Post-Christmas Post

Well that's Christmas over for another year! I don't mean to sound flippant but it can be a lot of hype for one day. However it was a very nice day and was very smoothly run in our household this year, mainly thanks to my super dooper other half! ( He cooked the most delicious dinner ever!)

We were up at 6.30 am for some unearthly reason. My mum was staying and she gets up at the crack of dawn then proceeds to 'tiptoe' round the house like a bull in a china shop!! Patch the dog sensed Santa had been and was anxious to open his pressies (he made out like a bandit!) so out of bed we tumbled. Other half got his Wii games console and a few goodies..meanwhile I was very very spoilt! I gained 4 Kermits for my collection as well as super-cool Adidas Kermit trainers. Not to mention a heap of dvds, a beautiful Weymmes ware cat, a webcam for my laptop and yes even a voucher for my local wool shop!!! Way-hay!!

How cool are these? Answer: too cool for school!!

Before Christmas I manage to churn out some easy peasy knits. 3 kiddies hats for the Shoebox Charity Appeal and some very bright fingerless gloves for myself (great for shopping in the frozen foods section!!).

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas wherever you were. It's a time for family which doesn't always make it easy but thankfully we came out the other end unscathed, haha. Parents, brother, sisters, their partners, neice, nephews and dog..thanks to you all. xx

This is my most recent finished knitting work. Teeny tiny little stockings with bells on to hang on my tree. I have bought some chocolates to put in them and plan on handing them off the tree to visitors we get over Christmas. The monogrammed stockings are slightly bigger and are for baby Maisie and Adam. It will be their first Christmas and I thought it would be a cute festive gift.

All wrapped Up In Ravelry

Oh my goodness! I've been so wrapped up with Ravelry, it's not just my blog that has suffered as a result. Letters have gone unwritten, housework not done and my dog just about spontanously combusts because I ignore his pleas to get out to pee (sorry Patchie!). All because I feel the need to sit at my laptop ogling other peoples knits, haha. Still...isn't Ravelry great!!!

For sometime I have the idea to form my own meet-up for knitters in my area and thanks to Ravelry I think it might work. Very early planning stages but watch this space for a progress report. I'm really looking forward to meeting new people whos eyes won't glaze over wearily when I talk about my thirst for new wool.

I haven't done too much knitting as of late either but managed to do some teeny tiny xmas stocking tree decorations using up some oddments in my stash.

I received my first copy of the new knitting magazine through the post today, 'Let's Knit' it's called. I missed issue 1 but signed up for 3 issues for £1 offer (rrp £4.99 per issue!). I also got a fab free gift of wood needles..they are a whopping 20mm size. I don't know what I will use them for but there are a few ideas in the mag...maybe a beret?

Addicted To Socking?

I have posted for a while but after completing my first pair of socks..I've gone a bit sock crazy! I knitted a pair in Opal pink prisma and sent them to a good friend of mine as a birthday pressie. She appreciates home made gifts (unlike some!) and I'm sure she will wear them! I then knocked up a pair for myself in Opal blue and have almost finished a pair in Opal Brasil...Can you see a theme here? I showed my socks to a couple of friends who thoughtI was clever enough to chop and change colours to make such an effect..I just love the self-patterning wool, haha!


I also was thrilled to receive my Ravelry invite today and have already had a good browse around. It is certainly fascinating but perhaps going to take a bit of time to work out how to get my profile organised. How is everyone else finding it?

Charity Abseil

I am so proud of my other half as today he abseiled off the Forth Rail Bridge for charity and raised over £200 for Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland. We got to South Queensferry bang on time after some traffic delays and before I barely had time to wish him luck he was all harnessed up and ready to go. He took it very much in his stride and seemed to enjoy the experience. It was a lovely day with views across the Forth.

Put A Sock In It

Last Friday I received my package from ModernKnitting (formally known as Cnyttanpatterns) cotaining 5 balls of lovely Opal 4ply and a set of DPNs. Having previously bought Opal sock wool and knitted up a couple of hats (I hope you're wearing yours Mum!) I was eager but nervous about trying socks. At first 4 double ended needles seemed like madness but you soon get in the swing of it as I learnt. I finished my first pair of sockies last night and think they look 'fair braw'. The self patterning wool knits up so nice. Well chuffed!!

So much Have I got the hang of it I have even knocked up half a sock of a pink pair just this afternoon.

TOOT TOOT! That's the sound of me blowing my own trumpet!

Catching The Ravelry Bug?

Okay, I've gone and done it! I've signed up for Ravelry after much umming and ahhing. I still think perhaps it's for serious knitters, well by that I mean people with a bit more skill than I.

You signed up Today
You are #40467 on the list.
15758 people are ahead of you in line.
82 people are behind you in line.
59% of the list has been invited so far

I also did a fly bit of wool shopping after falling in love with my Opal 4ply wool. The other half asked how many balls I'd ordered..I said "a couple"..infact it was 5! My first knit addict fib..oops! He just laughs at me..my previous weakness was purchasing novelty buttons on Ebay..now this.

Now, I am so bored..nothing on TV (and I watch almost anything!)..other half on a killing spree on his Play Station 3 and Patch the Pooch and I are just chilling. I feel another bout of hat knitting may occur!

Hats Off To Knitting!!

Okay I'm finally getting my ass into gear and doing this post..hooray! Is there such a thing as a LAZY blogger award? Every time I do sit at the P.C I seem to get sidetracked by the evil that is Facebook..does anyone else have this problem? Getting in touch with people you haven't seen for years..good times. If you were true friends why would you have lost touch in the first place?...hmm..bad times! Still it is natures curiosity that we see how bad/good each others lives have turned out. The school geek whos now stunning and successful, the teen princess whos now 20 stone with 5 ugly kids!! What do people make of me I wonder? Do I care? The mere fact I have mentioned it surely means I do..ah well!

Let's knit! I went to a local shop called Rejects last week and lo and behold it has the greatest knitting department. I have already told my other half vouchers for xmas would be most favourable, haha. I got the tank top pattern I was after..though omitted the patterned stitching on it in favour of stripes. The colours I like but the knit not so much. Next time I would make the rib broader and I think I need more practise at picking up stitches around the neck. The neck hole is a bit small..no big heids for this knit!!


Through the post last week I received my order from Violet Green. The first time using this particular company but highly recommended. I bought some lovely purpley DK wool, some sock wool amd a 4ply beanie hat kit that comes with wool, pattern, circular needle and stitch marker. This was a new venture for me having never used circular needles before and I made a bit of a boo boo at first. I STUPIDLY kept turning the needle around instead of going round and round..how thick is that? Anyway once I saw the error of my ways I soon got cracking. It was Opal 4ply and lovely to watch this self patterning wool develop. Heres some pics of my hat...I've a feeling it may become first hat in a series!!

Who You Calling An Ogre?

Well my knitting has taken a back seat lately..as has my blogging..oops!! I have amongst other things been busy drawing Shrek and Friends. Not a usual thing to pass the time but for my local Kids Ward. I work as a Play Volunteer on Fridays and absolutely love it. When the playroom looked a bit lacklustre I took it upon myself to sketch 4 foot tall pics of the ogre and pals. Luckily when I took them in my supervisor was really chuffed with my efforts. They are donning the walls of the playroom but Puss In Boots and Gingy are still works in progress as well as trees, birds, flowers and bees that I'm hoping the kids will add. The kids from little tot to moody teen all come in and say "Aw Shrek!" and there lies the reward.

Pics From Knits Past

Well I haven't got much knitting done this past week as I've spent that time on the net looking for knit patterns amongst other things. I'm desperately seeking pattern for a boys tank top if anyone out there can oblige. I refuse to pay £2.00 plus for an ancient old copy from an Ebay seller who probably bought a boxful for 10p at some car booty. some might call it enterprise..I call it downright cheek!! What do you think?(that'll be my moany old nag of the day). Anyway,My pals sister put in a request so I'd like to get my needles clicking soon as poss.

I've been busy drawing 4 ft pictures of Shrek and friends for the walls of the kids ward at my local hospital where I volunteer. My kitchen table was commandeered for a couple of days but I enjoy doodling. I will be sure to post some pictures of my efforts soon.

Meanwhile at the top of this post I've put up some pics of knits I did earlier this year. The first is my 'ruddy big pig' I knitted from a great book I got out the library. The second is my very own creation 'Voodoo Knits' I adapted from a Jean Greenhowe pattern for teddy bears.

Yet another baby cardi off the production line...I have a drawer full of them now. Friends are always having babies. My mum embarasses me by telling me to 'have a stall' somewhere or other but truth be told I will probably end up just giving them away to a charity eventually. The little beige sockies are quite tiny and I plan to post them to a long lost friend who I've heard just had a little boy..they are so very soft.

As you can see in the third picture Patch the dog is a big knitting fan. He is yet to pick up the needles but has been the cause of me dropping a few stitches many a time!!!

I'm a bit disappointed I missed out on submitting my scarf to the village show as planned as I was too not well. Some poor sod in my inner circle will be receiving it in their xmas parcel,haha!

My naggy old moan of the day is I'm sure shared by many of you out there at the moment...The Weather!! I put my jacket on..I end up sweating like mad. I leave my jacket at home..I near develop hypothermia. Now, I do realise this is what we have to expect from British weather but it's driving me crazy!!

My Gorgeous Boys!!

Not much to write about on the knitting front today, currently working on yet another baby cardi..what else?
I thought I would take the time however to post this pic of my man and mutt...aren't they a pair? I haven't been feeling a 100% lately and they have proved to be quite the tonic. I love them both to bits.

Baby Socks.

I knitted some baby socks the other night whilst watching one of our dvd rentals. The name of the film escapes me..some terrible chick flick with Jennifer Love Hewitt in. It was bottom of our internet rental list so of course it was the one they sent!! I guess that was my moany old nag of the day..back to my socks!! The lilac ones are to match the baby cardi I not long finished. Having lots of red DK I then used the same pattern to rustle up some little Xmas stockings. I'm thinking of stitching names on for Maisie and Adam as it will be their first Christmas. You never can prepare too early for the festive season..it creeps up on you before you know it, don't you agree?

Finished Cardi..Thinking of Socks

Finished that cardi at last..7 days from start to finish because I just haven't either had the time or the inclination to do it any quicker. Sewing up is such a drag but I love ..love..love the buttons which unfortunately you can't see very well. they are lovehearts with 'hug me' and 'sweetheart' written on.

Naggy old moan of the day: Did my volunteer shift at the hospital cafe today which was good. However, the stench of the sickly stovies clings to your clothes and skin...spew! Also, why is it that the pensioners generously put money in the charity box yet the sports car driving consultants are willing to wait on their 1p change?

The man and the mutt have abandoned me this evening. The man is on his PS3 and the mutt is curled up in his donut bed. Maybe, in spite of a shower I STILL smell of those stovies!!

Do You Need A Scarf In August?

The last couple of days I have spent my time on the computer reading other people's blogs and have found them most interesting. As I have said before I am keen to get knitty pals so I can chat about wool and patterns (or my fetish for novelty buttons!). I am slightly intimidated by the wonderful knits I have viewed and some of the knit lingo I have read but..hey..its a learning process, right?

I have posted a picture of one of my recent knits..a real wool scarf. The wool is Silkwood chunky 100% wool and cost £8.00 a skein (of which I used 2). I made up the simple pattern myself and must admit I'm rather pleased with the outcome. I'm hoping to enter it in the village show in September (it's a very small village so I may stand a small chance of a place).

Stripey Knit In Progress

Began yet another baby cardi on Wednesday. I'm a slow knitter (I get side-tracked by trash TV and pause too much mid row then forget what row I'm on..doh!). I've knitted the back, 2 fronts and half a sleeve so far. The wool is a lovely lilac colour with oddments for the stripes.

I usually use arcylic wool as its easy washed and softer on ickle bitty baby skin. Most of my wool is very inexpensive and bought from Poundstretchers...it's surprisingly good quality and £2 for 4 x 50g balls. I have also recently bought some from Semi-chem and some more luxurious stuff online from http://www.cnyttanpatterns.co.uk/ (great postage rates!)

Moany old nag for the day: I've got stomach cramps..sometimes its hard to be a woman.

My Mutt And My Man

Life here in not so sunny Kirkcaldy certainly has it's ups and downs. Yesterday for example Gavin was working away in the garden..(which is 'blooming' lovely these days) when our daft mutt Patch decided to eat a bee. The pooch swelled up like a balloon with some sort of allergic reaction and had to be rushed to the vets (we are talking dog version of John Merrick here!!). Needless to say after a jab and a hefty vet bill Patchy Boy is milking it for all he's worth!!

On a happier note Gavin has decided to embark upon a adventurous feat. The daft sod is going to abseil off the Forth Rail Bridge in aid of Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland. It's a charity often sidelined but very close to our hearts as Gavin's mum has suffered from strokes in the past. I'd be most grateful if you'd take a look at his fundraising page..you will at the very least get a laugh at his cheesy photo.
www.justgiving.com/gavinwilliamson (click on link)

Knitting Frenzy?

Here I am once again. Been getting myself in a knitting frenzy!! Knocked off a couple more cardis..after trying to complete one a week. I don't know exactly who I'm knitting them for and my Fiance thinks I'm nuts but people are always having babies ain't they? I just find it very theraputic and enjoy the fact that I have an end product to look at and be proud of.

My wee pal Maisie (aged 5 and a half months) loves her cardis from Auntie Lou and has been the envy of many at Mother & Toddlers so I'm told. I knitted one for one of her playmates and got a lovely card and photo of baby Finlay sporting his new knit (with lovely kind words from his mum).

New nephew in law Adam born 31st July received little baby cardi and beanie hat..hope it fits!

I also just found out yesterday that one of my best and oldest friends is gonna have her first baby in March and is welcoming the knits. Congrats Joanna and Hugh!! Fab news!

Not much stuff to nag about as all is good at the mo and not letting anything get me down. I even managed to visit my mum today for a few hours without it spiralling into the usual mutal nit picking. She had looked out some patterns for me, I think she reckons i have gone baby cardi mad too and suggested I try a jumper instead, haha.

Anniversary today..Fiance Gavin and I have been engaged for 3 years. He bought me some pretty earrings. I didn't get him anything...ooops!

Almost Forgot..I'm A Blogger!!

I began this blog and then forgot all about it..that is a great example of my scatty brain at work..or not at work should I say? Okay, I'm back..have been busy knitting inbetween all the other stuff that has to be done. The extent of my knitting skills at the moment is baby cardigans..I have one pattern I can follow without having to phone my mum for help!! It is very plain but I have knitted it in every colour imaginable with stripes and every variety of novelty button ever created (okay slight exaggeration!). A few friends have had babies over the last year and its an original and personal baby gift. My pal Penny is especially kind about my knits and really appreciates the cardis for her little girl Maisie.

We were (my other half and I) at little Maisie's christening yesterday. She looked like a little doll and watching her made the hour and 20 min service almost bearable..almost.

My First Blog!

Hello People,
This is my very first blog and I am blogging blind here! I don't know what I'm doing or what I'm going to write but I'm sure once I get going there will be no stopping me.
I guess I should perhaps introduce myself..I'm Louise, I'm 32 and live in Fife, Scotland. I live with my man and my mutt..I dunno who's more demanding but I love them both to bits!! I live my life at a somewhat sedate pace these days due to a few health problems. I've become a mad knitter, always clicking away with my pins but alas my skills in this area are somewhat limited. I'm hoping perhaps this blog thang will put me in touch with more knit-wits like myself!
Anybody out there??