Tale one:I have just finished the back bottom (ha!) of my next knitting project. I am knitting in cotton this time and it feels lovely. I am working on circular needles for the first time and knitting seed stitch which is another first.
The stitch holder belonged to Bren's Nana. She was an amazing knitter/crocheter/dress maker. I tried to learn off her a few times but I couldn't quite get it. The time wasn't right for me. I still am a bit sad thought that I could never take advantage of her expertise.
I have been knitting like mad now for a week and a day and I have a horrible pain in my left shoulder blade. A similar thing happened to me last year when I learnt how to crochet.
I took my knitting to my pilates class yesterday and she taught me how to knit ergonomically.
- Sit on a straight backed chair with both your feet flat on the floor.
- Use a chair with arm rests and make sure your left (for right handers) elbow is supported on the left arm rest.
- Make sure your shoulders are down at all times.
- Try to make your hand and arm movements as big as possible.
- Make sure you get up every now and then to walk around.
I'm trying.
Every morning after the big girls are at school, Miss Pepper and I bake the bread for the day. Once we have measured out the ingredients and formed the dough, she pulls off her own bread bit and kneads it. We oil the tins, we leave our breads to prove, we punch them down and form the loaves, let them rise again and then we bake them.
Then each afternoon, when she wakes up from her nap, she eats her bread for lunch. Sometimes, like today, when she extra hungry and 'growing up quickly', she'll have a slice of mine too.
I hope you are having a wonderful Tuesday. X
ps. Thanks so much Annette for the wonderful package of sewing and knitting treasures. XX
Can you send some of that bread my way?
ReplyDeleteI'm ready for lunch!!!
As the weather has turned scorching, there has been less bread baking generally. We are in full on smoothie popcicle mode over here.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to the reveal of your latest knitting project.
you will be a great one for a comment on my blog today seeing as though you have not put the knitting down at all... Busy stared preschool today and they bake bread every morning and then eat it for afternoon tea, such a nice thing. x
ReplyDeleteYour bread looks fantastic Kate, is it an easy recipe. I think I need to start baking my own bread everyday as it seems we go through so much store bought stuff and it ends up stale. Thanks for sharing the knitting exercise too, I have had a sore elbow and shoulder from knitting on sock yarn too much over the last fortnight so this will be very helpful. Your new knitting looks great, what is this one going to be!
ReplyDeleteThe bread baking is just beautiful. I have just started making my own using a bread maker (made it by hand previously) and the loaves are so small. I just looked at your loaf and got jealous! But we only eat a small amount of bread so it is alright ;)
ReplyDeleteThe ergonomic knitting tip was great! I will not feel so bad about my bad technique with my big arm movements anymore! Cant wait to see your finished project, you knit so much faster than I do!
Well done baker, knitter lady. I'm impressed with your knitting and Peps baking looks great - might have to come for lunch. Might come just before nap time....so I can nap :o)
ReplyDeleteWord Veri: Pregno....something to tell me?
The bread tradition is lovely. Hope your shoulder is feeling better soon. I was rolling heads last night and have had a sore right hand all day today.
ReplyDeleteI love that you've been taught to knit ergonomically, great tips. I can't sit on our soft sofa for too long and knit so can only do a little bit a night, maybe I should take one of the dining table chairs out to the lounge room...but it just doesn't seem that cosy. Hope the shoulder pain gets better soon.
ReplyDeleteLove the bread, what a nice routine. I need some routines.
I can't believe you make bread every day, that's amazing. You have such great structure in your life, I think I should try to be more like you!!
ReplyDeleteWhat great tips, the shoulders up is a real killer eh?
ReplyDeleteANd kate that bread, my goodness it looks so delicious, ( perfect for my toast :)) and I love this ritual of you and Pepper baking it together and her making her own little one. My dad and I used to bake bread together, in the fire at our holiday house in one of those old fire pot thingies.
xo
Knitting, baking bread, sewing - I'm so inspired by the way in which you embrace your gifts and do life each day with such heart!
ReplyDeleteThe bread looks fabulous...I haven't yet found a bread recipe that I am 100% happy with - would love to try your recipe if it's a goodie and you are willing to share it??? :)
such a lovely daily ritual to share. looks yum! xo m.
ReplyDeletethanks for the knitting ergonomics reminder - I really should know this, but always forget to do it! and I love that little bread loaf - that's a tradition I'd love to copy!
ReplyDeleteHey Kate, what a lovely activity for you and Pepper-baking bread. She'll have some lovely memories of your time together when she is older.
ReplyDeleteYou are just powering ahead with the knitting, fantastic, what's next?
Is there anything you can't do Miss Kate??
ReplyDeleteLove your knitting, I do miss your crochet goodies.
good ergo tip Kate - kind of explains why my arm goes to sleep when I crochet :P
ReplyDeleteFrom baby steps to high jump - there is no stopping your drive to learnt to knit - an Aran next ?? I have some spare cable needles . . . . ;)
Isn't cotton yarn great - so nice in your hands - so lovely to wear.
Happy lovely day with Miss Pepper !
Miss Pepper's bread is adorable. We'll make some bread today, thanks for the inspiration :)
ReplyDeleteMaking and baking, I love your stories. Growing up quick, thats what they do hey.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure about the big arm movements - I would have thought that would be very tiring! My fingers do most of the work when I knit. The more you knit and the more confident you get, your shoulders will relax - you are probably tense because it is new to you. You don't have to have your feet on the floor - the main thing is to just sit comfortably - I always sit with my feet up. I've been knitting since I was seven - long before the word 'ergonomic' was invented - so I would say , go with what feels right for you, rather than adopting a position that works for someone else.
ReplyDeletelittles love to bake bread and they get so excited to it, no?
ReplyDeleteYou are knocking out all the firsts, so excited for you!! And the bread story is just too cute for words....
ReplyDeleteYou have become a knitting machine!
ReplyDeleteJust looking at the pics, I think I can smell the bread from here - yum.
So there is'nt a whole lot of good ergonomic anything to be found in knitting sitting in a bean bag for hours on end (or until you can't hold the wee in any longer)?
ReplyDeleteSuch wonderful memories are baking for Miss Pepper along with that bread! Gorgeous!! And ta for the tips on knitting. Hope you are having a brilliant week :)
ReplyDeleteoooh, yeah that shoulder blade pain! I get that sometimes when I've been at it for hours... I do yoga and make sure I do some good shoulder and arm stretches so I don;t get RSI! My advice is relax your shoulders and neck,and don't knit like you're kneading bread!!! ;) Have a lovely day
ReplyDeletelove your bread tradition, wonderful sweet mummy daughter time ♥
ReplyDeleteKnitting looks warm... But the bread is the winner for me!! Everyday!!! That is awesome!!
ReplyDeleteXo Steph
i posted a little something i made with some of your crocheted ric rac. have a peek if you like. xo.
ReplyDeleteI can smell that home made bread through my computer screen. Looks delish!
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely memories for you to be making with Miss Pepper! I love working with cotton when I crochet. And having had 10 hours car time travelling inj the car and crocheting this week, I have stiff fingers and shoulder blades. Definately haven't been doing it ergonomically :P
ReplyDeleteyour bread story made me smile big and gave me a small ache in my cheeks, it is gorgeous. what a sweet ritual for you girls. your knitting is coming on so well. good on you. sounds like you are enjoying it. if your aches persist try some rapigel (horse liniment) from the local stock feed place. it's brilliant. your palates tips are great , I'll be trying those hints out. have a great weekend
ReplyDeleteps the word verification is arthri- how funny