Bargain

Found a bargain today! Four balls of sock wool for £3.99, in Lidl. So I stocked up. It is the usual mix, 75% wool 25% nylon, rather dull colours but I have plenty of brighter ones in the stash.

My WIP at the moment is Mr. Greenjeans. The yarn, some Paton's Merino I got from House of Fraser sale in the summer, for half price; yes I'm a cheapskate, rarely buy anything at full price if I can get it for less. I would call the colour cranberry, I love the way it is knitting up and just hope it will fit when finished, I'm allowing a bit more ease than in the original pattern.

Things aren't improving much at home. My mother is still with me with little improvement in her back or mobility. Steven also had a week at home with a cold but is back at day care now. We had our flu jabs this morning and should be in the next round of swine flu jabs when the surgery gets them in.

Progress

The little jacket is finished, at least the knitting part is, it still needs blocking and ends need to be sewn in. Vicki asks what it the make and number of the pattern. It is an old Patons pattern no. 250, dating probably from the 1950s or 60s. It was one of a series of Patons patterns featuring designs by Spanish designer Carmen Castresana. All are in 2 or 3ply and generally speaking quite intricate lace patterns. I already possessed one of these and now have nearly the whole series thanks to Ebay.

For a little relaxation a sock is in progress.

My mother managed to fall getting out of bed the other night and now insists on sleeping in the chair, and is actually sleeping very well. The doctor has prescribed stronger pain killers which have made her more comfortable, and I have my bed back which has made me more comfortable!

And finally, this was the magnificent sunset we had the other evening.

Problems

Well, I'm finally managing to update after a fairly traumatic few weeks. My mother, who is 92, has been suffering from backache for a while, and it suddenly worsened overnight and she could barely get out of bed. I got down to her house as soon as possible, she was seen by the GP and prescribed painkillers. It wasn't possible for me to stay overnight, so my sister came for a few days. When we could get her into a car, she came up to my house and has been here ever since.

A further visit from the doctor on Monday confirmed that she has a collapsed vertebra due to osteoporosis. We're supposed to go to hospital for an Xray, but she doesn't really feel like going at the moment as she can't walk far.

Some knitting has been attempted. I started this before the problems started.

My cousin loves this pattern, not sure why as she always has terrible problems with it and usually ends up frogging. This time I said I would do a KAL with her, big mistake. Hers has been frogged all ready, I'm still battling on.

The problem is that each row is different and it is useless to try to follow the pattern after the first few rows. You certainly need to be able to read your knitting for this one. I could do with some thing plain and soothing to knit at the moment. Like a sock. But I will not be defeated.

Each row, approx. 350 stitches, takes half an hour, but gradually the end is getting nearer.

Lastly a glimpse of my stand at the 1940s W/End which seems a lifetime ago.

Update

Just a quick update for any faithful readers I have left. I should be busy at the moment getting ready for the 1940s weekend at Bantock Park. I have the pattern and material for a wrap-a-round pinafore, but need to get started on it. Some knitting is also in the pipeline. For some reason, I don't have the enthusiasm to get on with this, and instead have been making toys for http://www.lovinghands.org.uk/ and working on my sock yarn blanket.
Photos hopefully next time I post.

June Garden

Just a few pics of my very overgrown garden, taken at the weekend. These are growing in the front garden. I thought I had lost this Halimiocistus - 'Merrist Wood Cream' during the hard winter we had, but there it is popping up amongst Lysimachia

These are growing outside the conservatory. The pink rose is Bonica from David Austin. No scent, unfortunately, but compact and suitable for the space it is growing in.

This, believe it or not, is my pool. I have made an attempt to remove the duck weed, but end up getting the net full of wriggling tadpoles. I'll just have to wait until they have all grown legs and left. It doesn't seem to bother the fish, I occasionally see a gleam of gold amongst the green and at least the heron can't see them!

More Ravelry day

Here are a few more photos. Unfortunately, I only had my phone camera with me, so most of the pictures I took were poor quality, partly due to the weather conditions. This is a slightly better one of the Knit and Natter area. Despite the numbers, there never seemed to be a shortage of seats.

Now for the Stash enhancment. This is 604 yards of silk, which quite probably will become a shawl.

An assortment of Jamieson and Smith's jumper weight wool. A cardigan for myself?

Some sock blockers and a bag.

And finally there was cake, lots of cake, a never ending supply of cake, which every one made the most of before braving the rain yet again for more stash enhancment.

Ravelry Day

What a fabulous day! The weather was dire, but that didn't put anyone off enjoying themselves. I've a busy day ahead, so will just show one photo of the knitters waiting for Meg Swansen's talk.

Seeing Meg and her sister queuing for the ladies with everyone else just about sums it up. And they noticed my February Lady Jacket, and commented!

Will try to update tomorrow with more photos.