I really haven't had a good last couple of months. I've just spent most of the Australia Day weekend dealing with a major ear infection. J took some really gross photos of the yellow stuff coming out but I won't inflict them upon any readers who stumble upon this blog. The good news is that the antibiotics seems to be finally winning. The pain subsided in time for me to enjoy a traditional Australia Day BBQ - complete with gourmet lamb and rosemary sausages - with our friends. The bad news is that I am still completely deaf in my right ear. I'm assuming this will be only a temporary inconvenience.
In knitting news, I did a test knit and felt with the New Zealand mohair yarn. I was a bit worried as it was only about 80% animal product but it seems to have worked. My test swatch (knitted on 7.5mm needles) shrunk about 18% (after about 3 cycles in the washing machine), which was less than I expected, but at least I have a fair idea of what to expect. Now to decide upon a pattern.
I've knitted just over a metre of the Melbourne goth scarf; it's been a very easy knit and if anything the yarn has softened with use. It's not merino-soft but it's certainly fine for a scarf. I've been advised that true Melbourne goth colours would be blood-red and black, but last time I looked there were plenty of black and purple-clad white-faced black-haired youngsters hanging around Flinders Street Station. Maybe I should rename it the Melbourne 'emo' scarf. Whatever*
Speaking of merino, somehow 11 balls of 'petrol' (dark greeny blue) coloured Cleckheaton Merino Spun jumped into my backpack at the recent Cleggs (no website) sale. It was a great bargain ($3.95/100 gram ball, marked down from $7.95) and I love the colour but I'm already wondering about the wisdom of the purchase. It's a very bulky wool (recommended needles are 6mm), so while it will be a quick knit, I don't think it will make a very flattering jumper for someone of my size. Also, while it is 80% Merino wool, I'm not so sure about the 20% acrylic. I guess I'll knit a sample swatch and try out a few stitches before deciding what to do with it next.
Belated resolution for 2008. Catalogue my stash on Ravelry. Hopefully this will help reign in my yarn-buying tendencies. And I might even be able to flog off some of the unwanted stuff to other knitters.
*Gen-Y speak for 'Bite Me'
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2 comments:
Hope your ear and hearing improves! Take it easy...enjoy the knitting!
Oh you poor bugger - you aren't having a very good trot.
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