Back issues

 I know, this blog was set up for knitting. But, since it is my blog, and nobody seems to be reading it other than me, and if anyone is reading it, they sure aren't commenting. So, I can write what ever I choose. Since I fell on the ice a few years ago, I have had back issues. My back was broken at the time, but nothing was done about it, so now I have to live with the consequences of that. Yesterday, at work, I hurt my back doing something I have done a dozen times before, but this time my back decided it wasn't liking it. All I did was bend a little, and turn to pick up something that had fallen to the floor. I've done that heaps of times before without any issues. So why did my back decide it didn't wanna do that? Of course, that means I can't go to work today, because my back is only just starting to come right, and I know with all the heavy lifting that I do, it would cause more damage. The only good thing about being home is being able to do some more knitting on the two shawls that I am actually being really good at working on. Doing two that have different constructions makes things really interesting. It is going to be interesting to see just how long it takes to finish either shawl.

Knitting, as usual

 No surprise that I am knitting. I am always knitting, when I'm not reading that is. But, I do always have something on the needles. At the moment I am concentrating on two projects. They are both baby shawls, and both are oldish patterns. The interesting thing with both these patterns is they are both worked slightly differently. By that I mean one is worked with the centre first, then you do the edging. The other is the edging worked first, then you do the centre. Both are supposed to be in garter stitch, with lace - of course. But, I have changed one to stocking stitch, and kept the other as garter stitch. Because I have changed the construction just a little, it keeps me interested. I am not totally sure of the yarn amounts that will be needed for both patterns. So, that also makes things interesting.

Drying yarn

 I am not very good at waiting for my yarn to dry so I can get started on my next big project. I bought some Naked Skeinz Merino in the sale. It needs washing, before using, so it is now drying. I know this will be good for the yarn, but gee, it ain't easy. I have printed off the pattern I intend to use this yarn on, so that is all good. Don't bother telling me patience is a virtue!!!  I know it is, but it is a virtue I clearly don't possess. 

In the meantime, I am going to have to settle for doing more on my Threadfall pattern. This is one of MMario's patterns, and it connected to Anne McCaffery's Pern series of books. I loved reading those books, and since I know what Threadfall means, it seemed good to get started on this. I have no idea what the yarn is I am using for this, as it is on a cone that I got from a second-hand shop a few years ago. I do know it is pure wool - I did the burn test. It is working up really well in this pattern. 

Okay, off to do more reading, and knitting.

Sales are dangerous

 Well, some sales are dangerous. Not all of them, but some. Especially yarn sales, especially when you don't really need any more yarn, but really want to cast on something new. Especially when you are stuck at home because of lockdown. Especially you love getting squishy mail. So, I bought some yarn from the Skeinz sale. The first order was for a shawl that I have been asked to make, the second order was because . . . . I like the colour. I may, or may not, have a project in mind for the second order. But, who said I had to have one in mind? I say I am supporting a small business. Not local, as in where I live, but local as in New Zealand. And their yarn is local as well. Sort of. It's not a chain store. Do I sound defensive? 

Back to my knitting. Another baby garment for someone, but this has been sourced from my stash. See, I can be a good girl, sometimes.

Lock down

The trouble with being inlock down is you can all too easily get a little lazy. Or, not so much lazy, as not do a lot. The weather doesn't help, either. I know this is the first day of Spring, so lets hope it is a little warmer than the last few days. I did have big plans on doing another clean up inside, and outside. Neither has been achieved. Maybe now that we have moved to level 3, I might feel more active? Goodness knows the garden sure needs a lot of attention, again. And there is lots of stuff inside that could get even more sorted, but then, what to do with all the rubbish? We can't recycle it at the moment, and most of it can be recycled. I don't want to put it in the rubbish, so it would just build up, not really what I am trying to achieve. I've been trying to imagine I am on leave, as I was supposed to be, but that isn't really working either. Ahh well, just admit, I am feeling lazy, and go with it. Bet once we are back at work, which will be next week, (in time for my leave to finish), I will suddenly feel more active. How typical.

One good thing that has come out of this particular lock down, I have been using more of my stash. Not been buying as much yarn as I did last time; and the yarn I have bought is for a particular project. Still, that being said, I will get more yarn at some point. I've been asked to do some baby knitting, and going through my stash shows I don't really have much in the way of baby wool.  Not saying I will get more of it, though. As I am not sure just how much baby knitting is needed for this particular person, and I am not sure that if it is straight wool, wether it will be taken proper care of. So I need to be looking at a wool/acyrlic mix.