Nymfadora Knits N' Things

Dad's Gloves

2011-12-23T08:28:00.001-05:00

Dad's Gloves, a photo by Nymphadora73 on Flickr.

Dad's Gloves

Third finger pickup

2011-12-19T10:06:00.001-05:00

Third finger pickup, a photo by Nymphadora73 on Flickr.

Third finger pickup

Second Finger Pickup

2011-12-17T11:05:00.001-05:00

Second finger pick up, a photo by Nymphadora73 on Flickr.

It was a brain teaser but I did figure out picking up the stitches for the next finger. It can be done!! Now the bigger question is is it worth it for the fingers? I added two stitched per finger to keep the size around similar to the first.

2-at-a-time Gloves

2011-12-11T21:40:00.001-05:00

2-at-a-time Gloves, a photo by Nymphadora73 on Flickr.

First finger of each glove was easy peasy to start up and is going well. There won't be a problem finishing these with Magic Loop!

To continue a theme

2011-12-10T22:34:00.001-05:00

You would think I'd be speaking about a Christmassy theme at this time of year but no, I am continuing on to talk about my latest advance in the 2-at-a-time world.

2-AT-A-TIME GLOVES!

Since I mastered Magic Loop, I have not looked back. No more DPNs. This in addition to pretty much not using straight needles anymore either. It was only natural that I would try to expand my experimentation!

I looked first. Searched for hints to doing 2 gloves at once and couldn't find anything. Am I crazy? Can this be done? One would think the hard part starts with making sure I keep the right and left gloves clear. So far so good.

I'm coming up on the fingers soon though, that could be an issue. I'm excited to display the progress.

2 at a time!

2011-08-05T23:14:00.004-04:00

I'll be kicking myself with these first socks too... I was too determined to really put 2 at a time socks into practice and jumped into some basic stretch tube socks. No biggie... its going OK... but my smallest needle for a 40" is #4 but the pattern calls for #3.

I figured:

Hey, I have big feet, as in thick... a high instep... plus size 9.

It'll be fine.

Well an inch into the cuff and I'm thinking they may be too big around. I dunno. Do I continue? Or do I wait for my accidentally ordered Addi Turbo needles. Yeah, I punched the enter key after I'd entered all the details but was really just hitting it out of habit but now things are ordered! I think I'll live.

Along the same topic though obviously post digression into silly keyboard punching, I think I've got the magic loop/2 at a time sock trick totally mastered!

My First foray into Magic Loop was by accident a few months ago. It was mastered a couple of weeks ago as I worked on my lovely little Lamby Doorstop. Its so much easier than I realized, as most knitting techniques seem to be I am happily finding. Now I am showing my skills off to a confused looking DH who can't fathom just what this purple loopy thing with two different colours of yarn sliding back and forth is. hehe

I'm enjoying a Pushing Daisies full rewatch as I work on my socks. I just saw two gorgeous scarves in a row! To Ravelry!

Nymfadora

2011-07-18T22:38:00.001-04:00

Nymfadora, a photo by dnatheory on Flickr.

Chain Pull Cover

2011-06-08T11:02:00.009-04:00

In our new house we have this giant older ceiling fan over the bed. The three lights have lovely glass covers and to change speeds and turn the light on and off once the wall switch is on, there are chain pulls. Sadly, if I want the fan on anything but the lowest speed, there is a constant "Ting, Ting, Ting." of one of the chain pulls.

Sure, ceiling fans are not silent, they kind of tick and some sort of squeak, not to mention the constant sound of the motor and wind they create. One can't do anything about that and they are relatively unobtrusive. The "Ting, Ting, Ting" was not!

Until yesterday this was not a big deal, but the temperature is rising and I'd like the fan on higher now. Hence the need for the Chain Pull Cover!

Its a very simple pattern (my second creation! lol) but it is really effective. I wish I had used a softer yarn that might hang differently and one could totally get very fancy by customizing my basic pattern. But for now, here is the basic pattern and the method I used to attach it.

I used a scrap of Bernat Handicrafters Cotton and 3.25mm needles gauge is not important in this piece, I would say. You can extend the centre straight stockinette portion of the pattern to lengthen the cover.

CO 2 stitches leaving a few inches of tail

Row 1: Purl (Purl all on odd rows)

Row 2: kfb, k1 3st

Row 4: k1 kfb k1 4st

Row 6: kfb, k to last stitch, kfb 6 st

Row 8: kfb, k to last stitch, kfb 8 st

Row 10: kfb, k to last stitch, kfb 10 st

Row 12: kfb, k to last stitch, kfb 12 st

Row 14: kfb, k to last stitch, kfb 14 st

Row 16: kfb, k to last stitch, kfb 16 st

Continue in stockinette to row 23

Row 24: k2tg, k to last 2 st, ssk 14 st

Row 26: k2tg, k to last 2 st, ssk 12 st

Row 28: k2tg, k to last 2 st, ssk 10 st

Row 30: k2tg, k to last 2 st, ssk 8 st

Row 32: k2tg, k to last 2 st, ssk 6 st

Row 34: k2tg, k to last 2 st, ssk 4 st

Row 36: k1, k2tg, k1 3 st

BO pwise and weave in bound off tail only.

Do not block, the curl of the fabric will help envelope the hard pull "handle" on the end of the chain or cover the chain if there is no handle.

Using the long tail from the cast on, wrap the loose yarn around the chain 3 or more times so it snags in the beads. For this particular chain pull, I semi-laced the tail to help snug the cover around the plastic handle by weaving it back and forth twice through the sides and then weaving in the end on the wrong side of the fabric.

Nanisms

2011-05-17T10:27:00.005-04:00

I'm a tad weird, I'm the first to say it. Mainly cause I tend to have an internal censor that is on a permanent coffee break and things just shoot out of my mouth. I rarely even attempt lying, even, because I just can't pull it off. My words flow and when I try to think too much to "make something up" I sound off.

Anyway, I want to explain a Nanism. This one is a classic example of a Nanism, or as my Mands will often say, an example of "everything happens to you!"

Oh and it also affected knitting so I am staying in the vein of my poorly updated blog.

A couple of weeks ago we were dealing with a massive ant invasion. This was the second time since moving into the house and by far the worst of the two. Plus it was in the kitchen so I was losing my mind with frustration. We emptied the worst affect cupboards and set out the natural ant bait that takes about a week to kill the nests. In the meantime I was thinking that plugging up the pipes under our front porch into the storage space might help too.

I had picked up some large gap expanding foam insulation when I bought the additional ant traps. I've used this stuff in the past, I wasn't worried. So I started slow, filling the pipes gradually, because the foam didn't expand THAT much.

This is where the story really takes off!

On days when my DH is working, I am left to putter alone in the house, the kids at their mom's and me singing and making plans for working around the house. Lets start the day with finishing the pipe filling!

All was going well. I had big poofy globs filling the rest of the pipes and had walked away to ride the stationary bike for a bit. I guess I went back in to check... instinct? I dunno. Well a gust of wind, or gravity or something had caused a glob to plop out and onto my Christmas tree stand, lying on a shelf below the pipe. This tree stand has the bristly stuff wrapped around it to hide the fact its a pipe... etc. Well I reacted, the tree stand being very important to me and all that, and grabbed the large baseball sized glob of foam... with my bare hand...

A second later I flung the glob, having realized what I'd just done and consequently, there is a permanent blob of foam on a box now. But worse than that, I had foam insulation all over my hand including between my fingers. Naturally I tried to rub it off, with my other hand...

So now I'm standing there with foam insulation all over both hands.

I didn't panic, in fact, I did what I normally do when I am faced with the result of my own Nanism, I sighed and shook my head then resign myself to my fate by reading the safety precautions on the can. Naturally, I should have worn gloves but seeing as I was done the spraying by then anyways, it probably wouldn't have helped me. It said contact with skin should be soaked in soapy water. Well a good hour plus later and my hands were still fully coated and the stuff had begun to cure. Soaking did nothing!! On a positive note, once it started to cure, my fingers stopped sticking together...

Soon I began to realize I was screwed. My hands had Hell's version of Elmer's glue all over them and it wasn't peeling off in one cool move. Picking at it, like one picks at their hang nails, made tiny painful windows to my skin and a LOT of mess on the floor. It became an obsession, and not surprisingly so, because I'm a picker as it is!

So now, hours later, I have swept the floor, done nothing and am still having trouble picking things up cause, oh yeah, its dry and everything slides out of my grip. I have soaked my hands a few more times as well and pulled large amounts from the lines on my palms but I'm still, pretty much screwed and am feeling pretty disheartened by the entire experience. I needed to relax and stop picking, so I picked up my knitting.

The tragic twist... I just kept snagging yarn... shredding it and couldn't hold the needles well. Well now I was starting to lose it. The only solution left to me was to wear gloves. Luckily, I had a stash of latex gloves snagged from a hospital visit. Why do we all do that?? Anyway, on go gloves and I could function semi-normally. Knitting was even possible, though awkward.

When my DH got home, I'd finally managed to make some food and found, working with latex gloves was great for cooking hehe

My tale of whoa was greeted with the usual exasperated laughter. We agreed, it really was a perfect example of a Nanism, just on a larger than normal scale.

It took me two more days but my hands were foam free and only scraped raw in a couple of places. Apparently a pumice stone is good on day two when the skins oils and some Vaseline have had time to work in the heat of the latex gloves. I still have patches on some of my nails but my nails are bad to begin with ...

What will I do next? I have to say, and do say regularly, it really is amazing I don't seriously injure myself more often.

Socks!

2011-05-06T22:34:00.002-04:00

I have always admired those lovely socks people knit by what seems the dozens. I hear that once you get into sock knitting you never look back. I'm really excited to delve into it at the famous Sock-in-a-day class at the LYS. If nothing else I know it will be fun.

I've been more active in the social scene now that we're in town. My intentions being to go every Wednesday to Bar Knitting unless something comes up. I was really sad to miss it this past week with feeling like poop and all. I even was feeling better by evening but had to assume I was going full blown by next morning and didn't want to spread it.

These classes and knitting nights are inspirational to me. I have a life now that I'm here. Just reinforces how great a decision it was to move to Kingston. I came for the love I stay for the knitting!

Now to bed cause I'm wiped today for some reason, must be all the banking problems the past few days, and the rumour mill with work... that always drains me.

Sock knitting!!!! eeeeeeeeee!

Seed is the Pitts

2011-01-08T22:52:00.002-05:00

Its a love hate thing, really. I love the look of seed stitch and in my bump Mission Falls Cotton in my favourite purple, it looks awesome but its killing me! I've barely done half of one slipper and I'm so sick of it.

It will make these slippers very satisfying when done though. :-D

I am excited to be a part of a knit-along for the first time. I'll actually go to the yarn shop for it a couple of times too, something I've been saying I need to start doing more often. Reach out and meet new people and stuff. It will be very good for me, plus once we move, it will be easier...

The pattern will be nice and easy yet not boring either. Thats the thing with the seed stitch. I have to concentrate a bit but its also boring... I used to just strongly dislike purling but knit purl knit purl is so much worse!! Sucks that I love the look so much...

The sweater for the knit along will allow me to relax from the seed stitch. I can't wait!

Spinner's End

2010-10-31T22:22:00.003-04:00

Well, I gave it another try.

Yesterday I went to a Spinning Class at Wool Tyme so I could try spinning my own yarn once more.

I tried it about a year ago after ordering a Learn to Spin kit from online. The DVD instructions were relatively easy and really it could have gone much worse. I figured, going to a class would help me figure what I might be doing wrong and help me perfect techniques and such.

So yeah, it did. My yarn was fine but I struggled still. It felt like the 3 hours was well spent and I truly enjoyed the time but had very little yarn to show for the near constant time spent spinning. Its a nice idea but not for me.

I am trying to find out about spinning wheel classes though. One or two of the ladies at the class mentioned it and I thought I'd be able to search it online but can't so far. I will be checking into it. I have access to a wheel here so I'd love to use it! Even if its now and then.

I would love to spin but I'm too impatient for it so far. I want to knit right away, I don't want to spend hours and hours spinning, then possibly plying and washing and drying the yarn before I can do something with it... I don't have time!

Ah well. Like I said, I enjoyed it. Perhaps I should check out the knit circles in the area.

We shall see. I should focus on the move... yep, moving again. February again too!!

Too Long and So Little Yarn

2010-09-22T23:06:00.002-04:00

Sigh.

I have not been around to talk about my needles in a good while.

Life is so different having an Insta-Family like this. Then there are the injuries... shoulder, neck, now my elbow... it never ends!

But I joined up on the HPKCHC again and hope to get at least one project fully complete by the end of this month.

I've been pining for my knitting. For days of sitting doing very little but staring at the TV while my needles click away then switching up projects and doing something different for another hour. I miss that dearly.

I have been poopy for sure and I think it is because I get so little knitting done compared to before my move. I have just been going through the Wool-Tyme list of classes for the Fall and considering taking one or two again... it would be good for me on a few levels. But looking through the list and day dreaming is not going to help me get my work done so I can spend some time knitting.

There is just too much to do in a day now...

I think I will try to write here more again though. i enjoyed that greatly as well. But for now I have to go and watch the Deathly Hallows Part 1 trailer that just finished downloading!! Priorities right?!

Busy Times

2010-04-12T17:29:00.002-04:00

A lot has happened in my life since my last post and so little of it was knitting!

I have moved house.

Let me back up.

I have cleaned out, prepared and sold my house to move to Kingston (Battersea to be precise) to live with my DH and his kids and his elderly dad. It all happened so fast that I had to lay down my needles and stash my stash for a few months.

We are now all settled in out in the country in a gorgeous 18h century farmhouse and I have finished 3 projects in the past couple of weeks. It feels so good!

It is so lovely and peaceful here, even with the kids and work and such, I love to sit and knit on my couch or in the corner in my little old armchair. The world just fades away...

Knitting in Newmarket

2009-11-21T14:46:00.002-05:00

I suppose one could say I am making progress on my Christmas gift projects....

I am working hard on some very colourful bags and a lovely book cover not too mention the Lizard Ridge Blanket *happy sigh* and a painful shawl. I have JUST over a month and I am seriously doubting my ability to get things finished!

I have been having some serious focus problems and I am supposed to be travelling this month to all of the stores so I just dunno if I'll actually finish! Luckily I am enjoying the knitting and switching between projects, except for the sahwl, I find the shawl, and knitting with laceweight on big needles a pain!

With all of this comes guilt. Stress. And further procrastination because I feel guilt and stress!

I suppose I should stop typing and get back to knitting to avoid the guilt and stress! :-D

Love for Lizard Ridge

2009-10-12T13:48:00.005-04:00

If at first you don't succeed, try try again.

That first square for my Lizard Ridge blanket was hard, confusing and left me feeling like the blanket was going to be one of those projects I'd dawdle on and moan and groan. But as I did the last pattern repeat I suddenly found a rhythm that worked and needed less concentration as I'd gotten used to the flow of the short rows.

Now as I work on each square I can't do enough! They go quickly and easily and as I switch colours I watch the pattern develop and get excited about the next colour coming!

Part of it might be the Noro. Who doesn't love Noro Kureyon? It is so beautiful the way it knits up and the way the colours flow as they change. It just makes the ridges of the short rows pop!

I'd carry on more but I'll just start repeating myself. Besides, why blog about the blanket when I could be knitting it!!!

Sunday Thoughts

2009-09-20T15:31:00.003-04:00

It is a gorgeous sunny, not too chilly Sunday and though I'm kind of sleepy, I'm very content and making some progress on a couple of projects while I work on clearing off one of my PVRs to ready it for an upgrade.

I have found I do best when I have 3 or 4 projects going at once. I'm sure I'm not the first person to make this discovery... I'm just pleased at how well it works. I am still knitting all of the time but I switch it up a couple times an day.

I'm really enjoying the Fake Isle Hat, it is easy as pie but because it is my first time doing any type of fair isle I have to concentrate on what I'm doing. Oddly I am finding the Lizard Ridge Blanket squares less fun because they require more concentration than I usually give to knitting. There is a nice feeling of achievement for keeping the count right though LOL

I have yet to start the Shawl for my mom but I am kind of intimidated by it while still being excited. I will start it at some point very soon. I should start by planning my striping and lettering the yarn colours and copying a workable version out of the book. I wonder if my mom realizes she was finishing the last colour choice for her own gift, it did make things easier. I told her it was for a high end throw...

I also need to get more of my socks done. I can't keep wearing the same pair of my heavy socks or I'll wear them out quickly. I'm at least working on my Christmas socks.

Christmas Present Prep

2009-09-12T21:24:00.001-04:00

Well the decisions have been made, a lot of the yarn has been bought and the knitting for Christmas has begun. Now I just need to focus.

True Blood is keeping me far more distracted than it should.... I'm obsessed...

Life Goes On

2009-08-21T23:03:00.002-04:00

Well it took me almost 20 extra days but I finally finished the sun hat and boy I am disappointed in how it turned out. Because of some mistakes on the cast off my tube didn't turn out proper all the way around and thus has incredible trouble getting the cord threaded through. The hat looks really cute when it's in blocking position, sitting on a flat spot with the brim spread nicely....

But because I had to pull the cord out of the tube and then decided to wrap yarn around the cord instead, the cord wasn't pulled taught and the whole edged became heavy and VERY rippled. Even with a lot of starch and some ironing, the hat looks more like a bonnet then a sunhat.

I make a second attempt at the hat after Christmas and this time REALLY concentrate on the bind off, not try to do most of it while keeping watch over a franchisee removal.

But yes, life goes on...

I am working on a plan for a messenger type bag. It will be a combo of so far three patterns.

I have also finally found the yarn for my mom's shawl!! It was very exciting! I just have to plan the stripe pattern or get another colour so I can follow the pattern better.

Not bad for a day of travelling!

July Assignments

2009-07-08T13:54:00.004-04:00

My own record of finished assignments for my July HPKCHC classes...

Astronomy: Handed in!

Herbology Complete as well! Well actually it is counted as started only. I need to spin more and if I feel up to it I'll knit something for it as well.

Potions: My tiny little good luck charm bag is done and handed in now too!

Charms: Duplicate bookmarks handed in!

First Spin

2009-07-07T22:53:00.005-04:00

My hands, arms and thighs are still sore and I'm exhausted. I need to practice more!

But all in all I'm rather pleased with my progress at spinning for the first time. I'd have been better off just working with the roving that came with my spindle and learn to spin kit but I wanted to try for a colour mix so I ended up with two different textures of roving and trying to learn to blend and such on my first attempt was a mistake. But I am hopeful it will get me full marks in my Herbology assignment.

Hard work though. I'm not totally disheartened and will try again. I think it's good I didn't try dyeing too LOL I'd probably have shot myself by now!

I suppose I'm not helped along by my need to be perfect and seeing that my yarn looks too tight in some places, way too loose in others and goes from near thread weight to super bulky has me a bit twitchy but I'm being good and not giving up or unraveling it and/or pitching it out. It's like therapy!

HPKCHC July Classes

2009-07-02T18:16:00.002-04:00

Not a good sign that I still have 7 of the 10 socks to knit for my OWL project due the end of this month but I did finally get my Quidditch Wristies done!

I also frogged the 1/3 of a panel for my bag because i decided I want to to that trick of slipping the first stitch of each row to make a nice edge to be able to sew up the seam easier, perhaps with a fancy edge in a contrasting colour.

I need to stick to smaller projects this month, I think. Steph gave me a WICKED idea for Muggle Studies!

So here goes the planning!

Muggle Studies: A neck tie and collar for Buddy and his daddy to wear on their Muggle outings

Charms: A pair of identical bookmarks

DADA: WOW a Brain wave just as I was typing this (oddly a deja vu too) a sun hat in Lavender and Brown stripes!

Potions: I plan to make a small drawstring bag of sorts with a sparkly yarn

Astronomy: Will will be making a hair-band either another sparkly yarn or perhaps a beaded or sparkly boucle yarn

Herbology: I'm not sure what to do for this. My wand is solid bloodwood with an essence of Phoenix ash. I do have that roving that is brownish grey with a hint of blue that I could add some colour too. Some maroon and some orange then spin it!

OK So That is pretty good planning there! Now to get going! It is going to be a busy month!

Simple Soap Sock

2009-06-24T16:11:00.005-04:00

While working on something for my mom I inadvertently created something quick and easy and fairly pretty, if I may say so myself.

I haven't found one on Ravelry to match persay so maybe I can have my first pattern available on their!

Here's the fab creation, and it only took me about 2 hours with various phone calls and work emails mixed in...

Simple Soap Sack

I used an Ivory Beauty bar as the soap but any bar of soap you prefer.
US #7 DPN
Mission Falls 1824 Cotton in Maize with a hint of Lichen for the cords
Tapestry Needle for weaving in ends

Abbreviations"
yo - Yarn Over to increase
k2tog - Knit 2 stitches together to decrease

CO 30 and join in the round
Knit even for 5 rounds
Rnd 6: *yo, k2tog* repeat between * to end (drawstring row)
Knit even for 7 rounds
Rnd 14: *yo, k2tog* repeat between * to end
Rnd 15: knit even
Rnd 16: *k2tog, yo* repeat between * to end
Rnd 17: knit even
Rnd 18: *yo, k2tog* repeat between * to end
Knit even for 5 rounds
Rnd 24: *yo, k2tog* repeat between * to end
Rnd 25: knit even
Rnd 26: *k2tog, yo* repeat between * to end
Rnd 27: knit even
Rnd 28: *yo, k2tog* repeat between * to end
Knit even for 7
Rnd 35: *yo, k2tog* repeat between * to end (drawstring row)
Knit even for 5 rounds
Bind off all stitches

Make 3 cords 12" long. I chose to braid contrasting coloured yarn.

Weave one cord at either end of sock with soap bar inside and use the third cord to make a loop for hanging sock and soap to dry after use.

I think it goes really well with the Flower Power Wash Cloth I whipped up the other night.

This is my first improvised pattern so please be kind if you find faults in it. That said, I'm open to constructive criticism ;-)

HP Collection: Soar Ravenclaw!

2009-06-21T12:45:00.026-04:00

I don't really have Ravenclaw specific stuff beyond some of my knitting projects for the house cup (pictured above). Plus I'm a huge House Unity supporter but I have long since been sorted into Ravenclaw on any quiz I've found and have always felt a special kinship so I do cheer loudly for the Claws at all Quidditch matches!

Soar Ravenclaw!!

My Harry Potter collection is spread throughout the house some on display, some used everyday and all of it loved. I do hope this entire post can be used as my Ravenclaw Quidditch cheer for this week. I just didn't feel right posting this many pictures to the group... My Weasley girls are tied for first with my wand as the most important part of my collection. Top is Ginny, the Calico is Mrs Weasley and the long hair is Hermione. As another point of fact, Mrs Weasley is actually Ginny and Hemrione's biological mother. :-D

Then there is Tonks (A close second were i to really rank it all), my car with a personalized plate to boot! She truly is magical too (and PURPLE!!). She runs my wipers when it rains, almost ALWAYS gets me the best parking spot (trust me this has been witnessed by MANY people) and keeps my music at a good volume depending on what speed I'm going.

My Laptop is actually named Lily (My wireless network is Diagon Alley) then my desktop wallpaper .... ;-) I also have the latest screen saver from the official website running now.

I did just finished reading the series again...

The three little boxes behind my wand are little kits from Chapters. The small leather bound book is the Gringotts coin collect and yes that is a time turner in the back corner on the other side of Beedle.

Cammy (who, had she been a new addition like my Weasley girls would probably be called Minerva, it would suit her) is lying on her favourite blanket (Harry from Goblet) and is surrounded by the HP throw cushions.

I have yet to find a good place for my newest aquisition, a beautifully mounted Philosphers Stone
poster.

I have all of the movies and I also have the UK version of OOTP because it was released earlier than it was here. Somewhere I also have a PC version of the OOTP game but I can not find it!

I also have a Dark Mark Messenger bag, sorry for the quality...

I picked up the Scene-it HP Version the day it came out! That must seem shocking LOL

A couple of years ago a friend who knew of my love of all things HP brought me this framed Movie Cell from Goblet of Fire. Not my favourite of the movies by a long shot but still a worthy collector's item! The scene in the cell is in the Great Hall at a meal time with Harry and Ron.

Knitting Away

2009-06-09T01:03:00.000-04:00

I can't believe how fast I was able to knit up the tea cozy! It is so pretty, it fits so well! I love it! I may start drinking more tea again. I just had to post a pic here because I just love it so much!

On other topics... sort of... I'm not allergic to wool! Very thrilling! I have taken out my Florida Handspun ball and poked through the formerly sealed bag of wool and other yarns that touched the wool. Now I just need the marks from my allergy test to fade finally. It was last thursday after all and I still have purplish marks.

But Yeah, I'm not allergic to ANYTHING! I guess the stuffy nose and such really is just sinus problems. Whatever...

I need to get the cotton hanks balled up so I can do the bobble hat. It should be fast or maybe even faster than the cozy! I want to get that pretty pink ribbon hat done for Jane too. It has a bit of a rim so it might be shadier for the Summer sun.

Depending on how quickly I get the rest of my HP Class projects done will determine if I will try the Transfiguration class and strip an old t-shirt down to make a wash cloth. It looks shockingly easier than I'd have thought. Not really surprising as most things I've attempted in the knitting world have been easier than I would have ever thought.

June House Cup Classes

2009-06-01T12:25:00.000-04:00

While I do have lots to do on my OWL project still, I am excited to start up the June classes.

I've signed up for Charms and Muggle Studies so far and am pleased.

Charms will be illusion knitting, something I have been looking into this past week or so which makes the class perfectly timed!

Muggle Studies I need to choose what to do still but I am thinking an oven mitt or some other kitchen thingy that those inventive Muggles use.

I was concerned with what to pick for Herbology but had a brain wave when I remembered in my Baby Beanies book there was a cute hat with bobbles. Up to then I'd been thinking of doing a blanket with bobbles but this hat will be quick and cute! Hhhmm as I write that I still kind of feel like I'd like to do a bobbled baby blanket... I'll have to ponder and see just what I'd need to buy to do a blanket instead of a quick hat.

I am enjoying the House Cup group greatly! Mainly because it inspires new projects and is challenging me at times.

I'm mostly really glad I don't just knit scarves. I've tried new things and expand my knowledge with every project. How Ravenclawish of me!

I'd rather be knitting

2009-04-27T11:15:00.000-04:00

As in, I'd ALWAYS rather be knitting.

This hobby is like some sort of magical brain washing. It's wonderful and awful at the same time. I love it but don't hate it so don't get me wrong.

What I mean by awful is the need I feel to have so much yarn, every needle and then get even more again! I don't mind the time it takes up at all because I don't even notice. I just enjoy the soothing click click. I enjoy the challenge of trying something new and expanding my skills in this hobby+

Like working with DPNs on my newest project, a gorgeous little baby hat for Mandy's new baby girl. I'm so excited to give her this hat and hopefully soon after my first ever sweater.

DPNs are so much easier to work on than I thought they would be. Sure there is the awkwardness of holding them as you knit but it is very minor. There is the necessity to make the first stitch on the new round tighter but I seem to be doing ok on that too.

I'm just loving it all! Maybe I'll make baby socks then the sweater next...

Baby Girl Brant!

2009-04-26T13:43:00.000-04:00

I'm so excited today and highly motivated too!

Mandy had the baby this morning at 7:36am!

Apparently her water broke around 7PM last night and 12 hours later... 6 lbs and 11oz of baby girl came into this world!

As soon as I found out I started on a hat LOL

I have big plans! I had been hoping to wait to start anything else new until the new Hogwarts term starts May 1st and perhaps be able to do baby things as class projects but oh well! It isn't as if I don't have a LOT of yarn to do almost any project that could come up. LOL

Wow I am having a crazy Deja-vu right now! Right down to the gauge swatch sitting next to me on the phone head set... The Start Trek trailer is new though... in my Deja-vu, I mean.

Well back to it! I want to have it started before I head out today! The hat, I mean.

Felting Alpaca

2009-04-23T18:20:00.000-04:00

It worked!

I knit a nice little gauge swatch of the Estelle SuperFine Alpaca yarn and it felted so perfectly that I went out and bought 8 more hanks? Great colours too... I am so determined to make a nice purse.

My skin has cleared up completely too. As in the best skin I've ever had in my life!! And my hands are not swelly and itchy and the swelling has left my face and almost all of my neck! This may work out after all!

Allergy? To WOOL???!!!

2009-04-22T00:13:00.000-04:00

It does make sense. My hands swell and throb and have been for a few weeks. Add in my compulsive face touching and BOOM swollen face, neck, etc etc

I am so sick of being swollen and uncomfortable. It's interfering with my life and love.

Today I bagged up my entire stash, pulled off the blanket from my couch and wiped a lot of things down with disinfecting clothes.

Here's hoping that helps.

Swelling

2009-04-18T11:00:00.000-04:00

Oh man what a week. Really it started over 2 weeks ago when what seemed like a harmless under the skin pimple developed on my chin. Then last week, around Wednesday, I went to the doc to get the large swollen chin checked. Cellulitis... OK so Anti-biotics then. Big stinky pills every 6 hours with food. UGH!

Then Monday hits and I wake up with a puffy face. At first this is amuzing. Steph says I look younger. The doc says I need to go to the hospital and go on I.V. anti-biotics. So off I go. I spent the next 5 days with an I.V. line in my hand and regular visits to the hospital for more meds. But everyday I was getting worse and worse until I looked like an alien, a sick alien at that!

It was much less funny by Friday morning... Finally they determined that the anti-biotics weren't helping and took the I.V. out. Now I go to a dermatologist on Monday and will hopefully get some relief from the sandpaper skin and grotesque look.