Month: July 2021
I finished a project, tick !
I started this baby blanket the first week of July and finished it on 21st. There’s been a lot going on this month and I was determined to get this done before the recipient was born. My neighbour’s daughter is due her first baby by mid August and I am due to go into hospital for a big operation tomorrow. Thus the speed. Many know of my inability to stick to just one project, but this time I did (apart from just two rows hooking on my other ‘latest’ project, which was so hard to neglect). I had in effect three extra days but didn’t need them in the end.
So, a busy month in many ways. First there was the aftermath of a trip to France in June to empty our holiday home. There are still a few things malingering over the sale and it’s not been quite as smooth as we hoped. Then I was forced to change my hospital Consultant, found a new one and was given a new date (luckily only three days later than original date). I have found myself ‘nesting’, that’s the only way I can explain the tidying up/sorting out/manic cleaning and gardening. At least I have successfully ticked off the list one project this month. If I don’t get everything else sorted then so be it.
Now to fish out a simple new project to take in for my ‘spa’ break – I have decided to refer to this weekend as a spa break rather than a hospital stay. The building itself is fancy and is set in beautiful grounds, there are beds are won’t be making, food I won’t be cooking, there will be people to look after me – so apart from a few extra things and no pool it might be imaginable and slightly less preferable than what it actually is!
I look forward to catching up here soon, keeping an eye on what others are up to.
Crocheting slowly, knitting a lot and winging it in general
A few weeks ago my new crochet project was growing fast. Now speed has slowed and it’s not the first thing I pick up when I fancy a bit of crafting. The issue is – it’s bigger than it should be – so what started as a cardi may not finish as a cardi. I love the combination of colours, I love that I am mainly using my stash of cotton dk, however, I think if I keep to the pattern it will swamp me and I will never want to wear it. I am beyond ripping back and anyway, as each row is hooked with a different colour there would too much yarn wastage (each row would be shorter so I’d have excess left at each end and it would be a waste). So, I continue slowly, wondering back and forth whether it shall be changed into a poncho or another style top or even a blanket. There are two narrower and shorter similar pieces, initially the two fronts of the original cardi but with less rows for now – they can be ripped if need be or added to! Watch this space!
Just to throw a spanner in the works, last weekend I decided I needed to make a baby blanket for a neighbour’s daughter due her first baby next month. I had a pattern I’d never tried and some yarn I purchased last year. I couldn’t resist and I thought if I do a quick knit I can return to my crochet with new vigour. Oh it’s so lovely to see the pattern growing on lilac squares interspersed with stocking stitch mint squares. I hope the baby’s a girl! I made an off white baby blanket in a different style last year when I didn’t have a gift recipient so I have that on standby either if I don’t finish/the baby comes early/the baby is a boy. I just had to start this new one too – my knitting mojo called me. (Husband shakes head in despair here, looking around at many half done projects!) Progress will be on here as soon as it’s worthy of showing off.
After the chaos of the last couple of months, clearing and sorting house contents, travelling to another country with restrictions on how to go, what tests to take, how much isolation was required, it has been so nice to sit and clear my mind, to just relax and craft.
Towards the end of this month there is another huge step to deal with. I am due to go into hospital for a big operation. It was postponed from April last year (2020), so it’s well overdue. Last year I prepped the fridge freezer for handy meals my family can present to us all. Last year I had craft projects lined up that I proposed were doable from a sick bed. This year so far I am winging it! I can’t quite get my head as organised. Still, a couple of weeks to go so who knows, I may surprise myself yet.
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