Hobbycraft Show

I managed a visit to the Hobbycraft show in Birmingham yesterday. I had hoped to attend the Knitting show at the NEC in September, but couldn't go as Steven wasn't well.
This show didn't have much for knitters, although there were a few yarn related stands. I had a sit down and Knit'n'Natter with Fred, Noonie and Mary, good to meet you all.
I made a modest Stash enhancement.
First some Bamboo sock yarn from Web of Wool. I haven't used this before but it feels wonderfully soft and silky.

Also from Web of Wool was this patriotic sock yarn, for some socks for Steven.

There was another show on at the NEC, Crafts for Christmas. I went in hoping to find some decorations but was disappointed. However I did find this.........

On the left 'Ribble', hand dyed wool and mohair, on the right hand dyed wool. Victoria Smedley sells mohair Teddy bears and hand dyed yarn and scarves, but doesn't have a web site.

As I say, a modest haul, but I'm hoping to indulge in some of Colinette's new Cadenza double knitting wool. I love the colours of Colinette yarns but find them too heavy to wear, so hopefully this will be more comfortable.

Garden again

Not much to show in the way of knitting. I have been working on various projects, but nothing completed. This post is about the garden. I actually managed a whole morning outside today. The summer is lingering on. This is the last rose......

. ........... and passionflower, which flowered poorly during the hot summer, but has come into its own this autumn.

Clematis Cirrhosa 'Freckles' is blooming very well and should continue through the winter.

And finally, last night's sunset behind the Clee Hills. It certainly has been a 'Shepherd's Delight' today.

Birthday

It's hard to believe, but Steven will be 20 tomorrow. We've nothing special planned as he wouldn't really appreciate it but he has a delicious chocolate cake to share with his friends on Monday.
As I type, he's getting great pleasure from watching the shadow of the leaves on the blind. (Sorry for the quality of the picture.)

We've had a busy week, flu jabs on Wednesday, and a meeting with social workers and other professionals on Thursday. Steven has to attend all meetings now he is deemed to be an adult.

Tuesday, we had our usual Knit Chat group meeting in Beatties. We're making blue squares for Knit a River at the moment. It was good to see Fiona, and baby Seth, who slept throughout.

Here are Yucca, Rose, Fiona, Pippa and Steph.

I've also managed to finish a project, socks in Regia Stretch. Just a simple toe-up pattern with short row toe and heel. The problem I find is getting a loose enough cast off. I tried several different methods, and finally used a picot edge loosely stitched down.

Meet Auntie Pearl.........

..........compulsive knitter!

As you can see she is busy knitting a blue square for WaterAid's Knit a River.

( Pattern for Pearl by Alan Dart in the new Woman's Weekly Knitting and Stitching special.)

I don't knit many toys these days as I find the sewing up very tedious but I couldn't resist Pearl.

Also this week, I find it quite humbling that a mere spider can produce a work of art like this......

Bad Blogger

It's been quite a while since I last blogged, life has been getting in the way recently.
Some knitting has been done but nothing quite completed. I've almost finished Steven's jacket. I forged ahead with the second half of the front on Monday when we had to spend a day in hospital ( luckily not all night). Steven has been producing blood in his stools recently which obviously needed investigation. He thoroughly enjoyed the day especially being pushed around the ward in his chair. The only down side was the doctor using him as a pincushion to get a blood sample, but he soon forgets. We had to wait ages for the result as the machine in the lab. broke down. Nothing conclusive was discovered but his next outpatient's appointment with the cosultant is being brought forward.
Back to knitting. It was good to meet up with Ruth again on Saturday in Beatties, although we had to leave early as Steven wasn't feeling too good. Yesterday I spotted these in a LYS. I look in from time to time in the hope they might have something to inspire me, but it's usually just acrylics and fancy yarns. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough of any one colour to make anything large, but I thought this might do for a hat or even a felted bag.

I do have some other things to show when I get round to sewing up.

Garden

I actually managed to spend a morning in my wilderness of a garden, which was much needed. Hospital, weather and prior commitments have conspired against me recently. My robin reappeared in spruce new plumage and followed me closely for any tidbits I might turn up. He's been busy all summer, raising a family.

My grapes are starting to ripen, and I'm hoping they may be edible this year. A bit sour at the moment though.

Here are just some of my WIPs. I seem to be incapable of concentrating on one project at the moment and keep starting new things. It doesn't show the faroese shawl, jacket for myself, various half finished toys, etc.

And at last, Blogger has allowed me to show the wool I bought from Beatties Rowan sale on Saturday. 6 balls of 4ply soft, pure wool, for £8.10, not bad. There may be enough for a top for me, possibly with the addition of another colour.

I now going to try to publish this post for the third time. Blogger has wiped it out twice

Back on Track

Getting back on track with the diet after a bit of a weight gain last week. Food available in our local hospital is not exactly a healthy choice. ( Where are you Jamie Oliver?) The canteen, where you could get at least one cooked meal a day plus vegetables and salad, has closed. Greggs has opened in the main corridor selling pasties and cakes, and everywhere you look are vending machines with fizzy drinks and sweets. Then up to the shop, more sweets and biscuits. I normally avoid temptation by having nothing sugary in the house, but being surrounded by it I find very difficult.


I've finally got round to sewing up Steven's new jumper ready for the winter. Knitted in Limbo from Web of Wool.
I've also started this as I was getting a little bored with all the stocking stitch I've been doing lately, but it's not so complicated that I have to keep consulting the pattern.

Not much to show yet. The wool is a cone of 4ply I got from Colinette earlier in the year.

Yesterday we joined Rose in Beatties for a knit and chat and it was great to welcome Ruth who recently moved back to the Midlands. We had a mooch through the Rowan Yarns on sale afterwards and came away with some bargains. Unfortunately Blogger won't allow me any more photos so I can't show the 4ply soft in a deep pink which I hope will become a top for myself.

Happiness......

........ is Steven back in his own bed again after a week in hospital.

Although we were very relieved to be in hospital last Tuesday with vomiting and a chest infection, it is good to be home again. I managed to dash home for an hour or so each day to collect post and clean clothes. As Steven still goes to the children's ward, I could stay with him. The facilities are very good for parents, a small kitchen with microwave and hot water for drinks, and a bathroom and shower room for parents use. I even got a proper bed to sleep in, usually I have to use a fold out bed.

Steven's new consulant, for Gastro-enterology, came to see him and is quite happy to treat him on the children's ward, as he says the facilities on the adult wards are not suitable for him and the staff would have difficulty coping.

I did a little knitting, mostly a bag in Rowan 'Country' which I'm hoping will be a Christmas present after felting, and some of my sock.

Good news from Fiona, her baby Seth has arrived, a week late but well worth the wait.

Nostalgia

I've had a very enjoyable weekend in the company of my cousin Barry and his girlfriend Brenda. They were taking part in a 1940's reenactment weekend at our local museum.

As you can see, everyone had a good time at the concert of WW2 songs. Even Steven, who has been quite grumpy all weekend, seemed to enjoy himself although I think this was more to do with being outdoors.

My mother even produced her wedding dress, Circa 1942, which is in remarkably good shape considering its age, if a little yellowed. However none of us attempted to get into it.

Not a lot of knitting to report, still plodding on with Steven's jacket which he is going to need soon, although today the weather was quite mild.

Ray of Hope

I've just been completing, and packaging, some little things which have been waiting for a while to be sent off to Chris at Ray of Hope.

Of course, I always have a sock on the needles.............

........this one in Regia stretch.

I've managed to solve a Family History puzzle this week.

This fan was amongst other family memorabilia, but I was unable to determine where it originated.

The box says Upper Georges Street, Kingstown. I've now found out that Dun Laoghaire was called Kingstown until 1920 and the fan is decorated with Shamrocks. An ancestor was born in Ireland in the late 18c. so this fan was probably bought for his wife or daughter.

I think this is why family history is so fascinating, helping to put the human touch on what could be just names and dates.

Guess where......

..... we've been. While everyone else is thinking of holidays and cancelled flights, yes we've been back in hospital. Steven had another attack of gastritis on Tuesday evening, so spent three nights in hospital, but we came home this morning. It's been seven months since his last admission so some improvement on last year.
Not a lot of knitting done, just a little work on a sock which happened to be in my bag. I also had to dash home for the plumber as I've been without hot water since the weekend. Luckily it's now fixed, so I can get the pile of washing done. I'm not even attempting to post any pictures as Blogger has been making it very difficult for me lately.

WIPs

Just to show that I'm knitting something other than blue squares now that the weather is cooler.

First, Steven's jacket, in Sirdar acrylic, I'm afraid. I'd love to knit for him in 100% hand wash wool, but not very practical for someone who needs clean clothes every day. The pattern is Calum from A Season's Tale, but I'm using double knitting instead of aran, so that it works out smaller.

This is Sandy, from Big Girl Knits, which I'm making for myself. The best thing about this pattern is that the actual sizing and shaping is done last, in the side panels. So that if, I mean when, I lose a large amount of weight before it's finished, I can adjust it to fit. I'm using Colinette Skye, colour Blue Saturn for the front panels.

Sorry I can't show you what I've done so far, but Blogger is playing up and refusing to upload any more pictures.

I've also got the inevitable sock on the go, in Regia stretch, but again I can't show it.

Rain.............

................ at last. It's pouring down at the moment and I can almost hear the thirsty plants drinking it up. Thank goodness it feels cooler now; it seems a shame to complain about the warm, sunny weather, but I'm afraid I don't cope very well with the heat and find doing anything, mental or physical, quite an effort.
Not much knitting has been done recently. I have managed a couple of squares for the
Knitted River. I'm getting quite a pile now, Fiona from Beatties Knit-Chat has contributed some, and I'm hoping to get others interested before I send them off.

Steven said his formal farewells to everyone at school last Tuesday but on Thursday we met up with some of them again for a visit to Chester zoo. The weather wasn't too oppressive and we managed to see more of the animals than we did last year. Steven particularly enjoyed the Bat Cave. The Orang-utans had several babies who were very active and amusing .........

.......... but the chimpanzees seemed to be suffering from the heat and were resting in the shade.

We also saw these giraffes.

Prize

A lot has happened in the last week. Computing has improved greatly due to the arrival of this......

I've almost finished transfering everything from the old to the new computer and now have working Internet and Email. I used dialup briefly while I got broadband set up and had forgotten how slow it is. Some sites took for ever to upload, especially those with very 'busy' templates, think about it bloggers. Anyway, I'm now back up to speed.

Some knitting news. My cousin entered my Jaywalkers, on my behalf, in a competition down in Surrey, and they won first prize! The pattern and yarn were admired, no credit to me! I also entered some bootees in another class, and they came fourth. I've no idea what competition there was though.

Steven had his last day at school on Friday, the end of an era. I worked out that I've been going to the same site for sixteen years since he started in the nursery at the age of three. Quite a wrench, I shall miss everyone, as I am sure Steven will. I know at least one one member of staff reads this blog, so I'll try to keep you updated Chris! Steven starts at his day centre on Monday, so no long school holidays for him any more.

Knit Chat

We had a lively meeting in Beatties this lunchtime, and I managed to avoid the cakes!

We haven't got Matthew knitting yet, but when his sewing project is finished, we will, oh yes!

Steph and Anita arrived late so I took another photo.

Lilies

We're still plodding along here. The computer is getting slower and slower, and has to get its little torch out to search pathetically for anything in My Computer, luckily it is usually found eventually.
The garden is flourishing. Flowers of the week are the lilies, although they are badly in need of staking.

Steven had his moment of stardom in the school production 'Summer Holiday'. He thoroughly enjoyed himself as you can see. He particularly enjoys the dancing and being whirled around in his chair.

Nothing much happening with the knitting. I'm hoping to send off a parcel of tiny baby wear to Christine at Ray of Hope this week. I've done all the knitting, just the finishing off, buttons and ribbon to add, which I find tedious.
I shall be joining the gang in Beatties at lunchtime to knit and chat, but will have to be careful to avoid the delicious food in the Cafe, especially the carrot cake, as my diet is going pretty well at the moment.

Computer Problems

I'm nursing a sick computer at the moment. It is getting old, slowing down and keeps losing things ( sounds like me, except I haven't started making strange beeping noises). Luckily I've just obtained an external hard drive, so spent yesterday evening backing up everything. Time for a new 'puter I think.
Nothing much happening knit-wise.

The sleeve on Steven's jumper is progressing slowly as I've been making a few more baby bits and pieces, more comfortable to knit in the hot weather.

Sorry about the photos, can't do any photo editing at the moment, only download direct from the camera so they're a bit dark.

Every time I go into the garden, I disturb tiny frogs who are taking advantage of the warm, damp weather to leave the pond. They may be small but they have a powerful leap.

Hopefully, I will be able to use the computer for a while longer, but if I'm silent, you'll know why.

Frogging

I've been speeding along with another jacket for Steven, Calum from Kim Hargreaves 'A Season's Tale'. It seemed to be rather on the small side so last night I measured it and him, both 32inch chest so it would be a very snug fit. Therefore it is off to the frog pond. Luckily, this is all I've done so far. I think I'll start again with a sleeve, which is in rib, as a change from stocking stitch.

A very tall poplar has been overshadowing my garden for several years but the other morning, a man in an orange hat with a chain saw was halfway up and gradually the view became this --------

-----so now my, admittedly very tiny, vegetable patch can get some light and air and hopefully become productive again.

Busy

Not much time to blog in the past week as it has been pretty hectic.
I had a good telling off at the Diabetic clinic on Wednesday as my blood sugar is too high and I need to lose weight. Also my eye examination showed some changes which luckily are still reversible so it is wake up time, strict adherence to the diet and more exercise.
Now for more pleasant matters. Sarah Bernhart is being her usual blowsy self in the garden. Blooming later than most Peonies, she always manages to droop over nearby plants.

I don't have much success with roses for some reason and the ones I do have are bashful and prefer to bloom on the far side of the fence. All except for Albertine which always puts on a good show, maybe because it was grown from a cutting on its own roots.

Earlier in the week, we visited the annual flower festival at the local Parish church. The theme this year was weddings, and the 7th anniversary was represented by Wool.

It's a pity the knitting displayed wasn't more inspiring, a beautifully knitted shawl for example would have looked wonderful.

My knitting hasn't been particularly inspired this week either, just a few bits and pieces for charity and the inevitable sock, which caused some interest at the hospital.

Here are a couple more pictures from the flower festival.

Heat

At last summer has arrived and was it only two weeks ago it was still winter? My shorts have been unearthed from the back of the drawer, and believe you me, they only see the light of day when it's really hot, and then only in the back garden, in private.

Not a lot on the needles at the moment. I've just sent a few baby knits off to Chris at Ray of Hope. I'm also making some squares for the Knitted River.The only stipulation is that they must be blue and six inches square, but you can use any yarn or pattern.

The garden is flourishing, or at least the weeds are! Star plant of the week is this Gladiolus Byzantinus. The original corm came from a friend's garden in Cornwall. Sadly, she has recently moved so I won't have the pleasure of visiting her beautiful garden again; but I have the plant to remind me of it. It appears to be multiplying and will probably eventually become a weed!

Visitor

This uninvited guest visits my garden frequently. I probably wouldn't welcome him/her if I had lifestock to consider, but as I don't, I just enjoy seeing some wildlife.

I've been sitting outside enjoying a cup of coffee, watching a buzzard circling in the distance and frogs in the pool. This is only two miles from Wolverhampton city centre. A friend who lives in the country says I get more butterflies in my tiny plot than he does on his two acres, as he is surrounded by farmed land and the insecticide sprays reduce the number of insects.

I'm continuing knitting for Ray of Hope and should have a parcel ready to send off soon.

Here are some completed hats in various sizes. The little bob hats are very simple to make and adaptable for different yarns and needles.

No Football Here

Need I say more?