Hello, I hope you had a lovely weekend. It was really nice to feel the warm sun on my face as I sat knitting in the garden. Knitting? Yes, I've put my crochet blanket to one side in favour of some sock knitting. A while ago now I bought Christine - Winwick Mum's Super Socks book. I'd stocked up on needles, opting for the short circular and Dpns - needed for the heel. Do check out her blog here for more info.
I will admit to being sceptical about the short 2.5mm - 30cm length. I'd previously tried Dpns on my first pair of socks and knew I'd prefer another method. Next up was 2 circular needles which I thought sounded perfect. With one pair of needles knitting the front / top on the sock and the other the heel / back. I was never happy with the two gappy lines down the length of the socks where you switch needles.
The single circular needle is perfect. It's quick knitting as you're not constantly changing needles and though you use Dpns for the heel, so far it's not been an issue. For the yarn details I'm using see here.
On Saturday afternoon we had our last open home for the church, more Millionaire shortbread, recipe here. It's been good to do, the hosting requires me to make sure I clean the house. It's been nice to chat to people over a cuppa and cake, everyone seems to like cake. We'll probably do this again next year as even the teens liked it. It helped of course that their friends visited too.
So apart from knitting socks and eating cake in a garden warm enough to have me putting on my shorts, there's a few more things that I'm enjoying at the moment.
Should've started. This book is the current read for the bookclub. Though I've watched the film, I've not started it yet. I was pleased that teen 2 found this book entertaining enough for him to want to read it. Though he could read very well before he started school, he's remarkably uninterested in books now. He does have a full bookcase in his room and will often request a book for birthday etc presents. Teen 1 is the book worm of the family and loves to discuss the plot in detail.
Wanting to start. This latest book by Debbie Macomber, my favourite author. that I'm looking forward to starting. I know when I start reading it, it'll be finished in a few days. Macomber doesn't write complicated page turners, but she does write an entertaining feel good novel.
Present read. This Macomber book is part 4 of the cedar Cove series. I'm also reading Agatha Christie's The Clocks on the Kindle, which all seems vaguely familiar and I'm sure I've read it before years ago.
Watching on video. Last weekend we went to a car boot sale and I purchased 10 Agatha Christie's Miss Marple VHS tapes for £3. I handed over my money hoping the video player was still attached to the TV and working. Thankfully all is well and I'm enjoying the nostalgia of watching them again.
Wooden puzzles, I'd pulled these out the cupboard at the weekend, the tower of Hanoi is always popular with visitors. There's some rebuilding to do on one of them.
M surprised me a few weeks ago, bringing me home a covered candle holder. I'd bought the lavender candle last year and normally I'd say I love lavender, but there's something about this particular fragrance. No matter which room I light it in, including open and spacious places, it never fails to bring on a headache. I therefore decided I'd take it outside and light it so at least I could still enjoy the smell in a less confined space. Of course the strong winds of coastal Lincolnshire don't help keep my flame burning. Anyway, hopefully this should do the job nicely.
QT a bit of a fuzzy photo as I was using the zoom setting on the camera. I knew if I'd walked over to him he'd have stood up to see what I wanted.
If anyone has any sock related tips or recommendations on yarns or patterns, please do leave a comment. Thank you. When I've finished this particular pair, I thought I'd knit a few pairs in the WYS yarn. In particular I like the bird variants shown here.
Have a good week
Cathy x
I've always used Christine's words of wisdom whenever I've made socks. She's brilliant isn't she? Your millionaires shortbread looks delicious. X
ReplyDeleteThank you Jules. I'm following with the book. You-tube videos are ok for somethings but I prefer a book or proper pattern for complicated things x
DeleteI like the yarn you're using for your socks. I had a go using a short circular needle for sock knitting but I didn't get on with it at all, it made my hands ache so I stick with dpns. If you're wanting pattern recommendations Hermiones Everyday Sock Pattern by Erica Lueder (free on Ravelry) is a good one, very easy but gives a lovely textured pattern, and I like Vanilla Latte Socks by Virginia Rose-Jeanes (also free on Ravelry) which is quite a plain sock but gives a little interest. Millionaires Shortbread is a favourite here, though I don't make it very often as it's a bit faffy having to put it together in stages. I'm all for an easy life, ha ha. I read A Street Can Named Bob and the sequel and loved them both, I thought they were better than the film. Neither of my kids are big readers, Daniel does read but he's quite particular in what he reads but Eleanor wouldn't dream of picking a book up. They can both read well so it isn't that, just lack of interest, which is a real shame. I haven't read anything by Debbie Macomber but I've seen her books around so perhaps I should give one a try. I'm currently working my way through all Agatha Christie's murder mystery books in chronological order, I read one book per month, but haven't got to The Clocks yet. I'm exactly the same with lavender, I do like the scent outdoors but I'm not a lover of it in the house, it's a bit too full on for me. QT certainly knows how to relax, lovely boy.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jo, I'll take a look at the recommendations. This recipe I use - you can make the caramel topping whilst the shortbread bakes and pour over soon after the shortbread is taken out the oven. The soon as the caramel feels set, I pour on the melted chocolate. I do stand the baking tray on ice blocks for a while to speed up the cooling. It wrecks the fridge over wise - goes black.
DeleteMy eldest got into reading in the juniors KS2 with Anthony Horowitz, he couldn't put them down. Diamond Brothers series first, then Groosham Grange followed by Alex Rider series - https://www.fantasticfiction.com/h/anthony-horowitz/
The Debbie Macomber Blossom Street Series is a good one - all based loosely around a knitting shop - https://www.fantasticfiction.com/m/debbie-macomber/
Yes QT is loved to bits and sleeps in many places all over the garden. He's not deaf, but when he's sleeping out side, he has selective hearing, even if I rattle the Dreamies tin x
Lovely socks! I use DPNs but it took me a while to work out how to hold four needles at once. I'm ever-so-slightly addicted now. We have a video recorder too and most people think we're mad. Are they the Joan Hickson Miss Marples? If so, they are a real treat, I love them and all decks are cleared in this house when they repeat them on the television. Joan is absolutely brilliant, can't be bettered. Your millionaire shortbread looks scrummy, it wouldn't last long here. x
ReplyDeleteThank you Mrs Tiggywinkle, Yes they are with Joan Hickson. She plays the part brilliantly. I've learnt to tune into her little 'inconsequential appearing' comments or anecdotes, as these are key to the unravelling of the mystery.
DeleteI've never tried knitting socks. I've always wanted too though. I'm slowly building up to it. I was just shopping for books this morning. There are so many interesting ones I'd like to order but I still have three on my nightstand I need to get to. :)
ReplyDeletexx Beca
Hi Beca, I would definitely recommend looking at Winwick Mum's blog if are interested in sock knitting. She has online tutorials, her book and other links for info. I love knitting socks even though I get frustrated at times. Cathy x
Deletehttp://www.winwickmum.co.uk/