So true!

What Kind of Reader Are You? Your Result: Dedicated Reader You are always trying to find the time to get back to your book. You are convinced that the world would be a much better place if only everyone read more.
Obsessive-Compulsive Bookworm
Literate Good Citizen
Book Snob
Fad Reader
Non-Reader
What Kind of Reader Are You? Create Your Own Quiz

This is so true, I am truly addicted to reading!

Stranded

So I joined the Stranded and have been searching for the perfect project, something that I can get to start over the holiday peroid (i.e. something from the UK and not something that has to travel overseas at the busiest time of year). Someone must have heard my desparate pleas as I have found the perfect project in the new Knitty - corazon, pink and white stranded mittens with a heart inspired fair isle pattern. I immediately phoned my mum and she is getting the yarn and needles for my for xmas - gotta love the mum! I am not going to be using the stated yarn for two reasons, one i wanted a really soft yarn and having used this before its not that soft and secondly,I couldn't find the colours, so I am trying a new yarn. It is by Sublime, a reasonably new company whose yarn I've yet to use, and is the Baby Cashhmere Merino Silk DK in Vanilla and Piglot. I have looked at these yarns before but they colours are very muted and subdued which isn't something I've been looking for in previous projects but for this it looks perfect.

After three attempts I have given up on the Swallowtail Shawl for now, until at least I go to my Mums and photocopy and enlarge the charts. However, having seen Piglottie's Forest Canopy Shawl in a Rowan Tweed 4ply (a similar yarn to the Rowanspun 4ply i was going to use for the Swallowtail) I think I will use the Rowanspun to make myself a Forest Canopy Shawl. I have 5 x 25g so will make it slightly larger like Piglottie's.

Hope everyone is having a good run up to the festivities. If I can persuade Karl we may well get the decorations out this weekend!

Unfortunately Mrs Bobs babies didn't survive - we are not sure why but in her infinite wisdom she ate them. I know it gross but is actually quite common. We believe it is probably because she was such a young mother that she couldn't look after them. Although we didn't intially plan on breeding her and Mr Bob we have decided that in the new year we will probably try again. We did however complain to the pet store that i bough them from saying how we bought them as two males and they gave us a FREE cage, and not just any old cage any cage we wanted - after some deliberation we went for the Rotastak Creepy Castle. We already have one of these with two of our roborovski's in, but as we already had all the other rotastaks they had Karl chose the Creepy Castle (probably because parts of it glow in the dark)

I have been busy knitting my Xmas gifts. I completed the second of my stepdads bed socks and also managed to finish my mums hat. I also completed another two washcloths. FO pictures soon.

So whats left:

• gloves for mum (to match hat and scarf)
• Sock for stepdad (father and son socks form IK Fall 06)
• Second bed sock for mum
• Washcloths
• Lavender bathbombs

I can't see it being a problem as I can knit up until xmas eve, what is worrying me however is that the yarn for my Shetland Shawl will arrive very soon and it is going to take alot of willpower to not cast on and knit that instead.

I received an e-mail today saying that the Sock Hop yarn I ordered has been despatched. I can't wait for it to arrive. I plan on using two of the skeins to make a pair of RPMs.

Whilst reading socks-for-mum I learnt about Stranded - the colorwork challenge. I had been thinking about learning colorwork as one of my new years resolutions and this is just the help I need. I joined up right away. I am looking for a simple beginners pattern, something small like socks, mittens or a hat. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know. I have my eye on the Fiesta Mittens and I love all of these Red Bird Knits socks. I found the Red Bird Knits website today, they have the most wonderful sock patterns. Talking of colourwork there is lovely free pattern for a hat over on brooklyntweed. This is definetely on my to-do list.

The rain appears to have quitened down now so I shall try to get some sleep before Uni tomorrow and 3hrs of genetics. I feel a LARGE eggnog latte with extra shot being needed.

FO's and xmas knitting

I have my camara back and I have FO's and wips

Firstly the thing I'm most proud of...

Pattern: Forest Canopy Shawl
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Blackwatch
Needles: Addi Bamboo circs 4.5mm
Modifications: added 2 extra repeats.

Close-up of stitich pattern

I've also made a couple washcloths to go with the homemade lavender soap (now curing) and the homemade lavender bathbombs (to be made this weekend) which will be given to females family and friends for xmas.

I have made a dent in the xmas sock knittin (although the list is far shorter than before due to deciding to make soap). I have completed one of each the bedsocks for my Mum and Stepdad and have two pairs of normal socks to add to this.

Hamster Babies & Books

I was planning on a nice photoladen post today but...the hamster appears to have gone into labour, so now is not the best time to start with the flash photography. However, I did find this here and it seemed kinda interesting.

1. Copy & paste.
2. Bold the ones you’ve read.
3. Add four recent reads to the end.
4. Tag!

The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
The Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger
The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy - Douglas Adams
The Great Gatsby - F.Scott Fitzgerald - on to read list
To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee on to read list
The Time Traveler’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger (this sounds so good too)
His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman (movie soon too!)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter 6) - J.K. Rowling
Life of Pi - Yann Martel
Animal Farm: A Fairy Story - George Orwell
Catch-22 - Joseph Heller
The Hobbit - J. R. R. Tolkien (lort trilogy though)
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
Lord of the Flies - William Golding
Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
1984 - George Orwell
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Book 3) - J.K. Rowling
One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez - on to read list
Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Book 4) - J.K. Rowling
The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter 5) - J.K. Rowling
Slaughterhouse 5 - Kurt Vonnegut
Angels and Demons - Dan Brown
Fight Club - Chuck Palahniuk
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Book 1) - J.K. Rowling
Neuromancer - William Gibson
Cryptonomicon - Neal Stephenson (i own it and have lent it to 2 of my friends. i still haven’t though)
The Secret History - Donna Tartt
A Clockwork Orange - Anthony Burgess
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Book 2) - J.K. Rowling
Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
Brave New World - Aldous Huxley - on to read list
American Gods - Neil Gaiman
Ender’s Game (The Ender Saga) - Orson Scott Card
Snow Crash - Neal Stephenson
A Prayer for Owen Meany - John Irving
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - C.S. Lewis
Middlesex - Jeffrey Eugenides - read 1/3 then lost the book and never got back to it
Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell - on to read list
The Lord of the Rings - J. R. R. Tolkien
Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
Good Omens - Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman
Atonement - Ian McEwan
The Shadow Of The Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
The Old Man and the Sea - Ernest Hemingway
The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood
The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
Dune - Frank Herbert
The Unberable Lightness of Being - Milan Kundera
Hey Nostradamus! - Douglas Coupland
The Nature of Blood - Caryl Phillips
Children Playing Before a Statue of Hercules -Ed. David Sedaris
I Know This Much is True - Wally Lamb
Empire Falls - Richard Russo
American Pharaoh: Mayor Richard J. Daley - Adam Cohen & Elizabeth Taylor
Devil in the White City - Erik Larson

Anna Karenin - Leo Tolstoy
The Hound of the Baskervilles - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
The Highest Tide - Jim Lynch
44 Scotland Street- Alexander Mcall Smith

I didn't realise how many books I had read, although I average a novel a fortnight it always surprises when I actually think about the amount of books of I have read, especially as there is probably twice as many again that I just haven't had the time or opportunity to read.

Tomorrow I plan to make my first batch of handmade soap, and I have ordered the ingredients to make bath bombs too. All the femalesin my family will be receiving lavender soap, lavender bath bomb and a purple washcloth. Luckily I won't see then until after xmas as the soap will only just be cured in time for xmas. Oh well, lets hope it will be worth the wait.

I'm off to go see what exactly is happening in the hamster cage.

This meme can only be answered with one word, something I found interesting.

1. Yourself: Achey
2. Your Boyfriend/girlfriend (spouse): non-exsistent
3. Your Hair: cut
4. Your Mother: brilliant
5. Your Father: b******d
6. Your Favorite Item: hamsters
7. Your Dream Last Night: weird
8. Your Favorite drink: diet coke
9. Your Dream Car: BMW
10. The Room You Are In: Lounge
11. Your Ex: here
12. Your Fear: needles
13. What You Want To Be In 10 Years? alive
14. Who You Hung Out With Last Night? karl
15. What You're Not: tired
16. Muffins: apple
17. One Of Your Wish List Items: laptop
18. Time: 00.34
19. The Last Thing You Did: knitting
20. What You Are Wearing: PJs
21. Your Favorite Weather: autumn
22. Your Favorite Book: Pride & Prejudice
23. The Last Thing You Ate: cake
24. Your Life: bizzare
25. Your Mood: restless
26. Your Best Friend: mum
27. What Are You Thinking About Right Now? sqeauk
28. Your Car: none
29. What Are You Doing At The Moment? popcorn
30. Your Summer: boring
31. Your Relationship Status: single
32. What is on your TV? nothing
33. What is the weather like? windy
34. When is the last time you laughed? earlier
35. Who do you tag? uh?

off to watch film. Have camara back and 3 fo's and 3 wips to show tomorrow as well as some stash and pics of new hammies.

Sorry about the absence but I've had a really busy time of it and its completely taken it out of me, the good news is that I have finally got my referral to a CFS/ME clinic, the bad news is they have a HUGE waiting list (what surprise) and they want me to have more bloods done. Me and needles (unless they are of the knitting variety) don't mix. Luckily my GP surgery is understanding and willing to help me. I say help me, the doctor prescribes me Emla cream (anyone with young children who have had to have blood test probably know this well) and some mild sedatives. I know this isn't the best way but it works, so for now it will have to do.

I'm making steady progress in the shawl but not much else. I realised that with the upheaval of the past month I was not going to get my xmas knitting completed, so have thought about other handmade gifts. I have been researching soap-making. There appears to be two camps, the melt n pour and the actual making from scratch. I like the idea of the later best but am unsure about time scales, and whetherit would be done my xmas, there is also more to go wrong with the actual making. I have found a good on-line store that has starter kits of melt n pour, soap-making and bath bomb making. I am very tempted to get these as I do still have some money left over from my birthday. I was thinking a handmade soap or bathbomb with a handknitted washcloth would make a nice gift. I have very sensitive and dry skin so I think it may be beneficial to me to be able to make soaps tailored to my skin, as at the moment I use great stuff but it is far from cheap.
I promise that if I do branch out in my crafts I will stay with the knitting, its not like you can make soap on the bus or in bed.

I have signed up for a couple more swaps, both on swap-bot, the first is a little of everything swap #2, which involves sending a given number of items in a jiffy bag, incl. CD, something handcrafted, a recipe and something scented among other things. The other is knitting and coffee, after the success of knitter tea swap and hot socks I was really pleased to find this. I'm hoping I get an international pal as I was given some Millstone Raspberry n Cream coffee recently and was most upset that that they don't distribute or ship to UK. I particularly like that they sell small packets.

I had a sort out of my stash earlier and have two new future projects I'm looking into making. First is the Cloud Bolero, the free pattern from Yarn Forward designed by Ysolda. I have the right amount of Rowan Plaid in Creeper (this originally purchased to make a long cable scarf but I like the idea of the pattern better), the second is from WrapStyle, using Freedom Spirit DK. I absolutely love this yarn but most patterns are knit so the stripes are horizontal however this pattern is knitted so the stripes of the yarn are vertical. Being of above average size I don't like to wear horizontal stripes as they accentuate what is already too big for my liking.

Any comments on the best soap-making sites etc are greatly appreciated.

I saw this meme on indieknits and thought i'd have a go

1. Flip to page 18, paragraph 4 in the book closest to you right now, what does it say? In some diseases such as Reye's syndrome and alcoholic liver disease, the mitichondria can be enlarged and have abnormal shapes.
2. If you stretch out your left arm - as far as possible, what are you touching? Karls PC.
3. What’s the last program you watched on tv? Holby City (its just finished)
4. Without looking, guess what time it is. About 9.10pm - acutally is 9.19pm, not bad
5. Except the computer, what can you hear right now? The extractor fan in the kitchen,
6. When was the last time you were outside and what did you do? Yesterday, I took the rubbish out.
7. What are you wearing? PJ's
8. Did you dream last night? If you did, what about? I vaguely remember having a bad dream but can't remember what it was about.
9. When was the last time you laughed? Just now, I came down to dish dinner up only to find that Karl had taken the hotpot out of the oven, brushed it with melted butter and then left it on the side. He honestly believed that he had put it back into the oven. Plonker!
10. What’s on the walls, in the room you’re in right now? 2 lights
11. Have you seen anything strange lately? Only the hamsters being stupid
12. What do you think about this meme? Bizare but interesting
13. What’s the last film you saw? Karl watched The Punisher last night and I happened to be knitting in the same room, so I suppose I watched it. The last film I watched through choice was The Last Samurai
14. If you became a multimillionaire, what would you do with the money? Buy a house, go on safari and make sure all my family were happy
15. Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know I was born with a heart condition
16. If you could change ONE THING in this world, without regarding politics or bad guilt - what would it be? Ensure buses ran on time, esp in the morning
17. Do you like dancing? Yes
18. George Bush? no comment
19. What do you want your children’s names to be, girl/boy? Girl - Abaigeal Jane; Boy- Thomas Edward
20. Would you ever consider living abroad? Maybe
21. What do you want God to tell you, when you come to heaven? Thats I was early and to go back
22. Who should do this meme? Anyone with the time and inclination

Lacevember

Over at Lacevember theres a questionaire ot anser on your blog and if you do , you could win a prize so here's mine

The knitting questions, or the usual suspects
How long have you been knitting? Properly and regularly for about 11 months, I got a 'knit your own scarf kit' for xmas last year
How did you learn to knit? Originally my Mum taught me when I was 9 and I was awful, she has alot pf patience but even she gave up. She now admits that she realised I just wasn't meant to knit but now she comes to me for knitting advice. Bizarre!
Favorite thing about knitting? I have to take regular schedules rests because of my chronic fatigue syndrome (during which I'm ot suppose to sleep) so knitting relaxes me during these, plus I love that its a hobby that is creative and productive. You actually have something of use at the end.
How long have you been knitting lace? Not long, I've only a pair of lace socks and a lace scarf (feather and fan) and am currently working on my first shawl. As yet I haven't used any laceweight yarn but I do have some for a future project.
Favorite thing about knitting lace? Being a student I use my brain alot studying and although 'mindless' knitting is fun sometimes I need to use my brain and lace knitting allows me to do that. Plus it looks so beautiful when finished, something to be REALLY proud of.
The yarn questions, or flash your stash
Favorite lace yarn? I have some Soup Dragon Lace weight 50% cashmere 50% silk from Get Knitted in my stash and can't wait to use it.
variegated or solids for shawls? either, although only subtle variations for shawls.
Favorite lace color? Pale varigated, although I'm loving the LL's blackwatch colourway I'm using to make a shawl for my mu.
Technique, or show us your skillz
Circs or straights? Circs and bambo circs at that.
Favorite lace knitting trick? More of an aid but I can't use charts so I write each row down on seperate index card, punch a hole in the top and tie them loosely together with thread then use that as I flip book so I can keep my place. Not really MY trick as it was mentioned in the intro to the Forest Canopy Shawl. Great idea though.
Lifelines? If so with what? Oh yes lifelines, I use crochet cotton as its thin and smooth, visible and cheap.
Fancy blocking wires, or just sewing pins stuck in your carpet? Ideally blocking wires but as they are not readily available in the UK (in fact I only know of one supplier over here) I have to make do with pins everywhere.
Pattern, or can you follow directions
shawls or lacey items? Either, variety is the spice of life as they say.
triangle, rectangle, or circular shawls? I have only (part) knit a triangluar shawl and really love the traingel shape. I may knit a different shape in futue but it would be a gift as I much prefer triangles.
Charts or printed instructions? Printed instructions (see lace trick above)
Favorite lace you've knit? I'm really loving my first shawl at the moment
Favorite lace you want to knit? My next two projects will be Shetland Triangle from WrapStyle and Swallowtail Shawl from IK Fall 06.
Just Fun, yup that's right, just for fun
Favorite jelly belly flavor? The red cinnamon one that no-one likes but eats coz they think its cherry
Tell me everything you know about Eric the Red..... Who? the Eric I can think of with a relationship to red is the ex-Man Utd footballer Eric Catona (pls leave comments to enlighten me)
Coke, classic or with lime? Neither, Diet Coke (with vanilla)
Holiday carols, sing along, or wish they would be banned from all public airwaves? Banned until Decemebr 1st then bring 'em on!
What is the definition of irony? Not that used in the Alanis Morrisette song!
How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop? Whats a tootsie roll!
Why is my cat always puking in front of my son's bedroom door? Because your son feed's the cat treats/sweets/godknowswhat when no-ones looking
What is your superhero power? Knowing things about your house and cat. lol
If the laundry is 9 foot by 11 foot (just dreaming, that's a big laundry room), and the walls are 8 feet tall, and you are going to tile the entire room in tiles that are 3 inches by 5 inches, what color should those tiles be? white
What's for dinner tonight? Liver and bacon casserole with mashed pototoes and stemed veg.
What is clogging my children's bathtub drain? Hair, its what clogs mine

btw I received my prize yarn today. I am scouring all the sock patterns i have to find the perfect pattern for this yarn, I also recieved the pink ribbon yarn which is being used to make my mum some pink ribbon socks.

I heard from KMKS pal today. They seem really nice so it looks like another great swap happening.

The cutest smallest baby cardigan was completed (minus buttons) last night and handed over this evening. It is so small and tiny and took just under 50g Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino. It was a basic top-down raglan cardigan, which believe it or not was the first time I'd knitted something that way. Having been sucessful with a mini-version I defintely plan on making something 'proper' size that way. I have been looking at Glampyre's Easy V-neck Raglan for a while now. I just can't decide what yarn I want to use, I've been thinking about Colinette One Zero, but am unsure on colour as I liked so many.

I have discovered a 'new' (well atleast to me) TV series to knit to. As yet I haven't sucumbed to the Grey's Anatomy trend but only because we can't the channel where we live (i plan on buying the dvd as soon as I get some money) Anyway, the new tv series, I was looking to buy Season 1 of Medium on DVD yesterday but it wasn't in stock, however Season 1 of Bones was. It ticked all the boxes, crime - check, science - check, David Boreanaz - Check. I thought after Angel I would never see him again. I sat up and watched the first 4 episodes and LOVE it. It is something I could watch over and over.

I must dash as am feeling tired and have to go into university tomorrow morning, hopefully I can get back my camara and post promised photos.

Knit Mitt Kit Swap Questions

What are your favorite colors? Pink and purple, but i'm really into browns, creams, greens and burnt oranges this autumn as well.
Are you a new mitt knitter? I've never knit a complete mitt, only fingerless mitts, but I plan on making some complete mitts soon
How long have you been knitting mittens? I've been knitting for a just under a year and made my first fingerless mitt around march this year.
Do you prefer solid or multicolored yarn? I like both, it depends on the pattern. I love variagted yarn but sometimes solid is needed to show off the pattern.
What fibers do you prefer in mitten yarn? Anything natural and warm, except mohair and angora as I am allergic. I not only get a rash but in great quantities I have a mild asthma attack. I am fine with alpaca though.
Where do you usually knit mittens? I do most of my knitting in front of the TV, snuggles up on or in bed. Although I can be seen knitting whilst bored at uni.
How do you usually carry/store small projects? I have a tin from the Knit Tin or I use a make-up bag. (minus make-up of course)
What are your favorite mitten patterns? I love Tua Cha, and can;t wait to cast on Fetching. I haven't really explored patterns for full mittens yet.
What are your favorite mitten knitting techniques? I love cables, and knit in the round on dpns.
What new techniques would you like to try? Making proper warm mittens, and maybe thrumming. I've seen this technique briefly, it looks interesting and very warm.
What are your favorite needles for knitting mittens? I always use bamboo or wooden needles as I suffer from joint and muscle pains. My faves are Brittany Birch but i'm not fussed.
What are some of your favorite yarns? I'm really into Cashmerino at the moment after making a pair of bed socks out of it, so soft and squishy and so warm.
What yarn do you totally covet? Sugar n Cream (not available in UK) and Socks that Rock (again not readily aviable in UK). I have a reasonably small stash and I'm still quite new to knitting so I like to be introduced to new yarns, especially those that aren't readily available in UK.
Any pattern you would love to make if money and time were no object? If money were no object Stitch Diva Simple Knitted Bodice using Tilli Thomas Pure Silk and Rock Star. If time were no object probably a huge cabled throw - similar to the one in IK fall '06.
Favorite kind of needles (brand, materials, straights or circs, etc)? I use straights, circs and dpns depending on project but as mentioned bamboo or wood. Brittany Birch are my striaghts/dpns of choice whereas Addi bamboo circs are my circs of choice.
If you were a specific kind of yarn, which brand and kind of yarn would you be? I would have to be sock yarn from the Yarn Yard in Puzzle - purely because I won a skein and I NEVER win anything. It is a myriad of cool calming blue colours but with a name Puzzle you know nothing will be straightforward.
Do you have a favorite candy or mail-able snack? I'm an absolute chocoholic. but anything sweet is fine by me. I also LOVE Jelly Bellys.
What’s your favorite animal? Polar Bear
Would you prefer super warm mittens or something more like fingerless mitts? Probably something superwarm as I have various pairs on fingerless and it is beginning to get cold here in UK now.
If you were a color what color would you be? I don't think I could be just one colour, I have too many differetn aspects to me. Is it cheating to say a rainbow.
What is your most inspiring image, flower, or object in nature? The human body in general inspires me. I find the workings of it amazing and the picture in Life by Lennart Nilsson totally inspire me.
Do you have a wishlist? Yes, with amazon and angel yarns
Anything else you’d like to share with the group today? I am really looking foward to taking part in this swap!

regular wips on hold..

I am now on a mission to see howm any newborn baby cardigans I can make before sunday. As mentioned in yesterdays post my little nephew came into the world a little small, he wasn't premature just ickle. Myself and my mum are now busy knitting away so little harvey has some small clothes to wear. 've found a couple of basic patterns on-line and did about 1/3rd of one last night. I'm hoping to complete two my sunday. If anyone knows of any nice, free baby patterns for cardigans and jumpers could you leave a comment with a link. I have an abundance of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino so he's going to be a lucky boy with very squishy clothes.

I ordered my first issue of IK a while ago (fall 06) and it arrived today. I had never seen a copy before and really wanted to make the swallowtail shawl so thought that was a good issue to get - I can now see why so many people rave about it. It is fantastic, so many great patterns - i had been trying to find a nice masculine sock pattern for a while and the Father & Son socks are just perfect.

For all you swap addicts out there, there is a new one open for sign-ups, themed around winter, Winter Wonderland Swap and dishcloths. It seems like fun to me.

Hopefully my camara will be back with me on monday so you can all laugh at our halloween/birthday antics. I really must go as I can hear the Eastenders theme music starting...

oops!

So I fell at the first post...but I am going to give myself another chance as it was my birthday. I want to say Thank-You to everyone who has sent me birthday wishes. I will get round to sending you all personal thanks eventually.
I had a great time on halloween and had a lovely meal with my family yesterday. I'm afraid I have no photos as my camara is still at my friends house but as soon as I get it back I promise fancy dress pics.
I have two lots of good news (one sligthly more important than the other) my stepsister had a baby boy on Halloween (just he was born 11.45pm) he is to be called Harvey. THe next not so important but still great news is that I have won some sock yarn. I entered a comp at the yarn yard and received an e-mail yesterday saying my number had been drawn out. It is a site that i've only recently found but they do some great hand-dyed/hand-painted yarn. They have just started a sock club and also have a charity yarn each month. Last month was breast cancer (the yarn was pink surprise surprise) and this month the charity is Everyman with a nice masculine hand-painted yarn. Perfect for making that man in your life some socks etc for xmas.
I finally received my copy of Yarn Forward and had a flick through it earlier. I am really impressed and look forward to reading it properly as well as deciding on what pattern i'm going to try first.
Well, I'm back opf to bed as I still can't shake this cold and what with the brithday festibities over the last two days/night I've probably made it worse. I kinda expected this to happen, its one of the downsides of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, most of the time I'm ok but if I stretch myself beyond my normal routine I pay for it for a couple of days. But as its was my birthday and my 30th at that I decided it would be worth the pain.

NaBloPoMo

National Blog Posting Month - its a really cool idea, an alternative to national novel writing month. So I had better get my thinking hat on, as I am going to post everyday in Novemeber. For more info go here.

Your Birthdate: November 1

You are a natural born leader, even if those leadership talents haven't been developed yet. You have the power and self confidence to succeed in life, and your power grows daily. Besides power, you also have a great deal of creativity that enables you to innovate instead of fail. You are a visionary, seeing the big picture instead of all of the trivial little details. Your strength: Your supreme genius Your weakness: Your inappropriate sensitivity Your power color: Gold Your power symbol: Star Your power month: January

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

I saw this over on Caught Knitting and it seemed kind of relevant.

I received yet another parcel the other day, a birthday parcel from my SP9. Being the dap that I am a deleted my inbox the other day and don't have her e-mail, so SP9 if you're there please e-mail me and thank-you for my birthday present!

I received two balls of sock yarn in lovely deep autumnal colours. The photo doesn't do them justice they are deep burgendy/brown with pinky highlights in one and multicoloured highlights in the other. I also got two Yankee Candles, one cranberry and one pumpkin and some Lindt Lindor Halloween ltd edition - not in photo as I ate them. They were very yummy!

So, I posted about all the parcels i've received not really about the knitting i've been doing so I guess now is time for a WIP/FO update.
I completed my first toe-ups last night. I am really pleased with them.

Pattern:
Plain Toe-Up Socks
Yarn: Lana Grossa Cotton Fantasy 4ply Sock (shade 813)
Needles: Bamboo 2.5mm dpns
Modifications: I made these into short ankle socks

I also completed Denmark from Nancy Bush's Knitting on the Road. I love this pattern and will definetly be making more. The pattern is pretty easy but looks fab!

Pattern: Denmark from Knitting on the Road by Nancy Bush

Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino

Needles: Brittany Birch 3.25mm

I finished my scarf to send to my ISE 3 pal. This took longer than I expected to knit but once I was over half way it seemed to go quicker. The worst thing about this was blocking, as I had never blocked lace before.

My Mum kept asked for a matching scarf, hat and gloves set for xmas. I have completed the scarf and have cast on for the hat. I am using Twilleys Freedom Spirit and pattern book that goes with it.

Pattern: Multi-directional Scarf from Twilleys Freedom SpiritYarn: Twilleys Freedom Spirit - AirNeedles: Bamboo 4mm

As can be seen I've been pretty busy, I have three projects on the needles at the moment.

Forest Canopy Shoulder Shawl

Whitewater wristwarmers
Jaywalkers

I'm hoping this post looks ok as blogger was playing up and I had upload my photos to photobucket and them link to them. I'm not sure how much knitting is going to be happening over the next few days as it will be my birthday. I am off to my friends tomorrow who is holding a birthday/halloween party for me so expect some bizare photos of us all dressed up in our fancy dress.

Swap Parcels

International Scarf Exchange 3

I received a gorgeous red and navy alpaca scarf along with some yummy chocolates. I am eagerly awaiting the colder weather now so I can wear this oh-so-soft scarf. Thank-you!!!

Knitters Tea Swap 2

Where to being...I was spoiled by Miss Priss Knits and spoiled I was with both tea and knitting content. Thank you. the parcel was perfect!

The tea content

Adagio Ingenuitea, Mug, Adagio teas (golden monkey, oriental spice & vanilla), tropical tea bags. I have very quickly become dependent on the Adagio Ingeuitea and wonder how I managed without one. I have tried the teas and they are really nice, esp the Oriental Spice. I will defintely being ordering from their website.

The knitting content

knitting magazine, stitich makers, sugar n cream yarn ( 4 balls, 2 pink variagated and two green), bamboo needles, (pics of later to follow). To make it even more perfect one of the sugar n cream ballband patterns was for a tea cozy, so I think I have to make one.

and legendary Jelly Bellys, I love these but they are just soooo expensive in the UK.

Hot Socks

As you can tell my postie has been very busy. I received another gorgeous parcel in the Hot Socks swap which was Laura's first time as hostess. Well done Laura and thanks for a great swap.

This parcel reminds me of autumn, the lovely deep jewel tones of the yarn and the sublime warming smell of the tea. I have yet to try it as there is only so mcuh tea one girl can drink and recently i've been inundated. But if it tastes as good as it smells i'll be in heaven. I just love cinnamon.

more sp9 questions

I came across these whilst reading Needleplay (but believe they originated here) so thought i'd play along...

1. Where is your fave knitting spot? On (or in) my bed, watching TV or a good film
2. If you could suddenly never knit again, what would you do instead? You mean apart from going insane, probably learn to spin or leanr to play an instrument.
3. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? This is a tricky one as it is a tie between Russia and Kenya. I'd love to go out to Kenya and work with the wild animals on the nature reserves, but i'd also love to visit Russia as I studied Russian History for my history A level and would love to visit the places I learnt about.
4. When you were little, what did you want to do when you grew up? Are you doing it? I knew I wanted to go to university and (eventually) I got there. I didn't have one specific thing, which is probably why I have drifted around in my employment. At the moment I refuse to make plans and will just see where I drift.
5. What is your fave flavour of ice-cream? cookies and cream

SP9 contest answers

Shelby has set a little contest and asked us to list some favourites, so here goes

Actor - Matt Damon
Actress - Audrey Hepburn
Animal - Polar Bear
Band - don't have one but fave singer is Beth Orton
Book - Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Bubble Bath - Liz Earle Orange Flower Botanical Body Wash, used as bubble bath
Candy - Cadburys Whole Nut
Color - Pink
Drink - Diet Coke
Flower - Lavender
Food - Roast beef, yorkshire pudding, roast pots etc
Lip Balm - Liz Earle Superbalm
Lotion - Liz Earle Botanical Body Cream
Movie - Breakfast at Tiffany's
Place - my bed
Song - Beautiful - Christina Aguilera
TV Show - Medium
Yarn - Cherry Tree Hill Supersock merino
Vacation Spot - Ireland

My life as I knew it has completely gone. I split from my boyf last friday and am still coming to terms with it. We remain friends which is a good thing as we are still living together at the moment. I am on a mission to find a new home but three weeks into the academic year is not the best time to find decent student accomodation. Since this bombshell, knitting has been miminal. I have nearly completed my ISE3 scarf, it should be done in the next few days, and I have frogged my first toe-ups once and after finding another mistake last night they will frogged again. I think I will change to widdershins as I am finding Baudealaire a bit tricky and with all that has happened my brain really needs a simplet knit. I turned the heel on my first jaywalker last night so that should be finished by the end of the weekend.

I recieved my SP9 spoliee and have made contact. I am really looking forward to spoiling them and have plenty of treats in mind. I am really pleased with who I have been given as I am aware of her blog and she seems really nice. My SP9 spolier has made contact so things are going well. I am just awaiting one more thing for my KTS2 pal to arrive then it's off to the post office with that. I recieved my ISE3 scarf the other day and it is so lovely. The softest I've ever felt. Pics to follow.

I had better get back to work as I have an assignment to finish for uni.

Socktoberfest Questions

So, everyone joining in with Socktoberfest is posting the questions set by Lolly, so I will too.

When did you start knitting socks? Did you tech yourself or were you taught by friend or relative or in a class?
I started knitting socks at the beginning of this year. I had re-learnt to knit at xmas and after looking on web discovered sock knitting and thought I'd have a go. I got yarn, dpns and pattern and the rest is history as they say

What was your first pair? How have they 'held' over time?
My first pair were knitted using 2.5mm dpns, Opal Dreamcatcher yarn and a basic top-down stockinette stitch pattern with a heel flap and grafted toe.
I nearly wore them today but could only find one. I will take a photo to post later (at uni at the mo')

What would you have done differently?
Nothing really, they fit well and I do wear them so as a first sock they are fine.

What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?
I really enjoyed knitting with Cherry Tree Hill Supersock. It has such a lovely texture and is so comfy to wear. My fave socks at the mo are my DB Cashmerino socks knitted using Denmark from Knitting on the Road by Nancy Bush, they are my bed socks so so squishy and warm.

Do you like to knit or crochet your sock?
Knit

Do you knit on DPNs, 2 circs or magic loop?
DPNs, I taught myself on these and get on fine with this method so haven't seen the point in learning something new. Maybe at some point I will learn the other techniques but I'm fine with DPNs at the moment.

What heel do you prefer?
I've only knitted socks with a heel flap and although I do find picking up the stitched tedious, I like the way it looks and fits. I don't avoid other methods it just seems the patterns I use have a heel flap heel.

How many pairs have you made?
I have 6 pairs completed
2 pairs on the needles - one being Baudelaire (my first toe-up) the other Jaywalkers

SP9 questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
I love knitting with natural fibres (wool, alpaca). I love the feel of Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Merino.
What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I don't like acrylic as I find it makes my hands itch and i am allergic to mohair and angora
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have a couple of needle holder but don't have one for my dpns or circs.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn?
I was originally taught to knit, by my Mum 20 years ago but was awful and didn't pick up needles again until xmas 2005 when I was bought a 'knit your own scarf kit' the rest they say is history.
Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I suppose I would say I was internediate. I still haven't ventured into colourwork but am competent with cables and intermediate lace.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes a few, at amazon.co.uk (search lyndsey-jane copeman, the hobbies list has my knitting/crochet wishlist) I also have a wishlist I put together for my birthday so this can be e-mailed if requested.
5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)
I love most smells, but this time of year (autumn/fall) I especially like spicy scents like cinnamon, clove etc. Warming deep scents as opposed to fresh clean summer scents.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth?
Oh yes!!!!
Favorite candy?
Anything that doesn't have dried fruit (sultanas etc) in it. I'm also not that fond of mints or mint flavoured things. I love coffee flavours, nuts and marzipan, all the better if covered in chocolate.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
I make card and scrap-book but do this a lot less these days due to time constrants I would love to learn to crochet.
Do you spin? Alas no.
8. What kind of music do you like?
Most I have a very eclectic music taste. Rock, metal, folk, indie, classical etc
Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Yes
9. What's your favorite color(s)?
I love pinks and purples, the brighter the better and have a very pink bedroom but my wardrobe this season is based around chocolate brown and khaki green.
Any colors you just can't stand?
Not a great fan of yellows and oranges
10. What is your family situation?
I live my boyfriend Karl
Do you have any pets?
We have 7 hamsters
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
scarves -alot
hats - occasionally when it gets really cold
mittens - I'm more of a glove person
ponchos - no
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I am addicted to sock knitting as it is portable, quick and cheap
13. What are you knitting right now?
ISE 3 scarf
Freedom Spirit Scarf (for my Mum)
Denmark Socks (from Knitting on the Road by Nancy Bush)
Rowan Plaid Scarf
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Most definetely
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
I've only used circs a few times, so am more accustomed to straights but I do want to branch out into knitting top-down tops.
Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Most definetely bamboo or wood. I am a BIG fan of Brittany Birch. I suffer from joint pain and find aluminium/plastic painful after a short while.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
No, (not unless you include a clothes horse and a boyfriend) but would love one.
17. How old is your oldest UFO?
About 2 weeks. I took part in UFO august so managed to erridicate the UFO pile.
18. What is your favorite holiday?
I suppose it would be Xmas/New Year as I love cooking and this is a great time be practice my domestic goddess skills. I am also a big fan of winter so love the weather at this time.
19. Is there anything that you collect?
I don't collect anything.
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?
I would love a copy of the Stitch Diva Simple Knitted Bodice pattern as I really really want to knit it. I would love to get a chance to knit some socks with Socks That Rock yarn. I also love Sugar n Cream cotton.
What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I don't suscribe to any.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I am taking part in My First Toe-Up for Socktoberfest to learn toe-up socks. I really want to pluckup the courage to do some colourwork but the idea scares me.
22. Are you a sock knitter?
Oh yes, yes, yes.
What are your foot measurements?
tbc
23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
November 1st (i'll be 30 this year which I am finding quite traumatic!)

Socktoberfest

So Socktoberfest officially begins today. I have joined a KAL set up by OzKnitter and Socks for Mum called My First Toe-Ups. I am really looking forward to venturing into this area of sock knitting that I have so far avoided like the plague, for no other reason than it is something new. I have decided on my first two toe-up patterns Baudelaire and Love Me Knot. I have yet to decide on yarn but will prob do that later today.

I have goals for Socktoberfest which are:

• complete said two toe-up patterns
• start (and maybe complete) KOTR kal oct/nov sock - Travellers Stocking
• knit sock with cascade fixation from stash

I am aware that I owe you two FO's, I had planned to take some nice photos today but the weather is so so bad that the lighting just won't do them justice. I promise they are worth the wait.

I also have some new arrivals to introduce (we have 3 new hamsters, 2 russian dwarves and 1 syrian) they should be settled in well enough to take photos at the beginning of next week. They are so sweet and are already showing there little personalities.

I am off to finish the Denmark socks (from Knitting on the Road by Nancy Bush) otn so I can start on Socktoberfest.

My fave tea cup

For part of the Knitters Tea Swap 2 we have been asked by our hostess to post a picture of our fave tea cup on our blogs. Well here is mine!


It is a one-cup teacup/pot. It is from Whittards and they do them in various colours/designs. I has a lid and a cup shaped filter then goes inside. This means I can make one cup of whatever tea I choose with less washing up. The filter is removed when brewing is completed so there is no need for tea strainers etc. I used to have a matching tile coaster but it seems to have disappeared.

Sock Wars

I have finished my pair of socks, so I believe I have officially taken out my target. I am now awaiting a reply from her with her mailing address so I can send them to her. I hope she likes bright colours coz boy are these bright! I used Regia 6ply in Crazy Colours, I used just over 50g on 3.25mm dpns.
I wasn't planning on staying up to finish them but it is soo hot that I couldn't sleep and then I got so close to finishing I decided to keep at it and of course once they were finished I had to run downstairs and tell the entire blogsphere.
I really should be asleep as I have to be up for Uni in 4 hours - oh well not to worry.
Good Luck to all the other sockwars warriors out there!

Bubble (01/04-09/06)

Unfortunately we have lost another hamster. Please don't think we are bad hamster keepers, it is just we have/had some old ones. It appears she passed peacefully in her sleep as we found her in her house.
Bubble was a Winter White hamster, a breed of dwarf hamsters. Her colouring is known as pearl. Bubble was bought for Karl as a birthday present along with her sister Squeak. They are social animals and can normally live together, however after around 6 weeks they began to fight and we had to seperate them.
Bubble was a feisty little girl and very determined. She was not loved by everyone as she was prone to bite. However, she had a special relationship with Karl as she would not bite him and she seemed to like being handled only by him.
We had noticed over the past couple of weeks that she was getting skinny and last week we noticed that it looked as if she had gone blind in one eye. Despite this she was still active and used her wheel regularly, but with the intenstity as before. When she was young she was very very fast.
She was very very houseproud and the neatest hamster I've ever known. She kept all her bedding in her house, and if it is was disturbed by one of us she quickly went to work rearranging it. Because of her girly housekeeping personality when she was split from Squeak we housed her in the girliest cage we could find. Its called the Pink Palace and she soon become known as Karls Princess.

I really love keeping hamsters but their short life expectancy can be hard espcecially when you loose them very close together. I lost Jenson just before starting my blog, and since then Pepper has gone and now Bubble. We still have the Robovoski's (they are only a year old) and Squeak, but she is slowly down and I don't think she will be with us alot longer.

On a positive note they have all given so much fun and happiness and I like to think that we have given them the same that in the end it is worth it.

Holiday

We had a great time staying the lighthouse and enjoyed various outings. We weren't able to goto see the seals unfortunately as the weather was too windy and the trip was cancelled. We did however go to the Sea Life Sanctuary and saw some seals there along with lots of other sealife.

My other faves were the Rays and the Terripins.

There was not alot of knitting carried out during the holiday so I have to get crackinh now I am back. I have Sock Wars going on aswell as needing to concentrate on my ISE3 scarf and ontop of all that Uni start tomorrow. ARRGGGHHHH!!!!

I have received my swap pal for Knitters Tea Swap 2 and my pal for the Mystery Ball Swap. I can a see a very busy time ahead.

My new fave yarn..

... Freedom Spirit by Twilleys of Stamford. It is just adorable. The colours are beautiful and the yarn is so so soft. I purchased six balls in total the other day, 3 of Earth (a khaki green, with brown and orange) and Air (blues and greys). I am going to be using the Air as my Sock Wars arsenal, and the Earth is going to turn into multi-directional scarf, (i will then get another 4 balls to make matching hat and gloves). I received the pattern support book today and have fallen in love with all 14 patterns. The upside is that the yarn is a basic DK weight so will be easy to sub for some of the patterns - if desired. This yarn is reasonably new but I am truely in love. It is reasonably prices to - around £3 per 50g.

I have finally finished Flood, but it is just too hot to wear to take pics at the mo. I promise pics after the holiday. It fits great and so warm and snug. I had 3 balls left over (I purchased more than needed as the yarn is now discontinued) and knit a matching cable hat last night.

My yarn has arrived for my ISE3 scarf and I hope to start and complete it whilst on holiday. We are leaving for Hunstanton on Saturday and will be gone for a week. I am quite excited about it only I have developed a sore throat over the past two days and am praying that is doesn't get worse - esp as my (8 months) pregnant stepsister is coming with us and I don't want to pass anything on to her. We are staying in an old converted lighthouse in Hunstanton.
I think I am most looking forward to going on a seal trip. It should be fantastic and I am hoping to get some great photos. The other day out I am looking forward to is visiting Norfolk Lavender.
This is prob be last post until I get back as I have be pack my bags and get organised tomorrow.
See you all soon.

is it too early to think of xmas?

I have decided to to be totally organised this year with xmas presents. Myself and Karl have pretty big familes so it can get very expensive (and with only one income, we often opt out of present giving) but last night I had a (minor) brainwave. Use my stash to knit the females presents and then buy the males presents. The problem I have with Xmas is that I never think about it until the middle of November. There is a really good reason for this - my birthday is at the beginning of November, so as a child Xmas was never thought of until the 'fuss' of my birthday died down. As you can imagine this can cause issues if I'm going to can knit presents. So I made a concious decision last night to organise the presents to be knit. On reflection I could just be trying to avoid the fact that my birthday is soon and trying to pretend that it has been and gone with out trauma. There will be trauma this year - i'm 30.
After contemplating my patterns and stash I decided on socks for everyone (portable, quick and reasonably priced). I am hoping to make small tubular bags with a picot cast off in the left over yarn to put the socks in to give them a professional look. The bag can them be filled with lavender etc and placed in an underwear draw. I also want to design some tags to attach to the bag with washing instruction etc.
I even plan to use a fair amount of my stash up.
Before Xmas I have to knit:

1. Jaywalkers (x2)
2. Baby Jaywalkers
3. Butterfly Bow Anklets
4. Slouch Socks
5. Love Me Knot socks
6. Reverse Psockology
7. Tropicana
8. Petticoat socks

and I have yarn in my stash to make 4 of these with yarn that is prefect for the recipients.

I cast on the Butterfly Bow Anklets last night using Cherry Tree Hill Supersock in Spring Frost and have knit one 24row pattern repeat and am really pleased with them. I will post photos in a couple of days when there is more to see.

My Mum is taking me to The Knitting and Stiching Show at Ally Pally for my birthday. I am really excited about it already esp as we are going to book in to a colourwork workshop. So hopefully I can learn the basics of colourwork. It should be a good day.

I am still plodding on with the Plaid sweater. I still that last sleeve to finish - its really dragging on, esp as the weather has taken an up turn so knitting in a chunky wool blend is not ideal. i WILL get it finsihed by the end of the week.