NOT MUCH ABOUT ANYTHING.......

Here we are again and how busy have I been this week!!!!!!! Not had time to let my feet touch the ground. I don't need to go into the gory details, but this week has been mega mega mega busy. The week to come looks pretty chock-a-block too! So, on a positive note, all that means, is that I have to be particularly well organised (not one of my strengths!) and use my time very economically (not good at that either!) and delegate more frequently (definitely no good at that!)............. or retire :D

What I'm really trying to say, is that knitting has not really progressed very much this week, again. I have got on with my October Afternoon cardi and have now completed the back, both fronts and about one third of the first sleeve. I don't have any pics to show you because I am really hoping to be able to show you the finished garment pretty soon. Wishful thinking, I know! I will just show you a reminder though .... lovely Colinette yarn!



I don't even have a sock to show you; not one! Can you believe that... despite the fact that I now have three pairs on the go and my sock stash mountain, or rather volcano, is threatening to erupt and completely bury my home unless I keep up the steady, relentless progress of sock production at a rate 'X' number of pairs each month. Or, of course, I could just stop buying beautiful, squishy, snuggly, hand-dyed, gorgeously coloured, natural, sheep stuff! That just isn't an option I'm afraid. Although, I guess Mr Snoopydog might try to insisit, if he ever did decide to become an intrepid explorer and set out to discover uncharted territory in the depths of our now vacated, adult children's bedrooms. He would discover a few new species, but I don't think he's ready for all that yet. We'll just keep quiet and keep knitting. Oh alright then, I will just show you my 'November Broadstairs ..... Long Ago' sock, as far as it's got.







I'm liking the colour dispersal and the yarn is fabulously soft, but I'm not sure about the pattern. The little bobbly bits are supposed to stand out in one colour but they're not! Oh naughty yarn! Or is it 'naughty pattern'? I don't know and I don't have time this month to spend ages searching again. I did have a quick (turned into 40 mins) search on Ravelry this morning for a better pattern for the yarn. Mr Snoopydog had got up early and gone to his allotment to plant garlic and bring home veg supplies for the week. I had got up (late!), showered (long), looked at last evening's panic driven 'November sock' starting in the clear light of day, made a cup of tea, poured a glass of Innocent Smoothie (banana, coconut and pineapple - the best!), logged on, checked out patterns that used a cast on of 64 stitches (so, I didn't have to frog the whole of my labours) and ................................... drawn a blank! There WAS no other pattern crying out to bond with my yarn. So, it's just gonna have to be OK! Sticky up bits sticking out or not, the yarn IS very pretty and lovely to work with.

As if I don't have enough on the go at the moment, I just have to show you the yarn that I just had to bring home last weekend, along with a pattern book to keep it company.



I absolutely adore this yarn. It is soooo soft. Last year at around this time I made three Rowan 'Haven' scarves; one for me and one each for the two Miss Snoopydogs. It is just the most perfect 'I need to feel warm and snuggled' yarn and great to work with too. I haven't quite decided yet which of two patterns I'm going to make. I'll let you know next time. As a little clue, the picture on the front cover of the pattern booklet is one possibility and the other is a very simple, round, low necked jumper. You'll just have to wait to find out!

Well that's about it. 'Pretty poor' I hear you say. 'Yes, I quite agree!'

Oh, just before I go, take a look at one last photo! This morning, Mr Snoopydog and I made our pretty regular Sunday morning stroll down into the city for an al fresco coffee. In our part of the UK it was a really lovely November morning. Mr Snoopydog commented that 'we'll be having a short winter if this weather keeps up'. He's right! Both the willow and the magnolia tree in our garden are still full of leaves. Unheard of! We are both full of 'bah humbug' at the moment. I remain so until December 1st and Mr Snoopydog until..... ummmm... Anyway, as we walked up to our regular coffee shop, right in the heart of our beautiful city and right beside the magnificent city centre church........ low and behold, in all it's glory, this enormous Christmas tree had been erected.




It still has its netting around it's top half and the metal barriers are in place to stop anyone getting too close; it has no baubles and it has no twinkling lights. But, against the backdrop of a clear blue November sky and next to the magnificent church of St Peter Mancroft and beside the City Hall where this year's Act of Remembrance was taking place and amongst so many war veterans with shining campaign medals on display............. do you know, it made me feel gleeful. It made me smile and look forward and feel proud and thankful and excited and glad to be here at this moment in time.

Have a good week everyone! :D

HAPPY PUMPKIN DAY!

Hello again! It's hard to believe that the half-term holiday is almost at an end and it's back to school on Monday. We've had some fun time this week with all of our children home to visit at the same time; quite unusual, now that they are all pursuing their careers in different parts of the country and in the case of Miss Snoopydog 2, the World! It's always good to share some quality time together and catch up on ourselves.

We've been out and about lots. Nowhere very sensational, but when you are all together everywhere feels special! First of all I thought I'd share my 'pumpkin walk' photos with you. They were taken yesterday. We had all gone to our local water park to give Scott a walk and ball chase. Evening was beginning to close in as we arrived and Scott was desperate to get chasing that tennis ball!! It's a very pretty water park; a fantastic local amenity and a favourite spot for dog walkers, dinghy sailors and water birds. Yesterday, it was also the chosen spot for these spooky pumpkins. Don't know how they got there, but we enjoyed them and they added a certain unexpected something to our late afternoon October stroll.



I had to go and visit them again on our way back to the car, just to see them glowing in the eerie blue darkness that was swiftly descending upon them.

Scott loves the water park......... tennis ball to chase, dogs to meet and water to swim in. That eerie early evening light cast it's magic over these views.





Seemed a bit like a blue world! Nevertheless, it was Scotty heaven! Needless to say, he spent the evening fast asleep.............. aahhh!



Earlier in the week we drove into Suffolk, to visit our favourite local coastal 'spot', Aldeburgh. It's a very pretty and unspoilt coastal town. Here's a little taster of our day .....

It's been a lovey half-term, spent with our family; good food, long walks and talks and Scott! :D

I promised you I would show my special little something that arrived from across the sea. It was a 'Pink Ribbon' mini-skein from one of my blogging pals melissa over at the Knitting Sandwich. She is doing a 60 mile walk over 3 days, to raise funds for a cancer fighting charity in the US. I supported her fund raising effort and received this pretty little mini-skein ...... soo exciting to find a little squishy envelope from over the sea! Such a lovely thought Melissa.... hope the walk goes well and you raise lots.


Melissa, here it is already knitted up (well, one square!). Thought you might like to see it. So special to think about the origin of that little square and how it came to be in my blankie.







Thanks Melissa. That little square has a special place in my blankie.

Needless to say, with a houseful for the last week, not too much knitting has been done. I have finished the back and left front of my 'October Afternoon' cardigan, that has sat in the bag for far too long. I won't show you yet, but hopefully it will be finished soon and I'll be able to show you in all its finished glory.

I have already chosen my November Sock Challenge pattern to go with my pre-selected November yarn. The pattern is 'Wildflower Socks' and the yarn is by 'Claudia Hand-painted Yarns'. It was a gift from my best pal josiekitten.



I just love the colours and the feel of this gorgeous yarn. Lets hope I find time to finish them before November is out, as I have rather a lot on the go at the moment. The photo is of a very special place in my memory. Over a pint of ale, we reminisced this week and talked about 'good times' had there when our three children were small. Do you know where the photo was taken? I'll tell you more next time.

Time to go, as the bread has finished cooking and the drying has finished drying and it's nearly time for bed!

Hope you all have a fun filled week ahead. See you soon X

HALF-TERM HAPPINESS....

Hello there! It feels rather decadent, sitting here blogging on a Monday afternoon. I missed what seems to have become my regular Sunday blog, as we were busy winning (by some miracle) the monthly'fun' quiz at our local! Think we won because there were no TV or pop music rounds this time! We always have a very pleasant evening with a couple of pints of beer, and a 'catch-up' with four of our friends, who make up the rest of our team.




It's half-term. HOORAY! Time to catch up on all sorts of odds and ends and to enjoy some relaxing fun time with our family. Scott is coming to stay with his 'olds'! Both our daughters are home too. A full house!

So, whilst I have a little bit of quiet time before that whirlwind of labrador arrives, I thought I'd come and share it with you!

I've just packaged up my little Innocent Smoothie hats ready to wing their way to London. The promotion begins next week; for every behatted smoothie bottle sold, Sainsbury's will donate 35p to 'Help the Aged'. They were such fun to knit. I wish I had found time to make more. Maybe next year!

Miss Snoopydog 1 and I wandered down to our local John Lewis store on Saturday afternoon to check out the yarn. She loves to sew and makes some beautiful bags, but has never really spent time on knitting. She chose some Rowan 'Big Wool' and size 15 mm needles and is busy making a stripey cowl to keep her warm when she's on playground duty. 'Just let me do one more row before we go,' she said..... before we set off for the pub. Hmmm.... I think she's just been converted and may even be already showing the first symptoms of addiction.

These Fetchings were made for her over the weekend, to keep her hands warm whilst she's on playground duty. It's such a great pattern; easy, fast but interesting, and they look great. They really are a much more greeny blue than my camera has captured!



I chose a gorgeous bright pink to knit myself another pair too.



I have just received a very exciting little parcel today (Tuesday), all the way across the sea from America. I Thank you so much Melissa! I will reveal all later in the week, as we are shortly going out for a well deserved curry and I have jobs to do beforehand. Enjoy the rest of your week.

P.S. Yes I know, the date at the top of this post says Monday, but Scott arrived part way through my posting and from then on my Monday evening involved lots of doggy fussing and playing, a trip to the pub and nattering until late!!!!! It's now Tuesday, early evening!

SOCKS, SOCKS, SOCKS.......

I seem to have my sock mojo working very effectively at present, so I'm pressing on with SOCKS whilst it lasts. This afternoon, I've just finished my October sock challenge pair. Although the yarn was gorgeous Jitterbug and I adored the 'Show-off Stranded Socks' pattern, I didn't like the way the yarn pooled on the feet. I'll be quite happy to wear them, but somehow, they just don't look quite right. Take a look and tell me what you think.




I do like the lovely rich colours! Actually, they don't look quite so bad now I'm taking a closer look at the photo of them :D

As soon as I had finished these, I cast on a pair of Jaywalkers for a good friend of mine, who has wanted me to knit her a pair of socks for quite a while now. I bought the yarn some time ago, as she loves autumnal colours and it seemed like the perfect choice. I'm using the good old free Jaywalkers pattern, as it gives a range of sizes and I think it will suit the gently striping colourway of the Fortissima Colori 'Socka Color' yarn. It's colour 2419 and I bought it from one of my favourite online stores p2tog. The service is always excellent! Here they are so far....



It's half-term next week ..... HOORAY! We are expecting a full house, but I'm sure I'll find time to knit. My aim will be to complete these socks and also my October Afternoon jumper, that has been on the needles for far too long!

Thanks for stopping by. Here's wishing you a happy and successful week!

SUCH IS LIFE.........

Hello there! Got to rush tonight! Spent sooo long immersed in Michael Rosen poems, preparing for teaching poetry this week at school, that it's now rather late. If you haven't read his poems , you should, whatever age you are. He's just brilliant! I had my week planned ...... got more excited than I have done for a long time, when I found the man himself performing his poems 'LIVE' on YouTube. We are going to perform our poems LIVE to parents next week, so who better to act as role model but Michael Rosen himself. Then, before I could finish laughing at his rendition of 'Down Among the Dustbins', doom, gloom and despondency descend when I remember that the 'safe site' filter at school, safely filters out YouTube!!! AAARRRGGGHHH! Such a shame, as it would have been the next best thing to having the man himself in the classroom. Such is life!

Yes, such is life! Let me direct you back to the picture above, showing some really lush yarn (although slightly out of focus) and then I'll tell you a story... inspired by Michael Rosen! I shall entitle my poem .....

SUCH IS LIFE!

Down in our cool John Lewis store
I bought Rowan Colourscape .... cherry!
Got the last two skeins, though unbeknown....
Was feeling rather merry!

Heard from great pal josiekitten,
Off to buy....Rowan Colourscape...cherry!!!!!!!!
AAARRRGGGHHH!
Found cherries all gone
Felt rather glum...
I felt guilty.....................................verrrrrry!

SORRY JOSIEKITTEN! Our great minds thought alike... :D SUCH IS LIFE!

Hmm! I have begun a scarf using the Autumn colourway of the same, aforementioned, Rowan Colourscape. It's a free Rowan pattern, Cora. The yarn is gorgeous, easy to work with and beautifully coloured. It feels much softer after steam blocking. Here it is so far..



The pattern is easy to remember and just amounts to a simple cable. On 7mm needles it grows very quickly.

I've finished my Seascape scarf, at long last. Don't get me wrong, I loved the pattern and LOVED the Manos del Uruguay, 'Silk Blend' yarn, but other projects got in the way, because it wasn't time for wearing scarves. You can find details of the pattern and yarn here.



I don't think much knitting will be get done this week as it's Parent's Evenings on Wednesday and Thursday and I have sooo much work to do!

So, enjoy!

Have a fun week! :D

IT'S OCTOBER...... SOCKS AND 'SPECIALS'....

Welcome back! Here we are again; another Sunday evening, ending another hectic and 'no time to spare!' week. Thank goodness for weekends! What on earth would it be like to work seven days out of seven? It's not worth even beginning to contemplate. How lovely it was, to have yet another sunny, if rather windy, weekend. This morning was absolutely glorious. I snapped the above shot as Mr Snoopydog and I strolled into the city for a Sunday morning coffee. I just love autumnal days like this when the early morning chill has lifted and the azure blue sky allows the sun's warmth to gently touch the richly coloured autumn leaves. It feels GOOD!

Yesterday though, was SO windy, that I decided it really wasn't worth venturing out and managed to begin and complete this sweet little baby cardigan in a day (in between loading and emptying the washing machine and completing other mundane housey jobs)! It's a 'very special' cardi. You'll know what I mean if you've read my last post. If you haven't ........... here it is! Some very 'special' information for you, dear reader.




The pattern is from Erika Knight's book 'Simple Knits for Cherished Babies'. It's very, very easy and made in one piece, so not too much sewing up. I used Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino; it's so soft and wonderful to work with. As for the buttons...... the teddies I showed you last time really didn't look right and so another trip to John Lewis was made and these plain and simple little natural buttons chosen. They look much better!

I had to crack on very speedily with my September socks, managing to get them finished just in time. I love this Opal handpainted yarn; such perfect autumnal colours! I gave you details of the pattern last time. What do you think?





The pattern is perfect for variegated yarns and very easy to commit to memory. I love them! I've just begun my October socks too; can't think when I've found the time to do all this knitting amidst Staff meetings, Senior Leadership Team meetings, Key Stage team meetings and Governor's meetings, planning and swimming and washing and cooking and ........! I think the answer is too many quite late nights ...... enforced by needing to knit 'just one more row'! I've called them my 'October Leaves' socks, after the stunning colours of the Colinette 'Jitterbug' yarn. The pattern is a free Ravelry download, called 'Show-off Stranded Socks' by Anne Campbell. Again, I tried to search out a pattern that would highlight a variegated yarn. So far, I am feeling quite pleased with my choice.



The colours remind me of these winter pansies, just outside our front door. I snapped them as we left the house this morning for our coffee shop stop. So pretty!



I hope the sun continues to shine for at least another week or so. It makes this time of year so beautiful. Wishing you all a happy and productive week. Have fun! :D

'SPECIAL' DELIVERY!

Hello there! The weeks do seem to be flying by, don't they? It only seems like yesterday since I was last here. It's been another very busy week at school and not too much knitting has been done, but that's working life and hopefully, what I do, in some small way, helps the world go round! It's been a very exciting end of the week for me though. Would you like to know why?

Well, first of all let me show you my finished 'Single Scoop Ice-cream Sorbet Bag'. I made this one with the leftover yarn from my giant-sized 'triple scoop' version that I showed you here . I used the same pattern, but made it much smaller by only crocheting 10 rounds for the base. It's going to be used for something very, very special. Here it is .....




This morning, Mr Snoopydog and I wandered down into the city centre for an al fresco coffee, whilst the weather is still behaving so beautifully. We caught up on the week and on the way home stopped off at John Lewis and made some very 'special' purchases. Not that I need any more yarn, you understand! But this was very 'special' yarn for a very 'special' purpose. It was bought with three 'specially' chosen patterns in mind; patterns that were very carefully chosen on the 'special' evening of Thursday, September 24th! They could all be made in this colour or that colour, but definitely NOT this colour or that colour. It was even more 'SPECIAL' that Mr Snoopydog offered to pay for the yarn! Have you guessed anything yet? Well, what do you think is in the newly finished 'special purpose' bag?



Have you guessed.....?



Of course....... it's all those 'special' purchases; those woolly 'special' purchases and some other 'special' bits and pieces too. Have you noticed the pretty ribbon and beautiful little star-shaped shell buttons ? There's a BIG clue in there as well! I wonder if you've spotted it. It wasn't deliberate, it was just how the ball of yarn chose to lay in the bag!

I bought some other delicious little buttons too. They are so sweet!







The teddy buttons do look cute in real life, honestly! Maybe I shouldn't have photographed them so close up! They do look quite scary up there don't they! Don't pass judgement though, until you see them on the finished garment. If they don't look good, don't worry, I'll change them! Everything has to be just perfect!

Well, I haven't got anything else to show you. I have the patterns chosen and the yarn bought and the buttons matched and the the ribbon waiting ................ for.............. some 'special' little person. I can't even begin to tell you how 'special' it felt to be choosing or how long it took to choose or how carefully I carried my 'specially' chosen purchases to the counter to pay............ or how my head seems to be permanently full of 'SPECIALNESS'!

Have you guessed?

Did you spot my clue, on the 'BABY' Cashmerino label?

Well, in case you didn't ...... and in case you're not sure 'exactly what' and in case you 'got the wrong end of the stick' and in any case ......... well, just to give you the answer ........... guess what ................. I'M GOING TO BE A GRANDMA!!!!!!

P.S. I never, ever, thought it would feel so amazingly, fantastically, emotionally, ecstatically, every minutely...... 'SPECIAL'!

P.P.S. I'll tell you what I'm making with my 'specially' chosen yarn in my next post. I might even have some progress to show you.

For now, I'm just basking in 'SPECIALNESS' inside both my head and my heart! :D