Happiness is...

I normally write on this blog about knitting, yarn, my projects and any finished items that I have made but recently I have done more thinking about knitting than actually doing it.
Not planning projects, yarn or designs but really thinking about what this "hobby" means to me and if I want to take it further and make it more of my life than it really is.

I recently went to a talk by Karren Brady, Managing Director of Birmingham Football Club which was called "Playing To Win", the name also of her current book. She said - "Work is only work if you would rather be doing something else"; she takes no sick time and hardly any holiday and is by all accounts a business superwoman. Well, quite frankly, I would rather be doing something else when I am at work the only problem is I am not sure what yet.

What I do know is that for me knitting is pure happiness. The big question is, however, is that because I do it in my spare time and it's something that I choose to do? Would it be pure happiness if knitting, yarn, needles, patterns etc. were my life's work?

I've never thought I was a creative person. I failed miserably at art at school, can't draw for toffee. The job I do is in a creative industry but it's a logical methodical job. Funnily enough, I only got back into knitting in the last 2 years after a 15 year hiatus because it helped me give up smoking! Having said all of that I do think that what I do is creative in it's own way and I want to do more of it.

Now I am more confused than ever..... I need someone to point me in the right direction... Is anyone out there??

One down, one to go

Also finished sock 1 of the Gentleman's Evening Sock and started on the second one. This patttern is pretty slow going as it's such a HUGE sock. I also swapped halfway through to new DPNs but they are faux ivory and are so wobbly and bendy that I might have to swap back to the metal ones. They're making my hands ache!

Pomatomus Blue Finished

Finally finished Pomatomus Blue! I have to say I didn't really pay much attention to the pattern on this. I got a bit know-it-all and in some places they are a bit wonky but I love them anyway.
I forgot how great Lucia is to knit with - so smooth and silky on the needles and the colour is fantastic.

Norf London

Tickets arrived today for the Kntting and Stitching Show in a couple of weekends time at Alexandra Palace. Normally the only time I go there in the year is for the huge fireworks display they hold there every year. It's always chaos on that evening - with everyone jostling for the best view around the trees that have inconviently grown up in the way - but despite the chaos, it's the best fireworks display in North London. Not only that you can also see all the other displays South of the Palace streatching all the way to Croydon.

I have finished the first Pomatomus sock and started on the second before I get second sock syndrome. I find that if I can get to the heel turn before I get bored then it's all good and the sock will be finished. If not then there is no hope for it! This pattern is quick to knit up so I hope to be able to finish these this week and then move back onto the Gentleman's socks (still have the second one to do).



This shows the sock in it's true colours.

Pomatomus

Using the yarn I frogged from Clessidra I started and finished the first sock of Gentlemen's socks for evening wear from Nancy Bush's Knitting Vintage Socks. The sock looks huge but fits like a dream and is nearly knee high!

For a bit of light relief and because I have new DPNs I also cast on for Pomatomus in PY Lucia "Beachcomber". The "scales" look like sea waves in this soft blue colour. (Apologies for the poor quality of this picture)

I've also booked tickets for the Knitting and Stitching show at Ally Pally in a couple of weeks time. Due to work commitments I can only make the Saturday but I am really looking forward to it. Bringing along a non-knitting friend who is big into her textiles - she's an art teacher that makes brilliant ceramics using Aran/cable jumpers to create the patterns on her pieces. I am going to be knitting some samples of different patterns for her to use - a great combination of needlework and pottery!

Not Enough

There wasn't enough yarn for the Clessidra stockings so I frogged them last night.... So disappointing as I had come so far in the first sock but I don't think I would have had enough to complete even one sock :(

The upshot is that I have no inspiration for this yarn now - it's a lovely rich colour and I want to make something to wear for the autumn but I am stuck in a rut!!

Clessidra Stockings

Cast on for the Clessidra stockings and ended up knitting all the way to the first decrease round. It's wonderful to see the cables appearing before your eyes. As always I am worried that I won't have enough wool to complete the project but I am ploughing on regardless and using slightly smaller needles than the pattern calls for hoping this will compensate... Why don't I just swatch before I begin??? I am also really loving the colour of this Emily yarn - its a rich purple and pink - a perfect choice for this pattern I think.

Molly was (as always) enjoying sitting RIGHT on top of my pattern - why does she always have to sit on whatever I am trying to read?

Bayerische and Lime Finished!

Bayerische 1
Originally uploaded by charleyfarleypie

Finally finished the Bayerische socks. I really enjoyed working on this pattern. The tiny cables were really satisfying and the way the rib cuff flows into the pattern and then into the heel looks fabulous.
Another great thing was that they only took one skein of Lucia so I have another skein of this Zingy colourway to make another pair of socks!

Cast on for the Clessidra Stockings in Emily Soprano and all is going well - just set up the pattern. Pics to come!

Strike!

Because of the tube strike in London I am working from home today. What a joy this is - I wish I could do this every day. There's nothing like working in your pyjamas!

Bayerische socks are comimg along a treat - I really like this pattern - it makes you think but is very soothing at the same time. Working the tiny cables are very satisfying in their own way and the yarn is (yet again) lovely.

I've also started thinking about the Clessidra socks. Have the yarn (more Lucia) earmarked and have the pattern in front of me. Question is: Will I acutally get any work done today :)

Molly and the Frog

What a beautiful bank holiday weekend! It's so lovely to have some time off and I am determined to finish the first Bayerische sock. Trying to stay away from the Posh Yarn sale today but the lovely colours up there keep calling me back.
And on a non-knitting note - Molly found a frog in the garden yesterday and bothered it until it croaked off into the pond - at least it's safe there!

Bayerische and Lime

Bayerische WIP #1
Originally uploaded by charleyfarleypie

Here is a pic of the current project. Bayerische socks by Euny Jang. They are really fiddly but good because you have to concentrate on them and that takes my mind off all the other crap going on at the moment.

Popped into a new (ish) yarn shop in Kingly Court on the weekend called "all the fun of the fair". Really small but lovely with the cutest knitted cupcakes! Bought two skeins of Opal sock yarn - I like to support!

Everyday a new mag seems to pop through the door so I am busy planning my winter projects :) Loving the "Tilted Duster" and "Luna" dress from Interweave Knits.

Also taking delivery tomorrow of my new Apple Macbook tomorrow - too excited! I actually had a dream about it last night :)

Moonbeam

So here is the finished Moonbeam for baby Eloise. It's so tiny - I hope it will fit her - she's probably grown so much since I last saw her.

I'm now trawling the books and mags I have trying to find a simple tank/camisole to knit up the coral coloured Lucia I have here in the stash.

Any ideas welcome!

Charleston

Just to prove that I am actually working on Charleston here she is in all her glory! I have to wind the remaining skeins now - boring job!

Back to reality

So I am back! What a fabulous holiday we had. The weather was as wonderful as you would expect from Greece in July. Really hot but with that sea breeze that stops it becoming too humid.

Here's the view from our balcony







And the beach:






I also managed to get some projects finished while I was there (well one actually finished).



Forest Canopy Shawl in Posh Yarn Emily

Quick to knit and in the Stormy Sea colour way will be great for the winter as a scarf. I did cause a bit of a kerfuffle around the pool though when I got my needles out. It seems people are intrigued by someone under the age of sixty knitting! I got to educate a few people on the "hipness" of knitting!

Also started and finished one of these Embossed Leaves socks in Vixen Lucia.

Problem was that the first sock took alot more yarn than 50g. Maybe my gauge was completly off. I finished the first sock in any case just to see the pattern emerge.

Next up I am finally going to finish Sadie and the Charleston. But not until after I've been to the shops. Procrastinate? Moi?!

Somewhere in a field in Somerset

So we are back from Glastonbury. It was wet, it was muddy, it smelt bad but it was brilliant!! I had such a fantastic time - watched and listened to lots of great music - much more so than if it had been sunny all weekend.
It is good though to be home in the dry and to be clean.
4 more working days until Greece! Bring it on...

"Working from home"

I am working from home today as I had to take my fluffy puss Molly to the vets to be shaved! All I can think about though is how much knitting I could have got done today if pesky work didn't get in the way! Pics of the new improved shaved Molly to come!

Stash

I catalogued my stash yesterday. What an epic task! I didn't realise quite how much yarn I actually had. Nothing really that I can make much but socks out of though which is a shame as I think I am coming out the other side of my sock obsession.

I have plans to make this with some purple Debbie Bliss Cathay in Purple. Will it work out??

Blue Jay-walkers in progress

Blue Jay-walkers in progress
Originally uploaded by charleyfarleypie

Finally finished the Oak Ribbed socks - see Ravelry for the FO picture- and started some blue Jaywalkers in Socka Fortissima Cotton. Not sure I like this wool but it is washable at 40 degrees and I am certain they will be very nice when finished. The colour in this pic hasn't come out completely right - they are "whiter" than this (if that makes sense).

Manna from Heaven

Look what just landed on my desk.....Posh Yarn Lucia in Coral colourway..... Yum yum.

The oak ribbed socks are still not finished .....

Nearly done

The oak ribbed socks are nearly done - really they are... just one more nights worth of knitting and I will be there!