I Don't

or how Rain knitted for a week and still made nothing.

I was desperately racing to get the baby stuff finished so I could start I Do. I've been looking forward to making it for ages and had bought the yarn - Sirdar Pure Cotton in black - especially for it. As soon as the ends were sewn into the striped jumper I grabbed it and set to work. I'd done about 10" when I had a good look at it and decided I really wasn't keen on the lace pattern. In my stitch guide it's called Victoria stitch which is reversible. I know most lace looks a bit naff until it's blocked, but on closer inspection of the pattern I decided it definitely wasn't for me. As I still liked the style I decided to use another lace pattern and set about making up my own. After drawing and swatching and poncing about for a day I worked about an inch, got bored and decided maybe I didn't want a shrug after all.

I was at a bit of a loss for a use for the yarn but really wanted to work with it so I decided to use it for a design that's been kicking about in my head for a while. The only problem was that I needed yet another stitch pattern. I had been planning on an embossed pattern but a swatch revealed that it would stand out too much, not a good idea for a tight fitting top. I worked another swatch from a Debbie Bliss book, didn't like how it looked in cotton, adapted it, loved it and decided it wouldn't work for the top I had in mind. Back to the drawing board. I then opened up another book and on the very first page was the perfect lace pattern. It took a wee bit of adapting - changing the decreases to slope so they matched and moving where the repeats started so it worked in the round. I was super pleased and started with gusto, however, the saga continues.

It's been a busy week and I've been a little distracted. I went to see baby Scarlett, she's 6 months old now and absolutely adorable. She's crawling about all over the place and into everything. Jenn and Nick have officially asked me to be her godmother (without the god bit) as they think I'd be a positive influence in her life. I'm delighted and honoured to be asked. If I can't set a good example at least I can serve as a horrible warning ;)

I've also been in hospital for some minor surgery - nout serious, but I'm still a bit battered and bruised and not really in the mood for doing much. I worked on the top at the hospital but ended up frogging it (only about an inch) as I'd managed to twist it. So after all that I have nothing to show for my troubles. Despite it all being a comedy of errors I am hoping for some progress soon.