Uk Swap - Winter Warmer Package.

My package has arrived and I really love it. My Swap Pal Marianne has done a really good job. the package contained a pair of gorgeous Mittens (Rav link to pattern) and Manos del Uruguay 100% wool that will definitely become a hat. It also contained some hot chocolate, an organic chocolate bar a cute cupcake mug, an assortment of beautiful buttons and a garden in a bag for Chilli's.

I really need to take some photography classes all my pics suck big time.

Me modelling my new Mitts, very comfortable and warm. Well I am a happy Camper off to go do the dishes and wash my hair. Byeeee

Friday Inspiration #5- Warming your Head

From the beginning of my starting knitting, I have been drawn to hats, I have knitted baby,child and adult. My first hat was a Ribbed hat on straight needles I still can remember the sense of accomplishment I felt after knitting it. I would like to believe that since then it would take something a bit more interesting to excite me, And my most recent excitement is of the Meret of which I have made two both Gifts, I really need to make on for myself the pattern is so gorgeous I really recommend it. But my favorite hat over all the hats I have done would have to be this little cutie :O)Call me mad but I really love the colors and the fact that some child in Africa might be wearing it right now and keeping they head warm. Here are this weeks questions and my answers.

What is your favourite style of hat?
I have always loved Berets I think I have had them (not knitted ) in almost every color at one time or another over my teenage years, but I have not wore a hat in a very long time, even now in the deathly cold of Winter I do not wear a hat.

Do you have a favourite yarn for making hats with?

I love knitting with Aran Worsted or bulky yarns.

What hat patterns are in your queue at the moment?

I have loads but the Cloche will be my next knit, I am sure it will make a great gift.Here is a link to the hats in my queue

Do you have a favourite handmade hat that you (or someone else) has made?

Absolutely here a few of them each of the patterns I have made 2 or 3 of each :O)

.

Meret My egg blue Hat

Thorpe

Friday Inspiration #4- Warming your Knees

This weeks inspiration is warming the knees. I think this is probably my favorite one as I do love the idea or snuggling up in a nice blanket and watching tele or reading or knitting. But in saying that I also have to confess that I have no knitted blankets of my own but I will fix soon as I have a few in my queue on Ravelry. Here are this weeks questions.

What has been your favourite finished blanket/lapghan?
Again I am limited in my options as I have only done 2 types of blankets and both where quite simple. But of the two I really liked the Pinwheel Blanket.

Do you have a favourite pattern that you'd like to make in the future?
Absolutely!!!!! I have had the Hemlock Ring Blanket on my wish list now for ages but have yet to find the perfect yarn for it. I want something soft yet, warming also with the amount needed I'll need something economical as well I am still trying to find that perfect yarn. Any suggestions?????

Do you have a favourite type of yarn for making blankets/lapghans?
No not as yet as all the ones I have made so far are done in Acrylic because they where for babies, but as I said above I want soft and warm.

Friday Inspiration #3- Warming your feet

What is your favorite way of keeping your feet warm?
Entwined with Mr Frosty's warm legs. But knitting wise slippers or socks although I have no knitted sock as yet.

Do you have a favorite pair of socks you reach for to keep your toes toasty?
Yes I have a pair of super thick orange socks (Orange ekkkk sentimental value) that I am practically wearing almost everyday to sleep.

Is there a pair of socks/slippers you have been wanting to make for ages but haven't got around to?
Neither socks/slippers But these Bulky Cabled Legwarmers done with super bulky with cables I think these are really wicked. I know they are not for the foot but close enough. Or these babies Prairie Boots they are really cute.

What is your favorite finished object that warms your feet?
Knitted Moccasin SlippersWhat is your favorite yarn to use for socks/slippers?
I don't have a favorite at the moment but I could imagine some Slippers made from super soft Alpaca Like DROPS Silke Alpaca or Mirasol Miski yum yum

Friday Inspiration #2- Warming your Neck

What is your favorite neck warming pattern?

I have been dreaming of doing this little number for quite a while now but I have not been brave enough to give it go as yet the pattern is called Ice Queen and I think it's so beautiful and feminine I love it.

However a pattern that I have actually done that I like would have to be one I recently did, a very simple bulky scarf for a friend and I am surprise at how much I love the finished scarf It was super quick and really created a nice lace-ish effect. the pattern is called Super-Fast, Ultra-Cozy Scarf. I did mine in New Lanark Bulky on 10mm needles it's about 65" long and 5" wide.

Do you have a favorite FO?

Absolutely I love the first neck warmer I ever did for my self there is no pattern as I created it myself. There is nothing fancy about it but I love the colors and it is oh so warm. I was done with 6mm Needles using an acrylic yarn :O)

Is there a style of neck warmer you particularly like?

Yes I like Cowl's because they have dual purpose as they warm the neck and cover the head as well.

Friday Inspiration - Warming your Hands

I have totally fallen in love with knitting Fingerless Mitts. I have only knitted a few so far but I have loads queued in my Ravelry. I love the how quickly you can knit them up for gifts or simply just for keeping your hands warm when your on the computer or reading or even on a cold day.

It's 10 days before Christmas and I still have 3 pairs of Mitts to make but I am not worried :O) they knit up pretty quickly. Thats one of the nice things about Mittens are Hand warmers.

My first Mittens where a basic pattern but I am very proud of them. Since my first pair I have so far made Fetching, Twisted Rib , Cabled Fingerless Mitts and also mittens for toddler which where a treat to knit.

I think my favorite so far would have to be the Twisted Rib warmers which where done in Noro Silk Country (yummy) the yarn is absolutely gorgeous the mixture of Silk and Alpaca are very nice to knit with and a dream to wear.


I really want to try stranding and I think I will eventually but for now I am happy to knit up the one in my queue. All of which will make excellent gifts. I would love to make myself a pair in Garnstudio Drops Silke Alpaca 20% silk and 80% baby alpaca ohhh my so so soft.:O) :O) but instead of knitting with the yarn I keep it next to my bed and constantly touching it :O).

UK Swap Winter Warmers Questionnaire

It's time again for another UK swap, Here is the questionnaire.......

Handmade Item Swap

What kind of items are you interested in receiving? Would ideally love a Blanket/Throw it is very cold in the North. But I can understand if someone is not willing to knit such a large item so my alternative options would be a really nice Shawl or Gloves

Do you knit, crochet, or both?I knit

What is your favourite colour?I love Neutral colors for example Beige's, Browns but also like reds and blues and have found a new appreciation for Purple.

What is your least favourite colour?Orange eeekkkk

What’s your style? (elegant, traditional, glamorous, girly, natural, sporty, outgoing, etc.)I like to think of my self as a bit traditional, elegant, and a tad girly

Do you have a favourite type of fiber or brand of yarn? I love merino wool, also love Alpaca. My favorite brands are Malabrigo, 100Purewool.com, Patons classic merino and Drops Silke Alpaca

Do you have a least favourite type of yarn? Definitely I hate scratchy wool and polyester, also frizzy acrylics like eyelash

Do you do any other crafts?Sewing and Baking

Are there any knitting accessories you are interested in receiving? Large size Circular Metal or Bamboo needles (7mm and upwards) needle gauge, needle case, and if I am allowed to dream a Ball winder and a Swift, :O)

What do you like to eat? Milk Chocolate (Lindt and Thornton's), Custard Biscuits and Cookies

Any allergies/preferences (fiber-wise or treat-wise)?None

Anything we missed that you’d like your partner to know? I always try to give of my best and I really appreciate when people take the time and effort to give the best they can. I prefer quality over quantity. Not to sure if this helps any but I love taking long baths with lavender scents and candles.

Question of the Week # 6

The topic is music this week:

Q:Of all the bands/artists in your cd/record collection, which one do you own the most albums by?
A:Honestly and without any apologies it is Celine Dion and my favourite song is the Power of the dream

Q:What was the last song you listened to?
A:Take a Bow by Rhianna

Q:What’s your favorite local band?
A:Krosfyah

Q:What’s the worst CD/record/etc. you’ve ever bought?
A:Honestly I don't buy music unless I like it

Q:What was the first single/album you ever bought?
A: I hope you guys can hear me scratching my head because I just can't remember (lord am i getting old)

Uk Swap Question of the week #5

Quick fire questions this week, based on a game I've played with friends whilst on (very long) car journeys!

Choose one - don't think just choose...

1. Stop or go?

2. Going out or Staying in?

3. Small town or big city?

4. Happy or sad?

5. Straights or Circulars?

6. Red or Blue?

7. Seaside or countryside?

8. Fish or chips?

9. Surprises or plans?

10. Wine or beer?

11. Sweaters or cardigans?

12. Pizza or Pasta?

13. Chopsticks or fork?

14. Early Bird or Night Owl?

15. Knitting or crochet?

16. Hot or cold?

And now for the picture part of this quiz (copied from a meme that's going around at the moment)

a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.

b. Using only the first page, pick an image

c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd’s mosaic maker.

1.Stop Procrastinating 2. Romantic and refreshing jump 3.Small town Saturday night 4.Do the happy happy dance 5.Circular staircase at light house 6.Blue and White 7.Maltese Countryside 8.Chocolate chip muffin 9.Little Surprises 10.Wine On The Vine 11.Printed silk cardigan 12.London Pasta Week: Day 1 13. And unto Edward appeared a fork 14.Fred the Night Owl15.Knit kit girls 16.Cold feet at Multnomah Falls

Uk Swap Question of the week #4

Hey all I really have not post a real post here in ages but that's just because I have been so busy since returning to the UK job hunting and all and then I threw my back out and have been in bed for the past 2 weeks almost all day just barely trying to answer the swap questions and maybe a moment or two on KH and Ravelry but I promise as soon as I am better I will fill you all in on every boring thing that has been going on in my knitting life.

Here are this weeks questions.

A knitting theme this week...

Q:What is your favourite thing that you have knit? (It might not be your favourite thing to wear but it was the most enjoyable to knit).

A:My favorite thing so far that I have knitted would have to be my pinwheel Blanket because it was different from at the hats I had knitted before,

Q:What is the worst thing you've ever knit?
A;A scarf I made from Fuzzy yarn I bought from the 99p store it is so darn scratchy I will never wear it I wouldn't even give it to my worst enemy

Q:What are your favourite knit blogs?

A: I read lottts of Blogs but I can't say that I have a favourite as I learn alot from all of them.

Q:What is the most amazing knitted thing you have seen (This Ravelry thread might help)
A:I just can't make up my mind at this point....but if I do make my mind up I will edit this post.

Q:What is your favourite knitted item to wear? Post a picture if you can

A: My most favorite knitted item would have to be my Cowl it keeps me so warm. Fortunately for you guys I don't have a pic of me in it. whew ( Not into to taking photos of myself)

Uk Swap Question of the week #3

Here are the questions for week #3 of the UK SWAP.

Is there a TV programme you watch religiously?
Sex In the City
CSI Miami
How to look good Naked

What TV programme(s) do you avoid like the plague?
Anything Scary for example Dr Who

Is there a TV programme that you find works particularly well for knitting along to?
I honestly don't do much knitting while I watch Tv

What was/is your favourite kids TV programme?
When I was a child I loved Sesame Street and as an adult I still love it!!

Question of the Week #2

Which three guests (alive or not) would you invite to a dinner party and why?

My Mum--don't need a reason she is just awesome.

Moses-- Because I would love to ask him so many questions about being a great leader.

Michael Jackson-- Just because I love love his music

UK Swap Question of the Week #1

As a part of the UK Swap there will be competitions going on . this question of the week is the first such competition, so here are the first questions:

What are you doing to participate in WWKIP day on Saturday?
I knit everywhere all the time so therefore I have a knit n public daily. As for the WWKIP I am not quite sure as yet, I have a wedding to go to on Saturday so I don't think that is an appropriate place for knitting but if I did knit it would definitely be the strangest place I ever knitted. (I will post a pic of wherever I knit on Saturday)

What is the strangest place you have ever knit?
Let me see so far I would have to say "no strange place as yet unless you consider the bathroom to be strange"

Later folks

Questionnaire

Here is the questionnaire to the UK swap.

Part One: Crafting

Do you knit, crochet, or both?KNIT but would love to learn to crochet

What do you like to make?HATS,FINGERLESS MITTS SCARFS,BLANKETS,BAGS,BABY ITEMS

Do you have a favourite project? TO DATE MY FAVOURITE PROJECT WOULD BE THE PINWHEEL BLANKET

Do you have a favourite type of fiber or brand of yarn? ALTHOUGH I HAVE EVER ONLY KNITTED WITH ACRYLICS I LOVE THE FEEL OF WOOL AND WOOL BLENDS

Do you have a least favourite type of yarn?SQUEAKY YARNS

Do you do any other crafts?I LOVE MAKING CANDLES AND STITCH MARKERS

Do you knit in public?If so where do you like knitting and what is your "portable" project?YES AND ANYWHERE AND ANYTHING

What do you carry your "portable" knitting in? AT PRESENCE I DON'T HAVE A TRAVEL KNITTING BAG SO I JUST PUT IT IN MY HANDBAG

Are there any knitting gifts (book, toy, yarn, item, tool) that you have been lusting over?HARMONY NEEDLES, ELIZABETH ZIMMERMAN'S AND YARN HARLOT BOOKS, MANOS, MALABRIGO, CASHMERE AND HANDMAIDEN YARN,A SWIFT AND BALL WINDER (yeah I know I lust alot)

Part Two: Your Favourites

If you were a specific kind of yarn, which brand and kind of yarn would you be (and why)?HANDMAIDEN SEA SILK OR 100% CASHMERE why? BECAUSE I AM TOLD THEY ARE VERY SOFT AND LUXURIOUS.

What is your favourite colour?BLUE BUT I LIKE REDS AS WELL

What is your least favourite colour?LILAC

What scents/smells do you like? What don’t you like?I LIKE FRESH SCENTS LIKE THE AIR AFTER A RAIN STORM OR THE BREEZES THAT COME OFF THE CARIBBEAN SEA I DON'T LIKE MINTY SCENTS

How do you like to pamper yourself? (bubble bath, hand creams, massage, manicure) I LOVE BUBBLE BATHS, I AM A SUCKER FOR A GREAT MASSAGE

What goodies to you like to eat? (chocolate, biscuits, sweets,crisps etc)MILK CHOCOLATES AND COOKIES(CHOCOLATE CHIP)

Do you prefer tea or coffee while you knit?Any particular kind?I USUALLY DRINK TEA MY FAVOURITE IS (GINGER LEMON), BUT I LOVE CHOCOLATE-COFFEE DRINKS

Do you listen to/watch anything while you knit? (TV show-Along, movies, music, podcasts, audiobooks)MUSIC AND PODCASTS

Part Three: About you, Living & Past-times

If you were a specific kind of yarn, which brand and kind of yarn would you be (and why)? HANDMAIDEN SEA SILK OR 100% CASHMERE why? BECAUSE I AM TOLD THEY ARE VERY SOFT.

Where do you live in the UK? (General idea not address) LEEDS

Have you always lived here, or did you grow up somewhere else?NO GREW UP ELSEWHERE

What is your favourite place in the UK?I DON'T HAVE A FAV AS YET LOVE I IT ALL

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?VENICE ITALY VERY ROMANTIC PLACE AND WONDERFUL ARCHITECTURE

What other hobbies do you have?COOKING (mostly baking) CAMPING AND HIKING

Part Four: The Theme

As part of this swap we are asking you to post (or link to) a picture or photograph you like. Your swap pal will use the photo as a basis for a themed item or parcel.

It could be of a specific item, e.g. Jellybeans, an Alpaca, a rainbow or a scene e.g. sunset, beach, woodland or anything else you can think of! Please add a few words to explain why you have chosen the photo if you think this is appropriate.

It could be a photo you have taken or a picture you have found on the internet. Please note - if the picture is not yours please ensure you seek permission from the owner before posting it on your blog. Alternatively, you can link to the original picture.http://www.barbadosbeachresort.com/images/barbados/1.jpg

(Why I like this picture? because it remains me of home and how beautiful it is and it seems as if the sky knows no boundaries and the sea and sky are one.)

Final Part:Any allergies/preferences (fiber-wise or treat-wise)?NO FIBER/FOOD ALLERGIES

Anything we missed that you’d like your partner to know?

I am a Barbadian living in UK. I am relatively a beginner knitter, I knit for relaxation. I have not knitted with any other fibers but Acrylic, but that doesn't mean I am not willing to try new fibers (I am very much so). I am willing to step outside of my comfort zone ( so far most things I have knitted are hats) and try new things. I am a self taught knitter so most of what I have learnt is from TV or internet. I love reading but I think when it come to knitting I am a visual learner I prefer to see pictures or videos and not just read about it.There are so many things I would love to try in knitting and so much yarn to get. My next stop is learning to spin (very excited about that). oh did I mention I love chocolate or anything with chocolate in it.

Swap Package!!

This is the package I send to my partner in KH Surprise Theme Swap I forgot to take one so this is the one she took.The Package contained 1 skein Cascade Heathers , 1 Skein Malabrigo Lace , 1 Skein Noro Kureyon,1 skein Violet Green Lace, dragon Stitch markers, a ceramic dragon and fairies tic tac toe game, a note holder, a bath bomb from LUSH, 1 box of Lindt chocolates and 1 box of liqueur filled chocolates,toys for her cat and a book of patterns.