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So, since I’ve been busy, I’ve decided to just show off some pictures of my last two weeks instead of telling you all about it.

There’s been dancing.

Yorkshire Dance Festival - September 17th 2011 4th place Under 35 Beginner’s Ballroom

From Blog photos

Then there’s been knitting.

I.B. Footsie by Heather Zoppetti - finished the pair this morning

From Blog photos

Then there’s been baking.

Lemon cake topped with fresh whipped cream and strawberries

From Blog photos

Then there’s been shopping.

Sheffield Wool and Textile Craft Fair - Project bag from Sally Made-it and yarn from Fondant Fibres

From Blog photos

And finally there’s been nail polish. What would my life be without nail polish?

The label says Strawberry Fizz - I call it Barbie PINK.

From Blog photos

From Blog photos

I finished my Dawn Gnot socks last night (actually wearing them right now, a sure sign summer is on its way out when I need to put on wool socks). They’re from the Criminal Sock Investigations e-book by Heather Zoppetti. Each pattern has a little blurb about what that particular sock has done. I think it’s a nice touch. There’s a KAL for it over on the Ravelry group for it. These are my first pair and I’ve already cast on for my second pair (Desi Myna). I used Woolhunter’s Ewereka Sock in Foxy Lady (a birthday gift from Lucy) on 2.5mm dpns. I also twisted the cables the other way on the second sock like it suggests in the pattern. Used Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off for the first time ever. It is super stretchy. As for mods, the back of the leg is supposed to be stockinette stitch, but I changed that to 1x1 ribbing (and added one st) because I wanted to make sure the leg would have enough stretch and snugness at the same time. The pattern itself is fairly easy to memorise after a few repeats, but doing socks toe up on dpns kinda feels like I’m wrestling with a hedgehog in the beginning. While I don’t mind doing socks toe up that much, I definitely prefer knitting them cuff down. That’s the way I’m used to doing them (just like I will only use dpns for socks, magic looping bugs me as does 2 circs).

My Cadence sweater is going along fine. It’s really great TV knitting since most of it is stockinette stitch. I’m almost done with the body decreases, then it’s just straight knitting until I get to the hem ribbing. Then, of course, come the two sleeves. But I’m in no rush with this. I like having it as mindless knitting.

In other news, I got my hair cut today! While for most this isn’t really news, I only get mine cut about once a year. Last time I got it cut was in December 2010. The time before that, January 2010. I like low maintenance, so I chop off a chunk (still have it fairly long, past my shoulders) and then I just let it grow until it bugs me again. And it only really starts to bug me when I have my hair down and it keeps getting trapped in my elbows. My hair smells really yummy right now. I don’t know what the stuff is that they put in it when they blow dry and straighten my hair, but it sure smells nice. It is kinda silly trying to straighten my hair when it’s wet and/or humid. It just sproings back into its weird curls.

I really like this whole having time off work but not going anywhere thing we’re doing. O & I are taking long walks and just talk until the weather or our legs tell us it’s time to go home. And I’m making a lot of progress on my knitting and actually writing up/typing up patterns that I’ve had semi-ready for awhile. I’ve still got 5 days worth of holiday time to use up for this year so I’m planning on having another week off like this sometime in November (probably, will have to check what works for both me & O).

From Blog photos

We find Stalagmite once again in the naughty corner. I swear there is just something wrong with me when knitting this pattern. First sock went in the naughty corner after I messed up the cabling in the leg of the sock (I later ripped back three rounds and fixed it). Now it’s sock #2 that’s causing me grief. Just compare the top bit of the photo with the lower half. You’ll see. I was watching the latest ep of True Blood and apparently not paying enough attention to the sock. I haven’t ripped back yet, but I will tomorrow. When I’m done being mad at it.

In the meantime, I’ve cast on Dawn Gnot by Heather Zoppetti with some Woolhunter that Lucy gave me as a birthday present. So far I’ve done the toe and one pattern repeat. I only work on it while at work (as in waiting for work to start or during my lunch break) so it’s not seeing as much action as Stalagmite (a lot of good that’s done!).

I’ve also caved into a very strong urge and cast on Cadence by Jordana Paige (a Knitty pattern). I’m using the green yarn I bought this summer while in Finland (at 3 100g skeins for 5€, there was no way I’d say no to that deal). I’m using 5mm circs and so far I’ve done about 10 rounds. I really like the pattern so far. Turns out, I like quite a few of Jordana’s patterns. I’ve already knit Isabella (summer top), an apron and I’ve got Amused (a sweater) queued up. And I’m considering Starsky, but I don’t really knit jackets so who knows if I’ll ever get around to that one.

From Blog photos

Meet Chicken #1 and Chicken #2. They don’t have names yet. Probably never will. Why do I have chickens? Well, some of you may know about Beyonce the metal chicken. I told this story to O’s mother and ended it with: “You know, I kinda want one now.” Two weeks later, I’ve got chickens guarding my plant pot (which is full of weeds). She’s awesome that way. Doesn’t think I’m silly for wanting chickens, just goes out and finds me some. So today, while it was very sunny and warm out, I sat next to the chickens knitting and listening to Chop Bard (currently working my way through The Tempest).

Anyhoo, knitting news. Twisted Flowers are done. I love the colour. It’s so happy. There’s a picture of them on my Ravelry project page if anyone’s interested. I’ve started a pair of Stalagmites (again, by Cookie A). They look great, but omg the knitting is going by so slowly! I think it’s partly because I have to keep checking which chart I’m on and that slows me down (for some reason I just can’t seem to memorise this pattern). But I’ve made it past the heel and am about halfway through the gusset on the left sock. Definitely not portable knitting. But I’ve got my yarn wound for some (hopefully!) portable socks: Dawn Gnot by Heather Zoppetti. I’ll probably cast those on tomorrow during my lunch. Which reminds me, I should probably print out the pattern…

And there are more additions to my stash! Since I loved the base on my Twisted Flower socks so much, I bought more from Stitches ‘N Rows! I got the colourways Bombay Sapphire and Moody. The package originally arrived on Wednesday (so it took about a week to get here from the US), but since no one was in to accept it, I had it redelivered on Saturday. The yarn looks so much better in person. It’s so intense. Better than Wollmeise, imo. And a lot softer! I’ve also heard that they’re getting a new base, merino/cashmere/nylon if I remember correctly. I can’t wait until they’ve got that so I can send them a custom dye request. :D

Oh and I’ve finally got some Signature needles! O and R bought me a circ each, so now I’ve got 3.75mm and 4mm circs waiting to be used. I just need to pick a pattern for my green yarn (making a sweater) and off I go. So excited.

From Blog photos

It’s done and blocked! Took me almost a month to knit this (Omelet from Knitty.com), mainly because I could only work on it while at home. And you know what else I discovered today? Photographing green projects in our garden is really tricky. The two others that I deemed worthy enough to be shared with others are posted to the project page on Ravelry. But I love it and can’t wait to wear it. Still a tad too warm to be needing shawls, so for now it’ll just hang out in the living room with my Laminaria.

My Twisted Flowers are coming along nicely. I’m ready for the heel flap on sock #2. I’d be further along if I hadn’t gotten distracted by a new design idea. The pattern’s almost ready to be sent to testers. I’m hoping for it be ready for public consumption by the end of September, but as always, I’ll announce it here on my blog when the pattern’s available for download. I’m also winding yarn for a pair of Dawn Gnots (by Heather Zoppetti). I’ll be using some Woolhunter Ewereka! (100% BFL) that I received as a birthday gift from Lucy last year. I’m tired of not having a portable project so Dawn Gnot it is.

In other news, the attic and the office rooms are finally as organized as they’ll get. Still need to buy a bookshelf and containers from IKEA so I can sort my stash better, but other than that, they’re done! I might even get some sewing done now that there’s space in the attic. We’ll see. Knitting will always be my first addiction, but the pull of sewing a dress for myself is fairly strong right now…

From Blog photos

I’ve got more knitting books! Looks like I really should just go to IKEA and buy that bookcase I keep talking about. My knitting book pile just keeps on growing.

Anyway!

Heirloom Knitting by Sharon Miller came in the mail yesterday. Now, while I most likely won’t be knitting any of the patterns in here, I absolutely love all of the stitch patterns in it (the Shetland Bead in particular). That’s why I bought it. So many ideas just bouncing around in my head waiting to be put into patterns of my own. It’s inspiration.

The other book, Modern Knits Vintage Style, was a birthday gift. Shaun pointed out the pattern that made him decide that this book was right for me and I agreed with him. It was the Branching Out pattern, by Susan Pierce Lawrence. I’ve actually already knit this a few years ago when the pattern was released in Knitty. Shaun knows my style well. As for the other patterns in the book, there are quite a few that I’d consider knitting, with slight modifications. For instance the first pattern in the book, Cherry Short-Sleeve Cardigan, is almost perfect as it is. I’d just lose the belt in the middle. Belts just aren’t my thing. The Jacqueline Bouvier Stole looks interesting; I’m intrigued by the Very 1940s Snood; and I haven’t quite made up my mind whether I’d want to knit the Charming Shoulderette as written (in garter stitch) or change it up a bit and knit it in stockinette. So many options. And that’s the great thing about knitting, you can make any pattern to suit your tastes.

In other knitting news, my Dr Seuss Shawl (Omelet from Knitty) is beginning to drive me a bit batty. The rows are just so freakin’ long now. Over 300 sts per row. It’ll be at about 400 sts by the time I need to bind off. Still, only have 13 and a half rows to go (yes, I stopped in the middle of a row, but I’m sure I’ll figure out where in the pattern I was).

My Twisted Flower socks are my mindless knitting. Yes, really. And they’re so happy. The colour is wonderful. The yarn that I’m using is Happy Soles in “I can’t believe it’s not…” from Stitches N Rows on Etsy. And because I’ve fallen in love with that base, I just ordered two more skeins from them last night.

One more thing, before I go back to knitting Omelet and watching Babylon 5: There is a KAL (knit-along) for Bashful Butterflies! So far, I’ve met a ton of new knitters that I just otherwise wouldn’t have met, which is really cool. If you head on over to Google+, contact Jo Price to sign up (since Yana Weinstein is on holiday right now) she’ll let you know the coupon code for 40% off of Bashful Butterflies. Cast on is August 16th, 2011. I’ll try to be around as much as I can, answering questions and just cheering people on.

Last week, I turned 26. On the same day, I decided to release Bashful Butterflies, a small summer scarf or medium shawlette, depending on yarn choice and gauge. The 4ply version uses under 100g and the DK version uses under 200g. You can get it either through Ravelry or The Unique Sheep’ website. I got my wonderful youngest sister to model for me while I was in Finland. Whenever people who know me have seen pictures of her, their reaction has been along the same lines as Mike’s yesterday: “She’s got your face!” And of course, my three test knitters (Sadie, Amy and Sharon) have been fabulous, like they always are. And the pattern is currently being tested by a fourth for exact Gradiance instructions, so once those are up, I’ll let everyone know about the updated version.

In other knitting news, the Lissajous are done. It’s a bit weird not having any socks otn right now, but that’ll be remedied tomorrow when I’ll be casting on a pair of Twisted Flowers in a happy yellow. In the meantime, I’ve been working on my Dr Seuss Shawl (aka Green Egg Omelet). The pattern, Omelet, has so many charts! I completed Chart B and C today, and am two rows into Chart D (20 rows total). Still got Chart E (34 rows) to go! The rows are getting really long now. But I just keep thinking how pretty the finished product will be and keep going. And thanks to Nina, it’s been so easy to keep track of where I am in the pattern. She recommended the StitchMinder app and it’s great.

Speaking of apps, I’ve also started using RunKeeper when I go on my runs. I didn’t realize how far I was actually going on my daily runs. Last Sunday, I decided to go for a hike instead of a run. But because I lost GPS, the app now thinks it took me an hour to do a mile when I really did four miles (a lot of it uphill!). Ah well.

Yesterday, I went to the Vintage Fair with Nina and Lucy. I didn’t find any clothing that I wanted to buy, but I did get a pretty rose necklace and some rose hair pins. Then we went shopping on Fargate. It really annoys me that there isn’t a standardized size. So what’s one size in New Look is actually in between sizes in Dorothy Perkins. Makes shopping for clothes very difficult. But I did find a pair of trousers to wear to work, two shirts and a pair of leggings. The next time we go to Meadowhall I’ll try both New Look and Dorothy Perkins again since their shops are bigger there.

… for those who want to buy me presents. Last weekend I went to Finland and saw Moomin mugs in the shops. I decided to start collecting them. As of right now, I own two. The one pictured which I bought last weekend and one that’s somewhere in storage at my mom’s. I can’t even remember which one it is. I think it’s blue? I got it years ago from my uncle. So! If you’re wanting to buy me a present but have no idea what to get me? A Moomin mug would certainly be appreciated. Or then there’s always my Amazon wishlist. Or various knitting related items that I’ve got my eye on.

Why am I mentioning this now? Because it’s my birthday next Friday. And I like getting gifts, even if it is just a bar of chocolate or something. Just the fact that someone remembered is the main thing. But if anyone’s inclined to buy me something bigger than a chocolate bar… ;)

So yes, I went to Finland last weekend. I was over there for four days. Renewed my passport, bought the mug, my youngest sister got confirmed, met up with a Belgian friend who I hadn’t seen for almost three years, went swimming. Good times were had. What I did forget about were the mosquitoes. And how tasty I am to them. I came home with seven really itchy bites. But still glad I went. Oh and I found some yarn on sale while I was there! Normal price was 2,95€/ball, but they were selling it 3 balls for 5€. So naturally I bought 6 balls. I gots me a sweater for 10€. :D

Knitting wise, the Lissajous are still on the needles. I’ve decided to keep them as just lunch hour knitting since I don’t have anything else that’s easily portable to work on. The last few days I’ve been trying to decide what my next project will be and that’s proven to be difficult. Last night I was thinking about sweaters. Today I was looking at lace shawls. I think I’ve chosen my yarn and pattern, but I’m not going to say what it is until I’ve actually cast on.

I’ve also started spinning with my new drop spindle. It’s a real challenge for me to spin thicker yarn that’s consistent now. I’ve gotten pretty good at getting really thin yarn on my old drop spindle, but thicker? I have to concentrate on that. But at least it’s going pretty quickly. Already over halfway through the 100g I’ve got (using SW English Wool Blend from Wildcraft Fibres in the Pudding colorway).

So while I’ve been thinking about my next project, I’ve been making more squares. I have a feeling this blanket’ll take at least another year, maybe two, to complete. But that’s okay, since it is for me, so there is no deadline for it. It’ll be ugliest thing ever (I’ve dubbed it FrankenBlanket), but at the same time, I’m pretty sure I’ll love it.

So, last Saturday, I went to Woolfest with Nina and Lucy. Had a fabulous time. I was amazingly restrained in my purchasing. I think partly because most places only accepted cash or cheque, neither of which I had. We did take the free shuttle to Cockermouth from the fairground to get lunch and some cash, but I don’t like carrying a lot of cash on me, so I made sure to stick to a tight budget. Nina and Lucy on the other hand? Let’s just say that I’ve got stash envy. ;) I discovered quite a few dyers that I hadn’t heard of before. All three that are pictured are completely new to me. I had such a hard time picking a color in Wild Fire Fibres’ stall. I eventually settled on Cornflower (Tempo base) and I’ve already cast on with it (Lissajous by Cookie A). The drive there and back was nice and easy. Although on the way there we discovered that the CD player wouldn’t eject the CD. And since there weren’t that many radio stations that didn’t sound static-y, we listened to that one CD over and over again. And then some more. Other than that, it was a fabulous day. I definitely want to go again.

Which leads me today. Ryan is up from London so he and O decided to replace the stereo-radio system in the car. We went to Halfords, picked out a new one, then I left the two of them to it. They called in back-up after a few hours: O’s dad (he’s a mechanic). After four hours, it was all sorted out. I don’t have steering wheel controls any more, but now I can answer my phone if it rings while I drive, so it all evens out.

Last Sunday we went to a dance competition in Stockport. Ian & I placed 6th in both Beginner’s Ballroom (Waltz & Quickstep) and Beginner’s Latin (Cha & Jive). Even though I was still feeling pretty ill (the coughing fits after each round of dancing), just being able to dance again was worth it. If you really want to see me dance, I’ve uploaded a video of the waltz.

I’ve also been kinda promoted. I’ve moved to a new team within Accounts. My very first job was being a cashier at a supermarket, now I’m a Legal Cashier. Funny how that works. This was decided on Monday, started training on Tuesday. Which meant that we played musical desks again. I now sit where WorkJane used to sit. WorkJane sits at Lesley’s desk and Lesley moved to a completely different table in Purchase Ledger. And WorkJane doesn’t know about the move yet. She’ll be in for a surprise on Monday when she comes in from her holiday. Fun times. So far, I really like my new job. It’s scary since I am dealing with massive amounts of money and actually dealing with banks instead of just inputting the information into the accounting system. But it’s new and fun. It’s a nice change from what I used to do. And I really like most of the people in that team.

Let’s see, what else… I’ve finally finished spinning the Tea & Roses shipment. It was all done before Woolfest, which meant that I could purchase a new spindle. I’ve got 601 yds/98g of pretty laceweight to play with now. I mentioned that I’ve cast on the Lissajous. Oh! Bashful Butterflies update: only need to measure the small version’s dimensions, add photos to the pattern (which I’ll be taking this weekend when I can use my sisters as models), and then it’s done. My three testers have been fabulous and I hope they’ll volunteer to test for me again. They’ve caught my autocorrect errors, helped me re-phrase things in a clearer way, basically just been wonderful.