Another one bites the dust!

Knittynora strikes again!

The socks are finished.The ones Ive made with my own handspun are done. It has taken me just over a week to get them finished, which isnt bad considering I had to make one of them a pattern repeat longer - after I had grafted the toe and darned in threads. Its lovely to see them finished, and you could see them too if I had been able to upload the photo`s successfully. Ive called them SWEET PEA GREEN as they are the most gorgeous shades of green, which I dyed myself with Procion dyes. They fit beautifully and will keep my tootsies warm come the cold weather. Ive now started a Matinee jacket for our new baby. Ive already finished the back and half a front.
Aaah, so much yarn, so little time!

Whitby Hoi!

Next week is my birthday. Im not going to give my age away because you can work it out from my profile.
DH is taking me to Whitby for my birthday. Its one of my favourite places and I cant wait to go. There is an old Church Hall which has been turned into a Yarn /Brick-a-back store. They sell beautiful yarn, such as Collinette and the proper Gansey yarn. My DH fancies a Gansey, and guess what? Ive been commissioned to do the honours. Ive warned him how expensive it can be but he`s willing to pay the price to get an authentic one. Im happy because Ive never attempted one before and am looking forward to giving it a go. The trip to Whitby includes a nice lunch as a birthday treat. I`ll try to post some photos if the bleeding thing will work!
The weather here has been lovely and summery and Im hoping it just may last till next Monday. Walking round wearing a Tee-shirt beats a Mac and Wellies any day. I`ll blog in what we bought at a later date. There are sheep wandering loose all over the Moors on the approach to the Town and I keep asking DH if he can fit a couple in the boot! He`d get a ready made grass cutter and lots of jumpers! What more could he want?? Perhaps I can smuggle a couple in the Glove Compartment.
On June 13th, Im going to my daughters birthday party. Its a fancy dress party and we`ve all got to dress up as something begininng with the letter T. Im going as the Tooth Fairy with my front tooth blacked out and false nashers on a necklace. Bet you want to see the photos from that one eh? I`ll see what I can do. Before that though, Im going to sunny Bradford to visit a very dear friend of mine. She`s a Knitter(note;the capital K) and we`re both going to be doing some as we relax in front of the TV. Ive been promised a Pamper night as a birthday treat, so Im well up for that. Thank you Orysia, youre a diamond, also birthday wishes to Ory. May you have many more m`dear.
Well, Im going to give this photo thingy one last go. Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye.........

Hi Guys - Im back!!!

Well, Hi all you Bloggers out there! Im back. Its been a long time since my last post. This has been purely me being a terrible slacker. I appologise profusely to anyone looking for a post. Im going to try to be a better "Blogger" in future.

Anyway, back to the business in hand. Knitting, Spinning and life in general.

I have been knitting and spinning a great deal. Im getting so much better at the old spinning wheel and boy, does it show! As a late Chrissy Present, my DH (Does that stand for Dear Heart???) bought me an Ashford Traveller Wheel and a Drum Carder. Isnt he a sweetheart?. Its made a real difference to my Spinning and is an absolute dream to work with. The wheel is called Gertie and is sooo beautiful. At present, Im spinning up some luscious Corriedale tops for my dear friend Orysia, who wants it to be dyed so she can make something special. Also, yesterday I had a visit from another dear friend called Ruth, who brought me some gorgeous roving of 50%merino and 50% cashmere. How fabulous is that?? The cashmere blend will be spun and dyed to make a scarf or maybe a snood(remember them??) I cant wait to get started.

On the Knitty front, Im making some socks for myself from some of my handspun and have done a back of a cardi for my eldest son. He wants some alterations to the pattern, including a hood and sleeves with a hole in so he can put his thumb through! Fashion eh? Think Im glad Im not too fashionable. Finished objects also include two summer tops for my step-grandkids and a pair of baby mittens(more of that later) I have a long, long list of requests from family and friends for other knitted articles. No wonder I dont have time to knit for myself!!

Life in general

Well, the big news so far is that Im going to be a Nana soon. Our new baby is due in July. We have found out that the baby will be a little girl, and I cant wait! Ive already made her a shawl, hat and mitts. These things are all for when the weather gets cooler.
We have also acquired chickens for our garden. We have 2 cockrels, called Horatio and Henry and 6 hens, who we call the "girls". They are producing lots of eggs and eating all our scraps, so are environmently friendly too!! How cool is that??

The weather here is glorious and Ive broken out the summer gear. Trouble is, Ive put weight on over the winter and its all decidedly tight! Ah well, better tight than not fitting at all, I suppose. DH has been putting a new pond in the garden and we`re going to be having plenty of bbq`s.

Well, thats all for now. Happy Knitting people!

Summer At Last

The knitting of the Stole is coming along nicely now. Kelly and I decided on some Silk yarn that I bought from Hong Kong on good old Ebay. Its a light beige with a hint of salmon pink. I changed my mind about the pattern and am now knitting it in Openwork Lace, which is really pretty and sooo easy!. The pattern has only 4 rows to it and not one knit stitch in sight! Every row involves Purl in some form or another. As my fingers really like doing the purl stitch, its seems to be turning out rather well. Have a look at the photo and see what you think!! Im still not totally sure how long its supposed to be. I`ll probably stop when I run out of the yarn! Its very similar to knitting with cotton, but Im sure it will soften and drape more when Ive washed and blocked it. Hope so anyway!!!


Did you enjoy the Bank Holiday?. My Alan had to work, as usual, so it seemed just like any other day to me. Im really envious of other people that can go for a drive or even potter in the garden. If I want to potter, I have to do it by myself!! Not quite the same unfortunately!
I spoke yesterday to a very dear friend of mine, who lives in France. This lady is the most accomplished, amazing lady(and knitter!) that I know. She`s posted some Vintage Patterns to me after reading in this blog that I collect them. I cant wait for them to arrive and will take ages reading and inwardly digesting the information contained within!
Health-wise, Im not too good at the moment(I have Fibromyalgia, amongst other things) and even walking is taking a supreme effort. Ive decided to employ a cleaner to come and give me a hand with the jobs I cant seem to manage any more.
Summer seems to have finally arrived, thank the lord. For me, this glorious sunshine ought to last at least until Christmas!! No hopes of that though.
Happy knitting until next time.....

TANK-TOP & FREDDY

If you look at the photos at the bottom you will see the Tiny Tank-Top and
Ta Da- Freddy the Knitting Parrot!!

Blogging Along Nicely!

Knitting Notions

Well, the little TT for Giac is now finished. Very plain but hopefully will look real cute with his little polo shirt and jeans. Ive now started on a Stole for my daughters Maid-Of-Honour. She has chosen Clover Pink for the colour and Ive decided to do it in Mesh Lace. I only did 4 rows last night, but have already discovered the horror of blunt needles!!
The pattern involves a YO,Slip 1, Knit 2 stitches and then pass the 2 knit stitches over. Very simple pattern, I hear you cry!. Well Yes, very simple, but(and its a big but!)the trouble I had getting my seemingly very blunt, size 5mm needles to go through the first stitch. I had been using my gorgeous Brittany Needles(Blunt!) then I changed to yet another pair(Blunt!) and so on....
The pattern is very pretty and lacey so I`ll soldier on but if things dont improve I`ll be getting one of Alans files out and having a go myself!
Does anyone actually know how long a Stole should be? No?, Me neither. At least the length of a Scarf presumably. Any suggestions would be most welcome!

Blackies Do a Fly-Past!

The baby Blackies left the nest and headed for the big wide world, on Saturday. Mum and Dad had been calling them for ages. The male landed on Alans Bike handlebars to show them where to land for a good take-off point. Of course, his bike is now covered in Blackbird Poop, but hey, we did our bit.
Later on, they all lined up on the fence and did a Fly-Past. It wasnt quite the Red Arrows, but it was most satisfying to see them heading off into the sunset(Well, the car-park actually!)My dear friend Aunty Ann told me not move the old nest, as they may be back for another go.

Freddy, the Knitting Parrot, has been giving me a hand with things. (He`s also known as Shreddy, due to his habit of shredding anything he can get his beak round)His very helpful way of running off with my yarn or trying to sit on my hand while Im knitting is a great help and I dont know what Id do without him(!!)
The weather here has been sunny and breezy. Just the job for drying washing and bird-watching!
It Bank Holiday on Monday, and Alan will have to work as usual. My parents have felt sorry for me, being all on my lonesome, and invited me to a massive Car-boot. Im hoping to find lots of knitterly things, especially some Vintage Patterns, that I collect...
Well, back to the blunt needles till next time.

Roy Orbison Rocks!!!

No knitting has been done yet today but Im up to the armholes of Giacs TT. Im going to get him a little pair of jeans and a polo shirt to wear it with. Hope to get a photo of "the boy" wearing his outfit. Ive ordered an Electronic Row Counter and am waiting impatiently(!) for it to be delivered. Is it just me or do other people seem to lose count of everything as they get older??
I seem to have developed the dreaded Notebook Syndrome, and cant seem to remember a damn thing unless I write it down. Mind you, when Im making a note of Row counts I then forget whether Ive written them down or not!!. You cant win, can you?.
Probably, when I get the Electronic one, I`ll forget to press the button!. They says it makes a beeping noise when you press it, so maybe that will help. Ive also ordered a Row Marker that keeps your place in a pattern coz Im good at forgetting that too!!. My brain seems to be in a permanent state of "Fog" these days. Surely, I cant be the only one?(Can I???)



Life and Roy Orbison

I had to go into town today and good old Woolies were having a Sale. Managed to get some CDs and a DVD for very little pennies. There was a compilation of Roy`s Greatest Hits and I couldnt resist!!. Also got Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield(Remember that??) and gorgeous Marti Pellow singing The Wets Greatest Hits too. These are all to be played at Mega-Blast level on my headphones. Im often to be spotted sporting huge Headphones and singing at the top of my(awful) voice whilst hanging out the washing!! The neighbours have stopped giving me funny looks and mouth "Good Morning" coz they know I cant hear a word they are saying!!. Music is a passion of mine and I love everything from Classical to Maroon Five. Fred, my African Grey Parrot also loves music, and dances when something he likes is played. (He can whistle "How much is that doggy in the window and barks in the right places too!. Very musical bird!.)

Im very much looking forward to Iknit in London in September, and have booked my ticket already. Im saving my pennies so that I can do a bit of Stash Enhancement and see the Yarn Harlot too. Some of my very good friends(Ruth and Orysia) are going and Im hoping to meet up with them for some knitterly chat. We all belong to www.stitchlinks.com and I think there will be others there too.
For all you nature lovers out there, we have a Blackbird and his Missus nesting in my hubbys Bike garage. We now have 3 baby blackbirds with feathers and big beaks. Mum and Dad spend all day, from dawn to dusk finding them things to eat. Even though I have 4 cats, they are cautious but not put off. Why they chose such an exposed place I have no idea, but we love it. The way they have reared their babies is nothing short of amazing. Well Done Mr and Mrs Black, I say!!!
Anyway, thats it till next time. Im going to try to upload a photo tonight so you may be able to have a look if I can figure it out(Dont hold your breath.............)

Monday Again

Knitting and Spinning

Well, its Monday again and the weekend seems to have passed by far too quick as usual. Last night I began a dinky little "Tank-top" for my daughter Kellys Godson. His name is Giacacomo(Giac or Jack for short!) and he`ll be a year old in May. This boy is Gorgeousness personified!!. Im knitting the TT in Beige in a child and Mum friendly acrylic mix. Now he`s starting to get all over the place, I thought something with "Washability" would be appropriate. I remember back to the dim and distant days when my kids were small, and time being at a premium. Hands Up who can remember having little ones who thought nothing of going to sit in the Dog Basket with the Dog????.
Kelly, my lovely daughter, is getting married in July. She has asked me to knit Bolero cardis for her four little Bridesmaids and a Stole for her Matron-of-Honour. Im still waiting for her choice of yarn so decided on little Giacs TT to fill-in the time. Theres nothing better than a bit of plain old Stocking Stitch so I can read at the same time!.
The Spinning is coming along nicely, and Im spinning up some beautiful 100% Merino, for my friend Orysia. Ive just been spinning a Jacob Fleece, and I must say that it knits up really well. Made Alan a Beanie which is just fab for Dog Walking. You can tell he really likes it coz he wont wear it to work!!. Ive also just finished washing two Shetland Fleeces, which are lovely and soft. I wish someone would tell the Sheep to keep away from the heather though, as Ive spent hours picking it out of the wool!!.

Life and Love in General
Alan was on holiday last week, and we had a couple of lovely days out. We went to Whitby on Wednesday. I LOVE THIS PLACE!!. There is a disused Church Hall there which serves as a sort of yarn store cum gift shop. They stock tons of Collinette yarn and 5ply for Ganseys. I promised Alan that his next jumper would be a Gansey. Trouble is, the wool on its own is about £55. BUT if youre going to make a Gansey, you might as well do it right!!. There were sheep everywhere on the Moors on the way, and I tried my hardest to convince Al that two would fit in our car. Wish we had a bigger garden so I could have Alpacas as well!!!
The "zoo" are all doing fine. They consist of 3 Dogs, 4 cats, African Grey Parrot, Amazon Parrot and various fish. Have you ever tried to Knit or Spin with a naughty Grey Parrot clinging to the top of your head??. No, thought not!!
Watched Room 1408 while Al was on his hols. What a brilliant film!. If you like Stephen King, you`ll love this. Its an adaptation from his book of the same name. Twists and turns galore. Well worth a look. See if you can guess what happens...........
This is it till next time, hopefully with some photos too.....