NaBloPoMo (and we're back)

---Day 7---

I manage these pretty easily actually. mostly because I don't  have children (lol) my work life is mainly at the weekends (unless I somehow get overtime.) I see my Man most days in the week (except Tuesdays) and my crafting with knitting and the blog and GB keeps me going most of the rest of the time.

I'm also saving as much money as possible. Craig and I have plans. not Massive plans.... just plans. trouble is I need quite a bit of money to do all I want to do for us.

---For the rest of the week---
I will be getting chrismas presents ready. I have 2 birthdays before then but they're sorted.I will be stitching; knitting and shopping for the next 47 days (that's how long it is...craptacular right)

I have 14 to get for this year (and my Craig. which might as well make it 20)That's quite a few. I'm not knitting for all of them (thank God) but there are gonna be some which get a little knitted item in their bags from me. (if it's not knitted then it'll be fabric and stitched on my sewing machine.

I will be doing a big one on the sewing machine today (well brecking the back of it anyway) while I'll be knitting a pair of socks for Linsday for the rest of today. (that's the Faroe socks... they're still confusing me a little; but I'm nearly done)

I have to make 2 (possibly 3) hats and finish 2 pairs of socks (they're both started; just not finished.)

Then I have a project I'd like to do for myself.

That's Flossie bear from a pattern I got a while ago. the pattern says it's supposed to be just stuffed as a bear; but I'm going to add a flap and a couple of buttons so I can make it a hot water bottle cover. My own hot water bottle cover has been on it since I was 7. it's Pink and matted fur. inside is a large red hot water bottle, ready for covering.


I've already got the yarn to do this in (I'm going with a gothy bear. Purples and blacks for the pattern and  the original brown-y colour for the face and background) and I managed to find a place that does little tiny bobins of Yarn for 72p, which is ideal if you're doing fair-isle-y pattern like this.

I have a feeling I'm going to love knitting this bear. the pattern wants the bear to be knit in 2 separete pieces and then stitched up each side. Instead I'm goin to double the number of cast on stitches and make it so I only have to seam 1 side and each end. That's great because then it'd be really easy to attach a small layer of stuffing so the heat from the hot water bottle is even and will last longer.

But all that won't happen until the Christmas crafting is done.I've just looked to the side and realized that half of the projects listed don't actually exist anymore and ravelry is a much better source for my knitting timelines.

Oh God- I've just remembered. I have a shawl to finish aswell; for a wedding. Crap, this is going to be tight.

Off to sew and eat Lunch

Toodles
Aki X

And I'm back!

---Hello everybody---
Did y'all have a nice summer? I know I did. For me it doen't change much, from Summer into Autumn, I still work 10 hours a week with some overtime, I still get to see Craig near enough every day and I still knit alot.

There's something though; that's changing. Something that's scaring me just a teeny bit. it's GB. Not only am I doing officer training this year (I know... feck) I'm also taking not 1 but two new classes this year. A knitting class (oooooh; that's scaring me) and a cooking class with Sandra (that'll just be fun).

Along with my 4-5 yr olds and my scripture class with the juniors that's 4 classes I'm taking part in teaching this year. Along with craft sessons, physcial sessions and 4 (holy crap) openings to do. I have a mountain to climb. I'm also starting to re-go to Church every Sunday with Craig. I had stopped because of work starting at 12:30 and I was afraid that I wouldn't make it intime. Last week was a trail run and we got outta there by 11:45, back to mine and I was changed and out the door by 12:25. That's a good sign.

---Now; onto more knitterly things---

I planed on making wristlets with the Brigaders for my Knitting class; but somehow they came up with wanting to knit a bear for Angelbear (trauma charity for children) so now we're mostly doing that. (I still think it'd be too hard; but anyway)

At first I tried the original bear. (which is knit in pieces then sewn together) and it didn't turn out well. Then someone brought in a completed all in one bear and it looked better. I casted it on and completed it within one day speratic knitting. and about 4 trys at the Face gave me this one.

So we're knitting them.

 

There's also the option to knit the Bunny like the one I did for Lynn and Ian's baby. it's just so cute and I love it. when they're done they'll get donated somewhere. Probably to the Pregnancy resource centre in Carrick.

All in all there will be cuddly things happening on everyone's needles from Tuesday the 11th of October and I'll try to blog about them when I can.

 

---New knits over the Summer ---

A few will know this but I have a wedding to go to in December. I'm knitting a Shawl  to go with my dress from the Rowan kidsilk that I got on Holiday. I'm about to start the edge and the 270 stitches on my needles will increase to 425 before starting to go down. In short: i'm scared of it.

I'm also scared of blocking it.... blocking is where you soak the fabric (some say to use cold; others warm) and then; using pins, pin it out to dry, insuring all pints and such are clear and... well pointy. this means that I need to either pin it to my bed (not a good idea) or buy the plastic matting that looks like jigsaw pieces that people normally use for kid's playrooms ect and pin it to it. Theres a set of 4 in tescos that I seen for £10. I'll always use it.... it's just starage is what's worrying me.

I also seem to have an endless amount of people to knit for this christmasI have 2 hats already accomplished and  3 pairs of socks on the go.between now I have to cast on 2 more hats and countless other wee things.I have also re-discovered my love for Cross stictching and I plan on doing someting with it too.

---That's pretty much it :) ---

I'll post again in a couple of days :)

Thanks for coming back to join me on another year of Knittery things form me.

Much much Luv Aki XXX

PS: welcome to my honerable daughter; Charlotte who subscribed to the blog during the summer

Here we see the knitting Feind in it's natual habitat before xmas.......

----Oh my Good Lord it's been a long time----
Hellos everybody. I'm very sorry if you missed me, a lot has happened it the past......MONTH!!! Oh my word I didn't think it would be that long sorry.
Well at the rate I'm going at it might turn into 2 if I don't get moving like now; so without any further ado; grab yourself a hot beverage, shut the curtains without looking outside (trust me; it's not pretty) and here we go :)

----Job Job Job----

I got one. I'm now working down in Tescos as a part time worker (with shed loads of overtime lol), which is why the blog (and the knitting) have been moving at a snail's pace over the last few days. I do however have enough money to buy myself a nice little thing for myself at Christmas which might make things easier.

----Preparations for xmas----

Some things have been coming along nicely...... other things I have swore to hell and back for the best part of a month lol. here's a quick (but long) compendium of all I have to complete and how I think it's going :D

Craig's Cricket Jumper

The Back is almost done, I estimate only about 10 more rows to go, then I have to do the same again for the front. there is a little glimmer of hope though, I've started the Armhole shaping, which means I'm nearly 50% done

Chance of getting done before Christmas: 90% positive

Monkey A socks (===>)

Have been coming along swimmingly. I'm just about to do the heel flap for the first sock, then there's the foot and toe. These are pictured on my mum's leg. simply because my legs are Large.... these socks are a Medium. I'd stretch the stitches beyond repair.

Chance of finishing in time: 70% positive

Interlocking Leaves socks

(not started so no picture)

Yeah, the pattern's printed and sitting beside the Yarn but with hardly any available time this seems more and ore unlikely.

Chance of finishing in time: 30% positive

Chloe Socks

See above

Chance: 10%

Outside In Socks

See above

Chance (slim to none)

GHN project

Will not picture lol; because she reads this blog, and I shall not let it out yet. It is showing signs of being finished. I'm about 20% done and I can already tell this thing's going to be a long ass thing lol

Chance: 60%

GBP project (====>)

Too cute for words. I have worked out a way that it doesn't look like a brown Jack Skelington (like in this photo) I am aiming to make another 3 before Christmas (total of 4) and since this little guy only needed 1 day to be knit up (started at Lunchtime and finished adding the features just after 10pm

Chance: 80%

Cross stitch Cards (1 = 10%)

Gloves for Craig (Finished)

Hallelujah!!!! they are finished :D even the logo on the front that He wanted; pictures to come when I get him to try them on XD

I also have a secret Santa gift to add to this List, for My bible Group. The budget is anything below £2..... which is hard. then I remembered the Cinnamon coloured Yarn I got for £1.50 at the bottom of my stash (yeah, it had to be at the VERY bottom) and pulled it out. Plans are set for a hat. but because I have  alot more important things to finish, it's on a back burner for now. I don't think I need it done til mid December; so I should be fine :D.

--- As if I didn't Have enough to do.... ---
What with the job and the knitting this year Christmas promises to be.... hectic. It's very unlikely that I'll be able to blog again before this event so I'm going to Showcase it now!

This Year I will be once again gracing Inver Garden Centre (near Larne <===Map) for their Annual Christmas Fair. It's being Held on the 4th/5th of December (that weekend) I will have a table with my lovely assistant/ other half; we'll be selling my handmade Jewellery, A few knitted items (Harlot scarfs mostly.... more on that Later)

Most Importantly I will be giving a brilliant 10% off to readers of my blog! all u need to tell me on the day is...... The Name of at Least 1 of my Amigurumi. If u name 2 you DONT get 20% off and so on, but if you name ANY of them (there's 4 in total) then you get a Yummy 10% your order.

----Stock---- (what I'll be selling)

-Masses of my Handmade jewellery

-Some Knitted items (Harlot Scarfs ===> yeah I know it's not finished Bear with me)
-Some Cute Christmas stockings.... (more on that....Now)

----Handmade Christmas stockings----

It's such a common thing to See at this time of Year, the Humble Christmas stocking, most of the store bought ones are made in mass, so it's Likely that you have the exact same stocking as someone in the same town as you..... I don't like that. I don't like going into Someone else's house and seeing things that I have the same in mine. What I do like however is someone coming to my house, seeing Lady's NEW Christmas Stocking and going 'Oh how cute! A Chrismas stocking for a Dog, Where'd you get it?' to which I'd reply 'I made it'. I love to see their Faces light up when that happens, even at this Simple design (<==)
I also Believe that everyone (even Lady) should have something unique. Something that no-one else has. These Stockings are a great way to accieve that. Because I made this for Lady myself I hold in my mind that No other stocking bought in some chain on the highstreet is even Like it.
I plan on Making about 5 to 10 more intricate designs to Sell at the Christmas Fair. I will also be making them with my Brigader Stiching Class in GB, I'll try and make their's A little bigger than Lady's, at least big enough to fit a Kingsize Galaxy Bar into, that way..... they can fit something of value into it without it looking like a poor, empty stocking because nothing will fit into it lol.
I also plan to make a quite Large one for a very special Friend this year. Which I will fill with Stuff, Wrap it and give it to her hopefully before Christmas day.

----Back to the Hamster Wheel----
Sorry if that was a little shorter than you first thought but I have Knitting to do, and A job to get back to and most importantly A better half to enterain and Love. What with the business of my Life now I can see myself posting just before the Inver Sale to let everyone know what I have instock and a greater idea of where to find the centre. I'd be chuffed to bits to see any of my blog readers there :D
So until next time.... don't get too cold, wrap up warm... - toodles

Wow, I get around a lot

---Hellos---

Hellos to everyone :). sorry I havn't been updating during the past couple of weeks, its mostly because I have been busy going around practically everywhere in Northern Ireland for little Day trips with my better half. During this time I've been to Port Stewart, Ulster Transport Mueseum, Newcastle, Portrush and a couple of times to Belfast. During these times, while Craig was driving to these various destinations I was map holder and constantly 'Weird knitting girl in the front seat'.

Our trip to Portrush is the one were we took the most pictures.... mostly because of the insane amount of tickets we won at Barrys lol(pictured) turns out there was 575 tickets there...nice.

---You knit for how long?---

• Port Stewart - worked on Garns bolero - 1.5 hours there (I didn't knit on the way home, I was soaked.)
• Ulster Transport Mueseum -Worked on Secret project T (see to do list, later on in this post) 0.5 hours there, didn't knit on the way home, I had a chinese on my lap instead.
• Newcastle - Worked on craig's cricket vest (again, more on that later) - 2 hurs there, 2 hours back
• Port rush - worked on Secret project T - 1.5 hours there, 1 hour back (cus I had food too)

So all in all I have knit while traveling for a total of 8 and a half hours. AND still.... nothings's completed !!!!

---Nothing done ---
Craig's cricket vest is no-where near finished, I don't think I'm even at 20% yet... Secret Project T is about 80% done but the herdest part is still to come.... The Garns bolero...... every round I do on the garns boleo seems to get sucked into a black hole and I seem to be getting no closer to the sleeve than I was 4 weeks ago. Bugger.

The bag that I am to be doing with Jenni is lying unfinshed in my room; mostly because Jenni's buggered back away off to America. I am urging myself to finish it. It still needs 11 more little sqaures and the long strap around the bottom still needs a good 1 side. I've even taken to doing 1 square before I go to bed on some nights, but I always reach for Craig's vest instead; its just so much more.... interesting. On that note: I am onto the cables and they're super cool.

---Secret Project T ---
It is a certain follower's birthday this weekend; she'll be the grand old age of 20 (like me...and my other half), so because she's an avid reader I can't display what I've made for her until after she gets it, which'll be tomorrow night... so you won't be able to see it until my next blogness day.(which given my current roughness for dates could be awhile lol.
I will only give the clue that it is brown and pink. nuf said.

--- As if I didn't have enuf to do ---
I am a great magazine purchaser; I usually buy a knitting Magazine whenever I can; usually I like most of the patterns in them, I buy them for the socks sometimes too. The one I buy most often is a monthly called 'The Knitter' I got this month's edition, mostly because of the socks.... and the gorgeous pattern for like a houndsmooth jacket; which I would want to extend and lengthen; ah well.
My significant other (pictured at Portrush beach looking absolutely fantabulous) was looking over my shoulder while reading one of the patterns towards the back, and just says 'those'd be good for watching the rugby' pointing at a pair of fingerless Mittens (called Spencer for anyone who's got this month's issue)and I said....well here's the convo

E: I'll make them for ya; what colour?

C: Red and White, and I'll pay you

E: you dont have to pay me

C: yes I do; they're not gonna be for like chistmas or anything

E: so?, I can still do that

C: I'm paying you

E: No ur not

C: yes I am
(various Yes/nos here)
.....Finally
C: at least let me buy you somthing; like a coffee
E:.... coffee would be nice
C: Settled: Coffee and a muffin for u and tea and cake for me! (happy look on his face cus he knows my weakness to coffee)
E:................. damn

So I have now got something to be getting on with besides the.... oh I dunno about 10 other UFOs (unfinished objects) for various people. which brings me onto the to-Do list. This ALL is to be done before Christmas, which may seem like awhile away but I have 1 (possibly 2) sweater size projects to do and numerous other little things for christmas presents...... I may curl up in a ball and cry at any time during this list

--- To-Do list --- (In Order of importance)

• Complete Secret project T   (that's almost done.... yeah; I know; cutting it kinda fine)
• Spencer Mittens   (For my significant other, already started)
• Craig's Cricket Vest  (yep, about 20% done... will hopefully be done before he gets to see me working on half of it lol)
• Nadine's Chistmas present   (Yet another thing I can't show here; because Nadine reads this blog reguarly; she just knows its Guitar hero related :D )
• Chloe Socks (pictured)      (For a special friend)
• Chloe socks     (For another special friend)
• Chloe Socks    (For self....they look so damn good)
• Operation G & F   (for everyone who isnt getting socks or a special item)
• Organizational Item    (for a crocheter I know and love)
• Baby Jacket & Hat   (For Ashleigh's little baby boy)

Some great people may have noticed that my both my Bag and my Bolero aren't here..... that would be because It's gonna have to take a back seat while I worry about the Christmas things. this means I probably wont get the bolero done until nearly Valentine's Day, unless something magical happens and I get all my knitting done on time.

--- Happy birthday to you ---

Happy Bithday to Tashi-chan.
Don't worry about turning 20... you're only halfway to 40.... you're not there yet :)

lols, only kidding Chickie; luv ya really.
Lurve the cute photo? Inspired by ur little notes on your blog lol

-- Cherrio --
Until next time everybody :) bye byes