Wonderful gifts

Last week I mentioned that I'd taken delivery of a couple of parcels & now it's time to reveal all. I'd ordered a Goknits sock bag from Socktopus & it's already proven to be really useful:


GoKnits Pouch

Inside is my latest project with a few notions. The bag is splash proof (always useful when DD is training) & also resistant to cat hair which is a huge bonus. However the pouch wasn't alone in the parcel. A few months ago I had noticed that the Socktopus website was a bit 'temperamental' so DH helped Alice to resolve the issues & now it's running a lot better. The lovely Alice included something extra with my order as a way of saying Thank You but DH wants everyone to know that it's not really his colour. In fact he did attempt to barter a trade with me but enough said on that one!


Hand Maiden Camelspin in Tangerine

This yarn is 70% silk & 30% Camel & believe me it's the most wonderfully soft yarn I've ever felt. I'm almost tempted to keep it just for petting it's so amazing. I haven't yet found the right shawl pattern for it but I've got 658 yds/600 meters & am open to suggestions.

A couple of days later another parcel arrived. This was from my friend CL in Canada. We always spoil each other at Christmas & Birthdays & this time was was no exception. It was a little bit late as she has lots on at the moment but that was fine with me as it was a wonderful surprise. I'm also late with hers as I was ill so we're as bad as each other. Anyway back to the contents:


Malabrigo Lace in Saphire Magenta

This lace weight yarn is beautiful & I adore the colours. I've found a couple of projects on Ravelry in which the same colour is used & it's really gorgeous.


Noro Kureyon Sock shade 184

This yarn has had some 'interesting' reviews & I've taken on board what others have said. I'm not planning to use it for socks as I think the colours would be better as a scarf & that it would be wonderful for a mini Clapotis. The yarn is a bit scratchy so I'm in the process of winding it off into a skein and today I'll wash & condition it gently. I say in the 'process of' as the centre of the ball of yarn is one big tangle & I haven't yet finished sorting it out. I've found one knot so far so would definitely recommend NOT knitting this yarn straight from the ball. The colours however (like always with Noro) are amazing & I'm looking forward to using it.


Lanteen Moon needle cover

I love this but it does remind me of a snake. Not that I'm a fan of snakes but it's so beautifully snake like.

Also included were some maple sugar chews but they didn't last long enough for the photo shoot, a beautiful stitch marker which is currently in use & a badge which is on my bag. Thanks CL. I hope you like your presents as much & they are being posted tomorrow.

So now I suppose I should really get my act together & tackle a proper lace project. I say 'proper' as so far my only experience with lace has been socks & with two beautiful lace weight yarns I need to branch out. But I think I'm going to 'test the water' with a 4 ply sock yarn first before I use these beautiful yarns.

I'd like to say a big Thank You to both Alice & CL. You both made me feel very spoiled which was lovely after being ill.

In the Pink!

Finally my Opal Rainforest Flamingo DK socks are finished:


Twin Rib socks in Opal Rainforest Flamingo DK

Pattern: Twin Rib by Charlene Schurch from Sensational Knitted Socks
Time: February 14th 2008 to May 22nd 2008
Yarn: Opal Rainforest Flamingo DK
Needles: 2 x 2.75mm Knit Picks 60cm circulars
Stitches per inch: 8
Method & Modifications:
- Knitted two at a time cuff down. Separated after the heel turn & reunited after the gusset decreases.
- All knit stitches apart from those on the sole were knitted through the back loop to make the stitch 'pop' out.


Twin Rib socks with patterned knit stitches ktbl

I originally started out making Waterfall Rib with this yarn but wasn't happy with the combination of yarn & pattern so after 13cm of knitting on both legs I frogged it & started again.


Twin Rib socks

These socks seem to have been on the needles forever but during their making I've had a lot on with losing Blue, DD's accident & more.


Twin Rib socks

They are extremely comfortable & a perfect fit which is why I love making my own socks.


Twin Rib socks

Just what I'll need for walking the dogs this winter!


Twin Rib socks

Where did my puppy go?

The dogs came home from kennels looking shaggy & smelling rather unpleasant. As they live in the house with us I do like to keep them looking tidy & smelling nice but it's not as easy as it used to be when I had my dog grooming salon in the garage of our old house. Now I have to wait for good weather & set everything up outside in the garden which wasn't easy over the winter. DH has plans to build a block shed in which their bath & other equipment will be set up & we have just been awarded planning permission but there are other priorities first so garden grooming how it's got to be for a least another year I think.

Yesterday I was asked if Oscar was a Labradoodle so I thought that the time had come to show his true colours:


Oscar before his first clip (with a piece of grass hanging down from his beard!)


Oscar before his first clip

He didn't enjoy the bath, blaster or clippers but DH helped by supplying endless tibits which made the whole process as lot less painful. Hopefully next time he won't have 3 meals worth!


Oscar after his first grooming session


Oscar after his first grooming session

Annie was also made beautiful but she's an old hand at this so didn't protest at all.


Oscar & Annie

See how much he's grown since mid March:


Oscar & Annie after being groomed

Back in the land of the living

Thanks to everyone who left a comment or emailed me after my last post. I'm back at work now & the dogs returned home yesterday after 11 days in kennels. Both have lost a lot of muscle & Oscar looks like a shaggy mutt but I'll get them back up to scratch soon. I'm gutted as I'm going to have to start my running from scratch again but not yet as I'm tired after half an hours walk at the moment.

Some knitting has been happening over the past week:


Twin Rib socks in progress

but not a lot progress on this:


Rowan Tapestry crochet scarf

I've been spoilt rotten over the past couple of days due to a couple of parcels arriving. Part of one was a purchase of a Goknits sock bag from Socktopus but there was more included which was a wonderful surprise. However the photos have yet to be taken so you'll have to wait I'm afraid.

So as a thank you for Alice at Socktopus a photo as promised of one of the trees in our garden. It has the most gorgeous purpley red leaves & looks absolutely stunning in the sunshine.


Purple Norway Maple

Coming through to the other side......

I've been ill.

Very ill.

Not sick enough to be admitted to hospital but enough that I've lost a week of my life.

S&D really hurts when your tummy has been empty for 4 days.

I've lost 9lbs in weight in 7 days.

So now I am really trying to eat to get strong but have no appetite.

The dogs are in kennels for another week and I'm missing them.

DH isn't doing too well either but then again he gets 'Man flu'.

He sucks at being a nurse.