1. I had chicken pox twice as a child, which is apparently very unusual.

2. I spend more time planning new projects and faffing around than I actually spend knitting or sewing or doing anything else. I get distracted easily.

3. I can only go to sleep if I have the covers over my ears. I think this stems from lots of mozzies in hot Aussie summers as a child!

4. I now have the same hairstyle that I had when I was 15……..and I’m still digging Morrissey.

5. I love living in the UK and in Australia, but I must choose one over the other. I’ve been very lucky in the 11+ years of being here. I’ve had a job that took me there and back numerous times and have been able to afford trips for Christmasses and weddings.

I have a new baby blanket in the planning, which is a surprise, so I can’t share until babe is born in May, and am knitting up the buttonhole band on Mystical Stripe. I need to hurry up with that or I’ll never wear it!

After a major hiatus all the major knitting is done on Mystical Stripe…….lots and lots of ends to sew in and then put together and knit the buttonhole band. That calls for Kid Silk Haze Smoke but I only had just enough to finish, so will choose another colour to knit that with because there is enough left over to make another complete cardigan. Think I’ll offer it to Mum and see if she wants to make herself one.

I had been knitting the ends in for a time but found that the right side didn’t look as tight or as neat as I would have liked, so I left them to sew in later. The right kind of thing when you want something to do but don’t have to think about what you’re doing! That’s a great option for me with a teething baby, who is a tad unpredictable. I had planned to have this completed over the Christmas break but we all fell ill and are still suffering. Whatever it is has taken a major stronghold.

Have a look at my progress over the past year, or lack of, by clicking the Mystical Stripe category in the right hand toolbar.

Lots of lovely books and the packet on the bottom is a book full of antique quilts as wrapping paper. What a brilliant idea.

Christmas gift from Mum from Mozi designs . A gorgeous hand screen printed linen tea towel. My other one from last year here Too good to use!