Another Catch Up Post

I've recently got a new iPad so have come up to date with the latest operating system (ios10) on which the Google Blogger app has refused to work.  It turns out that Blogger no longer has an app compatible with iPads so I can no longer post from this, so I am having to make time to type up from the desktop computer instead.

So what have I been up to recently?  The first thing I can show is something that I made for my daughter in law Carly's birthday back in June but only gave to her a couple of weeks back.  We bought her a new sewing machine as she sews fancy dress and outfits for photo shoots.  It came with a bag for storage but it now stores fabrics.  I made her a sewing machine cover and a small pouch to go with it.

This has been modelled by my own workshop machine as its the same size

I've even managed to use a facing for the hole for the handle, the pic below shows the underside.  I'm well pleased with how that went, not too bad a job.

and heres the small pouch

Carly was really delighted with the cover and pouch and she loves cats so fitted the bill well.

Ive also completed my socks (last post only showed one, now I have a pair!). Really pleased with the magic loop technique instead of double pointed needles.  So pleased I'm considering making another pair.  But here we are a "sockfie"

I had a problem with the toe decrease and it didn't quite match up with the first sock, but undid and knitted up again.  All sorted.  Just have to wash and block, but will wait until I have a decent bit of time to do it.

I'm continuing on with the Vintage Sweethearts CAL in Crochet Now and working on the third part of the series.  Here's a pic of one of the blocks, which I worked on Saturday evening and posted onto Instagram

So that's what I've been up to lately.

If anyone can suggest another blog writing app that I can use I'll try it out.  

In Other News...

I'm typing this while I'm suffering a cold, which in the hot weather is not a lot of fun. I've stayed off work because it wouldn't be fair to pass onto others and I'm really tired but can't sleep, urghh.

Anyway my daughter and her fiancé have moved into their new (brand new) house. It's taken a while as the sale of the flat fell through and another buyer had to be found and there is a short gap now between the purchase and the sale, but the advantage is they haven't had to move everything all in one day.  It's in a village just outside Dorchester, so whereas they were living in the town they now have to commute but there is lovely countryside around. 

The photo above was taken by my daughter which she shared on Facebook It's lovely inside too but of course full of boxes and lots of bits and pieces with no homes yet. We went yesterday to load the last few bits from the flat over to the house.

Before setting off for Dorchester I had to get myself weighed and found I've lost in total half a stone and have the certificate to prove it.

That was a real boost to my dieting efforts so far at the end of 5 weeks and it spurs me on to keep going. I'm now under 12 stone and next target will be 11.5 stone.

In my effort to knit socks on circulars, the short circular needles have been very tight and not knitted to the correct tension.  The size I used was 2.25mm and with the tight tension they were smaller than they should be.  I also have 2.5mm longer circulars 80 cm long, I think, so now knitting on those instead. With the short needles I had intended getting the 2.5mm but made an error on the online ordering so really couldn't compare like types in the same size.  So longer needles and magic loop method, which is ok but does look a little untidy on the back on front row end but does knit up to the correct tension and feels a lot better too.  I think I also prefer the metal over the wooden needles as the stitches slide easier when moving the front and back stitches along.

While I'm in this nasal state I can pick up and put down this sock knitting at will. 

I'm hoping to go to Romsey if I feel a lot better as there's a quilt exhibition at The Abbey which is always brilliant and also a chance to go to King Johns House, opposite with the lovely garden there.

Finish A Long Quarter 3

My list contains 3 items, but there is more besides, but some won't qualify in this quarter and one will be ongoing.

1. Frivols quilt.  I must progress this, having not touched it in the last quarter.

2  Hexies.  The hexes are joined together and now having bought an alternative background fabric, some grey grunge, I've pinned this ready to appliqué.

3. Sock knitting.  This is a new item, started last weekend using short circular needles and the West Yorkshire Spinners yarn that I bought last Christmas.

The item that's ongoing is the Crochet Now Crochet A Long, Vintage Sweethearts.  The third part is out with the latest magazine. Here are parts 1 (bottom) and 2 on top of the magazine with part 3.

There is also a new (but secret) item for Christmas coming.  A knitting project which I can't reveal here and doesn't qualify for the Finish A Long as I have the yarn but haven't started yet!

At this point I will link my WIP's to the Finish A Long