Whitby

After much flicking through books and browsing on Ravelry I finally decided on a pattern for the canary posh yarn. Thanks for all of the suggestions.
I wanted something with cables and here we have Whitby from Nancy Bush's "Knitting on the Road". I haven't knit anything from this book before, so I feel like I am using something old from my stash, just my book stash not my yarn stash!
It is exactly what I wanted, fits like a dream and is a really easy pattern to memorise. This is a picture taken on the train to London this morning. Yes the man next to me did think I was odd.

Here we have progress as of tonight. One (or maybe two) more repeats and then onto the toe. I love socks on 3mm needles! Unfortunately I don't think the pair will be finished in time for the Ravelry fun day at the Crafty Cottage in Warwick on Saturday, not unless I skip work tomorrow!

Models

Owen's Birthday jumper was finished on Sunday evening and in the post on Monday. I ended up wrapping it sat at my desk at work, which is where this photo was taken

Pattern: Catch Sweater from Louisa Harding's Miss Bea's Playtime.
Yarn: GGH Samoa, 50% Cotton 50% Microfibre. 1.5 balls Turquoise and 2 balls of green)
Started: 14th February
Finished: 24th February
Comments: A very quick easy knit. I modified the pattern to knit in the round up to the armholes. I also knit the neck edging in the round and grafted the shoulder seams.
This morning I got a picture from Non's phone of the birthday boy in his new jumper. Yeah! It fits :0)

On Sunday I managed to find another model for a recent knit. Josh looks very cute in his tank top!

And it was all yellow....

I think I've worked out why I feel compelled to knit some yellow socks. I saw these in the garden of the new house today. I love spring.

I bought this "sproingy" Posh Yarn Emily last Sunday (along with a few things for my UK Swap Pal).

It feels amazing and I can't wait to get started. Just have to choose a pattern. I'm thinking Uptown Boot Socks or maybe Conway
Any suggestions? I want something fairly easy to memorise so I can knit them on the train.
I won't have to wait too long to cast on, as my February "Socks from the Stash" are finished:

Pattern: Monkey from Knitty, but with knit instead of purl stitches.
Yarn: Yarn Yard Sock Yarn in Peppermint Pink, about 60g.
Needles: 2.5mm circulars and dpns
Started: 30th January
Finished: 21st Feburary
Comments: Brilliant pattern, really fast doing the no-purl version. Love them!
I've done the random number generator and the socks for March need to be knit with this:

Tonight I'll be trying to finish Owen's birthday Jumper only about 1/4 of a sleeve to go.

Belgium and Birthday Presents

Firstly Belgium.....

The first two days were great, we wandered around Brussels, went to Bruges, did some shopping (for beer, I didn't buy ANY yarn despite visiting a couple of shops), drank beer, chilled out. The Tony got food poisoning from some evil quiche, so we spent Saturday night and most of Sunday in the room at the B&B watching BBC TV - not really what you go to Brussels for. Never mind, every holiday can't be perfect!
However, the time spent in the room did give me chance to finish Tony's Birthday socks.

I'm not entirely sure what went wrong, but the second sock is loads tighter than the first. I wonder if my gauge has really changed that much since October (when I knit the first one)? Or maybe I used a 3mm needle without realising it for the first one. Or maybe it makes a big difference knitting socks in one go rather than for 20 mins a day on the train. Who knows.. they fit ok and he will probably only wear them in the house so it doesn't really matter!
Pattern: Retro Rob Socks from Favourite Socks (Interweave)
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Denim
Started: October 2007
Finished: Feb 2007 - (one sock was finished for Christmas!)
Comments: Really easy pattern and I think it looks quite good in the variegated yarn. It is a pity they aren't the same size!
I also managed to finish the Flowers Wrap in time for my Mom's Birthday.

Pattern: Flowers Wrap from Interweave Crochet Winter 2007
Yarn: Pura Lana Ecologica in Charcoal (about 17 skeins)
Hook: 4mm
Comments: The pattern is well written and easy to follow. The finished wrap is really quite soft despite it being made from pure wool. It is also quite heavy, but should be a good cover up. I bought a shawl pin so my Mom can fasten the wrap across her. I'll try and get some modelled photos soon!
Now onto the last birthday project for a while... a jumper for my Godson, Owen, who will be 1 in a couple of weeks.
This is Catch Sweater from Louisa Harding's Miss Bea's Playtime. I knit in the round until the armholes, have finished the back and don't have too much of the front to do. It will have turquoise arms and green cuffs. A jolly spring jumper I hope... and I am convinced it won't be too small!

In knitting for me, the second of my Monkey's is at the heel flap and I've swatched for Rogue, which will be the next thing on the needles I think! Hope you are all enjoying the sunshine this weekend.

That was quick!

One finished No-purl Monkey. This felt like the quickest knit ever.
Don't they go well with my purple Crocs?
However instead of casting on for the second I decided I really ought to make a start on the second of Tony's Christmas socks... ooops. I should have lots of knitting time on the train this weekend as we are off to Brussels on Thursday for 4 nights.
Whilst out getting Euro's at lunchtime I took a few more Birmingham photos....

Sock from my stash

After hearing about a new kind of sock club from Roobeedoo I decided I must join; as we all know how much sock yarn I have. January disappeared in a blink of an eye but I am determined to keep my resolutions and (a) use up some of my sock yarn and (b) knit for myself....
My random yarn for February is Yarn Yard sock yarn in "Peppermint Pink". I bought this with the intention of making some Monkey socks for me; as I loved the Koigu pair I made as a present last year. I've decided to knit the purl stitches, so these are flying along... this is how far I got on my daily commute yesterday.

Talking of knitting for myself. I am going to cast on for a jumper today... I've been Ravelry surfing all morning and I'm still unsure.
1. Rogue in the purple aran I bought back from Ireland (nearly 2 years ago)
2. Placed Cable Aran again in the purple aran from Ireland
3. Phyllo Yoked Pullover (Ravelry link) from Knitting Nature, in light blue calmer I bought in the sales. I like this one
4. Ms Marigold - with a higher v neck in purple matchmaker

I think number 1 is winning in my head at the moment.... what do you think? Or should I start on my Fyne vest?

UK Swap Topic of the week 2 and 3

I got my match for the UK Swap last night, am looking forward to this! I've already heard from my swap pal (a lovely e-card, thank you) and I've dropped my pal a line too :)
I thought it was about time I answered the last two weekly topics
Q: Do you subscribe to any magazines (knitting or otherwise)? Or do you prefer to purchase magazines at the newstand? Do you subscribe online to any knitting magazines/newsletters? What does a knitting magazine need to have to catch your fancy and get you to fork out that well-earned cash?
I subscribe to Interweave Knits and Interweave Crochet via P&M Woolcraft. I also get Yarn Forward; and have renewed for the next 4 issues as I think it has great potential. I used to get Simply Knitting, in fact I think I have them all.. but I have only knit about 3 things from the magazine in the last 4 years and I am a bit sick of seeing the same things every month so I've cancelled my subscription. I make sure I always look at the new Knitty and Magknits. I'm looking forward to The Inside Loop.

Q: What is your process when planning a project? Do you shop for yarn and then find a suitable pattern? Do you find your pattern and then go out to buy the yarn? Or are you stash-busting? If your stash is out of control, how did it get that way?
When I started knitting again I went a bit mad and bought loads of stuff off ebay... most of which I have now sold! I am a sucker for sales, but was *quite* restrained this year, I'm trying to buy yarn with projects in mind rather than just because it is a bargain or I like the colour. If I have a certain project that I really want to knit I will probably buy the yarn for it if there is nothing in the stash. Sock yarn is my big downfall.... as it is easy to buy a skein of something beautiful and not feel too guilty!