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..

Looking forward to my present!

I'm looking forward to my Christmas gift from my daughter - hopefully arriving soon!!. It's called 'Ultimate Knitting Bible' by Sharon Brant
I can't wait...

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!

Nursing a Cold & No Knitting :(

Feeling poorly with only the company of menthol and tissues, piles and piles of tissues..
No body loves you when you have a drippy nose and unpleasant cough..

No energy to knit - so I've spent a little time on the Internet and managed to connect to 'Let's Knit' Magazine/Blog/Forum. I signed up back in April, it's been ages and it's changed a bit - looks like a fair bit of catching up to do there. I noticed there's some instructional videos which can be useful. I'm looking forward to looking at Let's Knit site and forum soon.

Hubby downloaded something called Miro (?) and downloaded some Cat Bourdhi video clips - they were a bit pixelated on our screen but I had a few 'A-Ha!' moments, pennies dropping a few times with her instructions. She uses bright multicoloured yarn and big yarn and needles, so even I can see it! Her verbal instructions are very entertaining, with the 'Udder needle', and 'Hungry Stitch' a couple of examples - oh and the 'ladies with their coiffured hair'!

Hopefully I'll be over this bug soon, cos I've still got our granddaughters jumper to finish for Christmas - I'm sooo near to finishing, just the sewing up arms and sides.

Just in case I don't blog again soon - Seasons Greetings and all the best for the new year!