Shazmina's First Steps

Baby steps in Shazmina's knitting world look like this.



This was the very first thing I knitted. It is the Hothead Beanie from the first SNB book. I knit it in double 8 ply (Cleckheaton Country). And there is a story.

It was 2005 and I was lucky enough to go away on a craft weekend with a bunch of fabulous women I had met through Sadie and Lance (she is a true craft legend!). 3 days of eating, drinking and watching Sex and the City. Oh and there was craft of course!

I was determined to knit a garment. Sadie and Lance had got me practicing knit and purl, and I had a kind of odd looking scarf in beeeeooootiful pink acrylic. (So many acrylics died for that poor scarf!) I wanted to knit a functional item sooooo badly that I did not leave the house for walks down to the lake (Lake Macquarie for Oz readers). It took me three days to knit this beanie (that now takes a couple of hours) and even then I didn't sew it up before we left.

But I finished that damned beanie! And you know I dont even think I have ever worn it. I know this because I have yet to sew the ends in!!

Ahhhh memories. So there you have it Shazmina's first knitted project. It makes me realise how far I have come as a knitter, and how much more there is to learn.

Now if I could only further harness the Craft Goddess and her knitting mojo and finish some UFO's, well that would be an accomplishment!

While the Cat's Away......

This little mouse will play!

So I have a quick moment to write a wee little post. Above is a photo of my Lorna's Laces One Hank Socks, by Black Dog Knits. This is actually the first sock, although I am up to about the same place on it's wee little friend. Will post pics of that one on the weekend.

I think this photo shows the Lorna's colourway a lot better than my previous posts. You will also note the 30cm circular, which I love. I have a theory that your favorite sock knitting method, whether it is DPN's, Magic loop, two circulars or 30cm circulars, really depends on what you used to knit your first pair of socks. LOL! Listen to me, like I am an expert, this is my second pair of socks, first pair using 4ply!!

So this weekend I will be a shut in, complete with (Princess) Meena, a bottle of Gin (I promise not to drink it all!), DVD's and chocolate. I will be knitting and doing some other miscellaneous craft, which I promise to post about over the weekend.

Well I better get back to it, never know what spies are about ready to report back to the camp commandant!!!

ps No I don't work in an over regulated environment, just been watching Hogan's Heroes!!

The times, they are a changin'

Thanks to all the lovely comments on my last post. I realised that I should have explained the reason for "the talk's" (yes, gentle readers, I have now had two talks by two different people).

One of my colleagues has been offered a amazing job opportunity within the company I work for. As is the way of many global behemoths, we are not replacing her. We are in fact "reallocating her work within HR" as the organisation was notified on Tuesday. For me, this means more work, but it will be more interesting, more responsibility and require more professional behaviour from me. And to be fair, I was told that they felt I was up to it, I just need to be more confident that I know what I am talking about, because I do.

Oh and then a secret HR catch phrase was handed down to me. (Insert here the bright light shining down and angelic choir singing in the background). The one that is used, confidently, when discussing an issue with a supervisor or employee. The one that makes a HR professional sound like they are supremely confident and know what they are talking about. The one that really means "I have absolutely no clue, I just don't want you to know that." If I told you the phrase, I would be hunted down by a pack of rabid HR professionals and destroyed. THAT is how secret this phrase is. "Use the force wisely Shazmina" I was told.

As for the additional responsibility, I crave it. I actually had made plans to embrace more responsibility and more interesting work. Just didn't think it would be with this company. Goes to show that you really do need to be careful what you wish for.

Of course when this change was first discussed, it didn't even occur to me that it could affect me. Not until the first talk. And, oh to be a fly on the wall. Or one of the voices in my head. Because let me tell you when I was told that all I had been asking for was to be laid before me my thoughts were these:

* How am I going to blog at work when I have work to do?
* How will I be able to run around the halls screaming " I am Ms (insert company name here) listen to me roar!"? and do other somewhat inappropriate (for a HR professional) activities.
* How can I do my current job and these other tasks?
* How can I continue to spend a big chunk of work time dreaming about knitting and other craft?

eeekkkkkk!

So as the details are hashed out, and until I see the reality of these "new responsibilities" I am on my best behaviour. How long it will last is anyone's guess. ok, we all know it will last until the next Interweave knits, knitty or Vogue Knitting is published!

And so for knitting. I have completed one sock. One half of a pair. I am quite happy with it, although am unsure if it will fit the foot of the intended recipient. I think it will stretch a bit when blocked/worn so should be ok.


Details are:
Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock, Rainbow 1 skein
Heirloom 4ply in green and purple for heel and toe
Merino Bambino 4ply in a blue/purple colour for picot edge.
3mm 30cm circular & 3mm dpns


Pattern - Black Dog Knits, Lorna's Laces One Hank Socks

Still working my way through the third Clapotis and Voyager stole. I also completed another adult sized Little cables Hat last weekend. But this week I have not picked up the sticks. I am just so tired when I get home from work, is anyone else feeling knackered??

Dont make me do it!

Or I will sick my cranky guard cat onto you!

So I have been a little quiet on the blogging front. And for good reason.
I got the talk.

You know the one. "You have to grow up and fly right young lady".

Otherwise known as the "You are 40 soon Shazmina, you need to think about your career. Where your going. Your financial security". (please note: it is EXACTLY 2 years and 41 days until I am 40 people! NOT soon!!!!!!!).

Also known as the "You spend alot of time on the internet. Have you thought maybe you should be doing, well, work?"

Um well hello. I AM working. Just not on anything that you pay me for!

So, in a nutshell, I have been behaving myself at work. Unfortunately blogging has suffered.
What the *$#&! is THAT about???
Not much to tell. And more importantly no photos of the things I do have to talk about. eeeeeek!

So what has been happening?

I have been to two weddings in a week. One in the Hunter Valley. And in only one I knew the bride and/or groom. And I had a great time at both.

Finished a sock, or is that one half of a pair of socks? Hmmm, ponderance?
With all the completer/finishing over at SSoS I am tempted to start a collection of mismatched, incomplete pairs of socks.

Just for fun.

Just to be different.

Just to wave the flag for all those out there that are muddling along, enjoying the slow, steady pace of knitting.

I AM a rebel. I AM breaking away.

Just not sure what from................. tee hee hee!

37 yo SWF, who does not look a day over 100!

100 posts that is!

Well, that is if you dont count the 13 drafts. The ones that I started to write, but never quite finished. No surprise there, I am the Queen of all that is incomplete and unfinished after all!

Although, if the past week is anything to go by, I will have to hand over the mantle to another, more deserving soul. Any takers? Who shall be the new QUEEN OF THE UFO's????? Nominations are open NOW!!

I have just finished an Adult sized Little Cables Hat. AND I have sewn in the ends. Claudine & Rose Red, this is a really LOVELY pattern to knit. YOU ROCK!

I know, I know. "Who are you and what have you done with Shazmina?" I hear you say. Never fear, I am still here, just been working through some stuff this past week and knitting has been helping me be calm and centred. And as we all know, knitting is fantastic therapy.

But I digress.

As promised, here are some photos of the sock yarn I have dyed. Isnt it lush??!! I am pretty pleased with the results, although as I am a prefectionist (ok Jejune, I still laugh at that!) I am not sure that I can give away my first born/s. They are just not quite, perfect. Well ok, maybe that is just an excuse so I don't give them away!



First is my juicy plum. Rich deep blue/red purple. Slightly saucy, in a Nigella type of way. Yumalicious!



And second, the Blue Gin. Is it Blue/green/yellow?/ Who knows it is a little bit magic, a little bit wrong!

So what should I make with them? There is 350m of each colour, but I just can't decide on what sock pattern to use.
Any suggestions?