Ailments Autumn!

I've decided to declare that it's Ailments Autumn.

First Sonofagun No.2 was sick with a cold virus (he's much better now, k thx).

Then I was sick with the same thing. (I'm much better now, k thx ).

Then I was hobbling around with an infected blister on my right foot (still going, k thx).

Then yesterday as I was only very mildly limping across the road to catch a tram, I pushed off a bit too quickly on my other leg and felt an unpleasant and painful pop in my calf.

The tram driver who had seen me coming initially gave a nod as if to say, "Sure luv, I'll wait for you!"  

But as soon as he saw me stumble, cry out and start hopping, he sort of shrugged, gave a ting of his little bell and took off.  Which meant I then had to very painfully limp up to Southern Cross Station on foot.

I was in a hurry you see.

I was late leaving work and had only 6 minutes to make the train.  We had tickets to see Spandau Ballet at Rod Laver Arena and I had to be home quickly to pick up Sonofagun No.2 from after school care, race home to bath and help feed both Sonofaguns, then get dressed before the babysitter arrived.

I made the train, just.
I sat there trying not to be a Big Girls Blouse and kept slowly wiggling my foot gently up and down so the muscle didn't freeze whilst texting the Blonde Bombshell and the Bear about the unfolding dilemma....  how the Jimmy Fallon would I handle walking around, and up and down the stairs at a stadium?

By the time I finally made it home, I collapsed in a painful heap and realised that I wouldn't be able to go.  

Babysitter was cancelled. And we quickly found a friend who was not only available to go along with my ticket at 10 minutes notice, but is a massive Spandau Ballet fan and was absolutely Pee His Pants excited.  Apparently he knew the words to all the songs and sang along unashamedly like a 10 year old at a One Direction concert.  That made me feel really happy!  I am not a fan, not not a fan of the group so whilst it would have been nice to go, I wasn't devastated and I was just very pleased the ticket went to someone who enjoyed their brains out.

So my lovely Dr Leprecaun (who by the way, tells me in his adorable lilting Irish brogue that HE doesn't have an accent, I have the accent! Isn't he cute?) told me this morning that it may be a torn calf muscle and I get to have an ultrasound tomorrow. My first ever that won't end with the statement "It looks like you're expecting a boy..."

I always look on the bright side. I get to camp my luscious derriere on the couch this afternoon and watch Malificent on Netflix and do something with yarn.  Gosh I love injuries!

So there's an old project calling me.  A WIP left over from last winter.  Something special. 
Something DIFFERENT to my usual crochet projects.

I'm coming out of the closet and exploring my bistitchuality.  Yes Bistitchuality.  It's when, you know, you can do BOTH.

Crochet AND Knitting!  

Last night I finished my crocheted Scoodie.  Today I'm going to try and finish my Knitted scarf which I started last winter.  I feel so brazen! 

So the scarf in question.  I taught myself to knit on Youtube the winter before last.  I knitted a block of something random.  I practised knitting and purling in that block. I then tried throwing in a few different colours because I grew bored doing row after row of the same thing.  After maybe 50 rows, I decided to move on.

I made an Intarsia scarf.  It was kind of groovy with crappy tension.

I do apologise for the blurry photo. 

Anywho it's as thick as a python and too warm for Melbourne winters.

So last winter I started making a smaller narrower scarf.

Here it is! 

I know. It has bonking Reindeer. Sorry about that. They just cracked me up when I saw them on the Interwebs.

Now I have to finish it.

Being Intarsia there's a mess of threads on the back.  I'm trying to decide whether I sew on a strip of polar fleece, sew it together longways to form a tube, or knit a plain coloured backing and sew that on. 
What do you think?
If any of you are Intarsia knitting Geniuses, I would love to hear what you recommend!

I have heard of a type of double knitting style as well where you sew two sides of knitting at the same time on the 2 needles. I'm thinking about finding out more about that as well.

So I have finally finished my Rainbow Scoodie for my friends Little Mermaid in Queensland.

Tah-dah!

I was inspired by a pattern I found on Ravelry by Marken of the Hat & I but ended up making it quite differently.

The other pattern uses worsted weight wool with a 6mm hook. 

I used DK and a 3.5mm hook, therefore had loads more stitches etc

The differences are in the size, number of stitches, type of yarn, size of hook and edging. In addition I changed the design of the scarf. The original pattern crochets up the scarf in an infinity style. I have done it (as requested by the Little Mermaids mum) so the two scarf ends hang independently.  And also Little Mermaids mum didn't want any pompoms.

No, I am NOT a mermaid.  I have almost drowned on 3 separate occasions. Nor am I little.

I'm thinking of making another with Pockets on the ends of each scarf to keep little hands warm and possibly writing it up.  I just want to make another to test it!  You have no idea how much fudging around I did with this one. Plus the beginning chain (which is sewn up at the back to make the hood) is too tight and warped a little. I'd correct that with my new favourite crochet tip which you may or may not be aware of:

Don't forget my lovelies to come over and visit my Facebook page.  I totes love chatting with peeps on there and I love it even more when you show off your finished glorious creations!  

My favourite day is Handmade Monday!

xox

Louise

The Red Haired Amazona