Time for Thought?

Morning all. How's everyone doing?

I have had a lot of time to think things through, re-evaluate things and generally take some time to process what I want to do, where I want to be and what I need to focus on to improve my life. Maybe this forced hiatus of mine is a blessing!

I'm still awaiting an actual physio appointment to assess things but with some careful research, an intensive lava shell back, neck and shoulder massage, and some gentle stretching and yoga, I have reduced the pain level greatly! It does look like I have a frozen shoulder, leading to muscle weakness in my bicep and tightness in my neck.  In the past month I have gone from being barely able to tap my hip with my left hand and washing my hair with just my right to now being able to put my hand in my back pocket and brushing my hair with my left hand. It's amazing how much we rely on being able to use both arms! At this rate I may have fixed it myself by the time I see the professionals.

Youtube has been amazing for research, physio help and discovering things like bed yoga to help stretch my whole body whilst being mindful of what my body is capable of. Who knew that such a thing existed!

In the last few days I have even been able to pick up my hook and needles to finish two WIPs, both of which were gifts promised weeks ago! The first was meant to be originally a Christmas present for my Mum, but time and the beginnings of the shoulder issue meant I delayed it until Mother's Day. In the UK Mother's Day was the 12th March this year and sadly I didn't even make that. I did finish in time for American Mother's day though, so that's a bonus!

What did I make I hear you ask. Well Mum had requested a red unicorn with a gold horn, her two favourite colours. Did I fulfill the request?

I'm as yet to give it to her and if she happens to read this before I manage to, Mum I hope you like her and I'm sorry I'm so slow at the moment.

The second item I have finished is for the latest member of our extended family, and her mum. Back when our three were small and we would carry them in the baby sling, we often found it hard to keep them warm without overheating them or ourselves. I spent some time searching Ravelry for wrap/cardigan/shawl ideas that mum could wear to keep them warm, whilst being easy to remove if needed and leaving her hands free. I came across this wonderful pattern for a double poncho. Despite the original being in spanish, a talented knitter had translated it well enough that I could get the gist of what I needed to do. So I chose a gender neutral colour, in case dad is carrying little one, from my Stylecraft stash and picked up my needles. I used an acrylic yarn because I imagine it will need washing regularly and with a newborn the less fussing over laundry the better. Here is the result modelled graciously by Thing 2 and here bear! What do you all think? Again the poncho hasn't been gifted yet, but we are heading to see them in just over 1 week!! I can't wait!!

I hope the recipient likes it as much as I do.

That leaves 5 current WIPs; 2 pairs of socks, a crochet aghan, and 2 tops. There is also a huge queue, a little overwhelming queue, but that is for another blog post.

Take it easy friends. Chat again soon

Mrs L

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Super heroes and family

Morning all!

How are we all feeling on this dark, cold, winter's morning (if you're in the northern hemisphere)? Are you ready for the festive season? I'm not seem! We have managed to space the extended family out nicely this year, giving me time between visits to craft like a mad woman. Every year I end up panic making, staying up late to finish items off and wishing I had started earlier. This year is no exception!

Most of this week has seen me crocheting away at lightening speed, bringing a large cow and superman into life amongst other things. When I first planned what I was making along with who for, I spent a great deal of time searching the wonderful Ravelry catalogue for suitable patterns. One of my sister-in-laws is absolutely mad about cows and very happy to receive anything remotely cow looking. There are some amazing patterns out there for amigurumi cows but I quickly fell in love with this beautiful one, partly because of its heart shaped patches. Despite having read through the pattern though, and ensuring I had everything I needed, I must have totally glazed over how big this beautiful creature would be. Usually the amigurumi I make take me 1-3 days to make, allowing for real life to interrupt me. I quickly realised though, after finishing the head and closing my 100th stitch, that this was no ordinary toy.

The beautiful Daisy

Beautiful isn't she! I thoroughly enjoyed making her and hope sil is as happy to receive (open) her in 21 days!

Whilst wrapping up the wonderful cow and other gifts for the family I quickly realised I had forgotten one small but very important gift. This saw me pulling an all nighter on Friday before our intended 100 mile round trip to visit and present swap. In fact I finished sewing him together and Things 2 & 3 wrapped him up in the car on the way!

Who is this super character, I hear you ask. Well...

 

Isn't he cute!!

Our youngest nephew is dotty about Super Heroes, and up until the summer it had to be Flash. Thankfully when I had seen him during the holidays we had been discussing the super heroes and how he felt Superman was better than Flash, mainly because Superman has more powers. The mind of a 7 year old! I was so grateful to find this pattern for him on Ravelry for free, and even more so when I realised how quick a make he was. Three hours in total!

Right, now that's swap one done I need to be getting on with the gifts for swap two, which is this Saturday. So on that note I will say tata for now. Take care everyone.

Till next time

Mrs L

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It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Hello all, how are you doing? I know, I know I have used the C word but in all honesty we should all be at least planning what to make or buy by now. I will probably rouse lots of what..no..far too earlies, but I actually started my planning in August. But then I do plan on making as many gifts this year as I can. Mad ain't I!

We have a rather large extended family between us and I like to give at least something small so they all know they are thought of, especially at this time of year. My list of planned projects spans a whopping 2 sides of A4 lined paper. I haven't counted them up, but let's just say it's a lot. Thankfully a fair few are amigurumi toys, which I love to make. The therapeutic spiralling and speed each part appears, combined with no two toys being the same and each with it's own character. It only takes a head to be sewn on slightly tilted or the eyes to be closer together and the appearance is changed.

I obviously cannot show in too much detail projects that have been made despite this being a new blog. There still is a small chance a family member will decide what I have to say is worth the time. For this reason I will have to do a round up post towards the end of the year, otherwise known as a pic heavy post.

But I have chosen to show you these cute little bees I made for Thing 3's teachers. She is currently in year 4 (she is 8) and in the Busy Bees class, hence choosing these beautiful creatures to crochet. I scoured the wonderful site of Ravelry and came across these two patterns, bee 1 and 2, both free patterns and beautifully written. Thing 3 decided four keyring bees were needed for the teaching assistants and 1 larger bee for the main teacher. What do you think?

The second finished item I wanted to show you isn't an actual festive gift, but rather a useful item made for fun. Sound intriguing? Go on admit it you want to know.

It's a washable dishcloth or washcloth, made using the wonderful Lily's Sugar 'n' Cream cotton yarn in the Peace colourway. I followed another beautiful pattern from Ravelry, and made it with a hidden 'nerdy' message. Can you spot it?

That's right! It's the Deathly Hallows symbol, from Harry Potter. I was inspired to make this firstly by being part of the Dishcloth patterns group on Ravelry. Each month every member can sign up for a swap with a partner, anywhere in the world. I was paired with a lovely lady in Kent so went searching through my previously favourited patterns. The second reason I was inspired to make this particular pattern was another group I'm a member of. The very active HPKCHC group or Harry Potter Knit Crochet House Cup. This group and four sister groups are run 100% by volunteers around the world and are filled by hundreds of like minded fans of the wonderful series of books and films. In short the idea behind the group is a game where you craft items of your choice, to fit prompts for each class. You are sorted into one of the houses and are rewarded points for your house, per submission. I have found being a part of this wonderful game a great motivator, for attacking that A4 list of projects that have a deadline. It's also opened up my world and hopefully made me a few friends. Well worth a trip over and an explore!

Right I think I have waffled on long enough. If you have made it this far and are still awake well done and thank you. I am truly grateful for every reader. Feel free to leave me a comment and tell me what you thought. Also if you do pop over to Ravelry and want to say hi I'm MrsLyvit over there.

Thank you again. Speak soon
Mrs L
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