Hi everyone, here I am bump and all. Im now four and a half months and huge. Baby is kicking now and letting me know its around and well. As for the ugly bug it gave me, well it didn't go away after the three first months (like everyone told me!!), guess I'm gonna need alot of attention once baby arrives!

Many of you have been sending me wonderful wishes, thank you. Sorry I haven't been around much, I guess I've got really lazy since the bump... but I'm secretly enjoying it. How naughty is that!

As for the knitting... Im doing the finishing touches to the pink Odette blanket for Baby B which is due in a couple of weeks, lets just hope its a girl as I've nothing prepared in blue!

My dear friends... until the next time, au revoir!

Oy, have I been busy.

I didn't even have a chance to wish my Jewish frends and happy Passover. I hope you all had a nice sedar. The bubela did an excellent rendition of the Ma Nish Ta Na. Oy, I was so proud.

As for the baking this year, I made great almond macaroons and a great plava (light sponge cake made without flour and suitable for passover). I know the family are pleased I have taken over from Mama whom every year used to make our plava cake, and oy vey what a cake. We used to call it the "stick in the throat cake". You'd have to have it with a large glass of kosher wine (I'm not complaining) but it would take the rest of the service to digest.

She has since been sacked retired from baking the cakes, probably due to the greif she gets every year... giving me the job (the next balebuste of the family).

As for the knitting, I've finally sewn and made up the peach cardigan for Cydney. Its all wrapped up and ready to go.

I'm now 12 weeks pregnant. I had a scan last night and the Little Chooch is well and bright. Now, I am just so excited about this pregnancy and can't wait to meet it. *Cant stop smiling* Once I get photos of my bump and scan uploaded, I'll share them all with you... promise.

I'm afraid there isn't much knitting content today. I'm still having that "can't be bothered to pick up the needles" thing.

"Baby M" was born last week, her name is Cydney Leah, so now I'm under pressure to get the peach cardigan sewn up. I sat at the table last night sewing on a sleeve but I had such difficulty leaning over my large belly (and I'm only 10 weeks!) that I only managed to do the one. I'll do another tonight... I can see this being a slow one piece a day process.

As for my stash, its been tidied up and out of sight. Yep, in a cupboard on the top shelf. Its a real tease, like chocolate on out of reach.

I'm now 10 weeks pregnant and have been signed off from the fertility clinic now and just have to register with my local doctor. I've seen our baby so many times now in the scan so have now started to believe that I'm truly pregnant. I still have the ugly bug - the acne, swollen face and chin hair, but I've been assured that once I come off the steriods this will all go. *You'd better be right Dr Ah-Moy, not that I'd be mad with you, you put a made a baby for me*.

The Bubela asked me how the baby was going to come out. So I told him they are going to cut it out of my belly. "But how are they going to fix the hole?" "The Dr will sew it up". "Oh". He said. "Does he know how to knit aswell?" Love him!!

The start of Odette

There's not been much knitting I'm afraid, however, I did started the Odette Blanket from Rowan Little Treasures at the weekend. Honestly, Rowan couldn't have chosen a smaller font for the pattern. Talk about strain on the eyes.

I'm using Rowan Baby Soft. Its a mix of 50% wool, polymide and cotton. Its a bulky weight yarn and feels very soft in the ball. I thought I'd hate working with it though, but its actually a nice soft warm texture and I can really see a baby snuggling into this blanket being kept nice and warm.

This one's for "Baby B" so I guess money's on a girl then!!

Hopefully, I'll have a bit more progress to show you later on in the week, but I've got my head in a novel and I can't remove it. You know what its like when you pick up a page turner (its a Penny Vincenzi).

Whiskers, Moustache and Spots... oh my

"Please try the tank top on for me, I just need to check the neckband isn't too tight" Oh the effort as the Bubela tried it on. God forbid I interupt his normal morning routine. Check out the organisation on the Bubela's bed. He's a real daddy's boy, everything in spick and span order.

I thought initially that I had made the V neck rib too small, well, in actual fact I did as I when I was setting out the design I forgot to account for an inch of ribbing. Oy, why don't I just follow a pattern for an easy life. I do have two choices. 1. Keep it as it is; or 2. Frog the whole front and recalculate the V neck to accommodate the inch rib.

I'll try it on again and see what's best. A slight tug over the head isn't so bad, is it?

7 + 2 weeks. Whilst the Bubela was in the bath last night, I thought I'd take the opportunity to get the magnified mirror out and check out these spot I have under my chin. What with the lighting like a football pitch and the mirror magnified x5 I'd really see what's going on.

To my absolute horror and disbelief I spotted about 10 long black whiskers *gasp*. TWEEZERS!!! Why can't I have normal pregnancy symptoms? Give me sore boobs, or heartburn, or even sickness. Why d'ya have to throw the ugly bug at me?

*rubbing my tummy* I love being pregnant. Thank you god.

Look who's climbing the walls

I've been working on the Bubela's tank top over the weekend. It was a great opportunity to do so. All I did was sit on the sofa and relax (Dr's instrutions, so who am I to argue!!). Well, the back is almost finished. I showed the Bubela and asked him if he liked it and he told me he already had one like that (remember I recycled the yarn), "I want one in blue". Oy, no pleasing the boy.

Today is the Jewish festival of Purim and all the kids are dressing up to celebrate at school. The Bubela wanted to go as a robot, but he told me that at 6pm last night, so absolutely no time to prepare. So, we've delved into his deep dressing up box and found this.

I had another scan yesterday (no, not obsessed with seeing the little heartbeat... well, ok I am a bit). Arrrh, I saw it flickering away again. Still no pregnancy symptoms, unless you call the bad acne and moustache pregnancy symptoms. Hang on, I'm not sure, but maybe I feel a little sick (in my head??).

All washed and blocking

Its finished. Its taken me about 3 months and I can't believe I've finally finished it. I think this has got to be my best knit EVER. It was exciting and kept me on my toes following a chart. There were a few errors in the pattern, but those were listed on the Debbie Bliss website.

Once this is dried, I'll fold it and box it ready for Gemma's baby shower in April. Better to be ahead of schedule than tying in loose ends at the last minute.

Pattern: Debbie Bliss The Baby Knits Book
Materials: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino
Measured size: 90cm x 90cm

I've just ordered some yarn for the Rowan Odette blanket for the next baby on the way - "Baby B" due in June. I've ordered pink and cream, however, I have to stress that I do NOT know the sex of the baby its simply my gut feeling. I'll be really embarrassed if I'm proven wrong, so I've also ordered some blue just in case!

The following text is a bit schmultzy, so I apologize in advance.

Yesterday Hubby and I went along to the Fertility Clinic for our first scan. As the Dr inserted the probe, there on the monitor Hubby and I saw our baby. Our baby. A tear ran down my face. Our baby, just the size of a dot with a little flickering heartbeat.

After 4 years of tests, operations, drugs, ivf, heartache, pain and worry, seeing that little heartbeat and Hubby's proud face was the moment the worry lines on my face of all those years of trying for something I so desperately yearned for erased away in a flash.

I feel truly blessed. Thank you all for your prayers and words of strength. I've now just got to keep healthy, relaxed and look forward to enjoying this pregnancy. It goes without saying that I've got 8 month's of worry now. Not to mention the acne and the moustache(!!) I've acquired (I'm presuming its the steroids I'm on?)

I was going to post yesterday and show you just how busy I've been, but the Bubela was off from school with a cold so I was running around after him all day.

So, my plan for today was to wash and block the Alphabet blanket, but I'm going to the hairdressers this morning then meeting friends for lunch, so I really haven't the time. Oh the life of a lunching mother!! I'll do it tomorrow... those famous words.

Here's the Debbie Bliss Argyl cardigan all finished (bar the buttons). I've just got to sew the buttons on and voila. This is for "Baby M" if its a boy. I'm also knitting up another quick Debbie Bliss girly cardigan in peach (I've made one before and it was such a quick cute knit) just in case its a girl. I've got 3 weeks, plenty time.

And fabulous news just in that has really made my day. My friend Michelle (you know the one that taught me to knit) she delivered twin girls this morning. MUZEL TOV.

Project Spectrum... here we go!!

I'm back. As you know I haven't had the strength to pick up a pair of needles for about two weeks. Either that, or the Jaywalker socks I was knitting for the Knit Olympics put me right off knitting. I've tried socks now, I think its one of those Marmite things "you either love it or hate it". I HATE Marmite, its a very British spread for toast that tastes like... I can't describe it, if you want me send you a sampler let me know. Be warned though. Urgh, the thought of it.

So, I welcome Project Spectrum with open arms (I really do). Pink and Red here we go. I'm using this Project Spectrum to knit up one of Debbie Abrahams blankets from her "More Blankets and Throws" book. Its a quick knit, this square only took me a couple of hours and it was really enjoyable too.

The Alphabet Blanket... ITS FINISHED. Well sort of. I just need to sew in the ends and block. Its absolutely gorgeous.

Thank you all for your very kind wishes, brought tears to my eyes, they truly mean so much to me. Thank you, I'm blessed with such caring friends.

Neglected WIPs

Here is my pile of WIPs. At the moment I'd prefer to grab a pickled cucumber than a knitting needle. Seriously, I've really neglected my knitting in the last couple of weeks as I've been feeling really poorly and tired from all the drugs and stuff.

Anyway, my results came in and I'm so very excited that it was a positive. However, I'm very scared too because the next couple of weeks for me are still quite critical, so I'm going to take it really easy. In fact, Im going to try and wrap my fingers around my circulars and finish that Alphabet blanket, oh and that Argyl cardigan... oy, the WIP list is endless.

I haven't caught up with anyone's blogs in the last couple of weeks, so I'll be coming to visit you all now and see how your all doing. Especially you Bobblicious girls!!

Thank you!!

Thank you all for your heartfelt comments and support throughout this week. They mean so much to me to know that I have a lot of warmth and support out there.

As for the Jaywalkers I'm knitting up for the Knit Olympics, I'm halfway there on sock No.1. Although, I do have to say that I'm pretty bored with knitting the same thing over. Now I know why I have so many projects on the go.

I foresee this Jaywalker joining a league of many the lonesome sock.

Have they lit the flame?

I've started. I'm not even sure if the Olympic Opening Ceremony has started yet, but I'm laying here on the sofa, nothing on tv, bored so casted on. I hope I haven't cheated if I'm a few hours too early!

I had two embryos transferred yesterday. They were apparently excellent quality (grade 1's). Now its just a waiting game. I'll be testing 20 Feb so keep watching.

Please god let this be my time.

Soap suds or a spritz of water?

Sorry about the dodgy photo. This Argyl cardigan has been waiting to be blocked for a while now. I thought I'd do it now before I get caught up in the Knit Olympics and it'll get forgotten about.

How do you block? I know some simply pin out the garment and spritz water or steam over it. I've been known to even just take a hot iron over a garment. *Gasp* However, I do find that by properly washing in soap suds it makes the garment feel softer and more manageable. But we all love a short cut.

This Argyl was soaked in warm soap suds and I'm hoping it will dry over night so I can sew it together ahead of Friday's opening ceremony, where I'll be casting on for the Jaywalkers. Go Great Britain Team, Go. Oh and... Go, DPN Team Go.

IVF rollercoaster - I'm getting giddy, but want to stay on longer. 18 eggs collected. 9 fertilised. As of today (day 2) I have 7 grade 1's. So, on the embryo side that's not bad.

Up close and personal with Bobblicious

Let me introduce you to your Team Captain for Team Bobblicious USA. Here is Betty from A Blog Reborne. Feel free to head over to her blog.


I've had a few queries on how the perfect bobble should look. Here is a photo of Bobblicious up close. This is what your bobble should resemble. The picture on top you will see the bobbles for the right side. No holes are in view. On on the bottom you will see a flat wrong side. Again, no holes are in view.

I'm just going to run through the basic bobble stitch.

Basically, knit into the front of the stitch (as you would normally), but don’t push it off the right needle. With the stitch still on the right needle, knit into the back of the stitch (i.e. not the front of the stitch as you would normally, the same stitch on the left needle, but the loop at the back of it). Do not push these two stitches off the right needle. Again, knit into the front and then the back and front of the same stitch. You will then have made four increases in the one stitch (i.e. 5 loops should appear on your right needle from the one stitch you worked on).

Phew, confusing? You haven’t finished yet.

Turn your work around and purl these five stitches. Turn again, K2tog, K1, K2tog. Turn again and P3tog. Turn work, then slip this one stitch onto the right needle. Voila, there is your bobble.

Here is the front of the tank top I knit up for the Bubela. He says he likes it, but we'll see if he actually wears it when its finished! I've taken the cable and rib pattern from the original design by Debbie Bliss and just used my calculations to make it into a vest top.

I did have to frog once or twice, the first being because the V was too deep and the second the shoulders were too thin (although looking at this picture they look remarkably thin, but rest assured its just due to curling). I think it looks ok now. Im planning to pick up all edges around armholes and v-neck and do a 2x2 rib.


Are you ready for the Knit Olympics?? I'm plutzing here waiting for it to arrive already.
And guess what? There's a USA Bobblicious Team going on. If you want the link to the pattern, its in my sidebar. Good luck, I'm supporting you!!

I'll be supporting United Kingdom and I've also joined myself to the Team Dpn. I figure the more I join, the more support I get and I won't end up an "Eddie the Eagle".




Thank you all for your well wishes, they truly mean so much to me.

How do I feel today? Well, I'm in tomorrow to lay my eggs. Thank god, because its not so great feeling bloated and incontinent. The larger my follicles were growing, I'm sure something was leaning on my bladder. Oy, the prospect of being old.

Gone with the jumper, yay more yarn!!

Here's the Bubela last year in a Debbie Bliss jumper I knit up for him. It was before my blogging days so I didn't document it.

In summary, its knit up in Debbie Bliss Cotton DK which is a bulky cotton. I thought this cotton to be very heavy especially for a kids jumper, and the Bubela didn't really like wearing it. I think he always felt uncomfortable in it, the hood was always dragging his jumper back, his sleeves were always troubling him. Oy. I think he looked gorgeous in it, but I think he'd looks gorgeous in sac!!

Anyhoo, the crux of it is that the Bubela just will not wear it. If it isn't tarnished with Spiderman or footballs he is not interested. Its a nice jumper, but if the kid wont wear it, believe me he wont wear it.

So, enough with the kvetching the jumper became my frogging session. Here I am on my "knitting chair", jumper and dpn in hand and unpicking seams.
And here is what became of that Magila ... 8 balls of Debbie Bliss DC Cotton in Brown.

Plans, plans, plans. I'm knitting up a tank top for him now. I'll keep you posted.

As for my life during IVF#3. The drugs are playing havoc with my emotions. There are too many hormones running through my body that I just can't keep up myself, high and low, happy and sad, positive and negative, argh.

My thighs are bruised blue and speckled pinpricked pink, my stomach is bloated from steroids and I can't fit into my clothes.

Monday's scan showed 12 follicles growing nicely. Each follicle does not necessarily contain an egg, but 12 is a nice number to have. I do have couple of hurdles yet (nothing seems easy with me), but I'm still praying.

Eggs are coming out on Monday.

Vogue Winter arrived today. Where's my Rowan 39?

I've finally found you

Bloglines that is. Yes, enough with trawling through my favourites I now have Bloglines to do it for me. I know its a bit late in blogging life to find a very crucial tool, but that's me all over.

You are now able to see the blogs I read in my sidebar. Please let me know if your not there so I can add you. Merci Beaucoup.

Knitting progress... I've just been poodleing along with my two wip's and gearing myself up for the Knitting Olympics which starts February 10. Dpn's are polished, yarn is balled and my fingers and hands are in tip top shape.

So, here's a little quiz for you. What kind of knitter am I?

You appear to be a Knitting Adventurer.
You are through those knitting growing pains and feeling more adventurous. You can follow a standard pattern if it's not too complicated and know where to go to get help. Maybe you've started to experiment with different fibers and you might be eyeing a book with a cool technique you've never tried. Perhaps you prefer to stick to other people's patterns but you are trying to challenge yourself more. Regardless of your preference, you are continually trying to grow as a knitter, and as well you should since your non-knitting friends are probably dropping some serious hints, these days.


What Kind of Knitter Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Its Only a Game

We didn't win. Well, I didn't really expect to, but I had everything mapped out had I won the 100,000,000 GBP.

£100,000,000. Oy, what would you do with that?

First, I'd have had a good old spend with the plastic on the net.

Then, I'd have invited my whole family over for dinner, I love to cook. I wish I had the space to entertain more often. I'd have used the good china, with the silver cutlery. Ach, *waving hand in dismissal* I'd have bought new china for the occasion. I'd have placed an envelope at each setting with the recipients name upon it. Inside would have been a nice surprise. A cheque for... enough for your wishes to come true. Oy, sounds a bit shmultzy, but thats how i'd have done it.

Then, I'd have booked a cruise. A Caribbean one maybe, or Baltic possibly and taken my family and friends with me. We would have had the big round table in the middle of the dining room, the one where all the noise usually comes from. Hubby would have been ok with that table, especially with not the need to share it with strangers.

We'd also buy our dream house. Everyone has a dream house, right? Mine doesn't really call for much, I'd just like a big kitchen. Ok, and an indoor swimming pool, maybe with a gym in the basement or something. A big dinning room for entertaining... I'm sure Hubby would want to go and buy a car (or two), not me, I'm not into cars. I'd probably splash out on handbags and shoes (and yarn of course). The Bubela would probably like to go wild at Hamley's, his toy heaven.

But, hey, ve didn't vin.

Year of the Dog

I'd like to wish my Chinese friends a happy new year.


As I'm waiting in the wings for the Knitting Olympics to start I thought I'd knit another argyl cardigan from Debbie Bliss' Special Knits book. With so many expectant mothers around you can never have too little baby knits. Im knitting it up in Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino and its texture is so soft, and it looks alot nicer than my first one which was knit up in Rowan All Seasons Cotton.

No weight gain from the steroids yet, I'm still 2lb down. I've been taking baby aspirin and the first couple of days of taking it I had really bad indigestion. I put it down to a vegetable chili I had eaten. However, as I was making a cup of tea and hanging around in the kitchen waiting for the kettle to boil, I was reading the aspirin label on which it said dispersible aspirin, mix with water. *Gasp* I'd been swallowing them. *Checking pulse is not flying through the sky* No wonder the indigestion. MENTAL NOTE - READ ALL MEDICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Knitalong Galore

Firstly I have to say thank you for all your best wishes for the IVF. Its going ok, the mood swings have subsided and I'm just an emotional wreck now, cry at everything. Guess its working!

Now, I want to get the sock bug, I really do, and what better way to do it than with a pair of Jaywalkers. I'm a bit late for the Jaywalker knitalong, so I'll be entering them into Yarn Harlots Knitting Olympics which starts on Feb 10 through Feb 26. Is anyone representing England? What are you making? Do you have a button? And any Brits that haven't entered, hit the link and join me.

I also feel that I want to add another book to my collection and what better way do it than ask for your help and opinions. I'm looking at three sock books in particular, Vintage Knits; Folk Socks; and Sensational Socks. Which one would you say was the all time best if you only had to choose one?

Have you been over to Lolly's blog and checked out Project Spectrum? A great little 6 month KAL. Basically each month you are to craft something in the following colours, can be anything you like: not only knitting. This is great for a project I've been planning to do. I want to make one of Debbie Abrahams' patchwork blankets from her new book, More Blankets and Throws. Lots of colour, I'm looking forward to it. Its not starting until March though, got the Olympics to get through first.

March - Red and Pink
April - Orange and Yellow
May - Green
June - Blue
July - Violet / Purple
August - Neutrals / Black & White

My parents are back from their holiday in Israel. Its great to have them home.