There has been knitting

 

First Swiss Knit nearly done - Jolien from Rowan Studio 3. I have used Felted Tweed Jolien and I am very pleased so far (wait until I have treid it on and then I'l see if I am still pleased).

I wasn't sure about the whole 'round the arm' thing - but of course maybe I am getting too old and set in my ways ;0) I also did the collar to about 13 cm instead of 17cm.

Fresh off the back of that, I have started a Debbie Bliss Coastlines pattern in a deep pink. I am not sure how I feel about the Cathay yarn. Again, it seems quite loosely plied and I wonder how it will stand up to general wear and tear.....

Off to tax my bike. That's the push bike, not motor variety.Yep, In der Schweiz one taxes ones bicycle.

3rd time lucky (or it's a felt job)

 

I really like Rowan Felted Tweed. In particular, I really like the Cocoa shade. Unfortunately, I can't say the same about the garment I knit it in. Or the one that I knit after I frogged the first one. Since there are only so many times a yarn can be 'recycled', this is make or break. It will turn out great this time or it's heading for a close encounter with a pair of jeans at 60 degrees. The final pattern choice is Jolien . It'll still have the 'big' collar, but I am not so sure about the 'wrap around the upper arm' thing that's going on.

Sewing is also on the horizon. I've just cut out the fabric for a very simple dress (wish I could remember the pattern number - it's Simplicty, but that doesn't help much). Once again I was given a painful reminder about why it's best not to cut out on the floor.I plan to wear this dress with jeans. That should hide a multitude of sins.

Off to do some more unpacking - can you believe it, here for a month and still unpacking....

Where's the mojo?

 

Well, I think it is lurking just around the corner. I went back to that great yarn shop in Zürich, whose name escapes me right now. I am not sure what I think of the prices in this shop - the books that I saw were up to twice the cost of the same item in the UK. I think that Amazon may be a useful resource in the near future. This shop has some great yarns but I was frustrated by the pricing sytem - a sheet of paper in a polypocket, dangling near the relevant yarns. Of course, some of the sections didn't have said sheet...In the end I bought a Rowan Studio booklet and have plans for two of the garments. If only I could find my yarn.....

I am beginning my fourth week here, which seems so unlikely somehow. We finally had some snow here at the weekend so the view from my window finally looked Swiss ;0)

German lessons start in a week but I am managing to get by with the little that I learnt in Glasgow, adding a word or a phrase here and there as I go about my business. Just as well that I am not working, since the lack of car is definitely showing in terms of time. To get to the Bio (Organic) butcher I have to get a bus and then a tram. To be honest, it isn't bad, it's just that I now have to plan my outings a bit more. If I am going into the centre Zürich to meet up with Spooglers for coffee, I go and get any shopping that I can't get locally. Eggs are no problem - there is a farm close by and I just go there for free range eggs laid by the happy chickens that I can see as I walk by.

Today I am 'suffering' from some kind of cold virus. Taking my recycling into the town to the recycling centre has just about wiped me out. Guess I'll just have to lie on the sofa and look at the view !