Happy Christmas to you - and a very Happy New Year!

OK, I don't seem to be able to improve the layout much at the moment, brain doesn't seem to be working at the mo. This will have to do for now.
Is it bearable? I suspect tis a little bit busy.

So how is everyone? Sick of turkey yet? Surely not sick of roasties or cold warmed up? (Veggie sauasages and cold fried up for tea later tonight, hurrah! With pickled onions.).
Did you all have a lovely time?

Kerri and I had a very relaxed, giggly wine fuelled Christmas and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves - really really nice. Good food though I say it myself, laid back, tripe on the telly - perfect. I don't 'do' New Year really so I will be home alone (awwwww) with a glass of fizz and summat nice to eat - and my knitting. Suits me perfectly!

Talking of which - I finally finished a cardi which has been needing buttons for months. I started this planning to wear it when I went on holiday in July and it's been finished apart from buttons since then. Sigh.

This is Daisy, by Kim Hargreaves. More details on my Ravelry page - really easy, fast knit. I enjoyed making this and think the pink trim really perks the whole thing up.

So that's one thing finally finished before the end of the year! A scary amount of unfinished bits and bobs still to go ....

I made a last minute teddy for Kerri as she loved the other one so much - this didn't quite work as well (I think I maybe rushed the sewing up at the end) and it has a weird nose but she loves him just as he is. It's the sort of nose 'that adds character' ;-)

Once again I cannot praise this pattern enough - Owen, on Ravelry.

The Singing Santas were all well received:

as were the hand stitched felt coats (er - ornament sized not human sized of course!):

As with a lot of other knitters I do have one thing to finish off still, originally intended as a Christmas present. Ooops.

What else?
Healthwise - no more injections thank gawd. I was having such a bad time with the methotrexate I was told to stop the injections a couple of weeks ago, and although it didn't have much of an improvement on my overall health it definitely helped mentally. I saw the consultant again on Wednesday and have started a new medication in tablet form (hurrah!). Sulfasalazine.
Side effects will be:
orange wee
yellow tears
low sperm count
Can't beat some comedy effects! Am very disappointed so far that the orange wee is nowhere to be seen. Pah.
For the pain I am now on some stronger/strongest Tramadol which have knocked me for six, no bad thing as the pain's been bad lately and some sleep is very welcome indeed. I go back in 4 weeks.

That's about it for now. Hope everyone is well.

Watch out!

There's a new and hopefully improved blog layout due asap. Truly. I need to sort some clear photos and something half decent for the banner first. This requires daylight ...

This is just a flying visit as my knitting is calling me - did you have a wonderful Christmas?

Snoggles xx

Stash Down. Yikes!

Oh yes, it's about time. I have a silly amount of wool - that isn't too much of a problem.
However not having a clue what is where IS an issue.
Especially when I am convinced I have a specific wool and simply cannot find it anywhere.

Sigh.

So sometime over the next week I am going to empty every box, crate and bag containing wool onto the floor and sort it out once and for all.

Some I bought with A Plan - so will print out patterns for those and add them to the bags of wool, take a photo and - gulp - add it to a spreadsheet.
Some will certainly be destined for Fleabay or Ravelry for selling.
The rest - in theory, in an ideal world, I would love to know exactly what is where - colour, thickness, amount.

Hmmmm - I must at this point state that this is in theory.
In reality I am likely to start, get overwhelmed and frustrated and leg it.

Any sorting my stash ideas very gratefully welcomed!

Whose bright idea was it to make presents this year?

For a hermit I have been quite busy lately with a fair bit to report. Makes sense to me to start at the end with a couple of Christmassy things.

Bert the Bear is finished and on his way.

He is a touch overstuffed and at the mo it peeps through a little, but when I squished him it wasn't visible - so hopefully after a few cuddles he should look fine. I absolutely love him!
Great fun to knit, complex enough not to become boring and a fabulous looking bear.

I have started another one last night and am hoping (hahahahaha) to finish by Christmas Eve. Hmmmm. Wish me well with that.

The tree is up in all its subtle wonky-topped glory:

I like this - pink at the base then variegated until it is white by the top.
The top of the tree is graced by BaconSarnie, my little pink pig in a sparkly dress.

Plus the goff fairy and the glitter balls - et voila! One seriously classy tree. (Insert snort of laughter here).

There seems to be tinsel everywhere.

Keef seems to have reached puberty .....

Much more to come - I have done 'socialising' which is unheard of - not once but a couple of times.
I know!

Will let that sink in and give you time to recover. Toodles!

Pretty in Pink

Old manky carpet that was here when I moved in - I learned to ignore it!

After Kerri went 'rip it up' mad:

and as of this morning:

Lovely!
Needs a damned good hoover and the paint work retouching, but not tonight. He did a great job of my twisty stairs and it is so soft underfoot, I love it.

Some knitting has been happening - I don't do hats usually, I look a total knobber in them but it's so cold I think I need several - this one is about half done.

Sorry for the iffy photo, daylight is rare at the moment - maybe this one shows it better:

It's a nice fun hat, from knitcircus winter2011 - if I look a Twat in a Hat what the hell!

I also want a black and pink kitty hat, and have another hat in mind. Hurrah for warm ears.

Hope all are safe in this mad weather, my daughter's flat's suffered and she has work being done on it right this minute, she might turn up here tonight (but she's like me and prefers to stay in and see what's happening rather than worry elsewhere).

Latest test knit has been completed and posted for photos, really enjoyed this one too. It's nice to knit in colours and textures I would not usually choose. I also like not seeing the picture of the finished item and working it out from the instructions only - looking forward to the next one!

Keep warm and well.

Paw-nography

Teddy cannot wait to get this particular bit attached!

He's a tad hard of hearing at the moment ...

George is back! Hurrah for George!

Look who was back today, he spent about an hour squished into the (very small) bird table scoffing peanuts.
These were taken through the window, he wasn't at all bothered by me being there.

Isn't he just a delight?

Made my morning.

Knitting continues but slowly at the mo, am sleepy. I am still enjoying knitting the ted, one leg is finished - the joints are made by covering buttons and attaching that way - hopefully this will work.
I have completely fallen in love with the covered botton - I think some of these sewn onto a cardi as fake buttons in a contrasting colour would look amazing.

I suspect they are too bulky to make into a 'proper' covered button with a push-in back, but would work as fakies. It's really tickled me, almost too good to hide in a teddy's thigh!

Stocking swaps are going brilliantly so far - they work the same as advent calendars, open a gift a day. Yesterday's gifts were:

From the UK parcel, two gifts - one to open immediately which I love, a really soft quirky headband:

The bow is ace!
And inside 1 was - drum roll - something to keep them all in!

Excellent! And todays is lovely - not sure how many pink haired punky folk love the smell of roses but I definitely do!

And the USA stocking - yesterday was perfectly timed as I ached from top to toe:

and todays was also well timed as I need to finished Kerri's Christmas cardi asap:

Thank you!
It is fabulous to see lots of adults opening their gifts every day, I love it.

And the knitting continues ...

... sadly so does the pain but cannot do a damned thing about it (was in so much pain last night I couldn't get out of bed and down the stairs for a drink and more tablets, pretty dreadful night).
Never mind, Drs next week so will ask for something stronger than the Tramadol which seems to have stopped working (ie my bods got used to it).

But knitting - is this one of the most bizarre looking bits of knitting or what?

It is to me anyway, the first time I have knit anything that has such interesting and fun construction.
And that's coming from someone who hates knitting on anything but straights!

This is Owen, a teddy bear pattern on Ravelry - by far the best looking bear I have seen and I have had it queued for ages, finally got round to starting it the other day - this is about 3 days worth of work. Originally intended for my sister's Christmas pressie, but when Kerri saw it she loved it so much that I suspect two will be needed in the next few weeks. Minimum - I want one too!

He is knit from 2 balls of New Lanark wool dk, which I love using because it is so rustic. I have a load of grey upstairs that was meant to be a cardi for me (there's a surprise, a grey cardi) but I think I will snaffle a couple of balls for a grey ted.
(If you have yet to try New Lanark wools then do so! Very fast delivery, very cheap wool and fab quality - not always the softest around but I absolutely love the stuff). This is knit from the wool / silk blend a couple of years ago:

Anyway back to the teddy. I love how he is looking - the weird needles malarky is to join the head to the body so there are no visible seams, then the head gets stuffed as it is knit. I have just started the leggies which are also incredibly cute - these start with a garter stitch paw pad and the stitches are then picked up around that and knit upwards. Luvverly.

I have now completey got the hang of M1B and M1F ;-)
More piccies to come as he grows. I think a nice warm cabled jumper for each ted will be perfect.

I have also nearly finished the second test knit which again I am really enjoying, hopefully that will be in the post tomorrow or Monday at the latest (I know it is needed for photographing by the 8th).

Swapsies - I love swaps, especially at this time of year. Christmas Stocking swaps are my absolute favourites - I am in two this year, and a couple of smaller swaps. It's been a bit mad trying to get everything finished and posted in time and I am gutted that at least one parcel won't get there when it should (especially as it is to someone special) so have sent a little something via the tinternet. But look at what I received myself - isn't this fabulous? (scuse the messy floor / skirting board)

I have two hand knit stockings from previous years which are equally stunning and will be bringing them down soon to hang up - yes I am secretly a big kid! I overstuffed this one a bit trying to cram everything in, so will share the goodies between all three so it hangs properly.

And to end on something lovely here's PSidney being shy (had just cleaned his cage and he wanted to explore instead of have a camera shoved in his furry face). I love my piggy.

Happy December.

I DID KNITTING!!!

Oh yes I did!

And I have the photos to prove it.

I have loved knitting these dafties, all very quick and easy.

Firstly I present - The Santas. Excellent singers, very giggly and silly - available to hire for parties.

I love the way each seems to have a distinctive personality - I made mine in DK rather than 4 ply (easier on my hands at the mo) so they are a few inches tall, a bit big for hanging on a tree but lovely just - well, just sitting.

Then there are the likes of this little cheeky chappy, who escaped this morning in search of friends (and food). Thankfully I spotted him through the window.

I was able to get a couple of sneaky photos before he spotted me and flew away.

Somehow I suspect he will return...

I also did sewing.
I love these and have made a few of them - again they are very light so easy on my hands. The pattern was (I think) from Posie Gets Cosy, pdf download - so far I have only made the coat (several coats) because it just makes me smile. I saw it when it originally came out as a kit, but simply couldn't afford it so was really pleased when it was available as just the download. The teeny tiny mitts!

And I love the back detail too - I think the seamstress / designer in me just couldn't resist!

It might not be the neatest stitching in the world but I am simply chuffed to bits that I can make them at all.

There's more to come, including some rather deranged reindeer, scary guinea pigs and others. It's making a change to my usual beloved cardi knitting.

Hope everyone is well - keep warm, the weather's utterly vile out there!

Non Broken Fanny

It's a real good news / bad news time lately, arrrgggghhhhh.

Good news - mah fanny she is mended, sort of. Bet you really wanted to know that. Dr said back to the no dairy, no citrus, no caffeine thingy but all test results are super duper. I think I should have a 'Healthy Fanny' certifcate for my wall.

Bad news - my left knee gave out when I was almost at the top of the stairs to bed the other night. Now when people say 'oh it suddenly gave out' it sounds ever so dwama queenish, but it really did, literally, give out - a big crunch and it buckled under me. Utter bloody fooking agony since then, can't put any weight on it (thank goodness for my stick).

Was at physio anyway yesterday so she spent ages on my bad knee - she thinks some of the knackered cartilage has broken off and is floating about jabbing into the RA that's already there. Possible day surgery if it doesn't settle soon.

Yes that's just what I really want thank you, my not-quite-as-knackered-by-rheumatoid-knee deciding it wants some of the attention now. ARRRGGGGHHHHH!!!! Plus I am on minimum painkillers at the mo as the others have given me a suspected stomach ulcer, so it's just paracetamol and Tramadoladingdong. I think I might resort to a live of alcohol and swearing, I am good at swearing. No dairy,no gluten, minimal fats, minimal spices, no caffeine, no citrus - so that's mashed potato for me then.Ah, my hands often hurt to much to peel or mash - so that's chomping on a raw unpeeled spud then. Why the hell I am not skinny I do not know!

Meanwhile, from my pathetic position on the settee I have been crafting up a storm.

Normally I am not at all interested in Christmas - this year I seem to have gone Christmas mad. Now whether that's because I am in seven million Christmassy swaps, or because I am at home a lot, or because I need serious medical help I don't know, but I am surrounded by limbs from assorted Christmassy items - reindeer, Santas, Robins, all sorts. And I haven't even started on the glittery stuff yet ....

Top Seekrit Test Knit has been approved, paid for and praised and I am half way through the second one - I am absolutely loving knitting for someone else, for a specific purpose, and cannot wait to see if they make it into the books!

What's that? You would like some pretty piccies and you are sick of reading my drivel?

Hmmmm, you know this means I have to try and find the camera lead don't you? Did I mention my knee hurts? Oh, you don't care eh.
Sigh.
Will see what I can do.

Right - these are from a couple of weeks ago - can't believe I haven't posted them already. There was a hell of a scrabbling noise outside - and who was running up and down on the window sill?
George.
I tapped on the glass and lifted the net curtaon, and he came right up with his paws on the glass peering inside at me , absolutely gorgeous! I know they are flying rats but I love them, cheeky pretty little things. This one is by far the smallest I hasve seen in my garden, he's been back most days on the window sill.

Forgive the photos, they were taken through the window.

He scoffed all the peanuts from the bird table and played silly buggers, running up and down the green house, onto the guttering then back on the window sill. He then ran across the bench and played in the planters.

Climbed the tree and savaged what was left of the feeders there - he has incredibly long front 'fingers'.

He made my morning - this went on for a good 45 minutes or more. The larger one used to sit in the tree and SHOUT at me when I went to work!

Not keen on squiggles?
Just be thankful I didn't post a piccy of my non - broken fanny .....

I digress.

For some silly reason when I couldn't sleep, I was pondering the whys - no wherefores, just whys - of  cross country running at secondary school.

I went to a half decent secondary school in Northallerton (North Yorkshire), with a chuffing AWFUL bridge to cross every day from one side of the split site to the other - how I loathed that bloody bridge, especially in winter when it was icy, windy and slippery.
Many times we had 'crutch envy' (not to be confused with crotch envy) because those who hobbled with broken limbs were allowed to cross via the road with a teacher instead of that bloody bridge.

Did I like secondary school? Dunno - some of it yes, when we moved up to the Grammar School yes I mostly liked it, not so much at the split site one. Am I alone in not being able to remember most of the people I went to school with? My memory is shot, I don't remember much really, odd snippets.

Anyway, the single most awful thing about school was cross country running - in winter - followed by the dreaded showers. When I took my daughter for a look round the same school when she was about to start, the smell, the yukky smell of the gym and the showers, eeeewwwww! Horrid memories!

Cross country running would be banned today on grounds of 'elf and safety, human rights, child cruelty, trespass, the lot. (I don't actually know if it would but it bloody well SHOULD). It was always in the middle of winter - this was before fab trainers and trackies, we all seemed to have a variation of the same white plimmies (went mouldy green if you left them in your PE bag, shove them in the washing machine then spend ages using that messy whitener with a sponge tip that clogged up the laces eyelets). Those who were posh had green flash plimmies. Trackies were in either blue or red with white stripes, that awful stretchy synthetic stuff - you either sweat like a pig in it or shivered. And none of it fit properly.

Sometimes we just ran it - and I use the term 'ran' extremely loosely in my case - in shorts (stretchy bottle green) and sports top, red PE socks and plimmies. So we had those attractive corned beef legs and mottled blue knees before we even started. Nothing like stretchy tight green shorts to boost a pubescent girl's self confidence ....

The 'run' went the length of the sport's field, over fences, down a road, through fields, through / across a small stream etc etc. Most of it I don't remember - I blame shorts induced trauma - always when it was frosty, usually when rainy and often through ice and snow. I don't think I ever managed to reach the end of the field (ie the starting part) without wanting to cry. I certainly did cry many times whilst 'running'. My sister cried. We are not natural born athletes.
There were the front runners who shot off and stormed through it, coming back triumphant covered in mud and glory. They were strange runny fit folk. Then there were the middling ones who jogged on and on but didn't seem to mind it all that much. And bringing up the rear were the lame, the deranged, the smelly and the simply useless.
I was one of this elite group.
Athletic prowess was not my forte.

Absolutely no idea why I felt the need to write about this - I blame Tramadol.

Broken Fanny.

My fanny, she is broken.

Woe is me.

A broken fanny is never a good thing - in other words I have been to the Dr for some tests, due back Wednesday. Ouchy, they hurt.

On a lighter note, I am currently surrounded by these:

which are making me quite ridiculously happy. Four are totally finished, one partly completed - I have an urge to keep on making millions of them but I will fight it.
Can't beat a pile of squeaky acrylic!

These too.

I am looking forward to this, love the posters and the limited info released so far. Shallow? Me? Hell yes.
I want one of these:

and want to look like this:

just for the sheer hell of it.

I suspect I might be guilty of posting a blog whilst over tired ;-)

Juts go with it and let me indulge myself - I will add more knitty / crafty type piccies one day, truly.