30th March 2020

Hi,  I am still isolating and still wondering when it is all going to get back to normal.  Frank goes back to work on Thursday but I don't go back till Monday which means another week of crafting, housework and watching podcasts.

I have no enthusiasm to even take the dog out some days, even though it is only for 10 minutes so she can do her toileting.

Today, I am still in my pyjamas and dressing gown and it is 2:30 pm and have found a new podcast to watch on Youtube.  It is called Tiny Fibre Studio and she talks about spinning as well as other crafts.

I started knitting on a hat using my handspun on the drop spindle and here is the progress so far..

 It feels quite itchy to knit with and will probably felt every time it gets washed so I will have to soak it in a wool wash and then lay it flat to dry.  He said he doesn't mind the itchiness so at least it will get used.

I just have to think what I am going to knit next with the handspun that I have left over.  There is probably enough to make mitts or another hat.

I will have to think about that!

 The next 2 photos are of sock tubes that I made for my Grandchildren.

Basically, a sock tube has no heel so as the child's foot grows, the socks won't be too small.  I am hoping they will actually fit for at least a couple of months!

The first photo is Regia Sock Yarn in the colour way Butterfly.  It is so pretty and feels quite robust for little feet.

I had casted on 56 stitches for my Granddaughter's feet and just kept knitting in the round.  I had drawn round her feet last September so I had a rough idea of how much to knit so that she had enough 'leg'.

 The next pair are tube socks I knit for my Grandson who has a slightly smaller foot so I knitted them with 50 Sts casted on.

It is such a simple knit if you want to learn how to knit in the round, especially if you want to knit socks but are worried about the outcome.

A heel is not hard to do, it just takes practice so once you have accomplished a tube with casting on, knitting in the round and decreasing for a toe, you should be a bit more confident.

I think there are patterns on Ravelry you can take a look at.

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I recently sent a little parcel to my Grandchildren containing a few treats and they loved them so today, we sent a parcel with the tube socks in, some chocolate and these pictures that I drew of their favourite programme Peppa Pig.

They didn't take long to draw, I just got a picture up on google and copied it.  I thought they might like to colour them in while they are isolating.

They are fine, there Mum is just keeping safe because she has a baby of 6 months old and doesn't want to take any chances with them in going out.  She would have to get a bus to get out to her Mum but the buses and trains are running very limited.

My plans for today are to do some more knitting, Frank can heat up the stew I made yesterday, when he wants to eat and I think I will just stay home and think about my Grandchildren.

It will be a month since I had them over to stay and I miss them so much.  We have video chatted a couple of times.  Hooray, for technology.

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Finally, Covid-19 in my area has obviously had a knock on affect to the community.  The hospital that I work at only has front line staff, no visitors at all and if you work on Wards or in one of the office jobs, you are only allowed in at a specific entrance.  They have shut the main entrance to the hospital.

The clinics that normally run in the hospital, including my Dept, have all been moved to another hospital that is linked to mine so that wards and beds are free for Covid-19 patients and yes, there have been some deaths which is so sad for those families and the precious staff that work there dealing with this horrible virus.

The town I live in is so quiet, I live on a main road that is linked to a busy motorway and I am not use to having such little traffic outside.  All the schools were closed on Friday so it is even more quiet than usual.  My local shops like Gregg's bakery, hairdressers, gym, the gambling shop, pet shop have all closed under government guidance and the only shops that are open are Nisa and Co-Op which are a local mini-market and also the Butchers is open too.  

I still get post through the door but if I need any shopping, I have to go local mini-market which is a bit dearer than my local Asda.  Unfortunately, stupid people have been panic buying which has caused a shortage on the shelves in the big supermarkets even though there is no shortage of food supplies from distributors.  I was told the other day that Asda, Dagenham are only letting in 20 people at a time to keep the 2 meter distance regulation so I can only imagine what the queues are like outside.  I don't think I could bare that plus I think it is better to support your local small businesses if you can and the crowds are not so bad.  

It was mentioned on the news that our Prime Minister Boris Johnson is sending out letters to everyone about restrictions and isolation methods.  If people don't adhere to them then I can only imagine a curfew will take place or a complete curfew.  I hope not, I hope people do adhere to what the governments are saying so that this virus can just sod off and leave humanity alone.

My heart goes out to all those that have been affected and I hope that those few that do read my blog, stay safe please.

23rd March 2020

Hi, I hope you are all well and following the government guidelines to stay at home and not to go out unless it is absolutely necessary.

I do hope that those idiots that have been visiting Richmond Park in London stop being so bloody selfish and go home.  We all need exercise, I take my dog out when it is quiet and am not out for more than 10-15 minutes, but the crowds at Richmond Park were ridiculous.  

I would love to be able to go on the bus and go to work at the hospital as a Medical Secretary but I am taking responsibility and not doing that.  

I have not transitioned from being an Agency Secretary to a full NHS contract yet so I don't get paid for these 2 weeks and I hope and pray that after my 2 weeks of isolation because of my Partner having symptoms, I can go back to work.  Even if I have to walk the 5 miles with arthritic knees, I will, just to earn a living and do my bit for the great NHS.

That's enough of my moaning, I'm sorry for that!

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Daily chores are still happening.  I actually stripped my king size bed of its bedding, washed it on a hot wash, put it out on the washing line because it is gorgeously sunny and breezy outside, and by the afternoon I put the bedding back on my bed without ironing it.  The smell is amazing, I love that outdoor fresh smell of laundry. 

It's lovely and sunny again today so I am going to strip the bedding on my Grandchildren's bed, air off their room and have a little tidy up.  I really missed them the weekend, I normally have them every fortnight and just love the mess they make and the comments and conversations they have.  I miss my cuddles with the kids.

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On the crafting front, I have finished spinning on my drop spindle the Jacob fleece fibre and here is a photo to show you.

I know it looks a bit scruffy but I have not washed and wacked it yet, I will today and post a picture of it later.  It will dry in no time in the sunshine.

I finished Frank's socks, the Opal Sunrise ones, they fit him so well and he said it is like walking on a soft sponge.  They are so robust!

It is not a great photo but just look at them.

Oh well, I am off to wash my handspun, hope you are all ok.

21st March 2020

You know I said on my last post that I was off work but not to do with Covid-19 but to do with my arthritis!

Well, Thursday Frank was coughing, felt rough as if he had flu and a little bit breathless.  So after much persuasion, I told him that he needs to stay off work and self isolate which also means that I do to.  He didn't want to at first because he felt guilty that I will lose 2 weeks pay but it is important to take responsibility to make sure that if it is Covid-19, then it won't be spreading.

Today, Saturday he is much better, not coughing much and still a bit achy and his breathing is better and I don't have any symptoms at all.  So, I have a feeling it is just a cold but am proud to say that we are doing the right thing.

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So my home is up to date (more or less) of housework duties, I have no laundry but a fair bit of ironing which I am saving till tomorrow ( Sunday).  

I have done loads of drop spinning and have only got about 100g of the Jacob fleece to finish.

I am eager to get the spinning done so that I can start washing it all ready for the next project.

Here is a project that got delivered today as I type this...

Isn't it gorgeous!

I also ordered a Wool Wash Bar which smells amazing and I want to use that for the spun yarn.

So, sorry this is brief but I am going to get on with the spinning and I may even do a bit of baking too.

Take care everyone.

18th March 2020

Good afternoon and welcome to my blog.  

I am off work today and no it is not because of the coronavirus but because of the arthritis in my knees and is playing me up with terrible swelling.  It tends to get worse if I am sitting all the time and because I am a Medical Secretary, my job is sedentary 99% of the 8 hour work day.  Yesterday my ankles ballooned bad and felt like I had a rubber ring around my ankles. 

So today, I have been elevating my legs to reduce swelling.  

What have I been doing that I can do whilst elevating legs, I managed to spin some of my Jacob fleece fibre that I purchased from Fiberhut in the UK.  The colour is called Humbug and is a natural colour.

I recently purchased a niddy noddy and got to use it today.  I wound 385 feet of handspun round it and it is now waiting to be washed.  I still have about 200g of fibre to spin but that won't take much longer.  

This is the Ashford Niddy Noddy.  

Now that I know how to use it, I can crack on with getting the rest of the fibre spun. 

I do intend to use the spun yarn to knit a hat for myself and my partner for the winter and maybe, if I have enough left, a scarf for my partner.

We will see!

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I have been writing this blog for a long time now and only just realised you can add Emoji's.

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After watching a few podcasts this morning and a new one called Yarnmugs on Youtube, I decided to finish a sock.

This is Opal Sunrise sock yarn and it is such a robust yarn.  I love Opal, it is so hard wearing and Frank said that they are much warmer than his other socks.    He told me he prefers the heel flap, heel turn and gusset which means knitting the sock will take a bit longer.  (I prefer to knit a short row heel).  Never mind.

I am now going to my Ravelry page to purchase a crochet pattern that I have been waiting for.  

Sandra at Cherryheart podcast has finally finished designing a blanket that is just one colour and is absolutely gorgeous.  

Take care everyone!

15 March 2020

What a world we live in, panic buying because there is a virus going around.  The queue's in the supermarkets are crazy, no toilet paper, dried pasta, tins of food, biscuits, soap.   I work in a local hospital and I know that people are worried, especially the elderly but come on now, it needs to stop.  People are being so selfish at stocking up ridiculous amounts of products, not even thinking about other people.  I am not going down that route, there is no need to.

The constant media involvement about all the what if's and buts are just making people panic and they need to stop.  Just give us the information about the progress of what the government are doing and suggesting and none of this nonsense.

Yes, it is a nasty kind of flu but even normal flu can cause death, dependent on your age and medical condition, so why are people panicking.  Why toilet paper!  Tear up newspapers that you have laying around and use them to wipe your arse!  Just like the old days.

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Now let's get on with what I have been up to in regards to my hobbies. 

 You can have the pleasure of seeing any ugly mug now while modelling a finished crochet project that I called 'Flowers in the Garden".

I still have quite a bit left over of the Stylecraft Bellissimo Yarn from my Striations blanket and I decided to make a cowl for my 'Gift Box' that I intend to fill up with things that I actually want to make.

I love just picking up the crochet hook or knitting needles and  'winging it' with no idea what I am going to create.  It might be a stitch that I have seen in one of my dictionary's or even just an idea that I have come up with trying to fall asleep at night.

The cowl has come out quite big and can easily be wrapped 3 times for a snug tight fit (even to hide the double chin) and is soft and warm.

 The next photo is my gorgeous fella modelling a hat.  I came up with an idea of knitting a folded brim that I later sewed to make it thicker and warmer over the ears.  Also, I wanted to do a bit of colour work and just casted on 120 Sts and knitted.  I was really pleased with it and then I thought, how am I going to shape the crown.

I didn't even think about that and after much thought, I decided to split the stitches into 4 and decrease at beginning and end of each.

I could have done it a bit better but am quite pleased with the outcome and as you can see in the photo below, the crown looks ok.

I used a yarn called Novita Nalle which is a 4ply sock yarn that I used on my Bear in the Woods socks last year.

All I have to do now is purchase a polystyrene head to show off my hats that I am bound to make in the future.

I have tried to purchase one in the shops instead of ordering online but have not been able to and will have to order one from Amazon.

Finally, the last photo is of a granny square project that I want to make for my son Scott and his partner.

I want a long term project that I can use up my Paintbox yarn's that I got for Christmas from Frank.

I have not made my son a blanket and when I showed him what I wanted to do he said 'awesome' which made me smile.  I said I wanted to make an heirloom blanket that he can gave for years to come and for when I am gone and he wants a hug from his Mum.

I intend to crochet at least one square a day using 10 colours (yes that is a lot of ends to sew in but I don't care) and then will arrange them and sew them together.

Then I intend to crochet a deep border to use the last of the colours.


Oh well, that is it for now, am going to go and cook a meal and then do some crafting.  If you get a chance to see more of my crafts, why not send me a friend request and I will add you but only if you are a crafter like me.  My instagram account is 'shbachan'.  There is a link on my Ravelry page too, I am 'suehb'.

3rd March

On the 1st March whilst on the bus travelling from work to home, I tried to upload a couple of photo's to blogger from my phone but it just kept coming up with an X.  So I have waited till tonight to write on my blog.

 This first photo is my latest new hobby that involves absolutely no pattern, no needles or even a hook.  I have been wanting to try drop spindle spinning and so I treated myself when I went to the Knit & Stitch Show at Alexandra Palace in London, to a kit that cost £20.  I spun it, very thin and very thick at the same time, knitted it into a rectangle and intend to use it for something a bit later.

However, this photo shows 300g of fiber from a Jacob sheet which is naturally grey and white in colour.  The company that I purchased it from is called 'The Fibrehut' and they are a UK based company.  They called the colour 'Humbug' and if you could feel the softness of it, it is absolutely wonderful.    Not sure what it will end up as but I just love it!

 The next photo is of a pair of mittens that I have designed and will put in my gift box.  I have decided to knit what I want without pressuring myself with a pattern. Plus, I want to have items in a box that I can just pull out and give as gifts.

I wanted to knit some mittens and try a turned hem at the cuff so that is what I did.  I then got out my stitch dictionary book and saw the pattern called 'Caterpillar' which I thought looked like texture from wings of a Robin.  So that is what I have called these mittens.

I might write up a pattern one day but at the moment, I am just enjoying the creations that I come up with.  I used Novita Sock Yarn which is like a 4 ply.

 This next photo is of my next gifting project.  I have some Stylecraft Bellissimo yarn left over from a previous project and did not want to make another blanket.  So, I have been randomly putting colours together and am crocheting a cowl.

It is a big, bright and soft cowl that you can wrap around your neck a couple of times to keep you warm.

I will still have some of the yarn left over so that will probably end up as another cowl at some point, we will see!

I wish I could crochet for hours and hours like I use to.  Unfortunately, my upper arm and shoulder does not like it...so I limit myself now.


I am loving the light mornings and evenings now.  It is light at about 6.30 am here and when I leave work at about 4pm it is still light and the sun is out.  It makes a big difference to me as a whole, I hate the early dark mornings and nights.

This last photo is of my Tammie.  It was taken on Friday last week when Frank was off work for the day and she was sulking cause her Mum was at work.

She is getting old now, cannot see very well and seems to have good days and bad days.  She loves blankets and cuddles.

My best friend.