RANDOM MEANDERINGS.

No new year resolutions here. I see no virtue in setting myself up for disappointment ! I am trying to be sensible whilst satisfying the urge to start loads of new projects. I'm keeping to small items !
Before I talk about those I thought that, as many of you may have gift money begging to be spent on yarn and fibre, I'd talk about my favourite U.K. yarn and fibre emporia. I don't buy much these days, but do like to try new things or buy something special when finances allow. I'm getting more particular about who I buy from, and selective about what I buy. The people I'm going to mention have a number of virtues in common : good and timely communication. Fast response to an order, despatch details and fast response to queries ; honesty - if it's not in stock they'll tell you and offer an immediate refund or their site is kept up to date re: stock ; really special products. By that I mean very good quality and wonderful colours.
Here goes !
A new discovery is Oxford Kitchen Yarns. A source for beautifully naturally dyed yarns. Her sock yarn is fabulous, especially if you like finer sock yarn. It's a nice, tightly spun, Blue Faced Leicester yarn, so has a nice sheen, is strong yet soft. I'm knitting some Waving Lace socks from Favorite socks in her Marmalade sock yarn [supplies soon to be replenished, I'm told].

The photo doesn't do the colour justice. It's more orange, with a lively sheen. It isn't a semi-solid colour really, but the colour isn't a single, flat tone. It really is lovely, and the yarn is a joy to knit with. I really like the pattern too. After the first couple of rounds it's easy to read, so you can just enjoy the knitting unencumbered by charts. Interesting enough not to be boring. I'm very much enjoying knitting this special gift for a friend.
***ETA : maybe I should have kept the chart in front of me ! I've just spotted, now that I'm almost at the heel, that some of my k2togs should have been ssk. Whoops ! I'm not ripping as I think the sock looks fab. So there !

I enjoy using yarns from small, independant dyers. Another two favourites are Posh Yarn and Fybrespates. Both dye high quality and luxury yarns in beautifully deep, saturated tones. Piece of Beauty dyes gorgeous yarn as well. They all use colour differently, but understand it very well. Posh Yarn specialise in one off colours. Jen at Fyberspates often does repeatable colours. She also sells luscious spinning fibres. Piece of Beauty dye sumptious, complicated, semi-solid colours. Beautiful stuff. All a joy to deal with. Friendly yet professional, in my experience they wouldn't let you down.
For a bigger, nore main stream supplier I recommend Get Knitted. They stock a big name yarns like Rowan, and yarns that are harder to find in the U.K. Great choice, great service !
No, none of them have paid me ! These are people I have had fantastic experiences with. It can be quite risky buying on line when there are now so many places to shop for yarn. Treat me well and I'll keep buying from you. Of course, I'm far too classy to bad mouth those that fall short in public. In private ? Well...

You want more knitting ? Hot off the needles is a new hat for Oliver.

The orange hat was described as ''gross'' !!! Too orangey, apparently. He loves the jacket that the colour matches. Men ! I sewed in the ends at 1.30 a.m. this morning so that he didn't have to suffer the indignity of the orange hat on the first day back at school. A mother's love knows no bounds !
I made some mini Fetching mitts for a friend's daughter.

A nice blend of baby alpaca, silk and wool from Cascade. Nice, soft and warm.
I'd have finished the hat sooner if I hadn't got sidetracked by another sock !

The pattern is an adaptation of a free one, that I'm not going to link to, that involves a slip stitch pattern flanking moss st. ribbing. The original pattern had the sock start with 1x1 rib. Seemed a bit pointless, and not so attractive, as the sock pattern is rib based. I shall knit a different toe and heel too. Almost a new pattern ! I'm not inclined to link to someone I'm not so keen on. My prerogative.
The yarn is Posh Yarn Emily. More of a light dk than 4ply, it's knitting up fast on 3.25 mm needles. The colour is Foxglove, in case they ever repeat it. I like it very much. These will be nice, squishy socks for wearing around the house, I imagine.

Next time I will talk about some lovely wooly gifts, from Christmas and before.

Over the holiday's Oliver and I explored my i-tunes library. He has a number of favourites picked from my ecletic mix. Without any discussion he said he really liked this song ''about being different sizes''. There is some hope for our future. I suppose you learn not to be bigotted by example. All forms of bigotry are certainly learnt that way !

This is one of my favourite tracks, to be sung loudly in an empty house !