The stash....

School holidays are good for a number of "things...."

1: Having a lie in (although small blond ones always seem to rise one and a half hours earlier during a holiday in comparison to a school day. Funny that!
2: Visiting your mother and playing on the beach with the small blond one
3: Prepping for a craft fayre... or seven
4: Baking a cake... or seven
5: Sorting out "THE STASH!"

Now, I thought about the stash and whether it needed to be sorted and after about three and a half seconds of deliberation (yes, really that long), I realised that this was a task I had put off for such a long time, that I should actually slap myself for even considering 'whether it needed to be sorted.'

It was actually a very theraputic thing to do. Admittedly, I felt somewhat nauseous thinking about how much money I do spend on my addiction, but, in my opinion, it is a very satisfying addiction and it's not as though I smoke the stuff, melt down the fibres and inject them, or, God forbid, chop yarn with a razor blade and snort it....how wasteful can you get?

It has be proved (medically or otherwise) that knitting is a theraputic past time which releases feel good hormones and relaxes you....

Back to THE STASH...

Please don't ask me how many ziplock bags I filled, but it was at least 15; then add on the existing ziplock bags I had (6), followed by the "I'm not a zip lock bag, I have no zippy bit, but I am a big bag and, oh, are you putting all of that blue yarn in me...? I really don't think I'm big enou....!" and then there was the large cotton bag which is now filled with creams and browns and taupes. I have a bag filled with black yarn. When on earth did I buy all of that black yarn? I thought my blue period was bad enough, but, please.. that's a lot of black!

So now, all sorted and tidy and calming.

I have a new mantra - "I will not buy any more yarn!"

... and then I woke up and realised that I am in the real world and yes, I will buy more yarn - but maybe not for a few months / weeks / days / Lucy has got the new range of Rico baby colours at Woolaballoo.... I wondered if I just....

When in Seattle....

The stash has increased again....

A visit to Chuckanut alpaca ranch, Spin a Yarn and So Much Yarn always results in me enhancing the US economy by purchasing yet more yarn. I'm still convinced that it's still cheaper than smoking and drinking and considerably healthier; give or take an achy shoulder from knitting for six hours on the 'plane.

The alpaca ranch was totally and utterly wonderful with the owners Lois and Walter (and Julian the dog) giving us a wonderful welcome and a look around to meet the herd. How soft and gorgeous and gentle were they? If ever you are in the state of Washington, or within a 500 mile radius, you must pay them a visit!!!

Little sailor boots - the finished results....

Finished at last! I think they are cute and gorgeous and could do very well at a little craft shop in Seahouses Northumberland, where I am hoping to sell some stock over the next few weeks. I've decided to go for a nautical theme with my designs of late; anchors, little fishes and gentle seaside colours of blues, pale yellows and greens. The gorgeous one bought me some fabulous silk and merino yarn today from Spin a Yarn in Edmonds - wonderful shop; adorable lady who runs it.... looking forward to making some seaside theme bootees!

Little sailor boots

Well, I have been in Seattle for 4 days now and while the gorgeous one is out teaching, I can get on with a (little bit) of knitting. For this pattern, I have taken the idea of a little anchor as the embellishment on some very pale denim effect cotton yarn with white yarn stripes to emphasise the texture. They are knitting up really well and I love the feel of the cotton.

The bootee is started from the bottom, working up to the cast off row using the white yarn.... let's see what they're like in an hour when they are finished!

I really need to spend more time on my blog...

So much has been happening over the past few weeks - I now have stock at a wonderful craft shop in Crawcrook, Tyne and Wear. It's called Chardaleighs and it's really very wonderful. Hayley has brought together crafters from all over the North East of England - painters, potters, knitting addicts, sewy types and the most fabulous jewellery makers; it's great to be part of something so lovely and thoughtful. It's my first port of call for gifts for friends and family and it would be marvellous if it's success could continue.

I'm back over to Seattle in one week to see the gorgeous one. And of course, to also buy up vast quantities of American and Canadian yarn to add to my stash... one day I might stop!

I've also been trying my hand at some sewing and made a gorgeous messenger bag using a pattern from mmmcrafts (totally fabulous she is too!). Friends have also asked me to make them a bag as has a small blond seven year old boy... but he wants it in camouflage fabric (we chose it last week.) Is this what happens when a boy is just brought up by his mother!!!! Almost matching bags....!

International Women's Day 2011

I'm taking part in International Womens Day on Sunday 6th March. Ok, so IWD is 8th March, but the weekend before is just perfect for lots of girlies (and blokies) to be together to do lots of lovely things, buy lots of lovely crafts and eat copious amounts of ice-cream.

I'm popping off to the Assembly Rooms in Newcastle Upon Tyne with my Booteelicious stall to (hopefully) beat the recession and help individuals choose and buy some gorgeous baby shoes for their loved ones.

The Assembly Rooms is the most wonderful Georgian building where the wealthier members of society would go to assemble nearly 200 years ago. They would dance, listen to music, play cards and enjoy "refreshments." Sounds very civilised and lovely... now, the Rooms are used for conferences and weddings and for recession busters and their craft stalls!

I think it could be fun!

Oh what gorgeous yarn...

I made quite a few pairs of fingerless gloves for my friends and relations for last Christmas. I started knitting in the summer, just to make sure I had enough time to get them all finished. I did and they loved them, but what I loved the most was being able to give my loved ones, something that I had made, specifically with them in mind.

Last summer, I bought some gorgeous pure new wool when I was over in Seattle to see gorgeous one. I bought purples, blues and greys and used them to make stripy mittens and fingerless gloves.

When I got home, I bought some fantastic cashmere and silk yarn from the fabulous Woolaballoo for the bargain price of £2.50 per ball. Fabulous, marvellous and heavenly to knit with. My sister Rie was particularly taken with a pair of gloves I had made for her daughter and wanted me to make a pair for her also.

Unfortunately, I couldn't find the colour of yarn that she wanted and then yesterday, on a detour trip to Hobbycraft, I found just what I was looking for. Palette collection "Vintage" in the most gorgeous "crushed grape." And the price for 50g... £1.99... I bought three balls. I can always make more baby shoes with whatever is left over! It is a 70% wool and 30% soybean mix and it's fabulous to knit with.