TV that I can't stop watching

I just can't help myself there is new seasons starting all over the place but there is one this two things that I Just can't stop watching, 1) A new show from the States called Hart of Dixie about a New York doctor who finds out that her real father has left her a surgery in the back of beyond of America.



On the UK TV there doesn't seem to be much apart from them re-showing The Midwives on the Iplayer, which is well worth the watch, I throughly enjoyed it when it was on even though there is only about 6 or 8 episodes.


 
Then there is Mrs Browns Boys a show that has you in stitches every time you watch it, its a family in Ireland and their shenanigans.



and of course there is Castle,which is always fabulous although I wish they would bring the relationship forward, I'm not sure how much I can stand of Castle and Beckett swooning at each other and not getting together, let's just hope in the next season they will get married and we can have renditions of Hart to Hart where Martha can play Max and Esposito and Ryan can be a space age version of Freeway where he has a split personality! Now I'd pay to see that!

Catch-up

Well, now that I'm ready to blog about it, I went in for my driving test and it was worse than giving birth! 11 minors and 2 or 3 majors and I really don't think that he was going to pass me anyway just because I think he filled up his quota for the day, anyway I have booked it again but it is a way off so at least I know what I'm doing now!

As for my crafty stuff, I know I said I wouldn't but I started something....okay two things that are new but on the bonus side I have not given up hope on the Harry Potter blanket and in the last week or so I have done three squares and  tidying up of the ends, so that's not so bad.

New Projects:
1) A summer hat for the little one but ran out of yarn and have to wait till I get some more, I just hope there is some at the LYS otherwise I will be gutted.

2) A blanket using the chunky yarn that was supposed to be for my house jacket but I decided that it wasn't going to work for me.

I'm also looking at my next hat project for RAK (Random act of Kindness) I think I'm on hat D, so I'm scouting around for that.

So wish me luck for the finishing of the hat at least ;)

One Man Jumper Finished

So after numerous times of running out of wool, it is finally finished

Yarn used Bergere De France, Jaspee Calcao Needles used 4mm 5mm Time taken: Forever!

Sustaining your addiction

Where to buy the yarn

The Wool Baa - The most diverse wool shop in sheffield, with Artesano and Stylecraft and staff who know what they are talking about.
The Wool Baa 
83 Junction Rd
Sheffield S11 8XA
United Kingdom
0114 266 6262

 Matthews Wool Shop - A grand shop with some great patterns and a wide selection of nice wool, one of the oldest wool shops in Sheffield.

 No website.

58 Bellhouse Road

Sheffield S5 6HN

 0114 243 8149

Atkinsons - Sells reasonably cheap yarns so if you are on a budget all you need to get a whole load of Hayfield Bonus.

Atkinson's

78-82 The Moor

Sheffield S1 3LT

0114 2768811

 Dun Elm Mill - There isn't much of a selection but good value. The main brand is Patons

Dun Elm Mill

17 Guernsey Road

Sheffield S2 4HG

0114 2508800

Internet shops
Deramores
InToKnit
Laughing Hens

Free Patterns

• Lion Brand - American Brand of yarn with a large database of knitting and crochet.
• Rowan - UK Brand with a larger knitting pattern database than the crochet. 
• Berrocco - An American company with patterns that look European.
• Craftster - An online community with patterns galore...and not just knitting.
• Ravelry - The biggest community that I know of knitters and crocheters.
• Planet June - British crocheter, who is a very talented lady.
• Purplelinda Crafts - Mainly deals with crochet but really good all rounder for knitting too.
• InToKnit - Best place to get Bergere De France and they have some nice free patterns.
• Crochet Spot - Run by Rachel, another talented crocheter.
• Annie's Attic - Lots of publications in the States, but so many gorgeous blankets/afghans
•  WHO DO YOU SUGGEST?

Publications

Knitting with confidence: Cast on

How-to cast on

Make your slip knot and place it onto the left needle (red). Hold the end of the yarn in the opposite hand to your working yarn and place the right needle (yellow) behind the left needle, in the slip knot.

Pass the yarn from the left hand side over the right hand needle (yellow) from the back, around to the front.

Holding the working yarn, bring the yarn through the front, so your right hand needle (yellow) is looking like it has another stitch.

Bring it back to the right hand side.

The stitch is now ready to be put onto the left hand needle (red). Pull the right hand needle (yellow) out.

You have now done your first lot of stitch.

Now you have done the stitch.

Now place your right hand needle (yellow) in between the two stitches

This is how it should look.

Bring  your working yarn from the back of the right needle (yellow) to the front.

Get the needles so it is making a pointy 'n', with what looks like two stitches on the left hand needle (red) and one on the right hand needle (yellow).

Put it back onto the left hand needle (red), remove the right hand needle (yellow)

This is how it should look. Yippee, you did it :D

To help you along the way, a knitting tutorial, your first slip stitch

Terminology that I will use:

yarn - this can apply to all from wool to acrylic.

Working yarn - the yarn that you will use, as you knit.

Hold the end of the yarn in your hand.

Whatever hand you are using make sure your ball of yarn is on your working side/the side where it doesn't move across your work so it gets tangled.

 

Place the yarn between your thumb and your second finger, so that the yarn is over your first finger.

Wrap the yarn around the finger (not too tight, you don't want to cut off your circulation) So that it crosses over your first finger.

Holding onto the cross that you have made, pull the yarn from the front of your finger, underneath the  circle you have made, and pull it through.

Holding the yarn that you have pulled through, you let go of the hoop, hold onto the end and pull the hoop at the top.

There you have done a slip stitch, you can use this to start your knitting or your crochet. 

So what are you doing?

well, my life has seemed to gotten away from me again! I have been busy making, mainly for the countless parties that a 5 year old goes to.

The purdy cats

Grrr Arrrggg, you know this isn't Mutant Enemy productions

I have however made a trip to Glossop to go to Skeins where I picked up a georgous hand dyed skein that will one day be a shawl made with filet crochet - when I have learnt the stitch, that will come later, it will be a special treat after I have passed my theory driving, yes I know it's been a while, I should of done it when I was younger but you know what? I'm doing it now and I'm going to go all o'er, see the family in London. and Somerset and I will be sorted. So these are all the things I will be learning when it's done ;) Oh I also want to learn Bavarian crochet, it looks so cool :)

The things that I have learnt

1. Broomstick Lace
2. Curly hair for a doll
3. Tunisian crochet, aka Afghan stitch

That should all keep me busy for a while :)