One rainy afternoon

I can't believe it has been 28 days since I last wrote a post. I had promised to post more so I better get to it!

Finally here is a picture of my unnamed scarf. I designed it myself (which I am quite pleased about). Now it is quite a simple pattern, repeats of a lace pattern I like, but in the yarn it is quite beautiful.

It has scalloped edges at the side and bottom which makes it quite interesting. And it is lovely to wear, so soft and warm which is handy during spring over here (average temperature is 15 to 17 degrees!).

The yarn is Sirdar Sublime in pebble, I used 4 balls which makes for quite a long scarf, perfect for winter it will wrap around me like a big warm hug.

I have just finished a beanie for a 15 yo cousin who has shaved her head to raise money for cancer research. Very brave girl that Ashleigh, very deserving of some hand knitted goodness.

I made Sloochie by Wooly Wormhead. I am in absolute love with this pattern, and am planning to use it again and again! A top down pixie type beanie it is tres cute! I even managed to use Jeny's suprisingly stretchy bind off without any dramas. Sweet! I will post pics as soon as I wash and block what I have termed the orange Smurf hat!

I used Colinette Art yarn in Ginger Cinnabar. I have to say that although I am not a fan of the colour orange this is a truly beautiful shade. The shade next to it is called Sahara, which will be another beanie for Ashleigh.

I am spending most of my time at the moment with gift knitting, I have some finishing touches for a couple of items for my sister, beanies for teenagers and more baby stuff. All small stuff, quick to finish which is brilliant for my ego. I am a finisher at last!

In Bed with Shazmina

Spring has arrived! And then it decided to return to wherever it sprung from. Seriously it has become bitterly cold again. WTF!

So it is Good friday, or an Easter Bank Holiday if you live hear in the UK, and I am trying to decide what to do today. I am contemplating a trip to John Lewis (department store) to purchase yarn. But I can't decide whether to drive or take public transport? The big double decker red buses are fun, but driving in the comfort of your own car where you can sing (and fart!) to your hearts content is a true joy! Decisions!

On to business. Knitting.

I think this weekend will be all about finishing. Skully may be on the cards this weekend. I mean seriously I needs to finish it. And sewing up Ink and the Rowan Alpine Shrug. Lots to do!

I am glad you all like the header photo. I am thinking I will change it regularly with photos from my adventures over here. On that note here is a picture of one of my favorite sweet things.

It is a Woopie. An inside out cupcake that is freakin delicious!! They are from what has become my favorite cake stall and cafe the Outsider Tart. OMG they are divine!

Now I can't decide between buying yarn and eating Woopies!!

Where Is My Mind?

That Pixies song has been playing on my mind (no pun intended) a lot lately.

I have been meaning to write to you all. Honestly I have. Except that I haven’t felt like writing to you at all. Confused? I am. Coming home for a holiday was brilliant. I knew I missed you all, I just didn’t realise exactly how much until I got back here. It has been ten weeks since I was in Australia and it feels like an eternity.

In that time I have:

• Been sad
• Drank a whole bottle of Bach rescue remedy.
• Howled over the insensitivity of people who are related to you.
• Thought about why I came here.
• Mused over the amount of love and support a family can give you.
• Wondered what the f@@@ is wrong with the British?
• Seriously contemplated packing up and moving back to Sydney.
• Been EXTREMELY busy at work.
• Laughed at how brilliantly complex and endearing the British are.

Knit & completed the following items in 3 weeks;

• Two pairs of socks
• 3 baby beanies
• 3 baby bibs

Started knitting;

• February Ladies sweater
• Scarf for my sister

Ignored knitting that is so close to completing;

• Skully – Just the sleeves to go
• Ink – I just need to sew it up
• Rowan vest – Again only need to sew up
• 1 pair of socks – sew in ends.

And finally, decided on my priorities for 2010. Knitting & otherwise!

Freck it has been busy. No wonder I feel like I have been back for months when it has actually only been 10 weeks!

The best thing about coming home is knowing how I am going to do it next time. And when next time will be (April/May 2011). I didn’t get to see everyone I would have liked to, but you were in my thoughts.

I will try and blog more often. And I will try and post comments on your blogs more often. I make no promises! But of course I will try!

ps my last post was about my trip to Belgium (mmmmm Belgium!). I don't think I ever mentioned the reason for the visit. My sister and I went here for this reason. And we will be going back to get the rest of her arm finished and a bit of work done myself. Stay tuned!

Moules, Frites, Chocolates and Beer. And maybe a little knitting.

Just a quick post, I am off to Brussels today. I love saying that, it sounds so exotic!

I am traveling on the Eurostar, which is fantastic as I can knit. I am going on this trip with my sister, which I am a bit nervous about. It could either be the best trip ever or go completely pair shaped. I am really hoping it will be the best trip ever!

We are travelling on super secret business which I will tell you about after the event.

I can't wait to see Brussels, eat some Pomme Frites (with frite juice as described to me by sadieandlance), drink beer, eat Moules, drink more beer and finish off with chocolates.

and maybe do a little knitting.

Heaven!

Here is a little teaser of what I will be eating later today!!

The Thing About Work

It keeps you in yarn.

And if you are lucky you learn stuff.

Anyway, I was thinking that I don't think I have mentioned anything about where I work, who I work with and what I do. I won't tell you everything (it will probably bore you) and I don't want to give too much away. I am a woman of mystery after all.

For the last four months I have worked in the media & publishing sector. Don't get too excited we are primarily involved in business to business publishing. Although you will know at least one of our titles, even my peeps in Australia would recognise it.

Enough about that.

I work for an online HR publication. And it happened to be a tool I used over here in the UK before I got the job. It is fantastic tool, and again I won't bore you with detail, but just think model policies on EVERYTHING. Advice on EVERYTHING HR. It is brilliant. The thing about working on this online publication is the absolute fear I have had in presenting any written work to my boss.

He is an editor. With nearly 30 years experience in journalism. He is a very nice man.

But he writes for a living.

And clearly I don't.

Bugger.

But the funny thing is that he is a very generous editor. I have had very little of my work corrected mainly the odd grammatical error or use of commas (I really love commas, have you noticed?).

So I guess I am not as bad a writer as I may have thought.

But clearly not ready to write for a living.

Although the thought has crossed my mind.

Once or twice.

On a knitting related note;

I need some help with grafting lace. Can anyone point me towards some clear and detailed instructions? I have found clear but not detailed. Help!

An Opinionated Woman

Opinionated: Believing very strongly and conveying it.

Why is it when a woman is called opinionated it used to describe a negative aspect of her personality?

Opinionated has been used twice in recent weeks to describe me, and while I have no problems being known as being opinionated (if Elizabeth Zimmerman can be opinionated, hell so can I!) I was disturbed that it was used in the negative. Like it was wrong for me to be so.

I mean what is wrong with being opinionated? When you think about it everyone has an opinion, but why is it when this word is used to describe a woman it is used like a dirty word.

I have always believed, since I can remember, that if you believe in something or have an opinion about something, you should stand up for what you believe in. If someone says something you don't agree with, then tell them. Too often in this world people say something, state an opinion, and people who may disagree do not raise their voices to be heard.

I don't want to be one of those people. I want to challenge what I don't believe in, especially those things that going against my personal beliefs. And I want, no I expect people to challenge my opinions as well!

So if that means I am an opinionated woman, so be it!

And on a knitting note, I have finished knitting D2 just need to graft the pieces together. Does anyone have any thoughts as to whether I should graft the pieces together before or after I block?

And I have decided to merge the idea for D1 and D3 into one D1.3. I will get the hang of this design thing eventually!!!

ps It was my two South African flatmates who have called me opinionated, on two separate occasions, independently of each other. I guess coming from them I should take it as a compliment!

Peek-a-boo!

Thanks ladies for your thoughts on designing and publishing patterns. I especially loved 2 paw's reference to Babylon 5 vs Deep Space Nine and Armageddon vs Deep Impact. It seems shared ideas happen in all creative pursuits!

So here is just a sneak peak of what I am up to. I just love this yarn I am using and the colour is one of my favourites at the moment. It feels like this scarf will be a warm hug wrapped around my neck, I am getting really excited to see it finished.

There is still some work to go, most importantly blocking. I just don't have the space to do it & the heating has not been turned on in the building yet so drying will take ages. What a palava!

This is actually design two that is floating around my head, and it has been great to get it out. It has started me thing about design one some more and design 3 is now taking form as well. I think D3 will make it out before D1 though, still trying to find the perfect lace pattern & yarn for D1. So much to think about.

I need more coffee!!