Author: Nikki

Craft ramblings…

I’m sure that some of you by now have wandered over my WIP page. The last two FO objects are what I want to rave about here.

I’ve taken a side branch from Knitting, and done some dyeing and stitchmarker making… I’m rather chuffed with my results as well.

I bought kool-aid from the net, and some Cygnet “Superwash” in DK and “Wool Rich” in Aran from John Lewis.

As I said in my WIP page, the dyed results came out variagated. I suspect I made the water too hot to start with, so that the wool just absorbed the dye instantly as I put it in the bath, which meant that there wasn’t enough dye for the top half! I sprinkled a contrasting colour on the white bits though, and both sets have come out lovely. 🙂 I’m rather taken with the Blue one, that is the DK, and I think you could call it “sea wave green” really. Not sure I could ever make another though 🙁 Anyone got any ideas about what to do wtih 50g of Yarn?

I contrasted the Aran pink with some Yellow, which is OK, but not as lovely as the DK IMHO.

I also discovered after the fact that Superwash Wool absorbs the dye faster and quicker than natural wool anyway, and tends to look more vibrant as well.. so hey, I’ll have to try to replicate my results 🙂

I then did some Laines du Nord, which came out a lot more solid. This 100% wool feels very silky, I’m going to enjoy knitting it I suspect. I did a double bath on the purple, adding the lighter skein after the dark one, so they are the same shade but differing intensity… Came out very cool, so I think I’m learing intarsia for a vertically striped scarf with this!

The Orange and Green? Well, I’ve got some more Kool-aid, so I’m going to make some more there, not suer what I’m making it into yet though…

I did some intense Scarlet last night too, 200g all at once! It is an ebay lot, an unspecified rough feeling 100% wool. I suspect it may become a bag. Maybe with something else I dye up in a matching colour…

All this creativity. It makes me happy. Surprisingly large amounts as well.

That has to be saying something about my state of mind, I’m probably looking for some form of “fulfilment” that I’m not getting in some sphere of life or the other right now. *shrug*

I didn’t get the job…

I had my 2nd interview for the position last Tuesday. I didn’t get the job.

Mind you, I’m not actually upset about that.

The reasons why I didn’t get the job are actually hugely positive… I was just too good. 🙂

I ticked all their boxes, both “fit” and “techincal” and then some.

The Problem was that the chap that interviewed me felt that the role I was going for was actually beneath my capabilites, that I would not feel stretched, and therefore become discontent. That is not good for either party really…

He did say that if a role came up that would fit me, he would be back in contact ASAP.

I take all this as a good thing. Yes, I didn’t get the job, but it wasn’t desparate that I did get it. It’s not a showstopper like it was this time last year.

However, what it does mean is that I interview well, I project my “product” to an employer and I know what I want, what I can offer, and where I want to go in my career.

This then also means that my intrinsic “employment value” is very high to any prospective employer.

So hey, all in all, I’m a happy bunny.

Ally Pally – Yummy!

Fun fun fun, lots of walking, but I didn’t actually buy lots. Nothing really leapt out at me and said “take me home”…

I attended the “Sewing up techniques” Debbie Bliss gave, although it was only the one technique, matress st. How cool is that! I know, I know, but I just wasn’t getting it from books. So much bettter when someone shows you! I also got a ball of her Baby Cashmerino… In peach. Not sure what I’m going to do with that…

I got a nice set of Birch 9mm needles and a small skein of “House of Hemp” variagated to swatch up with. Also lots of inspirartion and some truffles from Linday London.. I didn’t buy a set of Addi Glitter. Surprisingly bendy, which I don’t like in a needle.

I couldn’t find the hip-knits stand… 🙁 I fondled stuff at Touch, Collinette, Get Knitted (Isn’t Bamboo strange?) and various other stalls, but… *shrug* I didn’t get “the whisper” from anything… Although, I might just have a bash at felting (as opposed to fulling) one of these days… I love the colours!

I had a go at some extreme knitting, remembering what Lixie said about keeping the tree trunks, *ahem!* needles on the floor. Rather cool really.

Pixeldiva had lots of cool pics of kids learing a new craft on her camera! Laura looked far more relaxed that I suspect she as supposed to be form being on the relax and knit all day, and I also bumped into an old friend who is now apparently the World Authority on Lucetting… And to think I was there the first time he picked up a lucet and started fumbling about with it about 12 years ago!

I am in love with “Elle Sensual” yarn. I have never felt anything so soft, the yarn balls snuggle your neck when you fondle them, and the drape is to die for, the fabric surprisingly heavy. A Fabric with Gravitas, it hugs you when you wrap it round you.

My Mum heard “the whisper” from it, so we bought three ball to make her a scarf. I’m starting it off for her, as she isn’t a “native knitter” and as it is soooo fluffy, she will have a hard time of in until she gets going.

However, we walked around the corner from Taj Crafts to the GMC stand, where they have the “Elle Sensual” coat from Knitting on display.

OH-MY-GOD.

The Guy at the stand let us try it on… *sigh*

It is phenominal. (Although the sewing up leaves a touch to be desired on the sample)

I want one. (Although, I think I would have to make the skirt flare more to fit my hips, the sleeves were the perfect length, as was the coat!)

I don’t care that it would be tedious hours of St St on 5mm needles.

It will be so worth it.

Looking at the garment, if you tried to get something like that in the shops, you are probably not looking at change from £1000, so £120 or so in yarn seems to be rather a bargain… The GMC guy (who is not a knitter) said that it was the first time he had ever been so wowed with a piece of knitting.

Guess what I’m asking for for B’day/Xmas!

It feels so good against your skin! Quite frankly, I want to make one, and then act all “Porn-Star”, and wear it, a huge diamond necklace, and absolutely nothing else… Hmm…. Maybe I should make a dress first! Matching Undies too, or is that just excessive… 😉

Ever need a day to be 28hrs? I know I do!

Wha! Just a quick update to tell you all I’ve been too busy RL again!

I’ve got a stack of Pics I need to upload, but for now… (and to remind myself what I want to do later!)

I made stitch markers, and Wow! 🙂

I’ve dyed some yarn, and it looks lovely.

I’ve been out since last monday, and there is no sign of it letting up yet!

I’ve made the decision to frog the FMB, cos I knitted it “correct gauge”, which means it is is too tight to felt.

I bought some Noro Silver thaw, which is lovely, but I’m going to frog the scarf I started with that, and make it narrower, and take it up a needle size as well, to give it some drape.

Also, look here!
first SP giftie
Thank you SP6! Love it all!