Getting back into it

The machine has been idle now for so many months. Finally I got myself bothered and did a fair isle swatch in pink and white for a baby blanket.

I have just noticed a dropped stitch too, must check those needles.

Have not changed one needle since I got the machine.

I don't like using the full needle bed of 200 needles so will use 196 needles x 324 rows to give a rectangle. When it's done I can crochet a wide border all round. Time to get started then!

Sewing a baby receiving blanket

I found this great video on YouTube which shows you how to sew a self binding baby blanket. It took me about an hour and came out great. I was so pleased with it I went all the way to Southall to see if I could get suitable material for another one, but I had no luck.

Life Ended To Soon

Life took over-what can I say, one of our boys was diagnosed with rectal cancer at the age of 18, that was such a shock to us all.

He came here from lands far away, the journey was to find a better life and instead he found it ended.

We did not understand what was happening or why,our days were taken up with hospital visits,radiotherapy,chemo,stoma bags,morphin, then news that it had spread and was now terminal did not sink in, we could not accept it at first especially him, he wanted to know when his next chemo would be-this only after the consultant had explained to him they could do no more. I requested another session so it could be explained again, I could not tell him myself, how could I explain to him that his life was over at 18?

It was only a few weeks later that he passed away, gently in his sleep, now at last free from the alien cells taking over his system and shutting them down one by one.

He is still with us every day, we remember his gentleness,kindness,helpfulness,humour and patience. How he called the cat 'madam', made friends with everyone he met, filled our lives with so much goodness.

Time is a healer they say, but the tears don't stop and we hope that is true, but how much time must pass before the hurt and lumps in the throat feelings go away?

for S 1994-2012

Wow, just remembered I have not been adding anything to my blog since February, naughty girl. I have been so busy though so do forgive me. Another new grandson born recently. I made a nice blanket for him as well, will put it up when I have found the photos I took.
The latest whim I have is to make the Baby Surprise Jacket by hand. So I sent for the book by Elizabeth Zimmerman 'Knitting workshop' Schoolhouse Press. The yarn has been purchased, the needles are ready so I opened up the book to the page of the pattern I wanted and started to read it. Bad idea, I got stuck on the neck decrease, which seemed not to make much sense to me. So I have spent the entire day looking for help on this subject. I am so happy that I have found so much information about it that I have to get a folder ready.
There are even videos for a step-by-step tutorial, now how can I go wrong with that? Well, we shall see-if there is one thing I know it's that if there is a way to go wrong on something that I will always end up doing it.
stubbornness though is my middle name, I will do this!!
I want to start a Knit-a-long, so if anyone would like to join me here is a great chance to help each other out with this darling little jacket.

Of course, you may have to purchase the pattern, but I believe you can get a pack of three (newborn,child and adult) for about $10 from Schoolhouse Press. Will be posting my progress soon, keep passing by.

Aaaah, been looking at a great big cone of 2/28 in white now for about a week and trying to get my head around how I am going to use it. Three times I have been into the loft as I remember there was a similar cone in pale green. Opened every box of yarn I had but could not find it. I did find a cone of 2/28 in a nice deep blue which I could use with the white so I brought it down. As soon as I did that, I opened a drawer to look for something and there was the green, sitting quietly and mocking me. Sod's law. Now I had to decide which one to combine......this is just too much for my brain cells to take.
A baby blanket then, always a good project to get started with when you have been 'dry' for a while, perhaps plating? Setting up the yarn I had a go at plating using two strands in each feeder and punch card No 10 from the basic set-nope, it was not going to work....too finicky for a novice such as I.
OK, maybe a tuck using two colours....that might be something to try. I must admit that I feel such a useless dork when I just can't get my head around something......and surely a knitting machine does not need a PhD to use?
Will let you know soon how I am getting on and whether I have any hair left!

I forgot to show you the finished baby blanket for my youngest grandson. Here it is:

Jet-lag, well I certainly know what that is now. It's falling asleep at 5pm when your son-in-law is talking to you! It's been over a week now since I got back and I woke up this morning at 4.30am, can't wait to get back into the normal pattern of things.
Speaking of patterns, I have come across this website which may be useful for those of us who like to crochet. I like to crochet-just don't have the brains for it, but I still keep trying!

http://www.craftyarncouncil.com

The weather we have been experiencing lately has blown all the leaves off the trees in the garden. This weekend is supposed to be sunny-we shall see.

My knitting machine, I have moved it to the other side of the room, along with the sewing machine. I am thinking of making a move on it sometimes soon, just hope I am not going into another one of my 'can't be bothered' phases. This happens now and again, I lose the enthusiasm and move on to something else like reading.

My Ebay shop has gone into bankruptcy because I have lost the will to keep it stocked up after a customer bought a genuine Beswick ceramic horse from me. She then replaced it with a similar fake one and sent it back, saying I had sold her the fake. She got her money back from Ebay (although I did send them photos and made a complaint-they always side with the buyer and not the seller).

This had me at first livid, then down-heartened, now I am thinking of shutting down completely.

Sorry to be a moaner today, it's not really me-I am most times a jolly person.

One bright spark has been seeing my little grandchildren over the New Year, they always bring a smile with their antics.

Wishing you all a great 2012.