Merry Christmas

Well, it's that time of year again, Is it really a sign of age, when you start looking back wondering where has the time gone, it barely seems five minutes since last year wishing everyone a merry christmas and now here we are again.

After my last post I was nominated by the lovely Linz for a I love your blog award. Thank you so much for this Linz, I love reading your blog too.



Part of the award is that you can nominate four people, now I do read lots of blogs and love them all and seeing what people are making and love to read the chit chat of people's everyday life. So I have decided to nominate the four people who's blogs I have read from the beginning, way before I had a blog myself but because of them inspired me to have one of my own :)

The four people are Roxyknits, Knitternatter, Tartycrafty and My Fashionable life

I have alway loved your blogs and look forward to reading your news.

Not much knitting to show as everything I have made has been put on Ravelry, so really don't want to put the same pictures up that most of you have seen anyway.

One of my next year's resoloutions is to have a bit of a de-clutter and de-stash so next year I am going to make it my best effort not to buy any more yarn but use what I already have. I am seriously running out of space to keep it all and literally everywhere you look, every tiny space, in evey cubby hole has a skein of yarn in it. I am sure any knitter would be delighted to come round and have a treasure hunt, ha-ha. Part of my de-clutter is also I have moved my blog to sockgalaxy.wordpress.com I am hoping to use this to be more organized and be able to talk about my knitting projects more in depth rather than ramble on like I tend to on this blog. Hope you will follow the link and join me over there.

That's all from me on this Christmas Eve, Hope you all enjoy the break and the festive spirits and have a Super Christmas and a wonderful and prosperous 2009

FEELING GUILTY

Just looking at when I last posted here, way back in June, for some reason has given me a rather guilty feeling of neglect, trying to think back of what I have been up to the recent months seems difficult, almost like I have just woken up from a long deep sleep, vague memories of a couple of rather wet camping trips do spring to mind though and that is all. Maybe it just that the summer has passed away to quickly to the point of non-existence.

However I do have some knitting to show, so perhaps rather than the sleep-walking, I have been doing small doses of knit-walking, ha-ha.


Firstly I finally managed to finish the Solstice Slip Socks




I am pleased with the pattern and the yarn, although I now wish I had made them smaller, I followed the instructions for the medium size and they are a little too large for me, but despite that they do make excellent house socks and are lovely and warm.


Enchant has been pushed to one side temporarily, the long and winding edging is really taking it's toll and is just almost too painful to knit, boring endless and endless rows of a kinda garter stitch rib. Also when pressing the main body piece, I am afraid to say I was rather heavy handed with the iron and have been left with a slight limp piece of fabric, however I will persevere with it, as I do still really like the pattern. One particular thing I like about knitting, is that you are always learning something new and sometimes I feel mistakes happen for a reason, however much it hurts, you will not make the same mistake twice.

A month ago I started a new project Fern from Rowan Magazine No 24. I am using Sublime Extra Fine Merino Wool, which is a lovely smooth yarn to knit with. The pattern has been rather enjoyable to make with easy to follow instructions and for my standards has been quite a quick project.





I have now completed all the pieces and just got the last part of neck band to finish. I know if I really put my mind to it, I could probably have this finished at the weekend. I have been following the Finishing Techniques book by Sharon Brant to help me with the finishing and for the first time I am going to sew the sides and sleeve seams first, then attempt to fit and stitch the sleeve head inside. Fingers crossed it'll work.

I'll try and not leave it so long till the next post and will hopefully have some pictures of a Finished Fern to show soon.

A Pretty Prize

Last month I was lucky enough to win this gorgeous prize from the fabulous Queen of the Froggers

The prize contained some really gorgeous skeins of hand-carded mix of Alpaca, Merino wool, Mohair and Tencel, that Lin had spun, the skeins are so pretty and soft my photos do not really give the yarn the justice they deserve

I'm looking forward to making something with this and thought maybe a neck scarf would be rather nice, (helps to cover a wrinkly neck too, lol)

Lin's parcel also contained a lovely wooden drop spindle, I have never spun yarn before, I have seen it done at craft shows and I am rather intrigued by the process, so I have a couple of books on order to hopefully point me in the right direction so I can give it a try. Lin also very kindly sent me some of her unspun yarn for me to have a go with

Thank you so much for the goodies Lin, they really are lush. and if you don't already read her blog, do head over there now to Queen of the Froggers, and I just know you will love her blog, as much as I do.

On my knitting news I have now finished the main body part of Enchant, and it is already to be pressed and I have started the rather lengthy process of the edging, I also have very nearly finished the Solstice Slip socks, so hopefully next post I shall have at least one F.O to show.

Talking of STR, the third kit has now arrived, The yarn is simply gorgeous and the pattern is one that I am looking forward to making too. I have hidden the picture behind the link, as I am not sure if everyone who is expecting the kit, has received theirs yet

Socks that Rock May Kit

Well I am off now to get on with some knitting, DB is out, doing work on the motorbike, so I have a peaceful afternoon with my knitting to look forward to, Ahhh Bliss :)

ENCHANTED

Over the last few weeks I seemed to have lost a chunk of the knitting bug, which is the reason for this poor neglected blog. Not lost completely, so I am not over worried and I'm not about to do anything silly like put the stash on ebay or anything, Just kinda lost in the fact that I can settle into any particular pattern, If over the last week I had completed everything that I have started I would be able to have a post full of about fifteen to twenty items, but alas this is not the case. Part of the problem is probably down to too much choice of patterns and also because I ideally would like to knit something from stash rather than buying new. Don't get me wrong I love my stash of yarn and each item at the time was bought with much love and desire for what item it would eventually turn into. Just seems to be the way at the moment, that what I have in stash is either the wrong colour, wrong texture or not enough in quantity for what I want to make and then of course there is always the niggling thought that what if in the middle of making something, something better comes along which would have been more ideal for the yarn I am using. Hey ho!!! I can always go out and buy some more, but like most people at the moment, money is a bit tight, but as we don't go out much and neither of us smoke, the odd treat of some yarn is not likely to break the bank, which brings me onto my next excuse for reluctance to use stash. Surely stash is there for when times are really hard, so what if with the world current financial mess, all yarn mills have to close down and no more yarn is produced, not likely of course but a worry all the same as everyone else will have their stashes to fall back on, but I would have used mine. Oh gosh I am such a born worrier, So sorry for sounding like a rambling, whittling old so and so.


All is well this week though, and good news is that I have the knitting bug back, thanks very much to the arrival of this gorgeous new pattern book Nectar by Kim Hargreaves. A super book with quite a few patterns that I would like to make and incidentally I can make about three of them, using stashed yarn. lol. The yarns for the patterns are also available in kit form on Kim Hargreaves Website, although the kits contain yarn and buttons only, you need to buy the book for the patterns, In my opinion the book is well worth buying and will look fabulous on any knitters book shelf. The patterns look prettier in the book than they do on the website and the pages are matt, which gives the book a really calm summer tranquil feel and the patterns are classic Kim Hargreaves style, which I think a lot of die-hard Rowan fans have been missing.


My book arrived yesterday and after work, I settled down on the sofa and swatched for one of my favourite designs Enchant in the lovely Rowan Calmer yarn, and good news for once my gauge was spot on.



This shrug is knitted across from cuff to cuff and the edgings are knitted separately and then sewn on afterwards. I am using shade 463 Calmer, which is a kind of pale blue and perfect for the summer months, if we get them that is.

The other knitting I have been working on quite successfully is the Solstice Slip socks which was the third STR kit from last year, A lovely slip stitch cable pattern in the lovely summery colour of Firebirds, a kinda bright mixture of Reds, Pink and Orange. I am doing this toe-up as I wanted to get as much out of the yarn as I possibly could, which is great, except the cuff seemed to go on for ages. I have finished one sock and now about a third way on the second.



The pattern is an easy to memorise slip stitch cable which compliments the yarns colours perfectly.

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The yarn and pattern for anyone who is a non member and would like to make will be available to purchase from Blue Moon Fibers, I think around about July, but will be available separately to purchase as pattern and yarn and not in kit form.

Well that's all from me and I shall post again soon with a update on Enchant.

Have a nice Bank Holiday weekend, lets hope its an Enchanted one

SOCKS, A HAT AND AN AWARD

Despite the length between blog posts, I have been doing some knitting, and have here a couple of quick projects I'd like to share with you. The first being a pair of ankle socks, of which the first sock was knitted towards the end of last year


This was just using the basic pattern, that you usually get free when buying any sock yarn from such places as Get knitted or various other online shops. I made these with a shorter cuff into a kind of Ankle/Trainer sock with a slip stitch heel. The yarn used was Lana Grossa Magico, and I really love the pretty pink stripes and they really are a pleasure to knit and wear.

I hope you are all enjoying the Easter holidays, but crikey hasn't the weather turned cold, I was out yesterday taking Tess for a walk by the river and the wind was really icy, so much so that when I got home I made a spur of the moment decision to make a quick hat. I had a ball of Rowan's Ribbon Twist in Rascal left over from making Beth, so I casted on the Alpha Hat yesterday afternoon and had a very idyllic afternoon knitting by the fire. and just under four hours later I'd made this



The hat has a fairly snug fit, but is lovely and warm and I just love the cute ear flaps. The pattern is from The Ribbon Twist Collection from Kim Hargreaves, also for anyone who may interested as the yarn is now discontinued there is a sale on at Cucumberpatch, priced at just £1.95 a ball, I am afraid I went a bit mad the other day and bought three lots of ten balls in the shades Mole, Regency and Rapid. I was persuaded by DB who said that it was a bargain not to be missed, not that I took much persuading though and it's not often your bloke talks you into buying more yarn is it.

I would also like to thank The Cabled Climber for the "You make my Day" award.

First time I have ever won a knitting award and I really am as pleased as punch, so thank you Christine, you really make my day too.
I would also like to give this award to Roxy.

Roxy's blog was the first knitting blog I read and have been truly inspired by all the lovely knitted and craft items that she makes. Not only that, she has really helped me with my knitting, with lots of super advice, tips, links and ideas. So thank you Roxy, you really make my day.

I have a few other knitting WIPs on the go at the moment of which I will share with you in the next post when I have a bit more completed and hopefully a bit more daylight to be able to take some better photos. Happy Easter everyone!

DRUM ROLL PLEASE...

For my first F.O of 2008, Here's the completed pair of socks that I have making for DB over the last couple of months.

Pattern: Gentleman Socks

Yarn: Trekking XXL by Zitron

Needles 2.5mm DPN

I did enjoy making these as the pattern is easy to remember, ideally I would have made the cuff a little longer, but after reading on ravelry that others had run out of yarn, I only did them for six inches instead of eight, but then the annoying thing was I was left with 18 grams of yarn, so could have probably could have done another inch in the end, but still better to have too much than not enough. The pattern comes in four sizes, I made the Man's large size and they fit well and easy to put on and take off, so DB is really happy, so much so, he has asked for another pair, eh some people are never satisfied are they? lol!

The heel is eye of the partridge and is the first time I have ever done this, I really like the effect this stitch makes, Sorry the photo doesn't show it very well, but you know how difficult dark yarn can be to photograph at times

Talking of F'Os last post I mentioned that I'd finally finished Beth, The good news, after a final wash and a light press, she actually fitted better and is now not quite so snug, so I have been able to wear her a few times, especially during the cold spell of weather we had last weekend, Here's a couple of pictures of me wearing her, as I find it is always better to see them being worn.

Here's a picture of the back view, I am not really pointing at anything of any interest, it was DB's idea of being a super photographer, either that or he's trying to make me look silly lol!




I am rather pleased how she turned out in the end and it was rather nice last weekend to be able to go out in the sunshine without having to wear a coat.


My weight loss goal is going well, slow and steady but I have lost 10lbs since I started, which I am really pleased about and more so the fact that my clothes are starting to feel looser too.

That all my news really, I have started one or two projects but frogged them, as I wasn't pleased with how they were turning out, although I don't feel like I've lost the knitting bug entirely, just can't settle with anything in particular, too many choices I think. but one thing I have learnt over the last few weeks, my knitting gauge is way too tight, no wonder everything coming out too small, On most yarns I've now found I need to go up a needle size, Is it true though that it doesn't matter what size needle you use providing you get the right gauge? I have read that somewhere, but I'm not sure if it would alter the drape of the yarn in any way. Any reassurances on this would be greatly appreciated?

See you next time :)

STILL HERE

Well it is very nearly the end of January and I have noticed that it is over a month ago since I lasted posted. I am not sure how that has happened, but I suppose when you can't remember what you have actually done since Christmas, simply means nothing of interest to one self, let alone to anyone who may be reading.

Like most people January is my least favourite month of the year, probably due to the post Christmas slump and as it always seems to be a case of going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark and with the weather we have been experiencing lately even the hours at work have been in the dimmest of light.

Talking of Christmas though, I hope you all had a fantastic time and a "Happy New Year "to you, a bit belated, but typical of me "better late than never" I did receive some wonderful Christmas goodies My favourite present being as set of Harmony Option Interchangeable Needles and a complete set of Harmony Option DPNs. I also received some lovely Twilleys Freedom Spirit yarn of which I will talk more about in a future post, when I have a bit more knitted to show. I also received yet more sock yarn, some of which is photographed here



On the left is Nino Merino, a 4ply sock yarn in the shade Rainbow, which was purchased from The Natural Dye Studio. The one on the right is a skein of Fiberspates Sock Yarn, Blue Faced Leicester wool in the shade Spring Greens. I have seen some of this on other people blogs and just had to have some. It came with a free blue faced pattern too and was purchased from Get Knitted

I also received these fabulous books. Both of the One Skein Wonders and 101 Designer One Skein Wonder books have numerous quick patterns that I would like to make one day. I am rather impressed with the Finishing Techniques by Sharon Brant, the pictures and tutorials are clearly photographed and written. One thing by reading this book that has finally sunk into my head is the real importance of taking proper measurements prior to starting something, which I am sure is where I have been going wrong as it is not necessarily the case of where you knit a certain size for the chest measurement, you will need the same size for the length too. In my case I need to knit medium/large for chest measurement but probably a small or even xsmall for the length. Not really a body proportion size I like the idea of, but one of which is important to enable something to fit properly and be wearable. The book explains how with your knitted gauge measurement you can calculate how to add or deduct inches in the width and in the length and still keep the garments shape in proportion. My other option of course is although I can't really do much about my height, I can certainly do with losing some weight to reduce my chest measurement to be more equal. Just before Christmas I reached an all time high with my weight and do desperately need to do something, so I have embarked on another healthy eating and exercise plan, as thoughts of last years disastrous resolution comes flooding back. but this time I am determined to succeed both for vanity and health reasons and so far I have lost 8lbs woowoo!! Anyway I am digressing, the book Finishing Techniques is one I would recommend to anyone who like me needs help in that area and doesn't want to fill with dread when its time for the so important finishing and trying on of a garment for the final time. Which I think is why I have been dragging my heels over finishing the Sublime Cardi as I am sure it is going to be too small width ways and too long in the length. The book also has six basic patterns to make all using Rowan yarns, I already have a Summer Tweed lined Jacket, A zipped Cardigan in All Seasons Cotton, and a pullover with lace edging in Calmer added to my to do list and all of this is in this book. Super!

Other knitting news I am pleased to say is I have finally finished Beth, I really like her a lot, although she has turned out to be rather snug and long too. I will try and get DB to take a picture of me wearing her for next post and you'll see what I mean. But overall I am pleased and she is lovely to wear on these chilly days.



Well that's all from me until next time and I shall try not to leave it so long between posts.


P.S Sorry didn't think I posted the link for the Harmony Option needles directly to the Knitpicks website, who don't currently ship to the U.K for some reason, mine were purchased from Get Knitted, Bristol for anyone reading in the U.K who would like to purchase some.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

Would just like to wish You all a very Happy Christmas, I hope Santa brings you all lots of nice things. However you spend the 25th, have a lovely restful day with the people and animals you love. Eat and drink well and have a fantastic time! See you soon xxx

SLACKING

I am rather slacking in the blogging world, I can't believe its over a month since I last posted, where on earth does time go... I have been rather busy at work, trying to get everything finished for the year end, as I do so hate leaving the tedious reports and things til after the Christmas break, as I spend most of the holiday, thinking about the workload I have got to go back to. So I am buckling down and trying it get it all done, I actually finish work next Friday, then don't go back til Wed 2 Jan, so a nice long break where I am hoping to get plenty of knitting done, especially the wip's, so I can start new stuff in the new year, that's the plan anyway.

Last post I mentioned the saga of the Malabrigo of which I am pleased to say has finally arrived, I was rather beginning to think though, it was not going to happen, twice it was sent back to the store where I purchased it from, each time saying either no one to receive or refused, each time I confirmed the address as being correct, when finally on the third attempt the kind postman finally brought it... Arrr relieve... and all to be revealed why it had taken so long, the yarn store had only kept labelling the address for a hundred houses away, yep I know clearly written on the package number --, instead of --- and also inside the bag when I opened it, the yarn store had the cheek to send back the previous packaging bags each with the wrong address written on, even despite me e-mailing and phoning to clarify the address, and them getting quite stroppy with the situation. I don't want to harp on about it, because its hardly world ending stuff and at least it is now sorted, but really that kind of incompetence annoys me so much, as even when I e-mailed them to explain, they never bothered to reply. Obviously a case of third time lucky for me, as by this time our usual postman was back from his holiday and when he went to deliver the parcel at --, and they refused again, he recognised the name and guessed where it belonged too, now the worrying thought is if the postman can link you to a yarn package, does that mean you have been spending too much on yarn. lol!

Here is the picture of the Malabrigo, I apologise for the rubbish photograph, the yarn is actually a little lighter than shown, The shade is Tuareg, a kind of dark turquoise, the yarn is lovely and so soft, believe me it has been caressed a few times. I have in mind, to make a hooded pullover with this, if I can get the gauge right.

Knitting wise, I have finished my Regia Trainer socks, I really like the colours of these, as they look so pretty together

I actually enjoyed making these so much, that I have cast on another pair, the good thing with these are they are easy to make and you can easily make a pair with a 50g ball and as I wear trainers a lot, I rather like the idea of having lots of pairs in different colours. Last Saturday I needed to take the car into the garage, to have some springy thingy fixed on the exhaust, don't ask me, as you can guess I'm not mechanically minded at all. I had booked the car into one of those Formula one Auto Centres and knowing as it was Saturday, I would probably be in for a long wait, I wanted to take some small simple knitting with me, and just as I was deciding what to take, the postman brought one of my eBay purchases, some of the lovely Lana Grossa Magico, thank you Roxy for posting so quickly, absolutely perfect for another pair of trainer socks and the ideal project to start whilst waiting. So off I went, and although they were busy, I was the only one in the customers waiting room, as I assume as it is on a big retail park the others were using the opportunity to go shopping, so I got myself a hot drink from the machine and plonked myself by the window and you know had the most tranquil time, sitting knitting and watching all the Christmas shoppers scurrying in and out of the rain to their cars with bags of shopping, I enjoyed myself so much, I was rather disappointed when the mechanic said my car was ready to be driven away. So if you ever want to steal the perfect excuse for some knitting time, book your car in for a long service, you'll enjoy it. lol!

Here's the progress I made with the Lana Grossa Magico sock

That's all my knitting news really, I have completed one sleeve on Beth, just one more to go, so hopefully will be able to finish her this week, especially now its starting to get rather chilly.

I hope you all managing to get all your Christmas preparations in order, it seems to get more mayhem every year doesn't it?

I'll leave you with a rather scary picture of Tess, this is how she looked after being woken up from her Sunday afternoon nap with her dad.

Good Intentions

I did have good intentions of having a FO for this post, but alas, once again, it is just not meant to be. Knitting time has been reduced for some reason, general life and work, just seem to get in the way.

Thank you all for your well wishes in the last post, I am pleased to say the allergic flare up has gone and settled down. The only thing we can put it down to, is believe or not, is the cardboard tube of some new Toilet rolls we bought, these particular one's have a scented core and of course which silly idiot, after having a runny nose and watery eyes wiped her face with a piece, yep me, not realising at the time that was the very thing causing the runny nose and watery eyes in the first place. Hence five hours later the swelled up face and eyes. then to go in the bathroom again, and another flare up of sneezing and wheezing. It really was a point of elimination and since these were the only things different to normal I had used, did I start to wonder and since throwing the wretched things away, I have been fine since. Live and learn eh!

Despite not having any FO's to show, I have been knitting and I casted on Beth from the Ribbon Twist Collection a fortnight ago.




This is a speedy knit, even for my standards. knitting on 12mm needles however, felt really weird, especially after using 2.25mm sock needles, but I soon got the hang of it and have been whizzing along merrily. Here a picture of the back and front done, just the sleeves and collar to go....



The weird shape will disappear I hope after pressing as the edges are having a serious tendency to roll, I am pleased with the progress though so far. and I am sure it will be a lovely warm woolly jumper for the forthcoming winter months.


Last post, I did mention having some purchases to share with you, First I have two balls of Rowan Kid Classic, these will be to make a felted mobile phone cover from the 1st issue of the newest UK magazine Let's Knit

Mohair in the past, sometimes for some reason, reacts with my skin, leaving an itchy rash, but the mohair content of this is only small and hopefully with it being felted it won't give me to much trouble especially as I won't be actually wearing it against my skin. This also will be the first time I've felted, so it'll be interesting and fun to try.

I also purchased some sock yarn from the Fleece artist, one is basic merino wool in the shade Seastorm, a lovely mixture blues, brown and greens
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The other Fleece artist yarn is a skein of Sea wool in the shade Wildflowers, this is a very subtle mix of cream, pale blue and pale pink, but is rather pretty.




The fifth kit of the STR kit has also arrived, the pattern is Lenore and the yarn with the kit has the same name, the colour is predominately black with reddish tinges, the yarn is lovely, but the pattern again isn't really my thing unfortunately.

I was rather hoping to have some Malabrigo yarn to show you, but I have had huge problems with the ordering, First I ordered and paid from one online store, to be told seven days after waiting, that there was not enough in stock to send and they wouldn't know if or when they would get some more in, so would have to give me a refund, of which after numerous e-mails and calls, was actually refunded another week later. I then located some from another store, who was most helpful with good communications, I managed to order some and pay, problem free, that is until the Mail system got involved, after a week and half of waiting, I did start to wonder, so after e-mailing was told to wait a little longer as the mail have still got a backlog to get through, another two weeks past, so I decided I really need to chase this, to be told that the parcel had been sent back to them, due to the parcel being refused, impossible as I have been waiting eagerly for its arrival and no way have I or anyone I know refuse a yarn package. So I then checked with the store the address that they had sent the yarn too, who then confirmed that it was the correct address, and that now the yarn hadn't been refused, but no one was in to sign for it, or had responded to the card left by the 5th November. which was it was why it was returned This is completely and utterly rubbish, as on the day they said no-one was in, we received three parcels from eBay, all delivered by Royal Mail. I don't blame the store who sent the goods, I just think it an easy and simple way for the Mail system to get through their backlog of work simply by returning goods to the sender. Sorry to rant on... but the whole thing has been going on since early September and has made me quite cross and upset, am I the only one who gets stressed out by small things? The store have said they will re-send so hopefully fingers crossed the Malabrigo will arrive this week.

My disappointment hasn't lasted too long though, as I have won these gorgeous items from a lovely eBayer, "Thanks Roxy" Here we have Four balls of Jaegar Trinity in the shade Powder, a big ball of Lana Grossa Millenweit Inca and lastly a gorgoeous skein of Sweet Georgia Speed Demon in Mango. I've been looking for some of this for ages and it took DB's excellent bidding skills in the final seconds to clinch it! Woohoo the colours in this skein look good enough to eat and will make a gorgeous pair of socks to brighten these dark foggy days

also Roxy, very kindly sent me a huge ball of the lovely Sugar N Cream in Pink, Thank you so much Roxy you are a star, I had seen this on Ravelry, but could not find a stockist in the UK, it is gorgeous and such a lovely pretty colour

The Car tax and Insurance is due for renewal this month, and of course Christmas is just round the corner so I have really got to try and avoid the temptation to buy anything else for a bit, not sure how long I'll last though. DB does keep reminding me I surely have enough yarn by now and it is a bit worrying when a few people are starting to make comments about my illness of Yarn addiction. But of course, they don't know what they are talking about do they? lol !!!>

Ahoy We have Tidal Waves

Yes, At last I have actually another FO, these are the Tidal Waves that I was making from the yarn that came with the second of the STR 2007 club kit. I really love these, as they are so soft and silky to the touch.




Here is a close up of the patterned cuff

This pattern I would, definitely do again and would recommend to anyone who is looking for something a bit different to a plain sock, but still want to be able to knit without too much concentration or the need to keep frogging due to mistakes on previous rows. For anyone interested here is the link again to the pattern Tidal Waves by Deby Lake

I was rather hoping to show you a few of my purchases I had made over the last few weeks, but I'm afraid I don't have as much too show as I would have liked, as I think I've been hit by the postal strike and am still waiting for some bits to arrive, although I do sympathise with the Postal workers grievances, I can't help wondering how much other companies have used it as an excuse, as lately that is all we have been hearing at work "It must be in the backlog due to the strike"

Anyway as mentioned last post, I have had these two books arrive

The first one, Favorite Socks by Interweave is a classic, there are a few patterns that I would add to my never ending to do list, and even has a couple that I would like to make for DB at some stage, but ssh, don't tell him, as there is an "inverses" on the "at the some stage" bit. The other good thing I like about this book is that it is spiral bound, so will stay home at the correct page whilst in use.

The other book is called Knit,Knit, a interesting but rather unusual book. I bought this purposely for the lovely Bridie by Anna Bell, which is also on my "to do" list and for me the book is well worth having just for this pattern alone and also gives a lovely profile on Anna, which each time I read it, gives me a huge boost of inspiration. The other patterns though, unfortunately are just not for me, some such as "knitted Boxing Gloves, Knitted Shoes, Knitted Bathing Costume, a rather lacy see through mini knitted tube dress, jump in the wall, yes a knitted wall with a jumper knitted in which you wear by standing against the wall etc... but please do not let me put you off completely, the book is full of good reading and gives wonderful in depth profiles of each designer, each one completely different and how knitting has had a impact on their life's, each time you open it, you see something different and is not one that you could appreciate by just glancing through, this is ideal book to perhaps try and persuade your local library to get, that way you can have a good look, before you commit to buy, although at £11.80, it not overly expensive to treat yourself too either.

I also have some more gorgeous STR to show

These are called Saratoga (Top) and Grandma's Flower Garden (Bottom), these strangely enough do look, like you see here, very similar to each other, but when I chose them, they did look more differently on the Blue Moon Website, but never mind, they are both gorgeous and I may use one of them to knit Monkey Socks. Talking of STR, I have now received my invite for next year's club, so that is now all sorted and confirmed, which I am pleased about, as I don't want the same question as last year, will I or won't I get in...

Hopefully for next post, my other goodies will have arrived so I can share them with you.

Not much knitting going on here at the moment I'm afraid, as I have spent a fair bit of knitting time on Ravelry, yes the addictive bug is still with me lol!

Sorry for the shortish post, but over the weekend I have not really felt too well, It started off as a really bad swollen sore throat and tight chest and then this morning I woke up to my face and eyes swollen up to three time the size, Scary eh... I have taken the day off work and did go to see the emergency doctor, who says no doubt I have an allergy of some kind, not really sure what it can be though, as I have not taken anything or used anything differently to normal. The doctor has subscribed some antihistamine's and did say that if it gets worse or the wheeziness in my chest comes back to go to A& E immediately for stronger meds. Although I do feel much better now than I did twelve hours ago, the swelling hasn't gone down much and I do not like the idea of walking around looking like I have done twenty rounds in a boxing ring but hopefully it will all be cleared up soon once these tablets start to work and at least I have my knitting and Ravelry to take my mind of things.

I'VE GOT MY INVITATION

Good news, I have now received my Ravelry Invite, I was rather surprised how it happened so quickly, about a week ago I was about 2200 in line, then Sunday evening, it came. The fact that it came at about eleven o'clock in the evening though sent me into a tizz, I felt rather like a child wanting to play when really should be going to sleep ready for Monday Morning. And of course being a Monday I couldn't play until after work. :(

I am quite astounded about how clever it all works and what a huge inspiration for ideas, it must be one of the best things to happen in the Knitter's World for a long time, of course most of you reading probably know this already, if you have had your invite . Thanks Roxy for the advice of setting up a flicker account already to use, I did start that last week and it does make things a little easier to be prepared beforehand. My user name is CurlyCable, so if anyone would like to let me know their user id's so I can add you to the friends page. I think it's going to take some time putting everything on there, so I adding bits as and when I think about them. For someone who thought they were quite a good girl with a small stash, when taking it down from all the hiding places, found this clearly isn't the case, I feel a little guilty about adding it all. Even worse, when photographing it all, DB asked "Are you putting all that for sale on Ebay then, What a cheek :) (Wonder how much he likes breathing) ;)


Despite spending a lot of time on Ravelry this week, I have done some knitting, and I am pleased to say The Sublime Cardigan is coming on quite well, with the back and two fronts all done


I am also half way up the first sleeve, so hopefully by next post I shall have all the knitting done.

I have also done a small amount on the second Tidal Wavesock too, the first one of which I finished whilst waiting for the hospital appointment, As ArtyfartyKat and Roxy commented, it does spur some interest, knitting rather than reading whilst waiting. I did get quite a few strange looks, some people even seemed a little smirky, and looked at me as though I had got some weird contagious disease, which in a way put me off, but then again I thought Why shouldn't I knit I am not bothering anyone else. It seems to me these people who mock knitting, miss out on an awful lot don't they and I think all the people who've signed up for Ravelry prove that.

That's really all my news for now, but will probably with Ravelry try to blog more little and often from now on. I have ordered a couple of books Knitknit: Profiles and Projects from Knitting's New Wave and also Favorite Socks by Ann Bud so will hopefully be able to tell you more about these next post.

Mid September already!

Crikey, where has this year gone, I can't believe it is three weeks since I last posted and unfortunately have very little knitting to show. Work has been busy again, and with the glorious weather we've been having lately it has almost been too warm to get the needles clicking.... I know, excuses excuses, I really do need to get my act together and get something finished to wear, this weather is bound to change over the next few weeks and then I shall be complaining about having no woollies to wear and since I have taken up knitting again, I seem to get a dreadful guilty feeling about buying them ready made, as they are just not the same are they?

All is not been too bad though, as I have finished one of the Tidal Wave socks I was making from the STR Silkie Yarn, I am really pleased with the result, the sock itself has a lovely snug fit, and is just so silky and soft. I love it so much I can't wait to get it's mate finished so I can wear them :)

I actually finished this, whilst at the hospital on Thursday waiting for the dermatologist appointment. I guessed I'd be waiting for a long time, so I took this with me, as I really did not fancy one of those celebrity magazines available to buy in the Hospital Newsagent showing J-Lo's armpits or "How to have the figure of the latest WAG by simply drinking a glass of lemon juice and eating a quarter of an apple every four hours" Urgh!!! Everything went well with the consultant, who after a bit of poking and pulling diagnosed the blemish to be something called a Venous Lake, apparently completely harmless and is caused by damage from the sun which causes the blood vessels to dilate.

Unfortunately, there is very little they can do to remove it at this stage, as one option would require several laser treatments over a period of time and to surgically remove it would quite likely leave a huge scar looking even worse, than it is now, as it is not giving me any problems at the moment, and is still fairly small it would be best to wait and see if it changes, or starts to get irritated, then I would need to go back and start the laser treatment. I left the hospital, armed with leaflets on how to prevent further sun damage, and what signs to look out for, something I must admit I have been fairly stupidly ignorant off up until now. So I was told this was a warning and I will alter my ways in the future. When I got home I did look Venous Lake up on the Internet and felt rather shocked to read that it usually only occurs in the elderly :( So now I'm making sure I slap on plenty of suncream before I go out in the sun.

Last post I mention further purchases I had made and was waiting to arrive, one of which is a fabulous Kim Hargreaves kit Harmony in her Out of the Shadows collection




I first saw this on Queen of the Froggers blog, I loved it so much that I just had to order one, the yarn used for this kit is Rowan Summer Tweed and the colour I chose for this is Puff, This is one of the shades in the sale and I just love grabbin a bargain. There are still some left I believe so if you are interested, head over there





The kit is super and contains everything you need apart from needles. I am planning to start this early next year, ready for the spring. nothing like planning ahead and I really would like to be one of those people who manage to organise their knitting, so they always have the right thing knitted ready for the right season. although lately with our weather I'm not sure whether seasons actually exist anymore.



Talking of bargains, I managed to win Ten balls of Ribbon Twist on ebay for £17.00 ;) that just works out at £1.70 per ball, big difference to the price I paid in Yarn a few weeks ago, this shade is 119, which is called Rascal, a lovely cream colour with pink and blue ribbon, I've not decided what to make with this yet, but there are plenty of patterns I like in The Ribbon Twist Collection, so I shouldn't have too much trouble deciding...





The fourth kit of STR has arrived also, This is actually my least favourite out of all of them so far, the pattern is called Summer of Love and is like a lacy ankle sock to be worn with sandals, unfortunately although the pattern is very pretty, this is not me at all, as I prefer sandals definitely without socks. I will however use the yarn for something else, it is not a colourway I would have chosen, but I do kinda like it as it is quite bright with a good mixture of colours including magenta and turquoise.



But as I still have not even finished the second kit yet, and I have plenty of other things to keep me busy in the meantime , I am not in too much of a rush to decide what to make;) So I'll see you next time with a hopeful progress report on the Sublime Lacy cardigan. Have a good week :)

Sunny Bank Holiday

Shhhh.... I don't want to say it to loudly, but we've actually got some sun on a bank holiday weekend, quite rare for the U.K. but fabulous, I had a lovely day Saturday, as DB and I went to Sutton on Sea again on the Harley, It was busy enough, but not as busy as you would expect on a bank holiday. We had Fish and chips, traditional seaside fare, and a walk along the beech followed by a Ice cream, I think the poor bike was groaning a bit on the way back though;)

We also had a barbecue at DB parent's yesterday, first one we've had this year, so it made a nice change and really felt the smell of summer... Tess of course was happy, in her element with sausages, burgers and steak on the offering and had lots of fun in the garden playing with the hosepipe and her ball afterwards!

Thank you for all your well wishes, regarding my lip. Your comments really do mean a lot and make things not seem so bad, you are all such lovely nice people. although the lump has not got any smaller it has not got any worse either and it seems a lot less irritated than it was, although I was a bit disappointed as my appointment with dermatologist has been changed and is now on the 13th September instead of the 5th, so another week of waiting and although I am not usually superstitious I can't help feeling relieved that the 13th falls on a Thursday and not a Friday, and at least something positive can be done and hopefully he'll be able to remove it with little trouble.

There's not been much knitting been done over the last fortnight, but I've made a few purchases. Whilst in Yarn, there was a sale, but not much left unfortunately when I got there, as I didn't know they were having one. I did see some Ribbon Twist in the sale though, another Rowan yarn, sadly now discontinued. I was rather disappointed that they did not have enough of any particular shade in the sale to make Beth, a winter jumper I have been wanting for to make for ages now. So I did ask them to order me some in the shade Riches,




As this wasn't in their sale, I thought I would have to pay full price, but they deducted £7.50 off for the ten balls, so I was really pleased. Also while I was there I picked up a copy of the new Vogue, this is really an excellent bumper issue, with lots of good stuff, as they are celebrating 25 years. So Happy Birthday to Vogue Knitting!



After seeing the gorgeous Cherry Tree Hill, Louet Gems on Roxy's blog, I just had to go and order some, these are in the shade Blueberry Hill, the colours are gorgeous and jewel like. Thank you for the link Roxy



There are just so many gorgeous shades to choose from, I can see more of these being added to my stash very soon.

The fourth STR kit will hopefully arrive very soon, I've been avoiding blogland over the last few days, so I really do not know what the kit will this time, I'm kinda hoping it's not going to be lacy like the grasshopper pattern, that came with second kit. I've been struggling to find an alternative to use with that yarn Walking on Wild Tide, the yarn is so beautiful, lovely colours and so soft, nothing seemed right, I tried several, but they turned out either to big, or the lace didn't show the yarn's at its best. So I finally settled on Tidal Wave, which was the original idea I had after seeing the one's on Curly Brunette's blog. Thank you CB for the link, I love the pattern, fabulous with both written instructions and a diagram and the pattern is so simple to memorise anyway. The pattern for this is a free one from The South West Trading Company. Here is the progress so far I'm just up to the start of the heel flap.



The only other knitting I have done, is this simple trainer/ankle sock. The yarn used is Regia Cotton Color Shade 4183, a bargain I won on eBay for 99p It was only for one 50gram ball, that's why I am making it into just a pair of basic trainer socks, as I don't think I would have enough yarn for a normal pair. but as I mostly wear trainers at weekends, they'll be perfect and you probably couldn't buy a pair cheaper ready made anywhere either.

I've have also made a few other purchases, but I'm still waiting for them to arrive, so I shall put those in the next post. I feel like a little squirrel, building a hoard for the winter time, but that's what we knitter's like doing best.