7 random things

Dee got me! I've been tagged for the latest meme - specifically: each person tagged tells seven random facts about themselves in their blog (and at the same time, reiterate the rules). Then you tag seven others, naming them on your blog, and leaving a comment on their blog so they know that they have been tagged. I've been tagged by Dee.

I drive around Birmingham in an orange splotchy smart car (love it!)

I don't like dry sandwiches, or soggy ones. Very picky about them.

I only get my hair cut about 3-4 times a year - it takes me several months to get used to each time.

I have got all of Georgetter Heyer's romances in crappy old paperbacks, and periodically re-read them.

I've been friends with my bestest friend since we were both babies - and our Dads were friends from their babyhood too.

My maximum heart rate is 195bpm (as tested on a static bike this morning, in preparation for a fitness campaign).

Although I am two years older than my brother, I always say 'when we were about 7' etc, as if we were twins!


Feel free to be tagged - DIY style...

My knit list

(Nicked from http://acunningplan.typepad.com/andsheknitstoo/ )

Bold for stuff you’ve done, italics for stuff you plan to do one day, and normal for stuff you’re not planning on doing.

Afghan/Blanket (baby)
I-cord
Garter stitch
Knitting with metal wire
Shawl
Stockinette stitch
Socks: top-down
Socks: toe-up
Knitting with camel yarn
Mittens: Cuff-up
Mittens: Tip-down
Hat
Knitting with silk
Moebius band knitting
Participating in a KAL
Sweater
Drop stitch patterns
Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
Slip stitch patterns
Knitting with banana fiber yarn
Domino knitting (modular knitting)
Twisted stitch patterns
Knitting with bamboo yarn
Two end knitting
Charity knitting
Knitting with soy yarn
Cardigan
Toy/doll clothing
Knitting with circular needles
Knitting with your own handspun yarn (have to learn to spin first)
Slippers
Graffiti knitting (knitting items on, or to be left on the street)
Continental Knitting
Designing knitted garments
Cable stitch patterns (incl. Aran)
Lace patterns
Publishing a knitting book (you never know...)
Scarf
American/English knitting (as opposed to continental)
Knitting to make money
Button holes
Knitting with alpaca (My hands are still tingling!)
Fair Isle knitting
Norwegian knitting
Dying with plant colors
Knitting items for a wedding
Household items (dishcloths, washcloths, tea cozies…)
Knitting socks (or other small tubular items) on two circulars
Olympic knitting
Knitting with someone else’s handspun yarn
Knitting with DPNs
Holiday related knitting
Teaching a male how to knit
Bobbles
Knitting for a living
Knitting with cotton
Knitting smocking
Dyeing yarn
Steeks
Knitting art
Fulling/felting
Knitting with wool
Textured knitting
Kitchener BO
Purses/bags
Knitting with beads
Swatching
Long Tail CO
Entrelac
Knitting and purling backwards
Machine knitting
Knitting with self-patterning/self-striping/variegating yarn
Stuffed toys
Baby items
Knitting with cashmere
Darning
Jewelry
Knitting with synthetic yarn
Writing a pattern
Gloves
Intarsia
Knitting with linen
Knitting for preemies
Tubular CO
Freeform knitting
Short rows
Cuffs/fingerless mitts/arm warmers
Pillows
Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine
Rug
Knitting on a loom
Thrummed knitting
Knitting a gift
Knitting for pets
Shrug/bolero/poncho
Knitting with dog/cat hair (why?)
Hair accessories
Knitting in public

I'll be back soon - probably tomorrow - I've just been away for 10 days. And went to Wonderwool - lovely! Of course, no pictures.

New Name - and Ravelry

Just a note to say - I've changed to my Real World name - easier all round. So that's Emily - I was using Ginny as an alias..... but I've got over myself.

Also, I've just logged on to Ravelry - the brainchild of Frecklegirl and her partner. I think I'll find it a very useful site on which to keep info about my horde - yarns, needles, patterns, books, queueing projects - and also to check out what other people have used a yarn for, or what a pattern has looked like. Of course, I can do all this with google, searching blogs and other sites, but this seems a very neat way of managing it all easily. And it'll move with me to Australia.

It's all good! I gather they are gradually sending out more and more invites to join - doing it that way in order not to suddenly crash as the partner is the only techguy, and he has a real job!

Posh sock - my name* on my foot!

Dee of Posh yarn has promised a 10% discount to buyers at Wonderwool Wales if they are wearing something made form her yarn - a challenge to get something done for me from her stuff! This isn't really a 'me' colourway (too pastel), but I'm actually liking it very much, and it is growing fast. I may pass it on to my pink-loving cousin after the show - and if it's warm, they may only stay on for a few momments and then get pinned to my bag!

Pattern notes: This is Crusoe, by the inimitable Curmudgeon. Done on 2.5mm needles, which are fine for this thicker, but very light Emily - 80% lambswool, 10% cashmere, 10% angora (I'm usually a 2.25mm or 2mm DPN girl for socks). I have cast on 56 rather than the suggested 44/48 stitches, and it JUST goes on my foot and fits perfectly - and my feet are UK 4/Euro 37/US 6.5. So be careful! I've also done 20 rows of the heel (rather than 14 or so suggested) to accommodate a high instep. I'm sure the problems are partly due to the lesser elasticity of the fibre in this lovely yarn.

*my name in RL is Emily, not Crusoe!

Finished Tuscany!

I've enjoyed knitting this very much (most the first half with the delightfully short rows and sense of progress as I added 2 motifs every 16 rows).











It's been amazingly quick, for me, despite starting as a surreptitious project (thinking C would comment on yet another started rather than dissertation growing).




It's Jaeger 4 ply silk, no longer made, and has a slight gleam but wonderful drape.













I love the 3-D effect of the zig-zags.

scenery to knit by (pics) - laburnum and wisteria

A few pictures from our lean-to conservatory. The photo in the foreground (bottom left) is Clare and me 10 years ago!