next Friday.

What fun!

Felicitations and limitations

2009-01-01T17:36:00.002Z

Happy New Year to one and all. May 2009 bring us all peace, health and prosperity.

The turkey has all been eaten (or frozen), the decorations have come down and tomorrow I'm back at work, so normal life is being resumed but with the hope and optimism that only comes on 1st January.

It was quiet new year in the Lah Lah household (apart from my snoring, that is). As time wore on and the heating switched itself off, I pulled out an old granny square blanket that I made many years ago.

Most of the yarn for the blanket came from my paternal grandmother. I remember she offered me the contents of her yarn stash. My Nan used to make a lot of toys and novelties for church sales and village fetes. The yarns in the bag were all tangled with each other, and I remember spending an afternoon with my Grandad. He was watching television while I untangled these balls and made myself a collection. Nan and Grandad are both long dead now, but as I sat there under the blanket last night, a thought occurred to me - all her stash in a bin bag? Amateur.

I'm not one for new year's resolutions - life's depressing enough without promising yourself something that you're bound to fail. However, I am planning to leave my job this year, so I've decided that the money I would spend on yarn will go onto my "escape fund", thus building up the kitty and reducing my stash. We have now gone beyond the scope of the cupboard. Enough is enough.

Knitting for cash.

I've decided to try my hand at being a pattern writer. I'm beginning to regret the decision. The stitch pattern I'm being asked to work out has some origins in brioche stitch and on attempt no 7 or 8 I'm very nearly there. I've got one more thing to try, but if I don't improve the version I've got, I'll simply email them a picture and ask them if they want their stuff back. I realise that sounds defeatist, and I don't like to be beaten, but I also don't like to waste my time, and I've spent a lot of hours on this already. Not that it's necessarily worth it. Is it a good hourly rate? No, not at the speed I knit. Does it devalue the craft? Possibly. Will it be money to go straight into the escape fund? You betcha.

Writing.

Oh yeah, that's really funny. But hope springs eternal.

Published!

2008-12-06T13:51:00.002Z

My tapestry crochet messenger bag has been published in Let's Knit Magazine!

This has made me more proud than is probably normal, but this is a dream fulfilled!

Redundancies - a spectator sport?

2008-12-06T13:14:00.001Z

I really don't want another week like this one.

Don't get me wrong, nobody got ill, the world didn't implode or anything like that, but it has been ever so slightly shit.

The nadir was Wednesday. The company I work for has recently bought a competitor. With another colleague, I've been working at the new company this week to help with the transition to the new (ie our existing) computer system.

To be fair to them all, it's gone pretty well. There have been no catastrophes and in general, fewer problems than expected.

Wednesday, however, was horrible. It was nothing to do with the computer and all to do with the fact that we've had to make seven people redundant.

Don't get me wrong; I am well aware that we live in times of mass redundancies. Every news bulletin talks of hundreds or thousands losing their jobs, but this week really brought home to me exactly what that means.

It was like a creeping death through the office. One by one, people were called in for their meeting. A few who have still got jobs have been demoted (there needs to be "alignment of roles"), so even those in employment weren't exactly thrilled. But the worst bit was when the person came out from their meeting accompanied by someone from HR. Then it was a rushed packing up of their personal belongings and carrying them out in a plastic bag (or whatever else they could find). There was no time to go around saying goodbye to people, exchanging phone numbers, or even shaking hands. The people involved were losing their jobs and as they packed up their things they were feeling rushed and losing a bit of dignity too. The reaction of the others in the office was also odd and yet understandable. Some colleagues couldn't look the "redundee" in the eye. Perhaps out of fear (if they hadn't yet had their meeting), perhaps out of guilt (if they already knew that they were okay), perhaps to avoid bursting into tears in the middle of the office. Personally, I have no such pride and did not try to fight the tears that came to my eyes or the crack in my voice, but I'm not saying this because I think it makes me a better person, it just makes me a person with less self control.

Everyone who wasn't coming back had gone by early afternoon, and those that were left were numb and drained. There was much talk of cracking open a bottle of wine with that night's dinner.

But the next day, it transpired that most people had just vegged out in front of the TV and let a soap opera and rest help them to rebuild.

So when you see that news item about another 1000 jobs going, please don't do what I had done, and allow large numbers to desensitise you to what this actually means. It means 1000 people with their pictures of their kids, their postcards from Florida and their special pen, mug or plant being shoved, without ceremony or care into a carrier bag, so that they don't keep the woman from HR waiting as she escorts them from the building. It means waking up the next day feeling guilty if you didn't go to the job centre on your way home from the office where you'd spent the last five years. It's about suddenly feeling lonely as your 9-5 social life is taken away from you. It's about fear of the future.

Forgive me if I'm painting a bleak picture. I know that there are many people for whom redundancy was the best thing that ever happened to them, how it spurred them on to make positive moves in their lives, how it jolted them out of a rut.

I truly hope that this happens to the seven people I saw lose their jobs this week and I hope it happens quickly, to take away the pain that I suspect they're feeling now.

Too little time

2008-11-30T10:28:00.005Z

In theory, time is constant. By counting "1 elephant, 2 elephant" etc, one can count seconds. Count 60 of them and you have a minute, count 60 minutes and you have an hour.....well, you all know how it goes.

So why does time keep disappearing? It's DECEMBER, for goodness sake, how did that happen? It seems only five minutes ago that it was June!

Knitting

Needless to say, most of my queue is still a queue. One of Alena's Arsenal socks is completed, and I'm not far from the heel on the other, but time is my enemy.

It's my works fault. I ended up working yesterday (a Saturday! I'm an office worker, we don't do Saturdays) because of "data migration UAT" (which is converting one computer system to another and checking the information, for those of us who don't speak computer) and this had to be done over a weekend.

All next week, I'm going to have to work full time to help our new colleagues feel comfortable with said computer system and then we're only 3 weeks away from Christmas!

As my sister has told me that she doesn't like wool right next to her skin, I no longer have to worry about making her any socks, which is good as I really won't have the time.

I've kept my Christmas knitting list realistic, so nobody should have to wait until Spring to get their FO, but I must start earlier next year (like, in January).

Writing

Time may also be my enemy here. This week's writers' group will include my last distributed chapter that's already been re-drafted. I was SO ahead of the game, but now the game has overtaken me.

I must also get some more articles written - I'm falling behind and I could do with the cash!

Life

I'm still waiting for things to get better. Roll on the week after next (there I go, wishing and waiting and hoping again...)

Ah well - keep smiling.

Coloured cable handwarmers

2008-11-13T13:54:00.006Z

Here's another free pattern; my coloured cable hand warmers.

This is one of those patterns that is much easier to knit than it is to write down. It looks very complicated and I've written it in a great deal of detail, but once you get into the swing of the pattern, it's actually much easier than it looks.

That said, if anything is unclear (or even if I've made any typos) please let me know and I'll do my best to help, clarify and correct.

Cabled Handwarmers

Materials:

Alpaca Silk by Blue Sky Alpacas. (50g/146 yds)

2 balls of main (light) colour and 1 ball of contrast (dark) colour.

1 pair of 3.25mm needles.

Size: Lady’s medium size

Tension: Not vital.

Abbreviations:

L “Light” (the red yarn used on the handwarmer pictured)– eg K2L means “Knit 2 in light coloured yarn”
D “Dark” (the blue yarn used on the handwarmer pictured)

NB - the yarns are carried using the techniques for stranded knitting (twisted together every two or three stitches, to keep the work flat and even).
C4B Place the next two stitches on the cable needle and place at the back of the work. Knit the next two stitches, then knit the two stitches from the cable needle.
C4F Place the next two stitches on the cable needle and place at the front of the work. Knit the next two stitches, then knit the two stitches from the cable needle.
C3BD Place the next stitch on the cable needle and place at the back of the work. Knit the next two stitches in D, and then knit the stitch from the cable needle in L.
C3FD Place the next two stitches on the cable needle and place at the front of the work. Knit the next stitch in L, and then knit the two stitches from the cable needle in D.
M1K Pick up the loop between the left and right hand needle. Place on the left hand needle. K 1 into the back of this loop.
M1P Pick up the loop between the left and right hand needle. Place on the left hand needle. P 1 into the back of this loop.

Cable Pattern (42 sts):

Row 1 K4L, (C4B in D, K6 in L) 3 times, C4BD, K4 in L
Row 2 (and all even rows) Purl, keeping colours consistent from the previous row.
Row 3 K3L (C3BD, C3FD, K4L) 3 times, C3BD, C3FD, K3 in L
Row 5 K2L (C3BD, K2L, C3FD, K2L) 4 times
Row 7 K1L, (C3BD, K4, C3FD) 4 times, K1L
Row 9 K1L, K2D (K6L, C4F in D) 3 times, K6L, K2D, K1L
Row 11 K1L, (C3FD, K4, C3BD) 4 times, K1L
Row 13 K2L, (C3FD, K2L, C3BD, K2L) 4 times
Row 15 K3L, (C3FD, C3BD, K4L) 3 times, C3FD, C3BD, K3L
Row 16 Purl, keeping colours consistent from the previous row.

These 16 rows form the cable pattern.

Right hand glove pattern.

Using 3.25mm needles and L, cast on 53 sts.

Work 20 rows K1, P1 rib. On the last row, increase 12 sts evenly across the row (total 65sts).

Row 1 K5L, (K2D, K8L) 4 times, K in L to end of row.
Row 2 P27L (P4D, P6L) 4 times, P in L to end of row.
Row 3 Work row 1 of cable pattern for 42 sts, work the rest of the row in L. M1K, K2 M1K, K to end.

Work 2 more rows, keeping the cable pattern correct.

Continue with the cable pattern, working increases for the thumb gusset as follows:

Next row (Row 6 of the handwarmer - row 4 of the cable pattern) P21, M1P, P4, M1P, work cable patt to end.
Row 9 Work cable patt. M1K, K6, M1K, K to end in L
Row 12 P21, M1P, P8, M1P, work cable patt to end.
Row 15 Work cable patt. M1K, K10, M1K, K to end in L
Row 18 P21, M1P, P12, M1P, work cable patt to end.
Row 21 Work cable patt. M1K, K14, M1K, K to end in L
Row 24 P21, M1P, P16, M1P, work cable patt to end.
(Total number of stitches now 81)
Row 25 Work 42 sts of cable pattern, K18L, Cast on 3 sts, turn.

Thumb
Purl 21, cast on 3 sts. turn
Work 4 rows K1 P1 rib on these 24 sts.
Cast off loosely in rib.

Rejoin the yarn, pick up 4 sts at the base of the thumb and K to the end in L.

Row 26 P25, work 42 sts of cable pattern

Continue working straight on these 67 sts until you have completed 41 rows in total (2 ½ repeats of the cable pattern).

Row 42 P26L, P2togD, P6L, (P2togD, P2togD, P6L) 3 times, P2togD, P1, K1 row in L.

Work 4 rows K1, P1 rib in L.

Cast off loosely in rib.

Left hand glove pattern.

Using 3.25mm needles and L, cast on 53 sts.

Work 20 rows K1, P1 rib. On the last row, increase 12 sts evenly across the row (total 65sts).

Row 1 K28L, (K2D, K8L) 4 times, K in L to end of row.
Row 2 P4L (P4D, P6L) 4 times, P in L to end of row.
Row 3 K21, M1K, K2, M1K , work row 1 of cable pattern.

Continue with the cable pattern, working increases for the thumb gusset as follows:

Row 6 Work cable patt, M1P, P4, M1P, P to end in L
Row 9 K21 M1K, K6, M1K, work cable patt to end
Row 12 Work cable patt, M1P, P8, M1P, P to end in L
Row 15 K21 M1K, K10, M1K, work cable patt to end
Row 18 Work cable patt, M1P, P12, M1P, P to end in L
Row 21 K21 M1K, K14, M1K, work cable patt to end
Row 24 Work cable patt, M1P, P16, M1P P to end in L
(Total number of stitches now 81)
Row 25 K37L, Cast on 3 sts, turn.

Thumb
Purl 21, cast on 3 sts. turn
Work 4 rows K1 P1 rib on these 24 sts.
Cast off loosely in rib.

Rejoin the yarn, pick up 4 sts at the base of the thumb and work cable pattern to the end of the row.

Row 26 Work cable patt, P25 to end.

Continue working straight on these 67 sts until you have completed 41 rows in total (2 ½ repeats of the cable pattern).

Row 42 P1L, P2togD, P6L (P2togD, P2togD, P6L) 3 times, P2togD, P to end.

K1 row in L.

Work 4 rows K1, P1 rib in L.

Cast off loosely in rib.

To Make Up:

Block glove. DO NOT PRESS.

Sew up the thumb seams.

Sew up the side seams.

Knitting's fine - photography's crap

2008-11-09T14:52:00.002Z

Knitting

So I made a pair of plain black fingerless mitts for the daughter of a colleague.

No biggie, but I finished them before work one morning, so I took a quick piccie before giving them away.

I have a photograph of two ribbed wristbands.

D'Oh!

Writing
Well, butter my backside and call me a piece of toast, I've actually done some writing today!

For the first time in I can't remember how long I've had a spare hour (and a nagging feeling that I've forgotten something) so I edited chapter 8 of the interminable novel. I feel good..... I knew that I would now....

Life

Still hate my job. Except now I'm doing some serious planning to get myself out of there.

Focus, focus. Must not buy yarn, must not buy yarn.

Monster Modular Bathmat.

2008-10-26T19:38:00.004Z

Here it is, my latest FO and FP (Free Pattern).

Monster Modular Bathmat.

This was inspired by the “Extreme Knitting” work of Rachel John. The work is made on large needles (these are only 20mm, hers go much larger) and using many strands of yarn together.

It’s a quick pattern and a great stash buster, although be warned – it does make the shoulders ache!

Materials:

Assorted yarns (high acrylic content recommended, given use of item). Approximately 600g in dark colours and 300g in light colours.

Size 20mm needles.

Gauge:

Not important.

Finished size:

Approximately 39” x 27”.

Lah Lah’s Top Tip.

If you’re working in two “colours” to give the effect of the white squares, it is easier to work if you combine all your strands of yarn into one working ball for the light colourway. This makes it much easier to carry the yarns neatly, by twisting the light colourway over all of the dark strands at the end of every alternate row, thus avoiding long “floats” when the other colour is rejoined.

To work:

The pattern is garter stitch (every row knit) throughout, and is used by working a number of strands together. The aim is to make a combined “cord” (nb – not spun, just hold the strands together) with a wraps per inch figure of 3 (approximately). If using double knitting weight yarn, this is about 7 strands worked together.

It is, of course, possible to have all of your strands the same colour, but I rather like the marbled effect of similar colours combined together.

For the purposes of this pattern, “dark” means combined strands of dark yarn, and “light” means combined strand of white and pastel yarns.

1st mitre square.

Using “dark” cast on 21 sts and knit one row to last st, p1.
Row 2: sl1, K9, sl1, k2tog, psso, k to last st, p1
Row 3 and all odd numbered rows: sl1, k to last st, p1
Row 4: sl1, k8, sl1, k2tog, psso, k to last st, p1
Row 6: sl1, K7, sl1, k2tog, psso, k to last st, p1
Row 8: sl1, K6, sl1, k2tog, psso, k to last st, p1
Row 10: Change to “light” yarn. Sl1, K5, sl1, k2tog, psso, k to last st, p1
Row 12: sl1, K4, sl1, k2tog, psso, k to last st, p1
Row 14: sl1, K3, sl1, k2tog, psso, k to last st, p1
Row 16: sl1, K2, sl1, k2tog, psso, k to last st, p1
Row 18: sl1, K1, sl1, k2tog, psso, k to last st, p1
Row 20: sl1, k2tog, psso

Keeping this stitch on the needle, and using the dark yarn, pick up 10 sts along the side of the square, then cast on 10 sts (21 in total) and work one row.

Make the next mitre square in the same way as the first, and then make two more. Fasten off the yarns.

Cast on 10 sts and then pick up 11 sts along the side of the 1st mitre square, and knit one row. Then complete the square and the next three squares in the same way, picking up sts from the mitre just worked and the corresponding mitre on the first stripe.

Repeat one more time until you have 3 x 4 mitre squares.

Edging.

Using dark, cast on 4 sts and knit 1 row, picking up 1 stitch from the side of the first mitre square on the last stripe. Turn
1st row : Sl1, K1, psso. K2, P1.
2nd row: s1, K3, pick up the next stitch from the side of the mitre square.

Repeat these two rows until you’ve worked all of the way up the side of the mat, ending with a 1st row. Cast off, leaving your last stitch on the needle, then cast on 4 sts and repeat the edging along the short end of the mat.

Neaten all ends to finish.

Big projects and a sign of the times.

2008-10-26T19:31:00.003Z

Knitting

Yet again, I've been trying to sort out my queue.

I've finished the crochet gloves,

but now must move on to other things (mainly gloves, tea cosies and socks), so it looks as though all of my projects are small.

However, I have completed one large project - mega in fact as it was using size 20mm needles. Inspired by all of the giant knitting at Ally Pally, I've made a monster bathmat, the pattern for which will appear in another post.

Writing
Precious little activity, although I am taking a long time to be rejected, following my latest submission. Is this a sign that my work is being pondered over, laughed at (in a good way) and generally heralded as the next big thing? Or is it that the slush pile is huge. Or is it that it got lost in the post. Ah well, no news is.....well, it's no news, to be honest.

Life

I witnessed a sign of the current economic climate yesterday - a Bentley in Lidl's carpark. Made me smile.

Money earned, money spent

2008-10-12T11:54:00.006+01:00

What a week!

Jo from knitting group (I know you're lurking Jo....) passed a job my way. She does a fair bit of knitting for other folks, including some fantastic knitted cakes for a local cafe. She is really busy at the moment with knitting projects, so when the lady from the cafe wanted a teacosy made, she passed the gig my way.

Cheers Jo! Here's the finished object:

So, as I'd earned a little money from my knitting, I decided to spend a lot at (dah dah dah..... Ally Pally!), Yes, it's that time of year again when Les goes to North London and spends all her birthday money.

I found I was calmer this year, as I realised that NOT EVERYTHING WILL BE SOLD BY THE TIME I GET THERE!!

However, by the time I got to the Black Sheep stand, the jumble sale of yarn packs was still there, but there was nothing I wanted!

Oh, how discerning I've become.

I also took a bit more time to look at the displays this year (only a bit, there was still some serious shopping to do) but here are a few things I found impressive.

Giant knitting was a theme this year - here was a display in the palm court entrance.

There was also a chance to buy big needles (seriously tempted, but I've got some 20mm somewhere, so I thought I'd give them a go first).

The hyperbolic crochet reef was also very impressive.....

... as were the exhibits from the student shows.

This was my favourite.

But in the end, I'm a shallow individual, so it was all about the shopping.

Here's the stash, guys!

(Including some Kauni effektgarn - that made me so happy!)

One down

2008-10-01T22:01:00.003+01:00

Knitting.

I've finished the first of the small projects I had in my queue - a tea cosy for Delia.

Observant readers (!) may notice that Delia had a tea cosy not long ago - well she has two teapots (now that's what I call posh) and this is for the smaller pot. She wanted greens, so this turned into a nice little stash buster.

The next project will be a pair of tapestry crochet gloves for Ros, in time for her birthday (Nov 4th). Shouldn't be a problem.

Writing

After reading an article in one of the writer's mags, I've decided to send off my (re-ordered) first three chapters to another publisher. I'm so predictable - full of bravado when it goes off ("well, if it's rejected, that's fine") and full of upset when it's rejected, but it's definitely not going to get published sitting on my computer, that's a given.

Life

My work is busy at the moment, and on Monday I woke up thinking "I'll be glad when this training is over". It occurred to me that I am forever wishing my life away, waiting for something to finish. I think I may be happier if I learned to live in the moment. However, since coming to this point of view, I have turned into "Mr Creosote" and am eating everything in front of me (even the cat looks a bit worried), so I'm obviously not finding this new viewpoint to be a happy one!

Perhaps it will be better when..........

Sorting out my queue

2008-09-27T22:14:00.003+01:00

I have reached that stage where I have achieved SABLE (Stash Acquired Beyond Life Expectancy) - but I'm still going to Ally Pally next month, I've got a list of things in my head that I want to make (Christmas and Birthday pressies mostly) and I just feel as though it's all chaotic and muddled.

In the past, this has been the stage where I've given up and gone to something else for a while (voracious reading, cookery, something like that).

I need to get organised (I do actually need to read more, too, but that can follow from the organisation).

I've sorted out the three most urgent things (Gloves for a birthday, a teacosy and a pair of sock for Christmas) and I shall start with them - this may lead me on to other things. Unfortunately, I started a teacosy earlier on a circular and after 4 rows of nearly 200 stitches a pop (it's a ruched cosy), I realised that there was a twist. Moebius teacosies are not that practical, I feel, so that was an unpick job.

Never mind - I do at least know where I'm going (the glove pattern worked out in the end), even if I don't know how much frogging it will take to get me there!

Stasis

2008-09-15T23:25:00.003+01:00

I think my mid-life crisis is setting in.

I'm fed up with a lot of things at the moment.

Depression.
I'm a repeating sufferer of mild depression (or do I just get pissed off? The doc seems to think it's depression, but who knows?) My best beloved is also off work with depression, but he's the languid type, whereas I'm more manic. It doesn't make for a happy household.

Work.
I'm developing a second career, but financially I still need to do my day job. I shouldn't complain, it's part time, for the area in which I live and the work that I do, the money's not bad. Plus (and it's a big plus) I've got unofficial flexi time for my second job, but there's a catch. I hate my fucking job!

And, rather stupidly, I've just agreed to go full time for a while! My company has just bought another business and I'm invoved in training. I've done it on the following conditions:
I can take the time in lieu
I can keep my mobile on
If I get any work for the other job, I do it.

All agreed by the boss (it hasn't cost anything, so is automatically a winner - know thy enemy).

Knitting.
It feels as though everything I try doesn't quite work. I'm trying a crochet pattern for gloves, which will eventually be a friend's birthday pressie, as well as an original design, but I'm getting fed up with having to unpick and re-do. I know that this is part of the design process, but I'm frustrated with how rarely I can get it right first time.

Designing.
My pattern's been put back. No biggie, just a delay.

Writing.
Rejections are us. I send the requisite three chapters and synopsis to an agent, who rejected. Not surprised but still disappointed. It's a bit like NOT getting the call back from Jim'll Fix It. Interestingly, the work was out of order when it was returned, leading me to assume that it was rejected after five pages. Some writers would be insulted by this (they haven't read the whole thing), but to steal and paraphrase a quote from Jane Wenham-Jones book, they don't need to taste the whole dish to know that it needs more salt.

So, I've moved things around, to introduce an interesting character earlier and to add in a bit of conflict that would otherwise languish until chapter three.

I thank them for their rejection. I would have preferred an acceptance, I would have liked more feedback than the standard letter, but their method of return has taught me something useful and I'm grateful for it.

Another month gone?

2008-08-16T11:42:00.004+01:00

How could another month have passed since my last entry? I must have been distracted by all the fantastic weather we've been having. (Sarcasm is just one of the services I offer....)

I had my first Suite 101 payment - a whole £6.07!

It's actually quite sad how excited that made me. Just think what I'll be like when my bag's in Let's Knit mag!

I've done lots of small bits and pieces recently - tea cosies, hats and the like.

The hat is an attempt at a 1920s "flapper" hat which will go with my lace silk scarf, knitted last year,

I've also done a bit of charity knitting (dog coats for K9 knitters and cat blankets for the RSPCA).

In fact, the only big thing I've made is a gilet for my sister Bev, when she's out dog-walking. It's yarn that I bought at Ally Pally last year which is 100% wool and incredibly thick. She seemed pleased with it when I gave it to her, so hope she gets some use from it.

I frogged Brenda's "Cinnamon Bark". The pattern was getting right up my nose, but I will use it to make some socks. It is pretty, even if a pain to knit.

I've had inspiration this very morning for a child's dress pattern, which I would hope to sell to a knitting mag, so I must put together a sample section (my drawing's awful, so I need to put something together so that they've got a chance of envisaging what I've got in mind!) I'm thinking old fashioned, pastel colours, 4 ply yarn, interesting techniques. Wish me luck!

Loose ends?

2008-07-17T17:32:00.004+01:00

I've finished the BSJ, which I'm fairly pleased with.

I will probably make an Adult Surprise Jacket at some point (seems like a good way to use the stash).

I've also been using up some yarn in my stash which is ridiculously thick. I'm making my sister a rather un-glamourous "body warmer" for when she's out walking her dog. I offered to make the dog something matching, but if it's possible to show panic in an email, that's what she did!

The yarn (Sirdar Country, 100% wool) is recommended for 9mm needles, which means that this item is knitting up in no time, but I've had to put in a large stripe of some recycled dark lilac yarn, otherwise I would have run out half way up the back!

So, Wips at the moment are:

Dad dog coat (so called, because I speak to my dad nearly every day, and I knit this while we're chatting).

Brenda's cinammon bark - I'm beginning to dislike the pattern intensely (although I think it would make good socks), but I feel committed now.

Red socks, made with yarn bought on hols.

No pic, but let's be honest, not much of a pattern, either!

Lace shawl - I think I'm going to frog it, and use some nicer quality yarn instead. The red nylon I've started could always be put in with other acrylics for more dog coats.

Not too bad then?

I've just written another article for Suite 101 (brewpubs in Victoria, BC), but I've got to pull my finger out next week - I'm meant to do 10 every 3 months - I've got 2 1/5 weeks to write 5 articles.

Muse - come to me now!

International Jetsetter

2008-06-30T03:00:00.006+01:00

Well, not quite, but I am posting this entry from Vancounver airport.

Best Beloved and I have been on holiday to Vancouver/Victoria/Seattle, and are now waiting to come home.

We had to buy another bag - because he bought lots of clothes (being a bloaty boy, the range is much better on the US side of the Atlantic) and I bought lots of YARN!

It was heaven. I didn't get to half of the yarn shops I wanted, as most are outside of the main "downtown" areas, but I did get approx 2 carrier bags full. There are some fab colours in my new stash, and I've gone for mostly natural fibres (I have a long history of using acrylics, when really I shouldn't).

I will post piccies when I'm home, as I've got some sorting and labelling to do for Rav, but I have increased my stash quality considerably. That's it now until Ally Pally, that's what I keep telling myself.

I did some craft work while away - the tapestry crochet bag pattern is a go-er and so I sat in bars and on trains hooking away I received some comments of praise for my work, which was very gratifying.

Another 12 hours, and we should be on British soil. Can't wait.

NB - Edited later to add pictures of yarn

It's a good job not many read this....

2008-06-14T11:40:00.008+01:00

.... Or I'll have been letting my readership down.

Over a month since my last post?

P*** poor, I know.

But I've been busy with work n stuff.

I've managed quite a few things on the knitting/crochet front too.

This is my first tapestry crochet bag - a birthday gift for a friend.

I was so pleased with it that I wrote to a knitting mag, and asked them if they wanted to commission me for another! I'll keep you posted on that one.

I decided to make another anyway, to take my stuff to knitting group in:

I've also finished a dog coat - using my Russian joined stash balls in a fake-isle stylee.

And have made blanket for my cousin's baby (due later this year).

I've completed another couple of cushions - sponge bob for my niece's car, and a corporate one to raise money at work.

I'm also working on my first Baby Surprise Jacket, and loving the pattern.

You can see why I haven't had time to write, really!

It gets better!

2008-05-04T10:31:00.003+01:00

In yesterday's post, I was bemoaning the fact that someone had questioned my article without having read it.

Today, I've got a comment on one of my knitting articles with the comment "That is the ugliest cardigan I've ever seen".

Is this the level of debate I'm to expect?

I was going to allow the comment on there, but decided to take it off after all - what would be gained, and I don't want to give currency to this low level of discussion.

I'm almost envious of this person - if I had time to comment on everything I found ugly, I'd barely have time to get dressed in the morning, let alone to anything useful.

Ho hum!

Muppetry of the first order

2008-05-02T20:33:00.003+01:00

Goodness me, there are some f-wits out there!

I have written a Suite 101 article on Mary Wollstonecraft's life.

I received a comment on this article (nice to know that someone's reading it).

The comment is, and I quote: was she married or not duh!

Well, she was (I researched this vital piece of information from MY OWN ARTICLE) and so penned what I hope is a polite reply:

Thank you for your comment. Unfortunately, you have not specified which man. Mary Wollstonecraft did not marry Gilbert Imlay, but did marry William Godwin in 1797 (as noted in the article)

Isn't it nice that people read your work, and get involved in some kind of intellectual debate? Duh?

I chose to find this amusing.

Rejection and Depression

2008-04-27T12:35:00.002+01:00

I really have got to deal with rejection a bit better.

I know that I'm coming off the anti-depressants, and so having a few more trips over to the dark side than previously, but really, I've got to grow up!

Synopsis

I handed my synopsis round to the writers' group, thinking that it was pretty good. Oh how wrong can I be. They absolutely pulled it apart.

Don't get me wrong, I'm in favour of the criticisms that they made, I'm just sooooo pissed off that they needed to make any!

Article.

Then I had an article flagged on Suite 101. Again, there is nothing wrong with the criticisms that were made and this is exactly the sort of thing I'm learning -but man, did I get the arse? I was ready to throw my toys out of the pram, and stop writing for them (yes, I'm sure they'd be gutted...). It took me a little while to calm down, and make the corrections, but now I'm a bit panicky about future articles. Okay, that may be a good thing, as I hopefully won't get complacent, but I'm now feeling like a nervous wreck!

Perhaps I should go back onto the happy pills after all?

Knitting is so much more civilised.

Bulimia? Aren't you supposed to throw up as well?

2008-04-20T11:14:00.002+01:00

Life

So, John Prescott has Bulimia. I feel sorry for him, and admire his courage in speaking publicly about it.

Years ago (I have a long history of "issues" with food) I was discussing this condition, and said that I could understand the bingeing, but had never forced myself to throw up, or get rid of the food in any other unpleasant ways - I've thought about it, but never done it. This was considered funny - after all - what's more hilarious than a fat person stuffing their face? However, when John Prescott says all this (and there's been no mention of fingers down the throat or laxatives - thank God!) it's not hysterically funny after all. Is it because I'm not a politician or some other kind of public figure? Is it because I'm female? Or is it just because the sketch writers haven't put together the jokes yet?

I hope he gets over the condition - and if he raises awareness of men dealing with eating disorders too, that's all to the good. One life helped is worth it.

Anything that opens up the debate has got to be positive.

Knitting

I've finished one sock - yes, I had finished one before, but it wasn't long enough, so I've now finished the second sock, and am going back to lengthen the first one.

My stars in one of the knitting mags said that I should be less chaotic, and finish some of my UFOs (unfinished objects). Although astrology is largely bollocks, there is a certain logic in that, and so I shall finish the socks and try to finish everything else before I start anything new.

Writing

I've actually done some this morning! Well, some editing. I've had a knitting book idea rejected again, because that particular company isn't doing any more books on knitting at the mo. Ah well, shit occurs. It's a bit frustrating, as I think that I have quite a good idea, and when I see some of the books published on the subject, I do wonder who the target audience is, as they seem very limited in scope, but perhaps that's just another phrase for "specialisation" and actually, that's what I should be aiming for.

I've been editing the novel this morning, am now up to chapter three, so must keep on going. Considering I finished the first draft in November, I've done bugger all since, but I will shift the focus back.

Must. Do. Better.

It's a funny old life!

2008-04-12T13:38:00.006+01:00

Writing

I've started torturing agents with the novel. I thought it was about time.

I've got some non-fiction work on Suite 101 about knitting and other stuff, and I've been busy with loads of stuff, so hope still springs eternal.

Knitting.

I've got five projects on the go at the moment.

Cinnamon bark in blue for Brenda

Lace shawl for me (my first attempt at a lace shawl pattern - perhaps I should have followed one rather than deciding to make my own)

Socks made out of the darning wool found in the loft - should be hardy!

Fake-isle dog coat using one of my stash balls

Domino crochet stash-busting afghan for the spare bed.

None of this stopped me shopping for more yarn today. Off to Wah Wah wools I went, in theory looking for 2.25mm needles (hard to get - not a standard size) and got a couple of others things instead.

Life

I was in the Oxfam shop, feeling a little down, when I met the mother of a friend of mine, and we stood chatting for a few minutes.

After we'd parted company, I felt good, and no longer felt the need to go and buy chocolate or cakes to cheer myself up.

That's the catch 22 of depression, I guess (I'm trying to wean myself off citalopram, as I'm not convinced that they're working). People stop you feeling so down, but when you're over on the dark side, you don't want to talk to anyone.

The therapeutic power of knitting

2008-03-30T13:44:00.003+01:00

I've been on a course for the last few days, and took my knitting with me (natch).

There wasn't much opportunity for it, but there you go.

My journey home was beset by problems caused by engineering works.

Having already had to use a replacement bus service in London because of tube engineering works, I also had to get off my train and try to get another bus for 2 stops. That would have been great, had there been buses available, so we were all standing out in the rain getting bad tempered for about 20 minutes.

When our bus had eventually turned up, and taken us to where the rail service was being resumed, there was no train, and a half hour wait until the next one.

There were two options here:

1) To stand around with my fellow travellers and bemoan the poor service
or
2) Put some music in my ears, and sit knitting for half an hour. I did the latter, and the benefits were many:

I didn't feel as stressed as the others who were winding themselves up.
I was doing something creative, rather than just kicking my heels and feeling like my time was being wasted.
This was clear time - the project in question is a lace shawl, and is still at the 400 sts on the needle stage, so to be able to work through the stitch pattern without interruptions was welcome.

So, avoid stress - carry sharp pointy sticks.

The lows and highs of being a writer

2008-03-19T15:06:00.002Z

First, the bad news.......

I haven't made the shortlist for the "wanna be a writer" comp.

On a realistic level, I didn't expect to, but there's always the dream.

Not only that, but when you're not given feedback (and none was promised, I'm not complaining), you have no idea of knowing if you were a nearly ran, or are, in fact, complete shite.

Then the good news......

Feedback from Assignment 4 of the Writers' Bureau course was much more positive. I should send my stuff of, says my tutor. (This is the course that has to give me my money back if I haven't earned my course fees back by the time I've finished).

Perhaps I will.

And the very exciting news........

One of my writing posse went to an "Agents and Publishers" day as part of her MA. The agent she spoke to wants to see more of her stuff. Of course I'm jealous - but very happy for her.

Onwards.....................................................

My name in print!

2008-03-15T15:03:00.002Z

Fame at last!

http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/letters-to-the-editor/Your-Letters-March-7.3854623.jp
(scroll down, I'm near the bottom - letter called "School's out")

Far flung knitting

2008-03-08T12:08:00.003Z

Great hilarity!

My mate Tracey in Oz has put some pictures onto Flickr. When she invited me to look at them, she noticed that I already have a flickr account. She went to have a look, and was a bit confused, as they all seemed to be pictures of yarn and knitting.

I explained about the ravelry thing, but I'm not sure that she's convinced that I don't have some weird fetish going on.

Impressed by my FOs, however, she asked for a couple of matching hats, for her three year old, and her new baby.

Happy to oblige, as always.

Anti-depressants - how despressing!

2008-02-26T18:08:00.002Z

It's very disappointing to hear all over the news that a reports suggests that commonly prescribed anti-depressants are ineffective.

I've been taking them for years - perhaps that's why I've been feeling so crap for a few weeks?

It's been a couple of days for disappointments - firstly I was at work until 3 yesterday, and until 5 today (I'm supposed to finish at 2) because of having to sort out other people's problems (I know, nobody likes a martyr), and yesterday I decided that I had to undo the back of my waistcoat (decided to design my own in the end), cos it was muppetry compared to the front.

Never mind -that's what makes life interesting.

I feel as though I'm trying to spread myself a little thin at the moment, what with work, writing and everything else I'm trying to do.

Never mind - all things pass.

Now published on line! But poorly.

2008-02-20T14:10:00.003Z

I am now, officially, a suite 101 writer.

This is very exciting, and there's something very special about seeing the copywrite symbol against your name.

I've written a piece on using less paper in the workplace, and I've had lots of ideas for future articles. It's a good exercise.

I'm off work poorly sick today, and despite my lack of wellness, I'm still feeling guilty if I don't DO something, Man, I should have a religion - at least the guilt would have a reason based in culture and history.

A third draught excluder!

2008-02-18T17:12:00.004Z

I took Brenda's draught excluder round on Friday, and made a stooopid mistake of the 1st order.

I put it over Alfie the labrador's back.

Lo and behold, I hadn't made a draught excluder after all - I'd made a toy for Alfie!

So, there I was on the train this weekend knitting a 3rd tube to be stuffed with old socks!

And I'm the woman who always says "I never knit the same pattern twice, as it would be too boring".

On the plus side, I had put together a ball of stash remnants, and used Russian joins for the first time so as every, life's a learning curve!

A knitting dilemma

2008-02-12T18:50:00.000Z

Here's the thing -

I want to make a waistcoat, well, I want to make a number of waistcoats, and I usually like to create my own pattern.

However, in among the pattern stash is a basic pointed-front waistcoat pattern which would do as my template, and then I could just add the colour patterns as needed.

However, if I do this, my dumb pride will be dented, as it won't be all my own work.

So, do I make up my own pattern (using an existing fabric waistcoat for measurements) and design it all from the ground up? Or do I think "why put yourself through that" and just add the colours and stitches I want to the existing pattern.

Am I guilty of pride or laziness?

Answers on a postcard please to.....................

Oops! - smaller draught excluder needed

2008-02-10T14:42:00.001Z

Oopsie!

The draught excluder that I made for Brenda was a tad big (in diameter), and managed to fall off the ledge by the door. This in itself is not a problem, except it fell against the outside door, and she almost couldn't get back into the house!

Smaller draught excluder to the rescue!

This was a stash buster, as I made a ball of all of the odds and ends, and just knitted away from there!

Double oopsie.

For all my stash busting efforts above, I visited a craft and yarn shop yesterday, and the owner was selling off the yarn cheap, so I helped her to clear her stock. My cupboard now needs wedging closed!

I've been a bit lax in my duties

2008-02-07T19:49:00.000Z

I've not been a good correspondent, knitting patterns aside.

So what's been happening in the exciting world of moi?

Bugger all really.

My best beloved had a birthday, so we went to see St Trinians. I'm not sure that "better than I thought it would be" is a glowing film review.

Writing

So little done that it's embarrassing. Life has taken over, somewhat.

Knitting

I'm carrying on with Brenda's second draught excluder - sadly the first one was not a hit, and succeeded in getting wedged under the wrong door giving her problems getting into her house, so a second attempt is required. I'm using up some old stash with it, so it's another recycled effort.

I've also started the back of a waistcoat, but I don't know what the front's going to be like, yet.

Apart from that I've had my hair cut (very stylish), and have been training a new employee, so am knackered, and off to listen to Radcliffe and Maconie whilst enjoying a jacket potato.

Rock and Roll, eh?

Bathmat pattern

2008-02-02T18:52:00.001Z

Crunchy Bathmat.

This is a design which uses a simple technique to create 5 stitch pleats by carrying the yarn behind the work.

Therefore, 2 balls of yarn are needed to create the pattern.

This technique creates a nice thick fabric, suitable for walking on.

Materials:
2 balls of Wendy Supreme 100g Luxury Cotton DK
3.75mm needles.

Tension:
Unimportant, but the mat above came out at 19” x 13 ½”

Method:
The original was made in one colour, but still using 2 balls of yarn – called A and B for explanation purposes.

Using ball A, cast on 152 stitches, and knit 2 rows.

Row 3: K1, join ball B. *K5 B, K5A, rep from * to last st, k1B

NB - Do not weave the yarn when knitting, simply drop it behind the work until needed. This leaves a looped pattern at the back of the work, and creates the pleats in the fabric.

Back of work.

Row 4: K1B, *K5A leave yarn on wrong side, K5B leave yarn on wrong side, rep from * to last st, K1A.

To follow the pattern exactly, got to http://lesthechick.googlepages.com/bathmatchart.pdf
and print the chart to show the stocking stitch/garter stitch pattern.
(nb – it looks awful on screen when the pdf opens, but the print is clearer to read. White squares = K on right side, P on wrong side, Grey squares = K on wrong side)

Rows 111-2: Knit
Cast Off.

Variations:
As this stitch pattern is traditionally worked in garter stitch using two balls of yarn, it lends itself well to stripes, checks and shadow knitting patterns.

At last - the start of draft 2

2008-01-19T17:18:00.000Z

Writing

That's it - I've crossed that bridge, I've made that step, I've started the second draft.

I've changed the line spacing to three, printed the first chapter and then I've gone back to the comments my by my writing group girls, marking all editing needed onto my new print. On the plus side, I've managed to put in a couple of jokes and funny lines, so maybe I'm the sort of writer who does her comedy on the re-writes.

I can only take small steps at a time, but as it's taken me this long to even put my shoes on, I'm feeling quite happy.

Knitting.

I've got so many things on the go - a draught excluder for Brenda, a pair of socks for me, and a bathmat, and I've also worked out how many stitches I will need for the back of a waistcoat. Just call me Mrs Productive!

Life

Feeling a bit out of control at the moment - so much to do, so little time. I'm spending an awful amount of time on ravelry, joining and reading forums (fora?) etc, instead of getting on with real life. Is this a natural hibernation type behaviour? Resting to prepare myself for the next onslaught?

Or am I just a lazy cow?

Tired bunny/Closing down LYS

2008-01-13T11:26:00.000Z

Writing

I did some yesterday! I had an hour to kill in Starbucks in Great Portland St (as you do) so I got out my writing down book, and started writing! Not sure how many words I've done (I finished the scene off on the train home). Although I was glad to be writing, I wasn't necessarily pleased with what I've written. It was so unfunny. :=(

Still, you can only edit what's on the page/screen, so I've got something to work with - and I'm back in the flow a bit!

Life

Knackered.

Knitting

Am I a bad person?
1) For buying yarn - I can barely fit it into my stash cupboard, but it was half price, it seemed rude not to, and who knows, I may even go back.
2) For going to the closing down sale of a shop I've never been to before. I hadn't even realised it was there. It's one of those old-fashioned shops that sells yarn and baby things. The range of yarn is not necessarily the best (mostly acrylic, and rather ordinary, but good store cupboard stuff), but I did manage to get some 100% wool at 60p/50 grams, and the lady even apologised that she had to charge 60p for that, rather than the usual 50p! It's closing down because she's retiring, so my previous lack of custom hasn't put her out of business. And I'm giving her less to tidy up now.

If I keep talking I think I could justify anything!

The saga of the gas flame cushion

2008-01-06T19:35:00.000Z

My eldest sister bought herself a new Fiat Panda 4 x 4 in Red.

This became known as the Postman Pat van, and so I knitted her a black and white cat for it, courtesy of an Alan Dart pattern.

Unfortunately, she was coming home from work one day, when a 19 year old jumped some lights, and hit her car, writing it off.

The most important thing is that everyone is okay (a few muscle strains aside). The second important thing is that the 19 year old was insured, so big sis could get herself another car. Unfortunately, these models are rare in the UK (she'd had to wait ages for the red one), and so the only one she could get was blue.

Consequently, it is now known as the gas van (as you can see, my sister enjoys the unconditional support of the whole family). She still has the black and white cat, but this is no longer appropriate. My beloved suggested I make a gas mask for the cat (he's always there with the useful suggestions), but my niece had a far better idea of making one of the gas flames from the British Gas adverts.

Hence the cushion is made. I just hope she likes it!

Is it me?

2008-01-05T15:26:00.000Z

Am I the only person who doesn't give a damn about Britney Spears?

There are people dying of starvation in Kenya. God only knows what it's like in downtown Baghdad at the moment. All over the world there are sad, funny, uplifting or downright shocking stories going on. So why on earth is the third item on my TV news that fact that some barely talented US chav who got lucky can't see her kids anymore?

Sorry - I'll stop ranting now. I guess I'm just not a celebrity watcher!

Knitting

I've started making a gas flame cushion for my sister's car. So far so good, will post a pic once it's further along. Basically I got a picture of the logo (isn't Google images fab?) and printed it onto graph paper, then traced round with a pencil to get my stitch numbers etc. Time and knitting will tell if it's any good. If not, frogging is always an option.

Writing.

Nothing actually done, but I have now sorted Ursula out into some proper files, all ready to start cracking next week (we'll just get Grandad's funeral out of the way first).

Life
The postal service is not fab. On New Year's Day (Tues), my Dad put a photograph in the post to me, which is to be used on the front of my Grandad's order of service for his funeral. We already had another picture, but apparently a better one had been found. Sadly, thanks to the postal service, it didn't get here on time for me to scan it in and use it. (Dad's not online, so we were relying on the snail service). There's nothing wrong with the picture we've got to use (Grandad is smiling and standard bearing - he was a military man), but it's not what we wanted, and therefore disappointing.

It's always the small stuff that irks, isn't it?

Happy New Year

2008-01-01T13:29:00.001Z

Hi all,

Happy New Year. A time for sorting out (13 bags of books to the charity shop on Saturday), reflection and prediction.

Reflection.
So, what did I achieve this year? Here's a brief list:

Started a blog!
Read 28 books (must do better)
Finished a novel (first draft)
Made 25 knitted/crocheted items.
Lost no weight /ate far too much chocolate
Saved no money (must do better).
Disliked my job intently (see no 5)

Predictions?

Will forget to add to the blog every now and again.
Won't read as much as I would like to (that whole sleeping thing gets in the way)
Will finish the second draft, and will punt it out to publishers and agents. The rest is in their hands. Will also do work on creative writing course, and try to get articles published.
Will make more knitted items. I've made a semi-promise to myself not to buy any yarn for at least six months. Let's see...
Will probably not lose any weight, although that may change (see no 7)
Must save some money, while I'm still earning it.
Will train for a new job, and then be self employed. Scary but exciting.

Knitting

I've already saved some money - rather than going out and buying a fancy pants address book, I found a very ordinary one in a cupboard, and using wool from my stash made a gorgeous little cover for it (see under patterns). It's already somebody's favourite on ravelry, so I'm happy.

Whatever your dreams, may they come true.

Happy Boxing Day

2007-12-26T23:06:00.001Z

Writing
Still Bugger All Done

Knitting
Working on the lace sampler scarf (onto lace pattern 3 right now), and looking at a design for a book cover, as I have a cheap and nasty telephone/address book that I want to use, but I want it to be more interesting. Thinking fairisle?

On the very positive note, Kelly loved her socks - result!

Life
Spent today with my Dad, sorting out my Grandad's paperwork, writing letters to utility companies, that kind of thing. It wasn't as grim as it sounded - we're the sort of family that feel better when we have something to do. The post mortem will be tomorrow, and then Dad will be able to get the death certificate, and start sorting out all of the other stuff (probate, funeral, etc).

Sleep tight, world.

Cloche hat finished

2007-12-22T13:02:00.000Z

Life

After yesterday's news, I've been feeling (understandably) quite flat. Dad and my aunt are doing the running around, all I'll be doing is putting a bit of music (O mio babbino caro and the Intermezzo from the Cavelleria Rusticana) onto a CD for the ceremony. The funeral is provisionally booked for 7th January, provided we can get all the paperwork sorted out. It's sad that 88 years of life have been reduced to sheets of paper and administration, but as Harry Hill used to say "you've got to have a system".

Knitting

The cloche hat is finished. According to the ravelry FAQs I can't put a new pattern on there, which is disappointing, so I'll put a link to here instead. It's in the patterns section.

Writing

Bugger all done.

Sad - a family bereavement.

2007-12-21T10:25:00.000Z

At four o'clock this morning, my Grandfather died. He was 88 years old (a good innings, as they say), and had outlived my Mum (his daughter) by over a year, but I'm still feeling very, very sad.

Grandad was a sentimental man, and for the last year has been very unhappy. I saw him yesterday, and he looked unwell, and exhausted, so it was no great shock, but still a loss. He was scared about going into hospital yesterday, worried that he wouldn't come home and thanks to some internal bleeding and a heart attack, he didn't, but he was comfortable when he died, and with my father and one of my aunts.

There will be a lot of sorting out to do - family politics as well as his belongings, but right now, it's just a time for sadness, reflection, and to think of the happy times with him.

"You can shed tears that he is gone,
Or you can smile because he lived,
You can close your eyes and pray that he will come back,
Or you can open your eyes and see all that he has left.
Your heart can be empty because you can't see him
Or you can be full of the love that you shared,
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember him and only that he is gone
Or you can cherish his memory and let it live on,
You can cry and close your mind be empty and turn your back,
Or you can do what he would want: smile, open your eyes,love and go on."

A pain in the neck

2007-12-18T22:18:00.000Z

Writing

Does Christmas Cards count?

Knitting

I did a lot of knitting on the train, and so have done about 15" of my silk scarf - it will be a selection of lace patterns - God was I getting bored doing the same thing all through!

Life

The cold I've had for the last two weeks is now just a cough, but it's sufficiently annoying that it's given me a stiff neck, and stiff shoulders. It probably doesn't help that I'm tired. Last night I couldn't sleep, partly because my beloved (who also has this cold) was snoring VERY loudly. I decided to take myself off to the spare room, which would have been fine, had books not started falling off the shelves above the bed at about five this morning.

Four hours sleep for me then! How lovely!

When I told my piano teacher this, she felt sorry for me, although looked a bit confused when I revealed that at no point did I think to protect my head with my hands or arms.

D'Oh!

I finished reading Judy Astley's Pleasant Vices today. It was recommended by my aunt, and although it was amusing in places, I must confess that it didn't do a lot for me. I found the characters unconvincing; I kept thinking "she wouldn't do that"! And when you feel that way, the book hasn't absorbed you, as it should. Still, it got published - there's hope for us all!

More holidays than Thomas Cook

2007-12-13T18:06:00.000Z

Knitting.

We're off to bonny Scotland tomorrow, and so I'm taking my silk scarf for the long journey to Glasgow. I hope to sleep some of the way, and admire the views of the lakes too, but there's going to be a lot of time left for knitting and reading.

The hat is coming along, but I'll leave that here - just easier.

Writing
Last night was our writers' group (et al) night out, which was great fun. We went for a scrummy meal (Indian), and the restaurant was pretty empty except for us, so it was civilised and silly at the same time.

Life
I've been accepted to train as a Funeral Officiant! This is very exciting news, and something I've wanted to do for a while. There's a lot of work ahead, and then a lot of work selling myself, but it should be brilliant! It might even warrant a separate blog.

Tired

2007-12-11T16:05:00.000Z

Knitting

I've started on a cloche hat. I saw someone walking around town last week in one, and I fell in love with it. If the pattern works, I might try another to match a scarf I've also started, but let's see how it goes first.

Writing

One of my writing crew has got an agent! I'm so happy for her, and a little jealous, of course. She's been working on this book for years, and she is a very skilled writer, so although she's got some work to do, I hope it all comes together for her.

Life

Tired today - eating a load of rubbish food at work doesn't help, but it's the only way around the boredome.

Long time no blog, almost long time no bog

2007-12-09T17:50:00.000Z

Hello!

It's been a while. First there was week in Turkey, and then a week recovering!

Knitting

Mandy's scarf was completed on holiday. I'd remembered to take some Christmas wrapping with us, so it was dropped off on the way back.

Kelly's socks are also done, and have been wrapped and are waiting to go.

As all this stuff was done, I wound the skeins of silk bought at Ally Pally into balls, and am now thinking about scarves etc for moi.

I was going to make a hat with the same yarn, but I think it will eat into this particular yarn too much, so I'm using up some stash to make a little cloche number.

Writing

Following the completion of first draft (yippee!) I sketched out the synopsis on my hols, but I'm giving the novel a rest until after Christmas.

I had my assignment back from the Writers' Bureau course - full of praise - I really should try to get that published. I AM trying to get the bugger published, but how long do I leave it before hassling them? Oh, the trials.

The first 1,000 words or Ursula are going off to the "Wanna be a writer" competition. The first prize is a trip to Caerleon (haven't been there for about 20 years!), including an hour long session with Jane Wenham-Jones. All competitions are worth entering - I'll be punting that book everywhere this year.

Life

The bathroom is nearing completion. The lovely Paul was here while we weren't to put it all in, but there were probs with the loo - all to do with waste positions (eeuuuggghh!).
Anyway - all now sorted, and despite falling tins of paint (glad I found that before the cat did), unstable loos, and dreadful weather (delaying things slightly), it's all beginning to look fab. Should hopefully be finished by tomorrow (bar the flooring - sort that out after Christmas).

Apart from that I have been rather snotty, by which I mean I have a cold, rather than snobbery being a new pastime, but I struggle on manfully, and don't like to make a fuss.

Who needs sleep?

2007-11-22T23:31:00.000Z

Life

There may be those among you who recognise this title as a Barenaked Ladies song. But it sums up how I feel today.

Sleep is vastly overrated. It's 25 to midnight, and I'm here, after having looked up the address of my nearest Argos Extra (need to get a light for the bathroom), and trying to work out if I'm hungry or not.

I've just gone for a couple of bourbon creams - that's better.

Life is crashing around me at the moment, not in a negative way, just in a busy one. Off on hols in two days, so I'm stressing trying to get everything done. We're having a new bathroom put in while we're away, so I'm stressing about the prep work we need to do for that. Then the day after we come back, I have an interview for a new job. These are all lovely things, but lovely can still be stressed, especially when you add to that the fact that the cat is going into a cattery for the first time since she's been with us - will she revert to psycho type on her return?

Plus, if I get this new job, I will be very happy, and extremely skint. For God's sake, I'm 40 years old, without a shred of savings, and no contingency money at all. When will I grow up?

Knitting.

I've finished the first of Kelly's socks, and am a short way through the second. All good so far.

Writing.

Have done bugger all, but plan to write my synopsis on holiday, as well as re-draft the first 1000 words for a comp.