Spinning. (No gym kit required)

The idea of 'spinning' on a stationery bike in the gym never quite did it for me, but yarn spinning - using stinky, fleecy sheeps' wool, now you're talking.

Deborah Gray's drop spindle class is so wonderfully laid back I had to restrain myself from saying "What's next?" and "Hadn't we better get a move on?" At the end of the day I was rushing to ply as much wool as possible and ended up with some extremely chunky yarn. Lesson one; Breathe deeply and slowwwww it dowwwwn. I may not have been particularly good but I learned enough of the basics to produce some rather cute homespun which I wittily named 'I heart chocolate' and left the class feeling a sense of achievement and the desire to practice, practice, practice. It is easy to improve but I have a niggling sensation that I may be well on the way to another obsession. Now, where's the number for The Wool Marketing Board?

Knit more, natter less...

I've finally realised that the only way to improve is to knit and knit and knit some more. Curse that teacher who put me off all those years ago, how good would I be now if I'd kept it up. Mind you, I wouldn't have made bobbin lace. Looking forward to the Perth expo next Saturday followed by the 1st night of a new knitting group at a new shop which has opened in Perth. Might be dangerous...then again I might finally get taught how to knit socks.

Spring has sprung.

How did that happen? One minute I'm casting on a cosy cowl, next minute it's 18c and the knitting mags are full of horrible cotton knits. Bring back the snow! Looks like this may be a winter hobby after all, on the plus side at least the cowl will be finished for the autumn chills. So I guess it's time to concentrate on finishing the Christmas gifts for the sew & sews and, that's right, cast on that cable cardy. I keep peering into the bag and fondling the wool, sad I know but I don't want to put myself off knitting for life by making a pigs ear of my first major project ;\ Saw a nice baby blanket pattern today...
Haven't picked up the pins for quite a few days as we've had technical week for the production of Guys & Dolls in Perth theatre for which I'm company stage manager. Now the run has started I've got more time, funny picking up the pins after a break - immediate feel of relaxation, very therapeutic. So why am I writing this rather than finishing the cowl? Too darn hot!

Look at me ;-)

An item in a day, don't I feel clever. Lovely wee baby hat and just as I'm about to finish it someone announces the birth of a baby girl. ESP or wot?!

Call that a bargain?

£1.50 for an end of batch ball of chunky wool? I'll have that. Find a lovely pattern on ravelry and sit in the car knitting while the boys are on a karate course. Hmm, need more wool. Back to shop, pay full price, best get an extra ball. Spring arrives, anyone need a very cosy neck cowl? A bargain at £6.50!

Knit fest

Burst of energy as I finish off a few pieces but very unsatisfactory. I must stop trying to knit like I cook ie, experimentally. "ooh! That looks like a nice pattern, I'll do it using this odd ball." Except the pattern calls for cotton and the wool I used was so stretchy that Jimmy's cowl will be more use as a cumberband! Nice though!
Took a road trip to Stirling with my knitty chum, Wendy. McV's had everything you could need and some. Stayed within my budget though but let's just say I won't need to shop for a while.

Stitch 'n bitch.

Loads of lovely food and chat at Wendy's last night and some knitting & crocheting, a tonic as usual.
Even some beautiful jewellery being made in the background, get the Christmsas requests in! But the loveliest make of the night was Carol's newly completed upholstered chair - which showed off my cable cushion beautifully!
Helen is feeling a tad uncomfortable with this sudden splurge of productivity and would prefer us to get back to doing what we do best...

Withdrawl symptoms

Busy weekend, so not much time for knitting. I seem to be suffering as my fingers keep twitching! New magazine arrived this morning with another cardie i'd live to do - I haven't even cast on my last one yet! Let's hope I can resist on our visit to the wool shop this Thursday...

Grrr!

Note to self.
Don't knit at night when you're tired. Knit one row, frog one row, cuss, swear and start again.
Who said knitting was a relaxing past time?

So many things to knit, so little time...

I seem to spend more time browsing Ravelry patterns than actually knitting. Even cleaned the toilets this morning so I wouldn't feel guilty knitting this afternoon but I've yet to pick up my pins. Winter seems a good excuse to knit though daylight hours are short - note to self, nothing in black - but wool in July? Isn't that a winter hobby? The question asked by my current husband when he found me painting a watercolour during a heatwave when he wanted help in the garden. I haven't painted since just to spite him.
I've not listed the sewing gifts, you never know who might read this!!!

I think I'll start a blog...

Well I used to keep a diary...
Now, what shall I write about?
Haha, cat just fell off the back of the settee!
Lovely day...
Can you tell I'm procrastinating? The iron keeps clicking at me as I'm only half way through the white shirts but I prefer my iPad to my iron. Ha! See what I did?
...
I just had a brilliant idea while sitting on the loo. Take a Julie & Juliet style and apply it to my knitting. If I aim to produce one item a week which, incidentally is my score since I began last October ('obsessed? Moi?)then I can keep a record of it in this blog. Not sure who'll play me in the film. Julie Walters might be up to the task but Pauline Quirk or Cathy Bates might be better casting.
Oh shut up iron, I'm on it.