A Pun on Sweeney Todd

I can't think of one. But suffice to say I went to see it in the West End last night. Who knew Imelda Staunton could sing? It was very good and the staging was as entertaining as the singing.

It'a been a slow week craftwise chez byrne. I've been catching up after SkipNorth and things are pretty busy at work as well. Then the parents and sister plus fiance came to stay both nights this weekend in my one bed flat. Cue spatial thinking along quantum levels to ensure we all fitted in. On Thursday when I should have been cleaning the bathroom I was distracted by this on Pinterest.

Source: theworkisgettingtome.blogspot.com via Alex on Pinterest

Of course it didn't quite work out that way. I left mine the second time for about half an hour and the yarn was dyed up to about 1cm in. So I skeined it and then chucked it back in the dye pot with a load of emerald and aquamarine. Then I forgot about it and let it boil way too high for too long and this is the result.

I'll make some vanilla socks to see what happens.

When I got back from SkipNorth I finished and blocked the 3/4 Hap Shawl.

It's not as big as the photo on the pattern suggests unless she is maybe moomin sized. That would explain it actually. I do adore a ripple stitch and am very pleased with the colours on this. And the texture.

Nom.

In its place I have cast on the Camber Cardigan in Rowan 4-ply soft on 2.5mm needles. Yes, this is going to take quite some time to complete.

I love the yoke although having almost finished it I'm not crazy about the instructions. I've ended up winging it on the edge panels as I can't see how the chart relates to them and if there isn't a knit row and purl row missing between rows 32 and 33 the pattern was rewritten after the model was knitted.

The next week is going to be very busy with a work event in Sheffield. But then it is the weekend and what is special about this weekend?

Yeah. It's Wrestlemania on Sunday. I am     *so*     *freaking*     *excited*. I have a WWE photo special planned. If that doesn't make you keep coming back to this blog then nothing will.

Books 2012, #7-10

Clicking on the pics will take you to the relevant Amazon page.

#7 Blink by Malcolm Gladwell

This is a *brilliant* book. It's hard to put it into a genre though. It is clearly non-fiction but it's not science, not exactly psychology and definitely not self-help. Sociology maybe? Its basis is that we all make split second decisions based on social norms, past experiences, recent experiences and any number of other things. You know that feeling when you know someone is lying but rely on what they've said? Or when you've cast on and know it's going to be too big/small but carry on anyway? Trust that instinct! The author explains where these instincts come from and gives case studies from professional sports, orchestras, policemen, psychologists and more to illustrate his points. I found it riveting. If you have enjoyed anything like Oliver Sacks or Freakonomics you will enjoy this too. Also if you are interested in people this will definitely keep your attention.

#8 Murder on the Prowl by Rita Mae Brown

Yay! Mrs Murphy is back! The cat with a plan. The moggie who has a foggy (as in "doesn't have the foggiest" - possibly an english expression...or possibly just my mother). This one is actually quite hard hitting with a teenage pregnancy and various other activities but it's a good read and keeps you guessing until the end. If you like murder mysteries solved by cats then you've got to love this. 

#9 Death at Bishop's Keep by Robin Paige

Somewhat out of order I finally read the first of this series. Really charming! I wish now I was reading them in order. Very well observed characters portraying women and men at all levels of society during the period. An interesting crime. Interesting but not too overwhelming domestic dramas and a nice bit of scandal and romantic intrigue. A very satisfying mystery without being in the least bit a "woman's" book. Although it probably is. 

#10 Victorian Lace Today by Jane Sowerby

I am aware that I have arrived very late to this particular party but I found a copy at the library last week and picking it up for an idle flick found myself quickly engrossed. I hadn't realised how much interesting text there was about shapes and designing. I don't do much lace but this was highly inspiring. Yes, some of the things do look like tablecloths but others are really divine. Even if you don't do lace I'd recommend splurging a pound or whatever yours charges for a library reservation. Definitely worth a look. 

SkipNorth 2012

I've been trying to find a picture that sums up this year's SkipNorth. I think this might be it.

The intensity in Kate's regard as she works out if the yarn is skinny enough (technical term) for her needs is evident. Then there is a hint of elbowing about to break out on the left as the British Breeds display came to general attention. This is Coldspring which is just one of the many places we visited. It was, in my humble opinion, a very good SkipNorth.

There were new experiences, such as the amazing County Alpaca Farm.

This was quite amazingly informative and fascinating and they were so kind to us.

Then there were the more familiar sights, such as Winghams.

Nic and I even fitted a sneaky visit to Bonds as well before the main holiday began...

A rare treat!

This is all surrounded by beautiful Bronte countryside.

And my haul? Modest, by the standards of previous years. A few skeins and balls of wool, already logged on Ravelry. Some lovely fabrics...

The blue and the art deco ones are destined to be skirts. Both came from the amazing Bombay Stores along with some other notions and sparkly delights.

One or two cards of buttons and some patchwork packs from Bonds.

A mere 20g of amazing handspun from Winghams which my photography skills have succeeded in robbing of all its glory.

Don't ask me what I'll do with it. Just *adore* it I suppose.

Those of you with more time than sense will find all my photos here. I'm tempted to just go on posting them endlessly but I'll restrain myself.

Nic and I have taken the rare step of looking into dates for 2013 already and will be rejigging the format as this will be our EIGHTH SkipNorth - amazing to think we've been going that long and also a lovely reminder of how long Nickerjac and I have been friends. We've both seen quite a few changes during that time but SkipNorth remains a delightful constant (at least when I forget the organisation that needs to take place before we get there to make sure everything opens and arrives and happens when it should, that no one goes into anaphylactic shock and that everyone has access to volumes of tea, coffee and cake that would make Kirsty Allsop weak at the knees.

One more photo - she was my favourite.

So cute!

Lorra Lime

I'm knocking back ginger beer with fresh lime juice. Oh yeah. I know how to live. Except my second one was a bit too strong on lime and a bit short on ginger beer so with each swig I do the kind of facial contortions people with facelifts claim are good for toning your nose. I do this while making final preparations for SkipNorth for which I am now on final countdown. Expect many photos of alpaca, wool, knitters and more next week. Until then...

My crazy patchwork letter case has progressed. It puckered a bit but otherwise...

Cute huh? I'm now hand embroidering where the fabrics join.

My main achievement though is undoubtedly Resin Part Two.

Doesn't it just want to make you break down and thank god you are a WWE fan? I cut all those little pictures out of my WWE Magazine myself and glued and sealed them into the bracelet blank before letting it dry and then mixing and pouring the resin.

You know I've been wearing this one with pride.

People still tell me they can't understand why I like WWE so much but hell - there are woman my age that collect My Little Pony or have season tickets for football teams. This is just my little quirk. PLUS you can knit while you watch.

Brilliant.

Meep meep

Here are the irish ladies socks. I think my photography skills are getting worse.

The pattern is almost like a mock cable when blocked. Very sweet and lovely to wear. Yarn is Artists's Palette Smootherino . Lovely to use. Project on Rav here.

I'm now about a third of the way through the 3/4 Hap Shawl - so maybe I'm actually about 1/4 through the whole shawl? (Maths joke) (kind of). I dithered about the second yarn and have gone with this orangey red one I got from a seller I met on twitter.

Details of yarns and pattern on Rav. The Solstice Yarn (red one) is a relatively thick fingering weight and has a lovely woolly, bouncy feel.

I thought I'd have a go at some distractions other than knitting. After the success of my resin experiments a few weeks back the bracelet blanks I ordered duly arrived and I poured my WWE bracelet last night.

It's not fully cured yet but I am rather excited about it. I'll describe who is who once it's done. I also had a go at a bit of hand stitched crazy patchwork last night. It's for an old fashioned letter pouch to keep my correspondence in.

I used whatever small bits I had left over - including some Liberty swatches Purlpower gave me in a swap. These swatches have been so useful in lots of projects and are not something I ever would have bought myself. It just goes to show how swaps can introduce you to something new. I also used them in a couple of xmas presents I'm not sure I ever blogged about.

I made these little sewing sets for my sisters out of used pasta sauce jars by adding a little pincushion to the tops. Neither of them do more than sew on the occasional button so I thought these were more than sufficient for that. They each contained a little felt needlebook with their initials embroidered on. I wish one/both/either were crafty - but then I guess they'd just steal my stash. Swings and roundabouts.

Time Flies When You're Going Through It

Slight pause in blogging there. I had another 'depressive episode'. Or in layman's terms - went a bit loopy for a bit. As a result I am now mid-med-change and having therapy again and so on. One of the silver linings of this particular black-dog-shaped-cloud is that I am spending weekends at Mater's. As an example of the joys of staying there here is the cat giving us the quintessential money shot.

She's no lady.

On my most recent stay we went on a jaunt to Wiveliscombe (pronounced will-less-coom, I think, who knows) and found a place very similar to Liberty in London.

Inside, a staircase ran around what seemed to be the inside of the walls all the way to the ceiling. But then when you ventured up there were lots of tiny rooms all packed full of pretty fabric and kooky furniture. It felt like a house from Bramley Hedge. The coffee shop was very nice too and you should have seen the cake selection.

On the way there and indeed on my way pretty much everywhere I took pictures of clouds.

This isn't for the cloud jumper I will one day get on with. Oh no. For about 5 years now I've had an idea of a fairisle based on the colours of clouds and landscape and have been taking pictures accordingly. The first time I remember doing this was on the way back from a long distant SkipNorth with Nickerjac. I have quite a collection now.

I've been doing a lot of comfort type knitting - here are the socks in all their glory which I finished two weekends ago.

I've since done another pair which reside on my tootsies right now but of which photos there are as yet none. I've also just cast on the 3/4 Hap Shawl this evening and am using some Old Maiden Aunt in Bramble as the first colour. I haven't made a shawl for...I can't remember when I last did actually. Have a feeling it was a p-hop patterns about 3 years ago. I've had this one queued for a while so thought I'd give it a go.

My Mum has had these patchwork placemats since before I was born.

I adore them and have always had it in mind to copy them. I tried a few years ago but it didn't work out. It might be time to consider having another go. The finishing on them is just beautiful.

2 Good, 1 Not Bad and 2 Ugly

Let's at least start with the good - these are the soles of my first pair of fairisle socks.

I started them almost a year ago and finished one before casting on the second and then putting it away. I've almost finished the second in the last 4 days. I'm not crazy about fairisle socks because you lose the stretch (at least, I do). But I have enjoyed making up the pattern on the soles as I go along. The main pattern is a chequered heart thing which I'll try to take an in focus shot of at some point.

The other good is that I fired up the embroidery machine and did this to my dressing gown.

The blue pen round the outside is water soluble tailors chalk type thing and I just haven't washed it off yet. I made it as big as it would go which isn't very big because it is one of the presets, but I still rather like it. I used some variegated thread I had stashed away. I love blues and greens. Sadly the good...

...also brings us to the bad...

I'm clearly ok with the stabilizer that goes over the top of fleece or towelling but not ok with the one that sticks to the back of thinner cotton. Made a hole in my summer dressing gown :( But hell, it could have been worse.

Our other 'ugly' contender is rather more annoying. My beloved Minnie the Minx jumper.

In my head: "Hey, you know one of the reasons for doing jumpers in the round is so you can try them on as you go along?"
Me: "Yep, knew that."
IMH: "So why then do you keep leaving it til almost the end before trying things on?"
Me: "Er...."
IMH: "Is it because you are reinforcing the schema you have built around your self-image since 2003?"
Me: "Woah, getting a bit personal there."

...and so on.

As a rough estimate I would say it was 20% too big. Maybe 25%. That's a lot of "too" to the "big". Fuck.

So that just leaves the 'not bad' which is the finished Fairisle Jumper.

I used applied i-cord around the armholes and neck and it looks very nicely finished. It wouldn't have worked if they weren't steeks as it would roll but it lays very flat as it is and I'm pretty happy with it. Of course - being me - it is slightly too big and slightly too short but hell, it wouldn't be me if it wasn't in some way faulty.

I've felt a bit odd the last 36 hours or so. I went to my assessment for therapy on the NHS yesterday. Going over all the back history is always a downer - and this was the whole back history back to childhood, not just the divorce stuff - and then she told me I did need therapy but there was a three month waiting list. It's already been a three month wait to get the assessment. It's just another set back. "Just". It's put me off my stride though. I had a couple if dates lined up from Match but I cancelled them as I felt too stressed to try and be normal in front of anyone. I was thinking a lot about Pooch again and also about "Religion for Atheists" which I am reading at the moment. Alain de Botton talks about the innate desire to have someone look after us, whether it is a god or a person. Not necessarily like a mother, although there are "Mary" figures in most religions, but more like having someone to listen to you and tell you it will be ok. Thank god for Angry Kitty.

Otherwise I really would feel like I was on my own.