Bringing Being Human to Life

Ice Queen

2008-01-09T23:18:00.000Z

I have three balls of Kid Silk Haze that my friend bought and comissioned me to make a shawl/scarf for her with.

That was 2 months ago.

I filled the gap by making her a Firework/Christmas scarf using Noro and funky fur (it's brilliant, if I do say so myself, and looks like the woolly embodiment of fireworks), however she is beginning to ask again where the "pretty thing made of the soft wool" is. I haven't begun it, and time is ticking away.

Well, to sayd i haven't done it is a fib - i have made many versions of different scarves. I made a third of the Party Scarf from Magknits, half a ball's worth of Kiri, I had a mad stab at creating something myself, but nothing looked right. Bearing in mind that the three balls have now each been frogged from three projects, and I don't need to tell you how much fun that was, the yarn itself was beginning to argue.

And then I saw this on the Winter Knitty http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter07/PATTicequeen.html

It's perfect and lovely and completely terrifying.
"Russian Join"?, two different casts on and off? 300 Beads!?

I read and understood the pattern, i just need to take the leap and make it. And buy 300 beads - obviously.

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It's a shame about the Golden Globes, and about awards season in general in the US. I am a huge fan of American TV series and think that 80% of the time, they blow UK TV out the water in production, acting but most of all writing (see 30 Rock, Friday Night Lights, Dirty Rotten Money), so I'm behind the writers strike 100%. But i will miss seeing the redcarpet monstrosities and looking at the Lovely George in a tux. It's one of the higlights of the year!

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More people should watch Hollyoaks, and that's all I have to say on that!

Good LORD it's been a long time!

2008-01-07T23:10:00.000Z

Over a year since my last post, and I still can't use this flaming thing!

And i'm pretty much knitting the same sorts of things too! Socks bags and scarves are easier, and better to give as gifts - both on time and the pocket. :)

The dreaded "Curse of the OH Knit" struck last September, with my OH and I breaking up as I was on sleeve one. I really thought that after 5 years I'd be immune from the curse. Just goes to show I suppose, you can never be too careful.

I just got a brand new laptop for Christmas, so I will be updating the blog all the time and once I get all the kit for it, i'll be able to add digi pics and whatnot (she says, unconvincingly...)

In the meanwhile, if anyone has got a simple sweater pattern for a plus sized lady, maybe with a V neck, I'd love to hear it. Oh, and this is the darling nephew, fast coming up on his 3rd B'day (this is an old photo). He'll be hereon referred to (often I'm sure) as DN! xx

TWOP UK

2006-09-06T16:05:00.000+01:00

I’ve been spending a lot of time reading the Television Without Pity site, specifically Project Runway and Top Chef recaps. I really enjoy the snark, and also the person who recaps Top Chef clearly knows her spuds. I wish there were a UK version that recapped shows I watch – like … ummm… Daziel and Pascoe! Or … Call Me A Cabbie! Imagine the snarking possibilities. I personally would revel in the chance to cover X-Factor and/or How Do You Solve a Problem like Maria.

I’ve asked if they’re planning on opening a UK site, but so far had no reply. I imagine that running a behemoth site like TWoP leaves you with little time for thoughts of expansion. Perhaps I’ll just add tiny crunt-filled recaps at the end of my blog. Hmmm… Roll on Saturday.

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My sister is really suffering. One of her very close friends died recently and she’s not coping very well with the grief. I don’t know what I can do to help. For one thing, I’m very far away and for another – I’m terrible around grief, I just can’t help at all and end up making really lame jokes and sounding like a … well a very rude word. And I just want to help her through it, she’s had a really tough couple of years.

I don’t know what to do.

Ta Da!!

2006-09-05T13:54:00.000+01:00

This is it all blocked and ready to sent to the MIL. At Christmas. I made it slightly longer than the pattern, 3 more repeats. It comes down to thighs, but MIL has big jubblies, so I'm not sure where it'll sit on her!
:)

Branching Out

2006-08-21T15:26:00.000+01:00

This better look better with blocking!
It would look even better with a photo - don't you think!
Still trying to figure out my new phone. I'm usually much better with technology than this...

ETA: AHA! here it is!

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I've been commissioned to knit a friends 10month old baby a selection of hand and footwear. I agreed with vigour until i realised I've never done baby gear before. This couple are far from twee and I think that I once saw a pair of dorothy-slipper style bootees that they'd love.

Can anyone cast any light on this half remembered vision? I think I found it under Goodbye Yellow Brick Road at Patterns Central...

Got a new phone

2006-08-15T16:40:00.000+01:00

Got a new phone, got a, got a new phone.

Brand new Sony Erriccson K800i (ohhhhoooo) whith CyberShottm (wooohhoooooooo) so that I can take even greater photos of even grodier toenails.

The piccies below are from my shortlived Motorola RAZR. Alas, I only have bad things to say about the RAZR. As I was brought up to believe if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. So we'll move on.

Question - Knitting scarves for Dads. Is baby alpacac suitable, or does one need a manlier yarn?

2006-08-15T14:06:00.000+01:00

My hoodie (front). Back is less interesting, so hasn't been included!

Border of my hoodie, in glorious close-up.

Apologies for the grody toenails in the top picture!

So, that's pretty much the hoodie to date - except I did do a whole sleeve. Then realised that i had done it in the wrong colour. I had initally planned to do the sleeves in the dark purple from the centre section. Instead I spent a day and a bit's travel doing a sleeve in the light purple. I only had one ball of t he light purple. I don't know what I was thinking.

Also started yesterday - Jawywalkers. Still at Cuff stage so not deserving of a photo.

AND finally 5 repeats of branching out without a mistake. Long into the 30's may the tradition continue.

Wedding Bells.

2006-08-15T11:03:00.000+01:00

I’ve been away for quite a few days sans compy.
That works for me because I can reduce the some of the effects of carpal tunnel syndrome that I’m sure is building in my left hand!

I went to the wedding of my college Best Friend (who’s still one of my Greatest Friends, but because I can’t keep in touch with anyone, I’ve lost her as the BFF we once were!). She looked absolutely stunning, and the groom was suitably stunned and awed. Well done AH.

The ceremony was lovely, with readings and poetry – John Fuller’s Valentine produced tears and laughter. I was so very proud of them both.
And the service was conducted by Windsor Davies.
And OH danced with me to 5 songs!
So, congratulations to Mrs and Mrs H – hope it’s not too long before we hear the pitter-patter of tiny Hs.

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As time goes by

2006-08-02T15:23:00.000+01:00

Turns out not to be as heinous a day as I’d first thought. I’ll not be denied that this morning was a low point – but as it’s gone on things have improved!

I’ve cracked the inside out portion of under the hoodie and I hope to have pictures of the front and back up ASAP. The instructions in SnB Handbook really threw me off – we’ll see if it goes as planned.

Also, I’ve abandoned the second Hedera as for some reason, despite following the pattern the same way as I did for the highly successful 1^st one, it’s gone completely wrong!

I’ll be branching out into lace as soon as the cone from The Mill arrives. Mind you, I’ve still got my lovely silk from Secret Santa to use up, and I haven’t got a project for them yet.

I honestly wish I didn’t have to do things like eat sleep and work. When I think of all the projects I want to get done before Xmas. I should have started in May!

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Sidebar. Was going to take my father to see The Rat Pack at the Savoy for his birthday this year, but it’s closing early on 12^th August. Can anyone recommend a really good show in the West End? We’ve seen Mousetrap, Chicago, The Woman in Black, Phantom… we’re running out of shows that aren’t based on 70’s popstars.

Worst Morning Ever

2006-08-02T10:06:00.000+01:00

… possibly not ever, I’ll grant the Romans and Vikings and Visigoths and whatnot probably had worse mornings. And things aren’t all coffee and biscuits over in the middle east either, I suppose.

Worst Morning I’ve Had This Week. (Better)

In bullet form:

Woke up late

Shower broke mid shampoo, so rinsing utilized a jug and the bathroom sink. This took a long time and was decidedly pointless.

Took bins out as bin day it is, and garbage bag split dripping unmentionables over my open toed sandals.

Put sandals in the washing machine, cleaned my feet vigorously.

Missed the bus (not a lot of surprise there).

Got to work eventually, where:

Realised I’d left my purse, my work pass and my bloody glasses at home.

On top of it all, I’ve got a weird breakout thing going on and a twisted ankle.

See… it’s a pretty crunty day so far!

Won't somebody think of the children

2006-08-01T17:19:00.000+01:00

Oh no.

I found my credit card details from a previous transaction in a pocket in my bag.

I phoned Shelia.

I bought 810g of Silky Wool in #36.

Don’t… tell… anyone…

:eek:

Electron Elshmectron

2006-08-01T16:01:00.000+01:00

Having listened to my very clever Auntie Noo and Bronte The Enabler, I decided to go ahead, bit the bullet and called The Mill.

It was all going swimmingly. A total of £29 including shipping and whatnot still equates to bargain city in the world of Silky Wool.

I called the lovely Sheila who told me it was shade 36 (mmm with all the cinnamony goodness) and I said “SOLD, good woman. And may all your family reap bounties and happiness on this auspicious day!”.

My card details were taken and it all went ass shaped. The good old Visa Electron can’t be used over the phone. Sob. Gnash. Wail. I went to get my credit card details and find that I haven’t brought it to work. Probably to stop myself buying huge cones of wool I don’t really need.

Humph. I’m angrily eating TWO squares of Green and Blacks. That’ll learn em.

Financial Dilemma

2006-08-01T12:49:00.000+01:00

Silky Wool. I’ve been looking for it everywhere and couldn’t find it for love nor money (and I tried both).

Emailed the Coldsprings Mill people, as recommended by chums at Angel Yarns, and they replied that there was one cone of the colour I’m looking for avaiable.

It’s £20 for 800g. That’s phenomonally cheap if you ask me - but I only need 200g MAX, which would cost me £15.

So… do I buy HEUGE cone of yarn I don’t necessarily need for a bargainous price OR just the amount I need for a slightly inflated price?

It should be an obvious answer, but my OH is really annoyed with the amount of cash I’m spending on things I don’t finish. L

Help, advise, but please don’t call the Mill and buy it!

Mould

xxx

Stupid yarn!!

2006-07-31T14:24:00.000+01:00

need to buy a swift and I need to buy one NOW. I spent 4 hours yesterday (four solid hours) unpicking a billion knots that I made in my brand new Knitting Goddess silk (thanks again Chris!) because I tried to fashion a swift out of a laundry box. It went hideously wrong and I ended up with lots of yarn on the floor. It was a bad day to be me, as I’d also completely ballsed up trying to sort out the Vegas sock Wool I recently acquired. It’s in bits! Rah rah rah.

I’ll take pictures and you can all mock!
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“Finished” another booga bag. I say “finished” because I’ve knitted a mini, midi and maxi booga. I’m just waiting until I’ve finished the other fullsized and mini boogas, then putting them all in the wash together. I’m hoping this will cause the necessary friction and whatnot. Updates will be forthcoming.
J

On a quite note – so glad that psycho Spiral is out of the BB house. Not that I watch it. At all. Of course.

Passing of a friend

2006-07-31T10:35:00.000+01:00

This weekend saw the last two episodes of The West Wing, perhaps the greatest TV show ever made.

They were great episodes, the firsst of the finale heavily featuring Danny and CJ much to my delight! A sweeter couple there never was (unless youi count Josh and Donna of course).

I for one would have happily watched the Santos administration, especially with Sam back in the White House and Donna as First Lady’s Chief of Staff. But I can see how it would be better for them to bow out at this logical time, after all – all good things must come to an end. Their was much sobbing from the Mouldy Household to be sure.

On a very plus note, I saw the first trailer I’ve ever seen for Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, The West Wing’s illigitemate child. It piqued my interest even more (as did More4’s annoucment that it was “coming soon”. I doubt that highly as it’s not even out in the US until Septemeber. I guess it depends on your definition of “soon”. More 4 clearly interpret as “not as fas away as 2010”.)

I also saw Stormbreaker – James Bond Lite. Quite fun, although the plot wouldn’t make a lot of sense if you hadn’t read Horowitz’ book in the first place… IMO.

I'm baaaaacccckkkk

2006-07-17T17:41:00.000+01:00

With Low Quality Photographs!!

Like this -

Which is my beloved Mood Beam, Hug, who glows in the dark and pulses red and purple. He's an awesome "I was just messing around on the web and found this" present from my Big Sister.

And other Pictures like this

Oh Happy Day!

Hedera (Sock 1 of Two) is very complete. Hedera (Sock 2 of Two) is close to being complete, with the gusset (fnar gurgle) in the process of being picked up. Gufawh.

2006-06-28T15:13:00.000+01:00

I won't be blogging anymore, or at least until I get a camera! There's no point having a knitting related blog if you can't show off your knitting. Or correctly use HTML...

Thanks to the people who racked up a whopping 571 views on this page. I think your refresh button is broken.

Soon as I go digital, i'll be back.

Love ya,

mouldydc

Delay

2006-06-22T12:07:00.000+01:00

And not the good, guitar wah wah kind.

I've been posting and yet, no posts appear. That's not good. This is basically a test.

Sorry it's a bit dull.

Here, read this. IT's entertaining.

Every bag has a spangly lining...

2006-06-21T17:33:00.000+01:00

Hiya!

It’s been too long, how are the kids? Really? Wow. Already? You must be very proud.

Anyhoo, back to me.

The Grass Bag, is almost done. Just 30 rows of garter stitch to go! I’ve decided to embroider it in orange thread, and attach some giant orange buttons to it.

I’ve got this jacket that I never ever wear (in fact, there are two coats in this little tale so bear with…), it’s bright orange (where the buttons are coming from) and the lining is this awesome shiny orange satin affair. Now, I was about to send the coat to charity when I realized that this is the EXACT fabric I’ve been looking for to line the Grass Bag with.

Knitting seems to throw up ethical direlemas by the bucketload. Do I rip a perfectly serviceable coat to bits for my own personal gain, or give it to charity and then have to spend £10+ on the lining I just gave away? I’ve got a feeling that by the time I get an answer, I will have already taken the scissors to it, but I’ll hold out for a few days.

Must peg it – just got a phone call and apparently I’m late for the pub. I didn’t realize the pub was so gosh-darned impatient.

Love to all.

Mould

Afternoon!

2006-06-12T17:13:00.000+01:00

So I finally BO the front of Under the Hoodie. It is quite pretty. If PINK.

I’m starting the back, and I’ve realized that I didn’t note any of the rows! I pretty much did them to pattern, but I get easily and fatally distracted from things. I guess as long as the middle stripey areas match up, I will be okay.

I’ve also got hedera and an Opal sock wip, but they are wipping very very slowly!

My summer Grass bag. Oh, The Saga that is my summer Grass bag. Right now it is two sides and a half a strap, and I know that I am never going to make it up because of all the sewing. I’ve not even considered what the lining is going to be! The odd thing is, I don’t mind. The Grass Bag, whilst being my nemesis, is also reassuring in a weird way. I think everyone has that one thing in the back of their crafty areas that they started with complete vigor, but which is now half complete, abandoned and unloved.

It makes me feel like a proper knitter.

I’m on a stash famine for a while because I genuinely spend far too much money on yarn that I don’t use. I must finish the 4 wips I have and then find something to do with a whole horde (nothing like a proper stash though) of spare bits of various yarns. I’m thinking knits for charity – like the ones where you send off squares, or strips, or little baby hats. Worthwhile while at the same time creating room for the eventual gorging on sock yarn.

Much love.

All words and no pics make Mouldy a dull girl...

2006-06-07T10:42:00.000+01:00

I’d like to blog more often, but with the lack of camera equipment it tends to get a bit wordy and not really showy.

Which I know from experience is not as much fun for blogreaders as we megawriters would like to think!

My Under The Hoodie is coming along in leaps and bounds. It could end up super long though, as I desperately don’t want to end up with a cropped jumper that doesn’t do the hiding lumpy bits that it’s supposed to. Question of the day – to measure lying flat, or to measure with someone holding it vertical?

Lying flat, just shy of 21 inches but help up it’s just over 22. With blocking, I guess I can make it any length I want between those two inches!

It’s still so very pink, and I’m looking forward to the maroon arms!

Did go to the Omen in the end. It's a bit poo, but not terrible. Certainly not overly scary.

But then again, I quite enjoyed the Dav Vinci Code. What does that tell you?

Rough Update

2006-06-06T09:32:00.000+01:00

Hiya,

I got my new job, which I start in a week. I’m still not sleeping though because I’m afraid I won’t get the handover done in the correct amount of time – making Maaaaasssive Mountains out of molehills.

Knitting “Under The Hoodie” is keeping me sane though. I really wish I had camera facilities so I can show off my progress. For now you’ll have to believe me when I say it’s looking alright, and I’m fairly pleased with the back although – there have been a couple of rows where I’ve picked it up and knitted a row where I should’ve purled, resulting in my RS having some WS rows. I don’t really mind, as it makes the project even more individual! Not only have I changed the colour – I’ve changed the texture too! J

Huggles

The Beautiful Shepherds Bush Empire

2006-06-01T17:08:00.000+01:00

Last night we went to see the Beautiful South at the SBE. They were fantastic – far far better than I anticipated.

The songs were excellent, the crowd were groovy, the 2 encores were splendidly accompanied by 5 gigantic balloons that were batted into the crowd. Not an entirely thought through gimmick, as they all pretty much ended up smacking the band on the face and nearly knocking the drumkit over!

Apres gig, A and I went to O’Niells and had a drinky-poo. Ethical question coming up-

We were going to play the quizzer, but noticed that the money slot had been sellotaped over. A further noticed that there was £2 in credit already available and began to play Hex (all time best quizzer game – stick your Hangman). I ummed and ahhhed for abouot 30 seconds then joined in. We didn’t win anything, but had we – would it have been ethical to take the money? Would you have played the machine in the first place? Are we going to pub etiquette hell?

Then we walked home. It takes about 15 minutes to walk from SBE to where we live, but when we left the house it was sunny and a little warm: a lovely summers evening. By the time we got to the walking it was midnight. Not warm, not sunny: night time. We didn’t have a jacket (or a braincell it would seem) between us. Cold, tired but very very happy I eventually retired to bed.

Today I had an interview for a job I wasn’t overly interested in. Until the interview. It sounds so varied, and interesting and so much like I could do it. I know that this is the job that I could be doing for the rest of my working days and that I have to come to terms with the fact that it’s not writing, or acting, or knitting or reading. It’s time to grow up. At 25 I think I’ve rode my childhood pretty ragged.

I shall put away childish things and be a man, my son.

But I’m keeping my comics.

The SUN!

2006-05-31T10:16:00.000+01:00

Oh happy day…

The sun was out this morning as I left for work, after a most bizarre night’s sleep (but we’ll get into that another time). It was lovely and warm and pleasant to walk in, now it’s grey and freezing and heavily threatening to rain.

“Summertime, and the living is… freeeeezzeeeyyyyy. Hail is jumpin’ and the collars are hiiigghhhhh”

Stoopid Britain.

Drum roll please… badabadabadabaDABDABADAB! *CRASH!* I finished hedera. It’s done. The jolly nasty gusset/toe section is over, and they are lovely socks for a lovely person who likes wearing socks.

Unfortunately that’s not me. I like making them, I hate wearing them. Andy can’t wear them, because he has big feet – and he’s not keep on lime green lace (heaven knows why!). Big Sis can’t wear them as she’s a very sensitive soul with sensitive soles where only cotton may go.

So they go to charidee. Lucky her.

Next is.. I do not know. I think I’m going to make some gauntlets for a friend who’s off to work in a ski park for “snow season” in Australia. I was as flummoxed by that statement as I have no doubt you are! Obviously once the wool for the Hoodie arrives, work will continue on that. For know, I’ll have to make do with attempting yet another pattern to try getting rid of nasty Patons bella in yellow. Bleurgh.

Next time on Crisis…

Anthea Turner makes me want to be a better person. No honestly.

X-men 3 and the DaVinci code – not as bad as Andrew from Account Management keeps saying.

My New Job. Potentially not getting laid off. Doing an interview for a job you are actually overqualified for. The ethical dilemma.

HUGGLES!

What's with all the Chrismassy?

2006-05-16T10:23:00.000+01:00

I’m singing Christmas songs… like that one about “dahdahdadah dahdahdadah dahdadadah dahdadadah DADADADDAH DAH DAHDADAH songs of a merry Christmas...”

I don’t know. Maybe it’s the greyness, maybe it’s the gifts arriving in the post for other people. Maybe it’s that I just noticed our corner shop still has baubles hanging from the ceiling. Who knows.

Something I do know is that I think Veronica Mars is a brilliant show – although, I’ve never actually seen it. My opinion is purely based on reading snarky recaps on TWoP. But they surely know their stuff.

I was late for work again today. When you don’t really know where your job stands it starts to get a little lower in your life priorities. Like not as important as knitting a couple of rows before work… and then realizing it’s 8.15 and you’ve got to get 2miles in 15 minutes. Without running. Or walking too fast.

It’s a shame I don’t have a bike, because then I would have another way to be late for work. I couldn’t ride my bike in London anyway – drivers and pedestrians are all nutters. All.

The couple of rows before work were part of Hedera – the socks from Knitty. Only thing is, I put them down and then can’t remember if I’m on a 1 or 3 row. It’s already pretty ballsed up I think – every single time. This is like the third attempt and I always get about an two and a half inches in, get distracted and then lose it. I should use a row counter, or engage my brain.

I looked at the Prince’s Trust website yesterday. I’m really eager to open a yarn shop. I don’t know if it would be a raving success (there doesn’t seem to be many sheep in the West London area, so local wool could be rare!) but if I had the capital I really would think about it.

And obviously hire people that can finish a sock without all the hideous confusion!

It's just (ah) a little crush (crush)....

2006-05-10T12:02:00.000+01:00

Not like I faint, every time we touch….

Although I probably would.

I’m ashamed to say it, but I am crushing on David Tennant like a 12 year-old netball player crushes on her PE teacher.

Last night I dreamt I was The Doctor’s companion. It was remarkably vivid. So I was very disappointed to wake up and find only Andy snoring next to me (love you baby!)

Knitting is slow these days but I’m still persevering with the hoodie from SnB. Got as far as changing colour, but I’m not so sure I like the colours I’ve settled on. Very… pink. And fluffy. Not me at all.

Speaking of persevering, I went to stability ball training on Monday night after a 25 year break from exercising. The leg aching pain is just boggling my mind. Seriously, what have these muscles been doing all this time? You’d think they’d be able to hold a plastic balloon in the air without breaking!

(NB - I’d like it minuted that I never played netball).

wibble

2006-05-04T16:01:00.000+01:00

Will some body please stop me from buying things on ebay.

It’s not healthy.

We went to NikeTown last night. I was disappointed to find there were no Nike Banks, or even a Nike Town Hall.

It was a special invite only event with up to 50% off selected items.

The fact that I spent less than £30 is a testemant to what my father has always told me “it’s only a bargain if you need it”.

I only bought one pair of trainers, some socks and a t-shirt. I think it mostly came down to the fact that I’m not all that keen on Nike’s style. I said this in the store near an attendant – he nearly took everything off me and frogmarched me out the door.

It was brilliant queueing on Oxford Street and having all the trendies asking what we were doing. They were super envious. That made up for it being a bit disappointing!

So, knitting. Last sock is nearly done. I’m very easily distracted so these things don’t fly off my needles like some of you! Also I’m very slow. At knitting, not mentally… although….

I’m going to Lancaster on Saturday to see my friend Aby. She didn’t tell me it was her birthday, I forgot and had to be prompted. Now I’m going to have to buy her something, when I would have happily knitted her a lovely thing – if only I were a better friend.

I wanted to make her a garter for her upcoming wedding. Can anyone recommend a good pattern? (that’s not weird is it? People must make garters… right?)

Loving the TWoP recaps of America’s Next top Model since I don’t have Living TV. It makes for even better reading that it would viewing.

On the subject of TV, let us discuss how saddened I am by Lost. In fact, no let’s not discuss it. Let’s just fume. *fumes*

Long time passing...

2006-04-28T14:09:00.000+01:00

Jeez, I haven’t written anything in weeks! I’m awfully sorry.

News news news. I finished my first sock. It was a complete disaster! I persevered with the second one, and having correctly placed markers it’s so far going much better. However, there’s soooo much yarn still around that I can’t believe I’ll use it all on this one sock, so perhaps I’ll frog the MunterSock and give it another go with proper length and everything.

I got a bit ahead of myself and ordered the yarn to make Hedera off Knitty. It started well, the twisted ribbing looked funky and aces. I got to the patterning section and everything went my arse shaped.

How had it escaped my knowledge that ssk wasn’t just sk1? That it was infact slip slip knit2tog?! Bleurgh!

So I frogged back to the ribbed section, but missed a couple of stitches when I tried to pick up so I’ve abandoned it until further, calmer, notice.

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Looking forward to the Bank Holiday Weekend. The Show is on Saturday, and then Sunday and Monday I get to spend with my fella as he is off. I know, I could hardly believe it myself.

I have, as yet, no plans. Suggestions welcome.

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Accidentally bought 5 balls of Kid Classic from ebay. I accidentally kept bidding on them until I won and accidentally won’t tell Andy. Ahha ahaha.

This is all I have to say to you...

2006-04-21T09:56:00.000+01:00

http://www.davidbowieisverydisappointedinyou.com/

Socks schmocks

2006-04-19T10:05:00.000+01:00

I’ve just realized that half my flaming sock is inside out, and half is right side out. How the Mangle did I manage that?

I’ll be honest; I’m beginning to get down heartened at my rubbish knitting skills.

We didn’t win the pub quiz at our local last night, either. We did get a bottle of wine for our team name – “Like David Furnish, Britain has an aging Queen”.

Not our finest hour, I’ll admit but I did get to take the Pinotage home.

And Andy wasn’t on the Shops Robbers and Videotape thingy on BBC1 last night, not even the back of his head.

So it was a crappy evening and this morning isn’t working out much better. It’s nice to share, even if I’m sharing a foul mood!

Socks and Docs....

2006-04-18T14:44:00.000+01:00

I spent Easter knitting. Andy was working all weekend – crime never sleeps after all.

So progress was made in the sock departmet. Slow progress, though I can see how so many people can become addicted! The cuff went smoothly, as did the heel making and shaping. But then we come to the gusset. Oh my.

Not only did my markers both fall off, (which I didn’t notice until I got back to where I thought they should be) therefore mucking up my decreases. I also sneezed and in that sneeze, yanked a dpn right out of the mix. I believe I replaced it without dropping any stitches, but only time will truly tell. This is my first sock, and one can only learn by doing as my Grandma may once have said in her lifetime. Which is still going strong. Keep it up Grandma!

Just to clarify, Andy’s a policeman, not a criminal.

I really wish I could put up pictures and circle the bits that have so clealrly gone awry but for now just use your imagination!

Next project in the planning stage is the pin and red hoodie in the Stitch n Bitch Handbook, although Rowan Kid Classic seems a bit pricey, considering I need 10 skiens!

I’m getting nervous about the show, I must admit. We’ve decided (by which I mean of course, The Director has decided) to put us in the All-England AmDram Championship. I don’t think it’s actually called that, but I can’t recall the correct name. I think that’s a very bad idea. My castmates and I are not bad, but we’re not all that either. After all, we’re some of the ones rejected from the Main Play!

I’ve applied for jobs at ITV and the RSPCA. I’m quite hopeful as I’m happily qualified to do both jobs, and my lovely best friend who currently works for ITV has written me a glowing reference and sent it directly to the person in charge of my potential department. It just goes to reinforce, it’s not what you know….

She’s a sweetheart, and I the evil sucky friend, missed her Hen Party because I had to work all hours for this company who have just decided to let me go!

There’s no justice in the world.

Oh, the Doctor is very much IN THE HOUSE. Enjoyed the episode on Saturday – very fun. I even prefer DT to CE if I’m honest. Looking forward to the werewolves next week and School Reunion the week after. Mapped out Saturdays. J

Weird dream update – last night I was Geena Davis’s PA in Commander in Chief, but all the West Wing staff were there, including the late Great John Spencer. Weird, happy/sad dream.

Ooops, back to work...

Quiet Day

2006-04-13T17:24:00.000+01:00

Not much to report today, I’m afraid. There’s been little progress what with rehearsals and work and everything.

Oh, for anyone reading who lives in the West London region and also happens to enjoy high quality am-dram, check out my peeps The Beaufort Players. We’re putting on some shows soon and it is a top night out. Also, they’re always looking for people so come along and tread some boards!

Back to the knitting:

I’ve made mental plans to try Picovoli again (featured in MagKnits and designed by Grumperina). Tried it once, lost count of my rounds and ended up with lopsided arms. Quite how I managed that, I have no idea! So, second time lucky I hope.

If the sock kit is here today (I hope against hope!), I’ll be taken with that for most of the weekend, but it will be fighting for my attention with Ratchet: Gladiator on PS2, which is not a patch on the first three, but it is new and I do like blowing up evil robots.

I’ll sneak out over the weekend when no-one is looking and hot-foot it to the local internet caff for a mini update. And also some help, I guarantee it!

Happy Easter!

Edit - fun fact - I didn't expect 2 people to read this page, let alone get 100 hits in 3 days.

Woo hoo. (nobody mention how often I check it... Shhhhhh.)

No it wasn't flaming safe!

2006-04-12T13:56:00.000+01:00

Right, back from the dentist with possibly the worst bedside manner I’ve ever encountered. What a mega meanie.

I had to have 5 (count ‘em, 5) injections in my jaw hinge. Now I feel like the Phantom of the Opera, cos I can only feel one side of my face and I’m very very hungry but can’t eat anything till the numbness goes away. That’s not “doctor”‘s orders, I’m just afraid I’ll chew my tongue off.

I’m comforting myself with the knowledge that tomorrow or Friday I will have a lovely Opal sock kit in dreamcatcher to occupy my time, and take my mind off the teeth.

All other projects are on hold, as it’s getting absurd. I counted it out and despite the fact that I have only been at this lark for 4 months or so I have 5 things OTN.

5. One of this week’s lottery numbers methinks. Speaking of the lotto, me and Andy won £10 on Saturday. That completely make up for the last 28 weeks where we haven’t won anything…

Is it safe...?

2006-04-12T09:47:00.000+01:00

Not knitting related (don’t throw me off the webring, pplllleaeaaassee).

I’ve a dental appointment in T minus 1½ hours. I really don’t want to go. I’m not scared or anything, I just hate the way he disapproves of my lifestyle.

He doesn’t say anything, but the way he sighs when he tells the nurse – in code – what he’s looking at reminds me of how my parents would look and sigh at my report cards. They weren’t angry, just disappointed.

It’s not like I don’t brush my teeth, but I’m not exactly mad on flossing. And I do very much like red wine. And coffee. And just colouring my teeth in with black marker so I look a bit like a pirate. (I haven’t done that last one since I was at least 12… Promise).

I know I need to have a filling today, and some “professional cleaning” – which in my opinion is something that hired hitmen do – so I’ll be having injections and dribbling on the bus. Dentist is in Shepherd’s Bush, so at least I’ll fit right in.

Wish me luck, I’ll tell you all about it après lunch.

Gasp! Dive! Dive! Dive!

2006-04-11T14:58:00.000+01:00

Okay, I took the plunge.

I’ve just ordered my first sock kit from Opal. Should be called My First Sock Kit and be made by Tomy.

I had to go to ebay as the colours available at Angel Yarns weren’t exactly masculine, and these will be Andy socks in Everton Blue.

I’ll be honest, I can’t see it happening. I have bad dreams about dpns. They chase me around Hall of Mirrors…s…s.

I’m very much looking forward to the Easter weekend, lots of knitting to do – and Andy’s working all the time, so all I have to do is get up, knit, get dressed around 2, pass a Hoover around the house at 4, put tea on and pretend to be all housewived out when he gets home at 8.

*evil Machiavellian laugh*

On the Redun-dun-duuuuunnnnnn-dancy side of things, I applied for two jobs today. And the chances are that we will be house sitting for a friend for quite a few months and won’t have to pay any rent. That would make my job searching slightly less frantic and maybe giveme the chance to concentrate on something I actually WANT to do.

---

Weird dreams again last night. Do you ever have dreams so crazy-vivid that you’re almost more tired in the morning than you were when you went to sleep? That’s happening a lot lately. I could take out a Starbucks franchise in my office kitchen with the amount of coffee I’m having to drink to stay awake. If anyone tries to tell me I’d be better off with Ginger or Peppermint I’ll rub ground beans in their eyes.

Yes. Yes I will.

Fat Mouse

2006-04-10T15:58:00.000+01:00

I finished my first “make-up” project – Cheese of Chalk and Cheese from Simply Knitting issue 14.

The only thing is I’ve not “made-up”. I haven’t any stuffing, and really REALLY can’t sew. So the poor mouse if sitting in pieces in my knit box. I’m glad I haven’t made eyes and mouth yet, or it may break my heart to have to look at him lying around all decimated!

Now that’s done, I’m having to think of something else to occupy me. And by occupy I mean distract from the flaming strap of that bag below.

There is the new issue of Knitty, but I’m not overly interested in anything in it – although the socks without toes could be tres handy in the summer. Not that you know yet, but I can’t stand socks. Some sort of adverse reaction to the sound of them rubbing together… bleurgh.

Still attempting the free-form summer bag, but because I’ve not done any working out it’s now just a bit of a cylinder. Time to frog and rethink!

On a happy note, I’m very much looking forward to more of Season Seven of West Wing. Of course, not for the sad episode that deals with John Spencer’s death, but the Johs/Donna centric ones make me happy. J

On a sad note, my boss has told me it’s 85% likely that I’m going to be “laid off” in the near future. As I’ve only worked here 11 months, I won’t even get a package, just a pat on the back and (hopefully) a good reference.

Anyone looking to hire out there?? I’m very good at everything. Except maths. Obviously.

2006-04-07T11:55:00.000+01:00

I'm attempting to create this bag. A bag for All Seasons, by Paloma Parra.

It's going... alright. The yarn was well priced from BanYan Tree Yarns, and the pattern is very easy to follow. Until we come to the strap. I’s going to be a massive circular piece that the sides are stitched to. Sounds pretty rickety to me!
And I’m not very good at making up either, these pieces will lie around until PMIL (Pseudo Mother-In-Law) comes to visit and sews them for me.
Dearest boyfriend is most unhappy with this situation – and the fact that I’ve begun a new (freestyle) bag with this one in tatters has not brightened his countenance.

Odd that.

On a non-knitting related note, I have just been informed that I might be made redundant. This blows on many levels. I couldn’t even have a drink to commiserate because I’m currently on antibiotics. Thanks for that, the Family Wisdom Tooth.
As there is no drinking on the horizon, I will be knitting and watching WW for the weekend.

For a 25 year old, I make an excellent grandma!

Oh, It's On!

2006-04-06T12:56:00.000+01:00

In an effort to keep up with my buddies on the old Angel Yarns forum, I’m starting my very own Blog.

Now this is a beginner's blog, written by the raw and bleeding fingers of a novice. There will be times when I am so gob-stoppingly proud of myself for making a sock, and times when the tears are a-flowing because I Just. Don’t. Get. It.

Mostly there will be times when I forget to blog, and always there will be no pictures, because I haven’t got a camera, scanner or computer at home.

Now. The mission statement of this blog is to combine two things I love – Knitting and Graphic Novels. Yeah, alright, comics.

The pinnacle of this will be when have a knitted Superman T-shirt and a knitted WonderWoman … lasso.

Don’t mention crochet… it’s just plain wrong.