The journey back to health

After a very long break, I am back at work. Wow! Now that's a shock to the system :)

As many of you will already know, I have been very poorly this year. After many hospital appointments and a few too many stays in hospital, I think I'm on the road to recovery. I've still got a few appointments with my specialist coming up but am hopeful that I can start getting my life back to 'normal'.

Since my last operation, in early October, I've been keeping myself sane by knitting gifts for friends and family. This time of year is a rather busy one for me with several birthdays and the lead up to Christmas. And not forgetting the birth (nearly three weeks ago now) of my best friend's first child - baby Jack.

This year's gifts have included cosy snoods, chunky knit slippers and some very practical hand warmers for a fellow crafter.

Here's a sneak peek at what I've been making......no complaints so far :)

Update - 2/1/2014

As you can probably tell, the above was written just before Christmas.....since then I've had the flu :(

Trying to get myself back to health and looking forward to learning some new crafty skills thanks to some beautiful gifts I received for Christmas. My mission this year is to master crotchet. I WILL have my own granny square blanket by the end of 2014.....fingers crossed :) 


Here's hoping that you all enjoyed the festive break.

Best wishes,

KnittyNora xx

Making the most of a beautiful weekend

Wowee.... what a weekend! I have been utterly spoiled by beautiful weather and trips out on the fells with my husband. A long weekend is the perfect excuse to make the most of time off work together and to make the most of the beautiful countryside that I find myself surrounded by.

I have to admit that not much crafting has happened this weekend because my hands have been busy climbing rock faces. After a guided walk on Saturday and some indoor climbing on Sunday, we decided to go on a scrambling adventure on Great Gable yesterday. If anyone reading this knows much about scrambling you'll know that it's a fair mission just to get the actual scrambles. We set ourselves the mission of scrambling Threading the Needle, the Sphinx Ridge and Pinnacle Ridge and up onto the summit of Great Gable. We did it....and what fun we had in the process! :) I have discovered a renewed passion for climbing recently and have been pushing myself to do more outdoor climbs. Yesterday's grade 2 (and at times, grade 3) scrambles were both fun and exhilarating. Although I wouldn't recommend it if you're scared of heights :)

Here are some pics, just for you.....

The prize....

The view back to Threading the Needle from the Dress Circle

Making my way to meet the Sphinx and Sphinx Ridge

Today is a rest day ...of sorts. An early lunch of Venison sausages purchased from a local Farmer's market followed by a trip to the book shop for some climbing books. And later, meeting friends on the lake for some windsurfing. May have to take along my crotchet needle and some wool and see what I can dream up.
Here is a picture of my oh so random brooch design....must find a pin so that I can wear it!

Not the best picture.... aiming for abstract rose design :) 

Hope you've all had a lovely long weekend. Please pop by and say 'Hello!'.

KnittyNora xxxxxxxxx

Crotchet = new hobby!

I have another new hobby - crotcheting. Since first picking up a pair of knitting needles two years ago I have some how managed to avoid learning to crotchet. Well, that was up until recently when a pattern I was following advised a crotchet edging on a neckline. I'd never even tried to crotchet before and didn't even have a crotchet needle(!). Thanks to my favourite Oxfam shop the latter issue was resolved. I now had no excuse....well, apart from not knowing how to crotchet. Thanks to my lovely, crafty friend Emma (of Emma and Emmie fame - http://emmieandemmaathome.blogspot.co.uk/) and some very helpful tips from my Stitch and Bitch book, I finally started crotcheting this weekend. I've had lots of fun making it up as I go along and now have lots more ideas for my jewellery range.

I'll upload some pics later of the brooch design I've created.....very usual - just the way I like it! :)

Enjoy the sunshine - don't forget your suncream!

KnittyNora xxxxxx

P.s. I've also been busy scrambling up mountains this weekend. Stay tuned for more details.....