The Stash Basket

I just knew...

2012-01-11T17:06:00.004Z

... that I'd be rubbish at this blogging thing. The will is there but the ability to do it isn't. I spend waaay too much time playing on Ravelry, deciding what to make and what I would like to do with my rather copious supply of yarn.

I've made some fingerless mitts - Susies Reading mitts - if you haven't ever made a pair, I cannot reccommend them highly enough. Brilliant pattern. They are for a friend of mum's - she doesn't know how honoured she is - Posh Yarn's Martha is not given out willy nilly!!!

I have entered the Posh Sock Challenge - the aim is to knit a pair of Posh socks for every day of the week - we have 52 days to knit each pair. My first ones (ie Monday's socks) are the Edwardian Boating Socks. Love these. Really love them. Martha yet again, in a colourway that I did feel should have been re-named Multiple Orgasm. Yes, it really is that good girls!

And another free pattern from Ravelry - little mittens make very lovely cards for New Babies - I went to deliver this card today to Lola Ann - she is tiny, only 5lb 5oz. It never ceases to amaze me how perfect babies are - the miracle of life is just that don't you think? How 2 little cells can multiply in only 9 months to form eyes and ears, fingers and toes, hair and all the other stuff inside. Mind blowing!

No more doom and gloom

2011-12-22T07:37:00.004Z

So yesterday was the shortest day. Yippeeeee!!! The nights are getting shorter and the days longer. Summer is on its way people. And it isn't even Christmas. See, I told you I was optimistic!

Progress on the Hexipuff blanket is slow, very, very slow. Other knitting, not to mention life, has been getting in the way. I am still aiming for 40 hexis a month, but December will be a tall order. This is what it looks like at the moment - 186 in total. Unsure about how many left, but I'm thinking probably about 400ish.

Have you been watching Strictly Come dancing? Now I don't normally like the programme myself, but this year has been different. Over at the Posh Forum on Ravelry, there was a Strictly sweepstake -I joined in, unable to refuse the temptation of a little gamble. Well, I drew Harry and Aliona. That was very good news. They won, which means that everyone else in the sweepstake has to send me a skein of Posh yarn, or a voucher to the value of a skein. Christmas has come early for me this year - the yarn is trickling in through my post box and my Posh Bank has credit in it, ready for when the shop next opens on January 1st. All very exciting!

I have joined in the Posh Sock Challenge too. Knit a pair of socks every 52 days, so by the end of 2012 I will have 7 pairs of Posh Socks. In theory. Being a slow-knitter, this really is a challenge - but at least I now have lots of delicious sock yarn to choose from thanks to my mate Harry.

I will try and post again before Christmas, but if I fail miserably at yet another target, I wish you all a very Happy and Peaceful Christmas and all health and well-being for 2012.

New Year's Resolutions anyone? I might suggest something like ' control Startitis, finish wip's and stop buying yarn'. Yeah right. The same as it's been for the past however many years. I can usually manage until January 2nd. But doubt I'll even get that far this time!

xx

Letting go

2011-12-12T22:33:00.002Z

Over the past, oh I don't know, my eldest son has been a major cause of worry in my life. He is studying for a Diploma in Uniformed Services - a course which gears young people up to a career in one of the public or armed forces.

This picture was taken today at 7am. He was going off on a Survival Course somewhere (location was kept a secret just in case anxious parents travelled to rescue them I suppose!). He was not allowed a tent - 'no mum, you have to survive - make your own shelter'. My son cannot (will not?) even make his own bed, how on earth is he going to provide shelter for himself?

As I sit and write this, we are being lashed by the worst weather this country has seen for 30 years apparently. Terrible gales and rain. He will not be able to light a fire - no hot food or drink for him for the next 3 days. He will be cold and wet and freezing. Oh I am so worried - problems aside, he is my son and I love him.

This morning he sent me a text - before his mobile had to be handed in - saying simply 'It's going to be awesome, I can't wait'.

It's very difficult being a parent. It's even more difficult realising that your children no longer rely on you, no longer need you. My role in life has changed.

Hurry home son, I miss you!

Looking on the Bright Side

2011-11-27T10:44:00.002Z

I have had a really lousy week. It has been The Week From Hell. I will not go into all the details.

On Wednesday morning while I was out with Harvey, the sunrise was so beautiful, it took my breath away. Harvey was particularly bright eyed and bouncy and for once he stayed fairly close to me and did not run away chasing rabbits or foxes.

When I went to school, all the children were being lovely. My teacher, knowing I was not feeling great was so supportive and kind. She gave me things to do which she knows I love. The children made me laugh, they rehearsed their pantomime and tried really hard.

A friend brought me round a lovely bouquet of flowers, which of course made me cry.

I am not one to wallow in self-pity, neither am I one to suffer with depression, thank God. So I started thinking. Maybe my week hasn't really been so bad after all. Yes some pretty horrible things have happened, but so have lots of good things. I have a nice home. I have food to put on my plate. I have warm, clean clothes to wear. I have people who I love and who love me back. I have a crazy loyal dog whose only aim in life is to play ball. I am one of the lucky ones.

I remember reading once 'All things will pass'. They will. Life goes on. I will try hard to be the optimistic person I usually am.

I will get up at 6am on a Sunday to do the ironing and think 'yey, it's cheap electricity, good old me!'. I will walk the dog in the wind and rain and think 'yey, my wellies and hand-knitted socks are keeping me warm'. I will eat the last Crunchie that's in the cupboard, rather than munching on Bran Flakes for breakfast and think 'yey, I'm not going to wait until Friday to eat a crunchie'

In amongst this week of optimism, I have made a cake. Want to see it?

Happy Birthday Shannon.

The Return of Saturday Pudding!

2011-11-19T19:08:00.002Z

Well I have to say, I was thrilled by the response! I didn't realise any of you would still be interested in hearing about my mundane life. So thank-you all, I was smiling all day!

Well, what's been happening lately? Um, not a lot really. Well, not a lot that you would want to hear about. My life lately has revolved around the joys of having a 17 yr old son. It can be summed up in one word. Scary. No, 2 words. Bloody scary. If you have had a 17 yr old son, I'm sure you will understand.

I have of course been knitting like crazy - onto hexipuff number 153 now. I'm also making Fingerless mittens for Christmas presents, have a shawl on the go, a fab jumper, loads of socks, another shawl and a wrap... to name but a few. When will I ever learn? Startitis continues to be a problem.

Anyone fancy a bit of Saturday Pudding? We have tiffin and caramel shortbread. If you do want some, better get round here quickly, 17 yr old boys are always hungry!

Is there anybody there?

2011-11-14T22:47:00.003Z

I have been gone for a very long time and am wondering whether anyone is still out there.

Cooeee. You there?

I'm toying with the idea of resurrecting the much neglected blog - anyone still interested? I tend to live on Ravelry now, but might dip my toes back into Blogland now and again.

That's all for tonight, but just because I never did like a post without pictures, here's a couple of things I've been up to in the last, um 7 months...

The Beekeepers Quilt - an ongoing project, need about 600ish hexagons for the size I'd like.

And look what just flew off the needles at the weekend, finally!

More progress...

2011-04-18T12:56:00.002+01:00

We've just been away to Welsh Wales for a few days - which apart from the beautiful scenery, means plenty of knitting time for me. Turns out though that I haven't really got much to show you. I managed to get a few more inches of Carica done (congratulations to anyone who can remember that far back!). I seem to have slipped up with this though. I started it exactly as the pattern said, but it was huge - bigger than huge infact. It would have fitted a baby elephant. So very sensibly I decided to go down a size and drop a needle size. On reflection it seems that one or the other would have been a more sensible option. Still, it will be good when I lose weight... and shrink a bit height wise too!

Here is my latest dog-walking sock. Despite the absence of the dog on holiday (he stayed at home with my mum and dad). It's the first of Snape's Stockings, designed by the same person who did Hermione's Everyday Sock. I was hoping to love it as much as Hermione's. I do not. I'm not terribly keen on the yarn either (when will I ever learn to just stick with Posh?) it's Tosh Sock and actually feels a bit nylony even though it's pure merino. Very loosely plied too so ends up being a bit splitty. Still, never mind, it's keeping me entertained while I'm out with the hound.

But here is another sock, another story altogether. Tug boat socks. It's mostly Posh with little bits of an unknown alpaca in. I love this sock. I love everything about this sock. The fish, the waves, the boat, the red bit at the top, and the heel... oh the heel! This is my most favourite heel ever in the history of heels! And even though I only cast it off a couple of days ago, I have already started on number 2. Something of a record for me! No second sock syndrome here. Love it loads (thank-you so much Trashy for pointing me in the right direction for this one!)

My queue on ravelry is gettting a bit long once again - I have 46 pairs of socks on it that I really want to do! So I'd better get on and do a spot of knitting don't you think?

Progress and pudding

2011-04-04T21:19:00.003+01:00

Progress on the tug boat socks has been slow, but oh my goodness, I am so loving these socks. Look at that heel - I love that heel so much! I want to do all my heels like that from now on. I won't because it took ages, but I'd like to!

The second Dog-Walking Hermione sock was finished. I will go back to that pattern time and again. It was a delight to knit - so easy and so effective. Anyone else done one? I have started on a second pattern by the same designer - Erica Leuder - Snape's Stockings in an incredibly acidic green Tosh Sock. I'm only on the rib so far and while the yarn is OK, it hasn't had the same impact that Posh Martha has. Love Posh Martha. Really really love her. Though not in a lesbian kind of way (wasn't it Bridget Jones who said that?) (one of my literary heroines!)

Here was the Mother's Day pudding. Chocolate mousse cake heavily laced with Baileys and decorated with Cadbury's Caramel button things, white chocolate and strawberries just to be healthy! Yum, yum and yum again! Would you like some? Well sorry, but you're too late. We ate it all!

Oops - again!

2011-03-28T20:28:00.005+01:00

Sorry. It's been ages again hasn't it? On the knitting front, I have finished my second Aspen Leaf cardigan. It is such a gorgeous pattern, really quick and well explained and I really, really love it. So it is such a shame that I seem unable to get the yarn right. My first one was knitted in Posh Yarn's Martha aran weight - it bled, so I washed it (may I just point out there that this is the first time I have ever had so much as a slight problem with Posh). Anyway, I decided to machine wash it. Not such a good idea. I killed it.

But never mind (well I did mind, but no use getting upset when it's all my own stupid fault) so I ordered some Almerboo from Woolhunter. Same problem with the bleeding yarn, but this time I decided to be so good and hand washed the cardi until the water ran clear. And then I put it in the washer on the gentle spin cycle. Mrs Woolhunter told me not to do this, but I knew better... well it turns out that Mrs Woolhunter was right and I was wrong.

So I now have 2 felted Aspen Leaf cardigans. Do I try for a third? In superwash something?

While I ponder this question, I was sent the Ravelry link to a pattern that was apparently right up my street. (Thanks Moogsmum and Trashy). A fantabulous sock with little boats on, fishes, waves, cables and loads of colours. Oh how right were you both, this pattern was ordered within minutes.

Oh heavy sigh. Next time I'm sent 'good ideas', someone please remind me to check the pattern first. A sock with 80 stitches? 2.25mm needles? Intarsia in the round? Loads of ends to darn in? It is certainly a challenge, but I absolutely adore this little sock. Doubt I'll even end up with second sock syndrome here - there's so much to keep me entertained.

But after all the knitting dilemmas, I feel a slice of something nice is in order. This is healthy. It must be. It's got 2 whole punnets of strawberries on. Surely their goodness outweighs the all-butter puff pastry, the double cream, custard, white chocolate and full-fat yoghurt?

PS anyone fancy joining me knitting this rather wonderful bag? I think it might possibly be the best hand knitted bag I've ever seen!

WIP's

2011-03-16T22:59:00.002Z

I'm beginning to feel swamped by my WIP's again. I love them all. I want to finish them all. Why can't I just get off this machine and knit them all? I have too many WIP's. A friend of mine who comes to the Stash Basket house once a week to knit has only got 2 WIP's. She is making me feel like I need to get something done. (I keep telling her to get more stuff cast on!)

I was seriously thinking of concentrating hard on one particular project, just so I could get it off the needles. Reduce my 8 WIP's to 7 and then 6 and then 5...

... But then I saw this. 17 WIP's. I no longer feel quite so guilty, just a bit of a light weight (oh if only!) with such a paltry amount of projects hiding in the house!

At last!

2011-03-09T14:26:00.002Z

OK then, get the patterns out and the yarn and the needles. I need to start casting a few more things on. The interminable Mystery Blanket is finally finished and off the needles. Thank goodness for that, I can now breathe a huge sigh of relief. The colours are much brighter than this photo shows (rubbish light today, grey clouds and drizzle).

Some of the colours in it really bother me. I can't bear the hideous bright coral pink - it was awful yarn to knit with too - and the brown is just wrong. But I love the greens and blues. The multi-coloured cable squares were a pain to do, but worth every last grey hair - they are lovely! The picture squares are all great too - so pleased with the turtle and shell in particular. I didn't like the mermaid so changed the centre square to a policeman's helmet, er, jellyfish. It is far from right, but I couldn't bear to pull it down. In future years I'm sure it will make me smile - sitting in my dotage in a nursing home with it draped over my knees, I will no doubt wonder why I didn't do the mermaid but opted for a policeman with dreadlocks instead.

A friend of mine is doing this year's and despite my initial reaction of 'I don't like that' I would like to hearby change my mind. The colours are lovely, the yarn is gorgeous and the squares are beautiful - and look very complicated! But I am pleased I'm not joining in this year. Too many other things to knit (and indeed finish) and a whole big lot of sock yarn waiting to be turned into socks.

That being the case, I wonder why I've just bought 900g of Almerboo Aran and 600g of organic wool/alpaca. There is no hope, truly there isn't!

Anyone for a slice of today's pudding?

2011-03-06T15:02:00.003Z

Chocolate mousse cake. Calorie free (cough cough). Personally I can hardly wait for pudding tonight and am seriously tempted to have some right now. Tell you what, if you all want to come round now for a slice then I'll plead ignorance and tell the family that they'll have to make do with a kitkat for pudding instead.

Anyone?

Knitting has been taking place. Two borders are now done and just so you can see, here is part of one of them completed. 15 rows of 250+ stitches and then cast off. It seems to be taking forever.

Failed

2011-03-02T16:59:00.002Z

Failed hopelessly in fact. Didn't get the blanket finished and actually did very little else. I still haven't done any other kniting except the blanket and fortunately the end is really in sight now. Good job as a lovely lot of Almerboo arrived yesterday. Photos soon. Going to hang my head in shame now, thanks to Locket I have re-named this month as Make-It-Up-March. Hoping to have a few more finished projects this month. And a few more photos too.

Sorry everyone.

Socks

2011-02-24T13:27:00.003Z

I has just occurred to me that I've not shown you the Dog-Walking Hermiones. I used this yarn to make Nutkin, possibly the worst sock pattern I have ever done - it went to the frog pond, something I very, very rarely do. The pattern twisted and was so very tight, the yarn pooled and looked awful. But I tell you what, Nutkin's loss is my gain! Easy peasy pattern and I love the effect it's made. Yummy!

And here, as promised are my somewhat bright socks. Quickest pattern ever. Lovely and thick and warm. I will be making more and more and more of these socks - every pair will be different, depending what yarn I have to use up. For I have quite a bit of sock yarn to use up!

And for now ladies and gentlemen, I am heading back to the blanket. Not long now (she says with great enthusiasm!)

I promise...

2011-02-23T18:03:00.002Z

... not to knit anything else (apart from Dog-Walking hermiones) until the bloody Mystery Blanket is done. There. I've said it.

Afterall, with only 3 squares and 4 enormous borders left to do, it would seem silly to actually pick up another unfinished project and to enjoy knitting something wouldn't it?

Oh and the other mad and crazy scrappy sock? It's done! But as it's evening I can't take a good picture - the weather man has promised sun tomorrow so maybe that would be a good time to get snap-happy.

Sunglasses at the ready please...

2011-02-21T09:32:00.004Z

Well, what do you think? How can this ridiculous sock not make you smile? I only cast it on on Saturday afternoon and here we are on Monday morning and it's done!!!!! I love this sock so much for every reason - the colours, the pattern, the yarn (pretty much all of it Posh except for the Colinette heel), the thickness, the speed it knitted up... I have already cast on for its partner - no second sock syndrome for thick socks. Oh I think I always want to make thick socks from now on - even my children like them - and for a 16 year old boy that's quite some admission!

Cast on 48 stitches, 3.5mm needles, with 2 skeins of sock yarn, change one colour every 10 rows - easy peasy and wonderful! Pattern is here.

Um, what day are we on now?

2011-02-20T20:28:00.002Z

Sorry I've not been here for a couple of days. No excuses, but I have been knitting. I finished the Without Borders sock and I'm still not entirely convinced by it. But that's just something I'll have to live with. Actually I probably won't be living with it as the thing is a bit too small... so it's going to be heading mum's way I should think.

And someone please remind me - I did say I wouldn't cast anything else on didn't I? At least not for the rest of February? Anyway, it just shows how bad a case of Startitis I have. I cast on another pair of socks last night! I know, I know, I know. Don't give me a hard time. They are a cross between these and these. I'm not going to show it to you today. You will need to come back tomorrow to see this sock in all its finished glory (for yes, I will have finished the first sock by the morning).

But let me just warn you now, bring your sunglasses when you call back, for this sock is bright!

Day 5.

2011-02-18T22:23:00.003Z

Things aren't going quite to plan. Having turned the heel already on the Without Borders Sock, I knitted an inch and a half yesterday of the fairisle pattern on the foot. It looked hideous. Holes everywhere. The stitches round the heel gaped and the whole thing looked awful. So I pulled it back. I was very tempted to pull the whole sock back, but as you know, I don't frog. To take back an inch and a half was bad enough.

So I decided to knit the whole foot plain, and here it is. I'm not happy with it but am determined to keep going to the bitter end. It's very much a 'use it up scraps' sock, hence the variety of different colours. I'm wondering though, just to tie it all together, whether to make a fairisle band across the middle of the foot. What do you think?

Was supposed to be doing the blanket today, but have been doing this sock instead. Blanket tomorrow. Promise!

Day 4.

2011-02-17T18:53:00.004Z

No photo today I'm afraid. By the time I got back from school and then the dog walk, got tea ready, hoovered up and brought the washing in, it was dark. I managed a few rows of Soho last night, but not many.

Today's WIP is the Without Borders Sock - a p/hop pattern, which brings me quite nicely round to plugging a blanket that p/hop are organising on e-bay. Go and have a look and even bid if you feel so inclined. I tried bidding (because I so need another blanket!) but was outbid very quickly.

Right then, must go and knit. Spent far too long on Ravelry last night (oh my queue is growing again!). Please do not be concerned about my wip pile decreasing. It isn't. Apart from the Almerboo Bootees, nothing else is remotely done. Thanks Locket for giving me the opt out clause of Make it Up March, I'll be needing that (and very possibly About time April and even Must finish May).

Day 3.

2011-02-16T18:40:00.002Z

Phew, I'm not sure how much longer I can keep this up for! Anyway, here's yesterday's progress - another square completed and one more cast on. I really am on the homeward strait here. Good job too as I need to get on with knitting stuff from my Ravelry queue - I have now started my 4th page on there. Have got well over 30 pairs of socks queued, daren't count exactly how many, but it's a lot! Several jumpers, gloves, cardigans, shawls (why? I don't do shawls!) and a few nonsense things.

Tonight I'm doing a bit more of Soho. Am a little dispirited with that though - just realised that I will have to knit loads more than the pattern suggests because I'm using finer yarn and skinnier needles. Well that'll teach me won't it?!

Day 2.

2011-02-15T19:11:00.004Z

Yesterday's knitting project was the Almerboo Bootees (pattern from here). I knitted like crazy and actually amazingly got something finished! These are so gorgeous to feel and I'll bet they're quite nice to wear too - but I'm not allowed, they are for mum for Christmas. Yippee! I have started!

And here's a picture of my washing line today - I hand-wash all my hand-knit socks, even the ones that say the yarn is machine washable. Somehow I just don't trust it. I would be most upset if they died in the wash!

Right then, back to the knitting. Mystery blanket today. Do not expect great results though, I'm onto a cable one. Hate knitting cables, so damn fiddly.

Day 1.

2011-02-14T19:45:00.002Z

This is what I was knitting yesterday - the Posh Rowan wrap shawl thing. I think I managed about 14 rows - which I feel is pretty good considering there are 250 stitches on the needles. And next time I decide to use this ridiculously fine mohair yarn, someone please remind me not to do it.

Today's knitting is all about the Almerboo Bootee. Must finish. Gulp. Tall order.

Back tomorrow.
x

Lack of Commitment

2011-02-13T14:28:00.002Z

I am starting to get so annoyed with myself over my whole lack of commitment. I love my Rowan wrap, I love Soho, I love Carica, I love Tempest. I am even getting to acquaint myself with the mystery blanket. I like the Without Borders Socks and the newly cast on Hermiones. I like Pimpeliesse and adore the almost finished Almerboo Bootees.

So why in Heaven's name can't I get something finished?

This time last year I was half way through Finish It Off February. It was so successful, I managed loads. This year I seem to have more stuff cast on than ever before.

Enough is enough Mrs Stashbasket. Stop bloody casting stuff on and get your arse into gear. Get off this machine, pick up the needles and knit like fury. Stop falling asleep in front of the telly, you don't have enough time to allow yourself the luxury of sleep. Give the family toast for tea (a roast dinner is just over-rated) and explain that time is running out. Finish It Off February is nearly 2 weeks old and nothing has been finished off.

Pictures will be posted every day until the end of the month so you can keep track of me.

I will not let you down.

Or if I do happen to let a few days slip, be happy in the knowledge that I am just knitting instead of computering!

Update

2011-02-12T00:05:00.003Z

Sorry I've been away again. Life. It has this habit of getting in the way doesn't it?

Anyway, thank-you all for the comments on the dreaded Mystery blanket. It is coming along now and I only have 5 more squares left to knit and then the border (which I've worked out to be about 18,000 stitches big). No photo yet I'm afraid - perhaps you'll just wait until it's all done then? Hopefully by the end of this month...

...that is if I can bear to put down some of my other projects. This is a Rowan-esque pattern from the latest book. I saw a sample knitted up in John Lewis and fell in love. I didn't go to the expense of all the Rowan summer tweed and decided to knit it from stash (well, almost!) Basically it seems to be an extension of the Mason Dixon Scribble Scarf. Which actually I hated knitting, so why on earth I'm doing one that involves casting on 250 stitches I don't quite know!

It is already a few rows bigger than this, but as you'll appreciate, that many stitches with lace-weight is a bit of a slow-grower. For me anyway. I don't like knitting with lace weight or mohair so again I am left asking myself - why?

I've finished a pair of socks. Have done these whilst walking Harvey. You can't see the pattern at all here (rubbish photo) but it's Dee's Slip Up Socks pattern. Brilliant, easy, relatively mindless. I've used Colinette Jitterbug - nice and warm.

I can't seem to get a good picture of this. It's a bootee. A lovely warm snuggly cosy bootee in Woolhunter's Almerboo. A dream of a pattern, fabulous yarn (who wouldn't want to knit anything in Almerboo? what a great name!)

The second one is cast on, and not far off completion. Another Christmas present sorted! I really am determined it won't creep up on me again this year.

Just remind me I said that will you?

Startitis

2011-01-25T20:39:00.002Z

Well being as 2011 is going to be my year of finishing off things, I feel it's only right and proper to make sure I have plenty of things to finish off, don't you?

Startitis is bad at the moment. As bad as it has ever been (I blame the bloody mystery blanket of which I am so bored!)

Yesterday I cast on a sock. Today I cast on a bootie - not the baby kind, a proper grown up bootie. Tomorrow I fully intend casting on either a shawl/wrap type thing or Strand of Pearls - and then the day after, whichever isn't cast on tomorrow is going to be started then.

I'm sorry, but there is no photographic evidence yet. I am far too busy with the needles to think about finding the camera. Maybe tomorrow.

Damn I love casting on!

Mystery blanket progress

2011-01-16T19:09:00.002Z

Well I promised you a Mystery Blanket update didn't I - and here it is. Yes it's bright and cheerful and colourful - should be right up my street, but it's just not. The love is not there. It's far too pretty and girly. I changed one square that was supposed to be a mermaid into a jelly fish... hmm. Not sure if that was such a good idea. I think it looks like a policeman's helmet with dreadlocks and my mum thought it was a sea monster. (Its the one on the left row in the middle)

But look here, another finished thing! Hoot Water Bottle Cover. Easy peasy to knit. Nice and quick. I think that everyone will be getting one of these for Christmas this year... and of course if I do decide that now, then I can have Christmas all sorted by the end of February. Perfect!

Just need to persuade my 16 yr old son that a knitted hot water bottle cover is the best thing ever and he really would like one of those!

Oops.

2011-01-10T21:10:00.005Z

Is it me, or have I been nearly 3 months without blogging? I have kept meaning to blog, but have kept doing other stuff instead (blame Ravelry and Harvey!). Anyway, now that I'm here, may I wish you all a very Happy New Year and I hope you all had a good Christmas.

I have decided that 2011 is going to be a finish-it-off year for me on the knitting front. I have got so many half done projects, most of which I love, that I really want to get done. There's Carica and Soho, Tempest and of course the infernal Mystery blanket. I have socks without partners, socks without feet and oh so much sock yarn without even so much as a cast-on rib! (I love all of my sock yarn and am quite keen on having a few more pairs of socks by the end of the year). I want to make more Christmas presents, more birthday presents and more presents in general.

So I shall start the year as I mean to go on. I will use the blog as a show and tell to let you know how I'm progressing - even if you aren't interested, at least I can keep track of where I am.

First up is a single mit. It does now have a partner, but I just never got round to taking its picture - Moogsmums' Ferne Mits in an unknown mystery yarn found lurking in the bottom of the Stash Bag (er, one of the Stash Bags...)

Next is a sock that I started a while ago, loved and then ignored. Without Borders, you will be finished one day soonish...

The Cranford mits were a lovely knit and more will appear throughout this year - I geve these to mum and she loves them.

Pimpelliese looks a very easy pattern and indeed it is. So why on earth do I have to look at the pattern every single row? Eldest son bought me this yarn - Posh Yarn's new sparkly yarn, Pamela.

The York Sock got completed at long last - huge and enormous as they are, I think they'll be used more in wellies than shoes.

And here is my most favourite sock ever. Gaudete was a mystery Advent sock, part of the pattern being published every weekend throughout Advent. I've never done a heel like that, shaped a sole like that, cast on like that or done a pattern like that. To top it all, the Posh Martha has turned out stripy and I just love it!

I have now turned my attentions to the Mystery Blanket. I'm not enjoying this, but feel so much time and effort has gone into it so far, not to mention expense, that I need to get on and do it. I'm forcing myself! Come back soon for photographic evidence of progress. If not of that, then something else. More pictures, less chat this year. Oh the resolutions are so well-meant at this time of year!

Thanks for coming back to see me, I've missed you all.

x

Cranford Mitts

2010-10-14T22:09:00.002+01:00

Over at p/hop on Ravelry, they're having a KAL for Cranford Mitts. Starting on November 1st - anyone feel like joining in? The pattern is 'free', but they request that you send a donation to MSF in exchange for it. Very nearly £20, 000 has been raised by p/hop. Seems like a win, win situation to me - uses up sock yarn (and heaven knows I have a fair amount of that!), MSF get more funds, I get a Christmas present sorted - if I can bear to part with them!

So go on, who's up for this challenge? Sign up now at p/hop - they'd love to see you there!

Oops...

2010-10-10T22:43:00.002+01:00

Sorry I've been away for ages - life has that nasty habit of getting in the way sometimes doesn't it? I have been very busy 'walking the dog' - strange how I was the one least keen on getting the poor dog, yet it's down to me to look after him. I was warned by all who know my children that the novelty would wear off, but I assured them it wouldn't.

I was wrong. But on the plus side, I am getting fitter than I've been in years and despite eating like a pig, I'm not putting any weight on. Hurrah!

Every day I write my blog when I'm out walking round the fields - I write it in my head, often several times a day. But when I get back home, the ideas and inspiration have all gone.

The Golden Wedding Blanket was given to mum and dad in York. They loved it, I cried. But then I do that a lot! (Such an emotional wreck!)

On the knitting front, I still am so very behind with the mystery blanket - I would like to finish it in half term, but that will mean knitting about 3 squares every day. Ever the optimist..

I have, however, finished Aspen Leaf. All I can say about this is that you really ought to make one. Lovely pattern - quick and simple - apart from the buttonholes which I just didn't understand (but on a side note here, I mentioned to Marianne in an e-mail that they were impossible and she sent me a reply straight away with a video link showing me how to do them - brilliant service). I know I will make this pattern again. I want one in all sorts of colours, all sorts of yarns. Cannot recommend it enough.

I really want to start using some of my delicious sock yarn and have a go at one of the many patterns lurking on my Ravelry Queue. I really want to knit lots of things on my Ravelry Queue actually, with sock yarn or not. I could do with finishing off a few projects too and even making some Christmas presents. Now then, anyone know how to squeeze a few extra hours into the day?

Haven't we had this conversation before once or twice?

I love my Postie!

2010-09-08T16:48:00.004+01:00

My postie is the bestest postie ever. I love him lots. Just look what he brought me today. This first picture is some yarn I bought last week on a new-to-me place at Ravelry. P/hop. Ever heard of it? Put in very simple terms, designers donate their patterns and kind people donate their yarn and other things, then people like me come along and buy said things and give money to Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders). It seems like a very good idea to me - go and have a look if you've not been there before.

You know the love affair I have with Posh Yarn's Martha sock wool? Well, the ever fantastic Picperfic has designed a pattern that I just love and adore - Aspen Leaf. I needed some big fat yarn and didn't have any, so naturally asked Dee at Posh Yarn ... well, what was a girl to do? Buy some Martha aran weight of course! So tonight will be spent winding and casting on (just as soon as I've finished sewing up a cardi for mum and doing all the ironing. Sleep. Pah. Who needs it?!

A while ago I joined in with Trashy's swap. It was a complicated little affair where you had to chose 2 themes and your partner had to choose 1 of them and send 4 things relating to that theme. I went for, oh who knows what, but have been blessed with the following package today from the most splendiferous lady over at Ballarat Patchwork on the other side of the globe. Ribbons and braids and gadgets and thingies and fabric (OMG that fabric!) and a stuffy sewy thingy...... I was so excited. So very very excited.....

But that wasn't all, oh no, A Piggy, my very own Piggy. With trousers and a posh shirt, fancy trotters and gorgeous ears. Oh how I love my piggy! Think I'll call him Ronald.

I had never come across Tim Tams. They are similar to Penguin biscuits. You bite off opposite corners, dunk one end into a drink and then suck up the drink. Like a chocolatey straw, only far, far nicer. I couldn't wait to try one so had a go with a glass of milk. Can you possibly have more fun with a biscuit and a glass of milk? I think not. Gave one to the boys when they came home from school and they felt much the same as me! These things are brilliant. Ronald is now safely guarding the remaining Tim Tams from hungry dogs who would love nothing more than one or two to nibble on...

No mum, I'm not looking, I wouldn't pinch one of those biscuits, honest I wouldn't...

Hamper

2010-08-31T17:40:00.002+01:00

Well here it is then, the hamper is all ready and full and waiting to be delivered tomorrow. There is so much stuff in there, much more than you can actually see and it is soooo heavy. There are the normal things like golden syrup and golden pineapple, golden rice and golden sugar. But there are also the more unusual things - Fortnum and Mason gold dragees, a golden wedding cup and saucer (so delightfully naff, I know it will make mum and dad smile) there are all the fabulous Norwegian gold things sent by Marit, a Gold Club pack of playing cards and yes, even Palgraves Golden Treasury of Poems (thanks for that suggestion Ann B). Whilst I opted out of the goldmine idea Wonderwoman, I did manage to find a postcard of the Golden Gate Bridge!!!

Sally I ordered the Goldfish crackers from the site you mentioned and they were really speedy and excellent. Mrs Pao the golden coins were found as was a huge one from Fortnum's. Amberpearl, sadly the goldschlager wasn't to be found in these parts and the on-line delivery was too massive, so that remains out, but great idea. Catherine, Gold Diploma wool is in there too.

Thank-you all so much for the suggestions. Prizes were offered up and a draw has taken place.

Drum roll please.

Marit and Mama,

please step forward to claim your prizes.

(please send your adresses, I am rubbish and have lost them!)

Frogged

2010-08-30T14:37:00.002+01:00

The deed is done.

Hmm, wonder what I'll knit next! There is the case of a sock for September, but here I have a confession. I can no longer keep up with knitting a pair of socks every month and keep up with the other knitting projects. I am a slow knitter and have many other projects on the go. Very few of which are remotely nearing completion.

So I hereby close the Moogsmum and Stashbasket sock club. I shall still be knitting socks, but without the pressure of must finish by the end of the month. And I really, really must get on with this infernal Mystery Blanket (when all I really want to do is cast this on using a great many of the different small balls of sock yarn I have... mmm, stripey leftover cardi...) (anyone fancy joining me?!)

Holiday knitting

2010-08-29T16:32:00.002+01:00

Well, what can I say? I was going to get sooo much knitting done whilst on holiday. I was going to catch up with the Mystery Blanket. I have been sent yarn and patterns to get it up to this stage...

But sadly mine only looks like this.

In my defence I did manage to complete 5 squares in Wales, but sadly I am still 14 squares behind and of course with September 1st only a few days away, I am likely to be 19 squares behind before the week is through. I am not enjoying this blanket anywhere near as much as last year's. I'm not very keen on the picture squares (there is an option to do something different, but all the 'different' squares are just stripy and I felt the whole thing would just be stripes) and some of the colours are not nice at all. That ghastly coral pink makes me want to heave! However, I live in hope that by the end, I shall love my blankie, though I doubt it!

My other holiday knitting was the August Sock - Nutkin. I went up a needle size, knitted the entire top section, tried it on and nearly cried. It was tighter that a really tight tubigrip. So the only thing for it was to pull it all down, cast on 4 extra stiches and start all over again.

The yarn is gorgeous - Martha how I love thee! - and I really like the way it's spiralling, BUT, Nutkin, I do not love thee. The pattern is great to remember, nice and mindlesss, but it twists like mad, I have really had to tug this to get it remotely straight on the sock blocker, heaven only knows what it will do on my foot. Oh, and short row heels? Not for me. It was lovely and quick, but I wonder how strong it will be. Unsure if these will last much more than a few wears.

In fact I now wonder whether or not to even carry on with these socks. Do I waste such gorgeous yarn on a pain in the bum sock that will be worn out in a few weeks? Or do I pull it back again and knit a sock that I love, with a harder wearing heel? What do you think?

Pull it down or carry on. Answers please...

Hmm, think I'm already guessing the answer there

Blowing hot and cold

2010-08-27T23:19:00.002+01:00

Cannot quite believe it's been so long. I used to blog every day. Oh those were the days before I discovered ravelry I suppose! (And before a puppy arrived in our house who likes 2 hours of walks every day)

Anyway, as you may have noticed, we have now returned from our holidays. We are very lucky - 2 different places in 2 weeks. And how different!

This picture is taken of my 2 boys on Barmouth beach (that's up in North Wales). Miraculously the sun was almost shining so they wanted to make the most of it and go for a paddle. Insane children. This is the Irish Sea and it's bloody freezing. They did not manage it for long!

But what a difference a few days can make. Well, a few days and a lot of miles! Warm water, clear sea, golden sand. Bliss! My feet enjoyed the cool water as they had just been burnt on the red hot sand - please note cool water, not bloody freezing water.

This is a rare moment when all of us had our picture taken together - we went on a boat trip to view the grottoes around the coastline of Lagos in Portugal. It was lovely.

Last holiday picture now - me and the boys at Sagres Fort. Unsure if I have ever been quite so hot in all my life than I was up there. Mr Stressy thought it would be a good idea to walk round the perimeter of the fort. Incredibly steep cliffs surround this place, a couple of buildings and very little else. Hot and to be quite honest it would have been a bit boring, were it not for the beautiful views of that turquoise sea. (Marit, please note the bag I'm carrying - it went everywhere with me).

The Portuguese people are so fantastic - really, really friendly and very helpful - and best of all, they speak brilliant English. We want to go back again.

Knitting did happen, but not very much. I fell out with Nutkin and I remain fallen out with it. But more on that another day. Now I'm sleepy and am heading off to bed.

Back again briefly!

2010-08-13T16:20:00.002+01:00

Just signing in quickly to show you my new socks - finally finished the July whatever you want to knit socks. I was knitting these on holiday and a lady saw them, was so excited by the fact that anyone could knit socks and offered to buy them from me. No way madam. These are made from Posh Yarn and they are mine, all mine!

About to start packing now to head off to Portugal and am wondering what knitting to take. Bought these 5 skeins of yarn and can't decide which one to use for Nutkin. Actually, I have already decided, I just wondered if you would agree with me!

The kindness of people

2010-08-07T16:32:00.002+01:00

The kindness of people never ceases to amaze me. Remember I asked for some help with Golden things for the hamper? Well, Marit over in Norway put together a parcel and sent it over to me. Lots of goody golden things inside the most fabulous bag - you can't see it on the photo, but there are lots of little pockets round the outside to hold essntials like knitting needles and scissors. I know I shall never be able to work out what I ever did before I owned such a useful bag!

And look at all the Gold things! I am left in awe (actually I cried!) by Marit's generosity. Mwah! Thanks!

Tomorrow we are off on our holidays to Wales. Harvey was supposed to come with us, but due to his inability to travel longer than 5 mins in the car without throwing up, we decided to let him have a holiday of his own with mum and dad. An hour in the car to them, or 6 hours to Wales....

Already missing his wet nose and constant 'feed me please mum cos I'm starving' look!

Oh and just before I go, here's a cake I made a while ago but forgot to show you.

Bye all and happy holidays. See you when I get back.

A Warning

2010-08-04T15:49:00.002+01:00

Yesterday I took youngest son and a friend to see Toy Story 3. I did not think to take any tissues.

Big mistake.

Be warned people, when you go, don't forget the Kleenex. Brilliant film, but blimey, it gets the heart strings of a mother!

Finished! (Well, almost.)

2010-08-02T10:49:00.002+01:00

So I only have the backing to put on - which should be really quick, yes? Having said the other day that I only had 3,000 stitches left to complete, I was suddenly consumed with the overwhelming desire to work out how many stitches are in the whole blanket. I'm a bit of a maths geek at times.

I've made it roughly 171,630 stitches altogether - but that doesn't count all the Swiss darned ones - the geekiness had got up and left by this stage!

It has to be said that I am not pleased with the way it was put together - those 2 green flowers next to each other on the 3rd from bottom row will annoy me forevermore. Why did I put them so close? However, just as I refuse to frog, I also refuse to unpick, so they will stay there now.

And if anyone complains, then tough!

Failed - but still optimistic!

2010-07-31T10:50:00.003+01:00

OK then, so I still haven't sorted out the prizes for the Hamper suggestions. I still haven't finished the Golden Wedding Blanket, or the July socks or even got up to date with the Mystery blanket. I am going out this evening which gives me approximately 7 hours to do all the above. Yeah, no problem!!!

For those of you desperate to know what the August Sock pattern is, well look no further than here - it says the pattern is easy to memorise so will be perfect for those of us planning to knit on the beach in sunnier climes. I just need to see if I have any yarn suitable or whether I need to buy more...

Postie was very good to me yesterday and brought the next installment of the Posh Cashmere Club. It is Sophia 2-ply (that's pure cashmere) and is perfection in a skein. Dee has come up with some pattern suggestions and I'm going for this one. I don't normally do shrugs, but have fallen in love. Just need to find the time to get it done. Another one to add to the list!

I will post again soon, promise and will give you exciting pictures next time of the blanket - which is nearly done. Only another 3,000 or so stitches left to do!

Update on the Hamper

2010-07-26T22:06:00.003+01:00

Well thank-you all so much for the brilliant ideas. I've been on-line and have ordered a few more things which I had never thought (or even heard) of. I shall work out a few prizes later on in the week.

Just as a matter of interest, Mama, how big a hamper were you thinking I could put together? Surely the Golden Gate Bridge would need a very big box!

xx

Setting a challenge - prizes offered!

2010-07-23T12:21:00.003+01:00

As well as the blanket, I have decided to put together a hamper for mum and dad's Golden Wedding. I want everything in it to have the word 'gold' or 'golden' in the title (gold packaging isn't enough, unless I'm really desperate!) This is what I've come up with in Sainsbury's today.

Pretty pathetic, don't you think?

Anyway, I'm now sending out a plea to you all. If you think of anything or see anything that may fit the criteria, please let me know. I shall try and hot foot it to the nearest shop. If however you live overseas, I may not be able to jump on a plane, finances will not permit. But if you would be so kind as to purchase said item, I would happily reimburse all money involved.

All ideas gratefully received - prizes offered in a names out of the hat type contest. Have yet to work out prizes, but am desperate, so it may even be in the form of something Posh...

Walkies, Harvey, Walkies

2010-07-22T18:57:00.006+01:00

Knitting has once again taken a back seat. Today was the last day of term, normally a very emotional day for me (I just hate saying Goodbye) but today was even worse. Today was the day when I said farewell to my very first children I worked with. I have known them since they were 4, now they are 11. One of these children was my own son - obviously I shall still see him, but no longer will I be working in the same place as him. I have to let go. Damn it's hard.

I have said farewell to a lovely teacher too who has married a soldier and is moving to Hampshire.

My class that I work in has changed - no longer am I in with the littlies all the time, I have been moved to another class as well. The teacher I work with is fantastic. We have got on so well, work as a team, but the powers that be have decided to move me elsewhere. Never mind, I will rise to the challenge (it is only with class 2 rather than just class 1!) of working with a stranger, a new teacher and a bunch of children that to be honest have been a challenge at the best of times.

So when I got back home today, I felt I needed some time out in the open. Harvey had been inside for most of the day, so he too needed to get out.

So there was but one thing to do, shout "Walkies" and watch my trusty hound charge round like a lunatic looking for his lead.

This is the start of our walk - about 3 minutes from home.

At the end of this gravel path, through the archway of trees at the end, we come to the first wee stop - a field of only just cut yesterday wheat.

Yikes, just look at that sky Harvey, can we stay dry ?

Down to the end of the field to the little newish forest.

Right at the newish forest past a field of broad beans.

Alongside the long swishy grass...

...to the uncut corn field.

Past the sugar beet (Tate and Lyle's finest!)

To another uncut corn field

Onto Hospital Road and past a field that has been left fallow this year

Big circle round the newish forest - oh you should see all the blackberries, rose hips, sloes and haws all waiting for autumn to come.

We then cross over a little bridge and end up back at the just cut yesterday wheat field. Back home for tea and biscuits, thus undoing all the good work of the long walk.

Oh and the black cloud? It duly emptied its contents all over us.

A little bit of progress has happened

2010-07-16T20:46:00.002+01:00

Rhodie Gus is at last finished. It's a lovely pattern, really easy and free. So what are you waiting for cast it on now will you?! And I know I'm always harping on about Posh yarn, but honestly, this is really the most wonderful sock yarn ever. So very soft and a dream to knit with - and with 400m per skein, very long too.

Progress of the rest of the list is, well, not progressing, so we shall skirt around that issue and talk puppy dogs instead. This is not a good photo of Harvey, he looks slightly drunk I think. In truth he is gorgeous, a very handsome dog.

He discovered a new game today while I was out and he was home-alone in the kitchen. I have a fabric tube hanging up in which I place all my carrier bags (not that I get many nowadays, preferring those tough recycled 'last forever' ones). Well Harvey saw one hanging out and pulled it. That then revealed another. So he pulled it out. And guess what? Another one then showed up... Well people, I soon realised on my return that I have a lot more carrier bags than I first thought!

Nearly half way...

2010-07-12T22:18:00.003+01:00

So we're nearly half way through the month... but I'm not even remotely near half way through my list of projects for July. Rhodie Gus remains unfinished. Golden Wedding Blanket remains unfinished. Mystery Blanket has not been touched for months. Tulip socks, well, I can't even remember where I put them.

Oh dear, this is not going as anticipated.

But on the positive side, I haven't cast on any new socks lately.

Despite being given new sock yarn and ordering a new sock book.

June and July socks.

2010-06-30T14:51:00.002+01:00

Well, hands up everyone who has failed miserably on their June socks? Me, me, me! I really do quite like these socks, very easy pattern to remember and quick to do... but it would seem not quite that quick. Ah well, I shall get cracking with them now that the cake orders have once again dried up.

Which brings me to our July socks. Both Moogsmum and myself have recently bought fantabulous new sock books and we are keen to knit from those. But we can't do 2 pairs in a month as well as eat and do all the other necessary things in life. So we have declared July a Freestyle Month. You get to choose whichever sock pattern you want - but you have to own up and tell us which one you're doing! I have also decided that July must be a finish it off and get up to date month.

So here are my must do's

Finish Rhodie Gus, the June socks
Catch up with the Mystery Blanket (am hideously behind there - got 15 squares to complete)
Finish the Golden Wedding blanket (3 squares left to knit, 81 squares to sew together and all borders to complete!)
Finish the Tulip socks (they are my July pattern, already started, so a minor cheat there, but just don't tell)

I shall stop there because I'm realistic (yeah? since when?). This unfortunately means that I cannot cast on any new socks. That makes me very sad as I now have loads of sock yarn, all begging to be used. I shall try and keep you updated. Bets please as to how long it will be before I cave in and use some of the new yarn!

Perhaps another day I shall find all my sock yarn and take its photo. It might just scare me into doing something with it all.

Wedding Cake - again

2010-06-27T21:05:00.003+01:00

I've been a bit busy again this week - another wedding cake was ordered. And boy oh boy was this a tough one to do! All 4 tiers were of the sponge variety (plain sponge with homemade strawberry jam, coconut cake, lemon cake and plain cake with apricot jam). Future brides take note - sponge cakes cannot be left hanging around for ages and all decoration must take place at the last minute so to speak. Please think of us when you have these ideas!!

The bride was very specific with what she wanted - which to be honest makes my life a little easier. And here is the end result in all its glory, sitting on my kitchen table waiting for the bride and groom to see it. They were very pleased (still not heard from the last people in the previous post).

Well, I really wish I'd been invited to this wedding. The attention to detail was incredible - apparently less planning goes on for a Royal Wedding. The weather was glorious, the marquee looked stunning, the flowers incredible. It was all so lovely, I really felt like gate crashing for the evening session!

Here is the cake all set up on the table - thank-you Mr Stressy who helped me put it there - way too heavy for a little weakling like myself to lift!

So because very little knitting has actually taken place all week, I fully intend knitting until my needles are smoking! Someone get ready to call the fire brigade will you?

Wedding cake

2010-06-22T16:38:00.002+01:00

Of all the wedding cakes I've done, I think I liked this one best of all. Loved the simplicity of it - I think if I were to need another cake, I'd go for one like this! (Watch out Mr Stressy, you have been warned!)

Sadly I do not know if the bride liked it, how it went down or how well it was received. A taxi came to collect it, and neither the bride, or any of the family saw it until the reception. Mind you, perhaps by not letting me know if she liked it, I have my answer already. (The wedding was on the day of the first England World Cup Match, hence the flags.)

It occurs to me that I've not given you an update on Harvey the dog lately. Well here he is. Growing like I can hardly believe - I wonder if they put special growing things in that Pedigree Puppy Food! He loves food (particularly partial to stones, socks and ice cubes), sleeps loads, runs faster than eldest son, digs up Mr Stressy's lawn, barks at golf clubs and will not leave my side when it's near to tea time!

Looking at the sad eyes in this picture - they are not normally quite as sad as this- I can only assume he was late with his tea!

2010-06-17T20:41:00.001+01:00

I seem to have done something to the layout of the blog - not sure if I like it, but am too stoopid to know how to undo it. so until I work it out, looks like we're stuck with it! What do you think?

Scraps

2010-06-17T20:16:00.003+01:00

Well I just borrowed a different camera so I could show you some of the week's progress. Here's the first Rhodie Gus. If you haven't already started this pattern, I can only suggest you do so straight away. Really pretty, dead easy chart to follow, perfect fit (but I did go up a needle size as even the designer said they were a snug fit). Love it. Maybe one day soon I shall have a pair. It will have to be one day soon won't it as it's nearly July. (Nearly July? How did we get so far into the year?)

I've had a go at knitting 2 socks at once on a circular needle. It appears to be working, but I do still prefer the 1 sock on 2 circulars method - mind you, no doubt I will love this way of knitting socks when I realise that the Second Sock is not waiting to be cast on but is in deed finished. I'm using a variety of Posh yarn scraps - I have quite a few you know!

I've done a retirement cake this week for mum and dad's vicar - the remit this time was 'he's a vicar, is Welsh, loves rugby and used to be in the Navy'.

Mum and dad are pleased with it, hopefully Father Graham will like it too.

(Just in case you wondered what he looks like, this is apparently a very good likeness).

What? No pictures?

2010-06-15T21:47:00.003+01:00

Sorry it's been a long old time since my last post, life is hectic as ever. And I'm just too busy looking at Ravelry when I get on the computer to think about blogging!

It's not going to be a very pretty post today either - no pictures. Youngest son has gone on a school trip to the Isle of Wight for a week and has got the camera - we are not a fancy household that owns more than one digital camera. (Gulp, hope he doesn't lose it, smash it, drop it or cover it in ketchup as he seems to do with most other things!)

But without the camera, I can't show you my single finished Rhodie Gus which I love. Neither can I show you the Wedding cake which was finished and was collected last weekend. And I can't even show you the socks I have cast on since finishing RG. Please note 'socks' - I was so impressed by those of you who make 2 socks on one circular needle that I thought I'd have another go. By some strange method, I seem to have worked out how to do it and have 2 socks now on the go. They do seem to be growing quite quickly, but I think I still prefer using 2 circulars and making one sock at a time. Mind you, at least I won't get the second sock syndrome which seems to haunt me so badly!

Incidentally, another must have sock book for those of you who, like me, can never have enough of them... Think Outside the Sox. It's great. Really, really great. You will not be disappointed honestly!

June progress

2010-06-06T18:35:00.004+01:00

I was knitting this sock yesterday in between matches - youngest son was in a football tournament - so progress is going quite well.

One lady asked me if it was 'proper knitting'. I wasn't really sure if she was serious - 'er, no, I'm just pretending to twist wool round little pointy sticks to while away the hours' or if she really didn't have a clue. I explained that it was going to be a sock when it grew up and that I was using circular needles. She went on to say that she knits scarves, so she's obviously not new to the craft and has just never seen circulars.

Personally, I can't imagine life without them. (Quick survey here - dpn's, 2 circs or 1 circ for socks?)

Oh and by the way, Posh Yarn's Martha is now my absolute, total, 100% favourite sock yarn. I never want to use anything else - after I've used up my stash of other sock yarns that is.

Changing my mind

2010-06-02T15:19:00.003+01:00

So I was all determined wasn't I? I was going to concentrate on the blankets. I was going to finish something off before casting on the June socks. And when the June socks were to be eventually cast on, I was going to use the bright green Tosh Sock wasn't I? You remember me saying so?

Well this has just arrived in the post. I have swapped my Posh cashmere club 2-ply yarn for this.

Martha.
4-ply.
Sock-weight.
Blues and greens.
Love, love, love, love, love.

So today I am not doing the wedding cakes. I am not doing the blanket (either of them). I am not making the model to go on the retirement cake. I'm knitting socks!

Well, you always knew I wouldn't be able to last didn't you? (And having knitted my last 2 pairs of socks in non-Posh stuff, I can't resist the temptation any longer).

Just in time!

2010-05-31T14:39:00.004+01:00

Phew! Talk about a rush job and leaving things to the last minute. Here are the Macchia Di Colore socks. I've loved knitting these but wish I'd stuck to the pattern suggestion for the heel and maybe done the same needle size as the pattern says, but hey, I'm not one to be dictated to! These will be perfect socks for cold winter days when dog walking!

The June pattern for the Moogsmum and Stashbasket Sock Club is this one - Rhodie Gus - we both liked the look of this one and I know for sure that Moogsmum is desperate to cast hers on. For me, although longing to start (look what yarn I've chosen) I am forcing myself to concentrate on the Mystery Blanket.
I am still labouring on the April squares, not started any May ones let alone June. So I am hopelessly behind. Not for much longer though, I am determined to get them done before casting on the next sock. Bets taken as to how long I'll hold out!

I have also bought new yarn (Sublime) from the Kemps destash ready for a lovely little summery bolero. That will be so quick to do! Not to mention the fabulous Posh yarn from last week and of course the million and one other projects. A friend recently suggested I try for another Finish It Off February!

The June supply from the Posh Cashmere club has arrived and it's gorgeous. Called Bluebell Wood it is exactly the colour of bluebells (surprisingly!) Sadly it's 2-ply and you know how I don't do yarn that fine, so I've volunteered to swap it with another Poshee for some extremely gorgeous Martha. Have you ever knitted with Martha? It's really rather wonderful...

We have my mother in law here for the half term break, so blogging may or may not happen. Just like normal really. Sorry I'm a bit slow on the old bloggy business lately. Must try harder. Maybe next time I can show you real progress on the blanket. Maybe.

Headless chickens

2010-05-25T19:57:00.003+01:00

Mum and dad popped over to see me today and they were chatting about their upcoming Golden Wedding. Am now feeling guilty that the blanket is neglected. Must finish it (am so close, only 3 squares left to knit and 81 to sew together and a border to knit... mmm, yes, really close to finishing...)

Still miles behind with the mystery blanket.

Still not turned the heel on the macchia sock.

Still not made any of the huge cakes or started any of the decorations.

Still not put finishing touches to a school project to be completed by Thursday.

Why am I so rubbish at finishing things?

Running fast but keeping still

2010-05-23T17:02:00.004+01:00

I've hardly had time to do anything over the past 10 days. Harvey has come to the right house - he is a lunatic. Charging round like a thing possessed. I have spent much of the past week or so clearing up puddles and little deposits. Fortunately the weather has been lovely so he's able to trot outside whenever he wants. Despite the many toys he has, an empty cardboard box is his favourite thing. Mr Stressy is less than happy about this - chewed up bits of cardboard round the garden are not his idea of fun!

Needless to say, the knitting has suffered terribly. Barely a stitch has been done. I am very behind on the mystery blanket - still not completed April's squares, let alone begun May's and oh my goodness, it's nearly June, so the next package will be arriving probably by next weekend.

As to the Macchia sock, I haven't even turned the heel on the second one. June sees 2 wedding cakes (why are the biggest cakes always sponge and therefore need decorating at the very last minute?) and a big retirement cake. Oh yes, and my mother-in-law is visiting for a week over half term. Something has got to give.

I feel the mystery blanket will be put on hold again. The sock must be finished as I'm desperate to begin the fabulous June pattern.

Just to convince myself that sock knitting is the best thing ever (yeah, like I needed convincing) I treated myself to some more Posh yarn. Well be honest, faced with these, wouldn't you have caved in? They are actually both the same colourway (Good Vibrations) but look totally different.

Neither of these will suit June's pattern though, so they will have to remain un-knitted for sometime yet.

My apologies for not replying to your comments - I do try to, but if I let myself on the computer, I end up on Ravelry and we all know what a huge time warp that is. So I am trying to be strong and not turning the machine on. (oops, it appears to be on now, so maybe I'll head on over there just to see what's happening...)

Harvey

2010-05-12T17:43:00.003+01:00

Well, here he is then, meet the latest member of the Stash Basket household. Harvey has arrived and oh blimey do we know it! Do not be deceived by this very innocent little face, but look closely at his paws. They love to dig. The mouth loves to chew. The body likes to lie in all the pretty flowers. The backside... well, we won't go into that just now!

But we are all totally smitten. He is gorgeous. Hard work and full of beans. Charges round like a loony, growling at his squeaky toy and tugging at his cuddly toys. He eats and drinks like there's no tomorrow.

This is the only time when I am able to get anything done round the house (like ironing, making tea and hoovering - knitting has been completely forgotten about - oh yes, he likes nibbling balls of wool too!)Oh and if anyone lives nearby, please send more newspaper - we are going through quite a lot!

Blogging will be very sporadic for the next while. This is worse than having a toddler. (At least you can stick a nappy on them!)

David's socks

2010-05-06T22:45:00.002+01:00

Just head over to Ravelry will you and look at these socks. Look at them, admire them and then read the story behind them. How could you not smile?

Grrrrr.....

2010-05-06T17:05:00.004+01:00

Rushed home from school, hassled boys into cleaning teeth, rush, rush, rush. Dentist at 4.20. Grr, why are all the traffic lights set to red when you're in a rush. Only one parking space available which involved some parallel parking - miraculously managed this at only 6 attempts. Got into dentist at 4.19, relaxed in the knowledge that we were on time and therefore going to earn loads of brownie points.

'Hello, Stashbasket family here for our 4.20 appointment.'

'You're a day late Mrs Stashbasket, you should have been here at 4.20 on Wednesday.'

'Er, are you sure? It says Thursday on my calendar.'

'Yes, quite sure, the dentist was rather cross because you had a 40 minute appointment.'

'40 minutes? For a check up? What on earth does he do?'

I shall find out at the end of July which is the next available appointment.

(1 hour later, I've just been to vote and have inadvertantly taken Mr Stressy's voting card. Think I ought to go to bed for the rest of the day and hope that tomorrow will be better!)

(2 hours later, they say things always happen in 3's don't they, so I really shouldn't be surprised. Our car, which has been in the garage for the last 3 weeks being repaired has just broken down. We only got it back yesterday.)

I have a cake to decorate tonight. Am slightly nervous about doing it now.

Weekend away

2010-05-03T16:33:00.002+01:00

It was Mr Stressy's birthday yesterday and we went away for the weekend. We stayed with some friends in their very posh house. I tell you, it was straight out of the pages of a Homes and Country magazine - fabulous decor, no clutter, big comfy sofas... oh it was bliss. This top picture is the view from their kitchen. We had a lovely time (ate soooo much!) - it was such a break from children and noise and arguments and squabbling and fighting and everything else bad. My parents came to look after the boys - and also happened to do some decorating whilst we were away as a surprise. Perfect!

We went to Twickenham to watch the Army vs Navy Rugby match. The Army have not lost in years and years so we went with high hopes. Sadly they lost, but to be honest, the score was incidental. It was like a great big party - in many cases a Fancy Dress Party!

These dashing young men were apparently In The Navy. There were plenty of other fancy dressers too - Wonder Woman was there (complete with hairy chest) as were Batman and Robin, several nicely dressed young lady sailors (again complete with hairy chests!) And even one or two people with absolutely nothing on at all. Towards the end of the second half, there were so many pitch invasions by streakers in varying stages of undress that the game had to be stopped for a while!

If you have never been to this particular match, I can thoroughly reccommend it. Such good natured supporters, I didn't hear one single swear word. Everyone was having a great time, I really didn't want to come home. But home I did come.

A fair bit of knitting was completed - look what I finished! It's a bit big round the heel flap and gusset section, but they'll be great boot socks for the winter. Very long and cosy.

It is with great sadness that I have a very serious demise to report. The Stash Basket has died. It is deceased. No more. Dead. It has been eaten alive. I passed by it this morning and wondered what all the very fine dust was round the base of it. We had had nothing plastered lately, yet there was all this fine plaster type dust. So I got on my hands and knees and looked closely. It was riddled with holes. Yikes, OMG and flipping heck. We have got woodworm. I do not want to make light of this as it is obviously very serious. I have found quite a few adult beatles on the windows and they are now squashed and killed dead adult beatles. The hoover has gone into overdrive. (Do these little monsters eat yarn?)

But what next? Anybody know? I have checked all the other wooden things in the house and everything seems OK. The stash basket was housed in the dining room - where we have table, chairs, 2 bookcases and 2 china storage cupboards. All made of wood.

Heck.

Gulp!

2010-04-29T22:35:00.002+01:00

Following many years of pleading, we have caved in and ordered one of these. Do not expect much in the way of knitting for the next, ooh, lots of years. Hoping to collect in 10 days time.

Gulp.

Just don't ask about the blankets...

2010-04-28T15:28:00.003+01:00

... because I've not done anything about any of them for ages. Still have barely started April's Mystery Blanket squares, let alone finished them. The Golden Wedding Blanket is so close to being finished and the African Adventure is merely a very small bow tie.

But ask me about the May Sock why don't you? It's a fantastic pattern! And if you haven't cast yours on yet, I urge you to go do it right away.

I have changed the heel - the pattern said do a short row garter stitch heel - didn't think that would last, so I'm using the heel from the Poppy Socks (same designer) and it seems to be coming out quite pretty.

Do tell - anyone else started yet?

May Socks

2010-04-26T19:25:00.004+01:00

I have been in a bit of a dilemma of late. I finished Polly Jean ages ago and have been desperate to start some new socks. But I was strong. I wouldn't let myself. No, do some more of your blankets, all 3 of them (yes, I own up to starting the African Adventure). Finish Tempest. Finish Carica. Finish Soho.

Nooo. I want to make some pretty socks.

But I can't start new socks until May. May is the time when the pattern for the next sock in the 'Moogsmum and Stash Basket Sock a Month Club' is released. Incidentally, someone please think of a good name for us, this is a bit long-winded every time.

But does it matter?

Yes. No. Dunno.

Brainwave. We had so many complaints last moth about the pattern being too hard that we decided to offer up 2 patterns this month. One easy and one a little bit more challenging. So I needed to make the easy pattern just to prove it is easy.

And blimey, it's easy. Come on all you reluctant sock knitters, give this one a go. It's worth it just for the name. Wise Hilda's Basic Ribbed Socks. This really is and easy, mindless pattern - I completed one in Wales in just 2 days - most of it done whilst walking up and down hills (carefully avoiding the Biting Bunnies, Silver Pebble, so do not worry!)

I used Skein Queen yarn recently purchased from a destash on Ravelry. Nicely subtle, quiet, understated colours. I love them! A little bit scratchy at the moment but hopefully they'll soften up in the wash.

Now that they were finished, I still felt the need to do more socks. I love knitting socks. I did a bit more blanket but got bored and longed for the socks, so thought ah what the heck, just go for it. Little did I know that Moogsmum was also suffering from a similar dilemma. So we've both cast on today. Presenting the May socks. Macchia Di Colore. I'm just using 2 colours for mine - Colinette Jitterbug in Burnt Ochre and Velvet Leaf, but the possibilities for using up oddments are very obvious (providing you don't mind darning in loads of ends!)

No lace work this month, but lots of colours. I've always fancied stripy socks and these are stripy with a bit of texture - short row bobbly stripes. Great pattern, very well explained and free.

So come on then, who's going to join us? All volunteers are most welcome. You have until end of May to finish. We have already chosen the socks for June, July, August and September, although Moogsmum is still being a coward and refusing to do these. Can't imagine why - the pattern is only 15 pages long...

Happy birthday to me...

2010-04-20T17:21:00.003+01:00

Anyone fancy a piece of birthday cake? Carrot or chocolate? Or if you're greedy like me, both.

It's a bit of a bugger having to make your own birthday cakes, but when someone else provides a very delicious birthday lunch it's not quite so bad! Thanks Picperfic and Cybil for making my day lovely.

Upside down and back to front

2010-04-19T19:26:00.002+01:00

My children, both very keen for you all to know that they can jump high, wanted me to show you their somersaults on the trampoline. We bought this quite a few years ago (8?) and hardly a day has gone by when it's not been in use - rain, snow, hail, sun, fog, you name it. It has been the best value 'toy' ever bought and they have loved it so much. Sadly last week it broke - 3 of the legs fell off. Pretty serious, but fortunately very fixable. It was a bit of a pain trying to dismantle and then get it back together - many swear-words issued forth from eldest son. But we managed it. We are not quitters!

Eldest son has taught himself lovely, neat and graceful somersaults. Would that he showed half as much perseverance with his school-work!

For some time now, mum has been wanting a Christmas Cushion. She asked me to make her one for her Christmas pressie this year, but obviously either forgot, or fancied making one herself. She borrowed a blanket book from me and set about making squares. I sewed them all together and this is the result. Not sure if I can bear to give it back to her - isn't it gorgeous?

Here's the back which I love almost as much as the front.

Mr Stressy has requested one, as has my brother, and I'd love one too. anyone else wish to join the queue? So I feel that mum may be rather busy for the next few months. Sadly though, she has decided to make a Christmas Blanket now, so all cushion orders will be ignored.

Oh yes and thank-you all very much for your opinions on African Adventure. I was honestly expecting you to say that I was mad, don't do it, you have far too much else to do, finish one of your many other projects first... But oh no, seems like you want me to have a go. So I duly printed off the pattern (only 3 pages long) and cast on. Well, talk about addictive! I had to force myself to put it down, finish something else first. I'm trying hard to be strong, but it is so difficult - what a most fantabulous way to use up oddments (sock yarn works brilliantly when used double). Just to make a change - I LOVE THIS PATTERN!!! I won't show you a picture today (because I haven't taken one) but will do very soon. Promise.

Somebody help me please

2010-04-15T22:32:00.002+01:00

I am giving very, very serious thought to casting this on. Someone please convince me this will not be a good idea. Despite having plenty of lovely double knitting yarn that would work perfectly in this pattern. It would not be a good idea would it? Or would it?

Phew - never again!

2010-04-15T16:28:00.003+01:00

I can now breathe a deep sigh of relief. It is done. Ishbel is all finished, off the needles and will never again get back on my needles. Hated knitting it, as you know, but at least now lace, mohair and shawls are all right out of my system. Back to socks and blankets thank-you very much.

But saying all that, it does look quite pretty now that it's done - I don't really like the very hard blocking and felt this soft fly-away yarn would benefit from something much more gentle. It has nothing at all to do with impatience or laziness!

We went over to Burghley House yesterday - met mum and dad for a coffee and cake in the Orangery and then played in the grounds. I am sure my eldest was born with springs in his legs, otherwise how on earth could he get that high up?

This building was used in Pride and Prejudice (the one with Keira Knightley) as Rosings Park, the ultra stuck-up residence of Lady Catherine de Bourgh. I think one of her direct descendants now works in the coffee shop - one of the ladies serving was so rude, I even complained. Something I very rarely do (unless it's about pain-in-the-bum lace knitting patterns).

Both children are out with friends at the moment, Mr Stressy returns from London at about 3am so I am Home Alone. Yippee! Going to do some knitting. See you soon.

x

Did you miss me?

2010-04-12T11:27:00.002+01:00

I have returned from a few days away in Welsh Wales. We went to visit my mother-in-law. It was lovely there - I was not allowed to do any cooking, but was just told 'no, go and knit'. Oh OK then, if you insist!
I did not take the infernal Ishbel with me, but have been doing some of it since I got home. I only hope that when it's all done, I will finally feel the love, because at the moment, I cannot stand the bloody thing. Love the yarn but hate lace weight - if that makes sense! Love the halo of the mohair but hate knitting with it. Really don't like the pattern at all, it's just one big mess of holes with no order in them. Cannot understand what everyone raves about so much - I shall never, ever in the whole of my life knit another one. Neither will I be using poxy lace weight either and will only use mohair if it's super chunky!!!

But on the other hand, Polly Jean is a wonderful pattern. I have loved knitting these, even though I have finally worked out that I've been making the stitches all wrong, so my leaves/ hearts don't look like they should. But I am still very pleased with the way they have turned out. And the yarn is fabulous - Posh Laura, naturally Posh again.

I did some other knitting too - more of Tempest and started on an 'easy' sock - had so many complaints last month about the 'Sock A Month' challenge pattern being too hard, that I hunted for an easy pattern. Had to try it out to make sure it was easy. And fear not all you weaklings who refused to tackle Polly Jean (you know who you are Locket) it really is super-easy. We'll be choosing 2 patterns next month, so you will have no excuse to do one or the other!

Whilst being away, I have gone out on several walks on my own. As much as I love my family, there is nothing quite so wonderful as walking through the forest, knitting happily away and listening to the birds and running water. It has been so cold up there that spring is being very reluctant to make an appearance. There are one or two buds just starting to show on the trees, but at the moment, you can see quite a way up the little streams.

My ridiculous children went 'swimming' in a pool which is fed by this stream. They described it as 'rather cold'. I felt mildly surprised that they found this surprising!

I finished the Seven Circle Scarf and would like you all to know that it is now my most favourite pattern ever in the whole wide world. Forget Baktus, if you have yet to make one of these, put down all your other knitting projects and cast one on immediately. You will not be disappointed. this one is made in Posh (yes, I know, again!) cashmere - Sophia 4-ply and I LOVE IT!!! It's like a soft cosy necklace

Just one last photo for now - when we came home, I had to quickly unpack and then get on with decorating a cake. I had made all the decorations before we went away so it just needed icing and assembling (had made the cake before we left and froze it). The instructions this time were 'it's for my mum and she does scrap-booking and makes cards so please do something that resembles that'.

Right, I'm off now to make dinner. Bacon sandwich anyone?

Arghh!

2010-04-02T12:22:00.003+01:00

The combination of me, lace knitting, mohair yarn and Ishbel is not a happy combination. Frog, frog, frog, tink, tink, tink. It is very close to being thrown somewhere in disgrace. Every single pattern row, I seem to be 3 stitches short. It's making me very cross.

I think I'd better stick to socks in future.

What New Year's Resolution?

2010-03-30T15:01:00.003+01:00

It's nearly April which means that the next installment of the Posh Yarn Cashmere Club has arrived. Yippee!! This colour is called Tulip Time and it's very, very pretty. I'm not a really pink girly girl, but I do like this - some skeins seem to be more orange and less pink - mine is the other way round. I've been busy already hunting down sock patterns (how well will silk and cashmere socks stand the test of time I wonder?) and am undecided between about 6 patterns! What's your favourite sock pattern? What would you do with this skein? Apart from pet it of course!

As you may have read on some other blogs, I went out for the day on Saturday. I got up nice and early, caught the train, arrived in London and met up with some decidedly insane people. They persuaded me that it would be a good idea to go to Loop. I really didn't want to go there, but felt it was only polite to go along with everyone else's wishes. They had to drag me inside ('no there isn't room, let me stay outside in the rain') and positively FORCED me to buy yarn. As you know, I don't need any more yarn. I have plenty. I'm not buying yarn all year, it's my New Year's Resolution. So it wasn't my fault at all that they grabbed my Credit Card, tortured me to give them the chip n pin thingy and put these skeins in my bag.

Why did you do it to me Locket and Moogsmum? You have corrupted an innocent being. (But it has to be said, my new yarn is D blooming Licious and I can't wait to get started on something!)

I had some very lovely presents too. Gorgeous stitch markers, a lovely flower brooch (I'm wearing it now Locket) and a very funny coaster. My children both laughed when I showed it to them!

But wait a minute. What's this I see before me? More yarn? Yes, 'fraid so. I decided to stop being such a wimp over the whole 'I will not knit lace' problem. I fell in love on Saturday, with a small but perfectly formed teeny weeny skein of Alchemy Haiku. I don't knit lace. I can't bear lace weight yarn. Mohair yarn gives me the collywobbles. And when did you ever see me knitting dark and dingy colours?

Presenting Ishbel. Mmmmmmm. Love the yarn, love the colour, love the pattern - OK so I'm only on the easy peasy stockinette part, but oh boy, am I in lurve!

One down...

2010-03-23T19:51:00.002Z

... one to go! Here is the first Polly Jean - pretty don't you think? This pattern is miles away from anything I would normally attempt, but boy oh boy am I glad Moogsmum suggested it!

The lace pattern is on a chart - something I have always run screaming from. I don't know if all lace patterns are like this or if this one is just extremely easy to understand and follow. If you have yet to start your Polly Jeans, go on, give it a go, it's much easier than you might think! The pattern is also free on Ravelry - bargain!

This is the first pattern in our Sock Challenge - you have until the end of April to complete it. If you don't manage it, fear not, we shall not send the boys round, but pattern number 2 will be revealed at the start of May (we are busy deciding which one to use - but at the moment, we seem to change our minds every day!)

I need to lie down somewhere quiet!

2010-03-21T10:14:00.003Z

I have been asked to do a Wedding Cake - 4 tiers of different 'sponge cakes' one of which is a coconut cake. I have never made a coconut cake before so thought I'd better do some research. Here is Nigella's recipe (with chocolate on top rather than the coconut icing suggested). I am not going to hunt for any more recipes, I have found Nirvana. This cake is light and delicious, beautifully flavoured and also perfectly flat. Just what I need! It was Saturday pudding - eldest son wanted a fat free yoghurt instead of this (where does he get it from?) and youngest son was out for tea. So there's plenty left if anyone wants to try a bit...

Sometimes something happens that makes me wonder what on earth is going on. Is the world coming to an end? I question the meaning of life. Why? Where? How? What?

Yesterday was one such time. Here are both my children sitting in the kitchen doing their homework. I had not nagged them to get it done. They are not fighting. I had not bribed them. They are both concentrating hard, not talking, just quietly getting on with what needs to be done.

Just what the heck has happened in the world?

But that was not all.

No.

Now just make sure you're sitting down everyone.

Mr Stressy wasn't stressy. He even smiled!

Prepare to meet your maker, the end of life as we know it is over.

Oh dear, startitis again...

2010-03-17T15:27:00.002Z

Yesterday I had some visitors for lunch (wave hello Marianne and Cybil!). We had a very healthy main course of prawn and pasta salad and for pudding the slightly less healthy option of a big plate of cakes! (Thanks girls, I put on a pound and a half at fat club today!!!)

After eating we got onto the serious business of knitting. Marianne broke her wrist some weeks ago and yesterday was the momentous day of Cast Removal. And so therefore the first day of knitting for a long time. Only she did some crochet - a very secret project, but one which made me wish I could crochet! But instead of learning, I did what all self respecting non-hookers do, I delegated. Cybil very kindly offered to test-crochet the pattern and give the end product to me. Not telling what it is. Can't. So don't ask. While all this not-so-gentle persuasion was going on, Cybil sat with head down, trying to ignore my pleas, knitting a sock. Resistance is futile!

I made some serious inroads to Tempest. I love and adore everything about this. Pattern, yarn, colours, even having a love fest with the Peace Fleece needles!
Marianne was super-kind and generous and gave me a skein of yarn which she had spun herself. Now how anyone can spin is beyond me. How anyone can spin and give up their yarn to someone else is even further beyond me!

I would show you a picture of the pretty skein of resulting merino/cashmere/silk but I can't. I wound it into a ball within minutes of them leaving and cast on for a lacy Baktus. Look! I have nearly finished! (Planning on wearing it tomorrow)

So with all this cardi and scarf knitting, I am neglecting my little Polly Jean. But fear not, will be doing more of this tomorrow, or even later on tonight if I can get my bum into gear!

My 3 favourite things in life. Cake, Yarn and Chocolate Puddings!

2010-03-15T20:32:00.003Z

This cake has been the reason for my absence over the last week. Phew, it has taken ages - not just in the icing, but also the research! It's the West Ham football team - when I Googled it, 40 something players came up as being in the first team. So then I had to narrow it down to 11. Then I had to find out hairstyles and skin colour... the list goes on.

Anyhows, here is a close up of a few of them. I'm quite pleased with the way it's turned out. The purple of the shirts isn't quite right, but is as close as I could get it. These football themed cakes are a mixed blessing really - I love how they turn out, but they just take so damn long - bed time at 1.30 is just too late for me. I need all the beauty sleep I can get!

Remind me someone what my New Year's Resolution was about not buying any more yarn. I seem to think that I wasn't buying any this year. Hmmm. Well that's gone out of the window! I found this wondrous ball of Camelspin (75% silk, 25% camel... divine!) on someone's destash page on Ravelry. Oh such a dangerous place to go to!

The very nice lady was also selling this Skein Queen in the very pretty, delicate shade (!) of violent pink and bright orange. Love these 2 colours together, so bonkers and insane and clashy. Right up my street! I see something on the new sock club being made in these very soon!

And on the subject of the new sock club, I found (again on a Ravelry forum!) this Posh Yarn Laura in the most perfect pink. Have you ever knitted with Laura? If not, I urge you to find some. I really think it's my favourite sock yarn in the whole wide world. 80% merino, 20% cashmere. What's not to love? The feel is beautiful, the stitch definition is perfect. Oh yes, I love Laura!

Anyone started on their Polly Jean socks yet? I cast on yesterday and have now completed the first pattern repeat. What a great pattern! I never thought I could cope with lace charts, but the pattern is so clear and easy to read, it's just a dream to work. If you were undecided about joining us, then decide right now, download the pattern and cast on straight away. You will not be disappointed!

I haven't shown you a Saturday Pudding for a while now. So have this one on me. Chocolate mousse with white chocolate mousse on top. Naturally I enjoyed a fat free yoghurt!

Thank-you all so much for the help and advice and very kind comments on the Golden Wedding Blanket. I have changed my mind so many times, but have now officially decided. There will be another row of flowers and the finished blanket will be 81 squares big - 9x9. I saw one on Ravelry that was 9x11 and it just looked very long and thin, the squareness with the square squares (are you following this?!) appealed to me very much, so 9x9 it will be. I shall keep you updated on its progress, but hopefully it should be done before too long!

Blanket

2010-03-09T15:46:00.005Z

It is ages since I last updated you on the Golden Wedding Blanket. I have tried very hard to make 8 squares a month, have failed sometimes, but have usually managed it more or less. I now have a bit of a dilemma.

Originally I was intending to make it 99 squares big - 11 across by 9 down. I am now beginning to wonder if that is a bit too big and cumbersome - if you could possibly refer to a blanket made almost entirely from Posh Yarn as 'cumbersome'.

This picture shows the blanket as an almost square - 41" x 47" approx.

...and this picture shows it as a rectangle, 36" x 53".

Now my dilemma is this, and I really need all the advice you clever bloggy people have to offer.

Do I have it as a rectangle or square - I wondered if rectangular, mum and dad could use it together, draped over their knees, keeping them both cosy in their dotage (!). But then I quite like the square. And also, do I need more rows/columns? Again I wondered if the symmetry dictates that I should have flowers all round the edge - one set of hearts doesn't look quite right with 3 sets of flowers, if you get my drift.

I will be knitting a border round the edge, very likely with beads in it. The flowers have beads on them - some more than others. This is my favourite style of flower.

So help me please Blogland. I have until September 1st to complete this, so if you feel that I really do need to make another 27 squares, then I will. I have more than enough yarn!

Socks - an announcement.

2010-03-08T21:59:00.004Z

I am loving the Two Left Feet blog. I mean, really loving it. I love knitted socks, sock yarn is my favourite weight and the photo of that washing line still attracts my attention and makes me smile.

So Moogsmum and I came up with an idea. We'd like to do something like that too. Now personally, I am not even in the same league as Elizabeth and Pat, but I live in hope! So we have started a new club. We are going to knit a pair of socks every month for the next, ooh, I don't know, until we run out of either patterns or yarn I suppose (neither of which is very likely to be honest!)

We decide on a pattern - a free one from Ravelry, choose our yarn and start knitting. It does not matter when we start knitting, but we must aim to be finished by the last day of the month. But we get a bit longer for this first project to enable us to get our sock mojo into gear. And of course to let anyone else come out of Internet land and join us.

So may I present you with our first Sock Project. Polly Jean. It's a Ravelry link. What do you think? Anyone else up for the challenge? If you only want to join us for one pattern (or even one sock, Locket!) then that's fine by us.

Go on, someone be brave and commit!

I really wanted to knit these, but Mrs Moog said no. I had a bit of a sulk but then realised she was probably right.

Have you seen?

2010-03-05T22:50:00.003Z

I wonder if any of you have read the comments on the last post.

We are pleased to announce that Kathryn has at long last joined the weight loss club!

Matilda Rose
8lb 8.5oz
2nd March

Well done Kathryn and many congratulations to yourself, Warren and Evie.

xxxx

2010-03-01T22:47:00.002Z

I have just found a new blog. Two Left Feet. Two ladies each decide to knit a pair of socks every month for the whole year. Each month has its own theme. Brilliant, inspired idea. My favourite bit of the whole blog? That fantastic photo of the washing line of socks. Oh to have that many hand-knitted socks. Swoon.

I Win!

2010-02-28T07:55:00.003Z

Sorry things have been a little quiet round here lately - it's been a bit of a stressful week yet again. Must practice breathing deeply and slowly. Either that or take up running and run a very long way away!

Anyway, there has been time to knit and it is with great pleasure that I announce that I have WON the Finish It Off February Challenge!!!!! Look here Locket - my final pair of socks are done! I have also done 32 rows of Soho so am declaring myself the Gold Medal winner! I have not cast anything on - but the yarn is already wound up ready to tackle Tempest. Can't wait. Just have a nagging suspicion that I don't have the right size needles...

I have really enjoyed this challenge - if the truth be told, I never gave myself a chance of completing it. I have got lots more empty bags now waiting for new projects to fill them, but I will try and be strong and only cast on one new thing a month. No. Who am I trying to kid? One miracle at a time. You watch, by the end of next week I'll no doubt have cardigans, socks, hats and scarves on the needles, ready for another Finish It Off month in April!

This computer is a bit poorly so I may be quiet again for some time while I arrange for a little man to take it away and look at it. I'm having trouble with Windows, iTunes, shutting it down, it's painfully slow, the anti-virus is not happy and I'm rather concerned in case it's terminal.

Gulp.

Decisions

2010-02-23T14:23:00.004Z

OK, OK, so the finishing isn't going quite as well as it should be. I am still needing to cast on something new.

I have the yarn already lined up for Tempest.
I need a Shalom cardi - do not have the right yarn, but sure that can easily be rectified!
Just found these amazing little mittens and need to cast on quickly for them as the weather is showing no signs of warming up. (But also very fond of these mittens too)
I have wanted to make this hat forever.
Have got lots of super-soft mohair lined up ready for Liesl.

There is of course many more things I also want to make, but this is just a few of the 'must do next' ones.

But I must keep plodding along with the last sock. And then do a bit more of Soho.

Less than a week to go, then I can start something new. But what to start? (Anyone who suggests anything except Tempest will be totally ignored!)

So do tell me, what is at the top of your Ravelry List? What will you cast on next? Can you tempt me in a different direction?

Added much later - I've just found this pattern which I really need to cast on immediately because it's so great. Shame I don't have a dog though!

Struggling

2010-02-20T16:48:00.002Z

This has been a difficult month. Whilst feeling very pleased with myself for all the finished projects, I am now desperate to cast something new on. Startitis is rearing its head again and the skeins of Posh Yarn in the Stash Basket are calling me.

Tempting me as I brush past them.

Begging me to look at them.

'Choose me, you know you want to.'

'Feel me, I'm so soft and cosy; so strokeable.'

'Look at me, see my bright colours, you need bright colours to beat this miserable weather.'

Oh help me someone please. It's a difficult time and I'm struggling.

Bit more progress...

2010-02-18T13:53:00.003Z

I have now returned from a short visit to mum and dads. It has been a lovely couple of days break - despite constant arguing from the children. The weather has been foul and I am now even more sick and tired of the cold, damp, fog and miserable skies. I am longing for spring in a way that I never longed for it before. This has been a very long winter.

But no matter, there is nothing I can do about it except wait. And knit. And boy oh boy have I been knitting! I have managed to do a bit more of Carica - about 5" in total, so there's another thing to tick off the list (remember I said I needed to knit a bit more of Carica, but not finish it - I think that 5" more than covers 'a bit more', don't you?)

But here's the exciting part. Ladies and gentlemen of the Bloggy World, may I present to you a pair of Fishy Socks.

Oh how I love my fishy socks!

The list is drawing to its finish and a good job too as there is less than a fortnight left of this month. Feeling quite smug about the amount finished so far.

Surely you're starting to get a little bit worried by now aren't you Locket?

Presents

2010-02-15T20:44:00.003Z

Well perhaps I built up the Valentine's presents from Mr Stressy, but honestly, I was thrilled! Silicone bun cases - which have already been used to make some mini bread-puddings and a heart-shaped baking dish. I have never used these silicone cases before, never believing they would work. Well let me tell you. I am a convert. They are fantastic - didn't stick, dead easy to clean and a really great colour! I am going shopping tomorrow and can see more of these ending up in my bags before the day is through!

Here is the baking dish filled with an apple and raspberry crumble. Served with custard, this was the perfect pudding for yet another cold and miserable day!

I joined the Posh Valentine Swap this time. I don't normally like swaps and don't often do them - have a major inferiority complex - but blimey am I glad I joined in this one!

A very interesting and delicious book about tea time recipes (expect to see some of those gracing this blog in the near future!), some Charbonnel and Walker pink champagne truffles, cakey cake cases, crazy sheep paper clips, some pink yarn, hand spun by my amazing swap partner (lacy baktus I feel) and this scarf. Would you just look at this scarf? It's crochet. Unbelievable how anyone would spend so long making something so beautiful just for me. I am in awe. Thank-you so very much Saira. So much so that I have yet to eat the chocolates!

I'm going away for a few days now so will be back at the end of the week with news on how much knitting I've managed to get done! Bring it on Locket, bring it on!

Hearts

2010-02-14T20:12:00.003Z

OK so I know it's Sunday and yet another Saturday Pudding has gone by unnoticed, but here it is anyway. Little chocolate buns with chocolate hearts. We had to have Valentine's Tea early at the Stash Basket - Mr Stressy has been at work all day today, so the 'celebrations' had to take place a day early. I have managed to eat lots of these buns. Looks like the diet is going to pot yet again this week!

On the great Finish It Off February list, things are being ticked off slowly but surely. Here are 2 more blanket squares (have also just finished another one, but no photo)...

And would you just look here? A finished pair of socks! Woo hoo!!!!!

Surely you're starting to believe me now Locket?

What? Not even a little bit?

Please come back another day to see what Mr Stressy bought me for Valentine's day and see the most incredible swap package that arrived last week. I am in still in awe of this package - just you wait until you see it. Mind you, I am also still in awe of my Valentine gift from Mr S. He's quite romantic at times you know! (Don't get too excited, I'm not being whisked away to the Seychelles!)

Falling off the wagon.

2010-02-09T17:54:00.003Z

Well, it was a bit of a tall order wasn't it? 'No yarn for the rest of this year'? Come on people, did anyone really expect me to keep that particular resolution? I was all full of good intentions, but then I went and looked at the Posh Yarn site. Now for those of you who don't know, Posh Yarn do sales once a week and their yarn sells out rather quickly (not talking days, hours or even minutes here, more like seconds!)

I am usually smitten by several of their skeins. I usually have to exert much will power to refuse. But this week, resistance was futile (hmm, good name there Dee...). Even the name of this yarn appealed to me.

So ladies and gentlemen, may I present the latest addition to the Stash Basket. Sylvia (that's 50% merino and 50% silk) in the colour 'Wear A Smile'. A pattern is all lined up and ready, it's lurking on my Ravelry Queue, but I am not going to cast on until March 1st. Now if that isn't incentive to get this February WIP list done, then nothing is!

I don't do 'understated' colours. Me, I like bright, happy, cheerful colours. And these are all of those. I am in luuurve!

Postie was a very good little Postie today. He brought me another present. This lovely necklace - not a great photo, but believe me, it's pretty. From here.

This month's Mystery Blanket squares are now done. I love this cable one - great colour and a really effective cable, but the one above it? It's a nice enough square and was super-quick to knit, but oh my word, what horrible colours. Blue and brown are my 2 worst colours to put together, brown on its own must be about my worst colour, but this brown is really, really horrible. I'm hoping we won't notice the horridness of this square in the whole blanket.

This sequin square is lovely too - I like knitting with sequins - far more fiddly than with beads, but they look so effective. Assuming that the theme is 'Under the sea' then this has got to be fish scales don't you think?

This is how the strip all looks together now. The star fish is growing on me!

And lastly on the progress front, 2 Golden Wedding Blanket squares. Hardly the most exciting of photos, but I just needed Locket to see that progress really is being made.

I will do it Locket - I am determined!

Saturday Pudding

2010-02-07T11:48:00.003Z

Well we haven't seen Saturday Pudding round here for ages. The diet sems to have wrecked all hope of eating yummy puddings, but this weekend, I thought 'ah to heck with it'. So here we have Blood Orange Cheesecake. It's not too hefty on the calories either - sugar free jelly, quark and half fat double cream. Well, I'm sure it is pretty hefty really, but I'm just kidding myself!

The knitting is going slowly. Perhaps I'm thinking my Finish it off February target is a little ambitious? I will continue to try and reach the goals set though. It is, afterall, ages until the end of the month and we do have half term in the middle of it.

Yeah, no problem.

See. I've convinced myself again.

You will eat your words Locket.

Progress

2010-02-05T15:02:00.003Z

Well I have to be honest here. Things are not progressing on the must-finish list quite as quickly as I would have liked. They are certainly progressing though, but just not as speedily as I imagined they would.
This is another of the Mystery blanket squares. Quite like this one. There are beads on it, which haven't shown up, they are a silvery sparkly colour and are really very pretty.

This next square I am remaining on the fence about. The undecided fence. I think I like it, but am not over sure. It's the pink. If it wasn't for the horrid violent pink, I'm sure I'd like it; and the turquoise swirls just don't show up (bet you didn't even see them did you?).

But the next square is another matter altogether. I was brave and cast it straight onto the previous one. Lovely colours and there are sequins on it too. I'm sure I'll finish it off tonight and hopefully cast on the next one too. But the ironing mountain calls. If I don't do some very very soon, we'll all be walking around starkers tomorrow. Not a pretty sight, believe me!

So it begins...

2010-02-03T14:36:00.003Z

Look at this then everyone! A finished project - and one that I only began on Saturday! This is the ruffle scarf knitted using Posh Yarn's Sophia. Pure, 100% cashmere in the most wonderful colourway ever. I love it and it's keeping my neck deliciously soft and cosy right now. Which is just as well, because it's absolutely freezing yet again. I am now fed up of being cold. I am awaiting spring and warmer weather.

So next on the finish it off February list, I'm going to do this month's mystery blanket squares. All 5 of them. Very quickly. Because some of you don't believe me that I'm going to reach my target. But I am quite determined I tell you. Quite, quite determined!

Oh and the very pretty flower on the picture was made for me by Kathryn - she hasn't got long now until her very dramatic weight loss! We shall keep you all informed!

Sophia, Skies and Unobtainable Targets!

2010-02-01T20:15:00.004Z

I have still not broken my New Year's Resolution. I am not buying anymore yarn (well, not yet anyway). This arrived on Saturday, but before you declare me a big fat con-merchant, I did not buy it during this year. I joined the Posh Yarn Cashmere club and paid up last year. It is Sophia 4-ply, and is quite simply perfection in yarn. So soft, so wonderfully soft, I have not found anything else quite like it. It is a Queen amongst yarns. The Queen in fact.

This colourway is called Burns' Night and really makes me think of Scotland - tartan and cloudy skies, thistles and dark brooding skies, rainy clouds and big splashy puddles (can you tell that on my few visits to Scotland it rained a lot?). No Haggis thank-goodness!

In the e-mail that Dee sent out with the yarn, she very kindly did some of the leg-work regarding pattern suggestions. I felt it would be rude to ignore her recommendations so opted for this one. Now it looks quite small here on the photo, but the scarf is designed to just go round your neck and be held with a pin (how does that work I wonder, I have visions of stabbing myself through the carotid artery and bleeding to death all over my nice new cashmere scarf).

I have decided that this is also magic yarn. Not only is it beautiful to touch and stroke and fondle, but it changes colour. When I'm knitting it, it is dark and broody, all navy blue and purple, just like the above photo and nothing like the yarn in its unwound state.

But take it outside and lay it down, let it rest in the sunshine and glory in a relaxing winter chill, and just look what happens to it. It turns all soft and delicate and quite honestly makes me go all unnecessary. Shivers down the spine. Goosebumps and tingles. Stunning, absolutely bloody stunning. It is incredible yarn.

But leaving this all to one side for now (although it's sitting next to me, begging to be petted!) I didn't know that January was re-named 'Guilt-Free January'. Apparently you could cast on whatever you wanted. You didn't have to finish it, you could cast on as much as you want and not feel guilty. Why wasn't I told sooner?

I have, however, been given ample warning about 'Finish-it-off-February'. So I'm going to finish a few things off this month. Setting myself a target is not good really. I am unlikely to reach it. But I'll have a go.

Cast nothing new on (except second socks)
Finish Ruffle scarf
Complete this months Mystery Blanket squares
Complete 8 Golden Wedding blanket squares
Finish pink zig-zag anklets
Finish fishy socks (that means a whole second sock)
Finish retro rib socks (er, yet another whole second sock)
In desperation and boredom, knit a bit more of Soho or Carica

I shall try and blog nearly every day with progress reports. This list will just zip by. Oh the excitement of it all, I might even have 3 new pairs of socks by the end of the month! Even though mum has already laid claim to 2 pairs.

Now if I could just keep away from ravelry, I'd have an extra 2 or 3 hours in the day in which to knit!

Queueing

2010-01-27T19:32:00.004Z

Following some very good advice, I decided to join Trashy in making a list of things that I really want to get made this year. So I thought it would be a good idea to start with my Ravelry queue.

Hmmm. That seems to have grown over the last few days (weeks?) and is now taking up 2 pages. I have 45 things queued. I decided to look at it again and really think hard about that list. What could I do without? Surely I don't need that many socks and gloves and cardigans and scarves and hats? So I had another look and have reduced the list. By one. OK, so that's do-able surely? 44 items to finish in a year? Easy. (I am joking here, I am a very slow knitter!)

And then on my 'Must Do' list I thought about finishing some of the partner-less socks. And then maybe adding a few UFO's - 2 blankets for starters.

So all in all Trashy, I'm very sorry, but I have failed at the first post. I have waaay too much stuff that has to go on my list. Think I'll go and cast on something completely different instead.

How about a gag to tie round my eldest sons mouth? That way he could leave his younger brother to go on the PlayStation in peace!

Cakes and Socks and Skipping

2010-01-25T20:59:00.001Z

Many apologies for that long absence. I was busy. Yeah, yeah, yeah, aren't we all. Last week I had 2 cakes to decorate...

...some scones to bake (these were just straight out of the oven - anyone fancy one, hot, with butter, jam or cream?)

...and most importantly, a sock to finish!

Now this photo just does not do it justice. It is a very lovely sock and needs to be photographed outside in the sunshine. But it's been raining for so long now - well, it just seems that way - that I feel the sun has decided to clear off until April.

I love the heel on this sock, it is my favourite part of the whole thing.

One day, I might even make a partner for it! In the meantime, I have found another single sock and its half done twin, so have picked that up again. But I have now discovered a flaw with the Startitis Sock Club. When you knit one sock and make adjustments and alterations and don't change needle size when you're supposed to, and don't write down the afore-mentioned changes, then the second sock is never going to be a true partner. More a distant cousin rather than an identical twin! Still, never mind eh, life would be dull if everything was the same!

Last week I bought myself a skipping rope. Not just any old skipping rope I hasten to add. No, this one has a digital read-out to tell you how many calories you've burned off whilst skipping. I thought this sounded like a very good idea. Skip, burn up 50 or so calories, eat chocolate digestive. Perfect!

So out I went to skip. I skipped and skipped and skipped. I even broke out in a sweat, got red in the face and was very puffed out. But I felt all would be fine, I had done so well that maybe I had used up enough calories to have 2 biscuits.

But you know what it said? In great big numbers?

1.2

Er, excuse me? Is this wretched thing not working right or do you really have to nearly kill yourself to enjoy a guilt free biscuit? I'm sure I can burn calories faster by knitting, much nicer way to do it as well.

Stupid sodding skipping rope. The charity shop beckons.

Socks

2010-01-16T11:05:00.003Z

With all the blanket knitting going on around here, all the Christmas knitting of the previous 2 months, all the other attempts at finishing off a few projects, I have sorely neglected my sock knitting. This is not on. I have loved wearing my hand-knit socks during this cold weather, so much so, that one pair has completely worn through. I am devastated as they were the first ones I made for me. They are now rather draughty bed socks!

Anyway, I looked at my stash of sock yarn and fell in love all over again. I felt the desperate urge to knit socks. So, ladies and gentlemen, I hereby re-open the Startitis Sock Club.

I started this one last weekend. It is testament to the wonderful pattern that I have already cast it off. What a lovely thing to knit. But helped along in no uncertain terms by the wonderful yarn. Retro Rib Sock in Posh Yarn Daisy. Even Mr Stressy likes this one! The photo doesn't do the pattern - or yarn - justice. So very pretty. And so very lonely.

The whole idea of the Startitis Sock Club is that 's it's much more fun to cast on one sock and then do a different pattern.

Eventually I will end up with a pair. But not just yet. Because I came across this pattern. And fell instantly in love. Why is this only in 4 Ravelry project pages and only 72 queues? It's wonderful. Come on everyone, rectify this problem. The world needs feet that are wrapped in silliness.

Spread the word. We need fishy feet! (Hmm, matching gloves to make fishy fingers? I sense another project on the cards!)

But who knows when I'll get the second fishy sock - or indeed glove - done. Because more sock yarn has appeared. Before you shout at me breaking my 'no yarn' resolution, fear not, this was a swap organised before Christmas with WMK Clara. The pink one is too pretty for socks, too girly, but oh my word, that green skein. I think it may well become a Brainless pair. Or Circles.

Meantime, I must get on with the blankets.

And the ironing.

And the cakes that must be decorated.

And the hoovering.

And the cooking.

Oh stuff the lot of it, I'm off to knit some more goldfish.

New Year's Resolution

2010-01-10T15:00:00.002Z

Well, there are actually resolutions. I've not discussed them with you yet, but they are pretty much the same as every year.

First up, I will not buy any more yarn this year. Yes, I know, my mum laughed at that one too. But I am serious. I have some very gorgeous yarn in the Stash Basket and I really want to use it. How long do you think I can last?! I'm taking bets!!!

Secondly, I will finish more projects than I cast on this year. So far I have cast on for the mystery blanket and a pair of socks. I have cast on and finished the mittens from last time. But still in the WIP pile, I have Soho, zig zag anklets, golden wedding blanket, carica, quiviut cowl, little Rowan number, and several other things whose names escape me right now. My ravelry queue grows longer by the day, the pile of books that I need to make things from also grows and a few old favourites are begging to be made again - baktus being top of the pile.

Thirdly I will make more socks, which ties in very nicely with one and two. This cold weather has made me realise that hand-knitted socks are not just a luxury, they are a necessity.

And of course, number four on the resolution list, I will lose more weight and keep it off. Blaming the cold weather again, all I want to do is eat chocolate at the moment. I am having a very special friendship with a box of Cadbury's fingers lately. This brief affair will soon be ended though, as I have eaten most of them.

I am sticking with just 4 resolutions this year. All very do-able don't you think?

Yes, yes, I know ROFLMAO, as someone so succinctly put it once upon a time!

Not quite what we had in mind

2010-01-06T16:14:00.002Z

Well we were promised snow today. Eldest son was expecting a day off school. Youngest son and myself were expecting a day of little work and loads of snowball fights (our school never closes). But you know what we got? Nothing more than a sprinkling , not enough to cover the pavements even. So it was school as normal. Bother.

I have had reports that the Bloggy Raffle prizes are starting to reach their destinations. Goody! I have cast on with my prize - the Rowan Colourscape - making these fingerless mits. I managed to finish one last night and did this much of the second this morning (woke up early, couldn't sleep, felt it was much more productive to knit rather than trying to get back to sleep).

I have worn the completed one today and I have to say it is very warm. Great yarn too! I will have plenty left so may have to do the ribbing of a hat and complete the top of it in another yarn.

Unfortunately this mitten knitting means that the Mystery Blanket is on hold for a few days. And I blame it entirely on the fact that I'm knitting a horrid lacy square in a horrid colour with horrid yarn. Hoping that there won't be too many of these squares - although I suspect I'll have to do at least another 3.

Oh yes and confession time. It was weigh day today. I have put on 3.5 pounds. Ratbags, bum and arse.

Still, I did enjoy all the mince pies, chocolates, sweets, bread, cheese, cakes and trifle. So really, 3.5 lbs is not too bad considering! I am very cross with myself though and am back on the straight and narrow once more. Just off to empty the fridge of all the remaining badness. The birds will be really looking forward to breakfast tomorrow!

Mystery Blanket 2010

2010-01-04T20:42:00.002Z

The new installment for the mystery blanket has arrived and it's about as different to last years as you could get. Last years was all about rich colours, cotton yarn and symmetrical designs. It would seem that 2010 has brought a return to pictures and much softer colours - we are also knitting with merino wool, silk/wool and cashcotton.

I am going to reserve judgement. It is very early days but I'm not sure if I'm going to like it yet. My 2 worst colours together are blue and brown, so this first square hasn't quite reached the spot. In fact it's about a million miles from the spot! The second one, which I have just cast on, is coral pink with pale pink beads - again, not my colours - and horror of horrors, is lacy. Hate knitting lace. Hate it.

So I shall hang fire with my opinions for the time being. But truth be told, I didn't like last years until about half way through, and only loved it when it was completed.

(The bloggy diet raffle prizes are in the post - except Kathryn's, Quinn's and Mama's - I need addresses please for these last 2.)

One Extra Prize

2010-01-02T21:32:00.003Z

You may or may not know about one of our Dieters. Kathryn pledged to join the Bloggy Diet Raffle, duly sent her prize, lost a pound then found out she was pregnant. So she hasn't lost anything else. I felt really bad about this, feeling it was so unfair to not stand much of a chance to win one of the prizes.

True enough, the weight loss in March will be pretty spectacular (do keep us informed) but until then, the scales just keep going up.

So here is one extra prize from the Bloggy Raffle. It has come out much smaller than I thought, so maybe have Flump in February rather than March Kathryn?

The pattern is Phazelia's Mitered baby Jacket and is a lovely thing to knit - so clever. And just so cute - I have loved knitting this! But sorry, I can't send it, mum wants to see it before I post it. But if you need it within the next couple of weeks, just let me know!

Warren - will this do instead of a wooden spoon, or would you rather have something to stir the chutney with?

Results of the Bloggy Diet Raffle

2010-01-01T21:18:00.004Z

So well done to everyone who has tried so hard to lose weight. We are all ignoring the fact that the last few days has brought nothing except expanding waist lines. No, we are celebrating the whole previous weight loss. Well done us!

Now then, I have drawn the raffle tonight. I was very strong and I promise you, I did not cheat. If I had cheated, I would have won it all! I pulled my own name out twice, so drew it again for one of the prizes, I felt it was not fair for me to win two lots of goodies.

If you need reminding of the prizes, they are all pictured here

So without further ado, the winners are:-

Fibre Spates Blue faced Leicester - Dotty Cookie

Nimu and Thistleknits yarn - Lucy Locket Pocket

Rowan Colourscape - Stash basket

Posh and felt studio yarn - Moogsmum

Sock Yarn and beads - Lucy Locket Pocket

Knit Picks baby cardi kit - Rachel

First fabric bundle - WMK

Second fabric bundle (the one with the red hippo fabric) - Moogsmum

Needle case and knitting needles - Quinn

Please would all of you let me know your addresses and I'll get the prizes parcelled up and sent off. I'm really sorry to those of you who haven't won, but honestly, I was being good and didn't cheat.

Hope you all have a very happy New Year and that it holds all that you could wish for.

xx

Finished!

2009-12-29T20:40:00.002Z

The good thing about having Startitis is that one day you finish lots of things all at once. Now although this is only one thing, it's made up of a back, 9 small squares and 4 fat beady tassels.

Here we have the back of the cushion that has been made up of left-overs from the Mystery Blanket. I love stripes, there's something very pleasing about the way they look so stripey!

And here is the front. Quite like this side too. What do you think?

Oh and by the way, I finished the i-cord bath mat. It took some doing, starting to panic somewhat on Christmas Eve, but it got done and wrapped in time for the big day! Photos another day. If I remember!

Christmas Day

2009-12-25T10:44:00.002Z

The turkey's in the oven, the pudding is sitting happily in the slow cooker, Mr Stressy is for once not living up to his name and the children are on the play station, merrily killing aliens.

Happy Christmas to you all, may your day be calm and peaceful and your new year bring nothing but good things.

I'm off for a sherry - anyone want to join me?

xxx

Brownies (or how to put 3lbs on in one day)

2009-12-22T15:26:00.003Z

When I go to Fat Club tomorrow and have put weight on, I am blaming this woman for sending me her recipe for the Best Ever Brownies. They truly are the best I have ever tasted. And what a lovely change to not have to battle with raisins or walnuts, but to just savour the delicious, fudgy, chocolaty brownie. Mmm, mmm, mmm.

General chatter.

2009-12-21T21:28:00.002Z

Ooh, sorry. How long ago was it that I wrote to you all? Truth be told, I wouldn't even be here now, I'd be sitting knitting, but my men are watching the Sun Military awards. I managed about 20 minutes of this, but was crying so much I had to come away. As soon as they got to honouring Wooton Bassett, I knew that was that. No more tears, I can bear this programme no more.

I have always held all Military Personnel in very high esteem. Quite apart from the uniforms (be still my beating heart!), I have always been in awe of their dedication and bravery. Many years ago, Mr Stressy - a soldier at the time - declared that he was disappointed not to be heading off to war in Iraq, that he felt a party was going on to which he wasn't invited. He had trained for war for much of his life and was to stay in this country. To my simplistic mind, this was insane. And my God, was I glad he didn't go.

The fiance of a friend of mine is serving in Afghanistan as we speak - he comes home tomorrow for a 2 week break, then heads back to finish his 7 month tour of duty. My heart goes out to him and everyone out there. Come home safely one and all.

But enough of this, it's nearly Christmas, time to be happy.

It is snowing again. If it carries on snowing, we shall be looking forward to Christmas dinner without the turkey. I'm not going out in this weather.

But I'm a bit stuck anyway - our car broke down nearly 3 weeks ago and went to the garage for repairs. Sadly the engine has to come out, pistons need replacing and the whole thing sounds scarily expensive. I am trying not to think about it! (But in the meantime, I wish they would lend me a courtesy car.)

Oh bugger. I'm doing it again aren't I? Come on woman, cheer up.

Tell you what, let me show you something exciting.

Having seen the fabulous Advent garland over at Attic 24, I just knew that I had to learn to crochet. So a lunch was arranged, cake was promised and Picperfic and blogless Cybil came over to teach me. And look what I made! Me! I can crochet! I tell you everyone, I am so proud of my little stars. But now that I have a few, I've decided that I really only want them in Christmassy colours - reds, greens and whites. So the pinky ones will just have to be used elsewhere.

I'm still plodding on with the i-cord bath mat. Barely 3 days to go, so I seem to be sewing up at every available opportunity. But Mr Stressy is here now and I don't want him to see it. I am determined to get it done - it's much bigger than when I last showed you. Maybe next time it will be finished.

Dare I mention the diets? I managed by some miracle to lose 1.5lbs last week. Due to large quantities of mince pies, I do not expect the same result this week. Oh, yes and I made a new pudding tonight - chocolate Christmas Pudding was its title. Amongst the ingredients were plain chocolate, breadcrumbs, milk chocolate, cream, butter, white chocolate, cocoa and flour. All the things which Slimming World frowns upon. But I tell you now people, it was worth every single ounce of weight that will go on the hips. It was delicious. It was so delicious in fact that I never even got round to taking its photo. I was too busy ramming it down my throat!

Until next time - I promise a pre-Christmas update - take care and keep warm.

xx