Where oh where

can my little dog be?

Uh no......Can my knitting mojo be?

Seriously. It's gone. Kaput. Finis. Vanished.

I've been ill the last week with tonsillitis. The antibiotics are making me feel horrid. Jomp's kids were here for 4 days over half term. Pickle is 2 next week but thinks she's 16. I guess all these things have made my mojo run away in despair.

I've tried to hard to get it back. I've tried a few rounds of Gracie's knee high socks that are sitting woefully on the side making me feel guilty every time I walk in the room.

I've bought some yarn to make Tom a We call them Pirates hat. It's Dale of Norway. 5 balls in black.

I've browsed Ravelry for hours on end til I'm even bored of that.

I tried something new:

Pattern: How to Log Cabin by Kay Gardiner & Ann Shayne from the book Mason-Dixon Knitting Yarn: Various Lily Sugar n Cream Cotton
Needles: 3.5mm Rosewwod Straights
Comments: My first attempt at Log Cabin. It's really quite addictive!

And then I tried something else new:

Pattern: Stripes (and Stripes) Forever by Chelsea Fowler-Biondolillo from the book Happy Hooker
Yarn: Various Lily Sugar n Cream cotton
Hook: 5mm Clover Soft Touch
Crocheted for: Me
Comments: My first crochet project. I'm a bit worried I might be going over to the dark side as I really enjoyed it once I got past the few row.

Then I tried something old:

These are my Hederas shown originally here but the dye had faded so I overdyed them with more Kool Aid. The keen eyed amongst you will notice that one has been blocked, one hasn't. More on that to come soon.

But alas, there is no sign of the aforementioned mojo putting in an appearance. Woe is me. What am I to do?

Edited to add..I've given up trying to format this post properly, apologies!!

May the force be with you

The sign ups for Sock Wars III are open. I've read quite a bit about it and fancy giving it a shot.

But it would take me about two weeks to knit a pair of socks so I imagine I'll be killed in the first round. At least you are guaranteed a pair of hand knit socks, knit by someone other than me!

So, your advice please! Has anyone participated in Sock Wars I or II? Is anyone having a go this time? If not, why not?

Love and hate

I hated knitting them, hated them with a passion. But now they're finished I think they're pretty cute!

Pattern: A very vintage (pattern cost 9p!) Emu Dolls Clothes

Yarn: Various acrylic from stash & Patons Fab DK. Colourway: Pink and variegated

Needles: 3.5mm Indian Rosewood straights
Size: Fits 18" Doll

Knit for: Eevie-May's Dolly

Comments: I will NEVER knit these again...nor any other doll's clothes!

So, I did manage the crochet edging using my copy of Happy Hooker and I have to say that this edging is very easy and really finishes the pieces off. I won't be so afraid of my crochet hook in future. The ribbons also tie everything in together.

All in all, I was really pleased with the items and was very pleased to wrap them up and gift them to a very happy 4 year old! BUT NEVER AGAIN!! You can hold me to that!

Souper socks

I have finally managed to get some good pictures of my lastest socks. Not that I've been waiting for the weather, hasn't it been glorious? No, I had to get a very important prop to get the best pics of my best socks!

Pattern: Baby Cable Rib by Charlene Schurch from the book Sensational Knitted Socks
Yarn: Posh Yarn Emily. Colourway: Peasouper
Needles: 2.5mm Harmony DPN's

Size: UK4
Knit for: Me
Comments: I know I say this every time I knit with Posh Yarn but I am in love! I've not tried Emily before but I heartily recommend it, so sproingy (is that a real word?) and soft. It's a bit thicker than I'm used to but it knits up into a lovely dense fabric.

I used my Harmony DPN's that my SP11 pal Cheryl,sent me, for the first time and they are a joy to work with. There is absolutely no slippiness but no drag either, the yarn just seems to know where it's supposed to be on them. They may even have changed my mind about DPN's as I usually knit socks on a 30cm Addi Turbo circular.

The pattern was so easy to follow and had just enough to do to stop the sock becoming boring. When I first flicked through SKS, I really didn't understand the instructions but now that I have worked from the one of the patterns it makes complete sense!! Again, this was a present from Cheryl so thanks again!

And lastly, I must, just must talk about the colour. I am so not a green person. I don't think I own a single thing that is green. I grabbed this skein in the madness that was the Posh Yarn New Year sale, and when I say grabbed, I mean grabbed! It was a case of get what you can before it was gone. so this one ended up in my basket. When the lovely pink parcel arrived, I loved them all but this wasn't one of my favourites. I mean it's green....but not only green...it's almost neon green!! But it leapt out of the stash basket and said "KNIT ME"!! And now I just love the colour, so cheery and bright. And these socks look fabulous with jeans.

Now all I need is some Mary Janes so I can show them off!!

My name is Jane and I'm an addict

Hello!

I've come to the realisation that I am indeed an addict. Nope, not the knitting addict that you were expecting (well I am but you and I both already knew that!) but I am addicted the the web.

We lost our broadband connection on Monday and got it back today (having paid BT £160 to come out and tell us the problem was our two routers rather than a problem with the line....gutted!). I really hadn't realised how much time I spend online and how much I rely on it.

Nevermind all the time I spend on Ravelry or all your blogs, I would think about baking flapjack and think I'll look a good recipe up......oh no I can't. Or Pickle needs a new hat, I'll look on Ravelry.....oh no I can't!

Of course, not having the web at your disposal does have it's advantages. Pickle has had a wonderful time with Mummy rolling around on the floor. The house is clean. And, wait for it, I have been knitting! I've finished my lovely Posh Baby Cable Rib socks and only have the finishing to do on the dreaded dolls clothes. Pics to follow on both.

So, I'm back. But I do think I'm going to try to spend less time on Ravelry. Not reading every single forum post really hasn't done me any harm, neither has not drooling over other peoples stashes! So I'm going to try limiting my time on there. Try, I said!

Before I go, the dolls clothes need a single crochet edging added and I'm no crocheter! Do you know of any good tutorials?

Wow!

As of 10 minutes ago, there have been 2000 visitors to my little blog.

When I started out, I didn't think I'd get many, if any, readers so I guess I must be doing something right!

So this is a very quick post to thank each and every one of you that takes the time to read my mutterings and an even bigger one to those who leave comments. You're a lovely lot!

First FO of 2008

Well here she is. I'm not hugely impressed and I don't think I'll be trying any more knitted toys any time soon!

Pattern: Teddy Bear by Debbis Bliss from her book Simply Baby

Yarn: Sirdar Bonus DK. Colourway: White & Pink

Size: One Size

Knit for: A co-workers little girl, Tadiwa

Comments: This was such a quick and easy knit. But she looks cuter in the pic than in real life! I was umming and ahhing about wether or not to give her as a gift as I'm not that pleased with her. Pickle made my mind up for me as the minute I finished the eyes and nose, she grabbed the bear and has hardly let her go since! She even sleeps with her....very sweet!

I will knit Tadiwa some little booties instead, have some lovely KPPPM that will be perfect.

And to finish off...here is a pic of Pickle's first attempts at baking. Hope it brightens your day!