Snow Rabbits

My mum and I went to Church on Easter Sunday morning leaving Graeme and my Dad at home. When we came back we found invaders in the garden.

Elephants and Yarn

Last weekend Isabella turned 1 and in celebration of this I knitted her an elephant from Ysolda Teage's Elijah pattern. I used Rowan Cashsoft DK. I really enjoyed knitting it and unlike most knitted toys there was very little seaming to be done. The stiches for the arms and legs were picked up from the body so there's no chance of them falling off from too much love. I think I might knit another.

While in Beadnell I started spinning some merino which I bought from Scottish Fibres. It is a blend of colours, the colourway is called Spring and it does remind me very much of some of the spring flowers that are around at the moment. I feel like there should be a green and yellow colourway to go with it. The first 2 skeins ended up a heavy DK weight, but the third skein which a finished at the weekend ended up much lighter. I'm not too worried by it. I think the first two will become a scarf and the last one a pair of gloves which actually works out quite well.

I am finding that as term goes on I am getting more and more tired and less able to concentrate on making things. I feel much less creative as I result. Yesterday I decided to bring out the long neglected boring marathon projects I've been hiding from. Maybe I can finish my hemp cardigan before it gets warm enough to wear it. Wish me luck.

Knitting Retreat

Last weekend was our second annual knitting retreat in Beadnell, Northumberland. Despite one of us not making it through various confusions, and one of use having to go home early due to illness I had a lovely weekend. It was really relaxing to get away from work and spend some time with friends in lovely surroundings. As last year I completely forgot to take any pictures of people doing stuff. Here is Frobisher having a cheeky pint.

We did a bit of exploring.

On Saturday afternoon, Becca, Deborah, Glenda and I decided to go for a walk on the sandy beach without thinking about the tides. We had some interesting scrambles across sand dunes.

Another FO I forgot about

Noro Silk Garden Lite scarf for Kay (I didn't want to blog it until after she'd got it). I bought the yarn at Ring O'Rosie at the coast and got the pattern free. I did love the colours.

FO

I'm a bit behind with my posts, mainly because I've been lazy about taking photos. I finished this jumper over a week ago and haven't got round to taking a photo till now.

The pattern is Tubey from Knitty, without the stripes and the yarn is Jeager Extra Fine Merino Aran. I'm still not convinced that this is the most flattering jumper shape for me, but it only took a couple of weeks to knit so it's got that in it's favour. It's also very warm and comfortable. I knitted it on long DPNs, which was an excellent alternative to circular needles for someone like me who knits with one needle under the arm.

I also never mentioned being visited last weekend by my good friend Caitriona from my Leicester days. It was lovely to see her. I miss my friends a lot. Here she is in the stocks in Hexham.