LHogan

Ellen's Birthday Scarf

2012-01-23T07:48:00.001-08:00

I spun this purple yarn a couple of years ago. It was one of my first yarns spun. I purchased the purple merino wool off a hand dyer in Dublin. This was spun on an Ashford wheel I rented from the Guild.

I knitted the purple yarn into a mistake rib scarf on a pair of 15 mm needles. I recently gave the scarf to John's lovely niece, Ellen. It was her 8th birthday last week and here is a picture of her modelling the scarf.

Kalet Fiber Club September 2011

2012-01-15T07:14:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to you all!

I am planning on knitting a top down raglan cardigan. This is from my Fiber Club. I dyed and spun up a jumper's worth. I am going to knit a top down raglan cardigan from it. I think I am going to try and knit a few handspun raglan cardigans. They are fun to do and I love to show off handspun with stocking stitch.

I've done some swatching. I have discovered I am a bit of a loose knitter!

I haven't sat down to write my Knitting Resolutions yet. I think I am going to have to do some more complicated, juicer projects. I love my seas of stocking stitch. I think that is very obvious. I love simple. I also feel that very colourful wool/yarn is very suited to a simple stitch. I also knit a lot of plain socks because they are perfect on the bus or in the cinema. I am also trying to see how my colour lands on the skein of yarn after I dye it. Hope that makes sense.

I am also spinning my colourway Auld Lang Syne Superwash Merino which is also in my lhogan etsy shop. www.lhogan.etsy.com I love it! I am going to make another raglan cardigan from this as well. Joseph won't be the only one with a technicolour dreamcoat. Looking forward to buying buttons for them. I know I own a tonne of buttons. It's the hunt of the perfect button that makes our toes curl in delight.

Happy Holidays

2011-12-28T11:35:00.001-08:00

Happy Holidays Everyone!

I hope you and yours had a wonderful Christmas!

I have everything in my Etsy shop on Sale. Holiday Sale/End of Year Sale Enter coupon code Christmaspudding at checkout to receive 20% off of anything in my store. Sale ends January the 3rd, 2012.

I have a few thoughts rolling around my head at the moment. I am thinking about changing my shop and brand's name. I am going to be very honest, I choose my name because I studied fine art print and textile print so I wanted to start a brand or open a shop that would have a neutral enough name. I didn't want the word print or knit in the name because I might change my mind what I did. I studied art for years but at the moment knitting and textiles is where my heart is.

I think also I choose the name LHogan is because I wanted to always keep my name. My name is Laura Hogan and I am always referred to as Laura Hogan not just Laura. I think also I wanted to show a bit of homage to my grandfather's bakery- Hogan's Bakery. I thought that naming my business LHogan would be a wink and a nod to his business.

Anyway, these are some of my thoughts that I thought best to share with you. I have an idea for a new name. Maybe the new year will bring a new brand or a continuance of an old one. It is a little more cute and a bit silly. Playful as it is, it will still be something very personal and important to me just like my business is to me. Share any opinion that you might have.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind ?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and auld lang syne ?

I wish you all a wonderful New Year! Thank you for all your support!

New Shop Update

2011-12-15T08:22:00.000-08:00

Right now, I bet my hands are colder than Jack Frost's. I have the fire on. I should be sitting in front of it and knitting. I was told the best thing to do for cold hands is to put them under cold water. Sounds like torture. I have to start the dinner and then go out and get more coal and wood. I want a good fire to warm me as I do some after dinner knitting. I am knitting with my 4 ply Superwash Blue Faced Leicester. I am knitting Folded by Veera Välimäki. I have been told after casting on a new, knitting project that I count out loud in my sleep. I was also told that I never turn off from the knitting.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/folded.

I finished my Variance cowl with http://www.etsy.com/listing/88727823/sea-green-4-ply-superwash-blue-faced. I need to block it.

I put up a few more items in my shop. I TOOK THE PHOTOS! I apologise, they are not great but I wanted to get items up. I am patient only half of the time.

I will leave you with this quote. It is one of my favourites at the moment.

“A year from now you may wish you had started today.”
― Karen Lamb

(I am not great tech head. I do not understand why my links don't link.)

Etsy Shop Update

2011-12-11T17:11:00.000-08:00

You should never hesitate to trade your cow for a handful of magic beans.
Tom Robbins

I just updated the shop again. I put up some delicious Superwash Merino and Nylon sock yarns. I really love this base. It is a two ply with a springy twist. I have knitted one pair of socks with them and look forward to doing many more.

Visited my granny today and then got a takeaway of Chicken Madras. I regret not getting more poppadoms because I love them! Anyway, I hope you all had a great weekend. I am almost finished my Variance Cowl. If I actually sat down this evening, it would be finished.

Hello Again!

2011-12-09T13:15:00.000-08:00

I did not expect to be writing another blog post especially since I have a glass of red and a dvd waiting for me.
I just put a few spinning tops up in my LHogan Etsy shop. I will be posting up more items the next few days so keep a look out.
I also wanted to add two photos of John's work. John is a very talented artist who has great fondness for wildlife especially birds. These are two of my favourites from his portfolio. I included the painting of the owl because many of my knitting friends have been talking about owls lately. All going well, John will be opening up his own Etsy shop to sell his amazing paintings and prints.
I haven't decided when I am going to close up shop for Christmas but I will let you all know in time. Happy Spinning! Happy Knitting! Enjoy your weekend!

Spinning and a Dyeing!

2011-12-09T10:31:00.000-08:00

What a Friday! I decided to tackle some spinning today. I used to spin each day. I wish I could try fitting in an hour or so a day. I have a huge spinning and knitting stash I wish I could conquer!

I am running a Fiber Club in my LHogan Etsy shop. I am going to spin each colourway from each month (the last Club's offerings) and then ply them. I am hoping to knit a nice cowl from my new 3 ply yarn.

I was dyeing some spinning fibre today.

I am going to give this Christmas knitting a bash. I think it might eat into my handspun stash which is good. It is a little hard to give the favourite ones away but it is the season of giving. Handmade gifts are amazing! I have some plans for future Christmases as well.

Anyway, stay warm and cozy! Enjoy the weekend. I am going to tuck into a glass of red and a big plate of jambalaya that I made yesterday. I made a huge pot of it. I am thinking perhaps too big perhaps enough for a lifetime. I am going finish with a slice of cherry and almond cake that I also made yesterday. I know that gluten free baking you are supposed to do all different mad things with baking. Forget everything that you know about baking and stuff but I have just been using normal recipes and swapping the stuff I can't eat for things I can eat. I think it is alright better than going without. I am granddaughter of a baker, I like having my cake and eating it!

Etsy Shop Update

2011-12-08T14:02:00.000-08:00

I updated the LHogan Etsy shop today. I also dyed some 2ply Merino and Nylon sock yarn today. I am going to dye some fibre tomorrow. Will put today and tomorrow's creations up soon.
All is going well. It is chilly outside! I am still knitting the Variance Cowl with some 4 Ply Superwash BFL that I dyed. The skein I thought I lost somewhere on the streets of Dublin was actually in my room. I was delighted at our bittersweet reunion.
I started a bit of Christmas Knitting. I think my goals are a little ridiculous and at the same time perhaps doable. We shall see and I will let you know what happens after Christmas. I just want to spend Christmas knitting fun things and watching delicious movies. Any movie suggestions will be welcomed. John and I want to get a bunch of Christmas movies this year. My family and I always watch The Muppets Christmas Carol. Love it!
Went to HMV and It's A Wonderful Life is for 18 euros????? I used to have it on video tape and watch it all the time. I stopped watching it and decided this was the year to purchase it and watch it again. I think I might have to wait till next year.

The Dead Zoo

2011-12-06T17:01:00.001-08:00

John and I went to The Dead Zoo after I taught Beginner's Knitting this morning. I love the Museum of Natural History in Dublin. Being in art college for so many years and in 3 different places, I was taken on location to draw there many times. It is a museum of a museum. I really recommend it if you ever venture to Dublin.
The projects that are photographed are a mix of new and old projects. I have knitted more than I shared. Didn't really feel like being photographed when I wasn't feeling so great. It is a lot of fun going "on location" with John. The photos are a little dark and it also is December in Dublin so light is always going to be limited. We had a giggle.
I posted a few on Ravelry but I need to write the details of the projects. I finished the Thousand Splendid Suns Cowl with yarn that I dyed myself. I need to block it. We took a few photos anyway.
I am taking socks to work on everywhere that I go now.
I have the Variance Cowl on the needles at the moment. I am using some 4ply Blue Faced Leicester that I dyed. I had 5 skeins of that colourway. I gave one away and I lost one. I think it is somewhere in Dublin City Centre or it is my parent's house. I hope a knitter has found it and is making use of it.
I am also swatching for the sweater Folded by Veera Välimäki. I am not really getting the gauge but I think that is because I am not swatching properly. I will think of something.
Still no Christmas Knitting done and time is ticking.

An American in Rathmines

2011-12-04T11:02:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, one needs to recharge one's (creative) batteries and hide out in their lair for the day. One must indulge with copious amounts of coffee and pancakes, and knit whilst watching many "quality" movies from time to time.
The pancakes weren't my best work but they weren't my worst attempt either. (I have a long standing career that has spanned nearly a lifetime.) This was due to the lack of baking powder in the pancakes so they lived up to their name and reputation and were truly flat. They were slightly rubbery as well but all can be forgiven because they were smothered in maple syrup. I rarely have much conflict or bad things to say about anything that is dripping with maple syrup.
Today, I am knitting and praying that I will finish A Thousand Splendid Suns while I watch An American in Paris. John bought me a musicals box set a while back. Musicals make great daytime watching.
Sorry that I have no pictures to post. I hope to take some pictures this week. I am also hoping to have another shop update for you. Promises, promises!
Other news- I now have the complete set of Barbara Walker's A Treasury of Knitting Patterns. I got the first and second one yesterday(blue and red one). I am so delighted with myself. I also saw Martin Scorsese's Hugo in the cinema last night. It is lovely and I look forward to seeing it again.
Going to go watch some more movies this evening and finish my cowl. All going well I will be doing some swatching and Christmas knitting. Oh Christmas knitting, you give me waves of anxiety and panic! I am also hoping Johnny will hoof it down to Leo Burdocks and bring us back a feast. I am feeling super lazy today and I am loving it.
Another thing that I wish to mention is that I am thinking about starting another Sock Club. I am hoping to run it for 3 months and you receive 2 different skeins of 2 ply Superwash Merino and Nylon. If you have any thoughts, please share. I will be also continuing the Sock Club that I have going. I will closing sign ups very soon.
Hope everyone is having a wonderful Sunday! I am!

New Shop Update

2011-11-27T14:18:00.000-08:00

I just updated the Etsy Shop.

I've been thinking about Christmas knitting. I have listed some very bulky, hand dyed yarns that will knit up super quick for last minute presents. They are fun and vibrant. I am thinking about making a mobius cowl with one of the bulky yarns, I kept for myself. I also updated the shop with some laceweight BFL yarns and some sock yarn.

Is anyone doing any Christmas knitting? What projects will you be making? I am feeling the waves of calm and panic just thinking about it. Yeah it's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

A Note To Beginners

2011-11-26T13:11:00.000-08:00

“Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You’ve just gotta fight your way through.”
― Ira Glass

This is a picture of my first 2 plied Handspun yarn. I still own it and it remains unknitted. I might knit it one day.

Etsy Shop Update

2011-11-23T15:12:00.000-08:00

It's a mini update in the Etsy Shop! I hope that everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. This year I will be at This is Knit's Grand Opening in Dublin. No doubt, it will be an amazing night.

This is the second year that I didn't celebrate Thanksgiving. Last year, my sister and I invented our own holiday. Might have to go with that again this year.

I am knitting away. Making lots of socks. I am swatching for a few projects as well.

There are still some club spots available. I am thinking about putting up another Sock Club up but this time the base yarn will be 2 ply Superwash Merino and Nylon Sock yarn.

Have a great holiday and Happy Post Turkey (or Veggie) Dinner Knitting!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

My Week

2011-11-20T12:02:00.000-08:00

The past week had it's fair share of ups and downs. I got really sick before my infusion on Friday so to double check that I could get an infusion I got another stomach x ray. Then after getting the infusion, I got a rash on my left arm and across my stomach. It eventually went away and they made me stay an extra hour in the hospital.
I went to the cinema twice this week. I went to see The Help with my parents and saw The Rum Diary with my brother and John. Both were enjoyable enough but didn't rock my world. I did enjoy reading The Help. It was a bit different than the book. I love the saying don't judge a book by it's movie.
I went to a Spin In in Dublin today in Accents Cafe. I was using the drop spindle. I adore wheel spinning and am hoping to buy a new wheel soon. I must say that I enjoyed the drop spindle much more today. I have since come home and cruised etsy in hope of buying a fancier model. I might try and work on it a bit each time I am in John's. It was nice to see the Dublin Spinners again. I brought in some free fibre samples for them to try.
The photos are of fingerless gloves. I have made another pair for my lovely, little sister. I am hoping to send them over to celebrate our made up holiday. It is a combination of Thanksgiving and Christmas. We named it Christgiving. We started it up last year when she came in the beginning of December instead of Christmas. We were meant to have a Thanksgiving/ Christmas dinner but the only day that we could all do it, I had my very first infusion. We got food from the chippers and had an almighty feast. Being the wonderful older sister that I am, I introduced or inflicted my obsession of battered sausages. I have had to give up battered sausages since having to go gluten free. Luckily, there are such things as glutenfree sausages.
The blue pair of fingerless gloves are for Fiona. She told my mother that she wears the pair that I made her a couple of years ago everyday. Her desk is under airconditioning. We are cold creatures, us Hogan girls. The yarn is handspun from rovings that I have dyed. The pattern is http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/easy-handspun-mitts. I really recommend making these. Would make lovely Christmas gifts.
(Also I am posting these even though Fiona hasn't received the mitts yet. I am confident she doesn't follow my blog religiously. And what a hoot if she did. In that case, SURPRISE FIONA!)

Zoo Anniversary Scarf

2011-11-13T07:16:00.000-08:00

11/11/11 was our anniversary and I decided to make John a scarf. I dyed the wool one day when I wasn't feeling well. I had the fibre wet and ready to dye. I had leftover black dye and emerald green dye. I just splashed it on the wool and went back to bed. I knew when the rovings were dry that it would make a nice present for John. I am a firm believer that ugly rovings often grow up to make the prettiest of yarns. This yarn of course was manly, interesting to the eye and the opposite of pretty because it was for John.
I used 4mm needles and used the mistake rib stitch pattern. I love that stitch pattern. Simple but a little more exciting than a plain rib. Also I think rib stitches tidy up crazy handspun yarns.
John and I went to the zoo. That is where we first went and hope to go at least once a year. You must see the new gorilla enclosure in the Dublin zoo. It is fantastic. If John was here now he could tell me facts to share with you about the new enclosure. He is out for a walk and I am at home knitting a Shaelyn Shawl which I hope to finish if I can manage to walk away from the computer. I have the movie Airplane paused.
I got the Back to The Future trilogy, a Leslie Nielsen boxset and Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas yesterday. I want to get more Christmas specials this year.

Went to The Knit and Stitch show in the RDS show on Friday. I was supposed to teach Beginner's Knitting but Twisted Thread messed up and the class got cancelled. I got a few things. It was in Simmons Court this year. It is funny since the standard of many a local yarn shop has changed over the years, the need and desperate spending in the Knit and Stitch show has changed. I love This is Knit and I joked it feels like why go out for hamburgers when you have steak at home.
Hope everyone enjoyed the Knit and Stitch show! Happy Knitting and Stitching!

Happy Halloween

2011-10-28T16:18:00.000-07:00

It is late at night and I am going to run in a second to watch an episode of The Wire before falling asleep. I am going to do some knitting that does not require the brain to work. I am shattered. I am going to 2 Halloween parties. One family party and one friend's party.
When I say family, this time I am making reference to my fiance's family. John popped the question at the end of August, in between our birthdays.
I am in desperate search for my dpns. I can't find them! And I can't find my pom pom maker. I am making John a basic hat using Donegal Tweed that I purchased in This is Knit. I will have to magic loop the decreasing bit.
The photos are from a really long time ago 2009. Didn't want to go photoless. I hope that I will get some fun pictures from this weekend. I hope that everyone enjoys their Halloween!

Swinging

2011-10-24T09:05:00.000-07:00

I am trying to get organised and back into the swing of things. I am a bit out of shape exercisewise and workwise after my year off. But I hope to keep plugging along. I actually went out for a really tiny run and walk with my dog. I haven't ran since September 2010.
It is raining, lashing, slashing, bucketing or whatever you want to call it outside. There is some serious rain on rain action going on outside. I just had to start. I won't get anywhere running if I wait for a sunny day. It rains a lot here in Ireland.
I just finished The Age of Brass and Steam Kerchief I have to weave in the ends and block it. I knitted it with my new 2 ply Merino Yarn that I am selling in my etsy shop.
I am working on a secret project that is taking forever! I should be ashamed of myself. I am hoping to finish it soon and that I have enough yarn to finish it!!!! It is kind of knitting by the edge of my pants knitting. Intermittently stopping knitting and squeezing the ball of yarn and debating myself- I have enough, no I don't. Stay tuned!

Photos are what I've put up on Ravelry in my stash. It would be sheer madness or a miracle if I put up my huge stash. Those mittens really helped me use up a lot of handspun yarn.

Mittens For All The Kittens

2011-10-22T12:10:00.000-07:00

I am a great one for knitting then never wanting to take pictures. I have many excuses and hope to one day mend my ways. I had to knit a few presents and it seems like 2011 is the year of the mitten. Also in saying that I have a few pairs of fingerless gloves and hats to post so many it's not safe to catergorise the year just yet.
Also I put a few yo-yos in an envelope to start saving for a camera.... I hope that I will not be grabbing it for bus fare to go into Dublin.
Anyway, the mittens are all dyed and handspun by me. My lovable sister took the darkest pair and I had my eye on the purple, green, brown and blue one. They are some of my favourite colours. I actually have a few more pairs to post. They are a bit more wilder looking. I like my handspun yarn on the barbaric side, feral with lots of different fibres and angelina sparkle.
I think I will be starting to wear mittens soon. I made a few apple pies and crumble this weekend. Autumn is on! Happy knitting!

This kitten is going into watch something on the boob tube and to drink a glass of red.

September Sock Club Up The Junction

2011-09-23T05:48:00.001-07:00

Thank you all for participating in my Sock Yarn Club (and of course Fiber Club)I almost have one sock finished of this colourway. I am quite happy with the colourway and really hope you all are. I've been busy knitting mittens and granny squaring it.

I just got my infusion again on Wednesday. I feel a bit off but still trucking along.

Happy Knitting and Crafting! I am going to watch Neighbours and get a bit of spinning in as I dye up some yarn! x

New Shop Update

2011-09-11T17:44:00.000-07:00

I've been doing a bit more dyeing these days. I will be sending out the club shipments this week. Happy Knitting and Happy Crafting!

We've Got A Winner!

2011-08-29T15:44:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all that have participated. The winner chosen is Aileen. Congratulations! I will be sending out Fiber Club on September 15. Thanks again!

The Winner Will Be Picked Tomorrow!

2011-08-27T13:51:00.000-07:00

The good new is I am picking the winner tomorrow of the blog giveaway- Free Fiber Club. The bad news is I went for lunch with my friend yesterday for my birthday and I lost one of the cardigans that I made. It was a raglan cardigan, top down. It wasn't my favourite but still will feel the lost of it. Bit of a bummer! Other than that my birthday was lovely and very low key. Really wasn't in the mood of doing much to be honest.

Fiber Club Blog Giveaway

2011-08-22T16:55:00.000-07:00

Spaces for the Fiber Club and Sock Yarn have been just put up in the Etsy Shop. Each have free shipping to celebrate my reopening of the Etsy Shop.

To say extra thanks, I will be offering one free Fiber Club Membership. Each month you will receive 4 ounces of hand dyed fiber. Each month there will be a different fiber. The colourway will be exclusive and for the club only. The club will last 3 months.

Each month the fiber will be sent out on the 15th. This listing for a 3 month fiber club for September, October, November. The first month will be sent out September 15th.

To enter all you have to do is leave a comment on my blog. I will randomly select a name out of a hat and then contact you with the good news.

Ishbel

2011-08-21T14:16:00.000-07:00

I am only learning how to do lace and do charts. I ripped out my first one 7 times. John, at one point, politely asked me to put it away because I was harping on too much. I eventually got it! Finished 3 of them and love it! I also blocked it wrong. Ah well! One day, I will figure it all out! I love Ysolda Teague's patterns.

I will only post a picture of the first one in this post. The cakes are from the birthday season. I have gotten into making chocolate cakes. I can't eat them but I still love baking them. The cake is Nigella Lawson's Old Fashioned Chocolate Cake from her cookbook Feast. I love Nigella.

Destash One Stash By Making Another Stash

2011-08-20T17:13:00.001-07:00

My new game plan is rid all my bits and bobs of wool that I have collected or have dyed over the last couple of years. Rid is probably the wrong word to use. I am carding it all and spinning it. I am throwing everything together and spinning it up with a devil may care attitude and really enjoying it. Merino, Bluefaced Leicester, Shetland, Corriedale, Suri Alpaca, Silk, Mohair and Angelina are examples of what's going in.

I have spun 6 skeins already and I have a ways to go. I have used 2 skeins already on a giant granny square that I started this evening. Will keep you updated. I am dying with a cold at the moment that I cannot shake. I spun wool in the garden today(It is a rare sight to see a bit of sun these days so I coughed and sputtered spinning instead of staying in bed. Some may make hay while it's sunny, those that inhabit Ireland learn to worship sun whilst it's shining.)

Shop Update

2011-08-18T09:36:00.000-07:00

I am reopening my Etsy shop. I am hoping to continue updating my Etsy shop. I haven't been feeling so well the last while so I appreciate everyone's patience. I dropped off some yarns into This is Knit last week.

I am spinning again! I am spinning what I thought was the ugliest fibre ever. Last month or so, I was feeling woeful and just splashed some black and emerald green leftover dye that I had. I had everything ready for dyeing then didn't want to do it. Am thinking about making a scarf for John despite a few protests. He's not that into scarves. Personally, I don't know if he will be that into the colours. I am growing fonder and fonder of it as I spin it. Always amazes me how the ugly fibre can always become the beautiful yarn, very fairytale-ish!

Operation Cleanup - I am carding a bunch of leftover wool and I am going to spin it Aran weight, Worsted or so and then I am planning on making a Giant Granny Square. Very Excited!

John's Jumper Photos

2011-07-24T15:58:00.000-07:00

I didn't post up any photos in the last post because John's computer was a bit slow. He still hasn't named the jumper. Anyway this is just a post to show you the photos.

The Jumper is Finished.

2011-07-17T08:26:00.000-07:00

I finished John's jumper a while back. It is the first jumper and item that I knitted for him. I feel unscathed so far from the boyfriend sweater curse. It is a curse saying if you knit your fella a sweater, the relantionship is doomed. We took these photos in St. Stephens Green, Dublin. I knitted the sweater with Blue Faced Leicester Aran weight yarn that I dyed. I am waiting for him to name it.

I am knitting my mother an Ishbel for her birthday. I have a few more lines to do. It will be my third Ishbel. The first one was a struggle as I am only a novice lace knitter. My mother's birthday is on Friday. I hope to finish it tonight. I have to block the three of them. Looking forward to the Birthday season commencing. The summer brings my mother's, brother's and my birthday. This pleases me because it means a lot of cake. I am looking forward to starting a different pattern. I also want to finish a few things on the needles.

I dropped off some yarns and Blue Faced Leicester into This is Knit the other day. Was hoping to take pictures and reopen my Etsy shop but I had an off weekend. I hope to have it up and running soon.

Ishbel and Knitting in the Park

2011-07-05T06:06:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was July 4th. I hope everyone had a wonderful Independence Day. I spent it knitting in the Harold's Cross park with John. I got some sunburn and was wearing my watch so I now have red and white stripes.
I have been working on Ishbel. I never reknitted a piece of wool so many times. I keep making mistakes. I would like to be a better lace knitter. I went to This is Knit's Yarniversary on Thursday. I was very inspired by everyone's knits so I feel it is time to work on more complicated projects. The other knitting projects are a pair of Jaywalkers that I am knitting with my hand dyed yarn. The other is a plain garter scarf with some of my handspun yarn. I want to take it to the cinema.
I am feeling better. The gluten free diet seems to be working.

2011-06-29T15:14:00.001-07:00

Cheesecake Recipe

2011-05-06T08:28:00.000-07:00

This is the recipe for the cheesecake I made for the low key celebrations. I never tried another cheesecake recipe. There is a distinct possibility that there is better out there. It is a baked cheesecake, New York style. I have tasted cheesecake that has been made with gelatine and thought it was pretty horrific. Wish I wasn't lactose intolerant. Maybe I will try and make a vegan one. (Haha, many would think a vegan cheesecake sounds horrific.)

Cheesecake

Graham cracker/digestive biscuit base

3 x 8 ounce packages cream cheese, softened/room temperature &cut into chunks
Juice of 1 lemon
1 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons sifted all purpose/plain flour
3 eggs
1/4 cup light cream/single cream

Preheat oven to 450F/230C. Use a food processor, add cream cheese. Pour lemon juice over cheese. Process, while slowly adding sugar and flour through the feed tube. Add the eggs and process until smooth. Add cream and process until blended. Pour into prepared crust. Bake for 15 minutes at 450F/230C then reduce heat to 200F/90C and bake for one hour. Turn oven off and keep cheesecake in the oven for another 10 minutes. Chill thoroughly before serving.

Thinking about going gluten free and dairy free for the next couple of months to see if this helps me at all. I am going to stay away from goat and sheeps cheese but continue in indulging in butter. Butter has such low traces of lactose. I will see where this experiment takes me. Probable straight route to the nut house but I am hoping to get full marks for effort.

Here is a picture of John's Jumper with the ridiculous neckline. Might need to redo the whole thing!

Cheesecake Celebrations

2011-05-05T06:21:00.000-07:00

All I will say is a loved one turned 60 before I went into the hospital for surgery. We are not ones for fuss and like to celebrate occasions in our own quiet way. We ordered an Indian with a lot of fixings. There was a flow of red wine and there was a cheesecake that I baked. It was great fun and I hope that I enjoy my 60th as much. Actually, might do the same for my next birthday minus the cheesecake.

Here is the picture of the cheesecake and of me at my usual station, the island in the kitchen. I am wearing my oatmeal blue faced leicester cardigan that I spun and knitted. I often live in this cardigan. It isn't the prettiest but I adore it.

On Knitting News:

Gauge confuses me! I knitted the body of a cardigan only to be disgusted with it. I used the wrong needles and it is knit too tight, as drapey as corrugated card. The yarn came on a cone with no suggestion. I realised I was using the wrong needles earlier and forged on regardless. This cardigan is in a basket awaiting its humiliating fate of being frogged or ripped out.

On the Cardigan Front:

The Leftover Soup Cardigan (Multi coloured Kilcarra Tweed yarn) was my first prototype cardigan. First, I sewed on buttons only to discover that I miscounted the buttons and did not have enough. I realise now I put in far too many button holes. I wasn't fastidious enough about matching the stripes so 2-3 colours don't match exactly. The second cardigan, the tan one has far less buttons. The cardigan I am working on is with RYC Cashcotton 4 ply that I purchased in John Lewis on sale a year or two back. I love the yarn. Hope this cardigan will turn out lovely.

On Sweater Watch:

John's Sweater!!! You will love this! I took measurements off a sweater that he is happy with the fit of. The neckline was 10/11 inches. I cast that on, not the measurement of the back of his neck!!!! Big mistake! Huge! The neckline now is humongous. It too has been cast aside in disgust. John has to try it on. I might have to rip that out too and start again. It is upsetting and at the same time comical. A little fed up of all these lessons that learnt that I will never forget! (no promises- I may make them again!)

Cupcakes and Fairy Cakes

2011-04-28T16:06:00.000-07:00

Here are some cupcakes that I made to take to my friend, Lizbot's house. She is moving out of her house and she decided to have a Bring Your Own Dish Party. I made fairy cakes with organic white spelt flour. I used royal icing for the first time. Exciting stuff. Molly, my faithful companion now loves the stuff. Don't ask me how I know this. I will say she hoovers around my feet as I cook in the kitchen in hope that I drop a crumb or a mouthful.

John got me this really lovely new book the other day. It is called Babycakes by Erin Mc Kenna. It's a cookbook from the bakery, Babycakes NYC that bakes treat that are "vegan, mostly gluten free, mostly sugarfree." Look forward to trying some recipes. I have a feeling that getting some of the ingredients will be tricky. Does anyone know where to get dried soya milk? Not soya flour because they are different. It sounds a teeny bit gross but Erin Mc Kenna says it helps make the icing lovely. John doesn't feel like this is a present for me but an investment for his belly.

Today was spent at Collins Barracks Museum in Dublin and mostly browsing in bookstores. Going to have a cup of tea now and watch Slumdog Millionaire. I will be working on socks while I watch the movie.

My knitting projects - Working on John's long promised sweater. Took a small break from a raglan sweater that I am making for myself. (will take pictures for another entry) I also cast on and have started a sock from Knitting Vintage Knits. My plan was to knit a pair of socks each month from Nancy Bush's book. I knitted a pair for January and February. March, I didn't due to the fact that I had so much going on with the surgery. I didn't want to stress myself out with a deadline. Anyhoo, I am trying to continue on with venegance. I aim to finish them but I am not going to stress.

Cardigans and Commitments

2011-04-20T04:24:00.000-07:00

I have finished knitting these cardigans ages ago and all I need to do is sew on buttons. Why don't I just get on with it? I did start sewing the buttons on the Kilcarra Leftover Soup Prototype Raglan Cardigan. Due to my screw-y-ness, I realised too late that I am short two buttons. Seriously, who does that? I have searched everywhere. I have to take those buttons off and decide on new ones. I will try to get these cardigans finished soon! Anyway, here are a few of the things I have been knitting. Will probably share more of the cardigans' details when they are properly finished.

I baked a white gluten free and wheat free loaf of bread last night. It tastes okay. The real white bread tastes heaps better but I felt so rotten after eating it. I felt really hungover. I felt rubbish and in a bad mood but I wasn't in a bad mood. I hope I can remember the feeling when I feel hard done by- having food intolerances. (I am going to heat up some Spicy Red Lentil soup now for lunch. You can sell me almost anything if you add a chili or some spice.

To Alternative Lifestyles

2011-04-19T04:20:00.000-07:00

Okay, the game plan is to alternate. I am going to vary my foods and knitting.

I am alternating my knitting. I wish use Barbara Walker's book , Knitting from the Top, as a workbook or let me be honest, as a bible. I am on a serious raglan sweater and cardigan buzz at the moment. I would like to alternate trying to learn how to knit different seamless sweaters to fit me and patterns from other designers.

I assume that diet is important. My specialist never really talks about it. I want to make different breakfasts. Some days have porridge and other days have homemade bread. I am going to try different bread recipes and different ingredients. I hope in doing so, my body won't attack itself. I read the definition of an auto immune disease as "perceiving self as non- self". Talk about beating yourself up.

I wish to have homemade soups or salads for lunch. I adore soup, as does my father. I remember having soup in New York diners when I was a child. I loved how he would always show me how to cool down my soup. Salads will make a lovely change. The reason I am enthused is that common opinion or advice for Crohn's is to stay away from raw fruit and vegetables. I don't have the most typical case of Crohn's so I am going to experiment and eat a moderate amount of raw fruit and vegetables. I am looking forward to trying new salads and making nice dressings.

I am unsure if I can handle dairy, wheat and chocolate. They have often triggered problems for me. I have been trying to be able to eat them. Perhaps foolishly, I want to be able to eat anything and everything. (My family think I am foolish. I can't help being the person who keeps sticking her hand in the fire. Last time it was too hot, maybe this time I can handle it.) Substitutes are just substitutes, they aren't the real thing. Being asked "Well, what can you eat?" is often asked in a tone that makes me feel like a side show in a circus. One day, I hope to celebrate being different.

I baked with wheat flour on Saturday. I was enthusiastic to start with my experiment of homemade breads and hopeful that I could fearlessly consume wheat. I baked a brown loaf with rye, wholemeal spelt and strong white flour. Also I baked a white loaf. Then I changed a recipe, as I enjoy doing and because I wished to use up some ingredients I had in my fridge, and made a focaccia like bread.

The brown loaf was a bit doughy but it did taste lovely. Learnt from my mistakes and the white loaf came out a bit better. I think it should have risen a bit more so the white bread was a bit dense. The focaccia bready thing was really delicious. I mixed half a jar of red pesto into the dough and warmed up some garlic butter I had made, poured it over the dough. I dotted one with some feta and some sea salt, the other with feta and black olives. I splashed the two breads with olive oil. I didn't roll them out as much as I could have and they ended up being deep pan-ish. I also baked an almond and cherry cake using organic white spelt.

The only problem is that after a weekend of serious wheat consumption, I feel like a human balloon. This morning was a morning of porridge for me and the decision was not made lightly that the next bread will be new ingredients. No wheat! Happy Baking and Happy Eating!

The Opportunist

2011-04-17T03:46:00.000-07:00

Out of Clutter, find simplicity. From Discord, find harmony. In the middle of difficulty, lies opportunity.
Albert Einstein

I'm trying.

I write this in my kitchen waiting patiently for a cup of coffee to brew. The time is three and a half weeks after my surgery.

The background is I have Crohn's disease, an auto immune disease. Sadly, I assumed it was food allergies and this went untreated for too long. I thought it was food allergies because I was getting reactions when I ate certain foods. Little did I know, my body was attacking itself. I developed a large stricture/scar tissue/lump. This stricture made my life a bit of a nightmare. I was put on drugs and infusions to better the situation. The improvements were not great enough, so my specialist decided the best option to give me a better quality of life was surgery. I was told I had an agressive specialist and a cautious surgeon, the best team possible to be working on my case.
March 22, 2011 I went to the Hermitage and got 12 inches of my bowel removed. I also got my appendix removed.

I write this to inform you all for two important reasons

1) I feel that I must explain why I was out of action for so long. From November things seemed to have gone from bad to worse. I made note of what happened in my day to day diary to keep record and to help recall what has happened to tell doctors. The other day, I was flipping through the diary and reading it to John, my boyfriend. We laughed about the month of January, it sounded absolutely woeful. To give you an idea, at one point I developed an infection and a fever of 104.5. This was only one of the many things that happened that month. I have been knitting quietly away but I haven't been spinning or dyeing wool.

2) The other reason I wish to share this information is I have come to the conclusion, one should not always be the little brave soldier. If you really don't feel well, get yourself checked out. Perhaps if problems are not left untreated, major solutions such as surgery can be avoided. Save yourself a lot of pain and misery. Best time to be a brave soldier is when you find out what is wrong and decide what's the next best step of action.

In closing, throughout this difficulty, I knitted. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to knit. Roll on good times!

Something for my Honey

2011-02-01T13:48:00.000-08:00

This is a photo of my Honey Cowl. I will get more and better pictures taken. My friend took this photo one day as we were walking around Dublin looking at Christmas markets. The yarn, I dyed myself. I love the colour. I was going to sell it but I noticed that a few random specks of dye got on the skein. I was both disappointed and delighted because I allowed myself to keep them! I have two more skeins. I am knitting a matching Wurm hat to go with my cowl. Never was one for matching knitwear. Now, I am trying to strive for it. I'll try anything once.

Sock it to me, Resolutions!

2011-01-31T15:30:00.000-08:00

I am kind of doing the diet (Specific Carbohydrate Diet). I am a big cheater but I do hope to be more devout the more I do it??? I write this as I have a sweet in my mouth. Sugar and carbs are a big no no. It does make sense and sweets won't heal your guts but they make me happy. I have improved my diet. Again, I can continue with my medication and did not need to get surgery. I was bricking surgery in ways and totally accepting in other ways.
Today is the last day of January and I will quickly tell one of my resolutions. I am hoping to knit each month a pair of socks from Nancy Bush's Knitting Vintage Socks using yarn that I have dyed myself. I hope that I keep to my promises. I am trying to knit and finish all works in progress. I need photos to post on Ravelry. But today I quickly took some pictures to show you the socks I knitted in January and the skein for February.
Another resolution will be photography. Would like to get a bit better at it.
Probably have a list of resolutions that are as long as a piece of string but since I haven't bored myself by writing them all down, I will do you the same favour!
The socks are the pattern Madder Ribbed Socks. The yarns are both hand dyed by me and both are of a merino and silk blend.

Happy New Year To All!

2011-01-13T05:33:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to All! I hope that everyone has had a good holiday season! It is hard to believe that it is all over! We took the tree down last night.
Again, I haven't been dyeing or spinning much due to the fact I have been pretty sick. After the RDS, I have been really sick on and off with Crohn's. I have been knitting and hope to share projects soon. I came across this diet called The Specific Carbohydrate Diet. It is supposed to help cure or keep Crohn's in remission. I would like to start having a life! I am thinking about going on it. I am hoping to use this blog to talk about it and of course my adventures in knitting.
Last year, I half mentioned I wanted to do a pink Aran jumper. I haven't knitted it yet but have improved my cable knitting immensely so maybe one day it will come into fruition.The picture is of Molly Moo in all the snow we got in December 2010.

href="http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info/beginners_guide/beginners.htm">

Yo Yo YO!!!!

2010-11-17T07:44:00.000-08:00

Hello! It's me again! I am here promising to open my etsy shop again. I closed it getting ready for the Knit and Stitch Show at the RDS Dublin. I had a stall provided by Craft Guerilla. I have photos (thanks to my mother- promise to get a camera soon...) It was an amazing experience and a wonderful way to meet so many amazing people.
I will be taking photos of yarns to put up in the shop this weekend. I will be opening the Fiber Club and Batt Club. It will be a little different this time around.
I apologize for the quietness. I haven't been feeling that great. I have been since diagnosed with Crohn's disease. I have been trying to soldier on. I have good days and bad days and I am sorry if I cause any frustration. I also have been getting a lot of tests that leave me wrecked.
Anyway, shop will be opened soon and I hope to see you all soon!

Thanks so much to everyone that visited my stall at the Knit and Stitch, Etsy Ireland and Craft Guerilla!

Nina Simone - In the morning

2010-08-16T03:13:00.000-07:00

I spent yesterday morning playing with the neighbour's puppies. The next best thing is Nina Simone. Great way to start off the day. I am dropping off wool today to This is Knit.

Commemorating Cupcakes

2010-08-13T03:55:00.000-07:00

August 12th is my brother's birthday. I baked him a cake to commemorate his birthday. I envisioned a giant, blue cupcake but unfortunately, Nally's Supervalue in Trim do not stock blue food colouring or had run out. I decided to go use green. My brother studies Botany. We decided green could be for Botany/Ecology/Bio-Diversity or it's the Meath colours.
Anyway, last time I used this cupcake tin it was a disaster. This time was a little better. I have decided that I need to bake this the night before or really early in the morning and then let it fully cool before icing because then it goes lopsided. We live and learn and practice makes perfect. Making cupcakes is my favourite kind of chore.
The next CT scan that I get they will see only cupcakes.
(found out I am not celiac- still off wheat, I use white spelt flour or gluten free flour when baking treats for myself)

Lisa Hannigan - Keep It All

2010-08-11T05:20:00.000-07:00

This song is in my head today. Songs often get stuck in my head but I don't really remember tunes so therefore I cannot sing out loud (for other reasons also) so this vague loop of music goes loop de loo in my head. Only cure is to listen again.

Cat Mazza

2010-08-11T04:01:00.000-07:00

I never wrote more on the last entry. Check out Cat Mazza. Her radical knitting ways are truly commendable and inspirational. Knitting is a fantastic forum for art. It is rich in history and resources. Cat Mazza made a fantastic link with WW2 Knitting for Defense and the War in Iraq. Knitting helmet covers for all the Senators to remind the Senators of the soldiers in Iraq was an excellent tongue in cheek statement. Her knitted animations explain the differences of the two wars and the concept of Knitting for Defense. Also her knitting of major brand logos as a protest of 3rd world sweatshops has to be seen. Her MISSION STATEMENT-"microRevolt projects investigate the dawn of sweatshops in early industrial capitalism to inform the current crisis of global expansion and the feminization of labor."

Knitting For Defense

2010-08-08T14:46:00.000-07:00

http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&File_Id=5722

Knitting for the war effort- Cat Mazza is a really interesting artist. I will just put up the links tonight.

http://www.post-craft.net/catmazza.htm

December Sweaters Keep Me Warm At Night

2010-08-06T05:53:00.001-07:00

She's Got You High

2010-08-06T05:53:00.000-07:00

Knitted Superhero Costumes! Oh My!

2010-08-05T04:20:00.000-07:00

http://www.cranbrookart.edu/Pages/FiberDept.html

A lot of my friends would know that I joke around about superheroes. It all started when I expressed my wish to become a superhero. Lizbot and I decided to become superheroes. I decided to become Mademoiselle Mohair. Mademoiselle Mohair is a socialite billionaire. It is my cover (a daytime name like Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne) but at night I turn into Knit Knacker. I knit webs for bad guys. Help the gardai (Irish police) do their job and stuff. I knit quicker than the speed of light.

I came across Mark Newport's name while looking at the book In the Loop: Knitting Now by Jessica Hemmings. Black Dog Publishing. This book is in Easons at the moment. Me thinks I have to buy it. Freddie Robins is in it also and other textile artists. I really love this link. It is almost a combination of many loves. Batman is also very special to me. My Uncle bought me a batman tshirt when I was younger. Everytime I came in the room on that particular holiday, he sang the old Batman theme song.

I know knitting is an art form but it is so exciting to see boundaries always pushed and instead of saying Why? to say Why Not?

Something Nice To Look At

2010-08-03T03:14:00.000-07:00

http://www.janvonholleben.com

Fraternal Fuzzies

2010-08-03T02:52:00.000-07:00

I going to keep this short and sweet. I usually do but I have to get ready to go into town. I am going to Joga tonight it is a combination of jogging and yoga. All going well, I will survive. I need to head into Dublin. I have to buy a yoga mat. I thought that there was one floating around here probably belonging to my sister. We did yoga once together when I was 17 in Dunboyne Community Centre. It was such a good laugh! Redonkulous!
Yesterday, we photographed some of my knitted wares so I will be posting and writing about them in the next couple of days. I have posted some projects already. They are mostly simple in construction and stitch.
I knitted these in France. (yes, back in April) I have spun up some more sock yarn so I look forward to knitting up myself some more socks.
Fraternal Fuzzies are of mixed fibers and colours. Very cozy and fun to look at. I guess I get a teeney tiny buzz that they do not match.

The Peanuts Theme

2010-08-02T13:38:00.000-07:00

I had a little craving for this. Hope everyone enjoyed the bank holiday weekend!

Lacy Baktus Done Eclectically

2010-08-02T12:04:00.001-07:00

I got this lovely pattern off Ravelry, Lacy Baktus. It is a really easy knit and nice way to triangle. You increase on one side then decrease on the other side. The wool I got from being in the Spunky Eclectic Club. I used to get 8 Ounces a month. I made the scarf a little bit bigger than in the pattern. Didn't make a
note of it, so sorry for the vagueness. The colourway is Rolling Hills and I do believe that the fiber is Blue Faced Leicester and that it was from September 2009.
It is a bank holiday weekend in Ireland. Very quiet one for me! Went for a walk today and yesterday with my dog.
Went to see Gainsbourg on Saturday. It was alright don't know if it quite deserved the 4 stars it got in the Sunday Time's Culture. But maybe this is all an enigma to me because I am not a film critic. But to be fair, Greenberg got 2 stars in the same publication and it is safe to say that I like Gainsbourg twice as much as I liked Greenberg.

Shazzam Me!

2010-07-30T05:06:00.001-07:00

This is from my Shazzam June 2010 Fiber Club. I have to wash and set it. I spun the superwash Merino wool sock weight and plan on making socks. Sock yarn is lying on extra fiber that I have dyed. So it is kind of a before and after shot rolled into one.
Was thinking about yesterday's post and perhaps it was too twee. I can't promise I am going to refuse a million to eat frozen treats at my granny's. We vote for politicians with our wallets in mind, not our ideals but I think you must understand what sentiment I mean and I hope my maudlin contribution to the day did not leave you nauseous.

Ostberlin I - Schönhauser Allee

2010-07-30T05:06:00.000-07:00

The reason that I choose this is because I was looking for a clip of Berlin Schoenhauser Corner. It's a great movie but I found this and thought it was pretty cool (Laura use a thesaurus please!) One of the pictures is of teenagers and it from the film. I spent a month or so in Berlin one summer. I lived in Templehof but hung out a lot in Schoenhauser and any other visits I made I stayed in Schoenhauser. I also planned on moving there. I love it. Amazing apartments, cheap food and drink, lots of great things to see and do and I love the weather. I love cold winters and hot summers or so I think. I am climatised to Irish rainy, grey weather, I'm sure. Today is a prime example of Irish weather.
I am going to watch Berlin Schoenhauser Corner tonight as I finish my wurm hat or a million other projects I have on the go. I recommend watching it!
Happy Friday!

Dukes of Hazzard

2010-07-29T04:00:00.001-07:00

You may wonder why today's theme is the Dukes of Hazzard. It is and it isn't. Strangely enough, it isn't all about those country boys. It's about a rug. It is a little teeney tiny tribute to my grandmother's rug.
I have been noticing that in the photos that I have been taking of my spinning that the rug is showing. It was my grandmother's and now we own it. I work and spin where the rug is.
Where the Dukes of Hazzard and a floor covering link up is that after years of watching Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers on it, many a morning Daisy and Uncle Jesse were viewed whilst sitting on the rug. It wasn't just Dukes of Hazzard. There was also Bionic Woman, A Team and the Incredible Hulk. There was also many cartoons watched and later we were allowed to watch MTV.
Many a bowl of cheerios were consumed while sitting on that rug with my sister and my cousin. We ate meals and snacks, watching television together while my mother and grandmother chatted in the kitchen. Funny how you do something, the same thing, so often you never imagine that you'll never do that again. You might even surprise yourself when granted a wish. Maybe you won't ask for a million, maybe you would ask for a day playing in the sprinkler and then eating a popsicle in your grandmother's living room.

Don't get me started on the cookie jar.

And now after today's input, I will go spin.

Dukes of Hazzard Theme

2010-07-29T04:00:00.000-07:00

Men Without Hats - Safety Dance [Official Video]

2010-07-28T03:13:00.000-07:00

Perhaps some music to spin to?

To Sugar Or Not To Sugar?

2010-07-28T03:05:00.000-07:00

This morning I was wondering (how very Carrie Bradshaw of me!) am I suffering from Peter Pan Syndrome because it seems like I am unable to eat cornflakes without sugar. Peter Pan Syndrome- I will not grow up. I always felt adults were noble beings that were able to withstand such tortures. I am most definitely defined as an adult for some time now. I tried the odd spoonful but eating sawdust with unsweetened soya doesn't tickle my taste buds. Breakfast cereals were never my buzz but it seems like I am having an affair with Dove Organic Farm Gluten Free Cornflakes. We'll see how long we will last. I doubt things will get more serious than this.
I entered a competition with Craft Guerilla and won a space on a stall in the Dublin RDS Knit and Stitch Show this year (Twisted Thread October 2010). It will be myself and 5 other people. I am really excited and do believe I have a lot of work to do! I have not mentioned this because I am a little scared that it is too good to be true.
I have been working on spinning some Superwash Merino. I plied and filled a bobbin. I let it rest on the bobbin. I do think that it helps calm some of the twist down to let it stay on the bobbin overnight. It is a two ply sock yarn. I dyed it last year and have been meaning to spin for sometime. It is yellow mostly with red, orange and brown. I took a picture of it on the bobbin.
I have some more of it to ply today and then I am going to spin some more of the June Fiber Club which again was Superwash Merino but more girly colours. I love, love, love Handspun ka-nitted socks! I just knit them plain. I have a total preference to top down but I am going to experiment more with toe up.
Am thinking about redoing the Fiber and Batt Club but there will be changes. More about that soon....

Cakes

2010-07-27T04:07:00.000-07:00

I have spent a fair bit of time this morning trying to post the photos to accompany my words. I love living in the countryside and many a benefit outweighs the negative but alas decent broadband does not coincide with my humble hovel and its wearabouts.
Hence the cake photos are now going in a second post.
I made gluten free cupcakes for myself and a big, giant cupcake for my mother. I got an icing tool but I now feel it is a toy and want one with metal tips and bags. How quickly we outgrow the tools that we love.
I took some over to my neighbour and her son. She laughed and said he looked like a fox eyeing up a chicken.

Lunatic Laura

2010-07-27T03:08:00.000-07:00

I didn't really participate much in the Tour De Fleece. I spun a lot but didn't share. I spin Mondays to Fridays every week. I would like to start posting what I spin everyday. Promises! Oh promises. I wish I was more comfortable taking photos. It makes my skin crawl when mine are not as nice as I would like them. My dream is to download information and wanted skills as easy and as fast as they do on the Matrix like sticking a usb cable in your brain.
I went and saw the movie Greenberg. It is by the same guy that did The Squid and the Whale. Greenberg was not as good by a long shot.
I also went and saw Shrek in 3D. It is crazy but it was the first 3D movie I ever saw! I wore my glasses and then the 3D glasses over them-6 eyes.
I baked a cake for my mother on her birthday. Was a bit of a disastrous day of baking. My brain was seriously like cake batter after all of it. In the end, I did produce something edible and I am amused by it all.
Finished my third top down raglan last night, all I have to do is weave in the ends and steam a little. Nearly finished my fourth. I wonder when I will finish making them and go on to the next shape. Hope to get photos soon.
I have a few projects on the go. I am hoping to start a lace project and am thinking about some aran style jumper. I am Irish American, after all. This desire for an Aran jumper (I had many as a child- my Gran would get them handknitted and mail them to us in America)cannot be helped just like it can't be helped that I crave burgers and chips/fries and enjoy the color green. I was looking at Vogue or Elle at my friend's house and Aran jumpers were in the magazine under Fair Isle- faux pas or wha?
Photos are of cake baking and some spinning and me and Molly moo

Hello July!

2010-07-02T03:46:00.000-07:00

Hello July! June was a little rough. I was in the hospital a few times. I am also sorry about the Fiber Club and Batt Clubs being late. I get a proper diagnosis July 12th. I am feeling better and regaining my strength, I went into Dublin to do a drop off wool into This is Knit and visit my friend Jane (from Janeyclothing) and my friend B.W.. The next two days, I felt like I ran a half marathon. I need to start walking again. I am turning into a wimp. But this wimp is feeling much better. Never thought I would say this but thank god for drugs!
Tomorrow Tour De Fleece begins! Very exciting! This is my first TDF!

June Baby!

2010-06-02T04:06:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos. My brother found the lizard. His belly was gorgeous! Had an amazing shade of orange on his tummy.
I am a sucker for pictures of Molly Moo. I guess I am that crazy dog lady. This is a picture of her in her bed. She loves that bed.
The last photo is an old picture. My mother styled and photographed. I knitted some mice which now permanently reside in her room. The wool was something I spun when I first started spinning.
Today's news is that I am not getting tests done this week. It has been postponed for another 2 weeks. No point in getting upset. Biggest disappointment is I have to wait longer to watch my Golden Girls DVD box set. I am after watching the first season on Modern Family. It is hysterical! Christopher Lloyd, the screenwriter, actually used to write for Golden Girls, Fraiser and Modern Family.
I cast on and have started my top down sweater using handspun. I am knitting the December Wool from the Fiber Club. It is Falkland. I really hope that it turns out okay.
I made soup. Fingers crossed it is nice.... It is supposed to be a spicy lentil. If it is a success, I'll copy the recipe.

Spring/Summer 2010

2010-06-01T02:30:00.000-07:00

The pictures of the birds are from last year. They make nests in our open shed and the eggs have not hatched yet. They do make a lot of mess but they are so cute! I am a sucker for cuteness.
Still no results back about coeliac test! It is about 6 weeks since my blood test and today after ringing at least 6 times to find out my results- I get told today that it usually takes 6 weeks to get these results. If I knew that I wouldn't be ringing each week. I just thought it would be best to know as soon as possible because it is a self healing disease and if you can stop eating what your body looks upon as poison, you would want to know to take action. I am not even surprised at the wait or ranting here. A little disappointed and not sure what I am supposed to do.
I am going in on Thursday for more tests. I want to figure out how to do the top down raglan today. I want to make a lot of sweaters with my handspun. My first victim or experiment will be the December Fiber Club. It is Falkland wool.
Other knitting on the go is Jaywalker socks, plain green socks that I dyed- reminds me of Easter basket plastic grass. (I don't think I am selling it well but it may appeal to the hearts of some- I used it to cast on!) I also have my handspun granny square blanket on the go. I have a handspun log cabin blanket on the go. (must try and get a square done a week) I also have the handspun scrappy lengthwise scarf ( mine is widthwise) on the go.
Despite all of this- despite all the projects on the go, I have a feeling of guilt, need, desire or something. I have lovely yarns that want to be made into lace. I find lacework tricky. I need to learn how to read lace charts. I also want to start with something easy but beautiful. I am still looking.

Who's Your Granny Now?

2010-05-28T08:55:00.000-07:00

I finally learnt how to granny square. I actually learnt how to crochet as a kid long before I learnt how to knit.(perhaps 3-4 years, that's decades in kids' years) I used to make these big massive blankets. I just didn't know the name of the stitches or how to read patterns.
The scarf is that lengthwise scrappy scarf. I am doing it widthwise to use up scraps. I also have to sets of socks on the go and itching to start a sweater.
Happy Weekend! Happy Friday! Hope it is a fun one.
I posted the Cat Stevens song for my Molly Moo. Some may say she doesn't always come through but she's my best bitch and there you go!

Cat Stevens "I Love My Dog"

2010-05-28T04:39:00.000-07:00

For Molly Moo!

peanut butter!

2010-05-27T12:07:00.000-07:00

This will be a quick post. Maybe it will be just a list of ramblings.

1) I made flourless peanut butter cookies today. I got the recipe off gluten free girl.

2) Still don't know if I am coeliac. I am still waiting for results.

3) I am really, embarrassingly useless at computers. My younger brother is going to show me how to do some things. I am lucky I know how to send an email.

4)I am having a sale this weekend starting tomorrow. 10% off everything. Free shipping on sales $100 or more.

5) I don't know how to say this but a lifetime dream has been achieved today. I used to crochet all the time when I was younger. I used to make these big blankets. I didn't know the name of the stitches but I could do them. Today, I learnt how to granny square while following instructions in a book. Very exciting.

No pictures because I have to clean my kitchen and make some more squares and finish a glass of wine. No rest for this wicked one!

If I am coeliac- I can't drink gin and lots of other fine beverages. This is all a bit mean, don't you think?

Bazinga

2010-05-26T04:51:00.000-07:00

The picture of me is the only picture I have from my time in France. I did dye, spin and knit the sweater. The other sweater is finished but it too big on me. I will take proper photos. I have to sit down and figure how to do the top down sweaters. I have Barbara Walker's book for a month now! Have been working on socks and shawls. I have to block my Citron and various other shawls. I have a fear of blocking. I don't know why. Fear or laziness or impatience.

Still, don't know if I am celiac/coeliac. The results still haven't come in. I am going to the hosiptal to get scopes done on June 3. I stayed at my friend's house on Monday night. I haven't seen her in ages and she is having a baby in July. It was lovely to see her. I arrived home last night and I saw a package from Amazon addressed to me. It was a box set of the Golden Girls! The complete first series purchased for me from my sister! She wrote I can watch the day after! She is so amazing! What a thoughtful present! It was so unexpected. She is the best sister in the world! xxx

Well, Well, Well

2010-05-13T04:15:00.000-07:00

I feel a little silly posting this. I seem to be allergic to everything. I am lactose intolerant, unable to eat chocolate (even vegan chocolate-heartbreaking, and unable to eat wheat.
Since, I still feel a bit rubbish- I am getting tests done to see if there is anything else wrong with me. I might be coeliac as well. Because not eating ice cream and chocolate wasn't a challenge enough.
I have been a total ostrich of late and I apologize for this. This is just a crazy time that I am dealing with- waiting for things. Waiting has never been a favourite sport of mine.
I have not written since going to France. I went in April with my friend to her house in Malicorne, in the Loire Valley. It is near La Mans. We got some lovely spring weather. I got a sewing box on legs. I don't know what you call them. The sewing box that tiers when you open it. They sell them in the Argos catalog. I got mine in a Troc and it was filled with the previous owner's sewing gear. It was so much fun going through it all.
The other highlight of the trip was going to this old haberdashery shop, I think it was in La Fleche. It was owned by this lady whose great grandmother opened the shop in 1850s. She showed us a picture of herself with all the ladies that sewed dresses in the shop. She was a young girl in the photo. My friend has a camera and took photos. I have asked for copies and am still waiting. I promise to buy a camera as soon as I can.
The shop was amazing. It was really old and the type of shop that all the drawers with all the goods are behind the counter. I hate having to ask to look at anything ( I am shy in my own way) But the owner and the woman that worked there let my friend and myself have free range of the shop. We were allowed to go behind the counters and pull out the drawers and have a good look. I spent a small fortune on the buttons. Love them.
I knitted mainly socks. I wanted to knit more. My friend had us do chores during the days and in the evenings we watched movies and I knitted and she crocheted. I often fell asleep. (I think I am turning into my mother)

The Weekend

2010-03-29T03:23:00.000-07:00

Ahh! What an epic weekend! I went to Dublin for many wonderful reasons! My camera is broken so I did not take any photos but maybe I can paint you fabulous word pictures. Speaking of pictures, I hope and pray that my friend, Christian does not post any of the pictures he took of me. They are horrendous.
Friday, I got the bus to Dublin. A great way to start a weekend is to look at the all the cute lambs on the way in! Spring is not my favourite season but it is the best thing to watch in the country. There is a huge chestnut tree in the back and I love when the candles or the do-das start growing/blooming! I love to see everything growing again.
I, then went to De B's house to drop my things off and get ready for FFF. De B made me falafel with spinach and beetroot salad. It was delicious like all her good cooking.
This was my First FFF. Fibre Fun Friday. De B and I used to call all our Friday nights out together-Fun Fridays. I walked down to to Heuston and got the Luas into town and went to the Tea Gardens. It was wonderful to finally meet all the good people on Ravelry! I am going to try and go to as many FFFs as I can! I love the Winterfairywhatever tea that I get as well. I want to go earlier next time and be able to drink my tea at a more leisurely pace.
It was Janeybop's birthday. We went to Le Cirk. It was okay. It seemed to be really hard to get served at the bar so a lot of us didn't drink as much as we had hoped. It was lovely to see everyone! I hope that Janeybop had a great time.
One of my favourite friends came as well B.W. I told him that I had this blog. He is going to try and find it. I wonder will he. (Howaya Brian!)
Saturday was pretty much a write off. I didn't drink that much on Friday so I was not a walking corpse like the others but also did not have the energy to run a marathon. It was nice to relax and knit socks at De B's. Later, I headed to Janeybop's where all the others were, licking their wounds from the night before. It could only be described like a small hospital.
We got a Chinese and I put my knitting aside and we spent the evening looking on Regretsy! There were tears and laughing!
Sunday, I went to Powerscourt Shopping Centre for the Dublin Spinning Group. I brought my Drop Spindle and practiced. I am a bit rubbish at spinning on my drop spindle. Who knows maybe one day we will make peace and learn to love one another. Thinking about taking it to France....
Again, it was so fabulous to meet more spinning/knitting people! There were little muffins and fun galore!
I have a horrible thought- I overpack when going to Dublin for a day or weekend. I hate not having something that I want. I will admit packing for France is beginning to fill me with fear. I am either going to pack too much or not pack at all. Last time I went, I took very little clothes and had to borrow Liz's. Might start packing today. Oh waffle, waffle, waffle!
This sock and its partner in crime is finished. Need to photo again.

SOCKS ON THE MIND

2010-03-25T03:57:00.000-07:00

Of late, I have been obsessed with socks! I have been knitting and spinning sock yarn. About a year and a half ago, I purchased white yarn and dyed it for sock knitting. I lost interest and felt it was a bit of a chore until (I know-broken record) I learnt how to do the magic loop!
I am teaching my mother how to knit and she is making her second pair of socks. Oh the pride swells within. I purchased the yarn off Juno Fibre Arts. She sells on Etsy. It was part of her Mother's day present.
I am going to go to France in a week and I am hoping to knit lots of socks and shawls. My only worries about the trip is that I will run out of yarn or all of the sudden get bored and hate the projects that I packed and then not enjoy my holiday knitting.
My father was asking me important questions like where are you shipping out from. We are getting the ferry. He told me that it will be a long journey. Asked things like do you need a sleeping bag. All I was thinking about is what yarn will I pack and things I would like to spin before the trip so I can knit it while in France.
Also I will be going to France for 2 weeks so I would like to let you know that I will be closing the shop for 2 weeks while I am over there.

This Week

2010-03-19T04:56:00.000-07:00

This week I have been so confused! I got all my days mixed up. I wrote on the 16th but did not realise that Paddy's day was so soon. I thought yesterday was Wednesday. I headed to Longford on Paddy's day because it was my Grandfather's one year anniversary. We went to for lunch with relatives. It was a lovely day! I really enjoyed it!
Shocker! I didn't have a drop of drink the whole day. It's just the way it happened.
I finished the teal socks and only today have a started the crazy handspun socks.
Hope everyone had a great Paddy's day!
There will be lots of photos taken tomorrow.
The above photo is a picture of Molly, my dog. It is one of my favourite photos of when she was a pup. Have a great weekend!

2010-03-19T04:54:00.000-07:00

food- Rocking the Recession 2010 Style

2010-03-16T06:18:00.001-07:00

I forgot to mention. I am trying to the best of my ability to use leftovers. It is such a pain to find what was good food growing into someone's lab experiment of new lifeforms.
I made potato pancakes from leftover mashed potatoes. ( I am a fecker for cooking too much potato) I tried to liven it up by sauteeing a red onion and mixing it in with the mashed potatoes. I also added mixed herbs (add your favourite), I had some leftover roasted carrot which I roughly chopped and added. Add whatever you want. Use your mashed potatoes as your blank canvas, but I recommend going down the savoury route. But then again, maybe you would like to go crazy like Heston in the Fat Duck.
I binded it with an egg and flour. I am sure if you are vegan or not into eggs you could use egg replacer. Mix it loads and shape like little burger and cook in a pan.
I also made a salad of grated carrots and chopped broccoli. I mixed with mayonnaise.
My friend Jane introduced this delicacy to me. We went out and had a few tipples and woke up the next day craving it. We visited 2 more houses and this exact salad was served. If I didn't hate lol, I would most definitely write lol here. It was my friend Laura who introduced it to Jane. It is yummers.

2010-03-16T05:58:00.000-07:00

Okay these are more photos of the sock yarns(again but I hope a little bit nicer). I am going to wash and set the scrappy one today. I am hoping to take and knit one of them on a road trip to my Grandmother's. She lives in Longford. That is how I am spending Paddy's day this year.
When I moved to Ireland I spent my first Paddy's Day at the parade in Longford. Looking at the parade of tractors on Floats. I expected a lot more. The parade is huge in New York. I thought it would have been crazy here in Ireland... It was crazy with snazzy tractors. This was a whole new experience for me. I grew up without the pleasure of seeing many tractors in the Fabulous suburbs of Westchester. Looking back, a tractor would have been handy at the beach, making sand castles or clearing a space for one's towel to lay down and sunbathe on.
I also didn't take off my coat because my peers of the time, were making fun of Yanks and other nationalities that wore green on St.Paddy's day and I was fashioning a Fighting Irish Sweatshirt. I didn't want the others to see and tease.
Green is one of my favourite colours. This is a funny but heartbreaking tale.

Sock yarns spun

2010-03-15T10:19:00.000-07:00

The first photo is a yarn that I made from scraps. Sometimes when I am plying yarns I have a little left over because I didn't divide it exactly. I, then ply all the little bits and get a really fun and random ball of yarn. I need to wash this one and then I am going to knit myself a pair of socks. I ply the similar weights of wool.
The bottom picture is scraps of wool that I carded a few times with angelina. I also am hoping to make a pair of socks with it. I think it is okay but I feel like I carded it too much. There is serious optical mixing with all the greens and reds and all other colours. It made it really muddy. Still a lesson was learned and I do not mind that much. I'm a teeny bit disappointed but have gotten a kick out of the scraps sock yarn.

Super Sock Bug

2010-03-15T03:17:00.000-07:00

Me thinks I have been bitten by the old sock buzz. I have knitted socks in the past but it was like I was dragging my feet doing it. Now, I am flying!
I was going to a Stitch and Bitch in Blackrock and I met HelenMc and Hotcocoa and they swore by their circulars. They listed the advantages of circular needles. I made a few hats on my 5 and 5.5mm addi 40cm needles. I also made a few felted bags but never sweaters. I now make sweaters, hats, shawls and socks on circulars. I love them!
I did finish the jaywalkers. I am now working on a pair of plain teal socks. I dyed a bunch of sock yarn before and am thinking about dyeing yarn again as well and selling it in my shop. I am going to update the shop a little and then attempt taking a few photos of things to show you what I am doing at the moment. I wish I had a dress mannequin. The only other memember around is my father. I will refrain from asking him to try on my finished socks. I am too afraid he might have nicer legs than me and I don't know if I could handle that, Mondays can be difficult enough.
Did you all have a nice Mother's Day? I tried to be a model daughter. My present is late. I ordered handdyed from www.junofibrearts.etsy.com and I also ordered some circular needles. I can't wait!
Also I went to the Ikea in Dublin for the first time. I went to one in the States a million years ago to an Ikea near my Grandmothers.
I finished the first season of The Wire.

Banana Baby

2010-03-12T04:14:00.000-08:00

Today, well this morning, was not very productive. I thought about stuff. I looked at stuff. I found stuff. I also looked at 3 delightfully browning bananas and decided to make some banana bread. I love to bake. I suppose it is a in my blood because my grandfather was a baker in Donegal.
It's still in the oven and it is taking its sweet time. Oh the waiting game of baked goods is a hard one. Especially since the desire to eat baked goods started your mouth to salivate as you pull out the mixing bowl.
I was looking at Martha Stewart's website. Some of the stuff is great. But I wonder what my friends would think if I gave them paper flower party favours after they left my house party. Some friends would be delighted, others would raise some eyebrows. I suppose this is all irrelevant looking and thinking because
1) I do not plan on having a party anytime in the near future.
2) out of all the party favours, I don't think I would choose the paper flower ones.
I am sorry. Now, I am wasting your time too.

Projects I have on my needles (don't expect photos of them today- I am the worst photographer)

1) Jaywalker socks- finally! I tried before and frogged them. I have one sock completed and working on my second sock with I am about to turn the heel. Tonight is going to be one wicked Friday night. ( will turn heel tonight. I am all about the recession good time kicks) I am doing these on circular needles. I am in love with circular needles.
2)Seamless plain yoke sweater. Knitted with wool that I dyed a long time ago. I am alternating the yarns because I do not want pooling. I am one inch short of finishing the body. This is of course knitted on circular needles. I am kind of doing a KAL with my mother. She is learning how to knit. I spun her the wool for a sweater. She just finished her first pair of hand spun, worsted socks. Go Mom!
3)Top Down Handspun Sweater- I used a yarn I spun from the Hobbledehoy Fiber Batt club. I also have spun Blue Faced Leicester Humbug for the rest of sweater. I took it off the circular needles and tried it on. It was way too big! I followed instructions (at least, I think I did) and cast on extra sleeve stitches. I ripped it and eliminated those extra stitches. It fits me much better. I am almost finished with this body too.
4) I have to finish this shawl I spun. I started doing Damson by Ysolda Teague. But on one row I have an extra stitch. I am seriously contemplating going freestyle and finishing it with another trim. It is Spunky Eclectic Wensleydale and I don't think it is showing off the fine attributes of the Damson pattern. I did another Damson in sock yarn that I dyed and ran out so I had to finish trim in another colour. Jury is still out.
5)lots of other stuff. Sweaters, socks,Shawls, etc. Some days, I am overwhelmed by the number of projects on the go and my yarn stash. Other days, I just want to buy more yarn. I wonder will I ever use it all. Yada yada yada. Kind of started doing that Elsa's tote from Purl Soho. I don't know if I will bother.

Here is my recipe for Banana Bread

Banana Bread
1/2 cup Shortening
1 cup Sugar
2 Eggs
1 cup mashed bananas (ripe)
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 cups sifted flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup nut meats, chopped (optional)

Cream shortening and sugar together. Beat eggs until light and add. Press bananas through a sieve and add lemon juice. Blend with creamed mixture. Sift flour, baking powder and salt together and mix quickly inot banana mixture. Add nuts. Bake in a greased loaf pan in moderate oven, (375F /190C) for about 1 1/4 hours. Makes a one pound loaf.
I use one of those silicone baking things. I do not grease it. I also think that you could lower the temperature. Because the outside bakes and the inside is still raw. So annoying.

I finally put up some projects on Ravelry. I need to put more and photo more. Here are the hand spun socks I made. They were my first toe up socks. They are Merino and tencel. I might even model them one day.

The War

2010-02-12T03:35:00.000-08:00

In this war of Human versus the Machine, I am losing the battle with my computer. Actually, what was the old computer died and what I am using a different computer. This computer is bits of old computers put together. A new motherboard has been ordered. So this heap of junk (I daringly say) is lacking a heap! I feel like I am computer camping because I don't have all the old programs and options I used to have. I do apologise profusely but all I can say is these things happen.

Happy Valentine's Day to all! Hope you all have a good one I am off to Dublin on Saturday to meet up with the Irish Lazy, Stupid and Godless Group. It is a knitting group on Ravelry. I am really looking forward to it. We are going to watch the Rugby afterwards. Yeah! Good Luck to Ireland!!!!

fibery goodness a monthly dose of yum

2010-01-19T04:32:00.000-08:00

I have posted a few new things up in the etsy shop. I have a fiber club running now. It is for 4 months and at the moment the shipping is for free. Today, I decided to post up a double dose option so if you want double the fun, double the trouble you can now purchase it.
And I also am starting a fiber batt club. I am starting this in February. I am offering 10 places. I am also offering free shipping to Irish residents. Let's start the year off with some fun.
I love fiber clubs because it is a surprise once a month. I love fiber. I love surprises. I love spinning. I love knitting. Enough said.
After I do my daily spinning today, I am hoping to photograph my t toppers progress.
I am knitting a bunch of t toppers because it is the first kind of pattern that I came up with. Super basic like myself. Please do not mock my simplistic ways. I will prove to all with my pink aran)

2010-01-15T09:57:00.000-08:00

New Years Resolutions

2010-01-15T09:40:00.000-08:00

New Years Resolutions.
Yes, I have quite a few but think it would be boring to write them. And it's always a bit sad when they are not kept. Best not to have too much evidence either.
Suffice to say, I WOULD LIKE to keep a better blog and post up more projects on Ravelry. I WOULD LIKE to be less impatient and finish projects off better(i.e.block my knitting) I also WOULD LIKE to be more experimental, daring and give myself more of a challenge. I really should do more lacework and cable knitting. Strangely, I am overcome with a desire to knit a pink Aran sweater. Why not, eh? I can dream, can't I? Some might comment that, that dream is a nightmare. I retort with I will knit it anyway!
Please note the WOULD LIKEs and there is no I promise.
Looking back on 2009, personally, it was a year of serious highs and lows. I am happy to say goodbye to it like one says farewell to a friend that they are really not so sure of.
I spent New Years Eve in Kilkenny with some friends and had a great time! New Years Day was spent drinking Irish coffees and watching the old version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I, of course was ka-nitting. I made more Simple but Effective Shawls. I will take pictures of all of them. They deserve a blog day of their own.
I ate a delicious Indian takeaway, drank some wine, drank some port and blabbered to me mates. Loved it. 2010 rocks already.

Hello Again

2009-09-02T03:57:00.000-07:00

I just wrote a blog and just lost it due to my poor, poor computer skills! I made promises of blogging more. I must say it was truly fantastic. Tis a pity, you all missed it! It is hard to say but I reckon it is the best piece, I ever wrote.
Anyhoo, enough of the laughing and not crying or mourning of loss! Here I am! I am sorry for not blogging or being in touch. I hope to blog more and post photos more.
Shop has big updates and hope to continue to update.
Going to Poland and hope to take pictures for you. (lost my own camera during the move, we'll figure something out... we will!)
Anyway, here are some shop updates.
Need to post some knitting updates!

2009-06-28T09:33:00.000-07:00

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=59139

This weekend!

2009-06-19T04:46:00.000-07:00

This weekend I have confused twice with next weekend. I thought I was supposed to go out for dinner tonight but it is next weekend. I thought I was doing a market in Avoca, Wicklow on Saturday- next Saturday! Really stupid of me! But really, no harm done, no blood shed!
I am getting wool ready to wash and set. I am hoping to get more in the shop than I do each day. I am beginning to take more photos and where I am not great- I am hopefully not getting worst.
Knittingwise, I am working on 2 cardigans (let us forget the pile of unfinished jumpers I have unfinished for various reasons) I really hope that they will fit! I have to knit my sister fingerless gloves and then I really would like to start sock knitting again. I need to learn how to do two at a time and then there are also bootees...
Anyhoo, this is just a natter and I will post pictures and fun later.
Lotus knits from etsy mentioned me in her blog and I will do the same. What a super girl!
xxxL

2009-06-18T16:17:00.000-07:00

2009-06-15T03:49:00.000-07:00

Rainy Day

2009-06-15T03:32:00.000-07:00

It is raining loads right now. I was hoping to wash and set some yarns. I will figure something out... I visited my Granny last week and I guess stepping away from everything and recharging my batteries was the best thing for me. Endless talking, high amounts of tea consumption, biscuit/cookie and cake galore are things that give this gal a bit of sparkle. Also I knitted and knitted and then did more knitting. My Fabulous sister, Fiona, gave me some white wool-brown sheep worsted for Christmas and I dyed them up. Now I am making cardigans for myself. I have 2 on the go at the moment. I can't wait to finish them.
Sparkle! I have some Angelina sparkle but have not been brave enough to use it. I will, I promise. I probably know I will be so hooked afterwards! There will be no looking back. I also have great plans for making one particular yarn that is in my head... And Angelina is the girl for the job.
I am going to try to update the shop at least once a day. Hahaha. Really! I am hoping to list a few items a day. I am also going to be selling at a market in Avoca, Wicklow, Ireland this Saturday. It will be my first time selling there. Looking forward to seeing what it is like. Wicklow is beautiful! I will not be selling at the Dublin Flea Market myself but my friend Liz Brennan will be and she might sell a basket of my wool.
I love www.mypapercrane.com
Here are some pictures of yesterday's updates.

2009-05-29T09:39:00.001-07:00

SALE SALE SALE

2009-05-29T08:25:00.000-07:00

I am putting a massive sale on in my shop in etsy in hope to encourage more sales! I also would like to thank my one follower- my little sister!
I am selling at the Dublin Flea Market this Sunday! Hope to sell everyone there!

Joe Burger!

2009-05-19T13:48:00.000-07:00

There is a Stitch and Bitch- this week and every week at Joe Burger's on a Wednesday night from 7pm. Come one, come all! Le Cool Magazine will be there.

Not much news. Did a bit of dyeing today. It is so much harder when it is raining! I am happy enough with the results. Bit of Green, green and mOre GREEN! (and a little grey- to balance?)

Sunday, I had the most wonderful omelette! I never knew omelettes could be so delicious! My friend Hannah made me one- mushrooms, sundried tomatoes and goats cheese! All sunday I thought of it fondly! Her boyfriend made these lovely potatoes and squeezed us all some orange juice! Heavenly! They better stop treating me so good, or I will keep coming back!

I posted up some stuff on etsy. have a look! I am trying to learn how to take pictures. I didn't have a great time today taking pictures-as in they didn't look too good. But I hope to post up more soon.

Please check out http://farrellandchase.etsy.com/ and http://janeyclothing.etsy.com/

I would love to post pictures from their shops but I am afraid we have to wait until my little brother can show me how to do stuff. Unfortunately, he is in the middle of his exams.

I also want to start taking pictures of the progress of strawberries!

some of my handspun yarn

2009-05-15T11:28:00.000-07:00

Me So Tired!

2009-05-14T13:10:00.000-07:00

Seriously! Today was as dull as dishwater! I wanted to sleep all day! All day, I tell you! But I soldiered on. Don't know why, I got nothing done really worth talking about.

I did take some photos. W took some. I praticed for the first time in ages. It is more to show you what is on the auld needles. I am going to quickly post this because I have decided to rewatch Annie Hall. (a workmate of my Mother's wants me to make her an Annie Hall Hat, similar to the one I gave my Mother. I got some Noro Silk Garden for it)

I have to write about Farrell and Chase! I met the Maker Pamela! She is super! I really would like to write and post more about her really beautiful stationery. It is letterpressed. She does wedding stationery and other really witty stuff. There will be more about Farrell and Chase and the Lovely Pamela tomorrow.

I am going to work on my totem jacket tonight. I have some photos of a scarf I am working on. I spun it from my dregs- before I got new wool. Very interesting.

Please anyone come to a Stitch and Bitch in Blackrock- Joe Burger from 7pm. I will be there to help anyone knit.

Oh, I also put up some dyed roving. I have more to put up so please keep checking the shop.

New Stuff To Spin

2009-05-07T15:40:00.000-07:00

finally new stuff for shop

2009-05-07T14:47:00.000-07:00

I do make stuff all the time but photographing stuff sometimes is the hardest part( I do not photograph my stuff- my Mother or Boyfriend does, I must learn). I have been spinning some really girly- girl, pink wool! Whoa! I decided to name it Belleville Belle. I couldn't think of a name and then I rewatched La Vie En Rose last night and due to a scene of a little girl wanting a little doll in Belleville. I decided to tribute this colourway and call it Belleville Belle.
I will be selling in a market this weekend in Dublin. I will be sharing a table with two close friends. The market is in Dublin, by the College of Surgeons Car Park. I am not 100% sure of details. I will just be selling handspun yarn. Oh and my ridiculous supply of buttons... I will be there on Sunday. Market is open on Saturday and on Sunday.
Also I have been asked to help start a Stitch and Bitch in Blackrock, Dublin. There will be deals done on wine and stuff so please come and have fun. I will have more details soon. Joe Burger, Blackrock Dublin, Wednesday evenings, 7pm. A girl cannot have too many knitting or fiber/fibre friends.
I hope to bring some handspun to sell. I don't feel like I am knitting as much as I used to. I am trying to cut down and finish one of the million projects I have on the go....

Hello Hello

2009-05-05T08:18:00.000-07:00

I decided to create a blog.... I joked about this moment, I threatened it, and now I did it! My Name is Laura Hogan. I make stuff and sell my stuff at etsy LHogan.etsy.com or I sell at markets in Dublin, Ireland.
I studied Art and Design. I studied Fine Art Print and Textile Print. I love knitting and spinning. I hope to sell some of my prints soon.