Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Yarn Along - Spring Notebook

Here we are, another week, another Yarn Along. Joining Ginny from Small Things.

Well, I finished the sock!!! Yay - finally!

At the time of working that wretched second sock, I vowed to never again make another pair of socks! Until..... I spotted some more sock yarn in my small stash! I know - what a sucker! The truth about hand knit socks is that nothing, absolutely NOTHING compares! I think that I will make a bit of a challenge of the next pair and find another more exciting pattern.

On Sunday I dragged out my last teeny tiny little scraps of 100% cotton and crochet another cloth to wash the dishes. This is another little 'nothing compares to..'  item that I have come to cherish in my life. My husband thinks I'm quite batty, but I just love how durable and soft these cloths are. The just last forever!

While I wait for some yarn to arrive for my next project - which I will share next week, I decided to try my hand at learning a new crochet technique. Since coming across Lucy's blog - Attic24 - I have fallen in love with her 'Ripple' afghan and am determined to crochet one. So after an unsuccessful attempt at understanding the nitty gritty from a crochet 'how to' book, I popped up onto YouTube and found an excellent tutorial from The Crochet Crowd and have been happily rippling along with some scrap yarn.



The book is 'Dying in the Wool' by Frances Brody. It's set in a quiet Yorkshire village with a dash of mystery and scandal thrown in for good measure. It's up to 'amateur sleuth extraordinaire - Kate Shackleton- to solve the mystery. This book is set in post WW1 era - a time that I am intrigued by. It seemed to have all the elements that I like in a book - I'm not sure that I can say I am 100% hooked yet, but I'll be sure to let you know ;o

18 comments:

  1. I love the socks! You're right nothing can compare. I also think hand knit dish cloths are a must in any kitchen!

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  2. I have often wondered about the handknit dishcloth thing and thought it seemed a bit odd. But you may have convinced me here, especially if they last forever. Do you throw them in the washing machine?

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  3. I've wondered the same thing about socks, but I love wearing socks so I know I'll knit up another pair. Haven't tried dishcloths...yet. I usually just use a sponge, but I suppose (like Greer said), you just throw it in the washing machine to clean?

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    1. That's right Ellen - you just pop them into the washing machine. I've been using some of mine for 3 years now and they are still going strong!

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  4. I love knitting dish rags. They are the best. Soap up the best, and have great scrubbing power :-)

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  5. Your socks are beautiful! They look so soft. I have a pair of socks that I need to finish but next time I have decided to try an knit two at a time.

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    1. Thank you Linda. I hope you post on knitting two at a time. I would love to see how that's done.

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  6. Excited to find your blog today via the Yarnalong and your comment. We lived in SCotland for 4 years and knew one homeschooler while there. Britain has a soft spot in my heart and it will be fun to read about your adventures.

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    1. Thank you Heather. I LOVE Scotland too. It has a very special place in my heart. We went to the highlands for a holiday in September 2011 and I hope to visit at least once a year. Of course if hubby could just find a job in Inverness.....;o)

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  7. i so agree about the dishcloths, i haven't used any other for over 30 years now. people still can't understand how something pretty can be used this way. but honestly, i don't mind dishes when i can choose a pretty colored handknit cloth to scrub with. they are the best!

    socks look great too! very cozy and warm!

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    1. I Agree Lori, washing the dishes is not so bad when you have a pretty handknit cloth! Many blessings to you for your trip to Africa.

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  8. Lovely socks, you can't beat a handknitted pair the crochet looks lovely too.

    Thank you so much for your prayers and the lovely jacqui lawson e card.

    San xx

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  9. I so agree that nothing compares to hand knitted socks. Maybe a change of sock pattern is just the thing to help you. Your finished pair of socks look wonderful. I bet you don't want to take them off!

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    1. I'm going to trawl through Ravelry and see what I can find by way of sock patterns Cheryl. Thanks for your comment ;o)

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