Saturday 16 July 2011

Golly, another month has passed

So it's a month to the day since my last post which wasn't intentional.  I've been pootling along, getting back into my knitting, working some days, not doing much useful on the others and absolutely longing to go on our holiday in another month and a bit.


I don't think I have EVER been as excited about a holiday before - even as a child - and it's not as if we are going anywhere amazingly exotic, but our week spent in a cottage by the beach on a remote Scottish island promises to be fabulous - I just hope I won't get over-excited, like I did as a child, and end up disappointed by the reality.

I've been going through phases of thinking about it about 15 times a day for a week, and then letting it subside so it's not the main thing on my mind - which is a good ploy when I'm at work obviously!

I've even been searching for the perfect socks to knit while we're away and because I am a sad individual I want the patterns to have some relevance to where we are going so I have searched on Ravelry for Scottish socks, island socks, seaside socks, beach socks, wave socks etc and have even enlisted friends from knit group in the search too.

I've finally come up with 2 possible candidates - these resized to fit me in this gorgeous skein of wool (dyed by Barbara at Ring-a-Rosie)


and these to be knit in some maybe-being-dyed-at-this-very-moment-heather-colour-sock-yarn (again by Barbara)  if I can find out how to buy the pattern (the webpages aren't working and the company haven't replied to my email)

One of the reasons I'm so excited about this holiday is because I am planning a holiday from my diet too.  I've lost 1 1/2 stones in the last 13 weeks but it has been hard work and I am missing eating naughty things.  I'm unreasonably excited about the fact that I plan to eat bread and homemade jam (see above) for breakfast and bread and cheese for lunch - it makes me feel quite giddy!

I think I'll be making a potato-hedgehog-calendar with the children to help count down the days once they have broken up from school - I need to get them as hyped up as me!

But here are some calming knitting pictures to show you what I have been doing

A PAIR of No-purl Monkeys

and my current love, 

Candlepower socks - a totally gorgeous pattern (that could have been a contender for my holiday knit as I plan to have plenty of candle-lit evenings in our little cottage - although I'm not sure I could knit this pattern by candle-light)


And Dot kindly unravelled my nearly finished Cherry Swirl sock this afternoon,  so I can knit the partner to this Tadpole in Quinn's lovely hand-dyed wool.


But now I must dash as we are going to deliver Granny Biscuit's birthday presents - a necklace made by me, cheese scones made by Daisy, a strawberry and cream filled Victoria sponge made by Dot, marmalade just made this afternoon (from a cheat tin of Mamade), and cards by the children.  Then Dot and I are going to go and see Harry Potter - woohooo!

17 comments:

periwinkle said...

well done on your weight loss Lucy I can understand why you are so pleased ( says me tucking into a pizza ! ) I hope you all have a really great holiday and remember to take lots of snaps to show us when you get back xx Oh , what's a calendar hedgehog?

Mrs Moog said...

A potato hedgehog calendar? Wotisit? do I need one?

Fantastic weight loss missus! Enjoy that holiday, say hello to Scotland for me, and say hello to the yummy Oban wool shop for me!

I may need to cast on those Candlepower socks - yours are gorgeous :o)

xxx

Quinn said...

Great choices on the holiday socks - I especially love the thistle pattern!

Kudos on your progress with the weight management, Lucy. Bet you'll have loads of extra energy for fun activities during your seaside stay!

julie said...

Have a wonderful time on your little island Lucy, I'm sure the reality won't disapoint, especially with lashings of homemade jam! Well done on loosing 1 1/2 stone - that is impressive as is your wonderful sock knitting - wish you lived closer so you could help ease me through my fear of knitting in the round as I'm lusting after handmade socks!

dragonfly said...

A remote Scottish island sounds blissful.

French Knots said...

That lovely blue head in the clouds wool is the perfect accompaniment to a week on a peaceful island. I'm sure it will be a wonderful as you imagine!

Leanne said...

It sounds like the perfect holiday to me. Well done on the weight loss. I am so impressed with you sock knitting I am still half way through 1 sock.

ladydi said...

It sounds like a dream vacation. The best part is just hanging out with the family; no phone calls, no deadlines, just you and the beach.

Lilbitbrit said...

I spent a week on the Isle of Skye at a cottage in Glendale (far top west side) with my sister from Suffolk and me flying in from the States. It was wonderful and I'm sure you'll enjoy your visit. Knitting is just the right thing to do up there.

Christy
Lil Bit Brit

wonderwoman said...

i hope you have a lovely holiday Lucy - sounds absolutely brilliant place! Love all your socks and congrats on your weight loss, amazing!

xxxx

mrspao said...

Have a super wonderful holiday!

Anonymous said...

Your holiday sounds wonderful - I was excited just reading about it! Beautiful socks - yummy jam and Harry Potter to boot! Well, it sounds like you are having a blast Mrs Locket... long may it continue.

Ps - so well done on your weight loss - I think I've almost managed to PUT ON a stone and a half in the past 13 weeks - so enjoy yourself on holiday (and if you are passing through Oban see if the pancake shop is still open - well worth a visit!)

Thimbleanna said...

Oh, you lucky girl -- you get to go to Scotland! I hope you'll have a wonderful time. Congrats on the weight loss -- you're all ready for vacay. Your socks are all so inspiring too -- I loved your logic for choosing socks to knit on your trip. Have Fun!

Helen said...

Lovely to catch up with all your news Lucy . . . What did you think of the Harry Potter?
lOVE hELEN XX

Charlie P said...

Oooh, even I'm excited about your holiday after all that!
What on earth is a potato hedgehog calendar? Intriguing!

Joanie said...

I'm getting excited for your holiday too! It sounds like a perfect place for a getaway. Enjoy yourselves and wow, fantastic job on the diet too!

LOVE STITCHING RED said...

Beautiful patterns and I love that blue yarn. Hope your holiday skies are as blue as that and that the time soon whooshes round so you can enjoy your break xo

Carolyn