Cashmere Commission

This is a 100% cashmere sweater I was asked to make. It is sold.

Made with two strands of 2/28's at tension 5 on a fine gauge machine. the tension was 37 sts and 61 rows to 10cm AFTER washing and tumble drying on hot 3 times. The final garment was treated the same.

This method really brings up the loft and true luxurious feel of cashmere yarn. The garment is machine washable on delicate wash. However, I have found that once the garment has been tumbled 3 times it can be continually tumbled without further shrinking. However, for longevity, I'd still recommend a hand wash, spin and dry flat. Not that I have any proof that continual tumbling will harm it.

Yak / Merino Cashmere Silk

Both these sweaters were designed by me and knitted on a Brother 940 using the Garter Carriage.

This is a set in sleeve sweater. approx 26"(66cm) wide and 24"(61cm) long. It is 100% YAK hair. Beautiful soft, thick and with a fantastic loft (fuzziness). Hand wash only. It is offered for sale. Sensible offers. PP accepted. email: apso at tantra-apso.com

This is 50% Merino 25% Cashmere and 25% Silk. Approx 28" (71cm) wide. 25" (64cm ) long. Machine washable at 30c gentle cycle or hand wash. Also offered for sale. Sensible offers, PP accepted. email: apso at tantra-apso.com
Any offers will be considered but postage will be added. Postage cost will be advised and it will be your choice as to method of posting - simple mail or signed for mail.

Bother

I really don't want to be writing negative stuff. I am having a bad time physically. I am off to the Dr again today. The last three nights I have not slept well because of pain. I am fairly convinced my spine and ribcage are inflamed again and the cause is probably the swimming. I didn't go this morning. I decided last evening I wouldn't if my night was bad. I was in bed by 12 and up and in pain by 1am. I fell asleep in the armchair and went to bed at 5am and up at 8am.

I am finding this very wearing. Last Thursday was a crying day and so was yesterday. I don't understand this. I'd have thought enough was enough already.

I can't stop the swimming. It keeps me fit as regards my heart and weight and it helps with my mobility. However, the inflammation it causes of my spine is a royal pain. On top of this is the IBS nonsense.

I could murder a cigarette.

So anyway I am going to talk this thru with the Dr, John's as mine is away, and see what I can do. I have taken 1000mg Paracetamol and 600mg Aspirin this morning and will see how that helps.

I am about to shape the neck on my Aran. Am almost thru the first Regia Landscape sock and have knitted the whole back of a cashmere sweater on the machine. Oh and have completed, but not sewn, a moss stitch rib sweater in cashmere/silk/merino.

Edit: of the three anti-inflammatories I have taken, Aspirin, Ibuprofen and Diclofenac, Aspirin is the one that causes me no problems that I am aware of. The other two can cause me painful reflux. Also, they interfere with the blood thinning properties of the Aspirin. I do not take either the co-codomol or aspirin for long periods of time and it is unusual for me to even take it more than 3 times a day during bad times. I guess I am lucky in that the aspirin doesn't do me in. I take the enteric coated kind that dissolve in my intestine not my stomach.

Popeye

The yarn is Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock Multi colour no. 203 'Seaside'. I knit it top down. The ribbing was done using my SR 830 using tension 5 on both beds. The heel, gusset and foot were knitted using KnitPicks circular, 2.25 mm needle.

I like this yarn very much, easy to knit and the handle is excellent. Feels good on the foot too. The colourway looked much better on the hank! I would have preferred it swirled or blobbed or something but I still like this.

Machine Knitting Guild

Jane (Steel Breeze) and myself. Jane was very helpful in getting my wheelchair in an out of the car for me. We got on well and felt at ease. Jane said she knew she'd be alright with me because I used the F word on the phone!

Both are of Alison Lee, the demonstrator today and a lady I already 'knew' via the knitting lists. I didn't expect to meet anyone who 'knew' me as Knitman but I met a few! Alsion was a pleasure to meet, easy to feel comfortable with. Alison is wearing her own creations.
I took these pictures of these Aran types because I really liked them. These were hand knitted.

Garter Stitch Sweater

Knitted in 100% wool, supersoft, using the garter carriage on 940, my own design adapted from another. I am pleased with this. It came out to size. The neck fits just as I wanted, it stops just under my chin, no folding. I like the 3 x3 ribbing. This is a casual loose fitting sweater.
Close up of stitch pattern. The colour is altered so as to show stitch detail. Real colour is more like the photographs above.