Trip to the park

It was so pretty at the park I tried to get a pic of the dog. I have about 20 failed attempts but we did get 2 wee beautys


We like to think we can tire him out (silly owners) by taking him to an enclosed park where he can run in circles chasing grass to his little hearts content.



But it's not an entirely wasted trip

Progress is slow but steady on current knitting projects...

I even have a finished object.... Penllyn Socks which I knitted in my 'famous' non-descript mixed wool handpained stuff (leftovers from lost in translation) I am almost sick of knitting with it, but I feel the need to use it up... the man was muttering something horrible about wool not needing purchased till stash is used up....

Urban Lanark plods on, I have almost finished the flank detail (back). I still havnt decided to make it a jumper of a cardigan. Of course my most challenging problem was that I kept having to undo rows, thinking, 'there are purls where there should be knits' . Finally it struck me that if you go B-A-C for the panels one way, you cant do B-A-C on the way back accross... D'oh!

What's knitting a shawl like... any hints?

Progress and sunshine

Well, I haven't done much substantial knitting (and no sewing at all). I did finish the felted clogs though. The Man modelled them today...


Hamish loves to get in the way.


They are great, although I think the left one needs just one more felt for comfort and equality with the other.

I have been trying to knit the Penylln socks, Last night I thought it was going fabulously till about 4 row into the pattern I got to the end of a round and realised I had too many stitches left over and couldn't figure out for the life of me what had gone wrong. I pulled them back to the rib to start over and somehow lost 2 stitches .... didn't drop them, just, lost them.... I think I will just start over.





We've had cold weather but lots of sunshine, so, in the house, with the heating on, the sun coming through the windows is making it really warm. So warm that the plants seem to think it's spring...


My Ivy went on a mad growing spree and I have to keep picking its creepy fingers out of the walls. It is pretty though


And this is a very brave chilli that is determined to flower.



Urban Lanark is going well.


I think after knitting on a much smaller gauge for so long it shocks me how quickly it falls off the needles.

I love it though, the most I have to cable is 4 stitches so no sore fingers for me.

And the New Lanark wool is lovely, I really like it.

OK, so thats just about where I am at for now. The exams are going ok, though I have another biggie in a couple of days which is STRESSING me out.

He cooks......

Satuday morning brought this.....


Our first snow this year. Was so cold outside but was perfect for our christmas pudding plans.

Meanwhile, my sock was progressing nicely




I picked up extra stitches along the heel flap, and I knitted them so they would twist, resulting in this....
A distinct lack of holes along the heel. Very neat. Much happier to knit socks now they come out like that. I was begining to wonder if i had finally encountered my nemesis in the form of a multicoloured sock.... but it turns out that is and adventure for another day.


So this is my end product. Photographed in the icey blue morning light on the balcony



We (and by 'we' I mean the man) had a late start on the christmas pudding. But once it got going it was so much fun. Not to mention yummy (snacking on spare ingredients)

Lots of dried fruit... Apricots and dates here



Smashed almonds... we coulndt get flakes, but anyway having bigger chunks seemed more appealing...
Hamish was really helpful as you can see...


A huge square of cloth and some flour served as our 'seal'



And this is the pudding.... Did I mention that it was huge.... the little almont on top was to give some proportion. So yummy, I cant believe we arnt allowed to eat it till christmas


'Plop' into the water to boil for a delightful 6 hours (this meant we were up tll 2am)


So all in all, a slight increase in productivity.

Hope you are having a great weekend.

Autumn and string

Yesterday we went for a walk in the park.


I never get sick of autumn when it like this....

Even Muttus Maximus (aka the dog) enjoyed himself....



In other news, I have been experimenting with re-usable bags. I already have many but last night i decided i would attempt making one from jute twine. I got out my size 15's (mm) and disregarded patterns to produce this......


Its amazing. I cant believe how strong it is. It only took a couple of hours to do and it holds more weight than I could fit in it.

So pleased. will attempt another.

I am now sock/glove planning for the new wool I have. everyone seems to be doing 'jaywalker socks' am tempted to give them a go myself seeing as evreyone says they are so great to knit.