Like buses........

Thats what my blogging is like........Nothing for 10 days or so then 6 entries in as many days!

So whats this one going to be about? Hmmmmm, I was tagged by Marylyn, my last SP spoilee, she can be found at http://mazzam.jubilog.co.uk, she posted about "What was in her knitting bag" then challenged me to do it too. So here goes.......


My knitting bag is actually a baby changing bag! I think it is great coz it has several compartments with inner pockets and outer zipped pocket and a side pocket where I keep my mobile and car keys. It came with a small black material bag and a clear flat plastic holder. It is quite large and totally amazed me with what I actually had in it. I also have 2 further clear plastic holders where I keep all sorts of stuff!!!!!

OK, what are the contents of my knitting bag?

2 Knitting magazines
3 clear plastic holders filled with stuff ( see later)
Colinette Muse pattern book
Lana grossa sox leaflet
"Knit Ponchos, Wraps and Scarves" by Jane Davis


Contents of both small plastic holders

In one holder you will find........
12 sets of circular needles, ranging from 2mm to 6.5mm and at various lengths. Some are Addi Tirbos and some are not.

In the other you will find.........Scissors, Tin with stitch markers, ruler, pencil, brass sheep needle gauge from one of my last SP's, pliers for making stitch markers, labels, wooden needle holder, folding scissors, an emery board and a tape measure (not in picture).

Contents of the flat plastic holder
3 cable needles
8 further crochet hooks, sizes 1.75mm to 7mm, some are bone, plastic or metal
(theese are kept in a hard white plastic box)
5 wooden crochet hooks, sizes 4mm to 9mm
4 stitch holders
2 stitch counters
3 sets of needle point protectors
4 sets wooden or bamboo dpns, sizes 2mm to 4mm
3 sets metal dpns, sizes 2mm to 3mm
scissors

WIPS and yarn
2 sock patterns, 1 for Yukon leaves and 1 for Opal yarn
1 Yukon leaves sock (knitted)
1 Yukon leaves sock WIP, knitted in Artists Fleece.
2 sets 3mm bamboo dpns
1 set of needle protectors
2 knitted phone sox
1 ball Lana Grossa 45% cotton,42% virgin wool, 13% polymide, in pinks and purples
1 ball Lana Grossa 80% Virgin wool, 20% polymide in blues and greys
1 skiene Colinette Lasso
several crocheted flowers for Aphrodite shawl
1 5mm crochet hook

You might have also noticed in the first picture that there are a pair of knitting needles sticking out of the bag, well that is a "secret" project for my SP, so there are no pictures of it at present.

Life's Struggles

I found this while randomly searching the net for "words of wisdom" to help me deal with a delicate and difficult situation at work.

A man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared; he sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop making progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and could go no farther.

Then the man decided to help the butterfly, so he took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small shriveled wings.

The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time.

Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly.

What the man did in his kindness and hast did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were nature's way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.

Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our life. If nature allowed us to go through our life without obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as what we could have been.

and we could never fly.........

Yes......hmmmmm? Maybe I should take heed of this!!!! It didn't really help with the stuff for work, but I thought it might be "words of wisdom" for someone....me included!!!!!

News Update

There is not much to update this week (and no photos either) as I have spent most of it in bed with sneezes and wheezes, and generally feeling crap. I was at work on Monday, but was advised to stay off on Tuesday as they didn't want my bugs spreading round the rest of the staff or the young people at work!! However I did have one piece of good news....... I have been offered an other 6 month contract within the unit that I work, but it will be mostly on days. I have been working in a unit for adolecents with mental health issues for the past 27 months, but mainly on nights. I really enjoy working with the kids, but I also have to make sure that my kids are ok with me not being around for them during the day if needed. I hope it will work out but time will tell! (Thats all I'm saying about the sutuation at the moment........)

The only knitting I have done this week took me all of about 1 hour and that was to knit a new phone sock for my phone.

However I have been doing a fair bit of reading and embarked on a book that has been sitting on my shelf for a number of years. The reason I have not read it before is that it is such a large heavy book. So what book am I reading......Diana Gabaldon's "The Firey Cross". I have enjoyed all her other books and this one is gripping me too! Its just a pity it is so heavy as it is difficult to read it in bed!

I have also been busy gathering goodies for my Blogger Secret Pal 8 and my Knittyboard Secret Pal 7. Both have packages all ready to go. While I was up at Borders Books looking for ideas I treated myself to 2 books.....Vogue Socks 2 and Knit Ponchos, Wraps and Scarves by Jane Davis. I will go "shopping" in the stash to see what I can use to knit a scarf from this book for my SP's. I just love doing a hand made pressie for them, but then I might just knit some sox.........who knows, thats why it is secret!

Oh nearly forgot, I spent a most enjoyable hour or so at Ronan's school this morning, along with spiningfishwife, watching the kids of Primary 5 entertained us with songs, stories and dance from Africa. Over the past few weeks they have been studying Africa and decided to show the parents just what they had been doing. I know Ronan came home from school saying he had been doing African dance and drumming....school seems so much more fun now than it was when I was there!

Ok guys thats about it for this week, back to work tomorrow........

The Calcutta Cup

THE Calcutta cup came from Murrayfield (the home of Scottish rugby) to the Musselburgh Rugby Club on Saturday for the kids fun day. There were queues of kids (and adults) waiting to take photos of it.....And yes I was one of them!
So what is so important about the Calcutta Cup....Well for rugby fans in Scotland and England it means everything. It is played for every year during the Six Nations Tournament, and is awarded to the winner of the Scotland v England game. This year Scotland beat England 18:12 to win it, the first time since 2000. However England have failed to have the plaque on the plinth engraved since winning it in 2001, so discussions are taking place to decide what to do about this matter!

What is the history of the cup.....Well it was presented to the Rugby Football Union in 1878 when the Calcutta Football Club was forced to close down in 1877 due to lack of opposition and the growing popularity of other sports. When the club closed they had approximately £60 of funds left and the Honorary Secretary and Treasurer of the Club, G A James Rothney, whose family came from Aberdeenshire, asked for suggestions for the use of the money. There were several including a gymkhana, a ball or dinner, but finally it was decided that something more lasting should be done with the money. Rothney proposed that the funds be used to have a trophy made of ornate Indian workmanship and that the trophy be offered to the R.F.U. The proposal was considered and accepted thus :- "The committee accept with very great pleasure your generous offer of the cup as an international challenge cup to be played for annually by England and Scotland - the cup remaining the property of the Rugby Football Union" (A G Guillemard, RFU President) Once accepted, the Calcutta Cup officials withdrew the entire balance due in silver rupees, had them melted down and then crafted into an original, elegant and distinguished trophy. It is approx 18" high, with 3 handles in the form of king cobras and has a handsome domed lid surmounted by an elephant. There have only been 15 Calcutta Cup games cancelled since 1879, one due to a dispute in the 1880's and the others for both World Wars.

Here are Ronan (left) and Robert (right) with the cup in the club house just before the kick off of the kids and coaches rugby games (see previous post). Note that they look kinda wet, this was due to the water fights!
Who knows one of them might have the privilege of lifting this cup as part of a future Scotland squad........Well I am allowed to dream!

Rugby Round-up

On Saturday the 20th May 2006 it was the last official "games" of the mini rugby season at Musselburgh Rugby Club. It was the kids v coaches fun day. This is where the coaches ALL dressup and we play some rugby against the kids. This year the coaches (me included) all dressed up as pirates. Thankfully, as far as I'm aware, there is no photographic evidence of me as a pirate! However due to my recent back injury I was not playing rugby, but I had the very important task of refereeing all the games! The kids won them all!!!!! We came on to the pitch to be confronted by about 60 kids with water guns and water bombs, before very long everyone was sopping wet, as we were "armed" too!!!! Unfortunately the sun didn't shine for us but at least it didn't rain, not that would have made much difference any way. We just about had time to all get dried out and fed before it was time to return for the disco and presentation at night.

Robert won the "Player of the year" for the Primary 3 age group (8years).

Here he is proudly holding his trophy and a rugby ball he recieved from his friend Connor who is leaving the mini section to go up to the midi section next season. Robert will miss him.

Although Robert plays for the Primary 3 group he is actually only 7 and in Primary 2, so this is a great achievement for him in his first season with the club.

He is a very focused young player who just loves to play rugby. In his teams last tournament at Preston Lodge on 14th May he actually scored 9 of the 23 tries that his team scored!! Making him the highest scorer of the year, infact he was the highest scorer before the game!! When he recieved the trophy all the players and coaches gave him a VERY loud cheer. WELL DONE ROBERT.
(Yes I'm a very proud mum, his dad and brother are proud too!!!!!)

Phone Sox

I got a new toy last week......A new mobile phone and within 10 minutes had succeeded in blocking the sim card when I was trying to protect it with a PIN number.....I suppose I should have read the instructions, but I'm not very good at doing that and unfortunately I'm not very good with technology either, so I should have known better. I did manage to get it fixed by going online and getting a PUK number to unblock the card. Now I am having "fun" trying to see what it does (with the instruction book at hand)!!!!!!! When I bought the phone the shop assistant tried to sell me a phone cover for £10!!!!! I took one look at it and said I could knit one easily, so thats just what I did, using odd bits of sock yarn. The yarn used here is Opal Brazil. (Thankx Suzanne for reminding me what it was called!)


When I took my phone into work and the kids saw my phone sox they all wanted one too. So I was kept busy over the next few hours making sox for the kids phones. As they all had different sized phones I had to work out my stitches according to the measurements. (I measured round the width and round the hight of the phone since I was knitting in the round!)



If anyone is interested here is what I did...... Using 3mm dpn and odd bits of sock yarn.
For a phone sized:-
11.5cm x 19cm (4.5" x 7.5") I cast on 30 sts and knitted for 9.5cm (3.75").
13.5cm x 21.5cm (5.25" x 8.5") Cast on 36 sts and knit for 11cm (4.25").
14.5cm x 25.5cm (5.75" x 1o") Cast on 42 sts and knit for 12.5cm (5").

As I gave all the covers away to the kids in the unit, I need to knit an other one for my phone. One of my co-workers has also asked for one .....I wonder if I started a new craze?

End of the Rugby season 05/06

Today was the last game of the rugby season for the Musselburgh RFC Mini teams. We were playing in our last tournament of the year at Preston Lodge Rugby Club in Prestonpans, just a few miles along the coast from Musselburgh. However it was not to go all Musselburghs' way!!! We were unable to keep our unbeaten record of the last 3 weeks, but we did manage to get runners up in 3 of the 4 age groups, so the kids did really well. It was a long, hard day today at the end of a long, hard year.

What will I do with my Sundays now? We have a break till August....well I say a break, but I am involved with the Thursday night "Tag" rugby (non-contact) from June till August!!!!!!! (No rest for the wicked ehhhhhh!!!!)

The kids played their hearts out and did themselves, coaches, parents and support proud.

I will post some photos after the last "game"....The coaches against kids fun day, which is next week. Then I promise....No more rugby. I think I might split my blogs next year and do a separate mini rugby one, but then again I might not?

SP8 has begun.............................

As of yesterday Blogger SP8 started.........Woooooooooooooooooo Hoooooooooooooooooo, I'm really excited. I just love all the "cloak and dagger" stuff and making new friends at the same time.

I have sent a few emails to the person I am spoiling and after reading her blog, I think Roberta has matched us up to a "T", but enough said, don't want to give too much away.........

I've had 2 posts on my blog from my spoiler and she has given me 1 hint, that she lives across the pond and asked me to let her know if there is anything I would like from over there.......................WELL?......White chocolate M&M's and white chocolate peanutbutter cups would be nice.................LOL, me and my peanutbutter cups ehhhh!!!!

Oh before I forget, HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to ya all over the pond. Mothers day in the UK is in March so I know there will be no cards, flowers or sweets for me on Sunday.....but I do hope for winners medals.(NO pressure on the boys at all!!!!) They are both playing their last rugby tournament of the season on Sunday so I hope they enjoy it and play as well as they can. Its not the winning, its the taking part that is important. As long as they all have fun. I hope to watch some of Ronan's games this weekend as next season I don't think I will see much of them as I will be busy coaching Robert's group on a more regular basis than I did this season. I will do a final post next week after the end of season game.

What of my knitting, well for some reason this week there hasn't been much done for one reason and an other......maybe next week!!!!!

World Wide KIP Day

Thought ya all might be interested in this.........

Knitters: Mark your Calendar

More information can be found here htpp://blogher.org/node/4977

World Wide Knit it Public Day will be Saturday June 10th, 2006.

There are organizers planning public knit-ins around the world: Belgium (Brussles), Finland (Joensuu), France (Paris,Amiens), Canada (BC and Yukon), and the United States (Chicago, Iowa, North Carolina) so far.. but more are needed.

A lot of the work is already done. There is a Gathering Template that only needs to be filled out with the specifics. Then blog about the gathering and let your LYS know.

There is a Volunteer Information page for those who want to participate but just can't organize a gathering.

So, where will you be knitting on June 10th?

Secret Pal 8 questionaire

Today I got an email from my Blogger Secret Pal 8 hostess to inform me it was time to answer the questions again, so I guess I'd better do that before I forget!!!!

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I prefer natural fibres, but will knit with wool/mix, but with a higher % of natural fibre to acrylic...i.e sock yarn with wool/nylon content is ok. I hate 100% Acrylic
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have a cloth bag that I keep my needles in, which I was given as a xmas present in about 1985! and I have a plastic container for my hooks.
3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I have been knitting since I was 6 years old, so that would be approx 38 yeears!!!! I suppose I am advanced in some things and intermediate in others.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes I do have an Amazon account.
5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Citrus for bath/shower products, spicy or vanilla for candles.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Yes I do have a sweet tooth and love Reeses Peanutbutter Cups from USA or any good chocolate i.e Green and Blacks etc
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I crochet, but I did get a drop spindle for xmas which I intend to master before the year is out!!
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
My favourite artists are Eva Cassidy, Emmy Lou Harris, Bob Dylan, Neil Young (acoustic), Bruce Springsteen, Robbie Williams, Rod Stewart, Runrig, Scottish/Irish Folk, KT Tunstall and 80's stuff. Yes my computer playe MP3's.
9. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
My favourite colours are Purple, Black, Blue or varigated bright colours. I hate yellows and Orange
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I have been married to David for nearly 14 years and we have 2 sons, Ronan aged 10 and Robert aged 7
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I wear scarves and gloves, but not hats. I do have 2 ponchos but rarely wear them.
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Socks, Scarves, Shawls
13. What are you knitting right now?
2 shawls, 1 scarf and about to start an other pair of sox
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes I do like getting homemade gifts.
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I learned to knit on straights, and I do still use them for some things. I use dpns for sox and circulars for larger items like shawls etc. I prefer wood or bamboo for dpns and addi turbos for circs and my straights are mainly aluminium. I mainly use wood crochet hooks.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
I do have a yarn winder, but would love a swift, but hopefully hubby will buy that for me at xmas time!!
17. How did you learn to knit?
My mother taught me to knit when I was about 6 years old.
18. How old is your oldest UFO?
Probably about 6 months old, unless I've forgotten something in the mists of time
19. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas, as I just love seeing the big and small kids faces when they open their pressies on xmas morning.I even like all the preparations for it too!!
20. Is there anything that you collect?
China/glass Thimbles
21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
Don't think there are any books(but check my Amazon wishlist), yarns, patterns or needles that I despirately need/want at the moment. I subscribe to Interweave knits, Vogue Knitting and Rowan. I buy the British knitting magazines every month as well.
22. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Spinning
23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes I am a sock knitter and I prefer short "trainer" type sock as I have a chunky leg!!! I also have wide feet. Length of foot (from back of heel to tip of toe) = 10.5" (27cm), width of foot = 10.5" (27cm). Help I've got a square foot!!!!!!!! Shoe size 7 (UK)
24. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
My birthday is 22nd August.

Sockpalooza package

Today I got a very pleasant surprise when I opened my front door and discovered Mr Postman had delivered me a package all the way from the USA, Michigan to be exact. Yiphee it was from my sock pal......And what a package.


In side it was the most wonderful pair of thick warm, soft sox, a skein of sock yarn, 3 packets of "Reeses Peanutbutter Cups" (only 2 here as I'd already eaten one before I took the picture!!!!!), and a postcard with a picture of Petroskey stone which is found in Michigan. Not forgetting the sockpalooza label which came with the sox.


The sox are knitted in Lynn's Colour Joy Sock Yarn in Lynnabell which is a gorgeous blue colour. The sock pattern is Shell Lace Socks from "Knitting Vintage Socks" and they have a 3 point star toe.




The skein of yarn is 100g of "A Good Sock Yarn" in Grapes of Wrath colour way. Hand dyed by Rae of Rae's Yarn Boutique in Lansing Michigan, USA. It is 80% wool and 20% nylon. Can't wait to start a pair of sox with it.



Well who sent me this fantastic package......None other than Rae from "Rae's Yarn Boutique" herself. Her blog can be found at http://extravayarnza.typepad.com. Seemingly she has been lurking round my blog for a while so she knew all about my love of Reeses Peanutbutter cups!!!!!!!! THANK YOU RAE..............
My sockpalooza sox were posted last week along with some goodies from Scotland. Hopefully my pal likes them.