We are settling in to our new house, getting things upacked and figuring out where they belong, getting used to the new routines that go along with living out of town: for example, the boys have recently discovered that if you dawdle in the mornings, the bus won’t wait for you and then your mother yells at you for the whole 20-minute drive to school. I stilll don’t have a working oven, although we are one step closer: we’ve sourced a used one, we just have to get it installed. I will be very glad when I can bake again. Meanwhile, the boys are very happy – they think that bread from the supermarket is just the greatest thing since… well, since sliced bread, I suppose.
After all the packing and cleaning out of the old house, my hands were in terrible shape (imagine trying to knit while wearing gloves made out of velcro!), but a few days worth of industrial-strength hand cream has worked wonders, and I’m not only back on the knitting horse, but yesterday I got my spinning wheel out for the first time in a couple of months, and the fibre didn’t snag at all. Yay!
While sorting out and packing up, I made a startling discovery – I am down to 3 pairs of handknit socks! I know how to darn, and am not afraid to do it, but there comes a time for every sock when they just can’t be repaired any more, and must be retired. So new socks are the order of the day:
“Brainless” by Marjan Hammink, in STR medium “Jabberwocky”
One casualty of the move is my annual trip to Bendigo. I had been hoping against hope that I could still make it this year, but I have finally pulled up my big-girl pants and accepted the fact that the money is just not there, and wishing won’t make it fall out of the sky. So the Hustler Street girls will just have to make up my share of wool and wine and chocolate and fun. I’m sure they’re up to the task. 😉
Kiss My Frog 
I am so happy for you nesting away in your own house at last, but very sad that you can’t come to Bendi. You know I will keep eyes peeled for the bestest, purplest yarn evah! just for you. You know, this makes it extra nice that we were able to visit you in December 😉
1. Me too 🙂 2. Me too 😦 3. I know you will, ’cause you’re made of awesome. 4. Yes it does. And some day we’ll visit you right back… 😉
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I’m so glad you are settling into your lovely house. I laughed at the 20 minute yelling car ride!!
Sliced bread!! I didn’t have an oven for a little while and it is horrid.
How lovely is Kate???
I found myself in a similar not-many-socks situation and made three pairs very quickly!!
We’re going to miss you big time 😦
Last year we didn’t have Kate and this year we won’t have Kate. Next year we must have BOTH Kates 🙂
Very glad you have remedied the velcro hands, not being able to knit and spin would be challenging.
It looks like you have significant sock knitting in front of you, have you patterns and yarns in mind? I need inspiration 🙂
Love to hear about your progress in the new space and making it yours, such a difference from renting!
Well, I’ll be there next year – you talk to the other Kate.
You know, the not-knitting wasn’t as difficult as you might think: after a full day of lugging boxes or scrubbing ceilings, I was so knackered I’d just throw some food around and then fall into bed.
Oh, I have lots of both yarns and patterns at my disposal, I just have to apply the one to the other, and hey presto! Socks! I’m 57 rounds from done on the Brainless socks, and then it’s stash-diving time again. Next up is one of my many skeins of EGMTK! sock yarn – it will tell me what it wants to be.
Looking forward to playing with paint and such. The boys’ rooms are first – we promised. As to the rest of the house, I have some thoughts, but I have to let them percolate for a while, until cash-flow permits.
Have fun in Bendi, and DOCUMENT! If I can’t be there, I want every last detail from those who are! xoxo
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Shame about Bendi – every year I hope that I can make it and every year there is something in the way. Lucky I have PLENTY of yarn to keep me going, heh!
But yay for new house, woo!