Sorry about that!

I’ve fallen in to a bit of a midwinter low, not at all helped by the miserable weather (no daylight for taking inspiring blog photos), and knitting under pressure on the never-ending New Lanark jumper. I told the recipient it would probably take a couple of weeks, and it’s already taken a month. I feel like I’m starting to get somewhere with it now though, and I’m on to the second sleeve.

There have been a few brief periods of knitting/spinning fun. Firstly I test dyed a 50g leftover piece of white shetland/silk with a new colourway. I’m spinning this up in to heavy laceweight singles to knit in to one of the scarves from VLT (finally!).

I finished spinning and plying the scarpantoni sock yarn. I didn’t get as much yardage out of this as I had hoped, 277 metres, but I think it should still be enough for socks. Once the evil jumper is complete I can work on the pattern.

I’ve been trying to cheer myself up by watching and listening to Glee (series and soundtrack), Twilight & New Moon (audio book & twilight film) and found out that I’ve been accepted to exhibit/stallhold at Woolfest in June.

I’m going to go and attempt to knit like the wind on this jumper, and hopefully normal blogging service should resume shortly.

I’ve been to work only three days out of the last 16 (I won’t count this past wednesday when I made it in late only to turn around after two hours and head back home), so I feel like I should have FOs all over the place.

But I am still in the middle of a load of projects.

The biggest contributor to the problem is this bottom-up raglan I am knitting for my neighbour. I told him I’d get it done soon after Christmas, so I feel I have to work on it solidly. It’s garter rib and fairly brainless, and the New Lanark tweed is knitting up nicely so it will hopefully be out of the way soon.

I took my non-puff-sleeved cardigan off the needles to block and check the guage and fit before Christmas, and as you can see it’s still off the needles. I am really looking forward to getting back to this as the heathery yarn is knitting up beautifully.

I am also still working on the second ‘14 Karat’ sock for Mr M. (Also still working on a second one of these for me)

I haven’t done much spinning lately, but I have tried to keep going at the ‘Scarpantoni’ merino/seacell sock yarn I’ve been working on for months. I need to get this finished so I can start working on the sock pattern I have planned.

I also carded up a bunch of batts on the drumcarder yesterday. I will try to get pictures of those if it is sunny (as forecasted) tomorrow.

My FOs on Ravelry

1. Your best FO of the year

Handspun Opulent Raglan

2. Best FO of the year made by a blog you link to, or through Ravelry.

I loved seeing all the projects made with The Thylacine yarn and fibre on Ravelry this year. I can’t pick one favourite but a couple of my favourites from this year are

More than 198 Yards in BFL/Silk

Liz’s Damson in Superwash Merino/Seacell (or see it in my blog post from Fibrefest)

Jacques Cousteau Hat in grey merino

3. Best yarn you tried

Smoothie Sock from Artist’s Palette

4. Best new book/mag/pattern of 2009

Jared Flood – Made in Brooklyn. I don’t own a copy of this but the patterns are just gorgeous.

5. Best new fibrecraft technique or gadget you tried in 2009

This technique for navajo/chain plying

6. Designer who most amazed & inspired you throughout the year

Kate Davies (who blogs here). I love her owls jumper and I’m so tempted to make the paper dolls colourwork sweater (even though I know it would look horrible on me). I’m still waiting for the pattern for her ‘Manu’ cardigan to come out, and I’m also hoping she decides to release a pattern for this dress.

7. Knitting & Spinning resolutions for 2010–what’s next for you and your blog?

a) Finish Ivy League. Following on from one of last year’s resolution – I still haven’t beat the steek.

b) Finish Print-o-the-wave. I love the yarn and the pattern. I think I might order some knitpro wooden needles to provide a bit more grip. I might also try to dedicate a couple of hours on a particular night every week to work on this and Ivy League as they both require a bit of concentration.

c) Reduce stash. I still wouldn’t say I had a huge stash (unless you count the shelves full of shop stock) but it’s got quite big lately. I need to crank out a couple more sweaters!

d) Knit ‘Thermal’. The yarn for this is probably the oldest in my stash. And I still love the pattern. I just need to get on with it!

e) Knit something from Victorian Lace Today. This was one of my resolutions from last year which I didn’t achieve and I’m carrying over to this year. I might try to spin some laceweight and knit one of the simpler bordered scarves.

f) Continue to expand The Thylacine, attend Wonderwool and Woolfest, and cut down ‘day job’ hours more.