Wristers and acquisitions

Malabrigo yarn, approximately 50g (which is half a skein).  3.75dpns. I adapted the original free pattern to include half a thumb, added about 4 more rows to the top 2x2 ribbing, and did a couple of fake cables on the wrist ribbing.

Isn't the colour gorgeous?  I think it's Forest (but the label seems to have walked).
I've 2.5 skeins left, so another pair for me will be on the needles shortly.

Chris's parents will be travelling up to see the new baby today.  We've not had a proper baby photo yet, just one post c-section (where all you can see is the baby's head) and one with AC looking a bit worse for wear.  I bought some yarn about 6 months ago to knit a girly pink and cream striped cardigan,  so I'm quite pleased with my 'prediction'!

I've also been, ahem, acquiring a few things.
First off is not yarn!  I'm going to try my hand at a new hobby! I've knitted Christmas washcloths, which go down well with nice soap, wrapped in a little cellophane bag.  I've decided this year to try to make some soap.  Well let me tell you, I'm not going down the  traditional road, where I have to use lye, and mix it with water!  Sounds too dangerous for me, even though I've got Chemistry O and A Levels, it's one thing mixing stuff up in a lab, quite another in a home environment.  So it's heat and pour. Sounds really simple.

This is a starter kit. You just melt the bars (one's clear, one's opaque) and add colour and fragrance, and there's a couple of soap moulds included.  I'll be making basic square soaps for starters, I think.  I also bought a bath bomb starter kit with moulds, colour and fragrance.

Now the yarn
Colinettes new Jitterbug sock yarn.

Top is Mardis Gras, bottom is Florentina. More sock stash!

And finally, a new book

I love it!  There's nearly 40 patterns, triangular, circular, rectangular, and loads of scarves, with loads of typically English photographs of stately homes and green rambling countryside. I just hope that XRX have got their act together this time and ironed out most of the errors, after the fiasco with A Gathering of Lace.   And at £14.15 it's a bargain - hard back, glossy photos, loads of pattern - I'd highly recommend it. This weekend I'll be trying to resist casting on any more lace. Must finish this gift knitting first!

Comments

[Alpaca Woman]

Looks like you're going to be having a lot of fun with soap! Reminds me of when I used to make candles many moons ago (or should I say BY - before yarn).
The book appeals, although are the patterns charted or long-hand (I prefer the latter)?

[PurlyQueen]

I love that Malabrigo colour - It reminds me of a forest in summer. Where did you get the Colinette sock yarn from?

[francoise]

I have seen those new Colinette sock yarns on their newsletter and they also have a new Merino DK and 4ply that are quite tempting.... Must be be hard to resist casting on with a new book in your collection!...

[Louise]

I've just added that book to my Amazon wish list, now all I need is to steer the children that way. Not easy, I'll probably end up buying it myself in the new year.

I love the Colinette sock yarn, especially in the Florentina colourway. Gorgeous!

[Mary]

I'm lusting after that book - must add it to the Christmas wish list. Making your own bath bombs sounds like fun!

[Deborah Downunder]

I have purchased this book and impatiently waiting for it to arrive from Amazon. So... I'm so glad you like it!!