Thursday, 9 April 2009
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!
Saturday, 7 March 2009
Friday, 6 March 2009
So much news...
Well the past few weeks have been both uneventful and hot. Right now, its 31 degrees celsius and the time 19h24. Cape Town has been sweltering in a heat wave this week that has fueled that largest and longest lasting fires in 9 years. As we speak, one has been raging for a week and is still out of control. Todays heat was just too much. I popped out of the air-conditioned office to get some cash for lunch and walked into an oven. I haven't experienced such heat in a very long time. Its the kind where it feels like you are breathing through a hairdryer. The actual air is hot. There were some community service delinquents sweeping the streets as punishment and for the first time, I actually felt sorry for them.
To make matters worse, no wind. That means smog, visible smog which hangs like a blanket over the city.
The good thing is that it makes for great sunsets. We set out to Blouberg beach and I took LOADS of pictures. Some of them included these...
My absolute favourite one is of the kids playing...it looks so carefree and fun!
ps...I may just go for a swim right now...its just too hot in here!
OK I'm back!
Knitting news - I've finished yet another string bag for a colleague and the idiot that I am, forgot to take proper pics. So my mobile camera will have to do. I could kick myself.
I am so in love with bag but had to give it away. ::jellis::
I still have bit left from the balls of cotton so may eek one out for myself.
My vintage knit has progressed a lot. I have just about finished the back and it looks fab. The pattern is so easy to remember and I will definitely progress a lot faster on the front. I can't wait to finish it.
I'm still having problems adjusting to not knitting so much anymore and do miss it. I feel like I'm having withdrawal symptoms or something.
have......to.....knit....please..............!!!!!!
We will also be moving house temporarily due to family coming to visit. And have in the progress, managed to UPGRADE!!! We will be living in a house of some friends of ours who live in the UK. The house is situated in Paarl which is a lovely town within the wine district of Cape Town. We have been to the house and am quite excited to get away from the parents in law and have some time to ourselves. Additionally, my friend, Amy, from our UK knitting group is coming to visit!!! So I have taken time off work and will be doing the touristy things with her. Cue loads of pictures. She arrives in 3 weeks time. She has made a wishlist of places to see which include the penguins at Boulders beach, Kirstenbosch gardens, the Cheetah outreach at Spier, the V&A Waterfront, Table Mountain, Robben Island ( where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated) and so on. So if you have ever wanted to see any of these, hold on to your horses.
Tonight we're off to act like youngsters and are hitting the town to see a local band. Hope we don't stand out too much! Haha!!
Sadly, I have to visit the vets tomorrow for the last time with my cat Kleinman. Unfortunately, his sight has deteriorated so much that he is becoming a hazard to himself. Constantly falling off counters, beds and walking into walls and doors. I'm horrified to have to take him but have no other choice. He is on his own most of the day and what if something happens? I'm really not looking forward to it! Sad day indeed.
Kleinman has been my best friend for 18 years and a trouper! I will miss you.
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