Don't look back....

...always look forward. I think that might be my motto for the coming year, what do you think?

But before I take it on board, I may just take a peek at what 2007 has brought to my door:

1. My most amazing accomplishment is, of course, my little pickle. She started the year crawling, being spoon fed and kicking up the most amazing fuss at bedtime. Now she walks, runs, feeds herself, speaks many words (my favourite being 'Tuddles' when she wants a cuddle), goes to bed like a big girl and is generally just a joy to be around, even in the midst of a tantrum. I love her so much more than I thought possible.
2. My love for my darling Jomp's has changed as pickle has grown. We are closer than ever with a growing understanding and patience of each others faults. He is my world.
3. I worked hard at further developing my relationships with my step children as they grow towards adulthood, accepting that they are not perfect and nor would they be, even if they were mine!
4. I went back to work part-time. I was always a career girl but no more. I don't get on with my new boss but needs must so I'll stick with it and keep my mouth shut.
5. I have taken on and conquered my fear of socks, even trying short row heels and toe up socks.
6. I have made new knitting friends through Ravelry, many blogs and SP11. Long may these friendships continue.
7. I have moved far far away from the acrylic that I was perfectly happy with. Now I prefer cashmere, dishcloth cotton and merino.

So, what about 2008?

I will endeavour to keep my family happy, healthy and with toasty warm feet!

I promise to keep adoring my Jomp's, despite his size 11 feet that have become accustomed to 100% cashmere socks!

I will try to accept that my superiors at work know what they are doing even though it does seem like they couldn't organise a p*** up in a brewery!

I want to try colour knitting, either stranded or fair-isle.

I'm going to try to be a better blogger, blogging at least once a week.

I will try to be a better friend. I do read every single new blog post but often when pickle is around so I don't get chance to comment. So I'm only going to check my bloglines once she is in bed.

I'm sure there are many things I should try to change about myself but as I approach 35 (OMG! in 3 days time!!) I'm starting to be comfortable with who I am and accept that I cannot change what's inside me.

I wish you all a very Happy New Year, thank you for your friendships during my first year of blogging and I hope 2008 brings you that you wish for.

See you next year!

Goodies, goodies everywhere

Well hello fellow bloggers! At least I hope there are some of left still checking in. I wouldn't blame you all for leaving, it's been so long.

I do hope you all had a lovely Christmas and that Santa brought you all that you wished for, knitting and otherwise. Now that the festivities are all but over, I'm sure you are longing, as I am, for peace and harmony to reign once more!

Talking of harmony, look what my SP11 spoiler sent me for Christmas:

KnitPicks Harmony DPN's! Aren't they lovely?

Along with some very soft Opal Silk. This gift sat under my tree for almost a month, taunting and teasing me every time I came into the room. But I was strong, resisting temptation save for the odd squeeze, til Christmas morning. Thank you so much Cheryl!

I got lots of other knitterly goodies too. From my lovely step-kids I received the fabulous Mason Dixon Knitting which is a very entertaining read. And Jomps really outdid himself... along with other bits and bobs he got me 2 knitting mystery novels "Died in the Wool" and "Knit fast, Die young" both by Mary Kruger, the fantastic Colinette Perugino Throw kit in Charade which I have been lusting after for a year

and wait for it, a rather large Posh Yarn gift voucher! I am absolutely over the moon and can't wait for the PY sale tomorrow! Didn't I do well?!

I promised my beloved Jomps that he would be wearing his PY Sophia socks on Christmas day. And I was true to my promise... just! I finished them at 10.30pm that evening and personally put them on his feet. I don't think he's taken them off once yet. Pics to follow, as the light has not been good.

I have also finished my first ballband dishcloth which is such a simple knit but so effective. I might still gift it so I won't post pics yet.

Anyway, we took our decorations down today and the house was cleaned from top to bottom so now I have a date with my couch, a huge tin of Roses and the Perugino for an evening of unadulterated knitting pleasure.

I shall post once the PY sale is done, and please forgive me if you plan to be there too....it's all mine, keep your thieving fingers off!

A catch up

Hello lovelies! It's been a long time, no?

Still, I do keep meaning to post but I've been wanting to take pics and this awful weather has meant no light to take said pics in! Still, I will perservere and press on for your yarny entertainment!

So, where shall I start? First off, I can now present my Secret Pal Secret Knitting Project:

These are Basic Cabled Socks by Brainy Lady, knit in Opal Uni 4 ply in Purple. They are size 4 and Lou says they fit perfectly so I'm pleased! She says that she will send me a modelled pic so I'm looking forward to that. These socks were my second attempt at short row heels and toes and they came out pretty well. I can't take all the credit though, I had an awful lot of help from Misocrafty's tutorial which helped me get rid of the holes that seem to plague most short row knitters!

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I've also been working on Jomps's Lovely Husband Socks:

The first one is done and I'm hoping to cast on for the second one tomorrow. Every time I pick up the luscious Posh Yarns Sophia I'm in heaven! I tell you, it's better than sex! It's like knitting with silk, not that I've knit with silk, but the feeling of that cashmere running through your hands is absolute bliss! If you haven't tried it already, you must!

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CPH is coming along too. I've now finished the back and both fronts. Trouble is, I promised myself that Jomps will be wearing his socks on Christmas Day so I've said I'm not going to cast on for the sleeves til his 2nd sock is done. Stupid girl, why do I make such promises?

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I'm not usually one for enhancing my stash but you lot are such a bunch of enablers! Look at what I bought, just because I could!

12 balls of Rowan Soft Tweed in Blue Slate which is almost grey. I love it, it's so sft and was 50% off at Web of Wool as it was the last 12 balls in stock. I just couldn't resist such a bargain! Any idea's what I can knit with it?

Ooooh, and these...

All bought from another Ravelry member at a bargain price. Enough to keep me going I think! Cheryl, I blame you entirely!

I have already started my first, but not last, ballband dishcloth. What a great pattern.

Well, I think that's enough for today! I leave you with a question: Shall I knit both sleeves of CPH at once on a long circular needle or should I knit one at a time? I've never done both at the same time before. Give me your thoughts please!