On Sat, 07 Feb 2015 15:30:15 +0100, Janner wrote:

Just asking, to see if anyone is here still? That hasn't come over to
the dark side yet ...

Over there they are currently collecting up info for the new Directory
if you're interested.


yep I am still here!

Still fussing with health issues. I just went in to my primary for a
check up. I happened to have a cold, and she decided I had pneumonia. I
am pretty sure it is just a cold, but I took the x-ray, and the pile of
drugs anyway. DH tends to threaten to tie me up and put me to bed if I
scoff over much at a diagnosis these days.

Since my sewing room tends to be a bit chilly I am back to knitting
again.the grandson loved a couple of toys I knit him to death, so I have
to remake them for him.
Ruby bear: http://www.premieryarns.com/product/...t+Pattern.aspx
who I will be doing with a triple strand comprised of Premier Merry in
the color "red globes", Bernat Boa in "santa suit" from the holidays
line, and a strand of number 10 scarlet crochet cotton. The cotton sort
of draws it together for a closer knit fabric (important in stuffed
animals) and keeps it from being too stretchy (also important in stuffed
animals). I have combined Premier and Bernat eyelash yarns in projects
before and the effect is awesome. You see the "lashes" in the Premier
yarn are about twice as long as those in the Bernat. so you get a "dual
coated" effect. Why yes our lad is super fond of red! (G) He also
really really likes the button joints on Ruby Bear. The last one I made
the buttons myself with a needle, a spare bit of wool, and a button
stick. (as for a dorset button, only wrapping the thread around the stick
several times to use for a ring) Really, it is a very easy thing to do,
and if you make things that require buttons for very small children, or
anyone with pica I highly recommend it. I shall probably use the
scarlet crochet cotton to make the buttons for Ruby Bear mk II.
At present I am working on Tall Tiger.
http://www.browneyedbabsknits.com/tall-tiger.html
Why yes he does bear a strong resemblance to a famous tiger from print
media.
Also, yes this pattern is a bit of a pain in the backside. I strongly
suggest that anyone attempting it read each line of instruction more than
once to make certain you know what she is saying. It comes out
beautifully once you have it sussed out. This go round I am doing it in
Caron simply soft (the regular is closer to DK than to worsted weight)
using "pumpkin" for my orange. Last time I was using Bernat satin sport
which I had got on sale, and the orange was too melon colored for a
proper tiger. I am also hoping that the heavier yarn will make Hobbes
live a little longer. Test swatches and previous use show that this yarn
is less stretchy than many others, and since the pattern calls for double
stranding the fabric comes out very closely knit, so I don't feel the
need to brace it with a strand of cotton.

I am waiting for the spring shearing, and the arrival thereafter of my
reserved fleeces.
An elderly lady of my acquaintance (her family and my grandparents were
close) is making noises about giving me her loom. If she starts to sound
very serious I shall start to panic for it is an heirloom and a proper
counterbalance loom. A very large responsibility on several fronts. To
say nothing of the fact that it would pretty much need it's own room.

I am hoping to either get a new space heater, or that the doctor decides
it is just a cold so I can get back to sewing.

Have to get this year's garden starts going in the next few weeks too.

NightMist
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