Friday, October 28, 2011

So, what ELSE did I do in Canberra..?

Lots of knitting and un-knitting* of this sock.
 
*Note to self: Do not knit fancy stitch patterns while watching Downton Abbey.

...And what of the two-at-a-time socks...?  Well, it just wasn't much fun.  I had to concentrate too hard and it took the joy out of meditative knitting.  I ditched one.
 On a lunch break from teaching, I discovered the hidden joys of A Stitch 'n Time  - the nearby yarn shop.  The display and merchandising in the shop isn't a patch on the lusciously inspirational Morris and Sons, but if you know what you're looking for, the yarns are divine and the prices are super-great.  I bought sock yarn in both wool and bamboo-nylon (it's LOVELY... and I'm thinking baby cardigans...) for about $18 a ball.  The beautiful green Italian cotton feels almost like bamboo - it's so soft and lustrous.

 
 And then the bloke (who came up to Canberra for the weekend with the wee girl) found this book in the Portrait Gallery bookshop.  He thought there could be no better fit for our cat-mad, knitting kid.
 They really are very cute...
And I had plans to work with the wee girl on something simple, like a kitten.  Of course, she set her heart on the Persian before I got  around to discussing the benefits of "baby steps" when one is first learning to knit.
 
But of course, she's a dreamer.  A Visionary.  She has plans of her own.....


Oh yes.... she has plans....
And so, the much-un-knitted sock remains much-unknitted, and the new yarn is still looking luscious  and lustrous in it's original wrapping.

And we've started knitting a Persian cat.

9 comments:

Cheryl (aka Kayly) said...

If you get a chance check out this place in the Manuka shops - http://www.woolshed.com.au/
It is the suburb on the other side of Parliment House.

thornberry said...

oooh, you'll have a whole menagerie by the time your girl has finished with you!
I adore that Wendy Happy yarn - I'm wanting to buy some more of it myself at the moment. So, so soft!

Rie said...

You have to go to the War Memorial, I know it doesn't sound like fun, but it is the most awesome experience & displays & don't forget the art gallery either!

Naturally Carol said...

So many cats to choose from and all amazing! Love all the purses you and the girls from Canberra have made too. I just love visiting Parliament House in Canberra..the gardens, the shop, the wood used in the fittings and the marble pillars are just fantastic, not to mention the view from the coffee shop.

Naturally Carol said...

...and the tapestries...just remembered..haha!

Lynne said...

A very ambitious project for a new knitter. Good luck to both of you!

A Peppermint Penguin said...

It's not the cat knitting - it's the cat sewing up and the embroidery of the faces. Good luck with that!

That Baby Amore in green is just my colour - I'll have a jumper please.

Lotti said...

Oh My Gosh .... those cats are so so so gorgeous...... I love them so much. All those cats sitting on the window ledge how wonderful.

Banaghaisge said...

Lovely socks!!! I just found a pattern for knitting socks from the toe up. And made a whole pair of socks for The Sweetheart (who is a bloke with blokey sized feet so a bit of a mammoth knitfest), and almost finished one sock for me last night (in one night) using some scrawny variegated stripey stuff someone gave me and a strand of gorgeous turquoise silk which has transformed the polyester on #3 needles. Such a good way to knit socks cos you so very soon get a sock that actually looks like a sock, and you can try it on as you go so you get the size right, and then the heel was even easier than any. Etc etc.
I have not yet found how to translate top down patterns but I am sure there will be an easy way to do it. (Like translating number of stitches to this pattern - http://www.wiseneedle.com/patternpage.asp?pattern=knitpatksox )When I figure how to get pics onto my blog off this new notebook then there will be some images to admire...
Your lacey socks look wonderful, have plain(ish) socks for TV knitting...
Hugs, Jasmine