« Silly meme | Main | So long »
October 19, 2005
Catch-up
Recently, in the evenings when I get home all I really feel like doing is to sit, and knit. So the poor blog has been somewhat neglected of late.
I realise as I start to write this that it is just a day or two over one year now since the inaugural post on this blog. It took a while to see that my subject would be knitting. It’s been a wonderful year. Without this little space, and the people who drop by and so kindly add their comments, or reveal themselves silently through visitor stats, I don’t believe I would ever have even tried to design for myself. So you see, you only have yourselves to blame; commenters and lurkers alike, I thank you heartily.
Here’s a brief summary of some recent yarn-related activities before a couple of new garments are revealed later.
Backyard Leaves scarf, started 27 August 05 finished 17 September 05
Pattern: available in Scarf Style
First, I’m happy to announce that my scarf for the Stitch Ya Neck Out exchange for the beautiful and patient Annie, is not only finished but in the post. To make up for my tardiness I included a little present I picked up from Kerrie at the Knit and Stitch show on Friday. And some chocolate. The pattern was beautiful, compelling to knit, an education in itself. I managed to squeeze out an extra repeat from the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino: believe me it was a squeeze – I had no more that a few metres of yarn left at the end. I think it’s going to look beautiful on Annie.
The show on Friday was something of a crush. I was disappointed to have missed Tracy, Polly, Amelia and Mary on Friday, but I ran into Pauline and Kate and shopped with them for a while. It was lovely to have some company, but after lunch I had to break away: it was starting to get crowded, elbows were coming out, and I needed to focus on my retail needs.
I bought this:
Twelve balls of 100% merino washable DK in the reddest, reddest red, by Elle yarns (a South African company I hadn’t come across before). The price was right for buying in quantity, and it’s working up quickly into a bulky, boxy little jacket (two strands together). The woven stitch pattern is fun, very easy knitting and a great effect. I bought six balls each in ivory and black too, for the Anna Sui skirt from Fall 05 Vogue Knitting. When I got home I had sudden fears that I had under-purchased: lovely Noo, a favourite knitter, came to the rescue, graciously picking up for me on Sunday what I had failed to bring home with me on Friday.
Aside from this bulk purchase, I was hugely restrained. This is partly due to the fact that I seemed to have been stricken with some kind of selective show blindness, and completely missed some of the stalls that other bloggers have written about. I was longing to find a stall selling a swift, but must have walked past the Handweaver's Studio stand in a daze. Alas it will have to wait for another time.
From the top: two skeins of Colinette Skye in Toscana for a scarf. I’m hoping it can be manly enough for my step-father – we’ll wait and see. Two skeins of Alchemy Bamboo. Gina and Austin at Alchemy were charming, and particularly endeared themselves to me by asking if I was a designer and could they take my details (one thing about the Sargeant – he’ll get you noticed). Two skeins of Lorna’s Laces from Get Knitted, because I couldn’t stop going back and squeezing them. The colourway is ‘Aslan’, and hopefully in such subtle colours pooling shouldn’t be too annoying.
I want to show you my new current love too, Ene’s scarf in some delicious berry-coloured laceweight gifted to me by the huge-hearted and ridiculously generous Jacqueline, and my Turtleneck Shrug, exquisite, from Blossom, but my stamina is failing. Soon, soon.
Oh, quickly, before I go, a word to the wise: if you are, like me, prone to sudden and urgent desires for chocolate-based puddings (US: desserts), you may wish to avoid investigating Norma’s Microwave Chocolate Cake. I found the link via Margene on Saturday. By Tuesday night, I had made the recipe twice. If you are strong, and decide to give it a try, you may be interested to know that the microwave film etc is optional (I didn’t have such a thing, so skipped the film and didn’t turn the cake out, just served it by the spoonful from the bowl I cooked it in). Warm, with nothing more than a drizzle of single cream, it is sublime. This may be my downfall.
Posted by Anna at October 19, 2005 08:18 AM
Comments
i didn't even notice you buy anything from us, that's how crowded we were most of the time! I remember seeing you twice but felt bad that I didn't have time to chat. I'll talk to you later this week about getting your bits back to you, thanks so much for the loan - they really made the stand!
Posted by: kerrie at October 19, 2005 11:06 AM
I'll be interested to see what pattern you chose for your "manly scarf". I constructed a My So Called Scarf in dirgy navy, greeny, mustardy Manos, which ended up looking suitably masculine. I'm now trying a Multidirectional scarf in the zebra Colinette Skye for my dad: I'm undecided whether it is manly enough, but I can always keep it!
Posted by: Noo at October 19, 2005 12:10 PM
Oh dear, you are evil posting a link to that cake recipe... I have all the ingredients... I.must.not.make.it.
Lovely shopping at Ally Pally BTW.
Posted by: jess at October 19, 2005 12:42 PM
Ahhh sorry to have missed you too! I did the same, thought I'd walked around everywhere and discovered half an hour before my coach was due to leave that I'd missed out a whole chunk. I think it was because so many things catch your eye that you just flit over to them blindly passing other noteworthy stands. Next time we'll be prepared!
Your scarf is gorgeous by the way. I was only looking at the pattern the other night with some alpaca in mind.
Posted by: Tracy at October 19, 2005 12:46 PM
Just popped by your site by chance. Love your work. (esp. the Sargeant!) Looking forward to see what you do in the future! I also might have to try that cake too :-)
Posted by: margaux at October 19, 2005 01:14 PM
Anan, lovely to see your hipknits jacket in the flesh - I think I'll be doing that pattern now. I loved the swing, could be what happens to my shimmer colourway hipknits silk.....
Posted by: Emily at October 19, 2005 02:04 PM
Anna- the scarf looks BEAUTIFUL! Can't wait to see it : )! You've done such an awesome job. And I'm seriously drooling over all your new yarn for projects! Can't wait to see how they turn out!
Posted by: Annie at October 19, 2005 02:20 PM
Your scarf turned out just gorgeous, congratulations on finishing it. I have been eyeing the pattern for awhile, but watching your progress has made it a definite do for me. Beautiful :)
Posted by: Kelly at October 19, 2005 02:32 PM
Anna-
I'm so glad your blogging has inspired your design instinct. You have developed into a tremendous designer in such a short time! What's your secret?
Sadly, my designing skills are nonexistent. Reading your entries, however, gives me needed injections of hope and inspiration.
Cheers!
Posted by: Nicole de Beaufort at October 19, 2005 03:01 PM
Sorry to have missed you too. Lovely purchases, I especially like the colours of the Colinette. My tip for not missing anything is to buy the show guide and plan your shopping route - it may sound excessive but saves time in the long run.
Posted by: Mary at October 19, 2005 03:09 PM
It sounds like you had such a lovely time at the show, I love the yarns you picked up. Ive been dreaming about lorna's laces lately and have been meaning to try out alchemy for a while. You got to wear your jacket!! Im so jealous, I still dont have all the yarn for it.
The scarf looks great and I can't wait to see your gifts and your future designs.
Posted by: yahaira at October 19, 2005 03:12 PM
Oh, I love the red basketweave sweater ... of course, my favorite color is red, so I'm a bit biased. The fabric is lovely, though.
Posted by: anne at October 19, 2005 03:35 PM
Your work is so beautiful that it's inspiring.
Posted by: Nancy at October 19, 2005 03:45 PM
Hey Anna!
Can't wait to see what you come up with, with your new yarn!
Posted by: Liz at October 19, 2005 04:01 PM
Happy blogging anniversary! That is some sexy red yarn you purchased. Am so jealous of all you nearish to London knitters who went to the Knit and Stitch show.
Posted by: Amy at October 19, 2005 04:06 PM
I love how you chose a simple natural color for the scarf- it really shows the texture well! I borrowed Scarf Style from my library some time ago, and that was one of the patterns that stood out to me (so I photocopied it, of course!!). I hope your recipient loves it as much as we all do!!
Posted by: Lelah at October 19, 2005 04:31 PM
You did a fabulous job on the Backyard Leaves scarf. And so much fun yarn! Lucky you. Can't wait to see what else you've got going.
Posted by: Purly Whites at October 19, 2005 05:26 PM
Sounds like the Knitting Show was a hit and you returned home with great yarn additions. I say you treat yourself to hot microwave chocolate cake!
Congratulations on your 1 year blog anniversary. It's truely amazing all that you've accomplished this year -- I'm glad I found your blog early on and was able to share your journey!
Posted by: nona at October 19, 2005 05:46 PM
Great purchases! I am so jealous - I seem to be the only knitter in North America or the UK who hasn't been to an incredible Wool Fair in the last week or so. :-( I must seriously consider relocating...
Posted by: Vicki at October 19, 2005 05:48 PM
Beautiful scarf! Beautiful yarn! You are SO going to love that cake.
Posted by: margene at October 19, 2005 06:21 PM
beautiful scarf!! and those yarns... i love them all. but seriously i am most interested in seeing you modeling the turtleneck shrug!!
will def. give chocolate cake a go. i'm not a chocolate fan so maybe i will only make it once.
Posted by: blossom at October 19, 2005 06:36 PM
I've missed you! It's lovely to see your knitting once more, and I can't wait for the new designs. For someone who wasn' sure if she wanted to design, you certainly are prolific, Miss Anna. xox,
Posted by: Julia at October 19, 2005 06:40 PM
Happy Blogiversary! Great that you managed to celebrate it with some knit shopping- sounds like a fantastic show, albeit crowded and too much to take in.
Posted by: Di at October 19, 2005 11:04 PM
happy blogiversay!! i am so glad you started blogging because we never would have met otherwise and i never would have found out what a talented designer you are. btw - i couldnt think of a better person who deserves to be gifted with lovely yarn!
Posted by: jacqueline at October 20, 2005 01:26 PM
I love Alchemy's yarns. I did my Clapotis with Synchronicity and truthfully it is pretty warm here for such an item but I still rub it on my cheek from time to time. Their colors are exceptional.
Happy blogiversary---I guess Norma's microwave cake was your celebration? I've been contemplating making it since I saw it on Margene's blog but willpower is prevailing. Next week: PMS. I'm afraid the micro will be in overdrive!
Posted by: amanda at October 20, 2005 02:54 PM
I love seeing people's hauls from yarn conventions. Lorna's Laces is such beautiful yarn, isn't it? Their colorways are amazing. Aslan and Glenwood are my two favorites. Would love to see your Ene's Scarf; it looks like a beautiful pattern.
Posted by: MJ at October 20, 2005 08:48 PM
Happy blogiversary! I am so glad that I happened onto you--in a million years I could never retrace the steps taht brought me here but they were serendipitous! You know I always look forward to seeing your lovely things, and continue to marvel at your designing prowess. Can't wait to see what your lovely new purchases become... xoxo
Posted by: Ashley at October 21, 2005 03:00 AM
Happy happy blog anniversary. Thanks for sharing your projects (I am still knitting Sally) and thots with us. I often read your archives over again, they are so inspiring and I just love looking at your photos :) I think I'm caving in and going to buy Scarf Style. Looking forward to getting a glimpse of your Ene's scarf. And that LL aslan is so tempting!
Posted by: erin at October 23, 2005 04:17 AM
I want to go to a yarn convention and can not find out how to find one in my area. I live near to NYC and Phildelphia. There must be some my way!
Please help!
Posted by: Kim Holderer at January 11, 2006 04:29 PM