Estonian lace scarf chapter 2

I am really enjoying this!  So far no dramas, but I am having to learn that when doing the nupps, I have to keep the tension REALLY lose!  I have started using my lifelines, I am putting one at the end of every 12th row, with is a good old purl row, and also the last row of the pattern.

I have worked out that if I can do minimum of one pattern every day, that will be about 30 days, plus another two weeks for the borders, that will take up to about Christmas!  So, I have set myself a challenge, I want to lose 4kg while knitting this scarf.  My weigh-in was last night, and I lost 300g, so that is a start.  I definitely forget about food when I sit down with this knitting, and because I am now making my knitting my reward for a day of good eating, I haven't even been dipping into the bickie jar at work!

Of course this time of year is always difficult to stay on a healthy eating plan, we are out for dinner tonight and tomorrow night, but tomorrow night is at a friend's house, we all have to take a sweet, so I am going to make a big bowl of fruit salad, there are some lovely summer fruits appearing in the shops now, so should be able to make it a really nice one.

Today is my day off, oh, how I love my Fridays!!  I have my hairdresser's appointment this morning, then a few hours at home (to do my knitting) before I have my dietician's appointment.  It is going to be warm today, 31 is forecast.  Tomorrow I have my group exercise class in the morning, then home to do some cleaning :(  but Sunday, I am keeping free, I am going to have a knitting day, to celebrate my 300g weight loss! (nearly 2lb, not much I know, but it is a start).

Well, off to do the dishes (I made some lovely porridge in my thermomix for breakfast),
Happy knitting.......

Estonian Lace scarf chapter 1

Oh, I am in knitter's heaven.  I am really enjoying making this scarf, the pattern is so intricate.  But, let me tell you about my eating yesterday.

I only took good healthy food to work, but over in the corner of our office, where the little kitchen is, there was one container full of my favourite biscuits, and another container full of..... chocolate cake, oh, yum.

Oh my goodness, how I wanted to devour some, especially the biscuits, I don't know why I had such a craving.  So I decided to take one hour at a time.  I was a little naughty and put my work down, got my Estonian lace knitting book out of my bag, and just sat for 10 minutes studying the "how to" section.  It completely took my mind of food, and I was able to concentrate on my work again.

Then, when the bell went for the end of the day (I work in a school library), and I have to stay an extra hour on my own supervising students, the biscuits were calling to me again!  Just hang on, I kept telling myself.  Just hang on, knitting tonight, knitting tonight, knitting tonight, but only if I behave myself.

It worked, I got home from work, got the exercise clothes on for a session with my PT who also happens to be my youngest daughter, then had a nice dinner of left over chicken with salad, and toast.  I made two pieces of toast, because I was really hungry, but then, I threw a piece on to my hubby's plate. I really didn't need it, and felt quite satisfied with what I had.  I then treated myself to a little low fat sweet treat, then got stuck into my knitting.  I am so glad I stuck to my eating plan, because the knitting was worth it.

I added about another inch, and I have put my first lifeline in, so now I can do the next few rows with a feeling of safety and security, funny that, the knitting lifeline saves my knitting, but my knitting is becoming the lifeline that saves my health from my bad eating habits!  A win win all around. 

Now, to get through today !!!

Happy knitting.....

The lace knitting has begun....

Well, here it is, the first progress shot of my Estonian hand knitted lace, this is going to be a scarf.  The pink crochet chain is temporary, this will be removed when the stitches are picked up for the border. Out of interest, I am timing this project, this tiny amount of work has already taken 3 hours!!  I have never used lifelines before, but think at the end of the next pattern repeat, I will put one in, I really don't trust myself to get through this without some unpicking!!

Off to work,
Happy knitting.....

The latest project, all finished

 

 

Well here it is, my little summer sweater all finished.  It is for a newborn up to about 3 months.  I used Paton's Dreamtime 3ply pure baby wool, and I am really happy with how it turned out.  There was quite a bit of anguish though!  Two rows were very similar, an I kept messing them up, had a lot of unpicking to do (or unknitting as I call it ).  Still, it has been worth it, I just love it.

 

And the best thing about finishing this little garment is that now I can start a new project, I am going to attempt an Estonian Hapsaalu scarf.  

 

I started it last night, you have to do a "provisional" cast on, which I have never done before.  You use some scrap cotton (I used 8ply or DK), make a crochet chain about 10 chain more than the stitches you will need, then you knit into the crochet chain.  The chain appears to be acting as a stitch-holder, and will be taken off when it is time to add the border.  I am so excited to be starting this project, I am in awe of the designer, Nancy Bush, I think she is my knitting guru!

 

Well, off to work,

Happy knitting......

New project

So excited to be starting a new project tonight.  It is an Estonian lace scarf, I have never tried anything like this before, so I am a little apprehensive, but what is life without challenges!

I am going to use Misti Alpaca hand painted lace, I have a lovely hank of a lovey creamy beige colour which I think will look stunning in this scarf.  I wound the hank into a ball last night, so am all ready to start the knitting tonight.  Instead of casting on, you crochet a length of chain, then you knit the stitches into the chain, which then acts like a stitch holder.  You then pick up these stitches later to knit the border. 

I have to dart off to work right now, so hopefully will be able to post some photos tonight of my just finished baby's sweater, and my new project.

Happy knitting....

Melbourne Cup

Well, yesterday was Melbourne Cup day here in Australia, this is a big horse race "The race that stops a nation", and I REALLLY HATE IT.  I always feel the horses have no choice, and, once again, a horse broke its leg in the race and had to be killed, funny how the news channels never report this, I think they don't want any negative publicity, too much money at stake.

I was glad to see our ABC news reported it this morning, and they used the word "killed" instead of destroyed, which is very true.  The reporter said he used this word deliberately.

At work we had to have our Melbourne Cup lunch (even although we are on the other side of the country to Melbourne), which meant I couldn't do my knitting.  Needless to say, I was in a bad mood all day, and turned, once again, to food.  Grrrrrrrrrr and double grrrrrrrrrr.  I weighed myself this morning, and thankfully, no damage.  So today, back on track.

My knitting is all ready to take to work, hooray, lunch break taken care of!!  I have just had my lovely breakfast of cereal, topped with pear, banana, strawberries and blueberries.  I have put out an orange to take to work for morning tea, so  I won't be tempted with the biccies, and lunch is leftovers, small amount of mashed potato and sweet potato, and about 50g of left over steak, and a whole pile of salad greens to go with it.  Tonight I have an exercise session, so will probably just have an omelette, which I will pack full of mushrooms, tomatoes and capsicum (bell peppers).  THEN, it will be a minimum of 2 hours knitting tonight!  Can't wait!  I hope that doesn't make me sound too tragic.

I would like to lose 2 more kilos before I finish my current project!.  There you are, a challenge for me!

Well, off to work, happy knitting......

Desperate dieter pt 2

Very briefly, I need to go to work!  Last night was another DISASTER, after eating too much at afternoon tea yesterday, I continued to eat too much last night.  Still, today is a new day and it is always easier to eat well at work, so here's to a great day.

No knitting got done last night, as when we got home from the airport, I was just too tired.

Just had a lovely breakfast, wheat flakes with bran cereal, with pear, banana, strawberries and blueberries!  That should keep me going till lunchtime.

You can check out my new facebook page:   http://www.facebook.com/slimknittings  Please feel free to "like" and share my page.

Happy knitting......


Happy

Diary of a desperate dieter Pt 1

Well, I have well and truly fallen off the wagon.  All my old habits have returned, over the past few months I have put on about 7 kilos!  So, it is time to take action.

I have been knitting at night in an attempt to stop eating, but it hasn't really been working.  I LOVE knitting so much, I have decided that it will now be my reward for a day of healthy eating.

I have started this beautiful Perth morning with a lovely healthy juice (made from kale, lemon, ginger, cucumber, parsley, orange and apple), with some beautiful whole grain toast.  Very enjoyable, and I am now going to enjoy a nice cup of jasmine green tea.....

 

Then it was a toasted cheese (low fat variety) & tomato sandwich for lunch, with a nice juicy orange.

 

Then made a batch of banana & raspberry muffins to share with some friends who are coming over this afternoon, these are a Weight Watchers recipe, so one should be OK !

And my current project, a vintage top, in pale lemon, will soon be finished, the pattern is a lot trickier than I thought, there are two row where the pattern is very similar, but in a reverse order, and you have to have your wits about you!  Still, I am really happy with how it is turning out, I have finished the front, nearly finished the back, then just the little short sleeves to go.

 

 

I won't have much time to knit tonight, as we are off to the airport to pick up Michelle, who has been enjoying some time over in Canberra and Woollongong, at two weddings, one of which she was a bridesmaid, so I am looking forward to seeing her photos.  We should be home about 8pm, so may get an hour or so of knitting in before I head off to bed, ready for work tomorrow.

 

Hope my food intake is better this week !!

 

Happy knitting...