knitting neels

Yesterday I was just dying, but today I’m feeling a bit better. My parents and brother are visiting and they’re about to go out for a walk. I think I’ll stay in. I haven’t wanted to knit in nearly three days! However, I have managed to finish the back piece of Elspeth and start one of the front pieces. There isn’t very much to show I’m afraid.

I got some knitting books in the post during the week: Loop-d-Loop and Rowan’s Vintage Knits. The Vintage Knits is a bit of a disappointment, actually. All the mens’ jumpers are horrible and there are only two other patterns that I will definitely knit out of it. Loop-d-Loop on the other hand was definitely worth my while getting. It’s really good for knitters who want to advance their skill. There are many unusual patterns in the book. Some are crazy, some are nice everday knits, and some are in-between. There is this great fair isle sweater in it with short rows that I’m dying to make. I was thinking that I’d make it without the fair isle first to get the hang of the short rows, and then knit it again some time with the fair isle. Another one I want to make is the lace leaf sweater. It’s a plain chunky sweater but has lace leaf detail on the collar and cuffs that make it really special. I’m going to knit a swatch for this today because I have some white chunky wool that might fit the bill.

I also got SuperCrafty: Saving the World from Mass Production! This is the most fantastic craft book and was definitely worth holding out for. There are all sorts of projects in it and everytime I flick through it I find something new I’d love to try out. Some of my favourites include the pattern for sock monkeys, a one-afternoon skirt, how to turn your bike helmet into a ladybird, the knitting needle organiser and how to make a printing stamp out of some aeroboard.