BLESSED SPEEDY

 Well today I finished three things All different but all related (sort of) Firstly these socks for my hubby Gary, who is VERY knit worthy as he loves wearing the socks I make him and even commented one time "I know you love me as you knit socks for me" - correct! The pattern is Vanilla Latte socks and this is the 16th (yes 16th) time Ive made them - its my go to pattern for easy mindless knitting.  The yarn is dyed by a friend of mine Heather from Heathermaid yarns and I bought it at the Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show a couple of year ago.  It was caked in two skeins so I didnt have to worry about the socks not matching. Second finish is a book - A Court of thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas - my daughter Sarah told me I "had" to read it as she had not long ago finished it and really enjoyed it - I did too.  Its a fantasy read about love, fairies (or faeries) and evil beings as well.  Sort of a fantasy Beauty and the Beast but a really good read and I would recommen...

 So you may ask - what on earth is a magic yarn ball? This...... is how it starts........the person who gifts it to you unravels the yarn and rewraps it in a ball - and while doing that they add little gifts that "fall out" along the way as you knit The pattern is also gifted to you so you know what you will be making - for me its a beanie.  Oh! And I made the mistake once of gifting yarn for a pair of socks - thats a lot of wrapping of gifts I can tell you! Here's some progress - Ive done the brim and the first gift has "fallen out" - its nylon that can be used in making socks - excellent as I dont have any - it will come in handy indeed. And here's it all finished - with all the gifts as well - the pattern is Curves are Beautiful Beanie and the yarn is zealand rim dk  - lovely yarn to work with and my first time using yarn that has possum in it! Its a bit hot to wear today (its 35C!!!) but will be great in autumn and winter. 

 Those that know me well, know that I like to knit socks! And with DPNs (double pointed needles) as they make me feel smart LOL So prior to Christmas, when I saw there was a sock KAL (knit along) over on instagram, with clues released each day - I was excited and jumped on board. What a journey! The sock design is gorgeous, but complex - I cast on and knitted away merrily until I realised Id missed a clue and in fact really messed up the first sock. So whats a girl to do but unravel it all and start again which I did on the 3rd of January. As I said the design is gorgeous but complex with lots of cables and twisted stitches - but Ive got it done and Im really happy with this pair of socks. If you would also like to make these follow the hashtag #apgalsxmas2021 over on insta and you will find it, its a collaboration of three designers. Oh and the yarn is plucky fingering and I used 2.25mm dpns Enjoy! And challenge yourself to make those tricky things - its worth it - you never know ...

First book of the year finished - Cilkas Journey by Heather M. Morris I was lucky enough to meet the author at The Little Blue Book Shop late last year and what a pleasure that  was! She went through her research and reasons behind her writing and how these stories need to be told and not lost Because we were going to meet her I "forced" and I mean forced myself to read the tattoist of auschwitz and Im glad I did! A period in our history that is terrible, but lessons need to be learnt so that this never happens again! After reading that, I had to read the next book(which is Cilka's Journey) again a challenge to read but also a witness to resilience and not giving up Did it make me feel uncomfortable - yes - but so it should And I highly recommend it and thank you Heather for telling these stories!

 So last year I read 60 books! Either in paper form or by audio when I had a goal of reading 52 This year I’m going to aim for 55 - and #reading fits well with my theme for 2022 of #create as it’s creating time for me #yearofcreate @goodreads  Thanks 

 So here we are - its 2022 and somehow I managed to survive 2021 and all its ups and downs Hopefully this year is not a repeat My "word" for this year will be "CREATE" - create things, atmospheres, space for myself, just to name a few and I think as I delve further into what it means to create I will learn more. Found this quote - and it fits beautifully. Lets see how I go! And.....seperately...... but related I blocked my skyline wrap that I made from an advent kit from dyed by hand yarns - and I love it - its bright and its bold and it looks awesome! Heres what it look like before blocking and after Here's to a joyful, positive and creative 2022!