Wednesday 26 March 2008

If a Swallowtail is a Sign of Spring....

....I want my money back!!

It's COLD in London. Cold and rainy. On Easter Sunday and Monday it SNOWED.

Ok - there was no accumulation, and they were the first flakes I've seen this winter - but still - SNOW! At Easter!

(To be honest, I'm struggling to maintain my outrage on the snow thing -- my sister sent this photo last week of the snow at my parents house in New Brunswick. It sort of puts a few flakes on Easter into perspective.)

Anyway -- back here in the UK I've taken advantage of the miserable weather to catch up on some DVD viewing of BBC adaptations** and knit a bit.

First I knit up this red Swallowtail Scarf (Interweave Knits Fall 2006) -- I love the colour. It's made with lambs wool dyed by Wild Fire Fibres (aka Vixx). The red is deep and absolutely gorgeous.










For some reason while knitting up this one I became curious about how the pattern would knit up in Kid Silk Haze....and so immediately after I cast off the red one I started this one. I always love Kid Silk Haze - but I'm not convinced about the colour. Perhaps it just needs the right outfit.

I confess that when I finished this one I really wanted to cast on for another one (I'm such a freak) but decided I really needed to get some socks going.


The first pair is Colinette sock yarn, using a slipped stitch rib pattern - inspired by HelloYarn's pattern (I just needed to tweak the number of stitches as her pattern uses a heavier yarn).

The second pair is from the book Favourite Socks, - Embossed Leaves. I've made some modifications - most of which were just the result of working on the socks without the pattern nearby and being too lazy to go find it - so just winging what I thought I should do. So I did a 2x2 rib instead of 1x1 twisted rib on the cuff, and I made the heel flap shorter and without garter stitch. I like the pattern and will definitely make them again.

This pair is Indigo Moon Vancouver Series fingering weight.





** Totally non-knitting related DVD roundup.
The lovely Babette Blanket (thanks so much for all your kind comments!) coupled with the rubbish weather has led to a lot of DVD watching lately.
Middlemarch - the 1994ish adaptation. This was very good, but dated already, in particular the music which did that loud dramatic thing when dramatic things were happening. Dorothea's earnest-ness got on my nerves sometimes, and Mary Garth was a right cow and a little too good for my taste.
Cranford - 2008. Lovely, comforting viewing.
Oliver Twist - 2007. I'm a Dickens fan and this definitely took liberties with the book which has led to some critical slating - but I thought it worked. Not my favourite adaptation, but it had some good moments.

Next set of DVD's to be attacked: 24 - Series 5!!! I'm an addict, but can't start watching a series unless I know I can devote serious viewing time to it because once I start, I can't stop. And I can't knit while I watch it. In fact, I can't do anything else. I just watch Jack get in and out of entirely unbelievable situtations, doing either of his two trademark emotions and loving it. (For reference his two emotions are: sincere and angry. There isn't actually much difference in the expression, but if he's yelling "drop your weapon, I said drop your weapon NOW" then he's angry. If he's speaking in a low voice, telling another character "trust me" then he's doing the sincere thing.)

24 comments:

fleegle said...

Oh my, your Swallowtails are exquisite! I love both colors.

And you knit so quickly--gaah! I am envious.

Unknown said...

Swallowtail is my most favorite shawl pattern. Both of yours are lovely! Congrats. The socks are adorable. I need my sock knitting mojo back. Thanks for the inspiration.

Janiannie said...

I'm in total awe at the speed of your knitting!!

Both Swallowtails are wonderful...I tracked down that copy of Interweave Knits especially for the pattern and just happen to have some deep purple Kid Silk Haze in my stash! Not yet though, too many things on the go.

Just finished my first pair of socks and I'm absolutely delighted with them not to say proud! Your socks are just brilliant.

Adrienne said...

HOw beautiful!!!!!! I love your swallowtails!!!

knitmd said...

I love both the Swallowtails! It is amazing what differences there are between the two in their finished effects, between the fiber change and the color difference! They are both quite lovely and awesome.

The Caked Crusader said...

The red shawl is beautiful - such a lovely colour!

Re: non knitting, DVD matters.
Please hurry up and watch Casanova and Blackpool as I need someone with whom I can discuss Tennant related matters.

Kai said...

Your Swallowtails are absolutely gorgeous!! It's on my list of to-knits after I finish the shoulder shawl.. eventually.
DVD's is all I seem to be watching out here... but I have still to see Cranford. Soon though hopefully! :)

Gale Bulkley said...

I can't say I blame you for wanting to cast on another swallowtail right away. Personally, the picture of your first one was my inspiration to get moving on that little project. It's such a fun knit.

Anonymous said...

I particularly like the red Swallowtail. I hadn't seen the kidsilk haze used on this shawl - very nice. I just checked back to your previous post and can't see how you got so much knitting done in that length of time. Shawls and socks as well in 10 days.

Here we are watching Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister while knitting (or based on slow progress, pretending to knit).

Looking forward to your next project(s).

Opal said...

I cannot get over how much knitting you've gotten done! And such beautiful pieces. I love them all. :)

I had to laugh at your description of Jack Bauer. It was so accurate! And that is definitely one show you can't knit to.

Anonymous said...

Lovely swallowtails!
I loved cranford, and still have oliver twist to watch.

florencemary said...

"Oh, I just knocked up this Swallowtail over Easter; then I thought, perhaps another one? And a few pairs of socks into the bargain?"

You're truly amazing, Soo! The shawls and socks are gorgeous. And did someone mention Casanova? My most fave DVD featuring both my lurve interests (Dave T and Rupert P-Jones)? I bet you won't get any knitting done when you watch that one...

Batty said...

Beautiful work on the shawl, but... yeah, I think I'm ready for spring too.

Anonymous said...

Mmmm Swallowtails. Gorgeous gorgeous.

Do you knit in your sleep?

LittleBerry said...

your Swallowtails are beautiful... it's a very addictive pattern and a great user of small quanitities of yarn to make a spectacular shawl.....

Viknits said...

Yey! I was wondering what you'd knit with it, they both look beautiful though :)
Love the socks too, I can't believe how fast you knit!

Modelwidow said...

Goodness you've been busy, all your knits are lovely but I particularly like the red Swallowtail, it is just perfect.

Fiona Reynolds said...

Gorgeous shawls - your lacework is so beautiful.

Kathy said...

Thanks for your Swallowtail postings. It got me to dig out the pattern to use some hand spun I had. Appreciated the link to the math for a larger version as well.

Don't forget Jack's other line, "We're running out of time!"

Kristina B said...

Wow - not one but TWO Swallowtails!! They both look fabulous. I like the red one best although the Kidsilk one looks fluffy and lovely. :-)

I made my Swallowtail in red/orange, too :-)

Kristina B said...

I LOVE 24. Did I mention that before?! :-)

Cinders said...

Crickey Soo. How fast do you knit?
Your swallowtails are gorgoeus in both yarns and love the socks.

Cinders said...

Crickey Soo. How fast do you knit?
Your swallowtails are gorgoeus in both yarns and love the socks.

Darcys Knotty Knitter said...

Iam a first time visitor to your blog found your blog on ravelry on sandrasignh group.I love your shawls iam new to knitting them and yours are gorgeous and the colors are so vibrantYummers.Hugs Darcy