Review of the Year 2008...

Well I've been listening to reviews of the year and predictions for 2009 on the Radio and been thinking about my 2008, and realised that although it was tricky and not what I would choose, I have actually achieved a great deal.

I joined Headway and met some great people, both people like me whose life has been altered and also volunteers who give their time to help adjust to new circumstances... how the UK would fall apart if all the volunteers simply stopped.

I go to a knitting group and sit and try to knit and chat and listen, not always successfully. Actually, one of the other people helpfully pointed out to me that I don't have to knit just come and be with them,but the garter stitch hooded baby blanket for the premie babies is my 'can't do anything else project', so I always have one on the needles.

Knitting wise... I have developed the sock knitting from DPN's to 2 circ and now magic loop and also toe up. I possess a wardrobe of handknitted socks and never wear bought ones..such luxury.

I made my first top down cardi and love the technique, no sewing and try on as you go. Fell in love with Malabrigo worsted and erm bought some sock yarn too!!

Crochet is still a major WIP but I made 6 tiny baby hats and I am half way through my easy lap quilt. I just think I need more practice and to realise that I cannot expect to be as proficient as 30 years plus of knitting after only 3 projects!!!

I have also managed loads of charity knitting and keep a list so I can remind myself if I'm feeling UGH what I have done.

So 2009, it's a day at a time and trying to knit (and crochet too!) from some of my stash as well , I'd perhaps like to keep the wip's below 5, as well. Currently have 4 so I feel pretty good about that as 3 projects are the lap quilt and a shawl and the ever present hooded baby blanket.

Wishing Health and Happiness to everybody for 2009

What I'm working on...

It's been a while and I've been busy helping sorting the affairs of my elderly next door neighbour who suddenly died. It was difficult to trace his few relatives. We have known him for nearly 20 years and it is a big loss and will be very strange next summer when we virtually live in the garden and he isn't there.

It has been the coldest start to winter for 30 years and I need my winter woolies and I'm enjoing making my new one, even tho' I had got to the yoke and then had to frog back to the collar! didn't like the 5 inch collar... 3 inch more me. I'm really loving this colourway in malabrigo so soft worsted, I expect it to pill but It will keep me warm!




I've also made the Hooded scarf from the Interweave knits Winter 2008. This is an ideal project keep me warm at the bus stop but, my yarn choice was just too hard and I am not happy with the finished article boo hoo!! I think I need a softer yarn and will knit it again with a few modifications.. The hood was just so good to keep my head warm!

Seasons Greetings to you all...

Mmm Meret

What have I been doing?

Thinking.. knitting..thinking.. making another unscheduled vist to the neurogist and visting the optician weekly trying to sort out the ongoing saga of the glasses!!
...and thankfully more knitting

Highlights my first ever mystery KAL, a small project and actually my first beret.



The Meret. Wooolly Wormhead's fabby KAL on Ravelry. I was oddly nervous and found some Debbie Bliss cashmerino Aran in my stash. It is deep red not pink as shown in the pic. I can't remember why I bought it ( pre stroke!) and it was great to knit with. I did the standard beret and then frogged and did the extra repeat, I prefer it. It's a fabby desisn and a yummy yarn ideal for this

I bought an extra ball as I thought I hadn't enough. DRATS One of the things I find hard is maths post stroke so hard for a trained accountant. Luckily one of my knitty finds suggested exchanging it at the shop. Hadn't thought of that either.

These are some of the events that have led the 'thinking' this autumn.. I've hit the 2 year wall and filling in the benefit forms as well hasn't helped. It's a process but it's hard and realising that things won't be the same and I'm unlike to recover and I just can't will myself better..........

I'm trying to knit through the bad times but my balance has been poor and my vision has been pants as well so it's been to and fro to the neurologist and our local optican to sort out my 3 pairs of glasses!.

I've used up some old 100% wool in my stash for blanket squares for newborn babes blankets in Pakistan The wool keeps them warm even if it gets wet in the snow. Apparently 2 years after the eathquakes they are still living in tents.

I'm also starting a new winter cardi, I realise that sock knitting is harder in winter when light levels are poor, so it's another aran weight in yummy colours.

I'm probably well behind everybody, but I'm really enjoying listening to Diva's don't knit at the moment. If you can recommend any audiobooks (I get them from our library) I'd be grateful)

'Tis November and I've finished a Christmas Pressie!

Actually all of these 3 are pressies but the black ones are for my daughter. a moment of madness... Why choose to knit black if you have visual problems except you know that your loved one is unlikely to wear anyother colour. It is my last ever black knit.The silk/merino yarn was tricky (a polite expression to see, in sunlight it seemed to shimmer back at me. But ho hum they are done and another lesson learnt.

The other two are a new pattern released on Ravelry called 'Nightingale gloves' but they are fingerless. I made these as a surprise for two new friends I have made this year who have become special to me in different ways. One from Headway and a knitty friend. The first pair were received with pleasure and said how 'why did I think of them, they will be so useful'.. I can't ask for more from a gift given. I came home to find on my doorstep a fabby Rak from Knittynutter..Thanks again




Much as I liked the Nightingale pattern, I need 'fingers' so I found a another pattern and managed to amalamagate the two and made these longer armwarmer type ones to match the koolhaas hat. Should be cosy out walking!

News, news, news..

I was intending to have another picture on me on here for a very long time, but it's not that often you are in the local paper in colour!

Thanks to Smoking Hot needles for an idea much earlier this year,I started making minisocks with my leftover sock yarn. I loved them so included them with gifts, then found the wee sock swap group on Ravelry and then decided to enter a Christmas tree in our local church festival and sell them for the local hospice. I been donated some yarn and even bought a bag of little leftovers too and thing I've made over 70 this year!! I took them to the knitting group and the local paper had a reporter and photographer there so here I am again..

Good news healthwise...I am going back to the Headway Daycentre tomorrow, just mornings to start, phew it's been 5 months but hopefully some of my friends will still be there. I saw the neurologist and he is happy with my progress but gave me another of those UGH head injections but they have worked so grit my teeth and take it! Friday is the eye clinic, not to sure what they have to offer, but you don't n know until they assess you. Oh and the gov't have realised that perhaps I am not quite well enough to work at the mo and have now given me back some of my benefit..a bit of a week really!.. and I've worked out too..easily pleased??

Here I am!!

Well after the requests on the blog, are you really ready for it! I'm a bit camera shy but...




These were taken my my lovely son, early today in the lovely sunshine.I'm still loving my Koolhaas 'tho and especially this colourway.



You can see the pattern really well on the hat and I managed these mini Fetchings with the leftovers too.

Today I went out with a friens and bought some complementary purple Austermann Alpaca silk to make a Cowl, my first. So I should be toasty this winter!

2 in one day

I have been wanting to knit this for a year since it was published in Interweave Knits in Holiday 2007 Edition.

It is the now famous Koolhaas. Now I have the right needles and I bought some fabby Malabrigo worsted in Cuarzo. A fantastic few hours knitting great soft yarn and a stunning pattern.

I am so happy with it, and best of all I even think it looks okay on me! Finally a hat I will wear.