Oh my goodness! Some days I don’t know whether I’m Arthur or Martha! I’m now semi-retired (working only three days a week) and yet I am sooo busy! It’s the weekend and I’ve been sitting at my computer for over an hour which is not good as this is what I do for my paid work. These are the things that keep me so busy:
- My personal Facebook page and Ravelry page, MelsNattyKnits FB page and Instagram account and the Redlands Spinners & Weavers FB page and Ravelry page.
- Redlands Spinners & Weavers website and Editor of their newsletter (four editions a year).
- Plus of course taking photos for these pages and the associated sorting into the correct directories, cropping, resizing, adding logos and uploading.
- Knitting numerous projects, crocheting, spinning, dyeing and now I’ve started weaving!
- Two Saturdays a month meeting with my Knit and Knatter group, one Saturday a month meeting with the QldBaysideYarnClub and now looking at meeting with another knitting group on the first Saturday of the month.
- Two Tuesdays a month meeting with the Redlands Spinners & Weavers plus with our Open Day on 21 June this year, I am also charged with advertising / marketing the event.
- I also do the bookwork for my son’s small business and prepare paperwork for the accountant (more time on the computer!)
- Plus all the usual boring stuff like housework, washing, shopping, cooking (as little as possible if I can help it 🙂 )
So, if you see my posts dropping off a bit you’ll know why. I never really know how many people read my posts. Although I have over 200 followers, I don’t seem to get many comments. I am hoping maybe you’re reading and not commenting as opposed to not reading at all 😦
Okay, now I have all that out of my system, time to move on to my Tuscany Socks. The pattern I used is Hermione’s Everyday Socks which is a nice simple little pattern with a lovely look about it. Over 12,500 pairs of these socks have been made on Ravelry which is a testament to the pattern.
The yarn I used is Skein Top Draw Socks in the colourway Tuscany.
An interesting twist to the heel flap which is slightly different to a lot of the socks I’ve made.
If you’ve been following my blog for a while you’ll know I do love knitting socks, as well as other garments. It seems that every now and then I need to have my socks ‘fix’. I have also completed three pattern test knits which can be found here, here and here and last week committed myself to three more; all to be completed by mid March! Yikes!! Luckily, I am only required to complete one of the socks for the first two tests, however, the third test requires me to complete both socks as they’re a mirror image of each other.
The pattern test knits I am completing are Just Because Socks, River Song Socks and the Four Seasons Summer Socks.
So, after listing out everything that keeps me busy, I go and add to the mix by putting myself under even more pressure. Go figure!!
Until next time…
Melanie
I faithfully follow your blog and oft wonder what you do with all the scarves you make. I see how productive you are and wonder if you sleep at all. I LOVE all the collected little sheep. These socks are really nice too, so don’t be gone too long.
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Thank you so much:-) I certainly remember those who comment regularly. Some of the scarves are given as gifts and the rest are worn by me when it occasionally gets cooler here in Brisbane. I will still try and post weekly but if I miss a week or so, don’t worry as I will be back 🙂
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I read everything Mel, I just don’t comment and if I do I wait till I see you in person. You do everything so well. Thanks for all the hard work with keeping Redlands Spinners and Weavers up to date and driving me to other knitting, spinning related things. ❤
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Thanks Rona ☺ ☺ It certainly keeps me busy to say the least ☺
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My god you’d better retire fully. Question for the sock Queen. Have bought the toe up sock book, do you recommend magic circle or preserver with DP needles???
More work!!
Thanks in advance Mel.
Regards
Karen
>
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Hi Karen, I have two toe up sock books and I still haven’t attempted them! I’m stuck on using 5 dpns as that’s the way I was taught. I really must try those toe up socks.
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Goodness, I thought I was a bit busy.
I love those socks – must look up the pattern.
And I too highly recommend retirement. It doesn’t make one any less busy but it’s nice to choose one’s busy-ness.
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I agree Mary; I love having the choice with what I can do but now I need to manage what I want to do 🙂
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Super enjoyable web blog. I read it all the time in my feedly account. I’m from Ohio in the U.S. I love to see how lively and active the Redlands Spinners and Weavers club is as I started out and still am an active knitter and now a new weaver . I enjoy it so much but wish I had such an active club near me to be a part of. Very few knitters / weavers in my vicinity. By the way, just received a pair of Hermione Everyday socks from my daughter. They are a lovely sock! Anyway, just had to mention how I enjoy all your posts.
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Hi Ramona, any chance you could start a small group by advertising in your local paper? It doesn’t have to be big. I meet with two other friends on a Friday night and we usually just have a meal, knit and crochet. It’s the quality of the company sometimes and not the quantity 🙂
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I always read and enjoy so much your posts-but don’t always comment. 🙂 I love these socks-the color you chose is beautiful!
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Hi Susan, you’re one of my regular ‘commenters’ and I love hearing from you 🙂
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You are right Mel. Read often but don’t comment………..love your blog. You have sent me on many a fibre/knitting/spinning journey all of which I have enjoyed though some are still on the to do list. I just want some of your omph……..I don’t know when you find time to sleep! Might even get brave enough to try some socks after this blog. Thank you!
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Thanks Jill. When I learned how to knit socks I actually attended some classes. They were three hour classes over the space of three Saturdays. I would really recommend that if you can. I then proceeded to knit pair after pair after pair until I had the structure and technique firmly entrenched in my mind. My next challenge is to try toe up socks on a circular needle 🙂
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Dear Mel, I DO read your blog, but I am not a commenter.
Well done for all you do. Maybe when I retire I will get to do the craft I want to do.
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Thank you for commenting now 🙂 I really love comments as I feel I can get to know my readers a little better 🙂
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just love your posts…. and yes, you are very busy but I am sure muchly appreciated!!! De Date: Sun, 28 Feb 2016 00:23:38 +0000 To: deirdrebowman@hotmail.com
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Hi Deirdre, thanks for taking the time to comment and I do hope to hear from you again 🙂
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Thank you Mel I love to receive your weekly blogs but don’t comment love all your work you are a inspiration don’t know how you fit it all in please keep on blogging I will try to comment more
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Thank you Judi 🙂 I hope to hear from you again in the not too distant future.
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I just thought I would let you know I never miss your blog. I always learn something new.Thanks for all you write about and inspiring so many. I have the same yarn and glad to see how nice it works up in that pattern. Have a great weekend.
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Hi Margie, thanks so much. I am assuming if you have the same yarn you also live in Australia?? It’s always difficult to work out where my readers are located.
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Melanie, I enjoy your blog but am amazed at how much you can do. When do you rest?
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Hi Dianne, I don’t like sitting around with nothing to do so I try to keep busy to keep my brain functioning 🙂
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I never miss a blog post as I subscribe via e-mail. Also follow you on IG,, . Amazed at how much you get done!
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Hi Caz! Yes, I can now put 2 and 2 together! I see your name pop up in my IG feed quite a bit. So nice to get to know you a little better 🙂
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I have just managed to start knitting as I always did-speedily and neat and without having to look all the time. It has taken two years to get it back.
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Good to hear you are back up to speed Colin. Hope you are doing ok health wise.
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Hi Colin, so glad you’re back doing what you enjoy so much. I still have to look at what I’m knitting 🙂
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I too always read your blogs and occasionally have left you a comment. Can I ask a question this time ? I am allergic to wool. Can you recommend a suitable yarn for socks. I am yet to make a pair of socks I am happy with. I don’t like the heel flap and I can never seem to get a pair to stay up around my fat calves.
I love all your socks and scarves and you have inspired me to do more knitting.
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Hello Celia, I had a quick search in Ravelry. If you click on this link http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search#sort=best&craft=knitting&query=socks and then scroll down the left hand side until you get to ‘Fiber’ click on the down arrow to open the box and then select all the fibres that you can wear and it will filter socks made out of those fibres. Hopefully you should fine something here. I also have fat calves!! My socks are only ever worn lower leg as I wear them with with ankle boots and long pants. Let me know how you go 🙂
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I’m here too, Mel. I always read and marvel at how much you get done! I love that Everyday Hermione pattern. I made mine with a Fish Lips Kiss heel. Wonder what Hermione wears for Special Occasions? Heh.
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Thanks Denise ☺ Hope to see you again soon at Knit and Knatter 🐑🐑🐑
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Read faithfully, comment rarely
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Thanks Joanne ☺☺
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I always read but don’t comment – I also follow you on FB and Instagram. Your patterns and colour choices are always inspiring. Keep up the great work.
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Thanks so much for leaving a comment 🙂 Hope to hear from you again soon 🙂
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I too, am a regular reader, but not a commenter! Love seeing your socks and wish I could make some, but alas I am a crocheter and not a knitter ( although I have tried, but can’t seem to get the hang of it….yet 🙂 )
Seeing all your fibre purchases and spinning did inspire me to finally take up spinning though – I’ve been using a drop spindle and while I haven’t quite got the technique right I’m finding it enjoyable.
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Hi Eliza, thanks for your comment. You are one step ahead of me as I haven’t even attempted using a drop spindle even though I have one!
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