I actually managed to finish a WIP at the weekend. It really does feel like forever since I managed to finish anything other than gloves and hats. That was even more apparent when I came to take photos today and realised I have yet to find anywhere in this garden I can take nice shots! We don't get much light in this little city garden and the space has been landscaped which doesn't leave me much scope for finding areas to artistically (well, in my head!) drape knitwear.
So for now, here's a picture of my Pebble Beach Shawl (by Helen Stewart) which shows absolutely none of it's feminine lacy glory. The yarn is a Merino/Silk sock weight with gorgeous drape and shine which I hand dyed in a hot, hot fuchsia. I knitted the medium size (with no modifications) which took 132g of yarn (approx 528m) The pattern comes with easy to follow written instructions and shows percentages as you work your way through so incredibly easy to keep track of yarn amounts.
In more exciting news - it's draped over my new chair! I have been lamenting for months to the poor husbeast that I really miss my desk. Pre-Oliver I spent a huge percentage of my day at my desk - both to work on the shop, pack orders, forum modding etc but also to knit. Since closing the shop I switched to a laptop which I use perched on the arm of the sofa for everything. If I want to do prolonged editing, writing or journalling in this house, I end up ferrying everything into the kitchen to the dining table and removing children and their belongings (they have their own large desk but that's full of their consoles and PC's!) Not ideal and not really conducive to encouraging me to blog as it's such a hassle!
After some consideration and a huge amount of day dreaming we came up with a plan as a joint present for my birthday next week and a VERY early Christmas present. (This I think is quite guilt loaded on DH's part as he has the garage as his workshop - I dream of a craft room where I can have everything out and usable instead of stashed on various floors of the house!)
This is my current corner of the living room - the expedit houses most of my yarn stash (plus there are three baskets full too) The top of which is where my needles/knitting books/pen/journal stash are stored. My loom is currently dismantled from Christmas as it was replaced by the tree!
The plan is to relocate the Ikea Poang which has become the cat chair and is constantly dirty/covered in hair and/or cats. It's also no good to sit at to spin without tipping forward and landing on your face! My wheel will move next to the Expedit and then this completely gorgeous desk will be landing next week.
I adore the vintage look and my laptop will be easily stashed in the cubby hole leaving room for knitting and journalling. My over flow yarn baskets can be stashed underneath and the drawers can be filled with random notions and my needle cases. My new chair arrived yesterday and as you can see above is an Olive/Lime Green Charles Eames DAW replica - not upholstered so no risk of the cats/children ruining it (I had originally been lusting after the Ikea Wing Chair), more than roomy enough for my ample bottom and ideal for both using at the desk and spinning. I'm already debating making a hot pink wool felt seat pad/cushion!
I'm immensely excited by the whole thing and am already planning on new blog post ideas (I used to love book related posts as it's my other huge hobby) so watch this space for an increase in waffle!
