The Kindness of Strangers

A while ago I joined a knitalong group. The pattern called for Knit Picks yarn, who sadly refuse to mail to the UK. Out of the blue, I had an email from a fellow blogger offering to get hold of some of this elusive yarn for me. The deal was done and the other day my parcel arrived. I could have gone really mad and ordered loads, but felt I ought to show a little restraint. Enjoy ....

Memories - 100% Merino Wool - Redwood


Shimmer - 70% Baby Alpaca/30% Silk - Maple Leaf


Alpaca Cloud - 100% Baby Alpaca - Stream


Thank you for your kindness Kat. You have made me one happy knitter!

Wot No Wool Shops?

I'd checked on the internet before we went on holiday to see if there were going to be any yarny suppliers near to where we were staying in France, without any success.

Imagine my surprise when I spotted a familiar Phildar sign across the square from where we had parked in Matha, a town not 10 minutes away from the house we were staying in.



Frustrating! The scenery was stunning and everywhere we went, there were acres of Sunflowers



and even more acres of row upon row of grapevines



On the last day of our holiday, before we headed back up France towards our ferry at Boulogne, I spotted another green and blue sign in a lovely town called St Jean D'Angeley



Doh! Despite yet another wool shop for sale, St Jean is very pretty. Here's a view down one of the main streets



We also spotted this shop which made us chuckle for ages!

We're Baaack!

Well we actually got back on Wednesday evening, but I've been so busy catching up with everything else, I've only just got around to blogging.

We had a fab time, went to loads of interesting places and of course sampled just the odd local wine or two.

Our favourite day out was to Palmyre Zoo at Royan, on the coast. I'm not normally a fan of these sort of places, but this one was superb. All of the animals were so well looked after and we were able to get a lot closer to many more than you can here at home. The animals also looked so content and didn't have that 'caged' look that they seem to have here.

Here are some of my favourites...













I also fell in love with this guy...



who had a great party piece...

Are We Nearly There Yet?

Yarn - check
Needles - check
Pattern - check
More yarn in case first project gets finished on the way down there - check
Spare needles - check
Better put a couple of knitting mags in - check
Yet more yarn in case I change my mind - check
List of local sources of yarn - check

There. I think I've got everything.

We leave for Haimps in France at 5.30am tomorrow.



I'll tell you all about it when we get back. x

Hair today - gone tomorrow!

I took the plunge yesterday and had a MAJOR hair cut! We're going on our holidays on Monday and I fancied a change. I didn't realise just how much had been chopped off until I looked at these pictures!

Before



After



On the knitting front, I've just finished the gusset increases on Baudelaire and have started the heel shaping. I've never knitted a toe up sock before and find the process fascinating. I'm trying to figure out how the heel is worked - it's better than a good thriller! I really should get out more!!




I should be packing but can't seem to get motivated apart from deciding what knitting to take - if I don't pull my finger out soon , I could be wearing a half finished sock and half a stole all week!

Progress...or not...

Yesterday I was storming ahead with Baudelaire and got as far as the heel. I then sat back and found that I'd made a mistake at the third pattern repeat and it stuck out like a sore thumb. A quick trip to the Frog Pond was called for and today I must muster up the enthusiasm (and find the time) to get back to where I was yesterday. Ho Hum..



Here they are being modelled by Catherine who can't wait for them to be finished.

Caught Bungle somewhere where she shouldn't have been yesterday -



We had Dave's boss round for dinner and to stay the night yesterday and Bungle nipped into the spare room for a quick snooze!

Baudelaire

Today's the day Liz and I start our little knit-along. We both fell in love with these socks when they appeared in the latest Knitty.



I've chosen a really subtle colourway for these as I think anything too wild will lose the effect of the pattern. The yarn is Fleece Artist Merino Sock yarn and the colour is 'Rose'. I'm using 2.5mm Brittany 5" dpns as my weapons of choice.

These socks start with a figure of 8 cast on (they are knitted toe up) which I have never done before, but wasn't too hard.







I'm now working on the increases and should hopefully get to do at least one pattern repeat this evening.



PS Does anyone have any idea why there are so many fish sites cropping up in my computer's History???

My Name is Zippy and I am .......CUTE!

Pssst! Thought I would just nip on the keyboard whilst the people who keep my lodgings nip out for a mo. I've not been featured for a while and thought it was about time we were re-aquainted.

I've not really been up to much lately - I had a scrap with my sister the other morning and scared off next doors Tabby. Oh - I also did a bit of Catnip earlier and got really smashed!



I think this is my better side 'tho, don't you?



Ooops - better scarper - sounds as though they are back. Byeeeeee!

Another quick pair of socks..

My August Sock Club yarn arrived from here and I just had to cast on!

They knitted up really quickly and here they are being modelled by Helen.





If you fancy giving lace socks a go then this is the one to go for. It's a two row pattern that is easy to memorise.



Other knitting news.... the Hanging Garden Stole is continuing to grow. I'll post pictures of it once it has got a few more repeats worked.

I've also signed up for a couple of yarn swaps and am deciding what to buy for them.