Hats

At the risk of sounding over organised (well at least I can make use of this slightly weird aspect of my nature by turning it into a business) I went through my knitting records since 2006-a scary amount of socks and I do not even see myself as a sock knitter and 20 hats. But none for myself-I found myself needing to wear a hat to keep warm to go out one evening and my options were a New Zealand Possum beanie-great for hiking or skiing or a acrylic pink hat I bought in Jerusalem. That sounds great but the hat definitely isn't. How ridiculous. So my knitting pile got put aside to make 2 hats. I would include photos except I do not know how to get photos from my new phone yet. I struggle in an humiliating old lady way with these modern phones.

I like to knit one project at a time but I am weak So on the needles are:

-the Elizabeth Zimmerman Surprise Jacket-weird scary knitting in the extreme that I started out of curiosity and now struggle to stay curious about.

-the sock wool cushion cover-I am a little tired of those tiny stitches

-a big scarf I decided would go well with the fine black wool top I am yet to buy

-socks that have been a bus project for months and owing to London traffic jams are going really well.

-and my crocheted blanket that goes really well. The colour scheme came from a trip to the V & A. I aim to have one item on the needles by December

I have an acylic hat and photos

This is the lovely wool for my new bed cover-so far I have managed 2 rounds of the first crocheted square. I have difficulty facing the fact that it really is not happening. The pink walls and yellow dressing table are remnants of my daughter's teen years which I am really rather fond of.

This is part of the reason for the delay.This scarf and hat is for Becka a truly fabulous friend of my daughter who is gloriously loud and American. I adore her. She asked me to make her a scarf and hat. This is made from strands of machine knitting yarn I inherited when my friends mother died. I really like inheriting stuff that was valued and no one wants anymore and giving it a second life. I like the idea of this yarn from an attic in Kenton will now be around the neck of a young woman in Jerusalem.

Even more this makes me think about Nick Hornby's 'About a Boy' (trust me this will make sense) In this book Marcus, the boy, talks about how it used to only be him and his Mum and that we all need a circle of friends. People come and go from our circle and that's OK. Knitting is a wonderful way to be part of someones circle. What better way to tell a 22 year old that this 51 year old thinks she is pretty darn special.

This is the next cushion cover for the much beloved couch below. Sock wool is great for cushions covers. Also so much of this yarn is too nice to be hidden in my boots all winter.

This is the perfect knitting couch. It has it's own DAB radio and a floor to ceiling window looking out on the back garden. It is perfect on a cold rainy day with Radio 4 and a blanket. This was the cat's all time favourite place.

Anyway time to iron, Tesco order and rewrite my pitch and then when I have used up all avoidance options attempt a web site

Cat died, new job and knitting neurosis

I'm back. I went back to Social Work-bad bad idea and lost the plot to do anything. My G.P and I now agree that it is time to move on. As part of that I want to blog regularly and ask any readers who find this to haunt my dreams if I do not get to this blog weekly.

First the cat as this leads on to my second point. Izzy the most neurotic unfriendly 17 year old cat had to be put down on Sunday and my God do I miss her. We have had pets the last 20 years and the house seems very empty. I keep looking for her on the stairs in the morning and wondering where her food bowl has gone. Towards the end she was very messy. I cleaned the couches and cushions and Clive cleaned the vomit and poo on the floor. Now she has gone the 2 handmade cushions are back on my scruffy old couch in the backroom-the one designed for knitting. However 2 of the cushions need knitted cushion covers and I bought lovely cheap Texere yarn for a bed blanket. WHAT DO I DO FIRST? Why would I never even consider buying covers or a blanket.

Sadly I cannot knit all day and do need to make an income. I have decided to go with what I do well-that is being over organised.I have helped friends to sort out paperwork, edit and sort their wardrobe and arrange kitchens. I am now building this up as a business. I made this decision 2 weeks ago and already have 2 definite bookings and 3 more in discussion. I call it lifestyle management and will do all the jobs people do not have time to do from booking workmen to organising filing systems. I am about to enter the world of websites and business cards. I have a lovely sense of calm excitement about this one.

Are you all enjoying the leaf rain of Autumn? I saw brown and gold leaves on the dark grey pavement last night and sadly thought -I could knit that.

I am using my husband's computer to do this and he will feel really annoyed if I add photos to it so I will log off now and add photos next time