When life sends you Lemons, just bake a cake

Lemon_Tree

Shower-of-roses wrote: »

Oh gosh is that the northern way? My mum knits with one under her arm and she's northern! I knit with one under each arm but that's cos I got the wrong end of the stick (often literally) when i was little and learning I though Mum was the only one who knitted this way!!

Lemon, is 19mm very big or very small knitting needles? My pattern requires one needle at 19mm and one at 5mm.

i think i tried the two arm method but i've always had too much body between them so could never knit anything with any ease. My mum's Northern and she taught me to knit (i'm southern-ish) but i only knew it was a Northern method after chatting to someone at a knitting exhibition.

19mm is pretty big, it's the diameter of the needle so almost 2cm. what is your pattern for? sounds interesting

Lemon_Tree

Knitting_Nora wrote: »

Ahhh, dogs. I fulfilled a life's dream last year and got myself a rescue dog - mostly German Shepherd, but some other bits in there as well. She came to me in a dreadful state - starved and abused, and covered with grime from head to very long tail. We bonded over gravy bones, her hatred of the bath, and her entertainment at my expense...

Unfortunately, I lost her to cancer a few months later which was heart breaking. But by the time she went, she was a changed dog - vet said that she wasn't sure how, in the final stages of terminal cancer, the dog was not only upright but with a bright coat and a waggy tail. So I'm always comforted that she had a lovely end - even if she did once tie me up in her lead while I was bent over 'poop scooping'....

Now I content myself with helping out others with their dogs - easier on my heartstrings, and a lovely and varied way to get that 'fix'.

As for the knitting - yep, the needles are 2' long and 1" wide...and the only armpit those would fit under, would be the hulk's! I knit throws on them - though others do all sorts, and I keep meaning to have a play with scarves.

Shower - that's an interesting needle range! what are you making?

Rightyo, I should be ebaying...

Nora

Nora sorry to hear about your dog, but at least she had good times with you. Our sausage dog was rehomed and she was lovely, but always terrified of men with beards and walking sticks/wheelchairs, which were key elements of the home that she left.

nora your throw's sound intersting - any photo's? how much wool do you need for each one? my mil crochets blankets but i've always wanted to either crochet or knit my own blanket but have never achieved it.

Knitting_Nora

Hey LT

If you'll forgive a cut and paste from my diary, here's the throw details:

Check out www.racheljohn@co.uk (or simply google "extreme knitting" for the needles (go through the shop to see pics - I use the 1"x2' ones; which ensure I get the sofa to myself!).

As for patterns - couldn't be simpler: I use 6 balls of the 200g chunky marble, cast on 45 stitches and just do plain knit until I run out of wool. Works well with stocking stitch (knit and purl), but the edges do curl - which is why I stick to simple knit. The throw will be about 45" x 42", and will stretch nicely.

You can do plenty with the needles, but I stick to throws. Throws aren't cheap (using the marble wool and a local lovely stockist they still come in at just under £30), but as one-off presents for very special people, or indeed yourself - I swear by mine for keeping very, very snuggly - they're wonderful.

I'll post piccies as soon as I've learned how!

Nora.

Lemon_Tree

thanks for that Nora i'll have a look, and though £30 is not cheap to buy a decent blanket can cost you a darn site more than that.

miggy

I am torn between being amazed at the size of the needles and loving the idea of a hand-knitted blanket or throw, all warm and snuggly.

However, as mentioned elsewhere, I am about to start knitting very small Christmas Puddings! The talk of knitting inspires me.

Nora, I can only echo what's already been said: you must have made your dog very happy indeed. I love reading about rescued animals on The Animal Rescue Site though I haven't rescued anything larger than a rabbit.

mizmir

Hi LT - Found your diary! All this talk of knitting is inspiring me to get mine out again. I started to learn to knit when I was ill earlier in the year - funnily enough it was the only thing I could concentrate on. Really enjoyed it but haven't done much in the last few months.

Nora - bless you for giving your rescue girl a wonderful last few months. Sounds like you did each other proud.

miggy

LT - how's the puddy tat?

ebayqueen_2

Hi Lemon

Havent been on much the last few days. Have been feeling very ill and have an inner ear infection but at least now the antibiotics are kicking in ... I should be back to form soon.

You have had a busy few days with the cats Good fun trying to get tablets into them. I try and insert the tab into a chunky piece of food and hope she will eat it. The best thing is to make the cat wait a while for its food and it will be real hungry so it won't think too much and wolf it down!!! :):):)

Loving all the knitting stories. My granny used to knit with her knitting under her arm so it must be an Irish thing too.

When do you think you will be able to get your dream doggie. Will you wait until you move?

Take care
E

Knitting_Nora

Hi LT

Rather than hijack your diary with huge pictures of random knitting, I'm hoping that this link should take you to the right page in mine - last post on the page (post 80).... https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3559623

You can't really miss it even if you scroll quickly!

Nora

miggy

That's gorgeous, fab colours.