Ignoring the blog again!

Well, not really - just very busy with Christmas knits, work and life in gerneral.

Oh, and there's Ravelry as well. If you're not on there, you are saving yourself soooo much time!!
An amazing resource, but very time consuming.

Loads of knitting finished, and loads in progress. I am limiting how many projects I have on the needles during November - I need to make sure certain things are done, so I would rather complete 3 of htem, instead of having 6 half finished.

So I guess I had better get on with it!!

Baby update

Baby number 2 has arrived!!!

A little girl this time - I'm so happy for them - it's their first, and they are both well, and home the same day!!

An update on the name when I have the spelling, but it's lovely.

Must get some knitting finished so I can make something pink!!

Drat and blast those camera batteries!!

I have received a beautiful gift from the Angel Yarns Winter Warmer swap, but could only take a very poor photo on my mobile. Digital camera batteries just will not take a charge!!

The lovely Shoe-Shopper (Claire) has chosen really well, and sent yarns I haven't used before, but was dying to try. (And I can't justify buying when I already have so much!!)

Tess Dawson's Superkid Mohair Lace is screaming at me to be cast on, I think this will be my first project from VLT but not until I have finished the Xmas knits.

They're going really well - have finished one today, and a third of the way through the next. OK, they're not huge ones, but I can tick them off when they're done and smile to myself.

DH doesn't read my blog, so I can say that I'm going to make him his first pair of socks - I can even measure them against his feet and tell him they're for someone else - he'll believe me!!

I may also try to do the jumper he has been asking for - very boring stocking stitch, in quite a dark colour, - I don't think he'd notice if I change from red laceweight to black DK!! He just sees that I'm knitting!!

Baby No 1 has arrived - bawling and healthy - he's called Tom, so has received the shawl, but obviously not the matinee jacket, bonnet and bootees. I did lots of other bootees and hats too, so he should be nice and snug. Maybe the next one will be a girl!!

Baby No 2 is due 19th October - possibly sooner - just waiting to hear - I know there have been twinges today, but it may be a week or 2 yet.

I've got a really sore back - I have jerked it, and I think the muscles are going into spasm - anti-inflamatories aren't doing much, but I am trying to rest (and knit of course)

That's enough rabbiting for now!!

Well, daughter and grandson have returned home again, and my flat is back to normal!!

I'm still picking up bits of toys from odd places, but they live in a sweetie tin here, he won't actually miss them at home.

We had a great time shopping, eating out and going to the park - and yes, I took my knitting!!

I also managed to finish the baby items in time, but baby is hanging on in there, and is now 6 days late.

Shawl

Matinee Jacket & Bonnet

Bootees

I used Sirdar Baby Bonus 4ply, approx 550g for all the items

The pattern for the shawl, jacket and hat is Patons PBN D 5337

Bootees are from an online pattern from Saartje at http://www.saartjeknits.nl/

They were all lovely to knit, but I have to admit I was VERY glad to finish the shawl. The border was repetitive, but with a deadline I had to keep plodding along, but kept thinking about other items I want to make next!!

I haven't decided which large project to do next - I am waiting for yarn to be delivered, but the one my daughter has chosen is out of stock, and honestly, that's the one I was going to do next.

I have some very pretty DK yarn that is screaming "Bertie and Odessa" at me, so that may be the next project, and at least it's portable too.

NOW - a big confession!!! I am no longer knitting the mystery shawl!! I have seen pictures of finished ones, and I just don't think the pattern is what I want. So, it's in a ball again! I will make something else soon with this yarn, it's lovely, and it's for me. Again, I just have to decide.

A longer term project is the Great American Aran Afghan, which is made up of squares designed by lots of different people. I am waiting for the book to arrive, then have to choose a yarn and colour. I think cream will be a little too light, so perhaps an oatmeal / beige would suit my house better, and will still show the stitch definition well. Anyway - more about this - I may do progress pics, or maybe wee updates, and I'll keep the pictures until the end!!

Yet another big pause between posts, but hey, life and work just get in the way, and I can't knit if I'm blogging all day!!!

I have spent this evening tidying my WIPs and yarn, I'm still shell-shocked when I see loads of it bundled together, and realise that yes, that is quite a lot of yarn. (And then try to kid myself that it's not a lot of money)

I have put lots of yarn into big holdalls from the pound shop, and tied labels on to say (roughly) what is in them

I have put loads of "odds and sods" into storage crates, mostly DK that will be made into baby blankets, and some part cones that haven't found their projects yet!

I have put loads of cones of various yarn into a laundry hamper thingy, it looks a bit odd, bit is keeping it all together! Most of it is unidentifiable laceweight, in some scrummy colours!!

And finally, I have taken over the top of the wardrobes with WIPs and yarn I am planning to use next. More yumminess.








There's also a huge plastic box full of laceweight, but I'll save that for another day, as hubby is aware that it's expensive, but hasn't seen it spread out in all it's glory to be photographed.

I must also sort out and pack some charity items to get them posted away, and make up and sew in ends on 3 other recently finished projects.

I have to get my "house in order", as my daughter and grandson are coming to visit in less than 3 weeks. I also need to finish a baby shawl in the next 3 weeks as my friend is leaving work to go on maternity leave.

So I guess I had better get on with it eh?

Finished at last - and blocked really hard!!

I wore my shoalwater yesterday - it's lovely and soft, and very warm.

Unfortunately dear hubby isn't too good with the camera!!

WOW

There are over 6000 people registered for the mystery stole 3 knitalong!!

It's looking good, but I still haven't managed to work out the theme. I think the next clue will show more details - then we may be able to work out the subject.

I am using Posh Yarns Cecilia which was a gift in a Secret Santa Swap. I think the colour is "ballerina"

It's on 3mm needles, which gives a lovely drape. It may not be as wide as it should be, but I like the look and the drape of the knitted fabric.
I am using clear beads, as it is such a difficult colour to find beads to match or tone.

I am also making the same stole in Black Lana Borgesesia yarn, but without beads, and on larger needles, 3.5mm, to see the difference. I am going to knit clue 2, then decide if the fabric is too open, or if it will block to a light and airy stole.

I am having a break from this, and have returned to the never-ending shoalwater - I am on the final stretch now - just the last 50 rows, but there are almost 400 stitches already. It's quite time-consuming, but very easy to do in front of the TV, or even having a conversation.

This is Kidsilk Spray in "Medici" colourway.

It's very satisfying being SO close to the end, but I desperately want to finish it, it matches one of my summer skirts perfectly.

A big THANK YOU to everyone who sponsored me in the Race for Life.

I have raised over £100, just waiting for a few cash stragglers to cough up, then I can pay it in.

An exhausting but most enjoyable experience, and I will definitely do it again next year.

I have finished my slipover, and started a baby shawl, but this will probably go into the corner (with my shoalwater) while I start to knit my "Mystery Stole". Almost 3000 knitters have registered to make this stole, and no-one except the designer knows what it will look like until the end. The pattern is coming in weekly instalments, so it's quite nerve-wracking, waiting for it to start on Friday, and hoping I can download the pattern ok.

I am very happy today.
I have finished my cat's paw scarf, it just needs to be blocked. Sorry, no pics till that's done - it looks like a scribble at the moment!!

My new WIP is a sleeveless "tank-top" from February's Knitting magazine. The pattern uses Freedom Spirit, but the tension is the same for the yarn in my stash.

It's Louisa Harding Kimono Angora, and I am totally in love with it. It's so soft and easy to knit (especially after lace) It was a bargain half price when I bought it too, so even better. I have almost finished the first ball, so am pretty confident I have enough, and any leftovers will become a deliciously soft scarf in plenty of time for Christmas.

I am planning a very restful week, as the Race for Life is next Sunday - I'll go for a couple of strolls in the evenings, but not too far.
I'm still not sure what the weather is going to do - today it has been VERY wet, but warm and stuffy too. I think I'll be either too hot or too wet and heavy in my fancy dress costume, but that's what I have picked, so no backing out now.

Well, blogging is keeping me away from that delectable yarn, so off for a few more rows before getting everything sorted for work tomorrow. Don't you just hate Sunday evenings?

Still stashalong-ing!!

I've been really good - had another sort out and tidy up of my yarns, and have decided that the only thing I may need to buy is baby yarn. And that's not buying for me - it will be for gifts, so it's not the same!!

I have 3 babies due towards the end of the year (not personally) so will make shawls and layettes for each of them. I know I have enough white DK for 2 shawls, but may make a lemon one too. I'll decide nearer the due dates in case anyone hints as to what colour they want.
It's also ages since I made a teeny aran jumper, so a few of those would be fun to do as well.
When the first big lace project is finished I am going to complete the christening gown that is nearly finished - I just need to sew in the sleeves, sew up the hat and make another bootee.
Then line it and sew on oodles of beads!!!

All of my laceweight yarn is now stored in a big plastic box in the wardrobe, and I'm currently knitting 3 different items, all in laceweight, but I can choose what to knit depending on my mood, or how long I can spend on it. Plus only one of these is really portable. Pics may follow on the next instalment.

I also want to set aside one evening per week for crochet - I have started a big throw for the sofa in velvet flake in a cream colour. It's beautifully soft, and a very easy pattern, I'd like to finish this before my visitors arrive in August.

Pics at last!!!

I received my "Summer Holiday Secret Santa Swap" parcel today!!!

My lovely gift was unwrapped far too quickly to photograph the wrapping, so you'll have to make do with the even better contents!!!

There is a gardening theme, which connects with summer in the name of the swap, and even the yarns have floral connections - the Kid Merino is called Nasturtium, and the Artisan Merino Lace is called Hyacinth.

There are also gardening gloves, midge repellent, a scented candle, gorgeous stitch markers, a notebook, a pattern for scarves and some deeee-lish chocolate (Almost gone)

The inside of the lid of the box is also beautifully decorated with flowers and insects - there are even antennae on the insects.

It's a beautiful gift, so loads of thanks to Lisa (Bikegirl)

I have finished purchasing my gifts, the final items need to be wrapped, then it's off in the post very soon. I hope my recipient is as pleased as I am!! She was so difficult to buy for, - and matching that to a theme was even harder!!

I have added a ticker to my blog - another technology mastered!!

I have pledged not to buy any more yarn until Christmas!!!

I am not allowing myself days off, that could be far too expensive - I will only be able to buy yarn if it enables me to complete a project, or if it is for a bay item I don't have the yarn for. There is far too much yarn in my house - it HAS to be used!!

Note to self - must make some smaller items, the big ones are taking too long!!

Another huge lull between posts!!!

I have been trying to get out walking as much as possible, and with work, knitting and general household tasks, haven't had much time to blog!!!

I can't believe it's only 4 weeks until the Race for Life!!

Loads of people from work cannot now take part, due to a variety of reasons, I now think there will only be 3 of us. I have not yet decided if I am going to wear fancy dress, I have 2 costumes which would be great fun, but both a little heavy for bright sunshine. I'll decide in the few days beforehand, when I am more likely to know the weather forecast.

I have had a very quiet spell on the PC, as it decided to break down, but is now fixed. This did, however, allow me to get lots of knitting done, and I also laundered the items I am going to send off to charity this week.

No pictures yet again - this is becoming a very boring blog, but I promise there will be some next time - it might be after the race, but if I finish any knitted items, I'll put the pictures up sooner.

I have frogged my shoalwater shawl, as I was making it on the wrong sized needles, and my daughter doesn't want me to make her shawl until after she has visited in August and browsed my patterns. The next major item will be for me, but I still haven't settled on what I'd like to make. I know it will be a rectangular wrap, but don't know if I can do one with a pattern on every row. My beloved husband actually dares to talk to me when I am knitting, so it's sometimes quite distracting.

I have some sewing to do - just alterations and mending, so I'll get that finished before casting on.

Race For Life

I am definitely mad!!!
I have signed up for the Race for Life, which is exactly 8 weeks today!!!

I have bought new trainers, and have been wearing them to make sure they are comfortable, bought appropriate "sport" underwear, and have some suitable (comfortable) clothes too.

I have set up an on-line sponsorship page, http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/MadLinda which anyone can access and donate if they wish to. I am also going to use the sponsor sheets, as I know lots of people who don't have online access. My initial target is £100, but I am hoping to better that.

There are a group of us from work taking part, and I'm not sure yet if we are going to walk or jog, but either way I am getting some practice for both options.

Knitting for me has taken a back seat yet again, as I have so many small things to make or finish for other people. I also need to make a start on my daughter's wrap next, as that's for her birthday in June.

Oh I have been neglecting my blog!!!

We are moving to a new office at work, so life has been very hectic there, and I have been madly knitting a birthday gift. It's finished, and I still have loads of time to block it, but was desperate to get it finished in order to get on with a shawl for me!!
I am making shoalwater in Hipknits cashmere laceweight. The colour is called puddles, and it reminds me of clotted cream, fudge and milk chocolate. I'll do some pics when it has grown a bit.

I have also received my order of Lana Borgosesia laceweight yarn, which is amazingly soft, and the skein is extremely long. It took about 3 hours to unwind it - I wish I had a swift. I will be using this to make a wrap for my daughter from the Victorian Lace Today book. I haven't decided which one yet, and will need some peace and quiet to get started on it. She has also requested that it is black, so I may need a little longer than usual to do this one, as I prefer natural daylight when knitting black yarn.

I'm off to pick up MY knitting now, and am quite excited that it's something for me.

I was very excited today at the prospect of receiving a parcel which has been waiting since Monday at the sorting office, and am now very happy.

My springtime Secret Sants gift arrived, well, ok, beloved husband went to the sorting office to collect it.

My pretty parcel contained:

The large skein is posh yarns laceweight cashmere and silk which is beautifully soft, I think this will be a shawl for me!!
The smaller one is Enchante by Kaalund yarns, which is mulberry silk, again, lovely and soft, with a beautiful sheen.
There's also a pattern booklet, chocolate, and a sheep pencil.

The postcard is a clue as to who it is from, and I guessed right first time - thank you Fizz14

This has been a great swap, well organised, and it's lovely to see what other people have bought and received.

Now I MUST get some items finished before I cast on for me.

Delayed update!!

I have been reluctant to post as I want to show off some pictures of recently acquired stash!!
I can't, because I have sent some of it to my Secret Springtime Santa. (They might see what it is before the parcel is received)
Loads of people have already received their gifts, and it's great to see what people have bought, and how well they get to know other people on the forum.
Anyway, my purchase has been fondled and looked at several times, but I MUST finish at least some of my WIPs before I use the new acquisition. It is very tempting to just grab the needles though.
My grandson's sleeveless hoodie is finished, just needs a few ends to be sewn in. I have also done an angel cape, and want to do a matching dress as well.
The pile of baby items is growing too, if I get the slightest bit bored with something I am making, I do another hat, then back to the original item.
I do need to finish the Aran baby blanket - it has been a WIP since 1st December, and I'd like to get it done by the end of the month. Here's hoping!!

Well, I knew when I started this that I wouldn't update on a regular basis - usually too much going on in one way or another.

I have been neglecting my "standard" knitting, and am concentrating on baby items for the 2 charities. The hats, bootees and blankets are coming along just fine, but I have lost a ball of yarn, and can't finish the bands of a preemie cardigan until I find it.
As you can imagine, the house has been turned upside down searching for it, I can only think that I have put it away somewhere safe - and as always, forgotten where that "safe place" is.
And all that searching has had to be tidied up as well.

The 2 pairs of socks are well hidden at the bottom of a bag - one sock is ready for the toe to be grafted, the other almost finished, while the second pair are only just started - almost at the heel of the first one. I think when these are finished (if they are ever finished) I will try a plainer yarn with a pattern to keep my interest. I'm finding them a bit boring, and not much of a challenge, except the toe-grafting!!

I am also taking part in a secret gift swap, so have to decide what to buy. After much stalking of forum posts and internet browsing - I think I have decided, and now just have to see if it is in stock. I also have to think of a clue to send with my gift(s) so the recipient can try to work out who sent it.
It's a lot of fun, and the buying of the gift, plus seeing what other people have received is just as exciting as receiving my own parcel.

I have a bootee OTN at the moment, so will try to get the pair finished - almost a shoebox full, then I can post the first one off.

No new yarn until March!!!

That is my decision - there is far too much in the cupboard and OTN (on the needles)

I am currently working on:
A Kidsilk spray shawl for a gift - needs to be finished by the end of April
2 pairs of socks - I am hoping to learn toe-grafting at Stitch n Bitch this week
A multidirectional scarf - just to see how it is done!!

Then I need to:
Finish a sweater for my grandson for Mid-March, I am about half-way through this
Make another shawl for Mid-June

And finally, make some charity items, for the baby pack project, and Bonnie Babies.

I am hoping to finish the items I have started, plus a few charity items by the end of February.

No pictures at the moment - they are all unfinished!!

A Belated Happy New Year

Well, the knitting took over, and the PC hasn't been on much.

I have completed a baby blanket and matching hat, plus a multi-coloured baby shawl.

This is Sirdar Snowflake Chunky Magic , in "Raspberry Ripple" colourway, which describes it perfectly.

It is wonderfully soft - ideal for baby items, and very quick to knit.

And for Me .....

This is my finished shawl, hot off the needles, but it needs to pinned out to block in it's correct size. It doesn't look like an item at this stage!!

It's in Cherry Tree Hill Laceweight Merino yarn.

The pattern is Flower Basket from Fibre Trends

It looks so much better when it has been blocked.

And here's a close-up of the lace.

Happy Christmas everyone

The knitting is over - until I choose what to make next, or resurrect from the naughty corner!!!

The wrap is finished, blocked, and I just need to weave the ends in before it is delivered tomorrow. What a blooming relief!!
I decided not to do the santa stockings, no point in rushing and making a bad job of them.

I also added a "Bertie" scarf to my list, this one is in Artesano Alpaca - it doesn't have any beads, but is beautifuly soft - I'd like to keep this one myself!! It's finished!!!

The only unfinished item is DH's scarf, but as he already has one, it hasn't been a priority!!!
It's also very boring.... at least he doesn't know I am making it, so he can't be impatient.

Tomorrow is (quite obviously) Christmas Eve, and I will be making mince pies, sausage rolls and quiche, as well as cooking the turkey. When I get a moment I will knit, if I decide what to do next.

I am waiting for a pattern to be delivered, but may start something quick, just to keep me going - keep your eyes peeled!