This, that and more

Today I'm starting the cushions for the kidlets Christmas presents, with Mr J's being the first off the production line. This is the visual for it:













Let's hope it works...

What's that? A chorus of naysayers? What do you mean, "What about all the other stuff?!?" You mean these things?












One perfectly finished cabled handbag. It took a month. A month!!! I'd say never again, but I suspect one of the sisters will request one at some point. The pattern is from Patons using two strands of Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran - "Cornsilk" and "Batik". The latter is no longer available, which is a shame as is was part of the perfect colourway for a Dr Who scarf. Yes, I did actually hand knit a 14 foot long Dr who scarf in yarn that costs $7.00 a ball, and what happened? He lost it on the first day. Never again.










This is a close-up because I love cables. A lot. Almost too much. I just find them so much fun to knit, and the more complex, the better. I love a good challenge, and this was pretty good with three different cables - an 8 row repeat (plaits), a 16 row repeat (x and o) and a 32 row repeat (doubled wave lines). I like multi cabling.













Here is the world's cutest baby bonnet. The pattern is the "Lacy Bonnet" from "Baby Bloom" by Erika Knight, and it was knitted in Rowan Wool Cotton (how good does it feel when you're knitting it?!). I adore this pattern. I look forward to making it for every one of my friends when they have a baby, because - let's be honest here - you're going to need something to dress them up in for that photo you'll have enlarged for the 21st birthday party to humiliate them with.













This one will be going out to my darling Michelle who will hopefully be having her baby girl (90% positive) asap, so I will actually be allowed to visit. (See explanation at the end)











Believe it or not, I took 6 different shots of these booties and they glowed like a halo in each of them. These are the "Baby Angora Booties" from "Last Minute Knitted Gifts" and I've taken so long to make them (not very last minute). I made one, put them away and completely forgot about them until I suddenly remember them last week. They're for Stacey as a "Yay! You're pregnant!" present, and I have enough fluffy goodness left over to make a pair for Michelle too.

(Yes, that is my hot water bottle cover in the background. I'm about a third of the way through sewing it up. Patience!)










Ta da! I finally fixed the neckline for my red cabled jumper so it will stay on me. I feel warmer just looking at it. It's so squishy and yummy. If you want to knit a hot water bottle cunningly disguised as a jumper, use Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran Tweed. I once wore my green jumper in 6°C weather with no t-shirt or shirt underneath. Phenomenal stuff. My da swears by his fingerless gloves in it. I really can't recommend it enough.











Finally, here are the result at the end of Day 3 of my Kitri sock kit: ribbing done and I'm ready to start the lace pattern.


Explanation: Most of these shots were taken from the viewpoint of someone in bed, and that's because I am. I've been sick with various colds and such since late June, and I haven't been getting better. I've currently got a pretty icky throat infection and I'm now on my third course of antibiotics in two months. I don't like antibiotics - I'm pretty sure they weaken my immune system, and my doctor agreed, but it's the only thing that's going to kill this infection. In a fortnight I'm off for blood tests for practically everything because I'm so run down I can barely move - hence the bed shots. I need to wait until I finish the antibiotics, and the main thing they're testing for is glandular fever. So if you're wondering why I can't come out and play, this is why.

And no, I'm not pregnant. (A special addendum for my sisters)

NOTE: I am not contagious. My knitting afternoon on Saturday is going ahead. I just won't be as hyper as usual is all.