Escaped mental patient

You'll have to excuse the lack of decent blogging recently and the time it's taken me to get round your to your blogs to comment. As well as working on a submission I've had a load of hospital appointments recently and have been a bit preoccupied (Nout to worry about, just a bit of general maintenance). I was a bit miffed actually. Not only did they stick a camera up my nose (how far?) but I was trotting into the hospital wearing my beautiful new sandals - the most elegant things ever to grace my lumpy old feet - and the toe post snapped as I went through the main entrance. It was dangerous to walk in them so I took them off and was left padding barefoot about the hospital like some sort of escaped mental patient. Not a happy bunny, but the shop was in the same town and took them back even though I didn't have the receipt on me. I've replaced them with some right grannie like sandals that could survive a lot more abuse. It's a sad (albeit sensible) day when you choose your shoes for comfort not style.

Despite my shoe acquistion not going exactly to plan, I've got my sticky little mitts on some lovely yarn and patterns recently. I found some black 4 ply, the bane of my life because I can never find it. It's Sirdar Country Style 45% acrylic/40% nyon/15% wool and feels lovely. I got a bag of 600g for just under a fiver. I've cast on for the SK lacy top but I'm not convinced I want to make it anymore - I'd have to break into my black mohair for it too and I've been saving that for ages waiting for the right pattern. I fancy a sweater out of the Sirdar but don't have anything in mind.

I also saw these cones of mystery yarn and wasn't sure of the thickness or amount so I bought 3 (£1 each!). There's 500g on each cone so a big project can come out of it. I quite fancy making a replica of a sweater I bought from H&M that's looking a bit scruffy these days. It's blues, purples, pinks and a yellowly green.






Plus this gorgeous Filatura di Crosa 'Love' in a deep terracotta shade. There were only 2 balls but I figured I could get a scarf out of it for my Mum. It's her favourite colour and this is so soft and warm it's perfect


As for patterns I found Debbie Bliss's 'Nursery Knits' which I've been after for ages. My local library had 'lost' it and now I know why, the one I found in a charity shop is the library copy with a 'withdrawn for booksale' stamp in it. It's got some lovely patterns in it which I can't wait to make. I also bought Knitability by Linda O'Brien which is 80s-tastic but some of the motifs for the sweaters are really cute. I got a few loose patterns too including a great hat pattern that I really want to make.

As for actual knitting, it feels like I haven't done much for ages because I've been working on things I can't show you. Some of my gift knits have now reached their destinations so I can let you take a peek at them. You may remember the fantastic parcel stuffed full of lovely yarn from The Domestic Overlord, I finally got a parcel sent off to her which included a bag I made.
I was a bit lazy and swiss darned the motifs on it as my intarsia patience for that month had been well and truly used up on another project. The bag pattern is my own and I used the motifs from Hello Yarn's Skull Tote and Zombies Need Not Apply from Magknits. I crocheted the handles on and sewed in a lining mostly by hand as I got a bit carried away on the machine and made a right mess of it.

I was very naughty with another one of my gifts. When Nanatoo sent me the beautiful Clapotis she warned me that I musn't send her anything in return - so I didn't. I sent some things for her daughter instead. I made an Odessa from 100% cotton, I modified the sizing quite a lot as it was coming out enormous even for my giant bonce and I may have been a bit overzealous. I worked 90 sts instead of 110 and made it 1" shorter in the main section. I dont know if anyone else who's made one had the same problem as me with it, I found the yo and the SSK created a gap (bigger than I expected) which stretched out to a big hole which no amout of tweaking would draw in. It may just be that I used cotton and it was too rigid. If you have any idea about it I'd appreciate pointing in the right direction. I also made her some little wrist warmers from the left over camo yarn I had. Again my own pattern, but nothing too exciting, just 3x1 rib.

Other than that I'm working on the green cabled cardi that I started in February (pre-olympics). It looks great but It's boring me to death so I may have to start something else that isn't cabled. Too much yarn, too little time. Please tell me I don't want bright yellow yarn. I hate yellow, I never wear it and wouldn't dream of knitting in it for myself. Despite that I have seen the most beautiful shade of yellow I have ever clapped eyes on and feel compelled to buy it. It calls to me every time I see it. I also want to make something that would involve me working in moss (seed) stitch for a week or more. Maybe she poked my brain too hard with that camera...