In a spin.

I said Abby would be a quick knit and it was, only three days and it was done. I am really pleased with it and can't wait for the cold weather now.
















I still haven't got the spindle I ordered at the Iknit day, they are having problems with the supplier, so I ordered another one from The Yarnyard. This is actually a good move as it means I will have a top whorl and bottom whorl spindle now so can work out which I prefer. I had a play today and made my first ever yarn from the 'padding' the spindle was wrapped in. Some lovely merino tencel in a soft lilac. Now hopefully one day I will be so good at spinning that I will look at this little uneven skien and laugh, but at the moment I am very proud of it.









I have also nearly finished my plastic canvas bag. I am going to see Mum (the sewing guru) tomorrow to make the lining and it will be done. It turned out a lot better than I expected. I used some cotton that was on sale at Lidl last year and the plastic canvas was 49p a sheet, the handles I have had laying around for ages so this has turned out to be a bargain. The most expensive part was the fabric for the lining.








Last night I took R to see Chicago at the Cambridge theatre in London. It was very good, although I think I prefer the film version slightly more. The stage is very sparse and that took away from the feeling that you were watching a story unfold, it felt a little more like a concert. But the dancing and singing was fantastic, if only I had legs like the girls in that chorus line!

Decision unmade!

Having decided to cast on for Arwen I have been sidetracked by the latest issue of Knitty coming out. I have cast on for Abby instead. Its a very pretty cowl and as soon as I saw it I knew I had finally found the pattern for the Posh Sophia 2ply in my stash. My logic is that it is small compared to Arwen so I will finish it quickly and then start Arwen.
Its been a funny week this week, I thought for two glorious days that I was going to Texas for a conference. I've always wanted to go to the states and was thrilled to get the chance to go, even if it meant going to a not very thrilling conference. Unfortunately a big part of my job involves giving evidence in court and I received a court date slap bang in the middle! Bloody typical. So now someone else is booked to go and then to top it off I was de-warned!!!??!! So now I'm not going to court or Texas. I think Bugger will cover it.

IKnit day

Yesterday was IKnit day and what a fantastic day it was. It started with meeting a fellow knitter on the platform at Bearsted who was also going, we travelled up together and had a nice chat. The venue was huge, much bigger than last year. I had a wander around and bought some Kraemer Sterling in a fabulous blue. The sparkle in it is amazing. I then had a go on a drop spindle courtesy of the nice lady from Moonspinning, it was a lot easier than I had imagined. Next on the list was a meeting of the Poshites from the Ravelry forum, it was so great to put faces to names and there was much admiring of various socks, shawls and sweaters. Some of us then went for a coffee and a slice of cake and then it was time for the highlight of the show.. The Yarn Harlot.
She was on for an hour and a half and was funny and interesting and amazing. There were lots of people knitting during her talk, I worked on my Juno and Susan was working on a Jitterbug sock. After the talk I headed back to the main hall and joined the queue for the book signing. I had taken my first socks along and Stephanie took a photo of me holding them and her sock so I'll be keeping an eye on her blog to see if I can spot me.
Next in what was turning into a busy day was a workshop with Sasha Kagan making crochet flowers. I made a very pretty pink and purple flower which I finished off this morning with a button found in the bottom of my sewing box.









By the time the workshop was finished the show was a lot less crowded and I went for another wander around the stalls. I was hoping to buy some of the sock blanks dyed by Easyknits but he had sold out, I must learn to buy when I see and not wait! Instead I bought some Dream in Colour Smooshy sock yarn in a lovely bright pink, a pattern for a peacock shawl, a copy of Yarn Forward and giving in to temptation.. some fibre and a drop spindle. I spotted Lucy of Settersknits and sat down for a chat with her while the alien competition was being judged by Craig from IKnit and Mazzmatazz. She is enjoying being a new knitting celebrity. Now in the photo of them you will spot a sock shaped alien, this was my effort for the competition. It was woefully inadequate! The standard was awesome and the winner moved its arms and everything!
After this it was time to go and I was exhausted! I walked back to Victoria station with Lynn from the Posh group and then headed off to a friends house for a party. D and the girls were already there. I wasn't much of a party animal as all I wanted to do was go to bed, but it was nice anyway. All that remains is for me to show you the yummy yarn and fibre that found its way home with me.

Decisions made.

Well I've decided to have a go at Arwen as my next project. I have had a read through of the KAL group on Ravelry and am going to make it in one piece up to the arms and then split, and I think I'll have to make the arms bigger if I want it to fit my bingo wings. So I shall be starting that one next week probably. I'm not procrastinating, honest, but what with the kids going back to school this week it is a bit busy. This morning I had the shoe battle with R to find school shoes that I approved of and she felt were fashionable enough. This was the third time we had been shoe shopping in the last week and at last we found a pair.
On Saturday is the Iknit day and I am so excited. I can't wait to see the Yarn Harlot, meet up with some virtual friends and go to Sasha Kagans workshop. What a day! There will be photos next week I promise.
I have also made a decision that I am going to try a new venture. Mum and I were discussing the fact that we, and every other crafter we know, have a huge stash and could do with getting rid of some stuff. Mum commented that its a shame there isn't such a thing as a 'craft jumble' and a lightbulb came on over my head. I'm looking into hiring a hall and selling tables, like a boot fair but just craft items. I ran it past a few people on Ravelry and Angel Yarns and they have come up with the idea of inviting local craft guilds to come along too. I also have a friend in the WI who I can ask about doing tea and cakes, I'm sure they won't pass up the chance to raise some funds and WI cakes are the best in the world. So watch this space and I'll keep you updated with any more news.