Sad news and personal quandries

That sweet little newborn donkey I posted a link to on Monday didn’t survive the week. She was named Flitta for she flitted in and out of her lovely owners lives, and I can’t imagine how hard it must have been to lose an animal who’s birth had been so looked forward to and anticipated.

I’ve only ever lost my beloved childhood tabby cat (it was a mixture of old age and a tumour) called Pudding (her brother was called Pie – a ginger tom who fathered a whole host of ginger cats who live in the cemetery near my parents house). My parents had had her since before I was born. She and her brother were found as stray kittens. She was a glorious grumpy beautiful cat who moved into the outhouse by choice when I was bought home from the hospital. The tumour meant she had to be put to sleep, but it was starving her to death and she was odviously in pain. I still miss her, and I was sure for a long time I could still spot her out of the corner of my eye.
I got such a fright one day when a new tabby cat from down the road, who looked just like her had wandered into the garden and decided to sit on the windowsill in puddings favourite spot – it was an old wooden sill so it must have been in the sun a lot of the day.

She was an old cat and it was her time unlike poor Flitta.

When I live somewhere I can have a pet I really really do want to have a cat again.

I know cats and knitting probably don’t mix but still, I still want one – another tabby, silver or tortie.

I was originally going to write this post purely to help myself decide on whether to carry on the toe up sock I’m knitting.

I’m enjoying the process but I really don’t like the fabric the yarn is producing. I’m using King Cole Zig Zag and the fabric it produces is thin and has no smoosh to it, and smoosh is important in socks. Plus, I don’t have the energy these days to make things I may never wear.

So, do I frog it?
Does anyone want the yarn?
Or do I just pull the needles out and throw the yarn away?

Things I’m working on.

Before I launch into the promised update on the things I’ve been working on I just wanted to say that my blood tests are all clear, which means I am a step closer to getting my M.E. diagnosis moved from provisional to official.

Anyway, onto the knitting

I’ve made an executive decision that, in light of my current health problems I need to limit the number of projects I’m working on at any one time.

I’ve worked it out to 4.

• 1 ongoing project – my hexagon blanket
• 1 large project – like bloomers, a jumper/sweater etc.
• 1 sock project – self explanatory really.
• 1 portable project – hats, mitts, scarves etc.

Tsuki has kindly offered to teach me some crochet stitches so I may be adding a crochet project to the list.

Hexagon Blanket
I’m up to 60 hexagons now, which is a respectable amount but not enough. I have lots to go, obviously. This blanket is going to be big and snuggly so I need to make more, but I like marking off these milestones of 10 hexagons.

I tried pinning a few of them out the other day and it gives you a bit of an idea how they will look when blocked. The photo is a bit odd as they are pinned to a cushion, but I wanted to see how they looked.

I’ve decided how I am going to join them all. I want to crochet around the edges of them all with black country style DK and then crochet them together. I found a really useful tutorial.

Yes, I’m crazy and this is most definitely a labour of love but I can see it in my mind and it will be finished eventually

Bloomers
This yarn is gorgeous. Seriously.
The legs are complete and I’ve joined for the body, and am working the decrease rows for the waist section. Its a slow knit due to how many stitches are needed to go round my enormous behind, but when they are done they are gonna be beautiful.

Although the legs and body are almost done, I think the ruffle and lace are going to take just as long as the legs and body.

Swap parcel
I joined a Journal swap on Ravelry a month or so back. It was my first swap on there, so I wasn’t sure what to expect but  I got paired with a very cool lady in the wonderfully named Berryville, Virginia, USA. My swap partner Bette really spoilt me rotten. She runs a really cool yarn company called Beyond Basic Knits.

In my parcel, carefully wrapped in that wine coloured tissue paper,  there was:  2 notebooks one of which is made from something called sweet-paper that’s made from leftovers from sugar processing, some green tea (hidden), some Chai tea, and some Christmas tea (yum!), a pink pen, a smiley card (not in the photo), a book called Creative Journal Writing which I’ve hardly been able to put down and the most gorgeous purple sock weight yarn.

The yarn is the most AMAZING purple. Its sitting there, in its twist, whispering sweet nothings to me, just wanting to be made into something.

Trouble is, I can’t decide. I want more mitts and a hat and a cowl, and there might be just enough there…or socks obviously..but what kind? Toe socks because I want to make some and it would make Thene squee?…Plain to show off the gorgeous yarn?….ankle socks?… Its just going to wait till I can decide!Damn my indecisiveness!

If you want to see what I sent her she’s posted a photo over at her blog here.

Socks

I’ve finished my Industrial Rose Socklets and will photo them when I’m not wearing them. They are so comfy! I may use the design again when I can work out the loose stitch issue when changing from purl to knit.

And I’m still working on my toe up socks. Actually I need to put some needle time in on those. and photograph them.

Other Stuff

Now, in the kitchen I have bulgar wheat, pomegranate seeds, and a butternut squash and am going to try and make that lovely salad I mentioned the other day. Then its time for another nap.

So, what do you think of what I’ve been making?

 

Unavoidable delays and Monday musings.

Sorry for not posting last week my lovelies, but I’ve had a hell of a week; I’m still unwell and have seen the doctor again. I’m having blood tests done on Friday to check for underlying issues, like thyroid and kidneys and then the diagnosis will go from there.

I’ve been struggling this week with foggyheadedness and energy levels that seemed to evaporate as soon as I tried to do anything more substantial than sleep.

I did manage to knit a couple of hexagons though.

The weather in my neck of the woods:

Cold…really clear and really cold. The sky is a beautiful blue and you can see your breath in the air. Hot water bottle time I think.

One of my simple pleasures:

Will be leafing through the Cath Kidston catalogue that arrived this morning with a hot chocolate.

On my bedside table:

A new book (to me) bought at the charity shop; Court of The Air by Stephen Hunt. I’ve not read much but am enjoying it so far.

On my TV:

Am rather enjoying Round the World in 80 Days and have the oddest yearnings to watch Michael Palin’s various adventures, Long Way Round, Long Way Down and By Any Means.

At the moment I’m also missing All Creatures Great and Small and The Hairy Bikers.

On the menu for tonight:

Not sure..something simple probably. It may be a cupboard special – something made from the packets, tins, and dried stuff in the cupboard.

On my To Do List:
Knit a hexagon or two for my blanket.
Do a couple of rows on my bloomers – I have joined for the body now, so there’s more stitches.
Rest.

Done from last weeks To Do List:
I managed a couple of hexagons and then have been very slowly working through the 58 I’ve got done, weaving in the ends so I don’t have to do it down the line.

New Recipe I tried last week:
I tried Little Italy Chicken and Spinach last week and this weekend there was a remake of the lovely Autumn Sausage Casserole I made a few weeks ago: and again he pilfered the leftovers for lunch!

New Recipe I’m trying this week:

No idea!

In the craft basket:

Only really have energy to focus on one thing so am focusing on my blanket.

Looking forward to:

Getting blood test results back and getting some answers.

Lesson learned the past few days

Sometimes sleep is the best medicine, and sometimes laughter is.

No pictures or links this week. I’ve not been organised enough. Will try for next week though.

TTFN!

Adieu and Farewell, Socktoberfest

Socktoberfest ends today and mine didn’t particularly work out the way I had planned.

I did get the fellas socks done and they took up most of the month, and with illness I didn’t progress on any other sock projects till this last day of Socktoberfest; I finally figured out the Turkish Cast On! That tiny thing in the picture is the start of my first ever toe up sock!

I’ll keep you updated with its progress

WISPy Wednesday

Theres only one WISP this week….THE SOCK.

The Completed First Sock...

As I mentioned on Monday blogging about THE SOCK (as I have taken to referring to it)  had odviously spurred me into action and I knit the cuff and the first repeat at the weekend. I did another repeat at Knitting group on Monday and another two last night. That means just two more pattern repeats and then its heel and the never-ending foot! I have to admit that on the foot I’m not going to count rounds as its stockinette and then just keep knitting till its the same length as the foot on the other one. I might even get them done in time!

Poor Fella has put up with me ranting and nashing my teeth over these socks and asked rather nervously if this meant he wasn’t getting any more socks for a while….If he does they will be plain!

Odviously there hasn’t been much other knitting going on around here, although I have managed a few rows on the second bloomer leg in a moment of selfish knitting

WISPy Wednesday

I’m still ill so you would think I have lots done…well, I don’t…Between naps and just simply not having the energy to do anything I’ve done hardly anything.

Knitting:

The first of Fella’s birthday socks is done and I unfortunately seem to have developed second sock syndrome. The boy has large feet and his socks always feel like a bit of a trek compared to mine.  I hope it isn’t also subconscious rebellion against Socktoberfest. That would be awful!

Seriously though – The top sock is mine, the bottom is his…no wonder they take so long!

I have made a mini sock – the idea is to make 2 dozen of them to be an advent calendar. The Fella and I find the prospect of an advent calender thats been sitting in the supermarket from the beginning of September particularly unattractive! It was fun and only took a couple of hours; great left over sock yarn project. If I knew of somewhere that sold mini skeins of sock yarn I might get some to make rainbow ones and black and purple striped ones and purple ones…

I’ve also been making mini (half size) bunting by quesselchen which is a very cool pattern. She and some others, including Tsuki, made metres and metres of it for Jen of Fyberspates. I literally halved the size of the pattern and adjusted accordingly. Excuse the fact I haven’t woven in the ends yet! I only plan to make a metre or so worth to go on one of my bookshelves. I think it will be 10 or maybe 20 little flags.

I’ve reached the 50 hexagon landmark for my blanket…just another 100 or so to go *rolls eyes* I must be a masochist. I need to do some proper maths and work out exactly how many I need.

I haven’t done a single stitch on my bloomers or my industrial rose socklets but I may give myself an hour on each at some point soon, or allocate one as Formula 1 knitting – then they get the Saturday qualifying time and the Sunday race itself dedicated to them.

I think I’m gonna hibernate my sideways silky short socks for the time being.

Sewing:

I’ve primarily been working on sewing on my rag doll.

I’ve made the body and I am currently embroidering her hair – Hundreds of french knots. I’ve done approx half her head so far and am using one of my huge doll making needles to help with pulling it through. I’ve already embroidered her face; I’ve made her less stern than the origional.

I do like the simple shape and I’ve decided to use brown rather than black to outline her features. Its softer. I will be giving her black Mary Jane style shoes and purple and black  stripy legs though – If I can’t wear purple stockings she may have to . Can’t decide whether to embroider or fabric paint them…i suppose I could even knit some!

I have some lawn I can make her undergarments out of and I’ll have to keep an eye out for a small enough print for her dress or a nice colour etc.

I’ve already had thoughts for more than one outfit.

Perhaps the fact I didn’t have dolls I could dress up as a child is finally affecting me! What do you think? Just what effect did my mother’s feminism and not wanting us to get affected by gender stereotypes have? Answers on a postcard please!

I’ve also been working on some quilting hexagons using some upholstery  fabric samples I was given. Am mostly planning to make them into a cushion for my computer chair..

I’ve got some garments planned at the moment, but they are waiting for me to feel up to clearing enough space to cut out fabric. More on those next week if i get anywhere with them.

Other:

I finally got round to cutting out a decent number of card blanks for ATCS…Now I just have to find the time/energy to actually make some and stick the little envelopes I’ve made together too! I would show you a photo but you really don’t want to see lots of little card rectangles…

I’ve been really enjoying blogging again the last few days and I am going to attempt to stick to some sort of loose schedule from now on.

Ooh and if I felt up to it I’d be out collecting leaves to make these.Aren’t they wonderful?!

Wispy knitting central

Don’t worry I haven’t transformed into a mist even though I  would if mists didn’t get colds. I am literally FULL of cold and it isn’t pleasant.

I’m talking about Works In Slow Progress. I’ve been so busy recently and had had a slight bout of startitis that means I now have several things on the needles….

This is rather an essay length post so you may want to get a cup of tea and a biscuit…ready?

• Hexagon Blanket.

I started this project well over a year ago ( A year ago in July) and am currently up to 44 hexagons.  Don’t they look so pretty lined up all in a row?

This is my main knitting project this winter. This is a picture  of the hexagon template sheet I’m using to keep track of them – as you can see, I have quite a way to go.

To surmise whats happened since I started this project:

• I started planning to make this entirely in one brand of yarn, Sirdar Country Style DK.

• I stalled for a while and  changed my mind due to finding out my favourite colours had been discontinued trying to use other yarns

• I tried using other yarns but then realised I would only get the same gauge using the same yarn so changed my mind back again and started collecting yarn in earnest.

I love the flecked colours of Country Style DK and really enjoy how it knits up.

Many thanks to Knitty, Vintage and Rosy who put the For the Love of Hexagons pattern on her blog for me to find when I was frantically searching for a KNITTED hexagon rather than a crocheted one. Seriously, until I found Norah Gaughan’s Knitting Nature, this was the only knitted hexagon pattern I’d found.

• I have 3 pairs of socks on the needles, but they will be covered in a seperate post for tis nearly Socktoberfest time

• Unmentionables – This is my HUGE project at the moment – another garment!

Knitty’s picture not mine. Thier copyright etc.

I first saw the unmentionable pattern from Knitty last year.
Who wouldn’t fall in love with knitted bloomers?
I’ve wanted to make them ever since, as always I’ve can’t buy the right kind of yarn at prices I could afford – it does need to be some kind of cotton blend.

As usual my ambitions outweighed my wallet, but I got a great amount of yarn for my birthday and so have started work on these. The yarn is a 50% cotton/45% rayon and 5% silk mix called Rowan Luxury Cotton DK. It’s deliciously soft.The colourway is called Bloom and is a greyish purpley lilac, with a strand of slightly deeper mauvey lilac twisted though it.

I’ve used a knitted provisional cast on as I have enough problems crocheting without trying to crochet  166 stitches onto a circular needle.

On saturday I knit about 13 rows, realised the cast on had been hopelessly twisted, frogged it all and re cast on again and knitted till I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer. Between Sunday and Monday evening I have knitted 30 rows overall (4inches of fabric) and used one 50g ball.

Only downside? They are those arty type balls that look great but as they are loosely wound centre pull balls they collapse in on themselves in a particularly unhelpful way.

I do actually have a couple of finished objects to show you!

I made some Knitfits.

• Knitfits

These are drawstring bag with a i cord handle with a knitted strap in the middle which rests on your wrist. The idea is it means you can carry your small knitting project while keeping your hands free. I like the idea of this and have knitted a couple:

One in some multicoloured yarn and one in black.

They are a hand free yarn caddy so you have your hands free while you knit, and walk, etc…fun idea and I needed some WIP bags. To stop needles etc sticking through they are lined with the lids from blank CD/DVD spindles. I need to trim the catch spines from the edge though.

Hows that for upcycling!?

• I also made a pouch/envelope for my journal:

Simple pattern made up as I was going along as there was nothing out there suitable.  Garter stitch,reverse stockinette turning rows, and a pointed flap. Side seams bound using a 3 needle bind off. Very simple and just what I need. Fits my journal, a pen and a couple of pieces of folded paper if i’ve made notes I want to journal about later.

I think thats all the knitting I have to show you at the moment and I will blog in a couple of days time with the sewing projects I’m working on.

It’s good to be back to doing this. Will keep you posted on progress on these WISPs.

I’m back!

Obviously when I said in a few days I mean quite a few…

Well, I’ve been a busy little bee lately.

I’ve been buzzing around the country visiting family and friends and then when I got home I became self employed again which has taken time and I also have a couple of weeks work back at the museum.

So, when I’ve not been doing a headless chicken impression I’ve been knitting and doing housework…well, OK…more knitting than housework but am only human and knitting is more fun!

We have a set of eyelet shawl, mitts and beret in Araucania Ranco Multy 4 ply which I have called Industrial Rose as its shades of rose and tarnished, and smoke and soot, and so on. Of the three skeins I had these were got out of two! So, socks are currently being designed on the needles with copious note taking so I can work out how to make the second one.

I blocked this which was my first experience of doing so, and lacey knitting really does grow when you block it! After knitting and washing the Araucania Ranco Multy becomes deliciously soft and is lovely and warm.

And, as I am someone obsessed with making sets of the things we  have a set of garter beret, mitts and scarflet in my perfect purple yarn – Bilberry Country Style DK. With several tweaks I got this out of my only ball of the yarn with literally about 1 ft left!

We then have a pair of slippers I made for my mum in acrylic as she wore holes in the bfl socks I made her at Xmas due to wearing them constantly while on holiday in Spain. *rolls eyes*. They are from a finnish pattern and I worked them out via the diagram.

Finally, and yes, that is actually me, we have my Neaty Cardigan. I made it in Marble Chunky from Texere and its lovely yarn to work with. Its 100% acrylic and knits up so softly I am seriously considering stocking up on it.

Will post again soon, but right now, I need to get on with some work!

Smooshy Socks

I’m still off gallavanting in the wilds of Suffolk but I thought I would share with you this photo of the sock I’m working on.

I’m using the fancy ribbing from the Twisted Sisters Sock Workbook which involves lifting the central stitch of the knit section of the 3×2 rib on alternate rows to give a enlongated stitch in the middle of each knit panel. It makes the ribbing very plush and smooshy.

I also used the tulip edging from the workbook which makes the top edge of the cuff curl outwards, and am officially in love with the hourglass heel. On this example I’ve tried it in garter stitch; and, although it makes it shallower than a stockinette one, it looks a lot better with the ribbing.

I’m most of the way through the foot and then will attempt a garter stitch round toe. Wish me luck!

I am finding this designing as I go rather exhilerating!

Karmic Harmony

Well, my karma seems to be appriciating all the good things I’ve done lately; helping people out with things, getting back to work and generally trying to do unto others as I’d wish to be done unto.

My shawl design is coming along nicely and my lovely family were kind enough to get me some Knitpro Harmony needles in order to help with the process.

I LOVE these needles, they are slick but have enough friction to be just sticky enough to stop yarns sliding off and the colours on the needles are just beautiful; really uplifting to work with. Of course the fact that the cables are purple also help.

Kudos to P2tog who dispatched them straight away and are sending me a replacement set of 3mm tips as one of mine was faulty.

Futher Karmic payback include my fella’s dad using his fabulous wood turning skills to make me 4 bobbins for my spinning wheel; 2 standard and 2 with larger drive band wheel on the end of them.

In an effort to further boost my karma, I’m currently halfway through a trip visiting my family and a few old friends in my home town for a fortnight. On the train journey down I finished a hat, met an interesting man who is writing a very interesting sounding book on grafitti art, and defended the honour of my generation to the nicely opinionated man at the next table.

I do have to admit that while knitting I was asked what I was making and I couldn’t resist the urge to say “a postmodernist ironic statement hat”….*facepalm*

Unfortunatly all this socialising and “touching base” is seriously cramping my knitting time!

I shall post again soon!