Old Maiden Aunt

I have just added some Old Maiden Aunt hat kits and handspun yarn to the shop. This yarn really is wonderful. Handspun and handdyed by Lilith in Scotland, it is supersoft and has a real depth of colour. The hat kits are great and each contains three charms which relate to the theme of the yarn. You are not just buying a hat kit here, you are buying a piece of art!

Just in case you need further persuasion, here is a photo of the handspun skeins.

One Down, Two New .....

I have now finished daughter Lucy's new jacket. Picture shows her modelling the garment. Unfortunately she was having a bad hair day and didn't want her full photo shown. Looks good, though doesn't it?

It was quite enjoyable to knit, although did get a bit tedious, especially when a good bit came on the tv and I forgot to change the knit, purl in the basketweave pattern. There is shaping at the waist on this and it does make it sit nicely. As mentioned in an earlier post, this was made in Sirdar pure cotton, not pleasant. The yarn splits endlessly and I thought it was poor quality for the money.

By the way, you might want to know why I am using yarn that I am not selling in the shop........ Well, the answer to that is that I am trying to destash. This may take several years as I am as equally enthusiastic about buying as I am about knitting (more probably).

I am, however, using some shop stock for some socks I am making for a friend's 50th birthday. A keen walker, it seemed a good idea to knit him two pairs of socks using the lovely UK Alpaca Sock yarn in moss green, and a pair in Easyknits Jacky. This was several weeks ago. Unfortunately we have been very busy lately, starting the shop, visiting elderly relatives, having parents and children to stay and trying to get out and walk, plus, of course, finishing the above jacket. All in all, I have knitted almost one sock , and frogged the same. His birthday is 8 April and the parcel needs to be with him by the 4th. Chances? On a postcard please.......

Hipknits Yarns

We have just taken delivery of a Hipknits order and will be putting it up in the shop over the next few days. There are lovely silks, sock yarn, cashmere laceweight, aran silk, all in beautiful colours. The photo below is just a little hint of what is to come.

Easter Bunny

This week, our daughter came home from Uni for the Easter holidays and brought her friend, Cameron. He, in turn, brought his pet rabbit ......



Cute, isn't he? He is a Nabaztag, and I immediately fell in love with him. Basically, you plug him into the mains, link him to your computer and then off you go! You can programme him to do lots of things and he will talk to you and be your office friend. Cameron kindly left him in my office and occasionally the rabbit would announce things. He told Ian, one morning, that he wanted to join a choir! He gave us his 'affirmation for the day', announced the time, read out the news headlines, rotated his ears, did his Tai Chi and said silly random things when the mood took him. He also flashed his lights on and off every now and again.

Unfortunately, Cameron has now left for home and the rabbit has gone with him. I am now trying to justify the £90ish cost so that I can have one of my own. More expensive than chocolate, but less fattening don't you think?

Great British Yarns

I have mentioned a couple of times that we have sold our family business, and we have been wondering what to do next. Well, this is it! Great British Yarns our new online store. After some extensive searching, selecting, ordering, checking stock, photographing and web building, we have finally finished the store.

Our concept is to sell yarn which has either been produced or finished in this country, thus cutting down on yarn miles, support local industry and indeed, rural industry. We think it is very important that small and/or rural businesses are encouraged and with such a wealth of fantastic yarns available here, it seems a shame not to buy them! We have also included a few accessories such as buttons, notecards and stitch markers that have been hand made here.

Anyway, hope you enjoy the site - and that you make a Great Big Order! Any feedback will be gratefully accepted.

I am a completer/finisher

Just look at the various projects I have completed. Aren't I efficient? Haven't I finished lots of projects, yes! Do I still have lots of projects to finish - yes!

Anyway, let's have a look at what is now done and out of the way. First up, a slipover for Joe's friend. Pattern: a King Cole sports top, stripes: my own, colours: Steve's (the recipient). Modelled reluctantly by son, Joe. He made lots of comments 'It's ok but I don't want one, thanks', was only varied by 'It's ok, but I'm allergic to wool'. OK Joe, I can take a hint.

Next up is the scarf for Mother's Day. I am pleased to say the recipient of this, (Mum) was much more grateful and gracious. I enjoyed knitting this, as it wasn't too taxing and I found I could count small numbers if I concentrated hard.

I like it so much, I thought you should see a close up.

I know, it wasn't a very difficult pattern was it? And my husband took a photo of the wrong side ....

I have also finished two jumpers..... Both for children, the blue Jaeger pattern together with a tiny green one with cables - pictures below:



That's it so far. Still working on the green jacket for daughter and then I might allow myself to start a new project.

By the way, the title of this post reminds me of taking some sort of Belbin test when I worked at a college some years ago. It was considered highly desirable for staff to be completer/finishers, sadly, I wasn't one of them, I think the test was in two parts, but I only managed to do the first!