Loobylou

Not sure

2007-04-12T20:54:00.000+01:00

I think it really makes me look abnormally long and lanky - almost as if I'd changed the proportions of the photo. Do you think it's the sleeves? Maybe if I shorten them to just before the elbow and then make them flare out? Or should I have shoert sleeves and put an extra couple of rows onto the body? I have no spare yarn - what you see is all I have.

4 times I've started a new project....

2007-04-05T16:18:00.000+01:00

....and I've got nothing to show.
I've had these 17 balls of Garnstudio for 3 years or more so I thought it was about time I sat down and knitted them up. I had in mind Sheringham from the Denim Knits Magazine so I cast on for that. I decided that there wasn't enough stitch definition and the pattern was not obvious so out it came.
I decided to go for a more obvious pattern - Tree of Life (again from Denim Knits). Couple of inches in I decided that there was still not enough stitch definition and that I didn't like knitting with such a thread-like yarn. So, I doubled it and went back to Sheringham. The pattern was looking good, I'd done about 2 pattern repeats when I thought I'd better measure the width - yes you've guessed it was going to be too big - about 6 inches too big and we know how much cotton can stretch sideways after a couple of washes.
Doubled Silke Tweed was giving me 18sts by 24 rows the perfect gauge for Tuja (which was doing the blog rounds in 2004) so I cast on for that. I'd done about 12 rows when I realised I'd actually twisted it while joining it so out it came again.
Will I give up? No. This bloody yarn is going to be knit into something whether it wants to or not.

Three Weeks Since My Last Post

2007-03-31T11:27:00.000+01:00

Surely, it must be time for another finished project:

Pattern: Boatman from Denim Knits Magazine.
Size: 8-9 years
Yarn DK 100% wool from Yarn Warehouse

Look at the size I knitted - all the patterns in this book have alot of ease in them. The 8-9 year size came in at a 42 inch finished bust size!

I adapted the pattern using the Grand Plan Pullover chart from Interweave knits. I think the sleeves could be a bit slimmer but otherwise it's a good fit.

This is a great pattern book - I'd rate it the second best in my collection. There's so many patterns that I want to knit from it but I wouldn't want to do them all in denim yarn. Patrick is the only one that I want to knit in denim, the othes I'd do in wool but first of all I think I'm going to have to find another template pattern to use for my adaptions - one with slimmer sleeves.

Slouchy Socks

2007-03-10T11:55:00.000Z

Pattern: Smith from Noro Knits Book (the one with Butterfly)
Yarn: Yarn Warehouse naturally oiled aran plus Rowan Magpie aran for the toes

A bit on the baggy side for my liking around the ankles and foot but I've always intended wearing these socks for lillinging about the house and I can still get my slippers on (added bonus)!!

Mittens On Kittens

2007-03-07T20:16:00.000Z

This seems to a never-ending hank of yarn. I think I bought 1.1kg of this natural oiled aran weight yarn from the shop at New Lanark about 3 years ago and so far I've knitted an aran jumper, a hat,a pair of legwarmers and now these mittens and I still have enough left to knit a slouchy pair of socks. All this for only £10.

Friday's Favourite Five

2007-03-02T09:03:00.000Z

This week it's DVDs that I like to rewatch and rewatch and rewatch:

Persuasion starring Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds
Jane Eyre starring Timothy Dalton and Zelah Clarke
How to Make an American Quilt starring Winona Ryder
Pride and Prejudice starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle
Anna Karenina starring Helen McCrory

Guess who likes TV Period Dramas especially the ones made by the BBC?

Still in the land of small projects

2007-02-24T20:41:00.000Z

Another hat for someone who very rarely wears a hat:

Pattern: Lake Park Hat by Marnie MacLean
Yarn: sock yarn by Curious Yarns (whose website has been offline since the beginning of January)

Might just have been me but I got a bit lost among the decreases at the crown but I managed to fudge it and as it's variegated yarn you have to really study it to notice that the pattern goes a bit off kilter. It's on the crown of the head so as I can't see it while I'm wearing it I can forget that there's a mistake there. Out of sight out of mind - works for me.

There's matching gloves so guess what I'm making now.

Friday Favourite Five

2007-02-23T08:34:00.000Z

Is that another week gone? This week it's going to songs that make me stop what I'm doing, sit down, sigh and then hit the replay button.

"Everbody Hurts " REM
"Perfect Day" Lou Reed
"Bus to St Cloud" Trisha Yearwood
"Unloved" Jann Arden
"Deep Inside" Glengarry Bhoys

What's yours?

Two For The Price of One

2007-02-21T19:19:00.000Z

Yep, not one but two finished items. I have finished the Besotted Scarf from Hello Yarn:

I still had enough yarn left over to knit up Swell from Knitty:

and I still have enough of the blue and gray to knit another earflap hat but with the colours reversed.

2007-02-16T08:25:00.000Z

FRIDAY'S FAVOURITE FIVE

I'm not very good at sticking to new year's resolutions - I find I stick better to them if I set them later on in the month or in February. Two of those resolutions are to do with the blog. The first is to post more than I did in 2006. As I only made 17 posts in 2006 this should be a cinch. The second resolution was to put more of my personality into the blog - the problem with that is that I'm quite a private person and even though I love reading about other people's daily life on their blogs I just can't write about mine in an interesting way so i always just stick to the knitting.

So, the only way I can think of putting some more of my personality into the blog is that every Friday I'll list five things that I like (let's see how long this last)!

FRIDAY'S FAVOURITE FIVE: FLAVOURS

Cinnamon - love it in sweet breads, cakes, pastry, porridge, tea, with bananas in a sandwich and in sweets ( though I can only find cinnamon balls I love those Hot Tamale jelly sweets you get in the States)
Vanilla - best flavour for ice cream, yoghurt, custard, coffee. I buy "So Good Soya Mik" because it's got a taste reminiscent of vanilla. Crabtree & Evelyn also sell a good body lotion that smells of vanilla.
Tomato - best tinned soup is cream of tomato. If I make a casserole from scratch I always shove in a can of chopped tomatoes and tomato based past sauces are the only way to go.
Lemon - definitely a taste I've acquired as I got older. It used to be strawberry but i find that too sickly now so when it comes to sweets I'll usually pick lemon flavoured ones - love lemon cheescake, lemon meringue pie, lemon & lime marmalade, lemon curd, lemon boiled sweets and lemon chicken is my favourite chinese dish.
Pepper - actually this was a toss up between pepper and garlic - I seem to put them in everything but pepper wins out as I like the cracked black pepper crisps from M&S.

There you go that's five things you didn't know about me - what's your favourite five flavours?

2007-02-12T09:18:00.000Z

Scarves are so tedious to knit. i'm not even half-way through it and i'm bored already. I'll keep on knitting it until it's about 60 inches in length and then weigh how much yarn I've still got left. If it's enough for a pair of legwarmers or for a hat then I'll cast off. If there's not eneough left then I'll just keep knitting on the scarf until the yarn it all knitted up.

I've decided that the first quarter of the year is going to be spent on knitting up the odd balls of leftovers. I expect the two baskets I keep my scarves in will soon be overflowing but I've also decided thet the 2 long skinney scarves are not getting worn and it there is not enough matching yarn in the leftovers to widen them without disrupting their striped sequences then they are getting ripped out and recycled into my log cabin blanket (which I haven't started yet but is in the planning stages).

2007-02-10T16:16:00.000Z

2007 is turning into the year of the makeover. Out goes the curly hair, in comes straight hair and make-up. One photo is hairdresser/beautician version and the other photo is of my efforts. I don't know what's more difficult - using the straighteners or putting on foundation evenly !! I think I'm getting there with the hair at least it doesn't look like scarecrow hair anymore when I do it.

Never mind the makeover I'm wearing my own knits in those photos.

I'm still working away on using up leftovers. I'm knitting the besotted scarf which everyone and their granny seems to have knitted

2007-02-03T12:08:00.000Z

Rather Fetching don't you think?

I have been knitting away trying to use up leftovers. I originally had 1kg of the blue aran and Lara only used up 550g so I thought if I use my leftover grey aran for the cuffs and neck I can get a sweater out of this. Using the Grand Plan Sweater Pland from an old Interweave I completed front, back, one sleeve and then realised I wasn't going to have enough to finish the second sleeve so out it all came. Going to have to use up the yarn on little projects - done the mitts now it's the turn of the scarf.

2006-12-28T12:24:00.000Z

Crap, I've run out of room. Seriously, I've knitted so many jumpers, cardigans and tanks these last 5 years that my drawers are overflowing. Underbed storage is at a premium and when you factor in all my other clothes you get a serious storage problem. So, my only resolution for 2007 is to come up with an effective storage solution. I'm trying to kid myself that a simple rearrangement will free up 50% more storage!!

2006-12-16T15:15:00.000Z

Pattern: Lara ver.2
(from Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk book)
Yarn: Yarn Warehouse aran

The yarn had been knitted before and I've knit the pattern before so it was a perfect combination. The yarn had previously been Beatriz. from the same Debbie Bliss book but the yarn bloomed after the first wash so it was too big but it was also far too warm to wear - it'll be much more useful as a cardigan. I just need to run the steam iron over it as the bottom keeps curling up and I think I'd better put in some more practice in where's the best place to out the kilt pin.

I've got 2 other FOs to show you. I've been so busy knitting I've hardly bothered about christmas so no cards have been written yet (I just can't seem to get any enthusiasm for it this year).

If you've got a spare half-hour why not listen to "How to Knit A Poem" which explores "The links between knitting, poetry and the wider world".

2006-11-21T22:57:00.000Z

Pattern: Charm from RYC Classic Style Book 16
Yarn: Phildar Brisants (discontinued)

There's one thing that you can guarantee when you take an indoor shot using the automatic timer - it'll be out of focus. I thought this cardigan looked ok in the mirror but I should have waited until it had been washed and pressed before making it's debut on the blog. I predict lot of wear for this one.
This pattern was not my favourite from this book but I had enough yarn in the stash for it and it also didn't need buttons. I always have problems finding buttons that I like.

2006-11-11T12:38:00.000Z

It's not even the middle of November and I have an overwhelming desire to make of list of what I want to knit during 2007. This year has been the year of the cardigan - I've got two more on the go that should be finished by the end of the year. I was going to write how the only jumper I knitted this year is in the process of being ripped back when I thought I'd better look back at what I've knitted this year and realised that I have knitted 3 jumpers this year. Does anyone else forget what they have knitted? So should I have a theme for next year - like knit all the patterns I like from Rowan 28, or broaden it to knit only Rowan patterns or only RYC patterns or only Interweave Knits or Vogue. One thing is for sure I am going to have a great time going through my patterns!

2006-11-08T14:50:00.000Z

Here's the other cardigan I knitted during my 6 month blogging break:

click here for full size image - it removes the squiggles

Pattern: Onza from Rowan Magazine No 28
Yarn: Patons Gold Diploma DK

This was more stash yarn and is the same shade as my Must Have Cardigan which btw now has much better buttons.

Onza has been on my 'To Do' List for the last 4 years and I'm glad I finally got around to knitting. If it wasn't in garter stitch I would easily knit this again. I forgot how long a garter stitch garment can take to knit. I keep on meaning to to put a couple of stitches to anchor the collar down. I know I could tryingpressing them with a steam iron but I don't want to 'kill' the acrylic content of the yarn. I've worn this cardigan lots since I knitted it.

Rowan 28 is definitely my most used knitting book/magazine issue. I've knitted 4 projects from it and there are still some more that I want to knit. What's your most used knitting book/magazine issue?

2006-11-06T21:19:00.000Z

Everyone else seems to have done so why not me?

48 things you could care less about

1. First Name Linda

2. Were you named after anyone?
No. I'm the first and only Linda on both sides of the family.

3. When did you last cry?
Can't remember which is amazing as I'm terrible for blubbing at things on the TV. Obviously I'm not empathising with the wannabees on Americas Next Top Model. I've been watching re-runs of the first 4 seasons but luckily I've lost interest during season 5.

4. Do you like your handwriting?
It's not too bad. Like everyone else it used to be better.

5. What is your favourite lunchmeat?
Smoked ham

6. If you were another person would you be friends with you?
Why not.

7. Do you have a journal?
No. I've never lasted more than a month at writing one.

8. Do you still have your tonsils?
Yes.

9. Would you bungee jump?
Definitely not though I would consider abseiling

10. What is your favourite cereal?
Porridge made with soya milk and with a handful of currants stirred in.

11. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off?
Yes.

12. Do you think you are strong?
Yes I'm fairly self-reliant.

13. What is your favourite ice-cream flavour?
Vanilla

14. Shoe size?
5.5/6 and that's a UK size

15. Red or pink?
Both.

16. What is the least favourite thing about yourself?
Physical or character wise? My eyes are too small and I'm way too reserved.

17. Who do you miss most?
This is going to sound terrible but I don't really miss anyone. Every so often I'll think about someone I've lost contact and wonder what they are doing but not enough to make me want to contact them.

18. Do you want everyone to send this back to you?
I think just about everyone has already done this.

19. What colour pants, shirt and shoes are you wearing?
Block top, black trousers and navy blue slippers

20. Last thing you ate?
Packet of ready salted crisps

21. What are you listening to right now?
Tapping of my keyboard

22. If you were a crayon what colour would you be?
Navy blue

23. Favourite smell?
Lavender or cinnamon

24. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?
Karen C.

25. The first thing you notice about people you are attracted to?
Eyes and smile

26. Do you like who you stole this off?
I've read countless versions of this meme

27. Favourite drink?
Gin and tonic

28. Favourite sport?
Does hill walking count?

29. Eye colour?
Blue

30. Hat size?
No idea

31. Do you wear contacts?
Yes.

32. Favourite food?
Pizza

33. Scary movies or happy endings?
Happy endings - I'm just a romantic at heart underneath this cold exterior

34. If you could live anywhere in the world where would that be?
Mull is slightly ahead at the moment

35. Summer or winter?
Either as long as it's not raining

36. Hugs or kisses?
Bring them on!

37. Favourite dessert?
Bread & Butter pudding

38. Who is most likely to respond?
Don't know

39. Least likely to respond?
Don't know

40. What books are you currently reading?
"Alone" by Admiral Richard E Byrd

41. What's on your mouse pad?
It's a Cat Protection one with a brown tabby holding a computer mouse in it's mouth

42. What did you watch on TV last night?
The Maltese Falcon

43. Favourite sounds?
The sea

44. Rolling Stones or Beatles?
Can i pass on this I'd rather not listen to them

45. The furthest you have been from home?
Hong Kong.

46. What's your special talent?
No party tricks here.

47. Where were you born?
Ayr

48. Who sent this to you?
Absolutely no-one.

2006-11-04T12:31:00.000Z

Just because I happened to be wearing it this morning:

Didn't realise the sun was directly behind me but you can still see the pattern.

Pattern: Sirdar Pattern Booklet 289 Design G
Yarn: Yarn Warehouse Aran

This was a real p.i.t.a to knit.It wasn't mindless stocking stitch that I could zone out on and rattle through while watching tv. I had to concentrate but the cable was not complicated enough to engage the brain so it turned out a rather boring knit. I would knit once piece and then take a break of a couple of weeks and then knit another. Each piece was slow going as I was so bored. Another thing I didn't like about the pattern was that the collar seems to start too far from the neck - I prefer mine a bit snugger.
If you haven't used Yarn Warehouse wool before it grows in the wash. I should have known this from experience and knitted the size down from the one I selected then I would be happy wearing it over a t-shirt.
Overall, I thing it turned out alright. I wanted it to be worn as a jacket rather than a cardigan.

So I've had 6 months away from blogging you would think I had a pile of knits to show off. Well, the sum total was 2 cardigans and 2 pairs of socks. I'll show the other cardigan next time I blog.

I've been enjoying myself over the summer with weekends away. I was away on holiday last week. The weather was pants but I had a great time. Here's where I stayed - nice and remote:

2006-04-22T14:59:00.000+01:00

Oh, look it's been nearly a month since I last posted. Must be time for another finished knit:

This is Forecast from Knitty which I didn't like at first but when I saw this version I thought I've just got the yarn that needs recycling for this. First it was used in Remembering Honey, then it became Grace and now it's become Forecast which I think will be it's last incarnation. I could have done with an another inch on the body but I'm all out of yarn but as it's 100% cotton I'm expecting it to fall once I've washed and blocked it.

Now I've just saw another one with shaped sleeves and I'm liking that as well.

2006-03-25T14:53:00.000Z

Getting ready for summer:

I managed to use up some of the ebay stash. The yarn is Lane Monterosa Delfino. I didn't have enough to make a tank (I know because I tried last year) so this is a modified version of Bliss from the latest rowan. I might put some ties on it I think I've got enough yarn left. I did have a button on it earlier and a button loop but it did not look right so that went.

2006-03-12T17:20:00.000Z

Jumping on the bandwagon about 6 months after everyone else:

I'm knitting the "My So Called Scarf". I'm wishing now that I'd cast on another 10 stitches but it'll have to do 'cos I'm not ripping it out.
This year i'm planning to knit of my stash. My stash is full of odds and sods from ebayso look out for lots of little projects over the next 6 months. Got to get rid of it so I can go out acquire a grown-up stash.

2006-03-09T22:40:00.000Z

Let me introduce you to Frances. Frances was formerly known as Balmoral but never felt happy with the way she looked. As a result of extensive surgery she's now much happier:

She's a bit on the large side as I was in between sizes so I decided to err on the larger size. I know from experience that this yarn seems to shrink with every machine wash so hopefully it'll fit me after a couple of washes.

2006-02-17T22:11:00.000Z

Meant to post this on Sunday but a chronic 4 day headache meant that I didn't feel up to switching on the computer in the evening when I got back from work. This photo is nearly a week old:

since then I've finished the back and done 6 pattern repeats on a sleeve. I just discovered tonight that I made a massive error 3 patterns back on the sleeve. I did what had to be done and ripped back. Couldn't face the thought of reknitting again tonight so it's off to bed with a book.