It's been a while, I know... I have a good explanation, or at least for those who've been there and know what it can do to your levels of energy.... More about that later though. I've been travelling a bit too; first a week to Denmark and two weeks ago I was on of te lucky attenders of the I Knit London 2008 event. Yup, I went to London to go to a knitting event. Everything else was a bonus, I'm just that kind of girl. I've been in New York City about 4 times and I've never been to London but I wasn't focussed on Buckingham Palace or Picadilly Circus or Shopping at Harrods... I was focussed on knitting. I was fortionate enough to have an excellent travel companion that nevertheless took me to all those places and so I had the perfect combination trip and all that in just two days. Needless to say I was totally knackered.
I've got a whole bunch of pictures so I'll minimise the rambling and optimise the visual story. Starting with the first ever SAS Knits It Again included Bachelorette Party, featuring Knit Kits disguised as a take away meal. It was great, the bride was happily surprised and the one guy that was present was probably the most fanatic. But I can't say it was easy, wanting everyone to go home with a (partly) finished item and still be able to keep the attention of the very chatty group. Phew! Teaching comes in so many forms. I'm sure they had a good time though and I'm definatly up for more P-A-R-T-Y's!
Then there was Denmark, where the weather was dreary and grey but the yarnshopping was fabulous. We've been at the same place in the spring so I knew exactly what I was going to get; some more of that lush baby alpaca and Danish mohair and then I got some curly mohair on sale as well. I got a whole bunch of great buttons and I also managed to design a new hat while hanging out in our wooden cabin.
And then, of course, London. Aaah, London... Where....
...I got a new bag...
...there was lots to see (and buy) at the I Knit London 2008 fair; like skeins, skeins, skeins, a grumpy old lady spinning, the backside of a bunny and the Dutch knitters who had their own spot.
I bought some great stuff; 2 different skeins of Manos (classic and silk blend), 3 skeins of Kaffe Fasset designed Rowan bulky yarn in (how could it be otherwise) fab colors, handmade buttons and a skein of Noro sockyarn which are going to be arm/leg warmers so they'll last me longer...
But the highlight of it all...
not so much the standing in line in pouring rain part... (though our comp-anions were lovely) and not even the knitting part (that much)...
But listening to the Yarn Harlot talk about us knitters with all her charm and wit. We were L.O.L. almost continuously. Great stuff!
And then the Harlot signed my book (eh, her book). Knowing that she's into that kind of thing, Yvon let her know that she's studying to be a midwife and meanwhile told her to convince me of a home birth instead of a hospital birth. (YESSSSSSSSSS, that's why I've been absent so long, I've been simply to tired and too sick... I'm expecting a wee one, a little brother or sister for Iep, YippEEEEE!!)The Harlot then spent about 4 minutes convincing me to give birth at home. Just picture the scene, there was a line about 50 m long and people were waiting sometimes for over an hour to get a book signed... She was só passionate about it that she totally got into convincing me. That was, well... uber cool! Did it work? Well, let's just say she touched some nerves and I'm definatly thinking it over again. ;-)
The next day we did the London thing and it was fab!
...there was even some K.I.P.-ing (knitting in public) done at Picadilly Circus!!...
...I spotted one of my favorite street art designers' work ...
And apart from missing my little boy, I had a great time. And am saving up already to go again next year!
ps
spelling check didn't work and its late... please forgive me any stupid mistakes...
And home made banana cake!! (Banana is his favorite, he calls it 'naan naan') Turns out he only ate the whipped cream (sweatened with fruit sugar instead of regular) and the slices of banana on top. To be honest, I completely understand, the cake wasn't that great, I went wrong where I go wrong in patterns all the time. I read... act out what I've read and then read the following part that says; 'AT THE SAME TIME.....'. OW!! So it was more of a banana biscuit than it was a cake. Hey it's the thought that counts right?
A year ago my friend Yvon gave me a couple of her home dyed skeins, named after Iep. A great birth present! I've been casting on an off about five times, but could never decide what to make. The yarn was a bit too bulky for a small baby, but now it's great for a big boy sweater and so I made him a very basic but bold sweater.
I used one and a half skein of chocolate Phildar Partner I had lying around for the edgings and arms.
The buttons (closed in the back) I found in a supermarket in France this summer. I used them on a coat for Iep first, but they were too big. I'm on the lookout for smaller wooden buttons for that one now...
The shops have been refilled with Knit Kits...
In the heat of the French summer I've been working on this Phildar Baby Duffel Coat, once again from the Marie Claire Idées/ Phildar book; Knitting for Babies. I must have knitted every single pattern in that book... I just realy like the classic look they have, it's never out of fashion. I did use a fashionable color instead of the usual dark blue and went for petrol. It's knit with a bacteria repellent fabric (what that does, I have no idea... except for repelling bacteria...) called Oxygene, also by Phildar. 
It's great for doing baby yoga!
I have thought long and hard before I decided to show you this picture. You see, in this blog I try to come across as a hip, young knitter. 
Meanwhile I'm embroidering Space Invaders... 
Posts
Jackll & hide
Space Invader
Easypeasycozywozy
NicoNeckPiece
Basic Baby Hat
