More Hopsox

I thought I'd knit another pair of these just to make sure the frst pair wasn't some sort of a fluke ;-)

These socks have kept me company on a variety of train journeys recently and was knitted variously on the train to London ( theatre, League 2 Play Off Final ) Coventry ( Ravelry Day ) Manchester ( work ) and back in London again ( Artist’s Pallete Trunk Show at Socktopus and Wimbledon ) What a lot of lovely memories it holds already.

It was also frogged at length at Socktopus on Sunday 21st June, but was successfully resurrected at Wimbledon the following day. It was the sock of doom on Sunday, but I finally beat it into submission ;-)

This is a p/hop sock and as such will be on the p/hop stand at Woolfest and Fibrefest and I Knit Day.

I used Dream in Colour Smooshy # Go Go Grassy and two 2.75mm circular needles to knit them with.

They fit really well and I am very pleased with them. The pattern can be downloaded here if you would like it. Or there is a little link in my sidebar.

Knitting for a Small Person

I love the rare occasions when I can do some baby knitting and this is no exception :-) I was delighted when I knew that this particular friend was having a baby boy, and although I knitted the back, fronts and sleeves of this a few weeks ago, I didn't knit the band and finish it off until after he had safely arrived.

This is Devan from Spring '04 Knitty. I used Opal Magic Sugar Almond Blue and a contrast ball of Regia sock yarn.

I used mattress stitch for the first time when sewing in the sleeves, but I'm afraid the navy yarn defeated my poor old eyes, and I sewed the side and sleeve seams in my usual way.

It took me ages to sew up - almost as long as it did to knit! Isn't knitting for a knitter just the most daunting thing!


This little hat and socks are a Sue Morgan pattern. You will have to scroll down to see it.

Race For Life 2009

How can it be this time of year again already! Time has a habit of flying by at a rate of knots, and it really doesn't seem a year since last year iyswim ;-)

As ever Race day dawned with the sun shining and blue skies. Worcester seems blessed with the weather on these occasions, and today was no exception. Just look at these lovely views across the bridge to the other side of the river and ultimately Pitchcroft.

It's a long old trek from the car park to the start of the Race - I'd walked at least a mile before I started!!!!!

Mr A came along for moral support and was in charge of the photos. Here go the last of the runners before we walkers get going.

I am in there - honest ;-)

I have no idea how long these two kept this up for! Sooner them than me.

Soon it was time to leave the racecourse and head into the city.









Almost there! There's always an uphill section at the end, but I've just done it here which is why I'm smiling.

I was so pleased to cross the finishing line. This was my fifth consecutive Race for Life, and I have to say it was the most difficult to date. I had an emotional moment about half way through when I remembered why I was doing it this year and I found it hard going after that. My time was around that of last year, but now that it's all done my hip hurts like heck and I shall have to think very carefully about doing it next year.

I'd like to thank each and every one of you who sponsored me. I am deeply grateful to each and every one of you and I have been overwhelmed by your generosity.

Thank you!

Learning Curves

What a wonderful day I had on Thursday, London Underground notwithstanding. I had been looking forward to my workshops with Jared Flood ( aka Brooklyn Tweed ) for ever such a long time, and wasn't about to let the tube strike detract from that in any way at all.

I was awake at 4:30! By the time I arrived at Paddington, I felt as though I had been up all day :-) The staff at Paddington were incredibly helpful, providing both maps and up to date information. It wasn't their fault that a journey which would normally take 20 minutes took the best part of two and a half hours...............

I took two workshops on Thursday, "Plan Your Own Aran" and "An Introduction to the Hemlock Ring". Take a look at that flip chart - yes, you've got it, maths ;-)

We were given some wonderful yarn with which to swatch. Please note the workspace of a tidy and organised knitter ;-)

Here is Jared showing us one of his wonderful sweaters.


And where Jared goes, the paparazzi follow ;-)

Here is the Cobblestone sweater. You might be forgiven for thinking that it's just a bit of old stocking stitch with a few rows of garter stitch thrown in. It's actually an intricately designed and beautifully constructed garment with very sophisticated shaping on the yoke. I am going to have to knit one of these for Mr A very very soon.

Never was a flip chart so widely photographed!

And don't you just love this photo - these classes were FUN as well as work, and it shows, doesn't it.

Swatching progress. We were practicing shaping, and were introduced to a new method of producing a left leaning decrease known as SYTK that's slip, yank, twist, knit.

Jared is a wonderful teacher, and I have taken a great deal from his workshops. My little head is brim full of ideas and I am full of enthusiasm and oomph!

I love the social side of worshops too, and this one was no exception. The internet has been a revelation to me, and through it I have met people I would never have met, and made some wonderful friends. As ever, Alice ( Socktopus ) was such a generous host, and most of us decamped to the pub afterwards. It was lovely to catch up then with friends from previous workshops, and I am afraid it was gone 11:00 by the time this stop out got back to the Travelodge!

What a wonderful surprise then the following morning to open my curtain to see this view from my window :-) London never ceases to surprise me :-)

My journeyback to Paddington was thankfully uneventful and took the usual 20 minutes. I had the most amazing and wonderful time, and will see some of you again in a couple of weeks.

Ravelry Day 2009

What can I say? Not a cloud in the sky for almost two weeks, along comes Ravelry Day and down came the rain. Did it matter - not one little bit. The stallholders were wonderful despite the typical June day ;-) and seemed very busy all day, attracting passers-by as well as Ravellers.

Some Saturday shoppers were a little bemused. "More yarn" was often the puzzled expression, but all in all the good people of Coventry seemed very pleased to have the stallholders there.

The venue for the Day was wonderful. I can't praise highly enough everyone involved - not only the organisers who did such a wonderful job, but the people from the church too who made such a good job of keeping us all fed and watered. Even the Minister was walking around chatting to us all and collecting coffee cups.

My day was made all the more special by the workshop I attended. Plan Your Own Aran with Jared Flood was a wonderful two hours. I shall never be afraid to cable without a cable needle again. Who knows, I might even be tempted to steek!

I didn't manage a photo of Jared, an oversight that I intend to corrct this coming Thursday.

Meg Swansen gave a most enjoyable talk. She has a stash room of which I am very envious, and it was a pleasure to sit and listen to some amusing family anecdotes and her warm reminiscences about her mother.

I met so many friends, old and new. I am bound to forget someone, but Tricia, Ruth, Carol, Ali, Sandra, Claire, Liz, Blossom, Hayley, Jo, Jane, Jacky, Jeni, Heather,........... it was lovely to talk to you all :-) I will see some of you on Thursay.

Here are a few photos of the day - starting with my favourite.





The knit and natter room was always very popular

This particular shopping opportunity was always very busy

And in true British style, a little drop of rain wasn't going to deter anyone

The Natural Dye Studio - always popular wherever they are

Inside the lovely Main Hall waiting for Meg Swansen. What a lovely room.

Meg Swansen