Adventures in Crafting and Post-Covid Long Covid

 So…along with the inevitable recovery from the second bout of Covid (it’s horrendous. I thought it was bad before I had had covid again and now I’m back to three hours of unconsciousness if I decide to shower. Joy. Send an email or read a document? Ditto). Today, I’m feeling knocked out because I decided to stitch up the playsuit from the vintage pattern and… I might have forgotten to check my new measurements (though I recently checked them and they were as they usually are). It DOES fit, only the pockets (macgyvered from another pattern) are pulling and muggins here decided to completely finish the seams BEFORE checking the fit (as I could, reasonably, have reduced the side seam allowance to maybe 3/8 without affecting the overall fit). I can get them on. I can sit down without the seams straining. I do need to work on this pattern again, especially if I want to sew it up in anything more robust for winter and, in all honesty, it might work really well in a substantially thick knit without much stretch (not that I know how to sew knits. I am scared of them and I don’t have a properly serviced and working serger). It was a worthwhile experiment, but I’m going to tinker with the pattern again - which is Simplicity S9792 vintage from Jiffy range. The pockets came from a tunic/dress McCalls pattern as it didn’t have internal pockets with the pattern. I just have to find buttons, sew on suitable sized snaps (which I don’t have) or skirt closures (which I like and do have) but safety pins will do for now and if it comes to it, I’ll just sew buttons right through all the layers of fabric. My zip installation….worked. It’s been a while since I put one in and it kind of shows a bit. I am pretty sure I was using the zipper foot - again, I should have checked. I also need to hem the legs and work on the back legs pattern a bit.

I do like this pattern, not least because the zip fastening makes it really easy to get into, which is importantly if you’re disabled. The shoulder design is also useful if you’re expecting to have to spend time on IV/post surgery and with chronic conditions, opting to buy patterns which are easily adjustable to these considerations is important. Same with being a wheelchair user. I’ve found the Cashmerette advice in the book Adjusting the Curve to be really helpful with this. Increasing the seat (aka over the backside and up to the waist) is really important (I was already doing this with my sway back, but now I need to increase that more), but I’m also now having to adjust for the overhang at the front (something I think was MAJORLY affecting the playsuit at around the hips), adding leg length to account for sitting in a wheelchair and so on.

In other news, my experimental Knickerbockers worked really well and I’m very pleased with them! I’m toying with the idea of not bothering with the whole closure on the leg thing, though it did work, and just using elastic and coming up with some kind of fake button tab thing. Though it does work and looks cool! 

Anyway, I’m off back to check the fit of this thing as I wait for a drain engineer to come out on an emergency and hem the legs. Later! 

Well, it’s been a while

 To be honest, I had not realised it’s been almost a year 😲. I’ve been busy with long Covid advocacy and it’s exhausted me to the point of relapse. And I have Covid again. Somehow. I’m so cross, as I’m Covid cautious. One of my cats had to be put to sleep, but I have welcomed two ginger ninjas who Archie is happy to be around.

We have had a change of government, after one of the worst winters & springs in terms of politics. I’m not hopeful about the new government, but at least they’re not Tory. Same rhetoric on disabled and chronically ill. And the disabled & chronically ill with Long Covid are currently not well enough to challenge this effectively. Not with everything else we have to do.

I’m currently having to buy a whole lot of new splints and shoppers. With my pension being 1/3 of my former income, even having full ADP and a bit of ESA, it’s not really enough. I also need to fund a power add-on for my manual wheelchair (what I need isn’t funded under motability). I can’t just get cheap splints. I’m managing with a new thumb one, but it will need a decent new one soon, plus I need two to deal with my dropped foot and spasms issues.

I do have a cleaner back. This is a huge relief. I’ve at least got a clean home twice a month. I am still waiting to see a social worker (nearly 18 months at this point) for a personal assistant assessment. I’ve also been diagnosed with sleep apnoea secondary to Covid in 2020, but the waiting list to be seen for APAP is long. PoTS is an ongoing issue. My local trust still refuse to permit prescription of medications for MCAS, even with a new letter from one of their own recommending it. Speaking of which, I now have to get my records updated, as you need them for benefits stuff. I absolutely hate this - I don’t understand why the agencies can’t access these records themselves.

Due to all the work I’ve been doing for the Scottish Covid Inquiry, I’ve not been able to do anything much else at all. Craft took a back seat, my other LC projects also did too. I’ve taken part in some research projects and studies, but social media is a low priority and recently my hand tremors and cognitive dysfunction started again. That’s frustrating beyond belief.

I did shorten some old PJ pants into shorts, not that the weather is good enough to use them, with two more sitting waiting to be done. I have cut out pattern pieces for planned makes (the fabric has arrived and been washed). Then I realised the big ironing board is in the cupboard behind the new cat litter tray… 🤦🏻‍♀️.

So that’s me. I’ll write a post on how I manage symptoms as a lone person on bad days soon. When I feel a bit better and I have more energy.

So….in about another year then? 🤣. TTFN 

Crafting and Other (Long Covid) Updates

 Seeing as I FINALLY got down and cut out my knickerbockers, following a MacGyvering of two Simplicity patterns, I thought I’d drop in a post to update on various crafting shenanigans. 

As I can’t remember (read: didn’t bother to check the last post), over the last few weeks, I’ve finished my trans inclusive pride flag blanket replacement, knitted (frogged and re knitted) a rainbow dog jumper for a neighbour (from blanket leftovers), a cardigan in black, red and grey for my GP’s new baby (also from said leftover yarn) and started both a Sirdar jumper in Jewelspun (which I thought had wool in it, which will teach me to check properly) and my first pair of socks of the season in Cascade heritage solid and print. Why both? Because this tunic sweater is the biggest garment project I’ve knitted, I know it’s sometimes a good plan to knit something smaller, so you finish things. I set myself at least ten rows of the tunic sweater every day to knit, which is probably about 5cm. I also like knitting small things. Especially socks. I do have a sock yarn problem, so it’s probably good I’m keen on knitting them, huh? 

In terms of socks, I am aiming this year to get at least a pair finished by the end of the month and the Cascade Heritage print is possibly the thinnest yarn I’ve ever knitted with, but it’s incredibly soft. The colours reminded me of the Hocus Pocus witches, just in a more pastel colourway, without being actually pastel. I’m using a sage solid for the rib, heel and toe and it looks lovely. Given this is how what I like to do, I’ll almost certainly get a second pair out of this yarn (like I did with my Christmas socks for myself last year - someone was most pleased to get a pair of socks big enough for their feet!). The pattern I’m using is the one I knitted up in a lovely, now discontinued, cashmere sock wool by Debbie Bliss and, I regret to say, I fiddled with the pattern, resulting in a pair of socks just a smidge too small for me, so they were also passed along to a grateful recipient. Hand knit cashmere socks, with a lace stripe down each sock! She was pleased, but so am I to be finally able to knit my own pair!

I weakened and bought some Opal sock yarn yesterday in a 6ply, which I’m either going to knit slipper socks out of or just some socks. I’ve got some excellent patterns for thicker socks, so I’m looking forwards to using up the lovely pure wool I used to knit the greyhound jumpers over the summer, along with some slipper soles from Regia and Bergere De France - yes, I do want some new slipper socks.

I had a LOT of sock yarn leftover from last year in some prints and block solids and I then decided to buy yet more sock yarn - as of today, four of the six balls have arrived from Lovecrafts and Hobbii (though one colour way IS going to almost match my tunic sweater when it’s finished, so…). Look, I have a problem. A sock yarn problem. I know I do. But I’ve got patterns and a determination to not buy any more now. Promise. 

As I’m now not well enough to work, I am enjoying knitting and pottering. I’m slowly managing to sort through things a little at a time and I know that once I finish the sitting room I’ll feel much better, same with the kitchen. I recently was gifted an air fryer, which I’m very excited about.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, these socks aren’t going to knit themselves, nor is the tunic sweater. Sewing needs to wait for another day…

In terms of Long Covid, things are much the same; waiting for appointments, having others, waiting to hear about decisions on benefits, though I am now in the Support Group for ESA, which means they think I’m not well enough. Just another two and the pension to go. Knowing I’m relatively financially secure will make a big difference to my anxiety levels. However I am still facing selling my home. Sigh. 

Do take care.

2023 Crafting and other Update -

 I know we are at nearly October, but given how a) I am and b) my ability to forget or put things off, here’s where we are with the thing I had hoped to achieve this year.

Regency Wardrobe: The short stays don’t have fan lacing, I haven’t finished dealing with the petticoats and the fabric for the new dress is still either a) fabric or pieces of fabric or still a duvet cover. No caps, knitted mitts or bonnet, but I did do the first draft of the short cloak and in theory that won’t be too tricky as it’s basically two seams. However if it needs to have the edges bound, I have to measure the entire edge and order the bias. 

Other historical bits: non existent. Nope. 

My wardrobe: I did completely frog the legwarmers and redo them, without the feet with a size smaller needles and in the round. They now stay up better and the tension is a lot better. I’ve been meaning to write up the pattern properly and in a range of sizes, then sell it. I enjoyed MacGyvering the pattern and am really pleased with the result. I have bought the Star Wars fabric for the replacement dress when it was on sale. It is neither washed, nor cut out let alone made up and I would need to check my alterations for the bust in the largest size are translateable to the next size down or if I need to do a bit more pattern redrafting for that. AND I am tempted to make trousers instead. I did decide to keep a skirt I was going to donate and use the fabric to make a skirt I want, but again, I need to do a little redrafting of that (or, more likely, figure out some maths, use an off cut for a waistband and and get happy with some kind of cutting device, my machine and thick elastic). The skirt could be a VERY quick fix. I’ve also managed to wash the black fabric (originally intended for a skirt) and wool check and I was super pleased that the latter CAN go in a wool cycle in the washing machine. I’ve had a look at the patterns I’m using to create the knickerbockers, but I don’t think the first draft of this quite worked, so I’m going to have another go. In terms of pattern purchasing, I’ve bought a really good short one, PJs with pockets on the pants and some underwear patterns as well, as I’ve admitted defeat on most inexpensive bralettes and I would like to try making my own, though I think I may end up MacGyvering patterns until I get what I want. I have discovered Molke though. I have restrained myself on buying too much more fabric, so alas, I did not buy the Christmas mince pie fabric when it was £1 a metre! I’ve bought a little here and there - a metre each in black, grey and navy as potential lining, plus replacement Star Wars fabric if I didn’t mention it. I WAS going to make a replacement dress, but now I’m sorely tempted to make either a pair of trousers or a fitted shirt for me. One thing I do need to buy is some calico, which I use to see if a pattern will work or needs some alteration and it usually ends up as the lining of some things. If I do intend to work on that regency new gown next year, there’s a bit of work that needs doing to make that work, such as altering for lower bust point, narrower shoulders and then that means the sleeves will need tweaking too. I think I’ve also decided on the fabric I’ll use for my next shift, but I’m not buying that yet - not least because of money, but also because that pattern will need tweaking as well. 

Tech etc. I am thinking of taking up Vlogging and as it sits, I now only need a decent camera. I am thinking about doing a general chronic life vlog about what life with long Covid is like, as well as projects and what not. Unfortunately, I’m not sure if I can deal with editing and so on on my iPad or chrome book (and the chromebook is currently out of commission….as I forgot my password). I now have a cheap microphone, plus a ring light, but I don’t know if that actually works. Whoops? If I’m going to buy that, it needs to be soon. I do have a bit set aside that I can get a basic one, just not a laptop. I don’t feel I need one, I just need to know how I can edit or do simple edits and uploads from my existing chromebook or iPad. 

So long terms plans are to try and make at least one long tunic shirt in the basic style of an 18th c men’s shirt, in navy or grey, to fit with my aesthetic. I would like to get a waistcoat made, probably using an 18th century jacket pattern as a base, mainly because I’ve used that before and know what I want to do to make it work for history bounding or just wearing because I want to. I really must do something about my regency stuff, making the short cloak and so on. I should probably get on and use the fabric set aside for 18th century items, but in all honesty, it’s so difficult to get in and out of corsets for me now, that’s not a priority at all. I’d also like to use those two duvet covers to make some either historic or modern garments - the striped one would make an excellent long kaftan and I have just the pattern for it!

Yikes. It’s been a while

 I ended up not updating the blog this year for a number of reasons:

1) The Keyworker Petition Campaign took off in a BIG way, leading to over a hundred thousand supporters on the Change platform. It was handed into 10 Downing Street in March, but the London trip took so much out of me I’ve been in a relapse ever since, though up until August, I was involved in a number of other long Covid projects, with Long Covid Scotland, as well as the Scottish Healthcare Workers’ Coalition, who are a core participant of the Scottish Covid Inquiry. Confidentiality reasons mean I can’t say too much about that, but I can tell you that there is now a survey (which I originally drafted) for any health or social care worker to complete, with or without Long Covid. I was advised I was near burnout and had to stop 95% of advocacy. I’m hoping to get back in the saddle, but that’s dependent on a number of other things getting done first.

2) I finally lost my job in August. Medical termination. I knew it was coming, but it’s still been a shock. I also came off the U.K. nursing register at the end of the same month, so I’m no longer a registered nurse. I’ve only been qualified 12 years, so it’s been a very nasty and frustrating shock to the system and something that is entirely down to my Covid infection in 2020 and the lack of proper support and care since.

3) I am currently trying to sort out my home, as it’s looking very much likely that I will have to sell. I am, at least, on the council housing register, but the chance of staying in this area is remote. The best case scenario for me is that I can stay put until I qualify for sheltered housing and see if I can’t move back to the area I grew up in - which is still close to where I am now and there’s a good chance my GP practice would let me stay with them (and it’s on a direct bus route to them). However, when you’ve got relapsing and remitting symptoms on the daily, with severe PEM and PESE, trying to clear said home is extremely difficult. However I have now gone through about 80% of my books and a van load of things recently went off to charity shops. I’m also going through my shoes, accessories and bags etc, as well as clothing, again to try and slim that down. The final load will be ready to go to charity or sale in the Spring, whether I’m still here or not. I’ve also identified furniture I am going to let go as well. I suspect that once I’ve completely gone through all my cupboards and lockup, all that is gone and everything is more manageable I will feel a lot better. It’s just chaotic at the moment, which I absolutely hate, but there’s not much I can do about it and it all has to be done very, very slowly, lest I end up in bed for days on end. 

4) Shenigans with local health providers continues: One appointment got pushed back nearly four months, due to their closing the local testing clinic without warning and the next closest didn’t have any appointments for another 10 weeks. Then, as I cannot get equipment back to another clinic within 24 hours, they’ve cancelled those appointments and put me back on the waiting list for an inpatient appointment and that’s got an 18 month waiting list, less the four months I’ve been on it. Still no word about the exception for a medication. And then there was the farce over my flu vaccination. The Costumeer is VERY displeased with all this and no, I do not take this passively: A complaint has been put in about the horror show that is my nearest mass vaccination clinic. My MSP is also involved. 

5) I am still crafting when I feel able. I recently finished two greyhound jumpers and am now working on a replacement blanket for myself - it’s called a memory blanket (but the Hue Afghan by Knit Picks is very similar) - that has a cunning method meaning you can make this as small or big as you like and each square of it is constructed by partially or entirely picking up stitches from what you have already knitted - this means less sewing up (ie exertion) and I’m also making good use of another technique that means you partially incorporate loose ends as you’re knitting so there shouldn’t be too much of that either. I’m getting through anywhere between 3 and 6 squares a day. I managed to weaken this morning and buy more yarn and a pattern for a sweater I saw. It’s a bit more of a challenge as it’s a jumper for me, longer length and a chevron-style patterns, meaning you are increasing and decreasing on the same rows. I shall be using lots and lots of stitch markers! I’ve also promised some more dog jumpers to friends, but in most cases we are waiting as they’re mostly puppies or I need to see how much yarn is left from projects I’ve just completed or am working on. As the squares of this blanket are a bit smaller than I wanted, I’ve got to decide on how I’m going to make it a bit bigger before I use my grey yarn to knit the borders, but given the yardage used so far and what I’ve got left, I don’t think this is going to be an issue. Plus, once the main section is completed, it’s a case of dividing each colour left in half by weight, so equal amounts go on top and bottom edges. I was going to do smaller squares in the same method, but by the point I’m done with this main 11 or 12 x 11 stripe sequence, I think I’ll be over it and just want some stripes! I’m hoping that my 80cm circular needle will work for this, but I’m resigned to possibly purchasing a much longer one if needs be. I’ve got plans to cut out and sew up three or four garments - as two (or three, if I do two colourways of the knickerbockers) are autumn/fall style, but I’ve really got to adjust the pattern (I am MacGyvering my own from two - basically I’m altering the leg to that of another one and it’s not gone well. I may end up with the black ones, rather than the wool check, as the former fabric is cheaper so I won’t be too upset if it doesn’t go completely to plan). I’ve also drafted an 18th century short cloak and I’ve got the fabric for that, plus lining for the hood and some cheap metal closures. I’m not yet sure if I will be able to get away with leaving the edges unbound, but if the cloth is as lightly fulled as I think it is, it means it’s not a woven that will fray, so, as per historical ones, I can leave it. My replacement Star Wars dress or possibly trousers I am leaving till next year - the other one was given to my Aussie pal as it’s too big for me but fit her perfectly, but I bought replacement fabric. I keep searching for inexpensive, lightly fulled broadcloth wool mix fabric to make another long cloak out of, as mine is a bit too heavy a weight to drape properly, but I still haven’t seen any in a colour I want. The short cloak I intend to make non-costume use out of. Eventually I hope to trim it in Ribbon, fyi, but I don’t know when. If I do have to bind the edges, I’m just going to use plain old bias and I’ve got two colours to pick from. But it will probably be black. As most of you know, I tend to start knitting socks when the weather turns - I’ve got plenty of sock yarn to use! I’ve also got a lot of worsted/aran left from the dog jumper projects, so I will be knitting up a pair of slippers for myself, probably using two strands to achieve a chunky weight. I’ve got a pair of slipper soles, but my source recently closed down, though Bergere De France also do two types. 

6) Financials. I’m expecting to get 12 weeks redundancy plus my AL and they said that works out to a similar length of time. If I get it in one payment, unfortunately that’ll be taxed silly. I’ll get back the tax at the end of the year, but by that point I’ll just be out of the non-contributory stage of Employment Support Allowance, so whatever I get from tax back will be taken off my contributory based benefits. I am still waiting to hear about which group I’m supposed to be in, as there’s not only a different level of support, but also activities to engage with, though I will appeal if they consider me able to do some work at the moment as I can’t leave the house most of the time, let alone get through most days without a long rest and nap. I haven’t heard about Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit - which I wasn’t expecting to get - so I’m calling that agency on Monday to find out what’s going on. In terms of the Scottish benefits agency, I found out two weeks ago that despite having my paperwork for nearly four months, they haven’t even got to the point of assessing my change form (and knowing my luck, they won’t have got to it by January when my current award expires, meaning that I’ll end up completing two change forms, essentially). I have been warned it’s taking more than eight months for these things to be sorted out (worse than when it was being handled by the U.K. agency, which is widely regarded as awful), which is extremely stressful to hear when you’ve lost your job and need to know what your income is likely to look like going forwards. I don’t know if the Pensions Agency have received my paperwork, but they’re also taking at least six months or more to decide if they will or will not award you early retirement, with mine not being worth much as I’ve only been working 12 years as a nurse. As for my legal case, there’s no word yet. I do have to forward on some information I got via my MSP, as it’s pertinent - not least the level of ableism displayed towards most people with chronic conditions in respect of management risk assessments. But I’ll need to look at the Covid age thing again, as there’s a very pertinent line in there about managers taking into account local prevalence of virus when deciding on non-shielding staff. 

I try to remain optimistic, even though I now need a wheelchair and I’m waiting for that appointment. Today has been a high pain day and I’m reminded of the levels of recycling that need done. I also need to get to the local grocery store. I’m also thinking of vlogging and learning how to edit. 

Friends, I hope you’re well. Should I remember, I will be posting some advice/shortcuts/things I use for bad days. 

If I remember… 

Plans For The New Year

 Plans for the new year in respect of crafting include knitting the vintage jumper, finishing off the sock yarn stash and tackling the short cloak pattern. My sister has also requested a pair of slippers (so I am looking at slipper soles and yarns for those). 

I am also mindful of finishing altering the two Regency petticoats and cut out the short cloak. I also would like to get going on the new Regency dress I have planned, which means locating the particular pattern and putting it together with the fabric, that’s been kicking around in my stash FOREVER. I also have my eye on an old cotton sateen navy duvet set for a waistcoat, possibly with a long skirt attachment to make an over-robe. As the duvet set is a king size and I bought at least two pillowcases, the possibilities are ENDLESS. I am reminded I need to sort out the lacing on the regency corset to make it easier to get into and I WOULD like to play around with my pattern to give myself more of a short stays set. If I added a skirt to that and made a shift with a flap that sits over the stays…. I need to stop letting my head try and work out those things. But research planning will be fun.

I also ALWAYS plan on using up the designated 18th century stash and fixing my Outlander (S1) plaid skirt and making up both a bonnet and at least one or two caps. I have been saying this for at least 5 years, so if any progress is made on those, I will be very surprised. I DID find both my behind pads and shift that didn’t work, so that’s a win. I’m not sure what to do about the latter - any pattern needs adjustment for the shoulders and a full sleeve and gusset redo, meaning I might as well look up some extant sources and actually pattern the thing with the measurements I took for me. I will likely MacGyver this using the neckline of a pattern I bought. 

I am trying to restrain myself from buying up lots more fabric; I definitely want to redo the Stars Wars dress in a smaller size, but that’s pricy fabric and my job situation is up in the air. I am also trying to restrain myself from buying lots of Christmas fabric in the sale to make a new set of Christmas PJs and tunic dress, but it IS £1 a metre. I’ve also been looking at patterns to round out my basic library, which include a basic set of classic PJs for adults, though I much prefer to cheat on the button holes etc. my hands don’t work that well tbh, so modifying patterns is what I am about. I should also REALLY read the guide AGAIN and properly figure out button holes on my Janome. Which I have owned for nearly 13 years. 

I am also still hunting for my saw and sandpaper, so I can cut down a paint stick for a busk. The one I ordered off Etsy never arrived and there was no contact from the seller at all. Etsy kindly refunded me, but I think I’ll stick to the paint stick method where possible or use my existing Mantua Maker one for long stays. 

I really should make a list and then what I need to purchase for that list, if I need it. 😬

The other side of the plans is relating to life and activism. For various reasons, I am having to complete an application to go on my local council housing list. As this would be for a one bedroom place, this would mean having to drastically downsize pretty much everything. I also have to make some calls about my nursing registration, proper benefits advice and what not. I’m desperately hoping I won’t have to leave my home, but I have to plan for that eventuality. I am still not fit for work and I can’t see effective rehab happening any time soon, given the last (almost three) years of lack of support from my local healthcare providers. A major letter of negative feedback requires to be sent, once I have redrafted and edited what I have saved. I am also attending our legislature for a closed session next week with some fellow local Long Covid advocates. I’ve also made a contribution to a major media programme on the condition, but I don’t know if the videos I made will be used. On top of that, our petition for compensation and pension for key workers with long Covid is finally taking off, so there’s a planning session coming for that. I am thinking drafts of letters/emails for people to send to their elected representatives and local newspaper editors. 

Yes, I have a whiteboard. Yes I make lists of things to tick off. Yes I think I need a lot of help. 

Stay cool.

Christmas knitting and so forth

 So after the poncho disaster, I passed this on to my niece (9) and it fits her perfectly, I estimate that she’ll likely be wearing that until she’s probably at least 14 or so, if not longer. She also really appreciated her knitted socks. Unsurprisingly, not only does N want to do more sewing, but she wants to learn how to knit, so she’s off to find the knitting book my mother gave me, which I passed on to my nephew and at some point this year, we will be doing the basics.

I also finished up some baby cardigans for my mother’s cousin’s grandkid and great-niece. One of these has been handed in and the other I need to post with the baby hats I made last summer for both of them. The surprise baby I didn’t know about has received a tiny baby hat I made last year and which he LOVES wearing.

The rest of the knitting projects were me using up a good portion of the sock wool in different weights, so I’ve made two pairs of chunky wool mix socks. (One is a Lion Brand pattern, for everyday socks and the other is a Hobbii pattern) As well as that, I made two pairs from my West Yorkshire Spinners hollyberry and cherry drop yarns which you can find here. As I’ve been experimenting with heel types and sizes, the first pair turned out too big for me, but which are currently being appreciated by a friend as a gift. The pair for me was knitted up in a slightly different pattern, with a short row shaped toe, which I like doing a LOT, despite the grafting at the end. Both pairs used the cherry drop red yarn for top ribbing, heels and toes. I also used this yarn from Hobbii (though the colourway I used, being limited edition, is now sold out) to make a double rib pair. I used the cherry drop again for the heels and toes here. I am now working on another pair for myself, using Debbie Bliss Toast yarn in 4ply, but I think this may have been discontinued as I now can’t find it. It’s in a gorgeous teal shade, with red heels (using the cherry drop - I am getting a LOT of use out of that). 

I am enjoying trying out different techniques and patterns: Most of my socks use a standard heel flap or boomerang heel, but for this pair I am trying out a modified yo-yo heel, which doesn’t use two rows all around of knitting between the decreases and increases. I am doing this using two circular needles - again a technique I have never used before. I think I both like and dislike using two circular needles (for example, I am already back to two DPN needles for the underside of the foot, but that’s more the poor quality of existing short circulars I currently own), but I think I do like the use of short circulars for the top side of the foot. This is mainly because I find it easier to knit any kind of heel and also maintain the pattern, if used, across the top side of the foot.

One of the reasons I wanted to try out the modified yo yo heel (using a technique from this video by Suzanne Bryan was because I am finally increasing my sock pattern skills to use lace. I initially started using a Cascade heritage lace Shannon’s socks pattern, but was finding it slow going and frustrating (as it really needs knitted on 5 DPNs, magic loop or two short circulars and I only have a basic set of 4 DPNs AND started knitting them in a size too large needles, which has not helped), so I ripped this back and am now knitting up a pair with a simple lace strip down the outside upper edge of each sock. It’s the Let It Shine (v 1.0) pattern by Sarah Youde (aka A Dorky Emu) and I probably found this on Ravelry. If I move to a more full lace sock pattern, I think I’ll find something a smidge easier than the Shannon’s socks and work my way up! I haven’t decided on the toe yet, but I fancy the one in the pattern, a standard wedge or round toe. 

So that’s the seventh pair of socks I’m currently knitting. I’ve got yarn for THREE more pairs of the things too and I am definitely keen to use up leftovers of what I’ve got, so I am thinking of knitting up some shortie or anklets using up the remains of the pairs so far. I have been SERIOUSLY impressed with being able to get two pairs out of a standard WYS 100g ball, when using contrast rib, toe and heels. Will I continue on with socks after this pair? I don’t know. Half of me wants to get all the yarn used up (and see if the Toast will extend onto another  pair for contrast) but I also have a LOT of yarn in the stash I would like to get used up and a powerful need to knit up a vintage pattern redo in 4ply I have kicking around. Which, being 4ply and a short-sleeve sweater will probably take FOREVER and need some consideration as to whether I need to lengthen the body FOR REASONS. I also have some chunky wool cast on at the moment to see how much length I can get from one ball of Paintbox Simply Chunky (which is basically a large swatch as part of the adult poncho planning). 

I am planning on writing up the poncho pattern and putting it on either Ravelry or Ko-fi, but I will then have to abduct the niece (and poncho) for a photo shoot, because I forgot to take photos. Because of course I did. 

Happy new year to all of you! (And yes, I knitted two pairs of slippers for a friend as light relief from socks)