Winter is coming

 The temperatures are certainly dropping. Although it is sunny there is a distinct chill to the air. So glad we have our new dryer, in time for the cooler days, and the washing not getting dry in one day.

So, I really need to work on the Log Cabin. The shwl will just have to wait for a little while. I have put Iona on the bed, because the nights are just a tad cold.  I am actually thinking of either making another Iona, or turning one of Lucy Hague's cushion patterns into squares for another blanket. Each square would have to be done in one colour, but that isn't really a problem. It's really just to decide whether to do it in 4-ply, or should I use Double knitting? Probably need to take a look through my stash first, before I make a decision. I should have enough wool of each to make a blanket. Maybe I can do both? Two blankets would be interesting. Would show how a pattern can work up in different plies of wool. Hmmm...that is rather a nice thought. Watch this space.

Log Cabin

 I think I've already said that I am knitting a Log Cabin Blanket for myself. It is a good way to use up some of my 4-ply stash, and I really enjoy the use of colours. Here are a few pictures of the panel I am currently working on. I am sewing them together as I go, so will put up other pictures later. I am already thinking of doing another Lucy Hague pattern, and turn it into a blanket. It is a cushion pattern, but won't be difficult to be done as a blanket. I don't know whether to do it in 4-ply, or double knitting this time. It would be different in DK wool for a change. 

One of my current WIP's

 The yarn I received from Purple Sprouting is working up really well into a Shawl. As soon as I saw the yarn, I knew the pattern it would suit. It is a very simple pattern, and I have no name, or designer for it, either. These two photos don't show the true beauty of the colour, it is so much richer than it looks. This is the sort of pattern you can do without too much concentration needed, and will look really nice once finished. You could use pretty much any weight yarn, I am using a 4-ply one, but have a nice DK that I am considering using at some date for this particular pattern. I also think it lends itself to a variegated yarn, as the lace is  very basic, and the colours would still show up.

Yarn

 I am part of a yarn club that sends out a skein each month. The yarn arrives near the end of the month, and this month's arrived yesterday. I LOVE this colour, and have absolutely no idea what I am going to make with it. Each skein come with a small charm that is a flower, as this year the theme for the yarn is garden society. I only discovered this yarn club last year, and was not disappointed in any of the skeins.  Anyway, here is a picture of the skein that arrived yesterday. The picture does not show the tru beauty of the colour, it is so much better in real life.

And so it continues

 Now the ants are moving into the passage. Will need to sprinkle cayenne pepper down where the floor boards leave spaces. Will this ever end? I am starting to wonder if they are trying  to find somewhere to winter - in our house!!! If I have anything to do with it, that is NOT happening. The house is starting to smell of vinegar, can't say it is very pleasant, but not a lot we can do about it.

Ants and retirement

 So, there is an ant war going on in our house. For some reason that I do not understand, the ants have decided now is a good time to try and invade the house. They are even in the bathroom, which makes me think they may be looking for water? Even so, they most certainly are not welcome inside. We are doing our best to keep on top of the problem, but know that this is only the tip of the iceberg. For that reason alone, I am looking forward to the cooler weather arriving, as I know they don't like it when the weather gets chilly.

I am also nearing retirement age. I turn 65 soon, so have started the process of applying for the pension. The hoops you have to go through is a little daunting. I have given them all the information that I can, and really hope it is enough. I know they won't backpay the pension, so you need to apply early. That way, if there is anything they need, you should have time to get it.

My Log cabin blanket is coming along nicely, and will take a picture of it soon, and upload it here. I don't actually have as much colour choice as I thought I did. Probably because I have used more of it on other projects than I thought I had. I can always go and get some more, that is no problem.

Surprise!!!

 Yes, I am actually writing something today. Not gonna be a long post, as I am fighting the beginnings of a migraine. Hoping it won't turn into a full on migraine. We shall see, I have taken something to fight it off, hence the reason this won't be very long. 

I am trying to be a good girl, and not start something new in my knitting. I am actually trying to work on two projects. The Lakemoor Vest, and my Log Cabin blanket. The Lakemoor Vest is done in two colours, and of course the log cabin in several colours. I will put up a picture of my progress on both later. The log cabin is much further on than the vest, but that is because it is so much easier to knit. I do have several other projects waiting in the wings for me to complete - I am NOT going to admit to how many UFO's I have on the go. Although, fewer than I have had in the past, due to the fact that some have come off the needles.

Winter is on it's way here, the days are starting to get cooler, and shorter. So, I really should get some winter things either started, or finished. I have enough hats, enough scarves and wraps, so maybe I need to look at something different. I am thinking of doing more socks, it has been a while since I knitted any socks. Goodness knows I do have enough sock yarn already. I do want to try two socks at once, on two circular needles. I have different coloured cables that would make it easier to see which row I am on - that is the plan, anyway. But, that is for later. Let's try to get this vest, and blanket finished first. 

Been a while - again

 Yes, once again it has been a while since I last wrote here. Just need somewhere to vent, where I know it won't be read. And I won't be judged.

I am actually feeling a bit down today. Yesterday was really bad with a big ant problem. They were all over the dished on the bench, in the bench top oven, in the microwave, and on the water cooler. I seem to be the only one concerned about the ants being inside. They are also all over the bath, even being near the ceiling!!! I truly don't know what to do about them. The more ant bait that is put down, the more that seem to be appearing. To be honest, I am looking forward to cooler weather, because I know they don't like the winter weather. But once it starts to warm up again, what happens then?

Anyway, back to my knitting. I am making a log cabin blanket out of my nice 4-ply yarn. It is looking quite nice, and I am starting to have a little fun with colour. I actually like working with colour, and a log cabin blanket is just the thing for it.

Of course, I am also reading. I enjoy reading, almost as much as I do knitting. Both keep me going. Even though I actually haven't been able to finish a book in a while. I think I have just been too stressed out about other things. I reach retirement age this year, and have to decide whether to fully retire, or to just be semi-retired. I would like to do only two days at work, but we will see. It is mostly for the social contact, otherwise, I may just end up staying at home all the time, and that really won't be good for me.

Should I continue with this blog?

 Not really sure why I keep this up. I don't write here very often, and as far as I know nobody is that interested in what I have to say. If that is the only reason for me to keep this up, then it is a waste of time. If I am doing it just for my own interest, then I should keep going. Maybe it could just be a way for me to keep track of my projects. I really am trying to keep on top of them, and am getting better at working on only one at a time. Can't say my number of projects has shrunk by much. The trouble is, for each one that I finish, I usually cast on two more - if not more. 

But, having said that, I am actually working on a blanket for a friend. She has asked me to knit a baby blanket, and she has provided the yarn for it. So, I am being a good girl, and although my other projects are really calling out to me, I am behaving myself. It is really hard to do. I have a lace weight project that is so close to finishing, but it will just have to wait a little longer. Once I finish this blanket, I may well finish the lace project. I really want to see it complete, and start wearing the stole.

Really feeling it now

 I have been up since before 5 o'clock this morning, and am really starting to feel it now. Hoping I will actually sleep well tonight, and won't be overtired by then. 

I finally finished the log cabin blanket I was knitting as a wedding anniversary present for my husband. It is all done in 4-ply yarn, and most of it was from stash. I am really pleased with how it evolved as I worked on it. Having finished it, I have now started three projects - yes, that is right, I really did say three projects. See, this is why I never run out of projects to work on. But, I do run out of needles, so tend to just go get some more of the size I need. It's not I really need more projects, really. It's just that these are baby knitting, and baby knitting is usually quick. Having said that, I have realized that I don't actually have that much baby yarn in my stash - horror!!!!! Good reason to order more, which I have done. At least I actually have a project in mind for one lot of wool that has been ordered - see not going into stash. That has to be good. 

Improving but. . .

 Having COVID, or recover from it is bad enough. But, I am also fighting hayfever - how does that happen?!?!? I have also started a cold sore. Give me a break - seriously!!!  Ahh well, at least I can watch the racing at Taupo. It is so good to see the supercars back in New Zealand.

Knitting wise, I am struggling to stay with only one project - really nothing new there. I have about three lace projects on the go, so decided I really needed to work on one of them for a short time. To that end, I am working on Kirremuir, which is a Lucy Hague pattern. This is one I have not done before, I have looked at it, but just not had the yarn to work it. I found some lace weight yarn in my stash that was waiting for the right project - and waiting for me to rediscover it - and the pattern is working up lovely. It takes a bit of concentration, so I don't work on it for too long. It is similar to Lindisfarne in that it is worked in the round, and at the end is steeked. That still scares me even though I've done it three times. Cutting your knitting just does not sound right. But, it worked with Lindisfarne, so should be okay with Kirremuir, right?