Rainbow Child

A name that is certainly fitting of my daughter thats for sure!
I started this project last June when the magazine it was in was published. As soon as I saw it I wanted to make it, even tho Neala was not in the size ranges for it, she was going to be eventually!
Its been an on/off project, I'd pick it up every so often and do a few rows, and then leave it again.
I'd actually finished knitting the main parts of it a few weeks ago, but it was going to need blocking before I sewed it up, and of course I put off doing it..but then I got a spurt of energy on and got it done, hood knitted, and the crochet border done in the space of about 3 days, just in time for Nealas 3rd birthday.

Now I mentioned a crochet border...which is interesting seeing as I can only vaguely crochet, my friend Kirsty showed me how to do trebles when I went down to see her and apart from that and doing chains, and slip stitches, thats all I can do. So the idea of doing a whole border in crochet did worry me slightly, and I was going to leave it until my next knitting group, but I was in such a good mood for finishing it, I decided to give it a go.. Ok so its not identical in any way to the original, but its as near as I could get it with my limited skills.
I did a double crochet base layer, treble crochet over the top of that and then chain 5, and slip stitch in to the treble over the top of that, and I was very happy with the result. The original pattern did do some thing similar, but was 2treble (eh?) and then another row after the chain 5, but I decided I was happy with what I'd done (before I messed it up!)
Out of all my projects so far, thats the one I feel I've accomplished the most with, and of course, I was chuffed when Ravelry asked to use my photo for the main pattern page, my daughter is in the lime light! Just as she likes it of course....

Well London is just 10 days away..I did decide it was only fitting that I should be knitting my evangeline gloves, seen as I'm going to be seeing the band that sings that song and inspired my colour choice. I did buy some Lorna's laces black purl and its gorgeous, my only problem at the moment is not casting them on! Its on the table in front of me as we speak, with printed pattern, and needles, just begging me..I really want to start them but I just want to have some thing interesting to do on the trip! Only thing keeping my hands off it, that and I've got two deadline projects going which really need doing before I go away.
Can't stop singing Evangeline now..any one would think I'm excited about some thing...

Just how much planning for a trip to London?

Ok so I'm obsessed, I admit it! Last time I went on a trip of any substance like this, I didn't knit and so read a book and listened to my ipod for a few hours, but this time, I'm a fully fledged knit in public person so I've got to make it look good.
My first thought was I need a bag, and not any bag, it had to be fairly specific for what I needed. It had to one I could clip to a belt loop, big enough to hold my work without my dpns sticking out of the top and also at the same time, being able to hold all my essentials, scissors, crochet hook for mistakes, stitch markers etc but not so big it was going to be a problem hanging from my waist.
Well I have to say it took a while, but eventually, by fluke of course, I found the perfect bag at the Yarn and Fiber company. Free shipping over $50 to the uk..*insert evil laugh* (we counted it as my christmas present mum, seen I bought Martin some thing and...) So I treated my self to my Kauni yarn (that is going on my next lace project after I finish my FC shawl) and a ball of Noro kureyon sock wool (can never have enough..) and this lovely Sereknity bag in a purple Batik. It is gorgeous! And of course, perfect for my needs.

Then of course, I've got a bag I can hang on a belt loop..I needed a decent pair of pants to travel in with said belt loop, Tesco to the rescue! £10 pair of black combat pants, perfect.
Next thought was well I'm more than likely going to be knitting socks, so thats 4/5 loose dpns in my bag..I don't want to stab any one with them thru my bag (cause you know I just would) and I don't fancy having to pick up stitchs if my knitting goes wandering whilst its being stored. Now this time I knew there was a solution. Work in Progress tubes. They are cool, they cover my dpns up whilst having a slot to let what ever is on the needles hang thru and safe. I'm doing well here!

Now I'm only left with one teeny tiny little problem.....what the hell am I going to knit?! It can't be some thing I've already started because I want the motivation of a new project, I want it to look good so I look cool doing it and people will be interested in it, but it can't be so complicated that I can't manage it without instuctions.
Of course my instinct is to get some jazzy sock wool and do some straight socks that will look good regardless of pattern, but I want some thing that will keep my mind busy.
I will tell you what is winning the battle at the moment and thats my evangeline gloves from magknits. My black purl has arrived to do them in, the pattern doesn't look *too* bad and would be interesting to do (could always tape the pattern to the seat in front of me..) but am I mad for wanting to attempt cabling in the round on a train?! I think I might be, but I'm open to suggestions! 17 days to decide....

On a different note, the new UK swap that I've gotten involved in is well underway! I'm having a great time chatting to the person who is sending stuff to me (don't know who she is of course!) and I hope we will be friends after all this is done. I'm busy stalking my person and leaving blog comments. Naturally going to London is a good oppertunity to buy some thing I normally wouldn't have access to so I'm hoping to get her some thing nice whilst I'm down there, and a few things for me because like I just said, I don't usually get the chance to see some of this stuff for real! I'm planning on at least 2 shop visits, to Stash Yarns in Putney and All the fun of the Fair just off Carnaby street. There is at least one other one I want to visit if I can, but I think I might be pushing it with 3 yarn shop visits, I know we are there for 4 days, and I've managed to off set one shop visit by telling Dave the Converse shop is round the corner on Carnaby street and I'm sure there will be a pub or some thing equally as interesting to him in Putney, I might not be able to pass off another shop..but two is enough, and from what I can see I've chosen well. And there will always be other gig/london visits in the future..
Ok see how I changed the subject and I STILL ended up talking about my London trip? Thats how excited I am and I've not even gotten on to the subject of why we are going in the first place and thats for 4 gigs in 4 nights for one of the best bands I listen to who are sadly calling it a day and these are the last gigs they are doing. Its going to be an absolute blast, and if I can walk in a straight line on the way home, it will be a bloody miracle!!

Help! My yarn is breeding!!

It is, I'm not joking! Look!


Ok so maybe not *actually* breeding, but how cute are they? I couldn't resist (yes mum maybe I should have but you know..) I do have plans to use them as heels and toes, making them radically different from the rest of the sock..thats if I have the heart to, they are just so sweet!


Ok I'm anthropomorphising yarn now...there is no hope! We won't even go in to the "adult" ball of yarn I bought with them to make sure they where supervised and looked after on the way here (actually it was some hand painted opal yarn which was at a very good price despite the Euro/pound not doing that well together..)

Oh no, they are getting away!



I'll get my coat....

Uk Swap Questionaire

Doing another pressie swap which requires I add this questionnaire to my blog :-D

Part One: Crafting

Do you knit, crochet, or both?
I just knit at the moment tho attempting crochet..slowly!

What do you like to make? Do you have a favourite project?
I'm a sock lover!

Do you have a favourite type of fiber or brand of yarn?
Not really no unless you mean 4ply sock yarn.. but I do seem to own alot of Opal sock yarn, think its the colours..

Do you have a least favourite type of yarn?
No

Do you do any other crafts?
No

What knitting do you bring ‘on the go’?
Socks! Ultimate take along project.

What do you carry your ‘on the go’ knitting in? Do you want something new?
I do have a knitting pouch that clips on to my belt loop, but I'd never say no to a new bag lol

Are there any knitting gifts (book, toy, yarn, item, tool) that you have been lusting over?
I've got a list as long as my arm bookwise which I will divulge via email if you need it , but some thing I really don't have is a set of darning needles for that all important kitchener stitch!


Part Two: Your Favourites

What is your favourite colour? What is your least favourite colour?
My favourite colour is green, my least favourite colour is yellow and pink, I don't mind yellow or pink, just as long as its not a dominant colour in some thing.

What scents/smells do you like? What don’t you like?
Hmm if I had to say, I love cut grass, don't really like a coconut musk smell

How do you like to pamper yourself? (bubble bath, hand creams, massage, manicure)
Pamper? Whats that?

What goodies to you like to treat your tummy with? (chocolate, biscuits, truffles, etc.)
Chocolate naturally! As long as its not white..

Do you prefer tea or coffee while you knit? Any particular kind? Favourite mug/cup?
Coffee, usually whittards flavoured coffee, and I have several favourite mugs!

Do you listen to/watch anything while you knit? (TVshow-Along, movies, music, podcasts)
Not in particular


Part Three: Living & Past-times

Where do you live in the UK? (General idea not address)
I live in Wigan

Have you always lived here, or did you grow up somewhere else?
Always lived in Wigan bar a few months when I was born, and when I moved in with Martin before coming back to Wigan!

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Japan, I'd love to visit Japan. Love the blend of east and west, all their cute kitch stuff (hello kitty, pokemon etc!) and all the technology/gadgets, ideal place for me!

If you couldn’t go to a knitting group, what other kind of gathering would you go to? (book club, tea party, yoga class, jewelery class, etc.)
Probably a book club.

What’s your style? (elegant, traditional, glamourous, girly, natural, sporty, outgoing, etc.)
Gothy, I have an upbeat personality, but I dress in black most of the time!


Final Part:

Any allergies/preferences (fiber-wise or treat-wise)? Allergies, don't send me any fresh tomatoes, its not a pretty sight, and my chocolate preference is dark and mint ;-)

Knitting podcasts but no ipod?

If you'd like to get in to the world of podcasts but thought you might need an ipod to use itunes or some thing along those lines, then I insist you check out my other blog on the subject, No Ipod required as you may be surprised at what you can achive without shelling out £100s for a gadget you don't really need!
Hope this helps some one!

Toe up master

For ages I've been wanting to do the Lolita Legs from knitty but have been scared of their toe up construction, I've actually tried to start them twice, and frogged them back as the toe just didn't work at all. And then I found a square toe cast on and that seemed to fair much better for me! And it was a success! I did have a bit of a problem with the short row heel, but seen as I didn't have to wrap the stitches as they are holey any way, good job...
Just hope they are going to fit now! I'm doing the larger size on smaller needles as my 3.5mm have gone walkies (actually I think I've just remembered where they are..) and I'm hoping that will counter act the effect (pattern didn't give a gauge any way). I'm doing them with Espirit, and it is really stretchy, I keep giving the foot a tug and I'm hoping that it will fit, I'm sure it will.

I don't think this is what the designer had in mind...

Ah, new month, new Magknits! This month, to catch my eye, there is was a fantastic pair of fingerless gloves, but I noticed them on two levels, firstly was the fact that they look fantastic as a long pair of gloves, the cables are stunning, I wasn't so enamoured with the short pair, but fell in love with the long ones straight away. And the second eye catcher was their name, Evangeline, the designer made a lovely comment about the name being her Grandmothers, and how she would have loved their elegance, but oh no, I didn't, my first thought was a song...by the same name...about a dominatrix!







No, I don't think the designer intended the fact I was going to make these gloves in a goth homage to a fantastic song and a fantastic band who have unfortunately decided to call it a day and their last concerts are at the end of Feb, which of course I'm attending! Whether I'll have the gloves ready by then I don't know, I've picked out the wool I want to use in the shape of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted in Black Purl (mmm purple and black, perfect!), and I guess if I knuckle down, buy the wool, I'd be able to do it. 51 days till the first concert..thats enough time right?
"Bow down and worship the whiplash queen.." no thats definitely what she had in mind!!

Ok, in other news! I've not mentioned my Spindolyn, that finally arrived!


It was nearly destroyed on arrival, by 2 delinquent boys who stole the package before I even knew it had arrived in the house, opened it up and then decided to throw the whole thing out of the window, I was livid and very nearly cancelled christmas, I had no idea they'd done it until several hours later when Martin came home and asked what had been in the package that arrived early that morning, we eventually found it in the back garden, a bit muddy, but thankfully no worse for wear and I managed to restrain myself from throwing their treasured toys out the window, tho I was sorely tempted..
Do I know how to use it properly? Do I hell as like! Doesn't stop me trying tho! I've had a bit of a go and I guess it looks ok? Not sought a second opinion yet...

That was done with some super soft Blue Face Leicester, I don't think I've got my drafting quite right and its really over twisted in parts, but for a first attemp, I was quite pleased!

Thats what I've got to play with, apart from the white BFL at the top, its all merino space dyed or just plain dyed ( there is some black on the bottom left lol) but I don't want to play with my coloured stuff until I've mastered the bfl, which might be a while yet, but hey, no rush! I'm just going to enjoy the learning, and I might even get some thing I can knit with eventually!