When the going gets tough...

...the tough get knitting!

J has been in hospital this week for what should have been a 24 hour affair, but alas, he is still there (problems with the plumbing, if you see what I mean!). So what do I do? I break out the Merino and knit a Kokopelli Bag (from Knitting Daily).



and felted...
Knitted in Wendy Merino (blue and purple) Jaeger something or other with wool (light pink) and the bright pink used for the base was just an unlabled wool stuff!



I've also been working on The Beetle. I am so in love with this yarn, I'm going to have to be really good and write a letter to Santa for some more!
You can stretch it like this...



and it stays put until you smooth it down again.

I wanted to knit a textural pattern into it to give it a slight riple so I've knitted a little lozenge type pattern into it,



but I'm finding it hard to photograph it, this is the back though...



I'm quite pleased with how it's coming along.

Naturally it's been another busy week, just when I thought I could relax a bit before school started again (and I start my NVQ in Childcare Learning and Development).
Apart from trying to find friends and family to look after the kids while I'm rushing up and down to Haverford West (we have no transport at the moment so have been depending on the buses) to the hospital, one of the jobs was to sort out the twins' new glasses...





Don't they look sweet?

Thank You All!

I would like to give each and every one of you a great big hug, it's hard to put into words, how much all those comments mean to me, without sounding false, soppy and ostentatious.

So, consider yourself hugged (I wonder if I could create a button for that?)!

Before I forget, can I please remind you of the Competition I am holding...you'll find the details in the right column under "Little Competition" (scroll down to the bottom of the page) the closing date is the 5th September so there is still time left and it is open to anyone.
Thank you (again) to everyone who has taken part so far, the socks are great, it's going to be a tough decision!

It's been another busy week craftwise.
I had been booked for an Art & Craft day at the Family Centre in Monkton on Thursday.
I was so impressed that the parents were willing to get involved and get as messy as the kids (it doesn't happen much in Pembroke Dock) and again "Thank You's" to everyone who helped out, especially Tracie and Becky who do a wonderful job over there.
To save bombarding everyone here with loads of photos, there is a post on my "Can Do Crafts" Blog about the day.

It was fun!

I am pleased to say "Alexis" (Lois Daykin - From the Rowan book "Little Treasures")is finished. A really easy and quick knit, and was there not so many other things that got in the way, it would should have been finished ages ago!



Knitted in most of the cotton, cotton/acrylic, and bamboo (mostly unlabled) that I had in my stash, on 4 1/2 mm straight needles.
There is supposed to be a hood, but because I desperately want to be working with the steel wool, the thought of picking up and knitting 200+ sts for the 1/1 rib button band and hood edge just filled me with dread!

So that's it, I'm off to play with some yarn....I may be some time!

Feel the love!

I have to totally agree with Artis-Anne for her blog about communication. I love blogland, I thoroughly enjoy getting lost, going from one link to another visiting other crafty (and sometimes not) people, reading about their countries, their knitty/crafty information and all those amazing FOs WIPs UFOs out there.
There is some brilliant work going in blogland and as we are all linked in this hobby or job we are so proud to share, I always let them know I have visited regardless of whether they are successful designers or total beginners. I know when I receive comments on my work, it makes my day, it makes me feel proud, so why not do the same for others?
I guess that's why I have received this award, The Schmoozer!



I copied this from Anne's blog

"Schmoozing is the natural ability “to converse casually, especially in order to gain an advantage or make a social connection. Good schmoozers effortlessly weave their way in and out of the blogsphere, leaving friendly trails and smiles, happily making new friends along the way. They don’t limit their visits to only the rich and successful, but spend some time to say hello to new blogs as well. They are the ones who engage others in meaningful conversations, refusing to let it end at a mere hello - all the while fostering a sense of closeness and friendship".

And I thank her with all my heart for this award!

But, yet again it leaves me having to pick out people to forward this on to and that is the hardest job...ever!

Bella Blu Mama - I have only just come across her blog, we have a few things in common and although I don't "know" her that well, she took the time to reply to my messages, that's enough for me.

The Cabled Climber - Christina - another reasonably new blog to me, we "met" during the Tour de France KAL, visiting other members as well as me, giving support and inspiration.

Blog - Blethers - for her endless support.

Right, well now that's over, I'd like to introduce you to some...uh...thing.

I have been working (when I say working I mean, mulling things over in my mind, I have even lost sleep and patience over her!) on her for a while, and am pleased with the result...so far!

This is...The Beetle



Habu stainless steel wool ("wine" colourway) and 3 strands of Indian embroidery threads, 0/2 denier Viscose (Navy, Turquoise and Deep Green). Knitted on size 4mm Bamboo needles (I found these much easier than knitting this on the aluminum ones)









I searched and searched through my stash of machine knitting yarns for ages, twisting them and the stainless steel together, imagining how the fabric would look and feel, not completely happy with any one of them, either to harsh, too heavy for the steel to do it's thing, or just the wrong colour.
I sat, head in hands, I wanted something light, something that would soften the wool, something with a bit of colour...I suddenly remembered my Indian embroidery threads that I had sent to me from Bombay...oh a long time ago now, when I worked in the fashion industry.
As I was going to knit with thread anyway, why not knit with two! Actually four, to make knitting easier. Well, I don't know about you, but I'm pleased with the results.

Her intention is to become a rather long scarf, she'll fit perfectly into my wardrobe of mainly black clothes!

Best keep knitting then eh?

Save me from my own hand...

arrrrggghhhh! I'm on a crafting overload at the moment, I have so much going on in my head that I can't focus on one thing.

Firstly, Alexis had been put on the back burner for a few days as I wanted to knit something for my friend's daughter who has just turned 1yr.

I searched through all my patterns (not that I find that a chore...I love looking through them all, imagining what yarn I have in my stash could be used to make each one...is that wrong? Am I going a bit insane? Please don't answer that!)

Anyway, I decided on the Peapod Set found on the Knitting Daily site. I didn't do the hat though, just the cardi and a little crocheted hairband...



Knitted in 170g Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran, on size 4mm straight needles.
The pink stripe is Wendy 100% cotton.

It was really quick to knit, the back and fronts are knitting in one, and then sleeves sewn in.




Did you see that?

Yep, I can now crochet well enough to say..."I can crochet". It all just suddenly clicked, and I was left thinking, well, why couldn't I do this before?

So now my fibre possibilities have doubled, tripled even, how much can you do with a hook and yarn?



















See the problem I'm having?

I still have this stainless steel thread going around my head too. Because just 14g is quite alot of money, what I do with it needs to be perfect. I suppose I could just do the kushi kushi scarf and have done with it. hmmmmmm

In the meantime...my wonderful anniversary present from my husband...



Ardbeg whiskey glass and water container (not that I would ever use it, the only thing you put in a whiskey, is another one!)
The glass has to sit on a leather ring as it has no bottom, that is, it's not flat.

J also bought me some of these...



Indian sweets from here.

He had to go back to Leicester, sadly, to the funeral of a very good friend of ours, JimG. He will be greatly missed.

One of the things I do miss about Leics are the Indian restaurants, not the ones for students, I mean the ones for Indians. Beautiful food, wonderful flavours and the sweets...to die for!

Finally, the tank I'm working on is coming along...well, slowly.



right, I'm off. I'm doing a craft stall for Kavanagh Park fun day today (fun? it's chucking it down!)

I Rock!

...apparently!



I have been awarded this...uh...award (good job I'm not a speech writer isn't it - just excuse me, my brain is mush - I'll explain later), from Yoshimi. She reckons she's a naughty blogger, I reckon she produces some wonderful knits and yarns and she is supportive and inspiring. The first time I posted on her blog was in response to some coffee and tea dyed yarn (back in April)and recently discovered we lived in the same city...quite close too at one point.

Cheers Yoshimi...you're a star!

So now I have been left with the dilemma of who I choose...eeeek!

1. Dipsy Doodle - She is always so cheery, supportive, her blog is amazing and churns out socks like I do children!

2. Jo of Freestylefibre - Totally inspiring and yarn to dye for!

3. Mazzam Again - My SP10, who spoiled me so much during the swap.

4. Anne of Artis-Anne, again a very inspiring lady (and her daughter), supportive, produces amazing work and lives in the only part of the country that's better than here!

can I have more than 4? No? Bugger....actually I think you all rock!

OH YES! (meg ryan style)

I was hoping to have an FO for you but a strange feeling came over me, I had this urge to catalogue my stash....
It's OK, I'm over it now! I don't have a huge stash, but it did take up all my knitting time over 2 days.

Alexis isn't far off now, 1/2 a sleeve and the hood. I'm dying to see it on Mavis.



Dylan bought me this for my birthday. This was the Dr (Peter Davidson) I watched as a child. J and I laughed our heads off! Dr Who is well known for it's cheap set and effects, but to see the difference between now and then...fantastic!








I also had these. I'd seen Wild Swans in Tesco and uhmmed and ahhed over it for a while as it had been recommended to me, I'm looking forward to reading it but I am enjoying Hangover Square too much to just put it down.

I also had these...


I help friends out in their pub from time to time, it gets me out of the house and them out of sticky situations (like, no staff turning up) so to say thank you they bought me these chef's clogs...I love 'em!

I also bought myself a few knitty books from Amazon, I've not had them yet (did they not know it was my birthday!?).


The very bestest treat was this...a UK site! Selling unusual (for me anyway) yarns. And because Nora keeps taunting me with her stainless steel silkyness...I just had to buy this.
I got the wool version because it has a better colour range (LOL). I really want some of that Shosenshi...I'll have to wait for Santa I think.

Heaven!

To add to my great gifts, a wonderful cake made by J and decorated by Jas and Dyl.



**AND a booking for an arts and crafts session. For the benefit of local people who read my blog, it will take place on the
23rd of August from 11am to 2.30pm in the Carousel Family Centre in Monkton.
Everyone welcome.
I'm not going to say exactly what we shall be up too, but there will be a bit of jewelry making for kids of all ages..and some bubbles!**

As this is my 100th post, a little competition:
I would like you to find me a sock pattern, not just any sock pattern, but one you think is perfect for me.
Anyone can join in, even if you have just stumbled across my blog.

Just send me the link to the sock pattern and a reason why you think these are MY socks, to my e mail address which you will find on the top of the page on the right.
Type "My perfect sock" in the subject line.

The prize! I hear you all scream.

You have a choice. Either:



200g of Crystal White Banana Silk

Or:



100g of Banyan Neptune from Colinette

The closing date for the competition is the 5th of September.
I shall contact the winner via email on the 10th of September.

Have fun!

A wise person does at once, what a fool does at last.

It's my birthday on Sunday, I shall now officially be the wrong side of Thirty, the kids think I'm well old, and still not particularly wise! Charming!

J decided to buy me a guitar. It was always my intention to learn to play, so I could teach Jasmine (when we lived in Leics she grew up around music festivals and gigs as a lot of our friends were musicians and she thoroughly enjoyed it).
I assume he's decided to get it now before I get to old eh?



It's one of these
J asked the elder kids to choose a plectrum each for me....



Heh, heh, heh! They know me well!

Knitting is going well. "Alexis" only has a sleeve and right front to go, I'm not sure if I'm going to bother with a hood...we'll see.



As I said in an earlier post, I wanted to work on designing something for myself. It's been a while since I started from scratch and I want to keep my hands in, make sure those old grey cells are still working! Hah!

I've done my swatchin' like a good girl, damned if I can find the thing to show you guys tho'.

This is it so far:



Knitted in the Debbie Bliss Baby Alpaca and silk blend, that my SP10 kindly sent to me.
It's intention is to be a scoop neck/vest/tank type thing!

I'm off now to get an anniversary present for J, as it's our wedding anniversary on Sunday too.

Talking of anniversaries...my next post will be my 100th....so there will be another little competition....watch this space!