Roofs of London

We have a house guest this week. She is a Parisienne.

Roofs of Paris are much talked of and much depicted too (Hermès carré by Dimitri Rybaltchenko from the S/S 2006 collection called Les Toits de Paris, just to mention a fairly up to date example).

In fact, when I lived in Paris I could get out of my room (through the window, oh yes - these were the days!) and have a picnic on the roof of l'immeuble in which my apartment was situated. I have some very fond memories of warm summer evenings, gentle breeze, flocks of clouds and endless sea of roofs stretching as far as the eye could see. All this accompanied by a glass of wine, a baguette from the local boulangerie, delicious cheese and grapes... And, of course, a bunch of friends.

Many years on.











Because roofs of Victorian houses do not afford such views, we had to use

Getting Into Slow Lane

Nick & I used to be really good at spending time together and chilling, especially on weekends. Nearly 10 years into our relationship and three children later, it looks very different. Most of the time we run around frenetically, determined to keep up with our impossible stacks of to-do lists and barely allowing ourselves a moment of rest, except for the blessed moment when we finally drag ourselves to our bed at night and exhausted drop onto our pillows. Chilling became a foreign concept, an abstract word that lost its meaning.

Last weekend was different though. Saturday morning was time out for me, as I had the second You Can Knit session of the summer course for beginners to facilitate. Afterwards I swooned at a very low pace around Upper Street (totally out of character, as I am known to be one of the fastest and most passionate walkers on the planet) and did some shopping. A bag of 100% sport weight alpaca in gorgeous silvery hue of gray found its way into my bag. I swear I have no idea how that happened! Well, OK, there was a promotion on at Loop, as they have celebrated their second anniversary, so it was a bit of a bargain. I think it might have weakened my already feeble resistance.

When I got home I found a little gang of kids running around, squeaking for joy and having great time (good friends of Louis & Clara came over to play). I actually did not accomplish anything else that day, except for sipping some supremely delicious Black Cherry wine from Sedlescombe Organic Vineyard and reading. Oh, nearly forgot to mention this:



I wound first skein of Noro yarn for Clara's scarf into a ball!
And promptly made a start on it:



Sunday was a continuation of this slow-paced bliss. We went on a long family walk, had lovely lunch on our return, listened to thunderstorm outdoors, read, slept and drunk delicious hot chocolate.



I'm so pleased I can still "do" chilling!

PS: Randomness, part 7:

Gosia's Delicious Hot Chocolate:

Heat up 2 espresso cupfuls of milk in a pan and then add 3 squares of bitter cooking chocolate (Lindt or Green & Blacks is perfect) and a tea spoon of maple syrup.
Froth with milk frother (I find that the battery powered one is better than manual for chocolate as it produces much lighter and more airy mixture).
Pour into espresso glasses and enjoy.

Touched by Wool

There is absolutely nothing the matter with my will. It is, in fact, rather reliable. I can say to myself:

"No splashing on shoes or bags, girl."

And it works. In most cases. I haven't bought shoes in I don't even know how long and am not even remotely tempted. Same goes for bags (with an exception for Nivaldo de Lima bag but that was strictly work related, as I have outgrown my knitting bag. I have to get a whole load of yarn and stuff to the sessions after all AND it was a bargain on eBay - the thing needed loving home, clearly, or else I would have not fallen for it).
Anyway, this will of nearly iron-like strength doesn't seam to cut it where yarn is involved. I am completely at its mercy. The effect of this weakness is that I am regularly "mugged" by gorgeous skeins/balls of soft yarn.
Reasoning is to no effect. I could be telling myself for eternity:

"Darling, you have enough yarn to knit even if you were to make it your main occupation for the rest of your life. You REALLY don't need another bag of it"

It just doesn't work!
Someone asked me recently how much yarn I had. I thought to myself:

"If I tell the truth they will think I am touched. Better to stay on the modest side."

And so I did. Even though I didn't own up to how much yarn I REALLY have, the person who asked me couldn't stop laughing with disbelief. Just think what would have happened if I admitted to what's so yarn-wise?

Oliver and I went to town a couple of days ago and came back with this:

Green NORO (col. 15) wool, kid mohair, silk & nylon blend:



Purple NORO (col. 17) wool, angora & silk blend:



Ps: Talking of weakness...
Randomness, part 6 is this:



Green Tea Pocky.

In Life's Current

Whole of June has been very busy here. You might or might not know about the No Face project and how it nearly brought me to my knees and made me weep with exhaustion and despair. Tough times. I'm so relieved No Face is gone. However difficult it might have been with it around, I must acknowledge that after No Face's departure the house is simply transformed! It's such a pleasure enjoying the new space and it seems there is so much more of it now!

Towards the end of the No Face project I managed two whole days of escape to the wonderous land of sock-making. Socks, socks, socks has come and gone and - let me tell you - it was a hoot!

We indulged in fabulously colorful and soft sock yarns...



and delighted in making loads of socks.



At times it looked as though I was handling weapons, not innocent socks on DPNs!


The picture above shows an emerging peasant heel.

Than there was my birthday (thanks a bunch for all birthday wishes:) and I celebrated it surrounded by friends and family (the shrug to the left was hand-knitted by Iwona - a proud example for the You Can Knit gallery)



and pirates who drunk loads of orange rum and made a racket (whilst searching for the treasure) to create much desired effervescent atmosphere (actually, I was a discreet pirate too as you might have spotted from my head dress, and one in favor of wine rather than rum I must admit. DO NOT be fooled by the fine gauge knitted dress!)



Flowers arrived from my dear friends who couldn't be there (and were awfully missed).



I feel so fulfilled being 30, a mum to three wonderful kids, in a great relationship AND knitting for living. I feel positively blessed. I know it might sound a touch odd, but I am really pleased to be 30 and over the stormy formative years.

To add to the excitement, the summer series of You Can Knit begun last Saturday and we had a very productive first session. I am really looking forward to seeing projects fly off the needles!

"But that is not all!
Oh, no.
That is not all..."

Yesterday I made a start on a new project. It's cotton and it's color work and it's great fun.



I must say that I rather do like my new office. Don't you love the fashion monsters?!
Thank you, No Face.

The quote above is from one of Louis & Clara's favorite (children's) books. If you recognize it please e-mail me and you will take part in a luxurious skein of yarn draw at the end of August (just perfect for extravagantly fine socks!).

TO CELEBRATE 30s.

PS: Randomness, part 5

The family myth says that I have picked up knitting whilst in my Mum's womb. You might think that it's unheard of, but hold your horses and figure this (I can't help thinking that there is something in it):

My Mum first learnt to knit when she was expecting me. About 5 years later I picked up needles and being fleetingly shown how to do knit and purl was sent off to become my doll's knitting slave. I actually do not recall being properly taught knitting ever! I just did it. As I grew older and more inquisitive I leafed through knitting books asked my Mum millions of knitting related questions and painstakingly honed my skills (those long and freezing cold winters were a great incentive). These days my Mum says she has nothing to teach me and my Dad says that I have knitter's mind. Which, of course, I do.


Lastly, photo by Clara.

Randomness part 4

Today is the last day of my twenties.

Color Therapy