Oh, my goodness, I'm an addict

Hello, I'm Theresa and I'm an addict. You might think that this is going to be some sad post about alcohol, drugs etc, but no I'm addicted to podcasts. As you know last time I wrote I spoke about podcasts and that I had just found them. I've spent as much time ever since catching up and listening to all the casts that I have downloaded. I can't wait for the next instalment and am checking in every single day for new ones. My youngest daughter is getting frustrated because she uses iTunes too and all my podcasts are hogging up space that she wants for her tunes. I haven't told her how to unclick them and just download the stuff she wants. I suppose I'll have to do that soon.

Cast-on is still my favourite and I couldn't wait to listen to this week's new instalment. Brenda is just so good to listen to and her choice of songs is so varied and such good fun. This week she was talking about the Knitting Olympics. I had already heard of this via some of the forums that I am a member and have subscribed, although I do wish there was a Scottish contingent so that we can have our own team. Brenda has team Wales, there's team USA, team Canada, and also team Caffeine. Maybe I should design my own button and start up the Celtic Knitters team. No we wouldn't be soccer fans who knit, but Celts who knit, there is a big difference.

In previous posts I have mentioned the sweater that I am doing for Eva at Shilasdair. I had started it, but it was driving me mad, so have decided to put it down, rip it out and start as a project for the knitting olympics. I should be able to finish it in the alloted time, or should I say I have to finish in the alloted time, because it is required asap. I do agree that it is a bit of a pointless exercise, but it is going to be enormous fun. Imagine thousands of knitters all casting on at the same time, and with only one goal, to complete a project within a set time span. It's a shame that it hasn't been widely publicised, because it would be great to see knitters getting together for at least some of the time.


P.S. I've quickly made a button if anyone wants to snag it or make it their own. Remember, right click and save to your own site before using.

IPod's and podcasts

For Christmas I received an iPod nano and am only just getting used to it. Mine is white, but my oldest daughter bought me a lovely pink skin to put on it and I wear it with pride :-) Until now, I have only added music or photo's. Yesterday I clicked on my iTunes button and decided to see what podcasts were on offer. As a knitter I automatically typed in knitting in to the search button and pressed go. Of course I wasn't aware what I would find and I did find a heap of non knitting related stuff, but I also found a few good podcasts. I listened to some before I decided to sign up for them. The three I decided to download were Knitcast, Cast on & The Fibrecast. There are a number of other ones, but these were the ones that I could listen to with out the casters accent grating on my nerves.

At first I thought I might have been a bit sad to subscribe to these podcasts, but I am enjoying them immensely. I haven't managed to listen to any of the fibrecast stuff yet, and am looking forward to that. This is more of a fiber lovers podcast than a specific knitters one, and being a bit of a fiber junky myself I am looking forward to it.

I think Knitcast is the older of the group and is a more formal podcast. It's more like something you would get on radio 4 with interviews etc. I like it because you get to hear from knitwear designers and also other folk. I like to hear people speak, because it is a great way for me to assess the character of a person. Some people have a monotonous droning voice that just bore me rigid and I know that I would switch off and not take any notice of them. The casts that I have downloaded are interesting and I enjoyed them immensley. There's an interview with Freddie Robins, one with Debbie Bliss and one with Kerrie Alman from Magknits and Hipknits.

At the moment Cast On is my favourite cast. Most of the casts are almost an hour long, and include music and gossipy bits from the Brendas life. One item on the cast is called "todays jacket". Here Brenda tells us about a jacket that she is either wearing or she has chosen to talk about. One of her favourite designers is Jean Moss and two of the casts mention an item that is made using one of her designs. The way she speaks and explains each item you can almost see it, and see her wearing it. If you are a Knitty reader, then the recent winter 05 edition has one of her designs in it. To see it, go to Knitty, scroll down and click on the Mrs. Beeton.

As I'm writing this blog, I'm listening to Cast On and am enjoying it, thank God for a woman's ability to multi task :-)

Today I'm blue :(

Today I'm blue because my beloved has gone away for two weeks. He's had to go to Houston on business and flew out this morning. I'm not going to be able to see him now until the 4th of February. I know I'm pathetic and should be partying now that he is away, but I miss him when he's not here. He's my best friend and is the only person who can shut me up when I'm in a strop. He doesn't say anything, just frowns at me or gives me a hug and all is right with the world again. He makes me laugh, cry and laugh again and even though I get mad at him he never ever argues back (well almost never). I've asked him to bring me something nice back, but he's refused to do any shopping whilst he is away. He'll get me something, I know he can't resist it.

Last night I got a couple of great bargains at Tesco's. They are having a clothing sale and I thought I would have a look. I got two tops that were reduced from £25 each to just £2 each, and a skirt for £3 from £20. I like bargains like that. One of the tops is a mixture of different yarns and has wool, angora and cashmere in it. It's only 8%, but it's still cashmere :-)

This afternoon is hopefuly going to be a girlie afternoon. Maureen from Made by Mojo is coming over for a spinning lesson using her new drop spindle. I'll have to get out some fibre for us to play with, I might even go in to the loft and drag out a couple of bags of stuff for her to look through. I've been to the bakers and bought some french fancies and some wholemeal carrot muffins with a delicious cream frosting. They'll be our treat when we have a coffee. We might even have a rake through some of my stash, I know she is wanting to see it. Sometimes I feel ashamed that I have such an accumulation, and then other times I think YAY! look what I have. When it come to being a magpie, I just can't resist pretty yarns and colours. One of the women in the Aberdeen S'n'B suggested a yarn swap, which seems like a good idea. I know we all have yarns/books/needles that we would happily switch with someone.

More Fun

Here's something for you to think about. What is your yarn name?

I was Mistress Wool Gatherer


I got this from MOJO's site she'll laugh when she sees it.





The Traditional Princess

You are generous, graceful, and practical with both
feet planted firmly on the ground. You tend to
be a little on the old-fashioned side. You
value home, hearth, and family life and love to
be of service to others.

Role Models: Snow White, Maid Marian

You are most likely to: Discover a hidden talent
for spinning straw into gold.


What Kind of Princess are You? - Beautiful Artwork (Original Music is BACK!!!)
brought to you by Quizilla

Steady Week

Well this week is progressing steadily. Work isn't too hard and not nearly as busy as last week. I was so tired on Monday that my poor brain just couldn't cope. My youngest daughter was laughing at me because I was talking such utter rubbish. Nothing I said came out right and words were muddled up or totally wrong. If I hadn't known better I would have said that I'd had a stroke. Once I'd got my head down and slept I felt better although I am still feeling tired. I can't even say its because I am staying up late and getting up early because I'm not. I do go to bed late, but I get up late as well.

Yesterday I got the new pattern from Jean Moss and the yarn to make it with. It's a Sirdar yarn and is space dyed, but it is coming up really well. I'm knitting it on slightly smaller needles than you would usually use and it is giving a lovely fabric. I couldn't put it down last night and am already half way through the back. It looks like it is going to be one of those quick projects that I like. I can't wait to post the pictures, but have to wait until after the book launch.

Finished at last.

I've finally managed to finish the dress for Jean Moss and I must say that it looks good. Unfortunately I can't show any pictures because it is very hush hush and won't be available to the public until after March this year.

The Shilasdair sweater is coming along slowly. I hadn't realised how many different colours and pieces there were in it. I think it is going to take me a good few weeks to get it done. Once I'm in the swing of it, it shouldn't be too bad. I know I've said it before but the yarn is just out of this world and is so nice to touch. It's a bit of a bugger to knit with because it sheds like buggery, but I can cope with that. My lounge floor is covered with different colours and sizes of balls, plus the sofa is becoming a knitting corner too. Luckily for me I have an understanding hubby.

Work is a bit manic this week, so my knitting is the only thing that brings me down to earth and for that I am thankful. Next week is going to be crazy too, but at least I have a couple of days off.

Just for fun

You are a wonderful fluffy novelty yarn. Take your
pick! Lots of fun and full of exhuberance. You
are very social and mix well with all types of
people. Very playful and endearing.


What kind of yarn are you really??
brought to you by Quizilla

What a start to 2006

Feelin' tired

After having such a lovely quiet Christmas I though that this year was going to be one of the good ones. However, things turned out not to be so good. My best friend of over 30 years has finally admitted to being abused by her brother as a child and has decided to take official proceedings. Her New Year was hell because of a silly argument that blew up out of all proportion and she is in bits. I have always been her confident and I thought that she had told me everything she could possibly tell me. As it turns out I didn't know the half of it and am hearing it all now. I feel tired and perplexed, but most of all so very sad that she has had to live with this for so long. The last couple of days have been a whirlwind and I have spent hours on the phone to her and her husband just listening and talking to them. My head hurts and I want to curl up in a corner and cry myself to sleep. I haven't done any house work or things that I am supposed to do, my poor husband is just listening to me rant and rage and is being so very good. I want to be there for my friend and her family, and yet I want to be with my family and protect them. Instead I am going to go to work in the morning and not come home until Monday morning. I'm not running away, just doing my job as a carer, but I feel like I am abandoning them all. I don't know what to do for the best any more.

On the knitting front the dress for Jean is almost finished and looks ok. I won't say good because I hate the yarn. I received the yarn form Shilasdair yesterday, and what a transformation. It is a cashmere, angora and lambswool blend and is just luscious. I just want to keep petting it and can't wait to get using it.

I think that's it for now, I'm tired and am going to go do some stitching.