Crap, I've run out of room. Seriously, I've knitted so many jumpers, cardigans and tanks these last 5 years that my drawers are overflowing. Underbed storage is at a premium and when you factor in all my other clothes you get a serious storage problem. So, my only resolution for 2007 is to come up with an effective storage solution. I'm trying to kid myself that a simple rearrangement will free up 50% more storage!!

Pattern: Lara ver.2
(from Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk book)
Yarn: Yarn Warehouse aran

The yarn had been knitted before and I've knit the pattern before so it was a perfect combination. The yarn had previously been Beatriz. from the same Debbie Bliss book but the yarn bloomed after the first wash so it was too big but it was also far too warm to wear - it'll be much more useful as a cardigan. I just need to run the steam iron over it as the bottom keeps curling up and I think I'd better put in some more practice in where's the best place to out the kilt pin.

I've got 2 other FOs to show you. I've been so busy knitting I've hardly bothered about christmas so no cards have been written yet (I just can't seem to get any enthusiasm for it this year).

If you've got a spare half-hour why not listen to "How to Knit A Poem" which explores "The links between knitting, poetry and the wider world".

Pattern: Charm from RYC Classic Style Book 16
Yarn: Phildar Brisants (discontinued)

There's one thing that you can guarantee when you take an indoor shot using the automatic timer - it'll be out of focus. I thought this cardigan looked ok in the mirror but I should have waited until it had been washed and pressed before making it's debut on the blog. I predict lot of wear for this one.
This pattern was not my favourite from this book but I had enough yarn in the stash for it and it also didn't need buttons. I always have problems finding buttons that I like.

It's not even the middle of November and I have an overwhelming desire to make of list of what I want to knit during 2007. This year has been the year of the cardigan - I've got two more on the go that should be finished by the end of the year. I was going to write how the only jumper I knitted this year is in the process of being ripped back when I thought I'd better look back at what I've knitted this year and realised that I have knitted 3 jumpers this year. Does anyone else forget what they have knitted? So should I have a theme for next year - like knit all the patterns I like from Rowan 28, or broaden it to knit only Rowan patterns or only RYC patterns or only Interweave Knits or Vogue. One thing is for sure I am going to have a great time going through my patterns!

Here's the other cardigan I knitted during my 6 month blogging break:



click here for full size image - it removes the squiggles

Pattern: Onza from Rowan Magazine No 28
Yarn: Patons Gold Diploma DK


This was more stash yarn and is the same shade as my Must Have Cardigan which btw now has much better buttons.

Onza has been on my 'To Do' List for the last 4 years and I'm glad I finally got around to knitting. If it wasn't in garter stitch I would easily knit this again. I forgot how long a garter stitch garment can take to knit. I keep on meaning to to put a couple of stitches to anchor the collar down. I know I could tryingpressing them with a steam iron but I don't want to 'kill' the acrylic content of the yarn. I've worn this cardigan lots since I knitted it.

Rowan 28 is definitely my most used knitting book/magazine issue. I've knitted 4 projects from it and there are still some more that I want to knit. What's your most used knitting book/magazine issue?

Everyone else seems to have done so why not me?

48 things you could care less about

1. First Name Linda

2. Were you named after anyone?
No. I'm the first and only Linda on both sides of the family.

3. When did you last cry?
Can't remember which is amazing as I'm terrible for blubbing at things on the TV. Obviously I'm not empathising with the wannabees on Americas Next Top Model. I've been watching re-runs of the first 4 seasons but luckily I've lost interest during season 5.

4. Do you like your handwriting?
It's not too bad. Like everyone else it used to be better.

5. What is your favourite lunchmeat?
Smoked ham

6. If you were another person would you be friends with you?
Why not.

7. Do you have a journal?
No. I've never lasted more than a month at writing one.

8. Do you still have your tonsils?
Yes.

9. Would you bungee jump?
Definitely not though I would consider abseiling

10. What is your favourite cereal?
Porridge made with soya milk and with a handful of currants stirred in.

11. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off?
Yes.

12. Do you think you are strong?
Yes I'm fairly self-reliant.

13. What is your favourite ice-cream flavour?
Vanilla

14. Shoe size?
5.5/6 and that's a UK size

15. Red or pink?
Both.

16. What is the least favourite thing about yourself?
Physical or character wise? My eyes are too small and I'm way too reserved.

17. Who do you miss most?
This is going to sound terrible but I don't really miss anyone. Every so often I'll think about someone I've lost contact and wonder what they are doing but not enough to make me want to contact them.

18. Do you want everyone to send this back to you?
I think just about everyone has already done this.

19. What colour pants, shirt and shoes are you wearing?
Block top, black trousers and navy blue slippers

20. Last thing you ate?
Packet of ready salted crisps

21. What are you listening to right now?
Tapping of my keyboard

22. If you were a crayon what colour would you be?
Navy blue

23. Favourite smell?
Lavender or cinnamon

24. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?
Karen C.

25. The first thing you notice about people you are attracted to?
Eyes and smile

26. Do you like who you stole this off?
I've read countless versions of this meme

27. Favourite drink?
Gin and tonic

28. Favourite sport?
Does hill walking count?

29. Eye colour?
Blue

30. Hat size?
No idea

31. Do you wear contacts?
Yes.

32. Favourite food?
Pizza

33. Scary movies or happy endings?
Happy endings - I'm just a romantic at heart underneath this cold exterior

34. If you could live anywhere in the world where would that be?
Mull is slightly ahead at the moment

35. Summer or winter?
Either as long as it's not raining

36. Hugs or kisses?
Bring them on!

37. Favourite dessert?
Bread & Butter pudding

38. Who is most likely to respond?
Don't know

39. Least likely to respond?
Don't know

40. What books are you currently reading?
"Alone" by Admiral Richard E Byrd

41. What's on your mouse pad?
It's a Cat Protection one with a brown tabby holding a computer mouse in it's mouth

42. What did you watch on TV last night?
The Maltese Falcon

43. Favourite sounds?
The sea

44. Rolling Stones or Beatles?
Can i pass on this I'd rather not listen to them

45. The furthest you have been from home?
Hong Kong.

46. What's your special talent?
No party tricks here.

47. Where were you born?
Ayr

48. Who sent this to you?
Absolutely no-one.

Just because I happened to be wearing it this morning:



Didn't realise the sun was directly behind me but you can still see the pattern.

Pattern: Sirdar Pattern Booklet 289 Design G
Yarn: Yarn Warehouse Aran

This was a real p.i.t.a to knit.It wasn't mindless stocking stitch that I could zone out on and rattle through while watching tv. I had to concentrate but the cable was not complicated enough to engage the brain so it turned out a rather boring knit. I would knit once piece and then take a break of a couple of weeks and then knit another. Each piece was slow going as I was so bored. Another thing I didn't like about the pattern was that the collar seems to start too far from the neck - I prefer mine a bit snugger.
If you haven't used Yarn Warehouse wool before it grows in the wash. I should have known this from experience and knitted the size down from the one I selected then I would be happy wearing it over a t-shirt.
Overall, I thing it turned out alright. I wanted it to be worn as a jacket rather than a cardigan.

So I've had 6 months away from blogging you would think I had a pile of knits to show off. Well, the sum total was 2 cardigans and 2 pairs of socks. I'll show the other cardigan next time I blog.

I've been enjoying myself over the summer with weekends away. I was away on holiday last week. The weather was pants but I had a great time. Here's where I stayed - nice and remote:

Oh, look it's been nearly a month since I last posted. Must be time for another finished knit:

This is Forecast from Knitty which I didn't like at first but when I saw this version I thought I've just got the yarn that needs recycling for this. First it was used in Remembering Honey, then it became Grace and now it's become Forecast which I think will be it's last incarnation. I could have done with an another inch on the body but I'm all out of yarn but as it's 100% cotton I'm expecting it to fall once I've washed and blocked it.

Now I've just saw another one with shaped sleeves and I'm liking that as well.

Getting ready for summer:



I managed to use up some of the ebay stash. The yarn is Lane Monterosa Delfino. I didn't have enough to make a tank (I know because I tried last year) so this is a modified version of Bliss from the latest rowan. I might put some ties on it I think I've got enough yarn left. I did have a button on it earlier and a button loop but it did not look right so that went.

Jumping on the bandwagon about 6 months after everyone else:



I'm knitting the "My So Called Scarf". I'm wishing now that I'd cast on another 10 stitches but it'll have to do 'cos I'm not ripping it out.
This year i'm planning to knit of my stash. My stash is full of odds and sods from ebayso look out for lots of little projects over the next 6 months. Got to get rid of it so I can go out acquire a grown-up stash.

Let me introduce you to Frances. Frances was formerly known as Balmoral but never felt happy with the way she looked. As a result of extensive surgery she's now much happier:

She's a bit on the large side as I was in between sizes so I decided to err on the larger size. I know from experience that this yarn seems to shrink with every machine wash so hopefully it'll fit me after a couple of washes.

Meant to post this on Sunday but a chronic 4 day headache meant that I didn't feel up to switching on the computer in the evening when I got back from work. This photo is nearly a week old:

since then I've finished the back and done 6 pattern repeats on a sleeve. I just discovered tonight that I made a massive error 3 patterns back on the sleeve. I did what had to be done and ripped back. Couldn't face the thought of reknitting again tonight so it's off to bed with a book.

Just managed to kill my photo-editing software but here's the finished pink jumper using the recycled yarn. Let's hope it's third time a treat:

The left sleeve is sitting funny in the photo.

Yeah for broadband (especially when it's being paid for by work).
Yeah for working from home one day a week and being able to do a bit of knitting during the day.
Boo for drinking so much tea that you're going to the loo every 20 mins.
Boo for not having enough yarn to make three-quarter sleeves on the pink jumper.

A bit of recycling going on. From this (my bra straps kept showing) and this (not comfortable showing so much belly) to this:



doesn't the smallest of some of those balls make you uncomfortable. I'm thinking of all the ends I'm going to have to deal with. I'm just planning on a simple jumper with set in sleeves. The length of sleeves is going to depend on how much yarn I have.

Bang goes one of my goals for 2006 which was to knit less and free up time for some other activities. Here's my adapted Beatriz which was one month in the making:


I used 800g of Yarn Warehouse aran in the Denim colourway. I highly recommend this yarn, it's excellent value for the price. The pattern was easy to adapt - I just continued the raglan shaping up to the neck. The only negative point is with the sleeves - it's too wide at the top I could have done with missing out the last 2 increases.

I've been wanting to post about these for a couple of days now but at this time of year I have to wait until the weekend until I can get to take photos in daylight. Of course, today has turned out to be a grotty, overcast day so I still need the flash.

Koigu socks from JStrizzy:





They are a perfect fit for my skinny ankles and this type of heel also fits much better than a heel flap. Can't you tell I'm very pleased with them.