Can I Stop and Breathe Yet?

The Year 10 Social went off well and the end of Year Dance Concert. DD very pleased with all. She helped teach some Baby Boppers this year and worked very hard on a solo routine which brought me to tears.

So just getting through the work stuff and 2 Christmas parties next Saturday to go.

Shopping well have been avoiding it, finances are tight and really don't want to buy on credit so trying of thinking of low cost but nice presents. That's where knitting comes in and cooking I think. Did buy some Billie G Cookie dough and Christmas cake mix which should arrive by Friday. One of my team at work's little 4 year old girl recently got diagnosed with leukaemia so we did a fund Raiser for Red Kite as she said they most supportive with day to day things. So if you get the chance to donate to this cause please consider it. As for the cookie dough, it's GOOD.

Thinking of them daily as cannot image how hard it would be, sad news last week, even though little Jayde has improved heaps and had gone into remission early, the final news on the risk level came through as the highest level which is only one percent of cases caused by if I remember rightly a mutated chromosome. This news when she was getting back to her happy little self. The only sign had been a hard tummy. So if your the praying kind, if you could add a word in for little Jayde and her family.

OOH and thanks to Jan for the SS6SC2011 link on your blog(see badge to right), what fantastic idea for a sock club

2 Snow Caps Done

Off to England they go. Working on Namaste Socks now , very quick project.

20 FO so far this year and took a couple of months to get started, must be getting faster or more obsessed (think it's the latter)

Get Some of my Life Back Today

DH got his licence back today YAY. Hopefully this will mean I won't be running back and forth so much between everyone and trying to make it all fit, I am so over it. He can get stuck into helping DD get her hours up for her licence.




Embossed Leaves Socks completed Monday night. Heel is quite different to what I'm used to with heel flap edging being garter stitch. It was easy to pick up stitches though along this edge. Pattern called for cutting the yarn once the heel was turned. Didn't like the idea of this at all so just knitted across the foot and continued across in pattern and made the required extra stitch at the end of patterned section with no issues at all. Toe was different as well ending up with only eight stitches which thread yarn through and pulled tight, nice not to have graft toe. I also learnt rib cast on, I was all fingers and thumbs and I reckon it took me two hours to cast on each sock but it's also a nice finish with the 1x1 twisted rib cuff.

Next socks will be for my brother. In the meantime have started Louet Snow Cap and hope to make 2 for my young 3rd cousins who are moving back to the UK from France. Given the weather we've seen in the news should come in handy. Have to get cracking though to get them there by Xmas.

Then I was going to do stirrup socks for my niece, but like the look of Namaste Socks a bit more fancy. Another Christmas present

Here But Not

Been on leave all of last week and been meaning to blog but didn't get there. Above more bird life passing through this spring. Think they are nesting in the vacant lot next door. Mum says they nest in trees unlike other ducks. That would be one big nest.

Finally finished my Noir Woodland socks , think getting to the heel on the first took a month or more. They were my work project and I think I was lucky to manage a row a day sometimes. Finally a few weeks ago got a chance to get stuck into them when I was off sick with an ear infection which gave me vertigo, concentrating on knitting seemed to ease the dizziness.




Have started Embossed Leaves Socks in Online Supersocke Cotton. This yarn is awesome for socks just throw in the wash, no felting, extremely hard wearing and comfy. Learnt 1x1 rib cast on from this pattern, took about 2 hours to get the knack of it. Very stretchy though and then twisted rib cuff, very neat finish.

My brother had major surgery early last week. After years of back pain and experiencing numbness in limbs he was found to have a tumour on his spine just below the brain. Fortunately it was very low grade, but they couldn't get it all without making him a parapelgic. The end results are sort of unknown, he may not see an improvement in his current symptoms, but should not get worse. If left he would have ended up with facial deformities and not being able to swallow. Pays to be persistent with these matters and listen to you body.

Happy 1st Birthday Dugald

Red-browed Firetail Finch

About 20 or 30 of these grazing in the back yard this morning. The bird life has increased here quite a lot over the past few years. To the naked eye (and my short sight)these tiny birds looked just brown with odd flash of red. Thanks to 20x zoom I was able to capture how pretty they are.

Speaking of birds, went to see the Legend of the Guardians the animated owl movie. Beautifully animated and the 3D was fairly impressive, but something was lacking in the characters & story, was a bit disappointed. The little ones would probably like it.

Speaking of owls, really seriously thinking of frogging it, not completely, but just not happy and really want to be able to wear it. The buttons I bought off Ebay are perfect.

Working very slowly on some Noir socks and have picked up the baby blanket again, was thinking a cushion, now back to a blanket that I'll keep.

Borrowed Cookie A's Sock Innovation from the library and loved it, fortunately Angus & Robertson decided to have a 20% off sale and free postage, so the deal was done, just waiting for it to arrive.

Have since borrowed Knit So Fine can't decide if to buy it, like a few things in it. Also borrowed Knitted Jackets.I know they're jackets but they all seem so big, sure I would drown in most of them, so not so keen on this one.

Was very excited when I found my new phone reads pdf and html, can download all my knitting patterns onto it. It's a Garmin Asus, it also a full on SatNav.It's Android so have downloaded Mahjong, Pinball & bubbleburst and lost a fair bit of knitting time :-/ The 5 meg camera is also quite good

Owls

Finished accept for buttons, only just wearable as really tight.
I'm a size 8 and though small to medium would allow for yard substitution, could have definitely gone up to medium , oh well might inspire me to lose the 4-5 kgs I've put on

Tired, working too much etc etc

The Garter Stitch Baby Cardigan is completed, took ages longer than I thought it would. It's is actually a plummy pink. Happy with it though , think it's cute looking like a little suit jacket. It was my first time doing pockets like this (knit the pocket inner, cast off same amount of stitches where required and next row knit along pocket inner where stitches were cast off) so simple and very neat (another wow that's so simple and cool knitting moment, like when I first did cable)

Just about finished another Meret. For my friend at work who gave it a couple of goes but gave up, didn't use proper stitch markers and got lost I think.

When that's finished starting on Kate Davis' "owls". The friend above whipped up it for her daughter in about a week in Moda Vera Cardellino in lovely greys. I found some in a purple and green my two favourite colours so how could I resist. They do have some lovely colourways in this yarn

Pics

Baby Girl gets her Ls

Yes my baby girl met another milestone today, passing her knowledge test to get her Learner's permit with 100%. Proud are we

Speaking of babys. That what I've been knitting , 2 baby beanie's , 2 pairs of socks and 2 aviator hats in the last 2 weeks, two cardigans to go. Pics later

Bit of a Catch Up

Charity Knitting we did at work to be delivered.




My contributions previously mentioned but no pics. Drop Stitch Scarf, Oxfam Flap Hat beanie and ribbed frilled bedsocks.





Stuff completed since , for me Grace Lace Beret

Sweet 16

DD is sweet 16 today and I'm missing her, thinking of when she was a cheeky chubby baby.

She will be showing dogs at Windsor Castle today.

Phew!

A little time to breathe.

Mum And DD have arrived in England safely. Dad is in respite not far away. So here I am a minute to myself Before starting all the chores and going to visit Dad, then pick up DH etc etc. And they're saying I'm on holiday - umph

This minus 3 and 4 degrees is not that pleasant. Mum will come come to some frost bitten plants. The tomatoes that self seeded haven't survived even though they are on the veranda.

Have completed the Beret de Printemps from the Knitist in Elle Pure Gold DK , won't have a pick as took it to work and a lady promptly bought it from me, I was happy to give it away, but she insisted on giving me some money. Would be better in wool than acrylic as will block, but apparently slouch is out so that wasn't an issue.

Will have to start a baby beanie as our friends have a new baby boy.

Trying to find something to do with some Patons Mist for myself in the form of a wrap.

Going to get washing on the line and some rays, play Tug or War with Dugald in the hope that he will be too tired to take the washing off the line

Monkey Socks

Forgot Pic

More Charity Knitting

A dropped stitch scarf and 2 plush beanies.

Still doing heaps of OT.

Amazed by the girls at work and how they've taken to knitting within about 3 weeks from never knitted to cabled beanies and drop stitch , definitely "No Fear Knitters".

It's become an epidemic

2 Pairs of Socks and a Flap Hat

Monkey Socks are complete, as well as a pair of socks for Charity. Also have done the Oxfam Ireland Flap Hat pattern for charity as well. Working on a drop stitch scarf as well as it's very quick. No pics, camera on blink

Charity Knitting

Knitting Bug has hit work , and teaching quite a few people how to knit, the aim is to do some charity knitting, so have started several things , including squares & slippers. Need to focus to get something completed. Have turned the heel and heading down the foot of my first Monkey Sock

Rock Crevice Throw Done

Just in time for Mother's Day , lucky DH did not pinch it it's 50% wool, so quite heavy and very warm.

Feel Like I'm getting Somewhere

Shawl Back Shrug is now redone and I will be happy to wear it, although I wouldn't describe as shawl back anymore. Pic later.

The Rock Crevice Throw is progressing and Monkey socks on needles.

Working 7 days this week, but will have time to check out Spotlight's Knitting Party on Saturday arvo. Not expecting much though

ANZAC DAY & Revisiting

Firstly and foremostly to simply say

"LEST WE FORGET"

- anymore and I'll just start crying.


Have pulled Rock Crevice Throw out of the WIP basket, and if I knit a skein each night should have it completed in 8 days. Thats the plan anyway.Think it's only been on hold for 2 years.

Started on a pair of Monkey socks in Spotlight Noir.

Have ripped the Shawl Back Shawl back to a point where it no longer has a duck tail and will finish it in a rib edge instead of a crocheted one.

TA DA

FO - matching mitts & socks and still some yarn left, good value, but was hoping mitts would take up left over yarn. Always have trouble with grafting toes, but used a recent Knitting daily article that shows how to use the DPNS to graft toe, very very happy with result.

Nearly A FO

Should have a pair of socks completed in the next day of so. Picked some Noir up at Spotlight reduced to $4 from $14.95. Just plain stocking stitch but I need more socks and the colourway is very nice. Have done some socks in this yarn before and one sock
survived 3 days in the dog yarn (Dugald must have pinched it from the washing basket when I wasn't looking)it was very muddy but washed up fine and not a hole. Going back through my finished objects I estimate they are 2 years old and worn and machine washed nearly every week, so cannot fault the wear of this yarn.

Thinking I will concentrate on socks now, but then again with Electricity prices to sky rocket, Afghans could be the order for winter, might be time to tackle some WIP.

Have been very stressed at work, so much so my massage lady was scared to touch me due to the pain she would inflict trying to get the knots out of my shoulders. It did hurt but the headache I'd had for a week went. Need a follow up though all sorts of aches and pains have come out.

Scariest thing is my hands have tightened up and painful to bend. Thought this may have been as a result of a Wasabi Pea overdose. My addiction was to the point where
they weren't even hot anymore. On my last binge I woke up the next morning with really stiff hands and a sore swollen ankle. So not sure if there is anything in it, but I'm scared, I plan to knit for at least another 40 years, arthritis is just not an option. Will have to seriously start taking Apple Cider Vinegar & Honey every day.

No Closer to any FO

The draped vest was all but completed and I realised it's just too heavy and pulls terribly at the shoulders so have mostly unpicked it and it's destined again to be a Afghan. Not all is lost I wrote up the pattern , my first attempt at this and hopefully it will easily adjust to a less bulky yarn.

DD's Jacket for the Royal just does not want the sleeves too fit and time is running out fast to have it completed. Don't have a plan B , so have to completed it by Wednesday night.

Uhh !!!!!

Just Realised - no FO for 2010

Will this Year ever slow down

Haven't even started to feel like a routine is happening and it's nearly April.

Frogged the lacy socks, keep losing a stitch in the course of a round and have given up.

Started mapping out my idea for my drape vest. It's going to be chunky - raided the stash and found some cream bulky yarn to be worked on 10MM needles. It was originally destined to be an aran style afghan, but never quite made is past a few squares.

Spent most of the day in hospital yesterday with DD as she had her in grown toenails fixed on both feet. Spent this time figuring out the cable edging for the vest and have nearly completed it. Have cast on for the main body and will do a moss stitch border and plain stocking stitch body.

Sleepy Bears hasn't been touched.

Poor Dugald has been having terrible time teething, have had dogs forever but never had one suffer so badly with fevers and pain.

Mum is showing at the Royal Easter show this year and has friends coming from wide and far to stay with their dogs. As we're hoping the judge this year won't have been influenced as to who to award before they get here and have a fair chance of being honestly judged on the day. Given that - it's back to the sewing machine to finish a suit for my DD so she looks the part when in the ring.

No rest for the wicked as they say. Just wish I could remember when I had the time to be wicked

Nearly A Month since I was here last

Life just seems to be speeding past and leaving everyone tired and weary. Not sure if it's the terrible humid weather we've had in Sydney that's contributing. Dugald knows how to keep cool though.

Have made a fair bit of progress on Sleepy Bears, but haven't touched it for about a week. Actually had the energy to get a fair bit of housework done last weekend, after hitting a brick wall with a possible virus last week. I think I've found a miracle cure Wasabe Peas. Ate nearly half a kg last over a few days and feel like a new person. Figured I'd burn the crap out of whatever was niggling at me.

Knitting , did pick up a lacy sock and did a few more rows of rib, so not even past the cuff yet.

Have been thinking knitting though, want to make a drape cardigan/vest type garment that are popular right now, so been looking for pattern without success. But have figured it's a basic rectangle construction, so will give it a go myself. Noni B
have one in store that has a plain body and cable pattern round the front and neck, it will require closer inspection. Knits seem to be really in this upcoming winter.

Also like the pattern on lady at works cardigan, it's like basketweave, but stocking stitch part is cabled, think I've worked out how to copy that as well.

And just cause he's handsome another pic of Dugald the Bugle



and another just cause it's funny

Calmed Down

Called the Community College yesterday as had no response to my email. They were very apologetic and I went down to get my refund for the Spinning Class. I have put my name down for next term. By all reports the college are usually very good with informing people about cancellations etc, so I will let it go. Have put the word out on Ravelry so maybe we will get some more numbers next term for the class to go ahead.

Sleepy Bears Progress



Lace Sock Progress (if you can call it That)- gone down a couple of sizes in needles and uped the stitches, third time lucky. Just using 100% wool purchased for $1.00 a ball in a discount shop.



Dugald is finally sleeping outside with the other dogs , so back to getting a full nights sleep.

Spinning Class

Well I went to enrol last Wednesday at Spinning Class at the local Community college, no probs. Been getting very excited about the propsect, it was s fairly big decision as it's a 70km round trip and I can't really afford it. But have been meaning to get Mum to try and teach for 12 mths and it hasn't happened. I feel like I owe it to Mandie at Ewe Give Me the Knits as she sent me the part to fix the wheel for free. Only a few dollars, but not the point. So I rocked up tonight "sorry we don't have one of those classes". Not the gentleman at school's fault at all. So feeling very P@#@#D and have sent a letter to the Principal of the college requesting a full refund & asking for compensation for my wasted trip.

Did start some lacy socks, but as per usual had about 3 false starts. I will do them. But now working on a baby sampler cross stitch for my friend's new baby. Little Lauren arrived on the 3rd Feb. The blanket is on hold because she got so many wraps at the baby shower, I figure I'll have to make it bed size to be of use.

Gosh

It's mid January, don't have much news , back at work.

Have done some more on the baby blanket but nowhere near finished and the shower is next week. Bit tired and having to adjust to getting up twice a night to the puppy.
Hopefully he will be big enough to stay outside with the other's soon.