tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-318270622024-03-13T14:07:25.724+00:00KnitmedicKnitting, textile art, embroidery, medicineAtiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04214985016723527338noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827062.post-46066489041698449952009-01-21T21:29:00.000+00:002009-01-21T21:30:38.120+00:00The new blogPlease come and join me at http://eclecticalmanac.wordpress.com - the new blog is going to be much better, I promise!Atiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04214985016723527338noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827062.post-60207247231902896202008-09-22T09:33:00.002+01:002008-09-22T10:05:19.867+01:00I've decided to reinstate the blog - according to my stats I still get visitors every day, and now that I'm knitting again, I thought I may as well start posting again! Things have changed quite a bit in the year since I last blogged - I've become a mum (the little tyke is asleep just now) and have moved back in with my mother-in-law for the year while I'm off work. I now spend most of my time washing/changing nappies, feeding the baby, knitting and going out for walks or shopping (occasionally with amusing results when the boy wakes up screaming in the middle of a shop).<br /><br />Re: knitting, I for some reason lost my enthusiasm for it while I was pregnant, probably a combination of working hideous hours and being too tired, and back ache if I sat upright for too long. Besides which, nothing was gonna fit me anyway so there was no point in finishing things. So I am now finishing off projects that have been in hibernation for 6 months or more. Here is #1 - the Twinkle Best Friend Cardigan:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3180/2868004590_31b12c9e0e.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3180/2868004590_31b12c9e0e.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />FO: Best Friend Cardigan from <span style="font-style: italic;">Big City Knits<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span>Yarn: 2 skeins Cascade Magnum bought in NY<br />Needles: 15mm<br /><br />As you can see, no buttons as yet. I did buy some online but the colour turned out to be royal blue and clashes horribly. It fits well, but the yarn was getting eaten up so fast I was worried I would run out, and so made the sleeves and collar a bit shorter. I also thought it looked better without the bobbles so left them out. <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><br /><br /></span>There were a few mistakes as people have pointed out (also in the Chelsea Sweater I started last week) but it is a fun quick knit and fits surprisingly well for something that looks so small. I'm going to buy the buttons at the K&S show in a couple of weeks and will take some photos.<br /><br />Other UFOs which I am working my way through are Cherry, Clapotis,Thermal and the Cable Luxe Sweater.<br /><br />1) Cherry - all done except for setting in sleeves and doing buttons. Still doesn't quite fit though, so may end up giving it to my sister (the erstwhile Bikey, who sadly no longer blogs)<br />2) Clapotis - a few more repeats (I want it really really long - its going to be gorgeous wen its done)<br />3) Thermal - the killer knit - what possessed me to make a jumper in sock weight yarn? Even so, its all done except for one measly sleeve, I've GOT to finish it after getting so far.<br />4) Cable Luxe Sweater - gorgeous pattern, gorgeous yarn. I'm using GGH Cumba, which is a really lightweight aran, very soft and light and warm. I knit the whole of the body, but tried to increase the size of the cables down the body - didn't work. As Jughead said, they just looked 'squirmy'. So ripped out the lot up to the yoke and started again - I've got 10" more to go I think but it looks so much better.<br /><br />It's Ramadan so everyone around me is fasting, but its hard to get the spiritual benefits when you're not fasting and can't get to the mosque in the evenings. By next year he should be in a nice routine (asleep by 7.30!) so I can do more, but then again I'll be working which will be another challenge.<br /><br />I'm going to blog about craft shopping in London - I've discovered a few gems while out and about. Also I'm starting a dressmaking course in October which is very exciting - not touched my sewing machine in 3 moonths and need a kickstart!<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span>Atiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04214985016723527338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827062.post-86607881338154701082007-10-04T08:45:00.001+01:002008-12-10T01:02:58.346+00:00Winter pattern round-upThere are some amazing new knitting patterns coming out this season, which I'm dying to try. Here are my favourites:<br /><div></div><br /><div>1) Cable Luxe Tunic from Lionbrand</div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117394401300402130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8tGvxHBG7XI/RwSjGEkVT9I/AAAAAAAAAEs/NTJu6aI1TEM/s320/untitled.bmp" border="0" /><br /><div>This is a completely brazen knock-off of a lovely Pringle jumper from last winter which caught the eye of many a knitblogger. No-one actually came up with a pattern from what I remember, until <a href="http://pages.e-yarn.com/6030/PictPage/1922241718.html">this</a> came out. I saw it first on the incredible <a href="http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/">Posie Gets Cozy</a> blog, and she's knitting it in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran. I was thinking of either Rowan Pure Wool Aran or some Jaeger Matchmaker Aran that Jannette has on sale in her Ebay shop. The jumper has quite an interesting construction - the cable yoke looks seamless but is knit a different way round to the garter stitch and body and sleeves. So what you do is knit the cable band and seam it at the centre back, then pick up stitches for the body and sleeves, and pick up stitches for the garter yoke. So simple, yet ingenious! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>2) Tangled Yoke Cardigan by Eunny Jang</div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117394405595369442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8tGvxHBG7XI/RwSjGUkVT-I/AAAAAAAAAE0/SprJQk0aB2Q/s320/JangBk.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>I absolutely loved this, even from the very intriguing <a href="http://www.eunnyjang.com/knit/2006/12/full_force.html">first glimpses</a> on the blog. <a href="http://whereisthewool.blogspot.com/">Jug</a> and a couple of others I asked think it looks 'granny' but the few I've seen finished on Ravelry look great, especially in Felted Tweed. I have a whole cone of Jaggerspun Zephyr DK which sits on the shelf and looks at me, willing to be made into this. However, I am quite put off by the number of people knitting this on size 3 needles - after Thermal, never again. Or at least not for a very long time. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>3) Endpaper Mitts by Eunny Jang</div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117394409890336770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8tGvxHBG7XI/RwSjGkkVUAI/AAAAAAAAAFE/LnyG5Dq6bAE/s320/111601.gif" border="0" /><br /><div>Something small, interesting to knit and comfy to wear. That's all I ask. I have some Cashsoft 4ply in the stash in dark purple and beige to make these.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>4) Drops Cardigan, according to <a href="http://flintknits.blogspot.com/2007/09/drops-cardigan-done-and-dry.html">Flintknits</a></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117394405595369458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8tGvxHBG7XI/RwSjGUkVT_I/AAAAAAAAAE8/TOZasU7VK6E/s320/1380580635_fd12017c68.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div><br /><div>My goodness this girl is talented. Everything she knits is gorgeous, and I especially love this cardigan - functional, textured, and stylish. I was thinking RYC soft tweed. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>5) Cobblestone Pullover by Jared Flood</div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117394409890336786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8tGvxHBG7XI/RwSjGkkVUBI/AAAAAAAAAFM/_WSdQkoHgTE/s320/871051258_9bada4cb0f.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>This was going to be Mr C's only-getting-one-in-a-lifetime jumper, but maybe he won't be getting even one so far. He does have half a jumper, but as I have sold the remainder of the yarn I think that one is heading for the frog pond. The Cobblestone looks good, but the miles of stocking stitch are definitely putting me off, although it might be the only way of forcing me to master continental knitting, I suppose. I actually bought some dark brown Kilcarra Tweed to knit this, as I was led to believe it was quite soft from other bloggers. But its pretty scratchyand will make my fingers sore when I'm knitting, so I thought I'd rather cut my losses and send it back. Maybe some Cascade 220 or Rowan Pure Wool Aran would be better. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I have some miscellaneous baby things to get on with, as well as my Pomatomus and Clapotis, both of which are in various states of incompleteness. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Btw, am I the last person to discover the wonderful <a href="http://www.yarnstorm.blogs.com/">Yarnstorm</a>? She bakes, knits and writes books called 'The Gentle Art of Domesticity', besides having the most gorgeous blog ever. <em>And</em> she made a hot-water bottle cover <em>in the right colours</em> for the publisher of Persephone Books, who hardly anyone else seems to have heard of. Liz Hunt wrote an <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2007/09/30/do3006.xml">incredibly mean article</a> about Jane in last Sunday's Telegraph (<em>not</em> a newspaper I buy) but she appears to be one of those embittered, cynical women who ridicule anything the least bit quaint and old-fashioned. Jane will be at <a href="http://www.iknit.org.uk/janebrocket.html">I Knit</a> on the 20th of October for a Crafternoon tea, if anyone is interested in coming along. </div>Atiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04214985016723527338noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827062.post-47442506942501008372007-10-03T05:58:00.000+01:002008-12-10T01:02:58.552+00:00I'm heading for a seriously stressful weekend - 3 days on call on an empty stomach! I was on yesterday as well, and while fasting wasn't too much of a problem, it does tend to make me a bit more intolerant of the usual ridiculous referrals to orthopaedics without x-rays, bloods or even a proper clerking by A&E. I even went to the great lengths (for me) of berating an A&E Middle Grade for sending me a patient that needed a cannula put in, which the nurses refused to do. On the other hand, I saw the sweetest old lady yesterday, and when I left she insisted on giving me a kiss on the cheek!<br /><div> </div><div>I am also the proud recipient of my first IRIS form - I'm not sure what it stands for, but it's basically an incident reporting form, which is used to report accidents and near-misses. My crime was just that I didn't answer my bleep twice, to put up a drip in a patient who couldn't drink and hadn't had any fluid the whole weekend. Instead of calling someone over the weekend, they had left it until Monday afternoon to be sorted out. The whole thing is a bit complicated and involved, but I think I have managed to prove myself innocent after all, so it should be ok. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://whereisthewool.blogspot.com/">Jug</a> and I didn't blog about the Knitting and Stitch Show in Birmingham - that could be because it was a sad disappointment to us. We made the pilgrimage from Manchester only to find a fairly meagre selection of yarn shops and most of those the hippy handspun itchy wool or even worse, squeaky acrylic variety, so we mainly interested ourselves in the workshops. Despite owning a vintage Bernina, I haven't managed to use my vast supplies of embroidery materials yet so regretfully didn't end up buying much at all. I may get a chance to visit the London show instead, which is (from last year's experience) another show altogether. We did see some incredible felted art by <a href="http://www.jeanetteappleton.com/">Jeanette Appleton</a> (who was very nice to us) - she makes lovely huge abstract landscapes by building up layers of felt in different colours. </div><br /><div>On that note, I bought a painting for my flat. i'm not really a pot-of-flowers kind of girl, so I got something a bit more abstract. Unfortunately, Mr C is not at all keen on it. What do you think?<br /><br /></div><div></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5116978712890658674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8tGvxHBG7XI/RwMpB0kVT3I/AAAAAAAAAD8/JVTENqSPAis/s320/dusk.bmp" border="0" /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div>Atiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04214985016723527338noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827062.post-15340624092118838532007-09-26T21:39:00.000+01:002008-12-10T01:02:58.981+00:00FO: Butterfly<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8tGvxHBG7XI/RvrEgUkVT1I/AAAAAAAAADs/zkkKxsN3Qys/s1600-h/DSC_0371.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5114616386388578130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8tGvxHBG7XI/RvrEgUkVT1I/AAAAAAAAADs/zkkKxsN3Qys/s320/DSC_0371.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8tGvxHBG7XI/RvrEg0kVT2I/AAAAAAAAAD0/AVDJBDHinKo/s1600-h/DSC_0373.JPG"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5114616394978512738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8tGvxHBG7XI/RvrEg0kVT2I/AAAAAAAAAD0/AVDJBDHinKo/s320/DSC_0373.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span> </p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Pattern: Rowan Butterfly (short version)</span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Book: Rowan 37 </span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Yarn: Kidsilk Haze in Smoke</span> </p><p>Pattern notes: I knit thesecond smallest size, and threaded size 9/0 beads (I think) on to the yarn before I started. I didn't bother with provisionally casting on and then grafting the sides of the edging, but it would probably have been better to have had an extra stocking stitch on either end to make it easier to sew up, as other people have observed. </p><p>It fits pretty well after blocking, but after seeing everyone else's Butterflies I'd probably like to knit one in a burgundy non-mohair lace without beads. </p><p>Not much else to say that's not been said already, it's a lovely pattern and not really too hard (saying that, it took me three attempts to get the edging right!). I didn't touch it for a couple of months after knitting half of the second side, but picked it up again weekend before last to finish it in time for Jug's Knitsoc stall at the Freshers' Fair. I didn't quite get it done, but it gave me the last push I needed. I still have two straps to do before I can say it's really finished. </p><p> </p><p> </p>Atiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04214985016723527338noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827062.post-90463684766275140492007-09-14T11:28:00.000+01:002007-09-14T11:40:50.419+01:00I worked over 90 hours over the past week. Last night, I saw 9 patients in A&E, with broken arms, legs, fingers, wrists, spinal fractures and crush injuries. Before August, I had never done any orthopaedics. What I learned at medical school was negligible, and I was terrified of doing nights. Firstly, because I knew so little, and secondly, because I had no idea what it would be like to essentially be deprived of sleep, or to work completely alone with no support in a specialty you have very limited knowledge of. I dreaded the morning traume meetings, where you sit in the hot seat and present each patient to the consultant, and wait for your management to be picked apart.<br /><br />I was really fortunate though, in having a couple of nice A&E SHOs on call with me, who I could discuss patients with, and being able to get a couple of hours' rest in between most nights. But I still feel proud that I survived as an Orthopaedic SHO - who would have thought it. And I have ten days off - which is fantastic during Ramadan - I don't remember when I last had such a long break whilst fasting. And <a href="http://whereisthewool.blogspot.com/">Jug</a> and I are off to the Knitting and Stitch Show in Birmingham tomorrow! I think I'd better get some sleep before though.Atiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04214985016723527338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827062.post-15239313100856983732007-09-10T13:36:00.000+01:002007-09-10T13:51:39.252+01:0010 weeksWow has it really been ten weeks? I was heartened to find that I'm still getting visitors to my blog, and thought it would be worth starting up again. To be fair, I've never been so busy in my whole life. I'm so busy, that until last week I didn't even have the energy or will to pick up my knitting needles. I moved house, entertained hosts of visitors, started a new job, learned a whole new specialty of medicine, my sister got married...I think I have enough excuses there. Oh, and my laptop died. The nice people at John Lewis gave me a new motherboard - it pays to keep your receipts.<br /><br />Anyway, the wedding was lovely (I look horrible in the photos though - so tired!) and the bride and groom are enjoying an extended tour of Turkey. I'm on nights at the moment - funnily enough I have far more free time than I had working normal days, which is not at all what I was expecting. The weekend was much quieter than I thought it would be, to the point I was almost hoping for an interesting admission in A&E! I even managed to get some sleep AND leave on time, compared to the night SHOs in other weeks who have ended up staying til past 12pm (after starting at 8pm the day before). I shouldn't speak too soon though - it's supposed to be worse during the week.<br /><br />Mr C is away on his MBA residential course - he's really been looking forward to starting the course, although I can't imagine why because the course material looks incredibly dull to me! I decided it would be nice to buy him a shiny new laptop, so I went for the Dell XPS M1330, which research tells me is a good one to go for at the moment. I got the red version (it's so pretty!) and Mr C firmly believes that I am buying it for myself really, and will hand him my scratched up old one in exchange as soon as it arrives.<br /><br />His next-in-command has just had a baby girl so I have been doing some knitting at last, leaving more UFOs in my wake! It's just in the finishing stages now, so will take a photo and post it as soon as it's done. I've also made a start on <a href="http://indieknits.wordpress.com/patterns-2/patterns/">Mrs Darcy</a> using Sublime kid mohair, which is going relatively fast (compared to Thermal!).Atiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04214985016723527338noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827062.post-41643053268799777932007-06-27T22:19:00.000+01:002007-06-27T22:34:07.188+01:00General Ravelry and Merriment<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/">Ravelry</a> is a fantastic concept. The very act of documenting all your projects (finished, unfinished, hibernating etc) and the horror that is the stash makes you look full in the face of your crazy obsession and actually take stock to some extent.<br /><div></div><br /><div>For example, I added my Lotus Blossom Tank to My Projects. I spent much of our South Africa trip knitting the thing, and it drove me mad. (And Mr C, he had to keep chanting 'Look up! Look up!' in the car so that I'd actually take in the scenery) I knitted and frogged the first few rows at least 3 times - because I kept twisting it. Then the lace stitch got me. But eventually, I got the hang of it, and it fit, and I finished the knitting part. But then, I couldn't really work out how to seam the arms up without messing the whole thing up, so I just left it. Ravelry made me realise I was being dumb. And so I finished it! After 6 months, it just took 2 days to complete. Here is the FO (and I even wore it to work yesterday): </div><div> </div><div><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1373/633156530_7427299630.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></div><br /><p>Knit using South West Trading Company Bamboo, which is my least favourite yarn, I think. It was rough and made my fingers horribly sore after a few days of knitting. It does drape nicely after washing, but is still not beautiful and glossy, like some other bamboo yarns I have seen. Shame really, as I have a whole ball left. </p><p>In Spain, I knit my first Pomatomus. The pattern is easy to memorise (with a bit of checking the chart) and it was so MUCH easier to knit with bamboo dpns than the metal knitpicks ones! I'm using the metal ones for the interminable thermal sleeve and they keep slipping out, and you have to grip them to stop them falling out of the stitch as you knit and they are so painfully pointy....on the other hand the takumi needles are very comfortable, strong and have a nice point without stabbing you as you knit. Commiserations to Jughead for losing her Pomatomus, thus forfeiting the competition we were having for the fastest Poms. </p><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1333/632291879_0499cc5cd8.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></p>Atiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04214985016723527338noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827062.post-88904152200394590872007-06-27T22:01:00.000+01:002008-12-10T01:03:00.778+00:00Decorating the flatI have yet again taken a long leave of absence, mainly because I usually come home from work totally shattered and am not really prepared to apply myself to anything too strenuous. Also, as Mr C will testify, I have become obsessive about interior decorating, and finding things for the flat. I collected some photos in a file (some of which follow) but am frustratingly very limited by lack of space/money and is it really worth all the effort if we're moving in a year? I'm not really sure. But as this may be the only year Mr C and I have living alone, we may as well make the most of it.<br /><br />We don't have a great solicitor and she's really dragged her feet all the way through, which is why the earliest we'll move is next week. That gives us 3 weeks to get everything ready before we move in! You're all welcome to pitch in! (Jug/Cow - you don't really have a choice in this)<br /><br />Also congratulations to <a href="http://ibnatbattuta.blogspot.com/">Bikey</a> for graduating this year! After 3 years (and a year abroad) filled with delightful escapades she finally emerges from the cocoon that is Cambridge. I'm going down this weekend for the garden party and will also meet up with a good friend of mine whose sister just happens to be graduating from the same college. And there's also Esma's wedding to look forward to Sunday - should be fantastic, especially as most of the old uni guard will be coming! Fun!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080854174501740930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8tGvxHBG7XI/RoLR88K8oYI/AAAAAAAAADk/1dGE8LEGJuw/s320/rockett+illusion+table.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8tGvxHBG7XI/RoLRpMK8oTI/AAAAAAAAAC8/oU585scZ2Wg/s1600-h/daybed+redoute.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080853835199324466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8tGvxHBG7XI/RoLRpMK8oTI/AAAAAAAAAC8/oU585scZ2Wg/s320/daybed+redoute.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8tGvxHBG7XI/RoLRpMK8oUI/AAAAAAAAADE/tuICn2RKCLo/s1600-h/ilva+vanessa.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080853835199324482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8tGvxHBG7XI/RoLRpMK8oUI/AAAAAAAAADE/tuICn2RKCLo/s320/ilva+vanessa.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8tGvxHBG7XI/RoLRpcK8oVI/AAAAAAAAADM/wHxdvrKpsJ8/s1600-h/redoute+chair.jpg"></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8tGvxHBG7XI/RoLRpcK8oWI/AAAAAAAAADU/K1-yXBCzRDc/s1600-h/muro+media+storage.jpg"></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8tGvxHBG7XI/RoLRpsK8oXI/AAAAAAAAADc/eDzKfc2w9yM/s1600-h/wovenground+rugcrochet.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080853843789259122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8tGvxHBG7XI/RoLRpsK8oXI/AAAAAAAAADc/eDzKfc2w9yM/s320/wovenground+rugcrochet.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8tGvxHBG7XI/RoLRSsK8oOI/AAAAAAAAACU/JBq1GGc3Uu0/s1600-h/dutchbydesigncoaster.jpg"></a><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080853452947235074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8tGvxHBG7XI/RoLRS8K8oQI/AAAAAAAAACk/rv1KNiR70ds/s320/mandara.jpg" border="0" /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8tGvxHBG7XI/RoLRS8K8oPI/AAAAAAAAACc/P7wdfpwG63g/s1600-h/redoute+chest.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080853452947235058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8tGvxHBG7XI/RoLRS8K8oPI/AAAAAAAAACc/P7wdfpwG63g/s320/redoute+chest.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8tGvxHBG7XI/RoLRTMK8oRI/AAAAAAAAACs/5mKU1W1zL1U/s1600-h/topaz+shade.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080853457242202386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8tGvxHBG7XI/RoLRTMK8oRI/AAAAAAAAACs/5mKU1W1zL1U/s320/topaz+shade.jpg" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080853461537169698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8tGvxHBG7XI/RoLRTcK8oSI/AAAAAAAAAC0/q0Jix3anhdY/s320/harlequin+radiance.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div> </div></div></div>Atiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04214985016723527338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827062.post-76001429006447871822007-05-31T21:33:00.000+01:002007-05-31T22:40:53.102+01:00<div align="left">I am feeling quite pleased with myself for having swapped a late on call (which means a lie-in - yippee!) for a Saturday..which means I get a day off AND a lie-in, which is too fabulous. Work has been horribly busy, with many new patients just appearing as if from the sky at 5 minutes to 5 every day, who need clerking, blood taken and wounds looking at. We had one poor old lady with terrible rheumatoid arthritis, who had had most of her major joints replaced. Her knee joints had got infected, and were actually coming out through the skin, and now she will have to have both legs amputated at the knee.<br /><br />We also get our fair share of IV drug users, who use up all the veins in their arms and then try to inject in the groin and end up with infections, heart valve problems, DVTs etc. The main problem we have is that if they can't find their veins, then we most definitely won't be able to..which means blood tests are a nightmare. It's also not the best idea to site an IV line, as its just one long stairway to heaven for them. Mr C's cousin works with IVDUs and has a totally different perspective on them, a more 'helping and healing' approach, you could say. But I say, so this is where my taxes go! Oho!<br /><br />I have been knitting, although you wouldn't believe it from the stagnant state of the blog. Thermal rather destroys your will to live actually. I have finished the body which I am very proud of, but the sleeves are on dpns and are going veeeeery slowly. I caved in on my shortlived yarn ban and bought the gorgeous Tilli Tomas Pure and Simple pictured below. It is just <em>lustrous</em>. Isn't that a very onomatopaeic word? I bought it from <a href="http://www.dreamweaveryarns.com">www.dreamweaveryarns.com</a> and they posted super fast and even marked it a gift! And it was super cheap as well. Shame they don't have a better selection though. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/200/523746011_72c03fe608.jpg?v=0" border="0" /><p align="center"><em><span style="font-size:78%;">Thermal - that much took 2 months! The sleeves will take another two...</span> </em></p><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/212/523717692_9327e80ea3.jpg?v=0" border="0" /><span style="font-size:78%;"><em></em></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;"><em>Tilli Tomas Pure and Simple</em> </span></p><p align="left">I'm going to blog about pattern and decor websites, which are my latest obsession next. Also my Spain trip - I'm sure it won't be as amazing as the Spain trip with Pink etc, but a holiday is definitely in order after 2 months of vascular surgery.</p>Atiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04214985016723527338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827062.post-11697214431856095662007-05-25T16:28:00.000+01:002007-05-25T16:38:25.820+01:00I'm on call this afternoon..so far things are very quiet so I'm just hanging out in the mess waiting for something to happen. Jug, Cow and I went to see a recording of QI - the quiz show they have been raving about. Due to an unfortunate anomaly (they tell me) the panel made a lot of off colour jokes, but it was overall a Quite Interesting experience :) Completely different from the 'It's My Life' recording Fudge and a few other fellow mancunians participated in a few years back.<br /><br />Forgot to say that before we went in, everyone had their bags checked in the queue. All was well until the security folks spotted Cow's ginormous and evil-looking metal knitting needles, at which point all three of us had to surrender all our knitting paraphernalia, as well as the boxed up yarn swift and ball winder they got me for my birthday. The two in combination, by the way, are the best and most clever inventions ever..so simple yet so effective.<br /><br />I'm going up to Manchester at the weekend - its going to be a busy one - a uni reunion, a visit to <a href="http://www.ilva.co.uk">Ilva</a> to check out the hype, people coming over and what promises to be a fun night at Pink's, especially for all the young folk. I get to wear my new superstar black sari :)Atiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04214985016723527338noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827062.post-47022893717024026942007-05-21T22:20:00.000+01:002007-05-21T22:34:04.567+01:00New beginningsBlogging was becoming a bit of a chore so I decided to leave it for a few weeks, and work on Thermal instead. I've also been busy with buying a sweet little flat in Rochester (<em>little</em> really is the word) and then dreaming up ways of making it cool in the style of the flats in this <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/scc.php">competition</a>. Mr C is being rather damping of my pretentions however, reminding me of unwelcome budget considerations, and the unwisdom of investing lots of money in a flat we will leave in just one year. In the intervening five weeks before we get keys, I have to find ways of getting rid of all the clutter that's gathered over the past two years, as well as getting rid of quite a lot of stash, as there is simply nowhere for it to go in the flat.<br /><br />Rochester, where we'll be living, is an amazing spot. It completely reconciled me to working in Gillingham, which is frankly a Hole. From our window, by craning your neck you can see the tops of both the cathedral and the castle - admittedly the view is obstructed by a block of flats but what does that matter? Its only five minutes to the high street, which has an absolute glut of secondhand/curiosity shops, restaurants (nearly all of which are bangladeshi/indian, surprisingly) and beautiful old buildings. It would have been nice to have a garden, and to not lug shopping up three flights of stairs, but I'm sure we'll find a way of managing.<br /><br />I'm now working in surgery - and am surprised to find that I quite enjoy going to theatre. I've only seen two operations so far, but got to assist both times (in a fairly minor way) which was good fun. Maybe I should set my sights a bit higher than the Little GP Practice on the Prairie after all?Atiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04214985016723527338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827062.post-73620403322656048122007-04-07T23:43:00.000+01:002007-04-07T23:45:15.348+01:00Go Bangladesh! Who knew they would cause such a stir?<br /><br /><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/6532691.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/6532691.stm</a><br /><br />PS just went to see Amazing Grace with Mr C - a slightly schmaltzy view of Britain's role in abolishing the slave trade but fairly educational nonetheless.Atiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04214985016723527338noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827062.post-19046746357430544442007-04-07T15:58:00.000+01:002007-04-07T16:11:04.670+01:00Current projects<div>Thermal blogged <a href="http://knitthermal.blogspot.com/">here</a></div><br /><div align="center"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/217/449449900_0b9e51258d.jpg?v=0" border="0" /><em><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">3mm needles ouch!</span></em></div><em><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></em><br /><div align="left"><br />Rowan Butterfly cami - I've done one side, but haven't been working much on the other side, because I've been doing most of my knitting while travelling and the frill requires some serious concentration. I like this photo though - can you see the nice sparkly beads? It's not been blocked yet so it looks really small, but it will be pretty when it's finished. I saw a complete dress version in <a href="http://www.downtownyarns.com/">Downtown Yarns</a> - I thought the KSH might be too hairy but it was gorgeous! </div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><p><a href="http://www.downtownyarns.com/"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/170/449298759_50742555b0.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></a> </p><br /><p>Best Friend Cardigan from Big City Knits by Twinkle designer Wenlan Chia: This is a super quick knit (especially in comparison to Thermal!). The yarn is Lamb's Pride Burly Spun which is quite nice and soft, but because it's a single ply I think it might end up quite pilly. Mr C hates the colour, which is called 'lemon drop' so this could be a nice cozy gift (Jug?) for someone. I'm making the medium, without bobbles and so far it seems straightforward. The size is actually fine (i'm a US4-6/UK 10) and I could probably have got away with the small size. Some people have said they're confused about which side the buttonhole should be on. Mine are on the right but then so are the ones on most of my cardigans so I'm quite happy to leave it as it is. </p><p>The photos below are from one day's knitting only!<br /></p><a href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/205/449292606_cd730a18cf.jpg?v=0"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/205/449292606_cd730a18cf.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></a><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/207/449298011_d94911f986.jpg?v=0" border="0" /><br /><div></div>Atiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04214985016723527338noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827062.post-84334348542269488132007-04-07T11:55:00.000+01:002008-12-10T01:03:01.915+00:00I really should update more often. By the time I get round to writing stuff up, its old hat - but never mind here goes: <div><br />New York (in pictures):</div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5050680282369863474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8tGvxHBG7XI/Rhee9Qi5rzI/AAAAAAAAACM/QvQdnBShAXc/s320/CSC_0139.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div></div><div>We stayed with my aunt and she has the most beautiful (and well-behaved!) baby. I bought my Nikon D40 as soon as we got there and took lots of photos of him.</div><div> </div><div><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/177/446539754_dd333e4a4a.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></div><br />We walked from the Rockefeller Center to Times Square at midnight, with the baby. The ice rink was closed because there was a private party going on and as we walked we noticed the street was lined with limos! We also stopped to eat some 'authentic New York pizza' - the place was run by Egyptians.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5050643766557912818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8tGvxHBG7XI/Rhd9vwi5rvI/AAAAAAAAABs/Ou6gQBtc4Vw/s320/DSC_0147.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5050643800917651234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8tGvxHBG7XI/Rhd9xwi5ryI/AAAAAAAAACE/BrYp71rg2gE/s320/DSC_0187.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/204/446539956_2bae7e59c9.jpg?v=0" border="0" /><br /><div>We went to the West Village and happened upon the Magnolia Bakery - they had these scrumptious looking cupcakes on display and we had to buy some. It was a bit messy, but worth it. </div><div> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5050643783737782018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8tGvxHBG7XI/Rhd9wwi5rwI/AAAAAAAAAB0/qjVBnWmmoPo/s320/DSC_0209.JPG" border="0" />We did a yarn store trawl and this was the only one I managed to photograph properly - <a href="http://www.brooklyngeneral.com/">Brooklyn General</a>. I'm going to do a review of the shops I went to later. This place was lovely - HUGE compared to the ones in Manhattan, and not just yarn - beautiful fabric and notions, friendly staff, vintage bits and pieces and lots of nice gifty things. Me and Jug spent ages in there. In fact Brooklyn in general was really fun, lots of boutiques and interesting cafes and shops.<br /><br /><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/187/446548939_4da6056799.jpg?v=0" border="0" /><br /><br /><br />Nasim's wedding:<br /><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/227/447481305_ca7a830663.jpg?v=0" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5050643788032749330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8tGvxHBG7XI/Rhd9xAi5rxI/AAAAAAAAAB8/bgt3Rr_gjE8/s320/DSC_0530.JPG" border="0" /></p><p>Mr C's cousin got married! Congrats to the happy couple. It was a gorgeous day and a really nice venue. The photographer wanted to take a shot of the boys pretending to throw Nasim in the fountain in front of the hall. I got back from New York and on the same day it was the Nikah, the next day the mehndi and the day after the wedding. I was pretty exhausted by the end of it all. </p><br />My new job:<br /><br />From August I will be based at Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham, Kent. Kent is supposed to be the 'Garden of England', but I think the Medway area is more like the compost heap. Chatham, about 5 minutes down the road, is apparently the origin of the term 'chav', but on the brighter side we might end up staying in Rochester, which is supposed to be a pretty Dickensian town complete with castle and cathedral. We should be going down at some point this weekend so I will let you know. The job itself shouldn't be too bad - orthopaedics (I'd better learn all my bones finally!), A&E and paediatrics.<br /><br />I've been doing some knitting too - will post about it soon. Also have a look at my flickr photos - blogger compresses the photos so they don't look as good - anyone know how to fix this?Atiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04214985016723527338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827062.post-24995359030366624782007-03-24T03:17:00.000+00:002007-03-24T03:26:40.762+00:00We've been in New York for the past two days, and have mainly been spending time with our new scrumptiously fat little cousin and ticking off our many compulsory purchases while stateside. We all set out, baby cousin included, to Ellis Island but when we got off the metro it was pouring with rain. We spent most of the day with wet feet and our pictures were a bit on the dreary side, but it was still a bit surreal seeing the Great Symbol of freedom in person. In the end we wimpily opted out of further sightseeing for the comfort of new dry socks and went home.<br /><br />My poor aunt has been inundated with parcels which I ordered while back at home. In fact I myself am a little overwhelmed by the vast amount of yarn I accumulated - it IS mainly knitpicks and thus bargain basement prices, but even so. You'll see what I mean soon. And tomorrow we are planning to visit Purl, who knows what excesses so great a temptation will lead to.<br /><br />In unrelated news, I have no job and may end up in East Angular or some such place..most likely Gillingham in Kent, if I can persuade the deanery I must be within commuting distance of London. Which I do need to be, if Mr C and I are not to be torn asunder. The other options are unthinkable - Plymouth, Cornwall, Jersey and the Isle of Wight.Atiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04214985016723527338noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827062.post-9468300494440571952007-03-12T19:30:00.000+00:002007-03-12T19:54:37.600+00:00<div align="left"><br />I can't wait until I get my DSLR! Am trying to decide between a D40 and a D40x (if it's out by next week) - I've been playing with my sister-in-law's D50 and I love it..my photos turn out a hundred times better and I don't even know how to use any of the functions yet! And luckily, my Wollmeise parcel arrived today, providing great photo opportunities...This yarn is just so beautiful I feel like it would be wrong to wind it into a ball...</div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/128/419137678_437c0a9ecb.jpg?v=0" border="0" /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><em>sock yarn</em></span><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/177/419137165_800731c2d8.jpg?v=0" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><em>tiny and very cute samplers</em></span></p><br /><br /><p>More photos on Flickr. I feel like I've been at work forever, which I have almost - I've put in 48 hours since Friday morning! Working on a weekend is always a bit strange, because the hospital is eerily empty, especially at night. I got some interesting calls - there was one poor man who managed to fracture his hip when he lost his balance on the way back from the toilet, and a really brave lady who was dying but with immense dignity and patience. On Friday I was called to see a man who was threatening to jump out of the window, and it turned out that it was a patient I had seen over Christmas who had been given an antidepressant which unfortunately had the effect of making him incredibly anxious. I spent a lot of time talking to him and his family, who for some reason had remembered me as their 'nice little doctor' from the previous admission...it's amazing how a small encounter can really make a difference to people when they're sick. </p><br /><br /><p>Mr C bought me some flowers on Friday, which was a very nice surprise. I tried to get a picture but the DSLR was making my eyes go funny so I didn't persist for too long. </p><br /><br /><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/128/419145927_aa7c67c7bc.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></p>Knittingwise, Forecast is finished and the photo is below, full post on the KAL (I'll link later). Unfortunately the weather is just too good at the moment to wear it! I'm halfway through the Butterfly front, and am working on the LMKG Child's Placket-Neck Sweater for my cousin in NY, which needs to be finished by Friday. Will post them all once they're done..but for now I'd better get on with knitting them.<br /><br /><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/158/419145853_f3f0039253.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></p><p> </p><p>and PS. Kudos to Jug and Fudge for their production at the <a href="http://www.royalexchange.co.uk">Royal Exchange</a>. Pictures please? </p>Atiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04214985016723527338noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827062.post-47224952834979691232007-03-12T09:48:00.000+00:002007-03-12T09:51:57.151+00:00I failed again!! 5 minors and 1 major, which was going over a crossing when people had started walking on the other side of the road. I do realise that this is an Unforgiveable Sin in the eyes of most driving instructors so knew I failed, but it's still a disappointment. I had a vision of being 'surprised' by Mr C with a shiny new car on my return from New York but it is not to be.<br /><br />Proper blog later.Atiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04214985016723527338noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827062.post-60711834778244626492007-03-02T08:35:00.000+00:002007-03-02T08:51:47.195+00:00I'm in at work half an hour early today, trying to make reparations for the small oversight of forgetting the consultant's post take ward round yesterday. I was supposed to be in at 8am to see all the new patients, but instead I was battling with the wretched Butterfly pattern (it happened to be the only day in weeks I was actually up at 6 as well). She was, as expected, practically foaming at the mouth and proclaimed that she was 'absolutely furious' and basically told me to get out of her sight, which is always nice first thing in the morning.<br /><br />What made things worse is that I thought I had lost the assessment form she had done for me last week, and if I had to ask her again it would have been less than glowing. Thankfully I found it at home - I was contemplating going through the recycling bin in the office this morning but I see the bag's been changed anyway so it would have been lost forever.<br /><br />Just finished reading Arthur and George by Julian Barnes. I highly recommend it - I think it would be a great period drama as well if the BBC could be persuaded. The fact that the eponymous Arthur was actually Conan Doyle escaped me for the first forty pages but I got there in the end. I also went to see Music and Lyrics with Pink and Dazey last night which was pretty funny, despite the very disturbing Cora character.<br /><br />The Forecast sleeves are finished - i just need to figure out how to seam them properly! My first attempt was definitely dodgy, and after spending weeks knitting I'm not going to ruin it with poor finishing.<br /><br />I am also no longer NIPSA on Flickr! NIPSA is the Flickr equivalent of being a social reject. Your photos don't even show up in searches. I can't imagine why they did this to me...makes me feel just like George must have. Please click on my flickr badge at some point, and check my photos out.Atiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04214985016723527338noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827062.post-72979232999691081962007-02-18T17:25:00.000+00:002008-12-10T01:03:02.355+00:00<span style="font-family:verdana;">Take a look at my new shoes (courtesy of Mr C). They are completely delicious, but totally impractical. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8tGvxHBG7XI/RdiN2BAz1rI/AAAAAAAAABI/m-xZbM6EjdI/s1600-h/yellow+shoes+2.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032928542710814386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8tGvxHBG7XI/RdiN2BAz1rI/AAAAAAAAABI/m-xZbM6EjdI/s320/yellow+shoes+2.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8tGvxHBG7XI/RdiN2hAz1sI/AAAAAAAAABQ/aHhw6OhG1Bw/s1600-h/yellow+shoes.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032928551300748994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8tGvxHBG7XI/RdiN2hAz1sI/AAAAAAAAABQ/aHhw6OhG1Bw/s320/yellow+shoes.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> <span style="font-size:78%;">Note the heel! 4" skyscrapers</span></span></div><p><span style="font-family:verdana;">Only problem is that they hurt, quite a lot. How much pain is too much?</span></p><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div>Atiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04214985016723527338noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827062.post-39838272807624834722007-02-16T10:51:00.000+00:002007-02-16T12:16:02.988+00:00Etsy<a href="http://www.etsy.com">Etsy</a> is bad. But also completely wonderful. I just placed an order for the most beautiful things in the whole world, all handmade by the lovely etsy sellers. Jug and I are planning to set up an Etsy shop soon, we just need to get our ideas in order and make some beautiful things now. I bought some stuff from the Etsy version of <a href="http://www.onegoodbumblebee.com">One Good Bumblebee</a> and some <a href="http://images.etsy.com/all_images/5/577/94a/il_fullxfull.6111694.jpg">absolutely gorgeous roving</a>, as I really want to try spinning in the near future. I might just venture out to the Handweavers Studio and see if I can get a drop spindle to try it out. I can't wait!<br /><br />I've been enjoying my lovely annual leave (imagine! being paid for taking holidays..how ingenious) and have been doing not very much really. I've been knitting a bit, surfing a bit, and kind of sort of doing some exercise for a change. Although exercise is somewhat pointless if your sister-in-law brings back Cinnabons from her trip to Dubai! Went to my Arabic class yesterday, and I'm quite sure that I've actually regressed rather than improving over the past couple of months..maybe I just hate grammar.<br /><br />The knitting group has slightly fallen by the wayside, maybe that's because the alternate weeks thing needs a bit of thought. It might be better to have it the frst Wednesday of the month or something similar, so that people know it will definitely be on when they turn up rather than wondering whether it is or isnt on that particular week. Next week it's definitely on and I will be spreading the word!<br /><br />Enough internet now, my back hurts. That stupid Etsy!Atiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04214985016723527338noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827062.post-56892054368256846592007-02-11T15:45:00.000+00:002007-02-04T02:26:39.342+00:00<p>This week I:</p><p>- booked tickets to New York - I love Delta airlines! Not only are the tickets a bargain, but you also get an unbelievable 45kg weight limit EACH..and I am going with two sisters and my mum :) Only six weeks to go...(which reminds me, must check my passport)</p><p>- went from this... <img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/184/386687507_811d80b995.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></p><p> ...to this. </p><p><a href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/163/386687659_27a0695a17.jpg?v=1171209901"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/163/386687659_27a0695a17.jpg?v=1171209901" border="0" /></a> </p><p>- finished the body of Forecast which is looking great! I'm a bit worried I'll run out of yarn though, which would be a bit of a pain as I probably won't be able to match the dyelot again..I knit the bottom ribbing using 5mm needles instead of 3.5mm as suggested, partly in an attempt to use less yarn! It still needs some blocking though. </p><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/159/386687928_12162911f9.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></p><p>- knit furiously to try and finish a scarf that Mr C's granddad (known as Nana) asked for. It's made with DB Cashmerino Superchunky and he specified that it had to be 9 inches wide and 'tight weave' so is being knit on 7mm needles...the pattern is from someone's blog but I can't remember who! I think Yarnharlot. </p><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/158/386688100_0957c53c5f.jpg?v=0" border="0" />- discovered the true horrifying madness of my stash (some of which is being sold off to make room for stuff from NY):<br /></p><a href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/133/386688293_9487d5fd11.jpg?v=0"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 318px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="222" alt="" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/133/386688293_9487d5fd11.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></a>Atiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04214985016723527338noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827062.post-15057143784961344972007-02-01T14:22:00.000+00:002007-02-01T16:38:11.502+00:00What a morning! Got up slightly late (7.45am, usually leave the house at 10 past 8) and decided I would take my time and catch the later tram. The trams were delayed anyway, so I decided I was going to make some progress on my second <a href="http://www.poshyarn.co.uk/patterns.html">Slip up Sock</a> which I started yesterday. Got on the tram, carried on knitting. Got to East Croydon, looked up, then continued knitting. Took the finished first sock from my bag to admire it and compare with the second, then put it down only to realise the tram had started going BACKWARDS, so I was basically back on my way home again. Of course I got off in a big hurry, leaving the finished sock I know not where, only realising about fifteen minutes later when I was on a different tram.<br /><br />Obviously there are many other things of far greater intrinsic value that I could have lost, for example my phone, PDA, stethoscope or purse. But it's still very very annoying to lose that damned sock! It was the first one I ever knit! And also its far too embarrassing to ring up Tramlink lost property and ask them if they've found a sock! I just about managed to send them an email, but I simply will not talk to a real live person about it, to have them laugh at my loss would be just too much.<br /><br />So I was late to work, minus sock, and I've just found out that my lovely projected trip to Spain/Morocco in March is now off because I can't get annual leave at the same time as Mr C. Life is hard.<br /><br />Edit: since then, I found out I failed the pharmacy exam for the THIRD time (!) and will have to resit it again...and by far the most enjoyable event of the day - I was taking blood from a patient using a butterfly needle and after much gentle persuasion and coaxing we managed to a) convince him to let us take blood ('what is this a punishment for? what did I do to deserve this?') and b) <em>take </em>the blood (it was really difficult). I pulled back on the syringe plunger and the stupid thing popped right out, so all the blood went all over me! All down my scarf and trousers...I was covered in it. It's amazing how much mess 5mls of blood can make. Spent the next half an hour washing it all out and am now sitting in damp clothes.Atiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04214985016723527338noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827062.post-52151477103174994072007-01-30T16:25:00.000+00:002007-01-30T16:31:38.920+00:00Too much ambitionAny html/xml whizzes out there? I can't figure out why my sidebar drops down to the bottom of the page! And so much love and attention I put into creating all the buttons too. I've decided I like new Blogger after all - so much easier to add in page elements! I have the best brains over at Blogcrowds working on it, but any help in the meanwhile would be appreciated.<br /><br />I failed another driving test. This time I got 18 faults! I honestly don't even know why - I thought it all went pretty well, and the one thing I thought he was going to fail me on he didn't mark me on. Anyway, I've decided that 2 crem forms = 1 driving test from now on, that way I feel a little bit better about it.<br /><br />Also, anyone want to buy me a DSLR? I really really want one, now I've seen how beautiful everyone else's photos (on flickr) are! It's such a trial trying to get good at everything - knitting, crochet, sewing, driving and now photography..where will it end?Atiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04214985016723527338noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827062.post-1211880570350947102007-01-26T20:38:00.000+00:002007-01-26T20:52:31.049+00:00Just spent several very frustrating hours trying to change my template over to a very swish new one I found..but it doesn't seem to like blogger beta very much! Makes me wish I hadn't switched over..I can't find a way of switching back so I'm a bit stuck.<br /><br />Good news<br />- someone has posted on the <a href="http://kidsilkcrack.blogspot.com">Kidsilk-along</a> blog!<br />- it's Friday and the hateful working week is over (although I'm going to be examining medical students tomorrow from 9am for a mock osce)<br />-I'm back to where I was on Forecast before I frogged it<br /><br />Lindsey tagged me for a meme - also my first one :) So here are six weird things you didn't want to know about me:<br /><br />1. I HAVE to have lipbalm with me wherever I go - if I forget it at home, I have to buy some, no matter what. Or resort to bizarre alternatives, which I won't go into.<br />2. Knitting (this is seriously weird in my world) People do a major double take when they see me knitting on the ward!<br />3. I am allergic to my alpaca cardigan (not knitted by myself sadly) - I couldn't work out why I was getting so wheezy all of a sudden until I took it off when I was out at dinner one night and recovered..but I still wear it anyway, it's lovely and warm<br />4.Speaking of which, I am always cold. In Winter I have to have 2 jumpers and a winter coat on at all times, and I keep the jumpers on indoors!<br />5. I had FIVE wedding receptions and 3 pre-wedding parties! Including the infamous pink-and-black party..<br />6. I read the Amityville Horror when I was seven, and every paranormal book I could find (I mean I knew about doppelgangers)<br /><br />I think that is definitely enough to go on with.<br /><br />I tag Pink, Cow, Jug, Mr C, Fudge and Dazey! (Although strictly speaking Mr C doesn't knit, but how else can I convince him to post?)Atiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04214985016723527338noreply@blogger.com5