Woolfest Part Three and Other Things

I had gone to Woolfest wearing my Circles Jacket but I knew in my heart of hearts that it was not meant for me. As soon as I tried it on I knew that it had Ambermoggie written all over it. As the day turned out so hot I had to take it off and carry it so that was the omen I was looking for. It was definitely meant for her and so I left it with her at Woolfest. I had made the Farpoint Topper for Ambermoggie from the two balls left over from my version as she had admired mine so once again I just knew that the two balls were meant for her. She plans to customise her version with beading around the edge and I hope that she sends me photos so that you can see the finished result.I crocheted around my version to make it longer in the body but I had thought of making another one and maybe long fringing it so I will be interested to see what Ambermoggie's version looks like for inspiration.

I often make things and when they are finished I think this is more such a person than me and so off it goes to a new home. I get as much pleasure from giving as I do from receiving.

Talking about receiving I was given a beautiful shawl by Ambermoggie. These photos don't do it any justice as it has glints of lurex peeping in and out of the black mohair plus beading at the bottom edge.As you saw from my previous post I was wearing a choker neckband with my name worked in colours and this shawl has picked out the exact colours of the band. It's like Ambermoggie knew I would be wearing it. Strange how things evolve isn't it. I rarely keep any shawls for myself so it is a lovely surprise to be given a knitted one especially as I would never make one due to my hatred of circular needles and probably being unable to squash so many stitches onto a pair of needles. Plus the weight on my poor aching wrists these days.

The Debbie Bliss alpaca silk wool pictured is absolutely glorious to crochet with. I am making a Blue Curacao shawl for Eadaoin with it. The only problem is that although it is truly gorgeous it only has 65 yds per ball, is very thick for an aran weight and I only have 10 balls. I have dropped everything else to crochet this as I have a horrible feeling that I am going to need some extra balls and want to get on with it whilst there is a chance of the same dye lot.

The blue mohair squares are destined to be a sweater for Kath. I have now made 12 squares which is half of the amount required but this crochet is on the back burner until I finish the shawl.

Yesterday I went for my first hydrotherapy session at Hope Hospital ( Salford Royal as it is now known). Just the thing for a sweltering day. Exercise in a very warm pool. I felt fantastic whilst in the water and could easily do all the exercises but when I got out and had to walk for the bus and then the tram it was entirely a different matter. My knee felt ten times worse than before and the last few hundred yards from the metro station to my house nearly finished me off. I had to keep sitting on garden walls and bracing myself to walk a few more steps. It must have taken me over 30 minutes to walk a journey that used to take me less than 10 minutes. Next week I am definitely taking my rucksack instead of a bag and then my heavier wet swimming things will be on my back instead of my arm.

Today I will be in the garden resting. The weather is fine but dull but I have my shorts and vest top on as it is so hot and muggy. I am like my maternal grandmother in that I get a tan just pottering about even if there is no sun. She used to say that she was weathering so I guess I will be out there weathering also.

Didn't we have a wonderful time the day we went to Morecambe

Yesterday Vicky came and picked me up (well not literally or she would have needed a fork lift truck!) and took me to meet Ambermoggie and Mr Mog. Vicky battled through horrendous battering rain to drive us there. I would have given up at the first junction! When we got there the rain had stopped and the sun was bravely trying to shine. It is so lovely to meet up with blog friends and have a good old natter and find you have so much in common. We later went for a lovely stroll along the sea front, saw the statue of Eric Morecambe (I am sure Vicky will post photos of him on her blog as I forgot my camera) and then nipped into Costa Coffee for a snack and a huge mug of mocha coffee. Such a lovely day out. Check out Ambermoggies's blog (link on the RHS) for more about our day out. Mr Mog drove all along the sea front to give me a recap as it had been many years since I had last visited it. I was amazed to find that a much loved Italian Ice cream parlour is still there and I believe still sells Knickerbocker glories and banana splits that I remember so well. If I ever make it back to Morecambe I must be sure to pay that a visit purely to see if they taste as good as they used to.

I had taken some mohair for Amber to craft into one of her lovely shawls and she made me a present of one of her shawls for me to wear whilst I am recovering. Needless to say I must have started recovering already cos I wore it all evening whilst watching TV! I got to choose one of her lovely elementals and I chose one with gorgeous aubergine and pink hair. When I got home I noticed that the charm on the front was of a naked lady closely resembling my over generous figure so I did chose an appropriate one for me. I hadn't notice that until I got home. I really must start wearing my glasses more although I only really need them for close things.

I had made Amber a short n sweet shrug but was a little worried in case it was a bit jazzy for her. When she had seen mine on an earlier blog post she said she would like to one day make one in purples or rainbow so I took her at her word and as I had no purples when I started the shrug I used rainbow. I do hope that she liked the colours.

The car journey gave me a chance to work some more on the purple Sweet Pea shawl and I have finished the main body of it now. Just the edging to do now. I worked a bit more on my squares for my shawl last night so that is taking shape bit by bit.

The last photo speaks for itself. I went to the Leisure Centre for arthritics water aerobics with 2 socks and somewhere along the line I finished up with only one. I searched around the lockers and my cubicle without success. I rang them when I got home to check if anyone had found it later and had handed it in but they told me to ask next week as it might be still in the ladies changing room. My first hand knit casualty. I always imagined having a mishap with one by accidentally putting it in the washing machine but never imagined I would lose one. I hope that I get it back - unless there is a one legged woman somewhere who took a fancy to my sock!

Off to walk Buster now. He is sulking a little as I left him yesterday for a few hours and then went out again this morning. His limp has improved so I think it was either a bit of a muscle strain or a touch of arthritis.