Funny old world - lots of little bits 'n' stuff

There's a lovely buzz around the HipKnits Project Club - check out the blog and see if you can see anyone you know. I recognise some 'faces' and there are several new names too. Having a blog for the club is great - it makes it so much more personal and intimate - oh er Mrs! Of course to keep it like that we need lots of people to contribute, so put a bit of lippy on and come over and say 'hello' I'm the one at the bar asking if they do coffee :o)

Meanwhile back at the ranch, the stashalong is definitely over as Posh Dee tempted me back into buying with some gorgeous 'Night' mohair. Sadly I didn't get that particular item Grrrr! But whilst I was there I bought some more Emily. I've made several things with this now and i love how quickly it knits up and how soft it is.

As the cashmere shawl Della is taking up so much of my knitting time I have been casting around for other quick finishes for when I need a break from lace (what, 'break from Lace?' I hear you cry! But yes, one must rest one's brain occasionally, especially when befuddled with a 'code id da node').

I have started a baby blanket as a stash buster for the baby backpack project and i am crocheting it. Tess' book has inspired me to pick up my hook and although I haven't time to pay attention to a pattern, I can crochet a blankie in my sleep - useful when there aren't enough hours in the day. Truthfully, I find my hands feel funny when they're empty and I need a little project I can pick up and put down without too much bother. I get all fidgety and dissatisfied too. Bright pink acrylic, wash and wash and wash again! I'm hoping it will get lots of use and still look presentable.

In addition I decided to frog the baby blanket. Oh no! But wait, don't worry when I got it out to start ripping those stitches I just couldn't bring myself to do it. It was so very soft and gorgeous and so many hours had already gone into it. So I have ripped back just enough (I hope, fingers crossed) to finish the border this time, and vowed to learn lessons of proportion for my next baby shawl. This one will be finished as originally conceived and I'll put it in my Etsy shop for sale. It really is ideal as an heirloom project of the 21st century, traditional Shetland designs in organic merino, so very soft that you just want to dive into and wrap yourself up in it. Funny that I think of organic as been very up to date, really I suppose it's the ultimate tradition and we've just found it again after years in the chemical wilderness.

Right I'm off to knit, all I need now is to get the proper use of my nose back and .... atishoo, pass the hankies :o)