Knitter Natter: Back now

November 16, 2005

Back now

Hello! Sorry for the very prolonged silence, it's been all go here chez Jones. Last week we set off for Ireland as our friends Sharon and Fergal were getting married.

Doesn't Sharon look gorgeous?

This is where we were lucky enough to spend two of the four nights we were there.

Dromoland Castle is near Shannon on the South West coast or Ireland and is just stunning. The castle is set in beautiful grounds and there's a lovely winding road that leads from the main road. There are follies and gazebos everywhere as well as pheasants running around the surrounding woods. The castle is huge and is an endless maze of corridors, nooks and crannies and some really beautifully and traditionally decorated rooms. It has won many awards this year and having stayed there for 2 nights, I can quite see why. It was like living in the lap of luxury and it was a much appreciated treat.

Sharon and Fergal

Here are Jane, me and Jacqui (she of the 'She knitted me a sweater!' fame) with the groom minutes before he got married. Personally I think he looks very calm and collected. Having spoken to him afterwards, I am assured that was not the case.

I have also been to Frankfurt on a business trip so I haven't really been around all that much. Add to that a rather hectic work schedule and that's my excuse for not getting around to posting here.

Oh, and there is one more thing that I was discussing with my colleague and blogger, The Passionate Cook: In these days of dark mornings and dark evenings, taking pictures, be they of knitting or of food, can be very difficult. The pictures I have taken recently in the evening are never true to the colour of the yarn and I am really keen to get the colours to be as close as possible to the actual colour of the yarn. Otherwise you might start wondering about my colour choices.

I have made some knitting progress though. Peppermint Twist was sewn up about 3 weeks ago. I don't much like the sewing bit as some of you will have gathered.

And the Phildar Sunset splits like no one's business and is magnetically attracted to any other yarn and proceeds to wrap itself around that yarn.

Peppermint Twist

Here's a shot of me in my lovely Peppermint that Jacinta snapped at Libertys a couple of weeks ago.

I am not too keen on this picture - mainly because the sleeves should have been pulled down (always a drawback with 3/4 length sleeves) and the bottom of the sweater could have done with the same treatment - I am not too keen on showing off my midriff. Ah well.

Peppermint Twist

My thoughts on this sweater if you are going to make it? Well I would make it a few inches longer, as I said, showing off you stomach after your 30's just isn't right (well in my opinion anyway). The yarn quantities were a little off for me - I had a ball of the main colour left over but ran out of the purple colour before time. So I fudged the back of the sweater - not a big deal really. And hey, gung-ho Towe would be proud.

Posted by Amelia at November 16, 2005 08:31 PM

Comments

You had exactly the same experience as me -- I had loads of the main colour but ran out of one of the stripe colours. I'm impressed that you got the exact same colours as from the book, though -- I really struggled so eventually went for a slightly different combination. Also, where did you get the Phildar Sunset?? I search high and low for that but alas never found it!

Posted by: felinity at December 9, 2005 11:43 AM

Love Peppermint Twist! The castle is gorgeous. What a wonderful place to stay for a great occassion.

Posted by: Shirra at November 22, 2005 10:55 PM

But it's a cute midriff!

Posted by: Carol at November 19, 2005 01:07 PM

Congrats to your friends on their marriage. A happy occasion is a treat, and to get to stay in a castle too? What luck! Your Peppermint sweater looks great, too!! Cheers-

Posted by: Dana at November 19, 2005 02:10 AM

Peppermint looks great. Great to see you had a ball at the wedding. It looks a fabulous place.

Posted by: Estee at November 18, 2005 11:49 AM

peppermint twist looks lovely on you.. amazing really considering all the sparkly bits ;0)

Posted by: P at November 17, 2005 07:35 PM

Peppermint looks gorgeous! You've still got a few years left before you have to cover your tum and your knees ;).

Dawn:)

Posted by: dawn at November 17, 2005 03:20 PM

ohhh how gorgeous do you look! if my midriff was as cute as yours i would walk around with it permanently exposed!!

i love how you english girls wear hats to weddings. we never do that over here. it is so gorgeous.

Posted by: jacqueline at November 17, 2005 12:27 PM

Well I think it looks absolutely great on you and you're such a tiny little thing, showing a bit of midriff is no problem whatsoever.

Posted by: Tracy at November 17, 2005 11:40 AM

you can definitely show your tummy, and esp. if the jumper has sparkle in it ;-). great and very neat knit, and the colours suit you very well.

Posted by: Stéphanie at November 17, 2005 11:34 AM

I agree with you about taking photos in this weather - not easy. Peppermint Twist looks lovely, fudge included.

Posted by: Mary at November 17, 2005 09:59 AM

I just looove your Pepparmint sweater. I´m thinking to knit that!!

Posted by: catrin at November 17, 2005 09:48 AM

one nothing wrong with your midriff,
and two... ok girlie fess up on where you got the jacket- I need one and I want THAT one :)

Posted by: stinkerbell at November 17, 2005 09:25 AM

It looks great just like the book....
I have to make me one of those.

Posted by: Charisse at November 16, 2005 09:12 PM

Looks great! Two awesome sweaters in a row!!!

Posted by: D R E W at November 16, 2005 09:10 PM