Tuesday 23 October 2018

Joining In

First of all I'd just like to thank everyone for their good wishes for my dad. It was a stressful week, to say the least, for us all but things are settling down again now that he's home. Obviously, it's a worrying time when a loved one is in hospital but it's also very trying when we're having to also look after my mum, who has dementia. Any change to her routine upsets her so she was very glad to have my dad back home again. As I've mentioned before, my dad is fiercely independent and won't have any outside help, other than from family, so it does put a bit of pressure on us, and it's obviously having an effect on his health so we've mentioned it again since he's been home but he's still resisting. There's not a lot we can do if he doesn't agree.

I've recently completed three pairs of socks which were on the needles, just in time to join in with a couple of knitalongs.

Ali from the Little Drops Of Wonderful podcast is hosting a Strictly Sockalong so I cast on this pair of socks during the first Strictly Come Dancing show. I'm using the Blue Fairy colourway from Elm Tree Yarns, there's silver stellina in the yarn but the photo doesn't show how sparkly it is. I'm using the Cha Cha Chevron pattern by Sandra Paul which was designed especially for this sockalong.


I knit myself a pair of Christmas socks last year and had quite a bit of this Candy Cane yarn by West Yorkshire Spinners left over so I thought I'd join in with Amy's Christmas Knitalong on her Stranded Podcast and make Eleanor a pair of socks to wear over Christmas. I'll knit the cuffs, heels and toes in the coordinating Cayenne Pepper colourway to make sure that I don't run out of the main colour.


Ellie over on the Craft House Magic podcast is hosting a Xmas Craftalong so I'll be able to enter the Christmas socks in that too.

It's fun joining in with knitalongs, it really spurs me on when I see other people working on their projects. It's not too late to take part in any of these knitalongs if you fancy joining in.

45 comments:

  1. Oh Jo what a time you've had of it. There is always something going on in everyone's lives isn't there. I'm glad you're dad is back home just a shame he won't accept any help to give you a break. I love the strictly sock idea I get so wrapped up in watching I'm not sure I would be able to concentrate properly.

    Hope your dad continues to make progress.

    Mitzi

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    1. It's good to have my dad home again, though he's still adamant that he won't have any help, I think he's just frightened of losing his independence. I really enjoy watching Strictly and I too get wrapped up in watching so I tend to knit my Strictly socks in between the dancing.

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  2. a sockalong is what I need to do - it's been an entire year now since I knitted socks! To think I used to do 2 or so pairs every month... yikes! I've enough for me, so had started knitting for old workmates last year.

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    1. A knitalong tends to keep me focused on what I'm knitting. I did things the other way round, I knit sixteen pairs of socks last year but only two of those pairs were for me so I've concentrated on filling up my own sock drawer just lately.

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  3. I'm happy to hear your dad's home :) Best, Jane

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    1. We can all heave a sigh of relief again now.

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  4. I now have two pairs on the go, which is enough for me. I hope to get hubbys surprise Christmas pair almost finished this week.

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    1. I've just got these two pairs of socks on the go at the moment, along with my two scrappy blankets. I'm itching to cast something new on.

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  5. I know what you mean about it being the persons decision when it comes to accepting assistance and how hard this is on everyone...same thing happened with my dad. I can understand your dads feelings though as I think I would be the same way...it's incredibly hard to give up even a small degree of independence.

    The knit-a-longs sound like so much fun! A lot on my plate still, not the least of which is getting the garden tucked in for the winter which was delayed this year when I went away, but I can definitely see myself joining one in future. That Cha Cha Chevron pattern is so cute!

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    1. My dad acknowledges that things are getting worse with my mum but he still won't accept outside help, it's so frustrating as I know he could live a fuller life himself with just a little extra help. I'm a big fan of knitalongs, they're fun to take part in and keep you motivated. I'm loving the Cha Cha Chevron pattern, I'll definitely knit it again after this pair.

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  6. Those socks look so soft, I love the idea of Christmas socks, very festive colours xx

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    1. The yarn from Elmtree Yarns is knitting up beautifully and I'm loving the pattern I'm using. I had a lot of the Christmas yarn left over from my own Christmas socks last year so I thought it would be a good idea to get another pair knit up out of it, I'm sure Eleanor will be pleased to have a pair of socks to wear over the festive period.

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  7. Glad your Dad is home and doing better.

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    1. He's doing really well, especially now he's home. I think you always feel better in your own house.

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  8. The stubbornness, of old people. Even when they really need some help. And should not be just relying on family, for it. Good luck!

    Really fun socks!!!!!!

    ✨🎃🎃🎃✨

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    1. He's very stubborn. It's a shame he won't accept outside help as his life would be so much easier with even the minimal help. I'm loving both these socks.

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  9. My cousin has his mum living with him now after a fall and he's had to accept help finally. Auntie was so against strangers coming in big it's helped them no end and they both wish they had accepted the little they need before. I hope you can persuade dad that sometimes it's a blessing for the carer as well as the patient. Take card Jo - nice socks

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    1. We've tried our best to get my dad to agree to have some help, even an hour or two a week would make such a big difference to both of them and take the pressure off my dad a bit. He's not having it at the moment, it's so frustrating, but I'm hoping he'll change his mind in time.

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  10. It's so hard when help is rejected by elderly parents. I can imagine how trying this has all been, how wonderful it would be if your dad accepted a little help. Loving those socks!xxx

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    1. I'm hoping that he'll change his mind about accepting help but it doesn't look as though he will. We try to do as much as we can but there's only so much he'll let us do too. I suspect he's worried about losing his independence.

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  11. I think parents tend to forget that their children are getting older too, and don't realise the strain that it puts on them when they refuse help from elsewhere. My mum didn't want to have meal bought in, she picked so many faults with them, now she does has them twice a week and they are lovely, I think she would still prefer one of us to cook and take them to her but when you work as well it;s hard to fit everything in. I'm glad your dad is back at home and on the mend. Take care of yourself as well Jo, I know how difficult it can be.
    Lovely socks, I don't watch strictly but I keep hearing about and seeing all the lovely socks everyone is knitting.

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    1. I started cooking meals for them and taking them round but my dad didn't want that, he still makes meals for them both himself. It must be hard for you when you work too, at least I have the time to help them out, but there's still only so much he'll let me do. I know it would be easier if he'd let someone outside the family help out occasionally as looking after my mum is getting harder. I really enjoy Strictly, the sockalong makes watching the programme even more fun.

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  12. My Mum and Dad got along fine together each balancing the other. The fit one doesn't realise the impact on the one with dementia once they are gone. I suppose the fit one thinks they will be the one to outlive the other but it doesn't always happen like that and then the other one is completely lost when their life us turned upside down. It's not easy is it. x

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    1. My dad has said that he's always assumed that he'll outlive my mum but now he's not so sure. I know how upset and confused my mum is with any change to her routine so I can only imagine how it would impact on her if my dad was no longer there.

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  13. I have nothing else on the needles at present so I don't think it will be long before they're finished.

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  14. Your socks are both lovely, but I do like the first pair a teeny better, with such a pretty pattern. Good idea for the knitalongs to keep you motivated. I must try & pop you an email soon. Take care & huggles.

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    1. I'm enjoying knitting both pairs of socks but I must admit that I'm itching to cast on something new.

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  15. I do hope your Dad will try a little help soon, even if it is just a cleaner for a couple of hours every fortnight for instance. This is what I organised for MIL, she was resistent but now really loves having a little more company. I also introduced her to Wiltshire Farm delivered ready made meals, she went slowly at first, but now enjoys the huge variety she wouldn´t have otherwise. Love the colourway of your first pair of socks and the second look quite jolly and fun xcx

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    1. I've suggested both a cleaner and Wiltshire Farm Foods but the answer is still no. Even if I could get him to accept a little bit of help, no matter how small, it would be something but he's so stubborn. The Elm Tree Yarns which I'm knitting my Strictly socks in is a lovely colourway, so delicate and pretty.

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  16. So sorry to hear about your Dad's heart attack. I'm glad he's better and back home now. I agree with Chrissie. Sounds like Dad could use some help. Caregivers can be very reluctant to take help of any kind at first. But in the long run he'll appreciate it. Maybe you could use this last incident as leverage to encourage him to take some help with the everyday chores. In the long run it will be good for him. Good luck trying to convince him.

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    1. I would love for him to have some help but there's no way he's going to give in and agree to it at the moment. I'm of the same opinion, he would appreciate it, I'm sure, but unfortunately, there's little I can do if he won't change his mind.

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  17. Hi Jo,So sorry,I'v been away and just catching up.What a worrying time for you all,you must be worn out.do hope your dad will be ok.Glyn has had 3 heart attacks and has also got stents so I know what it's like.but of course having to look after your dear mum as well,can understand your being concerned for your dad.Huge Huggles xxxx

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    1. My dad had his first heart attack seven years ago, he's been fine since then up to now but I don't think looking after my mum is doing him any good, I just wish he'd accept some outside help.

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  18. Oops,sorry,loving the socks too.cuddles for Archie.xx

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    1. Thank you, I'm enjoying knitting them both.

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  19. I'm just so pleased that your Dad is back home, I know (from my own parents experience) that does help your mum.
    You may find as time goes on he will change his mind … you'll have to see.

    Loving your socks, I also love Strictly :)

    All the best Jan

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    1. My mum is totally lost when my dad isn't there, she gets so confused so it's good that he's back home again with her. I'm hoping that my dad will see sense eventually and allow us to get some help but he's still being very stubborn at the moment. I think Strictly is great this year, so many good dancers.

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  20. I'll take a peek at the Kalongs! The cha cha chevron pattern is amazing

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    1. I'm really enjoying taking part in the knitalongs, lots of fun. I will definitely be knitting the Cha Cha Chevron pattern again, it's got enough interest not to be boring but easy enough to knit whilst watching Strictly.

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  21. I sometimes take part in photo prompts on Instagram which can be fun.
    I have so much I want to knit before Christmas it's getting ridiculous and where is the time going!?
    The Cha Cha Chevron name made me chuckle, and I now have visions of women knitting in time to the music each Saturday and Sunday evening.
    x

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    1. I think it spurs you on to do something if other people are taking part too. I'm having a year off knitting gifts this year, I may just knit a pair of socks for my dad but that will be it. Ha ha, I think there's lots of needles clicking away during Strictly but I'm not sure they're in time to the music.

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  22. Your Dad sounds very amazing, a wonderful caregiver that is for sure. Glad he is feeling better.

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    1. My dad is doing a great job of looking after my mum, I just wish he'd let us get some help in as it's obviously starting to have an effect on his health, I know myself that it's not easy.

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  23. I am in love with those candy cane socks, what a lovely colourway they are!
    Lisa x

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    1. They're so Christmassy. I'm sure Eleanor will enjoy wearing them.

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