Well I have finally decided to add a few of my favourite things to this blog, alongside my thoughts and writings.

As with most pursuits in my life I research, research, research until I find what I think is the best (at the time), so I hope you feel the same way.

The first is a link to a fabulous internet website that I now recommend to others who knit, in my first life.

It is a wife and husband project of videos that demonstrate both continental and english knitting techniques. Even though I am a left-handed knitter that knits right-handed but seams, sews and grafts left-handed I still get a lot out of this. There is simply nothing better than seeing and doing especially as the traditional extended family aren't as close in our generation as they once were for handing down household skills and handcrafts.

I am going ga-ga over Amy's coloured Denise interchangeable knitting needle kit (looks to be no longer available) in her store, but alas most of the time ordering from the States is a killer on freight charges - sigh. The one thing I didn't like about the Denise system was that only the US needle sizing was marked on the needles - the way Amy has done it I am sure you can recognise the sizings from the matching colours. So cool.

Got to love her Garter Pocket and Anklet Purse too - clever thinking.

Lets hope Amy makes a come-back after a time with her little one.

Kudos Amy and Sheldon.

So as not to leave crochet out in the cold, the following site is helpful although you have to download the videos instead of being able to watch them online: NEXstitch



As for patterns, I have a few bookmarks in my collection

My staple two:
Knitty (always adding more patterns)

Bernat (always adding more patterns)

Then:
Rebecca (slowly adds more patterns)

The Incredible Custom-fit Raglan Sweater

New discoveries:
Knitting Daily Knitting Patterns

Knitting Daily Crochet Patterns

Knitting News Cast

Berroco (knitting and crochet patterns)

Elann

Crystal Palace

Coats and Clarks

Last week we went to the library en route to the craft store. My hidden agenda was to find some of the jewellery making books to take out for a project I had in my head. Alas, for the umpteenth week there are no books to be had. [Though the necklace did get finished.]

Ruby on the other hand satiated her pallet with Asterix, Tin-Tin, More Murderous Math, Horrible History and Geography, and the piece de resistance are the books she fondly calls 'eye candy'.

While I was searching high and low for the jewellery books in the craft section, she set her eyes upon 4 knitting books in a series from Storey Publishing, that are indescribably wonderful.

They are:

Knit & Crochet Poncho's, Wraps, Capes & Shrugs

Knit Socks!

Knit Mittens!

Knit Hats!

I have never seen a book so colourful, interesting, and where the instructions are not written in that condensed-have-to-read-it-9-times-before-I-understand-it-knitese.

No, on the contrary, everything is spelled out here, which is a breathe of fresh air for the worn out knitter and so very helpful for the young knitter. There is even a great illustrated glossary at the end, which this seasoned crafter still learned something from.

As always the difficult decisions will be what to start on first, oh, and that 'right' yarn for the project (which despite the stash I invariably don't have!).

Thumbs up Storey Publishing!

Life has come full circle again, and I am here unraveling a beautiful blue greecian yarn that I initially knitted into a chunky jumper in Germany in 1990! I wore it there and I bought it back home, and for the last few years it has sat in my 'alterations' pile to be transformed into something else more 'me'.

At last I have a reason to disassemble the pieces and it doesn't hurt as much as enough time has certainly passed since the hard work went into the construction. My dd9 is learning to knit and needed some chunky gauge yarn for an ear-flap hat - I didn't want to purchase more yarn as our focus is on simplifying, using-up and preparing for Germany.

And the likelihood is that this hat will travel back to the place whence it came. How bizarre!