Small solutions

Hello,

I do have a "bit of a thing" about sock knitting - I think it is because much of it involves 

mindless knitting in rounds, and so even when I don't feel like tackling anything complicated

 that requires brain power and yet I still have an urge to have busy hands, I can knit socks. 

And the bonus is you get a very wearable and useful product at the end! 

And, there are some fantastic sock yarns to buy.

The other great thing about socks is that they are a very portable project, fitting into 

a small make-up bag size container.

So last Tuesday found me on a 2-hour train journey north to Leeds for a meeting, and my current sock project came with me. 

I did a bit of work ((honestly!)) on the train, then decided to get my knitting out - 

and here it is on my lap.

I was merrily knitting in rounds of 4 needles as usual when I met one problem - the
wool was almost broken in a couple of places, but I couldn't figure out why.

I persevered, just rejoining a new end of yarn as required when suddenly
................ disaster struck!

 I dropped my fifth needle down the side of my chair and couldn't see it, yet alone
retrieve it. "Oh no" I very politely thought! 

So there was no more knitting for me on either my outbound or return journey. 

So, of course, a new set of 5 x double point needles was required as I knit socks on 4 needles 

using a 5th needle to knit with. 

I ordered a new set on the Tuesday evening and of course was full 

of excitement when on Friday a package arrived for me. Here is a sneaky preview!

A strong smell of peppermint emanated from the packet and when I opened it I realised

 why.... stuck to the order confirmation was a peppermint teabag along with my 

new 5 x dpn needles, my new 20cm circular needle... and yes, some gorgeous sock

 wool that I was unable to resist buying! 

The sock yarn is gorgeous, such a deep red, this photo does not do the colour justice. 

Now I have been knitting with circular needles much more frequently over the last few months, 

in fact I use circular needles more often than straight ones now as they are so much easier 

to transport,  and I decided that I would give sock knitting on a circular needle a try -

 the needle I ordered is only 20cm long!! That's pretty tiny!

And here it is!

But, alas, I think a moth may have been at my wool .... I found many places where the 

wool was almost broken through. 

In the end I unravelled a long length of wool until I could no longer see any thin 

strands, and started knitting anew. 

And as for my tiny needle - I love it - it makes so much sense to knit socks, 

comprising a circular tube, on a circular needle, and given that the needle is so small it 

makes the project even more portable and most importantly.... I can't lose that elusive 

5th needle!

So, alls well that ends well... and, losing that 5th needle turned out to be a blessing in 

disguise etc. etc., without the loss of that needle on the train I would not now be 

knitting socks on a circular needle. 

And the knitting is so much neater with no joins between the 4 needles. 

So "Yay!" and "Hurrah!"to solutions that come in small sizes,

a tiny 20cm circular needle!

Do you knit on circular needles or do you prefer straight ones?

Have a good week!

xXx

A lack of photos!

Hello,

Yes, the title says it all, I am suffering from a severe lack of photos this week.

 I do admire those bloggers who manage to capture so many of their moments

 throughout the week. My excuse is that this week has been particularly busy, this time

with work, a bit stressful too with trying to finish a report. As a result, little has been

done other than me sitting at this desk in the corner, surrounded by papers, two computer

 screens, a cup of tea and a few empty cups!

Daughter has been in the Peak District this weekend for her Duke of Edinburgh practice

silver expedition - the weather has been awful, especially today - which isn't so

bad if it's the last day of the hike, it's bearable knowing you will be home later today

with warm dry clothes, a warm, dry bed and a hot meal cooked for you.

UPDATE: daughter home, every item of clothing and bedding WET!

This is a photo I took of the rain pelting down here earlier today, and my poor soggy

washing hanging limp!

I'm still catching up on all the washing sons brought back from University.

A little bit of crafting has occurred this week, mainly last night.

Younger son was a bit put out that I'd cross stitched a little ornament for his

brother, posted here, but nothing for him....

..so this is what I have cross stitched for him which I will make into yet another hanging ornament.

 I have had this cowboy pattern for years, and I probably cross stitched it as a birthday card for

 one of the boys at some time. These little patterns are a great way of using up odd scraps of thread.

Today I got some of my Easter decorations out - it can't be a year since I last got them out, can it??

This is a little house which you may have seen on my blog before, based on a pattern

 by the talented Helen Phillips, here is a link to her blog.

And here is another one of my ornaments....

And these are two very cute tins that I bought from John Lewis a couple of years ago which I

always get out at Easter, but looking at them again I don't think they have to be just for Easter.

The illustrations are by Racey Helps - you can find out more about him here.

 I have several postcards of illustrations by Racey Helps and also a couple of books -

 I just love the detail and the pictures are just so cute!

Well, that's it for now - not much to report as you can see.

Wishing you all a great week!

xXx

Richard III and my 3 day weekend

Hello,

I was lucky enough to enjoy a three day weekend this weekend - and it has been a pretty busy one, a complete contrast to last weekend! And what a contrast of activities too!

On Friday a friend and I went to the NEC to the Hobbycrafts, Sewing and Knitting Show.

 I had never been to a show like this before and my goodness, there was a whole array of

 very tempting goodies to buy - and a fair number of people even had shopping trolleys with

 them to carry their purchases!

 I thought I was very restrained buying two DMC cross stitch kits

 and two other small craft kits. 

Oh, and a light complete with a magnifying glass and large clip to hold an embroidery hoop. I can't believe I haven't bought one of these before, considering the time I have spent sewing/knitting 

over the years, and sadly (and I hate to admit this!) my eyesight isn't as good as it used to be!

I'm hoping this new light will last me many years. 

On Saturday, daughter and I tried out an orienteering course, not very far from us. It was in a

 beautiful location, that I didn't know existed. 

Daughter has recently started orienteering in an endeavour to maintain her interest in cross country running; and she has a big race coming up so needs all the practice she can get. The course took us 1 hour 45 minutes. I can see the  growing attraction to orienteering - fresh air, exercise, discovering new places, and relying on your map reading skills to work out where you are - not easy in dense woodland. 

Saturday afternoon we picked up both boys from University - so the poor washing machine is on

 over drive at the moment - and plenty more washes to go too!

Daughter had football this morning...

and Richard III grabbed our attention this afternoon. 

 Elder son and I drove to a village to watch the procession of Richard III's remains from Market Bosworth to Leicester. I was surprised by how many had come to watch. 

We only had a fairly quick glimpse of the cortège as it passed, but it did feel like we were

 observing an incredible piece of history. 

 

 And I thought I would finally finish with a photo of the view from my office window, taken one

 day this week. It's not a particularly inspiring view but that glimpse of blue sky every so often, 

during a working day lifts my spirits no-end!

Hope you had a great weekend and I wish you a good week, whatever your plans!

xXx

Sipping spring ....

Hello,

I'm working hard at the moment. I'm sat at my keyboard, a little hunched. I search through the plastic folders that cover my desk, the chair next to me and the floor behind me. Ah! Found the paper I was looking for! I scan the paper, check the facts and figures that I have already extracted from the paper. Did I copy them correctly into the document that now faces me on the computer screen when I first followed this process several weeks ago? I might need to put the desk lamp on soon. How can that be when I notice the room next to me is bathed in a soft yellow glow of spring sunshine? I yearn to be outside, walking  - across a moor, along a narrow muddy track, through a wood of soft grey trunks highlighted by a patch of bright lichen or doused in the gentle sunlight of a clear March afternoon.  

Alas, this cannot be for now, so I take a short sip at nature's spring of hardy flowers growing in our garden.

 

Have you a favourite spring flower? What would you choose to do on a beautiful spring afternoon?

xXx

A busy week...

Hello,

Yes it has been a busy week and rather stressful too. I have pieces of work to finish, deadlines looming, and as I am employed permanently on temporary contracts, I far too frequently, it feels, find myself having to search for more funding for myself.

So on Friday I had an interview, at work, the worst kind of interview, and I have now funding for FOUR more months - whoopee! To me 4 months seems a loooooong time; it gives me time to complete two pieces of work so I am happy. I am someone who really does like to see a project through to completion.

But what has all this got to do with my blog? Well, I just haven't had time to write a post or to take photos - until today, that is, when I quickly took some at home before the light faded. 

These are photos not of anything special - yet another photo of that darned stripey blanket. This time it is a photo of it on my lap in the car - I crocheted 1.5 rows on the way to and from my daughter's football match today (and they won their match 4-1).

The other photos are of some little china rabbits I saw in our local shop on Friday - about 6 cm high, they are SO cute, I couldn't resist. 

 
And these two little cross stitch decorations I made last spring. It's funny how you can make something and love it and then quite quickly wished you'd finished it in a slightly differently way. They are both about 8cm square. The design for the house came from Helen Philipps' book Home Sweet Home available here. You might like to take a look at Helen's bright and cheery blog.

So after a rather lazy day today I am looking forward to a new working week, starting tomorrow with renewed vigour.

Hope you have a good week too.

xXx

Work games

Hello,

I consider myself fairly lucky in terms of employment, I have a job, almost full time, that on the whole I enjoy. At its best it is stimulating, challenging and varied. At its worst it is frustrating and boring. Besides the vexations brought on by that oft quoted subject 'admin', my other main trial is 'office politics'.

Success in my organisation is clearly achieved by 'playing the game' and the problem is, I am just not cut out to play that game. I don't make a big noise about the work I am doing, even though I am ticking all the right boxes, suggesting that I am doing a pretty good job. I don't have the right personality to 'toot my horn'. And I probably don't utilize the right vocabulary - although hold on a minute, I managed to squeeze in a good word then, did you notice? Yes, that's right, 'utilize' instead of good old 'use'. What is wrong with 'use'?

And what are the rules to this game? There are certainly no written rules, and no doubt the rules that prevail in one organization are unlikely to be the same rules that apply to another organisation, even if they are of the same ilk. And would the rules that apply to one person equally apply to all?

Do you find office politics a trial? How do you cope with office politics? Do you play to the rules?

To finish today I'm leaving you with some photos taken while on holiday in the summer of 2013. We stayed at High Lidmoor Farmhouse in the North Yorkshire Moors. High Lidmoor is a holiday let managed by the National Trust.

The cottage is a traditional stone built farmhouse located at the end of a long farm track.

The peace was palpable.

The views were stunning.

And the weather was fantastic.

Just look at that evening sky. Enjoy.......

(P.S. please click on the photos if you wish to see a larger image)