Charcoal Cardigan Is Finished

At last. The charcoal cardigan is finished. As you can see, however, it is minus it's buttons and as my elder niece has the buttons and will stitch then on then it is unlikely that there will be another photos of the cardigan unless I can persuade my younger niece to send me a photo of it in wear.

The pattern stitch isn't showing up very well on the photos but it does actually show up quite well in real life. The collar which felt so huge when I was knitting it now seems to fit the jacket. For some reason this pattern hasn't been something that I have enjoyed knitting but the finished cardigan looks worth the effort. I do hope that my younger niece will like it. The colour of the cardigan is much darker than it looks on the photos. Maybe later I will get a photo of my niece wearing the cardigan with it's buttons in place. I miss seing her reactions to things that I make for her now she lives in London.

Yesterday I went to the knit out at Manchester Town Hall with Rachael from Artyarn and the Kings Arms. If you ever get the chance to visit the Town Hall it is so beautiful inside. The room that we were in had beautiful wood carvings, a balcony and even had a big stone fireplace. I forgot to take my camera as I had been charging it up and in my rush to leave for the hospital yesterday morning I didn't pick it up. I am sure that Rachael will be posting photos of the Town Hall on her blog and when she does I will post the link on my blog page.

The Knit Out was organised as part of the events for International Women's Day at Manchester Town Hall and there were lots of stalls from various womens organizations, hand crafted items for sale either for personal sales or to benefit various charities and workshops on different subjects. Some concerning womens rights in the workplace or general safety of being out after dark on their own in Manchester. That is a subject that concerns me as my lack of mobility does make me feel quite vulnerable when using public transport once it gets dark. We were treated to some lovely singing by a choir at the opening of the event. There was some food sampling of different cuisines and a free recipe board of dishes from around the world. Unfortunately we missed out on the chance for a food taster session as we were in the room set aside for the Knit Out and by the time we had finished the time slot allocated the food had all been nibbled away.

My hospital visit was a farce. My elder niece took me there as I had to be there by 9.30am and Sunday public transport is very spasmodic. I waited along with several other people in the clinic. I thought that it was strange that there wasn't any admin staff there to greet us. Different hospital personnel kept popping their heads in asking had the doctor arrived yet. Eventually,after a 2hr wait, it transpired that there had been some misunderstanding and even though we all had letters telling us to come to clinic the specialist hadn't been informed that he had a clinic and as there was no admin staff none of our files had been accessed. We all got an apology but that is not the point. Some people had paid for taxis there for an appointment that didn't exist. I felt annoyed as I had rang the hospital to double check that there wasn't a mistake on the date as I have never had a Sunday appointment and was reassured that the date was correct.

The lady who was trying to sort it out for us was very upset that this had happened but it was no use taking out our feelings on her as it wasn't her fault. We did ask her to vent our anger on the people responsible on our behalf. She took our letters and said we would have a re-book. My appointment had already been re-arranged (as had everyone else) so no doubt that will be yet another delay. Hope Hospital Salford please get your act together as you are failing miserably in keeping your clinics running efficiently. Thank goodness I told my niece not to wait with me. It's bad enough one of us having a wasted morning and she had a lot of work related material to do on her PC before today.

Last night I did some more on the crochet 'aran' style jacket. One front is made now and about 6" of the back. As it is round the post 'cable' pattern, on quite a fine hook for aran thickness wool, it does take a lot longer to crochet than something more open on a larger hook. It does make a very firm jacket once it is finished that is suitable for outdoor wear. It is jacket length of around 32" so still quite a bit of crochet to do before I finish the back.

Tonight I am hoping to get to the Kings Arms knit club. I will take some odd pin knitting that I started yesterday at the Knit Out. As I have mentioned before I find the lighting a bit dim for my old eyes in the pub so take something in a light colour so that I can see what I am doing. The odd pin pattern that I am using is one from way back as is the wool that I am using from my stash. I will post photos tomorrow when I have a few inches to show you. At the moment it is looking very uneven and I am hoping that it will settle down after a wash. The principle is that one row is knitted on a huge needle and then a much smaller needle is used for the purl row.

No sun today but at least it isn't raining. I am hoping to push on with the jacket crochet today as I am not in the mood for any housework. That is nothing new though as housework is just not my forte. I do just enough to keep it looking reasonable and that will do for me. I can't see the point of cleaning just to make my house spotless for me. Reasonably clean and a bit untidy will do for me any day!

Cozy Cover Ups

My third order from Purplelinda turned up today via the normal postman as it was a small package. The second order is still missing but as that is a larger parcel I will probably have to wait longer for that. I am glad that this order has arrived swiftly as it contained the extra balls of Black Diploma DK for my niece's cardigan. It is a different dye lot but very similar in colour so I will knit one sleeve and the collar in one dye lot and the last sleeve in the new dye lot. Differences, however slight, show up if the wool is joined int he middle of a piece of knitting. If the colour difference is slight then no-one notices if a whole sleeve is slightly different.

Along with my order I had chosen the Cozy Cover-Ups leaflet from Lion Brand Yarn. There are 4 crochet wraps and 2 knitted ones.

I like the Santa Fe Wrap on the front cover which is crocheted in a thick yarn. Although I probably would not wear it outdoors I am thinking that it would make a great winter cuddle up for in front of the TV when the temperature drops. I can definitely see myself crocheting that for myself.

The next is the Library Capelet which is knitted but once again in a thick wool. I am not sure if it is meant to be worn whilst reading or if you are posh enough to have your own library. I don't think it means the public library.

The Shaded triangles Wrap is another chunky knitted shawl that is worked in triangles. They are not separate triangles stitched together but stitches are picked up the side of one triangle to make another. Thus the fabric alternates in different directions.

The Perfect Pocketed Shawl is crocheted in chunky but is not a waistcoat as it appears. From reading the pattern it seems to be more of a long scarf with pockets and a collar. The one fault with this booklet is that there are no diagrams to clarify the actual shapes of the wraps.

The Painted Shawl is crocheted in chunky wool and looks like a very quick easy basic shawl pattern to make. Reads as though it is triangular in shape with a shell pattern edging.

The Belle Scarf is crocheted in chunky and it achieves it's curly wurly shape by increasing in every stitch to make it twirl. It is crocheted lengthwise. I have made a similar scarf once before but I gave it away to a raffle as it was too ruffly for me.

I have been to the Islington Mill today with Rachael (Artyarn), Roger and a few others for a Knit Out. There was also a lesson in screen printing T shirts going on in the same room. The Islington Mill is a converted mill (possibly an old cotton mill) that has been converted into separate artists studios but with a central meeting place/bar/cafe. Today I got a goats cheese, red onion and spinach sandwich. They also had leek and potato soup on the menu. All homemade stuff that's why it tastes so good. The Mill has been re-vamped lately and is a good meeting place. There is always something going on there. They have live bands and all kinds of different things.

I did some crochet on a jacket for one of my great grand daughters but I am not sure about the pattern or the wool that I chose. It is looking a bit like an overlarge matinee jacket. I will see what it looks like when finished as to whether I make the second jacket for the other great grand daughter.

The black knitting has now got a back and two fronts and I have stitched part of it together. I can't see to knit the dark colour in the evening even with my craft light and I make too many mistakes so I am knitting anther jacket for my friend Louise's younger boy in the evenings or carrying on with my crochet.It's all go in my house. The crafting never stops!

Sometimes the NHS makes my blood boil

I went for my long awaited follow up appointment for my knee to the hospital today. What a waste of time. I saw a nurse practitioner who hadn't the faintest idea what I was talking about. I asked her why I was in so much pain still after the operation and she said did they not tell you what they did? I said they did briefly when I was in the theatre but nothing since. She prodded my knee and said had I not had any anti inflammatory pills , stronger pain killers or physio. I said no because my GP would not prescribe anything until I saw the specialist again as I was still under his care. She then said my knee muscles were weak and needed physio. I said will having a course of physio take away the pain and she said possibly. I said what happens next and she said the specialist has no plans for any further treatment on you. I said Oh that's great he will leave me worse off than I was before the op then? After standing my ground she decided to refer me back to the specialist and after an argument an appointment was produced out of thin air for this Friday.

I then toddled down to physio as instructed to be told there that as my doctor does not have a practice in Salford then I can't have my physio there I have to be referred to another hospital. She mentioned my local hospital whose idea of physio is to give you a sheet of exercise instructions on a piece of paper and send you home to do them! I said I am not going there and I will have words with the specialist on Friday. I had my operation here and should have my follow up treatment here and not at some hospital where they don't know what I have had done. It's just so stupid in my eyes. Suddenly she produced an appointment for me at that hospital for tomorrow. Amazing isn't it. One minute they have no spaces and the next one gets pulled out of a hat. Salford Royal has a huge physio dept with a hydro pool and all the latest equipment I am not being fobbed off to some second rate hospital where they offer nothing in the way of treatment. I fell for that once before and they did more harm than good and made my back problems far worse with their mis diagnosis. They had me doing the wrong exercises and damned near killed me so can you wonder I am not overanxious to go back there especially as I wrote in to complain about them.

The photos are of Poppy, the dog from next door, who is only happy if she comes in at least once a day for a nosy around and a tummy tickle. Julie has tried planting shrubs and putting boards along the hedge but she still manages to burrow under every day. We will have no hedge left soon. I have told Julie that we should just put a gate in the fence as she is one determined doggie. This shows her finding the waste paper basket that Buster keeps his tennis balls in and tipping them all out. Not satisfied with all of those she tried her hardest to get a "ball" from underneath the sewing machine but as I kept telling her it's a round candle. I had to move it in the end and hide it.

Yesterday Deb was kind enough to give me a lift up the the Sunday Knit Out and we had a great time sitting chatting in the sunshine outside the Cafe. If only every Knit Out Sunday could be like that. When we are indoors we are more spread out and tend to split into groups but when we are outside we are grouped together around linking tables.We had quite a good turnout considering how glorious the weather was. I won't be going to the next Knit Out unless my knee behaves itself and I can get there on the bus as Deb is going to a concert. Let's hope this physio works wonders or my appointment with the specialist gives me hope as at the moment I fervently wish I had never let them touch my knee.

Knit Out on a Sunday

Not much to blog about today. I have been trying to do some housework as the house is getting rather tatty - well I should say tattier than usual. I foolishly pegged the bedding out on the line but of course if rained all over it and so indoors it had to come. I put the tumble dryer on as I cannot abide wet bedding drooping about.

My niece came this afternoon and did my hair to banish my Bet Lynch dark roots once again. She browsed through a few patterns and has come to a pencilled in decision as to which pattern she would like for Christmas. She is on holiday this week so plans to visit a couple of markets and shops in the hunt for wool.

My little cat friend Oscar, from next door, came to visit me again today. He is still very timid about coming in as I think he expects Buster to appear from somewhere and chase him off as he has done in the past. He ate the remnants of the turkey leg, had a drink and left when the rain stopped.

On Sunday I went up to the monthly Knit Out of the Noras. We had quite a good turn out. I had hoped to finish off the peach prem baby blanket whilst I was there but I finished up giving a guy crochet lessons instead. The blanket is now finished and I will give it to Vicky when I see her next. I will try to make another before Thursday. I have not done much in the way of crochet (or knitting) these last few days so not much to report.

Knit Out Sunday

Caroline came for me yesterday and gave me a lift up to the monthly Knitting Noras Knit Out in Bolton. We had a really good turn out. There seemed to be loads of us there and the weather stayed nice enough for us to sit outside although we did have to move further under the canopy at one stage as Eadaoin and Jen were getting rather wet when the heavens opened on them. I wore my Doris Chan Farpoint Topper. I must admit that when I made it I didn't think I would wear it and so far I have worn it quite a few times and it always gets admired. It felt so good to get out and about again and meet people. My back stayed fairly comfortable even sitting on cafe seats so I had a good time. I even went mad and treated myself to a Tuna Melt as well as a couple of Lattes. last of the big spenders!

Lisa had brought some very old patterns that she had bought from a charity shop and that got us chatting about old patterns in our stashes. As I am years older than most of the Noras and have inherited some of my patterns from my mother so some of mine are quite old. Today's photos are from a book called The Pictorial Guide to Modern Home Knitting which belonged originally to my maternal Grandmother and I remember it as an old battered book when I was a child so I would date it around 1940. The men look quite dashing and rather reminiscent of films like Brief Encounter and the ladies must have got up very early to get their hair in such elaborate coiffures. As for the Pixie Bonnet well I hope that you all will be making this fashion staple in time for the winter chills. I think that you can read the instructions if you look carefully enough

There are in the book patterns for knitted men's vests and combinations but only diagrams. I think they didn't want to inflame the senses of the 1940's ladies. There are however photos of the ladies vests, French knickers and American panties but not of course modelled on a person. Far too risque in those days.

I have been sorting through my crochet patterns from the 60's and 70's and have had many a laugh with crochet hot pants, tank tops and strange looking hats. I should start a vintage crochet section on my blog! I only wish I had photos that showed me wearing some of my creations but in those days we didn't have a camera so few photos exist of me in the 60's. Judging from the hot pant patterns, mini dresses and Mary Quant sweaters it's probably just as well!

My Rah Boom De Ay sweater is still progressing and now has 2 sleeves plus over large frilly cuffs and I am about half way down the body. I am still unsure if it will have frills around the hips. I probably will put the frill on as I have a feeling that the whole sweater is one that I will rarely wear anyway. Bright red with frills is a bit OTT for a pensioner?

I saw Vicky J at the Knit Out and now have the missing colour for the final 10 squares for her granny square shawl. I gave her the Cinnabar, Anisette vest and the Drops Circles Bolero and I could see from her face that she is of the same opinion as I am about the last one. I think I will finish my sweater before I return to her granny squares again as it is getting quite large and taking over my pouffe at the moment.

I just had to dash out and rescue my washing from the line. It was lovely and sunny when I put it out 15 mins ago and now the heavens have opened once again. The good old British Summer. I am not going for a walk today in this. I have a pot of Tesco home made style Broccoli and Stilton soup in the fridge and some nice bakery bread so I will have that for my dinner tonight.

Tonight it is the Knit Out at the Kings Arms and I have just had a reminder text from Rachael about it. I don't think I will be going as I think Charlie is away so I have no chance of a lift. I just don't feel up to getting there on public transport just yet. I would have quite a walk from the bus or tram and it's not in the best area of Salford for walking at night. I am going to miss my car for outings such as these but it can't be helped. I can't afford to keep a car on the road just to get me to my Knit Outs much as I enjoy them. I have done my sums and something has to give and unfortunately it will have to be the car. I am not only looking for a handsome Prince Charming to brighten my life but now I need one with a car as well. Stand back - there is a long queue forming at my door! - Yeah right I know - in my dreams.

The wind blew my plant pots away

What a windy day. It was Knit Out day with the Noras and on the way home Vicky remarked how the car was being blown around when we were on the motorway. I got home to find that my plant pots were scattered all over the garden and my small plastic grow houses had been blown over. Luckily there was nothing of any importance in either the pots or the houses as I decided to give my attempts at vegetable growing a miss this year due to my impending operation. Had I know that was going to take so long I would have risked a few lettuce etc.

So much to blog about I will have to leave most of it until tomorrow. Today I shall concentrate on posting photos of the finished pink Sweet Pea shawl and leave the photos that I have taken today until tomorrow's blog. I think I over frilled the shawl but little girls quite like a bit of frill so hopefully she will like it. I have also started the variegated pink shawl and managed to do quite a bit today at the Knit Out so is quite a bit larger than today's photo. I must find out if I should over frill that one as well.

Yesterday I overdid it. I washed the bedding, the throws, cushion covers and everything else I could find. I had to rescue the duvet from next door a couple of times as it kept blowing off the line even though I used loads of pegs. I cleaned most of the house as well. After that I mowed the lawn and strimmed the edges. Of course by last night I could hardly move and even after a bath and using my heat pad I was still in a lot of pain.

This morning it was very hard work to walk the dog as both of my hips were aching. I am glad that I did it then as the wind has got a lot worse this afternoon and so did my hips. I almost got hit by a tree branch this morning as it blew off the tree and fell just behind me. Fortunately it wasn't a large branch and probably would not have hurt me had it fallen on me but it was the surprise that made me jump. I never heard a crack before it fell. It must have been balancing on another branch from a previous gust.

Buster here. My mum said I was in the dog house yesterday. I don't understand what she means as I am a dog and this is my house so surely I am in the dog house everyday? Just because I had a little memory lapse and ignored her calls to get my dirty wet feet dried after my walk and jumped all over her clean throws. Hey I am a guy and we are forgetful and selectively deaf. I can't remember small details. I can't understand why mum needs to keep washing them anyway. They smell great to me - all doggy and hairy. She washes them and spoils it all. She was naughty too. She said a swear word in front of me and she knows I am only 7 and shouldn't hear such language. I had a laugh later though when mum's underwear blew off the line and onto the fence! I am off now into the garden now these plant pots blowing around look like fun to chase!

Afternoon out

I just had an afternoon out in Bolton meeting up with some friends for a knit out in the Cafe Nero in Bolton. I am not sure what the passers by think of us all blithely knitting away in the window seats but the assistants don't seem to mind us being in there unless of course they get a rush on!

I am still suffering the after effects of heaving a reluctant dog into the bath yesterday for a shower. My back is protesting vehemently! I didn't realise a) that he was quite that heavy or b) that he would give himself a really good shake half way through the shower resulting in a rather wet me and an even wetter bathroom. Memo for next time - more towels and wear a wet suit?

I came back this afternoon to a very sheepish dog. I haven't quite found out what he has done this time but I am sure it must be something. He gives himself away with the hound dog look. Yesterday when I left him for an hour he had managed to get the cat's dinner from the back of the worktop and eat it, throwing the kitchen mat into the dining room in the process. I think today he was sleeping on my bed whilst I was away ( well I hope that's all he did whilst I was away)

We have just been out on our second walk of the day. met up with this mad woman who was whooping to her dogs all around the park? She had wild staring eyes and was really weird. ( yes - even weirder than me folks) I pretended I was going the other way just to get away from her but when I turned another corner she was coming the other way again!! Hope she wasn't stalking us. Never seen her before. Let's hope I don't see her again!

The photo is just some of the finished projects I have either knitted or crocheted since Christmas. I have given away a pile almost as big. The production line will slow down now as the dog thinks he is a lap dog and I am finding it difficult to knit or crochet with him at the moment, I am hoping he will settle down when he realises he is here for the duration and not demand quite so much attention.

I have just broken up a skirmish between the cat and dog. The cat is 15yrs old, deaf and very skinny and now has to vault up to the work top for his food. I lift him up whenever I can because I feel so sorry for him but I cannot leave his food at floor level anymore as the dog has colitis and if he eats cat food he is liable to get an upset stomach. The cat is used to the dog as they lived together for a few months but he is a bit too old for all this trauma! I have only been an official dog owner since Thursday and already it feels like a life time! I feel like I work at the zoo. When I am not feeding them, walking the dog I am Poo Picker and Cat Litter changer! I think it was easier when I had a small baby!