Wednesday 21 January 2009

knit knit knit

I've joined a local knitting group, and my first meeting was on monday. Plenty of serious knitting, tea, chatting, and advice and guidance on knitting socks. Bliss! I am the youngest member by..oh, getting on for twenty years I should think, so that translates as lots of experience to tap in to. It's my mission this year to knit socks. Well, that's the plan. So lots of useful tips and how-tos have been filed in my memory.

There's something very relaxing and restorative about knitting - the gentle rhythm, the repetition, my lovely Brittany needles. And as for the yarn....
I think I'd be quite happy piling it into a beautiful bowl and just gazing at it, and stroking it.


This is wool classica by manos del uruguay, which I combined with two strands of kidsilk haze in pearl and cream, to knit my version of the purl scarf from this book. It didn't work for me on 10mm needles, so I downsized to 7mm, and knit a long skinny scarf in k1p1 rib for my beautiful niece as a christmas present. And I've no photographs of the finished scarf either. In fact, I failed to photograph everything I knitted for presents.

I'm wading through paperwork and accounts at the moment, and a few rows of knitting before bed restores the equilibrium beautifully.

13 comments:

Pipany said...

Hello Diana. Yes, still wading here too and feeling increasingly sick of it! Desperate to get back to sewing and knitting...anything creaive really. I so agree with you about wool. Isn't it just made to be piled up and admired? Shame no pics of the presents. Like the idea of combining yarn which i haven't thought to do. Halfway through a pair of fingerless mitts for myself, so perhaps I will use them as therapy too! xx

Simone said...

I think I am going to be a wool convert as there seems to be so many types around these days. As I child I remember the 'wool' seemed to be garishly coloured and was either itchy or made of nylon or something! I am looking forward to seeing all the socks you make this year!

Simone said...

Me again! I forgot to say in reply to your comment on my blog: yes, I did know that Elspeth Thompson has a blog but only discovered it a few days ago. I think I will be visiting often.

Anonymous said...

Hello Diana
Knitting groups are such fun, I've been to a couple and enjoyed myself very much. I like the idea of putting yarns together although I haven't had a go as yet.

Pippa xx

Niki said...

I love those knitting needles, I've never seen them here in Canada. The book looked good, and fortunately my library has it, so I've requested it.
Have a great day, from one "wool junkie" to another.
Niki

kristina said...

That is so super you've found a knitting group! I still haven't managed to find one near enough to me. Perhaps I need to start one in Teddington? Knitting is so much fun with coffee and cakes, tea and biscuits, and friends to chat with... K x

Anonymous said...

Just be warned. When you get to the heel and do - and SEE it you will call out to everyone you know "look a heel" I knit a heel. You may be tempted to run in the streets to call out to the whole world. A knitted heel, especially your first is a wondrous thing.
I can't wait to see yours (x 2 of course!!)

Tilly said...

Thanks for your good wishes Diana, I'm feeling a wee bit better today. I admire you making something in 1x1 rib. I love knitting but I hate doing the ribbing. I made my first pair of socks last year and I loved it. My mate bought me a 'vogue history of sock knitting' book and it's fabulous. Can't wait to try something a bit more complicated than the simple pair I made.

Ali said...

I've found a knitting group - at the moment, there are only 2 other folks in it, but from little acorns...

A time to dance said...

Hi Diana...as you know I am the sock woman..mad mad mad about making socks on ebony needles...there is something so relaxing about knitting in the round..last night I stood with my wool under my arm knitting away while I watched the students perform...bliss.....happy knitting H..
ps have you tried the self patterning wol it makes you look so clever as it comes out with lovely patterns.....

dragonfly said...

I just knitted a beret using a strand of Kidsilk Aura - what a difference that thinnest of thin strand makes to the finished article, doesn't it?
T x

Aqeela said...

I think i found your blog a while ago through Pipanys blog, ive been catching up with your posts recently and have really enjoyed your 'observations' photos.

To me Cornwall is one of the most beautiful places in the world and so i love to catch a glimpse as often as possible. My dad lives down there and i just cant wait to go and visit him again.

I hope you enjoy the knitting club, id love to join one, but i still cant knit yet!

Aqeela xx

Anonymous said...

How wonderful to have all that experience around you! It is one of my goals to knit socks this year too - I need to get on with it rather than just talking about it. Good Luck `- I look forward to seeing the fruit of your laboursx