Oliver Boliver

(Not) Knitting and a pattern spoiler

If you've been following me on Twitter this last week you'll be familiar with the theme that has been building. I have not been knitting. Pardon? Yes - you heard it right.

I. Have. Not. Been. Knitting.

Why? I have no idea what I've done to my poor little wrist but it has been really painful since last Thursday to the extent that I actually put down my sticks last Thursday night and called for some knitting time out. Now, that's a fairly extreme measure in any knitter's approach to niggles in your hands. But according to the physio I may have a carpal tunnel problem or more likely to be tendonitis and compulsory rest is the order of the day.

Boo - hiss to both of those ailments!

So instead I tweeted my knit loss (left handed of course) and received some brilliant suggestions. @MrsMagic suggested that I use the time wisely to organise and reorganise my knitting and everything knit related. @JeanetteSloan and @Mochynknits both suggested reading material. @Patologica suggested creating patterns by memory. Prizes for funniest suggestions definitely go to @Knittingtastic for learning to knit with my feet and my friend, Anthony, on Facebook who simply said I should just drink wine (or should that be 'more' wine!). Haha!

I thought I'd give them each a little try (especially the wine suggestion!).

~ Knitting with your feet - I don't think will catch on but maybe I just didn't try hard enough! (I've spared you a picture of my feet; no-one needs that kind of visual abuse.)

~ Organising my knitting got as far as getting out all my needles and borrowing Mr C's micrometer to measure unlabelled DPN's and plop them in one place. (Do needle companies conspire against us by not labelling DPN's? Makes me very cross as I'm not very organised and hardly ever have a full set in any one place! Maybe MrsMagic has a good point!)

The micrometer is brilliant for measuring DPNs by the way and you can pick them up on evil-bay for a couple of quid. I think this one may not be returned immediately to Mr C as it is Far Too Handy.

~ I did successfully manage to order some knit related reading material or rather knit porn as I like to call it which I'll blog about in the next few days. Some reference, some patterns, some just plain funny knit-lit.

The main conclusion that I have drawn over the last week is that I am most definitely a "knitter" and I love to knit - A LOT! This is no surprise to anyone, I am sure. What was a big surprise was how much of my day is spent knitting and the huge hole it has left now it has gone! I am very lost without my knitting and feel positively lazy simply watching tv without the familiar click click of needles and the feel of wool, alpaca or otherwise running between my fingers. 

Ironically, just before my injury I had pledged that I wasn't going to knit anything until I finish my next toy. I was about 6 rows short of finishing him before the injury struck! Grrr! I suspect it will be a few more weeks until the pattern is finished so as a little treat - here he is in his full, albeit unfinished, glory...

Meet a nearly finished Mr Pheasant Plucker Esq. 

I'm hoping to get him finished asap and I'll keep you updated on progress as my wrist gets better!

Hope you enjoy the weekend and get lots of knitting in!

Pen x

Sock Knitting

I've got a little confession. As it's a Sunday, it seems appropriate to tell you all about it. I have an addiction. It's knitting ... socks. Ever since my daliance with Artesano's Hummingbird DK range on holiday last year I seem to have developed a full blown addiction. 

Like with all addictions you have to have the right tools. I first started with metal 20cm dpns which were fine to begin with but found that I kept jabbing my wrists. A switch to a set of 15cm bamboo dpns would sort that irritation. Unfortunately non-knitters think you are using toothpicks but what do they know...

Then you have to pick your poison. I love to knit luxury alpaca socks in a DK weight. The yarn slips gorgeously through your fingers, the DK weight means that they fly off your needles and when you finally pop them onto your feet you just wish for a cold spell in the weather. 4ply or fingering is great for detailed and more lacy effect socks but requires a slightly longer term commitment.

Then you need an enabler. Something that will facilitate your addiction; take it to a new height. Pick your pattern carefully so it has enough to keep you interested but not too much that it gives you a headache. Sock knitting + headache = UFO* (*UnFinished Object) Guaranteed! I have enough UFO's in my knitting bag and do not wish to increase the tally with an impossible pattern. Ravelry and Knitty have some lovely patterns. Do try not to drool over your keyboard!

Here are some of my recent additions to my sock knitting stash:

Regia Arabesque in Grenada

A self striping 4ply sock yarn. Hardwearing but soft enough not to feel scratchy. 

I cast this yarn onto my needles last night using Monkey by Cookie A. It's available in the medium size on Knitty and should look like this:

 

Image courtesy of Cookie A and Interweave Knits 

 

This gorgeous yarn from Fyberspates also caught my beady eye:

Fyberspates Scrumptious 4ply Sport in Purple

This yarn is just gorgeous and has a beautiful shimmer to it. 

I have Clandestine lined up for this yarn. Another Cookie A pattern and again also available on Knitty.

With a bit of luck and hopefully no headaches it should look like this:

Image courtesy of Laura Kicey

Finally, and my absolute favourite a lovely skein of Artesano:

Artesano Hummingbird DK in Woodpecker

A really yummy soft yarn which has such vibrant colours.

My plans for this yarn will probably involve a very simple 2x2 rib which feels so comfy on your feet unless I spend some more mis-spent time browsing Knitty and Ravelry! 

Pen x