I haven't been lazy.....

I've been updating my "other" blog. I am embarking on a C&G hand knitting and design course, and have a related blog at http://pernickitywitch.vox.com/

Come visit me! I'll sort out where my "permanent" blog home will be shortly, but am busy moving my Real Life Home at the mo......

pw x

I'm a Technical Numptie....and B'day updates

So, I kinda forgot to format the Comments section of the blog, meaning that no-one, yup, no-one, could post comments! But, thanks to a Fab Friend, it's now sorted!

I went to a Cold Harbour Mill (http://www.coldharbourmill.org.uk/) with said Fab Friend today - a beautiful place, with amazing yarn, fibres and all stuff Spinning. I can sense a new addition to my yarn addiction forming, but I must stay strong. Yarn, tea and cake - lovely day, followed by lovely Carvery Dinner (mmm, cauliflower cheese and gravy-heaven!), bought by Fab Friends Hubby. Thoughtful, generous and a gentleman.

Damn shame, he has no brothers.

Yay, Happy Birthday to Me....and a Serious Lack of Knitting.

You know you are getting old when........

your Birthday passes by without fuss and the requisite amount of "Hurrah".

So, I reached the Grand Old Age of mumble mumble.... and I am celebrating with the following:

And I don't usually drink! Can you guess the outcome?? Answers on a Postcard.....

That said, a la Gwyneth Paltrow Acceptance Speech stylie, I would like to thank.....

My Nan, for her lovely card and Fiscal Enclosure, which enabled me to purchase the final Skein for the Delectable Guinnevere (by Maz Dolff);

My Neighbour and Friend, Ghislaine, for her wonderful card, lovely wine (see above) and Little Miss Naughty cutlery for my Camping Expeditions - truly thoughtful;

My LYS owner and Friend, Barbara, for WIP holders, a lovely handmade Cow button, and Knitpros - in a size I didn't have - she knows me well!;

Ewa, for ....... mmmm ....I tried to buy my Put Aside Yarn today, and it wasn't there! I wonder where it can be???

My folks, for telephoning me this morning;

And finally - THE POST OFFICE for GOING ON STRIKE!

Unfortunately, Gloucester appears to be suffering from some form of Telecommunications Failure - I can just picture my poor Angst Ridden Brother desperately trying to contact me all day, by Telegraph, Morse Code, Carrier Pigeon - but they have all failed. If anyone in his vicinity knows Semaphore, please let me know!

So, I've learnt today that I have incredibly wonderful, thoughtful friends, and I am truly grateful.

Well, my lovelies - here's a quick update of all things non-Birthday.....

I SAVED A BIRD!

A pigeon chick had fallen from its' nest onto a road, and was unable to move out of the path of oncoming traffic. I moved him slowly, under the watchful eye of Mom - both Chick and Mom are doing well now. My Good Deed for the Day!

Since I last wrote, I have also done The Race For Life, with my friend Jan, dressed as Charlie Chaplin. I don't know why Mr Chaplin, it seemed like a good idea at the time.....and yes, we looked like a Proper Pair of Charlies!

It was Jolly Good Fun, and (between us) we raised about £250.

Oh, and I am starting a Knitting Design Course, so the ball is well and truly rolling - Watch This Space!

x

Sock Monkey The First

Brief knitting hiatus yesterday, as I could finally finish the Sock Monkey thanks to welcome gift of Kapok.

Here he is - I think I might call him Tigger! I love that his ears are frayed (happy accident, as difficult to whip stitch something so small). He is both hand and machine stitched, and quite a cheeky chappy.

I had a delightful visit from a snuffly little hedgehog yesterday. My neighbour knocked very gently on my door last night, and motioned "sssshhhhh...." as soon as I opened the door. When she does this, it usually means something really exciting - special bird, woodpecker, ocassional random cow in the garden, baby squirrel ...... this time round it was our slug eating friend, the Hedgehog! We stood still, it stood still....all three of us thinking "if I stay here really quiet, it/they won't notice me". It worked, until a mad jogger jogged past. It (the hedgehog, that is) scittled off into the undergrowth and continued with its snuffling. Unfortunately, I didn't get a photo, which is a shame, as I would have loved to share it with you.

I love these simple pleasures.

This morning, I put Tigger in his new home, in my Car Garden (aka The Carden) - he has settled in already, sitting with Mr Messy, Wonkey and Mrs Spots.

I know - I need help.

Cake!

Not much movement on the Knitting front. I have "liberated" some Cariad from a friends stash, which is earmarked for Margarete Dolffs' (Maz on Rav) "Guinevere" in this months Yarn Forward - an eye poppingly gorgeous sock. It's an advanced pattern, so I anticipate numerous problems and a huge learning curve. Maz spotted my rave review on Rav (try saying that after a few ABC's!) and kindly offered assistance, so that should help take some of the pain away! They will still take me a long time, so the Pennies per hour of Happiness ratio should be very low.....

The Pomatomus has not progressed much. It's difficult to watch an open air Shakespeare play and follow a chart at the same time. I missed a YO and had to tink again. That was yesterday. Great play, lovely picnic, fab company, followed by night time fish and chips on the sea front - heaven!

Todays knitting was delayed due to a hugely welcomed Parental Visitation. And Cake. The Biggest Cake Ever. After a delicious carvery and a stroll on the Sea Front, we stopped for tea. We couldn't resist the laaargest piece of Strawberry and Cream Roulade, the size of a Dinner Plate, that served all three of us.



Parentals left, feeling very sleepy after Roast and Sea Air. They left me with beautiful home-grown carrots, onions and beetroot, Kapoc for stuffing Sock Monkeys and a Red Cross parcel full of essentials. I love that my folks think Brie and Oreos are essential - how great are they?

p.s. Visual Pomatomus Update - have you ever tried to photgraph your own feet? It ain't easy!!

I feel old.

I went to the Beach today with a friend and her 17 yr old son. He was very patient, strolled with us down the promenade for an hour or so, and was pleasant company over a cup of tea. Until......I listened in to one of his mp3 ear pieces, and he said "oh, you won't like it". It was Muse.

I felt old.

I had a little smile to myself because underneath this mild mannered exterior, lies a mispent youth - goings on that would shock said 17 year old. He can think I'm "past it" but I have a little secret.

When I was 17, I was slightly - ok a lot - wild. Glastonbury, Raves, Heavy Metal and Motorbikes.

I rocked. Really.

At his age, I thought my parents wouldn't get it either. How wrong was I? Now I am the same age they were, and I still feel funky, with it, trendy......oh dear. Simply by using these phrases, I am showing my age. And lack of coolness. But, believe me, I get it. I just don't see the point.

What happened? Once, I was Number One Party Girl........now, I knit.

But I'm still cool - aren't I?

Knitting backwards.

Damn you DPN's, damn you Pomatomus ........nah, I love you really. It's me. All me. So here I am, tinking again.

So far, I've frogged you 3 times, tinked you twice, and now I'm on your third tink. Grrrrr........

The 3 frogs at the begining were due to a ladder on the cuff. I couldn't fix it on the ribbing, so I just ran with it. It disappears when stretched, so that's fine. Then I deliberated over tinking again due to a twisted yarn over, but some lovely bod reminded me that my feet are at least 4 ft from my eyes, unless I am a very bendy yoga freak. I can't see the "uniqueness" from that distance, so it stayed.

Then, I hit the heel turn. That was fine. The pick up, however, was somewhat off. I had a hole in the gusset join, which annoyed me. So, 4 rows after the pick up, I tinked. Then I tinked again, as I dropped my brain somewhere and couldn't read the chart. I got back to where I started from, did an extra row for good measure, then slept. I was fried.

That brings me to today. I picked up where I left off, and merrily knitted along. Backwards.

How could I have been so daft? The first socks I ever knit were done inside out (which amused my buddies no end), and I thought I had got rid of that bad habit. It's easy enough to do, but a pain in the proverbial as each time I wanted to check progress, I had to turn them the right way round. This time, I must have unconciously picked up the sticks and just started knitting back the way I had just come. Unconciously? Of course it was - I didn't do it on purpose!!!! Perhaps I was distracted by Jaikie, who is currently chasing moths against the window.

At least I'm getting lots of practice, if not lots of sleep!