Socks are done and scarf is started!

So Ive finished my socks! :) I actually finished them on Friday but am only now taking their pictures... hmm maybe I should have done that on Friday they were a bit mean to me today (since I made them wait until Monday!) and they didnt want to play game and photo nicely so heres some shots of them! :)


Just relaxing on my feet (I didnt feel like stuffing them with socks again) and as they are for a mans foot thats why they dont fit mine perfectly!


Just chillin out showing off the cable action baby!


A really craptastic picture of the cable heel and gusset...


TRYING once again to show off the cable heel and gusset but its just not going my way really is it?

Took me about a week a sock. I loved the pattern so easy to memorise! and so easy to knit! :) Used 2mm socks with Regia sock wool had my wonderful darling Mark try them on his feet and he even said they fit him nicely and werent to tight and looked really good on his foot! :) He might end up with a pair of these as well! HAHAHA...

So now that Ive finished the socks Ive restarted the second Melon scarf that I messed up on and ripped (I was only a couple repeats in anyways) and Ive been making some alright progress on that...


a really crappy picture of it but hey its knitting up and thats all I am worried about! :) Ive set myself a tiny deadline of having it finished in the next 15 days! Fingers crossed I can do it before then!! All this christmas knitting is making me want to cry because I feel Ive started to late! I really hope I havent!!!

1 down 1 to go!

I finished one of the socks!! :)

Here it is lounging out on my book shelf enjoying a bit of sun on what was actually a rather rubbish day... but at least we got a bit of sun yesterday. :)

I finished the sock on Saturday but have only just took its picture to put up.. This pattern is really easy to knit and I dont mind that I was knitting it for a mans foot it went really quick!! :) moving along nicely on the second sock as well...

Heres the progress on the second sock but funny I took that yesterday afternoon and I am now past the heel and gusset stitches and will be working on just the foot today hopefully before long Ill be finishing it up and start the next melon scarf! I have decided to do one melon and one pair of socks that way I dont get to bored with knitting the same thing over and over and over again.

and can I just say I am addicted to Ravelery not for posting things on there but for checking out the new patterns that are being added and the new groups and then adding things to my queue to knit later... I currently have 70.. will I ever knit all 70? Doubt it! But its fun to add them! HAHAHAHAHAHA

Sock Pictures

I was going to take pictures yesterday but by the time I got ready to take them it was a bit lacking in light! So instead I waited until today and am rather glad its been such a BEAUTIFUL SUNNY day out! :)
This first picture is the TRUE colour of the yarn! I dont know why my camera decided to change its colour in the rest of the pictures because it didnt use a flash!

...Real colour


The front, and back look of the sock. I really like it you know...


The sides of the sock with the cable running down, again I really like it!! :)

Last night when I was nearly finished knitting the leg I asked Mark to try it on for me. Hes so cute!! :) I have NEVER knit for him so I have NEVER asked him to try something on, instead I just bore him with the "LOOK AINT IT GREAT!" and all its done has grown a couple of rows he soon gets bored and just amuses me with a smile a VERY sarcastic "Yeah!"..... But last night I asked if he would please try the sock on.. He took his sock off pulled it on to just his foot and said "now what?" And I giggled as one does when ones bf is wearing a half a sock and I said well would it fit on your leg and not be to tight?!?! He said "yes it will but now what?" I said oh thats all THANK YOU!! Because I am making these socks for his dad, I know they are about the same size foot wise that I could get him to try them on and know they would fit! I am now thinking I REALLY do need to knit Mark something... a really POSH pair of socks or something..
Before you all think I am horrible to my wonderful man I am not... He just doesnt do knitted things... Honest to goodness! Hes got loads of knitted (store bought) sweaters sitting in the wardrobe that he just wont wear he prefers fleece sweaters... So eventually when I start sewing again, I might have to sew him a couple really nice ones, with pockets! hes a bit like me and prefers his pockets.... But I should make him some christmas socks since the rest are getting them huh?
Right I showed the pictures now I am back off to knit.. I cant waste time! SORRY!

3rd time lucky...

Its October!!! YIKES!! Only 2 months and 23 days left to sort christmas pressies out!! And frogging and starting three *yes three!!* different things (2 pairs of socks and 1 scarf) for the guys hasnt helped!! Hopefully though I have FINALLY settled on the pattern that I am going to make. The Father and Son socks from Interweave Knits, 2 or 3 ago??.... Anyways I am doing those for the guys. I have already started one this afternoon after spending about a week trying to figure out what to do.. UGH!! I was going to do the Yarn Harlot socks that she made for her hubby but realised they didnt look good AT ALL with the yarn I was using then tried a pattern that I was making up and agian it looked rubbish!! I was going to do the Henery scarf from knitty but realised its just not what I wanted and finally settled on these socks today I am NOT changing my mind AGAIN!!! Depending how much I get knitted tomorrow afternoon on them and the light I might take pictures! :)

I miss sewing... but all this knitting, err well ripping recently! hasnt allowed me any time. I have fabric to make a pair of trousers out of along with fabric for a nice tunic, I just need to get the time... Maybe MIGHT have them sorted for next autumn as they are fall colours... geesh talk about slacking! Not only that but I dont even have a table to sew on anymore.... Its not as bad as it sounds.. we have FINALLY sorted out our back room!! And in doing so we tossed out the table that was back there and are going to be looking at getting me a wee desk to go in front of the window (so I can be nosey while sewing! HAHA) and once I fingure out the desk I will have my space again. I cut out my patterns in the front room on the floor anyways so I never had any need for the really large table that was back there.. Marks also put some stuff to listen to music with back there so its looking really nice! Only took 8 months to figure it out and get it the way we wanted.. not bad eh? HAHA I know it is......

okay writting on here is taking up knitting time.. must go... See yall later.. actually I am off to do something for the evening so no knitting anyways... cleaning for me.. yippie?

Melon 1 Done!! :D

I FINISHED MY SCARF ON SATURDAY NIGHT!! But Im only just now getting around to bloggin about it.. hmm how did that happen??? Yeah I dont know either.. Ive not washed and blocked it yet.. but I wont be doing that until I finish all the scarfs and then just get it done all in one go.. so here they are in their finished unblocked glory just for you guys out there! :)


Its just all laid out and relaxing on the floor...


Closer picture of it with what was left up in the corner.


Rounding the edge...


and it got tired of laying out wanted to cuddle up in a ball instead (dont worry I dont leave it that way)
Yarn Fiddlesticks Jaggerspun 50% Merino/Silk blend
Colour Suede
Size 4mm circular needles for the whole thing.
I LOVED knitting this it was REALLY easy even the border was easy to knit on and memorize! Obviously this is my christmas knitting for Marks sisters and Mum. So below is another one started in their Plum colourway...




This watch I got yesterday at Debenhams. Aint it pretty?? (btw thank you to debs for their photo that I "borrowed") When I showed this to Mark he said "Leave it to you to get something like that!" My reply was "What? you mean because its got flowers on it?" And his reply was "Yes!"... heheh oops I didnt MEAN to get it with flower, honest! Its just the only one that I liked for 20£... I dont wear watches often so I really didnt fancy paying loads for one that eventually will end up in the back of my drawer... who knows its cute enough I may just always wear it.....


And meet our new plants! The only other plant we have is a Christmas Cactus, I bought him AGES ago on sale at Sainsburrys but its not flowerd since I got it.. fingers crossed it finally flowers agian this year! But since I been here Marks never been fussed over houseplants but the other day we were at the local B&Q and ended up passing these and he said how about we got one? so we got the first and third one pictured and then the next day we went back up for something else and came home with the middle one.. OOPS! haha I love em.. they pretty!...

Right finally got you guys some pictures up and finished one scarf I am off of here now to update my Ravelry and knit some more on the plum scarf... WOO HOO!...

Its growing Its growing, Its NEARLY grown!

Oh I am so excited! The Melon is growing by leaps and bounds!! :) I have finished the body of the scarf!! Well I finshed it the other day. I have also knitted on the top of the border will be picking up and starting the first long edge tomorrow. To much to do today I am afraid! and Ive been busy this weekend or would have already started it!...
No pictures I will take some soon, promise! Just got so excited I had to share that its getting there and looking oh so pretty! :)

Where are you?

I am still knitting on my melon scarf. :) and my MS3 stole is still sitting in the same spot it was last week.
Melon has to come first though because its a gift. I love it though becuase its such an easy knit. :) I get a couple repeats done each night while sitting here relaxing. The Jaggerspun Zypher isnt a bad yarn and its really nice to wrap around my neck (just testing out the size you know) and am glad that I picked that yarn to make all the scarfs with. :) I am sure that the ladies will all enjoy their scarfs if I get them knit in time... EEKS!
I have also picked out the cardigan I want to knit for myself... Originally it was the Tilted Duster from the current IK but now its changed to the twisted yolk or something like that from Eunny Jang, still in the current IK. Who knows when Ill get to that...
I also got the current Burda sewing mag and theres a few things out of that I really like the look of and wouldnt mind dusting off my sewing machine and make... Of course that means I have to stop being lazy and go buy myself some fabric, or maybe that should be I have to find time!! I swear Im not sure what takes up all my time in my day but come time to actually do things I find its nearly the end of the night.. OOPS!
Alright update/rant over I have to go to the grocery store and find something for dinner tonight!

**Oh yeah.... ZhiWen the Zypher came in little balls from www.woollyworkshop.co.uk ready to go soon as they land on the door step. :)

Christmas knitting in September!

I got PART of my order on Friday and in it was my Zypher laceweight yarn in Suede. Soon as I had it I HAD to cast it on my needles!! :) Okay its actually gift knitting (of which I stopped doing but decided to do for this xmas!) so I figure Ive got alot coming up that I would LIKE to do (if it all gets done is another matter). But heres some pictures!!

And another one because I feel like it. :)

Of course its the melon pattern from Victorian Lace Today... I love the stuff in the book!! Even Mark likes the pattern so far. :) Ive knitted on this all weekend. I knit slow I know... but I have gotten somewhere at least! Ive done nothing on it yet today I swear I do to much rubbish that amounts to nothing instead of sitting down and getting somewhere on my knitting!!! At least we got clean clothes for tomorrow I suppose that accounts for SOMETHING?? :)
Okay off to do dishes then I will sit down and knit... promise!

I is getting there!

Yes I know that is not proper english but tough! :)

I am a little over 50% done with my MS3!!! :) WOO HOO I have decided NOT to add the wing as most people have instead I will be knitting another section of clues 1-4 and then grafting (I hate grafting!) them together. That way I will have areally nice long wrap! :)
I know you want to see the picture so far so here they are! :)


Badly pinned down but you get the idea! :)


Shes pretty aint she?


Thats clue four Aint she just grand and would you like to dance? :)


Artsy fartsy smartsy...

Right I am off to knit more of me other half.. I CANT wait to have this finishe and properly blocked to be able to wear.. I LOVE it already!!!!!

(oh yeah and I have stuff coming from wolly workshop some stage this week so that I can start my xmas knitting of melon scarfs!.... and of course I HAD to get the newest Interweave knits, isnt that tilted duster on the front cover just gorgeous?!?.... )

My answers to your questions...

1. What is the one knitting accessory you could not live without?
My chibis that Amy sent me during SP9. Even right now while knitting my MS3 I have them sat with me to sew in my lifelines! :D

2. If you're heading on vacation, do you take knitting with you? Ifso, how much and what type of project?
I do! And just something easy that doesnt take much brain power. Like a pair of simple socks. I would take something more complicated for the evenings before bedtime but I doubt it would get touched.

3. Where have you travelled to that you'd consider your favorite spot?
While I was living in Canada, it was Banf National Park. While Ive been living here in England its been to the coast visiting his parents. I LOVE it there (Great Yarmouth area). I think both places for very different reasons to be realxing and peaceful!

4. What is your favorite knitting book at the moment? Do you own it?
Its my Victorian Lace Today and Im trying to knit my MS3 quicker so that I can start some projects from it! :D

5. Do you listen to podcasts? Which is your favorite(s)?
I have to admit I am very far behind the times and I dont listen to any!


**To my sp, Anything that wasnt asked by our host that you would like to know on here, ask and Ill tell! :)
**Amy, have you tried ebay or even Amazon (one of their cheaper dealers) to see if you couldnt get the book? I know that if I had a credit card to get it off of amazon would have only cost me like 13£.... worth looking if you can squeeze it out? Or tell everyone you want it for christmas!!!

I GOT IT!!!!

I picked up my Victorian Lace Today book.. OH YEAH BABY!! I did that on Wednesday. Well she did say when I ordered it from WHSmith it would be in then but I told her oh Ill just come by next Thursday for it I need to pass by here anyways. Well umm, HA that didnt work! :) I ended up going into town on Wednesday and getting it. Okay so it makes it sound like I went way out of my way. I didnt. We live close to town so I just went there first then to out the other side and to the store... I still had to go on Thursday because I had to return some DVDs to Blockbuster.
What do I think of the book? Well I LOVE IT!! but then I sort of knew I would. I have wanted the book since it came out some time last year but behaved myself.. okay truth be told the thought of paying 22£ for a book wasnt exactly making me jump for joy. But a year on and I still wanted the book so I thought naw youve been good go ahead and buy it.. So I did! :) Every time I saw yet another person knit a design from the book made me fall in love with them so I NEEDED the book and am very HAPPY with getting it. :)
I already have a couple of things that I want to do. Like the Melon Pattern. Okay so its been done loads already but tough! I want one for myself. :) theres more thats just probably going to be the first one I make from it. The pictures in the book are all set out beautifully! And it just makes me want to travel around England ALOT more then I do (which is barely at all).
Im still knitting on MS3 and loving every second of it. I havent made progress on the Monkey sock I casted on a couple weeks ago becuase Ive not been out on a bus recently. I said all week I was going to be its rained so instead Ive been lazy and just ran to the grocery store down the road instead of the other side of town. I also have some yarn out the back that I want to turn into a cardi. But I havent decided yet what I want to do with that one.. Ill soon decide! :)
Right knitting wont get done if I dont move those sticks!!!

Long Update

I have been knitting. I swear it! Just my progress has been slow becuase MS3 isnt a portable (well for me anyways!) project. It requires that I carry around the charts and pay CLOSE attention and well I just cant be doing with all of that becuase one mistake is a HUGE heartache for me and just sitting on the couch Ive made 2! YIKES!!! I put "lifelines" in every 10 rows on the rs rows just to make things slightly easier if I make a mistake and both mistakes I made those came in handy!! Even if they were right on the ninth row and I had to go back all 8 previous rows! This Malabrigio Merino Laceweight yarn that I am using is also a pain in the backside to rip back which is why I am putting them in at all!! and lets not forget this is my first proper all over really lacey I cant wait to finish it project that I am doing! :)
Oh whats that how far have I actually gotten? Well only to the end of clue 3. :) I am really slow on this for some reason... Sorry.... But heres some pics to make you happy, or well they make me happy just goes to show its really going to be PRETTY!! (to me!)

There is a closeupish of finished clue two and three I meant to take pictures after I finished clue two last week some time but just kept knitting into clue three and thought oh bugger it Ill just wait till both are finished THEN take a picture... :) So that is what Ive done... :) I really like the way the purples move to greys then to blacks and back again its really going to look great drapped across my back... and I will be lengthening this stole as well. Only because I prefer longer things to make sure it wraps properly around my shoulders and lets not forget I also have LOADS of yarn still left over. After clue three and with having to throw (dont kill me people) some of it away becuase it was in such a knotted mess from trying to rip it out I still have some of the first skein left and plus the other two that I ordered along with it. So Ive got plenty to be able to lengthen. :)

Heres a picture of all three clues together. Ive only pinned it out quickly on the bed. I will do a proper block once all is finished. :) But you still get the picture of the way it will be looking. I am VERY proud of myself for not giving up on this after something like 2 or 3 false starts of having to rip and then abandon each of those goes and then after the two bad mistakes of needing to rip back to my lifelines. Plus I have had a couple tiny mistakes when I just had to go back to the beginning of the row and restart that row. But I want to finish this stole that I am willing to suffer! HAHAHA

Now what else have I been up to your wondering other then knitting I am sure. Well last month (yep its been a month and I am only NOW showing you!) I got new glasses. I got 2 pairs from specsavers as they are running a promotion of 2 for 1. My first pair are similar in look to the last pair that Ihad that no one noticed I got new glasses not even Mark! haha and heres my other pair....

I swear they are purple! but after the flash and resizing they look slightly brownish they arent...
Can you tell I also got my hair cut?? well I did! :D But these out of the two are my favorite glasses I got! WOO HOO!!!.... I did get them with transition lenses at first then I got them brought them home and took them back the same day. They never go completely clear. I wasnt told that! And I dont want to be in a store or sitting on the couch watching telly with slightly tinted glasses it drove me nuts for the 3 hours I had them on. The guy offered I keep them for a week to see if I could get used to them. And bless his sweet soul I ended up laughing in his face. I didnt mean to... But I am the sort of once I dont like it and its not what I thought it was going to be I DONT WANT IT! so they had to go back I had to wait a week they put in clear lenses and now I am a happy bunny who is sporting a new hair cut and a wicked pair of purple geeky glasses... what more can you ask for?? HAHAHAHA

Mark sister came over from Australia this month as well, shes gone back now though.. The first day we went over to see her after saying hello her first question to me was "Jenn could you please make me a sweet potato pie before I go?" OF COURSE I SAID YES!!! When I told my mom I made one she laughed and pointed out my flaw. I didnt make one because she asked, I made one becuase I knew what was in it for me... SWEET POTATOES!!! YUM!!!!!

First step boil with skins on until tender and pokeable with a fork.
Let cool and peel skins off. Cut in 4 bits.

Lay in pan with little tabs of butter over each tater. Pour loads of honey on them and cover in brown sugar cinnamon and a bit of nutmeg. Add a bit more honey and brown sugar for good luck. AHAH...
Bake in oven I think I did mine for about 45 minutes and the oven was around 190C
You can eat some of them now if you want to (I ate two little slices (half a sweet tater) ) Stick in the fridge over night. I left mine two nights because I knew we werent going over until the Wednesday. the longer they are left they better I think it ends up tasting I wouldnt leave them a week though!
But some pie crusts or make them if you want to! (I forgot to take pictures of these parts)
Take your sweet taters and throw them into a bowl and mash them with their gooey sugar mess until all smashed up together. Add a can of condensed milk some more brown sugar(not alot) and some cinnamon and nutmeg. Add a couple handfuls of flour an egg if you want (I forgot to for these) and mix. You want to add your flour until it thickens up the mixture a bit.
Pour them into your pie crusts bake in the over at about 190 until golden brown. again I think mine was around an hour. Let cool take to Marks sister smile when she gets excited and know that you only made it so you could eat sweet taters yourself! HAHAA

That is the finished pie. They are SO YUMMIE!! I ended up eating another half a tater while I was making the pie so it was one tater per pie and I made 2. One for her, and one for me. Hey you have to have SOME perks to baking for others dont you?!?! and anyways she ended up leaving the next day because she got her flights confused... OOPS! Hopefully she was able to eat some of the pie (like most of it) before she had to go.....
Can you ship food to australia?!?!?!?

Question and Answer time SP11

Here are my answers to the questions...

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I like em soft and yummie.. Merino is really nice... I dont like scratchy stuff!! (akrylic or high content of akrylic really makes my hands itch!)

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have a needle case my SP9 gifted me that I use. :)

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I have been knitting for the last I think 3 or 4? years now and I taught myself. I would consider myself intermediate to advanced with always more to learn! :)

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
No I dont.

5. What's your favorite scent?
Cinnamon spicey things, Vanilla, fresh baked breads and cookies..

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
YES.... I am not sure what my fav is any more I just grab what I fancy on the day. But can I just say I do miss Honey Grahm Crackers (even if they arent candy)

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I like to sew. I have a spindle but I havent used it since xmas.. OOPS! I really must get back to that huh? :) And I love baking as well. :)

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Country, Easy Listening, Pop, Hip Hop, Alternative... All really. :) And yes it does.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
Pastels and earthy tones.. I cant stand bright neon colours.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I live with my wonderful partner Mark. :) No pets.. :(

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I wear scarves and mittens, I only wear hats if its REALLY COLD other then that I think I look a fool in them....

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Socks, sweaters.

13. What are you knitting right now?
Pair of Monkey socks on the go, and MS3 stole while at home.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Of course I do! I think its lovely! :)

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Circular needles lately... They are easier to drag around with you. and it doesnt matter what they are made of. :)

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
No I dont.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
I dont have any... Any UFOS Ive since ripped out....

18. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas. :)

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Do books count? :) Actual collectors material no.. theres nothing at the moment.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
Scarf Style, VICTORIAN LACE TODAY, and thats all I can think of. :) I buy Vouge Knitting, Interweave knits, and the Rowan Mags.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Not that I can think of at the moment?

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes I am, I will have to come back to you I have it wrote down somewhere.

23. When is your birthday?
December 23rd. :)

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
Yes I am and theres a link to me over in the side. :)

SP11

http://sp11.blogspot.com/

The sign ups started and they end on July 31st! I signed up are you gonna?

My Winners

Okay last week Andy gave me this

Now I am supposed to pass it on to five other bloggers as well. Ive been thinking about who I wanted to givethis award to. I dont want to give it to just anyone I wanted to give it to people I though really deserved it....
So my five who I think deserve the Rockin Girl Blogger Award are....
(Drum roll please!)

1. The H Factor - So I never say anything on her blog, and she doesnt knit, but she bakes, or so she says! And shes funnier then hell, well to me.... She gets the award, if you can make me laugh at 7am then your worth an award!
2. Love Of Knitting - She knits, loves roller coasters, and lives in Inianda which is a neighbor of Ohio where I was born... (dont know why that matters, but it does!)
3. Hell and High Water - I love going here to see what adventures shes gotten into with her little boy. Found by accident and glad. :) A journey for her and her hubby that was well worth it in the end and gives hope to other (well it does!)
4. Melly & me - They sew some of the CUTEST little toys and I love going to see what they have made.
5. Flossie Knits - I just love going to see what new baby gifts she knits. They are always so cute! :)

MS3 Clue 1

I have FINALLY completed clue 1 on MS3!!! I cant believe its taken so LONG......

However that is entirely my fault! :( I messed up on row 80 something couldnt figure out WHERE and had NO lifelines :( So I had to rip the entire thing out... Now this yarn isnt easy to rip out!! I am so glad in the end I got three skeins because I just tossed the old one to the side and recasted on this one and started completely fresh! :) I did make a couple of mistakes but was able to go back and fix those...


Its badly pinned down to the bed but I will do a better job at blocking this sucker. :) I cant wait to start clue 2!! I know clue 4 is out and I am really thinking I could catch up over the next two weeks, WE WILL SEE!.... Ive been putting in a lifeline every 10 rows, you only see one here because I took the other one out and set it to the side while taking the pictures. But thats the center of clue 1 its pretty huh?


Just because I can shot really.... This is also more like the colour of the actual stole. I really like it. Even if I did want a black one I think the slate gray and purple make it prettier since I decided not to go with beads. I cant wait to get more of this knit. This yarn is a DREAM to knit with even if its a b***h to rip out....
Off to go knit!!! WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
(btw Amy, yes its the Knitpicks Bare that you sent me, no I havent dyed it YET)

2 for the price of 1

We have a two in one here folks so sit back and enjoy for your veiwing pleasure a load of pictures! :)
First up we have my finished pair of little monkeys! Oh how fun they were, and you know they didnt once try to jump out of my bag, yes they tried to jump off the needle but I grabbed them by their tales and put them nicely back on! :)

This was my first time using Regia sock yarn, and you know what, I actually enjoyed it! :) I loved looking at all the pretty colours as they were coming out. I now want to go buy more so I can make MORE socks and even make Mark a pair (or two! not of monkeys though!)

They took me about a week a sock but I did have a bit of a break in between the socks because I was doing some stuff for Mark. But alot of these were knitted while waiting in lines and taking busses to go get my groceries... I now realise why people love knitting socks they really are EASY to drag around with you and they behave themselves normally as well. :)

I loved the twisted rib on the cuff, but I want my next pair (because you know I need more!) to be the picot edged monkeys, I just think those are cute and girly! :) I have some sock yarn that Amy gifted me over SP9 that I would like to use.... Soon!

This was also the first time for AGES that I actually FINISHED two socks from the top down, all of my socks have been toe up so far because I get to the heel flap and then the instep and just stop knitting, but not these, I ENJOYED that! But I did use just one circular needle. I think I will try to do two socks at once next, mind you I didnt mind doing one at a time this time either...

I have no holes around my picked up stitches either, but I wouldnt be able to give these to a pro because I did have to pick up a couple extra stitches in order to make sure there were no holes nad they would be able to spot it, thank goodness I aint to fussed and think they look good just the way they are huh? :)

Me and grafting do NOT get along in fact every time grafting and I come into the same room together you hear the start of WW3.... so not good! Instead I thought Ill show you grafting! And completely ignored it and did a 3 needle bind off instead. Okay yes I do have a bit of an edge tickling my toes but you know what these socks are so lovely and comfy I dont even notice that!
So theres my MONKEY socks. Knit on one 2.5mm circular needle one at a time. Used Regia 5440 and I really loved the colours in that one... :) I promise they dont look so orange-red it is pretty....
Now on two the second thing! :D
I FINALLY GOT MY PARCEL TURN UP FROM GET KNITTED! WOO HOO! They ran out of the colour that I had orginally ordered and I didnt see their email until the next day or I probably would have gotten my stuff on Tuesday.. :( I knew I should have checked my email more often on Monday.. hehe....
I ended up getting Malagrigo in colour Black Forest 179, instead of the Pearl Ten 69 colour way. But you know what I dont mind, I thought both of them were pretty and had a hard time picking between the two so I am happy either way with getting the Black Forest. I also got the newest KnitScene that is out, theres the intarsia top in there that I would really like to make. :) Anyways you just want to see the pictures dont you? :)

There it is without the flash, and can I just say OMG this yarn is BEAUTIFULLY SOFT!!!

Here it is in the sunlight and I think the flash went off as well? You know I cant remember I took these last night before Mark got home from work.

And Chart A of the MS3 knitalong.. I FINALLY GET TO START! WOO HOO Im not putting beads on mine, I think if I love it and do it again I will do beads the next time... we will see though if I do it again I still have alot more to knit. :)
Malabrigo Black Forest 179, lace weight, 100% baby merino wool, aprox 470 yards to 50 grams. I didnt read ALL of the notices in the group when I joined and bought my wool and it was orginally stated that you would need around 1200 yards so I got 3 skeins of this beautiful stuff then it went down to just over 700yards, Im going to have a fair bit left over of this stuff, and you want to know a secret, I DONT MIND! :D Right now I am off to knit some more of this bad boy... WOO HOO!

Help I need to finish!

I havent finished making my dress I am working on. I havent finished my monkey socks that I am working on. Yet I feel like I needed to join in a KAL after reading about it on KnitYogas blog! Because you know a half sewn dress and one and nearly a half socks isnt enough for me! HA!
Okay actually I am really interested and maybe this will just take the whole oh what should I knit for a nice wrap to match all my new dresses problem I have at the moment! :) I went to GetKnitted and picked out the yarn that I want, Ill show it off when it arrives and then I am going to print out clue one and stick it to the side and clue two when it comes out tomorrow and stick that to the side as well.. I wont be starting until I finish my monkey so I better hurry before my yarn arrives!
Oh yeah the KAL its the Mystery Stole 3 got till tomorrow the 6th to do it if you want! Ive seen some finished phots already of part 1 and it really does look pretty already....

My newest shirt

I made another shirt, I swear I love all this sweing stuff!! :) when Mark seen my shirt he told me it was the best thing Ive sewn so far! That made my day normally he just says it looks nice and thats sort of it, he doesnt get as excited at I do about things! haha, BUT he did seem happy about what I had just made... So I know you guys are just screaming show us it already.. SOOOOOOOOOO here you go! :)

I appologize for the rubbish picture, I HATE taking self timed pictures, and my batteries died! :( So I got this blurry one and then and then just one clear one of the back to show off and here that is...

Oh yeah, sorry for not smiling up in the front one, BUT I was and then by the time it clicked my face hurt for trying to sit there smilling for that long, OOPS! I really aint a grumpy person, promise. :)
The pattern is New Look 6627 vie D with modifications like not using Jersey Knit instead using Cotton. Not having the ties at the chest. Using the arms from view C, and then taking up the neck line so it didnt cut so lew down and because of that taking in the arms slightly so they sat right and didnt look like I was a huge ole american football linebacker... I have that issue from time to time since I do have wide shoulders. I dont wear shoulder pads for that reason.
My fabric came from just a local shop here that cost me £1.50 a meter and the pattern calls for 1.9 meters but I bought 2 meters. So a new shirt for £3 cant complain can ya? More then that for £3 I got the best compliment my wonderful bf could make to me! HAHAHAHA HE LIKED IT AND THOUGHT IT WAS THE BEST THING SO FAR!! WOOO HOOO
So my next sewing project is Simplicity 4558 I want to make the complete little outfit they show of views B, D, E... Nothing like having a nice smart summer outfit. Alright so right now the weather isnt suited for a nice smart summer outfit but still theres always wishing! :) And lets face it we still have another couple of months of "summer" so Im thinking it might come in THEN! ahaha...
Havent picked out my material for it yet and not entirely sure what colour I want but I do want the shirt itself to be really fun and funky, we will see what I can find when I go down to have a look. :)

Knitting:
I did finish my Monkey SOCK but I still have one more to go, I havent gotten the second sock syndrom yet I just havent been able to start it... I have been helping Mark out with something and its taken up all of my free time... its also put a blister on my thumb (thats gone down now) but I still have a little more to do today and then wait until he brings more home for me to do.... I just help him unpack his little down lighters from their boxes so instead of taking 4 hours it takes him an hour and a half sort of thing... (I just didnt want you guys thinking something horrible! HAAHHAHA)

I do still knit you know. :)

A couple of people have asked me if I have been knitting still the answer is Yes, I have! :)
Ive not done much knitting lately mind you because its been so hot that I just cant do many stitches before I am sitting in a pool of sweat... yes I have VERY sweaty hands and Ive tried to do things to them but Ive just learned to live with it... Mark loves me for them and always says something when I touch him with my hands! HAHAHAHAHA
Anywyas...
I was in town a couple weeks back and the LYS down there FINALLY got in some sock yarn. Okay its only Regia, but hey, its sock yarn! Ive offered them names of yarn that they should look into but nothing ever comes of it, I suppose they prefer to stock more things for scrapbooking then for knitting. Whatever makes them money and as long as they carry SOME yarn then Im happy! :)
Anyways I THINK the colour is 5440 if its not then its 19455 but that might just be the dye lot its not in english and unfortunately I am not lucky enough to know German (I tried to learn in school but when your 18 in a class full of 15yr olds it aint the one! Specially when YOU want to learn but they DONT)

Theres me showing off the bottom of the foot and part of the heel just to get you an idea of the colour, its not so much of the bright looking red/orange its more of a pinky colour.

Thats slightly more like it but still not there, dont you just love how a flash can change the colour? :) But anyways theres what my sock looks like so far a couple weeks in, yes its those MONKEY socks but you know what I like em!! :) The pattern is EASY PEASY to memorize and Ive got alot down the past two days while standing in lines and ridding the bus, and thats only because its not been so humid and hot so Ive not been so sweaty and I can actually handle the wool....
Ive sewed a shirt, its not completely finished yet so that will probably be done tomorrow with pictures.. :) WOO HOO and I have material and another dress pattern for once thats finished. Of course my socks will still be knit on!

The all important BLACK DRESS

Yes I made myself ANOTHER dress.. I LOVE dresses!! :) What can I say Im a girly girl. When I was like 11 years old I even went fishing in a dress with my hair and makeup done all up! HAHAH....
Anyways I used the same pattern for THIS dress, but of course I made a few modifications to it. Like first of all it doesnt wrap around at all. I just took the front of the pattern traced it over to some paper and then adjusted it to what I thought would be the right size for the side seams then I cut out the top and sewed it together. I tried it on realised it was to wide so I sewed it closed further I made some slight mods then to my underarm area to make sure my bra would be properly covered it and just had to bring the top shoulder down further into the dart. I then just cut out the skirt bit of the pattern making it longer ot make sure it fit all the way around instead of being opened up. And then sewed that onto the dress. In total from ironing to pinning to cutting to sewing to being able to wear it took me a total of 6 hours, not bad! :) I used the same material as my pants from the post below so for my pants and dress it cost me a total of 10 pounds, I couldnt go to the store for that!

I couldnt get my whole body in the shot, but the dress falls midway down my calfs.. So it is rather long, and I finally have that staple black dress every lady should! :) OKay so its not shiny like some but I LOVE it and today I got ALOT of compliments on the dress.

Me just being really silly and getting that "action" shot, let me tell you I got dizzy waiting for the self timer to go off for it! HAHAHA

And one more just because I was trying to get the perfect shot and you know I just like showing off that I have only been sewing for like a month and a half or something? WOO HOO!

Complete Outfit!

So its been to hot/muggy here lately to knit, instead I have been playing with my sewing machine! :D WOO HOO!! And lookie! I made myself a complete outfit! :) yes I made them in mind of going with each other and of course I can put other stuff with them like jeans or a different top.. I love my sewing machine ya know! :)

Mark though I was slightly crazy wanting to show off my pants like that, but I am proud of them!! :) They are a Burday Pattern from last months magazine. They do have pockets, honest, I just forgot to stick my hand in to show that fact off... AND I ADDED MY FIRST ZIP!! LOOKIE!!! :D

I was SOOO proud of that. My sweet mom called just after I tried to do it the first time and realised I messed up so I was unpicking the stitches while talking to her on the phone. Got off the phone after our conversation and redid the zip soon as I was done I came running in and showed it off to Mark who wasnt as impressed as I was! HAHAHA But then I called my mom and she got excited with me instead! ehhehe.. :) I was just happy at how close I got the material to the zip and I they flappy bit lays nicely over it to cover it all up! :)

And heres my shirt! :) I used again a Burda pattern but it was one of the free downloads on their website. :) I did a size that was supposed to be two sizes to small on me, but honestly I think I could have gone even smaller with it.I had to cut the shoulder bits down becuase I kept loosing the elastic in the neck! OOPS! but then I am glad I did, I also added the little belty looking bit around the front, of which Mark hates the look, sorry hun!! If I didnt put that there I looked like I was wearing a tent and err I didnt fancy doing it!

Heres a close up of the neck line. :) The elastic goes all the way around so it all has the scruched thing going on. Sorry about the necklace being twisted, Mark got that for me my first christmas here. :D and umm ignore the spotty neck please and thank you! :)
Now I am off to go figure what dress to sew myself now! HAHAH :) I LOVE MY SEWING MACHINE!

Who does that?!?!

Yesterday I did my laundry, not such a big deal. I then took it and hung it up out the back, again not such a big deal. But what happened next I honestly cant believe, because really WHO DOES THAT?!? I have two lines hanging out the back, I LOVE hanging our clothes up to dry (and hey when you have to pay at the laundrette to dry, or get it free and smelling great you just do it that way). So anyways I ran across the street not noticing anything out of the blue and got some elastic for a shirt Im sewing and got me a little polish treat, wafer bars covered in chocolate with bits of hazlenut YUM!, so anyways I come back home and I just stop dead in my tracks as I am going back into the yard. Right in the middle of all the laundry hanging on the outside line theres a BIG GAP! OMG! Wheres the shirt that was there?!? Did the pegs break and it fell off and is now in the corner from being blown about? Hold on it isnt windy enough for that! SERIOUSLY WHERED THE SHIRT GO?!?! So Im looking all around and then I spot there isnt a darn thing wrong with the pegs BUT they are on tighter then I hung the shirt with. I leave them hanging with the big end so it doesnt crease the clothes... So someone has come into our back yard, mind you I did have the gate open because I never close it incase Mark gets home early then he can just pull his car straight in. Still that doesnt invite people into our yard to steal our clothes!!! Seriously, WHO DOES THAT?!? Of course that made me bring in the clothes that were out there and they had to finish drying hanging out in the house its just not the same as outside. But I suppose for now one the gates will have to be shut and locked when I hang the clothes out to dry. Ive NEVER had that happen before and like I say I hang our clothes out all the time, the only time I dont is when its raining or in the winter.... So if someone sees a person walking around in Marks tshirt (its not even a new one! And it was a work one!) will you let me know so I can say something! GEESH!