Update

I've been pretty busy on the knitting front - I went to two stitch n bitches in the course of a week, and that always spurs me on. Especially when one of my friends showed off her longline cardigan - the one she's given me the pattern for, the one I have the yarn for and which I haven't started yet...

I finished Clapotis, though! It's been pressed and is currently waiting for me to darn all the ends in. Despite it being reasonably quick, and knitted in a pretty luxe yarn in on of my favourite colours (Noro Cash Iroha, a silk/cashmere/lambswool mix - half price (£3.95/50g) from my favourite yarn shop, the Wool Baa) I'm feeling a tad underwhelmed by it. It's just a bit too simple and plain ... it does feel lovely though, and perhaps by the autumn, when I foresee wearing it, I'll be more keen on it. Pictures will follow soon ....

However, knitting is on hold for a while. I have a blister/callous developing on my ring finger of my right hand, where the needle rests and although it's not painful as such, it's a little tender. I guess it means I'll have to just stitch instead... I need to work on my By The Sea exchange and I would truly like to finish Neat Country Stuff ... here's a picture taken of me actually working on it!

Since that picture was taken at the recent knitting (!) retreat, I did some more work on it which will need to be frogged - grrr!

I had a free afternoon this week and went shopping in the scrag end of the sales. I bought some lovely trousers in M&S but my prize find was in Accessorize...

I know it's supposed to be a trendy necklace, but my first thought was "no more sticking needles in my clothes!" - and at 70% off, it only cost me £2.40 (about US$4) - bargain! Of course, there's probably some poor person in the Far East making these on piecework rates but I'd like to think that by buying this, I'm at least helping to keep them fed and clothed, and I will remember them when I'm doing my own frivolous stitching, and will always try to buy Fairtrade when I can. And to be fair, Accessorize do seem to be involved with the ethical issues.

Hmm, I didn't mean to wander off and climb on a soapbox!

Right, I'm off out to enjoy the rare sunshine we've been having this summer. I may go over to the Wool Baa, sit and darn in the ends, and plan my next but one project ...


PS Don't forget to enter in my blogversary draw, below - it's your last chance!