Kool aid Dyeing and progress

I have been having loads of fun with some Kool Aid and Cygnet Superwash 100% wool. When I was in Denver and Vail, I visited a few supermarkets and found an amazing array of Kool Aid colours and flavours. As I had only read about Kool Aid dyeing, thought I'd try my hand at it. So I got the instructions from Knitty and mixed up a packet of Pink Lemonade and Black Cherry. Washed and prepared the wool and painted it into little stripes. Cooked the yarn in the microwave and Voila! I thought the Black Cherry might be more purpley but it's more burgundy.Here is the resulting yarn. When I wound it up, it looked like raspberry ripple. Hmmm, more fun to be had soon.I finally started up Arisaig again. Spent ages doing the ribbing in tiny 2.25 mm needles and finally moved on to the lacework. 2.75mm are huge in comparison. Here's progress after a few nights. However, I'm going to have to put this down again as I'm starting the SKC knitalong. If I've got the time, I'm going to do both . Somewhat Cowl in Debbie Bliss Cathay in black and Orangina in Rowan Linen drape in Shade 844 Watery. Can't wait to start tomorrow.

Hello - I'm back

Hello world. I'm back in sunny London (NOT!) and reunited with the kids!! Hurray, I've missed them so much. Now that I'm back, I've suddenly realised how much I get to spend on knitting and blogging in actual reality ie not very much! A good four to five hours a day on holiday to half an hour if I'm lucky now.

I've made good progress on my ribbed tank except that, I've now that I've tried it on, I need to reknit the cups. Even my insubstantial boobs need a bit more coverage than I've got at the moment. So, more progress on that soon.

On other progress, I've joined the Sexy Knitters Club and will be joining in on the knitalong. I've got stash yarn for both patterns in knitalong Orangina and Somewhat Cowl and I just need to decide which one to do. Or both, which is another option. If I get a moment, I'll swatch and decide!!!

I almost forgot, I've also been to the Stich and craft show at Olympia. I have to say, this show is nothing compared to Ally Pally. However, that doesn't mean I didn't buy anything. (I'll have to show it another time as I've promised hubby I'm not buying any more yarn. Like really!!) Must go, my half an hour is alomost up!!

Missing my babies

It's been 7 whole days since I've been with my babies and I'm missing them so much. This is the longest time I've been away from them. I really miss the constant chatter, the funny things they say, the singing, the mess, even the whingeing and crying! MISS THEM!!!! Can't wait to get back on Sunday.

I thought I'd keep busy to keep my mind off things. So here's what I made in a few hours. A little halter top for Keira. It's knitted in Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in a gorgeous baby pink shade called Pink-a-boo. Hmm the photo is not doing it justice. I'll get Keira to pose in it when I get back. Anyway, the pattern is from Barefoot Knits, a gorgeous book for kiddy knits using Cotton Fleece. I'm going to make a pair of matching shorts. But I must go back to the yarn store in Denver to purchase more Cotton Fleece. The yarn is lovely to knit with, but it has a tendency to get a bit splitty if you frog and reknit. The colour palette is extensive and the cost is very reasonable.
Next up, I managed to find another yarn store in Minturn, near Vail. It's called The Yarn Studio and it's owned by Kathy, the most friendly owner with the cutest dogs. It's a treasure trove of books,patterns and yarn!! I was very well restraint and only bought a few magazines (old Interweave knits and Vogue Knitting) and then I found the pattern for Charlotte's Web. I knew I wanted to make that. So before I knew it, there I was choosing all the different Koigu on display. This is what I chose, but I'm not sure if this is my final decision. Let's wait and see.

More progress

I am amazed with myself! I have made loads of progress with my knitting projects. What a difference not having any children around makes to my devoted knitting time. I have finished knitting the Booga bag and have now started on the I-cord strap. I didn't bring my double pointed needles, so here I am doing them on 24" circs. Man, what a pain!!! I managed about 4" and got very bored. Well, I have a long journey in the car later, maybe I'll do some more soon.

So, I thought I'd start something else instead. I have decided to make Polly's Kiri. It's such a gorgeous shawl. The yarn in Kaalund yarns expression in Waterlilly (just think Monet - beautiful colours- sorry, the colours aren't great on the photo). I bought the yarn at the Knitting and Stitching show last October. After a few false starts, I have managed to get into the groove of the knitting. Knitting laceweight yarn is definitely a skill.
Finally, I started making a little tank top for me with Laines Du Nord Bikini in white which I purchased from Loop (on sale) few weeks back. The yarn is 100% Tactel and is very stretchy. I'm kinda making up the pattern as I go along, so we'll have to see how it turns out. The body is knitted in a 1x1 rib and that's it. I haven't quite decided on the rest yet! Hmm
We leave Denver today to drive to Vail. I'm not sure what the Internet access will be like, but I hope to be back soon.

Jetlag and knitting progress

We arrived in Denver late on Wednesday afternoon in a big snow storm. Not really the best of weather, but we arrived safely to our hotel. I managed to take my knitting needles onto the British Airways flight and started on my Booga Bag in Noro Kureyon shade 92 which I had purchased from Yarnsmith a few months back. I've been really looking forward to this project as it's going to be my first felted project. I managed to finish a whole ball of yarn during the flight and realised that I should have packed another ball. Anyway, here's a progress shot..

I've actually made more progress than the picture because I woke up at 3.30am and couldn't get back to sleep again. After an hour of tossing and turning, I got up and decided to carry on knitting. I never liked jetlag but I don't mind it now, if I can get a few hours of knitting!

I love visiting new places and discovering what's on offer. Like most Brits who visit America, we were quite focused on shopping. I was a bit worried about dragging hubby along to yarn stores because I know he'll complain about the amount of yarn I'll buy and the cost of it. He's already complained about the stash! That's the stash that he knows about, little does he know there are other secret stashes around the house. So secret in fact, that I've don't remember what I've done with a big bag of yarn. Well that's another story.

Anyway, I needn't have worried. I was a very good wife and spent 2 hours in a ski shop while he tried on thousands of pairs of ski boots and spent a small fortune on boots and skis. I thought I'd better take the opportunity to drag him around a few yarn stores, he can't complain. I found Ewenique Yarns and Coppelia's Needlepoint, both in central Denver. Both were run by very friendly and helpful ladies. Here is what I came away with. 2 skeins of Cascade 220 in a lovely chocolatey brown, 2 skeins of Koigu in bluey shades, 2 skeins of Jaggerspun laceweight silk and wool in pale pink (gorgeous) and 5 skeins of Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece (wish I bought more!)The books and magazine which I will show more of soon! There are some gorgeous patterns!! On to more stores tomorrow..

Off to Denver & Vail

Just a quick post today. I'm frantically busy sorting out packing and lists and multiple lists for my trip to Denver & Vail. Originally, I'm supposed to be off skiing with hubby and friends, but since my knee injury that's not going to be the case. So, I shall just be partaking in the apres ski bit. Important things to pack, knitting and more knitting, books and lists of yarn stores in Denver & Vail. I'm hoping to get lots of knitting done. Fingers crossed!

I'm also leaving the kids with grandparents for the week. hurray!! I'm hoping they won't be too sad!

Must go, find yarn, patterns etc......

Ps - if you know any good yarn stores in Denver or Vail,let me know!!!