At the Ally Pally

We enjoyed the first day at the Knitting and Stitching Show today, keeping busy and talking non-stop it seemed.  We loved watching everyone, especially all the youngsters with the most creative outfits.  But I was rather surprised at the cavalier way they photographed everything and anything, usually in an open and honest way but sometimes taking the sneaky route with a mobile phone.  I rewarded those who asked permission with over-generous thanks - heaven knows how those who didn't want any photographs taken managed it.  Presumably they spent all their time policing their stand...

Time for teachers and tutors to make a few recommendations, perhaps?

Of course, many friends were here at Ally Pally today as well - this must be one of the best social gatherings of the year and it's a great opportunity to get together and catch up on what's what.

In addition, there's always something interesting to see and usually (thankfully) people are pleased to share and agree to a photograph

Here, a fascinating knitted necklace worn with an equally individual and striking outfit. Just one of several noteworthy garments and accessories which attracted our attention during the day. 

As the day wore on, our eyes fell upon the treasures people had found and we loved the fact that several stands used clear plastic bags.  Here, two bags full of Oliver Twists goodies.

5.30pm at last and time to pack up.  Tutor/demonstrator Hazel packed up her dear little bears into their box for safekeeping overnight (this box is only about 5 inches square by the way and Bernard, the smallest is just an inch and a half tall)

Did I bring goodies home?  Only one today - a skein of the softest  Baby Alpaca Cashmere and Silk lace weight yarn from the Natural Dye Studio for a small triangular scarf pattern I bought in Purl Soho last month. 

But I'm there again tomorrow ;-)

Love this

Getting there

A few small triumphs on the blog front.

• I've realised the need to resize photographs before I import them.  I'd got lazy in Blogger and simply uploaded them as is.  However, I've downloaded the new version of Picasa which offers an option to export to a folder ready for upload - a timely update if ever there was one.  But I'm still working on the most efficient way of getting photos into my blog.  Bear with me.
• Mark has redirected the site traffic to my new url  www.elegantsufficiency.org - please adjust your bookmarks accordingly!
• I've taken away the confusing "login" link - as I'm the only contributor to the site, I'm the only one who needs to see that.
• I've learned about (and changed) my favicon.  There.  Didn't even know what it was called an hour ago and I'm already in the "advanced" menu.
• I'm currently working on a 365 gallery which will eventually be here too, but for the foreseeable future, my 365 blog will stay on Blogger.  there's a link to it on my "links" in the sidebar.

I would appreciate all comments - click on the "comments" link below and remind me of something I've forgotten or which isn't working properly.

I'm really delighted with the features and ease of use of the Squarespace interface.  In fact, I feel quite - to use a favourite American expression - pumped! 

Not only that, the socks are coming along nicely too.  I'll show you them in a bit - when I get the photo bit sorted.

Meet Otto

Otto is ready to play

Making a bit of an entrance

Enjoying the pose

Inspired by a Reclining Buddha, I think.

But getting totally whacked by it all and now needing a lie down

Thanks Ysolda. It's a great pattern!

Otto takes shape

Last evening, as we sat watching an episode of The Gilmore Girls that we felt sure we'd seen before but didn't remember* (the one before Laine's wedding) Otto took shape.

He's quite a character, even with just the one and a half limbs and no face....

*we think we must have fallen asleep