princessdeia

So I have finally finished all the pieces for Spring Fling (and still have no batteries for my camera), they just need blocking and sewing together – I was looking at it today, I think I will look for a tie on the front rather than using a hook and eye. I figure two i-cords about a foot long each will do.

I still have loads of wool left from this project and some other colours (It was originally meant to be Florence – which was fair-isle), including a lovely denim blue colour – which I have decided will become a One Skein Wonder – well everyone else is making it – and it will be perfect for the summer.

I was going to turn the remainder of Spring Fling into another OSW – but I think will save it for another project. (I still have a list of orders from people.) I did see some wonderful colours for the Paton’s at Hobbycraft over the weekend – including a fab green – but I think I want to make a darker green top (to go with my combats) – I think I might make Glampyre’s Minisweater – aka the boobholder . I just need to find the exact shade.

I have done no more knitting to the Mystery Stole and the next clue is released tomorrow – I knew I was going to be behind – but not this behind Still it is fun to knit and I am enjoying the knit along – I love reading the message board each morning with my cup of coffee.

John Lewis and Liberty both have sales starting this week – and I am trying not to rush down there and creating a massive stash – but then I should start thinking about winter projects – especially as I was intending of knitting scarves as presents – oh I might as well pop down there and see what they have.

EDIT:I have just realised I can’t go into Central London this weekend as is it Live 8 – still at least I can stay in to Saturday relax, watch TV and of course knit

I seem to have turned all my Hobbycraft buys into project and I have three new WIPs.
I have managed to complete clues one and two of the mystery stole - and was about to start clue three last night - when I read it was the main bulk of the stole and rather concenrate on that - I cast on the scarf I was planning in the Sirdar’s Duet (as I am doing it in garter stitch), as I was knitting, I noticed how the scarf looks like Double Choc Ice Cream - so I have named it the Double Choc Scarf - perfect for a summer evening.

Then this morning my correct seed beads arrived - so I cast on MaryElla (finally) - it looks so tiny like something an doll would knit, I must get some batteries for my camera to take some photos.

Yarn: Jo-Ann Sensations Catalina in Water .
Pattern: Simple Garter Stitch.
Needles: 10 mm.
Notes: Normally, when I knit a scarf in purl I slip the first stitch to neaten the edge - however, this doesn’t work on garter stitch, so I knitted to the last stitch, brought the yarn forward and slipped the last stitch knitwise. This created the same neat edge.

I am in a little bit of a knitting slump at the moment – I have still got to finish Spring Fling, however, I am not in the mood to knit a big project – I preferred knitting my socks or a scarf. I cast on Branching Out with the green crochet thread I got in America, but I don’t think there will be enough – so I was going to get some Rowan Lurex Shimmer to make a stripe scarf – maybe in Feather and Fan pattern.

I signed up for the Yahoo Mystery Stole Along, as I love puzzles and the idea of only having a few rows of a pattern really appealed – I am a little behind on this Knit Along as it started a few weeks ago, but hopefully, I can catch up and then get solving the clues to work out the next part of the pattern.

So I finally managed to get to Hobbycraft on Sunday - and spent a fortune - they didn’t sell the DMC Perle 8, I needed for my MaryElla – they seemed to only sell Anchor threads, I got a few colours - but they only have a limited range – however, I did find a place online that sells the thread so I can order it.

They didn’t really sell a lot of wool in Hobbycraft – mainly Sirdar and some Paton’s – all DK cotton – but there were some lovely colours… I did buy

• 2 balls of Sirdar Duet in a gorgeous brown shade –for a scarf.
• 4 balls of Sirdar Snuggly 4ply – for the Mystery Stole Along.
• Some 10mm needles – not photographed as I am using them on a project.

I just love getting parcels in the post, I ordered a few things online this week - some stuff for my Secret Pal and some for me and most of it arrived this morning. The biggest package was from Stitch’ n’ Craft, I have been wanting to make some MaryElla bracelets from knitty as gifts, and I have loads of DMC Floss and beads - so all I needed was the needles - which it appears are really hard to get hold of. After hunting around online, I found Stitch ‘n’ Craft sold the needles, but then I discovered all there beads - so many pretty colours and so I had to order more.

Today when my package arrived, I discovered that seed beads actually come in sizes (I thought seed bead was the size ) as I looked at the beads one tube looked fine, but the other 3 tubes were filled with tiny beads - I could just about make out the hole in the middle - let alone thread them into cotton - assuming I could find a needle that small. I have now discovered (from this site) that seed beads have sizes, and I needed size 11 not 15.

Not to be deterred, I found some black beads in my stash and white floss and realized the DMC floss, I have is 6 thread floss and not Perle 8 - like the pattern called for - so at the moment, I am feeling a little silly and extremely embarrassed. Not to be deterred, I am off to Hobbycraft this weekend to try again.

Seeing, as I love parcels, I thought it was about time I spread some joy and send my first part of the Secret Pal gift - especially, as I got the finally part of the first present today - and some of the bits for the second gift - I just have to go to the post office to buy an envelope and sent it.

Yarn: Opal Elemente in 1075 .
Pattern: “Sock it to ‘em” Starter Kit Pattern.
Needles: 2 mm DPN’s (5 needles).
Notes: I was a little scared of knitting with DPN’s, I had heard horror stories about ladders and missing stitches, but this pattern was really easy to follow, it was a little strange on the first few rounds of the rib - but by the time I got to the knitting part it was very easy.

The only real issues I had with the pattern were the live grafting, however, the instructions on Knitty were really helpful here.

Seeing, as Rox has posted the list of participants in Secret Pal 5 – I have taken it upon myself to investigate further the identity of my spoiler… the problem is that the list has over 650 people on it – I did think of going through the UKnitter’s List and hope that they are on it.

But I am slowly sorting through all 650 – starting with all the ones ending in .co.uk – and hoping they do not use blogger or something. It did occur to me today that I might already be reading this persons journal or that they might be a member of britknits at livejournal so I have read there posts – but at the moment I am still no closer to guess who it is – J.B Fletcher would be disappointed.

My socks are looking great (photos soon) – I have been catching up on all the TV I missed whilst away, (it seems Smallville is great to knit along to). I am not sure what to do with the extra wool… the gift pouch seems like a great idea, if giving the socks as a gift – but these are for me.

I guess I shall have to hit google and see what patterns I can find.

Well now I am home – still in American time – but slowly getting use to the idea the holiday is over… and since I have been back, I have been playing with my new toys…
Waiting for me when I got home was a package from Get Knitted – addressed to SP5, inside was a “Sock It To ‘Em” Starter Kits – containing everything I needed to start knitting socks, the pattern, the self-patterning wool (in a fabulous blue colour), the DPN’s, stitch markers and even the darning needle to weave in the ends. So since I have been home I have been knitting socks.

Well the rest of my holiday involved baseball, eating and a whole lot of drinking. In Chicago I didn’t manage to get to Arcadia, and so didn’t manage to buy anything from my knitting shopping list, I did find Close Knits in Evanston (it was near one of the bars we drunk in), and get a Clover Chibi Jumbo Darning Needles set – in green not pink.

Also on the drive back to New York, we spend the night in a motel and in the morning I discovered we were across the road from a Jo-Ann, I wasn’t overly impressed with there selection - however, did get some great wool for summer scarves.

Still no knitting has been done – I thought I might be having withdrawals – but no shaking as yet.
I have been doing some research online for stores and have planned a few store I want to visit – I am going into Evanston this afternoon – to hopefully get some goodies.

Whilst in Barnes and Noble (getting my coffee fix in Starbucks), I was reading the back cover of At Knit’s End, it asks if you have ever planned a holiday around visiting yarn stores – oh dear I can tick that box too now.

Finally, today is Knitting in Public Day, and as we might be going to the beach at Evanston – hopefully I will get some wool and needles and can join in.

So finally I have a chance to update my journal. I made a decision not to bring any knitting on holiday with me – this is meant to be a chance for Jason and I to spend time together without worrying about his sleep patterns because of his shifts, and I didn’t think we would appreciate me knitting on the plane or in hotel rooms – of course now I really miss my needles.

With the pound being so strong against the dollar I had to do some shopping (not to much so far I am pacing myself). But I had to go to the Motherland – and as we were staying two blocks away from 5th Avenue I went to Tiffany’s and brought myself a rather lovely “d” necklace – well I had to treat myself – I also brought my sister a matching “a” necklace, so we really will look like sisters - tacky I know.

Yesterday we went to Soho and of course a trip to knitters’ New York Motherland, Purl Soho. I decided to treat myself (again) and brought the current IK – I never brought a copy of the magazine before – but was looking for some inspiration for more summer knits. Whilst flicking through the books, I saw a few ideas for presents for my Secret Pal, but I want to do a little research online first to find out which one is the best book. But I did pick up a copy of Last Minute Gifts for myself.

Last night as I was leafing through Last Minute Gifts, I was really missing my wool and needles – however, I now have an even longer list of things I want to knit and I still have to read IK. But in Chicago, I am determined to buy some wool to go with my Denise Inter-changeable Needles.

I also got an email from my the person spoiling me - and I have a parcel waiting for me at home

You are Cashmere.
You are sophisticated and luxe. You can often be
found in high-end boutiques and hobnobbing with
the upper crust. You are one of the beautiful
people and you don’t let anyone forget it!

What kind of yarn are you?
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