Tagged and ready to set in. 

Tricked!

Ha, he tricked me, he didn't take me to Glasgow Green, he took me to The Wallace Monument instead. Nice run through to Stirling, good walk up Abbey Craig, and up the 432 steps to the top. Very exhilarating and great view in all directions.
There is an exhibition on each level so you don't have to do all the stairs at once, thankfully. As you coiled round the narrow stone spiral staircase you could hear the audio visual display of the next floor getting closer. It motivates you to get excited about hearing about Scottish history, if only for a breather. It's very well-done actually.
Thoroughly enjoyed it and it was just what I was looking
for in an afternoon out.




Ben Ledi and the Trossachs.










And just in case, you're wondering, McAree Brothers is shut on a Sunday. Trust me, I looked!

I've finished my two big sleeves, which are only fractionally smaller than the front, but I've still got a bit of work ahead of me.

Added later: Forgot to tell you that the fajitas were delicious!

The best laid plans...

When I suggested to DH last night that we should "go a run in the car" on Sunday, he seemed quite enthusiastic, so I decided not to blog last night, in case I had some stunning pictures by the end of today.
Well, this morning I find that he would like a run to Glasgow Green (10 mins away) so he has plenty of time to marinate his fajitas.
I will not moan as I will get the good of the fajitas, instead I have taken a picture from the archive. This is our friend Roddy with Jonathan at the top of Doach Wood, near Castle Douglas. I am behind the camera.

The views are out towards Balcary Bay and Hestan Island on the Solway Firth. (You may have heard in the news this week that more cockle pickers ran into difficulty with the tides on this stretch this week.)
J used to have cottages to rent over at Balcary Bay, and his mum still lives nearby. In fact, d'ya wanna buy a cottage? He'll be putting the last one on the market this spring.

Had a great night out with some knitting friends on Friday night. Was treated to a look at Jill's beautiful engagement ring, fondled Theresa's KSH jumper, heard all about the wedding Heather had done all the sewing for, admired India's new hairdo and toe-up sock, and got to meet the well-travelled Irene for the first time. Hope it won't be too long till the next time, Irene!

In the meantime, enjoy scenes of Dumfries and Galloway.... :-)

(In knitting I am working away on my sleeves, and measuring, measuring, measuring.) 

Should I be afraid if...

... the model in the picture has rolled her sleeves up about six times?

(Sorry, this is the clearest picture I can find at the moment. Martin Storey Garter-Rib Sweater, Classic Knits for Real Women, All Seasons Cotton)

I've finished the increases on every fourth row on both sleeves simultaneously. I'm wondering if I should do the remaining incs on every sixth row as per pattern, or more frequently to get to the correct stitch count with less length. I need a certain stitch count for the raglan shaping.

The schematic is only helpful up to a point, I think the 'problem' is that although the sleeve length shown (45cm) is not bad, because it's a baggy jumper, your 45cm is not starting close to your torso, but on the fabric of the roomy body of the jumper.

Any thoughts gratefully considered....

Coincidence

I'm not a member of Project Spectrum, it's just a coincidence that I am showing you swathes of orange fabric!
Looking back in my archives I can see that I posted an ALMOST identical picture on the 25th of January. They probably look the same to the untrained eye, but I can assure you that this time I am offering you the back and the front of this garter rib jumper. The almost imperceptible neck shaping of the front is the only give away that there are two layers on top of one another.
I worked on this at our meet-up at the Tramway Theatre yesterday which was good fun as always. Some lovely new members coming these days, as well as old friends.
Still quite a lot of knitting ahead of me in the raglan sleeves and the cowl collar. Good job I am on Easter holiday now, plenty of time to get cracking!
Happy Knitting x K 

She's on the PC!

I'm on the PC tonight, not the lappy, so I have pictures. Hurrah!
This is the fruit of my labours while waiting to be discharged from Jury Service. I did all of the blue knitting while hanging around in the Court buildings, then added the white edging and flowery shell buttons afterwards. Using this famous Sirdar Indigo takes a little longer than other yarns because you have to do the whole washy shrinky thing.
I think it looks like a skate fish and DH thinks it looks like a kite, but trust me, when I am walking in the countryside in the Isle of Mull in July this year it will keep the sun off my head (I reckon it will be glorious weather, he he), my hair out of my eyes, and the pesky midges at bay. To answer your question from a couple of days ago Carol, the midges are not a problem at this time of year, certainly not where I live, but give it a few months and they'll be out in force!
I don't have any daylight pictures, or ones of me wearing it yet, but I can show you last year's model which did me proud, again on the Isle of Mull.
In other knitting I am seaming, picking up stitches, darning ends and generally panicking about the stripy child's cardigan! Hope to show you the completed garment very very soon.

Last year's midge scarf on Mull!

 

Smooth Start for Scotland's Smoking Ban

Anatomy of a reader!

He he, I've got you guys and gals sussed - I get a dozen or so comments when I acquire vast quantities of yarn, and next to nothing when I give you a unique insight into the Scottish criminal justice system, tells me a lot! :-)
Oh well, you'll just have to humour me then when I tell you I am delighted about the ban which has come into force today in Scotland - no smoking in enclosed public places.
Yippee! I am delighted by this forward-looking move by the Scottish Executive and it means not only will people who work in bars and cafes etc be spared all the passive smoke, it means I will be able to breathe, knit, chat, breathe, eat and breathe in cafes round the city.
I think it will also be great because I worry for my friends who don't smoke during the week but have a smoke after a few drinks. They associate it with a night out, but they're not hard-core addicted as such. I'm sure the thought of having to go outside will make that "social cigarette" less appealing and they'll greatly cut down or give up.
I know there will be teething problems with this, but all round I'm really looking forward to it. Must say, I enjoyed the smoke-free pubs on the recent Dublin trip.
I also know it's not a cure-all and acknowledge that there are things which I could do to impact on my own health bla bla.
Feel free to say if you disagree with me, but if you're in the mood for a vitriolic rant, save it for your own blog.

Btw, yes I do knit, I do own a camera and I haven't forgotten your headscarf question Carol.
All the best, K x

One down, forty nine to go!

Okay, now do you see why I wasn't going to go on about my haul? Haven't had this many comments for a while! :-) Thank you for them all.

Well, as you all know, I do not stash, I buy yarn for a project then use it all up ;-0 It's Lent too.
I used up one ball of my Sirdar Indigo today while waiting in the "Unempanelled room". I'm surmising that's a room for people like me who haven't made it on to a panel of jurors yet. As around 40 of us sat in a what is like a wee Airport Departure lounge some people read the same paper about a dozen times, some made huffing and puffing noises and I made a headscarf for myself in Sirdar Indigo, wouldn't you know? One of those wee head kerchief things I discovered last year. Kite-shaped, yo each side of a centre stitch on R/S rows. Made it, as in I've finished it. I have a few embellishments planned up my sleeve though, so it may be a few days before you see it on here.

We hung around for ages, with a lady coming in every now and again to say basically stay where you are, or go for a cup of tea, and then we were let away. Dismissed, bye bye, don't come back.

Well, if only all duties were as easy as that one. And I've got the best part of a midge-repellent scarf to show for it!

Guilty m'lud

1. Yes, I am guilty of buying 50 balls of Sirdar Indigo. The man was giving me his sales pitch about it being discontinued and all, and I am enjoying making the stripy hoodie in it. Have finished the sleeves and hood. Managed to get round the stripe irregularity problem by doing the sleeves and hood self-coloured, using the main shade. I still have to sew it together, do the edging, wash it, sew in the ends and insert the zip. Still got quite a lot of work ahead of me. Will definitely all be done by the time I see Miss Anja at Easter. I just hope it will fit her.........
2. I am on Jury Duty this week! Or Jury Service as they call it now. Must grab a portable project to work on during the down time, which is apparently quite liberal! It's at times like this I wish I had a wee sock on the go...........

Happy Knitting. x K

Added later: Wash it, let it shrink, sew it together bla bla bla bla

SECC

Okay, I wasn't going to outright lie to you, but I was going to mention the daylight lamp I bought at the SECC for Jonathan's birthday and how wonderful it is for knitting, cross stitch and for screwing tiny little computer parts together in our spare room.

I wasn't really going to go on about the balls of Sirdar Indigo (see Blue 'n' Stripy #2) I bought from Black Sheep.

I wasn't going to bring up that I bought 50 balls of it. Yes, five oh. I should be able to make about 10 grand niece's cardigans or so with that. Ahem.

I've let the cat out the bag elsewhere so I have to come clean here. At least it's all different shades of blue. :-)

Mad March

What do you do when you feel a bit delicate after too much Marques de Riscal the night before, when you've done all your singing in church for the weekend, when it's not a Stitch n Bitch week, when you can't go to town because you spent all your money at the SECC, and anyway, there don't seem to be any buses on?

Why you go to Alexandra Park of course!

While there I saw many's the snowman, some Olympians of tomorrow sliding down the slopes with bread crates (luge-Glasgow style), dogs faithfully trying to retrieve snow balls for their masters and plenty of snow art. But the most remarkable thing I saw was a man skiing down the slopes.
Skiing down the slopes in Alexandra Park?!? Or should I say 'piste'? Think I've seen everything now! 

They left three hours ago for a pint of milk. 

Where, oh where has my little dog gone? 

Poor expectant duckies on the pond.  

Alexandra Park Fountain 12/3/06 

Blue 'n' Stripy #2

Okay, let's try again.

Here's something I've been neglecting lately, it's the back and two fronts (hidden) of a Sirdar Indigo reverse stocking stitch hoodie I'm making for a young member of the family.

It's a lovely pattern, it was taken from a Women's Weekly Knitting Special. You use four different shades of yarn. (It shrinks in length like Rowan Denim.) I was musing on why I've shelved it for a few weeks and I think it's because I have some tough maths ahead of me - I adjusted the length without taking into consideration how it would affect the stripe matching for the sleeves, and I don't quite know how to approach it.

I thought I was doing well knitting the fronts and back together to minimise ends, but I still have nineteen million to sew in. I thought it would look too clumsy to carry the colours up the side, but now I wish I had at least carried the main mid-blue colour. Ah well. I am waiting for word back from Miss Anja's mum to see if it even worth my while to finish it in its current size. Soon see.

Off to the Creative Stitches show at the SECC this weekend. Any of you going?
All the best, K.

Blue 'n' Stripy # 1

If you like things which are blue and stripy then you've come to the right place.
How'd'you like my Jaywalker Ankle Socks? They are identical twins made from Regia Mini Ringel 4ply. I got the pattern from MagKnits Sept 2005 and thoroughly enjoyed knitting them, and because I knit them simultaneously I didn't have that psychological barrier of the endless second foot. I'm going to knit socks this way from now on. They took me five weeks, which is not exactly speedy, granted, but it sure beats my record.


My grafting is also getting better each time, so a success all round. I'm really happy with them and I don't think it will be too long before I make another pair, or maybe Jaywalker mittens next time
This second shot shows off the chevron pattern. (Excuse the camera strap.) I also like the slip stitch heel, which I've never done before.





In other blue stripiness I can show you the back of Deep from Rowan 39. It isn't quite as tiny now that it is off the needles, thankfully. What you can't see is the plate of spaghetti which is all the ends to darn in, but I can't show you that because I know some of you are of a sensitive disposition.
Watch this space for progress on Deep and another blue stripy creation in Sirdar Denim. It has stalled a bit, which is a nightmare as the intended recipient is getting bigger every day.

Go, Kathleen, Go!

Not only is Go, Kathleen, Go what it says on the pack of stickers J bought me for Valentine's Day (oh you thought it was the trip to Dublin?) but it is also the title of this picture.
It was taken in the lounge of the hotel we stayed at using a ten-second exposure of the shot. J asked me to keep my face fairly still while he photographed me knitting. I think the resulting blur is quite good fun. Look at those frenzied needles! I look a bit stern but it's just because I was trying to keep my face still.
I haven't been knitting too much this past week due to other commitments, but all being well, I'll get more of a run at it this week. Don't have many more knitting pix on the go at the moment, but I can show one pattern repeat's worth of Deep from Rowan 39. I like the way it's shaping up although it looks tiny bunched up on one needle, and the yarn seems really dry. I know all yarn you knit with is dry, but this feels dry too.

Trip to Dun Laoghaire

I must admit I didn't intend leaving it as long before posting about our trip along the Dublin coast to Dun Laoghaire.
But one week of a really busy work schedule and computer difficulties, here I am. This picture is just next to the Marina in Dun Laoghaire (pronounced Dun Leary). You can see we are wrapped well against the weather, but it was very pleasant as long as you were well-covered.

Jonathan is looking cosy in his Kaffe Fasset scarf with a million seagulls, yes, you guessed it, it's the outflow pipe. This is the view round the bay out towards Sandy Cove. We walked right round the bay.
Kathleen and a sculp-cha.
We had a great, if very bracing, trek out along the promenade. We could see the promontory of Howth and the ferries coming in from Holyhead, as well as the cargo ships.





This'll be your Sandy Cove then, a bijou beach of golden sand, featured in James Joyce's Ulysees. There were some intrepid swimmers braving the February air, actually now that I think about it, they were all hardy Senior Citizens. (Not your parents and godparents, Mhairi?)

Round the other side of the bay there was "the Forty Foot" where you can, if mental enough, dive off the rocks as they did in Joyce. This brave soul was definitely up for it anyway.

Can you make him out?

Just in case you get carried away....
I still haven't stopped laughing at that expression.
Don't know the last time I saw the word "togs".

There is a smallish turret shaped James Joyce museum in Sandy Cove, but being off-season it was closed. Nil desperandum. I should really try reading some of this guy's stuff, with all the advertising I'm giving him, eh?

Then we walked all the way back before having a quick look in the shops in town. I'm not one of these people who have to look at the shops wherever I go, but it was Valentine's day the next day ;-)

Added later- why do they bother giving you a preview if the finished article looks nothing like it? I don't know, tut tut tut.

Dubalin as the locals say

Sculpture of Oscar Wilde in Merrion Square Garden.

Ok, let's get the bad news over with first of all- the wee yarn shop selling Kilcarra Wool I visited last time is now an Arnotts Bargain Shop. :-( Right, glad that's done, the rest's good news.

Had a great time in Dublin, or Dubalin as the locals were saying.
We stayed in Chief O'Neills hotel (named after the Chicago police chief who catalogued a lot of traditional Irish music) which is in the Smithfield District. It was right next to Distillery of Jameson's Irish Whiskey and we went up an old Jameson's chimney which is now a viewing tower on our last day. Great view of the city and the district in general. Hundreds of cranes! Loads of construction and development going on.

We took a trip in an open-top bus and although both of us had been before (J actually used to work in Dublin), we learned a lot of history and local anecdotes.

We went into the art gallery and saw all sorts, from all different periods; very interesting overview of many different eras and styles in a relatively small space. Brilliant gallery if you have a couple of hours and want to see a little bit of everything. As opposed to say the Uffizi in Florence (July 2004) or the Louvre in Paris (Feb 2005) where you could spend several days and still be on the Renaissance.
Unfortunately I missed the display of Philip Treacy hats in the Design Gallery as we only found out about it when up the viewing tower on the last day.

We ate well every night, but my favourite meal was the one we had in the Gallagher's Boxty House in Temple Bar. I had a beef boxty (apparently a traditional potato pancake) which essentially had a steak sliced up into it and a creamy mushroom and Irish Whiskey sauce, accompanied by colcannon (mashed potato with savoy cabbage through it) and mushy peas. Followed by wonderful bread and butter pudding.

Next time some details about our trip to Dun Laoghaire - a must for James Joyce fans.
Happy Knitting.

Back home safely from Dublin

Hi there,
Thanks for all the best wishes. Unfortunately I was too late to get some of your recommendations.
Had a great holiday anyway and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
I'm in a bit of a rush tonight, but in the meantime I'll leave you will a photo of myself and Molly Malone with her killer cleavage.

Happy Knitting.
x K 

Ready for our next jaunt

Knitting? Check. Pups? Check. Breeks? Check.

All packed and ready for a long weekend in Dublin!

Leaving straight after work tomorrow (Friday) for our latest adventure.

See you midweek.
x K

Is Spring on the way?

Don't know if spring is on the way as such but I've certainly started looking at the Spring 2006 mags.
As always I had a lovely time at the Knitting Meetup in the Tramway and decided to call in at John Lewis on my way home. Not least because India said they had DB Maya in the sale! They sure did, a fair amount of a light blue colour and a nice purple. Didn't indulge though. Was hoping they had some of the variegated stuff but it had all gone.
Anyway, not one to leave a yarn department empty handed I stocked up on Rowan Summer Tweed for a design called Deep by our local Rowan design consultant (for the time being at least) Carol Meldrum taken from Rowan 39 .
As always, opinions vary when the new Rowan comes out but I am pleasantly surprised with this one. For me, if this magazine hadn't come up with the goods (to my taste) it was a deal-breaker, I wasn't going to be renewing my Rowan International membership, because the increasing costs were not being matched by what we were being offered. 37 disappointed me and 38 left me in despair, but there is plenty in this one to pique my interest. I'm not saying I will knit all (or any necessarily) of these but once you fight your way through the dressing up box styling I can say I like
Jasmine
Salcombe
Ramona
St.Mawes
Minnie
and Jinny from the cover amongst others.

Rambling Rose, Crinkle, Carolina, Frances all nice too. But Deep is the one for me to start with. Have already had a hold your arms out session with DH to ball some of the skeins so all that's stopping me is my long list of Works in Progress. Ha, ha, never one to be deterred by just a few unfinished objects!

Jaywalkin'

Hi, have a look at my strategy for avoiding a long delay between socks one and two. Spent some money at getknitted on a few sets of dpns and now I'm doing two socks at a time.
Rib one, rib two; leg one, leg two; soon to be heel one, heel two etc.
These are my ankle Jaywalker socks by Grumperina from MagKnits at the end of last year. I was inspired to do them by this method, in fact I was inspired to do them at all when I saw India's at our last get together at the Tramway.
I haven't joined the Jaywalker Knitalong as such because it seemed to be getting a bit unwieldy for the organiser, but you never know, I may submit them for another sock ring.
The pattern is not at all difficult, I always let myself get hocussed into thinking that patterns are harder than they actually are, and I am LOVING the effect which the Regia Mini Ringel is bringing out to perfection, IMHO.
I got this yarn from the Gem Shop, King Street, Castle Douglas on one of our visits to see J's mother.
I am also really quite happy with Rowan 39, but I'll say more about that when the book becomes more widely available so I can back up what I'm saying with photos.
Happy Knitting!