I forgot to tell you

Funny how things turn out. I now have an iPhone, after all my coveting and then saying I wasn't bothered. A friend gave me her old iPhone 3. It's brilliant and I'm even blogging on it? The best thing it has cost me nothing and my phone contract stays the same, happy days

Ally Pally

On Saturday I went to Ally Pally with a group of six knitters. I wasn't going to spend much, and to be fair I didn't compared to some knitters with rucksacks full of spoils. This was one of the bags that I got when I bought some wool. What a great idea of recycling, basically it was two sheets of newspaper, folded along the bottom edge to reinforce it with string handles, strong enough for wool and needles. Great.

I saw this and thought that it would be lovely for a shawl. It's got sparkles through it, so I think it will look lovely knitted up. Only one problem, I haven't got a wool winder now, because I sold it on ebay, but I can do it by hand, patiently.

I love Knit Pro needles. I have a lot of them, because I usually have more than one project on the go at once. These are the cubics ones. I wanted to try them to see if they make any difference to my knitting. I bought one pair of 4mm as that's what I mainly knit with, to see what they are like.

Knit Pro again. Only sock needles this time. I have sock needles but not any knit pro ones, at least I will remember the size instead of keep measuring them.

Now this was a waste of money. I so didn't need any bamboo straight knitting needles, but they are so lovely with the polka dot ends on them. I bought 4mm needles but at least I will use them, not just look at them because they are so lovely. I did have birtday money to take with me, so I treated myself.

Then there is this Van Gogh sock yarn. I have sock yarn, and I have socks but I thought this looked lovely, it will be interesting to see what it knits up like. I was going to start knitting them whilst at Ally Pally while waiting for my friends, but didn't have time.

It was a great day, we left our home town at 6.45 and got there about 1015. There was so much to look at, I don't think that I would have spent loads more even if my budget was unlimited. I saw Jamieson wool and some lovely kits to make a fair isle cardigan, where the fair isle was just on the yoke, but it was £50 and I have so much wool to make jumpers, that can wait.

I saw Martin Storey there and Sarah Hatton, my other knitting friends didn't know who they were, so guess that makes me the knitting geek. We had a great day and mainly wandered around on our own looking at stuff, it was very crowded at points and very hot with all those thousands of knitters looking for bargains, that they didn't need!!We left about 3 and got home about 6.45 so a long day, but a good day.

I have decided to go with a knitted separate button band for my daughters cardi. Started knitting it and then realised I should have started with button holes so that I can space them properly, but then I decided to do it in two sections and join at the back, then I can make sure the button holes are spaced properly.

New job is going well, got a day off today with my hubby, so that will be nice, we may even go out for coffee.

All new

Today I had my hair cut. It was long, shoulder length, and long enough to have it up in a pony tail. Now it is not long enough to put in a pony tail. I have had it cut into a short bob at the back and longer at the front. I'm not 100% sure I love it, but my hubby does (and he didn't want it to get cut). I will have to get used to it I suppose.

Tomorrow start my new job, so that will be exciting. I am looking foward to new challenges, and working with a new person too.

I have finished the green cardigan, apart from the button band. I have sewn it all up, and it fits my daughter and she likes it, so now it's to decide how best to do the button band. I have been knitting slob hats (so my son calls them) in between. One was in grey, basically they are like a basic beanie, but knit much longer so the end sort of hangs down the back of your head. The grey one was a bit short so I gave that to my 8 year old, and now I am knitting a longer blue one for the 13 year old.

Off to make a decision about the button band, will look on ravelry for ideas.

All change

Well it's all change again here. I went into work last week, and was give a gift set, and told that I was employee of the month. I was so thrilled and touched. Then I said to my boss, "you may want to have that back, as I am giving my notice in". She was very good about it, and said no, keep it.

Basically I am going to be working as a private carer for someone I know, as part of a team, which should be a bit better for my family life. It means I am around in the mornings to get the kids off to school. The money will be a bit more, and the hours too, and I will be self employed, so will need to keep an eye on things a bit more.

Almost finished the cardi, on the final sleeve, then doing the horrid button band. Supposed to pick up and knit all along the sides and down the fronts etc, so not sure if I will do it that way, or knit and then sew on after, don't like either really, but must finish it properly.

Have really fancied making a crochet bag, but need to finish this first. I will not be distracted, I will finish this cardigan, I will not be distracted. I must keep saying that!!

Anyway I fancy a glass of wine and some chocolate. Can't have either coz not got any and skint too.

Will go and knit!!

Sorry

Sorry for moaning and groaning yesterday, I think it's out of my system now. I have realised that my life will still go on, if I don't have an iphone. I'm grateful for what I do have.

It's like I am going to the Ally Pally in October, and I'm really looking forward to it. My daughter is giving me some money to spend, but I am actually thinking it will be a total waste of money to buy any ~ANY yarn as I have loads. I have enough to knit at least 5 full sized cardis, and lots and lots of odd balls for hats etc, so to buy more is a waste. I need to stop and think before splashing the cash. I don't even need any more needles, as I have lots. Also got knitting bags. I will go as I have paid for the ticket, but I am going to go restrained. Well that's the plan anyway. Anyway must go and knit, sorry again.

I want, I want

I feel such an ungrateful, covetous woman at the moment. I really, really want an iphone. I don't want an iphone 5, I would be quite happy with an iphone 4. I know I don't need one, well not at the moment anyway, but it still doesn't stop me wanting one. I would have to sell some wool to raise funds - so that in itself is a bit silly. And my contract would then be more money per month. I have a Blackberry, which does most things that an iphone does, I also have an ipod, so that can do the things that the Blackberry can't, but still I would rather have the phone. My eldest daughter, says, it's up to you mum, you're a grown up, if you can find the money, it's up to you. My hubby says, wait til your contract runs out, then think about it (why is he so sensible!!) So I have to stop dreaming about it and be patient. I will see what I get for my birthday, money wise, and then make an informed decision. I do need to talk to someone in a phone shop to find out exactly how much money it will cost.

Right that's got that off my chest (I think). I have done a bit of knitting today, I am on the final front of a cardi for daughter number 4, she actually asked me to knit her a cardi, so I felt I should comply. I am on the final front, and it's in olive green crepe so its nice and easy to knit. Bit boring knitting, but ideal to watch tv with. I said I won't knit anything else until this caridgan is finished. Then I am going to just try and finish things on the needle one at a time, so it will go quicker. Off to start

Time flies on by

I can't believe it's been so long since I wrote on here, what a dreadful blogger I am. It's amazing where time goes.

Loving my new job. I have the privilige of working with some lovely elderly people, that I could so be friends with too. I enjoy helping them, and getting a glimpse into their lives too. It's amazing how many of the ladies were keen crafters too, knitting, cross stitch and embroidery, with some of them having beautiful pictures on the walls of their homes. It's nice to have something to chat about with them.

Knitting is as chaotic as ever with me. It's funny, I was showing one of my daughters my blog, and then realised I have been doing it for 2 years now. When I looked back at the first few pictures, I saw that I still have things on the needles from 2 years ago. How bad is that? I did sort of loosely set myself a goal (again) of completing some of the stuff before I start new things. Trouble is there are at least 5 big projects to finish, and also another glove - to make a pair, and a few odd socks to make a pair.

Two amazing things have happened recently. One is that someone on freecycle was offering a bag of wool, enough to make a jumper. So I emailed straight back, and arranged to collect the wool. I got to the house, where it was left on the doorstep, so I put it in the back of my car, and drove home. Imagine my shock and delight to tip the bag out on my dining table to find some Rowan \purelife British Sheep Breeds Chunky. Cream, brown and grey, enough to knit at least 3 jumpers, over £200 worth of wool. How amazing. I did think of selling some, as cash flow not been too great, but then decided I would never treat myself to something so lovely, so I shared half with my friend, who loves to knit as much as me, and kept the rest. I have knitted one glove with it, and it's lovely. Thinking very hard and long about what to knit, as chunky makes me looke even chunkier, but maybe I can work something out.

The other lovely, lovely thing. My best friend (who doesn't knit - YET) is so lovely and kind.
For years, 5 actually, I have wanted a mini cooper. My mum very kindly hired one for me for my 39th birthday, and me and my best friend had a day trip in it, and it was lovely. I have wanted one, but it won't ever be a priority in our house. Maybe when I have retired, but then I probably won't be able to manage to get in one!! Well my best friend has bought one. Now when she had, she told me and asked if I was ok with it. I was. I was pleased for her, and accepted that it's not my time at the moment.

She came round to pick me up last week to go out for a spin in it. (Also it's a soft top). When I came out of my house, she got in the passenger seat, I said what are you doing, she said you can drive. I said I'm not insured, she said yes you are, I've put you on the insurance for the year, and you can borrow it whenever you want. I cried. How kind, how lovely. How generous. So I had a little drive, and the weather was even good enough to have the top down, lovely lovely day.

Off to Ally Pally in October, that will be fun, but I am not going to buy loads, as I have loads, too much really. Not enough for lots of jumpers, but lots of hats and socks and gloves and scarves.

One of my girls has gone off to university, so we are down to 4 children now. The house is slowly shrinking, unlike my waistline!!Probably have thin fingers from knitting,  but thick waistline from sitting. Still tomorrow is another day. Happy knitting.

The mini!!