Well, sort of.
It's started to get quite cold here these last few weeks. I am currently cwtched¹ up on my sofa with a massive cup of masala tea (ah, I do love living in Leicester!) with the fire on, studiously making a few bits of jewellery for a stall I'm having on Friday evening.
Yes, I'm making jewellery again. It must have been 2 years or so since I actually made any jewellery. I've made the odd stitch marker here and there, but no jewellery.
The reason why I'm making again is that I'm thinking of moving so need additional funds to help. Plus my fella is a student nurse and doesn't make much money, aside from the odd shift at a nursing home through an agency, so it all helps.
I have been sorting through what I have made already and having a good look at what I actually think is any good. Trouble is, I'm my own worst judge, so I don't think I'm very good at it. Which is one of the reasons why I don't do it as much as I used to.
I have been attending the ABC in Leicester, which is known as the Alternative Bar Crawl. There are 3 different location and different events are held in each location, with a spin on vintage glamour, crafts, arts, comedy, music and creativity. When the call out for stallholders came, I decided to give it a go and have been making and altering bits and bobs to go on the stall.
The event is this Friday, so I will let everyone know how I got on, naturally!
If you're in the Leicester area and fancy coming, please do! The event kicks off at 5:30 at the LBC Depot on Rutland Street at 5:30pm this Friday, the 16th December.
What I also came to tell everyone is that my friend Ruth has entered a competition to open a stall in the Haymarket in Leicester. She is a designer and tutor and would like to get everyone sewing and making things. I would love to see this happen. It's down to the public vote, so if you could see your way to voting for her, you can find out how to here. All you need to be able to do is login to youtube and click on the like button.
Right, now back to fiddling with jewellery :)
¹ A cwtch is a Welsh hug, but with extra warmth. It's always given with love and care. It's a bit more special than a hug.
Tuesday 13 December 2011
Thursday 10 November 2011
Ooops
Well, it's been a while. Sorry about that. Ugh, I need to clean my keyboard. Most of my key need a good bash in order to work, so apologies in advance for my spelling
What's new with me? Quite a lot.
I'm in a new relationship. I took a long time chatting to this one compared to my last one. Online dating does work, but it can be soul destroying. There's a whole new blog in that subject, I think. I dipped in and out of online dating for 2 years, talking to different guys along the way. Talked to some nice guys, some not so nice guys and received a lot of weird messages. I think the one thing I've learned is to be clear about what you want from a relationship, be realistic and figure out what's important and what's negotiable. Not an easy task at the best of times.
New guy is a fellow Welsh person, who is also living in the Midlands. Which is cool. We Welsh have a peculiar sense of humour and it's nice to be able to share that with someone. Things are going great.
I also did an intensive course in counselling. I did a course about 18 months ago over 10 weeks and although I got a qualification, it wasn't the right kind to go on with if I wanted to take it up as a career. My ex put me off doing the course, but after we split up, I took some time out to figure out what I really wanted to do (at the same time as I was thinking about what I wanted from a relationship), so decided that I wanted to become a counsellor.
I now have a place (conditional upon a reference from work, but that's a formality) at Uni on counselling course - Certificate in Higher Education in Counselling. It's a part time course over 2 years. If I pass, I can apply for another course, which is a Diploma which is another 2 years. The course starts in January Yay!!
I have designed a sock pattern, but I've yet to finish writing it up. I don't really like writing sock patterns (on the basis of this one pattern!). I think it's because I really enjoy knitting socks and can knock up a pair of stocking stitch / ribbed socks quite easily from memory. It's tricky to have to think about the steps involved when I do them automatically. I will try and get the pattern written up soon, but I can't promise it'll be any good or comprehensive though. I'm crap at following sock patterns as well, because although there are some amazing sock patterns out there, it means I have to deviate from what I like doing. Which is probably quite good for me actually :)
I am somewhat addicted to spinning lately as well. I really want to become a better spinner. For some reason I'm convinced I'm not as good as I could be so I've been trying to practise. There are spinners guilds locally, but they tend to be on far off little nooks of Leicestershire, or meet on a Saturday (and I work on a Saturday). I am spinning somewhere between laceweight and 4ply (the yarn gets thicker and thinner) and my yarn is still slightly slubby. Although it is getting more even as I practise. I notice it's dependent on which fibre I spin with too. BFL comes out lovely and smooth, while the Shetland and silk blend I spun with is more slubby (lumps of silk, usually) and fuzzy (that would be the Shetland then).
Think I need to check out some videos on youtube or something. Not now though as it's 1:30 am and my bed is calling me :)
What's new with me? Quite a lot.
I'm in a new relationship. I took a long time chatting to this one compared to my last one. Online dating does work, but it can be soul destroying. There's a whole new blog in that subject, I think. I dipped in and out of online dating for 2 years, talking to different guys along the way. Talked to some nice guys, some not so nice guys and received a lot of weird messages. I think the one thing I've learned is to be clear about what you want from a relationship, be realistic and figure out what's important and what's negotiable. Not an easy task at the best of times.
New guy is a fellow Welsh person, who is also living in the Midlands. Which is cool. We Welsh have a peculiar sense of humour and it's nice to be able to share that with someone. Things are going great.
I also did an intensive course in counselling. I did a course about 18 months ago over 10 weeks and although I got a qualification, it wasn't the right kind to go on with if I wanted to take it up as a career. My ex put me off doing the course, but after we split up, I took some time out to figure out what I really wanted to do (at the same time as I was thinking about what I wanted from a relationship), so decided that I wanted to become a counsellor.
I now have a place (conditional upon a reference from work, but that's a formality) at Uni on counselling course - Certificate in Higher Education in Counselling. It's a part time course over 2 years. If I pass, I can apply for another course, which is a Diploma which is another 2 years. The course starts in January Yay!!
I have designed a sock pattern, but I've yet to finish writing it up. I don't really like writing sock patterns (on the basis of this one pattern!). I think it's because I really enjoy knitting socks and can knock up a pair of stocking stitch / ribbed socks quite easily from memory. It's tricky to have to think about the steps involved when I do them automatically. I will try and get the pattern written up soon, but I can't promise it'll be any good or comprehensive though. I'm crap at following sock patterns as well, because although there are some amazing sock patterns out there, it means I have to deviate from what I like doing. Which is probably quite good for me actually :)
I am somewhat addicted to spinning lately as well. I really want to become a better spinner. For some reason I'm convinced I'm not as good as I could be so I've been trying to practise. There are spinners guilds locally, but they tend to be on far off little nooks of Leicestershire, or meet on a Saturday (and I work on a Saturday). I am spinning somewhere between laceweight and 4ply (the yarn gets thicker and thinner) and my yarn is still slightly slubby. Although it is getting more even as I practise. I notice it's dependent on which fibre I spin with too. BFL comes out lovely and smooth, while the Shetland and silk blend I spun with is more slubby (lumps of silk, usually) and fuzzy (that would be the Shetland then).
Think I need to check out some videos on youtube or something. Not now though as it's 1:30 am and my bed is calling me :)
Friday 17 June 2011
p/hop
I have been aware of the work that p/hop have been doing for a while. These guys are truly admirable.
p/hop stands for pennies per hour of pleasure. There are knitting patterns that have been donated by people, which you can download and then make a donation to them based on the hours of pleasure that you will get from knitting up the pattern.
They have been raising money for Medicines Sans Frontiers / Doctors Without Borders, whose work has been amazing, especially when you think of the disasters in Japan and Christchurch lately. For more information about what MSF does, click here
They have raised in excess of £25,000 so far and their target is £30,000.
I have downloaded the Molly Weasley's Gift sock pattern, even though I was looking at the shawl patterns. There are some gorgeous patterns available, so if you see something you like there, please consider downloading the pattern and making a donation.
Thank you to the organisers of p/hop and a big thank you to the designers for donating their patterns.
p/hop stands for pennies per hour of pleasure. There are knitting patterns that have been donated by people, which you can download and then make a donation to them based on the hours of pleasure that you will get from knitting up the pattern.
They have been raising money for Medicines Sans Frontiers / Doctors Without Borders, whose work has been amazing, especially when you think of the disasters in Japan and Christchurch lately. For more information about what MSF does, click here
They have raised in excess of £25,000 so far and their target is £30,000.
I have downloaded the Molly Weasley's Gift sock pattern, even though I was looking at the shawl patterns. There are some gorgeous patterns available, so if you see something you like there, please consider downloading the pattern and making a donation.
Thank you to the organisers of p/hop and a big thank you to the designers for donating their patterns.
Saturday 11 June 2011
Happy
Today, I am happy. Had a weird couple of days at work, but all is good.
It's my birthday in just over a week and I'm thinking that it would be fun to build a temporary fort (or as I used to call them when I was a kid, a den) out of blankets and other random things and then drink beer and play daft games.
We need some kind of doorbell. Or password to get in.
Ideas on a postcard please!
It's my birthday in just over a week and I'm thinking that it would be fun to build a temporary fort (or as I used to call them when I was a kid, a den) out of blankets and other random things and then drink beer and play daft games.
We need some kind of doorbell. Or password to get in.
Ideas on a postcard please!
Sunday 15 May 2011
Retail Therapy
So yesterday after a mammoth 2 hour telephone conversation, me and the boyfriend have decided to have a trial separation. Urgh!
Naturally I'm quite sad, because I can't quite see it working. I'm working on the assumption that it's not going to work out. I think that we both want different things, plus the age difference is a bit of an issue for him (I am 32, he is 44 in 2 weeks). It's been one of the most reasonable break ups I've had, so I'm not in a terribly bad way, I'm functioning but I'm just sad with an added dose of pmt, because my body loves me :)
So, I comforted myself last night with pizza, Crabbies ginger beer and the Eurovision song contest. I loved the Moldovan entry, they were wearing pointy hats a la Harry Nilsson's The Point. This morning, I had to drop my housemate off at work, so decided on a bit of retail therapy and went to the car boot sale in Saddington.
I ended up buying my third copy of Willy Russell's The Wrong Boy, which is one of my favourite books. The other two, I've lent to people and I've never got them back or registered them on bookcrossing and released them in the wild. Cracking book.
I also bought a glass perfume bottle. I don't think it's particularly old (from looking at the stopper), but I love it. It was £10 and I loved the other stuff on her stall, but it wasn't at boot sale prices, as a lot of it was proper retro and vintage stuff.
I also got a couple of bone china teacups for £1. They are beautifully simple and are a little thicker than the one I already have. I do love them though :)
Then I went into Dos Hermanos for brunch, which was tasty, but now I'm sleepy. I think I will have a nap, then onto the job hunting.
Naturally I'm quite sad, because I can't quite see it working. I'm working on the assumption that it's not going to work out. I think that we both want different things, plus the age difference is a bit of an issue for him (I am 32, he is 44 in 2 weeks). It's been one of the most reasonable break ups I've had, so I'm not in a terribly bad way, I'm functioning but I'm just sad with an added dose of pmt, because my body loves me :)
So, I comforted myself last night with pizza, Crabbies ginger beer and the Eurovision song contest. I loved the Moldovan entry, they were wearing pointy hats a la Harry Nilsson's The Point. This morning, I had to drop my housemate off at work, so decided on a bit of retail therapy and went to the car boot sale in Saddington.
I ended up buying my third copy of Willy Russell's The Wrong Boy, which is one of my favourite books. The other two, I've lent to people and I've never got them back or registered them on bookcrossing and released them in the wild. Cracking book.
I also bought a glass perfume bottle. I don't think it's particularly old (from looking at the stopper), but I love it. It was £10 and I loved the other stuff on her stall, but it wasn't at boot sale prices, as a lot of it was proper retro and vintage stuff.
I also got a couple of bone china teacups for £1. They are beautifully simple and are a little thicker than the one I already have. I do love them though :)
Then I went into Dos Hermanos for brunch, which was tasty, but now I'm sleepy. I think I will have a nap, then onto the job hunting.
Monday 25 April 2011
Easter...
Easter and Christmas never seem to feel like proper holidays after a few years of working in retail, which sucks. Not that I celebrate them, being agnostic, but it's hard to enjoy your time off when you only have a day to enjoy, rather than the long weekend that everyone else has off. However, I do get a day off during the week and an afternoon off on a Friday, which makes it easier to get doctors / dentists done and out of the way without having to worry about work.
This year, I've got 3 whole days off, which seems like a luxury. Then I'm in for 3 days, then I'm off for 4 days. I am working on the day of the Royal Wedding. Mostly because a) I'm not bothered on watching it and b) I get paid my normal rate for working a Friday (so for 4 hours) and then time and a half on top of it. It seems daft to turn it down. Plus I'll be going out Friday night :)
Soon, I'll have to start working every Saturday, which is going to put a kibosh on going out (all of once a month!), seeing my boyfriend on the weekend (which tends to be the only time I get to see him) and doing knitty things on a Saturday (we often have get togethers). Frustrating, but hopefully I will be able to do something about that soon. It could have been worse. I could have been made to work Tuesday evenings (so no Stitch and Bitch) and Sundays as well.
24 hour society sucks sometimes. I don't see why supermarkets want to open on Christmas Day and Easter Sunday. Mostly they are open 24 hours or until late anyway. I seem to recall that our mothers coped, but then I guess that we have busier lives now. People are also expecting us to open as well, so seem to go mad stocking up with bread and milk, when quite often the shop is only shut for one day. Even if I am visiting relatives over Christmas, I will try and take something edible as a gift to the host and if I will be there a few days, I will take the bread and milk I have on the go, because it seems like such a waste to leave it go off at home when I am not using it. It's easy enough to pick up a fresh loaf and a pint of milk on the way home.
One of the things that I love about knitting is that it's slow. It helps me to disengage my brain from the stress of day to day life. I had been feeling particularly low these last few days and the simple act of sitting out in the park with a few friends and some knitting, helped unwind the tension (which was further unwound with a few beers later on in the evening!). It's the same with camping. I find that when I go camping, I begin to focus on how to cook a nice meal, when I have 1 gas ring and getting the washing up done, which seems weird, but somehow, taking it out of the home makes it more pleasant.
It's been a lovely hot Easter. It's days like this that I miss being in Wales. In particular, I miss the beaches. Even when they are covered in snow.
I used to love going to watch the sun set. I love the vivid colours you get when the sun sets in the summer. Intense hues of yellow, oranges, red, purples set against light blue skies and maybe a little bit of white or grey cloud.
Something I have noticed now that I am a knitter is the quality and hues of colour. I always knew there were particular hues I preferred, like the red of my 1974 VW Beetle, which wasn't cherry red, but more of a yellowy red. Also, I love aubergine purple and royal purples and blues.
It's now more how colours interact with each other and pool together and how we have memories of colour too. Red for me, always means the aforementioned Beetle I had, which was quite a different red from the Triumph Stag and TR6 that my Dad restored many years ago (they were cherry / pillarbox red) and a different red again from the ever so slightly bluish red adorning the wall opposite me.
Something I didn't know before that pure, natural water isn't clear, but ever so slightly blue. I know that we think of (clean!) seawater as blue, but I'm talking of drinking water. I always thought that was clear.
And now I am relaxed. What a difference a day makes. Having spent the day so far browsing a car boot sale (bought a pair of candlesticks for a house that I don't yet own, nor have the salary to own, but, y'know, they were pretty!), applied for 3 jobs and bought some shopping so that I can make goats cheese and red pepper risotto later, along with a reduced Lindt Easter egg and a bottle of half price Cava. Nom!!
I want to test a sock pattern out. I have already sort of designed a pair of socks, but I want to know what they look like with beads on them. Only one way to find out :) Then I will work on writing the pattern out.
But first, I'm going to take a cup of tea in the garden and watch the cats chase each other round.
This year, I've got 3 whole days off, which seems like a luxury. Then I'm in for 3 days, then I'm off for 4 days. I am working on the day of the Royal Wedding. Mostly because a) I'm not bothered on watching it and b) I get paid my normal rate for working a Friday (so for 4 hours) and then time and a half on top of it. It seems daft to turn it down. Plus I'll be going out Friday night :)
Soon, I'll have to start working every Saturday, which is going to put a kibosh on going out (all of once a month!), seeing my boyfriend on the weekend (which tends to be the only time I get to see him) and doing knitty things on a Saturday (we often have get togethers). Frustrating, but hopefully I will be able to do something about that soon. It could have been worse. I could have been made to work Tuesday evenings (so no Stitch and Bitch) and Sundays as well.
24 hour society sucks sometimes. I don't see why supermarkets want to open on Christmas Day and Easter Sunday. Mostly they are open 24 hours or until late anyway. I seem to recall that our mothers coped, but then I guess that we have busier lives now. People are also expecting us to open as well, so seem to go mad stocking up with bread and milk, when quite often the shop is only shut for one day. Even if I am visiting relatives over Christmas, I will try and take something edible as a gift to the host and if I will be there a few days, I will take the bread and milk I have on the go, because it seems like such a waste to leave it go off at home when I am not using it. It's easy enough to pick up a fresh loaf and a pint of milk on the way home.
One of the things that I love about knitting is that it's slow. It helps me to disengage my brain from the stress of day to day life. I had been feeling particularly low these last few days and the simple act of sitting out in the park with a few friends and some knitting, helped unwind the tension (which was further unwound with a few beers later on in the evening!). It's the same with camping. I find that when I go camping, I begin to focus on how to cook a nice meal, when I have 1 gas ring and getting the washing up done, which seems weird, but somehow, taking it out of the home makes it more pleasant.
It's been a lovely hot Easter. It's days like this that I miss being in Wales. In particular, I miss the beaches. Even when they are covered in snow.
I used to love going to watch the sun set. I love the vivid colours you get when the sun sets in the summer. Intense hues of yellow, oranges, red, purples set against light blue skies and maybe a little bit of white or grey cloud.
Something I have noticed now that I am a knitter is the quality and hues of colour. I always knew there were particular hues I preferred, like the red of my 1974 VW Beetle, which wasn't cherry red, but more of a yellowy red. Also, I love aubergine purple and royal purples and blues.
It's now more how colours interact with each other and pool together and how we have memories of colour too. Red for me, always means the aforementioned Beetle I had, which was quite a different red from the Triumph Stag and TR6 that my Dad restored many years ago (they were cherry / pillarbox red) and a different red again from the ever so slightly bluish red adorning the wall opposite me.
Something I didn't know before that pure, natural water isn't clear, but ever so slightly blue. I know that we think of (clean!) seawater as blue, but I'm talking of drinking water. I always thought that was clear.
And now I am relaxed. What a difference a day makes. Having spent the day so far browsing a car boot sale (bought a pair of candlesticks for a house that I don't yet own, nor have the salary to own, but, y'know, they were pretty!), applied for 3 jobs and bought some shopping so that I can make goats cheese and red pepper risotto later, along with a reduced Lindt Easter egg and a bottle of half price Cava. Nom!!
I want to test a sock pattern out. I have already sort of designed a pair of socks, but I want to know what they look like with beads on them. Only one way to find out :) Then I will work on writing the pattern out.
But first, I'm going to take a cup of tea in the garden and watch the cats chase each other round.
Tuesday 5 April 2011
Survey..
I fancy writing, but have nothing to write, so here is a survey.
1: Have you ever had a haircut so bad you cried?
No, but I did dye my hair pillarbox red and it faded to orange, which looked odd with my colouring.
2: When you open the drawer after having poured yourself a bowl of cereal, do you reach for a small or a large spoon?
Large
3: Have you ever quit a bad job emphatically, ripped off a uniform or apron, thrown the balled-up cloth at a superior, then stomped off?
Yeah. I worked for a week for a travel agent. When it came to the end of the week, he paid me £40 for a weeks work. Ok, this was back when the lowest paid job you could do, working in a bar was about £3 per hour, but it worked out to £1 an hour for the hours that I did. Fuck that.
4: How much cash do you like to carry?
Erm. Sometimes nothing but usually about £10.
5: One large winter coat or layers?
Layers. It's the beauty of being a knitter. *nods*
6: If you cross paths with someone walking a dog, do you talk first to the person or the dog?
If I don't know them, neither. I will smile though. The person, if I do know them.
7: Can you accurately size up the square footage in a room?
Nope!
8: Are you quick with your wit, or do comebacks tend always to arrive hours later?
Not really very quick. Although I did have a very crude, very obscene comeback to some random guy who was shouting random "you're fat" comments at me.
9: Do you keep your photos in albums or shoeboxes?
Albums. And a big envelope.
10: Have you gravitated, traditionally, toward the top or the bottom bunk?
Never slept in a bunk, but bottom, I think.
11: Do you own any pieces of monogrammed attire?
No. I could knit monogrammed socks though, but I have no need for monogrammed socks.
12: When a friend begins telling a story he's already told you, do you let him go, or let him know?
Depends on the story and how many times I'd heard it.
13: When making a shooting-yourself gesture, do you do the gun barrel with two fingers or one? Do you insert the finger-gun into your mouth or press it to your temple?
Two fingers to the temple. Rarely do it though.
14: When driving by cows, do you give in to the urge to moo?
I have baaad back to a sheep once. He baad at me because I shouted mint sauce at him. He was probably telling me to chuff off.
15: Are you accurate at guessing people's weights and ages?
Nope. I bet people on checkouts are pretty good with ages though.
16: Look at your fingernails: did you just stretch out all five fingers, palm out, or did you fold your fingers down over your inward facing palm?
Stretch out.
17.: Do you have a system when it comes to pockets,or do you blindly dump in coins, lighter, i-pod, phone, smokes, etc., then fish around each time?
Yeah, purse on the right coat pocket, iphone on the inner trouser / jeans pocket. Keys in the left jeans pocket, when I smoked - cigs and lighter in the left coat pocket.
18: When eating bananas, do you peel them nude at the outset or peel as you eat?
Raw bananas are vile. As is anything banoffee flavoured. Chewy banana chips are full of win though. Yeah. Weird.
19: What famous landmarks have you found especially disappointing?
I thought Paris was dull. Full of building sites and scaffolding. Landmarks don't really do much for me anyway.
20: Which do you (or would you) find more embarrassing: Crying in public by yourself on a bench or laughing out loud in public by yourself on a bench?
Erm. Neither.
21: Do you measure distance in miles or minutes?
Minutes if on foot, miles by car.
22: Do you imagine sleep as a kind of rising (you are a basket being pulled gently up in a hot air balloon) or as a kind of sinking (you are a flat stone no longer skipping, disappearing through layers of lake)?
Neither, but I view meditation as sinking.
23: How many different bathrooms would you say you use on a given day? Are there bathrooms, (not your own) that you consider a pleasure to use, even look forward to using?
Work and home usually. Toilets are toilets are toilets. Unless we're talking Trainspotting style toilets.
24: What's the strangest non-food item you swallowed as a kid?
I ate mud once. Oh and as an adult, I swallowed the ball from my tongue piercing.
25: How do you show love to what is yours, by wearing it in or attempting to keep it pristine?
Wear it. If it's yarn, stroke it reverentially.
1: Have you ever had a haircut so bad you cried?
No, but I did dye my hair pillarbox red and it faded to orange, which looked odd with my colouring.
2: When you open the drawer after having poured yourself a bowl of cereal, do you reach for a small or a large spoon?
Large
3: Have you ever quit a bad job emphatically, ripped off a uniform or apron, thrown the balled-up cloth at a superior, then stomped off?
Yeah. I worked for a week for a travel agent. When it came to the end of the week, he paid me £40 for a weeks work. Ok, this was back when the lowest paid job you could do, working in a bar was about £3 per hour, but it worked out to £1 an hour for the hours that I did. Fuck that.
4: How much cash do you like to carry?
Erm. Sometimes nothing but usually about £10.
5: One large winter coat or layers?
Layers. It's the beauty of being a knitter. *nods*
6: If you cross paths with someone walking a dog, do you talk first to the person or the dog?
If I don't know them, neither. I will smile though. The person, if I do know them.
7: Can you accurately size up the square footage in a room?
Nope!
8: Are you quick with your wit, or do comebacks tend always to arrive hours later?
Not really very quick. Although I did have a very crude, very obscene comeback to some random guy who was shouting random "you're fat" comments at me.
9: Do you keep your photos in albums or shoeboxes?
Albums. And a big envelope.
10: Have you gravitated, traditionally, toward the top or the bottom bunk?
Never slept in a bunk, but bottom, I think.
11: Do you own any pieces of monogrammed attire?
No. I could knit monogrammed socks though, but I have no need for monogrammed socks.
12: When a friend begins telling a story he's already told you, do you let him go, or let him know?
Depends on the story and how many times I'd heard it.
13: When making a shooting-yourself gesture, do you do the gun barrel with two fingers or one? Do you insert the finger-gun into your mouth or press it to your temple?
Two fingers to the temple. Rarely do it though.
14: When driving by cows, do you give in to the urge to moo?
I have baaad back to a sheep once. He baad at me because I shouted mint sauce at him. He was probably telling me to chuff off.
15: Are you accurate at guessing people's weights and ages?
Nope. I bet people on checkouts are pretty good with ages though.
16: Look at your fingernails: did you just stretch out all five fingers, palm out, or did you fold your fingers down over your inward facing palm?
Stretch out.
17.: Do you have a system when it comes to pockets,or do you blindly dump in coins, lighter, i-pod, phone, smokes, etc., then fish around each time?
Yeah, purse on the right coat pocket, iphone on the inner trouser / jeans pocket. Keys in the left jeans pocket, when I smoked - cigs and lighter in the left coat pocket.
18: When eating bananas, do you peel them nude at the outset or peel as you eat?
Raw bananas are vile. As is anything banoffee flavoured. Chewy banana chips are full of win though. Yeah. Weird.
19: What famous landmarks have you found especially disappointing?
I thought Paris was dull. Full of building sites and scaffolding. Landmarks don't really do much for me anyway.
20: Which do you (or would you) find more embarrassing: Crying in public by yourself on a bench or laughing out loud in public by yourself on a bench?
Erm. Neither.
21: Do you measure distance in miles or minutes?
Minutes if on foot, miles by car.
22: Do you imagine sleep as a kind of rising (you are a basket being pulled gently up in a hot air balloon) or as a kind of sinking (you are a flat stone no longer skipping, disappearing through layers of lake)?
Neither, but I view meditation as sinking.
23: How many different bathrooms would you say you use on a given day? Are there bathrooms, (not your own) that you consider a pleasure to use, even look forward to using?
Work and home usually. Toilets are toilets are toilets. Unless we're talking Trainspotting style toilets.
24: What's the strangest non-food item you swallowed as a kid?
I ate mud once. Oh and as an adult, I swallowed the ball from my tongue piercing.
25: How do you show love to what is yours, by wearing it in or attempting to keep it pristine?
Wear it. If it's yarn, stroke it reverentially.
Sunday 3 April 2011
Wheeeeeeee
I have thoroughly enjoyed going through my stash and am now granted with a determination to go through my stash and knit as much of it up as I can and make some amazing stuff.
I have just recently downloaded all of the Savage Love Podcasts to listen to while I knit. I also have a fondness for audio books and have enjoyed listening to the Harry Potter books read by Stephen Fry. After the podcasts (there are 238 of them and I am on episode 51!), I have The Wrong Boy by Willy Russell to listen to.
The Wrong Boy is one of my favourite books. Ever! It might appear, on the surface, to be about a boy that likes Morrissey, but it's more about how it's ok to be different. It's not all about being Emo or whatever as you might think when Morrissey features heavily in the book. It's a really engaging story, that makes you laugh and gets you angry at the same time.
I think I have some of the Terry Pratchett audiobooks somewhere too.
I have also remembered that if you are a Lovefilm member (as I am), you can watch *some* films online. So, this evening I have watched Night of the Living Dead (the original black and white film) which I loved. I do love a good Zombie film. I plan to watch as many as I can that my plan allows.
If, like me, you like good Zombie films, I reccommend Dellamorte Dellamore (sometimes called Cemetary Man), Pontypool and Living Dead at the Manchester Morgue. Also, the podcast called how to survive a zombie apocalypse is great. Very very funny stuff!
So, for the rest of the evening, I will be watching another film on Lovefilm, knitting and drinking beer. Tomorrow, I will be working *sigh* and then after that, looking for jobs.
I have just recently downloaded all of the Savage Love Podcasts to listen to while I knit. I also have a fondness for audio books and have enjoyed listening to the Harry Potter books read by Stephen Fry. After the podcasts (there are 238 of them and I am on episode 51!), I have The Wrong Boy by Willy Russell to listen to.
The Wrong Boy is one of my favourite books. Ever! It might appear, on the surface, to be about a boy that likes Morrissey, but it's more about how it's ok to be different. It's not all about being Emo or whatever as you might think when Morrissey features heavily in the book. It's a really engaging story, that makes you laugh and gets you angry at the same time.
I think I have some of the Terry Pratchett audiobooks somewhere too.
I have also remembered that if you are a Lovefilm member (as I am), you can watch *some* films online. So, this evening I have watched Night of the Living Dead (the original black and white film) which I loved. I do love a good Zombie film. I plan to watch as many as I can that my plan allows.
If, like me, you like good Zombie films, I reccommend Dellamorte Dellamore (sometimes called Cemetary Man), Pontypool and Living Dead at the Manchester Morgue. Also, the podcast called how to survive a zombie apocalypse is great. Very very funny stuff!
So, for the rest of the evening, I will be watching another film on Lovefilm, knitting and drinking beer. Tomorrow, I will be working *sigh* and then after that, looking for jobs.
Stash!!
So this weekend is my weekend off, and I decided that I was going to have a bit of a spring clean and sort out my stash.
I have far too much yarn and have known that for ages but it's been a while since I've gone through it and looked hard at what I have. I've supposedly been on a yarn diet for a long time now, but I have had the occasional yarn binge.
I've changed how I shop now. I don't buy because it's on sale and cheap. Now, I buy it if it's beautiful and I can turn it into something beautiful. Don't keep it if I'm not likely to use it or I'm struggling to think what I can do with it.
Here is a picture of the yarn mountain, pre me sorting it out.
Heh. Yeah I know.
This is the Aran I have in my stash. I don't actually knit with aran that much. I'm a big girl and I tend to avoid anything bulkier than DK for jumpers / cardis / tanks. Not that I tend to knit many garments like that, but I do have plans :)
I've been crocheting a massive granny square blanket for an age and a half - I'm not doing little squares and sewing them together, but just one massive blanket with scraps of blue and green yarns that I have. I did rescue some blue yarn from a charity shop especially for this blanket (yeah I know!), but it was pure wool, which doesn't turn up often in charity shops around here. So yeah. It looks like a lot, but it has it's place.
Here's the unfinished blanket / WIP. It must be nearly 5ft square now and will be massive by the time I'm finished, but it's oh so nice :) When I get my own house, I am totally going with a blue, white and wood lounge.
I have been spinning a lot lately and loving it. I knew exactly what I had - a whole kilo of merino, plus 400g of fibre to be spun, but the enormity of just how much that was didn't occur to me before. Heh. Sounds stupid I know, but meh. Plus, I have a lot of handspun that needs to be knitted up as well - that didn't occur to me either :)
Also, I have a lot of hand dyed yarn - some of it is mis dyed. There are 2 skeins of yellow / orange yarn there. 1 of which got some green on it from the dye pot so is a little muddy and not as bright as it should be. The other skein has tiny little blue marks on it from the dye pot. I felt awkward about giving it to someone because it might look a bit naff if it's a garment like a shrug or shawl. My own reasoning is that they'll be fine as socks.
I got load of yarn from Lidl's that I was thinking that I would dye some for socks. I got about 800g in total, then I saw a pattern that I could use for some of it, so I dyed half of it to turn into a top, but I think I would prefer the same top in cream. So yeah. Not sure what to do with the blue yet, but *shrug*
This is some of the aforementioned "Oooh look it's in a sale, I'll have lots please!" Rowan aran that I got. No plans for it, but I am knitting with a bit of it. I have a suspicion that this will end up in the swap pile. I am currently knitting with a bit of it and I'm not sure whether I will need any more of it.
This is my random pile of stuff. In there is some sock yarn, some Mirasol Hatcho, some laceweight, some Chinese silk. I'm not sure about what I'm going to do with it, but hey ho.
This is more of the sale yarn. I got some use out of it, when I was making my Flossies, especially when I was designing them.
This is the stash of mostly Regia yarn that I got on sale. £1.20 a ball. I'm pleased with this, as this is my yarn for when I want to knit easy socks that I don't want to have to think too much about.
This is some fibre that I have absolutely no use for. It needs carding and sorting, but I have no desire to do either, so I'm going to swap it or offer it up to someone. If anyone wants it, they are welcome to it. The white fibre is Alpaca and the black/white fibre is unknown stuff that came with some bobbins for Doris (my spinning wheel).
Here is the yarn that I have decided that I don't want any more. I was thinking of holding a thing at my house for my knitting group, where my fellow knitters can help themselves to yarn from the box. Anything left goes to charity.
Steer me away from the yarn stores. Unless I am buying notions or patterns :)
I have far too much yarn and have known that for ages but it's been a while since I've gone through it and looked hard at what I have. I've supposedly been on a yarn diet for a long time now, but I have had the occasional yarn binge.
I've changed how I shop now. I don't buy because it's on sale and cheap. Now, I buy it if it's beautiful and I can turn it into something beautiful. Don't keep it if I'm not likely to use it or I'm struggling to think what I can do with it.
Here is a picture of the yarn mountain, pre me sorting it out.
Heh. Yeah I know.
This is the Aran I have in my stash. I don't actually knit with aran that much. I'm a big girl and I tend to avoid anything bulkier than DK for jumpers / cardis / tanks. Not that I tend to knit many garments like that, but I do have plans :)
I've been crocheting a massive granny square blanket for an age and a half - I'm not doing little squares and sewing them together, but just one massive blanket with scraps of blue and green yarns that I have. I did rescue some blue yarn from a charity shop especially for this blanket (yeah I know!), but it was pure wool, which doesn't turn up often in charity shops around here. So yeah. It looks like a lot, but it has it's place.
Here's the unfinished blanket / WIP. It must be nearly 5ft square now and will be massive by the time I'm finished, but it's oh so nice :) When I get my own house, I am totally going with a blue, white and wood lounge.
I have been spinning a lot lately and loving it. I knew exactly what I had - a whole kilo of merino, plus 400g of fibre to be spun, but the enormity of just how much that was didn't occur to me before. Heh. Sounds stupid I know, but meh. Plus, I have a lot of handspun that needs to be knitted up as well - that didn't occur to me either :)
Also, I have a lot of hand dyed yarn - some of it is mis dyed. There are 2 skeins of yellow / orange yarn there. 1 of which got some green on it from the dye pot so is a little muddy and not as bright as it should be. The other skein has tiny little blue marks on it from the dye pot. I felt awkward about giving it to someone because it might look a bit naff if it's a garment like a shrug or shawl. My own reasoning is that they'll be fine as socks.
I got load of yarn from Lidl's that I was thinking that I would dye some for socks. I got about 800g in total, then I saw a pattern that I could use for some of it, so I dyed half of it to turn into a top, but I think I would prefer the same top in cream. So yeah. Not sure what to do with the blue yet, but *shrug*
This is some of the aforementioned "Oooh look it's in a sale, I'll have lots please!" Rowan aran that I got. No plans for it, but I am knitting with a bit of it. I have a suspicion that this will end up in the swap pile. I am currently knitting with a bit of it and I'm not sure whether I will need any more of it.
This is my random pile of stuff. In there is some sock yarn, some Mirasol Hatcho, some laceweight, some Chinese silk. I'm not sure about what I'm going to do with it, but hey ho.
This is more of the sale yarn. I got some use out of it, when I was making my Flossies, especially when I was designing them.
This is the stash of mostly Regia yarn that I got on sale. £1.20 a ball. I'm pleased with this, as this is my yarn for when I want to knit easy socks that I don't want to have to think too much about.
This is some fibre that I have absolutely no use for. It needs carding and sorting, but I have no desire to do either, so I'm going to swap it or offer it up to someone. If anyone wants it, they are welcome to it. The white fibre is Alpaca and the black/white fibre is unknown stuff that came with some bobbins for Doris (my spinning wheel).
Here is the yarn that I have decided that I don't want any more. I was thinking of holding a thing at my house for my knitting group, where my fellow knitters can help themselves to yarn from the box. Anything left goes to charity.
Steer me away from the yarn stores. Unless I am buying notions or patterns :)
Tuesday 15 March 2011
Dalen
Dalen
Introduction
This is my contribution to the #11in11 group that's going on in Ravelry at the moment. The group is geared towards knitting 11 scarves, necklaces, shawls or shrugs in 2011. We are offering support in the Ravelry group #11in11 or on twitter using the #11in11 tag.
Dalen is the Welsh word for leaf.
I designed the scarf to be used with any 4ply yarn with about 400m yardage and about 100g in weight. You can make it as long or as short as you like. If you choose to knit the wider scarf with 2 pattern repeats, you will need more yarn to create a longer scarf.
You could, of course, substitute whatever yarn you have in your stash with the appropriate needle size.
The scarf pictured is the narrow version.
Materials needed
Yarn: Approx 100g or 400m of any 4ply / fingering weight yarn
A pair of 2.25mm needles
Gauge
Between 28 and 32 sts to 10cm in stocking stitch
Pattern Notes
slip wyif: Hold yarn in front as if to purl then slip 1 stitch as if to purl
sl1 kwise k1 psso: Slip 1 stitch as if to knit, knit 1 stitch then pass the slipped stitch over the stitch you just knitted
sk2p: Slip 1 stitch as if to knit, knit 2 together, then pass slipped stitch over
Pattern
You can follow the written instructions or the chart
Written instructions for the narrow scarf:
Cast on 46 sts
Row 1: k1, (yo, k2tog) 6 times, yo, k1, slip wyif, k1, yo, k1, sl1 kwise k1 psso, p1, k2tog, k1, yo, p1, sl1 kwise k1 psso, p1, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k1, slip wyif, k1, (yo, ssk) 6 times, yo, k1 (48 sts in row)
Row 2: p21, k1, p1, k1, p3, k1, p20 (48 stitches in row)
Row 3: k1, (yo, k2tog) 3 times, yo, k3, (k2tog, yo) twice, k1, slip wyif, k1, yo, k1, sl1 kwise k1 psso, p1, k2tog, k1, p1, sk2p, yo, k3, yo, k1, slip wyif, k1, (yo, ssk) twice, k3, (yo, ssk) 3 times, yo, k1 (50 sts in row)
Row 4: p24, k1, p2, k1, p21 (50 stitches in row)
Row 5: k1, (yo, k2tog) twice, yo, k6, (k2tog, yo) twice, k1, slip wyif, k1, yo, k1, yo, sl1 kwise k1 psso, p1, (k2tog) twice, yo, k5, yo, k1, slip wyif, k1, (yo, ssk) twice, k6, (yo, ssk) twice, yo, k1 (52 stitches in row)
Row 6: p26, k1, p1, k1, p23 (52 stitches in row)
Row 7: k12, (k2tog, yo) twice, k1, slip wyif, k1, yo, k3, yo, sk2p, p1, yo, k1, sl1 kwise k1 psso, p1, k2tog, k1, yo, k1, slip wyif, k1, (yo, ssk) twice, k12 (52 stitches in row)
Row 8: bind off 3 sts, p19, k1, p3, k1, p25 (49 stitches in row)
Row 9: bind off 3 sts, k9, (k2tog, yo) twice, k1, slip wyif, k1, yo, k5, yo, sl1 kwise k1 psso, k1, sl1 kwise k1 psso, p1, k2tog, k1, yo, k1, slip wyif, k1, (yo, ssk) twice, k9 (46 stitches in row)
Row 10: p19, k1, p2, k1, p23, (46 stitches in row)
Bind off all stitches, sew in ends, then block.
Written instructions for the wider scarf
Cast on 62 stitches.
Row 1: k1, (yo, k2tog) 6 times, yo, k1, slip wyif, k1, yo, k1, sl1 kwise k1 psso, p1, k2tog, k1, yo, p1, sl1 kwise k1 psso, p1, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k2, yo, k1, sl1 kwise k1 psso, p1, k2tog, k1, yo, p1, sl1 kwise k1 psso, p1, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k1, slip wyif, k1, (yo, ssk) 6 times, yo, k1 (64 stitches in row)
Row 2: p21, k1, p1, k1, p3, k1, p9, k1, p1, k1, p3, k1, p20 (64 stitches in row)
Row 3: k1, (yo, k2tog) 3 times, yo, k3, (k2tog, yo) twice, k1, slip wyif, k1, yo, k1, sl1 kwise k1 psso, p1, k2tog, k1, p1, sk2p, yo, k3, yo, k1, x, k1, yo, k1, sl1 kwise k1 psso, p1, k2tog, k1, p1, sk2p, yo, k3, yo, k1, x, slip wyif, k1, (yo, ssk) twice, k3, (yo, ssk) 3 times, yo, k1 (66 stitches in row)
Row 4: p24, k1, p2, k1, p11, k1, p2, k1, p21 (66 stitches in row)
Row 5: k1, (yo, k2tog) twice, yo, k6, (k2tog, yo) twice, k1, slip wyif, k1, yo, k1, yo, sl1 kwise k1 psso, p1, (k2tog) twice, yo, k5, yo, k2, yo, k1, yo, sl1 kwise k1 psso, p1, k2tog2, yo, k5, yo, k1, slip wyif, k1, (yo, ssk) twice, k6, (yo, ssk) twice, yo, k1 (68 stitches in row)
Row 6: p26, k1, p1, k1, p13, k1, p1, k1, p23 (68 stitches in row)
Row 7: k12, (k2tog, yo) twice, k1, slip wyif, k1, yo, k3, yo, sk2p, p1, yo, k1, sl1 kwise k1 psso, p1, k2tog, k1, yo, k2, yo, k3, yo, sk2p, p1, yo, k1, sl1 kwise k1 psso, p1, k2tog, k1, yo, k1, slip wyif, k1, (yo, ssk) twice, k12 (68 stitches in row)
Row 8: bind off 3 stitches, p19, k1, p3, k1, p11, k1, p3, k1, p25 (65 stitches in row)
Row 9: bind off 3 stitches, k9, (k2tog, yo) twice, k1, slip wyif, k1, yo, k5, yo, sl1 kwise k1 psso, k1, sl1 kwise k1 psso, p1, k2tog, k1, yo, k2, yo, k5, yo, sl1 kwise k1 psso, k1, sl1 kwise k1 psso, p1, k2tog, k1, yo, k1, slip wyif, k1, (yo, ssk) twice, k9 (62 stitches in row)
Row 10: p19, k1, p2, k1, p12, k1, p2, k1, p23 (62 stitches in row)
Repeat rows 1 - 10 as set, ending on row 10 when the scarf has reached the desired length or until you are nearly out of yarn, leaving enough yarn to cast off.
Bind off all stitches, sew in ends, then block.
Charts
Click on the images to enlarge. The wide scarf uses the same key as the narrow scarf.
Key
Narrow scarf
Wider scarf
Friday 11 March 2011
Ding!
Hello all. Long time, no write!
I have been busy with my knitting, spinning and job hunting, so have neglected posting here a bit.
I am nearly finished Project #3 of my #11in11 project.
Project #1 was Elegance Scarf by Anniken Allis (aka YarnAddictAnni on Ravelry)
This was knitted in Knit Picks Pallette (hah, I got some when they were doing trial shipments to the UK and didn't use it all). The descriptions of the colours on the website LIE! This colourway is / was called Teal. Hmm. Looks *too* green to be teal to me. Meh, I like the colour anyway, so wasn't too worried. Just be aware, that when you order knitpicks (which UK buyers can get from Great British Yarns), the colours may not always reflect the yarn you get.
Project #2 was the Quick and easy Cowl
This was knit in Rowan Natural Silk Aran, of which I have *loads*. I got it in a sale in John Lewis ages ago.
Project #3 is going to be a pattern I have designed myself. I have about 2 pattern repeats left before I bind off, then blocking, then photography. Then the pattern will be published. w00t!!
Project #4 is another quick and easy cowl. However, this one is knit in a slightly different colour and in moss stitch. Moss Stitch drives me batty, so it's slow going! It's for Neil, so is knit in a paler colour and will probably be a bit smaller, as he wants to use it when he's cycling. He didn't want the lace bits in it, which is why I chose moss stitch.
Job hunting is meh. I am applying for 1 or 2 jobs a week, but haven't heard anything yet. I've had someone check over my CV in the last week and have made some improvements, so maybe I will have better luck from now on.
Maybe I'm applying for the wrong jobs too. I was thinking that I might try applying to go on the management training scheme where I currently work. It'll look good on my CV anyway, which will help if I decide that I want to work elsewhere.
I picked up a 1967 Woman's Own supplement, which was sponsored by Courtelle and had loads of patterns using Courtelle (naturally!). One of models is Joanna Lumley :) I was so pleased. I can see me building up a collection of vintage patterns just because I think they are interesting :)
I have been busy with my knitting, spinning and job hunting, so have neglected posting here a bit.
I am nearly finished Project #3 of my #11in11 project.
Project #1 was Elegance Scarf by Anniken Allis (aka YarnAddictAnni on Ravelry)
This was knitted in Knit Picks Pallette (hah, I got some when they were doing trial shipments to the UK and didn't use it all). The descriptions of the colours on the website LIE! This colourway is / was called Teal. Hmm. Looks *too* green to be teal to me. Meh, I like the colour anyway, so wasn't too worried. Just be aware, that when you order knitpicks (which UK buyers can get from Great British Yarns), the colours may not always reflect the yarn you get.
Project #2 was the Quick and easy Cowl
This was knit in Rowan Natural Silk Aran, of which I have *loads*. I got it in a sale in John Lewis ages ago.
Project #3 is going to be a pattern I have designed myself. I have about 2 pattern repeats left before I bind off, then blocking, then photography. Then the pattern will be published. w00t!!
Project #4 is another quick and easy cowl. However, this one is knit in a slightly different colour and in moss stitch. Moss Stitch drives me batty, so it's slow going! It's for Neil, so is knit in a paler colour and will probably be a bit smaller, as he wants to use it when he's cycling. He didn't want the lace bits in it, which is why I chose moss stitch.
Job hunting is meh. I am applying for 1 or 2 jobs a week, but haven't heard anything yet. I've had someone check over my CV in the last week and have made some improvements, so maybe I will have better luck from now on.
Maybe I'm applying for the wrong jobs too. I was thinking that I might try applying to go on the management training scheme where I currently work. It'll look good on my CV anyway, which will help if I decide that I want to work elsewhere.
I picked up a 1967 Woman's Own supplement, which was sponsored by Courtelle and had loads of patterns using Courtelle (naturally!). One of models is Joanna Lumley :) I was so pleased. I can see me building up a collection of vintage patterns just because I think they are interesting :)
Saturday 22 January 2011
Getting there,,,
I am now off work for 10 days (well 9, if you don't count today).
I have no initial plans really, I'm not going anywhere. It's just that in the run up to Christmas, I get a bit stressed out - especially working in retail, so I need a bit of me time.
I've been doing a fair bit of knitting for other people, what with Christmas and everything so I've been doing some knitting for me. So I have 2 scarves and a pair of socks on the needles. One of the scarves is a self designed scarf; the pattern will be coming soon!
I've been using the software that I got for Christmas and I must say, it makes things so much easier to write up. Mistakes are that much easier to weed out. I made a couple of changes to the way the pattern was written. It looked a bit silly to have the main design in stocking stitch and the edging in garter, so I have done the edging in stocking stitch as well. It will look amazing when it's been blocked.
A new yarn shop has opened in Leicester on Queens Road in Clarendon Park. It's a nice shop, but I think it's got room for improvement. They have some of the more unusual stuff there, which is tricky to get hold of, which is really good for an independent shop to have, but they also stock Sirdar and Debbie Bliss, which is available in pretty much any other local yarn shop. The stock is a bit sparse too. I expected to see a lot more yarn there and they could do with a comfy sofa where people can sit and knit - they even have that in John Lewis. They have the room!
I also noted a lack of stitch markers. I am going to make some up and take some down to see if they will have them on sale or return.
I have plans to complete my CV this week as well, plus I want to have a bit of a declutter. I'd best get on with it then :)
I have no initial plans really, I'm not going anywhere. It's just that in the run up to Christmas, I get a bit stressed out - especially working in retail, so I need a bit of me time.
I've been doing a fair bit of knitting for other people, what with Christmas and everything so I've been doing some knitting for me. So I have 2 scarves and a pair of socks on the needles. One of the scarves is a self designed scarf; the pattern will be coming soon!
I've been using the software that I got for Christmas and I must say, it makes things so much easier to write up. Mistakes are that much easier to weed out. I made a couple of changes to the way the pattern was written. It looked a bit silly to have the main design in stocking stitch and the edging in garter, so I have done the edging in stocking stitch as well. It will look amazing when it's been blocked.
A new yarn shop has opened in Leicester on Queens Road in Clarendon Park. It's a nice shop, but I think it's got room for improvement. They have some of the more unusual stuff there, which is tricky to get hold of, which is really good for an independent shop to have, but they also stock Sirdar and Debbie Bliss, which is available in pretty much any other local yarn shop. The stock is a bit sparse too. I expected to see a lot more yarn there and they could do with a comfy sofa where people can sit and knit - they even have that in John Lewis. They have the room!
I also noted a lack of stitch markers. I am going to make some up and take some down to see if they will have them on sale or return.
I have plans to complete my CV this week as well, plus I want to have a bit of a declutter. I'd best get on with it then :)
Saturday 15 January 2011
Flossie's Charts
I've created a chart for my Flossie's Gloves for those who prefer working from them.
The instructions for creating the bobble can be found in the pattern notes because the knitting software wouldn't let me edit the stitch to include the instructions in the key.
If you click on the image of the chart, you'll get taken to a bigger, clearer version of it. If you need it in any other size, let me know and I'll tweak it for you :)
Here is a link to a print friendly PDF of the chart pattern if you prefer it in PDF format.
The instructions for creating the bobble can be found in the pattern notes because the knitting software wouldn't let me edit the stitch to include the instructions in the key.
If you click on the image of the chart, you'll get taken to a bigger, clearer version of it. If you need it in any other size, let me know and I'll tweak it for you :)
Here is a link to a print friendly PDF of the chart pattern if you prefer it in PDF format.
Friday 14 January 2011
11 in 11
So I have signed up to do 11 in 11.
This is a project, started on Twitter where we all agree that we will knit or crochet 11 scarves, cowls, shawls, shrugs or necklaces in 2011.
I had already started a scarf on New Years Day - the Elegance Scarf by YarnAddictAnnis (aka Anniken Alis). I did her lace workshop at Fibre Flurry last year and loved it and have been wanting to cast this on for a while. Trouble is, I've had so much to do lately what with Christmas knitting and everything so I've not had a chance to do much for myself.
I do love a good challenge! I have some handspun that I want to use, plus more fibre to spin up as well. I have some aran yarn ready to use up - I'm thinking a chunky cowl for that.
I'm also thinking that I could knit with wire and beads and make a necklace at some point. It's not cheating, because it's knitted ;)
If you fancy joining in, search for the #11in11 group on Ravelry and tweet using the #11in11 hashtag on twitter
In other news, I am a little fed up and indecisive. I want a new job. I also want to do the counselling course - I will have to do something like 2 x 2 year courses in order to get qualified.
I have some money set aside for a deposit on a house, but I don't think it will get very far. I can't afford a mortgage on the money I'm on - I can't even afford to rent my own property (I'm currently living as a lodger with 2 of my friends, which can be a bummer if I want my boyfriend round). I don't want to claim housing benefit because although I might be entitled to it, I feel like a bit of a fraud claiming it because I could get a better paid job (if that makes sense).
The thing is, if I get a new job, I don't know how flexible they will be when it comes to going to college one day a week for the course. Plus I was thinking that if I wanted to travel, then it would be pretty sensible to do it before buying my own house. I could use some of the money I have set aside for a deposit on a house, which may mean a slightly bigger mortgage.
Then again, there is always the shared ownership thing, which is always a possibility.
Aaaah, decisions, decisions. I could quite possibly be overthinking this. My gut feeling at the moment is to concentrate on getting a new job and see how I feel about travel when my fixed bond matures in a years time.
Think I will renew my passport in the meantime though :) It's good to have it anyway - for identification purposes.
This is a project, started on Twitter where we all agree that we will knit or crochet 11 scarves, cowls, shawls, shrugs or necklaces in 2011.
I had already started a scarf on New Years Day - the Elegance Scarf by YarnAddictAnnis (aka Anniken Alis). I did her lace workshop at Fibre Flurry last year and loved it and have been wanting to cast this on for a while. Trouble is, I've had so much to do lately what with Christmas knitting and everything so I've not had a chance to do much for myself.
I do love a good challenge! I have some handspun that I want to use, plus more fibre to spin up as well. I have some aran yarn ready to use up - I'm thinking a chunky cowl for that.
I'm also thinking that I could knit with wire and beads and make a necklace at some point. It's not cheating, because it's knitted ;)
If you fancy joining in, search for the #11in11 group on Ravelry and tweet using the #11in11 hashtag on twitter
In other news, I am a little fed up and indecisive. I want a new job. I also want to do the counselling course - I will have to do something like 2 x 2 year courses in order to get qualified.
I have some money set aside for a deposit on a house, but I don't think it will get very far. I can't afford a mortgage on the money I'm on - I can't even afford to rent my own property (I'm currently living as a lodger with 2 of my friends, which can be a bummer if I want my boyfriend round). I don't want to claim housing benefit because although I might be entitled to it, I feel like a bit of a fraud claiming it because I could get a better paid job (if that makes sense).
The thing is, if I get a new job, I don't know how flexible they will be when it comes to going to college one day a week for the course. Plus I was thinking that if I wanted to travel, then it would be pretty sensible to do it before buying my own house. I could use some of the money I have set aside for a deposit on a house, which may mean a slightly bigger mortgage.
Then again, there is always the shared ownership thing, which is always a possibility.
Aaaah, decisions, decisions. I could quite possibly be overthinking this. My gut feeling at the moment is to concentrate on getting a new job and see how I feel about travel when my fixed bond matures in a years time.
Think I will renew my passport in the meantime though :) It's good to have it anyway - for identification purposes.
Wednesday 5 January 2011
Nice...
I'm a happy camper :)
I had a plethora of knitting goodies for Christmas.
I got some sock blockers (something I'd been hankering after for a while), a set of crochet hooks (with some especially teeny ones for beading), a small set of interchangeable needles (I'm hoping to do some moebius knitting soon), a needle roll, some knitting software (Intwined pattern studios ftw) and a subscription to Designer Knitting.
Epic!!!
Admittedly, I had asked for most of it - I gave a list of things to my stepmum, saying "anything from this list" and she got me all of it! Bless, I wasn't expecting that!!
So I am currently using the software to come up with a chart for my Flossies, because I know that written instructions aren't for everyone I have the main chart done, I just have to do one for the thumb section for each hand. It's surprisingly easy software to use. I can save the charts as images, or save the whole document as a pdf, which will be useful for ravelry :)
I had a plethora of knitting goodies for Christmas.
I got some sock blockers (something I'd been hankering after for a while), a set of crochet hooks (with some especially teeny ones for beading), a small set of interchangeable needles (I'm hoping to do some moebius knitting soon), a needle roll, some knitting software (Intwined pattern studios ftw) and a subscription to Designer Knitting.
Epic!!!
Admittedly, I had asked for most of it - I gave a list of things to my stepmum, saying "anything from this list" and she got me all of it! Bless, I wasn't expecting that!!
So I am currently using the software to come up with a chart for my Flossies, because I know that written instructions aren't for everyone I have the main chart done, I just have to do one for the thumb section for each hand. It's surprisingly easy software to use. I can save the charts as images, or save the whole document as a pdf, which will be useful for ravelry :)
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