One Ball Short of a Dye Lot

piccys galore

2009-06-11T15:30:00.006Z

Right.... I have a few FO pictures for you today. I have finished the bolero with a few modifications and I also have the blanket pictures though I finished the knitting of it before I went into hospital.

Here is the finished bolero

In the end I just couldn't face knitting a mile of garter edging and sewing it on. Also... the edging was supposed to produce a shawl collar but I thought it would be a right P.I.T.A. and not lie down so I decided to try crochet. This stitch is the shell stitch which I found after browsing through crochet bible the "Happy Hooker" by Debbie Stoller. I love this book and learnt the little crochet I can do from it. I'm hoping that eventually I'll be able to do more than edging or really simple stuff.

This is a close-up of the edging.

The crocheting itself wasn't hard but the calico is quite splitty and made it harder to hook those DCs.

Here are the last of the blanket pictures.

This is the front of the blanket which I was super pleased with. I picked up around each finished edge in a different colour to tidy it up a bit but I wouldn't have had enough of one colour to do all the same. Still, I thinkit worked out ok.

However, this was what the back looked like after it had been sewn up. I have to sew things so they're indestructible so I didn't just tack the edges together, I used my usual method of sewing up which has a name I cannot remember. This left the back looking messy so I fixed it with....fleecy fabric. Or rather mum did ;o)

Mum added the fabric on the back for me while I was in hospital bless her. Also, it means that Ava has a non-wool/alpaca surface against her skin while her skin is still dry and flaky from being so overdue. The Rooster Almerino is super soft but I can't have pure wool or animal fibre right next to my skin.

Lastly, I have a gratituitous Ava pic since she's wearing something I knit while I was pregnant. I was super impressed with this cardi I made. Not because it was difficult but to have the sticking power to finish it in time. I get bored or just a short attention span and this was a lot of fiddling with hoods and bands etc.

This was knitted in Sirdar Kisses DK. It's acrylic but soooo soft. It's the softest acrylic yarn I've ever felt and it's a semi-solid colour. I made lots of minty-duck egg things this time around. When I was having Seth my "neutral" colour was yellow and I wanted a different unisex colour this time. The little suit she has on has some mint in it today so I put her this one on. I definately recommend this yarn for baby knits as it's machine washable and dryable and very very soft. It isn't often I rave about acrylic so make the most of it!

I think thats all I have.... I'm amazed I got the bolero done in under a week, but to be honest it's not a big knit. The bolero is obviously a cropped pattern but nontheless it was 4ply and I don't usually knit that fine.

Until next time,
xxx

knitting frenzy

2009-06-08T21:10:00.003Z

Well I'm steaming along with my girlie projects for Ava. I started the Debbie Bliss Baby Bolero from Baby Cashmerino 2 in some sirdar calico. The calico is supposed to be DK but it's on the fine side and DB Baby Cashmerino is more sport weight than 4ply I've always thought so it's a pretty good substitute. The first size is 3-6 months so it's on the big side atm but since she's in 0-3 month clothes at 7 days old I doubt it will be too long before she will be able to wear it!

I started this on Saturday and did the back... Sunday I made a front and a sleeve and today the second front. Tomorrow maybe I'll get the second sleeve done and then be able to do the bands. I think the bands will take the longest :o( They have to be knitted separately and sewn on. To me that's even worse than picking up around the edge.

This was my progress at lunchtime. I've sewn the one side together before knitting the bands because the bands go from middle back up the front to the neck shaping before getting wider. The book says to sew the bands in before the sides and sleeve but I think that would be more confusing and harder to do the other sewing up later.

If you guys are wondering how I'm getting chance to knit.... well not only have I not been sleeping that well but also when Seth's playing he's quite accomodating and lets me knit. I'm sure when I'm back to normal I'll have less time but I grab the opportunity when I can. Also, with baby knits they work up so fast so the gratification is so much more!

Well I confess I've done something tonight I haven't done for about 10 months. I've had a drink. Not a lot though of course I'm a responsible mother and all... but I treated myself to a glass of Jacques fruit cider. I'm not breastfeeding so there is no danger of Ava being affected. With Dad doing the night feeding it's nice to be able to unwind. Or it would be if Seth hadn't decided he wanted to get out of bed 20 minutes ago so now we're all sitting on the bed while I blog.

Something tells me it wont be the relaxing night I'd hoped for!

first project for Ava

2009-06-06T10:00:00.003Z

Hi guys

I decided to make so very simple mittens for Ava since she has monster hands and all the scratch mittens are either too small or fall off. Nothing fancy mind:

I used koigu KPPPM on 3.25mm needles or any 4ply would do.

The pattern I made up was:

Cast on 32 stitches
8 rows k1 p1 rib
make an eyelet row: k2 yo k2tog across the row
20 rows stockinette
k2 k2tog across
purl
k2tog across
purl
k2tog across
purl
k3tog
fasten off
Sew side seam

The tie was made using a small crocheting hook and making a long chain.

.....or something to that effect.... ;o) of course this is easily adaptable by adding stitches at the beginning and rows to the length.

If I could have been bothered to use dpns of course I wouldn't have had to sew a seam!

And here's the cutie I made them for:

That's all folks for today x

Ava Grace Wilkes 02/06/09 9lbs

2009-06-04T09:20:00.003Z

I'm just announcing the birth of my daughter Ava Grace :o)

It was a traumatising few days in hospital so this is just a quick post until I'm back on my feet and the land of the living so to speak. We came home on Tuesday after I'd been in since Sunday.

I'll hopefully be able to keep up with the knitting world once things have settled down a bit at home. With visitors and settling Seth and Ava together plus just getting used to a new routine ourselves I may be a bit sporadic in what I manage to keep up with!

I'm taking part in the UKSwap too.... well I hope that my partners keep in mind that I'm around though a little preoccupied. I'm sure I'll be able to keep in touch though and find some nice goodies to spoil my downstream pal.

Until the next post... here's just the odd picture.

Blanket update only

2009-05-26T21:20:00.003Z

Hi guys!

Just thought I'd give a knitting update.... no baby to introduce you to yet.

Here is what I have of the blanket so far. I only have 2 squares left to knit so it's nearly done. I took a small break from this due to ravelry corruption.... too many patterns inspire me to just carry on with a main project!
These pictures turned out a bit pinky.... the 'medium' red is more orange in real life so it does look uber-girly-fied here.

The colours are as follows: Gooseberry, custard (now discontinued I think), rooster, cornish, brighton rock, cherry (plus gooseberry again).

It's strange how the lighting makes things so different. The 'rooster' red looks all wrong here... you can see a slightly more accurate colour here.

Here is the 8 squares already sewn together.

I like the scheme but I guess it wont be very boyish.... I changed my mind a few times but who says boys can't have a blanket with pink on.... if it were blue a girl could still use it right? Ah well... maybe it's wishful thinking ;o)

Well there is a little bit of baby news, but it isn't mine! My friend from work phoned and told me she'd gone for her mid-trimester scan and she's having a girl... which means I can knit frilly pink things! That was the only downside to us not knowing. I have had to as plain and neutral as possible with things I have bought or made, but the surprise will be worth it.... when it gets here! I really liked this pattern that someone had knitted on on the ravlery 'babycakes' forum. I was going to wait and see what we have before knitting anything girly, but I have an excuse now and if we have a girl I can always make another! Hurrah!

Well, goodnight folks I'm going to stretch out on the bed and attempt to sleep!

No news isn't always good news

2009-05-22T19:31:00.005Z

Ok..... so now the baby is late.

I went to see the midwife on Wednesday and she booked me in for a membrane sweep for next thursday if nothing has happened by then. I had to have one with Seth and it got things going, but those who know what it is or have had one will understand why I cringe at the thought! Hopefully things will move along before then but as of today he/she is a day late. I'm not amused! Worst case scenario is even the sweep does nothing and I have to go into hospital and through labour induction next saturday. Please people pray for me while you knit for a nice spontaneous and quickly resolved labour.... like in the next five minutes, or an hour... just let me make sure I have time to pack the camera and chocolate!

On a more cheery note, the Green Thumb mittens are finished :o) Sheer miracle that I've completed them in 3 days and on dpns too. I'm going to attempt to configure a ribby scarf and hat to match using the leaf motif. I'm thinking that a scarf is no problem really, but the beanie hat- well a bit ambitious but I'll give it a go. It would make a great gift set for someone or even for myself. I'm still deciding!

Im rather pleased with them and now Dan wants a non leafy pair in a manly but boring grey/blue/black. Hmmm for someone that doesn't "see the the point of knitting" he sure gets me to make him a few things like fingerless mitts while he's on the pc or an ipod cover ;o)

Hopefully I'll have more exciting news next time I blog. x

Something new (and not the baby)

2009-05-19T18:35:00.003Z

Hey folks!

Just a note before I carry on... no baby not here :o(

However, I've been knitting on a new project which I literally cast on after seeing the pattern yesterday on Ravelry.

Here is the 1st of the Green Thumb mitts (details on my ravelry projects page)

looks kinda squashed when not on

stretched out on my hand but still very roomy

leaf detail on the thumb gusset

The pics aren't great I know as they have been done by my phone. I had to email them from my phone to my hotmail before saving and editing them on the computer. That said, it only took a matter of minutes. Who needs camera cables?! ( me obviously)

I'm really pleased with how the first one has turned out. I have been knitting avidly throughout the day- a couple of hours here and there while Seth has been playing or napping and voila! A finished mitten in less than 12 hours. For those who are extremely prolific knitters, I know this is no biggie, but I'm not much of a sock/mitten knitter so for me to achieve this on dpns is quite a feat for me.

I couldn't find my 3.25mm dpns that the pattern calls for which is a shame as I reckon that would have made them a perfect fit. I cast on with 2.75mm but after a few rows I could tell they were way too small so I had to go with 3.5mm clover bamboo dpns. They knit up a dream and I reckon anyone with average hands would find them perfect. I've got quite small hands and wrists so they're a little roomy but that said they aren't too big so I'm going to keep them! I thought that if they came up way too big I'd gift them out but I'm smitten with my mittens!

Apart from that, not a lot else has happened today. I've been particularly lazy other than having a bath so can't really complain. I've got to go to ante-natal at the docs tomo for the average blood pressure/wee/blah blah check so I've got to be up and motivated tomorrow. Not easy when walking is excruciating but I'm sure I'll be able to get dad to come fetch me and Seth. Of course, thats if I don't miraculously give birth between then and now!

x

fingers crossed please

2009-05-17T21:08:00.003Z

Hi guys!

Thought I'd say hi again while I have the chance and a huge thanks to those who said hi and left such supportive comments.

I've been inseparable from my laptop for hours at a time at night now it's fixed and getting to grips with whos going what etc. Also... thanks to DB I may add.... I've been stupidly addicted to a game he showed me. I should put my fingers in my ears and screw up my eyes when he does that, coz I know I'll end up playing silly games and wonder where 4 hours went ;o). To those who have ever heard of "Puzzle Quest" maybe they'll understand?

On the knitting front.... er well the afore mentioned game has thwarted progress a bit but I'm finishing up on block 9 of 12 of the Debbie Bliss mitred square blanket. The first 8 are sewn into place too which I'm proud of btw. I thought that if I left all the sewing until last then there would be no way I'd finish it as those who know me know I hate the sewing up. Strangely enough though it was nice and refreshing to have a balance of knitting and sewing up and have done it in strips of 4 together then joined 2 strips together in one go.

As part of getting ready for the baby, DB and I have had to do some major spring cleaning. To make room for the huge cot bed in our room, now that Seth has a big bed, we had to sort out wardrobes and drawers and all sorts of things. Now the fact that most of my wool storage is actually my wardrobe as well as alongside the wardrobes meant he actually saw the extent of the hoardage. Oh Dear! I was very ruthless though and chucked a lot of stuff out. I also found about 30 pairs of knitting needles that had been used for a project and not returned to the needle rolls so I have far far more needles that I imagined since I usually just buy another pair of I can't find what I'm looking for. I must have at least 10 pairs of 4mm needles I'm sure!

Well..... the baby is obviously still cooking and showing no signs of entering the outside world so of course I'm still fed up and grumpy. However, I guess it's better than being too early and then being sick though my hips, ribs and back have a hard time seeing it that way!

I'll be back with news soon hopefully. It'd better be soon.....

xxx

Back in the land of the internet

2009-05-14T17:27:00.003Z

Hi guys!

I've been offline for sooo long but now I have me laptop working again and thought I'd better just grace yourselves with a really quick update.

So far I'm now on maternity leave after having 8 weeks sick leave due to a number of pregancy complications. Thankfully the baby is doing fine and I have a week exactly to the due date. I'm praying every five minutes that I'll go into labour! At 26 weeks I was told I had Symphis Pubis Dystonia, or SPD for short, which basically means that the ligaments that hold the pubic bone into place are weakened and pressure on the pubic bone basically gives you the most excruciating pain. The 'treatment' for this is not to walk or stand for long periods of time and also long periods of sitting can make it worse too. Ergo..... I had to have 8 weeks as sick leave, a couple weeks of annual leave and started my maternity leave at 36 weeks. So far I've also managed to put my back out so I can't walk very far without a walking stick at the moment :o(

The good news though at the 36 week scan was that the placenta wasn't low lying anymore and I didn't have to be booked in for a planned c-section. However, they did say that the baby was already about 6.5 lbs....EEEK! No wonder I'm absolutely huge and have so much pain. With the baby putting on roughly a pound a week I could have a huge baby that has to come out naturally!

That's pretty much it.... on the knitting front I've made a few baby cardis, finished off an old project or two and I'm currently 2/3 way through a baby blanket. I'm making a mitred square blanket that's a Debbie Bliss pattern. I've used Rooster Almerino Aran which is lovely and soft though not machine washable. I'll get around to pictures and stuff when I've found my camera leads and such again!

I've had a quick scan through the odd blog or two and hope to catch up on what everyone is doing over the next few weeks.... baby and Seth permitting! I'm also thinking of joining the latest UKSwap too which might me a bit optimistic since I'll have a newborn soon, but I think it will give me something other that babies and washing to think about which is vital when I have a very limited choice of people to talk to right now! I don't miss work for the work itself, but it's horrible not knowing the gossip and having adult conversation that goes further than what's for tea or what episode of Thomas the Tank Engine Seth wants to watch!

Hope to update soon
love Fi xxx

I'm still here

2008-12-03T20:30:00.002Z

Hi folks!

I know I haven't blogged for months but I suppose life has really taken it out of me. That doesn't mean I'm not following online, just don't have the will to participate at the moment much.
It's still inspiring to see what you guys are making though. My attention span is a little short at the moment and I need to sleep a lot so actual "me" time is not that common.

For those playing catch up.......

This little bean is the reason why! This was done 3 weeks ago and was dated at 13weeks. Which makes me 16 weeks tomorrow and my delivery date as the 21st May. Hoorah!

Things are getting slowly easier, I'm hoping the good hormones will kick in over the next few weeks so I can take on a bit of glow and have some energy back.

Once I get myself more together creatively I'll do a post worthy of knitting attention ;o). Mostly though I've been spinning here and there which I've found more therapeutic. I made some great fingerless mittens that lace up from my handspun which willbe gifted to my sister. Once I get the ribbon for them I'll photograph em and put em up.

And now it's bed time.....

xxx

Swap Parcel update

2008-09-13T20:25:00.004Z

I managed to retrieve my UKSwap parcel today from the depths of the Royal Mail postal depot and was utterly thrilled to see the contents. My swap partner was flapjack (ravelry name)- thankyou so much!!!! I cannot believe that you got me things I just love!

This is the entire parcel here:

As you can see there's chocolate, silk garden sock yarn, a 'lightning' plant, needle felted hedgehog, baby alpaca fibre a charm made from microscope slides and my theme pic and.... a ball winder- Something I've harped on about wanting forever! How generous is Helen?!!!

Here's a few close up pics... I was tired last night so they're taken while I'm actually in bed. LOL

Here's the baby alpaca fibre- something I haven't tried to spin on it's own before but my god is it scrummy!!!!

This 'lightning' plant is a carnivorous plant! My DB had been wanting something like this for ages... boys and morbid curiosity ya know how it is! So I said if he wanted to grow it then I'd let him. It's also something to do with me being rubbish with plants ;o)

This is the needle felted hedgehog which is just darn cute! He's very sheepy smalling so I think he was from natural fleece.

This is the noro silk garden sock yarn. This is so lovely. I'm not a sock gal but it's pretty enough to make something else with. I'm in baby knitting mode at the moment as my brother in law's sister (you get that?) is almost 20 weeks now. I think she's going to ask the sex of the baby so if it's a girl this would be ideal for some of these bootees or these mary jane style ones- Just. So. Cute.

Here's just a few things I've been spinning up lately. I've finished the 'Sexy' fibre batts which are here:

It's basically pink sparkle, black slippery stuff I assume to be nylon-y or silk, pink and red wool. I'm terrible at deciding what is which fibre, but I'm getting better I think. This is very thick and thin as there are neps in the batt so it's sort of worsted weight but variable!

Here is something I've started:

This is alpaca, silk and merino. No sparkle in this one. It is so gorgeous and soft though- I think the brown is alpaca as it's quite lofty and got a halo to it, the pink I think is merino and the creamy white is the silk. I've aimed to get this about sportweight and I have two more batts of this so hopefully enough for a scarfy project or mittens.

Due to unexpected fibre stash enhancement I also have started a little of the baby alpaca to see how it spins up:

Again, I'm aiming for sportweight/4ply to get the most I can out of it. I'm not normally an 'orange' person but I totally love this . The alpaca is not that hard to spin and it's so fluffy. In fact I bought another orangey batt (shhh DB thinks it was a present) which is rusty orange, browns and foresty green.

Oh.... I do have some news. It's totally fresh up to date news which is a novelty where I'm concerned. I found out on friday that I'm pregnant. Only 5 weeks. It's not even official as far sa going to the doctors and stuff like that, so I haven't told anyone in my family. DB is a bit reluctant to say the least- while he'd never say to not have the baby I think he would have wanted to wait a while longer and is going to take some time to come to terms with things. I'm excited but wary- I want him to want the baby so I'll look after myself as best I can in the mean time and when he's ok with things (or at least says the word baby as he hasn't yet) I'll talk to our family. I'm going to try and get to the doctors this week because they have to take a urine sample and send it off (like anyone is silly enough to lie about being pregnant). I really want to tell people as I'm the worlds worst secret keeper but I would understand him being upset if I told people before he's ready. It throws more spanners in the works but I've wanted another baby for ages whether it's practical or not!

Well, best go and eat something... my tummy is growling for food. I just cannot eat as soon as I get up and I tend to leave it a bit longer than intended when I'm running around after Seth. Yesterday I was feeling queasy, though it's more likely to be psychological- I don't think we're supposed to feel the morning sickness for a few more weeks are we?

Well goodbye for now,
xxx

handmade rocks!

2008-09-08T20:30:00.003Z

As in handmade stuff 'rocks' not handmade stones ;o)

Got my UKSwap prize from nic's etsy shop today :oD

Isn't it gorgeous? I love the funky print, it's co-ordinated and cool. Amazing how she made these with her own bare hands just for me!

Seeing as I was on etsy.... I managed to stray upon one of my other fave sellers- FeltStudioUK. Her stuff is beautiful too. I ordered this even though I shouldn't have ;o)

Isn't it lush- I love the combination of burnt orange and petrol/grey. I saw it and couldn't resist. I've spun up 2 out of 3 lots I've bought from her so far so I guess I'm not so bad at hoarding fibre!

Well, being back at work sucks! Also, I got locked out of my house because my nephew who is staying with me borrowed my keys and then also took my DB out so no-one was in when I got home with Seth. I ended up getting Db's stepdad to pick us up for an hour. hmph!

Have a nive week everyone,
xxx

just a few pics

2008-09-05T19:06:00.003Z

Well I didn't trip over or fall off the stage and all went well!
Just a quick post before I have to put Seth to bed and then I have babysitters (god bless nephews and their girlfriends) to look after him while Dan (DB) takes me out for a meal!

Here is me at the uni after getting my robes:

This is the proud parents:

Here is my little man congratulating me when I got home:

As soon as we get back from our meal we will be present wrapping- it's Seth's 2nd birthday tomorrow! How time flies.

Good night
x

Class of '08

2008-09-05T09:07:00.003Z

Today I graduate from uni. Me- very very nervous! I haven't eaten yet this morning my stomach is in knots because I don't like stages or people watching me or anything like that. I'm taking my mom and dad with me and, as Seth is too young to be carted around with us, Dan (DB) is staying at home with him.

Now, I've been studying forever for this degree! Instead of 4 part-time years it's taken 6! Having Seth and vile depressing Honours Project of Doom saw to that! But, I have no regrets and I'm happy I stuck with it. There are 3 of us from work who are graduating today and we're going to be the last 3 for some time as our department isn't taking any more trainees while the shift hours haven't been implemented or decided properly.

Also.... I had a letter from the university yesterday- they're fantastic at giving you very little notice- saying that I have won a university prize. The letter invites me and my guests (mom and dad) to the prizewinners reception after the graduation ceremony. I don't even know what the prize is! Knowing Wolverhampton University it will be something lame but I'm on a bit of a winning streak lately! Maybe I should put a £1 on the lottery!

I really didn't sleep much last night but my head is buzzing and the adrenaline has me thinking "what if the queues for the robes are really long?" and "what will I do if trip and make an arse out of myself?" etc etc.

Anyhoo, I have to go and smarten up because I'm pretty sure they wont let my collect my degree certificate in PJs and a fluffy dressing gown- even if it does have pink hearts all over it! Snazzy!

No doubt I'll post soon.... my UKSwap parcel is due any day now and I'm sure my dad will have many many pics from the digital camera!!!

xxx

Yay I won something!

2008-08-23T20:36:00.002Z

Just catching up on my emails and such as I have been busy and found that I'm now the owner of the Treasure Hunt prize on UKSwap!

This is the same pic that is on the UKSwap site but aren't they beautiful?! I love the bags in this etsy shop.
The fabrics are so gorgeous!

Thankyou to the UKSwap team- Delle and Roo for hosting the swap this year and for (albeit randomly) picking me for the winner!

OK, too tired to type anything else but will post soon. As soon as I find the USB lead for my laptop I'll be able to post about my own achievements with my very own photos!
YAY!

Contain yourselves....

2008-08-09T09:45:00.004Z

.... for the big news I have.
I'm a qualified Biomedical Scientist! WOOOHOOO!

There said it. It's been a darn hectic few weeks hence the lack of posting or online activity. I'd pretty much banned myself from using the internet whilst working as I get distracted and 2 hours later I'd still be looking at yarn and patterns and no further ahead. Lets get the formalities out of the way first....

This weeks UKSwap Question:
Films is the topic this week:

Do you prefer to watch films at home or at the cinema?
Both. I love going to the cinema and scoffing popcorn, drinking far too much coca cola and almost fainting when the guy at the pick and mix stand tells you how much it is. Also.. I love watching an old fave on the sofa with my favourite blanket, cuppa, sweets/biscuits/cake.
What is the last film you saw?
Embarrassing..... In her shoes with Cameron Diaz in. I'm not usually one for heartwarming dramas that make you cry but I loved it and yes I cried at the end!
Have you seen any films more than 10 times? If so which ones and why.
Any of the original Star Wars... Armageddon (close to 50)... xXx anyone who loves Vin Diesel will know why ;o)...in fact anything with Vin Diesel in I've watched at least 10 times!... Coyote Ugly... Usual Suspects... Dogma...
What film do you recommend that people should see?
That's a tough one... Dogma. Funny, weird, has a message.
If you could be any character from a film who would it be?
Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher)- She got to snog Harrison Ford as Han Solo. Lush (if now about 70)

Any other news? Er well no. I haven't had much of a life lately so not a lot going on really. I've joined the Secret of the Stole 3 KAL which I'm excited and nervous about. I'm not mega experienced with lace, but I thought that the staged KAL might suit me. However, I do think I'll fall hopelessly behind and be lagging behind all those experienced people. Ah well.

I've chosen plum Jaggerspun Zephyr laceweight with a mixture of lilac and irredescent clear beads, got my 1mm crochet hook, completed a swatch in malabrigo whilst waiting impatiently for yarn, started another in project yarn. Almost ready! The first piece of the pattern is out Friday 15th August.

Well, I'm catching up on Private Practice (Grey's Anatomy spin off) while Seth naps.... oh the quiet!

xxxx

2 post in one day?

2008-07-11T19:54:00.002Z

Surely not ;o)

Here's my UK Swap Question 5:
Quick fire questions this week, based on a game I've played with friends whilst on (very long) car journeys!
Choose one - don't think just choose...

1. Stop or go? Go
2. Going out or Staying in? Staying in
3. Small town or big city? Small town
4. Happy or sad? Sad
5. Straights or Circulars? Straights
6. Red or Blue? Red
7. Seaside or countryside? Seaside
8. Fish or chips? Fish
9. Surprises or plans? Surprises
10. Wine or beer? Wine
11. Sweaters or cardigans? Cardigans
12. Pizza or Pasta? Pasta
13. Chopsticks or fork? Fork
14. Early Bird or Night Owl? Early bird
15. Knitting or crochet? Knitting
16. Hot or cold? Hot

And now for the picture part of this quiz (copied from a meme that's going around at the moment)
a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd’s mosaic maker.

I chose these not really thinking about whether they would go together but I think they do! In fact I've got it as my desktop right now!

Well, thats as much as I can give out right now.... I'm all posted out for today!

long time no see

2008-07-11T07:42:00.002Z

Hi guys

thought I'd drop anot to say that no, I haven't dropped off the face of the earth.... I'm just a busy girl right now. In fact, i'm at work this very moment trying to get a short post in because I know I just need to update the world!

I've got loads of catching up to do with the UK Swap thing which is just unfortunate since I loved being in last year's swap and just finding being a full participant really hard right now. I was hoping that I'd be able to get into things by the end of July but my assessment has been pushed back by the assessor til August.... so dragging out the assessment means I have less free time again.

I do have a few picture updates though.

I have almost finished the Simply Knitting cabled cardi:

This is scrunched up because I'm trying to knit the rib which goes all the way around the fronts and neck. There is about 290 stitches and I hate rib especially when it's hard going. The ball you see is what I have left of the Fleece Artist Scotian Silk I made the cardi with so I dont think I'm going to have enough to do the sleeve rib. At £16 a hank not only will I have a very expensive sleeve ribbing but the hanks have about 360m so it's a bit overkill! The sleeves are batwing-y so might just see what they look like without or find an alternative to neaten them.... answers in an email please!!! :o)

This is just a closeup of the lacy cable rib which is on the fronts.

This is a new project which I started las week. A crochet cardi from the same Simply Knitting mag i have made the other red cardi from. Unfortunately I have broken my 3.50mm crochet hook so I put a plea bargain on Ravelry to see if anyone has a spare before I buy another.

And here is me when I'm not at work/home/being mum. It's a work night out about 6weeks ago... I'm going to a doctors ball next saturday which should be fun... can't wait to let my hair down just a little bit!

Off to work now it's nearly 9am!
I'll catch up on UK Swap stuff in my next post!
x

What a busy month!

2008-06-18T19:30:00.002Z

Hi there!

Sorry to you guys who think I've dropped off the end of the earth!!!!! I am preparing for my portfolio assessment and my interview. The interview for my job is monday (re-grade and contrsct update) and the assessment will be somewhere in the week starting 14th July. Meaning I have about 3 weeks to finish my folder that is about 2/3rds completed. Eeeeeeeek.

Enough about work.... it eats enough of my life already!

Knitting: SWAP TIME PEOPLE!!!
I'm a bit late posting this but....
Question 1: WWKIP day
On Saturday I knit at my mum's house. Not quite public but I had Seth and grocery shopping too! Oh how exciting my life is ;o)
I knit regularly at work so I guess that is public and I used to love going to a knit group but sadly I dont go now.
Weirdest place..... er.... well at a haematology seminar at Birmingham NEC is probably the strangest event. I knit in the bathroom when Seth is in the bath too which may be a little obsessive but it's rare I get time to knit in the day at home!

Also... I know several people tagged me for a questionnaire..... er I'll be honest and say I'm too tired and over worked to be bothered!!! Sorry. I think if something less comprehensive comes up I'll have a go ;o)

I'm on the right front of the Simply knitting cream caramel cardi... though I'm knitting it in Scotian silk in red that I got when I went to Ravelry day at The Crafty Cottage. I'm praying I'll have enough but if not I think it'll be when I do the ribbing on the cardi edges/neck so I'll maybe stripe it with another colour and do the same on the sleeve ribbing. Great thing about this cardi is that there are no sleeves to make as such, as the increases are built into the back and made in a sort of batwing affair. Hurrah! I'll post pics when I can.

Right, I'll try and keep up with the UK Swap questions and post weekly now, but doesn't time get away so quickly!!!

See ya for now, Fi x

Bank Holiday curse

2008-05-25T11:07:00.007Z

Don't you just love Bank Holiday weather?! It is raining as I type and looking generally grim. Plans of gardening gone awry, no visits to the duckpond or Seth playing on the slide. On the upside- no gardening and I don't have to waste water using a hosepipe since Mother Nature is doing its thing.

Also.... Bank Holidays are so busy. I would have more rest at work! Yesterday, Seth had a social engagement (birthday party) to attend and of course I'm the chaperone on his arm ;o) and he has another on Monday as it is my niece's birthday on the 28th. As you can see, he dressed to impress

And here he is making another cheeky face for the camera.... such a star!

I have managed some progress this week. I haven't been knitting much over the last few weeks, work and necessary resting haven't left me with much patience or inspiration. However, on friday I decided to spin the second half of the 'beach' fibre I got from FeltStudioUK on etsy. I managed to spin it all and get it plied with the first batch too. A late night... but worth it!

It is still a little bit wet here but turned out good for my first real effort since I started spinning a few years ago. I'd just washed it and hung it to dry, but had lots of great advice from the guys on the UKSpinners group on ravelry. Next time I'll try the shock and whack method which is what most people seem to do. I'm not sure why, but physically torturing yarn seems a bit sadistic though I suppose it's a better way for relieving your frustration that some therapies ;o)

I finished the second front on the hexacomb cardigan this morning. I think if I dedicated a bit more time to the project it would be done in no time at all.... ah well. It's easy enough to pick up and put down so the rest of the back and sleeves plus neckbands are left.

Right.... to finish up, since watching CSI:NY is just takes so much attention ;o) I urge all you guys to join UK Swap... sign ups end soon and the more the merrier!!! The blog button is on my sidebar- click it, click it now!!!

UK Swap round 2 questionnaire

2008-05-19T20:54:00.002Z

Part One: Crafting

Do you knit, crochet, or both?

Both

What do you like to make?

Cardigans mostly for practicality, lacy scarves, fingerless mittens

Do you have a favourite project?

My Dahlia sweater is my favourite project to date

Do you have a favourite type of fiber or brand of yarn?

I love knitting with wool but I’m allergic to 100% wool or animal fibre. Blends are better for me.

Do you have a least favourite type of yarn?

Squeaky acrylic

Do you do any other crafts?

I spin with a drop spindle and I’d like to learn how to sew properly.

Do you knit in public? If so where do you like knitting and what is your "portable" project?

I like to knit in public but currently I’m without a regular group. I drag along any project that is easy enough to concentrate on without making too many mistakes. Unfortunately I’m not much of a sock knitting person.

What do you carry your "portable" knitting in?

One of the many felted bags I’ve knitted

Are there any knitting gifts (book, toy, yarn, item, tool) that you have been lusting over?

I really would love a yarn swift and ball winder (swoons) and would like a really good 1 skein book.

Part Two: Your Favourites
If you were a specific kind of yarn, which brand and kind of yarn would you be (and why)?

I’d be a something colourful and feltable. Scratchy maybe at first (I’m shy) but then softens and becomes functional and useful in a heated situation ;o) Probably noro kureyon without the pricetag!!

What is your favourite colour?

Err.... I like purple a lot and cherry reds.

What is your least favourite colour?

Yellow

What scents/smells do you like? What don’t you like?

I don’t like vanilla/caramelly smells . I’m not keen on white chocolate and hate pear drops!

How do you like to pamper yourself? (bubble bath, hand creams, massage, manicure)

I love good scrubs that make you feel clean, soft and pampered and nice bath products for those rare moments I have time for a good long soak.

What goodies to you like to eat? (chocolate, biscuits, sweets,crisps etc)

I’m a quality not quantity chocolate person so good dark chocolate and love biscuits.

Do you prefer tea or coffee while you knit? Any particular kind?

I drink tea mostly at home (regular tea) but while I’m out I’m a Starbucks fanatic!

Do you listen to/watch anything while you knit? (TVshow-Along, movies, music, podcasts,

audiobooks)

I like to watch films (anything from sci-fi to action to cheesy chickflicks) and my recorded episodes of Moonlight/Blood Ties/Heroes/CSI:NY/How to look good naked. I also like to listen to rock music or the odd podcast at cast off.

Part Three: About you, Living & Past-times
If you were a specific kind of yarn, which brand and kind of yarn would you be (and why)?

Where do you live in the UK? (General idea not address)

I live in the West Midlands (near Birmingham)

Have you always lived here, or did you grow up somewhere else?

I have always lived in the West Midlands but changed towns a few times

What is your favourite place in the UK?

I loved Cornwall as a kid and really enjoyed a stay in Edinburgh too.

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I’d love to travel to Prague for the architecture; Egypt for the pyramids; Cuba for the mohitos!

What other hobbies do you have?

I like to read, watch TV and films, spin, have just learnt crochet, like to cook (mainly cakes!) and trying my best to learn to sew properly.

Part Four: The Theme
As part of this swap we are asking you to post (or link to) a picture or photograph you like. Your swap pal will use the photo as a basis for a themed item or parcel.
It could be of a specific item, e.g. Jellybeans, an Alpaca, a rainbow or a scene e.g. sunset, beach, woodland or anything else you can think of! Please add a few words to explain why you have chosen the photo if you think this is appropriate.
It could be a photo you have taken or a picture you have found on the internet. Please note - if the picture is not yours please ensure you seek permission from the owner before posting it on your blog. Alternatively, you can link to the original picture.

http://www.lanl.gov/news/albums/safety/Lightning.jpg

(That is the original link for the picture.)

I used this picture because not only does it show beautiful colours, but I am fascinated by adverse weather and how amazing and dangerous nature can be. Since a lot of knitted items are made us to protect us from the elements I thought a weather picture would be apt. I don’t expect miraculous lightning proof knits though ;o) but I thought the colours were particularly pretty.

Final Part:
Any allergies/preferences (fiber-wise or treat-wise)? I’m allergic to kiwi and 100% animal fibre yarns like wool and alpaca which make me itch and anything with a high angora content makes me sneeze and feel like I have a cold! Plant/acrylic/wool blends seem to be just fine.

Anything we missed that you’d like your partner to know?

I’d like my partner to know I have a quirky sense of humour and like patterns which show my individuality but also like classically beautiful things also.

I think that is it! Yay UK swaps!!!!

Pimp it up!!!

2008-05-14T18:21:00.002Z

Hi guys sorry about the lack of blogging!

I'm making a short shout out to everyone that reads my blog to say:

UK Swap are up and about for round 2!!! YAY!

Please please please go and visit the UK Swap blog and have a look, the requirements are massive and as long as you are UK based you can join! Also.... please say in the comments I sent you!!! There is a contest going atm and everyone is entered in for some Socks That Rock yarn if they post a blog post or get a comment on the Swap site! It's all fair and I'll be commenting that I found out about it from Roo before actually looking at the Swap site. Unfortunately she can't have it as she's one of the new swap hosts.

Good luck Roo!!!!

Catch ya later.... x

Disaster!

2008-05-05T10:25:00.002Z

Seriously people- I could cry right now! I finished my gift Branching Out for my great aunt’s 80th birthday last night and 5 minutes ago I thought I’d go and block it for photos etc and wrap it up. BIG MISTAKE. Since I generally use the iron for stuff like this…. well it looks like cotton, feels like cotton, knits like cotton….. I forgot it isnt cotton but maize. It also melts. Turns crispy, and spiky kind of melting. It took me months to finish this between the zillion other projects and I don’t have enough time to make another. My mum is going to donate the 100% silk mini clapotis I made her as said aunt hasn’t seen it before. I dont know whether to be grateful or insulted that she’d give it away but still. :”o(

I'm now in no mood whatsoever to be taking pictures etc etc, but I'll make my little progress report:
Hexacomb cardigan: Finished Left Front and ready to re-join yarn to right front.
Jose's handwarmers: about 80% done on the first mitt but not entirely positive I have enough silk garden for both. I got this via UKarma and only have 1 ball. The pattern uses 1 ball of kureyon so I thought it would be enough. I'm reluctant now to finish it and start the other in case I end up frogging them,.
Crosswalkers: I've turned the heel and nearly ready to do the toe on sock#1

New project: Bronte's mitts for the Fingerless Gloves Fanatics group on ravelry. I have completed the rib section of the mitt and ready to start a lace section . These are the May KAL project for the group so it will definately be a challenge to get these done before the end of the month! Normal people can make these in a few days, but with my life interfering far too much with knitting it'll be a struggle.

I'm going to curl up into the fetal position now and sob on the very immediate loss I've just suffered. Damn it!! Damn it!! Damn it!!!

Boo here I am!

2008-04-27T06:41:00.003Z

Hey guys!

I know I've been hiding for 2 weeks but... o.k. don't have much of an excuse to be honest. There has been way too much time on the laptop swapping on ravelry and still I couldn't quite be bothered to blog. Life happens huh.

I have had some great parcels over the last few weeks though! UKarma swaps is the best/worst thing in my little knitting lifetime at the moment. I find so much support, inspiration and of course yarn (!) from these guys.... but the knitting itself has taken a bit of a knock! I have finished a my fetching mittens though...

I have to say that I absolutely L.O.V.E. these mitts! I'm glad that I forced myself to get them off the needles; 1000 modifications and all; and make them to fit me. I've had lots of lovely comments about them too... so many that I have a long list of non-knitting people who want wristwarmers. Ahhh well I know what everyone i getting for birthdays and christmasses! Trouble is it's nearly the end of spring.... well actually no it isn't is it? Not in rainy england anyway.

And so I have cast on a pair of 'Extra Warm Kureyon Wristers' from ravelry pattern library for my sister Jose. Only I've used Noro Silk Garden I got from UKarma swaps. Jose saw this yarn at my mums a few weeks ago (I'd been to the PO depot to get a zillion parcels) and claimed it for some wristwarmers. See not all the yarn is for me! The colour is a purple/rusty orange/grey colourway.

I have been making slow painstaking progress on the Hexacomb cardigan too. Trouble is with this project atm is that there is 194 stitches on the 4mm circular addi. All of which are 100% cotton and non stretchy. In turn I get massive cotton related RSI in my right thumb and could cry after about 3 rows. Also, the purlside row has to be counted and patterned so can't just zip bacwards and forwards. I think after another inch or so I can separate the fronts and back and it will be easier going for me. I like the pattern to look at and making it because I love the style of the cardi. I knew all along that I'd hate knitting it though!

I am a bit further along than this- I took this pic for the ravelry project avatar. I've nearly finished the ball of cotton. This particular brand has got 200m or so to a ball and I've nearly got to the AH without changing balls; even if it's a cropped cardi I'm impressed.

I've also taken a little trip to fibreville. I was sorting stash for swaps last week and found my turqoise merino... started spinning it just because I could and all that.... and now have this:

and

I bought this from an etsy store (first etsy purchase) called Felt Studio UK. I was a bit nervous though goodness knows why- maybe the $ thing or never using it before but the service was amazing. Bought it thursday evening- here saturday morning. The rosewood colourway is bigger, but I got both plus p&p for about $33... about £17. I was well impressed with the quality and softness, plus as I started spinning the 'beach' last night it was way easier than spinning the merino. In fact I've spun about 1/3 of the beach already! I've already had a look at her stuff again. Oh dear. Well the great spring destash has made some room at least. In fact I paid with th fibre from some yarn-cash in my paypal account- so didn't spend "real" money!

Ooh.... I had some yarn come last week which is fab. It's similar to malabrigo in texture and thickness:

The colour is less mauvey and more lilaccy but is so gorgeous. I'm thinking of making it into some of these or even these. Both are definately me!! Can you tell I've gotten cought up in some sort of wristwarmer disease? I've even joined the Fingerless Glove Fanatics on ravelry! They are hosting a May KAL and I've joined up... though I'm finding it hard to decide on what yarn to use. The pattern is 'Bronte's Mittts' and seems to need a DK weight though the pattern uses two strands of a mohair and koigu held together. Hmmmm. Still pondering and only have a few days til CO. Never done a KAL before either!

Right, Seth is demanding that I play with him.... he's covered in crayola markers.... you can hide the pens but he still manages to find them. At lease they're not on the walls ;o)

See ya x

Spring Destash

2008-04-13T16:21:00.003Z

Hello there

Well, a little progess is more than none as they say.

This week, I have managed to finish and post the Kitchen swap items, get half way through Fetching Mitten #2 and I have cast on for the Hexacomb cardigan.

Through no fault of anyone but myself, I didn't really do as much Portfolio work as I really should have but I suppose that's no surprise! I really lack self discipline when I have no fixed deadline to work to. Unfortunately, when I get to work tomorrow I suspect that my deadline will have been set and I'll have just about a few weeks to get it finished and prepare myself for the Big Day. That is... being interviewed for my qualification. Nail biting stuff!

Well this is a little round up of this week's little achievements really. I haven't quite done enough on the Hexacomb cardi to warrant a picture- the fronts and backs are all cast on together then separated at the armholes, so casting on 194 stitches in mercerised cotton was a chore. Last night I managed to get about 18 rows of pattern done.

I did a little bit of baking midweek:

This here is banana cake. It was so yummy I literally ate half the cake before lunchtime! Good thing it's considered a 'low fat' recipe then! The recipe was just from a friend and not out of a book or anything so I don't suppose it'll hurt to tell ya ;o)

Banana Cake (Low fat- ish!)

3/4 cup Caster sugar (I used 'light' sugar which is 1/3 sweetener to cut down on the kcals)
3/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup plain flour
3/4 cup self-raising flour
3 eggs
3 bananas mashed
pinch bicarbonate of soda

*whisk oil and sugar together and add eggs
*add bananas
*fold in the flour and bicarb
*grease a loaf tin and pour in mixture
*180 degrees for 45 minutes, check middle with a knife, adding 10 mins as needed til the middle is firm
Voila. Don't burn yourself trying to eat it as soon s it's done ;o)

As part of the 'spring destash' I have been getting rid of odd balls and stash I'm bored with and such on ravelry.
It's gone surprisingly well and I've managed to send out quite a bit. I've just managed to sell some too which is a bonus. Although... I was supposed to be selling my spinning stuff too as I never get around to doing any. As you know... when you get it all out, you tend to try it out etc etc and never got around to destashing the fibre.... instead I got this done:

This is merino, which I'd never spun up before. It is as fine as I usually spin it, so will need plying for it to be of use to me, but I enjoyed doing something different. So I guess it's staying!

And lastly......

The new hair. I love it.

Check me out on ravelry if ya want, I'm the usual 'scarletprincess' on there. Please aid the destash :o)
x

purple rules! OK

2008-04-07T17:49:00.005Z

Hey there!

I have a half-finished WIP (!) and an unlikely one at that.

Here is Fetching in her purple glory-ness. Iam making this pair in a yarn thinner than specified to create a more snug fit because I have teeny-tiny wrists and I about as much guessed that using the DB Cashmerino Aran would make them too big. Here I've used Rowan Calmer for elasticity, snugness, and a blend that won't make me itch.

Here is the thumb side view. I thought from reading the instructions that the thumb would be a b***h to do but it took me a matter of minutes to do really. I have altered the pattern to allow for Calmer being thinner by making the pattern repeat 8 rows long instead of five and I like the slightly longer cuff. I've cast on the second one too so I'm hoping to do these fairly quickly now. I first cast them on in January according to my Ravelry notes and just left them once I'd gotten to the long stretch w/o cables. I think the break will mean I wont suffer from SMS (second mitten syndrome) as the cables are the other way around on the right mitt and it's been ages since I started the left.

There is another reason I want to finish as many WIPs as possible this week.... I have a project lined up! I think the cloud bolero can be frogged- I have fell out of love with it :o( and the branching out scarf is my work WIP so they don't count. The kitchen swap creation has to be finished as it's already over deadline so I have that to do also.

Here are my projects that I think will be coming up soon....

The Hexacomb Cardigan- from interweave knits

I have already bought the DK cotton for this project! And buttons! I've got a dark cream for the main body of the cardi and a pearl/flat cream mix for the border. The buttons are cream with a patterned gold insert. I'm really psyched about starting this as it looks like such a versatile cardi and the colours were deliberate so that I can put it with pretty much anything. I just got Wendy Supreme Cotton DK as I think it will be as good as any other DK cotton to be honest and only needed 3 balls or 600m for the main colour so a bargain cardi really!

Secondly....the Flutter Sleeve Cardigan (again from interweave)

To those that know my taste, this may seem a little 'conservative'! However, I plan on leaving off the little sleeve tabs so that the sleeves are a little longer as there is no fold and ta-da!- a kimono sleeve cardi with lovely shaping under the bust to make it a bit more feminine! I think a few special buttons would really make it that bit funkier too. I've got some Katia Austral in a dark red for this which is a 50/50 merino/acrylic blend. How I love ebay :o)

Well, I'm gonna kick back with some tv and some chocolate pudding and custard and some knitting and have a cosy evening me thinks....
Good night x

Blog drought

2008-04-02T21:14:00.002Z

Hi there!

I realise I've had a bit of a blogging drought lately. I'm still around and kicking up a storm, just very preoccupied with 'normal life' at the moment. Unfortunately, my knitting has suffered somewhat. I haven't done much knitting over the last few weeks since work has been a bit of a pig with the staff tea room being refurbished and all. This means I have no comfortable place to knit and those with kids know how impossible it is to knit at home with a zillion piles of washing, ironing and such. Also, my dad is awaiting his histology results for his skin cancer biopsies. He had them taken a while back during a small local op on his head to remove some patches of skin which were cancerous. The results are due friday and amongst a few other problems, this is on my mind a lot.

I must apologise to the kitchen swap people if they read my blog. I made a commitment to them to make the potholder/kitchen item swap and have failed miserably. Luckily my swap partner will be late too so I hope she'll forgive me with a few gifts thrown in with the 'creation' when I finally get it finished.

Branching out is going slowly. This is my work project, so unless I get a repeat done while having coffee in BB's waiting for my bus, it's just not getting anywhere. I'm about 60-70% done at the moment and my aunt's birthday isn't until May, but I like to be ahead.

Next week I have some time off to get some work done on the portfolio, crack on with the housework and generally chill as well. I'm going to have my hair done on Monday as a treat for feeling a bit out of it and really want a vast change.

So watch this space, hopefully I'll have some blog posts and pics and such next week for you all.

x

Happy Easter

2008-03-23T09:17:00.003Z

Hope you guys are having a lovely easter. Ours wouldn't be too bad if Seth and myself didn't have another cold! I think that his is partly due to cutting his fangs.... to say he's irritable is an understatement. I think I got my cold from him, but the germs are out and about everywhere atm. Poor lamb has had me up in the night the majority of the week, though he managed to sleep through til 5 this morning.

Anyhoo....
I don't have any pictures of my knitting atm. I've done the heel flap on my crosswalkers but have to have my laptop in front of me (pattern is saved there) to make sure I'm making the heel properly. I've made the odd sock before but it's been a while and I've not gotten that innate knowledge yet! I've also been making something for a swap. I'm not particularly 'homely' but it seemed like a fun thing to do. I'm making a potholder/mitt thingy but I'm not sure what it'll be til I've finished. I'm trying different textural patterns knit into blocks and my 'potholders' were too small so I'm going to make a linked oven glove thing out of the sections. Thing is I'll have to make a sort of lining otherwise a cotton mitt will probably of no use whatsoever! Ah well... I'll put up pics if a) it's any good and b) if I have chance- it has to be posted by the 31st!!

I've made a bit more progress on the banching out scarf. I got about 5 or 6 repeats done when I went to Bristol last week on a blood transfusion course. There would have been a lot more progress if I'd not encountered a very chatty man determined to converse the whole 1hr and 20mins of the journey home :o| Granted he was a lovely young man, but after 7 hours of blood transfusion lectures I really didn't want to but I'm far too polite for my own good and ended up doing no knitting on the way home. I usually do some knitting in my breaks at work but there's a lot of "atmosphere" at work and I can't concentrate on the pattern rows and make mistakes. Even after 30-sum-odd repeats I still have to have the pattern. I can't remember lace patterns unless they're super simple!

As I have no knitting photos here's a cutie pic for easter

Don't eat too much chocolate folks... ah who am I kidding? I have a Green and Blacks egg with bittersweet cherry AND dark almond....mmmmmm!

Ducktastic Day

2008-03-13T16:05:00.005Z

Hi there!

Well, Seth is still poorly :o( He'd not been sick since Monday but had diahrroea and no appetite for the last few days. This morning I bathed him at 7am as he was a little "messy" and he managed some toast. Hurrah.... except for later when both the sickness and diahrroea came back with a vengeance. Ah well.

However, between being O.K. and not being so good, we went for some fresh air. My dad took us and Sadie the bull terrier out for a walk to Sutton Park. We played fetch with Sadie then drove around to the other side of the park so that we could feed the ducks.

Here's Seth on the field where we were playing with Sadie.

Here we are feeding the ducks. There were lots of different types; not just your average ducks, canadian geese and swans. There were a few of the more exotic breeds there too as it's quite an expanse of water.

Here's me trying to hold a (very strong) dog and a very willful Seth.

Seth trying to get as close as possible to the quack quacks.

There was about 10 times more than this at least!

Ok.... so here's just a boring picture of field and a radio mast right? Wrong. This radio mast is my "Twinkle Stick" from when I was a wee one. My mum and dad used to show fancy pigeons and go fishing all over the country and I travelled far and wide with them. I used to watch out for the radio mast dubbed the "Twinkle Stick" because of the way the light flashed and twinkled on the top. I always knew I wasn't far from home when I saw this and it was a comfort thing when I was a kid. Even now if I see this mast I know I'm not far from home and I look forward to getting back and having a cuppa. Funny how these things stick with you no matter how old we are.

And here's a pic from home:

It's not often we get pictures taken together as myself and DB are usually the ones trying to get Seth to stay still etc while the other takes a picture! This was taken earlier this week while we were having 5 minutes cuddle because he'd not been well again. And LOL at my hair! It's not quite long enough to put up properly and I tend to clip some of it up out of the way and it all falls out.... a bad hair day for sure!
The jumper I'm wearing though, for the more observant, is "wicked" by Zephyr Style without the pocket on the front. I think I'd been a bit hasty not putting the pocket on, but I like the fit. Problem is since I knit in DB Merino Aran, the 100% merino content makes it itchy around the neckline. I think that I need either a blend of wool and another fibre for knits that touch sensitive skin like my neck. I know it doesn't look great here but I am sitting rather hunched. I lost the pattern when my PC died but I'd consider making another or something similar. I really like the Zephyr Style patterns. I bought a few when I got the 'wicked' pattern but it would mean scouring my old hard drives etc.

Well, I think I'm ready for a nap myself! We's been into Sutton Coldfield town after our nature walk as well. I popped into Next for some socks for Seth. £65 later, I'd bought him denim dungarees with an orange/brown t-shirt, blue-grey camo trousers, a lime green shower resistant jacket for when the weather is warmer, a pack of 4 long-sleeve t-shirts because he ruins them on a regular basis at nursery and 15 pairs of socks. Me thinks that covers easter presents and then some. Ooops!!! He isn't desperate for clothes.... just in the same way I'm not desperate for yarn, though it's desirable to keep buying it!

Right, I'm off to decide on what take-away we'd like for our weekly treat. I'm starving after all the fresh air!

x

are you sitting down?

2008-03-11T13:23:00.003Z

I ask this because I have a surprising project on the needles.... A SOCK!

Yup once again I'm attempting to beat SSS and knit a PAIR of socks.... problem is SSS is like those other nasty diseases that are treated into remission but never really go away (like herpes, syphillis, myeloma). Now whilst latently hiding within me it could be just waiting to raise it's ugly head, so I'm trying to be optimistic and keep it at bay.

The design is 'Crosswalkers'- a variation on the bias pattern that is in the now world famous 'Jaywalkers'. It is much easier than counting the pattern repeats because on every other row, the kbf and ktog / ssk and kbf are at done with the stitches either end of the needles. However, it means I have to use 4 needles to spread the stitches over so I feel like i'm wrestling with a porcupine- I've more comfortable using dpn's when the stitches are over 3 needles.

Here it is on the ebonys.... though because I have a habit of snapping my 2.25mm dpns I actually have a set of 6 which are a combination of brittany birch (very flimsy) and soxstix in ebony (lantern moon). The points are better on the ebonys as well. I think when I have some more spare cash I'm going to buy another set. I like the addis for strenght but they're too long for me and I tend to get injured or impale someone else!

This is a close-up of the biased effect of the knitting.

This is the safety demonstration.... protect your sock with squirly whirly things. It means I don't have to worry about the needles getting lost or stitches jumping off. However, I think with dpn's I'm going to have to get one of those tubes with a slot in that completely covers the needles so that they can't poke through my bag etc.

Now, to those wondering why I'm dayblogging it's because Seth spent all of yesterday being sick and we're home again today so he can recooperate. Nursery wouldn't have had him due to the sickness policy in case he gave it to the other children, but since he's not been sick today I think all being well he'll be ok for nursery tomorrow. My boss will be pleased!

Well, toodlepip I'm going to try and fit in 10 mins sock knitting while Seth's napping!

Party on my parcel has been unpacked!

2008-03-08T21:47:00.006Z

Well hi again I've been to fetch my UK Swap parcel.

I couldn't wait to open it! I ripped it open in the car as soon as I'd buckled my belt!

Yup sideways picture... I'm tired!

Ohh yes... La Occitane baby! A beautiful rose hand cream just great for smoothing the cracks and softening the dry skin. So scrumptious!

Two metal buttons about 12mm long. They're really beautiful and I'll keep these for a worthwhile project for sure!

These twirly whirly things are made by Clover and are designed to keep your needles in their rightful pairs. I'd never even seen them before but I think they're great and love the jelly sweet colours.

Oooh yum! This was attacked by my 3yr old neice much to my disdain. Luckily I've got about 2/3rds left for me. Hmph they're starting young on the luxury chocolate these days!

This is meilenweit sock yarn. It's a lovely mix of light blue, navy, beige and cream. I'm unsure what to do with it just yet (pattern wise I mean) but the colur combination is lovely.

And the best is last.....

Manos del Uruguay Wool Classica! Ooh this is a lovely combination of forest green, cream and reds. It's a poor pic but I was oohing and stroking this for ages!

Thanks SP!!!! And no I still don't have a clue who you are!

Just a few more pics for today.... I went to my sisters house with Seth today so that he could spend a little qua;ity time with my sister, brother in law and my niece. She and another of my sisters had bought me some beautiful fairtrade roses to celebrate me finishing my degree bless them. The daffodils are some I bought on thursday to try and lift my spirits a little.

beautiful!

quick post :o)

2008-03-07T23:10:00.004Z

Hi there! This is just a quickie post because I am so excited! My swap parcel is at the depot and I'm going to fetch it tomorrow. I can't wait! I'm busy in the day tomorrow though so it will most likely be tomorrow night or Sunday when I get to put any picures up. :oD

I'm a big fan of sideways smileys right now :o) I have cought this strange bug where I text them, email them, blog them, put them on birthday cards.... It's become a bit of a compulsion lately. Weird thind is I've been anything but smiley! I'd hit a wave of feeling particularly down with things this week and not been shaken out of it. I'm hoping that it's not a long term thing but I think it was a long time coming where I realised that I perhaps am a little depressed and frustrated with life. I am naturally a worrier and so many little niggly things can mount up into a huge boulder you're dragging around.

Don't get me wrong, I loved going to ravelry day last week- it was a great break to spend some much needed time out but I felt guilty about it too. I feel guilty about not doing the ironing, leaving bills to the last minute, having a demanding job and feeling rubbish and generally being short tempered at home. I think that sometimes it has to get to this point when you realise you cannot cope and that some of these things just cannot change or aren't as important as we think. I have to try and get myself from this slump to a happy human being again and paying attention to more important things.

I find it difficult to admit that juggling being a mom and working full time and trying to get my portfolio is dampening my spirits and making me feel inadequate because I'm not coping as well as some people would. I thinkt he best step forward will be to not expect that I should cope and get on with taking it a day at a time.

And so to cheer me up until I can get my mitts on my parcel and post again, I'm going to put up the scenic pics from last saturday to remind of the lovely day we had.

Well I'm off to bed, so goodnight x

Scarlet by name....

2008-03-02T19:50:00.007Z

Scarlet in nature :o) Not in the whorish sense I hasten to add... unless you mean a yarn whore!

I went to Ravelry Fun Day yesterday at the Crafty Cottage in Warwick with Ruth and a couple of her friends, Rachel and Alison. This was the first knitting 'event' I've been to in a long time and I'm so glad to say it was way worth my expectations and well worth the weeks of barely contained excitement. I'd briefly met Ruth in the flesh before, though I've known her blogwise for a longer time. She really is a wonderful friendly person and really enjoyed her company.

The Crafty Cottage had it's official opening day and invited those that were a part of Ravelry to come along and also the gals from her Monday night knit group too. The spread she put out was amazing and the yarns she's got- I got a bit giddy when I first walked in with a heaving shop and a wall to wall scrumptiousness. There's stuff from all over like Handmaiden, Fleece Artist, Louisa Harding, Mango Moon, Malabrigo, Shades of Cashmere and so many more. To say I had a feast for the senses is an understatement. But most importantly, Jo is so lovely and down to earth and very accommodating.

This little part of the store had a lot of attention. The first 2 shelves were Handmaiden and the 3rd and 4th shelves were Fleece Artist- which I chose the yarn for another Dahlia.

Here is the Noro section which was really impressive. I love Noro for the colour combinations they use, but rarely find one that has exactly all the colours I like.

This was just a small fraction of the food that was put out. I grazed constantly as I'd not taken a small knitting project with me and found the mini samosas and spring rolls really difficult to resist!

Well this is the haul from the trip! The two biggest skeins are Fleece Artist Scotian Silk which is 35% silk and 65% wool. So divine.

The little red one in the middle is Mango Moon Capelli which is a fuzzy but very fine elastic yarn which is meant to be knit in with another yarn to add elasticity to a project. However I plan to use it alone to make a very simple airy scarf.

The smaller red ball is Rosarios 4 Pop Corn. Believe it or not, the yarn is 100% maize and extremely soft. I bought 2 balls to make the Branching Out scarf from Knitty.

The blue skein is Malabrigo lace weight and got to be the softest yarn ever. I don't usually go for lace weight but this is quite thick really and not far off 4ply so I'm going to make something special with that for myself. I might make a small kiri or something like that.

The little kitty brooch is actually from a lovely vintage boutique called Aspire Style in Warwick town. The stuff in there is amazing and definitely worth a browse.

I'd bore you with all the pictures from the haul but Blogger is playing up a bit and it's a pain trying to get it to load pictures. No doubt I'll put them up again in another post though.

I will show you this though...

This is just over 4 repeats of the Branching Out pattern in the Pop Corn yarn. The only complaint about the yarn is that it's very splitty but you get that with a lot of cottons really. I'd originally started it in koigu but this yarn suits the pattern so much more. I think with some blocking it'll open out nicely. The only mods to the pattern I've made is added 2 stitches to the garter border so that it's 5 stitches, not 3. The pattern isn't very wide so I thought that it would add width without having to work out half pattern repeats or anything too technical.

Well, I do want to get on with this project as it's for my great aunt so I'll bid you all goodnight xxx

A busy day

2008-02-27T22:27:00.002Z

Hey there

I've been on a course for work today at the NEC in Birmingham. It was so lovely to be out and about and the course was actually very informative and interesting. I don't think I felt myself drifting sleepily once all day- which is pretty much a miracle! The lectures were centred around the use of blood and blood components in emergency situations and major incidents.

The most interesting features were the lectures on how this was done during the London Bombings of 7th July 2005. It was heart wrenching to hear the accounts of 2 A&E nurse practioners who were involved in the management and care of hundreds of critically injured and how some others were just too bad to even consider the "wasting" of valuable resources and made as comfortable as possible.

There were also lectures on cell salvage where the patients' own blood can be collected, processed and re-transfused to minimalize the amount of donor blood given to them during massive haemorrhage. All told, it was amazing to see how much our National Blood Service really needs donors and to educate the masses on the correct use of blood products and reduce mistakes that cost lives.

I know this is a bit alien to some of you, but I guess despite my artistic nature, I have the flip side of being a scientist as well... strange but true. I did fit in a bit of knitting today though! I couldn't knit during lectures obviously- I was too busy taking notes- but I did a little bit on the train and during the lunch intermission. So what have I cast on now???

To the impatient (you know who you are!) who leave comments demanding their next fix of my blogging, I have started the Cloud Bolero which I chose to make after running a small competition to find a bolero/shrug pattern and Ruth send me the link for Ysolda's creation. I have hit the 'cast on' button for it on ravelry so my progress will be added to on there as well as on here. So far I've done the set up rows and 2 out of 3 pattern repeats for section A so it's a good start so far. I'll post pictures when it actually looks a bit better, the piece isn't really long enough yet to get a half decent shot of anything.

Ho hum, I ought to be going to bed since I have to do some work on the portfolio tomorrow at work and it's hard enough to understand w/o sleep deprivation!

Good Night x

A FO!!!

2008-02-23T00:03:00.004Z

Wow, the first 'proper' FO of the year!

Dahlia is finally finished! All the knitty gritty is on my ravelry profile :o)

Here's the pics tho as promised. I literally finished it tonight and am super happy with it. Albeit a little baggy, I'm sure I can pimp it up with a scarf or nice belt at the waist as suggested in the pattern notes.

Well they aren't fabulous shots but for midnight using the camera on my phone, they'll have to do until I can get DB to play photographer.

I'm really happy with how everything turned out, even the sleeves. I was afraid they'd be weird because I had to do them on 5.5mm dpns instead of 5mm dpns. I would've eventualy bought another set to replace my lost 5mm dpn set but I wanted to wear this o Ravelry day- hurrah only 8days to go!

Well guys sorry for the uber-short post but I'm shattered and really need to get some ZZzzz's!

Ooops I forgot to do the Topic 6 answer for UKSwap!
Q: Have you done a swap before (doesn't have to be a knitting swap)? What do you like best about swapping? Are there any personal "requirements" that a swap has to have before you will join?

Well, this is my first swap! I guess I was a little too nervous before to join one, but I've really enjoyed this so far. I guess I didn't want to much fussing with the swap. This is fairly straightforward with a reasonable budget (though I've got a little carried away!). I'll definately consider doing another!

topic 5 Anticipation

2008-02-17T18:03:00.002Z

What kind of Spoilee are you? Are you paranoid that it's not being sent, or lost in the post? Do you want it to arrive quickly? OR Do you enjoy the anticipation? Sitting and pondering when it will arrive... and anxiously waiting for it, close to the deadline?

Well this weeks topic has been running on the ravelry group forum this week. I think my answer would be that because it is my first swap I am a little nervous and I want to make sure my downstream pal is spoiled. I think I'm trying not to get too excited about my parcel as I don't know what exactly to expect. I've really enjoyed emailing back and forth with my SPs and it's going quite well so far. I suppose I'm terrible with surprises and want to know what I'm getting and when but then feel disappointed (like if you know what your presents are before christmas day).

This week:

Well knitting wise it has been somewhat barren. Last week I managed to get Dahlia cast off but I haven't done the sleeves yet. I think the main reason I haven't rushed to the finish line with this one is I KNOW I have 5mm dpns somewhere but can't for the life of me find them! I have 4.5mm and 5.5mm at hand but dont want to spoil the project by messing up the sleeves. And because I'm stubborn I'd rather find them them than buy new ones when I dont use dpns all that often.

I have however made a little FO! I cast it on last night and finished it about an hour ago while seth was having a nap. DB has had a new toy- an Ipod nano and I've made him a cozy for it- just plain black as he's not into fancy colours. I used Rowan 4 ply soft on my ebony lantern moon 2.25mm dpns. I love working with wooden dpns but I have quite a grip and tend to snap them. My current stash of dpns are quite a composite of brittany birch (2 separate incomplete sets) and my beloved ebonys. I also have the addi metal dpns for a project that isn't super quick so I don't waste my wooden ones!

I made up the pattern after browsing through a few other bloggers FOs and cast on 30 st, did 5 rows of *k1tbl,p1* rib and then just knit until it was long enough for the ipod to fit in beneath the ribbing rows. I finished it off with kitchener stitch so there was no seam and weaved in the ends. Ta Da!!! I always have to get my copy of Stitch and Bitch out to do kitchener stitch though! I can never remember the steps.

I had started another project (yes strartitis is rife in my house) but then had to rip it out. I had planned to make a 'branching out' scarf from knitty for my great aunt as she loved the simple fir cone lace one I had made her for christmas. Trouble is the koigu I plan to use just isn't suited to the branching out pattern. The pattern needs something less variegated to show off the lace work and the koigu needs a pattern to show off the lovely colours. So.... I'm pattern hunting yet again. I only have 2 skeins of the koigu so I need something semi-lacy so that I can stretch out the yardage without losing the warmth of the yarn. I love koigu as it is just a great 'sproingy' and soft but delicate yarn.

Any how I have a great deal of tidying and such as the living room looks as if a pipe bomb went off and the toys were the shrapnel!

Good night and hopefully I'll get around to posting more than once a week when the swap topics come up!

Topic 4: Valentines Day

2008-02-08T15:19:00.000Z

Hi there!

Still trying to keep up with the blogging. I suppose being part of the swap is making me update it as much as I possibly can.

And so for this week: Topic 4 Valentines Day

I guess i've never had a spectacularly fabulous romantic valentines day! My DB and I generally get each other a card and a little something and this year I think we agreed to get a card and instead of the usual chocolates/teddy/random useless item we're going to have a meal together. Sounds simple, but with Seth our 17month son getting any peaceful mealtimes is quite rare! I think if we could get a sitter, we'd go out but I think a late dinner when Seth's in bed with a nice film etc will be just as nice.

I do remember when I lived with my last bf he never celebrated Valentines. He didn't even believe in buying a card. I know it's an over commercialised holiday but a small gesture is nice- No not even a box of chocolates!

Aah now for the weeks news....

I had my official letter from the university saying I had indeed finished my BSc Biomedical (Hons) degree course and I will graduate in may/june with a 2(i). Hurrah!

Dahlia hasn't gotten much further as I'm half way through the sewn bind off for the skirt. I'm half way because the sewn bind off is so long winded and takes forever and with 200 and sum odd stitches.... Yawn! Yesterday I tried to get it finished but I was poorly with D&V and didn't even have the strength to sit up straight. I spend the majority of the day asleep/throwing up/sat on the loo. Lovely. I feel much better today but still weak and green around the gills though.

I've managed to pick up a few things for my downstream SP but I can't mention what they are just in case she stumbles along my blog!

Ah well not much else to report. I've had a few scarf orders- my friend wants a red scarf with a yellow 'W' as a womble scarf! He's going as Orinoco to a 70's fancy dress and my Great Aunt would like another koigu lace scarf as I gave her one for christmas and she wears it all the time. It was just the fircone lace pattern out of stitch directory in several repeats and garter border. Nice effect though and was very pretty when finished. Must get on with some knitting then!

x

Weekly Topic 3

2008-02-03T14:57:00.000Z

The Project Process

Q: What is your process when planning a project? Do you shop for yarn and then find a suitable pattern? Do you find your pattern and then go out to buy the yarn? Or are you stash-busting? If your stash is out of control, how did it get that way?

The best answer to this question is all 4 options!!!!
*Sometimes I see a yarn I really like and find a pattern linked to it I'd like to make. If the yarn is a fairly generic DK or Aran weight then I try and find a pattern that I've wanted to make before.
*Sometimes I see a pattern I like and keep a mental note; most of the time I go surfing like crazy through my popular knitting shops/sites and try and find an affordable but fitting yarn for the pattern if the yarn used is too expensive or not something I like. It's not often I have stash for must have patterns!
*If at all possible I'll use stash. On the odd occasion I'll try and find a pattern for some stash yarn I have.
* I really really need to cull my stash. There is a lot of long lost WIP stash and odd balls of something or other or yarn I've bought and I cannot think why on earth I have bought it! I can't physically bin it though!!! Maybe I'll take the more hideous stuff to a charity shop and ebay what "nice but I'll never use because.." stash or give it away. I've been promising to cull for ages....

On a different note:

I've almost finished Dahlia! I need to cast off the bottom of the skirt now that it is 12inches and finish the sleeves and it will be done. I'll take photos and update when I finish it.
The Garden Scarf is about 5 flowers long. I really like how quick the flowers grow.
I'm waiting for my swap details to come through. I really hope that I'm still a part of the UK Swap! My very first no less and I'm really excited too!!! I know this an abrupt post but I really want to get some progress on Dahlia while Seth is napping!

x

Seriously photo heavy post!

2008-01-27T12:21:00.000Z

Ya know how I can never be bothered to update my photos.... I finally got my butt in gear so I got some pics for you today.

1: Dahlia

This project is now a bit too big for my work bag so I have had to shelve it a bit since I have smaller projects to take with me on the go. I just need a lot of time now to get cracking on it, but I still love it atm.
As this has quite a low scoop on the front, the cash iroha was making quite a saggy neckline. In order to fix that I decided to crochet the picot edging on instead of having to pick up all of the neckline stitches and also, the hand dyed silk I've used has made it a bit more substantial to counteract the sagging.

This is a closeup of the picot edging. The silk is a blend of green and teal so goes quite nicely with the cash iroha.

This overview shot was taken at my moms on the sofa! At least you can see here how it's slightly tightened the neckline up. The crochet edging wasn't that difficult to be honest and I'm a real novice with crochet!!! However to show you the source I used for this crochet mastery.....

A not at all clear pic of the page from Debbie Stoller's 'Happy Hooker' book.

I find the diagrams they use for crochet pattern shorthand quite confusing at the moment but a combination of written instructions, diagram and clever pictures has helped me immensely with starting to learn crochet.
Which leads me onto my next project......

2: The Garden Scarf

By just looking at the finished product, I thought it would be super-duper difficult to do. Though last night I decided to stop being a chicken- it's not as though I'm gonna get 40 lashes for getting it wrong is it?! And so....

Voila!!!! My first crochet flower! I know seasoned crocheters could scoff and laugh but I was immensely proud of my little achievement. So there! I mean... I saw the diagram for the flower and thought "yeah right" and nearly fainted!

It looks like some fancy pentagram-style cult symbol that should be painted on the floor in goats blood! Ok so I watch too much made-for-TV sci-fi but it's scary nonetheless.
Hopefully the finished product will look like this:

I think as I've used the same silk as I used for my Dahlia neckline edging that I'm going to use blues and greens in different combinations and it can be a semi-co-ordinating scarf for the spring.

3: Fetching
Another addition to WIP city is Fetching. I'm being lazy and not adding in links today but nearly eveyone will know it's from Knitty.com! Way past jumping on the bandwagon (that left years ago) I've started this a zillion years after everyone else has and really it's more a work WIP that will fit in my bag and confuse everyone in the tea room as they think I'm knitting using a shiny pink porcupine!

All the details for these projects are on ravelry btw but I'm using 3.75mm dpns (pretty pink metallic ones I got free!) with Rowan Calmer in that purple shade. As I have rediculously small wrists compared to the rest of me I have made these smaller but have added rows into the pattern repeat so I still get the length required. I've only got 1 and a bit repeats to do before the shaping and fiddly bits come in.

** I had to abandon posting for a sort while to go and put the sunday roast in... completely forgot about putting the beef in the oven so we're in for a very late dinner!!!**

Ok, beef is in and I can get back to showing you what Seth and I have been doing this morning.

Here Seth is painting with Crayola "Mess Free" paints that are white until they react with the special paper that shows up the colour. Fantastic concept though "mess free" is a stretch, if you get the paint on anything it's not coloured. He also has the "soft sticks" which are like crayons int the same concept. I managed to get the two packs for £3.00 each in the sale from the Early Learning Centre- a bargain when they were originally £12.00! I have seen the marker option in Morrisons for £4.99 so might get those as well at some point. The colouring paper and books in the range can be used with any of the media as well so it's sort of interchangeable.

In my day we had these markers that came with a 'magic' white marker that could change the colour of the ink if you went over the colours. I think black changed to pink, red to yellow... and so forth.

Here is Seth playing with his chalks as well. He likes the chalk and this clever book means he can erase what he's done and colour (scribble) on the pictures again and again! I know the majority of the pictures I've put up are Seth and art but it's pretty much the only activity he stays still enough doing that I can get a picture! He's usually charging around causing mayhem!

Ooh... Good News!

I have finished my degree. The dratted cursed Honours Project has been marked and I shall be officially graduating in May with a BSc Biomedical Science (Hons) most likely to be a 2:1. The remaining obstacle is my professional portfolio to make me an IBMS state-registered Biomedical Scientist. Hopefully it will only be a few more months. Yay!

On that note of bliss and happiness I shall go and try and get some of the dinner prepared! I think my DB will cry when he finds out dinner will not be ready until 4!
mwah x

UK Swap Question 2

2008-01-26T11:28:00.000Z

Q: Do you subscribe to any magazines (knitting or otherwise)? Or do you prefer to purchase magazines at the newstand? Do you subscribe online to any knitting magazines/newsletters? What does a knitting magazine need to have to catch your fancy and get you to fork out that well-earned cash?

A: I used to subscribe to Vogue knitting and Simply Knitting magazines, but have since ended the subscriptions. Vogue was a little unreliable since it had to be mailed from the US.... might start up the Simply Kntting one again. I also buy when I can Interweave Knits and a few other less known ones like Knit1, Lets Knit (new-ish) and other ones that have a unique or quirky patterns for the young or individual knitter that doesn't want the same v-neck cardi in 15 subtle variations of the same style! I may not necessarily make the patterns- a lot use US yarns- but the idea often sparks my knitting enthusiasm or creative processes.

UK Swap Questionnaire

2008-01-23T13:09:00.000Z

Part One: Crafting

Do you knit, crochet, or both?
I knit mostly but have started to learn crochet.

What do you like to make? Do you have a favourite project?
I do love making felted bags and cardigans mostly, though I make a lot of gift scarves too!

Do you have a favourite type of fiber or brand of yarn?
Even though I love pure wool, it makes me itch so I like wool/other fibre blends that are soft and squishy. I love wool/silk combinations because of the lustre.

Do you have a least favourite type of yarn?
The crinkly cheap acrylic as it squeaks when you knit with it!

Do you do any other crafts?
I've tried many things from jewellery making and general sewing, but I spin occasionally too but with a drop spindle.

What knitting do you bring ‘on the go’?
Mostly smaller projects like handwarmers or a scarf. I find I get SSS so try not to start socks!

What do you carry your ‘on the go’ knitting in? Do you want something new?
I usually shove it in my work bag, but end up losing my dpns! I may try those dpn holders to avoid skewering myself on them as well!

Are there any knitting gifts (book, toy, yarn, item, tool) that you have been lusting over?
I'd really love to get a kit of knit picks options so that I don't keep having to buy more and more circular needles! There are so many yarns I'd love to try eventually like malabragio or sea silk etc that I haven't gotten around to trying yet.

Part Two: Your Favourites

What is your favourite colour? What is your least favourite colour?
I love aubergine/dark purple and teal/petrol blue/turquoise combinations. I like a lot of colours really.

What scents/smells do you like? What don’t you like?
I like fresh, zingy scents with a hint of flowers.

How do you like to pamper yourself? (bubble bath, hand creams, massage, manicure)
I love and adore lush products like the aqua mirabilis bars which scrub the bad days at work away!! Also, I'm always in need of a good hand cream to soothe my hands which crack and get sore from the harsh chemicals I use at work.

What goodies to you like to treat your tummy with? (chocolate, biscuits, truffles, etc.)
Ooh... I like dark chocolate, pralines/truffles.... but dislike white chocolate altogether.

Do you prefer tea or coffee while you knit? Any particular kind? Favourite mug/cup?
I drink tea mostly at home ('normal' tea) but when out and about I love coffee like caramel machiato's from Starbucks!!

Do you listen to/watch anything while you knit? (TVshow-Along, movies, music, podcasts)
I love listening to music like fall out boy, avenged sevenfold, lost prophets... mostly emo/rock. I love TV shows like scrubs, heroes, CSI and blood ties and mostly knit watching the tv or whatever is on my laptop.

Part Three: Living & Past-times

Where do you live in the UK? (General idea not address)
I live in Wednesbury which is in the West Midlands.

Have you always lived here, or did you grow up somewhere else?
I grew up in wednesbury, moved a little further to wolverhampton and then came back to wednesbury again.

If you could visit anywhere in I'd world, where would you go?
I would love to go to Prague to see all the lovely architectural buildings. I don't really crave the sunshine, but to see places of interest.

If you couldn’t go to a knitting group, what other kind of gathering would you go to? (book club, tea party, yoga class, jewelery class, etc.)
I'd probably try another type of craft like spinning, jewellery making etc. I like to have an outlet for my creativity in contrast to my scientific mind I use at work.

What’s your style? (elegant, traditional, glamourous, girly, natural, sporty, outgoing, etc.)
I guess I'm a bit of a jumble- I love the rock/emo style, but have a vintage girly side to me that likes to appear lady like without being old fashioned or frumpy. I'm not a flowery person yet I still like delicate colours. I'm not at all glamorous and don't wear hardly any jewellery or rediculously high or uncomfortable shoes!!

Final Part:

Any allergies/preferences (fiber-wise or treat-wise)?
Well, pure wool yarns do tend to make me itch, and treat-wise I am allergic to kiwi so tropically flavoured things are a bit of a no-no!

Anything we missed that you’d like your partner to know?
I rarely use laceweight or 4-ply, mostly dk/aran/chunky yarns as I can be an impatient knitter!!!

And the winner is..!

2008-01-20T15:38:00.000Z

Ok so hardly anyone entered, but nonetheless Ruth is the winner of my blog contest. She came up with the idea of the cloud bolero by Ysolda. Well done! I really do like this bolero and shall definately use my bargain chunky for this. Thankyou Ruth! Just a short post as I am getting ready for an improptu gig at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall. Avenged Sevenfold are playing there tonight and since there are tickets left my little sister in law and myself are going to see if we can get some. Fingers Crossed! Right, I have a little sister to get all rocked up (plus me in little over an hour!)

I'll be updating properly soon,
Fi x

What do I do now?!

2008-01-14T10:19:00.000Z

OH NO!!!!! I have finished watching Heroes Series 2 which is only 11 episodes (due to writers' strike in LA) and I have forever to wait for series 3 now! However..... all is not lost as I have started downloading Blood Ties series 2 so I'll have something to watch while knitting today in bed. The Blasted Lurgy turned into a full blown head cold so I got my FIL to help me drop Seth to nursery so I have some time to rest up and hopefully feel well enough to work tomorrow. Tuesday nights now have CSI (las vegas) back on with the new series plus Saturday is CSI:NY hurrah! Just means midweek is a bit empty, though I guess I could work on the portfolio if I felt so inclined.

Well I have pictorial proof of progress!

I know this is a bit of a dodgy picture but I was at my moms house and took it with Dahlia on a blanket over the armchair. I reckon I got about 8 inches of cabled ribbing left.

Here is an upside down shot of the cabled rib. These photos are taken on my phone so I know they're not the best quality.

I think I might start the sleeves on dpns soon though so I know I'll have enough. If I knit forever and ever on the 'skirt' I could possibly run out for the edging and sleeves!

Well there's a week left until I choose the competition winner, though it looks as if Ruth is a dead cert atm lol as she's the only one entered! Ah well I can't say I'm surprised as I've been out of blogging circulation for some time. Ho Hum, I'll try update asap. Gonna finish my tea, albeit cold, and maybe start on Blood Ties me thinks.

mwah x

Edited post..... my Blood Ties supposed to be series 2 are actually series 1 Goddammit! What's a girl to watch?

Blasted lurgy

2008-01-10T22:24:00.000Z

Hey guys

No pics in today's post but I promise to post some soon. I'm doing quite well with Dahlia now. I'm about 2 inches into the cabled 'skirt'. I've been taking it to work with me so I can get 1 or two rows done at breaktime/lunchtime. With over 200 titches to a round it really takes a while to cable every other knitted rib and also with 2 rows plain rib between the alternate cables. I know that wasn't the best description of the pattern lol but I have lurgy. Lurgy is a non-specific feelign of general crap-ness. I don't have a cold, but ache all over and have a disgusting coldsore which makes me feel all dirty and skanky. My face now itches all over and the pain in the nerves is giving me combined earache/toothache. And my back is non too good either. Poor me. I know there are tons of people far far worse off so I'll stop complaining now!

I'm also thinking of a generous de-stash. This is jumping on the bandwagon of Ruth and Dawn I know, but it saves the hassle of listing on ebay (who buys in January anyway!) and also feels nice to give to a good cause- knitter's stash!

And so I need to find a topic on which to ask a question for my January Giveaway Competition...

I'm offering up green/teal laceweight merino or my very own handspun (!) one sportweight or thick and thin undyed blue faced leicester or a 100m ball of silk in pinks and purples.

The competition: A funky feminine pattern (or own idea if one wishes) for a shrug/wrap type affair in chunky yarn. I have roughly 480m of chunky (8mm) yarn in black/grey marl that I would like to use for a functional yet funky piece that is perfect for keeping off the chill whilst knitting/blogging.

Vital stats: for the purpose of the excercise I guess I ought to divulge I am a size 14/36 inch chest.

Deadline: Monday 21st January. The most appropriate design for me will be rewarded and the choice of prize is up to you. I shall also consider giving out to more than one blogger if there are two ideas equally as good.

I do have a significant amount of stash I would like to re-home and will post up a list once I have had a good rummage as to what I should get rid of. Also, I have some hand-spinning equipment to re-home if anyone is interested- all I'd like for it is postage paid or maybe a stash swap.

Must go to bed now if I am to have any chance of having a remotely good day at work tomorrow! Good night all!
x

Warm welcome

2008-01-04T20:01:00.000Z

Hi folks! Firstly I'd like to say a big thanks to the people who welcomed me back to the land of blogs and it actually means a lot to me!

Secondly- I've been making some progress on Dahlia. I'm almost at the point where I can join and work in the round. I have 3 rows and then I have to slip sleeve stitches onto waste yarn and cast on extra stitches for the front neckline.

The lighting is a bit yellowy because of being inside and 'energy-efficient' light bulbs. As you can see, my 5mm circular is a bit shorter that called for but it was the only one I had. I just hope that the 5.5mm I need for the 'skirt' of the jumper isn't too long- impossible to work in the round otherwise.

On a different topic altogether....
Seth and I stayed home today as I hurt my back a bit yesterday at work and Seth is cutting a second molar. I hate it when he's teething. Bad back- I can cope... Bad back and no sleep whatsoever- no way could I have lasted the day at work. At the moment it seems they're using "tough love" to get me super-independant. Basically I have to get on with being busy and stressed and have no help at hand or so it seems. Thursday afternoon the diluent kept running out on the analysers I was working on as it was so busy and the diluent boxes are 26kg each! I wouldn't ususally lift these boxes as I have light duties due to my back problems but being in my own..... hence being super sore today!

And so... Seth and I had a sometimes lovely/sometimes horrid day but these pics were taken when he was a bit more manageable:

These are as it says on the tin- Seth playing with his crayons and colouring book. He'd already played for ages with his non-toxic felt tips and made lovely pictures I'm sending to my mum and sis for get well 'presents'.

And a little later here he is looking at his Thomas the Tank Engine book with the sounds at the side. He really loves painting and drawing and really likes books at the moment. I think it's great that he's creative. I wasn't brave enough to give him free range with paints at home though!

I'm watching friends reruns for now and may watch 'Die Another Day' for a Pierce Brosnan fix at 9, so will get some knitting done hopefully. Will have to check on Seth again first though, he's so wriggly that I have to keep putting his covers over him!

I bid you farewell til my next post x

On a roll

2008-01-01T22:23:00.000Z

Well I have actually started Dahlia!

The Cash Iroha is absolutely wonderful. I thought it might be a little scratchy like the kureon, but even though it still has the classic Noro loosely-spun thing going for it, it it actually still nice and cuddly. The silk in it gives it a lovely sheen so that even though it isn't variegated there is still a subtle colour difference due to the fibres taking the dye differently. I really love it can you tell? Sure it isn't as squish as say... DB Cashmerino but it has a really organic feel about it somehow- especially as you get the odd slubby bit now and again.

Ok I sound dead geeky there but it's a little review I had going haha. The pattern so far seems ok, though it seems scary that I'm going to have 261 stitched before I join the round! The first part of the yoke is knitted 'flat' on a circular because the front and back necklines are different depths. The sleeves are cute because the section for the sleeve when you cast on says 16st (for the M size) and on the first set up row, those 16 st are knitted with 'make1' between them giving this ruched shoulder effect that makes the puff sleeve. Very clever! This is the first time I've seen this and I really liked how it was done with minimal fussing.

Ok so I have a picture showing about 3 and a 1/2 inches of stockinette...

My achievement for today so far- boring to most of you, but actually impressive for me since Seth has been a terror for approx 40% of today. I think his "terrible 2's" tantrums may be kicking in at 16 months! He's really frustrated with things as if he knows what he wants to do or say and can't express himself in any other way than smacking or kicking me. He actually hurts me so I've tried the ignoring him until he calms down, offering him an alternative if it's something he's not allowed to do, putting him on the floor, shouting at him.... nothing seems to have the desired effect. He's not like it 24/7 but those moments do tarnish the day. He has such a happy, cheeky personality and I really don't want him to grow into a terror. He really did inherit my impatience and temper- his dad is really laid back so we compliment each other in a way.... and annoy each other as well sometimes!

So at the moment I'm blogging my ponderings after watching "Knocked up" on the laptop and knitting and I'm listening to Fall Out Boy "The Carpal Tunnel of Love". I adore this band and not just because the bassist/writer is lush! Tomorrow I have to get some work done on my professional portfolio and I'm taking Seth to nursery as normal so I have some time alone in which to crack on. The folder has to basically prove my worthiness to practice biomedical science in a day-to day setting and also alone at night 'on-call'. This folder is the last obstacle, other than the interview that comes with it's completion, between me and being a qualified biomedical scientist.... and I have until the end of January!

Right, I might fit in a row or three before hitting the sack.... G'night x

Wow, What a shock!

2007-12-30T14:30:00.000Z

Well hey there!

I cannot believe that a year has passed since I last made a post. I have kept a wondering eye over the blogging community but never really ever got around to posting. In a nutshell, being a mom is hard! Not hard as in "I can't do it", but as in "it's hard to be anything but a mom".

The little things that have happened since my last post include:

Mom having surgery,
Seth having his 1st Birthday
Seth starting nursery full time
Finishing my Honours Project
My 24th Birthday
Christmas(!)

These things have so much in between them that "real life" seems to have gotten in the way of time to interact with you guys. I haven't given up knitting but the time I have to knit is all but gone! I've been more inclined to tidy up one more time, just watch another episode of heroes/CSI/Blood Ties or sleep(!) than pick up a project I'd started 6 months ago or actually finish anything. I've started a few things ha ha but the story of my knitting life seems to be a whole case of startitis!

I can say that I had a bargain this week though! I got some Noro Cash Iroha in an emerald/blue green (shade 105) from ebay that was only £3.95! Since I had a small stash pot in my paypal account I had a small splurge and treated myself to 10 balls to make Dahlia from Knitty. I can't wait for it to arrive.... I haven't had a look at this particular noro yarn so I'm quite excited!

Anyhow, Seth has awoken from the nap (thank god for small mercies!) and I am back to "mom" again.

x

Happy Birthday to meee...

2006-12-08T11:45:00.000Z

Hey folks!

Today I'm 23 years young! Nearly getting to those mid twenties and while I'm not quite old and wrinkly, a lot has happened since last year!

This time last year I was moving into a flat by myself and getting some decorating done. I'd had to go back to mum's after a painful break-up with my fiance since I just didn't have any faith left in the relationship. A few months later my new (-ish: I'd known him all my life and we were back together after 4 years apart) DB was helping me and I didn't actually end up spending a night alone in the flat since he never left!

Not one to be boring.... I found that we were having a baby on my niece's birthday a few days before the end of the year. Then after all our hard work, to skip a few months..., we had to move out again since it was only a tiny one bedroom flat above a pharmacy! We moved into our new rented house together and then Seth came to complete our little family. What a year!!!

What was the best thing about today? Well not the presents, but the fact I got my first "Happy Birthday Mommy" card. I may not be seeing all of my family today or going out to celebrate, but I feel that I don't really need to be doing anything spectacular. I plan to have a relaxing day (as much as you can with a poorly 13 week old baby) and maybe watch a film, do some knitting if I get chance and just enjoy the things that matter.

O.k. I do have a little bit of knitting content for you.... :o)

I finished knitting my adapted Buttony Sweater. I guess she's skinnier and such so I have a shorter version with short sleeves. I did really enjoy knitting it though! I've never done a seamless knit before and I really see the benefits of it! I can't really post any pictures since I have to get some buttons for it. I bought some buttons from Pavi Yarns which were italian etched shell in a magenta colour. However, they were too small since there was a mis-hap with the description of them. I did have wonderful customer service though as Karen from Pavi telephoned me to answer my query and is on the case finding a replacement for me!

I'd better get on and sort out the little one... if I don't get to post before the holidays, I hope everyone has a lovely christmas!!!
xxx

Hurrah!!

2006-11-25T09:50:00.000Z

Hi folks!

I cannot believe it but I won another competition! Rooknits hosted a competition for her 100th blog post and asked for suggestions for a sock pattern. Since i love the Jaywalkers pattern i suggested that and YAY she picked me! I had a choice of either Lorna's Laces or Posh Yarns in any colour I desired! What a prize!! I chose Posh Yarns since i haven't used it before in a colour called "Tweed Coat". I shall post a picture up when it arrives :o)

I have been making aprogress with my take on the "Buttony Sweater". I have made short sleeves so that I have enough to carry on knitting the body. I think I made a few more increases so I have a larger number of stitches... so needing more yarn. However it is discontinued now so I thought if I shorten the sleeves I should have enough. If not then I'll be disappointed to frog this yarn for the second time :o(

This cheeky chappy is my lovely son Seth! He's been much better though this week his delicate tummy has not been coping so well with the weaning... though at the time you can see he loves his food!

Well I have to go get the groceries with Seth in tow so I'd better get my ass dressed if we're to have a chance of getting a trolley to put his car seat on! he's way too heavy to be carrying around! Must have him weighed this week.... I'm guessing about 14lb. let ya know how it goes. x

Wow it's been a while!

2006-11-12T13:05:00.000Z

Hi there!

Sorry it's been a while but family life really does take over pretty much everything else!

I had such a beautiful surprise yesterday. My friend Fiona (it gets confusing with us having the same name... and sounds weird too!) had crocheted Seth an absolutely wonderful blanket. It must have taken so long to do and it's gorgeous!

This is the detail of the edging and flowers added.

This is an overview shot on my rug... with a hint of slipper and changing mat too!

If she reads this- a HUGE thankyou once again!

Well, I have been knitting! In the little spare time I get I have been working on a few projects and once again, I keep starting new ones and not finishing others. Ah well.

The tropicana socks got frogged for the 3rd time since there was no way my feet would fit them so I reincarnated them into falling leaves socks. However, they have now come up too big and so they will be destined as present socks for my sister. I can't really post a picture up yet in case she reads my blog though... but they are going to be in the Lorna's Laces Desert Garden colourway. A shame I'm giving away my favourite sock colours but ho hum... it'll be for christmas.

I have also been working on a few things for myself of course! I saw a pattern for a 'buttony sweater' while blog browsing. I have no idea how I got to it but I really liked it. Plus I had a load of DB Merino Chunky from the failed attempt at the fairisle cardigan from Stitch and Bitch Nation. And so... I have got to just before the splitting the sleeves off (it's top down you see) so I need to take it off the needles and onto wast yarn to try it on. Yawn. There's over 200 stitches on the needle atm so it'll take a while. What isn't boring though is the colour! I've taken a leap and done the collar ribbing in a magenta colour and the body of the cardi is in purple! I will post pictures if I manage to get much further!

Also, I couldn't resist trying out the lacy "ariel" pattern in the 'Yarn Forward' magazine. I think it's so beautiful. I have only bought a cheapy yarn for it though it is really pretty. I reckon I'll end up re-casting on for the middle size though and knitting it on smaller needles. Good thing I've only knitted 3 rows so far! The bust sizes are 32/42/52 inches. Since I'm 36 bust I'me stuck for whether I should cast on the 32 or 42 and either use larger or smaller needles. Hmmm. Usually I wouldn't bother with something so fiddly but I really want this top!

Well as far as family life goes we seem to have sorted out Seth's colic problem... he's intolerant to milk! He's been on Soya milk for about 3-4 weeks now and not only has the awful screaming gone but he's such a happy baby now it's so much better being a mom. Switching his food is still awkward though as not only is the soya milk powder expensive, it's hard to find too and one of two places I could get it from has stopped stocking it.

This morning I had such fun making him vegetable purees! Since he's such a big baby and has his appetite back I've been giving him a tiny amount of breakfast and dinner. Most of the baby foods have milk protein in so it's pretty limited on what he can have and since he has so little it isn't economical to buy jars or tubs. And so this morning I made two purees which I've put into an ice cube tray. I made 'butternut squash and parsnip' and 'sweet potato and carrot'. I boiled them until soft and then mashed them and squeezed the mash into a sieve so that only the very soft and runny stuff got through. It took ages for such a little amount but I enjoyed making something I know is good for him and has no milk or artificial stuff in it.I'll leave it a while until I add a small amount to the baby rice but he's bored of the same stuff. I might have a go with fruit for his breakfast.

Well I'd better go and carry on with the housework (double yawn) since my friend Becky from work should be coming over later. Yay- someone sane to talk to!!

small update

2006-10-01T09:12:00.000Z

Hi all,
I've managed to put up a Flickr badge thingmebob in my blog now, but it hides down the bottom where, for no reason at all, my profile and blogs and stuff have migrated to. I've only got a few pictures on there atm, but I plan to put most of what knitting stuff i have in there at some point. Hurrah!

What a week!

2006-09-30T08:41:00.000Z

Hi folks! It's been such a rollercoaster week! From the depths of despair to feeling peachy... phew thank goodness it's Saturday :o)

The week starts as a generally mundane Monday- doing a lil' shopping and house work etc etc... then we get to Tuesday and I'm having to do more uni work.... the Wednesday comes and BAM!
Wednesday was horrible! I had electricity circuit breakers tripping, bills coming in, LOTS of uni work to do and being fobbed off by the local ethics comittee a dozen times... and Seth having a colic day (hence screaming and me being able to absolutely nothing about it).

Now, I've finished all the modules for my degree except 1; the damned Honours Project. I couldn't get it off the ground last year so I ended up grovelling to the course tutor and muttering about maternity leave and equal opportunities... to get another difficult time this year of sorting it all out. Basically a local research ethics comittee has to say whether you can start your project. Bloody Biomedical Science- is it worth it? No. But I've started so I may as well finish the damn thing! And so this project uses real human samples... but no results or patient data will ever be published or given to the patient or doctors... only I will have anonymous results for a project that wont hurt a fly and doesn't really mean squat to the department as they wont implement the necessary changes to policy as they will not spend money on things that matter... like staff and good tests. They spend it on the boss' new chair and paperclips.

I was forwarded on to 3 different LREC representatives before I got the information I needed and it all had to be done for friday. See why I was panicking? 57 pages of forms, protocols, C.V.s, flow charts later... I managed to get it posted. Now I just have to wait until 16th October when I have to go a Dept of Health ethics meeting up against a panel of non-scientific judges and explain a scientific project. Go figure-if they're not scientists, how can they judge my scientific principles?

So, thursday and friday I was running around my workplace and university campus handing in god knows what and getting stuff signed. Phew!

O.K. sorry about that... but it's been a week coming and I feel better having ranted to the sympathetic ears (eyes?) of the knitting community. :o)

In the meantime....
I have done some knitting. I started some fairisle mittens from the Simply Knitting magazine and have knitted 1 of a pair of Sox. I absolutely love this pattern. O.K. so there's some sewing up to do, but the construction is ingenious and being d.k. weight they're really quick to knit. I can see lots of my sisters getting gift sox!!!

I would have posted pictures, except it seems that blogger doesn't like me ranting and refuses to upload... and when I've actually taken pictures as well. Hmph! Oh, if anyone can tell me more about putting my Flickr thing on my blog I'd be grateful... and then you could see my pictures without blogger being able to do anything about it!

Lets hope I can upload them after and Seth likes his trip around ASDA. I'll just say a quick word about my beautiful son- he's gorgeous and settling a little bit more now. Can't complain as I imagined much worse, though nothing prepared me for the emotional wrenching I get when he cries and I can't do anything. (Of course I end up crying as well out of frustration.) Danny has been a great dad- he's done so much better that I first thought he would and I feel so lucky to have our little family!

xxx

Where does the time go to?!

2006-09-23T18:16:00.000Z

Hello!

I can't believe how two weeks flies by! I've been reading blogs in a spare ten minutes or so, but never quite had enough time to blog...! I guess that is what a newborn son does!

Well, amazingly, I have had a little time to knit! The yarn which Dawn sent has been put to good use so far:

This is the DB Cashmerino and I have at least half left over so a few co-ordinating little items will be popping up me thinks! I've made one of a pair of stripy socks also in the DB Cashmerino book with some khaki 4- ply soft, so I'll post those up when they're finished.

Seth had a lovely gift from Steph:

These absolutely stunning crochet bootees fit him like a glove! Which in a way is a shame as he'll be growing out of them far too quick, but I shall cherish them and keep them for sure!

Well, I don't have a great deal to report... the felted bag which I made for my sister's birthday had a bit of a mishap :o( The pattern was out of last month's Simply Knitting using Rowan Chunky Print. It knitted up fine, though I think I prefer bags knitted in the round... the sewing up on this was tedious! However, the bad luck was when I felted it in the washing mahine. The size was fine... but I used my new bathmats to agitate it as I had no jeans which needed washing. The bathmats are cotton chenille so the fibres moulted and produced a hybrid bag covered in bits! Big DUH on my part. I had to brush what I could off the bag with a brillo pad... ah well. I'll know next time!

Myself, Danny and Seth say a huge thanks to everyone who put up such lovely comments.
xxx

Our New Son: Seth Thomas Wilkes, Wednesday 06/09/06 8:40pm

2006-09-09T17:57:00.000Z

Hurrah our baby boy is here! It was such a shock to have a boy even though we hadn't asked the sex as everyone had swore it to be a girl. As proud mom, I'm overjoyed to show you pictures of our lovely baby:
(Sorry you have to click on them all...)

Here he is about 30mins old:
http://www.geocities.com/scarletprincess@btinternet.com/IM000155.JPG

Proud parents:
http://www.geocities.com/scarletprincess@btinternet.com/IM000152.JPG

Here's myself after the birth.... not bad considering??
http://www.geocities.com/scarletprincess@btinternet.com/IM000151.JPG

This is the next day. I cannot believe how much he had changed over a few hours! He still looks so much like his daddy though- especially the position he's sleeping in!
http://www.geocities.com/scarletprincess@btinternet.com/DSC00118.JPG

Here he is on his way home yesterday afternoon:
http://www.geocities.com/scarletprincess@btinternet.com/DSC00115.JPG
He was wearing some of the gorgeous knitting my "aunty" Margaret had done for him. he just looked adorable!

Today we dressed him in some little clothes for his first outing in the pram:
http://www.geocities.com/scarletprincess@btinternet.com/DSC00125.JPG

Thankyou to everyone who's being following the epic! I had to have the membrane sweep tuesday to kickstart things as he was overdue. On wednesday lunchtime the waters broke and I had an 8 hour labour with gas and air. Fantastic considering I don't do pain at all and I have to say I wasn't traumatised at all by it and found it a positive experience. I only had 9 stitches in the end and I'm pleased with how things went. He may have been 8 days late, but it really is all worth it!!!

I also want to say a HUGE thankyou to Dawn for the absolutely fantastic package she sent me for her competition. It was the most generous thing ever and I love everything you sent!!!
http://www.geocities.com/scarletprincess@btinternet.com/DSC00126.JPG
Here we have Baby Cashmerino 2 by Debbie Bliss and 3 balls of green Baby Cashmerino plus Annarella stitchmarkers! But wait it doesn't end there....
http://www.geocities.com/scarletprincess@btinternet.com/DSC00127.JPG
We have Lornas Laces and Louisa Harding Kimono Angora too! I'm so spoilt1 I love the colours and I really didn't expect generosity like this- I got quite overwhelmed when I came home yesterday with a parcel like this waiting for me!

I'm making this short and sweet for now as with the baby nearly ready for the next feed, a mom's work is never done! Dad has been wonderful too and I couldn't have asked for a better settling into Seth's new home. He's really been a darling now he's here rather than the two awful nights in hospital. It really feels like he knows where he's supposed to be!

Lots of love and kisses,
Fiona, Danny and Baby Seth xxxx

Tinking Back Sunday

2006-08-27T21:02:00.000Z

(Those in the rock persuasion will get that title on a different level... )

Ahem. I proudly present....

The Jaywalkers! I know the lighting is pretty bad here but you get the idea. I wore them yesterday and they were super comfortable and looked great in my Converse All Stars (which are black with pink trim). I felt fab in possibly the brightest socks ever made!

The next sock project is now Tropicana in my first ever skeins of Lornas Laces:

This is a close-up of the stitch pattern. I took this yesterday, trying to decide whether the pooling of the colours bothered me. The blue/ pink areas seem to move around in a swirly spiral fashion. I think I can live with that.
As you can see I plodded on today to this stage:

So where's all the tinking you ask??

Aah. Well I got to the heel about tea time today. The pattern instructions for the short row heel seemed a little complicated so when it says (and I put it in my own words here) "..use the heel method of your choice.." I thought Yay I'll short row the heel using Wendy's method. Except in all my excitement I forgot that when incorporating your stitches back to the number you start with, you need to double wrap them. I ended up needless to say with a really messy heel plus it was too narrow so I needed to amend that too.

Now tinking is ok in small doses. But when tinking short rows it's a nightmare. All told it took me about and hour and a half to get back to unravelling and re-knitting the heel. (The title is apt simply because it's Sunday and I was also listening to Kerrang Radio whilst tinking and Taking Back Sunday have a new single out which I love).

I am proud of the sock so far though... it's progressed well and it's unusual to see a pattern without ribbing at the top, so we'll see how that turns out too. I reckon it's ideal for hospital since it has a memorable pattern repeat, but not quite as mindless as stockinette. I think I'm getting the hang of this sock lark.

I realise I haven't shown any piccys of the ponchette... it looks a little weird on over the bump. Not bad weird just weird. I will post some up eventually.

Well apart from sock knitting I haven't done a great deal. No surprise there then! I did sort out a few things in the nursery and put up the pram ready for when the baby does eventually decide to show. I figured I ought to know how it works before I actually need to use it.

The living room is now pretty much finished apart from the loose odds and ends to be tied up. It's been lovely having a tidy space to live in again. However the bedroom is a bomb site now thata few things have had to move up there. Ho hum... something to do this week while we wait for baby!

I think I'll drink my cocoa and snuggle into bed... all this sitting on my backside knitting has tired me out! ;o)

I have finished objects!!!

2006-08-25T08:14:00.000Z

and no pictures :( sorry. I cannot blame blogger today- it's coz we're still decorating the living room and actual access to the computer is tricky never mind fussing with the camera cables etc.

I WILL post pictures though. I have finished:

*Jaywalker socks in HipKnits 'Bouquet' Sock yarn. (finished 24/08/06)

*Ponchette using Araucania's Atacama hand dyed 100% Alpaca. (finished 23/08/06)

I'm soooo pleased with both my FOs. The ponchette has turned out wonderfully- even DB likes it! He's not quite so fussed about the socks, but he's a colour-led person and I think the neony pink and green effect probably doesn't grasp him like it does me!

So whats on the needles? Well I still have the cabled jumper on hold... I don't quite have the concentration skill atm for chart and I've decided I want to enlarge and separate the charts as they have different numbers of pattern repeats in them.

I have Antoinette, the Cotton Rope Cardigan from the summer Rowan magazine. She is actually almost finished. I'd sneakily done some work on her without telling you! Her sleeves are both completed now and all I have left to do is finish the main collar. Except it's like 130 st and 22 rows of cable rib on straight needles- hence very heavy and makes my arms ache. I think I'll get that completed when the bump is gone as I'll actually be able to knit in my lap again and it wont be such a drama. Nowadays I'm knitting sorta sideways. :oS

I have Bryony's cardigan to finish sewing up and 1/2 of the collar to do. This is Callum from Rowan Junior in Magnum Chunky. It also needs a zip and I reckon that'll be a job for Mom to do!!!

I have lots of UFOs, I admit. Theyr'e in the stash draws and someday I'll get around to them!

Did anyone see the felted bag in this months Simply Knitting? It's done in Chunky Print. I managed to get some on sale from Yarnsmith in the Deep End colourway (grey/turquoise/blue/cream) and I've finished the front and nearly the back already. I only cast it on yesterday morning- it's a great quick knit and it is actually looking to be a substantial size. I'm not looking forward to sewing it up, I've only done felted bags in the round before. It's for my sister Kaye's birthday, I think she'll like it.

I'm going to frog the leaf lace socks as I've cast them on the smaller 2.25mm brittanys which I bought a few weeks ago. I think with my feet slightly bigger atm that they'll be too small. I will re-start them on the addi 2.5's I think. I'm itching to start something in my Lorna's Laces, so I think I'm going to look for a pattern today and cast them on for hospital sock knitting. I really don't envisage me getting any done, but the leaf lace socks are definately too intricate to take in with me!!!

What do you think to these? They look nice without being lacy and though their colour doesn't strike me in that picture I reckon they could look nice in Desert Garden LL.

Right... I'll read some more blogs and fish around for a pattern... and do some knitting until the decorating recommences for today.

Aargh still no pictures

2006-08-20T07:11:00.000Z

I did intend to update with some pictures, except Blogger is still being a pain in the a*&%.

Thankyou to Tutmut and Knitonlybutalso for the lovely comments. I'm doing o.k. I feel a little fed up now I have little more than a week to the due date (and I know it will be probably be longer than that before it pops) :o(

I've been painting in the living room since about 5:30am this morning.... so about an hour and a half. The living room is still in the early stages of decoration and it's driving me mental that I can't do it myself. I've only put the first coat of gloss on the window frame and ledge- so nothing too strenuous, though I'm going to put my feet up with some cocoa and a film and the knitting now. Funny how you just HAVE to get up and do somehing no matter how stupid it seems to someone else.

The ponchette is 2/3 done, I have only 10 repeats which is 100 rows before it is finished. It sounds a lot, but I've managed 200 rows since Tuesday.... which is unheard of for me and something which is so straightforward. For something so simple, it hasn't bored me at all and it's been such a joy to use this alpaca hand dyed from Araucania. The page on HipKnits has disappeared so maybe I was unbelievably lucky to get it before it was discontinued altogether!!!!
I reckon I'll have over half of what I got left for something else too so I got 2 projects for the price of 1 as well!!!

The sock knitting has taken a bit of a back seat I'm afraid. I was so close to completing the pair of Jaywalkres without getting SSS, but it's not too bad- only the foot left to do as I've done all the heel shaping and instep. I reckon if I get to finish the ponchette, the sock will go with me in my hospital bag when the time comes. Am I being naiive to think I'll get any time to knit during my stay in hospital??!!

Well I'll not drivel on any more, I'll try and update the pictures again later.

x

Is it Christmas?

2006-08-15T17:21:00.000Z

No not quite, but the parcel I had today was still pretty good!

With a nose for a bargain, I couldn't resist a Buy One Get One Free Offer. Hand dyed alpaca from HipKnits of all places! Well I ordered four purple (to get 8) and thought even if it isn't fantastic quality it's still a good buy right?

Well I was delighted when this came in the post this morning and is not only really really good quality but pretty and unbelievably soft. Mmmmm. I sat and fondled it for a while, and couldn't just leave it alone. It's like giving a chocoholic a Mars bar and telling them to wait until after dinner.

(ok I've just tried to get the images onto blogger and it wont let me so I'm annoyed now that I can't show off my new stash enhancement)

Where was I... oh the lovely alpaca had to be cast on for a project. I couldn't just leave it, so I cast on for this. I know it's a poncho-like affair, but I saw it on Insaknitty's blog and even though it's by an american/cnandian company, I emailed the company and asked if I could purchase the pattern but get a downloadable .pdf file. They were really helpful and I got it in no time at all and didn't have to muck about with postage from america etc etc.

I was also going to show you my new haircut and a picture of the guinea pigs resting on my ever growing bump. Damn blogger and it's image upload problems. I'll try again later. So for now you'll just have to imagine cuteness and a new bob.

O.K. I'm going to find some food and motivate my DB who's dutifully decorating the living room before the baby appears. Let's face it, in my condition I can't do much more than motivate (basically make tea and keep the good comments and snacks going).

I'll update with the pictures soon hopefully. Ta ta for now!

Now I only went to look right....

2006-08-10T09:21:00.000Z

However, I added to our family yesterday, and not by having the baby. Dammit.

We now have 2 little male guinea pigs called...*drumroll*.... Pedro and Yoshi.

This is Pedro... he's a little scruffier and more cheeky.

This is Yoshi, a bit more skittish and quiet.

Although the pigs were initially mine, we decided to name one each and so I named pedro... kinda looks like a spanish imigrant that smiles a lot... and DB named Yoshi for his panic dash (if you haven't played SuperMario World then I'm sorry but it's a little dinosaur who eats things by shooting his tongue out but goes off in a crazy panic when spooked. Very cute.)

I love this pic of me and Pedro:

He is tiny compared to my huge bump!! These pics are good coz DB took them with a proper digital camera as opposed to me using my phone. They were took when I brought them home, so they're a bit dumbstruck on these but after settling we gave them some big fuss last night and they really became friendly (though Yoshi peed on me... could be a compliment?)

I also bought DB some fish for the tank. Sharky and catfish were a little lonely in the big tank so I bought another silver shark, a redfin shark and a pair (man and wife) of swordtails. Unfortunately the second shark didn't make it and DB had some euthanasia to perform as he really didn't take the journey well and wasn't going to make it.

So really I didn't get much done yesterday. I have done some more on the 2nd Jaywalker.. I'm halfway through the heel flap so I hope to have them almost finished today :o) That of course does mean sacrificing some housework, but thats ok right?

The Sock Bug

2006-08-09T07:49:00.000Z

Now I have been bitten by the sock bug. It's contagious. All of you bloggers and your socks in pretty colours and sizes and shapes.... and I cought the bug from you. Just saying it's your fault.

I started some Jaywalkers on Friday night. Like 11pm friday night because I was bored...

and got to this stage by around Sunday evening...

Which became this by Monday and look I actually cast on the second sock!!

If you wanted to know, the yarn is Hip Knits sock yarn in 'Bouquet'. I actually got it from Get Knitted a while ago when I bought the dye-your-own kit as well.

Of course, Sunday evening I was blog reading and thought Hmmm... I'm going to investigate other sock avenues. Big Mistake.

This led to purchasing (which isn't really allowed at the moment) and the parcel which arrived yesterday (quick I know!!)...

which contained Brittany Birch DPNs 15cm 2.25mm, some Opal Uni, a Fiber Trends Leaf Lace sock pattern and.... some Lorna's Laces in Desert Garden.

Now I have been restrained as far as the Lorna's Laces Sheperd Sock is concerned because it is too beautiful to do anything with but touch and stare at lovingly.

Mmmm yum!

On the other hand I have to do something when parcels arrive so to test out the DPNs which are not only smaller, but birch....

I cast on the Leaf Lace socks. in the Opal Uni.

This is a fairly good likeness of the colour... maybe slightly greener. They're not as difficult as i thought, though being lace I have to concentrate hard.

Fiona's review:

The pattern is good though. It has either written or charted instructions and clearly written so even I can understand. I'm testing my chart reading applications and actually found it easier to keep track of the row I'm on (surprised!) and I'm making less mistakes than I thought.

The Brittany DPNs are really lovely. The smaller length makes them easier to handle and i don't keep poking myself in the eye/belly/boobs with the ends now and if I do it hurts less than Addi aluminiums! I am afraid I could snap them, but they must come with the 5yr guarantee for a reason right?

The Opal Uni is about what I expected. Being very inexperienced in sock yarn it's difficult to compare. However it is nice, one colour makes it easier to do the lace pattern and there is lots of it for the price so no quibbles.

I love the Get Knitted site. Just saying.

I'd better jump in the shower as I'm going to LOOK at guinea pigs and tropical fish. I shouldn't really buy anything today but you know that's the worst thing when you go to LOOK isn't it. I'll let you know what happens.... ;o)

You have to have seen it to believe it!

2006-08-01T08:00:00.000Z

Not really an informative post this morning, but thought I'd say thanks to Purlpower for her amazing and frightening pictures. You really must go have a look for sure ;o)

Anyhow, the concreting got done yesterday. The poor boys worked in the rain all day under a makeshift tarpaulin tent which I very helpfully named "Camp Concrete". I didn't take pictures though as they probably would have gotten upset and refused to work for fear that I was making fun of them. Well I guess I am... ;o)

Today I'm awaiting the arrival of my cotbed and mattress for the baby's room. So exciting! Although it does now mean I cannot leave the house until it gets here... no time specified... and I have my groceries being delivered tonight as well. So an indoor day for me then.

Last night I received the most wonderful knitted cardigans, booties, hats, shawl and cape from my "auntie" Margaret (who of course is a friend of mom's and no relation, but they become honorary aunties). When I get the time I'll try and take some photo's which do them justice as they are just lovely and mostly 3ply! Oh the patience. I especially love the cape and shawl. She said it was the last shawl she's ever going to make so I'm feel priviledged that I had the last one!

Right....better get on with the relaxing I'm supposed to be doing ;o)

Early arrivals

2006-07-31T07:45:00.000Z

Sadly no not me :o(

BUT the Fed-ex guy dropped this off at the ungodly time of 8:30am this morning.

(yes it's a rubbish picture, my apologies)

Usually when you're told "before 12 noon", they arrive a little after 12 and waste your entire morning just because they can.

Now that box contains

Now this isn't the best view as I wouldn't have it facing outwards like that plus I intend to use the carrycot top to it for a while rather than the buggy top, but you get the general idea. I don't think you're all interested in the ins ans outs like me but I just had to show you thats all!!

However I've been told by Mum and one of my sisters that it's bad luck to unpack the pram. Well that's no fun is it? What do I do with a bloody great big box with baby booty in it and no willpower? I'm disgruntled.

Spooky thing is the fed-ex guy asked when my baby was due... and his wife is due a day after me. I guess it's not that spooky, but at 8:30 in the morning when my first cup of tea hasn't even been poured yet... well I thought it odd.

Ok, enough about babies- you're all thinking that I know ;o). I started a cross stitch last night- something I haven't done in a long time, mostly because it's hard on the eyes. The upside is though that it fits above the bump and not as hot to do.
I managed to do this much over a couple of hours last night

I think I got off to a fairly good start, though I didn't get to the exciting colours just yet. I think once I can focus properly and have surfed a few blogs I'll do a little bit more. It's not for me though. It's sort of a "borrowed" project. My sister does cross stitch and tapestry and is doing a series of these for her son's room. She still has a zebra and lion to do and as I was looking for something to do I offered to do the tiger and give it her back completed. I just hope she doesn't need it back really soon!

I still have builders merchants to wait for this morning. They said "first thing Monday morning" after cocking up friday and saturday delivery times... so we'll see if we actually get the ton of concreting sand and bags of cement for concreting our drive. The part where I'll begin to worry is when it's actually here and DB and my 2 nephews intend to do the concreting. I might go out just so I cannot spectate.

Now, where's that cup of tea....?

Back on the knitting trail

2006-07-29T07:43:00.000Z

I have actually done some knitting for a change! Stupid though it may be in this weather, my desperation to knit prevailed.

This is a very simple cardigan called 'Callum' from Rowan Junior. I'm making it for my niece Bryony as a 'back to school' caridgan. It's meant to have a zip for ease of access and I've subbed the polar (lovely but not child friendly) for the KC Magnum Chunky which I got from blueadt. I actually like working with this yarn. It's soft for acrylic and machine washable which is great considering it's destination! I've done the back and left front- as pictured- and making a sleeve now. I've forgotten how I love 8mm needles for instant gratification!

Now this I'm super proud of and for so many reasons!

1) It's a BARGAIN!!! It is Rowan Yorkshire Tweed Aran which I've admired for so long, but lets face it it's a bit pricey! However, when I went to Knitchat on Tuesday lunchtime, the Beatties/House of Fraser sale was on and the yarn- that day!!- had been further reduced to 50% off! The lovely Rose said she'd got a perfect colour for me which had been ordered by mistake and so it really was fated wasn't it!

2) There may not have been the need to buy all 10 balls... but since the yardage is great for the pattern I'm doing, there will be enough to do a felted bag. How great is that?!

3) The pattern itself will be a challenge. Those girls from knitchat know that I may be a spring chicken knitter, but I'm always up for something more challenging to push my knitting skills.... except lace I'm still dipping my toes as far as that's concerned!
The pattern is "Saltwater" from RYC Classic Beach. As patterns go, I've not done much 'aran' knitting. I'd decided I liked them though so this is a perfect project... though it could take a while. The picture above is roughly a days worth of knitting spread over 2/3 days. In this heat I could only do about 6 rows of pattern at a time before a drink or more food was needed! But I'm pleased.
I attempted a picture of the yarn but the lighting doesn't do it justice at all and the little flecks of green and purple just really make it beautiful. I have to say I just love it, the slubby texture and everything. Though it does shed onto what you're wearing, but hey it's ok.
I would have had the picture uploaded for comparison, but it seems blogger is refusing to play again :o(

Unfortunately, the lacy rib cardigan I thought I was doing so well on with my Cashmerino DK has been to the frog pond. I was devastated at the stupid mistake I'd made when I'd taken it to knitchat... I'd cast off stitches for the armholes and forgotten to do the rest of the armhole shaping and just carried on knitting the back. I'd got to the casting off for the shoulders before realising I'd wasted 60 rows worth of lacy rib and of course it's a *!%&%"$£ to rip then pick up the stitches again so in sheer frustration it got competely recycled into balls. I still intend to use this gorgeous yarn, but not for the same project. Ho Hum.

Had blogger been a nice, you would also have non-knitting pictures of some garden but never mind. You've been saved.

Yesterday I had an egg craving. Weird huh? I've never managed to go through a box of 6 eggs by myself before, but I just couldn't help it. I had boiled egg on toast at brunch time, made fairy cakes (despite being only 2 of us and 22 cakes does seem excessive) and then had a fantastic spicy chicken omelet (spelling?) for tea.

I'm used to craving dairy and eating a zillion ice lollies by now, but eggs.... well whadya know?
Yup yesterday I seemed to be cooking for most of the day... and yet it was purely by choice and the will for food.
Later on in the evening I treated myself to a foot soak and a manicure. I'd have painted my toenails, but I couldn't manoeuver to do it. The time had definately come where I'm going to have to teach DB to paint toenails properly. Not sure how I feel about that.

On that note, I'm going to make another cup of tea and maybe knit a while, while comtemplating if it's too hot to venture outside today!
byeeeee x

I'm still here!

2006-07-22T08:39:00.000Z

Hi folks.

I've not deserted the land of blogging, just been more interested in reading up on other people's lives that actually writing anything about mine!

Well not a fantastic deal has gone on lately. The builder has been over the last few weeks and has finished his list of to-do's. My house still looks like a building site since there is dust managing to infiltrate the smallest of spaces and just seems a never ending cleaning crusade.

On the knitting front I should really be boasting many triumphs.... but no. I may be at home but the heat is really getting to me and I cannot knit. It pains me to say I've been doing a few square inches of tapestry a day when the need for craftiness has crept in and also making a little jewellery for myself and a few family members.
Not only does the knitting make my already hot achy hands even hotter and more achy, but the mid point space at which I held my needles at infront of me is no longer available.... so it's either squint at knitting in my lap and get neckache or hunch my shoulders up and knit pretty much infront of my face. The DB and his offspring have a lot to answer for if you ask me! ;o)

It's official now: I don't have to work again until February! The doctor decided it would be best for me to be resting rather that struggling to go into work for the duration to my maternity leave date which was 1st August. I've been finding it really difficult and even though I'm gutted i couldn't work to 36/38 weeks, our best interests are what matters eh?

And so..... 5 and a bit weeks to go to my due date which is 29th August.

I will try and post more often if only to show small triumphs- lets face it I'm not going to be miraculously making anything in this heat!

Many thanks to the well wishers- I'm actually sick of moaning but it's the only activity I have at the moment ;o)

xxxx

I'm melting!

2006-07-06T08:04:00.000Z

Is it me or is it just too hot? I know I'm biased being pregnant and all but it's really knocking me for six. I've been off work since tuesday dinnertime with a poorly tummy and I'm pretty much sick of the sight of my bathroom as it is since it's in the early (very early) stages of being decorated.

I have made some progress with the Pea Pod baby set though:

The picture quality isn't great (it's much more mustardy-yellow) but what you see is the fronts and back completed. I've really enjoyed knitting this so far. All the stitches are cast on for the fronts and back together and worked in one piece to the armholes. Then each is worked separately- less sewing up for me!!!
I just have the sleeves and neck ribbing to do so I'me well pleased, though you all know how I get with sleeves.... lets hope they knit up just as quickly!

The only problem I have had is wrist ache. I expected my fingers to get uncomfortable with it being so hot, but the combination of lots of stitches, cotton and straight needles meant my wrists have suffered. I think if I made this again I'd either use a circular needle or use a different yarn. I can't complain about DB Cotton Cashmere though- it's beautifully soft and machine washable- ideal for a kiddie.

I did promise a pic of the nursery didn't I? Well again it's not fabulous but it's basically what the paper/border looks like:

I really like it as is is neutral and fun at the same time.

I received my magnum chunky yarn from Blueadt yesterday. I reckon it's going to be better suited as a gift for one of my nieces so I'll look out for a nice pattern for birthday/christmas. I really like King Cole Magnum chunky as it's soft and yet ideal for children. I reckon I could probably sub it in Rowan's polar. Rowan polar is gorgeous- but the beautiful finish really doesn't last long! I expect I'll end up using lots of acrylic blends now that I have my own little one on the way... cheaper and more suitable! It doesn't mean I'll be neglecting my own needs however! ;o)

Well... I think I'll cast on a sleeve and see where that takes me.
You never know I might enjoy it!

Pleasure in a pod

2006-07-01T10:45:00.000Z

I think I'm doing well for blogging this week!
Last night I started on a new baby pattern:

It's called the "Pea Pod Baby Set". I thought that even though it has a lacy panel it would still be ok for either a boy or girl? It is a free pattern which I got from a link posted up in my last comments. There's loads of patterns on there and I chose this and another plain hooded top.
After finding worthy patterns, of course I had to get some yarn.... so I ordered some DB Cotton Cashmere and Cashmerino DK in sky blue (shade 09).

I may hunt down a few more patterns today, but Annette is meeting me at KnitChat today and she'd bringing a few for me to look at. Thankyou!!! I haven't been to KnitChat for a while as moving into our new place has taken up so much time. I decided I needed a break today though as we've had a little bad news this morning.

Unfortunately our family dog Rags which lives with mum and dad will have to put to rest today :o( Rags had gotten to a fine age and it was cruel to try and patch her up just to hold on for a little while longer, so mum is taking her to the vets. I think if I'm out of the house it wont rest on my mind as much. Being hormonal is bad enough, but news like this really upset me this morning but I've had my tears and now I must get on with it.

On a better note, my garden is looking lovely and the nursery decoration is finished! I'm going to start bringing over all the baby stuff stashed at my mums soon and try and get some sorting done before the cotbed arrives in a few weeks. It's all really exciting for me now though I have 8 weeks left to my due date!

I hope all og you who've travelled to Woolfest have a great time (very jealous!) and I share comiserations with the rest of you who couldn't go like me!
Have a good weekend all!
x

Little triumphs

2006-06-27T13:22:00.000Z

Today I'm fortunate to have the day off- Hurrah! So, i thought to myself, why don't we have a go at getting blogger to play nice?

Ta da!.... the picture that has been waiting for about 3 weeks to get up onto your screens:

I realise it's no masterpiece but I really like it all the same. I just have to find some unisex buttons to match now. The yarn is by Jarol I think- run of the mill variegated acrylic in lemon/blue/mint mix. I still have over half the ball left (it was a 200g ball) and I'm not quite sure what to make with the rest. There isn't a bootee, hat or mitten to match and I like the v-neck option better than round neck.

Today I finished the baby bootees I've been knitting. I started them sunday in Sirdar Country Style 4ply in white. For acrylic this is really soft. The pattern of the bootees match a cardigan pattern I adapted a while ago in another yarn. I like the little cables on them:

This is the size 3-6 months. I have a feeling these wont be far off the size of the fee of the baby when it's born! I think I'll make a pair in the 6-12mth as well in another colour.

These are from a booklet called "Newborn Collection" by Patons. This has some really lovely patterns in it but mostly they are for either a boy or girl- apart from the cardigan I have already done from this book I don't think any of the others are really unisex enough. I'll definately use this book after the baby is born though.

I'm still on the search for worthy patterns! It looks as if I'll have to go on the lookout. Thankyou to those who posted suggestions! Unfortunately I'm not all that keen on the EZ surprise even though I found a pattern free which is very similar and I think the only Lucinda guy pattern books I found started from 2yrs :o( I'm just awkward!

Well I don't have much else to report. I have ante-natal at the docs again tomorrow morning- same old blood pressure check, heartbeat monitoring a more measuring to say it's long legged like it's dad! Afterwards though I'm going out with my mum and dad to get some plants for my garden.

Hopefully the decorating in the nursery will be finished today- just have the border to put up so i'll post some piccys when thats done.

Time flies after having fun!

2006-06-24T22:06:00.000Z

I've finally found the time to blog!

I can't believe how time gets away from you when you keep meaning to do something. I've been meaning to post some pics for weeks and well now we have quite a few!

The Foo Fighters concert last Saturday was absolutely fantastic! i had such a great time and sat on the grass for most of the day so I didn't get overtired. It was rather hot though! I looked a little silly with a hat and plastered in sun cream when there were so many skimpily clad people about, but at least i didn't suffer afterwards.

Here I am with one of our friends that came with us before the concert. We just sat under some trees before going into the event. (Yes I'm the heavily pregnant one!)

This is me and my DB in the concert area. There were 85,000 people in there! I don't think I've seen so many people in one place.

I had to post just one pic of Dave Grohl. I adore him as he's just so talented and also just a really nice guy.

I have managed to get some knitting done. Not a lot mind. I finished a baby cardi and it is actually sewn up and everything! It does need the buttons putting on, but I like the design.
It had just enough going on in the pattern to keep me interested. I just find plain stockinette really boring at the moment, but I don't have much attention for bigger projects.

The solution: I need to find pretty/interesting patterns suitable for a baby boy or girl that will not take forever and keep me interested. Any suggestions?

(Blogger isn't co-operating with the pictures of the cardi and my garden from my phone- stupid blogger- so I'll have to remember to put them on when it wants to play)

So... now that I can't show you what I have made I'm a bit peed off. Hmph.

O.k. well what has been good today is I went and got the wallpaper and border for the nursery, bathroom and the living room paint. Now that I have the baby's paper the furniture will be able to be put up and voila! I'm so excited now, but I think it's starting to drag now. The heavily pregnant phase is a bit wearing!

Before I go I have to say thankyou to blueadt. I've bought some of her de-stash and will be happily receiving it soon. I'm going to attempt yet another baby blanket, but this time using domino squares. I'm hoping this wont be as diappointing as the last blanket that ended up rhombus shaped instead of rectangular!
I've really enjoyed mailing back and forth with her and just want to say thanks for her suggestions and advice.

Also, I'd like to say to the girls at Beatties knit chat that I haven't disappeared! It's been so hectic moving house and sorting things out that my Saturdays have been precious hor running errands and so on so I really haven;t had the chance to come along. I hope that I'll be able to make it again over the next few weeks.

Right ho... I'm shattered now so I reckon I'll be off to bed so I can start again tomorrow on the house. Sigh! at least it will be worth the effort!
xxxx

just a quickie

2006-06-16T19:50:00.000Z

Hi all!

Just a quick post from me for now, I'll be back with a bigger update soon though. I'm off to see the Foo Fighters tomorrow in Hyde Park, so I've both very excited and a bit nervous.... considering I'm nearly 30 weeks pregnant!

There are 4 opening acts before the Foo Fighters too... Queens of the Stoneage, Angels and Airwaves, The Subways and Motorhead. Phew and thats before the biggie! The show starts at 4pm so it's going to be a long day with travelling down there by coach in the morning. I will be able to rest up before hand though on the drive down.

So today i booked the day from work and went on a shopping expedition to Birmingham city centre and got a few things with DB. He was well chuffed with a new 'animal' t-shirt, 'o-neill' combats and belt plus some new 'animal' trainers. Me, however, I cannot fit into things quite so trendy atm since the bump is not really catered for but I did get some t-shirts from Gap which are long and will look nice with my (maternity) jeans and some new 'converse' trainers i got today.

So when i get back and have had a little rest I'll post up some promised pictures and let you know how it went.

xxxx

Hot damn

2006-06-09T15:07:00.000Z

Hi folks!

Wow is it hot!! I'm struggling in the heat with this huge bump and being overtired and generally run down this week has meant I haven't been to work. I shall go back Monday if only for the laboratory air conditioning me thinks!

I had my mammoth ante-natal appointment today and good news all around:
* I wont be needing heparin throughout the rest of the pregnancy since they've decided my clotting results are o.k. for now,
* It doesn't seem that I have gestational diabetes from the initial results of my blood test today (though I'll have to see what the other results were like). The Glucose Tolerance Test I had was awful; a BIG SORRY to all the ladies I had gone through this horrific test with when I used to peform them in my previous job. I really feel for you!
* I had my first prophylactic anti-D shot as well... this prevents a disease where you make antibodies to your baby's red blood cells and can be serious.
Hurrah!
* And finally it has been confirmed once more I'm having a baby giraffe since I'm only 28 weeks and the baby is already 28cm... which is no surprise since my DB is 6ft7in and was 2 feet long when he was born. I hope we dont get one quite so long!

Well the move went well. DB has done so well with making a start. Not all of our (my) boxes have been unpacked but the garden has been tamed and he made a start on the baby's room :o)

When I get around to it I'll post some pictures up. I started a baby cardigan wednesday and have a front to finish and another sleeve to do. It's fairly easy lace panel in the fronts and sleeves, but I reckon it'll be knitting the front bands that will get on my nerves if anything!

Apart from that I made a small, chunky blanket but the pattern I used gave it a biased direction and I'm not impressed. I dont think it's going to survive as a usable item being rhombus shaped instead of rectangular. Hmm. I still have the remainder of the balls which will be enough I think to make another in a better pattern. I just find this heat is making me reluctant to knit. Well reluctant to anything actually!

I'll update soon, thanks to everyone who sent their wishes and reassurances!
xxx

Is this normal?

2006-05-26T07:48:00.000Z

Just a quick post since, again, I'm on the packing trail.

Since I've been knitting for around 2 years now, I was sorting out the stash yesterday for moving and thought OMG. I knew I had a yarn problem, but for 2 years is this normal?

I know the well established knitters in the blogging community could look at this and say "is that all?!" but I thought I'd ask whether I am alone in gathering this much stuff over such a small amount of time. (This is the edited version too as I have dispatched of the stuff I wasn't keeping.)

(I realise it's not an awe inspiring picture being boxes and bags!)

Progress! (if only small)

2006-05-25T07:57:00.000Z

I've actually managed to post something. Amazing. Of course it helps that I'm supposed to be packing and moving house so I'm not at work, but I promise packing will resume after blogging and a bath.

So this week I haven't gotten zillions done, but I have managed small, quiet, dignified progress.

*The DIY sock:

Here is sock #1 finished.Finally. It would have been finished a heck of a lot sooner, but I've been ripping bits out and re-knitting. It's nothing to do with wendy's pattern, just that I'd started off by putting lace in the leg part... got to the ribbing and it wouldn't fit as it was too tight.

Plus i was unsure about the lace so I ripped it back all the way down to the heel. So, of course, it takes longer to knit the same distance in ordinary stst, especially when i'm fitting about 5 rounds in during tea breaks at work!

It's a short one again as I don't like anything too high up the leg atm, so it's sort of ankle-to-mid-calf length. Plus the ribbing is right now as I increased the no. of stitches. Hurrah, just one more to go. (Of course, the hedera sock #2 must be done first)

*Antoinette

I may not have taken any pictures of her, but the progress was satisfactory on this one. Previously I'd gotten the back, L front and a sleeve done. Last night I managed to finish the R front and...here's the amazing part....I sewed the side seams together and picked up 184 stitches front the neck shaping on the front, down and round the bottom cast on edges of the fronts and back and up the other front to the neck shaping. Phew!

Usually I absolutely loath picking up stitches, but I had a secret weapon... I'd bought an extra long bamboo addi circular just for that particular job. It was almost enjoyable. So why did I do this mammoth task? I hate knitting sleeves. However I only have the other sleeve plus the collar to do now. I am proud!

Just so that this post isn't completely knitting related.... I took some pictures while I was out with mum, dad and great aunty Jose. We travelled from our humble abode(s) in Wednesbury to Tenbury Wells (which is a bit of a distance).
Although, I didn't actually take any pictures of Tenbury (duh) I took some pictures when we were on our way home and stopped in Bewdley:

This was the view whilst eating our fish and chips by the river.

These fellows and some ducks wanted some of our lunch. There are masses of swans on the river at Bewdley.

If you look closely, this is where they were nesting. There had to be at least 20 nesting pairs in that spot!

But best of all was seeing these little ducklings which were only a day or two old. Mum kept them pretty close and hidden, but I'm glad I got a shot. So tiny!!!

So that sums up yesterday. Today I have the drudgery of packing up my belongings (again) and sorting through the junk which I somehow accumulate for no good reason!

Long time no post!

2006-05-20T18:37:00.000Z

Hi all

I've been so wrapped up in events lately that I guess I just haven't been too bothered about posting. I have been lurking and reading up on all my fave blogs though and even found a few new ones! There are so many out there now, so I just tend to keep to my few so I don't completely take up my whole time on the computer reading!!!

So where am I at now?
Well I'm 25 and a bit weeks now! I can hardly believe so much time had passed! I'm blooming nicely and I'm glad to report I haven't put on a great deal of weight...only about 1/2 a stone since before I was pregnant, but that was like christmas time so no doubt I'd put a bit on anyways!

Mum and baby doing fine, though I had a scare this week after falling over and hurting myself en-route into starbucks. Damn those addictive muffins! I slipped outside on the wet tiles as it was pouring down on Monday. I managed to fall on my right side and hit my head on the glass of the door.
The most annoying and upsetting thing was that not a single person helped me up. How's that for society these days. I got up, tried not to burst into tears and bought my muffin.
After that I burst into tears on the phone to my mum in McD's. I had a presentation to do that day at uni so I did my presentation (on foetal death of all things) and went to the hospital afterwards. Though it took them 5 hours to tell me everything was ok. Phew!

I'm moving house again! The 1 bed flat is far too small so myself and DB are moving into a 2 bed house so that there is more room for us and the baby when it finally arrives. The purse strings will have to tighten though, so I probably wont be able to splurge on yarn quite so often!

My latest splurges were some sock yarn. I had only knit 1 pair before in some Opal using a pattern that came with it. A success, but the bug hadn't bitten. Until now.
I saw a pattern for some lacy socks on Knitty called 'hedera' and decided to give it a go using some stash (shock horror) khaki 4 ply soft.

This is the first sock. I made it a little shorter in the leg that the pattern stated but it's beautifully snug and fits perfectly!

This is a close up of the lace pattern. For a 2nd go at socks, and with lace too, I'm quite proud of my achievement. Though I do have to make another one!

After starting this successfully, I bought some sock yarn from Get Knitted. I love this store and I've even been to Bristol with a friend to their open saturdays which are once a month. Such beautiful things and their sale stock is fab. I have gotten some real bargains.

I got some Hip Knits sock yarn in 'bouquet':

This is the pic on the site and I just couldn't resist....

so much so that I made it into a ball as soon as it was delivered!!! (God I need a ball winder for my birthday or christmas or something it took ages to wind!)

Also while I was looking at this I found a dye your own kit also from Hip Knits on the site...

and after seeing Daisy's success I had to give it a go. Though I wasn't as thoughtful and didn't take pictures while I tried it out. Sorry folks.

This was the fruits of my labour. And it does actually smell fruity from the Kool-aid!
I started the new sock today. I figured I'd get bored doing the second hedera sock (it's the same as sleeves... I lose the will to live) and so after perusing a few sock patterns I came across Wendy's blog and 'Generic toe-up sock pattern'. It's fab as it's easily adjusted (I have small feet) and leaves no seam at the toe! So I shall give this a go and maybe do something fancy for the leg of the sock to make it interesting.

I have been working on Antoinette from the new Rowan mag as well. So far I've completed the back, left front and a sleeve and about 1/2 way through the right front. it's quick knitting, but I have been distracted with the sock knitting.

As far as learning new skills i have done well this week with socks and all, but I have acquired something totally alien. I have been learning to crochet too. I figured it's a good thing as it's good for edgings and I have some freakish maternal will to make a blanket or something. The Happy Hooker book by Debbie Stoller is fab and I have gotten as far a crocheting in a circle. To me that's impressive as I couldn't make a single stitch a few weeks ago.

And there you have it!

I can't think of much else to tell. I shall try to be a better blogger but I guess it could be a while now I have to move again and no doubt the internet will be lost (boo hoo) for a small while during that time.

Hope to see ya again soon,
love Fi x

A long awaited update

2006-02-25T09:36:00.000Z

Well hey folks...
I know it's taking me longer and longer to post lately isn't it!
I do have my reasons however.

Yesterday I had my first ultrasound scan and antenatal bloods done. I'm gonna be a mum.

Things have been so so hectic in the last few weeks and we've even got my DB's sis to stay with us for a while... never realised how much washing 9yr olds make!

On the knitting front tho...

* I finished the Teva Durham capelet from Loop-d-loop. I look 10 years younger and like little (pinky-)red riding hood! yes I'll eventually get around to posting pictures
*I'm still working on "urchin" from RYC classic beach... though while I'm usually finishing things in a few weeks I'm still only on the left front and done the back. I'm slipping! I reckon I'll do a sleeve before the right front tho as the sleeves are all ribbing and I may go a little stir crazy if i attempt them one after another.
*Baby knitting can now re-commence. I'd started a little card in 3-4ply (oh how many stitches) but then thought..."wait for the scan...". It's in a lovely limey-pistachio green and knit front-front to the armholes. All those teeny weeny stitches on one needle..... I never thought I'd need patience for an easy pattern!

In the meantime I have some stuff on order... as always. I've ordered some baby patterns and here is one of them.

I'd usually go for the traditional patterns... but since this was just soooo cute and the bootees and hat match I just had to have it. I wont be knitting it in red though! It also means I'll have to learn intarsia....
The patterns and yarn (shock horror gasp- acrylic!) are being ordered through a mial order catalogue my mum has.. I think it's Readicut Crafts. For some reason there aren't any baby patterns on the website so I can't show you what I've ordered. The faves I saw on the brochure though were:

*A baby blanket/hat/cardigan set
*A zip up suit (like a little grow bag for babies)
and other teeny weeny patterns, you know how it gets.

I wont go on and on about or at least I'll try ;o)

Hopefully I'll be going to Beatties Knit Chat today... I've missed out on the crochet workshop but a very nice lady also called Fiona said she'd teach me to crochet some time soon. Thanks!

Right enough news for now I'll be back soon.
Fi x

Doesn't time fly...

2006-02-06T15:42:00.000Z

I know, I know!

It's been ages since my last post. Time seems to be really getting away from me lately and I just forget all about things 10 mins after I thought about them!

So... since last time....

The yarn diet is gone. Completely obliterated. And it's all your fault!

Its seeing all the beautiful things you all buy or get as presents and I think "I want that" or "Mmm thats a lovely colour.." So now I am the proud owner of several new seasons Rowan/RYC book and all sorts of things I just thought I "needed" at the time!

How am I supposed to resist new patterns and never touched but lusted after yarns?

So at the moment I've got a few things on the go. I have "Urchin" from RYC Classic Beach which is a 1/2 sleeve short cardi that I'm doing in All Seasons Cotton in 'framboise'. It's an unusual colour for me to pick but i felt I needed a change.

Also I'm making a capelet from Teva Durham's Loop-d-Loop book which is hooded. English spring is so crap that I thought it'd get some wear! And as it is knit on 20mm needles it won't take long. I've already done the flat knitted part and just waiting for some 20mm circs to come from ebay. Again it's a fresh choice and I'm making it in Big Wool "Tricky" to add a little colour into my ever becoming drab wardrobe.

Hmm... and theres a really tediously boring shrug I'm making but it's just a rectange sewn up fo the arms.... so knitting a really wide scarf basically on 4mm needles... but it's good tv knitting if I'm tired.

To be honest in the knitting drought I've not done any adventurous patterns but I'll work my way up again.

Right, gotta go to uni (groan) I'm doing a 6pm-9pm lecture series on a monday evening now which I just know I'm gonna hate.

Hope you're all well,

Love Fi x

Busy busy bee

2006-01-18T20:33:00.000Z

Hey folks

Well now I have my exams over for the time being I can get into some serious knitting! This week I had a Haematology exam and a Cell Pathology presentation. CP is definately not my area... I hope I scraped enough to pass the module- I'd hate to go through it again! Haematology, however, is the area I work in... so I'd better have done o.k.!!!

After a boring but exhausting day I'm just running a bath...mmmm. Got Lush's "Hot milk?" dissolving away making nice bubbles :o)

Knitting:
At the moment I've got lots of little projects going on. I'm knitting small surprise items (a surprise for you coz I wont disclose what they are and who theyre for til the time is right) and a fluffy bear hat for my DB.

Why does Darling Boyfriend want a fluffy bear hat.... who knows?! I think he hopes it will make him even cuter... as if he could be!

I've finished the 'Nan' cardigan in Chunky Print. It's rather beautiful and when I get around to tidying my room I'll bless the world with some cam shots. I believe the pattern is in "Big just got Bigger". It was a relatively decent price considering it's a Rowan pattern... at only 6 balls of Chunky Print for a cardigan, who can pass it up??? It knits quick on 12mm needles and though a lacy pattern it's really easy once you get past the first few pattern repeats.... hey if I can remember the 4 rows anyone can!

Also... since the internet is now restored I've already taken up the fiendish ebaying. Yarn diets aren't safe while ebay is around! I bought 500g (10 balls) of Artesano Alpaca for £30!!! thats like a 1/3 off or something. It's destined to be the lacy cardi out of this month's Simply Knitting. I know it's supposed to use mohair, but me and mohair dont mix if it's to be worn lots.

Hey those who know the pattern and the article might be able to guess what my surprise items are for... ;o)

So send in ur guesses if ya want... or dont it's up to you hehe.

Bath's nearly ready so I'd better jump in :O)

xxxx

Jeez it's been a while!

2006-01-09T13:02:00.000Z

Hey there folks!

Do you remember me or know who I am..?

Well quick recap...
* left old fiance and moved in with mum...
* eventually found a flat...
* now living with new man and very happy

That about does it.

I don't actually get my very own internet access until thursday but couldn't wait to get back on the horse and get blogging again. Phew feel better now.

On the knitting front.... I have completed:
* christmas scarves and jumpers and cardigans
* knitted but not yet sewn a cream cardi for myself called 'Nan' in biggy print
* started some baby knitting... 4ply takes forever!

As far as spinning goes I think I've lost the bug... I dont have a great deal of room in the flatand only recently started knitting again.

So I hope to be blogging frequently again soon ladies (and gents)
luv Fi xxx

P.S.
Special message to the 'Beatties girls':
Hellooooo!! I miss you all and I'll be coming back soon I hope. Hope everyone is ok and we'll have to get on gossiping over a nice pot of tea! xxx

Whoo hoo!

2005-10-18T15:53:00.000Z

Hey folks!

Yup.... it's been a while since the last post but since internet access is sparse I'm getting on when I can!
At the mo I've just finished lectures at uni for the day and I'm sat in the very crowded learning centre! I've bought some wool (shock horror- yeah right!) for a C*******s present for my lil niece Alex. Yup another cardi- like that'll be a surprise!

I saw the pattern in the latest issue of Simply Knitting. It's a Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Astrakhan/Cashmerino Aran thing with a hood and looked adorable! I'm a sucker for baby hoodies it has to be said!
Though being Debbie Bliss it didn't come cheap (!!) and I'll have to get cracking on with the fair-isle cardigan and scarf I've started.... oh why do I keep starting projects?!

I'd just got the WIP/UFO list down to a reasonable 5-10 when off I go again....!

It's not as if I have much time with Wolverhampton University giving more work than a spanish mule and having no PC internet ready being a right pain in the a***!

Ho Hum... while I'm abusing my free time and internet access for the knitting world I may as well put it to good use huh!

And so with the news.... still at mum's. Still very restless and becoming more like the hostile teenager I once was when living full time at home with very old-fashioned parents with no TV or music taste to speak of and wanting to know what I'm doing every minute of the bloody day.

Still... I managed to spend an obscene amount of money on Saturday on:

* GAP skirt and T-shirt from the sale,
* V.Expensive but DAMN GORGEOUS black leather knee-high boots with a small heel which I can actually walk in without creating disasters,
* Other stuff single girls are entitled to have.

So with my loverly boots I have conquered uni today and felt good about myself, attended the tuesday dinnertime knit chat meet (though project-less) and started the dreaded c*******s shopping.

Tonight I was going out, however as the estate agents from hell which are letting the flat I want didn't turn up (for a 2nd time) I have to go again tonight to make sure the flat is up to spec and get an idea of furniture etc. Very Exciting! I can't wait for me and my cats to live in harmony once more!

O.K. I haven't anything else. My life isn't spectacularly interesting atm as I have no webcam to tantalize you with my attempts at fair-isle or show you my red hair and happy face!

keep well everyone

Love Fi x

Quick hello :o)

2005-10-09T09:25:00.000Z

Hi folks!!!

I'm just taking advantage of my sister's internet access! Thought I'd just update you on what's going on and knitting progress(or lack of).

I'm at mum's at the moment despite swearing not to go back there! I love mum and dad sooo much BUT I am used to living fairly independently- apart from Sunday Lunch (which is a must of course!). We're getting along o.k. though she did pop to the caravan for a few days so i could see who i wanted to without her asking me a million questions, frowning or telling me i do have to go to work in the morning.... yes i know!!

She cares. She loves me. She drives me insane.

And so... I'm hoping to have a flat soon where my baby kitty and big kitty can live with me in nice peace and quiet and watch real tv and listen to rock music (instead of Foster and Allen and Emmerdale or Flog It!). I do get some meals cooked which is more than I can say for him who could only do oven chips. I'm not bitter and do not hate him at all but I'm glad to have re-found my inner self who doesn't do oven chips or oxtail soup.

The Knitting.
I confess. I haven't knitted this week apart from yesterday morning when i got my lone ball of cream DB Merino Chunky for the simplest fair-isle possible. The cardigan from Stitch and Bitch Nation (against a "Sound of Music" background) is going to be the launch of fair-isle learning. I have cast on for the fronts/back combination which is knitted in one piece to the yoke. The MC will be purple, and CCs cream, duck-egg and cerise. Not convinced? Well i liked it and if i get any knitting done this week or next week for that matter I'll try and get a picture here some way or another.

I have been doing a little tapestry instead as i can just follow the colours as i watch TV (if thats what you call it... mum has freeview and still watches the most boring of programs- frankly i'd be grateful for E4!)

Other than that I went to Merry Hill (a centre with a feast of shops in the west midlands for those who aren't locals) on the way to my sis's (conveniently about 15 mins walk away) and spoiled my self just a little. I went for nice trousers and maybe jeans... well with the amazing expanding butt I have atm it just wasn't possible without major trauma to the bank balance or admitting defeat and going for a next size up and baggy ass look. Hmm.

Instead I went to Lush. (yes everyone who knows me accepts I'm addict) I was however VERY restrained. I bought only some American Cream conditioner for my newy red hair which desperately needs dead end surgery and some Flying Fox shower gel which is prozac in a bottle mmmmmmmm. Sorry drifted a bit there.... oh and some Skinny Dip creamy wash stuff in a bar which is pure heaven without scantily clad angels and more manly and loin cloth.

I also bought a Ripcurl jumper which is very off the shoulder and sorta the unfinished thang going on. Mum will hate it. I LOVE it and am wearing as I type. Who said boarder wear cant be sexy as well as sassy?

If that drivel wasn't enough to show how uneventful my life has been since the big move out then I dont what will. I'll say thankyou now to my ex-boyfriend-come-best-friend-guy who's brought me to my senses and Greenday again. They're just fab. They make me happy and they were the only thing that got me to work on friday.

O.K. the head is empty of thoughts and drivel so i'll go stock up again and come back soon.

Happy Knitting everyone.... I'll get some done if university work doesn't pile up like a huge heap of dung again!

Love Fi x

A lot of boo hoo..

2005-09-29T08:25:00.000Z

Well hi folks

i'm sorry to say I probably wont be posting for a long while now... I'm moving away from where i live at the moment to live with my sister who doesn't have internet access- old uns heh- such technophobes!!

Of course my baby kitty and big kitty will be coming with me so they'll be able to ''comment'' on my knitting with either attacks or affection!

In such an emotional turmoil I reckon my tension could suffer so I may leave knitting until things settle. There's always tapestry though.... ;o)

I hope to be back soon

Luv Fi x

A little on the strange side...

2005-09-21T16:14:00.000Z

Your Brain's Pattern

Your mind is a multi dimensional wonderland, with many layers.You're the type that always has multiple streams of though going.And you can keep these thoughts going at any time.You're very likely to be engaged in deep thought - and deep conversation.

What Pattern is Your Brain?

Yup it's a strange one but I think quite effective. However I had to ignore colour preference and go for the pattern as you should.

Today has been a bit of a waste but a nice waste as I have managed to get lots of knitting done! :O) Mum wasn't well enough to be seen dinnertime after her op this morning so I'm off in a few minutes to say hi to her at the hospital with dad.

.......................................................................

Well I'm back and she wasn't quite as well as I thought she'd be but I hope she'll pick up and be out tomorrow- I know how much she hates being away from her own home.

On the up side I did see 3 of my sisters tonight so thats always an occasion!

I'm about to settle in for 'Swordfish' and finish this sleeve! Once this one's finished I'll be onto the sewing/neck roll bit. It is actually quite nice sometimes to come back to a project after a while and see it in a whole different light. As all the things I have been doing of late are colour knitting or (attempted) lacy patterns- a bit of good 'ol stocking stitch works wonders!

I'll post it up when it's finished of course!

Happy Knitting everyone
x

funky fair isle

2005-09-18T18:26:00.000Z

Hullo folks

I've been swatching today for something i've been a bit intimidated about doing. Fair isle! After seeing Tracy's poetic fair isle i decided that I'd bite the bullet. It's no where near the standard of her work, but something simple yet sweet.

And behold.... yes ignore the colours!...

The complete total of fair isle rows needed in a pattern called, funnily enough, "Fairly easy fair isle". Wonder why I picked that huh?! The pattern is from "Stitch and Bitch Nation". Now I couldn't get a proper picture off the net apart from one someone has taken of their own project to that pattern... so apologies but here it is: ?????
Any how i'm on the search for a suitable colourway so watch this space! I enjoyed the swatch and wasn't difficult. It's a little bit lumpy as I had to use different yarn types.

And for those interested in the FO details (sorry all the excitement got to me!) the pattern was "barra" from Rowan Classic Winter in 'twig' Soft Tweed

Currently I'm still knitting Pandora from Rowan 38 (w/o the stupid big wool bow!) and got as far as finishing the back and up to the armhole shaping on the front. I have enjoyed the difference in knitting techniques though I think I miss purling! It's all gtst/slip stitch. I never thought I'd miss purling- a new experience!

And so I'll leave you peeps with that to chew over and I'll get back to you as soon as I have a colourscheme thought out!

x

Take my breath awaaaay....

2005-09-17T23:59:00.000Z

Well hi guys!

I've actually got a FO for you!!!

It's taken a while (yonks actually) to do such a "quick knit" chunky pattern but blame the moss stitch and all-the-way-round rib band. Not me.

So while watching Top Gun (oh does Tom Cruise look fit in navy whites!) I finished the rib band and sewed in the ends :o)
And so... drumroll please....

Here's me raising a glass of Rose wine to a job done and looking remotely human at such a late hour!

And a standing picture... no i'm not cutting a cake I'm trying to take a picture with the webcam! So awkward but I managed eventually! I had to use a dpn to press the mouse button!!!

And so i've only got umpteen other WIPs but that the whole point of knitting I guess!!!

Since I have nothing else to report and no-one to show my cardi off to (Darling Fiance is asleep!) I shall retire myself me thinks!

Good night all xxx

What a Rosy Day

2005-09-13T18:58:00.000Z

Today has been a good day :)

1) Felted Rosy Kureyon Bag is finished

I've had to revert back to the chair posing and webcam method of taking a picture but at least a picture is here!

2) Had the afternoon off and went to the tuesday dinnertime editionof Knitchat :)
(Nothing beats having knitting and tea and cake and not being at work!!)

So thats it for now... nothing else to report really.

Have a good remainder of the week all
xxx

wishy washy

2005-09-12T22:06:00.000Z

Hey folks!

Nothing really exciting.... just a late night post to say i've put my felted rose bag in the washing machine (yes its finally fixed- hurrah) and so i'll be able to see the Kureyon loveliness in the morning :) Yay!

I know I haven't posted much at all lately- soooo busy with fixing washing machines, moving departments at work and catching up with all of the family I haven't seen in ages! Needless to say the phone bill will be substantial!!!

So, before I depart for bed I just want to say I haven't forgotten the internet knitting community at all and shall hope to get back on track soon! And of course i shall post up some more charlie pics and of course the Kureyon Rose bag once it's had a couple of washes!

Now I have watched both Bridget Jones 1 & 2 back to back (what else is there to do but watch films on a monday evening??!) and sewn my bag I shall go and sleep to awaken afresh for another fine day at work.

Yeah right ;o)

Picture theft and scrummyness!

2005-09-04T09:12:00.000Z

Hey campers!

I'm losing the plot. Really.
I have just tried for a solid 30 mins to sign in and blog but to no avail.... so I browsed the blogs I read and nosed in a few patterns... then when I signed in resignedly for the last time I realised I'd been signing in incorrectly (previous name, no blog) and no wonder I had no details or way to post. Duh!
**This is what you get for trying to blog before finishing your 1st cup of tea of the morning!** I think i'll go and make a pot !

And so.... I wonder what else I've lost the ability to do?! Well i cannot find my pictures to put up on here- theyre on the phone itself but the pc link cant find them or wont find them more's the point. So you have been saved from lots of new kitty pictures and when I went to the Sealife Centre on wednesday.

Yep you heard correctly- I have a new kitten! He's gorgeous and sweet and, at 8wks, extremely clever! His name is Charlie and I love him! It doesn't mean I dont love Pussycat any more- but I felt we needed extra companionship for her. Though if she stopped hissing and running away she'd realise he just wants to play and make friends. Instead it has taken her 3 days to come to me for a fuss and still refuses to sit in the same room as Charlie. Oh well.

Chris donated some pictures last night while I was sock knitting so I could show the world my new baby boy!

And here's the two boys together. Charlie and Chris are best buds atm...we'll see how long it lasts... he'll come back to me eventually ;o)

And so.... the knitting content is: Get Knitted

Reggie and I were chauffered down to Bristol yesterday to go the the Get Knitted open saturday. (No pics as I was too absorbed in the wonderful woollyness and coping with headache attacks) It was so hot in there when all the people started piling in... phew!
I really enjoyed it though and after fondling and sighing at the sheer range if stuff I bought...*drum roll*....

*5 balls Noro Kureyon for a felted bag
*3 balls of Adriafil Kid Mohair (fab substitute for KSH- same thickness and more yardage and cheaper!) for a Kiri shawl one day when i can knit lace without endless frogging
*1 skein of Artyarns Ultramerino sock yarn which was in the sale (bargain!!!) and is on the needles already ;o)
*2 bags of buttons for future use
*1 shawl/scarf thingamajig
*6.5mm Addi circ. for the felted bag

This could have been a whole lot worse- everything was gorgeous! Ask Reggie ;o)...This was so reserved for me but with starting back at uni soon I really should curb the knitting impulses as I have to work super duper hard this year what with the project and training and rubbish exams.

Also... I'm in the final stages of ribbing on 'Twiglet'/Barra so i'm hoping i'll have that done before the end of the day since it was my aim to finish that completely this week being off from work.
Plus the the back is compete on Pandora. Yay :)
I'll have to post pics when i've figured out the whole phone camera picture eating thing.

So in conclusion i've had a really good week off and probably spent a small fortune with looking at fished and big crabs, buying kitten and paraphenalia and going to Get Knitted. Ho Hum it's why I go to work after all!
Sympathy is welcome- I'm back at work tomorrow!

silly quizzes make me happy :o)

2005-08-29T09:43:00.000Z

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

Thanks Purlpower for the silly quiz! I am elated to think I have similar traits to Albert Einstein! He was crazier than a basketful of frogs and had frizzy hair- we're so alike! On the other hand he only seemed crazy because no-one understood him at the time... so you just wait and see. In a few hundred years I'll be clever and not crazy! Ha Ha Ha!

Ok feel better now :0)

And onto the knitting update....

Ta Da! I've done the armhole shaping and onto the 'last straight'. I'm amazed at how quickly i'm managing to plough on with this. It's categorized as a '2 ball' difficulty and this is the second 2-ball i've done now. Does this mean I'm no longer a beginner and now accomplished?? (though not super-good coz 3-ball patterns look like alien hieroglyphs are needed to decode the pattern to me!)

I thought decreasing would be difficult, but instead of getting hung up on where the slips and knits are I thought- well just look at the knitting- it's easy enough to tell so get on and do it.... and I did! I'm getting a little more confident about stuff I've never before tried now!

I've had a 'hold the knitting against me' moment and think this time I shall definately block the knitting before sewing up. (People gasp at the horror that I don't do this as part of the normal course) However, the way that the slip stitch pattern is done, it tends to squash up a little bit- this makes it feel textured but I think it will look better blocked so as to see the counter-colour better.

So yes you will probably be sick of my posting this week as I have the whole week off! WooHoo!
I'm so exhausted from work and stresses at the moment that these headache marathons are getting longer and more fierce. I find I get dizzy and feel sick as well as slurring my words and dropping lots of things before a headache attack now. Unfortunately i'm still having to get on with it as my appointment isn't til 10th october with some 'headace nurse'. Helpful? No. For the last few days I've had this aches and pains thing where I feel my body has been taken apart and put back together all wrong.

And so i'm going to do as naff all as possible and knit until i can't knit no more! And spin... must practice today as plying commences tonight. Yippee :o)

Too hot to sew!

2005-08-28T19:23:00.000Z

Well folks, some sewing up has commenced.... though it got abandoned from sweaty hand syndrome! I can't believe how warm this cardigan is though it's really light and not at all cumbersome to seam. It'll be ideal once the cold weather kicks in!

Here's some boring seam shots....(sorry!)
This is the front raglan seam... not so bad.

This is the back raglan seam...hmmm not so great.

I can't believe that seaming moss stitch is so difficult! I'm really winging it this time!

And so i've started another (oh dear!) project and this is quite the finest i've knitted so far... 4ply!! Sort of. I say that as the ribbing is done on 3mm needles then the pattern is actually done on 5mm needles. And behold......

Ta Da! I started this yesterday afternoon at knit chat! Her name is 'Pandora' :o)
It is the only pattern I really liked in the new Rowan 38 so i borrowed the book from a friend at work.

This is the slip-stitch pattern in close-up....

This is the back... actually like it as much as the front so i may actually use it inside out instead... we'll se if it makes me look huge LOL!

The pattern actually uses just 4 ply soft but as I could'nt find a suitable shade to match the 'Victoria' which is sorta auberginey so I decided to use Yorkshire Tweed 4 ply instead. It's a discontinued colour unfortunately but I just love the tennsy bits of red.

And so there it is guys... another WIP but I have to say I just fell in love at first sight with 'Pandora'.

Tomorrow I shall at long last be plying my spun balls and learning what happens after that as well hopefully. Reggie is set for coming over about 7 I think.

Ah well on with the knitting until then... :o)

Enough to be getting along with...

2005-08-22T18:42:00.000Z

Well as promised I have the rest of the piccys for you all. I was just so tired yesterday that I just couldn't be bothered to faff with the pc and the uploading was taking forever!
So here is what I bought...

This is some merino in lovely turquoise. I haven't yet used merino so i shall use some undyed to practice with first I think!

This is some (??) devon and cornwall long-something-or-other. It's basically quite a rough texture but has lots of curls and has been dyed in mixed shades of green, bluey-grey and turquoise. I'm going to combine it somehow with the merino.

This is some mixed rare breed in lots of natural colours. I actually bought this for Mum as I bought her a needle felting kit and she wanted some 'bear' colours!

Here I bought an Ashford top-whorl spindle (left) for spinning on and a sort of home-made thicker spindle to ply onto. The lovely Reggie had lent me her ashford spindle to practice with and once I get another she can have it safely back in her care! I'm definately a top-whorl gal, having tried bottom-whorls and not really got along so well.

Lastly is a present (!) bought by Reggie when really I should be buying her something for her patience and attention.... I was thoroughly shocked when she gave me this going to the car!
I'd been going and fondling it periodically during our visit because I'd never used mohair loop and the colours just made me really happy! 90grams will make me a lovely scarf-wrap sorta thing and I'm gonna have to think of something special to get Reggie now!

And I do have a little progress on 'Twiglet' a.k.a. Barra from Classic Winter.... only the last sleeve to go! And no I didn't do any sewing up so I'll have to sew all the bits up before picking up the front band, but hey you all knew I'd put it off! So hopefully I'll start the sleeve tonight and be able to get into finishing it soon!

Of course I need to practice my spinning as well! I'll be able to ply my two small balls as soon as I let Reggie know of a convenient time... so I may have my first finished hank anytime soon!

Heaven in the countryside

2005-08-21T18:21:00.000Z

I've had the most wonderful assault on the senses today. My friend Reggie who's being teaching me to spin tool me with her on an outing to 'The Threshing Barn'.

The shop front

I had such a wonderful time and consequently I have a *lot* of piccys today!

There was everything for spinners, knitters and needle felters... there was a needle felting workshop there when we arrived!
Reggie and i got a cup of coffee as well... and a piece of cake but dont tell Reggies husband ;o)

I absolutely fell in love with the place and i think if money was infinite I'd do exactly the same and set up my own farm and do what i wanted!

Due to extreme itchyness to spin and knit I'll leave you to just look at what I found at the Threshing Barn... I'll post up what i got another day and save the pics for another post! No there's not a fleece mountain in my living room... though if I'd had my way....;o)

Spin spinnity spinning

2005-08-17T06:27:00.000Z

Well folks it don't look much but it's my hard work from only 2 spinning lessons:

Ball 1- Sunday

Ball 2- Monday/Tuesday

Can you see the difference?

I'm proud of both of them! I wonder what they'll look like plied together? I can't wait til my plying lesson!

The wool I used for that was called 'Pick and Super'. Dunno what it is but it's nice!

Buttoned Blossom, The Twiglet and Operation Rainwater

2005-08-13T18:30:00.000Z

Oh what a wonderful Saturday!

Apart from the rain, being match day in Wolverhampton and a corker of a headache it has been an O.K. day.

1) Wore Buttoned Blossom to KnitChat
I did actually take her on a first outing on wednesday on a shopping trip with Rose, but here she is having a rest after socializing this afternoon...

Here is a close up of the wonderful buttons I found for her... i even thought they were beautiful enough for earrings so I bought an extra 2!

2) 1/2-ish way on Twiglet a.k.a 'Barra' from Classic Winter.

I wont bore you with moss stitch, I'll post up pictures when Twiglet is finished. Basically I finished the back last Sunday and have, in the meantime, being juggling it with other projects. So this week I have so far completed the left front and I'm approx 1/3-1/2 way up a sleeve.

The Plan is to sew up those seams before doing the right front and sleeve to minimise sewing up overload. Hypothetically anyway.

3) Laughed hysterically at 'Operation Rainwater'!

While at knit chat today there was an alarming announcement over the tannoy thingy for the staff to come up the the Bistro in Beatties where we have KnitChat. The announcement roughly sounded like (because i have poor recall from laughing so much!) "Could blah blah staff please blah blah 'Operation Rainwater' blah blah in the Bistro on the 2nd floor..."

The mere fact there was a name for putting buckets on the floor had an operation name was bad enough, but when said staff turned up with walkie talkies etc we just couldn't help but howl hysterically!

And as evidence.... The Operation Leader- Mrs Huckfield... I have inside intelligence who has named the 'important person with the Walkie Talkie'!

'Operation Rainwater' in action!

And here's (most) of the KnitChat group...

This is Sarah Beth and Adrienne's elbow. (Adrienne is fairly new to the group as she's just moved back to wolverhampton, and is lovely, and Sarah is just Fab! Hope I'll be able to spin as good as she does!)

Extreme left- Josie (wonderful hair!!), Rose (adopted Den Mother, dear friend and Rowan Consultant at Beatties), Jen (lovely commuter from Bridgnorth) and Reggie (fairly new but very nice lady who will me teaching me to spin-YAY)

And of course... on the far right is Steph (wearing her fab presto top and established blogger!)

Hmmm... yes I did manage to squeeze in there that Reggie is coming to my house tomorrow to teach me to spin (hopefully!!). She's bringing different drop spindles and such and I'm hoping I will be a good student for her! She's coming round early so I'll have to be up and caffeinated!

I'm sooo excited!

phew!

2005-08-07T20:33:00.000Z

What a busy day I've had!

Couldn't resist putting a piccy of the finished back- i finished it about 3:30pm.

Its just such lovely yarn to knit with! I've started the front left but haven't done much on it as I've been washing/ironing. I *never* iron in a batch, usually I just iron things as i need them. However, a madness just passed over me today and I ironed about 3 months worth of stuff in the washing basket... and I've just stopped and changed the bed clothes. I'm tired to say the least!

I think I deserve strawberries and cream and a little knitting before bedtime!

broken promises and more knitting!

2005-08-07T08:58:00.000Z

Hey folks

I'd stupidly promised myself that I wouldn't buy wool this month. Like I have the willpower to do something so difficult!
I was doing really well until I got to KnitChat yesterday. I had a look through the new Rowan books and Magazine 38. Hmmm not much for me in No 38- very weird or just not me, only really saw a couple of things so I couldn't justify it really. However when I looked through Classic Winter I just really liked a few things and the yarn is just scrumptiously soft! So I'd failed. It really isn't my fault is it?
I bought 9 balls (may need one more..) of Soft Tweed in 'Twig'. Sounds boringly brown... but it has little bits of blue in it and looks fab with jeans... sold to the girl in cotton tape and an unfashionable desire to knit huge jumpers in summer!

And so I'm making 'Barra'.
Here is the progress so far....

(sorry about the cheesy ironing board cover *cringes*)

It's growing surprisingly quickly for moss stitch... though I'm sure I picked it because it would take longer... these winter projects on big needles don't take more than a week for me (and then a month to pluck up sewing courage).
I think after Barra I may make Campbell.
*Thinks*....Ooh.... I must be a proper knitter now I think 8mm needles are big, before I wouldn't do anything unless it was chunky and quick!

I suppose I ought to make an effort with the other (oh so many!) WIP... here was the sleeve progress before the naughty cardigan:

I'm just about decreasing for the raglan bit... another 10 inches or so then! I just have a feeling that this is a disaster in mohair form! It's gonna be fit for the charity bin as soon as sewn probably! Maybe i'll sew the first sleeve on when I finish it to see what it's gonna be like before casting on the 229 stitches for the next sleeve ruffle...

Hmm... i know this post lacks colour... I've gone all beige since the multicoloured trip of Jenny Blossom and HipKnits silk. I guess the eyes needed a rest!
And... a treat for you.... well no it's not but it's not normal either! It's me at work (looking fed up as usual) in my lab coat and hiding while Fay takes a quick piccy:

Notice how deserted the place is... yes we really are that shortstaffed most days... one wonders why I'm stressed?! (yes I realise I have muppet hands in this picture- it's the latex gloves I wear in the lab!)

And now I've terrorised you bloggers I'll just say that Rose from KnitChat features in this month's Knitting magazine with Debbie Abrahams in an article called 'Hangbags and Gladrags'. She'll not thank me for saying that but she's super wonderfully nice and I love her to bits. Thankyou Rose!

Right better pack up the washing for Mum's (still on the blink) and get dressed and ready for sunday lunch. Yum!