Interview

I've had an interview this morning. Not the worst interview, not the best. I'll be damned surprised if they offer me the post.

I'm not surprised! LOL!

Tavish's Parcels are Opened!

On Christmas Morning, I opened my parcels from Paula, aka Tavish. The parcels were like a Tardis, with so much coming out of them! (Sorry the pictures are a little blurred). The Crocheted items are wonderful, I like them so much!

This is all the rest of the gifts Tavish sent!! I was bowled over by the amount of things!! Even gifts for my furbabies!

This is Rhinog getting stuck into his hide Candy Cane. He didn't stop till there was nothing left, he was one happy dog!

Ted enjoyed his candy cane as well!

I want to add more to this post, but I'm feeling the effects of the car accident........

Love of Letters Stationery Swap

I recieved my Love of Letters Stationery Swap on Friday, from 'Kmessier27', aka Karin from Rhode Island, USA. I am chuffed to bits with the gifts she has sent me, she really is a good Swapper!

This is waht she sent me - 5 hand made notelets, a ball of purple hemp yarn, a ball of lilac Terra, a ball of pink Amaizing, Hand made soap, a garden themed two year diary, two pens, a notebook with pen, a pretty notions bag - within is hand made stitch markers, cable needles, stitch holders, point protecters, row counters and binder clips; and three cloth patters (one of which I've been trying to hunt down!).

The yarns I've never come across before, so on Sunday I was itching to cast on! I used the pink Amaizing - this is made from Corn Fibre - and the Hearts Pattern from the parcel. So this is my finished result! Fab!

Thank you for my gifts! I just hope who gets my parcel will like it half as much!

Knitterati in the Snow

I went to the Monthly Knitterati yesterday. The roads were hazardous at best. Three quarters of the journey was driven at 15 miles an hour, due to ice and snow. The snow wasn't deep, but well covered the roads. Arriving at Great Gate, I was guided on the car park by Carol's husband. When I got out of the car, he said,"Flood, fire and volcanoes won't stop some of you coming here to knit!" I really couldn't argue with that! I bustled into the house declaring 'I need a Brandy!' I settled for tea instead!

The journey back was better, plus I was in a convoy of three vehicles.

On the way back, I stopped at a down hill junction. In front of me I could see fields and hedgerows covered with snow. The winter sunshine was bright and casting long shadows. On the radio, Ultravox's 'Vienna'. An absolutely beautiful moment. I was glad I had to stop at the junction, otherwise I'd have missed it.

The Garden in December

Here's the garden this morning (albeit a little blurry!) There was a hard frost last night and a very light layer of snow. HobbitKeeper doesn't like the garden like this as he says it bare. But I think we can't have produce in the summer unless we have bare in winter. It is a great shame that the garden isn't bigger so we can grow veg in winter, so that we can have produce all year round. Never mind, we use to the optimum what we have!
This is the last of the leeks. We are considering not growing leeks next year, only considering.

The garden from the other angle!!! With Rhinog on the move and the girls in the background!

Not a brilliant shot of the Girls. They are doing very well and have been for a good few weeks now. They are getting quite friendly and curious. Guess will feed from your hand. In fact, when we go to feed them, she comes running straight over. I love it when she takes banana and lettuc from me! The others are quite curious when the see Guess feeding. What is now bold enough to come over and has started taking things from me as well. Radar is thinking about it and plucking up courage. Sage is interested but skittish. And Roast, well Roast lives on Planet Roast and appears oblivious!

Christmas has come early in Carpedyem's Home!

Christmas has arrived early in my home!

At the weekend I recieved gifts from Tavish, my friend in 'Friends That Swap' on Ravelry. In the parcel was three pot holders, crocheted in Christmas red, green and white. They are abolutely wonderful! I am going to put them on display in my kitchen and use them over Christmas. Tavish also sent me a CD with Chistmas songs on - perfect for Chrismas Morning whilst we are prepariong Dinnner. The long socks aren't going to be kept till Christmas - I shall be wearing them before that! They will look good under my denim skirt.

Tavish said the aim of the parcel was to kick start my Chrsitmas and she has definitely done that! Thank you so much for your gifts, your thoughtfulness and your kindness! Oh and your friendship!!


As part of my chrimb pressie, Hobbit Keeper got me a top of the range breadmaker. The last breadmaker well, what can I say, died but didn't go to breadmaker heaven as I still tried using it, in vain hope...... It's at rest now.

My new Breadmaker was to be put away till Christmas, but the next day, (and no I wasn't sulking completely all of that time.....only some of it!) HobbitKeeper said I could have it as he knew I could make good use of it!

My first loaf turned out rather disasterously, but this is my second loaf - taaaa-daaa!


Yes I am over the moon with it! It tastes wonderful, it's so light and airy and way better than one you could get in a shop. It's a crusty white. I'm planning to do another one this afternoon! Thank you HobbitKeeper!

PS - Why a breadmaker and not properly make my own bread you ask? I have problems kneading bread, in so far as it triggers off my arthritus in my hands.........

Noro Shawl, my car and parking!

I've been busy over the last week or two knitting cloths for swap. I've enjoyed doing them and want to do more! Some of the cloths I will knit again for me. Before I do that - or anything else - I want to finish my Noro Shawl. The cable is the largest I've got so it does look a bit hunched together and difficult to see how wide it actually is. There is appoximately 250 stitches, give or take, so you can imagine that I cannot fly through a row as I would if doing a cloth! I would definitely do another one and then go onto other shawls. I have some wonderful laceweight yarn from Jamiesons and some Rowan Kid Silk in my stash for when I'm a little more adventurous! I got these yarns for my birthday this year so I want them to be special!


Now this rather mucky little red car with cow print chair covers - which I haven't knitted - is now soleley owned by me! As of last Saturday she was fully paid for, lock stock and barrel! It's taken four years and I've had her since she was 18 months old. She is a brilliant work horse, can fit no end of large and odd shaped things in her. She has safely taken me over 107,000 miles (I wouldn't like to think of how much I've spent on diesel doing that mileage!) So now we can ride into the sunset together! She is the third car I've owned and I think we shall be together for quite some time (all things being willing!)

I've promised her new tyres - she is in sore need of them and then she is going to have a full service - I've got to look after her if she is going to look after me!!

If you look at the picture and think it's odd that all the cars are pointing in the same direction, it's not a fluke thing, the street is one way. Parking is an absolute premium. I often (often as in everytime) get annoyed at people who need landing strips to park their cars on the street as lots of space between cars means less parking and there are idiots who have to have soooo much space either to park or to just have space around them. Not thinking that some poor sap can't park their car cos they've taken up unnecessary space.

It does make me smile wryly though, when I see people who are new to the street doing parallel parking! You can easily spot someone who has lived here for a while - they can park in the smallest of spaces! I must admit that I'm better parking on the left hand side than the right. On a good day, a very good day, when my spider senses are heightened - and I'm being very stubborn as in 'I will park in that blooming place' - I can get the car in such a small space that I have to walk sideways to get past the car and onto the path!! Only if it's on the left though........

Ha! And ater all that ranting, I've just looked back at the picture and there it looks like I'm parked on an aforementioned landing strip - I forgot to mention that during the day, when everyone is at work, there is lots of space to park.............. ;-)

A Few of My Favourite Things (UK) Swap

On Saturday I recieved my swap parcel from Faerynuff. I am absolutely thrilled to bits with the gifts she sent me! Thank you so much! The bag is crafted by Faerynuff, and is so 'me'! In the bag was two balls of Regia Sock yarn that I can't wait to cast on! Also a set of DPN's, a book of Knitting with a small charm on the page marker, a set of sock shaped point protectors, a set of purple flower buttons made by Incomparble Buttons and a packet of green and purple glass beads!!

So you can see why I'm thrilled to bits with it! The Swap was organised by Moonmamma on the A few of my favourite things forum on Ravelry. Thank you again, Faerynuff!

Shawls, cloths and mittens!

I've done a fair bit of knitting over the last couple of weeks, mainly because I've had Urticaria and not been able to go to work. Good job I've got a stash! These mittens are Noro Cash Island and soo soft - much recommended yarn. Not that I brought some more to do more gloves, scarves and hats. Ahem. The pattern is taken from the Noro Mini Designs - a very useful book! I still find mittens difficult to wear but I shall persevere!

I started making my first shawl on Wednesday at Knitterati, in between eating loads and loads of cake! The yarn is Noro Kureyon Sock Yarn, done on 5mm circulars. The pattern is from Lionbrand - easy triangle shawl, I think. I must say, I am very pleased with how it is coming along, although the rows now are getting a bit long, if you know what I mean! A friend has done this shawl and she said she got up to a bout 300 stitches per row! I think I may have kickstarted a 'shawl thing' in me, although I'm still getting a sock calling.....

Over Halloween Weekend, I wanted to do some themed cloths, so this is what I came up with. The patterns I got from Ravelry. The pinky purple one has a bat on it and the orange has a pumpkin. They would look better in single colour, but this is the nearest I had!

I've also made a Grrlfirend Market Bag - and used it! It's quite surprising how far they do stretch. I will make more, as they look good and are well worth the effort. Unfortunately I forgot to take a picture, so for now You shall have to take my word for it!

I'm sure I've made other things........ oh yes! Not one pair of Fetchings, but two! The first pair I used Debbie Bliss Donegal Aran Tweed, which was a little too chunky, and have been pinched by HobbitKeeper, along with a promise of a black pair for work. For the second pair I used Jaegar Merino. It gave a much better finish and more noticeable picot edging. This pair I put in a Ravelry Swap parcel. I may make myself another pair, but then again I may make some with fingers in as it's that time of year where my fingers need to be warm! No doubt come spring, I will have a veritable collection of gloves and mittens, with and without fingers!

The Knitting Parlour, Great Malvern

Yesterday I went to Great Malvern with two knitty friends, primarily to visit The Knitting Parlour. I'd recommend a trip here, and am looking forward to going again, spending more time and actually looking round Great Malvern a bit more!

The walk up from the station, was beautiful. The trees were well in to their autumn colour changes and so many leaves on the pavement, made me want to run in them! The smell of the leaves and the clean air was pleaseant and refreshing. The houses and the archetecturial features made you want to stop, stare and admire!

The Knitting Parlour was easy to find (Great Malvern isn't big). We decided to contain our mounting excitement and go for Morning Coffee first. One pot of Earl Grey and a Cinnamon Swirl later, we headed off to The Knitting Parlour.

We spent over two hours in the shop. Lots and lots of oohs and aahs! The shop stocks a wide variety of yarn, and suits most pockets. Colinette, Noro, Rowan, locally dyed yarns, Seacell, german sock yarns, plus Sirdar and a range of baby yarns. Lots of patterns and lots of books. Plus cloth kits - I was sooo tempted, and gorgeous fabric and patterns cloth clothes (as opposed to knitting patterns. And accessories. Buttons, needles, including Lantern Moon, Pony/Prym, and some delightful ones from ?Austrailia with round coloured spotty ends.

After much deliberation, I settled with a Superba Sock yarn - candy pinks, had my name all over it, two balls of Colinette Point 5 Venezia (the colour of which I've re-named Goth Rainbow) and a ball of black Rowan Big Wool, a skein of Artists Palette Yarn - Pop Sox, in purples and sage greens, and jute bag with the shops name on. I was tempted to more, including the new Amy Butler book, Colinette's Toast and Marmalade and a book on Shibori felting. All for next time!

The shop was busy and Vicki (the shop lady), very helpful! So a massive needles up to The Knitting Parlour - highly recommended!

A mention must be given to Lady Foley's Tea Room, on the station. Arriving back at the Railway Station - an old station, everything that appeals to yesteryear romanticsm - we had enough time to have a quick cuppa. We stepped into Lady Foley's Tea Room. It was as if we'd stepped back in time! The ceiling was high, with painted coving, the walls decorated in a pseudo-William Morris paper, an open fire place (which wasn't lit) at the one end. Stunning. I was so expecting a steam train to come chugging into the station. This has happened before, one Sunday in Keighley, many many moons ago.

Another Bag in the Making!

I spent most of yesterday knitting (no surprise there, then!). I am making a felted bag (somethings never change!). I'm hoping it will be similar dimensions to the Pink Pea bag, although I'm toying with the idea of doing French Market Bag handles, rather than the handles from Amanda's Squatty Sidekick Bag. I'm using Debbie Bliss 'Soho'. The colour way is purple, pink and a couple of colours inbetween. I'm thinking it should felt as well as the Twilleys Freedom, so I might do a bit of extra length to compensate. I've used three 50g balls so far and have not yet decided whether to use a whole ball before doing the handles of half. Decisions Decisions!

At least it's Monday Morning and that means Stafford Knit Chicks!!

Apple Cosy

Yesterday I went to an extra Knitterati, to knit food related items to sell for charity. I chose to make and apple cosy. I thought it was a fab idea to start off with. I wasn't quite to happy with the finished article, although I do need to sew the leaf on and make sure the bobble closure resembles a bobble! I will do another, perhaps a bit bigger. I also want to try a Banana Cosy. If I have any success, they will be photographed and dislplayed!

I got some Noro Cash Island as well. I couldn't help it. I got the same colour to do a beanie hat, scark and gloves and a different colourway to do a pair of socks with. Enough to keep me more than busy, as usual.

Today is a day off. Quite a few little jobs to do, pay the Council Tax, do housework, and gather things together for the swap on Ravelry. I've sent off for a couple of items form China, so I hope they get here before the posting on dead line, otherwise it will be apologetic emails!

An Autumn Sunday Afternoon in the Garden

Sunday afternoon I spent in the Garden. It was a beautiful autumn day, really quite warm with a light breeze. I find it incredibley relaxing being in the garden, having some fresh air. HobbitKeeper pulled the first of the parnsips. It didn't take long before they were washed and in a roasting tin with some spuds and onions! Accompanied by Yorkshire Pudding, leeks carrots and gravy. I could eat it all again now! So this is me showing off the parsnips.


The Girls are doing fine at the moment. Radar is moulting round her necks and she looks like something has had hold of her, if you didn't know any better! I'm not sure if Roast, Guess and Radar are Line Dancing, or waiting very patiently in line for the Sunday Buffet of potato, corn and mash!!

I spent most of the afternoon writing letters, sat here. In the foreground you may notice a mug of tea and a plate with crumbs of Pineapple and Banana Loaf! I think the letter I was actually writing at this point was to Luneray.

This is the view down the garden, from where I was sat, although I did stand to take the photo... The garden is starting to look a little bare, now we've had most of the produce. I think all that is still growing is the leeks and parsnips. And the beetroot, but I think that's had it! The fushias are in full bloom and the acer is a gorgeous blood red colour. It quite catches your eye from a distance! Unfortunately you can't really see it in this photo hahaha!

Rhinog and Ted also enjoyed the sunshine, both were flat out for a bit. Rhinog wanted to tell me all about his afternoon, and this is him in the back door, talking to me, in a way that only dogs do, and is sooo cute! And yes I do talk back to him in 'dog' although it's a little difficult to write, dog talk is definitely a spoken language rather than written!

Coming up for breath

This week has been a full and busy work week, with hardly any time to stop for a breather. I haven't done any knitting since Monday. But what I do need to do is frog the heel on my sock as the shaping is slightly off to one side - probably wasn't concentrating enough!

I've got my train tickets for my day out on the 22nd, looking forward to that! More about that later though! The day involves going somewhere on the train (knitting time) to visit somewhere that has a knitting shop, having a mooch round the town, then returning by train, knitting again.

I've signed up for two swaps on Ravelry, and thinking about doing a third. The swaps are favourite things, should be fun!

I'm behind on my letter writing, due to work, but am hoping to get at least one, maybe two done this morning, hopefully. And catch up over the weekend.

I was sent a photo from a penpal who lives in New York. It was a view from her appartment, I really like it, sort of makes the world seem not so quite so far away! The photo also shows the Twin Towers of light; the picture was taken on 9/11 this year. A little piece of history.

The First Socks

I finished my first pair of socks on Wednesday, at Knitterati! I'm chuffed to bits with them. The nest time I do this particular pattern, I shall adjust it slightly. The leg parts are loose, but not quite sloppy joes and the foot part could do with being lightly smaller, but I love them and they have hardly been off my feet! In fact I'm wearing them right now!



They are comfy and quite warm. The yarn is Noro Kureyon sock yarn. The pattern is specifically for the yarn and was a free one from Yarn Market. I landed very lucky with the colour repeats as they are only about a quarter of an inch out!

I'm itching to start another pair - these will be toe up ones. I have to finish a pair of mittens that I started on Wednesday, I'm already half way through the second one. Then I have a bag to do for someone at work and do something hand made for a Swap on Ravelry.

The yarn for the mittens is Noro Cash Island and it is sooo soft! I think I shall definitely be using this yarn again!!

Heel Turning and Lack of Chrimbo Biccies!

The weather was good yesterday, so I was sat out in the garden, making progress on sock number 2. I'm just starting to turn the heel now. I want to get cracking with it this afternoon - especially as there is an old Carry On film on the idiot box. I'm also quite tempted to get the extreme needles out as well, but may need most of the sofa!

I got my first Christmas Biscuit Tin of the year yesterday - and the second today - unfotunately there was only two layers of biccies instead of three, but how do you prove that if you took it back to the shop??!! So yes I don't keep the biccies till Christmas, unless I buy them just prior to Christmas. I don't count September as just before Christmas!

Carol's 60th Birthday

On Friday it was Carol's 60th Birthday Party. Carol hosts The Knitterati in her home. It is a beautiful place, relaxing and therapeutic.

For some months I have been organising a Friendship Blanket for her. All the squares are made by members of the Knitterati - knitted, gathered and crocheted together (by Linda) in total secrecy. I'm really pleased with the Blanket! It truly reflects everyone's skills and tastes in such a unique way. The theme of the Blanket was 'Carol' - any colour, any stitch that she inspired you. The squares are 9" x 9" and there are 60 in total, one for each of her years. There are a couple of late entry squares and I shall see if I can make a cushion cover with them for Carol.



At the Party, Carol laid on a wonderful lunch, followed by strawberries and cream, then followed by Birthday Cake with candles that spelled her name. I went outside to eat my strawbs, this is the view.

In case you're wondering why my feet are in the picture, this is where I was sat, enjoying all!

This is the room where The Knitterati is held, well about two thirds of it. Fabulous!

The day was a really beautiful day. A gathering of women, sharing a passion for knitting and their friendship. One of those days that you wish you could bottle and keep forever!

Happy Birthday Carol! I hope you get to see all the Cathedrals!

The Next Few Days

The next few days are going to be quite busy for me, but all in a nice way!

Today I'm off up town to meet Rachel and Hayley for coffee, this afternoon Sally is coming round for a bit. This evening I need to pack my bags for the weekend and tidy my knitting room so it can double up as a Guest Room.

Tomorrow, it's Carol's 60th Birthday knitterati
Monday is an Interview for the Forensic Bank at St Georges. Tuesday is back to work.

Hopefully a pictorial journey will follow!

Clapper Board Socks and Extreme Needles

The Sock Bug is nibbling at me, and I'm very patiently allowing myself to 'get into' knitting socks. Buying and acquiring loads of sock yarn was the easy bit. The first pair I've named 'The Clapper Board Socks'. This is because I'm on at least the third attempt.

The first sock was completed, but fit HobbitKeeper apart from being abit tight over the arch of the foot. I'd made them for me. Ribbit.

The second take, I decided to do on DPN's. Nothing at all, no nothing at all to do with the fact that that very day I had recieved a set of Knit Picks Harmony DPN's for socks. Let me get that clear, ahem! So happily away I went, in the comapny of HobbitKeeper and a Knitty friend, Sally (who I went to the NEC with). One inch of 2x2 rib later, I realised that I hadn't concentrated when casting on and dividing that amount of stitches. 64 stitches over three needles, does not equate to 30 stitiches on two needles and 34 on the third. Ribbit. Growl.



So this is the third attempt. It's going well so far. I couldn't be diddled to do 6" of 2x2 rib, so only did 2" and went onto stocking stitch after that. I'm tentatively quite pleased so far. Oh and yes it is Noro Kureyon Sock Yarn. Well spotted. And yes the needles are Knit Picks Harmony DPN's. Did I mention that I got some??!!


Now then, these rather large beauties are my Extreme Needles, with a 400g ball of yarn. I put the afore mentioned socks in just so you can get an idea of the size!!

Wowsers, can't wait to have a go on them!

Knitting and Stitching Show, NEC

I went to the Knitting and Stitching Show at the NEC Yesterday. Despite there being varied stands there, I went primarily for the knitting side of things. I was a little disappointed that there was not more knitting and knitting related stands. I did enjoy what was there and spent a small fortune to boot. I enjoyed looking at the Seamans project hats, wonderful and creative hats they were, although I think if any sailors wore a couple of them, then they would have to have had a good sense of humour!

I did a workshop on Creative Knitting. This was knitting a sample square using two different yarns, ribbon, wire and some beads. It's something I could have done at home, but hey now, I can say I've knitted with wire, beads and ribbon!

I purchased five balls of sock yarn, yes five.... ten balls of Debbie Bliss 'Soho' earmarked for felting, a book about felted bags and a Pair of Extreme Knitting Needles.

These needles are 24mm and are 700mm long. Not for the fainthearted. Today I want to gather yarn to have a play with these needles. At least ten threads of yarn at a time. I at last see a Stash Buster for all those balls of novelty yarns! I purchased them from Rachel John. The rugs and throws she had on display were amazing! So watch this space!

The ladies from Knit'n'Caboodle were vey helpful, approachable and chatty, so a big thumbs up to you!

I came home quite tired, luckily I wasn't driving, but oh my! the M6 and the M42 were, well shall we just say there had been a major accident requiring the air ambulance, so it took about three hours to get 3o odd miles. That's the M6 on a bad day and I hope all involved in the accident are healing.

The Monster bag is Finished!

The Monster Bag is Finished!! Hobbit Keeper thought I was knitting a sleeping bag - indeed it could have been a childs sleeping bag!

This is me trying the bag on, yes it was actually of a size that it could have been worn as a dress.....

HobbitKeeper just looking at the bag in amazement, with a look of, well, how big is it? Is it really going to be a bag? Has Hobbit lost the plot even further? How do I praise her for this one?!

TAAA-DAAAAAAAA! One felted Monster Bag!!!!!

The lovely square base of the bag. I shall use this technique again, perhaps with finer yarn and narrower stripes to emphasise the effect.

I love the bag and am chuffed to bits with it!! It had it's Virgin Outing to Knit Chicks on Monday, and yes it can hold at least one kitchen sink, with ease!

Socks and the Monster Bag Grows

The monster bag is coming on, casting off to start the handles, so hopefully again, it will be the weekend when it gets felted. Then What next? Have at least one bag to do for someone else. I succumbed to Noro Sock yarn, two skeins, note to self, must make some socks, have got loads of scrummy yarn, including some rather gorgeous yarn sent to me from Lee for my Birthday........ have seen a pattern for some over the knee socks..........

Saturday Night at the Kings Arms

I'm trying to get back on track with blogging, and squeezing in time to be here! I'm thinking ''what have I got to write about"?! Loads I suppose, I've always got something to talk about!


I've had two long days at work (07.30 - 21.15 is long in my books!). This was preceeded by a very sleepless noisy night on Saturday. Saturday evening was lovely. HobbitKeeper and I spent the evening in the garden, had tea out there (dry roasted veg and a cheese escolope, followed by strawberries and cream, yum yum), then went to bed about 10ish ready for a busy week.


Once in bed all we could hear was noise from the pub across the road. It's usually a very quiet pub on a queit street, an 'old mans' pub, where you go for a drink and to talk to people. Well, the noise was made by lots of people stood outside the pub, talking loudlyand bloody singing. Okay I thought, they will calm soon. Wrong. They carried on and carried on and carried on some more. Getting louder. Me getting growlier.


Just after 1AM it all erupted, the inevitable fight and all the noise that ensues. It was the Landlord fighting with someone. Did I mention that I didn't recognise anyone outside the pub ( I looked several times!). The police arrived, not that they appeared to be overly good at quelling the situation or dispersing people. Then an ambulance arrived as someone inside had collapsed.


By 2Am, the student across the road, the other names I have for him are definitely not polite, decided to plug his bass into his amp and start playing it so loud that it drowned the sound of the drunks outside the pub. By this point I was sat on the side of the bed, holding my head, frustrated, tired and nearly in tears, no sleep and with the prospect of getting up in just over three hours.


HobbitKeeper and I got dressed (did I mention that HK was really not in a good mood at all?!) HK went across the road and banged on the students door and shouted 'OI Jimmy Paige, knock it off!' and a few other non-repeatable words. The bass got turned down quiet, but not completely off.


The noise outside the pub started to hush down by half two.


When I came home Sunday Night, the landlord was outside the pub, looking worse for wear, with two women, talking to a third in a car, about the events of the night before and how he'd been wronged. I was ready to explode. Normally its a wave and a 'hello', but I had all on not to go and give him a piece of my mind. I held off. Not worth having a go at someone who's drunk and got an audience. My time will come. And I shall look forward to it.

Square Base Bag

I decided, as a follow on to the bucket bag, to do a Square Base Bag. I'm pleased with it so far. I wanted it to be quite big when finished. I've not felted using the Twilley's Freedom before, althoug I know it felts very well. I'd like to do a similar base in a thinner yarn, so as to fit in more stripes of colour and emphasise the sqaureness.



This is the square base The Monster so far!! It is very big, I'm planning to do another cream and chocolate stripe then do the handles, then keep my fingers crossed that it will fit in the washing machine haha! It's taken just over 12 balls so far.......

I'm quite taken up with this yarn and the Freedom Spirit, which is a double knit yarn and felts fabulously. I'm hoping to get this monster finished over the next week, so watch this space!

Bags bags bags

I've been busy over the summer - mainly working hahaha! HobbitKeeper has been off work and sees the hours I spend on the laptop as 'unconstructive' when he's not feeling happy, so I've not been about so much online.

I've finished the Pat Pi Bucket Bag (aka my take on The French Market bag). This is the bottom of the bag, I'm very pleased how it turned out!

And this is the finished article the right way up! It's had a fair bit of use in it's short life!

I was so taken up with doing the base of it, I thought about doing a square base.....

UK Swap Parcel has arrived!

I collected my UK Swap Parcel this morning from the Sorting Office this morning - it actually arrived yesterday, but a certain person was out knitting for the day......

So Haven't I been thoroughly spoiled rotten??!! A huge thank you to my Spoiler - Katherine or 'Yarny Mammoth' to me! There was an amazing amount of presents, all individually wrapped. Katherine certainly did her homework on me!

This is what Katherine sent to me: postcard, Edinburgh Book Festival Bag, Crochet flower, bamboo knitting needles, set of three crochet hooks, ravelry badge, 2 balls on noro kureyon, 5 balls of purple touch feely yarn, "Blissful Brownies", "Easy Knit Socks", "Easy to Crochet", "Knitting in no time", Alpshabet beads, green & black dark chocolate and butterscotch chocolate, 3 scented candles, flannel, floracologie lavender bath soak, Scottish Breakfast Tea, Fun baking cases, Lindt Lindor chocolate, and build your own Stonehenge kit - all individually wrapped in beautiful paper and ribbon.

That's what I call 'Spoiled'!!

Thank you Katherine!!

UK Swap QOTW 3

Ok, so I'm doing it backwards, but with all the best intentions!

Is there a TV programme you watch religiously? Not really, I don't regularly watch TV. I don like UKTV Gold and Paramount. I do watch out for the 'Seven Up' Series and have been following this since I was 16.


What TV programme(s) do you avoid like the plague? Reality TV - Big Brother and all such similar diatribe

Is there a TV programme that you find works particularly well for knitting along to? Nothing in particular, but can knit along with the above channels as I don't really have to concentrate on the TV much! I sometimes sit an watch the fishing programmes with Hobbit Keeper on a wet Sunday afternoon, I can do knitting that takes more concentration then!


What was/is your favourite kids TV programme? Erm..... I liked the Magic Roundabout, I like some of the Disney Classics such as 101 Dalmations and the jungle book etc. Bagpuss, Captain Pugwash. Tv was heavily censored when I was a child, to the point where we were only allowed to watch The BBC and not ITV etc. Happy Days. And I don't mean the one with the Fonz! I used to like some of the dramas.

Not overly exciting answers about my TV Viewing!

UK Swap QOTW 4

Sorry am a bit behind with all this, so here we go!



What is your favourite thing that you have knit? (It might not be your favourite thing to wear but it was the most enjoyable to knit). Most things I enjoy knitting for one reason or the other. I like to try a different technique then adapt it to a few things. I'm into short rows at the moment. I'm doing a rug, I've done a face cloth and plan to do another rug but with some eyelets in or some fancy stitch to enhance it.




What is the worst thing you've ever knit? Golly gosh! The worst, hhmm. Wouldn't noramlly get finished if I didn't like it. I was disappointed with my Baggy Trap bag, but I know where I went wrong and will eventually do another one but better next time as i like the overal shape of the bag.




What are your favourite knitblogs? Don't tend to read knitting blogs. Blogging is a fairly new thing to me and am just getting into the habbit of reading blogs of those I know!




What is the most amazing knitted thing you have seen (This Ravelry thread might help) Ok, I went to this thread, would love to browse it, but, I haven't got the time or patience for my laptop to go through the hassle of 'not responding' every time (honest!) I turn a page..... sorry.... the mystic waters shawl looks amazing though.




What is your favourite knitted item to wear? Post a picture if you can. I havne't made anything to wear as such for a while. I've been doing bags and accessories and scarves and face cloths etc!! I find it difficult to find a pattern of something I like that is in my size. My favourite knitted item I didn't knit, it's a very long lacy/crochet jacket from Monsoon in greens. I don't have a picture of it.....

The Garden In Full Bloom

This is the garden, looking towards the house, but not quite at the bottom of the garden. Lesser Spotted Hobbit Keeper in the centre of the picture.


Virtually at the bottom of the garden - a view from the Pagoda!


Top of the garden, at the end of the patio. Agan the lesser spotted Hobbit Keeper attaching some mesh to the Chicken Run and trying to make it Hobbit-Proof. A few days ago, Hobbit found that it wasn't Hobbit-Proof and needed two steri-strips in her arm. Silly Hobbit.

Where the water feature is, but you can't actually see the water feature in this picture. There is however lavender and a Fairy and part of a my bisum

Rhinog posing for me at the pagoda, he loves his Momma!

RIP Bertha

Bertha, The Chicken, died Tuesday night.

Radar, Roast, Guess and What are fine.

Mini Purse Swap

My first swap on Ravelry was the Mini Purse Swap. My Upstream Pal, Vantie, (Val) sent me this wonderful parcel. It arrived whilst I was away for the weekend. I'm really chuffed with everything she has sent me! Thank You! The bag is beautiful and I plan to take it to my knitting group this morning to show it off! The other gifts were - Sweet Pea Body spray - that I have on now!, a mini sock block, an absolutely wonderful wooden shawl pin, a pretty notebook, a pink wallet for holding bits and bobs - it just happened to be the same colour as the shoes aiwas wearing when I opened the parcel - two balls of dish cloth cotton (someone was doing there homework on me!!) So as you can see I'm over the moon with it, Thank You very much indeed!!

Purlescence's Swap

I participated in the 'Knit It Forward' Swap on Ravelry. My Upstream pal was Purlescence. This is the wonderful package she put together for me. I'm really chuffed to bits with it! The only munchies that haven't been eaten is the popcorn, which won't have to wait long to be scoffed! I've used the notepad, for the Pat Pi Bucket Bag. It's very handy as it's got a wipe clean front and a hard back cover!

Like an idiot, I forgot to photograph my package to Purlescence, so if you happen to be reading this..... ;-*

The Pat Pi Bucket Bag

This is the start of The Pat Pi Bucket Bag. Will need twice as much yarn!

Rhinog Trying it on for size! It could be a Snout Warmer for Dogs!

A 3D version of something that will be flat!

Close up

It is called the Pat Pi Bucket Bag because it was PatVic who whipped up the first one, based on an idea between her and Carol. Pi because the circular increasing for the base is based on Pi, c'mon, y'know, pi=3.14 etc, or is it 2.14??!! All you mathematicians and followers of Elizabeth Zimmerman will know what I'm on about. Honest. Bucket Bag because it's gonna be big, like a bucket! All else will follow!!