I may not post much, but I still read YOUR blog!

I know I never post, but I do still read blogs and I did notice when Erqsome tagged me!

I was tagged by Erqsome Emmms for the "Peeps I want to know more about" meme. The rules:

Each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5-6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?

This is a relatively easy and boring question to answer. 10 years ago I was 14 and it was May, nearing the end of my first year of high school. I’d probably already “met” douchebag (my ex) by then and begun the road to 4 long years of a fairly crappy high school relationship. But, most clouds have silver lining and if it weren’t for douchebag I wouldn’t have met John and as John is my favourite and my best I wouldn’t change it. (Well, most of it.) At any rate, 10 years ago it was late May. If you want to say what I was doing on a Friday in late May I was at school all day and probably spent the evening begging my mom to let me out to go to the movies or to let me talk on the phone for a few minutes and in the end I no doubt ended up watching TV or a movie with my siblings and going to bed. (Although at this exact moment it was the middle of the night and I was probably up late reading by a flashlight or moonlight or the light from my glowworm toy, which is probably why I wear glasses now.) But I doubt that’s the spirit of the question. 10 years ago I was as boring as I am now. I’ve always been a bit reserved, a bit of shut-in. I believe someone at the time likened my habits to the reclusive ones of another Emily. (Dickinson.) I spent most of my weekday nights doing homework and I spent most of my free time reading. That summer, like every summer, I hung out with my siblings, visited my grandparents, and danced barefoot in my backyard in a long, medieval style nightgown by the light of the moon.

2. What are 5 things on my to-do list for today (not in any particular order):

a) Work, which includes about 50 to-dos not least of which typing 3 sets of minutes, drafting several letters, ordering various promotional materials, and not acting like a complete idiot.

b) Pack. We’re moving tomorrow and we need to pack the kitchen. It’s the only room that isn’t finished now. (That and the bathroom, but I kind of need to shower.)

c) Knit. I’ve finished Sophie, and I’d like to start the second I have planned. I’d also like to start an Elijah and an Otto. I’ve got to sew down the brim of the Yarr Be Pirates hat that I knit for my brother but that won’t fit (due to lack of swatching, I’m at a tighter gauge than I should be) and that is now going to be given to a co-worker to give to a friend.

d) Read. I’m currently reading The Merlin Trilogy by Mary Stewart. I’m only on the first book “The Crystal Cave” but I’m really enjoying it and it’s big on my agenda at the moment.

e) Watch QI. I love this programme. I feel a natural affinity for Stephen Fry for several reasons. One he reminds me hugely of my dad but also of my favourite teacher in high school. And he’s clever and funny and I identify with him for very personal reasons which means that I’m a big fan of him in a way that I’m not of other actors/celebrities I admire.

You can see my life is just as boring now as it was 10 years ago. Replace "school" with work and half of the time I spend reading with knitting and replace my siblings as TV watching partners with Evil Andy and here I am. At least Evil Andy is no douchebag.

3) Snacks I enjoy:

Hmm, this is tough. I’m a big snacker. (Which is why I’m so fat. And Emmms who says she’s not a big snacker is so thin!) I love crisps. I love most flavours except Cheese and Onion. I love it at the time but the after taste just ruins it for me. I love sweets, but mostly chocolate. I do have a soft spot for jelly fruity sweets (like Jelly Babies, or those orange slices in sugar) and for Jolly Ranchers and other hard fruity candies like Polos or Lifesavers. I also like to snack on popcorn (all types except salty kinds), cheese, corn tortilla chips, wheat-free scones, English Muffins, and crumpets, ice cream, cake (probably polenta cake), wheat free cookies, biscuits, and oatcakes. And actually I'll snack on anything. Even bits of a main meal (boiled vegetables, half a piece of spelt lasagna, a bit of smoked salmon, some salami in a pitta, etc.)

4) Things I would do if I were a billionaire:

Well, this is a ridiculous question. I’d buy a lovely old house. Something historical, but not necessarily huge. Though in my dreams I’m a servant (so much more interesting) in a lovely old stately home like Calke Abbey or Audley End House. I just want an old house with lots of nooks and crannies and lots of history and stories and ghosts. I would, of course, buy loads of yarn and I’d go and visit my family a lot. I care about the environment but I’m far too sentimental and homesick to not fly if I have the money. (Even though flying terrifies me.) I’d also do all sorts of other things. I’d donate more money to my best causes. And I’d leave my job and go back to University and get a degree and work doing something I love. I’d like to be an archaeologist, or a historian, or work in a museum or library, or be a curator. I’d buy Andy some first edition Tolkien works and take him on a re-honeymoon back to Hawai’i. I’d also take him to his dream holiday destinations like places with volcanoes, and China, and Peru. I’d do lots of things. Probably the usual things. Did I mention I’d buy a spinning wheel and all the trimmings and probably a farm with sheep and alpacas and horses and etc. (this would be on the land attached to my love old home) and I’d buy all the knitting yarn I liked and I’d finally get my hands on some of Sundara’s yarn.

5) Places you have lived:

I’ve lived in very few places. I lived in Bellevue, Washington for 18 years of my life. Then in Notre Dame, Indiana for 9 months. I lived in Seattle, Washington for 2.5 years and I’ve lived in London for 3.75 years. As of tomorrow I will be living in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. I've lived in only one house in each of these places.

6) Peeps I want to know more about:

I think everyone has already done this now. If you haven’t done it consider yourself tagged.I don’t like to jump around people’s blogs tagging them so I’ll just put out the broadcast here. If you’re somebody I know like Princess Deia, or Yogic Knitter, or Sunshine Pop (aka ShazzRazzmatazz, which I spelled incorrectly) then consider yourself tagged doubly so. (If you haven’t been already.)

Probably going to do a nicer longer update with photos of my house after we move. I'll do a before and after photo. (It's going to be before and after furniture. We have zero pounds for decoration at the moment.)

okluvubai.

...

It's been a long time since I've had the energy and inclination to post here. My creative drive in terms of the written words comes in fits and starts. And I really can't predict when my mood will be just right to compel me to sit at the computer and tap out a post, a letter, a story, a poem, anything.

There's been a lot on my mind and a lot on my plate recently. I've not been very well health wise, and I've been entirely wrapped up in myself, my family, and my own life and problems. As such I've neglected those close to me, people I care about, and I'm sorry for this.

It seems like everything is happening all at once. There's good news and bad news. Terrible news and worse than terrible news. But there is hope and a certain will to get through it all. So I suppose I have that to keep me going.

In short, I have had more than a little happen in the last 3 months. In chronological order here's an update of my life.

My cousin Joey and his wife had a baby just before Christmas. A healthy boy they named Soren. I'm so proud. My grandparents have had their first great-grandchild! And he's the first baby of his generation in our whole family. I've knitted him a toy rabbit. :)

Andy was very ill over Christmas/New Year with the Noro Virus, which hit him much harder than it did anyone else in the family because of a previous illness and (we think) stress. He was ill for three and a half weeks. It was a mixed blessing that his illness manifested itself in lower digestive discomfort rather than vomiting which means it was far less contagious. But he became so dehydrated we spent a very long night in A&E a few nights before Christmas. He's all better now, but it did take him until mid-January to fully regain his strength. So there was that taking up my time. I was, of course, ill myself during much of his illness and also in full-time work. So I spent a great deal of time exhausted and rushed off my feet. I didn't get to see Jackie or Susan while they visited England over the holiday period and that was a huge disappointment for me.

When Andy was recovered we stepped up our house hunting. Back in November we agreed with the landlady (henceforward known as Yvonne, because that's her name)that we'd only have 6 more months in the flat we rent from her. She's a senile old bint to put it mildly. When we first moved in we had furniture we didn't want to get rid of and couldn't afford to store so she took some of her furniture out of the flat and we brought ours in. There are too many chairs in the living room and we have an armchair in the kitchen and a sofa in the bedroom, but this has been the case from day one and she knew what was going on from the start. She also said we could get a cat as long as it was a cat that stayed indoors. We got Bella who's a fraidy cat and stays in the house and loves it. We've had her for 2.5 years. Last November she complained to us on two grounds. 1) She said we can't be cleaning the flat properly with all that furniture inside and she wanted us to put it in storage and 2) She never said we could have a cat and we'd have to get rid of her and by the way she runs a cat shelter she could find a nice home for her. We refused on both points, kicked ourselves for not getting her craziness in writing, and agreed we'd leave in 6 months. She's the worst landlady we've ever known so we're very happy about this. Anyway, we looked for a house and found one within two weeks, put in an offer, had it accepted and we're now doing paperwork and meeting with mortgag advisers and estate agents and blah blah blah practically every weekend. So we're moving just north of London to a 3 bedroom, midterraced house with large kitchen, living room, and dining room, 3 large bedrooms, a bath and toilet, and a large front and back garden. Lovely. I'll get my own yarn room! But that's been taking up loads of my time.

Then our niece Isobel came down with pneumonia a few weeks ago and had to be hospitalised and put on oxygen. It was touch and go for a while, but she's slowly getting better and is now recovering at home. We've been very anxious and worried.

Also a few weeks ago I was made redundant. The company is closing and I won't have a job from the 1st of April. I've been frantically looking for work and going to interviews and writing CVs, letters, and applications. Wish me luck. If I don't get a job soon we'll lose the house and have to start the search over.

I have been knitting, but not much. I've recently finished the aforementioned stuffed rabbit, a chevron scarf, and a pair of socks. I've been reading a lot. I recently finished Le Morte D'Arthur. I've been very boring, quiet, shut-in and stressed.

I hope next time I post there will be more joy to report.

Happy Christmas!

Dear everyone,

I should be at Not-Evil Jo's (Evil Andy's mum) house tonight, but Evil Andy has the Evil Flu and we're staying here for tonight. Maybe tomorrow?

I'm writing with a bit of Christmas cheer. I can now reveal that I was Secret Pal to Mr. Jon EasyKnits (www.easyknts.co.uk) who celebrated his birthday on Sunday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND HAPPY CHRISTMAS, JON! Being your Secret Pal has been a real treat. :)

In other news:



I always sign my Secret Pal parcels as Secret Squirrel. This is where I spend my Bank Holidays and Half-Term breaks.


And a call from the Wanderlust Mothership today (and a concomitant e-mail) furnished me with knowledge of this:



My sister AMelissa decided she wanted to make a gingerbread house so she bought a kit. My brother David decided he wanted to play along and also bought a kit. On the left is the gorgeous gingerbread stylings of my lovely sister. On the right: Davidsville. :) I love it. The contrast perfectly illustrates their personalities as well. Please note, David is not apathetic...he's merely (!)amusing. :)

Here they are in lovely person:



I miss my family to the max at the moment. But Christmas here with the Evil One and the Friskytrix (That's the cat, Bella...) Isn't too shabby.

Except that we neglected to buy anything for dinner tomorrow. (What if Evil's not well enough to drive to Crawley!? Yikes! Tinned Christmas dinner. :( )

Also...
I'm not going to do any more swaps or anything for a while. I have too much stress at the moment to keep up with the blogbligations of swaps. I hate feeling like my blog is another obligations. Yuck. Anyway, that means random, intermittent posts from me. I don't get the computer very much at home and at work, well, work is very busy right now.

Happy Christmas everyone. I've been doing a bunch of knitting recently so I'll leave you a few photos of that lot:



Simply Stocking Stitch socks in CTH "Monet" (with short row toe & heel and three needle bind off to close the top-down short-row toe)



Senora's Scarf. Garter Stitch scarf (15 stitches wide, Colinette Point 5 in Windfall or something...2 skeins...) To say thanks to my Spanish teacher for helping me out with Day of the Dead.



A mitred square (out of CTH Monet) for Stash Basket Michaela's Oliver's Blanket appeal.



The Aubergine Shawlette. Blue Sky Alpacas Alpaca Silk. For Siani (that's Siani.)



Woven scarf, made with Wendy Shimmer Eyelash Yarn for Elaine at work. Secret Santa present. Made in a few hours. Very pretty result.



Fetchings for Jemimah at work. She loves them. Rooster Almerino Aran. No mods. Exactly as written.



Peekabo mittens out of Coldharbour Mill Organic Waterwheel Spun Merino. For Bejal at work. She loves them too. (There are two, just there was only one when I took this photo and I forgot to take them when finished.)


Also one more piece of news: John is home!! John (my friend who was in Iraq, bestest friend of ever, photo a few posts back) has come home from war and let's hope he stays home!

Anyway, Happy Christmas everyone! Lovelovelove!

En memoria de me tía...

There's a moderately good reason why I've been so quiet lately. I thought that with a bit of time, and certain milestones it would be easier to tell everyone, but it isn't. I've been able to tell a few people, but not many at once...like here. And it's been blocking my blog with the burden of things unsaid.

I'm just going to do it anyway.

On the morning of August 10th my Great Aunt Janie passed away. Aunt Janie was born Juanita in México or Texas in the late 1920s. Information about my grandmother's family is always sparse. My grandmother left her Méxi-Spanish heritage behind several years ago. If asked she'll say she's "American". My Aunt Janie never felt the need to deny her heritage however. Aunt Janie was my grandmother's eldest sister and near as I can tell she was between 76 and 80 when she died. She lived in Birmingham Alabama for as long as I can remember, but she was also a major in the United States Air Force and served all over the world, including London, not far from where I live now. She visited us often, and I and my mother were particular favourites of hers. It is partly from my Aunt Janie that I have learned the value of pride, of honesty, and of not being ashamed to be who you are, even if others disapprove. My grandma didn't generally approve of Aunt Janie. I think perhaps because Aunt Janie didn't play by her rules (also possibly becuase she allegedly chased her with a stick when they were kids, and took her dolls apart or something...) Aunt Janie was a major in the Air Force when my more traditional grandmother opted for a career in nursing before marrying, leaving work, and having four kids. Aunt Janie never married. She once told my mother she thought men were boars, though at the time my mother assumed she meant bores. ;) Aunt Janie was never ashamed of her past, and frequently spoke Spanish, which annoyed my grandmother who liked to pretend she couldn't speak the language. I think Aunt Janie loved to give the game away by asking questions in Spanish and forcing my grandmother to respond, albeit in English. Aunt Janie had a great, often mischievous sense of humour.

But she was also so caring, kind, and loving. In a family where boys were favoured she made a point of showing my mother, and then me how much she appreciated and loved us. I always got to spend the most time with Aunt Janie, she liked having me around. I think she saw in me and my mother the same strength and independence she had in her. I think she wanted to nurture that because if there's one thing I'll always thank Aunt Janie for it's her courage. She helped to teach me to be myself. And she was always proud of me whatever I did. She was one of only two, of the many people in my big extended famly who bothered to send an RSVP and a gift when I invited her to my wedding. (The other was my dad's sister).

And she knit for us.

There is so much I miss about Aunt Janie. So much I wish I could say. All my photos of her are in America, and so are the lovely gifts she knit for me and my family over the years. Sweaters, hats, blankets, ponchos, shawls and one very special pink cabled afghan. I think I was about 10 when she gave it to me...and it was always on my bed. I tried to take it with me when I left my mum's house but I didn't have time to grab more than a rucksack with a few pairs of underwear and some t-shirts...and as a result I didn't have it at my dad's when I moved to England. My sister has it on her bed now and I've asked her to keep it warm for me until I can bring it back here.

It was for Aunt Janie that I knit my first project. For some reason I was suddenly struck with the urge to knit. Out of the blue. NO idea why at the time. Though I think now, that somehow she must have been calling out to me. Last October, on the family trip to Cornwall for half-term I was gripped with a need to knit during the car ride. It sort of bubbled around in my head as we were packing but the urge became so strong that I made Andy promise that we would stop at Hobbycraft in Coventry after we picked up the Orcling so I could buy yarn and needles. He forgot, but I did manage to pick up what I needed in Trago Mills in Cornwall so I could knit on the way back. I went out of my way somewhere in Devon when we stopped for lunch to find a WHSmith that was about 5 seconds away from closing so I could buy a book to help remind myself how to cast on.

And the first day of the very next week after I suddenly HAD to knit I got an e-mail from my grandmother that told me that Aunt Janie was very sick. I didn't know at the time that she'd only have a year, but I did guess...I hadn't even known when Aunt Janie was first diagnosed with uteran cancer several years ago. It had to be serious, terminal, for my grandmther to mention it. I cried for days. I knew she was going to die and I wasn't ready. I knew I wouldn't get to see her again unless I won the lottery (I didn't) and I wasn't ready to say goodbye. So I did what Aunt Janie had done for us for so many years. I knit. I went to John Lewis and bought three balls of RYC Soft Tweed in Loganberry and 2 in Thistle. I bought some 10in 8mm Pony bamboo needles. I went to Hobbycraft and bought some Patons Spirit in Blackcurrant. And I made my first scarf. I used 2 balls each of the Soft Tweed, knitting each ball until it ran out and then changing colour. I chose purple because I remember Aunt Janie knitting my grandmother a purple heathered shawl, not unlike Alice Starmore's St. Ciaran, and because she gave me and my grandmother shirts and sweatshirts with purple flowers on them one year. I used the Spirit to make a fringe. I blocked it inexpertly, and I sent it off. A wide, thick scarf that I hoped would keep my beloved Auntie warm when she was in hospital.

She loved it so much. She was so proud. She showed it to all her friends, and she wore it all through that last, cold winter. The last letter she sent is full of praise for it. She soon got too sick to send any more letters. But I know she asked after me. Towards the end she was in so much pain and so disoriented from the drugs she didn't recognise my grandmother's voice on the phone. In the end I am grateful that she died quietly, peacefully, and that her suffering was over. And I know she wouldn't really want me to cry, but I can't help it. I just miss her.

Aunt Janie was cremated and inurned on the 11th of August in Birmingham Cathedral. She had a full honour guard and 21 gun salute. My uncle David, who was able to attend the service, said everyone cried as the honour guard played Taps. My mum's cousin Davis was at the funeral too. He's, I think, 12 years old, and Aunt Janie nursed him and cared for him through his own battle with cancer a few years ago. He was presented the flag that was draped over her coffin. My mum tells me that the funeral was exactly what Aunt Janie wanted.

The milestone I was waiting for, the thing, the grieving ritual I was hoping would help me talk about this was el Día de los Muertos. My Aunt Janie wasn't ashamed of her heritage. She wasn't ashamed, as my grandmother was, of not being of Anglo-Saxon descent. And while my grandmother will, if pressed, admit to Spanish (as in Mediterranean) blood, she would never admit to being Méxican. Aunt Janie never felt the need to deny it. She looked the most "Indian" of her sisters, with my grandmother looking the most like the great grandaughter of a Conquistador...which might have something to do with their disparate attitudes towards their heritage. But whatever it was, whatever prompted it, my Aunt Janie was proud to have the blood of the original Méxicanos in her veins. And in her honour I celebrated my first day of the dead on November 1st. I laid out colourful cloths, pulled out the nearest incense to Copal that I could find, bought the nearest flower to Marigolds that I could, baked pan de muertos and bone cookies, and made and decorated calaveras (sugar skuls). I wasn't able to do much in the way of traditional food as Andy got sick the day before I'd planned to make atole and mole Poblano. I couldn't visit Aunt Janie's grave at the Cathedral in downtown Birmingham (AL, not UK). But I lit candles, and decorated with papel picado, and I set a place for her at dinner every night that week. I decorated my ofrenda not with photos of her or items she owned, becuase I have none...but with cards she sent, the skulls I made, the bread I baked, a scarf I made to match hers, some yarn I spun by hand, and some needles...just in case she wanted to knit.

My Aunt Janie was a brave, wonderful woman. I was so lucky to have her in my life and I am so proud of her. I am so glad I could honour her this way. It will be a traditon I will keep each year.

I'll leave you with photos of my ofrenda. The idea of an ofrenda is to offer food, drink, and memories in honour of dead loved ones. The soul of the food you prepare is consumed by the souls of your loved ones, which traditionally can only return to you on this night of the year, All Souls Night. Aromatic foods are favoured, like pan de muertos, which is made with anise seeds and (in my family anyway) orange zest and cinnamon. The bone cookies aren't traditional, I just like them. Strong smells like Copal incense, or marigold flowers, are included as it is believed that the heady scent is strong enough to help guide the souls of the departed back to the homes of the living. In the same spirit I included yarn that I made. I spun it by hand so it's spirit is stronger than millspun yarn. If Aunt Janie's soul wanted to knit I think it would knit with the soul of the yarn I made. :) Glass needles were believed by Cornish witches to be spiritually more potent and were used for knitting spells, I hoped their concentrated spirit would suit Aunt Janie's astral knitting.

Most of the decorations are from The House of Guadalupe in Camden Town Lock Market.







(Skull stitchmarkers from Robyn's Nest in Canada, needle vase and glass needles from Purlescence)





















Aunt Janie, te quiero.

Nunca me olvidaré.

(I hope I said that right!)

Fake Rhinebeck

Girl on the Rocks has come up with the idea for a Fake Rhinebeck...a Stashbeck if you will...for all of us who weren't able to go to Rhinebeck and are getting jealous of all the stash enhancment photos on all the blogs out there.

The idea is to post photos of yarn from your own stash, get re-excited about it, and post it as Fake Rhinebeck.

So here goes!!

I was restrained at Rhinebeck this year. I only got things that I consider to be REALLY special to me.

Here they are!

In the yarn hut I got:



Three lovely colourways of Socks That Rock Mediumweight. Thistle, Puck's Mischief, and Lemongrass.



I got a coveted skein of Yarn Pirate Fingering Merino in an EXCLUSIVE colourway "Ozone"!!



I am in love with this Merino/Tencel blend from the Natural Dye Studio called Mirage in the colourway Arctic Moon. Mmm. Shimmery.



I also got two skeins of Louet Gems for some Hallowe'en themed socks (for next year obviously!) That's Citrus and Black.



The delicious Kauni Effektgarn!!! I love this! The perfect rainbow yarn!!! :)

And in the fibre hut:



Some deliciously soft and beautifully dyed Blue Faced Leicester from Fyberspates! And some undyed cream BFL. I can't wait to spin this up!! :) It came as a spindle kit with (I think) a Babe spindle (correct if I'm wrong...but maybe Fyberspates Jen made them?)


Anyway, happy fake Rhinebeck everyone!

Contest, and a disclaimer

I still haven't photographed my Ally Pally Stash Grab. Sorry. I suck.

I can show you the following things though for the next SP11 Contest:

1)

My first finished object. I knit it out of RYC Soft Tweed for my Aunt Janie who was sick with cancer. I finished it in 2 days I think. In October 2006, nearly 1 year ago. It's just a garter stitch scarf. I didn't use a pattern. I just knit until I was finished.

2)


My most recent finished object. Urchin by Ysolda Teague, from Knitty Fall 2007. To be honest these two projects don't nearly illustrate how far I've come in the last year. In fact, they have more in common than they do in difference. Both are purple, knit from a wool/acrylic mix, knit on big needles (8mm and 7mm respectively) and both yarns were bought in October 2006. In fact, the yarn for my Urchin (Patons Essence) was part of my first yarn purchase. My first yarn purchase contained the following yarns:



Patons Symphony Gypsy



Wendy Sheepskin DK



Patons Essence (1.5 skeins used for Urchin hat).

Compare that with my most recent yarn purchases:



Colinette Point 5 in "Windfall" (and 2 balls of Rooster Almerino Aran in Taupe, and 1 skein of Dream in Colour Smooshy in Black Parade, not pictured). The Colinette is EXACTLY what I was looking for. I wanted something thick and thin (I had Colinette Point 5 in mind, but not dead set) in a yellow, pink, and turquoise type colour scheme. I'm knitting a scarf for my former high school Spanish teacher for sending me these (along with meringue powder) in the post to make sugar skulls for el día de los muertos (day of the dead).


My Spanish teacher was usually pretty reserved in her clothing choices when I knew her, but she had a taste (if I remember correctly) for cheerful scarves in the winter. I hope she likes this one! :) And if the colours aren't her, well, I'm not worried. For me it's the thought...when you knit for someone, even if they hate what you knit, they usually love THAT you knit. And it's that that makes me knit. (As well as the love of knitting.

All in all I'm still mainly knitting gifts for people I care about. It's how I deal with distance? I dunno. I feel like I don't often knit for myself...maybe I do? I'm a bit disoriented right now. Had to bring work home tonight and I'm supposed to be on holiday.
Ay.

I'll have more later.

ETA: I think I might die if I can't find a copy of IK Fall 2005 in this country at any soonest time. *sigh*

Quick, DUCK!

Yes, duck for cover, because I've finished something else.

At about 11:30 on 11th of October I finished the first Monet sock. (Why do I keep wanting to type Money sock?)

Anyway, here's my Money Sock (yes, that was on purpose...) Still single though...









Yep, Green Wing in the background. I made up the pattern as I went along this time. The cuff (64 stitches) is slightly too big. The foot is 60 stitches and just right. I did a short row heel and toe and with the toe instead of grafting I did a three needle bind off with the "right side" on the inside of the sock. I wanted a feature, not anything special, just something small as I plan these to be birk socks for the autumn. I really like the little ridge effect. I think it's cutie. :)

Now all that remains is to finish the other one.

And if you're wondering why I haven't been posting much lately it could be because I'm doing this:




Out in this:



I <3 Autumn.

Now, if you don't mind I have a courier to kill.

ETA: I didn't kill the courier but I did get my camera. So everything's fair. Though I'm still trying to convince Amazon that an e-mail a week after the first query on my part saying that "HDNL says they delivered to a lady in the gallery next to the library at 20:25 on the 9th October" when a) this IS the gallery, the one and ONLY gallery, and no lady here took the parcel and b) we were closed at 19:00 so unless he's like that girl from X-Men who walks through walls and delivered to Ms. Invisible he's total liar, (comma splice) does NOT constitute customer service. That's just poor. Whatever.

I'll post all about Ally Pally and what I bought and my meeting Susanne last night very very soon!

I've also got another FO to show you! And some spinning! YAY!

In with the cool kids

And, now that I have my camera I'll return you to your regularly scheduled programming. (Seriously, scheduled. I queued this post a few days ago.)


Since the Yarn Harlot has been finishing like mad recently and even Crazy Aunt Purl has something off the needles this week I figured I'd better jump aboard.

So, finally and without further ado:

Evil Andy's Hiking Socks (link goes to Ravelry)









Pattern: Kind of made up, but I used Wendy's Generic Toe-Up Pattern to walk me through the toes and heels (though I have this process memorised now..)
Yarn: Trekking Pro-Natura
Needles: I began with 2.5mm 20cm Inox DPNs, but switched to 2.5mm 60cm Addi Lace needles and magic loop because I couldn't try the sock on Andy without using waste yarn.
Began: May 2007
Finished: September 2007

Comments:

The pattern- (well, what I used it for) It's great. Very clear. I'd done short row toes before but these really helped me to memorise the ratio/numbers involved. The cuff is shorter than most socks (like mine) because Andy's calves taper really strangely. He's got really thin ankles but really developed calf muscles that start halfway up his lower leg (think runner's calves). So it suddenly gets much wider which made it hard to pull up without doing increases. It would've made them look like kneesocks which he didn't want. So I kept them a bit shorter. Also Andy's feet are pretty wide at the ball, but very narrow in the heel, so I started with 68 stitches for the foot, narrowing to 64 at the heel and cuff. It works very well.

Needles- Addi Lace needles are TOP. I may just be a magic loop convert. I'm still faster on DPNs, but I like the flexibility and portability of magic loop. It feels easier to just whip out and knit on the bus and there's no fear of losing a needle.

Yarn- I've got mixed feelings. I definitely like the finished result. It's strong, machine washable, and the bamboo gives it really good sheen. But it's not as elastic as pure wool, and the way this yarn is plied (6 threads twisted into a yarn) isn't my favourite. Overall I would use it again, but it's splitty which annoyed me. So I'm glad to put the remainder in the corner for a bit.

Time to finish: I would've finished sooner but for various reasons I think I knit the first heel three times in two nights. I got fed up and hid it from myself for a few months. In actual time I think the socks took me about 2 weeks to knit.

Overall verdict: Andy loves them and wore them hiking (as you can see) up near Chequers (the prime minister's country home) the same weekend they were finished.

I'll try to get a photo of the unbooted foot of the socks after they're cleaned (He dirtied them with mud that day.), maybe even with the new camera!

Photos of the new camera (is that weird?) v. soon!

BOLLOCKING SHITBAGS!

Ok, hi...I'm currently unable to attend knit night due to a FUCKING BOLLOCKING BITCHBAG TITARSEFACE HANDJOB CRACKWIPE COCK UP (ahem) with the delivery of my new (and expensive!) camera.

Home Delivery Network, who Amazon now use to deliver things (at least when Royal Mail is on strike and for some Super Saver Items, I asked for First Class delivery you see, before I knew about the strike...)said (via their tracking service on their website, becuase they have no posted phone number) that my parcel was loaded onto the van in Woodford (that's Essex) at 9:17 am. It should've been delivered yesterday, but it wasn't. This morning I get in and the tracking page said it was delivered at 8:30 last night. Which is impossible because the office shut at 7 last night.

HDNL have NO policy for being contacted directly. They require you to contact the parcel originator (in this case Amazon) who can then raise an electronic query. Bollocks to that. But I did it at 9:30 this morning. Amazon sent their standard "We'll look into this" reply at 12:00 and despite several more e-mails (most of which saying "this isn't good enough, and stressing that I NEEDED the item for this weekend, and that I didn't authorise the item to be left with a neighbour or a safe place) Amazon have kept quiet. So I did a bit of googling and found a complaints website (I may have extended the truth a bit when I told Amazon WHY I needed the camera for this weekend. I didn't think they'd think Ally Pally and Larissa's sweater was a good enough reason...so you know...if you find that link don't judge me...desperate times...) ANYway, they gave the customer service number on the website and a commenter posted how to find the depot number. Since I knew which depot the item was dispatched from I got the number and called it. A very helpful young man called Javid took my details and called the driver. He rang me back to let me know that the driver (a young man called Alex) had delivered to a neighbour but couldn't remember the house number. Javid said Alex was in the areaand that he'd drive down and get the parcel from the neighbour's house (he'd remember when he saw it) and hand it to me at my office address. I gave them more specific details on exactly how to find the office and said I'd be popping outside to look out for him. So he should be arriving any minute now. (Should be, I expect he'll be a bit late...) So I'm off outside. Still HUGE potential for things to go wrong, but at least I'm taking names. This will help with the kicking ass should it come to that. I hope it won't. It's been 30 minutes now...and nothing.

If you ask me no company has any business leaving the parcel with a neighbour without the recipients permission. Furthermore they didn't deliver a "we came by" card like their website suggests they do...so I'm angry even if I do get my hands on it today.

Who could've predicted such a shite day? I mean, nothing else much has happened but this has really got my knickers in a twist!



UPDATE- 20:00, 10/10/07: I'm home now and it's just gone 8:00. I waited until 7 (That's an hour and a half...after they said he'd be there in 30 minutes...) and nothing. The guy at the depot said that the delivery man had shut his phone off and he was pretty sure he'd flaked out and decided not to turn up. I went around knocking on doors to see if any of the neighbours had the camera but none knew anything about it. The guy at the depot (Javid) said the delivery driver hadn't even filled out the internal paperwork you need to fill out if you leave the parcel with a neighbour. He expressed doubts that the item was delivered at all, though he said it must have been for the item to be recorded. He said that when the driver got back to the depot around 8-9pm the manager would "interrogate" him and try to find out what he'd done with the parcel. Javid promised to phone me back tomorrow afternoon with an update.

I'm not hopeful. What's worse is that if the company(or the driver at least) swears he delivered it and I don't have it I'm worried Amazon won't replace the item...I'm seriously upset.


UPDATE- 13:20 11/10/07:

The parcel has arrived no thanks to Amazon's customer service. At the same time as the man handed me the parcel I got a letter in my inbox saying they were still waiting to hear back from HDNL. Obviously by calling them last night and dealing with Javid I got the answers I needed. Amazon SHOULD have done this on my behalf,or at least given me the phone numbers to do it myself. No such luck. Instead using saynto0870.co.uk I found the depot number and phoned them myself. (Woodford, and I spoke to Javid, who actually helped me to get a result.) Amazon provided a poor service. I don't blame the staff at HDNL either. Javid was very helpful, and the delivery guy was very nice (if a bit miserable, not like grumpy just seemed downtrodden) when he arrived. Still I've submitted a complaint to Amazon. And I'm about to call Javid to thank him.

So, I have my camera, but it was a huge palaver. Remember how Javid said that the driver might not even have delivered the parcel as no paperwork was filled out? This was obviously the case as there was no other signature on the delivery slip. I don't have a problem with him taking teh parcel to the depot if he didn't have time to deliver it or he tried ater 5:30 when I went home. I do have problems with him lying. So you know...I told Amazon. We'll see what happens. :)

strike!

Ok, so Royal Mail is on bloomin' strike. Bloody nora!

That means that my parcels to you, and you, and you are all delayed. Many apologies oh verdant ones.

Deadline to flash your stash is coming up tomorrow so I'm not quite sure what I'm meant to do but here's where me stash lives:




If you're on Ravelry you can see my stash in its mostness by clicking on my stash page. I'm "wanderlustlost" If you're not on Ravelry here are some screenshots of my stash (click to activate rebigulator):













And now to show you some lovely photos of a recent stash enhancement party...erm...Socktopus launch!

I won a door prize! A goody bag with the Socktopus logo on it, painted by Curly Custard!



Inside I found the delight of all delights:





Dream in Colour Smooshy in "Cloud Jungle" and Eucalan wool wash!

Nibbles and lovelies (i.e. food!) on the night was provided by:



It was excellent! Definitely use them! Estelle and Vincent! (can't find the card at the mo, somebody help me out here! Linky!)

And my haul (purchased goods) of the night:



Cherry Tree Hill Supersock in "Northern Lights" as modeled by Bella-Ella-Cutie-Rella. (Wanted this colour for SO long!)



Natural Dye Studio BFL Dazzle in "Flame". (So in love with them!)



Chameleon Colourworks Evolution in "Mushroom". (So taken with this yarn! Soft and squishy!)



And Dream in Colour Smooshy in "Spring Tickle" This and "Strange Harvest" are my favourites!

And as if Socktopus's launch wasn't enough yarn I placed another order a few days later. GREAT service, and awesome packaging! Go Alice!



A great silver mylary bag with a Socktopus sticker! Terrific packaging!



Inside the mylar bag.



Inside the lovely tissue paper! A green GoKnits pouch, Addi Lace 4mm (60cm) circs and, BLAHNAH! Dream in Colour Smooshy sock yarn in Strange Harvest!

I can't wait for more Socktopus orders! (Just need to save the pennies!) As Alice now stocks CLASSY! How badly do I need a sweater in EVERY colour?! SO BADLY!

Now, I've been doing some spinning lately. This is my low-whorl spindle from eBay. I spun some Jacob that came with the spindle. It's lurvely.



Before



After. I Andean plied it to two ply and it's a chunky-type yarn and I love it. It's really springy and it's mine and I made it! :)

And I finally got some good photos of my Kauni! I'd hoped to have it knitted into a shawl to wear to Ally Pally when I meet Susan who spoiled me in SP10 but time got away from me.






And I want to show you something strange:




That green stuff is garlic! Apparently it sometimes has sulfur in it (if it's picked too early) and reacts against copper or lemon juice. I'm thinking it was lemon juice unless there's poisonous copper in our trout. Euch. But I loved the green garlic! It's perfectly safe to eat so we ate it. It was lovely. :)

And some sneaky stash enhancement!



I loved The Natural Dye Studio's BFL Dazzle so much that I got some of their Merino/Tencel Mirage in "Arctic Moon" off eBay. I'm in love!



And the Pick Up Sticks offering for September. Sexy as anything! My favourite fall colours! Did I mention that beside green my favourite colours are now fall colours? Orange is my new second best colour. STRANGE as I used to hate it, but not so strange as before I hated it it was my favourite colour from the age of when I first started talking (i.e. 9 months, no kidding). I got oranged out when I was a teenager, but I love it again now. LOVE it. Weird. :)

And how badly am I craving Nerds and Maple Candy? SO MUCH!

I ordered a new camera. Hoping for better photos soon. Also I'll post my most recent FO in a few days. I might even have a few more to join them if I work hard!