The weather has really turned this week and we’ve had some very clear nights and frosty mornings. On Thursday we had freezing fog and masses of the leaves seemed to have fallen the night before. It was a very crisp and crunchy walk with our dog.
To my fellow YOPers, I’m conscious on my YOP list I had written ‘stock for the shop’, but feel it is perhaps taking over my YOP posts. So I think in future I’ll do separate posts about things I’ve made for the shop and try to also take better photographs of those too. However, as this has just occurred to me and I only took quick snaps before they were sent to the shop, I’m including some now.
Felting
I also made a couple of wool/silk scarves, 2 baubles, a small winter picture and I had a go at a Highland Dancer (which was a special request and is sold. The Highland dancer took way too long to be profitable to make more at this stage). The other bauble is similar to winter picture. I’ll be making more baubles and pictures this week, plus I’m thinking of trying to make a christmas elf.
The Fuzzy Thistle shop is opening some afternoons during the week, not sure if this is just in the run up to Christmas, but as local hotels are starting their Christmas mid-week packages this week that hopefully will mean more customers can access the shop.
Knitting
I didn’t manage any knitting until Saturday! I did quite a few rows on Such a Winter’s Day, then did a count of my front and back stitches and found I have 2 more stitches at the front than the back…not in the pattern grr! I can’t find where I went wrong and can’t correct it as it will throw out the stitch pattern. So I carried on and did the decreases for waist shaping and in 3 rows time I’ll start the increases. I figure as my boobs and pooh bear tummy are at the front it probably won’t really matter if it’s slightly bigger on the front. I’ve tried it on and it seems ok. I can honestly say I have never ever made so many mistakes in one project. Imagine if I was trying to alternate skeins or do helical knitting at the same time. I’m not fussed about any slight variation there may be in the skeins…I just want to finish it and have a warm house jumper before it gets really cold.
I’m hoping in November I will get my jumper and socks finished, because I have jury duty which I believe, in our small Sheriff Court*, involves sitting around a lot whilst they plea bargain things and send you home and back the next day. Fingers crossed anyway. We are also staying in a cottage one week, so there’ll be only knitting with me then I think.
*Sheriff Court is a Scottish thing, not like in the US and definitely nothing to do with John Wayne Western movies lol!
Spinning
HighlandHeffalump 
You almost make me think I might try some felting… we’ll see in the New Year! As for routine, mine has been absolutely shot by by DH’s retirement, and I have to get it back before I lose the plot entirely! So I absolutely know where you are coming from (I think, anyway). My only suggestions is not to wait until after jury duty and holidays and etc., because you’ll never start and just continue doing the things that make you sad. What’s standing between you and a workable routine? Make a few little tweaks now and add to them, perhaps? That’s my plan, anyway. I look at it this way: If momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!
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You are right, I need to not delay. Felting is definitely enjoyable and so much quicker than knitting. I hope you let me know if you pick it up in the new year.
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Liz, I enjoy reading about your fairies, lampshades, scarves and all other things you make for the shop. To me it is all part of your YOP even if it seems to be the main thing. Your fairies and gnomes are so precious. It amazes me that they are made from wool. Your Scottish dancer looks mighty fine to me.
Love the photo of the sheep you got your fleece from. How fun to be able ‘know’ the source.
Good luck on finding a routine that works for you. It is so easy to pack the pounds on and seems triple hard to take them off. Why is that?
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Roxie is adorable. And I too, enjoy seeing your shop products, I love the fairies.
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I enjoy seeing your shop products….and I love that winter scene….Since I’m a teacher, my routine is upended at lease twice a year, not counting vacation…I haven’t gotten back to exercising in awhile, especially when my pain is bad….
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You are busy and profitable! I love the picture of the cabin and the moon…so very pretty. I had a laugh at the ‘pregnant’ fairy. You are too hard on yourself. Men don’t do that so why women do I will never know. As for diets….I don’t do them but I try to stay active inside and out and I try and eat healthy. If you don’t buy it (snacks, cookies etc) you won’t eat it. I don’t buy but I so make desserts. Enjoy your life and take care of your health and body but don’t punish yourself. Enjoy that vacation!
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How do you pick a favorite fairy?!? They’re all so pretty – each one unique. And that winter picture is just beautiful. I imagine this Christmas season will be very profitable for selling your lovely creations at the shop. I enjoy seeing your shop products, too, but I don’t mind coming in to check your blog whenever you post about it. You’re creations are so fun.
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I hear you about the weight thing. I too am up 10 pounds since june and have decided November I am getting rid of it! (Are you listening, Mary-Anne?) lol. I love love love your fairies. Your weather station is taking on a mind of its own. As long as it doesn’t turn into HAL from 2001 space odyssey I am sure it will sort itself out. Take care and stay warm with your soon to be finished sweater- and hey, what’s an extra stitch or two between friends!
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Your fairies and other felted items are just gorgeous – no wonder they are flying out of the shop! How neat to have a picture of Roxie to go along with her lovely fleece – she is such a cutie 🙂 It is hard setting up a healthy routine! Especially when you have disruption going on in your life. I hear you on this issue – I am battling extra pounds myself, and really need to get it off and keep it off!
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The highland dancer is adorable. Can you charge more for them? My weight loss seems to have plateaued. Now that the cold weather is setting in I want to eat bread and cookies all the time. Maybe to help you with routine you could use a free app like Fitbit or my fitness pal? It can help you track your calories, at least.
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