Year of Projects Week 17

So this is how my sock is going. It would be much longer if I hadn't decided that I couldn't live with a (to me, glaringly obvious) mistake in the first pattern repeat. I'd finished 4 pattern repeats by that point, but I bit the bullet and frogged it back to the start of the pattern, and started again. I'm now on the 5th repeat, and it's looking good. I seem to have more repeats in my pattern than the projects on Ravelry, the average seems to be 6 before turning the heel, and I think I'm going to need nine, so I'm worried my gauge is wrong... I hope I have enough yarn to finish the pair.

I wasn't sure about this yarn for the pattern, because the toe turned out pretty stripey, but I've decided I like it, as the purl parts break up the stripes and I love the leafy vine parts in these autumnal colours

I also decided I needed a quick gratification project this week, so I decided to finish on of the WIPs on my list.

Meet Betty the Blob:

She's a monster blob from the Monster Chunks pattern by Rebecca Danger.

Last time she featured on this blog, she looked like this:

I did frog that foot though and knit it again, as when I came back to it, it looked like a mess

According to Ravelry, I started this project in March 2010, so it's well overdue to be finished. It's made with scrap acrylic which came from my Gran's knitting stash and must be about 20 years old, as it's left over from the baby clothes that she made me. I have to say, I'm not a huge fan of embroidering toy faces, and I'm also not very good at it, so her face does look a little strange. I think I achieved the pouty effect I wanted though.

And here she is with her boyfriend Bob, who is thrilled that she's finally finished! Don't they make a cute couple?

You can check out more updates here

FO Friday - Cross Stitch Card

Since this has now definitely been received, I can post it up as an FO

Just a little thank you card, but I think it looks pretty nice. And I had a revelation whilst working on it, about how amazing double sided sticky tape is! I've never used it for cards before, and I've always been pretty unimpressed with the crinkly effect you get with glue, so I bit the bullet and bought some. It makes life so much easier, and makes the cards look really nice!

For more FOs, check out Tami's blog here

Tuesday Tunes

Ok, that picture looks quite dodgy, so I apologise, it's not a dirty song at all, though there are a few rude words, so maybe not suitable for small children

This is a song by the Amateur Transplants called Paracetamoxyfrusebendroneomycin. I'm sure people know that I'm a medical student, and this is a band consisting of two doctors who write parody song on the subject of medicine. It's about a made up drug and it's absolutely hilarious. Well worth a watch, it'll make you giggle and be stuck in your head for days.See if you recognise the tune (I'm sure you will!)

Squee Sunday

So, I got this through the post yesterday:

That's my god-daughter and her brother (who are also my cousins). She's wearing the hoodie I made for her! And it fits!

Yep, that's me with them on the left. And the other is my god-daughter in her Christening dress. It made me smile so much to get these!

What's made you Squee this weekend?

For more squees, click here

Gluten Free Pizza Recipe

I'm posting this due to a request, but if anyone wants to try yummy gluten free pizza, here it is:

Disclaimer: This is not my recipe, though we've made some changes. The original is printed on the flour packet

Ingredients:
450g/16oz white bread flour (this is a blend of rice, potato and tapioca flour + xanthan gum)
2tsp Quick yeast
2tbsp sugar
325ml/11floz warm milk
1tsp vinegar (we used malt)
2 eggs
6 tbsp oil (we used olive)

1. Mix together flour, salt, yeast and sugar
2. In large bowl beat milk, eggs and vinegar. Add the vinegar last to prevent the milk curdling
3. Add the flour and mix to form a sticky dough
4. Continue mixing, adding the oil. The dough should be much stickier than any bread dough you've ever seen before. It should be sticking to everything and shouldn't be rollable like pizza dough usually is
5. Oil an oven dish and spread out the dough. You will need to use an oiled knife to do this or it will be impossible.
6. Leave to rise for about 30 mins
7. Cook at 200°C (400°F) in a non fan oven/180 °C in a fan oven until base is firm and nearly cooked (about 15 mins)
8. Add toppings of your choice
9. Cook at  200°C (400°F) with the fan on until cheese is melted and base is slightly crisp around the outside (about 15 mins)
10. Enjoy! 

ETA: This is how sticky the dough should be:

Year of Projects Week 16

I think it's time for a review of my list, since in 16 weeks I've only completed 3 projects. My list is currently looking a bit overambitious... I've not removed many projects, but I've removed big ones

So onto the new list:
Knitting

WIPs
Rainycloud
Betty the blob
Central Park Hoodie
The boy's scarf
Build-a-bear clothes

New Projects
Cabled Jacket with Hood for the God-daughter's christening present - completed 14th August 2011
Tubby by Anna Hrachovec
Arielle by Kim Hargreaves
Jumper for Mum
Pug Dog Washcloth for H's birthday - completed 3rd October 2011
Dishcloth for V's birthday
Make-up Socks
Textured Cushion by Amy Butler for the boy

2/13 completed

Sewing

WIPs
Tatty Teddy bookmark

New Projects
Popcorn bookmark for H

Gran's birthday embroidery

Blackwork test stitch - completed 10th July 2011

1/4 completed

These are things that I would still like to complete this year, and will still be included in the list, but I will not count them as part of the challenge (i.e. I don't need to finish them to complete my list):

Frog my purple scarf and knit a better one

Cross stitch for the boy
Map of Yorkshire

Lickle Ted - Lickle Bit Shy

So far, I've done one pattern repeat on my socks. Hopefully, I'll have more time to stitch next week, so more will get done!

Tuesday Tunes

Now, as many people know Peppermint Mocha Mama is one of my favourite blogs. Now on a tuesday, she does Tuesday Tunes, which I have decided to shamelessly deal (with due credit of course =P). I feel like I need to spread the love of my favourite songs and possibly reflect on what I've been listening to

This song is one of the most beautiful I know, and is so raw and powerful. I've been listening to it today in the microscope room whilst taking photos of slides and it fills that little space and brings a tear to my eye.