Monday, October 12, 2015

My husband continues to improve. He was out of bed and sitting in his chair yesterday, although I still don't think he has done any walking, even across the ward to the bathroom. He's still coughing up a lot of darkish phlegm. I had forgotten to tell him that Matt & Hellie were coming. Their visit was therefore a surprise as well as a great pleasure.

They said they had sent me some chilli sauce from http://www.chickenshop.com/ When I encountered it at the wedding feast, and was, as they say, blown away, I assumed that I could get it on-line like everything else in the world. But no. You have to go there. So that probably explains the dread Something-For-You card I had from the post office the other day. I have been on-line and arranged to collect it from a local post office tomorrow.

VK

You people are almost as good as my husband at talking me out of things.

I got so wrapped up in my thoughts about Rimu yarn and that VK sweater yesterday that I decided to order a couple of balls just to see what it was like. I got quite a way through the process at LoveKnitting.com, at £27 per ball. Twenty-seven pounds sterling. But at the end they said that it would be shipped from the US – presumably meaning that I would have to pay duty as well. That was too much, even for me.

I then had a look at Webs and Jimmy Bean. They both have it. $18.60 a ball at Webs, comparable or identical at Jimmy Bean. United States dollars. You could pay duty on that and still be quids in, compared to ordering it from LoveKnitting.

I think I will take your advice and think along the lines of a scarf or cowl or something.

As for VK itself, it's interesting to learn that the covers are different. That cabled wrap, number 1, presumably the US cover, is very nice indeed. We've got No 14, John Brinegar's pattern for the Mixed Media section. I'm not very keen on the whole section. I don't think mixed media works. And I'm afraid I think that pattern is the worst of the lot. I hope that remark constitutes fair-criticism and not libel.

And as for the sweater, I reminded myself this morning that I'm keen on Pam Allen's “Sophie”. Perhaps the two patterns could meet halfway somewhere. Would the Roasted Hatch Chillies overwhelm Allen's interesting cable arrangement?

I also like her “Anneke” pattern. Could that be my new Relax? I've added it to the queue.

And here's a question for you: VK likes a book called “Curls” by Hunter Hammersen. Smallish, shawl-like things, I gather, which stay on the shoulders and can be knit with any yarn. I had a look on Amazon and I think I have never seen such discordant reader opinions. Knitters with 40 years experience said they couldn't even get started with it. Others said it's absolutely wonderful and they are knitting their way through the whole book.


It's charts-only, I gather, but I don't mind charts. I'd be very glad to hear if any of you have attempted it, and if so, what you think. Maybe there'd be something in there I could knit with Rimu.

13 comments:

  1. You will love Rimu, I have knitted two hats with it so far and have started a shawl. The hat is A Simple Hat by Wei S. Leong of Kiwiyarns blog. The first hat I gave to a young carer when I was in hospital as she was so wonderful with the lady with whom I shareda room. The other hat is for me. Zealana Rimu is so soft and wonderful to knit with. We can now get it in New Zealand which seems silly considering it is produced here!

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  2. I love the author's other books (the Knitter's Curiosity Cabinet series and Silk Road Socks). Looking at an electronic version, Curls are just a different way to shape shawls/scarves, and reading the first pattern, it all seems fairly straightforward, complete with color-coded diagrams and charts.

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    1. I should perhaps add that it's very early here (to someone who finally drifted off at 3 am, 6 is early), and I'm awake due to pain (and have taken as much pain med as I'm allowed). So brain not fully up to snuff atm, it's entirely possible I'm missing something obvious. That said, Curls does read like her other books which are pretty clear.

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  3. Keep in mind that Webs offer a discount on most of their yarns. 20% off for a $60.00 + purchase and 25% off for a $120.00 + purchase. Happy to enable !

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  4. Hi Jean! I'm so glad your husband is improving. How is Perdita doing? She's growing so much.
    I like that Pam Allen pattern and I think the bright yarn would make the cables stand out.

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  5. Dianne2:26 PM

    It's good to hear that your husband is once again on the mend.
    I have the curls book, and with 25 years of knitting have mixed feelings about it. I knit the first pattern with a heavier yarn than called for, used two balls and didn't have enough yarn for a useful garment. The patterns are somewhat modular in design, in that they are worked in one piece, using repeated motifs with triangles on one side to make the curl. I may try another of the patterns, but have plenty on the needles right now.

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  6. Anonymous3:12 PM

    I think the Pam Allen cables are big and bold so will not swamp the Tosh or be swamped by the Tosh...

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  7. Anonymous3:13 PM

    I think the Pam Allen cables are big and bold so will not swamp the Tosh or be swamped by the Tosh...

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  8. I have the Curlz book, but so far no knitting, just reading. It is a new way to construct a shawl for me, but I do not see anything extraordinary required. In general, I do not care for asymmetry or for starting small and increasing to the end, but I am determined to make several of these. The cover photo is seductive.
    A few of the shawls are rated "easy" on Ravelry, so that's promising. Good luck with your choice{s}.

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  9. Once you get used to her charting method and ideas, the patterns are very workable and beautiful. However, I'm finding, as are many of my students/customers, that the initial go-around with the charts is a challenge.

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  10. First of all, I'm sorry to read about the rollercoaster health ride you and your husband are going through. Yarn wise (Rimu): Have you had a look at Hulucrafts.co.uk? They stock the DK for £9.95 in several colours. Otherwise Lanamania.net in Germany could be an option (€14.95). I've used Heron before (their Merino heavier Possum mix in worsted) and quite liked it. It is extremely warm and has a lovely halo. It doesn't pill.

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  11. I am knitting one of the Curls patterns right now, Cerise. It was, as many Ravelry commenters had noted, tricky to get the pattern down. The main body in this case is a simple yo k2tog pattern repeated endlessly, but the edging, which gives it its 'curl' involves double wrapped stitches, sometimes knit and sometimes dropped, which take some getting used to. Once you get it it is not hard, in fact rather boring. Hopefully the end result will be worth it!

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    1. Thanks, good to know, sounds like every new project for me! Hard to get started, but once I learn the pattern, it's easy.

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