Suggested colours/themes for the lunar sock year, moons of the year

I had a couple of emails about sponsoring my sock year for the hospice and asking about colours
These are the names of the months that I follow and my thoughts/inspirations for colours if that helps?
JANUARY Wolf moon. Darkest time of the year called wolf moon because this was the time of year when wolves came nearer villages looking for food as they were so hungry. Maybe if they took a child then that is why the howl strikes our inner core?
I'm thinking dark colours with maybe dark reds/black mix?purples
BLUE MOON the 13th moon I'm showing it in Jan as its easier:)
known as storm moon, cruel moon as worst of the weather then. I'm thinking greys whites blues

FEBRUARY Chaste moon, also Imbolc or Candlemas snowdrops colours white/pale lemons pale green to celebrate the snowdrops coming through
MARCH Seed Moon a time of planting, Spring Equinox, golden yellows rich greens
APRIL Hare Moon and Spring any spring colours
MAY Dyad Moon, nature is blossoming Beltane, reds, golds, fire colours for Beltaine
JUNE Mead(honey) moon Midsummer solstice, more gold reds greens
JULY Herb or wort moon greens browns
AUGUST Barley moon Lamass, harvest colours
September Harvest moon Autumn Equinox harvest colours again and fiery colours for the turning leaves
OCTOBER Blood moon Samhain, deep reds, blacks, purples
NOVEMBER Snow moon blues/whites
DECEMBER Oak moon and Yule any colours

This is a quick guide to some of the colours I see at the various moons, not necessarily your choice:) However any yarn gratefully received with many thanks
oops also meant to say if there is a particular month or moon you wanted the yarn knitted for do tell me

Sponsoring the year of socks for the hospice?

Maylin suggested I ask for sponsorship for the lunar year of socks for the hospice. Not sure about that as I hate asking for things:( However she has kindly donated a ball of Tiger Feet yarn for a pair of socks thank you Maylin:)
Would anyone else like to donate enough yarn for a pair of socks? The finished items will be going to St Johns Hospice in Lancaster end of 2008. There will be 13 pairs as there are 13 lunar months in a year. If you have a colour theme for a specific month I'd love to hear it also:)
I will be documenting on my blog each pair of socks progress as I did with my shawl knits for 2007

many thanks for reading

Socks,simply too addictive:)

Oh Yvonne what a tangled web you wove when you sent me the Lucy Neatby DVD and the makings of a sock:)) Do you see what you've done to me? I am addicted to the darn things:))
Here you see a finished sock in Yarn Yard yarn I was gifted and the beginning of a sock in some Dennis the Menace yarn. Well that is what it looks like to me:) Unknown origin,gifted again:)
And yes Jo
I have started another sock without doing the second of the yarn yard pair:) OH NO! do you think I have second sock syndrome? Do I need the paramedics perchance? Actually I have cast on the yarn yard second sock but thought I needed to see how the Dennis the Menace yarn knit up. Oh and don't we all know where that leads to? Soon I can see it, dozens of socks lying about, sadly awaiting their ideal partner in life. Wondering if they will ever find their perfect pair. Their solemate(VBG)
However I'm practicing you see, checking that it isn't a flash in the pan. That I am commited, or should that be ready to be commited?
I am thinking of casting on for Monkey, it is calling me and I have the yarn at the ready. Some Lucy Neatby from Lime and Violets destash in Spumante. No I won't show it you just yet. Well you never know I may resist the urge til these 2 socks are done.
Thanks for all the kind comments and Maylin
I am so pleased at your good news, you must be so thrilled:)
Thanks for the offer of some yarn for my hospice sockfest. I appreciate it.
I also received a gorgeous card today from my SP10 Yvonnep:) thank you very much for thinking of me:)
Well it is a very blustery day here, we had a very short walk on the promenade but it was way too windy for me. The tide was stunning and very very high, made me realise once more why I adore living by the sea.

of resolutions, gifts and more

Have any of you thought of resolutions for this next year? Knitting or otherwise:)
I'm going to do the lunar year of socks for the hospice and hopefully it will help me improve my sock knitting skills:) I can always use ideas of simple patterns to make:)
My other main resolution is to get Mr Mog though his radiotherapy and hopefully a cure. If the Godess is listening, that would make a might fine post Yule gift:))
I didn't get any knitting gifts for Yule but I did get other good things:)
They ranged from a fabulous East necklace, via lush goodies to the great big glorious book for girls
It also included a heart gift box from Portmerion.We had a great day Christmas Day. The morning was spent at my daughters watching our 2 grandsons open their gifts:) I love that, when you see their faces when it is something they really want. After lunch we went to our friends for Christmas meal of Roast beef and all the trimmings. Followed by games and much merriemtn. Very late when we went to bed and no sleep to speak of as I have had a few days of really bad pain.
We called to see a couple of friends after lunch on Boxing Day and then went home as I was so shattered. We were supposed to be staying with our friend for the night but I had to bail. When we got home at 4pm it was jamas on after hot bath and sat in warm room enjoying the peace of home and Mr Mogs company. I went to bed at 9.30 and didn't get up til same time this morning. I do feel much more refreshed although still much pain around. The damp doesn't help
How was your Christmas?

A surrpise gift from my SP and finished socks

A little of everything today:)
Firstly I made another pair of socks using the yarn Yvonne gifted me with at the end of SP11, doesn't it look good knit up? They are for my DD as part of her Yule gift.
Secondly look what came in todays mail:) A gorgeous card and book mark from Yvonne. Thank you so much they are brilliant and I love the story on the card:)
Finally a quick view of the festive tree, courtesy of Mr Mog.
Hope you all have a peaceful, joyful time however you celebrate

Happy Solstice/Yule

A quick post to say Happy Solstice or Yule to everyone. Hope the turn of the wheel into longer days brings new energy to all

I know who my SP is:))) and more sock knitting, plus Hospice shawl update

Phew lots to write about:) Firstly I received my final SP11 parcel and found out who had been spoiling me. Yvonne has been gifting me this past few months:) The final parcel was no exception, Yvonne's thoughtfulness continues to the end. Can you see what is in the package? A beautiful soft beret, knitted by Yvonne herself. I haven't had a beret since school and it is a lovely one to wear:) A sock knitting bag that had chocolates in it, sadly they seem to have disappeared;) A bath soap fig and cherry that smells good enough to eat:) Meditation kit that Mr Mog has claimed:) A K&CG pin for me, a moggie card and 2 skeins of Knitpicks merino for socks that feels like velvet it is so soft. It knits well as you will see in the pic above:)

Yvonne you helped me get through a very dark period with your emails and packages, I count my self very lucky to have had you as my SP. Thank you and watch the mail:)

I've finished the socks in Liz's sock yarn knitting on the green picture doesn't really do this yarn justice. It is the velveteen shade. A lot darker than it looks in the etsy site but gothic:) I'm keeping these as for some reason I made them a little too small for Mr Mog:)

I've started a pair in the knitpicks from Yvonne as you can see and this colourway is so vibrant after the velveteen:)

Finally my Lunar year of shawls for the hospice is complete:) Phew 13 shawls in 13 lunar months, I'm taking them to the hospice on Monday but thought you'd like a little pic of them on the bed.

My next long term project? Yes I've come up with one and it's all Yvonne's fault:) I'm doing a lunar year of socks for the hospice next. Starting with January's moon:)

See I can't let them go now I started, can I?

Thanks BTW to all who helped the destash. I'm hopin g to take Mr Mog to Glastonbury for early January. I wanted to take him for the Yule celebrations next week but realistically we can't. He is a lot brighter than he was but still sore and tired. Also the weather forecast is awful and we have so much on with nearing Christmas. So January before the radiotherapy seemed best. Anyway it is always a little flat after the celebrations so this will help.

More socks finished and it's been a few days

Did you miss me? It has been an horrendous week, both weather weather wise and health wise for Mr Mog. It has rained every single day until today. Not just rained but sleet and floods, you name it we have had it. Today it is sunny but icy cold, we actually managed to get 10 minutes on the promenade which was good.

Mr Mog has been poorly this week. He has possibly had a virus to add to his hormone problems. Also really bad acid in his throat. His temperature keeps fluctuating from freezing to boiling, no inbetweens for this mog. I rang the NHS direct line yesterday teatime as he hadn't picked up at all. In fact he had spent all Friday night awake then all yesterday just lying on the sofa, not like Mr at all he is normally so active. I'm ringing the doctor in the morning to make an appointment for him, he has to have his next monthly hormone shot on Wednesday and I'm a little worried about him having it if he is so low. So not much time to do much.

I did list a lot of stuff on ebay to raise funds for his holiday fund and it has gone pretty well. Thank you all who purchased. Last ones finish today. I'm hoping I can take him away, fingers crossed. He is so down at the moment.

However I have finished another pair of socks and made 1 sock of another pair. Oh SP, what have you done gifting me with this obsession??

The rainbow pair are made from some fabulous yarn sent me by Ruth

Regia Nation color (rainbow) and the pattern was the simple one I've done BUT I added a little reverse stocking stitch to make it interesting:) They fit Mr Mog perfectly, those are his legs BTW not mine:))

The second picture is very dark, this yarn is hard to photograph perfectly but take it from me it is stunning. It reminds me of night, the dark blues aubergine and purples. It is from Liz Knitting on the Green

The colour on the website was a lot lighter than the acutal yarn but I love it. Liz mailed very fast and the yarn is soft and stunning.

So one more sock to knit then I need a simple easy pattern for more please:)

More destashing this time Posh yarn etc

Still more destashing, got to get Mr Mog away if at all possible before next round of treatment
I have several skeins of Posh yarns kid silk lace, lots of mohairs and other yarns
email for details.
amber(dot)moggie(at)virgin(dot)net

A bad day all round:(

Today was consultant day regarding further treatment for Mr Mog. He is to have 7 and half weeks of daily radiotherapy and at least 2 years hormone treatment. but oh boy the side
effects:( I know they have to be open with you but it's so harsh hearing the consultant telling you that yes there could be incontinence, diarrohea, bowel damage and possible colostomy. Not what we wanted to hear. Apparently Mr Mogs cancer was a little worse than we had thought, more aggressive. Hard to believe when the dear love hasn't an aggresive bone in his body.
So all in all not a good day. And when we arrived at the hospital only one other couple waiting and we still had to ask when we would be seen. Not sure what they were doing but the other couple had waited over an hour. Mr Mog has white coat syndrome so his blood pressure goes up at the doctors or hospital and waiting around didn't help him. I could see him getting whiter and whiter. The fear of the unknown I know but even the offer of a chance to do a jigsaw of Fergie and Prince Andrew's wedding didn't cheer him much:))

An awesome gift and another pair of socks

Look at the wonderful parcel that arrived from Maylin isn't it fab? In it you see, 2 lots of wool that Maylin plied for me so definately OOAK:) then 2 skeins of Colinette Zanziba, haven't tried this before but looks gorgeous and feels soft.

A great bag for toting my new obsession around , covered in cats and a notebook with cats for keeping track of patterns and inspiration:) A pair of addi circs large enough to knit the purple yarn, I'm seeing shawl here Maylin what about you?

A very evocative card with the green man or tree spirit and I've framed this:)

And finally Ta Daaaa , Maylin made Mr Mog a pair of socks and they fit a treat as you can see in the picture underneath:))Where incidentally you can see the progress on the other pair and the finished items on Mr Mog's feet:))

I've started another pair in the rainbow yarn from Ruth and once I've finished the latest earflap hat I'll be casting on another shawl.

Didn't get to Harrogate sadly as Mr Mog wasn't too good, I didn't want to leave him on his own. My DD has just come out of hospital Friday after having her gall bladder taken out and she is very fragile at the moment also.

Times flies on and we go to the hospital Monday morning to meet the Oncologist about Mr Mog's radiotherapy. Hoping it doesn't start until after Christmas to give him a little more time to recover from his operation.

Not socks but a scarf:) and new knit group

I'm having a little change from socks. Mr Mog needs a scarf as it is so cold and he liked the look of the Noro Iro so here we have the scarf in progress. I'm doing a simple pattern, bands of garter stitch interspersed with bands of K1p1 rib. Picture is a little dark as it is dismal here today but I think you get an idea of what it looks like. Hopefully finished tonight for wearing tomorrow. There is a new knit group starting up here tomorrow afternoon and I thought I'd try and get there for an hour. Hope to go to Harrogate but realistically don't think I can go. Its 3 hours by train and £24:( Driving is around 2 hours 30 and a wee bit too far as I haven't done any for so long. I'm still frantically asking around to see if anyone local is going but don't hold out too much hope. Maybe next year otherwise.

My ISE parcel arrived:))

Look what my fabulous pal in the ISE exchange sent me:))

Tammy from lavendar knits made me this fabulous scarf/shawl in Lornas laces shepherd sock Black Purl colourway:) It is my colour to a T thank you Tammy:)) That wasn't all as you can see from the stash above. Tammy sent me lots of teas and the Christmas Eve is yummy, Mr Mog and I have just had a cup each. 3, count them, 3 sets of options circular needles in the new colourways. Never ever had these before and they are ace. Even my youngest grandson aged 9 thought he would rather like these if I didn't need them:)) As if I'd let them out of my sweaty paws. Then a pattern for the Japanese vines shawl by Michelle Molis, this is on the to do list once my sock obsession has abated somewhat. Not likely to be soon when you see the other gifts from Tammy, the Lucy Neatby book I wanted, indeed craved after borrowing it from the library. Then yarn in abundance. Knit picks Alpaca cloud in Autumn, 2 skeins of this. I haven't knit with Alpaca so I'll really enjoy trying this. But there is more:) A skein of Cherry Tree Hill supersock in Burgundy and a skein of Twisted zen string serendipity sport. Tammy I can't tell you enough times how wonderful your gift was, thank you so much:)

WIPs and goodies in post:)

Where to begin? I just typed a great post twice and blogger lost it:(
Never mind. I have been having great fun with my second pair of socks. Here you see the first sock almost finished and guess what? It fits Mr Mog so he has claimed it:) Aren't the colours lovely? It's some yarn I purchased a while ago and it doesn't have tags so I can't tell you what it is sadly. It is lovely to knit with though. I think I need to find a bag for sock knitting to travel in, what do you recommend as a place to purchase one? The big knitting bag is too big for the tiny sock stuff:)
Secondly I received some wonderful goodies in the mail this week:)

From Claire bear and her moggies I received this lovely sock book, together with needles and yarn to make some of said socks:) Thanks Claire I really appreciate it:)

from Ruth

2 balls of rainbow yarn for happy socks for Mr Mog:) Thanks Ruth he is pushing me to get them on the needles, talk about impatient.

Mr Mog is doing ok, he is very tired but that is to be expected and I'm trying to make him rest some more than he wants to.

Tomorrow I think we are taking the bus into Lancaster for an hour if he is up to the travel, his idea not mine but it will be nice to have a little lunch in town.

I want to go to Harrogate this weekend but will have to see if Mr Mog is ok before I do. I won't be spending, budget is all to pot with Yule shopping last week but I'd love to go and help on the K&CG stand and meet up with folks. We will see

He is home:)))))

Mr Mog arrived home this lunch time. He is fine, in fact more than fine:) He had an epidural for the operation Tuesday morning. He sings the praises of the injection no discomfort, no sickness. In fact he never had any pain relief all through his stay. Only stuff he had was warfarin for prevention of clots which they all had and his normal BP pills. I can't believe how well he did. Its been a traumatic few days. Now he has 6 weeks of healing, no driving for at least 4. Appointment in 6 weeks at clinic and then the radiotherapy. Thank you all for your well wishes and positive thinking, Mr Mog thanks you also:)
more soon

A stressful day:(

Mr Mog was supposed to go in for his operation today at 10.30am. We were told to ring at 9 and check there was a bed. There wasn't. They took our number and said they would ring soon as a bed was available. Finally got a phone call 4pm to say no bed. Mr Mog can eat til midnight, water til 6am and go in at 8am for operation 10.30ish. A lot better in some ways as he gets to spend the night at home instead of in hospital worrying over the op. BUT a stress for someone with high blood pressure and cancer to have to spend today worrying what time he would go in and if his op would be cancelled. I think I've aged 10 years at least and have a new crop of grey to be hennaed:)
More news tomorrow when hopefully he will be in recovery
thanks so much for your good thoughts we both appreciate them. Please, whatever path you follow, think positive healing thoughts for tomorrow and after
Thank you:)

My very first pair of socks:)

Ladies and gentlemen I give you my very first pair of socks:)
Thanks to the fabulous SP I have who encouraged, nay browbeat (only kidding SP) me in to socks. I've made them and they fit Mr Mog a treat as you can see. We were a little tad short on yarn so he chose the additional colour for the 2nd sock. What you ought to know is that Mr Mog is a big hippie at times, he wears bells attached to the bottom of his trousers and loves his tiedyed socks I've done him in the past. So these are ideal for him:) I'm going to try the toe up next I think then Mr Mog would quite like a pair in rainbows, doesn't want much does he?
Its hospital day on Monday so we have been out and about this week trying to ignore it. Had a great week on the whole. Went Yule shopping yesterday and got almost all the presents we wanted to get so that helps. I'm sorting out lifts for visiting at the moment ready for next week.
More later and SP, thank you so much for this new obsession:))

Knit knit knit away:)

Well the first sock of the first pair is well on its way. I'm on the heel now. A little difficult picking up the stitches but eventually I got there:)
No other knitting because the time I have the sock calls me:)
We had a wonderful day today. We went to Lakeland wildlife oasis
It is our eldest grandson's birthday and we decided to arrange for him to adopt another animal. You can book for a day as a keeper and we thought adopting an animal would be something good to remember the day by. It was the first time Mr Mog and I had been and what a great place it is. We've adopted the red squirrels for him and for the money you pay he gets a family pass for visiting, a certificate and gift. Plus his name on the pen saying he has adopted them. Don't you think its a good gift? I know he will. It adds something to the day when they visit also.
There were some gorgeous creatures there but my favourites have to be the Fossa, so like siamese cats and very attractive animals.
Photos tomorrow hopefully of some of the things we've seen and maybe a finished sock??

Mr Mog and yes the squirrels are red:)

We went to the hospital today to get Mr Mog's results and discuss treatment etc.
The good news was the cancer isn't in his bones:)) Bad news is that the type he has and severity he can't have chemo and there isn't a cure. However this operation on 13th November will help. He will be in hospital around 5 days, no strenuous stuff for 6 weeks approx and no driving. Worst thing for him is the no cycling:(
Then he starts radiotherapy. As things go it wasn't too bad, we knew it couldn't be cured by them offering the treatment they did. But hey if he can be my Mr Moggie who enjoys life then I don't care.
He is worried how I will be while he is away and for visiting etc. There is a dial a bus service here I believe and I'll be checking that out. Worst case scenario if friends /family coming in to see to me isn't enough I'll go and stay with my daughter. But I'm an independent moggie so that is something I hope I don't need.
So good and bad stuff. This week we want to go out and about some of our favourite places while Mr Mog can still do so, doubt we will spend much time at home if we can help it:))
And in answer to Rosie yes they are red squirrels and are cheeky little things:)

Center parcs visit photo heavy

The visit to Center Parc at Whinfell Forest yesterday was great. Mr Mog and I enjoyed ourselves very much. We had a fun filled day with nary a hiccup(well just one) The location is brilliant, not far from the motorway but when you get there it is like going back in time. No cars allowed on the site, loads of people cycling and lots more walking. There was so much to see. Lots of fungi, lots of squirrels, a joyous day with our family. We took lots of pics as you can see here are a few of them. One very good idea, They have special bicycles for disabled , where the able bodied person cycles and there is a seat attached to the front for the less abled. I didn't try it though as I didn't think Mr Mog was up to cycling me round the forest:)
There was so much to see and the house my DD had was in a great position, well off the beaten track to the centre and with a slope of woodland below them where badgers and squirrels went. Apparently you can specify a property if you wish but if you hadn't been before you wouldn't maybe know which you wanted? They took potluck and this was one of the basic models. Lovely watching the sunset over the forest from the patio:)
There was a lot included for your payment such as the swimming and the water slides but it seemed as if all the activities cost an arm and a leg. Luckily my grandsons adore the outdoors so being able to cycle on and off paths was ideal for them. The colours were at their best and the goddess was certainly with us. It rained all the night before and up to 8am. It cleared as we got to the place and we had a red hot day with sunshine throughout. Then as we got in the car to leave the rain started. The journey home was horrendous, gales and torrential rain where we could barely see. Luckily its only an hour away but weren't we lucky to have such weather?
Can you see the squirrel on the feeding box? It was hard to get clear pictures they are so fast.
The only real drawback was the food places. Bearing in mind it was half term, the place was full. several of the restaurants didn't open until the evening leaving asmall number to cater for all. This meant long long queues for food. We went to Bella Italia, a massive place. Over half of it closed up. Many waitresses but what seemed like just 2 in the kitchen cooking plus a washer up. We queued for a table at 2pm and were told to come back at 3 as the kitchen couldn't cook faster. There were only around 9 tables full. As I struggle to walk and there were empty tables we asked if we could sit and have a drink while we waited. Eventually when they found a person who could understand what we were asking they let us. Most of the waiting staff seem to be Eastern European with a very basic understanding of English.
The meal when we did eat was great, but surely Center parcs on a busy weekend you ought to have more cookin g staff and more places open?
That aside it was fabulous and these photos are just a sampling, we snapped lots of the grandsons which we will treasure as they grow so quickly. The eldest is 11 on Saturday. His other present from his parents apart from the Center parc visit is a day as a zookepper at our local wildlife centre. He wants to be a vet so you can imagine how excited he is about this:)
Well enjoy the pictures, they will give you a little idea of our day. Today did nothing way too tired after yesterday but a nice tiredness

Part 1 , the sock is finished:)

I've finished my very first sock:)) I can't tell you how thrilled I am to finally make one. I know it is way too big to wear and it is a one off as I have no more of the yarn but even so a sock:))
I'm pleased I made my first sock in thicker yarn, thanks for that hint BTW, and I'm so pleased that my SP thoughtfully sent me the Lucy Neatby DVD. It WAS far easier to see how to do the sock than read about it. I am much more able to understand if I see something demonstrated. So SP, thank you so very much for the gift. I've cast on for a pair of socks in the Fyberspates sock yarn you sent me. Who they will be for we will see when they are made up, Mr Mog quite fancies a pair in that colour:) Thanks to everyone for all the encouragement, you know who you are:) You made me determined not to give up this time
My next post will be about our day at Center parcs.

A gorgeous gift from Jo and sock progress

Look what came through my letterbox this morning:) A gift from the delightful Jo
Sorry about the picture quality but mohair isn't easy to photograph. Isn't the yarn beautiful? Thank you Jo I will enjoy knitting this up soon as I've finished my sock.
The sock? Well folks here you see a picture of the progress to date, I've turned the heel, picked up the stitches and I'm knitting away on the way down the foot. Next step the toe still tyo come but I actually think this time there is a possibility of finishing don't you? This will be a solitary sock, a sock to treasure and never ever wear. An antique of the future.
Then a pair possibly to be made for moi, or Mr Mog? Yes I think Mr Mog needs the first pair don't you?
Tomorrow we are going to Center Parcs at Whinfell Forest in the Lake District. My daughter and the family have gone for a long weekend to celebrate my elder grandsons birthday and they have asked us to come for the day as their guests. It is probably the only time we will ever get to a Center parcs so we are both really looking forward to the day. Lets hope the weather is dry as its rained most of the day here.

proof of the sock knitting:)

Ta daa
my sock progress:)
I'm very pleased with it to date, time will tell when I get to the dividing and knitting aka the turn the heel part:)
Very very tired today, no sleep at all last night. Mr Mog's hormones have kicked in good and proper. He was very cold all night and very tearful, some of the cancer op I am sure and some the hormone injections. What is a moggie to do> I cuddled him and held him close all night and I think it helped. But it plays havoc with one's system not sleeping, we are both zombies today. Ah well sleep tonight maybe?

A little magic for you all:)

Try this website for a little amazing magic:) Not sure how she does it but it is great. 5 times out of 5 it picked the correct one:)
miladesign

Sock it to me :) plus yarn/tweed set 2 trade and ISE true colour

A little of everything today:) Firstly the title "sock it to me", I'm around 4 inches on the start of my first sock:) Forgot to ask Mr Mog to photograph it, will show you tomorrow. This time around I'm enjoying the 4 needles. The yarn is one of those don't knows:) Its thin enough to work with the 3.5mm needles but no ball band. However I'm treating this as my learning sock so if there isn't enough for 2 it won't matter. Didn't want to use the sock yarn from my SP til I knew what I was doing:)
I've uploaded a picture of my ISE shawl off the blocking mats so you can get a better idea of the colour. Isn't it pretty? I hope my pal likes it.
I've also uploaded a picture of akit I wish to trade. It contains 4 skeins of 3ply wool and a length of tweed fabric plus buttons. There is enough tweed to make a skirt and the yarn tones with it. Looking to trade for sock yarn

Finished:)) My ISE shawl is finally done:)

Not easy to see on the play mats but my ISE shawl is finished. I have just noticed when I look at it that I went wrong:( However I'm following nanny Effie's lead on this, she always taught me that if you made someone something a small deliberate mistake was needed to show you weren't competing with the goddess for perfection. So my pal when you get this shawl I hope that the mistake doesn't put you off, I love the drape of the shawl and the colour. More pictures once it is dry and I can pose it on a neutraL background.
Mr Mog is really feeling the cold now and is not sleeping well at all. His hospital appointment came through for the operation, he goes in on the 12th November for unknown ammount of days. They crossed the 3days off that was printed on what was presumably standard letter

Look what I found:)Trefriw 100% wool and a book

Look what I found today 100% wool from Trefriw yarns in Wales. Shade clematis a mixed purply blue. Quite a twist on it and feels a little harsh. Think that is because it maybe will bloom when washed? I've got 5 x 100gms here. Anyone want to trade for it? Also got the Fabulous fairisle book you see above. Lots of info and patterns. Same thing I'd like to trade for yarn
Lots of knitting going on, I've made fingerless gloves, another felted hat that felted:) I am still knitting on the Iris shawl for the ISE and around3/4 done I think.

2 wonderful SP parcels:))

Not one but 2 fabulous parcels arrived today from my SP:) September and October gift packages and this pal has me sussed:))
My September package is centered around my learning to knit socks. Now we all know my sock problems don't we? My SP is determined to help me and what a way to do so. A DVD by Lucy Neatby:) I'd heard of her and I'd heard good reports on her sock DVd but the mog being the mog, I thought it would be a waste of time my sending for it. Let me tell you this is the key to my tackling socks. She explains it so clearly and makes it look simple. I am going to cast on soon as I finish posting so watch this space(GG) To go with the dvd as if that wasn't enough my SP sent some gorgeous fyberspates sock yarn in purples. Isn't it pretty? And do you see the purple needles along side? There is also a blank journal for me that tones nicely with the other gifts and a cat card. I love my cat cards from you SP they always make me smile:) The blank journal is perfect because I've just filled my last one and I've started journalling again recently to get me through all the stuff that is going on.
Thank you for an ideal gift.
BUT; look at October. Are we sensing a colour theme? My cup runneth over. See the little moggie in the knitted sweater? See what she is surrounded by?
5 , yes 5 skeins (295 gms) of mohair boucle from Victoria Smedley Mobair. I'd never heard of her or her yarns but they are top quality, scrumptious and rich colours. A shawl do I hear you saying?? Could be or does anyone have other ideas for this yarn.Has to be something special:)
SP, you are a treasure and you brightened up the day tremendously. The only trouble is do I start socks, do I start the mohair??? Decisions, decisions:) But what great decisions to make
Thank you so much, the moggie is well chuffed:)

This n that:)

The wonderful Tess from Silkwood has offered to change the wool I had problems with, despite it not being her that sold it to me. Isn't that kind of her? The seller of the yarn hasn't replied to my emails sadly:(
I'm currently on with another earflap hat in mountain colors yarn for my nephews neice.This will be shown when it is felted.
Beshlie's husband is Dominic Reeve and the books he wrote about their life on the road are:-
Whichever way we turn
No place like home
and the latest one just published I think is- Beneath the blue sky, 4 decades of a travelling life in Britain
All three arrived from the library this morning so guess what the mogs will be reading tonight:)
Mr Mog had his first implant injection this morning and it went well, thanks for all the kind thoughts. The area is bruised and a little painful but he said not as bad as he expected.
We had a dreadful night last night, no sleep hardly. Mr Mog was frozen most of the night despite extra covers etc. I think the worry over today most probably did it, I know it did for me.
I went in the surgery with him and the sister was wonderful, explained fully what was happening and what effects there would be.
We got a letter with another appointment for him to see the consultant to discuss what results and what treatment would be, bearing in mind treatment has started. First letter was for day before the operation which would have been really great don't you think? Here is what we think, here is treatment have you any questions? I had phoned to say we would like earlier one and surprise that came today, to be a month after the operation? So on the phone again and provisionally we now have one for 30th or 31st October. Enquiring minds wonder why they couldn't have done that in the first place.
I'm thinking of a couple of days away if Mr Mog can take the travelling. Hoping to go and see his only aunt who is nearly 90. She lives in Clacton so I'm leaving it with Mr Mog to let me know if he is up for it.
We were supposed to go to a funeral on Friday, the lady we were going to see in Cumbria last week. Sadly she died Sunday. We've decided not to go to the funeral as it is a long way there and back for just 20 minute service.
Please Goddess no more deaths for a while.

FFO:( failed finished object

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I made a hat for Mr Mog,s nephews daughter. For her 2nd birthday. I used some silkwood supposedly 100% wool yarn. I purchased from a seller on ebay, not silkwood themselves. I fully expected to be able to felt the hat, being as it is supposed to be 100% wool NOT superwash. I washed it twice, second time at 90 degrees. It didn't felt as you can see. Not only did it not felt, it has gone all thin and yucky feeling. Ignore the fluff balls that was me at final desperation point tumbledrying hoping that would work. It didn't
So back to the drawing board and PROPER 100% wool for hat #2.
I've emailed the seller to let her know. Anyone want 150 gms approx of silkwood yarn non felting?
Mr Mog is feeling so tired most of the time now from the pills and he feels the cold more poor love:( I'm exploring the possibilities of a sweater for him. Something easy and warm.
He is awake more in the night with cold even though we have more covers on. All I can do is cuddle him. We had a glorious day in the lake district Friday. We started out in cockermouth and had a cr**p lunch. Place was busy and looked ok food was rubbish. Supposedly Waberthwaite bacon tasted like cheap and nasty bacon . High prices as well even though the season is over. After eating we found loads of other places, sods law of course:) We will know in future. Anyone going to Cockermouth its just at the bottom of the road where Oxfam is next to antique shop. Some good shops there, its been a while since we browsed. A gorgeous shop Banyan Tree with Colinette yarn and the most tactile felted bags imaginable at only £42 each. Oh if I'd had the money:)) As Mr Mog said if we hadn't had the 2 sandwiches and coffee and tea I'd be over a quarter there already. There was another wool shop near the bridge with Noro. I purchased a card deck from Oxfam for 99p the nude in art cards. Lovely old painting and great for if I get back to making collages or ATCs. One card missing but at 99p a cheap buy for Oxfam. I also got the most divine book from them Travellers Joy by Beshlie. She is a traveller and paints the most lovely plants. The book is all about the weeds she saw on her travels, their name and gipsy name and what they are used for. Each 2 page spread is a page of details and then the painting. Look her up on amazon or google. I've ordered some of her other books from the library and 2 by her husband Dominic about their life on the road. From here we went over Whinlatter pass to see the autumn colours, although it was misty we enjoyed it greatly. As you drop down from Whinlatter into Keswick the views are stunning. Keswick was very busy but boy are there a stack of outdoor shops now. Most of the quirky shops are gone and seems like every other shop sells rambling stuff. So sad after all the years of the artist shops.
We then headed to Lakeland at Windermere for some Goes with everything salt and ginger sauce. I wanted some lemon oil rose oil and orange oil for cooking. The lemon has gone up to £10.50 a bottle and they no longer do orange or rose. I'll browse on line I think instead.
We had a thoroughly inspiring day out and Mr Mog was muchly distracted from his worries which is what I wanted.

Going pink for Breast Cancer

The Moggie has gone pink as much as I can for this month for Breast Cancer
Not sure how to change the backgroud colour though.

I think this is a great way to make people think, have you checked your breasts lately? Please do and help stop this killer. I'll be asking my friends and family the same question, will you?

Sursa finished and ISE started (again)Wooden needles

A mix for you today:) A picture of the enchanting Lydia wearing the finished Sursa shawl in Kureyon with mohair border.
The second start of my wrap for the ISE exchange. Iris shawl from Jessica Fong. Yarn a mix of 2 colours as I loved them both:) handpainted I think mix of yarn.
As you know I did get to around 18inches into this shawl before I made a silly mistake and couldn't tink because of the YOs. Yes, yes I know lifelines and this time I think maybe I should use them. In fact will place one soon as I finish speaking with you.
I love this pattern its so gorgeous. You can't really see it unblocked but trust me and the yarn has silk in so has a fabulous sheen and silky feel to it. I hope you swap partner likes it.
The final picture is what I found in a store today a set of lovely wooden needles. They range from 2mm up to 6.5mm and are delightful to touch. I don't use fine needles so if anyone wants to swap the 2mm, 3mm and 3.5 mm for something let me know
Thank you for all the support you've sent me to face this horrible time we are having. I do appreciate it. I had to go for tests yesterday for my heart and as I sat there giving blood it overwhelmed me the thought of the funeral and all the stuff that goes with my nephews death. There are accusations and counter accusations from various members of my dusfunctional family and frankly I'm so so glad I don't have anything to do with most of them. The funeral appears to be a time for them to get drunk and fight, now that will really honour my nephews life won't it? His wife is in hospital being induced with their 3rd child. I'd thought she had had him as his name was in the deaths notices as one of their children. Poor soul going through all this, my heart goes out to her.
You know there aren't any winners in this:(

On a happier note my lovely Mr Mog came in from the garden yesterday and asked me how many cvompartments for yarn would I need? I know you are as confused as I am aren't you?
He has made me a box with 3 compartments for yarn with 3 holes in the lid. So I can knit without the balls of yarn getting tangled, isn't he a sweetie? He just has to make slits in the top so that when I want to put yarn I'm working on in or out we can do. Neither of us thought of how we would get the yarn out when it was attached to knitting:))
photos later I hope. He is doing ok at the minute. Hes had several days of the hormones to date and has 3 more weeks of these pills to go. He starts the injections in a weeks time and they will be monthly. I'm hopeful now and keeping my fingers crossed for a good result. Haven't got our appointment with the consultant yet but we do have a mail strike at the minute which isn't helping.
I'm currently trying to find a new ISP. Have totally had it with Virgin:( They have now put me down to 512kbps and say its all my line will allow, despite my receiving up to 3 megs up to 2 weeks ago. I've been hanging on with premium rate phone lines for ages for past few days to no avail. Final straw was yesterday when after queing for 35 minutes for a MAC code to leave them, they answered and as soon as I asked for MAC code the guy at the other end disconnected me. Tell you what after many years with them I've had it. Now to find a new reliable fast ISP
watch this space.