Happy Easter!

The secret pair of socks can finally be revealed. My commuting knitting has been these Child's first Socks from Vintage Knitted Socks in Lorna's Laces Iris Garden for my sockret pal. You can see better piccies of Wendy wearing the socks (and all of the other purple goodies I sent here)I felt like I needed a challenge when I started out on these socks but I was pleasantly surprised how easy the pattern was to memorise. I loved them when they were finished, but I was very happy to send them to Wendy who has been such a great person to spoil. I'm a bit sad now that sockret pal is over... but I do have SP10 to look forward to.... I sent my first parcel off last week and it was greatfully received and I'm looking forward to seeing what I get!
Our secret pal hostess has set us a quiz - 1) How old were you when you learned to knit? and 2) Who taught you?
I leant to knit when I was about 8 or 9. My mum taught me. She was a prolific knitter. I was looking through some old photos yesterday and every jumper and cardigan was made by her. I used to knit Jean Greenhowe dolls as presents for friends at school. I knit a bit whilst at uni - but usually toys. I started again when a colleague at work was pregnant about 5-6 years ago but again, it was a bit of a fad. it is only really in the last 2-3 years when I have had something on the go most of the time - again I guess it is the advent of all babies my friends seem to be having!
I spent most of last week on trains between London and Wolverhampton, or at least that is what it feels like. I have ended up with a finished Socks that Rock RPM sock at the end of it though. I love this, and I love that it is for me even more. Instead of casting on for number two I decided I probably needed to start on the socks for Tony's mum who is 60 at the end of April. Progress so far....
Roza's socks in the Koigu my Secret Pal 9 sent me.
And to prove that I do knit something other than socks, here is the finished "Thinking Dress" for Carys. I think I even have enough yarn left over to make a matching tank top for her new little brother!
And to complete the Easter festivities - some beautiful tulips from my lovely bf.
Right, off to play in the garden. Happy Easter everyone.

Parcels and Progress

Lots of parcels have been arriving at my house this week.
This is the best one. The reveal package from my Sockret Pal Hazel. Although it didn't contain any socks as Hazel has been ill, it did contain lots of other wonderful things that more than make up for the lack of socks! What was I saying the other day about wanting more STR? I also added this book to my Amazon wishlist the other day... I'll have to take it off again now :0)

Some fab labels also arrived. I had forgotten I'd ordered them so it was a nice surprise. I can't wait to finish something and be able to sew in my own label! More yarn has also arrived (much to Tony's disgust). All of it with projects in mind.
I want to join in and make a Ripple Afghan. I bought Jan Eaton's ripple book a while ago. I have quite a bit of DB Baby Cashmerino left over from previous blankets, and I have been collecting a bit more this week courtesy of ebay. I'll show you the colours when it all arrives.
The yarn has also arrived to make Carys a Princess cardigan for her 3rd Birthday (Rowan Wool Cotton in 3 shades of green) and the yarn for Kerry's birthday present... but I can't reveal any more than that at the moment!
And now for some more knitting..... Otto Owl for my mom for Mother's Day next weekend.

I don't think I've shared James' birthday tie either. Slow progress as it is on 2mm needles... but I'm liking it so far. Only James could want a knitted tie!I have also been working on the socks for my Sockret Pal. One is about 3/4 finished, and a sock in a week isn't bad going for me. Should get it finished on my trip to Nottingham tomorrow.
Off to finish my crocheted Chilli Pepper to add to a card for Tony's Dad for his birthday. Tony is making him a pork pie. I'll let you know how it turns out!

Sockret Pal Parcel number 2

Thank you Sockretly for you fantastic parcel that arrived yesterday. I have now put the keyring on my keys, the badge on my velvet jacket and can't stop stroking the gorgeous sock yarn. You are a star!

A whole year of blogging

Well well well. This post marks my 1st Blogiversary! Happy "One year of blogging" to me.
I thought I would mark it with a quick review of the year....
January - the blogging commences. I made a booga bag and started my first secret pal swap
February - A gorgeous trip to Ireland, my first sock and the start of a Clapotis
March - More socks (ickle ones this time), some scary Kool Aid Dying and a finished Clapotis
April - Falling leaves socks - still my fave
May - Toby's baby blanket and my first pair of birthday Jaywalkers
June - Knitting on a boat, entrelac and a sock that is still missing its pair
July - Tony's first knitted socks and goodbye to London
August - A new job and a month of socks - it was too hot for anything else!
September - Sockwars and the start of another baby blanket
October - 30th Birthday socks and a new baby - but the blanket wasn't finished!
November - Christmas stockings and finished blankets
December - Presents galore!

Not bad going, two blankets, a Clapotis, about 17 pairs of socks and a few other things. May the knitting continue!

On the present front, here another knitted gift I'm yet to blog about:

A tank top for baby Hattie. From Louisa Harding's Natural Knits.
Started: 28th December
Finished: 29th December
Yarn: RYC Cashsoft (in light pink) and some All seasons cotton for the trim (in Brown)
Comments - lightning fast, but then there aren't any arms to knit! I decided to crochet around the arms to make them go a bit frilly which kind of worked. She looked very cute in it, must get the pictures from her parents!

I haven't had much luck with things I have started this year. I started some mittens in the Angora my SP sent me, but the ribbing doesn't pull in enough... so I think I will have to substitute the yarn for something else. The pattern I have is for sock yarn.... so maybe I should use some of my massive stash! I also started Lucinda Guy's Big Digger jumper for Sam who will be two next week. I'm using the Jaeger Aqua cotton left over from Hattie's blanket, and it just seems wrong for a jumper. I also started the sock pattern in the first edition of Yarn Forward magazine. It's a lace pattern, with only two rows and I have already made a mistake and I've only done two rows. Oooops. Maybe things will get better at the weekend! I hope so.

Oh and the organisers and I have finally given up on my Sockret Pal (the girl who I am sending to - not my fab pal)... so I have a new person to buy presents and knit socks for. YIPEEEEEEEEE