My mom used to send me articles about how older virgins are considered good luck in Mexico

After a very active January with all the running and the cycling and the running and the whatnot, I've not really done much exercise this month.  I ran just over 8km today, and I'm planning a 12k run next Saturday when the children are away, so that'll up the average a bit; perhaps I'll even do a bit of running during the week.  Simon isn't planning to travel during half term, so I can go to the gym in the evening, and that should up my total mileage from 17 km to something a bit more respectable.

That's enough RUNCHAT, time to talk about knitting.  The majority of my stash is almost totally inaccessible, and I am totally fed up with the Rainbow jumper, so I moved a load of boxes and climbed over a few loudspeakers to get to my wool, in order to have a new project to cast on.

Super Lemon Myrna is finished and blocked and has buttons and ribbon stabilising the button band, which I sewed on by hand, I thankyew, and I am actually wearing it at the moment.  The house is SO COLD, so I'm wearing it over about three other tops.  It's a bit tight with all the clothes on.

It fits just fine over my running gear.  The yarn is Sublime Extra Fine Merino DK, in Soft Yellow, and it is soft and warm and cosy.  The yarn is from Mr Bunty in West Ealing, and I bought the buttons and the ribbon at the same time.  I was going to make a Miette out of it, but the Myrna is a better pattern for my shape, so that's what happened instead.  However, I have limited use for a wool cardigan with short sleeves, and the puffed sleeves don't do much for me either, so I picked up 68 stitches around the armholes and decreased every four rows seven times, while knitting the sleeves flat.  I sewed them up, because I get a bit of a better fit that way, and also I dislike the fiddly-ness of knitting sleeves in the round.  I've got some red yarn somewhere to make another one.  I just need to find it. *sob*

The Rainbow Raglan: I've done a couple of stripes, and I'm just getting on with it.  SLOWLY.

Hexipuff Quilt: Still at 237/500.

Simon's Cobblestone jumper: in storage.

Simon's massive man socks: I should buy that yarn really.

This One's for Parties Vintage Jumper: Stored.

The Yellow Petrie: I looked at it today.  It's still too cold for summer knitting.

Rainbow jumper for Hattie: Storage.

These are things that are waiting to be started.  I've added something.

NEW: Audrey in Unst Cardigan in my favourite Sublime Yarn, this time in pink.
Mini Hetty cardigan with sleeves for Lucy
A circle blanket for Robin

Cream and Beige Coco style boatneck striped top

Sun-Ray Ribbing Vintage Jumper
Ishbel scarf thing
Waterhouse Mittens

Bright Rainbow Blanket for Lucy

Burton Bear cowl for Hattie

Minion blanket for Hattie

Finished:

Vianne
Wisteria
Elwood Mittens for Lucy
One MASSIVE MAN SOCK
Weather Blanket
Separate but matching vests for twin boys
Urchin hat
Peacock mittens

I've found a great website with ALL the Parks and Rec gifs.  What fun.

I wrote a book. "The First Historical Guide to Pawnee." I wrote it as a reference for myself, but then my campaign advisors said we should make it a big wide release. So we had people contribute, we added pictures, and we removed a lot of my poems and emotional ramblings and pictures of unicorns and here it is!

I'm not getting into a rhythm at all at work.  Well, I am, but it's not really a sustainable one.  Now I've actually got my job, I'm going to try to set my own hours to a certain extent; baby steps.  I feel I'm going to be full time before I really want to be.  Ah teaching, the job that keeps on taking.

Still, there's been a bit of a break in the clouds today, in the unlikely shape of Hat having a very high temperature and fever and Simon working in town, meaning that I had to stay at home and not go in at all.  In between fetching and carrying and doing my planning, I was able to knit, bake bread, make soup, dye a jacket and do two loads of washing, and bizarrely all these things meant that I could reset my brain.

So.  In the last month, what have I made from the never-ending list?

I finished my Wisteria jumper this afternoon.  It has taken FOREVER to make, with its complicated cables that require concentration.  I immediately wondered whether I had it in me to make a grey one out of Cascade 220; turns out, I don't.

The jumper is made out of Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Worsted, in the Prairie Fire colour.  The yarn is a mohair blend and very fuzzy and gorgeous.  I used 6 mm needles, in the round for the body, and DPNs for the sleeves.  It took such a long time because I spent a lot of time willing it to finish itself, and I didn't really want to work on it during the summer.  A couple of kilos of mohair on your lap is not conducive to keeping cool.

A very dear friend of mine had twin boys, so they needed a gift.  Each.  I felt that they needed a separate but matching vest top, in vibrant rainbow shades.  I used the same pattern for both and the same balls of yarn but in a different order, and I think they are pretty striking.  The necklines might be a bit tight, but I stretched them out over a pretty big pumpkin and they went over fine, and the boys have smaller heads than the pumpkin.

I made an Urchin hat as part of the FESA thing, but I haven't photographed yet.  Too busy wearing it constantly.

Hexipuff Quilt: I think it is now 195 out of 500.  Not sure.  I should probably count them at some point; I think I will make another ten and then count.

Vianne cardigan: Finished.  I gave it a new button band, and a new ribbon and I'm really pleased with it now.  It sat on my new dressmaker's dummy for a while, and looked smashing.

Simon's massive man socks: I've made one.  I can't now find the other ball of black flecked sock yarn.  Bum.  It's either in the stash somewhere, or I went mad and only bought one ball.

The Rainbow Raglan: Still waiting for sleeves.

This One's for Parties Vintage Jumper: I'm not entirely happy with this.  I've shelved it for now, and I will get back to it.  Maybe a 2016 vintage pledge.  Hem.

The Yellow Petrie: I want to say I've finished this, but I can't.

These are things that are waiting to be started.  Still.  They will (may) get made before July, or they may not.

A present for Robin: I don't like that owl blanket.  I'm going to make him a vest in the Knit Picks wool I bought about two years ago.  

Finish the Peacock Mittens

Miette cardigan in Lemon

Cream and Beige Coco style boatneck striped top

Sun-Ray Ribbing Vintage Jumper
Ishbel scarf thing
Waterhouse Mittens

Reknit Simon's Cobblestone jumper

Mini Hetty cardigan with sleeves for Lucy 

Bright Rainbow Blanket for Lucy

Burton Bear cowl for Hattie

Mini Hetty cardigan with sleeves also for Hattie
Minion blanket for Hattie 

You didn't realize emotion could be a weapon? Have you not read the poetry of Jewel?

Normal service has resumed.  Or what passes for normal around these parts, which isn't that normal to be honest.  The children are screaming at each other in the bath, there is a lit candle, there is a wash on, there is leek and potato soup on the way and there is a massive mess on the counter that I am doing my best to ignore.  My half full cup of tea is pretty precariously balanced on a pile of yesterday's paper and a couple of patterns; I'm pretty sure I'll end up wearing it at some point.

I should probably do some tidying at some point.

The list is coming along nicely, actually, thanks for asking.  I'm knitting lots of things on a regular basis, and they are all going pretty well.  I've taken some new photos using my nice camera; technically they are better than the iPhone ones, but the subject matter is the same, and it doesn't look that great.  Eek.

This is the hexipuff blanket to date.  I've made 7 out of the 100 I was going to make between July and July next year.  They are a quick win, but the individuals don't make up much of the whole.  *sigh*  The photo below is some of the new ones - the red, orange, yellow and green one is new, as is the turquoise and blue one; the red, yellow and blue variegated one is unique at the moment, as it's from the Colinette stand at Ally Pally last year, and I bought the yarn specially for the project.  

This is the Yellow Petrie. It's not that great a picture, I might not take any more until I have finished it totally.  I'm pleased with it, although it feels like it might be too small.  

The Rainbow Raglan is going really well.  You can't tell from the picture because it's all bunched up, but I've split for the sleeves.  I'm still increasing on the front to allow for boobs, and I've tried it on a couple of times, and it's fitting pretty well.  It needs ribbing around the neckline to stop it from rolling down.  The yarn is super lovely to work with, and it still smells all sheepy and delicious, so I work on it for 8 rounds then put it away.  Slowly, slowly, catchy tiger.

Lucy's Elwood mittens.  I love that they have different facial expressions.  Even though it's not been hot here, it's not cold enough to wear them yet.

Simon's massive man sock, part 1.  I bought the wool in Dusseldorf nearly 2 years ago to make him some socks, and I can't have been thinking too hard when I bought it, otherwise why would I have bought black for a blooming pair of socks on titchy needles?  They are knitting up slowly.  I'm trying to do a couple of rounds every day.

No more photos for this week; the light is non-existent.

Weather Blanket - there are now 10 squares left to make, and I've got the wool for the yellow ones, and I will make one tonight as something to do.  I can see the finish line.  

These things are still the same.

Miette cardigan in Lemon

Cream and Beige Coco style boatneck striped top

Sun-Ray Ribbing Vintage Jumper

This One's for Parties Vintage Jumper

Finish the Wisteria so that when it gets cold, I will be warm

Finish the Peacock Mittens, ditto

Reknit Simon's Cobblestone jumper

Mini Hetty cardigan with sleeves for Lucy

Bright Rainbow Blanket for Lucy - I've done a sketch for this, I know how many squares I need to make, I just need to source more yarn.

Burton Bear cowl for Hattie

Mini Hetty cardigan with sleeves also for Hattie
Minion blanket for Hattie - Hattie and I chose some yarn at the Handmade Fair yesterday, and she is excited about craft for the first time in her life.  She is the worst person to make things for; the reaction is ALWAYS "can't you just buy it Mummy?"  Little consumer.

Owl Blanket for Robin's Christmas present

I decided not to unpick the button band, and just cut it off.  Now I need to reknit it.  I like it a lot better already.

I've been to TWO craft events in the last month, and we're going to the third and best in a few days.  I have some photos, and I'll try to write a bit about it later on this week.  So much to say!  All the yarn!  So much fun!

They're twelve years old. I would have killed to have seen a bag of hands at that age.

Be careful what you wish for because it may well come true.  Teaching in Year 2 is proving to be a lot of hard work, being a SENCo is hard work, moving into a new school and unpacking and setting up a classroom is hard work.  Lucy has now been in Year 2 for 2 and a half weeks, and we're already behind on handing in homework and listening to her read, and don't even mention piano practice.  Getting into any sort of routine is proving to be a bit too much for us, particularly with the gastrically interesting week I've had.  There's been a tummy bug going round Hat's class; she had it on Thursday, and I had it on Tuesday.  Hurrah!  Nothing wipes you out like a vomiting bug.  I was so exhausted that I went to bed at quarter past 9 on Tuesday, and slept for nearly 12 hours.

But never mind all that.  I'm finally making it through the fog to sew up some stash, and I've got two dresses made already.  It's not taken a lot out of the stash to be honest, mostly because there is just LOADS of it, and even though I'm not thin, 3 metres of jersey fabric is a LOT of jersey fabric.

I finally finished my Made Up Initiative pledge, and made the Lady Skater dress in stashed jersey that I got from the Knitting and Stitching Show in April.  I was going to use it to make a wraparound dress from the Sewing Bee book from last year, but I don't like the pattern in the book, so I turned it into a Lady Skater.  It's a brilliant pattern, just like the children's one, and very quick to make.  I actually got it finished on the 9th, just before the cut off date, but I failed to notify Karen, mostly because it was then Lucy's birthday and party and all that means.  For those not in the know, she is 7.  We went to a pizza restaurant and made pizzas and there were 12 little boys and girls, and I will say no more about any of that.

Anyway, here is the beautiful, gorgeous dress.  I've worn it three times and washed it twice, and it looks great and is very comfortable, and when I twirl, the skirt sticks out a bit and is SUPER COOL.

Bit of a crappy Instagram picture, but you get the general idea.  I love the pattern, and I've got a whole bunch more planned.

The other dress I made is a bit more sober and sensible.  I bought some greyish brown jersey at the same fair, and decided to make a Coco with it.  BUT, having made the Lady Skater, I decided that I wanted to try the neckline of the Lady Skater on the bodice of the Coco, with the neckband instead of turning it under.  The dress is also severely plain, so has some pink rick rack around the hem to cheer it up a bit.  I only finished it on Thursday, so I haven't worn it yet, although I've tried it on and it looks good.

Again, another crappy Instagram picture, and the light wasn't great.  I'm not patient enough at the moment to take self portraits with a clicky thing and my good camera, and my photographer makes me look like an idiot, so what can you do.

I also made pants for me.  They are amazing.

I will not be posting a modelled shot.

No Boyle, last time we did that you ended up telling everyone that you had a crush on the teapot from Beauty and the Beast

I've been busy sewing today, working on my Made Up pledge for Karen and the National Literacy Trust.  To be completely honest, the first bit wasn't a challenge at all - I've made this pattern three times and hacked it to make tee shirts for the girls, so I knew that it wouldn't really take very long at all.  

In fact, the two dresses took me from half ten this morning to about ten past one.  Super fast sewing, even with cutting them out last night.  I also made Hattie some pyjamas too, because I am one overachieving mother today.  Tomorrow, I'll need to make something similar for Lucy as I can hear her starting to feel a bit miffed that her sister has something she doesn't.

Stars for Hattie.  It's a bit big at the moment, but the size below fits perfectly, and I'd quite like it to last until next year.

Spots for Lucy.  Again, a bit big, particularly in length, but it should last her well.

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The pyjamas were made out of the leftovers.  Funny what a difference the light makes to the colour in the photograph.  The two things are in the same fabric!  The pants are a bit of an odd fit because I had to cut them against the stretch, but they are fine for sleeping in.  I called them sleep shorts, so I suspect Hattie will try to wear them outside before too long.  

It's funny how different two similar fabrics can be.  The stars are a very structured jersey without much drape, quite thick and much better at holding a shape. The spots is a lot more drapey and thinner, and has made a lovely floppy, floaty cool dress for Lucy.  I bought the spotty fabric from a shop on the Goldhawk Road last year, when I met up with a load of sewing people, and gorgeous (then) blue haired Llauren Lladybird.  The shop is owned by one of my parents, as in someone from school, and I'm sure he had other colours.  I'll have to go back and check.  Oh the hardship.

 I'm sure I wrote a blog post about my last trip, but maybe not.  It was fun anyway, and I bought a small (large) amount of fabric, some of which I've used, most of which I haven't.  It feels good to take 4 metres out of stash.  I photographed a portion of it today.  It is getting a bit out of hand.

My sewing resolution is to turn at least half into garments before August 2016.  Should be doable.