MAGIC!

After very many years of knitting practice and many finished projects worn or used by three different generations of family and friends, I've taken on the challenge of learning a couple of new techniques; Magic Loop and Continental knitting. 

Josiekitten came to visit yesterday, for a knit, natter and catch-up. Needless to say, cakes were involved and the swap of small balls of sock yarn from our finished socks; to be used on our Sock Yarn Blankies (one day)!    

She passed on a couple of new skills that she had learnt from a colour work course at Loop, London. I had tried Magic Loop for sock knitting several years ago and it definitely didn't aid my sock production, so I didn't pursue the skill. However, this time it just seems to have clicked! It feels as though I have been using this method forever, rather than for about one quarter of one sock! 

I remember watching someone using the Continental method for a pair of socks several years ago at Knit Nation. She was whizzing along and seemed to be amused and bemused by our comparatively slow progress (I'm NOT a slow knitter!). I have never tried before yesterday. 

So, over a cup of coffee (tea for Josiekitten) and cake, we hatched a joint project plan to knit a pair of socks each using the same yarn, Opal Sweet and Spicy3 in colour way 'fruit gums'. We agreed to knit using Magic Loop and the Continental method. 

Today, Mr Snoops, Oscar and I set off in the glorious sunshine for a day trip to the beach; Aldeburgh , in Suffolk. Yes, the sun shone all day, we had fish and chips out of the paper and then afternoon tea at Snape Maltings, before heading home via Dunwich. It was beautiful and warm enough to not need coats! 

Travelling time served to get that Magic Loop working it's magic. It did! I'm hooked! How can it be that I have not perfected this skill before. It makes so much sense to knit, in effect, on two needles rather than four. It saves time! I've worked hard to avoid ladders at either side and so far, so good. they're not looking TOO bad. I'm thrilled! NO MORE DROPPED DPNS down the side of the car seats! No more needle between the teeth, whilst I 'knit on one' to avoid a ladder. Hooray! Well, at least for my plain stocking stitch Dave pattern socks. 

I'm not, as yet, having the same success with the Continental method, but am persevering. Things can get only get better it seems. In fact, they did get slightly better on the journey home, as I adjusted my 'yarn hold' to suit me better. I'll keep practising, but it'll need to speed up very quickly before I can even begin to say that I may be falling in love. There'll need to be some magic! ;-)

All in Good Time!

Nothing like a dose of new yarn to lift the spirits (not that needed lifting, but any excuse will do, hey)! Just look at those lovely, lovely scrummy balls! Let's just say they were a little half-term treat..... soon put to good use.

Well, half-term is sadly drawing to a close, but I have to say, it has been a rather lovely break, doing lots of 'not too much', if you know what I mean. We have been out and about, drinking coffee, having lunch, walking Oscar, visiting the coast and pottering! I spent a fab day catching up with my dear pal, Helen (josiekitten), meeting Flo and having a look around her gorgeous new house and garden. Even more spectacular, is the fact that I actually managed a decent amount of chilled knitting time.

As you can see, I have started a new baby blanket; knitted rather than crocheted, this time around.  It's a very special knit and all will become clear quite soon, hence I've called it 'All in Good Time'. The pattern is another from the Rowan 'Just Baby' book; the Nezbit Blanket, by Lisa Richardson. It uses Rowan Baby Merino Silk DK, of which I am a great fan, as the colours are gorgeous, it's beautifully soft and it knits up beautifully.

As you can see, there's nothing too tricky involved, so perfect TV knitting. The pattern is a simple double moss stitch. There is one more colour to add to the stripe pattern; a bright pink, as used for Sophie's 'Dahl' sweater that I showed you a couple of posts ago. So, lots of rich, bright colours, but also some softer and lighter ones too to tone down the overall effect. Perfect for a boy or a girl!

I've also managed to complete, as far as is possible, another little 'Anderson'  sweater, again from the 'Just Baby' book. This is a super fast knit, using the Rowan Baby Merino Silk DK.

I love the super cute little pockets! I've made the 3 to 6 month size, as there is sufficient yarn and hopefully, it will get more wear. As you can see, there is no neckband or front button bands yet. Well, it could be a boy or it could be a girl: so I will just have to wait until I know! It matches perfectly with the 'All In Good Time' blanket, using the same blue/green yarn.

We had a lovely day out at Aldeburgh yesterday; sun, sea and fish and chips, as well a browse around Snape Maltings. We have enjoyed this same day out many, many times, but I never tire of the beautiful Suffolk coast. A perfect end to the day came in the form a quick pint of real ale at our 'local'.

Have a great week!

MAKING ME SMILE.......

After a full on week at work we decided we deserved a day out today and headed on up to Snape Maltings and Aldeburgh. It was more like a late summer day than one in mid-November. The sky was blue, the sun was out and it was so warm and still. Just perfect!

I've not picked up my needles very much this week, just a few rows here and there, so not much progress worthy of sharing. I did receive a lovely swap parcel though, all the way across the pond, from   Christine (heidelblogknits).

The yarn is just beautiful and just the kind of colour that I love. It’s Spirit Trail Fibreworks ‘Sunna’ in colourway Winter Sun ( a deep, moody blue black). 

There were some gorgeous little card labels to put in with a gifted knitting project. So sweet and such a good idea. Then there were two fragrant teas, one containing lavender, rosemary, spearmint, chamomile and cloves and the other, a mix of spearmint, lemon balm, hibiscus flowers, dried orange, rose petals and clove. I can’t wait to get going on them! The chocolate caramels didn't last long! I felt thoroughly spoilt, as there was also a pot of my favourite hand cream from Woolen Rabbit. Last, but by no means least, we exchanged an Anne Hanson pattern. I received the ‘Sign of Four’ sock pattern, which I’ve wanted to knit for a while now. 

Wishing you all a great week ahead!

HALF-TERM HEAVEN......

 Hello there! After the wonderful escapades of last weekend, with a houseful of family, the rest of the week has been more relaxed and peaceful. Mr Snoops and I have made the most of the better weather to go out and about, with Oscar  too of course,  around our beautiful Suffolk and North Norfolk coastline, both of which are right on our doorstep. We visited Aldeburgh, which is always one of our favourite away day haunts and continued around the coast a little further, to Orford Ness. There are always stunning skies to be seen here, whatever the weather.

 I just had to take this photo in Aldeburgh. It's a lovely shop, full of all kinds of interesting things that you really don't need. Just my kind of shop! However, it was the window display that caught my eye, rather than the goods on sale inside. You see, I had a doll's pram just like this one when I was a little girl. The very same make, colour and model. I lingered for some time!

Later in the week, we headed on up to Sheringham for a walk along the seafront, before heading further on around the coast.

I always love to see all the gaily painted little boats, all ready and waiting.

Here they are re-captured in the street art along the sea wall.

Then it was on to Holkham for lunch and to give Oscar a blast on the beach!

The sunshine had all but vanished for the rest of the day, but it's always good to be out in the elements at this time of year; so many sight, sounds and smells, as Autumn takes her course.

Holkham is such a lovely, wild, unspoilt beach!

I have been filling our sunflower seed bird feeder up twice a week over the past month. Not too unusual in the Spring, but rather more so at this time of year. Last Sunday morning my suspicions were found to be correct.....

...... this cheeky chappie was caught red-handed! He's been back every day since. Goodness knows where he's stashing them all, but he's certainly not going to go hungry.

It's been so lovely to have time for woolly soul nourishment this week too, as things had all got a little too frantic at school for my liking towards the end of the last half-term.  As well as the little doll cardis for Sophie's 'my baby' doll, I also managed to finish 'Snowdrop'.

The pattern and yarn details can be found here. It's a really lovely pattern to knit and very easy to follow. The addition of luscious merino and silk yarn to work with is, of course, an essential!

The cute little rolled front edges and neck border are added afterwards, by picking up the stitches.

Little pockets add extra interest, as does the unusual stitch detailing towards the neck on the front and back, as can be seen below.

I've also started another Attic 24 blanket, for my new little granddaughter, due to arrive next March. This time it's going to be the Granny Stripe. The yarn has been ready and waiting for a few weeks now, since I spotted it in an online sale.

The colours are just gorgeous and I have to say, the Stylecraft Special DK certainly doesn't feel at all nasty to work with, even though it is acrylic. It feels beautifully soft and has a certain 'body' to it as well, which gives it much more of a wool feel.

I have to say, so far, I'm delighted with it and the array of gorgeous colours just makes the heart skip!

I want the blanket to be single bed size by the time it's edged, and so I started with a chain of 219 stitches. Any number of chains will work, but needs to be a multiple of 3.

I've not got too far yet, but oh the joy of knowing this little beauty will be ready and waiting for me for a good long time to come. Hopefully, there will be more stripey goodness to show you next time. For now though, my schoolwork needs to be done!

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

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.

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

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.