My dogs get a visitor

I let my dogs out to play this morning and found a local dog had come to call. My dogs are Jessica and 8 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Sheba a 3 year old German Shepherd. The visitor is an older (and bigger) German Shepherd male. He belongs to a retired gentleman who lives nearby.

All three dogs get along with each other really well and they also love playing with my kids.
I feel that German Shepherd have had some bad press in the past and it's time people realised that they are gentle caring dogs and are NOT dangerous if they have been looked after properly.

Wet Half Term Holiday

Usually, I dread school holidays, especially wet ones. The kids get bored and need constant entertaining. This means I end up with no time for knitting.
This week has turned out a little different. My 15 year old daughter decided she wanted to decorate her room. She roped in 2 of her mates to help her. So the last 3 days have been punctuated by giggling, squealing, sawing? drilling? and hammering!
I decided it would be safer and better for my sanity to keep well out of the way. Finally, the girls announce it was done. The following pics are the results.

The hand prints are of all the kids who helped, with their names underneath

On-line shopping

Create and knit is an on-line yarn shop, based is the Midlands, UK. I have bought several balls of yarn from there already and the service is excellent.

They have a lovely range of sock yarns and Fyberspates yarns

If there is something specific I want, I only have to email them and they will make every effort to fulfil the request.

Definitely worth a visit.

Socks Finished

At last, I've finished the second sock. It's a shame it is now too warm to wear them.

I decided I had to get them finished as I had the urge to start a new project. I already have several projects on the go, so I told myself I must finish one before starting a new one. The socks were the quickest project to finish.

Now I can start a new project without feeling as guilty.

Skateboard Ramp

What can you do with a load of wood, screws, power tools and a nice sunny day?
This weekend my darling husband decided he was going to build a half pipe for our skateboarding sons. The following photos show various stages of construction.

The ramp was inspected by our 8 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel as it neared completion. Finally tested out by the boys, who approve wholeheartedly.

Knitting Continental

After over 30 years of knitting English Style, I thought I'd have a go at Continental Style. I've read many magazines, blogs and forums which all sing the praises of using the continental style so I decided it was time I tried it out.

I found a really useful video on YouTube, which demonstrated the technique.

I cast on 30 stitches and started off in stocking stitch followed by a simple lace pattern over 4 rows, ending with some 2 x 2 ribbing. This gave me the chance to try several techniques at once.

The finished piece was folded and sewn up to make a case for a mobile phone, which has been commandeered by my teenage son.

I felt uncoordinated at first, but it became easier and all I need now is practice.

Second Sock Syndrome

I started my socks with every intention of completing the pair. Despite that fact that I have a tendency to get bored half way through the second sock every time I knit socks.

I thought it would be different this time. I had some fabulous alpaca hummingbird and an interesting pattern.

I finished the first sock quickly, tried it on, it fits beautifully and feels wonderfully soft, but then there's the second sock.

I dutifully cast on and started on the leg, then got distracted by my shawl. Finally worked as far as the heel, but got distracted again. Have now turned the heel, only the foot to do, but seem to lack the willpower to ignore the distractions and temptations of other projects.

The poor second sock will have to sit quietly and wait. I remember it occasionally and work a few rows, but I think it may be quite a while till I finally finish it.

I would have thought I'd know better when it comes to socks but I always think it will be different this time.

How big can a portable project get?

How big can a project become before it can no longer be classed as "portable"?

I always like to have a project to hand for when I'm traveling or sitting in waiting rooms, so generally classify my wips as portable or non-portable.

My current favourite portable project is a shawl - Handsome Triangle from Victorian Lace today. I am working it in an unbranded cashmere, which is approximately fingering weight. I am using circular bamboo needles.

I enjoy working on this pattern as it has a logical design which didn't take long to memorise, so I don't need to carry the book around with me.

My problem is that as work progresses the shawl gets larger. I can currently fold it into quite a small zipped bag but I don't think it will fit in there much longer. I am dreading the day when it finally becomes too large to be classed as portable and I have to leave it at home.

Crochet Purse

Well, my daughter took the Dog purse as a present for a 2 year old's birthday today. I was a bit worried the little girl would find it boring, as it is rather dull colours for ayoung child. But, she loved it and wouldn't put it down all day.

It's a good job I made it out of machine washable acrylic. Kids toys must be washable after all.

Looks like I may end up with plenty of orders for more.