Holy crap that felt like a long while

--- Alright;be prepared; this might will be a long one ---

Greetings readers of my bloginess; hope you've all been good. Quite a lot has happened in the last couple of weeks; so much that I'm trying so hard to remember some parts of it; however the photos on my camera might help jog my memory when I get to them; so hang tight.

---Announcements ----

• I turned 20!!!! (holy crap) I just noticed I have to change the side bar crap; cus it still says I'm 19... that'll be interesting
• My better half turned 20!!!! He loved all his stuff I got him... I think... the Lush was maybe a little step in the wrong direction but he loved his London Irish shirt I got him; which is a good thing.
• I baked a cake (more on that later)
• I got new knitting stuffs for my birthday(not too much but I'm allowed to order more :)  )
• My internet's been going incredibly slow (which is why this is going up today and not yesterday, it wouldn't even start yesterday; so I left it)
• I now remember what I was going to talk about first; so here we go

--- World Cup Knitting ---
Alright; the world cup's over (Congrats to Spain and extra special thanks; cus u won me a fiver from my better half (who still thinks I used some sort of witchcraft to make a European team win) which gets added to my Xmas budget)(and yes; I'm already thinking about xmas, much to the dismay of my local Yarnshop owner)
The world cup may be over..... but I'm not finished my World cup socks. I have in fact not worked on them since I wrote in this blog last. I have been working on something else... that you may remember.

Yep; that's the unmentionable Bolero; now re-christened the Garn's Bolero. I am now nearly at the neck shaping; which escapes me, I have to have 22 inches from sleeve to needles before I cast off for the neck arranging. I measure my work.... 20 inches, knit for a few rows and measure again... 20 inches.... I take my knitting to Craig's and  knit for hours infront of the television..... 20.5 inches.......ALL THAT WORK FOR 0.5 OF A FRICKING INCH ??? I know there is a black hole at the point where there's jointing of the sleeve to the body and it's just sucking in my perfectly good knitting; all like 90 inches (or so there should be) of it.
I ususally knit while I type this blog, a couple of stitches here and there; until I think of a word; or what I'm going to do next; and I'm doing that now, I will measure at the end of this blog and report back.
(I think that was well skimed over)

--- New stash ---

With money that I got from Aunties; Uncles and relatives I didn't know I had (Like 'here's a card from your cousin Laura' ....' I have a cousin Laura?') I bought enough Yarn to keep me busy for at least a little while. I bought 1 ball of the lovley sock yarn I was talking about Last time (in blue; because the Purple had already sold out :(, but I still like it), some Black Robin DK for a present to someone, some green Silcress.... which I dont actually know what to do with yet (what? it was a pound for like 50g of 25% silk/ 75% merino blend) and a GIANT ball of off cream aran weight wool (thats 980m; take a good look; cus its taking up about have the size of my stash cupboard.) which I'll be using up as soon as I get the Garn's boloero finished, for a very special pullover. and Finally the pomegranate cotton is ecause I dont think I have enough of it to complete the Garns bolero.

--- Baking ---

I had a baking day acouple of days ago. I baked a cake (victoria sponge with Raspberry jam and whipped cream in the middle) and I also made vanilla biscuits (which you can see in the background) which both turned out perfectly; so pefectly that Mum's letting me bake the cake again next week; which shows whe liked it :D all good.                                                             A little bit more of Extra news: I have a baby to knit for :D. My neibour at the back of my house is ready to pop at any given day. As soon as I find out the sex of the Baby I'm probably going to Cast on a pair of booties for it's little toesies. I actually have baby pink yarn, so I'm routing for a girl ^ ^

Also; remember the verigated scarf/shawl from last time? I added buttons (so I can wear it of course) and wore it out shopping last Wednesday. it kept my neck lovely and warm and I love the buttons.

----That wasn't as long as I had thought ----

Well; what with my internet cashing halfway through this post (thank God for Autosave) I think I've ran out of things to talk about.... On Monday I will be venturing up Cave hill again (providing it stays dry) with my digital SLR, my knitting and my better half. will hopefully post again on Tuesday with photos of that, and I think that by tuesday I will have gotten to the neck opening for the Garns bolero so I'll post for that as well. Until next tuesday; toodles       (|/)

                (^^) -Byes

(Oh yeah and the bolero now measures 21.4 inches.... knitting for stress relif actually does work..... surprisingly well)

--------Editor's note (aka; me) --------

Alright; my internet's bugging me; it won't up load my photos that I want it to, its seems now incapable of running two internet pages at the same time and in short it's annoying me so much I'm going to publish this now and try this again tomorrow. apologies for the lateness and absentness of all but 2 of the photos, I'll do this again tomorrow; I'm going to  go Knit myself out of the stress

-----The following day -------

Alright; that seems to be working again, on with the blog (I'll put this at the bottom;so you won't be disturbed :D

OK; that wasn't one of my best ideas

--- Socks aren't a good idea for me ---

Ok; I've fallen behind schedule; but only a little bit. I have 1 Sweet home sock done. Pictured => (sorry about the not so attractive leg)

the sock has a leaf pattern around the top; which is knit in such a way that it forms points at the top ot each pattern repeat. I knit it in a flecked cream yarn that I got about 3 months ago; its a Robin Yarn and I think I got it for £1.25 per ball. I got 2 balls, made 1 sock and have plenty left on one ball and the other ball hasnt even been de-labeled yet. great value for money; as I think I can get the sock out of the leftover bit; so I have a ball spare lol. the parren said 2 balls; I got two balls..... used a half.

You may have noticed that my other leg is not covered with socky goodness. I have had this sock finished since the 16th of June; I just havn't blogged about it because I thought 'leave it til the date that I said last time and start the next sock, so that it looks really good that I'd have like 1  and a half socks done well before schedule........... that didn't happen.... at all like I planned.

I finished on sock, tried it on, paraded aroud the house for a couple of hours showing it to everybody and getting compliments like 'wow, that looks difficult' or 'At least it makes your leg look tanned'

and 'when are you going to do the other one?'

I sat down on my sofa and cast on for the other sock. Craig arrived, congratulated me on the sock that was still seemingly glued to my left leg and we watched football. This is where it goes haywire. I get bored very easily, especially of things that I have done before; which is why socks are not a good idea for me; because in order for them to be wearable you have to make 2..... the same pattern twice. I didn't like it; the points at the top that amused me to no end last time.... now annoy me.... and my head thinks 'wait, we've done this row, cus I remember it.... from the first time or this time?.......hmmmmm'

So to make it so I can make the other sock without confusing myself I tried to make another small project; so I can erase the memory of the sock pattern from my mind. I went to the yarn shop and had a look about. I wanted to make myself a shawl; or a cowl (a cowl is a short thick scarf that can fasten closely around the neck; its extremely warm and comfortable, and uses less yarn than a full scarf)

and I remembered a free pattern I got Knit today magazine a while ago; it came with size 13mm needles (that's not a typo, they're massive ==>

pictured with a 4.5mm needle, which I learnt with, which feel big to me now. these feel like I'm knitting with smartie tubes or pritt-sticks)

and checked the yarn requirements of the cowl / shawl / shrug / throw-over-shoulder-thing

It says that Sidar Escape would be good. I know that they come in 50g (70yard) balls so I was looking for 2, maybe 3. I was searching the bagain remnants bin for something else when I came across 2 balls of Sidar escape. same colour and same dye lot, £1.25 each. considering 1 ball is normally £2.30 I grabbed them and brought them home with me. Along with a ball of  Sidar Click that's like a violet/white striped yarn..... which I plan to make......nothing in particular out of lol.

So I knit for a while...... with the incredibly large gigantic .... colossal needles and they worked fine.... I learned that I could knit perfectly and watch TV at the same time.... which freaked out my dad quite considerably. I finished within one day.... and here it is ====>

I.Love.It. the varigated, striping yarn contain colours that I love and its knit in such a way that if you grab the two corners and shake it it gets bigger lol. And for £2.50 its not a bad cowl / shawl / shrug / throw-over-shoulder-thing.

It didn't work though.... its been ages and I still dont want to knit the other sock.... but I was in the yarn shop and they have THE most beautiful sock yarn in the world, just as you'd go in the door, it comes in many many colour variations, but I like the blue variation the best...... closely followed by the purple..... I might buy 2 balls of both..... and just keep them in my stash; just to look at a to feel.... and to roll about in like a cat when I feel like it..... and I cant do that when its in the store, so I have to buy it. I need £20 spare moneys to get said yarn.... I also need a pattern that would show off the varigations beautifully..... that could be difficult.......

I also want to make this.... it made my eyes boggle when I seen it on my favourite blog ever (yarnharlot, link at the side of the page, the wool-house one)

But she's using lace.... and laceweight is expensive..... too expensive for me to even think about...... but I still want it lol.

---Summer days ---

I have an actve better half.... and while this is good for my waistline and my lungs its whenever he takes little notions like 'its not raining, lets go for a walk' or 'its mindbogglingly sunny, lets go up cavehill'

The latter of these ideas happened not once, not twice, but one and a half times. yep; I know. Let me explain. The first little expidition to Cavehill; I had brought my knitting to his house because 4 matches were on that day and I thought; hey why not; his mum crochets so it wouldn't be that weird. I get there and within 15 minutes of getting Lunch we were out the door; in his car; with his sister with the idea of 'lets get to the top of Cavehill'

We look at the map and decide the shorter, quicker route up the rockface rather than the lovely pictureesce view... because we've been told to be back to his by 5, and apparently this'll be quicker.... we start and have to stop halfway like a tenth of the way up... because I'm dying..... couldn't breathe and my legs were screaming to me to stop or they'd fall of me.

We decided to go a little further (up to the 'Cave') and I sat in the grass with my boyfriend's sister, Lindsey, as my better half scales the rest of the way to the cave. he reports back that the path gets worse, steeper and more broken. (pictured) He looks at my redened face and we decide to head back.

2days Later and a little more prepared (with water, trainers and snacks) Craig and me scaled the hill, using the longer, scenic route. We got lost...a little but soon found our way back to where we went wrong. Here are a few pictures from near the top.

It was awe-inspiring; being so high up that you can't even hear the traffic anymore. We reached the top to find that there was info point telling people what they can see from the top. it was made of wood and looked quite heavy. The first thingthat came to my poor, air-starved brain was 'Who in their right minds hauled that all the way up here? lol' and then shortly after 'I wish I had of brought my digital SLR'.

---And now....----

I'm sitting here with a glass of Rose Wine (Hardy's, bloody gorgeous) and slowly sewing buttons onto the cowl / over shoulder thing. this will be my last blog post as a teenager, because on Saturday the 3rd of July..... I turn 20. it is the end of an era..... but also the start of a new one. and since it's my birthday my mum has allowed me to spend my birthday money online this year; which means yarn.... and books about knitting....... and just a lot of stuff :) however I am not aloud to buy anything until it is all over and done with; and my other half's birthday is done too (with is on the Wednesday after mine; creepy eh?)

So I will be blogging again on the 16th; right after this blog post I'm going to try and re-do the layout.... because the purple's not really doing it for me anymore.Even I don't know what I'll end up with so it'll be a suprise for me too. I'll be a year older and so will my better half. Incidently:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CRAIG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Luv you lots and lots XXXXXXXXXX

(sorry; thats a little bit early; but still the effect counts :) ....)

World cup; oh dear God

----- Some people are mad; some are unique, me: I'm normal; and that's weird ------

World Cup fever has truly hit the world; what with the TV being taken over at least twice a day by thousands of people screaming 'COME ON (insert team name here)'. Although I do have to say it is entertaining to see the stupid mistakes some of the players make.... England Goalie..... need I say more? ( I swear I laughed so hard at that; mostly because all the England fans were all going nooooooo in slow motion as it went in lol. ..I wonder how many people wanted to step into the net themselves; cus I think even I cold have saved that)
However; onto more pressing.... yarn-y issues :D

----- World Cup knitting -----

I started my world Cup knitting; the Sweet home socks from Lion brand pattern centre, and knit up to row 40 within the first couple of matches. It is now the 14th and I am on row 48. I am halfway through the last patterned bit at the top (called the flower); after that I can pretty much knit without looking at it; because its in plain stockinette; which is the easiest stitch pattern to do in the round (K every round). I have to keep doing that until it's 12 inches long. Then the pattern says 'try on to see how much longer you need to make each sock'

TRY ON??? I'm using metal DPNs, I cannot physically try on the sock unless I want to do surgery on my leg to make it triangular. I'm afraid that won't be happening; I like my legs.... so I guess this is going to be another bit of guessing. But we'll cross that bridge when we come to the ....12 inch bridge. it then says 'when ready begin to shape heel.' which has then a complicated 20 st repeat pattern which makes the piece turn at one side; making the heel..... it looks more complicated than it sounds..... but I think I will have these done well before the end of the world cup.

+++ Success (well nearly) +++

I also learned how to make a bobble in this pattern..... thats a weird, annoying and hard looking thing.... and even more difficult to do. Thank God I dont have to do it again until after June 26th (when I'm supposed to start the next sock)

----- New stuffs -----

Before you say it; no I did not buy Yarn. I actually bought 2 magazines. Knitting Magazines.Knit today and Lets Knit. the Knit today magazine came with THE most gorgeous pair of 4.5mmm needles in bright, metalic purple ==>

And yes; that is a new project on the pointy end. its actually a joke present for my dad for fater's Day. A cup arrived in the post for my dad a couple of weeks ago; a help the aged mug; which he got free..... cus he's one of the aged apparently. It has his name on the mug and everything. it was basically saying 'you're old'. So I'm making him a mug-cozy so that he doesn't have to look at the 'HELP THE AGED Mr J Haddock' anymore. lol.

Fount a really nice pattern on Vogue knitting website for a cabled mug pattern which I am going to make (within this week hopefully; cus its like 24 sts long....... which isn't that long. so I'll work like mad on this whinever I am sick of the sock pattern.

----- In other news -----

• 
  
  Sport is taking over. not only is the world cup on but the tennis is also on, and so is the cricket :S. This weekend I've been tired just looking at half the people I see on TV running about the place.
• 
  
  I did not get the unmentionable bolero half finished. It is sulking in my stash.
• 
  
  I have to soon clear out my stash; mostly to find the other ball of wool that I'm using for the world cup socks
• 
  
  Sandy, Candy and Cottontail look lonely; so I might start Xmas knitting soon (more on that in the future)
• 
  
  I want to make a show of my stash. I might clear out the top shelf of my bookcase and stach it all there. it'd look prettier than my gorlous amount on pens I have collected over the years.

----- Birthdays -----

There was no birthdays this time :(. but next month has the most importeant birthday of all; My better half's :D

----- Sayonara -----

Well this is Goodbye from me; I'll be talking you all again on the 24th. 2 days before the 1st sock deadline; We'll see how far I am from finishing; or if I have already finished.

Until then amuse youself with a 'Where's Lady' Picture (or 2) (they're easy :)

Toodles :) and have a nice Father's Day. xxxxxxx Luv u's all

yeah; finished..... right.

----I lied..... or overestimated myself.....----
Late blog; sorry. : <
Alright; two weeks ago (last blog) I reported the terrible fate of the Garns bolero; is has then been re-christened 'The Unmentionable Bolero' in my head. I kinda said I'd have it within spitting distance of being finished by this blog..... well that also depends on how far one could spit...... OK I can't get outta this. Let me explain myself:
After getting the unmentionable bolero back on the needles and knitting 1 row to turn the stitches round the right way..... I put in on my knitting tray..... and didn't look at it (or as I refer to it as not talking to it) for a week and a bit. So really there's only about 5 days of knitting sporadically on the bolero; because Uni's over and my other half's far more important to pay attention to than a godforsaken bolero, which is why with the unfinshed-ness.

I do have good news though; I have 1 sleeve done. Don't break open the champagne (or Hardys pink wine if you're like me) yet though; because I am very confused with the next piece (the body).... I've done the math before I started; to avoid the project being banashed to the tray for another week.... and I'm getting it wrong somewhere; I'm sure of it.

129 sts(from sleeve) + 5st each side of 7 rows = 13 st
129 +(5x2x7)+13..... it should equal 225(according to the pattern.... but I'm getting 212.....I'm 13 sts out....... unless the pattern means 13 on each side........ It probably does; but at least If I go wrong this is where I'll go wrong.....

Now that that's sorted and I am not worrying anymore I want to start a random new project: remember the 2 balls of ahatithink yarn? I said I wanted to make socks? well I found the socks I want to knit with them; they're not knee high; as I found out that it would need about ooooo; 4 balls.... and I don't wanna buy more yarn yet....

They are from Lionbrand pattern finder (I love this website; shame I cant get the yarn over here; in the UK though) and they look like this (<===)

THey're called Sweet home socks and apparently have lace at the top... but theres a couple of problems....

1. I don't have the needles (size 5 (3.75mm)DNPS; I have 2mm, 5mm and 6.5mm) but that's easily solved.... with £2 from the yarn fund and a trip into town

2. the size for these gorgeous socks are Women's Medium.... and 1 size... I have big legs.... so that dosent work well..... I'm gonna need to make the pattern to a bigger size; which means a lot of math and stiches..... I've only done this once before (bunny hat) and that was sorta easy because of the pattern; all I had to do was repeat it. this will be harder; probably.
Well I'm just back from town and I got myself new needles (3.75 DPNs) so all I need to do is find out if the yarn I have is good enough for the socks; then knit them.

-----World Cup knitting -----
Following the Harlot's idea (yarnharlot; type to google; best.knitting.blog.ever.) of Oylimpic knitting I have decided to tweek it a little and make it World Cup knitting; as the football will be going on at least 5 matches in a week throughout the Month of June and into early July (a match is even on my Birthday :-/) I have decided to set myself a challenge. Cast on the socks at the beginning of the World Cup (I'm taking this as June 11th cus thats when the first Game is) and be casting off or finished by the Final Match (July 11th).
This means I wold need to have one sock done by the mid-point (say June 26th) which gives me 15 days to do each Sock. I'm going to do all the calculations today; so wish me luck!
World cup knitting will also mean that I can't work on the unmeantionable bolero after June 11th; so I'm trying to get half-way across the back; so I can at least shove it in a bag; half way done for a month. so all you'll be seeing here will be socks...... or bits of them; for that I'm sorry (already)

----- Happy Birthdays -----
OK; its a little Late; but Happy Birthday to Nicole; Lauren and Charlotte; who were all 1 year older This month. I'll try to make this a regular thing in my blog :)

----- Until June 11th -----
yes I know thats a little bit more than 2 weeks; but it'll be a special; long- socky blog; along with news from the front line of the World Cup; with my Better half probably trying to teach me what's going on... and who He thinks'll win....or lose; whichever. I'll say at this point I don't really care who wins; as long as its not England.......(cus by then I'd be deaf) hehehehehehe.
Toodles xxx