by RoxyPosted on Posted in Knitting 1 Comment

Or ‘Autumn Adventures Continued’…

And it has been adventure. Spent the last Saturday to Saturday in Dunbar, about an hour and a bit East of Edinburgh. Right by the coast, so lots of beach trips and rock pooling! There were also many spooky shenanigans, pumpkin picking and carving, fancy dress contests being won…but a lot of our bigger plans got curtailed as one of our friends came down with a sickness virus.

So I spent Thursday night in A&E with him, but he got all the medicine and was making some recovery by the end of the week…

A good trip, but an exhausting one.

All that aside, my knitting!

Same wool as Felix’s jumper, this is knit loosely following Moonbow Slouchy Knit Cardigan by Jessica Reeves Potasz, a free pattern, with the addition of another free pattern 117-8 Elephant Ears by DROPS design as I wanted to add a shawl collar.

Its big, it’s warm and it’s squishy, which is exactly what I wanted, so very pleased! And every last bit of wool was used, meaning the 20 balls of it that entitled my stash, has officially left! Woo!

And with that, have a good Halloween and I will leave you with my wool count!

Wool Count

Starting total – 843

Wool used – 93 (3 since last update!)
Wool bought – 48
Wool given to me – 32
Wool gifted to others – 1
Wool handspun – 3

Total – 832 (Net difference: -11!)

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by RoxyPosted on Posted in Knitting 2 Comments

Ah, awesome aliteration…

Wordplay aside, remember how I bought a few balls of wool a few weeks ago? Well,some of it was turned I to this cutie for my cutie:

This is knit following a free pattern, unimaginatively named, s9-15 Jersey by DROPS design. It was however exactly what I wanted. A simple, no fuss, loose jumper made in chunky wool. Specifically a few of the balls of Sirdar Elemental, soft and squishy, a little sparkle…just perfect really.

And yes, all the rest of it is being turned into a squishy oversized cardigan for me that I can throw on and snuggle into…but more on that when I finish it.

In non knitting news, it’s been a busy but good week. I’m enjoying learning all the new things in my new role, whilst getting to use skills from several of my previous jobs. It also helps that 2/3 of the department are all as mad as me! Each of us have our own jque brand of madness, of course, but it’s great not feeling like the odd one out again!

Theres been gaming, more Cthuhlu, in this case a one shot that’s already spanned two sessions and will need at least a third if not more at this rate. (So much chaos, my sides still hurt from all the laughing). There’s also been some seriously heated Scrabble with some of my other friends, which again caused much laughter as clearly our minds are all in the gutter…

Though it did make me laugh when one of my friends grandad rang and she informed him that she was ‘busy playing Scrabble with friends this evening’…we would have only sounded even more ancient had she said bridge…

Anyhow, I have a stack of knitting all almost done, and I intend to plough through a good chunk of it this week and get back to having just two projects on the go again!

Until next week, stay safe!

Oh, last thing, seeing as I have made a big push on a lot of my knits, as well as progressed on a scrap project, I used an amazing nine balls of wool this week!!!! I am finally once more at a point where I have less wool this year than when I started!!

Wool Count

Starting total – 843

Wool used – 90 (9 since last update!)
Wool bought – 48
Wool given to me – 32 (3 as birthday gifts!)
Wool gifted to others – 1
Wool handspun – 3

Total – 835 (Net difference: -8, hooray!)

by RoxyPosted on Posted in Knitting 1 Comment

A little while ago I sent my dad’s Mrs a pair of knitted slippers as she was getting a very grim sounding operation done to her foot. My dad rang to tell me that they had received it, that she loved them, but where was his gift?

After a bit of banter, it was decided that I would knit him a hat that was a nod to the formal dress of his old military unit, the Royal Scots Dragoon.

Which is…dark blue, almost black, with a yellow zig zag.

Outbreak was more than happy to display the contrasting colours against her fur for me! The pattern used is a free one called Joey by Susan Moskwa. It’s supposed to be knit in one solid colour, but…when do I not tinker with knitting patterns?

In other knitting news, my projects have multiplied even more so now I feel like I’m going even slower – but there is logic behind it all. Namely, hedging the odds in my favour against the inevitable yarn chicken I am going to have to play. Some things I can get away with…others not to much.

Besides from that, not a lot really. We had a much deserved quiet weekend, where we all spent a lot of time just chilling and enjoying each others company playing games. It was nice.

My Cthuhlu game on Friday though was hysterical, but it was, as always, a ‘you had to have been there’ kind of funny. I’m very much looking forward to the next session to see what craziness ensues!

And with that, I wish you all a good and safe week!

Wool Count

Starting total – 843

Wool used – 81 (5 since last update!)
Wool bought – 48
Wool given to me – 32 (3 as birthday gifts!)
Wool gifted to others – 1
Wool handspun – 3

Total – 844 (Net difference: +1, so close!)

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by RoxyPosted on Posted in Knitting 1 Comment

As promised, I knitted the little harness and a tiny B-12 to go with Little Outsider!

Want to take a look?

For the harness I very much knit a little,checked the fit, knit a bit more, checked again, until it looked about right. For B-12 I got several images of him and then went by replicating the rough shapes the adding on details.

I think he looks quite cute getting a little ride in the harness! He does fit in all the way, but a plain harness is a bit boring to photograph!

In other knitting news, I have several projects on the go, which means that I am knitting lots but not finishing anything. Some of these are Christmas gifts, so even when I finish them I can’t share them right away sadly.

In non knitting news, after a successful cthuhlu session the other week, we’re having another this week! Not going to lie, I have had incredible indecision on just how to go about killing/driving my players insane. So many choices, so few victims…

The new job role is going great – I’m pretty tired at the moment though as I’m using my brain lots! Lots of new things to learn as well as finally getting the answer to ‘why’ that I had in my previous role. The answer by the way is very long, very complex, and contains an awful lot of ‘for this specific device under these specific conditions…’

With that, I will see you all next week! Take care and stay safe!

(Oh, there was a typo on last posts wool count, I have redone the maths and it is all correct below!)

(And no, the typo was not the 25 in 25 balls of wool, I really did buy that much)

Wool Count

Starting total – 843

Wool used – 76 (8 since last update!)
Wool bought – 48
Wool given to me – 32 (3 as birthday gifts!)
Wool gifted to others – 1
Wool handspun – 3

Total – 849 (Net difference: +6)

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by RoxyPosted on Posted in Knitting 1 Comment

To explain the title of this post, Stray (the amazing post apocalyptic cat game) has of course swept through our house and we’ve all become obsessed with the adorable ginger kitty.

Then, when I went to type this post, I realised that B12 didn’t ever give the cat a name. The only time anything like a name was used, was by Momo, who called the kitty ‘Little Outsider’.

Anyway, why am I telling you all this?

Because of this:

I intend to knit his little harness and a tiny B12 to go with it so that he’s ready for Walled City 99!

In non knitting news, it has been a very busy two weeks – last week was the first cthuhlu session with a new gaming group, followed by three more days of socialising and catching up with friends. Then work, which was very busy as we had people on holiday plus three new starters all needing training.

This weekend saw more socialising of the kiddy kind as Felix’s birthday is this week. There was pokemon card playing with one friend, a sleepover with another, and Chester Zoo with that friend and Felix!

I am all socialed out. However…today is also the first day of my new role! I changed departments (not company) and today was my first official day! So socialising and learning lots of new things!

And with that, it’s an early night for me!

Wool Count

Starting total – 843

Wool used – 68
Wool bought – 48 (+25 there was a yarn sale at Abakhan and with me starting a new job!

Wool given to me – 32
Wool gifted to others – 1
Wool handspun – 3

Total – 846 (Net difference: +14, yeah…I fell off the wool wagon big style…)

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by RoxyPosted on Posted in Knitting 1 Comment

Who can resist a good Monty Python quote?

On to the blog however, where nobody would expect the sewing machine!

Ok ok, I will refrain from the pointy cushion and skip straight to the comfy chair!

Yep, I finally decided to turn an old set of curtains into an armchair and foot rest cover. It’s not perfect, far from it, but it looks good and does a better job than having said curtain just draped across it…

The kitties certainly approve – there was at least one fluffy menace either on the fabric or the chair the entire time I was trying to work on this!

After this achievement I’m feeling a bit braver about a few other projects I have lined up, ones that hopefully won’t take me so long to get around to doing…

Besides this, as well as a second armchair cover, I’ve been doing a lot of tidying, mending and one final big push with everything the garden has to offer. I have about three buckets of apples and probably three more of pears to sort through, but we’ll get to them when we get to them.

I’ve also picked up my spinning again. It’s slow progress, but it’s getting there. After getting covid my asthma has been bad to say the least, not quite but near the same level of bad as when I had pneumonia (and no, I am not an OAP, I was in my early thirties at that point) but with the increased inhaler use, and stringer inhalers too, I have a permanent shake. It’s not affected my knitting but a lot of my other crafts have struggled.

But I will persevere! I have grand plans that involve hand spun wool, and even more crafts, and the learning of new ones, so I will go on!

Unsurprisingly not a lot of knitting this week, so no finished projects and no wool used. The total hasn’t gone up either so I won’t bore you with the wool count.

Until next week, stay safe!

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by RoxyPosted on Posted in Knitting 1 Comment

This is very much a ‘mummy can make that’ kind of post, except it’s more ‘the Mrs can make that’…

A long story short, I made tiny MOSFETs for Christmas gifts at work.

A colleague of both mine and Engels will be having their first baby in the not too distant future.

Engel: You need to knit the baby a MOSFET!

Me: Like the Christmas ones?

Engel: Yeah, but bigger! And cuter!

I’m hoping this one meets that criteria! It’s 16cm by 22cm so he’s plenty big.

Going to call it now on the blog post – still recovering from the other weekend and the one just gone has been super busy getting my little mischief makers ready for school today!

Also, no wool count as no changes.

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by RoxyPosted on Posted in Knitting 1 Comment

First of all, my apologies for not blogging last week. I was getting down to the wire with the project I am about to show you, and all distractions where thoroughly being cast aside.

My sister Rabbie summarises the day brilliantly on her blog post here, but in my own telling of events, this is how it went:

Last year: My sister Rabbie: We had an amazing time at a Vikings event in Duncarron! You have got to come to the next one!

Me: Definitely!

Still last year: My sister Rabbie: We had an amazing time at a Jacobites event in Duncarron! You have got to come to the next one!

Me: Definitely! Just, more warning next time!

Still last year, again: My sister Rabbie: We had an amazing time at a Pirates event in Duncarron! You have got to come to the next one!

Me: Right, that’s it, next time for sure!

And I waited. And waited. And waited…

Finally! The first event of the year, and it was through the ages, right up until WW2 this time! Amazing! When? End of summer holidays? We’ll make it happen.

So, vikings, what do we need to make?

Only…no vikings. And with only a few weeks to go…WW2 it was! The kids were child evacuees, complete with knitted sweater vests, and myself and Engel would be homeguard. My sister joined the theme and, after a lot of coaxing, nudging and nearly pleading, she was bullied into making a full on red cross nurse propoganda outfit. If you haven’t looked at her blog yet, you must, it’s beautiful.

My fur niece also matched!

Was I to be outdone? Of course not. Much deep diving of the internet and I got hold of some scans of actual 1940s magazines, complete with knitting patterns. Then I saw it, and I knew it had to be knit.

Did you know Betty Davis was. Knitwear model in 1941? She was, and apparently this was her favourite pattern as it was ‘as warm as toast and ever so smart’.

It was actually too warm on the day to actually wear it, but seeing my two battle with knights, challenge a centurion, play the drums with a Jacobite and ask million questions and then get answers was more than worth it.

However, I would have liked to have stayed at the women’s war effort stall, with it’s beautiful handknits, photographs of original patterns and even a few actual knits knitted during the war time for maybe a few more hours…

And with that, I am going to recover for the rest of the week. Maybe start looking at some historically accurate viking clothing / costumes… Hmm… They raised sheep and made their own cloth from the wool… And they had their own form of ancient knitting…

Perhaps I shall follow that rabbit hole and see where it leads…

Until next post, keep safe!

Wool Count

Starting total – 843

Wool used – 68 (11 since last update!)
Wool bought – 23
Wool given to me – 32 (3 as birthday gifts!)
Wool gifted to others – 1
Wool handspun – 3

Total – 832 (Net difference: -11!!!)

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by RoxyPosted on Posted in Knitting 1 Comment

And picking fruit…

Its that time of year where the different berry gluts are overlapping with the other delights from the garden and beyond. In particular, the beginning of apple season! And so, to commemorate this:

A summer harvest wreath! I am aiming to eventually have one a month, but it’s going to be a several year long progress as I wait for inspiration to strike. With this wreath, I only used one actual pattern, Blackberry by Lesley Stanfield, and everything else was just winged. I also wanted to add a little touch of sparkle and texture so raided the bead collection for the seeds of the strawberries and the berries of the blackberries and raspberries!

It does make me hungry though looking at it…

In other knitting news, I have finished one of my multiple projects and subsequently started two more. Unfortunately I can’t share what I’ve made for a while yet, but when I can, I will!

I’m not going to cover the non knitting news this week because a lot has been going on – nothing bad-bad, just a lot of little things all going on at once.

Life is just going far too fast!

Until next week, stay safe!

Wool Count

Starting total – 843

Wool used – 57 (1 since last update!)
Wool bought – 23
Wool given to me – 29
Wool gifted to others – 1
Wool handspun – 3

Total – 840 (Net difference: -3!!!)

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by RoxyPosted on Posted in Knitting 1 Comment

As those of you who read last week’s post will remember, there was supposed to be a fitting for two teapots that failed to arrive…

But now, ladies and gentlemen, I can reveal two wonderfully dressed teapots!

Pattern used was Little Black Dress by Charmaine Fletcher from the book ‘Tea Cosies 2’.

What? I don’t like seeing teapots naked! They should be adequately dressed for both their modesty and to ensure their contents the stay nice and toasty.

Moving on swiftly…it’s that’s time of year where everything is beginning to ripen and getting ready for harvesting. We’ve done well this year, blackcurrants, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, gooseberries, lettuce, Pak choi, Chinese leaf, courgettes have all been harvested, with our first batch of aubergine cut off the plant today! I’m looking forward to our apples, plums, broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes….

Ok, now I’m hungry!

No wool count this week, the collection has neither grown nor shrunk, and in regards to projects, they have multiplied rather spectacularly – lots of knitting but no progress!

Until next week, stay safe!

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