A knitting fix!

I've recently started knitted hippy type scarf.  I saw one in Ian Snow in Machynlleth when I was there a few weeks ago.  I couldn't bring myself to buy one as I knew I could make my own.

I knew there was just the right yarn in my stash, Noro Sekku.  This ball of Sekku has been floating around for years, I bought 2 balls whilst away in Devon with a knitty friend.  I knitted up the other one as a present for my mum, there's a post about it way back in my blog, but after finishing that scarf I vowed never to use Noro again.  It's so difficult to knit with as it's so twisted, I'm forever dangling it over the side of the chair to untangle it, the slightest pull on a knot and it breaks, it drives me crazy.  Someone told me once that's it overspun but I don't know if that's true or not.  Don't get me wrong, I love everything else about Noro, I love the colours, I love the texture, I even love the little bits of twig you can often find in it, I just hate the fact that it twists on itself so much.

Anyway, I decided not to buy the scarf in Ian Snow and save myself a few pennies.  I couldn't find a pattern on Ravelry so I made it up as I went along.  I know I don't need a pattern for this, I just wanted to know how many stitches to cast on.

I cast on 350sts on 3.25mm circular needles, they're the smallest I have in interchangeable but I probably would've used smaller needles if I'd had them, I joined in the round and started to knit.  I've loved knitting with it this time round, it's easy, mindless knitting for a warm summers day.  I've even managed to read a bit of Jane Eyre whilst knitting but more on that another time.

I love simple knitting, I love simple patterns, not just because they're easy to do but because I love they way they look, I absolutely love garter stitch. 

I knitted until I thought it was wide enough and cast off.  Forgetting how much the edges roll up.  I love how knitted edges roll but I don't love it quite that much.

So here I am, armed with a crochet hook, picking up all those stiches that I missed when I unpicked the cast off edge, out of 350sts there were quite a few I'd missed!

I love fixing my knitting, for some knitters it's their worst nightmare and they'd rather undo it and start again, I love working out where it's all gone wrong and challenging myself to fix it.  A couple of years back I knitted a Christmas pudding jumper and discovered I'd read the pattern wrong, the ribbing on the front and back bottom edges were totally different lengths. 😱😱😱

I worked out how to fix it with the help of YouTube, seriously everything you need to know about life is on there, I use it all the time for my knitting, computer programs, everything, yesterday I learned how to make a dreadlock out of wool!!  So I ended up picking up the cast on edge of the shortest side of the Christmas jumper and knit downwards until both sides were the same length.  I couldn't believe that it worked.  It took a couple of hours but it took far less time than it would if I'd have knitted the back of an adult jumper.

So my advice to any knitter is that if you think you've made a mistake then stop, take a step back and work out if there's a way to fix it.  Google and YouTube may have the answer.

It's been a long time.

Well, here I am, I'm back.  Looking back on my posts it's been 5 years since I last posted.  I think I must have got bored with the 365 day challenge or something so I gave up.

The fact is that I don't think that I have a lot to say but people keep telling me that I have so here we go again.

My brother keeps encouraging me to write a blog about my experiences with rheumatoid arthritis and how I cope with everyday life so, after a long wait, I decided that I should get back on it!

It took me ages to find my blog again.  I couldn't even remember what it was called or how I log into it.  Thanks to google, and their magic, I managed to find it and not only that, I managed to log back in again.

I've got a few ideas for a few posts so I best get cracking.

Day 19 - Come on you Baggies!

My offering for day 19 is my Albion scarf. I spent the evening knitting it whilst listening to the match on the radio.  I'd planned to go but it was far to slippy and cold for someone with a new knee.

My scarf is nearly finished.  It's random blue and white stripes.  I will crochet the ends together so it wraps round easier and it will keep me warm when I'm at the football.

Day 16 - Coffee Anyone?

I've just finished knitting this coffee cosie. It's a present for a friends birthday.

Danger, knitters about!

I know I haven't posted for a while. Arthritis, weight loss and knitting has taken over my life but since we last spoke a few things have happened that I wanted to tell you about.

You already know that I dislocated my hip replacement.  Well less that a week after the hip incident I was out with some knitters at a Weatherspoons.  I went to use the disabled toilet but as I was walking back I fell over.  I'm not sure how it happened but I think I caught something slippy on the floor and went flying onto my front.  I had to put my elbows out to stop me as my hands would never stop me from falling, they are far to painful.  A few came to my aid and I was most grateful.  I had no idea how I would begin to peel myself up of the floor, having no strength in my arms means that I can't push on them.  Then I heard someone say, 'don't worry I'm a paramedic'.  Some poor man was eating his steak and chips and came over to look after me.  He managed to get me up and I was so greatful.

A few weeks later on Easter Tuesday, I was again out with knitters and I decided to drop a very hot black coffee all over my legs.  The first aid person was very quick to act as were all my friends but a special thank you to my friend Sylvia who, I'm pretty sure if she hadn't move my leggings away from my legs so quickly, things might have been a bit different.

Now I know what you're thinking. All three incidents are related to knitting.  You would be right in thinking it was a gentle pass time, but I'm here to tell you that it is a dangerous sport with serious consequences such as addiction, gossip, sore hands, wrists and fingers and of course with any good addict, the hoarding!

A UFO's Update

I thought I'd update my UFO list as I haven't done it for ages.   The usual suspects are there but some new ones are joining them.

1. Rowan cardigan.

2. Sirdar 'Big Softie' scarf.

3. Sew buttons onto baby surprise jacket. 

4. Granny square blanket.

5. More socks for me.

6. Sock yarn blanket.

7. Little sisters dress.

8. Blue and white West Brom gloves for my Dad.

9. Lace shawl started at the lace class.

10. Mum's Noro scarf.

11. Mum's crochet scarf.

12. Katherine's Wedding Knit.

13. Secret Santa.

14. Sock Yarn Blanket.

ARRGGGHHH..I need to stop casting stuff on!

Is it too early to be thinking about Christmas 2012?

I've been thinking (as probably all knitters do) of all the Christmas presents I would have liked to have knitted for everyone.  So, I know it's early but I'm already planning!

As I live with my Mum and Dad I can't knit presents at home so I thought if I spent all my knitting days out doing presents then I might have done what I wanted to do for Christmas.  I thought I might do them a pair of socks each.  I also have my Mum's Noro scarf to finish so I could give that for her birthday or save it for next Christmas.

I'd like to do a pattern that was in Simply Knitting back in November.  It's for knitted advent lights that comes complete with a knitted plug!  As I won't be using it as an advent calender I could do a shorter version and stuff the lights.  I also have a Christmas Card pattern from Simply Knitting which would also be good for next year.  I might do about 4 cards.  These are made out of left over DK so they will be a cheap option.

I would also like to knit my Niece something, weather that will be a hat or a toy or something I'm not too sure.

So here is my list for Christmas 2012.  I've got 370 days to knit.  Wish me luck and I'll keep you posted!

Knitting with Noro

Noro yarn is nightmare.

I'm knitting a scarf for my Mum but I think I've spent more time undoing knots than I have knitting.  I'm using Noro Sekku which is lace wight and a pattern I got free with the yarn when I bought it.

It looks nice but I'm not sure if I want to knit with it Noro again.  It all twists round itself and you keep having to untwist it.  I love the colours though.
 

The colours are so beautiful.

But here lie more knots.

Yarn of Ale Christmas doo

Last night was my knitting group Christmas meal.  We went for a meal at Granvilles in Stone and it was lovely.  I ate so much more than usual which was good.  Lots of people with RA struggle with eating.  My weight is no indication of how much I actually eat, although last night, I went all out.

I also went all out on my outfit. I was wearing my new spotty tunic, leggings, red wedges, fake eyelashes and bright red lippy to match my red shoes. I did feel pretty good I have to say although I'm paying for the half inch heel today!

We had a secret Santa where we had to knit something out of 100% wool which could be either a scarf, hat or gloves.  I've spent the last 2 weeks knitting a beautiful scarf, or what I considered beautiful, but when I came to wash and block it yesterday morning, disaster!

It looked awful and I mean it looked bloody awful.  I couldn't possibly give it to anyone as a gift, I didn't take a secret Santa.

Well, when I saw everyone's creations I'm so glad I didn't take one, everyone else's were so beautiful and they'd put so much effort into them.   I would have been embarrassed to take my little gift along.

Now, I do consider myself to be a reasonably good knitter, I'm not amazing but I'm alright.  I'm told by several different people that my tension is good so all my stitches are even, and I choose nice yarns in my price range, I don't skimp too much unless its something I know will get chucked around.

Therefore, I think the reason why my knitting looks different to everyone else's is the way it's finished off, I'm just not very arty!  People tell me I'm arty all the time because I can knit but I'm not.  I can follow a pattern but I can't go that extra mile to make things look that little bit sparkly. I'm not that clever.

I was disappointed though. Looking at the knitting again this morning, it doesn't look that bad. Oh well, I suppose I can save it for next year!

Children in Need 2011

I wanted to share with you the achievements of my knitting group, Yarn of Ale.

On the evening of the 19th November my friends picked up their pins and knitted, none stop for 12 hours. They were not only being sponsored for Children in Need but they were knitting for Operation Christmas Child boxes.

A few of us went along to support them throughout the evening which was only able to go ahead with the support Laura and the rest of the staff at The Royal Exchange in Stone.  The locals were so generous and almost £300 was raised on the night, one local business man even bought us Pie and Chips at 1am.

A massive thank you must go to The Royal Exchange for letting us loose in the pub overnight.  Also thank you to George and everyone at The Blue Rooms for the beautiful pie and chips. And thank you to everyone who donated and made the night a success.

To Claire, Jo, Jeanette, Alison, Janine, Sheila and Rachael, well done, I am so very proud of you.

My final word go to Cheryl, the landlady of The Royal Exchange.  Cheryl was so 'up for it' when we told her our silly idea back in June, but sadly, due to ill health wasn’t able to enjoy the evening with us.  Thank you so much for your support over the years, we know you were there with us somewhere.