Start As You Mean to Go On

This phrase has stuck with me every since I listened to the New Year’s episode of ‘Cast On’. Brenda Dayne talks about ditching resolutions because frankly very few people stick to them and basically do something about the things you want to achieve. Well one of my ‘resolutions’ was to finally get to the bottom of ’sock knitting’, and I’ve decided to do something about it. I’ve signed up to IKnit’s beginners sock class - three 2 hr sessions, by the end of which I’ll have knit a sock! My first sock is still at the heel stage and just hasn’t progressed and I don’t think it will either unless someone talks me through what I need to do. I’m so excited, plus it’s an excuse to go home for 3 consecutive weekends! My mum has been complaining that I’ve forgotten all about them ;o)

50 Book Challenge

For the last four years it felt like Medicine had taken over my life. I lived and breathed medicine, hung out with medics and basically forgot who “I” am. I used to be someone that had a wide range of interests, I knew what was going on in the world and that it didn’t stop at the “M” word. Now that I’m beginning to settle into my new life, I’ve decided its time to pay a little attention to “me” again. That said I’m taking baby steps and one of the things I’d like to get back into is reading. I used to be an avid reader, the type that read a book a day (in class, under the duvet…you get the gist). So I’ve been surfing the net and came across the “50 book challenge” and thought I’d give it a go.  

What is the 50 Book Challenge?

50 Book Challenge is a way to track and share the books you read throughout the year. Some people also choose to set personal goals to read more books, or more non-fiction, or more new books. The point is that it’s up to you what you want to do. Lots of people have joined forums or blogs to keep track of what they’re reading. I’ve decided to post to this blog and get ideas and have discussions on the Ravelry Book Challenge group. With a dodgy internet connection it saves me having to load lots of different sites.  

So what have I read so far this year?

I started off with the Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini which was highly recommended to me. I really want to see the film so I made an extra effort to go buy the book and read it before Hollywood spoiled it for me. I loved that it was an easy read and the ‘life changing experience’ wasn’t what I had anticipated at all. I did find the second half of the book slightly predictable but still gripping and poignant enough to want to find out more. Definitely one I’d recommend. 

  

The second book I’ve read is Getting Rid of Matthew by Jane Fallon. I found this a little difficult to get into at first. Don’t know if it was the writing or the fact that I was finding it hard to stomach the concept of extra-marital affairs, breaking up families etc. But the book redeems itself in my eyes as the main character gets to know the others involved and tries to ‘get rid of Matthew’. Without giving too much away, the romantic in me wants to know more about Leo.

UK Swap Topic of the Week #1: Knit-Years Resolutions

With 2008 in full-swing, do you have any knit-years resolutions you are trying to keep to? Stash-busting? Knitting just for yourself? Gift-alongs or starting Christmas knitting early? Do your knit-years resolutions affect your other resolutions? Such as watching your spending, or putting yourself first, or even loosing weight (yarn weight….)?

Resolutions are meant to be broken, right? Mine don’t usually last very long and a year is well…365 days! That’s a lot of will power. If I manage to stick to mine I will:

• Not cast on any new projects until all WIPS are done
• Get my head around sock knitting once and for all
• Learn the ‘Magic Loop’ method

 This is where I gave up slightly. The first one is going to be soo hard to stick to. The other 2 are things I really want to achieve this year – I guess more goals than a resolutions. Have these affected other resolutions – nope because I decided not to make any! That way all my efforts are concentrated on knitting ;o)

UK Swap Questionnaire

Part One: Crafting

Do you knit, crochet, or both? Knit

What do you like to make? Do you have a favourite project? Anything that doesn’t take forever – I don’t have much time and a very short attention span, hence my long list of WIPS! Oops. My all time fav project was either the baby bonnet I made (it looked so intricate) or the fingerless mitts I made for the fingerless mitt swap.

Do you have a favourite type of fiber or brand of yarn? Mmm…not really, just something soft and squishy and easy to work with.

Do you have a least favourite type of yarn? Eyelash yarn. I find the bits get stuck in my stitches and its generally a pain.

Do you do any other crafts? Sadly no.

What knitting do you bring ‘on the go’? Ooh anything that fits into my new piddly bag – at the mo a baby cardy – it’s small!

What do you carry your ‘on the go’ knitting in? Do you want something new? Recently purchased several piddly bags, which I’m in love with. I really should say no to something new, because that’s greedy ;o)

Are there any knitting gifts (book, toy, yarn, item, tool) that you have been lusting over? A swift (too expensive I know), the magic loop booklet (I really want to learn this technique), more bamboo needles (you can never have too many), bamboo yarn (I’d love to try it). The list could go on!

Part Two: Your Favourites

What is your favourite colour? Purple…can you tell )

What is your least favourite colour? Neon colours What scents/smells do you like? Vanilla, chocolate, jasmine

What don’t you like? Musk or anything too cloy

How do you like to pamper yourself? (bubble bath, hand creams, massage, manicure) Most definately a massage ;o)

What goodies do you like to treat your tummy with? (chocolate, biscuits, truffles, etc.) Chocolates, cake, sweets, ice-cream, cheesecake. I’ve definately got a sweet tooth.

Do you prefer tea or coffee while you knit? Coffee Any particular kind? Usually have instant and leave the cafetiere kind for special occassions or when I have people over. Favourite mug/cup? None at present. Have a matching set that came with my dinner set   Do you listen to/watch anything while you knit? (TVshow-Along, movies, music, podcasts) I usually “listen” to sitcoms (I’m afraid I haven’t et mastered the ability to “watch” tv and knit) and I’ve just this week discovered podcasts. The 2 I seem to have downloaded a lot of are Cast On and Lixie Knits

Part Three: Living & Past-times

Where do you live in the UK? (General idea not address) Birmingham

Have you always lived here, or did you grow up somewhere else? Nope. Born in London, moved around as a child (Peterborough, Shrewsbury, Rotherham etc), moved back to London where I went to high school and did my 1^st degree. Been in Leicester for the last 4 yr where I went to med school and now living in the 2^nd city as of a month ago. Sorry a bit long winded.

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go? Mexico.

If you couldn’t go to a knitting group, what other kind of gathering would you go to? (book club, tea party, yoga class, jewelery class, etc.) Book club

What’s your style? (elegant, traditional, glamourous, girly, natural, sporty, outgoing, etc.) Difficult I can be anyone of those but out of them all ‘elegant’ is what I am most of the time.

Final Part:

Any allergies/preferences (fiber-wise or treat-wise)? Nope, I’m looking forward to being surprised. I haven’t been the most adventourous with yarn, so something exotic would be fun to play around with.

Anything we missed that you’d like your partner to know? I don’t drink, so prefer not to receive chocs etc with alcohol in them. Thanks.

Pimp The Contest Booty

When I got home from work on Tuesday I found a card on my door mat from Royal Mail for a delivery that needed to be signed for. Our Royal Mail office here is only open from 7am – 12pm, which means I have to either go there first thing before work (and it’s in the opposite direction) or wait until Saturday.

As Saturday seemed too far away I decided to make a 7am dash this morning to collect my parcel. It was my prize from the UK Swap ‘Pimp the Contest’ competition. I’ve decided to upload a picture of my ‘booty’ before I leave for work. I received 2 skeins of Posh Yarn, kindly donated for the contest by Dee, some Lindt chocolate from Monica and some hot chocolate. Mmm!

I’ve been truly spoiled and the swap has yet to begin ) Thank-you UK Swap team – I really looking forward to knitting something lovely, whilst enjoying my treats.

First FO Of 2008

I’m not sure if this actually counts because I didn’t start it in 2008 (in fact 60% was done last year), but I’ve finally made myself sit down and finish it.

 

I first saw the Edgar scarf on Ravelry and just had to add it to my queue. It’s soo easy to do and yet so pretty when worn. I’m still too scared to branch out and use something other than the yarn specified in a pattern, so I bought some Noro Silk Garden in colourway 24 (purple, pink and green). It’s not as scratchy as Noro’s Kureyon, but it’s still not silky soft either. That said, it was nice to work with and I do like how the colours run into each other. I’m just not sure that I’d use this colourway for this project again. Oh and word to the wise, don’t tug this yarn too tight because it breaks off!

I’ve decided not to keep the scarf after all, as FT was cooing over it when I first started. I’ll let her be judge and jury.

Which Fibre Are You?

Yesterday the Valentine Swap questionnaires got posted out, so I’ve started trawling the Internet in the hope of finding some goodies that my spoilee will like. Whilst on this money spending spree I can across this quiz and seeing as its only 5 questions I thought why not.

This is what I ended up as:

Camel – Consistent and inflexible
“Camel has very little elasticity, and it doesn’t felt easily. The fiber also doesn’t bleach easily, so you’ll normally find it used in yarns whose color either masks or enhances the natural tan shade of the camel fiber.” –The Knitter’s Book of Yarn

Camels are frank and straightforward in their manner. You know what you want and, while you are extremely polite and tactful, you have no difficulty being firm and definite. You are not very flexible or adaptable; you like things to be a certain way.

I don’t really buy into these things, but I have to put my foot down when it comes to not being flexible. Hmmm! Makes me even more determined to be an adventurous knitter this year. Do the quiz and let me know what kind of fibre you are.

I Am Knitting

Despite not coming on-line a whole lot at the mo (I blame the dial up connection) I wanted to reassure you all that I am trying to find time to fit in some knitting. I have yet another cousin who is expecting an ickle bean – this time in May and as my last set of offerings went down a treat I’ve been bullied into making some more baby knits (not that I mind).

I’ve decided to start with a baby sweater. It’s a Paton’s design – pattern PBN0000-02989. I’m skimping a bit on the yarn and have decided to use acrylic. I don’t have a recent photo, but this is what I did on day 1 of the knit. Slightly overexposed me thinks!

In case you’re wondering – that’s the beginning of the back!                                                      

Goodies I Got B4 the New Year

December was a great month for me in terms of goodies from the Postie, so I’ve decided to share my new purchases with you all. My first lot of goodies were of the squishy variety bought from Cairi’s Etsy shop. Her gorgeous coloured skeins just jump right off the page. I succumbed to two ;o) She kindly wound them into cakes for me as I’m still swiftless

Siberian Tiger, 100% Merino

Plumby, 100% Merino

My other purchases were courtesy of the Piddleloop Sewing Team. I have to say I splurged a bit on several (I’m using the word lightly here) bags. Due to the frustration of uploading pics with a dial up connection, I’ve decided just to showcase the Piddly bags. What do you reckon? Which one’s your favourite?

 

You’ll Never Believe This…

…but I won the ‘Pimp the Swap’ contest!!! I’m in shock – I never win anything! When I got Monica’s email I thought it was a joke, but lo and behold the evidence is there for all to see in pictures on the UK Swap blog. I’m looking forward to my squishy parcel )