Knitting and Tea

Tea or Coffee? I seem to enjoy them both...though when I've had a stresssful day, I'm apt to curl up with my knitting and a nice cup of tea by my side.


Knitting and Tea combines both.  Each of the six chapters reveals information about a type of tea or the traditions that have sprung up around it, and are followed by patterns, a recipe and a bit more information about a "site of interest".  Patterns in the book are classic and retro in nature and run the gamut from accessories for the home (egg and tea cozies, a cushion, and a tablecloth),  to accessories for wearing (gloves, socks, wraps, a hat and a purse), to the expected sweaters and cardigans.  Skill levels range from Easy to Experienced and patterns are included for men, women and children (though the patterns for women are definitely by far in the majority).  Each of the patterns has at least one large shot of the finished project, and often has additional smaller detail images include.  Charts and diagrams were clear and included as appropriate.  I really enjoyed paging through this book, and learning a bit more about tea. 

I'd like to offer this up to anyone interested - US only please, just leave me a comment and a way to get a hold of you should you be selected by the random number generator!   You have til April 5th to leave me a note :)

Slipped and Cabled

...sometimes I feel slipped and cabled what with all the goings on LOL

Happy Spring :) I think I forgot to pop in on the Equinox!

Unfortunately, I havent been having much luck with finding wildflowers out here in the desert - I'm hoping the wildflower season didn't just pass us by this year.  

I spied these daffodils at the local grocery and thought they looked incredibly happy and spring-like :)  I've also managed to finish off another pair of socks - these are much more bright, riotous and girly than the last pair....the pattern is formed by slipping and then cabling some stitches.

Of course, as usual, there is more information over here 

oh my.

Keeping it in the family

I love my knitting "group" - and I especially enjoy my time with the LG family - can you imagine? An entire family that knits! They are creative and inspiring and always renew my interest in craft :)

I was intrigued when offered this book up for review:


Mother-Daughter Knits - it's written by the mother-daughter team of Sally Melville and Caddy Melville Ledbetter.  The book features 30 patterns for mother and/or daughter - the patterns are fairly classic in design, and many will suit knitters of all ages.  The book starts out with a great chapter on fitting your handknits to best flatter your body-type and includes information on customizing knitting patterns to achieve the best look.   Building on this opening, the patterns do call out opportunities for customization as appropriate.

The patterns included in the book range from basic accessories (hairbands, fingerless gloves, spats/legwarmers, shrugs and scarves/mufflers and a bag) to easy-knit sweaters and tanks to more challenging garments including a coat, shawl collar pullover, a fantastic sheer button down shirt.  There are also some offerings for more experienced knitters, including a really nice shaped textured hoodie and a lacey cardigan.

While I can't say I'm drawn to every single pattern in the book (I rarely am!) There's more than enough to keep me occupied and keen on knitting - I really like the reversible tank, the sophisticated hoodie, classic shirt and dare I admit it? The mini dress!  I've found I rarely knit straight from a pattern, and I found the opening chapter on fit to be a welcome refresher and reference on how best to customize my knits.   Definitely a nice book to have on hand to make your handknits that much more unique!

Around and around....

And now, a diversion while I finish going round and round on the socks on the needles...

There is a hooping bug going round amongst my Flickr friends...and it looks like a fun way to get a core workout...way better than crunches and planks anyhow :)

So I gave in and got myself some dvds and a hoop:

Curiously enough, the hoop ships just like this from the place I got it - just wrapped in bubble wrap...and a postage label. The people at the post office gave me the strangest looks when I went to pick it up. I gleefully grabbed it and dashed off for home to give it a whirl.

Incidentally, I am able to get my heart rate up into the very low end of my training zone by hooping continuously - this evening I managed to learn how to go both directions, but I still drop the hoop a fair bit. Groovelectric podcasts for running work real well for hooping too ;)

Progress...

Oops. Sorry this was so long in coming - I've had this post just needing to be written for a while, but I kept getting distracted. Drat that day job ;)

oooh pretty! Twisted cable stitches, how I do love knitting them....I did indeed finish these off earlier this month - cruise over here for more info and photos!

why is it...

...that when I am behind in knitting, blogging, reading blogs, housework (basically everything not work related), it seems I stumble into things that threaten to eat more of my seemingly non-existent free time?



Fantastic Contraption is a game that appeals to my problemsolving brain...though I warn you now, if you like solving puzzles, you may not want to click if you have things to do :D

(coming soon, finished socks. Really. I got sucked into working on the cabled ones yesterday and I've about 2 inches left on the leg, or so the pattern tells me)