Inspiration Shall Strike

Forgive me for being such an absentee blogger, my karma for this? Well I'm feeling a little rusty on the writing front. So before I jump back into frequent blogging, I thought I'd do a post on something other than knitting. "Something other than knitting?" I hear you cry, yes, dear reader, I'm afraid so!

Knitting is all well and good, but what is the point of creating if you aren't inspired? Given that inspiration can strike at any moment, where do I begin? I figure with my reading material as of late and then proceed to films I've seen lately, though in some cases these may intermingle.

Given the film's release this winter, I chose to reread The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien. The thrill of going back to the Middle Earth of my imagination was wonderful! I can see Bilbo's perfectly round green door, his homely hobbit hole, the landscapes and the caves, for me it was like going home. Then I went on an adventure of my own; to the cinema to see The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, though my journey there wasn't unexpected, I've been anticipating it for years now. That first glimpse of Hobbiton, along with the score, actually brought tears to my eyes!
After seeing this again I chose to cast on my Hitchhiker in the green and yellow of Bilbo's front door.

Another book I've recently finished reading is Jam by Yahtzee Croshaw, an internet reviewer of video games and rather hilarious. It's about a Jampocalypse, really, strawberry-scented-man-eating-jam. I urge you to read it. It's rather refreshing, in a sticky-jammy way, given the recent rise of zombies in the media to have an apocalypse so sweet!

The weekend just passed I took Craig to see Wreck it Ralph at the cinema as an early Valentine's gift [it's only just opened in cinemas here in the UK]. My love of video games comes from character, story, history and art, and I am nowhere near the gamer my other half is, but that isn't to say I didn't grow up with Lara Croft, Pokemon and Sonic the Hedgehog. So this film was a real treat for the both of us, getting the in jokes, noticing characters in the background, being amazed at everything/everywhere in general, of course it had it's Disneyisms but that was easy to put aside. It really reminded me of what I was knitting when I started; pokemon characters and using 8-bit sprites as colour work charts. I miss doing that. One of my New Years goals is to knit what I feel, and I feel nostalgic.

It's no surprise that I'm inspired by Deadpool, I get so excited waiting for each new issue, I even knit a doll of him recently. I adore the merc. with a mouth, he's my favourite in the Marvel roster.

 Yesterday I watched Midnight in Paris. My stars! This film is magical! Given that I adore the 1920's anyway, it made me want to visit Paris more now than ever. I loved seeing all the notable figures of that era, and the clothes and the music. That's the magic of film, you can bring anything to life. I am on a Tom Hiddleston kick as of late, but he's such a fantastic actor! He's so eloquent and has a voice meant to listen to. He acts with such a passion that I find myself so inspired by his performance. Doesn't hurt that he plays Loki, either.

So, this is my inspiration lately.

Until next time. xo

Festive knitting, sadness and kindness

Note: I wrote this a while ago but never posted it for some unknown reason, though I thought I'd post it non the less to get it out into the world.

I have to begin this post, like so many others have, with a tribute to KnitPurlGurl. Karrie was a lovely lady and a pretty prominent figure in the online knitting community. Although I didn't know her as well as others did, I did enjoy our tweet exchanges. She had such a sunny personality that made watching her podcasts so enjoyable, so kind too, starting the RAP movement (Random Acts of Pattern) which has been continuing in her memory and it is wonderful to behold.

I received my first RAP last week from LittleRiaHen which was the Hitch-hiker, which got cast on as soon as I got it. It's brilliant, thank you again!
I've knit up my first skein but at the moment I'm too lazy focused on finishing other WIPs before the new year to wind up the 2nd skein. It's a really enjoyable knit too.

Hitch-hiker wip

This may actually be a picture heavy post, woohoo! Okay, titular subject, Festive knitting. The two sweaters I was knitting as gifts have been completed! I am very happy with how they look, I love them!

Craig's sweater is knit out of Hayfield Bonus Aran and is a size Large. Accomplishment achieved, he said he wouldn't wear cables until he was 30 (ha!) but now he buys them of his own accord. He looks very handsome in cables, I can't wait for him to wear this sweater.

Brandon's sweater is knit out of Stylecraft Life DK and is a size Small. I hope he likes this when he gets it, I mean teenagers are choosy, right? I know I was. He chose the orange shade when he saw it in my stash, but it had to be softened with the brown else he'd look like an Oompa Loompa [doobidy doo].

I've knit myself some more socks! These are also my first after thought heel socks, fit great so I'm proud. They're knit out of Regia World Color in Italy, though I bought it because it looks Christmassy. I don't think I'll ever be bothered by mismatched socks, I'd rather let the yarn do it's thing. 'Happy accidents' I used to call things like this at art college.

There are a few other things I've finished, but these are my favourites. So I'll leave you with Gort, the biggest monster I've knit so far. He's knit out of Robin Paintbox DK on 4mm double pointed needles.

Weasley is our King

That's why Gryffindors all sing; "Weasley is our King!" 

So, I've decided to knit Ron Weasley's blanket, y'know seeing as I'm a sucker for any replicas from the Harry Potter films, even though they piss me off sometimes.

Anyway, so you're going to want the good stuff. The pattern is The Ron Weasley Blanket by Penguineer (Ravelry link).

I figure it's a good idea, seeing as I'm on a quest to knit up my acrylic stash oddments. I love this pattern for the detail it goes into. I mean, I can look through the squares and identify the yarn from other knitting projects in the films. Then there's the Hogwarts House colours, which I think is sweet. I can just picture Molly Weasley finishing one of the Christmas jumpers then knitting a square[s] with the leftovers.

Ugh, I love Molly Weasley.

So, my plan of attack:

I'm using 5mm needles and DK yarns, mostly Robin brand, seeing as when I started knitting I only bought the cheap yarns.

I have written a list of all the recurring colours and how many squares I'll need of them. I'm starting off with the solid block squares seeing as they're simple t.v knitting. I'll go on to the fun stripes last.

If I knit some that are next to each other, I sew them together. Simple. Seeing as sewing up is my least favourite part of knitting and this is the problem I seem to be having with my bee-keeper's quilt.

Single squares are good pallet cleansers too.

I've drawn up a little grid, and can cross off squares as I knit them, so I know which ones I have. I also seem to love cross referencing. Odd.

Other project updates: I have finally finished Craig's Christmas sweater and only have a sleeve left to knit on my nephews.  I've knit a stocking, just need to weave in ends and I've knitted 4 mini sweater ornaments, they're so cute! A bauble. Been working on some socks. Knit my first afterthought heel. Knit hats. Knit gloves.

That's all I can think of for now!

FO's, HO's & Updates

Since my last update I've knit a few things and worked on a few more. 

Before I write posts about them, here's a list of them (this will keep me organised too)

So first off, things I've finished:

• German Market Hat for me
• German Market Gloves for me
• German Market Hat for Craig
• Santa Hat for Craig
• Wrist warmers for my Nan
• Sgt. Zingy for Craig
• Dice bag for Craig
• Bauble
• Mini sweater ornament (also my first top down sweater, ha!)
• Feather & fan scarf
• Plain beanie hat for charity
• Cushion cover
• Toy Owl

I haven't been idle, here's a list of things I've been working on:

• Test knit for Elle
• Sweater for Craig
• Sweater for Bran
• Mohair shawl
• Blanket #1
• Bee Keeper's Quilt
• Wedding gift

Since being given a ball winder for my birthday I've been winding up my 'messy' balls of yarn, the ones without ball bands mostly. It makes organising them easier and they don't roll around when knitting. It's also fun.

I've bought festive fabric for sewing, as I want to pick it back up.

I've also been teaching Craig how to bake, which he's rather good at. He's been making cupcakes, and decorating them. He took some into the office and was really proud when they didn't believe he'd baked them. It's something fun we can do together. He already helps me cook meals, but this is something he's doing himself.

My First Knitting

Well not really my first, that's long gone, but this is my first piece of knitting from when I decided I was going to knit as my hobby at the tender age of 18.

It had to be red, didn't it? I remember this being the leftover yarn from my Gryffindor scarf my Mom knit for me.

I came across this last week when I was sorting out my wardrobe. I just thought I'd share it as it's a piece of my history. It's the foundation of my craft and something that defines me.

I do remember my first knitting, a strip of white full with holes and pulled tight.

It's fun to look back, to see how you've grown

It was my Birthday!

I'm sorry for my lack of blogging, my wedding planning is very distracting! To make up for it I'm going to share with you my birthday goodies!

Yes, I celebrated my 22nd year last week (13th, unlucky for some) and my family was generous as ever so I got to purchase some cool things.

I was this on tumblr and just had to get it! I've coveted a lot of Tangerine Designs products, and what better reason to get it than my birthday? I love Doctor Who, Saturdays are now must-watch tv days! Every other day I'm running around with my sonic screwdriver. Now my needles can be gauged in style!

I may have said before, but I *love* Deadpool, this year I had a theme for my presents from my wonderful fiancé, can you guess? Yup, the Merc. with a Mouth himself. This yarn is just so Deadpool, the red & black of his costume coupled with the sparklies with I'm saying represent his swords!
I have to thank Lyndsey of Countess Ablaze for the 2nd skein, letting me keep it when it turned up was very kind of you, thank you so much!
My other Deadpool presents were a graphic novel, a custom card and a cake he decorated himself, he also got me a ball winder, squeeee!

I love Vincent Van Gough, he's one of my favourite artists, the colours in his work are so wonderful, I've been coveting these yarns since their release. Sunflowers is my favourite artwork and the yarn is so wonderful, my favourite colours in a ball. I also liked Starry Night, but I chose Cafe because of the yellow in it, my birthday present yarn means my socks.

I wanted this a while ago, it's Loki by Gnome Acres, but I couldn't afford it at that time, but Amanda had a huge update the day after my birthday and there was Loki, I had to snag it! I love the shades as much as I love the character.

I also had gift vouchers for books so I got a few more knitting ones! Which I should be reviewing in the near future!

Updates!

Alrighty!

I have castonitis! It's so bad. I know how I got it too; obligatory sweater knitting and on-going background projects. So, just so I know what I'm knitting I'm going to list them off and note their status.

In no particular order;

• Denim rug - I've balled and yarned up as much denim as I have, so I'm going to knit another couple of rows and cast off, this will be panel one. In the future I shall knit other panels and sew then together, but for now the rug is the right size for between my bed and my wardrobe.
• Craig's Cable Sweater - Front and back has been knit! Just the sleeves and the neckline to do now.
• Brandon's Chocolate Orange - I finally cast this on Sunday night, I've added stripes to a plain rib jumper pattern. I'm doing 10 row stripes, which will make it easier for me to knit the front and back the same. I may have to purchase another ball of the brown as I'm using up stash and may not have enough leftover from Craig's first sweater. I'm working on the front at the moment, but I'm enjoying this knit more than others.
• Gryffindor Socks - I have a HO, I'll cast on for the second once I've depleted some other projects, it's not a major project, just a pallet cleanser, but I would like them knit before I do the Harry Potter Studio Tour.
• Bee Keepers Quilt - I thought I'd have this done by now, ah I was so naive when I started this. I get fed up of sewing them in, but I do have a bag full.
• Test Knit for Elle - Done ribbing, need to work through the pattern, this is my between sweater project, I plan to take it with me for the weekend.
• Feather & Fan Scarf - I only seem to work on this when I'm tired and forget how to count, meaning I have to rip back a ways. However I am near the end of the ball.
• Wedding gift - I have until June 2013 to complete this, but I'm around 40% done.
• Bedspread - It's heavy and I've barely knit enough to cover feet. Whatever possessed me to knit a bedspread out of DK weight yarn I'll never know. It does look fun though, who doesn't love stripes?

I think that's everything....

I don't know how much knitting I'll get done today as I'm having a tidy up/sort out which will allow me to see exactly what I have in my stash.
I just found a very small black and white tv in the back of my wardrobe, shows how long it's been since I last sorted this out.

I've decided to sell some things on ebay, I have a fair amount of costume jewellery that'll never get worn. It feels rather empowering to be so ruthless with my belongings.