Another FO and an update

It has a been a busy time for me, trying to meet all my regular commitments and failing spectacularly. I have managed to keep up my knitting, things would be looking dire indeed if I had needed to sacrifice knitting time. So I have another FO. This has been made in Sirdar's Balmoral, in the purple. I fell in love with the colour the instant I saw it and even though it was way out of budget at $11 a ball, I had to have it. The jumper is a Zhivago pattern, from their book of weekend knits which incidentally doesn't mean you can knit the patterns in a weekend. I wish. No the patterns are more casual and suited for weekend living. I first knit this pattern about five years ago in a beautiful deep teal. I loved it. Unfortunately so did my daughter and eventually she was able to persuade me that she was the right size for it to be reluctantly handed over. She loved it. She wore it as much as I had and then mysteriously it disappeared. Perhaps it had been stolen by a Zhivago loving bandit, perhaps the dogs had mauled it, perhaps another sister had cut it into mini blankets for bratz dolls. We went with the first choice as there were no traces to indicate the other two possibilities. We have since come to the conclusion that it was most likely a washing accident perpetrated by the one who has now left.
So I resolved o make myself another one or two. I have already cast on in Zhivago sage green for another one. And daughter has agreed to buy the yarn so I can knit her one of her very own, as mine won't fit her any more.


I have no idea about the date on the picture they were both taken the same day. Perhaps eldest daughter's camera was fixed on the wrong date.

The best thing about the purple jumper apart from how nicely it fits, the cable panel which is also on the back and what a gorgeous colour it is, is that it was knitted on cute neighbour guy's mum's needles. He's so amazed by the fact. I have been spending quite a lot of time at the neighbours, just being neighbourly you know how important it is to get to know people who live nearby. At least now I no longer need an excuse to go by. And he makes me a cup of tea while I drone on about all wonderful things knitting related, like how I found The Yarn Harlot's meditations for knitters book in the library. Score!! I have to keep reminding myself he's not as interested in the stuff as I am, but whenever I glance at him he's smiling so that's a good sign right? Besides, he's found a very effective way of changing the subject and while I really love wool and yarn, I am liking his tactics a lot. We keep pretending we'll be bored with each other soon, after all how many cups of tea does it take for the attraction to wear off, but then I remind him just how long I've loved tea, and he says perhaps it will be about the same time I get fed up with knitting. We both feel pretty confident that's never going to happen. Besides he just gets cuter.

The time has come

to remember that this is supposed to be a knitting blog, and not romance update central, although there have been developments with wonderful neighbour guy. First let me share a project recently finished after being on the needles for three years. Three years! I have no idea why it stayed there so long, I only had the sleeves to do and I was already halfway through one. My memory is hazy but I think it might have been on the needles when I joined the navy and so was left during training and never picked up again.

So about two months ago in my yarn colour co-ordination exercise which was really another word for procrastinating about actually tidying up I came across it again, remembered how much I loved the colours and yarn (Zhivago, a mix of acrylic and tencel) and committed myself to finishing it. As you can see I did. I love it. It fits beautifully, the colours are so fresh and vibrant just right for dull winter weather and it's so soft to wear. It makes me think of ocean breezes and summer days.

To other things then, the needles from gorgeous neighbour guy belonged to his mother who passed away fifteen years ago from breast cancer. I thinking the gift of these needles is actually quite a big deal for him and I don't think he intends to lose contact with them!
We meet several times a day. Usually when I happen to walk past his house and I have discovered many reason to go that way so far I've;

1. put something in the bin by the bus stop,

2. checked the bus times,

3, walked the dogs to the end of the road

4. Walked up to see if daughters are on way home,

5. Posted several letters to fictional friends

We will ignore the fact I have a bin at home, I don't use the bus I use my newly up and running motorbike ( courtesy of gorgeous neighbour guy) or the car, dogs are totally pooped from too many walks, and daughters are already home.

The best bit and the bit that makes me feel a lot less like a stalker is that on my return trip past his house he always happens to be outside, and he always invites me in for a cuppa. We have spent a lot of time having cups of tea and long chats not to mention some kissing ( shhhh don't tell the kids). It would seem that this is indeed the start of something very special.

what are the odds

Of there being a good looking single guy living just four doors way from you who not only happens to like you but gives you knitting needles to boot. I kid you not that's exactly what has happened. I didn't even know this man a week ago when he happened to smile and say hello as I trundled on past with littlest one on the way to school. He does have a rather cute grin! He said hello again as I returned from the school trip and somehow we got talking about firewood of all topics, well it is winter in NZ and it was a cold morning. I mentioned that I needed to get some and he offered to assist. Always a welcome offer. Anyway he was good to his word and on Wednesday a large box of firewood arrived on my doorstep. Naturally I went up to thank him and he then offered to get the pink motorbike back on the road. She's been sadly neglected since Manila and the battery had gone completely flat. I was delighted as I've missed the thrill of zipping along on two wheels. So the bike is fixed, hurrah, but I am making a long story endless which wasn't my intention. To thank him I invite him for a coffee, I know living on the wild side as always, and we get chatting. He's very good at talking and asking questions. Somehow I end up telling him about my knitting addiction. Not usually something I share so early but hey the moment felt right and he jumps up and dashes off. I sit stunned for a minute wondering what aspect of knitting he had a sudden aversion to, the dreaded acrylic word maybe, flashbacks of crazy maiden aunts and lurid colours of Christmas jumpers past. I had barely time to recover when he's back carrying a container full of needles. This is where I feel I may have scuppered things a little because I could barely contain my excitement. I love steel needles for some projects and these were all steel, and lots of 8's and 10's, all I could think of was how many more projects I would be able to cast on with these new needles. Clearly he now thinks of me as totally insane with a very odd penchant for steel needles. I wonder whether he'll take to hiding behind the curtain as I stalk, sorry, walk past. Oh well, I can dream that he will think I'm awesome until then.

Single life

It's funny being single again. I knew it had to be and that it was the right time to walk away but the reality is quite different. In many ways I love it. I like watching what I want on the TV and having control of the remote. I like throwing on some old clothes to slob out on the couch without worrying how bad it looks, I love having the whole bed to myself, apart from the cat of course. I love being spontaneous and doing random things because I don't have to consider anyone else at home. The children are so accepting of my ways and are used to going with the flow. I love sing star Sundays, and lazy reading mornings.....but....there is a part of me that longs to be in partnership again, a part that needs someone else to share things with, someone to be in balance with. I know it's early days yet there is a part of me that is scared of how it will all pan out. How does this dating thing work when you're nearly forty? Is it now OK to call a man or do we still wait for them to take the first step? I have so many questions that at times it feels like my head might spin off into orbit. .
It's not that I need a man to make me whole, I know that I can and do manage on my own. I want one.
Then I stop and remember Rome wasn't built in a day. Jumpers don't knit themselves, stitch by stitch, row by row they grow. Each day passes and brings with it new experiences and one day someone special, someone just right will walk into my life. Single life is about getting ready for that day, enjoying the journey and making the most of life

Shutterfly | View Shared Pictures

Shutterfly | View Shared Pictures
Just something the girl guides got up to over the last few weeks with lots of help from a friend

Farewell faithful friend

Today I had to make the hardest decision I've ever had to make and trust me there have been some tough ones. Ollie My four year old Shih tzu,ran away last week and must have been hit by a car because he returned home limping. The limping got worse and this morning he was totally paralysed in his back legs. He was clearly in a lot of pain. The vet diagnosed a ruptured disc something that small dogs like Shih tzus are prone to. He said surgery was an option but unlikely to be successful and the recovery slow. I had to let my friend go in peace. I know it was the right thing to do for him but I still feel like a total heel. I held him as he slipped away and then spent a long time sobbing over his body.

He was a very placid dog and took everything in his stride. He never complained or made a fuss about anything. I hope he's having fun playing now.

What no knitting!!

Amazing as it will probably sound I haven't knitted a single stitch since last Monday. This factor is serious enough to throw all the planets into total confusion and may have a lasting impact on other more serious spheres such a world peace and the seasons. I can't remember the last time I had a voluntary break from my compulsive two stick habit. I am beginning to suffer from withdrawal symptoms, my hands twitch and I found my self stroking a machine knitted jumper counting the stitches. But it has been worthwhile and I have been having a lot of fun.
It would seem that since the marriage break up at the start of the year certain elements have been realigning themselves and one of these would be my social magnet. Last week it went into warp drive and every minute of my time was suddenly wanted somewhere else. Even the dog felt neglected because she missed one walk and had two others that passed in a flash she was required to go so fast.
I am definitely not complaining, but it does mean that there's little to blog about. I have finished a jumper that languished patiently on needles for three years. It's been worn almost constantly as it is so warm. I also made a set of wrist warmers for number 2 daughter but I haven't sewn them up so they don't really count. There are projects on the needles, two summer ones have been placed out of sight and mind until the cold snap is over. Even if I finish them they won't be worn for several more weeks, possibly months. I am working on a green jumper for me and a blue one for Daisy. The idea was to get them done quickly to wear this winter but the way things are going it might be next winter wear instead. For once I don't mind, it is nice to be popular for a while and I intend to make the most of it all.
While I am blogging I have a question for you all. Where did you meet your partner/boyfriend/ husband. Just a bit of harmless research to prove that love really does find us in the most unlikely places