Year 2 Day 45: Baa-Baa, Black Sheep...

Yeah...I got your wool! Picked up 300g of value brand black wool (courtesy Hobby-rip-you-off-craft in Wolverhampton) to start on Matt's scarf for work. He's outside a lot in the elements and it would be a great relief to him if he didn't have to freeze completely, so I'm finally getting started.

A special shout-out/thank you to Christine who was able to guide me via text message on how much I would need.

I was there just before closing but managed to find what I needed pretty quickly. Then, remembering I needed a photo for today, I quickly whipped open the G1 to snap a pic right when a store associate came around to ask if I needed help with anything, as they were about to close. I assured her I was fine, but when she didn't move and continued to glare at me, I couldn't help feeling unnecessarily dodgy taking a photo of the knitting wall.

I'm sure as soon as she heard my American accent it all became clear that I just wasn't right anyway.

Year 2 Day 23: Knitty Gritty

Remember back on day 6 when I began my little project of knitting a decorative scarf? Well, BEHOLD! I give you the finished product (in just shy of a fortnight). To be fair, I didn't work religiously on it every single day, but I was definitely determined to finish it today. I would guess it might otherwise take me less than a week to do another if I worked on it non-stop. It seemed once I memorized the pattern, I was knitting full-steam and it was surprisingly therapeutic.

I have a smaller version in the same colour that I am knitting for my little niece and I'd also like to get cracking this weekend on one for Matt to wear for work this winter. He says he doesn't want the 'holes' in his, so the stitches will be pretty simple and straightforward.

I'm convinced that part of my motivation to finish today was fueled by the lousy way I felt in general -- caused by a throat tickle that started late yesterday. I planned to be nothing less than a hermit all day, and boy was I successful! I caught up on all my series-linked recordings of Dr. Phil, stayed in my PJs and drank lots of green tea with lemon in hopes the antioxidants would kill off any bacteria trying to make me poorly. My ears are now still a bit itchy, as are my eyes, but it does tend to be worse in the night.

I have to admit, it secretly makes me kind of glad that this coming week is half-term break for schools so I will have a fair amount of time to recoup from whichever thoughtful germ-carrier passed this to me.

::sprays anti-bacterial surface cleanser on keyboard after submitting blog::

Year 2 Day 6: Game On...Cast On

I decided to pick up knitting again -- or rather, attempt to pick up knitting again. I've actually tried several times since last winter, but I have yet to find something that holds my attention long enough. I found in that past that I got bored after a day or so and the project would just get put away. In fact, it really died down when I started getting steady supply work and marking was more of a priority on a night than knitting. So along with the help of Google and YouTube...I am winging it and purling my way into crafty, knitted-goods success...or so I hope.

See, as much as I would like to see this project through...shortly after I started, I lost my place between K2, yfwd, sl.1 and yfwd, psso, K2 tog. This also meant I lost count of how many stitches I had done which frustrated me to the point where I would pull it all off the needle and cast on all over again. All thirty-one stitches.

This happened at least 5-7 times and became so predictable that Matt would hear me groan from the next room and I'd hear him cackling in laughter in response. It reminded me of the scene in Wayne's World when they're playing hockey in the road and they have to stop every time there is a car...then you hear them say "Game On!" only with me, it was "Cast On!"

Now I am left to wonder...is this really the best hobby for someone with a short-term memory of a gnat at the moment? Only time will tell. But at least I managed to get four solid rows of my decorative fuchsia scarf (courtesy Aldi -- tres chic, I know) completed.

Day 82 of 365: Look What I Can Do!

It's not a scarf or poncho yet, but I'm getting a bit more comfortable making the stitches. Now I just need to work on keeping my tongue in my mouth while I do it. At the moment, I like to believe that it's helping me balance.


These are the different needles that came in the set. I was pulled in by the attractive selection of colours. I don't know all the abbreviations yet to follow any patterns -- it's all gibberish to me now. Lucky for me, I have a wide-open week to practice.

Watch me work!!

Day 81 of 365: Lesson 1 - Cats Like Yarn

Tonight was my first lesson in knitting. As I am fresh out of sheep, many now know I have been on the hunt for some yarn to purchase so I could start knitting. I picked up a set of needles today from Aldi and rather than mooch all over the place looking for wool, I was able to use some that my lovely MIL, Josie, had so I could practice.

Em was out when we got to her house tonight, so while Matt & Daz played Gundam, I began educating myself in all things knitting thanks to You Tube videos and Google. I am finally able to 'cast on' but from there it gets a bit messy and I still need some work.

Emma got home around half-eleven and she joined me on the floor to begin her own piece. During this time, Sweep decided it was a good opportunity to play in the bag of yarn. He looked like such a goof that I couldn't resist a picture.