tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-238114312008-05-14T08:13:52.260-07:00sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16291326380557787987noreply@blogger.comBlogger121125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23811431.post-28225348295431379162008-01-29T03:15:00.000-08:002008-01-29T04:32:05.901-08:00

I've had email asking how I am, and Sue (go and look at the sideways truck! You have to be Well Hard to live on a hill :-) awarded me this when what I really needed was a swift kick to remind me that there's a world out there. Or is that 'in here'? No excuses, just apologies and a brief explanation: this is the start of my busiest time of year. Starting in mid-December, a goodly proportion of the

sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16291326380557787987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23811431.post-57222604757761883112007-12-26T04:03:00.000-08:002007-12-26T05:07:30.891-08:00

Not merry, because that would require too much energy :-) Anyway I'm better at spinning, knitting and reading than merrymaking, and I'd back him at sitting and reading or watching TV against anyone else in the world. So I splurged and ordered a roast from my favourite butcher (in Ludlow, halfway across Britain. My environmentalist halo is sadly askew), bought several bottles of good wine during

sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16291326380557787987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23811431.post-82517751157732653442007-11-21T02:08:00.000-08:002007-11-21T03:19:19.433-08:00

My husband would say so. But what I mean is that I should post more often. All across knitting blogland people are saying the same thing, so it's contagious or seasonal. Knitting gifts takes time. And bits of that cold are still, STILL lingering. I've had a mild sore throat for three weeks now, and at the gym or Pilates all my energy runs away, like water down a drain, about 45 minutes into the

sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16291326380557787987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23811431.post-87710143432523223992007-11-12T01:20:00.000-08:002007-11-12T04:13:58.437-08:00

So there I was at the beginning of last week, ensconced in my corner of the couch, virtually surrounded by yarn and knitting books, almost enjoying my cold. I had the projects I was knitting, alternating hard and easy, I had the radio, books to read, with hot chocolate or a quick hit from New Style of Heirloom Knitting when I needed a bit of excitement. I'd been looking for a copy of that ever

sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16291326380557787987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23811431.post-36912519296500164102007-10-26T04:12:00.000-07:002007-10-26T05:13:55.159-07:00

The kind that affects my head and throat, not cryptographers. It's not really that bad yet, but he had it last week so I know it WILL be. So I'm getting things done while I have the energy. I've done the shopping, stocked up on soup and the ingredients for soup, and stuff that will become a giant vat of stew so I can say "Never mind me, leave me to die here, there's stew in the refridgerator for

sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16291326380557787987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23811431.post-53244142697201033862007-10-15T05:21:00.000-07:002007-10-15T06:31:51.715-07:00

Now you see it. Spinning wheel and lazy kate as I left them Sunday afternoon when the oven timer pinged to say my afternoon was over. I didn't even fill the bobbin! Note the chair pointing sternly, steadfastly toward work as it has all Monday morning. Aaannnnnnd... Now you don't. The results of my visit to the Knitting & Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace last Thursday. I prepared properly

sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16291326380557787987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23811431.post-17515632069642816482007-10-01T01:38:00.000-07:002007-10-02T03:28:59.229-07:00

Or at least I feel as though it is. That's part of the 'Shoulder Shawl in Cherry Leaf Pattern' from Victorian Lace Today, in Mini Maiden 'Periwinkle'. A rod for my own back: 'shoulder shawls' don't really appeal to me, I prefer something a little more like a hug (especially if it's to be a gift). So I added 5 pattern repeats. Which wasn't a problem, as the body stitch pattern is easily memorised.

sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16291326380557787987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23811431.post-19317058262813910452007-09-11T00:01:00.000-07:002007-09-11T01:09:39.041-07:00

It's one of those things you just don't think about. It's there when you need it, so you use it. It's his, but I often wear it if I need something warm when working outside in the winter. Gran (his paternal grandmother) knitted it; I knew that much, and I'd guessed it was a gift when he was younger because it's relatively small. It's a sturdy, quite glossy wool (with my new-found knowledge I

sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16291326380557787987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23811431.post-5492025446005632382007-09-04T08:50:00.000-07:002007-09-04T11:01:51.265-07:00

Dear Mother, Do you remember the strange, mis-shapen ashtrays I used to bring home from the summer ceramics kids classes? The vases that only held water and flowers if they were braced upright with plasticine? Well, this is the fibre equivalent of one of those ashtrays. It's the Wool Peddler Shawl from Folk Shawls, handknit by me from my very own, very first handspun yarn project, a blend of

sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16291326380557787987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23811431.post-59234370466353988312007-08-23T10:08:00.000-07:002007-08-24T07:18:58.703-07:00

None at all. Just work and sitting and knitting and reading and stuff. I'm sure I'll get around to cleaning again sometime, but fibre is just so much more... exciting :-) If I had a picture of my Wing o' the Moth shawl I could show you a picture, but the first attempt (6-ish repeats) was frogged earlier this week. I have learned another lesson: USE A ROW COUNTER or ALWAYS STOP IN THE SAME PLACE.

sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16291326380557787987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23811431.post-60065226527318392892007-08-20T01:27:00.000-07:002007-08-20T03:02:19.825-07:00

All those who emailed to ask how things were going. I'm a bit stunned, really: I hadn't realised I had acquired so many friends in far away places. If I could, I'd host a party for us all. (Does anyone else script the music for things like that? I've even made notes about what those attending my funeral should be forced to listen to enjoy :-) Yes, it's OK. My in-laws left for Canada on Friday;

sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16291326380557787987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23811431.post-34726487835380618822007-08-05T09:14:00.000-07:002007-08-05T09:45:24.534-07:00

In many ways. My in-laws were to have left today, but my father-in-law was poorly when they arrived and was hospitalised in a frantic rush that lasted 12 hours on Thursday. These were the travelling socks that day; I've put them aside to wait for happier times. I want to enjoy wearing them, not be reminded of hours spent sitting in Emergency Assessment. He's improving, out of Intensive Care this

sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16291326380557787987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23811431.post-36076105217097920222007-07-30T01:08:00.000-07:002007-07-30T02:12:59.726-07:00

As in a very small festival of socks... Thank you to the people who emailed to ask if we were affected by the flooding: we are lucky in so many ways. If this area DID flood we'd be the first house under water but, as this part of the UK is drier than many notably dry places, we were fine. Just a bit damp under grey skies, depressed and over-worked. One bright spot in the last fortnight was the

sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16291326380557787987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23811431.post-88423168599936839142007-07-19T01:08:00.000-07:002007-07-19T02:32:26.621-07:00

But I'd prefer things the other way around. Ah, well. What it is to be an adult. Nonetheless, look: socks! These are winter house socks for him, although my foot thinks that's unfair. The yarn is interesting: it's a pure Wensleydale Longwool aran weight from Cross Lanes Farm, bought at Woolfest because the yarn has a lovely sheen, is a perfect denim blue heathered with black, and I've been

sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16291326380557787987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23811431.post-50198651503040600262007-07-12T07:08:00.000-07:002007-07-13T02:10:25.650-07:00

A bit like Slow Food, I hope. One of my capillary-feed drawing pens has started flowing too fast, so I have to stop frequently to allow the lines to dry. It takes about 15 minutes to enter the right mindset for other work and I don't dare spin (time flies as fast as the spindle), so I thought I'd start drafting another post. Partly because I've got to acknowledge the laurel accorded to me by La

sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16291326380557787987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23811431.post-2184111078263005072007-07-10T01:14:00.001-07:002007-07-10T02:32:44.159-07:00

I'm told that's what I used to say when I was much, er, younger than I am now. And somewhat smaller. We've been in Scotland! Camping! In the rain! (no surprise there if you know Scotland :-) That's me, grinning inanely. With luck you can't see just how silly I look when happy even if you click for big. If you can, feel sorry for him: he says that's my characteristic expression. That's a 35l

sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16291326380557787987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23811431.post-43608974275785406292007-06-26T04:10:00.000-07:002007-06-26T05:10:18.137-07:00

Even when you're not having fun. I can still remember the look of utter exasperation on my mother's face when, many years ago, I whined about being bored. Ah, those golden days when summer holidays lasted forever, or at least until school started. No time for boredom here, and no golden days either: it's grey and cold and wet, but at least we haven't had any flooding. I've been apologising to my

sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16291326380557787987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23811431.post-77956120598747181382007-06-12T02:58:00.000-07:002007-06-12T03:21:25.274-07:00

A Fabulous PerpenSOCKular pattern! Pattern: Sidewinders Socks, a play in V Acts from Nona. Yarn: Socks That Rock lightweight in Rooster Rock. Comments: Got gauge (gauge is crucial) on a 2.5mm circular, which produces a slightly looser fabric than I'd normally knit (I prefer 2mm). No matter, the fit is PERFECT and I love this sock. It's a witty, elegant pattern (the toe shaping is wonderful)

sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16291326380557787987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23811431.post-72619160031782037102007-06-07T03:20:00.000-07:002007-06-07T04:50:40.134-07:00

Life is currently throwing just about as many balls as I can handle given two arms and the occasional judicious use of my teeth. Others might deflect balls by bouncing them off their heads, but I want to catch and keep everything I see. I'm like that. Nonetheless there is another pair of socks in my drawer: My Ugly Socks. Yarn: Tofutsies 722 'Stand on your own two feet' (I think). Pattern: my

sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16291326380557787987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23811431.post-52261788084772833512007-05-22T04:49:00.001-07:002007-05-22T10:23:06.960-07:00

The view from our bedroom window. Thanks, Mindie -- the knitting karma landed! Started September 2006, finished May 2007 (stockinette is boring). Yarn: Lisa Souza laceweight merino in 'Wild Things' Pattern: Mim's Seraphim Shawl Modifications: first and most obvious, I converted the triangle into a square. What was I thinking? The pattern called for 800–900yds fingering weight yarn and 3.75mm

sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16291326380557787987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23811431.post-35554386407737687422007-05-21T05:13:00.000-07:002007-05-21T06:41:58.284-07:00

sister/brother/friend/client/printer/cat (please delete as appropriate) I regret that I have been unable to reply to your letter/telephone message expressing concern/angry email/plaintive meow. I was exploring space-time with Dr Who/paralysed from the neck down by sudden illness/isolated from the rest of the world by a total electricity failure/desperately trying to finish knitting a shawl. I

sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16291326380557787987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23811431.post-71870714202441746622007-05-16T09:29:00.000-07:002007-05-18T08:52:07.893-07:00

Not one of those purple things! They're English bluebells, not triffids. But just imagine you could see tiny people down amongst their leaves... can you tell it's Friday? I've only got 13 rows plus the bind-off to go. Barring accidents, I will survive and I'll have yarn left over, probably about 1200 yards. Might be some time before I feel like knitting with it again! I've been tagged for the '

sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16291326380557787987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23811431.post-14364709425085889952007-05-15T01:23:00.000-07:002007-05-15T02:54:26.825-07:00

It has fangs. It's devouring the second ball of laceweight as fast as I, its slave, can work. Eight hundred stitches in circumference means progress is slow but steady; I do an hour before I start work, for example, and well over an hour every night, plus whatever time I have during lunch. Only 21 rows and the cast-off to go and then I'll be able to see the pattern complete (it's Mim's 'Seraphim'

sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16291326380557787987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23811431.post-42686038880188734412007-05-08T02:22:00.000-07:002007-05-08T03:39:10.376-07:00

Knitting and spinning after geography, I promise. Traditionally May Day Bank Holiday weekend (that's the weekend just past, with holiday Monday) is the first weekend of the year when the urban/suburban British head for somewhere green. Many go for the garden centre option, where they can contemplate over-priced plants (£3.99 that's nearly US$8 for a 6" tomato seedling!) and water features while

sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16291326380557787987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23811431.post-24708143653165192072007-05-02T08:18:00.000-07:002007-05-02T09:25:43.659-07:00

I can't resist them. Show me a hole in the pavement and I'm there, inspecting the bowels of the earth (aka water/sewer/electricity mains), looking for archaeology in the layers of history that form the sides of the hole. In knitting, a hole can be a bad thing (think moth or not if you can't bear to) or a good thing. Either way, the absence attracts interest. This is true of people, too. Think of

sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16291326380557787987noreply@blogger.com