I didn't spend all my time stuffing my face over Xmas I did actually spend a few lovely hours knitting away. The cardigan I was going to abandon last year because I thought I would never finish has been resurrected and I have finished the back.......yes the whole flipping back woohoo! I am using alpaca wool which feels fabulous and I can't wait to finish the cardi, it will be lovely, warm and soft. It seems I have the knitting bug again, so much so that I ordered a new book on Fair Isle knitting I have been lusting over some beautiful Fair Isle knits that have been shared on various blogs and thought I would like to give it a go. I really need to finish some of the umpteen other projects I have on the go before I start another though!
Strange how the photos have come out totally different colours, the top one is probably nearer to the true colour.
I have also started joining my granny squares together. I had to guess at some of it, I'm not sure if it was me or the instructions but I found it all a bit confusing, however I'm really pleased with the progress on my first every granny square blanket. Thank you to Jennifer over at thistlebear for hosting the Winter Project Link Party, it has inspired me to have a go and keep at it.
Now to my rather random title. I made the time and effort to look at a house today, in the photos it looked perfect, a house surrounded by fields. I rang the estate agents who said there was another house nearby but you would not know it was there. What did I find when I got there? The owners had built another huge house right beside it, and I mean literally a few feet away. They will be building a high wall between the properties says the estate agent hopefully, so you wouldn't see the house. Why would I want to move to the country to have a huge wall right beside my house, I might as well stay where I am, and it wouldn't block out the noise. I was so disappointed and really miffed to have been misled, a complete waste of my time. Apart from the on-line estate agent I used to sell my house, I'm afraid the rest never fail to disappoint and annoy and sometimes downright lie.
As some of you know I have suffered from insomnia on and off all my life, for the last 6 years it has been a constant problem. The doctor offered to refer me to a sleep clinic, I'm really not sure whether to take up the offer. I find the idea of being wired up and watched while I sleep scary. Have any of you been to one? Any advice would be gratefully received.
Chickpea xx
Your blanket's gorgeous, I love the colours you've used. I think the link party really does help keep you motivated with projects, I'm just the same. What a shame about the house but I agree, why on earth would you want to look out on a brick wall? Not sure I'd fancy a sleep clinic either, but if it's going to help with the insomnia, perhaps it would be worth giving a go.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blanket and I love the colour of your cardigan - can't wait to see it finished. How annoying about the house; try to stay positive - I'm sure the perfect one for you is just out there waiting. I think I'd probably give the sleep clinic a try and it would be the perfect excuse to buy some beautiful new pjs! xx
ReplyDeleteYour knitting is so neat and even, Alpaca yarn is so lovely and soft and very warm, yes the lies of estate agents never cease to amaze me, we went to look at one property that had 8 acres suppose to be surrounding it, we had always said to them we didnt want to see or hear a road as we have lived on roads for years, from the photos this place seemed ideal but on arriving we discovered you needed to look both ways before stepping out the front door not even a pavement straight onto a busy road, we didnt bother going in to look
ReplyDeleteI really love the colours of your blanket and also the cardigan. I'm really bad at anything to do with either knitting or crochet.
ReplyDeleteHow annoying that the estate agent misled you over the property. He'd have gone back to his office with the short end of my tongue wrapped around his earhole.
My Mum was a terrible sleeper and eventually was totally addicted to diazepam. She was referred to a sleep clinic. I think she was told that she actually slept more than she thought which irritated her so she didn't follow any of their advice!!
ReplyDeleteYour blanket is gorgeous. I really must try some crotchet squares - it looks so cosy :)
No doubt I will be infuriated with estate agents as and when we reach that point!
Hi Chickpea, thank you for joining in with my link party. Your projects are beautiful. Wow, this is your first granny square project? It's stunning, you're doing a fabulous job with it. I'm sorry to hear about the real estate troubles. I hope your sleep issues are settled soon too. Take care.
ReplyDeletesorry about the estate agents, they can be awful. When Miss K was a baby we were recommended to see a house they said would be a "perfect family home" I went on my own, with the baby and the place was a death trap, electrical wires everywhere, no safety rail on the open stairs and it was beyond filthy. I went into the office and ranted extremely loudly............ and we never looked at one of their properties again....
ReplyDeleteyour knitting is gorgeous x
Both projects are wonderful but I have an affinity to crochet so that is the one I am favouring such wonderful colours. Why am I not surprised about the estate agent?
ReplyDeleteMy friend is raising alpacas, to what end I know not. As for crochet *stares at the hands of clumsiness*
ReplyDeletegoogle map and street view are your friends if the house is on right move view the property online, 'virtual drive' all the roads around the are and also view from the satelite view. it shows if there is a run off of fields near the house you are looking at. very handy. I was very particular about being on a hill, it was the first priority. if it wasnt on the top of the hill no matter if it was a mansion we werent having it.
ReplyDeletep,s your crochet blanket is lush. love it.
yes, we did that too. Even if the pictures are a year old, it still gives you a good idea
Deletebefore you travel to see.
Yes I have been doing that, surprising what you find lurking not far a way, an industrial estate next to the property in one case, unfortunately this house was built after the google maps photo was taken and no street view as up a lane.
DeleteOh that's a shame about the house you viewed, shocking really. Oh what a splendid looking blanket, I do love a nice granny square blanket xx
ReplyDeleteYour granny square blanket is just lovely and the other project looks so soft and silky / warm : )
ReplyDeleteHey Chickpea,
ReplyDeleteI am also admiring your granny blanket. You've picked some lovely colours. Sorry to hear about house hunting woes. When house hunting in the past I have found it all very dispiriting.
Leanne xx
Your blanket looks lovely and colourful, great fun seeing it take shape and the jumper looks super soft and fluffy. Good luck with the house hunting. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhy do estate agents do this sort of thing it just wastes everyone's time. Your blanket is looking very good. I am waiting for an appointment to see a sleep specialist to go in for a night, I will let you know how it goes if it happens before your s does.
ReplyDeleteI am afraid that I find the logic and reality of estate agents baffling! Hope that you can find somewhere quiet and suitable and that you can get the sleep thing sorted! xx
ReplyDeleteEstate agents are justified with their reputations aren't they. We wanted a house with a garden, the amount of properties we looked at that had postage stamps for gardens was unbelievable having your time wasted is not fun at all.
ReplyDeleteYour crocheting is amazing, I haven't mastered it yet. Knitting is much slower but well done for getting the back done on your project that is the biggest part, it should be quicker now!
I would definitely go to the clinic, I would loathe not being able to sleep properly. I guess you have tried lots of things already so its just a thought but I always wake in the night when I don't drink enough during the day or when I have raised histamine levels, when they are raised you produce more adrenaline and that wakes you up.
Beautiful projects! I'm sorry to hear about your insomnia. My husband did a sleep study a few years ago, and not to sugar coat it, it was slightly uncomfortable for him because it is an artificial situation but they are professionals who know how to discover how to help if possible - so I'd go for it!
ReplyDeleteYou have been busy! Great projects and sorry to hear you were misled with the house. I had insomnia as a child/teen then fine for years but it has reared its head again. I wondered if it was an age thing, changes in hormones and so on. My husband can fall asleep on a washing line! I lay there thinking how do you do that? Maybe you should give the clinic a go, I know what you mean about people watching you sleep but if it helps... xx
ReplyDeleteloving both those projects. x
ReplyDelete