OH LOOK. MARCH !

I got these pictures ready and up about a week ago. Not sure what happened there ! We've had colds, ear infections and general 'life' stuff here. Waiting for Spring to get going. It's taking it's time. The days are getting longer, even had glimpses of sunshine, but it's still colder than is usual for this time of year. Lots of birdsong, which is nice, but everything is in suspended animation at the bud stage. We need green leaves !
Anyway, I'd better finish this post whilst I can. Oliver will be off school tomorrow, with another snot ridden cold. Poor little, red nose.

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I'm still knitting away at my Citron. I'm a full section further on than this now, halfway through section seven. The rows are getting very long now. I don't mind that as knitting all that stocking stitch is very soothing once you get into the groove. The increase rows are a pain though, and the purl row after the Kfb in every stitch row is tiresome. I do like tha fabric and think it will be lovely, especially in a useable bigger size. As written, the pattern produces a, not very big, neck thingy. If blocked fiercely it loses the nice rouching, which is such an attractive feature. Nothing for it but to keep on knitting.

I'm knitting some other things too. I'm going to see how many pairs of mitts I can finish during the Vancouver Paralympics. We're having a small, but perfectly formed, Pararavelympics on the LimeGreenJelly forum on Ravelry. Our small celebration of the true Olympic spirit somewhat echoes the appalling lack of coverage of the Winter Paralympic games. Most disappointing. I'm watching what I can on Paralympic T.V..

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My lovely, long term, yarn swap partner, The Keyboard Biologist, sent me a gorgeous package of yarn, just in time for Valentines's Day. A selection of interesting, indie dyed, yarns to play with.
A 'Magic Ball' from Sophie's Toes, called Valentine. It's 150gms of merino sock yarn, which I will make a small shawl with. Probably.

Theresa thoughtfully sent a boy friendly selection of sock yarns to play with.

It is always a delight to hear from Theresa. [I promise an email soon !]

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I treated myself to a very small Bohus kit. ETA Forgot to say that it's the wristlets kit.

It's the Forest Darkness kit from Solveig Gustafsson. I've been interested in Bohus Stickning since reading Poems of Colour when it first came out. Interesting social history [or should that be 'Herstory' ?] and lovely knitting. Even if I was thin enough to wear one of the larger garments I'm not sure I have the stamina for all that fine knitting. So, I shall enjoy my small indulgence, knitting this beautiful pattern. The colours are historically accurate and beautiful. The yarn soft but not overly fuzzy. Solveig emails in English, by the way ...

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Someone seems to like my mitts. It's slightly scary that they aren't exactly huge on him, and I have large hands.

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I don't think I've ever blogged about my love of cheese. Good cheese.
Unfortunately Allan doesn't eat cheese at all. Hates the stuff. Oddly, he loves cheese and onion crisps !
I am grateful that he will buy me cheese, but am frustrated by his conservative, boring choices. I yearn for artisan cheeses that ooze and stink! Every once in a while I indulge myself with an online purchase. My current favourite place to order cheese from is Pong Cheese. They always include a little freebie in their boxes. This was a delightful little cheese wrapped in Eau de Vie soaked Chestnut leaves.

A perfect lunch. Sigh.

Grab happiness where you can !

THEN, SUDDENLY, IT'S FEBRUARY !

I meant to post straight after my birthday. Obviously, I got waylaid. More about that later. First a quick synopsis.
Lovely flowers, chocolates, bottle of Champagne ! Beautiful knitting related gifts, like this gorgeous corsage. Isn't it stunning ?

Fabulous yarn and fibre from several dear friends. See a colour theme ? They know me so well !

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I decided to knit some mitts for a young friend, after hearing tales of her commandeering the ones I made for her mother

The above, in progress, photo shows the true colour. They're the Sweetheart Glovelets that I so enjoy making for friends, without the lace heart motif on the back of the hand. The yarn, Louisa Harding Kimono Angora, is too busy for a pattern.

They are lovely and soft and so light, like a warm sigh. She likes them. A success !
I'm now knitting a couple of pairs of mitts, for friends. These Sweetheart mitts, in Skein Queen's Opulent, in a colour called Clematis are a thank you for a friend. A beautiful semi-solid. Gorgeous !

Another pair of mitts. A thank you for another friend. These are more everyday mitts, using the Maine Morning Mitts pattern, to add some sunshine to her day. They're knit in Crystal Palace's Mochi Plus.

As always, ribbed things look awful until worn.

They've been put to one side during the winter Olympics as I'm taking part in the Ravelympics. my challenge is to actually finish something ! An attempt to get me back into the knitting habit.

It's Citron, knitted in Cashmere Laceweight yarn in Plum. The colour is more accurate in the pic below. I've finished the second section now. This will slow down as the shawl gets bigger, the sections taking longer each time, in endless stocking stitch...

I love the look of shawl, so hope I have the knitting stamina to finish it !

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So, what kept me from updating my blog ? Feeling sorry for myself, if truth be told ! I tripped over a t.v. flex, went flying and landed with all of my, not inconsiderable, weight on my right knee. That was three weeks ago. The worst of the bruising is gone but it is still swollen and tender to touch. It, however, is not causing me additional mobility problems. My very badly sprained right ankle is ! It was a few days before I could put any weight through my right foot without a lot of pain and swearing. It is a lot better now, but I can't walk too far or stand for long.
Every time I start gearing myself up to increasing my mobility, just moving more, I'm ill or do something stupid. It has all added to my winter depression problems. The worst year for depression since Oliver was born.
So, I've been wallowing in self pity, a bit. I owe so many dear friends emails [ sorry Thomas, Anita, Theresa, Kay and everyone else who knows me ! ]. I fully intend to catch up. It may take a while !

I want to thank everyone who left me such lovely birthday greetings. I truly appreciated them so much.
Here are some cheerful, sunny birthday flowers.

EMBRACE THE INEVITABLE.

That's what I'm trying to do ! Today I am...50 !
I had no qualms about turning 40. 45 was no problem at all. For some reason 50 seems quite an emotional hurdle. I've even had my first bit of life insurance for those aged 50 to 85 junk mail ! A miscalculation on their part. Sending such advertising to coincide with said birthday means I will never avail myself of their services !
Anyway, I am having a hard time dealing with the fact that, in society's eyes, I am now old. I don't feel old. I don't think I look it, although I must admit that, on occasion, I catch sight of this hagard, grey haired, jowly old bag when I glance at the mirror. Before I've had a chance to gather up my face !
Oh well. I had best look to Oliver to keep me young.


As you can see, he enjoyed the snow day he had off school. We rarely get snow that settles here, by the sea, so it was a novelty. Started to wear thin though, after a couple of weeks. Too cold, grey and miserable.
Just before Christmas I took part in a secret santa exchange. I wonderful package included some beautifully handspun yarn from Silmiriel [She uses the same name on Ravelry]. It was spun from some of Lime Green Jelly's wonderfully dyed Blue Faced Leicester roving.
I've knitted myself some lovely mitts, loosely based on the Susie's Reading Mitts pattern.


At the beginning of the year [not that long ago !] the Purlescence sale started. I indulged in some half price Art Yarns Beaded Rhapsody. Even with the discount it was expensive. An indulgence. For a fifty year old woman.

All good wishes most gratefully received !