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.