All the best for 2016, everyone!
Thursday, 31 December 2015
Happy New Year!
Full disclosure: these fireworks went off six months ago.
All the best for 2016, everyone!
All the best for 2016, everyone!
Holiday FOs: Telluride and Rose Pink
Yesterday I managed to finish not one but TWO garments. Two! I was inspired by writing up my resolutions to go back and pull out the rose pink cardigan, sew in the second button band lining and add the snaps.
It's still not quite there because I can only find one packet of snaps, so I haven't added them to the last two buttons yet. But it's kind of moot because I don't think it will ever be worn completely done up. It gaps at the button band in spite of the lining. Well, let's make a list of its issues:
1. It's too small. Negative ease is not so clever for cardigans, I realise now (I did start knitting this nearly 4 years ago).
2. The button bands make the front longer than the back.
3. The button band lining is longer on the button side than on the underside, so the button band sort of gapes a bit when they're all done up due to there being more fabric on that side.
However, I really adore the colour, the button band lining and the buttons so I am ignoring all of the above. I could take the lining out and sew it up. I might, if I find I'm never wearing it; but I really love that button band lining and want it to be seen. It was a remnant I bought from Get Knitted; I gave the rest to my friend Vikki in return for sewing up the button band lining on her sewing machine.
I also really like the shaping in the cardigan. It makes the colours in the semi-solid undulate.
Basically it's the cardigan of ambivalence.
Less so, the Telluride Aran. So warm and squishy! I love it. I am so pleased that it worked out how I wanted, after all the worrying about the shaping. Oh, and then I knitted one of the sleeves 4 stitches bigger than the other, because I forgot what size I was supposed to be doing. I realised this as I was decreasing for the second sleeve cap. I did not rip back. Mr Z could not spot the bigger one. I fudged the cap shaping so it would fit the sweater and it doesn't notice. I feel really stupid: I was knitting them two at a time so I must have been really distracted.
Obligatory "I'm not quite ready..." shot.
It's a little on the large side for what I'm used to: I thought I was decreasing to a negative-ease size but either my gauge is out or I am smaller than I think because it's a good fit. It might contract a little after blocking. It doesn't look too big; it's just not as tight as I am used to.
As if I hadn't knitted enough, I also managed to finish two hats tonight. I know how to have a rocking New Year's Eve.
The other one is the same, but the colours are reversed and I've done the pom pom for that one (after 90 minutes of hunting for the pom pom maker by clearing out old drawers full of crap. Like I said, I totally win NYE). Mr Z has claimed them both already.
It's still not quite there because I can only find one packet of snaps, so I haven't added them to the last two buttons yet. But it's kind of moot because I don't think it will ever be worn completely done up. It gaps at the button band in spite of the lining. Well, let's make a list of its issues:
1. It's too small. Negative ease is not so clever for cardigans, I realise now (I did start knitting this nearly 4 years ago).
2. The button bands make the front longer than the back.
3. The button band lining is longer on the button side than on the underside, so the button band sort of gapes a bit when they're all done up due to there being more fabric on that side.
However, I really adore the colour, the button band lining and the buttons so I am ignoring all of the above. I could take the lining out and sew it up. I might, if I find I'm never wearing it; but I really love that button band lining and want it to be seen. It was a remnant I bought from Get Knitted; I gave the rest to my friend Vikki in return for sewing up the button band lining on her sewing machine.
I also really like the shaping in the cardigan. It makes the colours in the semi-solid undulate.
Basically it's the cardigan of ambivalence.
Less so, the Telluride Aran. So warm and squishy! I love it. I am so pleased that it worked out how I wanted, after all the worrying about the shaping. Oh, and then I knitted one of the sleeves 4 stitches bigger than the other, because I forgot what size I was supposed to be doing. I realised this as I was decreasing for the second sleeve cap. I did not rip back. Mr Z could not spot the bigger one. I fudged the cap shaping so it would fit the sweater and it doesn't notice. I feel really stupid: I was knitting them two at a time so I must have been really distracted.
Obligatory "I'm not quite ready..." shot.
It's a little on the large side for what I'm used to: I thought I was decreasing to a negative-ease size but either my gauge is out or I am smaller than I think because it's a good fit. It might contract a little after blocking. It doesn't look too big; it's just not as tight as I am used to.
As if I hadn't knitted enough, I also managed to finish two hats tonight. I know how to have a rocking New Year's Eve.
The other one is the same, but the colours are reversed and I've done the pom pom for that one (after 90 minutes of hunting for the pom pom maker by clearing out old drawers full of crap. Like I said, I totally win NYE). Mr Z has claimed them both already.
Throwback Thursday
I've been thinking about our summer holiday this week.
Duriong our stay in Calistoga, we partook of a little wine tasting. I picked Castello di Amorosa because they offered dessert wine tasting; I wanted to get Tutt some dessert wine to say thanks for looking after the mitten.
It was kind of an unusual place. Very American. It has been built in the style of a Tuscan castle, using a million bricks that the owner had shipped over from Europe. Inside, it does look like a genuine Tuscan castle, down to the frescoes copied from Siena; only it has light switches and signs stating maximum room occupancy and the like. Slightly bizarre.
The tasting room was very busy. We had a French lady pouring our wines. She was grouchy in that way that French people are with English people. We tried several; I picked a dessert wine for Tutt. "Ahhh, La Fantasia!" she said. "I call zees, ze baby maker! Eet ees so feezzy and fun, you cannot 'elp eet!"
I did not tell Tutt that bit.
We also bought a couple of bottles of a very nice white wine to bring back with us, one of which we opened on Christmas Eve. It tastes very good: like elderflower. I was slightly surprised when I opened it up and it tasted as good as I remembered. In my experience, during a wine tasting my palate seems to adjust so things taste different to the way they do at home. Like, my taste buds are more clued in during a wine tasting.
It was a good day and a happy memory. I just wish they shipped wine overseas!
Duriong our stay in Calistoga, we partook of a little wine tasting. I picked Castello di Amorosa because they offered dessert wine tasting; I wanted to get Tutt some dessert wine to say thanks for looking after the mitten.
It was kind of an unusual place. Very American. It has been built in the style of a Tuscan castle, using a million bricks that the owner had shipped over from Europe. Inside, it does look like a genuine Tuscan castle, down to the frescoes copied from Siena; only it has light switches and signs stating maximum room occupancy and the like. Slightly bizarre.
The tasting room was very busy. We had a French lady pouring our wines. She was grouchy in that way that French people are with English people. We tried several; I picked a dessert wine for Tutt. "Ahhh, La Fantasia!" she said. "I call zees, ze baby maker! Eet ees so feezzy and fun, you cannot 'elp eet!"
I did not tell Tutt that bit.
We also bought a couple of bottles of a very nice white wine to bring back with us, one of which we opened on Christmas Eve. It tastes very good: like elderflower. I was slightly surprised when I opened it up and it tasted as good as I remembered. In my experience, during a wine tasting my palate seems to adjust so things taste different to the way they do at home. Like, my taste buds are more clued in during a wine tasting.
It was a good day and a happy memory. I just wish they shipped wine overseas!
Wednesday, 30 December 2015
2015 Knitting Resolutions Review
At the end of last year I made this post with my lofty ambitions for the year to come.
Shortly after making that post, I got stuck into a garment-knitting challenge on Ravelry and pledged to knit six garments in 2015. In my head, the two garments that were almost finished from previous years were within that total, which would have left me ample time for knitting other things. In reality, though, the amount of yarn I was able to use up knitting whole new garments proved to be like catnip, so basically all my resolutions fell by the wayside.
I did finish the Lopi shell.
I did knit something from the Jimmy Beans 2013 stash.
I did knit something from the Wonderwool 2014 stash....and three things from the 2015 stash. Two more jumpers and some mittens or something and I will have used up everything I bought at this year's Wonderwool.
I finished one delinquent WIP.
I knitted one additional motif for my Lion and Lamb blanket - at this rate, it should be finished by 2065, assuming I don't buy any more yarn for it. I did buy four more skeins this year - roughly 14 more motifs' worth - but Lorna's have stopped dying L&L in their limited edition colours so I think this might be it, unless they bring out any more permanent blues.
I finished one of my nearly-completed cardigans. This almost didn't happen, but then I was writing this post and became overwhelmed with shame.
I did not knit a single rose for my chair (have actually had to take the chair out of use for the moment because the cover is so worn I became afraid it would need professional attention).
I didn't knit any socks.
I didn't finish my other almost-completed cardigan: the blue one, I feel I have an excuse for, because I want to add sleeves but I want to pick up and knit down and I've never done that, so it's in the scary pile.
Yarn in and out. Well, I managed just over 8 km out. It's the best year for knitting totals since 2009. I beat last year, so I won that resolution too.
However, I brought roughly 17 and a half km of yarn IN this year. This is awkward. I need to stop buying yarn, seriously.
Actually, it's not as bad as I thought. I have had a busy year, after all.
Shortly after making that post, I got stuck into a garment-knitting challenge on Ravelry and pledged to knit six garments in 2015. In my head, the two garments that were almost finished from previous years were within that total, which would have left me ample time for knitting other things. In reality, though, the amount of yarn I was able to use up knitting whole new garments proved to be like catnip, so basically all my resolutions fell by the wayside.
I did finish the Lopi shell.
I did knit something from the Jimmy Beans 2013 stash.
I did knit something from the Wonderwool 2014 stash....and three things from the 2015 stash. Two more jumpers and some mittens or something and I will have used up everything I bought at this year's Wonderwool.
I finished one delinquent WIP.
I knitted one additional motif for my Lion and Lamb blanket - at this rate, it should be finished by 2065, assuming I don't buy any more yarn for it. I did buy four more skeins this year - roughly 14 more motifs' worth - but Lorna's have stopped dying L&L in their limited edition colours so I think this might be it, unless they bring out any more permanent blues.
I finished one of my nearly-completed cardigans. This almost didn't happen, but then I was writing this post and became overwhelmed with shame.
I did not knit a single rose for my chair (have actually had to take the chair out of use for the moment because the cover is so worn I became afraid it would need professional attention).
I didn't knit any socks.
I didn't finish my other almost-completed cardigan: the blue one, I feel I have an excuse for, because I want to add sleeves but I want to pick up and knit down and I've never done that, so it's in the scary pile.
Yarn in and out. Well, I managed just over 8 km out. It's the best year for knitting totals since 2009. I beat last year, so I won that resolution too.
However, I brought roughly 17 and a half km of yarn IN this year. This is awkward. I need to stop buying yarn, seriously.
Actually, it's not as bad as I thought. I have had a busy year, after all.
Today I wish I was...
I know that I needed a break and I have very much appreciated being at home with little to do (today I sat in my chair for roughly 12 hours, knitting and napping and sewing things up and complaining about sewing things up). BUT. I still wish I was here.
The view from our chalet, last New Year, in Chamonix. I didn't ski last NYE; instead I got the bus into town and did some marking in a cafe. However, the fresh air was lovely. Let's ignore the fact that I came back with a 9-week cold.
This was the view in the other direction:
This was actually the view from the dining table. I was sitting at it when I took this.
Tom and I have an ongoing argument about whether you'd rather look at beach or mountains. It stems from the school trip to Iceland, where all the hostel rooms had views of either the beach or the mountains. I always say beach. He always tries to convince me otherwise. This sort of view helps with the convincing.
Well...I have heard it is going to be considerably colder tomorrow.
The view from our chalet, last New Year, in Chamonix. I didn't ski last NYE; instead I got the bus into town and did some marking in a cafe. However, the fresh air was lovely. Let's ignore the fact that I came back with a 9-week cold.
This was the view in the other direction:
This was actually the view from the dining table. I was sitting at it when I took this.
Tom and I have an ongoing argument about whether you'd rather look at beach or mountains. It stems from the school trip to Iceland, where all the hostel rooms had views of either the beach or the mountains. I always say beach. He always tries to convince me otherwise. This sort of view helps with the convincing.
Well...I have heard it is going to be considerably colder tomorrow.
The Bikram Diaries: 8
Now that I have passed my 50th class, I thought I might compile some sort of advice to new bikramites. Mostly I compiled this during class, thus proving that it doesn't always quiet the mind.
Firstly, here is my post about how much I hated it to start with.
The heat:
Your job in the first class is just to stay in the room. Even if you have to lie on the mat for the last 85 minutes, just stay in there. You will need to get used to the heat if you want to continue.
It really does get easier after the 5th-ish class, and that tolerance does not seem to fade.
Resist the urge to wipe the sweat. I keep a flannel with me to get it if it goes into my eyes or ears, but that's it. Let the sweat do its job. If you wipe it, your body will produce more and you'll be hotter in the meantime.
Wear as little as possible. I don't think anybody is looking at anybody else's body. That's what I tell myself, anyway.
Breathe through your nose. It will help.
Some poses will be hard because your wet hand will slither limply across your clammy skin. It's OK. Your grip will improve.
Resist the urge to chug water. Over time I have managed to drink less and less water in class: I'm down to about 250ml now: a swallow after the warm up postures and then whenever my mouth starts to taste gross. This is because I drink masses for 24 hours before the class and I guzzle at least a litre immediately afterwards. I can recommend this: it was too easy to get into the habit of always drinking at certain points in the class, which is why I deliberately stopped. I don't need the water in class: it's just a distraction.
The postures:
There are pretty much two chances at each posture (except the last one, and sort of tree, though you can choose to do a second tree). You can always just watch for the first repeat.
Obviously it's going to be hard, but if you're grunting or having to heavy mouth breathe a lot, you're probably working too hard. Know your limits.
Watch the experienced (at the front of the class, probably) for tips. I like to look at other people's triangles: I think it's really easy to pick up bad form on this one.
Some you'll manage, some you won't. The attitude of pretty much everyone I have come across at bikram to this is - meh.
Don't clock watch. There's no point. The series will take 90 minutes. If I'm struggling in a class, I count down the sit ups - after the four face-down postures, there are 12.
If you need to sit out a repeat, sit, kneel or lie on your back. I have heard that child's pose is not a good way to rest in a hot room.
At the end, resist the urge to get up and run. I still love the moment when I get the first waft of cool air from somebody exiting the door so it's not too hard to stay in there, especially since the heat is off. I've started doing a slow count of the number of classes I have attended and then leaving. Very restful.
Good luck! It's definitely not for everybody, but I think it's worth persevering with. I come out of every class feeling like Sally the champion of the world.
Firstly, here is my post about how much I hated it to start with.
The heat:
Your job in the first class is just to stay in the room. Even if you have to lie on the mat for the last 85 minutes, just stay in there. You will need to get used to the heat if you want to continue.
It really does get easier after the 5th-ish class, and that tolerance does not seem to fade.
Resist the urge to wipe the sweat. I keep a flannel with me to get it if it goes into my eyes or ears, but that's it. Let the sweat do its job. If you wipe it, your body will produce more and you'll be hotter in the meantime.
Wear as little as possible. I don't think anybody is looking at anybody else's body. That's what I tell myself, anyway.
Breathe through your nose. It will help.
Some poses will be hard because your wet hand will slither limply across your clammy skin. It's OK. Your grip will improve.
Resist the urge to chug water. Over time I have managed to drink less and less water in class: I'm down to about 250ml now: a swallow after the warm up postures and then whenever my mouth starts to taste gross. This is because I drink masses for 24 hours before the class and I guzzle at least a litre immediately afterwards. I can recommend this: it was too easy to get into the habit of always drinking at certain points in the class, which is why I deliberately stopped. I don't need the water in class: it's just a distraction.
The postures:
There are pretty much two chances at each posture (except the last one, and sort of tree, though you can choose to do a second tree). You can always just watch for the first repeat.
Obviously it's going to be hard, but if you're grunting or having to heavy mouth breathe a lot, you're probably working too hard. Know your limits.
Watch the experienced (at the front of the class, probably) for tips. I like to look at other people's triangles: I think it's really easy to pick up bad form on this one.
Some you'll manage, some you won't. The attitude of pretty much everyone I have come across at bikram to this is - meh.
Don't clock watch. There's no point. The series will take 90 minutes. If I'm struggling in a class, I count down the sit ups - after the four face-down postures, there are 12.
If you need to sit out a repeat, sit, kneel or lie on your back. I have heard that child's pose is not a good way to rest in a hot room.
At the end, resist the urge to get up and run. I still love the moment when I get the first waft of cool air from somebody exiting the door so it's not too hard to stay in there, especially since the heat is off. I've started doing a slow count of the number of classes I have attended and then leaving. Very restful.
Good luck! It's definitely not for everybody, but I think it's worth persevering with. I come out of every class feeling like Sally the champion of the world.
Tuesday, 29 December 2015
Tuesday Ten
Carole invites us to think of...
Ten things I did in 2015 that made me feel proud
1. I wrote a book. I didn't think I could do it in the timeframe they gave me, but I did. It is 52,000 words. Here's a portion of it from a screenshot.
It's 108 pages, so I can't squeeze them all into one screenshot. Of course, it's not FINISHED finished because the edits are still coming back (chapter 3 edits are not pretty), but I made my deadline. Honestly, I'm so proud of this it could fill slots 2-10 as well.
2. I contributed to an article for the professional journal for my job. I have been published in it before, but only in the section that is all reader contributions. I think it's notoriously difficult to get an article published here so I was also very proud to see that (although it's not quite out yet).
3. I took over as a website manager for one of the work organisations I'm involved with and became an adviser for them.
4. I ran an external conference about preparing to teach the new GCSE which attracted 21 delegates and got all positive feedback. Probably the most terrifying event of my career to date.
5. I was made head of department at school permanently.
6. I passed the exam and all the assignments for the course I have been working on for over a year, so now I'm a member of a chartered institute. This was a genuine surprise. I really thought I'd tanked the exam.
7. Let's have something non-work - I finished (let's think positive because that Telluride WILL be finished) six sweaters this year.
(Thinking of non-work achievements is really hard. 2015 has been The Year Of Work).
8. I went to blood donors for the first time since I was 18. It's so difficult to get an appointment; but in June I bit the bullet and made one for the end of August. Now I realise that once you've done one, they make your next appointment for you and you get first dibs. Good stuff.
9. I reached a top skiing speed of 59km an hour when we went to Bormio at Easter. Not too shabby.
10. I got used to bikram. I even started to enjoy it. Whoever thought that would happen?
Ten things I did in 2015 that made me feel proud
1. I wrote a book. I didn't think I could do it in the timeframe they gave me, but I did. It is 52,000 words. Here's a portion of it from a screenshot.
It's 108 pages, so I can't squeeze them all into one screenshot. Of course, it's not FINISHED finished because the edits are still coming back (chapter 3 edits are not pretty), but I made my deadline. Honestly, I'm so proud of this it could fill slots 2-10 as well.
2. I contributed to an article for the professional journal for my job. I have been published in it before, but only in the section that is all reader contributions. I think it's notoriously difficult to get an article published here so I was also very proud to see that (although it's not quite out yet).
3. I took over as a website manager for one of the work organisations I'm involved with and became an adviser for them.
4. I ran an external conference about preparing to teach the new GCSE which attracted 21 delegates and got all positive feedback. Probably the most terrifying event of my career to date.
5. I was made head of department at school permanently.
6. I passed the exam and all the assignments for the course I have been working on for over a year, so now I'm a member of a chartered institute. This was a genuine surprise. I really thought I'd tanked the exam.
7. Let's have something non-work - I finished (let's think positive because that Telluride WILL be finished) six sweaters this year.
(Thinking of non-work achievements is really hard. 2015 has been The Year Of Work).
8. I went to blood donors for the first time since I was 18. It's so difficult to get an appointment; but in June I bit the bullet and made one for the end of August. Now I realise that once you've done one, they make your next appointment for you and you get first dibs. Good stuff.
9. I reached a top skiing speed of 59km an hour when we went to Bormio at Easter. Not too shabby.
10. I got used to bikram. I even started to enjoy it. Whoever thought that would happen?
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