I ain't dead...

Knitting News

Heeelllllooooooo

No, I’m not dead. Just been very busy. With a long list of things to do, internet access was also a huge problem. Anyway, seems like I have some sort of connection now, though not regular.
So with so much news tell, I’ve not idea where to begin. I’ve been knitting up a storm. I finished one pair of socks with my last 2 balls of Drops Fabel, brought with from the UK. They knitted up beautifully! I’m so thoroughly jealous but they were destined for a friend. So I’ve had to say goodbye with a tear in my eye to those lovely socks. The pattern was easy and the effect much more impressive than the technique. It’s way easy to memorise. The thing that I liked the most was that it looks like cables, but it’s not.
I’ve started another pair of socks. I’m trying to use up my small stash that I have already accumulated here in South Africa. Most of these did come with me on the plane but I do have a few balls of local acrylic ( yukky!) and the yarn for my vintage knit. Anyway, the socks. The yarn is Noro Sock (like for the Ziggy socks) but I’m using a different pattern this time. These will be for me too. Again, very easy pattern and the effect, combined with the colour changing Noro is fab. I’m turning the heel on the second sock as we speak so will probably finish it late tonight or tomorrow.
The nice thing about both these pairs of socks is that I learnt new techniques in both. YEAH! In the first, there was no ribbing. Instead, a turned hem that is knitted in. I’ve never done that before. But the top looks nice and neat.





I also learnt a short row heel-loving this so much more than a normal heel. There are no decreases for the instep. And seems much quicker. YEAH 2! And lastly I learnt a new toe on the Noro pair. A pointed toe decrease based on antique patterns. YEAH 3! Who’d think that you could learn this much! I’m really chuffed.
What else have I done…..I’ve crochet a little cat – Virgo Kitten- for my little niece Megan. She turned one and I needed a present. This kitty crochet up easily. Pattern was easy to follow and the kitteh very cute. The only thing I can complain about is the fact that you can’t find any nice dolls eyes here. So I’ve had to embroider the nose and eyes. I’m not happy with them but had no other choice. Either way, the kitteh is cute. She’s been checking out the lake and ducks today!





Phew! Once my last pair of socks are done, I’m going to try to finish my vintage knit. It’s calling me from my knitting bag! Hahahah!!



Other news

I had a visit from a friend from the UK. Amy was in my knitting group while we lived there. She came through to South Africa for one week and stayed with us in Paarl, in the winelands. We had a massive itinerary covering the whole of Cape Town.
Day 1- settling in to South Africa and the warm weather.
Day 2 – Table Mountain, V&A Waterfront, Bus ride covering most of the CBD and over the mountain to Camps Bay
Day 3 – Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, World of Birds, Jackass Penguins at Boulders Beach
Day 4 – Wine Route wine tasting at Fairview, Graham Beck, Boschendal
Day 5 – Aquarium, Robben Island ( where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned)
Day 6 –Cape Town markets visit
Day 7 - Last day lunch and flight back to UK
Did I mention it as really hot here?! I have a proper driving arm tan, complete with white watch strap tan! Not COOL! But there isn’t much that you could do about it.
And for now, I’m out of work and enjoying the leisurely life of the unemployed. Knitting my days away. Oh and listening to the Twilight audiobooks. Love them! Their just so damned expensive. THANKS FOR NOTHING ITUNES!