Tomorrow is the big day! The Dr has agreed I can go back if I promise to take proper rest periods and look after myself. I only hope the bosses appreciate that. I hear that my office was burgled in my abscence; my desk is buried beneath files and that someone remembered to water my plants so it's not all bad!
I worked out today that the cost of getting well, prescriptions, osteo and acupunture = what I spent on yarn last year so there is now a distict tightening of the belt and stash knitting for a while until I can recoup. Of course I'll regret not being able to buy all that wonderful yarn but the fact that the money went on enabling my hands to knit again means that it was money well spent.
My last post prompted a few people to contact me privately, some giving me permission to show any future gifts, others thanking me for respecting their privacy. A third element contacted me to ask if I was the "Puritan" referred to in another blog - all I can say is that my comments were about how I feel about my blog and the gifts I receive - no criticism was directed at anyone else. I enjoy seeing new yarns, patterns etc as much as anyone else.
No knitting at all today, instead I've been refinding my work clothes, ID cards, keys - all the daily paraphanalia I've not had to worry about for 8 weeks. The bag is now packed with a mindless commuter project for tomorrow and I'm off to the bedroom to find the alarm clock!
Another glorious gift received yesterday - my first from Pally - you've got me sussed - I love beaded stitchmarkers; love organza bags and adore nice writing sets!
I received my final gift from my SP6 yesterday - a big thank you to Nikki of http://innocentbaby.livejournal.com
I have loved each and everyone of your gifts and now that I know you are based in London would love to meet up at some stage and say thank you in person
Until now I have been able to resist the temptation of white chocolate covered strawberries - having opened the packet for a quick taste I know that I will have to develop some strong willpower to resist further temptation everytime I go into M&S
I got up early this morning to make the journey to the Midlands for a Knitting and Crochet Guild committee meeting. A slightly hurried departure admittedly as I slept through the alarm clock, so I grabbed pretty much the first comfortable clothes that came to hand. The day went well, a smooth journey there (and home again), a productive meeting and at the end a brief opportunity to look at each others knitting.
Jane was working on a shawl; Imogen crocheting; Rita was wearing a wonderful coat in an amazing blend of yarns and Lesley was proudly showing off her Cat Bordhi bag made with a moebious strip (definitely on my to do list for 2006). It was only when they made flattering comments about the knitwear I was sporting that I realised how much my lifestyle, knitting and my friends are intertwined.
Firstly the shawl I was wearing is a wonderful confection made by Jacinta ; my wristlets were the delightfully beaded "Mrs Beeton" knitted by Jill; my socks were what my DH refers to as my "Polly socks" ( whilst my joints have been bad I've not been allowed to leave home without wearing a pair - yes the wonderful woman has knitted me more than one pair). The sweater I was wearing was bought whilst I was at the Harrogate show; the jeans I bought in Birmingham (also whilst working at a show). I'm not telling you about the rest except that now I look I can see I bought some of it in York in 2004 (but rarely worn) when I went to the KCG AGM. (As you might have guessed by now, I'm not the world's best packer when it comes to clothes - I prefer to have room for the important knitting projects).
My knitting was a lace smoke ring using yarn from Lesley P. in Australia, the needles were ebony from Dawn; the stitch markers were from SP6; my tool bag contained knitting gifts from exchanges as far back as 1995 - even the book I was reading was written by a knitter.
There are few photos posted of these wonders on this blog, in some respects I am a private person and prefer to keep private gifts private though I'm happy to post those from official exchanges like SP6 and & SP7 (more on this tomorrow).
Some of the blogs I read and internet groups I belong to are currently commenting on the negative actions of certain knitting businesses ( both in the USA and the UK). I've decided to take a hiatus from reading them and not cloud my mind with any more of those negative thoughts, I've read enough to form my own opinions and will act as my conscience dictates.
Instead I will rejoice in the emotional riches that I've gained through belonging to such a wonderful world of diverse individuals and start plotting how to pay back some of that generosity through introducing others to this wonderful world at the Knit and Natter classes at Brighton in a few weeks time, where once again I will be surrounded (quite literally at times) by people giving up their time (and at their own expense) to teach the hoards of potential new knitters and crocheters that the show attracts.
Back in 2002 I bought a kit from Viv Hoxbro for a Kimono jacket. The project baffled me, I started knitting it, made mistakes and eventually frogged it throwing it into a bag into the darkest corners of the garage stash. It has gradually worked it's way to the top and will be the biggest challenge of the stash UFO's for this year.
I started it again this week, by Wednesday a.m. I was on the start of panel 4 and managed to knit the strip out of sequence, I ripped it out and have started yet again!
I think the problem is a) I've been trying to knit it at groups (Putney and Liberty) and that b) the lighting in both places is not good enough for me to differentiate between 2 of the colours but I am determined that this time it will either be finished or binned!
I think this will have to become my Saturday morning project - the time when I can sit by the window, in peace and quiet and focus.
I've committed myself to trying to knit the Yoga Wrap (VK) for the Winter Olympics. fred is delivering my yarn on the morning of the 10th so I have no early opportunity for swatching with it. I decided to try out a test piece in All Seasons Cotton to find out if I liked the stitch pattern or if it would drive me nuts.
Decision - OK I can cope with this, it's easy to memorise, it will make me concentrate so I won't get bored so it looks as if that is a confimed project.
I have decided to join Team Wales for the Olympics ( after all I manage to meet 8 /10 of the criteria) and with a bit of help from Polly may soon have the button on site.
I'm very happy with the way this project turned out - eventually! I can't believe I procrastinated over it for so long. The main shawl was a joy to knit with an easily memorised pattern, it was the edging that put me off originally. Well that and the fact I was running out of yarn! The entire shawl cost less to knit than the pattern was to buy thanks to the local thrift shops and yarn show.
Sarah , at Liberty's, proudly showing off her KSH top - beautifully knitted and I loved the buttons. Everyone admired it and the first question most of us asked was what do you wear under it?
First up is building the stamina - last night I sat up until 2am trying to finish half of the ruffle on C'est la Vie shawl - The cast off row took an hour! Tonight I start the other half and hopefully there will be a finished object to show you soon.
The ruffle yarn is from the cone I bought at Sandown, it's a thinner yarn and a darker blue - I keep telling myself it looks OK, after all Dorothy used a different yarn for her edging.
The second part of the training will help me decide on which of my two options to make. They both have a lace element so I plan to knit swatches (also known as Dishcloths) of each pattern using a smooth cotton yarn. This will help me to decide which of the stitch patterns I can memorise the easiest and which contortions my hands will let me do.
Watch this space....
There was a hot topic up for discussion at Liberty's last night. Can you guess what the 12 knitters (including 6 bloggers) were talking about?
The Yarn Harlot has issued a challenge and for some insane reason I've responded! Yes, I've signed up for the Knitting Olympics. I'm holding off making a decision about what to knit until the opening ceremony.. a lot will depend on my hands.
If they are co-operating then I think it could be the Yoga Wrap in Vogue Knitting done on 6mm needles but I'm planning to use Elizabeth Lavold's Chunky AL from someone else's stash and to prevent any cheating it will not be delivered until 10 Feb.
The alternative plan if my hands are still bad is to make the Flared Lace Smoke Ring in whatever fingering weight yarn comes to hand - possibly some more of the Wagtails Mohair
The first 3 days of the Olympics coincide with the Brighton Show and that means personal knitting time will be severely limited. The show is featuring a Knit and Natter stand plus the How Does Your Knitting Grow? so I guess I'll be busy.
Anyone want to volunteer to come and play / help?
I'm now a great fan of cranial osteopathy!
After my session yesterday I felt very sleepy and had a burning sensation down my right arm - this morning I could raise that arm above shoulder height for the first time in 6 weeks! The swelling in that hand has also gone down - so much so that I've been knitting! I'm now on Row 72
The Dr has advised a further 2 weeks of rest so I plan to pace myself and the projects. Hopefully you'll see some progress soon.
Thanks to everyone for being so supportive, I normally spend my days surrounded by over 100 people and have been slowly climbing the walls at home without being able to knit so your comments and emails have meant a lot.
My will power left home and I have a few minor purchases on their way - mainly more patterns in the hope of some inspiration on how to use this stash.
To Pally (SP7) - I really am very easy to please, I just like getting surprises, I get sappy over home made gifts, love gadgets and am a total pattern junkie!
I've been a bit more active this week as the joints in my legs and feet have calmed down and managed to met up with quite a few members of blogland - pity I forgot my camera on every occasion!
Monday, after the osteopath, I met up with Dawn.
Tuesday, I managed to knit 15 rows on my Di Gilpin jacket
Wednesday, I managed to go to the Putney knitting group and met up with Jill and Nickerjac I was out of home for about 5 hours and felt totally shattered on my return. I had a "short nap" of 5 hours and woke up when Matt got home.
Thursday afternoon I met up with Daisychains in John Lewis, it was good to have a chat with her as it was far too hectic to talk when I met her at Harrogate. A few small purchases were made of more Rowan Scottish tweed and then I went on to Liberty's where I met up with the group including Pink Hebe, Polly and Amelia. An interesting night as for the first time in ages we had male knitters - 3 of them! Photo on Pink Hebe's blog. Total Knitting 4 rows of the Di Gilpin jacket.
On Friday morning I was beginning to feel more like my old self so decided to head off to Sandown Park to spend the afternoon at the show with my friends from Silkwood, Taj and to remember to give Nickerjac her xmas present. I enjoyed about an hour's quiet chat and then began to feel (and look) totally wiped out so headed home after making a few small purchases, none of which will get shown as they are to be gifts! By the time I got home I was out for the count and slept most of the evening. Total knitting = 15 rows
Saturday I slept! When I was awake I hurt - the only redeeming feature of the entire day was the delivery of my last xmas gift - the Icelandic Shawls book (with English translation) by Sigridur Halldorsdottir. Total knitting = 0
First, thanks to help from Helen, I've found a cranial osteopath within walking distance from home and at a reasonable price for an initial consultation and I have an appointment Monday.
Second, thanks to Pixeldiva, I've managed to get another skein of Alchemy Bamboo in Foxglove to finish my bag. I made my first bag out of 2 skeins and gave it away without taking a photo. When I decided to knit my own I ran out of yarn on the handles section! Shows the difference in gauge when my hands are bad - and of course I hadn't bothered to measure it - it's only a bag!
Third, I've just worked out how to back up my favourite net knitting patterns onto CD, now all I need to do is work out which of the many computers in this place they are all stored on....
I started off this morning feeling upbeat thanks to the start of SP7 and knowing a) that I have someone to spoil and B) my Pal has already been in touch with me.
I then took myself off to the British School of Osteopathy hoping that they can sort me out with the joint pain. After a very thorough examination they have turned me down as I'm too complex for the students. The tutor had advised me to find a Cranial Osteopath - anyone any suggestions as to a) how do I find one and b) pay for it - the only one I've found so far wants 3 months yarn money (new budget) for the initial discussion - ouch!!
The only other positive thing was that I managed to have lunch with Dawn which always cheers me up!
Pattern by Di Gilpin in Winter 2005 Interweave Knits.
This is a stash jacket using the yarn from the ill-fated Coco. The pattern in the magazine has impossible to see tiny squares. Now I've had the chart enlarged I'm enjoying this.
For some inexplicable reason I kept messing up the start of this by knitting the fluff not the yarn. Is it because I'm using bamboo as opposed to my normal addis or is it because I kept starting this at the Relax and Knit shows?
Yipee - it has finally arrived with it's intended owner - Helen - she, poor unsuspecting person, had left a comment about it on the blog! Can I say I had fun!
1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand?
I prefer to knit with natural fibres if I'm knitting for me but will also knit with acrylic etc where appropriate
2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I crochet occasionally
3. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
Drawers, bags, cd holders and vases
4. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I've been knitting for over 40 years and have tried some fairly advanced projects over the years.
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
yes on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk
6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
single floral scents ie Rose, Lavender
7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
yes but I also have diabetes!
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
I enjoy sewing and have a new sewing machine I'm trying to learn to use.
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I'll listen to most things and use my ibook to listen to music
10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
I love strong colours like red, blue and purple and hate blah neutrals
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Does a husband count?
12. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
yes to everything except ponchos
13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
when in doubt I knit with Jaeger extra fine merino. I aslo love knitting with silk.
14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I'm having problems knitting with cottons, linens etc due to my arthritic hands
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
lace
16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
hats and shawls
17. What are you knitting right now?
Di Gilpin jacket from IK, and several shawls
18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
yes please!
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
circular
20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
addis and ebony
21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Both
22. How did you learn to knit?
from my Mum and Grandmas
23. How old is your oldest UFO?
about 15 years - a Kaffe Fassett vest
24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
cats and labradors
25. What is your favorite holiday?
any where I get to sit in peaceful surroundings, preferably in the fresh air with uninterrupted knitting time
26. Is there anything that you collect?
yarn, needles, vintage patterns
27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
Knitters, IK, Inknitters, Vogue, Cast On, Knitting (UK)
28. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?
ebony circulars 5mm and the books on my amazon lists
29. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
tunisian crochet
30. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
No - I can't get gauge ! I take a UK 8.5 shoe
31. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
August 3
I've been very happy to be able to knit again and Thursday night saw me sitting at Liberty's working on C'est la vie as part of my "Thursday night is UFO night" plan.
I was making such good progress on the second piece that yesterday I decided to block the first part of this shawl. Everything was looking good until I went to unpin it today and noticed that some of the holes are bigger than they should be! Something has eaten the yarn in 3 seperate places and only on the K2tog, yo sections.
Now comes the dilema - do I ditch the lot - after all it only cost me a £1 or do I knit another piece if I have enough yarn left on the cone?
Needless to say tonight has been spent checking all my other UFO projects.
Think I'll go and play with the Di Gilpin...
Dawn has nagged me to list the UFO's to be finished this year.
It's a modest list as I think anything else will be frogged. Here we go , in no particular order:
- started in 2004 using the wrong yarn! Pattern says use aran-weight so I'm using a DK - just to add to the fun the yarn is on a cone and I have no idea how much there is! I'm hoping to get the 2 main pieces out of this yarn which is a denim colour wool / silk mix I bought for £1 in a charity shop. If I have to do the ruffle in another yarn then I think I have 2 balls of KSH that will blend in nicely. Current status 50% completed
- using a mixture of Jaeger dk yarns. On hold since June 05 as I've misplaced the pattern - I may give in soon and order a new one. Current status 25% completed
GUINEVERE WRAP from Wrap Style
- for some reason I keep knitting the fluff not the yarn with this one. Started and frogged at Ally Pally and at Harrogate! Back on the needles and about 20% done.
ALPACA SILK top (to a Stylecraft pattern)
- 75% complete, started in March 05, pattern lost April 05, found this morning - now all I need to find is where I put the yarn!
this was a gift from a very special friend who died last year. The colours are lovely but much as I like Domino Knits it is no longer my style. This has been frogged and I need suggestions as to how I can use this yarn
VIV HOXBRO KIMONO
The oldest UFO bought in 2002, totally frogged on 23 March 2002* after I discovered I'd got the colour change sequence totally wrong on one of the fronts. It was then stuffed into the deepest and darkest box I could find!
I do want to succeed with this one, so once I've reunited the pattern with all the yarns this one will be back on the needles.
The pattern was so confusing that it took Dawn and I, 2 pints in the local pub to understand the principle. So Dawn - be warned - you are on standby for consultancy again!!!
* I've just realised the significance of this date - it was February 2002 when I first started attending the Liberty's group - wonder who's been the disrupting influence?
I'm a sucker for Secret Pal exchanges so have signed up for SP7. No button on my blog as yet as SP 7 have exceeded their photobucket bandwidth.
I've just realised that I never formally acknowledged my SP6 pals. The easy one is that I sent to Blueadt and was there when she opened her final gift - great to see her face and know that I'd chosen well
I'd love to say THANK YOU to the person who spoiled me but they haven't disclosed themselves - talk about keeping me on tenterhooks! I do know that thanks to your gift of the Curious Yarns goodies a lot more money has been spent with Marna (and not just by me) . I bought some more skeins of "Onion" silk and am swatching to see how this will work up.
The end of the old year and the start of a new one always leads to a period of reflection. This time around I tried to think of all the knitting I'd completed in the year - I found myself listing the UFO's instead!
There were those that should never have been started (Coco in moss stitch); those that will take me an age to finish (Anne Modesitt corset - I hate rib, it makes my hands hurt) and those that I was enjoying but had "lost" the pattern / yarn or both!!
So a morning of 'housework" was required, some items frogged; some items finished including 2 hats and a bamboo bag; and finally 2 partial shawls were reunited with their patterns and remaining yarn. The first resolution is to finish the C'est la vie and De Vine shawls before the end of the year!
Other resolutions include not buying yarn just because it is on sale and to try to knit up at least one item from each of my new knitting books - I have bought so many this year and barely looked at them.
Progress has been made on the DI Gilpin jacket but I need to get that chart blown up, it is so small it takes me longer to count the squares than to knit a row. This project will be made entirely from stash so that will get the year off to a virtuous start. Photos will follow as soon as the camera is recharged.
My final reflections were on the wonderful friends that I have made throughout the knitting world. Thank you all for your support.
