Spitting Yarn

Jump to Comments

Firstly, a warning and words of advice.

My web-based email and eBay accounts were hacked this weekend. I was foolish enough to have the same password for both accounts and so having gained access to one, the fraudster was able to get into the other. I realised it had happened because my regular log in/password combination for the accounts wouldn’t work. Thankfully, I’ve got my eBay account back but not my Yahoo email. I couldn’t recall all of my registration information and, quite rightly, Yahoo would not release my account from suspension. I’m still corresponding with them, but I think the account is lost (better that than accessible to the fraudster, though). I noticed all this had happened before too much damage was done. The fraudster had corresponded with a number of eBay sellers trying to arrange dodgy deals with them, but eBay sent all the sellers notification telling them not to engage with the person.

So, don’t use the same password for everything, change it regularly, and make a note of the registration information you use to open accounts. I’ve moved 5 or 6 times in as many years and couldn’t remember when I registered (or, therefore, where I was living) which I think was my downfall.

Sigh. It’s so easy to be a victim in this day and age. Anyway, onto cheerier topics.

My Christmas knitting has started in earnest. I wanted to knit a hat for my Dad (who doesn’t visit here). He is a great fisherman and so I spent some time trying to find camouflage-coloured yarn. Eventually, with the help of Knittyboard, I found Jaeger Baby Merino in the Pogo colourway – exactly what I was looking for. I started off with a limeish green cast on for a bit of zing.

Unfortunately, I’m about two-thirds of the way through and I’m now certain that it’s going to be too small. Dangit. I have two more balls of the stuff, so I I’ll finish it off and keep it for myself, before starting another for my Dad. I couldn’t find a ribbed hat pattern in 4 ply so I used guesswork, which obviously didn’t work out. I’ll let you know how many stitches to use when I get it right, in case anyone else wants to knit a 2X2 ribbed hat in 4 ply.
I’m also knitting a hat for DB. I’m safe to post about it as he chose the yarn for himself. Look…

This is Posh Yarn’s aran weight cashmere in Stonewashed, a beautiful, beautiful icy light blue. It is a dream to knit with, if you can stop fondling the ball and actually get on with the knitting! The squooshiness might explain why I’ve only got this far…

I am a hat knitting factory. I wanted to show you a picture of a red hat I knitted for the BBC, but it wouldn’t photograph well. The BBC are producing a documentary about war veterans and wanted to give them a symbol to show that they are remembered as much as the war dead (who are remember by the poppy worn on 11 November, Remembrance Day). Woolly hats were felt to be an appropriate symbol, so Knitting Hill will be contributing a number of hats. Last week we were also asked to knit a hat for a pigeon, so I’ll be interested to see how that works out on the documentary!

To make up for the nasty account theft incident, DB took me to my favourite cafe (Lisboa on Golborne Road) for a latte and a pastel de nata. Don’t be put off by the fact that is was a supposed haunt of two of the men held for the 21st July attempted bombings in London. As DB put it, the place is so damn good it would attract everyone from saints to sinners.

The countdown to Christmas has started at Lisboa, as indicated by the sale of Bolo Rei (or “king cake”), which is very reminiscent of Itay’s panetonne. It is a yellow, brioche-like bread stuffed with dried and glace fruit and nuts and adorned with fantastically garish red and green glace fruit and sugar. It will be my breakfast for the next few days.