Graffiti, according to the Oxford English Dictionary

[treated as singular or plural] writing or drawings scribbled, scratched, or sprayed illicitly on a wall or other surface in a public place. Origin: mid 19th century: from Italian (plural), from graffio 'a scratch'

We've just had a lovely long weekend in beautiful Bologna.  I wish I could say we had a relaxing time but a city break with a boisterous four year old in tow is never going to be relaxing!  

Our council pledges to remove graffiti within ten days so for me, one of the most startling features of the city was the amount of graffiti sprayed absolutely everywhere!   

The vast majority was unimaginative - just tags, words, squiggles - but a few stood out and made me smile.

More Italy soon!

Every tall person in London seemed to be at the Lucien Freud exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery the other night.  I stood on tiptoe, ducked under elbows, even jumped a little once or twice(!) in my determination to get close to the paintings to study the subtle colours and textures of (acres of) flesh.  

I was very glad that I'd watched the recent BBC film on Freud just before going as it really helped to bring so many of the paintings alive.  The subjects of the paintings became real people.  I knew about their relationship with the painter, their histories, their feelings and frustrations with a talented and difficult man.

And to follow, up to Soho for a bowl of shio ramen at Ittenbari (which means, I am reliably informed, 'one trick pony').  Delicious and almost like being in Tokyo!

Bluebell Carpet

There was a sunny break in amongst the April showers this weekend so we headed off on our annual search for bluebells.  This year we found them on Leith Hill, near Dorking.  Oh, the smell was glorious!

Then up the hill to the tower, built in 1765,  to see the view from the highest point in south-east England. 

The bluebell season is supposed to be shorter than usual this year, due to the exceptionally warm March we had, so get out to see some soon!

Yoke Jacket Yarnalong

 

Joining in with Ginny 

Ramona's not finished yet but that hasn't stopped me from starting something new! It's the Yoke Jacket 1781 from Sirdar. I've made it once before for my little girl and my mum's knocked out a couple of versions too so it is most definitely a favoured pattern.  I'm making it in pure white for the summer.  I've lived in England long enough to know a cardie is essential during June, July AND August! 

My one complaint (apart from the weather) would be that the Snugly yarn really dries my hands out.  It's 55% nylon, 45% acrylic so not a scrap of wool in sight which might be why we've been reading The Sleep Sheep by Anna McQuinn and Hannah Shaw this week! 

It's a funny little read with some counting practice and busy pictures  to study which give us lots to talk about.

I decided to miss out the word 'elderly' when reading this bit though! 

The Spring Tee that I wrote about in a previous Yarnalong is finished and can be viewed here (if you're interested!).

Spring Garden Tee

I finished this, the Spring Garden Tee by Alana Dakos, a few weeks ago but waited for some sunny weather and spring flowers for our photo shoot! This is a lovely top, very easy to make and wear.  

It was my first attempt at knitting in the round and also knitting top-down.  I found the beginning of the project really thrilling.  Seeing the neck and sleeves appearing, complete, right before my eyes, well it was like alchemy!  

The thrill soon subsided though when I moved on to the main body.  Round and round, knit stitch after knit stitch, dull, dull, dull! I couldn't wait to get to the end of the monotony.  I yearned to purl!

I am a terrible procrastinator when it comes to the sewing up and finishing off stage with a knitted garment so I had thought that this method would be perfect for me.  Instead, when the finished, pretty much ready-to-wear article came off the needles at the very end I actually felt a bit disappointed, a bit flat!  It made me realise that I actually like sewing up all those separate pieces and when they all are fitted together into a wearable article, I feel very proud.  The "Ta-da! Look what I made!" was missing! I'd known for ages what it was going to look like so I felt a bit cheated! 

I've just had my first attempt at continental style knitting.  My elbows and needles were up around my ears and I was staring with deep concentration at the stitches but I can see how it would be much faster than the English method I'm used to.  I'll have to perfect the continental so that I can use it next time I try knitting in the round.  Hopefully it will make it less laborious!

My Ravelry notes are here.

Yarnalong - Ramona & Denise

Joining in with the Yarnalong at Small Things

The Ramona Racer Back Tee is coming along but I can't say I am too inspired by it so far.  The basic textured pattern combined with the thinness and dryness of the cotton glace make me feel like I'm knitting a dishcloth rather than a lovely top!  However, it was the shape that drew me to this project so I am holding final judgment until I have at least finished the back.  

My latest reading infatuation is with Denise Mina.  I have seen her several times on the Review Show but have only just sought out her writing.  The End of the Wasp Season is the third of hers that I've read in just a month.  Once I start one of her stories, I am hooked and dipping in to it at every available moment, racing to the end.  Highly recommend!

Tait - Rowan Kids

This little top has been a hit for both me and my daughter.   

I enjoyed knitting it as I mainly did it sitting on a sun lounger while keeping an eye on my little girl playing on the beach.  

My little girl loves it because of the colour (what is it with girls and pink?!).  It is a perfect light-weight layer which doesn't get in the way of any play activities or make her too hot.  

As I was knitting it, I thought the ribbing band around the hood and neck should be more rigid and structured but now I think the floppy nature of the yarn and the design is absolutely just right.

I'm sure I'll be knitting this in a larger size but hopefully the pink phase will have passed by then...........!

My Ravelry notes are here.