My name in Blethers and I'm a Forest-aholic!

I promise, sincerely promise, that my next entry will NOT involve a Forest Canopy of any shape of form ... but till then please indulge me! Having recently made the shawl and cowl in double knit weights, I was compelled to see how this addictive pattern worked in 4 ply sock yarn....

Forest Canopy Shawl

Hand dyed by Hannah sock yarn, bought at Get Knitted (Bristol)

Close up of the edge detail

My hectic social whirl doesn't really warrant a shawl but I reckon this shawl will make a pretty enough scarf, worn wrapped around my neck. I'm a little embarrassed to say that I've caught myself scanning eBay, mulling over whether a specific yarn would work well as a FC... Control yourself woman! There's so many other pattern temptations out there too.

My trusty old backdrop to many of my photos continues to serve me well. However, my client group had me giggling when some noted me nipping out on my lunch break and 'posing' the shot. They've decided that my liking for this particular wall may mean that future career choices are limited! When meeting with prospective employers, many (sensibly) would enquire about pay and conditions. Would it be advisable to ask if new employers have old stonework?? The hospital site I currently work used to be an old Work House and has a fascinating and sad background. How difficult it must have been to have been forced by life circumstances to enter a work house. We have some of the historic guidelines and work expectations mounted on the wall and they make truly fascinating, and shocking, reading. Even in the current recession our present life styles seem so cushioned in contrast to those borne by previous generations.....

DD1 celebrated her 20th birthday last week. It's apparent youth is on her side - she had celebrations over 3 nights! Whereas I try to avoid all reference to my own age attainment! I can't believe that I'm a mother to a 20 year old. The only saving grace when my dad was teasing me about my advancing years, I growled back that it was still a little less challenging than being the father of a 45 year old. Though there are some striking similarities - both the 20 year old and the 45 year old are still victim to rampant hormones, though for differing reasons:o)

There has been some non-FC knitting going on! DD1 wanted some new socks and I've cast on a pair of No Purl Monkeys, a modification of Cookie's Monkey pattern, using yarn from Needlework's Pleasure. I love the pattern and it's knitting up really quickly. DD2 was left snorting with laughter when I subjected her elder sister to an Ugly Sister/Cinderella shoe session:

Me: Here, try this on please.
DD1: It doesn't fit! (Squirming from the effort)
Me: Give them a good yank! It WILL fit! (Accompanied by look of grim determination)
DD1: It still doesn't.
Me: Let me help (Pulling DD1's foot into positions nature truly did not intend)
See! Told you they were a perfect fit.....

Blocking has worked its usual wonders and a subsequent fitting session showed a submissive sock gliding onto her foot.... Now to cast on its mate!

New year ... new projects

Happy New Year! Hoping 2009 brings health, happiness and fibrey contentment to us all:o)

We had a peaceful Christmas and a little time off work which allowed for some knitting time. These are hot off the needles:

Forest Canopy Cowl

The remainder of the skein of Fyberspates Scrumptious DK was used for this cowl. It's just the perfect texture to wear next to the skin and is beautifully soft. I gave it to my friend today (first opportunity to meet since Christmas) and it's off yomping over the Peak District with her in a couple of weeks.

DD1 asked me to knit a couple of things for her planned Secret Santa amongst her University friends. Bless her, she's not quite mastered how long it might take to produce a Finish Off! She asked for a Column of Leaves Scarf (free pattern on Ravelry ... and lovely to be repeated pattern in the future) and an Ipod Touch/Phone Sockem
I used a tiny amount from a left over sock skein - Natural Dye Studio yarn but am blowed if I can remember the colour! It seemed to fit with DD1's requirements - "nice colour that won't show dirt"!! Makes you kind of wonder about the company she keeps, eh?? I changed the rib pattern to knit into the back of the stitch and am happy with how it turned out. However, it's a strange feeling going back to work with 4 ply yarn and 2.5mm needles again ... all my recent projects have been in aran/worsted or DK.

I gave into temptation and curiosity too - not that it takes much to tempt me to get more yarn:o) Having seen so many fantastic projects on Ravelry and hearing so much enthusiasm for Manos Silk Blend, I ordered a skein from Violet Green (online store). Ohhhh, it's lovely! This thing I've got with silk content at the moment is getting a little worrying;o)

Isn't it gorgeous??

Festive gifts and greetings....

I hope this post finds us all well and looking forward to the festivities ... and with all planned Christmas projects finished and wrapped! As usual, I'm lagging but nearly there:o)

Mum's Forest Canopy Shawl is done and has hopefully wung its way home to Scotland. I reckon its safe to share pictures before the Big Day as I don't think any of my family have found their way to Blogland (though the kids all have friction burned fingers from their time spent on Bebo, Facebook and MSN!!).

Forest Canopy Shawl - by Susan Lawrence
Knitted in Fyberspates Scrumptious DK

The Scrumtious yarn is an absolute dream to work with. It's 55% Bluefaced Leicester Wool with 45% Silk. This is the Moss colourway and it has the most beautiful muted shades of greens and soft browns. I'm itching to use this yarn again - but choosing the project carefully as the yarn needs to be handwashed seperately! Despite yarn love, I remain a housework/laundry sloth;o)

The Forest Canopy Shawl has proved such a popular and well loved pattern that I'm not surprised at all that the pattern has recently been amended to create a beautiful cowl version. This is one that has been knitted in Artesano Alpaca Hummingbird yarn and is another Christmas gift for a friend. The main part of the Cowl is knitted on 4.5mm circular needles. The lower edge is done on 5.5mm needles and has created some mighty interesting pooling in this yarn:o) But, hey, it gives clear guidance about which end is the bottom, doesn't it?

Forest Canopy Cowl - by Susan Lawrence

Knitted in Artesano Hummingbird

The cowl calls to be blocked less rigourously than the shawl. It needs some of the 'elasticity' that underblocking leaves to ensure the neck stays upright when worn.

Wishing all health and happiness over the festive season and may the coming year bring all you wish for and need...

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO US ALL!

Thank you for your support and inspiration over the past year

Winter warmers

The weather here has turned blustery and wintry. Perfect weather for encouraging me to finish Loppem? Errr, sadly no. Once the pattern errors were sorted out via the Berroco errata page, Loppem just glided along. I've only to finish the edging around the sleeves and, voila, new winter warmer would be ready for the wearing.... However, the required 40cm 5mm cable needle continues with its stitch holder function on the one-armed February Lady sweater languishing in the corner. Hopefully, I'll get my act (and needles!) in gear over the weekend:o)

Loppem

So what does the avoidant finisher do in this situation? Of course, start another project! I've cast on a Forest Canopy shawl and if it turns out well, it'll be part of mum's Christmas present. The yarn completely lives up to its name - Fyberspates Scrumptious DK yarn in Moss colourway.

Fyberspates Scrumptious DK
Forest Canopy Shawl

The yarn has a 45% silk content and is so soft to the touch. It's a joy to work with. At the moment, it's looking more blobbish than like a canopy - but I'm sure blocking will work its magic. I've had to order a further skein of yarn as the one skein is not going to be enough. There's a plus though to the yarn shortage - Forest Canopy now comes as a cowl and I'm hopeful that there should be enough yarn to make one of those too.

ooOoo

Tending to one's self care can be a taxing business, can it not? This recent picture of Louise had us chuckling! Can you tell she enjoyed her grooming session courtesy of DD1? What a life, eh?