So much to do, so little time

Where's the week going? It's already Wednesday evening and I am getting behind on my 'to do' list. I'm currently knitting a scarf in a sparkly commercial yarn that I won from 'Let's
 Knit' magazine (pictured below).

 



I am also making a pair of knitted boot slippers. The progress on those is a little slow to say the least.

I've been busy this week because I got a Christmas job at one of our local supermarkets, and I have been on my induction this week. I'm now trained on the checkouts, and think the next four weeks are going to be rather busy! It's all good fun though, and gets me out of the house and meeting people.

On Saturday I am going to set up a stall at Lancaster Library at their craft fair. I'm hoping to sell loads of things - people want Christmas presents, right?

What a week

Well what a busy week I've had!

Monday was a 13 hour shift on a 50 bedded ward - and at the end all I had left was scrambled brains and throbbing feet - oh, and some very well and happy patients.

On Tuesday I had an assessment centre for a Christmas job - very interesting, and I was offered the post - start next week.

Wednesday saw me trying to catch up with things in general. Just the daily routine things like getting more meds from the doctors etc.

On Thursday I attended a WiRE network meeting. I met some really interesting people and have some more ideas for developing my business, as well as some potential suppliers and customers. Thursday, as regular readers of this blog will know, is also Knit Night,and I travelled the 34 miles to and from the event, and we had cake - it was scrummy. I also sold some more handspun, so I'm happy.

Today being Friday was a 240 mile round trip to Harrogate to the knitting and stitching show. I'm sitting here now broke, happy, but brain dead. All my senses were stimulated at the event - there was a riot of colour and a plethora of sensations - beads, fleece, yarn, materials, and thousands of people. I could only stand it for a short while, but did manage to catch up with UK Alpacas, Knit n Caboodle and Eden Cottage Yarns. It was great to meet people and put faces to names. Hopefully next year I too will have a stand there...

OK - as you will have guessed from the state of my week, I haven't managed a lot of spinning or knitting this week, so that's where I am off to now........

Another great knit night

I simply love knit and knatter. Our group is only 2 weeks old, but already I feel as if we have known each other for ages. We vary in ages from late teens to seventies. Where else would you get such a wide range of ages, with something in common.

We are making a variety of different items, and our skills range from absolute beginners to very experienced knitters and crocheters. I love that we can inspire and pass on our knowledge in this way.

 

One member tonight showed me a picture (above) of a jumper from a film called "The Killing". They were inspired by this, to learn to knit, and create some beautiful items. I find it really interesting what inspires people - for me, it's scenery and weather that I often use for inspiration, sometimes it's a piece of artwork or even a yarn itself that will inspire me as I am spinning.

Question to you, dear reader, what inspires you? Please leave me a comment and let me know - do you get inspiration from odd places, or even find it hard to be inspired?

Smitten with socks

I'm making items for a flurry of craft fairs I am due to attend over the next few weeks. I bought some self-patterning yarn from my local yarn store (LYS).

I'm doing them in a range of sizes - baby and toddler shown below...

Cowl complete

Well folks, the cowl I started yesterday is now complete...

The pattern was fairly easy - and I know it will be toasty warm to wear for whoever buys it. The ceramic button I bought at a recent craft fair from Tile Productions in Clitheroe, Lancashire.

I now need to complete a pair of socks and start on the knitted slipper boots that I have been promising to make. I also have some commission spinning to complete too. I just love this job. It's a pity it took me so long to realise what I love to do - but on the very positive side, at least I realised it eventually and now I get to knit and spin every day - what more could I ask for? I just love love love creating with wool!

Saturday update

Well the purple yarn became some lovely fingerless gloves that have already been sold and have gone to a good home. They created some interest and I have also sold a pair in natural grey.

I'm now making a cowl from some yarn that I bought as a trial from Purely Wool in Lancaster. I'm going to top them off using a hand made button from a Clitheroe Tile Company called 'Tile Productions'. The colour matches beautifully.

 

I just love the creative process, and in particular combining items to make a whole look like this. ....

Owch - again!

So, I spent this morning at the dentist's again. And where better to go afterwards as a treat? Yes, my local yarn store. It's called "Purely Wool" and is in Market Street in Lancaster.

It's not been open very long, but the atmosphere is great, the owner friendly and willing to listen to your views and opinions, and it's rapidly becoming my favourite place to spend time - in fact, tomorrow is Knit night, and so I'll be going there again - and hopefully with some knitting in tow!

I bought a pattern today for King Cole double knit slippers - and I think I will use my hand spun to knit them with...

I also bought some aran yarn to knit some baby jackets with and a new yarn called Riot Chunky. I love the autumnal colours and whilst this is only 30% wool, it feels gorgeous. Pictures to follow...

On the handspun front, I have spun up the purple that made my hands stained, and to be honest, I rather like it. The only problem I'm having is getting an accurate picture that reflects the colours...

 

Believe it or not - the purple is actually a deep royal colour, as is the blue... maybe once it's knitted up it might be better shown

Dyeing delights

OK - so you saw the results of my dyeing on my fingers - I thought you might like to see the results on the fibre now... what do you think?

I also spun up a deep purple roving but it's not photographing well. Will spin it and see if that makes a difference. I know my hubby would love a scarf in deep purple.

Frenetic thoughts

After a dismal day at the craft fair, I have spent the evening trying to work out a plan of action for the next few months. This led me to thinking about my customers, who they are and where they're from.

I find it amazing that my readers are from the following countries: United Kingdom, United States, Russia, Germany, Australia, Greece, Latvia, Netherlands, Norway,  and France. I'd love to know what you think about my ramblings. Is there anything you'd like to know about knitting or spinning? Please do leave me a comment or even follow my blog.

My hand turned purple!

Ok, so after the fairly successful dyeing of the silk (see recent post), I decided it was time to dye some yarn. Big mistake - huge!

I thought that purple and blue would be nice, with an added violet. It isn't, however, a good look on hands - I only put one glove on, so my left hand now looks like this....

Still - the yarn looks good - I made 4 skeins. I hope to start spinning with them in the very near future - as soon as the fibre is dried.

Creative pixies at it!

It's been a busy week in the workshop. I've been trying to replace stock sold recently during wool week. I have also been trying out needle felting again, so my latest offerings are a couple of needle felted shopping bags. I'm also going to add several skeins of beautiful handspun yarn to my shop tomorrow. I've really enjoyed spinning them. Pictures to follow. Next event is on Saturday at Churchtown.