LIBERTY SOCKS....

Well, I just had to pop in, although very briefly, to show this loveliest little sock that is just hot off the needles. My knitting time still seems to much reduced at present, but I am ever hopeful that more knitting hours will begin to appear in my days! ;-)

This delightful little number is made using Regia Pairfect yarn colourway 09138. I spotted the yarn along with a display sock in Liberty's back before Christmas and just knew I had to have it. I just love how the yarn works so perfectly, producing the solid colour cuff, heel and toe. The second of the pair is already underway and I may even have a pair by this time next week, as long as the knitting gods are on my side. Wish me luck! :-)

JULY.....

I'm so sorry to have been absent without leave these last couple of weeks. I have no excuse except for  what I can only call 'end of summer termitis!' I have had rather a large amount of test marking, data logging, assessment sorting etc. etc. to get to grips with. It's pretty grim really, but just has to be done. This coupled with weekends away and family visiting has meant that knitting, crocheting and blogging have been almost put on hold! However, with the light now shining brightly at the end of the tunnel, I  am very much looking forward to a summer of craftiness

It was birthday at the beginning of the month and I was well and truly spoilt by friends and family. My dear friend Josiekitten knows me so well and can always manage to find gifts that delight! Above  you can see my wonderful gifts from her. 

Aren't these just wonderful? I  LOVE liquorice all sorts and to receive their representation in stitch marker form was just brilliant (she also popped in a rathe large box of the real things!).

They'll be put to good use with this beautiful 'Greatest of Ease' sock yarn from Knit Circus in colour way Electric Mayhem Stripes. You won't be missing my feet in the dark next winter!

The photo below gives a much truer impression of the colour. 

 Then there was this skein of deliciousness from the Irish 'Townhouse Yarns'. It's Camden Tweed in colour way, Dubh Linn. It's destined to become a hat, I think. 

There will hours of sewing fun to be had as well, with the cute Hamish the Hound pin cushion kit and the wonderful dyeing kit! :-)

To add to the abundance of crafty goodness,  there were skeins sent from over the pond from a bloggy friend, Katherine. Josiekitten had met up with her in London and she had, so kindly, brought us some US yarn. Look at this little beauty! It's from The Noble Thread in Wilmington. I just love the graduated colour!

Next up, a skein of worsted from the Neighbourhood Fibre Co. in colour way Georgetown. The dyeing is deliciously saturated. It's beautiful!

Last, but definitely not least, was the scrummy skein of 'artisan sock' from Hazel Knits, one of my favourite sock yarns!

Kathering had just spent several weeks exploring the Shetland Isles and I had followed along vicariously, checking in on her each day on Facebook, so I was delighted to also receive this lovely hat pattern. A challenge for cold winter evenings, I think!

I was truly spoilt! :-)

AUTUMN DAYS.......

How time flies! It's been a couple of weeks since I last posted and a lot has happened that has got in the way of bloglandia. I spent a very lovely weekend in London with my youngest, taking in a couple of art exhibitions and then enjoying a brilliant trip to see The Lion King. It was fabulous! I love that she has learnt the art of 'welcoming'..... flowers, red wine and After Eight! :-)

The weather was rather grey and none too warm, but the river and skyline views from the bridges never cease to delight me.

The Lyceum is such a pretty theatre and it seems that a good view is had wherever you are seated. We were more than happy with our brilliant view of the stage  and also of the African animals and the extraordinary drumming skills of the percussionist (three more were hidden in the pit). 

I took with me the first of my 'secret' Christmas pressie knits. This pretty West Yorkshire Spinners 4ply will become socks for Mr Snoops. I'm thinking maybe I'll go for a solid red heel and toe. What do you think? Needless to say, not very much progress took place!

Last weekend saw us travelling up to Manchester for the Manchester Half-Marathon which was being run by Mr Snoops, our son and our youngest daughter. The day started out very cold and very wet, but our spirits were not dampened. All three did well. I'm very proud of my 'Runner Beans'!

By the time we walked through the park to our son's house for some lunch and a warm-up, the sun had come out and squirrels were busy collecting nuts and seeds.

It really has begun to feel very Autumnal here our little corner of the UK and the wood burner is being routinely lit in the evenings. I love the cosiness and warmth it gives!

After two weekends away, I relished a little bit of time during the weekday evenings to relax. I probably got a little carried away by the soporific effect of those dancing flames, or maybe my mind was elsewhere. Whichever was the case, my almost finished 'Cosy' blanket began to look rather misshapen! I have no idea how this happened, but needless to say ten stripes had to be ripped out and redone. GGGRRRHHH!

Back on track and the striping is complete.

Last evening saw the ceremonial sewing in of the ends. Yay!!!!!

After a glass of wine, to recover, I was ready to tackle the border. 

So much for great progress after an earlier setback, I've run out of yarn! GGGRRRHHH! I'm just going to have to take a break for a few days and wait for the best 'Yarn Fairy' in the world to bring me some magic remnants to complete the job!

I snapped these Autumn beauties as Mr Snoops and I walked Oscar through the local park yesterday.

A quick pop into my LYS and this little beauty decided to come home with me. I couldn't resist the purply grey stripes!

It is with a very heavy heart that I end this post, as I send much love to my dearest pal Helen, who sadly lost her darling husband a fortnight ago. Just so, so sad! XX

SHOPPING.....

Good evening! I'm just popping in to show you my carefully chosen purchases from Fibre East; three very beautiful skeins and a rather lovely spotty crochet hook.

Easyknits has to be one of my 'must go to' vendors at the shows. Jon dyes beautifully and loves a touch of sparkle. Although I'm not a massive lace weight knitter, I couldn't resist this gorgeous skein of Twinkle Lace in colour way 'Into the Blue'. It's a 75% merino, 20% silk and 5% stellia mix and will probably end up becoming another 'Almost Ovals' scarf. My pics are not too good a colour match   as the blues are really much more turquoise.

Next up is a fabulously soft skein of 'Five Moons' 75% merino 20% nylon mix, also with a touch of sparkle! It's due to become ...... socks!

Last up is a really lovely skein of Stride self-striping from 'The Knitting Swede'. It's 75% super wash BFL and 25%nylon. This little beauty is joining me on a trip to Provence tomorrow and will return, hopefully, as a pair of Provence Socks, to remind me of the beautiful lavender fields.

See you in a couple of week! :-)

HALF-TERM DONE AND DUSTED........

Good evening! So sorry to have missed you last week, but I have been away for the half-term holiday visiting our children and grand children. We've had a thoroughly lovely nine days, with plenty of cuddles, trips to the park, ice-creams and fun! The weather has been superb with glorious sunshine for almost the entire time. It makes such a difference!

Not much knitting has taken place, except for some sock progress during the car journeys and managing to get a move on and finish Evie's hoodie, so that we could leave it with her. 

The pattern is 'Jake Hoodie' by Martin Storey and it works brilliantly. It's a super easy knit, with the only downside being the picking up stitches for the rather tedious neck and hood band. But it all seems to work out nicely and the fit is just perfect. I used some Rowan 'milk cotton DK' that I bought several years ago in a John Lewis sale. I'm not a great fan of knitting with cotton, but it is perfect for a summer hoodie and washes and wears very well.

I've managed a small amount of progress on my first attempt at Magic Loop and Continental Knitting. This is a little knit along practice challenge with Josiekitten, although I seem to be lagging behind by one whole sock! I'm totally smitten with the Magic Loop method and now wonder why I've not attempted this before. It's so much quicker than using DPNs and there's no chance of loosing your needle down the side of the car seat. However, the continental knitting method has not taken off quite as quickly. I have practised using it on my sock, but only intermittently as I'm too impatient!

Not too bad for a first attempt! I'm loving the gorgeous Fruit Gum colour way of the Opal Yarn. Just scrummy!

On my arrival home,  a squishy parcel of sock yarn goodness was waiting for me. I've spotted these gorgeous yarns and the lovely socks made from them  several times on Instagram and Revelry and decided I needed to give them a go. Postage was free for three balls, so three pairs it is then! ;-) I'm sure Mr Snoops will be the recipient of one these yummy pairs.

Right, now time to sort out what I am supposed to be doing tomorrow at school!

FROZEN...... in time!

Well hello! It's good to be back. I very rarely desert my little bit of bloggy heaven for quite so long, but Christmas chez Snoopydog was  a very busy affair this year. Busy in a good way, with our family arriving at different times, along with grandchildren and carloads of 'essentials' if you have little ones!

We survived and had a very lovely time, with walks, games, trips to the cinema and just generally enjoying each other's company.

I managed to complete this little sweater for Sophie intake for Christmas. I called it her Elsa ( from  Frozen) sweater, so that she would approve of the colourway and want to wear it. Sophie is a very 'pink' little girl! As it happens, she seemed to like it very much. The yarn is pretty cheap and cheerful but lovely and soft and a pleasure to work with. It's Sirdar Crofter DK and the pattern is Sirdar Crofter 2256. I picked it up at Fibre East last summer.

I love the simplicity of the little rolled neck and sleeve edges and the set in sleeves. 

I then managed to make an Anna version for little Jess. The fact that I have made two well within four weeks, shows that it really is a quick knit!

I made a cheeky little purchase last week in order to knit one of Kim Swingles' new Playtime sock patterns. Her newly published e-book includes three fab patterns especially designed with variegated yarn in mind. I have a feeling I shall make 'Teeter Totter'.  STR is the recommended yarn and as there seems to be a great big gaping hole in my stash, I felt I needed to go some little way to filling it.... or a the very least, plugging the hole! I love it and know that it will make a fabulous pair of colourful foot warmers.

Looks like two separate skeins doesn't it! Fun!

Right, now lets say goodbye and get on with some new blankie crocheting for an hour or so. Hopefully I'll be able to show you a worthwhile amount of what's being hooked next time. Have a good week!

AT THE FINISH LINE......

I finished this requested cardigan a week or so ago and it has already winged its way up to little Evie. It really is the simplest of all in one patterns ever. The only slightly tricky bit is picking up the stitches for the edging and button bands. It is a quick knit that produces quite a warm, thick fabric.

Ii's a Debbie Bliss pattern and it took three balls of her Baby Cashmerino. I really like the contrast that these little wooden buttons add. They seem to lift the design.

Evie is growing pretty quickly, as it appears that 3 - 6 months won't be fitting her for very much longer. Such a little sweetie!

I've definitely rediscovered my love of colour just recently, as I find myself tempted back to multicoloured sock yarns. I popped into my local, and recently re-located, yarn store yesterday and just couldn't leave this scrummy offering behind.

As  much as I love the hand-dyed yarns, for long-lasting socks you really can't beat Regia.

Looking forward to another set of stripes, just as soon as my 'London Gap's are off the needles.