Thirty, Part Four: April's End and Another FO

So on this, the last day of April - and therefore, the end of my month-long celebration, as it were - let's recap what happened.

The day after my surprise birthday party, Mummy Irish came down with my lovely bean bag chair, and took away the unwanted furniture in my office. All of which eventually led to my new office, which I am loving so much it's untrue.

The same evening, Nick took me to the Barbican to see the London Symphony Orchestra perform music from their over-75 years of performing music for film and television. When the first notes from the horn section at the start of the Superman theme came up, I swear I was tearing up. I love the LSO. As a film geek, I have every right to.

On the 8th, my actual birthday, I was at work. But Nathalie had sneakily got a cake and we had a little sing-song and cake-eating session with the knitting group. Later that evening Nick took me to one of the nicest dinners I've ever had at the poshest place I've been to, L'Autre Pied. It was incredibly delicious and a fantastic treat, probably not to be had again for a very long time.

Exactly a week later, Nick, myself, Diane and her lovely hubby Neil - whose birthday is also in April - met for dinner and then walked across Hyde Park to the Royal Albert Hall, where they were screening Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, in HD.

And the London Philharmonic Orchestra performing the entire soundtrack. Along with the London Voices and the London Oratory School Scola. All three performed in the original recording of the soundtrack.

Yes, I am a geek. But it was glorious and we've already booked for next year when they do THe Two Towers.

Then, most recently, there was Wonderwool. But I'll get to that eventually.

As you can tell by now, Nick has spoiled me silly this year. But I spoiled myself, too, as I was very lucky this year and received birthday money from both my parents.

So I bought yarn:

Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock Lightweight in Cobalt Bloom, Downpour, Citrine, Lucky, Rooster Rock, Kaw Kaw and Seal Rock.

And I bought fibre:

Southern Cross Fibre Polwarth in Thorny Devil, Budgie and Byron Bay.

I also bought myself spindles, but they're currently delayed. I'll showcase them when I get them, if I don't get too absorbed in playing with them, that is.

But as with most brithdays, sometimes, you realize that you've changed just enough that you really want something that you normally would never consider as a necessity.

Like say, a new handbag.

My mother would be so proud. Her little girl, finally buying her own handbag. Honestly, when I told her I was going to buy a handbag, I could almost hear the tears of joy.

And meanwhile, on April Fool's Day I cast on a non-club pair of socks. There was a knitalong going on for STR yarn and the pattern they chose was Alice's own Shur'tugal. And I did know someone to whom I owed a pair of socks, and so fate had decreed.

Pattern: Shur'tugal by Alice Yu (Ravelry link)
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock Lightweight in Covelite
Needles: 2.5mm on 80cm cable

This was a lovely, easy pattern to do and everything about it was pleasing: how the pattern flows from the ribbing and drops neatly into the heel flap, and how easy it was to memorize the pattern. The yarn is fantastic to work with and has a lovely feel to it. It's squooshy thanks to all the little cable crosses, but the fabric also feels very firm and strong. I think these socks will last a good long time.

And they're all ready to be wrapped up and gifted.

Comments

[noraknits]

I'm really sorry not to have seen you in your birthday month. It looks like you had a fantastic month - and look at your STR stash!! X

[Jo]

April ended and my birthday finally arrived, no STR or fibery presents for me, but I did take great lengths to choose myself a new handbag, it had to be 'just right' to stand the test of time..great to see you have had such a fabulous month, and so much STR, I have only ever had one ball and that was won in a competition, I'm obviously not serious about yarn, or sock knitting...may the year continue to be prosperous and happy for you too!