Hexipuffs of the week

I've been getting back into hexipuffs lately. I haven't knit them for most of the summer (which is silly, since they're *perfect* summer knitting!), but now I'm back.
Mainly, it's a matter of finding time to knit them. I can knit a puff in about 15-20 mins now, so I don't tend to take them if I'm going somewhere where I'll be idle for longer. I often carry them, but don't knit on them.

I found I get most of my puffs done while walking to and from the shops, which is about 45 minutes round trip. I knit slower while walking, of course, but just like drop spindling, it's slower by the minute, but faster by the week.

So here are my week's seven puffs.
They are (from centre, then top clockwise):

1. Zauberball in Papagei
2. Madelinetosh Tosh Sock in Steam Age
3. Woollen St Mills in Ron Weasley
4. Lorna's Laces in an unnnamed color (from their minis set)
5. Lorna's Laces Soulmate in Bigger on the Inside
6. Another Crafty Girl in Chimchar
7. Woollen St Mills in Doctor 10

Shoes!

I'm not much of a clothes shopping person. And I don't get the extreme excitement some people have over shoes.
But my old Crocs had literally been walked through and it was time for replacements.
This time, i went online and went a bit nuts. I bought four pairs of shoes, all with handknit socks in mind!
They'll be perfect for transitional weather, and I expect them to be comfy while walking around town and while travelling. They're super light and squishy!

Do you wear handknit socks on display in your shoes? Do you wear them in shoes at all?
Have you ever bought shoes specifically to be a frame for your socks?

WIPs of the week

This week has been a week of slow progress.
I've been making rows and rows on the Geodesic cardigan over the weekend, and it's starting to look like, well, something.
I love the delicate fabric, and the colour is stunningly subtle.
I'm also making good progress on my swap partner's socks. I turned the heel!
While turning the heel may be my favourite part of the sock (Look! New direction!), the first few rounds of gusset are my least fave. I suck at picking up the stitches and always get unsightly holes, and the first two rounds are just awkward as the fabric pulls in funny ways and there isn't enough space on the needle.
Then it gets better and things are flying along.
I'm not there yet though.

I've also started a test knit for a friend. It's in my Tails DK base, so the pattern is positively flying off the needles! The gauge is a little denser than I prefer, but it makes for a warm, delightful fabric.
I came up with a new colourway especially for this project. In honour of the weather we currently have outside, I'm calling it Looks Like Rain. The colour reminds me of the bottoms of storm clouds rolling in.

And speaking of new colours, I've treated myself to a sweater's quantity of Tails in a new-to-me red, Poison Apple. It's going to be a pullover, possibly the Pelotonner. Something squishy to cosy up in when I need a woolly hug...

What's on your needles this week?

For the love of tea

I love tea.
I mean loooooooooove tea. I have at least two pots of tea most days, and I feel incomplete if I don't get to brew at least a cup on any given day.
Depending on the brew, tea can uplift or soothe me, calm me or give me that burst of energy.
I have tea for dark, miserable days and for hot and languid ones. Tea I drink in the morning, and tea to drink at night.

In fact, if you look at my tea shelf, crammed full of goodies (it goes on three deep), you might think I have a bit of a problem.

But it's all for research, you see? After the popular Tea & Stripes club (scheduled to return at the end of the year), I had the upcoming Downton Abbey tea & yarn swap to think about! So I really had to sample a wide variety of teas and tisanes to make sure I picked something delicious and inspiring both for your cups and for your needles.

Now, if you'll excuse me, it's time to brew a fresh pot of tea.

Product vs process knitting

I knit because I like it. I enjoy the simple, repetitive nature of making stitch after stitch, and I adore how with a little attention to detail, I can end up with a pleasing and interesting fabric.
The magic of lace, sculptural cables, texture, the relief of twisted stitches.

I also really love wearing my handmade goodies. My favourite hats are a combination of colour love, perfect fit, sensual yarn, and pleasing fabric. I have gloves and socks I adore, and most of my shawls see regular wear when it's cold enough.

But right now? Everything on the needles is not what I want to have, and what I want to knit is not an end product I want right now.

Aaah, knitter's choices. Does this ever happen to you?

Tea & Stripes Club Roundup

November '12 - French Earl Grey

The inaugural Tea & Stripes Club is well and truly over.
I had a wonderful time choosing the teas and coming up with colours.

There has been lots of activities in the group, which was super fun.
Of course the greatest thrill is seeing what people knit with my yarns, and we've had everything from socks to cowls and hats.

December '12 - Morning Dew

For those of you who missed out this time around, fear not! There will definitely be another Tea & Stripes club later in the year.

First, I'm going to focus on a new adventure though. The World Traveller yarn & goodies club is open for sign-ups right now, and it's going to be a blast!

January '13 - Cleopatra's Champagne

It's going to be variegated and tonal yarns (to give me a break from balling dozens of self-striping yarns each week!), but once that's through, the next round will be better than ever.
I've already got a few new and exciting teas lined up for you all.

What's your favourite tea? Which tea do you think would make an excellent addition to the line-up?

And which of the current crop would you like to see added to our regular Yarn vs Zombies line-up?

What's on the needles this week? Hoaloha!

This week hasn't been much for knitting.
I've been making teeeeeeeny progress on the Geodesic, and then Clue 2 of the Hoaloha came out!
So of course, I had to start that.
It's going great, but as things progress, I am thinking a lot about flattering knits.
As knitters and general makers of garments, we're in the fortunate position to make ourselves clothes that truly fit and flatter us, in whichever way we choose.

I am built rather differently from the Hoaloha designer, in that I am short and stocky, with a high, short waist.

ballet neck

The pullover design features a texture pattern that essentially hits the middle of the torso. Cutting my already short torso in half is really not a good look for me.
So I'm modifying to suit my taste and starting the texture sooner and possibly for longer.
I'm thinking of it more of an underbust corset feature, and that suits me much better.

scoop neck

I've also been trying the pullover on repeatedly, and I discovered that the neckline, such as it is now, has a lot of play in it. I actually enjoy pulling it out, kind of ballet style.
I don't know if we're adding more to the collar, but I actually enjoy the rolled finish, so I might keep it as is, regardless.

That's the power of knitting your own garments. You're in control, you make your own choices. And if the finished product doesn't please you, you can do it again!

If you're not in the mystery KAL, you are really missing out ona  treat. There are secret blog posts, special videos just for us KALers and a great community guessing and knitting along.
If Mel ever does this again, RUN to sign up!