Weymouth Ripples.

 Can you believe I actually have a completed knit project! Cast on and cast off within a week. That must be a first. Before we set off for Weymouth I wanted a portable small knit project to take, think 6 hrs of potential train knitting. I didn't have anything that would fit the bill so went stash diving and pulled out these 2 yarns.

2 skeins of pure joy. The Perran yarns was a 4 ply silk and camel mix in Ocean Blue, and the skein queen was a  silk and mohair laceweight mix in Oyster Bay. they made an amazing mix. I named it Weymouth Ripples as it perfectly matched the shades of the sea.

This was an absolute delight to knit, very addictive. A simple garter stitch asymmetric pattern Decrease 1 stitch on 1 side every other row, and cast on 1 stitch on the other side every row. It was such a great knit I do plan on another using some more stash, 

Busy living life.

 Almost 2 weeks since my last post and what a busy few weeks its been. What with work, trips and home life I feel in need of a rest. 

We took Stan out for his first run of the year, he did great no major issues just need to make sure we repack him with all the necessities before we head further afield.

Just a local trip To Cheddar.

Rosie enjoying her first trip away this year.

It was then a quick work week before I headed off for a mini break with one of my friends, girls only off on a train to Weymouth

We were only there overnight but had 2 days of exploring. The weather was kind, cold and blowy but the rain stayed away.

Then last night the same friend and I headed out to the theatre

We went to The Old Vic in Bristol such a lovely little theatre. We went to see Waldos Circus of magic & Terror. It was fabulous. It will be going on tour in the south West after it finishes its run here, it might not be everyone's cup of tea but if its near you it is worth considering. 

Now I am looking forward to tomorrow at 5, the end of my work week and a full weekend at home to look forward to. I have a whole list of tings I want to catch up on, blogging and reading blogs being one of them!

Taking Stan off for an adventure.

My non working day happened to fall on Friday this week, a bonus as we planned to take  Stan the Van off for his first trip this year. 

Keeping it local as he's not been away over winter so want to make sure everythings working properly before we go further a field. 

So far he's been happy and is now settled in so we can have a little weekend adventure. I think Rosies excited too.

WIP Wednesday on the go.

 This weeks WIP Wednesday is coming from Norwich. I'm away for work and needed a portable project

I managed to turn the heel last night so these lovely socks may well get finished by the weekend. The project bag was from the knit and natter I went to that Bellica Yarns hosted. Its the perfect size for a portable small knit project and the fabric is fab. Whilst I don't like travelling away from home for work there is something to be said for a solo night in a hotel. PJS on and in bed by 8 watching podcasts and knitting!

The lovely Martin from knit365 . Does anyone else put tape over the camera? stupid I know, too many films watched where people were spied on via the laptop......

Hopefully I shall be back on the train  home just after lunch, but my reading Mojo has returned so knitting may not get one.....

Lost my reading mojo...

Its a sad state of affairs when my reading mojo disappears. I have been feeling so tired I have not had the will to knit or read... although I managed a few lines knitting last night on some basic stocking stitch in the round. 

I have been sat with my book pile for the last week or so, starting some then putting them back, but nothing wanting me to read it. Then, as is usual with Instagram, well for me anyway, I had a book suggestion pop up. Off I went to check it out on Amazon , only to discover that I could read it for free with my kindle unlimited! I had actually forgot that I had a free subscription when I upgraded to my new Kindle.  This could be an issue as I can now have a 3rd list of books to read on kindle unlimited! You can keep these books as long as you are subscribed to the kindle unlimited package. 

So I went ahead and 'borrowed' a book

Into a Cornish Wind,  book blurb from Amazon  below.

Kat Maddox has had her fair share of terrible relationships. And after discovering that her latest boyfriend has been hiding an entire other life from her, it's time for a fresh start.

Accepting a job on the Cornish coast, Kat begins a new chapter in Fowey. She is immediately drawn to the beautiful Cornish landscapes and swiftly an old feeling begins to emerge. Ever since she was young, Kat's had a 'gift' - when her paintbrush touches canvas, she's able to see the history of her subject as if by magic.

Consumed with trying to discover what this could mean, she crosses paths with local sailor, Mac. Though this isn't the first, or the last time, they're destined to meet. As Mac and Kat grow closer, she begins to wonder whether she should open her heart to love one more time...

I think I've been drawn to this as its Cornwall based, has some historical stuff, magic and romance. I'm actually looking forward to reading it if I can stay awake long enough 😴

Ps, Fatigue is from being very busy at work and an under active Thyroid that plays up now and again, I do take medication and get bloods done, its just one of those things and I think I'm having a thyroid blip.  It will pass as it always does.

Snow days

are the best days! especially when it falls on my non working day. It means I can happily mooch around the house pottering and not feel guilty! Sadly there's not much snow and its fast disappearing. Rosie wasn't too sure what to make of it but wasn't really bothered.

I had a fab weekend, friends came for curry night at ours on Saturday  and a Sunday afternoon Knit & natter which was fab. Bellica Yarns  who is local to me organises this and its a great way to make new connections. Especially when they are woolly ones.

Laura also tempts us with some great goodies, this is her wall of wool.... I didn't capture her table of project bags or the other table with more wool and a variety of knitting accessories. I may have purchased a few things. No surprise there then.

Before I knew it it was Monday and back to work. Monday was a go out to work in the main office day and then Tuesday was visits all day. It's been exhausting so I am very pleased to have a lazy day ahead. I plan a morning of sorting stuff, blog included, then a few hours knitting and maybe some book reading. 

Happy Friday and more yarn.....

 Oops, I did it again...

More yarn purchases. My year of trying to knit down my stash is not going well. But........

I really want a blanket for Stan The Van and couldn't find anything I wanted to make. I did contemplate a temperature blanket but wasn't feeling it this year, maybe next. Didn't want to crochet one so it was down finding a knit one. 

Just by chance I came across this one, the Goose Eggs Quilt and quite liked it. Yes I could have made it from stash, but Lay Family yarns are so gorgeous and they have a monthly blanket club so I get a lovely monthly yarn surprise.  I was lucky in that January & Februarys colours were still in stock so I managed to get all 3 months to get me going. I cast on the first block last night and can genuinely say this is going to be a very addictive knit!I appreciate that this is going to be an expensive blanket, but it will bring me joy in the making and using of. 

I always feel a little uncomfortable posting about my purchases, especially in the current economic climate. But I work hard for my money and what I have left for my personal budget is generally spent on saving for weekends away/holidays, yarn and books, the things that give me balance and pleasure. I only post the good stuff as the work stuff is just plain old boring and takes up 4 days of my week. 

WIP Wednesday.

 I caved. I bought wool for a new project.  I could probably have found something in my lovely stash of woolly treasures but I had a vision. I couldn't help it. I did pair it with some stashed mohair/silk fluff so, in theory, I am still working my way through the stash!

Sandnes Garn recycled tweed. In a lovely soft grey. Paired with the cream mohair/ silk mix its glorious.

I've thought about my knitting plans this year and identified gaps in my woolly wardrobe that Id like to fill and this is for one of them. I really wanted a sleeveless pullover. Something for when its chilly but you don't want a full on sweater.

I found this pattern, Vest no 1 from My favourite things.

pic from their Ravelry page

As soon as the yarn came it got cast on

Its looking good so far, knitted top down, this is the back piece. It's knitting up a dream. I think I am going to love knitting this and wearing it.