Valentine Day

I received this little valentine cake from my dear hubby - it's a fruit cake with icing that tastes incredibly sweet and the red is so vivid in colour, covered with candy hearts and edible glitter!
I wasn't expecting that!

I made my hubby a valentine wash cloth and 3 small heart shapes and gave them to him with a bar of posh chocolate. Forgot to photograph the knitting this time, I'll try and remember to do that later.

I took part in a Valentine Knitting Swap and made a red knitted heart cloth and a small heart shape with white chocolate to my swap buddy, and my other swap buddy sent me a wonderful little heart shape made with felt, beads, knitting and ribbon with a purple theme - absolutely adorable! I also received some french lavender and chocolate (I think there's lavender in the heart shape too). (Photos attached)

I needed a quick knit fix, and made a pair of small childs socks from a pattern and free yarn in Let's Knit March 2010 issue. I think I prefer making socks in the round rather than 2 needles, but it did give me chance to brush up my short row shaping and wrapping stitches. (photo attached)

I'm taking part in a 365Project, where you take a photo everyday for a year. You can follow a suggested weekly theme, you can take part in a weekly photo competition just for fun, or just choose your own ideas and please yourself. I'm doing a mixture but my aim is not to miss a single day. It will record a year in my life and the things that surround me, and hopefully improve my photography. It's great seeing what other peoples photos are like, from the snaps and amateurs to the folks that really do take photography seriously with their DSLR cameras.

On the health front, I'm healing well post op, and enjoying being able to breathe! The ME/CFS is challenging me at every turn but I'm keeping up the 'fight' for want of a better word, and at least I'm not bedridden!
I've been housebound with it pretty much all week, but with the bitterly cold weather out there, at least I can take comfort in that I'm in the warm.

That's enough now, TTFN

Getting there, and a few photos more

7th, 8th & 9th January 2010 photos





First photo is my effort whilst in hospital! Followed by 2 pics of Grandmas Fave & Basket weave cloths.

I feel I am making good progress, I sense that my breathing is getting better in between times of stuffiness and my lungs feel improved - not so achey, so I'm really very optimistic :) I'm getting nerve pain and aches around my teeth, gum, jaw and nose - I guess that's where the nerves have been jangled by the operation and stitches. The stitches have started to dissolve and feeling more comfortable in that respect. My nose aches across the top, and grinning and laughing makes my face ache!

I have managed to knit 2 more cloths whilst in bed, adding to the cloth collection, one using the grandmas favourite and the other one I think is basket weave pattern. I used Peaches & Creme Cotton yarn.
Looking forward to really being able to get into the swing of knitting and spinning again, and perhaps a little crocheting.

Just adding a few more wintry photos onto my blog - the view from my bedroom window. I am still using the spare box bedroom as hubby is still full of cold and coughs, plus as I'm not sleeping well I'm not disturbing his sleep either. I need a really good nights sleep soon - I can feel the increased tiredness catching up with me.

I love the wintry scenery - but I do hope that the weather gets warmer soon so that once my second week of having to stay in is done - I can go out and get some real fresh air through my newly mended airways! I need to get myself fitter and lose a couple of stone too! I really want to see how high I can get my energy levels to improve! I must remember to pace and not go mad!

That's about it for now - Keep warm everyone, and keep safe.

Some photos..

Here are some images from the past month..



(photo above) Since going to Fibre Fest - this is what I keep dreaming of... :) Kromski Sonata!



1. Grandaughter at the picnic. 2nd photo is of my heap of 'to sew up' baby tops and new sewing needles for the job, a microwave bedwarmer in the shape of a Lamb from my hubby, and my knitty reads for the month ahead.



1. Breakfast in Devon :) 2. Queuing up to go to 'Fibre Fest' at Coldharbour Mill Uffculme



1. Bobbins at t'mill 2. Purplegem! I've gotta badge ;) (incase I forget my name..)



1. One of the many stands 2. My purchases from the day :)

We took loads of photos - next time I'll blog photos of some of the animals..

Dreaming of Ewe, said sheepishly..

Hubby has treated me to a new book called Folk Bags and some very agreeable knitty related nightwear! ;) I think I like his sense of humour!
I also received yesterday my two subscription mags, so I've plenty to look at :)
My small spinning collection has a home in a shoe box - hoping it will protect the spindles until I can find another way of storing them.

Amused..

Having a little break from the spinning for a while - we have our grand daughter staying a couple of nights whilst our son and daughter in law are at the Magic the Gathering in Brighton.

Our grand daughter is now settled down for the night, so I'm looking on Ravelry. There's a nice v neck jumper I have my eye on - it has cables, and is a top down jumper. It's a free pattern that can be found on Knitty.com - so I'm considering making this one. I can imagine wearing one in an aubergine/maroon colour.

Amused by Jordana Paige

I'll be pondering on this one..

The Bug's caught me!

Yep! I got the bug! Sitting surrounded by tissues and about to put my head under a towel over a hot bowl of steaming water with menthol and eucalyptus - oh joy! I didn't appreciate being woken in the night by sneezing and bunged nose - but looking out of the window now there is a colourful misty sunrise, oh my the sky is so gorgeous - I must grab my camera! I wouldn't have seen this if it hadn't been for the sneezles..

I've taken these photos, but as I sit here looking out of the window, there continues to be amazing changes in the sky and clouds, can see what looks like aeroplane trails lit up by sunlight, streaks of peachy pinks. Oooo, preetttyy :)

Can't remember now what I was going to write about! lol! Easily distracted, that's me ;)

Ahh, knitting.. yes.. my latest knitting project is coming along well, it's a baby's hooded cardigan in Sirdar Snuggly DK. The pattern is in Sirdar First Steps 292 booklet, Project number 19.

Back to the steam inhale now, sniff sniff..

Another week in paradise..

Get the health grumble over and done quickly, my health has continued to be erratic, have had a number of bad days/nights to contend with plus usual (and unusual) everyday life - but as this seems now to be my 'normal' - on the whole have been coping ok I suppose. Fatigue and Brain Fog feels heavier this week, I'm not always getting in proper quality sleep, or rest in the day time - so there I guess somewhere lies the answer? I need to focus back on the course advise, I've lapsed a bit. I also suspect my sniffles are an impending bug, as some of the family are feeling poorly with cold bugs? Eugh..

Happier more fun topics! Knitting has really been fun lately despite my fatigue!.
I have the most WIPs at one go ever OTNs! (work in progress projects) - I've something on the needles to suit my varying energy and brain abilities!

I've got:
* Baby Cardigan with Hood
* Spring Forward Socks
* Ishbel Shawl
* Wash Cloth/ Kitchen Cloths
* Petersburg Cardigan
* Irish Hiking Scarf

The recent news from our son and dil means I've been happily choosing baby patterns to do for them! lol. I love knitting small cute clothes for tinies :)

At the weekend I cast on for a hooded baby cardigan using Sirdar Snuggly DK and Sirdar First Steps 292 book, Pattern Project 19 - (more details on my Ravelry).

My darling hubby recently gave me a lovely gift of a set of Knit Pro Symfonie Interchangeable cirular needles! I am over the moon, they are gorgeous! We got them from Get Knitted and they were really fast processing the order and I got them within a week! I'm so pleased with them, I'm now using them to knit the Ishbel shawl. My hubby is so supportive of my hobby, he loves home knit things. Nice to have him 'on side' lol! It still doesn't stop him rolling his eyes, when I 'just couldn't resist that yarn..', yet again.. (sigh)

Attaching a few photos

Knitting Update and Cloth Swap Gifts

I received my Cloth Swap parcel today from Studentka - and opening the parcel revealed a vibrant red/pink/white dishcloth in Peaches & Crème (my fave cotton cloth yarn), a lovely pot of moisturiser, a very useful note pad, a postcard and a yummy bar of chocolate - which has since been three quarters eaten! The cloth has pride of place in my little kitchen corner in my bedroom :)

My other knitting projects have ground to a bit of a halt due to flare ups, I've made a number of washing up cloths in plain cotton from my stash, and joined on the next ball of yarn to the Irish Hiking Scarf, so I'm more than half way through it now.

My first learner attempts at starting a lace shawl for my mum needs to be frogged and restarted again, I'll get there but it may take a few goes! My yarn overs are a bit dodgy and my centre stitch is far from centred!

Well, I shouldn't go short on cloths for a while..

My health hasn't been too bright lately with the ol' cfs/me thang driving me up the wall, making me feel unhappy and useless! Knitting, amongst other things, has been too much to pick up, I have several projects on the go and haven't had energy or focus for them.

I got really fed up of myself so I turned to knitting some easy washcloths after taking part in a cloth swap on Phoenix Forum. My swap buddy said she loved hers, and hubby took a shine to them and 'comissioned me' to make him some for some chocolate! He says to me that I have a job for life now! LOL! I think I will be putting my prices up though..

The good thing with these cloths is I can make them without too much strain on the joints etc, and they are even dead easy to make if I've taken to my bed. I use short 4mm needles, so any night knitting I manage to keep to my side of the bed without causing any danger to hubby sleeping.

I have a bit of an addiction going at the moment for Peaches & Creme 100% Cotton Yarn, I've made two orders so far from Create & Knit. Super fast service and delivery from them, that's helping my new addiction! There are soooo many colours, plain and patterned - I'll be going back a good few times before I'm bored.

Also loving the new Phoenix Forum - it's such a lovely community of knitters - and great company when I'm having bad days - to be able to dip in and join in the chat, see other knitters work and learn something along the way. A great distraction and uplifting too.

Added a few photos of my latest creations ;)

Needles Galore!

Wow, I finally got around to listing my knitting needles on Ravelry at long last. Worthy of a mention, considering I've been wanting to do this for months and months. I didn't realise how many I had, from my nicest ones that hubby bought me, to not so good freebie ones from magazines and some hand-me-downs. I even found my 'learner' knitting needles, old size UK 10's , aawwww..

I took a couple of photos amidst my chaos today: the pile of knitting needles on the bed and my messy table with knitting stuff all over it, burying the keyboard and making the pc bleep!

Last night was the first night in maybe months, I've lost track - that I managed a better number of hours sleep. I woke up with a sense of relief to find that it wasn't 2 a.m or 4 a.m!
The weather has been fine and bright today, and cheering to see - it was pleasant to open the windows and hear the songs the birds were singing. What was that bird? The one that sounded like a squeaky supermarket trolley?

As the sun is going down, I'm feeling better than I did yesterday, and I've achieved something that's been bugging me for months :) ;) Not bad at all..

Time for an update

Knitting update: Have done well and finished one item and cast on for two more. I've spent more time on Ravelry lately, and a couple of knitting forums also.
I've been browsing through a lot of free dishcloth patterns as I've joined a knitting forum Dishcloth Swap KAL - there is so much choice, I'm not sure what ones to do?
I've bought 3 balls of Peaches and Creme 100% cotton yarn, so I'll probably use the straight forward easy pattern and do a few - the cotton is so pretty it probably doesn't need much of a pattern. Maybe I'll do a few more using different patterns as well, and then choose the best one for my give away. Perhaps I should do 2 of each as I might not want to part! LOL

I did my first bit of 'garden knitting' yesterday - the weather was warm and spring like - lovely :)

Added photos of finished hat and beginning of scarf - details on Ravelry for yarn and pattern.

My new next month resolution - concentrate on my knitting

My latest project is Dawn Adcocks Sock Yarn hat pattern and it's the first time I've had to do a provisional cast on and 'pick up' live stitches. I'm half way through it now, and back to to the cast on edge to do the second side. Well, It didn't go quite to plan, the cast on didn't unravel very easily and I had to unpick each one individually - but still, I didn't lose any of the stitches so I'm very happy with that. :) I will have to practice my invisible cast on before I do that again. DH chose the yarn and he is really pleased the way the colours are knitting up. I'm using Opal Yarn, Rainforest 3, Oskar the dreamer 2035 - shades of blue/cream/white.

Also I've made our granddaughter a fluffy scarf using Wendy Chic, just a ordinary garter stitch scarf. I reserved a little yarn back to make a matching dolly scarf for her favourite doll. She's very pleased with it because it's shiny and glittery.

I decided to make a new months resolution for March - to make more time for knitting and myself! I've already ordered some yarn - and can't wait for it to arrive!

CFS/ME

Very disillusioned with myself at the moment - flare up of symptoms and senses are sensitive, noise and light a bit much.
After waiting and waiting, I'm at last going to the CFS/ME Self Help course and have met some really lovely people, both sufferers and NHS people that run it.
I'm finding that there are not many surprises in the course so far, they're going over ground that basically most of us have figured out for ourselves over the time we've had this condition. Not dismissing the fact that what they are telling us is very useful, and worthy of being reminded of. I still have a few more sessions to attend, so can't give a complete opinion yet.

I have been trying to follow a lot of their guidance, but we are all different and these theories are not a cure all, and I'm finding that my condition is fluctuating madly at the moment and insomnia is a problem. I'm trying hard to keep myself distracted and active without pushing myself too far which has been very hard going. As long as I pace, the best distraction for me when I've some energy, is my knitting, photography, knitting forums and Ravelry and listening to the radio. I'm finding 'house, going out and life things' require too much physical and mental energy at the moment.

It's a real nice thought that we are nearer Spring time now - and I'll be glad when the lighter days are back again. Our granddaughter brings much light at home at the moment, it's wonderful how she brings something new into each day.

I've bought yet another 'How to beat CFS/ME' book called The Perrin Technique - I've not had the brain to read it yet, it looks daunting, I've flicked through the pages and noticed headlines such as mercury fillings.. I've got dentist on Friday so wondering if I should read that first?

Enough now..

Re birth of our knitting community

Spread the word! - due to the grand efforts from dedicated folks, there's been a re birth for the knitting community that used to use Angel Yarns Forums - head for the new forum - Phoenix Knitting Forums.

You can find out what's been going on via Ravelry and the Angel Yarn Group Discussion board there.

Long live the Phoenix!

Pardon me

Parden me I didn't knit that for you

Hope this works!

This made me smile, clever gals..

That's Christmas done for another year..

The socks I knitted for our offspring was well received and worn immediately! I was pleased that they liked them, and liked the colours chosen for them.
Here's a photo of them all modelling their socks on Christmas Day, with our granddaughter who is wondering when she'll get a pair made for her!

Lets Knit2gether Video podcast

I've just come across a video podcast which is friendly, informative and entertaining.
It's made by a wife and husband team, Cat and Eric, and I'm finding it strangely addictive!

They are trying to raise funds for new equipment, to keep the show going. So if you like what you see and fancy 'chipping in' a few dollars - they are asking for every ones help.

You can download their programmes via i tunes as well as their website.
Click on Lets Knit2gether

Another pair of socks completed

Finished another pair of socks, I'm pleased with them, they've turned out well and very colourful.
I've used Opal 4ply yarn #1932 and 2.5mm dpns.

I cast on quickly for the last pair of socks I've planned to do this year - unless I get tempted!
I've a few sock patterns I want to try next, but I must stick to my 'must finish first' projects.
(Will the will power last?)