Summer Holidays

I'm taking some time off this summer. Having worked back to back contracts for a while I realised that I'd only had about 5 weeks off in the last 3 years. So I decided not to worry that I've got a big gap before my next job but to enjoy it instead. To catch up on the things that I love doing, dyeing and sewing and baking and knitting and being with the people that I love. So this will be a summer of crafting and visiting and taking time out (until someone rings and offers me a job!) to enjoy life.

I finished my last job on Monday and hit the road for my first visit. I travelled down to Somerset to hang out with my best friend from college and her two little girls. We had a great time, going to play groups and swimming and just enjoying each others company. With two girls under three it was more chaotic than relaxing, but great fun none the less and a great start to the summer.

I'm off again on Tuesday, to relatives on the Isle of Wight. Here's hoping the good weather we've had today is here to stay.

Jumping on the Bandwagon

I've wanted to make one of these scarves for a while. I'd seen a few on Ravelry and in the blog-o-sphere that I really liked. However, having spent a number of hours looking at the yarn on the internet I just couldn't commit to buying without seeing it in person.

I don't think the colour variations within each ball can be fully appreciated upon a screen. I needed to touch the yarn and compare colourways in the flesh, so to speak.

I've been working in North Wales since Christmas and so Stash in Chester is nice and local. I've bought from them online in the past but hadn't been to their store. I had to wait until my show was up and running though as they are, unfortunately, only open during the week.

I cast on and knit this during shows as the 1x1 rib is nice and simple. The stripes lined up really well to begin with but soon ended up too similar in tone. Pale blue and dark blue would be okay together but pale grey and pale blue just ended up looking like big blocks of colour. I decided to rip back and find a point to take out a colour from 1 ball and carry on. In the end I just ended up ripping right back and reballing the yarn. (Sorry I didn't get a picture for contrast before I ripped) I then started working 1 ball from the opposite end to before. Much better this time.

The colour bands fit together much better this way round. I had to put it down again when I went into rehearsals for this current show as my spare time just evapourated. I've spent my days this week cracking on with this project again. The constant colour changes make me want to keep knitting just to see what comes next.

I should have this finished just in time for the better weather!