Latkes and doughnuts

With one too many of the above, a menorah dripping in wax and the Bubela who loves that every day greets him with a present, I'll be pleased when the holidays are over. I'm waiting for the gym membership card to resume its swipe, the feather duster to detach itself from Hubby's hands and me to sit down with a pair of needles and not feel guilty.

The holidays have been wonderful, I've loved having the Bubela home and Hubby off from work and we've been very busy with friends and family - but enough already.

As you can see the Olive pattern is now available and I'm sure you will love it. She's a real treat to wear and I've worn her so much these holidays. I hope you enjoy her as much as I do.

Since finishing Olive, I've felt quite redundant. Or rather, that I have had no one to argue or fight with. Knit - frog, knit - frog, knit - frog... a real love/hate relationship. I've been working on the alphabet blanket the last few days, and we get on better, a real simple and smooth knit.

I'll take another sip of wine and sing Auld Lang Syne. I wish you all a healthy and Happy New Year.

Escape from the Wooly World of Knitting

I'm in the process of typing up Olive to share with you, however, it might take me a little longer than I would hope (see reasons below). I wore it today and someone asked me where I bought it!! They couldn't believe that I knit it myself, let alone designed it. I was chuffed to bits.

Can you see the bruise on my cheek? No, I didn't fall off the treadmill today. Its from the root canal which I had done Christmas Eve, it was the only day they could fit me in - it didn't affect Christmas day lunch.

Hubby was upset with me today. Well, it was justified. Because Olive has been at the forefront of my mind recently, and what with the Holiday shopping, and my little part-time job that I work from home (which is fizzling out at the end of January anyway - they can't afford to keep me on) - I forgot to purchase something which is absolutely crucial in our lives right now. We are due to start our 3rd IVF in 5 days time and... I forgot to purchase the drugs!!!

I feel really dipsy, no not even that: irresponsible. As this is THE most important thing to me and I thought I had everything organised, but clearly didn't.

Fortunately, when I telephoned the pharmacy I was told that if I run the prescription down there as soon as possible, I could collect the drugs tomorrow. Phew, but I wasn't in the area. I love my mum she is the greatest and always comes to the rescue, so I phoned her and asked to her pick up the prescription from my house and drop it into the pharmacy - there is a Bank Holiday Monday hence the urgency.

Hubby told me to come out of my "Wooly World of Knitting" and start focussing on what's important... although I'm waiting for this to arrive, and this.

Olive for Christmas Day

How was your Christmas? At the moment we are still enjoying Channukah (the festival of lights). I love the holidays... and the waistband is certainly proving that. Diet will start again in 2006, but I've been to the gym *round of applause* thank you.

As many of you know, I am a Jewish girl living in a modern world where you can't hide from Christmas. And who would want to hide from this enjoyable festival anyway? I want the Bubela to enjoy every inch of both Christmas and Channukah so that he can learn how different people celebrate different things in different ways... and get two lots of toys!

Anyway, barely Christmas morning (5.50am to be precise), the Bubela shouts out from his room "Is it morning yet?" Sure is. And with that, he comes bouncing into our room and asks if he can go and check downstairs to see if Father Christmas has left him anything. Hubby and I follow behind him - yes, its about 5.52am at this point. Me with the digital camera, Hubby with the camcorder. Oy vey, what a sight.

"He has mummy, look" he shrieks, "and, he's got the same wrapping paper as you". "Oh yes, err... it was on special offer". (what else could I say to a believer?)

*note to self: remember to hide wrapping paper as well as presents next year*

He loved all of his presents, especially Star Wars' millennium Falcon. Hubby has a few busy jobs too, lots of lego and imaginext sets to put together. The Bubela kindly told me that I was a good girl too, but why didn't Father Christmas bring me any wool?? I don't know, why didn't Father Christmas bring me any wool?? Maybe, he does all the mummy's presents in the January sales!!

And here she is. Olive. By the skin of my teeth, I finished the Olive cardigan for Christmas Day. I was threading the last few ends in in the car to my parents on christmas day.

I'm really pleased with how it turned out, considering how many times I had frogged it because it didn't look just right. Remember how this started off as a jumper, then turned into a cardigan with no collar, now its still a cardigan but with a collar, just perfect. Its even warm enough to wear as a jacket, what do you think? I'll get the pattern all typed up if your interested.

Zayde Clause is coming to town

The Hubby, Bubela and I would like to wish you Happy Holidays.

God forbid you touch the knitting

There's not much going on on the knitting front. You see, I'm not frantically knitting to finish off the holiday knits. That's because, as you know, I didn't start any. The Fam will sure be surprised (or possibly relieved) to open their Channukah gifts and not pull out a knitted scarf, or gloves perhaps. Oh no, not this year. But I promise, promise, promise, to attempt holiday gifts next year. Okay, Fam?

Now, tell me why is it that kids get up to mischief when mummy's are on the telephone? I'm on the phone and the devil gets into the Bubela. He's running around and making noise, I'm ignoring it and I take myself out to the kitchen so I can hear the caller. The Bubela runs into the kitchen pulls a face and runs off, I mimic a giggle and let him get on with it. Again, he comes into the kitchen with a Bamboo knitting needle. Again, I just ignore him and I'll tell him off when I get off the phone.

So, I get off the phone, forget to tell him off and I carry on blowing raspberries on his belly while he shticks himself in laughter. I later bath him and put him to bed.

I then attempt to clear up before starting dinner only to find that THAT Bamboo needle contained LIVE STITCHES from the Olive cardigan that I'm designing. Oy vey. Obviously, dinner was held off until those live stitches were threaded back onto the bamboo. God forbid you touch the knitting.

I'm hoping to showcase the Olive cardigan in January... towards the end.

Knitting resolutions...

Holiday Knitting isn't finished... because it was never started!! Last year's one knitting resolution was never achieved. And, that all important one was that all family members were to receive a knitted gift for this Channukah. Oh dear. What happened?

For this, I am sharing this year's knitting resolutions early. Have you thought about your knitting resolutions yet?

I'm far too ambitious for my own good, and probably won't accomplish all of these, but here goes.

1. Use up my stash - I'm a real sucker for buying yarn just to look at. Especially if its a bargain. You've seen me flash my stash, and now I feel its time to stop hiding it, get it out, and knit it.

2. Patterns - I have a never ending list of wannaknits. Complete them.

2. Always block - *Huff* What a bore, but clearly a necessity. I can be a real lazy knitter at times. I can either "purposely" forget to do a gauge test, or shy away from blocking. I really need to knuckle down and block.

3. Yarn dyeing - I loved the Kool Aid dyeing that I did last month (pictured). It wasn't half as messy or as scary as I thought it would be. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised with what I created, and I want to experiment more. I want to make my own sock yarn (for Resolution No. 5) in reds, pinks and greens. I'm going to try dyeing with Dylon too.

4. Designing - I'd like to design and knit up a tank top for the Bubela, something with a cable. Everything I knit, he asks "Is that for me?" Bless him. I'll frog the Debbie Bliss Cabled jumper which I knit up for him last year and use that yarn (DB Cotton DK in chocolate brown). He doesn't like it because its so heavy. The hood drags the jumper off his shoulders. The yarn is just too heavy for a hooded jumper, even though it was the recommended yarn. DB Cotton DK may be better as a tank, with a shirt underneath. Smart!!

5. Socks - Knit up a few more. I'd like to purchase a few books, Folk Socks, Sensational Knitted socks, to mention a couple. I want to learn how to knit two socks at once using circulars. If anyone has a link to a good tutorial, could you send it to me please. And, after dyeing my own yarn, I'm definitely going knit a pair of Jaywalkers.

And, the photo... that's the Bubela (as pageboy) sneaking a kiss off the bridesmaid.

What can you knit up in a matter of hours??

Here's the hat and scarf I knocked up in a weekend for Shayna, my niece. Its made with Bernat's cotton tots. The scarf is a regular stocking stitch with a flower edge (Nicky Epstein's design).

For the hat, I simply used the pattern outline from December's issue of Simply Knitting and modified it slightly.

She loves the scarf, but I don't think she is overly keen with the hat... you know what girls are like!

I'm going on a course on Friday from work. Initially, I wasn't that keen on going, but taking a three hour train ride to get there sounds more appealing. Yes, three hours of knitting!! I've been flicking through my books and magazines for the perfect and most portable little project to take along. I really like the Evergreen Bag from Handknit Holidays but I don't really want to start intarsia on a train. I think booties or socks would be a better idea. Or maybe, I'll start a curly scarf in Kidsilk Haze. Oh yes, yes yes. I'm going to John Lewis tomorrow with the Bubela, I'll buy the KSH then.

The Olive cardigan design is coming along. I was very naughty with this project though, I didn't block. *gasp* I know, I know its shocking and I'm not looking for excuses, but I think it was because I didn't really know where I was going with this project, you know what I'm like. Its already changed three times. Yes, I frogged the front again and ended up picking up stitches from the left front, back of the collar and right front and am knitting a 2x2 rib at the moment.

I haven't been to the gym for weeks and I planned to go today... promise. I took the Bubela to school, popped into work and then was on my way to the gym, when I get THE call from school. Can I pick him up? Oh my god what's happened. Its the Pox, they don't think the pox is clear for him to return to school. Even though its clear enough for the doctor, its not clear enough for school, oh well, more time at home with me spoiling him... He loves it! I love it more!

Your once, twice, three times a design...

The way Linda Goodman describes me in Sun Signs its as if she knows me. As a Libra I am represented by the scales, therefore I am, *achem* perfectly balanced. Although, if you think of those old blancing scales where the ultimate goal is to get both sides even I'm either up or down, one way or the other. I can be sweet, pleasant and charming, or can be sulky, fiery and boring. On the whole, dont get me wrong I'm good natured person, but when I'm in a bad mood keep well away.

She also says that us Librans are indecisive, or rather we take a slow boat to making a decision. Even when my Hubby asked me out on our first date, I ummed and arred as to whether to accept. I mean come on, I was head over heels for the guy.

Anyway, that cabled tank top that I'm designing... its no longer cabled. And, its no longer a tank top. In fact, I ripped out the whole lot and am now designing a cardigan. Here's one half of it. As you can see the front is a 2x2 rib which I plan to wear folded down as pictured.

Please excuse the no make-up/bad hair. What with the Bubela having the pox and not being able to leave the house there was no need to groom.

With the way things are going on the knitting front at the moment, if I keep with this design *flinging eyeballs to the ceiling*, then this should be finished by the weekend. And a photoshoot outside, outside, outside, in public, in public, in public. Can you tell I miss shoulder rubbing at the school gate.

Stuck in doors? Whatcha doin'?

Thank you all for your congrats about Bobblicious. Please send me photos of your finished Bobblicious for me to upload onto the blog.

Here's the pox-ridden Bubela, although this photo has cleverly not shown him with his chickenpox. His trunk is covered in them, and his face has about 15. Please dont scar, please dont scar. Please let the Vit E oil work. The Bubela said to me yesterday, "Mummy, when am I going to look like me again?"

Is he missing school? Is he bored? He is definitely bored, and I think he want's to play with his friends again. We've been making Channukah cards. He has made about four for his friend Daniel, everything he makes is for Daniel - and has to have the trademark sticker of a Spiderman. He has watched Madagaskar about 3 times, what a great film, its hilarious and its great knitting time. I've been really productive the last couple of days.

The Alphabet blanket is coming along, I love it. The Z and S had errors in the pattern, but now I'm over that, it should be a smooth run. And as you can see, I have also knocked up a pair of booties from the new Zoe Mellor book. (Sorry about the poor photo and bad lighting.)

So many pregnant friends at the moment, I'm loving all the knitting. I'm looking for another cute pattern for a blanket for another friend who is due to have her baby summer '06, "Baby B". I quite like this Odette blanket, what do you think?

Presenting... Bobblicious

Now that Knitty is up, here she is. My pattern, Bobblicious. I hope you enjoy knitting and wearing her as much as I do.

I thoroughly enjoyed designing this project, in fact, so much so that I'm hoping to finish another design - once I feel brave enough to pick it up again.

At long last...

When the whole nursery had it, the Bubela was the only kid left in class. Then all of his friends had it and the Bubela didn't have anyone to play with. Then his cousins had it and I made sure that he played with them every day, but no, this kid just wasn't going to get it. Finally, and on his own, doing it solo, the Bubela has Chikenpox.

So, a very spotty Bubela and I are confined to our house for the next 7-10 days. Thank goodness my Amazon order has arrived, and the Bubela's Madagaskar DVD.

Debbie Abrahams' new Blankets and throws book is beautiful, even better than her last if that is at all possible. As in her first Blankets and Throws book, she still embelishes the squares with sequins or beads, and her blankets portray an array of vibrant colours which she is well known for. I just love this book, its a real page flicker. My Amazon order also included the Zoe Mellor Baby Bootees book which just oozzes cute factor. Its a great last minute knock up a bootee knit book.

One of my favourite blankets is this Four Seasons blanket. It has the chick for Easter, the sun, the leaf, a Christmas tree, Pumpkin, a snowman and many more.
And here is such a pretty girly blanket. This one is embellished in beads and shell buttons, its just gorgeous. I'd love to knit this one for somebody.
As for my favourite Mellor bootees, arn't they gorgeous?