Moving

I have moved over to wordpress so my blog can now be found at

www.myknittingandme.wordpress.com

it is still not quite to my likeing - i need to sort out sidebars etc but as my last exam is tomorrow I will have plenty of time to play.

Great Contest

Ali is having a fantastic contest, if u enter via here please let her know as every referral gets me an extra entry.

My summer knitting goals:

1. To finish my Hogwarts Sock Swap Sock - about 1/3 finished (Horcrux Sock)
2. To start and finish my Sockapalooooza 4 pals sock - i have yarn and vague idea of pattern
3. Complete (second) scarf for my ISE 4 pal (Fairy Godmother's Scarf)
4. Knit Ms Marigold
5. I know it won't get finished but to work on my mitred square afgan at least two hours a week.
6. Knit Spring Things Shawl (with beads not nupps)

I found this over on dreamcatcher and just had to have a go.
Edit the list, bold for stuff you've done, italics for stuff you plan to do one day, and normal for stuff you're not planning on doing.

Afghan/Blanket
I-cord
Garter stitch
Knitting with metal wire
Shawl
Stockinette stitch
Socks: top-down
Socks: toe-up
Knitting with camel yarn
Mittens: Cuff-up
Mittens: Tip-down
Hat
Knitting with silk
Moebius band knitting
Participating in a KAL
Sweater
Drop stitch patterns
Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
Slip stitch patterns
Knitting with banana fiber yarn
Domino knitting (modular knitting)
Twisted stitch patterns
Knitting with bamboo yarn
Two end knitting
Charity knitting
Knitting with soy yarn
Cardigan
Toy/doll clothing
Knitting with circular needles
Knitting with your own handspun yarn
Slippers
Graffiti knitting (knitting items on, or to be left on the street)
Continental knitting
Designing knitted garments
Cable stitch patterns (incl. Aran)
Lace patterns
Publishing a knitting book
Scarf
Teaching a child to knit
American/English knitting (as opposed to continental)
Knitting to make money
Button holes
Knitting with alpaca
Fair Isle knitting
Norwegian knitting
Dying with plant colors
Knitting items for a wedding
Household items (dishcloths, washcloths, tea cozies…)
Knitting socks (or other small tubular items) on two circulars
Olympic knitting
Knitting with someone else’s handspun yarn
Knitting with DPNs
Holiday related knitting
Teaching a male how to knit
Bobbles
Knitting for a living
Knitting with cotton
Knitting smocking
Dying yarn
Steeks
Knitting art
Fulling/felting
Knitting with wool
Textured knitting
Kitchener BO
Purses/bags
Knitting with beads
Swatching
Long Tail CO
Entrelac
Knitting and purling backwards
Machine knitting
Knitting with self-patterning/self-striping/variegating yarn
Stuffed toys
Baby items
Knitting with cashmere
Darning
Jewelry
Knitting with synthetic yarn
Writing a pattern
Gloves
Intarsia
Knitting with linen
Knitting for preemies
Tubular CO
Freeform knitting
Short rows
Cuffs/fingerless mitts/arm warmers
Pillows
Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine
Rug
Knitting on a loom
Thrummed knitting
Knitting a gift
Knitting for pets
Shrug/bolero/poncho
Knitting with dog/cat hair
Hair accessories
Knitting in public

not kidnapped

Just a quickie to let you all know that I haven't been kidnapped by Jack Sparrow in order to make endless pairs of socks for him but am in fact ill. I have a viral upper respiratory tract infection aswell as bronchitis. hopefully the long weekend will get me back to full health and I should have a couple of fo's as well as some newly dyed yarn to show you all.

Thanks for all your advice on the buttons I have decided to go for the second choice as I can buy them 'in person' as opposed online so can take the cardigan with me and choose the best colour as I know think the purple will suit better then pink or lilac.

Jack Sparrow Socks

As soon as I saw these socks I knew I had to knit them, they are just so cool! This pair was knit for my housemates birthday and he had already requested more handknit socks.

Pattern: Jack Sparrows Favourite Socks/Wendys Generic Toe-Up Socks
Yarns: Lorna's Laces - Camoflauge and Natural
Opal Uni - Brown
Needles: Clover Takumi Bamboo 2.5mm
Modifications: I knit more rounds after the heel before beginning the stranded work to make the leg longer.

After being inspired by the knitty.com article on dyeing yarn with food colouring I found a supplier of Wilton food colouring in the UK and had a go. These were my first attempts, I really can't remeber what colours I used and didn't write it down. I used the cold pour method in my slow cooker and am pleased with the results. Each yarn cake is about 100g of DK 100% wool. I am going to be ordering some sock weight soon and will probably have a go at handpainting and dip-dyeing too.

My Bulky Cabled Cardigan is almost finised I just need to find some buttons, but can't decide between these or these in either pink or lilac. All opinions welcome!
(The true colour of the yarn can be seen here (it is Sea Thistle) as the flash has really washed the colour out.)

Easter Visitor

Only a moment ago we had an interesting Eastor visitor, Karl opened the front door to have a cigarette and this little cutie just wandered right on in. We have no idea who's she is but she's not shy!

Substitute - The Who

(I know I did one of these before but saw this on a friends facebook profile and had to play - I promise some knitting very soon!)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Put your music player on shuffle
2. Press forward for each question.
3. Use the song title as the answer to the question even if it doesn't make sense.

NO CHEATING!

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
In the End (live) - Linkin Park
WHAT'S YOUR OUTLOOK ON LIFE?
In the City - The Jam
WHAT DOES YOUR FAMILY THINK OF YOU?
We Still Kill The Old Way - Lost Prophets
WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
I Defy - Machinehead
WHAT DO STRANGERS THINK OF YOU?
Unsaid Things - McFly
WHAT DO YOUR EXS THINK OF YOU?
Desire to Fire - Machinehead
HOW IS YOUR LOVE LIFE?
A Legal Matter - The Who
HOW WILL YOUR LOVE LIFE BE IN THE FUTURE?
Wonderful World - James Morrison
WILL YOU GET MARRIED?
Hold On - Good Charlotte
WILL YOU HAVE KIDS?
Remember Me - The Zutons
ARE YOU GOOD AT SCHOOL?
Be Natural - Manic Street Preachers
WILL YOU BE SUCCESSFUL IN LIFE?
Sorry's Not Good Enough - McFly
WHAT SONG SHOULD THEY PLAY ON YOUR BIRTHDAY?
That Girl - McFly
WHAT SONG SHOULD THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Sad But True - Metallica
THE SOUNDTRACK OF YOUR LIFE:
Low - Foo Fighers
YOU AND YOUR BEST FRIEND ARE:
About A Girl - Nirvana
HAPPY TIMES:
Alive - Pearl Jam
SAD TIMES:
Place For My Head - Linkin Park
EVERY DAY:
Go Let It Out - Oasis
FOR TOMORROW:
Last Summer - Lost Prophets
FOR YOU:
Further Away - Manic Street Preachers
WHAT DOES NEXT YEAR HAVE IN STORE FOR ME?
The Modern World - The Jam
WHAT DO I SAY WHEN LIFE GETS TOO HARD?
Cure The Itch - Linkin Park
WHAT SONG WILL I DANCE TO AT MY WEDDING?
You're Tender and You're Tired - Manic Street Preachers
WHAT DO YOU WANT AS A CAREER?
A Thousand Apologies - Lost Prophets
YOUR FAVOURITE SAYING?
Pressure Point - The Zutons
HOW WILL I DIE?
End Over End - Foo Fighters
THE SONG THAT YOU'LL PUT AS YOUR SUBJECT?
Substitute - The Who