My Fashionable Life

Lovely sock!

I can tell you're still in denial about the patterns. How do I know? You wrote: "i'm once again discovering the weighty truth that a swatch, a yarn choice, a sketch, does amount to a finished project." Does amount, Anna?

The knitted item that has most thrilled me lately is Red Herring sock 1 of 2 knit in Nature's Palette yarn. Love the pattern, love the yarn. Picture on my blog!

Congratulations! Who are you working with for the book? That is all very exciting.

I am more than happy to be consoled with socks for the time being. Works for me!

Ms Bell -

I saw you in Knit.1 magazine and recently found my way onto your blog. Your designs are WONDERFUL - as good as any I've seen. Your work is beautiful, classic, and stylish. Please keep designing. I hope to see you a design book from you someday soon.

Best Regards,
Tom Treat

that is some gorgeous sock! hope that all is going well with your book!

Disclaimer: I would say this even if it weren't your pattern.

I am loving the top of the Giotto socks -- the way that the picot top interplays with two eyelet rounds, set off nicely by garter ridges. One eyelet round would have been fine, but two? The surprising addition has me swooning. I guess that's all I'm saying -- combining or repeating very common elements can have wonderful outcomes.

Best of luck with the book!

Hello there! When I discovered your blog a few months ago, I had to go read the entire archives because your writing is so delightful, not to mention your fresh designs. I find myself in a knitting rut lately, mostly because Life and School demand too much energy and attention that there is little left over for knitting. In any case, knitting for others (new babies, an Afghans for Afghans blanket project) has kept me going. As for what I'm interested in knowing from you? Well, what have you been reading lately? What do you dream of knitting if only you had the time? Best of luck, and it's good to see you back!!

Hello, Anna! I await your book with unbridled impatience and glee.

I just finished knitting Kim Hargreaves' 'Loll from the Calmer collection. It's the first knitted piece that I can say that I truly like, and won't sell or trade away.

I've also discovered Leva Durham's Loop d Loop for Crochet. The garments are fab. I'm off to dig up some hooks and the rest of it.

This reader is still here. And I will wait for your book too!

I am working on a baby blanket for my boss. Well, not really. I've been reading trashy romance novels instead, and looking occassionally at the basket o' blanket, which I've hidden in a dark corner.

Oh, like to see signs from you! Just your thoughts, what ever that might be bothering you or amusing you. Is great. I think when I lack words that pictureas are an easier way to communicate through a blog. Good knitting ... that is a really interesting sock!

I am very happy that your book is coming together, and if it means you can't update the blog so often, then I shall miss you, but SO BE IT. I just can't wait to get myself a copy of it.

As for recent knitting. Gosh. May I shyly present this?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kittenspyjamas/516625635/
...I made a whole baby jumper. I am probably the biggest novice amongst all your commenters, but I thought you might like to see nonetheless. :)

Your book will be on the top of my list! Looking forward to it. I am always inspired by your knitting and creativity. Currently I am learning to spin and always have projects on needles. Socks are a must.

*Gorgeous* sock. Good luck with the deadlines! :)

Hi Anna
Sorry to bother you at work but I can't seem to get a hold of your man. I don't know if I've somehow mangled the addresses I have. How are things? We miss you guys. Hope all is well.
Todd

that sock is gorgeous...your sockee is really lucky!! :) hang in there

p.s. and yes, the pligg is daunting... ;)

Huzzah! she's back! good to hear from you again. Interested in whatever you feel like writing about.
At the moment I am having a sock attack. Must knit socks. Currently I'm trying my first toe-up sock in a Regia sock yarn colour "skater"which is beautiful in rib. As I knitted a chunk of them on the ferry to Orkney they will forever be my Orkney socks. Do you have any associations for your knitting? It has to be said mine is usually the sofa.
Also scored some of the yarn from North Ronaldsay famous seaweed-eating sheep. I have no idea what to do with it.

Huzzah! she's back! good to hear from you again. Interested in whatever you feel like writing about.
At the moment I am having a sock attack. Must knit socks. Currently I'm trying my first toe-up sock in a Regia sock yarn colour "skater"which is beautiful in rib. As I knitted a chunk of them on the ferry to Orkney they will forever be my Orkney socks. Do you have any associations for your knitting? It has to be said mine is usually the sofa.
Also scored some of the yarn from North Ronaldsay famous seaweed-eating sheep. I have no idea what to do with it.

So glad you're back!

However long it takes; your site will not die and your musings and knitting are well worth any wait.

Good luck with the finishing up - that's always the hardest parts for me of any project - knitting, writing or otherwise.

Can't wait for the book. Just got a job so I've been using one of your patterns to get me through the stresses of job-hunting and interviews. Since the spring I've made 4 of your Jemima sweaters and I've had requests for more. I've made a mid-blue one with oatmeal edging, one with red and black stripes, one with green and black stripes and an ice-cream one with four different shades of pink and white cotton. It's kept me sane and used up stash at the same time - what could be better?

Designing for publications and blog fodder indeed don't go hand in hand. I've always enjoyed reading your posts whenever they come. If you don't have anything specific to say, I think it's okay to suspend posting for a little while and then let posts trickle out as your designs become public. Good luck with everything!

I have been a phantom reader for months and months. Your designs are classic, elegant and best of all Comfortable to live in.

I would be interested in a topic called "The Twist of the Day" through your eyes. Most days, I find, have one or more events or insights that define that day. It could be a color of yarn you find newly irresistable, an edging, a lampshade, an observation about a habit of yours or someone else's. It could be a problem arising, a problem solved, or a new word. Your life with (deadlines and book) lends itself to heightened awareness of what needs to be done (stress does that), and we would all enjoy taking the ride with you as an escape from our own stresses that don't come with deadlines, signifying that they will not be over soon.

i will echo the others, wishing you the best with your book and your designs are lovely.

you write so well that i love to read whatever you have to say. while you can't share the details of your book i am interested in whatever you can share about the design process and what it's like to work on a book. so what inspires you and what frustrates you, if you feel like writing about these i'm certainly interested.

as for recent knitting in may i knit my first sweater in 22 years (Kim Hargreaves Denim Bomber from Denim People). this was for my mother, she loves it and gets tons of compliments on it. am now working on the Asymmetrical Cardigan by Norah Gaughan from Knitting Nature. the twisted stitch pattern keeps your attention.

i also finished a small Habu Textiles kit. a little scarf in funny 'paper' textured linen yarn and stainless steel wrapped in silk. it's non traditional but is a fun to knit and is a dream to wear.

photos of all can be found on my blog.

and thanks for asking!

Greetings Anna,

I second, third, and fourth the previous comments. It is a treat to read your musings and they are always welcome whenever they appear and whatever the topic. Just hope all is going well for you and that you are finding the book to be a FUN challenge! And I hope you are finding some actual time to KNIT!
Take Care of yourself,

Morgen

De-lurking to echo everyone who said you are a delight to read and I will simply wait until the time when you have more time. I thought that it must be the book (which we are all cheerfully awaiting) that was creating these gaps in your posting.

As for topics, I love the idea that was mentioned above "Twist of the Day." Also, your joys and frustrations as you design would be interesting. I cannot imagine designing, but I'm always intrigued by the process of those who do.

My most recent joy in knitting is my first skirt! It is from the book Greetings from the Knit Cafe and I am delighted with it so far. As someone who has had numerous problems knitting any kind of a lace pattern, I have been able to do this one without error. I'm also enjoying the construction.