New job

Well had a great weekend away with my best friend. We shopped, we drank, we ate, we laughed, oh how we laughed and I knitted. We sat all afternoon in a park with a Marks and Spencers picnic and a bottle of bubbly, and it was lovely. The food was amazing, the bottle was gorgeous, and the weather was fab, and I knitted socks. Good times. We even managed to go to a lovley knitting/craft shop called Pins and Tins, or Tins and Pins (can't remember), it had wool, lovely, lovely fabric (sorely tempted) knitting pattern books and lovely little bits and pieces. Wish I lived down there, as they also do workshops on various things, like felting, sounded great.

I am making some felted clogs now. I know, I know, I am a fickle knitter. I found the pattern on the internet, and gave in and bought the pattern. Its knitted on big needles 9mm with two strands of wool, needs to be 100% wool as it felts well then. I am halfway through one, and I only started it this morning at 5.30. I couldn't sleep so got up to knit. I love early mornings when no one else is up, and I have the house to myself.

Well today was my second day at work. First day working alone. I only did one visit, but it was ok. Felt funny going out with a uniform on, felt like a grown up. Tomorrow I have two visits, working alongside another carer, so hope that goes ok.

Got a street party going on in our street on Monday. Will be fun. Just bought bunting today, and flags, so it will be lovely and patriotic.

Happy knitting

Ten years ago

We all say that time flies. Well I don't want this to be a depressing post, as I am not depressed. 10 years ago today my little baby boy died. He was born prematurely at 25 weeks and weighed only 1lb 11 and a half ounces. He actually fought and lived for 6 months and by the end of his life he looked like a normal small newborn baby. He died in my arms. That was the worst experience in my life. I think it has taken probably 10 years to get over it, or not get over it, but for it not to cause so much pain. It just seems to pointless and a waste of time. I think it changes you as a person, losing someone. I feel like it was a bad dream, that I have to choose to recall. We all handle grief in a different way, and no way is wrong it's just different.

So ten years on things are different. I now knit LOTS. I did knit always but not as much as I do now. I have another son, not to replace, but to end childbearing on a positive note (8 children in total, 7 still living). I am probably the heaviest I have ever been, but most of the time I am happy. I am grateful for all the things I have, and as I look back I think it's amazing what you can cope with.

Today I am off on a road trip with my best friend. The only downside about our friendship is that she's slimmer than me, no not really (well she is but that's not the downside) The only downside is she's not a knitter, and won't be converted. We are going shopping today, staying at her daughters tonight, ice skating tomorrow and other fun things. I am looking forward to the ice skating, but also thinking hmmm... it's been about 30 years since I went ice skating, I may have been good then, but not sure about now. And hmmm.. I am a lot heavier now, if I fall down it may hurt me A LOT. But you don't know til you try it.

I bought a book called The best of Knitscene. I highly recommend it. It has got some lovely patterns in. I have been knitting a bag, but it's like a string bag, and it looks a bit like crochet. I managed to buy some peaches n creme cotton from ebay, and I have been using that. So far it's looking good, and actually looks like a bag you would use. I am going to line it too, so that I can actually use it. I also have been knitting socks, as they are so portable. The only problem is I have hurt my hand somehow. Not sure how, probably too much knitting. I can't really put all my weight (considerable!!) on it, like when you want to get out of the bath. Even picking up a cup of tea this morning was painful. It's my left hand, so don't need to use it much, but not sure if I will be able to knit this weekend. If it's no better by Monday then I will have to go to the doctors. Typing this is ok, as you are not stretching your hand much to type.  Anyway enough moaning. The sun is out it's 10 to 7 and I am going away for the weekend. Happy Days. See you soon xx

Getting things wrong

Do you ever have times you wonder why you bother???I mean with knitting, apart from other stuff of life.

I tried to crochet a cowl, you know the round loopy things you wear round your neck. It looked like it was going sort of ok. Actually who am I trying to kid? As I was making it, I was thinking, will I wear it, do I like it, is it going ok? Started to add another colour in to finish it, and then realised I had twisted it. Now I know you can twist on purpose, so its a mobious? cowl, but it looked rubbish. So I had wasted two evenings, and now it's in the bag along with the rowan cotton jeans, to unpick.

Then I started knitting dishcloths. They turned out ok, but both with a little mistake. I think I need to stop and look at my knitting a bit more often. I go on blindly knitting, thinking it's fine, and then get to the end and its cr-rubbish. So then I decided to make a cotton string bag, and was one stitch out, but thought oh it will be ok. Needless to say, it's not, so thats been unpicked back to the base and put away for another day. Now I am picking up and finishing socks, that have been one of a pair. So far have done 3, and have 3 to go before I can start new socks. I have knitted ONE cotton dishcoth, which has turned out ok, so that's good. Think I am better with little things for a while. Haven't got much time at the moment anyway, just started my induction for my new care worker job. That was really good, interesting and informative, and I am quite excited about going back to work after 25 years.

Off to cook tea, for hungry family. Back soon.

So disappointed

Well I finally finished the Rowan cotton jeans cardigan. And it looks rubbish. It's too big, the sleeves are too long. I have decided that cotton is too heavy for a cardi, and it droops rather than hangs nicely. I have put it away, and I will unpick it (grrr) and use the wool to knit a cable waistcoat or something. It's so annoying, that's probably why I couldn't find any big projects on Ravelry. Lovely colour too.

Been knitting little things again. Done a dishcloth, now crocheting a cowl, just to see what it turns out like. I'm going to try and do small things, as they don't seem to go as wrong for me. Maybe I just rush too much, or don't concentrate. I have to think a bit more about what I knit for me.

Start my new job in two weeks time, bit nervous, but it will be ok. I hope

Road Trip and Sewing

I have been sewing. I saw some project bags on folksy.com, and I fancied having a go at making some. I have borrowed daughter number 1's sewing machine, and my mum showed me how, and voila, here you see my first project bag. It's lined in exactly the same fabric too. I am quite chuffed with my first attempt. Daughter number 1 is selling her sewing machine, and I am very tempted. I also have bought some lovely material with liquorice allsorts on, so watch this space. It's just big enough to put some socks in, or a sleeve of a jumper, if you want to just pop something in your handbag. I reckon it costs about 2.00 to make, so quite cheap, and didn't take long. The ribbon, probably isn't the best thing to put through, but it was here, and it went with the bag, so there it goes.

Today I am going on a road trip. I am driving to Wales to see my sister-in-law and taking daughter number 4 with me. I have packed my knitting, and some clothes. Then I just remembered to print out a map, talk about getting your priorities right!! While I am in Wales it does happen to be Wonderwool Wales, and it's not far from her, but I can't really see it happening. I cleaned my sons house for him, and bless him he gave me some money,. so if I did to, and if I did see anything, then who knows!!Back soon.

Rowan Cotton Jeans

Well I started knitting with Rowan Cotton jeans in a lovely green colour. And I am still knitting, and still loving the colour. I am on a mission to get this one finished because I actually think I will wear it. I will also take photos of the finished item too. I splashed out and bought some new knitting patterns to use up some of my bargain wool. This means I should be busy for weeks now. Must go quick and finish my sleeve.

Wahoooo

I have been offered a job!!!How cool is that. After being turned down by Asda, not hearing back from the local hospital I was beginning to think - all I can do is knit. I popped in to an open day run by a care agency, and the next day got offered the job. I think the nices thing was, the lady said on the phone, "it was really nice to meet you, I think you have got a great attitude, and I think you will make a great carer" Now I know some people will think - its just what they say, but it made me feel quite good and positive about myself. People are quick enough to put you down, and take you for granted - so it was nice to hear something positive. I haven't had email confirmation yet, so will wait and see. Probably won't start til May, and my hours are 7 am til 10 am, so that fits in with the family and the school holidays, so I am well pleased.

In honour of the occasion, the fickle part of me is starting a new cardigan in Rowan Cotton Jeans. I havne't got enough, but a lovely friend of mine bought 14 balls of the same bargain colour, and said I could have some of hers - hooray, what a fab mate. So I have cast on. I know, I know, I still have all that other stuff to do, but hey, I am what I am, as the song goes.

Havnen't been to knitting group in 3 weeks!!! Won't be able to go this week either, funny thought I wasn't bothered, but I have missed the chatter. Still I will be back soon.

Sorry no photos, but couldn't wait to share the news that I am employable, and someone likes me!!!

happy knitting