The vastest things are those we may not learn.

Radio 7

Sun, 07 Dec 2008 18:12:10 GMT

is my nightime companion. I've been listening to Alan Garner's The Owl Service. This morning, bogwitch posted about her un-nerving experience with owl-stalkers, which reminded me of the book and gillo, a fellow Eng. Lit. teacher. I realise I'd missed gillo's birthday yesterday, so this post is to send belated birthday greetings for renewed energy and contentment to her.

For gillo and bogwitch (and anyone who wants to use them) I offer 12 owl icons

Teaser:

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Created with angelamaria's Icon Table Generator @ Bauble

Bases from All Posters and Google images.

Another gift finished

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:28:29 GMT

just in time for The Nephew to take it home for his lovely Cambodian wife.

A Tam O Shanter (beret) in very Posh Yarn -

The Nephew is over here to take some accounting exams in Cambridge tomorrow. He couldn't resist modelling the beret -

and a cowl in matching yarn (the flash made it look very much lighter) -

Autumn colours

Sat, 20 Sep 2008 20:02:38 GMT

Teaser

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Created with angelamaria's Icon Table Generator @ Bauble

All may be used as bases.

Another project finished

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 10:51:22 GMT

I'm finding the news so depressing that I've locked myself away for a while and done some serious knitting.

The result - an afgan planned for MWNN's birthday has ended up on the bed in my study.

MWNN doesn't like the colours. He wants something more cheerful. Cheerful yarn was ordered and is due for delivery on Monday. I'm going to have to knit like a mad knitting thing to get the next one finished in time.

I hope all my IJ friends are safe from the ravages of Hurricane Ike, and safely back home if affected by the Channel Tunnel or XL problems.

Earn £1 for charity

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 19:49:33 GMT

in 20 minutes.

Really.

That's all it took to knit these two hats (including the pompoms) for the Innocent Smoothie campaign.

Any knitters out there? Put your bits of DK yarn to good use this year and knit some Innocent Hats.

innocent drinks : all about us

One Posh skein of glorious blue sky

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 17:03:56 GMT

arrived on Wednesday.

Today, it's this -

Now I'm all ready to cast on for a little chunky Shawl Relay and fiddly WIP Wrestling in the Ravelympics next week.

We're getting there

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 17:13:15 GMT

We're walking Ronnie with the neighbours' Chihuahua, Bobby, in the hope that Bobby will overcome his fear of other dogs. He's much more relaxed on the Common now, and will walk at my heel, providing Ronnie is a few yards ahead. He also gets quite excited when Ron does the 'wall of death' running in circles at the end of his expanding lead. Bobby has recognised that this might be a fun game and has started to run along at the end of his shorter lead, though he still makes a dash for the shelter of MWNN's legs if Ron tries to play chase.

Bobby is quite large for a Chihuahua - he's almost the same size as Ron. Ronnie is quite the star when walking with Bobby and seems to know that he's to wait until Bobby makes the first move towards interaction.

I took some pictures yesterday, on the Common and in the car at the supermarket. Bobby travels First Class on my lap, while Ron rides steerage in the crate in the rear.

ETA Took more pictures today, including this one of S, Ronnie and Bobby.

Terrier week of bed-rest update.

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:09:34 GMT

The week is almost up and the limp is nowhere to be seen. Whether that's due to the medication or the rest, we shall see when the pills run out.

We didn't have to use the crate much during the day at all. Thank goodness it's been very wet for the past few days and Ron hates the rain. MWNN taught him a new game of 'find the toy' (incorporating a 'stay' in another room while the toy is hidden) which kept him very occupied without any bouncing off the walls. He's proven himself to be a potential recruit for the on-board in-flight sniffer dogs' team.

Here's a few photos of him not wanting to go out and play in the garden, the rain being torrential all day today.

Meanwhile, I've been doing a lot of knitting and have finished a new cushion cover, using less than one skein of Homespun. The colour, Ranch, has a lot more brown and less gold than on the Lion Brand Website, so I'm pleased that there was only one skein in stock.

Ha!

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:13:35 GMT

Knitting isn't just for grandma.

But then you all knew that, didn't you?

Other news

My copy of Small Favour arrived this morning. Thanks to spikereader for the headsup about the pre-order on Amazon being the US edition.
I have finished another wooly hat, this time in Meadow, for spikereader and will be posting it off, together with a little something for jennylyle's birthday, and myfeetshowit - just because....

I was tempted

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:25:33 GMT

on Sunday evening, and bought some more Posh Yarn.

Laura 4ply, merino and cashmere mix in colour 'Wine'

Laura 4 ply, merino and cashmere mix in colour 'London Bus'

So I thought I'd better get cracking with the knitting of the stash I have already. I couldn't get the colours right in the photos I took, no matter what setting I used on the camera.

I'm fairly pleased with the progress of the red lacy party scarf, though I need lots of rest-knitting between sessions of counting the pattern for it.

I'm even more pleased with the new triangular scarf in 2ply variegated yarn, using a new (to me) stitch called 'eye of the partridge'. The photo doesn't do it justice but the colours fairly zing using this stitch. It's so easy I had to go out earlier today to buy 3mm circular needles as I couldn't fit any more stitches on the straight ones.

I haven't been neglecting the other knitting, either. I finished another hat in that gorgeous Harvest colour (one for me, this time), and I'm already 3/4 the way through one in The equally lovely Meadow colour. I'm cracking along with a cushion cover (requested by MWNNM to protect a batik cushion made by The Daughter when she was a child.

Third Time Lucky -Yay!

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:11:36 GMT

Finally cracked the gauge.

Knitted this one on 5.5mm with 52 stitches of Lion Brand Homespun, using a combination of two patterns from the Lion Brand site.

Easter Weekend

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:35:55 GMT

was the most relaxing Easter we've had in a long time. The Daughter visited and much knitting was done. I completed

a knitting bag - in Homespun Harvest - no image yet, it needs lining.
two basic hats - in Homespun 'Harvest'; one is gi-normous, the other is g-huge. I have yet to work out how to knit this pattern to the correct size.
a tea cosy - in Rupert Bear colours.

Started a new project

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 19:56:30 GMT

as a trial run, using Louisa Harding's Impressions, as preparatopn for using some of the Posh Yarn that is safely locked away in my cupboard until I'm well enough to wind it safely.

I have some lovely crystal beads for both ends of this one but am trying to work out how to make the cast off end (which would normally be a dead straight edge) match the lovely scallop of the cast-on end.

We're still without a working oven, Chez Hesadevil, so at least one day of the Easter weekend will be spent eating out. Oh dear. What a shame. Never mind.

Match it for Pratchett

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 11:11:43 GMT

On gillo's LJ, I came across details of a fandom campaign to match Terry's donation of a million dollars with contributions from his fans.

"It's not much, but if we all give a couple of quid or a few dollars, it could start to make a difference. High end brain chemistry research is not cheap. If you've ever laughed out loud at Rincewind or adored Granny Weatherwax, how about chipping in? Say, the cost of a Discworld paperback.

It's not very official yet, though I rather think it's going to gather momentum. At present you have to go to the Alzheimer's Research Trust website and click on the Donate button. Once you have put in all the details, there's a box in which you can add a comment - perhaps that it's in honour of Terry from a fan."

Gill made a button to link to the site. Feel free to snaffle it, adjust it, make your own version. No credit needed - but please, if you can manage even a pound or a dollar, think about giving?

warning picspam ahead. Scotland and knitting

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 14:50:36 GMT

was nice, in that I got to

do a little shopping,

in
Gretna

and
Moffat

see - Moffat=sheep but no shops selling wool.

but lots selling to the tourists and we had a lovely lunch at The Balmoral Hotel.

and
Dumfries
a little fresh air and exercise along the

Solway Firth,
helped MWNN track down the final resting place of

some ancestors,
and to meet some 'live' distant cousins from the

Elliot clan,
enjoyed a lot of rest and relaxation in a fabulous farm cottage where I finally finished the first tea cosy I’ve made in over 40 years.

It'sa
BIG tea cosy

It fits the big 6-mug teapot that always comes out at luchtimes Chez Hesadevil and is especially needed now that I've passed the cold from hell to MWNN. I am pleased with how this turned out and how easy it was to knit. I used a strand of each colour together throughout. I even remembered the burgundy colour perfectly when buying ribbon in Annan, having forgotten to take some yarn with me to the shop.

Pretty, pretty things come in threes

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 13:53:16 GMT

Last night, I woke twice needing the loo. The first time was about 3am. I checked the sky and, despite the cloud, the beginning of the lunar eclipse was clearly visible. Over an hour later, I got up again and checked the sky. There was total cloud cover and I went to the loo thinking my first glimpse was the only one I'd get. On my way back to bed, the clouds parted revealing the final phase of the eclipse. Pretty, hazy moon but no stars.

This morning I went over to a pretty village called Walkern for a Knit and Chat at Jolie's. I spent way too much on new yarn, including

This mixed fibre (including silk and linen) in glorious gold shades and

this one, a polyamide and mohair mix.
Both are for gossamer lacy shawls.

On my return, I checked the Shadows and Dust Fanfic Awards where round 15 winners have just been posted.

Congratulations to

deborahw37

calove

and me, for Twelve Days with fellow partners-in- ~~crime~~ writing, bogwitch and calove

Yesterday I did a spot of babysitting

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 13:08:04 GMT

Bobby is a 4 month old chihuahua belonging to next-door neighbour's eldest daughter. He needs visiting at lunchtime, but yesterday the neighbours were at the hospital. So I volunteered to babysit. He's wriggly and gives lovely kisses and cuddles.

There was an un-eaten bowl of breakfast in Bobby's cage. He doesn't like dining alone, poor baby.

Lunch! I iz hungry.

Finished. Let's play. I know what - hide and seek.

You can't see me, right?

I can play chase the stick.

No one said anything about bringing it back! Can't catch me.

I iz still hungry. I can haz stick.

All this playing is making me tired.

I think I'll just doze here for a while.

Did you hear the doorbell?

He's so cute, like a little kitten rather than a dog. Loony GSD is still not speaking to me. She knew where I'd been.

Just for me - tea in the conservatory all snuggly and warm

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 12:29:31 GMT

My headcold has given me a migraine, so I decided to keep the shawl I just finished. It's so cuddly and comforting and I loves it.

My first attempt at a lacy shawl.

In other news, I have been asked to look after next door's puppy while the neighbour's husband is in hospital having tests. All that is required is that I give Bobby his lunch and let him into the garden afterwards. I may have to do this for about a week or so as the hospital tests are to be followed by an operation.

Puppy!

There will be picspam!

Daily post

Sun, 17 Feb 2008 23:27:56 GMT

The lamb casserole was magnificent. Why did I ignore my desire for a slow cooker for so many decades?

Plus - I can haz
Magnum Ecuador Dark
for desert with my coffee.

Today is Sunny Saturday

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 17:44:34 GMT

but very cold,

so I can haz tea and crumpets in the conservatory,

while the smell of lamb casserole in the slow cooker has been driving me to drool for the past 4 hours.

Two new books arrived from Amazon today; Georgette Heyer's Regency World, and The Foundling I ordered them after <lj user="gillo"'s visit when I learned that Georgette Heyer set some of her books in this and a neighbouring town.

Today I be mainly tired

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 17:50:51 GMT

so apologies for not commenting on your journal or checking who has commented on mine (LJ isn't notifying me at the moment).

I missed Ashes to Ashes last night because I forgot it was on and got back from the knitting group when it was half-way through. I shall have to watch it on 'catch-up TV' if I can persuade the digibox to co-operate. It's displaying 'programme details unavailable' on all channels at the moment.
I ripped out 48 inches of the shawl I'm knitting for myself and started again, because stocking stitch does not work IMO.
I took my sore eye to show the pharmacist when I picked up my meds this morning. She sold me some eye cream that makes the eye a bit blurry - and it's still sore.
I drove MWNN to the airport this morning as he is needed in Dublin as there is yet another Irish-outlaws' crisis.
I sent the Monet shawl that was destined for The Daughter to Ireland with MWNN. Now I have to decide what sort, if any, to knit as a replacement.
I shopped for the weekend in Sainsbury's and bought a Morphy Richards slow cooker for £20 (33% off normal price). It'll do for casseroles and pot roasts until the gas oven is repaired or replaced.

Today

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 13:03:46 GMT

is Valentine's Day when, contrary to the media hype and sentimentality, it's all about showing love for others.

I'm knitting a series of comfort shawls for family and have just finished my third. This one is for the younger Irish sis-in-law.

The views from the front and back of a triangular shawl knitted in Elle Monet, shade Van Gogh.

Click through pictures for larger image (opens in new window)

2008

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 11:27:44 GMT

The year of the rat, and totkat had her camera out at the Chinese New Year parade in London last weekend.

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Created with angelamaria's Icon Table Generator @ Bauble

All icons are shareable. Please credit to totkat for the bases.

Bonus for paratti

Aaargh!

Sat, 09 Feb 2008 13:11:30 GMT

Yesterday evening, I finished knitting a new project using circular needles, which I have never used before. It's virtually impossible to see how a pattern is progressing because all the knitting is scrunched into a sleeve shape until it's cast off the needles.

It was a miserable, mis-shapen, mess. I don't understand it. I followed the pattern faithfully, unpicked rows and rows when my knitting while chatting, like my driving, went onto autopilot and I forgot to perl. (NB No it wasn't your fault, Gill, the pattern didn't work after the first 5 inches.)

There's only one thing for it - I'm ripping it all out and starting again on an easier pattern on straight needles. But I need a pair of size 9s and the largest I have is an 8. I also need a crochet hook to attach the fringing.

Not sleeping well

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:51:58 GMT

at the moment. My head cold is proving difficult to shift and is triggering my asthma at night. So I've just had an afternoon nap as I'm going to the Mexico evening at the Women's Register group this evening.

Now it's almost tea-time and MWNN is making pancakes, it being Shrove Tuesday. What's the tradition for today in your part of the world?