Easy crocheting

Well I know I should be getting a wriggle on with the Easter bunnies and my Mothers Day hearts but at the moment I am opting to do some super easy crocheting and I am getting on with my stripey blanket.  I get one row done each evening but have now got an estimated 28 hours to go - yay!  So at my current rate (without working on it at the weekends) it should take me 5 more weeks of evening crocheting to get it finished - so excited!

Its a long term project that honestly didnt feel like it would ever get finished but I have enjoyed having something that I can pick up and put down again without any stress of deadlines.

I am planning to do a large throw for my sister and her husband for Christmas which will probably be my next large project.  But I am going to speak to my sister and ensure she wants one before I spend all that time and money on it.  I think they will use it as they have a habbit of bringing their duvets downstairs in the winter and they love snuggling on the sofa watching films.  Although she does have a thing about itchy wool which I need to be careful of.  I'm thinking an Attica 24 inspired bright coloured either giant granny square or stripey blanket would be perfect.  The wool isn't itchy or too heavy (and I imagine Stylecraft is easy enough t wash?!) which should be perfect.  Their front room is brown but maybe brights mixed in with a lot of neutral white or black would work well??  Maybe?!

Ireland trip

Well we had the Ireland trip and whilst it was lovely to see Rebecca and Patrick, it has reaffirmed that we definitely don’t want children!

Andrew’s sister seemed to appreciate the dragon scarf (which I finished just as we entered the airport car park having spent all morning working on it) but George wasn’t that fussed!  Daisy liked her pencil case although did automatically assume it was a sheep and we didn’t correct her.  The scarf and Fatty seemed to go down well.  The problem with handmade gifts is that they aren’t appreciated in relation to how much time goes into them – I guess there is only so much appreciation you can give a scarf but still!

 

I'm really happy with it and think it came out really well.

I managed to get all the squares done for Sam’s birthday bag and they are all sewn together. I ran out of black wool doing the final edging which was annoying but I have been to the Tiptree shop and bought another ball.  Luckily I’m not seeing Sam this week so I should be able to get her bag finished at the weekend.  I also bought some very boring black fabric to line her bag with – I did think that it might be more fun to have a pop of colour but decided to play it safe instead.  Hopefully she will like it!

I had yesterday off work (to recover from the weekend – lovely idea although slightly spoilt by having to be out of the house all morning so didn’t see the cleaner!) I did a 2 hour cardio work out at the gym (and nearly died!) and then was very tired when I finally got home so I took it easy and got on with my blanket.  I did think about starting Fiona’s baby blanket but I really should get the bunnies done for Easter first and the hearts for Mothers Day so decided to just stay with my blanket. 

I am on the 6^th colour of the 3^rd repetition so its getting very close to being finished now – yay!  (I did think that with all the wool I have left over it would probably make a baby blanket but nevermind have bought the wool already for Fiona’s baby blanket!)  The end is finally in sight with the blanket although I shouldn’t get too happy as it will still take some time to finish it off.  I spent all afternoon and evening working on it (as well finally spending some time sorting out the craft room – yay!) and I did 5 rows!  Each row is so long that it takes forever to do one but it is super easy work and I love doing it when I am tired as you cant really go wrong!  I should have timed how long each row took me but it must be about an hour and there are another 33 more rows to go……  Its going to be such a lovely blanket once its finished – it will weigh 2,200 grams as it has taken 22 balls of wool.  I have finally stopped worrying it about it being long enough – yay!  Although if I could buy more of the same wool then I probably would!

Yay! Some photos to show progress

So I finally remembered to take some photos (whilst I was waiting for my pop tarts to pop out of the toaster I used my time wisely!)

Last night I was super tired so I got on with my bunny which is a super easy knit a row, purl a row and have now finished my first ball of wool.  I want them to be fairly big so I'm now thinking that each bunny may take 2 balls of wool by the time I finish making their bodies, make 2 long ears and their pockets which I am desperate to make.

Here is proof that progress is being made with the first bunny.  I think another half a ball will finish off the body and then just need to do the ears and pocket.

This is my cross stitch jewellery roll that I am making and I love it!

The pattern is slightly different from that in the book as I did the ring first and didnt realise that I didnt have it up the right way!  I'm hoping that my new design will still look ok though and I'm happy with it.  Still a fair way to go - need to finish doing the cream stripes (and my stripes have gone a little wrong as my middle largest cream stripe didnt line up with the middle of the ring but nevermind - I have left space to have a blue stripe in the middle which I hope will look ok!)

The thread I am using I think is Anchor super thick - it is like cross stitching with wool!  I think next time I will just use some of my wool to do these projects with.  There are definitely going to be future cross stitch projects.  I have an amazing Big Stitch book which has the most amazing projects.  I think I am going to make a glasses case next although it will have to be super tough as my glasses to take quite a battering in my handbag!

Need to get organised for Ireland tonight/tomorrow - must remember:

1. Gifts for the family
2. George's finished scarf!
3. Wool (new grey/black x2 plus black wool x1), crochet hook, scissors (am hoping they will be allowed to fly) and my pattern to make Sams bag
4. Wool (cream/brown, pink and green), crochet hook and pattern to make the hearts for mothers day
5. Warm and waterproof clothes!  

Hmm and all of this has to fit within hand luggage - might be fun!

Slow progress so far this week

Progress feels really slow this week as I am so tired in the evenings.  I should be getting on with George’s scarf but I really want to do this when I am more awake and can focus on what needs to be done.  So instead I have been doing some of my cross stitch and last night I managed a couple of rows on my bunny.  Luckily my bunny is starting to look quite big which is good and what I wanted – I am hoping that they can still be pj holders with a pocket on the front but we shall see.  I am still on my first ball of wool and am hoping that 1.5 will be enough to make each bunny.  Yay!  Although I still need to get some boy colours.

Friday is going to be a busy day – car is being serviced, need to do a run (started off being 2.5 hours and is now rapidly reducing down to maybe an hour and is now down to 30 mins!  Really should be 5/6 miles but we shall see) plus I really have to get Georges scarf finished and we want to go and see 2 cats that we may be getting (super excited!).  And I’m not sure what time we fly but think its mid afternoon so we will have to leave for the airport probably around lunch time which wont give us much time to get everything done!!  Eek!  May have to force myself to get on with George’s scarf tonight and tomorrow evening to ensure that it can be finished on time.

Post weekend blues!

Well this weekend didnt quite go to plan as I didnt get much done and what time I did have to craft I started yet another new time consuming cross stitch project which isnt on any to do list!

I had my eldest niece this weekend so I knew that I wouldnt be able to get much done but we did join my mum for our monthly crop.  I took Ellie some card bits and pieces for her to make birthday cards which she loved and she made cards for her mum, dad and little sister.  I had wanted to take my purse project that I ordered the other day but I glanced at the instructions and you needed an iron and sewing machine so that was no good!   I think decided not to take any of my knitting projects which need to be finished but to start a cross stitch jewellery roll case.  Waste of time but I love it!  My design went slightly wrong but rather than undoing 2 hours work (in which i had done all of 20 stitches as I was supervising Ellie) I decided to keep going and to adapt my design.  Yay - a unique Karen design loosely based upon the original.

That is what I love about crafting - you can go wrong and it can still be ok!  Andy didnt look too impressed when I was sat doing it on Sat night - he finds knitting hard enough to cope with but another craft didnt make him very happy!  Nevermind it is helping my wrists and shoulders which arent always happy to crochet and knit constantly.

Not much of my to do list was achieved:

• 10 mile run yay!  Although did swap between the treadmill and the X trainer - hopefully still counts as 10 miles!
• Finish George’s scarf
• Sort out craft room
• Organise projects for Sat for me and Ellie
• Knit 2 chickens
• Cut and sew 2 squares (have done 4 blocks and the cutting for another 6 already)
• Knit me a hat!  Something thick and cosy to keep me warm now the weather has dropped!  Ooh shall have to have a rummage in the craft room and see what lovely wool I can find.

So only 2 things ticked off!  Not good.

This week (which will hopefully be helped by the fact that I am off Fri and Mon and away this weekend):

• Finish George's scarf
• Cut and sew 4 squares of charity blanket
• Knit 2 chickens (I think this project may be put on hold until next year as I am very busy at the moment preparing for Easter)
• Finish knitting 1 bunny
• Finish hat and make up
• Crochet bag for Sam's birthday, line and finish
• 3 crochet hearts for mothers day

I'm getting on quite well with my bunny which is good and hopefully I can get the knitting finished this week.  The focus for Fri morning pre-flight will be to finish George's scarf - think there are still quite a few small bits that need to be finished but these tend to be the most time consuming finishing touches.  Plus have to do a 12 mile run which is likely to take 2.5 hours.  Not sure what time we are leaving for the airport but it wont be too long after lunch.  So I need to work on scarf during the week and not leave everything until Friday as that could be disastrous!  There is no panic over the bunny so I have to prioritise the scarf above all else.

I'm really hoping to get all the squares finished for Sams bag and also to complete 3 hearts for mothers day with flowers and leaves.  Will have to find and print out the instructions and then hopefully can get those completed as well.  Might be asking a bit too much but hopefully with all the waiting at airports and flying (eek only an hour flight!).  Maybe I will be able to do some whilst we are at the house - his sister shouldnt find it too rude as she crochets as well so she will understand - hopefully!

Work out:

• Mon am - 30 min cardio workout Did 15 mins on X trainer and 15 mins up hill walking.  Didnt want to push it too much due to lunchtime workout plus did 10 miles yesterday.
• Mon pm - 1hr personal trainer
• Tues am - 30 min swim
• Wed am - 1hr run
• Wed pm - pilates/yoga
• Thurs am - 30 min swim
• Thurs pm - pilates/yoga
• Fri am - 12 mile long run

Night off! Plus plans for the weekend

A rare evening off last night from knitting.  Cant do it too often but sometimes when I am very tired and I feel that Andy may need slightly more attention then I will just sit and watch tv with idle hands!  Andy can get quite funny and almost jealous when I am knitting – its almost like he feels that I am not giving him enough attention even though we are sat together on the sofa.  I must be a little bit right though as when we went to bed he said that I need to have more of a balance between knitting and spending time with him – oops!

If that is how he feels then I do need to be more mindful of that and perhaps have 1/2 evenings off a week to spend time with him but it certainly wont help my to do list!  Eek!

This weekend is going to be busy, it’s Ellies first time of coming to the house for the weekend so I want to make sure she has a good time.  We are going to crop on Saturday with my mum (it will be Ellies first time and I am really hoping that she behaves herself!) and then we probably wont do much in the evening – maybe make flapjacks and watch a film.  Then on Sunday we have a kid/parent class at b & q where we will be making a bird house.  After that I have to drop her home and then get on with my to do list:

• 10 mile run
• Finish George’s scarf
• Sort out craft room
• Organise projects for Sat for me and Ellie
• Knit 2 chickens
• Cut and sew 2 squares (have done 4 blocks and the cutting for another 6 already)
• Knit me a hat!  Something thick and cosy to keep me warm now the weather has dropped!  Ooh shall have to have a rummage in the craft room and see what lovely wool I can find.

So nothing has been crossed off my to do list so far this week and so everything will need to be done this weekend - yay!

Cant decide if at the crop I should get on with valentines day tag and card for Andy as well as finishing my hat and knitting the chickens, which are on the to do list or whether I should just make my purse which is what I really want to do?!  Hmm decisions decisions!  Maybe I will take everything and see how much I can get done??

Easter bunny

I got on with my bunny again last night (as Andy hadn’t wound my wool but nevermind – I have left it out again today so hopefully he will get the hint and make it into a lovely ball for me so I can finish my hat).  Its definitely getting bigger which is good and it is super super soft which I think the girls will appreciate.  Still not sure if it will be big enough for my original idea but hopefully I can still add a pocket for them to keep other stuff in it.

This is how far along I am - most of it will be the base but am now adding height.  Its very simple knit row, purl row so its an ideal evening project to do in front of the tv.

It is also not guzzling at my ball of wool which is nice!  I have decided to make 6 Easter bunnies now instead of the original 3.  However, I have a feeling that they are all very girly.  I think there is this white and purple wool, pink with pink and purple spots and maybe a white with pink spots?!  I cant quite remember but I don't think the 2 boys will be too impressed with them!  I shall just have to pop to Tiptree and get some boyish colour wool but I will wait and see how many balls I need to buy.  I have bought 3 balls of each of the girly colours which I think will be too much.  I am hoping that I can get 2 bunnies out of each set of colour but we shall have to wait and see!

Hmm not sure when I am going to get an opportunity to knit 2 chickens!  I had thought that I could take my purse to make on Sat when I do a craft day with my mum and Ellie but maybe I could take a long my wool as well just in case I get time to get started!

The to do list is doing very well at the moment:

• Finish George’s scarf - No progress yet but hopefully on Sunday
• Sort out craft room - hmm maybe Sunday??  Although am off next Friday and following Monday so maybe these would be better days to sort out the room - yes that sounds like a good idea!
• Organise projects for Sat for me and Ellie - Yes in my head all sorted but now need to find them and pack all the bits and pieces that we need.  I am hoping that Ellie will be happy to make cards for various birthdays and Easter whilst I make my purse.
• Knit 2 chickens - hmm Sunday??
• Cut and sew 2 squares (have done 4 blocks and the cutting for another 6 already) - Sunday??
• Knit me a hat!  Something thick and cosy to keep me warm now the weather has dropped!  Ooh shall have to have a rummage in the craft room and see what lovely wool I can find. - almost finished and hopefully will be done Thurs/Fri

Valentines day

I can't decide if Andy would appreciate my tea towel idea!  Hmm I am in 2 minds about doing this now for him.  I think I will do it and stop worrying.  Not that we need any more tea towels but we can sort through the old ones and just keep the nice ones.  I love my sweet idea and think he will love it.

Easter

I have found some proper cute Easter cross stitch motives and think I can add these to my jars - I am hoping my chocolate bunnies will fit in the jars that I already have Ikea and that I can add a little cross stitch design.  I'm thinking that Mum, Nan and Sue will like them.   

Running

• Run 2.5 miles (easy) - Mon am
• Swim - Tues am
• Do an aerobics class - Tues lunch Am so sore already (1 hour after class!)  Not sure I am going to be able to move tomorrow!
• Run 4 miles (faster) - Wed am Did 3 miles which was hard enough work - still slightly faster pace than normal as running with Nina
• Run 3 miles (intervals) - Thurs am My poor aching body couldnt face a run (not even the x-trainer) so I did a 30min swim instead.  May see if I can fit in a short run on Sunday or if not then a lovely walk with Andy in my new walking boots.
• Do a Pilates/Yoga class - Fri lunch
• Run 10 miles (long) - Sat

I got up early to go for a run but the whole way in I thought instead of running today wouldnt it be lovely to swim instead.  My whole body aches and from today onwards I wont be able to swim for a week so it was my last swim for a bit.  Luckily my gym sells swimming costumes so I bought one this morning on my way in and I had a lovely 30 min swim.  After a few mins my arms and legs stopped aching and it was lovely (the aches are back now but it was nice to have a small respite from them!)  I will probably do yoga tomorrow to help stretch out the last of the aches and get myself ready for Sat!

Up and coming holidays!

Valentines Day

I don’t know how this holiday always sneaks up on me!  Neither Andy nor I are very romantic but I thought this year I would make more of an effort.  He has a very sweet tooth (and he has just finished all the Christmas chocolates and sweets) so I have been to M&S and bought some heart sweets, which I am going to put in a simple jar with a nice ribbon and a tag saying I love you.

Then I wanted to make him something and I suddenly remembered that I had bought some white cotton tea towels to eventually embroider so then using Pinterest (love this website) I found a gorgeous pattern for ‘With all the fishes in the sea you are the one for me’ – how perfect is that?  Andy is majorly into fish and fishing so anything fish related has to be good!  Am sure this will mean that I need to buy some more embroidery thread – at the moment I only have some super thick wool (that I had high hopes of making an embroidery jewellery roll as well as a tissue box cover – not yet happened!) and some thin thread which I use on the sewing machine.  Oh no – I don’t think I will be able to get to the Tiptree shop at the weekend – I will have to have a look online and see what I can order!

Not sure I can get this finished on top of everything else (do you see what I mean about starting too many projects and being unrealistic in how much I can get done?!)  However, I did see a super cute and super quick and easy heart pattern which is only 2 stitches – hmm!  That might be more realistic in 2 weeks to achieve.

I’m not sure he will appreciate the heart I knitted (years ago and have done nothing to it)! But I will eventually decorate it and maybe give it as a birthday/Christmas gift….maybe!

So many great projects and so little time!

Easter

I have also found a really cute idea for the girls at Easter.  I have a bunny theme this year – they have shop bought bunny slippers and I have got bunny chocolates that I am going to put in a glass jar with some easter eggs (I will put up photos as hopefully it will look a lot cuter then it currently sounds!  They also have their bunny teddies/pj holders.  Plus now they might have bunny bags – so cute and easy to make!  Am super excited!  But I think this will be enough (especially as the plan is that they will have their bean bags as well for Easter – despite not fitting in with the bunny theme!)

How cute are these??

Almost finished (plus another project started!)

In the hopes of not making this hat the size of a giant tea cozy I think I am now ready to decrease and I should have the hat finished tonight - yay!  (unless I go out with my friend as planned and then it will be ready tomorrow).  Am very happy with it so far but it is super plain and quick to do.  Am tempted to get it finished so I can wear it in the cold weather but then undo it and redo it with a cable or ribbing pattern - hmm!

This is my hat so far - its very simple but am looking forward to finishing it as I think it will be super warm and cosy.

I finished my first ball of wool and Andy wasnt in the mood to ball the second lot of wool so I decided to get started on my Easter bunnies.  The initial shape is exactly the same as Fatty which is nice and simple and then just need to add floppy ears.  So far the bunny isnt as big as I had hoped (I wanted them to be pj cases - either lined and hollow or with a pocket on the front) at the moment it looks more like a tiny teddy.  I know children like teddies but I wanted to make something that had a purpose as well.  I am still at the increasing stage so I might add a few more increases in to make the base wider and hopefully that will help.  I only started off with 8 stitches and I'm thinking for the next one that I need to cast on more stitches but we shall see how I get on with this one.  If it goes horribly wrong then I can give it to Daisy as she wont see the others to know that hers is different!

Promise will take photos tonight/tomorrow morning!

Running

• Run 2.5 miles (easy) - Mon am
• Swim - Tues am
• Do an aerobics class - Tues lunch Body pump class! Am so sore already (1 hour after class!)  Not sure I am going to be able to move tomorrow!
• Run 4 miles (faster) - Wed am Only managed 3 miles and that was with walking breaks however, the weather was shocking - freezing cold and raining with a nice cold wind as well!  Plus legs werent as sore as I feared but they werent the freshest either.
• Run 3 miles (intervals) - Thurs am
• Do a Pilates class - Thurs lunch
• Run 10 miles (long) - Sat

I used my foam roller again last night - my thighs were already quite stiff after the class at lunch so it was nice to use the roller - not sure how much it helped my legs for today but they did feel quite good.  Bit tired when running and started to get a niggle in my right hip which came and went but hopefully isnt making a return.  

My arms and shoulders hurt - a lot!  Not impressed but I don't do much with my arms so probably good for them to get a work out every now and then.  There is a body pump class on a Monday lunchtime and Monday is going to be my strength day so maybe this might be better.  Although next Monday I have a free session with a personal trainer so we shall see as she might help me to get a program together that will help strengthen my legs and core without going to class.

The hat!

So despite having a long list of things to get done in February and trying to stop myself from starting any more new projects whilst I have so many outstanding.  I couldn’t help myself and I have started to knit my woolly hat!  It took a while to get started as the beautiful wool I am using has to be wound into a ball otherwise I get into a horrendous mess (luckily Andy loves to undo knots and is always more than happy to help me unknot and ball my wool!)  No photo of the hat but there is one of Andy very proudly holding his wound ball of wool. 

I also cast on the wrong number of stitches and although it looked small when I first started – I know that it does grow but by the 4^th row I realised that it wasn’t going to grow enough.  The mistake?  I measured my head and its 21 inches, the wool said that 7.5 stitches was 10cm so I decided to cast on 20 stitches as I knit quite tightly and I was using 10mm needles not the 12mm needles the wool needed.  Hmmm!  It took me a few mins but then I realised that I had measured in inches but the stitch gauge was in cm!  Urg!!  I undid it all and then cast on 50 stitches – I have done the first 6 rows and have measured it and it should fit – hopefully!

This is my wool that I am using - people liken it to rope but I love using it as it knits up super quick!

I do like having an easy project to get on with in the evenings when I am super tired from a long day at work and travelling.  George's scarf probably wont get looked at again until Sat or more likely Sun but then I am hoping to sit down and get it all finished.

Running

• Run 2.5 miles (easy) - Mon am
• Swim - Tues am
• Do an aerobics class - Tues lunch Am so sore already (1 hour after class!)  Not sure I am going to be able to move tomorrow!
• Run 4 miles (faster) - Wed am
• Run 3 miles (intervals) - Thurs am
• Do a Pilates class - Thurs lunch
• Run 10 miles (long) - Sat

I have decided against doing my long run at the gym on Sat - I have been moaning about all the hills near to where I live now but I am going over to flat Canvey to pick up Ellie so I can run there!  Perfect!  Am going to work out a lovely 10 mile flat run.  

My work out week is going to plan so far (I thought I had forgotten my gym trainers this morning and was desperately trying to think what shoes/trainers I could work out in today!  But luckily the trainers were under my desk when I got here - yay!)

I used my foam roller yesterday as my 5mins on the treadmill managed to kill the IB band in my thighs - not quite sure how as I was wearing my normal trainers and started off at my normal speed but something was not right!  Finished off time on the X trainer.  Anyway, I only used the roller for a few mins but it def made a difference.  Am going to try and use it every day or at least on a more frequent basis.

I also wore compression socks yesterday after and evening as I have been having problems with my calf muscles - they are super tight and sore when walking and running.  I loved them!  I am going to try wearing them on Wed during my run and see how I get on with them.  I might look into compression tights to help my thighs which really struggle but they might be too expensive......

This week and weekend

Its shaping up to be a busy week despite having a very productive weekend!  I need to this week:

• Finish George’s scarf
• Sort out craft room
• Organise projects for Sat for me and Ellie
• Knit 2 chickens
• Cut and sew 2 squares (have done 4 blocks and the cutting for another 6 already)
• Knit me a hat!  Something thick and cosy to keep me warm now the weather has dropped!  Ooh shall have to have a rummage in the craft room and see what lovely wool I can find.

Hmm do I have time this month to make a super sized basket for my wool/shelving unit?  I love baskets and I desperately need some more containers for wool.  Ooh and maybe some more smaller tubs for putting fabric scraps in/small bits and pieces??  Hmmmmm!  Think this is typical Karen trying to take on far more than I can actually cope with.  I will add it to the bottom of the list and only if everything else gets finished will I start this project (yeah right!)

1. 8 squares completed for charity blanket for the African hospital (got fabric and pattern)
2. Start crochet blanket for Fiona's baby (got all the wool and pattern)
3. 10 Chickens (28 Feb) (got fluffy yellow wool and pattern)
4. 2 (of 6) Easter bunnies (April) (got wool for 3 girl bunnies)
5. Bag for Sam's birthday (13 Feb) (got black and white wool, handles and pattern)
6. 3 crochet hanging hearts for mothers day (30th March) (got wool and pattern)
7. Warm winter hat for me!
8. Finish girl's summer bags (birthdays - April/July)
9. 2 more Fattys for Mum and Nan (30 March) (got wool for Mum's.  See if have any wool for Nan's - maybe she could have a mini one?)
10. Finish red heart for Valentines day for Andy/me (14 Feb)
11. Crochet baskets for me
12. Manly Alzheimer blanket (got fabric and activity bits) - save for April (need to prioritise hospital blanket as there is an actual deadline for this to be ready by)

I am going to start logging my workout details as well so that I can keep track of what I am doing and when!

• Run 2.5 miles (easy) - Mon am
• Run 4 miles (faster) - Wed am
• Run 3 miles (intervals) - Thurs am
• Run 10 miles (long) - Sat
• Swim - Tues am
• Do an aerobics class - Mon lunch
• Do a Pilates class - Thurs lunch

9 more weeks until Brighton marathon!!!! 

Oh my god!  Am starting to freak out – my longest run so far has been 8 miles and it was awful!  Was supposed to do 10 miles at the weekend and instead I did nothing – not good!  Ok last week is behind me and I’m now starting a brand new week.  I am going to work on strength for the next few weeks to get my legs stronger (the problem with this is that it makes my legs extremely sore and tired which makes it harder to run but am hoping that after a few weeks it will get better!)  I have a half marathon on 23^rd Feb and I’m hoping that I will be able to do the 13.1 miles relatively ok but that will depend on how the training goes for the next couple of weeks. 

My race plan is to take it steady and to run 2 miles and then walk to 25 mins – this should mean that it will take me 2 hours 40mins to finish the half and 5 hours 20 mins to finish the full marathon.  So far in training the first few miles have been ok but then it has been harder to make it to the next 2 miles without walking again.  I think, however, my routes have not helped as they are either very hilly or off road and very muddy and slippery.  I am also hoping that a gentle warm will make all the difference and will mean that I don’t have to stop and stretch like I have been doing so far in my first couple of miles – I haven’t tried this yet but am going to this weekend and see if this helps at all.

African hospital blanket

A longer term project at the moment is the African hospital blanket which needs to be finished in April.  I figure that I need to do 12 squares in total so if I complete 2 a week I will have the squares finished by 8^th March which will give me 3 weeks to complete the backing (may not have enough to do a simple backing so may have to sew together the left overs as best as I can), bind the 3 layers together which may take 2 weeks and then attempt some sort of quilting in the final week.  If all goes to plan than this will mean that by early April my blanket will be fully finished and ready to send off – yay!

I have made a good start already as I have 4 squares finished and the cutting done for another 6 so I won’t need to do too much this weekend which is good as it is looking like a very busy weekend!

• STARTED - Week 1 ending Fri 7th Feb - 2 blocks
• Week 2 ending Fri 14th Feb - 2 blocks
• Week 3 ending Fri 21st Feb - 2 blocks
• Week 4 ending Fri 28th Feb - 2 blocks
• Week 5 ending Fri 7th March - 2 blocks
• Week 6 ending Fri 14th March - 2 blocks

ALL BLOCKS COMPLETED - 14 MARCH

• Week 7 ending Fri 21st March - all blocks sewn together, start backing panel
• Week 8 ending Fri 28th March - backing panel finished and 3 layers sewn together
• Week 9 ending Fri 4th April - quilting 

BLANKET FINISHED AND READY TO SEND OFF! - 4 APRIL

Photos of progress so far in week 1

The charity year ahead!

My aim is to complete a charity project each month in 2014.  In January I managed to support 3 different charities which was great but maybe one a month is more realistic!  I have mapped out some ideas below but have a couple of months spare so I will keep an eye out for different projects that may crop up during the year.  Getting involved with knitting for various charities is such a great way to give back whilst doing something that I love.  It doesn’t feel like it costs any money (even though I have to pay for supplies) nor does it feel that it takes up much time (although each project can be quite time consuming). 

January

• ·         The Children’s Society – crochet squares
• ·         Mungos Homeless – hats
• ·         NHS Blood Donation – blood drops

 February

• ·         Francis House Children’s Hospice – chickens

 March

• ·         African hospital – quilted blanket

 April

• ·         Police Department – trauma teddy bears

 May

• ·         The Tanzanian Project – baby hats

 June

• ·         Newlife Foundation – dogs, pencil cases, etc (items to sell)

 July

August

September

• ·         Age UK – hats and scarfs

 October

November

December

A productive weekend

I managed to cross a lot of things off my to do list over the weekend which felt really good.  Although I didn’t run – which was really really bad of me!  I will have to make up for it this week and have already done 2.5 miles this morning.  I will have to fit in a longer run on Wednesday (easy – just get up at 5.20! urg!) and I will have to fit in a 2 hour run at the weekend which is already proving tricky as I have Ellie this weekend.  Hmm!  I’m hoping that I can fit in a small run on Sat before I pick her up and then maybe a gym session once I have dropped her home but we shall see!

However, back to crafting!

I have made a start on my blocks for the Africa blanket – I thought I would need to improve my sewing skills but my cutting skills are horrific!  I don’t appear to be able to cut in a straight line at all!  Not good.  My blocks that I have made so far are varying a bit in size but I am hoping that once I get 4 together in a square I can trim them down.  I can always add a boarder if my blanket turns out too small!  Hmm – I’m not sure what I am doing wrong.  I have borrowed my mum’s cutting matt and ruler and I still am having trouble.  Will keep practising and see what happens.  I have decided not to do all my cutting and then all my sewing – firstly because I sewed together my first block and I realised that I hadn’t provided any seam allowance so those pieces have been added to the scrap pile and secondly I find cutting really boring so I don’t want to use up all my interest and then not have enough interest to finish it!

I am also super happy that I am on the final stages of George’s scarf – yay!  I have done both top and bottom layers as well as the nose and started on the eyes.  Just have the mouth, tail, ears and another eye to finish off.  This is the time consuming part but I am preserving.  Will add some photos soon.

I have also done another 2 colours on my super-sized blanket.  Andy is very annoying and no longer feigns any interest when I show him how well I am doing.  To be fair there isn’t much difference as its 4 stripes of 11 colours.  However, for me, I have worked for 4 hours and done 2 lots of stripes which is a great achievement and then he is like I don’t care!  Which isn’t very nice!!  I am almost half way through my third set of stripes.  The end is starting to come into sight although it’s still a long way off.  It’s a great project to have in the background – if I’m really tired and cant be bothered to do anything else than I can always count on my blanket to help me.

So the January to do list is looking good after such a productive weekend:

1. Finish Fatty for Andy’s mum (18th Jan) 
2. Finish dog pencil case for Daisy (8th Feb)
3. Finish dragon scarf for George (8th Feb)
4. Finish Rebecca’s Fatty (8th Feb) 
5. Make 5 blood drops for NHS project (deadline 31st Jan) - 2 more needed
6. Make 12 crochet squares for the Children’s Society (deadline 25th Jan) - just sewing in needed
7. Finish Alzheimer blanket (18th Jan) 
8. Finish scarf for Patrick (8th Feb)
9. Knit a Christmas bauble REMOVED UNTIL FEBRUARY
10. Start Easter bunnies (Deadline April) REMOVED UNTIL FEBRUARY
11. Finish scarf for Nan (birthday 21st Jan) 
12. Make a spare scarf for Nan (birthday 21st Jan) 
13. Knit 3 charity chickens (Deadline Feb)  REMOVED UNTIL FEBRUARY

Only George's scarf is left and this will definitely be ready in time - its just a case of finishing it off.

I only completed 3 blood drops in the end which was disappointing but still better than nothing and it was quite a tight deadline which wasnt good.  The ends were sewn in and the package is now ready to be sent - yay!

The to do list for February has already began!  This is how it looks so far:

1. Manly Alzheimer blanket (got fabric and activity bits)
2. Charity blanket for the African hospital (got fabric and pattern)
3. Start crochet blanket for Fiona's baby (got all the wool and pattern)
4. 10 Chickens (28 Feb) (got fluffy yellow wool and pattern)
5. 2 (of 6) Easter bunnies (April) (got wool for 3 girl bunnies)
6. Bag for Sam's birthday (13 Feb) (got black and white wool, handles and pattern)
7. 3 crochet hanging hearts for mothers day (30th March) (got wool and pattern)
8. Finish girl's summer bags (birthdays - April/July)
9. 2 more Fattys for Mum and Nan (30 March) (got wool for Mum's.  See if have any wool for Nan's)
10. Finish red heart for Valentines day for Andy (14 Feb)

Yay - things are progressing!

I have finished the components for Daisy's pencil case - now just need to put it all together - which is time consuming.  Oh and do the patch and sew her name onto it!  

1. Finish Fatty for Andy’s mum (18th Jan) 
2. Finish dog pencil case for Daisy (8th Feb)
3. Finish Rebecca’s Fatty (8th Feb) 
4. Sew in the ends of Patrick's scarf (8th Feb)
5. Make 1/2 more blood drops for NHS project (deadline 31st Jan) 
6. Sew in the ends of the blood drops so they are ready to post on Monday
7. Buy the fabric for the charity hospital blanket
8. Look at fabric for my new purse project
9. Make the purse kit (hmm!)
10. Organise the wool for Sam's bag for her birthday
11. Sort out the craft room and put things away
12. Do a 10 mile run!
13. Do a 3 mile relaxing run!
14. Family meal on Sunday - wrap Nan's presents and remember to take them with me
15. Buy waterproof walking boots and jacket

Oh wow - been to the amazing craft shop and may have gotten carried away!  Had decided to only buy the fabric for the charity blanket and just to look at the bag fabric and bean bag fabric.  However......

This is all the fabric that I bought - all £52 of it!  Oops!  I got the fabric for the hospital blanket, a gorgeous wool mix grey that I first intended to use on my Alzheimer blanket but then realised that it would be perfect for my bag!  Ooh - how nice will it look with a black leather trim??  I also picked up a gorgeous pink and white butterfly as well as purple fabric with white hearts - perfect for the bean bags - I kind of picked these up and then I thought that I had put them back as they were remnants and I didnt make a note of how much I needed!  Oops but I do love them.  I also got 2 random remnants which will be perfect for the Alzheimer blanket which I want to make more manly this time.

Manly fabric - maybe for another Alzheimer blanket?

Perfect colours for the girl's bean bags although I don't have enough of the purple for all of them - eek!

Originally bought as another manly fabric but then thought that it would make a gorgeous winter bag with black (maybe leather?) trim and accessories?

The fabric that I went shopping for!  Blue and greens for the charity blanket to go to Africa.

Gorgeous - am really happy!  Now I just need to get on with making things!

Wohoo!  Have gotten 4 things finished off today - took ages but it was really worth it and can now tick things off my list.

 I have stuffed the owl but we were thinking that it might make a good doorstop rather than a teddy but as we are flying with it in hand luggage - I will wait until we get to Ireland to add the rice which will make it much heavier.

 Wohoo the sewing together of the dog pencil case is finished - just need to get my mum to make the lining and add the zip (which will make her happy!  hmm!)  But am happy with it which is good!  This took the longest to finish off - probably as long, if not longer, than it took me to knit the actual case!  I just hope she likes it!  Although everytime I look at it - I think sheep!  In fact thats what both my mum and Andy thought it was when they first saw it.  It is supposed to be a dog!  But nevermind - I wont mention what its supposed to be and I will let Daisy decide!!

Sue's fatty finished for the second time.  The first time, Andy didnt like the eyes (they were awful) so I replaced them with giant buttons and I'm happy with the final result.  It has a whole cushion stuffing and 3.5 bags of rice!  Its super heavy but again we are hoping that it can be used as a doorstop.  Which reminds me that my mum asked for an original Fatty as a doorstop.  Maybe I will make a third for my Nan and they these can be Mother Day gifts??  Could be a good idea.

Must do this weekend!

1. Finish Fatty for Andy’s mum (18th Jan) 
2. Finish dog pencil case for Daisy (8th Feb)
3. Finish Rebecca’s Fatty (8th Feb) 
4. Sew in the ends of Patrick's scarf (8th Feb)
5. Make 1/2 more blood drops for NHS project (deadline 31st Jan) 
6. Sew in the ends of the blood drops so they are ready to post on Monday
7. Buy the fabric for the charity hospital blanket
8. Look at fabric for my new purse project
9. Make the purse kit (hmm!)
10. Organise the wool for Sam's bag for her birthday
11. Sort out the craft room and put things away
12. Do a 10 mile run!
13. Do a 3 mile relaxing run!
14. Family meal on Sunday - wrap Nan's presents and remember to take them with me
15. Buy waterproof walking boots and jacket

Relax and get ready for the new week, finally spend some time with Andy!  I don't feel that we get to spend that much time together even though we are living together now - each evening I am knitting and he is working on his laptop and then at the weekends we tend to do our own thing as well.  Although last week we went for a lovely walk and that was really nice and good preparation for the Ben Nevis trek he wants to do when we go to Scotland in the summer.

Taking it easy

Last night despite needing to get on with my blood drops, I really fancied working on something completely mindless and easy so I decided to get on with mine and Andy’s stupidly giant throw.  We bought the wool in Cyprus and I love the colours – they are a compromise as I would have loved to go brighter but I had to take Andy’s preference into account as well and hopefully we have a good mix of colours to please us both.

This is the blanket folded in half length ways - it doesnt look that big but I will take another photo to show you the scale - its stupidly long!  I have also folded it in half width ways so it is twice as wide and twice as long then it looks!  It still has a long way to go but its such a lovely project to get on with especially in the evenings when you want something easy and mindless to get on with.  Plus its very warm as I can wrap it around me whilst crocheting!

The blanket is as long as our sofa but unfortunately (and Andy gets annoyed when I moan because every time I work on the throw I have the exact same worry) I don’t think it will be wide enough.  Each ball of wool is doing 2 lots of stripes and we have 2 balls of each 11 colours.  I am more than half way now through the blanket and it will be super long but super narrow!  I’m thinking that I can buy some more wool (not the same brand which seems to be a Turkish brand) but hopefully similar enough to fit in so that I can make it wider but we shall see.

I love the basket that it is currently in but it is going to have to move somewhere bigger as its outgrowing this space (this basket is from Boots and originally had a toiletry set in it - I love it!  I always keep my eye out just in case they have some more great baskets/containers for knitting projects.)

I have taken some photos of my 3 finished blood drops – I’m thinking that I may only send 3 in which will be a shame (I had originally aimed to send 10 and then this was reduced to 5 and then 4 and now maybe 3!)  But I think It’s more important to focus on the Ireland presents which are needed before the 7^th February and time is running very short.  Everything takes me so much longer than I anticipate!

The giant blood drop is one whole ball of wool!  I was not impressed!  Luckily the DK red is going much further and the 2 smaller drops have barely made a dent in the ball which is good.  I have enough wool to probably make another 4 or 5 drops but no time to make them!  urg!

This weekend I am going to the Tiptree shop (yay!  It is such an amazing shop and is one of the greatest things about living in the middle of nowhere!) to get the material I need for my hospital blue and green blanket and also to look at the material I might want for my bag (although I’m sure I will end up purchasing the material if I see it – what if they were to run out before I got to go back?!)