Back to (Vague) Normality

The older boys went back to school this week and its such a relief to be back into a structured routine. All of my children thrive when they have a set plan for the day, their behaviour and demeanour improves,and we generally have a LOT less petty arguing over the silly things that get children so irate. Mama is much better with a set routine too, I must admit.

My daughter started her nursery placement at the school this week too, and (as expected) settled in without a hitch. My kids are sociable creatures, and while they are shy, at the same time they aren't the type to shy away from a new situation - so when they've started school, there's never been tears or tantrums, or the need to extend the 'settling in' period that their school offers (shortened attendance times for the first week or so) - in fact they've always been full time after the first day of their induction, as they fit right into the class. As I said before, they thrive on structure, so I suspect that this is why.

Its a little strange having only one child in the house for the better part of each weekday - not that it will be for much longer. My youngest son is independent and, at 1 and a half, is quite happy to take himself off and play without guidance or intervention. Mama eyes and ears are in effect, but it gives me more freedom, of a sort. I can do housework without toddler help, or I can sit and enjoy a book or knit.

On the topic of knitting - I cast on for a new project this week. I had to get some new circulars for it, so I splashed out and decided to try KnitPro Interchangeables (I bought from p2toguk on Ebay for those curious, great seller). I only bought the one set of tips and a cable, as I wasn't sure how I'd like them, but they are worth every penny. I went with the clear acrylic tips, as I have a few acrylic straights and the knitting seems to fly with them.

My new project is the Shalom cardigan (Rav linky) - a nice open front cardi which I'll be able to wear with the bump and afterwards. I'm using 100% merino yarn (DK weight held double) so the fabric is thick and smooshy. Because of this, I am really enjoying working the project without rushing to have it finished (which is counter-intuitive really, as I enjoy working with it so much that it will be finished quicker than expected because I pick it up so often), its just so pleasant to pick it up and feel the knit fabric in my hands.

My Ravelry group kicks off this week too, which I'm really looking forward to. Its a lot of work, but I'm hoping it will replace my longing for a sociable knit-night in my area. I've joined the KAL (a shawl, in King Cole Riot, for my daughter's intended christmas present - a big box of knitted dress-up bits and pieces), and have plenty of ideas lined up for the stash-busting and WIP wrestling activities too.

Here's hoping that September and October are highly productive knitting months, as November is going to be otherwise occupied :D

Productive Weekend

I've been beavering away all weekend on small projects. Finishing up my second newborn cardigan was number one priority, seeing as I had neglected it for so long. I finished the sleeves late on Friday night and set about stitching the buttons on Saturday afternoon, which I completed successfully first time around (my first attempt at sewing on buttons on a handmade garment).

After that, I had itchy fingers and the urge for some instant knitterly gratification. So onto the needles went some acrylic DK scrap and an hour or so later, off popped a little alien beastie. This morning, he was joined by a friend! I think these little guys may multiply...

I can't decide on my next project yet. There's a lot of options coming from The Yarnival group, and I have plenty of WIP's, but I think I'm coming down with a bout of Startitis... not a good thing after I went to so much effort to wrestle my WIP pile down to a manageable level. I think I'm going to have to pull everything out and see what grabs me while I have it in my hands. I can see all my WIP's on Ravelry, but I think this is more of a sensual issue. I need to touch things, feel them, before I'll know what I want to be working on for a while.

Busy, Busy, Busy!

No pretty new WIP photos today, apologies.

I've been busy setting up my new group on Ravelry (The Yarnival - come visit us!), and haven't had a lot of free time to pick p my needles. As a result, the impending bump's cardi is still languishing beside my chair, only 4 rows and 4 buttons short of completion. On top of the group, I have been working on getting my stash and accumulated tools, bits and bobs re-organised. My yarn stash outgrew its storage capacity, so - of course - I had to buy more storage (yarn diet?? Blasphemy!). In turn, this means that I'm going to have to pull everything out and get it in some semblance of order. The upside to this, is that it gives me a chance to properly update my stash page on Rav.

Of course, as Scottish readers will know, school returns next week - and with 2 boys in primary and a daughter entering nursery 5 afternoons a week (coupled with a very active 1 and a half year old, and a pregnancy), life has been utter madness the past few days. Shopping for school clothes with all 4 children in tow, all day spent up town equals some very tired, grumpy (but as always, in public at least, well behaved) children. And adults.

I'm still recovering...

The postman was kind enough to deliver a parcel of cheer-up goodness today though, courtesy of a lovely lady from the UKRAK board. A whole bundle of gorgeous child-oriented buttons, a skein of smooshy sock yarn, a 30% silk pashmina wrap and a box of luscious Godiva chocolates.

What more could a pregnant knitter ask for? (Well except maybe a housework fairy, but I've yet to see those on sale anywhere!)

I've Been a Bad Blogger...

So after my last post (where I was being a loon and contemplating housework at 6am!?!) things went completely to pot. I had been ill for a few days prior and was in - what I thought was - recovery mode. You know, where you feel 75% better but your head tells you that you are suddenly running at 150% so you can do ANYTHING.

Yeah. Not so much.

Feeling 'better', I hopped on the bus and went out to MIL's to surprise and stay the night with DP and my youngest, as they weren't planning on coming back until the next day. I was having a wonderfull time until 2am when I passed a kidney stone and came down ill with a kidney infection. We came home on Wednesday and I spent the next week and a half in bed, being pretty much waited on hand and foot by my man.

Good timing being everything, I recovered (with a few relapses caused by the 75%/150% problem) on the Sunday, and my older 3 came back on the Monday. A week later and I was finally back to the status quo. Its been a hectic round of entertaining children on summer holiday from school, knitting and catching up with Rav boards since then.

I promise, however, that normal service shall be resumed and we will get back to pretty crafting pictures and updates shortly.