Button Basics

I haven't done as much knitting as I would like recently, mainly because my hubby has just gone self-employed and we have entered into a partnership, whereby I do the admin and he does everything else - so I have been trying to get my head around doing work again, after two and half year's out of it. I'll get there - but it means I have to use my brain.

Also, my little man has got Chickenpox at the moment - it started on Saturday night and he got it with a vengance by Sunday evening. He hasn't been too poorly, but he really doesn't understand why he can't go out and play with his friends. My prescription for him has been lots of Scooby Doo, it's his favourite and it seems to be doing the trick, although he doesn't understand that it's OK for him to lay down on the sofa and relax and it's not night night time and he doesn't HAVE to go to sleep, bless him. He's starting to get itchy now, so I think I'll be lathering him in Calamine lotion this afternoon.

On the knitting front, Lucky is all but finished. It is just a case of choosing the button now. I always find this quite time consuming - I think a button so makes a garment, especially when there is only one and it really needs to set the right tone. I know, I hear you say, but it's only a baby cardy - but I'm fussy what can I say.

So, should I go for


The Funky Fish



The Natural Option


A Precious Indonesian Button


The Beehive

I'm leaning toward the Natural Option or a precious Indonesian button at the moment. The button from Indonesia is precious because I bought lots of buttons when we were living out there and my supply is running somewhat low now - so I only use them for important things and I recycle them wherever I can - they are so lovely.

Talking of buttons - I have something of a button stash. I didn't realise it was quite as big as it is until I just tipped all the buttons out looking for the right one. I always try and buy unusual buttons when I find them, and I also buy job lots from charity shops - so, do you think this is out of hand ?


My Button Stash

I have also been knitting Jacob a Noddy hat. I worked out the right number of stiches for the measurements that I wanted and off I went, without doing a tension square of course. Two days and a whole lot of stocking stitch later it was finished and looking fab. I tried it on Jacob's head, and of course, it is way too big. I'm going to have to do some nifty seaming to get it to fit otherwise it is rather going to imped his view of the world as it falls over his eyes.


The Noddy Hat

I have, of course, been solidering on with Archie. It is, as predicted, driving me mad - all that blooming counting. Still I need to get it finished, my friends' baby is due any minute and I've still got the little dog to do - oh lordy give me motivation - I even knitted the Noddy hat to get me out of Archie - DH wasn't impressed and told me I had no stamina ! I agree. I'm sure it will be lovely when it is done - whenever that is.


Archie so far

We are thinking of moving to Whitstable now that James is going self-employed. We don't have to tied to London and I've always wanted to live by the sea. We've got friends there and I love it. James can still travel to London from there without too much trouble, so it seems like a good option. Also the houses are a bit cheaper than Tunbridge Wells, so we'll get more for our money. So we are full steam ahead with working on the house now. We need to get it finished and on the market without wasting too much time. I have to say I'm very excited about the idea of moving to the coast. Jacob will love it, he loves the beach. James loves sailing and so they can both go out at the weekend when Jacob is a little older. I think we can have a really nice lifestyle there and I'm so looking forward to it. All we need to do it get on with it.

Right, I'm off to take the quiche I've made for lunch out the oven before it burns and pop in to see if my sleeping little man is doing OK. He's so tired with the chickenpox, but he will not admit it - I think he needs as much rest as possible to help him fight it off, so telly and knitting this afternoon I think - that's me knitting not a two and half year old, although I'm sure he'd love to have a go !