Where have I been? And Secret Pal 10 and ISE4 come to a close.

Dirk Star thinks I've been travelling. I wish! I won't be able to afford another trip abroad for another couple of years. Although I have been gallivanting in Brighton. More of that later.

No. I've had blogger's block: this being a similar disease to tennis elbow or athete's foot, only in the head. I developed an aversion to the computer (a very nasty complaint) - and there wasn't even lovely weather to blame - it's been one of the wettest Junes in England's history.

I have been busy. But all work and no play make Tutmut a dull person.

I've been training for a half marathon, bookcrossing, knitting (no! never!), painting, reading, walking the dogs, socialising (a bit) and catching babies.

It's lovely to come back to all those comments (I had 8 unmoderated comments to snicker over!) and realise folk out there in cyber world are actually thinking about little ol' me! Amazing!

Right: back to business. The Secret Pal 10 and ISE4 have come to a close. Let me show you what my most fabulous Secret Pal Terri Furry sent:

Here are Tilly and Syd investigating an intriguing looking box. Anything edible in there? I don't think so. I tear open the packaging (difficult, it's well wrapped) to be greeted by:

Oh my goodness. Loads of little presis. I pull them all out, scattering the strange little plastic macaroni shaped fillers all over the floor in my excitement.

There is a card from Terri, and a HUGE amount of rainbow wrapped parcels.

Which turned out to be this lot - although a couple of little packages tried to escape, which was a bonus, because, just when I thought it was all over, it wasn't!

In the picture: Beautiful ready dyed alpaca wool for spinning - Ever the optimistic one, Terri (no, not me, my secret pal) had read of my intention to attend a two day spinning workshop at my LYS and thought I'd be ready to spin this lot immediately. I need to practice practice practice before I embark on something so lovely. The red thing at the back, centrally, is a knitting bag. This has been in constant use, making walking the dogs and kntting socks at the same time a breeze. The yarn goes in the bag (which is made of rain resistant rip-stop) and a draw string stops it falling out. A small tab with a popper slips through my belt loop where the bag and yarn hangs feeding my sock yarn as I knit (or I can loop it round my wrist). How cool is that? And it's made by knowknits.com . ON top of the red knitanywhere pouch is a box of beautifully presented stitchmarkers. Bright red. These are currently in use on a new wip - Duck egg blue Debbie Bliss cashmerino DK cable cardigan (design free on Prima magazine's website). I'm knitting the jacket all in one, as far as poss - have knitted one sleeve - and am now knitting the back and two fronts altogether, so the red stitch markers mark the dividing line where the seams would have been IYSWIM. There is a generic glove pattern. It's ALWAYS good to have generic patterns to play with and adapt - and Terri sent me some trekking sock yarn to knit aforementioned gloves with. Now - an inspired addition - 4 bamboo sock needles! How did you know I was having trouble with the fiddly finger part of the gloves I'm knitting? The dark packages and the red tin are full of different fruit teas. When I'm not supping black decaff coffee (made twice as strong to try and convince myself there's caffeine in it) - I drink fruit teas. These come with bits of fruit still floating in the teapot - Yum. The magnetic pad with attached pencil is on the fridge door, with shopping list on. The candle is gently scented and there is a packet of thimble substitutes. Terri worries and cares about my hands.That, and the card, was my lot. Or so I thought. Then under the sofa, I discovered two more little packets: one, a green glass nail file which is the best nail file I've ever used. NO, I kid you not. And the other little package was full of curly little brightly coloured knitting needle holders.

Bonus goodies! Thanks so much for being fun and I'll write you in snail mail, Terri, to thank you properly. (When I stop procrastinating that is).

"So", says Syd, "was there really nothing edible in there for me?". "No, and you're a labrador and all you ever think about is food, so go away until suppertime and don't look at me with those great big soppy eyes."

I also got sent this scarf in the ISE4 swop, from Kimber She is a beginner at lace, so did really well to knit this scarf for me. She also included a Fiber Trends pattern for a shawl, with the most lusciously soft alpaca yarn to knit it with. Thanks Kimber! Ccompletely off topic: Kimber has a one eared dog. I kid you not.

URK - I've been tagged!!!!
By my (not so secret) secret pal 10. (t'other Terri - the voucher you so generously sent me went to subsidising a spinning workshop that will take place June 11th and 12th - I will blog on the events as they happen)
I've also been awarded a 'thinking blog' award by another generous fellow blogger (Marianne - you are so lovely and I didn't mean to ignore you!), an accolade which so took me back, it gasted my flabber, which is what I suspect has led to a blogging freeze (aka blogger's block) for the last two weeks. Well, that and real life. I've been watching Badger's attempt to blog daily over the last couple of weeks though - fascinating! It's not as easy as it looks, this blogging lark.
I'll have to think about both tags. dot dot dot.
I AM on holiday for the next two weeks, so I promise myself, my loyal blogging pals and the entire world that I will get my blog up to speed very shortly. I have lots to report - about plans for a Ktog exhibition for Knitting Week, the running of a half-marathon, a "growing old disgracefully" outing and maybe even the plans for my half century celebrations toward the end of the year. Plus knitterly knews: I have just about finished my ISE4 project (blocking as we speak) and finished one glove and started the other, and (shamefully) I have another beautiful (even though I say so myself) WIP. Watch this space.

Karen's Handpainted Gloves KAL

I got the pattern on Wednesday and couldn't wait to cast on. It was like coming home - Lace is OK, but I ADORE fairisle knitting. I love the way the pattern forms and that it is easy to tink if you make a mistake. I like counting the pattern in my head as I knit along the row: eg. one, two two, three, two, two, one - because there is always a rhythm and a balance and a flow (I know - I sound like a complete eejit - only other knitters can understand!). I love the way the colours merge and change according to what they're put next to. I just LOVE colour. Swatch - what's that? Fortunately it fits perfectly, knit on 2mm dp needles.
I'm using this yarn:
the Opal self patterning yarn for the pattern, with the light coloured Rowan cashsoft for highlights and the Jaeger Matchmaker and Rowan 4ply soft for the background. I didn't like how the black and white pattern of the Opal made the top of the first flower disappear, although it worked OK in the corrugated rib, so I've edited it as I've gone on.
Doing the fingers is going to be fun - theyr'e all different and, although there are suggested patterns, I'm just going with the flow. The braided cast on was interesting to knit and looks good too. I wonder what else it could be used on?
The pattern was very expensive - at $13 inc. postage, it was more than a Rowan pattern book! But, having moaned about the cost, I'm enjoying knitting these gloves so much that I forgive the KAL site for not mentioning the price until AFTER I joined up and requested the pattern. Very canny. Being part of a KAL is also good fun, as I'm enjoying seeing what colourways other knitters have chosen, and how they transform the pattern into something totally unique. Guess that's what knitting is all about.

I got something very special from my not so secret 'secret pal' (NSSSP) when I got home late last night - A hugely generous voucher to spend at my favourite local yarn store Spin-a-yarn. What a fantastic present! I've a mind to spend it on the beautiful handpainted yarn from New Zealand and use it to try and recreate a diagonally knit jumper I designed years ago for some fancy Italian yarn that can't even be bought nowadays. Thanks Terri - a really original and inspired gift. I'm overwhelmed.

A Good Day was had...

which is just as well as I had a shit day and night yesterday - had to pay a parking fine (from January - I'd written a nice note explaining that I'd paid the car park ticket for what I expected to be a short visit at work and an emergency had arisen so please could they let me off the excess charge - but no, the b*****ds not only wouldn't but took three months to tell me so), AND I'd been with a client attempting a vaginal birth after section all the long night which culminated in a touch and go emergency section because she suffered a (thankfully rare) uterine rupture. I've never seen one before. Mec happens. Baby and mum both fine. Thanks whatever godesses were watching over us all.

As well as getting my camera back, the postie brought lots of knitting goodies. The first thing was Interweave Knits - I've just subscribed and the first (Spring) issue arrived. It's taken ages to get here but I immediately got immersed in an article about an artist that PAINTS KNITTING which is wierd because I'm thinking about doing just that for the decorations at a 'knit in' to celebrate Knitting Week this Autumn. Not much in it I'll probably knit but I'm excited that Eunny Jang is the new editor and I liked the layout and content very much.

Then, as I was leaving for work, my neighbours brought this out to me - they have a porch and the postie often leaves parcels there if we're not home. Yes - a parcel from my secret pal! Another Terri! who spent a FORTUNE on air mail! S'cuse all these exclamation marks!

I was tempted to rip it open there and then but I decided to excercise some self restraint and wait till I got home to savour the opening thereof.

Later that same day: First thing we see is masses and masses of sparkly green packing - like a lucky dip!

First to emerge from all that stuff was what his label proudly announced to be a PADDY O'LLAMA! He is oh so soft and fluffy and has a very solemn quizzical expression (bit like the real ones). He is apparently suitable for anyone over 18 months so that's alright then. He has made himself right at home next to the PC (climbed all over the screen inititally but I've taught him the ground rules and he seems to have settled down nicely). He no longer has the spotty ribbon. He was a bit of a naughty llama and ate it.

Then there was YARN from Cascade (which I've never seen in LYS here) - sassy stripy sock in oil on water blue green purple colours and the new (according to the Vogue Knitting that came too) DiVE Italian soft scrummy merino, tucked cosily into an organza bag which looks green in one light and red dwon in the bottom right of the photo. A Vogue Knitting magazine which I sat down and read with a cuppa - No - I haven't got this issue, Terri - in fact I haven't bought any knitting mags for a long time (Interweave Knits must be the first I've bought in years) so it was a real treat. There are loads of sock patterns - and I'm contemplating knitting Nancy Bush's traveller's socks. And a book by one of my favourite authors: John Irving's "A Prayer for Owen Meany" not bookcrossed but I'll register it this afternoon. There was also Burt's complete hand care kit. I'm not sure who this Burt is but he's provided some neat little white gloves to wear to bed. What DH is going to say about that little caper remains to be heard. Since my hands are suffering from the gardening I've been doing lately, and are so rough they are snagging on my ISE4 scarf this is a timely and thoughtful gift. And last, but not least, there was a lovely labrador bookmark with a non edible bone attached. Hear that, my faithful hounds? NON edible. No choccies. This is because both me and you are on a diet and my secret pal is thinking of my well being. I haven't had any chocolate since JANUARY! This is an all time record. I might be forced to have just a little this weekend. Or maybe not.

A fab parcel from my Secret Pal - but if you want to send any more parcels by surface mail, honest, that's OK by me, even if it does take years to get here. I feel well and truly spoiled.

Thank you so much Terri!

Stash Enhancement!

I HAVE to boast about it on here, because there's no doubt I'll have to hide it from DH!. This is the lot in all its glory:

Isn't that just gorgeous! There should also be some Jitterbug in there - but its for my secretpal and its therefore a secret - shhhh!

Separately we have this, from Fyberspates. The last parcel in the sock club :-(

And very good value it has been. I added the eggs just because.

And this next is for the Karen's fairisle gloves knitalong that I've just joined - Just need the pattern now!

And finally we have this - a find from my lovely LYS. I've been debating and gnashing my teeth about what to knit the person who will get my scarf in the ISE4 - I've been swamped by the choice. Then I walked into Spin-a-Yarn and saw it: the lightest, softest, fan and feather scarf in this beautiful hand painted 2ply 100%merino yarn from New Zealand. (There isn't any white in it - that was just the camera). AND there should be enough for TWO scarves - ho ho. The person I'm knitting for likes wild colours...

International Scarf Exchange 4

I've never done this before - my first knit-along (well, apart from the Knitting Olympics where I just missed the deadline) and I'm soooo excited (little things please little minds). I've also joined Secret Pal 10. Am I mad? (They're coming to take me away ha ha, ho ho, he he!). I nicked the Hagar cartoon from Kate who is also on the ISE4 and I hope she doesn't mind, it's just so cool.

There are still some places left, so get on over there all you knitters! (they're taking names until they reach 200 or till March 5th, whichever is soonest!)

Secret Pal numero TEN
- I've signed up again, having had a rest for 9. Secret Pal 8 was my first experience of this wonderful internet phenomenon - and my spoilee and my spoiler were both great. Unbeknownst to us at the time, we were a little triangle: I spoiled Spinning Sue, she spoiled Yvonne, who, in turn, spoiled me. And Yvonne hit all the right buttons, she was EXACTLY right - I've never had such fantastic presents before or since. Yvonne was uncanny in her ability to pick just the thing that I would want. So I'm doing it again and hope this time will be just as good.

Oh dear. I've just read this over and realise it might be off putting for my new spoiler. I didn't mean to do that at all and I'm SURE this time will be just as good which is why I've signed up!

Here is the Secret Pal Ten questionnaire:

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I love soooooft yarns, but also hardwearing machine washable type yarns as I'm not very good at handwashing being a lazy slob. I like angora, alpaca, cashmere, wool, sock yarns, handpainted yarns, cotton yarns. I dislike 100% acrylic but am not averse to mixes. I guess that makes me a yarn snob. But I have been known to knit those funky fur scarves for pressies.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? See question 1 ref to slobbery (as opposed to snobbery!) I have a denim roll bulging at the seams with one of the ribbons missing. I also have a wooden box in the living room which holds much stash and has inserts in the top which are filled with notions and needles. There are also needles lurking in a ceramic jar by this PC. I am also not organised and need to declutter.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn?
I have been knitting since Primary School - where I was taught to knit in a craft session when i was about aged 10yrs. I didn't have the patience to finish the garter stitch owl I started. I got really interested when i was about 12 yrs old and knitted myself a bright sickly green raglan V neck jumper. Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I would say I was intermediate. 'Though since the resurgence of interest in knitting and blogging I have been learning just how much I don't know.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
My Amazon wish list is here

5. What's your favorite scent?
I like spicy smells like ginger and white musk, old hippy smells like pachouli and fruity smells like citrus or even vanilla. I'm not particularly light and flowery. Though I love the smells of nicotiana, nightstock and sweetpeas (for example) in the garden.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Yes - I looooooove chocolate. BUT I am on a (Charles Clark low carb) diet and I haven't had any sugar since January. eeek.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I like drawing, painting. I've tried my hand at quilting and patchwork and embroidery (I love recycling old fabrics) and I don't spin but it's a growing ambition that I might just take further this year.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I have pretty esoteric tastes (By that I mean noone else has ever heard of the bands I like!). I like oldies but goodies like the Beatles, Pink Floyd, The Who, King Crimson, Caravan, Gentle Giant, Frank Zappa, Neil Young, Hatfield and the North. I am going deaf so I don't listen to music that seriously any more. My DH likes Jazz and I enjoy his taste and my son (when he's staying here) listens to an eclectic mix which I also enjoy, but I rarely take note of names. Of newer music which I have taken note - off the top of my head: that wonderful song by Johnny Cash called 'Hurt', (the Nine Inch Nails song) (that really makes me well up) and Ali Farka Toure (playing with Ry Cooder on 'Talkin' Timbuktu') and I went to see Bill Bruford not that long ago and he was fantastic (but old!).

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I love greens - mossy green, wintergreen, dark greens, not bright green. I love colour blends - I like autumn colours. I'm not into bubble gum pink or pink in general, or orange or pastels either for that matter. Bleugh. But I do like dusky pinks. I have an orange, pink, blue, etc rainbow sweater that I wear if I'm in the mood - there's nowt so strange as folk.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I live with hubby in a small village on Dartmoor. Our son is 19yrs and has moved out (for the second time) to a village not far away. He hasn't any transport yet, so we still see a lot of him. I have two chocolate labradors (mum, Tilly and son, Syd).

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I don't wear ponchos. I wore them the first time around and remember them well. I wear all the other items and sometimes even at the same time.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I'm not very in to lace, but I love fair isles and traditional knitting like ganseys. I've recently discovered that it's very nice to finish something small and quick - so I've got into socks (I'm participating in the sockamonth challenge) and hats and scarves and, yay, even dishcloths!

13. What are you knitting right now?
Oh dear. a list of WIPS you ask? I am knitting: a pair of socks, a fun fur scarf, a huuuuge stashbusting long term kaffefasset tumbling blocks bedcover project, a peg bag knitted out of plastic bags, a child's moss stitch jumper, another child's aran jumper and an aran jumper out of yarn I was bought for Christmas. I think that's all. (there's also an old UFO lurking in the attic somewhere but out of sight out of mind).

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Certainly do! mmm.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I like any needles. If I knit with straight needles I like em to be long as I knit with the right one tucked under my arm. But honest, I'm not fussy. I don't particularly like the old fashioned grey plastic you used to get once upon a time. I found them too bendy and lightweight, as well as boring to look at.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
I've got a yarn winder somewhere.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
Now you're asking. As I said for q.13 I think there's a UFO in the attic which is (whispers) round about 18years old!!!!

18. What is your favorite holiday? See my blog for details of Thailand and walking the South West Coast Path last year.

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Not really - I have lots of knitting books, I guess, especially ones on traditional knitting techniques and patterns. But I need to declutter - I've got 'Life Laundry' on my Mount Toobie (read).

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I subscribe to an Art magazine but I'm hinting to my sister that I want a sub. to Interweave. I've put some books on the Amazon list. I'd like the all in one EZ pattern for a baby by Elizabeth Zimmerman.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Always. I was reading about some complicated technique for mulitcoloured mittens by Yarn Harlot the other day. Wow. And I haven't learnt long tailed cast on yet. And I'm trying to teach myself continental knitting so I can do fair isle easier. And I'd like to try this modular knitting I've read so much about. And, of cours,e, spinning and dying - not done that yet. And I've never yet blocked anything. There - now that WAS a confession! So, there are loads of techniques I'd like to learn and I'm sure there's more to find out that I'm not even aware I don't know yet (IYKWIM!).

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes I'm a sock knitter and my foot measures 9" around the ball of my foot and 10 1/4 " in length. I'm (UK) size 7, continental size 41

23. When is your birthday?
Ages away - November 10th with a sting in my tail. I will be a big round figure this year :-)