Soapnuts update

Yesterday I finished the last of the Concentrated Washing Liquid so I had to take the plunge and use the Soapnuts. I put 6 of them into an old pair of tights and put them in the drum on top of the clothes. I can honestly say that so far I am very very impressed. Those 6 little nuts washed 3 whole loads of coloured clothes. Everything came out just as clean as it did with the ordinary washing powder or liquid and the clothes smelt of absolutely nothing.
This morning I am doing 2 further experiments - I have hung a load of underwear out on the line to air dry, this will test the theory that without chemicals, laundry should dry to a soft finish rather than like cardboard. The second experiment was on a 6o degree wash for a load of towels - this will be the fourth load of washing from just one lot of shells so I'm testing how far I can push them. It will also be the ultimate 'line-drying' challenge as I can't bear towels that have been dried outside and have been using the tumble drier on them come rain or shine.
Let you know later how I get on.....

Summer Reading (again)

It's here again - The Richard & Judy Summer Reading List I mean. The book shops (and Amazon) are still promoting the last list of books but the new list of 8 is here:-
The Outcast by Sadie Jones
No Time for Goodbye by Linwood Barclay
East of the Sun by Julia Gregson
Down River by John Hart
Pirate's Daughter by Margaret Cezair-Thompson
Private Lives of Pippa Lee by Rebecca Miller
Addition by Toni Jordan
The Resurrectionist by James Bradley

I have trawled Amazon for the ISBN numbers and logged on to the Library Website - none of the books are stocked in my local library, 2 of them are not listed as being in ANY Cheshire library so I'll have to wait for the Library to catch up with reality..... Will put in my reservations today if I can but I still haven't finished the latest Dalziel & Pascoe - A Cure For All Illness and I have another book waiting behind it in the reading queue. DH doesn't like it if I stay awake all night reading either!

Going Greener

Hubby came home yesterday talking about Soapnuts. Now neither of us are Monster Raving Loony Eco Warriers but he was obviously keen on the idea, so this morning I ordered some.
Soapnuts? Here's the blurb (shamefully stolen via Google, but hey why reinvent the wheel?)

In India and Nepal, the soapnut (sapindus trifoliatus) has been used as a vegetable washing detergent since time immemorial.
The soap nut tree grows mainly in South India. In March and April, the tree is adorned with white flowers, and the ripe soapnuts are harvested in October. When removed from the tree the soapnuts are sticky and golden in colour. They are dried and their colour becomes reddish-brown. Then the nuts are cracked and the black kernel, which can neither be eaten nor used for washing is removed and the shells, which contain saponine (a natural detergent), are packed up in cotton bags.

How does it work?
The somewhat sticky saponine in the shells of the soap nuts acts in a similar way to normal soap. As soon as the shells get in contact with water, this natural saponine soap is released and creates mild suds. Place 4 to 5 half shells in one of the provided cotton bags. Tie the bag and place it with your laundry in the washing machine. Start your machine as usual, with or without pre-wash. The remains of the soapnuts can be composted or be disposed of through organic refuse.
The soap nut can be easily used in your washing machine. Unlike common washing powders and liquids that contain considerable amounts of chemicals, the soapnut is environmentally friendly and is gentle on the skin.
Can be used for all fabrics and with all temperatures.

No need for fabric softeners
Works well with delicate fabrics such as silk and wool
When washing in cold to warm water, soapnuts can be used for a second time the same day
In the case of heavy stains, we recommend adding one tablespoon of stain remover.
For a fragrant wash add your favourite essential oils

These work out at about 6p per wash against 20p per wash for your standard powder. I have also read that your clothes don't go hard on the washing line either and anything that leads to reduced ironing is a winner as far as I am concerned. I plan to use Ecover to boost the Whites wash but since almost all our clothes are coloured, I don't think I'll need much. I'll report back and let you know how I get on with them.

UK Swap Round 2

After a few 'difficult' swap experiences I have got over myself and signed up for more! This one is for UK participants only and is still open for signup - here if you are in the UK and interested in joining in. This swap is themed - you provide your unknown Spoiler with an image which sums you up and they have to base their swap package on the image.....wonder what the heck I'm going to choose!

Answers to the swap questionnaire then:-
Part One: Crafting
Do you knit, crochet, or both? - Both
What do you like to make? - Sweaters, Jackets, Cardigans mostly.
Do you have a favourite project? I am always super-critical of everything I make so no completed project is a particular favourite. I love my Rogue Cardigan though as it is currently not quite finished!
Do you have a favourite type of fiber or brand of yarn? I am a die-hard wool fan.
Do you have a least favourite type of yarn? I don't like novelty yarns but only because I can't find anything I want to make with them! I also hate self-striping sock yarns with a passion!
Do you do any other crafts? I can do lots but rarely get the time to indulge, my other crafts include painting, drawing, tapestry, embroidery, sewing (clothes and soft-furnishings), dyeing and anything else that's practical.
Do you knit in public? You must be joking! When do I ever have the time to sit down anywhere in public?
If so where do you like knitting and what is your "portable" project? I take a pair of socks to knit when we go on holiday but they rarely get touched!
What do you carry your "portable" knitting in? A plastic bag - the shame of it!!!
Are there any knitting gifts (book, toy, yarn, item, tool) that you have been lusting over? Not exactly lusting over this one but I am searching for a Hairpin Lace gadget that doesn't cost the earth, point me in the right direction if you know where to find one!

Part Two: Your Favourites
What is your favourite colour? Blue
What is your least favourite colour? Orange
What scents/smells do you like? Citrus, Tomatoes, Freshly Mown Grass
What don’t you like? Anything floral.
How do you like to pamper yourself? (bubble bath, hand creams, massage, manicure) What's pampering? I am a sucker for hand cream but I'm afraid it has to be Natural and free from Parabens or I won't use it.
What goodies to you like to eat? (chocolate, biscuits, sweets,crisps etc) Yes all of those, as much as possible. No seriously I love dark chocolate (No Nuts) the best.
Do you prefer tea or coffee while you knit? Either so long as I don't have to get up and make it!
Any particular kind? I drink plain Yorkshire Tea, the coffee tends to come from the Taylors of Harrogate range but I have been known to experiment with funny flavoured coffees, especially in Starbucks.
Do you listen to/watch anything while you knit?
I almost always watch TV whilst I'm knitting - CSI, House, Bones, Lost, Criminal Minds, Dalziel & Pascoe, Inspector Lynley - most Crime/Thriller type shows. I also watch Coronation Street whilst I am eating my tea!

Part Three: About you, Living & Past-times
If you were a specific kind of yarn, which brand and kind of yarn would you be (and why)?
OK I would be a slightly overweight handspun yarn, spun from organic or recycled fibre and with unusual eclectic items woven in to the yarn. P.S. I would hate knitting with something like this....
Where do you live in the UK? (General idea not address)
I live in the North West of England. I am not a WAG or a Footballer's Wife but there are an awful lot of them round here!
Have you always lived here, or did you grow up somewhere else?
I was born and bred in Yorkshire and did not leave until I was 23 when I went to Newcastle. I have also lived in Surrey, Oxfordshire, Staffordshire and Wiltshire before coming to rest in my current village.
What is your favourite place in the UK?
Cornwall
If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Iceland
What other hobbies do you have?
Gardening and Reading take up almost all the spare time I have.

Part Four: The Theme
This is a view of the inside of the Alhambra Palace. I chose it for the following reasons - I REALLY want to go there, the colours are fabulous, I love architecture and geometric patterns, the Islamic geometric patterns on the tiles and walls in the Palace are amazing, the gardens are also meant to be inspirational and some day I would like to have enough time to create something in the garden rather than just dig up weeds!


Final Part:Any allergies/preferences (fiber-wise or treat-wise)?
NO NUTS - I'm not allergic I just can't stand them (apart from Coconut which I'm not sure is even a proper nut....)

Quiz Answers

Busy busy busy in my house - eldest son's 10th birthday yesterday and today his friends arrive for a sleepover. I'll be lucky to sit down at all never mind look for the Snitch but here are my answers to the quiz so at least I've done my bit for Ravenclaw!


1. When Rita Skeeter prints a bad articles about Hagrid in the Daily Prophet, which Professor teaches Hagrid's Care of Magical Creatures class while he is away?
c. Professor Grubbly-Plank

2. What was the article Rita Skeeter wrote about Hagrid called?
c. Dumbledore's Giant Mistake

3. When the school champions were being chosen from the Goblet of Fire, whose name came out first?
c. Cedric Diggory

4. What is the spell Ludo Bagman says to magically magnify his voice when he commentates?a. Sonorus

5. What kind of dragon did Cedric have to face in the first task?
b. A Swedish Short-Snout

6. Who raised the trophy after winning the world cup?
b. Troy and Quigley

7. How many bedrooms did Mundungus Fletcher claim to have?
d. 12

8. For what did Moody mistake his birthday gift of a carriage clock?
b. A basilisk egg

9. What did Mr. Ollivander produce for the end of Cedric's wand?
a. A bunch of flowers

10. The dark mark is on Snape's left arm.
a. Yes



Picture Scavenger Hunt
Amos Diggory
a Basilisk
Karkaroff
Mundungus Fletcher (like this picture the best!!)

Can't Owls Carry A Lot?

My HSKS 4 Swap Package arrived yesterday, I took photos and everything but we had a power cut in the afternoon and after that my computer just refused to recognise the camera was waiting to download. After several re-boots this morning, it is now OK and I can present to you my fantastic parcel from Millicent Brocklehurst!

Here it is in the box......

And here is what was inside the box - that box was like the Tardis - it held an amazing amount!

Two Sock Bug Sock Patterns, A set of Harmony DPNs, Stitch Markers, Fleece Artist Merino Sock Yarn, Tazo Tea, Stitch Holder, Post It notes, Jelly Beans and Dark Chocolate. What a lucky girl I am. And just look at that fantastic bag - very strong and exactly the right size for a Sock Project. Millicent has been very clever indeed, she's a typical Ravenclaw.

Here's a close-up of the stitch markers, handmade and from Etsy - the first thing I have ever had from Etsy, aren't they lovely?
And here's a close up of the yarn - blue and bronze, perfect! My first ever Merino and first ever Fleece Artist yarn. I'm looking forward to trying it but it will have to wait - I am test knitting the updated pattern for Sydney Socks and have a Master Coriolis on two circulars to finish first!
Here's a close-up of my lovely new bag. I haven't seen this pattern before so I'm off to Ravelry to find out what it is.
Thanks again CentyB - 100 House Points to you.....

Bettna, At last.....

Excuse the threads hanging down off the jacket and the lack of an 'on the body shot' - I was in a rush and didn't have time to wait for Husband to come home and then ask him....

I really enjoyed knitting something that looks nice, knitted up quickly and that I am able to wear. I would knit another Bettna but not another Kureyon anything as there aren't really any other colourways I like and I think I prefer the more tweedy stripes of Silk Mountain....

Washing the Noro was scary though. I had already picked out a hundred pieces of thorn, straw, twig and other vegetable matter as I was knitting but when I put it into the water I was shocked to see so much more coming out. There was quite a lot of dye and also some very fine black particles that looked like metal dust. It took 3 rinses to get the majority of it out and was very time consuming.

Drying the jacket also took forever as I can only let it air dry and it's still cold and damp here - not exactly sweater drying weather. (Any tips of drying methods for damp, cold climates gratefully accepted.)

Anyway, just the loose ends to sew in and then I can wear it and I'll finally start to feel a little warmer for a change.

HSKS4 Ravenclaw House Quiz

This one's tricky as I have to use my Creative Spells (not good at those, even on a good day). I've probably taken this way too seriously as I have really tried to make my spells sound genuine.....

Conjure up the correct spells for the following activities.



1. Do my homework for me. Pensum Scholasticum

2. Tidy up my bedroom. Cubiculum Elegansis

3. Make a delicious chocolate cake. Chocolato Delicioso (did you know there is no latin word for chocolate?)

4. Make my professor stay in bed today. Professorius Somnium

5. I would like breakfast in bed, please. Alimentum Dormitorius

6. Stick all my Quidditch opponents' feet to the floor. Adglutino Inimicus Pedimentis

7. Give everyone the giggles. Giggleum Ridiculum

8. Dye some yarn in my favorite color. Perfundo Versicoloris

9. Unravel the mess I've made with my yarn. Extrico Lanatus

10. Knit my Prefect the perfect bag! Texere Minerva Brea (bit of a cheat since there is no Latin word for Knit - Texere is Latin for Weave!!!)



J.K.Rowling eat your heart out!

February Failures

OK, so my challenges for this month were...
Thrifty Knitters Sock Club - Earl Grey or Sydney. I managed to get one Sydney sock as far as the ankle but then realised that it wouldn't go past my instep/heel so I need to frog it and make the bigger size. March's patterns are both really interesting and I have ordered two Knitpicks circular needles to try socks on two circulars as one of them is a Cat Bordhi pattern.

Sock Stash Elimination Campaign - I have been unsuccessful with Bellatrix so thought about Nagini, but thinking was all I did and I'm ashamed to say that I did not even cast on for these socks. Will try harder in March!

Sock a Month KAL - nope I failed to finish a pair of socks throughout February so I won't win this one either!!

And the reason for all this failure? I was busy with Bettna and then JUST TOO TIRED TO KNIT, and believe me that's really, really tired. Bettna should be washed and blocked tomorrow ready for its photocall so I hope to post pictures soon.
Wish me luck for March, I need to finish something!

HSKS 4 - Ravenclaw House Quiz

Well my Secret Swap email address is defunct but at least Blogger will still let me in!
Here are my answers to the Ravenclaw House Quiz:-
1. What colorless and odourless potion forces the drinker to tell the truth?
Veritaserum
2. If the spell to Apparate goes wrong and leaves half of you behind, you have been what?
Splinched
3. Who wrote the Standard Books of Spells Grades 1 and 2?
Miranda Goshawk
4. What is it called when brother wands meet?
Priori Incantatem
5. Name the charm used by Ludo at the World Cup to amplify his voice.
Sonorus
6. For what is the charm Aparecium used?
Makes Invisible Ink visible again
7. What charm requires the use of a Secret-Keeper?
Fidelius
8. What color should the Strengthening Potion be?
Turquoise
9. What plants are used in preparing a confusing potion?
Scurvy-grass, Lovage and Sneezewort
10. What condition is cured by Glumbumble?
Some forms of hysteria
11. What potion makes a werewolf safe so he can keep his mind when he transforms, and what substance makes it useless?
Wolfsbane Potion makes a werewolf safe but sugar makes it useless.
12. When does Fluxwood, an ingredient used in making Polyjuice Potion, have to be picked?
Full moon.
13. What color should a Shrinking Solution be?
Violet
14. What potion is made from asphodel and wormwood?
Felix Felicis
15. For what are Jobberknoll feathers used?
Memory potions and truth serums.
Fingers crossed ......

HSKS 4 Quidditch Round 2

Here are my answers:-
1. With whom does Ginny go to the Yule Ball?
a. Neville
2. When Harry arrives at the Burrow and Mrs. Weasley makes them all dinner the night before they leave for the Quidditch World Cup, what does her wand turn into?
b. rubber chicken
3. Since some of the sixth-year girls didn't have any quills on them, what did they think Krum might sign their hats in?
c. lipstick
4. How old does the Quick Quotes Quill say that Rita Skeeter is?
a. 43
5. What color cloak is wormtail wearing in the Riddle house?
b. Black
6. What color is "Mad Eye" Moody's magical eye?
d. Blue
7. What color are the robes that Rita Skeeter was wearing when Harry meets her at the Weighing of the Wands ceremony?
b. Magenta
8. What does Sirius Black tell Harry, Ron and Hermione to call him when speaking around anyone else?
b. Snuffles
9. Which team beat Wales, disqualifying them from competing for the Quidditch World Cup?
c. Uganda
10. What does Madame Maxime say is the only thing her steeds will drink?
c. single-malt whisky (please note the Scottish spelling of Whisky) - Whiskey is Irish and I'm sure Madame Maxine drinks Scotch.

Picture Scavenger Hunt
Goblet of Fire
Madam Maxime
Dragon from first challenge
Viktor Krum
Madam Poppy Pomfrey

Ravenclaw House Quiz

Not much knitting going on here - I have a pain up the inside of my right arm. Half-term holiday is nearly over and I haven't done half of the things I needed to.....

Here are my answers to the Ravenclaw House Quiz (with a bit of help from the HP Lexicon)
1. What is Professor McGonnagall's first name? Minerva
2. Who is the librarian of Hogwarts? Madam Irma Pince
3. What is Madam Rosmerta's job? Landlady of the Three Broomsticks
4. What is Rita Skeeter's secret? She's an unregistered animagus.
5. Madam Hooch is instructor of what subject? Games
6. Who is Parvati Patil's best friend? Lavender Brown
7. What Quidditch position does Cho Chang play? Seeker for Ravenclaw
8. What is the name of Fleur Delacour's little sister? Gabrielle
9. Who is professor of Divination? Sybill Trelawney
10. Who wrote "A History of Magic"? Bathilda Bagshot