In other knitting news

I know - three posts in one day. I've had some catching up to do.

I finished the first half of the "Not the Boyfriend" Socks a couple of weeks ago, but hadn't got around to photographing it.

I've knit about half an inch of toe on the second sock. I'm using the TdFKAL as a bit of an excuse for a touch of SSS. I'm pleased with the way that this sock has come out. The colours are gorgeous. But I've knit this at a very tight gauge on 2mm needles. The Noro has a bit of uneven-ness to it which means that the 2mm needles occasionally struggle with the slightly thicker bits. The whole process is quite hard on the hands. It lends itself, therefore, to train knitting as I'm not working at it for really long periods. No more than half an hour at a time.

I've had a bit of a cold this week, so I took Thursday off. I caught up on the latest episode of Prison Break (I think I missed the season return - they slipped that under the radar a bit), then for contrast, I watched Stephen Fry's directorial debut - Bright Young Things (starring, amongst others, the delicious James McAvoy and a surprisingly unappealing (in this role) David Tennant). To keep my hands occupied, some mindless knitting - another dishcloth.

The mistake you can see rippling through the middle of the centre panel isn't so obvious in the flesh.  Cameras can be so unforgiving.

TdFKAL: Clapotis update

DSC02791, originally uploaded by Paisley Womble.

Lest it appear that I'm spending all my energy on sprint finishes like Mark Cavendish (4 sprinting stage wins so far), here is a progress shot of my "real" TdFKAL project - the Clapotis. As you can see, it's a scarf version. The goal is to keep knitting through this one skein until it looks like I've got just enough to do the decrease section at the end.
I'm really happy knitting this. The pattern and the sea silk work really well together. I made a clapotis a few years ago when the craze first hit, but I made a bad yarn choice then and the wrap has sat in a drawer since then. I can see this version getting plenty of use though.
To be honest though, we're now about 2/3 through le tour and I think I might be pushing it to finish this project, especially given my aborted attempt at the lace ribbon scarf. But I try not to focus on the "if onlys" of life. In this instance, I will still end up with a beautiful scarf. Happy Days.

TdFKAL: second sprint completed

DSC02782, originally uploaded by Paisley Womble.

May I present the Jacques Cousteau Chapeau. The pattern, like everything else these days, is on Ravelry. (ie: I can't be bothered finding the link). It uses a decrease that I haven't come across before - KKS. Super easy and pretty quick.
The wool is Patons (Australia) Merino Deluxe DK. This appears to be ACS's attempt to produce a competitor to the Italian style basic yarns like Filatura di Crosa Zara. It's pretty good and a leap forward from the basic 8 plys that they've stuck with for so long. If I were going to be critical, I would say that Zara is a smidge softer than this. But that would be being a little bit picky.

TdFKAL: first sprint completed

DSC02761, originally uploaded by Paisley Womble.

Most of this beret is made from a delicious merino-seacell handspun that I got from Pigeonroof Studios. There wasn't quite enough so I used up the rest of the plum coloured merino-cashmere from the "Anne of Cleves" hat. That still wasn't quite enough, so then I broke out a cake of Marta's Yarns 8 ply merino blue multi to finish off the brim.
Photo is blurry. Hands are not really steady when taking photos in the morning before the first cup of coffee.

TdFKAL: The clapotis begins

DSC02763, originally uploaded by Paisley Womble.

Ahh..... that's better. This is giving me so much more satisfaction than the last attempt. And dropping stitches? It's so counter-intuitive, but then really satisfying when you drop the ladders all the way down.

Serenity now...

Mosaic Thursday, originally uploaded by Paisley Womble.

Pictures making me happy right now...

1. IMG_7460, 2. IMG_7698.JPG, 3. IMG_7750.JPG, 4. IMG_7728.JPG, 5. summery rail fence., 6. 1000., 7. Red Spring Forward Socks, 8. Colinette Jitterbug Toscana, 9. All Laid Out, 10. Great Aunt Irma mini quilt 2, 11. IMG_7431, 12. wee lamb, 13. february lady sweater, 14. IMG_7221, 15. IMG_7387, 16. Cleopatra's Stockings, 17. Monkeys for mommy, 18. no. 1 : framed, 19. freshly laundered, 20. Mulino dei ceci set, 21. Post, 22. windy laundry, 23. Canal, 24. February Lady Sweater in progress, 25. Celebration Keens, 26. img_4519.jpg, 27. Durham, 28. vintage blueberry cotton, 29. Double Gradient Noro Scarf, 30. Kyoto_40, 31. Mingus, 32. Loopy Central Sock Wall, 33. Pillow and top, 34. brown blue quilt detail, 35. brown blue quilt, 36. making

TdF-KAL: Changing bicycles...

Perhaps I jinxed myself by speaking too soon. A few days ago I was full of knitting hubris that I could knock out a lace ribbon scarf in no time flat. It took me an evening (and a bit) to get this far.

It's now about double the photographed length. Pretty as it is, I'm not enjoying knitting this. It's not theoretically challenging and there are no needle-acrobatics required, but it's still monumentally easy to stuff this up at regular intervals unless you sit there counting every stitch under (or over) your breath.
So for the last couple of nights, this beautiful soft sea silk has been sitting on the coffee table watching le tour while I neglect it in favour of some pretty pigeonroof handspun which is knitting up easily into a beret (pictures to come). It deserves better treatment.
Look at it, sitting here patiently. It is worthy my love, not resentment.
So tonight I plan to frog the lace ribbon scarf, chalk it up to life's rich tapestry, and cast on for a clapotis.

More matchy matchy

DPP_0004, originally uploaded by Paisley Womble.

I made matching father and son socks for T2 and T3.

baby tractor shoes

DSC02745, originally uploaded by Paisley Womble.

Made for T3 from tractor fabric supplied by his mum. Everything else is from the stash. Green gingham heels, soft brown corduroy soles and some squishy soft light green flannelette for the lining (not seen).
Pattern can be found here:
http://stardustshoes.blogspot.com/2006/10/cloth-shoe-pattern.html
Tomorrow is C's baby shower. Her presents are all ready, but I have some baking to do between now and then...

TdFKAL - lining up the day before

It has occurred to me that my Tour de France sprinter's green jersey project, the Lace Ribbon Scarf, is highly unlikely to push my sprinter's needles to their very limits. So, thinking about the race, and in particular, the green jersey competition, I've noted that there are stages in the race where sprinting points can be earnt.
So in order to dip my lid to this aspect of le tour, I propose to undertake some additional sprinty little projects along the way. These two little chapeaux francais are looking like the most likely candidates at the moment. The One-Day Beret and the Jacques Cousteau pipo are lining up for their chance at la gloire de cyclisme.