Aran Islands of Legend review

Aran Islands of Legend

Dublin City Public Libraries

Oh man, this is going to be a cranky review, he made me so annoyed with his paternalism and patronising attitude and how he regarded Christianity as the only logical choice and how there were no pagans who could have any virtue and how only with Christianity could there be honour.  I've read too many legends and stories to fully trust that attitude.

And then I have to remember that it was written in 1962, that this was the attitude of many at the time, that the paternalistic attitude of both lauding traditional societies while at the same time questioning why they modernised and left tradition behind.  Mourning the fact that people didn't embrace the past and keep things the way they were while not realising that he himself was doing the very same thing, that he was looking at a world his ancestors had lived in and had moved on from.

He also decided that Dun as not a word to use but insisted on using Doon, which wound me up a bit too. I read this in short bursts because I kept getting annoyed with him.

P A O Siochain wrote this, mostly about the myths and legends of Aran.  Mostly about the Christian legends of the islands, an easy enough topic with the proliferation of sacred spaces on the islands. I was reading it more for details of costume and mention of knitting.

So we have on page 117: "The excursionists [from A report of the Excursion of the Ethnological Section of the British Association to the Western Islands of Aran in September, 1857 by Martin Haverty] found that the costume of the people had not changed with the centuries. The men wore the costume of fishermen. The women and girls wore the characteristic red petticoats, which with their red or blue bodices, which, for the most part they then wore - "made the effect very striking in the eyes of the stranger.""

The red petticoats were also found until the early 20th century in Galway. mostly in Claddagh and Connemara.  My great-grandmother wore a red petticoat.

p120, he describes an interesting cliff-cimbing event, dating from the same time with the climber throwing himself about the cliff face with abandon, and then you think about modern ropes and the peril...

"After the banquet, the party were to witness a remarkable exhibition of cliff climbing and searching for sea fowl and their eggs. From the top of a three hundred foot cliff, three Islanders, one after another descended the sheer cliff. The end of a great length of rope was tied under their armpits. Fifteen to twenty men then paid it out as the Islander stepped backward off the cliff. Gripping the rope with one hand, and using the other to keep his balance, the Islander descended in a series of leaps. Striking the rock with one foot after another he propelled himself out into space. He then "flew, as it were, outward and downwards, his feet constantly moving like paddles in the air."
Haverty described the return ascent as "graceful movement". As the cliff searcher gained momentum, the men at the top pulled in the rope at such speed that he was able to make fifty foot leaps up the cliff face.  When he reached a point thirty feet from the top, he ran up it with his body laying out horizontally from the cliff face.  Not only the daring but the incredible skill of the feat made deep impression on the party."
He records the last of the Ailleadoiri, the cliff climbers, died 30 years ago, so in the 1930s.

 p177. "Synge noted the various accomplishments of the Islandmen, but he did not note the many accomplishments of of the Islandwomen who are expert seamstresses, tailors [I sometimes wonder what the distinction between these two is] shirtmakers and knitters, fish-curers, bakers and cooks. They assist generally on the little farms. The cows and calves, pigs and hens are usually their particular care."

p183-184. "Tourism has undoubtedly put a lot into the pockets of the people of Inis Mor, particularly in Kilronan and Kilmurvey, but it has taken away a lot of their old independence and pride, to leave a drab nondescript character in parts. This is not, of course, true of the real Islander on Inish Mor, and in the parts away from the tourist trade they still retain their old character.
...
"More than all the rest of Ireland, bochtanas, poverty, was something of which they knew the real meaning in the unhappy past. It was in the long long ago that they learned to help those in need."
 and he wonders why they embraced tourism as a way of getting out of the poverty trap.

p185-187
"Unique folk art.
"Aran Knitting has long been known to the experts but, until recent years, to very few others outside of Ireland.  It is a creative folk-art of exquisite beauty and quality, and is the only one of its kind in the world. It has been defined as sculpture in wool. Some of the imitations are often quite wrongly described as "Aran" ganseys, so it is essential to ascertain that a garment styled as "Aran" has actually been made on the Islands. The number of genuine Aran ganseys available in any one year is limited.
"The style of knitting is that known as traditional. On the Islands it is distinguished by the fact that each knitter has her own particular pattern or patterns of stitches. Some, even, change the pattern at will and today with its development on an organised basis, full scope is given to them to create not only changing patters of stitches but new stitches and new forms and varieties of stitches.
"Many of the stitches in use are exclusive to the Islands. Many of them, in form, have been copied in imitations. But no matter how good the quality of the imitation it can never equal an original garment, with its everchanging and incredible variety and combination of stitches and patterns.
"The speed of the Islandwomen's knitting is another feature of their accomplishment. To watch them is to wonder at this rare gift. Even the simplest pattern of traditional stitches involves constant changes in each successive "line" across.
"This art has been handed down for untold generations from mother to daughter. One sad feature has always been associated with the Aran gansey: it has always been an unfailing source of identification of Islandmen at sea.
"The most famous of these traditional Aran stitches are as follows:
"The Tree of Life: Crann na Beatha. This is sometimes known as the Fern Stitch.
"The Crooked Road: An Bothar Cam. It is also known as the Marriage Lines.
"The Carrageen Moss Stitch: Lub an Charraigin. This is named after the edible seaweed.
"The Tobacco Stitch: Casadh an Tobac. This is a form of the Cable or Rope.
Stitch.
"The Castle Stich: Lub an Chaisleain. An unusual stitch, not unlike another stitch known as the Anchor Stitch named after an unique type of anchor used on the Islands.
"Other stitches in general use are well known, such as the Diamond, the Net, the Honeycomb, Figure of Eight, the Tree, the Ladder.  Finally, the Bobaleen, the Bobble, is popular with a number of knitters. This is a little ball of wool introduced into the pattern. [I love his descriptions, sadly there are no illustrations]
"Some of these stitches in miniature form are incorporated into wool caps of distinctive character.
"Another form of this folk-art exclusive to the Islands is the handcrocheted multicoloured shawl so favoured by the Islandwomen.
"A third distinctive folk-art on the Islands is the hand-weaving of the belts, known as crios (plural criosa), worn by the Islandmen instead of braces. They are multicoloured but always in an unceasing and lovely variety of designs and colour combinations.
"Their sense of colour is unfailing, as is their natural talent for design. They can create a design in colour in their heads in a moment, which would take an industrial artist upwards of a week to work out.*

"*Note: Full particulars regarding the handcraft products of the Islands can be obtained from Galway Bay Products Ltd., 102 Sraid Grafton, Dubhlinn, Ireland, through whom they are marketed at home and abroad."

These are a few passages that struck me, and that add to the legends and also what was being said in the 60s about the Islands and their heritage.  I didn't enjoy his writing and I really wish there had been some more detail about the knitting.

This book made me want to do more research on the crocheted shawls of the Islandwomen.  I also have a deep-seated urge to learn how to make the crios too.

Forgive missing accents, I keep poking my computer and hoping I will make it do them but failing to make it happen.

This copy was got in Dublin City Public Libraries who provide me with no incentive to do this other than a generous lending policy to staff and access to too many books and provide me with a wage.  

Review of Complete Guide to Spinning Yarn

The Complete Guide to Spinning Yarn (US) Spinning Yarn: The Complete Guide (UK)

The US version is the copy I got from a remainder bookshop; the UK from the Library

These are the same book but the title comes up slightly differently, the inside is identical, down to same page numbers. Eling Chang gets a consultant credit on the US cover.

Dublin City Public Libraries

A comprehensive guide to spinning, including history, tools, preparation, techniques and a few projects, along with some inspiration pieces.

The projects are pretty straighforward, a woven cushion (pillow in the US version) cover; Knitted Hat and Mittens in a couple of colours, you could use a commercial yarn and a handspun for this; tassels and a knitted slipcase. The patterns aren't the centerpiece of the book, the book is more about the spinning and the instructions look both straighforward and comprehensive.

 I'm glad I bought it.

 While Dublin City Public Libraries provided me with a copy they offer me no inducement to write these other than my salary and access.

Blog tour & review: Knit, Bake, Sew

Taking part in the Blog tour for Knit Bake Sew by Evin Bail O'Keeffe, a recipe and craft project annual. In the interests of full disclosure Evin and I follow each other on Twitter and I knit her an Owls once, discovering that we are approximately the same size.  Also in the interest of full disclosure, this being the first time that this has arisen, I am Gluten Intolerant, so I will be glossing over recipes that would be poorly adaptable.

First impressions are good, beautiful pictures.

First recipe is for pastry crust, the idea of incorporating spices into a crust sounds interesting and I should try it sometime.

The Long-tail cast on is detailed in some very clear photographs, that I might use for reference if I was to use it (it's not my default cast-on, but it does have it's uses.  Then there's the Icelandic Bindoff, which looks like something interesting to try and to add to my cast-off repertoire.

Cleverly she has some basic terms and conventions used in the book.  And some sewing conventions and a clear how-to on Blanket stitch, that's one that I always have to check on how to start it, and this is clear.

The first section is Winter

Mugwump Oatmeal pie looks interesting, but not one for me.

The Keating Hat is an interesting slightly loose hat, knit in DK.

The White Chocolate Cheesecake looks good and should be easily substituted (Aldi's Gluten Free Range has some nice digestives by the way)

Cupid's Arrow Cowl is a pretty, loose cowl that would use up a ball or two of treat-me Aran Yarn.

Next section is spring.

Starting with Lime Poppy-seed scones, that looks sadly lovely.

I have been tempted recently to make myself some boot toppers to hold my jeans down during the chillier weather (trust me you start to understand the use when you ride the back of a motorbike in the cooler weather) and the Cobblestone ones tempt me.

The Strawberry Mascarpone tart tempts me too.

The Falling Petals Shawl is another deceptively simple but beautiful pattern.

Next recipe is Snickerdoodles.

Smudge's Handspun Headband is a lovely showcase for a small amount of DK yarn, possibly a use for a first handspun or some beautiful dk leftovers.


And it's into Summer with Aunt Nell's Blondies.

Mary's Hostess Apron is a half-apron copied form an old favourite.  Classic apron.

Buttery Cheddar Biscuits look delicious.

Another sewn pattern with the On the Green Picnic Mat.  An oilcloth backed pattern, very practical for a knit in public day!

Lemon Drizzle Cake makes me want it, on-screen photographs are so clear you can almost smell the lemons. (I did resist licking the screen, just)

Princes Street market tote is lovely, and very practical here in Ireland where we are charged for plastic bags.

Autumn again teases with some Orange and Honey Loaf cake.

Love the Honeycomb Tea Cozy, the colours are perfect for it too, warm and autumnal.

Monster cookies look lush.

Festive bunting is a sewn pattern here.

Grandma's Pumpkin Pie sounds delicious and doesn't start with a tin of pumpkin but with a whole pumpkin... starts to plot possibilities, it's been simply ages since I had a decent pumpkin pie, shush, I had it, in the 80s courtesy of an American neighbour, in Galway.

The Sugar Maple Vest would not be my kind of top, but a very useful, versatile top it would be for many people.

Chocolate Cardamon Tart sounds intriguing.

Upcycled Felt mittens sound like a good use for those jumpers that have had a laundry incident.

Thanks and an index round things out.

It's beautiful, well produced and with something for nearly everyone.  I'm just sad I can't just use some of the recipes straight from the tin but some of them have me plotting and heading for my gluten-free recipe books.  Well done Evin.

Order Bake Knit Sew through the Anchor and Bee (publisher) online store or herRavelry shop during the blog tour to take advantage of a special 10% discount on your entire purchase! Discount code: BLOGTOUR until November 27, 2014 at 23:59 EST.

And one commenter will get a free ebook copy of the book (delivered via Ravelry) Of all the commenters on the blog tour blog posts, one will receive a paperback copy of the book including shipping.



.  So get commenting.

BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE

Monday, November 10 – Reckless Knitting

Tuesday, November 11 – Fibre Friends

Wednesday, November 12 – Jen’s Kitchen

Thursday, November 13 – The Dublin Knit Collective

Friday, November 14 – Crafty Tails

Saturday, November 15 – The Writer’s Journey

Sunday, November 16 – Lisa Bogart Thoughts

Monday, November 17 – Moonstruck Quaint previously Glass of Win

Tuesday, November 18 –  TanisKnits

Wednesday, November 19 – Fenns Quay and then some

Friday, November 21 – By Eline

Saturday, November 22 – Yarn Poetry

Sunday, November 23 – Live and Let Pie
Monday, November 24 – Wyvernfriend Knits

Tuesday, November 25 – Cork Billy and This Is Knit

Wednesday, November 26 – EvinOK

Thursday, November 27 –  Lilly Higgins


And the winner, with the help of Random.org is Lise

ICA and modern Ireland

Now in the interest of full disclosure I have to admit that my mum had issues with the local chapter of this group, something to do with them not respecting her training as a domestic science teacher, I have no idea what the truth of the story was and I have I'm not going to really comment, but there was no real friendliness for them in my household but I thought, a few years ago that it could be something for me to join, I mean I'm a multi-crafter, maybe it would be somewhere that I could find likeminded people.

So I went to the desk at the Knitting & Stitching show, and was ignored, people talked around me.  Now I'm actually a pretty shy person and I find it hard to approach new people, I do a good job sometimes of pretending to be a confident outgoing person, but that takes a lot of effort and, to be honest, I found the women there intimidating.  I mean, I often wonder how good I am really at many of these things, I know I have only scraped the top of many of the crafts I do, and I'm always looking to try new skills, to try something different.

On Friday the Late Late Show had three older knitters racing against the show to produce three items during the production.  There were lots of comments from a lot of people about granny knitting, it's a problem many of us in the discipline have, people don't see younger knitters so they don't think that younger people knit, which becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Looking at some of the crafts I'm impressed at them, others I'm underwhelmed.  I picked up their new book in work, which wasn't mentioned by the way on the Late Late Show, it was their tea book The Irish Countrywomen's Association Book of Tea and Company: Recipes and Reflections for Every Daythat  was mentioned

I hadn't really looked at the book before last night. I wasn't really paying attention to it, it was part of a pile of books that I have to deal with a bundle I've been ignoring for the last few months, trying to do too much again.  Plus my life has been a bit overwhelming recently.  Yesterday I opened it and looked at it, and to be honest I was underwhelmed.  There were a few that piqued my interest, and I was vastly entertained that the first project was designed by someone whose daughter went to school with me.  And it's important than many of the skills that people of that age have are passed on.  

Maybe what it needs is a better and more open pricing structure.  A site like Craftsy to pass on the skills and an interaction with something like Ravelry, where many of the younger crafters gather, creating a virtual meeting group might help too.  Change is going to be needed if the ICA is going to stay relevant into the future, they have done so much good in the past with water and electricity to rural Ireland, to stay relevant they have to carve out spaces that modern Irish women will use.

They should also be campaigning for domestic science classes in primary and secondary schools, cookery and basic mending etc., skills both boys and girls should have, and basic cleaning skills.  Maybe even some courses in conjunction with marriage courses in how to share domestic chores, particularly in this day and age of dual income houses.  Skills badly needed these days.  They should be leading campaigns for equality, these days they appear to have settled into the regular run of things rather than rocking the boat and maybe they need to go back to being a bit less part of the mainstream and a little more questioning.

And we seriously need more acceptance of other ages of knitters.

Review of Home Made SImple

Home Made Simple

Dublin City Public Library

This is a book about using a variety of items which would otherwise be waste or redecorating items to enhance them.  A lot of it is quite easy to do and looks easy enough to do with minimal fuss.  It also includes some knitting patterns.

It's divided into three main sections; Home; Giving and Celebrations.  Some very easy projects some harder; all well-illustrated and with plenty of illustrations for how-to where necessary.

Home has such projects as Pinlight Canvas - where a string of LED bulbs are used with canvas to create an image, simple but effective.  Wine Crate Desk is a good crafting desk, not heavy duty; Wine Crate Desk Tidy - a corral for papers; Fabric-covered desk tidy; Pallet Coffee Table; Posh Pallet Table, fabric covered; Fabric Cable Lights; Basic Upholstery; Wall-hung Bookcases;  Magnetic Spice-jar Space Savers; Whitewashed Wood offcut chopping boards; Ironing Board Cover; Tree branch Pegs; Tennis Ball Door Block; Tassel Pulls; Foaming Pump Dispenser; Photo Key Box; Photo Box; Cross-body Utility Sack; Oversized Oilcloth Shopping Bag.

Giving has Clay Tea Light Shades; Simple Candles.

Knitting: with basic instructions, including advice on buying wool; the first pattern is a chunky patternscarf that she suggests fastening with  a kilt pin.

Knitted Wrist warmers are also in chunky yarn in a moss stitch pattern knit in the flat.

E-book reader/notebook cover - knit in a chunky wool held double.

Mobile Phone pouch knit in chunky wool held double

Glasses Case is knit with chunky wool held double as well.

There's also how-to on finger knitting.

The chapter continues with a Simple Gift Bag; a Bottle Gift Bag; a pretty lined purse; Reversible Ribbon-Handled Bag; A simple charm bracelet; Leather Card Case; Peppermint and Lime Lip Balm; Rose and Mardarin Bath Oil; How to melt Chocolate; Chocolate Peanuts, Pumpkin seeds and Raisins; Chocolate honeycomb; Breakfast in Bed tray; Engagement Ring Gloves; Personalised Picnic Blanket; Bike-seat cover

Celebrations
Golden Chocolate Eggs; Speckled Ganache Eggs; No-stress Pancakes; Lily of the Valley Eggs; Baklava; Hanging Firefly Glass Lanterns; Rangoli Lace Cake and Cards; Patterned Divas; Peg Hanukkiyah; Sufganiyot; Lucky Envelopes; Fabric-covered lanterns; Furoshiki Wrapping; a Thanksgiving book; The Tree; Whitewashed Pine Cones; Golden Apples; Wire COathanger Centrepiece; Clay/Salt Dough Star Garland; Chunky Paper Chains; Sky Lanterns

Overall an interesting book for someone of a crafty bent, which assumes that you're willing to try.  Many of them are quite doable without too much complications or effort.  I liked it and would consider buying it.

I borrowed it from the libraries and would seriously consider buying it for myself.  Dublin City Public Libraries offered me no inducement to review this book other than my salary and access to the books.

Hook, Yarn and Crochet review

Hook Yarn and Crochet

Dublin City Public Libraries

Ravelry

This book starts with a description of how-to crochet, UK terms, I didn't see a US conversion list. There was also nothing I could see about left-handed crochet (which is how I roll)

The patterns are divided in three sections: Accessories; Homewares and Gifts and Decorations  

Accessories
The patterns start with Boot Toppers in a DK weight yarn.
Pompom Hat is next in Chunky yarn
A Shells Collar in 4-ply yarn.
Covered Bangles in a 4-ply yarn.
More 4-ply yarn in the Wavy Scarf, a good use for three shades of a 4-ply yarn
Wrist warmers in a worsted yarn have a contrast edging.
A chunky yarn Tablet case is relatively simple and would be a good padded cover and would be easily adapted for size.
The Jute shopper is a useful hand-held bag, I prefer my shopping bags to have longer handles but this looks useful. A cotton edging on the handle might be useful to protect hands.

Homewares
Clock - crocheted in rounds in two shades of 4-ply yarn
Pot Stand - in Jute twine
Drum Lampshade - in a DK cotton yarn
Storage Basket in a super-chunky yarn
Granny Throw in 4-ply yarn using multiple shades work 4 rows each with the final row in black sewn together and then edged in black.
Tea-light cuffs worked in 4-ply cotton yarn covers for tea-light holders
Pebbles - covers on pebbles worked in 4-ply as decorations.

Gifts and Decorations
Daisy Chain a decorative, very spring-like garland worked in 4-ply yarn
Bunny Toy 4ply yarn makes a bunny
Star Garland more 4-ply makes an 8pointed star garland, could be very Christmassy
Snowflakes 4 ply yarn again, good as gifts and as decorations.
Love heart a stuffed heart.

an interesting set of patterns that would be quite good for a beginner as many of them aren't really dependent on tension so would be useful practice.

As usual, I got this book in Dublin City Public Libraries who offer me no inducement to write these other than providing me with books and a salary.

Shamrokon Knits

Nerdy knit podcasts

Geeky girls knit
Brass Needles
Geek Girl Crafts


Illusion knitting all sorts of nerdy
some free nerdy illusion patterns
Dark Mark Illusion
Matrix Neo Illusion
Winter is coming
Serenity
Babylon 5 Shadow Ship Illusion
DNA


Captain John Sheridan socks
Star Wars Fairisle charts
Cat dice toys
d4 shaped dice bag
Hogwarts School Crest
Tree of Gondor chart
Bigger on the Inside Shawl
Doors of Durin Scarf
One Ring Scarf
MST3K Baby jumper
Marvin
Pacman
Wonder Woman Jumper
Another Wonder Woman Jumper
Star Trek Junior (Husband says that it's a next gen alternative universe commander outfit)
Wash's Jumper
Cylon Centurion
Sorting Hat
SKCD Pillow pattern by a Dublin knitter
Bender Loo Roll Cover
Serenity Ship
The Great Old one mittens I learned early on about using his name
Caffeinate Coffee Press Cozy
Death Star
Atomic Blocks
Doctor Who Fairisle charts
Tardis Mouse
221B Baker Street Hat

Publications
Charmed Knits
Magical Needlework
Knitting Wizardry
Doomsday knits

Great Little Gifts to Knit Reviewed

Great Little Gifts to Knit

Dublin City Public Libraries 

Ravelry

Divided into four sections Baby; Hers; His and Home; Jean Moss does a book of small projects.  The adult hats aren't modelled on people.

Baby
Cuddle Cocoon - worked in the round with Rowan Big Wool.
Shower Set - DK baby set of Hat, booties and mittens. Trimmed in a contrast colour with optional flowers.
Baby love Blanket - a small amount of shadow knitting lifts this DK project.
Whoopla Beanbags - beanbags knit in DK with a variety of patterns on each side.
Jubilee Jacket and Hat - colourwork inspired by Selbu designs sized for up to 4 years old.  Knit in DK.


Hers
Fiesta Shrug and Fingerless Gloves - knit in fingering weight yarn these are lace gloves and a shrug or stole.
Jive Leg Warmers - knit in Rowan Big Wool with cables.
Glow Wristlets - 4 ply beaded wristlets.  A fairly simple pattern but a nice result.
Froufrou fingerless Gloves - Rowan Kidsilk Haze fingerless gloves with layers of frill.
Amulet Purse - knit in fingering-weight yarn with a lot of beading and beaded fringing in both a small and medium size.
Deco Backpack - slipstich pattern in a DK yarn, this would be a useful beach bag, drawstring top.
Will-o'-the-Wisp Shawlette - plays with some contrasting yarns to make an interesting shawl with or without beads.
Galaxy Beret - a chunky weight yarn with variegated colour is showcased in this otherwise quite plain beret.
Kitten's Paw Stole - could be adapted to almost any yarn, open lace with a frilled edge. (for the lighter weight version)
Odalisque Turban and Hat - worked in Brioche rib with and without a top. Interesting varieties, knit in worsted yarn.
Zebra Mittens - knit in a bulky yarn, worked with an afterthought thumb.

His
Hugs Socks - Fair Isle socks worked in Aran weight yarn.
Masham Scarf - a plain garter stitch scarf worked with either the same or dissimilar needles to produce different effects.
Galway Beanie and Head Wrap - worked in Aran weight yarn with some cables and cleverly used decreases in the ribbing.
Tutti-Frutti smartphone sleeve - with a Pear symbol on it rather than any other fruit. Knit in sport-weight cotton for the original.
Hendrix Guitar Strap and Linen Belt- suitable for either gender this linen/cotton blend DK yarn would be quite stable.

Home
Checkers Cushion and Seat Cover - uses shadow knitting to create interest in this colourwork dk weight cover, finished slightly differently for the cushion and seat cover.
Flavor place mat and napkin ring - DK Linen/cotton blend creates an interesting set.
Wensleydale Tea Cozy - tuck stitch tea cozy in a worsted weight yarn that would allow you to use snippets and other decor to ornament it.
McDougal Dog Jacket - knit in a super bulky yarn this is a somewhat tartanish pattern.
Welcome Toran Door Hanging - knit in sportweight cotton this one is pretty complicated and you'd want to have a place in mind for it, but would be impressive when finished.

Overall not a bad set of patterns which would be useful for gift-creating.  Many of them would be good for time-sensitive situations and could be fairly easily adapted for a variety of tastes.  Some of the patterns are quite unisex dependent on colours chosen.  Some are things I would never knit for myself, I am not a fluffy frilly person.  Overall it would be good for an advanced beginner, some of the patterns would be a stretch but many of them aren't too complicated and would allow for learning. 

Got this from Dublin City Public Libraries who don't offer me any inducement to do these other than my regular salary and access to the books.

Lost

I have several reviews done on a USB stick which is missing, presumed having a good time somewhere. ARGH!

I do have a finished sock.

I have been very neglectful of my knitting recently in favour of some lingering cross stitch.  I need to try for at least one post here a week, lets see how that goes

Patterns that caught my eye this week

I only look at the first 10-15 pages of recently added designs, I only eliminate those with no photos.

A slip stitch waistcoat

 Easter Socks with a Daffodil and chicks and bunny

I keep meaning to try twinned knitting, this hat is an inspiration

I have a pet peeve about not seeing front and back of a garment, this garment looks like it could be interesting but how would I know?

I like how this scarf plays with the yarn

I like this shawl and the inspiration  wondering if it would be better in greens or autumnal colours...

very sweet Easter decoration  

Snowdrops cowl, and now I've got "Snowdrops and Daffodils..." line from All Kinds of Everything looping in my brain, pass the brain bleach...

A masterpiece wedding dress

It just doesn't quite work for me. it might be the whitespace at the edges

Lovely top, with bust coverage

Clever, Clever Loki Socks

Illusion knitting and stripes in a shawl

My style of cardigan, maybe without the belt

Breathtaking waistcoat

Very special scarf very cool design

Very pretty cardigan not really me, though I must knit one of hers some day

Lovely design the subtle striping is just so pretty

Clever hat design I love the flower detail

Such pretty detail without being over the top in this jumper

I like the style of this shawl

Possibly the cutest boots I have ever seen

my kind of cardigan with pockets and cables

Lovely floral motif in these mittens great use of a variegated yarn