Knitwits Yarns knitwitspenzance.co.uk
FB and T went off fishing at the crack of dawn this morning. Having been woken by them both (firstly by the radio at 6am and then the [loud] debate on the landing about fishing tackle, what to put in the waterproof bag and whether or not sun cream was required [it was, but wasn't used - 3rd lot of peeling this year on its way I feel]) I lay there debating a) whether to get up, b) try to go back to sleep, c) finish that sock.
Clearly c) won. I have previously extolled the pleasure to be had from knitting in bed and to knit in bed on a Saturday morning when the house is quiet and you really should be getting up gives extra joy. If you drink coffee or tea (which I don't - migraines) and have a willing partner who is prepared to make said drink and bring it to you in bed (and there's no danger of you spilling it) then your Saturday (or, indeed, Sunday) morning will be off to a joyous start. If they bring a warm croissant as well - deep joy. Chocolate filled croissant - double deep joy.
I finished the first Cornish Organic 4ply sock. I am very happy with it. It now needs a partner.
I am particularly fussy about checking and double checking Cornish Organic patterns so I was very, very good today and typed the pattern up. This means that sock number 2 will be knitted from the typed copy (which in turn will become the printed version) and I can, therefore, double check the pattern as I knit. Never let it be said that I don't go to great lengths to ensure the exactitude of Cornish Organic's patterns.
Tonight I start sock 2. Apparently, on TV there are to be a number of highly over-paid men running around in shorts kicking a ball of hot air between them. My plan is to avoid this spectacle at all costs.
Saturday, 12 June 2010
Thursday, 10 June 2010
French/Scottish
Knitwits Yarns knitwitspenzance.co.uk
Today was the French listening GCSE so we awoke to French radio emanating from T's computer to get him "in ze mood". I should have laid on croissants for breakfast but hadn't so he had oeufs instead (from our own poulets, of course).
This afternoon I've been charting out the Scottish flag - for the End to End Sweater, of course. I am glad it's not a complicated flag, like the American one or something - imagine - all those stars.
Late this afternoon I've been looking at rather lovely Swiss wool.
I'm feeling very multi-cultural and may need to go home and consume a glass of South African or Australian wine. Australia would bring in the southern hemisphere, wouldn't it?
I am slightly dreading the World Cup as I loathe football, but loved Come Dine With Me with the WAGS last night. An absolute classic - do try and catch it if you missed it. One of the WAGS was supposed to be serving a papaya salad but couldn't find a papaya so used cucumber instead and convinced the others that it was papaya. Comment of the night, "well, if anyone asks me what papaya tastes like, I'll say it tastes just like cucumber". Classic!!
Today was the French listening GCSE so we awoke to French radio emanating from T's computer to get him "in ze mood". I should have laid on croissants for breakfast but hadn't so he had oeufs instead (from our own poulets, of course).
This afternoon I've been charting out the Scottish flag - for the End to End Sweater, of course. I am glad it's not a complicated flag, like the American one or something - imagine - all those stars.
Late this afternoon I've been looking at rather lovely Swiss wool.
I'm feeling very multi-cultural and may need to go home and consume a glass of South African or Australian wine. Australia would bring in the southern hemisphere, wouldn't it?
I am slightly dreading the World Cup as I loathe football, but loved Come Dine With Me with the WAGS last night. An absolute classic - do try and catch it if you missed it. One of the WAGS was supposed to be serving a papaya salad but couldn't find a papaya so used cucumber instead and convinced the others that it was papaya. Comment of the night, "well, if anyone asks me what papaya tastes like, I'll say it tastes just like cucumber". Classic!!
Tuesday, 8 June 2010
Thank You!
Knitwits Yarns knitwitspenzance.co.uk
We've now received our first donations for our cycling/knitting escapade and it's made me incredibly emotional. Our first donation on justgiving.com/TheHopsons was from someone we didn't even know but, we should have known, she turned out to be a knitter! FB said it just proves his, long held, view that knitters are some of the most generous people you can ever find - all that charity knitting, knitting for friends and for presents - just sums knitters up really.
As part of my training I'll be knitting a sock in the car at the Cornwall Athletics club tonight. T will be doing triple jump training, which is far more energetic but no more important!
We've now received our first donations for our cycling/knitting escapade and it's made me incredibly emotional. Our first donation on justgiving.com/TheHopsons was from someone we didn't even know but, we should have known, she turned out to be a knitter! FB said it just proves his, long held, view that knitters are some of the most generous people you can ever find - all that charity knitting, knitting for friends and for presents - just sums knitters up really.
As part of my training I'll be knitting a sock in the car at the Cornwall Athletics club tonight. T will be doing triple jump training, which is far more energetic but no more important!
Monday, 7 June 2010
Busy Busy
Knitwits Yarns knitwitspenzance.co.uk
Internet/email access was miraculously restored at home about 5 hours ago. Whether or not this was anything to do with FB having a fairly major rant on the phone this morning, we don't know. We like to think that it was.
Whilst we've been off air a vast number of companies (c 83) seem to have decided that one or other of us needs huge discounts off Viagra. FB would like it to be known that he has no need for this particular medication, thank you very much.
The weekend consisted mainly of cycling (boys) and finishing things (me). We took a promotional pic of the boys in their gear:
FB and G (on left) went for a blast on Saturday and averaged 14.75 mph - FB was very happy, G thought it was OK!
Last week I finished my pink Bamboo Cotton top:
I was having a bit of a bad hair/no make-up day but I love the top (and the foxgloves in the background!). Pattern can be found here - from Debbie Bliss's spring/summer 2010 magazine. I did the smallest size (and was glad I did) and wasn't sure if it was going to go into the third ball of Bamboo Cotton or not. It didn't - but by, literally, about 3 metres. (I actually sewed it up with a different yarn and then had to shorten the straps by about 8 cables so would have had plenty left.)
I also knitted up a Paper Bag:
The pattern is now written up and is available free when you buy a ball of Paper. The bag knits from just one ball and we also sell the buttons to decorate it with! Remember - this yarn is washable - the perfect, washable paper bag! (OK - last time I make the paper bag joke, honest.)
FB was also busy dyeing a new colour in Cornish Organic. Called "Portheras" after our favourite beach, it was supposed to be a bright, zingy turquoise and fuchsia pink combo but came out more muted but equally lovely:
As Tracey said, suitable for both baby boys and girls! He's going to try the bright combo again, after he's finished a big order which came in this morning (and, of course, it's now raining so no drying in the warm sun).
Tonight I'm back to the Cornish Organic 4ply socks so hope that'll ensure the sun is out tomorrow but, judging by the forecast, don't bank on it and it's not my fault, OK?!
Internet/email access was miraculously restored at home about 5 hours ago. Whether or not this was anything to do with FB having a fairly major rant on the phone this morning, we don't know. We like to think that it was.
Whilst we've been off air a vast number of companies (c 83) seem to have decided that one or other of us needs huge discounts off Viagra. FB would like it to be known that he has no need for this particular medication, thank you very much.
The weekend consisted mainly of cycling (boys) and finishing things (me). We took a promotional pic of the boys in their gear:
FB and G (on left) went for a blast on Saturday and averaged 14.75 mph - FB was very happy, G thought it was OK!
Last week I finished my pink Bamboo Cotton top:
I was having a bit of a bad hair/no make-up day but I love the top (and the foxgloves in the background!). Pattern can be found here - from Debbie Bliss's spring/summer 2010 magazine. I did the smallest size (and was glad I did) and wasn't sure if it was going to go into the third ball of Bamboo Cotton or not. It didn't - but by, literally, about 3 metres. (I actually sewed it up with a different yarn and then had to shorten the straps by about 8 cables so would have had plenty left.)
I also knitted up a Paper Bag:
The pattern is now written up and is available free when you buy a ball of Paper. The bag knits from just one ball and we also sell the buttons to decorate it with! Remember - this yarn is washable - the perfect, washable paper bag! (OK - last time I make the paper bag joke, honest.)
FB was also busy dyeing a new colour in Cornish Organic. Called "Portheras" after our favourite beach, it was supposed to be a bright, zingy turquoise and fuchsia pink combo but came out more muted but equally lovely:
As Tracey said, suitable for both baby boys and girls! He's going to try the bright combo again, after he's finished a big order which came in this morning (and, of course, it's now raining so no drying in the warm sun).
Tonight I'm back to the Cornish Organic 4ply socks so hope that'll ensure the sun is out tomorrow but, judging by the forecast, don't bank on it and it's not my fault, OK?!
Saturday, 5 June 2010
Computer Technology - yuk
Knitwits Yarns knitwitspenzance.co.uk
We have been without internet/email access at home since last Sunday - that's 6 days - and the situation is now beyond a joke and testing all our patience almost as much as the boat engine tested FB's.
The whole sequence has gone a bit like this:
Sunday - intermittent access - hope for the best.
Monday - no access - bank holiday - cycle to nearest pub and back - knit - keep fingers crossed.
Tuesday - FB spends an inordinate amount of time on phone to Bombay/Mumbai/Calcutta to be told, after extensive testing, that the problem is our router. Our router was not supplied by our internet provider (a kind of fruit/bright colour - just for the record) so the men in Bombay/Mumbai/Calcutta can't help us. Book computer into our local computer repair shop.
Wednesday - computer still at local shop.
Thursday - computer returns, needs a new screen (we knew this, but didn't know new screens cost almost as much as new computers). Still no internet access.
Friday - techy guy (Barry) from local shop comes to the house and speaks, on our behalf, to Bombay/Mumbai/Calcutta. I can recommend this course of action. Because Barry knows what he's talking about (unlike us) techy guy in India can't fob him off (as he does with us). After about 2 hours, conclusion is that it's the phone line that's the problem, not the router. India will phone BT.
Saturday - BT man appears in our neighbour's garden up a ladder, up a pole. FB shoots round to talk to him. He's there to mend our neighbour's phone/internet, not ours. It's more than his life/job's worth to talk to FB.
Will someone please give me the number of Oftel/Ofcom or whoever it is I can send a monumental complaint to.
Sunday (tomorrow) - will keep knitting, keep calm and carry on.
PS: Forgot to add - boys are both revising for Geography GCSE. GCSE revision notes contain a lot of comments along the lines of "look this up on the BBC's excellent revision guides online at www............". This is not helping the stress levels in our house. Do Often/Ofcom give compensation for GCSE stress?
We have been without internet/email access at home since last Sunday - that's 6 days - and the situation is now beyond a joke and testing all our patience almost as much as the boat engine tested FB's.
The whole sequence has gone a bit like this:
Sunday - intermittent access - hope for the best.
Monday - no access - bank holiday - cycle to nearest pub and back - knit - keep fingers crossed.
Tuesday - FB spends an inordinate amount of time on phone to Bombay/Mumbai/Calcutta to be told, after extensive testing, that the problem is our router. Our router was not supplied by our internet provider (a kind of fruit/bright colour - just for the record) so the men in Bombay/Mumbai/Calcutta can't help us. Book computer into our local computer repair shop.
Wednesday - computer still at local shop.
Thursday - computer returns, needs a new screen (we knew this, but didn't know new screens cost almost as much as new computers). Still no internet access.
Friday - techy guy (Barry) from local shop comes to the house and speaks, on our behalf, to Bombay/Mumbai/Calcutta. I can recommend this course of action. Because Barry knows what he's talking about (unlike us) techy guy in India can't fob him off (as he does with us). After about 2 hours, conclusion is that it's the phone line that's the problem, not the router. India will phone BT.
Saturday - BT man appears in our neighbour's garden up a ladder, up a pole. FB shoots round to talk to him. He's there to mend our neighbour's phone/internet, not ours. It's more than his life/job's worth to talk to FB.
Will someone please give me the number of Oftel/Ofcom or whoever it is I can send a monumental complaint to.
Sunday (tomorrow) - will keep knitting, keep calm and carry on.
PS: Forgot to add - boys are both revising for Geography GCSE. GCSE revision notes contain a lot of comments along the lines of "look this up on the BBC's excellent revision guides online at www............". This is not helping the stress levels in our house. Do Often/Ofcom give compensation for GCSE stress?
Thursday, 3 June 2010
Knitting a Paper Bag
Knitwits Yarns knitwitspenzance.co.uk
The boys have finally, finally, finally got the new engine of the new boat working. This has been an epic (and I may say, expensive) struggle but they finally worked out that there's an anti-tilt device so, unless the engine is totally upright, it won't start. This may sound like pointing out the flaming obvious (trust me, I did) but, actually, with the boat on the trailer the engine won't go absolutely upright unless you dig a small hole in the drive into which the engine will sit. Yes, you've got it - we now have a small hole in our drive (fortunately only gravel in the first place and not tarmac - that might have caused some hysteria on my part) and, guess what, the *@£$% thing now works!!
So, last night they went our for "half an hour" with the boat mechanic - left at 6pm - returned home at 9pm. I'm guessing that's the boating equivalent of "I've only got one more row to knit and this sweater's done".
During their "half hour" I did actually finish my little summer strappy top so every cloud has a silver lining. It's on a mannequin in the shop at the moment (downside of owning a wool shop - garments have to go out for public display before they are worn) but photos will follow this weekend.
Today I have been mostly knitting a paper bag. Tracey and I have been playing with ideas and needle sizes and it's now progressing. If it works, the pattern will be available free with every ball of "Paper" yarn so you can all knit your very own paper bag - no, I still haven't tired of that line - sorry.
Incidentally, if anyone's coming down to Penzance in the next few days, we've bagged up some yarn and patterns and they're on offer at 25% off - mostly summer tops, wraps, shrugs etc. Come and grab a bargain! Sorry we can't offer these kits online but the technology won't allow it!
The boys have finally, finally, finally got the new engine of the new boat working. This has been an epic (and I may say, expensive) struggle but they finally worked out that there's an anti-tilt device so, unless the engine is totally upright, it won't start. This may sound like pointing out the flaming obvious (trust me, I did) but, actually, with the boat on the trailer the engine won't go absolutely upright unless you dig a small hole in the drive into which the engine will sit. Yes, you've got it - we now have a small hole in our drive (fortunately only gravel in the first place and not tarmac - that might have caused some hysteria on my part) and, guess what, the *@£$% thing now works!!
So, last night they went our for "half an hour" with the boat mechanic - left at 6pm - returned home at 9pm. I'm guessing that's the boating equivalent of "I've only got one more row to knit and this sweater's done".
During their "half hour" I did actually finish my little summer strappy top so every cloud has a silver lining. It's on a mannequin in the shop at the moment (downside of owning a wool shop - garments have to go out for public display before they are worn) but photos will follow this weekend.
Today I have been mostly knitting a paper bag. Tracey and I have been playing with ideas and needle sizes and it's now progressing. If it works, the pattern will be available free with every ball of "Paper" yarn so you can all knit your very own paper bag - no, I still haven't tired of that line - sorry.
Incidentally, if anyone's coming down to Penzance in the next few days, we've bagged up some yarn and patterns and they're on offer at 25% off - mostly summer tops, wraps, shrugs etc. Come and grab a bargain! Sorry we can't offer these kits online but the technology won't allow it!
Tuesday, 1 June 2010
Knitting and Cycling (not at the same time)
Knitwits Yarns knitwitspenzance.co.uk
After the excitement of G's Prom and - yes - there was a massive 3 layer chocolate cake with chocolate icing and chocolate bits all over it - we spent most of the weekend cycling and knitting. Which brings me neatly to our summer holiday this year, details of which will be hitting the knitting press over the coming weeks so I thought the time had come to bring the blogosphere up to date with our plans.
(Obviously not everyone's summer holiday plans are announced in the knitting press but, hey, as ever we like to be different)
Over the past few years we've spent two very happy holidays on canal boats cruising the Canal du Midi in southern France. The vineyards, literally, come down to the water's edge, we pick up crusty bread and croissants from local bakeries and it's all very idyllic. There are always loads of people cycling the tow-path and, indeed, we've always hired bikes as well so we can go off on little excusions and from this we've always planned a holiday cycling the tow-paths which, of course, are virtually flat, camping in village camp sites and seeing the canals from a different angle.
So this year we were putting some plans in place and then the boys (G & T) threw into the mix the thought that they'd like to do something to raise money for Help For Heroes. What many of you won't know is that FB used to be in the Army and the plight of the injured soldiers returning from Afghanistan is something we all care deeply about. So - in short - the gentle cycling tour of the French canals has now turned into a charity ride from John O'Groats back home to Land's End!
We leave Penzance on July 9th and then leave John O'Groats on July 11th because, of course, it takes 2 days for us to get to the north of Scotland in order to be able to start cycling back.
So, what on earth has this got to do with knitting and why is it to be featured in all the knitting magazines? Well - I'm driving the back-up vehicle (a 6 berth campervan) and the boys were all concerned as to what I'd be doing all day when I'm not driving, shopping, cooking and cleaning. The answer was obvious - I'll be knitting, of course. And thus was born - The End to End Sweater. The basic premise is that I have to cast it on at John O'Groats and be wearing it at Land's End 13 days later!! Our very own Tina Barrett has kindly agreed to donate the sweater design to us and it will, obviously, be knitted in Cornish Organic Wool. (I did stipulate no 4ply and we've now agreed on Aran weight to give me a fighting chance! We also agreed that the pattern will be unisex but I'll be knitting it in my size, not FB's!) Last week we met up with Tina to discuss plans:
(I might be looking a tiny bit anxious in that picture - can't think why)
I am not the fastest knitter in the world and this may well be the only time in my life that I attempt to knit a sweater in less than 2 weeks. I have visions of the exhaused cyclists snoring around me and me knitting like fury into the night.
All the knitting magazines have been incredibly supportive - this may be the only true "End to End Sweater" ever attempted and we're pretty sure it's definitely the first. So, we're now asking the knitters of the world to support our challenge and our heroes through Help For Heroes. Irrespective of your views on the war that our men and women are currently fighting in, the fact remains that they are coming home with horrendous injuries and charities like Help For Heroes are doing marvellous work in helping them to recover and rehabilitate.
The boys' school (GEMS Bolitho in Penzance) are kindly lending us a laptop for the trip so there'll be nightly updates on our geographical and knitting progress on this blog. (Fortunately we have a 15 and 17 year old to iron out the technical glitches - you know what I'm like with technology)
It's all very exciting and our house is now being taken over by bits of bikes and shorts with padding in strategic areas and maps and training schedules. On Sunday they did a 45 mile ride in the rain and yesterday we did a shorter 12 mile round trip to the pub and back:
That's the view looking over our glorious north coast en route to Zennor.
If you want to see more details of the trip, more photos and details of where you can sponsor us you can see our page at www.justgiving.com/TheHopsons.
We're really hoping that friends and family will meet the victorious cyclists at Land's End on July 24th (all being well) and I'm praying that I'll be wearing the sweater (even if it only has one sleeve!). In the meantime there is training to be done, GCSE's to be completed and a large chocolate cake to be finished.
After the excitement of G's Prom and - yes - there was a massive 3 layer chocolate cake with chocolate icing and chocolate bits all over it - we spent most of the weekend cycling and knitting. Which brings me neatly to our summer holiday this year, details of which will be hitting the knitting press over the coming weeks so I thought the time had come to bring the blogosphere up to date with our plans.
(Obviously not everyone's summer holiday plans are announced in the knitting press but, hey, as ever we like to be different)
Over the past few years we've spent two very happy holidays on canal boats cruising the Canal du Midi in southern France. The vineyards, literally, come down to the water's edge, we pick up crusty bread and croissants from local bakeries and it's all very idyllic. There are always loads of people cycling the tow-path and, indeed, we've always hired bikes as well so we can go off on little excusions and from this we've always planned a holiday cycling the tow-paths which, of course, are virtually flat, camping in village camp sites and seeing the canals from a different angle.
So this year we were putting some plans in place and then the boys (G & T) threw into the mix the thought that they'd like to do something to raise money for Help For Heroes. What many of you won't know is that FB used to be in the Army and the plight of the injured soldiers returning from Afghanistan is something we all care deeply about. So - in short - the gentle cycling tour of the French canals has now turned into a charity ride from John O'Groats back home to Land's End!
We leave Penzance on July 9th and then leave John O'Groats on July 11th because, of course, it takes 2 days for us to get to the north of Scotland in order to be able to start cycling back.
So, what on earth has this got to do with knitting and why is it to be featured in all the knitting magazines? Well - I'm driving the back-up vehicle (a 6 berth campervan) and the boys were all concerned as to what I'd be doing all day when I'm not driving, shopping, cooking and cleaning. The answer was obvious - I'll be knitting, of course. And thus was born - The End to End Sweater. The basic premise is that I have to cast it on at John O'Groats and be wearing it at Land's End 13 days later!! Our very own Tina Barrett has kindly agreed to donate the sweater design to us and it will, obviously, be knitted in Cornish Organic Wool. (I did stipulate no 4ply and we've now agreed on Aran weight to give me a fighting chance! We also agreed that the pattern will be unisex but I'll be knitting it in my size, not FB's!) Last week we met up with Tina to discuss plans:
(I might be looking a tiny bit anxious in that picture - can't think why)
I am not the fastest knitter in the world and this may well be the only time in my life that I attempt to knit a sweater in less than 2 weeks. I have visions of the exhaused cyclists snoring around me and me knitting like fury into the night.
All the knitting magazines have been incredibly supportive - this may be the only true "End to End Sweater" ever attempted and we're pretty sure it's definitely the first. So, we're now asking the knitters of the world to support our challenge and our heroes through Help For Heroes. Irrespective of your views on the war that our men and women are currently fighting in, the fact remains that they are coming home with horrendous injuries and charities like Help For Heroes are doing marvellous work in helping them to recover and rehabilitate.
The boys' school (GEMS Bolitho in Penzance) are kindly lending us a laptop for the trip so there'll be nightly updates on our geographical and knitting progress on this blog. (Fortunately we have a 15 and 17 year old to iron out the technical glitches - you know what I'm like with technology)
It's all very exciting and our house is now being taken over by bits of bikes and shorts with padding in strategic areas and maps and training schedules. On Sunday they did a 45 mile ride in the rain and yesterday we did a shorter 12 mile round trip to the pub and back:
That's the view looking over our glorious north coast en route to Zennor.
If you want to see more details of the trip, more photos and details of where you can sponsor us you can see our page at www.justgiving.com/TheHopsons.
We're really hoping that friends and family will meet the victorious cyclists at Land's End on July 24th (all being well) and I'm praying that I'll be wearing the sweater (even if it only has one sleeve!). In the meantime there is training to be done, GCSE's to be completed and a large chocolate cake to be finished.
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