sp12: Question of the week 6 and other brief comments

I am trying to post regularly, really I am. It's just not happening at the moment I'm afraid. I've got lots of things I want to blog about, just no time or energy to do it. More in a mo, but first, question of the week 6 (determined to answer it before no. 7 appears!).

What is your favorite type of project to take along on holiday/vacation?

This is an easy one. I've not been on holiday (proper holiday) since I started knitting so I have no idea what I'd take! I've also never knit in public. Not got any plans to either, at least until I've seen more people knitting English style and I'm satisfied that my technique isn't the worst and slowest in the entire universe...

I've not been doing that much knitting recently, just bits, nothing solid since I finished my clapotis - and I'm not actually finished that, still got ends to finish and mistakes to fix. Not even got any photos of it.

I pick up my new sock project every few days and do a round or two. I've almost got 10cm done, when I get to 15 things will start getting more interesting. I treated myself to some Posh Yarn and I adore how soft and gorgeous it feels. I wasn't too keen on the colour at first, it wasn't what I was expecting having seen it on the web, it was far more brown that I thought it would be. Once I started knitting with it though, the other colours, although subtle, really start to make a difference. It's a very dark, boyish choice but there really is a rainbow of colours in that darkness. I've called them my Goth Rainbow socks on Ravelry. Photo to follow when I've got more done.

I did some dyeing too a few weeks ago. It didn't go all that well, and the yarn - specific yarn for a specific project - has decided to change gauge. Completely. Not sure what to do, but it's a whole blog post in itself.

I've stopped and started various projects, just not able to keep to anything and loosing interest as soon as I cast on it seems. I've started something new today which I seem to be enjoying, even though it's on little needles! 3.5mm! I'm making a shawl, I think I'm going to give it to my Auntie. I've been looking at designs for a while now, but finally bought some yarn today and cast on a Swallowtail Lace Shawl.

I know exactly why I've found a sudden focus on knitting today. It's because I took the day off to prepare for a job interview that I've got later this week. I'm really scared, it's a job I really want, and I've got to do a presentation. I've therefore barely done ANYTHING constructive to help me get the job, but have bought a new coat, some yarn, internet shopped for some shoes (I don't wear leather so shoe shopping is tricky, thank goodness for the internet - quick survey: will bright red shoes go with a silvery grey skirt and black top? No, I'm not sure either, but so long as I don't look like a clown...otherwise, it's long black boots with buckles on the side - I got away with this outfit for a recent funeral, not sure how it would go down in an interview). I'm also writing here, rather than doing more to my pitiful attempt at a presentation.

I've also got it finish (...start...) some edits on the report for a professional qualification that needs to be handed in by the end of the month...

I wish it was August.

What I'm not doing

Not working. Not studying. Not applying for a job. Not doing anything that has has been consuming me recently. I'm having an evening of nothing other than sitting with a glass of wine and watching some rubbish TV (Bonekickers, is that really the best the BBC could do?), then a long soak in the bath I think, then bed with my book. Lovely.

SP12: Question of the Week #4 & #5

Apologies again at being so rubbish at keeping up with these questions. My answers aren't very inspired I'm afraid...

1) What yarn (that you don’t have/haven’t used) would make your stash “complete”?
2) What yarn do you never want to be without?

Surely that's 2 questions?

1) I don't think it's possible to make stash complete is it? I do need to find something that does the long colour changes like noro, but is machine washable. I'm very into stripes at the mo.
2) I like lots of things. Usually the yarn I could never be without is whatever I made my last project with, but that would be my clapotis, and I didn't like that yarn.

1) Where is your favorite place to go for vacation/holiday?
2) Where is one place you’d like to go?

1) Other than 'home' (the North East of England), I love going to the coast in any weather - Northumberland and Norfolk have fab beaches. I also love the Lake District.
2) Iceland (Norway, Canada, USA, Germany, Australia...)

SP12: Yey! First gift installment

I have a wonderful secret pal who's first gift (of three apparently) arrived yesterday.



The theme is 'purple'. There's 400g of thick, scrumptious purple yarn (the type of stuff you can bury your face in), lovely smellies and some blueberry and lavender chocolate. I'm impressed that even the chocolate has an injection purple!

My pal has done a very good job, I can't wait for the next installment! Thank you secret pal!

p.s. The package came from Germany, the chocolate and smellies have German writing...so either my pal is from Germany...or are doing a very good job of hiding where they're really from! ;o)