So 6 weeks has passed since I broke my right foot. It's a Lisfranc fracture of 2 metatarsals, with a break in 1 and a comminuted break in 2 for the medically minded. Bone 1 is my big toe and 2 is the toe next to it. Quite an odd fracture apparently, as it's commonly the little toe that's fractured in my type of injury (falling off a step).
Sitting on my arse all day has not been good for me mentally. I'm sure that if I was measured on the test that Doctors do for depression, I'd score quite highly. Whether that would have been enough for intervention, I'm not sure. I decided not to seek treatment for it (the potential depression) because I was more aware this time over and I knew that it had a cause and a light at the end of the tunnel for a cure. That didn't stop the anxiety kicking in, but I am dealing with that through meditation and distraction (more on that in a minute).
6 weeks down the line and I now have a boot fitted and I am now allowed to weight bear. I've been given some basic exercises to do, until the referral for physio comes through. I'm doing better than I thought I would. I am somewhat of a fidget and something I tend to do is wiggle my toes a lot, so when my toes were sticking out of the plaster cast, I have actually got them pretty mobile. It's just the strength in my ankle and foot now that I need to build up.
All of the stress has kicked my eczema up a notch with a massive patch under my cast, which I couldn't do anything about. I had it checked by the doctor who wasn't too worried - I however am quite concerned and think it's worse than the time I got antibiotics from my last GP in Nottingham. I've been given the OK to use my strong steroid cream on it though, so if it hasn't improved in a week, I will have to go to my GP and get some antibiotics. Gah, I hate Fluoxacillin, it gives me the tummy rumbles.
It was heaven to get it washed though. Think I might have accidentally pulled my sex face while it was being washed and scared the nurse :D
Naturally, as I've been sat on my arse, I've been watching a lot of TV. I'm addicted to Homes Under the Hammer. I never got into Jeremy Kyle - I think he's a bit of an idiot and I don't really get the show. It's the kind of show that shames it's participants and I have no time for shaming.
I lost my job too, which is a shame. I can't say I blame them - I was on a temporary ongoing contract which I was unable to fulfil. They were a retail company who need people to answer emails coming up to Christmas. I'm still a bit frustrated though, however I did get a call from an employment agency and I *might* have some more work lined up, starting mid January. My note runs out on New Years Eve, so I may need to pop and get another couple of weeks.
But, I need to be up on my feet and moving about and putting weight on it, so we shall see. I impressed myself by tackling TWO steps using a walker. TWO!! I'm still unable to go up the stairs in my house as I have a walker and not crutches, but we'll see what the physio's say when I go and see them.
I have been getting plenty of knitting done. I've finished a pair of socks, a crochet granny square blanket and have got considerable work done on the Mr's socks (2 at a time, toe up - go me!!!). I've stated and restarted multiple times a sweater from knitty in some sport weight SMC superfine merino fino that I got from John Lewis in a sale last year.
Oh, oh! I've got a new car as well. One that I've only been able to glare at through the window of my house. It's a Rover 25. I miss my unusual Pug though (a saloon 306, which are uncommon), but I won't miss it's hissy fits in the winter.
Now, it's time for dinner. I'm starving!!
Showing posts with label knitting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label knitting. Show all posts
Thursday, 12 December 2013
Friday, 17 June 2011
p/hop
I have been aware of the work that p/hop have been doing for a while. These guys are truly admirable.
p/hop stands for pennies per hour of pleasure. There are knitting patterns that have been donated by people, which you can download and then make a donation to them based on the hours of pleasure that you will get from knitting up the pattern.
They have been raising money for Medicines Sans Frontiers / Doctors Without Borders, whose work has been amazing, especially when you think of the disasters in Japan and Christchurch lately. For more information about what MSF does, click here
They have raised in excess of £25,000 so far and their target is £30,000.
I have downloaded the Molly Weasley's Gift sock pattern, even though I was looking at the shawl patterns. There are some gorgeous patterns available, so if you see something you like there, please consider downloading the pattern and making a donation.
Thank you to the organisers of p/hop and a big thank you to the designers for donating their patterns.
p/hop stands for pennies per hour of pleasure. There are knitting patterns that have been donated by people, which you can download and then make a donation to them based on the hours of pleasure that you will get from knitting up the pattern.
They have been raising money for Medicines Sans Frontiers / Doctors Without Borders, whose work has been amazing, especially when you think of the disasters in Japan and Christchurch lately. For more information about what MSF does, click here
They have raised in excess of £25,000 so far and their target is £30,000.
I have downloaded the Molly Weasley's Gift sock pattern, even though I was looking at the shawl patterns. There are some gorgeous patterns available, so if you see something you like there, please consider downloading the pattern and making a donation.
Thank you to the organisers of p/hop and a big thank you to the designers for donating their patterns.
Monday, 25 April 2011
Easter...
Easter and Christmas never seem to feel like proper holidays after a few years of working in retail, which sucks. Not that I celebrate them, being agnostic, but it's hard to enjoy your time off when you only have a day to enjoy, rather than the long weekend that everyone else has off. However, I do get a day off during the week and an afternoon off on a Friday, which makes it easier to get doctors / dentists done and out of the way without having to worry about work.
This year, I've got 3 whole days off, which seems like a luxury. Then I'm in for 3 days, then I'm off for 4 days. I am working on the day of the Royal Wedding. Mostly because a) I'm not bothered on watching it and b) I get paid my normal rate for working a Friday (so for 4 hours) and then time and a half on top of it. It seems daft to turn it down. Plus I'll be going out Friday night :)
Soon, I'll have to start working every Saturday, which is going to put a kibosh on going out (all of once a month!), seeing my boyfriend on the weekend (which tends to be the only time I get to see him) and doing knitty things on a Saturday (we often have get togethers). Frustrating, but hopefully I will be able to do something about that soon. It could have been worse. I could have been made to work Tuesday evenings (so no Stitch and Bitch) and Sundays as well.
24 hour society sucks sometimes. I don't see why supermarkets want to open on Christmas Day and Easter Sunday. Mostly they are open 24 hours or until late anyway. I seem to recall that our mothers coped, but then I guess that we have busier lives now. People are also expecting us to open as well, so seem to go mad stocking up with bread and milk, when quite often the shop is only shut for one day. Even if I am visiting relatives over Christmas, I will try and take something edible as a gift to the host and if I will be there a few days, I will take the bread and milk I have on the go, because it seems like such a waste to leave it go off at home when I am not using it. It's easy enough to pick up a fresh loaf and a pint of milk on the way home.
One of the things that I love about knitting is that it's slow. It helps me to disengage my brain from the stress of day to day life. I had been feeling particularly low these last few days and the simple act of sitting out in the park with a few friends and some knitting, helped unwind the tension (which was further unwound with a few beers later on in the evening!). It's the same with camping. I find that when I go camping, I begin to focus on how to cook a nice meal, when I have 1 gas ring and getting the washing up done, which seems weird, but somehow, taking it out of the home makes it more pleasant.
It's been a lovely hot Easter. It's days like this that I miss being in Wales. In particular, I miss the beaches. Even when they are covered in snow.
I used to love going to watch the sun set. I love the vivid colours you get when the sun sets in the summer. Intense hues of yellow, oranges, red, purples set against light blue skies and maybe a little bit of white or grey cloud.
Something I have noticed now that I am a knitter is the quality and hues of colour. I always knew there were particular hues I preferred, like the red of my 1974 VW Beetle, which wasn't cherry red, but more of a yellowy red. Also, I love aubergine purple and royal purples and blues.
It's now more how colours interact with each other and pool together and how we have memories of colour too. Red for me, always means the aforementioned Beetle I had, which was quite a different red from the Triumph Stag and TR6 that my Dad restored many years ago (they were cherry / pillarbox red) and a different red again from the ever so slightly bluish red adorning the wall opposite me.
Something I didn't know before that pure, natural water isn't clear, but ever so slightly blue. I know that we think of (clean!) seawater as blue, but I'm talking of drinking water. I always thought that was clear.
And now I am relaxed. What a difference a day makes. Having spent the day so far browsing a car boot sale (bought a pair of candlesticks for a house that I don't yet own, nor have the salary to own, but, y'know, they were pretty!), applied for 3 jobs and bought some shopping so that I can make goats cheese and red pepper risotto later, along with a reduced Lindt Easter egg and a bottle of half price Cava. Nom!!
I want to test a sock pattern out. I have already sort of designed a pair of socks, but I want to know what they look like with beads on them. Only one way to find out :) Then I will work on writing the pattern out.
But first, I'm going to take a cup of tea in the garden and watch the cats chase each other round.
This year, I've got 3 whole days off, which seems like a luxury. Then I'm in for 3 days, then I'm off for 4 days. I am working on the day of the Royal Wedding. Mostly because a) I'm not bothered on watching it and b) I get paid my normal rate for working a Friday (so for 4 hours) and then time and a half on top of it. It seems daft to turn it down. Plus I'll be going out Friday night :)
Soon, I'll have to start working every Saturday, which is going to put a kibosh on going out (all of once a month!), seeing my boyfriend on the weekend (which tends to be the only time I get to see him) and doing knitty things on a Saturday (we often have get togethers). Frustrating, but hopefully I will be able to do something about that soon. It could have been worse. I could have been made to work Tuesday evenings (so no Stitch and Bitch) and Sundays as well.
24 hour society sucks sometimes. I don't see why supermarkets want to open on Christmas Day and Easter Sunday. Mostly they are open 24 hours or until late anyway. I seem to recall that our mothers coped, but then I guess that we have busier lives now. People are also expecting us to open as well, so seem to go mad stocking up with bread and milk, when quite often the shop is only shut for one day. Even if I am visiting relatives over Christmas, I will try and take something edible as a gift to the host and if I will be there a few days, I will take the bread and milk I have on the go, because it seems like such a waste to leave it go off at home when I am not using it. It's easy enough to pick up a fresh loaf and a pint of milk on the way home.
One of the things that I love about knitting is that it's slow. It helps me to disengage my brain from the stress of day to day life. I had been feeling particularly low these last few days and the simple act of sitting out in the park with a few friends and some knitting, helped unwind the tension (which was further unwound with a few beers later on in the evening!). It's the same with camping. I find that when I go camping, I begin to focus on how to cook a nice meal, when I have 1 gas ring and getting the washing up done, which seems weird, but somehow, taking it out of the home makes it more pleasant.
It's been a lovely hot Easter. It's days like this that I miss being in Wales. In particular, I miss the beaches. Even when they are covered in snow.
I used to love going to watch the sun set. I love the vivid colours you get when the sun sets in the summer. Intense hues of yellow, oranges, red, purples set against light blue skies and maybe a little bit of white or grey cloud.
Something I have noticed now that I am a knitter is the quality and hues of colour. I always knew there were particular hues I preferred, like the red of my 1974 VW Beetle, which wasn't cherry red, but more of a yellowy red. Also, I love aubergine purple and royal purples and blues.
It's now more how colours interact with each other and pool together and how we have memories of colour too. Red for me, always means the aforementioned Beetle I had, which was quite a different red from the Triumph Stag and TR6 that my Dad restored many years ago (they were cherry / pillarbox red) and a different red again from the ever so slightly bluish red adorning the wall opposite me.
Something I didn't know before that pure, natural water isn't clear, but ever so slightly blue. I know that we think of (clean!) seawater as blue, but I'm talking of drinking water. I always thought that was clear.
And now I am relaxed. What a difference a day makes. Having spent the day so far browsing a car boot sale (bought a pair of candlesticks for a house that I don't yet own, nor have the salary to own, but, y'know, they were pretty!), applied for 3 jobs and bought some shopping so that I can make goats cheese and red pepper risotto later, along with a reduced Lindt Easter egg and a bottle of half price Cava. Nom!!
I want to test a sock pattern out. I have already sort of designed a pair of socks, but I want to know what they look like with beads on them. Only one way to find out :) Then I will work on writing the pattern out.
But first, I'm going to take a cup of tea in the garden and watch the cats chase each other round.
Friday, 11 March 2011
Ding!
Hello all. Long time, no write!
I have been busy with my knitting, spinning and job hunting, so have neglected posting here a bit.
I am nearly finished Project #3 of my #11in11 project.
Project #1 was Elegance Scarf by Anniken Allis (aka YarnAddictAnni on Ravelry)
This was knitted in Knit Picks Pallette (hah, I got some when they were doing trial shipments to the UK and didn't use it all). The descriptions of the colours on the website LIE! This colourway is / was called Teal. Hmm. Looks *too* green to be teal to me. Meh, I like the colour anyway, so wasn't too worried. Just be aware, that when you order knitpicks (which UK buyers can get from Great British Yarns), the colours may not always reflect the yarn you get.
Project #2 was the Quick and easy Cowl
This was knit in Rowan Natural Silk Aran, of which I have *loads*. I got it in a sale in John Lewis ages ago.
Project #3 is going to be a pattern I have designed myself. I have about 2 pattern repeats left before I bind off, then blocking, then photography. Then the pattern will be published. w00t!!
Project #4 is another quick and easy cowl. However, this one is knit in a slightly different colour and in moss stitch. Moss Stitch drives me batty, so it's slow going! It's for Neil, so is knit in a paler colour and will probably be a bit smaller, as he wants to use it when he's cycling. He didn't want the lace bits in it, which is why I chose moss stitch.
Job hunting is meh. I am applying for 1 or 2 jobs a week, but haven't heard anything yet. I've had someone check over my CV in the last week and have made some improvements, so maybe I will have better luck from now on.
Maybe I'm applying for the wrong jobs too. I was thinking that I might try applying to go on the management training scheme where I currently work. It'll look good on my CV anyway, which will help if I decide that I want to work elsewhere.
I picked up a 1967 Woman's Own supplement, which was sponsored by Courtelle and had loads of patterns using Courtelle (naturally!). One of models is Joanna Lumley :) I was so pleased. I can see me building up a collection of vintage patterns just because I think they are interesting :)
I have been busy with my knitting, spinning and job hunting, so have neglected posting here a bit.
I am nearly finished Project #3 of my #11in11 project.
Project #1 was Elegance Scarf by Anniken Allis (aka YarnAddictAnni on Ravelry)
This was knitted in Knit Picks Pallette (hah, I got some when they were doing trial shipments to the UK and didn't use it all). The descriptions of the colours on the website LIE! This colourway is / was called Teal. Hmm. Looks *too* green to be teal to me. Meh, I like the colour anyway, so wasn't too worried. Just be aware, that when you order knitpicks (which UK buyers can get from Great British Yarns), the colours may not always reflect the yarn you get.
Project #2 was the Quick and easy Cowl
This was knit in Rowan Natural Silk Aran, of which I have *loads*. I got it in a sale in John Lewis ages ago.
Project #3 is going to be a pattern I have designed myself. I have about 2 pattern repeats left before I bind off, then blocking, then photography. Then the pattern will be published. w00t!!
Project #4 is another quick and easy cowl. However, this one is knit in a slightly different colour and in moss stitch. Moss Stitch drives me batty, so it's slow going! It's for Neil, so is knit in a paler colour and will probably be a bit smaller, as he wants to use it when he's cycling. He didn't want the lace bits in it, which is why I chose moss stitch.
Job hunting is meh. I am applying for 1 or 2 jobs a week, but haven't heard anything yet. I've had someone check over my CV in the last week and have made some improvements, so maybe I will have better luck from now on.
Maybe I'm applying for the wrong jobs too. I was thinking that I might try applying to go on the management training scheme where I currently work. It'll look good on my CV anyway, which will help if I decide that I want to work elsewhere.
I picked up a 1967 Woman's Own supplement, which was sponsored by Courtelle and had loads of patterns using Courtelle (naturally!). One of models is Joanna Lumley :) I was so pleased. I can see me building up a collection of vintage patterns just because I think they are interesting :)
Saturday, 22 January 2011
Getting there,,,
I am now off work for 10 days (well 9, if you don't count today).
I have no initial plans really, I'm not going anywhere. It's just that in the run up to Christmas, I get a bit stressed out - especially working in retail, so I need a bit of me time.
I've been doing a fair bit of knitting for other people, what with Christmas and everything so I've been doing some knitting for me. So I have 2 scarves and a pair of socks on the needles. One of the scarves is a self designed scarf; the pattern will be coming soon!
I've been using the software that I got for Christmas and I must say, it makes things so much easier to write up. Mistakes are that much easier to weed out. I made a couple of changes to the way the pattern was written. It looked a bit silly to have the main design in stocking stitch and the edging in garter, so I have done the edging in stocking stitch as well. It will look amazing when it's been blocked.
A new yarn shop has opened in Leicester on Queens Road in Clarendon Park. It's a nice shop, but I think it's got room for improvement. They have some of the more unusual stuff there, which is tricky to get hold of, which is really good for an independent shop to have, but they also stock Sirdar and Debbie Bliss, which is available in pretty much any other local yarn shop. The stock is a bit sparse too. I expected to see a lot more yarn there and they could do with a comfy sofa where people can sit and knit - they even have that in John Lewis. They have the room!
I also noted a lack of stitch markers. I am going to make some up and take some down to see if they will have them on sale or return.
I have plans to complete my CV this week as well, plus I want to have a bit of a declutter. I'd best get on with it then :)
I have no initial plans really, I'm not going anywhere. It's just that in the run up to Christmas, I get a bit stressed out - especially working in retail, so I need a bit of me time.
I've been doing a fair bit of knitting for other people, what with Christmas and everything so I've been doing some knitting for me. So I have 2 scarves and a pair of socks on the needles. One of the scarves is a self designed scarf; the pattern will be coming soon!
I've been using the software that I got for Christmas and I must say, it makes things so much easier to write up. Mistakes are that much easier to weed out. I made a couple of changes to the way the pattern was written. It looked a bit silly to have the main design in stocking stitch and the edging in garter, so I have done the edging in stocking stitch as well. It will look amazing when it's been blocked.
A new yarn shop has opened in Leicester on Queens Road in Clarendon Park. It's a nice shop, but I think it's got room for improvement. They have some of the more unusual stuff there, which is tricky to get hold of, which is really good for an independent shop to have, but they also stock Sirdar and Debbie Bliss, which is available in pretty much any other local yarn shop. The stock is a bit sparse too. I expected to see a lot more yarn there and they could do with a comfy sofa where people can sit and knit - they even have that in John Lewis. They have the room!
I also noted a lack of stitch markers. I am going to make some up and take some down to see if they will have them on sale or return.
I have plans to complete my CV this week as well, plus I want to have a bit of a declutter. I'd best get on with it then :)
Friday, 14 January 2011
11 in 11
So I have signed up to do 11 in 11.
This is a project, started on Twitter where we all agree that we will knit or crochet 11 scarves, cowls, shawls, shrugs or necklaces in 2011.
I had already started a scarf on New Years Day - the Elegance Scarf by YarnAddictAnnis (aka Anniken Alis). I did her lace workshop at Fibre Flurry last year and loved it and have been wanting to cast this on for a while. Trouble is, I've had so much to do lately what with Christmas knitting and everything so I've not had a chance to do much for myself.
I do love a good challenge! I have some handspun that I want to use, plus more fibre to spin up as well. I have some aran yarn ready to use up - I'm thinking a chunky cowl for that.
I'm also thinking that I could knit with wire and beads and make a necklace at some point. It's not cheating, because it's knitted ;)
If you fancy joining in, search for the #11in11 group on Ravelry and tweet using the #11in11 hashtag on twitter
In other news, I am a little fed up and indecisive. I want a new job. I also want to do the counselling course - I will have to do something like 2 x 2 year courses in order to get qualified.
I have some money set aside for a deposit on a house, but I don't think it will get very far. I can't afford a mortgage on the money I'm on - I can't even afford to rent my own property (I'm currently living as a lodger with 2 of my friends, which can be a bummer if I want my boyfriend round). I don't want to claim housing benefit because although I might be entitled to it, I feel like a bit of a fraud claiming it because I could get a better paid job (if that makes sense).
The thing is, if I get a new job, I don't know how flexible they will be when it comes to going to college one day a week for the course. Plus I was thinking that if I wanted to travel, then it would be pretty sensible to do it before buying my own house. I could use some of the money I have set aside for a deposit on a house, which may mean a slightly bigger mortgage.
Then again, there is always the shared ownership thing, which is always a possibility.
Aaaah, decisions, decisions. I could quite possibly be overthinking this. My gut feeling at the moment is to concentrate on getting a new job and see how I feel about travel when my fixed bond matures in a years time.
Think I will renew my passport in the meantime though :) It's good to have it anyway - for identification purposes.
This is a project, started on Twitter where we all agree that we will knit or crochet 11 scarves, cowls, shawls, shrugs or necklaces in 2011.
I had already started a scarf on New Years Day - the Elegance Scarf by YarnAddictAnnis (aka Anniken Alis). I did her lace workshop at Fibre Flurry last year and loved it and have been wanting to cast this on for a while. Trouble is, I've had so much to do lately what with Christmas knitting and everything so I've not had a chance to do much for myself.
I do love a good challenge! I have some handspun that I want to use, plus more fibre to spin up as well. I have some aran yarn ready to use up - I'm thinking a chunky cowl for that.
I'm also thinking that I could knit with wire and beads and make a necklace at some point. It's not cheating, because it's knitted ;)
If you fancy joining in, search for the #11in11 group on Ravelry and tweet using the #11in11 hashtag on twitter
In other news, I am a little fed up and indecisive. I want a new job. I also want to do the counselling course - I will have to do something like 2 x 2 year courses in order to get qualified.
I have some money set aside for a deposit on a house, but I don't think it will get very far. I can't afford a mortgage on the money I'm on - I can't even afford to rent my own property (I'm currently living as a lodger with 2 of my friends, which can be a bummer if I want my boyfriend round). I don't want to claim housing benefit because although I might be entitled to it, I feel like a bit of a fraud claiming it because I could get a better paid job (if that makes sense).
The thing is, if I get a new job, I don't know how flexible they will be when it comes to going to college one day a week for the course. Plus I was thinking that if I wanted to travel, then it would be pretty sensible to do it before buying my own house. I could use some of the money I have set aside for a deposit on a house, which may mean a slightly bigger mortgage.
Then again, there is always the shared ownership thing, which is always a possibility.
Aaaah, decisions, decisions. I could quite possibly be overthinking this. My gut feeling at the moment is to concentrate on getting a new job and see how I feel about travel when my fixed bond matures in a years time.
Think I will renew my passport in the meantime though :) It's good to have it anyway - for identification purposes.
Tuesday, 1 June 2010
Finished
I have finished the pattern to the gloves! Hooray!
I have someone doing a test knit for me at the moment, because I want the pattern to be as readable as possible. One of my bugbears is badly written patterns and I wouldn't like a badly written pattern to put people off knitting it. I can't spot any mistakes yet, but sometimes it's hard to see the wood for the trees!
Also, having realised that not everyone likes bobbles, I was thinking that they can be left out (and the stitch just knit) or substituted with a bead. As long as the bead can be thread onto DK yarn, then I'd say it's good. You'd need 44 suitably sized beads in total.
I also need a name for the pattern. I have to be careful because I have a penchant for odd names. I developed a fondness for the name Doris after watching Gavin and Stacey!
In other news, I've decided to move my etsy shop to folksy and undergo a bit of a name change. I've yet to sort through the jewellery I want to put on there yet, so today I will be going through a few bits and bobs and then taking some good photographs. Once I've got the shop up and running with some actual stock, I'll post again with an update.
I have someone doing a test knit for me at the moment, because I want the pattern to be as readable as possible. One of my bugbears is badly written patterns and I wouldn't like a badly written pattern to put people off knitting it. I can't spot any mistakes yet, but sometimes it's hard to see the wood for the trees!
Also, having realised that not everyone likes bobbles, I was thinking that they can be left out (and the stitch just knit) or substituted with a bead. As long as the bead can be thread onto DK yarn, then I'd say it's good. You'd need 44 suitably sized beads in total.
I also need a name for the pattern. I have to be careful because I have a penchant for odd names. I developed a fondness for the name Doris after watching Gavin and Stacey!
In other news, I've decided to move my etsy shop to folksy and undergo a bit of a name change. I've yet to sort through the jewellery I want to put on there yet, so today I will be going through a few bits and bobs and then taking some good photographs. Once I've got the shop up and running with some actual stock, I'll post again with an update.
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