New member of the family

We finally found some time today to go and get the rabbit that we promised the kids. We went to Southgate and a place called London Lops. She is a half Lop and is black. We haven't named her yet, but I will post her name once we decide. I haven't taken a picture of her yet because I don't want to frighten her with the flash, as she needs time to settle in and become accustomed to her new home. She is eight weeks old and we are keeping her in the garage until she is a little older and stronger before relocating the cage and run outside. Benjamin is at a friends and doesn't know we have bought her, he will have such a surprise when he gets home.




On the knitting front I am still working on the first cashmere sock for my Dad. It is knitting up well and I hope that I will finish it soon. I have to get the next one done, there are so many projects I have to be getting on with. Ronke from the Brent Cross knitting group suggested that I make a finer version of Clapotis with the Lorna's Laces shepherd sock that Oli bought for me in Washington. I think I may do this with the skeins of Black Purl. I wonder how many I will need for it, the pattern calls for 4 skeins of Lion and Lamb. I might have to buy some more to make sure I have enough.

A North West London Fall

This is the view outside my bedroom window, anyone would think I lived in New England!
Anyway, it should be safe for me to venture outside now, as the rain has stopped chucking down. I am going to go and pick up the extra copy of my M.A. report from the Institute of Education. It was in Museum and Gallery Education and I have finished and passed, I am so pleased! This is why I have had time to finally set up my own blog, after wanting to do it for a while.

So much to finish, so little time! I have started another project, cashmere socks, yarn from Colourmart. I have already used the yarn for a pair of socks which came out brilliantly, now I am knitting a pair in navy for my Dad. I hope to finish them for his birthday, 23rd December.

I finished knitting one of the Be Sweet magic balls from Washington. I made a scarf and here is Lily being sweet:



The scarf is lovely and soft.




I am slowly putting together Pinky Painter, a Dot Pebbles knitted doll. She has just brought out a gorgeous new mermaid one, I think that one will have to be for Lily's birthday.

Gadi's Post

I am making a scarf for Benjy,it is soft,narrow and green.So far I have been working on it for a couple of months.

The yarn haul

Gadi, 10 years old, very kindly took a picture of me modelling Gloria, from Jane Ellison for Noro, as promised. This link shows another Gloria that suffers from the same problem that my does!I still think it's too big, but my kids think it is perfect, as long as I block out the curly edges! I will block and see.




Wow, I have to send Oli on another yarn shopping spree! He chose some great stuff from Stitches D.C., but I think the owner must have been delighted when he walked in. He bought me two different colours of Lorna's Laces sock yarn in Motherlode and my all time favourite, Black Purl.It was cheaper than in England, so I was really pleased. I wanted some Koigu, but the shop didn't stock it. He also bought two skeins of Magic Ball by Be Sweet, made in South Africa. The women who make it are part of a community project and proceeds from the yarn go back to them. It is baby mohair and other yarn oddments, such as ribbon. The store has an online scarf pattern which I am going to try. I was a little surprised at how expensive it is, but what a treat! Oli brought back the Lantern Moon rosewood circular needles I requested. The store owner persuaded him that I would need 66cm long and 41cm long needles in the same size. I definately don't, but never mind!



Oli also brought back a yarn order from Knitpicks. I had it delivered to a friend in Washington as they won't send anything overseas. It is a real shame as the yarn is great and the prices are even better. I ordered some gloss sock yarn, it is merino with 30% silk in it. It is really nice and soft, with a slight sheen. I have decided to use it to knit a loop stitch cardigan from Vogue Knitting, Winter 2005/6. First I have to finish everything I have on needles. I got my hands on some double pointed 2.75mm needles which seem quite hard to come by in the U.K. They also sent some Eucalan wool wash, again unavailable here. It is great in the washing machine and as handwash, as it doesn't need rinsing out. Finally I now have my hands on a copy of the Magic Loop booklet by Bev Galaskas. I am hoping to learn how to knit socks and gloves using one circular needle.

Sleepless in North West London

I am finding it difficult to sleep, I had a bad day at work. I am not sure that teaching is as fun as it used to be! Anyway, I thought that I would update on Gloria. She is sewn up and waiting to be blocked, the only problem is that she is too big. I will have to get Oli to photograph me wearing her and then you can see. I have been slowing making progress on a Dot Pebbles doll for Lily, my daughter. She is very excited about it, and is finding it hard to wait until it is finished. It is too late to photograph and download, I'll try and get it done tomorrow. I have to show you my stash enhancement, courtesy of Oli, all the way from Washington. Again, tomorrow!

First post

I have finally found time to start my own blog! I took some pictures of a couple of the projects that I am working on. I have had a bit of a nightmare with a sweater pattern from an old Interweave Knits magazine, Spring 2003. It is called Remembering Honey and features a great lace pattern on the front. However it is this very lace pattern which has proved to be my downfall. I have had to frog it twice and I am tempted to leave it well alone.

I have almost finished sewing up Gloria, but again I find it difficult to complete it. It may have something to do with the fact that one arm is wider than the other! I have no idea how that happened.
I am so excited, Oli has been to Washington and visited the yarn store, Stitch D.C., I can't wait to see what he bought, after I had given him a wishlist.