We have sold our old house! Once we started looking at doing so everything moved much more quickly than we expected. We thought we'd just list it and see if there was any interest (nice old house, but badly damaged so needed the right sort of buyer). Within 3 days of listing we had an offer, and by the end of the week we had multiple offers - one of which was around the value we had hoped for but weren't sure was realistic. We had a hectic few weeks moving the last bits and pieces out, and the settlement date got moved earlier a couple of times as the new owner tried to work in with contractor work schedules and we worked out that we could get everything done by the requested dates. The new owners now seem to be stuck into the repair work, and had started getting the foundations leveled as soon as they got possession!
(For the record, I am impressed with how well our piano held its tuning after 5 years in a cold, drafty house. It's not perfect, but much, much better than I expected it to be).
In the last few months we have discovered a new set of allergies for Mr 2. We were aware that he reacted badly to sandfly bites, but that just meant a 15mm weal that improved with judicious application of antihistamines. While moving bits and pieces from our old house we also discovered that he has a mosquito allergy. The first weekend we guessed he had probably been bitten by something after his whole hand puffed up, although I wasn't ruling out the possibility of it being a nettle sting. To add to the fun, it was on the Saturday of a long weekend, so we spent a fair amount of the weekend debating taking him to an after-hours doctor. In the end we didn't, and just checked in with his regular doctor on Tuesday (it had started to get better by that point). From the photos, and seeing the few-days-later puffiness he thought it was possibly cellulitis, but couldn't confirm - and as it was getting better at that point he gave a prescription for antibiotics but instructions to only give them if it got worse.
The next weekend Mr 2 said he had an 'ouch' on his foot, and I saw the culprit fly away - a striped mosquito. We kept an eye on it through the day, but didn't have any antihistamine on hand so just gave it to him when we got home. The antihistamine seemed to have as little effect as it had the previous weekend, but this time we could go to the doctor on Monday and he confirmed that it wasn't cellulitis, and appears to 'just' be an allergic reaction - that doesn't respond to antihistamine.
That was the last weekend we spent at the house, and we'd hoped that it wouldn't be an issue again for a while because where we live now is a lot dryer. Unfortunately, a few weeks ago we had a last bout of summer - a week of warm weather with a bit of rain in the middle. That appears to have been enough that he somehow found something to get bitten by at home, and had another 3 days of itching and puffiness on his foot. He likes compression on it, so after the second round we stocked up on small bandages, and he seemed to be a lot less uncomfortable when he had a bandaged foot for a few days. (We've also got some new insect repellent, which we will be testing out when the weather warms up again - unfortunately, it only takes one bite to cause a problem!)
Tuesday 7 June 2016
Saturday 20 February 2016
New pattern - Vitus
I have a new pattern! I ended up making this 3 times, and might have to make it again sometime - maybe a huge superfine laceweight one?
Vitus is a top down triangular shawl, inspired by St Vitus Cathedral in Prague Castle. When we were living there I always loved seeing it on the skyline as we went past on the tram. I have a few more ideas in my head for other Prague-related designs too, although I have no idea yet how to actually get the effect I want for some of them!
The shawl starts with a no-pick-up garter tab (which will feature in its own blog post at some point) and a setup section, and then the column and arches charts can be mixed and matched to suit your tastes. The edging chart comes last, and is finished off with a delicate picot edging - have to get those spiky, knobbly spires in somewhere!
I have made two samples exactly to the pattern, in different weight yarns - the yellow is Zealana Kiwi Laceweight, and uses a total of 500m (2.5 balls), the purple is Skein Merino Silk Sport, and uses 330m (a full skein). The purple shawl omits the arches chart, and I really like how that emphasises the edging.
My first prototype was made for a shawl exchange, and uses 700m of Tri'Coterie Lace Merino Tencel, which is a true laceweight yarn. You can't tell in the photo, but it has hints of purple throughout the black. It is beautifully soft and drapey too. I almost didn't want to part with it!
Vitus is available through ravelry here, or use this link
Vitus is a top down triangular shawl, inspired by St Vitus Cathedral in Prague Castle. When we were living there I always loved seeing it on the skyline as we went past on the tram. I have a few more ideas in my head for other Prague-related designs too, although I have no idea yet how to actually get the effect I want for some of them!
The shawl starts with a no-pick-up garter tab (which will feature in its own blog post at some point) and a setup section, and then the column and arches charts can be mixed and matched to suit your tastes. The edging chart comes last, and is finished off with a delicate picot edging - have to get those spiky, knobbly spires in somewhere!
I have made two samples exactly to the pattern, in different weight yarns - the yellow is Zealana Kiwi Laceweight, and uses a total of 500m (2.5 balls), the purple is Skein Merino Silk Sport, and uses 330m (a full skein). The purple shawl omits the arches chart, and I really like how that emphasises the edging.
My first prototype was made for a shawl exchange, and uses 700m of Tri'Coterie Lace Merino Tencel, which is a true laceweight yarn. You can't tell in the photo, but it has hints of purple throughout the black. It is beautifully soft and drapey too. I almost didn't want to part with it!
Vitus is available through ravelry here, or use this link
Monday 18 January 2016
Little bits
This morning I had a request from a small boy for jeans, I suspect because his big brother was wearing some. I had an old pair that I started mending a couple of months ago, when he decided they would be terrible, so I pulled them out again and finished the patches. He remembered that I'd promised elephants, so I had to dig out the elephant fabric but I also found some red with spots and tools (left over from his sun hat - he was a bit worried that I'd cut his hat up when he saw it!)
I was pleasantly surprised by a box arriving on my doorstep this afternoon, all the way from Switzerland! A delicious, delicious box full of yarn and chocolate, thanks to Robynn! I have only had a little look through, but I feel thoroughly spoilt. I will spread it all out and have a good look/play/sample tomorrow during preschool, as it's not something I really want Help with. I already have ideas for some of the yarn, and if it works I may have to hunt down more of at least some of it!
I have finally started on the border of my shawl, so in 18 more rows it will be done. I am about to start on ridiculous quantities of beading (something like 350 beads just in the edging - compared to 80ish in the rest of the shawl).
I was pleasantly surprised by a box arriving on my doorstep this afternoon, all the way from Switzerland! A delicious, delicious box full of yarn and chocolate, thanks to Robynn! I have only had a little look through, but I feel thoroughly spoilt. I will spread it all out and have a good look/play/sample tomorrow during preschool, as it's not something I really want Help with. I already have ideas for some of the yarn, and if it works I may have to hunt down more of at least some of it!
I have finally started on the border of my shawl, so in 18 more rows it will be done. I am about to start on ridiculous quantities of beading (something like 350 beads just in the edging - compared to 80ish in the rest of the shawl).
Friday 15 January 2016
Sooooo tired
The last couple of nights have been exhausting, Anthony has been having some rough breathing, and today the doctor diagnosed him with bronchiolitis. Supposedly it is worst around day 2-3, so fingers crossed he is on the mend now.
Somehow this has resulted in me actually updating some knitting pattern related stuff. I'm not quite sure how that works, but when I need a break from tired menaces because I'm tired too then I put something on the TV (hooray for Bob the Builder!) and escape to do a bit of computer stuff. Yesterday I got the pattern it feels like I've been working on forever sent off for editing, and today I updated my knitting pattern page here and also updated the pattern listings at LoveKnitting. I hadn't bothered before, because (amongst other things) it didn't seem to be particularly effective for me, but I discovered after importing the newer patterns from ravelry that I actually sold a pattern there earlier this month! I guess it really is about being in the right place at the right time.
I have also just realised that I should add some links to other social media. I have started playing on Instagram, and to a lesser extent Twitter. Links should go directly to my feed, otherwise I am StringHerder in both places. (Twitter mostly gets links from instagram, or chat with friends). If you're out there and I haven't found you yet, let me know!
Somehow this has resulted in me actually updating some knitting pattern related stuff. I'm not quite sure how that works, but when I need a break from tired menaces because I'm tired too then I put something on the TV (hooray for Bob the Builder!) and escape to do a bit of computer stuff. Yesterday I got the pattern it feels like I've been working on forever sent off for editing, and today I updated my knitting pattern page here and also updated the pattern listings at LoveKnitting. I hadn't bothered before, because (amongst other things) it didn't seem to be particularly effective for me, but I discovered after importing the newer patterns from ravelry that I actually sold a pattern there earlier this month! I guess it really is about being in the right place at the right time.
I have also just realised that I should add some links to other social media. I have started playing on Instagram, and to a lesser extent Twitter. Links should go directly to my feed, otherwise I am StringHerder in both places. (Twitter mostly gets links from instagram, or chat with friends). If you're out there and I haven't found you yet, let me know!
Sunday 3 January 2016
The obligatory summing up
I have been reading a lot of blogs where people sum up what they did in the last year, so I thought I'd try to see what I have been up to. It feels like it has been a big year.
Right at the beginning of the year we flew halfway around the world. I'm pretty sure that counts as big.
There has been some diet experimenting for the 2 year old in the first half of the year, the end result was back to where we started with no gluten, dairy, or soy. We are all getting better at dealing with it now though.
We spent a few months looking at houses, and actually managed to buy a new house and settle our insurance claim on the old house. This was definitely huge (final settlement was more than 4 years after our old place was no longer livable).
I've just looked at my projects on Ravelry, and am surprised to see how many things I finished in the last year - 5 shawls, 7 pairs of socks, and a hat, jumper, singlet and pair of slippers for the kids. I hadn't realised I had knitted 5 shawls! I only managed to write up one pattern though, I'm hoping to do better with that in 2016.
I also finished embroidering my Christmas stocking, and managed to get all the stockings sewn together in time for Christmas, and also made A's birth sampler (still need to find a framer for that, I think the one I've used before no longer exists - and anyway, he is no longer just down the road).
The sampler is a modified version of the July birthstone sampler from the Sweetheart Tree. I added in 20 rows in the middle to give space for the name and date (the same number of rows I added to E's one). This meant I also had to rechart the flowers and beads in that area, and I'm pretty happy with the end result.
Finishing the stockings and sampler meant that I could pull out my HAED, Enchanted flute. I am reminded just how insane this project is, but I have managed to fill in all the gaps on two pages so far (out of 24).
As you can see, it's maybe 1/8th done. I don't think it will be finished any time soon, and I am already planning to work on something smaller for a bit after I finish the next page.
I have managed to get a bit of sewing done (some shirts and underpants for the boys, a couple of skirts and tops for me). Sometime soon I should take some photos of my nice new sewing room, which now has lots of shelf space. It is fabulous! My new sewing machine is still going nicely although I probably should swap it out for the old one again sometime. The old one is definitely better quality, but it does lack in stretch stitches!
I made some blinds for our west-facing kitchen (it had no window coverings at all, which was a bit of a problem around dinner-making time).
And this year? I have lots of sewing and knitting plans, as well as dealing with life as it happens. I've just realised that my 4 year old will be turning 5 and starting school in September, so I guess there is at least one big thing on the cards!
Right at the beginning of the year we flew halfway around the world. I'm pretty sure that counts as big.
There has been some diet experimenting for the 2 year old in the first half of the year, the end result was back to where we started with no gluten, dairy, or soy. We are all getting better at dealing with it now though.
We spent a few months looking at houses, and actually managed to buy a new house and settle our insurance claim on the old house. This was definitely huge (final settlement was more than 4 years after our old place was no longer livable).
I've just looked at my projects on Ravelry, and am surprised to see how many things I finished in the last year - 5 shawls, 7 pairs of socks, and a hat, jumper, singlet and pair of slippers for the kids. I hadn't realised I had knitted 5 shawls! I only managed to write up one pattern though, I'm hoping to do better with that in 2016.
I also finished embroidering my Christmas stocking, and managed to get all the stockings sewn together in time for Christmas, and also made A's birth sampler (still need to find a framer for that, I think the one I've used before no longer exists - and anyway, he is no longer just down the road).
The sampler is a modified version of the July birthstone sampler from the Sweetheart Tree. I added in 20 rows in the middle to give space for the name and date (the same number of rows I added to E's one). This meant I also had to rechart the flowers and beads in that area, and I'm pretty happy with the end result.
Finishing the stockings and sampler meant that I could pull out my HAED, Enchanted flute. I am reminded just how insane this project is, but I have managed to fill in all the gaps on two pages so far (out of 24).
As you can see, it's maybe 1/8th done. I don't think it will be finished any time soon, and I am already planning to work on something smaller for a bit after I finish the next page.
I have managed to get a bit of sewing done (some shirts and underpants for the boys, a couple of skirts and tops for me). Sometime soon I should take some photos of my nice new sewing room, which now has lots of shelf space. It is fabulous! My new sewing machine is still going nicely although I probably should swap it out for the old one again sometime. The old one is definitely better quality, but it does lack in stretch stitches!
I made some blinds for our west-facing kitchen (it had no window coverings at all, which was a bit of a problem around dinner-making time).
And this year? I have lots of sewing and knitting plans, as well as dealing with life as it happens. I've just realised that my 4 year old will be turning 5 and starting school in September, so I guess there is at least one big thing on the cards!
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