wips « my knitting and me

quick catch up

18/06/2008 at 00:37 | In knitting, lace, ramblings, spinning, stash, wips, yarn | 4 Comments

quick catch up, originally uploaded by lyndsey-jane.

I thought I’d do a quick catch up on whats been happening round here.
I’ve dug out my spindle and got some new fiber in. Can’t remember what the fiber on the spindle is except that I got it from esty and it’s BFL. The other fibers are Yarn Yard BFL in aurora, Spunky Eclectic Corriedale – Vacation to Canada (25g each of her Canadian colours) and Spunky Eclectic Wool Blend in Grand Opening.
The green yarn is also from Spunky Eclectic and is the Flying Cables kit in Sage.
The top is Green Gable in Cotton Fleece Robins Egg Blue, but is not quite finished as it is about 2″ too short so I have to rip back rib and knit some more.
Last two are pics of Karl and I and the Foo Fighters gig the other saturday.
I ordered Victorian Lace Today from amazon and what a book. It is amazing, so many beautiful patterns. I’m still deciding which one to cast on for Mums wedding but will let you know as soon as I do.
I’ve been busy plurking, come join, we have a real laugh over there.
I’ve been working mainly on RPM sock in some of my hand-dyed should have a finished sock soon, as well as the Summer Sampler Study – I’m almost caught up and really enjoying it.
Spring Things Shawl is blocking as I type and hopefully FO photos tomorrow.

Not your ordinary stitching

10/02/2008 at 19:13 | In sewing, wips | 6 Comments

Not your ordinary stitching, originally uploaded by lyndsey-jane.

I am so addicted to this! I love my sublime stitching kit and book, and have more on the way, as present it is still between US and UK somewhere.
My first attempts weren’t so bad, but for some reason the photos were, these three were done over the weekend, whilst listening to the last few chapters of Outlander.
They are on a basic teatowel which I will show when finished.
I still can’t seem to get chain stitch and at present am happy using back stitch, split stitch and french knots. The french knots on the centre cake were my very first ever! No practicing just straight in.

Juliet

07/01/2008 at 01:41 | In knitting, wips | 3 Comments

Just to prove that I have been knitting here as some progess shots of Juliet. I love this pattern it is quick and easy to memorise. I have finished all the knitting and just need to block and add buttons. I have to go buy some thread for (yet) another bag I plan to make soon, so will have look in the city for some nice buttons for this.
The truer colour is more like the close up.

I’m so exicted…

29/10/2007 at 23:42 | In birthday, knitting, ramblings, wips | 1 Comment

… and I just can’t hide it!

I have a new passion, sewing! The thing is the excitement is a bit premature as I haven’t actually done any sewing yet. I have the machine (in a box wrapped up in pretty pink paper, with strict instructions not be opened until Thursday) but I’m excited just looking at fabrics and deciding to what to make first. You see I HAVE to have some fabric to play with for the week end or else I’m just gonna sit a look at the thing – it needs to be used.

I’m a complete novice and really want to make bags – I love bags! I found a great shop and blog U-Handbag and contacted Lisa (the owner) for advice on a good beginner pattern. She is so nice and got back to me real quick suggesting this one – I promptly ordered it along with some interfacing. I will make the handbag first, then have a go at the drawstring bag. I think this will make a nice project bag for those projects slightly bigger than socks, but not too big to take out of the house. Hopefully it will be hear for Thursday.

Although Cambridge isn’t all that for yarn, the yarn shop, Sew Creative has ALOT of fabric. Whilst perusing several online stores I have fallen in love with the Kaffe Fasset range of fabrics and according the Sew Creative website they stock this range. Yay! It is going to take all my inner strength to sit through 3 hours of parasitology tomorrow morning before going to look (drool) at the fabric. I’m not buying anything yet as the material for my first project is part of my birthday present but I will price up what I like. I can then either try to find in London (if we have time), get Mum to order on-line for me or get the cash from Mum and go back to Sew Creative.

Do not think that I have forsaken knitting, I’ve been knitting quite a lot. I cast on Central Park hoodie (with Rowanspun Aran in a lovely tweedy brown) and have completed the back and about 3/4 of the left front. It is such a quick knit, I can see more of these in my future. I have completed the first Earl Grey sock for Keith’s birthday (another great pattern) and have just turned the heel on the Monkey sock for my Monkey Sock Swap Pal. These need to be finished by Thursday, but I think I may need the weekend to get them finished. Oops!

I have my MRI scan on wednesday, which is not something I look forward to. They’re not horrible in a painful, invasive proceedure way, or even unpleasant in a bearable but annoying pain way they just suck! I don’t even mind the claustrophobic atmosphere of the scanner, I just get BORED!!! Past scans have taken about 60-90 minutes and I find it difficult to lay still and not do anything for that length of time – unless I’m asleep. I have been known to fall asleep in the scanner but just as I doze off they wake me up by talking to me (through headphones) and asking me to hold my breath so they can take a picture. MRI’s are also very noisy, imagine lying in tube, and having someone sit on top and bang on it with a large hammer. The only good thing is I get to listen to music or the radio. I usually opt for listening to Radio 1 as that way it feels like I have a bit of company.

My new chair arrived today, so comfy, in fact more comfy than our bed at present, just waiting for the wireless router to arrive and I can sit up the table with my macbook on a comfy chair and write blog posts, at the moment i’m sitting on the floor in the middle of the lounge as the Ethernet lead doesn’t reach over the table. We had a move around to accommodate the new chair and the sewing machine. It also gives me more space to study.

I’m off to get some sleep or else I’m going to be to tired to celebrate of Thursday.

WIP wednesday

10/10/2007 at 17:39 | In wips | 3 Comments
Tags: wips

WIP wednesday 10/10/07, originally uploaded by lyndsey-jane.

Snakes on a Socks in STR lightweight (Obsidian)
Wisp in Malabrigo Lace (Olive)
Harvey’s Hoodie in Regia sock yarn
Karl’s Cobblestone in Cascade 220 Heathers

08/10/2007 at 22:05 | In knitting, ramblings, wips | 5 Comments
Tags: knitting, university

I am now officially a BSc Microbiology student – no more Biomed!!! We received copies of the new Biomedical Science pathway last week and I discovered that I the option to specialize had been removed and we now had two generic modules covering all 4 areas, rather than one modules covering all four and one specializing in a chosen area (microbiology, haematology, clinical chemistry or cellular pathology).

I do not want to become a biomedical scientist, so do not need a IBMS accredited degree, I chose the degree because the subject area interested me, and I later discovered that I loved microbiology but could choose to specialise in my 3rd year. After finding out that I had to do modules covering the other areas I was slightly disappointed so after a couple of meetings with Uni staff and camping outside a couple of staff members offices to get the relevant forms signed I have managed to transfer to a single honors microbiology degree. This is possible so late in the degree (I’m in the final year, although doing over 2 years) because many of the first and second year modules are the same. I have had to pick up a couple of second year modules – one each semester this year which means I am no longer part-time but am still only doing 3 instead 4 modules a semester so can’t foresee a problem and to make things even better this semester I two of my three modules are 100% coursework and the other is an open paper exam. For those of you that have an interest my modules over the next year are:

Semester 1 – microbial pathogenicity, bacterial molecular genetics and parasitology

Semester 2 – applied microbiology, special topics in microbiology and medical microbiology

I really think I have made the right choice doing this as I wasn’t 100% happy with the modules I was due to do on Biomed and am excited about all the microbiology modules.

After finally ploughing through all the paperwork I logged on and read some blogs at uni, and this is the first thing I saw on the Lime n Violet Daily Chum. Can we say spooky! I so have to make some of those.

I have my first parasitology lecture tomorrow and will know absolutely no-one as this is one of the second year modules I have had to pick up. This week we are visiting the Museum of Zoology which should be interesting.

In knitting news, I have cast on for Karl’s Cobblestone sweater and it is looking good.I am using Cascade 220 heathers in a greeny brown. I’m loving the way its knitting up and thankfully so is he. My gauge is slightly off but as he is between sizes I am knitting the size up which will come out slightly smaller then the stated measurements. I had a bad case of startitis last night and cast on for Wisp with my olive green malabrigo lace. OH. MY. GOD. this stuff is amazingly soft. I so have to get me a sweaters worth of the worsted weight, ideally in the olive green to make the Tree Jacket with. I have come to a major hurdle with the Deep V Argyle vest, all the knitting and steeking etc is done but I am at a loss as to how to sew the ribbed neckband up, as I have live stitched at the base of the neck. I love this top so much that I don’t want to ‘make do’ and ruin it. If all else fails I may take it to ally pally and seek expert advice somewhere.

I tried on my Wicked! this morning and have faced up to the fact that it no longer fits me, I am 3 stone lighter than I was when I made it and it just looks wrong. I really like this pattern and plan to completely frog it, wash the yarn and re-knit it in a smaller size. In fact i had quite a few problems this morning as it was the first morning this autumn that I felt the need to be warm and nothing fit me. I know I should be glad about this and I am but I really don’t have the money to go buy new clothes – maybe I just need to knit faster!

28/09/2007 at 21:44 | In ramblings, swaps, wips | 3 Comments

I have so much great stuff to share with you but I am still feeling ill, in fact i’m feeling worse. I was ok for a couple of days then things went bad again. In the good days I finished the main part of the Deep V Argyle Vest and have cut most of the steeks. I am really pleased with this, and all going well it will be down in time for Ally Pally.

I have a great parcel to share with you, including some fab socks, from my Sock It To Me Swap Pal, and I have almost finished my Pals socks.

Pictures and details to follow.

wip wednesday

12/09/2007 at 19:18 | In contest, knitting, socks, wips | 4 Comments

wip wednesday, originally uploaded by lyndsey-jane.

After completing the Clementine Shawlette I have 3 three things on my needles. I know only 2 are pictured but I don’t have a photo of the third and its upstairs and I ‘ve just finished dyeing roving, have dinner to make and I want watch the footie (read as: can’t be assed to take photo right now)
The Sweet Pea socks are half done. They are really great knit i’ve just been lacking the sock mojo lately. They are for my Sock It To Me swap pal, so I had better get a move on.
The Deep V Argyle Vest in just divine! Love the pattern, love the yarn, love the colours. I’m actually further along than this now. I have the waist decreases done and am about to start on the on the bust increases and in a few rounds time I have to place the neck steek stitches.

We have decided on a winner for the Hamsters names, and will awarding a second prize also (this is a a name I really really liked but Karl wasn’t so keen on). We will be doing the draw for the random winner later tonight. I’ll try to post winners later tonight if not I promise they will be posted tomorrow.

1hr and 31mins…

11/09/2007 at 22:27 | In wips | 5 Comments

Clementine Shawlette, originally uploaded by lyndsey-jane.

…is how long it took me to kitchener the Clementine Shawlette halves together. I can be so precise, not because I timed myself (i may be a geek but i’m not that bad) but because I started kitchenering when Pirates of the Carribbean – Dead Man’s Chest began and I checked the timer on the DVD when I finished.

All I have to do now is block it. Great i thought I’ll soak it today, until I remembered I had lent my Eucalan to my mum and not got it back yet. In the UK Eucalan, along with other no-rinse woolwashes, are a rarity. I was searching the internet for a UK stockist of Eucalan, my present bottle was a gift, only to find this. I would be interested in hearing from any UK people who have used it. It looks similar to Eucualan but much cheaper (well, same price but bigger bottle) and as there is a Lakeland in Cambridge it is easily accessible. As I have a couple of weeks until the wedding for which the shawl is needed I will postpone blocking until I can get to the city and buy some.

I plan on having a dyeing day tomorrow, so expect a shop update soon. I need to get the woolwash to soak the dyed yarn in to, so the update won’t be until next week.

Toy Knitting

30/08/2007 at 20:51 | In dyeing, knitting, ramblings, wips | 3 Comments

I’ve become addicted to knitting toys! I was a bleurgh day the other day (pms) and wanted a quick fun knit. I found Lola Bunny and fell in love. It is so cute. I have very nearly finished – should have an FO later tonight. I started it two nights ago. It is great. I am using the hand-dyed bfl I received in the hand-dyed yarn them swap. Its looking really sweet. I’ve found other great patterns, including some amigurumi patterns that have been converted into knitting patterns from this etsy store. I bought Mr Bean, Pirate Panda and This Little Pig. I plan on casting on Sheldon as soon as the bunny is finished. I have a couple of balls of Sugar n Cream (orange and denm blue) which will look great. I am also planning to knit a Baby Bobbi Bear and the small fish from the One Fish, Two Fish pattern from Blue Sky Alpacas, as well as Kate from knitty.com. The bunny is for Karl, and Sheldon will probably stay here too. I plan on giving the fish to my nephew for his birthday, but may make another bunny for him before that as I have a large stash of pale blue yarn. The yarn was bought to make him some clothes but know he is nearly a year I think the colour is a bit baby for him. The rest will be turned into squares to make blankets for the local animal shelter.

I managed to get some dyeing over the weekend – 400g merino sock yarn, 100g bfl laceweight and 100g bfl roving. 100g of sock yarn and the roving where dyed by Karl so will be special ltd editions. I hope to get the rest of the roving done this weekend and have the shop updated late next week. The BFL roving is so soft. I think it has to be one of my fave fibres. I hope to get some BFL sock yarn for the next update.

Off to eat dinner and finish the bunny, which Karl has called ‘Bob’. Everything is Bob at the moment.
(btw: for those unaware Karl is my 25 yr old boyfriend, but at times when I write/talk about him I realise it he sounds like he may be my 5 yr old son!)