Should it stay or should it go?

I knitted this sweater by Zoe Mellor in Rowan Handknit Cotton for my daughter a number of years ago..



It no longer fits and isn't really cool enough anymore. I have three choices really: -
1) pass it on - but there is no one who it will fit amongst family and friends.
2) pack it up in a suitcase and put in the loft for safe keeping.
3) deconstruct, recycle and re-use.

My real options are numbers 2 and 3 and as loath as I am to take apart something that was my child's I really feel its worse to lock it away for ever to go musty and fade.

What do you all think? Should I let my sentimental side win, or should I make something new?

I received a wonderful pressie off my beloved a few days ago. This great book about vintage fashion



Not only does it provide an excellent historical reference, images are a wonderful source of inspiration. Its a beautiful book.

I have started working on a new design for knitonthenet using a Habu silk yarn



Photos/swatches to follow shortly.

I was reminded that I had some of this yarn when reading lomester's blog. She has knitted a great version of my Paper Bag pattern. It looks fab. Made me feel so proud.

On the down side, it has rained all day today - all day.

Anyway, for now

Ruby xx

Feeling positive and A Stitch in Time

Spoke to dad and he is feeling very positive. He has already started dealing with things to make sure he gets prompt, correct treatment. So I am determined to be positive too.

I got up really early this morning and enjoyed a gloriously sunny warm start to the day. Had several cups of tea and finished off the first of my gloves



It looked really really small as I was knitting and sewing it up but it fits beautifully when I put it on. Now I've figured out how the fingers work I'll try and photograph the process on the second one as its really interesting, especially as I've only ever made gloves on dpn's before.

The lace pattern looks lovely on the back of the glove. I don't know whether I should embellish it at all or should I leave it as is?



I've made the little finger very slightly too long so may have to adjust it, or grow my fingernail longer!

I can now officially say that I am helping knitonthenet with the republication of 'A Stitch in Time' by Jane Waller. Its a real favorite of mine with lots of original patterns going from the 1920's to the 1940's. I will be helping with knitting, technical editing, pattern corrections etc.

This glove pattern is in the book and the gloves will be being rephotographed and used in the book.

Its extremely exciting and will certainly help to keep me focused.

Finally thank you for everyone's supportive comments. They have really helped me. My stomach is still quietly churning but I'm keeping my mind busy.

for now

Ruby xxx

You have good days and then you have s*** days

I don't know whether I feel right about airing this on my blog but I feel a need to get it out of me. I had really bad news this morning - that my dad has prostrate cancer. He already has a condition called cardiomyopathy that has killed off 80% of his heart, and now this. I guess i'm angry with the gods, with fate, with the turn of the cards, whatever it is and I don't know where to put it all.

I had struggled at my wedding when someone had called him a lovely OLD man. It completely shocked me that other people see him that way. And now, this. I'm surprised how badly I'm handling this. I'm normally the one who takes it all on the chin and gets on with things. Today I want to curl up in a ball and cry. I would never let dad know thats how I feel. He's being fantastically positive as he always is. He was given 2 years to live 10 years ago so he's not one to take things lying down. I just don't want anything to happen to him.

I don't really know how to finish this posting and I'm so sorry if I've been depressing. I will be back tomorrow with a positive blog.

Frank Sinatra said 'I've been up and down and over and out, but I know one thing; each time I find myself flat on my face I pick myself up and get back in the race. That's Life.'

for now
Ruby xxx

clearing out the cupboards

I embarked on my spring cleaning rather belatedly yesterday, when it finally dawned that I couldn't get any of my clothes back into the cupboards because they were already full. I happened upon my first ever intarsia knit, knitted way back in the scary days of the late 1980's with dropped shoulders and no shaping. However, I still love it...



It's my "Whaam" jumper based on a piece of pop art by Roy Lichtenstein. (For more information and to see images of the original painting try www.lichtensteinfoundation.org) The picture above is the back. The front shows the plane cockpit and nose



and on the sleeve are the words "I pressed the fire control and ahead of me rockets blazed through the sky ..."



I can even remember I used Pinqouin cotton (which hasn't been available in the UK for years and years) and it took a long long time but I loved every minute, and to be honest I had forgotten how much I enjoyed colour work, painting with the stitches. I miss it and must try to incorporate into my work again.

anyway, for now, feeling very nostalgic,
Ruby xx

A host of WIP's

I don't know if there is a technical word for a multiple of WIP's but these are a few of the many things I am working on right now.

The first are these lovely gloves:



using Jamieson & Smith 2 ply lace yarn. Its 100% pure wool in shade L68. Its more of a raspberry shade than it looks on screen. You knit the gloves on only 2 needles. I've had to FROG once as I haven't quite got the finger placement instructions worked out right yet. I'm hoping I'll crack it tonight. This is obviously the first glove so I've still got to do a second. I hope I don't run out of enthusiasm.

I found an alternate yarn for my Paper Bag pattern from Spring Knitty. I've tried using Debbie Bliss Donegal Aran Tweed. Again its a pure wool. You need to up the needle size to 5mm (US 8)
but it works rather well. It gives a completely different look to the bag.



I would use these handles with it



and a brown and orange 50's or 70's print fabric as a lining. I have an old tablecloth with brown and orange flowers on it that I would probably use. I don't know if I'll make it up into the bag or not though as the yarn, fabric and handle combination have given me an idea for another bag.

I've also been swatching with my gorgeous Habu Textiles pure silk that I received from my Secret Pal. It drapes beautifully. Very soft and fluid. The colour is gorgeous. I also have some Habu stainless steel yarn that I keep threatening to use. I think the combination with this yarn and colour will be perfect.



I'll show you more of this one as it proceeds. It's a very simple 7 stitch repeat, of K5, yfwd, k2tog., with the number of stitches at the beginning of each RS row decreasing then increasing to move the eyelets. The WS is just Purl every time. I've just got to order a load more skeins of it now to make a full garment with it. The yardage is very good though, there is 155yds (138 mtrs) in 25gm.

There are more ongoing projects but I'll save them for another day.

The sky out of the window is turning black and once again I think we're going to have rain.

for now
Ruby xx

Knitting news, no camera and falling trees!

I now definately have no blogging camera! Despite many attempts to get it working again it won't even switch on. (I have changed the batteries!) I will have use of a camera at the weekend and have some interesting stuff to take photos of. I have been asked to be involved in a very big project connected with www.knitonthenet.com but can't say any more about it at this point. Will hopefully be able to show you more at the weekend.

Can anyone recommend a good cheap digital camera that takes good clear close up photos. There are so many to choose from I don't really know where to start.

At the weekend we went to our friends' home set in the middle of a wood. One day things were wonderfully calm with the sun shining into the beautiful conservatory (can you imagine a more idyllic place to sit and knit?)



Then that same evening the wind and rain arrived. As we were eating our evening meal a huge branch from the nearest sycamore tree came crashing down on the dining room roof...





We were very lucky. It just seemed to bounce off the house. It completely covered the back door. Strangely enough, we all slept very well that night. I guess we thought once it had happened once it wasn't going to happen again.

(Photographs courtesy of Mr Ruby's far superior camera!)

for now
Ruby xx

Adaptions to frolic

My version of Frolic is progressing SLOWLY but successfully. I have knit the body in the round



and am very happy with the side seam shaping. I think it works really nicely. When I reached the bustline I thought I would try some additional shapings. Being of a 'fuller cup' I didn't really want the ribbing just to stretch and distort over my bust so rather than do the last round of increases I positioned increases in the front of the garment to create bust shaping - cups almost -





I hope this will make a better fitting garment. I am going to knit the sleeves in the round and join them to the body and work the raglan shaping all in the round. At this point I can try it on again and make sure it fits neatly around the shoulder or if necessary work some decreases before casting off.

My camera has just died again. Its very tempremental - I think I probably need a new one but I seem to go through cameras like water and they are expensive things plus I don't like having to throw them away. I have some swatches for my 'paper bag' from knitty, http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring07/PATTpaperbag.html but as yet have not been successful photographing them. They will follow shortly.

Immediately before my camera expired I took photos of the beautiful wild foxgloves that the kind birds have brought into our garden. This is one of many:



Aren't they gorgeous.

Well, for now

Ruby xx

Doesn't time fly....

I can't believe its a week since I last blogged. This week has gone so unbelievably quickly that this afternoon I felt like someone had sneaked into my brain in the night and taken a whole week of memory out. I have been doing, and been very busy, but won't be posting any progress photos tonight. I will tomorrow. But tonight I'm packing my baby's suitcase. My daughter is off with her school for 6 days on a foreign language trip in Spain. We have to get her to school at 05.45 in the morning! So the last couple of days have been taken up with all the planning, shopping, clothes altering etc etc necessary for her to be ready. I'm going to miss her so much.

The one thing I've made absolutely certain she put in her suitcase is a safety pin. I usually always carry at least one safety pin and a mending kit in my handbag. However, after a tidy up of my handbag the above mentioned items ended up on my window sill and forgotten about. On Saturday afternoon whilst walking round my local shops in the sunshine (therefore without a coat!) the zip on my skirt broke! I had to walk round with my skirt pulled up and my sweater pulled down till we got to the nearest habedashery and bought a box of safety pins. My friend, also never goes anywhere without safety pins, but had, to attend my wedding, also cleared out her bag to make it sleeker for the day, and had also forgotten to return the pins to their usual place.

********* NEVER GO OUT OF THE HOUSE WITHOUT A SAFETY PIN ****************

How embarrassing. It did however stop me spending money on yarn in the habedashery department of my local store.

I have to return to my sewing machine now to taper a pair of denim jeans and shorten them by about 8 inches! They are the last thing to be packed.

I will post some WIP photos tomorrow.

but
for now
Ruby xxx

A walking river, wonderful wool in Wales & much more

First of all may I thank everyone who has sent best wishes to myself and Mr Ruby. You are all incredibly thoughtful.

This is the scene that greeted people as they walked through London on Saturday lunch time. The Wateraid river being carried through the London streets to Downing Street in peaceful protest.
What a fantastic sight.



Congratulations to everyone who took time out to carry a section of the river. It is now to be cut up into sections and passed on to be used, if anyone knows of charities who need knitted blankets/throws maybe you could let me know and I'll pass the names on.

I have made a number of knitting decisions and treated myself to a bit of an book buying spree this week. I have purchased a second hank of the beautiful Lorna's Lace yarn (from Get Knitted) that my secret pal got me and an equally beautiful pattern to make myself this pair of socks.



I haven't knitted socks for quite a while so hope I dont' get SSS.

I have also purchased some Lana Grossa Royal Tweed to make this sweater out of Stephanie Japel's Fitted Knits



I was originally going to make it the colour as in the photo but couldn't get the colour in the UK so have opted for this lovely blue with mustard flecks



My final knitting purchase of the week was Runway Knits by Berta Karapetyan of Karabella Yarns. What a lovely, lovely book. There are so many very wearable, elegant, well shaped garments in the book I don't know where to start. The shaping Berta has done on many of the cabled garments is just sublime.



I think this is going to be a very well used book. Classy, quality designs.

I have been going through a very favorite book of mine called Blueprints of Fashion by Wade Laboissonniere, which shows pattern envelopes from the 1950's. It doesn't actually include the patterns themselves but the inspiration it provides is limitless. I am working on a number of ideas combining 1950's fit and drape into knitted garments. I should have some illustrations in a few days.



I have also finally decided which yarn to use for my second Sexy Knitters KAL which is Rusted Root



I have purchased some Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Holly Green. I saw one of the other lovely sexy knitters wearing this and finally knew it was the right colour, and then found out that I could get it in the UK which I hadn't realised. Its an incredibly economical 80% cotton/20% wool mix. 215 yards to 100g ball for less than £4 per ball. It only takes 4 balls to make a medium Rusted Root sweater.



I haven't started knitting with it yet but it feels lovely. The merino in it adds just enough softness. I have pressed on with my Frolic in 4ply cotton on circulars but progress is slow, though attractive. I'm definately going to need at least one project to knit alongside it to keep me going.



This is where I'm up to, have just started increasing after working waist decreases and working straight for the waist. Love the colour combination. Don't know when I'm going to finish it though. The needles are Susanne's bamboo circulars that I get from Scottish Fibres and they are gorgeous needles. Very smooth to knit with. They don't seem to get much press but I love them.

And my last treat, three wonderful craft books, at least one of which I know the entire blogging world seems to be talking about.



All three are very nice books. There is a bit of duplication in the projects and you probably wouldnt need all three unless you are obsessed like me. My daughter found the Lotta Jansdotter very easy to follow and loved the clear paper patterns that came with the book. She is doing Textiles GCSE and is finding it very useful. I wouldn't like to pick a favourite although the Jansdotter book is beautifully made. There are things in each of them that I will use.

And finally, I am off to Wales at the weekend to Wonderwool Wales, celebrating welsh wool, yarns and craftsmanship. I will no doubt buy even more yarn, and might possibly not fit in my house for very much longer. Its a good job my beloved really, really loves me or I could be in real trouble.

for now
Ruby xx

WEDDING BELLS

I hope the image above gives a clue as to my recent blogging absence. I got married last Friday. It was a wonderful day shared by close family and friends. Unfortunately in the week leading up to it I didn't get very much time to knit! Which is really very unfair. However, I took some knitting away on honeymoon with us, but, sin of sins, forgot to pack a sweater, and when the weather turned I felt very stupid.

We only decided to get married 7 weeks ago and am very proud of how we managed to get everything organised. I don't think I would change a thing. I bought my dress from Monsoon Wedding range 'off the shelf' and felt like a million dollars (without spending it).

We have spent a few days in the Lake District at a beautiful old hotel, in a room with its own balcony were I managed to sit and knit. I received a wonderful gift from my Secret Pal just before we left. How cleverly thought out - a crystal champagne flute with a hank of champagne coloured pure silk yarn from Habu Textiles inside. I must have the best Secret Pal ever.



Finally I have lots of news on the knitting front which I'll blog about over the weekend.
but

for now
Mrs Ruby xxx

Paper Bag update

The yarn for Paper bag featured in Spring knitty can be purchased direct from Habu Textiles.
This is the direct link to the product page on their site:

http://www.habutextiles.com/webfile/n-24.html

I am working on some samples to show alternative yarns, however the best yarns to use are Sport or Aran weight with a stitch tension of 19sts.



Will not be blogging for a few days but will be back early next week with news and photos.

for now
Ruby xxx

My logo is missing....

My logo has disappeared from the top of my blog page. I will recover it shortly but need help from my expert who is still at work. A nice little job for him when he gets home.

for now
Ruby xx

Springtime projects

The sun is out
The sky is blue
There's not a cloud to spoil the view

and I want to knit something that makes me feel the same. Have spent two days searching through my patterns and have decided project one will be Frolic:



Knitted in Rowan 4 ply cotton on 3mm needles. I'm going to make a couple of adjustments to the pattern. I'm going to knit in the round and am not going to cast off so I can knit the stitches for the neckline instead of having to pick them up.

I have a pack of Rowan 4 ply in cooking apple which is a discontinued colour but I love it



which I'm going to knit most of Frolic in, but I'm going to work the first 4 rounds in cream and the rib neckband in cream aswell and possibly the sleeve cast on - we shall see. The neck might be a bit fiddly but we shall see when we get there.

I am impatiently waiting for the postman to bring me my set of Denise interchangeable circular needles that I have ordered in the special pink case but they haven't arrived yet.



When they do I can use them for Frolic.

I have had a bit of an internet splurge today and shall post photos when everything arrives.

Oh, Frolic is from Rowan book 29. Not one of my favorites initially, but have since knitted loads out of it. A grower,



For now

Ruby

Review in Knitting magazine May 2007

Other exciting news. I received a text late this afternoon from a friend who had just been reading the new Knitting magazine. And in their blog reviews there I am. The assistant editor Katie Allen, has written a lovely review of my blog. I'm really flattered. I think she must have caught me in my 'blue' period when I didnt blog for a few weeks as she kindly asked me to start blogging again. So glad I did. What a fab day its been. Very very happy.

for now,

Ruby x

So much to blog about, so little time...

This has ended up being a week with a lot to talk about. First of all, did I finish Sahara? NO. I knitted all weekend. It was wonderful. However, a couple of design issues meant I had to frog, which has slowed me down no end. First of all, I decided to go with the cap sleeve version of Sahara, but when I tried it on the sleeve was much to loose round the top of my arm. So out it had to come. I was going to figure out some decreasing but as the sleeve is knitted from the shoulder down in short rows, I didn't really want to start messing with what was supposed to be a pain free project, so I'm now doing the sleeveless version. All I now have left to do is the sleeve edging.

The other problem I had was with the hem edging at the bottom of the garment. I initially cast off loosely as suggested on the pattern but still found the edge didn't have enough give - especially for those of us with shapely bottoms! So I frogged again. I have now knit the edging on 3.75mm needles and cast off with a 5mm needle and it sits so much better.



This is how it looks at the moment, modelled by the lovely, new Dita Von Dummy, not replacing Marilyn Mannequin, just offering a different look.



I was worried the front might have been too low, but it has worked out beautifully.



I am really pleased with the finished result. The fit is exquisite. This is one I think I will definately knit again. I may even try and stretch to the original Tilli Thomas yarn.

I also received a lovely, lovely, parcel from my lovely, lovely SP10 friend. The photos I have taken of the yarn have come out all blurred, but I received 2 beautiful hanks of yarn from the Natural Dye Studio in the most glorious shade of GREEN - my favorite. My SP10 tells me that all the dyes used are completely natural, so I'm going to investigate this company further. I also received a hank of Lorna's Laces yarn in a beautiful colourway, which I will try and photograph again to do it justice. I then also received a tin box of buttons. Fantastic. Not only do I collect buttons, but unbeknownst to my SP10 I collect tin boxes. It couldn't have been better.



It goes on. I also got a fab mug, which also wouldn't photograph with the words 'life is nothing without friendship' How true. Friends make the world go round. Thank you Emma, my SP10 you made my day.

OOh, she also sent me a recipe for the best cup cakes ever so I am going to have a go this weekend and shall let you all know.

for now

Ruby x

The Sahara, my back garden & chocolate from my SP10

Sahara continued in fits and bursts over the weekend. By Saturday evening she looked like this -



The fit is obviously a little difficult to gauge with no front panel in place but the shaping seems to have worked beautifully.



And the back shaping looks like its going to give an absolutely gorgeous fit.



She has actually grown quite considerably since these photos but will wait now until body is cast off before taking any more pics.

If you don't know where to find the pattern this is the page link http://www.stitchdiva.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=SDS-031

I received a lovely present of chocolate ladybirds from my SP10 aswell which are so lovely I don't want to eat them. Photos to follow. Talking of SP10's I am packing up my first parcel today to send to my pal. I hope she likes her goodies.

And finally, in between knitting, we started on our house extension at the weekend, which is extremely exciting. We did lots of ground work and preparations and the extension size and shape is now all pegged out in the garden. I'll post some pics of progress when there's actually something worth seeing, but the first step has been taken. I've currently got the smallest kitchen in the world, which for a cook is very depressing. So I will have a bigger kitchen and room for a kitchen table which is so important to family life I think. I've got so many ideas as this is the start of the whole house renovation and THEN studio in the garden!!!!!! can't wait.

We are going to our caravan in the lake district at the weekend so won't be posting till I come back but intend to knit and knit and knit, so we shall see if Sahara is finished on my return.

for now,
have a lovely weekend

Ruby xxx

4 days off, sunshine, food and knitting

Who could ask for more. What a glorious start to this Easter break. The sun is shining and the air smells of summer. I bought lots of goodies on Thursday to feed us for the weekend and to cook lots of lovely things. I have just got my lollie makers out of the outhouse to make some pure juice lollies. There is a lovely lolly in a Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall book where you add vodka or gin to the lollies. Rather nice, but for adults only. I got my lolly makers in the depths of winter in a sale at Laura Ashley and they cost about £1 for 4. They are pink and blue with flowers on. So lovely. And now I can actually use them.



As for knitting, this weekend I am knitting totally selfishly and have started on Sahara for the Sexy Knitters club knitalong. I couldnt take part in the last one as I had so much to do. This time I'm going to get it done. I am using a Louisa Harding silk and wool yarn called grace, in a lovely shade of green. Going well so far. The method is interesting. You cast on at shoulders and back neck using a provisional cast on and knit down to the underarm. Then you pick the shoulder stitches back up from the provisional cast on and did the two fronts seperately but at the same time again down to the underarm, then you join it all together. I'm just about to progress to the main body and start the bust shaping so have to put some markers in place.



The yarn is lovely on the whole but is possibly that little bit too soft and may pill a bit. I shall just have to see. When I get to the neckline I have some bronze beads I am going to add here and there to look like the Tilli Thomas yarn it was done in on the pattern. Lovely stuff but beyond my budget.



I'm going for the cap sleeve version. Will try to get as much done this weekend as possible. Will let you know more next week.

Have a lovely easter.

for now
Ruby x

New designs on www.knitonthenet.com

I have three new patterns featured in the new issue of www.knitonthenet.com. Here is my long planned unshaped shrug, which I designed several months ago but have had to keep under wraps until the magazine was published.

I had been having an online discussion with someone who was a new knitter and was scared of making the move to garment knitting because of shaping and garment construction.

I designed the unshaped shrug with her in mind, creating a rectangle that folds round the arms to give a 3 dimensional fabric. The softness of the yarn, Rowan Little Big Wool ensures the garment drapes softly around the neck and shoulders and yet sits flat against the back. If you wish you can knit it without the eyelets and just have a stocking stitch fabric or you could swap it for other patterns with a stitch repeat of 4 stitches and a similar tension.

I think the photos this time are even more fab than last. See the photo below for the back of the unshaped shrug.

So much better now

Thank goodness my shoulder and my wrist are now both back where they belong. They are aching a bit but much much better. Was able to knit over the weekend and did lots of sewing up. I didn't get any embroidery done, but when I looked at the project which I was going to put it on I realised it really didn't need it. Now I've got to get some patterns typed up. It seems to be the computer which gives me the biggest problems so I'm trying to make sure I sit straight and my feet are both on the ground and use the mouse as little as possible.

I've decided to do some design work based on themes, to give my designs a coherency and a common thread. I live near a typical english seaside town, so for summer I'm going to think about the seaside, fairgrounds, sunshine, and what they mean to me. I'm going to dig out some of my childhood holiday photos which I'll post later in the week, then for autumn I'm going to focus on my friend's black andalucian stallion and what I would want to wear to ride him and also my brother in law's barn that he's slowly converting and the countryside around it.

On a completely different note I've just got back from a comedy night at my daughter's school. 12 really brave youngsters have been learning how to write and deliver stand up and all got up and did their routines in front of us, the audience. Wow, they were fantastic! So brave and so funny. A couple of times I was crying with laughter. Back to the maths and the patterns now,

for now,
Ruby x

must really be Friday 13th not 16th

What a day. There are some days which don't go right aren't there? A horrible customer in my day job shouted at me today in a very very nasty and unnecessary way. There are some very unpleasant people out there. And...
both my wrist and my shoulder were dislocated and my sports therapist had to shove them back in! And it really hurts now and I couldn't knit yesterday or today as a result. Boo Hoo!

On a much happier note I have chatted with both my upstream and downstream secret pals and they are both lovely. Who needs the real world?

Tomorrow I am going to knit no matter what and I have been told some of my new patterns will be out in the next issue of knitonthenet in the next week.

I have some embroidery to do tomorrow aswell and I'll try and post a pic of some of it over the weekend.

for now

Ruby x

My pattern in Knitty.com for spring

"Paper bag" has finally made it. I just love this bag and i've waited a long time to be able to show it.

Its made from 4 strands of Habu Textiles raw silk covered paper knitted together. The Audrey Hepburn styling was suggested by Amy Singer and works a treat with the bag. Charlie looking fab as always, wearing my great grandmother's evening gloves. I've had some lovely comments today. Thank you so much.
You can find the pattern at: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring07/PATTpaperbag.html

The Last Knit