How can something so wrong feel so right?

All I want to do today is knit.  A bit a like all Alicia wanted to do the other day was bake. (I admit I stopped reading her blog for a while - because I think I was flat out jealous of how wonderful it is, I realised.  I have stopped being so silly.)

I should be starting on the freelancing job, I'm getting to it.  It's such a gorgeous day, there's a little voice saying 'Actually what you should do is get outside and enjoy the sunshine.'

The eagle-eyed amongst you may have noticed that right about now would be prime consumer bonanza time at Camden market.  Very possibly, but I am at home on the couch.  I had a lot of thinking time yesterday, and came to some conclusions.

1. I was right to leave the market yesterday morning. Yes, I did let that silly cow get to me, but overall I don't think I would have been the sunniest person yesterday and who buys anything from a miserable old baggage? 
2. I was right to come home and try to make some more stock to take to Camden.  I was also right to stop. I realised that what I was doing was panicking and trying to make things that weren't really me, to desperately try to take advantage of the fact that's it's the run up to Christmas and many people are in the midst of that seasonal buying frenzy.  Because my heart wasn't it, things weren't quite working out the way that I wanted them to.  So I stopped.
3. I've been putting too much pressure on the my little business, trying to make one thing work and I need to be more realistic.  All I'm doing at the moment is eroding my own confidence.

So I made these, for an order for a friend.  A trio of vintage fabric wristlets, or 'Candy Bags' for her nieces for Christmas.  Grosgrain ribbon handles and pearl snaps.  I ironed the fabric and lining to interfacing, and put them right sides together with the ribbon sandwiched between and trapped on the inside. Sewed around the edges, leaving a gap to turn it out and then slip-stitched the gap closed.  Hammered the pearl fasteners on, the slip-stitched the edges of the bag together. 

I also made these, which I'm calling 'My Pod Bags' .  Yes, a little Nano just fits inside.  Or of course it could be for other things too - make up essentials maybe.  Only if you're very low maintenance. I was getting all obsessed about making loads to sell at Camden and then... stopped.  But I have plans to refine the design and also make "boys" ones, with freezer paper stencils on the woollen Ethel fabric.

And here's the knitting.  As the socks are for XH for Christmas, and he's going to be here all this week before leaving on Friday night, I had to tell him as otherwise there's no chance I'd get them done in time if I was trying to do them in secret, so I was able to knit them last night as we watched tv. Or he watched and I listened.  (I should just retire to the kitchen with the radio or some podcasts).

Wow.  Look at the difference.  I wasn't quite getting the hang of knitting in the round on the first one, and hey, I'll admit it, I've always had a problem with rib because I don't concentrate enough.  Hence the first one is just - solid... happily the second one has more of a rib feel to it... um...

I didn't say it was a consistent rib.  I just caved and bought another set of dpns so that I could try to get both of them to the heel flap stage and take them to knitting (with the pattern!) this week and plead for help.  I know that Jane uses the same pattern and she kindly said that the first socks she knitted weren't quite a 100% success. I'm just not sure that I believe her.

Will try to post more crafty stuff and less 'I'm losing my mind' whingeing stuff soon.  Plus there's going to be more news on the Fabric Swap. Hooray!

Comments

[Julie]

great little candy bags and gorgeous fabric. I'm so crap at knitting in the round so have never made socks - am quite jealous of anyone who can - the socks look great. Sounds like you've been doing a lot of thinking and it's great that you've come up with some answers. Hope you have a better week - take care x

[Rebecca (eco felter in rural Ireland)]

I know what you mean about visiting others blogs, sometimes it makes me feel like giving up because I could never be so talented! Then somebody leaves a lovely comment who thinks that I am talented, and I carry on.

Love those fabrics and ipod bags, very funky.

[raspberry]

Only just discovered your blog, dunno why it has taken so long! I know what you mean about fairs, however you have to take the high moral gound, and you are right, and they are all wrong! I leave most fairs like that! (hmmm....do I make any money?)
So don't worry you did the right thing, your stuff is great, and smile and relax!

[ruth singer]

You have my utmost sympathy with all of this!!

[Babylonglegs]

Hi!!!
Thanks for your comment on my blog about my hat :)
If you visit
http://stash-junkie.blogspot.com/
and leave a message saying you want some carnival sock yarn....Gemma would relish the challenge :)
Love
Sarah xXx