Thank you Jacqui

Jacqui Moderator of Crafty Yarns n Threads (see link in the side bar on my blog - pink button) and Bloggers Paradise (see link on Jacqui's blog) has designed a knitting chart maker. She's created a chart and common knitting symbols and you can design your own chart and print it. It's brilliant so far and still under development I believe.

I've been looking for something like this for ages. I want to design my own lace patterns using charts and doing it by hand is so tedious especially when you make one tiny mistake and it throws you out completely and you have to redo it. I had to do this several times the other week when I started the design of my cashmere 'hearts' shawl. And I still need to redo that chart and now I'll do it on Jacqui's graph.

The Alpine Scarf from Victorian Lace Today is nearly finished. I've finsihed the main section now. Having worked quite a few more repeats than the pattern says but I wanted to knit an equal section of skein 3 to match the section worked in skein 1. That will balance the pattern out nice I hope and the different dye lots on the middle section won't matter. I'm hoping I may get the bottom border finished tonight. Although that may be pushing it a bit.

A Stashalong with a difference

Fancy joining a stashalong with a difference? Then visit my new stashalong blog: Stash Addicts Anonymous. The place to come to share stash busting ideas and patterns. Confess your yarn purchases and tip each other off about fab yarn shops. I'd like to encourage posting pics of your yarn stash too so we can all drool a bit.

The basic idea is that we encourage each other to work with our stash but there are no rules like - no more stash to be bought. That's just a silly rule we can't live by anyway. To join e-mail me with your details on stashaddicts@hotmail.co.uk

My Weekend

Done very little knitting this weekend. After having spent Saturday de-junking the house and sorting my stash I was too shattered to do much on Sunday. I did my monthly Sunday School duty and that was about it. Didn't get much knitting done either.

Today it was back to de-junking and I've cleared out the spare room/study and it's so much nicer in here now.

Mr YA braved Em's room which was appalling. I'm a bit worried what Em will say when she realises how much he has chucked out. But her room is so much better. He started Ness' room too but lost the will to live and packed it in for the day. No more de-junking till the weekend now as he's back to work tomorrow.

I normally spend Monday relaxing and recovering from the weekend and treat myself to some uninterrupted knitting time. Not this morning. Have done a few rows on my Alpine scarf but not much. I want to get this done now.

Also want to start my socks for a sock design challenge on Sock Knitters Forum and my February socks for Crafty Yarns (see my side bar for links). Also need to knit up another pair of my toe up socks with a twist to make sure I've written down the pattern correctly. Actually I think I need to make some modifications to it. and Em wants a pair of hand warmers. Too much knitting and not enough time.

Domestic Goddess

I've been very domesticated today. SHOCK HORROR!!!! Actually I was forced to be domestic today. Our house has been a tip for quite a long time now. Just too much junk everywhere so we've set aside this weekend to have a major dejunk. And Simon has Monday off for us to carry on then. I decided to concentrate on the bedroom today. We have a built in cupboard where I keep all my towels, paperwork and lots of other storage stuff.

So I pulled it all out apart from all the paper work which I'll do another day. I bagged up lots of yarn to be given to a charity which is collecting craft stuff to send to Africa. I tidied all the rest of my stash into plastic boxes and it's all neatly stacked away now. Lots of stuff that was in the spare bedroom now fits neatly into the cupboard. Also tidied all the stuff under the bed. In the end Ispent most of the afternoon in there and threw away 4 refuse sacks full of junk.

Spending that long cleaning/tidying is not good for my neck/back and now I'm in agony. Also tired as Ididn't get to sleep until 2.30 last night. Really bad pain in my right shoulder. Early night tonight.

And I've hardly done any knitting today. Got to change that this evening.

I decided to have a go at the 'Myrtle shawl' from Victorian Lace Today last night. Shouldn't cast on for another wip but I was just tempted. In the end I frogged it as Ididn't like the way the yarn was knitting up. I'll finish my 'Alpine' scarf before I start anotehr one from the book. It's going to be so difficult to choose my next project from there though.

My Phoebe shawl got frogged too. And restarted in a different stitch pattern. Keeping it very simple as the yarn has plenty of texture. Will do a pic tomorrow.

Nite all.

I'm devastated

Look at this:

See the colour change. I'm so upset. I've been working so hard on this shawl and look at it. I've used two skeins and they were bought at the same time. I know with hand dyed yarn there is no guarantee they'll be the same but I didn't realise it was this much difference. And I've only got a short bit to go. I'm thinking that if the 3rd skein is the same ast he first it'll be okay. I can pretend it was planned but I won't know until I start knitting with it.

I also cast on for this a few days ago. It's just so that I have an easy, no thinking required project for when my brain has switched off or I need to be sociable. It's an easy yo k2tog stitch pattern and is knitted in silk boucle from Posh.

I just can't get over my lovely lace shawl in two different shades. Need some chocs to recover from the shock I think.

Spaced out

I've not had a good week painwise. The pain in my spine between the shoulder blades and neck has been really bad at times and I've been waking up with some really severe headaches at times. And I won't even mention the tiredness. So it was with great relief I strolled up the road this morning to my neighbour and friend, who is also a very well qualified beautytherapist and does brilliant massages, for my regular massage. I had a hot stone massage today which is incredibly relaxing. I was drifting in and out of sleep during most of the massage and at the end I could have easily gone to sleep and stayed there asleep for most of the day. I was tucked up under a warm duvet and was painfree and relaxed. I love the way I feel after a massage. It's the only times I'm completely painfree. Doesn't always last that long unfortunately but it's well worth it. To me a massage is an essential not a luxury.

Came home and had lunch. Felt quite energised really which is strange cause normally I'm completely zonked out. Did a few chores and a bit ofwork on my Alpine scarf, then it hit me. I jsut coudn't stay awake. Fell asleep in my chair with the knitting in my lap. Ness woke me up just in time to collect Em from gymnastics club at school. It's freezing outside so the walk woke me up. Then after tea tonight I almost fell asleep again but had to brave the cold weather yet again to take Ness to youthgroup.

Weight Wathchers is going okay. I've not been brilliant but I'm getting back into counting points again. It's not as hard as I tought it would be. I do get tempted by things I shouldn't eat sometimes but I'm doing much better than I have for weeks. can't check on my progress as I think out scales have run out of batteries and knowing me, it'll be weeks if not months before I'll get around to changing them.

Knitting wise I knitted myself a lace hat yesterday. I've not taken a photo yet as I've not found a suitable model yet. I'm thinking about redoing it as it's a bit shorter than I wanted. I lvoe the shape though and it does fit me just. Not sure if I can be bothered to start again though. Want to concentrate on my lace projects so hat I can finsih some and start more. I'm not even longing for a sock otn, that's how much in love I am with lace. LOL.

Off to knit some more............

Oh, and only 10 more repeats left before the border on the 'Alpine scarf'

Moment of truth

I've finally done it. I've rejoined Weight Watchers. To make a long story short, I joined about 4 or 5 years ago and lost about 3.5 stone fairly easily. I was helping out by being a clerk at the meeting too. Then I hit a wall and started to struggle and graduallly over the next two years the weight was slowly creeping on. Then 18months ago I pulled out of helping at the meeting. And gave up going altogether. Joined again a year ago but gave up almost immediately.

I'm now a stone heavier than Iwas when I originally started. I've got a fewhealth problems including underactive thyroid which is not properly controlled by medication yet (workign on it) and in the last year since I've had thyroid problems I've put on another 2 stone.

It's been a difficult decision to go back andeven harder to walk back through the door. But I loved it. I knowthe clerks and the leader as Iworked with them before and they're all lovely. A lot of the members I know from before too. Some have been good and have been going continuously and some have lapsed like me. I had a good time and I'm ready to get back on track. I've not done brillianty today food wise. but I'm not officially going to start tracking until tomorrow. Got to read through all the material first and decide which plan to do.

Problem is the meeting was long this morning and I came home in a lot of pain and very tired. So I've not done much since I came home. Even struggling with knitting today. My neck has jsut been so much worse over hte last fewdays.

I wanted to walk the dog before going to school but Ithink walking to and from school is the only walk she is going to get today. Icould take the car but I'll be good and walk.

And I've joined a new KAL, the Victorian Lace Today KNitalong. It looks like a nice KAL. Fairly big but friendly. I've not joined too many KALS before but this one sounds like fun. I'm on my first project, Alpine scarf, from the book and I've planned my next two. I'm going to end up with a huge number of Victorian shawls. M ysister and my mum have chosen the ones theywant too. Unfortuantely I can't remember which ones they were. LOL. I will knit them one each but not yet. Me first.

In too much pain to type anymore now and I'm sure you don't want me ranting on either. Have a lovely Knitting Day.

Hot off the needles

Here are my Posh Yarns Cashmere 'Socks with a twist'. Hot off the needles this morning.

They are gorgeous (well I think so anyway). I love them and theyre on my feet as i type. The pattern is mine too. I designed it especially for these socks. I'm hoping to get it on mywebsite later in the week and it'll be free. It's a toe up pattern. I'm also planning a section on my website for instructions on how to do various sock bits. Like toes for toe up socks, short row heels, gusset/heelflap for toe up socks etc etc.

Last night I started a new wip. Wasn't going to until I finished anotehr wip but as I finished my socks this morning it was okay. Just needed something easy last night as Iwas very, very tired and in a lot of pain. Wanted to knit as I was feeling stressed and knitting calms me. But I just coudn't cope with anything too complicated or reading lace charts. And all my projects are lace at the moment. So I cast on for a shawl with my Posh (again) 'Phoebe' silk boucle. It is lace but very easy lace. NO charts needed. Again my own design. Whether or not I type this one up I don't know yet. It's really, really easy and I may type it up and put it up as a free pattern. The yarn has got plenty of texture so no need to add too much texture during knitting.

I'm also wanting to cast on for a hat. Don't really have a hat as i don't like wearing them at all. But it's cold here atthe moment. So I'm thinking about it. Got a pattern in mind (my own design) and have got the yarn out. Got enouhg yarn to knit matching handwarmers/gloves too.

But this morning I've been doing another repeat on my 'Alpine Scarf'. Nearly half way now.Yeah. I've got lots of housework to do today but I woke up at 3am with a horrific headache (same yesterday am) and severe neck pain. I did nod off again, but woke up every 15-30 mins. Got up at 4am to take some painkillers and thought about going downstairs (like I did yesterday) but was in so much pain Ijsut wanted to lie still and I was so tired I hoped I might just get back to sleep. Which I did, but it wasn't a proper sleep.

so now I'm feeling very tired. Got lots of tidying up to do after the weekend. Which I need to get on with now. Have mainly relaxed and knitted this morning though (okay, I did do my Tesco online shopping so not wasted the whole morning.

Lace progress

I'm making great progress on my 'Alpine' Scarf. Look how much it's grown.

I'm really enjoying this pattern now. The border (which was causing me problems in the start) is still causing me occasional trouble but it's only one repeat each side now. And hte middle lace is lovely and simple. I've used up the first skein now so will have to wind up another one if I want to carry on with this tonight. Wno't take more than a couple of minutes with my ball winder and swift. The skeins are only 55gr (I think) each and Ive got three of them so hope it'll be enough.

My own designed shawl is going well too. I started off on fairly short needles and I'm getting too many stitches for the needle now and need to change to circulars. Haven't got any bamboo circs in the right size though so will need to do some shopping. Have decided I need another Kacha-Kacha counter as well. If you've not seen these fab little row counters from Clover I'll post a pic tomorrow. They're fab and making keeping track of rows so much easier. YOu can lockthem too so don't have to worry quite so much about them adding a row or two during transit. I only have one of these and i've got 4 projects on the go which i need a row counter for. got a bigger Clover counter too but don't like it as much.

My daughter, Ness, who is 11 have just served us a gorgeous home cooked meal (cooked by Ness) of some delicious homemade beefburgers with baps and salad and cookies for dessert. The meal was gorgeous and I never want to cook a frozen burger again. She's really shown me how easy they are to make. Her grandparents gave her a cookbook for Christmas and it's brilliant. And she had almost no help for me. She can cook again as I hate cooking. Had lunch at inlaws so have had a cookingfree day. Brill! Doing roast dinner tomorrow though. I hate cooking.

Tomorrow we're off to church for our normal church service and then a fellowship time when we all bring our lunch and eat together and they someone do a short talk on a subject that concerns the whole church. I always bring my knitting to this as there is a bit of sitting around chatting after lunch before the talk. I'm taking my sock this time. Got about half the cuff left to do. I'm expecting to get some admiring glances from some of the older ladies especially. They probably won't realise how popular sock knitting is. I'm also in the progress of typing up the pattern for my Cashmere socks and I hope I'll get them on the website as a free pattern next week. My next sock project after this is going to be my felted sock slippers. Still got to felt my swatch though.

Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend.

Lace, lace and more lace

I'm feeling a bit laced out at the moment. Out of my wips 4 are lace projects. I've still got a scarf from 'Lavish Lace' on the go. And the everlasting Cozy.

And over the weekend i started this gorgous scarf from 'Victorian Lace Today'. It's called Alpine Scarf and is very challenging to knit. The bottom border was awful to knit and I kept having to unpick. It's lace on every row so no rest rows. I know I've made one or two mistakes but I'm hoping it won't show. The yarn is Posh Cashmere Lace. Now I'm on the main bit I'm enjoying it a lot more. the centre pattern is a double rose leaf. It's knitting up lovely but will need blocking.

I started a new lace shawl today. It's an idea I've been thinking over for a while and I started swatching for it last week but wasn't happy. Today I got another idea and started drawing a chart all over and this time it's working. I've got some gorgeous Posh Tamara lace yarn which I'd planned to use but I've also got 4 skeins of Posh Cashmere sock yarn which I fancied to do something other than socks with. Was going to do gloves, hat and scarf but decided yesterday it'd be lovely to have a cashmere scarf and the sock weight is just so soft andsnuggly. The pattern is a heart pattern and I'm happy iwth how it's working out so far. I started this afternoon and have frogged it a few times and re-charted it numerous times but think I'm happy now.

I'm going to make this my main project tonight.

My sock is making slow progress. I'm ready for the heel now but think I'll be leaving it till tomorrow. I may make my sock my 'out of the house' and 'talk while I knit' project. It's such an easy knit that I can talk easilywhile I knit it and it's very portable. While the lace projects are a bit more limiting.

And here is the picture of the 'Lavish Lace' Cashmere scarf I finished last week. This is going to go in a present box to be given away either during the year or for next Christmas.

Can't think of a title

Really struggling to be creative here. Today has been kind of messed up. Was going to get on this mornign and do some more ironing. I don't think I'll ever see the bottom of my ironing basket ever again but I've got to keep hacking away at it. Instead I spent the morning in the doctors office and then queuing at Boots for my daughter's prescription. Poor Ness has a kidney infection. She is in a lot of pain and can't even walk upright. Had to wait for ages in the doctor then do a sample to test for the kidney infection and then wait for our prescription. She waited in the car while I tackled Boots. Not my favourite chemist in our town but it was closer to the carpark and doctor's surgery. Customer service in the pharmacy department though is nil. I knkow I'm demanding but it's just ridiculous in there .Not used their pharmacy for quite a while and won't use it again in a hurry.

After lunch I decided to sit down with a bit of knitting. I'm getting on quite well (or I was) with my Vintage scarf from 'Victorian Lace Today'. I'm knitting it in Posh Cashmere lace and after a rocky start have finally cracked the border. I'm on my last repeat when I tugged too hard at the yarn and it broke. Had to unpick two rows stitch by stitch to get to where it was broken. Don't think I've lost any stitches. It's a difficult pattern and it's got lace stitches every row. Can't wait to finish the bottom border, although the border carries on up each side at least I can knit something else in the middle. the centre pattern looks much easier. And I've had anotehr idea for the shawl I want to design myself. I've got some Tamara coming (from Posh again) which will be perfect. Got some other Tamara lace as well in gorgeous purple colours and I've got a scarf in mind for it from 'Victorian Lace Today' but not sure if I hsould cast on for yet another lace project. Still got a scarf from Lavish lace to finish (it'll be a present for someone next christmas) and still got Cozy to finish. Although I'm getting close to finishing Cozy. If I concentrated on it for a couple of days I'd get it done but I'm starting to find the pattern a bit boring now.

Off to get a bit more knitting in before I start making tea.

Frogging Monday

The day got off to a bad start. I was tired from the weekend and in a lot of pain. My 11 year old daughter played me up big time.



Then I started frogging.



This scarf from 'Victorian Lace Today' got frogged as Iwasn't happ with it.



Also frogged the beginning of my own lace shawl design. Need quite a few changes I think.



Instead I started another scarf/shawl from Victorian Lace. The border is lace on every round - no rest rows. And it's so confusing. I've been getting stuck quite a few times today. Only got the first 16 rows done. But tonight I noticed it said 'Experienced Lace' so I suppose I shouldn't complain.



And here's a pic of the first one of my Posh Cashmere socks.

And a glimpse of the Lavish Lace Scarf I finished a couple of days ago. It's still blocking.

Weekend over

Have had a brilliant weekend. Not much knitting today though . After church this morning we went to Plymouth this afternoon on a mission to spend our Christmas money and the mission was successful. Mr YA got a Hi-Fi system with cd, dab radio, mp3 and tape deck. We've got an ancient cd player which is about 15 years old so it was in need of replacing. I spent the rest of my money on a set of new crockery and cutlery. Very exciting I know but we were desperate for something new. And I did spend some of my money in Norway on yarn.

Not much knitting today though. I did meat a fellow knitter in the coffee shop in Waterstones in Plymouth today though. I did think about bringing my sock along but didn't. We were having a drink while the girls were looking around the book shop and the lady on the table next to us pulled out her knitting. So ofcourse I had to strike up a conversation. This is the first person I've seen knit in public for years. Was starting to think it was only me who did stuff like that.

I had a very successful knitting day yesterday. Finished a cashmere lace scarf from 'Lavish Lace' It's been a wip for a while now and I'm glad to have it finished. It was originally meant as a Christmas present for my Gran. Not sure now whether to give it to her for her birthday (in February or March) or save it for next Christmas. It's a bit short for me so will definitely be a pressie for someone else. I've got another lace scarf on the needles from the same book which is next on my wip hit list. I also want ot knit the last scarf in the book - Frost Flowers. It's a beautiful scarf and I've got some pale blue cashmere which I think will be perfect. Als owant to get on with the Alpaca scarf I started from Victorian Lace Today.

Still not sure about my own lace shawl design project. Thought I had decided ona pattern but not sure now. I may do some more research and swatching be fore I decide. Also thinking I want to knit it as triangle but not sure if my design will work as well as it would in a rectangle. May think about it a bit more before starting.

I promise I'll get some pics taken tomorrow. My first cashmere sock is done and I'm progressing well on the 2nd sock so will get a pic of the first one. It's so gorgeous. Will also do a pic of the cashmere scarf I finished last night. Still need blocking. May try to get it done tonight.

I'm so exhausted now, so I think a relaxing evening with some mindless knitting is in order.

How quickly the week goes

All week I keep thinking of fun andwitty things to write on my blog and the don't get around to it. Now I'm on here I cant think of anythign witty to say.So I'll just do the boring stuff.

I've been working on my website a bit more. Hoping to put some more patterns on next week, free and for sale. So keep an eye on that.

I've finished another pair of my secret MagKnits February socks. But I'm not showing you a photo. They're gorgeous though and so comfy .Wearing them now. I've done these with a different heel than in the pattern I originally submitted. And that's all I'm telling you.

Then I cast on for a pair of Posh Cashmere socks. It's the most gorgeous yarn I've ever knitted with and the colour is fantastic too. Because it's a bright colour I decided to do just plain rib socks but when I got to the cuff I added a cable rib to each side. They're knitted toe up. Only got a bit of the cuff left on sock 1 now. This yarn is just so fantastic to knit with. Knits up very smoothly and evenly. Makes me look like an expert.

I'm using my new Boye purple dpns from the yarnyard. They're pretty fantastic too. And see how wel lthey go with the yarn.

Wip Busting:

I've been doing some wip busting this week too. I finished my Posh silk boucle scarf. I love the colour and texture and this was supposed to be for me but Ness liked it too so I toldher she could have it. So far she hasn't worn it so I've been wearing it instead. Got some other Posh silk boucle so maybe i'll knit naother one in another colour.

I've also been working on a lace scarf from 'Lavish Lace' and it's goign really well. but the other day I got a bit bored and put it down.

Today I want to finish my sock and then perhaps do some Cozy knitting. I could do with finishing it as it would feel so cozy aroud my shoulders.

also desperate to start my Cozytoes, my felted slippers. Have swatched. Just got to felt it to help me work out number of stitches etc. Also desperate to start a lace shawl (my own design), a shawl in Posh silk boucle. Know what i want to do with that.

Winding yarn is a breeze now with my new ball winder (thank you Murdo from Crafty Yarns). It took me a bit to get the hang of it but then it was whizzing around. Cant believe how quick it is. I just want to wind up all my skeins now.

Had hoped to do a stash take this week but I think I'll put it off to next week. Don't think I can cope with the shock. Going to be organised. Writing down exactly what I've got and how much. sell anything I don't want and plan projects for the rest.

Here are the socks I kntited for Simon over Christmas. They're knitted in Regia stretch which is a lovely yarn to knit with. The pattern consists of cables on the side and a block of knit st on the front separated by purl stitches.

Some holiday snaps

Thought I'd bore you all with some holiday snaps. These are all taken in Frogner Parken in Oslo, Norway. The sculptures are made by an artist called Vigeland (can't remember his first name now). This part of the park is quite famous and a must-see for tourists in Oslo. It's always full of foreign tourists there whatever time of year you visit. All the sculpture are naked, something which shocked my girls. Didn't realise they were so prudish. And, unfortunately, it's not snow on the ground, it's just a very heavy frost. And that was as white as our Christmas holiday got this year.

This one is called Monolitten and is basically a pile of people. I think it's supposed to show the circle of life or something like that:

Traditional Norwegian Knitting

Thought I'd post some pics of the traditional Norwegian gloves my Mum knitted for all of us:

First, all together:

My glove (Ness' pair were identical to mine):

Em's glove:

Simon's mitten:

Getting nowhere fast

I'm really, really getting nowhere fast at themoment. I've still not finished unpacking and have only managed one load of washing so far since we came back and that's still in the machine. I was going to get it out and into the tumble dryer earlier but didn't have a basket down stairs and was too lazy to go upstairs and get one.

I've been making good progress on my MagKnits socks. I'm doing a different heel construction than the original pair. Or at least I was making good progress until I realised I'd started the gusset increases too late on the 2nd sock. I'd written down instructions on a note pad last night when I was working the heel out and had several goes before I got it right. Thought I'd written it all down but obviously not. I'd done all the gusset increases when I'd noticed. And I'd delayed starting dinner so I could finish the gusset first. And I had to frog the lot. Fortunately I managed to frog it back to exactly where I should have started the increases and didn't loose any stitches.

Earlier this afternoon I'd typed out the instructions for the new heel and when I'd finished I realised I'd typed out the instructions for the heel on my Dad's socks which I'd knitted in Norway so now I've had to go back and change those too. Not happy.

Luckily, 'Sweet Home Alabama' is on tonight. So I'm going to sit down and relax and reknit the gusset. I was hoping to finish the sock tonight but I'm not sure if I can manage that now. Girls will both be in bed before my film starts with any luck.

Have had a quiet afternoon with some forum posting and lots of knitting. Girls were both at Panto in Truro with Brownies and Guides andwere out for 6 hours. So nice quiet afternoon.

Happy knitting everyone!

Big Announcement

Guess what? I'm having a pattern published in MagKnits. I can't show you a picture yet or reveal any details of the design but I hope it's okay to say it's a sock pattern. As this is my first published pattern I'm really, really excited about this.

Some of my Christmas presents

First, like mother like daugther. Here is the first sock my mum knitted from the Sweet Georgia sock yarn I got from Hip Knits for her. I love the colour and may have to get some for myself. But not for a few months as I'm determined to go on a stash diet.





My daughter, Ness, gave me this door sign for the knitting room I'm dreaming of:





Simon got me this Yarn Stash book

It's got some gorgeous patterns in it and the yarns used are just fabolous. Not sure if they'll encourage me to use up my own yarns or buy some newones.

and these two lace books

Here is the lovely Posh pre Christmas sale stash that was waiting for me when I got home. It's some silk boucle in there, sock yarn and lace yarn. Can't wait to get knitting with it. But I'm determined to finish a wip first.

Lots of yarn pics from my holiday

Finally, I've found the usb lead and can get someof the photos on the computer. First up, here's the yarn stash I acquired in Norway - 4 balls of 100% wool on the left, two balls of sock yarn on the right and the rest is Garn Studio Alpaca 4ply and some gorgeous Garn Studio needles.






Here's the scarf I've started with some of the Alpaca I bought in Norway:





My grandfather's socks - cable braids - one of my new sock designs:





My new Collinette Graffiti bag - new design that I came up with and completed in Norway:



and here it is with my Knit Pouch:

Back home

After such an awful journey to Norway I wasn't looking forward to the trip back. But apart from the awfully early start (3am) it all went brilliantly. Flight took off and landed ontime. We got the car collected with no hassle. Drove off happily - no problems on the motorway. Left Stansted about 9.30 am and I fell asleep. Woke up just before Swindon and we stopped for petrol and lunch. Mr YA insisted on driving further so I went back to sleep and woke up jsut before Plymouth (about 40mins from home). Felt a bit guilty as he'd doneall the driving and I'd done all the sleeping. Girls were brilliant and very quiet and Em even slept for a short while at the end. Got home at 2.30pm.

Done no unpacking yet and can't be bothered unti tomorrow. Girls aren't back at school until next week. Gotto go to dentish tomorrowandget my tooth sorted. No pain today though but face isstill quite swollen. Also got to go and do a big grocery shop tomorrow.

Had a lovely holiday but no snowat all which was disappointing.

Got two lovely parcels today. One was the books Mr YA ordered for me from Amazon before christmas and includeda Stash work book which is fantastic and two lace books which are abit old fashioned but the lace is gorgeous and has given me some ideas already. Also got a parcel from Posh Yarns with some gorgeous sock andlace yarn. Photos of all this and my Norwegian stash will hopefully be posted tomorrow. Can't find the USB lead now.

Off for some relaxign knitting now. Nite all.

Norway - Last Day

Pretty miserable end to our holiday. I got really bad toothache on New Years Day. I sort of ignored it as I really didn't want to go to the dentish in Norway. It's quite expensive here so I thought I'd try to wait until I got home. It was extremely painful but I take very strong painkillers for neck/back pain anyway so just took those. Yesterday I started swelling up and got my sister (who's a doctor) to write me a prescription for antibiotics as I thought it was just an abcess and that would be the treatment my dentish would give me.

Then this morning I had the shock of my life when I got up and looked in the mirror. The whol right side of my face is very, very swollen. It's right up to my eye. My eye has never looked so puffy and the pressure was very painful. So I gave in and went to the dentist. Who it turned out I knew from my horseriding days a long time ago. Anyway, my tooth is dead and he had to drill a hole in the tooth to get some of the 'puss' out. Then put in a temporary filling and sent me off with some antibiotics. Got to see the dentish for permanent repair when I get home. I guess it'll be a root filling or crown.

Anyway at least the pain has eased a bit now.

Just finished packing. Still got a few more bits and pieces to pack but I think I can get it all in. Fingers crossed.

Before the dentish I popped into the yarn shop (it's in the same building) to cheer myself up a bit. Needed two more balls of Garnstudio Alpaca for my scarf so got that and then I talked myself into getting 4 balls of felting wool. Don't need it but fancied trying it. The yarn was much cheaper here than I thought. Also got some cool, pastel coloured Garn studio needles. I was worried about getting all my yarn in the suitcase but it all sqashed in okay.

Off to finish off my Dad's sock. Got about 6 repeats left I think (that's 6 rows in each repeat and 80 st on eachround in total) so I hsould be able to finish it tonight. Then I've got to ball up some sock yarn so I've got something to knit on the way home. Not decided on the pattern yet but think it'll be one of my brand new ones (whihc I'm keeping secret for now).