Spoiled Rotten!

It's been hideously rainy today. Flood alerts are rising in number all the time. The roads are full of water and spray and it's never really got light all day. Not an altogether great start to the day really. I was anticipating another soaking due to lack of parking spots but was pleasantly surprised to find myself spoilt for choice with at least 3 decent spots up for grabs. I waltzed into work with a spring in my step almost completely dry. Much better than yesterday.

Had an averagely ok day at work and left early as we had stuff to do tonight. I also received a text message to let me know that a parcel was ready to be collected. Very exciting. It was a parcel I was very much looking forward to as it was coming from a fellow knitter as part of the UK Sock Knitters Secret Santa swap. It would definitely contain knitterly pleasure - of that I was certain.

My swap partner had used a courier service that delivers your parcel to a local shop so that you are able to pick it up at much more convenient times, such as evenings and weekends. I thought that was a great idea and will definitely consider it next time I send a parcel anywhere. You get notified by text when it's sent, when it arrives and when it is collected. Brill!

I rolled up at my local shop and asked for my parcel. It wasn't there. In fact, the man claimed that nothing at all had been delivered that day. I was disbelieving. I showed him the text. It was delivered at precisely 12.16 that day. Where was it? Was he sure it wasn't hidden from view somewhere? I was getting a bit cross and a bit upset and a bit stampy-foot-y about it all. Then I looked again and said that I was not impressed with this so called "Top Shop" one little bit.  He told me that I wasn't in the "Top Shop" at all. Oops. Silly me. I apologised profusely and left the shop with my tail between my legs. Off I went to the right shop where my parcel was indeed waiting for me. The system works brilliantly if you pay attention to the actual address and don't assume you "just know" which shop it is.

The lady in the "Top Shop" got out a box of photocopier paper. I looked at her blankly. Then I realised that this was my parcel. Blimey! I was expecting a shoebox or a jiffy bag. This was much bigger and quite heavy too.

My swap parcel - wow!

Once home I cleared the table and with the willing help of my two "assistants" got the lid off for a first peek.

First peek

Straight away it was apparent that there hadn't been a mix up and it wasn't photocopier paper, it was indeed beautifully wrapped goodies. And such a lot of goodies. Honestly, they just kept coming. It was all descending into chaos and little hands had to be swished away to prevent them from getting carried away and opening anything

Hands off!

What a haul of goodies. 

There are a few things for the girls in there too which they are really excited about opening but we have agreed to wait until December.  There are a couple of advent candles in there which the girls claim are Babylon Candles.  (Babylon candles crop up in the film Stardust which we all love and are used to teleport between distant locations).

Definitely "Babylon Candles"

I am pleased to tell you that I have been strong and not yet opened a thing. There has been a great deal of squidging and feeling of the little packages but I will try and hold out as long as possible to open them all. Ideally I should wait until Christmas Day although I think I might just be a bit too weak to manage that. I'll do my best.

While we were out and about we visited a few shops that were open late and my lovely husband bought me a new winter coat for my birthday. It's so toasty and cosy. Very chuffed. Then we went to have a look around the Range for a few bits and bobs and I got a new tablecloth. It's not cloth, it's actually PVC but looks like oilcloth. Very reasonable at £3.50 per metre.  I fell in love with this retro diner design. It certainly lights the place up and makes me smile every time I look at it.

Jolly new table cloth

Best socks ever!

I am taking part in the Sole Sisters swap on Ravelry and my package arrived yesterday. You make either socks or mittens for your partner. My parcel came from Norway which filled me with excitement as it was sure to contain some woolly and warm wonderfulness. And I wasn't disappointed. In fact, I was completely bowled over by the socky magnificence. In fact they go far, far beyond mere socks. They are stockings. Fantastic, awesome stockings! Just look at these babies....

 Ooh they are soooo toasty.  I shall wear them under my bike pants on chilly rides and they will be just perfect for chilly evenings on the campsite when we head back to the lakes.  Just love them!

Many, many thanks to Ann from Norway

Lovely Parcels

What a day I've had for getting lovely stuff. Be warned there will be a LOT of gushing in this post

Got to work to find choccies and a thank you note from a colleague for getting her through her ECDL. Really nice of her considering it's my job to do just that! It's great to be appreciated though.

Then postie had been and I had to go and collect a couple of parcels from some swaps I've been doing lately.

Firstly, the Baktus exchange. A fantastic scarf in some lovely Violet Green sock yarn in awesome colours. I absolutely love it and am half hoping for a return to frosty weather just so I can wear it. But there was more.

A pair of socks - also done in super funky Violet green yarn. I love getting socks. I knit them all the time but not so often just for me so it's a real treat to get a pair made just for me by someone else. They are just the right size and not too long which is perfect for my short little legs! And finally, there were some mitts. Big and there was no need for an apology as they are just right for Nick and he really likes them. Many thanks to Angrymum aka Heidi for all the time and effort that must have gone into her parcel. I am so spoiled.

Just check out this bodacious Baktus scarf!

 And I so love these socks! Didn't realise how tricky it was to take photos of your own feet though! I am just so shaky!

Also got my UK Swap parcel courtesy of greenpixey aka Ewa. Another complete and utter spoiling. She really went with my current crochet obsession and I have a selection of Stylecraft and Rico yarns to play with in fabulous colours. There was also some soft touch crochet hooks (no more achey wrists for me dear readers!), sweeties, a fab felt purse and some cute crochet critters that the girls have spirited away immediately. Also some scented loveliness in there too.

Right. I think I need to go and have a lie down now!

Glorious!

It's been fantastic weather today. I was sitting outside in shorts and a vesty top and there was even suncream involved. Great stuff. Got myself set up on the top of the steps and finally finished my Granny Squares. 54 of them altogether. I'm quite proud of myself for not getting distracted by the lovely sock wool I bought recently (2 lots of Regia - another set of Kaffe Fassett Easter colourway and some Flusi in yellow, orange and green) or the Cheap as Chips swap parcel that arrived at the same time.

I am determined to actually start and finish just one project this Easter and it looks like I'm going to do it too! Unlike my usual habit of kicking off something new when it all gets a bit tedious or I acquire a 'must knit' yarn.

Will go and do some more joining up now. Photos to follow tomorrow.

UK Swap parcel of loveliness

Huge thanks to Snailspace for a great swap parcel.



There is an awesome pair of Magic Mirror socks - I love them - a spinning kit, some lovely bath pearls, sumptuous chocolate, scrummy chilies, some invisible ink pens for the girls (they'd already eaten the sweeties when I took the photo!) and some bright ideas stickies for Nick.

Just gaze at the divine Magic Mirror socks... they are great



I have been truly spoiled!

UK Swap - Warming Your Head

Ooh ooh... catching up now!

Hats are great fun and a lovely quick knit too! I've fought in Hat Attack twice now (got bumped off quite early on both times but got a couple of lovely hats for my demise which made up for it!)

What is your favourite style of hat?
I love hats! No particular favourite style really. If pushed then I'd have to say earflap hats are my favourites

Do you have a favourite yarn for making hats with?
Wool or other natural fibre works best for me I think. The Hat Attack hat this time was designed using SWTC's Therapi yarn which is lovely and has some sort of jade composite in it along with silk and wool. Having said that the most important thing about yarn for a hat is that it is soft, warm and not itchy so I wouldn't rule anything out.

What hat patterns are in your queue at the moment?
Just had a quick look. I've got a balaclava, an earflap hat and some berets in there at the moment! Anything goes really

Do you have a favourite handmade hat that you (or someone else) has made?
I made the We Call Them Pirates Hat for a little boy and it was brilliant but I forgot to take a photo but it did look like it should have!


I also had fun knitting the Loopy Flapper hat recently. I too love the Woolly Wormhead hat designs

The Fibonacci Sequence Hat that killed me in Hat Attack is a favourite in this household my DH loves it too... it's just soooo cosy! Here's a pic of the Fibonacci hat and a nice red beret that I knitted recently for Natty. We were up Pendle Hill on New Year's Day and it was rather bracing and windswept!

UK Swap - Warming Your Knees

Oops falling a little behind on these at the moment. It's the whole end of Christmas sloth and getting back into being back at work syndrome I reckon. Feeble I know but oh so true!

What has been your favourite finished blanket/lapghan?

Do you have a favourite pattern that you'd like to make in the future?

Do you have a favourite type of yarn for making blankets/lapghans?

I have never knitted a blanket or afghan to my shame. This is because it's such a big project and I have such a small attention span. I do have some lovely old crochet blankets that my Great Aunt Lizzie made and gave me - bless her she was the one who taught me how to knit and crochet many, many years ago. I love them. They are made of acrylic yarn but I've had them forever and they wash and are all saggy and funny shaped and I wouldn't be without them.

There were also lots of lovely little knitted blankets in the NICU when my youngest was there which we all tried to grab first after they had been watched... much nicer than the utilitarian NHS cellular blankets! There weren't enough to have one to keep though which was a shame. Note to self - must pull finger out and do some knitting for the baby unit to rectify the situation!

There are lots of stunning blankets and afghans around but my favorites are:

Color Me - a crochet blanket that's really original

Love the bright colours and the crayola crayon vibe. It's great!

I also really like the Natural Dye Studio's range of Bessie's Blankets too. There is just something so cosy about crocheted blankets. These blankets are so timeless and are made from the fabulous Dye Studio yarn so really sumptuous and touchable too! Love 'em!


I'm also really like the Lizard Ridge throw. It's just beautiful.

UK Swap - Warming Your Feet

Just in case you didn't already know. I LOVE SOCKS. I almost always have a pair on the go and they are my favourite protable project.

What is your favourite way of keeping your feet warm?
Socks without doubt.

Do you have a favourite pair of socks you reach for to keep your toes toasty?
My favourite socks are the ones knitted for me by Channon for the last sockapalooza. The photo (which I pinched from Channon's Flickr) doesn't do them justice and the colours are much deeper. They are still going strong 18 months and many washes later.



Is there a pair of socks/slippers you have been wanting to make for ages but haven't got around to?

Oh there are soooo many. I mean to do the Hedera socks sometime. Did start them but foolishly used black yarn and gave up in frustration as I couldn't see what I was doing. I'm always adding patterns to my Ravelry queue.

What is your favourite finished object that warms your feet?
My favourite FO is the very first pair of socks I ever knitted just over 2 years ago. They are a bright stretch Regia yarn and again are still going strong. I'm modelling them here at my sister-in-law's wedding. The M6 motorway was shut due to a really bad accident that day so it's a good job we went down on the bike or we wouldn't have made it. We just about got there in time to hear them pronounced man and wife!! Hence the bike gear - no time to get changed!



What is your favourite yarn to use for socks/slippers?

One of the best things about sock knitting, if not THE best thing, is the chance to indulge in a little luxury. You can splurge on wonderful yarn at a relatively low cost as you only need one or two skeins to make a fabulous pair of socks. I'm especially fond of the Natural Dye Studio sock yarn as it is sooooo gorgeous but also like Violet Green, The Knitting Goddess, Fyberspates and Laal Bear. Indie dyers yarn is always a real treat. But for everyday wear you can't beat good old Regia and Opal for longevity and value!

Christmas

Well it's been a busy one with Nativities, pressies lots of eating and all that jazz. Ended up downloading the Ting Tings album as a treat to myself as DH failed to pick up on my hints ("I really like the Ting Tings, wouldn't mind their album!" being a typical example!!) Oh well. He did redeem himself by getting me a nice digital radio/ipod docking station so I can enjoy my new Ting Tings album at work!! As well as listen to the Togmeister as well

The girls ended up doing 3 performances of their "Wriggly Nativity" because the school hall is just too small to accommodate all of the audience and all of the children. Every single child was in the concert. The infants did the nativity and the juniors did some fabulous singing including Bohemian Rhapsody which wasn't half bad!

Here are my two stage stars. One's a slightly grumpy looking pig and the other a very serious angel (in the middle) sporting a new short hairdo - had to dash to the hairdressers for a rescue job after little sister decided to test her hairdressing skills on big sister. Not a pretty sight! Found the locks of hair shoved into DH's motorbike boots a day later!!!



I do hope Father Christmas brought all of you the things you wanted this year. I got the usual array of nice smellies, choccies etc. All nice but this year I did get a knitterly pressie from my lovely UK Sock Knitters swap pal Misselle. Thanks again!



Christmas day was lovely. There was the 4 of us plus my parents, sister in law, auntie Isobel and my friend Tracy. We ate well and chilled. Here's Tracy with the girls and Sally the dog - you just got to wear a tiara at christmas don'tcha!!

UK Swap - Warming Your Neck

What is your favourite neck warming pattern?

Do you have a favourite FO?

Is there a style of neck warmer you particularly like?

Hmm... favourite way of warming my neck.

There is no doubt about it, you cannot beat a lovely scarf for banishing the shivers on a chilly day. And it is impossible to pin down a favourite one. As long as it is soft and long (I like to wrap scarves around more than once if possible!) Then I am a fan!

I got a copy of Victorian Lace Today recently to conquer my fear of lace knitting and because there is something very cosy about wrapping yourself up in a shawl I reckon. I'm still a bit scared though!! I have the Ice Queen cowl in my queue and the yarn to do it. Just need to pluck up the courage to give it a go!



I've only got one FO on Ravelry which is this Hat and Scarf that I made for my stepson's girlfriend. I have promised to make some scarfs for my girls though and have got some very nice girly wool for that just need to find a nice pattern/some inspiration! They will probably have pom poms or tassels at the ends and I think they will probably be ribbed (keep the shape better when used as tug of war ropes which is bound to happen!)

Also quite like crocheted scarves and have made this one skein scarf a few times for people. I also sometimes make an easy swirly crochet scarf too but can't remember which pattern it was from. It's a row of treble crochet and then 2 in each one on the second row, and 2 in each one again on the third row. It goes all twisty and swirly and looks nice.

Warming Your Hands

So, what is your favourite winter warmer for your hands?

Gloves and mittens... don't they just shout out winter cosiness!! Love 'em all. Have a preference for the fingerless variety on account of having quite small hands and tend to find that the fingers flap about a bit at the tops of full gloves.

I was once a bridesmaid at a relatives wedding that was either early spring or autumn/early winter and we wore red velvet dresses and had lovely cream muffs. Maybe we should resurrect the muff!!

If lacking mitts or a muff then it's a case of dragging down the sleeve ends of your jumper to cosy up your hands or shoving them up the opposing sleeve (bit of a straitjacket look though and not so good if you slip on some ice as your hands are all tied up!!)

Do you have a favourite pattern or finished object?

I enjoyed making the Mitt Envy mitts. Used some leftover Lorna's Laces to make them and they were cute. Other mitts I want to have a go at include: Cafe au Lait , Porphyria, Fetching and would like to have a go at some Norwegian or stranded ones too.

What is your favourite yarn for gloves/mittens/handwarmers?

Wool and wool blends. Something soft and not too itchy and not too thick.

Are there any patterns out there you would love to own?

Not especially as there are soooo many fine free possibilities on Ravelry to go at!

Or do you already have a winter warmer and you would like some mittens/gloves/handwarmers to match?

I'm not especially co-ordinated at the best of times! So no need to match up anything in particular!!

Winter Warmers Swap

Handmade Item Swap

What kind of items are you interested in receiving?
Ooh I love, love, love socks. I only have dinky feet (UK3) too. Also adore fingerless mittens (have dinky hands too so the fingers are always a bit flippy flappy on gloves). You can never have too many scarves either but I like them long enough to wrap around a couple of times ( I blame exposure to the Tom Baker Dr Who at an impressionable age for this!). I take the dog out early in the morning so a cosy hat is always good too.

But quite honestly I am super easy to please and would be chuffed to bits to get anything at all made just for me!

Do you knit, crochet, or both?
Knit mostly but dabble in crochet now and again

What is your favourite colour?
I like purples, reds, greens and blues. Also partial to very bright combos as well esp rainbow colours.

What is your least favourite colour?
Not keen on white and yellow as am a bit of a muck magnet and can never keep things looking nice in these colours

What’s your style? (elegant, traditional, glamourous, girly, natural, sporty, outgoing, etc.)
Style? What's that??? Hmm... I suppose I would say I am casual with a penchant for the eccentric. An eclectic (in other words I just throw on any old combo!!). Love traditional and classic stuff too. Not particularly chic or fashionable really! Also as I am now in my 40s I cannot help myself and have to consider the 'comfort' of stuff these days. (Eek it will be elasticated waists and stay press pants next.... noooooooo!!!)

Do you have a favourite type of fiber or brand of yarn?
I like natural fibres best. Love any wool or wool blends, alpaca, silk blends. Any sock yarn is great to me but am particularly fond of the Natural Dye Studio, most indie dyers and good old Regia. Also very fond of King Cole merino blend - such a great all round wool.

Do you have a least favourite type of yarn?
I'm really not fussy about these kind of things but am not keen on the fuzzy fizzy yarns.

Do you do any other crafts?
Not really too addicted to knitting

Are there any knitting accessories you are interested in receiving?
I quite like the idea of having a go a spinning so a spindle would be lovely. Also my addi turbo circulars are getting a bit past it so could do with some more of those (2.5mm 60 cm). Stitch markers are useful too. Also I do need a nice retractable tape measure too - keep losing my ordinary one and I'm sure my girls have been playing tug of war with it!!

What do you like to eat?
Oh I do like food. I like herbs and spices and yummy stuff to add to my cooking. And for treats I like the usual suspects. Chocolate, old fashioned sweeties, biccies.

Any allergies/preferences (fiber-wise or treat-wise)?
I am blessed with the constitution of a dustbin and have no allergies to anything!

Anything we missed that you’d like your partner to know?
Can't really think of anything. Like I said I'm easily pleased!!

UK Swap 3

Yay! It's on again and I'm all signed up. Just doing my bit and pimping the swap a little bit. Sign ups close on 30th November.

It was a really enjoyable swap last time around. This time there is a theme of Winter Warmers which conjures up lots of thoughts of woolly hats and mittens, hot chocolate and wonderful spicy smells.... nice.

Ooh! Lots of Goodies

My UK Swap parcel arrived today.

Here's the box with younger daughter getting stuck in straight away


In almost no time at all the contents were visible.... tempting... inviting... mysterious. There were even some special little packages for the girls.




Needless to say no time was wasted. They grabbed their goodies and retreated to a suitable spot to rip away and oooh and ahhh. They got loads of sweeties and a couple of adorable handmade necklaces which they love. Was unable to get a proper photo of them modelling them as they were far too giddy and full of sweeties to stay still long enough!!!



Next came some blissful moments of wrapping ripping..... ah... fab!



And here are the goodies in all their spendor!



There is: a cute sheep that sits with its legs dangling off a shelf, a fab tote bag (much appreciated as I have given up plastic bags recently and never have enough totes - it's also an excuse to fill it with yet more UFOs!), gorgeous scented candles, some lavendar and bergamot bath treats to remind me of France, some sock wool, some hot chocolate, a writing set, treats for the girls, a lovely blue bag the colour of french window shutters, some earl grey tea ( I dug out my special cup and saucer from which I am sipping said tea in an extremely lady like fashion!) and last but not least the all important emergency chocolate bars (just what you need when you lose the ability to count while knitting and then have to rip back!!).

I have been well and truly spoiled and there was also a lovely letter from Ari (aka Knitternatternoo) who tells me there is more to come! I am overwhelmed! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

I am now feeling a bit remiss about my own parcel which is not yet sorted. All the knitterly stuff is sorted just the treats to do which I'll be picking up when I am on hols!

Right I need a lie down now.... and maybe a nibble of some emergency chocolate too!!

Sockapalooza socks - finished!

Here they are ready to be packed up and sent off to Portugal! Blimey! I am a bit of an international knitter these days.

Sockapalooza - and so it continues...

Well I was just having a little look around the sockapalooza site and saw that there are still people who didn't get any socks. So I have volunteered to be a sock saviour. This will be the 3rd pair I've done for this...

Anyway, I'm using some Natural Dye Studio yarn that I've had in my stash for quite some time. I think the colourway is Atlantic Moon and that it is BFL 4ply.

The sock is a simple basket weave pattern from Sensational Knitted Socks