Christmas Eve!

Isn't it exciting!!!

I finished work yesterday til next Mon. Darren finished at lunch time today til 5th Jan!

We had agreed that we were not going to buy each other pressies this Christmas because we are going away in January to London. So the last thing I expected was a delivery today from a florist! I've got a beautiful basket arrangement of flowers from Darren, including my favourites, lilies and yellow roses!! Darren I love you very much! Thank you for my beautiful flowers! x

I have cleaned the house today and done the rabbit/guinea pig hutches, cat litter box. Darren has just cleaned the car (big inside clean needed thanks to a VERY muddy Lady...naughty dog!). We took Lady out this afternoon for her 2nd walk, so we are now going to have showers and snuggle down to watch films on tv!

Tomorrow afternoon we are going to spend Christmas (inc Christmas dinner) with Darren's family, always nice with children around!

I hope that everyone, who celebrates, has a lovely Christmas! x

Sniff sniff

Tis' the season to be jolly!

Or in our house the season to be full of cold!!

I've had one a week now and Darren started this week. Full on nasty colds...we want shares in Kleenex tissues (balsom ones to protect our noses!!)

One of the kids where I work compared me to Rudolf at the weekend! Charming! Although at least he was amused!

Then last night it was my works Xmas meal...lovely company and food. I only drank water as I was driving. We left the restaurant at approx 11pm, I was home by about 11.40pm. 1am, food poisoning kicked in....it must've been this as I've not been sick with my cold. What a waste of £20!!!

Anyway...we've sent the last cards today and wrapped all the pressies. Only a week til Christmas Day!!!!!!

Craft Fair

Firstly a HUGE thank to everyone who visited/bought anything from my stall!

Where has the time gone....I was really busy making more things for my 2nd craft fair. I did remember to take photos of my stall this time, although as I had forgotten my camera they are taken with my phone.

I didn't get a chance to take a photo of the clothes stand I had next to this, which had my children's clothes and scarfs hung on it.

The turnout was quite disappointing at this fair, although I did speak to some lovely people, including a little girl who has started to learn to knit and sew, as she very proudly told me!!

Well I'll keep knitting and hopefully next years fairs will be better. The top prices are £6 for the large toys, to 40p for a mobile phone case, so I know that my prices are VERY reasonable! Anyway I knit cos I love to knit not the selling!

I've been tagged

I've been tagged by Suse-the-slow-knitta ( http://wishidaskedmygran.blogspot.com/) so I'll have a go at it!!

The Rules:

1) Link to your tagger and list all these rules in your blog.
2) Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3) Tag 7 people at the end of your post by including links to their blogs
4) Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog

The Facts:

1) I'm a vegetarian
2) I hate hot weather but love the cold! Any excuse to snuggle up with Darren and my knitting!
3) I cry at films which no-one else does, 'Leon' always makes me cry!
4) I love buying new stationary...which is perhaps why I'm always doing a University course!!
5) I have a wool stash which is bordering on the insane!
6) I love cuddling my cat Charlie, luckily he loves being cuddled too!
7) I prefer things to be in order and neat but I live in chaos! But don't mess with the tins in my food cupboard!!

I'm tagging: (this is hard...most people I know with a blog have been tagged!...I'll add to it if necessary!)

http://littlelou1975.blogspot.com/ http://2baldiesfx.blogspot.com/

More wool and craft fair

Ok so I have an addiction which is out of control....on Friday in York I bought 4 packs of wool (4 x 50g fluffy wool in each) for £1 each...bargain!

Then last night, whilst looking for some black chunky wool....only 2 balls needed...I realised that Kemps (http://www.kempswoolshop.com/) had the best price at £1.09 for 100g, now I've been longingly drooling over their bargain wool for AGES and I started to put some into my online basket....then before I knew it I had bought it...get ready for this I spent £155.39 (£9.50 was p&p). I can't wait to get it but I've no idea where to put it all!!

Thank goodness Darren is so understanding...but as he said, what about all that you bought for your birthday that you haven't used!!! Of course I can retaliate about all the stuff he has bought and will buy again at the IMATS in London Jan '09 which we are going to!!

Luckily my scarfs were popular at the craft fair so I've an excuse to make more with all this new wool! The black chunky is for an order someone made...

I didn't get a chance to take a photo of my stall...I had so much stuff that it took us ages to set up and then people were arriving. I'll take one at the next fair in 2 weeks. I had a nice day and it was lovely to hear peoples comments about my work!! Thank you everyone!! I take such pleasure in making everything but I can't keep it so this is the logical way to deal with my wool buying/knitting addiction!!

The gloves are finished!!!

Yippee!!! finally got them done!!!

Anyway we've had some nice days off. We went out for lunch on Thursday and then did some shopping and went to a fancy dress shop for our New Years Eve outfits, Darren has booked his Elvis outfit (the theme is 1970's this year)...I couldn't see anything I fancied.

We spent the morning at the vets with Charlie (annual booster jabs...he's such a good cat there!!), then I had physio....I've now wearing a Tens machine to help with the pain...It's on loan for 2 weeks from them...fingers crossed! Anything that'll help I'm grateful for!

Yesterday we went to York, which is always lovely!

Today as gone even quicker and all I've done is go out with the dog this morning, clean out rabbit and guinea pig cages, housework and knitting (whilst watching Bones series 3 on dvd, which I bought yesterday!)

So, I'm off to bed now, ready for my craft fair tomorrow...

Night night!

Gloves...what gloves...???

Ok, so I still haven't finished the gloves, only 2 fingers to go and sewing up...I've been so tired after work this week and last night the pain was the worst it has been for a while...I must get them done this evening.

I need to quickly hoover and put some washing on. Then I want to have a nice shower and put my pj's on but Darren needs me to pick him up from work and although he should've finished at 5, he reckons it'll be 8 at the earliest!!!

At least we're off for 4 days now, we've got some time together...which despite me being off work for 4 mths, we've had very little time together! At least 6 1/2 yrs on we still want to spend time together!!

Monday morning...

...and it's raining. We had such a nice weekend, in fact we went for a lovely long walk in the woods with Lady yesterday...I was quite impressed with myself! It's the longest walk I've been on since being off in July!

I'm in the final countdown for my craft fair. I need to finish a pair of men's gloves today and make another pair this week. I'd also like to make at least 2 Christmas stockings. I always want to have more stuff than I have made....goodness knows I've certainly got enough to take...more than enough in fact! I just hope it'll all fit on the table!!

Back to work!

Yes it's official I'm back! I was shattered and ached all over but it was nice to see everyone! Things can only improve... :)

Physio

I've had my weekly physio appointment today and I'm aching...how can a few exercises and stretches cause so much pain..I feel worse than before the appointment...I know it's working and I'm just grumbling to myself. I really appreciate all my phsiotherapist is doing and I know if I hadn't had to wait so long I would have been back at work ages ago. I've been off since the beg of July and I only started physio 5 weeks ago!

I'm asking for a return to work note from my GP tomorrow, so I should be back next week!! I can't believe how excited I am to be going back to work!!

Knitting for craft fairs

I cannot believe how much stuff I have made for the fairs. I just hope I manage to sell most of it so I don't have to bring it all back home again!! It took me ages to price everything. I must do this as I go along so I don't end up with boxes full of things to price! I've got 2 1/2 weeks to go til the 1st fair and I'd like to make more gloves, my aliens/monsters, Christmas stockings and Christmas toys...we'll see what I can do! I made some mobile phone/Ipod covers which I hope will sell well. I'll write out the patterns asap and post under free patterns.

Bonfire Night

It's Darren's mum's birthday today so we always have a big party, not that I like fireworks, but it's a nice family event.

I just hope that Lady will be ok. She is normally fine with fireworks (will go out for walks when they are going off and sleeps through them at home) but this year we've had some idiots letting them off near our house (we are surrounded by older people so I don't think it's anyone local!!) some even sounded like they were being thrown at our house. Anyway Lady got very scared by this as it was like being under attack!! She climbs onto my lap when she is scared or gets under our duvet...she'll have to settle for the duvet and some music this evening. Poor animals. Our first dog used to be terrified of them (and thunder) and would insist on going into the cellar with loud music on. We tried sedatives one year but they didn't calm him he was just a danger to himself trying to get into the cellar!

Anyway hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable evening!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

Anyone off to a party or trick or treating? We were going to go out but it sounded crap...we like to go fully dressed up, especially as Darren is a special effects make up artist! So we're staying in with Most Haunted and Dead Set....can't believe E4 announced last night that Dead Set will be shown in full tomorrow night! When all week it's been in 30min installments...

Snow anyone??!

Well does anyone have snow? We haven't :( It has been cold and a bit frosty in the morning but that's about it...which is unusual for here, as we normally get snow if it's around. It is lovely to see photos of children playing in the snow...they don't often get to see it now. I feel left out....! However, I'm glad that we have our power still, as I read that across the country many homes are or have been without power. I hope that it is back on soon for everyone.

Most Haunted Live! and Dead Set

Well we decided to leave Most Haunted Live for an hour last night to watch Dead Set. We really enjoyed it, best BB so far!!! It is a pain that this week, at the same time each night, both programmes are on. At least the next episodes of Dead Set are only on for 30 mins, so we won't miss much. However, tonight is also CSI Miami on Ch 5! .....not that our evenings are governed by tv at the minute!!!!

Getting there!

Well I washed our bedroom and the spare bedroom curtains yesterday! I can't get the lounge ones down, will have to wait for Darren to get them down.

I've just cleared my desk! Only a bit more tidying up and the spare room will be done!! It is very satisfying having got things done. I had a clear out/tidy up of our lounge, dining room and kitchen last week. So all that's left is our bedroom and the computer room (which is really just going through paperwork).

When I've tidied the spare room I'm going to get out my stock for the craft fairs and see what I've got, what I want to make next etc

Things to do...

My 'to do' list is growing and growing daily. I might give up on sleep, see if I can get more done that way! I've got so many things I want to knit. I want to sort out my office/spare room, I abandoned everything when my exams finished and things are getting out of control!! It'll take me an hour to find the table surface! With it being half term I'd like to invite my neice to come and stay...but she might like to fit in the room! I want to wash all the curtains, but as it never stops raining...I can't get them dried!

Maybe I need to make the room a priority! It'll be lovely to have her come over to stay!

Most Haunted Live!

Did anyone watch this last night? Creepy! We were snuggled on the sofa and I brought the duvet down. Our cat and dog both act freakily when we watch this! Lady suddenly looks towards the tv as they scream or whistle for 'spirits' to copy! Charlie seems to catch anything invisible to us! Can't wait for the 2nd night tonight and all the way up to Friday!!

Lately I've been....

....knitting teddies, 9 so far. I haven't stuffed them yet though.

I've booked a table at a craft fair (2 dates, 1st in Nov and 2nd in Dec), so I am now making a few extra bits for that mainly hats and scarfs and Christmas items. I've already got 6 stacker boxes of things I've made! It's not about making lots of money, I'm always making things but I've no-one really to make them for, so as long as I can cover the cost of the table and wool etc , that's all I care about! Any extra is a bonus!

Loving Hands Challenge

The new challenge is in which runs to the new year, the group did amazinging well for the last challenge. This is the challenge as written by Lou (founder) on the site....

Here you go then - you have all been ever so patient waiting to hear about the new challenges - this challenge will run from now right through to New Year so it is definitely Winter Knitting :0)
While I was ill we had loads of emails and two of them gave me the inspiration for two of our challenges.
The first one came from Alice a student at bristol University. She is a member of the Kenyan Orphans society charity group and is going over with a large group of fellow students to help out. She requested 300 teddies with their bags to take with them to give to the orphans as a way of 'breaking the ice' and helping the kids to trust them. I thought this was a lovely idea - we have 10 bears to start this challenge off already so just 290 bears and 300 bags to go!
The other email was from a church group who are helping a community in Zambia - they are looking for blankets of all sizes for an Aids Hospice, School and Orphanage - apparently there is a great shortage of bedding and the temperatures can drop so low at nights. It would be great to be able to send them 200 blankets to help out their charitable quest :0)
We have also decided to help out the Sailor's Society again this year and are looking for 300 hats to send them to help the sailors keep warm - as we are now almost 300 in number this should be simple :0)
Specially for our stitchers we have a challenge just for you - we are looking for 100 pairs of pyjamas or nightdressesfor Linda McDonald's orphans - I believe Suzanne will still have some of the packs of fabric and patterns available for this challenge as we didn't get any made last time round. Thought you would like a special challenge for yourselves this time. Obviously we will still need the teddy bags as well if you want something quick and easy to do :0)
Needless to say if none of these challenges appeal we still need all our usual things so feel free to continue with warm clothing for all ages for Blythswood or Linda McDonald or if you like fiddly things then toys for the orphanages or knitted boobs might fit the bill.


I'm setting myself a target of a least 30 teddies for this challenge and when I get fed up of making them I'll some some hats and blankets!

My current W.I.P

It's a simple blanket pattern: Can use any thickness of yarn and needles. Any number of sts to c/o and work as many rows in each colour as you want...best to work it out first though!

I'm using oddments of DK yarn from my stash and 3.75mm needles

c/o 72 sts work in gst throughout

1. k34, K2tog twice, k34

2. k

3. k33, k2tog twice, k33

4.k

continue to decrease 2 sts in centre of alternate rows until last row has 2 sts, k2 tog and fasten off.

I worked the pattern in stripes of 8 rows, alternating a light and dark colour.

It has grown since I took this photo...I've managed a square each night as a treat after studying, now I'm study free I'll fly through it!!

Sneaky pets!!

Ok so I go to make the bed and...

Exams

Exams are over!!! Yippee!!! I had a 3hr exam on Monday and another yesterday...that concludes this yrs OU courses...nothing more I can do but wait for the results. Let me emphasize that having sciatica and a bad back DO NOT go well with 3hr exams. But I got through them with lots of painkillers...probably too many but never mind.

I can now do lots of knitting guilt free!!

Loving Hands parcel

Well I remembered to take a photo of what I made and sent to Loving Hands. This was my 2nd parcel. I made 2 cardigans, 2 balls, 7 teddies, 2 hats and scarves sets and 8 scarves.

Photos from Dr Who exhibition

Here are a few photos of Darren (black t-shirt) and our mate Ian (white t-shirt) with the hyde fundraisers Dr Who characters!

Day out

Yesterday we had a nice day out at Spaceport in Seacombe (Liverpool). The main reason we went was to see the Dr Who exhibition because a Davros mask that Darren and his mate Ian (2 Baldies FX) made was on display, which they had donated to the Hyde Fundraisers. They are a lovely bunch of people who raise money for charity by getting dressed up at Dr Who characters. It was great seeing the exhibition and then the actual characters wandering around and chasing kids!

It's me again...

I've been a very bad blogger haven't I...although I can't believe where the time has gone!

Went to the GP this morning...still off work...and off for another 2 weeks...no physio yet. Feel miserable most of the time with it. I bought an exercise bike yesterday, which hopefully we can put together this evening, although with the amount of nuts and bolts, it looks like a degree in engineering is required!

Thank goodness for our extensive dvd/video collection and my HUGE stash of wool...which keeps growing despite all that I've made whilst I've been off.

I've almost finished my 2nd big parcel of goodies for Loving Hands...gonna try and cram a few more bits and bobs in. I must remember to take a photo of what I'm sending this time....don't hold your breath that I'll remember though!!!

We've been (or rather I've been) having a clear out. Our house is full of clutter, about 99% of it seems to be mine. It's hard to be brutal about your own stuff but our house looks too cluttered and it's more stuff to dust (not my strongest housework task!!) So we have 6 bags for charity waiting to be collected...thank goodness we had a bag delivered on Fri saying they were collecting tomorrow, saves us a job of trailing into town. I just hope they come and that I don't have to wait til the weekend for it all to go to a shop (they've been sat in our dining room for about 3 weeks now and more bags just get added!)

It's such a pain cos I could do lots of sorting and tidying away but then my back kills and I suffer for the next day or so even worse than normal...little steps with it all...but it's so tempting cos it's such a mess on top of our wardrobes...

Oh and our sofas are here and so is our dinin room set!!! You wouldn't believe the trouble I had trying to find a good home for our old sofa and 2 chairs...no charities would take them!! Unbelievable how you can't give some stuff away...so the 2 chairs are waiting for the council to collect them and we're keeping the sofa (it's a 2 seater)...for Lady and Charlie, who despite our best efforts kept going on our new ones...having one for them has stopped them going on our new ones! I've just put a cream throw over it and it looks fine. I can't believe we have 3 sofas now and one is for the pets!!

As for the tv unit...I cancelled the order...let's just say problems with the company...

Where has the time gone?!

Wow...time flies when you are decorating!!

We have done our bathroom and our computer room (smallest bedroom). They both look wonderful...took more work than expected, inc needing to replace a floorboard! Darren did a wonderful job as I was obviously not able to do much! Thanks babe xx

So I haven't done much knitting in this time, I've been making some more teddies as they are quick and easy to do after a busy day but I'm getting fed up of them so I'll start something different soon.

I have an unfinished project for a friend which I could complete in an evening...so I need to do that!

We are finally back online after over a week of pc problems...we were attacked by a nasty new virus which prevented us from logging onto Windows and sometimes I couldn't even get into safe mode...thanks to my brother I eventually sorted the problem.

None of our new furniture is here yet...but at least it gives us a chance to make room for everything...it's amazing how much mess you make when decorating! Lots of clutter to sort out...options: charity, keep, throw away, recycle and unknown. We're getting there slowly. All I know is if the rest of the rooms look as good as the 2 we've done, I'll be delighted!!

TV display unit

Ok this is the unit...and it's on it's way for only £22.26...bargain!!

The electrics are done!!

Ok so how could I forget to shout out loud THE ELECTRICS ARE FINISHED AND READY FOR US TO DECORATE!!!!

Tuesday teatime...work completed...thanks alot Paul! It was also £120 cheaper than the quote...which is always a good thing!

So on Saturday we are starting to decorate..bathroom first...ok, so with my back I'll be in a supervisiory role but still I can't wait!!

Oh and we bought furniture on Saturday!!! A dining table and 8 chairs and 2 sofas from Homebase for...wait for it...£523!!! (original total price £1500). They were in the sale and we got another 10% off on Saturday! Thank goodness we didn't buy them the week before when we first saw them!! We bought our paint on Saturday so we got 10% off that too!!

Can you tell I'm giddy about all this!?

The next thing I want is a tv display unit which is on sale from £249 to £62...however it is slightly too wide for our alcove, but I figure as it is self assembly I could cut it down to fit?? At this price I think it's worth a shot!! Especially since it's from my catalogue and I have £39.74 cashback, so it'll only cost me £22.26...a saving of £226.74!!! I think I've just talked myself into buying this!!!

Pic of my first parcel sent to Loving Hands Charity Knitting Group

I've copied this from the Loving Hands forum which shows the goodies I sent to them in my first parcel. I'm glad that they got them in time for the Teddies to be sent to Africa!

I sent them 12 bears, 4 blankets, 1 ball, 12 hats and 9 scarves. Thanks to Lou who took the photo and recorded what I had sent!

I've started making more teddies already. It sounds like the next challenge for them will be as Xmas pressies for children in Bulgarian orphanages. The Linda MacDonald Foundation sends items to them. www.lindamcdonaldfoundation.org/

Aliens/Monsters

Oddments of DK yarn
3.25mm needles
Stuffing
Buttons or alternative for eyes

Pattern:

c/o 4sts
1. inc in each st (8sts)
2. p all sts
3. as row 1 (16sts)
4. as row 2
5. as row 1 (32sts)
6. starting with p row stst for 15 rows

Decrease for neck shaping:

21. K2 tog to end (16sts)
22. p all sts
23. inc in each st to end (32sts)
24. starting with p row stst for 11 rows
35. K2, m1, (k4, m1) repeat to last 2 sts, k2 (40sts)
36. starting with p row stst for 6 rows
42. K row
43. (k3, k2 tog) to end (32sts)
44. P
45. (k2, k2 tog) to end (24sts)
46. p
47. (k1, k2 tog) to end (16sts)
48. p
49. k2 tog to end (8sts)

Break and Thread yarn through remaining stitches. With wrong side facing sew up seam, leaving a gap for stuffing, turn right way out. Stuff and close seam.

Gather round neck.

Add features to your personal style of alien/monster!!

Eyes:

Sew on eye/s to your personal style of alien/monster!!

Antenna:

Make 2 plaits and sew on a shown.

Arms:

1. c/o 20sts
2. c/off 5sts, k to end (15sts)
3. k to end, turn and c/o 5sts (s0sts)
4. cast off all sts

Sew c/o edge to c/off edge for 15sts leaving tube and 2 ‘fingers’.

Feet:

c/o 10sts
1. k to end
2. k to end
3. c/off 4sts, k to end (6sts)
4. k6, turn and c/o 4sts (10sts)
5. k to end
6. K to end
cast off all stitches

Sew to body as shown.

Still off work...

I thought I would be ready to go back today but I'm still stuggling and I jarred it again when walking my dog yesterday (twice actually, once whilst in the woods and then when we got back to the car!!) So I'm off work til next Friday.

We had the start of our electrics this week...we now have lights in the kitchen and a centre light in the lounge. We have plug sockets that can be used not at floor level in the skirting board! Still to be done is a new fuse box in the house and in the garage and some more plug sockets in the garage/studio for Darren. It'll all be done ready for us to start decorating next Saturday (we're off for 2 weeks)...won't that be fun with my back...I think I'll be supervising most of it!!

On a brighter note I finally sent my first parcel to Loving Hands yesterday. My total was 12 teddies, a ball, a few blankets and approx 12 sets of hats and scarves. I forgot to take photos of them and to count the blankets, hats and scarves! Oh well it was only for personal interest! I'll have to remember for next time, although Lou (the collector/organiser of all parcels does take pics and put them on the charity forum!)

Copyright

I was reading this blog and she had a post about copyright and I thought it was well put, so I've added it to my blog.
http://knittedtoybox.blogspot.com/

"Well its always a sticky subject, but it has to be done!

The Copyright of all the patterns on this blog belong to me!

Feel free to:
1. Distribute patterns for free (direct link as often as possible).
2. Make as many items as you like for personal or charitable purposes.
3. Sell any finished items made from my patterns (I would appreciate credit for the pattern, or a even just a link to the site, however its not a must.)

You MUST NOT:
1. Take any of my patterns and claim they are your own.
2. Sell any patterns for a profit.
3. Make kits with the patterns for profit.
4. Use my photographs and claim they are your own.

Even if these are not your own personal views on copyright they are mine so please respect them. Even though my patterns are simple a lot of work has still gone into creating them.

Ok I'll get off my soap box now, I hope that cleared a few things up for people, happy knitting."

I rather like how she worded this issue. Hope everyone else agrees!!

Really fed up

Well I saw the GP this morning and I've been signed of work for a week. He actually asked me how long I wanted to be signed off...would I have gotten longer if I'd asked???

So now I'm really fed up and in pain...lots of knitting to be done...I've just finished my 10th teddy for tragedy. I'll have to post the parcel tomorrow...or rather get Darren to carry it to the post office as it's a big bag of hats, scarfs, blankets and teddies!!! Wonder how much the postage will be...

blanket pattern written up

I've finally finished typing up my 2nd blanket pattern. I've added it to the post with the photos. Hope it's of use to someone.

Fed up

I'm fed up at the minute. Was in near miss car accident when an idiot driver nearly ran me off the road just outside work on Sunday. My existing daily leg/back pain has become unbearable at the moment and I'm off work. Can't get to see a GP til Friday (the day I'm due back at work). It's not good...keeping myself sane by knitting and watching dvd's. I've made more Teddies for Tragedy and I've designed a toy pattern. I'll type this up and take photos later.

Pain killers are calling...

Geometric Blanket

This is a recent blanket I designed...simple enough to do. In fact I'm sure that most knitters will be able to get the pattern just from these photos. If anyone makes my free patterns I would love to see your work too.

Here is the pattern:

Approx 200g DK
5mm needles

Cast on 120sts

1.gst 5 rows
6.k5, purl to last 5sts, k 5
7.knit
8.as row 6
9.k
10.k5, p5, k to last 10sts, p5, k5
11.k
12.as row 10
13.k
14.k5, p5, k5, p to last 15sts, k5, p5, k5
15.k
16.as row 14
17.k
18.k5, p5, k5, p5, k to last 20sts, p5, k5, p5, k5
19.k
20.as row 18
21.k
22.k5, p5, k5, p5, k5, p to last 25sts, k5, p5, k5, p5, k5
23.k
24.as row 22
25.k
26.k5, p5, k5, p5, k5, p5, k to last 30sts, p5, k5, p5, k5, p5, k5
27.k
28.as row 26
29.k
30. k5, p5, k5, p5, k5, p5, k5, p to last 35sts, k5, p5, k5, p5, k5, p5, k5
31.k
32.as row 30
33.k
34.k5, p5, k5, p5, k5, p5, k5, p5, k to last 40sts, p5, k5, p5, k5, p5, k5, p5, k5
35.k
36.as row 34
37.k
38.k5, p5, k5, p5, k5, p5, k5, p5, k5, p to last 45sts, k5, p5, k5, p5, k5, p5, k5, p5, k5
39.k
40.as row 38
41.k
42.k5, p5, k5, p5, k5, p5, k5, p5, k5, p5, k to last 50sts, p5, k5, p5, k5, p5, k5, p5, k5, p5, k5
43.k
44.as row 42
45.k
46.as row 42
47.k
48.as row 42
49.k
50.as row 42
51.k
52.as row 42
53.k
54.as row 42
55.k
56.as row 42
57.k
58.as row 42
59.k
60.as row 42
61.k
62.as row 42
63.k
64.as row 42
65.k
66.k5, p5, k5, p5, k5, p5, k5, p5, k5, p to last 45sts, k5, p5, k5, p5, k5, p5, k5, p5, k5
67.k
68.as row 66
69.k
70.k5, p5, k5, p5, k5, p5, k5, p5, k to last 40sts, p5, k5, p5, k5, p5, k5, p5, k5
71.k
72.as row 70
73.k
74.k5, p5, k5, p5, k5, p5, k5, p to last 35sts, k5, p5, k5, p5, k5, p5, k5
75.k
76.as row 74
77.k
78.k5, p5, k5, p5, k5, p5, k to last 30sts, p5, k5, p5, k5, p5, k5
79.k
80.as row 78
81.k
82.k5, p5, k5, p5, k5, p to last 25sts, k5, p5, k5, p5, k5
83.k
84.as row 82
85.k
86.k5, p5, k5, p5, k to last 20sts, p5, k5, p5, k5
87.k
88.as row 86
89.k
90.k5, p5, k5, p to last 15sts, k5, p5, k5
91.k
92.as row 90
93.k
94.k5, p5, k to last 10sts, p5, k5
95.k
96.as row 94
97.k
98.k5, purl to last 5sts, k 5
99.k
100.as row 98
101. repeat pattern from row 1 to 100

201. gst 4 rows


Cast off.

Lady and wierd toy

I've just taken some more photos of Lady cuddling her wierd toy and a ball I made for her at the weekend. I think she kinda likes them!!

Dragon

Some pics of a dragon I finished last night..not as I expected him to look following the pattern but cute still! I substituted the yarn. This is the link to the pattern: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTnorberta.html

Garter Stitch blanket pattern

I had been messing around with ideas a few years ago and came up with this very simple pattern:


Free Blanket Pattern

Yarn:
Approx 200g DK of any colour (it also looks nice by alternating 2 colours, mc with smaller needles and cc with larger needles)

Needles:
1 pair 3.25mm
1 pair 5mm

Tension:
Not important. Increase/decrease sts if required. Needle sizes can be changed also for different effects of the small/large stitches.

Pattern:

Cast on 120sts with 3.25mm needles

Gst 8 rows

* Change to 5mm needles

Gst 8 rows

Change to 3.25 mm needles

Gst 8 rows**

Repeat from * to ** until blanket is the desired length.

Using 3.25mm needles cast off.


Do not sell this pattern, it is free for all.

Lady and Charlie

Ok so how cute is this!!

P.S Note the knitted blanket on the chair that's for my animals! They love their knitted blankets!

Shame that they also like to sit on the top of my armchair!

Wierd Toy and my puppy!

Well this rather strange looking toy was made from pieces my boyfriends mum had made (was suposed to be a Fimble ???!!). She passed it on to me a few years ago but I couldn't make it look like a Fimble either...so I sewed the general pieces onto each other (threw away the other bits) and my dog 'Lady' seems to like it! So at least the wierd toy has a home!!

Teddies for Tragedy

These are the teddies I've made so far...I started making blankets after these. I've got a few more weeks til they need to be in so I'll make some more when I've finished my current blanket.

Teddies for tragedy

Well I've made 3 teddies so far and I've almost finished my 4th. I'll put a pic up before I send them off. They are a great and quick way to use up oddments of wool, which it is fair to say I have plenty of!!

2 Baldies Fx

In case the link to this site baffles anyone...as it has nothing to do with knitting! It is my boyfriends blog, he is a special effects make up artist. Darren and his mate Ian spend many hours in our garage creating these wonderful pieces! Although there is a warning when the blog comes up, it is not scary or violent stuff but not everyone likes to see zombie prosthetics, alien teeth/sculptures and Klingons.

Charity Knitting

I am always busy knitting something and approx 1/2 of what I make is for charity. I'm generally making hats and scarves for a work colleague who assists with the Shoebox Appeal. But I have recently been looking for other charities to help with. I have just joined the Loving Hands appeal who seem to collect almost everything for charities. http://www.lovinghands.org.uk/ As I love making toys I am going to make some Teddies for Tragedy for them. They look nice, simple and cute to make...so lets see how many I can make to send to them before the end of the month.... http://www.teddiesfortragedies.org.uk/

First attempt at a bag with a handle

I didn't use a pattern with this bag. When I got to where I inserted the handle, i decided to try one of my bag handles which had been lurking at the bottom of a box. I pulled the knitting through the handle and then continued knitting. Not sure about this one cos the weight of the wool from the handle means the bag doesn't sit properly...shame.

More toys

Bob the builder and Eeyore....

Bart Simpson

Bart was designed by me and made for a work colleague of mine.

Harry Potter and Hermione

I made these two for my neice (inspired by Jean Greenehowe's designs).

Knitted mermaid

This is an Alan Dart design as published in Simply Knitting magazine. I decided to make her using yarn from my stash...and I am rather pleased with her!

My currect stash of knitted toys

I decided to get out all the toys I have made to see how many I have stashed away in boxes....

Getting started

I've decided to switch host for my blog as this seems a much easier to use format. Of course now I've got to upload any saved photos from my old site to this one...

Liz