Crafty Little Rat

After a Podcast Fail last week where the video recorded but the audio did not I’m back! A week later than usual but please bear with me and my hobo looks. Gloves were Strong Heart in Toft DK You’re still working on that? Attic 24 Ripple Blanket pattern – 3.0mm Hook DMC Natura Just Cotton in Coral, Tournesol, Bourgone, Aquamarina and Sable Celtic Myths Socks – In NicksKnots Bag Inspired by the Celtic Myths Shawl by Asita Krebs . I showed off my laceweight version these socks are to match. Lincolnshire Longwool – Risby Grange DK (Shawl in the Lacweight Lambswool) Kirstie’s Shawl – In KnitSpinQuilt (AlisaB) bag Den of Yarniquity SW merino/nylon sock in Red/Yellow/Pink Handbrake Cowl – Kay and Dan Jones – Squash Blossom Fibers (Local dyer- non available online) In a KnitSpinQuilt (AlisaB) bag FO Frenzy Shortie Socks – No Pattern Opal Cotton Premium Duchess Of Devonshire Shawl – Kay and Dan Jones Rosie’s Moments Splash of Colour Grey (MCN) Alpaca/Merino C

Trying out new Webcam software again! Many Cam this time round and Handbrake for compression purposes You’re still working on that? Icon Dress – Kari Helene Raine knit in Risby Flock Lincoln Longwool FO Frenzy Padina Pavonia Sock – Hunter Hammerson knit in Regia Fluromania 7188 Neon Rainbow - Fish Lips Kiss Heel ($1 – so worth it!) - Setting bleeding socks with Citric Acid In a Spin Hilltop Cloud Jayne Seymour Merino/Shetland/Milk Protein/Firestar Moorview Alpaca Valais Blacknose Sheep 100g Ooh Shiny! West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4ply Blue Tit (818) Bullfinch (861)

Apologies if this pops up again! I made a silly mistake when putting up Episode 4!   Hannah is sick! Also trying out new webcam software (Free 2x Webcam Recorder) Correl Video Studio and Handbrake for compression purposes – video only took an hour and a half to upload! You’re still working on that? Icon Dress – Kari Helene Raine knit in Risby Flock Lincoln Longwool FO Frenzy Padina Pavonia Sock – Hunter Hammerson knit in Regia Fluromania 7188 Neon Rainbow - Fish Lips Kiss Heel ($1 – so worth it!) - Setting bleeding socks with Citric Acid FO Frenzy Bay Are Knitter MKAL – Christine Marie Chen knit in West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4ply in Owl and Poppyseed Little Lion Bonnet Test Knit – Mimi Codd – Eskimim i knit in Hobycraft Value DK Yellow and Stylecraft Special DK Copper August Socks – Heart and Sole 104 Move to the Groove . Standard sock pattern. Morgan’s Dragon – Smaug the African Flower Dragon Heidi Bears . Crochet 1458 meters of Stylecraft, Hobycraft Value. In a Spi

a.k.a the one that was plagued by technical glitches! You’re Still working in That Smaug (Heidi Bears) Stylecraft Life DK Cardinal Stylecraft Special DK – Meadow, Cream and Lipstick Hobbycraft Value Crafts “Red” Icon – Kari-Helene Rane Risby Flock Lincoln Longwool Bay Area Knitter MKAL – Christine Marie Chen West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4ply Owl and Poppy Socks – Own standard 64 stitch sock. Sirdar Heart and Sole Move to the Groove FO Frenzy Christmas Tree Skirt – Teva Durham Stylecraft Special Chunky – Cream and Lipstick In a Spin New Zealand Bright Corridale/ Black Welsh Mountain – Neon Barberpoles 149g 713 meters 22 WPI Wheeldale Woolcraft Shetland/Meriono Silk (similar) Ooh Shiny! Art By Anna Dottie Angel simplicity frock pattern (#1080) Asda Duvet Cover Ed’s Menagerie – Birds

Hannah is working on “Your Still working on that?” Zoom Loom Squares – Zoom Loom Annalise’s Ripple – Neat Ripple Attic 24 DMC Natura Just Cotton – Coral (18) Tournesol (16) Aquamarina (25) Bourgone (34) and Sable (03) Morgans Dragon – Smaug The African Flower Dragon Heidi Bears Stylecraft Special DK Cream (1005) Meadow (1065) Sunshine (1114) Stylecraft Life DK Cardinal (2306) FO Frenzy Whippoorwil – Carina Spencer Crystal Palace Mini Mochi Intense Rainbow (101) In a Spin New Zealand Corridale Black Welsh Mountain Finished – Cappuccino Alpaca Merino 120g 468 meters Ooh Shiney Juniper Moon Farm Findley – 19 Rappahannock 28 Rusty Coopper Rico Design Superba Bamboo Uni Superwash West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4ply – Poppy Seed (600) Owl (877) Caldonia Shawl – Kirsten Kapur Regia – Stripemania Color 06366

I’ve had a lovely lovely week away at my parents, only thwarted by the fact of actually having to return to work. Booo. I managed to get a lot done while I was away, but today I want to show you some pretties I bought!   Some Superba Bamboo Superwash – I’m heavily debating making this into socks for my dad, who really enjoys his bamboo walking socks (not hand made) but I’m a bit worried the colours will be a little bit too bright for him. If not it will certainly become socks for me! The only thing I bought at M&G Designs in Louth this year – I was very reserved! This is a new yarn to me Juniper Moon Findley; the brown is Rusty Copper and the blue is Rappahannock – named after a river in East Virginia apparently. They’re both laceweight and between the two I should have enough yardage for a cardigan probably (especially if I get back on the diet!) and I bought both of these at A Good Yarn in Cleethorpes. Fibre enhancement to cheer myself up arrived while I was away too. Thi

June has flown by; as it always does but this year just seems to have gone so much faster than most. I am fairly happy with how successful I have been with this months goals - I achieved a lot more than I expected too. My monthly tradition of socks is still going strong. At the moment I'm 6 for 6; and along with the 13 pairs I made last year my sock draw is looking reasonably healthy. This month I completed a pair of plain socks as the month was drawing to a close and I didn't fancy cables. The Fugue Socks are going to be on my needles, but I need to make some significant modifications as 72 stitches is just far too large for me. I did finish spinning the merino and plying it. The yarn ended up as thick and thin, but mostly chunky yarn. It was the first real yarn I've spun in a long time and the learning curve at returning to the wheel is evident. It's rekindled my love for spinning, and the reminder that I can use up my "Good" fibre and create something nic

  For once I have something to share!   I finished up Celtic Myths recently. I’m not sure if I shared pictures but I just had one of it blocking. Last Sunday when we went to Rhys’ Mums the weather was so so nice I took it to get some outside shots. It’s huge! A bit too big to wear this way around I suppose but I still like it. It’s made with the Risby Flock Lincoln Longwool. It’s not the softest wool in the world, but that’s the nature of the sheep breed. It created amazingly crisp and clear cables and will be very warm in the winter. As it’s going to be worn in February this is a bonus. I really need a set of blocking wires. As well as I tried to get the edge non puckered but still smooth and curved it still has small points in places. I’m going to have to invest at some point. I’ll re-block it then and maybe add some conditioner into the wash. I’ve completed the June section of my Christmas Tree skirt as well. Not too much to say on this, it’s coming along. Section 6 of 1

Short and sweet today – Hopefully. Last time I tried to update with Windows Live writer it was having an fight with Google and blogger especially and refusing to post. Another blog I follow posted the other day saying it was working okay so I’m really hoping this works. Live writer has spoiled me, Bloggers method is okay but I really miss Live writer So Mid month goals Socks - The Art of Fugue Started – But I’ve only got just past the rib. Heavily debating if I want to carry on or put them aside and work on them next month instead. Maybe “cheat” this month and knit a short pair of socks. Finish Spinning the Merino and Ply it DONE! I need to get some better pictures but I ended up with about 296 from about 250g of fibre. 12 Zoom Loom Squares 8 Done so far! Finish Cas Dragon Got his head completed, trying to work on a motif or two a day – but failing at that, Complete Set of 5 colours on the blanket - ambitious again but we shall see. Picked it up tonight to work on a little.

I've had a pretty one track mind this week Celtic Myths and the never ending edge repeat. I have about 150 rows left to go and so so hope I'll get done by the weekend ready to block on Saturday. We shall see. I'm finishing the second half of Walking Dead season 5 while knitting - I've already worked my way though 2 and a bit seasons of Game of Thrones as well working on this! Last week though I did manage to finish the spinning that was on my wheel. 296 yards - thick and thin, will probably turn into an Age of Brass and Steam at some point. It's an easily modify-able top down pattern so I can use up every last inch. I've been a good girl and put the baby camel back on the wheel! I moved down a whorl to a higher speed and it's been going a lot better. I'm thinking of creating a true 2ply with it from a centre pull ball. I have a lot of fibre left to go though but as long as I do a little every day it should be fine. My plans for the weeken

Time to recap on my May Goals! Spin 50g of fibre – I’ve picked out some 21 micron Merino tops I bought last year from Wingham Wool works at Wonderwool.   Yes! At the end of the month I just had 2 colours left from the 250g bag of fibre. I'm really hoping that this month I'll have a finished plyed yarn to show you guys. I'm planning on N-Plying to keep the colour sequence intact. Knit the next Segment of the Tree skirt. 5/11 – nearly half way done!   Done! I'm so so over this project at the moment. A section a month though keeps it managable I suppose. Socks! Planorbis Corneus is my pattern this month  Done! Loved this pattern - my yarn bled so so much over my hands. Loved this pattern so much I bought the e-book; I'm really looking forward to working the remainder of the patterns as they come up. I found these this morning and Rhys put them through the washing machine. Basically they've felted :( RIP Socks. Most gutting part is I ne

Hello all! I’ve had a very busy weekend with my parents being down. While waiting for them to come down I got another 4 squares done on my sock yarn blanket. The left two are from a special mini skein I was given several years ago. I’m not entirely sure when I got given it, but it was a very small skein, probably under 20 yards. Just right to add into my blanket and serve as a reminder though! Saturday we went to Dyffryn gardens – A national trust property that they’re working on restoring. None of us are gardeners, but there was such a lovely selection – In the summer I’ll borrow more photos off my mum’s camera as I thought I’d forgotten mine for the start. Rhys was very enamoured by the cactus room. Sunday we were up and off an on. We went on some Segway’s at Chepstow diving centre, as we booked so late 9am was the only time slot, which was nice as we got to have the rest of the day to ourselves. Poor Mum fell off at the last bit (she’d misjud

  Okay, so maybe hyperbole a little but I have a LOT going on on the needles, hook and wheel at the moment,   Eesh it’s a lot when you put it all together. Right-o at the bottom is my Christmas Tree skirt; I’m currently working on this months section so hopefully that’ll be one less on the WIP list. Bottom represented by the orange fluff is my current Spinning project – got a fair bit more to go. Worked through light yellow, yellow, orange and I’m on to dark orange. And the other one is the ball on the left with the needle stuck in it is going to be Icon eventually.     My zoom loom arrived on Thursday! I’m using scraps from my sock yarn held double (was too thin and lacy singularly) I’ve done 18 so far and have 4 more colours left to go. I still have plenty of scraps left to use but wanted to make one of each colour first. I’ve started Heere Be Dragonees in some Jon Arbon lace I bought at Wonderwool a few years ago. I’ve done the really really easy bit and now have to do

  I am a Lincolnshire girl. For the last 7 years I’ve lived elsewhere but my heart still belongs in the Wolds. Being the other half of a very proud Welshman it’s so very easy to get “stuff” that shows off his heritage. Everywhere you go there’s Welsh flags, bags, outfits and the symbolism of dragons and daffodils. For me not so much. For a start most people don’t even know where Lincolnshire is… Hint – It’s the red bit! We have a flag – although it’s only within the last 2 years I’ve actually been able to find them for sale And the only other thing people really know “us” for is our lovely sausages and we have Chine and Haselet (correctly pronounced HACE-let not Haz-let) and Lincolnshire Poacher Cheese And while sausages are FUN and Tasty, they’re not exactly wearable. Enter Risby Flock ! I’ve been after some Lincolnshire Longwool (From “our” sheep breed, the Lincoln) for a long time. I’d hoped to grab some at Wonderwool, but sadly it wasn’t meant to be. This is the lace w