They say that “A break is as good as a rest” and I was very lucky to have both a break from routine and plenty of time to rest on my holiday this year. Living 200 miles from my parents means we try and spend as long up their each year as we can and the 2 weeks this year were nice, even if I feel no less refreshed coming home then I did going! That’s a health issue thing though, whatever it is I’ve got I’m having a bad flare up at the moment. My GP has finally agreed to refer me to the specialist to hopefully get to the bottom of it but it’ll be 6 MONTHS before I get the appointment. To say I’m gutted is an understatement, but I have to make my peace with it and wait and hope I can keep all the balls in the air till then.
When I was home I did some sewing on Mums machine. In 2010 I bought myself a cheap own brand sewing machine. I’d sewn a little for school and I was convinced I’d be able to muddle through. When I wasn’t I was convinced it was my fault and that I didn’t have the sewing gene! This summer mum convinced me to have another go and to bring home my machine.
Verdict: My machine is rubbish! I whipped these up in a few nights with minimal help from Mum; and I did all the sewing myself, including adding the pocket. Needless to say I’m on the hunt for a new machine and I’m debating spending my tax rebate on one; preferably a Janome (Mums is a New Home which are made by Janome)
Someone is really pleased with them! We made them without a pattern, using a pair of his PJ bottoms as a guide and using a patch pocket. The material is cotton, I think possibly quilting cotton as it has a little bit of structure to it, but that may also be because we didn’t wash or iron the fabric first as time was a little limited. Getting bad sewing habits right from the start! Next time I make him a pair I might take them in slightly at the legs, as they’re a little bit wide in my opinion. He says he likes them like that so I might get overridden!
Look at these beauties! These were made for me by the wonderfully fabulous Anna; who designed the blog logo. Top left is Rommie and bottom is Tiffany, our two rats who departed the earth last year. Top right is Corwin, our fat adopted boy. These are all A5 size watercolours.
My aim is to get one done of each of our rats so we’ll always have something beautiful to remember them by. Rhys normally commissions me something for Birthday and Christmas and I almost can’t wait until December to see which 2 out of our current 4 he picks next. All I know is I need to start taking some better pictures, Anna’s here are spot on but that’s a testament to her work more than our photography!
Speaking of Christmas when I was home I took mum through the options for her shawl. She fell in love with Wrapped in Leaves when they visited in May. Mum is like most people, afraid of the word wool. She thinks wool will mean scratchy and itchy, so I wanted to really focus on getting high quality and who can resist Fyberspates. This is high twist merino DK in Bamboo.
On the totally other price end of the spectrum I bought 5 balls of Stylecraft Special DK on Friday. A joint present for my mum and dad’s teddy bear (It’s a very long story) I’m going to make Heidi Bears’ new pony design in the Lincolnshire flag colours with the beige used as the border and for the hair.
My sister picked out some sock yarn when she was home as she wants a pair for Christmas. I plan on casting these on real soon; toe up. 2aat as per usual. All that’s stopping me is the effort taken to find the ball winder!
I’ve also been reading a lot lately with my new Nook. I picked it up for just over £25 and including the case and light it still cost under £40. I read a lot on the way to and from work and it’s so easy to sling this in my handbag. I still love my tablet but it’s just too big to cart around and this is ideal.
While I was at home I started on my Celestarium. Though not much at all really. I hate small diameter knitting with a vengeance. I need to suck it up, get through the first few charts and all will be well and I won’t feel like I’m wrestling with a hedgehog.
I did swatch with an assortment of beads I bought when in Nottingham. The gold ones hidden at the top won, but I now have a selection of beads for other beaded knits. It’s something I struggle to find around here and I’m sure they’ll come in useful.
I made very good progress while I was away with my dad’s jumper. I’m knitting seamlessly up to the arm holes to avoid a lot of seaming. Before we went away I’d completed the ribbing and about 3 rows; the rest has been done while away and this last week. I kept this project in the car so most of it has been done while travelling, which it’s a perfect project for as it’s stockinette.
I also made great progress on my Heidi Bears elephant but I’m really hoping to have enough brain to make that a WIP Wednesday post (and I didn’t photograph it with this lot!)
I’d thought that over the holidays I’d not done a lot, but I’m actually really pleased with what I’ve managed to do. Is anyone else overly ambitious or is it just me? What’s your favourite project type to take away?
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