Darn Postman

  I've missed the postman again, I was only out for 15 mins. I swear they wait until I'm out then run around as fast as they can. I think he was trying to deliver a book, the card said too big for letterbox and the kick spindle needs to be signed for. The book I'm waiting on was an impulse buy, The Ashford Book of Carding. I think I'll be glad I bought this one though.

  Popped over to asda to buy a crock pot/slow cooker for £8 but they have none left. Been wondering whether to buy one or not to use for dyeing and decided last night that I would. Oh well, I'll have to look for a cheap one on ebay. I could use my old one and buy myself a new one for food cooking, a better one than I already have.

  Did a bit more weaving yesterday, set up the spear's loom from scratch again and was much faster this time. I weaved the right way around too so when it came time to wind the work up it worked. I think I really need a heddle for my bigger frame loom though, the spear's loom is great but the work is done really fast and needs winding up all the time. I could use the heddle from the spear's loom or maybe make one out of some cardboard or plastic, I do have some plexi glass that might work well. Next time I'll try and do some vertical lines, maybe today.

  Tiny bit of knitting done on the ex Iphone sock cosy thingy last night, will finish that off today then I can start another one. I also really need to start another double basket weave scarf for my friend in the states. Still haven't finished off the backpack and I haven't started any Christmas presents yet, no surprises there really. I might buy some yarn instead of the crock pot, only need a little to get the fingerless gloves done.

The Postman Never Rings Twice

   I'm sure the postman hides around the corner waiting for me to go out when ever he has something for me that will not fit the letterbox. Now I have to wait until Thursday to see what goodies he was bringing me. It could be the book I won or the yarn I've ordered.

  Bidding on a spinning book on ebay but don't want to bid to high because there are a few books I want. Looking at weaving and dyeing books too. I need to rejoin the library or get rich.

  I'm going to have another crack at the oatmeal bluefaced latter today, see if its any better. Will probably order more fleece tops as well this week, not sure what to order though. I really did like the white bluefaced but this oatmeal isn't being nice. I might order something I've not spun before so I can learn more. I do have one dog brush, waiting on the other one, so I suppose I could order some washed but uncarded fleece to play with.

Christmas presents

    Oh joy. I hate buying Christmas presents, I can never figure out what to buy folks. Deciding what to knit as presents for folks isn't much easier. The big difference being buying rubbish and knitting rubbish is that with knitting its the thought that really counts. Spending 20 hours knitting something personal is a gift in its self.

  Last year I knitted 2* zig zag scarfs for two sisters and a pair of wrist warmers for my other sister while I knitted my mom a pair of mittens. I bought the kids presents but would like to knit stuff for them this year, although I might buy my niece a loom. She seems into stuff like that, she just got a sewing machine. Maybe I should buy her knitting needles, they would be cheaper but my gut says a loom.

 The double basket weave scarf I'm doing at the moment I was thinking for my nephew but have decided on doing him a watch cap. He's in the RAF cadets and has just been camping with them so I want to do a hat that's green on one side and camo on the other side. sort of like this. I think a variegated sock yarn and a green sock yarn will work great, warm but not overly hot. Not too bulky either. I think the scarf might go to my brother in law or maybe my dad. I really can't knit or buy for everyone, I've not enough ideas or cash.

  My youngest nephew I have no ideas yet what to do and may end up buying something for him. Then there are the little ones, I could knit fun hats for those two. Seen some funny monster or animal hats that might work. Having the time is the major issue as always.

  Sisters I'm not 100% sure on yet, thinking a tartan scarf for one and a newsboy cap for another. Maybe mittens for the third. Yes. Sometimes writing this stuff out helps a lot. That's my sisters gifts sorted, just have to buy yarn and knit now.

  My mom will be harder to knit for this year. I think she loves the bookmark I did for her mothers day present best. In the past I've knitted her a shawl, mittens and a sweater. I don't think I have the time for a big project but can't think of a good small project. Socks? Scarf? Hmm maybe I could give the double basket weave scarf, it would match the jumper I did. Think it might be a little chunky for a women though, or is it??? A little help here would be much appreciated.

   I'll be coming back to this topic a lot over the next few months I think, especially around December when my head explodes in panic because I have to have 6 super fast things to knit because I left everything so late. Again!!!
  
Any simple gift ideas please chime in or email me, I need all the help I can get. Thanks.

* Only have pictures of one, can't find the other one.

Bookmarks & Birthdays.

* 
    Well I didn't forget my sisters birthdays, there both next month. I only found out once I had started one of the bookmarks, the easy cable one. This is my first time doing cables and I can say this one is very easy. I didn't do a test run I just jumped in and started knitting the bookmark. 

  I'm knitting the bookmark in the cotton I used for the bib with 3mm needles(see side menu or top menu for needle conversions). Its knitting up really quickly but I think its too wide for a bookmark, more my fault really. I'm not sure of the weight of the cotton yarn and I'm using bigger needles than the pattern calls for. 

  I might keep this one for myself and knit two other types seeing as I think its too wide and I have plenty of time. Well not really plenty of time, its next month in a couple of days.

*Posted Sunday, scheduled to appear on Monday as I'm going to be busy today and might not be able to get to the computer till late.