Role Call of knits

It seems that whenever I knit for someone else I forget to take a picture before handing it over. Lately this includes a shawl knitted in Cherry Tree Hill to one of their patterns. I'm sorry I forgot to photograph that as it was knitted in the Shetland way and I didn't really enjoy it so am not likely to repeat the exercise. I prefer the kind that start with a little twiddle of 5 or 6 stitches and somehow grow and grow until something falls from your needles in the shape of a lovely big triangle with a fancy edge.
I knitted 3 pairs of mitts for Millie. Fingerless ones for 5 year olds take next to no time and look great knitted from left over self patterning sock wool, so great that I have orders from several grown-up ladies for similar.
At the Knitting and Sewing show at the NEC Isabel ordered a cardigan from the Kasbah Collection book. We found a bargain bag of Summer Tweed in just the right shade so that is done and delivered and worn. It is Dawn if you would care to scroll down and take a look. I have also finished a pair of socks for Rosemary who has ordered a plain sweater in Kidsilk Haze. I will be able to photograph my latest completed work which is a jumper from Debbie Bliss' Coastlines, reinterpreted as a cardigan. It is knitted in some Wool Cotton I am so proud of myself for economically frogging an old knit which I skeined and soaked and reused! It is the Yoke Detail Sweater and I am really pleased with it. Maybe I'll show you sometime..

Separation anxiety

The thing is, Mr M is in dispute with the internet/phone provider. (They think he should take an 18 months contract - he doesn't) So we dont't have access at home. I am in the library just now doing a quck and random trawl. It's really frustrating and as he doesn't use it it's likely to take time and reminding. Hey-ho.
Millie has started school now and suddenly things have chenged profoundly. No more afternoon jaunts to the 'featre'. No more Tot's time. Roll on half term!

Adventures with Millie

I think it's some time since I recorded where I have been with Millie. Of course we went to Wollaton Park to see the famous foto on display. Disappointingly it was merely pinned to a board and not mounted and framed. There were comments from the judge though which went along the lines of 'the waving grasses and yellow flowers give the impression of a chill windy day enhanced by the bleached out sky' and something about the tiny crows I hadn't noticed. It made me smile. Millie is rising 5 and just saw the pretty coloured flowers.

We have been to Manor Farm Animal Centre which we heartily recommend. It's quite cheap to get in, the animals are good and there is lots and lots of indoor and outdoor play.



Health and safety donkey rides involve a crash helmet and two attendants per donkey.

We made our now annual expedition to Moorgreen Show this time in the company of Auntie Isabel who enjoyed helping with some weaving sticks in the craft tent.


Another place we have enjoyed was Conkers This was another reasonably priced venue but as I had some Tesco vouchers it was practically free. Millie had a fabulous time here. We were there practically the whole of the opening time and she is asking to go again.



We had a day out on Tuesday this week. First a visit for me to the dentist then an excursion to Attenborough. No Tot's Time of course, we were free-range but we had a lovely time in the willow garden making Teddy bear food like we did on the last one.
Now she has gone of to school and although I'll be picking her up at the end of the day on Wednesdays our trips are curtailed until half term. Looks like homework for her and housework for me! Booooo

Meanwhile, on the needles I have two shawls, a shetland style one in Cherry Tree farm and an Icarus in some purple laceweight from Cinders ,socks in some Opal self patterning yarn, one of the Hundertwasser ones, which I keep changing my mind about whether I like the colours and some in Noro Kureyon which I have a touch of second sock syndrome about.

SP Questions catch up

I have just visited by Secret Pal's blog and realised I am way behind on the SP questions. She gives such great answers I am a little disappointed that I don't do better.
What is the best thing you've ever received in the mail/post?
Well I have received lots of thrilling swap parcels. I love to get things from these Secret Pal swaps as everyone is a knitting enthusiast and likely to chose good things. I became a bit obsessed with swap bot and got some lovely packages but also some not so useful and some not at all. I have now gone through that phase thank goodness, it was getting rather expensive.
What is your proudest knitting moment??
Again I am struggling to answer. Maybe the first shawl I knitted which was Flower basket, or the first time I turned a heel. I am currently knitting a Shetland style shawl and got completely stuck on 4 rows on the triangle part. I don't know how many times I had to frog them so I have decided my recent proudest moment was when I finally got past that that point.
What is that one project that you’ve never been able to complete?
This is easier. There are two yarns I love but am struggling to work into a garment; some Debbie Bliss pure silk in a lovely coral and some Alpaca & silk in teal. I guess I just don't do soft and drapey.

Millie is a winner!

Millie entered the Children's photography competition at Wollaton Park a couple of weeks ago and has won 1st prize in her age group (under 6). Actually she would have prefered the third prize which was a £5.00 gift token but never mind.
She chose the subject herself and took the picture on my camera. The photographs will be exhibited in the Great Hall until September 1st.

Next Question

Have you ever entered your knitting (or anything else) in the fair? Would you ever consider it?

I never have entered a craft item in a fair but given the chance I think I would. I read on the Angel Yarns Forum that a member who had entered what we all considered beautiful items was unplaced and the competition was won by very traditional knits. I don't think this would deter me and I would give it a go if I had anything suitable.

Back to the Park

Now we have discovered Shipley Park we just can't keep away. We went down on Wednesday - Little Grandad, Grandma, Millie and Lily-the-Dog.
Lily looked hot;


and Millie looked cute;


despite having a little tumble which grazed her knee.
The coffee shop was out of scones but we had a great time.

There has been some knitting. I have actually done half a pair of Jaywalkers at last ( don't worry -there is no second sock syndrome- I have already started number 2) The yarn was in my very generous Birthday Swap parcel from Ggirl on Ravelry.It is from Yarnpirate and is not only fabulous colours but lovely to knit with.


I have also finished a very green jumper in Rowan Wool Cotton. Another yarn which knits really well.The edging is from one of the Nicky Epstein books, borrowed from the library and the basic shape is my old friend Martha from Studio 2





How green is that? Move over Kermit!