Lies on Knitting

Non knitting content followed by More Magic

These days, Saint Nicolas is visiting our country. The roof of our  house was way too dangerous for the old man to ride his white horse on, so we decided to accomodate him a bit. Also, our attic that used to be a dark and narrow space, is magically turned into a large, light room. 

And more non-knitting content: Last friday I knocked my piggy bank with a big hammer and went to buy these two beauties. Now all I need is lot of free time to play with them.

Inbetween looking up fearfully from the garden and happily gazing at my new machinerie, I managed to finish the first sock out of the Magic Ball.  There was an envelope that said "open after first sock" and this is the way I got this sock-blocker. I started the next sock, and found a real treat: a luxurious face mask with eyepads to match. Lovely! But this was during SnB Goes-Nightshift, (Seven knitters turned up! and it was only the second time!) I did not have my camera with me. I do have a hunch about who created this beauty for me... It was you, wasn't it? I LOVE the magic ball you made me! I still have half a sock to knit, but so far I enjoyed all your handmade gifts so much. You are one talented craftslady.

But... I still have to finish the Magic Ball that I have to send. So off to winding it again, the deadline is approaching.

Beachknitting and how to use a crochet hook

Gran Canaria's average daytime temperature is not an inviting climate to knit. Not at all. But as you know I took the Magic Ball, I am a devoted knitter even without this Magic Ball. It takes more than 27 degrees C, a beach or a next-door swimming pool to keep me off it.

I decided to knit my Magic Ball into a pair of mirrorsocks. There might be a reader who thinks: "Huh? Mirrorsocks? What in the world of wool might that be?" Patience, my dear. It will be  revealed in the fullness of time.

Right after knitting the cuff, the first present fell out: a very clever, elegant row counter-bracelet. (MBM, did you make this yourself? it is lovely!) And during the heel flap I encountered a peppermint footbalm that was really welcome at the time. But the present that came out after that really knocked my socks off: A personalized tape measure. On the side it says: Home is where the yarn is. :-)

Alas, on the third day I got really sick. It took me two days to recover in which I did not knit a stitch. It turns out there ARE things that keep me from knitting... but I consider it more civilised not to talk about them. I hoped to have finished the socks at returning home, but it will take a bit longer.

One thing I discovered on Gran Canaria (apart from beautiful flowers all over the place) is a very good use of a crochethook.

You don't see?

This picture is more clear.

Magic! (just in time)

Today, during lunchbreak, Yep called to tell me a package arrived for me, and I was certain it was the book I got as a welcome gift with a magazine subscription. 

But! It turned out to be a Magic Ball! The plan to pack suitcases evaporated in thin air, ofcourse I had to look in the box right away. In it I found a big pack, containing a beautiful card, a round present, a big envelope (to be opened after the Magic Ball has been knitted up) and the Magic Ball itself. Isn't it georgeous? The best part of it, is that the Mysterious Magic Ball winder has dyed this vibrant green sockyarn herself.

As you'll understand, I will take this with me to Fontanales, Gran Canaria. When I'll get back, I am sure I will have finished a pair of green mirrorsocks. Thank you, Mysterious Miss whoever you are, (no, still no idea...) I am VERY pleased with your efforts. It is beautiful.

And now, off to pack for the holiday... where are my shorts, bathing suit, sunglasses, book?

Loose ends and new beginnings

Three is a good number to start a new SnB group with. I remember the first Amsterdam meeting, with Annemarie and Nrrdgrrl, Haarlem started out with three knitters, and so did SnB Goes-nightshift, this evening. It was fun! Judith and Martine -both blogless- turned up and we had a good knit. Ofcourse along with talking, drinking coffee, exchanging ideas and finding out the brutal truth about Superman*. More members are welcome, though!

The Sock for the road is the project that gets the most of my attention at the moment. This means I have time for brainless sock-knitting, but apart from that I am  pretty busy. I manage to spin a bit, I took an ounce of Bluefaced Leicester roving home last saturday, and it is SO good, it practically spins itself. Something different from the Hampshire Down, which I like, but have not managed to produce something knittable from yet. (excuse bad picture..lamplight, you know)

My Magic-ball-swap partner has send me an adorable card, only to make me even more curious... Thank, whoever you are, you certainly brought a smile to a grey day.

The Dutch Yahoo-sockknitters group organised a KnitALong, and is knitting socks that I designed a year ago for a Secret Pal. SP herself was very pleased with them but has not blogged very much since... but the sock is liked by all, which is very flattering! YvonneP testknitted the thing and turned my scribblings in a readable pattern. I will put it on Ravelry and on this blog, but only in December. I think the socknittersgroup deserves a bit of exclusivity.

Tomorrow, my Yep and I will be leaving for a holiday in the sun. I'll be back on the 18th of November.

*Superman is not real....

364 days to go to the next one?

Wow. Still not fully recovered, but happy in extremis, that's me.

Spending a full day surrounded by yarn, talking knitting all day and meeting people I love, what else can a knitter want?

Meeting her (along with absolutely adorable baby) was one of the highlights of the day. I missed all of the contest, but I whole-heartedly agree that the right woman won. I took a class in mastering Briochestitch, hosted by Nancy Marchant, I bought some fun stuff (though not nearly as much as last year) and spend the afternoon around the Storm Op Zolder's booth where I spotted a Real Celebrity buying red sock yarn at the end of the day... I have photographic evidence, which I will not publish here. Instead you see here some Really Nice Though Not World Famous People discussing some sock yarn.  I was thoroughly pooped at the end, but it was worth it. Next year again?

Now, on to the haul. Judith, apart from organising the ride to Rotterdam, arranged for me two cones of superwash wool, that I received right after getting in the car (Thanks! for both!). I bought four colours of hemp yarn because I want to try and knit dish cloths to the Mason-Dixon example. Also some shetland wool from Klaziens Kreatie, to add to the stash. Two  _very_ small balls of cashmere because I needed material for the workshop. And some wool to spin. There... wasn't I modest?

500!

While posting the last entry on lace, I noticed a comment from my Magic Ball Swap partner under the hampshire down article.

This is the 500th comment on this here modest little knitting blog. Which calls for celebration! So after the swap, and after I know who she is, I will send her a nice surprise in return.

The answers to her questions: My shoe size is 38, I really like Bruce Springsteen (going to see him on the 30th of November!) and New Cool Collective (went to see them with Jules Deelder last week!) But also, I used to sing in a "smartlappenkoor" untill I moved out of Amsterdam Neighbourhood

the Last of the Lace

Pfew. I just finished the knitting of Yarn Harlot's Snowdrop shawl. A picture of this glorious moment fails here, due to crappy light and tiredness.

Allthough I like the pattern, and knitting lace is really a challenge, I think I will not start anything like it in the next 75 years or so. I am not the type of woman to wear a lace shawl. And all this work just to keep a cherished piece of lace in a box on the attic... nah.

Blocking will be soon, but after SnB day.  The Day after tomorrow. Yay!