nannymaid wrote:

No knitting for me today unfortunately, 11 of thefamily for tea! Hopefully back to it tomorrow, although I do hope it goes better than yesterday. Done the back of a bolero for granddaughter no problem, tried a front yesterday.....well!.....had to keep undoing it. Using eyelash yarn from Deramores (wonderful place) and I don't read the pattern properly or forget what I'm meant to be doing and as the stitches are hard to see turns out easier to undo. Took hours to do a front for a 2 year old! Anyone else have 'bad' days with the knitting?

Lol, yes I have those days too! Absolutely nothing will work. I chart my rows and notes in a notebook for future reference - I now use an erasable pen - just in case I have one of 'those days' .

I haven't been to 'the D place' this morning but I have bought another couple of patterns online.

Enjoy your day - it sounds like a lot of fun!

nzmu - 2013-02-23 07:44:00

Morning all... The sun is hiding.. its meant to be a lovely day and I hope it does clear up cos we have a surprise 60th party to go to. And its an outside one. Will be making some pizzas later to take with us.

I finished the main piece of Berties jacket yesterday 2 strands of double knitting on 5.5mm needles, so it wasnt too bad to knit. Did the pickets and started a sleeve. Wont get much time to knoit at all today. but I may "force" myself to sit and knit or read for an hour after lunch cos that will mena MrP will rest too. Hes not used to being up at night so he will need a poppa nap lol.
We are going to change beds around tomorrow. BUT that means I need to clear the spare bed off in my office/craft room, so Ill do a bit of that inbetween everything else today lol.
The biggest part of the changes will happen tomorrow, so by tomorrow night ill be a right off lol.. surviving on pain killers, and MrP will be sore but when he is sore he would rather grumble and moan than take any more pills..
Have a good day all. Enjoy the crafts.

Oh and yes when something goes wrong on the knitting it can be a right pain in the butt. Thankfully Jean greenhowes patterns are very well written. not often I have a miuck up with them.

popeye333 - 2013-02-23 08:29:00

Good morning everyone. Maible that's great news about the dog. I'm looking after my neighbour's dog this weekend so Quinn (my dog) is very happy she has a play mate. They are both golden retrievers.

My laptop is at the laptop doctor as it kept freezing and then crashing so I'm on my desk top which is okay but sometimes does silly things too.

Of to a card making class at 10.30. Gosh I wish I had more time for my hobbies :-)

Update on my earthquake repairs. Have decided not to get paid out now as I had the man from one of the Opt Out companies come round and he found a lot more issues which take me over cap (mainly to do with floor tiles). Deep down I was never really happy with the EQC assessment.EQC were going to pay me between $10,000 - $15,000. That's $5,000 difference and I was told they couldn't give me a firm figure!!! Grrr. Anyway this man has told me it will be closer to $20,000. I am feeling a lot better about it now..Could be a while before the repairs are done but that's okay, I can live with that.

Have been doing a lot of cross-stitch this week but may start knitting the fingerless mittens this weekend all going well.

Better go and get ready for my class. Have a great day everyone.

pats3 - 2013-02-23 09:28:00

Yes, I've had bad knitting days too (and sewing and crochet). One day a while ago I took some crochet along to the stitch and bitch group, and sat happily crocheting and chatting. Got home and discovered that I'd done the entire session working 5 shell patterns instead of 6 on the item I was doing (I had turned before I got to the end of the first row) so everything I had done there had to be unravelled. At least with crochet there's only one stitch to pick back up before you can start again. Beautiful day here at the moment. I wonder when the wind will start.

kuaka - 2013-02-23 09:46:00

Afternoon ladies. Just got back from taking my sister out to lunch. Had a play on the pokies afterward and won our money back and enough to pay for lunch. So that was great. Won't get much knitting do this weekend as I is only 2 weeks until EQC repairs start so I'm concentrating on tidying up and sorting throu things. I did bake a batch of blueberry and chocolate chip muffins for my brother in laws birthday of which we forgot about. Absolutely fabulous news about rotti, aren't vets wonderful people. That's it from me as I have just found a box big enough to pack my jigsaw puzzles in.

whiskey13 - 2013-02-23 15:32:00

Hi all, thank you for your lovely thoughts re the dog, it seems that the vet approached the Humane Society who are covering some of the operation costs and the vet is donating her time. Daughter is still blown away by their kindness, rotti has been going to the same clinic since he was born and he's a bit of a favourite there.
I'm pleased to say the the majority of our EQC repairs are finished, just a couple of small jobs for the builder to take care of.
pats I think you did the right thing re your payout, and hope you don't have to wait too long for your repairs. I'm glad ours are over before winter, would have been dreadful with the dogs at that time of year. Hope your card making class went well too, I used to make all my cards, but haven't done any for a while.
popeye you're so quick with your knitting, don't overdo things tomorrow, and have a lovely time at the party tonight, fingers crossed for good weather.
whiskey good luck with your tidying and sorting, I got rid of so much stuff when we were doing ours, and all my craft supplies are now much more organised. Dare I tell you that I have a 2 door cupboard for my jigsaw puzzles, mainly Wasgij - have every one that has been released here so far.
As to 'those days' mentioned earlier I have had several, especially with starting 2ply shawls, until the pattern is established I have a lot of trouble knitting and unknitting.
I bought some hand dyed wool on Facebook last night from Rachel at FeatherBrush Yarns, can't wait to get it, such delicious colours.
Happy crafting everyone, take care whatever you're doing xoxoxo

maible - 2013-02-23 17:16:00

Glad it's not just me re shawl making, maible. I too have trouble with one in particular - a 2 ply one too, starts with 281 stitches and every time I botch up the first row and have to cast on again...argh! Managed some more of the bolero after all yesterday, found out why I ended up with an extra stitch on the other front but.....tough....not redoing it, just made sure I made the same goof up on the second front. Mind you, have decided the neck needs to be higher so will have to try and unpick a number of rows and just hope I don't end up having to start all over again!

nannymaid - 2013-02-24 06:33:00

whiskey13 wrote:

I'm a lefty. My nana taught me (when i was 8years old) by sitting on her lap (facing away from her) and her arms coming around my waist. I held onto the knitting and wool as she knitted. Nana was a lefty too but taught me righthanded. For most things it doesn't matter if your right or left handed. I'm now 40 and have no-one to teach as i think i have left it too late to have kiddie :( And yes....I AM A WOOL HOARDER lol

Hi hope you all don't mind me crashing in here today. I've picked up my needles again after 20 years lol as we have our first grandy on the way.
I'm a 'lefty' too and this is exactly the way my grandmother taught me too. She taught me when I was around 6 or 7 years old and I'm 48 now! Amazing after 20 years of no knitting, I just picked it up again as if it was yesterday, even got my 'speed' back and can watch the telly and knit at the same time lol. Didn't realise just how much I missed it.

kiwimade64 - 2013-02-24 08:42:00

Morning all... Ohhh our aching bodys lol,. we ended up changing all the beds around yesterday. Then sitting on hard chairs at the party my poor tailbone has got a migraine lol
Been racking my brains most of the night trying to think of the rugby players name that was there, he was an all black too . I should have asked someone but didnt lol. MrP totally pigged out on mussels and crayfish...
Someone made these chicken rolls, like asparagus rolls but with chicken they were lovely. First time Id had bread in months lol
So be a quiet day here today once we put a few things in the office a bit tidier and then Ill do some more knitting.
Lovely weather, I should put some washing on too I suppose.

popeye333 - 2013-02-24 08:49:00

kiwimade64 wrote:

Hi hope you all don't mind me crashing in here today. I've picked up my needles again after 20 years lol as we have our first grandy on the way.
I'm a 'lefty' too and this is exactly the way my grandmother taught me too. She taught me when I was around 6 or 7 years old and I'm 48 now! Amazing after 20 years of no knitting, I just picked it up again as if it was yesterday, even got my 'speed' back and can watch the telly and knit at the same time lol. Didn't realise just how much I missed it.

Glad your enjoying it again kiwimade. I think its like bike riding, you never really forget. When I was younger I used to love knitting or crocheting in the car on our long trips.. Miss that now cos I have to drive lol . I fins my fingers ache if I dont do knitting now.. Must be the old use it or lose it thing and Im not far from 48 but my fathers mother especially had arthritic fingers.

popeye333 - 2013-02-24 08:54:00

welcome kiwimade64! Your story mirrors my own! 5 years ago I received the news that I was going to be a grandma - so out came the needles after having no interest whatsoever for a very long time.
I now have 4 grandies and love knitting for them!

nzmu - 2013-02-24 09:08:00

popeye333 wrote:

Glad your enjoying it again kiwimade. I think its like bike riding, you never really forget. When I was younger I used to love knitting or crocheting in the car on our long trips.. Miss that now cos I have to drive lol . I fins my fingers ache if I dont do knitting now.. Must be the old use it or lose it thing and Im not far from 48 but my fathers mother especially had arthritic fingers.

omgg popeye my fingers ache but I guess it's because I am out of practice. Won't take long to get back into it all... just have to train our Jack Russell to stop running off with my wool. It is NOT one of his squeaky toys!
Cant' be cross with him for long though, he just wants my attention any way he can get it.

kiwimade64 - 2013-02-24 10:15:00

The fingers will soon get used to it again Kiwimade. My girl cat played with my needles once too many times years ago and got a growling, never bothered them again. I could sit with her in my lap knitting. Now the Bob boy, the younger boycat he will sit on the tray I use to put pattern, row counter on and just every so often trys to pull the needle to him.

I keep my wool in a bucket on the floor, for the obvious reasons lol

popeye333 - 2013-02-24 12:37:00

years ago when the kids were small we had a cat who would sit on my lap while I knitted... used to prop my pattern up against her lol.

Edited by kiwimade64 at 1:10 pm, Sun 24 Feb

kiwimade64 - 2013-02-24 13:10:00

Having our foxy on my lap as i knit is a no no I'm afraid as he sheds fur like its going out of fashion, and for some reason i hate dog fur on my knitting.That is silly i know because i have cuddles with him all the time and sit down to knit with fur on my clothes.mrwhiskey's gone fishing for 4 days so i thought stuff it, I'm having a me day today and doing some knitting and baking, instead of tidying and sorting for EQC.

whiskey13 - 2013-02-24 14:44:00

Good on you Whiskey.. Ohh to have four days break, I shouldnt sit here wishing should eh lol.
We put our old bed out the front with a free sign on it, it went just after lunch. I got MrPs room and the office sorted. He slept well on a firmer bed for his broken back. moved his desk/ bedside table around and went through some boxes that were under his bed. Have packed up a box of books for the oppy and moved all mrPs dvds. He didnt realise he has 66 of them lol.
So tomorrow I will swap a smaller bedside table over with a taller one that matches my other one and then Ill be happy for a while lol.
I seem to find all my energy on the weekend and sit and knit through the week lol.

popeye333 - 2013-02-24 16:21:00

Hi ladies, well I took the plunge today and bought a new laptop to replace my ailing desktop - I'm beginning to wonder if I did the right thing. It's taken me all afternoon to get the wretched thing working on "wireless" - even though I had a wireless modem, the old pc wouldn't work on wireless. So finally got this one working but now have to try to transfer everything from the old pc to the new lappy - and I keep reaching for the mouse which of course isn't there. If I can't get the hang of it I just might have to invest in a mouse, 'cos the old one doesn't have the right connection to use with the new lappy. Was very tempted to buy a Kindle as well but I figured this was as much new technology as I could handle in one hit.

kuaka - 2013-02-24 20:42:00

What is a kindle, what does it do and why would I need a kindle and a lap top? How would I make use of a kindle?
I finished some beautiful armsocks for my friend who has terminal cancer. They are from a new Opal sock wool range called flower power, lavender, pinks, white blend. She wants to warm her veins up so blood taking is easier. I am happy. Tried to put a photo on here but apparently it's too big. Strange, I've done photos before but t/m won't take this one. I'm making a garter stitch cardigan out of opal sock wool called surprise. Sort of looks like a rainbow. Why does garter stitch take so much longer to grow? Which must be why it takes so much more wool. Looks nice though and trendy at the moment. Yay for the Rottie, big XXOO for him. Bye.

armin59 - 2013-02-25 08:05:00

Morning all..

Kuaka if you have flybuys you can get a wireless mouse. I dont like using the lappy without a mouse. And this just has a thingee that plugs into one of the usb spots on the side of the lappy. Then you can use the mouse where you like. I have heard they chew through the batteries. But like lights in a house, I turn the mouse off when ever I leave the lappy. And Ive not used many batteries.

I finished an arm last night. And will knit later after Ive put the washing out, after the lawnmowing men have been here. Then I will change the bedside tables over and thats all the changing furnature done. yay.

Have a productive day everyone

popeye333 - 2013-02-25 08:36:00

Thanks popeye I've already decided a mouse is on the shopping list ne49t time I go to Kerikeri (nowhere here in Paihia to buy one) and we should be going over there sometime this week.

armin - a kindle is an "e-reader" apparently. They're on special till tomorrow at the Warehouse $149. You read books with it, just a small tablet like a large flat screen, with a couple of buttons. You can apparently download all your knitting patterns to it as well. Thought it was a bit of a luxury at the moment. Might treat myself for my big birthday later this year.

kuaka - 2013-02-25 09:50:00

morning! oohhh I never thought of downloading patterns to a kindle! Now I definately want one for my birthday lol. My dad in his 70's uses a kindle as books get heavy after a while. If he can cope with one any one can!
Still knitting baby things, one pair of booties (sooo cute), two hats and a cot's blanket. My wool stash is no more since giving up knitting but it's a lot of fun choosing and buying again. I've checked out Dearamores (sp) and wow! Such a 'dangerous' place to be lol.

kiwimade64 - 2013-02-25 10:36:00

I got my Kindle from Warehouse stationery, but they are the same ones as in the warehouse. very easy to use. Love it.

I agree Kiwimade I love deramores a dangerous but exciting place lol.. Im already making my list for my next order. Im being good tho and making my trades pay for it lol

popeye333 - 2013-02-25 11:55:00

good day all - busy weekend with visitors, the parents went to the Mission concert and I looked after the 6 and 4 year olds and had a really great time. Joined up with Sister and her 6yr old granddaughter for a BBQ in the park and the kids had fun riding scooters on the skate rink. Spent this morning doing a huge pile of washing and putting the house straight again. Also have started striping paper off the main bedroom eventually will paint it but that could be quite a way away. One of the joys of being retired is doing things in my own time and not having to rush.
Knitting wise rather frustrated as I am knitting a baby cardy which is done in 2 halves but decided to do both pieces together and was getting along fine until I read the pattern again this am and discovered I had misread the pattern quite a way back and had to pull undone rather a lot of both pieces. Felt like kicking myself but know it is all my own fault for not checking earlier. Oh well now on with it again.

jayemtoo - 2013-02-25 14:33:00

So all a kindle is good for is reading books. How does that work, do you have to pay for them? Does it have other stuff like a laptop does. I found Book Dipository and have bought seven books. $78.00 worth. Moved a big book case into the living room today. Cleared all the old books, crap and dust off it. Now have a shelf for my knitting books, I have started collecting knitting books, buy them off T/M, got a glove one today, really nice. Bye.

armin59 - 2013-02-25 15:32:00

Apparently armin, you can download heaps of books for free, and can download all your knitting and crochet patterns to it. They are much lighter than a paperback, and I believe you can adjust the font size and the pages turn over at a touch of a button. I'm tempted but not totally convinced that I can justify the expense right now. I do admit that sometimes I find it frustrating when I'm reading in bed and I have trouble holding the pages open. I'm still pondering on this one. Still trying to get to grips with the new laptop.

kuaka - 2013-02-25 20:15:00

I have vision problems, if the words go bigger it would be great.

armin59 - 2013-02-25 22:28:00

armin, I believe you can set it to your own personal preference, but I haven't seen one in operation, so only going on what I've been told.

kuaka - 2013-02-26 06:04:00

Why are you up at sparrow Fart Kuaka?

armin59 - 2013-02-26 06:42:00

'cos I was so knackered last night that I went to bed early, and consequently woke early so I thought I might as well get up as I was dying for a cup of tea
- not that I've done anything useful since I've been up, but I plan to attack the sewing room today and tidy it up. Have to take out the fold up table that I have my little Elna on, (and lots of clutter) find somewhere to store it and replace it with an oak table which we don't use, but don't want to sell, so it's just sitting in the corner of the lounge taking up room where we want to put the writing desk, which is sitting where we want to put the china cabinet. Don't expect I'll get it all organised today, and we also want to move the bedroom around, and put the bed against a different wall, but that involves moving a dressing table and a big chest of drawers, and the bed weighs a ton, and hubby has a bad back, so I don't think I'll be tackling that exercise just yet. Going to have another cuppa and do a bit of knitting then think about doing something useful.

kuaka - 2013-02-26 07:55:00

Morning all

Armin on the kindle I have you can alter the size of the font. Very handy so its like I read all books in large print equivalent lol.

Kuaka same here when it comes to moving furnature. I have a bad back, MrP has a broken back. But its amazing what you can do when you want to. I will say tho Im still sore from the weekends efforts. We moved three beds, and bedside tables as well as cleaning the rooms etc.
We put the old bed out on the front lawn with a free sign, it was gone just after lunch and if you asked me how we got it on the roof of the car I will say it must have been pure bloodymindedness lol we just wanted it gone.

Finished berties jacket last night and started on the hands.. Hes a bit slower than Wilf thats for sure lol

popeye333 - 2013-02-26 08:32:00

morning, just come in from a couple of hours out in the garden. Love being outside in the cool and I get quite a bit done (with some 'help' from a very busy Jack Russell lol). Nearly time to prune things back for autum but thought if I got some weeding done it will be less next time round - well that's the theory!
Will try and get another pair of booties knitted today, this grandy is going to be one well dressed kid!

kiwimade64 - 2013-02-26 09:24:00

This message was deleted.

armin59 - 2013-02-26 14:18:00

Hi. Sorry to hijack your thread. I was just wondering if there is much call for old baby knitting patterns? My nana was a prolific Knitter and some of her patterns are probably 40-50 years old? Have lovely memories of knitting with her but unfortunately no babies.

i_lv_2_quilt - 2013-02-26 15:10:00

i_lv_2_quilt wrote:

Hi. Sorry to hijack your thread. I was just wondering if there is much call for old baby knitting patterns? My nana was a prolific Knitter and some of her patterns are probably 40-50 years old? Have lovely memories of knitting with her but unfortunately no babies.

If you look at listings, you will see, in my opinion they are still very popular. You will be surprised. Just do your homework price wise before you list them. Good Luck

popeye333 - 2013-02-26 15:38:00

Trade Me wrote:

The originally quoted post has been removed.

It's great, I saw it on knitworld site too, love seeing what you are knitting

katie381 - 2013-02-26 16:18:00

i_lv_2_quilt wrote:

Hi. Sorry to hijack your thread. I was just wondering if there is much call for old baby knitting patterns? My nana was a prolific Knitter and some of her patterns are probably 40-50 years old? Have lovely memories of knitting with her but unfortunately no babies.

ohhh lovely, I remember the patterns my nana used. Would love to have a look through them.

kiwimade64 - 2013-02-26 18:15:00

Hi All... Does anyone else remember the stitch craft magazines? Mum used to have a huge box full. I loved going through them when I was younger. And books like the Patons bazzarr books, The first thign I learnt to knit we called a Twonk it was a little cycliner type doll thingee than hung from a string. lol.
Have finished berties jacket and his hands so will be stuffing and sewing again later

Hope everyone is having a good day

popeye333 - 2013-02-27 12:39:00

Hi Kiwimade, do you ever come over this way? You are welcome to look at them if it is likely to be soon.
Popeye, the Stitchcraft magazines are still around. I found a few at the Cambridge markets. One of them has a crochet wedding dress..... sounds very keen to me!

i_lv_2_quilt - 2013-02-27 15:26:00

I'd love too i_luv_2_quilt but only go to Hamilton every so often. Might pay to put them on here to sell. Thank you for your reply though :)
And I remember those mags popeye!

kiwimade64 - 2013-02-27 20:05:00

Morning all, have been busy this week - daughter's dog had a 4 hour operation on Monday afternoon and came home from the vet on Tuesday avo. Let's hope it's 3rd time lucky for his knee repair - especially after the vet donated her time for the op to give him another chance.
Builder here to do one final job this morning and the cleaner he arranged for is here now to wipe down dust from sanding etc., and vacuum floors etc., so nice!
New carpet in lounge dining area tomorrow and furniture all back next Tuesday - woohoo we can get back to semi normal.
Time for a cold pack on dog's leg as it's a bit swollen and then, hopefully, some crochet time...
Hope you're all having a good week, take care xo

maible - 2013-02-28 10:28:00

Morning All.. Ohh Maible good to see the pooch has had his surgery. Fingers crossed for this time.
It will be nice to be back into a nice normal looking home again I imagine.
MrP not good today so I left him at home and nipped up for the few groceries we needed.
Not so warm today yet so its good.

I will knit later...

popeye333 - 2013-02-28 11:32:00

I still have a couple of the Paton's Bazaar books. The stuff in them was sometimes good, sometimes good grief!

Has anyone else noticed noticed that very old knitted toy patterns can be quite amateurish and clunky compared with modern ones? Perhaps the modern pattern designers are better at maths!

daleaway - 2013-02-28 13:12:00

I agree daleaway. Ive even noticed from Jean Greenhowes earlier books to the more recent they have improved.

popeye333 - 2013-02-28 13:30:00

My friend and I went to visit the craft group at Asford's in Ashburton today. Thankyou ladies for making us welcome. We hope you come and see us on Tuesday 10.00-1.00 at Knit world in Peterborough st, Christchurch. Make sure your car has good suspension though, the road is a bit munted. My new book came today it's called, Sock yarn, One-skein wonders. it has some really gorgeous patterns, I bought it from someone on Trade Me but I see that Book Dipository has it for $21.22. My friend is jealous and wants one so I checked for her. Sold a purple hat to a lady called hound who has been supporting us when we get bullied on the So Alone thread. Son is getting ready for camp At Wainui, I'm not helping pack his bag because actually he is the teacher. Of course he wants to borrow my wet suit and we can't find it. I might have to be the emergency transport for children tomorrow. I said i would do that as long as they are not ones who I used to work with at the contributing school.

armin59 - 2013-02-28 20:59:00

Morning all.. Lol Armin about you Not packing your sons bag.. I think hes probably old enough to manage it himself now too lol.
I managed to get berties hands put together yesterday. When mrP is unwell I tend to get a few more things done when he is in bed.
Hope to at least get the arms onto his body today.

Dam deramores have 15% off the James C Brett... Im not quite ready to order yet... cross my fingers something good is on special when I do my next order. My sales have been slow so not paying money onto my card so fast lol.

Have a productive day all

popeye333 - 2013-03-01 08:39:00

Good morning everyone. I had a rather bad accident yesterday and lacerated my leg just above my ankle. It meant a trip to hospital via ambulance but the shape of the wound and swelling meant it could not be stitched. Unfortunately it is my good leg so today I am virtually immobile - which means I can sit with my feet up and knit and not feel quilty.

thecritic - 2013-03-01 10:08:00

morning everyone, lol popeye I know what you mean. Without MrK 'underfoot' I get soooo much more done!
Blimey thecritic, that sounds nasty. But there is always an upside when you can knit or stitch guilt free!
Been out in the garden again, just having a cuppa then another hour should just about do it for the weeding. I've left the shady part of the garden last so I can work when the sun is out and so hot.
Going to try and get some knitting done this afternoon - feel I will have earned the sit-down by then :)

kiwimade64 - 2013-03-01 10:19:00

http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/full/256812536.jpg

Bertie soo far. Ive managed to stab my thumb three times today grrr lol.,

Ohh The Critic you poor thing. I hope you ahve good pain meds and never feel guilty about knitting. your still being productive.

I cant say gardening is something I enjoy, but thats cos If I do it it makes MrP feel useless that he cant do it. Id like to have some raised gardens at some stage, then he could do it.

Right Lunch time and then Ill read a bit then knit again lol

popeye333 - 2013-03-01 12:03:00

he looks great popeye! Lovely bright colours too.
I can understand the gardening thing too, MrK still gardens and does some of the heavier work for me but he felt awful when he was too ill to help. Not that I minded lol as things got done my way hehehe.
I'm off into town for a bit then I'll get cracking on my knitting.

kiwimade64 - 2013-03-01 13:26:00

I hate gardening. What's wrong with Mr P XXOO. Ouch The critic XXOO to you too.

armin59 - 2013-03-01 18:20:00