resuming transmission in 3, 2, 1...

And we're back!

first up, I'd like to say a big thankyou, both for tolerating a post so out of character for this blog and for being so supportive about it. Now I'm not saying I never winge, but that was really... big for me. And I was fully prepared to lose friends over it. But I was going to give myself an ulcer not getting it all off my chest. And I am both surprised and cheered by the general rally-around. Really, I know some amazing women, I really do. Just such a pity that the odd few can leave us all looking petty.

Ok. /shake it out\

Knitting!
First up. Lovely Bec from work won a promotion at another school so I had to whip something up for her. Sadly, the divine creature has a most unfortunate allergy to wool and some other animal fibres... so I had to spike the creative fires. (she faints if she wears wool!)
And I dyed some Zhivago (50% Tencel/ 50% Acrylic) with some cotton dyes I've been experimenting with. And knocked up a 'my so called scarf' with it. She was thrilled. I also made a little flower brooch out of the same yarn but neglected to snap it.
Also failed to snap yarn prior to knitting but did dye another skein so you can perve on that instead. Tis my pet currently.

Also finished my Surplice Bodice Cami from Knitting Lingerie Style. I used Moda Vera Jaclyn (which is basically Zhivago... are we sensing a theme yet?). It fits really well and I love it but it is of course too cool to wear it now. Next spring?

Then in a fit of guilt i thought i ought to recompense my father for being quite instrumental in the transport of large boxes of yarn after previously mentioned attention-lapse on graysonline.com.
So I made him a vest out of Jet. He is very pleased with it (not that you'd know it here) It's for him to wear at the farm while doing all the various things he does (which he really ought to leave to someone younger with two functioning legs). If i were to go by his posing, however, I would assume he does a lot of standing around with something draped over his shoulder. strange man. (Well, I had to get it somewhere).

Then i decided i needed something for me (again) and cast on some socks for bus knitting. Since school went out on Friday I have neglected them but i shall return. They are Oblique Openwork from Sensational Knitted Socks in the Knittery's cashmere/merino sock yarn (Moses Fire). They feel gorgeous and look gorgeous.
Of course my interest in socks resumes after SSoS ends. :p typical. What can I say? I have a short but furious attention span.

I also started the Affair to Remember skirt from Annie Modessit's Romantic Hand-Knits.... You know, the saucy one on the cover? I am using red Zhivago (again, you cry?) and am powering through. I am not wholly convinced that it's a happy chappy. One of those things I wont know for sure until it's cast off, blocked and worn... with the right shoes. Wish me luck?

And not to be bored... now I'm on holiday finally... I'm spinning again as well.
Lush or what!? This lovely merino is going to be plied against some slightly less bright purpley-mauve to make a light 2-ply sock yarn ( i think. So far the fibre agrees but it can become temperamental so be cautious)

Ok, that's enough for now. I've got a skirt to bully.

Peace out,
Ms Spider xo

5 sleeps left

well, i'm past the halfway mark. i was doing quite well up to a point... and then i got some fabulous news and it was just too much that my monkey wasnt here to celebrate with me. so i've been a little contrary, swinging between deeply glum and embarrasingly cheery.
but the news is... i got an early offer of permanency for next year! of course it relies on my completing my course work and graduating and everything but it is just SUCH a relief... but yes, sad to not have him here to be happy with me...

Have been knitting (who's surprised?). Borrowed Vic's camera so i actually have some things to show off :)
firstly, a better pic of my vest. Love. It.
because i finished that i needed another sweater... so i eventually decided on Pam Allen's Wheat-Ear Cable Yoke Sweater from Interweave Knits Summer 2007. I'm using cleckheaton country that i 'won' on good yarn karma. it's not brown like the cable detail and its not as purple as the other pic... stupid camera.
I'm enjoying it. I'm a bit over for gauge but i really wouldnt want to knit this yarn any tighter.. and i feel like i need a slightly roomier sweater for bloated days ;) i'm enjoying it, though it was a real relief to hit the cable charts finally - all that stocking stitch was making me a leeetle crazy.

Oh and my shawl is progressing slowly. this is the silk i spun and it is SO fine, cant get over it. i think this is a long-term commitment WIP.

And i've been doing a lot in the garden of late - it's my baby! i visit my plants several times a day.. does that make me a geek?
today i edged the vege patch with brick-things. I've done this to my flower beds but hadnt got to the vege patch until today. it was a bit of an effort (bloody hot today!) but i'm glad i went through with it - it makes it so much easier to keep the grass out and the veges in. and it looks purdy. ignore the slightly uneven height of the edging... it just shows where i was impeded in my digging by the presence of trees ( we have these weird ornamental pistachios that i'm never sure how to prune.. fact is i'd like to take them out. why plant something if it doesnt make nice flowers or something you can eat? not even decent shade? weird)
and yes, lots of my veges have gone to seed. so much easier than buying more seed really... self sowing lettuces are a godsend in summer...

anyway, i have to go knit a front piece and two sleeves before i get to do the fun cable yoke-y bit so i'm off. thanks for all the kind words.. i'm ok. just missing my geekier half, you know ;)

Peace Out,
Ms Spider xo

in-vest-ments

Well.. in four short days... i have a vest.
i love it, it is beautiful! the pattern is genius, the yarn is perfect... swoooon!
sadly i have to borrow vic's camera.. and it's blocking in a dark corner.

but voila!
yes, its washed out and all.. but you gotta feel the love ^_^


and this is the result of some bus knitting i've been doing.. not the only pair, you always need baby stash, right?

thanks for all the lovely comments... i'm ok. feeling a little fragile and all.. and the bed is too cold. got used to that great lump of a boy didnt i? it's his birthday tomorrow which is making me sad... we should be going out for sashimi and drinking nice wine. instead i'm at home, eating kitchen-cupboard-mix-up pasta and studying. yerk. at least he's having a good time right ;) ?

Peace Out,
Ms Spider

my bonnie lies over the ocean

So on friday my monkey left for Ireland. For two weeks. i know this probaby makes we sounds really wet but.. that's a long time. in a year we've spent maybe 6 nights apart and since i moved in only one. and that one night sucked.
so it's fair to say i'm a little out of sorts. getting my ravelry invite helped a little.. except that he's got my camera and i want to upload my entire stash :p

I also cast on two items in two days (i blame monkey). The Handsome Triangle Shawl from Victorian Lace Today in my own handspun silk and the back-to-school vest from Fitted Knits in Jo Sharp silkroad DK tweed. sadly these photos were taken before 8am Friday morning and are not accurate depictions of the projects nearly two days later.

guess i'll have to hijack a camera at snb tomorrow!

I leave you with pictures of veges from my garden... all since long digested but as i still have brocolli to pick and carrots to yank they count still.. right?


the carrots were hugging :) i had to pry them apart.. that tail-y bit on the one on the left was wrapped around the one on the right! i love my garden, even the veges get one well together ^_^

Peace out,
Ms Spider xo