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In graphical detail
2008-01-27 21:55:00
I found this website last year, where you can map your blog or website as a graph. I rather like the way mine has worked out.What do the colors mean?blue: for links (the A tag)red: for tables (TABLE, TR and TD tags)green: for the DIV tagviolet: for images (the IMG tag)yellow: for forms (FORM, INPUT, TEXTAREA, SELECT and OPTION tags)orange: for linebreaks and blockquotes (BR, P, and BLOCKQUOTE tags)black: the HTML tag, the root nodegray: all other tags Try making your own, and show it on your blog. I look forward to seeing all the various flowers springing up all over blogland.
More About: Graphical

Look what I found
2008-01-22 23:31:00
My Canadian sis-in-law desperately wanted me to teach her how to knit and look what I found in Michael's - "Knitting and Crocheting for Dummies" complete with two pairs of knitting needles, a crochet hook, needle tip protectors and a measuring thingie for knittig needles!All we needed to add was a ball of wool. I got her started just before I left to go home and will be inspecting her work next time I see her.

Another one bites the dust
2008-01-22 01:39:00
My third February Baby Sweater is complete, although it was a bit of a slow birth. It takes no time at all to knit, but since I cast on a knit the sleeves I have been in a daze of jet lag and haven't even been able to knit (yup - that's serious!).I finished the knitting last night and tonight I sewed away the few ends and attached a couple of buttons. I have had these wee red hearts sitting in my button box for ages, but didn't find anything to put them on until now. I am pleased with how the yarn knitted up. It's nice and even and doesn't snag. I'm really getting the idea that everything should be knitted in sock yarn.As already mentioned, I have a baby beanie on the needles to accompany the cardigan. I have a few tiny tiny red hearts that I may attach to it, once it's completed. I'll wait and see how it looks before I make up my mind about it.Ok, here goes with my attempt at a New Year's resolution...Materials used: approximately 75gs of Patons Kroy socks 4-ply. Running l...

Woolly souvenirs from Canada and the US
2008-01-20 16:46:00
At long last I have access to my (many!) pictures from my trip to Canada and the US, which, not surprisingly, contain a few woolly pictures...We arrived in Vancouver BC on New Year's eve, as a surprise to my brother-in-law, who was about to turn 60 a few days later. Thankfully he made it to his 60th birthday and didn't have a heart attack as his two brothers and their wives and (some of) their children suddenly stood on his doorstep to surprise him in connection with his forthcoming birthday!We had flown via KLM from London to Amsterdam and Amsterdam to Vancouver (yep - I know, not the most obvious route in the world, but that's what you have to do in order not to have to pay a fortune to go!).I had no problems bringing my knitting on board. I carried wool and a set of tiny dpns as well as a circular needle - all of which were bamboo. I had been worried, as I had heard that the authorities in Amsterdam may be rather stringent, but other than chucking away my bottle of water (whic...
More About: Olly

Pay it forward
2008-01-18 11:24:00
A couple of months ago I took someone up on a "Pay it forward pledge". That someone was the very talented illustrator Pia Johansson from Sweden. In turn, I made the same pledge myself, and I still have room for another couple of takers, but I'll get back to that in a minute.At Christmas time I came home to find this envelope on my doorstep and I was a wee bit baffled, as I couldn't work out who would be writing me from Sweden! I had managed to forget that not just did I have to send something to someone, but also I would receive something from someone! The letter was, off course, from Pia and she enclosed a note, written on a Christmas card with one of her own illustrations. The pay it forward gift was, as promised, from her own hand as well. This wonderful rather voluptious wee lady now prides my knitting bag, as I thought that was the most apt place to put her, considering that I made my own pledge here on my knitting blog!Thank you so much (or rather: tusinde tak!) Pia for play...
More About: Forward , Pay It Forward

A new niece - a new February Baby Sweater
2008-01-14 12:46:00
We returned home yesterday from two weeks in Beautiful British Colombia - Vancouver, to be exact. More about that in another mail later on when I have time to go through my pictures and trust me, I have plenty of them! During our holiday I was made an aunt to a gorgeous wee baby girl. I can't wait to see her and was utterly frustrated when my brother texted me a picture of her and I couldn't open the blooming thing because i was abroad! What's that all about? Don't the telephone companies realise that aunties need to see baby pictures first thing? (end of rant...) I managed to get a bit of knitting done on the plane on the way home. I cast on my third February Baby Sweater and got a fair bit of knitting done on the way. The seats were too close together, so sleeping wasn't all that easy, but at least I had my needles!On Ravelry there has been much debate about whether you can bring your knitting on planes and I had no problems at all. I did nothing to disguise my needles and kn...

Joining the milehigh club...
2008-01-07 03:09:00
On New Years eve I joined the milehigh club - the milehigh club of knitters, that is...We flew to Vancouver on New Year's eve by KLM and I managed to bring my knitting on board and to complete a pair of Fetching fingerless gloves in the air.The gloves are knitted using one ball of 50 g of Rowan's 4-ply soft merino wool, which knits up beautifully. I used 60 stitches, as they had to fit a size large. The thumb hole was made 8 stitches wide and I added two extra rows before picking up the stitches above the thumb hole, as I wanted to make 100% sure that the thumb wouldn't be too tight. I am really pleased with the result, and will add some decent pictures to Ravelry, when I get a chance.I am in the process of knitting a matching skinny scarf to match (knit 4 purl 1) to make a nice wee set for my niece. I have to complete it before Saturday when we make our way back home again, but that won't be a problem, as it's already past the half way mark.I went to Michael's in Park Royal (...
More About: Club

Happy bottom to you too!
2007-12-30 00:00:00
I saw this on Crochet Compulsive's blog and seeing as I wasn't mentioned in the New Year's honours list I couldn't resist checking out what my own Peculiar Aristocratic Title would be, if I were to get one - and the result came out as follows: Her Noble Excellency Tina the Querulous of Happy Bottom shireWe'll what can I say, maybe I should change the blog title...Go on, get your own Peculiar Aristocratic Title

Lunch time outing
2007-12-28 16:42:00
My colleague talked me into a trip to John Lewis in Oxford Street this lunch hour - and I withstood temptation! I am SO proud of myself. I did not buy so much as one wee skein of wool - even though they had a good sale on some yarns! I looked and I dreamed and I felt and I touch and I sooo very nearly bought, but I put it all back again and left emptyhanded. Nope, I can't believe it either!I have allowed myself to buy yarn when we're on holiday and thus couldn't justify even one wee bundle before then. Did you find anything exciting in the sale?
More About: Lunch , Time , Outing

Commuter Knitting Worldwide on Flickr
2007-12-28 12:26:00
Following a debate on the London UK knitters forum on Ravelry about knitting during your commute, I decided to set up a group in Flickr dedicated to commuter knitting pictures from all over the world. We'll see whether it catches on, but remember - you saw it here first (unless, off course, you saw it on Ravelry or Flickr before that!). For now, as you can see above, there's one member - and that's yours truly!To sign up - click HERE and remember, there's only one rule for this group and that is to ENJOY!
More About: Worldwide , Knitting

Fetching
2007-12-26 14:51:00
We're off to Canada on Monday, on a family visit and i thought I'd quickly knock up a pair of fetching for my niece, to go with a scarf I knit for her - and what happens? I ran out of yarn!This is my first attempt at this pattern and I like it. I understand the desire to keep knitting these wonderful wee wristwarmers. They are quick and easy to make, and a nice stashburner! The yarn is on order and I'm sure the service will be quick, based on my previous experience, but somehow I don't think they'll make it for me to receive before we disappear. Oh well, on with the thinking cap and another project. I guess I could come up with a hat of sorts and a pair of fetching, which should be completed in time. Wish me luck - I'm off to check out the stash!

Merry Christmas
2007-12-24 14:07:00
I made a right Elf of myself at the company Christmas party - the evidence is here for all to see...If you haven't done so already, go Elf Yourself and have a start Christmas with a smile.Alternatively, if you're a Scrooge - go Scrooge yourself. It's bound to make you smile, even if you aren't a Scrooge, try it anyhow. I did. :)May your presents will be filled with beautiful yarns and shiny knitting needles. I won't get much knitting time today (maybe 10 mins on the train), but I will make sure to fit in plenty over the next few days.Have a very knitty Christmas - one and all.
More About: Merry Christmas , Merry

WOW - that was quick!
2007-12-21 08:42:00
On Wednesday I ordered two skeins of Louisa Harding's beautiful Grace-Silk & Wool from Woodland Yarns; yesterday they arrived. Fancy that - we're right at the busiest time of the year, and my yarn arrives within 24 hours of ordering! I'm impressed!I am also impressed by the beautiful yarn. It is truly scrumptious and a perfect match for my experimental scarf, knitted from some yarn I got from Skrillaknits some time back. Now at long last I can complete it. Thank you Woodland Yarns - fantastic service!
More About: Quick

Pi Shawl
2007-12-21 08:37:00
I have been eyeing up EZs Pi Shawl ever since I got the Knitter's Almanac, and now I realise how EASY it is to knit, I think there will be many of these being knitted by my fair hand. The yarn is more pink than what shows on the picture, and it's possibly not the nicest yarn I have ever knit, but as per usual, I'm experimenting! For now I'm knitting the very plain version (that is, until I tire of that and change my mind) just to get a feel for the project. Already I am seriously thinking about knitting up all my wool into pi shawls!

Well, that didn't take long!
2007-12-19 12:03:00
I managed a tiny bit of knitting on my way home from work last night, but frogged the lot when I got home, as I wasn't happy with the amount of stitches! In the end I settled on all of 15 stitches and knitted a neck warmer in my lovely "mystery yarn", which wasn't so mystery after all. As Susan so helpfully pointed out - it's Rowan Ribbon Twist - and it's gorgeous! The neck warmer is knitted in moss stitch and I just kept knitting until I ran out -oh, and added a buttonhole in the penultimate row. Cast off, secure two ends and sew on a button from the mighty stash et voila - you have a lovely, colourful and warm neck warmer. I realised I had a ball of some other thick wool and quickly whipped up another one. You could knit a cardigan in a day in this wool! I have to find a nice button for this one this evening and then I can start thinking about who would like to wear it, unless I keep it all to myself...
More About: Long

Mystery yarn
2007-12-18 12:03:00
At the beginning of the year I saw this yarn in a sales bin at John Lewis. There was just the one bundle and there was no paperwork attached, so I have no idea what it's called or where it's from. I absolutely adore it and am in the process of turning it into a quick wee neck warmer, which may just make up a Christmas present.The yellow and pinky bits is a ribbon that runs through the bundle. Have you any idea what the yarn is called or where it's from? I would love to get some more. Sorry, the pictures aren't great - they're from my trusted mobile phone!
More About: Mystery , Yarn

Woolly hat
2007-12-16 23:10:00
What a productive weekend! I am determined to root out some of the really old stash, and I can't say but I had a result in that respect this weekend.25 years ago I bought this beautiful yarn for a thick sweater for myself. I knitted it and was left with approx 250g of it in four different colours. The yarn is 50% wool and 50% polyacryl and 100g stretches to about 85m, so it's chunky in weight. The name "Tøffe" may mean chunky in Norwegian, I'm not sure. The yarn came from Sandnes in Norway, but was bought in Denmark. Today I put half of it to good use and knitted the fastest hat ever! it took only two hours, and it was like knitting with ROPE. Not that it was tough, but boy, it was quick!One tiny part of the stash gone - and plenty more to go!
More About: Olly

February Baby Sweater and beanie
2007-12-16 14:30:00
At long last I found time to finish my second February Baby Sweater . I know I'll be knitting many more of this in years to come, as it is simply the cutest wee jacket I ever knit! I quickly added a wee beanie in the same pattern, using 70 stitches. The finished product would fit a new born baby, I'd say, and based on that assumption I've put it away for my good friend's baby girl arriving in about three months time. The simple lace pattern is exactly as described by EZ in the Knitter's Almanac. I just can't get over how beautiful this pattern is, considering it is so simple!I loved using the lace pattern on the hat, and just in case you were wondering about the decreases, I'll attempt explaining how I managed that. Please note this is from memory, but if you use your imagination, I'm sure you'll work it out. :)I had an even number (10) of pattern repeats, so I decided to decrease in every other repeat in order to allow the pattern to continue almost to the top. The beanie i...

My Christmas swap parcel has arrived!
2007-12-13 23:38:00
Look what was waiting for me when I got home from work today... My first swap parcel, from the Holiday Swap 2007 on Ravelry. I was so excited that I just had to have a look straight away, even though I really had to hurry up and eat my dinner, so that I could go Christmas shopping.I could see from the postage that the parcel had come from California.A long way for a parcel to travel you may think, but not an inch too far, as far as I'm concerned. :)I poured the contents of the parcel out on the table and found many different and lovely things, both knitting related and items for relaxation, as set out in the swap directions.The swap was divided into two parts: yarn from your stash and something to help your swap partner relax after a long day of shopping (knitting?).Part one of my swap parcel was a beautiful skein of Knit Picks Gossamer Merino Wool in the Blue Jeans colourway. I love it! I will have to try out one of the patterns from the swap and once knit, this is for me. Nope, n...

Dragon scarf - I love it!
2007-12-06 23:31:00
I keep seeing pictures of this wonderful dragon scarf all over the place and have fallen head over heels in love with the pattern!I must find time to knit a few of these for some wee boys in my life. Isn't it just gorgeous?The pictures above were borrowed from here.
More About: Love , Love it , Dragon , Scarf , Drago

And a wee beenie to match
2007-12-04 03:11:00
Oh, I just couldn't resist knitting a quick wee beenie to match the jacket and now I'm left thinking that a pair of wee booties would be cute too. Where will it ever end?
More About: Match

In February Baby Sweater mode
2007-12-02 18:47:00
My first February Baby Sweater is off the needles and an attempt is being made at creating a matching bonnet. Progress report to follow.As you may notice, I loved the pattern so much I've used it as a new header for my blog! I couldn't resist giving the place a lick of paint in time for Christmas. I absolutely love both the technique and the pattern of this wee jacket. It is SO easy to make, yet it looks way more complicated than that.Peggy already asked whether I used YO for the increases in the yoke, and the answer is yes. I thought it would add a wee bit of interest to an otherwise rather plain area on something so pretty. I added some mother of pearl like buttons I had in my sizeable stash. A couple of years ago I bought hundreds of buttons on Ebay, for next to no money. I have used up so many, but yet I still continue to find beautiful wee buttons for all my projects. If you use a lot of buttons, do consider buying a batch off Ebay. They cost next to nothing, and you get some...
More About: Mode

An innocent wee egg warmer...
2007-11-27 01:19:00
At the weekend I bought two Innocent Smoothies at Sainsburys and was doubly rewarded as these two wonderful wee hats were part of the bargain due to the "Big Knit" project for Age Concern.I notice I'm not the only person who's been shopping for a new hat. See another one here.They're absolutely perfect as egg warmers and will live long and happy lives in my house. Thank you Innocent. :)

February Baby Sweater
2007-11-27 00:55:00
At long last I have my first February Baby Sweater on the needles and I'm loving it! The yarn is Sirdar's BabyBamboo, which is 80% bamboo and 20% wool. It is gloriously soft and perfect for a baby. The colour in the picture above is a pretty good resemblance to how it looks in real life. I love the clever way in which the collar and yoke develo and fan into the sleeves. The pattern is so delicate and desperately easy to knit. I can't believe something so simple can look so swish!Another few rows and I'll be done. I can't wait to add a wee bonnet and maybe a pair of booties and give the whole lot away to a surprise baby, that I didn't even know was expected!

Are you holiday swapping?
2007-11-25 23:39:00
I joined this holiday swap on Ravelry. As far as I can see, there's still time to join in, so if you are Ravelrying, lets get swapping.
More About: Holiday

The big knit - at Sainsburys
2007-11-23 00:19:00
I went to buy a drink at my local Sainsburys, and what do I see? Innocent Smoothies from the Big Knit ! I couldn't resist buying a couple, and now I have two very cute egg warmers sitting in the cupboard with the egg cups.When I went to pay, the young fella at the cash till looked and said "I love these" with a big smile on his face. I thought that rather cute. :)

Another one off the needles
2007-11-17 16:55:00
As previously mentioned, I am completely in love with Brookly Tweed's Koolhaas, and as I couldn't easily get hold of a copy of the pattern, I set about knitting it myself! So far two have been completed. This one is quite small, but gorgeous all the same! I have seen a few attempts at guessing the pattern and have no idea whether I got it right, but I think it came out pretty good all the same! Particularly I like the top of it. The picture hasn't come out that great, as it was far too dark to take pictures, but I insisted (patience - I have to learn it!)There will definitely (yup, I can spell definitely!) be more of these knitted over time. Thank you Brookly Tweed!

Calendar Girl 2
2007-11-14 23:43:00
Share your November calendar with Chappysmom, she really wants to see them - you may even win a gift! :) My first entry is a calendar that was sent to me by a friend, from Russia - with love (Oh, I just had to add that bit.) My friend took some of the pictures in the calendar, but unfortunately November wasn't one of them. My second calendar came with a women's magazine and also has beautiful pictures; November's being pumpkins in different shades. Lastly there's my picture calendar, which is already half way full for November. It's scary eh, only 40 days until Xmas!Go on, I've shown you mine - now show us yours...
More About: Girl , Calendar

Craft fair
2007-11-07 12:57:00
Sparkle and Spice at the Arc in Caterham this Saturday... A friend is exhibiting at this crafts fair this weekend, and I'm rather looking forward to seeign what she has to offer.Whilst looking for a link to the place where it's being held, I came across a great website, which appears to list loads of different crafts fairs. That one was promptly added to favourites! More will follow after Saturday's visit. I hope I'll find a few nice wee Christmas gifts, as I really MUST get started on buying them!
More About: Fair , Craft

I'll be going Ravelry MAD!
2007-11-03 03:01:00
OH fantastic - I'm IN! I can't quite see how a person is supposed to find time to go to work AND be on ravelry, but I guess I'll work it out. The first thing I need to do is list my knitting needles, as I really need to get a grip of what I have and what I need. I am SO tempted to do it straight away, but the time is 02.11 hrs, and I think it may be better to try and catch 40 winks instead! Oh, my Ravelry name, of course, is teeweewonders.
More About: Going , Goin