Crossing the Finish Line

Well I made it with plenty time to spare, I have finished my Olympic challenge to knit my first pair of socks. Here they are in rather badly lit photo:


And of course, the obligitory 'on the feet' shot:


Im really pleased with them, very comfy (if a little small in the foot for me). Plus I have enough yarn leftover to make a pair of baby socks. Now all I need is to find a baby to knit them for!

Too much knitting - Not enough blogging!

I must say, ive become so drawn in by this whole sock knitting thing that ive just been too busy knitting to show you my Olympic progress! Well here they are so far, my first ever proper sock!

The sock yarn im using is from Curious Yarns in the colourway, Faded. The pattern was the one I received in the sock kit from them.
They are on the large side, which ordinarily would be great as I have big feet however I had intended to gift these to my dear sister so it looks like she's getting a new pair of slipper socks instead!
Heel turning wasn't as scary as everyone seems to make out but it certainly did require a lot of concentration since it was my first attempt at short row shaping. I really like the way the heel turned out though.
At this rate it looks like im going to finish my challenge way ahead of time.. perhaps more socks are in order! I certainly have more sock yarn hidden in my stash!

In other news, I have been accepted onto the Masters course I wanted to do! On the condition that my reference is ok and I give evidence of my first degree. So im over the moon, at last my life seems to have some sense of direction!

On your marks..

Yay my order from Curious Yarns arrived! I must say, they aren't too great at email communication but boy do they package nice yarn! I ordered their sock kit with an extra skein of sock yarn and here is how it looked when it arrived, all lovingly wrapped up in tissue paper with a few free sweets thrown in!

Here it is after tearing through the tisue! I am really pleased with the sock kit and the colours of the yarn I chose. I really love the hand written labels on the yarn they have every bit of information on you would ever need! The skein to the left is in two seperate bits so that you can do the cuff, heel and toe in lilac and the main body of the sock in the other colours. I must say, it is taking alot of self control not to cast my socks on right now! Must... wait... for... olympics!



And finally a close up of the very sweet little stitch markers that are included for the kit, the rings are just the right size for the skinny DPN's.


Also, ive joined Team DPN for the knitting Olympics. If there is anyone else out there knitting socks, come join in the fun!

Tearing my hair out!

Taking time out from applying for a masters course online on account of the fact that I clicked something I shouldnt have and lost all of the stuff i'd filled in so far.. Oh so that's why there is a 'save' function.. AHHHH!

So anyway, last night was knitting at the Forth which is always fun! In fact it was chatting to Jen who has done the Museum Studies MA already that has propelled me into action today. I think ultimately it's going to be the best way forward.

Here's what I was working at whilst drinking in the Forth.. ist it purdy!?

I know it doesnt look like very much so far but it 'will' be the Brioche throw from Colinette's Toast and marmalade pattern book. I think it's also the same pattern which comes with the Perugino throw kit. I substituted some of the colours and im really chuffed with the way it looks. It looks to me like a watercolour painting that someone spilt a glass of water over.
It's good fun to knit but you do end up in a bit of a tangle since the pattern states to carry the yarns up the side so you have 6 balls of wool attached to it.. I have to keep having a bit of a de-tangling session!

Ive also signed up for the knitting olympics in a moment of madness. Im taking on the challenge of knitting my first ever pair of socks! Thats if the sock kit I ordered from curious yarns ever arrives.


In other news my fellow knitting buddy, Alice has been nominated in simply knitting as 'knitter of the year!' Go vote for her by calling 0901 890 4884 or texting simplyD to 84070

She is also going to be doing the Aviva walk to breakthrough cancer, if you can spare a few pennies to help her fight cancer please do so here.
She still has to raise quite a bit more and every little helps!