tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90396628869231048122024-02-08T14:12:58.030+00:00Tales of an arthritic knitter...knitting slowly on chunky needles...vonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16610720532826098857noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039662886923104812.post-85956078891692435022009-02-25T18:53:00.004+00:002009-02-25T19:06:31.741+00:00BleughLooong pause in blogging over the last 2.5 months due to a cold, another cold, an ear infection, change of job, another cold and now mildly niggly arthritis (more annoying than painful). Bleugh indeed, but feeling ok in myself and the new job is going really well.Normal service will resume soon...if I ever work out what that is!Oh, and merry Christmas and happy new year!vonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16610720532826098857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039662886923104812.post-76563375579714204292008-12-13T22:17:00.002+00:002008-12-13T23:00:52.027+00:00Free pattern: Close to meThis is what happens when you cross a small amount of Shilasdair 100% cashmere handspun yarn and a need (or rather want) for a light scarf. As I only had 68g of yarn, I couldn't make anything too big, so I started hunting for either long thin scarves, or short fat cowls. I found one or two things that I liked but didn't seem quite what I was after. The more I hunted, the clearer the picture vonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16610720532826098857noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039662886923104812.post-83386334225982617822008-12-13T15:12:00.002+00:002008-12-13T17:02:52.443+00:00Still here and knittingIt's been longer than I thought since my last post - oops. I've been up to quite a lot over the last few months, some of it worth blogging about too!The most important thing is that I'm knitting again and really enjoying it. I've had a bad cold for the last few weeks (will it ever end!) and knitting had been helping me through it :o)I'm not doing as much Christmas knitting this year. Partly to vonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16610720532826098857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039662886923104812.post-4446275682651861612008-10-07T20:50:00.002+01:002008-10-07T22:11:53.682+01:00SP12: This post is brought to you by the colour pinkFirst there was purple, then red, now my SP has sent pink yarn - and fabulous stuff it is too! As well as the pink yarn, I got chocolate and shower gel - all very very lovely stuff. Here's the pic...there may be some chocolate missing :o)I had no idea who my pal was throughout the swap, one or two hints have been dropped recently and I think I've worked out who is...still not entirely sure thoughvonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16610720532826098857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039662886923104812.post-61941624539988321062008-09-25T21:48:00.001+01:002008-09-25T21:48:09.114+01:00Taa-daa!I've just finished Sheldon. I'm very excited.vonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16610720532826098857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039662886923104812.post-8319959320962302412008-09-14T19:01:00.003+01:002008-09-14T19:30:23.240+01:00Unexpected quality knitting timeI definitely seem to be getting back into this knitting lark again. I'm actually feeling excited in the 'just one more row/section/piece' way. This has mainly been due to having time on my hands combined with a need to keep off my feet. I was off work on Thursday afternoon and Friday due to my arthritis playing up and attacking my feet. First the right foot, then the left. I therefore turned on vonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16610720532826098857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039662886923104812.post-55436076006347730312008-09-10T08:27:00.002+01:002008-09-10T09:45:52.450+01:00Quick update - I've been knitting!After what feels like a low that has lasted forever, I'm trying to pull myself together and get back on top of things. This, of course, includes knitting and I did get some quality knitting time in over the weekend. I suppose rain does have it's advantages...I've decided to make knitted gifts for a friends two kids whose birthdays are less than a month apart. I'm making a pinwheel cardie for vonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16610720532826098857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039662886923104812.post-65988719279168189712008-08-24T10:54:00.002+01:002008-08-24T11:06:40.530+01:00Photo updatesJust a quick post with some photos.First, my second SP12 package:Next, my clapotis sofa throw. I've been meaning to take a photo of this for ages, it lives on the sofa, even though I've not finished the ends yet (just hidden them). I'll finish it one of these days. The way the stripes worked out still hasn't grown on me which is a shame, but I do love the colours.Lastly is my shawl. I've not vonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16610720532826098857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039662886923104812.post-91763466233710202062008-08-20T20:11:00.003+01:002008-08-20T20:40:41.896+01:00SP12: More goodiesMy secret pal has done it again, I got another great parcel the other day. Photos to follow but it contained yarnie goodness (lovely red washable stuff), hand cream (tried out this morning, very good), latte macchiato chocolates (partly consumed) and some apple and ginkgoflavoured green tea (not tried yet). Thank you secret pal!!In other news, I'm still not knitting. Not doing much at all, well,vonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16610720532826098857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039662886923104812.post-69029468752736565042008-07-21T20:49:00.002+01:002008-07-21T21:31:27.007+01:00sp12: Question of the week 6 and other brief commentsI am trying to post regularly, really I am. It's just not happening at the moment I'm afraid. I've got lots of things I want to blog about, just no time or energy to do it. More in a mo, but first, question of the week 6 (determined to answer it before no. 7 appears!).What is your favorite type of project to take along on holiday/vacation?This is an easy one. I've not been on holiday (proper vonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16610720532826098857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039662886923104812.post-45422634126148353922008-07-15T21:02:00.002+01:002008-07-15T21:13:03.945+01:00What I'm not doingNot working. Not studying. Not applying for a job. Not doing anything that has has been consuming me recently. I'm having an evening of nothing other than sitting with a glass of wine and watching some rubbish TV (Bonekickers, is that really the best the BBC could do?), then a long soak in the bath I think, then bed with my book. Lovely.vonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16610720532826098857noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039662886923104812.post-17810870233166063162008-07-10T21:44:00.003+01:002008-07-10T22:07:02.043+01:00SP12: Question of the Week #4 & #5Apologies again at being so rubbish at keeping up with these questions. My answers aren't very inspired I'm afraid...1) What yarn (that you don’t have/haven’t used) would make your stash “complete”? 2) What yarn do you never want to be without?Surely that's 2 questions?1) I don't think it's possible to make stash complete is it? I do need to find something that does the long colour changes like vonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16610720532826098857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039662886923104812.post-85545104482273420682008-07-04T18:54:00.002+01:002008-07-04T19:57:58.941+01:00SP12: Yey! First gift installmentI have a wonderful secret pal who's first gift (of three apparently) arrived yesterday.The theme is 'purple'. There's 400g of thick, scrumptious purple yarn (the type of stuff you can bury your face in), lovely smellies and some blueberry and lavender chocolate. I'm impressed that even the chocolate has an injection purple!My pal has done a very good job, I can't wait for the next installment! vonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16610720532826098857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039662886923104812.post-9907514025072066022008-06-29T11:31:00.004+01:002008-06-29T12:34:44.045+01:00SP12: Question of the Week 2 & 3Ok, sorry for being crap and answering these a bit late, not spent much time at the pc of late. I'm sitting here dyeing my hair red (again), I've got 20 minutes until I have to rinse. My hair is quite dark so I never get the bright colour that I would like, but it generally gets a good tint.So to business:As a kid, what did you look forward to most about summer vacation/break/holiday?I used to vonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16610720532826098857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039662886923104812.post-36572017432526662692008-06-20T20:50:00.002+01:002008-06-20T22:00:03.682+01:00ClaptastropheOh it was all going so well. I finished the straight section and was storming into the decreases. I was very pleased with myself...until I noticed, completely by accident, this:Can you see where I messed up? I've missed dropping 3 stitches!! I know exactly how I did it too (now I've sat down and studied it). The decrease section is the first section where you have to drop stitches at each end of vonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16610720532826098857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039662886923104812.post-45762302292316963182008-06-14T14:37:00.003+01:002008-06-14T15:22:27.036+01:00Clapotis progress and PIFWell, my clapotis is coming along. Just two more pattern repeats to do before I'm finished the straight section. I love the pink, purple and blue, but not that keen on the green - it just doesn't seem to fit too well with the other colours.I'm a bit worried about this tuft though...Fairly sure it didn't used to be like that and I have no idea how it happened - did I do it, or is it something vonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16610720532826098857noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039662886923104812.post-29862787391464157602008-06-13T20:15:00.003+01:002008-06-13T21:05:11.644+01:00SP12: Question of the WeekWhat is your favorite summertime drink??Hmm...well...depending on mood, it would either be a large glass of chilled dry white wine, or an ice cold G&T with a huge slice of lime. I can only have one though (stupid medication restricts my alcohol intake), so it would have to be good! I'd then have to move on to ice cold cranberry juice or fresh orange juice with all the juicy bits.vonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16610720532826098857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039662886923104812.post-10830262362898038462008-06-11T18:48:00.002+01:002008-06-11T18:54:38.877+01:00ClappingI'm working on my Clapotis again, yey! After avoiding it for a about a week or so after I made a stupid mistake, I managed to fix it in less than half an hour. Just goes to show what I can achieve when I'm in the right mood. I tinked back to where I prematurely dropped a stitch (I have no idea how I managed to do that - I'm going down the purl route so it should have been blatantly obvious, gahvonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16610720532826098857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039662886923104812.post-44922403918280742942008-06-09T20:46:00.002+01:002008-06-09T23:01:55.490+01:00NormalityNormality resumes, well, as much as ever.Report is handed in, just waiting for feedback, so may have to do more work. Just had a fabulous weekend away with my family in Scotland, staying in a teepee in a forrest! Gorgeous weather, gorgeous surroundings, had great time. Really suffering now though, absolutely knackered and the arthritis is prickling - one shoulder is particularly bad so I'm tryingvonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16610720532826098857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039662886923104812.post-21912959471057789562008-05-30T11:56:00.003+01:002008-05-30T12:07:12.139+01:00SP 12 QuestionnaireThis is my first time taking part in a secret pal swap. Be gentle with me. 1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I’m still on a journey of discovery regarding yarns. I don’t like scratchy ones, and not that keen on boucle or eyelash either. When my other half pointed out how silk was made I was devastated so avoid that now :o( Thinkingvonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16610720532826098857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039662886923104812.post-90551259043620613692008-05-28T22:48:00.003+01:002008-05-28T22:55:30.513+01:00Not Knitting...but sinking under a report I need to write. It was supposed to be finished yesterday. I spent the whole weekend working on it (usual avoidance tactics apply). I may get it finished this weekend. It's for a qualification I'm not even sure I want. I'm not having fun but I've done too much work towards it to give up now (I keep telling myself). Knitting will hopefully resume shortly.vonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16610720532826098857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039662886923104812.post-24141973896954914552008-05-17T17:09:00.002+01:002008-05-17T17:22:48.309+01:00Clapotis and socksI've not actually made any progress with my clap today, but this is how its looking so far......see what I mean about the colours? They're lovely, but...predictable. I'm making it with Wendy Fusion (got it v. cheap) and I'm getting a little concerned about how it's going to work out. I've not long since started my third ball and the colour changes aren't all contained within one ball but carry vonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16610720532826098857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039662886923104812.post-30179162873020592692008-05-17T10:34:00.003+01:002008-05-18T19:06:43.045+01:00Not much going on...It's been a bit quiet on the knitting front lately. Just as I was getting my oomph back my arthritis has decided to start playing silly-beggars. I'm hoping it's starting to settle down but my hands, although not overly painful, feel a bit swollen and aren't working as well as they might. Tsk.My socks have been frogged and are waiting to be cast on again. As well as making a mistake with the toe vonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16610720532826098857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039662886923104812.post-85100893251987893282008-04-27T17:15:00.003+01:002008-04-27T17:41:30.758+01:00Sarah's Fault Socks......that's the official title of my new knitting project! I have no idea if this project will ever be complete, but it's been fun so far. This is what I've been up to today:Yes, it's the beginnings of a pair of socks. It seems that Sarah put something contagious in that PIF parcel! In no time at all I found myself adding a lovely, shiny set of knit picks 3mm dpns to my Options order - even vonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16610720532826098857noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039662886923104812.post-18109703822224512662008-04-20T23:06:00.003+01:002008-04-20T23:40:42.720+01:00Itchy!!Well, would you believe it? It's weeks now since I lost my oomph. Not just my knitting oomph, my everything oomph. I've been slogging away at, well, everything, as you do, but sans-oomph.But it seems, since finishing the hoodie, my knitting itch has returned! I've been itchy all day, although haven't been able to scratch it as we've had lots on today. Not sure when I'm going to get a chance vonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16610720532826098857noreply@blogger.com1