tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-775961676110435202012-01-24T21:39:15.772ZKnitting, spinning, and observations on life in generalFionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.comBlogger5721100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-47651237165539382362012-01-07T11:42:00.000Z2012-01-07T11:42:01.485Z

So the New Year is well underway now.  This always feels like a good thing - fresh starts, and all that. I usually write a post listing finished projects during the year just finished, but this year somehow it does not appeal.  I am more organised on Ravelry than I have been in previous years, so instead I shall just link to my page of 2011 projects, here. That's 28 things, in all.  Twelve of

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-54561635045409116832011-12-21T11:19:00.000Z2011-12-21T11:19:10.011Z

Finished projects, in this instance - nothing for ages, then three come along at once. First, Brier. This is just lovely, I am very pleased with it indeed. The pattern is from Rowan Magazine 36, and it is by Kim Hargreaves.  I used RYC Silk Wool, 14 balls of 305 Clay, which is a pretty silvery grey. I had to make some adjustments because I used this yarn - the pattern is written for a yarn

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-42608247823199055792011-12-10T11:22:00.001Z2011-12-10T11:29:00.743Z

I almost forgot about these - I finished them a couple of days ago. These are the Beech Mitts from Rowan 50, pattern by Erika Knight. I used 3 balls of Felted Tweed Chunky, with more than half of the last ball left over.  The colour is called Wode and is actually a lovely turquoise blue, rather than the denim-y version you can see here.  I am blaming my camera again. I did alter the top a

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-14931550852554405442011-12-08T09:56:00.001Z2011-12-08T10:31:32.133Z

Here, finally, is Blake. This pattern is from Kim Hargreaves' recent book, Shadows.  It is written for Rowan Alpaca Chunky - I chose to use Felted Tweed Chunky in 282 Blue Midnight, and I used 20 balls of this. Alpaca Chunky and Felted Tweed Chunky very conveniently work up at exactly the same gauge, the only difference is that Alpaca Chunky needs 10mm needles and Felted Tweed Chunky

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-37439300626922799582011-12-03T09:25:00.001Z2011-12-03T09:40:25.808Z

I have just realised that I forgot to take any pictures of my Fair Isle project before it went in the post.  I must be getting absent-minded. I've finished knitting Blake, and I'm zooming along with the last sleeve of Brier.  I must pause and do a bit of blocking with the steam iron, then I can start the seaming.   But it is apparent that very shortly I shall have no actual garment on the

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-72442234411193370362011-11-25T11:20:00.001Z2011-11-25T11:51:50.354Z

I have actually finished something else, in my current pause from sample knitting.   Am I starting a run of accessory knitting, with two sets of fingerless mitts in a row? - I hope not, and in truth it isn't very likely.  I like knitting garments. These are the very straightforward Fingerless Mitts from the book Knits Men Want.  They really were an extremely quick knit, and a good thing too

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-64173103402116312102011-11-16T07:40:00.001Z2011-11-16T08:13:05.219Z

Knitting has continued apace, but I haven't got much to show for it. Blake is on hold close to the halfway point - back and one sleeve finished.  When I finished the back, I realised that my row gauge was a bit more compressed than it should be, and much heart searching and indecision ensued.  I've only seen little colour-chart snippets of Alpaca Chunky, the yarn for which the pattern is written

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-81126219561668419602011-11-08T10:00:00.000Z2011-11-08T10:00:22.788Z

Over the weekend I felt the need for a little instant knitting.  Something for myself, something quick. So, here is (are?) Whittle. These are long fingerless mitts, worked with 2 balls of Rowan Lima, which I bought a little while ago.  The colour is 880 Andes, a silvery grey - and this yarn is just gorgeous, by the way. The pattern is by Kim Hargreaves, and you'll find it in her most recent

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-64060675642449950992011-11-04T08:51:00.001Z2011-11-04T12:10:02.834Z

Yet another new thing..... I took this picture yesterday, things have moved on since then and I am now working the picot edging.  Lots of picots, really a lot, but very much worth it for the lovely effect. This is, of course, another sample that I am knitting for Alison Crowther Smith.  It is the Judith Boa, and it has pretty bell-shaped ruffles along each side.   This one is worked

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-13436777793081528582011-10-31T08:29:00.000Z2011-10-31T08:29:35.443Z

I finished the blue Smudge Scarf over the weekend - we've been off on the boat again, making the most of the good weather whilst it lasts, and that always means plenty of knitting time.  So once that was off the needles, I cast on for a couple of new things. First was a scarf, made from a skein of Kidsilk Creation. This was an incredibly quick knit, you really do get maximum results for

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-24861075469220755892011-10-27T15:43:00.000+01:002011-10-27T15:43:08.546+01:00

I've been knitting something new. This is Smudge, from Alison Crowther Smith, worked in two shades of Kidsilk Haze - the dark blue is Hurricane, and the light blue background is Heavenly.  This particular version is being worked at a longer length than the original, which will make it even more versatile. It is the most lovely knitting, and I know I keep saying that about projects from

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-33612591414146420582011-10-02T11:18:00.000+01:002011-10-02T11:18:34.698+01:00

Picking up on life again. Nearly three weeks post-op now, and I am starting to feel a bit more normal.  This surgery will hopefully be the last - a very clever surgeon at Frenchay Hospital has tried to deal with the damage to a major nerve, the one that has been causing me so much pain.  It is too early to tell for sure, but right now things are looking good - if it isn't dealt with completely,

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-38806928199934118082011-09-12T19:31:00.000+01:002011-09-12T19:31:44.754+01:00

It is finished, and it is so pretty.... This is the sort of thing you'd wear over a coat, wrapped cosily around your neck and pinned in place.  I'm very pleased with this result - it is a lovely thing.  Right now it is folded away in acid-free tissue paper, waiting to be sent back to the designer - Alison Crowther-Smith again, of course. I do wish I knew how to take better pictures - my

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-86940030751717985622011-09-10T10:12:00.000+01:002011-09-10T10:12:33.409+01:00

It is so nice to have something new and interesting on the needles - soft, pretty, textured, with such lovely yarns as well, and a truly gorgeous combination of colours.   After all these years of knitting, it isn't very often that I find myself presented with something that actually feels new to me - and right now I am lucky enough to have a project exactly like that. So - two yarns held

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-24529645808020385672011-09-05T09:22:00.000+01:002011-09-05T09:22:37.208+01:00

I've completed very few projects with cables over recent years - the way it usually goes is that I fall out of love with the garment before I've finished the first pattern piece, I pull it all back, and rework the yarn in a different pattern. It looks like this is happening again..... I am almost up to the shoulderline of Truffle, from Rowan Classic Summer Delights, and I'm just not loving

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-40616269540900919482011-08-30T10:59:00.000+01:002011-08-30T10:59:54.880+01:00

Time for a bit of an update, I think. The mysterious sparkly thing is finished, wrapped up, and posted off to the designer.  It is very pretty indeed, truly. This is a rather special scarf - or it would work beautifully as a little evening wrap.  At each end there is a border of the silver Shimmer, and a fringe of Kidsilk Haze. This was made for Alison Crowther Smith, who is the person to

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-51287601480243724752011-08-17T10:40:00.000+01:002011-08-17T10:40:36.809+01:00

I finished these pretty little mitts a couple of days ago. I am not usually much for shiny sparkly things, at least in my knitting, but these are just so sweet.  I do wish I could take better photographs, at times like this. They are soft and comfortable to wear, as well.  I am thinking now of all the possibilities of colour choices, and trying hard not to get carried away. I've been knitting

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-78649049503849579402011-08-10T14:00:00.000+01:002011-08-10T14:00:12.461+01:00

I've got something rather gorgeous on the needles at the moment.  I haven't talked much about my paid knitting work until now, but that is about to change, because this is just too lovely. I am lucky to be knitting at the moment for Alison Crowther-Smith.  And just look.... So beautiful.  It is like an early evening sky reflected in rippling water.... This is going to be a pair of little

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-18050774448231591492011-08-09T13:13:00.000+01:002011-08-09T13:13:37.643+01:00

Lots of green, recently. There is my knitting - This is going to be Truffle, from Rowan's excellent brochure Summer Delights, worked in Rowan Classic Cotton Jeans, in 361 Jute - discontinued now, of course.  An incredible bargain from Kemps Wool Shop.  That's a very dangerous link, by the way - not safe for credit cards at all! I think this could just as well have been called Sludge.  Anyway,

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-28775986977934479782011-08-09T10:00:00.001+01:002011-08-09T10:01:23.330+01:00

I finished Baymouth over the weekend, and it has turned out to be very successful. I made quite a lot of modifications to this pattern.  First, I worked on smaller needles to produce a firmer tension - 4.5mm needles instead of 5mm, and working at 18 sts to 4" instead of 17 sts.  I much prefer the fabric like this, it is only a small change but it seems to make a noticeable difference.  Next, I

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-55319214672348370672011-07-25T09:58:00.007+01:002011-07-25T10:46:10.436+01:00

I finished this rather nice pullover a while ago, but I haven't written about it here yet. So here we are, despite the fact that Blogger still won't let me move pictures around. I must be doing something wrong, but I haven't yet worked out what it is. At the moment I have to upload pictures in the reverse of the order in which I want them to appear, and then put the text around them. If I

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-89367484591557885382011-07-09T13:02:00.005+01:002011-07-09T13:41:07.165+01:00

I finished the Moroccan Tile Bedcover. It took me nearly three months, and a lot of Rowan Cotton Glace and a lot of beads too.It is going to be absolutely stunning when it is assembled. I look forward to seeing it when the designer - Jane Crowfoot - has finished it.I will just post one picture here, a close up of one of the lovely beaded blocks, unblocked, just as it came off the needles.

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-49664977827745694922011-05-19T10:14:00.003+01:002011-05-19T10:42:57.421+01:00

I am continuing to work on the throw. The blocks of which it is composed are worked in strips. You cast off at the end of the first block, then pick up stitches along the cast-off edge to begin the next block, and so on... This gives an extremely neat finish, and when the strips are seamed using mattress stitch, it will look very much like one huge piece of knitting. And it will be beautiful

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-22640820466880701642011-04-03T14:04:00.005+01:002011-04-03T14:31:20.050+01:00

I have actually finished the Wisteria Socks, at long last.They are very comfortable indeed to wear, and I think that I have finally got a pattern that fits as I like.The yarn is Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock, in Wisteria. This yarn is just about perfect to work with - I would say the nicest sock yarn I have ever come across. I used 2mm needles, with a caston of 72 stitches, and yet more

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-38947827499547419872011-03-22T12:21:00.002Z2011-03-22T12:23:37.025Z

Today I'm going to point you at India Knight's blog, where she links to a leaflet from Hermes. Not that I've ever owned a Hermes scarf, nor do I expect to - but they do look stunning.

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-9265651033849225732011-03-21T12:53:00.003Z2011-03-21T13:30:05.787Z

Still here, still knitting. And feeling better again, which is a great relief. Thankyou for all your good wishes.I have almost finished Victor(ia) now, there is just the last sleeve to finish, and then a bit of seaming and we're done.This is Felted Tweed Aran in Soot, and it is just as lovely to work with as you'd expect. The fabric is soft and light, but still with a pleasing density to it.

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-61460046083202980142011-03-10T13:19:00.001Z2011-03-10T13:20:43.969Z

I need to have a bit of a break from blogging. Not sure for how long - I've been a bit unwell over recent weeks and can't really cope with it at the moment.I will be back, I am sure.

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-74924762665458804872011-02-23T14:43:00.004Z2011-02-23T14:48:13.680Z

We've just had an 'Andrex puppy' moment.First there was this -- and then she decided to make a break for it, taking the evidence with her.She can't work out why we've been laughing so much.....

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-47113677959305024932011-02-21T08:47:00.003Z2011-02-21T09:09:14.209Z

I finished the first square from my Debbie Abrahams blanket yesterday evening. This was rather fun.That's two colours of Rowan Cotton Glace, and one colour of Rowan Revive, which is just as lovely to work with as I had expected, and produces a beautiful tweedy fabric. Also, three different colours of beads. And intarsia, obviously. Debbie gives two options for each square, by the way, so if

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-89860068988069106922011-02-20T09:35:00.003Z2011-02-20T09:53:59.650Z

Jessie had a lovely walk yesterday. She was running with a couple of Border Collies who live near us, jumping and playing as puppies do, and generally having a wonderful time.However, it has been raining a lot recently, and that means mud. Our little miss usually doesn't like getting her feet wet in puddles, tiptoeing delicately around the edges instead. Yesterday she was actually rolling in

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-78030456018437685232011-02-18T10:57:00.004Z2011-02-18T11:38:54.151Z

I have finished my second Black Opal.Once again it is a thing of beauty, and once again it is hard to photograph. Pattern from Kim Hargreaves, to be found in her book Winter Blooms. I used a bit more than 3 balls of Kidsilk Aura - it is perfectly possible to make two of these from 7 balls, as this is what I have just done.I am very pleased with it, and have every intention of keeping this one

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-21518076933026900182011-02-14T14:15:00.002Z2011-02-14T14:31:55.546Z

Garments that I hope to make this year -Lambrook - in Rowan Revive. A tunic, which is very 'me', and with pockets too.Jellicoe - a slip stitch colourwork cardigan in Rowan's Organic 4 ply cotton, very pretty.Something from Hanne Falkenberg, probably Studio in black and cream.Something from Alice Starmore, probably Norfolk in sand coloured cashmere mix 4ply from Elann.Something for my husband -

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-25271463998628120772011-02-13T12:19:00.003Z2011-02-13T12:45:55.186Z

These have been my travelling socks for quite a long time now. By that I mean that they have been living - in one of my little Knowknits bags - in my handbag, and they get worked on usually whilst I am a passenger in the car, or whilst I am in a waiting room somewhere. Progress has been slow, but finally they are finished.These are for my husband and incorporate some small changes to my usual

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-17207351192366883662011-02-10T11:30:00.004Z2011-02-10T11:51:52.988Z

Finally I have finished it, and I like the result a lot more than I thought I was going to.The garment itself is unprepossessing in the extreme -There it is, a big chunky loop of dark grey/black garter stitch with some odd-looking shaping at one corner.I have been trying to take some pictures of myself wearing it, and have ended up with a lot of pictures of my left elbow or the ceiling, the only

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-44043789889309086112011-02-08T11:14:00.002Z2011-02-08T11:20:09.285Z

I have finished! No more 4ply for a little while, at least.I have been offered more work, it is hard to say no - my daughter has pointed out that as long as it doesn't feel like a chore, it is fine. And she is right, of course. So I will be doing more, it will pay for all my other knitting, and that can't be bad!What I need to do now is a whole lot of finishing up of lots of things that are on

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-17299208070264442242011-02-03T16:16:00.006Z2011-02-03T16:47:39.455Z

Whilst I tick along with my miles of cream coloured 4ply knitting, I tend to find myself thinking about knitting - as one does. The new season Rowan books are out, of course, and this season's offering strikes me as very good indeed.Firstly, of course, there are two new yarns - Savannah and Panama, both with supporting pattern books. Both of these sound like a lovely mix of fibres, but I shall

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-66237114761434303422011-02-02T11:42:00.003Z2011-02-02T11:50:48.551Z

I am reaching the point where I have had enough of knitting with 4ply.This latest piece of paid work is actually two pieces. They are both in 4ply, and they are both worked in a textured stitch pattern - the only differences between the two pieces is the stitch pattern on the main part, and the colour. I have finished the black one, and now I am working on the cream one. Actually there is

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-42536101220905824972011-01-24T10:31:00.002Z2011-01-24T10:46:20.831Z

I know, I said there would be knitting content. And knitting content there shall be, even if there are no pictures. I could show you Shadowbox again, but it still isn't finished, and a picture of a large lump of black knitting isn't very enthralling. The truth is that I haven't even picked it up since I last posted.I have, however, been knitting for most of the time, but I can't show you any

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-49050938335879631572011-01-15T22:27:00.004Z2011-01-15T23:22:56.786Z

(My husband says I ought to title this post ' I love my husband for getting me a Kindle'. However that's not quite the case, I love him for reasons other than that as well.)Anyway! - my husband gave me a surprise Kindle, and I love it.I've had a Sony eReader for a while now, it has been living in my handbag next to my sock knitting bag - just what is needed on long car journeys and in waiting

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-76040651126058034592011-01-14T11:23:00.000Z2011-01-14T11:23:23.297Z

Finished in 2010 - 28 projects.9 sweaters -EarnshawChamonixNissaDuskPomanderCardoonMythosAlida's Blue CardiganTurquoise Pegasus Cardigan4 hats -LottieNavy Ribbed HatFelicityNice Simple Black Hat1 cowl -Double Wrap Cowl1 scarf -Wayfarer2 wraps -Green CitronBlack Opal I7 pairs of socks -Forget-me-not SocksOliver SocksRegia Antik Patch SocksSkew SocksFirestartersGalaxy SocksTrekking XXL Socks1 small

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-18130541278883654312011-01-07T22:20:00.002Z2011-01-07T23:40:22.751Z

I am so behindhand here. How did that happen? - I have no idea. I haven't even done my end of year round-up post, with all of last year's projects. That has become something of a blogging tradition, I can't leave that out. Later, later... I'll get there. Quick recap. Christmas was absolutely wonderful. I had all three of my children here at the same time - this doesn't happen very often,

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-70950489601863377252010-12-21T22:01:00.004Z2010-12-21T23:01:54.922Z

The turning of the year always feels very significant to me. Today is the shortest day, and the solstice is at 11:38 this evening. Tomorrow, the return to light begins....It is still very cold here, and we've had lots of snow, with some overnight temperatures that are quite low for us here in the mild and balmy southwest of England. Recent nights have been as low as minus 10C - and yes, I know

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-62107729281420898092010-12-07T13:51:00.001Z2010-12-07T13:56:22.700Z

Right, here I am again, back to normal - or what passes for normality around here, at least.Bit of a catch-up post, today. I am in the middle of stopping one medication and restarting another, and a side effect of the new med means that I keep falling asleep, and am thinking slowly and having problems with word finding as well. I am sticking with it though, because this should wear off - I've

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-34902067913236054452010-12-01T22:32:00.002Z2010-12-01T22:40:20.328Z

The un-nameable project is very nearly finished. I think it would actually be finished by now, if it hadn't had an encounter with Jess earlier this evening.Jess loves my knitting. According to her, the interesting thing about knitting is the balls of yarn that are attached to it - you can steal one of them, and run across the room with it, and then run round and round the furniture making an

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-75460834055517926622010-11-27T22:30:00.002Z2010-11-27T23:14:49.256Z

Jess is looking rather disreputable at the moment. She went into some undergrowth yesterday whilst we were out, and got hung up on a bramble with all that puppy fluff, poor little thing. It wasn't very nice for her, but luckily she wasn't actually hurt. I finally managed to extricate her, and discovered that she'd also got a whole mass of nasty big hooky burrs in her coat. They were all down

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-11171461187063113302010-11-23T22:36:00.003Z2010-11-23T22:50:17.899Z

Seriously though, things have been a bit mad around here. (Although I think that's a contradiction in terms.)The knitting-project-that-I-can't-talk-about didn't grow very much at all yesterday, but today it has been veritably flying off the needles. The technique involved has suddenly clicked mentally into place, and my hands automatically know what to do, and are doing it fast, and I don't

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-7313897784609946522010-11-21T13:53:00.005Z2010-11-21T15:34:27.156Z

Photographs of knitting are going to be a bit thin on the ground for a while, because I've started working on something that I can't show you. Someone I know is writing a knitting book, and I am helping to make up some of the projects. Must admit, I am rather pleased to have been asked.So not only am I knitting someone else's choice of pattern, but I'm working to a deadline. This particular

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-19688083500088458802010-11-18T16:21:00.004Z2010-11-18T16:29:53.630Z

If you are a Rowan subscriber, then go along to the Rowan website and log in. There is a preview of the Spring/Summer 2011 collection - Rowan 49, and all the pattern brochures as well. There is a picture of every new design. I don't think Rowan have ever done this before, and I do think it is a good idea.There are two new yarns coming out - Panama and Savannah, and there are brochures for each

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-15343704782130538592010-11-17T20:51:00.003Z2010-11-17T21:29:58.701Z

Jess doesn't like the rain. Not initially, at least. She looks at me when I open the door with such an expression on her face - But it's pouring! Are you really expecting me to go out in that? That is fairly amazing when you come to think of it, considering that her face is covered with fur. However this attitude doesn't last very long, and soon she is zooming around as normal. She goes

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-79820159722249477022010-11-16T18:30:00.005Z2010-11-16T20:03:28.876Z

I've been having something of a crise de foi regarding blogging recently. It didn't seem to fit with my life any more, for no identifiable reason. But yesterday, again for no identifiable reason, I found myself wanting to write again.So I found the camera, and off we go again.I have finished knitting and seaming the turquoise cotton cardigan for my mother, I still need to block it and stitch on

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-6323900824699794112010-11-01T20:35:00.002Z2010-11-01T20:47:23.931Z

The last month of autumn, traditionally. Today was just so, so beautiful. Jess and I walked along the towpath - we can do this only if we don't hang about on the way down to the water. Jess is 6 months old, so her walks are limited to 30 minutes each, or thereabouts. Today we headed straight down to the water, and turned towards Bradford on Avon.It was such an amazingly pretty afternoon -

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-17314119845682671692010-10-29T15:07:00.004+01:002010-10-29T15:49:04.009+01:00

I am still plugging along with the turquoise cotton cardigan for my mother. It is going slowly, mainly because I'd rather be working on something woolly instead, but also because of pattern problems. So far I've finished the back and am past the armhole shaping on the left front.I've discovered that there is a bit of a problem with the pattern. If you work the slope of the v neckline as it

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-24319039689268549872010-10-14T15:39:00.007+01:002010-10-14T18:52:19.650+01:00

Two finished projects, all of a sudden.The blue cardigan for my mother-in-law is first.This is a very straightforward little thing. Pattern from Sasha Kagan, in a recent (or fairly recent) issue of Woman's Weekly. I worked this in a single colour - the pattern is for a fair isle garment. I also worked the front bands in with the two fronts instead of attaching them afterwards, and I used

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-74909833139564407182010-10-04T21:16:00.002+01:002010-10-04T21:52:11.573+01:00

Things I want to make very soon -A hat for myself - Felicity, using 2 balls of black Cashsoft Aran. Like this one.A scarf in Kidsilk Haze - Betty, from Kim Hargreaves newest book 'Touching Elegance'.A Tartan scarf in the brown colourway.Maya. Irish Moss - a cardigan from Nancy Bush, using lots of twisted stitches, in Peace Fleece DK.Alexi - a classic cardi from Kim Hargreaves. I will use Elann

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-69584615972317354412010-09-27T21:17:00.002+01:002010-09-27T21:41:03.708+01:00

I've got sidetracked. A sure-fire way for one of my relatives to get me to knit something for them is very easy - just ask.My mother-in-law asked if I would make her a cardigan that she saw in a recent Womans Weekly. This was a short sleeved V neck cardi, worked in a fair isle pattern with 4 ply cotton. And she 'wouldn't mind' if it was all one colour. Any colour, except red.That's quite a

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-22069989005052798622010-09-07T13:32:00.004+01:002010-09-14T17:50:04.863+01:00

I've not been blogging.The reason for this is that I've been going through a bit of a difficult patch again with regard to my health - the pain, to be specific - and I do find it hard to talk about. But not talking about it somehow makes it even more of a big deal - then it is the elephant in the corner, if you know what I mean. So I've decided to put my head up above the parapet again, and

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-58495938523204303822010-08-24T20:29:00.003+01:002010-08-24T21:52:43.693+01:00

I seem to have rather lost the blogging habit, what with being away sans internet for five whole weeks. In fact I seem to have lost the internet habit as well, which is quite a surprise. I used to love wandering around Ravelry, looking at this and that, projects and patterns, and organising my queue - that's a terrible time waster, by the way. Anyway, not at the moment. And, do you know, I am

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-71198029500403199922010-08-17T20:40:00.003+01:002010-08-17T21:31:04.665+01:00

I have been so busy, these last weeks. The single most significant thing that has happened is that my daughter has gone to Africa for a while. She's a medical student at one of the big London teaching hospitals, on an accelerated graduate entry course. She's just going into her last year - and as part of the course she is required to spend some time working abroad. She could have gone

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-20276227341018006912010-08-04T20:37:00.006+01:002010-08-04T21:12:07.213+01:00

Here is Pomander.I actually finished this before we left on the boat six weeks ago, all but setting in the second sleeve and working the second sleeve and side seam. On Monday I finished it properly, and immediately put it on and wore it for the rest of the evening. I've worn it every day since then, as well, so it looks as if this pullover is going to earn its keep.RYC Cotton Jeans is quite a

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-36425289458000652092010-07-31T21:28:00.008+01:002010-07-31T22:31:16.093+01:00

So, we are back.We've been back for a week, actually, and that week has been full of various appointments. And laundry. Lots of that.It does feel rather strange being in a house again. There is so much space - and so many things - and we keep asking ourselves why we actually need bricks and mortar, when we've just lived perfectly happily on our narrowboat for five weeks.We have had a wonderful

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-5857783092061541352010-06-17T21:49:00.005+01:002010-06-17T22:20:46.577+01:00

We are off tomorrow morning on the boat. We shall be away for about a month, we think, and I probably won't have internet access until we get back, so this will probably be the last post for a while.Knitting - I finished the latest pair of travelling socks.Pattern is my own. I love the spiral toe, it gives such a neat fit - and no grafting at all. Needles are 2.25mm, and the yarn is Trekking

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-50596111372143516542010-06-12T21:35:00.003+01:002010-06-12T21:46:21.713+01:00

Things have been busy around here.She is very tiny - just eight weeks old yesterday - and very sweet. Right now she is finding everything just a little bit overwhelming, but this won't last long, I am sure.She is eating and drinking as she should, and she's taken to the crate immediately. There is a whole collection of toys in there now, she's been carrying them in there one by one.She is very

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-33373204034592206352010-06-03T13:15:00.007+01:002010-06-08T15:44:18.564+01:00

I've got sidetracked again.I have a large bag - actually an old zipped pillowcase - which is about half full of sock yarn oddments. Every time I finish a pair of socks, that's where the remainder of the yarn ends up. I've knitted quite a lot of socks over the years, so I've got quite a lot of oddments.A while ago I spotted a gorgeous blanket on Ravelry, made with sock yarn oddments - this one -

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-29216032015434399332010-05-30T13:56:00.003+01:002010-05-30T14:17:27.876+01:00

Here we are at last - the sock trick, or, how to avoid holes!This is for a sock using the standard heel flap construction, worked from the top down. And I'm going to apologise in advance for my photographic technique, or rather my lack thereof.Here I am partway through picking up stitches along the first side of the heel flap. I have worked slip stitch edges - essential for this method - and I

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-39245928738725033772010-05-28T18:17:00.004+01:002010-05-28T18:33:59.606+01:00

Here she is - we visited again this afternoon.She is exactly six weeks old today - don't you think the little tan eyebrows are just adorable? She has touches of tan on her paws, her ears and her nose as well.She is definitely the smallest of the litter, and so pretty it is just unbelievable. She very much likes being held and stroked, and was completely relaxed in my hands - she actually

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-91231779999861192112010-05-25T11:50:00.003+01:002010-05-25T12:21:43.643+01:00

I have finally finished Citron.The knitting was all done with last week, and the blocking - such as it was - was done over the weekend. Just a quick blast with the steam iron along the garter stitch border, really, and a little bit of steam along the ruffle as well. I didn't want to flatten out any of the ruching.And, you know, it really is a pretty thing.Pattern, of course, is here - free,

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-44785557946606291212010-05-17T10:32:00.007+01:002010-05-17T11:07:57.342+01:00

Puppies were absolutely adorable. They were about as big as guinea pigs last week, not yet four weeks old then. So sweet! Little squeaking noises, and crawling about. They couldn't quite stand up yet, although they were trying. Ours is the smallest of the litter, she is a very light blue roan with little tan eyebrows. She has a black spot right on the top of her head, and a couple more

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-73161135709816281642010-05-12T10:31:00.003+01:002010-05-12T11:37:14.418+01:00

Finally, here it is.Pattern from Kim Hargreaves, in her book Heartfelt: The Dark House Collection. I used 8 balls of Felted Tweed in Carbon 159, and made size 38".The only changes from the pattern were the omission of the knitted belt - not my sort of thing really - although there would have been enough yarn for it, and the join at the middle of the neckband at the back. The pattern says to

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-47013036470978949372010-05-08T16:12:00.003+01:002010-05-08T17:01:23.059+01:00

I didn't get anywhere near achieving everything on that list, of course. It should have been titled, things to do soon. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but it seems that I never learn, with particular regard to lists.Although I have, this afternoon, finished Dusk. All that I now need to do there is press the long seams at each side - I am glad I have that sleeve roll, it is indispensible for

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-34965593607654842862010-05-05T10:52:00.006+01:002010-05-05T11:49:13.301+01:00

Finish Dusk.This is so nearly done. All the pieces are complete, and I have joined the shoulders (mattress stitch) and the back neckband (Russian grafting). And while I think of it, thereby hangs a tale, as they say.I have not used Russian grafting before, but I shall definitely be using it again. Ordinary grafting - Kitchener stitch - whether you work it with a tapestry needle or as

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-21710129064450638992010-04-29T23:09:00.003+01:002010-04-30T11:11:21.385+01:00

So, I've been sitting in the conservatory this morning with my second cup of coffee, attached to my little CES unit for a session, knitting away on the second sleeve of Dusk, reading (PopCo, by Scarlett Thomas - good book, so far - I'm enjoying it) - and watching a pair of buzzards circling over the river. Multi-tasking. Yes, can do.Not a lot happening around here, as you might have gathered.

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-60314003580672612762010-04-24T22:30:00.002+01:002010-04-24T22:58:29.211+01:00

All over and done with now, thank goodness.I am glad to be home - I've been back since Wednesday, actually - and am doing not a whole lot of anything just yet, other than resting. Today I've been sitting outside soaking up this glorious sunshine, and knitting on the current travel sock - and we fired up the barbecue for our supper, for the first time this year. Summer is coming....!We've

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-8986648081474531092010-04-13T20:56:00.002+01:002010-04-13T21:41:15.493+01:00

I've got just about a week before I'm in hospital again.I shouldn't be in for long at all - just one night if all goes to plan - and I've been planning some knitting for the days and weeks after I get back home. It's a bit daft really, because the stash is going to be right there. But I just want to have things sorted out - anything that needs to be wound, is wound up ready. And pattern,

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-36377778393431428622010-04-12T22:04:00.004+01:002010-04-12T22:36:19.547+01:00

We've had a lovely long weekend on the boat.And it was lovely, truly. Hot and sunny during the day, chilly mornings and evenings.I am not sunburnt, but that's because I spent most of the time hiding under a shady hat. I am definitely looking as if I've been on holiday. Both of us are feeling well rested, mentally and physically. It seems to be impossible to feel stressed on the boat. You can

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-48779653258448350882010-04-06T14:56:00.003+01:002010-04-06T15:58:28.776+01:00

I think I'm over the dishcloths, for the time being at any rate. I've finished half a dozen of them now, and I think that counts as a project.These were actually great fun to knit, and the entrelac (or rather, garterlac) and domino ones were particularly addictive. I have discovered, by the way, that I prefer Vivian Hoxbro's method of picking up stitches to the Mason Dixon method. Easier, and

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-10688650950750024662010-04-03T13:16:00.005+01:002010-04-03T23:20:37.557+01:00

I could never see the attraction of knitting dishcloths. Why would anyone really bother to make such a thing?But I am afraid that I have now definitely succumbed. I'm on my third one already, and more are waiting in the wings.It turns out that these little things are a good idea on several fronts.First, having a stack of these in one of the kitchen drawers means that I don't need to buy cloths

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-440120110467942612010-04-02T21:57:00.002+01:002010-04-02T22:10:49.938+01:00

Finally finished, poor neglected thing.This has turned out to be a beautiful garment.It is a very simple shape, but that shape is perfect - and perfect for the fabric that this yarn produces as well. It is quite wide and loose, and it drapes beautifully. It is semi-transparent in wear, so a vest top or a camisole is worn underneath.I am really very pleased indeed.Summary - Nissa, from The

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-87486446201327949842010-04-01T13:25:00.000+01:002010-04-01T13:26:02.174+01:00

Found!The day before yesterday I turned out the very top shelf of one of my storage units. The one next to the sofa. This involved standing on the sofa and taking boxes and packs of yarn off the shelf, which was right up by the ceiling, pretty much.That shelf.Yes, I have plenty of yarn. I like yarn.I was looking for my Dream In Color Classy, in Black Parade. I couldn't remember whether I had

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-539435288707105412010-03-31T21:30:00.003+01:002010-03-31T21:31:48.059+01:00

I cannot find my other 7 balls of Felted Tweed. I know I put them on the sofa. They aren't there now. I have moved them. I must have moved them to a really sensible place, much better than leaving them on the sofa.Of course I have.But where?

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-71603265101713302972010-03-31T11:34:00.006+01:002010-03-31T12:31:14.320+01:00

It is still pouring with rain, but the sun is coming out from time to time, so I've been able to get some pictures.The Firestarters were finished a few days ago. They haven't had the encounter with the steam iron that does for blocking in this house, I've just put the sock blockers inside them. This is because I am lazy, in case you hadn't noticed before.Knitting these socks was all about the

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-11622876907354408442010-03-30T22:18:00.002+01:002010-03-30T22:38:21.986+01:00

I take my (metaphorical) hat off to our local police. Not only did they call us back, not only did they come round and see us, but we also had a visit from the Forensic Unit, in a van marked Crime Scene, no less.They know who it was. There is apparently a gang of youths who have been working their way around neighbouring districts, and now they've moved on to our little estate. Which is quiet,

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-42562965786339725902010-03-29T12:57:00.003+01:002010-03-29T13:09:17.369+01:00

Some time between yesterday lunchtime and this morning, some nasty person broke into our car. They turned everything out of the glove compartment and the centre console compartment, and stole our little satnav.They also left the car door standing open, so that the interior light stayed on, and the battery ran down, and the car wouldn't start this morning. Our car is a Prius, so jump-starting

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-23014308236176564812010-03-27T14:49:00.002Z2010-03-27T14:54:48.110Z

Now that it really is Saturday, I've got something to show you.Go and have a quick look here.I do think that is excellent. And I've been using it all the time since I saw this. So, tried and tested. Arrange your scarf like this, and you won't have any problems with the ends flying off over your shoulder in the wind.There's even a video to show you how to do it.Knitting? - that would be a

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-52366644507262677922010-03-26T17:33:00.003Z2010-03-26T18:08:59.736Z

I've been mainly knitting socks, the last few days - I've turned the heel on the second Firestarter, and I'm working my way up the heel flap. These are interesting, but not relaxing to knit. On Wednesday evening I had a CT scan. I was initially surprised to learn that my appointment was after 6pm, but of course it is sensible for the hospital to make as much use as possible of these machines.

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-59602390624713796672010-03-24T09:56:00.004Z2010-03-24T10:21:21.612Z

I've got no idea whether that expression is actually used in French.Yesterday evening I spent a while working out exactly how to make this little gem in 4ply yarn instead of DK.This is Regia design 6523, and you'll find it in Regia magazine 112. I ordered a copy from English Yarns - I think Sunday evening? - and it arrived yesterday morning. (I've always had stellar service from that company,

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-14573954982098402472010-03-24T00:42:00.003Z2010-03-24T00:48:12.202Z

Well. Acupuncture was interesting. Totally painless at the time, but my goodness it has certainly stirred things up. My upbeat mood is feeling slightly punctured as well. I am sure it will all seem rather better in the morning light. Things usually do.

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-7740516448126422682010-03-22T21:38:00.003Z2010-03-22T22:28:42.586Z

Just ordinary things today.Housework, ironing, laundry, cooking. A bit of knitting too - I am still plugging away at the Earth Stripe Curtain. (I must put up a picture of this - it is really very pretty.) And I still haven't finished seaming Nissa, which is very remiss of me.I do seem to be going through a good patch at the moment, and this is very nice. Not sure why it has happened, or even

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-30769896583892184732010-03-21T18:41:00.010Z2010-03-22T23:12:16.252Z

Out on the boat today, for the first time this year. My husband has replaced the engine mounts and a good run was definitely in order, to check that everything was as it should be. The weather forecast was good, so we took a bit of lunch with us, and headed off down the canal.It was just lovely. We moored up just the other side of Bradford on Avon, and enjoyed our lunch sitting in the

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-62997958464388969332010-03-20T15:59:00.003Z2010-03-20T16:14:56.649Z

I'm a bit more awake now.I was going to write about knitting today - mostly the Earth Stripe Curtain (I'm approaching the halfway point of the coloured section) - and I haven't finished seaming Nissa yet. But I've been thinking over the last couple of days, and it usually helps get things clear in my mind if I set them down.It has been said to me recently, more than once, that it is possible I

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-23869151075373597432010-03-18T21:59:00.005Z2010-03-18T22:43:14.295Z

Currently wondering what day it is....We increased the dose of one of my meds - yesterday? - hopefully no more increases for a bit. It is really knocking me out. I am sleeping a lot. Last night, 9 hours - 11pm through to 8am. It was very difficult to wake up, took me ages to hear the alarm, which I wouldn't have set if we hadn't needed to call the plumber.And then I slept another 5 hours this

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-8993261496183086772010-03-16T16:58:00.003Z2010-03-16T17:24:36.144Z

I have finally finished something. It is just a little thing, but it will be very useful.I have one of those handbags that possibly has the kitchen sink hiding in there somewhere. It definitely has my eReader and my iPod in there, and that means that it also has some headphones. Not actually headphones of course, I mean those little earbud things that come with an iPod. And I've got another

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-26253629857306039112010-03-14T20:56:00.004Z2010-03-14T21:33:57.049Z

This morning, I sat outside in the sunshine to enjoy my coffee. Would you believe it was almost too hot? Until the sun went behind a cloud, that is, and then it wasn't too hot in the slightest, because the air is still chilly.We think we may have solved the cat problem.At the garden centre there was a huge selection of different things - sprays, granules, sonic repellers with PIRs - all sorts

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-61121184813942976252010-03-13T15:11:00.002Z2010-03-13T15:13:42.371Z

Found on Norma's blog.

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-13189489745029444492010-03-12T13:36:00.010Z2010-03-12T14:21:00.195Z

I'm enjoying this playing around with colours.Just now, Red Dragon gave me the thought of changing in a grey/blue somewhere, perhaps in place of one of the blues, so that it didn't look quite so much like blue-plus-other-colours.With this yarn, we're not exactly snowed under with choices when it comes to grey/blue - or indeed grey in general.I can have Shale - - or Anthracite. Another thought

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-54399146288495178292010-03-12T10:49:00.006Z2010-03-12T12:06:54.579Z

So, it looks like Pomegranate is the one!I'll leave the poll up over the weekend, and we'll see if things change at all.I thought it might be interesting to also show the original colour combination, the one that Louisa Harding used when the pattern was originally published in Rowan 12. The re-coloured version in Rowan's Greatest Kits is effectively the same, there is a wide choice of colours

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-58673686779433786962010-03-11T17:24:00.008Z2010-03-11T19:23:02.223Z

I'd appreciate some advice here.Sugarplum is an old design from Louisa Harding, originally published in Rowan 12. There was a single colour cardigan version, and a multi-coloured pullover. A re-coloured pullover version was in the recent book Rowan's Greatest Knits.It looks like this -I know, very eighties. But I do like the cardigan version, which is shown in the little inset at the lower

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-91052590589596637622010-03-09T18:23:00.003Z2010-03-09T19:00:09.001Z

Did I mention that I haven't used shampoo for more than seven months?At the beginning of August last year, I stopped using shampoo. I get fed up with the advertising claims made by all the different sorts of shampoo, and basically I just don't like the strong detergents that they all have, specifically SLS (sodium lauryl sulphate and sodium laureth sulphate), and over the months it has become

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-87911035300047291042010-03-08T11:42:00.004Z2010-03-08T12:31:34.099Z

We're having the most gorgeous weather at the moment. The sky is a clear and cloudless blue, with a depth and intensity that you don't seem to get in summer.Not photoshopped. (I have no clue how to do such a thing, anyway.)But it is not spring yet, not really. Looking across the river valley, the trees are still bare and there is no green in the landscape.We've been busy in the garden, though.

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-7427996075762382002010-03-05T15:34:00.002Z2010-03-05T15:45:39.129Z

I don't seem to be getting very much done today. Isn't it funny how phone calls eat up the time? I've just realised that it is half past three and I haven't even had lunch yet.Not getting very much done also applies to knitting. I've finished the back and both sleeves of Nissa, but I haven't got round to casting on for the front. Later, later....The TENS machine is actually helping. Not a

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77596167611043520.post-79828059650228163322010-03-03T19:40:00.003Z2010-03-03T20:05:51.320Z

It has been so busy over the last couple of days. I feel as if I've spent most of my time at the hospital, it has just been one thing after another.However some good things have happened. I still haven't got a date for the surgery, but I have heard that it should be happening sometime in April/May, so not long to wait now. Yesterday I went to the Stitchlinks knitting group at the Pain Clinic.

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223800058784736534noreply@blogger.com3