Back home

Back home after a spell in hospital with a perforated appendix. Starting to feel more human now so hopefully on the path to recovery.

Return of the Blogger

Sorry for my absence recently. The past two years have not been the easiest and have left little time for blogging. My mother was getting increasingly frail and eventually moved to an excellent care home. Sadly, she passed away in December. I spent as much time as I could with her which meant the garden got very neglected although I did manage quite a bit of knitting.

I hope to get started blogging more regularly in future. In the meantime I leave you with a glimpse of the garden on a rather chilly, grey June morning.

Bantock Weekend

We had another successful 1940s event at Bantock house this past weekend. I had a stand demonstrating 1940's knitting and displayed various 1940s items, including my mother's wedding dress. The sock knitting fascinates most people.

I included these...........

knitted from a 1940's pattern in this Murray and Koster book.

The original pattern was knitted in silk, but I used a very soft Patons Dreamtime baby wool. Even so, everyone agreed that they wouldn't fancy wearing them!

The highlight of the show was a mockup of a Battle of Britain RAF operations room with alerts every hour or so when every one sprang into action. Sorry, no pics as they are in my phone and my Bluetooth is refusing to work.

Blight

Sadly my tomatoes have succumbed to the dreaded blight, probably due to the damp mild weather we've been having recently. I'm trying to rescue the larger fruit in the hope that they will ripen indoors. They were growing so well too, and had the best of care, watered, fed and supported. Ah well, there is always next year.

Progress

I'm pleased to say that my wrist is better and I'm back to my usual knitting speed. I've started a raglan V-neck for Steven. I used a generic Patons pattern, which was rather boring stocking stitch, so I'm doing the main part in a garter stich rib with the sleeves in stocking stitch. I've also changed the raglan shaping.

This is progress so far.

The yarn is Rowan Extra Fine Merino DK.

In the garden the 'Marmande' tomatoes are plumping up nicely. The hot June got them off to a good start, although things have cooled down now, but they have another couple of months to ripen.

Ouch!

I didn't realise I hadn't Blogged since April, time just seems to slip away.

Knitting is slow at the moment due to this

I foolishly managed to trip and fall over Steven's sling and sprained my wrist, luckily nothing was broken but it has been very painful and incapacitating for two weeks. The worst thing, of course, was difficulty knitting. I had a SANDS blanket half made and progress has continued now the pain is easing. It has a lace edging which was designed to be made separately and stitched on but I'm joining it as I go along, saves all that stitching up afterwards. Also the pattern has a mistake as the last two rows of the edging are reversed.

Mum has settled into her care home and is getting back to her old self although she still isn't very mobile. She is confident in using the lift on her own now, so can go up and down to her room when she wants and has been spending time in the garden as the weather has been glorious.

My garden is very neglected although I do have someone to cut the lawn. I'm also growing tomatoes in a grow bag and these seem to be doing well.

Steven is well at the moment although we have an appointment with a consultant at the end of the month as his breathing is not good at night.

Quick update

Recovering from a rather traumatic weekend. Steven's hoist ceased working Saturday morning and I have had to do transfers by lifting him and my, how my shoulders are suffering. Luckily he is a light weight so this is still possible, but not easy. The engineer is here now fixing it, thank goodness.

On to knitting. My Mr Green Jeans has been spending time on the Naughty step as it was turning out too small, but I decided to give it a reprieve. I undid all the cable rib. I then increased instead of decreasing, the rib pulls in anyway, then completed the cable/rib section on the same size needle as the stocking stitch section. The rib pulls in anyway and it is now a better fit, although still snug. Also, as you can see, a sleeve has been completed.

Woolly Goodness

I had a note from my postman on Tuesday that they had tried to deliver a parcel but couldn't because I was out. I had an idea what it was, and today, Saturday, was the first chance I had to receive it.

I wasn't disappointed. It was my share of Cormo/Mohair yarn from Juniper Moon Fiber Farm.

Steven loved the feel and smell of the skeins, and for me, knowing I had witnessed the births of some of the animals providing the yarn, was an extra pleasure. Kidding, and soon lambing, has started again, and the first kids are bouncing around.

Still here

Things are calming down a little here. Mum moved into her care home two weeks ago, although things were a bit rough for her to begin with as she had a fall and was very confused. However she is much more herself now, and gradually adapting to her new situation. She has at last remembered how to use her mobile phone, which makes communicating much easier. Surprisingly, none of the staff could help her with it, I thought all young people knew everything about phones.

I have been knitting, although no photos today as I haven't had time to take them. My January socks are finished. I cheated a bit in February as I didn't have much time, so just made some baby bootees. One March sock is finished and the second well on the way. I'm afraid the Mr. Green Jeans has been put on one side as it is coming out far too small for me, sob!

I have some new carers for Steven; they've only been once and are due again tomorrow so time will tell how they work out.

Hope it won't be too long until I update again, hopefully with some photos.

Snowed in

Well, nothing much is happening here due to the snow and icy conditions outside. Steven hasn't gone back to his day centre since Christmas and my mother hasn't visited her care home yet, although they have a vacant room at the moment. Thank goodness for Waitrose delivery service, at least we won't starve.

Plenty of time for knitting, the main part of 'Mr. Greenjeans' is finished, and I'm about to start the sleeves. Also a sock for Steven is completed and the second cast on. I'm using the bargain yarn from Lidl which apparently is not machine washable, so care is going to be needed. How long before I forget and just throw them in the machine with the rest of the wash?

Back to the snow, we've all put out our bins and recycling but whether they will be emptied is another matter. Waitrose, milkman, postie, and my cousin, who is four foot ten, 78years old and walked at least a mile, all managed to get through. But Steven's PAs who are two strapping lads of at least six foot, couldn't manage it. So I didn't get my usual Thursday evening break.

Update

Just a quick update as things are a bit hectic at the moment. We have found an ideal care home for my mother to move to, and she has accepted this in principle. The problem is that she sees this as something that will be happening in the future, probably well into the new year. I don't want her to feel I'm pushing her out but things are very cramped here. Also, Steven is having some breathing problems especially at night, and may need an over night hospital stay,which is complicating things.
At least I'm getting some Christmas knitting done, several pairs of socks have been completed just one more to do, and I'm finished. Hopefully some pics next time.

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.

Whoops.....

........ another long gap. I seem to have lost the blogging habit lately, sorry. Knitting has been happening and some projects are nearing completion.

As usual socks seem to be my most popular knit.

These are for myself, can't remember the yarn except that it is BFL.

and these are for Steven, Austermann Step I think.

I decided that, with Ravelry day rapidly approaching, I really ought to make something to wear. Beatties (HOF) had this in their sale at a ridiculously cheap price. Although it says 4ply, to me it is nearer to a DK.

 It said February Lady to me, so that is what I've made. I decided on short sleeves, well it is

 summer. Not sure how flattering it will be but at least I will have something knitted to wear that won't be too warm if we have a heat wave.

As you can see, everything is needing ends sewn in and blocking, but hopefully all will be done before too long.

I hope it won't be too long before I blog again, there may even be some photos of Ravelry Day!

April

I can't believe it's April already, what happened to March? Some knitting has been attempted and actually completed, mostly for Loving Hands charity.

A small blanket and shawl.......

A toddler's jumper and leggings......

and a couple of Jean Greenhowe's Rainbow Babies......

Also last week these arrived, yes my Ravelry Day tickets, after some delay due to paypal problems, happily now resolved. Roll on June 6th. The speakers/workshops seem to increase daily, the latest being Debbie Bliss.

I've also been distracted lately by this Lambcam which I find compulsive viewing. The Angora Goat kids are due to arrive any day but are in no hurry to emerge, probably due to the cold rainy weather they have been having lately.