Road testing!

Last week I was fortunate enough to get the chance to learn a whole new skill and road test a new way of doing it. You all know that I test and sample knit for 'Yarn addict Anni' but last weeks challenge was totally different I was testing the new on-line class for Continental knitting a skill I have wanted for ages and after 5 days of classes I can say it is an amazing way to learn and if you fancy learning then you should give this class a go!

I really love that I was able to play the classes at any time, 6am seemed as good as any, I could revisit each video as many times as  I needed to, in fact after a couple of days I went back again and replayed each stitch as I found that the revisit showed me things I had missed first time around. I practised on a couple of my 'sushi shawls in progress' as they had the stitch combinations I was after

and today I have cast on the Rams and Yowes blanket that I have been waiting to have a go at. By learning to do continental knitting I am able to combine it with English knitting and use both hands for the colour work and that is what I call a total result. I am still getting quicker the more I practice but I am more than happy with the pace I have achieved in the few days since I began learning. Bearing in mind I have been knitting on and off for more than 30 years I am almost as quick as my normal English knitting pace - I just need to learn how to do it without looking and I will be over the moon!

Having said I have been knitting for a long time I have never done colour work like this - years ago I made my young sister a care bear jumper but it was  intarsia  not fair isle knitting. In short I have revolutionised my knitting and had a ball in doing so! Would I recommend this on-line course absolutely I would without hesitation. What are you all knitting at the moment and are you having more fun with it than me? Hopefully more on the blanket progress soon, Sxx

Herman and the podcasts!

So Tuesday was B day for Herman and despite Allison cautioning me against the horrors of someone else having pre owned a part of him I went ahead and baked him! I totally understand where you were coming from on the pre owning front Allison but as I know the last 2 owners quite well I felt that it would be ok. I have to confess he is delicious and isn't helping my expanding waist line much at all!

My podcast journey began a good few years ago and coincides with the start of the Wiggly wigglers podcast. I am a bit of a 'greeny' and had bought a wormery from them and so wanted the chance to learn more about what they get up to down in Herefordshire. I have to confess they are hilarious and also quite informative on coutryside matters!

After I had been hooked by the podcast bug I then went on to look for other things I might like to listen to and quickly found The knitmore girls currently they are on a break as Jasmin has just had a baby but it is worth listening to some of the back episodes if you are new to them as they have some great stuff going on.

I have a couple more American podcasts that I also listen to from time to time but  recently more uk ones have begun to pop up. My current line up is: a playful day, cast-on, Electric sheep, knit spin cake and yarns from the plain.

Have I missed any that you love? Please let me know so I can give them a try. Hopefully there are some here you haven't listened to and can give them a go - let me know what you think.

Will be back with pictures of knitted stuff soon! Sx