wool gathering

I think I might be getting closer to calling myself a Knitter.......... along with the many, many other titles that we busy mamas have, of course. This particular title is one that I'd love to own and  although it's been my nemesis, this knitting business, for a long long time, I think I've finally GOT IT!!! 

But lets not get too excited because I still can't read a pattern without asking Mr Google for a quick slide show; or indeed, I have no idea what ply to use where with what needle...... BUT I am a step closer since last week! 

Because I really, really want to knit!!! 

   

So with that thought in mind, I visited the Spinning Shed at Steam Fest on the weekend. 

The lovely ladies took pity on my poor unknitty self and very kindly took me in hand....... after I'd hung around gazing soulfully at all their funky knitted goodness for a while! 

What type of wool? Try this one dear, you should be fine with that.

Which needles? Here's a whole packet love, they will set you up for life.

A pattern? Of course dearie, I have just the one for you! 

So feeling like a complete fool, I gratefully accepted their offers of help and forged ahead with the best bit - buying the yarn!! 

I just can't resist bright colours. I know, I know there's only so much that can be made from such overwhelmingly florescent shades but they really make my heart sing just to see them hanging around!! oops ;o) 

Here's the most exciting bit - I am almost done with a winter beanie for my man!!! All day I've been knitting a row or five in any spare minute and it's growing just as it should! The coffee coloured balls are just odd ones from the cheap basket - dyed with onion skins. They seemed just right to use for my first try on the lovely new bamboo circular needles that I purchased. 

Yes, thats cream wool you see there....... but it won't be staying so beautifully bland, oh no, we intend to have a go at dying with food colours!! Then they'll be Bright!! 

As you may know, I have a baby to dress again. Fortunately for my new knitting fetish, her mama has pronounced that she will be a Hat Baby. I think this purple/yellow/peach will look just dandy in the little gnome hat. 

One of the spinners gave me the sweet pastel multi coloured yarn to knit into another little hat - but I'm having such difficulty choosing which style to knit it into (gosh, that makes me sound very experienced, doesn't it) There are so many cute ones in the book that I want to knit them all!! 

So, yes, after spending time with a cuppa and surrounded by all that wool, I'm feeling just a wee bit closer to adding that new title to my list - KNITTER! 

Just in case you didn't notice, I've put this post under a new label - knitting - which is really giving me a thrill! Just so you know.....!!!!

Edited to add - the book here is 'Baby Beanies' by Amanda Keeys, lent to me by my sweet knitting friend....... all three little hats pictured are from this book!