Moving

The end of the year heralds new beginnings. With this is mind I'm making a few changes, including a new home for my blog. I can now be found at http://knitknacker.wordpress.com/

UK Swap

Just to let all you knitters know I've joined the UK swap for British based knitters. Its running from Jan to March. For more info check out the UK Swap site and get involved! I'm really excited, its my 1st secret swap ;o)

Couldn't Resist...

Spending time on Ravelry isn't good for my list of WIPs. I've started yet another project - the Edgar Scarf. I'm using Noro Silk Garden in purple hues. I'm about half way through and it's a great simple pattern to follow, so hopefully if I manage to put some knitting time aside it shouldn't be on the WIP list for long.

Baby AA's Knitted Gifts

I'm going to visit Baby AA today and so had to make sure all his gifts were finished. The baby bonnet which was knitted in August but not 'finished', got sewn yesterday and I think it looks even nicer now.

Here's a close up of the brim. I love the detail and it was fun to knit.

The mitts were also sewn up. Have to say they don't look as special as I thought they would :(

Petal Bib 2 was also for him. Note all the cream! This one is actually much better than the first - no mistakes. Shame the pic doesn't do it justice. I still think it's cute and it's really helped me get to grips with short rows and wrap stitches.

Ponchette

Now the Fingerless Mitt Swap is over (will have a special post on swap once my recipient gets hers) I decided to start something new, despite already having a million things on the go. Naughty I know - good thing I haven't signed up to No-vember!

I bought this 'Cool Hemp Ponchette' pattern at the UK SnB day. Its a really simple lace pattern and looks very elegant worn (the lady on the stall was wearing one). I'm knitting it in Black Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk DK on 5.0mm circulars. I didn't buy any hemp for the project because of the cost and it felt slightly coarse to me, although I'm told it gets softer when you wash it.

Here's a pic so far:

I'm on my 4th repeat and I have to do 30! I can see myself getting slightly frustrated (pattern only calls for K, YO and K2tog) so may have to have something else on the go too.

Finished Petal Bib

Its finished. I BO of the i-cord a bit too early. I measured it so many times but obviously I was in too much of a hurry to finish.

Petal Bib

Yesterday I started making a Petal Bib from Leigh Radford's One Skein. Managed to finish the actual bib after I came back from the SnB Day, so now just working on the i-cord. I think I've done about 6" of it, so have another 5" to go.

SnB Day, UK

Having never been to a knitting exhibition, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to see what hails in the world of knitting. The 1st UK SnB day was hosted by I Knit London at the Royal National Hotel in Bloomsbury. Getting there proved to be a bit of a hassle because the Piccadilly Line was closed between Uxbridge and Acton Town, which meant we had to take the bus and then the tube and hence reached about an hour late.

We started off at the Dutch Cafe, where we got lured into the world of sock knitting. The guy at the table loved knitting socks and loved talking about socks. My mission for the day became sock yarn.

There were lots of stalls from Get Knitted to Hemp for Knitting (all the way from Canada), so between us mum and I bought quite a bit. Here's what I got (some of it is courtesy of mum's credit card):



What I got:

• Much coveted Knit Picks Interchangeables


• Knit Picks Needle Size thingy


• Easy Knits Titsie kit (proceeds go to Breast Cancer)


• Indigo Moon in Chestnut (from Socktopus - got a lovely free stitch marker too)


• Tofutsie + free baby knits pattern


• Trekking (XXL) + free sock pattern


• New Pathways for Sock Knitters - Book 1


• Patterns from Knitting on the net and Hemp for Knitting


• Fingerless Mitt Kit (the AY swap has me slightly addicted)
  

Here's some of the yarn up close

I really enjoyed speaking to Jon from Easy Knits who dyes his own yarn in some gorgeous colurways. Had my eye on the 'Very Berry' but in the end decided to go with the Titsie Kit (pink colourway) because the proceeds were for Breast Cancer and the sock pattern is gorgeous, if a little ambitious for me.


There were quite a few charity stalls present too. Had a chat with the lady at the mobility stall, might be volunteering for the Children's Society and have said I'' knit a few scarf for the origins shelter campaign. For each bottle of the Ginger scent sold with a scarf tied around it, Origins will donate £1 to shelter. Apparently there's a supply of Ginger products up for grabs for whoever knits the most scarves by next Friday. Someone sent in over 300, so I don't think I'll be getting any goodies, but will still have some fun knitting scarves. Here's a pic of the Origins counter. Don't the bottles look cute with the little scarves??

There were lots of acts including Girl & Dean. I've seen them on YouTube, but they're so much funnier in person. Definitely an interesting concept. The Shellac Sisters were cool too - amazing outfits. Why did I not get a picture?

The atmosphere was great. I've never seen so many people just sitting around knitting and chatting. A great way to meet new people.

We finished off the day making Pom Poms for peace. Yes I haven't done this since school, but everyone was really getting into it. PomPom International wants everyone to make pom poms and they'll be put together to make the biggest pom pom ever and will be shown at the 2012 Olympics.

All in all mum and I had a great day.

I Can't Sleep :(

I've been awake since 3am this morning. I can't seem to fix my sleeping patterns after the exams - not cool as have to leave for the SnB day in 40mins. I did however make use of all those hours but starting on the Petal Bib from One Skein. I'm knitting it in Rowan handknit cotton as suggested in a pink colour. On the short row section so not much more to do. Its actually a really good exercise in working short rows and doing wrap stitches - something I was struggling with earlier in the week when I decided to start my own Lizzie Ridge.

Despite my lack of writing I have been doing a little knitting this week, though not as much as I would've liked because I've had to fill in the national job application for my foundation programme. I've managed to make some baby mitts, nearly finished some boottees, almost done with my mitts for the AY swap and started the 1st piece for my Lizzie Ridge. Also had a squishy parcel but haven't had a chance to take any pics so the next post will prob be pic heavy!

Off to have some breakfast before I head out. Mustn't forget the credit card :o)

I Passed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The waiting game has been extremely nerve wracking. I managed to busy myself over the weekend but yesterday and today were a completely different story. Panic attacks, butterflies - you name it I had it!

The medical school hasn't been very organised about telling us when results would be out. I emailed them yesterday and got no reply (which in my mind convinced me it was game over!) Finally at about 3.30pm, a friend called up very excited telling/asking me if I'd passed. I obviously replied I had no clue and then she said, "I can see your candidate number on the the pass list..." and promptly read off somebody else's number. My heart plummeted. There were only 2 graduates sitting exams, the rest were students on the 5 year programme and we have different numbers to the others. So my number wasn't there - I think I almost passed out, but then she quickly reassured me that my number was also there.

Long story short, today I found out that I passed my final exams and after 4 years I've become a doctor. The thought scares me silly but the relief is immense. Time to sort out a job.


Now the celebrations begin! My first treat is going to the Stitch & Bitch day - can't wait.

Exams Over & the Waiting Game Begins :(

I wanted to thank everyone for their well wishes in the run up to my exams. Thankfully they're over, as of 4.20pm yesterday! Am absolutely exhausted and in need of TLC so I've escaped down south to stay with my parents until the results come out. My written papers were hard and the clinical cases varied (consultants can have a habit of staring you down and making you realise that you are definately at the bottom of the food chain), so I'm hoping and praying the sleepless nights, the lack of socialising and KNITTING are going to pay off.

I came home to find that my mum had raided her local supermarket shelves of ALL their knitting magazines as a welcome home pressie, so I've spent a large part of the early hours (and yes I mean early - I've been up since 2.15am!) of today pouring over glossies. My mission for the weekend is to finish off the mitts for the AY fingerless mitt swap, but instead I've been knitting mini mittens and boottees for my cousin's new arrival. Unfortunately all my mum had at home was some cream Sirdar Snuggly and I didnt fancy traipsing into Central London on a Saturday to get some more colurful yarn, so I've had to make do.

If I don't fall over with exhaustion in the next few hours I might attempt my swap mitts tonight, though I hear there are plans underfoot to drag me to the local fireworks display - not that I'm complaining.

Exam Stress and a Little Surprise

As I might have mentioned its the build up to my big exams (actually they start Monday!!) and I've been having good and bad days. The revision feels very static and there is still so much to do. I had a bit of 'spazz attack' on the phone to my parents yesterday, because I felt it all getting out of control and lo and behold just a few moments ago I got a delivery from them (and my brother) to cheer me up - something I love as much as or maybe a little more (you didn't hear it here) than yarn - FLOWERS! I thought I'd take a picture to show everyone - they're beautiful.

My neighbours have all oohed and ahhed. Thankyou Mum and Dad. Just hope I can get through now. New mantra - "I will pass my exams, I will have confidence, I will pass my exams..."

On to knitting and yes I've been knitting - but only a little. My yarn for the fingerless mitt swap arrived and so I've been 'trying out' the pattern. The colour isn't what I was expecting but still gorg and feels very lush. Let's hope they turn out ok. Will definately have to put them on hold though now until exams are over :(

Ravelry Invite Arrived!

Woohoo - so far having a great day. First I passed my mock paper and second there was this waiting in my inbox for me:

Hey there,
frecklegirl has invited you to Ravelry!
"Here you go! Thanks for your interest in our little site.Let me know if you have any questions or problems!
Jess

Sooooooooooooo exciting. Have just put in my details. Will leave the browsing until I've done some more revision. Can't wait until the next study break!

No knitting with 2 weeks to go

I appreciate that there's only 2 weeks to go until my finals and that I have to focus all of my time and energy on revision but I'm missing my knitting loads :( Yesterday, I had to give in to the withdrawals and knitted a round (only 1) of my sock. I keep visiting the Angel Yarns knitting forum to lessen the 'urges' and I've even signed up for a fingerless mitt swap!!!!

I'm really excited about the swap. It'll be my first! I've only done 1 pair of Fetchings, so I hope that the mitts turn out OK. I've already found a pattern (secret for now) and ordered the yarn online. I'm sticking with Debbie Bliss Casmerino Aran. I've used it for the Fetchings, so I can't go wrong with it. The closing date for the sign up is 2moro and I think the mitts need to be sent of by the 17th (or is that reach by the 17th??) Plenty of time post exams to knit the mitts up. Have to say was umming and ahhing a little (not too much) but the lovely ladies from the forum twisted my arm - yes, yes it didn't take much :)

OK, OK I've had my break I'd better hit the books again. I just wish things were sticking. Wish me luck...

Patons Moonglow - Arrived

Just got into Leicester and had a squishy parcel waiting :o) The Moonglow is so lush - see for yourself

As promised pics of my Ebay loot from the Natural Dye Studio:

I'm starting a pair of socks with the Rainbow dip. Here's a closer picture.

Finals countdown!!

Today's the 1st Oct...which means 4 weeks today I start finals. An exceedingly sobering thought. As a result knitting has been on the back burner, come to think of it so has hardcore revision. I'm just not overly motivated or I have more bad days than good! Tomorrow will be better - it has to. Having said that I have made a decision - I really do want to be a doctor, despite politics, bureaucracy etc etc. So maybe revision wont seem as forced. I like knowing stuff! ;o)

In terms of yarn and knitting. I've joined up to the Knitted Bag KAL. I've chosen the pattern from knitted daily and ordered yarn and needles. Decided to go with Patons Moonglow in Orchid. I'm hoping it'll have arrived by the time I get to Leicester. My treat for lots of revision can then be starting it off.

Ooh I also won lots of sock yarn from the Natural Dye Studio. Scrummy stuff. Pics have been taken just need to be uploaded. I'm having trouble winding up skeins into balls though. Lets say I made a bit of a mess and now 1 skein is VERY tangled. I wanted to knit my mum some socks with it, but think it'll have to wait until the dreaded exams are over. Oops.

Left Fetching - Finished

I'm so pleased. Finished the left hand of "Fetching". Shows I can knit in the round. There are no gaps or ladders...so yes I'm chuffed. Moving on to the right hand glove now.

Gaps Vanquished

OK so instead of revising I've been perfecting my DPN technique this afternoon and so far have half a sock to show for it...and now gaps!!! Yay!

Lots of Advice

The kind ladies on the Angel Yarns forum have given me lots of advice on how to get rid of my 'ladder/gap' between the 1st stitch and last one of my round. So far I've tried:

• pulling the stitch tigher when I knit it
• moving stitches around
• pulling the yarn tight throughout the round

Still getting a little gap...it doesn't seem to be there during the round but materialises at the end?! I've been told this could even out in the wash so will persevere. Have put sock aside though and started on "Fetching" from Knitty. Using very squishy Debbie Bliss Cashmerino in Plum. Always wanted to knit this and thought I could try out my DPN technique. The gap isn't as obvious (I'm thinking due to yarn thickness - but maybe I'm improving). It's fun but keep stressing about the gap...will knit some more and see how it comes along. Hope I don't have to frog it!

A Bit Out Of It

Sorry I haven't blogged in a week or so, but being back in Uni and with exams looming I've felt a bit 'out of it' - with everything (not just knitting) to be fair.

Revision is slow and tedious - about to hit the library, so here's hoping.

On the plus side I taught my brother to knit...and because he's such a quick study it only took 5 mins. I was chuffed. I think he was too. He doesn't always hold the yarn on the right side so gets the occasional increase. Maybe that's got something to do with him being a leftie and I taught him the only way I know. Oops.

I got my ball winder - pics to follow.

Decided to start my 1st sock today. 1st time with DPN, but it was fun once I got a hang of how to hold them. But disaster struck early on...a gap between 1st and last stitch. I've asked for help on the Angel Yarns forum so may have another go in the evening.

Off to the lib now...

Look What the Postie Brought..

Amazon have come up trumps and this morning I found a parcel waiting for me.

Voila:

I've realised why my mum was so eager to wave her credit card now...her passion when she used to knit was baby clothes...especially booties! So much for passing them off as an early bday pressie ;o) I've said she can 'borrow' the baby books if she digs out her yarn stash and needles and shows me she's serious. Within half an hour, she was going through her cupboard and lo and behold there was her knitting bag, balls of wool (that I'm sure don't exist anymore) and patterns that she bought for just 10p!!!! Lol - I can't wait for her reaction when she goes yarn and pattern shopping now. Anyways, she's picked out a bootie pattern and is casting off as I type. Another convert...or rather revert ;o)

I tried my magic on my brother too at breakfast. I thought he could learn and then teach the kids he looks after at his youth group...I think I have a little more convincing to do in that department.

Back to my books...I want to knit everything! Unfortunately the scarf book mentions all American yarns and being relatively new at knitting as it is, I'm not sure about yarn substitution but 'where there's a will, there's a way!' My account on the angel yarns knitting forum was activated today, so I'm sure I'll have lots of willing and experienced brains to pick. I can't wait.

FC again and more...

After by FC disaster yesterday I was a little disheartened to say the least. I think I would've possibly stayed that way if mum hadn't waved her credit card around like a fairy godmother and indulged me in a few new knitting books (watch this space) and some yarn - she wants me to knit some bibs for the neighbours baby.

The thought of new inspiration and yarn made me dig out my needles once more and I cast on the FC again. I've just finished the 3rd repeat and have had to put it aside. Mum doesn't think a baby bonnet alone will suffice as a pressie for my cousin's baby - she's adamant I should knit the matching baby blanket. I said I would if she dug out her knitting needles (they've been in hiding for well over a decade) and knit something for the baby too. Game on ;o)

Eek - FC frogged

Decided to carry on with my FC shawl during a study break - what a mistake. Was obviously not concentrating. Initially ended up with an extra stitch, so I removed a YO, because I couldn't tell where the extra stitch came from and carried on. BIG MISTAKE!!! Just went downhill from there. Ended up having to frog my entire shawl. Feel a bit too devastated at present to start again from scratch at present :(

Arrival of 7mm Circulars

This morning heralded the arrival of my new 7mm circulars. I'd looked in a couple of stores for them but to no avail (even Hobbycraft only went up to a 6.5mm), so I ended up ordering them from the Internet. I'd been waiting eagerly for the post because I'd purchased a lovely "Cascade Scarf Kit" from Get Knitted, designed by Sue Morgan, which uses 7mm circulars. The kit includes a hank of Debbie Bliss Maya, a ball of Rowan Kid Silk Haze and of course the pattern. For the last week it's been beckoning at me, but with no needles all I could do was stare at the lovely yarn.

I've never used circulars before so it'll be an interesting experience. Have to say found it a bit strange when casting on...the plastic connection kept curling up and getting tangled with the Maya, but its early days yet. But look out for my verdict!

Forest Canopy Shawl

Having finished the baby bonnet I was looking for a new project to sink my teeth into. Trawling through various knitting forums I came across the KAL for Forest Canopy. Definitely something different from what I've knitted in the past but I thought it was something I could give a go. So I set up my pay pal account and bought the pattern. I was raring to go - only problem - I had no suitable yarn! Balls of acrylic are a plenty, but one of the forum members mentioned natural fibres are better for lace knitting than synthetics. I had itchy fingers and couldn't wait to start, so Internet ordering was not an option. Instead given that I'm spending the week at my parents I decided to drive to Brent Cross and see what I could find in John Lewis. It took me close to an hour to find something that was 100% wool, a colour I liked and a suitable tension. In the end I opted for Jaegur Matchmaker Merino 4 ply in Crush.

I cast on last night and am on my 2nd repeat. Like everyone says, it's addictive once you get into the rhythm. I've got a pic, but not sure it does either the colour or design that much justice.

August Projects

My very 1st project was this chunky scarf, knitted in diagonal, using Wendy's Pampas Mega Chunky. A very easy to follow pattern, that was quick to do and voila - a finished item. My biggest compliment...nobody believed I'd knitted it! Its very warm and snugly...a perfect gift for my brother.

Enthused by my success I decided to use my left over yarn to make a striped hat. It just took me an hour to knit and was loads of fun. Unfortunately it doesn't fit my brother or my nephew, so I'm still looking for takers. My nephew has asked for one in his size though :o)

My final project of the month was a baby blanket, for my cousin's upcoming new arrival. The pattern was much harder than those I've previously read and although I thought I was reading it correctly I kept losing stitches in my K2tog...I had no idea that a YO (yarn over) was supposed to increase the stitches. Doh! So after about 20 rows I gave up. The pattern included a smaller piece - a baby bonnet, so after a few days of no new projects I decided to give it a go. On the train from London to Leicester the border was formed and I still had the same number of stitches I started with! Definitely worth carrying on. It took me a week to complete, and I think its really pretty. What do u think? The picture shows it still on the needle, but you can see the detail.

New 2 blogging and knitting...

I'm new to blogging, so you might need to bear with for the moment. My inspiration to start...well...other peoples blogs of course and the need to share the highs and lows of my new hobby - knitting! Before you all jump to certain conclusions about who and what I am based on that statement, let me tell you I'm less than 30, I'm a professional and I'm told knitting today is exceedingly fashionable and sexy ;o)

I'm sure all knitters can claim to have been taught the basics by their mum or grandmother or aunt...well the same is true for me. My mum taught me to cast on, knit and purl as a wee child and its kinda stuck with me (albeit very on and off) ever since. I was the kid who took out those tucked away needles during the summer hols when I had nothing else to do and attempted to knit 'that scarf', with some cheap acrylic wool and having cast on just 10 stitches. Of course the scarf never got further than 10 rows, with several dropped stitches or sudden miraculous increases along the way. With my attention span waning and with some frustration the needles were tucked away once again, to be taken out on another moment of boredom. Several years passed...

My rediscovery began a few months ago, believe it or not at a wedding. A distant relative gave me a blow by blow account of the benefits of knitting. Her passion got me thinking of those old needles tucked away somewhere...but where?? That week back whilst taking a break from work I ventured into town. Browsing through my local "works" store I came across a reduced "learn to knit" book. Was this an omen? I thought so. Having bought the book I needed supplies (my ol' needles were somewhere at my parents place, down south) so I wandered around town until I found a haberdashery store. I perused the smallish section of yarn, confused as to where to start. Help was at hand in the shape of one of the store owners. She suggested starting with a cheap acrylic ball and some 4mm needles just to practice my stitches and get back into the swing of things. I couldn't resist and bought some chunky wool too for one of the quick knits I found in my newly purchased book. Here began my (slight) obsession.

My journey started here and with the help of the Internet I discovered a world of knitters, coveted yarns, online stores, bamboo needles, knit-a-longs (KAL) and free patterns - basically a knitters paradise.