What I'm up to - no pics

I've just posted 'Fat Rant' { or rather - I've tried - it'll probably appear three times on the blog tomorrow, but right now - click the link instead. go on, it's good.}- and recommend you watch it. It's good! I got the link from Mamacate, a cool blogger from my knitlist.

So, what am I up to?

- I'm up to the armpit of the other arm of the cashmere 'I do' shrug (from Knitty, as if you didn't know by now).
- I'm past the heel of the second Colinette sock
- I haven't done any more of Sapna's CTH Pomotamus mitts
- I've done a bit of the Conwy socks

- I've booked my Di Gilpin class at Wonderwool (are you going? Builth Wells Sat and Sun 19th/20th May - I'm going on the Saturday. Sounds great!)

- I've gone to a new Knit group (last Tuesday of the month, Lower Temple St, Birmingham, 6pm) which was fun

- I've got 'Fitted Knits: 25 Projects for the Fashionable Knitter' by Stephanie Japel (mmmmm - not so sure - all pretty big yarn - might make one or two things. Kind of seems to me she found her Shtick and didn't vary it much - and when she has, not so good. Might see if Shelley would like it - you out there Shelley?) in the post.

- also 'The Natural Knitter: How to Choose, Use, and Knit Natural Fibers from Alpaca to Yak ' by Barbara Albright, with which I was more impressed. Pleased to see House of Hemp (Brits! Not North American yarn makers!) got Debbie New, she of the Lace Coracle (in Gathering of Lace) and Unexpected Knitting, a fab book I own. I may unpick the bit of a start I made last summer on a hemp top in bright greeen and make the top she's done with it in there. A lovely book, great resourse. See Carol's great review - this by someone unafraid to diss books.

- I've got 'No Sheep for You' by Knitty's Amy Singer on order from this great little bead shop round the corner doing more and more yarn (she didn't have the other books available form her distributer). Cancelled the Amazon order for her - my bit for the small shop...

- bought some hundertwasser Opal sock yarn (Colourway: Wartende Hauser, or 637A) from her too Hundertwasser was this cool artist/architect/philosopher in Vienna (where my beloved Mutti was from) - he believed in
"Colourfulness, variety and diversity are by all means better than the grey, the average grey" - and how about this, his manifesto regarding "Window Dictatorship and Window Rights":

"According to the prevailing code, however, if window races are mixed, window apartheid is infringed. Everything is there: racial prejudice, racial discrimination, racial policy, racial ideology, racial barriers, with fateful impact of window apartheid on man. The apartheid of window races must cease. For the repetition of identical windows next to each other and above each other as in a grid system is a characteristic of concentration camps. In the new architecture of satellite towns and in new administration buildings, banks, hospitals and schools, the levelling of windows is unbearable."

See why I couldn't not buy it???

- And - I've ordered 2 Rosewood 40" Destiny needles in 3.75mm from the lovely Robynn at Purlescence to complete my Cocoon/Twisted Float Shrug (I'll use these for the bits without the twisted float, as otherwise they are larger in gauge than those with (using 4mm for them)). Mmmm, can't wait - a luxury for a 40 year old (as are all the above).


And Now - now I must tidy my study/knitting room so Voddy and friend have somewhere to sleep after the 'Cabaret' party......

Progress on the knitting..... and I let slip some news

So here's the progress so far on my knitty 'I do' with the Posh Yarn - going well so far, and very soft. Of course it looks like Assbeagle ((c) Rabbitch) unblocked like this.

And here's my Conwy-ish socks - I knit the knit column through the back loop to tighten the rib - knit in Opal I dyed with Voddy last year with evil Koolaid (and the blue is from tissue paper). Quite pleased, and love the pattern (you were quite right, Brenda!) I bought Knitting on The Road, and am very pleased with it, also the Charlene Schurch Sensational book. Loving those socks!

And last (but not least) here is the progress on the Jitterbug socks - one down (but I need to recast off - too loose, would you believe it) and one 3rd of the way through or so. Click for bigger, of course. Think I'll take this as my knitting on Saturday when I see Loraine at BMAG, as it is totally chat-through-able.

So that's where I'm up to! Oh, and I've just spent 30 quid on Amazon on "Fitted Knits", "No Sheep for You", and "Natural Knitter, The: How to Choose, Use, and Knit Natural Fibers from Alpaca to Yak". Well, it was my birthday, and a big one!

I'm thinking the No Sheep one might be particularly useful if we really do move to Sydney for a year in January - looks likely....

Corset and cashmere, socks and mitts!

I'll start with the latter - I'm knitting with the colinette Jitterbug 'Bright Charcoal', which is keeping me amused with the colours despite a stocking stitch sock. I'm using 2.25mm needles which is getting what I think will be a hardwearing fabric - didn't like the gappiness in 2.5mms.

I've started the Pomotamus mitts in more potluck 'earths' from Cherry Tree Hill - these are for C's boss, Sapna, who is lovely and always admires my knitted things - so deserves these.

And - I've finished those Koigu socks! (Two minutes ago, haven't woven in ends. And probably never will - all the socks I've made myself have these ends to tuck in when I wear them!)

My favourite 2.25mm needles, and my own mistake rib pattern, using Widdershins toe-up adapted by Mel of Cabezalana for other sizes.


So - onto the corset! I have this beautiful one from Fairy Gothmother that C gave me for Christmas. I also have this Sophia sock yarn, 100% cashmere, from (of course) Poshyarn, which I think goes rather beautifully. A shawl/wrap? Or a little shrug? I'm tempted by the latter, but not sure of pattern etc.

I've got 360metres. Fun planning! Need it by the 7th when Voddy performs at Volupte for their afternoon tease.

Lastly - Anni says she's got away with bamboo dpns on several flights from the UK recently - I'll give it a try when I fly on 11th March. Thanks, Anni!