I've had itchy fingers recently. I'm blaming being in that strange limbo period when I know I'm moving to a new job but I'm working out my notice so I can't quite disengage from my current one yet. I have a 3 month notice period to work so I don't start my new job until mid-June and at the moment that feels a long way off.

In the meantime I've been starting other things. Like

Sylph. So far I've done the back plus one front - except I frogged the front as I've decided I want it longer so I need to do it again. Bah ! I am in love with the rib and faggott (sp?) stitch. So much so that I'm imagining a whole cardigan in it ....

And like

Short and Sweet. My very first proper crochet project in Artyarns Regal Silk Shade 107. This pitiful amount of work is the result of 4 whole evenings so don't be looking for an FO any time soon ! ;o)

And like

Delicate from DB Coastlines. Except I'm frogging that too. :sigh : It's going to work out too big so I'm knitting it the next size down.

I have managed to finish something tho'. My knitting group are having a spring flower swap today so my little flowery contribution looks like this

Pattern : my own.

Knitted in tiny oddments of Handmaiden Sea Silk (leaves), DB Pure Silk (outer petals), Kidsilk Night in a discontinued white shade (mid petals) & Thunder (centre petals).

I've sewn some tiny pearl beads in the middle but inspired by an old post of the lovely Anna's about secret treasures in the finishing details, each layer of petals has either pearl or clear sparkling beads around it too. You only see the odd flash of them in the right light as the petals move (I think you can just see a pearl bead peeking out on the outer layer at the right side in the photo) :o)

My fingers have also been itchily accquiring other beautiful yarns for project ideas that are tumbling through my head and keeping me awake at night (how sad am I ? lol !) but I'll save that sharing for another day.

Heather x

you just have to do the happy Snoopy dance !

Why ? Well there's ...

1. Just completed and posted off my final assignment for my postgraduate qualification :0)

2. Got stash happy this week and have added some of this

Skeinqueen Cashmerino in Periwinkle to knit this

and this

Manos Del Uruguay Silk Blend to knit this

3. Plus guess what fits ?

Wool is a wonderful thing, don't let anyone tell you any different ! The wet measurements were over 46 inches but she's shrunk back beautifully in the 4 (argh !) days it took for her to dry and is right on size again. PLus all the gorgeous textured details popped right back out :0)

Happy Happy Snoopy dance - but sorry any curvy friends who were hopeful !

I have to tell you my heart was in my mouth over this one. Despite wise counsel to dye test swatches from friends-who-know-about-things-like-dyeing being Ms Not-Known-For-My-Patience me, I dived right in - swatchless. It could have been a disaster but of course, the fact that it wasn't means I won't learn anything and will probably do the same again some day ! :0)

More of a jacket than a cardigan but I love her. A leetle bit longer than I'd like so I'm actually thinking of knitting another one in a smaller size for the peplum but the same size on top ......... Manon, Manon so good I knit it twice !

Although I'm also tempted by this one

I have some Debbie Bliss Rialto Aran in this shade (variously described as lime / pistachio /moss depending on where you look).

So what do you think ? Manon 2 or Currer ?

The deed is done. Manon went for a bath today....

The dyeing bit went ok. I used good old fashioned Dylon Cold Water Dye (tho' you use hot water for wool as per instructions) and the colour has come out even and a definite blue/grey rather than the original depressing grey/grey !

But she did stretch a fair bit and lost a lot of her lovely stitch definition :0(

I'm reserving judgement until she's dry. I did my best to push her back into shape (and the right size !) but I think she might not quite spring back to her pre-dye state. Which is a bummer as I actually quite liked her on in terms of fit !

The good news is that I liked her enough and enjoyed knitting her enough that I would definitely go again but in a different colour. I'll just think of this one as a sizeable swatch ............

Heather x

PS If she stays in her bigger measurements, I'll measure her up and if any of my curvy friends are interested she'll be yours free, gratis :0) I'd much rather she was worn by someone. Of course if she does shrink back then paws off you lot, she's mine !

The quickest of quick updates because I'm technically upstairs changing the sheets whilst he gets on with the dinner - so if anyone asks don't let on I'm sitting in front of the pc instead, 'k ?

I have to say you lot are no use to me at all. No clear majority whatsoever, leaving ME to make the decision about summer projects. So I've decided I'm going to do both of them just to be fair !

The Delicate cardigan will be in DB Cathay - I think it's shade 13 I've got.

While the ruffle-less but probably an inch or two longer Sylph will be in stashed Louisa Harding Grace in the deep red shade.

But I've lost my heart to another too - I am SUCH a faithless knitting tart ! Either Delicate or Sylph will be cast on tonight but only because I'm still waiting for the yarn to arrive for this little beauty -

Yes. I am aware that this is crochet. Yes. I am also aware that the sum total of my crochet experience is ehm, not a lot. Really, not a lot. But I am motivated and that's half the battle you know ?

I'm motivated because I need some cute little cardigans to make a good impression for starting my new job over the summer :0) That's right. I have a new job, still in the field I love but with (hopefully) new and interesting challenges and, best of all, minus the hour long each way commute. I can tell you I will not miss that drive one teeny, tiny, smidgen of an iota !

But I have some time on my hands before I start. I have a long notice period to work and some annual leave to use up with my current employer and I'm going to make the best of it.

I've been itching to have a go at dyeing and I'm sitting here with some undyed yarn and a finished project in a colour I now don't like plus an order placed for both some natural dye and some Ashford Wool dyes - along with my Koolaid stash - so I reckon I'm good to go ? I'm off for 11 days in a few days time so look out for my adventures in dyeing !

In the meantime, I've been getting a little crochet practice in -

The 100 Flower Scarf (really mine should be called the 54 flower scarf !) from Applehead. You can see more details of my attempt at it on Ravelry :0)

Off to change the sheets now. See you soon !