Where to begin...

Hi folks,

A lot has happened since my last post. So I want to fill you all in on some of it.

My health took another nosedive unfortunately and the various medications I'm on aren't working the way they're supposed to, which sucks. My consultant won't actually do any more tests and I've been told to get help somewhere else basically. So a lovely friend has put me in touch with a Gastroenterologist in Canada to see if he can shed some light on why I'm so sick all the time. Fingers crossed, although by the time my file reaches him it will be the end of January.
In an effort to help myself I've decided, with the full support of my dietician, to try the FODMAP diet. Google it folks, my brain understands it is to do with the level of fructons, fructose and poly-ols entering my larges intestine which causes havoc. If it works then great stuff, however, I need to be able to eat more than 300grams in a day for this to be a realistic approach. My weight has dropped again and my calorie intake is worse again because my symptoms got worse. Because we don't know what's wrong we can't do anything about it and so the viscious cycle begins again. AHH!!!

So during this dreadful time my Christmas knitting list has shrunk. Not through finishing items though. I've had to turn around to myself and basically accept that I can't knit as much or as fast as before. Therefore, of the 7 items remaining, I finished one pair of mittens and have decided to just try to finish my daughters gifts. Kims Noro jumper has only about 12 rows left on the back before I start the front ( I know, never getting that knitted in a week, this I accept ). Keira's waterfall sleeveless lacey cardigan is actually growing quite nicely, I worked on it monogomously today and got another eight inches done.
Thing is, I haven't knit Dave anything, (my hubby) yet I've knit one male friend a hat and another male friend a hat and matching fingerless mitts.

 Cringe for the guilt. I wanted to knit him some fingerless mittens to match his zauberball hat, I just haven't cast them on yet. The shame. I'll cast them on after Christmas, then there's no pressure of a finishing date and this is England. We pretty much have chilly weather for six months of the year, we haven't hit the coldest part yet either.

Anyway, I've been catching up on all my podcasts, audiobooks, films, tv episodes etc recently. I've really hidden in the sand for a while I'll admit. Podcasts that have really cheered me up have been the Thanksgiving episode of the 2 Knit Lit Chicks (iTunes) and The Knit Girllls video podcast, both of these podcasts had me laugh out loud which felt good.
I've been geeking it up and watching the marvel films in order of timeline setting, so starting with Captain America up to The Avengers Assemble, so much fun !!!
I've finally caught up with the end of season 3 of Downton Abbey, no spoilers escaping from me though. Just that it doesn't disappoint. Can't wait for the Christmas special, yey.
Audiobooks, well, I'm listening to The Wolf Gift by Anne Rice. Dave bought me the hardback for Christmas last year, but I just haven't been able to find a way to keep it propped open to read. Hence the audio instead, plus I have got another eight audiobooks to listen to too. All good though.

Yummy yarn time. Today I signed up for the first years quarter of the fivemoons Artemis Sock Club. So very excited as it's my favourite sparkly yarn, I'd knit everything in it if I could afford to. I'll post photos of each instalment, I plan on hopefully doing the full year.

Next time, Beads, Anne Rice, Sewing and my knitting wish list for next year.

Just a note to say, Happy 10th Birthday tomorrow to my Kimberly, Love you sweety xxx
I'm proud to call you my daughter.
Bye for now folks, Christmas Eve??

Ok so I've spent all morning seeing seed beads onto my oldest daughters Christmas stocking. We use pillowcases in our family. I completed my youngest daughters last year and made a start on my middle daughters. So today has been sewing father Christmas on his sleigh with Rudolph with 2 mm beads. She loves it so far. Photos on next full blog post. Bye for now. Elspeth x

Gently Drizzling...

Sunday 2nd December 2012

I've been a very busy knitter these last few weeks. I finished and shipped my Holiday Swap package. Great fun KAL, you knit gifts and include a few goodies for a swap buddy and make friends in the process. I made mug hugs and a large coaster / pot holder for a family and included typically British biscuits and tea etc.
I knit a few Christmas cards for people, I've also made another Christmasy toy. A snowman.
My Christmas knitted gift list is shrinking gradually. I finished another two hats, restarted Kimberly's jumper because I would have run out of yarn. So she's having a shorter jumper with wave border around the bottom. Still using the Noro yarn though. She's worth it and look after her clothes so i know both her sisters in turn will get to wear it in the future too. I only have 7 of the 23 gift knits left. So today I'm working on my nieces mittens. They're the Urban Necessity pair on Ravelry. I'm halfway though the Debbie Bliss ones I'm making for my other niece.

I also decided I didn't like the bolero I was knitting for Keira, So I'm making her a lacey waterfall cardigan instead. I feel much happier with both of those projects now, I just hope I'll get them finished in time for Christmas.
I've been working on an old pair of spiral tube socks on and off too. Mostly off though ha ha.
I'm knitting a test shawl at the moment. The cast on stitch count is a lot...... crazy stitch count but it'll be beautiful, I'm using bluebell coloured yarn and blue iridescent beads. Stunning. When i'm allowed to post the shawl I will I promise.
The Leftie shawl I was making for a friend for her present is very slow going because I'm daft enough to have decided it would be fun to knit the whole thing in lace weight and add beads to the tabs. Not a mistake I plan on again, it is beautiful though. Scarlet Cashmere with wine red merino. Lovely.
I was working on a second shawl for the 2 Knit Lit Chicks KAL. However, it was starting to become less fun and more of a ticking bomb. I've just rolled it up on the needles, put it into the project bag and zipped it closed. After all my gift knitting it will be fun to finish.
I bought several new knitting books from Amazon this week. All ones I've been waiting for. I've done the whole going through and marking down what I want to knit. About 3 years worth of knitting then ha ha. Never mind. Although, one of the books was 'Knitting In Circles' by Nicky Epstein. I'm in love with this book. My plan is to knit my way through the circles and join them up to make blankets, pillows, garments etc. I love the variety in the book.
I've joined another group on Ravely, It's 12 in 2013. Basically you chose 12 patterns to knit next year, they can be whatever you like, and you knit them. Then post a photo of the finished piece on the thread. I have so many projects I keep putting off because something else jumps in front. So I have 15 on my list. I know too many, however, I feel I'll be more likely to succeed if I allow myself an option as I work from 1 to 12.
I'm feeling very lucky and spoilt today though. My husband bought and gave me an early Christmas gift. Behold, the Addi Art needles. They are filled with Swarovski crystals. Can actually be knitted with and have been a wish of mine since I first read about them a few months ago on an Australian Web Site.

They're beautiful.
Apparently they're doing a collection of different sizes so I'd better start saving hey!!!
Lastly I'll leave you to knit in a festive mood by showing you how I painted my nails to keep my Christmas cheer up.

Take care everyone, Elspeth x

Gaelyn in training

Elspeth Campbell (@ElspethC81) tweeted at 11:43 PM on Sun, Nov 25, 2012: Teaching my kitten to sit on my lap while I knit equals happiness http://t.co/RC8b9a5V (https://twitter.com/ElspethC81/status/272847899744948224) Get the official Twitter app at https://twitter.com/download

I found these socks in the bottom of a project bag so I thought I could finish them. Artesano hummingbird dk cosy feet here I come.

My spiral socks: http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/elspeth81/106591082/DSC00635_medium.jpg #ravulous

Lost

Over in the United States people arr celebrating thanksgiving today and talking about what their grateful for.
I have friends that are Americans and I'm truly thankful for their friendship and how much support I receive via the web. However, today I inherited my mums prayer/healing shawl that her friend made during her battle with cancer. She's been up in heaven since 21st Feb 2011. Its lovely but upsetting at the same time you know.
I have been busy knitting a lot since my last post. Today though I completed an owl hat for some friends by request as they've discovered they're having a baby boy on 3rd April.
So I'm posting today from my android phone because my computer died.
Sorry if there are no photos. Ok so health update. I'm now on a reintroducing of foods plan for 12 weeks. No Christmas dinner this year for me. But my dad and his wife and a good friend are visiting Christmas day. Which will be lovely for all of us.
Today we have a storm that won't ease. Nothing as bad as Sandy, but furniture is being thrown about the garden and it's nearly impossible to move around outside.
We've nearly finished our Christmas shopping as I hate being rushed closer to the big day. Come Christmas day I'll be sat knitting myself a Christmas hat.
Other stuff. Please could folks knit a 12" square for hurricane sandy victims. They're bring made into blankets and given to the people who need them directly.
If you feel able to participate please send squares to: squares for comfort, p o box 909, Melville. Ny 11747. US. If you're on ravelry then knitting Brooklyn had a thread with more details. Just keep sending them in. So grateful.
Pictures I hope.

Snuggly

Hi all,
I'm just posting my latest little pattern called Snuggly.
It's a very simple cowl, knit in chunky yarn.

Snuggly

Yarn: 1x100g skein of La Boheme Starburst in Madrid 165 yds/ approx 150m
6mm x 40cm circular or long dpns,
1 Stitch marker,
Darning needle.

With 6mm 40cm circular needle or 6mm dpns cast on 90 stitches.
Join in the round being careful not to twist the stitches.
Place marker at beginning of the round.

Row 1: Purl
Rows 2-6: Knit,

Repeat rows 1 - 6 ten times in total.
Purl 1 row.
Cast off knit wise.
Sew in the ends with the darning needle.

I literally had 1.5m//2yds left of yarn.
I hope you enjoy the simplicity of this cowl as much as I do.
Happy knitting Folks
Elspeth x