Year in Review

I just went and collected the pictures of completed (and one none completed) pictures of my knitting from this year... Heres my year in review....
Feburary:

The Kyoto sweater that I knit formyself (but never wore) for the knitting olympics, and yes I did finish it in time! :)
March:

The baby sweater that I made for Marks nephew. I loved that knit! Shame that it was never worn, the head opening was to small and always forgot to get it off his sister to fix while we were there, now the little guy is MUCH bigger so no point in fixing.. Maybe Ill have to make Mark a similar looking one and make him wear it. ahha I just think its pretty. :)
April:

This was the very first thing I ever made without a pattern. More I just started knitting every row after casting on some number of stitches and it just sort of grew so I sewed together to make arms picked up stitches and knit a border and called it day.. Liked it alot but dont really wear it...
May:

I just HAD to knit that tank top from Vouge knitting or knit simple, one of the vouge magazines anyways. It stays pretty much hidden, what was I thinking?? knitting a top out of chunky yarn for the summer??? Next time someone yell at me please! haha
June:

the bear I knit for my neice that I never finished stuffing or sewing upstill in its bits and peices in my box. Maybe Ill do it this year for her birthday... hmmm... I love the way the stripped yarn turned out on her though. :)
July:

The sweater that I spent alot of time on knitting. I finished the front the back and part of one of the arms before I finally admited defeat and realised no matter how much blocking I would do this would NEVER fit so upset about it I just ripped it all to bits and decided as much as I loved the pattern it was NOT getting knit.. maybe another time....
August

My beautiful Madeline how much I loved you! Even though I had a headache with the border but got there in the end... I LOVED this knit and I want to make MORE! Maybe Ill make another one for this autumn in another colour a proper colour but I HAD to have it in black first time round. :)
September:

My first attempt on a top down sweater and my first proper go at designing even if it was just a panel pattern out of a book. Still loved the sweater and this was made from my big mistake back in July
October:

My first ever toe up socks! And I went and put a design on them.. I made them from cotton, I wouldnt do that again but I do like them. :)

My simple v-neck alpaca sweater, other then madeline my favorite knit! also a top down with no pattern...

My very first and only knit hat. With no pattern but my own (which I have wrote down and MUST sort out and put up here!)
November:

My secret knit out of alpaca.... Still need to wash and block this! :)
December:

My christmas sweater! another lovely soft melt in sweater... Was knit using Sirdar Breeze or something like that a cotton acrylic mix... Like I said I ripped apart another sweater I knit last year to make it... :)

Now what isnt shown are the Norwegian stockings that I started but NEVER finished. Loved the look of them just got REALLY bored and I hadnt finsihed the first one, I never would have made it through the second one, will have to try and redo those one of these years. haha :) And then of course my toothpick socks because they arent finished they arent making a show, hopefullyI will finish those without to much headache... and then my sp socks. Knitting on those just not finished with them.. Again in the new year so those will be part of next years round up....
Hope you enjoyed this years round up I had lots of fun knitting each of the things I did, hopefully in 2007 I will have even more to knit and show off! :)

What I got....

Okay Im still learning how to play properly with my camera. I took I dont know how many pictures last night while I was playing but to say the least they all came out looking like crap... So today I played some more. Im still scared of the wittle camera but thats me.. I dont wanna break it... but I did play and heres what I got! :)
First up the socks! Im loving the simple way these are turning out. :)

the flat one is just sitting on top of some things to make it even height with the "opened up" sock and that has a bottle of the bfs deoderant stuck down in it, shhh dont tell him I borrowed his stuff! HAHAHAHAH
Now heres what I got for xmas bday pressies!! :)
First off my drop spindle:

thats the second small lot of yarn Ive spun, I left it on there becuase I plan on adding to it and not just having that tiny amount.. Ive got this blue colour, a black and a white in the pack.. I started off with the white and the very FIRST spun I did I created this:

At first I was taking my time and thats why you see the thinner stuff then I just got a bit spinning happy and ended up with the thicker stuff when I ran out (well needed to pull more off) I couldnt believe how quickly it went because I wanted to play more, but it was also late at night. :)
Now I also got the camera its an HP Photsmart E427 that comes with its own printer. I love it! Its shorter then my mobile phone but slightly fatter. Still can be held in the hand and stuffed in a pocket as your walking down the street. Its a 6mega pixel camera. I dont understand all the technical stuff the bf got it for me he knows what hes doing! and he knew what I would like! :) I did take it into town twice with me but never pulled it out. :( I will but both times to many people were around and I couldnt be asked to stop and deal with the crowds while trying to take pictures.
Then I got a very pretty silver heart bracelet from his sister and a comfortable soft fuzy off the shoulder sweater from his parents. That Ive already worn (as you do) and its one of those sit on the couch and cuddle yourself sweaters! And it was a size smaller then what I normally buy and it fit me!!!
I went out on the 27th and got me a new winter coat, that went back up to my normal size though! haha

I stole the picture off of Debenhams website. Its where I bought the coat (well from their store in town anyways) Spent 2 hours walking in and out of stores getting depressed that I couldnt find a nice tailored looking coat for myself and then I went back to debenhams (the third store I walked into but left and went back at the end) I walked around and went back to looking at the only coat I sort of liked but didnt really want to buy it because I didnt REALLY LOVE it then I remembered they have a downstairs and went down there and found that little guy sitting all by itself seen it was my size tried it on, fit like a glove and looks GREAT! So I got it. I dont do the belt up but I do love the way it looks and feels. I also dont do it up to the last button like in the photo. Maybe one day Ill get a picture of me in the coat but until then there you have it. I love the coat... Its not leather, its not plastic, its not cotton, its not furry... Its a tailored wool coat... just me! :)
Now all I have to do is wait until the January sales and go in and get me a pair of jeans and Ill be sorted!
Have a great day and I probably wont be on before Sunday evening so have a SAFE and HAPPY NEW YEARS! See you all in 2007!!

Sweater made it in time...

Later today or tomorrow I will TRY and take pictures of the drop spindle and the small amount of yarn I have made so far. :) I will also take a picture of the socks so far as they are that my sp sent to me. :) Ive made no progress on the blue ones but I swear I will!
Heres close up detail of my xmas sweater:

I finished it in time as well, the arms took longer then I wanted but that was only because I got slightly bored of them... shh dont tell the sweater! Because I love the way it came out and how soft and squishy it is... perfect for lounging around in just like what I had wanted! :)

Sorry the picture is kinda crappy even though it was taken with my new camera!! (Its what my wonderful bf got me for birthday/christmas gift) But I was slightly woozie and it was the evening after being out for xmas day... :)
But thats the finished sweater ever so happy with how it turned out andhopefully I will have more pictures to show now I got the new camera, its small and fits in my pocket, I havent held it directly up to my phone but I think its the same size... so I will be carrying that round with me lots and hopefully take pictures of things. :)
Hope everyone had a SAFE and Merry Christmas!! :) Or whatever it is that you celebrate I hope you had a safe and happy time!! :)

Happy Birthday to MEEEEEEEEE

Because I like everyone knowing and celebrating with me..

TODAY I TURNED 25!! WOO HOO!!

Happy birthday to me
Happy birthday to me
Happy birthday dear me
Happy birthdya to meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

:) Yes Im a goof and LOVE when my birthday comes.. I got cards from my dad WITHOUT having to pester him for them I found that really nice!! :) and then from my mom and John whom always send me a card without fail even when Im 6 months late with theirs! :) got some ecards off of friends and this morning I got one from Mark sat against the tea kettle!! :) Last year he forgot to get me one but this year made up!! :) I love cards! hahaha....

The drop spindle was a gift from my friend Bonny who did a sneaky and sent it to me so THANK YOU SWEETIE!! I LOVE IT!! I did give it a play and have a tiny amount of spun yarn sitting on the side I swore pictures butI havent gotten round to it yet, but I promise I will...

See you all later and have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I LOVE MAIL!!!

Sweater is coming along got some of the arms done yesterday.. Today and tomorrow though Im going to slug through them and HOPEFULLY finish them!! I LOVE big needles and yarn... Just most of the time I prefer the look of the finished product using smaller yarn/needles I know Im all sorts of confusing when it comes to that. :)
The body was like 170? stitches worked in the round and on the cabled rows would take 10 minutes to do obviously when I was shaping it (first sweater in the round I added proper shaping to!!) it speeded up because I had alot less stitches working! :)

But okay onto some wicked news......
I GOT MY PACKAGE!!! AND OMG DOES IT ROCK!!! Im just not sure who its from???? I am going to go on a limb here and say its from my sp?? as shes the only one who knows Ive been craving a drop spindle.. and THATS WHAT I GOT!! WOO HOO My camera batteries are charging at the moment so I WILL be taking pictures later, I dont get to play JUST YET but trust me I WILL play soon!! :) THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for my gift!!!!!! Assulting the postman asking him to find it for me worked! :) Yesterday I ran into him and asked if it was there he said hed find it for me and drop a note into the letter box and let meknow he found it.. he did and I picked it up this mornign!! WOO HOOO

Also today I got LOADS of mail!! :) Walked Mark to the door and he just kept picking it up and then handed it to me with a funny look and said "its all for you" .... I love mail becuase I NEVER get any but one time a year! AHAHAHAHA :) I got 2 birthday cards (one made me cry and the other laugh... the crying one was piglet getting a BIG hug from pooh bear he knows Im a fan) from my dad each with pictures in it from when I was about 10!! Made me laugh... and I got a christmas card from him with a picture of him and his girlfriend with Santa... :) He gave me money too thats going for a new winter coat. :) Not that I NEED one it just what I WANT because the sleeves on mine are slightly to short and its now annoying me. I like extra long arms that I can wrap around my hands. hahah.... And then I got a birthday card and christmas card from his girlfriend. :) I got a birthday card (that made me cry!!) and christmas card from my Mom and John. And then out of the blue I got a christmas card from my friend Cassie with a picture of her and her partner and their baby she had a year ago.. I will have to be sure to write her becuase I lost her email AND phone number AND home addy over the year and havent been able to get ahold of her now I got her home addy to at least write and say thank you. :)
So I made out today... :) Actually its made my day!! Okay so really I should have waited until Saturday for it all, but hey why not party/celebrate for the rest of the week? ehehhe I still have Marks pressie to open Saturday.. hmm wonder what hes going to get me... :D As Im not even sure what I want! HAAHAHHA

Body down, arms to go....

I finished the body!!! WOO HOO!!! Okay so I should have finished it yesterday and started teh sleeves but I spent most of the day walking to and from the post office standing in line for 30 minutes both times to be told they STILL couldnt find my package (of which I dont know WHAT it is or WHO its from!!)... So not much knitting was done yesterday I STARTED to cast off just didnt finish it... I just finished it now!! :) And I took a picture. Umm my picture SUCKS! but here it is...

Yes I know it looks horrible, but I was trying ot fix it,,, so imagine what it looked like BEFORE! Obviously once I finish it I will get my lovely Mark to take some nice pictures of me! :) I mean of it! haha.... I am not entirely sure if Im going to have enough for a big floppy turtleneck collar but we will see once I finish the sleeves and I suppose Ill knit until I cant knit anymore... I should have enough for the sleeves... :)
Speaking of which I am going to go start those now while listening to loads of lovely christmas songs!! :)
Now I know I shouldnt complain but please MTV and VH1 and The Box or whatever that music channel is called can you lot please play PROPER christmas songs and not whats the christmas number 1 becuase most of them arent even freaking christmas songs!!! I suppose Ive been spoiled by listening to loads of artist remaking known christmas carols and only those tending to be played on the radio growing up over here it is different.... Thankfully I got me loads (well 250) christmas songs... Jenn is a happy christmas knitter now! hahaha....

Tis the season to be jolly.....

Secret Pal, we stayed in South Bend Indiana. I think I was like 11? I cant remember how old I was I just remember I had a broken nose and two BIG black eyes and looked like a racoon that summer! HAHAHA :) But a friend of the family moved out there and we went to go visit them spent a week or two? out there with them, it was great! And we went and seen Notre Dame, my dad being a HUGE (american) football nut that was his highlight of the trip he was like a kid in a candy store. I thought it was pretty cool myself. :) You know specially with THIS (for those of you not into american college football you can see this from the endzone of the football stadium it is rather stunning!).... We went we say we took pictures (of course I have none here in England dads got them all back in Ohio...
Anna the sweater sat there for so long that after thinking about it for ages I finallly got the never to rip it to bits (or well balls) trust me I had a sinking feeling the whole time thinking OMG AM I DOING THE WRONG THING!! STOP NOW BEFORE ITS TO LATE! But of course I didnt... I just kept on going, as you said it looks great now and well will (in my mind) look great when I finally finish it! I cant wait. :)

Now on to some christmas fun.....
Whats your favorite christmas treats to eat? Mine are all the yummie cookies and pies! Chocoalte chip cookies are my fav to make and I just use the recipe from Nestle Tollhouse its never failed me yet! :) Of course I delete the chopped nuts, not that they arent good I just find them a pain if I dont use the whole bag and find it a bit of a waste of money as well... So whats your favorite snack to eat and how do you make it?? (can you tell I want to make some new stuff this holiday season!)

Our tree, okay so its short I think its like only 5foot..... But its our tree and I like it.. Next year I want to not be so lazy and actually knit some ornaments for it considering the tree has ALWAYS looked the same I havent bought new ornaments for it since we first got it. :) but its our tree and it makes me happy! :)

I rolled this into balls today and look how pretty it is!! and OMG is it soft!! I cant wait to cast on with it. :) I got (or rather should have) some free needles in the size the pattern calls for (2.75mm) US2.... I mean come on whats another pair of socks and a sweater? I normally only knit one thing at a time but those colours really have me drooling... I swear it was an actual pleasure to wind those skeins up by hand and seeing the colours change slowly from the pink to the purple. Well I say pink but its a pinky purple more then pink... :) SO PRETTY!! I cant wait to have them as socks.. Maybe just MAYBE I can knit them quick enough along with my sweater and have a new sweater and pair of socks to wear, who cares if I dont have pants I got a new sweater and socks! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Right I better get off of here and go KNIT!! :)

Secret Pals ROCK!

So on Saturday just after I woke up I went down and checked the mail and I had a card waiting for me to say I missed my mail like a fool and had to wait until MONDAY! to pick it up. How could I wait all saturday and sunday knowing there was a goodie waiting to be picked up from the postoffice that was from my secret pal???? But I behaved and I waited and I slept in this morning. OOPS! I had plans of going down at 7am to pick it up but couldnt until 9 when I woke up. haha.. Actually turned out to be 10 by the time I got it becuase I had to run to the store first... :)
Anyways.... I went in the pouring rain becuase I wanted to know what was there so bad and I picked it up!! :)

There is what was waiting for me!! Two BEAUTIFUL skeins of Zebrato II handdyed 100% superwash wool.. sock yarn! and its so pretty!!!

On my screen those colours do look pretty much the same, lovely shades of purple and pinks.
There is a basic toe up pattern to follow as well which I will just do a simple plain sock with these just to show off the beautiful colours on it! :)
THANK YOU SECRET PAL... YOU ROCK!!! :)

And on a side note heres the progress so far on my sweater, planning on getting it finished for xmas. :)

I promise its not that dirty looking!!! HAHAHA Its plain white but I had to play with some settings to try and bring out the cable pattern. The rest of its boring to look at so thats why I just cropped it down. :) But yep Im trying to get it sorted for xmas so that I have something nice and comfy to wear that means I gotta get knitting and quick!! :) Actually its going super quick on its own! I love knitting with big needles sometimes! :D (mind you I do still like small needles but sometimes a big is better)

4 things

I have been tagged by a secret person.....

Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. McDonalds (and every station that was there but manager!)
2. Graters Ice Cream (ever go to Cincinnati GO THERE! scooped icecream, sold baked goods, closed)
3. DSM (machined parts basically was a "grease monkey" loved the job too!)
4. Wal-Mart (developed film, LOVED that job! Nosey people do!)

Four movies I would and or do watch over and over again:
1. Schindlers List
2. Green Mile
3. Shawshank Redemption
4. Pay It Forward

Four places I have lived:
1. Cincinnati Ohio
2. Calgary Alberta
3. Luton England
4.

Four t.v. shows I love to watch:
1. Grey's Anatomy
2. Americas/Britains Next Top Model
3. Desperate Housewives
4. America Choppers OCC

Four places I have been on vacation:
1. Indiana (USA)
2. Calgary (Canada)
3. Banff (Canada)
4. Caister (England)

Four of my favorite foods (meals):
1. Soup
2. Fresh spaghetti and meatballs (made by me!)
3. Fresh tuna
4. Chocolate

Four of my favorite books:
1. Anything so far by Jodi Picoult
2. Anything so far by Dean Koontz
3. Anything so far by John Saul
4. Tale of Two Cities (was forced to read that at school but really enjoyed it!)

Four friends who I want to do this Meme:
1. You there
2. You over there in the corner
3. You there in front of the computer
4. And You there hiding behind the name of SP :)

Updating

So on Wednesday I made myself some cookies.. I say myself only because Mark doesnt tend to eat cookies. I dont know how he can do that but he does! I LOVE COOKIES! okay I just love anything thats bad for you! HAHAHA But I made them Wednesday gave a couple out and I have pretty much ate the rest. YUM! chocolate chip cookies are the best!!!
Yesterday I ripped apart one of my sweaters that I knitted ages ago purely becuase its like 5 sizes to big (I dont know how it should actually be slightly to small!) and its been sitting in the corner for ages I have worn it a couple of times but I really started to hate it and thats why I havent worn it in ages. So anyways yesterday I ripped it all to bits and wrapped it all up into balls and started to knit a different sweater with it. :) I got rather far with the knitting as well! Its going to be another top down sweater with a cowl/turtle neck thingy. Hopefully I finish knitting it by xmas so that I can wear it! I know thats asking alot but I think if I push myself I can do it! And lets not forget to also add that its on 5.5mm needles. I havent given up on the toothpick socks its just I want a cuddly sweater for xmas day to wear and then Ill do the socks promise!
Today I went into town and returned a shirt I got for Mark yesterday that didnt look right on him. While I was down there I made him some business cards on one of those machines that you just pick and type in what you want it to say. Got 20 for 2£, and then when I came home today I played around on the computer and made him one, he liked it, but just wasnt what he really wanted so he looked around and seen a couple and then I had an idea of what he was looking for and spent about an hour making one just right for him. So tomorrow after he wakes up with a killer hangover from his works christmas party then he gets to go to staples and buy some cards and figure out how to print the things up properly! :) I did print it out on a sheet of paper and they look really cool! He used to have some ages ago but of course hes not got any so now he will have more. Im rather proud of my efforts on it as well...

ignore the blured bits on it thats his info that Ive blured. But if your looking for an electrician (rewiring, heating, sound systems, just ask he does alot of stuff!) around Luton or a resonable distance from email me at tiggerjenn at gmail dot com and Ill pass your info on to him. :) *I know cheap ploy for the bf!*
But thats what I worked on, looks sorta simple and I suppose it was really but it was getting everything JUST RIGHT for him. :)
Now I am off to knit on the sweater and watch telly while hes out.. Not really sure what to do with myself normally hes here with me. HAHAHAHAHAHA And I dont have any pics of the sweater yet but I really should take some and post Ive just been to lazy to get the camera out during the day....

One Word

One. Word. Meme. No. Exceptions. and. No. Cheating.

Yourself: waking
Your boyfriend/girlfriend (spouse): Mark :)
Your hair: pony-tail
Your mother: bestfriend
Your father: far
Your favorite Item: book
Your dream last night: ??? (I cant remember it)
Your favorite drink: sprite
Your dream car: TRUCK!
The room you are in: bedroom
Your ex: nice
Your fear: BUGS!
What you want to be in 10 years? here
Who you hung out with last night? Mark :)
What you're not: horrible
Muffins: blueberry
One of your wish list items: winter coat
Time: best
The last thing you did: blogs
What you are wearing: pjs
Your favorite weather: sunny
Your favorite book: All
The last thing you ate: cherry drops
Your life: getting there
Your mood: good
Your best friend: canada
What are you thinking about right now? happiness
Your car: reebok express (heheh)
What are you doing at this moment: waking up
Your summer: summer?
Your relationship status: loved
What is on your TV? news
What is the weather like? blah!
When is the last time you laughed? last night
Who do you tag? you

I stole it from Anna and even she said it was a bit hard. And yep I found it slightly hard to get just the right word. Because some I feel like I need to explain oh well! And I stole it from Anna but I have seen them all over only just now decided to do one as Ive got no knitting to post, still working on the toothpick socks but havent done enough to really talk about...

Whats that you say? You love socks?

I finished my secret knit... Its a gift that I will be sending with whatever else I find for my sp. But heres a sneak preview of it. :)

It was a quick and mindless tv knit but I do love the way it turned out and I did want to keep it for myself, but Im being a good girl and gifting it to my sp. I still need to give it a wash and a light hand block but I love it none the less I hope my sp likes it too!! :)
And heres those dang blasted toothpick socks

See only 4.5in so far from the toe, man is it ever going SLOW! Still have another like 3 inches to knit before I can even think of turning the heel.. UGH! I swear these socks WILL get finished and I will LOVE them to bits but I hate them right now because how long they are taking. And to think I want to make my mom and John (step dad) some socks as well.. HA! well okay actually I will do it, but umm I hope they dont hold their breath till they are done and I hope their toes dont get frost bite.... :S
Thats all I gotta show for now, figured some pictures were needed since Ive done posts with none in them at all...
btw, my tooth is feeling SLIGHTLY better, I was able to close my mouth this morning but now I ate my lunch its been aggravated and I cant close it. :( I knew I shouldnt have tempted fate.... Oh well! and I been cleaning like a mad woman and scrubbing things and dusting and now I cant stop sneezing, oh how I love when that happens.. NOT! But it does make everything oh so pretty. :) Been doing lots of laundry as well.. can you tell I been doing everything but knitting?? yeah me too... I did however knit a whole 2 rows yesterday on those socks... Im just that good.. BLAH! off to go fling the sheets over the radiators to dry and throw another load in the wash and try to knit another 2 rows on me socks... the 3 inches will come one day! :)

Just a whinge....

Not to much going on round this neck of the woods...
I managed to make a ham, boiled taters and carrots, along with some stuffing for Thanksgiving on that Friday. Mark picked at the ham and had some sandwhiches from it. I had dinner twice it was so yummie!!!!
Now on the knitting front well Ive done about 4 rows on my toothpick socks and about 10 rows on the gift. Yes I have decided what I am knitting is actually going to be a gift to send to my sp along with whatever else I find to send her in the next lot. I have ideas I just havent gotten anything yet. The first package I sent her she loved. :)
The other day I went on a spring, okay winter clean and while I was scrubbing things my hand found a peice of glass that I thought I had cleaned all up from a broken pot lid (yeah I thought those werent meant to break either but umm the do when accidentally left on an open flame then picked up! *Mark honestly didnt know it was in the flame*). But my hand found the small piece of glass and I got a nice cut just below my thumb from it. It looks nasty.
As well I got a mouth ache. I would call it a toothache but my teeth dont hurt its just my wisdom tooth trying to come all the way through I swear thats the problem. So Ive just been wanting to lay around and cry about that and my hand the last couple of days.
Now off to go get under the covers and moan some more about my mouth. :) btw, TCP taste NASTY but it is making my mouth feel better. :) And keeping it clean while my wittle toofie is coming out...

Turkey Day....

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Well at least those in the states celebrating.
I will be doing my dinner tomorrow night, having a sweet ham, mashed taters, boiled carrots, and fresh yummie stuffing! :) Was going to make the dinner tonight but seeing as though its not celebrated here in England Marks gotta work late tonight and get up in the morning and have a rush day at work to make it home in the afternoon for a docs appointment. To much food will slow him down, thats why I will be making it Friday. :) A day out aint bad? :)
Soup I made yesterday turned out YUMMIE! Mark took 2 bowls worth to work with him I ate a bowl and a half last night it was so good and he of course had a bowl as well, Ive had half a bowl for my breakfast... yes yes yes I know its not breakfast food but hush, its good!... and tonight I will eat some more for dinner and hopefully be able to find Mark a side of cow hes been good eating chicken and fish he needs some beef now and again... And I think after my dinner tonight means that pot of soup will be gone, it was a big pot as well! But about right 6-8 bowls of soup in each pot of soup we have made...
The knitting is coming along, I knit about 16 rows on my secret project and 2 rows on my toothpick socks. See heres my problem with my toothpick socks. I have a naturally sweaty problem. Regardless what I try to do how high/low I keep the temp I either have cold hands and feet or sweaty hands and feet. Mark refuses to hold my hand for long periods because of how bad they can get. Ive always been like this, and hey lets not forget I have oily skin/hair. I would love to know what its like to be able to wash my hair every other day... anyways I digress!... So my problem with the toothpick socks is due to my hands being sweaty and the needles being so small my hands being pretty much closed and trying to concentrate on the small work makes my hands even more sweaty and lets face it, sweaty hands and knitting dont mix... But I get times in the day I have dry hands and I make the most of it and knit as much as I can. But of course that only lasts for a couple minutes hence the short amount of rows completed.
Now Im off to dry my hands, which heres another problem I have, because I have such wet hands my hands are often dry and irritated, specially in the winter I get little red skin rashes on them, I do try lotions but give up on them after they just make my wet hands worse! UGH! Oh well... at least I can knit. :)
Off now to try and knit on me socks...
Happy Thanksgiving once again! :)

Its soup time...

Well it did stop raining, but its back now, and boy is it getting cold. Okay not as cold as Canada, or well from what my mom told me they are having a high this week of -19c where shes living on her farm..... them poor mini donkies and horse! Oh yeah and poor her and John! :) hehe...
Anyways today we decided that we were going to have a nice tomato bean chicken soup.... YAHOO, I never made fresh before! So yesterday I bought all the tomatoes, all 30 of them! Today I peeled and deseeded them and prepared them in the food processor. Meaning I turned it on to chop them into bits without making mush out of them. That took me 1.5 hours and included the clean up. Not to bad if I say so myself! :) Im getting good at making light work of tomatoes after all the fresh pasta sauce Ive made. But I keep forgetting when dealing with the things that if you have a wee cut on your finger its going to find it and sting from time to time.. Oh well its worth having a yummie meal! Soup is now simmering away so Ill be looking to eat in a couple of hours. Cant beat a nice warm fresh bowl of soup! :)
So anyways enough about weather and food I know what you guys want.. you want to hear about knitting.... Ive made little progress on my toothpick socks. Maybe thats what I will actually name them!... I have a complete 3 repeats of the 16 row repeat finished. I probably have another one or two to do before I even thinking of doing the short row heel. But its coming along! :) I have also started another project. I know I know Im one to stick to one thing at a time but Im cheating on myself! The other project is something Im not sure about yet, and unfortunately I cant say much about! See Im not sure if Im going to keep it or gift it! I know I know thats being selfish! But I like spoiling myself! :) So depending what I decide to do Ill let you all know more! :)
I want to eventually get into town and buy the knitting pattern a day calender. We have a new store that opened up and it sells loads of calenders and I spotted the knitting one! So soon that will be mine... I also want to get Mark one that has facts and pictures on space... It just looks cool and hes interested in that sort of stuff, my only problem is would he use it? Or would it sit in the corner of his desk collecting dust.. hmm.. Ill have to think some more....
Thats about it for now... Off to go stir the soup... :) oh yeah and knit!

Always carry an umbrella

This is why in England when they say on the news its going to rain and their are grey clouds in the sky you should ALWAYS take your umbrella with you!

Now I dont mind getting wet, but come on! It was COLD! and every time I walked past a corner I got a cold breeze which made it even colder I stopped and only buttoned up one button becuase it was raining to hard and I just wanted to get home.... All for the love of hot chocolate! :) Now Im towl drying some of the rain from my hair and sitting in my pj bottoms while my jeans are on the heater drying and my coat is on the back of the chair facing the heater drying.. UGH! and oh listen.. its raining again, man sounds heavier Im glad I am home and not getting wet anymore...
Why is it that when your a kid you LOVE running and playing in the rain but as you get older that just isnt the way anymore? Okay so secretly I enjoyed walking in the rain but I was glad to get inside, I just hope I dont catch another cold now from this. :)

All things fun...

So I took the plunge, I went to the new blogger and then I even went to the new layout style. Okay so it took some fiddling to figure out how to get the site meter in there, and then again how to try and add a picture to the side bar.. but all in all I am happy. Hey look I changed the colours of the fonts and all that, Now that makes me HAPPY! I like pinks and pretty things and now Im all pretty, AWWW. :)
Watching tv this morning I spotted a fashion bit that made me laugh. Wearing a sweat jacket and gym shoes (trainers) with a nice fancy party dress. Now see this makes me happy that its cool to do that, I shall run out and go buy me a new party dress, sweat jacket, and trainers! HAAH YEAH RIGHT! As much as I dont need an excuse to get dressed up I would NEVER wear trainers with a dress, no matter how much I HATE heels, only because I cant find ones I wont break my neck in... But man how good is that to know you can walk around in gym shoes and your party dress and know you look cool??? Come on everyone should go out and do it, be like nations party trainer day or something? HAHAHAHA
So the socks are socking along SLOWLY! Who knew that knitting with 2mm needles would be like knitting with toothpicks every move you make afraid your going to snap the things in half! I was doing only 1 row for a couple of days, and then yesterday I did like 6 rows.. I know moving FAST.... about fast as a turtle anyways. haha It is coming along and I cant wait to have them finished, love the look, and the blue I am using. Its a Rowan 4ply Soft, OMG! I need to make a sweater with this stuff, okay will take AGES to make but its so SOFT and LOVELY! and I can see myself cuddled up with my socks and sweater in it on the couch on a coldish day... okay so it may be NEXT year by the time its finished but who cares!....
Off to start dinner, a nice long slow cooked stew, yummie! Then Im going to knit another row on the socks. :)

Interesting things about me...

I cant remember who I stole this from, but its all over the blogs anyways. :)
1. FIRST NAME? Jennifer
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? I will have to ask my mom..
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? I think it was thrusday while watching Greys Anatomy. AHAH (and Im only on season 2 so shhh dont tell me anything)
4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Sometimes when I take my time but when Im rushing I think it looks like chicken scratch..
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? Anymore ham or chicken....
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Yes, because Im nice.
7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? yep right here.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? yes.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? I would LOVE to! But Id probably puke my guts out before I even got to the top and would have to be pushed off. hahaha
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Rice Crispies
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? No, but I try to remember!
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Strong minded, yes, strong physically, HA!, but I am stronger then people sometimes think I am but I think Im weak compared to my mom who can push her piano all over the house and it takes me 10 minutes to push it out of its spot not even a centimeter away.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Vanilla, cookies and cream, or cookie dough, depends what they have at the store when I go to get me some. :)
14. SHOE SIZE? 7 or 8 depending on the shoe.
15. RED OR PINK? Pink
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? Inability to take criticism constructively.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My mommy.. even though I talk to her nearly every day I still miss her!!...
18. WHAT FOOD WILL GET YOU OUT OF BED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT? If Im sleeping, NOTHING... If Im just kind of laying there, chocolate...
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS, SHIRT AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? No pants, or shirt, or shoes! Geesh... Im wearing my fuzzy tigger slippers got as a gift from friends last year for xmas/bday... and Im wearing a black with white polka dots wrap dress... See I am not sitting here naked!
20. LAST THING YOU ATE? Toasted cheese sandwhich, yummie!
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? This Old House and also the washer...
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Purple, not to dark but not to bright colour either.
23. FAVORITE SMELL? Cinnamon, fresh baked bread/cookies. :)
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Actually that was Mark this weekend. Needed to know what he wanted from the store because I fergot what he told me before I left...
25. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? Smile/eyes
26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON you stole THIS from? I cant remember who I stole it from.. but its on blogs I read and I wouldnt read them if I didnt like em! :D
27. FAVORITE DRINK? Sprite or hot choccie
28. FAVORITE SPORT ? BLAH! I hate sports.. sorry its my fathers fault for shoving them down our throats growing up and not allowing us to watch anything but... But if I were playing? Softball...
29. EYE COLOR? Brown
30. HAT SIZE? Err the hat I just made was 22in around I got a big head its for all my brains. HAAHHAHAHA
31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? no but I wear glasses I cant stick my fingers in my eyes anymore...
32. FAVORITE FOOD? Mac and cheese, chicken
33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy Endings
35. SUMMER OR WINTER? Winter, I love snow
36. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs, they make you feel safe..
37. FAVORITE DESSERT? Creamy cheese cakes
38. WHAT SIDE OF THE BED DO YOU SLEEP ON AND WHY? The left, Im not sure why, its just where I started sleeping the first time I climbed into bed.. and I like facing the wall while I sleep (evidentually I dont snore on my left side?)
39. IF YOU DIDN'T MAKE THE DECISION TO GET MARRIED AND HAVE A FAMILY, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING TODAY? Well Im not married, and I dont have a family, but Im in a serious relationship... If I werent here Id probably still be in Canada living on a farm with my mom and step dad. hahahaha
40. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? On the Run by Greg and Gina Hill
41.WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Mark doesnt use one.
42. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? Friends and Judge Judy...
43. FAVORITE SOUNDS? I suppose Mark saying goodmorning and my mom on the phone?
44. ROLLING STONE OR BEATLES? hmm Im not sure I like things from both of em and dont like things from both of em..
45. THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? What counts as home? from where I was born England, but first Canada, but then that was home, and now this is home so like I say, what counts as home?
46. WHAT IS YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? I can knit, make people smile and look on the brighter side of things...
47. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Cincinnati, Ohio
48. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? No one I stole it from someone, just cant remember who...

Cuteness and Sockness

I thought I would start this post off with something cute....

This little guy is at the very top of a tree on a TINY branch taking a nap... I was doing the dishes and looked out the window and there he was so I ran got the camera, opened the window and zoomed into getting him because he was in the neighbors tree on the other side of their yard... but aint he cute just sitting there sunning? :)

This is my swatch blocking for the pair of socks that Ive decided I wanted to make. Of course designing them myself with using the toe up formula from knitty.com...

OMG LOOK!!! That is my FIRST crochet cast on THAT ACTUALLY WORKED!!! And it came undone easily!! :) I found a site (cant remember where nor cant find it now) that said just crochet AROUND the needle and then your loops were already on them. Well I doubled the needle, ie held both ends together, and then crocheted around so that the crocheted cast on was nice and loose. This morning I took it off and was HAPPY with how easy it was and if I had to do it again I will because in the past I failed miserably each time Ive tried doing them...

Here is the first toe that I did, nearly finished with the short row shaping. I did each toe seperately to get ready to pick up the stitches and then I joined them together on my two circular needles. I was going to do both at the same time but just sort of started the first and kept working on it and then went OOPS! Ill do the second one when Im finished.... :)

Heres the two toes with the stitches picked up and the first row of the pattern worked and look at those BEAUTIFUL stitch markers. I was gifted those by Annarella Check her stuff out shes brilliant. :) .... But see those socks are being worked at the same time on two circular needles. Ive just split the stitches in half which happens to be 64 total so I got 32 on one and 32 on the other. Front of the sock is on one needle and the back is on the other. You just work the 32 sts from the first sock drop that yarn pick up the yarn for the other sock and knit the 32 sts for that one turn the sock around so your working the other side now and repeat. Once you get the hang of it, its so easy to work both at the same time and you never get the single sock syndrom and all your socks will have partners. Now its only up to you to finish them or you will just half half done partners. hehe

Not entirely why I took this picture just felt I had to, perhaps to show you the inside of the toe? or maybe to show them on the circular needles? I dont know really! But thats me socks as of now.... Again Im writing what Ive done so I can do a pattern if anyone wants..

Now Im off to go shopping and come back and knit on my socks.. Last night I made soup with a little help from Mark and it turned out YUMMIE!!! Having some more tomorrow night just dont fancy more again tonight even though I could... instead Im going to eat it for lunch today. AHAHAHAHAHA Btw, its ham tater cabbage soup with some mixed beans and carrots..... its yummie and thick and loads to much on in it. :)

My Celeb Look Alikes....

I know 3 of those people.... hmmm is that a good thing or not? Doesnt really matter I kinda like thinking I may look like a famous person.... haha

Book worms attack!....

Well its gotten cold here now... Thankfully I knit my hat just in time as well!! :) Ive gotten comments while I have worn it how people like it and when they find out Ive knitted it say they would like one as well.. Thing is people have asked me to knit for them, I always turn them down. They offer to pay but yet I turn down why is this? Probably because no one realises the time and money it involves and while I knit for fun I never want it to feel like work. So thats why Im more easily to say no thanks I dont knit for others... Makes me sound highly selfish but I am more then happy to spend money of my own and time of my own and happily knit away and give a present to someone I know and love thats not a problem!! I just wont knit for people I dont know and offer to pay me becuase it seems like work in my mind..hmm.... Though one guy did comment on my hat said he liked it and had one similar at home. I said thats nice but you dont, becuase I made mine... His reply was "but yeah mines designer" I laughed and went may be, but so is mine, its a Jenn design because I did it all on my own thanks... he gave a smug smile and left it at that.... pft I dont care if you spent 100£ on a hat and I spent what 4£? I cant even remember what I paid for the skein.. but thats not me point.. me point is I MADE IT! HA!

So I still havent casted anything on my needles its been almost a week.. OMG! Whats wrong with me you ask? Ive turned into a book worm thats whats wrong.. that ever growing pile of books is starting to grow smaller... Ive read 2 books this week, well Im half way through the second one I know alot of people would have read it by now but I do read slightly slow even if Im always reading the book....

Book I read earlier this week was A Theory of Relativity by Jacwuely Mitchard I really liked the book, didnt want to put it down and couldnt wait till I woke up in the morning to finish reading it, which seems odd becuase I thought the book was scatter brained and sort of went from talking about one thing into talking about another thing. The story itself is about two families fighting for custody of this baby girl named Keefer. Her mommy and daddy died in a car accident and the moms brother (babys uncle) is one trying to get custody while cousins of the father are trying to fight for custody. Sad story but good. Would I recomend it? yep I would!

Book I am currently reading is The Divide by Nicholas Evans It is a story of a girl on the run from the FBI for acts of ecoterrorism, when finally found shes been murdered. Im just over half way through the book and again I dont really want to put this one down either... I just want to find out more and more... Its not normally a book I would buy but its from the same guy who wrote The Horse Whisperer and I remember reading that in highschool borrowing it off of my english teacher after whatching the film and JUST HAVING to read the book... I loved the book just as much if not more then the film.. And so far this book isnt a let down.. :)

Last night we had to go over to the bfs sisters house to return her computer that he fixed up for her and I found she had The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom I read Tuesdays With Morrie (again borrowed from my english teacher in highschool) and I really liked the book I think I actually have that one out front I remember buying it but I dont remember if I lent it to someone and never got it back Ill have to look another day... But anyways I have heard from many people about the five people you meet in heaven being a must read book. I have looked for it on ebay and when and if your able to find a copy goes for stupid amounts of money and I wont pay more then about 4£ for a book... So soon as I seen she had it I begged if I could borrow it and of course she said I could so thats my next book after I finish the one Im reading now.. :)

Alright theres me update, no knitting at the moment just lots and lots of reading....

What colour should your hair be?

I was checking out Beverleys blog and she had a quiz on there of what colour should your hair be? So I went and took it, now I have to laugh at the results becuase I have dyed my hair in the past and when I did I went as close to a purple colour that I could get to without actually going purple.... now Ive thought about going the whole hog and dying it purple over the summer but decided I should behave and have my natural colour hair, why? I havent a clue! I suppose because I think I should act grown up and not like a spotty teenage punk any more? hmm perhaps.. but anyways heres my results. :)

Your Hair Should Be Purple

Intense, thoughtful, and unconventional. You're always philosophizing and inspiring others with your insights.

What's Your Funky Inner Hair Color?

I just went and did another test, because I can. hahah they are slightly addictive..... I will stop now and go brush my should be purple hair. :)

You Are An ISFJ

The Nurturer You have a strong need to belong, and you very loyal. A good listener, you excell at helping others in practical ways. In your spare time, you enjoy engaging your senses through art, cooking, and music. You find it easy to be devoted to one person, who you do special things for. You would make a good interior designer, chef, or child psychologist.

What's Your Personality Type?

Socks and Hats and OH MY!

Finally I took pictures of my socks yesterday to post. While I was at it I took pictures of the hat that I created and finished. I messed up the first time as it was a couple inches to short so I tried to take the bottom rib out and then knit from there, but I messed it up BADLY and instead had to rip out from the top and start all over. Still took about the same amount of time. 1.5 days. Well actually it took more, but that was due to having a cold (again!) and no actually doing much knitting. On Wendnesday I ended up sleeping most of the day. Thursday thats all I wanted to do was sleep all day again but some how managed to stay up. Poor Mark had me snoring in very LOUDLY in his ear when I was sleeping on my right side so he tried to be nice and asked me to roll over on my left where for some reason I didnt seem to snore, or if I did it werent really all the loud and was toloerable. Then came the coughing. Now keep in mind Marks not felt good for the past month himself.... So once I started coughing I could see him whincing in pain and he kept asking me to take something for my cough becuase it was so how did he put it? oh yeah "aggresive" so I was jumping up and down from bed the last couple of days and running to another room to cough... he never asked me to do that, its just what I did...

Im not knitting anything at the moment. I am instead reading a book. Truth be told I got some wool out front Im just not sure what to do with it yet. I know two balls are going to be a pair of socks... I have yet to figure out which socks but I will fear not! :)

I know you only came to see the pictures and not read a load of rubbish.. so heres those pictures! :)

See my little diamonds?? :D These were knitin Rowan 4 ply cotton on 2.75mm needles. I got the patternish wrote down as what I did. Toe up socks. Basic help from knitty.com very happy with them!! :) Short row heels as well...

Just another view of them from the side, showing the heels, and the underfoot... they look a bit slouchy there, I know, but really they arent, they are a great fit, I have yet to wear them out for the day, but I am sure when I do they will be fine. :)

And a close upish of the pattern on the socks themselves. :) (and a slightly larger foto eeks...)

Now enough about the socks, lets get on to my hat!! And yep, I wrote down what I did for this lil guy as well, okay its more of a beanie then a hat but there you go. :) Was knit using Cascade 220 on 4mm needles. I will eventually take pictures of me wearing this thing but at the moment no camera is coming near my head... not when I look like Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and have a very dry flakey nose.... no no no.....

Its got a 2x2 rib on the edge and then mirrored cables going around with a purl 4 ridge between each cable. I was trying to find something to suit Mark and in the end had given up seen the mirrored cabled look in my stitch guide and just went yeah Ill do that worked out the maths casted on and went a knitting.... I like my end product. Mark wont wear one like this, so he will get a store bought hat, and to be fair, he probably would have endedup with on anyways after he lost the hate I could have knit for him if I could have found something he liked.... Men are fussy... regardless what they say!

a quickie

I finally took pictures of my finished socks, and I have finished my hat and took pictures (not of me wearing the hat though!) hopefully I will get them posted soon! I just wanted to update and let everyone know that they are done and taken...
Now I am off to go cough and annoy my sweetie because I got a cold AGAIN! ARG! take care!

3 times lucky?

Okay Im sorry still no pictures of my socks, I swear they are finished, and I swear they are still sitting on the front couch. I just need to run to town and pick up some sort of nylon like thread to sew into them before I model them. Why you ask? Because I knit them in 100% cotton and Im not going to stretch them out of shape until I have something in them that will hopefully hold them into shape! :)
I have decided pretty much Mark aint getting a winter hat knitted for him. He said he doesnt want a plain one, but then when I make test squares he says they are too "poofy"! So instead I have figured out a look that I LIKE and am going to knit the hat for myself I told him if he likes it Ill knit him the same one and we can have matching hats. I laughed with delight he looked at me scared... I dont think hes going to go for it! HAHAHAHA So last night while I was trying to figure it all out and thought I had I was wrong. But after today of recasting on for the third time I should have it right. :) Now once I get done with the casting on and knitting straight in the round for a couple of inches Im not sure what to do for shaping, Ill figure it as I go, rip a couple more times and in the end have a kickarsed hat! :)
I havent done much knitting since I finished the socks, but I did read Jodi Picoult The Perfect Match, sad book but ever so good. I think shes an excellent writer because she makes you feel like you are right in there with the characters so I love reading her books....
Now Im off to go do the things I gotta do.....

Feeling kinda geeky!

Im not alway serious I swear! HAHA But I do hate taking pictures of myself, so this is my "I feel like a really big dork pose"... But look its my finished sweater!! :)

This is my "I am finding this highly amusing now pose"... But this is only another shot of the sweater this time with the arms properly pulled down. I just finished the dishes as well...

Top down vneck raglan. Plain stocking stitch. Took about 2 week and a little over 7 50g balls of Artesan Alpaca. I love the feel of this sweater, its my fav now I think! :) I have 2 and a bit balls left becuase I got 10 thinking I would need them all. Im not sure yet what to make with them but Illmake something.

I also finished my purple socks. I havent taken pics of them yet so Im going to make you all wait for those. I just finished them this morning!

Getting to know you... getting to know all about you...

One of the Secret Pal hostess, Jody of Javajem challenged us to answer the following simple questions in a task of getting to know more about us... so heres mine. :)

1. Where is your favorite knitting spot?
If Im home alone its on the couch in the front room in front of the big bay window, lots of light that way and Im watching the telly. If Marks home from work its on the bed with my little light on nad knitting away while talking to him or watching telly with him.

2. If you suddenly could never knit again (shudder) - what would you do instead?
I would read and read. I love to read. :) Id probably find some other craft to go mad over like sewing....

3. If you could travel anywhere in the world - where would you go and why?
Well I made my trip to England becuase I live there now. :) I grew up in the states so its not there, I spent two years in Canada, so its not there either..... I know, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Japan, or Australia! :) I would love to visit all of those places because each one holds interest to me for their own reasons...

4. When you were little - What did you want to do "when you grew up?" Are you doing it?
I always wanted to be a doctor! No Im not doing that now, in fact Im a stay at home gf. :) I suppose one day when I get an actual job it would be after going back to school for nursing, I may be 60 before that happens but I will do it one day. :)

5. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Cookie Dough!!! YUMMIE!!! Or if I cant find any, plain vanilla, I know boring but I love it....

Pictures finally!!!

I HATE having to take pictures of myself. I feel like a complete and utter idiot! With that being said when I took these it was due to wanting to start the sleeves and Mark wasnt home from work. But this is my sweater! :) Well that WAS my sweater before I added a neck line and sleeves.... I havent washed it yet so theres no finished pictures. But this is what I have so far of my sweater. :) Isnt it pretty, Im ever so excited that I can look like a complete prep and all to my own doing!

Here are the start of my toe up own design socks! :) I was going to do a lace motif style on them. But I decided I rather liked the diamond look to them and thats what I have done. I took these the other day so I do have a bit more knit then this and I am nearly ready to knit the heels. I am working both at the same time as you can see! :)

Heres is the toe of the sock, this is the purled wrap overs, and I find they are neat on both the outside and the inside... and that leads me nicely to the following....

This is the knit side of wrap overs. The last I think it was two I did the knit two together through the back of the loops and I should have done that from the start, even though it doesnt say to, it just makes a neater edge on both the inside and the outside.

I got the generic toe up pattern off of www.knitty.com They also say to use a crochet cast on, I am RUBBISH as them, so I just did a backwards loop cast on over a bit of string on the needle and that held my loops so I do have a visible seam under the toes, but Ive put these socks on to try and make sure they are fitting nicely (and they are!) and so far I have no issues because the seam is sitting nicely in a spot that doesnt bother. :) not to mention on the inside there isnt a large thick seam to bother me anyways. :)

Now there are the pictures and the update, as you can see Mark installed photoshop for me so that I can at least resize and edit my photos, woo hoo! :)

Finished and Started

Oh yeah I rock, I finished my sweater on Thursday morning. Really I could have finished it on Wednesday night but it got to dark and so I stopped knitting and decided to hold the 9 rows off until Thursday. :) So ITS FINISHED!!! I just have hand wash it and let it dry then take pictures I will do that eventually....
I started my toe up on two circular needles. WOO HOO They are going great! Last night (Thursday) I started on them and finished the toe bit. This morning I picked up the bottom edge of the toe and have started knitting in the round for the foot, got 2 pattern repeats done. Just doing a small purled diamond motif thingy on them. They look good so far! And working them both atthe same time on two cirs is pretty simple, thought it would be slightly confusing but its not. Only part the was confusing was picking up the stitches and instead of doing it at the same time I did them one by one and had them backwards on the needle so I pulled the needle out and turned it the right way and quickly picked up the stitches before I lost them! :)
Hopefully be showing pictures of everything soon, Ill have to sort out something on this computer so that I can resize me fotos....

Knitting, eating, and drinking

Well I thought I would be posting today to say that I finished the sleeve, but I am not!
Monday some stuff went on that was rather upsetting and worrying that I got not a single stitch knitted. Thankfully everything is going to be alright and that makes me happy!
Yesterday normalish knitting service resumed. There were still things that needed to be done but I did knit and got a nice chunk done I suppose the sleeve will be finished no later then Friday night and I can sort out the socks I want to make as well as figure out how I would love my hat to look. Anna you gave a good idea of cables Im just not entirely sure Mark would go for that. Hes ever so picky but the guy is at least getting it in black as that will hopefully stay the cleanest when hes working.
On Monday before everything went pear shapped I went into town and I was rather excited because I found me some Kraft Mac&Cheese, okay so its the slightly rubbish one that you add milk and water to instead of the gloopy cheese ready to poor in, BUT its still yummy and its still sitting in my cupboard! :) I also found Cream of Wheat YUMMIE!!! I had some yesterday for breakfast and Ill be eating me some more as well! :) Also found some KoolAid, I only found the premixed with sugar one instead of the little packets thats alright I know where the packets are hopefully they dont charge an arm and a leg for them like the freaking mixed one was! Yes I drink the stuff and I know your able to dye yarn with it, you can also dye hair with it (just add some water and dip your hair in and it washes out) but I still drink it because its yummie! Anywyas, I was happy to find these things as the Ive not had them in the last 3.5 years, well minus the mac and cheese someone sent that over to me! :)
I also picked up some magazines, the newest Knit1 (that one from vouge) the TV issue, theres an alright looking hat and matching scarf, cabled of course in there that looks alright... Maybe if done in black I can pass it off to Mark (the hat) and he will wear it hmmm....... I also picked up the current Knit Today, Im still not entirely sure of it, though there were some decent intarsia/fairisle graphs in there that I am thinking of using to turn into wrist warmers in my ever growing Id like to knit pile. :) Also picked up Womans Weekly Knitting and Stitching Special, VERY happy with that, more I suppose for all the Alan Dart toy patterns, not that I play with toys, but the bears are ever so cute and the mice are ADORABLE! :) Theres also some nice cardigans in it as well. :)
Okay off to go make me some breakfast then knit on my sleeve.
(ps for easy reach I added the sp question link to the side, or look down for the post)

Sweaters Hats and Things

Thought I would post a quickie. :)
My sweater is coming along most wonderfully!! :) I got to the first decrease for the second sleeve, not exactly half way down, but I will be by the end of the day, actually I hope to be further along then half. I should have been further along then I am but I got to talking to my dad and sister on the phone last night and sort of forgot to knit, I know how dare I do that! But when you talk to my sister its easily done. I also talked to my neice who started kindergarden this year and is learning to read and really likes her teacher and I talked to my nephew who got mad at his mommy because he was telling me about the toys he was going to go get to play with and she told him they were magnets. As hes still finding his voice but talks VERY well I kind of find it slightly hard to understand EVERYTHING he says so I thought he was yelling at me! HAAHHA I was corrected when my sister got back on the phone. :)
This weekend Mark said he would allow me to knit him a hat!!! WOOO HOOO now I just have to figure out how to make one properly, as I never have, but I dont see it being hard. Im going to make myself one first work out any kinks make him wear mine and make sure he will be alright and actually wear it before I go and knit him one. IF he doesnt complain then hes getting on knit for him, if he complains, hes getting a store bought one! Im not going to force it my hk hat on him, but I will try and tell him how lovely it is. hehehe...
Well thats it for the moment, off to take a picture of my sleeve before I finish it and FORGET! :) And then going to knit some more. Im not sure when Ill get the pictures up, but I will be speaking to my sweetheart about allowing me to install my rubbish on his computer so that I can edit me photos to a decent size. :)

SP9 Questions and Answers

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? Pretty much all. Im easy. :)
What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I HATE funky furs. *thats not animal fiber but I hate them*

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? The bags they come in and then in my knitting box, or big bag I have. I try not to loose them. hehe

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? I have been knitting for about 2 years, and I taught myself from a book and online videos out of boredom and the want to make myself pretty things.
Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? Depends I suppose. I am learning every day! :) But intermediate to advanced on most things. :)

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? No I dont. But there are two books I know I will eventually buy myself, Scarf Style and The knitters Handy Book of Sweater Patterns: Basic Designs in Mulitple Sizes and Gauges

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.) Vanilla. Cinnamon/Spice

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Its my downfall. :)
Favorite candy? Orange chocolate things, and peanut butter chocolate things.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? I want to learn to properly use a sewing machine. But just knitting and some crochet at the moment.
Do you spin? No but I would LOVE to learn. :)

8. What kind of music do you like? Country, rock, soul, r&b, hip hop, pop, easy listening, pretty much all types.
Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) Yes it does.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Pinks, purples, blues, naturals.
Any colors you just can't stand? Neon colours!

10. What is your family situation? Live with my bf. No kids.
Do you have any pets? No pets. :(

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Everything but ponchos.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Sweaters

13. What are you knitting right now? Top down v-neck raglan in grey Alpaca. Nearly finished and going to attempt a pair of socks on two circs working both at the same time toe up as well. :S Fingers crossed they turn out!

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? I would love something someone took time to make me. :)

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Lately Circular needles. I tend to get plastic or aluminum purely because of the cost (ie they are cheaper)

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? No but my table end or knees come in great for that! :) HAHA

17. How old is your oldest UFO? I gave up and tossed out some norwegain socks I started back in the summer just went off of them. Other then that I ALWAYS finish what I make. I tend to only work on one project at a time as well.

18. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas, because its a time that is spent with family (they dont celebrate thanksgivinging in the UK that used to be my second fav for the same reason)

19. Is there anything that you collect? Does yarn/wool count? :) Books. I love reading a good book.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? See answer 4. There are a couple of cook books that I will be asking for at xmas time. :) I cant think of any that I want and havent gotten myself yet. *I know, not a big help*
What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? Vouge knitting, Simply knitting *UK*, and I tend to buy the current issues of Interweave Knits as well. :)

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? I cant think of any. :)

22. Are you a sock knitter? Ive knit a couple pairs before but about to attempt my first two up two at a time on circs method. :) Hopefully that will fully convert me!
What are your foot measurements? 9in long. 9.5in round middle of foot.

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) December 23

If theres anything else you would like to know, please leave me a message and let me know, I will be glad to answer!! :)

Coming along...

My computer is still in the corner collecting dust and I am still using Marks computer, so this is going to be a pictureless post I do however have the picture on my camera so once I finish the sweater I suppose I iwll just have to install MY toys on Marks computer so that I can put the pictures up and crop them and resize them to manageable proportions.
Anyways......
I have finished the body of my grey alpaca vneck sweater. It looks GREAT! Well to me anyways. I used 5 balls minus the little ends I got to weave in. I have started the left sleeve didnt really do to much on it yesterday but I am working on it. :) The body goes just to the right place with an inch rib at the bottom of it so that it doesnt curl up. The vneck bit goes rather deeply down to my chest so its going to look lovely and smart with a nice button up shirt underneath or rather casual and relaxed with a bit of a tee under it... I cant wait until its all finished so I can wear it! :)
What I have learned so far.. Alpaca is lovely feeling and soft and FLUFFY! Make sure your not wearing anything that you dont mind brushing off after you have finished knitting. And if knitting on your bed make sure to brush off all hairs off the bed so that you dont sniff them up your nose of eat them in your sleep from cuddling up in the blankets.... Yes I have done both this last week! HAHAHA Will I make other sweaters with alpaca after this one? Well so far I have to say YES!!! I really do love it that much! :)
Now I just gotta finish my two sleeves and then I get to sort myself out two pairs of socks. Of course for me theres nothing like jumping in head first. I got the simple toe up method of sock making off of knitty printed out and its sitting next to the bed with my ultimate stitch pattern book and Ive been looking over the patterns theres a couple that I wouldnt mind doing I just have to figure out WHICH one I want to do. Then make my swatch, follow the maths and start my socks! I will be doing the toe up and I will be working both at the same time. Like I said, nothing like jumping in head first! :)
So off we go to knit some more of my sleeve....

Feels good to feel good

I am feeling better!! And Im knitting again! WOO HOO!!! I started to feel crappy Monday but ignored it telling myself I was fine, you know the whole mind over matter thing. Well Tuesday came and I knew I was in trouble when I woke up and it was like I snored really badly all night long but I still said Im fine. HA! By Tuesday night I was flat out in bed under covers AND STILL COLD, feeling absolutely miserable! YUCK! But I did knit like 2 rows on Tuesday. :) Wednesday came and I didnt leave the bed except to run down the store becuase I was feeling really lazy and I couldnt stand it! and I also stayed out of bed to talk to my mom on the phone and complain about how horrible I felt!HAHAH I didnt knit a single row Wednesday! :( Mark however took extra good care of me by doing the dishes AND cooking a lovely stew for dinner, my choice. :) He never complained about the dishes either, and he HATES doing them more then I do! HAHA... Thursday my cold broke during the night so I had a crap sleep but I was feeling better! and I knitted but not loads but I did try and make a good effort at it, there were still times I needed to lay down and stay under the covers and feel sorry for myself. :) But today, I feel GREAT! Okay I am not 100% as I still have an evil cough that makes it feel like Im trying to hack up glass but I feel GREAT! Been knitting ALL day to make up for the lack of knitting! :)
My sweater is coming along great. I got nearly 12 inches of the body done, only about another 8 or do until its at a length I like. Coming along easily as its plaing stst I am wizzing along and I am able to knit in the dark and watch telly because it matters not for me paying attention round and round I go.... weeeeeeeeeeee.... Sorry got caught up there. :)
Thank you Anna for the feel good vibes. :) And the graphics groups I am on about I do get graphics but its more to play with and make things like this http://www.yokalicious.nl/ I know I am slightly strange, but I dont really play to much with my psp (paint shop pro) as I used to, my knitting gets all my time anymore it seems. :) hehe

the Good the Bad the Ugly

Ever so excited. The grey vneck alpaca sweater is moving right along and looking beautiful! :) Ive connected the front, and under the arms and have worked about half an inch so far on the body.
The alpca has been lovely to work with! and Ive made my first invisible spit and felt join with the wool. Ever so happy about that. and I kept rubbing until it was the same thickness as the rest of the yarn, mind you it was MUCH tighter but it was the same thickness, I didnt mark where it went but now I cant find it! So thats means I did a good job in my eyes! :)
Now onto crap news, while I am getting loads of knitting done, I have caught a cold. It really sucks! My first proper cold in 3.5 years (I think its been that long anyways!) and I want it to go away!! Luckily so far its just my nose and back of throat and nothing else... Im waiting for the fuzzy head cough and feeling weak I know its coming, but if I keep thinking Im not sick I hope it wont hit me so hard! HAAHAHHA
Other crappy news, my computer is dead. :( It died on Saturday evening. Just sitting there did nothing to upset it and it decided to give me a good telling off by the motherboard taking a jump off a tall cliff and refusing to get back up... We thought it was the power supply at first and changed that, it nearly booted, but then we couldnt get it to go again and so now I need a new computer. UGH! Luckily for the time being I get to use Marks computer just have to behave myself and not wreck it... Which will be simple because Ive turned myself to no mail in all my graphics groups on yahoo.
Alright off to makea coffee check the blog world and then cover up and knit while watching some telly, Im being lazy today, Im allowed! HAHA :)

Pictures of Sweater

Like I said, I finished the sweater yesterday!! :) SOOO happy!! Two and a half weeks it took to finish, aint bad if I say so myself! :)



My camera is NOT happy with me today!! I have tried taken a couple of pictures and they seem to come out worse then the one before, YIKES! So I gave up before I looked really freakish! :)



I dont have a red face nor a very pale neck like this picture is trying to say I do! I told you the camera hates me today. :)



And the pretty close up of the sleeve panel! :)

As you can see I decided to make a plain body. I did a Picot Bindoff on the sleeves and lower body, I was going to pick up the stitches and knit the picot bind off on that as well but decided I couldnt be bothered so instead I got me a 4mm crochet hook (I didnt have or couldnt find maybe a 3.75mm crochet hook) and I crocheted a picot edge to the neck. :)

I used 3.75mm cicular needles for the body 80cm for the arms a 60 and an 80 instead of 4 dpns as the 60cm was slightly to big just on its own so I spereated the stitches in half. Sirdar Luxuary Cotton in Sage, I will use this again as I find it very soft. And for Mark who wont wear wool now has no way to complain when and if I knit him a sweater! HAHAHA http://www.woolworks.org/patterns/raglan.html that is where I got the basic constructional help for creating my very first sweater all on my own! :)

Let me know what you think, please be brutally honest! :) (oh btw, its slightly bigger then it should be because when in the 2.5 weeks of knitting I have managed to loose 1.5in off my chest! WOO HOO which really only puts me almost back to wear I was at the begining of summer I managed to put a bit of weight on from having the munchies really bad over the summer. hahaha)