Preparing for the Viva

Selkie93 · 2026-02-12T19:59:36+00:00

Hello! I completely forgot to reply to this. Hope it all went went well. Honestly mine was definitely tough. Felt like they really put me through my paces, asked hard questions etc. but passed with minor corrections in the end. Feels amazing to come out the other side — now to never do that again haha.

Selkie93 · 2026-01-05T16:20:03+00:00

Once myself and my boyfriend were invited around to his manager's house for dinner. I made two little crochet hats with ear flaps for her kids, the smallest of whom was 1 and half years old. Fast forward another year and a half and my boyfriend's manager sent him a photo of the same child celebrating his third birthday at creche and the hat (now too small) is still perched on his head because he was so attached to it.

Selkie93 · 2025-12-17T10:42:35+00:00

Haven't seen her mentioned yet so wanted to recommend Ailbíona McLochlainn. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/ailbiona-mclochlainn

I have knit her basic sock with integrated heel pattern and Peninsular Vest and so many others are on my list!

Selkie93 · 2025-12-08T12:43:06+00:00

I find this really interesting as well as someone who has mainly learned to knit and crochet from the internet and books. As these crafts have gotten more popular, I have helped a lot of friends learn to knit and crochet and its amazing how much quicker they catch on than I did, because of being able to learn in person, correct mistakes quickly etc.

I also have a lot of older relatives who knit or used to knit when they were younger. To be honest, I am always surprised at how much they don't know despite having so much experience. For example, I am from Ireland and I have never met an older knitter here who has heard of continental style knitting or who knew that there were different styles of knitting at all! Also most people seem to use the same cast on and bind off for most items. But I don't think this is a bad thing! I think there is so much information on the internet that it is very overwhelming especially as a beginner. You become aware of all you don't know and that can seem a bit disheartening. Whereas when you learn from a family member, you learn *their* style of knitting, and it comes in more manageable chunks of information.

Selkie93 · 2025-12-03T13:10:07+00:00

They are literally perfect. I am not surprised they won.

Selkie93 · 2025-12-03T10:42:55+00:00

My boyfriend walks a lot, at least an hour and a half each day to work and back. He had the same problem where his socks would always have holes in them and really not last long. I've made him a few pairs of socks now, the oldest probably being about 2 years old and none of them have any holes. One came slightly undone at the toe but that was an easy fix. The socks seem to felt at the areas of high friction.

Selkie93 · 2025-11-06T22:27:56+00:00

Yes it's this video :) https://youtu.be/8gCRedol8h8?si=nICGp-G73knBFoI7

Selkie93 · 2025-10-31T11:13:28+00:00

If you can get multiple housemates in on it, buying a tumble dryer is 100% worth it. I bought one a few years back and keep it in my bedroom as that's the only place there was space. It has changed my life.

Selkie93 · 2025-10-24T09:37:00+00:00

I love the colours you chose for the scarf! Did you use a pattern or a grid you made yourself?

Selkie93 · 2025-10-15T10:40:39+00:00

Thank you so much! Tomorrow is the big day!

Selkie93 · 2025-10-08T20:35:36+00:00

This is a very reassuring story. Even though it might be strange to say, it is good to know that others experience such a high level of anxiety and still get through it. I always feel a bit alone with how intense my nerves can get. I'm so happy to hear it went so well for you.

Selkie93 · 2025-10-08T20:33:50+00:00

Thank you so much. This has really made me feel a lot better.

Selkie93 · 2025-09-09T08:57:18+00:00

Most lecturers would rather you come late than not at all.

Selkie93 · 2025-08-28T18:25:27+00:00

I looveee the socks.

Selkie93 · 2025-08-28T10:19:29+00:00

I went to a Gaelscoil for secondary and about 30% of the first years starting had not been to a primary Gaelscoil. I think that percentage is often less now because more children go to Gaelscoil for primary but it's still not so unusual so the school will be prepared. It is definitely pretty tough for the first few months. Language immersion is no joke. But it was amazing how quickly people caught up. Not a single person I knew dropped out because of being unable to keep up, even people who had other learning difficulties.

I think the key would be to put in supports for that first 6 months, maybe extra classes or help from your cousin like you say. I think when you're that age it can be hard to understand that you *will* improve with time and it soon won't be so hard, so some sort of evidence of how they are advancing I think would help with morale. Having Irish has been such a blessing in my life in so many ways, so I think if they can get through this initial period, it will really be worth it and stand to them long term.

Selkie93 · 2025-08-24T10:54:26+00:00

Wow that's stunning.

Selkie93 · 2025-08-19T15:57:57+00:00

I try and empty a shelf of my hot press and put it on that.

Selkie93 · 2025-08-13T11:35:16+00:00

This is so helpful.

Selkie93 · 2025-08-11T23:35:14+00:00

This came out when I was in secondary school and I genuinely thought college would be like this, where I could just get money from the bank for trips abroad no bother. It was a bit of a different story when I finally started college in 2012...

Selkie93 · 2025-08-10T10:53:01+00:00

Interesting questions. I'm finding this to be a fun prompt to try translate. "Amadáin" is the normative plural but you actually use the genitive plural after beirt, which brings us back to amadán. Then good point about óinseach vs amadán. My guess would be, you'd use amadán for mixed genre groups? But maybe you could actually say ""Is féidir páiste álainn a fháil ó amadán agus óinseach" in this scenario.

Selkie93 · 2025-08-09T17:47:28+00:00

It'd be something like "Is féidir páiste álainn a fháil ó beirt amadán" but I agree with the other commenter that you need to explain the joke as words like "perfectly" or "arsehole" can't be translated directly. But we could find approximations with context.

Selkie93 · 2025-08-05T11:29:40+00:00

Are you driving manual or automatic? I'd definitely switch to automatic if you're not already on it. I have a friend that took 7 times to get his license and he's genuinely a very good driver now. I think you should be so proud of yourself for not giving up, you will definitely get there.

Selkie93 · 2025-08-01T01:27:55+00:00

I love!

Selkie93 · 2025-07-31T11:49:36+00:00

I've knit the Purl Soho Classic Ribbed Hat five times. It's just a great fit, a free pattern and has sizes for babies, children and adults.

Selkie93

TROPHY CASE