knitwise

Sunday post

I haven't done much knitting today because: a) being Sunday everyone was  at home demanding attention, b) we went out this afternoon to some friends leaving party and c) having had a bit too much to drink, I seem to have double the number of stitches on my needles tonight!... But before going out I have managed to take a couple of pictures to show:

 

GGH soft kid shade 28 (if I remember right...) which I am using for my Mystery project. I love the colour, the softness, everything...

Martha reborn... New colour, smaller needles. I am having another go, considering it was my fault that the first (blue) Martha ended up so wide, I thought I would give her another chance (but it will be the last).

Blue. sleeveless Martha will not go to the bin though. My mother-in-law will adopt her,  so she has found a good home at last...

I am a very proud Mum today as Christian, my 10 years old son has passed his first grade music certificate (clarinet) today. I was more nervous than he was!!! I was at work today but couldn't wait to know the results and had to phone him at his Grandma's  after school to find out the results : 87%, grade A!... It's a brilliant start to his half-term holidays.

Tonight BB4 is re-running the excellent German drama "Heimat" which I had already seen many years ago. For those who can watch it on their TV and have never seen it, please do, it is compelling viewing.

On the knitting front I am doing well with my Mystery project and so far I love it. I am hoping to post pictures of the wool I am using sometime over the week-end. Still undecided over the fate of "Martha"...

Keep smiling

Okay, this is certainly not a good week... I have had to put Martha on hold... I had finished the back and the fronts and thought I would put them together and knit the neckband before proceeding to the sleeves. Followed a quick dash to the mirror... I don't know what happened (I guess probably over-steaming or the fact that I didn't use the recommended yarn)  but now it's too BIG!!! Is it really worth hanging myself over the matter? I don't think so, but now I am not sure what I am going to do. I want to make Martha and I will not give up!!! So, do I rip it up and start again or shall I order the Rowan 4ply cotton? I'll sleep on it.

I have bought this book from Amazon.co.uk and think I'll probably have a go at making a sweater (one day...) You choose a body shape, then the type of sleeves you want to add as well as the neck band.

I have always wanted to create my own sweaters or cardis so I might have a try. There is there a pattern for a bolero which tempts me a lot. But there is a lot of thinking involved in creating your own stuff, so maybe not now...

After Martha's betrayal, I have cast on my mystery project but I chose the wrong time. The children were back from school and everybody who is sensible enough know that children and serious knitting don't mix! Oh well, keep smiling, life is not that bad after all.

Tomorrow should be brighter

Today was a bad day as far as knitting was concerned. I was merrily going up the right front of "Martha" when I realised I had placed the buttonholes wrongly.... I had to unpick 26 rows! And I thought I was doing so well... Still, I soldiered on until I noticed that this time, I made mistakes in the buttonholes band... down a few rows again. I felt like a 21st century Penelope, forever at her tapestry!

Never mind, tomorrow should be brighter as I expect 2 parcels from Mr Postman. Could one be something to do with yarn, beautiful yarn? It is also possible that this very same parcel has something to do with my

Mystery project?

Humm...

I have finally got my picture of "Flirty" sorted and you can see it in the Gallery. I am pleased with it. Now I have to wait for the weather to turn a little bit warmer. It is freezing here on the Isle of Wight...

To prove that I don't spend my life on the computer, here is a preview of what, I hope, will become "Martha" one day :

I have finished the back and  am well on my way up the left front.

The pattern is very easy to follow and I enjoy knitting this project.

My big problem with knitting is that I can't help thinking about my next project and it is why I usually end up with so many FO...

But not this time ! I promise to be good from now on...

I hate computers!!!

I wanted to show a picture of my first FO of the year. I know it is not much but I have only come back to knitting after years of neglect... So I got the camera, asked Mr Knitwise to take a picture of me and put it in my picture file for later. When everyone was finally tucked up in bed I ran to the computer to compose my post. Disaster! My picture is too big and I can't re-size it. I'll have to wait tomorrow now to play with the scanner and try to do something about it.

So in the meantime I will leave you with the original project :

"Flirty" from Rowan's latest magazine.

I wanted something quick and easy to see how I coped with 4ply yarn. It was indeed easy and fun to make.

I've made a few modifications but you will have to see the next post with the details.

PS : I hate computers!!!

first post

Hi.

I am very new to this so please be patient as I am learning the ropes.

After weeks of reading knitting blogs, I am still amazed of what all of you have achieved. From all over the world people are very busy with their needles and it is lovely to be able to share the end results with each other and form friendships across the continents. So, if you don't mind me, I'll join in for a little chat.

At the moment I am working hard on Martha from Rowan 37 together with Kathleen (my sister-in-law and friend). In fact we are racing each other... I am in the lead because she had a real fight with her decreases and had to unpick quite a few rows. Oh dear!... We are racing because we have pledged to finish Martha for the start of our holidays "en famille" in August. Plenty of time I hear you say... Yes but we are quite new at this game and mistakes are numerous... So rendez-vous on 19th August at Gatwick airport. Spot the two Marthas, one pink (hers) one blue (mine) and you see us.

I am racing on this project also because I'm keen to start on this : Chicago from the same magazine. I have got the wool and beads (same colours). I love it so much that I am surprised that I have so far only found one of you who is knitting it.

Anything wrong with it???