tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40138173282262797132024-03-05T19:57:07.291+00:00The northern monkey knits and nattersNorthern Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059593216678474068noreply@blogger.comBlogger171125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4013817328226279713.post-92140315754819041792013-09-05T15:53:00.000+01:002013-09-05T15:53:50.174+01:00Something new...Actually this is not a new project but I don't believe I blogged about it when I started it (whenever that might have been as I didn't log it on Ravelry either!) but it is a new technique for me. Stranded colourwork. I have been wittering on about having a proper go at this for ages (I've knit mini Christmas stockings in the past but so tiny they hardly even count) and I think it has been on my knitting resolutions list since I started knitting. Still I've avoided it until now. I had two balls of K1 Yarns Scappa purchased when we were in <a href="http://northernmonkeyknits.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/little-trip-away-in-celebration.html">Edinburgh in March 2011</a> purchased with colourwork in mind and at some point I purchased the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/manzanita-tam">Manzanita Tam pattern</a> as it allegedly uses the amount of yarn I have, we'll see! I don't expect it to be fabulous and it's slow going but I'm doing it and I will get there.
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/9677558787/" title="Untitled by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7443/9677558787_9a105bdb03_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a></center>
I made yet another yarny purchase, I know I know...supposed to be banned. Lovely squishy hand dyed BFL yarn from the lovely Kirsty at <a href="http://www.wharfedalewoolworks.etsy.com">Wharefdale Woolworks</a> this is to make a winter hat for the lovely mini monkey girl. I haven't forgotten her cardigan by the way...just got temporarily distracted by other things! I'll finish it I promise.
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/9677560037/" title="Untitled by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2829/9677560037_a0978cb758_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a></center>
The little monkey has been doing her own creating as Mr.Monkey bought her an Aquadoodle on a very cheap offer from Amazon. She does use pens and paints but it's nice to have something mess free as well, particularly for visiting family who may be less impressed by her drawing on things other than paper (she's pretty good but we have had some pen on the carpet, it all washed off though)
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/9680797786/" title="Untitled by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2817/9680797786_5b281f5dd8_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Untitled"></a></center>
My mum has been continuing excellent grandma duties and churning out cardigans at an enviable rate, the latest was worn on a recent trip to visit Mr.Monkey's Nain in North Wales, mini monkey is a big fan of the garden but not so great at cardigan modelling (well I think she looks great but it doesn't exactly show off the knitting!)
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/9680894276/" title="Untitled by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7421/9680894276_a6d166cfaa_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Untitled"></a></center>
That's about it from me. I've had a miserable ear infection recently that has kept me off work but I think I'm just about on the mend all be it with vastly reduced hearing in one ear...supposed to be going to a concert on Saturday which is going to be interesting if I can't hear in one ear but never mind. I'm just glad to not be in the horrible pain I was in with it initially. I am trying to plan some holiday knitting for a trip away we have coming up but perhaps I should only take the cardigan and focus for a bit. See you soon :)Northern Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059593216678474068noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4013817328226279713.post-35679829957772691082013-08-18T20:41:00.001+01:002013-08-18T20:41:38.198+01:00A woolly purchaseToday I made my first woolly purchase in nearly two years! Yep I've not bought yarn (for me, I bought some as a gift for my mum) since late 2011, unbelievable. I couldn't resist today though. It was not so much the wool as it's nothing fancy but a pattern that has gotten itself into my head and I just can't shake it. <div><br></div><div>Lovely green King Cole merino blend DK. I really rare this range of yarns. They're budget friendly but still natural fibres and they wash really well and come in a huge range of colours. Budget friendly and machine washable are key at the moment though as this is for a garment for the always mucky and rapidly growing Abigail. I'm not saying she's not worth expensive hand wash only yarn, she totally is, I'd just rather wait until I have time for hand washing (so never then) and when covered in food, mud and paint aren't a constant probability.</div><div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheu2eR-kp9Q6Kb6CeGLBBFJT-uqlmNwLfNIIduPxkjRhSUId6T5us7UN0MCEwTAIuuxoSh8333c-StlR7bjdq_qwgRUmaFkbzZtcHBHayHzXvb1OdmeX1bdkc7ycXaMretJPGWZMqlYH5L/s640/blogger-image--1754436793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheu2eR-kp9Q6Kb6CeGLBBFJT-uqlmNwLfNIIduPxkjRhSUId6T5us7UN0MCEwTAIuuxoSh8333c-StlR7bjdq_qwgRUmaFkbzZtcHBHayHzXvb1OdmeX1bdkc7ycXaMretJPGWZMqlYH5L/s640/blogger-image--1754436793.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div><div>I'll keep the pattern itself under my hat for now but I am excited...just have to finish my current knitting project first.</div><div><br></div><div>The current project is progressing, slowly but progressing. I do expect to finish it before she outgrows it. I have a back, a front and very nearly a second front. Only sleeves, button bands and making up to do.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWAzrYeUfbxltSzaQHSkZCejr1-yXhZ_V7NWvA8mxiLBKbPF0X5aCnmWZ_vpF4s6anELQwrZzLokhoSIPar1wL4_Ew4t-5BKUH3LiqY3hzGK5T_wbjlwa6CIdM4AlN_ZIUyEdXYXa1VY8/s640/blogger-image--133495655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWAzrYeUfbxltSzaQHSkZCejr1-yXhZ_V7NWvA8mxiLBKbPF0X5aCnmWZ_vpF4s6anELQwrZzLokhoSIPar1wL4_Ew4t-5BKUH3LiqY3hzGK5T_wbjlwa6CIdM4AlN_ZIUyEdXYXa1VY8/s640/blogger-image--133495655.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>One thing I will tell you about the pattern that drove me to a yarny purchase...it's knit in one piece to the underarms then sleeves in the round and all joined together. Making up can bite me, I'm already dreading it for this cardi :-/</div><div><br></div><div>I do have a few days off work coming up with little miss still going to nursery so I can catch up on a few jobs round the house so I am hoping to fit in some crafting between jobs...fingers crossed.</div><div><br></div><div>Have a lovely week everyone x</div><div><br></div><div>Bonus cute baby pic, the cardigan is a grandma special, this nap is to thank for my nearly finished second front :-)</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ij2WujEOTSguNcUHJdx5dpZkTWYT13bZl_RrsbHIvI82EQrrTwsYPijF0F7cDoj0hbboo-bqrLCPdvOSujUjpMfk7_4vKF4EqBPceEnNc4qMGkcrRyO4IkoA0Wu4SpXv-cIlDWXxCzGR/s640/blogger-image--146120503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ij2WujEOTSguNcUHJdx5dpZkTWYT13bZl_RrsbHIvI82EQrrTwsYPijF0F7cDoj0hbboo-bqrLCPdvOSujUjpMfk7_4vKF4EqBPceEnNc4qMGkcrRyO4IkoA0Wu4SpXv-cIlDWXxCzGR/s640/blogger-image--146120503.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div>Northern Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059593216678474068noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4013817328226279713.post-23162107278033712672013-08-13T12:56:00.004+01:002013-08-13T19:26:00.782+01:00She sews too...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
So I am generally the world's worst blogger and have been for two years now as this Friday marks two years since I found out I was pregnant and my brain instantly turned to mush! I read a lot of parenting blogs or blogs by parents of babies and toddlers, plenty of them younger than mine, some with multiple babies and toddlers and I can't help wondering how they do it and where they find the time. It's possible (likely) they got the type of child who sleeps though meaning they may be able to grab moments to knit/sew/blog. I got the type of child who still strongly believes that sleep is for the weak and is to be fought tooth and nail and all other wakeing moments are to be spent on the go meaning the times she is asleep I am far too tired to even consider crafting or blogging. Sigh.</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I do however have some crafts to share. It's not knitting but it is something I have made, hurrah! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As I'm sure you're aware these little monkeys come with quite a bit of added stuff to carry around. Nappies, snacks, drinks, spare clothes, toys...all that. For my shame as someone who tries not to overload on "stuff" I have had two changing bags (plus one that came free with joining the Boots parenting club) and neither really fit the bill. Both were/are good in their own way but both were very definitely made for hanging off the back of a buggy which is fine...if you use a buggy. However this is my little monkey's preferred mode of transport (by the way rocking another lovingly handknit cardigan from grandma - my mum)</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOlNoKZWaLyDHJsm7q7at5cgzWe6USAni5aBtqdPD7V0gJQeNCm68LEEwJSSKbe6qA6TeD2J_msr6pyniujC8uRAV7hsxElx7LQULl4kdgWgZhStgRvzagnx37YmaOG_mfrmvvY0J5sacz/s1600/slinging.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOlNoKZWaLyDHJsm7q7at5cgzWe6USAni5aBtqdPD7V0gJQeNCm68LEEwJSSKbe6qA6TeD2J_msr6pyniujC8uRAV7hsxElx7LQULl4kdgWgZhStgRvzagnx37YmaOG_mfrmvvY0J5sacz/s1600/slinging.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ksa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOlNoKZWaLyDHJsm7q7at5cgzWe6USAni5aBtqdPD7V0gJQeNCm68LEEwJSSKbe6qA6TeD2J_msr6pyniujC8uRAV7hsxElx7LQULl4kdgWgZhStgRvzagnx37YmaOG_mfrmvvY0J5sacz/s320/slinging.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
So I turned to the internet and <a href="http://geekysweetheart.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/tutorial-and-pattern-wrap-strap-bag.html">this tutorial from Geeky Sweetheart</a> and got my sewing machine out. This was serious stuff. A bag with lining...and a zip! So far my sewing machine adventures have been limited to a laundry bag, a skirt made from two rectangles, a very basic curtain and a little stuffed toy for a friend. It was fine though. I managed to follow the pattern, I bossed using that zipper foot and now I have a bag with straps that can be worn either across the body or threaded through little hoops to make a backpack. It's great.</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQet3-0bpZiCnozstF4bm19T7pozZ2qOedx9ki1a2KArP1D05TeP-59W2zsF_Di6NDmNSj9YbqXTgvA8Dg4JTFlmxiqMB1QpnUf63bzaO_ETHQ46cuhmPDXel2yjTzR8uyI9mdwSHe2ggJ/s1600/sewing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ksa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQet3-0bpZiCnozstF4bm19T7pozZ2qOedx9ki1a2KArP1D05TeP-59W2zsF_Di6NDmNSj9YbqXTgvA8Dg4JTFlmxiqMB1QpnUf63bzaO_ETHQ46cuhmPDXel2yjTzR8uyI9mdwSHe2ggJ/s320/sewing.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2HYLlwVd3VOpfUHa1ah7gom9WvK14AjA-adfDZ7F7F3PUbBdVOQ7-H0szOmtUvc0I_-Y-540c33cRZsXcJ8lxznZ4E3mmE1IWajsMuUGRoDqEbYb_YTnq8mRcGgvHNODVcUUx4TSkaEC/s1600/sewnbag.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ksa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2HYLlwVd3VOpfUHa1ah7gom9WvK14AjA-adfDZ7F7F3PUbBdVOQ7-H0szOmtUvc0I_-Y-540c33cRZsXcJ8lxznZ4E3mmE1IWajsMuUGRoDqEbYb_YTnq8mRcGgvHNODVcUUx4TSkaEC/s320/sewnbag.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
I mostly use it if I'm out alone and it's big enough for all her essentials (no mean feat as we use cloth nappies that do take up a fair bit more room than the disposable ones) plus my purse and phone. It's comfortable to carry as a backpack or if I'm carrying her on my back the strap is soft and lies flat with no buckles so it can be tied over her with no issue (understandably she doesn't like heavy or buckled straps being over her!) If Mr NM is with me we take his manbag and just throw the baby related stuff in there and one of us carries that whilst the other carries baby monkey. It works for us anyway. Also most yarn shops and little trinket shops (my favourite type of shops) really aren't pram/pushchair/buggy friendly so carrying works well for us. She's walking now though...scary stuff! </div>
<div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
OK so obligatory cute baby picture with her sitting on another handmade item, not by me though! My great-uncle made me this chair when I was little. It's lovely that now she's getting to use it (and she's very fond of her special chair)</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJAa0mn51eZHv91pgYkIUvB3D8c0NKmIRUGU34cCvqAUKCetrR_NJulRujPZz1YVE2HSJi5FGcR2_04IfnHKFOF1wfoW9DkztTzu7NBuAIAPFJmsScFu-RurPmgPbxuGQ4lum6YltSjA3r/s1600/eatingyog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ksa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJAa0mn51eZHv91pgYkIUvB3D8c0NKmIRUGU34cCvqAUKCetrR_NJulRujPZz1YVE2HSJi5FGcR2_04IfnHKFOF1wfoW9DkztTzu7NBuAIAPFJmsScFu-RurPmgPbxuGQ4lum6YltSjA3r/s320/eatingyog.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
And finally...some crafting by the little monkey herself! A painting she did at nursery...ahhh! She loves painting and drawing and I'm rather excited to start collecting all her little pieces of artwork though I know long term I probably can't keep all of them. For now though I will get very excited over them and display them proudly on our boiler (the highest metal object we can attach them to with magnets, our fridge and freezer are both under counter so if I put it on there she'd pull it off). <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHssKy01YKb5RL3O4lx9LVmin0Z1_h9Rx0zVM47xtpSLMtam3pwxWbgEarg4IFS9guVPMdFlxdn-no5CPqfFmAdqHOib78vwARSRq_dvPHp-SZsWfxfY_5CcCF2M9pld64QcSaubYFDRn/s1600/painting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ksa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHssKy01YKb5RL3O4lx9LVmin0Z1_h9Rx0zVM47xtpSLMtam3pwxWbgEarg4IFS9guVPMdFlxdn-no5CPqfFmAdqHOib78vwARSRq_dvPHp-SZsWfxfY_5CcCF2M9pld64QcSaubYFDRn/s320/painting.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I am going to try to blog more (I know I've said that before!) and I think the answer for me is to worry less about whether I have craft projects and knitting to show off and to blog more about all the other things we do. It will be nice to have some record. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
Northern Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059593216678474068noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4013817328226279713.post-78676013104405243862013-05-29T21:02:00.001+01:002013-05-29T21:02:10.234+01:00When mummy can't knit ask grandma...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Various life events have rather gotten in the way of my knitting time, boo hiss and all that. The cardigan is progressing oh so slowly and we are a front and a half and two sleeves from an FO post. Oh dear.<br />
<br />
It's ok though, Abigail is not going cold and handknit-less. Oh no. Never in this family! We are good Yorkshire women, we all knit and where I have failed Grandma stepped in. Another gorgeous little cardigan using Sirdar Crofter Snuggly...you wouldn't think this was an acrylic/nylon yarn, it's sooooo soft and as the name suggests snuggly. The bonus is being acrylic/nylon it washes well and can take a beating, essential where babies are concerned...especially babies rapidly turning into toddlers who are into everything and making messes! This is the third of this cardigan Abigail has had, the first was in a pink, yellow and cream Crofter, the second in the lilac, white and blue and this in my most favourite (and my mum's!) GREEN (with some blue, cream and brown) Hurrah! Also green is just gorgeous with her beautiful ginger hair. I must steam iron that bottom edging so it lies flat but my mum handed it over today and I couldn't wait to get it on her.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5449/8882434584_cc0ab2dec3_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5449/8882434584_cc0ab2dec3_z.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5461/8882436430_b25ccc9d3c_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5461/8882436430_b25ccc9d3c_z.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Ahh cute baby pics...my lack of posts and my own knitting is forgiven with cute baby pics surely? </div>
Northern Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059593216678474068noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4013817328226279713.post-3017138315081099552013-04-11T10:00:00.001+01:002013-04-11T10:06:04.972+01:00I'm back!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So a little someone has rather got in the way of my knitting over the last nearly 12 months. I've knit practically nothing, shocking when I have an adorable little person to knit for but there you go. <br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
I am not sure how often I'll be blogging or how many WIPs will be turning into FOs but I am going to give it a bash, especially as I am back at work and can attempt to knit in my lunch breaks. </div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
My current WIP is for my little monkey. A new cardigan that I'm really hoping to finish for her birthday in two weeks...hopefully it won't go the way of the cardigan I was knitting this time lady year and be finished in about July! I am almost done with the back and it's a quick and simple pattern to ease me back to my needles.</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9q7q7O5uhN-DiG_yepi9Vb-CeP_FfNc3i77gmeQExuX3borv4TeP_1kfhBEaRAFlYuWw3JPzWODFCE9xU4XKMsHx8ryP7IwFGQA7OKre4TCHemCfK3U3dBTVt-uVHq2p0FsFtey-DP7EI/s640/blogger-image--1936193952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9q7q7O5uhN-DiG_yepi9Vb-CeP_FfNc3i77gmeQExuX3borv4TeP_1kfhBEaRAFlYuWw3JPzWODFCE9xU4XKMsHx8ryP7IwFGQA7OKre4TCHemCfK3U3dBTVt-uVHq2p0FsFtey-DP7EI/s640/blogger-image--1936193952.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Also a gratuitous baby picture showing how she tries to thwart my knitting attempts with acts of terror such as chewing on tape measures! (Cardigan by grandma who has been stepping in with knitting whilst my brain has been steeped in baby fog)</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAttMB2gQCWTIlz27XiJgpuQtv9xZ-BIx-cnx82zfWrnjb1jUfdc0QDmBl2546HTjFH0FLhe1B0tyHU9lpiJyzu8JTCAw_QLXXYlt_bFkRSM_8eTYhMeM2zVAEMP9Xvodz76xeQ0lUFX1/s640/blogger-image--1414920825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAttMB2gQCWTIlz27XiJgpuQtv9xZ-BIx-cnx82zfWrnjb1jUfdc0QDmBl2546HTjFH0FLhe1B0tyHU9lpiJyzu8JTCAw_QLXXYlt_bFkRSM_8eTYhMeM2zVAEMP9Xvodz76xeQ0lUFX1/s640/blogger-image--1414920825.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Anyway I will try to blog and knit and get back in the swing of it, she has to see me knitting if I want her to take it up right?! :-) </div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
Northern Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059593216678474068noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4013817328226279713.post-81451228978142139212012-08-19T15:13:00.001+01:002012-08-19T15:14:11.737+01:00Wow...a finished project!As I'm sure you can imagine I don't get much knitting time these days and even less time to write about it! Still the magic of technology and the blogger app mean I've managed to get a picture of my latest FO and can make a quick post about it.<br />
<br />
This took forever to knit as I kept picking it up and putting it down again and then when I'd planned to finish it on my maternity leave I had only the sleeve, button bands and making up to go and it was the night before my due date...well Abigail decided to scupper my plans and be one of 5% of babies born on her due date.<br />
<br />
It has taken me the last 16 weeks to find the time to finish it off! Still it was done and fortunately it does still fit and will for a little while.<br />
<br />
I may not have much knitting time but I have an adorable model!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuay8jpoJDxWM3FQ2F-9EOX5HYNYbdPKwkJv3TLwvnyeBCFis-vsKFHJSIRh1YAbbDwocU2Ar6-dmiM1VYHlU-PtCDYaCL5CeqgEGBVcKKXuILSa9Gn_Ye7j4KLDFxqxEVTEgjA7CIrh0/s640/blogger-image-1967252690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuay8jpoJDxWM3FQ2F-9EOX5HYNYbdPKwkJv3TLwvnyeBCFis-vsKFHJSIRh1YAbbDwocU2Ar6-dmiM1VYHlU-PtCDYaCL5CeqgEGBVcKKXuILSa9Gn_Ye7j4KLDFxqxEVTEgjA7CIrh0/s640/blogger-image-1967252690.jpg" /></a></div>Northern Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059593216678474068noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4013817328226279713.post-27133094505202422672012-05-31T11:07:00.001+01:002012-05-31T11:07:28.133+01:005 weeksAbigail is now 5 weeks old, in those five weeks I've knit one row...she's worth it though and my knitting family and friends are making up for my lack of knitting time by knitting for her in my place! It has been a bit warm for woollens lately though!
<centre><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/noodleparty/7300648246/" title="P1010596 by NoodleParty, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8150/7300648246_39e9592755.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="P1010596"></a></centre>Northern Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059593216678474068noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4013817328226279713.post-53628816471128601102012-04-25T18:33:00.001+01:002012-04-25T18:34:14.023+01:00The best laid plansMy knitting & crochet blog week plans were interrupted by the most amazing thing ever, I don't regret that I didn't get any further than day one.<br />
<br />
Welcome to the world Abigail Emily and well done for showing remarkable punctuality and joining me in being one of the 5%ish of babies born on their due date.<br />
<br />
She arrived Tuesday evening weighing 7lbs 9oz and is the most perfect and precious little thing ever. I wonder if I'll find time to finish her cabled cardi before she's too big for it!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_2SSGpFazgHQ9S3cL3kGyei_raaKdW1TyNF5mcK_Mah1iHYVPjroYG7Ch41D715I9jIL_F2CKFKFbCVwOAgcXJRDy9Xzat0oAPZQh8Y8jDDlyGjNE4oHVAUSNn6PIvRsCHfE7KkU18HT/s640/blogger-image-1907979881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_2SSGpFazgHQ9S3cL3kGyei_raaKdW1TyNF5mcK_Mah1iHYVPjroYG7Ch41D715I9jIL_F2CKFKFbCVwOAgcXJRDy9Xzat0oAPZQh8Y8jDDlyGjNE4oHVAUSNn6PIvRsCHfE7KkU18HT/s640/blogger-image-1907979881.jpg" /></a></div>Northern Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059593216678474068noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4013817328226279713.post-51854267028985266822012-04-23T11:59:00.000+01:002012-04-23T12:00:24.358+01:003KCBWDAY1 - Colour Lovers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i>Colour is one of our greatest expressions of ourselves when we choose to knit or crochet, so how do you choose what colours you buy and crochet or knit with. Have a look through your stash and see if there is a predominance of one colour. Do the same with your finished projects - do they match? Do you love a rainbow of bright hues, or more subdued tones. How much attention do you pay to the original colour that a garment is knit in when you see a pattern? Tell readers about your love or confusion over colour.</i><br />
<br />
Anyone who knows me or who has read my blog before will know I am rather a lover of one colour in particular, I just can't get enough green. Pretty much any shade will do, I love it. It's not just in my knitting, my wardrobe also contains more than it's fair share of green and it's the colour we chose to paint the baby's room (fortunately my husband shares a fondness for the colour though perhaps not such a strong one as me).
I did have to think if there were other colours that I tended to be drawn towards so I got out my sock and laceweight stash. Sock and laceweight yarn purchases tend to be my impulse buys so it's here where any clear preference for one colour would show the most. It did and it's not just green. It's a combination of green, purple and shades of blue that are tinged with green and purple.
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/7105658715/" title="Colour lovers by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img alt="Colour lovers" height="480" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8153/7105658715_90e7e8905c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><center><br /></center>
It's there on my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/NorthernMonkey">ravelry project page</a> as well. Even where the dominant colours in the yarn are not green or purple there is almost always some of one or the other hiding in there as well. Also looking through my projects those not in shades of green and purple are almost always things I've knit as gifts! I need to start branching out more, I do appreciate other colours, honest :)<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Clearly I am obsessed with green and purple! They do look rather lovely together though, don't you think? Now it's off to google 3KCBWDAY1 to see what other bloggers have to say about their love of colour.</div>
</div>Northern Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059593216678474068noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4013817328226279713.post-1001385909280831402012-04-22T19:23:00.002+01:002012-04-22T19:23:44.580+01:00The race against the clockI'm very much on the home stretch where the baby is concerned now. Officially Baby NM is due on Tuesday so we'll see whether they follow my very punctual and unusual lead and arrive on that date (which seems unlikely but my darling mother keeps saying "well you were born on your due date so your baby will be" I'm not sure it works like that!) or if it takes after daddy and decides to give it another two weeks. Somewhere in between those would suit me just fine!<p>
I want somewhere in between because I am still racing to get things finished before he or she does arrive. You'd think two weeks of maternity leave would mean all my knitting is finished up but it turns out that even when I'm not at work I still seem to have eleventy million things to do and knitting it still largely reserved for the evenings. Also my attention span hasn't made a reappearance so my knitting concentration levels just aren't there. Still, I'm getting there.
First, the little plain stockinette cardigan knit in some Regia sock yarn is finished. Buttons were purchased and I'm very pleased with how it has turned out.
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/7102822353/" title="Untitled by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7181/7102822353_538fe73ea1_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/6956748140/" title="Untitled by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7119/6956748140_4881f1ac00_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/6956744490/" title="Untitled by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8003/6956744490_737e8a5985_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a></center>
Gentle blocking before sewing did make that easier and I used mattress stitch but it's still a bit wonky in places where in spite of counting and measuring things didn't quite seem to go together. Still it's definitely cardigan shaped and I'm pretty sure the baby wont care about my wonky sewing!<p>
I also have one finished sock to match but have yet to cast on the second.<p><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/6956756176/" title="Untitled by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7070/6956756176_d5a5078e86_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a></center><p>
Also less finished but definitely getting there is the cabled cardigan. Whilst the back seemed to take an age to finish I actually flew through the left front and the first sleeve. I am hoping to finish the right front tomorrow and then knit the other sleeve and do the button bands. The pattern is for either a hooded or a collared cardigan, I'm going to go for a collar as I can't imagine the hood being that useful or staying up particularly well. Also I have higher chances of finishing the collared version!
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/7102811311/" title="Untitled by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8157/7102811311_cd468d2835_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/6956739210/" title="Untitled by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7242/6956739210_a46edd81c1_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/7102801923/" title="Untitled by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7096/7102801923_d9b525e2c0_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a></center><p>
This cardigan is actually 0-6 months size so I'm hoping will fit a little longer than the first two I knit which are both 0-3 but we'll see. I still have lots of baby yarn in my stash which I may donate to my mother along with some patterns and beg of some pretty little knits whilst I don't have time to knit any! We'll see though.<p>
I have other good news, I found my button tin! <p>
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/6956758824/" title="Untitled by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8019/6956758824_27347eb99c_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a></center><p>
Hurrah! This means I have a choice of buttons for the little cabled cardigan when it's finished. I don't have a lot of choice as my button tin isn't exactly overflowing with buttons that go with the yarn I'm using but I do have two choices to go with. I am very fond of the little wooden buttons but at the same time think if I don't use the little white ducks I'm not sure what else I would use them on. Also Mr.NM is a great fan of the little white ducks so perhaps I'll use those because they're his favourite and as supportive as he is of my knitting habit he rarely expresses much of an opinion one way or another on my yarn and button choices! Decisions decisions...<p>
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/7102792969/" title="Untitled by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8010/7102792969_c8ae7d923d_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Untitled"></a></center><p>
So I'm racing to get the cardigan and second sock done, I expect to win so had better get cracking! I'm also going to give Knitting and Crochet Blog week a good go. I think that having something to focus on daily that is unrelated to wondering if the baby will come or not can only be a good thing and will be a distraction for me. I just need to attempt to engage my brain and be a bit creative which I'm not entirely sure I'm capable of! I'll give it my best shot though :)Northern Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059593216678474068noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4013817328226279713.post-54683616639469922092012-04-13T14:23:00.002+01:002012-04-13T14:23:29.217+01:00Almost but not quiteSo the little cardigan is almost finished, but not quite.
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/6927521864/" title="Untitled by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7238/6927521864_40c841225d_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Untitled"></a></center>
I do like to block the pieces before sewing together garments, it makes the edges straighter and not curled up so makes the sewing easier. I'm really pleased with how this has turned out and the yarn has gone lovely and soft after it's gentle wash. It's machine washable as well so baby friendly I hope!
<p>
Why is it not quite finished you ask? I mean it looks quite finished, the seams are all sewn, the neckband knit but something is missing. Something important.<p>
Remember I moved house recently? Well my button tin (which I can't find a picture of, annoying as I was sure I had one, it's red with white polka dots on and came from Cath Kidston) has done a disappearing act in the move. All the boxes are unpacked, my yarn stash is all together, I have my WIP basket as well but no button tin. It's nowhere to be seen. ARGH. In an attempt to encourage a reappearance I ordered some more buttons from ebay but I am rather annoyed that I can't find my button in. So...no FO post yet, sorry.Northern Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059593216678474068noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4013817328226279713.post-37576930102434561952012-04-11T10:53:00.001+01:002012-04-11T10:53:03.754+01:00The end is in sightFor the first time in ages (since late January according to my Ravelry project page, oh dear!) the end is in sight on a project and I'm definitely going to get it finished. Wow! Pregnancy really has not agreed with my knitting mojo I must say. I've been tired and easily distracted and really haven't been able to focus on knitting. Terrible when there are so many adorable baby things to be knit but that's the way it has been. Obviously throwing a house move in there didn't help much either! That said, I can see the finishing line on the striped baby cardigan, hurrah!
I finished most of the knitting last night (the neckband still needs knitting) and gave it a little rinse and pin out to make it easier to sew together. I'm just waiting for it to finish drying now so I can do the making up. I didn't make much effort to get the stripes to match up but it's pretty close in places which is nice, I suppose I'll see how it looks when it's finished.
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/7067089959/" title="Untitled by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5330/7067089959_3b32f86cb6_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a></center>
Whilst waiting for the pieces of cardigan to dry I decided to cast on a little pair of matching socks because every baby needs their socks and cardigan to match! Also I still had lots of yarn left and the baby already has a lot of hats thanks to knitting and crocheting friends so I didn't plan to do another (though might if I still have yarn left after the socks)
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/6921011056/" title="Untitled by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7252/6921011056_d795e1734f_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Untitled"></a></center>
I do still have that cabled baby cardigan to knit on but have fallen out of love with the knitting. I'm hoping that being on maternity leave with lots of time to fill I'll get back on track with it. The baby is technically due in two weeks but I expect I'll have longer than that to entertain myself before motherhood takes over. In the meantime I'm resting as much as possible, knitting as much as my fuzzy brain allows and eating toast with jam!
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/6921016986/" title="Untitled by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5155/6921016986_1bf87af639_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Untitled"></a></center>Northern Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059593216678474068noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4013817328226279713.post-76100705297089520052012-04-02T10:10:00.001+01:002012-04-02T10:13:15.570+01:00An enjoyable weekend<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I actually took pictures of some of my activities this weekend, amazing! OK so I took them with my phone and not my proper camera but it’s better than nothing and means I actually have something to blog about…with pictures!<br />
<br />
I had a lovely weekend actually. I had expected the weather to be rubbish but the sun held on for two more days even if it was cooler than it had been during the week. I didn’t really get out and about but just having the sun streaming through the window and washing on the line was enough to please me.<br />
We’re settling in to our new house now. All the furniture is in the right place and most of the boxes are unpacked apart from a couple in Mr NM’s office. <br />
<br />
We’ve been quite fortunate as the house we bought has quite neutral decoration and so whilst there are things we might like to change over the next few years it’s nothing we can’t live with. The only room that really wasn’t neutral and that we wanted to change anyway was what is going to be the baby’s room. When we moved in it was painted lilac and as pretty as it was we didn’t want the baby’s room in lilac. For starters as much as I protest the idea that colours go with certain genders there is no denying the fact that lilac is a tad girly and we still don’t know whether baby monkey is a boy or a girl. More importantly than that though I’m not really big on pastel colours and wanted a bright and cheery baby’s room. This meant painting. There are still things to do with the room (the cot has yet to be delivered!) so I don’t have a full finished room picture to share, it remains a work in progress! I can share the colour we chose though…unsurprisingly we went with bright green!<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/6874245946/" title="Untitled by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7238/6874245946_8cee9b9fd4_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></center><center> </center><br />
I absolutely love it! It’s only on the one wall with the other three walls left white but I think if we’d done it all green it would have been a bit over the top. As it is it’s just enough colour and I’m delighted with it. We just need to finish sorting furniture, get my mum to adjust the curtains (they’re too long) and get all the things ready in there.<br />
<br />
On Saturday evening our good friends came over which was lovely, we never really entertained in our old house. It was small and cramped and I hated the kitchen which was pretty much a cupboard and did not enthuse me to make much effort in the culinary department. We now have a much bigger kitchen (which I must take a picture of as I’m very pleased with it!) and a proper separate dining room to eat in. Anyway our friends visited, the brought beautiful flowers for me<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/6889117498/" title="Untitled by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7265/6889117498_51c0c0de25_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></center><center> </center><br />
and beer for Mr NM (no picture of that but it was bottles of real ale from Yorkshire based breweries) and in return I made a lasagne.<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/6891999914/" title="Untitled by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7188/6891999914_ab86d086dd_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><center> </center><br />
It was fantastic to have visitors. After dinner we played Settlers of Catan which I highly recommend if you’re a board game fan though important to note that it needs at least 3 players, sadly this means we have to rely on having visitors if we want to play it! (we’ve also got it on ipad though where the computer will fill in if you don’t have enough friends!) and then they went home very late. <br />
<br />
Sunday involved a lie in to recover from the late night with friends and boring household tasks that had been ignored on Saturday. We also went to the supermarket where I picked up one of their little magazines which have recipes in. This inspired me to do some baking, my first attempt at baking with our new (to us, it was in the house when we bought it) electric fan oven…a bit of a change from the old gas cooker we had before! It went well though and I achieved mini egg cookies without burning them!<br />
<br />
<div align="left"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/7035216029/" title="Untitled by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7266/7035216029_1c57d17e45_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/6889119212/" title="Untitled by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7202/6889119212_26664d7594_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">They’re a bit crispy at the edges but soft and squidgy in the middle, just the way cookies should be. Also they have mini eggs in them, mini eggs make most things better!</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">As this is supposed to be a knitting blog I’d best also share that I have been doing a little bit of knitting. Not much I must confess, in the last few weeks I’ve been hit pretty hard by what I’ve been told is third trimester insomnia, apparently my body is preparing me for the broken sleep of new motherhood by not letting me get to sleep now. It’s not much fun and as I’m still working full time (but finish on Thursday, yay!) I’m rather zombie-esque most of the time! Knitting has just felt like far too much for my brain to handle and has done for much of my pregnancy, frustrating when there are adorable tiny baby things to be knitted! I’m saving the cabled cardigan I was working on for when I’m on maternity leave and am not juggling work with lack of sleep. Instead I’m currently working on a plain stockinette cardigan, much more within my current brain abilities! It’s growing quickly and using up a bit of my sock yarn stash in the process.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/7035205803/" title="Untitled by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7126/7035205803_be7047fee0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">I’ve knit the back and right front and am currently working on the left front. Purely by chance the two fronts almost match as they were started not far off each other in the colour repeat which is nice but I hadn’t made any effort to force that. I’m hoping it shouldn’t take too much longer to get it finished then I can sew it up and add it to the baby’s clothes. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">I’m still trying to decide whether or not to take part in Knitting and Crochet Blog Week this year. The baby is actually due that week but I know lots of babies are late so don’t really expect an appearance then, it’s just whether I can get my brain into gear for it! I’d recommend others sign up though because it’s good fun and it gives me lots to read if you do!</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7045/6774275964_e2e5651cee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="74" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7045/6774275964_e2e5651cee.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="left">Maybe for my next post I’ll have actually finished a project…maybe…but probably not!</div><center> </center></div>Northern Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059593216678474068noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4013817328226279713.post-19173403254830979232012-03-21T11:55:00.000+00:002012-03-21T11:55:31.760+00:00Q and A session<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I've been tagged by the lovely <a href="http://theknittingexploitsofjosiekitten.blogspot.co.uk/">Josiekitten</a> to take part in a Q and A so now I'm a little more settled in to my new home and actually have internet access other than via my mobile phone I thought I'd answer the questions she asked!<br />
<b><br />
1. What's your greatest knitting achievement to date?</b><br />
Hmmm...I'm not really sure. I'm pleased enough with myself for actually teaching myself to knit again years after my grandma first taught me as a little girl. Other than just being able to knit full stop I think my first adult garment was a big one. It took me ages but I did it and I think that's the moment when I felt like a real knitter...even if in reality there were probably more stitches in some of the socks I knit than in the cardigan!<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/5380980673/" title="knitting 215 by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5290/5380980673_74420a6f73_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="knitting 215"></a></center><br />
<br />
<b><br />
2. Is there a knitting skill that you'd like to learn?</b> I always say the same thing to this questions, it's always the same goal! I want to learn to knit colourwork. I've never done more than a tiny Christmas decoration and I really want to just get on with it. I have got a project started that involves colourwork but I'm still anxious about it. Silly really as I know I've done other knitting that a lot of people find more complicated such as lace.<br />
<br />
<b>3. Who is your favourite knitting designer?</b><br />
I don't really have one. I've knit so many different things by all different designers and see merit in all of them. I think perhaps because I knit so many different things I may like what a designer does with hats but be less keen on their designs for shawls when they do both and as I don't focus on one type of knitting I don't find myself knitting all the patterns by one designer as a lot do either garments or socks or shawls. I like to keep it varied and try out patterns by all different designers.<br />
<br />
<b>4. What's your favourite 'easy knit' to make as a gift?</b><br />
I'm a selfish knitter, I don't do knitted gifts! OK that's not entirely true but I don't have a go to pattern. If I am knitting a gift I try to make something I know the recipient will like and don't really worry about whether it's easy or not. I have given up knitting gifts for people who aren't suitably appreciative...they get something from a shop and I'm not ashamed of that! It's not worth my time and skill to knit for someone who wont love what I have knit.<br />
<br />
<b>5. What's your favourite film?</b><br />
Just like with favourite knitting designers I don't have a favourite film as such. Mr.NM is an absolute film buff so we watch quite a lot of films but what I want to watch will depend on my mood. I do always enjoy watching Die Hard though, ridiculous action films are something I am very fond of!<br />
<br />
<b>6. What's your favourite season and why?</b><br />
I love Spring. My favourite flowers are out (daffodils and tulips) and everything feels fresh and new. I enjoy the days getting progressively longer and the hope that the weather is going to get better. Everything feels like it has such great potential in the spring. Also it's our wedding anniversary (third one today in fact!) so that's also pretty special.<br />
<br />
<b>7. What's your number one tip for new bloggers?</b><br />
Just have fun with it, it should be an enjoyable activity not one you get stressed over if you've gone a week and have nothing to write about. Also read other blogs for ideas if you're not sure what to blog about, they may give you some inspiration. I suppose that's two tips...I'm not very good at tips, I'm rather a rubbish blogger these days so not sure my advice is worth taking!<br />
<br />
<b>8. What was the first thing you ever knitted?</b><br />
A neon orange acrylic garter stitch rectangle. I think it was intended to be a scarf but I had the attention span of a...well of a five year old (I think I was about 5) and I didn't get that far. I think I wanted to just be able to knit and to knit proper things without all the faff of having to learn!<br />
<br />
<b>9. What's your favourite 'comfort' meal?</b> <br />
Yorkshire puddings filled with thick beef stew and dumplings just like my grandma used to make for me, can't beat it! Actually Yorkshire puddings generally are pretty solid on the comfort food front.<br />
<br />
<b>10. Do you prefer circular needles or dpns?</b><br />
It depends on what I'm knitting. I've started using magic loop a lot more for socks, particularly plain stockinette ones as I avoid ladders and can just shove them in my knitting bag with less fear they'll slip off the needles. I do still like dpns though and sometimes they're a better choice so I use them. I use circular needles instead of straights even for flat knitting though, I find them a lot easier to handle.<br />
<br />
<b>11. What posters did you have on your bedroom wall when you were a teenager?!</b><br />
I didn't have posters on my wall until I went away to university when I was 18 and I had two, one was an Oscar Wilde quote (and for my shame I can't remember which one!) and the other was a Pulp poster (as in the band) which I believe is still on the wall in my old room at my mum's house as I put it up there when I moved back after university.<br />
<br />
<b>12. Bubble bath or shower?</div></b><br />
Probably a bubble bath with a good book but I do like a nice hot shower, particularly if it's really powerful and leaves you feeling scrubbed thoroughly clean.<br />
<br />
I wont tag anyone as I can't think of any questions to ask! If you have any more for me though pop them in the comments and I'll answer them.<br />
<br />
I'm hoping that I will be back soon as we are now in our new house and I've finally taken up my needles again as knitting was very neglected during the move! Also our little family addition is due in 5 weeks and has already received some gorgeous knitted gifts so I'd like to share those.Northern Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059593216678474068noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4013817328226279713.post-70752647417318335042012-03-07T10:09:00.000+00:002012-03-07T10:09:07.301+00:00Disruption in servicePlease excuse my absence from the blog of late. We're currently in the process of moving house and are without internet, all my knitting is packed away and there is so much stuff to do and so little time to do it in!<br />
<br />
I hope to be back soon to tell you all about our lovely new home though probably without any knitting to show.Northern Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059593216678474068noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4013817328226279713.post-81284606489491953732012-02-07T20:21:00.000+00:002012-02-07T20:21:46.034+00:00Winter came, let's hope it goes again soon!My goodness has the temperature dropped around here lately. After having a mild winter so far it came as rather a shock! It was just bitter on Saturday morning and at about lunchtime the snow started, it then went on and on and on for the rest of the day. I'd rather hoped it would stop in the evening as I'd been invited to a party but it didn't. I had to give up on the party (as it was at the other side of the city and my car is not made for such conditions) and stay at home where it was warm.<br />
<br />
On Sunday Mr.NM went out and took a picture of the snow in on our driveway, I once again stayed in where it was warm and snow-free!<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/6836692461/" title="P1000823 by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7032/6836692461_68299c6707_z.jpg" width="640" height="481" alt="P1000823"></a></center><br />
<br />
Oh well, the wintery weather is excellent for boosting my urge to knit. Admittedly this urge has been to cast on new warming things for myself but I have resisted! I am continuing with finish or frog it, I'm determined. Another project that went on to the "finish it" pile was a little cardigan for Baby Monkey.<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/6836729279/" title="P1000830 by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7149/6836729279_b3c5afe445_z.jpg" width="640" height="481" alt="P1000830"></a></center><br />
<br />
It's a Sirdar pattern knit in Sirdar Snuggly 4ply. My general preference for natural fibres doesn't necessarily go that well with baby things so this one will be machine washable. Also Sirdar Snuggly is rather lovely and soft anyway so it doesn't feel like squeaky acrylic. The only thing I didn't really think through with this pattern was the 4ply and all those cables, I decided my baby was worth it (of course!) but that's the back and it's knit over 88 stitches! If this was a heavier yarn and bigger needles 88 stitches would make a cardigan back for me never mind a baby! No wonder it seems to be going a bit slowly. Still, my baby is totally worth it. Also the smallest size is 0-6 months and I can already see it's going to be bigger than the baby cardigan I made at Christmas so it should fit for a little while. I do prefer bright colours on babies but did think that the light colour went well with the cable pattern for this.<br />
<br />
Also some progress, the first of the socks for Mr.NM is finished, hurrah! As is always the case with plain stockinette socks once I picked it up again it whizzed along and was finished in no time at all.<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/6836707067/" title="P1000827 by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7174/6836707067_ab64ef9949_z.jpg" width="640" height="481" alt="P1000827"></a></center>Northern Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059593216678474068noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4013817328226279713.post-39524830630654065372012-02-03T12:52:00.000+00:002012-02-03T12:52:28.158+00:00Finish or frog it February 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Another one for the "to finish" pile, my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/NorthernMonkey/lilac-leaf-shawl">Lilac Leaf Shawl</a>, started way back in September when everyone else was tempting me with their beautiful lace projects. Unfortunately the beginning of September was also when baby NM was making his or her presence known by sapping me of all energy and enthusiasm to achieve anything more than constant napping and drinking orange juice! Needless to say I got as far as knitting one of the lace borders then starting on the second before shoving the project in my knitting basket. <br />
<br />
Last night whilst MrNM was out playing 5-a-side football I picked it up again to see if I could make a bit more progress. Being lace knitting and in rather lovely laceweight yarn it does require a lot of attention (it also required the purchase of wooden tips after the pains of knitting the first border section with my usual metal knitpros!) and when MrNM is around we usually sit together chatting, possibly watching a film or TV episode and I have to stick to very simple knitting (like the socks for him, the first is finished and I didn't run out of the carefully weighed out 50g ball of yarn!). In his absence I could focus.<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/6811561599/" title="Untitled by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img alt="" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7143/6811561599_715130540f_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></center><center> </center><center> </center><div align="left">I needed to focus. After this picture was taken (and promise me it will look better when it's blocked!) I got to the part with nupps. At this point the blasted thing almost ended up in the "to frog" pile as I knit, tinked and re-knit the same two rows about four times before the nupps looked even vaguely not awful. I considered not bothering but told myself I had left them out of the last shawl I knit that included them in the pattern, I would knit the blasted things on this one. Anyway the nupp section is done for now, there are some more to come but I have about 300 nupp free rows to go before I get to that part! </div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">Yes I am aware of the crochet hook method of knitting nupps and how it's supposed to be easier but I'm not a crocheter and could not for the life of me find a crochet hook anywhere last night! I own a few but they appear to have hidden in protest as I almost never use them and when I do it's for such degrading business as picking up dropped stitches and untangling yarn instead of actual crochet. It's a hard life being a crochet hook in my possession!</div></div>Northern Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059593216678474068noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4013817328226279713.post-25818628014650658442012-02-01T09:18:00.002+00:002012-02-01T09:18:40.041+00:00Finish or Frog It FebruaryI am declaring this month Finish or Frog It February in the NorthernMonkey household. All those WIPs in my basket must be either finished (or well on their way to it) or frogged by the end of the month. I will NOT be casting on anything new unless I finish everything lucky enough to be put into the "to finish" pile. This is highly unlikely as I have rather let my WIPs build up and one of them is lace knitting.<br />
<br />
First to survive my decision and make it on to the "to finish" pile, a pair of socks I started for Mr.NM way back in September, got as far as the heel flap and gave up. Oops. They're just simple, plain, no messing around, stockinette socks. OK so they need to be a size 11 but even then the simplicity factor means they shouldn't take too long to finish. I am now a good way down the foot of the first sock and it's whizzing along.<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/6795236771/" title="Untitled by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7167/6795236771_56104ca921_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt=""></a></center><br />
<br />
Hopefully I should get some pictures later today of some projects that are not so lucky and are heading for a one way trip to the frog pond.Northern Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059593216678474068noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4013817328226279713.post-77077700209928781392012-01-24T14:47:00.000+00:002012-01-24T14:47:17.263+00:00Podster Mitts - FO<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I must apologise again for being a terrible blogger, I really am sorry. Finding the time (and daylight, really failing where daylight is concerned!) to take photographs and get them uploaded has been proving difficult. I should make more of an effort but frankly the times when I am free I find myself putting napping or slumping doing not much at all ahead of blogger! Very naughty I know.<br />
<br />
Enough of apologies though, everyone is busy sometimes and that's all there is to it!<br />
<br />
What I did achieve at the weekend (between the napping and attempting to relax) was a finished pair of Podster Mitts, huzzah!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/6754960367/" title="Podster mitts by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img alt="Podster mitts" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7163/6754960367_0b7ced7498_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><br />
<br />
I LOVE them. They do the job perfectly, I can use my touch screen phone whilst keeping the rest of my hands warm and whilst we've not had a winter like last year it has been pretty nippy lately so my fingers are grateful.<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/6754958525/" title="Untitled by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img alt="" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7155/6754958525_6e13b183aa_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><br />
<br />
I am considering a little button to secure the mitten top when wearing them as fingerless gloves, I have some lovely little wooden ones that would go just perfectly. I'm not sure though as they don't flap about particularly so I may just leave them as they are. I do love buttons though...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/6754956819/" title="Untitled by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img alt="" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7005/6754956819_6c1c14e764_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><br />
<br />
To my relief I had enough yarn, I even have a little left over but not much. It's lovely yarn and feels like it will be really hardwearing. I bought it at a lovely little shop called Create in Ilkley but for those without access to Ilkley the dyer has an <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/batathanddyedyarns">Etsy shop</a> as well. Not that I'm encouraging stash enhancement you understand, it's just in case you were wondering.<br />
<br />
Needle sizes, pattern and all that jazz are on my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/NorthernMonkey/podster-gloves">Ravelry project page</a>.<br />
<br />
I am now being a very good girl and have gone back to my WIP pile, details on what I'm knitting from that will come at some point I'm sure.<br />
<br />
Also for anyone interested (and I'm not sure whether anyone is) my other WIP is progressing very well and is now two thirds done!<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/6748334107/" title="26+1 by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img alt="26+1" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7023/6748334107_c514a74a13_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></center></div>Northern Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059593216678474068noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4013817328226279713.post-25167946404164712742012-01-15T17:42:00.000+00:002012-01-15T17:42:31.119+00:00Podster Gloves - WIP<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">You remember all those WIPs I mentioned? The ones I intended to either finish or frog? Well I promise I'll get round to them but...but...but... I cast on something new.<br />
<br />
New year, new project. I just couldn't help myself.<br />
<br />
I've wanted to knit myself a pair of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/podster-gloves">Podster Gloves</a> for ages, apparently the pattern was published in September 2009 and I suspect I've been eyeing them up since then. I just never really got round to it. Back in September 2009 I was still very much learning, had knit a pair of socks but was intimidated by the skills needed for the gloves. Instead of braving it I filed them away for future knitting. By the time I was at a point where the pattern didn't look remotely scary I had far too many other interesting things to knit!<br />
<br />
I decided 2012 would be the year I'd knit them, get them done before Baby Monkey arrives and throws all my knitting plans out of the window. Also I did get an iPhone about a month ago so they seem a more useful item to have than ever. We'll ignore my "I'm never knitting gloves again" from when I finished the green gloves for my mum over Christmas, let's pretend that never happened.<br />
<br />
I went in the stash, this is good, stash reduction! The yarn wasn't a particularly long term resident, purchased in December 2010.<br />
<br />
<center><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/5276752776/" title="knitting 160 by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img alt="knitting 160" height="480" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5004/5276752776_33ee457efc_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> </center><br />
<br />
It's Ba T'at sock yarn in Pheasant. Considering how well behaved I was on the yarn buying front in 2011 this may actually be my most recent sock yarn purchase, shocking. I'm not 100% on that though. Anyway it is lovely stuff, 100% merino and technically sport weight not sock yarn. It feels like it should be very hard wearing and I love the colours. <br />
<br />
It's knitting up nicely and the pattern is very clear and easy to follow. I've actually progressed beyond what I have pictures of and am already knitting the fingers of the second glove but here are two progress shots of the first glove.<br />
<br />
<center><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/6702140057/" title="P1000750 by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img alt="P1000750" height="481" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7164/6702140057_3572f2b8bf_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/6702170041/" title="P1000753 by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img alt="P1000753" height="481" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7147/6702170041_4631640fa5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><br />
<br />
I knit the first glove but have saved knitting the mitten top part until I've finished the second glove for fear of running out of yarn. I should have enough but should and will are not the same thing! At least this way I'll definitely have a pair of fingerless gloves should I have yarn for the mitten tops.<br />
<br />
I'll get on to the WIP pile soon, honest.</div>Northern Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059593216678474068noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4013817328226279713.post-44560823689123186062012-01-01T18:26:00.000+00:002012-01-01T18:26:57.603+00:00Happy New Year!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Hello 2012! Also hello to my third year of blogging (technically I suppose that's tomorrow as my first post was 2nd January 2010) and hello to another year as a knitter.<br />
<br />
I am terrible at sticking to resolutions so I don't make them but I'm OK with at least having knitting plans or hopes for the year. Obviously 2012 is going to be a bit different for me to other years as some time in late April or possibly early May a little person is going to arrive on the scene and I suspect they will be taking up most if not all of my knitting time, at least at first. That means my knitting plans for 2012 are actually only plans for the first 4 months of 2012, any knitting I achieve beyond that is a bonus.<br />
<br />
1. <b>Finish or frog - </b>I ended 2011 with a pretty shameful number of WIPs, perhaps not compared to some people but it was still more than I'm comfortable with. They need to go, either to be finished or frogged. I must not end 2012 with any of these projects still lurking in my knitting basked, in fact I'd rather they were out of the basket or at least being worked on steadily before the end of February at the latest.<br />
<br />
2. <b>Colourwork - </b>This came up last year and was ignored, I will not ignore it this year. I intend to complete one piece of colourwork knitting before the baby arrives just to prove to myself that I can do it and it's not really that scary.<br />
<br />
3. <b>Stashdown - </b>I was pretty good at not buying new yarn last year, I must continue that. I still have a lot in my stash, more than enough. I should knit from it. This is not a complete ban on purchases but I must end 2012 with less yarn than I started with. I would count what I have to be sure but that's just too scary. Instead I'll just try to use as much of it as possible and not buy new if there is something suitable already stashed, there almost certainly will be something suitable already stashed! This is particularly important as we're hoping to move house soon and we are having to bring in lots of baby things so sacrifices must be made, not buying yarn is a pretty easy one when I could practically open my own shop anyway.<br />
<br />
I think that's enough for 2012, I don't want to doom myself to failure and of course my biggest goal for the upcoming year is to have a healthy and happy baby and honestly nothing else really seems to matter much anymore.<br />
<br />
I hope 2012 brings exciting things to everyone and is happier than 2011 which may have been exciting for me but which I also know was pretty sad generally for a lot of people and for the state of the world.</div>Northern Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059593216678474068noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4013817328226279713.post-4297401273024611432011-12-31T14:06:00.001+00:002011-12-31T14:06:59.450+00:002011 in knitting<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">So, the end of another year. Time to look back on what I've been knitting over the last 12 months.<br />
<br />
I must say that 2011 wasn't great in terms of knitting output. It all started quite well but then things got a bit hectic in the summer and then, well then we found out about the upcoming new addition to our family! I was very lucky to not really suffer with morning sickness, unfortunately I did suffer with crushing exhaustion and lethargy and even picking up my knitting needles felt like far too much effort. This meant I only finished 6 items in the second half of the year.<br />
<br />
Oh well, let's have a look at what I've knit in 2011...<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="485" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://www.shapecollage.com/online/embed/6po6j6qh" width="524"></iframe></div></div><br />
6 pairs of socks<br />
3 adult sized cardigans (admittedly most of one was knit in 2010 but I finished it in 2011!)<br />
1 adult sized jumper<br />
1 neck warmer<br />
1 adult hat<br />
1 baby hat<br />
2 gadget socks<br />
1 pair of gloves<br />
<br />
That's just over one item a month. I have also finished the year with 6 WIPs still on the needles (one is currently missing from my Ravelry project page but I'll get on it) which is pretty poor. I really need to finish or frog those.<br />
<br />
Oh and there is one more FO I'll share at the end of the post.<br />
<br />
Looking back on my knitting goals from last year...well...erm.<br />
<br />
2011 Knitting Goals<br />
Finish blasted cardigan of doom <b><---did this!</b><br />
Learn how to do colourwork (I've knit a little on my Christmas stockings but I want to do more and do it faster) <b><---nope</b><br />
Design my own project (I got a "design your own knits" book last Christmas which I've flicked through but I haven't attempted to do it, I'll probably go for socks) <b><---nope</b><br />
Knit 12 pairs of socks (got to have this one in there!) <b><---sadly not but I did manage 6 pairs</b><br />
Knit another adult sized garment from stashed yarn<b> <---yay! I actually knit THREE adult sized garments from my stashed yarn</b><br />
Reduce stash (ha!) <b><---I think so, it's definitely three jumpers and a few pairs of socks lighter at least and I didn't buy much yarn</b><br />
<br />
Also a quick share of my final finished object of 2011, the little red cardigan for our baby! Just a note that our baby's gender is remaining a mystery until birth so any knits will be in bright colours or more neutral shades anyway. Also I think babies look awesome in bright colours, who needs pastels?!<br />
<br />
My project page with details of pattern, yarn, needles and so on can be found <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/NorthernMonkey/cardigan-with-shawl-collar-or-v-neck">here</a>. Please excuse the wild variations in colours in the pictures, it is a bright red shade but we're still finding our way around the settings on the new camera!</div><br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/6606488899/" title="P1000590 by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img alt="P1000590" height="481" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7028/6606488899_f1eb5b79e1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/6606516077/" title="P1000588 by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img alt="P1000588" height="481" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7156/6606516077_8c3a69b5b8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
</center><center><br />
</center><center style="text-align: left;">Hope all my readers (and people who don't read, just everyone generally!) has a wonderful 2012...I'll try to be back tomorrow with my knitting plans for the next 12 months.</center></div>Northern Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059593216678474068noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4013817328226279713.post-56238877488660577922011-12-30T09:52:00.000+00:002011-12-30T09:52:10.132+00:00Little knits for little people are very quick<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and that Father Christmas left some lovely things in your stockings or under the tree. Mr NM and I received the rather exciting present of a fancy new camera. It's very exciting and shiny, I just have to work out how to use it now!<br />
<br />
This year was low on the knitterly gifts but that was my choice. I know my knitting time will be very much eaten into in the new year and so did not want to get masses of yarn and books and needles that would only be added to the stash and not utilised. I did however get the latest <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/All-Wound-Up-Harlot-Writes/dp/0740797573/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325238634&sr=8-1">Yarn Harlot book</a> and a <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Designer-One-Skein-Wonders-Judith-Durant/dp/1580176887/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325238672&sr=1-5">book from the One Skein Wonders set of books</a>, perhaps it will encourage me to use up some stash before April!<br />
<br />
Another little someone-to-be got some knitting goodies though as my mother-in-law pointing out, the baby can't knit, oh dear! I had to do it for him or her then, blast!<br />
<br />
Mr NM had very sweetly picked out a cardigan pattern, some scrummy red yarn and some adorable little teddy bear buttons. It is vitally important to play with your new toys on Christmas day so I cast on (and Mr NM played with the camera)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/6596719735/" title="P1000352 by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img alt="P1000352" height="481" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7160/6596719735_af99c3f326_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><br />
<br />
I have shots in various stages of the knitting process...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/6596713883/" title="P1000394 by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img alt="P1000394" height="481" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7006/6596713883_dfa41ed70b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><center> </center><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/6596708285/" title="P1000519 by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img alt="P1000519" height="481" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7006/6596708285_20c65a6108_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><center> </center><center><img alt="P1000521" height="481" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7004/6596701953_e4d3da4be5_z.jpg" width="640" /></center><center> </center><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/6596696111/" title="P1000520 by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img alt="P1000520" height="481" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7006/6596696111_769e53a79f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><br />
<br />
Also that last picture, that's the window in my in-laws' living room, it overlooks the Albert Dock and is a pretty special view. I like being in a house but their flat does make city centre living rather tempting at times...not that we could afford it!<br />
<br />
Anyway I knit and knit and it grew very quickly, I suppose that's the way things are when you're knitting such teeny tiny garments! Yesterday, finally back home, I picked up the stitches for the right button band, I have a picture of the picked up part but it was dark by the time I'd finished and I didn't bother with another picture.<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/6596688285/" title="P1000573 by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img alt="P1000573" height="481" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7004/6596688285_e0603526b6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><center> </center><center> </center><br />
Now I just need to knit the right button band, sew it all together and give it a little bath to even out the stitches, then I'm done! Super quick and actually good fun to knit. I'm sure I'll have FO pictures to share very soon.<br />
<br />
For those interested in such things (and I know people are) the yarn is Sublime Baby Cashmere Merino Silk DK in Teddy Red, the most accurate picture for colour (on my monitor at least) is the picture of the back of the cardigan on top of the knitting pattern. It is an absolute dream to knit with, so soft and such lovely stitch definition, I rather wish I was knitting a cardigan for myself with it! <br />
<br />
</div>Northern Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059593216678474068noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4013817328226279713.post-37058352331675302882011-12-24T23:24:00.000+00:002011-12-24T23:24:45.847+00:00Accidental Christmas knitting<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">We're at the in-laws, all ready for Christmas.<br />
<br />
I brought some knitting with me. You may or may not remember some gloves I was knitting way back <a href="http://northernmonkeyknits.blogspot.com/2011/02/green-gloves-for-mum-wip-wednesday.html">last February</a> with the intention of finishing them for her birthday in March. Needless to say that didn't happen! Well I was determined to get them done and picked up the second glove again last weekend. I had to pull out what I'd already knit as it had clearly caught on something and has a big hole in it.<br />
<br />
I'd been working on them during the week and cursing glove knitting (fiddly fingers, yuck!) but the reality is that gloves still knit up quite fast, particularly gloves for my mum who has tiny hands!<br />
<br />
So when we got here yesterday afternoon I had this:<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/6563930335/" title="Untitled by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img alt="" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7012/6563930335_ef5947aa4a_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></center></div><br />
By bedtime last night I had finished them! I didn't take the pictures then, I waited for some sunlight this morning.<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/6563920817/" title="Untitled by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img alt="" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7001/6563920817_e055ea6958_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><br />
<br />
The pattern is designed with commuting in mind and the tip of the index finger and thumb on the right hand are left off making it easier to read on the bus, use a touch screen phone (my mum doesn't have one of those!) or just do those things where only a bit of grip is needed and you really don't want to remove your full glove.<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/6566327481/" title="Untitled by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img alt="" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7156/6566327481_9dbfcaffb4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><br />
<br />
I hadn't intended them to be a Christmas gift but why not! I've wrapped them up and they're under the tree ready for my mum tomorrow.<br />
<br />
Rav link <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/NorthernMonkey/marcia">here</a> for yarn and pattern details.<br />
<br />
I'm hoping I made the nice list this year and that Father Christmas visits tonight as I'm hoping very much for a new camera and not always having to use the one on my mobile phone. Fingers crossed! Still, he wont come if I don't head off to bed.<br />
<br />
Merry Christmas to anyone who reads my blog, hope you have a wonderful time whatever you are doing with yourself.</div>Northern Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059593216678474068noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4013817328226279713.post-38463069311322572662011-12-18T16:33:00.000+00:002011-12-18T16:33:23.465+00:00The knitting of othersI thought I'd share my mum's current WIP (not that I don't have plenty of my own to share!) as it is rather special. She is very excited about the prospect of becoming a grandma and there's only one thing for a keen knitter with a grandchild on the way to do, get those needles clicking!<br />
<br />
Whilst I have the level of knitting skill to knit the same things my mum can she has one thing I'm rather lacking in, patience! Also she knits like the wind...my goodness that lady is quick! I suppose that happens when you've been knitting for over 50 years though. Anyway her patience and speed are being used to knit something I'd never get through due to my issues with startitis, a lovely baby blanket.<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/6527332929/" title="Untitled by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7154/6527332929_ab704c35cb_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt=""></a></center><br />
<br />
Apologies if the picture is a touch dull, the natural light was very thin and grey yesterday. Still the blanket is looking just wonderful and I can't wait to wrap my little one up in it...well I can wait as I want them to stay put until they're due but you know what I mean!<br />
<br />
I can also confirm it's definitely Christmas in the Northern Monkey household. The tree has been up for a week and I still get giddy with excitement every time I switch the fairy lights on. I LOVE having the Christmas tree up...I hate taking it down but I love it when it's up. All sparkly and colourful. This year we've only got our 3ft tree up (we usually have a 7ft one in the dining room) so all my big tree decorations are on that. I don't care if it looks a bit over the top, I love it!<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingmonkey/6487982293/" title="Oh Christmas tree by monkeychunks, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7019/6487982293_4f87ab0a90_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Oh Christmas tree"></a></center><br />
<br />
So, it's Sunday evening (completely dark out at 4:30pm...my least favourite thing about winter) a roast is in the oven, MrNM has football on TV (his team already won earlier today, such a relief!) and I'm ready for a long evening of snuggling up and knitting in front of the TV as all my chores were done earlier in the day. Fantastic!Northern Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059593216678474068noreply@blogger.com5