Ravelympics 2008

Well I've joined Ravelympics (why do I keep doing this to myself?) and I'm in a couple of events for Team GB.

For the WIP Wrestling event I've two entrants, my Woodland Shawl that has been languishing for a while now and really deserves to be finished. Also my K9 Knitters Dog Coat so that I can get it posted of.

I'm also doing the Shawl Relay and my entrant is Clapotis.

I can't believe I've signed up for this considering the amount of unfinished items I've got at the moment, it just seemed like too much fun not to get involved. So I've the 17 days of the summer Olympics to cast on and finish Clapotis and finish 2 WIPs, on the bright side if I finish the WIPs I'll be able to cast on other things (see there is a method to my madness!).

So, let the games begin and Go Team GB.

Dad's Birthday Blanket.

You may or may not remember the 'Block a Month' squares I've been doing since January? Anyway, when I was at the hospital with my daughter yesterday (she was in for day surgery) I sewed 12 of them together and put a simple edge of single crochet round to finish. My dad is a HGV driver and is often away nights, hopefully this will help to keep him warm. Unfortunately it was actually his birthday yesterday and I didn't get to see him, so after work today I'm going to go and see my mum at her work and give her my dad's birthday gift. I was hoping to be able to give it to my mum on Saturday (her usual day to visit) but I just didn't have time to finish it as I was working on my sister-in-law's costume. I really must learn to say 'no' when people ask me to make them things and only give me a weeks notice. I was hoping to be able to make it larger and put a much nicer edging on it but hopefully he'll still like it anyway, also hoping he'll actually get to use it.

Grecian Goddess.

My brother and sister-in-law had a fancy dress party for my niece's 13th birthday on Saturday (19th July), sister-in-law asked me to make her costume.

At first I thought, oh that'll be easy. But then when I started to think of the construction I realised as I'd never made anything that required so much yardage I actually didn't have a clue where to begin.

Of course I've still never learnt how to adjust a pattern up or down a size, so I cheated and bought a shirt pattern the size required. I cut and constructed the top section just as if I was making the shirt, except I sewed the two front halves together and inserted a side zip. The skirt section was just elongated from the shirt peplum.

For the wrap section I used 2.5meters , pleated one end, attached to the skirt at left hip and wrapped around the body. I added gold ribbon for detailing. There was so much fabric I kept standing on it and was worried I'd actually ruin it by doing so, and although it was slightly too large my sister-in-law was happy and a great night was had by everybody that attended.

Socks Ahoy!

Okay, I've decided that I'm NOT going to work on the shawls until we break up for the summer holidays on July 24th. They've got to the stage where it takes a while just to do two rows and as I've a fair bit to do this week I've just not got the time to concentrate on them.

Of course this now leaves my hands free (and restless), so last night I cast on some socks. I've attempted socks before, I used completely the wrong yarn/needles and ended up with a set of purple, adult sized, booties. I used them as house slippers :-)

My next foray into the sock world was Marella, a pattern I got from Let's Knit magazine issue 3. The 3.75mm DPNs needed for the pattern also came with the magazine. The pattern is also known as Stripy Lace Socks by Jeanette Trotman and can be found here, the front cover depicts the pattern I'm talking about.

All was going well until I discovered a mistake and tried to tink back, the tinking got muddled and I ended up having to frog it completely (should have just lived with the tiny mistake). So I'm hoping third times the charm and I actually get a wearable pair of socks.

This time around I'm using 2.5mm DPNs and Regia Jacquard Colour 4ply sock yarn in the Brussels (5296) colour, it's going well so far and the only problem I'm having is my DPNs. They're 20cm and I think that's a little too big, I'd love the Harmony sock needles but think those will have to wait till next payday.

Yay, Clue 3 Chart D Done on the Other Shawl

It seems to have taken an age but I've finally completed the third clue on the second shawl from the Goddessknits Anniversary Mystery Shawl.

I now just have to complete clue 4 on both shawls, they are huge clues so I wouldn't expect to hear about them for a while.

Harmony options, just thought I'd mention them, yes, you all probably knew about them years ago but I've just found them. I LOVE these needles, not only do they look lush but they're a dream to knit with. I only ordered a sample (just 3.5mm tips and a 120cm cord) but I'll definitely be getting more, they're just too good not to.

Go out, treat yourself, buy them. Yes, I believe they are that good.

Musings.

I've been listening to a lot of podcasts over the past few days, especially Cast On by Brenda Dayne. I've come to realise I really like her style, her voice is melodic and perfect for podcasting and what she has to say is actually interesting and I also like her choice in music.

I've been on the hunt for others and came across Stash and Burn, I wasn't overly impressed. I don't know, maybe I just listened to a bad episode as there are quite a lot of people who rave about it but sorry to say, it just didn't appeal to me.

Lime & Violet was another I listened to, this one is very upbeat and loud. Sounds like those women are definitely having a lot of fun. I've only listened to the one episode so far, so I'm not sure if it's one I'll continue to listen to.

Another one that didn't really 'speak' to me was Knit Picks, I'm not sure why, I think it was because it was a little dry.

I've found a few others I'm going to give a go, they do seem to do the trick, as I have been working on my knitting and I'm finding I'm not nearly as distracted when listening to my iPod as I was when I didn't have one. I'm not finding excuses to put down my knitting and walk about, talk to other people just potter, you know.

Today I've worked seven rows of my mystery shawl without really realising how much I was getting done as normally I'd only do four rows. So that's a good side effect of listening, also means I don't have to listen to whatever crap my husband has decided to watch on the TV and that's a really good thing.

It's great that so many people have decided to create podcasts, to be brave enough to put yourself out there is something that should definitely be applauded. I guess it's a case of finding a 'voice' so too speak. A style and format that works for the podcaster, then to actually be able to put a show together that may possibly last an hour and it not be stale and boring is a feat I admire.

Would I ever want to create a podcast myself, no, I don't think I would. Don't get me wrong, the idea did cross my mind for about a nano second. But I know how boring my voice is and how stiff I'd sound to the listener, not to mention I'm not even sure I'd ever find enough material to put an hour's show together. Also, that in my heart of hearts, I know that I'm essentially a lazy person and will find any and all reasons to procrastinate. This is why I wouldn't make a very good home worker, there would always be something to take me away from my actual paid work.

So, to all you podcasters out there, stay safe and keep casting as we, your listeners, appreciate all the hard work you put into your shows, thank you.

Birthday Treat For Me

Well , it was my birthday yesterday and I was given some money and decided to treat myself. Okay so it's not fibre or textile related but it is a craft, just not my craft.

I got a couple of new tattoos (whoop, whoop). A very small one of my husband's handwriting, his name with a little purple love heart. It's not as vomit inducing as it sounds, I think it's rather cute.

The second one is a little larger and an ambigram of my daughters names. if I look at my foot it spells Mary, if somebody is looking at my foot they'll see Hayley.

Husband also gifted me with my first MP3 player, an IPod nano 3G. So now I'm listening to my first podcasts, Brenda Dayne's Cast on series. Yes, it is perfect for knitting or crocheting to and I'm really enjoying listening to them (I've started right from the beginning and I'm now on episode 3.)

So my evening will be spent working on my shawls, listening to Brenda and frantically trying to stop the dogs from licking my foot. Life is sometimes really good.

Mystery Shawl Number 2 Clue 3 Chart C

I've finally finished clue 3, it seemed to take an age. I'm full of a cold though so didn't work on it as much as I could have.

I finished it last night just in time for the release of clue 4 today, although now I'm frantically working on clue 3 for shawl number one.