Sleepy

Not sure WHY I'm sleepy, because I've been sleeping really well lately, dreaming most nights. I'm almost past the complicated patterning part on the first High Country Spring sock, and I'm love love loving the Knitpro Carbonz needles. I don't know why, but I don't like curvy DPNs. Who knew?

I'm also just past the armhole on the back of Smoulder. I've finished the main body part of Blueberry shortcake, apart from the joining row. I've had to give crochet a rest lately because of some pain in my knuckle, which I had originally put down to too much internet use.

I caved in and bought this from BSK because it was pretty:



And I made up some placeholders for Rav projects. Please feel free to take copies for your own use.













In other news, I finished this:



...and it's bloody awful so it went into the bin. I think I should have used the hem treatment less. A pity.

Electronic downloads

Confused here. I would really like a (printed) copy of the Vogue Crochet special that came out on the 7th May. I've been unable to find it anywhere. Yes, I know I can download it electronically and view it on a tablet, but it's not the same. I can't understand the point of advertising a magazine if nobody can buy it! It's already cost me £3 in carparking... WHSmiths doesn't have it, Hobbycraft doesn't have it, and Hamilton News (where I can usually get Vogue Knitting) doesn't have it. I like to photocopy my patterns so I can scribble notes on them, easier than carrying the whole publication around.

Made another one-piece waterfall at the weekend; it felted quite a bit in the wash so I'm not sure who it'll fit, it certainly won't fit me. Trying to decide whether to add a peplum at the back or leave it as is. I also started a swirl baby blanket and got three wedges done. Had the laziest of weekends, casting on "Smoulder" in the Rowan colourscape chunky whilst watching films on Channel 5. I really need to up my exercise levels, I am turning into a couch potato. Also my left index knuckle has been hurting, I should really give the yarn crafts a rest for a bit.

CSM madness

Flushed with the success of a pair of (slightly too large socks) I'm organising a CSM day in Coventry in June, because apparently I'm a glutton for punishment. More information and an application form here.

I finished the shell pattern scarf and am romping along on Blueberry shortcake. At this rate I shall need to start a new project soon! Most unlike me to be so finishy-finishy!

Finished Objects

First pair of CSM socks I can actually wear. Regia Kaffe Fassett yarn, 30 rows rib, 20 rows ankle, 52 rows foot. Foot is still a smidge too long I think, will try 48 rows next time. Couple of tucked stitches in the rib but nothing major.


Sideways crochet glove in Noro Kochoran. Will write the pattern up soon. There is another glove but for some reason it came out shorter, I need to frog it.

I finally finished the sideways knitted cardigan after about six attempts. Oops.

Went for an 11 mile bike ride round Draycote Water (local reservoir) yesterday. Surprisingly I can sit down and move around today and no aches at all!

Gah...

...it would be so much easier to finish a garment and make it symmetrical if I had managed to get the pattern right on the first front (it's a sideways knit). Five attempts it's taken to make the fronts match!

On the plus side, I got a usable pair of socks off the CSM today. 52 rounds seems a lot better than 75 as per pattern. Pics soon.

Definition of annoyance

Not only that it took you two attempts to finish a garment you were hoping to wear today, but that you doubled the amount of rows in the last part and needlessly had to unpick something else to finish (this being a discontinued yarn). If you'd only read the pattern properly, you'd've had two finished garments this morning, instead of a pile of yarn and a garment that needs some tinking.

Bah!

Tinternet weirdness...

Found a fellow Raveller who'd developed a rather cute sideways-knit garter stitch glove pattern. She won't share it though, as it's somehow sentimental? I can understand photos being sentimental, but a knitting pattern? Never mind, Grumperina has a very similar pattern freely available. Although, the photos were clear enough that I could probably figure it out anyway. Weird.

Organizing a CSM day in early June and have had a rather rude email complaining that five weeks wasn't enough notice. I wonder why I am even bothering, if that's the thanks I get? Anybody would think I was some sort of event-organizing teacher as opposed to a private individual with a full time job, ffs.

A certain disorganizer has popped up again, although this time she's some sort of sewing expert too. And possibly has Aspergers. It's news to me. I'm wondering if that's anything like the conveniently-developed PTSD back in 2010? I wonder if it's because most of the knitters online have rather long memories? Tutors, asking where their fees were, being told "I'll pray for you". Yeah, I reckon that was the FSA's take too and they got disbanded...

Made another crocheted boys cap, and it fits me again. Do boys have big heads, I wonder? Crocheting a sideways fingerless glove with the leftovers, if the pattern is any good I'll post it up here.

Picked up some rather nice fair trade buttons in Hobbycraft last night. As it turned out, expecting them to have 10 of any button was too much, so it ended up being the choice by default. Busy Fingers next time I think!