IS IT A RECORD?

How about this for a good day's knitting!

I frogged the '2x2 ribbed' pair of socks that I showed you last time, before they got too far. The pattern just wasn't showing up, so third time lucky with this yarn! I must have been brain dead from a very busy week at school, because I have sat in the garden knitting in the sunshine, for the best part of the day; from about 11am, when I frogged the '2x2 ribs' and began the Broadripple, until an hour or so ago. I did take a break and make Mr Snoopydog some lunch, as he had been busy doing the Sainsbury's shopping and mowing the lawn etc! But hey, I think that's rather impressive speed knitting. A sock in less than a day. Perhaps I'll make the 2012 Olympic team!

I am much happier with the pattern. You can actually see it as well as appreciating the stunning colours of the Mardi Gras Jitterbug. The pattern is Broadripple, a free Knitty download. The pattern is very simple and I am using 3mm DPN's. The first sock fits perfectly and as you can see, was a very quick knit.

I haven't been totally idle today. I did complete one subject area of report writing for my class of 25, before I ventured outside. My aim is to complete them before the May half-term holiday, as Scott (our granddog) is coming to stay and I would prefer to spend time walking him than writing reports. His 'mum' and 'dad' are at a friend's wedding in Italy, and then flying back to run the Edinburgh Marathon on the 31st May, whilst Scott has a mini-break with us. BIG SMILE! Here he is......

Such a handsome boy!

Lastly, just a couple of pics of what's going on in the garden at the moment (besides Mr Snoopydog's veg, veg and more veg. I'll show you those another time.) I am a great fan of the old traditionally wild blooms, so here are a few.......fresh from 'le jardin de Snoopydog'!

Oh..... and as promised, here is the first glimpse of May Magic Circle Socks; so magic that they've begun themselves in April!

What do you think?

YES! I GOT THE EDGING DONE....

I started this baby cardi a week or so ago. It's for a family 'bump', due in June. I came across this Wendy 'HAPPY' pattern by accident whilst looking for other things in John Lewis. A ball of the 'HAPPY' yarn was just in front of me at eye level and I thought what pretty colours. I found the buttons at the same time!

The pattern was very easy to follow. The only sligtly tricky bit was the border, which is knitted separately and sewn on. Initially, I attempted to start off with my seven stitches and four row pattern about ten times without success. This was whilst enjoying a relaxing lunch, knitting and 'catching-up' afternoon at my pal josiekitten's. Obviously, I was doing too much 'catching-up' and not enough concentrating on the job in hand. Anyway, the next morning I had another go and hey presto no probs at all! It's a very pretty little cardi, but I'm not sure I would use the 'HAPPY' yarn again. It is very floppy and very splitty.

I sat in the garden this afternoon, enjoying the last free day of my Easter hols (must do schoolwork tomorrow!) and decided to frog the 'Mardi Gras' socks that I have shown the beginning of in an earlier post. I had used the Yarn Harlot's Basic Sock Recipe with the gorgeously bright 'Mardi Gras' colourway Jitterbug yarn, but they were coming up rather on the large side and very plain and I had lost interest. So, after much deliberation and days, even weeks, passing by that little sock bag hanging on the chair in the kitchen and thinking 'hmm...not liking them much, but there's nearly a whole sock completed.......' I DID IT! It's a first!!!! I hate even the merest thought of pulling something to bits. But some good has come out of it as I immediately cast on using a new pattern. It's from Charlene Schurch's book 'Sensational Knitted Socks'. It's a simple alternating 2x2 rib pattern. I'm not sure it's right for the yarn or the yarn right for it, but I'll stick with it for a bit and see how it turns out. The photo doesn't really show the pattern, but ...... well, the colours are cool!

Oh and a quick sneaky preview of what's coming in May! My May Sock Challenge pattern has been chosen. I'm going to have a go at the Anne Campbell's 'Circles Socks', using this beautiful Koigu 'Painter's Palette' yarn. Watch out for news of their progress next time!

BUILDING COMMUNITY

Stop and think..... how much do you do to foster community spirit and enterprise in your neighbourhood?
Just had to post this little gem found on the Syracruse Cultural Workers site . It made me think how self-absorbed I often am; quite happy when I am at home to just close the door and hibernate. We live in a rather lovely part of a pretty city, within ten minutes walk of the city centre and are lucky to have a peaceful and relatively friendly neighbourhood, but when I think about it, I don't really do a lot to move the community forwards. I feel rather guilty and am determined to do something about it!!!! Made me stop and think anyway.

SPRING FORWARDS AND ODDS AND ENDS...

The Easter hols have been one long knit so far. I seem to have got loads of bits and pieces finished. The weather has been sunny over the past week, which has led to much relaxing in the garden......and of course, knitting! Here are my completed Spring Forwards, which I made using Natural Dye Studio merino wool. It's lovely and soft and the colours are gorgeous.....remember, fresh spring grass, violets and primroses! It's a very easy to memprise pattern and they fit really well.




I took part in the dishcloth swap over on Phoenix Knitting Forums and received a really lovely parcel from rubyslippers.



I shall use the cute little tin for carrying stitch markers. I loved the colours of the washcloth and felted flower. Thank you rubyslippers!

I've made a couple of lovely jitterbug purchases too. Thought I would show you them as the colours are just fabulous!

This colourway is 154 Rose Garden; sooo pretty........

........ and this one is 152 Paintbox; SCRUMMY! They're nearly too lovely to use, but I guess they may well end up as socks or as 'little person' hats and cardis.

BABY BITS AND PIECES

Thank goodness for school holidays! I've spent much of the first week knitting these baby clothes for a friend of a friend, who is expecting a baby girl any day now.

I bought the pattern from my local John Lewis and the yarn is Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino. It knits up beautifully and is sooo soft.

These were made using Patons Fairytale Dreamtime, which is 100% wool. Apparently it's being discontinued, which is a shame because it is really lovely to knit with and gives a soft, warm and light finish; perfect for baby garments.

I've just begun this pretty little cardigan for one of two family babies due to be born this year. I found the Wendy Happy pattern in John Lewis. Once the cardigan has been knitted, the narrow lace border is made separately and attached as you knit! Hmm ....I'll let you know how it goes.