knitting

We’ve got ’em. Carpet beetles. *shudder* It started out with me finding holes in my Hedera and then snowflake lace socks. I looked through the bag where I kept them, didn’t find anything and checked that the rest of my handknit socks were okay. They were so I didn’t think much of it. Fast forward for a bit and I’d found some munching on three of my swatches made with Lane Borgosesia’s Cashwool. Not too bad, I didn’t really want to keep them anyway. Icky, but not heart-breaking. Then I found out that they’d gotten into my underwear and sock drawers. And one of my handspuns had been affected too. Killed ’em, vacuumed thoroughly and left it at that. Then I found a dead adult carpet beetle downstairs. At that point I contacted our landlady Debs, who is awesome btw, and we arranged for her to come over the next day (since it was a Friday night that I e-mailed her). We dealt with the woodlouse problem and she gave us some spray to use up in the attic bedroom. That was two weeks ago. Today, one fell out of my hair! Ew ew ew. After I made sure that it was a carpet beetle larvae, I killed it and vacuumed the whole house. I was going to vacuum today anyway, but that’s neither here nor there. I contacted Debs again and within half an hour she got back to me to say that the council’s environmental services are going to come out once they’ve verified what the pest is. So now I’ve got a live larvae in a sealed food container waiting for Debs to come over tonight to pick it up.

Dancing has started again. Well, the give it a go sessions are over now, the actual lessons start next week. I’m still looking for a partner, but while I’m waiting to be paired up with someone, I’ll be standing in for Oliver’s partner Jo. She’s been told by her doctor to basically not to dance until after Christmas, but she and Oliver are thinking about just entering the ballroom dances since they’re not as exhausting as the latin ones are. If they do decide to do that, I’ll just dance latin with Oliver and both latin and ballroom with my partner (if I ever get one!). The pairing up will be done on Friday at 7pm then there’s a mini-social thing for all the team members.

I also have to go to Nottingham on Friday for induction talks and deal with other enrolment stuff. I think I need to go on Saturday as well, but they haven’t sent me any info about that yet, so I don’t know. I was checking out the train times to see what next week’ll be like (classes start next week!!) and since my classes end 8:30pm, the next train that I could make would be 9:42pm. Hrmph. I’d be getting in to the train station at Sheffield 10:55 and by the time I catch a bus and get back home it’ll be near midnight. I sooooooo want my license and car. When I am able to drive to Nottingham and back I should be back home by 10pm at the latest.

Knitting? Yes, lots of it is getting done and has been done. My Corona sweater is done, I’ve already worn it loads. I’m knitting socks right now from my Jitterbug (colorway 66-mist) in the Dragon’s Breath pattern. Still on the first sock, but I’m already planning on making these next.

And Debs just sent me another e-mail asking if I could go check out the roof space in the attic bedroom to see if there’s a visible reason for the infestation. Just the thought is making my skin crawl, but I still need to do it. *shudder* I hate bugs that eat my yarn.

Just got back from my driving lesson. I rock at emergency stops. Got 5/5 on my evaluation sheet. W00t! It’s quite fun too. Jim said that I might be an adrenalin junkie. I guess I am, but only in safe situations, like roller coasters. Haven’t been to an amusement park yet this year, must rectify that soonish.

Yesterday I found fabric! So it’s not exactly what I was looking for, ie white with dark green, but it’ll do. It’s just a plain light green. So if I have the time, I might embroider something onto it. Yeah, I know, I’m just creating more work for me. But at least I have the fabric now, it’s been washed (yesterday) and ironed (today). I’m planning on starting the tracing of the pattern onto tracing paper today, but I seriously doubt that I’ll have it all traced and cut and attached to the fabric until Thursday. At least the fabric was cheap, so if I mess it up it won’t be too awful to go get more (just £1/metre).

We have a Wii! Mariokart is really fun once the controls have been figured out. It’s odd not using the + button for directions; you have to hold the controller as if it was a steering wheel and turn it etc. But yeah, fun! We’ve also played various sports on it (tennis and bowling being the most fun) and we have the Big Brain Academy. I haven’t played it by myself yet, but what I have played it’s fun too. A bit insane, but really fun. I also bought Sims2 FreeTime. I had to. It was on sale. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

My herbs are growing. All twelve of them! Some not as much as the others, but they’re still growing. I have separate pots for them now, but they’re a bit big, so they haven’t been planted into those yet. While I was at B&Q yesterday I saw more seed kits: one for three types of peppers, one for patio salad (salad, cucumber, tomato), one for Indian foods, one for Mediterranean foods, one for Mexican foods and one huge thing that had twelve different types of seeds. And I resisted. I’m still waiting to see how well this herb growing goes before I plant even more stuff. I was sooooo tempted though.

I made something called Chicken Beer Bake last night. I loved how tender the chicken turned out, but I’m pretty sure I won’t be making it again. Just somehow didn’t taste right. On the other hand, the leftover chicken is really good in a sandwich. So it’s not like it had gone to waste, I just don’t like it as a dish by itself.

And to end on a knitting note: my Corona sweater is just flying off the needles! My goal for today is to finish the second sleeve and attach them to the body. I’m pretty sure I can get that done.

I’m writing again! Okay, so I had a burst of inspiration yesterday and somehow writing 1000 didn’t seem like anything. Then again, 1000 words for a story is nothing compared to trying to write 1000 for an essay in my head. But yes, I have a third of my story written now (no it’s not going to be 3000 words in total, it’ll be longer than that). There’s still all of the editing to do, etc so once it’s done I need volunteers to read it and give constructive criticism. Anyone?

I’ve also been knitting quite a bit. The body of my Corona sweater is done as much as it can be at this point and I just started one of the sleeves. I love the yarn and the pattern, once a little mix up in the directions for the cable pattern was corrected. I’m used to reading charts so when I saw that it was just written directions I was a bit worried. But I figured I could knit them anyway. Then I realized, after about six rows, that I was interpreting the instructions differently than I was meant to. So I e-mailed the designer and asked for help. I also had to undo the cable a la the Yarn Harlot (scary scary stuff) but I did manage to fix it. The designer replied, helped and apologized for the confusion. So all’s well. It’s so nice that most of the people who knit are nice too. :)

I’ve also found a new recipe that I want to try out. It’s called Chicken Beer Bake. So yesterday when we went to the supermarket, I found out that they don’t sell single cans of beer. At all. What I want to know is why? Why don’t they cater to people like me who only want one can at a time? I don’t drink the stuff, I want to cook with it darn it.

I’ve finally finished Gone With The Wind. It was so awesome. All of the characters are more real and more fragile and stronger and flawed and so much more loveable than can ever be portrayed in the movie. Now I’m about to start The Queen’s Sorrow by Suzannah Dunn. And once that’s read (I’m hoping it’s a quick read) I’ll read the biography called The Duchess. It’s been made into a movie starring Keira Knightley. Not that I knew this until Oliver presented me with the book. Apparently it was an impulse buy. He’s so sweet. ^_^

Okay, so in a nutshell: - My mom and youngest sis Jade are all settled in Finland again with our dog Mocca. - Jaz has moved into her apartment in Brussels. - During July we did manage to go to Greece for a week, just the three of us (Jaz & Jade that is). Loved the tan I got there. It’s fading away now, which I’m not too happy about. Oh well. - During my very short trip to Finland I spent a few nights over at one of my best friend’s place. Oliver came too. There was the class reunion; it was fun to see everyone again. The guy that was weird back then is still weird now. Some things never change.

I’m finally home! I’ve been home for awhile now, but I’ve just been so busy that I haven’t had the chance/inclination to post anything. Anyways, I’ve got my driving theory test the day after tomorrow (Wednesday). I’m fairly confident that I’ll pass it without problems, but the Hazard Perception Test still worries me. I have a practice DVD and the first time I tried out the mock exam I got 44/75pts. In order to pass the test, I need 44/75. Lucky, right? It’s still cutting it too close for my taste though. I’ve been practicing and so far my best and latest score is 56/75. Kinda feel guilty about not practicing at all during the weekend, but it is possible to be too prepared as well, right?

I’ve hacked away at the vines that are trying to take over the bushes next to the driveway. I’ve still got a few more unruly vines to deal with and then it should be ready for my car! I’ve measured the gate and my future car and it should fit in through the gate. We still might change the gates into thinner ones, but even if we keep the ones we have now it should fit. :)

Yesterday I joined the Cupcake Club. I can’t wait! Yes, it might seem like a fair bit of money, but for five different scents each month for six months it’s reasonable. Plus, while we were in Greece we were allowed to shop and I spent the least amount of money out of all of us (approx 50€) so this is my treat to myself. And if I pass my test on Wednesday (wait, no ifs. WHEN I pass my test) I’ll go treat myself at The Wool Baa as well. I’m pretty sure I’ll be getting quite a bit of worsted weight yarn. Lots of projects in mind.

Speaking of projects, I’m making my Halloween costume this year! I still need to find and buy the pattern and fabric, but Oliver and I have agreed to go as Rhett Butler and Scarlett O’Hara. Oliver’s costume can be made up from everything he’s got in his wardrobe right now, but I need to make my dress. As for the hoop skirt that I should wear underneath the dress, well in case I don’t have the time/energy/money to make a proper one (which I probably don’t), I’ll try to devise something using a hula hoop.

Onto knitting! I’m still working on a lace shawl. It’s progressing well, considering that while I was away I had no time whatsoever to work on it. That’s a month and a half of not knitting on it. But I have started my grandfather’s Christmas present. Can’t talk too much about it, but I can say this: it’s so nice using a thicker weight yarn than lace or fingering for a change. It feels like it’s going so fast. I want to make the Minisweater (aka Boobholder) by Stephanie Japel, but I’m still debating on whether to make it long-sleeved or short. And whether to make it out of Cascade 220, Cascade Pastaza or some other worsted/aran weight wool from the LYS. I do like the idea of 50/50 llama/wool. I just don’t know if it’ll work gauge-wise. I’ll have to ask Jill, the owner of The Wool Baa. And then I found out about this other sweater today, called Cordoba, that I want to make. That calls for 7 skeins of Cascade 220. The Minisweater only needs 2 if it’s the short-sleeved version. Decisions, decisions. Can you tell that I’ve found my knitting mojo again? I think it went away on vacation for a bit there, some sort of Muse convention as someone on Plurk suggested. But it’s back and I won’t question its return. :)

I’m off to do more ironing. Exciting, isn’t it?

I love grapefruit. How could I have forgotten how good it is?? That was my snack. And for breakfast I had strawberries! I love summer. ^_^

I’m graduating on Tuesday. That’s the day after tomorrow! The stress of getting everything sorted out… ugh. I’ll be so happy once it’s over. We still don’t have a place to stay, but at least the photos and the robes have been ordered. And I know what order I need to do things in. Now I need to pick out my outfit.

And so that leads me to letting you all know that I have no idea what my internet accessibility’s gonna be like for the next few weeks. I’m going back with my parents to Belgium after my graduation, help Jaz move into her new place, help my mom move back to Finland, stay there for my class reunion, and possibly go to Greece before going to Finland. So, like I said, I have no idea if I’ll be able to come online or not.

Driving has been going well. I went to book my driving theory test and the next available time would’ve been July 16th, two days after I’ve left. So I’ll just have to do that after I get back. Oh that reminds me, I need to send my license back to the DVLA because my address has changed. I’ll go to the post office tomorrow morning.

I’ve also started writing again. Don’t have a lot written yet, but I’m going to get it done this summer. I’m writing a sort of sequel to the last two stories that I’ve written and I’m aiming to make it the same length as the other two. :)

And now I’m going back to knitting. It’s almost time to turn the heel on Sock #2 and I want to get that done before I leave tomorrow so that I can just relax with the gusset and foot and toe of the sock while in the car. :)

And this is a knitting update. Lots of pics. You have been warned. Oh and if you don’t understand the knitting chat (don’t worry, there won’t be much of that since it’s all already on Ravelry), just ignore it and admire all of the Finished Objects (FOs). ^_^

Fawkes Socks

This is Fawkes; pattern is by the late Momma Monkey and she designed this as a part of the Harry Potter series of socks to celebrate the last book coming out. I looooooove the yarn. Lisa Souza rocks with her dye jobs. It’s the first time ever that I’ve done all of the repeats that the pattern has said and it still came out very short. Not that I mind, since socks that are longer in the leg have this annoying habit of slouching down to my ankles.

Just some proof that I actually have completed both socks and not just pretending. :P

Autumn Fruits Scarf

And this is what I’ve made with the leftovers from the socks. And I still have some yarn left. Possibly enough for a pair of baby booties.

Anyway, the pattern is from one of my current favorite knitting pattern books: Victorian Lace Today by Jane Sowerby. The center consists of three rows of the Melon stitch (from the Melon Shawl) with two sets of faggotting separating them. Such an easy pattern to memorize once you get the hang of how to form the Melon stitch. I decided to use the knitted-on lace border from the Curved Bell Shawl instead of the border that came with the Melon Shawl on the ends.

Bloom Scarf

And this is my crocheted scarf. I think I got the flower pattern from LionBrand.com. Anyways, it’s kinda short and not actually that warm since it’s so hole-y, but it’s meant to be used in the summer anyway. I mean, that is what I made it for, to use in the summer evenings when it’s getting a bit chilly. Definitely not to be used as wind protection (mainly because it won’t provide any).

It’s surprisingly heavy too. The yarns are Mirasol Hacho in two different colorways (the names elude me right now) and some Rowan Cashwool as the center. The cool thing is that the Mirasol Hacho is a Fairtrade yarn, so I get something pretty and get to help others at the same time. ^_^

Teeny Tiny Bear

And this is what I made in a day when I wanted a project to zoom by. Ain’t it cute? (Yes, I do know it has no eyes or nose embroidered on it, but I like it as it is.)

We’ve decided on renting the house. Today I went and got the paperwork that needs to be signed (I’ll take that in on Tuesday since Monday is a bank holiday). Tomorrow Oliver and I have an appointment to go open up a joint account where the rent and bills and stuff will be paid from. So we’ll be moving in soon! Squee! :D

I’m almost done with my Autumn Fruits scarf. I’m calling it that because the color of the yarn makes the melon pattern look more like apples and berries and pumpkins. Now I just need to do the lace edging and then it’ll be done. Well, need to block it as well. But still. My next project will most likely be a Calla (I think that’s what the pattern’s called) in the same dusty rose bamboo yarn that I used for my modified Bad Penny. I feel like I need to use up my yarn since I just went and bought some more today. I only bought two skeins though. One of them was so that my Clapotis scarf could be made longer (it’s very very very short right now). The other one I got because it was pretty. And all the other knitters keep telling me that sock yarn doesn’t really count as stash.

I’m pretty sure I had more to write about (can’t think of it), but right now I really really want to start working on the lace border. So I’ll write later once I’ve remember what I wanted to chat about…

I’ve made an appointment to see a house later on today. Except I’m feeling a bit icky (as in sore throat and kinda nauseous). Nauseous + bus riding = not that good. So now I’m debating on whether to call the letting agency to ask if I can move my appointment to tomorrow. I’m pretty sure I won’t throw up, but I just don’t relish the idea of getting an even more icky feeling.

My Aww-tum Fawkes socks are done! Pics will be up soon-ish (like in a few days).

Not that much has happened in the last week or so. I left Aber and came to Sheffield on Friday. My dad was almost afraid that we wouldn’t get everything to fit in the car, but we did after a little rearranging. ;)

Then Saturday was spent looking at cars. The Ford salesman would not stop talking and that pretty much put me off of getting a car from there. So after about five hours of sitting in various cars, I decided on either a Smart or a Mercedes-Benz A-Class. A Smart would be better in the city (since it is tinier) but an A-Class feels safer on highways. And I will have to use highways to get to wherever I’m studying at next year. I have received a conditional offer from Aberystwyth (need to get a 2.1, which I’m pretty sure I will) and Nottingham Trent wants to interview me. Don’t know yet when the interview will be, but I’m hoping that they’ll tell me soon.

My dad and I checked out a few apartments while he was here. There’s a one bedroom fully furnished brand new place that I did like for £475/pcm. It’s within walking distance of Oliver’s work and all it needs is a washing machine (which the realtor said that the landlord will probably provide if we just ask). The only downside is that there is no parking available for it. So Oliver and I are going to go take a look at it tomorrow and see what he thinks. Last night we were looking through the property paper and found a three bedroom terraced house (part-furnished) for £500/pcm in an area that’s quite nice and nearby to everywhere we want to go. It’s also very very hilly. So having an automatic transmission instead of a manual is an imperative (for me at least). ^_^

I got practice driving while my dad was here. I have my provisional licence and so we just went to buy some L-plates and then I got to drive! We first practiced parking in the parking lot. Parallel parking was a whole lot easier than I expected. After awhile we then decided to go back and I drove from Morrissons to Oliver’s. I don’t care about not learning the manual on the wrong side of the road (and they are on the wrong side over here in my opinion). As long as I get to drive without having to stress about stuff like clutches and the car stalling, I’ll be happy. So an automatic car for me it is. :) What still scare me slightly are roundabouts. O_O

I have finally finished my modified Bad Penny. Decided to make it all pink with picot edgings at the hem and sleeves and a single crochet edging on the neckline. I’ll probably wear that to my interview actually. Or then I might wear my Isabella. Haven’t quite decided yet. Then after that top, I wanted a super quick project, so I made a teeny tiny bear. It’s shorter than my hand. :D After that I started some socks because I haven’t made a pair in ages (I swear, sweater knitting to me is becoming almost as addictive as socks). I’m making Fawkes from my Aww-tum Sock! Merino yarn. It is soooooo yummy. Gorgeous stuff.

And now it’s time for breakfast. Yes, I know it’s past 11 am, but I’ve been knitting and watching Oliver play Oblivion on the XBox 360 since 9:30… Hunger is winning now. :P

Just thought I’d let you all know that since I’m leaving Aber on Friday, I’ll be busy until Monday. Not that I’ve been really active here lately, but still.

In knitting news, still working on the Bad Penny. Did the lace and then the increase sections. Tried it on and ripped it out because it didn’t look nice. Mind you, I didn’t rip out the whole thing, just to where the lace began. So it’s back to nicely mindless stockinette that I can do in the car on Friday. :D I’ve also made a Clapotis scarf from Regia Silk. I ran out of yarn just as I was about to get to the final rows, so I used up some ends that I had in my stash. I don’t really like the way that turned out, so I’ll be ripping out what I’ve dubbed the Hufflepuff tail (because the leftover colors that I used were black and yellow) and just do a different kind of bind off.

Handed in my final essay of my BA career today. In the three years that I’ve been a uni student, I have never sent myself the wrong version of an essay to be printed. Until today. *rolls eyes* First time for everything, eh? I did luckily have the sorta correct version in my e-mail as well, so I didn’t have to go back down the hill to send myself the right version.

In between all of the packing I did manage to spend over an hour on the beach this afternoon. Read a few chapters of This Sceptered Isle. And I also bought the Highway Code so that I can start studying up for the theory test. Hopefully I’ll have my licence by early September. ^_^