sp10

I have finally joined a secret pal thing. I've never known how to take part in them before today, but since joining get stitchy I'm finding out all sorts of stuff. So I've filled in my questionnaire and posted it below. Am rather excited and am already planning what I can send to whoever will be my secret pal.

I mentioned in my questionnaire that my favorite holiday destination is Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain. I have just returned from there again at the weekend. Isn't it beautiful? I even went into a yarn shop and bought several lots of yarn from a wonderful spanish lady who was very patient with my faltering spanish and atrocious accent. I forgot what the spanish word is for the number 8, which is rather pathetic!

Anyway, for now,
buenas noches
Ruby x

sp10 questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
love natural fibres, wool, cotton, bamboo etc. Not a fan of synthetics particularly fancy yarns like eyelash

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have jars and jugs some which used to belong to my greatgrandmother, others i've picked up at second hand shops.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? Have been knitting as long as I can remember.I guess I'm an advanced knitter.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? I do, with nearly 100 titles on the wishlist!

5. What's your favorite scent? ooh, boudoir by vivienne westwood and one by Agent Provocateur and Chanel no 5

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? not really, by like chocolate with nuts in.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I crochet, sew, embroider, paint, tart up old furniture. I don't spin.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) alsorts, use mp3 a lot. Am open to most things except thrash type metal and rap. Have been listening to Jarvis Cocker, The Zutons, Amy Winehouse, old blues

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?I guess greens of all shades and hues. Not a fan of lilac.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? No pets, one daughter.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?wear scarves, hats and mittens. Not ponchos.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Sweaters and cardigans

13. What are you knitting right now? a short sleeved sweater based on a 1930's pattern.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? love them

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? both straight or circular. Much prefer bamboo

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? have a yarn winder, planning to get a swift

17. How old is your oldest UFO? Only about a year.

18. What is your favorite holiday? Santiago de compostela in Northern Spain.

19. Is there anything that you collect? knitting books, art books, cookery books, fabric, yarn, clothes, greetings cards, wrapping paper.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? subscribe to interweave and vogue knitting. Would love to get my hands on Adorn mag (can't get in uk). See amazon list for books - its endless. Yarns would love anything not easily found in the uk.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Anything I don't know.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? Knit socks occasionally. Just under 10 inches.

23. When is your birthday? 12th June

My green hat

The get stitchy February knitalong combined with my going through a whole pile of 1930's women's magazines brought me to my own special green hat. It as yet has no name. There are several options but no decision made. The pattern will be available in the new issue of knitonthenet out in March, but i'm so pleased with it I had to show it off. Its made in Jo Sharp Classic dk yarn, which is a standard dk yarn, in a dark olive green, which to me, seems so 1930's. Its made in 4 pieces; the crown is very simply crocheted, the brim is knitted on very small needles to make a pretty firm fabric, and then 2 square flaps are knitted, folded in half and crocheted together to make triangles. Its all then sewn together and voila. The buttons are vintage, from my great grandmothers button box. Any name suggestions will be gratefully considered.

for now
Ruby x

So inspiring

This is the front cover from a wonderful dressmaking magazine from the 1930's.

I'm trying to create some new patterns from the originals but in the meantime I've nearly completed my ultra neat little hat inspired by these magazines. The pieces are all knitted and just need blocking and sewing up then all will be revealed!!!

I need to source a really good supplier of quality fabrics. Its just not easy to get fabrics these days. If anyone knows anywhere - anywhere - that sells beautiful fabrics please let me know.

for now
Ruby x

Had to frog

Just spent my spare time the last couple of days working on a pair of lovely, lacy over the knee, long socks with a 12 row pattern repeat in 4 ply and tonight whilst watching Project Catwalk, and not concentrating I MADE A MISTAKE and you can see it really clearly so have had to take it out right to the beginning as I wasn't sure what row I was on. Damn, Damn, Damn.

So tomorrow we start again. After a trip to my LYS to buy some more yarn. Had done the socks in cream and think that was a mistake too now, so am going to look for a more sympathetic colour, and some olive green yarn for a 1930's/1940's style hat.

Also scanning in some of these great images from my old mags.

Hopefully more progress tomorrow...

but, for now

Ruby x

Glad to be back

I seem to have been away from blogging for ages - which it is - I haven't been idle. Been doing quite a bit of designing that I can't show yet and thats really hard. My camera is actually in for repair which hasnt helped.

Anyway have completed a skirt design for knitonthenet.com which is knitted in the round from the top down to help you check for fit which I'm very pleased with. Have some embroidery left to do on it but can't say anymore.

I have some wonderful 1930's/1940's dressmaking patterns that I'm about to try and adapt to my slightly (!) larger frame and when I have my also broken scanner fixed in the next day or two I'll put some of the original images up.

My other big news in the last week is that my 'paper bag' is definately in Spring Knitty. I'm so excited. Can't wait to reveal that one. The photos we took are gorgeous.

I also have some lovely new fabric which I tried to put on top of my 7ft bookshelves the other day. The bookshelves meet in the corner of a room BUT there is a gap - and the bag of fabric missed both bookshelves and slid right down the gap to the floor inbetween. And there it lies for now until I figure out how to get it out without taking all the books off the shelves. When its free I will photograph it and add it to the blog.

for today, but back very soon this time
Ruby