FO: Cradle Cardigan

Yay i have finally finished something!

Well actually i have finished a few things over the last few months but taking pictures is really hard. Particularly when going through the awkward moving from brown to blonde hair phase.

Please excuse the crappy single picture but it was taken at night just before the cardigan was posted off to the little cousin it was made for.

This is a cradle cardigan by Hannah Fettig. It is a great pattern and the videos that Hannah has made to accompany the pattern are a really great resource. I used Patrons Australia Dreamtime 4ply which is a really nice soft wool and some nice yellow buttons which look white in my crappy photo. I choose the colour scheme before the baby was born and therefore didn't know the sex but the little cousin turned out to be a little boy so it worked out really well. I can't wait to meet him and am so sad that it probably won't happen till Christmas time :(

There are a lot of firsts with the make, it is the first time I have made a garment, the first time putting buttons on and the first time using double point needles. And the dpns are the reason that making the cardigan took from Boxing Day till April to make. I had finished the body and the first sleeve but couldn't figure out how to bind off the sleeve using the magic loop method, it was just too tight. so after procrastinating for almost 2 months resigned myself to my fate. Funny thing is they are really quite easy and i have now finished another project using them and have started an attempt to knit socks.

Another thing keeping me busy lately is a new addition to our little family. Little Jasper arrived about a month or so ago and although it was a bit to adjust to for our other kitten Theodore, everyone is getting along just fine. Double kitten snuggles while i knit :)

Claiming my blog and all that jaz...

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/5534577/?claim=g3b7je4ku6n">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

WIP: Knitting

WIP: Knitting

Reasons...

I feel like I should explain why I haven't posted or sewn much since I started this blog.

I was really keen to start sewing even though it terrifies me, was making my apron and had heaps of plans and dream clothes to make.

Then one morning in April I woke up and could physically barely walk and had huge pain in my hip area. At first I though I had hurt myself or over did it but a week later and nothing had changed, in fact it seemed to be getting worse I couldn't even sit on the couch for pain. A couple of weeks later an orthopedic specialist told me that I had torn the lining of my hip joints and that I would probably have to have keyhole surgery to fix it, just needed a (turned out to be VERY painful) CT scan to confirm to diagnoses. At the next consult he said my worst fear, that the scan was clear and the he was "baffled" as to why I was in so much pain.

Many month, CT scans, bone scans, later the pain had only gotten worse. So while we were waiting to see the third specialist, we changed my diet. No more gluten or dairy (both are inflammatories). With the diet changes and seeing a kinesiologist things started to look better, my hips were out of alignment and so after only two sessions I could walk better though the pain remained. 

Then we saw the third specialist, I have Lyme disease. And my main symptom in chronic arthritis pain in my hips. Through more diet and lifestyle changes (no grains, dairy, sugar, or potatoes) I have now gotten to the point where although the pain is still with me every moment, it is no longer all consuming.

Thank you for listening,

Alex

WIP: Knitting...

There hasn't been any sewing done but I have been doing a lot of crochet and knitting. Above is the two star shaped baby blankets that I am working on for two set of friends that are expecting. Now that the shaping is finished these are quite mindless which is good for watching tv.

My knitting skills have come along way although it is anything but a mindless activity for me. I am really enjoying it and to be honest I like it better than crochet.

I am currently at the first lacy part of the scarf, so lots of referring to the pattern and watching my classes on Craftsy.

Could really not recommend Knit Lab enough for anyone looking to learn to knit!

Going ons...

So it has been over a month since I posted last, I can't believe how fast time flys. I haven't posted because there hasn't been much to tell to be honest. Sitting has only been really possible this past week so there hasn't been any sewing yet, though the are lots of plans! I am at about the 400 squares mark for the granny square blanket, will have to start sewing them together soon. And this week I have started to learn how to knit! I've signed up for the beginners Knit Lab on Craftsy. I have to say I am really impressed with the course, the instructor Stefanie is great. So I have casted on for the course project, the Lacy Keyhole Scarf and after many dropped stitches and other random going ons I completed 9 rows by the end of the opening ceremony of the London Olympics. Hopefully this time next week I will have pictures on my finished apron to show you all...well I can hope right :)