Oh, I forgot to tell you about my stay in Pisa, overnight, before catching the flight to Barcelona.
After I had met up with my in-laws and deposited the children with them, I hopped in taxi to the hotel near to the airport. Everything was fine, ate dinner, showered, knitted and slept.
Next morning I woke up and had breakfast and then realising I had an hour or so to kill before leaving for the airport again I decided to look out on my balcony and decide whether to use the pool or not. I stepped out, the door closed behind me and clicked ominously. It had locked me out of my room! Thankfully I was fully clothed. I climbed over the railing to the next room, no-one in.
Looking down I saw a group of about 30 people congregating in the courtyard for a photo. I shouted down. After several attempts, they were German, I made myself understood. After being locked out for only about 20 minutes someone let me back in. I was so relieved.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Monday, July 16, 2007
Where do I begin?
It has been a really strange month since I last wrote an entry. As I mentioned we are staying put, here in London. It was a difficult decision to make but on close inspection life in New Jersey is pretty similar to here, except we would leave behind friends and family if we went. The schools didn't impress us particularly and as that is a major sticking point, because of the offspring, we opted for good old English education. Anyway, I have spent the time undoing a lot of plans that we had made as we were very close to the actual move!
I also took the kids to Italy to spend a week with their grandparents, as we were of course leaving to live in America! I did a crazy thing and ended up dropping them in Pisa, catching a flight to Barcelona to meet Oli, who had a conference there, spending the weekend with him and then catching a flight to Florence to meet up with the in-laws and kids. Whilst in Barcelona I found this great little yarn store. It had some local yarn and some malabrigo, including the new lace weight that is appearing everywhere. It wasn't in such a great colour so I decided to leave it. I did buy this, however.
It is made from cellulose and looks and feels like silk. I am going to try dyeing it and seeing what happens.
This little lot is the smallish haul from the John Lewis sale. I was very good and didn't go mad, although there was a lot of great Debbie Bliss yarn. I just bought some cotton cashmere to make some baby jackets for the impending arrivals and more of the same for a cardigan for me.
These are two jackets I made for the expected twins (Did I say that my sister-in-law is expecting twins?). I used some Laines Du Nord Baby Star that I picked up in The Skein Attraction in Teaneck, New Jersey, whilst we were there on our relocation trip - the one that came to nothing!
Both jackets are the Baby Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmerman. It is a great pattern to try and very quick to get finished. Check out the Yarn Harlot's version here.
This is what I am currently knitting for myself:
It is the Loop stitch cardigan from Vogue Knitting, Winter 2005/6. I loved the texture of it and decided to knit it in Knitpicks Gloss. I had the order sent to a very kind friend in Washington as they won't ship to Europe. I will keep you updated on the progress made.
I also took the kids to Italy to spend a week with their grandparents, as we were of course leaving to live in America! I did a crazy thing and ended up dropping them in Pisa, catching a flight to Barcelona to meet Oli, who had a conference there, spending the weekend with him and then catching a flight to Florence to meet up with the in-laws and kids. Whilst in Barcelona I found this great little yarn store. It had some local yarn and some malabrigo, including the new lace weight that is appearing everywhere. It wasn't in such a great colour so I decided to leave it. I did buy this, however.
It is made from cellulose and looks and feels like silk. I am going to try dyeing it and seeing what happens.
This little lot is the smallish haul from the John Lewis sale. I was very good and didn't go mad, although there was a lot of great Debbie Bliss yarn. I just bought some cotton cashmere to make some baby jackets for the impending arrivals and more of the same for a cardigan for me.
These are two jackets I made for the expected twins (Did I say that my sister-in-law is expecting twins?). I used some Laines Du Nord Baby Star that I picked up in The Skein Attraction in Teaneck, New Jersey, whilst we were there on our relocation trip - the one that came to nothing!
Both jackets are the Baby Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmerman. It is a great pattern to try and very quick to get finished. Check out the Yarn Harlot's version here.
This is what I am currently knitting for myself:
It is the Loop stitch cardigan from Vogue Knitting, Winter 2005/6. I loved the texture of it and decided to knit it in Knitpicks Gloss. I had the order sent to a very kind friend in Washington as they won't ship to Europe. I will keep you updated on the progress made.
Friday, June 8, 2007
Back home
We arrived home on Wednesday, after a packed week of house hunting and looking at schools in Teaneck, New Jersey. We looked at loads of houses and put an offer on one, which was accepted. However, we didn't feel very connected. Instead we felt dissatisfied after visiting schools. As the week continued we started to feel concerned and then we realised that we didn't want to move from London. It was a very stressful realisation, as Oli had accepted a job there. We came back and have thought the situation through. We aren't going! Oli has flown to Brussels today to finalise arrangements for a similar post based here in London. We now have to tell everyone!
As you can see I have been a little pre-occupied and haven't done much knitting. Although I did manage to visit the local knitting store in Teaneck and purchase some needles, Elizabeth Zimmerman's surprise baby jacket pattern and some yarn to make it with. I have pictures of my finished badcaul socks to share and the beginnings of a hat. I will do that in the next post, I have to go and pick up the kids from school.
As you can see I have been a little pre-occupied and haven't done much knitting. Although I did manage to visit the local knitting store in Teaneck and purchase some needles, Elizabeth Zimmerman's surprise baby jacket pattern and some yarn to make it with. I have pictures of my finished badcaul socks to share and the beginnings of a hat. I will do that in the next post, I have to go and pick up the kids from school.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Frogging socks - the only polite way to say it!
I had such a hassle with my socks this week. I had put them down ages ago and I have not touched them, as I knew that I had to frog back and redo a short row heel that came out with holes in. I must have knit it about 4-5 times over on Sunday, when I finally had a brainwave and decided to look up an online tutorial. This one is great. It has a link to this which is also a great tutorial.Between the two I managed to finish the heel successfully and now I just have to finish both socks. I am knitting them together because I am not sure if I have enough yardage.One of them is on a circular needle, using the magic loop technique. I love it. The other is on double pins, not as fast.
This is the second sock that I frogged back to correct my short row heel. I think it looks better and it doesn't have a sieve-like appearance!
This is the first sock that I finished with a heel that is great, no holes etc, but it doesn't look as neat as it should. I can't remember how I did the increases on this one, but I am not frogging it in the name of neatness.
This one is the second sock, off my foot and looking fairly neat, although it is hard to tell as my camera is not taking good pictures - I tend to blame the tools!
This is the second sock that I frogged back to correct my short row heel. I think it looks better and it doesn't have a sieve-like appearance!
This is the first sock that I finished with a heel that is great, no holes etc, but it doesn't look as neat as it should. I can't remember how I did the increases on this one, but I am not frogging it in the name of neatness.
This one is the second sock, off my foot and looking fairly neat, although it is hard to tell as my camera is not taking good pictures - I tend to blame the tools!
Thursday, May 10, 2007
All play and no work!
My last day at work was yesterday. The children were very nice and made cards and wanted to know if I would come in for any of the post SATs programme. I am going come in for their end of year presentation. Now I have to make a list of all the things I have to do before we leave in the summer.
It feels so daunting, but I know everything will get done eventually, with large amounts of stress to carry it along.
I need to get the house into a decent state in order to rent it out. I hope that there are families out there in Hendon that would like to rent a four bedroom house. The outside painting seems to be coming along and I hope that the house will look better once the orange paint has gone.
I must do an after picture too.
On the knitting front I am continuing with my cardigan in the sock yarn. I have nearly finished the back. I has been quite theraputic knitting plain stocking stitch, but I am ready for the challlenge of cables on the front.
It feels so daunting, but I know everything will get done eventually, with large amounts of stress to carry it along.
I need to get the house into a decent state in order to rent it out. I hope that there are families out there in Hendon that would like to rent a four bedroom house. The outside painting seems to be coming along and I hope that the house will look better once the orange paint has gone.
I must do an after picture too.
On the knitting front I am continuing with my cardigan in the sock yarn. I have nearly finished the back. I has been quite theraputic knitting plain stocking stitch, but I am ready for the challlenge of cables on the front.
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Bank Holiday catch up
Oli and Gadi have finally left to go camping. It is their first trip, after talking about doing it for quite a while. Thankfully they decided that going up to the Lakes for one night was a bit ambitious. Instead they have taken Simon's advice and gone with him on the train to camp somewhere on the South Downs. They have taken a tent, a tonne of food and little else with them.
Benjamin, Lily and myself are off to meet my sister, Claire, for a civilized lunch and play in the park. We are going to take our Bank Holiday easy!
I decided that before I gave Claire her Ene's Scarf, I would try one last attempt at capturing its gorgeousness, again. Here are my attempts. You can see the lace pattern, but the colour looks a tad anaemic in the picture, in real life it is a stronger aqua colour.
I have also managed to finish the baby jacket I was knitting, which I plan to give to my cousin's new baby, Isabella. She was born on Wednesday lunchtime and I hope to see her tomorrow. I used the pattern I found in an old copy of Interweave Knits Summer 2005, the Baby Kimono. It is very easy to knit, in one piece, with a bit of sewing up under the arms. I did it in the yarn they use, Rowan Cotton Wool. I need to make a couple more for the twins that my sister-in-law is expecting.
Finally, I have started to knit this for myself:
It is a cardigan, again from an old magazine pattern. It is the Loop Stitch Cardigan from Vogue Knitting, Winter 2005/6. I decided to try it in Knitpicks Gloss in cocoa, a wool and silk mix. I am really pleased with the way it knits up, but it will take a while as I am using 3.25mm needles. I managed to have it sent to a friend in Washington as Knitpicks don't ship internationally. Their yarn is very reasonable compared to brand names and they have great range. I can't wait until we move to New Jersey as I will be able to order whenever I want.
Benjamin, Lily and myself are off to meet my sister, Claire, for a civilized lunch and play in the park. We are going to take our Bank Holiday easy!
I decided that before I gave Claire her Ene's Scarf, I would try one last attempt at capturing its gorgeousness, again. Here are my attempts. You can see the lace pattern, but the colour looks a tad anaemic in the picture, in real life it is a stronger aqua colour.
I have also managed to finish the baby jacket I was knitting, which I plan to give to my cousin's new baby, Isabella. She was born on Wednesday lunchtime and I hope to see her tomorrow. I used the pattern I found in an old copy of Interweave Knits Summer 2005, the Baby Kimono. It is very easy to knit, in one piece, with a bit of sewing up under the arms. I did it in the yarn they use, Rowan Cotton Wool. I need to make a couple more for the twins that my sister-in-law is expecting.
Finally, I have started to knit this for myself:
It is a cardigan, again from an old magazine pattern. It is the Loop Stitch Cardigan from Vogue Knitting, Winter 2005/6. I decided to try it in Knitpicks Gloss in cocoa, a wool and silk mix. I am really pleased with the way it knits up, but it will take a while as I am using 3.25mm needles. I managed to have it sent to a friend in Washington as Knitpicks don't ship internationally. Their yarn is very reasonable compared to brand names and they have great range. I can't wait until we move to New Jersey as I will be able to order whenever I want.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
One more week to go!
I finish work next week and I can't wait. I told the children in my class today and they were disappointed, which is very sweet. They wanted to know why and were really excited when I told them that I was moving to New Jersey.
I have so much to do to sort the house out so that it is fit to rent out. It will look so good when we have finished that I won't want to leave. It's a shame that we won't get to enjoy it, but we will enjoy the rent we collect!
I have so much to do to sort the house out so that it is fit to rent out. It will look so good when we have finished that I won't want to leave. It's a shame that we won't get to enjoy it, but we will enjoy the rent we collect!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)