A Sock Knitter's Diary

Neep Heid

2012-01-21T01:33:00.001Z

I love the little turnips in this pattern. It wouldn't be my normal choice but this caught my fancy.

A Brown Lunch at Sainsburys'

2012-01-20T12:41:00.001Z

I realised when I reached the supermarket that I was far too hungry to do the shopping - I would have bought everything in the store. I decided to give the cafeteria a try. The ham and cheese toastie was rather bland but the coffee cake and latte were delicious. I'm ready now to do the shopping in a much more restrained manner.

Today's flower is gorse.

2012-01-07T14:55:00.001Z

A patch of welcome colour on a grey walk in hibernating countryside.

2011-12-14T13:19:00.000Z

It is bitterly cold today and I wish this sweater would fit me as it is rather soft and cuddly. This is the wiggly wool after being washed and knit into a sweater so, third time lucky. The pattern is from the wonderful Elizabeth Zimmerman and the rust yarn for the hems is some I already had but I don't know from where.

Considering the yarn I used for the hems is so bulky, they don't look too bad but if I use this method again I shall definitely use a finer yarn though, I'm not yet sure how to workout how the number stitches to use or how to cast them on.
I'm not sure who will wear this now, it was meant to be for me but I look terrible in it and it is slightly too tight. I think it might benefit from some embroidery.

Dye plant progress

2011-12-05T15:17:00.001Z

Woad and Madder plants

This photo shows how my woad and madder plants are progressing. I must get the woad onto the garden before it outgrows its pot. I'm still not sure if I should plant the madder out before spring.

Dreads

2011-12-05T15:09:00.001Z

Woolly Dreads

This yarn has been a cardigan that was knitting up too small and then a sweater that was over three quarters finished before I frogged it again. I didn't wash the yarn between knittings and wasted such a lot of time on the second sweater trying to make up my mind whether, to pull it out or not. The knitting looked terrible where I'd knit with the twisty wool and quite good where I'd used fresh yarn. I was counting on it all evening out when washed. I know doubt it would improve and have decided to start again after washing and straightening.

Visiting Yally

2011-10-26T14:21:00.000+01:00

Yesterday I drove down to visit Yally and had a lovely evening in London - eating and generally soaking up the city atmosphere.
Today we had to call out the AA to sort out the battery in her car which, apparently has been flat since August. It means a new battery and while waiting for another AA man to come and fit it, we've been playing hairdressers. Yally's new curly hair is pretty and very Bibaesqe from the front.

Hedgerow foraging

2011-09-21T17:58:00.000+01:00

Gracie and walk this path most days and I thought since today is the September equinox I would post some more photos but this time it is well and truly autumn and we can complete the walk much more briskly in the cooler air.

Today however, I noticed that the sloes that I have been waiting to ripen had already been picked on most of the trees and was angry with myself for waiting too long to pick them.

Feeling a little sad, I decided to take a different route that we don't do often because of the sheep. I'm pleased to report that the trees were heaving with sloes and I had to use my fleece to carry the crab apples home.

Tomorrow I'm going to make sloe and crab apple chutney. I've no idea what it will be like because I've never seen a recipe for it but I'm hoping to create something wonderful.

How to grow Lincoln Green

2011-09-01T12:46:00.000+01:00

First plant your Weld. I planted these about a week ago, maybe more and I'm hoping that the green speck in the very middle is a germinated Weld seed. I've heard that Weld is very difficult to germinate and some people swear by putting the seeds in the freezer first, others, allowing the seeds to sit on the surface to receive maximum light. I, being impatient and having probably left it too late anyway, chose the latter method. If this fails there is the wild Weld growing close by.

No such problems germinating the wode seeds. After all, this is Lincolnshire - at one time the heart of the wode growing industry. This year I lost the wode in the spring as a result of over zealous weeding. These fifteen seedlings are going to be protected until their havest next June (I hope).

Not sure

2011-07-03T13:35:00.001+01:00

Now that it's carded it does look usable. I don't hate the colour, I just don't like it that much.

I used the woolpicker to finish separating the fibres and quickly carded some rough batts with the rest. I didn't want to waste too much time on something I wasn't particularly enjoying.

This is the rough batt with all the rubbish left in, I'll probably do a bit of rustic spinning this afternoon.

But the good news

2011-07-02T19:55:00.001+01:00

I walk past this every day but this is the first time I've noticed it. It's one of many Weld plants growing around the old quarry. I couldn't get it to grow in the garden but who cares! I'll be able to dye masses with all this.

Disappointing

2011-07-02T19:45:00.001+01:00

This fleece is supposed to be a beautiful Rosewood colour but for some reason only the tips have taken the dye. I think there must have been grease left in. The fleece was quite clean so I spent much less time washing it. It is lovely and bouncy from a Dorset Poll X Texel lamb.

Last night's walk

2011-07-01T11:19:00.001+01:00

210 grams - YUM YUM!

2011-05-27T10:11:00.001+01:00

All from just 40 grams of onion skins.

2011-05-24T21:23:00.001+01:00

The colour is wonderful, much more vibrant than it appears in this photo. I wonder if the rovings will spin tomorrow. I doubt it, I think the felting is even worse than before.

Colour!!!

2011-05-24T18:20:00.001+01:00

In this pot there is 50g of fibre - half of it already spun.

Take III - Thinking straight

2011-05-24T15:16:00.001+01:00

The unmordented fibre was not nice to spin so I had a beer. Have decided to spin the felted fibre - it is possible with loads of tugging and once drafted it spins nicely and is easy to control.
I'm going to dye 25g of spun yarn and try another 25g of the felted stuff just to see what happens. I'm becoming desperate to use some colour.

Take II

2011-05-24T13:54:00.001+01:00

I'm not going to be defeated. Here I have 20g of onion skins boiling for 45 minutes to make a dye bath. In the meantime I'm spinning 50g of unmordented Falkland rovings. The plan is to spin two lots if 25g, mordant both with alum and cream of tartar but modify one hank after dying with iron water. Hmm....

Oh No!

2011-05-24T10:25:00.000+01:00

It felted!

I don't know why. I was so careful and gentle. I think it may pull apart if I'm aggressive but I daren't put it through a dye bath. I wonder if I can spin it before dying. I'm sad now. What if I spin it all and then the yarn felts?

Sheepish

2011-05-23T13:21:00.001+01:00

Today I am going to mordant 1•5 K of Falkland fleece.

I have this huge stockpot which I thought was going to hold all the fleece - good job I checked because it only holds 500g. I'm bringing it to 82degC very slowly on the simmering plate in the hope that the wool doesn't felt, then it has to simmer away for 45 minutes, before cooling and rincing. Hope It wasn't the wrong decision using this stockpot for dying, I won't be able to cook with it again now. I don't think I will go into catering and I do have a smaller and more manageable pot for stock and soup.

Yally home for Easter!

2011-04-25T12:37:00.001+01:00

Hurrah!

Sunshine

2011-04-21T15:26:00.001+01:00

It's so hot today, both Lily and Gracie have sought out the shade.

Derbyshire

2011-04-16T14:21:00.001+01:00

Yesterday I went to a farm in Ashover to collect a couple of fleeces and afterwards took Gracie for a walk on this moor. We only walked for about a mile as it was very gloomy and lonely. I was spooked. I often think I should move back to Derbyshire, I miss the scenery.

Prep again

2011-04-11T12:44:00.001+01:00

The sweater is knitting up quickly now but I have definitely not prepared or spun enough fleece, especially the black. I hope there is enough fleece here to finish it. I think this sheep must have been a bit elderly as it is full of grey. Also unsure if it will match.

The pear tree looks fabulous.

Yarn

2011-04-04T15:26:00.001+01:00

Amazingly all the cleaned and carded fleece from the first Zwartbles fleece has compressed down to these four skeins of yarn. It doesn't seem much for all the work that has gone into it but it is rather satisfying. The White is waiting to be spun but I won't start today. I'm thinking that this may not be enough yarn for what I have planned and hope that the two other fleeces aren't to different from the ones I have ready. I should have prepared them together and blended the fibres from them both.

Mother's Day

2011-04-03T15:13:00.001+01:00

Aquatic house at Kew. A lovely day with Alice. Lunch at Pizza Express, a wander amongst the spring flowers and some of the glass houses before taking the boat to Westminster pier and then the train home feeling deliciously tired.

A swatch

2011-03-31T13:09:00.002+01:00

I'm excited now. Nearly all the fleece is carded and the main pattern decided. The yarn is three ply worsted spun and about a double knitting weight. It feels good knitted on 4.5mm needles. The really good thing is that Ed positively likes what I'm doing and is taking an interest in what I'm doing. I think he will probably wear it.
The Fair Isle pattern is late 19th early 20th century and I shall knit it into a fairly straight forward gansey knit in the round with STEEKS! I still have't dared to cut the steeks in the last Fair Isle thing I knit.

Black And White

2011-03-26T11:03:00.001Z

This is the Lleyn fleece, Gracie who had one of her toes amputated last week took possession so, I was only able to wash it yesterday.

There's almost 500 grams of carded Zwartbles here. I'm pleased with myself for being disciplined about doing this. The yarn is well prepared with no nepps or rubbish in it and I didn't give up after the first 100 grams and decide to knit something small instead. Because there is only the best stuff in here, I will have to prepare another similar fleece. I'm bored of black now so will do some of the white next.

Something for the boy

2011-03-21T13:47:00.000Z

I'm going to spin this Zwartbles fleece along with another white Lleyn fleece that I have stored away then design and knit something wonderful.

Skanky Fleece

2010-05-19T15:13:00.000+01:00

I'm having a proper spinning lesson on Tuesday - not one with gin and vodka and tears. Juliet only allows tea.
The fleece is from a nine month BFL mule, its first clip so very soft. It is also full of vegetable matter and other less pleasant stuff. I rather like the smell and if it wasn't so dirty I would have spun it in the grease.

Here is some of the fleece drying. I'm washing it in small batches as last time I washed a fleece, it blocked the drains.
I hope I learn to spin quickly as I think this is going to make lovely yarn and I want to enter something in the village flower show in July.

2010-01-24T11:22:00.000Z

I's in London innit man?

2009-12-31T13:24:00.000Z

Going to london for new year woop woop!

A rare sight

2009-11-08T17:15:00.004Z

Here's a sight you'll rarely see - Ed walking with Gracie and me. We'd just been shopping and I insisted on stopping to give Gracie a run. He didn't want me to take a photo, I had to sneek this one.

This is Twyford wood, interesting because it contains the remains of war time North Witham airfield. The decayed runway and service roads are still there and I think the control tower is still fairly intact but we didn't see it. I worry walking Grace here because it is so close to the A1. She is well behaved now but could still become loopy and run blindly on too the road.

Grace found it very exciting and was rather exhuberant, perhaps because of her enforced rest yesterday. This resulted in her injuring her other paw, limping back to the car bloody and stinking of fox. She's now feeling miserable after a shower. I hope the antibiotics prevent this new wound becoming infected.

How frustrating

2009-11-07T11:21:00.001Z

It's a wonderful sunny autumn day, perfect for walking Gracie round the woods. Sadly, she has a swollen finger and is walking with a limp. She needs to rest until the antibiotics and painkillers begin to work. We are waiting here in the car park until the others get back.

2009-10-14T23:23:00.000+01:00

This is where you find the archives for Northumbria - at Woodhorn pit. I was amazed, this was totally unexpected. By the time I'd looked around the exhibits, I had very little time left to actually look in the archives.
I doubt I will have time to visit again this trip as I have much more to research in Newcastle.

A Grey Newcastle Morning

2009-10-14T10:22:00.000+01:00

These socks have travelled. They began in Florida in August and are now in Newcastle where I'm getting in a couple of rows while I wait for Jackie's parcel to arrive.

It is a typical dull wet northern day. It's months since I saw anything like this. I do love Newcastle, I just hope it stops raining soon so that I can walk to the archives without getting soaked.

Food for free!

2009-09-28T10:27:00.008+01:00

I adore this time of year – with dew and spiders and fruit in abundance. I have five ripe tomatoes that planted themselves from last year's rotten crop. They are Gardener's Delight and should be very tasty, the poor plant it's so healthy and still setting tomatoes, I don't want to let it down, perhaps I'll make chutney from the green ones. Can you do that? I didn't get any last year as the weather was terrible and they all suffered from blight. It's always a gamble trying to grow tomatoes outside in England, these have spurred me on to try again next year.

The trees on Gracie's walk are heaving with Sloes, I'm wondering if you can make jam from them. They are very similar to damsons.

Here's another photo of my finished shawl The iPhone is a wonderful thing but its camera is shite! Such a shame.

Blocked

2009-09-27T20:34:00.000+01:00

Another shawl

2009-09-27T12:00:00.000+01:00

Since this is meant to be a knitting blog I thought I would post my latest project.

This is another Laminaria shawl (the first is on Ravelry). Shawl knitting is my favoured type of knitting at present.

All I have to do now is sew in the ends and block it. The yarn is a 55% cashmere, 45% silk mix. Right now it feels like an old rag. I hope blocking helps.

New Toy

2009-09-26T19:47:00.000+01:00

I ought to have something better to do on a Saturday night, but here I am at home watching Strictly Come Dancing........

and playing with my new iPhone. I've resisted buying one for ages but now it has Sat Nav it's exactly what I need. I'm such a nerd.

ROCK AND ROLL!

2009-09-03T12:33:00.002+01:00

Saturday saw Ed's first real gig. They opened the Bytham Music Festival. This is the second year of the festival which is organised to raise funds for the village church. It is a very well attended event unlike the village church.

A very beautiful Crickety thing in Apalacicola

2009-08-04T23:17:00.003+01:00

Gosh! It was so hot and humid today. We went into Apalachicola for lunch, a very good grilled cod and wicked chocolate and peanut butter pie.

Next door we found this cricket, I thought it was painted, the colours were so vivid. It was about four inches from it's nose to the tip of its tail. I would like to take it home and keep it in a jar – such a beautiful thing.

We've stocked up on prettily wrapped Margarita ingredients from the Honey Hoe Liquor Store which we are going to enjoy this evening while playing Tikal.

A very lazy day

2009-08-03T23:52:00.009+01:00

This is the view from my bedroom window when I get up in the morning. I've discovered that I did bring my camera – very pleased about that, it takes much better photos.

Last night we had beer and oysters at Burt Teaches (or something like that), a kind of wooden bar shack. Neither Lesley nor I had eaten oysters before. They were delicious and we may go again tonight. Perhaps I won't have so many beers tonight and I may have the crabs legs.
Update: We did go and I had chicken salad and Stella to drink, I now feels much drunker than last night. Tut, tut. I'm failing in all my plans.

This is the view from the sun porch but we haven't really used it as the heat is intense. I'm not sure but I think you may be able to see the green roof of the back of the house we stayed in in 1998.

The very best thing about this house is the screen porch which is on the shady side of the house, it has fans to cool it to a bearable heat and no bugs can get in.

This is where we have sat most of the day and read or knitted.

Maybe tomorrow I shall get my arse into action and do some of the things I've been talking about – like hiring a bike and getting up early enough to take a swim before it gets too hot.

A new sock

2009-08-02T18:20:00.004+01:00

This is the sock I'm making from my Atlanta stash. I forgot to bring the other ball of yarn with me so if I finish this, I won't be able to start the other until I get back to Atlanta. I also forgot my camera - that is why the quality of the photos is poor, I'm using my telephone.

Here are Charlie and Bebe on the porch at Burb's Nest.

Down to the beach

2009-08-02T15:13:00.005+01:00

Yesterday we drove to the beach at St George Island in Florida. Bebe and Charlie preferred my lap to their bed at the side.

The drive was 367 miles and took several hours. We stopped for a Subway lunch in Unadilla, which we ate from the bonnet as we couldn't take the Wieners in with us.

These little cats are shortly to be eviscerated by Bebe and Charlie.

A trip to see Lesley and Henry

2009-07-31T20:36:00.007+01:00

I really MUST curb my yarn buying habits. On Tuesday I arrived in Atlanta to realise, I had built up a stash of yarn there too.

Here is Lesley's beautiful garden in the forest. This is probably the last time I shall see it as she poised to move to a more interesting area of the city.

I love Lesley's garden, it has a gothic feel to it with interesting and unexpected stuff poking out from the undergrowth.

Below Lesley is working on her list for the trip to the beach on St George Island

2009-05-25T10:48:00.000+01:00

My friend Jack has been staying with me on and off since last November, she spent three months in Senegal building her house and has been here since the beginning of April.

I've taken loads of photographs intending to upload them to my blog but somehow never got around to it. Here are a few from yesterday.

Socks And Stuff

2009-04-26T09:55:00.001+01:00

At last I've finished these socks I haven't enjoyed knitting them, but now I can start another pair in wonderful spicy colours.

Haven't updated my blog very often, it's difficult to write much when my life has been taken up mostly by finishing off my house. Just one long round of sifting through and disposing of junk, then moving my remaining possessions around my house as each room is decorated. Some people share their very personal thoughts and intimacies on their blogs, I am unable to do this.

My last remaining fruit tree is in full blossom. It's a William pear planted in 1907. I know this because shortly after we moved here over twenty years ago, an old man brought his daughter to show her where his was born. He was able to tell me exactly when he planted it with his father. 102 years is very good going for a fruit tree. I must replace the two apple trees that have died.

This is Arty one of my daughter's cats. He's not well at present and it's proving tricky to find out what is wrong with him. He is loosing weight very quickly and vomiting most days. He has a heart murmur discovered when he was young but the vet is treating him for his kidneys first. Poor thing, he will be eleven in July, I hope the treatment works for him but at this age I don't want to keep him going at all cost. He seems his usual self – just very skinny.

Beds, Sherwood Forest and Walks with Yally and Gracie

2009-04-25T13:42:00.000+01:00

A couple of weeks ago when Alice was staying with me, we went to Retford to buy a handmade sleigh bed for my newly decorated bedroom (very excited about it arriving but still have six weeks to wait). It was such a beautiful day that we decided to take Gracie and take a walk past the Major Oak. It was a perfect afternoon and here are a couple of pictures.

Signs of Spring

2009-02-21T18:48:00.010Z

The last of the snow thawed a few days ago to reveal hundreds of Snowdrops in my lawn. The sun is shining, the air is kind and it feels quite uplifting. I know it's still February and winter is still lurking ready to bite me one morning but today I'm making the most of it.

I've been busy, planting ten "Wild Edric" rose bushes as a hedge at the bottom of the garden.

This rose is supposed to flower freely over a long period and have a heavy strong musky and clove perfume. They are are also very thorny so I'm hoping it will keep Gracie confined to the garden. Ten bushes sounded a lot before I put them in. They are looking quite sparse, I hope they fill out this year and that I have enough. Some just look like dead sticks stuck in the ground. I'm only waiting for Mark my neighbour to do what ever he is planning then the fencing will be complete.

I also knitted a spring time sock this weekend. It's a thirteen stitch zig zaggy pattern on 78 stitches. The yarn is Schoppel Wolle Admiral Flakes. I like the yarn but I have read some poor reviews on Ravelry. It was quite cheap but such a waste of knitting time if the yarn doesn't stand up.

Indy RIP

2009-01-17T18:16:00.002Z

This is Indy my neighbour's cat. Sadly he was run over a couple of days ago and is now buried in my orchard. Sad he's gone, he was such a character and never grew into his ears.

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OTN

2008-12-09T16:03:00.003Z

Since this is a knitting blog I thought I would post my latest piece of procrastination - a jumper for Ed. The yarn is Donegal Aran tweed from a shop in Dingle, Co Kerry. I don't have time to do this.

Before and after.

2008-12-09T15:44:00.005Z

Just a quick progress picture of the bathroom. I love the light in here now, it's very mellow. Yesterday I had a bath, the first for months. The bath is huge and deep even though it doesn't look it in the photo, I felt six years old and tiny.

This is the red chair I stripped ready for recovering. It's quite dramatic now. I struggled with the recovering which was hurting my back so Philippa finished it for me and made a much better and professional job than I would have done. In the background is all the old Ducal pine furniture from the spare bedroom. It's painted up really well and should last for another 25 years.

Progress

2008-10-23T09:54:00.009+01:00

My bathroom which has been out of action since May now has a floor - a beautiful stone floor. I still haven't chosen a suit, Steve (the neighbour who is installing it) is tearing his hair out. I'm now down to two options, one is ultra modern and the other, heritage. I think I'm going modern. Yally is popping over shortly to try and prise a decision from me.

Talking of Yally, she is moving to Tooting today. Here she is, showing Gracie a picture of her new flat. Poor girl has a terrible cold and doesn't feel much like packing. It's been enjoyable, her living close by, I shall miss her.

These socks are for Philippa's birthday on Saturday. The pattern is a very simple lacy rib and they are knit in Noro Kureyon Sock. They don't match - I hope that doesn't bother her.

I've just broken my reading glasses.

Arrgghh! I have to go to Stamford and get some new ones – can't manage without them.

Woad to Wuin

2008-09-17T16:11:00.011+01:00

Look what Heather gave me yesterday! It's a ball of woad, she actually gave me two and a packet of seeds. It smells much better than it looks and I'm very excited about using it.

Edward despairs at his mother's strange friends and the stuff we get excited about. After a bit of research it seems that I have to ferment these balls by adding them to urine. I think quite a lot of folklore comes in here as the instructions vary as to where to collect the urine – Jackie tells me it must be from virgins but one website states that it should be young men (easier to collect I imagine) and another that it doesn't matter. I expect the latter is true.

The vat has to be at a constant temperature for a few weeks and as this is going to be very smelly I can't really do it in the house, I hope the cottage will be warm enough or we shall have to wait until next year.

I'm going to plant a few seeds in pots this evening to see if I can give them a head start, they may survive over the winter as I think they are quite hardy, a bit like cabbages. I think these plants can soon develop into highly invasive weeds so, I need to be careful not to let them go to seed.

These are my birthday socks finished. The pattern is my own – just simple cables knit with the Oxford Tofuties from Lesley. They're very comfy and I shall keep them on today.

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Now playing: The Knife - Marble House
via FoxyTunes

New Project – New Skills

2008-09-15T17:40:00.006+01:00

I've never liked this Edwardian chair. Someone had it re-upholstered in the early 90s in a horrid maroon draylon, Molly my old dog was the only one to use it. So I've decided to re-upholster it myself. How hard can it be?

I'm enjoying this, it's such a relief to remove the nasty fabric and even though it's very tedious removing the staples, I'm getting quite a lot of satisfaction knowing that the chair will be well prepared (that's my plan).

I can't decide whether to paint the wood on this chair, Philippa recommends that I do, to keep the room light. I think I shall leave the wood, I'm getting a bit bored with seeing painted furniture everywhere, also it will be easier to place in other rooms which are in the old part of the house. Opinions are welcome.

Apart from discovering how to actually do the upholstering, I have to choose a suitable fabric - I just have too many decisions to make at present.

I've waited almost 50 years to get a chandelier. This one looks much prettier in real life than in the photo and is perfect for the gallery room. I love it!

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Now playing: The Chemical Brothers - Hey Boy Hey Girl
via FoxyTunes

New Passion

2008-02-16T10:06:00.002Z

Last Saturday I attended a one day Japanese bookbinding course at Stamford Arts Centre and I was completely enthralled. I'm aching to take this further but at present I'm still finishing off my mother's old house for rental then I have to do major stuff on the little cottage before it collapses and last of all this house where I live is a crumbling pigsty. Do I have the will power to resist the bookbinding until I have finished. I really, really must resist. DAMN!

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Now playing: Kings Of Leon - Rememo

In A Field at Greatford

2008-02-15T18:59:00.001Z

Field at Greatford,
originally uploaded by tillynoddle.

Here we are taking off last Tuesday.

Ballooning to Bytham

2008-02-13T19:31:00.003Z

Yesterday was very exciting, my neighbour Mark took me up in his balloon and quite by chance we landed in the village.

Ravelry

2007-11-25T10:55:00.000Z

Since I've discovered Ravelry I haven't really had time for this blog. I try and catch up in a while.

Flock

2007-11-07T10:37:00.001Z

Just found this new browser called Flock, it's supposed to make social networking easier because all the tools are there to hand. This is my test.

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Withdrawal

2007-10-09T21:53:00.000+01:00

I know I shouldn't but I haven't knitted for over a week and no socks for ages, I think I shall start another pair of socks. This is the yarn from The Yarn Yard's September sock club (fruit salad) knit with a chevron pattern to show up the stripes.

Travel and ways to lose time

2007-10-03T18:34:00.000+01:00

I decided on Saturday to visit with my friend Lesley who lives in Atlanta. I arrived on Sunday evening and mercifully I am not suffering from jet lag. Having a wonderful time and will write it up later.

I have received my Ravelry invite at last. Wow what a place to lose time! Not sure if I shall have time to use it the way it is intended - maybe I shall be able to off load some of my stash to good homes, that would be useful.

Kitchen developements and Lesley's sock

2007-09-20T10:16:00.001+01:00

Yesterday Yally and I had a good go at finishing the tiling in the kitchen. We are almost there. I'm not entirely happy with it. I don't like the colour of the tiles anymore and my tiling skills leave much to be desired. I even contemplated after a very sleepless night, chipping them all off and either starting again or getting a professional in. I am hoping that the grouting (which I should be able to do tomorrow) will improve the colour and generally give it a more finished look. The photos have a yellow cast, the colour isn't quite as bad as in the photo.

You can see in the first photo how much there is left to do and I should finish it today even though, it is painfully difficult and fiddly tiling around the sockets.

This is fun! Lesley has never knit socks before so, I've knit just one sock and written out the pattern for her to knit the other. Of course I am also sending some needles and the rest of the yarn.
I used Garnstudio Fabel for this patten. The yarn has a very nice feel and is Superwash and can even be put in the tumble dryer which, I don't think I would dare do.
The annoying part is that there was a knot half way down knitting the heel and when I spliced the ends together, the colours were quite different and a new shade was introduced too.
I know I should complain and return the yarn but so much work has gone into it already; I don't think Lesley will be anal about the socks matching and I think the randomness gives them a certain charm. It will be interesting to see how her sock turns out with the other ball. I think this pattern would have been better knit in a plain colour yarn to better show the fishtail lace pattern. I have saved this pattern in pdf format to send to Lesley. If anyone would like a copy – just let me know and I shall email it. Or you can download it here.

Procrastination

2007-09-17T11:04:00.001+01:00

Yesterday, instead of completing the kitchen tiling, Yally persuaded me that it would be a good idea to go to Sacrewell Farm as they were having a festival of food and farming (or something like that). Since the Aga has been off for three days and we haven't had a proper meal since I began decorating the kitchen it was wonderful to indulge ourselves with organic sausage sandwiches and the hog roast. The pictures are of Yally who is feeling happy and content with a full belly once again.

The farm is in a lovely setting, the bottom picture has the working watermill in the back ground, they were grinding flour yesterday but it was too busy to see if they were selling it; must remember to find out.

The tiling is proving more difficult than I anticipated, the sockets are not in the best place for tiling around and I'm extremely nervous of the cutting machine having, dreamt I cut my fingers off using it. I must get over this and get it finished while the weather is still good.

Another KAL

2007-09-12T08:09:00.001+01:00

I've joined another KAL, this time for a Norwegian type cardigan. I don't really have time for this with the kitchen decorating and the on going gardening project but I couldn't help myself.

The yarn is a lovely springy DK superwash from Garnstudio, a company I only heard of recently and a cornucopia of luscious affordable yarns and FREE patterns.

Oh! And I've decided to frog this and begin again knitting a sweater. I've never really done any serious colour work before and this pattern has introduced me to steeks. I think I can cope with cutting the sleeves but I don't fancy cutting all the way up the front and then knitting on a button band that requires carrying four colours along a row. I do however love the idea of knitting in the round like a ganzy and having hardly any sewing at the end.

Ages since I last posted

2007-09-01T12:32:00.001+01:00

I can't believe it's September already, I've been really busy with the garden and now I'm decorating the kitchen after having some quite major work done in it. It's all good but I'm completely knackered all the time.

Victorian Lace Socks are finished too.

2007-07-30T13:47:00.000+01:00

I finished these socks for Six S0x Knitalong this morning, here they are being modelled by Alice who shall keep them. They are knit in Regia Bamboo – quite a pretty soft yarn, I hope it washes well.

Alice has taken a couple of her friends and Gracie to the beach at Thornham today. I hope Gracie behaves herself. I think they are going for a meal at the Lifeboat. I just love the beach at Thornham, I wish I was there too. I want to lie in the sand and watch the sky.

Feeling rather tired, I think I'll post more later.

Hogwart's Socks

2007-07-30T13:29:00.000+01:00

I finished the socks and they are now with their Ravenclaw recipient Ebony in Germany. I won't go on about the problems I had with these socks as I've mentioned them before. I think I was trying too hard because I was knitting them for someone I didn't know. This caused me to do odd things and make silly errors right from the start.
I did enjoy making the socks it's just that this time, things I normally find simple and straightforward for some reason didn't work out that way.

Festival Fun

2007-07-30T13:10:00.001+01:00

We've been home for two weeks now but I've been so busy this is the first chance to post. Latitude was excellent fun, I think it is the best festival I've been to although it is years since I've been to such a large one. The site was beautiful with the woods and the lake, the weather was kind and the performances superb. Highlights included Robin Ince’s Book Club in the Literary Arena, just about everything on the comedy stage (I didn't know I enjoy stand up so much), Jarvis the Arcade Fire and really just the festival as a whole - the vibe was good, everyone friendly and chilled. I love the fact that there were so many different things to do. And of course I enjoyed the people I was with.

Latitude Festival

2007-07-11T21:39:00.001+01:00

We're off to the Latitude Festival tomorrow. I'm very excited. Hope
the weather is good and my back doesn't collapse. I'll get to use my
new pop up tent and I bought an air-bed today.

Other news – Ed has a new car. Yippee! I'm not a taxi driver anymore.

Third time lucky! I hope...

2007-07-02T09:15:00.001+01:00

This is my third attempt at knitting socks for the Hogwart's sock swap. These are knitted in selfstriping yarn using a pattern from Sensational Knitted Socks. I'm not 100% happy with these socks either. The pattern calls for a "forethought" heel and the stripes haven't joined in the best possible way. I can't do anything about it now as I must get the package off by the end of the week. On the plus side the yarn is from Bright Dyes is a joy to work with and is machine washable too. Chrissy was extremely helpful – custom dying the yarn and posting it out by return. I will definitely order yarn from her again.
I'm knitting these socks using the beautiful Crystal Palace bamboo needles I received in my sock swap. They are soooo smooth and not too bendy. I hope they are charmed and will help me complete this pair with no more set backs.

Felting

2007-07-01T09:44:00.000+01:00

Alice knit this bag with the remainder of the duck egg blue Aran yarn I was using to knit my welly socks. She gave it to Emma for her 21st birthday and also made a matching iPod cover (which I think Emma has since lost). She did the felting by hand so that the bag didn't end up too small and completed it by using one of Edward's Poker chips as a button.

I seem to be jinxed with my Hogwarts sock swap. I am now knitting a third pair of socks – I discovered errors in both of the first pair when I looked closely (I really must NOT drink wine while I'm knitting). They won't be wasted, Alice is happy to wear them the way they are and she is in Ravenclaw too. The second pair were in worsted weight and were just too thick and ugly. I am now on the third pair and I am hopeful they will be OK. I don't know why I'm having these problems, I can usually knit lovely socks.

I liked Alice's bag so much I've decided to make one in Ravenclaw colours for my swap partner. This is it before it was felted, it is now slightly smaller and quite fluffy. I'm pleased with it and just need to find a wizardy something for the button. I'm hoping to have everything finished over the next couple of days.

I bought tickets for the Latitude Festival last night. We are not having a family holiday this year because the garden was so expensive so I'm looking forward to this - both Ed and Alice are coming and I'm really happy. Especially excited about Arcadefire, Jarvis Cocker, Bill Bailey and Dylan Moran. I need to buy a new tent before we go and think I shall get a PopUp.

Three Cheers for Alice and Emma!

2007-07-01T09:31:00.000+01:00

We went to Ferry Meadows on Wednesday evening to support Yally and Emma in the race for life. I'm so proud of Alice for taking part in this and doing all the training beforehand – she's not the most athletic person. Then it's the height of the hayfever season and sometimes she is completely floored by the asthma it caused.

It was wonderful seeing her run along towards the finishing line looking like an Amazon. Well done Alice!

Afterwards we had Pizza at the Pizzahut, a real trip down memory lane as we hadn't been for about ten years when the children grew out of it. Nothing much has changed there.

Victorian Lace

2007-06-17T11:32:00.001+01:00

These Victorian Lace socks are for the Six Sox KAL. I'm knitting them in Regia Bamboo Colour which, is probably not the best yarn to use, the bamboo content is 46% so not a lot of give. The melon pattern requires two loops from the left to be slipped over the two loops on the right. I nearly perforated my left index finger until I remembered to knit the previous row looser.

The needles are 2mm and I'm getting 10.5 stitches to the inch. 80 stitches in total. Again these socks will be for Alice.

I received another parcel in the post yesterday, my new camera, a really dinky Digital IXUS. Haven't had chance to use it much yet but I've taken some nice photos of Edward for his new passport – his last one disintegrated in his back pocket as he's been carrying it around for ID. He's nearly 20 and I don't think he looks young for his age but he still gets IDed everywhere. At least it occasionally prevents him from buying a pack of cigarettes. I wish the laws had been as stringent before he started smoking.

It's almost noon and there's still no sign of Alice and Ed getting out of bed. I feel quite disheartened.

Look what arrived in the post today!

2007-06-16T19:44:00.001+01:00

Addi Chang aka Jennifer my Hogwart's pal told me at the end of May that my parcel was on it's way and I am pleased, excited, awed, thrilled to say that it arrived today. And what a parcel, I hardly know where to begin.
Everything came enclosed in a pretty handmade bag in Gryffindor colours - perfect for keeping my latest sock project together and out of the reach of Psychocat. There was a box of Billy Bott's Beans, I don't think we get them here in England but I'm certainly going to look out for them; they are hilarious with flavours like dirt or earwax. The sardine flavoured ones were terrible but the only one to defeat us was "vomit", I'm afraid Ed had to spit that one out.

The stitchmarkers are exquisite with beautiful little rubies on silver wires. I'm going to save the HP bookmark until the next book comes out. Oh Yes! There's the Crystal Palace dpns in 2.25mm – can't wait to use them, I think they are going to be perfect when I've decided which pattern I am going to knit the most scrumptious and soft merino yarn in the Hedwig colourway, I wish it showed up more clearly in the photographs.

Then there's enough yarn left over from the socks to knit something else. I think I shall make some fingerless mittens and try to do the mosaic pattern too. I'm feeling so very excited about all this.
Last and best of all THE SOCKS! Aren't they just perfect? The yarn is a soft, extremely soft, machine washable merino. I've never felt a machine washable yarn with such a luxurious handle before. And look! They fit me perfectly. I love them so much, I'm only going to wear them on special occasions.

Thank you Jennifer, I feel thoroughly spoilt. I have never had socks knitted by anyone else so, these are extra special. I hope my swap pal is going to be as happy with hers.

Yally's blown her cover

2007-06-02T13:14:00.001+01:00

I always knew that Alice is a witch, (she's been denying it lately though I know she used to get up to some witchery and spell casting in her bedroom when she was younger) who else would knit a pair of socks with square toes? Look she's about to bind them off and she hasn't done any toe shaping! I bet she wears a wig.

It's a beautiful summery day, we have all the windows open and Grace is lying outside in her basket. I would love to be able to relax in the garden today but Jack is arriving in a couple of days and we haven't managed to find a home for all of Yally's belongings yet and Jack is bringing everything she owns too.

I gave my Passap Duomatic away today to someone from Freecycle. I've never used it, I bought it from eBay a few years ago but it was in my car when it crashed and I never really felt like using it after that. The woman who took it was very, very happy to to take it. I'm just relieved to have the space - I wish I'd done something about it ages ago.

Socks For Me and Garden Progress

2007-05-29T18:07:00.000+01:00

I managed to knit this sock over the weekend, it's very thick, knit in aran yarn on 3mm dpns. I need some new wellies so, I'm knitting these for myself and shall wear them when I am trying on new boots.

I learned a new cast on for these socks - it's a tubular cast on and very stretchy which I like. I haven't found if it is possible to cast on this way with a 2x2 rib. I hope so, I don't enjoy knitting a single rib - it's so time consuming throwing the yarn backwards and forwards and getting it tangled around the four needles. The yarn is Texere BFL aran in duck egg blue; I like it lots. There are 54 stitches for a 6 stitch repeat.

The garden is beginning to take shape at last. The yard edge is marked out in red bricks, the rest is going to be a greeny, yellow stone.

Here you can see the pergola, I just can't make up my mind what I want to plant over it. I think I would like something fragrant like Jasmine or maybe honeysuckle would be less overpowering. Then I would like something colourful too. I don't think clematis would be quite right here.

The yard is quite large just here and I think I shall break it up by growing something small and low growing between the paving. I must remember to give them the spike to cement in for my rotary drier. Looking forward to drying outside again.

This is the bottom of the garden with a brick paved area for more seating. I could put the table and chairs down here but it doesn't make much sense as it's a long walk from the kitchen. I'm thinking maybe roses along the screening, though I haven't made up my mind yet.

The screening and pergola are now almost complete. It's been raining almost all weekend and the pond has started to fill up with water. I don't think it was supposed to because it hasn't been lined yet but at least I know it doesn't leak.

I am becoming a little anxious that I shall be able to manage it all. The garden was so overgrown before, it looked much smaller. Perhaps if I can find someone to cut the grass I could then devote all my time to the flower beds and all the pretty stuff.

Hogwarts Show & Tell

2007-05-25T10:42:00.000+01:00

This is my first sock for my Ravenclaw pal, it's almost completed, I only have to knit the blue toe. I hope these colours are OK. I watched one of the films again and these colours are as close as I could get. They don't look as bright and interesting as some of the other socks that have been knitted. I'm also slightly worried that I may run out of yarn before they are finished. Horrors! I hope not, it would be quite complicated for me to get more as they are knit in KnitPicks Essential which I bought via my friend in Atlanta. The sock feels lovely and soft and is quite fine, knitting up at 10 stitches per inch, so nice and easy to do the calculations.

There's been a blue sparkly maraca in our dining room for months, I don't know whose it is or, where it came from but it's perfect for stretching the sock to show the lacy rib pattern I've used.

I'm also in the process of making a wizardy sack to keep everything together, I can't show anymore right now because my batteries are flat. Watch this space to see the stitch markers, bag and maybe even my failed attempts at Ravenclaw colours with natural dyes.

If this has whetted your appetite for magical, wizardy knitting why not sign up for the second sock swap? You can sign up here from 14 July.

Knitting projects

2007-05-21T10:39:00.000+01:00

I have been knitting a bit everyday but haven't posted as my time has been taken up with the garden works. I really must start using my decent camera to take the photos, my telephone is great for some things but it doesn't have the same control and these photos are terrible. I have quite a few projects to post today.

This is the first sock for the Hogwart's Sock Swap, I'm using Knit Picks Essential Yarn for these socks, my lovely friend in Atlanta forwarded it on to me with some new DPNs. This is really inexpensive yarn and lovely and soft. I tried very hard to dye some yarn for this swap but I just couldn't match the colours with natural dye. I am using a five stitch repeat on 80 stitches with 2.25mm Susan Bates dpns. I am especially enjoying knitting in these colours but the match the film colours for Ravenclaw. I have colourful fabric which, I am going to make a sock knitting bag to send with the socks and stuff. That should brighten things up a bit.

This is my third pair of Horcrux socks. Not sure why I enjoy knitting it so much. This pair is for me and I am knitting them in my favourite yarn - 50% Alpaca and 50% Merino from The Natural Dye Studio on 2.5mm dpns.

These strange things are socks knit from the first yarn I dyed using Dylon multipurpose dye in Royal Purple. I really don't like the colour. They are very short as there was only 100grms of DK in 50% Alpaca and 50% BFL. I did an after thought heel because I thought I would run out of yarn before I got to the ankle. I think they look like something a witch would wear. My friend Jack rather likes them but she seems to like all my failures and bad ideas.

Lastly I've knit these socks for Heather's birthday. The yarn looked fabulous on the skein but when I began knitting I thought she would not like them at all - she is very particular about colour being an "artist" and decided to keep them for myself. She caught a glimpse of them when she was over on Friday and thought they were wonderful so I suppose I shall have to give them to her after all.

Come On Alice! You Can Do It!

2007-05-15T17:14:00.000+01:00

Alice has decided to shift her huge, big fat arse and do some fund raising for Cancer Research and get fit too. We can support her by sponsoring her at her Race For Life sponsorship page here:

Give what you can - it's a really good cause.

Harry Potter Character Combatability Test

2007-05-15T13:21:00.000+01:00

You scored as Hermione Granger. You are Hermione. You are academic, intelligent, and reasonable. On top of this, you are highly concerned with justice, scorn the small-minded prejudices of others and work hard to defend the under dog. Many times you may find that your heart and mind are constantly at war with each other.

Hermione Granger

69%

Remus Lupin

66%

Harry Potter

63%

Luna Lovegood

63%

Albus Dumbledore

63%

Bellatrix Lestrange

59%

Neville Longbottom

59%

Sirius Black

59%

Severus Snape

56%

Oliver Wood

53%

Draco Malfoy

53%

Ron Weasley

47%

Lord Voldemort

31%

Percy Weasley

25%

Harry Potter Character Combatibility Test
created with QuizFarm.com

What a muddy mess!

2007-05-12T12:08:00.000+01:00

First, I finished Robyn's Hogwart's socks and sent them to her yesterday. I'm pleased with these even though the foot of the second sock is a completely different colour from the first. I still think they are pretty. I hope she likes them and doesn't think it too weird of me sending her socks out of the blue.

The garden is horrendous - I can't leave any door of the house without my wellies. It's been raining and the mud is sticking to everything and even the lane is clarty from the mud sticking to the digger's wheels. The guys tried to scrape it off the road last night but it's still pretty bad.
The cats view the garden as one giant litter tray and their little claws have giant blobs of mud stuck to each one which, they then try to clean off on the side of the sofa. That's nothing compared to the mess Gracie and Edward are making, at least Gracie has an excuse - she's only a dog but Edward seems to be utterly incapable of wiping his feet.

Tomorrow Jackie is coming over and we are going to sort out Alice's bedroom in readiness of her arrival about the twentieth. Don't worry Yally! We won't rifle your drawers.

This isn't knitting.

2007-05-08T18:42:00.000+01:00

The gardeners arrived this morning before I was even dressed! Here are some photos of their progress, they seem to have done quite a lot for one day but they tell me it will take four to six weeks. I hope we have some rain but not too much.

This is the house, I’ve just put it here because I love looking at it from the garden. It looks so pretty.

We still call this the pool hut even though we haven’t had a pool for fifteen years, I suppose we could start calling it “the garden house” as Adam the gardener does.

This is all that we have left of the old fishpond. I am sad to see this go because it is home to so much wild life. It used to have newts but when the frogs came their tadpoles ate all the newt spawn. We've saved lots of tadpoles for the new pond.

I'm rather pleased about this, we have reclaimed about 15 feet of garden from a very rampant hedge. The whole garden is going to seem so much bigger.

Before!

2007-05-05T11:15:00.000+01:00

This is the front garden, it's going to have some gravelled hard standing in the corner for us to park the cars behind the hedge. We won't be able to see them at all, the rest is going to be grassed over - I'll be able to pick the apples from the trees again. That's Gordon's (our neighbour) car at the bottom of the picture. Not sure if I let him continue parking in our garden.

The gardeners are arriving on Tuesday so I thought I would post a record of my poor dilapidated garden, it's such a sorry sight. We've been having unseasonably hot dry weather lately but I'm hoping we'll some steady showers for when the job is done. The new lawns are going to be seeded as I can't afford turf.

I hope the cats don't run away when the diggers arrive, I imagine it is going to be quite stressful for them having their kingdom torn apart. Ooo! Poor things, RT has enough to deal with - the Siamese cats from up the lane are always hanging around is catflap and he's not really equal to it in his advanced years, he's never been tough but now he prefers the quiet life.

I found this panorama mode on my telephone camera but I haven't managed to join them perfectly.

Thank you Alice!

2007-05-01T13:06:00.000+01:00

At last Yally has managed to send me the yarn she dyed with Koolaid. This was part of her Easter present but she has never learnt to wind wool by hand so she sent it to me to wind on my wool winder. The colour reminds me of hot sticky summer days from my childhood and the ice lollies that dyed our tongues and lips. I'm amazed that something like this is still given to children to drink in America. I hope she knits some socks or gloves with it - I really like the colour as a yarn dye.

Also in my parcel was a Harry Potter book and her old iPod Mini which she no longer needs having just bought an all singing all dancing model. I'm so happy.

The gardening contractors have just called, they are beginning work next Tuesday, I must get into the garden this week and rescue the few plants I want to save and as many tadpoles as possible to be transferred to the new pond.

Dodgy back prevents digging.

2007-04-28T16:13:00.000+01:00

I haven't dug up the borage yet, my back has been painful since yesterday. Edward saw me struggling and offered to help with the shopping which, was very kind as he doesn't seem to have had a motive.

It's such a beautiful warm day I ought to be digging the borage and the plants I want to save. The gardening contractors will arrive any day now. I'm looking forward to having the garden cleared and regrassed with a new stone yard but I also feel a little sad that the garden I have known for the past twenty years is going to disappear - it's looked very shabby for years now and I shall be able to manage this one much better, it's just that I know every nook and cranny of this garden, it's the one my children grew up in and sometimes their old toys can still be unearthed.

I tasted the borage flowerheads, they are delicious - quite sweet and flowery tasting and will be good in salads.

New Toys!

2007-04-27T18:08:00.000+01:00

Look what I have! The new drum carder arrived this lunchtime and I've been playing ever since.

The fleece is a Shetland in Moorit colour. I must say, this wool is quite unlike the prepared Shetland fleece I bought on eBay a few weeks ago. I think this one must have had a fright or something. The staple is very short and extremely crimpy - the one from eBay was quite long and luxurious. Also, there is still a lot of grease in this fleece, even though I've washed it twice. I hope Jack can do something with it. I'm not even sure what it should look like - I'm quite new to spinning, it is very soft which, I'm sure must be good.

Must join the gym.

2007-04-26T17:19:00.000+01:00

Becoming slightly porky and and lacking in energy so I'm going to join the gym and when I do these will be the perfect socks to wear in my trainers. They are in The Natural Dye Studio's 100% Merino 4 ply, knit quite tightly on 2 mm needles and 72 stitches. Even though I'm knitting so tightly the sock feels wonderfully soft.

The last time I went to a gym I was very bored but I do need some help to keep in shape.

More Horcrux Socks

2007-04-26T17:07:00.000+01:00

I liked the Horcrux pattern from Six Sox KAL so much that I decided to knit myself a pair. I'm using Silkwood Hand Dyed Yarns in the Spangles colourway. Again I forget where I bought the yarn.

Should have done a tension swatch. I knew I wanted them to be smaller than the one's I knit for Alice and the yarn is a slightly lighter weight so I'm knitting them on 2.5mm needles instead of 2.75mm but with the same number of stitches. They are coming out way too small for me - I probably need another 10 or 15 stitches. Luckily Jack's daughter Robyn has dinky feet and is a massive Harry Potter fan so she is going to be the recipient of these socks.

Dying

2007-04-26T16:40:00.000+01:00

I've started to dye some of my yarn and I'm going to have a go at dying the yarn for the Hogwart's Sock Swap. The yarn in the photo is 50% Alpaca and 50% BFL - wish I could remember where I got it. I dyed it with a pile of copper coins (approx £5 worth) with about a cup of ammonia and just covered with water. It just sat for three days and I gently stirred it every now and again. After rinsing in a cup of vinegar and washing in shampoo it feels soft and smells fresh. I was rather concerned that the yarn would rot away, the ammonia smelt mighty powerful. Also I'm sure I've heard that perming lotion contains loads of ammonia to soften the hair but this yarn hasn't suffered any ill effects. I'm very pleased with the colour and mottled effect. Not sure what I can use it for yet as there is only 50 grams, I think about 100 metres of DK.

I also dyed some similar yarn with a Dylon dye though I am not too pleased with the results. I find it more fun and interesting to experiment with natural dyes. I've just discovered that the Borage stuff that grows all over my garden is Alkanet and an excellent bluey purple dye. Tomorrow I shall dig it up and dry the roots.

Such a long time since I last posted

2007-04-26T16:30:00.000+01:00

But I've managed a few projects. Jack is teaching me to spin, though I don't think I'm going to be a good spinster, it's the finished yarn I'm most interested in. I do however enjoy dying the yarn. I think I shall leave the spinning to Jack, she has no interest in it when it is spun so we make a good pair, it's just a shame she lives 200 miles away. I'll try and get a photo of the Moorit Shetland Fleece we worked on last week.

I've bought a second hand drum carder as I have so many fleeces to prepare which, I may sell again if I don't get on with the spinning or give it to Jack. It hasn't arrived yet and I'm very excited - I always love a new toy.

My Hogwarts Sock Swap Questionnaire Answers

2007-04-07T15:51:00.000+01:00

Here are my Hogwarts Sock Swap answers. I'm so excited about this, it's not like me at all. I've never done a sock swap before – I'm sure this is the best way to start. There is a link in the side bar to the blog but I haven't managed a link image just text.

Which Hogwarts house have you been sorted into?
Gryffindor

Shoe size?
UK 6, Euro 39, USA 8½

Foot Length?
From tip of my toe to back of my heel - 9½" 24cm

Foot Circumference?
Not sure where to measure this but around the ball of my foot is 8½", 22cm and around my instep measures 9½", 24cm.

List your three favorite double-point needle brands, including size and length.

a. Addi, 2.75mm, 60cm
b. Clover bamboo - any size any length
c. Brittany Birch - any size any length

Would you like to try a new brand needle? If so, which brand? Size? Length?
Yes, I love suprises, a suprise would be good.

If you are a RAVENCLAW, do you prefer the colors in the film or the book? Do you have a strong preference?

Are you willing to have an international Hogwarts Sock Pal?
Yes, I would love an international Sock Pal.

This sounds like fun.

2007-04-04T18:04:00.000+01:00

I've just joined The Hogwarts Sock Swap. I think I shall enjoy this as I've never done a sock swap before. I'm in Gryffindor but I can't wait to see who and which house I'm allocated.

I'm such a twit!

2007-04-03T14:02:00.001+01:00

Ed just said "Why do you have that bit of wood in your hair?" I must
have twisted the needle in when I phoned my friend. Can I get much
more stupid?

Where's it gone?

2007-04-03T13:44:00.001+01:00

Thought I'd snatch a couple more minutes knitting up Alice's Horcrux
socks, I never moved from the sofa but I made a couple of phone calls
and when I returned to my knitting one of needles had disappeared. I
can't understand it. I've pull all the cushions off and cleaned
underneath too and it just isn't there. I only have one set of these
5" needles. I wonder if Edward has walked off with one. Oh well, the
sofa needed a good sorting and now it's done.

Bad Timing

2007-04-03T09:53:00.000+01:00

I belong to the Six Sox Knitalong Group on Yahoo and these are the latest project with a Harry Potter theme. I wish I had waited a few days before beginning the Hagebutte socks as that yarn would have been perfect for these. I've agonised over pulling them out and starting again but I get demotivated too easily with set backs. I'm doing no more to them for the time being and shall decide what to do when these are finished.

This yarn colour is hardly appropriate for the Harry Potter Horcrux them - pretty peach and lemon with a fluffy feel but it's a beautiful yarn, so easy to knit and soooo soft. I love it. I would have liked to have these socks finished by Thursday to put in Alice's easter parcel but I really don't have the time to sit and knit all the day. Oh well!

Yarn: Natural Dye Studio 50% Alpaca 50% Merino.

Needles: 5" Brittany Birch in 2.75 mm

Pattern: From Six Sox Knit Along

I've never really liked the tiles in my bathroom and last week whilst cleaning the shower I got a bit carried away and decided it would be easier to chip all the tiles off and retile instead of just replacing the grout. WHY DID I DO THAT? It wasn't until I got past the point of no return that I realised the tiles are fitted behind where the cubicle joins the wall and the cubicle needs to be removed to complete the job - not something I can do myself. Damn!

I shouldn't have!

2007-03-30T18:37:00.001+01:00

I'm feeling guilty about this - just received 100 grams of beautiful 50% alpaca/50% merino sock yarn in the most gorgeous variegated peachy colour. I already have huge amounts of yarn but this one caught my eye. I am going to have to ration the times I visit the Natural Dye Studio's online shop. I may put a photo up of this yarn, I'm dying to knit with it but I must finish some of my other projects firsts.

Trying Again

2007-03-30T16:21:00.001+01:00

Perhaps I'm just being impatient but the last blog I send by mail
hasn't appeared on my blogpage. I wonder if I'm doing something wrong.

Also on my needles today.

2007-03-30T11:32:00.000+01:00

I began knitting these socks months ago, I grew bored of them when I discovered I had cast on too few stitches for the second sock and had to pull it out and begin again. I'm hot and cold over the colours - I think now it's Spring I would prefer to be knitting something more pastelly and pretty. The yarn again, is one I bought off eBay and is Lang Jawoll Jacquard Sock Yarn. I haven't used it before, it comes with a bobbin of fine yarn to reinforce the toes and heals, I didn't reinforce the toes because I thought it may make them a bit bulky.

The pattern I am using for these is Plain 4 ply Socks from "Basic Guide To Knitting And Crochet" by Patons. I bought my copy when I was a student in the 1970s, my mother had given me her copy which, I think she bought during or just after the war but it became too fragile to use and I bought a copy for my daughter a few years ago. I absolutely love this pamphlet from which I gained most of my early skills and confidence as a knitter. Some of the patterns are still in there from my mother's old copy and include such arcane items as "Kneecovers" and "Underpants"