I am so a good Shazmina!

I finished a second WIP for the Tour de France KAL.

These socks have been on my sticks for 2 years! Yep, you read it correctly, 2 years! That is the extent of my completer/finisher issues.

They are for a dear friend, She bought the yarn (Lornas Laces) knit me a pair of socks from one skein, and gave me

the other. I thought it was only fitting that I make her a pair too.

As you can see I have used contrasting yarn for the toe, heel and top band of the sock. I wanted to make sure that I had enough yarn to finish the socks. And I was trying to stop the yarn pooling around the heel, and it worked but only to a point. Never mind!

Yarn: Lorna's Laces & some scrap yarn

Pattern: Black Dog Knits, Lorna's Laces one hank socks.

So, 2 WIP's finished as part of the TDF. This KAL was a great motivator to complete some WIP's, I may have to sign up to some other KAL's to get through my massive list of things that need to be finished.

ps Don't you love my pj's? I am such a star!

What Shazmina did next.....

So what am I up to now that I have finished the penultimate Clap(otis)?

These little bad boys (or should they be girls?). Linda K's Yummy Mummy Wristwarmers. You can find the pattern can be found on Ravelry, I am using Debbie Bliss Rialto DK colour 23015 1 ball for each glove (I have added some extra length).

Now I started these when the weather was cooler, when fingerless gloves seemed like a good idea. I am determined to finish them before Autumn! These WIP's have snuck up the list of projects I am trying to complete during the TDF KAL. I am finishing glove 1 so that I can use the needles for sock 2, which is part of a gift I have been knitting for a couple of years now. Confused? I sure am! I really must buy more needles.....

ps Don't look too close, there are a few mistakes but I couldn't be a##ed frogging and starting again!!

It is done!

That's right my peeps, the Clap(otis) number 4 is done. To say I am relieved is a HUGE understatement! I have even sewn in the ends (although I did find one that I missed when I was putting the Clap away last night). Maybe I am a completer finisher after all?

It is a very nice Clap. And I am even more happy that it is for me. It is funny, yesterday, a summers day, was the perfect weather to wear it. Yes, you heard me right A SUMMERS DAY WAS COLD. What AM I doing here??

So now I am moving on to a pair of socks that I have been knitting since 2007. In my defence they are very plain, stocking stitch, socks. I got bored (who would have guessed that an ENTP would get bored half way through something!) during the second sock, which is a shame as they are actually a gift for a friend.

The funny thing is the needle I need is currently being used on a fingerless glove, so I need to finish that glove so that I can finish the sock. I really should finish one project at a time! Will I ever learn?

I must say the Tour de France KAL is a great motivational tool for me. I am really starting to move through some WIP's. Continue sending the good knitting vibes to me, there is 2 weeks to go and I have a mountain (no pun intended) of WIP's to finish!!

Bicycles, Mussels, and Champagne. Oh, and did I mention the knitting?

ok, so I think I am ready.

I have pulled all my WIP's out of their hiding spots. I had tried to stash them in the dim, dark recesses of my cupboards so I could forget about them. It is a trick that usually works, unless I come across one as I am trying to get ready to go to work. Then I usually ignore it, erase the image from my memory and move on.

But enough of one of my procrastinating techniques! My WIP's are ready, and waiting for the Tour de France.

You see gentle readers, in my ever continuing efforts to be like Rose Red (and the Gorgeous Bells!), I have joined up for the Tour de France knit-a-long (which I will refer to as the tdf KAL).

For the next week I am a member of the Quickstep team, and I will be channeling all things Belgian! Belgian chocolate. Belgian Cheese. Mussels. Frites. Champagne (ok, it is not Belgian but what else should I drink watching a bicycle race through France??). Oh and not to forget the knitting!! You would be forgiven to think this KAL is all about the food, but I can assure you I will be working, steadily, through my long (oh so long) WIP list.

My first project to complete is Clap(otis) number 4. A French inspired Shawl/scarf for the start of the race. This little number is being knitted for me (noice one, knitting WIP's and knitting something for me, another rare occurence). It is a lighter weight (Spring/Autumn) version, made from 4ply sock yarn from The Knittery, in the Vineyard colour way. And Bells, you will notice that it is almost the same colour way as the beautiful Kaalund yarn you sent me. Good choice there Bells!

This afternoon I am off to my friends house to watch the start of the tdf whilst sipping champagne and working on the Clap(otis) number 4.

Does life get any better than this?

So I had a play date.....

And it was FABULOUS! 

I picked up my friend Al. She hadn't met Hermione yet.

We went to Barnes. My new favorite place. Every Saturday they have a food market with fresh veg, meat, fish and other gourmet food goodness. I had the best coffee. A flat white even. Do you know how hard it is to get a flat white in London? It is almost impossible, only a handful of places make them. So now you know why I have given up coffee. Well almost. I only have one if I am absolutely sure it will be a good, proper coffee. So I don't have one that often.

We also bought some tasty Moroccan food to take home for lunch. Sorry Bells, I forgot to take a photo. But just know it was delicious. And a chocolate brownie for desert. mmmmmmmmm! 

And then we went to Stash. I love that store, and Al had neve been there. We bought some books and magazines, and I may have bought some yarn. 4 balls of Mini Mochi sock yarn. Have you seen that yarn? Gorgeous and soooo soft! Ok, it is weird that I bought enough of one colourway to make 2 pairs of socks. I just  love the colour. More on that later.

And then Al had a simple request. "Can I see your stash". Well is knitting the new yoga? (No seriously is it, because My flatmate keeps urging me to do yoga and I just don't think I have the patience to be still for and hour. Tell me your not surprised at that!). Al wanted to take a photo to show her partner. She needed proof that she doesn't own all the yarn in England.

Supreme happiness is laying your head on a table full of soft yarny goodness.

Yes my stash is impressive, especially considering the other 2/3 of it is in storage in Australia! Not as impressive as Rose Red's, but I am working on it!.

The life and times of a Zombie killer.

Ok, so it has been a while. 3 months if you can believe it. Lots has happened. 

I have a new job. It is a permanent job. I am here permanently. I am trying not to freak out. At least for the time being!

I have been to Lisbon. I have had the best Pasteis de nata in the world. And port. 

I have been on a caravan trip to Cornwall. I have had cream teas with Cornish clotted cream & a pasty the size of my head. But not at the same time.

But lately I have been reading this. 

Pride & Prejudice & Zombies

Can you see why I just had to buy this? Best read since, well, Pride and Prejudice. I highly recommend this book. In fact I will go as far as to say that Jane Austen herself would love this book.

As we all know, Elizabeth Bennett rocks. But now she kicks butt as well! 

I am tempted to write a more in depth review but I don't want to ruin it for those of you who might want to read it. 

All I will tell you is this. Now I am waiting patiently for the movie version! 

Trying not to freak out!

In one week I will be unemployed.

The job market has become very employer driven over here. Much like everywhere else I am guessing. I am trying not to freak out. Just plugging away, applying for jobs. Talking to recruitment agencies. 

And I am trying not to get pissed off when UK ministers talk about limiting foreign workers in the country. I pay taxes and all I get is access to the NHS. Don't get the dole. Don't get housing relief. Nothing. From where I stand, people like me are supporting the public services in this country by contributing but taking nothing. 

But enough of the political rant.

On the positive, being unemployed will leave me a lot of time to knit. Take in the sights. and most importantly knit!!

But what I am asking all my lovely friends to do is send me some good vibes. Some luck. some positive energy that will help me land a new job. And maybe finish some of my WIPs!!

To all my friends, Love, Hugs and all things knitterly. ps The flowers are for you!

Kenzie

One of the great things about living in a cold climate, it may well be the only good thing, is all the knitted items you can wear.  When winter came upon us with a vengeance, I realised I needed a beanie, and I had a particular hankering for a beret.It wasn't until I purchased Wildspur, by Louisa Harding for a different pattern that I found the beret of my dreams. Kenzie. It was everything I wanted in a beret, lace, cables and a pompom! Unfortunately I ran out of wool for the pompom. 

Details:

Mirasol Sulka, 3 skeins. It is knit on straight needles, although could be easily converted for circulars, and took just over a week to knit in between finishing the last ever Clap(otis).

I am thinking about adding a contrasting colour for the pom pom, red I think. Very Scottish!

I really love Wildspur, lots of great Highland inspired patterns. I am planning to make the Buchanan sideways cable and lace sweater (the reason I bought the book). Just waiting for the right yarn to speak to me.

A Quickie.....

'cos I need to prepare for a play date.

Yep my dear friend Al is coming over to knit for the day. Sweet! I have to tidy the lounge room,  get out the yarn winder and assorted wool (show & tell), the chocolate I bought her (I am off chocolate for a month, can you believe that?), and get some DVD's sorted.

Lucky it should only take 5 mins!!!

So finally here are some photos of some presents that arrived for me from Australia for xmas. I am a bit slow posting about them. 

These little goodies are from Rose Red. Cashmere sock yarn from the knittery in Moses Fire, twin Caramello Koalas, a Violet Crumble & Tim Tams. YUM! Thankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou Rose Red they are all tops!

I also received 2 balls of Kaalund yarns Classic Two in Wisteria from the super lovely Bells. How did you know that was my favorite colourway? You are a star! The photo does not do the yarn justice so I may need to post about it again. And what should I make from this? Any suggestions??

Ahhhhh, knitterly love. Don't you just adore it!!

Normal Transmission Will Resume Shortly.

Gosh, it has been nearly two months. Where did the time go? 

With the run up to Chrimbo (that is English slang for Xmas!) and then New Year, I just havent had the brain capacity to blog. I am working on a project at work to implement a new HR system where I am working and it is taking all my words during the day and leaving me without words at night. Hard to believe I know!

So here I am. A day stuck at home. Snow. No buses. No trains. No tube. And I need at least 2 of the three modes of transport to get to work. Did I mention the snow? 8 inches over night. Nuts.

But did I mention the knitting time?? There is a knitting Goddess and she made it snow!

Just quickly, Here is what I am working on. Ink, by Black Dog Designs in Noro Cash Iroha in black. Tender Blankie by Wendy Bernard. Photos to follow.

And I have finished a few things too. Clap(otis) number 6 (although 3 & 4 are still on the sticks), and Kenzie by Louisa Harding (in Wildcroft pattern book, brilliant beret pattern that I love). And there are a few plans brewing for something special and unique.

And yes Bels, I promise to post more often. Normal Service has resumed!

The Week that was

So much for me posting regularly! I had planned to post on my birthday, but somehow even though I didn't plan anything to celebrate, a lot happened!

So here I am. 

What is Shazmina working on.  Clapotis number six. The final one for a while. Although I do have to go back and finish 3 & 4! I am further along than this photo suggests.

I really need to make myself a beanie or beret, some fingerless gloves and another warm scarf. So they are going to be my alternate projects while completing the above mentioned project. 

Most excitingly, I have my very own design in mind for the scarf. Its based on a few things I have seen around the traps on different knitted items, but putting them all together as a scarf. Will tell you more when (and if) it turns out as I hope it will.

I also have the Xmas socks for sister. I really must start those! 

So what did I score for my birthday? Well I got a gift voucher from here from my lovely sister to buy a swift! An invitation to John Lewis to purchase

some birthday yarn from the lovely Margot. My friend Woolly Jitters cooked me a Roast lunch & arranged a visit to Socktopus, where she gave me a skein of Louet Mooi, seriously the most squishiest, rub it all over you body yarn I have ever touched! I got some lovely flowers from some work colleagues, a bottle of Moet from my boss (that was a really nice surprise). 

And to top it off I bought myself some Hazel Knits sock yarn from Socktopus. 

So, the festival of Shazmina, which lasted a week, was a rip roaring success! Loved every minute of it. Loved all my birthday messages from my peeps at home (I really do miss you all!). Loved it! 

It has made the perfect start to this next year, and made me a lot less nervous about celebrating my next birthday. The beginning of my 40th year on this planet has been perfect and I owe a lot of it to you! Bring on 40!

Send Me Some Sock Love. Please!

I need some sock love.

I need a bloody lot of sock love. I have to finish this pair, that is most important.

And then I have to knit two pairs for my sister. Unfortunately I made the mistake of saying, "What sort of socks would you like oh sister of mine?" To which she preceded to say, "Oh you know, over the knee, and can wear them with these weird shoes I bought that have a separate toe thingos, can you make them for me?" 

"Of course"

Of bloody course! What the flippin' heck was I thinking?? Oh I know what you are saying, well you are Shazmina Bendi designs........

Flippin' heck people! Flippin'. Bloody. Heck!

Snow is forecast for Sunday, eeeeeek!

Ok. At first I thought it would be fun, living in a cold country. Knitting alot. 

But the reality is I cant knit quickly enough to make items to wear in this bloody cold weather. I mean if I could knit a jumper in a week while working full time, maybe I could do it. 

But I cant. I have to pay rent. Which reminds me I need to buy a ticket in the Euro Millions. Winning 85 million GBP may free up some time for knitting!

But I digress.

I have been knitting, I have actually even finished something (don't faint!). The Lace Scarf from the Debbie Bliss knitting magazine. 2 skeins of Noro Cash Iroha, in a dark purple (112). I would definitely knit this pattern again. It is easy, quick and would make a great gift. Debbie really knows her stuff!

And now I am focussing on Clap(otis) number six. Maybe I will stay inside on Sunday and knit while I watch the snow.

Snow. Freakin' snow, people!

What is Happening in Shazmina Land?

So after a gentle nudge from Bells (ok, it still took me over a week to post), here I am. 

So what has Shazmina been up to? Well there was a trip to Madrid. 

I took with me Clap(otis) number 5. It was a hit and looked really wonderful on the the fabulous Kel. Unfortunately I forgot to take photos, but am working on getting some on location in it's new home town.

So now I am working on the Lacy Scarf from Debbie Bliss Knitting Magazine. For me. Yay! I am using Noro Cash Iroha in 112 (dark purple) colourway. It is going to look fab with my green autumn/spring coat. 

Next project in line is Clapotis 6. I am making it in some Silk/Merino from The 

Knittery. And then next in line is a Hemlock blanket in Cascade Ecoyarn in Latte colourway for a friends wedding present. And then there are the mad socks that are a gift for my sister. Over the knee socks, with a separate big toe. Japanese style. when will I ever learn!!

So that is about it for me at the moment. I pledge to make regular updates with the crafty goings on at casa Shazmina Bendi. That is my promise to Bells. And myself!!   

Blimey!

I have just found out why they call this country Old Blighty.

It is freakin cold people!! Average temperature this week in London, in the middle of the day, 12 degrees & windy. 

AND to top it off, the kind souls that make the decisions in my apartment complex have decided that the Boiler needed replacing. NOW. (insert really bad words here). I of course had a summer doona, so had to purchase another last night. As I write I am snuggled up under my fabulous doona, the filling is made from corn starch (a renewable resource). Toasty and saving the environment. Love it! 

Oh yes, and I REFUSE to use the word Duvet. It is on my banned list, along with bespoke (that is a whole other story!).

So what have I been knitting. Trying to finish Clapotis 5 (& have now lined up Clapotis 6). I finished a scarf for a friends birthday. You cant see the colours well, but it is made from Noro cash Iroha (shade 112) which is a lovely deep purple, and some Noro Silk Garden, ina colourway I cant remember. I used a BDK pattern, Noro Silk Garden Scarf, and modified it slightly (I think I CO less stitches).

I have been buying yarn, mostly to release back into the wild. Well ok into other peoples stashes. I was going to post a picture, but I don't want to spoil the surprise!!

And then there are these socks to finish.  And a whole lot of other socks I want to start!! 

Bring it on Knitting Goddess! BRING IT ON!

Sounds of Silence

It has been a while. 

I have been waiting.  I have been knitting baby things.  

I have been homesick. 

I have been on holidays in Prague.

But I am back in London. The weather has changed and I am back to knitting big people things. More on that later.

I Have a Secret...

I have de-stashed. Wonders will never cease! I have sent a beautiful skein of yarn away to a new home. I am feeling just a little bit abandoned. Rejected even.

This little beauty is winging it's way to an unsuspecting knitter.

mwahahaha! I know who it is, and you have no clue. nah nah na nah na!

I like the idea that the mystery knitter is sitting at home. With no idea that a little surprise is sneaking, ever so quietly, their way.

I am the knitting fairy.

Love it!

The Yarn Whisperer

I have a LYS. 

My very own LYS!! SQUEEEEAAAAAL!!!!

Stash Yarns are located in Putney, and I have to say they are lovely!! They are also online so check them out here. 

The owner was ok when I fondled. She was ok when I rubbed the beautiful Handmaiden seasilk & Shibuiknits on my bosom. And the Mission Falls, well lets just say I got up close and personal!! ;)

And then I got the best knitting tip ever. When you knit your gauge, wear it inside you bra to make sure it doesn't itch your sensitive bits. Kinky I know, but you just know it feels soooooo good!

I bought some of this Fybrespates Dream sock yarn. Hand dyed in Wales, it is made from the wool of Bluefaced Leicester sheep. i really have to check these sheep out! It is so soft and squishy and the two colourways I bought are beautiful. I love this yarn! Sigh, they are only temporarily in my stash as they are to be gifted to a couple of gorgeous knitters I know.

I can't believe how good I was in this store! They had Shibuiknits in the store!! AND Koigu in colours I love!!! But I abstained. for the time being anyway!!

I will go back there very soon and buy some koigu for me. And some Art yarns. And some Shibuiknits. And some Mission Falls. And then there was the Blue sky Alpacas...............

Watching....

This is how I am spending my weekend.

A good book.

And coffee.

I know it seems sacrilegious, reading about the English and drinking coffee, but I love it! Monmouth Coffee, the best I have found in London. AND the only place you can order a flat white AND they know what you are talking about!! 

This book was recommended to me by a German man I work with. Written by an English Anthropologist, it looks at quaintly

 english behaviour (the stuff that is driving me nuts!). I am enjoying it so far, cant wait until I get to the chapter about sex!! ;)

Did I hear the word Sale??

In the UK there is a store called John Lewis. A lot like Myer....... but on yarn steroids (yarnoids??)

The biggest store, on Oxford Street in London has a yarn section that defies description. It has THE biggest display of Rowan that I have ever seen. And yes, Rose Red, I fondled. I squeezed. And I gently caressed my bosom with the beeeeooooootiful Rowan yarn. And the Debbie Bliss. Noro. Mirasol.

This photo cant convey how much yarn there is.  Maybe there are bigger displays with more yarn. But this blew my mind. More impressive than that shop in the centre of Sydney that shall remain nameless.

And this week they are having a Summer Sale. Yes, that is what I said, it is Summer over here! We had a heat wave today, two consecutive days over 24 (today was 26!).

Mostly it was Rowan , Jaeger and Debbie Bliss cotton yarn on sale. But the real exciting news is this. I got 8 skeins of Noro Cash Iroha (black) for 30 pounds!  That is just over AU$60! Yay for me!!!

And Nora, guess what I am going to make from it?? 

ps the correct answer is a certain knitting pattern printed in February in the S'n'B desk calendar!!!

pps These photos are of only part of the yarn available. I was too overwhelmed to take an more. I needed a quite moment to reflect and fondle!