Gadgets ahoy!

Went up to Derbyshire again, to swap my CSM for a slight upgrade (an Imperia). The ribber on the Cymbal was too turny-twisty and it meant you could only ever rib with a really fine yarn - any more than that, and it hung up between the cylinder and ribber dial, and disaster ensued.. The seller was happy to exchange it, and I got it ribbing perfectly with Trekking XXL, so I am a happy bunny! It is all set for that yarn, so I shall probably try not to fiddle with it much now (apart from changing tensions occasionally).

I had a few spare hours to waste yesterday afternoon. The house is in uproar at the moment, because we are redecorating the office (small box room), so I don't have access to my PC (Knitware!) or printer/scanner or camera cable. So although I knew I wanted to knit something, it would have been almost impossible to draw up a garment because I think my swatches may have been stored with some of the office stuff, and anyway, no access to a PC :/ I'm not using a calculator on a sunday afternoon, ha!

So I decided to play with a few gadgets I've picked up lately and never used. First off was the RT1 transfer carriage (for Silver/Knitmaste std gauge machines). Now, I did have one of these way back, but could never get it working, so I sold it on Ebay. It later transpired my bed adjustment was all out, thanks to a sponge bar that was damaged at one end (it got damaged when I tried to insert it in a Vogue machine I was doing up, it was a suggestion I wish I'd ignored!). So when another one turned up in the estate sale I am doing, I figured I could at least give it a second chance. And guess what? Works perfectly! So I have made a donation for it.

Second up was the Passap tricofit device - a casting off tool not unlike the Brother linker, which never seemed to work for me. I must have picked it up on Ebay yonks ago and then never used it. Well, I think it may have dropped one stitch, but it was pretty good actually! I think some more practice is needed, but it made a decent cast off.

Oh, I should mention, I spent 30 frustrating minutes previous to this, trying to get the E6000 to get past error 200 - fluff on bed. That machine is so damn picky! Argh! It needs to be clinically clean for the electronic eye to do its stuff. I've also started used a simple cast on I learnt at Metropolitan - it always works, and is far less hassle!

Lastly the U100E transfer carriage. I just wanted to try it out, but it wasn't very successful, it did say it required a stretchy yarn and I was using some kind of cotton, so that probably didn't help, but dammit, sometimes I might want to use cotton! Argh!

Oh well, 2 out of 3 ain't bad! I spotted a page about U100E maintenance in the Passap Paramedic book, so maybe it just needs a little TLC...

Knitting mojo struggling a bit ATM - a few things have stalled, and I wanted something simple to work on, so I cast on an eyelash yarn scarf last night. 10 sts, 8mm needles, garter stitch, no concentration required whatsoever. Perfect.

Random pics plus cat

Lace shawl hand-knitted by TommysMum.

Isn't it gorgeous? I don't think I really have the patience for lace - haven't touched the Koigu one for ages! Sold her a standard machine and ribber on Saturday. Got about £600 for charity when the last cheque arrives.




Charity hats, from Natalie's pattern. 'cause sometimes, you just gotta knit, and you don't wanna swatch! The pics are of both sides. Leftover sock yarn and other bits and bobs.


A better pic of the charity scarves the girls at Cov Knit Wits helped me finish. There were a few smaller ones, they went to the Romanian orphanage appeal.


If you're not hungry, falling asleep on your humans stops them moving around so much. Too cute not to preserve for posterity! Oh yes, that is the second cursed sweater of navy lambswool. Took three attempts to get the zip in correctly, and I really ought to unpick the first two attempts. Oh well, he seems to like it!

Long Buckby Knit and Natter Day 2009

4th Annual Knit and Natter
Saturday 17th October 10.30am to 4pm
Community Centre, 41 Station Road, Long Buckby, Northampton NN6 7RW
10.30am to 4pm.
£5 (tickets can be purchased in advance).

Lots to see and do - tunisian crochet, whizzy knitting, guest speaker, lots of MK spares for sale.

Open to all (not just machine knitters!).

More information here

Checking in

Yeah, still breathing, been so busy both at work and at home lately that I've hardly had time to sit down, let alone blog!

Ally Pally was excellent - great building, free shuttle bus to the tube, lots of nice stands. Spent far too much on some Sirdar Crofter (think self-patterning sock yarn but DK), some knitting needle cases from Della Q, some Harmony Knitpro tunisian hooks and two hair slides with Colinette yarn ends decorating them. Took two pics inside the great hall - it's such a lovely building - haven't had a chance to unload the camera yet. There were three halls and a knitted boat in the foyer (well, a coat for a boat - it's seaworthy). Skipped the exhibition side of it, that kind of thing leaves me cold and I find it all a bit pretentious, there were a few gorgeous quilts though. Managed to see most stands I wanted to see - think I may have missed Loop though. Ah well, can't see it all!

Skipped off about 2pm ish and met up with the Cog on Oxford St, had a wander around Green Park and then went out for chinese buffet and Tigertailz at the Borderline, who, 20 years on, are still kick ass. Got back home, pretty shattered, midday Sunday.

Got zip for the Cog's troublesome navy jumper - might take it to college tomorrow and set it in then, seeing as I will need the teacher's help in reducing the waist on the skirt I'm making and it might take a while for her to get around to me. Working in Holland again for the latter part of the week so all MK is off limits - still slogging along with Tori. Assuming I get back at a decent time Friday night I'll be at the Long Buckby day on sat, demonstrating socks.

In progress: Kimi

Rowan bamboo
Originally uploaded by steel breeze

See, I said it was boring!

Bad karma

Finished up the navy lambswool jumper (to replace the shrunk one) and when it was finished washing it seemed absolutely sodden. So I put it on a long spin - which felted it slightly. What can I say, but, whoops? Ran out of yarn anyway, so half of the right arm is in a slightly different shade of navy. This jumper is cursed, I tell you! Fits ok but is smaller than I intended. Oh I am such a doofus!

Horrified to discover a big hole in the DB patchwork cardigan last night - the one with all the cables, that took me a year to make? I wore it Sunday and don't remember catching it on anything. I have leftover yarn, I can darn it, but it's so depressing!

Battling the winter blues somewhat at the moment - my free time is as packed as ever, but a small voice inside wants to stay indoors and curl up by the tv. Don't worry, I'm fighting it!

In progress: Knit-look top

100_2977
Originally uploaded by steel breeze

This is the back. I'm probably going to make it into a cardigan and not a jumper.

Scarves

100_2980
Originally uploaded by steel breeze

Turned a lot of that yarn we won from SK into scarves - I think there are 8 or so in this box. Made them on the chunky machine, and the girls at Cov KnitWits helped me weave in the ends on Wednesday.

Thomas couldn't resist investigating! He gets to claim anything left on the floor for 0.5 seconds apparently :)