Progressing

Well, I came to the conclusion that I wasn't going to get those stranded colour socks done in time for Hobart, but that was no real drama. It was actually about the same temperature in Hobart as it was back home in Sydney while I was down there.

The conference itself was good. It was fun, although we were surprised at the accommodation we got. We each had one of the lowest rooms the hotel offered - complete with it's own bathroom (with tub), kingsize bed, digital tv, etc. I went to three different workshops in the conference, and took notes, and now have to write reports on them by Thursday. Wish me luck for that!

The socks in progress are slowly moving along. Unfortunately, I'm still on the first of the stranded socks, and that one can only be done at home for the moment. The simple sock pattern is going along nicely, and being worked on at every opportunity when out of the house.

The mega-shawl is also going along nicely, but slowly. I really should get to work on that...

Problem

I have a slight problem. I am going to Hobart next week. It will be absolutely freaking freezing, so I am making myself a pair of socks. A pair of fair isle socks. For double the warmth and all. First attempt. Well, I've done one attempt to the heel, undone it, and restarted it. They are in the Wallflower pattern (yes, I know I'm nuts). But that's now going okay. So that's motoring along, but...

My problem? I just got a spinning wheel. In fact, it was delivered to my front door. It's an Ashford Traditional, and came with a set of hand carders. Yes, this is a problem. I was to play with it, learn to spin, start making my own yarns. I want to change it to a double treadle, and play with it some more. I keep looking at stuff to do with spinning online, and I really should be knitting away.

Oh. and I didn't actually buy the wheel. I didn't exactly have a choice about when I got it. I got the spinning wheel from my aunt. It kinda makes sense that she doesn't want it. She does live in Darwin, after all. Can you imagine being in all that heat and spinning?!

ETA: Or I could check the weather comparisons, and find it's about the same temp in Sydney as it is in Hobart, and it's much colder in Canberra. Suddenly I'm not so worried about these socks

Complete!

I have finished! The baby blanket, that is. Yes, it is finally done, and I think it may have reached it's new owner by now. The child it is for is still small enough to fit in it, at least. It is fabulous to have it done! I even took it to the knitting group to show it off, and it earned a round of applause.

In other news, I have also finished one of Dom's socks and am half-done on the other. I dream of doing two-at-a-time, but in this case, I'm glad that I did one at a time. But then, having one done means I don't need to borrow his feet again, thanks to a pretty clear indication in the repeats of the pattern and such. I don't have that luck with my plain vanilla pattern. In fact, I might have to search my old laptop to find out what needle size I used. Ah well, I've got a few UFOs to finish, and some new socks to start, before I'll be driven to that, methinks.

Now, to continue on the socks!

*sigh*

I have been having an okay time with my knitting, but today... I discovered something sad.

The baby blanket is making progress. And... I just started the Mystic Roses mystery shawl. And... the sad part. Today I made Dom try on the first sock I'm making for him. And... he couldn't get it over his foot, let alone over his heel. I'm thinking of adding 8 stitches and going up a needle size. That should work. Hopefully. Either way, I'm knitting away, especially since I now have freedom for 3 weeks! Woohoo! Knitting ahoy!

Oh, it's so dusty around here!

Whoops! I'm sorry, I know it looks like I've abandoned this blog. But I do remember that I have it, and I'm finally getting around to updating. Right, knitting wise...

I've been working on a baby blanket for a family friend (sorry, no photo, don't want her to see it before it's finished). It's not done yet, and the baby is due in January (whistles innocently), but I haven't been able to work on it like I should. Curse uni!

I have also been working on a pair of Francie socks but again, no photo. Maybe I should also mention that my camera has died?

I have finished the actual bag for the Cherry Blossom bag I'm making for Mum, now just needing to knit the flowers and the branch, but that's on hold until the baby blanket is finished. As, of course, are all the other UFOs I've still got lying around. That includes 2 pairs of almost fingerless gloves, a hat, and two stoles. I really shouldn't list my UFOs like that.

In life in general:

I've met someone and he is lovely (snuggles to him).

I somehow passed 3rd year Japanese this year, probably on a wing and a prayer.

My sole New Year's Resolution: learn to spin. I just bought some more fiber from Virginia Farm because it was just plain gorgeous. And also, I bought it in the hope that all my fiber will reach critical mass and I'll start spinning it. What do you think my chances are?

My laptop is slowly dying and I'm going to get a new one soonish. And also a new camera. Probably new brands of each, too.

Yep, I think that's the extent of my life at the moment. Things are looking remarkably good for the new year.

Cat: 0 Mouse: 1

We have encountered a slight problem... Normally, we are careful to make sure that any mice he catches are kept outside, but tonight? We now have a mouse loose in the loungeroom and the cat is happily settled on top of the tv cabinet. Completely ignoring the fact that there's a mouse in the same room. In this case, it is definitely Cat: 0 Mouse: 1

Black Yarn Swap

I am participating in a new swap! It's called the Black Yarn Swap, and one has to send off a pattern and the requisite yarn that is at least 50% black, needles or crochet hooks, something else knitting/crochet related that is also at least 50% black. I'm quite looking forward to this!

Ravelry name: Alacaeriel
1. Do you knit, crochet, or both? I can crochet, but I much prefer knitting
2. What do you prefer to knit or crochet? (socks? sweaters? cables?) What would you like to try to knit or crochet? Just now, I love knitting lace stoles, scarves or shawl, and socks. But I think I need sock yarn more
3. What are your hobbies outside of knitting or crocheting? External hobbies? Um... books, study, going out with friends...
4. Do you have any fiber allergies? Fiber preferances? I'm afraid I don't like the feel of acrylic yarns, especially on my feet.
5. Do you have any favourite books, music, or tv shows? If so, what are they? For books, I like David Eddings and Tamora Pierce, for tv shows, I like Midsomer Murders, Lewis, CSIs, Law and Order, for music, I don't mind, anything but rap or techno.
6. Do you have any pets? I have a cat, a blue burmese
7. Do you prefer salty or sweet snacks? I prefer sweets, my dentist is glad to know :-P
8. Do you prefer coffee or tea? either, in all honesty
9. Aside black, which colours do you like/dislike? I don't like lurid greens
10. What is your favourite time of the year? (season-wise or holiday-wise) Christmas/New Year is lovely
11. What is your favourite scent? I like roses...
12. What do you collect? At the moment, I seem to be collecting laceweight yarn, but I don't really collect anything.
13. If there's anything else you'd like your swappee to know, list them here: I can't think of anything else, but I'll let you know if I think of anything.

I'm quite looking forward to this swap. The fact that I haven't any black yarn in my ravelry stash is entirely beside the point.