Saturday 23 March 2013

SUNDAY STASH BUST
WEIGH-IN
(BUT ON A SATURDAY!)
 
Im slightly ahead of myself this weekend and have managed to weigh in this weeks "stash-bust" and get on the computer .... no mean feat in this house with my two boys but the snow seems to have made us three bods have a do your own thing day! 
 
This week Im very pleased with myself have managed to "bust"
 
425g
- am very impressed with this (but I suppose I better confess that I suppose that was due to some of it being made in Aran)
 

Blanket squares made from odds and ends
 Two adult hats and one childs hat
 One set of wristwarmers
 A first for me, a shoulder wrap made to be sent to a Care Home
And my favourite the cowl x
 
I dont know whether Ive been having one of those weeks but arms and hands have been hurting so will be pleased to get back to something a bit smaller this coming week - off to pick over the bag of odds and ends and see what I come up with .................
Happy Stash-Busting and stay warm and safe if you have the dreaded snow xx

Tuesday 19 March 2013

Aran Stash ....

ARAN STASH-BUST
 
I have an enormous ball of aran in my stash, creamy tweed in colour.  Having it in the living room seems to mean that my two men (Mr F1 and Master F1) want to use it as a football .... need I say more!
So the time has come to use it up.
 
My lovely friend "M" was on the 'phone Sunday and said she had found a cowl pattern which she thought would be great for our local Hope Centre for the Homeless which we are both knitting for.  Nice warm hats, maybe some gloves and scarves we are hoping to donate at the end of the year.  Well never to turn down a new pattern those needles were clicking in a flash as I felt the aran would be ideal for this.
 
As you can see the ball of aran is quite large!

The stitch pattern forms a lovely soft snuggly waffle pattern
 
And in no time ....
 
 
I started off with 305g of this tweedy aran, the cowl took about 100g and I would say 3hours of knitting (don't worry lots of housework was ignored in the making of this cowl!).  The original pattern said knitted on 10mm needles in chunky but as this was aran I went down one size to 9mm.  Cast on 30 stitches, knit 4 rows, row 1 of pattern K1, p1 across , row 2 of pattern K1, p1 across, row 3 and 4 knit each row repeat this pattern of 4 rows until length of knitted piece is 100cm (or desired length), knit 3 rows, cast off
 
This is a real favourite of mine and is ideal for using up stash - might even be knitting some more for C*****mas.
 
So a big thank you to "M" - am now off to continue with this ball of aran and see if by the end of the week I can use it all up.
The only problem is once I have done one item in one colour I always want to go and find another ball and start something else - this is probably why I have such a lot of odds and ends piled up - does anyone else do this?
 
Happy knitting all xx
 
 


Sunday 17 March 2013

STASH BUSTING CHALLENGE 2013
SUNDAY WEIGH-IN
 
 
Having missed last weeks weigh in as we had visitors all weekend I dont really have that much to show for two weeks worth of knitting (I do however have quite a few Work in Progress items in my knitting bag - items I need to sew up urrgghhh!) does anyone else just hate sewing up?????
 
Anyway the following are the items I have managed this last two weeks
 
 
3x BABY HATS

2x PAIRS OF BEDSOCKS FOR ELDERLY WITH SWOLLEN FEET/LEGS

1X CORNER TO CORNER BABY BLANKET AND1X SQUARE
 
TOTAL STASH BUSTED 273g ........
 
I still say I must try harder - story of my life at school ha ha xx
 
The bedsocks I have tried to find out if I can publish the pattern for that or add a link but unable to find out who has the rights for it, so didnt want to do this and upset the apple cart (think at some stage it may have come from ladies magazine Peoples Friend), but these are just fantastic for the elderly in care homes or hospitals etc who sadly have such swollen feet - the stitches that you knit give such a wide stretchy end product - achieved by as you put right hand needle in to stitches on left hand needle, wind the yarn round twice finishing knitting stitch as normal then when you go back along row you drop the extra stitch you created (does this make sense!)
 
Well have a happy stash busting week xx
 

Thursday 7 March 2013

My Liebster Award and more nominations


My Liebster Award blog


I was recently nominated for a Liebster Award by Una at Great Balls of Ball I was really touched by this, Ive only been running my blog less than two months now and am learning my way around.  Una has made some lovely comments about my blog, my knitting and me - just one of the many "virtual" lovely friends I seem to be meeting along my blogging journey, so a big THANK YOU Una xxx
 
Una asked me the following questions:-
 


Which of the four seasons do you like best?
Spring
Do you exercise?
Whoops no - but I have a lovely exercise bike gathering dust ......
What is your "guilty pleasure" food?
Not very sinful but I love prawn cocktail being a bit more frugal now and not having them anymore would have to be a McDonalds Egg McMuffin!
What was the last item you knitted or crocheted?
Bedsocks for people in care homes with swollen feet and ankles
When did you last buy wool or yarn?
About a month ago - brought some for a very special baby blanket
Did you enjoy your school days?
Hmmm tough one - yes and  no
If you could have only one, which would it be...dishwasher or microwave?
Dishwasher
Do you follow any sports?
Formula One - this household works, sleeps and eats it
Do you have any pets?
No only it seems a multitude of thin spiders who make cobwebs as soon as my back is turned
Which is best....sea view or mountain view?
Definately sea view
If your house or apartment had a name, what would it be?
Dun-ironing !
 
I now have to nominate 4 bloggers who I follow who have less than 200 followers, I found this hard as I love all the blogs I follow, for many reasons, their dedication to charity knitting and their family and friends around them, their friendship, the outstanding crafty things they make, or simply their blogs are a work of art! There were two I really wanted to nominate Linda at Linda's Crafty Corner and Ana at lanas de Ana but you ladies just have too many followers!!!
 
Anyway I have nominated
 
Julie at Mack and Mabel
Linda at Chalky's World
Vixen at Shabbily Ever After
Una at Great Balls of Wool
 
Here are my questions to you lovely ladies:-
 
What was the last book you read?
Do you have any "hidden" talents that you would like to share?
What is your favourite smell?
If you wanted to escape would it be cottage by the sea or log cabin up a mountain?
What item do you seem to knit the most of?
Can you knit with double pins?
If you could spend a day with someone famous who would it be?
In cooking would you choose Mary Berry or Delia Smith?
Do you have a favourite sweetie?
Do you have anything stashed away that your husband/partner doesnt know about?
Do you write a shopping list or do you shop as you go along?
 
I hope you have time to do this and will nominate 4 further bloggers - thank you xx
 
 

Tuesday 5 March 2013

AGORAPHOBIA/ANXIETY - AN EXPLANATION, SOME UNDERSTANDING
 
As part of my ongoing therapy for agoraphobia/anxiety I have had to put in place "Assertive Intervention" and the following is sort of using this theory.  Assertiveness is being able to stand up for your rights, beliefs in a manner that does not offend or deny the rights of others.  In this example, I am using opinions - we should all have an opinion or an understanding but its how you put those opinions across that can be hurtful and if you have little or no understanding of the person, their problems etc your opinion can often hurt.
 
 
Dear Whoever,
I have been saddened over the last week over the increase in animosity or lack of understanding involved with anxiety and/or agoraphobia.
 
I sadly was unable to attend a much needed operation, not a matter of life or death operation, but deemed by the Consultant as entirely necessary.  An operation that was going to improve my quality of life and hopefully amongst other more sensitive, delicate "too much information" matters stop the pain that I have been in for some time.
 
Unfortunately my chronic agoraphobia and anxiety got the better of me and the option of the operation actually taking place was removed.
 
Ive felt deflated, desperate, stupid and angry, not enough this but others have felt the need to question my need and why the operation couldn't take place.
Had I have had a cold, virus or the hospital would have cancelled I'm sure this would have been perfectly acceptable in most peoples eyes. BUT NO I had anxiety and agoraphobia and this gives people the right to say what they like and how they like.
 
I don't want sympathy or pity just some understanding.  There was a commercial recently surrounding Mental Health, asking us to "talk", however it seems that physical illness will always take priority of over mental illness.  I am in no way detracting from any ones physical illness, just don't judge because you cant see it.
 
Often I have had people say "well you don't want  to go out" wrong I cant - would you state to someone with the use of only one leg "you don't want to walk" NO of course you wouldn't.
 
I have counselling - people around me have often frowned upon this, don't want to talk about, don't accept it in the same light as other NHS treatment, have been hurtful about it BUT look at it another way- if I had certain health problems I would be given physio - this would enable my limbs to work better, for an injury to be healed, to ease pain - so lets say counselling is physio for the mind - does it sit better now?
 
Ive always tried to be compassionate of others difficulties, health and views etc sometimes I may not have agreed with their actions or needs but for the sake of their feelings Ive kept my opinions to myself. 
 
I am in awe of people who can get up, deal with their difficulties, are never scared, can do anything, their lives seemingly perfect - do you know how perfect you are? or do you think you are perfect? I admire your confidence- sadly not everyone has your confidence.
 
Don't say in an over dramatic sarcastic way "oh I thought i was getting like you" - getting like me!, this is hurtful, can damage months of confidence building in an instant.  I'm sure none of us would dream of saying to a physically impaired person "oh I thought I was getting like you" - I hope you don't get like me, I would not wish this on anyone but by the way - its not catching!!!
 
When you walk past houses in the street have you ever wondered is there an elderly person in there lonely, on their own.  Do they need something doing or someone to talk to? are they in pain?  Do they need shopping or a prescription?  I know I have in the past.  Change that to - there is a person in that house who cant leave because they have anxiety and agoraphobia - they are lonely, they need some shopping, they haven't seen anyone for days.  They wish they were able to do it, just get on with life.  That the pain they feel would go away - is there a difference between these two scenarios.
 
Ive seen people walk past, get in their cars, go shopping and Ive cried and cried wishing I could do that, wishing that physio would make my mind able again.
 
So to put this into the method - I understand you have views, you want to say your opinion, but do you know how hurtful what you are saying can be and that maybe no thought or understanding or compassion has been put into it.  So to end, from now on think before you give an opinion or a comment, would you want it said to you, in that way.  Because some of the comments and opinions Ive received over the last week especially have been hurtful.
 
Yours,
Mrs Behind the Door xx
 
PS Iam getting better, one day Im going to be better than I am, my confidence is growing (maybe in the wrong direction ha ha) - I wouldnt have done the above a while back - Im trying to stand up for myself and this was one way I thought I could say what I felt x

Sunday 3 March 2013

STASH BUSTING CHALLENGE
SUNDAY WEIGH IN
 
Sunday again... I seem to always say that - it flys around so very quickly
 
Not much to add this week
just 127g
This was a "trial" item - I wanted some fun things that I could pop in my box for the Operation Christmas Box Appeal at the end of the year.**((SINCE WRITING THIS POST I HAVE BEEN REMINDED THAT OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD SHOEBOX DO NOTALLOW STUFFED TOYS - IT HAD COMPLETELY GONE FROM MY HEAD SO I AM SORRY IF I HAVE MISLED ANYONE - SORRY AGAIN FOR ANY CONFUSION - ITS A GOOD JOB I HAVE SOME LOVELY WATCHERS WHO KEEP ME ON THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW))**
I wanted to call her Floppy and decided that if I made anymore they would all have a name beginning with "J" - so this first one is Jaqueline Floppy - will there be anymore? I don't know.........
I cast on 50 stitches DK 4mm needles - think I stocking stitched about 32 rows then changed to Eyelash/Ostrich yarn and knitted 7 rows for hair.  Sew up sides with seam ending up at the back.  Straight stitch a mouth - sew up bottom seam lightly stuff and sew up top seam. 
I made four I-cords , 2 for arms and 2 for legs - the arm ones being slightly shorter than the legs and tied a knot in the end to denote hands and feet - attach these.
Eyes could be stick on googly eyes as I have done, stitched or sewn on buttons - I'm thinking if the item is to be given to a small child stick on eyes or buttons may not be suitable due to choking risk so use safety eyes or embroider.
I got this idea from http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L10016B.html?noImages= and changed it slightly - obviously these are much better than my effort!
 
Also managed two baby hats, one childs hat and a preemie cardigan
The preemie cardigan and two hats have now finished up an oddment I had in my odds and ends bags so this was good x
 
Until next week - keep on stash busting - happy knitting xx