Knitted to distraction

I thought that it would be a good idea tonight to tackle the lace collar that has been driving me to distraction. It is a lovely Debbie Bliss pattern in Rialto Lace, however, I am still struggling to keep the correct number of stitches and to select the correct needle size for the tension to be correct. The recommended size is UK 8, I have tried a UK 12 and it looks neat and closer to the required size, until I made the dreaded mistake, too many stitches!!!! At this stage I got a different colour and decided to go up in needle size to a UK 9. So far I have only got to row 5, I have to count the number of stitches each time, as somehow, from somewhere, they just seem to increase …… I am determined to master this pattern, but maybe not tonight!

On a lighter note the kitchen table is less chaotic as the hill of woollen offcuts has been bagged and the balls of yarn returned to the stash on the top of the stairs…Goodnight all.

Passing on the paraphernalia of a knitter…..

I was so aware of my mother constantly knitting when I was a child. I very rarely saw her without a knitting project. We made regular visits to the wool shop, every Friday on the way to the Co-operative store. It was the days of the dividend card. The owner was an obliging lady who would put the wool by so that you could pay as and when you needed it….. I can’t imagine this happening now. She had lots of knitting needles, stitch holders and counters. She knitted every evening and her work was precise and neat. I learnt from her at a very young age but unfortunately my knitting is not so precise.
I treasure my collection of knitting needles and love the colourful variety in preference to the metal needle. They are not only functional but decorative. I have got a set of bamboo needles in a pretty floral case, purchase in my local wool shop.
I find that these help with strain on the hands.
I am gradually building up a collection of hooks……..

The ‘big one’ reaps rewards……

Just got in from my walk along the ‘pink prom’ and a jolly coffee in the store and I was pondering the the ‘big one’. By this I mean my extra chunky pom pom hat that I wore on my walk today! I noticed people smiling at me, was it the hat or did I look totally ridiculous? It didn’t matter as it was really lovely to receive the smiles. I also had heartwarming conversations with two people who I had not met before and probably will not meet again. We shared our thoughts and a fragment of the day passed leaving me with a rather a glow. I think I will try the hat again…..