Stop press!

Simply Knitting have just published the shortlist for their Knitter of the Year, and I would love everyone who reads this in the UK to vote for Alice Weir. Please ring

0901 890 4884

Alice is a member of Newcastle Knitting and Crochet Guild, a smashing knitter, a great ambassador for the craft (she's even been on the radio talking about knitting!) and an architecture student designing a Textiles Centre.

She's also a really lovely person :)

If you want to know more about her before you phone, her blog is here.

She's also doing the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Walk, and I'm sure she would appreciate any sponsorship too.

So please, if you can - Vote Alice!

The Joy of Swatch

I've been having a jolly time over the past few days, knitting up samples to accompany my submissions to Vogue Knitting.

eeeeep

Sorry, I have to take a few deep breaths every time I say that. If I get them accepted, I'll need resuscitation.....

Anyway, this has involved making little samples of the interesting bits of my designs. It's heaven. No great long cast-ons, no acres of body, just the bits of cables and Fair Isle that make the designs interesting.

I've done two out of three, and now I'm champing at the bit waiting for my last ball of yarn to arrive so that I can do the final one. It's just what I need to fight the winter blahs - producing little sections of fun.

Here's hoping the final garments are as interesting to knit :)

neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, shall keep me from my appointed rounds.....

......but a bum knee will do it every time!

I'm still confined to quarters with a dodgy chest, but I've now added an arthritic knee which has stopped me getting online - I couldn't sit at the laptop for long enough. However, gentle pottering around the bungalow is having the desired effect, and I can now bend it again.

Well, I had a splendid Christmas. The Beamish Boy came to stay for a whole week, and also cooked a lovely Christmas dinner, as usual. He's a bit of a star :)

Mum bought me 'The Opinionated Knitter' by Elizabeth Zimmermann, which is wonderful. I love EZ - her attitude to knitting is so inspiring. Plus she writes such sensible patterns - for a polo neck, she suggests 'Work P2, K2 until you are sick of it'. Isn't that the way we all do it? :)

I got a variety of books and audio books, plus smellies and chocs. How well my family knows me!

We also had beautiful, thick snow, which looked amazing. Of course, I could enjoy looking at it, safe in the knowledge that I wouldn't have to go out in it!

Nothing from me in Knitting this month, but I think I have two in the next issue. I also have 3 lined up for Simply Knitting - details as I know them.

I'm glad to be back, anyway. I hope it won't be too long before I post again. Happy New Year, everyone!