SNOOPYDOGKNITS!

DID THE ANCIENT EGYPTIANS KNIT?

2012-02-05T17:38:00.000Z

Did they know what snow was? So sad, to not know the wonders of fondling a squishy skein or of opening the curtains to freshly fallen snow. I am pleased that my pleasures in life are simple and can be easily found. As you can see, we DID awake to snow this morning, a goodly four inches or so. The falling snow had sadly stopped though. I had made sure that the bird feeders were topped up yesterday when we heard the forecast, although I don't think it will be hanging around for long. I do so love to see it. My delight has not lessened one tincy wincy bit since I was a small child. I just LOVE the stuff!

I have to say, young Oscar does too and after an hour and a half at the water park this morning, he still refused to come in from this winter wonderland.

It's been a very, very quiet knitting week I'm afraid. School has been busy, busy, busy and wedding plnning has been go, go, go. So I haven't been able to quite finish Sophie's little bolero. It's getting there though, so I thought I'd show you anyway.

I've mattress-stitched the seams and made the sleeve edgings , which have been slip-stitched into place. I'm now on the mammoth task of completing the edging, making it long enough to go all the way around. It's a rather pretty and very simple four-row pattern, so easy enough. I'm glad it can be slip-stitched on though as I'm never very good at picking up large numbers of stitches evenly. The borders never seem to lay completely flat, except by sheer chance.

It's coming along though and will definitely be finished in time to take with me next Friday when I go to visit. The elder Miss Snoops is celebrating her 'hen' weekend and I am joining them all for a meal on Saturday evening. I will be staying with my son and daughter-in-law and little Sophie. So excited! It's half-term too, so a nice leisurely drive home on Sunday, knowing that I don't have to go to school on Monday. Hooray!

On Wednesday we took both Year 3 classes to the Norwich Castle Museum for an Ancient Egyptian day. It was brilliant! The children were beautifully behaved and joined in all the activities with gusto. We teach much of the curriculum through projects, often with a drama perspective. We began this one several weeks ago with an Ancient Egyptian artefact, a cat and a story by Julia Jarman called 'The Time-Travelling Cat'. The children have been working as Egyptologists and hoping to become experts in their field! The activity day consolidated their learning and took them so much further in their learning as they had to decide on whether Howard Carter was right to open Tutankhamun's tomb, or whether the Egyptian's side of the argument, that the tombs should remain untouced, was correct. By the end of the day, many of the children could, quite rightly, see both sides of the argument.

Above are some of the beautiful exhibits, some of which the children could handle inside their protective cases. What a great stimulus for learning! Clues were laid and then guesses were made as to what many of the artefacts were. They managed to use the clues and their own knowledge to work out the answers. They had become experts!

The Ancient Egyptians were a very clever people but did they knit! YES they did! Knitted socks were discovered in Egyptian tombs from the 3rd to 6th centuries A.D. This is the earliest archaeological evidence of knitted garments.

This one is in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. It dates from around A.D. 300 to 400. How amazing is that!

Have a great week!

HAPPY FEET

2012-01-29T17:16:00.003Z

The weather here in the UK has been quite cold over the weekend. No snow, I'm sorry to say, but definitely a bit on the chilly side! Thank goodness for woolly socks, I say. There is nothing quite like the like the toasty feel of toes wrapped in woolly wonderousness. Nothing like looking down to see happy, colourful feet either for that matter. Thought I'd give you a sneaky look at the gorgeous yummy goodnesses that embraced my feet this last week. Here they all are hanging around, hoping to dry, after a very gentle 30 degrees wool wash, using handwash liquid and a little fabric softener. Not that they need softening, of course!

The bright orange pair at the top of the shot belong to the younger Miss Snoops. They were a gift from Josiekitten. At present they are working hard at keeping her toes toasty whilst she is at home revising for her LPC law exams in a couple of weeks time. They are an adventurous little pair of socks, having been on several United Nations missions around the world, spent time living with their keeper in Bratislava and braved the ski slopes of the Alps. They are of on their winter hols in three weeks time for another week of skiing in Courchevel. See, they get around!

I've been busy trying to get a move on with Sophie's little bolero for the wedding. I now just have the last sleeve to complete and the tricky job of sorting out the border. You have to be very careful when picking up all the stitiches, to make sure that they are very evenly spaced, otherwise you end up with a border that refuses to lie flat.

I've also cast on a stole for myself. You may remember I told you last week that I thought a stole to cover my shoulders during the evening of the wedding wouled be a good idea. It will also act as a lovely memory object.

The yarn is 'Old Maiden Aunt' hand-dyed laceweight, in a 50% alpacca 50% merino mix. It is so beautifully soft and lightweight; just perfect for the project. I think the grey is rather more blue that the phot shows. I'm making Anne Hanson's Nightingale Wing . It's a beautiful pattern that I have had my eye on for a while. The only problem will be getting it finished on time. Each row is a pattern row, so there are no purl coasters on this one! The pattern is a twenty-four row repeat that requires repeating twenty-seven times. So, as there are sixty-two days until the end of March, I really have to keep up a knitting regime of twelve rows a day. Hmm! We'll give it a go anyway. Here it is so far....

I thought I'd leave you with a couple of Oscar pics this evening. He just adores carrying his soft toys around the house, throwing them in the air and charging full pelt back and forth through the house or around the garden with them.

Well, these two pheasants have been out of action for a couple of months due to war wounds that I had not had time to repair. Today, they got repaired! Not only did Oscar have one pheasant to play with, but a second one too. I think he thought Christmas had come again. He had an absolutely mad half an hour as he tried to carry both, run with both and throw both in the air.

By the time I had stopped laughing and grabbed my camera, he was worn out! All this after an hour and a half of running and swimming at our local water park. I think he's pretty fit! Dear Oscar!

Well that's about it for tonight. Mr Snoops has just gone for a run at the gym and then we are off to a quiz night at our local real ale pub. A lovely end to the weekend, as we catch up friends over a pint.

MONKEY BUSINESS.....

2012-01-22T18:24:00.002Z

Hey, it's done! My Monkey Bread scarf is finally finished. I made the infinity version, grafting the stitches together, but was unhappy with the finished result. The pattern asked for fifteen repeats, but in order to use up as much of the yarn as possible, I managed eighteen repeats and felt very pleased with myself. However, once finished I wasn't happy with the lay of the piece. I think the exrtra length made it too long, so it would not fit snuggly around the neck, without a rather long second loop of scarf that looked pretty ridiculous (in my opinion). So I spent a whole evening unpicking and the casting off both ends. However, I have to say that this is just the scrummiest, softest, lightest and warmest yarn you could ever wish to have coiled around your neck. The feeling of all consuming warmth is almost immediate!! It's truly gorgeous and I can't wait to use it again. So, my scarf of choice all week has been 'Monkey Bread'; inside and out!

I've spent a long time scouring the internet and pattern books to come up with a pretty, but not too fussy, little bolero for Sophie to wear over her flower girl dress at THE wedding in April. Nothing was quite to my liking, so I've resorted to a pattern that I've used before, from Rowan's 'Milk Cotton Baby Collection' book. I showed you the yarn and pattern last week. So far I've knit up the back and begun the left front. The pattern is simple, but needs a little adjusting as I am using Debbie Bliss cashsoft, a 100% merino wool instead of Rowan milk cotton and the tension is a little different. Rather than altering the needle size, I am adjusting the number of rows and pattern shaping instead.

I love the soft, pretty colour. Hopefully, it will blend in with the wedding colours of blues, lilacs and purples, the colours of English spring flowers. Here's the one made previously for Sophie's little cousin, Alice. It's a pretty pattern

The little button is knitted as well, which just seems to add that little extra special finishing touch.

I am desperate to begin the 'Almost Ovals' scarf, with the beautiful Christmas gift yarn from my pal Josiekitten, but I know I really must finish the bolero first. I also plan to make a stole or shawl for the evening of the wedding, for myself. Whether that will happen or not is as yet undecided, as time seems to be flying by.

Have a good week and thank you so much for stopping by. It's always lovely to hear from you all.

WINTER BLUES

2012-01-15T17:49:00.000Z

This beautiful skein of hand-dyed yarn from Knitspot arrived at the Snoopydog residence this week. It is a wonderful mix of 60% merino and 40% hand-dyed. I need also to mention that it is handspun. I'm not sure how many Knitspot club members there are, but there are at least two hundred. I can't even begin to imagine how long it took Cheryl, from 'New Hue Handspuns' to spin up that amount of yarn, but she did! The colour is true to the photo, a real wintery ic-blue and white mix with a hint of green. This is the last yarn and the last pattern will be released on Tuesday. There was also a lovely pot of 'Woolen Rabbit' handcream. I've almost come to the end of my present pot, so it was a very welcome gift!

Knitting has taken a backseat this week as preparations for the weddding have 'hotted up'. Most of the important bookings have already been made, but we now needed to be finalising menus etc. Plenty of phone calls between ouselves and Miss Snoops have taken place, and at last decsions have been made. Invitations have been sent and the younger Miss Snoops has the 'Hen do' under control. I have managed to find an outfit that I like too, with minimum fuss and bother. I'm not a great one for dressing up these days. I'm much happier in my jeans! So, things are progressing nicely.

I've decided on the patern for Sophie's little bolero, but haven't managed to get started on it yet. It will made without the hearts! It's from the Rowan cotton knits book.

My 'Monkey Bread' scarf is so nearly finished. Had I not gone out for a coffee this morning, I may well have completed the last repeat. Never mind, you'll see it next time, I'm sure.

Have a good week!

IF ON A WINTER'S NIGHT....

2012-01-08T17:28:00.000Z

Hello there! Good to see you again this evening. The first week back has school has rushed by and hasn't been too bad really. Yes, I know it was only a short week, but even so, I have to say it really wasn't too awful. Mind you, remember I'm saying this before the onslaught of paperwork begins to pile up into that insurmountable mountain once again. So at present I'm seeing the positives and long may it stay that way. Here's to a little bit of knitting time....................if on a winter's night............ there is a spare half hour!!!

I realise that it's about time that I showed you some knitting again. Yes, I know it does seeem a while since anything woolly appeared, but now I'm about to rectify the situation.

I've begun knitting this cute little Dougie Dog Sweater sweaer that you can see in the photo for Sophie (my little granddaughter). It's part of a set which includes a very sweet hat and scarf as well.

It's from this gorgeous book.....

I don't intend to rush along with this one. I have the yarn for all three items and as I'm knitting the smallest size, age 2 to 3, they are unlikely to fit her until next winter. You could say that.....I've started my Christmas knitting for Christmas 2012. Alright, alright, I know, I'll wipe that smug look from my face!

I've also made excellent progress with my Monkey Bread Infinity Scarf. It's another Anne Hanson pattern and a very relaxing knit. The Great Northern Yarns 70% mink, 30% cashmere is completely divine. It is the softest yarn inaginable and blooms amazingly as you work with it. Quite delicious! The infinity version begins with a provisional cast-on, which will then be grafted at completion. It's going to be so warm and snuggly!

I don't remember showing Mr Snoops hat that I finally managed to complete just intime for Christmas. I used the October yarn and 'October Zest' pattern from the Knitspot 'Fall in Full Color Club'. The yarn is Briar Rose 'Fourth of July' and there is plenty left to make scarf or another hat. Ahem, could that be another Christmas 2012 present on the way?

I have to say, he was rather pleased with it. It's doing a grand job of keeping his 'not very well covered with hair' head warm when he's out walking Oscar, if on a winter's night there'a a frost or a chill.

Josiekitten was very generous, as always, and bought me just the best Christmas pressie. I LOVE Michele's pretty project bags, as Josiekitten knows only too well. It's just gorgeous! Guess what was tucked inside?

You're right , of course, a delicious skein of 'Sweetgeorgia' cashsilk lace; a scrumptious mix of 45% cashmere and 55% silk, in colourway riptide. I have to say, that after yet another fondle, I think it's beaten Great Northern's mink and cashmere by a short squish!! I shall be casting on Anne Hanson's 'Almost Ovals' pattern, just as soon as 'Monkey Bread' is complete.

The wonderful Soctopus sock book was gift from the younger Miss Snoops. She had spotted it on my Amazon wishlist. It's full of really beautiful patterns and as I have a couple of skeins of Alice's scrummy sokkusu yarn in my stash, I'm feeling a rather large urge to cast on.

The above skein is colourway Northern Lights and the skein to the right is Delphiniums. Even the colour names are crying out at me, begging me to choose them. I'm staying firmly with Monkey Breadfor the next week and then we'll see.

I'm waiting for a little cardi or bolero pattern to catch my eye in the next week or two as well. I need to make a cover up for Sophie on the wedding day. She will be a Flower Girl, but as the wedding is at the beginning of April, it could well be quite chilly. I have the yarn ready to go and now just need the perfect pattern.

I've chosen some Debbie Bliss Rialto 4ply. It's 100% pure merino and is gorgeously warm and soft. The soft lilac colour is very pretty. Maybe I'll have the pattern to show you next time. I certainly intend to have a finished 'Monkey Bread', so I'd better get my skates on and get my school planning sorted out, so that if on THIS winter's night, there is just a little bit of time to knit, I will seize it.

Wishing you a year of .....

NEW YEAR'S DAY.....

2012-01-01T21:35:00.001Z

What a spectacular display in London last night, to welcome in 2012! A full twenty minutes of brilliance. I do so love fireworks. No, I wasn't there. I photographed the TV...ha, ha, ha! Some great effects captured though.

Today, Mr Snoops and I took Oscar for a walk by the sea. We drove up to Wells-next-the-Sea, about a forty minute drive from home. It was lovely to blow all the cobwebs away! We walked and walked and walked.

After a bowl of soup and a hot chocolate for lunch we drove on around the coast and home. It was a lovely, peaceful end to the holidays.

GOD BLESS SHEEP and furry creatures!!

2011-12-31T16:55:00.001Z

Thank you dear sheep and all woolly creatures that live upon this Earth. How amazing is it that we can use your delicious fibres without causing you any harm or distress. We can shear, dye, spin and knit to our heart's content knowing that you are safe. We can pass on to others and share your yarny loveliness in all it's many diverse ways. How special are you! Thanks for you woolly support, in enabling old Snoops to complete all of the lovely projects you can see here, during this last year.

In early January I finally managed to complete the gorgeous Aran coat for the younger Miss Snoops. She wears it frequently and it looks fabulous. As I cast my eye over the year's industrousness, I notice that many items were for little Sophie. They are always a delight to knit, being small and quick to gratify. More importantly they are for an amazing, totally special little person.

My spinning adventure began this year, although I have not made the expected or desired progress, due to time restrictions. However, the wheel is there and the fibre waits patiently!

This was my first completely independently spun skein which I then dyed. It may have many imperfections, but I love it!

As for 2012, well I just ask for a happy, healthy, contented and woolly year for myself and my family and friends.

WISHING YOU ALL

A HAPPY, HEALTHY AND PEACEFUL NEW YEAR !

I'm looking forward to much more bloggy fun and friendship in 2012.

SPECIAL CHRISTMAS INGREDIENTS.......

2011-12-29T21:32:00.001Z

HOPE YOU FOUND THOSE SPECIAL INGREDIENTS TOO!

CHRISTMAS IS COMING!

2011-12-20T09:39:00.002Z

Hello there! I'm sorry that I didn't manage to post on Sunday evening as usual. On Saturday all of our family arrived, with Scott and little Sophie too. As you can imagine life has been very hectic in the Snoppydog household. I did feel I needed to pop in and say 'hello' to you all, however briefly. Do you like the reindeer card? My class made them for their families. Rather cute, I thought!

This scrummy yarn arrived from Great Northern Yarns on Wednesday. It's a mixture of 70% mink and 30% cashmere. I'm hoping to make Anne Hanson's Infinity Monkey Bread Scarf. No sooner had this delicious little package arrived than the December Knitspot Club yarn dropped through the letterbox. Guess what? It was another skein of the same yarn. HOORAY!

Isn't that colour just gorgeous! The pattern to make a lovely keyhole scarf and mitts set was released on Saturday. I can't wait to get started.

I'm desperately trying to finish the hat that I started for Mr Snoops last weekend. He's not a geat fan of presents and so far, his little stocking doesn't have a great deal to go in it. The pattern and yarn were the Knitspot October offerings.

Here's hoping it will fit, as it's looking a little on the small side at the moment. He'll have to wait until after Christmas for the scarf.

I know this has been a rather short visit, but I am on an imporatnt mission this morning. We are off to sort out bridesmaid's dresses for little Sophie and the younger Miss Snoops, in readiness for the elder Miss Snoop's wedding next Easter. Not the most ideal time to be doing it, but there may not be many more occasions when we are all together before the big event.

So I'm going to have to love you and leave you. I'll try to pop in again before the weekend, to show you the finished hat.

Wishing you lots of Christmas fun!

BUSY, BUSY, BUSY......

2011-12-11T20:14:00.001Z

Just popped in this evening. Can't stay long though! Busy, busy, busy! Just wanted to show you this quick little jumper that I've made for Sophie this week. It's taken no time at all, as it's knitted on size 6mm needles. I've used two skeins of Colinette Prism, which is a bulky weight yarn. I've had it in my stash for two or three years now, as it was not quite the colour I expected it to be. It's been sitting patiently, biding its time, just waiting for that perfect project. This will be a fun, play jumper!

Sorry, but I really do have to go very, very soon. However, I have a couple more photos to show you.
Earlier in the week, a little ginger and white had taken up residence in the entrance hall at school. I guess it was much warmer inside than out. I grabbed my camera as he had fallen asleep in the sun, on top of the wooden urban fox whos sleeps quietly in his willow den. I thought I'd show you the art piece.

It was designed and made by our Year 4 children last year, with the help of a local artist, in liaison with on e of our feeder high schools. We are a city centre school and do see urban foxes in the school grounds from time to time. Needless to say, the little cat had awoken and jumped off by the time I returned with my camera.

This wonderful elephant also lives in our entrance hall. It was part of a city elephant trail a few years ago and the elephants were then auctioned off for charity. The children love her!!

I've been so, so busy this week, rehearsing for the Christmas concert and getting assessment data and planning sorted. Not so busy that I couldn't spare a few seconds yesterday to snap this beautiful blue sky......

..... and later......

Well, I have to go, as much as I'd like to stay and chat. I'll be back next week though...... on HOLIDAY! YAY!

Have a great week!

CHRISTMAS IS COMING......

2011-12-04T17:47:00.001Z

........ it's coming way too fast for my liking! There is always so much to do and so little time to do it in. I have made a start on my shopping this weekend and have placed a fair few on-line orders. Let's hope they all arrive in time. The Advent calendar is up and running and I thought you might like to take a look at the little penguins, modelling their Innocent smoothie hats!!! How cute are they!

Life at school seems to be racing out of control and is best pushed to the back of the filing cabinet in my head. The last two weeks of term are always manic, but this year we are very late beginning our rehearsals for the Christmas concert. Each Year group has a Christmas song and a reading to perfect .... aaarrgghhh!

This is our offering. It's my 'most favouritest' of favourites :-). I just love it! We' need to get a move on this week though. Then there are the angel, donkey and Mary head dresses to make, party food to get organised etc. etc. etc. Roll on Friday 16th, when at least Christmas at school is over (I love it really!) and then I can focus on Christmas at chez Snoops.

We popped across to a local garden centre yesterday, to pick up a small potted tree. We won't decorate until next weekend, but at least it's ready. We have a much larger artificial tree in our sitting room, but the little fellow always sits on a table in the window at the front of the house. The garden centre is always awash with over-the-top Christmas razzamatazz. A glitzy wonderland, but fun just to pass through.

Another week of limited knitting time has passed by, but I knew I needed to get Sophie's little hoodie finished. I always hate the sewing up and finishing of the garment, but have been much more satisfied with my efforts sice dicovering mattress stitch. It gives a lovely, neat finish.

My Snoops keeps hinting that he would like a new dog-walking hat for Christmas. Hmm thinks Snoops, the very time he would like something made and he leaves it until NOW!!! I'm thinking that I may frog the October 'Knitspot Club' scarf that has been left idele and make the hat instead. At least once the hat is made, I'll be able to use the remainder of the yarn all up on the scarf. Why didn't I think of this before staring the scarf? I know why..... a severe case of 'cast-on-itis'! I've not got very far so it won't matter too much.

I think the lovely yarn will suit Mr Snoops' head rather well. He won't wear a scarf, so that will be a gift for someone else. I think I may be a little optimistic about finishing both of these projects before Christmas though.

Watch this space! Have a good week!

SOCK LOVE....

2011-11-27T16:27:00.001Z

Yep, that's right, I'm missing the old socks like mad at the moment. As you can see, I'm not in great need of any more pairs, although I guess I have yarn enough to keep me and my loved ones in socks for life. However, there is something very therapeutic and pleasurable about a finished pair of socks, all ready to go into action on one's feet. Socks seem to have a natural ability to make me smile. They are such happy, vivacious and colourful little beings. How can I have been away so long! It seems that way too many other knitterly interests and projects have overtaken my deep-seated sock love and withdrawal symptoms are beginning to set in.

Above are all the socks I have knitted to date, in order of completion from the very first pair at bottom right, to the most recent pair top left. I'm pleased to notice great improvement, bot in my sock knitting skills and in my photo shooting. I can spot the ladders in my first two pairs , as I struggled to keep the tension between needle shifts. It was a revelation to discover knitting the first stitch on the next needle each time, instantly solved the problem!

Recently I have explored solid and semi-solids a little more and have managed to seek out and stash some stunning yarns. Oh that there were more hours in each day and that money grew on a tree in the garden.
But no, that's merely a silly fantasy.

So, unless my withdrawal symptoms become unbearable, I look forward to casting on a pair just as soon as Sophie's little hoodie is complete. I think I shall make Anne Hanson's 'Almondine'. Oh the pleasure!

As you can see, the hoodie is on its way. The sholder have been matress stitched together and I'm knitting the hood. Then all that's left is to make the borders, sew up the seams, set in the sleeves and add a couple of little buttons. I think that get done this week with a little bit of luck.

I picked up a couple of skeins of Posh Yarn 'Sylvia' 2ply last Sunday, in the mad 7p.m. shop madness that takes place over at the Posh Yarn store. Sylvia is a delicious blend of 50% merino and 50% silk; just perfect for shawl making.

The top skein is in colourway 'Go Platinum' and is destined to become a shawl or stole for me, to wear during the evening of my daughter's wedding next April. Its abeautiful mix of mauve and silvery grey. The bottom skein is for my daughter's shawl for her wedding and is in colourway, 'Cooing Doves' (quite appropriate I thought). Flowers will be in mauves and blues, so these these beautiful colourways seemed just perfect. MInd you, it could all be a pipedream, as once again I have to remind myself that there are only twenty-four hours in a day. At least there's a plan!

Thanks for calling in and have a good week, wherever you are!

A WHIRLWIND HAS JUST PASSED THROUGH......

2011-11-20T16:42:00.001Z

Hello there! Glad to see you again. I can't believe how quickly these Sunday evening blog spots come around. It's been another whirlwind of a week. I've been extraordinarily busy week at school, with very little knitting taking place. However, I do have some rather scrummy yarn to show you if you'll just be patient.

You may well be wondering what the Lord Mayor and Sheriff of Norwich are doing, visiting my blog. Well, we held our annual Norwich Exhibition at school this weeek. Normally, Year 3 produce all the work for the exhibition themselves. This year, we decided to make it a whole school project. The work was all duly exhibited and parents from each year group attended. We invited our Year 3 parents on Tuesday afternoon. As our year group focus was the landmark buildings of our lovely city, we wrote letters to the people who work in aech one, asking for answers to our questions and for information. In reply, a gentleman from City Hall contacted us and asked if we would like the Lord Mayor and Sheriff to visit. The children were so excited! We had a very lovely and successful afternoon. Here are a few more shots of the exhibits.

Year 3 started off the project back in September, by taking a trip on the open-top tourist bus.

Year 4 found out all about the famous people who have lived and worked in Norwich.

Such fun! There was a real purpose for all of our writing; information writing, letters, acrostic poems, recounts. You name it, we did it!

Although not much knitting has taken place there has been a little. I've begun a little hoodie for Sophie, using the Debbie Bliss yarn I showed you last week.

I've finished the back and made a start on the front on our way up to the coast yesterday morning. It's a very easy pattern, with the yarn being carried easily up the side of the work.

The postman brought several parcels this week! Two I can't show you, as they contain gifts for my dear friend Josiekitten and my daughter-in-law. However, I think you'll enjoy the two that I can!
First up is the November yarn from the Knitspot 'Fall in Full Color Club', along with a little chocolate surprise. The yarn is a deep chocolate merino DK, with golden highlights. I just love it!

The November pattern gives a choice of two lovely cowls. I'm not normally a cowl wearer, but I think I might now become one. I'm hoping to start knitting it this week, so I'll show you the pattern, along with my progress next time.

Next up is some yarn to die for!! Anne Hanson has just released a new cardi pattern called 'Blumchen', which I really like. I have bought two 800yd skeins of the very lovely Sea Pearl yarn from 'Briar Rose Fibres', in colourway 'Anne's'. It's a mix of merino and tencel and is so unbelievably soft, but offering up a lovely sheen as well.

I don't intend to start this project just yet, but wanted to snap up the yarn when I saw it available. It can be stashed for later!!!

After such a whirlwind of a week, Mr Snoops suggested a trip to the coast yesterday. It was lovely and sunny and quite warm, so we decided to make Aldeburgh our port of call, so that we could enjoy some rather delicious fish and chips for lunch from the 'Golden Galleon' chippy.

This rather fetching mermaid lives just above the doorway. She must have seen some sights in her time!

I'll leave you with a few more snaps of our day out at the beach.

Hope you have a good week. I do so love you popping in to say 'hello'! See you soon.

HELLO GRANDMA!

2011-11-13T17:16:00.001Z

I needed this on Wednesday! We had received a phone call on Tuesday to say that the dreaded OFSTED inspectors were on their way. Thank you Sophie. You made Grandma smile. Doesn't she have lovely writing for an eighteen month old?

Just as the phone call came through, we were happily digging for dinosaur bones!

Just the mere mention throws me into paroxysms of absolute panic. I have no idea why, as I have never had a bad experience. In fact my OFSTED experiences have always been very positive. Yet still, in my head, the Inspectors are just the most dreaded people on the planet.

Now, here we are out the other side. Yay! Real life resumes. Tomorrow we set up for a whole school exhibition all about our city. There is NO rest for the wicked. I must be very, very bad ;-)

Needless to say, NO knitting was done this week at all, until yesterday afternoon. So, there is very little to show you.
I have manged to finish the little 'Wee Willie Winkie' hat for Sophie. It's rather swee, but looks way too large for her. I made the 12-18month size, but I think it might almost fit an elephant.

I've also realised that I need to get a move on if I intend to knit a couple of new jumpers or cardis for her before Christmas. I have some more 'Baby Cashmerino' by Debbie Bliss, partly from stash and some bought yesterday from John Lewis. I have three or four of her pattern books and now just have to decide which ones to make. I really like using this yarn for baby and toddler knitting, as it is so so soft and warm, but also washes and wears well. Which do you think?

I've made up my mind on two of them I think. I have just cast on the little striped hoodie above, using the green and red...... Christmassy colours for a change. I've also decided on the little apricot cardi, to use up the deep pink that I already had in my stash. The extra green and the cream will hopefully make a little stripey beanie hat. Hmm! Think I've left it a little too late, but never mind.

My October Knitspot club project is at a standstill at present. I think I've over-killed on scrf knitting since the summer and can't seem to summon up the enthusiasm for it, which is a shame as I plan to give it to Sophie's dad (my son) for Christmas.

I'll leave you with two cute pics......

Oscar asleep on his favourite soft toy, catching the weak rays of November sunshine this morning.

Dear little Sophie drawing her Grandma a lovely picture. She's eighteen months old now and absolutely full of mischief. She's wearing another little Debbie Bliss hoodie that I made a few months ago.

Well, let's try again this week................. here's hoping for a peaceful week!! Hope yours is too!

YOU'VE GOT TO SMILE...

2011-11-06T17:42:00.000Z

Aaaaaarrrrgggghhhhh! Who or what is that! It has been one of 'THOSE' weeks. I won't go into detail, I don't have the time. The photo above looks a bit how I felt, except for the smiley mouth. It needs turning upside down! But suffice it to say that no knitting got done all week and by yesterday I was feeling rather severe withdrawal symptoms. As my addiction is so severe, I usually manage at least a row or two each day. This week, there was no chance. Instead, my time was filled with I.E.P.s, assessment data, action plans etc. etc. I still have a lengthy 'to do' list. In fact I feel rather overwhelmed by it all and that comes from someone who is organised and well-planned. So, yesterday I had to take action......... I CAST ON! Oh my goodness, the relief was enormous. Gone were the cravings and the twitchy fingers, evaporated were the angry, miserable 'I want to be knitting' thoughts and an air of peaceful happiness came over me. It was pure bliss! What did I cast on?

I started a little 'Wee Willie Winkie' hat for Sophie's Christmas stocking. The Debbie Bliss 'baby cashmerino' yarn is from stash (OH YES!) and I have enough of the pink to make a little jumper ot cardi to go with it. I'm using DPNs and carrying the spare colour up as I go. It gives a lovely smooth, unnoticeable colour changeover. Hopefully it will be finished quickly.

Well, I know this post is very short and sweet, but it's better than no post at all. I still have 'stuff' to do this evening as well as a lasagne to cook AND SOME KNITTING TO DO!

I'll leave you with a couple of shots from the week gone by.

Looks like something nasty to me. HOWEVER...... there is a clue! Know what it is? My class had NO idea. Time for a hands on investigation. I won't show you the gory details though.

It was Oscar's second birthday on Tuesday and this was his favourite pressie. He has carted it around in his mouth ALL week long and slept with it in his den most nights. So sweet!

Another spoonful of Autumn and possibly the last, as the leaves are all falling now with great speed. This was the view across the school playground as I arrived at school at about 8.05 a.m. on Tuesday morning. Just glorious!

OH, BY THE WAY, I RECEIVED AN E-MAIL AT THE END OF LAST WEEK..... THE PHOTO AT THE TOP! IT MADE ME SMILE. IT WAS LITTLE SOPHIE'S HALLOWEEN BISCUIT, MADE AT NURSERY. I've carried it in my school diary all week. Every time it catches my, it's made me smile. I know what's really important to me and helps keep things in perspective.
Have a good week.

CREATURE COMFORTS......

2011-10-30T17:34:00.001Z

Well, it's 4.25p.m. on a rather warm, but gloomy, Sunday afternoon and it's almost...... dare I say it.....DARK! I know I'm indoors looking out, but even so, I'm not liking this shift at all! There aren't enough hours in the day at the best of times nd now it feels like the day is almost over before it's fully begun. I know, it's called AUTUMN. The plus side is the glorious abundance of colour around just now. This is definitely a bumper year for spectacular leaf colouration. We watched the colours change as the week progressed! Have a look for yourself at the wonders that are Nature.......

Whilst at the cottage, we had visits from our son and his wife, with little Sophie and Scott the dog. They stayed over for two nights with us. Our elder daughter and her fiance also paid us a call! All in all we had a very realxing and thoriyghly enjoyable time. I did manage some knitting, although most was done during the five hour road trip there and back.

I finished Aria Delicato before we went away, but only managed to block this weekend. It's a really pretty scarf and one that I know will get plenty of wear.

The stunning autumnal Yorkshire skies managed to ensure that Snoops was fully occupied with sight-seeing, rather than knitting......

I did manage to finish a pair of socks, that are a Christmas gift for a friend. I rather like the pattern, but have to confess to no longer liking to knit with the Trekking XXL yarn. I've been seduced by the luxurious hand-dyed offerings to be had. However, that does leave a pretty large stash of once loved sock yarn! Never mind, out of sight, out of mind ;-).

I've started one of the October, 'Fall in Full Color' projects. The pattern gives options for a scrf, a hat amd a pair of fingerless mitts. The giant 500yd skein is sufficient for two of the options. I've begun with the scarf and will probably go for the hat as well.

Please excuse the scary orange 'being' who crept in on the act. He's not destined to become a lantern, merely soup. Mr Snoops enjoys soup-making and Snoops enjoys soup slurping! However he got a little carried away in the garden today and so no pumpkin and sweetcorn soup for me tonight!!!!! I've been far too busy knitting and blogging to find time to make soup!

I must show you a selection of other shots from our week up in the Dalby Forest. Hope you don't mind!

Well it's all finished now. Back to school tomorrow, but with lots of lovely memories to keep me going until Christmas. Let me leave you with my favourite captures from our time away.

Oscar with ball held at a rather jaunty angle, just to allow optimum air flow!

Three's company - Oscar, Scott and little Sophie.

I WANT PIE AND I WANT IT NOW!!!!!!!!!

Have a good week everyone.

AWAY IN THE FOREST.....

2011-10-22T17:20:00.000+01:00

Hello there!
Snoops is away in the forest for the week. Will see you again next weekend.

Much fun to be had!! See you soon.

Fall in Full Colour....

2011-10-16T18:18:00.001+01:00

At last it's starting to feel a little bit more like Autumn here in the UK, at least in the evenings. This weekend has once more produced some lovely, sunny 'garden knitting ' weather. I took the above photo at school this week. The children had tray loads of leaves and wax crayons to make some leaf rubbing pictures. We washed them over with Brusho when we had finished. They looked great!

Who would have thought that I would have been sitting in the garden knitting this afternoon, in mid-October, never mind capturing this little fellow! A ladybird in October!

Knitting has been quite productive this week, but there is nothing quite finished. The Aria Delicato scarf is coming along nicely, and should be finished by the end of the week. The Posh yarn merino and silk mix is fabulous.

I've cast on a pair of simple ribbed socks this afternoon. I'm using up some stashed Trekking to make these Christmas pressie socks for a friend.

I quite like the clever patterning on these yarns, but sadly, I've been completely overcome with everlasting love for the hand-dyed and original colourways yarns, especially those from across the pond.... swoon, swoon! The pattern knits up very quickly, as you can see.

I've received the October yarn from Anne Hanson's 'Fall in Full Color Club' club this week. It's Briar Rose Fibers 'Fourth of July' in gorgeous autumnal colours. It's a worsted weight and very pretty.

The pattern is released tomorrow. I can't wait! We're off to Yorkshire next Friday for half-term, but I expect I'll still popping in for a visit. Have a good week.

AUTUMN DAYS WHEN THE GRASS IS JEWELLED...........

2011-10-09T18:15:00.000+01:00

'Autumn days when the grass is jewelled.....' ! So goes the the song that is sung in just about every English primary school at this time of year. We HAVEN'T sung it yet, but the words always buzz around in my head as the days start to draw in and there's that unmistakeable nip in the air. Oscar spent the morning collecting sticks from the undergrowth. This was one of his long lost 'trophy' sticks, rediscovered under a blackcurrant bush right at the bottom of the garden. He just loves stripping the bark! Needless to say, the bark had been stripped with relish at some long gone point in time, but to merely rediscover this favourite was good enough to give it another lengthy chew and carry. He's so adorable!

The garden is suddenly beginning to accept the rolling in of Autumn. The recent hot days have kept things going longer than usual, but slowly and surely she is making her mark.

There are some delicate spots of colour still lingering and autumn leaves and berries beginning to add their own tones from the colour palette too.

I look forward to the start of each and every season, as they bring their own fresh perspective on our world.

There is always a shift in my knitting habits too. Out come the scarf, hat and woolly sock patterns. Not that I need to much excuse to knit a pair of socks.

This week, I've managed to complete 'Miss Doolittle'. She has been grafted, blocked and photographed.

It's a lovely, easy knit that grows very quickly. I'm so pleased I made the decision to go with this pattern rather than theshalette, Hazeline, that I should have been knittting with my September yarn.

I've also started another 'Henley with a Twist'. I love wearing the first one and enjoyed the pattern so much, that I knew another would soon be sitting on the needles.

It's the same yarn as before, The Woolen Rabbit's Essence in colourway 'Forever in Blue Jeans' . As I am 'forever in blue jeans' the colour seemed very appropriate. I'm already addicted to it once again!

We've enjoyed a return of slightly warmer weather again this weekend. Yesterday we decided to take a stroll down into the city for a coffee.

We mooched around the Farmer's Market stalls and made one tiny purchase..... some delicious marshmallows, flavoured with blackcurrants and violets. SCRUMDELICIOUS!

Needless to say, they are all long gone, otherwise I might have offered you one! Good evening, see you soon!

HALFWAY HOUSE!

2011-10-02T12:49:00.003+01:00

It's been SUCH a busy week!!!! But..... I've reached halfway with my Miss Doolittle. Like Longshadows, the scarf is made in two pieces and grafted. In order to maximise the yarn length and maintain the colour patterning, I've held the first half on a stitch holder, but not broken the yarn. The second half has been cast on, drawing the yarn from the centre of the cake. So far, so good! If I'm lucky, there'll be enough left for at least one more pattern repeat on each half. I do like my scarves LONG!

Oh, I almost forgot! Last week I promised to show you some new yarn that is particularly lovely. Well, here it is...

..... Essence from the 'Woolen Rabbit', in colourway 'Forever in Blue Jeans'. Josiekitten bought me some for my birthday to knit Anne's 'Henley with a Twist' . It just has to be my most favourite yarn ever for jumpers and cardis. This time, I intended to knit Anne Hanson's 'Sprossling', but as I sit somewhere in the middle of a 33" and 38" for a cardi, I'm not so sure I'll get a good fit. Although I could go down a needle size, I guess. However, the Henley fit so well and I love it so much I might just have to make another! As I spend much of my time in blue jeans, it seems quite appropriate.

That's all for now. We're sweltering here in the east, with temperatures of around 27degrees, so I'm off to make the most of it out in the garden.

CAN'T HAVE TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING.....

2011-09-25T17:31:00.001+01:00

Hello there! Can't believe the weekend is so nearly over. The working week was particularly long and tiring, so I have made up for it by spending the whole weekend knitting; after catching up on all the housey chores, of course. But now I have a pile of schoolwork waiting to be done this evening. It's been worth it though. A little bit of time spent doing what you fancy is always a GOOD THING!

At long last I have finished the 'Fishbone Gansey' socks that I began way back in July. The pattern is another by Anne Hanson, as always, beautifully written and accurate. I love the finished socks, but don't particularly love the yarn. It's by Renaissance Dyeing and although I like the colour, the dye bleeds over hands and wooden needles and is nowhere near soft and squishy enough for my liking. It's 100% Blue-faced Leicester, but doesn't give a particulary even stitch either.

If you remember, I couldn't make my mind up last weekend, whether to go with the shawlette pattern for the September yarn from Knitspot's 'Fall in Full Color' club, or 'Miss Doolittle', another from Knitspot. As I'm not usually a great fan of small 4ply shawls, I decided to go with the scarf pattern. The yarn is Shalimar Yarns 'Breathless', in colourway 'hazel leaf'. The mix is 75% merino, 15% cashmere and 10% silk.

The pattern is easy enough to memorise and seems to be knitting up quite quickly.

I like the way the colours of early autumn are panning out across the pretty, pleated hem flounce and snowdrop lace pattern.

I've had a tidy up on my projects page over on Ravelry, putting one or two little souls into hibernation for the winter and bringing out 'Gunnerside Ladies', nicely refreshed after a long summer snooze. Do you remember her? I hadn't got very fr, before she fell asleep.

The yarn is a gorgeously deep, dark brown. I hope my mojo returns for this one, before the weather turns too cold.

I also dug out a pair of socks that I had begun, using Posh Yarns Sylvia 4ply, a 50% merino 50% silk mix. What on earth was I thinking of, using this luscious, soft and squishy delight for SOCKS!!!! I frogged immediately, before I had a change of heart and cast on ..............

........ Anne Hanson's 'Aria Delicato'. The pattern is easy to memorise and seems to grow rather quickly, which is always a bonus, as one struggles to get through one's yarn stash, ahem!!!!. The yarn skein is a very generous 440yds, so I'm doing an extra pattern repeat and will also add to the overall length.

Much better use of this gorgeous stuff. I'm loving it already...... pretty pattern and beautiful, subtle colour changes. No chance of this little beauty being returned to the hibernation box. Oh no!

I do have some new yarn to show you too. Think I'll save that for next time though. Can't go sharing TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING all in one go, now can we!

Have a good week!

MAGIC MOMENTS

2011-09-18T16:59:00.002+01:00

Good afternoon and what a lovely one it's been too. In fact it's been a really lovely weekend here in the east. I've spent lots of time catching up on the August 'Fall in Full Color Club' project 'Autumn Longshadows' and at last it's finished. I soaked and blocked it last night and by this morning it was dry and ready to go. The finish is so smooth and beautifully drapey. I love it!

Using blocking rods, makes the whole process so much easier. I got the rods in place first, before stretching the piece out to the required measurements.

Yes, lots of pins were required!

The ends needing some careful pinning out too, to keep the gorgeous leafy template.

I think blocking brings magic to lace knitting. It suddenly transforms the fabric into something breathtakingly beautiful.

The scarf was made in two symmetrical pieces, that were then grafted, as you can see in the photo above. This was the first time I have made a garment, other than socks, that requires grafting in this way and I'm really pleased with the results.

It's just well I finished, as the September yarn arrived on Friday. It's Shalimar Yarns 'Breathless' in colourwayhazel leaf, which, as with all the club yarns, is an exclusive colourway. It's a merino, cashmere and silk mix and totally soft and squishy, with a lovely bounce to it.

The pattern has been released too and is a very pretty shawlette. However, I haven't yet decided whether to go with the shawlette, or to make Miss Doolittle, another Anne Hanson faviourite of mine. I don't tend to wear shawls very often, unless they are dark and it seems such a shame to waste the yarn on knitting up something that might get very little wear. I'll let you know my decision! Oscar certainly approved of the colourway.....

Must fly! I've loads of schoolwork to get done this evening, that I've been putting off all weekend. I'll leave you with another glorious sunset, captured on Tuesday evening this week as we walked Oscar around the lake close to our home. Quite magical!

Have a good week!

BUSY BUSY BUSY

2011-09-11T18:03:00.001+01:00

The past week has been way, way too busy for my liking. The first week back at school after the long summer break is always a tough one. My brain has spent too many lazy days wrapped up in yarn. That's where it much prefers to be. None of this quick decision making and multi-tasking please! My new little red spotty notebook is already looking messy with a long list of 'must do's' and my school 'pigeon hole' is bulging to the seams with things to do, things to read and pass on, things to remember and things that I'm sure to forget! How about you? What's your week been like?

Let's get on to nicer, squishier matters. I treated myself to some new books as a 'going back to school' carrot! Needless to say, I've not had much time to look at them yet, but after a quick flick through they look to be useful purchases. The sock design book is lovely, with some great designs that I MUST knit. Here's a quick look at my faves.....

This is 'Almondine' by Anne Hanson. I really need to cast theses on NOW, but as I have three pairs already sitting idle, I think I need to wait. Aren't they great!

Then there's 'Rose Ribs' by Evelyn A. Clark. Such a pretty design!

Next up are these scrumptious 'Knot Socks' by Nancy Bush. I love the simple, but effective design.

Last, but by no means least just feast your eye on these fabulous toe warmers. Aren't they great! I just have to make these very soon.

We're escaping up to our favourite Yorkshire haunts again at half-term, so I plan to cast on a pair of the 'Almondines' to knit whilst we're away. By the time we go, I will have completed 'Longshadows', already be wearing the 'Lacunae Socks' and the 'Fishbone Ganseys' and my 'Purple Haze Socks' will still be smoking from the speed with which they left the needles. Oh and that's not forgetting poor little 'Lila Ludmilla Pompa', who will already be wrapped snugley around my neck! I know...... and pigs might fly!

There is also the exciting prospect of the September yarn package arriving this week, from Anne Hanson's 'Fall in Full Color Club'. No idea what the project is yet, but it's sure to be a good one. Hopefully, I'll be able to show you next week.

Needless to say, knitting progress has been horrendously slow this week, although I have made up a little ground with a three hour stint sitting in the garden this morning. I am trying very hard to complet 'Longshadows' before the next yarn package arrives.

I now have the first half completed, with the stitches waiting patiently on a holder. I began the second half on Friday evening and hve made pretty good speed over the weekend. Once the two halves are complete, they are grafted together, rather like the toe of a sock.

We're still picking lots of delicious tomatoes from the greenhouse. This bowlfull was gathered this morning.

I snapped this shot of Oscar at the same time. He's enjoying the last of summer's rays.

Hope you have a good week. I hope I have one just a bit less crazy than the last!!!!!!

'AUTUMN LONGSHADOWS'

2011-09-04T18:05:00.001+01:00

What a wet and rainy afternoon it's turned out to be for the very last afternoon of the school summer holidays. Back to school tomorrow! Sob, sob, sob! I've had a brilliant holiday and really don't want it to end. But end it must, so that I can earn the pennies to buy the scrummies! Amidst days out, days in the garden, our children coming to stay, time away, visits to the elder Miss Snoops for wedding talk, dress finding and buying, a visit to the beautiful lakeside wedding venue they have chosen and catching up with friends...... amidst it all, has been the luxurious, pleasure of hour upon hour to knit! I've even dabbled a little with my new spinning wheel. But September was always going to come around and come around it has, way too soon.

It certainly does feel like Autumn too, as the evenings are closing in and the shadows grow ever longer. The evening sunset and shadows shot above, was taken on Tuesday evening at about 8pm, as we walked Oscar around the lake close to our home. Our beach times seem ages ago now.

I've made the most of my knitting time this week, to get started on the 'Autumn Longshadows' pattern, that is the first project in Anne Hanson's 'Fall in Full Color Club' . I showed you the yarn a couple of weeks ago. It is the scrummiest mix of merino, cashmere and bomyx silk. It feels so incredibly soft as you knit, that you can barely feel it. Gorgeous!

The pattern is very easy to follow and completely addictive! Hence, I have only one more repeat out of eleven to complete on the first half. The scarf is made in two symmetrical halves and then grafted. I am loving knitting with Addi Turbos. They have become my needle of choice for most projects. They are so smooth to use.

Have you noticed the cute little stitch marker? I bought a set of ten at 'Knit Nation'. They are perfect for needles up to size 4mm and can be purchased here.

I'm loving the beautifully subtle shades of this yarn and how they play and dance with the pattern. It's so pretty! Take a look....

I hope to have finished and blocked by the time I blog next time, as the next pattern and yarn are due to be released on September 15th. I think that may be a little ambitious, as knitting time this week will be sparse!!!

We've made the most of the last few summer days and have been out and about.

The picture right above ^ is of Walberswick, in Suffolk. It's a favourite haunt of ours and brings back many happy memories of fun times when our children were small. On a warm sunny day, we would pack up a picnic and find the 'big' bucket and the ball of string. The children would pop across to the local butcher for some free bacon scraps and then we'd jump in the car and be off ....... after settling the dispute between the three of them as to who would be sitting in the middle! They would happily while away the day sitting on the little bridge that you can see in the distance, holding on tightly to their piece of string, that had been carefully knotted around a small chunk of bacon. The outcome of all this......... a bucketload of crabs!!!!! Of course, they would all released, unharmed back into their watery home, amidst squeals of excitement and amazement as the full to the brim bucket was carefully tipped over onto its side on the muddy bank and the little creatures made their sideways escape, scurring quickly back to safety. Such a happy childhood activity!

In fact, the younger Miss Snoops was with us, and at the now grown up age of twenty-six, she was still keen to jump out of the car to snap some shots of one of her favourite childhood memory spots. Priceless!

We've come to the conclusion that Oscar will be keen to see the back of us all next week, so that he can have some peace and quiet and sleep. Although Mr Snoops doesn't get teachery holidays, he still tries to take as much time off as possible during the summer when I am at home. Of course, the younger Miss Snoops has been around too, as she continues her studies. All in all, he's one tired puppy dog!

Poor little boy! Just in case you're wondering, he's sleeping on his favourite 'carry around' toy.... 'reindeer'! Yes, I know, just don't ask.

See you next week. Have a good one!

HENLEY WITH A TWIST!!!!!!

2011-08-30T20:49:00.000+01:00

Here it is, at last! My 'Henley with a Twist' is finally finished. This was the project I set out to complete over the school summer holidays and I've succeeded. The Anne Hanson pattern is superb;so easy to follow, everything well explained and the fit...... well, for me, the fit is absolutely perfect. This is the first sweater or cardi I've made for myself that actually fits!!! It's fantastic, I love it!

I made it one inch longer in the body than stated, but really didn't need to. I worried about the fit, as the pieces seemed quite small. However, once blocked and steamed, the garment was spot on. The pattern makes it very stretchy.

The placket front opening looks lovely with a t-shirt under!

I tried the shaping two or three times until I was happy with it. I didn't want lots of stocking stitch visible, as the pattern diminished with the decreasing. So, sometimes I had to play around a little with decreases and increases, to get the desired effect. I'm more than happy with the result, as the shaping is relatively inconspicuous.

I wanted small, plain, matt, bluey-green buttons, but couldn't find the perfect ones. My final choice was for some shell buttons turned over, so that the mottled, matt back is seen, rather than the shiny front. They pick up the subtle sandy-brown undertones in the yarn.

The 'Woolen Rabbit' yarn is fabulous to work with and I have to say...... I need some more NOW!

SUN, SEA AND DALBY FOREST.....

2011-08-21T20:52:00.000+01:00

Good evening from sunny North Yorkshire. It's Robin Hood's Bay that you're looking out over! We've had a very lovely time up here over the last ten days and sadly, leave for home tomorrow, but with lots of happy, fun-filled family time memories to keep us going. The weather has been kind, which has meant we have been out and about every day, which hasn't left much time for any knitting. I hope I'll be able to rectify that on the five and a half hour journey home tomorrow, as I plan to finish the front of my Henley en route. It will just need the front and neck borders then, to complete the knitting. I'll try to block on Tuesday or Wednesday and post the finished project during the week for you all to see! Yay!

For tonight, I'll give you a short photographic tour of our days spent relaxing and enjoying each other's company. Nowadays, there are quite a few of us when we all get together! Our eldest and his wife have little Sophie and Scott the dog. Then there is our 'middle one' and her fiance and last but not least, our 'baby'... who is now twenty-six! We bring young Oscar dog along too, of course! Oh, and we had visitors for dinner on Thursday.

Little Sophie is now fourteen months old and needed very little initiation into good seaside behaviour .

She adored putting sand and stones into her bucket and soon got the hang of using a spade. The cold North Sea was a very big hit!!!!!

Oscar has had the best time ever.........

... swimming.....

..... playing....

.... sleeping....

...... and even peeing!.... alongside his half-brother and best buddy, Scott.

There has to be some yarny or knitty connection to a holiday and guess what, it 'happened' yesterday. We paid a rather impromtu visit to the Rosedale Show and I managed to come home with a large bag of alpaca.

I have no idea about the quality of the stuff, but thought I'd give it a go. The very cute pair of alpacas (see pics above) made it a very easy decision to make.

Just before we came away, I received my Knitspot 'Autumn in Full Color Club' parcel. I didn't show you last week, as many of the members may not have received their woolly packages and it would have spoilt the surprise. Inside, was the scrummy August yarn and a surprise addition of a beautiful little project bag.

The 'Spirit Trail Fibreworks' Nona yarn is stunning, a beautiful mix of 50% merino, 25% cashmere and 25% Bombyx silk. I had the yarn wound and the needles ready to be packed, ready for the pattern release on August 15th, but decided to 'hold fire' until I return home.

Woohoo! An exciting new project to look forward to casting on!!!! I'll let you see how far I've got next time.

I'll leave you with a beautiful evening sky, captured on Thursday evening, as we left the 'Fox and Rabbit'.

WOOLEN RABBIT......

2011-08-14T19:10:00.000+01:00

Hello there from sunny Yorkshire! We are here 'en masse' dogs, partners and Sophie. It's wonderful having a family week's holiday like this. Time to unwind, catchup and enjoy each other's company. So, this will be a quick post this evening, before our curry arrives!

Remember the yarn I showed you a couple of weeks ago, that josiekitten bought me for my birthday? Well, I have to say, it is the loveliest yarn I have so far had the pleasure to knit with. It's 'Woolen Rabbit' , dyed by Kim up in the mountains of New Hampshire. Her colourways are stunning. I'm making Anne Hanson's 'Henley with a Twist'. It takes 4 skeins of the gorgeous 4ply. The stretchy, cabled design should produce a lovely close fit! The pattern is very easy to memorise and quite addictive.

So far, I've completed the back and one sleeve, with the second sleeve very nearly there.

The plan is to knit, knit, knit, as fast as I can, so that I am ready to begin another new project next week. That's all I can tell you about it at the moment, as it is the first pattern in Anne Hanson's 'Fall in Full Color' club. The pattern is due to be released tomorrow, but not everyone has received their yarn yet, so I can't show the scrummy delight that I will be casting on with. Perhaps I'll have time to pop back during the week to show you.

Thankfully Oscar's paw is much, much better and he has been having great fun with Scott in Dalby Forest. Her he is just before we came away.

Thanks for stopping by. I always love to see you. Have a good week!

SPINNING A YARN!

2011-08-07T21:55:00.001+01:00

What's this all about then, Snoops posting photos of fibre? Yes...... really, truly, I've officially begun! At last I have a wheel and can begin my new journey. I knew I would have to sooner or later when I spent the day with my pal josiekitten during the Easter hols. She initiated me into the wonderfully relaxing,soothing and satsfying world of spinning. Well, it wasn't quite like that, as my fingers, hands and foot didn't really know what had hit them. It was tricky, but within half an hour I knew this would be a new addiction. So, after taking some weeks to mull over the situation and decide whether or not I could possibly manage to cram in time for a little spinning each week as well as knitting, I decided to take the plunge. Of course, this extra time I need to find takes absolutely no account of time needed for housey stuff (horrid but necessary!) or school stuff (also very necessary, to provide the pennies for the fun stuff!)

I was so excited when the large box arrived on Wednesday morning. So excited that I didn't even open the box! I know that sounds slightly strange, but I just wanted to savour knowing it was ther for a little while. I planned to do the setting up that evening. So, armed with a screwdriver, a hammer, a pair of scissors, a candle - yes, that's right, and a large glass of Merlot, I began construction.

It was surprisingly straightforward! It's been a long time since the days when Mr Snoops and I bought those horrible flat pack furniture bundles. Nine times out of ten you would get almost to end , only to find one vital part was missing!! I was anxious, I have to admit, but the instructions were clear, the candlewax had done its job of lubricating the ends of bits that needed to be squeezed inside other bits, Snoops remained calm (aided by the Merlot!) and before very long............ voila!

Isn't she BEAUTIFUL! She's an Ashford Traditional and is looking very lovely.

As luck would have it, Thursday turned out to be one of the rainiest and gloomiest days of the summer so far. Just perfect for closing the doors, staying in and learning to spin. Oscar kept me company and learnt the hard way, that sticking his nose too close to the wheel or the spindle would only end in tears.

I bought the Asford Book of Hand Spinning to help me along, but actually found that I used the simple little pamhlet that came with the wheel.

I bought 500g of BFL tops to get me going. I had done my homework and found out that it has a long staple (the fibre length) and is the easiest fibre to work with. It was unbelievably soft!

I managed to spin two singles....

Please don't pay too much attention to the underspun and massively overspun lengths! Remember, I am at the beginning of my journey!

These were then plied......

...... and wound onto my new niddynoddy. See, I'm learning all the technical words too! Next, it had to be soaked and dried.

Not bad for a beginner, eh!

This morning I couldn't leave it alone. After much stroking, fondling, cheek brushing etc. etc. etc. I decided it had to be dyed! I bought some Helen Deighan dyes at Knit Nation. They are very easy to use and just require making up with water, pouring onto the yarn (in a microwaveable container) and then microwaving to set the dye. Once you have rinsed the yarn until the water runs clear and dried it, you're done. I used a 10g pot of SLATE and a 10g pot of PLUM. This is the result!

I LOVE it!

What do you think? I know there are loads of bad bits, but hopefully each time I spin it will look a little bit better. I know I have a tendency to overspin. Also, I need to stop the wheel straight away when I get in a muddle. So, there's two things to sort out next time!

Can't wait to spin this one!

Just before I go, Oscar has asked me to lat you know that he's been in the 'wars' again! A cut leg from his morning run at the water park last Sunday, resulted in a general anaesthetic and stitches!!!!

He's on the mend.

I need to show you what's on the needles at the moment. You'll love it! I'm knitting the gorgeous 'Woolen Rabbit' yarn that I showed you last time.

KNIT NATION ..... STASH!!!!!!!

2011-07-31T18:23:00.000+01:00

Hello there! Good to see you again. I seem to be busier on holiday that when I'm at school! Maybe that's because quite a lot of my time gets taken up with my second 'job'...... knitting! Anyway, here I am again. I promised to show you my Knit Nation purchases and here they are in all their glory. Judging by Ravelry pics, my haul is relatively meagre!!!!! Bearing in mind that there will be no 'Knit Nation' next year, due to the London 2012 Olympics, this little lot will have to see me through until 2013. Once I had arranged the skeins in my rather OCD need for colour orderliness, it became distinctly apparent that there has been a definite shift in my favoured colour choices. I had gone with the plan to buy solids and semi-solids, which could be used for patterned socks or shawls and scarves etc. I still love my bright colourways, but they don't work so well with some of my more recent pattern choices; in particular, the fabulous work of Anne Hanson, whose patterns I am becoming addicted to.

There are some really gorgeous yarns there, both 4ply and 2ply laceweight, from some of favourite dyers, such as Old Maiden Aunt, Juno Fibre Arts, Madelinetosh, Skein Queen and Sokkusu.

I also bought a few pots of Helen Deighan's acid dyes to have a play with and some pretty little stitch markers, which always come in useful. Oh, and some highlighting tape to keep your place when chart or tricky pattern reading.

Most of our purchasing and browsing in the Marketplace took place on Saturday. We had so much fun! Even the Saturday Bingo evening, the mention of which produced some rather rude guffaws from Mr Snoops, was so enjoyable. We met up and shared a table with two other Norfolk knitters and Anne Hanson came to join us. There were lots of amazingly generous knitty prizes!

To aid our sock design skills, josiekitten and I had booked in to Cookie A's 'Sock Design' class on the Sunday. It was a lot of fun, very informative and well delivered, at just the right pace. After some detailed theory around sock design and stitch patterns, what works best and what to avoid, we were ready to have a go.

I chose a fairly straightforward 6 stitch and 6 row pattern repeat and after plotting the rib and the pattern on some squared paper, I was ready for the off.

Cookie was on hand to advise and help out with any problems. After a relaxing knit to get our socks started, we finished with a 'show and tell' session. Everyone had made a good start, with some people choosing to go for some really advebturous pattern ideas.

Sadly my sock has got no further, but I a do plan to get on and finish them this holiday and then I will have a go at writing up the pattern. The phot below shows the true colour. The yarn really is puple and not navy blue!

I have been bursting to show you my fabulous birthday present from josiekitten. We always buy each other yarn related pressies and this year my pal decided to treat me to some of the scrummiest yarn I have ever had the good fortune to get my greedy little mitts on. Want to see!

You really do need a fondle, but sadly I can't allow that. Just believe me, when I tell you that it is truly beautiful. It's 'Essence' 100% superwash merino in colouway Pussywillow, dyed by Kim Kaslow of 'The Woolen Rabbit' in Conway New Hampshire, all the way across the pond. It was bought with a very special project in mind; one that I've had my eye on for well over a year. I have the pattern and have made a great start, but you'll have to wait until next time to find out what it is.

For today, let me leave you with a very peaceful shot taken the other evening at our local waterpark.

So peaceful! Have a good week everyone. I may pop in again during the week, to show you a new toy that should be arriving.

KNIT NATION 2011

2011-07-21T20:48:00.001+01:00

Josiekitten and I had just the best time. It was fabulous! We made some gorgeous yarny purchases (more of that next time) and enjoyed a fabulous sock design class, given by Cookie A. I may even have a little bit of my design ready to show you next time too! We lunched with Anne Hanson and met up with the other 'Norfolk knitters'. Lots of yarn, new friends, fun Bingo, great company all adds up to an absolutely fabulous weekend! I think the pictures say it all. Enjoy!

YARNY GOODNESS!

2011-07-10T17:12:00.000+01:00

Yes, I know, I'm off to 'Knit Nation' next Friday, so why is there a photo of new yarn, I hear you all ask. Well, the simple answer is, I just couldn't resist it! Both skeins are 'Posh' and are the softest and most scrumdelicious skeins of yarn that I have ever held, I think. They definitely come high up on the list of 'alltime greats'. The top yarn is Posh Sylvia, a 4ply 50% merino, 50% silk mix and the bottom skein is Posh Daisy; a 2ply 80% merino , 20% bamboo mix. Sylvia will probably become a pair of Anne Hansion's 'Lacunae' socks and the Daisy? Well, maybe Anne Hanson's 'Almost Ovals' or one of her shawls. I seem to be on an Anne Hanson pattern addiction streak at present. They are such well written and beautifully designed patterns and Anne always suggests such a gorgeous seleaction of yarns to choose from for each one.

In fact, the 'Fishbone Gansey Socks' that I began last Sunday, to take to 'Knit Nation' as my 'knit and natter' project are also by Anne Hanson. I love the pattern as emphasised by the fact that they are already halfway to completion.

Looks like I may need to start another pair to take with me!!!!! Do you see those large rain spots on the garden table? Hmmmm, I had to beat a hasty retreat indoors just after taking the photo this afternoon. It's since rained solidly, leaving Snoops a rather unhappy bunny. I HATE being indoors in the summertime.

A very lovely parcel arrived from Kyrie who lives in Frederick, Maryland in the U.S.A. This was the second swap organised by the Knitspot 'Fall in Full Colour Club' group, over on Ravelry. I think it has to be one of the friendliest and liveliest groups I've come across.

The gorgeous yarn is Breathless, by Shalimar Yarns. It's a lovely, soft and squishy merino, silk and cashmere mix. I also received, amongst lots of other lovely things, some highlighter tape. It seems to be the top knitting notion, according to many U.S knitters. I've tried it out this weekend and it really does make chart reading SO much easier. Thanks Kyrie! You were a great swap partner.

Next Friday evening...........................' Knit Nation'!!!!!! Josiekitten and I will be aboard a London-bound train. This time next week, we will have just finished our whole day class with Cookie A., learning how to design our own sock patterns. We will be heading for a taxi, to take us back to the railway station, laden no doubt, with some squishy goodness and our heads buzzing with the excitement and enjoyment of the weekend. I can't wait!

I have to leave you with this photo of Oscar. He looks very uncomfortable, but was doggedly determined to stay on the sofa, regardless. NO, he's not allowed, but he tries his luck, by jumping up, laying down and closing his eyes as quickly as possible. He's hoping we won't notice, I guess!

Have a great week!

NOT MORE SOCKS!!

2011-07-03T19:26:00.001+01:00

Good evening! What a lovely one it is too! I've spent most of the weekend either in the grden or in front of the television, watching the tennis. I really enjoy it and think I have watched at least some action from every Wimbledon since I was about ten years old. I was once not too bad a player myself!!! I snapped the above photo this afternoon, as I noticed the wisteria making a second appearance. It's one of my my favourite flowers, but alas it's never in bloom for very long. It's always a bonus when it reappears for a second showing.

It's only two weeks now until Knit Nation. I'm so excited and really looking forward to the weekend in London, with my dear pal Josiekitten. We'll have such fun! I've managed to complete the 'Lilac Pool Socks' that were yet another of my 'must complete before Knit Nation' projects.

The pattern gets a little lost in the busy yarn, but I'm still more than happy with them. There are so many pretty lilac and pupley shades in the yarn; it's very pretty.

It's not often that I don't complete projects, but this morning I decided to have a tidy up and make the dreaded 'frog it now!!!!!' decision on a couple of projects that have lain around for a little too long. First to go was the 'Swallowtail Shawl' that I began five or six times last August. I had completed no more than an inch or two, so the decision was an easy one. It had to go....... FROGGED!

Next to go was the pretty little 'Margot' jumper for Sophie. I had almost completed the back, but realised that I had made two errors; one a pattern error and one a sizing error. It has been left for a couple of months at least now and I fear it will not fit her by the time I correct and complete it. I'm sure I will have another go at this one in a larger time, when I feel inspired to do so. So.................. FROGGED!

Ahhh, that feels so much better. I hate having a build-up of unfinished items. On the other hand I hate not having two or three different projects to pick up as and when I feel the urge. So, guess what happened this afternoon? You guessed..................... I cast on!!! Mind you, there was a sensible need. We are travelling to Knit Nation by train and so I will need a small, portable project for the weekend. What better than a pair of socks. NOT MORE SOCKS! I hear you cry. These will be gorgeous when thery are finished. I'm using Anne Hanson's 'Fishbone Gansey' pattern. I love it! I decided I ought to show willing and use one of the yarns purchased at Knit Nation last year, hmmm! It's 'Fil de Chausette' by the French dyers 'Renaissance Dyeing', in the colourway iris. All of their dyes are naturally produced from plants. I'm hoping they will be in London again this year, as their colour range is beautiful.

I decided to get going on the pattterned part of the sock, leaving the main ribbed section to complete on the journey. It's okay to rib and chat, but NOT to pattern and chat! Here's how they are looking so far.

I'll leave you with this cheekie chappie. I watched him for quite a long time yesterday afternoon, as he planned and executed his attack on the peanut bird feeder. Such an agile little fellow!

Have a good week everyone!

HELLO MR BLUE SKY!

2011-06-26T18:53:00.000+01:00

THANK GOODNESS! At long last we have had some sunshine. It's been a really lovely day here in the UK; well, in our little corner it has anyway. I've spent most of the day outside in the garden, relaxing after a very busy week. So has Oscar....

This time of year is always pretty hectic in school, with reports being finalised, assessment data needing to be collated and trips and outings organised prepared for. Year 3 (my year group) took a coach trip to the Imperial War Museum at Duxford. We've visited before and the children love it! It was a special WW2 day and the children all dressed up as evacuees. It supports this term's class project, about life as an evacuee. We made gas mask boxes the day before.....

As we arrive, the heaven's opened and delivered one almighty hail shower. Luckily the showers were short lived and didn't spoil our day.

Knitting has taken a back seat in the evenings, as I have fought to get on top of paperwork. I managed to finish one 'Lilac Pool' sock this morning and cast on its twin. The yarn is from Juno Fibre Arts, one of my favourite U.K. dyers.

Progress on the 'Lila Ludmilla Pompa' has been slow.........................................

.......... yep, that's one sat upon, squashed and broken, Knit Pro, size 3.25mm needle! The most surprising thing about this seemingly trivial incident, was the fact that amongst my rather (maybe replace with 'extremely')
large needle collection, I didn't appear to have another pair of 3.25s. A little trip to John Lewis yesterday managed to correct the situation, so that knitting could continue. Suffice it to say, Pony metal needles DO NOT satisfy my needley desire or give me the same tactile pleasure as my Knit Pros. Yes, a new pair are on their way:-) So, I 'metal clicked' away for a little while this afternoon, to produce maybe another inch or two.

Do you like the cute project bag? It's from Three Bags Full, in Brooklin, ME. Michelle's bags are just gorgeous. Look at the cute little owl bead on the zip pull. I love it!

Well, that's about all for this evening, as I still have a pile of 'stuff' to do before tomorrow, as well as catch a bit of the Glaston bury Festival on TV. Oh, must show you something else just before I go. I now know that I am truly loved, adored and respected by at least one little lad in my class. On Friday, he offered me a very special gift.................. a half-eaten 'fried egg' cake. That's right, a fried egg cake.... half-eaten! 'I saved you the fried egg, 'cos I had the best day out ever, at Duxford, yesterday!' Awwwww!

Have great week!

'BOXLEAF'......FINISHED!

2011-06-19T17:47:00.003+01:00

It's finished and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!! Anne Hanson's 'Boxleaf Triangle' pattern is a triumph. I loved every minute of the making. The gorgeous 'Fleece Artist' Nyoni yarn was from my swap partner Cathy in Manhattan. It really is one of the prettiest and loveliest yarns to work with. The colours just cannot be captured on camera. Mind you, the weather today her in the UK has been pretty dull and miserable, which hasn't helped matters.Mr Sunshine saw no reason to brighten the sky, just because Snoopydog needed to take some yarny shots!

I just want to show you more and more pics......... so here goes.......first up is 'Boxleaf' blocking.

'Boxleaf' hanging.........

Finally...... 'Boxleaf' being worn by the younger Miss Snoopydog!

I 'frogged' my 'Pomatamus' socks this afternoon. They have sat unloved in a deep, dark bag for long enough now and my mojo has not returned. So, in order to make use of the ready wound Wollmeise, I have made a start on Anne Hanson's 'Pompa' scarf, instead. We'll see how we get on with this one. I think it may be the 'Lila Ludmilla' Wollmeise yarn that is jinxed though, as already I'm thinking' hmmm, not sure....'. Here it is after the first 20 row pattern repeat.

Thanks to the miserable, rainy weather this weekend, Snoopydog's time has been full of yarny productivity, as you can see. Now back to reality, as the working week fast approaches!!!!!!!!! Have a good one!

THE LIFE-CYCLE OF A BLANKIE

2011-06-12T18:31:00.001+01:00

Look who I've been chatting with this weekend! It's 'Sock Yarn Blankie'! He's just woken up, after a very long and lonely, year long (well, very nearly) hibernation. He was a little bit cranky and a little bit distressed by the bright light of day, but other than that he looked great, after a stretch and a cuddle. These blankies are quite extraordinary little creatures, you know. They manage to remain tightly curled in the bottom of deep, dark bags, without any form of yarny nourishment or human contact for months, sometimes even years! Their survival is a complete mystery to all those who have delved into the long and, very often, quite secret life of the 'Sock Yarn Blankie'.

My little companion is still very much an infant. He has a considerable amount of growing to do, before he reaches adulthood. This can take any number of years ...................... usually many, many! He has been more than happy to sit on the arm of the sofa all weekend, soaking up the family atmosphere and reacquainting himself with life in the Snoopydog home, although there are signs of hunger and I know that feeding must begin very soon, if he is remain docile and companionable.

Here he is as a newborn.... just after entering the world on July 21st 2009.

Here he is after his first feed.....

And here, only a few weeks later,

They can grow at an alarming rate, but as you can see, my little friend seems to be progressing rather slowly. There is much debate over whether this is down to Nature, or nurture. There is, however, no clear pattern thus far. Certainly, feeding is high up there on the list of factors being investigated at the present time. Blankie food comes in many different colours and qualities.

The Snoopydog blankie is fed on only the most succulent and squishy yarny skeins as you can see from the evidence above. Each meal is carefully weighed out into 3g portions. We don't want him getting too fat, now do we! He does get leftovers too, but only cut from the highest quality Snoopydog sock yarn skeins. So, all in all, the quality of the food certainly doesn't appear to speed up the growth rate.

Scientifically, the lifecycle of these little companions is unfathomable, due to extent and range of their different genetic make-ups. All we know for certain, is that they love to be cherished and fondled and allowed to sleep for relatively long periods of time, before awakening ready for a good 'top-up' feeding session. The feed sessions can last for days, weeks or even months, until the day hibernation resumes; he will slip back quietly into the dark recesses of the blankie bag for a lovely, long sleep.

Well, there you have it. What an instuctional post I had for you all this evening. I bet not one of you suspected that old Snoops was the great scientist that she is!!!! Oh no! Hopefully, there will shortly be a follow up, to show more recent evidence of blankie feeding and, hopefully, growing.

Until next time, I wish you all a good evening and a very productive week ahead.

HAPPY DAYS........

2011-06-05T18:12:00.003+01:00

Good evening! Hope everybody is happy, happy, happy! I can't believe it's Sunday evening and time to go back to school tomorrow, after the haf-term break. I've had a lovely relaxing week, with family visiting last weekend, a couple of evenings out with friends, the usual catch up on haircut and dentist and then ....... chillout! Time to catch my breath and get down to some serious knitting. What's new! I hear you cry. Well, nothing, I would agree, but the previous few weeks had left me feeling as though I was whirling around, on a fast moving fairground ride, that didn't ever stop. So, I've taken a deep breath, relaxed, picked away at my reports bit by bit (finished them this afternoon!) and all in all had a thoroughly pleasant week doing not very much. Just how I like it!

The photo above was taken on Tuesday evening as Mr Snoops and I walked Oscar around the lake at our local water park. The sunsets are always stunning over the water, but this one was particularly so. Another seven or eight minutes and the sun and the colours had more or less disappeared. I'm always too shattered on school evenings to go with him, but sights like this remind me that I should sometimes make a little more effort.

Luckily, the sun has shone on us most of the week here near the east coast and so much knitting has been done al fesco. As you can see, I've finished the little kaftan hoodie for Sophie that I began a while ago. This Debbie Bliss eco baby pattern was a very easy knit, albeit lots of pretty boring stocking stitch. It's made from organic pur cotton and will perfect to pull on on chillier late summer evenings.

I love the little side slit openings and the fact that it needed no buttons or fastenings of any kind. The book is one of three I've collected to send up to Sophie from the 'book fairy' in the next week or two.

I was determined to complete one of my WIPs during the week, and once that was achieved, I then turned my needles to what I was really planning on getting going on, Anne Hanson's 'Boxleaf Triangle'. I'm using the gorgeous yarn from my Knitspot 'Autumn in Full Colour' group swap partner Cathy. The yarn is absolutely gorgeous and knits beautifully, with virtually no pilling, but a lovely sheen. It'a a mixture -65% wool, 20% mohair, 10% nylon and 5% silk. It seems to be a perfect combination for shawl knitting. Here it is so far.

The pattern is pretty to memorise once you get going and as you can see, I have put in a lifeline every ten rows or so, just in case I make a major unrectifiable error! I don't leve every lifeline in, I tend to leave two at a time and remove to reuse the bottom one each time, checking for any unnoticed errors first, of course! I'm making the large size, as there is 250g of yarn.............yummy, yummy!

Just to show willing, I did make six jars of marmalade too! Made whilst the sun had gone in!

Washed and ate some strawberries too!

Aaahhhh! Just the perfect way to spend a relaxed half-term at home. So, am I ready for school tomorrow? What do you think? See you next week. Have fun!

HALF-TERM HAPPINESS.......

2011-05-29T18:33:00.000+01:00

Look at this scrumptious, delicious, totally gorgeous yarn! It's Fleece Artist Nyoni and is a whopping 250g skein. It was my swap gift from Cathy in the Knitspot Fall in Full Colour club swap. I also received a yummy chocolate bar, made in Manhattan and a very pretty little silk bag, suitable for a small project.

It's been so much fun joining in with this swap and getting to know Cathy. I now have to get started on an Anne Hanson project. I seem to have spent a lot of time this week chopping and changing, but I think I have finally decided on the 'Boxleaf Triangle' in the large size, to make the most of the 250g skein. I think the yarn will show of the pattern beautifully.

I've also picked up another pair of unfinished socks to try and make some progress with this half-term. I've just managed to turn the heel on the first one. Not great progress, but at least they have been brought to life again. Hopefully, they will become another completed project by this time next week.

The garden has lots all it's beautiful Spring colour, but we do have roses that have just come into bloom this week. They have never been one of my favourite flowers, but they do add a lovely burst of colour to the garden.

Do you know....... it's so good to be sitting here, talking to you on a Sunday evening and knowing that I DON'T have to go to school tomorrow!!!!! We have been visited this weekend by our eldest daughter and her fiance. It's always lovely to have family members staying and makes us have a little more 'get up and go' to actually make an effort to do things. We are always so tired during the working week. So, we have made the most of their company and been out and about. Hopefully, I will be doing more of the same this week.......... oh, and finishing my reports!!!!

Have a good week and thank you so much for calling in to see me. I always look forward to your visits!

WAITING IMPATIENTLY...........

2011-05-22T17:05:00.001+01:00

Whilst I wait impatiently ......I knit........ I write reports........I knit....... I write reports!!!! Before I know it, I have another project ticked off my 'to finish' list, but not too many reports written! I loved knitting these and enjoyed the fact that the pattern was easy to memorise, but still looked good. The Wolmeisse yarn is lovely, with great stitch definition, but there are lots of other yarns that I like just as much and some that I have my eye on, but haven't tried yet: :-). I still have two more pairs to finish before my 'Knit Nation' deadline, so hopefully there may be another finished pair before next Sunday.

Whilst I wait impatiently........ I take a few more pics of my 'Spriteling' to show you, now blocked and gorgeous.

I think you can tell how pleased I am with it!

I am waiting so impatiently.......... for a little parcel to arrive from across the pond. It's coming all the way from Manhattan from my lovely swap partner, Cathy. I'm taking part in the Knitspot 'Fall in Full Colour' clubhouse swap, over on Ravelry. It's just the coolest place to be at the minute and SUCH a good way to waste oodles of time. The clubhouse is full of lovely people!

I posted my little parcel off to Cathy last Monday, after school, at around 5.10p.m. and guess what.... it arrived on Wednesday. How amazing is that! Well done to the old postal services there, I think. Post often takes that long to arrive withing the U.K. never mind going all that way across the water. I picked out a lovely Natural Dye Studio yarn for Cathy and some yummy Thornton's dark chocolate.

I'm so excited! I can't wait for my little parcel to arrive! Then I shall have to decide on which fabulous Anne Hanson pattern to knit with my swap skein. It's definitely NOT going to be socks. I'm pretty sure it will be a small shawl, but I shall wait and let my new little yarny friend help me decide, when he or she arrives.

Pop back to share my surprise!! Have a great week.

I HEART MY 'SPRITELING'!

2011-05-15T19:36:00.001+01:00

It's finished! I love everything about it! I have so, so, so enjoyed making this. It's the first time I have blocked anything. Socks don't need it!!! I can see from the pic I have a few little ajustments to make to the pins, before it dries, but I am soooooooo pleased with it. It's so cool to knit something that you haven't seen a picture of and not know what it's going to look like until you have finished...................... and blocked it. It's almost doubled in size from the fuzzy little thing that was on my circular.

I won some 'SOAK' at 'Knit Nation' last year, which I used to soak it for about 20 minutes. Then I laid it out on a large towel and carefully wrapped up and give it some gentle squeezes to help get rid of the excess water and then spent forever, pinning it out. I used my new rods to set the top nice and straight to start with. Then smoothed out from the centre. It's quite a tricky process, I now realise! No five minute shove it down and stick the pins in, oh no. It took me the best part of an hour, fiddling and re-doing and fiddling again and straightening. I can see it STILL neeeds another little adjustment.

I love the pretty little edging that was formed by the crochet cast-off. How clever!

I love the clever patterning that gives the pretty wavy look. In fact, I love everything about it. Can't wait to hold it and fondle it and wear it, once it's dry. I think there may be a lace addiction starting!!!!

Sorry about my quick visit this evening, but I still have 'mountains' to climb before I can go to school tomorrow ....... !

However, I'd like to share a couple of pics with you of some artwork that children in my class have worked on. They have mounted for an art exhibition. The children were thrilled to see their work in proper frame :-) O aploogise for the window pane reflections. I snapped away with my camera, as they were being shown in assembly and didn't even notice!

This was a charcoal sketch called 'Juliet drinks the poison'. We had worked with a chamber orchestra around 'Romeo and Juliet' music (Prokofiev, Tchaikovsky and Gershwin). I love the lines in this one.

This one was created with paintbrush, sponge and collage. It's called 'Tossed on the Ocean' and the stimulus came from the fabulous book called, 'The Mousehole Cat'. It's got a real 'tossed about' feeel to it.

Finally, this one, called 'Autumn Mist'. We used leaves, wax crayons and Brusho to achieve the effect. I love the shapes and coours.

I'll leave you with a photo taken this morning, of the tree colours in our garden. I had to stop for a moment to look. Beautiful!

Have a good week everyone!

DEADLINE.............. JULY14th 2011!!!!!

2011-05-08T20:58:00.002+01:00

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear! Where on earth have all these unfinished projects come from? I nearly started another this afternoon, but just managed to contain myself, by tying my hands and feet together. Okay, so some of these are fairly new and I know I knit quite quickly, but I'm not superhuman, that's for sure. However, they do have be finished. I HATE having anything left in the 'forgotten' corner for too long.

Now normally, this amount of unfinished 'goodness' would be almost acceptable. Not this time though! Oh no, definitely not this time. You see, there are two very exciting knitty happenings on the horizon, both of which make me squeal inside my head, every time I so much as picture them in my little old brain. Both of these exciting happenings, by their very nature, just so happen to involve further yarny gathering and project knitting. Want to know what's happening?

Well, first rush of excitement comes with the up and coming, fabulous 'Knit Nation 2011' in July. Here are some memories from last year.

There's bound to be some serious yarn purchasing, although going for more solids and semi-solids I think. Maybe a few laceweights too. Josiekitten and I have already booked our tickets and our beds for the weeekend. Such excitement!

Next up in the 'very exciting news' category, is Anne Hanson's new 'Fall in Colour' project club. Her patterns and yarn choices are always fabulous and I just knew I couldn't resisit. A new pattern and specially dyed, exclusive yarn, arrive each month from August through to January. There's even a Ravelry clubhouse. These 'Cinder Block' socks that I'm working on at present, are one of Anne's lovely patterns.

So...... where does that leave all these unfinished squishy goodies? Well, the plan is pretty simple. Nothing else can be cast on before July 14th, the day before 'Knit Nation', when I may need to cast on some easy socks for the train journey.

Let's see what we've got then, working across the photo from left to right.....

'Cinder Block Socks' - using a skein of Wolmeisse, bought at Knit Nation last year. Great pattern. Can't wait to finish them!
'Margot' - jumper for little Sophie. Only cast on a week or so ago, so no worries there!
'Spriteling' - shawl. This is a Soctopus KAL project, which is moving along nicely. I am up to date, having finished Clue 3 yesterday. So, ongoing for this little lovely!
'Sock Yarn Blankie' - ......... my baby!!!! I don't want him ever to be finished. So Blankie is EXEMPT from the finishing deadline.
'Hooded Kaftan' - again for little Sophie. This is my easy peasy 'car journey' or 'blot out when I'm brain-dead', knitting. Likely to be finished very soon then, as there's plenty of need for this kind of stuff at present to relieve the boredom of report writing, but without requiring too much work from the frazzled brain cells.
'Cotton Chevron Cushion' - Hmmm, well, don't know what to say about this one. The colours match our sitting room curtains very nicely and I know it will look lovely onn the navy blue sofas, but...... I've somehow lost the mojo for this one. However, on the positive side, half is already complete. That should be enough motivation in itself! I need to think of it just as I would my favouritest knitting of all.... socks. When one is complete, I have to cast the next one on because I'm already halfway there!!! It works every time. No orphan socks in this caring household! Right, so that's one to tackle next weekend ( if I can find the crochet hook!).
'Lilac Pool Socks' - I just love evrything about these socks. The pattern works wonderfully and the yarn is just gorgeous. Can't wait to find time to finish them.
'Granny in the Middle Blanket' - I love the colours and the yarn was left over (yes, I know, there was quite a lot!) from Sophie's 'Ripple Blanket'. The problem is, I'm not such a huge fan of crocheting AND you have to attach them. It may be that this gets 'frogged' and I use the yarn for another 'Ripple' instead. This one will have to stay on the back burner for now. There's no way it will be done by July 14th. EXEMPT, but a decision as to what is to become of it has to have been made. That's fair, don't you think?
'Gunnerside Ladies' - I lusted after this yarn and pattern for months. I adore it! I love knitting it! It's just that the weather changed and somehow I didn't have the same impetus to get on with it, when in all probability, it wouldn't be worn until October, as the Autumn leaves begin to fall. So, what's the decision about this one then? As it's my only 'big' project (except for blankets, which are exempt), I will allow this beauty to rest and restore it's strength, ready for a big, fresh burst of activity during the Summer Holidays. ALLOWED TO REST
'Pomatamus' by Cookie A. These socks have to be complete before 14th July, at all cost. That's all I ve to say on this one :-)
'Swallowtail Shawl' by Evelyn A. Clark. I've lost my cool with this one and 'frogged' it at least four times. However, I have new found confidence in my shawl making ability since beginning 'Spriteling' and learning about 'lifelines'. So, I look forward to this one, but possibly not until August, when I can concentrate and have time to think properly about what I'm doing.

So, where does that leave the situation? Looking not too horrendous. At least I have some kind of plan to at least get most of the smaller items finished. Who knows, I may amaze everyone and complete them all with time to spare. Somehow, I think that possibility would only succeed in the realms of magic and wizardry.

This weekend I have made some headway with my plan. 'Spriteling' is as far as it can be, until the next clue is released.

I've completed the back and started the front of the little 'Hooded Kaftan',

and turned the heel on the first 'Cinder Block' sock.

The weather has been glorious this weekend, which meant my school report writing didn't really get off the mark. I try to save them to do when it's cold, wet or a school evening. At present there is time to spare, so it all feels in control. I'll need plenty of sun and warmth at weekends though, to get on with those WIPs. I enjoy knitting in the garden more than anywhere else. How lovely to knit in the warm sunshine, under a blue sky, whilst llistening to birdsong and smelling the blooms. Heaven!

Long may it continue. Have a good week everyone and thanks for calling in. It's always so good to seee you!

WEDDINGS AND PLANS.....

2011-05-01T11:35:00.000+01:00

Hello there! Happy Sunday! Just a quick post today, as we are away with our family for the holiday weekend. I thought I just call in to 'catch up'. As you can see from the photo above, I have started another new project! In fact I have two new ones on the go, but the other is not quite so colourful, so it can wait until completion. I just happened to be flicking through my baby pattern books last Sunday afternoon, when I came across a really pretty little jumper that would use up some of my stash yarn, the 'Margot' jumper. As you can see from the label on the green yarn, these balls (and quite a few more!) were purchased for a mere £1.20 a ball in a John Lewis sale last summer. I love knitting with Rowan 'milk cotton'. It's really soft and gives great stitch definition. I think it must have taken me about forty minutes to make my final colour selection!!!!! This is how it's looking so far.....

There is a little crocheting detail to add across the front, back and arms. I haven't really touched any of this kind of colour work for a while, because I just hate sewing in all the ends, but just once in a while is bearable.

The last week has been a strange one with weddings and plans to be made. As I sat knitting last Sunday afternoon, I took an exciting phone call from my eldest daughter, who was holidaying with her boyfriend on a small island off the coast of Ireland. They have just announced their engagement! HOORAY! We are so happy for them both. They met at university and have been together for eight years now. It's another lovely, family event to look forward too, as plans are put into motion for a late Spring or early Summer wedding, next year.

The very short, three-day school week, ended with an exciting day of pre Royal Wedding preparations and celebrations. The children had a special Royal Wedding 'street party' school lunch, followed by an afternoon of 'making'. We made flags and commemorative plates to take home. Everyone had great fun!

Sorry, but I'm being called to go. Sophie has just woken up from her nap and we are off out for a spot of lunch, followed by a stroll around Chorlton water park with the dogs. Here they are chilling in the sun..... twenty minutes ago.

The parks around here are ablaze with rhodedendrons in bloom. They are just beautiful!

Enjoy the rest of the weekend and the sunshine!

EASTER GREETINGS!

2011-04-24T20:10:00.001+01:00

Gosh! Doesn't a week fly by when you are enjoying yourself. We had an absolutely perfect time, thanks to some very thoughtful weather. It was HOT all week! We spent most of it in and around Dalby Forest, where this photo of mum and lamb was taken. I think the sheep breed may be a Wensleydale, but please correct me if I'm wrong.

Knitting took a back seat, as we were out and about most of the time. However, I have managed to complete the little 'Daisy Cardi' for Sophie. It won't fit her just yet, but will be a warm layer in late summer, when the evenings are turning a little cooler.

It's a Debbie Bliss pattern and knite up really easily. I really like the simple shaping of the collar, which means it lies flat nicely and looks good. I'm not usually a fan of collared knitted items. The little daisies were blanket stitched on around the little eyelet holes, at the end.

I've managed to get started on Clue 2 of 'Spriteling', but only when in the cottage, as we left last Friday before it was published. I've had to follow the chart nd instructions from the computer screen! Needless to say, I've unpicked and ripped back several times, but have now reached Row 80. There are fourteen more rows to complete before the next clue is released.

The pattern has just begun to change and is less dense, but I guess I need to complete the last few rows for you to be able to see the pattern change clearly.

I love the pretty edging!

I have to say that 'lifelines' are a real lifesaver! This is not too difficult a pattern, but when you make an error, it is very tricky to correct with so many yarnovers, especially as I am not an experienced lace knitter. I could become one though! I've really enjoyed seeing the pattern develop and the interest created by having to concentrate on every stitch. Mind you, I'm saying that towards the end of a very relaxing holiday fortnight! I think lace knitting can only ever be for the holidays.

I had three balls of yarn left over from the little 'Daisy Cardi', so rather than stash it, I made a very hasty visit to John Lewis, where I exchanged it for some Debbie Bliss 'eco baby'.

Not sure what it's going to be yet, but probably this summer cardi for Sophie. The yarn is actually a little lighter than the shade in the photo.

The Easter holidays are very nearly at an end now, so we have made the most of the Easter weekend, relaxing in the garden. We came home on Friday to lots more Spring blooms, that had blossomed whilst we were away.

I just love wisteria! It always seems miraculous how the pale, delicate, twisting tendrils can sprout from the twisted, gnarled woody branches and the burst forth into such an amazingly beautiful display of colour and shape.

Bluebells have been a long time favourite of mine, since I was very young, in fact. We now seem to have mutations in various shades of pink as well as these pretty 'whitebells'.

Oscar was pleased to be reacquainted with the garden. He has spent much of the weekend rooting out his best branches and logs!

Three days back at school next week and then another four day break! Hooray! See you next week!

GREETINGS FROM NORTH YORKSHIRE!

2011-04-17T20:01:00.001+01:00

Good evening! We are enjoying a peaceful and relaxing week here in North Yorkshire, but I thought I would just pop in to say 'hello', being as we had surprise visitors for the day today.

Little Sophie and her folks, including Scott, of course, came to see us. Oscar was VERY excited! Sophie is wearing the little jacket I made for her a while ago. It's had lots of wear!

We enjoyed a delicious pub Sunday lunch together and have then spent hours in the beautiful Dalby Forest. Needless to say, Mr Snoops and I are now in need of a relaxing evening at the cottage. So that's good news as it means I have time to talk to you, whilst he catches up on today's London Marathon goings on. The elder Miss Snoopydog's boyfriend and his sister successfully completed the course for the second year running. Alas the younger Miss Snoops was injured, but was able to defer her place for next year.

I packed a selection of knitting projects to bring up with me, but so far have managed very little knitting time. I have my 'Spriteling', with a few more rows completed but not enough to make it worth a showing this week, the 'Lilac Pool Socks' with no further progress and Sophie's little jacket with no more progress.

However, I have restarted the 'Cinder Block Socks' using a plain dye yarn. They do look so much better. I'm using some Wollmeise Sockenwolle 80/20 Twin in the colourway 'Sabrina'. The stitch definition is excellent and the pattern well accentuated.

That's about it on the knitting front. The weather has been so lovely, that we have been out and about for most of our stay, so far. Long may it continue, as I just love the warm Spring sunshine and new growth. I'll leave you with a few more shots of our stay, so far......

We're having a great time! Hope you have a good week too!

HOPE YOU'RE IMPRESSED!

2011-04-13T20:59:00.000+01:00

Oh my word! Guess what? Something I never thought would happen has happened. I've spun my first skein of yarn! Well, to be more precise, I spun it yesterday, whilst enjoying a fabulous day in the company of my dear friend Josiekitten. She's been spinning for a little while now and is producing some really gorgeous skeins. I've not been too interested up until now. I am a little bit of a perfectionist (..some would say a BIG bit of one!) and I somehow thought that I would find my early efforts very unsatisfying. However, all that changed yesterday. I LOVED it!

Josiekitten and I usually try to meet up for a 'woolly' day each holiday, but at half-term we couldn't find a day when we were both free. No probs this holiday though. What a lovely day we spent together; catching up on each other's news and knitting projects, drinking tea, eating cake, checking out some newly discovered on-line 'yummy' yarn stores, planning our trip to 'Knit Nation' and..................... spinning!!!!

I have to say , it's quite tricky, but I was content with the knowledge that with the excellent tuition I was receiving, I could see improvement. I produced two 'singles' that then had to be plied together . I think that's right ;-). They look very lumpy and bumpy don't they? Don't forget, I'm a 'newborn'!

Then a quick wind on the 'niddy noddy' and 'hey presto!' .............

.... my first skein of handspun!

It was soaked and hung up to dry overnight, with a weight on the bottom to straighten it out (I think!). Today, I dyed the skein and the little extra 'single' with some 'Kool-Aid'.

Here it is........... again...................... !!!! I'm so, so proud of my little skein of handspun, hand-dyed yarn, that I just have to show that photo one more time....

I'd like.............. I WANT a spinning wheel!!!! I just know I'll love it and improvement will come with practice. That means I now need at least another 4 extra hours in the day, please. Have fun!

HOLIDAY MAGIC!

2011-04-10T20:47:00.001+01:00

Good evening! What a really lovely week it's been here on the eastern side of the UK. We've had lots of warm, Spring sunshine, with temperatures bringing out the bare arms and legs! I captured the sunsets at Whitlingham Lake, where we take Oscar for his early morning or evening walks. The sun sets over western end of the lake, so we aim to be at the eastern end just as it sinks. Beautiful!

Knitting has been a rather 'mixed bag' this week; some success mixed with indecision and impatience. First the success....

The Juno Fibre Arts yarn that I had originally chosen for my 'Spriteling' has become a pair of 'Lilac Pool Socks'. The pattern is 'Rib Fantastic' from one of my favourite books, 'Knitting Socks with Handpainted Yarn', by Carol J. Sulcoski. I've used the pattern before and it works beautifully with this kind of yarn. The colouring is working out really nicely. I'm not too keen on colour pooling. The pattern produces a stretchy, comfy fit.

I've also begun a little Spring jacket for Sophie, using the yarn that I'd started a cabled coat with for her, way back last Autumn. Needless to say, I lost the cabling mojo and when I finally pulled it from the bottom of my basket last week, I realised I no longer had enough yarn to finish it in the size now required. Babies grow way too quickly! So, I'm now making the 'Daisy Cardigan' from Debbie Bliss's book, 'Simply Baby'.

I'm using the gorgeously soft 'Baby Cashmerino', in this very delicate pale lilac. The daisies are blanket stitched on, around the eylet holes.

I've wound this cake of Wollmeise, ready for the long car journey up to Pickering on Friday.

I'm using it to make Anne Hanson's 'Cinder Block Socks'. I had already begun to knit this pattern, using the Juno Fibre Arts yarn shown above. Prior to that, the Juno yarn had been used to swatch for 'Spriteling'. Indecision, indecision, indecision!!!!!!! The lovely sock pattern was lost, as was the 'Spriteling' pattern. It's a hard lesson to learn, that sometimes you just HAVE to use a solid, or at least a semi-solid colour, to give the pattern it's full glory. I'll show you more of these later in the week.

Last, but not least, I have finally got going on 'Spriteling', the Soctopus mystery shawl KAL, for the runup to Knit Nation 2011! I had been very indecisive last week, when trying to select just the right yarn. I finally began knitting using the Old Maiden Aunt yarn that I showed you last time. It was way too hairy! It just didn't look right.

Sooooooo, yesterday afternoon, I sat out in the sun and tried again. This time I used the yarn that I had first intended to use, but felt it might be a litttle too dark. It's a Malabrigo light sock yarn, in the colourway, Cote d'Azur. I am really happy with my final choice and felt that I'd made great progress. This afternoon I planned to repeat yesterday's success and hopefully make plenty of headway in completing the 58 rows released so far.

But......... oh no! ERROR spotted! I knew I should have added a lifeline! Can you see it?

Out it all came...... not once, but twice! It's okay though, I wasn't stressed, I wasn't bothered..... I'm on holiday, so it's all okay!

Third time lucky and with a lifeline in place on every tenth row, I can now show you the progress so far, to Row 30.

It's been a well written and easy to follow pattern, so far. I'm no great lace knitter, so this one is quite an adventure for me! I'm loving it so far! The yarn's true colour is very much more as the colour in the top photo. The above shot was taken in full sunlight this afternoon, but it gives you a little taster.

Well, I think that's quite enough to keep me going for the next two weeks. I always like to have some new projects lined up for the holidays.

I'll leave you with a couple of shots of young Oscar, taken today as he played 'hide and seek' in the garden and investigating the first rhubarb harvest of the year, that Mr Snoops brought back from his allotment this afternoon. By the way, the rhubarb crumble has already been made and eaten.

Hoping to see you during the week sometime! Have a great week!

FLOWER POWER........

2011-04-03T19:01:00.001+01:00

Good evening to you! Hope everyone is full of the joys of Spring. I'm very pleased to be able to show the finished baby set, that I've made for the friend of a friend. I'm always anxious when the knitting is for someone else and usually rush to get it all finished quickly. This little lot has taken a week. All the pieces were very quick and easy to complete, with minimal sewing up and came from two of my favourite baby knit books, both by Erika Knight.

The little cardi is made all in one piece and takes two (although it says three) balls of Rowan 'wool cotton' . There are only the side seams and underarms to join! It has three-quarter sleeves and the garter stitch gives a lovely thick, warm texture to this gorgeously soft yarn.

The little hat was made in Rowan 'fine milk cotton' . I love the pretty edging!

Last, but by no means least, come the little bootees. I used the remains of the 'wool cotton' to make the flowers, using the pattern from the hat design. I cast on 31 stitches, rather than the required 49. You could make the flowers any size you like, as long as you cast on a multiple of 6 plus 1 stitches. They are each made all in one piece, with just one seam to be sewn up.

Such a quick, easy but pretty little set. Well, I think so anyway! I really enjoyed making them.

I've begun a new pair of socks to have as my 'travelling' project. The delectable cake of Juno Fibre Arts Buffy sock yarn that I had planned to use fot the 'Spriteling' has sat beside me all week. I've squished and fondled and couldn't leave it alone, so began the search for an easy but interesting pattern. Firstly, I tried 'Jaywalker', one of my old favourites, but the yarn was beginning to pool just a little too much for my liking. After a quick Ravelry search, I espied the perfect pattern amongst josiekitten's WIPs. I decided upon Anne Hanson's Cinder Block Socks. So far, so good..... although on looking at them again just now, I think the pattern would work better with a plain colourway. Never mind, I'm sticking with it now.......... or am I? Hmm, just watch this space. I'm soooooo indecisive.

Oh dear! I'm putting all this indecision down to 'near holiday brain meltdown'. Not long to go now, thank goodness. Mind you, there's a whole 'Norwich Exhibition' to put up this week at school ....... and take down again. Perhaps I'll show you a few pics next week, if all goes well.

I've downloaded clue 1 of 'Spriteling', the Alice Yu Knit Nation Mystery Shawl, sat down, read it through, cast on, completed four rows, made an error and ....... given up........ well, at least until next week, when I am on holiday and can fully apply my brain to a lace pattern.

Just time to leave you with a little splash or two of Spring colour that's made me happy this week. First up is a view of our garden, with the magnificent Magnolia tree about to burst forth.

Next, a view across the lake on Tuesday evening, as we walked Oscar.

Lastly, the gorgeous tulips that arrived this morning from my eldest 'lovely girl'.

Plenty to make me smile! Have great week everyone.

CHANGE OF PLAN......

2011-03-27T18:29:00.001+01:00

Goood afternoon to you all! Nice to be back, even if it is for just a flying visit. We are off out shortly and I've not planned my time very well today, so I'm in a big rush to 'talk' to you all, feed Oscar, Magimix the leek and potato soup that's sitting in the pan still, get changed, print my school planning......... I could go on! The list is always pretty endless.

I just HAD to show you the pretty little cardigan for Sophie. I 'm really pleased with it. The bamboo and wool yarn has great stitch definition and a lovely sheen, but gets a little fluffy. Bamboo always seems to. It's such a quick and easy knit, with a clever little scalloped edge made by picking up the stitch from the third row down along with the current stitch and casting off together on every sixth stitch along the cast off row. I've not used this method before. The cardigan goes well with the little beret.

I decided to take your advice on the yarn choice for 'Spriteling' and have had to make a very necessary little purchase, in order to obtain the required yarn!!!!!! I decided a solid colour or semi-solid would, indeed, show off the stitchwork to much better effect. I've done very little lace knitting and am not really a shawl wearer, so whatever I use, has to be something I will be happy having around my neck. I gone for this....

....... the softest mix of baby alpaca, silk and cashmere. It's from one of my favourite dyers, 'Old Maiden Aunt' . I've wound a nice fat yarn cake....

...... and swatched...... again!

The 'Juno Fibre Arts' yarn that I had planned to use, will become a pair of 'Jaywalker' socks. Perfect car knitting for our trip up to Yorkshire over the Easter holidays. No wasted yarn there then!

I've also started the little hat that I am knitting as part of a set of baby 'bits', for a friend to give to her friend who has just had a baby girl. I'm using Rowan 'milk cotton' for the hat and bootees and Rowan 'woolcotton' for the cardign.

This book is my favourite for baby knits. There are some really lovely, simple designs.

Oscar's been up to his old tricks with the flower pots! He's begun a 'stash' on a corner of the lawn, behind the bush that you can see on the right of the photo. He's also begun collecting large pieces of wood to add interest to his ever growing collection of garden objects. You can see the latest piece to be dragged onto the lawn! He calls it 'branch on lawn'. Sure to be a most sort after piece of moddog art!

That's all! Gotta go! I'll catch up with you all tomorrow evening! Have a good week.

'SPRITELING' MAKES AN ENTRANCE....

2011-03-20T19:22:00.000Z

Hello there! So glad to be back. The week has flown and it's been busy, busy, busy with Parent's Evenings and allsorts. So, I decided to make amends and have a relaxing weekend with the needles.Yesterday was really lovely and I even managed to sit out in the garden for a couple of hours. It's so good to hear the birdsong again and even hear the first mowing of the year, of a distant neighbour's lawn. Warmer days are definitely on their way!

Yesterday, I managed to finish the little jacket for Sophie, using the DROPS design. It takes about 150g of 4-ply sock yarn. I'm really pleased with the finished result. Do you like the cute bunny? He's a little Easter gift for Sophie, along with the jacket.

I signd up for Alice Yu's 'Spriteling Socktopus Mystery Shawl KAL' . The swatch pattern has been released this week, with the first pattern release due on April 1st. 'Spriteling is a triangular shawl taking inspiration from the woods and various lace traditions, including Shetland and Scandinavia'. You need to be an advanced intermediate knitter apparently! The pattern will be charted and written. I have to say, I prefer written to chart, but having both is always good.

The swatch was easy enough and I think I'm happy with my yarn choice, but as always, not 100% certain. I'll leave the swatch lying around for a few days, so that I can feast my eyes on it and be absolutely certain that I've made the right choice. The yarn is 100% BFL from 'Juno Fibre Arts', in the colourway, 'Lilac Pool'. I absolutely adore the colours of the yarn and it's smooth high twist feel. Just right for shawl knitting! Asti's gorgeous yarns have become firm favourites of mine. What do you think to the swatch? Will it work, or would a more solid colourway show the stitchwork off more effectively? Answers on a postcard please!

I must show you a fabulous pattern book that I picked up in my local John Lewis store. I just had to buy it! It's packed full of beautiful designs for babies and children. There are so many that I would love to knit, that the £7.95 price tag seems very reasonable! I've already picked out my favourites that I just HAVE to start very soon. Well, just as soon as there are 50 hours in each and every day ;-). Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!

Well, I must say 'cheerio' for now, as I have some schoolwork to attend to, but let me leave you with a couple of blasts of colour from my week. Apologies if you are also a Snoopydog 365 visitor, where these photos have already appeared.

I used to love these fizzy, sherberty chews when I was a child. These were a strange gift, but will soon be gone!

My class made mini market stalls this week, ready for an exhibition in the school hall. They still have to make stall holders and the goods to be sold! Lots of cutting, sticking, painting.......... and clearing up!

He knows he shouldn't be on the sofas and I know he shouldn't be on the sofas, but sometimes a warm, furry, doggy companion is just the best possible companion on the sofa.

Goodnight! Have a good week everyone.

SMILEY STRIPES

2011-03-13T20:03:00.001Z

I've got lots of bits and pieces on the needles at the moment and seem to not be able to settle to finishing any of them. I've been doing a 'little bit of this' and a 'little bit of that' and not a great deal of anything. BUT, this afternoon I decided to cast on and complete something. I did it! Using more of the 'Smiley Stripes' yarn that I showed you last week, I rustled this little beret up this afternoon, whilst watching the rugby international. The pattern is from the 'Hearts and Stripes' booklet by Sirdar. I've made the 6 to 12 months size to go with the cardigan that I've started, for Sophie's Easter gift. The yarn knits beautifully. It's soft and gives a lovely even stitch.

Here's how the yarn patterning is working out on the cardigan, so far...

The first half of the 'Spring Cardi' using the DROPS pattern has also been completed...

It's hard to imagine how this odd shape can become half of a cardigan, isn't it! To the left is half of the back, to the right is the right front and at the bottom of the photo, is what will be the right sleeve. Very clever really!

Young Oscar spent yesterday evening watching Crufts on the TV. He sat mesmerised for some time, before getting up for a closer look. I think he thought this whippet looked a bit o the thin side for his liking.

I'm sorry this is a rather short post this week, but I now have 'pay back time'. As I spent all afternoon knitting and very happily too, may I add, I now need to sort out bits and pieces for school tomorrow. Not that I have anything to complain about, as I sit in my warm, comfortable, peaceful home. My thoughts go out to all those people in Japan, who have had their lives changed forever by the earthquake and tsunami. It's impossible to truly imagine the catastrophic scale of the disaster just from TV coverage. The human loss is immense.

I'm grateful for my own small world and those who share it with me! Thank you bloggy friends!

COLOUR FIX

2011-03-06T17:40:00.001Z

Good afternoon! Another busy week has whizzed by. I have no idea where the time has gone to, but it's certainly going way too fast for my liking at present. I have not had too much knitting time agin this week, but have spent time this weekend finishing off my 'Wildflower Socks'. I just love the pretty yarn from Jenny Cook. The pattern is such an easy knit, but suits the yarn really well. I like the sl, k1 heel too. It gives a nice snuggly, comfortable feel.

There has been very little progress on anything else, but I have made a small yarn purchase. Sophie is too young for Easter eggs, so instead I plan to knit her a little Easter cardigan and hat to match. They will go nicely with the little bunny I have already bought. I hadn't planned to buy this particular yarn, but just happened to spot in whilst passing through John Lewis this morning. Only a minor detour was necessary to ensure a visit to the yarn department ;-).

The yarn is 'Smiley Stripes' DK by Sirdar. It's an 80% bamboo and 20% wool mix. At £4 per 50g ball, it's not cheap, but the clourways are so pretty. I'm not sure which pattern I will be using yet.

I really ought to finish the little 'Spring Cardi' first. I'd made an error during the week and haven't got around to unpicking and knitting back up again. I'm not a great fan of 'going backwards' in order to 'go forwards'! Maybe that will be my task this evening, once my schoolwork is done.

I picked up a little bargain in the 'Body Shop' whilst out on my shopping mission this morning. I really needed birthday cards and a couple of pressies, but oh how my eyes wander.

It's just the perfect size for a sock project, with a pretty green lining and small interior pocket. Just the job at half price! I do like a small bargain once in a while.

Right, must dash. I have supper to cook, maths to plan and a rather long list of other 'need to do's' awaiting me. I'll just leave you this little blast of colour. We have been working with a small chamber orchestra at school this week. It's involved all manner of writing, art work and music appreciation around 'Romeo and Juliet' (Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev) and Bernstein's 'West Side Story'. The children made ball masks to wear at the concert on Friday afternoon, in a 'proper' concert hall. They were a pretty rushed job, made just before lunch on Friday and after swimming all morning! It's definitely 'all go' at school at present.

Have a good week everyone and thank you all so much for stopping by. It's always lovely to see that you've called in!

DECISIONS, DECISIONS.........

2011-02-27T18:13:00.001Z

Hello there! Thanks for stopping by. It's always such a pleasure to spend a little bit of time with you. I felt sure that you would appreciate a little sneaky view of my button tin, well, one of them! Just look at those fabulous colours! I had quite forgotten how much pleasure a little glance inside this tin gives me. I was on the lookout for some suitable buttons for a little cardigan that I have just begun knitting for Sophie. Do you know, I nearly decided that I had none suitable and would have to make a small button purchase. Luckily, i did manage to find some that will do the job. They're not my perfect choice, but if by using them I refrain from buying more, all will be well. Once I start looking at brightly coloured buttons, there is no stopping me. It's a bit like feasting my eyes on fabulously hand-dyed sock yarn. It just's cries out to come home with me. For now they will do and I will resist the urge to find perfection. What do you think?

Hmmmm, I'm not so sure. Decisions, decisions!

You may well be wondering how this strange-shaped piece of garter stitch knitted fabric can possible become a baby cardi. Well, it does! The piece you can see is one sleeve. I've then cast on for the back section and am increasing at the other end of the needl to form the front. The pattern is a free Drops design and is knitted in two pieces, with a mitred front and joined up the centre back. I've already made a smaller version for Sophie, as you can see in the photo below. This one will be just right for the slightly warmer weather, as a little jacket.

No, I don't think I'm happy with the buttons. I would like three different colours again, smooth, completely plain, non-shiny and round! That's not too much to ask, is it? Buttons aside, these sock yarns are perfect for this kind of garment and non-expensive too. The pattern asks for two 100g balls for this size, but I expect there may well be plenty of the second ball left. I'll make a little hat too and I guess there will still be some spare for a few 'Sock Yarn Blankie' squares for Josiekitten and myself! I'd say that's pretty good use of two balls of sock yarn............................................. FROM STASH!!!

That's all the knitting I've managed since we came home on Tuesday evening. I've been pretty busy with 'house and life' stuff; the knid of things that get left until school holidays and then I have a mighty list to tackle. We did have a day at the coast on Friday. We drove up to Aldeburgh, stopping off at Snape and Orford. It was rather overcast later in the day, but dry and reasonably warm. I just love to be near the sea. Oscar had a great time too!

It's back to school tomorrow. As it's 'World Book Day' on Thursday, we are holding a 'book week' at school. There will be story sessions, library sessions, a 'dressing up as your favourite book character' day, a design a bookmark competition and tomorrow the teachers each have to choose a picture book to share with groups of children from different classes. The children will then have a go at producing a piece artwork for new hall displays. I've mused over what to choose all week. I just couldn't make a decision.

As it was such a beautiful morning, Mr Snoops and I wandered down into the city centre with Oscar, for an al fresco cup of coffee.

I had a quick book shop browse and there it was! The perfect book!

I just love Anthony Browne's books and they are perfect for my intended audience, 7 to 9 year olds (Years 3 and 4). He is the present Children's Laureate. I do own several, but did not have this one. It's about a little boy who worries. His Gran gives him some Guatemalan 'worry people' to help him. All is fine, until he begins to worry about the 'worry people' worrying about his worries. So, he makes them some 'worry people' of their own. I even managed to buy a little set of those very same 'worry people', made in Guatemala. How pleased was I!

Guess what we are going to be doing tomorrow?

Have a fun week!

BATTERIES CHARGING!

2011-02-23T16:42:00.004Z

Hello there! How lovely to be here on a weekday afternoon. I hope you are all enjoying a happy Wednesday. It's rather gloomy and wet here, but I'm not letting that spoil my lovely, relaxing day pottering around at home. We've just got back from enjoying a really lovely few days with our family. It's the perfect way to recharge the batteries and take stock of what is most important to you in life. School felt like a lifetime away!

We left home at around 10a.m on Saturday morning and by the time we hit Sheffield, there was a thin covering on the snow on the ground. Mr Snoops is the oracle on all things weather related and he had expected it. Me, well, I just take it as it comes and had no idea! By the time we reached the Snake Pass, it was pretty much a wipeout. It had stopped snowing and the views were really beautiful; snow-laden trees shrouded in low, frosty-white cloud. The pics are not the best, as they were taken from the car. So much for Spring being on the way!

Knitting went well en-route. A five hour car journey always equates to guilt-free knitting! I managed to finish the second 'Happy Sock' ........... and do plenty of scenary watching at the same time. I really like the simplicity of the blue and red stripes. The yarn has a high bamboo content and is very smooth and soft to work with. It is a rather floppy, so I'm not too sure how they will look after a few washes. We will have to wait and see.

We spent lots of time out of doors, walking Scott and Oscar and quite by accident, met the Dragon of Longford Park. I have to say, not many people are so fortunate, as he leads a very reclusive life!

It was Mr Snoops birthday on Monday, so we also made sure we paid a visit to one or two our favourite 'eateries' and ale houses, to help us celebrate! The Marble Beer House in Chorlton is just the best place to enjoy real ale. The Manchester Marble Brewery makes cask ale from only organic and vegetarian ingredients. It certainly tastes good and is just a five minute walk away!

I also managed to complete the first of my 'Wildflower Socks'. I really like this pattern. It's simple enough to knit whilst chatting or travelling, but the little wildflower detail adds just enough interest to stave off boredom. It also suits variegated yarns well. Notice, I've cast on the second sock. I have to do this as soon as the first sock is finished, to help me gather the required momentum to get the second sock underway. Otherwise, I could very easily end up having to wear odd socks!

On Monday, after a fabulous pizza at Croma, I managed to drag the female members of our gathering into central Manchester on a yarn mission. Mr Snoops had his own mission to accomplish, as he always likes to pay a trip to 'The Cheese Hamlet' in Didsbury. The expectation prior to the yarn mission had filled me the greatest excitement, as only a visit to a previously unvisited yarn shop can do! Central Manchester is not my favourite shopping exerience and so it was only a two-stop mission. The first, to get the younger Miss Snoops some new running shoes. She has a place in the London Marathon this year and is training hard. The second, well, to fondle some yarn at the recently opened 'Purl City Yarns'. We walked a fair way into the Northern Quarter, only to find ........ the shop was closed on a Monday. Damn and blast it! Snoops was NOT a happy bunny! I know, I should have checked. Here is the shop in question....... looking VERY closed! Next time I'll check the opening hours first.

Before the long drive home on Tuesday, we shared lunch together at 'Battery Park' in Chorlton. The juices, smoothies, salads and paninis etc. are fabulous and it has a relaxed and laid back atmosphere. We love it!

So too does little Sophie, who just loves being out and about. She is nearly nine months now and so full of character and fun. She is a real delight. We love her to bits!

She's wearing a hat knitted by her mummy!

So, it's Wednesday already. Where on earth does the time go? I have bits and pieces planned for the next few days and then it's back to school! So far though, I've had a lovely half-term, doing just the simple kind of things that I enjoy most.

HALF-TERM! HOORAY!

2011-02-19T09:07:00.003Z

I can't begin to tell you how glad I am that half-term has finally arrived. It has been an unbelievably and unpleasantly hectic last couple of weeks at school. There has been so much to do in addition to my classroom teaching, that I feel as though I have left whirling in freefall. I needed sweets, sweets, sweeets!

There have been some positives too. This week my class spent the morning at the Castle, taking part in a Dragon Workshop. It was wonderful and the children behaved brilliantly!!!

We looked at atmospheric paintings, listened to stories, looked at dragons, wrote down ideas for our own stories and experimented with wax resist.

Then the following day, we welcomed some student visitors from the university. We are working on a project all about our city, in preparation for a big exhibition in the school hall. The children wrote letters to ask for information about many of our city's beautiful, historic buildings and got some really lovely replies. The students offered to come in and spend the day with us, bringing lots of exciting activities and opportunities for learning.

Once again, the children were fantastic and got so much out of the day. THAT'S what I love about teaching! I need to keep reminding myself, with a quick pinch.

But let's try and switch off from school and concentrate on some relaxation and fun. We are off to Manchester today, to visit our son and his wife, little Sophie and Scott (Oscar's half-brother) and our eldest daughter and her boyfriend. Our younger daughter is coming along to. It's always a great time when we all get together; lots of fun and laughter, good food and ale and plenty of cuddles with little Sophie. I can't wait!

I've packed nothing so far, except my knitting! Obviously, the most important items remembered first ;-). It's going to be socks, socks and more socks; it's all my poor, frazzled brain can cope with at present. Hopefully, when we arrive back home on Tuesday, I will be in a more relaxed frame of mind and ready to press on with the 'Gunnerside Ladies' sweater.

As you can see, there are two pairs to finish and two pairs to knit. Hmm, that's a lot of socks! Well, it is a five hour journey, so I plan to keep it simple and knit, knit, knit!

Of course, Oscar is coming too....... if he can raise himself from the sofa ;-)

See you all again on Tuesday evening. Have a great weekend!

OH MY GOODNESS, OH MY GOODNESS.....

2011-02-13T20:33:00.003Z

Good evening! Hope you've enjoyed a good weekend. I've had a very, very busy one; some fun, some work! I guess that's a fair share, because I do normally try not to do too much school stuff at the weekend. However, that's probably why I've had so much to do this weekend!!!!! My own fault, to some extent. I do object, though, to comleting endless bits of paper that are of no use to me and just have to be done to jump the next hoop. It's VERY irritating. Sorry, that's all the ranting for now.My fridge magnets say it all really!!!

The fun part, was another cinema trip to favourite picture house, Cinema City. We saw 'Never Let me Go', based on the brilliant book by Ishiguro. The film was every bit as good as the book!

There has been NO, yes you did read that correctly, NO!!! knitting done this wee. Well, that's not strictly true, I have completed two more stripes, yes just two more stripe, of my second 'Happy Sock'.

Not very impressive, I know. My poor, lonely knitting basket has sat untouched all week.

But, never mind, tomorrow brings a new week and a new chance for knitting opportunities. Then it's half-term! HOORAY!! Lots of knitting opportunities and hopefully a 'catch up' with my good friend josiekitten. She sent me a Ravelry message this morning, to say that she had seen the first advertisement for 'Knit Nation 2011', in the March edition of 'Knitting'. Now how exciting is that! I had received my copy uesterday too, but had not allowed myself to open it, until all my schoolwork was done. I have to say, on reading her message this morning, I quickly ripped the plastic covering off to get at it!

LOOK! How exciting is that! I can't wait! We had such a fabulous time in London last year and have already planned to go again this year, staying for a couple of nights.Book the date!

As I flicked through the pages, I came across an article all about Paris's heritage for fine knitwear and just loved this photo of a knitted jumpsuit by Sonia Rykiel. She began her reign of the Paris fashion scene in 1968. Knitted stripes became the trademark of her work. Don't you think it's great!

My craftless week has been brightened thouh. It really doesn't take very much to please me. On Tuesday, a liitle girl in my class called Molly, made this for me. How sweet!

I hadn't even taken the time, to notice the little snowdrops in the garden, opening up their delicate, white flowers.

Inside the house, these beautiful little 'tete-a-tete' narcissi had opened their bright yellow little faces to the light. Small, but priceless pleasures. Oh my goodness, how I love them!

I have to dash, still work to complete and housey things to do and maybe catch a bit of the BAFTAs at 9p.m. I'm rooting for Colin Firth! Hope you have some small pleasures this week. They are worth their weight in gold.

.... THAT CRAZY LITTLE THING CALLED 'SOCK ADDICTION'!

2011-02-06T16:57:00.000Z

Good afternoon! I hope you have had a relaxing weekend. I have made the most of my decision to NOT bring any schoolwork home and what a good decision it was too. Yesterday, saw Mr Snoops, Oscar and I heading for our favourite place for a coastal walk, Aldeburgh. It was rather windy, but not at all cold, so we were able to enjoy a lovely stroll along the tow path, soaking up the sights and sounds. There was a definite ubbeat feel in the air, that Spring may not be too far away. Oscar is well on the road to recovery again, after his little set back at Christmas, and he just loves the smell of the sea and the sound of the waves. We called in at Snape Maltings for tea and carrot cake on the way home. Delicious!

Today began with a gentle stroll into the city centre for a cup of a coffee and to purchase Mr Snoops a little i-pod nano for his upcoming birthday. He has used one of the very first i-pods up until now. It's one that began life with me and has then been passed around the family. As each of us bought an up to date version, we passed it on. Mr Snoops has been its faithful guardian for several years now, treating it to a twice weekly outing to the gym, where it could play away to its little heart's content, as he pounded the miles on the treadmill. However, yesterday he dropped it ......... poor i-pod, dead as dead could be!!! So, dear old Snoops now has a rather swish looking little, tiny, silver nano to play his tunes. He has to wait mind, until February 21st!

My poor tired brain has needed some knitting therapy this weeek, but in the form of the simplest possible stitching. No colourwork or intricate pattern details for me this week, oh no. Just the plainest of plain sock knitting. Bliss! Look, I've finished one.............. and started its twin! How quick was that? I have a sneaky

suspicion that a new addiction may be beginning......... self-patterning simple socks! Last evening found me rummaging around in my stash, rooting out from the deep, dark recesses of the hidden away yarn mountain, some long forgotten 'simple socks' yarn. Oh my! Yes, I know my first love is beautiful hand-dyed yarn, but that's way too special to be used for just 'simple socks'! Look, what do you think?

I've just popped these two colourful little lovelies on the little yarny, booky, knitty, pile that sits beside the sofa. They have just got to be the next two pairs of socks that I can knit without brain or pattern :-). Can't wait!

I found this pair of long-forgotten lovelies too! They were bought to make Sophie another little 'Rainbow Jacket'. The pattern is knit all in one, so requires minimal sewing up, which is just what I like. Think this could become one quite soon, as I'm itching to cast this yarn on! Hmmm Spring fever or yarn madness?

A tiny little bit more has been done on my 'Wildflower Socks'.......... before brain fatigue took over .....

................ and a few more rows on 'Gunnerside Ladies'. But by Tuesday, it was on to 'simple socks'!

I don't think it's going to be ready to wear on our trip to see baby Sophie at half-term. Maybe the target finishing date will have to shift to the Easter holidays, when we're off up to Pickering. It all depends on how badly the 'simple socks' addiction takes hold and how long it lasts for. There is no known cure, it just has to take its own course.

There is definitely the tiniest hint of Spring in the air. Shoots are appearing in the garden and it's not totally dark when I go to and from school each day. These little 'tete-a-tete' narcissi have opened up in the last couple of days too.

It's only two weeks until half-term and we teachers are sure looking forward to it, well this one is anyway! Have a good week everybody.

LAZY WEEKEND..............

2011-01-30T17:32:00.006Z

Good evening to you, on the Sunday eve of what has been a rather cold and dull weekend, here in my little corner of the World. So much so, that I designated today 'stay at home Sunday'! I've caught up on outstanding bits of schoolwork, that could not be delayed any longer. My 'to do' list is still VERY long, but at least it's shorter than it was when I woke up this morning! The above photo was taken yesterday, showing how grey the day was, although there was the tiniest and shortest glimmer of sunlight. I love the reflections of the branches on the water!

It really has been a pretty lazy weekend. I've made time to get some knitting done too. Both pairs of socks that were cast on last week, have progressed quite nicely. I'm really enjoying the mindlessness of the 'Happy Socks' ......... 'mindless' is exactly what I need at present ;-). The stripey yarn keeps my interest and the high bamboo content ensures a nice soft, squishiness as I knit.

The very pretty 'Wildflower Socks' are coming along nicely too. This also, is a very easy pattern to memorise.

I've also managed to make some progress with the 'Gunnerside Ladies'. The chunky yarn ensures a speedy growth rate! Again, the pattern is relatively easy to work from, with the reverse-side rows merely shadowing the right side.

Can you see those stiches that have just 'slipped' from the needle? Guess who's to blame?

Mmm! Thanks Oscar! He quickly scuttled away from the situation and tried to make himself scarce..... Naughty dog!

Before I close this evening, I must show you a rather sad photo. These were one of my favourite pairs of socks, made using Natural Dye Studio, 'Nino' a merino wool, in the colourway ' mint and evening primrose'. The pattern was 'Spring Forward' by Linda Welch. I loved them dearly!!!!

Now look!

Disaster has struck! My 'April Flowers' are now no more....sob.....sob! Rest in Peace pretty, soft and snuggly socks. I will never forget you.

I guess I have to remember that there are always more socks heading right along there. I will never actually be short of a pair of socks. But that's not the point! Enough said.

Roast lamb is on the menu this evening, so I'd better go and make some 'oh that smells good!' noises in the kitchen ..... Mr Snoops is 'chef'' today!

Wishing you all a good week. Let's hope we see a little more sunshine.

CAST ON, CAST ON, CAST ON ..........

2011-01-23T19:02:00.000Z

Good evening! Hope you've had a good week. Mine has been busy, busy, busy as usual, but I have made myself a little knitting time. At long last, I have finished the 'Mystery KAL' 'Raspberry Coulis' socks. I love the yarn, the colour and the pattern. They were great fun to knit and have led me down the slippery slope of socks, socks, socks again!!!!!

I needed a completely plain pair to keep for 'in the car' knitting, as I'm not too good at knitting anything with any pattern to follow, whilst travelling. I guess I'm way too nosey!!!!! I bought the yarn for half price in the John Lewis post-Christmas sale. It's Wendy 'Happy'; a mix of 75% bamboo and 25% nylon. It's very soft to work with and rather floppy, but in quite a nice way, I think. I loved the stripy - ness of it!

As you can see, I got them well under way yesterday, on the way to Oscar's hydrotherapy. I think I'm going to rather like them!

I had wanted to cast on another pair too, as my 'easy, but not mindless' pair, but have only got as far as winding the yarn. That, in itself, was great fun , as I used my new yarn swift for the first time. It was just SOOOO easy to wind the skein. It was done in a flash!

The yarn is hand-dyed by Jenny Cook and is merino wool with a little nylon for strength.

I just love the pretty, soft, 'not too bright' colours. They reminded me of a wildflower meadow, so I shall name the socks, 'Wildflower' socks. Hopefully they will be 'on the needles' later on this evening, oh yes! I have used the pattern before; it's 'Wildflower Socks' by Fawn Pea!!!! A pattern made just for my yarn, or maybe my yarn made just for the pattern. I don' really care, because I think they go together just fine.

At long last, I have also 'cast on' 'Gunnerside Ladies'. I've just completed the back rib. I'm aiming to complete it before half-term. Now there's a challenge!

The younger Miss Snoops and I went to see 'The King's Speech' last night. I have to say, it was brilliant! We have the Country's oldest independent art house cinema. Although the building has been sympathetically renovated and restored through the ages, properties were recorded on the site as early as the 13th century. It's a brilliant place to watch a film, have a drink or enjoy a meal; one of my favourite haunts, although we never seem to get there often enough these days.

As I mentioned earlier, we are still trekking across the County once or twice a week to the hydrotherapy pool with Oscar. He is much improved, but since beginning to gradually build up his exercise, on the vet's advice, he has begun to limp again, occasionally. So, he has to go back to the specialist in a few week's time, probably to be x-rayed again. He's certainly not feeling sorry for himself though....

Errm, who said that you were allowed on that chair Oscar? More ofen than not, he gets rid of the cushion first, so that there's more 'curl up' room. That's his all time favourite toy beside him. It was a giraffe once upon a time!

Have to go now, I'm afraid. Supper calls. Homemade lasagne, salad and garlic bread is on the menu tonight. Then, I'm going to 'cast on' those socks. Oh the joy of 'cast-ons'! Have good week everyone and thanks for calling in.

MAGICAL WINDOWS....

2011-01-16T18:26:00.001Z

Good evening! It's so good to be back in my little peaceful corner of Blogland. The past week has been absolutely stuffed full of all the things I totally dislike doing!!!!!!! There has been very little time to partake in any of the things I DO like doing! So, today Mr Snoops, Oscar and I snatched a couple of hours of 'us' time and trundled off to 'the lake'. The day has been largely, quite dull and windy, although surprisingly mild. However, just as we arrived, the clouds began to clear and we were treated to a magical window of warmth and sunshine, for the shortest of time, before clouds rolled in again.

What do you make of the photos that I took as we enjoyed a hot chocolate outside the Visitor's Centre? These swallows are actually etched into the glass above the large sliding doors. I loved how they appeared to be soaring above us, in the clear, blue sky. Fabulous! The clear blue lasted no time at all really, but it was uplifting and magical, while it lasted.

I love these unexpected skies!

I seem to have barely touched base at all this week and knitting progress has been minimal. I started the second 'Raspberry Coulis' sock one evening, but was really too tired. I made so many silly mistakes that in the end, I pulled it all out and began again the next evening; much more successfully! I spent some time on it yesterday evening too, as our planned visit to the cinema to see 'The King's Speech' was thwarted . Not a seat to be had! Hopefully, we'll have better luck next week.

The plan for the weeek, is to finish this project and hopefully, the crocheted cushion cover too! If I successfully complete the plan...... then I will allow myself to begin the 'Gunnerside Ladies' sweater. I think I probably, rather ran out of steam a little this week too, after the mega effort of completing 'Gayle' on time.

I have got a couple of yummy skeins (or maybe three!), to show you too. Just a quick peek, you understand! I feel quite guilty that I even cast my eyes upon theses two beauties, when I already own enough sock yarn to keep me in sockes forever!!!!! But you know how it is. I bought these way back before Christmas, squirrelling them away to try and deny yet another yarn purchase. I'm feeling more brazen now though, more kind of .... 'well, that's what happened, in that small window of opprtunity that was there, when I just pressed the 'buy' button, seemingly as if by magic!' Another magic window! What can you do, except ENJOY! Do you like them?

These two are from the dyeing studio of 'old maiden aunt yarns' in Scotland. They are fabulously soft and colours to 'dye' (haha!) for. The lighter skein, is merino and bamboo and the 'midnight', a merino, cashmere and nylon mix. Josiekitten and I came across their yarns at 'Knit Nation' last year. They are well worth a look!

'Juno Fibre Arts' was another of our 'Knit Nation' favourites.

This skein, colourway 'lilac pool', is 100% superwash BFL. I just LOVE the magical colour combination. So scrummy!

Well, it's time you leave you, my friends; supper calls and I'm starving! I'll just leave you with one more touch of magic. This was the view as I arrived home from school on Friday....again, just magical!

Have a good week everyone!

SNOOPYDOG365......

2011-01-09T21:41:00.001Z

I'm very late this evening. It's been one of those days when I had lots of things to get done, but I couldn't settle to any of them. To make matters worse (or better...!) the sun was shining and the sky was blue. It was just too lovely to stay indoors, doing boring chores. So Mr Snoops and I took a trip to our local, favourite dog-walking lake. I took the photos this morning. It really is the very same lake as the frozen white-out, that I showed you from Christmas Day.

I have decided upon a new challenge for 2011, that is photography related. I love using my camera, but feel I have plenty of room for improvement.

You may have noticed the new button in my sidebar, SNOOPYDOG365. This link will take you to a new Snoopydog blog. I've joined 'Project 365', which involves taking and uploading a photo every day. I'm trying to a photo that is a reflection of some part of my day. Why not pop over and have a look!

The knitting job that was most pressing today was 'Gayle'. I was so close to finishing and I did promise to show you the finished product!!! I've beavered away for most of the afternoon and have just finished..... at 8.25p.m. precisely. It's not been blocked properly, just steamed! What do you think?

Sorry the light is so poor in the evening!

The younger Miss Snoops ( the new owner of 'Gayle') acts as model.

I love the crochet covered buttons! The pattern was so easy to follow and the Rowan 'british sheep breeds', pure wool chunky yarn, so, so soft to work with. I've already bought some more to make myself, 'Gunnerside Ladies' from the same pattern book.

I've had my eye on this colourway for over a year now and have finally found a pattern that I like. I can't wait to get started. Yes, I know, I did plan to finish other things first, but you know how it is! I have cast on the second 'Raspberry Coulis' mystery KAL sock. I may even have finished it by next Sunday ;-).

During the post Christmas clean-up I gave this little crocheted mat a wash and spruce up. It sits on our bedroom window sill and is covered by a large bowl. It's been there for so long, that I seldom give it a second thought. I made it over forty years ago, when I was in my early teens. The cotton is quite fragile now, so it needed a very gentle soak.

Time is pressing on this evening and I really should gone. I still have school work to do, but oh, speaking to you all is much more fun. How about I just stay a little while longer and show you a shot of Oscar, taken earlier in the week. He was on the top stair and had dropped his cardboard toilet roll tube that he had been chewing, down the stairs!

I think he thougth that if he looked long and hard enough, it would magically jump back up to him. So sweet!

Right, must go. Lovely to talk to you all. I wish I could stay longer. Have a great week..........

(sundown at about 4.15p.m. today).

A RETROSPECTIVE ......

2011-01-02T19:19:00.002Z

Thought I'd have a little retrospective this evening! A little look back over the last year. I dug out some photos of all the completed projects from 2010. There was definitely a better range of projects last year. In other words, not so many socks! Last year also saw an obvious increase in the number of baby items made. I wonder why that was? ;-) The very large, crocheted blanket for little Sophie, took up a large amount of my knitting time at the beginning of the year and the end of the year was a mad rush to complete one or two Christmas gifts. All in all, not a bad haul really.

There's not been a great deal of knitting going on over the Christmas period. A houseful, definitely limits 'needles' time! We had a lovely family time though. Now I need to think about making a concerted effort, to finish all the unfinished items that are lurking in bags, all in various stages of unfinishedness. I am now on the second sleeve of the aran coat for my youngest daughter, so my immediate aim is to complete the coat before next weekend. You never know, there may be a grand 'showing' next Sunday! I also have two pairs of socks to finish. This one just needs a partner...

...but this pair has rather a long way to go!

Then there's the crocheted cushion cover....

... and the 'Granny in the Middle' blanket...

Oh, and there's the little coat I started for Sophie.....

and the poor, lonely 'cat mitten' ......

and the 'Swallowtail Shawl' that I was so keen to get going on.....

...and not forgetting, of course, my long-term project, the 'Sock Yarn Blankie'....

Hmmm! Think this little lot might take a year to complete, never mind any new projects. Lets just say, that I need to keep in mind that these projects do need to be finished. That's not to say that some new, exciting yarn may just have to jump onto the needles along the way. Lets hope it's yarn from my 'stash'! That's another story for another time methinks. I guess I'll focus on the socks, the cushion cover and the little jacket and then the two blankets can just jolly along with me; gorgeous to look at and squish and maybe they'll even get a few extra squares added, on the way. Who knows! Best not to be too rigid with New Year intentions............. SMILE!

See you all next week!

WELCOME 2011!

2011-01-01T19:52:00.003Z

Wishing everyone a happy, peaceful and creative 2011.

This little space in Blogland has taken me on such an incredible journey. I've met so many lovely people, explored far flung corners of the world, marvelled at the creativity of humankind, indulged in yarny extravagance and been touched by doggy goodness. For all of that, I am ever grateful to you all. Long may this little corner of the bloggy universe continue!

We've had a very busy Christmas and today, January 1st, 2011, is summed up by the above photo. Bliss!!

BEST OF CHRISTMAS....

2010-12-26T17:54:00.003Z

Good day to you all! Happy Boxing Day! Just got time to pop in and say 'hello' to you all before we go off to our local alehouse for the traditional Boxing Day quiz. Hope you've all enjoyed the festive season thus far. We've had a whirlwind of a time; dogs, baby, adults, wrapping paper, Father Christmas calling in! All very exciting. In amongst the madness though, there have been some lovely walks and cuddles with Sophie.

The view above was taken yesterday, Christmas Day, as we walked around 'the lake'. As you can see, it is totally frozen over. Well, all except for a small space onto which all the water birds have crammmed. I have never it so, so frozen.

The dogs didn't mind the cold one little bit. Here's Scott posing for the camera, just to show you all how long his tongue is. He insisted!

Sophie has thoroughly enjoyed her first Christmas, searching out pressies under the tree......

opening her stocking......

and savouring her first Christmas dinner.

Oscar loved his new 'Wubba'!

I was very spoilt and received some lovely gifts, including a few knitty items! No surprise there... I know!

My great pal, Josiekitten, treated me to a beautiful skein of sock yarn from the 'Natural Dye Studio' (one of my favourites) and a fabulous little project bag, from 'Three Bags Full' . We first spotted these beautiful little bags at 'Knit Nation' last summer. We drooled over Ann Hanson's selection of them, in different sizes, in which she stored all her own projects. They are beautifully made, in cotton prints and lined in a contrasting fabric.

I also received a lovely sock yarn skein, dyed by Jenny Cook from Hay-on-Wye with a cute little project bag from the Unicorn Organic Co-operative, in Chorlton. The yarn is so pretty!

The younger Miss Snoops treated me to two very lovely books.

I haven't seen the TV programme of 'Kirsty's Homemade Home', but the book is fab! 'knit.sock.love' is Cookie's new book. I have to say, I think it looks better then her first book. I think these will be the first socks I knit from it...

I feel very, very grateful to have such a lovely, loving, thoughtful family and great friend!!!! Thank you! I love you all very dearly.

I hope you felt loved this Christmas and I wish you all a peaceful 2011.

MERRY CHRISTMAS !

2010-12-19T17:46:00.014Z

Welcome back to my little world! It's been a very, very cold and snowy week in my corner of the world. The snow is still laying pretty thickly as temperatures struggle to reach zero. I have to admit thought, I really love the snowy landscape! I haven't much time to sit with you this afternoon, as any time now all the grown-up boys and girls arrive.... with little Sophie and Scott!!!

My goodness, it's going to be a rather full and noisy household. 'Carnage!' as the younger Miss Snoops would say. We'll share lots of fun and laughter and hopefully some good food and wine also. We hope to share some time with Mr and Mrs Josiekitten too!!!!

School finished on a high on Friday. Christmas concerts were done and dusted, cards and calendars made, angels, moving Santas and various other decorations completed, staff Christmas lunch and end of term mulled wine and mince pies shared and enjoyed. The parties are always great fun. This year a magician paid a ten minute visit to each classroom. The children loved it! All ended fairly peacefully, as throughout the week, all but six of the twenty-three children in my class succumbed to a rather nasty stomach bug. On Friday, ten children were away!

Knitting has been almost non-existent this week, what with 'pass the parcels' to wrap, cards to send, pressies to to buy etc. etc. I just made sure that I finished the little pair of socks for Sophie. Just like her daddy's pair!

That's it now! I MUSTget back to the big aran coat for Miss Snoops.

It's lovely to think little Sophie will be spending her first Christmas with us. I've bought her a little Christmas tree decoration to start off her collection. We still hang the little bits and pieces the children made when they small, on the tree. It's always a bit of a mish mash, but they hold so many memories.

Oscar has enjoyed the pre-Christmas too! Now that he's feeling so much better, it's back to being off a lead in the great outdoors, albeit just in the garden. He has an appointment with the vet on Tuesday and hopefully the news will give him the all clear.

He's looking good, don't you think? We know he's feeeling better, because he's even being rather naughty. No Oscar, you're NOT allowed on the sofa and you know it! No, not even if you lay very still and rest your head on Miss Snoops' foot!

Alright, just for a quick snooze then, seeing as you are looking so cute. Don't tell Mr Snoops though!

... aha! Just heard a car horn hoot in the driveway....... someone's arrived!

I'm soooo excited. Need to go. Just let me wish you a very merry Christmas and a peaceful 2011.