Knitting progress

Earlier in the month, I decided to set myself some goals for this month, largely because I have a lot of projects just drifting along.

My first two goals were knitting ones - to finish my Central Park hoodie and to finish at least one of the pairs of socks on my needles. Well its going pretty well.

I finished my Central park hoodie on Thursday. I'm really pleased with it as it fits really well and the yarn has softened to a lovely texture on washing. I even managed to find buttons that I liked. I don't have a good modelled shot of it so here's a picture of it in my spare bedroom (hence the slight mess in the background)



I've also managed to finish the pair of Monkey socks that I had on my needles. The yarn is Panda Soy in Positive purple that I bought at the Iknit day last year. The yarn feels lovely in the finished socks but it was fiddly to knit with as it splits very, very easily.



The stitching goals are coming along pretty well too. I'm almost finished the side panel of Japanese Octagon box and part 1 of Autumn Watergarden so I should manage it by the end of the month. I've also managed to finish a Shepherd's bush design called Violets which needs to be ironed before I share a picture of it.

Life is sort of bumbling along at the moment. Work is pretty busy as per usual but I've got a four day weekend off this weekend which I'm really looking forward to, largely because I have nothing particular that I have to do. The downside is that I'm having a few problems with pain in my face and nose which I think is sinus related and I think might be related to a fall that I had several years ago. I hurt my face fairly badly then and its left me with a nose which isn't quite right. I was seen by a ENT doctor at the time but the appointment was slightly too long after the incident according to the Doctor that saw me to tell if anything was broken. I'm a coward when it comes to going to the Doctor about things but I think I really need to go soon. Meantime I've been dosed up on Sudafed for the past few days and I can at least breathe better.

Sunday stitching progress and some goals

Lately the title of this blog has been a bit deceptive as there's not been a lot of stitching going on around here. The yarn and knitting projects have been calling pretty loudly. My stitching WIP list is huge though so I've been spending a little time stitching this week.

I managed to finish one of my WIPs, Spooky spots by Shepherds Bush.



I did start another project though - Autumn Watergarden by Chatelaine designs. I moderate two forums on the Chatelaine BB and one of them is for this design so I thought I'd better get cracking with the stitching as I'm already a little behind. I've only managed a little bit so far as I had to buy some threads to go any further.



Finally I've been spending a little time working on another WIP also by Chatelaine designs - Japanese Octagon box. The bit I'm currently working on is the side of the box. I might make this my stitching focus for a while as I really want this finished and on display.



I'm going to try setting myself some goals for this month to see if it will help me make more progress on the things I want to do.

This month I'm hoping to

1. Finish my Central Park Hoodie - I only have a little bit of each sleeve, the hood and the button bands to do so its achievable.

2. Finish one pair of socks currently on the needles - again achievable as I'm on the second sock of one pair

3. Stitch at least the first part of Autumn Watergarden

4. Finish stitching the box side of Japanese Octagon box and make a start on at least one more section.

Mondays are for..

..going to the gym and updating my progress on some projects this week. I'm lucky enough to be on another 2 weeks of holidays from work - I have to use up all my holidays by the end of March and I was given back a ton of holidays back from when I was off sick in the summer. Mostly I've been spending a lot of time sleeping as I was having some insomnia problems prior to being off.

There has been a bit of knitting going on though. I've finished two pairs of socks. First up, a pair of socks in Old Maiden aunt sock yarn dyed by Lilith from my knitting group. The pattern is Marlene by CookieA and was in the last issue of Knit 1 magazine.



The second pair are the Om Shanti bed socks from the first month of the 2009 Socktopus sock club. The yarn is Chameleon colorworks Evolution which I've used before.







I had a very weird issue with the second sock as the yarn just after I knit the toe was slightly thicker than the rest of the yarn and it striped differently. This produced a weird change of size/gauge which I only noticed when I was much further on. I decided not to rip back as I had already had to reknit the leg and cuff of the first sock after I shared a picture of it last time as I couldn't get the blooming thing on properly. My ankles are a little on the chunky side compared to my feet, especially my left one which has been prone to problems since my back problem appearred.

Here's a close up of the gauge/size weirdness.




Tomorrow it is off to knitting group night where I am hoping to make some progress on a Hooded cabled cardigan which has been in progress forever ( actually only 2 years). Hopefully the other knitters will push me on and not distract me too much with other shiny things. I did resist the crochet projects at the last meet up.

Lots of little things

I haven't fallen down a hole since my last update. Its just there's been a lot of little things keeping away.

First up I finished one of the knitting projects that I mentioned in my last post - my February Lady sweater in lovely New lanark aran yarn. This yarn is made fairly close to home, is cheap and its a lovely mix of blue and purple.



Late last year I joined the Socktopus sock club and the first package arrived recently. The pattern this time is for a toe up sock which is something I've never tried. The first sock is done although the ankle is a little tight as my ankles are a little on the bigger side.



The yarn is Chameleon colorworks Evolution.

For the past week, most of my time has been taken up with the preparations for a job interview which I had on Friday. I had to prepare a presentation and do a ton of reading up for the post which would have been a promotion. Sadly I didn't get the job - I've been told that the candidate field was of a very standard and I was slightly under the required experience for the job. I've taken some solace from that as I really wasn't sure I would get an interview for the post in the first place. Still it would have been a good job. I have my eye on another vacancy though.

On a slightly more geeky note, I've been spending a bit of time spring cleaning and upgrading my computer in the past few weeks so I now have a shiny new operating system to use, OS X Leopard plus a nice tidy computer which has all its files backed up. I've also joined the Twitter bandwagon today, largely just to see what its like.

I reached another milestone in my ongoing health and fitness plan today - I have now lost 3 stone/42 lbs/19 kgs in weight since I started working out in August 2007. I didn't really start the whole thing for anything other than working on helping my back originally so the loss in weight is a great side effect. Plus in what was a total surprise to me, I actually enjoy going to the gym and the way it makes me feel. Not something I would have said 2 years ago.

Overcoming a fear of sewing machines

Ever since I was a very little girl, I've been around sewing machines and fabrics. My mum was a sewing machinist to trade and spent many years working in a variety of different factories, making wedding dresses, waxed jackets and evening wear amongst other things. Times change and there aren't many factories making clothes around here. Although I've always been around sewing machines and have made some clothes in the past (with help from mum), I've always been really a little scared of sewing machines. At school I hated the home economics sewing lessons we had as the teachers expected me to be a natural because of what my mum worked as. Alas I was really very uncoordinated as a child and although I'm a little better now, I'm always scared I will hurt myself on it or destroy the fabric.

In recent years, I've been finding myself wanting to sew more, especially to finish some of my stitching into something. Up until now, most of this sort thing I've done by hand sewing. A couple of years ago, I bought a mini sewing machine but it really wasn't that good so last year I splashed out on a full sized Janome machine with lots of features. At the moment, I'm off on holiday so I thought I would get cracking with overcoming my sewing machine fear with the side effect of trying to reduce my to be finished into something pile.

I started off with some simple cushions with the cross stitch bits hand sewn on to the front of them.




Happy holidays by Lizzie Kate.



Scatter sunshine by Shepherd's bush



Scatter Christmas cheer by Shepherd's bush.

I then moved on to a cushion with the cross stitch sewn into it.



On the haunt by Shepherd's bush

And a banner type thing.



4 square peep by San Man designs.

Finally and much instruction reading, I put my very first zip in a cushion - normally I either get my mum to do it or just hand sew the side up. Its not perfect, it was a little scary to do but I like it. The stitching is a dragon round robin that I was in a number of years ago.


I don't think I'm ever going to be the most confident sewing machine user but it was a little less scary than it was before. I did do some hand sewing based finishing by making Pumpkins by Little house needlework into a pin keep.



Other than sewing, I've mostly been using my holidays to sleep and catch up with a lot of household things that I've neglected of late. The weather here has been pretty wet, wild and cold so its been ideal. There's also been some knitting but no knitting finishes. There has been a fairly large amount of progress on a variety of projects so I'm hoping for a few big knitting finishes soon. The weather just now is certainly knitwear weather.

Handmade Christmas

For Christmas, I made a few gifts for various people. First up, I made several beaded bracelets inspired by my sister wanting a bracelet that looked like one in Accessorize. The one she wanted is the third one down and I also made a pearl version of the same idea (the fourth one down). The remainder of the bracelets were for my mum, two of my cousins and the two work collegues who were working Christmas eve with me. Thankfully everyone seems to like them and I've been asked by my sister to make something similar for her MIL.















My sister also got a pair of socks made from the yarn that Tuula gave me in the summer. There's still enough yarn for another pair as my sister has only UK size 2 feet (which is very small for those outside the UK). She really like them too and wants another pair.


She also got a pair of pink fetching mitts which were originally for my cousin but I miscounted and they are shorter than they should be. My sister also has very small hands so these are just the right size.



Two of my cousins received Fetching mitts also. In both cases, these are fetchings that I finished earlier in the year and put aside for possible gifts, in case I ran out of gift knitting time ( which I did)




Finally a Christmas gift which I knitted for someone at work to give to their BIL. Its an adipose from Doctor Who. Her BIL is Doctor Who daft and its for her children to give to him for Christmas. Hopefully it is well received.


I also made a stitched gift for someone. I took part in a secret santa amongst some UK based friends. I sent to Gina, who is really into her reading at present so I made a blue version of the Purrfect bookmark by Cats whiskers design studio.

2008 crafty progress and 2009 plans

First up, happy new year everyone. I'm hoping that 2009 is going to be a better year for me and those around me that have had a trying year. For myself, my main hope is for a new job in an area that I will enjoy working in. I'd also like to stay healthy and relatively pain free.

With the change of year, I've been going over my knitting and stitching progress for 2008.

At the start of 2008, I had 38 stitching projects in progress and as of the end of 2008, I had 36 projects. During the year, I started 30 projects and finished 32 projects. Only 5 of the finishes were of projects that were in progress at the start of 2008.

Projects in progress at the end of 2008.

1. TW The storyteller
2. TW The ministrel
3. TW Paisley corner
4. TW Night
5. Mirabilia Autumn Queen
6. Dimples Le Epoch Nouveau
7. Pinn Chinese Goddess of Mercy
8. Just Nan Barnabee's quest
9. Lizzie Kate Needle Nick
10. Jungle babies birth sampler
11. Balinese dancer
12. Merry stitches stocking
13. Newton's law The future's so bright
14. Geisha Bride
15. Quilt afghan
16. Chatelaine Mystery 8
17. Chatelaine Egypt garden
18. Mirabilia Fairy roses
19. Country companions Tom mouse
20. Star trek trio
21. Chatelaine Japanese garden
22. Chatelaine Christmas mystery 3
23. Chatelaine Japanese Octagon box
24. TW Castles by the sea
25. Mirabilia Winter in my garden
26. Amy Mitten Such an undertaking
27. R &R reproductions A Witches pocket
28. Noah's submarine
29. Britty Christmas puppy
30. Mirabilia Enchanted dreamer
31. Margaret Sherry Trimming the tree
32. Pine tree hill
33. Lizzie Kate Thanksgiving flipit
34. LHN Capaccino
35. Shepherd's bush Spooky spot
36. Shepherd's bush Elizabeth's stocking.

Out of these 36, I've decided not to continue stitching on 4 projects for various reasons/

1. Jungle babies birth sampler
2. Merry stitches stocking
3. Newton's law the future's so bright
4. Star trek trio.

That leaves me with 32 WIPs at the start of this year. I'd really like to get at least 5 of these projects finished in the coming year. For the past year I really haven't stitched as much as I have done in the past but in this coming year, I'm going to make a concerted effort to stitch more.

Knitting wise, 2008 was a really good year. I finished 44 projects.

This breaks down as

7 pairs of fingerless mitts (Fetchings and Cranford mitts)
4 Adipose stuffed toys
18 pairs of Adult sized socks
2 pairs of baby socks
2 Scarves (1 clapotis and 1 Bertie scarf)
4 adult sized hats
2 baby sized hats
1 baby cardigans
4 adult sized garments (Neaty, Tomato, Anise and Matilda Jane)

I'm really pleased with what I've managed to knit this year. For the coming year, I'd like to knit more adult sized garments for me.

At the start of 2008, I've got 11 knitting WIPs

1. Central park hoodie
2. Andi Messenger bag
3. Twister socks
4. Kid classic cranford mitts
5. Panda Soy monkey socks
6. Shur'tagal socks
7. Blue February lady sweater
8. Little pumpkin socks
9. Bamboo two at a time socks
10. Jungle stripe socks
11. One skein gloves

I should get all of these finished this year. Only the Central park hoodie, the messenger bag and the twister socks were in progress at the start of 2008.

Exchanged ornaments

As promised, I'm back with pictures of the ornaments that I sent out in exchanges this Christmas. The first four I sent out in the Teresa Wenzler BB annual ornament exchange.

First up, 2 ornaments designed by Teresa Wentzler - Celtic inspirations and Lady of Shallot corner respectively.





Then a Jeanette Douglas design from one of JCS ornament issues. I adapted the colours in this one slightly to suit the threads that I had to hand.



A Norweigan reindeer ornament in red. I'm planning to stitch this one again for me.



Some UK stitching friends and I also had an ornament exchange this year. I stitched for Kate . The design is Santa's Christmas surprise by Dragon Dreams.




In return, Pat sent me a really pretty intial ornament which I think is from the Chatelaine 2007 advent calendar. I really need to get a better picture of this one - hopefully there will be more light later in the week when I've got a day off.

Happy Christmas everyone

Happy Christmas everyone. I was working night shift last night so I'm off to bed for a few hours sleep prior to going to my Aunt's house for Christmas dinner. I've not had a lot of spare time to blog the past two weeks with the Christmas preparation but I'll be back hopefully tomorrow with pictures of the ornaments I sent out in exchanges this Christmas plus some pictures of the gifts I've made for various friends and family.

Until then, I will leave you with a picture of my Christmas tree and the various stitched ornaments that I've made and also received in exchanges. I hope everyone has a good day and Santa leaves you lots of nice presents.

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Christmas is fast approaching and I'm not quite ready. I still have a few gifts to buy, a few gifts to finish making, presents to wrap and cards to write. I'm not panicking just yet but I might be soon. Work is crazy busy too in the lead up to Christmas as all the doctors try to get as many patients' treatments finished before the end of the year.

On a much more pleasant note, one of my favourite things about this time of year is taking part in the Ornament exchange on the Teresa Wentzler BB. This year I've exchanged 4 ornaments. Not all the ornaments I've sent out have arrived at their destinations yet but I've received the ornaments from those who are sending to me.

First up two ornaments of a freebie chart from Teresa Wentzler - Father Winter ornament. These are from Sara and Penny respectively.





Then a lovely ornament from Anu in Finland, which has designs on each side and I think the designs are by Margaret Sherry.





And finally a lovely Christmas tree from Susan



Time to get back to finishing the Christmas preparations.

Harrogate report and a finish

Well I did finally make it back home but nearly an hour later than I should have and a lot colder too. And this morning it was back off to work for a day at work that I would rather not think about as it was truly horrid. Not the worst ever but pretty high on the list.

Anyway on to nicer topics and my trip to York and the Harrogate stitching show. I've been going to the show for the past few years and I have to say that it was the busiest that I've seen it there for a number of years. Ironically I spent less than I have in the past inspite of lots of temptation. I didn't buy any yarn at all - there were a few things that tempted me but I just didn't see anything that I couldn't live without. Some yarns I liked but the colours that were on show, weren't something I liked.

That's not to say that I didn't buy other things though. First up, I discovered that a favourite beading company have written a book of gorgeous beaded jewellery so the book had to come home with me along with a kit for a beaded bracelet.



I also bought some dyed silk rods to try and make some corsage type brooches that I saw instructions to make in a recent stitching magazine. Hopefully I can get to work out. Oh and some overdyed green thread for an upcoming Christmas project.



I also found a rather fab stall selling brilliant unusal Japanese fabrics and buttons. The stall holder told me that she has lots more Japanese prints on the way as she's going be the importer for several firms. Plus she had wool felt which is tricky to get. The fabric is on the Eternal maker site and the buttons are from the button company.



I bought some other lovely buttons from another stall, The button lady, who doesn't seem to have a website.



I also spent a little money with the ladies of the Nimble thimble who always have lots of Shepherds bush and Lizzie Kate designs to tempt me and also Trudy Anne who had a great range of JBW and Little house charts.



I actually spent two days at the show, partly so I could see everything also I really can't manage to spend the whole day at the show anymore as being on my feet for more than a couple of hours at a time tends to cause a lot of back pain and problems so I tend to spend just a short spell at the show each day so I don't cause myself problems.

On Friday, I caught up with Karoline and her gorgeous little girl plus her lovely MIL and also other friends Pat and Scully. It was lovely to see them all.

On Saturday after the show, I made the time to go the local Oxfam shop in Harrogate. The Oxfam shop there has a little craft based sale timed to the same weekend as the Knitting and stitching show. Last year I got some embroidery threads. This year it was all about buttons. I think they save up the crafty stuff they get donated for this sale. I was pretty lucky with the buttons I found with the bonus that a charity gets the benefit too. I particularly like the grey buttons.



One of the good things about the Harrogate conference centre is the old part of it - the Royal Halls. For the past couple of years, its been out of use due to renovations and dangerous areas of the building. This year, the renovations are finished and the cafe that was always there was back. Its really lovely to look up from your cup of tea to see the pretty surroundings.



On Sunday morning, I got a little surprise when I looked out the window of where I was staying - snow had fallen overnight. It wasn't particularly deep but it was a little challenging to walk to the station.



Whilst I was away, I managed to finish the Country companions Christmas project that I shared the WIP of recently. Not sure if I'm going to frame it or finish it in some other way.