Knit along with me!

Herman and the podcasts!

2012-02-02T10:17:00.001Z

So Tuesday was B day for Herman and despite Allison cautioning me against the horrors of someone else having pre owned a part of him I went ahead and baked him! I totally understand where you were coming from on the pre owning front Allison but as I know the last 2 owners quite well I felt that it would be ok. I have to confess he is delicious and isn't helping my expanding waist line much at all!

My podcast journey began a good few years ago and coincides with the start of the Wiggly wigglers podcast. I am a bit of a 'greeny' and had bought a wormery from them and so wanted the chance to learn more about what they get up to down in Herefordshire. I have to confess they are hilarious and also quite informative on coutryside matters!

After I had been hooked by the podcast bug I then went on to look for other things I might like to listen to and quickly found The knitmore girls currently they are on a break as Jasmin has just had a baby but it is worth listening to some of the back episodes if you are new to them as they have some great stuff going on.

I have a couple more American podcasts that I also listen to from time to time but recently more uk ones have begun to pop up. My current line up is: a playful day, cast-on, Electric sheep, knit spin cake and yarns from the plain.

Have I missed any that you love? Please let me know so I can give them a try. Hopefully there are some here you haven't listened to and can give them a go - let me know what you think.

Will be back with pictures of knitted stuff soon! Sx

Succumbed to Socks!

2012-01-29T07:09:00.001Z

It has been a while since I have knitted socks and recently it seems lots of folks are making some lovely ones and I got to wondering why I stopped. It would seem that I don't like heel flap heels and hate the stitch picking up part - my favourite socks are all short row wrap and turn heels. So having flipped through my lovely 'Socktopus' book I decided to try something new with the Spring shoots socks . These socks are toe up and also done by knitting the foot and heel then snipping it open to add the leg. Progress is slow due to the 'commission cardi' that and the fact that I started knitting a medium and had to go back because it turns out my foot is a small! These are my 6am knitting project as I can almost knit them in my sleep! Turns out I am much more accomplished at doing things in virtual sleep mode than I ever though possible! The only down side to living this way is that my body doesn't seem to be burning up the calories as quickly and my middle is getting bigger - much like poor Ted as well but for very different reasons.

Last weekend we were given a 'Herman cake' which is a sour dough friendship cake that you look after for 9 days (adding things as you go) and then split up and bake your share. It is a lovely idea but smells like a brewery (guess the yeast part is working) and I can't wait to bake our bit of him. We have a few more days to go and I will be able to share him with you (virtually that is) but it has been a bit of fun really.

I do have a question for you though - does anyone else listen to podcasts I have a few favourites mostly knitting related but wondered if I am alone in my love of them? I like to listen to them when I am in the car on my own pootling off to collect one of my lot or on my way back from dropping them off. Let me know if you have a favourite please?

Bags of Fun!

2012-01-09T11:51:00.001Z

Way back in October I was lucky enough to get to the top of the list for a Hexibag from Picperfic and I was over the moon to be able to carry my Nupkin hat around with me as I sat waiting as ever to collect my family members as and when was required.

Now being a bit of a fan girl I follow Marianne on twitter and Facebook and love to look at her pictures of other bags she has made - it was whilst I was browsing that Lottie spotted another hexibag with lovely pretty skulls on and said that she would love one of those so secretly I asked very nicely if Marianne would make me one specially for her as a Christmas surprise which she did and also she made me one of her special Little dumpling bags at the same time.

Lottie was over the moon on Christmas morning when she opened her bag to which I had added sock needles and yarn to as well (she is on her first pair of socks but it is slow going at the moment).

Now I love my hexibag a lot and I have my nupkin in there still as my grab and go project when I dash out of the door but it is the little dumpling that makes me smile everyday at the moment - it is like a little bucket and holds my very lovely ball of plumptious yarn and my current 'Cilantro' scarf project. I love the shape of it and the pretty spotty fabric and knowing that it was made just for me.

At the moment it is joy in little things keeping us all bobbing along so I wanted to share a little bit of my joy with you all just in case you were in need of some. Sx

What makes you smile today?

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T07:23:00.000Z

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you all for sharing your lives me me again in the last 12 months. I know we have all been on emotional roller coasters for various reasons this year and the friendship and support we have shared has meant a huge amount to me.

Tonight I will not be staying up until midnight, I am sad to say, as I will still need to get up at 2am and 6am starts my day still - so I will be tucked up in bed and fast asleep but I wish you all a fantastic time whatever you are up to and hope that the New Year brings Peace and Happiness for you all.

Lots of love, Sarah, Ted and the rest of the mad house xxxx

Secret Santa

2011-12-20T11:19:00.001Z

This year rounds off the secret Santa circle as we will all have bought and received gifts from each other. My lovely box arrived yesterday and I really enjoyed my goodies from Allison. A huge thank you for all of my pressies and also for organising it again this year. I just thought I would show you a quick piccie and I look forward to seeing what each of you received.

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and joyous New Year. Much love, Sarah xxx

Still plodding along!

2011-12-01T14:36:00.001Z

Sorry I have been quiet for a while, to be honest I have just been very tired and didn't have much to say except moan about how tired I am so I decided to just be quiet!

I can now show you some pics of my mystery shawl which now has the name Cornish Rhapsody

I am also knitting my first paid for garment which will be the sample for the yarn company pattern (so I believe) and is by the same designer as the above shawl but is a much simpler pattern for a shrug. In all honesty I loved the shawl better even though it was a lot more knitting and much thinner yarn. Sadly I won't be able to show you my knitting of this one until the pattern is released next year.

That is all I have for now - told you I didn't have much to shout about at the moment. Ted is still here in case you thought that was the reason for my quietness and yes he is plodding along in his own sweet way. At least we can all look forward to the Secret Santa swap soon and that will guarantee blog posts from us all!

New shelf.

2011-11-02T10:06:00.002Z

I guess you are wondering what on earth the title is about and why I am excited by a new shelf! My kitchen 'project' began 6 years ago but was not quite the finished article as we needed a tiled area behind the Rayburn. I really wanted a shelf to go above this and so we put off getting the tiles until the shelf was sorted (which we never got round to). Finally I ordered the shelf earlier on in the year and yesterday it was fitted.

I can't tell you how happy I am with it and I know it doesn't look amazing from the picture but it really is lovely and will look even better when we have tiles on the wall. It may take a while to get the tiles though because it isn't easy to go out at the moment with Ted still so ill but we will get there eventually - I am a patient girl really!

I am sure you are wondering how Ted is getting along and until last week things were not so great as the diuretic tablets were not working and his tummy was swelling up again resulting in me needing to get up at 2am to let him out. The cardiologist decided that the only solution would be diuretic injections 4 times a day and it was our last hope really. So I have to give Ted injections at 7am, 1pm, 7pm and 2am everyday and he has tablets as well at 6am, 1pm and 6pm. I have to confess I now go to bed at 9.30pm because I just fall asleep otherwise and I am more than a little shattered most days but Ted is responding and is feeling much better. We don't know how much longer we have but he is a joy to have every single day.

On the knitting front I have finished the mystery shawl test knit and can't wait to be able to show you the whole thing. It is a lovely shape and size and really quite large so perfect to wrap up in and feel 'sparkly'. I am feeling at a bit of a loss after 4 weeks of monogamous knitting on this project and so whilst it was blocking I managed to cast off the second 'Sweet jazz' scarf (pictures to follow) that I was using as car knitting for a while. I have picked the brown shawl back up again but have switched to my chiagoo needles so I can at least see the stitches better - I will keep you posted on that one.

I think I may have bored you all senseless by now so will pop off and leave you in peace. Take good care of yourselves! Sxx

Pink and sparkly.

2011-10-17T11:07:00.000+01:00

This has been the theme of the week here! I am moving along as quickly as I can with my test knit and I can now tell you (I think) that it is for the mystery shawl KAL from Yarn addict so if you fancy joining in that would be fab. You need 800m of lace weight (sparkles are optional) and some beads for the edging. I also bought myself a chiaogoo lace needle to try as I have heard they are amazing (plus I didn't have a spare needle). The pattern for me has been great so far and I am almost at the edging but for the KAL they are only on clue 1 this week.

Also I can spill the beans that our Yarn dyeing friend has been having a go at some fluff for spinning and she sent me some pink sparkly to have a go with!

It is, as always, a fab colour and really lovely to spin. I am hoping that I am spinning fine enough to get a little lace shawl but will keep you posted.

Finally here is a rather rubbish picture of the firmaments shawl - I have too many stitches on the needle to stretch it out but I am sure you can get the gist of it? The little blue bits are where Dee has marked the start of the rounds and I wanted to leave them in until the end.

That all I have this week but hopefully I will have more to show you once my mystery sparkles is off the needles. Take care of yourselves this week, Sxx

Payback time.

2011-10-08T06:57:00.000+01:00

On Friday (last week) I was lucky enough to go to 'the world largest coffee morning' at a friends house. I took along a few beady bracelets and a button necklace to add to the craft stall and brought home a jar of chilli relish and some lemon curd plus a lovely handmade notice board for Lottie. It is one of those that has ribbons on to tuck things behind.

The reason I was so excited to go was that back in the summer I was lucky enough to receive a half finished shawl from 'Posh yarns' Dee as she decided it needed a new home - she wasn't ever going to finish it! I asked her what she would like as a thank you and she said that a donation to Macmillan was what she would like best. So it was with much pleasure that I attended on Friday in order to fulfil my promise to her.

What is this shawl like I can hear you asking? It is chocolate brown (like Ted) and has alpaca in it. The pattern is called firmaments and is a circular shawl. Dee had knitted to the final section of the circular pattern 'fountain lace' but I couldn't work out which row she was on so I carefully took it back a few rounds to the increase where I could start this part from the beginning. There are 517 stitches per round so the going was fairly slow but it kept me company whilst we were over in Norfolk at the end of the summer. The light is amazing over there and I had no problems but back home the dark yarn on my knit pro tips were a nightmare so it will have to wait a while longer to be finished.

I am also doing a spot of shawl testing at the moment in a really pretty pink sparkly yarn but I am not allowed to show you just yet as it is a bit of a mystery but you are going to love it!

I saw my friend again this week and the coffee morning raised over £700 so I think that was a really fantastic event and I hope they do it again next year.

I will try to get a picture of the shawl but it is usually dark when I get the time to blog so will have to try harder - sorry. I will leave you with this though:

This is what happened when I didn't get the new lawn laid because I needed to wait until the scaffolding was done with!

Spinning adventure!

2011-09-27T11:03:00.003+01:00

Firstly Lottie was fine on the train - she had her phone and it only takes 1 1/2 hrs from Crewe to Euston and on pain of death her father was there on time to meet her! He brought her home in the car on Sunday so all was well - didn't stop me worrying though!

So Saturday morning saw me rootling through my Ravelry groups and spying a spinning chair for sale here in Cheshire. Saturday lunch time saw us pootling through an Autumnal Cheshire right across to Frodsham and back again in time for the Grand Prix Qualifying. We decided to take Ted out for a drive as he loves to go riding in the car and in the absence of walks is the only countryside he gets to see these days. Sadly the last couple of days has seen a downturn in his wellness but we have increased one of his tablets and are off to see the vet again on Thursday.

I am now the proud owner of a spinning chair and it is just the right height for me to spin at so this means I should be able to do a bit more without feeling like I should be bent double when I get up. What this space...... Other than that I don't have much news to share apart from the fact that I didn't get to go to Zumba in the end firstly Dave booked a loft survey for insulation to be fitted and then my Tooth broke and I landed up at the dentist with a temporary filling and the promise of a root canal filling next week - so much joy to look forward to! This next few days is action packed - log delivery tomorrow, vets Thursday and loft insulation fitting Friday. Next week I have the chimney sweep and the dentist, not sure I can cope with all this much fun!

I will be back with more excitement soon! Sxx

Today I went out!

2011-09-22T14:11:00.005+01:00

Sounds silly doesn't it but life is quite restricted at the moment. Today was the first day of the Embroiderers' guild 21st anniversary exhibition - you may remember I was in charge of the last couple of exhibitions but since I am now 'retired' from the committee I was just a spectator and went along today to take a look at the work that was on display. Along with a couple of my own bits of work were some stunning examples of other peoples. Sadly I can't share it with you as it was a 'no pics please' event. There were also about 4 stalls selling goodies - buttons, beads, patchwork and my favourite 'The threshing barn'. I may have happened to make a couple of purchases as it would have been rude to pass by and not, I thought you might like to see!

Looks like I was missing a bit of sparkle from my life so I added some in the form of yarn - each of the above is sparkly but am not sure it shows completely in the picture. Please don't think in any way that I am actually short of yarn because I am not but it is always nice to come home feeling you have something to get excited about. Plus actually going out to something that isn't a vital trip (ie food shopping or taxi service) is a luxury I am a little short on at the moment. I have 1 more trip up my sleeve for Monday - a beginners zumba class for an hour and boy do I need the exercise! If you hear there was an earth quake in Cheshire on Monday morning then you will know who to blame. Also whilst I am taking blame that terrible rain on Saturday was down to me as well - I might have been having a bit of a sing a long to the ipod whilst I was finishing stripping the border in our bedroom and the house was empty aside from Ted and I - Dave drew the short straw and went to visit Nottingham Uni although secretly I think he enjoyed his day out. He also managed a trip to Canary wharf on Monday to visit a customer so he had a really exciting time!

Lottie is off to visit her Dad this weekend - it doesn't happen that often so it is worth mentioning! She is going on the train by herself, a move I have resisted for a while, but in another year she could be off to uni so I had think carefully about that whole independence thing and since I will be putting her on at one end and her Dad 'should' be there to meet her I am hopeful it will be ok? Am I over protective about this or not being careful enough here - your thoughts on this one please?

Happy Birthday Ted & Della!

2011-09-12T16:51:00.006+01:00

Today is my doggies 9th birthday - obviously it is also his sisters 9th birthday too!

I have to admit that I wasn't sure we would be celebrating today but happily we are. Della is fine with no health problems other than a bit of middle age spread (think we are sharing that) and here she is:

Time for a nap after her scavenge in the garden for windfalls. Ted is most upset as you can see because I managed to get to the 1 apple that had blown down from next door into his patch. I am sure he will perk up later once he gets his chewy stick.

Happy Birthday to you both! Much love from us all! xxxx

Autumn!

2011-09-06T13:54:00.002+01:00

Well I have to say it has been a bit of a shock coming home at the weekend - what happened to that lovely half light at 6am and the 6pm warm breeze? It is still dark at 6am (today the bats were still out) and it looks like it is time to order the logs and light the stove.

I was reading my last blog post again and I must just put the record straight - that amazing view is only available from the top of scaffolding and not in my house, all we have is a small glimpse between the roof tops from our bedroom window. Sorry if I misled you on that!

Today Ted had a check up at the vets again to make sure his kidneys are ok with the new tablets and all is ok except we need to reduce his dose a little just to be safe - his fluid has now all gone from his tummy and he is very perky (he wasn't keen on the heat). In fact he is so perky the little monkey is stealing my green tomatoes right off the plants! I am not complaining in the least.

Knitting wise I am doing a bit of finishing as the project I had planned to do was a) later than expected and b) the pattern was not what I had in mind! I am quite glad to be finishing off a few things instead and hope to be able to show you my progress soon.

Hope all is well? Sxx

Into Orbit!

2011-08-26T09:23:00.009+01:00

This week I have finally finished my Orbit shawl which is for Lottie and has been OTN for a few months - the i-cord edge took ages but I really loved doing it.

We have been a bit busy having solar panels put up for the last couple of weeks and yesterday Lottie and I ventured up the scaffolding to take some pictures. It is a good job because today it is raining and so not that great a view.

The view from the top of our house to the sea:

We have panels on both sides of this roof as it is east and west facing

Whilst we were home last week Ted had a visit to the vets for his check up and his kidneys have gone back to normal levels now so they have given him an extra diuretic tablet of a different kind and his tummy has come right down now - he seems happy and although he can't get over excited about things any more he is plodding along so I can't complain too much except about the 6am starts to the day but we have had 2 extra months now and next month will be his 9th birthday - I feel very lucky to have had him in my life this long and take each day as a bonus.

Must dash now as I have scaffolders to make tea for - more soon! Sxx

Iffy Squiffy

2011-08-03T11:05:00.005+01:00

So here I am in my favourite place, 'sort of' on holiday - Lottie is in Italy with her Dad and Dave is working albeit from the kitchen here instead of his office at home! Ted made the journey across the country in the back of the car quite happily and has his fan keeping him cool along with a new gazebo to give him some shade in the garden. There will be no walks along the beach and paddling for us as it would be mean to leave him behind and he would know where we were going (he can read minds)!

So my project to keep me company is my Ifigenia shawl kit, somehow I managed to get my first choice - make a plan! I must admit that this is my most challenging knit ever! My first few rows were knitted and tinked so many times but I have found that a magnetic row marker and a highlighter post it keep me on track and I also have a couple of stitch markers placed between the edging / mesh section and the split between the 2 chart pages - the theory being if I have the right number of stitches in each section I only have a partial row to tink back if something is amiss. I have not done true 'knitted lace' before and this is certainly a challenge.

Hopefully I should have more progress later in the week but for now I am going to enjoy the sunshine while it lasts!

Finally finished!

2011-07-20T14:15:00.004+01:00

So finally my latest round of pattern testing is done - it is the cowl and wrist warmers for the same e-book as the scarf I did before. I have enjoyed both of these patterns and would recommend the warmers to anyone with a passion for mittens (yes that could be you Allison). The only thing I found is that it turns out I am a bit of a seasonal knitter and mittens in July messed with my mojo! They are a great way to knit in the round without doing socks and will be fun to wear as it gets colder.

Tonight I am hopeful that I will manage to snag an Ifengenia kit in the posh sale - it is a mid week extra like they did with Tilia and you all know how much I loved that shawl (3 times was my record for making that one).

I am still knitting the i-cord edging for the orbit shawl (it took a back seat for a while) and also working on the blooming shawl and the new sweet shoppe shawl - you see it is shawl knitting weather right now and I love them! More soon, Sxx

Oops I did it again!

2011-07-13T10:05:00.004+01:00

It is not often these days that I have the house to myself, this morning I was up at 6am as is now the norm here but then at 6.30 I made him indoors his cup of tea (7am is usual) and we began the day - by 7.50 we were in the car and off to the station with London Euston the days destination (sadly all I got to do was a drive by and drop off) and then back home to the empty house that is just Ted and I, Lottie had caught the school bus at 8.20 and is off to Manchester on the train later for an afternoon of Shakespeare's 'As you like it' and then dinner with the rest of the group.

I on the other hand will have 2 different station runs later - one to Crewe for him indoors and the other to Nantwich for Lottie.

So as a small treat to myself I sat down with Ravelry and my breakfast and did a little surfing - I was only looking you understand but I found the prettiest pattern called 'Sweet Shoppe' and I was sold, I have a pretty skein of NDS Dazzle HT that would be perfect! The pattern is printed, the needles ready and waiting, I just need to wind the yarn. Must knock a few things off the to-do list first though.

More soon once I get started - I also have some more testing to show you as well.

Life in baby steps.

2011-07-06T10:43:00.002+01:00

Gosh I am finding this hard work, every day watching to see what more I can do - measuring, counting heartbeats, drinking wine before bed and then up again at 6am. Currently I am testing another pattern for Yarn addict a pretty little cowl and wrist warmers but they are not enough to make me forget why I am feeling this way.

And then I poke my head through the door and this is what I see and my heart melts and I know why I feel like I do.

Grumpy day!

2011-06-30T15:21:00.002+01:00

Do you ever have days when you feel grumpy but don't know why? Hmm today is one of those days. Ted and I went to the V E T's again today and he had some tests to check his progress and they have upped the dose on his heart tablets but other than that we are doing ok. At this point they can't say how long we will have with him most likely months rather than years but I am just seeing everyday as a bonus in the hope that they pass along quietly for a while before things get too bad. Ted has cheered up a lot since last week so he must be feeling better for now.

Tomorrow I am teaching 3 classes for the 'Holiday at home' week that the churches in our village are running for the elderly. Not sure how they are going to enjoy button bracelets and easy beading but we shall see. Am off to pack all of the bits I will need to do this and grump around a bit more, hopefully I will be back to 'normal' soon.

Daisy daisy!

2011-06-29T14:17:00.003+01:00

I am all done with Daisy - she is blocked and finished.

I am back to knitting on the orbit and blossom shawls again so hopefully more progress soon. Tomorrow we are off to the V E T 's for a scan and progress check hopefully all will be moving in the right direction - no brekkie for us in the morning though! More soon....

Ho hum!

2011-06-24T13:57:00.004+01:00

Its Friday again and it has been a bit of a week here to say the least.

Poor Ted has spent most of the week at the vets as he has a problem with the right side of his heart not working correctly. He will be on tablets from now on and we will be visiting the cardiologist regularly. Poor thing now has shaved bits again where they have been scanning him and a swollen tummy due to fluid retention. Hopefully we should have more news next week.

So knitting has been a bit hit and miss and I have just made a mistake on 'blooming' shawl - grr that usually only happens when something is amiss in life! Daisy is plodding along nicely and the weekend is upon us so hopefully plenty of knitting should do the trick.

Also my dishwasher has started to make a very odd noise - hope that isn't about to go pop as well? Back soon, Sx

Blooming shawls!

2011-06-17T15:49:00.009+01:00

This week saw me cast on for the daisy shawl from Yarn Addict and I have had the yarn (a previous sock club one) and beads picked out for this for a while and was just waiting for the pattern to be released. I have had to undo this 3 times this week!!!!! Normally I don't have to do a lot of unravelling and it is not that the pattern is too hard either it is just that I can't seem to get my yarn overs at the ends of the rows correct, I keep missing them out and I have no idea why. At one point I did make a monumental mistake and had twice as many stitches as I should have had, so I have kept undoing and redoing things and the stitch count is now correct.

Also waiting to get going is the 'Blooming shawl' as pointed out by Allison. It is so pretty and I have a wonderful skein of lace weight alpaca that Allison dyed for me to do the Spriteling with but then we found out you needed sock weight so plans had to change. This wound ball has sat near me for weeks waiting to be knitted and when I read that the pattern was inspired by peonies and I had just cut mine and brought them in so they didn't get spoiled by the rain then I had found my answer!

I am not sure how you knew Allison but I don't think it could be a closer match.

I am waiting for my new addi lace needle to arrive so I can get knitting properly but it looks like it is going to be so soft and warm - another amazing yarn base from the sugarhippo! More soon once I have something to show you! In the meantime happy knitting.

Testing testing

2011-06-13T11:51:00.005+01:00

Last week turned a bit mad again as Lottie was on 'study leave' but her exams had finished so I was busy ferrying her around and taking the opportunity to do a bit of shopping with her as well.

Along the way I also cast on for a pattern I have been testing for 'Yarn addict' and I managed to finish it in a week which I was pleased about. This pattern will feature in her forthcoming lace ebook and I can recommend it as an enjoyable pattern.

Later on today her Daisy shawl pattern will be released for the knit along so I will be casting on for that I hope.

Lottie is back to college this week and starting A2 work so hopefully 'normality' should return soon - haha! More on knitting along and pattern testing soon I hope!

Quiet here!

2011-06-03T11:25:00.009+01:00

It has been a funny sort of week this week - it spent all day holiday Monday raining so it was at least an opportunity to enjoy a bit of happy knitting time followed by weigh in day on Tuesday - lost a lb this week (6 1/2lbs total). On Wednesday Lottie and I had a trip to Chester - more clothes needed for college!!! I also managed to get an extra couple of 4mm needles for 2 projects which are on the horizon soon. Thursday was just taxi day as Lottie had revision sessions at college for the last of the AS exams and today I have just delivered her to her boyfriends house for the day! I expect she will have her head back in the books again over the weekend as well. I also managed to spray all of my horrid 'mares tails' that have sprung up in my garden since the grass was sprayed to kill it off - apparently 'roundup' doesn't work on them so a more vile concoction was required - not something my garden man wanted to do for me!

So what have I been amusing myself with this week? It is the Sushi shawl along 6 - orbit shawl. It is a Pi shawl which I seem very drawn to at the moment and I have been quietly knitting my way through the dreaded 'Britain's' got talent?' this week not paying attention to the rubbish I have been subjected to (can you tell I am not a fan?) in between all of the other nonsense that seems to be going on around me in my crazy world. So here is my progress so far:

Ha you will not believe what has just happened here - the tyre on Dave's car has just burst while it was sitting on the drive! I made an excellent start to swapping the tyres over but try as I might the wheel nuts were immovable - Green Flag came to the rescue and swapped it in a few minutes! From this:

To this:

Thank you Green Flag man!

Blocking along!

2011-05-26T10:06:00.005+01:00

Finally I finished my Spriteling KAL last weekend but need to wait to block it until I had been and bought some 'blocking boards' aka foam mats from Tesco (I think I will go and get a second set next week).

The sheen on this yarn is amazing and I love the colours so much, thank you Allison for dyeing the best yarn ever! I loved this KAL and really enjoyed it, the only issues with the pattern were when I was too stressed to concentrate properly (it was always billed as an advanced intermediate knit) and I found that in a couple of places you really needed to be on the ball to get it right so for me it was user error and nothing more. I will probably knit another of these at some point but I have a few things to finish first.

So whilst the blocking bug is still around I also washed and blocked my Amore shawl that I finished ages ago this is a 'Posh' yarn and the pattern was really easy and simple to do - the shawl has already been well worn over the winter by both Lottie and me (I have another on the needles for 'us' as well) and we love it.

Amore shawl:

This has been a strange week here as it has been AS level exams this week with 1 more after half term - lots of 'to and froing' and a bit of stressing. I have been knitting away on my 'Royal Wedding shawl' and am now half way across. More on that one soon...... Sxx

Turned into and odd week!

2011-05-18T13:24:00.005+01:00

Last Wednesday I recieved an email about test knitting from Alice at Socktopus (I had volunteered ages ago) and so it turned into a very busy time for sock knitting I completed my test sock in a week and have now sent off my notes.

This was supposed to be my size but it appears that Jitterbug (the only one I had off the list) knits up a little larger than regular sock yarn - note the hairy leg belongs to 'him indoors'. I ran out of the colour I started with and as I only had small amounts of other colours this is how it turned out - not a hit as far as the yarn is concerned but the sock does not feature in the book I was only required to test and proof the pattern.

Tuesday morning was weigh in day and hoorah I lost 3 1/2lbs bringing me to a total of 5lbs in 2 weeks - I still have a long way to go but at least it is going!

Todays nightmare is having my kitchen units repainted they looked like this

Can you see how the knots show thorough? It makes the units look dirty but they aren't at all!

Poor Ted and I are shut up in the lounge while the painting and banging goes on in the kitchen - there isn't supposed to be banging so I am not sure what they are doing! Anyway I have printed out the final clue for spriteling and I am about to get going so will be off now, must see if anyone needs a drink first though or I will forget once I get knitting!

Odd day!

2011-05-10T14:24:00.003+01:00

I am having a strange day today - not sure why but it definitely feels odd.

It started out with a trip to Stoke on Trent and a weigh in at Rosemary Conley (lost 1 1/2lbs) then I had a sneaky trip to Emma Bridgewater where I purchased 2 mugs (in Easter designs)and a union Jack jug (to go with my tea pot), followed by a quick trip into Tesco for a few bits. Once I was home we had a quick 300 cal lunch and then Dave went back to his office and here I am sat at my laptop feeling - I am not sure what!

I have been taking some pictures of my kitchen as there is a problem with the knots coming through the paintwork and found this picture from xmas I thought you might like:

This is Ted with a couple of his presents. The bone did not last for more than a few minutes though!

Sadly I need to retake the kitchen pics as the knots just look like my kitchen needs a good clean - this is why I hate them showing thought the paint as the doors look like I have just not cleaned them (which in this instance is not true). Am off to try again now - hopefully I will be able to show you what I mean!

Catching up with myself!

2011-05-05T14:48:00.004+01:00

Sorry to have been gone so long but life got a little hectic, first there was Easter and then we were visited by 'inlaws' and Lottie came back and then it was the Royal wedding and the 'inlaws' went home again and then we had to pack up and trek back across the countryside. We stopped to draw breath and then back to school and work and tons of washing and unpacking to get sorted and organised again

So here we are and it is Thursday already! Before we went away I managed to block my Pi shawl but couldn't get a picture so finally here it is.......

Also before we went away I was almost finished with clue 2 of the Spriteling shawl but managed to make a mistake whilst sitting waiting with Lottie to get picked up (note to self do NOT knit complicated patterns whilst in an emotional place). At that point I was then against the clock as we had changed our plans and decided to leave home on the same day. Chaos ensued until the car was packed and we had set off. I left the spriteling behind as I wanted to get going on my Royal wedding shawl. I managed to also get my 'car knitting' to the point where it is no longer car knitting whilst we were on the way - I need to find another plain pattern to work on to replace it!

Whilst we were away I made ok progress on the Royal wedding shawl and I managed to complete all of the repeats of the first chart (more on this project soon). I was slowed down by the arrival of the visitors as much of my time seems to pass feeding them and making tea - does everyone else have this problem?

Once we were home again I fixed my mistake on the Spriteling and managed to catch myself up with clue 3 - the only issue I had with this was the last 4 rows trying to place the extra markers and working from the written instructions and not the chart (how did I cope before charts)!

So here I am caught up with my knitting and washing but not quite the rest of the housework! Did I mention that I hate housework??????

Mystery shawl

2011-04-13T10:32:00.002+01:00

It is not too late to join the Spriteling mystery shawl KAL and there are 2 ways to join - either via ravelry or the socktopus website. You can search on ravelry patterns for spriteling and there is a spriteling mystery shawl KAL group to go with it. The clues come out fortnightly with the second one due on Friday - it runs until sometime in May.

I have to admit this is quite a challenge until you get going and 'into' the pattern and I have used both the chart and instructions to get going. I haven't quite finished the first clue yet as I was struck down by this horrid bug going around and was too ill to knit anything - I am hardly ever too ill to pick up the needles for something!

I did however manage to cast off my Pi shawl yesterday - pics to follow once it is blocked. The yarn was amazing to work with and I shall be casting on more of this soft and fluffy yummyness once I decide what to make. I have loved this Pi shawl even though it was a bit of an experiment - I added a hearts pattern from another Pi shawl I had seen but had a section of plain knitting in there as well (it would have been better with more hearts). Am off to wind my Royal wedding yarn now as I want to get that started soon as well!

Question!

2011-04-06T12:39:00.008+01:00

There have been a couple of questions for me to answer from the blog so I will start with those - firstly yes hands up I do have a Smart Car (a bit like marmite!) and I really love it - it does indeed have a personalised number plate which was swapped over from the blue car that died - a gift from the past that I did not want to part with. Secondly silk hankies ( not the nose blowing variety ) are made from the fibres of degummed silk cocoons that have been laid out on a square frame and there are many layers in one hanky which you can peel off and spin separately (there are a few how to's on utube if you have a look). It is like spinning a cloud, they are so soft and light, hence the tiny spindle to do it on. Because you need to prepare the fibre so that it is a 'thin roving' before spinning it seems quite quick to spin up but I am not sure how long it will take for me to spin enough for a shawl (will keep you posted on that). The lovely shawl pins were from the 'Ingrid De Vane' stall at the NEC but I know she does lots of other shows so keep an eye out for her - they were on offer if you bought 3! Knitting progress: The Pi shawl is mid way through the last heart repeat and so I am hopeful to finish it soon and show you. I also cast on for the Spriteling shawl KAL over the weekend, the chart I printed out on draft and I may have to reprint it as it is quite complicated so I have been working from the written directions but I am at the point where it would be easier to use the chart. I have to say that this is quite different to other shawls I have done and is coming out nicely using some very pretty 'sugar hippo' yarn........ see what I mean?

I am using a 4mm needle for this because even though the pattern said 4.5mm I thought that the fabric was a bit too sloppy when I did the swatch. The smaller needle makes the stiches a little smaller and gives it a better drape rather than just floppy. I think that it is because the yarn has silk in it and is a little less 'fluffy' than an all wool yarn. I must add here that I do not normally swatch (I know I should) but I was so excited to try out the swatch pattern that I gave it a go and am glad I did because not only did I switch yarns I also corrected the needle size to give a better fabric - something I would not have done otherwise! I am sure there is a lesson to learn here but I have my hands over my ears and I am humming a tune!

Right now I am off to find some dispirable aspirin to gargle with as my throat feels like the lining has been stripped out - hope I can catch it before worse things come out!

Show time!

2011-03-28T11:06:00.003+01:00

It isn't very often that I get let out to go to a show (it is a good job really) but my friend Sylvia and I went on the train to the NEC. We had a great day and so I thought I would share with you some of the lovelies I bought (I know that I like to see what others do so thought you might like to see mine?):

As you can see I have an extreme crochet hook to go with the extreme knitting needles I bought the last time I was let out, some shawl pins, a fabulous skein of silk lace weight yarn and a dinky little silk spindle - there are a few other bits of threads and fabrics as well that I bought but they aren't as exciting to look at. It would seem that I have developed a bit of a thing for silk at the moment - before half term I bought some silk hankies for knitting with (a la yarn harlot) but was not sure I was sold on it once I got going. Whilst I was at the show I was looking at the stall of Rachel Powell as she had an Ashford traveller there and I was talking to her mum who was a beginning drop spindler - there was a jug of the prettiest spindles on the table and whilst we were having a drink I said to Sylvia that I really loved the little silk spindle with the unusual markings. Now being an enabler she said to me well we can go back and have another look so we did and it was just waiting for me to buy it! Needless to say I have been spinning the silk hankies instead and it is coming out so fine and pretty. All I need to do is to work out how to dye it and bingo! The end of this week is the start of the spriteling KAL and I can't wait to begin, my second swatch is almost finished and I need to wind the skein as well. Last week seemed to be a bit busy what with the show excitement and the new patio being laid, all it needs now is the grouting and I can show you as it is all covered up at the moment. More soon .......

Lots to share!

2011-03-17T17:15:00.005Z

Well this week has just whizzed by and it is almost weekend again! On Sunday we went to Reaseheath - our local agricultural college to see lambies being born - so cute as they wobbled on tiny legs and so amazing to think that the fluff we knit and spin starts out like that.

Monday was one of my occasional beading classes and was great to see my ladies again even though all they really need is inspiration and encouragement!

On Tuesday I had to take my lovely little car in for its first service and whilst it was there they even washed it for me!

I don't think I actually showed you my new car last year but here she is in all her shiny-ness. It is such a tiny car but doesn't feel small to drive and because it is the Brabus version is sooo quick as well. Anyway the service itself was only about and hour and as it is quite a trek to the garage they let you stay in the coffee area to wait. With a whole hour to kill what does a girl do? Well she gets out her ipod complete with knitmore girls podcasts (I saved 2 episodes for this purpose) and her 'car knitting' and sits there quietly watching the world go by. No questions and no funny looks! Dave rang me at one point to check I was ok and not too bored and asked quite casually what I was doing and when I replied I had my ipod in and my knitting out his reply was - I knew you would be doing that but just wanted to be sure.

Now in order to be ready for the spriteling KAL Allison did me a custom dye in her yummy new alpaca and silk lace yarn so it was with some disappointment we received the swatching instructions saying sock weight yarn. I had a rummage in my stash and found some pretty sock weight that I bought way back but was again disappointed once I had swatched it - the pattern is just lost, back to the drawing board again.

How pretty is my custom dyed yarn though - it needs a pattern now to do it the justice it deserves.

Thursday was Embroiderers' Guild and we had a visit from Maggie Grey - she was an amazing speaker and I felt very inspired by her talk. Am off to the NEC next Thursday to the stitching show (there will be knitting as well) so that should be fun.

Today I have been to collect sheets of acrylic for Lotties' design project (and they did fit into my tiny car), I then delivered them to college so that she could start making it today - phew that's it for this week I think...... more soon!

Have a great weekend girls, Sx

Wheely good fun!

2011-03-09T10:12:00.007Z

After hearing from our good friend Allison about her spinning wheel I was prompted to get mine out again from behind the sofa! Strange place to keep it I know but it got put there at Christmas so it was out of the way and hasn't ventured out again - it was lucky this year as in the past it has been put out in the cold of the garage but having bought her a new flyer a couple of years ago she has become much more lovable to work on. I gave her a good oil and she is much nicer to spin on so I have picked up the fine spinning I began when I first got the new flyer.

Also happening at the moment is the picking back up of the garden makeover. We had some serious work done about 2 years ago including a new fence and removal of a lot of horrid bushes and shrubs plus a huge rockery that was very out of shape since before we moved in. The whole project stopped when Ted became ill and was never picked up again as the chap doing it was so busy and then I started my job and so life moved on. The time has come to finish things off so we can enjoy our outside space this year so this week I have made a million cups of tea and been on hand to make sure things are done how we want (today I have a day off as my 'chap' is doing something else ) but it will continue again tomorrow.

I have also been knitting away on my Pi shawl and am starting another set of the hearts I have added - each round has 576 stitches now so it a little slower especially as I am also doing the pattern but I love it. I too am waiting for the shawl knit along from socktopus - the requirements are out soon so I can find the right needles etc. At least it will give me a project to really focus on as the clues come at fortnightly intervals, all other knitting will have to fit in around that.

I think that is all of the news for now, more on the spinning once I have finished the second half of the batt!

Lamb Cam

2011-03-04T07:53:00.003Z

Just to continue with me baby lamb obsession at this time of year I have been watching this:http://www.meadopenfarm.co.uk/lambcam.htm

I haven't yet seen any born but they are fascinating to watch especially the lambs in the next pen - they climb all over the little ramp thing they have. Just wanted to share this with you all!

I am off to see my beading ladies this morning so that should be fun! Back soon Sx

Long journey home!

2011-02-28T22:01:00.003Z

Yesterday we left Norfolk at about 12pm and arrived home at 7.30pm - that is the longest time ever it has taken us to make that journey! The reason for this excessive time was the brakes on the car overheated - we had only just had them replaced but one of the rear calipers (the one that wasn't replaced) jammed on. We were picked up by Green Flag and they actually managed to fix the problem at their garage (I think the guy didn't fancy a 9hr round trip). We sat in the waiting room - Lottie, Ted and I while the nice man (watched by Dave) did the work necessary to get us back on the road. I did however do quite a bit of knitting on my 'car knitting' project which is another Sweet Jazz. I managed to knit and hang on to the dog and then carried on once we were back on the road. At the moment it is difficult to take pictures as it is working on ever shortening rows on a circular needle (looks like a bundle of yarn) but I will be able to show you once all of the stitches are picked back up again.

My Pi shawl is mainly plain although I have added a band of lace hearts and will add another once the next set of increases is complete - it is not complicated and is as 'EZ' suggests very easy holiday knitting - I can do this one without looking whilst I am on the plain rounds. It is made from some very soft 'Angora lace' - I love this yarn and am hoping Allison will dye some pink yarn for me?

Today was a bit odd as Dave is away for a couple of days at a show in London and true to form I have wound more yarn and cast on another project (I seem to do that when he goes away). I am doing another 'Amore' shawl, this time for Lottie as she took to wearing mine!

Hopefully tomorrow will be a good day for pictures so more then! Night night, Sx

Norfolk Knitting!

2011-02-26T08:15:00.002Z

I have to confess there has not been as much as I would have liked owing to the fact that the start of the week was someones birthday and we had a 3 day visit from the 'in-laws'. I am not complaining as it is always great to see them but it does involve quite a bit of cooking so not much knitting was done apart from 4 rows on my 'pagona shawl' which were promptly undone as I missed a vital yarn over and couldn't pick it up! Since then I have been relaxing with my Pi shawl but it would seem not to be very photogenic (Lottie said it looked like a hat!) due to the fact the it has a lot of stitches on the circular needle.

We did however have a lovely visit to the new yarn shop in Holt where I bought some extra knit picks needles and a longer cable (promptly swapping the shorter one on the Pi shawl) plus a pattern book for a Debbie Bliss jacket that Lottie would like. I didn't actually buy any yarn (please sit down) although there was some lovely NDS BFL (my favourite) and Fyberspates yarns and I did look at the pretty Noro lace weight but I managed to resist for now! The lady who owns it is lovely and if you are ever in this part of the world then I recommend a visit.

That's all for now.... back home again soon, Sx

Friday Frazzle!

2011-02-18T17:24:00.002Z

Hi all this is just a very quick post - we are off on hols for half term as it is 'him indoors' birthday next week!

I have however finished both the bobble socks and the 'Polly Jean' socks this month but have found it hard to find another project to stick with! I have several more pairs of socks plus a couple of shawls but nothing that is grabbing my continuous attention. This is a bit of a problem as I can't decide what to take with me.....

Hopefully I will decide soon and let you know whilst I am away - who knows I might even manage a picture (fingers crossed).

I also had a surprise parcel of bamboo yarn this week and I have a couple of ideas kicking around but more on that once half term is over. All I can say is it is wonderful to have such a generous friend even if she does lead me astray when it comes to joining things.

Happy half term girls!

1, 2, 3, Bobble!

2011-02-07T11:06:00.002Z

Friday night saw me sat on the hearth rug whilst supervising the fire counting 1, 2, 3, bobble over and over in an attempt to find a missing stitch - this was to provide much hilarity for Lottie as she saw me chanting aloud. Needless to say I couldn't find the stitch and had to undo 2 rounds of bobbles - these little monsters take ages to do grrr!

Also hindering the bobble process was a rather sick and grumpy Dave, he is off to the Docs today for antibiotics as there is no other solution left for the vile tonsillitis!

I really like these cotton socks and have put them aside for long enough - it turns out they were cast on in October 2009 but put aside for other things! I will finish them very soon, I need to finish them to save my sanity. Thank fully I have finished the bobble part and just need to finish the rib and do the heel...... maybe tonight.

Also will someone please do me a huge favour and buy some of the lovely new yarn Allison has just put in her shop as it is taking all of my will power not to go and buy it - especially as I will be needing new sock projects very soon!

Mitten Madness!

2011-02-01T11:40:00.004Z

Having finished my Sushi shawl last week I then went on to cast off the second pair of fingerless mittens from my lovely red sugar hippo yarn. I had promised these to Lottie but still need to add the ribbon and buttons to them. I then decided that the next pair were for me only this time I have made them using a 4mm needle as I have for Lottie's - the first pair I made grew quite a lot and are quite sloppy now (I only have small hands and feet). Also trying to be clever and speed things along I thought that 2 at a time might be a good solution! Not so for me - it turns out that I can go much quicker on solo items and 2 at a time takes much more than twice the time to finish!

As you can see the first pair are a lot larger than the ones I did on 4mm needles - these are a much snugger fit but are unworn as yet, I need to finish the ribbon and add the buttons. I must also add that I have washed the first pair as they got a bit grubby due to the fact that I wore them for everything including dog walking. The yarn is lovely and very warm and soft, both were from Allison's shop I might add!

I am currently finishing the bobble socks that have been on the needles for well over a year now, the bobbles are fun but a little slow so as an in between I have cast on a Pi shawl using some angora lace weight (my latest purchase from http://www.folksy.com/shops/SugarHippo) it is an amazing yarn - so soft and warm and I can't wait to have enough knitted to show you how pretty it is!

I am hopeful that the socks will be finished this week so that I can pick up another pair and get some momentum on the 'Finish it Feb' goal but I am worried that I may get distracted as I have just found another pair of socks that I really want to cast on and also the Pi shawl is very inviting as well - must concentrate on finishing socks!

Finished!

2011-01-27T09:47:00.005Z

I have finally cast off and blocked the sushi shawl and I must admit it is a relief! Firstly I was worried as the yarn seemed quite hard as I knitted (it was BFL so was expecting soft) but after a little soak it does feel much nicer. Also I have never knitted from a sock roll before and the knitting seemed quite bumpy (like knitting with an unraveled jumper) but again these have gone with the soaking and blocking. I reached a point for about a week where it didn't seem to grow at all (this is why I avoid rectangular shawls) and this is why the monogamy was vital to finishing as I probably would have picked up another project in order to see progress. But I did enjoy the pattern as I could memorise all but the centre part and even that became familiar with time. On the whole I have really enjoyed this project and I now know that if I am to do rectangular items I must try to be more monogamous and not get distracted. So last night I picked up the cast on mitten and carried on, the next pair will be 2 at a time I think.....must finish mittens before February as I am having a month of finishing off pairs of socks - I have rather a lot of unfinished ones on the needles - again a bit more monogamy should pay off! Any one else care to join me in 'Finish it Feb'?

Monogomy!

2011-01-18T09:43:00.004Z

Now you know me by now and you know that I usually have about 3 or 4 items that I am actively working on at any one time. Well January is monogamy month and besides the second sweet jazz which is my car knitting I have been fairly monogamous - except that I cast on for another pair of mittens. These however are just hanging around though waiting for me to finish my Sushi shawl along (SSA5). I am not sure however that monogamy makes me more productive - that was the test really. It would seem that I only pick it up either when I am avoiding a household task I hate or at the start of the evening before dinner is made.

Routine in our household means that dinner is served quite late (not by my choice) and so I often have an hour before I have to go and start pan bashing. There is sometimes an opportunity to sit down mid way through for a few minutes and I know when there has been socks on the go that they would often have a couple of rounds added at this point but it would seem that if there is anything that needs a bit more attention then this time is not used productively. Conclusion to be drawn from January is that I need both a patterned item and a 'no brainer' on the go at all times. Hey I think that means that the monogamy may be over ..........

PS If you haven't had a look at Allison's online yarn shop then please do - there are some yummy yarns to be had and although I love to have my pick of them I am also happy to share the yarn love and let you top up your stash - there is plenty to go around!

http://www.folksy.com/shops/SugarHippo

Whizzing by!

2011-01-11T09:58:00.006Z

It has been a week since my last post and I am not really sure where it went! Firstly there was unpacking and washing and then a trip to Chester with Lottie. Thursday was back to school for her and required a cake to be baked (honestly I don't remember teachers allowing cake into lessons when I did A-levels) then it was the weekend which meant the annual xmas tree collection for the Scouts and Guides and then Sunday was just gathering ourselves together for the coming week.

I have managed to knit most evenings so my Sushi shawl along is growing steadily. This project arrived at the door on Christmas eve and so became, unusually for me, a monogamous project (with the exception of car knitting which doesn't count). In fact if you can keep a secret I have signed up for the SSA6 as well! The one thing that I really love about this is that I can remember most of the pattern - it is only the bit in the middle that changes on each row. I was not sure I liked it at first as the yarn seemed a bit stiff but it has softened up a lot and I am sure once it has been blocked it will change a lot more. I do have lots of other project that I need to show you - the light here is not at all good today so I will have to try again soon. Am off to go for a walk with Ted now as we both need it! More soon.....

Happy New Year!

2011-01-04T10:57:00.006Z

Finally we are home and so as promised here are the pics from my fabulous box

There was some pretty yarn to make a frothy scarf, a kumuhimo kit and a cross stitch kit plus a yummy welsh dragon and something I have always wanted a welsh love spoon. There was also an amazing hand made shawl, hat and mits - Lottie and I are fighting over the hat and mits!

Thank you Barbara for a lovely surprise box and thank you all for taking part again this year. I have enjoyed being a part of your lives for the last few years and look forward to the promise that this year holds. We have all had some rough times and some happy ones as well and it means such a lot to be able to share it all.

I wish you all a peaceful and prosperous 2011 and will be back again soon once I have a little more order here Cheshire - how does unpacking make so much mess? Sxx

Oh!

2010-12-29T22:37:00.002Z

I find myself here with a huge apology - I haven't taken the pics I promised and I am 4 hrs from home!

Christmas seemed to be a blur - where did that few days go? I opened my secret Santa box the day it arrived although some of it was in a car at the petrol station (yes I was excited!) and some when we got home. I didn't take pics cos I was embarrassed by my excitement but I packed it all back up for taking photos. Then the black hole that is family time closed in and I find myself in Norfolk for the New year - the box is still full of the amazing gifts I received but on my sofa and not here with me. Thank you Barbara - I promise to honour my box as soon as I am 'home'. It is deserved and I am so happy to have you girls as my friends.

New year approaches and exciting projects loom - I want so much to take this chance to wish you all a fantastic 2011.

2010 I thought should have been my year for no other reason than the number looked good and solid but that turned out to be a crock of crud so hears to 2011 - I am not so keen on the number but hey everything else could be wild. I will be back with news of my in car knitting and maybe a couple of new ventures to send you to sleep.

Happy New Year and very best wishes to you all! Much love, S xxx

Frozen!

2010-12-20T13:06:00.002Z

Firstly I need to say a huge 'thank you' to my secret Santa - we both know who she is. My parcel arrived by Royal mail yesterday! More on that over the weekend!

It is so cold here that our pipes froze over night - I sorted them out at 7am with the hair dryer. My neighbours are away and so I checked on theirs and the water softener burst as they thawed - turned off the water and am awaiting a plumber!

I have finished my corseted mittens but you have no hope of a pic as I am wearing them and am not taking them off!

I hope you are all keeping warm and safe - back again soon once I am warmer!

Still not done!

2010-12-17T07:36:00.003Z

I have finally cast off my Amore shawl which I don't think I will get to block until next year (I have been wearing it though) - it is so cosy in my Posh Alpaca. I am almost done with the NDS Gigi scarf as well and have wound my lovely new red Aran yarn from Allison's shop with the hope of making mittens. (too dark for pics today)

On the other hand I still have a tree to decorate and presents and food to buy. Finally it is my last bead class of the year today but I don't suppose they will actually get much of the samplers done as I think it will be about chatting and swapping xmas bits.

I have done quite a bit of on line shopping this year as I haven't been able to get some things in the shops - I hope it all arrives safely. More soon.........

Xmas is still not coming!

2010-12-13T07:58:00.002Z

Yes that is my cry every year - someone presses the fast forward button on my life once the calender gets to Dec 1st.

Last week was fun - the car was taken away finally by Green flag, the washing machine died on me and then was replaced and I actually managed to start my Christmas shopping. I now have a fixed and returned car (Dave's car not mine) and a shiny new washing machine plus a fairly tidy garage (that is where it lives along with the mice). I also have that slightly strange feeling of having started the xmas shopping but not finished it and wondering what else I need to get to fulfill those extra spaces!

Anyone else in the same boat or are you all done and dusted on the xmas front?

Trunk Show and Tell!

2010-12-01T10:07:00.005Z

Saturday was cold and slightly snowy but happily it did not stop us from our trip to Knutsford. I have to say that Amanda and Phil are lovely and I wish that I had more money in my budget (I thought what I had was pretty OK) but there was so much to choose from and I knew that there were things that I definitely had to get.

First up was a new 'Gigi' kit which I have hardly put down the yarn is a dk weight - 40/40/20 Alpaca/Merino/silk and takes 2 skeins.

Progress so far:

Note the fab new ebony hook (from an Eco friendly source) which is a dream to use.I also wanted some more Dazzle BFL for another 'jazz' and a 'secret item' as well

So all that took my entire budget - like I mentioned I thought it seemed quite large enough but clearly it was not! A fab time was had and to complete the day Dave and I managed to find some new wall lights for the lounge (something we had been looking for a long time). I hope that NDS will come back to a yarn shop near me again as it is so nice to be able to feel the yarn as well. Hope you all had a warm and woolly weekend although I suspect most of you had more snow than we did!

Sweet Jazz!

2010-11-22T12:53:00.004Z

So here it is at last - I needed the help of my trusty vase to try and show you how it looks on (flat it is not so pretty). I loved knitting this, the plain part was easy and didn't need a lot of
attention at all and the edge was a very easy lace pattern - all in all it is my favourite at the moment. It is helped by the fact that the yarn is so soft and snuggly.

I am hoping to buy more yarn this weekend to make another (I am smiling nicely at you mr indoors!). It isn't that I don't have yarn, just not enough of one sort - it took over a skein to do and I am not sure it would look right if you made it any smaller. More soon, S xx

Friday again!

2010-11-19T14:19:00.002Z

Is it just me or was it only just Friday - this week has flown by and nothing exciting has happened except last weekend Ted took a dislike to my shawl and managed to pull some stitches off the needles whilst climbing on my lap during the Grand Prix. The weather has not been kind for photos, way too dark and I want to show you my 'Sweet Jazz' - it was the scarf I cast on before going away and finished last Monday - I have worn it loads and am hoping to get more BFL from the NDS trunk show next weekend. I know that the sock weight is due soon but I think they have DK which would be fab as well.

Hoping for better weather next week so I can take pics of my knitting - have a nice weekend all!

The trouble with cars!

2010-11-09T17:04:00.002Z

Here we go again....

Yesterday was log day - 4 cubic meters to be exact delivered to our drive. Not usually a problem (this year we ordered double as we ran out last year) - hard work yes but problem no. Except that Dave's car was in the way of the garage doors and I store the logs stacked on pallets in the garage. But, and here it was - the battery has somehow gone flat on the car, being an automatic you can't push it and being such a big car I didn't want to ruin the small battery on my tiny smart car. The only solution was to have the logs tipped on the other side of the drive and move them from there. Hmm needless to say I got a full work out and some sore muscles this morning. I did however manage to cast off the scarf I was knitting and cast on for the lovely Amore shawl yesterday so will post pics tomorrow. Am off to light the fire with some of my new and now dry logs (I forgot to mention that it spent all afternoon raining as well). Hopefully will fix the car later in the week - who said being at home was easy?

Socktober, sockvember!

2010-11-04T09:53:00.006Z

Oops! I didn't make it or even close my 2 socks stalled because we went away and as I have cast on a new scarf they have stayed that way!

My holiday projects went like this: Citron shawl for car knitting (4 + hrs driving gives me at least 2 knitting). My enormous skein jumper (gift from last years US trip) was to be the main project and the new scarf my GLOW (glass of wine) project and the socks came along just in case!

What really happened was this: Worked on the citron shawl on the way (not too much more left to do). Worked on the giant skein jumper during the day time (as and when) and got to the top of the sleeve (yes I know it has taken me an entire year to get this far). Checked the length and realised that the tension was all wrong and will have to unravel the lot and start again! This project is having some 'time out'!

Here it is just so you can see how far I got - it is back in the corner to hang its head in shame now!

So I then picked up my new scarf project (it requires a skein and a half supposedly so I had rifled through my stash and found a part ball and cast on leaving an unwounded skein at home until it was needed). I finished the part ball and put the scarf to one side (it is not pretty on the needles as it is all squashed up).

I then did a bit more on the citron shawl as I was at the final increases part and I didn't want to do that in the car, so once they were complete I put that down as well. And finally I pick up the sock worked a few rounds and then the week was over!

On the way home I finished the knitting part of the citron and started the cast off so it is now finished Ta Dah:

Now I am home I have wound the other skein for the scarf and am on the final few rows so will be able to show you soon. I really need to pick the socks back up but you know how it is when you get your teeth into something new!

Oh and as for the hols - well Lottie was ill for the first few days (both the cold bug and tired from all the A level work), Dave was shattered anyway - he was glad to have a rest and as for me, well lets just say it was great to be able to put my feet up and do a bit of knitting! Ted however was happy to go for a swim in the sea and a chip hunt along the front!

More knitting soon ..... xxx

Catching up

2010-10-21T15:37:00.004+01:00

I must confess I am a little behind with my second sock - I have until tomorrow morning to finish the heel flap as that is when the next clue is ready! The heel flaps weren't the problem it was just me being slow with the legs. Sock 1 was fine but sock 2 seemed to take an age - I am going to blame the dreaded cold as it zapped so much energy from me!

Grrr - just lost the rest of the post!

So the long and the short of it is - no other knitting has been done and I am off to the sea side for half term. When I get back I hope to be full of energy and feeling much better. More soon!

Yarn clubs

2010-10-13T09:53:00.002+01:00

So the reason we all got together was because of a yarn club failure and I have avoided them since as I was afraid of a repeat! I finally plucked up the courage to join a 3 month club that I thought was fairly reasonable in price (in case a similar thing happened). The first installment was a week late, the second hasn't arrived yet (should be at the end of the first week in the month) and I am wondering are all clubs hap hazard with deliveries or am I just not good at choosing a successful one?

Please enlighten me to any you have joined and if you thought they were good or not so I can do better next time!

I thought about joining the Debbie Abraham's blanket club but I know several people who were disappointed this year (at the cost of it I don't want to be disappointed) although the club does seem to be reliable. Any other thoughts on this girls?

Week 2

2010-10-12T14:36:00.003+01:00

Eventually I finished the second cuff - no thanks the the vile cold that flattened me for a few days! I am also onto the second clue for the leg - one is complete and the other just begun but should be done by Friday when clue 3 is published. It is fun to see the pattern grow but I don't think I would have picked this one had I seen it first - but I guess that is the fun of it.

I have also done a little bit more to the bobble socks (yes it was your pattern Allison) but put them back down once the new clue arrived for this week. I have also had to quickly knit a little cosy for Lottie's new phone as obviously it needed one to keep warm in this weather!

Yesterday I made 3 batches of stewed apple as it seems to be the time of year that the apples keep arriving in bags and then something has to be done with them - it was actually quite nice to be peeling and chopping away in the kitchen for a few hours. I need some red current jelly and then I can make lovely onion marmalade as well.

Hope to have more pics for you tomorrow........

Week 1

2010-10-06T15:15:00.005+01:00

I have now restarted the second cuff for the 4th time (you can tell I am ill when my knitting goes wrong) - I have the horrid cold that is going around!

I don't think it is as good as the first but at this point I am not unpicking again unless it is horrid once it is at the same point as the other (I am sure it will be fine). I hope it will be finished tonight and ready for clue no 2 on Friday.

I also picked up my bobble socks as I was finished with the first one but had the foot and cuff to do on the second,you can't actually see but I am just past the extra yarn for the heel now and almost onto the bobbles

These have been on the needles since last year I think but I don't remember why I put them down - some thing else probably came along instead. Talking of sock patterns I have to admit that I like to try different ones out. I have a 'vanilla' pattern that I usually use for wellie socks but I enjoy doing different ones for my every day socks and walking shoe socks - you see wellie socks need to be long and hold in your trousers so a simple rib seems to be best but walking shoes and every day shoes can take something a bit more fancy - I think! More on socks soon, am off to make yet another drink - why is it that I drink so much when I have a cold?

Socktober Fest!

2010-10-04T13:32:00.002+01:00

Firstly I think I need to clear up a little 'myth' that seems to have developed - I do not get any extra time time in bed just because I am not going out to work! I still get up at 7am as I have a daughter to get up and a dog whose legs are crossed and who thinks his throat is cut (he is a Labrador)!

That said I have a mountain of work to catch up on - starting with the freezer to defrost (am supposed to be doing it right now)!

I did however decide to take part in socktober fest this year as it looks like fun - I have sock 1 top done and am casting on sock 2 later on. Also I figured it may help me finish off a few other pairs that have been hanging around for a while. I started the first sock on dpn's but will cast the other on the circ - I am hoping that I will be able to put them both together once the tops are done.

Before I dash off to mop up 'the big thaw' please don't assume I am sitting here just knitting away whilst you guys all work hard - I have already made countless mugs of tea for 'him indoors' and it will continue all afternoon as well, plus done piles of washing and tidying up. It is going to take forever to get straight and find homes for all of the stuff that has to exit the rooms needing work! Take heed - staying at home is not all fun you know!

The fat lady is singing!

2010-10-01T15:12:00.002+01:00

Yes that is right - it all ended yesterday. The team had dinner with me on Wednesday night and possibly a few drinks (was promised a fireman's lift but didn't get one). Yesterday was my last afternoon and I admit that I worked very hard to make sure there was nothing outstanding on my list of to do's.

The weather here today is foul so it must have been the singing. There could be more singing tonight so apologies if you have a wet weekend!

Monday brings new leaves and more blogging so kept your eyes open for my projects. In the mean time thanks for sticking by me and keeping me sane.

I am a bad girl!

2010-09-27T10:33:00.002+01:00

Last week I was sorting out some of my projects and realised exactly how much yarn I have collected over the last couple of years! I vowed I would not buy any more until I have used up some of it - ok a lot of it!

Last night just before I went to bed I needed to check my email and just happened to take a look at the posh sale - now I thought it would be ok as it was 10.30pm and usually all the stuff I would pick has gone by then but no!!!!! There was some lace AND some sock in my favourite colours and it seemed to be calling me - oops - nuff said I think!

Only a few more days to go!

2010-09-22T10:00:00.002+01:00

I know I have been really poor with my blog recently and I apologise - time and sanity have not been on my side!

Firstly last week was the end of my 6 years on the Embroiderers' Guild committee - the last 2 years of which I have been chairman! These last 2 years have been extremely hard work and the meeting last week was no exception! www.audlem.org/newsitem-1-1-5315.html

Secondly as you know I am working my notice out at my 'part time' job and again this is hard going at the moment. The problem with working for a very small company is that there is no one else to carry the burden of a busy period and then couple that with an over emotional boss who has the royal hump you are leaving and it is no wonder I feel emotionally drained and shattered every night! I have lots of exciting stuff to show and tell and promise to get around to it very soon. Knitting is the only thing keeping me sane at the moment - although him in doors is complaining about me doing it at the moment so even that is causing problems!

October is nearly here and with the falling of the leaves should bring the turning over of a new leaf for me. I will be tidy and keep up with my jobs in the house, I will be there to sort out the man to finish the garden and I will supervise the topsy turvy of new bathrooms and get the lounge painted. I will stay sane and I will keep knitting no matter what - it is a physical impossibility to sit still at night and watch the TV without something in my hands to do and if that is not good enough then heaven help me! Oh and just as importantly I will keep blogging even if I bore you to tears and you stop reading.

You had better remind me of this when I start to flag around January! S xx

I am not sad!

2010-09-13T10:21:00.002+01:00

Thank you so much for your hugs and good wishes. I am not sad to be leaving and have avoided blogging about work as you never know who is watching.....

I would love a trip to Chester Barbara and a chance to meet at last - if wool also falls into the trip as well then it couldn't be better! Sorry I won't be able to make up for the lack of holiday but hopefully it will be a nice outing.

I hope all is ok with you all and everyone is settling back into the September routine. For my part I have had a huge attack of Startitus and will show you some of it very soon. Only a few more weeks to go and I should have the extra time to take proper pictures (and actually remove some from the camera SD card - it is full).

While I am here is anyone thinking it is about time we planned a swap or christmas box idea?

See you can tell I am feeling better already! Sxx

That's it I quit!

2010-09-10T07:33:00.002+01:00

Yep I handed my notice in last Friday so I only have a few more weeks to go. Hopefully someone far better than me will take the job!

I have tried to write this post now a few times and deleted it again so I will leave it at that for now! I am looking forward to getting life back under control again soon!

September!

2010-09-02T09:08:00.002+01:00

Oh my how did that one creep in so quickly?

Lottie and I went 'college shopping' on Tuesday in Chester and so we had to visit 'Stash'! I have to admit we did sneak a visit in on her Birthday this year and bought some wool for a hat that she wanted me to knit but although it said one skein it ran out 3 rows before the end! We now have another to finish it and make some matching mittens with! Also sneaking into the bag were some 50p bargains and some more lace weight to make 'Volt' with.

Time has gone so fast recently and I am at a loss to know where it went - I have been promising pictures and failed but hopefully next week will give me a bit more time to play!

Lottie is starting 6th form in the brand new building at her school tomorrow where she is going to be studying A level Maths, Physics, English Lit and Graphic design. Good luck to all of you starting new career paths this week and I hope you enjoy it.

Exam results!

2010-08-25T18:27:00.002+01:00

Glad to hear all us Mums are in one piece especially after yesterday! For my part I have to say I am very proud and 'we' have 8A's, 2B's and a C.

I know the exams have been a hard time for everyone and I hope that moving forward all of the kids will find whatever it is that is the right future for them. Good luck kids you all have the world at your feet. Take care Mums as you will be the support for them come what may!

Still breathing!

2010-08-22T07:21:00.002+01:00

I am just popping in quickly here to let know I am alive but only just! I have been covering full time for work who are away in the USA at the moment but due back on Tuesday am. I have been doing the job of three people for the last 2 weeks - still got Monday to go! I have not got home before 6.30pm most nights and Friday was 7pm - trying to keep up with the paper work. I will be honest and say I am totally exhausted! I have decided I do not like this work stuff - I have missed so much time with Lottie this summer and although she has been off enjoying herself I feel that I have missed a huge part of her life! Also I will not be able to take her for results morning on Tuesday and Dave will have to stop what he is doing and go with her - I will miss out on the fun!

Good luck to all of you who are getting results this next week - I am sure all will be fine in the end!

More knitting soon I hope!

Home again!

2010-08-02T10:14:00.002+01:00

I am back here in Cheshire now - 4 1/2 hours drive home (not too bad) and I managed to do a bit of knitting - a 'no drop clop' for Lottie's friend that was for last xmas!!!

The weather in Norfolk was great, not too windy except for when we were on the beach - it is always a bit windier down there but we did have lots of very calm days as well as it being hot. I have lots of washing to get on with now but the sky here has just got cloudy so I will put it on and see how it goes.

Am off to drop Lottie off at a friends house and have to go to work later (boo hoo). Although I did take both the Tilia shawls with me and I intended to take photos I will have to do that now we are back, I was far too busy enjoying myself - sorry!

More on my knitting later......

Post card from Norfolk

2010-07-29T07:54:00.004+01:00

Here I am in the loveliest part of the world (in my opinion) and the weather has been amazing - hot sunny and lovely most days, a few cloudy but warm and a couple of wet sprinkles thrown in for balance!

This is us back at our favourite beach at Brancaster having a game of boules! Not much of a picture I know but I am not the worlds best a taking the camera with me (it is a bit big so doesn't fit into your pocket!). On our way back from the beach we stopped in Salthouse to find these cuties who want to peck at our feet -

There has been some knitting done - a bit on my Hesperia shawl, a bit on my nutkin sock and some of my giant skein jumper but nothing significant I am afraid - too much sun and fun for knitting. Hopefully I will manage some better pics before we go home!

Love from Norfolk - Sx

Holidays!

2010-07-16T07:24:00.001+01:00

Just a very quick note to say I am off today but I hope to have internet acess whilst I am away so will try and catch up with myself then!

Hope all is well with you all?

Sx

Prom Night

2010-07-01T20:52:00.003+01:00

Here we go!

Ah so grown up - but we still need a lift! I was happy to oblige I just hope they have a lovely evening.

1st July!

2010-07-01T09:11:00.002+01:00

Well I made it! Tilia is done and blocked - just in case you were thinking I hadn't finished. It was cast off on Tuesday and blocked yesterday. I will put some pics up later once we are all ready to go. I am so pleased - it is light and airy and oh so pretty. Dare I say it but I think it is a much more summery shawl done in the 2ply baby alpaca, cashmere and silk. I love this yarn so much it is my favourite - I must collect a few more skeins! I don't think that it would have been finished without the speedy assistance of Amanda from the Natural Dye studio - I email her to ask about an undyed skein but was too late so I ordered the other colour that I thought would go and she was kind enough to send it out the same day despite being mad busy getting things ready for a show. This meant I could get started straight away and made the difference of being done by a comfortable margin rather than trying to finish in a mad dash.

All I can say is that I hope the prom goes as well as the shawl knitting did!

More later..........................................................

Flying past!

2010-06-23T07:23:00.002+01:00

Do you remember when I wanted May to go really quickly because it was a nightmare - well I forgot to tell June to go slowly! I am knitting as fast as I can but need to just knit more I think. Please can someone put an extra couple of days into June or my golden Tilia will not be finished. Off to do another row - will keep you posted and add pics soon!

Another week

2010-06-19T07:24:00.002+01:00

Wow that one whizzed by. This week has been an odd one just running about after Lottie - exams, party and a bit of shopping plus work and Embroiderers' Guild and here I am at the weekend again. I had a bit of a disaster with the new shawl last weekend and I think I was at the same place by the end of it as I started! It is not like me to have such a major trauma with my shawls but it was a bit stressy last weekend so I blame that.....

I have finally used my new lace blocking wires and blocked 'Cindarella' - they are so easy to use and Hulu gave a great service. I bought the deluxe set on Allisons recommendation and I think it was worth the extra - I could if I wanted actually block several shawls at once or a humongous one!

So back to the new shawl again now or I won't get it finished - all I can say is the football came at just the right time (I don't like watching at all but can get away with knitting without looking whilst 'him in doors' has a watch).

Hope all is well with you all - not heard from a couple of you in a while so come on girls tell us where you have been. xxx S

Just quickly!

2010-06-11T07:56:00.002+01:00

Hi All,

I have been away from blog land for a bit - too mad busy to do anything. Firstly it was the exhibition and then half term - I had to do extra hours to cover holidays etc and then I had a day off to take Lottie prom dress shopping. Then it was back to school (make that just for exams with extra running about to cover in between) plus more extra hours and a bout of tonsillitis and finally yesterday Embroiderers guild had a trip to Bradford to Bombay stores and Texere yarns! I can truly say I have been too busy!

So a quick catch up on events then - our exhibition had 440 visitors over the 3 day weekend!

We got a prom dress - very pretty but not anything that went with the Tilia shawl sadly so Cindarella (the yarn name) will not be going to the ball. I ordered some fresh yarn from NDS instead in a very pretty gold colour and cast that on last weekend as well - I have a deadline to work to now!

This week has been a busy exam week and Monday saw a very red and sore throat - loads of gargling with disparable aspirin did the trick along with some rest and Lottie managed to see it off - Maths and Graphic products exams today!

Yesterday saw me running around at 6.30 am to get everything ready for our trip to Bradford. It was a great day and I bought lots of lovely things - more on that later.

Now I have to dash and get Lottie out of the door - roll on Saturday is all I can say!

May Mayhem!

2010-05-27T06:29:00.002+01:00

Well this is what has been keeping me busy this week!

I am also just finishing off the mini quilt to go in the exhibition as well - but boy has dolly been a demanding girl!

Tomorrow is put up day so I hope it is not too hot or we will melt, tonight will be mad as I have to go and make sure the display boards have arrived and deliver the display cabinet which will need a wash today as it is so filthy from storage!

Once all that is done I have to go and see Lottie's exhibition of art work at school. Maybe after all that I might manage a sit down and something to eat - who knows. Speaking of something to eat I guess I need to organise that as well.

See what I mean about madness!

I will probably not be checking in over the weekend as I am also supervising a lot of the exhibition as well so where ever you are have a good time and I hope the weather is kind too us all! Roll on June........

Feeling hot hot hot!

2010-05-24T07:51:00.002+01:00

Wednesday the heat was just right for me - warm enough for t-shirt and summer trousers and enough warmth to sit out for a while! I said to him indoors that this was just right for me - so what happens it gets really hot - way too hot for me GRRRRR!

The dog and I have boiled this weekend - no walks for him incase it is too much and some walks for me as him indoors needed to stretch his legs after sitting at a desk all week.

This week has been a bit mad we had an embroiderers guild meeting followed by a committee meeting and then I had to go straight to work that day. Plus all the final prep for the exhibition next weekend.

In spite of all that I still managed to cast off Tilia - need payday before I can buy blocking wires to finish it properly but I have until July 1st to do that. Lottie doesn't actually finish at school until they break up this week and then she will have exams fairly solidly after that. Her Prom is the 1st of July as I mentioned and we still have a dress to get for that.

Good Luck to all of the boys and girls doing GCSE's currently!

Must dash I still have my exhibition items to finish and a mad week to get through! Roll on June is all I can say!

Not knitting enough!

2010-05-13T12:15:00.002+01:00

I think that I am stuck in some kind of time warp - the weeks seem to be beginning again before I have finished the last one and the weekends are feeling like single days!

I haven't done much knitting or crochet this week and it is missing me - I know it is 'cause it says so!

I think that it could be time for the men in white to come and get me before it is too late or perhaps it would be simpler to just go and make some lunch and that will make me feel much better! Either way I am still here plodding along, ticking things off my huge 'to do list' and wondering when May will end and June will become hopefully nicer!

If the white coated men don't come then I will be back again with more May madness soon!

Blink and I missed it!

2010-05-04T06:51:00.004+01:00

Now where did the last 4 days of my life just go? Friday I spent getting packed and sorted at home, then once Lottie arrived home from school we set off at no more than 50 mph (engine to run in!) across the country to my favourite place. Now we had radio 2 on (him in doors likes it) and we heard lots of tales of woe, traffic jams and accidents but apart from a little bit of rush hour stuff (again we couldn't go any faster than 50 so it made no difference) we didn't find the roads that busy at all. It took us a little less than 5 hours, which considering the speed restriction we were under and the fact that on an exceptional run it takes 4, I think it was good going - I drove the last hour from Kings Lynne to Cromer at which point it decided to tip it down but it had stopped by the time we arrived.

Saturday was glorious and we walked along the beach in crocs and shorts - we did need jumpers as well and the sea was very cold!

Sunday was cloudy to begin with but as with all coastal weather they soon blew away and the sun came out - it was alot colder though so out came the jeans and walking shoes and we had a rather long hike across the cliff tops and then back along the top of the beach.

Monday was mega windy and took your breath away but we still managed quite a good walk before packing up and coming home. Again we had radio 2 on and the reports were nearly as bad as Friday but we had very little traffic and got back in just under 5 hours - it would seems the East to West routes were not popular for this weekend and I like it that way!

As for knitting well I did do some on both of the long journeys - it was just very plain though. I had packed the polly jeans and Tilia and a little bit was done on each but nothing was finished or great progress made. I did feel that for the first time in ages though I stopped holding my breath - you know that feeling when you just let out a big sigh and it all feels better - that is what sea air does to me and I had missed it.

Now we are back the full extent of my May commitments is hitting me and I fear that the polly jean socks might not get finished in time to do the May sock along so I have decided that much as I would love to do the May socks I am going to plod on with polly jean and the rest of my projects and just get through May as best I can. The reason for my panic is that the Embroiderers' Guild are putting on an exhibition as part of the Arts and Music Festival here in our village at the end of May and as such I still have my 2 entries to finish and the actual thing to put up as well, plus Lottie's exams are on the way etc etc.

So initial panic over I am off to catch up on some washing and tidying up - hmm think I must have something wrong with me!

Oops

2010-04-27T07:32:00.002+01:00

So as the end of the month approaches my Polly Jean socks sit untouched those heels have put them off the 'go to' project list and I am being silly so they MUST get finished this weekend as a new pattern awaits for next month and it looks like fun!

But also I need to fess up to a bout of startitis (I know I didn't NEED any more project but I wanted them), I loved the nutkin socks that Allison is doing and whilst in Chester on Sunday I found a new wool shop in the Rows (RKM wools) and they had lots of lovely sock yarn so of course some had to come home with us plus 2 skeins of Debbie Bliss pure silk. So I have cast on the socks and a shawl with some lovely NDS baby alpaca, cashmere and silk - so soft to knit with!

The other good news is that finally we hope to get a couple of days over in Norfolk, we decided to give the car a long running in stint and go over for the Bank holiday weekend, I have missed my favourite place so much so fingers crossed that old 'Bessie' makes it there and back!

Hopefully some pictures of 'finished socks' soon!

Knitting & Crochet

2010-04-18T07:51:00.005+01:00

It has been a while since I showed you any of my yarny goings on so I thought you might like to see a couple of my ongoing projects!

These are my Polly Jean sock-a-longs, progress was slowed by the heel as I decided to do each one on dpns and then put them back on the circs as I hadn't done 2 heels at once and was worried I might have messed it up but was then cross with myself for wimping out so picked up my crochet for a while. Luckily I saw the finished pair over on 'the stash basket' and decided I needed to finish these so I have picked them back up again. I have until the end of the month to finish them so all should be OK!

I have been keeping a little something from you though and that is the fact that I have secretly become addicted to crochet - it began at Christmas when I bought the kit for Barbara and tried out the pattern to see if I could do it! Then I made 'the scarf that I forgot to photograph' and also joined the CAL with the natural dye studio on Ravelry. I have made quite a few of the March motifs but then the April daisy one came along....... One flower

Quickly became quite a few......

And another scarf / shawl was begun!

I have also done some more of the Tilia for Lottie's prom but that has been fairly slow as it does take a while still to do a row so I only pick that up if I know I will have a few uninterrupted minutes! I have also started to sand down the garden furniture for staining as I am feeling the need to sit out and spin - I don't know why but I prefer to spin in the summer and sitting out with the dog seems to work particularly well for me (I did loads last year while I was keeping my eye on him) and am ready to drag the wheel out of the corner and get going again especially as I have that lovely orange fiber to get going with!

I am loving the extended day light and this next week 'him in doors' is actually going away for a night - he was away so much last year and then we had the job change which meant after the fortnight in the USA there was not much need for him to go out and about he was based totally at home and that was great too, but for just one evening it will just be Lottie and I so hopefully it will be a sunny one and we can enjoy it. Although I expect there will be plenty of revision going on as well - Lottie has been so good about doing it and hopefully the hard work will show in the end! Fingers crossed for all of those doing exams this year!

Turkey and Goat!

2010-04-11T07:04:00.002+01:00

I have to say that my turkey turned out to be the best ever - even Dave commented and he is not known for his finely tuned taste buds! I have to say that we buy most of our meat from our friend Danny - he is a small holder on the outskirts of our village and we walk past his house usually both days at the weekend. We can watch our meat grow and see the life it leads plus help a very small business to find its feet. Added to that it makes our carbon footprint a lot less especially as we have a veg box delivered as well (all grown within a 10 mile radius) - I must admit that although this does work out a bit more than if I buy it all in the local Morrison's (10 - 15 miles away) I find that it makes me more aware of how not to waste things plus I hope I am doing something to help small local business and the environment as well. Also during the no car 2 months it actually was a total god send as it meant I didn't have to carry everything from our tiny local co-op, milk beer and wine was heavy enough!

So what brought me to that little rant, it wasn't actually meant to be a rant but I wanted to share with you about our turkey and also as Allison said she had goat for Easter I wanted to say about our goat experience - we had some goat mince from our friends mentioned above and I made what I called 'Hillside pie' which was basically Shepard's pie made with the goat mince which turned out to be mega low fat and extremely tasty. My lot always enjoy it when I make a Shepard's or cottage pie and hillside was no exception - very tasty. I did also do some goat chops on another day and they turned out to be a bit more chewy and not as fun but I am not a chop fan in any sort of meat really!

Also worthy of note this week the car did make it home on Friday and we need to take it out and drive it carefully for a few hundred miles in order to 'run it in', am I pleased to see the beast back? No not really as when I had a close look at it in the drive she has come home very battered and worse for wear, there are chips and scratches on 3 out of 4 corners and the poor tail gate has some nasty damage too so in short I am totally gutted and sad.

So back to the real world - Allison please tell us your holiday tales, I would love to hear about the hot weather and fabulous cocktails and also it is fine to email Barbara the bead pattern. I have more I can email to anyone who wants them - I should post some pics for you all to choose!

I hope all went well for you Barbara and that driving was OK.

How were the hols Claire did you survive too?

Back soon with more of my odd life and maybe some actually knitting!

Easter Greetings

2010-04-05T07:33:00.002+01:00

I know I am a bit behind here but that is about par for the course here at the moment! I hope you all had a lovely Easter, I know that I am not the only one who's plan went wrong and I am sorry to hear it.

I wish that I could say I am writing this from the wild and windswept beaches of Norfolk but no I am still here in daffodil blooming Cheshire! Still no final end to the car saga after the garage found that it also needed a new radiator as the screw thread had broken on the original one and so all would not be ready by Easter despite me arriving on the doorstep twice weekly for the last 3 weeks! You would think that would have been an indication of how desperate I was to go away - but clearly unless I was prepared to weep and wail or shout loudly (neither of which I was prepared to lower myself to do), my pain was not obvious enough!

Even my plans to watch my favourite 'Jonathan Creek' were thwarted by a game of Monopoly (Cheshire and Chester edition I might add). It went on for so long that I had to abandon my empire to go and sort out some dinner and as the others were fairly broke I am sure that it could have been me who won but they counted up without me so I will never really know!

So today is Easter Monday and the only plan I have is to cook my lovely free range turkey that I have watched run around Danny's garden for the last few months. I know it should have been yesterday but as I said all plans went out of the window due to the blasted monopoly and Jonathan Creek fiasco. Fingers crossed for a planless plan!

Hello Dolly!

2010-03-28T08:23:00.003+01:00

For those of you disappointed that me last post was not about shoes (it would have read size 5's if it was) - this one is definitely about a dolly!

On Thursday my Embroiderers' Guild had a workshop with Dot Waring to make dolls (they are more art that play if you see what I mean) and this is mine as far as today! When I got home there was still much left to do and I have been slowly finishing her off but I wanted to let you see her as I will be working 2 full days on Monday and Tuesday so probably won't have time to show you then!

I still have lots more hair to add and clothes to make but she has been great fun to do - I was thinking that I might knit her some stockings as her toes are not too pretty, I will need more practise to get better at these but I think I would like to make more any way as there is so much you can do to them. I wish I had more hours in the day - this work thing does get in the way a bit and the housework has been in sad decline (and yes I am in trouble for that!). I will put up more pics once she has a bit more decency - hope you enjoy her!

Size 6's

2010-03-22T11:36:00.003Z

As you can see I have a limited number of size 6 colours, they are all lovely though! I know that Claire was interested, does anyone else want any as well?

I am not quite sure where last week went to but it involved a trip to school early on Tuesday (art exam background was too large to go on the bus), bead classes on Monday and Friday mornings, an Embroiderers' guild meeting on Thursday morning and a trip to the garage on Wednesday and Friday to check up on the car, plus I have been to work every afternoon as well!

I have been rather quiet on the subject of the car as I am more than a little fed up with the whole thing, eventually (2 weeks ago) we bought a new block but it is taking far too long to fit - hence the trips to the garage to check they are actually doing the work and not just faffing around. I have said I would like it back this Friday so that we can at least give it an outing before we try and take it to Norfolk for Easter but at this point I am not holding my breath. I am so fed up as we have now missed New year and half term trips away and I don't want to do the same for Easter - I need my sea air, I miss it!

Hopefully I should have better news later in the week - will keep you posted!

2-at-a-time!

2010-03-16T10:25:00.005Z

I have not got that far with the xmas 2 at a time socks as I put them down to work on the Polly jean socks for the sock along. You can already see the mistake in the pattern (oops)!

These seem to be coming along nicely but fairly steadily - although considering they are both being knitted at the same time I suppose it could be quicker than normal (I have only been doing then a week) plus I am still getting to grips with working 2 at once.

I must admit that the 150cm needle has made a huge difference to my attempt this time as I have managed to get this far without throwing the whole thing across the room.

Life is so hectic at the moment I am struggling to keep up with myself so apologies if my blog is a little behind again - will be back again soon!

Oops!

2010-03-09T11:11:00.002Z

I can't believe I have just done this! I have spent about 3 weeks working on a crochet scarf as a gift and it has just this minute walked out of the door and I didn't take a picture..... banging head and muttering now!

I made it from some 'Posh' lovely cashmere blend in a purple and blue using an NDS pattern, I am so stupid.

Anyway so 'Startitis' is calling it must be the sunshine - that and the fact that over on the stash basket blog they are having a sock a month along (pair that is) and the pattern is so pretty.

Here at the Sarah knits house it has been mostly crochet since January and I have been loving it - although far too much startitis. I now have another crochet scarf for Lottie and an English Country Garden CAL project (undecided as to the final item yet).

Over half term I managed to get to a small 'local' Aberkahn shop and pick up some DK yarn for my 2-at-a-time small socks and have cast them on although progress is quite slow as the crochet got in the way. I have also just got the extra long 2.5mm needle so I can try the regular socks as 2-at-a-time. Hmm too many projects again but the Grand Prix season is upon us so until it warms up enough to really get going on the garden I will need to occupy myself a bit at the weekends (yippee). Must go and put some more washing on now! More soon.......

More Beads!

2010-03-03T10:24:00.011Z

These are all size 11's and are again in 10g packs.

All beads are new - they arrive in large packs which have been reweighed into more manageable sized boxes by me (you may get an occasional bonus dog hair as well). Again there are multiple packs of each colour!

Any takers?

Will add some of the other shapes and sizes later in the week but these are the most popular size for most beaders.

Beads

2010-03-03T09:35:00.006Z

Ok so other than delica's I think I have something of most sorts of beads (shapes and colours). Seed beads in size 11 and 15 plus triangles, bugles drops size 8's and 6's in the larger beads. Here are just a few to show you the range: These are size 8's (most likely size to add to a beaded shawl)

I have lots of each colour so plenty for lots of shawls! Each box contains 10g of a colour.

Swaps and stuff!

2010-02-27T07:37:00.002Z

Hmm it seems Allison thinks we are traitors for buying YF but my reasoning was this - it was only hipknits that let us down and I don't shop with them but the magazine range it actually good (I don't subscribe though - still don't trust that bit) but my newsagent stocks them and I am supporting her. Plus I think that YF is one of the nicest mags on the shelf bar my occasional treat of 'The Knitter'. Any way I like it so there!

Now back to beading - Claire I would love some banana silk sounds fab what weight of it do you have? and what sort of beads would you like in return? Currently in my stock I have size 11's, size 8's and size 6's plus toho and miyuki triangles in size 10's. I also have large and small drop beads, long bugles and size 15's (teeny tiny beads). I have a large range of colours in most of the above and will post pics once I know what you are interested in. I am happy to swap beads with anyone else who fancies some - I wondered if weight for weight would be OK so 100g say for 100g (any combination of beads and colours). Let me know what you think?

Barbara asked about beading books - my favourite book is 'The Art & Elegance of Beadweaving' by Carol Wilcox Wells but there are newer and better books out there that explain things better. One thing that I have found is that Americans describe things differently to us and it can be confusing (I had 2 American ladies in my classes a while back and it took me a ages to work out how to explain things 'their way' ).

I have as a swap item a copy of The Beaders Bible by Claire Crouchley - it has been on my shelf for a while but is in good condition - it has good instuctions on Peyote, brick, and square stitches plus loom work and then lots of 'pictures' to bead - if anyone fancies this then please suggest a swap.

So that's it for today - am hoping to go with Lottie to get a prom dress later (will have to take the unfinished Tilia with me), they didn't do stuff like this when I went to school Bah humbug!

I am still here - just!

2010-02-25T09:37:00.002Z

Sorry I have been watching but not participating in blogging recently as I have felt so shattered after this cold (it is really pathetic to feel like this) and have just been doing the barest necessities to get by!

All the same I have been thinking that we haven't done a lot of swapping lately and as I have a ton of stuff that I don't need anymore perhaps we could do something soon. My idea is this - I have so many beads how about I offer up some as a package (I will put up a picture on the blog) and if it interests you then offer me something from your stash. Let me know what you think or suggest something else we could do (perhaps an Easter type swap box thingy). Your thoughts please girls?

So pretty!

2010-02-12T10:13:00.003Z

This week I have been full of a horrid cold but last week I finished this:
How pretty is it? It was a gift from a lovely friend ( you know who you are) and I loved making it so much that I am going to get some more of the pretty green wire and make something else using the leaf flower idea.

Am off back to the sofa now to finish feeling sorry for myself, not even managing to go away next week as Dave's car is still not fixed (grumble, grumble). Happy knitting, will be back to my more cheery self again soon!

Look what I made!

2010-02-01T07:26:00.002Z

It is the Elizabeth Cowl from NDS and it only took me a couple of days to do (in between work of course) but I love it - just what I needed to keep me warm with this fresh set of snow we have just had.

On Saturday we went down to Wolverhampton to collect my new car, sadly I didn't get to drive it home though as I had to drive the borrowed one home - I have only been out in it a couple of times since on fairly short journeys as yesterday was really snowy here, I will take some photos to show you once it is not covered in snow as it is so cute and dinky! In fact I parked it side ways across the drive as it is so small but it didn't go down too well, him indoors had a sense of humour failure and just yelled at me about wearing out the tyres! I think maybe he is missing his car as it is still not mended and is making him rather cross. Fingers crossed they get the bits soon!

Year of the crochet!

2010-01-26T10:26:00.002Z

I am fairly new to crochet and last year I started the lovely 'Lula' scarf from here (www.thenaturaldyestudio.com/queenies-lula-crochet-scarf-pdf-pattern-3280-p.asp). I put it down to work on other things as the crochet was not flowing for me (it was not the kit it was me). But at Christmas I put in my Santa box a kit for the stunning Clementine wrap and couldn't help but have a go at the motif (sorry Barbara) using some spare lace weight that I had and I found that I loved it - alot- in fact those little motifs kept me sane through my usual Christmas nightmare (although they took ages to do).

So this then prompted me to pick the lula scarf back up again and I have nearly finished it (again I am still quite slow), plus I have about 6 projects on the go as well. So bad girl that I am I signed up for the January motif club, which arrived yesterday, and also I purchased the Elizabeth cowl pattern and some yarn to go with it which also arrived yesterday - had to have a go at that straight away - it would seem that I am 'hooked' on crochet currently! Something has to keep me sane as we are still without wheels, mine should be arriving at the weekend but the news on Dave's is not good at the moment (we still may not be able to go away at half term). I even had to borrow my Mum's car last weekend so that I could refill the freezer and larder. At least I won't have to carry stuff from the Co-op this week! Hopefully I will be able to show you pics of my new little run around very soon (no soft top though Allison sorry to be a disappointment).

Bye bye car!

2010-01-20T07:45:00.003Z

Just a quick one to say that my poor old blue car is going today, I have had her from new and we have been through some stuff together so it is with sadness that I say bye bye especially as she could well be going off to the crusher, that part really upsets me as I am sure that some 'boyracer' would love to tinker around and fix her up again.

It is going to still be another week until my new car arrives (DVLA need to transfer the reg over) but otherwise it is just waiting for me to drive!

Long, long ago!

2010-01-15T07:20:00.004Z

You may recall that sometime last year I bought a set of Harry Potter sock wool, well I have been using some of it to make what Lottie calls 'glittens' a cross between gloves and mittens although technically the real ones have a flap you can pull down over your exposed fingers!

Firstly I made some from 'Tonks' but they were worn as soon as they were finished so I never got to show you and then I have just finished the ones I have been making for 'him indoors' to wear whilst he works - it is cold in his office even with his heater so they keep his hands warm

while he is working, they are made from 'Draco'

I managed to find a well worn tonks to borrow for the picture.

Also I have rediscovered a pair of gloves I made for me from 'Harry and Ron' but one of them still has ends to sew in, that is one of the reasons I don't make many gloves but the glittens churn out like vanilla socks.

I have also got a pair of monkey socks on the needles in the 'Harry Potter' colourway but they have been put down since I started to do the Christmas knitting.

I was counting up the pairs of socks that I do have on the needles at the moment and it totals 5 pairs so I think a spot of finishing off is called for - I did cast off one of my 'circle socks' last night but I now have to cast on for the other one.... hmm. I also have a large number of other projects that need attention so for now I am going to try a spot of finishitis and see how far I get. Will keep you posted on that!

Frozen up!

2010-01-08T12:11:00.002Z

Thought I would just have a quick moan about the weather today! When I got up at 7am our water was frozen - I turned on the tap and nothing! It took a bit of surfing from 'him in doors' to pin point the solution and I set to work in the garage with the hair dryer. Lo and behold we now have running water. I didn't realise it was 'THAT' bad but apparently we are not the only house in the street with same issue. At least if it happens again I will know what to do.

On another note apologies to my Secret Santa as I forgot to mention the lovely box of candles that were also in my parcel (I put them safe but have now found them again!).

I hope all is well with everyone and you are keeping safe and warm in this frosty weather. Lottie managed to get Wednesday off as a snow day but has been at school for the rest of the time. I have had no excuse not to go to work as I am near enough to walk anyway - sometimes that is a downside!

Christmas has come, been and gone!

2010-01-01T15:46:00.005Z

Happy New Year to you all.

Time for a quick catch up on all the mayhem that has taken place here in Cheshire over the festive period.....

Firstly though I need to show you the lovelies that arrived in my Secret Santa box

A lovely scarf to keep me warm (it is just beginning to snow here).

The other goodies were a fabulous teddy bear, a beautiful bead bookmark (already in use as you can see), a pretty snowman box filled with lovely chocs (all gone now), a lovely tea canister (filled with tea), a wonderful smelling bag full of lovely spices to make mulled wine (just what we need to chase away the cold) and a calligraphy set which has been bagged by Lottie already!

Thank you secret Santa Claire! I hope that the move went well and you catch up with us all again soon.

As for the mayhem well I have manged to pull the muscle in my leg playing on 'just dance' for the wii on Christmas day - you have to try these things don't you? I then went on to make it worse whilst walking with the dog.

You may recall that we were waiting for the car to come home so we could go away for New Year but that didn't happen due to parts not arriving in time and then the garage making a mistake whilst putting it back together so now we are still waiting for more parts to arrive and then it can go to be MOT'd. To make matters worse the cam belt on my car snapped whilst I was taking Lottie off to her boyfriends house and we had to be recovered (3 1/2 hours later), fortunately we were only 10 minutes walk from home so all was not lost. It does however mean that I will need a new car VERY soon..... off for a test drive tomorrow!

I just wanted to share this picture with you considering all we have been through this last year with our 'baby'.

Ted enjoying his special present from 'Auntie Allison'!

So with all of that I think you are just about caught up with our goings on and I hope to be back on track again very soon. With all good wishes for the new year, Sarah.

Very briefly!

2009-12-21T10:19:00.002Z

Hi all,

Christmas is now officially coming and I am still not quite ready - the tree is up, most of the food and presents are bought and Lottie has finished school and mock exams (no they are not after xmas as I thought).

I however still have 3 afternoons to work and shopping left to do, we are down to 1 car as Dave's is in the garage (big bill to arrive soon) and we are supposed to be going away after Christmas.

Not sure how I am aiming to actually get all of this sorted out but I will in the end.

I have a lovely box of Christmas goodies that arrived the other week and promise to blog about it very soon (although some of the items have already disappeared).

Back soon with more to tell!

Christmas is NOT coming.....

2009-11-28T08:57:00.002Z

YET!

I am sorry but I am just not ready to think about it at the moment, someone pressed the fast forward button on my life and forgot to switch it off!

I have not posted for a while, sorry but my feet have not touched the ground. Am hoping next week will be calmer, until I realise that we have just hit December and then panic will ensue. I have not finished my secret santa gift yet so will have to concentrate on that as they need to go in the post soon!

Must go knitting to do........ back soon!

Home Today!

2009-11-14T08:18:00.002Z

Today is the day for 'him indoors' to arrive home and I have to say I have missed him! I have been tracking the flights so I know when he arrives but we had to change the plan from airport collection to station collection as he has no mobile phone to let me know where he will be! At least at the station there is somewhere to wait (no matter how long) rather than nowhere to park at the airport. I am taking my knitting with me so at least I will have something to do while I wait. With luck it shouldn't be long anyway. Woohoo, am so pleased to be getting him back again! Will report back again soon!

Want to hear a story?

2009-11-11T07:32:00.002Z

There once was a man who went to America for his new job (OK so this is about Dave). The condition was that he bring home some lovely wool and I promised not to mind too much! So on Friday he says to the nice chap giving the training, 'hey I don't suppose you know of anywhere that sells wool do you?' The nice chap says 'I know someone who will' and proceeds to phone an even nicer lady who promised to email a list of shops near to the office (and hotel which is just around the corner). She did this along with her thoughts on each shop! Dave then emailed this to me to have a looky at. The nearest and one with the nicest people (according to said lady) was quite close and their web site, although it didn't have stock on just the yarn brands etc, said they were having a trunk show last weekend with giant balls of hand painted yarn (each ball large enough to make a garment or throw) so I quite liked the sound of this and told Dave about it.

On Saturday he set off with the vague address but couldn't find the shop (silly man I would have written it down first) so he begs another nice person in a shopping arcade to look up the address on their laptop - which they generously did! This then makes it easy to find the shop and when he gets there he shows the lady at the counter the bits of yarn I sent with him and she tells him yes they have plenty of sock yarn, he also asks about the trunk show and she explains that the giant balls are all around the shop but feel free to have a good look around (he also notes that there were several ladies knitting in the shop and chatting together). So eventually he chooses a giant ball and the ladies who are knitting stop and chat to him saying that what he has chosen it gorgeous and that I will love it. That done he pays and leaves the shop. What surprised him most was how nice everyone was to him (a man in what he considers a girls shop), I did remind him that most knitters are really nice people and of course they would encourage him to get something nice for me and be supportive if his choice!

Moral of the story, 'knitters are nice - even in foreign lands' and I thank them (even though they will never know) for showing kindness to a strange man and making him feel not so silly for buying me a giant ball of yarn!

I will post pics once I have the ball in my possession but I am quite excited to see what it will be like!