Tuesday 27 August 2013

WOYWW #221 finished, wrong and working.....

Hello, it is time to join in with What's on your Workdesk, Wednesday (Thank you Brenda, I forgot until you commented!!!). If you are not familiar with this, go on over to here and see a mahoosive list of crafty people that all link up on the same day each week and show their fabulous desks off.

My desk today boasts three pairs of finished socks (one from ages ago, the other two just got finished)

IPad playing some music, a green bag with next sock in. Apparantly last week I gave the impression that the two green bags had materials for one sock each. I didn't mean that at all ha ha, enough materials to make a pair in each. One pair that I have started since my last post is the one at the front of my desk and the one on the right of the photo above. This is done using 2 circular needles (which I find very relaxing after four needles) and it is a cable pattern (also relaxing) made toe-up using 'Judy's Magic Cast On' - there is a video if anyone is interested let me know. It makes a seamless toe and it is much easier than the Kitchener Graft (still with me?). Anyway, the first sock I started to make went wrong which is why it is now sitting on holding needles until my Friday Knitting Group. The second one I started is going well but I will have to stop soon too as I am about to get to the same point. Either the pattern is wrong or I am reading it incorrectly.

I have still been trying to figure out the origami Modular Marigold, I thought I had it but I can't get it to stay together! I made a swan but that was easy.

Not much else on my desk this week except for a glass of water. No cafetiere today, I drank that downstairs. Sorry for the longness (a word?). Am going now. Cheerio x

 

Thursday 22 August 2013

Pedicure Socks - don't read if you are MOO!

I have just finished the second of Moo's Pedicure sock for Chistmas. Wahooooooo.

They do need blocking and ends thing in still.

I really like the colour and am especially pleased because the kids chose the wool. They have knitted up really well and it was very easy. I used four double pointed needles again and just one skein of wool.

Trying these on made me realise I needed a Pedicure!!!

Beautiful. Now I have to attempt my next sock which is a cable one using two circular needles. I have been told once I 'get' this method I will never want to use four dpn's again. We'll see!

 

 

Tuesday 20 August 2013

WOYWW #220 - tidy socks

Hello, it's Wednesday again (well somewhere in the World) and it is the day to show our crafty desks as per the lovely Julia at What's on your Workdesk Wednesday.

A tidy desk this week.

I have been knitting faster than a speeding freight train and finished Huffle's sock on Friday and then quickly started his second one (though I did make the rib without ribbing - arrrggghhhh and had to start again). Still I furiously knitted on and finished sock no2 last night. So you can see Huffle's socks neatly folded at the back with Moo's little Pedicure sock on top. Her second one is at the front of the desk that I started last night.

At the back are two green bags. Each one containing wool, needles and patterns for another sock each. One a cable sock and the other a toe-up sock. Both of them using two circular needles which I haven't learnt yet. Might be interesting.

Various origami things are on my desk, I folded a less than perfect tulip with a stalk that doesn't hold it! I have just been trying to figure out how to fold a many folded many squared marigold in four colours but I cannot work it out. Maybe by next week!

In case you didn't read yesterday's post or want to see a better photo of Huffle's socks. Tadaaaaa.

Not bad eh?

Okay, time to drink my coffee and go and look at everyone's lovely desks to see what they have been, and are up to. Cheerios my lovelies xx

 

Work Socks

I have been knitting some cosy socks for Huffle for Christmas. The first one I started way before we went on holiday and I only finished it last Friday. The second one I started on Friday and finished last night.

The are very big and cosy but the idea is for Huffle to wear them in his boots in Winter. They are based on the original 'work sock' and I used four double pointed needles.

This is me trying them on and I am a UK 5, he is an 11, wide, flat footed man!

I am quite pleased with them. This is only my second pair of socks and the first pair with three colours. They are not a surprise to Huffle as he has sat with me while I swore, ripped out, reknitted, threw said things across room and constantly made him try them and measure his feet. They cost way more than to buy but the love that has gone into them is worth it.

 

Tuesday 13 August 2013

Courgette Overload

When we went on holiday, our neighbour was looking after our garden. I told her to pick whatever she wanted in the vegetable garden, particularly the courgettes as I didn't want to come home to Marrows, unfortunately she didn't see them hiding. This year we planted far too many courgette plants, thinking some wouldn't work, some would get eaten by raccoons etc. However they all grew beautifully and they produced some enormous courgettes while we were away. So what to do with a glut of courgettes.

First of all we made mini Courgette Chocolate Loaves to have as a pudding with ice-cream. We ate them before I had time to photograph them.

Then last night we made a Courgette Grain Bread in the bread machine. I got the recipe from my bread book. If anyone wants it, please let me know.

Today Small made a large Cinamon Courgette Chocolate Chip Loaf.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paulas-home-cooking/chocolate-chip-zucchini-bread-recipe/index.html

Smallest made Chocolate Courgette Muffins. They didn't rise great but they were lovely and squishy.

1.5 cups flour, 2 tbsp cocoa powder, 1/2 tsp Cinamon, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/4 tsp bake powder, 1/4 tsp salt mixed well together in a bowl. In another bowl beat 3/4 cup plus 2 tbs sugar, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 1 egg and 1/2 tsp vanilla essence and mix in the mixer til thick and creamy. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet until just incorporated. Stir in 2 cups grated courgette and 6oz chocolate chips. Bake for 35 minutes on 350*F.

I made a Courgette, Potato and Cheddar soup which we had with our courgette bread.

500g potatoes roughly chopped added to just enough water to cover them and 2 vegetable stock cubes. Boil and then simmer for ten minutes and add 1kg courgettes, roughly chopped and simmer for five minutes. Add a bunch spring onion, sliced - save 1 for serving. 100g extra-mature cheddar grated, plus a little extra to serve. Whizz until a thick soup and add extra water if needed. Add salt and pepper. Heat up, serve with a small amounts of grated cheese in the middle with spring onions chopped.

I even made a Tomato Soup for the kids and slipped some courgette into it. Huffle wanted to know where the Courgette Wine was hiding.

WELL AT LEAST WE DIDN'T WASTE THEM.

 

Woyww - half a sock, nearly a sock, not started a sock

Today I am joining in with What's on your Workdesk Wednesday or WOYWW.

Apologies to those that I didn't get back to last week, thank you for your comments. I am am back from holiday now and ready to play properly again.

Here is my desk..

At the back in front of my sewing machine is my cardi that I abandonned but obviously have to finish it soon as I am told it is the end of the summer season now (in the shops anyway!).

There are some Origami Cranes that I have been trying to master (finally got it) after reading two books that featured them. To the left just out of view is the wool, needles and pattern for the sock I haven't started yet. In the middle front is the sock I am working on for Huffle. Coming along beautifully, it is so soft. I am on the foot part so just lots of knitting.

The blue one on the right is a pedicure sock I am making for Moo for Christmas. One sock done.....

The idea of these is so you can still paint your toes but your foot isn't cold. Moo wants them for when she puts cream on her heels but doesn't want too warm feet. I hope they work.

Well that's me for now. On with the socks and checking out everyone else's desk.

 

 

Wednesday 7 August 2013

Woyww sandy sock

Hello.  I'm a bit late joining in with whats on your workdesk wednesday today but I am on holiday so things are always that bit slower.  

I am also trying to post this on my phone which may or may not work!

So, I have my sock which is a present for someone so can't say too much and I am still at the rib part.  My lap is my desk today while I wait for everyone else to get ready.  It's a stormy day so we are off to the cinema (if it wasn't so dark I would take my knitting in ha!).  

You might just see the lake in the background and my toes in need of painting.  Hoping to be back to normal next week on a proper desk with more of a sock.  

Http://stamping-ground.blogspot.com go here for more desks x