Hey Stewie!

I’ve had a Family Guy kind of a week, this week.  Firstly, on Monday I popped in to a supermarket on my way home for lunch and found the series 8 box set had just been released.  Randomly, this particular shop had just 2 copies left, from a huge display of them.  So I had to buy it.  Yes, we’re skint (again), and not making any unnecessary purchases, but Family Guy…come on, I had to! 

We’ve already watched the entire series. 

Secondly, A’s birthday present from my baby brother arrived, despite the postal strikes.  It’s a cushion:

Ha ha ha – hey Stewie!  A didn’t quite see the funny side at first, but now it is the cause of many jokes.  Mostly involving walking into the room to find someone else with the cushion in front of their face, quoting Stewie’s finest moments. 

To anyone who has never watched Family Guy, this probably doesn’t mean a great deal, but believe me, we’re laughing a lot.  Also, a lot of people who have watched Family Guy find it too offensive to be funny, but I like it anyway. 

Anyway, on to knitting news.  The shawl of doom is on hold.  I am too upset to pay it much attention just at the moment.  Suffice it to say, there wasn’t enough yarn to finish the border. 

I have instead started a new shawl, for A’s cousin.  It’s kind of a Thank You and a Happy Christmas in one, and she deserves it. 

The pattern is Heartland shawl, and the yarn is Artesano 4 ply alpaca.  It’s so soft and lovely.  The pattern is good, well written, but for some reason I keep getting rows confused and making mistakes.  Really stupid mistakes.  Maybe this isn’t a good television project.  I don’t get much knitting time that isn’t in front of the box though, so I’ll just keep going.  Between this and the shawl of doom, I have started to get really good at fixing mistakes in lace without tinking. 

I’ve also been plodding away at the cross-stitch Daisy picture, but no new photos as it doesn’t yet look all that different. 

I should probably give some thought to knitting something up to send to big bro and his family in America…I was planning on doing Mrs Christmas to match the Father Christmas I sent them last year.  I dunno though, might cross-stitch some decorations instead.  We’ll see.

And finally, some good news.  I’ve got the week off work!  For no reason!  I have hardly used any of my leave up this year, as I was focussed so hard on not taking time off sick and I forgot I could take leave.  So I have this week to do whatever I want.  Well, nearly.  I have no money for a start.  And between us we have 4 doctor and 2 dentist appointments.  And A has overtime for the first time in ages.  So I’ll probably just watch bad television, knit some, stitch some, take it easy. 

Of course I should do housework.  Yeah, right!

Photos, photos, photos

It has been another busy work week, so there isn’t really much news.  There has been knitting, and cross-stitch, although not much that is photo-worthy. 

The never-ending shawl is still in progress.  I’m half-way round the border though, so nearly there.  Unfortunately there really isn’t much yarn left and I’m hoping against hope that it will be just enough.  It’s still not good for photos…maybe when it’s blocking.  Although it did occur to me the other day, where on earth am I going to block something that big?! 

So, I took a photo of the cross-stitch picture that’s part-way done for Daisy (A’s cousin’s little girl):

While I was taking this picture, I decided I’d take some pictures of my ‘broidery book and share that too.  It’s simply a notebook of lined paper which I have used to record details of my cross-stitch creations over the last few years.  Actually, there are two of them now, and they look like this:

They are so pretty, and have lovely, good quality paper pages.  I even took a few pictures of the contents…starting with the first ever entry in the first book:

If you can make out the faint pencil writing, you’ll see it describes what the piece is, who for, the pattern source and details about materials and framing/finishing.  I also had to add the ‘By’ bit at the bottom, because A got interested so I taught him how to cross-stitch.  He was quite prolific for a while, so I started putting his stuff in the books too.  One year we made a whole stack of xmas cards between us (see below for photo).  The books don’t contain all of my cross-stitch work, not by any means.  I only started taking photos in 2005, but I’ve been stitching since I was 15!

Anyway, I took photos of a random selection of pages from the first book:

A cushion made for a nephew – now fought over by 3 nephews!

A Father’s Day card for my dad, the cross-stitch piece on the front forms a pouch, into which I tucked a couple of peppermint tea-bags.

A fairy for A’s Mum.  This one was huge, it used a dozen shades of blue cotton and several blending filaments in very similar shades.  It was really difficult and time-consuming, but worth it in the end. 

The aforementioned xmas cards.

Yes, I realise that taking photos of photos is a bit odd, but it gets across nicely the value of the ‘broidery books.  I love that I can look back through the pretty things I’ve made.  And it can be really useful, for example to check what birthday cards I’ve made someone previously. 

I have one final picture, but it isn’t a happy one. 

That is one of my amazingly warm alpaca bedsocks.  See the big hole where the heel has worn through?  I could have cried when I spotted it last night .  Still, they were made out of a soft yarn, not a sock yarn, and they have had a lot of wear.  The other one is also very thin, but not quite worn through.  I might attempt some kind of darning or something, or try to replace the heel if such a thing is possible.  Might as well, I can’t just throw them away. 

Still, it’s not all bad – as A pointed out, now I’ll have to buy more yarn for a new pair

Edit ot add – somehow I don’t seem to have published this last week, no idea how that happened, but here it is!

Not much news

I really don’t have much of an update this week, but I feel compelled to write anyway, it being Saturday.  I’ve just been work-work-workin’ all week, getting stuff done.  This coming week doesn’t look like it’ll be much different. 

On Wednesday I did wander off to the library at lunchtime, to meet up with knitting and crochet people.  A record 5 of us turned up, which made it more lively than usual.  Sometimes it is nice when there are just 2 or 3 there, as it’s cosy, but this week there were enough of us that at times there were even 2 conversations going on. 

I took my never-ending shawl with me, which finally seems to be nearing the end.  I’ve got just 2 more rounds of pattern left to do, then the border.  Sadly each round now takes at least 45 minutes and goodness knows how long the lace border will take.  I’ve got my fingers (and toes) crossed that I have enough yarn left, as the ball is getting pretty thin. 

Also still in progress is the cross-stitch picture for Daisy.  I’ve finished one daisy, apart from the back-stitch, just one more big daisy, 4 small daisies, a fairy and a name to do.  It’s going very slowly because I’ve been so caught up in the shawl. 

No photos this week…maybe next Saturday.

Photo Saturday, as promised

So, here we are, Saturday again.  I’m sat in my library (how grand), uploading photos to flickr, listening to the endless, repetitive chatter of Billy the cockatiel, and thinking about what I wanted to say today.  I had it virtually drafted in my head as I was falling asleep last night, but was too lazy to get up and write stuff down.  As a consequence, I’m just gonna let the pictures lead.

First off, A’s cardi/jacket:

That’s it, just blocked (nearly successfully).  And on the recipient:

He was insistent that I explain the jacket is deliberately skinny-fit, that’s how he wanted it.  In fact, when I started on the smallest size in the printed pattern and he tried it on, he didn’t like it as it was too big.  That meant I had to invent a whole new size, which wasn’t actually as hard as I thought.  I cast on 130 stitches, instead of the 146 of the smallest pattern size, then pretty much guessed from there.  The bits I was worried about were the saddle shoulder bit and the decreases after joining body and arms, but both worked out fine.  As stated earlier in the week, the place where I had most difficulty was getting the pockets even.  They still aren’t a perfect match, but if A is happy with them, they’ll do. 

The other comment I would like to make is that I deliberately cut off his head in the photos, as he didn’t want the fame.  It isn’t just my poor photography skills. 

On to the next, this is the baby picture I’ve cross-stitched for A’s cousin’s baby, which is due soon:

It’s a lovely pattern, and I’m pleased how it turned out (so far)…just don’t look too closely at the details.  If you do, you might notice two flying cats.  And a rabbit wearing a nappy.  And a load of other weirdnesses.  As soon as baby is born and we know name and date of birth, I’ll stitch them into the gap in the centre and frame it for Auntie Vera to give to the new parents. 

Following on from this, I’ve also started a cross-stitch picture for another cousin’s little girl.  I didn’t make one when she was born, as no-one asked and I was totally absorbed by the knitting, but I did make one for her older sister and realised that now I’ve made 2 for one Auntie and only one for the other.  The theme for this one is daisies, as the little one’s name is daisy.  Pictures when it’s more than a splodge. 

Finally, while on holiday we wandered vaguely around Paignton one afternoon, and stumbled across a small craft shop.  It had some of everything, including the buttons on A’s jacket and a stash of yarn.  There I found a few balls of sock yarn, which I still can’t help buying even though I’m not currently sock-obsessed:

That’s Wendy Happy in a pretty pink/purple colourway.

Back from holiday, feeling unwell

Just a quick update – I’ll take photos and fill in details on Saturday as usual. 

Last week we were on holiday in Brixham, South Devon.  It was nice enough, just not quite it, you know.  I didn’t feel very rested or relaxed while we were away, and didn’t come home feeling that way either.  In fact it was really good to get home this time.  A’s Mum came away with us, which changed the holiday completely.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad she did come – she really needed it.  But we didn’t do our usual stuff, and felt the need to come up with ‘things to do’, which normally doesn’t bother us.  I think she enjoyed it though, and hopefully feels rested. 

Actually, I think the only thing we really did differently was the walking – not as much of it as usual.  We did still eat out a lot.  And I mean A LOT. 

Anyway, there was loads of time for knitting (didn’t actually get around to it much) and cross-stitch.  I have started and finished, apart from name and date, a picture for A’s cousin’s baby…due any time now.  I’ve also planned another for another cousin’s baby.  Then I’ll think about one for our niece.  Looks like I’ve been bitten by that bug again! 

I have been knitting since we got back, and A’s jacket is just one pocket away from finished.  There was a magic moment late yesterday when I thought it really was finished, but then A tried it on, did up the buttons (yes, complete with buttons) and we both realised at the same time that the pockets don’t match.  I don’t know how.  I made them identically, down to counting rows and everything.  But somehow, one of those damn pockets is a good inch taller than the other…guess I know what I’ll be doing today.  Also, I want to soak and block the whole thing, as it’s quite snug and some of the stitching looks a little uneven. 

So, why is it that I have knitting (and writing) time in the middle of a working Thursday?  I have a stomach bug.  It started yesterday, and today I feel a little better but still not good.  Fingers crossed for a quick recovery…I actually have work to do, and now I’m starting to fret about it.  I know, weird huh?!

A late update – with photos

Somehow during the course of today, I have managed to do a load of housework, cook dinner, walk to the supermarket and back (at least 45 mins each way) and still complete the tiny baby hat I was knitting to go with the tiny cardigan. 

If I have time, after making a bear, I’ll make a magic bunny to go with them as a gift from me.  The yarn for the cardi and hat is Snuggly 4ply from Sirdar, and it’s amazingly soft.  It was a close run thing though as I had just one 50g ball to work with and I ended up with less than 6 inches of it left! 

The walk to Sainsbury’s was nice, as we took the scenic route through the River Ray Parkway and even detoured down the bridle path for a short way.  We were glad we did, as we heard and then saw a buzzard ‘pew’-ing and soaring over the treetops before diving down out of sight.  They make such a delicate noise for such a big bird of prey.  Then we spotted a cormorant flying over head, circling round and eventually meeting up with a second cormorant.  The two of them continued circling, really close together and occasionally even touching.  I don’t have a clue what they were doing, but it was still interesting to watch.

It turned out though, that I’m not as well healed as I thought…I’ve had pain running from the surgery scars right through to the old pain sites ever since the walk home.  Oh well, I guess it just takes time.

Saturday already?

It has been another busy week.  This working in the office business is high pressure, you know!  Actually, it’s not exactly pressured, just really, really long days which get boring pretty fast.  Still, at least I can work full time again without struggling.  And I’ve got more energy than a week ago – I’ve cooked dinner most days this week, without feeling exhausted immediately afterwards. 

So, apart from work, this week has been a mixed one.  I had a hospital appointment on Weds morning, in which I was told I have irritable bowel syndrome as well as the endometriosis I already knew about.  Hoorah!  They aren’t prepared to do anything about it until after xmas, because apparently I can’t be considered to be healed from the surgery for another 2 months at least.  It turns out, now I’ve done a little research, that I’m eligible for disability status, due to the severe and on-going pain.  Seems weird really. 

Also on Weds, I made it to knitting in the library, after missing it last week.  It was a busy meet-up this week - most of our regulars got there, and a new lady, Sue, who wants to come regularly and may bring along some colleagues as well.  Sue works in the offices above the library, so it’s really convenient for her. 

In other knitting news, well, not much really.  Due to limited time and stupid mistakes (the sleeves took no less than 3 attempts!), I’ve only just about finished the tiny little cardigan I had started last week:

It’s so small, it seems impossible that it could fit – every time he looks at it A is astonished all over again at how tiny this baby really is.  I know what he means.  I’ve decided to make a hat to go with it, which should hopefully only take a day or two.  Then I’ll move on to my step-dad’s birthday bear. 

It looks like A’s jacket will have to wait until we get back from holiday. 

Speaking of holiday, I can’t quite decide what to take away with me, knitting-wise.  I have the everlasting shawl and A’s jacket in progress.  But the jacket is already bulky and will take up valuable space in the car.  The shawl is a possible, but I can only work on it when I can concentrate and there’s a good chance I’ll be too tired after days out and exciting adventures.  Looks like I’ll have to cast on something new.  More socks maybe?

This coming week, I have a meeting with the boss-man and not a lot else planned really.  Work is hectic, as it’s my main report development time of year, but I’m on top of it for now, I just have to keep up the pace for a while.

Anyway, I’m off to get some housework done – a definite down-side to feeling so much better!

A quick Saturday catch-up

I don’t have much time today, so this will be even briefer than usual.  I have a thousand and one household chores to do, plus 2 very short deadline knitting projects to get on with. 

I’m back at work full-time now, kind of enjoying it, but frustrated at how little time there seems to be by the time I’ve been at work all day, endured rush-hour traffic on the drive home, cooked and eaten dinner and then washed up afterwards.  It didn’t help that this week we’ve been round to see A’s Mum twice (helping her to install a new phone) and my Mum once (it was her birthday yesterday).  Being able to drive in the evening can be a burden as well as a bonus!  At least once this week we didn’t even get out for a walk. 

Anyway, on to the good stuff…although it’s not that good…there hasn’t really been much knitting time either, and I’ve been too tired to do anything complicated.  I’ve only done a round or two on the shawl in the last couple of weeks.  Maybe I’ll take it on holiday with me and make some progress then.  A’s cardi is coming along.  It now has nearly-sleeves, just coming up to the point where the sleeves join the body.  Sadly, it’s back on hold again. 

I finished these little pretties:

They will be in the post to New Zealand as soon as we get our act together. 

I had just returned to the cardi, when I was approached by a friend at work for help with premature baby cardigans.  Her granddaughter was born 11 weeks early, and has already survived 7 weeks in an incubator.  Marriella is now doing so well that she is allowed short cuddles out of the incubator, provided she is wrapped up warmly enough.  Enter Grandma’s plan for tiny little cardigans.  Marriella is only 4lbs at this point and measures just 10 inches around her chest.  I can’t even imagine a baby that tiny, it’s amazing she can survive, let alone thrive as she is so far.  So I’m starting this:

Avril supplied both yarn and pattern, and I started last night.  It’s so small, it should knit up really fast. 

I was satisfied that I’d be back to A’s jacket really quickly, until we were at my Mum’s last night and I spotted a row of tiny teddies on the mantelpiece.  I remembered with a sinking feeling that I’d made them for my step-dad’s last two birthdays, and promised another bear and the rest of the picnic set (blanket, crockery, food etc) for this year.  His birthday is 2 weeks today.  Aaaarrrgghh! 

Oh well, as usual I’ll just get on with it and hope I have time for everything.  A really wants his jacket to take on holiday, but it looks like he’ll just have to wait!

Photo Saturday

So, back to work it is.  Or rather, I am.  After clearing e-mails on Weds, I went in to the office Thursday and Friday mornings.  And it was seriously hard, really tiring.  Maybe I’m not as completely recovered as I thought!  The good news is, my laptop is back and seems to be working this time.  This means I can start my new working pattern this coming week, working in the office three full days a week, and at home for two days.  The boss-man is coming to catch up on Monday, but apart from that it should be a quiet week (touch wood, cross fingers, insert other superstition here).

Boring work out of the way, on to knitting.  I haven’t done much since Wednesday’s update except start on these tiny pretties:

They are ‘Baby Monkeys’, for our friends Tim and Jenny’s new baby boy.  Montague (Monty) was born on Weds, so I started these Thursday…they’ll have a matching garter-square bunny, and will be sent off to New Zealand asap. 

For now, that means all other knitting is on hold.  I can give a quick update on A’s jacket though:

That’s the main body, folded in half, ready for sleeves.  The sleeves are on their way. 

Also, the photo I promised of my recovery socks:

I wore them for work on Thursday, and they were really comfortable.  Since washing, they have become even softer still – I’m really impressed with this yarn, especially as there is loads left! 

As of this week, I am pleased to announce that I have lost half a stone, since joining the ‘Knit not eat’ group on Ravelry and making an effort to eat better.  It helped that I lost 4 lbs over the 2 weeks of surgery and recovery, but I expected to put most of that back on so didn’t really count it.  I have only regained 1 lb though, so I’m doin’ a little happy dance.  It’s a good start and I’m determined to do even better.

I think that’s all the news for now.  I have washing and jam-making to get on with!

Back to work

I started back at work today.  It’s now not quite 4 o’clock, and technically I should still be at it, but I negotiated a ’soft return’ with the boss-man so for a few days at least I do as much as I feel up to.  Today I have spent most of the day clearing my big backlog of e-mails, working on my personal laptop at home.  Unfortunately, my work laptop is with the technicians for a rebuild…again.  I left it with them before going off sick, but it has died again since they returned it to the office.  That means that tomorrow I’ll have to go into the office, either to collect the laptop if it’s back or to work for at least the morning on a desktop PC.  I only have to stay for as long as I feel up to it, but as I’ll be visible I won’t be able to disappear too quickly.  Still, I need to get back into it, there’s a lot to do and I’m off on holiday soon. 

In knitting news, I finished my recovery socks on Sunday night (photos on Saturday) which means I’m officially better I guess.  I’m still picking away at the shawl, just a round or two a day.  I have made loads of progress on A’s jacket though, finishing the body up to where the sleeves join and starting the sleeves.  Unfortunately, it gets complicated after the sleeves due to my casual disregard for the pattern and the stitch counts.  Ooops! 

Sometime over the next few days, I’m planning to make jam.  Apple and plum jam.  Bizarrely, I haven’t been able to blag any free jam jars from anyone – everyone I know seems to have just given theirs away.  So I’ve ordered some shiny new ones, which arrived this morning.  Mmmmm, jam.  I’ve got a glut of plums and apples from the Riverford fruit boxes over the last few weeks, I found a recipe in Mrs Beeton’s wonderful book and now all I need is a tonne or two of sugar.  Oh, and enough time

Finally, browsing on Ravelry earlier, I stumbled across this amazing giveaway…goats!  I’d love to keep goats, especially ones I could get yarn from, but there’s no practical way I can, without some kind of massive lifestyle change (lottery win maybe?).  This farm have a fantastic way of selling their fibre and yarn – you buy shares!  It looks really good, and I’d be seriously tempted if I hadn’t already spent more than I can believe on yarn this year so far.  The blogs on the site are interesting reading too, sharing the ups and downs of the farm, and the livestock and people on it.  I haven’t dug very far into the older entries yet, but I think I’ve found a new favourite read.