Purl City

Here are the missing pictures from earlier!

2009-09-25T13:23:00.000-07:00

Here are the rest of the pictures I tried to upload earlier. The first one is of big old me sitting and knitting in our hotel in Tunisia. I am working on the yellow mystery socks designed by Nancy Bush, called Foxes Faces, you can see some WIP shots below me.

So far, I have learnt how to do a Vikkel Braid, a Dutch Heel and I am about to do a completely different toe to what I am used to.

I realise that sometimes it is easy to get into a comfort zone with knitting and to become fearful of trying anything new. These socks reminded me of this.

The pinky orangey socks are my Nanners, designed by Wendy Johnson. I haven't got far with them yet.........bear with me!!!

Time to resurrect this blog!

2009-09-25T05:31:00.000-07:00

I know I say it every time, but this time I am definitely back!

I have been doing loads of knitting recently, learning to machine knit, want to learn to spin and am, low and behold, pregnant again (!!!) and I want to blog it all here.

At the moment I am currently taking part in Sockdown on Ravelry where this month's challenge is to knit a any pair of socks or the mystery sock pattern designed by the lovely and very talented Nancy Bush in Yellow OR any Wendy Johnson pattern in any colour.

I have cast on two pairs of socks.......the Nancy Bush Mystery sock in my own hand-dyed yarn named 'Sofia's Sunshine' and a pair of Nanners, designed by Wendy Johnson in Krafty Koala yarn called Candystripper.

As you can see from my progress pictures (which will be added later when I can get the card reader to work again!). I have nearly finished the mystery sock which we now know is called Foxes Faces, as the lace does look a bit like them. But I haven't made much progress on the Nanners.

My excuse is this month we had our family holiday in Tunisia and although I took loads of projects and expected to get loads of knitting done, we were too busy running around after a toddler to sit still for more than five minutes.

Knitting and swimming pools do not mix well either so all I managed was a few rows here and there in the hotel bar of an evening while our daughter danced about!

The rules of Sockdown state that although you have to cast on before the end of the month, you actually have until the end of the next month to finish projects.

I think when I have finished the Foxes Faces I will blog a lot more about them as I have learnt so many new techniques while making them and loved every minute!!

I have quite a few projects in progress at the moment and I desperately want to get them finished so I can start doing some Christmas knitting and, of course, knitting for the baby!!!

I'm so excited about knitting for the baby. I didn't take up knitting again until after my daughter was born so I didn't have the joy of knitting little cardigans and booties last time round.

I have been exploring unisex patterns for the little one, who is due in February. I don't intend to find out the sex beforehand, we honestly do not care what we get as long as he or she is happy and healthy.

A few people have commented that it is shame I don't know either way so I can buy either pink or blue wool but I don't really like all that gender/colour business anyway. Plus, I hate baby shades and pastel colours so my little one will be a riot of colour when he/she arrives!

It is funny, as we were the same with our daughter. She wore every colour going rather than just pink, pink, pink. I am not very pink, pretty, girly, girly, so I thought she wouldn't be either.

She is now nearly three and everything she wears has to be pink, sparkly, flowery or princessy. She adores stories about princesses and fairies and loves pretty things. I don't know where we went wrong!!!!!

Honestly, though. If that is how she wants to be, I am happy to dress her that way. It is her decision. I want her to be happy and comfortable with herself.

My mother used to put ringlets in my hair, tie them in ribbons and make me fancy frocks on her sewing machine. I am sure I looked like a cherub but I felt really uncomfortable and dolling up was never me.

I spend a lot of time wondering what the new baby will be like. My Mam says you never get two the same. Well, in five months I'll find out!

Hopefully in five months I can make quite a few lovely things for both the baby and our daughter, I can't leave her out!

Hey guess what? I'm back....again!

2009-06-15T01:47:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday Morning to you all!

I have decided to bring this blog back from the grave and breathe some life into it.

It is not that I have not been blogging, it is just I haven't been blogging here.

My other blogs are about travel, parenting, politics and other interests...........it is just I have decided I need a special place on the interwebz to talk about my knitting, dyeing, machine knitting and crochet.

No, honestly....I really am back this time!!!

2008-10-13T05:15:00.001-07:00

Hi there folks,

I'm back blogging and hopefully I will be able to post with more frequency now......I have a new laptop and blogging is easy peasy on it! Before I would lose the will to live while my computer would consider my requests and sit on them for a while before having an attack of the vapours and shutting down completely.

Although I haven't been posting I have been knitting and crocheting - mainly for my muse, Beanie....hell, I've even been working on a few designs of my own, fancy that!

Pictured are a few recent FOs and a WIP....hope you like them!

I'm blogging again!

2008-07-21T04:32:00.001-07:00

Okay, so it has been 5 months since my last post..............

...................why so long?

Well, I had a few issues with the blog, some technical and some external and decided it would be a good idea to put it to rest for a while.

But I feel now is a good time to return to Purl City, with a fresh head!

What have I been doing in the meantime?

Don't be silly, I've been knitting and crocheting, of course......mainly for Beanie, who is growing up fast!!!

Bang, bang! You're dead!

2008-02-11T14:06:00.001-08:00

But only if your Ravelry name is Pippa and only in a Hat Attack yarntastic sense!

I knitted through the weekend (when husband and child permitted) to finish this bad boy and it is currently winging its way up to Scotland to knock Pippa out of Hat Attack.

Alas, I have already been slain by KraftyKoala whose hat is on its way to me.

I tried everything to stay in the game, I even emailed her assassin Perversia and asked her to hurry it up big time!!!

I am off to join the Zombie KAL now!

Interesting......

2008-02-06T02:35:00.000-08:00

Q: What is your process when planning a project? Do you shop for yarn and then find a suitable pattern? Do you find your pattern and then go out to buy the yarn? Or are you stash-busting? If your stash is out of control, how did it get that way?

For me there is no set process! I shop for yarn all the time and quite often just buy it cos it looks and feels nice eventhough I have no idea what it will be eventually made up into.

Sometimes I do see a pattern I love and I have to buy the required yarn straightaway but usually I see a pattern and try to see what I already have in my massive stash that will work.

I am trying to stash bust at the moment as my stash is way out of control but it is hard because there is so much gorgeous yarn out there and I can't help buying it - that's why I have such a big stash!!

Last day to sign up to HAT ATTACK!

2008-02-06T02:15:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the GeekCraft peeps on Ravelry there's a bloody battle about to commence.

It is called HAT ATTACK!

Think Sock Wars but with a cable detailed hat instead.....................can you finish your hat and get it to your target before your assassin gets their hat to you?!

Here is the Ravelry group page with all the details - but be quick!! Sign ups end TODAY!!!!

Frogs and Kisses!

2008-02-05T08:17:00.000-08:00

I have just added a new yarn on to my Purl City Etsy store.

After a few days of struggling to find a name, Frogs and Kisses just came to me!

The only question is..............does it say Frogs and Kisses to you?

Speaking of names.................I am going to be holding a yarn naming contest on this blog shortly.

There will be prizes involved so stay tuned!!

The sock addicts are signing up!

2008-02-04T06:04:00.000-08:00

Hiya,

We now have 12 people in the international sock yarn swap but there's plenty of room for some more!

C'mon and get your name down on the list!

Calling International Sock Knitters!

2008-02-02T08:12:00.000-08:00

I've started a swap on swap bot which is snappily titled 'Sock Knitters of the World Unite and Swap'............just rolls of the tongue doesn't it?!

Anyhoo - I want you all to come and join me here is where the swap , here is the blog and here are some more details, have a read and join up!:

As a keen sock knitter, I love to discover new yarns, both hand dyed and from all over the world.
If you feel the same, this is the swap for you!

Each participant will have one partner to whom they must send the following:

Two 100g skeins of sock yarn - it can be your own hand-dyed yarn or a sock yarn produced in your country. Natural fibres and blends only please - no 100% accrylic.

Two knitting notion items - stitch markers, needles, tape measures, project bags.....anything that you would consider essential kit for a sock knitter.

One hot drink item - by this I mean a packet of loose tea leaves, a tin of hot chocolate, a packet of coffee beans or a box of tea bags - depending on what your partner likes to drink (make sure this is listed in your profile)

An edible treat - this could be biscuits, chocolate, candy - again check your partners profile before choosing the item.

Finally, a surprise - check out your partners profile and surprise them with a little something based on their preferences. This does not have to be knitting related.

All those who sign up for the swap will be invited to join me here
where we can all get together and compare our goodies and get to know each other better!

This swap is open to all members with a rating of 4.5+. No no-sends.

Newbies are welcome with a full profile, but I reserve the right to ban anyone who I feel may not contribute well to this swap.

I'm giving you two weeks to put together your parcels and get them sent,so that should be plenty of time to pick out some really nice things for your partner.

Been to the Stitch and Creative Crafts Show

2008-02-01T08:47:00.000-08:00

..........And it was a bit of a nightmare! Loads of really nice stalls to look at but you have to find your way through a sea of ladies with very sharp elbows to get to them!

I managed two hours of shopping before I gave up and left. I might venture back there with Beanie in her buggy tomorrow and use her as a battering ram!

While I was there today I spoke to one of the organisers of Wonderwool, a festival of welsh wool and natural fibres taking place 26th and 27th of April..............I just have to go to this!!

Anyhow, back home now and ready to have a heavy knitting weekend.......the weather here is atrocious and I am not venturing out unless it is essential!

UK Swap Questionaire

2008-01-30T05:07:00.000-08:00

Part One:

Crafting

Do you knit, crochet, or both?Both

What do you like to make? Do you have a favourite project?

Socks, hats

Do you have a favourite type of fiber or brand of yarn?

Anything as long as it is not novelty or highly accrylic

Do you have a least favourite type of yarn?

See above!
Do you do any other crafts?

I sew and enjoy needlecrafts, I am learning to spin and I hand dye yarn.

What knitting do you bring ‘on the go’?

Usually a sock or two

What do you carry your ‘on the go’ knitting in? Do you want something new?

I make my own projects bags and I have a lovely Namaste bag for bigger stuff so I have all that covered!

Are there any knitting gifts (book, toy, yarn, item, tool) that you have been lusting over?
Addi Turbos and sock yarn in general

Part Two:

Your Favourites

What is your favourite colour? Pinky pink pink!

What is your least favourite colour? Black

What scents/smells do you like? What don’t you like?

I love Vanilla, Rose, Cedar, Cherry, Spices, I hate really bouquety stuff

How do you like to pamper yourself? (bubble bath, hand creams, massage, manicure)
Chinese massage

What goodies to you like to treat your tummy with? (chocolate, biscuits, truffles, etc.)

Chocolate, biscuits, sweets…..it’s all good esp dark chocolate!

Do you prefer tea or coffee while you knit? Any particular kind? Favourite mug/cup?

Tea (I don’t really drink coffee) I love black, green and red teas but I don’t drink herbal or fruit teas.

Do you listen to/watch anything while you knit? (TVshow-Along, movies, music, podcasts)

I usually knit in front of the TV or while watching a DVD.

Part Three: Living & Past-times

Where do you live in the UK? (General idea not address)Manchester

Have you always lived here, or did you grow up somewhere else?
I grew up in Thornaby which is just outside of Middlesbrough in Teesside

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Tough question! Russia and China would be top of the list but I am also trying to get back to Cuba and New York in the next year.

If you couldn’t go to a knitting group, what other kind of gathering would you go to? (book club, tea party, yoga class, jewelery class, etc.)

Wine tasting session, I have an informal one in my lounge most nights! Also a book club, language lesson or tea party.

What’s your style? (elegant, traditional, glamourous, girly, natural, sporty, outgoing, etc.)

Tomboy but with long hair and a penchant for all things pink and expensive handbags.

Final Part:Any allergies/preferences (fiber-wise or treat-wise)?None
Anything we missed that you’d like your partner to know?
Nope!

New...........everything!

2008-01-29T10:34:00.000-08:00

Hiya!

Been busy reskeining and photographing my new colourways and today I added the new banner to Purl City

What do you think?

My favourite is Firecracker but it is impossible to get the camera to do it justice!

I'll be adding more items over the next few days so stay tuned!!

A busy day at Purl City Yarns

2008-01-25T02:43:00.000-08:00

It is going to be a busy day at Purl City Yarns - I have several new colourways and products to upload on to my etsy store and the whole store is getting a facelift! New photos, new banner, new avatar.

It will be like.........Purl City......only better!

So watch this space (or the one on my store!) and please feel free to let me know what you think!

It's been a while!

2008-01-23T08:02:00.000-08:00

Crikey I've been lazy!

This blog hasn't been updated for over a week!

Well, I do have my excuses ready - I was ill last week and when I wasn't ill I was working on my etsy stores - I didn't realise how much time it takes to get them up and running - I still have loads to do.

I want to redo my purlcity pictures as they are all a bit bla! And I have loads of stock to add to each store just waiting to be photographed and uploaded!

I've hardly had time to knit - shock horror!

My second Etsy store is now open!

2008-01-11T11:47:00.000-08:00

Phew! It's been a busy week here!

On Monday, I started listing on Purl City my yarnie Etsy store (still no sales!!!).

Then today, I began listing on my second Etsy store Zucchero which will be stocking slogan babywear amongst other things.

So I've not had much time for knitting all week..............think I will have a big knit night tomorrow evening to catch up!!!

If you want to have a look at either store then either click on the names in this post or look to the right of this blog where I have located my Etsy minis. Let me know what you think!!

My Etsy store is open!

2008-01-07T05:24:00.000-08:00

At last! I have finally started listing my yarn on Etsy!

Take a look!

I am adding items steadily over the next few days so although there is not so much to look at now, by next week I should be flying!

I can't believe it took me so long to get this up and running..........I think the main reason was I don't have much faith in my photography skills, I have spent hours trying to get my images as clear and accurate as possible and I am still learning!

Over the coming weeks I hope to add more than yarn - stitch markers, project bags etc.

I'm sure I will keep you posted!!

New year, new me?

2008-01-02T02:35:00.000-08:00

Well this is supposed to be the post where I blather on about my new year resolutions, how good they are and how good I am going to be at keeping them. But we all know what happens to the majority of new year resolutions, don't we?!

The road to hell is paved with good intentions!

Not all resolutions end up in the bin though, I gave up smoking in 2001, took up running and Spanish in 2003 and I started knitting again in 2007. But considering I make tons of resolutions each and every year, the previous odds do not seem tipped in my favour!

I will keep knitting though and resolve to expand my knitting skills - new cast ons, colourwork, lace etc. And I will definitely be doing some knitting for charity this year.

I would also like to improve my crochet skills which are currently very basic and take up 'proper' sewing again, I was very inspired by Nubiancraftster's Beehive Bag, good work!!

Most of all I really want to kick off trading with Purl City Yarns and really put a lot into it. I have already done a lot of work, dyeing up stock and working on labels and my etsy site. I just need to put the two together now and get moving!!

There, these resolutions don't seem too unachievable do they? And most of all they seem like fun, unlike my other resolutions that keep cropping up each year - lose weight, exercise more, be more organised..........yawn.

But if by some chance I do end up with a size 10 figure, fantastic abs and an immaculately clean house you will be the first to hear about it!!!

Happy New Year-ish!

2007-12-31T14:47:00.000-08:00

Well, as I type this it is new year in about half the world - we have another hour and 15 mins to wait though!

I would bang on about my list of new year resolutions (they are endless as always!) but there's plenty of time to explain about my masterplan to lose weight, run another marathon and boycott Tesco next week!

In the meantime, here is the last FO of the year - the Trinity Stitch Hat (see post below - cutting in fine, just cast it off an hour ago!) and a sincere wish that you all have a lovely new year celebration and all the best for 2008.

Right, I'm going back to the couch to drink champers with my better half - going for a quiet one this year!!

Laters!!!

Bonus time!

2007-12-30T15:04:00.000-08:00

Well, I had an excellent holiday season I hope you all did too!

The reasons for this were many and I am a very lucky girl!

Firstly, I spend Christmas with my husband, our 13-month-old daughter 'Beanie' and all my family up in the North-East. My family all loved (or pretended to !) the knitted pressies I gave them and my Grandad even wore the socks I made him recently on Christmas Day to show them off to the rest of the family!

You will think that now, after knitting non-stop all month, I would want a rest from knitting but no, I have managed to keep going. I made Beanie a Golden Compass Hat , thanks to Froggie Meanie's top pattern and I am currently working on (and nearly finished) a Trinity Stitch Hat for myself.

The second reason I am very lucky this that in December I received my first ever Swap Bot Secret Knitting Pal package from Saalis in Finland. She spoiled me with loads of gorgeous yarn - Knit Picks Wool of the Andes and some supersoft fluffy yarn which will make an excellent trim and loads of pink and sparkly goodies - a gorgeous rose soap, a fat quarter of top fabric and two really nice pens. All of this accompanied by a really sweet letter from Saalis.

Then, Suessstoff, the girl I sent my package to in Germany sent me a wonderful surprise which arrived just before I left to travel to my parents for Christmas. It contained a really cool edition of Rebecca (I need to learn German just so I can work on some of the patterns), a lovely heart which I think contains cedar chips (yummy), a hole punch for my Purl City Yarns labels and cards, some lovely magnets which will be great for attaching Beanie's artwork to our fridge and a lovely postcard from Suessstoff.

Thank you both so much!! It is definitely the season of giving!!

The third reason that I am such a lucky girl is that I scored loads of bargains in the sales. No, not clothes that I will never wear or other panic purchases but loads of yarn from Boyes in Billingham and John Lewis in the Trafford Centre. Both yarn departments were an oasis of calm amongst the madness of the sales!! In total I have acquired another five large bags of yarn, ooops!

Happy Christmas!

2007-12-23T08:10:00.001-08:00

Shutting down the computer over Christmas (for vital rest!) so I will say it now - Happy Christmas!

Hope you have a fantastic one!

Easy, easy, easy!

2007-12-17T02:23:00.000-08:00

Husband modelling the Lucha Libre mask/balaclava I have made for our nephew. You would think Beanie would be a little scared of him wouldn't you?!!

Been knitting

2007-12-17T02:08:00.000-08:00

In fact, that's all I have been doing for the past week or so! If I can keep up this work rate I could finish in time for Christmas!

I really should get on with my Christmas shopping but I can't stand the thought of over-heated, over-crowded shops and having to drag bags around until I faint!

I'm going to try to do as much as I can on the internet today, then bite the bullet and go into town tomorrow for the rest!

Anyhow, here are some of my Christmas FOs. I had a rush job on last week to finish the ones going to Italy and the Lucha Libre mask is destined for Switzerland.

At least...

2007-12-11T14:57:00.000-08:00

..... Sofia and the cats are getting into the Christmas spirit!!

A huge mountain to climb!

2007-12-11T14:35:00.000-08:00

I am still working my way through the Christmas knits and will be still on my list next Christmas if my work rate recently is anything to go by!

I am currently just past turning the heel on a second sock for one of my nieces.

I think I will start next Christmas's knitting in January!

Christmas Knitting: Four down - 15 to go!

2007-12-10T02:12:00.000-08:00

I have finished 2 pairs of Mary Janes, a cable hat and a tea cozy.............but I lost a day's knitting to a bloody fingernail yesterday - will I ever learn to leave my nails alone?!

I think by Christmas week I will be pulling all-nighters and living on espressos.

Why can't I be more organised?!!!!!

Christmas Knitting: One down - 18 to go!

2007-12-06T15:38:00.001-08:00

Since posting this afternoon I have made a pair of Mary Janes........they only take a few hours so I reckon I could knock out a couple more pairs tomorrow!!!

AARRGGGHHHHH - Not enough time!

2007-12-06T03:49:00.000-08:00

Hello peeps!

I've just cast off the devilishly tricky EZ Baby Sweater on Two Needles from the Knitters Almanac.

I can see why it is soooo popular as it looks cute as a button when finished but, my god, it was a complete nightmare in places!

I can't even say the pattern or stitch patterns were difficult as once you get used to EZ's way of working they are very straightforward. I just seemed to make stupid mistakes all the time, like forgetting to add buttonholes or picking up too many stitches for the sleeves.

I do think it has been a useful learning curve though....it was my first real go at lace and it taught me the importance of concentration!

I did the sleeves on DPNs as I hate seaming and I'm really pleased with how it has worked out - I just need to put the buttons on, that I bought in a really top shop in Florence, and send it off to baby Fern!

Now I must turn my attention to Christmas - aaarrrggghhh. Number of cards sent - zero, number of presents bought - zero, number of presents knitted - ZERO!

I have a list of 27 people to knit for.................19 if I cross off all those who can wait until next year to get their gifts!

I had hoped to knit everyone someone elaborate and tricky to show them this knitting obsession is not just a phase but I don't have time! Instead I am going to knock out a load of Mary Jane Slippers, Chunky House Socks, Chullos and Tea Cozies! I figure the complicated stuff can wait until their birthdays now!!!

Right off to cast on the Mary Janes!

Some FOs!

2007-11-30T05:49:00.000-08:00

The hat and scarf sets I crocheted for my sister and my friend Mary and the t-shirts I made for my sister!!

Back from Italy!

2007-11-30T03:37:00.000-08:00

Hello all!

NIB (News in Brief)

*Grandad loved the socks - thinks they are too good to wear!

*Sister loved the crochet hat and scarf and the slogan t-shirts I made her

*Joined the Hello Kitty Mystery KAL 3, see side button

*Joined the Swapbot European Knitters' swap - currently putting together a box of goodies for a vegan girl in Germany

*Still not counted up the final amount raised for the knitathon but it should be about £250

I'm back from Italy and I still haven't got down to my Christmas knitting! I did take the Elizabeth Zimmerman Baby Sweater on two needles away with me to work on and the ingredients for some monkey socks but we were constantly on the go so I didn't get much knitting done and what I did do had to be frogged on my return!

I don't know about you but I'm really struggling with the baby sweater pattern, I understand it but somehow I keep messing it up! I missed a button hole, messed up the gull pattern and had to go over the increases at the beg several times. When will I ever get to the sleeves! It is quite frustrating as I had been very productive up until this point and I'm also dying to get on with my Christmas knits.

While in Italy I visited Beatrice Galli Yarn Shop on the recommendation of Typesetter (many thanks!!) and it was a joy! Loads of gorgeous stuff and the lady who owns it (Beatrice, herself?!) is very welcoming. I did also try to visit Lovilane and Filo a Filo in Lucca and the Sheep Shop in Pisa but they were all shut - boo hiss!!

I did stumble upon a shop in Pietrasanta which sold yarn.....and I forget to get its name but it is down the main shopping street. I went in to have a browse but got commandeered by the old dear who owned the shop who kept insisting on showing me pastel 4-ply. I really couldn't understand why until she rubbed my belly and said: "Do you know if you are having a boy or a girl?" !!!!! Well, I nearly died with shock!! Due to my thyroid condition I am carrying a fair bit of extra timber at the moment but I never thought people thought I was up the duff!

I didn't have the heart to enlighten her that it wasn't a baby but a belly full of pizza and Chianti - told her I wanted it to be a surprise!- and I ended up buying some white double knit with spots of other colours running through it to make a cardi for Beanie. She agreed it was a great choice for unisex knitting!!!

My parents and husband fell about themselves when I got outside and told them!!

Right then, must go and post off my secret pal parcel!

Loads of news!

2007-11-19T03:52:00.000-08:00

Well, firstly and most importantly I'm an auntie once more! My sister-in-law gave birth to a 7lb 8oz beautiful baby girl just after 10am this morning! They are going to call her Fern Olivia and I have already decided to put the Panda Baby outfit to one side (it is 3-6 month size) and make an Elizabeth Zimmerman Baby Sweater on two needles for her!

I can't wait to see her! As I am in Manchester and they are in the North-East I might not get there until next week so in the meantime I will have to be content with photos.

Secondly, I finished my grandad's socks, finally! I hope he likes them! They should be a welcome change to the piles of whiskey and beer that he usually receives on his birthday! Not that he is an alcoholic - the booze lasts him all year!

Thirdly, I finally uploaded the pics of the crocheted hat and scarf - I got the pattern from I Love Crochet but found the English V American a tad confusing. Not so confusing, however, that it put me off. I have since done another hat and scarf using Rowan Big Wool in Pistachio for my friend Mary. I just need to add a flower detail and they are finished. Crochet is sooooo fast!!

And finally, we did the Knitathon!! 8 hours solid (or thereabouts) of knitting and collecting donations!

I made up some t-shirts with knitting slogans such as 'Knit Happens', 'Knit Hot' and 'Purly Queen' for people to wear (they were prototypes of the ones I'm going to stock in my store if I ever get it open, looks like launch date will be next week when I am back from Italy).

We started off in the Cornerhouse (arty cinema) cafe where a woman came up and said she wasn't interested in our charity - Children in Need (queue our collective jaws dropping) but she did like to knit! We then moved on to Kro2 - a Danish bar on Oxford Road where we were joined by Penny a fellow Raveler. After that we headed to the central library where a woman called knitting 'boring' - the mentalist!

Then on to China Town, the Bavarian Beer Hut in the Christmas Market in Albert Square (where Charlotte from the Miss Spiritual Tramp Knitting Group joined us) and then to Odd Bar in the Northern Quarter (where we were met by Elleyon another Raveler).

A big tip for all those who are thinking of doing something similar - spend time in pubs! We had loads of drunks tossing in a fortune!!!

We are not sure what the final total is for the day but I can say it was an overwhelming success and a lot of fun. Plus we met up with some really nice fellow knitters and generated some positive interest in our group!!

Right! I'm off to cast on the baby sweater! Ciao for now!

So much to do!

2007-11-14T15:08:00.000-08:00

Well, this is going to be a short post as I have to get back to my knitting!

It is my grandad's 82nd birthday on Friday and I need to finish the socks I started for him way back in September. I'm on to sock two and I want to get as far as the heel before I turn in this evening.

I also need to get a move on with the Perl Grey Panda Baby outfit I am working on as my sister-in-law is due to give birth tomorrow.......although I know babies almost never come on their due dates!!

All this means that I have had to put the crochet to one size for a few days...........having finished the hat on Monday I knitted a scarf to go with it yesterday! Crochet is sooooo fast. I think some of my christmas pressies are going to have to be crocheted!

On Saturday I will have bags of time to knit - the Kings Arms Knitting Club is holding a knitathon in and around Manchester City Centre in aid of Children in Need. So if you have any spare cash and are feeling generous - Sponsor US!

Howdy!

2007-11-12T15:08:00.000-08:00

Loads of news to tell..........I have lost too many hours to Ravelry but I still want more (!), I have knitted some cute mittens with the left over kimono wool, I have been to another Manchester United game and knitted while Beanie and her Babbo watched the match, I've found yet another source of yarn and other crafty supplies - Clark Craft of Ramsbottom (which was a bugger to find, I ended up driving up and down very narrow country lanes and tight steep bends which nearly caused me to abandon my trip), I've been to knitting club at the Kings Arms and we are doing a knitathon on Saturday in aid of Children in Need........................and I have crocheted a HAT....yes..........an entire hat in an evening!!!

I don't wish to blow my own trumpet but this time last week I didn't have the slightest idea how to crochet and last Wednesday I hoyed my crochet hook across the room, vowing never to stray over to the dark side ever again. I feel really chuffed with meself now!! (Will post pics of it tomorrow)

I must now return to the path of righteousness as I have a pair of socks to finish for my Grandad by Friday and a Panda Baby outfit for my brother's baby, whenever she/he decides to arrive!!

Beanie is 1!!!

2007-11-10T12:46:00.000-08:00

My little girl Beanie (or Sofia as she is actually called!) turned one yesterday!

I knitted her............a beanie! (I love this pattern, so quick yet eye-catching - here is where you can find it!)

Yarn-tastic!

2007-11-10T12:06:00.000-08:00

Oh my god! I have found a major source of cheap yarn!

There's a shop in Monton called Auntie Pat's that is selling off all its stock of yarn for £1 a ball and 20p a pattern.

I went in there yesterday and bought three bin liners worth of the stuff.

The stock is all upstairs - from floor to ceiling with yarn and the shop owner tells me she has twice as much in storage that she is dying to get rid off. The woman is crazy but I can't argue with cheap wool!

I'm trying to organise a knitting club trip there next week!!

Baby Kimonos are finished at last!

2007-11-07T15:29:00.001-08:00

But the recipients are probably just about taking their finals at university by now!!!

The Happy Hooker

2007-11-07T15:07:00.000-08:00

Not that I have done much hooking (and definitely no soliciting!) but I'm trying to work it out!!

Gasp!

2007-11-07T03:15:00.000-08:00

I've gone over to the dark side................and tried my hand at crochet!

It's really difficult! I spend all last night having a go and kept having to frog it all and start again.

The reason for my trying crochet is that I met a girl called Julie at knitting club on Monday and she brought along a gorgeous scarf she was crocheting and a hat she had recently finished. I was well impressed and she made it look so easy. GGGGRRRR, must try harder!

I'm Back!

2007-11-05T04:36:00.000-08:00

Hi there!

Sorry about my disappearance...............I was busy looking after my niece and my little baby girl who had Chicken Pox so I had no time to blog and nothing to blog about!

Well, that's not actually completely true...................I didn't get that much knitting done in the past week but I did managed to knit at Old Trafford during the Manchester United V Middlesbrough game............Boro lost, boo hiss! But my brothers and their friend came through for the game so it was nice to see them!

It was my sister-in-law's birthday so I knocked out a quick scarf for her in Rowan Biggy. I've said it before but there's nothing like big wool and large needles to give you the satisfaction of completion in super quick time! The picture doesn't do it justice but I had to photograph it quick and wrap it up. It is actually really thick and lengthy - I used five balls to make it. Anyhow, I hope she likes it, not that she will have much chance to wear it at the moment as she is in hospital having contractions! And I haven't started the baby's panda jumper, hat and socks yet!

Apart from that - the Che hoodie is still on my needles and I haven't even started the Lil Devil Pants as I was going to put them on Beanie to wear at nursery on Halloween but because she had Chicken Pox she wasn't allowed in! So I will still knit them and a Lil Devil Hat but now I have more time and won't be under pressure!

Also the We call the Pirates hat and mittens have been delayed plus I never got to finish my husband's Elvis costume for Halloween, so all my plans went out the window!! Sorry folks!

It was okay, as it only took 30 mins late one night to knock up my witch outfit and we made a Ghostbuster outfit for my other half. Beanie already had a pumpkin outfit her Nonno and Nonna had bought for her.

Anyway, what am I doing blabbering on about what HASN'T happened when something great HAS happened - I finally got my Ravelry invite!! I'm on there as PurlCity, see you there!!

Well, apart from losing large parts of my day to Ravelry I need to knuckle down and sort out my Purl City etsy store so that is what I will be mostly doing this week.

That and dieting! I won't tell you how much I weigh but the picture of me as a witch and a comment from my sister has spurred me on to lose weight. I have gained a lot of weight recently due to a very dodgy thyroid and although it was not my fault (well, not completely!) that I gained the weight, it is up to me now to lose it.

Yesterday I was slumped on the sofa watching the New York Marathon, three years ago I was running in it. Three years ago I could get up on a Sunday morning and go for a 16 mile run, now I can't even get up on a Sunday morning. How times have changed! But I'm determined to get back into a fit and healthy state........how many calories an hour does winding wool into skeins burn?!

Right I'm off to do some high-powered pottering!

Elvis, Che and the Witch

2007-10-23T05:29:00.000-07:00

Ciao tutti!

Had a busy day yesterday.....................a frantic bout of housework interrupted by the arrival of my sister who was supposed to be picking up some parcels and speeding off but I convinced her to stay for a brew and allowed her to settle on my settee and vent spleen for an hour!

Then I had a trip to book shop to kill time, in the knitting section (of course!), before a trip to the dentist to have my railings checked over. I'm knitting my niece a Che Guevara hoodie for her birthday and while I was working on it in the waiting room I got chatting with another knitter who was impressed to see someone daring to click away in public. She told me all about the gilet she had just finished for herself and bemoaned the situation of being too busy to knit more often. I was too polite to point out she could be knitting right then!

After the dental visit I went to Abakhan Fabrics in the Northern Quarter with the purpose of buying fabric for my husband's and my Halloween costumes. My sister has taken her crew to Disneyland, Paris for a few days and when they get back this weekend we are having a Halloween/birthday party for my niece who turns 8 on the 25th while they are away.

I'm going as a witch so I bought myself several yards of black cheapo cotton and some purple lacy cobweb fabric for my sleeves. The husband has been persuaded to go as Elvis so I have brought a load of white Lycra and red satinette to make him a Vegas-style suit!! I'm going to use this site for inspiration and tips!

I also 'wandered' into yarn section and bought some black and white yarn for a We call them Pirates hat and mittens set for my nephew.

So here is my problem...........by Sunday I have to complete two Halloween outfits and a Che Guevara hoodie. Then by next Tuesday evening I have to complete a pair of Lil Devil Pants and Lil Devil Hat for Beanie to wear to nursery. And I want to have my Etsy store up and running asap. Do you fancy my chances?! I do like a challenge but this might be a bit too big for me!!

Neapolitan

2007-10-20T14:12:00.001-07:00

Melons

2007-10-20T14:12:00.000-07:00

Raspberries n Cream

2007-10-20T14:11:00.000-07:00

Warm Glow

2007-10-20T14:10:00.001-07:00

Dusk

2007-10-20T14:10:00.000-07:00

Fruit Salad

2007-10-20T14:09:00.000-07:00

ILL!

2007-10-20T13:39:00.000-07:00

Hi there,

Hope you are having a good weekend!

Not posted for a few days as I have been poorly sick and managed to lose my voice which was very frustrating for me but a welcome relief to those around me!!

It means I have not really done much knitting, dyeing or working on my shop. I'm really going to have to work double hard next week to catch up!

Although on my sick bed (!!!) I did manage to knock out a chunky scarf for myself with 300g of Rowan Biggy Print in Mermaid. I figured I needed it to protect my throat from further germs and viruses!

Today I have been trying to photograph my yarn for my Etsy site but the natural light today was poor and my camera isn't the best. Also I know little about photography. But above are my first efforts................I need to lighten them so you can great an idea of their actual colour but their names are Neapolitan, Melons, Fruit Salad, Dusk, Raspberries n' Cream and Warm Glow.... Can you guess which is which? You can tell I dye them in the kitchen as they are nearly all named after food! I have been reskeining some more this evening and will post them hopefully tomorrow or Monday. I also aim to have my etsy store up and running on Monday too!

Laters!!

Ullo John, got a new motor!

2007-10-17T13:42:00.000-07:00

I know the title will mean nothing to most people who read this but anyway........I HAVE got a new motor......I'm dead chuffed and I'm not even into cars either! I think the reason I am so excited is because it has a place to plug my ipod in and heated seats!

My old car is going to one of my nephews who is currently driving another old car of mine...so maybe if he is very good to me he might get this one in a driveable state in a couple years from now!

Anyhoo, enough on cars (evil planet destroyers that they are and that) and more about knitting. I went to the Kings Arms Knitting Club last night and had a top time. The group are really warm and welcoming and the banter is spot on. Never at a knitting circle did I think I would be chatting about Dog the Bounty Hunter and Nathan Barley (obviously not at the same time... what a gruesome twosome that would make) or spilling lager on meself. Roll on next week!

I got a taxi home afterwards and the taxi driver refused to believe that there was such a thing as a pub knitting group. I even showed him my knitting but he wasn't having any of it!!

Today has been a dyeing day......my hands are greeny-blue with some pink spots but I'm really pleased with the stuff I've produced today. I also photographed some of the skeins I did last week. I would show you pics but my camera has gone to sleep. Maybe tomorrow.

Well, must dash.................Location, location, location is counting down the worst places to live in the UK and I know what is number one - Middlesbrough - my hometown. The cheeky Southern b*stards!

I also have a Project Runway to catch up on.....love that programme!

Tatty-bye!

Knitting Club tonight!

2007-10-16T04:49:00.000-07:00

It's a bit early in the day for posting but I'm out tonight (7pm-9pm) at the Kings Arms knitting club. It is organised by the same people who do the Stitch n' Bitch in Borders at Manchester Fort.

As alcohol is going to be involved I think I will take along some of my easier WIPs. One evening last week several glasses of red wine led to one of the arms on a baby kimono being wider than the other. And there's nothing worse than unpicking your hard work with a gale-force hangover!

Just found this on Stuff On My Cat!

2007-10-15T14:09:00.000-07:00

This one of the best websites in the world! Stuff on my cat

A little pumpkin and a spinning wheel

2007-10-15T13:43:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post today as I'm knackered after a busy day sorting out Purl City stuff and dyeing up yarn.........(will I be able to part with it though?! should start using colours I don't like!).

Thought I would share with you Beanie in her pumpkin hat. It is part of her Halloween costume, or one of them as her Nonna and Nonno keep buying them for her (too cute to resist)! And I was going to knit her some Lil Devil Pants from Stitch n' Bitch Nation. We are at a Halloween party on the 28th so she can wear a costume or two there!

Also.........my spinning wheel has arrived! Yey! Can't wait to have a go! My husband just shook his head at it and then at me!!

Back from London!

2007-10-14T11:36:00.000-07:00

Howdy!

I'm back from London and as you can see the rest of my stash has been unloaded from the car boot and is now in the process of finding its way up to my craft room.

We went to London Zoo this morning with Beanie, who had to be woken up from her mid-morning nap in order to enjoy the sights!

The zoo was okay.......not actually that big compared with Chester Zoo (where I was a zookeeper for the day in July, see pic of me with Sofia the jaguar...what a beautie, the big cat, that is, not me the big Mamma!! ). Beanie was very into the monkeys, which didn't surprise us as she is a little cheeky monkey herself!!

Well, I'll keep this short and sweet as I have a mountain of stuff to unpack, laters!!

Been to Ally Pally

2007-10-13T14:08:00.000-07:00

Howdy!

Am tying this in a hotel room in London at the moment and as the internet connection is reeeeaaaallly slow and my laptop has never been very snappy it is taking me ages to post this!

Anyhoo, went to Ally Pally this morning and shopped until I dropped - Beanie quite literally was dropping as we put all our bags on the handles of her trolley which caused it to tip if you didn't keep a firm hold on it!

Most of my stash is in the car but I couldn't resist taking pics of the new pink Namaste bag I bought from the lovely people at Foreign Strand. In addition to the bag, I brought magazines, a ton of wool both undyed and dyed, some alpaca roving, beads shaped like shoes, knickers and bras (!), and a ruby cross (which has nothing to do with knitting but there were jewellers there selling their sparkly things and I'm a sucker for crosses, not that I'm particularly religious!

Ally Pally really is a knitting (and stitching) mecca! It felt like I was in a trance most of the time I was there. When I first arrived I was overwhelmed by the amount of top stuff on offer so I had to go for a tea break and map out my route with the help of the show guide. Once I had done this I was free to stalk up and down, grabbing what took my fancy while the husband and Beanie trailed behind me with all the bags!!! Once I had selected my items the husband was then called upon to pay for them while I chose my next location!!!

After a busy morning and a boot load of goodies we headed back into London and went for the Lebanese meal we were looking forward to (there's not many Lebanese restaurants in Manchester so we had to take advantage of our location!). We went to Tarboush and had the best meal we had had in ages. I was soooo full afterwards I had to have a lie down! Not only was the food great but the Lebanese wine was a real joy! Going to see if I can order some on the internet as it was really moreish!

So that was my day.......even managed to fit in a bit of knitting - I finished another kimono and started some more toasty socks for my brother's girlfriend. I am knitting them in chunky wool I dyed myself and named Bubblegum. Will post the FO here soon, I hope.

Well, I've been sat at this annoyingly slow computer for long enough this evening and the husband wants to check his ebay. I should get my head down soon because we are planning to visit London Zoo tomorrow to reward Beanie for being such a good little girl today!

Ciao for now!

Busy, busy, busy!

2007-10-11T07:57:00.000-07:00

Hiya folks!

Well after the drought caused by the postal strike there's been a veritable feast of deliveries here at Purl City!!!

So far I have received: a ton of beads, a jumbo box of undyed yarn, acid dyes, four vintage editions of Vogue Knitting, seven books (two knitting-related) and as you can see above my swift is here!! Been winding wool all morning...........must have burned some serious calories there!

In addition to answering the doorbell to a rather overburdened postie, last night I also went to my first ever Stitch n' Bitch meeting in Borders at Manchester Fort.

To be honest I didn't think a knitting group would be for me as I thought I would feel a bit under scrutiny, like the others were 'picking holes' in my work but I had a really good time.

The group is organised by Caroline who was making a start on some rather nifty wrist warmers. I managed to finally finish off my 'quick' slipper socks (see pic) and made some more headway on the baby kimonos.

The great thing about this group is that the focus is firmly on socialising rather than skills! The group known as the Knitting Kings also meet every Tuesday from 7pm in the Kings Arms, Salford.

I know, I know, knitting and alcohol, both wonderful things but should they go together?!! I plan on heading down there next week but will probably take a scarf with me just to be on the safe side!!!

Well, tomorrow we leave for London, or more importantly the Knitting and Stitch Show , I really can't wait!! We are staying near Edgware Road so I'm looking forward to some really good Lebanese food over the next few days.

I'm also hoping to drag my crew along to Origin, a very promising-looking craft show where I might be able to get my husband to part with even more of his money for goodies for the house!

Anyhoo, must dash, got to collect Beanie from nursery and start cooking corned-beef hash for tea!!

Laters!

Hoorah!

2007-10-10T03:12:00.001-07:00

More about these cuties below!!!

Hoorah, hooray, yea! The postal strike is over!!!

Not that I have received any post yet but at least all the posties are all back at work and I can look forward to tons of knitting-related deliveries.

Somewhere in the postal system are the following with my name on them: a swift, a ton of un-dyed merino wool, a spindle, several books, copious amounts of dye, beads and a couple of vintage editions of Vogue Knitting.

I'm sure there's a bank statement or two in there somewhere but the postman can keep them for all I care!!

On the etsy store front, the yarn is coming on well........I just need the swift to reskein them and then I can photograph them and put them on the site.

I was hoping to have the store up and running this week, but with the postal strike and a visit to London to the Knitting and Stitch Show (can't wait, it's going to be a knitfest!!!) firmly inked in the diary, I won't be able to do everything before early next week.

There are also a few other reasons why I never achieve as much as I would like during the day..................see pic above!! The three moggies are my shadows here, I can't do anything without them following me around, so they are never allowed in the living room or my craft room because that is where I keep my knitting and yarn! There names are Eric, Denis and Georgie, all named, by my husband, after former Manchester United players. Eric is the fat one, Denis the scrawny one and Georgie (who's a girl) is the torty. As you can tell, they are brothers and sister.

Never in my life have I ever known such loving and yet simple-minded cats! Their affection makes up for the fact that they have no sense of balance and still don't understand how the cat-flap works after two years of living with us. But they do know somethings I don't... the day before I had my baby they watched me like a hawk and stayed with me all day. I couldn't climb the stairs without them curling round my ankles and if I sat down I suddenly had all three descend on me, madly purring and fussing over me!

The other little lady is my main distraction nowadays. And a happy distraction she is too! Her nickname is Beanie as I found out I was pregnant with her the day after I did the London Marathon in 2006. So she's our little runner bean or Beanie for short! She, like the cats, is a little monkey and definitely the boss in our house! She always makes a beeline for my knitting and and loves to pick it up and shake the needles out of it!!! But I love her so much!!

Purl City Yarns

2007-10-08T04:33:00.001-07:00

This week I am going to be working on setting up my etsy store as well as developing my blog.

I have got a logo for the store but I still need to photograph my skeins which still need reskeining and develop my etsy store page..............watch this space - purlcity.etsy.com

Did I tell you that I really like to dye yarn?!!!

2007-10-08T04:28:00.000-07:00

Some experimental efforts with new colours and my first attempts at photographing yarn for Purl City.....

............the yarn needs reskeining but I wanted to see what my yarn would look like with mock

up ball bands!!!

I really like to dye yarn

2007-10-08T04:24:00.001-07:00

Some recently dyed yarn.........Chunky Berries and Chunky Strawberries

Beautiful baby girls

2007-10-08T04:20:00.001-07:00

I'm currently working on these Mason Dixon baby kimonos for three little baby girls who have just arrived.......it is a simple but really cute pattern............instead of Peaches n Cream I'm using pure wool that I dyed myself, hopefully they will keep the girls warm during the frosty season!

Summer Spice

2007-10-08T04:15:00.001-07:00

My niece and I dyed up some wool especially for her.................we called it Summer Spice and this is what we made................

Socks!

2007-10-08T04:09:00.000-07:00

I like to knit socks.......................here are some..............

More stash

2007-10-08T04:07:00.000-07:00

And there's more................

My stash

2007-10-08T04:03:00.000-07:00

Behold........my mountains of yarn! Told you I was obsessed....I don't think the pics really do it justice!

Here we go!

2007-10-08T03:47:00.000-07:00

Hiya,

Welcome to my new blog all about knitting, wool, dyeing and the like.

I used to blog about marathon running but I got pregnant and since having my baby girl my trainers have been gathering dust in the shoe cupboard.

I took up knitting again at the beginning of 2007 (I'd not knitted since school), as a form of relaxation and since then I've become embarrassingly obsessed!

I not only knit every day but also have a huge stash of yarn, patterns and needles.

I also dye my own yarns and am in the process of setting up my own etsy store called Purl City (www.purlcity.etsy.com)

I intend this blog to be a place where I can post up pics of my WIPs and finished items as well as my progress with Purl City. And of course, a place for my random rantings and ravings!