Catching up
Since Isobel turned six months old, I’ve been focusing on doing lots of things that are long overdue, like decluttering (mostly thanks to Freecycle and eBay), keeping on top of housework, becoming more efficient and organised (well, trying to), examining my health (I’m fine), fitting exercise into my life, finishing off craft projects and starting new ones. I think I’ve been pretty productive for me. I’m quite happy when I manage to complete lots of jobs, but also fit in time for fun as well.
A couple of weekends ago we went to Tasmania for my grandma’s 80th birthday party. Regrettably, we didn’t take many photos. Probably because we were busy helping with the cooking and other preparation. Not to mention the clean up. There were a few other cameras in circulation, though, including the one we gave Grandma, so hopefully there’s a good selection to share. I hope someone took a photo of the cake Grandma made and decorated herself. She is a brilliant cake decorator; she’s very good with her hands. Crocheting, sewing and quilting are just some of the crafts she’s mastered. It’s a pity I didn’t fully appreciate her talents when I was younger, and that I didn’t get her to teach me more. It’s even more of a pity that now I am interested, we live in different states. Oh, well.
I really could use Grandma’s crochet expertise to finish this blanket I started knitting for Isobel before she was born:
It’s supposed to have a crocheted “Picot” edge. I’ve never crocheted anything. I’ve tried to teach myself a couple of times, but gave up quickly. I’m hoping that the “Learn to Crochet” series over at Crafty Daisies will help me somewhat. Crochet’s scary. Wish me luck!
The other project I’m trying to complete is a scarf for Chris. I knitted him a hat a few weeks ago. I used this wool cotton in “Misty”. It was lovely to work with, but my tension was all wrong. I made up a gauge swatch and foolishly thought I could just knit more tightly instead of using smaller needles, but apparently my tension is very loose, because not only did that not work (the hat was very big), but even after using smaller needles, it was still on the large side. Chris says it’s fine, although I haven’t seen him wear it…I might try doing it yet again with even smaller needles. Anyway, the patterns for the hat and the scarf come from this book. I’m using dark brown Debbie Bliss cashmerino superchunky, which is so lovely and soft. I’ve never felt anything like it. It was definitely worth going to the other side of town for. I almost feel unworthy of it. 
Here’s the work in progress:
I really hope I can get it finished this weekend. It’s not that it’s all that challenging (just moss stitch, which I’ve never done before, but it’s easy), just that I’m a slow knitter and there’s lots of other things I need and want to do. Maybe if we watch a movie tonight I can knock it off.
Hopefully this knitting frenzy can be followed by a spate of sewing. So many plans, so little time!
