Fairy lights aren't just for Christmas...

Continuing with the Birmingham photo theme.... I walk past these magic trees in the grounds of the Cathedral every evening on my way home. I will be a little bit sad when it is too light in the evening to see the fairies in the trees.

This weeks train knitting has been Kerry's Christmas socks...

I think they might be ready for your birthday! Looking cool though :0) I just hope they are not too big!

A lovely weekend

It was such a lovely sunny day today Tony and I had a trip out to the seaside. Seeing as we live just about as far from the sea as is possible in the UK, this was perhaps a little bit silly... but with views like this it was worth it!
Barmouth Estuary

And what could be better than chips at the seaside! (Sadly, Sizzlers Burger Emporium was closed!)


After my visit to Nottingham on Saturday I am pleased to report that baby Joshua is just gorgeous, I forgot my camera (doh) , but I did make Cath take some photos of Joshua, his new blanket and I. The blanket was very well received :0) as was the orange Chevvy van for Toby and the Chocolate for Cath & Phil.
I didn't quite have time to finish this before heading off to Nottingham, so I'll put it in the post tomorrow. Every baby needs a tank top!



Pattern: Oz Vest from Louisa Harding's Natural Knits for Babies and Mums.
Yarn: Left over DB Cashmerino from Joshua's Blanket
Size: - 0-3 months
Started: 22nd Jan
Finished: 27th Jan
Comments: This is the second time I've used the Oz Vest pattern, it is a really quick baby knit. I love the stripes and they work much better with the garter ridges than I expected. I crocheted around the armholes, as I find this easier and neater than picking up stitches.

Joshua's Willow Blanket

Horay, it is finished :0)

Sorry for the poor photo, but I wanted to share my excitement with everyone. I'll try and get a better photo at the weekend, maybe I'll manage to get a photo of Joshua with his blanket too!
Pattern - Willow Block from Jan Eaton's 200 Crochet Blocks with made up shell edging.
Yarn - Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino - I think I used about 17 different shades... probably about half a ball of each.
Started: 4th January
Finished: 20th January
Comments: I am amazed how well so many different shades of this yarn go together, but the finished blanket really does gel. I wanted this to be as random as possible, which is hard for my symmetrical brain to cope with, but I think it works. I love the block design, it looks complicated but really isn't and is easy to memorise. If I did it again I think I would use cream and two complimentary colours in each block, as my favourite squares are the ones with cream in.
I wonder what else I can make for the new little man before Saturday??

Progress on little Joshua's blanket continues at a pace

All other knitting and crochet has been put to one side to try and finish this by next Thursday... 5 more squares and a border left. My favourite square so far is the third row down, second from the left; yellow, white and blue. I think these would be great colours for a complete blanket. Which is your favourite?
I think I may have been inspired by this wonderful ceiling:

I walk past it every day and I thought it was about time I took a photo. It is Bennetts bar on Bennetts Hill in Birmingham; I think it used to be a bank.
There are lots of fabulous buildings with amazing details really near my office, I'll try and take a few photos over the next couple of weeks. Here are two I took the other day

UK Swap Questionnaire

My first swap of the year is going to be the UK Swap

I've seen it advertised on a few blogs and on Ravelry and thought it would be fun to get to know more UK knitters. I've had such positive experiences when swapping within the UK before, I hope this time is as successful.

Sign ups are open until 21st Jan if you are in the UK and interested.

Part One: Crafting

Do you knit, crochet, or both?

Both. I've been knitting since I was small and crocheting for a couple of years after being taught by a friend.

What do you like to make?

Socks have been my addiction. I've spent most of the last few years making presents for children, jumpers/scarves/hats etc. I've also made a few crochet baby blankets. My first lace stole last year was a great success and very rewarding. 2008 is supposed to be the year of making things for me, including some larger items like jumpers.

Do you have a favourite project?

My most rewarding project was the Mystery Stole 3 I made last year.

My favourite thing to wear are my stripy jaywalkers. They make me smile.

Do you have a favourite type of fiber or brand of yarn?

I'll try almost anything. However anything with some cashmere in probably would win if there was a contest.

Do you have a least favourite type of yarn?

Novelty or furry yarns that are hideous to knit with.

Do you do any other crafts?

I was bought a sewing machine for my 30th birthday last year, and I am slowly learning to use it.

What knitting do you bring ‘on the go’?

Socks - always have an unfinished sock with me

What do you carry your ‘on the go’ knitting in?

I've made a few sock bags which fit needles and yarn

Do you want something new?

Not particularly... but I am a sucker for bags!

Are there any knitting gifts (book, toy, yarn, item, tool) that you have been lusting over?

I have promised myself I am not buying any sock yarn this year, however the following are on my sock yarn wish list:

(a) Kaffe Fassett - Regia sock yarn the stripy one

(b) Dream in Color - Smooshy. I love the purple colourway.

(c) Noro sock yarn (don't even know if it is available here but I know I would love it)

(d) Sock yarn with some bamboo content.

Other than that I would really love some purple laceweight (preferably with some cashmere content or Malabrigo)

I have a wish list on Amazon I keep fairly up-to-date. The vogue socks book is at the top of the list.

Part Two: Your Favourites

What is your favourite colour?

Purple

What is your least favourite colour?

I don't think there is much I don't like.

What scents/smells do you like?

Lavender. My favourite perfume is Flower by Kenzo if that helps.

What don’t you like?

Musky type smells.

How do you like to pamper yourself? (bubble bath, hand creams, massage, manicure)

Handcreams are always good.

What goodies to you like to treat your tummy with? (chocolate, biscuits, truffles, etc.)

Chocolate, yum. Don't really like truffles or any kind of chocolate with alcohol in. Everything else is good.

Do you prefer tea or coffee while you knit? Any particular kind?

Tea - peppermint or redbush.

Favourite mug/cup?

My Edward Monkton china mug from here - I love drinking tea from a china mug/cup.

Do you listen to/watch anything while you knit? (TVshow-Along, movies, music, podcasts)

I listen to Cast On and Lixie Knits it whilst travelling. I usually knit in the evening, the TV may or may not be on! Favouite music is a bit of a mix between cheesy pop and 90's/00's indie! Think Take That, Wonderstuff, Arctic Monkeys, Little Man Tate. I had the latest Live Lounge album for Christmas and that is fab.

Part Three: Living & Past-times

Where do you live in the UK? (General idea not address)
Wolverhampton

Have you always lived here, or did you grow up somewhere else?

I grew up here, moved to Sheffield for University and then to London for work... I came back home in August last year.

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Australia - to see friends or somewhere in the middle of nowhere on holiday - probably Scotland actually!

If you couldn’t go to a knitting group, what other kind of gathering would you go to? (book club, tea party, yoga class, jewelery class, etc.)

A tea party sounds like fun.

What’s your style? (elegant, traditional, glamourous, girly, natural, sporty, outgoing, etc.)

I don't really have a style... just lots of purple things

Final Part:

Any allergies/preferences (fiber-wise or treat-wise)?Nope...

Anything we missed that you’d like your partner to know?
Please don't think that I expect you to buy any of the things above :0) I just wanted to give you an idea of the kind of things I would like.

My first finished object of 2008....

is... a pair of socks, surprise surprise! These are for my Vintage Sock Swap pal and went in the post at lunch today.


Pattern: Gentleman's Sock for Evening Wear by Nancy Bush from Knitting Vintage Socks
Yarn: Regia Silk Color in Burgundy (32)
Needles: 2.5mm
Modifications: I cast on 64 stitches, knit 15 rows of 1x1 ribbing then went straight into leg pattern. Heel was worked over 30 stitches in a sl1k1 on right side and sl1 p to end on wrong side over 30 rows. I decreased to 60 stitches after heel.
Comments: The pattern was far easier to memorise than I thought it would be. I like the chevron shapes of the purl rows and think this would look good in self striping yarn, if you could get the stripes to line up. Knitting the pattern on the front of the sock certainly made things faster.

Blanket Update

This week has mostly been about hospital visits but I have taken some time out to work on the blanket for Joshua. What do you think so far?

I have also spent too much time on Ravelry, looking at patterns and wondering if I should knit him a hat or a jumper or socks or maybe all three. If I'd actually spent that time knitting then they might be done by now! Ooops.