Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Been a long time

 I know, it has been quite a while since I last wrote here.  I just let life get in the way, and forget to record my adventures in knitting. I havae been cutting down on my UFO's, and trying ber hard not to start too any more. I have actually managed to stick to pretty much one project until it is finished. Not all the time, of course, but more than before. Currently I am working on a project that is with 2ply lace on 4mm needles. I had forgotten just how difficult it can be working on such fine yarn, with what feels like broomsticks. The pattern will be nice when it is complete - I hope. I know there is probably nobody reading this, but, I really should try to keep this up for my own record of progress.

Sunday, August 21, 2022

No name

 Now, I know I haven't posted here in a long while. I have finished Iona, and will put up a picture later. I really love the way it has worked up, and am so pleased with the colour I used for the I cord border. One of the girls at work - Rose - suggested it, and she was totally right.

One of the reasons I haven't written anything was because I was going through some personal things and work. And I really didn't feel like doing alot, except knit.

I am currently shaking off the last of covid. Both my husband and I got it at the same time - he got it really lightly with a strong positive. I, on the other hand, got bad symptoms, with a weak positive!!! Makes no sense to me. Maybe it was because I was also fighting sinus and hayfever. The wattle is in full flower over here, and the pollen has also started up. I have been left feeling rather tired, and hope they are understanding at work. 

Speaking of work, I go back on Tuesday. Makes it a short week for me, but I am happy with that. I know I am going to feel quite work out at the end of each day, and certainly by the end of the week, I will need my days off.

Since finishing Iona, I have started Durrow, and had to unpick the whole thing after I realised I had read the charts totally wrong. I was on a total downer when I had to do that. I did try to walk away and start something else instead. But, I know that if I don't pick it up again, then I won't do it. It will stay in the naughty corner for a very long time.  

Monday, August 01, 2022

I am a knitter

 I know that doesn't mean much to anyone. But, I have usually hidden this talent - and it is a talent - and only let other knitters see my work. But, I am 62 years old, and I have decided that it is time I stopped hiding my work. I am not embarrased by my knitting, I don't really know why I've always downplayed what I have achieved with my knitting. Maybe because I am so used to not meeting others expectations? I admit there are many mistakes in my knitting, and I choose colours that make me happy. After all, if I am doing the work, and I am going to be the one to be looking at it, then I should be happy to do so.

I know this doesn't mean much to most people, but it is actually a big step for me. And you know what? I don't really care what others think of me being a knitter. It has taken me a long time to get to that point, and I actually feel like a hugh load has been lifted. One I wasn't even aware that I was carrying!!

Friday, July 08, 2022

A lovely square

 I really love this combination of colours. These are actually two different shades of orange, and I think they compliment each other quite nicely. I think this might well be the brightest square I have done so far on Iona.


I know the different shades might not show up very well, but they really are lovely. It also looks quite small, but I am only half way through this particular square.

Monday, July 04, 2022

Stress

We all handle stress in different ways. Sometimes you don't even realise that you are stressing about something, not until that stress actually goes away. I have been stressing about things at work, trying to not give in to it, but, when you have a headache that seems to overtake you, you know you really aren't handling the stress very well.  So, how to handle things? Talk about it, with someone you trust totally which in my case is my husband. I also need to get back to walking, even in the winter I still need to go for a walk. I haven't been doing as much walking as I used to, and I honestly think that is playing a part. It is how I usually work that stress out of my system, as well as the talking thing. Knitting is also a wy fo relieving the stress. I continue to knit, no matter what. I can't not knit, it is so much a part of who I am.

Friday, July 01, 2022

Can't think of a title

 Do you know how difficult it is to try and come up with a title with each post I do? I could just to a heading of each day that I do one, you know, Friday, 1st July. But that sounds so boring. Good thing there isn't a competition for the best title, aye?

Anyway, what was I gonna write about? Not Iona, must be gettinga  little boring hearing about how I am going on that, - which I am still doing by the way. No, this is about knitting, but maybe a little of my journey on it. You could say I am a bit of a rebel knitter. I don't do swatches, I don't even do tension squares!!!!  I actually never bothered doing a tension right from the beginning of my knitting journey, couldn't be bothered. I just wanted to get on with the pattern. In all honesty, I still don't do a swatch, why break a habit of years? I know I am a tight knitter, so I know to go up a size on the needles I use for any pattern. 

I also don't usually use the yarn that the pattern states. Mostly because I can't get that yarn. As long as the yar I am planning on using has the same measurements for the pattern, then I am all good to go. Good thing this isn't being read by anyone else, cos I know I would be in so much trouble right now. But, you know what? I am very happy with my knitting, and the results ares till good. Any garments I make still fit the intended person, and they seem happy with it.

So, now back to knitting on Iona. Come on, you really can't expect me to not mention Iona!!! I am surprised I have actually stayed with this one projects for as long as I have. Sure, I have made a couple of small things, but, I have always gone back to Iona. She calls to me, louder that any of my other knitting - and that really is saying something.

Saturday, June 25, 2022

More progress

Iona is slowly making progress. I had a short break while I did some baby knitting, then made some hats for Mum. But I am now back on track. I have sorted out my yarn, so picking colours should be easier - I hope. Anyway, here are a couple of pictures of my progress.




Thursday, June 16, 2022

Another digression

 I truly haven't given up on Iona, I just keep getting sidetracked. Mum has asked my to make her a hat, as she is feeling the cold lately. So, I went stash shopping. Found a couple of skeins of wool I can use, I need to make sure the yarn is nice and soft, as Mum reacts to anything evensligtly scratchy. This yarn is acrylic, but I know it won't bother her skin. I have ordered some other yarn, but while I wait for it to arrive, I can do this one, and get it sent to her.

I also made another baby item for the baby shower at work. It was just a simple garter stitch jacket and bootees. Very simple, and came out nice. It was also yarn from my stash. It was supposed to be done in double knitting yarn, but I used 5ply instead. At least I am stash shopping first, so that has to be good.

I will get  back to Iona once I get these little projects out of the way. Shouldn't take very long, though. They really are only small projects, and quick to work up. 

Saturday, June 04, 2022

Normal transmission has begun

 I took a very short break from Iona, and of course, I didn't write anything on here. I knitted a couple of baby items for a baby shower we are having at work for one of the girls there. I enjoy knitting baby items, because they tend to be quick and easy. Now that I have finished those two items, I am back to Iona. I made sure I kept the current square near me, where I could see it, just to make sure Iona didn't end up on the backburner. I don't want it to become a UFO, I want it to stay as a WIP. I truly don't know how big it is actually going to end up, as I keep finding new colours that can be used in this blanket. I know it was supposed to only be a queen size, but will not be surprised if it turns out much bigger. Of course, it will stretch one it is finished. The whole weight of it will make sure of that. But, while I am enjoying this knitting, I will keep adding squares. It does have to come to an end at some point, but hey, there's no hurry for that. 

I do have a jersey that I need to do for my husband, so I guess that will be the driving force to geth this blanket finished. Just don't hold your breath.

Thursday, June 02, 2022

Something a little different.

 I have taken a very short break from Iona. But, have no fear, I am going back to it. 

I have knitted both these items for a work colleague who is having a baby shower soon.



Love how these have turned out. I just need to get the buttons and maybe some ribbon for the singlet.

Saturday, May 21, 2022

Another two halves

 Here is the next panel. I used the six background colours for this panel, just repeated those backgrounds for the second half, but a new foreground. I am truly enjoying out different colour combinations.


As you can see, I am using mostly lighter combinations of colour. That is because that reflects how I look at things. I try to see the good first.

Been a long time

 I know, it has been quite a while since I last wrote here.  I just let life get in the way, and forget to record my adventures in knitting....