Tuesday, 6 September 2011
BREAKING NEWS
It has just come to my attention that OH has actually worn the one and only pairs of socks I've made him. It took a while as they were finished end of March. Will miracles never cease!!
That Went Well....
I made a list of my August goals, twice, as I changed my mind about what I wanted to accomplish. Well I needn't have bothered as nothing went to plan and I would have been better not making any.
Here's the second version:
1. Finish my super secret project started in July. Done.
2. Finish my I socks. Now on heel of second sock. Done.
3. Finish my J socks. Only cast on done for first sock. Not even taken out of the bag.
4. Finish my N socks. Up to heel of first sock. First sock finished.
5. Start my P socks. I've decided on Polly Jean. Done and finished.
6. Start my Q socks. Decided on Queen of Cups. Literally just the CO done.
7. Make progress on my Ripple Blanket. Nope.
8. Finish my Ruffles Are Red Scarf. It just needs the ribbon adding and pictures taken. Nope.
9. Possibly another cast on of a super secret project. Started and nearly finished.
I did indeed finish my super secret project but I can now show pictures. It was another test knit for Meghan aka ButterflyKnit. It was a shawl for a yarn company and it's a great pattern. The pattern is a bonus when you sign up to Yummy Yarns Wrapped In YummyYarn Club.
Ta-Da:
Next up was to finish my I socks for the SKA August challenge. I love these, the yarn is so soft and they are so so comfy.
The pattern does look quite complicated but is really easy. And I love love the block colour versions. Another pair to add to my sock drawer, Woohoo!!
The J socks never saw the light of day. I cast on DD's P socks instead and got them finished. DD insisted that she had to have the P socks as it is her initial so they were obviously meant for her. I am here to oblige...or do as I'm told!
I really must knit something other than purple socks (or red shawls)!!
These were finished on the drive to Norfolk. So DD, as you would expect, decided to wear them straight away and proceeded to walk around on warm tarmac. Result: fuzzy bottoms!!
I've actually got a shot of them being worn, very rare, especially when they are on my feet but as they are DD's feet it's OK.
I did manage to finish the first sock of my N socks but I haven't taken a picture yet. I also cast on my Q socks but this is as far as they got.
Now for the non-sock projects.
I didn't get to thread the ribbon in my Ruffles Are Red scarf. I really ought to do this as I love the idea and can see me wearing it a lot when finished over the winter.
Nada progress on my ripple blankie though I was sorely tempted to sneak a few rows in but it would have meant my next sooper secret project wouldn't have been started and it needed to be as it has a short deadline.
Let's hope September fares better, though looking back I suppose August wasn't too bad.
September's goals are short and sweet.
1. Finish my sooper secret project. This is very nearly done.
2. Cast on my R socks which are Riding On The Metro. These will double dip for SKA and the A-Z challenge.
3. Cast on and finish my S socks Salmon Run. I'm going to triple dip with these for SKA, Solid Socks in red and the A-Z challenge but they will need to be finished this month to qualify for the Solid Socks group.
4. Finish my Ruffles Are Red. I'll try to actually complete this.
And that's about it. I don't really want to overstretch myself this month though I am hoping to complete a few rows on my blanket.
Apart from knitting I have been on another one of my walks, which I'll tell you about tomorrow. It's been a while since I've been to this place even though it's only about 10-15 minutes drive away and I'd forgotten how beautiful and scenic it is.
See you tomorrow xxxxxxxxxxxx
Here's the second version:
1. Finish my super secret project started in July. Done.
2. Finish my I socks. Now on heel of second sock. Done.
3. Finish my J socks. Only cast on done for first sock. Not even taken out of the bag.
4. Finish my N socks. Up to heel of first sock. First sock finished.
5. Start my P socks. I've decided on Polly Jean. Done and finished.
6. Start my Q socks. Decided on Queen of Cups. Literally just the CO done.
7. Make progress on my Ripple Blanket. Nope.
8. Finish my Ruffles Are Red Scarf. It just needs the ribbon adding and pictures taken. Nope.
9. Possibly another cast on of a super secret project. Started and nearly finished.
I did indeed finish my super secret project but I can now show pictures. It was another test knit for Meghan aka ButterflyKnit. It was a shawl for a yarn company and it's a great pattern. The pattern is a bonus when you sign up to Yummy Yarns Wrapped In YummyYarn Club.
Ta-Da:
Next up was to finish my I socks for the SKA August challenge. I love these, the yarn is so soft and they are so so comfy.
The pattern does look quite complicated but is really easy. And I love love the block colour versions. Another pair to add to my sock drawer, Woohoo!!
The J socks never saw the light of day. I cast on DD's P socks instead and got them finished. DD insisted that she had to have the P socks as it is her initial so they were obviously meant for her. I am here to oblige...or do as I'm told!
I really must knit something other than purple socks (or red shawls)!!
These were finished on the drive to Norfolk. So DD, as you would expect, decided to wear them straight away and proceeded to walk around on warm tarmac. Result: fuzzy bottoms!!
I've actually got a shot of them being worn, very rare, especially when they are on my feet but as they are DD's feet it's OK.
I did manage to finish the first sock of my N socks but I haven't taken a picture yet. I also cast on my Q socks but this is as far as they got.
Now for the non-sock projects.
I didn't get to thread the ribbon in my Ruffles Are Red scarf. I really ought to do this as I love the idea and can see me wearing it a lot when finished over the winter.
Nada progress on my ripple blankie though I was sorely tempted to sneak a few rows in but it would have meant my next sooper secret project wouldn't have been started and it needed to be as it has a short deadline.
Let's hope September fares better, though looking back I suppose August wasn't too bad.
September's goals are short and sweet.
1. Finish my sooper secret project. This is very nearly done.
2. Cast on my R socks which are Riding On The Metro. These will double dip for SKA and the A-Z challenge.
3. Cast on and finish my S socks Salmon Run. I'm going to triple dip with these for SKA, Solid Socks in red and the A-Z challenge but they will need to be finished this month to qualify for the Solid Socks group.
4. Finish my Ruffles Are Red. I'll try to actually complete this.
And that's about it. I don't really want to overstretch myself this month though I am hoping to complete a few rows on my blanket.
Apart from knitting I have been on another one of my walks, which I'll tell you about tomorrow. It's been a while since I've been to this place even though it's only about 10-15 minutes drive away and I'd forgotten how beautiful and scenic it is.
See you tomorrow xxxxxxxxxxxx
Friday, 2 September 2011
First Day Back
Well it was the first day back to school yesterday for DS and DD and what a scorcher....typical really they go to school the sun comes out. Though to be honest in our neck of the woods we can't complain about the weather as it's not been that bad, mainly dry and warm.
Now I wondered where July went, well August, did we even have an August, it went by so fast I think I missed it! Nothing much happened except a visit to the in-laws in Norfolk but still it flew by.
As a new school year starts so does a new exercise regimen (and I mean regimen as it's the last thing I really want to do!) as I seriously need to lose weight. Up until my twenties I took part in a lot of sports and a keen athlete and even when I stopped running/kick boxing I was still a gym bunny until about 5 years ago, now I do nothing, absolutely zilch, a real couch potato!! Now I won't blather on endlessly about exercise and healthy eating (notice I didn't use the dreaded "d" word) as it's boring and not what anyone wants to hear about, myself included. My plan is to walk, that's it just walk with the occasional Wii/Xbox Kinect dance thrown in.
We have a Great Dane cross called Stan or his naughty name is Stanley...he's like a baby dane...but still a big dog so I've decided to take him out more often.
Do you want to see him....
And yes he is playing on the trampoline with DD, he loves it being bounced up and down, very strange!
So today we went for a 2.5 mile walk round Thornton Reservoir. I have mentioned the reservoir before but what a difference, the water is so so low after the summer.
April 2011
September 2011
September 2011
See the difference. All the weeds seen above are normally covered in water. You can just make out the start of the water to the left of the picture. And what a difference in weather, it was so bright and sunny in April.
It was a lovely walk and I thoroughly enjoyed it. At one point a 'skein' (they really are called a skein of geese when flying in the air, honest, I looked it up) of geese flew overhead and the noise, I have never heard anything like it, they were so loud, Stan wondered what was going on and was frantically running around jumping into the air.
We plan on doing these walks more often to different parts of the local area and countryside and there will be plenty of photos.
Time to go and do some cleaning I'll be back soon with how my August knitting goals went!!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Now I wondered where July went, well August, did we even have an August, it went by so fast I think I missed it! Nothing much happened except a visit to the in-laws in Norfolk but still it flew by.
As a new school year starts so does a new exercise regimen (and I mean regimen as it's the last thing I really want to do!) as I seriously need to lose weight. Up until my twenties I took part in a lot of sports and a keen athlete and even when I stopped running/kick boxing I was still a gym bunny until about 5 years ago, now I do nothing, absolutely zilch, a real couch potato!! Now I won't blather on endlessly about exercise and healthy eating (notice I didn't use the dreaded "d" word) as it's boring and not what anyone wants to hear about, myself included. My plan is to walk, that's it just walk with the occasional Wii/Xbox Kinect dance thrown in.
We have a Great Dane cross called Stan or his naughty name is Stanley...he's like a baby dane...but still a big dog so I've decided to take him out more often.
Do you want to see him....
And yes he is playing on the trampoline with DD, he loves it being bounced up and down, very strange!
So today we went for a 2.5 mile walk round Thornton Reservoir. I have mentioned the reservoir before but what a difference, the water is so so low after the summer.
April 2011
September 2011
September 2011
See the difference. All the weeds seen above are normally covered in water. You can just make out the start of the water to the left of the picture. And what a difference in weather, it was so bright and sunny in April.
It was a lovely walk and I thoroughly enjoyed it. At one point a 'skein' (they really are called a skein of geese when flying in the air, honest, I looked it up) of geese flew overhead and the noise, I have never heard anything like it, they were so loud, Stan wondered what was going on and was frantically running around jumping into the air.
We plan on doing these walks more often to different parts of the local area and countryside and there will be plenty of photos.
Time to go and do some cleaning I'll be back soon with how my August knitting goals went!!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Wednesday, 10 August 2011
Change of Plan
I've decided to change my goals for August as I came across the SKA August Challenge to finish more SIP's (Socks in Progress) than Mapleweave, a SKA member who is renowned for sock orphans.
So my new goals are:
1. Finish my super secret project started in July.
2. Finish my I socks. Now on heel of second sock
3. Finish my J socks. Only cast on done for first sock.
4. Finish my N socks. Up to heel of first sock.
5. Start my P socks. I've decided on Polly Jean.
6. Start my Q socks.
7. Make progress on my Ripple Blanket.
8. Finish my Ruffles Are Red Scarf. It just needs the ribbon adding and pictures taken.
9. Possibly another cast on of a super secret project.
Now that's actually a lot of knitting, not sure I'll get it all done but I'll give it a good try xxxxxxx
So my new goals are:
1. Finish my super secret project started in July.
2. Finish my I socks. Now on heel of second sock
3. Finish my J socks. Only cast on done for first sock.
4. Finish my N socks. Up to heel of first sock.
5. Start my P socks. I've decided on Polly Jean.
6. Start my Q socks.
7. Make progress on my Ripple Blanket.
8. Finish my Ruffles Are Red Scarf. It just needs the ribbon adding and pictures taken.
9. Possibly another cast on of a super secret project.
Now that's actually a lot of knitting, not sure I'll get it all done but I'll give it a good try xxxxxxx
Saturday, 6 August 2011
August, What It's August Already!!
Where did July go......It just flew by, time seems to go by so quick now, blink and its gone!
I thought I'd recap my July knitting goals and set out 10 for August. Right let's see how successful I was.
1. Finish my Bois test knit. Done.
2. Finish my C socks. Done.
3. Finish my F socks. Done.
4. Finish the eighth repeat of the Yucca chart on my Aeolian. Done.
5. Finish the first All Water Mitten. Not Done.
6. Start my N socks. Done twice.
7. Start my O socks. Done.
8. Start the Iris Mystery Shawl and finish clue 1. Done.
9. Frog Tempting. Done.
10. Cast on another project. Done.
Well I actually didn't think I would get as much of the list done as I did but it shows what can be achieved when you are organised. 9 out of 10 isn't bad. I can't see it lasting long though, I'm rubbish at being organised!
Now for my August goals, again I'll go for 10 and see how I go.
1. Knit the transition chart on my Aeolian. My plan is a little every month on this to get it finished. I love knitting it but not in one go.
2. Finish the project cast on in July.
3. Finish my I socks.
4. Start my P socks.
5. Start my Q socks.
6. Finish clue 2 and 3 on my Iris Mystery Shawl.
7. Finish my Ruffles are Red Scarf. It just needs the ribbon adding and pictures taken.
8. Finish one J sock.
9. Start the Westknits Mystery Shawl. Finish clue 1.
10. Make some more ripples on my Ripple Blanket.
I did start my O socks and they are down to the heel flap. I opted for Ookuru socks by Himawari. I love the pattern though it is proving slightly more demanding than I thought it would thanks to the double increases, when you are a tight knitter like me, increasing twice in a stitch is very tricksy!
My last goal was to cast on another project. I've done this but it is a super secret project so I can't give any details until later in the year. I knew it would be happening and it's not anything by me but something I'm working on for another designer. Watch this space!
Time to love you and leave you and get cracking with the goals, it's going to be tough this month xxxxx
I thought I'd recap my July knitting goals and set out 10 for August. Right let's see how successful I was.
1. Finish my Bois test knit. Done.
2. Finish my C socks. Done.
3. Finish my F socks. Done.
4. Finish the eighth repeat of the Yucca chart on my Aeolian. Done.
5. Finish the first All Water Mitten. Not Done.
6. Start my N socks. Done twice.
7. Start my O socks. Done.
8. Start the Iris Mystery Shawl and finish clue 1. Done.
9. Frog Tempting. Done.
10. Cast on another project. Done.
Well I actually didn't think I would get as much of the list done as I did but it shows what can be achieved when you are organised. 9 out of 10 isn't bad. I can't see it lasting long though, I'm rubbish at being organised!
Now for my August goals, again I'll go for 10 and see how I go.
1. Knit the transition chart on my Aeolian. My plan is a little every month on this to get it finished. I love knitting it but not in one go.
2. Finish the project cast on in July.
3. Finish my I socks.
4. Start my P socks.
5. Start my Q socks.
6. Finish clue 2 and 3 on my Iris Mystery Shawl.
7. Finish my Ruffles are Red Scarf. It just needs the ribbon adding and pictures taken.
8. Finish one J sock.
9. Start the Westknits Mystery Shawl. Finish clue 1.
10. Make some more ripples on my Ripple Blanket.
I did start my O socks and they are down to the heel flap. I opted for Ookuru socks by Himawari. I love the pattern though it is proving slightly more demanding than I thought it would thanks to the double increases, when you are a tight knitter like me, increasing twice in a stitch is very tricksy!
My last goal was to cast on another project. I've done this but it is a super secret project so I can't give any details until later in the year. I knew it would be happening and it's not anything by me but something I'm working on for another designer. Watch this space!
Time to love you and leave you and get cracking with the goals, it's going to be tough this month xxxxx
Friday, 5 August 2011
And Nearing the Finish Line...
Just a quick catch up on my July goals.
One goal was to finish my F socks. They are done, diddly done done, even after seriously kicking my butt. I have a real issue with these socks, nothing to do with the pattern, just me! Firstly they were coming out too big so tinked back to the rib and went down a couple of needles sizes. After finishing the first sock I was concerned about the amount of yarn left and after weighing it realised I wouldn't have enough, so began the search for a second skein. Could I find a matching one, no!! I ordered some more in the same colour but it was nothing like my skein that I got from a Ravelry destash with no label. The colour it was meant to be was more green than yellow and much paler. So I ordered a darker colour, this was much too dark. In the end I used the darker one for the toes, after reknitting them 3 times!!
Next was to finish the eighth repeat of my Aeolian. This took about half an hour to sort and its now ready for the next stage.
I started my N socks a week ago but if you remember I didn't like the way it was pooling, so it went into time out. So I cast on a different pair, Nemesis, in a different yarn. This is up to the heel on the first sock though the picture only shows the cuff.
One goal was to start my Iris Mystery Shawl and finish clue 1. Finished and so quick too, though I can see the next clues will take a little while longer to complete. I'll take pictures once I start clue 2.
Well quite a productive week really, I'm well on my way to completing the 10 goals I set out.
Until next time xxxxxxxx
One goal was to finish my F socks. They are done, diddly done done, even after seriously kicking my butt. I have a real issue with these socks, nothing to do with the pattern, just me! Firstly they were coming out too big so tinked back to the rib and went down a couple of needles sizes. After finishing the first sock I was concerned about the amount of yarn left and after weighing it realised I wouldn't have enough, so began the search for a second skein. Could I find a matching one, no!! I ordered some more in the same colour but it was nothing like my skein that I got from a Ravelry destash with no label. The colour it was meant to be was more green than yellow and much paler. So I ordered a darker colour, this was much too dark. In the end I used the darker one for the toes, after reknitting them 3 times!!
Next was to finish the eighth repeat of my Aeolian. This took about half an hour to sort and its now ready for the next stage.
I started my N socks a week ago but if you remember I didn't like the way it was pooling, so it went into time out. So I cast on a different pair, Nemesis, in a different yarn. This is up to the heel on the first sock though the picture only shows the cuff.
One goal was to start my Iris Mystery Shawl and finish clue 1. Finished and so quick too, though I can see the next clues will take a little while longer to complete. I'll take pictures once I start clue 2.
Well quite a productive week really, I'm well on my way to completing the 10 goals I set out.
Until next time xxxxxxxx
Let Bedlam Commence!
Well its the start of the school holidays and time to keep the piggy's occupied (well it was when I originally wrote this post but then I forgot about it!!). DS is no problem he just gets on with his own thing, usually to do with his Xbox and sailing. But DD is a different matter all together. She cannot sit still and has to be doing something, usually with someone else. So a trip to The Works was called for to stock up on arty supplies.
First up is a scraperfoil picture of "Playful Spaniels". this is sooo cute and I knew it would appeal to DD, she loves cute!
Next was a watercolour card set of "Rue de Paris". She ended up starting one of these straight away, not bad for her first attempt at watercolours! And not too bad a price either.
I also bought her a 6 pack of canvas boards, which she loves to decorate or transfer images to.
During the week DS was staying at a friends house so DD and I decided to go to The New Walk Museum in Leicester. DD loves this type of thing, though she is more into interactive exhibits or objects rather than actual paintings themselves. "Booooring" is normally the reaction I get when faced with a room full of paintings!
The main feature of this museum is The Dinosaur Gallery but this is closed at the moment for a refurb. Second on DD's list is The Ancient Egyptians where they have a real mummy. The reason for visiting this time was the Picasso Ceramics: the Attenborough Collection. What a fantastic display, plenty to feast your eyes on. The collection of 40 pieces has been entrusted to the City of Leicester to commemorate the loss of their daughter and granddaughter in the Asian tsunami that struck in December 2004.
The museum does hold activities during the holidays so while I sat and drank Costa Coffee and knit on my socks, why yes they have a Costa Coffee in the museum, now you can see the attraction, DD went to play with clay, or more specifically, Picasso Menagerie on a Plate. She loved it, she got to make her very own Picasso, and I have to say I am rather impressed. I did wonder what she would bring back, which she was very indignant at - "What do you mean you wondered what I would bring back, hmph".
All in all we had a great afternoon, so much so DD wanted to go back the next day with her friend who was staying for the day. This time it was lizards. They had a couple of real lizards which they could hold and had a talk about and also make their own lizard mobile. This didn't go so well. There was a large queue to hold them as you would expect and the craft part wasn't as well manned as the previous day. Oh well! That's the way it goes.
Well bye for now until next time xxxxxxx
First up is a scraperfoil picture of "Playful Spaniels". this is sooo cute and I knew it would appeal to DD, she loves cute!
Next was a watercolour card set of "Rue de Paris". She ended up starting one of these straight away, not bad for her first attempt at watercolours! And not too bad a price either.
I also bought her a 6 pack of canvas boards, which she loves to decorate or transfer images to.
During the week DS was staying at a friends house so DD and I decided to go to The New Walk Museum in Leicester. DD loves this type of thing, though she is more into interactive exhibits or objects rather than actual paintings themselves. "Booooring" is normally the reaction I get when faced with a room full of paintings!
The main feature of this museum is The Dinosaur Gallery but this is closed at the moment for a refurb. Second on DD's list is The Ancient Egyptians where they have a real mummy. The reason for visiting this time was the Picasso Ceramics: the Attenborough Collection. What a fantastic display, plenty to feast your eyes on. The collection of 40 pieces has been entrusted to the City of Leicester to commemorate the loss of their daughter and granddaughter in the Asian tsunami that struck in December 2004.
The museum does hold activities during the holidays so while I sat and drank Costa Coffee and knit on my socks, why yes they have a Costa Coffee in the museum, now you can see the attraction, DD went to play with clay, or more specifically, Picasso Menagerie on a Plate. She loved it, she got to make her very own Picasso, and I have to say I am rather impressed. I did wonder what she would bring back, which she was very indignant at - "What do you mean you wondered what I would bring back, hmph".
All in all we had a great afternoon, so much so DD wanted to go back the next day with her friend who was staying for the day. This time it was lizards. They had a couple of real lizards which they could hold and had a talk about and also make their own lizard mobile. This didn't go so well. There was a large queue to hold them as you would expect and the craft part wasn't as well manned as the previous day. Oh well! That's the way it goes.
Well bye for now until next time xxxxxxx
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