Wherever I Lay My Head

So, finally I have got out & about and have taken some photos. I thought I would show you the place I now call home. This is my bedroom window, blinds closed because my room is a mess (currently known as the pit of despair!).

Kind of nice from the outside, huh! I live in a "private estate" as the committee (or grand dames of the heath, as I like to call them) keep telling us. We have had a couple of notes (kindly written on with compliments slip) letting us know that we need to fix our curtains and not hang washing in the window (our dryer is broken & we are waiting for landlord to fix it). So many rules for living here, & I think you can probably guess how I feel about rules!! :)

And here is the front of our lovely apartment, that is the lounge room bay window. The estate has just over 100 apartments, each building has 3 floors. It also has a couple of 

tennis & squash courts as well. Very posh huh!!  

As I said, it is a place to live and I love being surrounded by the heath, the trees and open space make me feel like I don't actually live in London. I am guessing that is why lots of Aussies, Kiwis and Saffas (Sth Africans) live in Putney.

I promise when I have cleaned my room I will take some inside photos. I had to take advantage of the sunny weather today, who knows when that will happen again. ;)

On knitting & Teenage Angst

Isn't blogging a funny thing?

Like life really. Two different people can go to the same shop and have totally different experiences. And you think it would end there. But no, they then feel the need to blog about it, and trash anyone who has a different experience or opinion of that shop. (Yes I am making a vague reference to a blog I recently read that trashed a different yarn store in London that I have yet to visit. I know, hard to believe that I have yet to visit a yarn store in London, but it is sadly true!)

I have been trying to decide whether to blog about my experience of going into iKnit. It wasn’t good. I didn’t like it. Mainly because the customer service was non existent. Ok to clarify, I did not experience any customer service. Many people in London really like this store, I think I am going to sit on the fence for the moment.

My two experiences of this store (once going to a S’N’B session and once to the store while they were having a S’N’B session) so far have left me cold. I felt ignored. Like the new kid at a new school, when the other kids look at you but no one stops and says hello.

It wasn’t inclusive, or fun or warm and welcoming. But I am wise enough to know that those were just my expectations of how I wanted it to be and not the reality I experienced. And then there is the reality of those people who love the place and go back for more. Neither of us is wrong, nor right, just have different experiences of the same shop.

So while it may not be MY favourite place to shop for yarn in London, it is the favourite shop of many avid knitters. I will go back if I need something specific from there. And I will DEFINITELY be going to see the Yarn Harlot (sorry guys, had to slip that in!!). And maybe sometime soon I will try, again, to go to a S’N’B session and get over my teenage angst and insecurities about not fitting in. And actually say:

‘My name is Shazza, I am Orstraalian and I knit. Can I join your gang??’

So if you are in London, definitely go and have a look at iKnit. You may just have a fantastic time!

Just a quick one!

ok, it has been a while.
Lots been happening.
I have had my first WTF am I doing here moment.
Shortly followed by the I hate this place, the English are mad I tell you (mad, mwahahahaha!).

And now I am more settled.

I have a place to live. Here:


View Larger Map

Putney Heath. Right above the K in Kingston Rd. On prtsmouth rd, surrounded by heath. And I have a local pub, it is so cute, looks like it is in the country (BP, you would be so impressed!). I will post photos soon.

And about that. I am staying with a friend in Surbiton (out woop woop) and have left the cable for my camera in Golders Green (less out woop woop, but in North London). So no photos at the moment.

And Rose Red, I have many new shoes to show you.

And yarn, OMG the yarn!

And then there is this.

He he he! Yes I am evil, but you know you love me anyway!!

Missing you all, more than you know!

It has been a week

Since I arrived in London. 

And you will all laugh. It snowed as I arrived. 

Settle on the ground snow. 

Freeze your behind off snow. 

Bloody snow.

And I didn't have a jacket. 

Who comes to London with out some kind of warm jacket? (I don't know Shazmina, some kind of nut job like you???). Lets just say I was thankful for a lovely pair of Fetchings (thanks Brown pants) and a wonderful sister who arrived to meet me with a coat with her. 

I have met up with one of the two knitting friends I have in London. Have got the addresses for a couple of yarn stores in London which I will be checking out this week.

So it is all happening. Slowly. But it is happening. 

More updates soon!

You look like an Angel......

Walk like an angel
Talk like an angel
But I got wise
You're are the devil in disguise
oh yes you are
the devil in disguise


At least that is what Elvis told me last Friday night. Sigh. He sang to me. Me folks! I was in heaven! Elvis Pizza, Rushcutters Bay. Loads of fun, I had the best night, thanks to Brownpants for organising!! It means more than anyone will know that she arranged this for me. She is TOPS!


I do feel a bit devilish though, it has been so long since I have written a post and I have no excuse. Yes I have had a lot on, but that is not a valid reason. My brain has just been so full I have had no space left to post until now. And even now I have no craft to report on.


I have however, made time to read your blogs. Even if I didnt write a message I was there. Lurking. For a while I felt sad, because I am going to miss you all while I am in the UK. Until I realised that the inernet exists there as well (like, duh shazmina!). So then I was happy again. I dont have to say goodbye to you all (I HATE goodbyes) it is just catch you soon!

I fly out on Saturday, and promise to try and post at least once more before I go. And when I get on the other side, I promise to make contact. I will read AND post on your blogs. I will set up the supply chain for all that yummy Rowan, Debbie Bliss and Colinette yarn. I will be good.

No more devil in disguise for this little angel!

MAKE. IT. GO. AWAY.

I have been meaning to post.

No really, I have. But there is sooooo much going on. I feel like there is limited brain capacity to do anything except rock back and forth murmuring "make it all go away"!

No seriously. MAKE.IT.GO.AWAY.

I have a HUGE list of things to do before I leave. HUGE. Well actually there are several lists going on.

• The craft list.


• The packing up house list.


• The selling my goods and chattels list.


• The finding Meena a home list.

So many lists, so little time! Due to current limited brain capacity, and overwhelming feelings of stress, I have now decided to split the craft list in two.

• The Craft before I go list


• The Craft when I get there list.

And to make it hard to start anything on the second list, I am planning to post all items on that list to the UK in preparation for my arrival.

Sounds sensible. So unlike me!

Had a great weekend. Mrs Bendi came to visit. We saw Billy Elliott (those kids are soooooo talented!) ate lots of dumplings & Tapas, bought a lot of fabric. ALOT! Why? I have no idea, especially as I am on the countdown to my (imminent) departure. Generally we had a great time! I have found the older I get, the more I appreciate my Mum & the more I enjoy spending time with her. Guess it takes a while to realise how cool your parents really are!

Beanie pattern by Jo Sharp (cant remember the book due to current limited brain capacity) 8ply silk merino from The Knittery in Charcoal colour way. And yes, it is on the craft before I go list!

The Clap(otis) Disaster

On Friday I discovered that I had "over shot" the increase rows of the latest Clap(otis), you know the lace weight one. As I wondered why the bloody thing was taking so long to knit, I re-read the pattern notes.

So, you know the increase part of the pattern where you knit 6 repeats (12 rows in a repeat).

Well I knit an extra 7 REPEATS!

That is 84 extra increase rows on a lace weight Clap(otis) people!

And that is all I am going to say about that!

I AM FREAKING OUT PEOPLE!

I am quietly freakin' out. Not because it is January 8 and I am in the middle of our bonus "season" here at work (yes, there are weather systems associated with our bonuses!). Not because I am still completing Christmas craft (don't ask & my apologies to those people who received their gifts in 2008. Woops!).

I am, just quietly, freakin' out because I am moving to London. Yep, the United Kingdom. Home of Rowan and Colinette. And I am planning to be in London for April 1, 2008.

And now you know why I am freakin' out.

I have to renew passport. Apply for Ancestry visa. Sell ALL my goods and chattels. Find a home for Princess Meena (trying not to think about that one, it makes me very sad).

And I have already hit minor hurdles. NEVER let your passport expire. I did and so far I have had one passport interview which was a disaster. Photo was wrong. AND I signed outside of the box. I wish I could show you all just how many mm's of my signature was outside the box. Bureaucracy! So now I am trying to organise another photo (I have already cut up 1 set of photos) and new forms.

And I am trying not to think about the people I will miss while I am gone. I keep telling myself that I will still be talking to you all via blogland. And that I will become your supplier of Colinette and Rowan (OMG I am trying to be a pusher like Rose Red!).

But I am just freakin' out. I don't like goodbyes. Have made too many in my life. I think it is because we moved around a bit when I was a kid ( I am an Army brat), that I have a particular hatred of them. Anyways I try and avoid them if I can, but this time I am going to be brave and face it head on.

And yes, I am excited. Excited about meeting men with accents (ok, I have a particular weakness for English/Irish/Scottish accents. And I want to develop a weakness for Spanish accents!). Travelling around Europe. Spending time getting to know my sister again. And knitting big warm woolly things for cold winters. YUM!!!!

Crikey! Lots to do, lots to knit, before I go.

So what am I up to craft wise at the moment?

• Xmas craft. Still.
• And then some more Xmas craft! Still!
• Finding homes for more of these little fellas.

This is Melvin. He recently attended a NYE party, where he totally disgraced himself after too many G & T's. Bad Alien bear!

And there is the never ending lace Clap(otis), a Le Slouch, another lace Clap(will I ever learn??) and the beginning of Birthday craft. How can it be that I know soooooooo many people who are born in March?? What is that about??

So as I practice my deep breathing and meditation techniques, you will understand why I am not writing any NY resolution lists or goals. I have so many lists going at the moment it would get lost in the crowd!!

So the only thing I am promising myself, and you my gentle readers, is that I WILL visit Colinette in Wales in 2008!!

Xmas, Craft & Life Beyond Mars

Well now that xmas is over I can start revealing a couple of the things I have made.



Allow me to introduce you to Trevor. Alien bear, looking for a new home. He has now been happily re-homed with Murphy.

Trevor had so much fun during his flying visit at casa Bendi's that he sent out an interplanetary call to all his friends. First to arrive has been Melvin.



He is a little bit weirded out by earth, although he is now quite fond of G & T's. He is about to be re-homed with Joel, my little friend who lives next door.

And there are a few more of Trevors' friends on the way.

Got to keep it quiet though, I would hate the govt to get hold of them before I can find them new homes!

Merry Xmas to all my crafty friends!

Lots going on at the moment. Too much for me to get my wee little mind around (ok, I actually have a rather large mind as it is crammed with all these thoughts, ideas and general questions about life, the universe, and whether I can use my credit card for buying that beautiful Shibui Knits sock yarn I saw on that website???)

Some of it is a little secret, you know with Christmas and all, so can't post about it just yet. And the rest, well I am freakin' out about it and if I say it out loud I will freak out about it even more! (dont worry it is all very, very good!).

But what I can say is Merry Xmas to you all. I have really enjoyed reading your blogs and seeing what you all get up to, it has been a blast! I look forward to reading about all your adventures in the New Year!

Take it easy, enjoy your celebrations tomorrow and most importantly,
BE EXCELLENT TO EACH OTHER!!

Hogs & Quiches,

Shazmina

ps yes, I did watch Bill & Ted's excellent Adventure on the weekend. LOVE IT!!!

Put Your Hands Together...

Kick in the butt Clapotis 1
Originally uploaded by shazminabendi

for another Clapotis!

Or as I like to call it the "Thanks for kicking me in the butt and making me realise that I am too good for this job" Clap(otis). It is a thankyou for reminding me of this:

"What's terrible is to pretend that the second-rate is first-rate. To pretend that you dont need love when you do; or you like your work when you know quite well you're capable of better." - Doris Lessing

I hear you Doris. WTF am I doing here?!?!

ps no need to fear folks, plans are a foot to remedy this situation post haste!

pps 2ply silk merino from The Knittery, Roses colourway

Remember Me??

I am that girl who used to post here. That is until the pre-birthday introspection kicked in.

Needless to say, that day past with out much drama (it was yesterday), actually I had a really great time. More (including photos) about the Inaugural Shazmina Bendi Lawn Bowls tournament tomorrow.

I have been crafting, and working on a variety of stuff. Some of which I cant talk about quite yet, but here is a sneak peek.



All righty tighty, I need to go and meditate some more before I head back to work tomorrow.

ps meditate is code for a G & T!!

Little Bit of Happy

Well, it's not knitting related but this purchase made me happy today.



A bit of a splurge (dont fret it was on sale) but who can resist a beautiful handbag.

*SIGH* so no yarn purchases this month. But hey, I have more yarn than I could possibly knit in a month so I should be fine!!

ps sock knitting fits nicely into bag, with all my other bits and bobs!!

Just Quietly

I have started knitting a birthday present that is 10 months overdue. And I Hate it.

Dont get me wrong.
Love the pattern, it's the Forest Canopy Shawl. This is the third time knitting it. Love it!
Love the yarn. it's Tweed Cascade 220, by Cascade Yarns in the Cordovan colourway. A deep, rich red/maroon with tweed flecks of yellow and blue. Lovely yarn to knit with.

But together, DISASTER.

The problem I have is this. The recipient selected the yarn. And her favourite colour is maroon. And I hate it. Brings back memories of school uniforms in a Victorian winter. Maroon jumper, lemon yellow blouse and bottle green trousers. I think a colour blind man picked that combo!!!

Anyways, I am perservering. I keep motivated by the thought that the shawl will be a bit like a big warm hug. That image is working so far, but not sure how long it will last!

Might have to purchase a little bit of happy from The Knittery. Or ebay.

Oh and I am not taking photos. I just cant bring myself to post a picture!

So, just quietly, have you ever had this problem? And how did you motivate yourself to finish the item in question?

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?

I FOUND IT!

My mojo that is!

Smaller projects, quick knits, were the best thing to ramp up the mojo. And funnily enough that was the suggestions from most of you very lovely people out there.

So here is what I have done in the past week.

One umbilical cord beanie, for newly preggers friend. The Knittery 4 ply, in coral reef colour way. Left overs from the Big Bad Baby Blanket


One knitted request. A beanie for sista dreadlock. This is the best I could do, as far as a photo goes. Essentially it is a sock for someone with lots of hair or dreads. Made from Cleckheaton Gusto, it is based on a photo my Sista sent through. I need to think of a name for it, maybe Sista Dread???


And finally, Calorimetry from Knitty. This is the third one I have made and found I had to adjust the pattern, it was just too big (or maybe I have an extra small head and wee little brain? NOT LIKELY!!!!). If you want a copy of my notes for adjusting size, feel free to email. This one is made out of the Bamboozle, bamboo yarn from Lincraft.

And so now I find myself ready to get stuck into the Voyager stole. But not before I dye some sock yarn.
MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!