Sunday 26 April 2015

Small solutions


Hello,

I do have a "bit of a thing" about sock knitting - I think it is because much of it involves 
mindless knitting in rounds, and so even when I don't feel like tackling anything complicated
 that requires brain power and yet I still have an urge to have busy hands, I can knit socks. 

And the bonus is you get a very wearable and useful product at the end! 
And, there are some fantastic sock yarns to buy.

The other great thing about socks is that they are a very portable project, fitting into 
a small make-up bag size container.

So last Tuesday found me on a 2-hour train journey north to Leeds for a meeting, and my current sock project came with me. 

I did a bit of work ((honestly!)) on the train, then decided to get my knitting out - 
and here it is on my lap.


I was merrily knitting in rounds of 4 needles as usual when I met one problem - the
wool was almost broken in a couple of places, but I couldn't figure out why.

I persevered, just rejoining a new end of yarn as required when suddenly
................ disaster struck!

 I dropped my fifth needle down the side of my chair and couldn't see it, yet alone
retrieve it. "Oh no" I very politely thought! 

So there was no more knitting for me on either my outbound or return journey. 


So, of course, a new set of 5 x double point needles was required as I knit socks on 4 needles 
using a 5th needle to knit with. 

I ordered a new set on the Tuesday evening and of course was full 
of excitement when on Friday a package arrived for me. Here is a sneaky preview!


A strong smell of peppermint emanated from the packet and when I opened it I realised
 why.... stuck to the order confirmation was a peppermint teabag along with my 
new 5 x dpn needles, my new 20cm circular needle... and yes, some gorgeous sock
 wool that I was unable to resist buying! 


The sock yarn is gorgeous, such a deep red, this photo does not do the colour justice. 


Now I have been knitting with circular needles much more frequently over the last few months, 
in fact I use circular needles more often than straight ones now as they are so much easier 
to transport,  and I decided that I would give sock knitting on a circular needle a try -
 the needle I ordered is only 20cm long!! That's pretty tiny!


And here it is!
But, alas, I think a moth may have been at my wool .... I found many places where the 
wool was almost broken through. 


In the end I unravelled a long length of wool until I could no longer see any thin 
strands, and started knitting anew. 

And as for my tiny needle - I love it - it makes so much sense to knit socks, 
comprising a circular tube, on a circular needle, and given that the needle is so small it 
makes the project even more portable and most importantly.... I can't lose that elusive 
5th needle!


So, alls well that ends well... and, losing that 5th needle turned out to be a blessing in 
disguise etc. etc., without the loss of that needle on the train I would not now be 
knitting socks on a circular needle. 


And the knitting is so much neater with no joins between the 4 needles. 


So "Yay!" and "Hurrah!"to solutions that come in small sizes,
a tiny 20cm circular needle!

Do you knit on circular needles or do you prefer straight ones?

Have a good week!
xXx

Monday 20 April 2015

Weekend pleasures


Hello,

We all know this but sometimes it's good to remind ourselves....

'the simple things in life can give so much pleasure'


a line, full of washing in the sun... 


(oops, I might have to search a little deeper for the pleasure to be 
found in the resulting chaotic pile of ironing)


home baking: toss in cake



 home baking: quiche




 home baking: cheese straws




home baking = good things for the family to eat



   colour on the kitchen table...


  daughter's skateboard, residing in the kitchen.... 


Have a good week!
xXx

Saturday 11 April 2015

Some swoon...


Some swoon at a beautiful new handbag.............


 Some swoon at a shiny pair of shoes......... 


 Some swoon at an immaculately clean house............ 


Some swoon at a gleaming new car..........


Some swoon at their growing collection of their favourite yarn ............


Oh yes, a visit to John Lewis and somehow three more balls 
of this gorgeous yarn ended up in a shopping bag in my 
hand ....... how do these things happen?
Three new shades to me!!!


P.S. I have been known to swoon to all of the above!
Hope you are enjoying your weekend!
xXx