Mud & Mischief

Than sit here putting German websites into Babelfish.

Mainly, I’ve been doing hotels and the like, but I just got sidetracked by a babywearing post and have been looking at the new Hoppediz in Lima green - it’s gorgeous.

Then I scrolled down the page and there was a ‘customers who bought this also bought…’ section. There’s a nursing bra there, but it’s the name that completely cracked me up. It’s a “Smooth quiet bus animals in patented Microfaser cord for optimal stop and comfort.” How on earth does Babelfish get from nursing bra to smooth quiet bus animals???

When I can breathe and see again, I’ll go do something useful, like laundry or make lunch.

“The only reason some people get lost in thought is because it’s unfamiliar territory”

Oh, everything is all about waiting patiently at the moment. I’m waiting for a whole heap of things.

First - school. My three are driving me nuts - not their behaviour or anything, but their incessant ‘when do we go to school?’ questions. Piglet is dying to go! Roll on next Tuesday. I’ll miss them but it’ll be nice to have some quality baby time with RJ.

Second - Ravelry. This knitting/stitching/crocheting blog/community website is still in Beta, and there’s a ruddy great waiting list to join. I found a little corner where you can input your email address and found out where you are on the waiting list. It told me the following:
* You signed up on August 1, 2007
* You are #22333 on the list.
* 11597 people are ahead of you in line.
* 7232 people are behind you in line.
* 35% of the list has been invited so far
Guess I’ll just have to be patient for a little longer…

Third - Secret pal! I’m busily putting my box of goodies together for my pal, who, btw, is a lovely German lady who speaks fabulous English; and I’m wondering when to send it. Probably sometime the first week of September, I think. And conversely, I am living in anticipation of receiving my first parcel! I’ve never done this swap before and it’s so exciting.

Fourth - it’s 50 days until we head off to Croatia for the Istria Challenge. We’re taking a few extra days this year, and doing a leisurely stroll across the continent. I’m happily booking German hotels and cramming a bit of German vocab (it’s one subject I didn’t do at school) and plotting and planning to my heart’s content. Need to work out if we’re going via Innsbruk or Salzburg though. Because if we’re going via Innsbruck, then we can detour through Italy via Bolzano, Verona and Venice! Hehheh. It will add a few miles onto our journey though, and I’m not sure the weather willbe up to scratch, being the end of October. To be honest, I reckon we’ll stick to the path of least resistance, going through Salzburg and Villach in Austria then into Italy and through Udine to Trieste, Slovenia and finally Croatia. Oooh, the food…

Fifth - um. Can’t remember. I know I was waiting for 5 things. Maybe for my brain to return after having RJ?

The sun is shining, I’ve laundry drying in the fresh air, Myf is doing the ironing (!), the poor hot snuffly baby is sleeping and the other two are on the trampoline.

I did get a giggle out of Tea earlier though - RJ was crawling around the living room, sans nappy, his little tackle swinging in the breeze. Tea kept peering at his backside and frowning. To give you a nice visual, RJ isn’t crawling properly yet, but does this fetching commando thing. Every so often, he gets up onto his hands and knees properly and rocks backwards and forwards, like something out of a loony toons cartoon - you half expect his limbs to start cartwheeling a la Scooby Doo, before taking off out of the living room at Mach II. But I digress.

Tea is peering at his rear view, with a look of real consternation on her face. “What’s up?” I ask her, and she gives me this litle giggle and makes some comment about RJ’s funny bits and how they squash when he lies on his tummy. I don’t remember her exact words, as I was trying my damndest not to laugh. Failing miserably, I may add, but I did need that laugh.

*pause*

Just had to go quell a riot in the playroom. Tea was fighting with Piglet over who would get to wear the Santa hat whilst they played with the Leapster. Can’t have one without the other apparently.

All the jolly jolly yarn posting hasn’t managed to improve what have essentially been a crap few days. RJ has been running a temp sinceSunday night and will not take Calpol or anything else remotely similar. At least, not without barfing it clear across the room. I’ve managed to get a little into him disguised in various foods, but only a quarter spoonful at a time. Took him to the docs yesterday and apparently it’s just a virus. Which is good on one hand as he doesn’t need antibiotics, but is bad because he doesn’t need them, if you get my meaning. Not that I would have been able to get him to take them anyway, and I have a horror of them after Piglet and her excema, but as a mom faced with a poorly baby, you want to do something for them. Especially as the only thing I can do, mop him down with a cool damp flannel, is so bloody cruel. He really doesn’t like that.

Add to that I’m running on even less sleep that before - took RJ until 3am to settle on Monday night, and he was awake at 6.30. Then James goes and spends his entire day off faffing around with my Discovery, so we could lend it to a friend. **lots of rant and ramble deleted**

I think what grates most is the fact he said he would spend the day helping me. On Monday, he wasn’t feeling too good, so he said he’d take the day off from work, and that would mean he could give me two whole days of help. Which, in the end, turned into no days, as he went into work at about 10 on Monday and got home late. And even when he came into the house yesterday, he couldn’t give the baby a cuddle as he was covered in grime.

Oh bugger to it all. I’ll be better tomorrow when I’ve had a bit of sleep. Normal service will resume, never fear, and SuperMom will return. But thanks for listening, y’all.

On a brighter note, my piano is on its way to me. More about that in a later, more cheerful, post.

This is in response to a competition set by my SP11 hostess - the prize being a lovely skein of hand painted sock yarn. Now how’s that for an incentive to get your creative juices flowing?

1. What is the one knitting accessory you could not live without?

My knitting bag. It’s a big, shapeless olive green corduroy thing that I bought for a bargain price somewhere or other and is absolutely indispensable. It holds everything. Needles, yarn, books, hooks, stitch markers, you name it, it’s in there. Actually, there are a few other things lurking in there as well at the moment, such as my camera, a large cotton shopping bag, a book on Buddhism, two UFOs and a half frogged baby jumper (RJ grew quicker than anticipated), some pens, a notepad, Daim bar wrappers (gotta love Ikea) and a screwdriver. Don’t ask.

2. If you’re heading on vacation, do you take knitting with you? If so, how much and what type of project?

We usually go away in the camper so I always take my knitting bag with me, and I always make sure there are at least 3 projects in there. There’s normally one crochet thing, something for one of the children and another knitted item - at the moment, I’m making a chunky chenille cardi for my boy, a pair of socks for me, and there’s nothing on my crochet hook, although I find the 2mm one very useful for rescuing dropped sock stitches.

3. Where have you travelled to that you’d consider your favorite spot?

Apart from Vancouver, Canada, which is one of the most beautiful places in the world, I like Croatia and Wales. There are several corners of the world which I’d happily return to again and again. Rome is an amazing place, as is North Yorkshire, for two completely different reasons. Morocco is somewhere I’d like to revisit, as I was only 15 when I went there, but it made a lasting impression. I don’t think I could ever tie myself down to just one favourite spot. Arbor Low on a sunny, blustery autumn day comes close though.

4. What is your favorite knitting book at the moment? Do you own it?

I don’t have a favourite book yet either - although I’m collecting a nice little library. I do like the way Elizabeth Zimmermann writes though - I have one of her books, and I’d really like to get the one that has the pattern for the baby surprise jacket in it.

5. Do you listen to podcasts? Which is your favorite(s)?

I don’t, actually. I really wish my favourite Classic FM program had a podcast, but it doesn’t yet. I live in hope…

The first one, at least:

How cool is that? I’ve already started the second one.

Ok, so I made a few mistakes, but it was my first ever sock. I didn’t have the markers placed right for the toe, so that’s a little out of alignment with the heel, and I decreased a little too rapidly after turning the heel, but on the plus side my grafting of the toe was perfect.

And it fits!

This is for my Secret Pal to find out all kinds of things about me so they can choose lovely yummy things to go in my secret pal parcel. And for those of you who haven’t got a clue what I’m on about, don’t worry, I’ll be keeping you informed as we go along.

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I just love cotton yarns, and anything mixed with merino or bamboo. I’m one of those weird souls who find normal wool a little scratchy to wear. I much prefer any kind of natural fibre, and really don’t like eyelash/furry/novelty yarns. I hate angora and fuzzy stuff. Lovely smooth yarn does it for me every time.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

The bulk of my needles are stored in an old Glendiffich whiskey carton, the tube that the bottle is packaged in. There’s a big bunch lurking in the bottom of my main knitting bag along with most of the crochet hooks, my circulars are in a padded envelope in another knitting bag, and my double points are in one of those ancient plastic narrow lidded boxes. On re-reading that, I think I need to sort my needles out…

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

Um, good question! I know I could knit as a child – I remember knitting a big red scarf on an airplane once and I couldn’t have been more than about 8 or 9. My mom and my nan taught me. I’m a good intermediate knitter, and am working on mastering some more advanced techniques when I find the time – steeking is one I’ve just discovered. I can cable and do intarsia but I’ve never tried a fair isle anything.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Silly question It’s here.

5. What’s your favorite scent?

Fresh baked bread, babies, Chanel No.5, newly cut grass, and the earth as I dig into it in the garden. Closely followed by cinnamon, vanilla and ginger. And all those other nice warm spices you put into banana bread… oh, sorry, was that scent not scents? Whilst we’re at it, I should add sandalwood. Especially worn as aftershave.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

I like sweet things, and savory ones too. Dark chocolate, coffee flavoured things, beef jerky and pretzels are all very nice indeed, but my current favourite at the moment is a pineapple and strawberry smoothie!

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I can spin, but my spinning wheel has been in the attic for the past few years – I have four children and no time! I also sew (current project is a green patchwork quilt, I’m about a quarter of the way through it), garden (I love growing heirloom vegetables), cross stitch occasionally, and I’d really like to have a go at tablet weaving, but I may have to wait until the kids are all at University before I find time for that!

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I love classical music, especially piano and movie music. My favourite composers are Hans Zimmer and Ludovico Einaudi, as well as more eclectic stuff like Loreena McKennitt and Linkin Park. Yes, I can play MP3s.

9. What’s your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can’t stand?

I’m definitely a green girl, and all shades of natural/autumn/earth tones. I dislike blues probably because they just don’t suit me, and am not fond of greys or bright pinks.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I’ve got four children - three girls and a baby boy and we also have a dog, two guinea pigs and three chickens. One day, I will have a cat, but not whilst we’ve still got the dog. There’s also a husband lurking around somewhere, and any number of four wheel drive vehicles. Normally the last two can be found together.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

Scarves, yes, hats, mittens and ponchos, no.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

Baby and toddler clothes. They grow really quickly and there’s a whole rainbow of amazing colours and yarns to choose from. Although I am quite enjoying the socks I’m knitting right at the moment!

13. What are you knitting right now?

I’ve just finished my first ever sock (see elsewhere on blog!), and that was good fun. Just need to start the other one of the pair. I’ve also got the yarn for a sweater for myself and some red stuff for a top (pictures further down the blog). There are quite a few works in progress, however, that were relegated to the loft when my smallest one was born, and I should really go and rescue them – one is a big aran cabled jumper for my other half.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Oooh, yes. For someone as busy as me, receiving a handmade gift that someone has taken the time out of their own day to make just for me is quite special.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

It has to be bamboo straight needles. I’ve got a couple of ‘vintage’ wooden needles too that are thick enough to double as tent pegs  I find metal needles too slippery and they make my wrists ache. I have spotted some ebony ones though, that look absolutely gorgeous, but the price tag is a little out of my reach at the moment!

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? No. I have a niddy noddy though.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

Has to be the big aran cabled thing, as I started that before I was pregnant and RJ is now nearly 7 months old. Although who knows what’s lurking in my loft…

18. What is your favorite holiday?

A driving holiday across the continent to Croatia. If I had to pick a ‘holiday day’ it would be Halloween.

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Books. I have hundreds, mainly non-fiction and I love World War II cookery books. I also collect books on gardening, self-sufficiency, craft both mundane and esoteric, survival/peak oil type manuals, cooking, food preservation, homesteading etc I’m also reknown for my vegetable seed buying habits.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

I need 2 balls of Rowan Cork to do my boy an aran cardi but I can’t get hold of any here. I did subscribe to Simply Knitting but I cancelled that and changed to Interweave after a friend had shown me her copy. Then there’s the above mentioned ebony needles, and the equally delicious looking rosewood ones… I’ve seen Sox Stix mentioned on a blog somewhere, but can’t for the life of me remember where. They sound rather fun.

21. Are there any new techniques you’d like to learn?

I intend on having a go at a fair isle one day, but at the moment, I’m refining my sock knitting technique.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

I am now! My foot is 9 ¾” (25cm) long by 4” (10cm) at the widest point, a UK size 5½ to 6.

23. When is your birthday? The end of May.

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what’s your ID?

I’ve put my email address down and hope I’m somewhere near the top of the list to be added! When I am, I’ll either be Poledragon or KrisWW. As I am everywhere else

Earlier today I brought down all the books that were lurking in a big heap next to the upstairs loo. After I’d discarded the last six months worth of Land Rover World/Enthusiast/Owner magazines, this is what I was left with:

Just thought they were a rather interesting, eclectic kind of selection. Shall blog the bedside table pile when I get a mo.

Well, sock singular. I’m about 2/3 of the way through knitting my first ever sock, and I’m suddenly enjoying it hugely. No idea why, but it really appeals. Up until Thursday, I’d got about 2″ of the top of the sock done since February, and I wasn’t really impressed with the whole thing. However, after chatting to Nikki, and reading a few knitting books, I altered my approach somewhat, and it’s fairly flying! I’m really pleased.

This is what it looks like now:

I’ve also purchased a few balls of yarn to make myself a sweater or a cardi with - I’ve been knitting baby clothes for so long, it’s time I did something a little more substantial -and something that I can wear too! Once I find the perfect pattern… The ‘cookie’ coloured Rowan All Seasons Cotton came with a pattern book, but nothing in there really grabs my attention.

I bought the red Debbie Bliss Cotton Cashmere stuff with a simple part knit/part crochet sleeveless top in mind, but we’ll see if it actually happens. Nice colour though.

And I also got some cotton chenille to do RJ a lovely crew-neck jumper with. If anyone has one or two spare balls of Rowan Cork kicking around, I’ve got a great pattern for a hooded, cabled cardi that I’d like to make for him too, but I’ve only got three balls and I need at least five. And there hasn’t been any Cork on eBay for weeks. *sigh*