Some News! (And A Belated Thanks)

Although I can only use Christmas and the busy New Year season as an excuse for not writing much in December & January, I have a valid excuse for not writing much in February and thus far in March - what has been occupying all my time and thoughts outside of work has been something I did not want to write about until it was "signed, sealed and delivered".

I am so happy to be able to blog that I am now the proud owner of a mortgage (that I will be paying off until I am in my 50s, although I will try to do it sooner!). The contracts were exchanged yesterday and in about 7 weeks I'll take some time off work and move myself in - to my very own apartment. It's a far cry from the ol' Aussie dream of a 1/4 acre block with a Hills Hoist in the backyard and a lawn to mow every other weekend but it'll do me - for now. I figure it's not a bad time to get my foot in the door (any door!)...it's certainly a good time to buy on one hand, with prices being relatively low but the reason for that is high interest rates so it's six of one and half a dozen of the other.

I am tempted to put up some of the real estate photos but I don't want to because the place is shown with the current furniture and layout, I might wait until I can show it off with all my stuff in there (and boy, do I have a lot of useless stuff and hardly any of the important things - like a lounge!).

On to crochet-y news, I did receive my last SP11 package from my Secret Pal Minnie - and thank you so much, I loved the yarn you sent and those non-melty "chocolates" - they are very much like Choco's here, which are chocolate flavoured jelly-babies but not as jelly-ish and I have enjoyed them! My camera is currently residing at work but I will get a photo and put it up. Sorry it's taken me so long to thank you, Minnie but I really have been sidetracked! The yarn is gorgeous, truly lovely colours. Very "me" (lots of pink).

I am actually really looking forward to sitting down and doing some crocheting for my new places - throw rugs and the like, I will get around to it!

The hair still looks shocking, I think I need some emergency hair surgery but I'm a bit frightened of going, in case I'm told the only way to save the mess I made (and I did make a right mess of it) is to cut it all off. We shall see.

The End..

...of SP11! Spoilee e-mailed me to say she had received her package so I e-mailed her back and The Great Reveal commenced. Or something. Anyway, my Pal was Louisa (curlytoot) and she was a Very Good Pal and I will look forward to seeing whatever it is she does with the yarn I sent her and keeping up with her blog. I feel very satisfied, SP11 was fun, I enjoyed it and I had a good Secret Pal and a good Known Pal. What more could I ask for?

On to other things...

K and I are in the midst of preparations for a Christmas Party tomorrow which, hopefully, will go off without a hitch. I had to decorate two trees yesterday and, while I seem to be missing the Martha Stewart gene (the one that lets you cut cakes evenly, set tables nicely, fold clothes in an intricate and complicated way, or otherwise do all those perfect 'finishing touches' etc), I am actually quite pleased with how the trees turned out (today I attempt "table centrepieces").

My little silver tree has been added to a bit lately and I have another package of baubles to put on there and some tinsel, I might do that tonight. I am definitely not from the "less is more" school of decorating and silver tree is a bit scrawny and pathetic looking. I'd like to say I'll pack silver tree up after Christmas but...after having it up for a year, we'd probably miss it if we put it away. Still, I think I should take it down and undo all the decorations and start again next year (and do them a bit better).

Speaking of Secret Pal, and I was, I never did show the project I crocheted for Louisa:








"Cold Shoulders", attempt 1, using Karaoke (5 balls I think) that I received during SP9. The item that really made me understand the importance of blocking!

Everything I need...

I had a good day today, fairly busy - I left just after 9:30 and didn't get home until 4. I went shopping with a friend and her mum, we went to Go-Lo, Big W and Spotlight. I bought Christmas things at Go-Lo, some summer nighties, DVDs and chocolates at Big W and some more # 10 thread, some beads and a few jewellery findings from Spotlight. They had some nice yarn on sale but I couldn't really justify purchasing any more.

I picked up my package earlier this morning from the Post Office and I made a necklace with the wire and some pearls before I left for shopping. It's not fancy (just beaded chains) but it's quite pretty and I am very pleased with it. Crocheting with wire feels funny (that would be strange funny)...and I desperately need to work on my 'finishing techniques' such as they are, I broke the wire twice trying to get the clasp on and it's more luck than anything else that is keeping it together. I made some 'matching' earrings when I got home (matching the necklace individually but not quite matching each other). It's not a bad looking set. I will get some photos when I can.

I am almost finished the first ball of Romance for the project I am working on so I am looking forward to spending some time tonight making more progress. I am giving the hankies a miss while I'm still feeling like poo. I don't think it was a good idea to spend so much time outdoors today, I got rained on and I feel miserable again. I will have a nice, warm shower and put a nice, new nightie on and then I will get into bed (covered with a nice, new bedspread that I couldn't resist today and new sheets I bought ages ago but never got around to putting on my bed) and I will crochet until I am too sleepy to crochet any more and then I will sleep. It sounds like a fantastic plan to me, best idea I've had in at least a day. I must add that it is made even more fabulous by the other idea I have had, which is eating chocolate while I'm doing everything else (except, possibly, the shower part - although I'm willing to give it a shot). I can't taste anything except for coffee and chocolate - just as well those are my two major "food groups" of choice and a staple of my daily diet (if not my entire daily diet).

Before I go: hello Dragon Mad Knitter, nice to 'officially' meet you! I read a lot of your blog this morning but I am not sure where I'm up to - would like to see more photos, of course, but who am I to demand photos? Please show PCB soon! I am waiting for Spoilee to receive her package before I reveal myself (I always feel a bit...odd...when I say that, like some kind of perverted old man who is just waiting for the right opportunity to flash his bits and pieces at an unsuspecting soul). It would seem I am not shy about making people wait...


Edited to Add: Photos

Just A Quick One

I've got a cold so I'm feeling a bit miserable and sorry for myself but I feel ten times better (at least) than I did when I woke up this morning, so that's good. What a ridiculous time to get a cold!

All I could think last night while I was trying to crochet a bit more of my hankie edge was "would it be wrong to blow my nose on this while I'm crocheting the edge?". I am sure everyone will be pleased to know that I did, in fact, determine it would be wrong. After using up all my tissues and resorting to loo paper, a soft cotton handkerchief just seemed so much nicer. I didn't do much of the edge, I couldn't concentrate...

I worked for a few hours today but my boss sent me home at 11, which I was happy about because I was feeling rotten then. All I wanted to do was come home, strip off and have a shower because I was feeling sweaty and gross but what happened was that I came home and fell into bed, fully clothed (trussed up like a Christmas turkey!), so I woke up feeling rather restricted and even more disgusting but not as sick. I slept for about 5 hours and that seems to have done the trick for me, at least I'm functioning on most cylinders now (and I did about half a row of my Romance project, too).

I posted Spoilee's package this morning, can I count it as "on time" since I posted it in November? It was a bit mean of me to post it late and then post it so she would have to wait all weekend but I am just glad I've got it done. Time runs away from me!

I get to go and pick up another package from the Post Office tomorrow, I know what's in it and I'm very excited! - wire and beads, wonderful beads (I hope).

That's about it from me, I'm going to go to back to bed, I think I'll be feeling even better when I wake up.

Nothing Exciting

Saturday was a busy day, I voted early in the morning, spent the rest of the day shopping like a mad woman and then I stayed up most of the night watching the election coverage. Yesterday was much quieter - I watched TV, I crocheted, I napped...

Today, I have to work so no TV, no crocheting until I get home and no sleeping until late. I am fairly sure my boss isn't keen on employees who snooze at work, as tempting as it sometimes is!

The yarn I liked at Lincraft is "Romance", more acrylic than anything else (80%) with a bit of mohair thrown in (20%). It's soft and fluffy and I am enjoying using it...of course, as is the way lately, a little frog has the potential to turn into a Big Toad because the yarn snags on itself and breaks easily. The first few attempts of a pattern ended in wrong stitch counts so I just cut the yarn and started again, now I've made some progress I really don't want to do that, so I am being extra careful not to make any mistakes. They are all simple ones, just missing a stitch or repeating the wrong row of the pattern, so there's no excuse for them. I'm counting as I go and double-checking each half of the pattern before I move on, I can undo a few stitches without too much drama, it's undoing rows I want to avoid.

I haven't worked on Second Sock much, I still have a bit to go but I would like to get it finished fairly soon, I have a lot of Christmas crocheting still to do - and time is getting away from me.

I ordered more of the Tapestry in two different colourways - "Antique" and "Moorland". I received two balls less of the Antique than I bought but the seller replied to my query and said she had made a mistake and will send them out to me so I am happy with that. The Moorland has green in it and my boss likes green, so I don't know if I should make her something from it...I probably won't but I'm still thinking.

I should get my order (another one!) from CrochetAustralia today - at least I hope I do, I have ordered a few patterns and some hankies to play with. At some stage I need to get back to the 4ply doilies and also attempt that Crinoline Doll Table Runner - I should've ordered the pink #10 thread from CrochetAustralia but I didn't - I checked at Lincraft and I still can't see any #10 thread there, I am sure it is there but I must be overlooking it. I'm fairly sure next weekend will involve a pilgrimage to Spotlight so if I can get a few things finished this week, I'll feel better about buying stuff again on Saturday.

My Spoilee must forgive me, I have not sent her package yet! I was supposed to send it last week but I didn't so I will have to send it this afternoon - it's ready to go except for the card I want to include so I must get that done today.

Can't Think of One...

I can report that Pineapple Circular Shawl was given to Mother-To-Be and was apparently very well received. I am told PCS will be accompanying Baby home from hospital and I think that's a very nice gesture.

Onto my Show dilemma, I figured if I could just get this first project finished and done well, I would enter it in and then work on some other things but I am having such trouble with it! I have frogged a lot, for more 'minor' reasons than I usually would because I would like it to be as perfect as I can make it. The yarn is very difficult to undo and I feel if I tug at it just a bit too hard, it'll break - and when it snags, I do have to be fairly brutal. As a result, when I undid two rows to correct a mistake (a missed treble), you can imagine my disgust when I re-crocheted one row and realised that while I had corrected the first mistake, I immediately made a new one. I left it in. I couldn't face undoing it all over again. This is why I am just not cut out for competitions.

I do have some time to decide a few things and I will put at least one item in, just to try and see how I go. I am perfectly content with not winning but I think I will put a price on the item and if anyone wants to buy it, they can...and the price will reflect the cost of the yarn and the amount of time I have put into it, so if anyone wants to buy it, they can pay for the privelege. I think that's fair. If they don't want my items, I am happy to take them home again and give them as gifts or keep them for myself.

I would have said that I am not very competitive at all, but that's not true. I just tend not to do things which are competitive but, when I do, I like to win - who doesn't? I love playing cards, for example (and particularly so with K because I win 49 out of 50 games - which is, sadly, mostly due to K's lack of skill rather than being due to any super skills of my own) but really, I enjoy playing cards regardless of who wins or loses and I have that attitude (for enjoyment rather than results) for this as well.

The last package for my SP11 Spoilee is going in the mail this morning, I hope she gets it by Friday and likes what's in it - I think she will (for both).

Second Sock seems to be a bit smaller than First Sock, I wonder if this is because I am not trying it on as much as First Sock? I have done the same number of rows and I wouldn't think my tension would change so much between the two but who knows? First Sock fits my right foot slightly better than it fits my left foot so a slightly smaller Second Sock should fit left foot slightly better than First Sock. I will work on Second Sock a bit more tonight.

Ultimate Crocheted What?

My routine has been screwed up all week, thanks to a sleepless night last Sunday, I hope I'll sleep well tonight. One week I can handle but any longer than that and I'll go crazy.

Robyn had the same problem contacting Spoilee so it's not just me, I feel a bit less like an e-mail criminal now - how offensive to tell me I've been blocked due to complaints! Unfortunately, since Spoilee has not received my e-mails, the last package will not be exactly as I would like it, I was waiting to get some answers about things to purchase / make for her but I will just go with what I already have. I don't think she'll mind, I think I've spoiled her pretty well based on her survey and earlier e-mail discussions.

Secret Pal, glad to hear PCB is progressing well - I'm looking forward to when I can see your progress. Don't worry about being late, that's another thing I can look forward to.

I had a great morning yesterday, mum and I went shopping and we bought some Christmas stuff - I got the dogs a stocking each and I am going to fill them with pig's ears and liver treats and things like that - Angel found a pig's ear and has been in love with it for about a week (it keeps ending up on my bed).

I forgot to take CDTC with me but I did buy two teapots, one is a plain white Maxwell and Williams one - a 2-cup infuser pot and the other is a "Tea for One" set (the pot sits on top of the cup) in a pattern I adore and I have quite a few pieces of the set so I decided I'd get it for me. The cosy fits the M&W one okay, it's not spectacular but it'll do (...it fits the Tea for One set a little better but I don't feel like parting with that one).

After that, I took a quick detour into Lincraft to check the stock for some projects I have in mind but I was dying to go to the loo so I couldn't concentrate. I did end up buying a ball of "Hot Socks" which is Lincraft's brand of sock yarn, it's superwash wool and nylon and it actually doesn't feel too bad. I don't know how sock yarn connoisseurs would rate it but it seems okay to me. One ball is 420m which seems to be enough for a pair of crocheted socks - so I started Ultimate Crocheted Socks. I am using a 4.00mm hook (larger than the pattern calls for, due to my tendency to crochet tightly) and I have completed Toe Foot and am currently in the midst of Gusset. I estimated 20 rounds for Foot but I had to do 30, so obviously I am still no good at estimating. I much prefer the extended single crochet (for the foot) than the single crochet (for the toe), I had my doubts that the toe section would fit over my incredibly broad and stumpy toes but the foot pattern seems to have pulled it into shape a bit (but not enough for my liking). I'm doing these as written for the small size but once they're done I might be able to work out any modifications for future pairs. The first thing I will change, if I can work it out, is the toe. I noticed in the pictures, her toe looked a bit square, narrow and a wee bit...ill-fitting? Mine does, too! I'm not sure if I need to adjust the starting chain length, use a bigger hook or if I should work in extended single crochet for the toe as well.

Back to the yarn, it was $13 which I thought was pretty good, considering I don't have to worry about postage costs or currency conversion and, as I said, if one ball can make a decent pair of crocheted socks, it's better than spending $10+ US per skein when I will need more than one - and possibly more than two. Tofutsies yarn is almost double the price ($24.95) through Ecoyarns and with only about five metres more. Still, maybe one day I might try the Tofutsies. Live2Knit has 75% Superwash Merino & 25% Nylon 4ply yarn for $13.70 but only 187 metres so I am happy with "Hot Socks".

I like the colours in the yarn but the colour repeats are a bit short for my liking.
I have been crocheting a Mystery Project with the Tapestry, the yarn colours are somehow not "me" but growing on me, I think it's crocheting up very nicely but it is definitely not the yarn for Lorna so I am glad I made her the Moda Vera capelet. I would still like to make her another, fancier shawl in really nice yarn but at least she will have one for Christmas and it will keep her warm and comfy when it starts to get cool.

So why the secrecy with these new projects and ideas? Well, I got it into my head that I might try and enter a few items into the Sydney Royal Easter Show next year. There are 8 classes I 'could' enter but I am undecided as to which ones I will enter, so I thought I'd try a few things and see how I go before I have to apply. I don't want to jinx myself by going into great detail with what I make until I get them made.

To be honest, I am a bit confused, one of the classes is "Creative Crochet" - Exhibitor's Own Design, I now assume that means exhibitor's own design whereas I initially thought it was "Exhibitor's Choice" which meant I could exhibit any project I wished. The other thing that confuses me is that it states that items can't be washed (except for quilt-y things) but there's a Doilie Class ("Doylie") and really, most doilies I know need to be blocked and pinned out - does that count as washing? I had planned on making items only with natural fibres just so I could block them when I was finished because I do think it makes the finished item look better, particularly when my stitches have a tendency to spring up and I usually end up with a smaller item than I want...I thought appropriate 'finishing' would be high on the list of desired attributes for a project. It's all very strange!

One part of me is telling myself not to bother because I can't compete with other crocheters who are probably all very accomplished and used to entering in shows but then there's another part telling me it's only $10 to enter an item in so what have I got to lose (who asked you anyway, Dignity?), it gives me something to achieve and it's a challenge I think I will enjoy...

Anyway, I am going to get back to my Ultimate Crocheted Socks and see if I can have one finished today. After I get the pair done (aren't I ambitious?), I'll revisit "Amazing Crocheted Socks" and see if anything appeals to me, now I know I can get 400+ metres of sock-y yarn locally and without breaking the bank.

Tea for Two - Hardly!

I am still plodding away at the Crinoline Lady Tea Cosy - she's almost finished, I've done all the ends and am just in the midst of joining the liner piece to the skirt piece. It's not going well. The tea cosy is very small...she will have to go shopping with me on Saturday. I worried about needing a 3-cup teapot, I might need a 1-cup teapot instead!

I am still unable to contact my Spoilee, I changed e-mail addresses and tried again but no luck - the message I receive in return is that my IP is blocked so I don't see that it will help even if I e-mailed her from my own address. I have e-mailed Robyn about it. I'm glad whatever has happened has happened at the tail end of SP11 and not at the beginning.

And speaking of SP11, my Secret Pal has been a bit quiet lately - hope the PCB is going well and things are okay with you and yours, Secret Pal.

I haven't had a lot of time for crocheting this week so I haven't gotten back to the Knotwork Socks or started the Crinoline Lady Runner or any of the other things I wanted to start. The Tapestry is burning a hole in my stash, I just don't know what I'm going to do with it but I want to do something. I am not sure I understand Seraphina well enough to try with the Tapestry, almost everyone who makes one says there are errors in the written directions but they don't help the clueless (like me!) with error-free directions. Hmph. I will have to go from the pictures, too, like everyone else I suppose. Woe is me.

Pineapple Circular Shawl is being given to the mother-to-be tomorrow so I hope I hear a little report in the evening along positive lines.

I am glad it's Friday.

The Emperor's New Clothes

I'm glad I bought a fully-clothed Barbie - it will be a long time before I make her something to wear. My CrochetAustralia order came in and I had a look at the pattern - I think it might be quicker for me to crochet my own wedding dress and quite possibly cheaper, too. I was thinking I would use this thread but that was before I knew I'd need 4000 yards of it. Yeesh, that's a lot of thread! Particularly when you compare it to the Viceroy Butterfly Shawl which is in size 10 thread and requires about 1500 yards (or something along those lines). Maybe I will try that pattern with the metallic thread instead of the Dress...

I also received the Crinoline Tea Cosy pattern and items, it seems straightforward enough for me - but things are not always as they seem. I have half of K's present 'organised' now - the Cosy and a pattern book (Crocheted Jug Covers - another Vicki Moodie one) and the other half will be some thread, a few steel hooks and the Crinoline Runner. I will work out the thread I want to buy for the Runner and put an order in again soon, even if I don't buy any for the Wedding Dress.

Secret Pal, I am looking forward to seeing your "PCB", I hope you are better at reading patterns than I am! I am sure you will be very happy with your blanket when it is done. I am reminded of a question I have been meaning to ask - to adapt a pattern from a finer yarn and smaller hook, to thicker yarn and a larger hook, how do you convert the requirements? I can't work this out - (and even if I did, I'd get it all wrong) but I'd like to know because I think I'd like to do my next PCS in a thicker yarn but I have no idea how to work out how much I will need.

Speaking of Secret Pal, yahoo is telling me it can't deliver my e-mail to Spoilee because my IP address is blocked - I don't know what's going on there but it is Very Frustrating! I will keep my fingers crossed that it's just a glitch in the system...if I don't hear back in a few days, I will ask the Hostess to contact her for me and find out - at least we're heading into the last of SP11 now so it's not too much of a disaster but I did have some questions I wanted her to answer for the last package.

I think I can get a start on Crinoline Cosy before I go to bed.

Any Excuse Will Do

Something Very Important occurred to me, as my alarm was making hideous noises at 5am this morning - I don't actually own any Appropriate Walking Shoes. I own a lot of shoes (I'll have to take a photo, or photos as the case may be) and I can walk in all of them with varying degrees of comfort, they're all very pretty...but there's not a pair amongst the bunch that can be honestly described as joggers, sneakers or runners. As a result, I decided sleeping in was more important than walking in pretty but impractical shoes.

My version of sleeping in this morning was getting up at ten to six, which is actually pretty pathetic as far as sleeping in is concerned - but not as pathetic as some (and I mean that in the nicest possible way, Manda). I made up for it by having a 3-hour nap this evening, which was 90% unintentional, I set my alarm to wake me up an hour later but I forgot to change it from AM to PM. I had planned on going shopping and buying some Appropriate Walking Shoes but it obviously wasn't meant to be. This walking thing was doomed from the start!

I finished Round 53 of PCS and started Round 54. I might continue for a while when I finish this, as I'm not likely to fall alseep any time soon because, as well as my nap earlier, I am currently enjoying a very strong cup of coffee (damn the Plan, I need my caffeine). I think (and with me that's always dangerous), that Rounds 54 - 58 will go quickly, since they consist of of chains and a few double-crochets and not much else but the counting might slow me down a bit. I will take photos in the morning, if there's anything worth taking photos of.

SP11 ends on November 30th, so I'll send my Spoilee another package next week and that will be the end of it I think, I've still got a few things for her and she seems to have enjoyed what I have sent so far. I am still waiting to receive my eBay order which contains my yarn swift and crocheted felted slipper patterns...when it arrives, I will start those Knotwork Socks and maybe try and get a pair of slippers done as a Christmas gift afterwards, too. I think the 3ply and 3.50mm hook have prepared me just a little bit for lace-weight yarn and a 1.50mm hook. We shall see.

I'm Looking Forward To...

...a cooler day today. I was buggered when I got home from work yesterday but it's not supposed to get so hot today.

Another round of PCS has been completed! Funny how the night before, they didn't seem to take so long but last night, it just went on and on and I thought I'd never finish. I am looking forward to finishing this, so far I think it's coming along quite well and if I can just keep it relatively mistake-free, I'll be delighted.

I heard from Spoilee and the package I sent has been received, she seemed pleased with what I sent so that makes me happy. In particular, it seems she likes the gift I made for her and I hope she posts a photo because the few I took are all quite bad.

I wonder if I should start my next Short 'n Sweet (pink) or if I should try and get a few more Christmas presents out of the way? Speaking of presents, I'll have to sit down and write a list of what I want to make and who's getting what (and what I need for it all) because I am not organised for Christmas yet. I'm still trying to recover from last Christmas...I can't forget the two birthdays right after Christmas, either.

I wonder how long it's going to take for my yarn swift to arrive - and when it does, will I be able to use it? I don't like my chances, I seem to have troubles with my yarn and I don't know if a swift is going to fix those problems. I'm willing to try at any rate! I might just order yarn already wound when that is an option but it just looks so much nicer when it comes in hanks. I probably won't get it for at least another week.

A Good Night's Sleep...

...does wonders for my mood - even though I didn't really have a good sleep last night, I am over my sulk from yesterday. I made some good progress on PCS last night so that has put me in a better "crochet frame of mind"...I'll get back to PCS in a minute but I figure I had better show off little Sweet Pea, since it didn't turn out badly as a shawl, just not exactly the way it should have turned out as Sweet Pea. I do think C will like it and that's the main thing with a gift.







The colours have come through fairly accurately, I will try and get a photo with it being worn because it actually looks a bit nicer on a body than it does flat on my bed.

It hasn't been blocked but I will do that this week, I'm not expecting miracles but it's worth a shot.



The pattern made by the increases and "dtrF" stitch (double treble relief forward) is becoming obvious. No more dtrF's, I'll be starting the pineapples soon instead. Last night I did the rest of Round 34, and then all of 35, 36 & 37, I haven't started Round 38 yet but I'm quite pleased I got as much done in as little time as it took.



I'm reluctant to boast about there being "no mistakes" because when I was giving myself a big pat on the back for not making any mistakes a few days ago, I noticed I had made a mistake in the previous round but I managed to correct it. I'm pretty sure there aren't any glaring errors but I don't want to jinx myself.



It's just about 70cms in diameter now, which is about right for where I'm up to - I do not have a mathematical brain but I guess if it's meant to be 120cms when it is finished and it is 60 rounds in total, each round is 1cm wide and because it is circular, each rounds adds 2cms to the diameter. I am getting just under 2cms and if I times the measurement I've got per round by 60, I end up with about 113.4 which is pretty close to the predicted 114cms based on the gauge from the first five rounds.

114cms is not too shabby! I think it will be a very nicely sized and snuggly shawl and I have decided when I lift my ban on yarn buying, I will buy another 6 balls of this yarn and I will start one to keep for myself - it can be the project I work on between other projects, no "deadline" so no stress with it. Speaking of the yarn, it is acrylic & nylon, it must be the nylon that makes it feel so nice (and the finer ply probably helps, too), each ball of this yarn costs over triple what a ball of the stuff I'm using for the Enchanted Slumber blankets costs - and they are 100g balls compared these that are only 50g. You get what you pay for...

I sent off another package to Spoilee on Friday, she might get it today or tomorrow. I hope she likes what is in there, I had a lot of fun getting it ready. I'll send another one before the end of SP11, I've got everything for it already but I might add more.

That's about it, time to get ready for the first day of another working week. I don't know where the weekend goes - and I don't know what the predicted temperature is for today but it feels like it might be another hot one.

Felting is Fun!

I didn't end up doing much winding when my friend was over, we started winding some 4ply silk I had dyed with Kool-Aid a long time ago (back in February!) and it is all a mess. I think I got the first metre or so done and then it started to tangle in the skein and we managed to undo it from a pretty major tangle to a small tangle but it is still tangled. It's probably my fault, my hanks never look the same after I start mucking around with them. I'll have to try to sort it out myself because there's a bit on the winder and until I fix it, I don't want to take it off and wind anything else.

As a result of all the time we spent fiddling with this yarn, we didn't get started on the fringe for the Shawl.

I crocheted a roundish shape with the Artful Yarns "Shakespeare" that I wasn't sure what to do with and then I felted it. Now it's drying in a 'kind of bowl shape'. I hand felted it, so it's a bit wonky and kind of odd looking but I like it. I used up all the yarn and then borrowed a scrap of some Karaoke to finish it off. I am waiting to receive two patterns for felted slippers and then more felting fun will ensue. I would like to make some more bowls but I will have to refine my pattern a bit...and maybe some other felted items that I am trying to work out, we shall see. I want to use up some of the yarn that I have but I haven't actually got a lot of feltable wool - I've got enough to get some things done and that's what I'll start with.

I have done a few more rounds of my dear Pineapple Circular Shawl, I am still trying to get to the end of these repeats but now I am on the last round so when I get back to it, it won't be long until I start the "new" pattern. I'm using 3ply which is equivalent to "sock / baby / fingering" yarn according to CrochetAustralia. Worsted weight is apparently equivalent to about a 10ply (10-12), with 8ply being slightly finer (light worsted / DK weight). I find it all very confusing sometimes.

All the shopping I've been doing lately and I have consistently forgotten the very last little piece I needed to really finish off my Secret Pal gift, I need a bit of ribbon but I can just use a crocheted chain which I think I will do, since I want to get the package sent off tomorrow - I was aiming for yesterday but I couldn't find my post 'satchel' - found and addressed, now waiting to be filled and sent. I am actually going to be very happy to send off some of the yarn I have bought for SP11, it'll make room for a bit more down the track.

Happy Birthday, Chris.

A Sweet Mess

The last lot of beads, waiting to be crocheted into "something fabulous" (I can always hope...).

Technically, can we call these "beads"? They haven't got any holes! I should write to Quality Control and demand compensation!


This is just a glimpse of dear ol' Sweet Pea. This was many, many rows ago.

I decided last night (with a grand total of 4 shells to go) that I hate it. Why? I did the pattern all wrong! Note to self: when an American pattern says "double treble" it does not mean the "double treble" that you have been doing for what feels like fifty-million shells. I really must remember to switch my brain from Aussie terminology to American terminology. I did wonder why my Sweet Pea looked fairly "squat" in comparison to the photos I've looked at but I thought it was all an issue of blocking. Blocking will help, I said to myself. I am sure blocking will help but I'm just not sure if blocking will help enough...

Truly, I'm an idiot and my crochet hooks should be taken away from me until I can learn to follow a pattern.

All that being said, there's no way on God's green Earth that I would undo it - I've finished with the crochet part and I've woven in all the ends (including all those extras), I just have to add the fringe. I'll just give it to C like I planned, no doubt with an explanation on "why it's not as nice as the pattern" even though C has never seen the pattern. I must work on this compulsion to point out all my mistakes. I'm not really good at taking compliments, especially when I know where all the mistakes are.

The yarn does have a grey/blue sort of tinge but it's more purple than it looks in the photo above, I think the beads are actually a nice match, even though they are a different colour - I think they add a bit of depth to it. I'll get a proper photo once I've added the fringe and blocked it. I'm not sure if I should add the fringe before or after blocking, I'll probably do it before so once it's dry, it's all done...then I'll pack it away (and probably forget where I put it) until a bit closer to Christmas, December at least.

I ended up with three extra beads when I finished and an unopened packet, so if I can work this Fat-Bottom Bag out, I might see if I can add some beads under the handles, I think that would look very nice...and this time I'll try to do the pattern properly.

I still want to get to my "Cold Shoulders", too. I don't know if I'm going to like the mohair, I think it obscures the pattern and it'll probably obscure all my stitches, too. I do like the way it looks in the book.

I'm going to send my second package to Spoilee this week, I have received all my yarn orders for SP11 so I won't put it off any longer. I'll send the gift I crocheted, too, instead of waiting for the last package. I have enjoyed this round of the Secret Pal. Speaking of Secret Pal (hello!), I saw some roving at Lincraft (of all places) - just a few blobs in a packet, but I think I'll pick some up next time I am there and practice spinning with my spindle. I don't imagine it's very good quality but to practice with, it should be fine.

No Pineapples Yet

A bit of progress since I last wrote - the Pineapple Circular Shawl has grown, slowly and almost surely. I managed to get a good amount of crocheting time in today at work (which is not as risky as it might sound) but half of it was wasted when I realised I had made a big mistake. I had already made a little mistake which I was able to salvage the next round (completing half a shell instead of a full shell in the previous round meant I had to then work a full shell into the middle treble of the half shell, instead of in the chain space between two lots of three trebles) because I didn't want to undo all my hard work. Imagine my horror when I noticed a round and a half later that I had done something I wouldn't be able to salvage about four rounds ago and would have to undo it all anyway. That'll teach me!

I have trouble visualising sizes, so when the size estimate says "approximately 120cms in diameter"...I had to get out my measuring tape and check what 120cms looked like (48inches). It's actually quite a lot bigger than I expected and I think that estimate is a lot bigger than it will actually be...I then decided to check my gauge (about 20 rounds 'too late') and I was half a centimetre off (8.5cms instead of 9 for the first five rounds). If that carries through the whole pattern, I assume I will end up with something about 114cms in diameter. I could be entirely wrong, I guess I will find out when it is finished.

(After I wrote the majority of this entry, I continued with my crocheting - finished one ball and started the next one for the "PCS". I managed to wind this one without any problems or tangles, I might be getting better at it! One down, five to go...)

In other news, I received another eBay order today - two more orders to go, hopefully one tomorrow and one Friday, or both tomorrow if I'm lucky. I have yarn coming out of my ears and I think I might have to start a few other projects in the next few days. I don't have to count the yarn in my 'stash' if it is being used, do I? I've really gone a bit overboard with the purchasing lately...I guess I should try to limit myself by not buying any more until I've completed some of those projects I've got waiting. I think I'll try those Knotwork Socks on Friday, but I had better check that I have a 1.5mm hook because I don't think I do.

My Secret Pal Gift was dry last night so I took it inside and it has turned out very nicely with my 'budget blocking' - the stitches are stretched out, so it's a better length and isn't as 'sproingy' as my stitches tend to be (see the Short 'n Sweet, which I will try blocking over the weekend). I think I'll post this and some other items to my Spoilee next week.

I'll take some photos of the new items and progress tomorrow.

Another One!

First of all, I was appalled by how ugly the colour was in those pictures of the 8ply merino - I have retaken the photos in the kitchen (the light is better) and uploaded them so the photos in the post are more accurate. Those colours were awful and definitely not true.

I received another order today from one of my eBay purchases - my lace-weight merino, mohair for my "Cold Shoulders" and a skein of something interesting for my Spoilee. I haven't worked with mohair before and I'm not really sure about it but this looks nice and doesn't feel itchy. I am worried that I didn't order enough - the pattern calls for three and that is all I bought. I probably should've been a bit cautious and bought extra...

I had better give lace-weight knitters and crocheters more respect, I somehow didn't realise how thin it would be. I've got some two ply lace-weight silk which I have dyed a myriad of ghastly kool-aid colours somewhere (and despite what I just wrote, I actually like it!) but I guess I viewed it more as a thread rather than a yarn. Does that make sense? Anyway, this merino is lovely, so soft and the colours are beautiful but I am feeling very, very intimidated. I can barely handle a 3ply yarn with a 3.50mm hook, how will I cope with this?




Speaking of being intimidated, here is my progress on the Pineapple Circular Shawl - after 16 rounds:

The rounds are starting to take me a while, although I guess I am not the fastest crocheter at the best of times. I am ashamed to say it but I don't want to work on ES3 at the moment, this yarn is nice and soft which makes the other yarn feel a bit stiff and scratchy...or more than a bit.

To put it into perspective, while the lace-weight is quite fine, it's not that much finer than the 3ply I'm using for the blanket, not as big a difference as between the 3ply and 8ply anyway. It's the hook size that worries me, I think the pattern calls for...a 1.50mm - and I have to make two and they have to be fairly similar (I know they won't be exactly the same if I do them) so I'm feeling a bit nervous. I also have to wind the yarn into balls and I am dreading the mess I will get into (I managed to tangle the 3ply while I was winding it, too, which is why I only did one - but since I've barely made a dent in it, I'm sure it will be a while before I need the second one, let alone all 5 remaining).


So that's about all the fun yarn-y related stuff I have for tonight. Still waiting on 3 orders, two for me and one more item for my Spoilee. I missed the boat with the SP11 "Flash Your Stash" competition but that's okay, I don't have the energy to get all my yarn out and take photos but I might do that this weekend, I think I will come across things I have forgotten about.

I'll try and make a dent into what I have and then I might buy some more Karaoke in some of the colours I have had my eye on for a long time now. Speaking of Karaoke, I haven't checked my Spoilee gift today, it is probably not dry yet because we had rain last night, I'll check it in the morning and bring it inside if it is dry enough.

That's about it from me tonight, my crocheting is calling me - and it is impatient!

Presenting...

I have been a good girl today. I wove in all the ends of my Short 'n Sweet (20), the circular baby blanket I finished ages ago (6) and my Secret Pal gift (I didn't count them but about 10). I have my Secret Pal gift blocking outside. I checked it a while ago and it was still quite damp, I imagine it's going to take a fair bit of time to completely dry - I've got a towel on top of it to prevent any leaves and other garden-y things landing on it. I'm actually quite happy with how it is, I think I've managed to stretch out the stitches a lot, but I didn't use pins.

I will try and 'block' the Short 'n Sweet next because I think if ever an item needs blocking, this particular one does...and then I will find that purple shrug and weave in all the ends, finish off the edging on the first Enchanted Slumber and weave in those ends and then, hopefully, I can get started on my future projects!

Forgive the awful photos, I am very cranky with myself that during my clean-up, I gave the "torso" I had away. It would've been very handy to use to show off my Short 'n Sweet. When it's blocked, I will get a photo of it on, which might show it off a bit better.

I've done some more crocheting on the third Enchanted Slumber - I can't remember if I wrote about it or not, I think I did in a draft which I never published but I am using a 6.50mm hook for this one and I really like how it's changed the 'fabric', much floppier and it feels softer, too. I'm doing it in bands of colour, starting off with the blue variegated I used for the second ES, then a block of light green (which actually looks really nice - the solid colour shows off the pattern quite well whereas the variegated doesn't). I'm in the middle of the second block of blue variegated and then I'm going to do a section in pale yellow (and then more blue, yellow, blue, green, blue). I'm not sure about the border, I think I will have some trouble with it but I will definitely need one. I'm using the same brand yarn but I think the variegated is slightly thicker than the solid colours (could this have something to do with the dye or dyeing process?) so it will need an edging to keep it fairly straight.

About the SP item, I don't think I'm going to be able to wait to show it off - I'll see how it is tomorrow and how well the photos turn out and take it from there. I figure it won't 'spoil' the surprise until it is received by my Spoilee, so...

Anyway, it is time for me to go to bed, I can't believe how quickly the weekend goes - but to be fair, my working week goes by quickly, too. I have five pairs of shoes to decide between for tomorrow, so I will ponder my choices before I drift off to sleep.

I am not disappointed with the Bathurst results.

SP11 Contest 2

As usual, all knitting references have been changed to crochet:

1. What is the one crochet accessory you could not live without? I don't really have many 'accessories', I guess as long as I have a hook and some yarn, I'm okay...I like my yarn winder though, that's probably one accessory I'm very glad to have. I don't think I'd be able to manage hanks of yarn without the winder and mum.

2. If you're heading on vacation, do you take crocheting with you? If so, how much and what type of project? Yes, although I haven't been on a holiday for a while. I'd take whatever I was working on (or wanted to work on), and maybe some square patterns or patterns for small items and some scraps of yarn.

3. Where have you travelled to that you'd consider your favorite spot? I love the Blue Mountains and Currarong.

4. What is your favorite crochet book at the moment? Do you own it? I don't know that I have a favourite, there are a lot I'd like to have though.

5. Do you listen to podcasts? Which is your favorite(s)? Nope.

6. If you could only crochet with 1 color for the rest of your life, what color would that be? I'm tempted to say pink because that's my favourite colour...but to be practical, I think I'd choose green.

7. If you were far into a project and then noticed a mistake near the beginning what would you do? Well I'd probably leave it alone. If it was a mistake that impacted on the pattern, I'd have noticed it a lot sooner.

8. Where is the most unsual spot you've ever crocheted? I am not one for crocheting in unusual spots, I've taken my crocheting to work, to the beach, in the car, to friends places etc but nowhere really strange.

Still working on the blankets, started a new one that I wanted to get finished by tomorrow, but I've got a lot more work to do on it, so I don't know...we'll see!

Sometimes I hate being right.

Well, I'm sick. I woke up yesterday feeling like absolute crap, I took the day off work and I am off work today, too. I guess I'll be alright to work tomorrow.

I've done absolutely no crocheting for the last two days, yesterday I pretty much slept all day but I started to feel better in the evening. I don't feel as bad today as I did yesterday, so that is good.



That's the current progress on Enchanted Slumber so far, I've actually done a little bit more than that now - the edging is all wonky and ruffled but I'm going to keep going with it. I might lay on the couch and watch some DVDs and do some crocheting but really, nothing appeals to me at the moment.

In the midst of my illness-and-drug-induced haze yesterday, I heard the doorbell ring, so I jumped out of bed, put my jeans on and opened the door. The postal delivery man was driving away but when the front door opened, he waved at me and I noticed a package out the front. Too small to be my yarn order so...



Thank you, Secret Pal! I read the leaflet and, typically, once I pulled everything out, I couldn't fit it all back in (why does this happen?). I am not even letting myself think about trying anything complicated the way my head is at the moment but I am looking forward to giving it a go when I am feeling better. I am sure I will make a big mess of things but I am going to enjoy every minute of it.

I have to dye some yarn to send to my Spoilee but I haven't really felt up to that, either. I should probably go and do that now.

SP11 Questionnaire

SP11 here we go...all knitting references changed to crochet.

SP11 Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to crochet with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I'm not really a "yarn connoisseur" (shocking, I know) - I guess the novelty yarns (like furry, feathery ones) are a bit pointless because I find they are just too difficult to crochet with. I was lucky enough to receive some very nice yarn during SP9 (understatement of the century) and I didn't dislike any of them.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? Umm...usually just store them with whatever I'm working on or in a place I (hopefully) won't lose them.

3. How long have you been crocheting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? Not that long, in the great scheme of things - I think about two years now. I'm an intermediate beginner I guess.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Yes, I am happy to share the link to my amazon wishlist, please ask me for it.

5. What's your favorite scent? Sweet or floral (vanilla, rose, gardenia etc).

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? I have sweet teeth - chocolate is a Very Good Thing.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I don't spin, I like cardmaking and crafty things like that but I'm not really much good. I don't spin but I'd like to try it one day - I did some dyeing courtesy of SP9 and I love it.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) - I'm willing to give almost any music a go and yes, my computer & stereo can play MP3s.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? I really love pink but I quite like any bright and beautiful colours, nothing too garish and nothing really muddy (not a huge fan of browns and khaki sort of colours).

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? 3 doggies living in the house with us.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Yes, mainly scarves but we are heading towards warmer weather here now, so maybe not really ideal at this point.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to crochet? I like making my 4ply doilies because they are not too difficult yet they look pretty, I like making shawls and blankets - if I can ever work out the concept of a gauge swatch, I'd really like to make some wearables. Toys and silly things are fun, too!

13. What are you crocheting right now? Does what I'm thinking about crocheting count? I need to start work on a baby blanket and, of course, the items for my Pal.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? They are the very best kind!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Well, the straight or circular question is N/A for crocheting. I am not fussy about my hooks, I wouldn't say no to any of the very beautiful and interesting hooks that are available though (I like pretty things).

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? I received a yarn winder during SP9, I don't have a swift.

17. How old is your oldest UFO? How long have I been crocheting again? (About that old).

18. What is your favorite holiday? I like Christmas.

19. Is there anything that you collect? I collect lots of things: porcelain and china, particularly teacup and saucer sets & salt & pepper shakers, umm cupcake-related "things", old photos (particularly old wedding photos), clowns and frogs. I like things related to the 1920s and 1930s (art nouveau and art deco).

20. Any books, yarns, hooks or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What crocheting magazine subscriptions do you have? There are a lot of books on my wishlist - and there are some Leisure Arts and other pattern leaflets I would like to get my hands on...I don't have any magazine subscriptions.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? I suppose spinning would be the only technique I can think of...

22. Are you a sock crocheter? What are your foot measurements? I will have to look them up from the SP9 questionnaire (or if I am lazy and don't, then whoever is interested - feel free to look up the measurements from the SP9 questionnaire). One day I will try sock-crocheting but sock yarn hasn't really made it to the local stores here yet.

23. When is your birthday? April 4th.

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID? Nope.

I hope that was informative :)