a few years ago I made a puzzle ball for my grandchildren…and it is a puzzle! I’ve been asked recently how I made it so…here it is…how I make a puzzle ball.

you will need

a plate to draw round, any size…the size you choose will determine the size of the ball

pencil

paper

Scissors

ruler

material/ felt

thread

needle

polyester stuffing

step 1. Draw around the plate to make a circle, then divide into four quarters using the ruler. Cut 24 quarters using these as a template. Alternatively, cut 6 full circles of material and then cut those into quarters. Either way you will need 24 quarter circles

Step 2. Now on another piece of paper, use one of the quarter templates and draw along the curved edge. Next, flip the template over and, making sure the points meet, draw again along the curved edge to make a shape almost like an American football. You will need to cut out 12 of these

step 3. Putting two of the quarter circles together, first stitch the two straight edges. You can do this by hand as I did, or by machine. Stitch almost to the corner leaving a small seam along the edge.

step 4. Next, place one of the curved pieces along the curved edges making sure to sew the corners firmly. Along the other edge, leave a small section open to turn it to the right side and for stuffing.

step 5. Before you turn the prices inside out, carefully snip the corners to help with turning out.

now stuff each piece very firmly and sew up the gap by hand

step 6. Now to put it all together!

piece one.. sew four of the triangles together into a circle by joining the corners and the sewing the centre points together

piece two. As before join all the corners together to make a circle but this time join two points together, then the other two points as in the picture

piece three. As before sew the points together into a circle but do not join any of the centre points.

step 7. Putting it al together is the fun bit. Piece one is the centre…place piece two over piece one as shown below. You might need to squash it in a bit but it will go on

next…put piece three over the other two pieces

I have, unfortunately, several invisible illnesses! One would be enough but nothing ever happens like that.

The two main illnesses I have are postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, (PoTS) and Ehlers Danlos syndrome (EDS) which I have previously talked about

Each affects me in a different way, neither can be seen, no one can tell I have either and that, in itself, causes problems.

Today I’d like to talk a little about PoTS. I was first diagnosed around six years ago after four years of investigations. The symptoms aren’t good.

Orthostatic intolerance is a term that is sometimes used to describe symptoms of PoTS. It means symptoms that occur on standing and are relieved by lying down. In addition to heart rate and blood pressure, other bodily functions that are regulated by the autonomic nervous system can be affected. 

Before diagnosis, my symptoms ranged from mild to severe, tended to be worse in the morning and changed every day. I was prescribed medication to help and some of them are now better controlled.

Orthostatic Symptoms – occur when upright

There are lots of other symptoms, not everyone will get all of them, but most likely everyone will get some of them!

• Palpitations

Palpitations are a sensation of your heart pounding in your chest. I hate this…feels like you heart is going to pop out!

• Dizziness or light-headedness or presyncope (almost fainting)

These symptoms usually occur when standing up but can occur with prolonged sitting. Before medication, I had these every time I stood up

• Syncope (fainting or blackouts)

Approximately 30-60% of people with PoTS experience fainting. Some people think that all patients with PoTS faint, but this is not correct. Pre medication I blacked out every day..the most was around 18 times in a day. It happens without notice, just bam! ..down you go. Until you come around you’re not even aware of it..very scary

• Chest pain 

Chest pain is fairly common in patients and can be worse when upright. The cause is not clear…something I still get but not so often and not so badly

• Shortness of breath

Patients can feel breathless when standing up or with slight exertion. ..this I still get, walking any distance will have me gasping. On a good day I can have a walk with my dog, as long as he doesn’t mind me going slowly

• Shakiness or Tremulousness ..I never got this..thankfully..I dread to think how it feels
• Excessive sweating.. I still get this…constantly having to take things off…then get cold and put back on..then repeat!

Non-orthostatic symptoms

• Gut problems 

Symptoms may include nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, abdominal pain and vomiting. Many people with PoTS are told that they have irritable bowel syndrome…these symptoms are awful and have never gone away. I’m now diagnosed with diverticular disease…stomach pains are very bad at times…not recommended!

• Bladder problems ..another no for me..phew

Problems with circulation

• Visual problems 

This can be described as excessive glare, blurred or tunnel vision…for me I get very dry eyes

• “PoTS feet” (peripheral acrocyanosis)

Purple hands and feet affect around half of patients…yup…looks like I have gloves on!

General Symptoms

• Tiredness or weakness

These are common symptoms of PoTS and can be an ongoing symptom of PoTS or last for a considerable time after a PoTS flare. I am always tired..I’ve learnt to pace myself which helps tremendously

• Brain fog 

People with PoTS often complain of ‘brain fog’ which is difficulty in thinking or concentrating.

Brain fog has been described as being “forgetful, difficulty thinking, difficulty focusing, cloudy, difficulty finding the right words or communicating. It may be triggered by fatigue, lack of sleep, prolonged standing, dehydration, and feeling faint. Although aggravated by upright posture, brain fog often persists even after sitting or lying down. ..try studying and getting brain fog. This frustrates me so much..I can be talking and I go blank..can’t think what I was going to say. I know many people experience this at times.. try it every day?!

• Headaches 

Approximately 30% of those with PoTS have orthostatic headaches, which means they occur as a result of being upright and may be caused by reduced blood supply to the brain. Many with PoTS also have migraine type headaches…I’m very lucky that I rarely get headaches…but when I do, they last for days

• Exercise intolerance..what’s exercise? I struggle to walk most of the time, so exercise is mostly out of the question. I do try but have to take it slow
• Poor sleep ..ask my very patient husband. I sleep poorly, very fitful. A lot of that is due to pain from my EDS..my joints are so lax that when I truly relax into sleep, they dislocate. I think I’m naturally tense when going to sleep as I’m so wary..

Many patients with PoTS have problems with sleeping. This may be trouble getting to sleep, waking in the middle of the night and trouble getting back to sleep.  

(Information of symptoms taken from PoTS UK website. https://www.potsuk.org/symptoms)

As you can see symptoms are many and varied. My medication really only controls the blackouts, which I’m thankful for, but, like EDS, you can’t tell what I’m experiencing. When I go to the shop I get looked at for parking in a disabled bay…even though I need to be near the door. I’m not ancient..yet..I’m about to turn 54..and I’m expected to work, drive, exercise…all the normal stuff people do at my age…but I can’t do them. To look at me you’d never know.

I get up each day and get dressed, clean my teeth, brush my hair…then sit on my bed for 30 minutes to get enough strength to walk downstairs! Making breakfast, a cup of tea and then carrying them to the lounge requires a further sit down afterwards in order to do anything else. Currently everything has to go on a tray as one of my elbows was damaged when it dislocated…trapped radial nerve they think…so I can’t use that hand or arm.

I plan my week of jobs very carefully…Monday..wash dishes, Tuesday, hoover..Wednesday..clean bathroom..(well..bath..or sink..)..and so on…one task a day or I’m done.

I sometimes look back at what I used to do..two jobs, five children..a house to run..and me at the helm…and I loved it, every minute. Now just thinking about it makes me tired.

However, there are many good things. In 2019, for Lent, I gave up negativity. An odd one I know but I thought I’d give it a try. I promised myself to try and see the silver lining in everything. I enjoyed it so much I’ve continued…for example, not being able to walk fast, or too far, with my dog means I get chance to look around, to enjoy everything around me. I notice the birds singing, the water trickling past along the canal. I take time to sit on every bench I pass and just watch people going by. I would never have done that. In times gone by taking a dog out would have been just another chore to be done as quickly as possible, now he is the reason I leave my house.

I had to leave my job when I became ill with this..but later on, when some years had gone by it made me rethink my life. I went to college, then uni and now do a job I love every day..before this I might never have got the chance. I get to help people, every day, from my home..perfect.

So…next time things seem bad, slow down, take a breath..look around you and marvel at the world, at its beauty..give yourself chance to breathe xx

I want to do something similar to my temperature socks..using the temperature to guide the colours I use…but what to make?

Many people make blankets…or scarves…but I want something different..I just don’t know what.

if I make a blanket..how do I do it? One or two rows per day?..or…one square a month…then sew them together…or what about 12 washcloths..one per month? Gloves? Or one accessory a month…a scarf, gloves, socks, hat etc..are there 12 accessories I can make?

I guess there’s not a day goes by where someone makes a blog post about COVID-19…it has become the new normal, the thing we all talk about but don’t actually talk about.

There have been so many deaths from this terrible virus…I’ve been close to several..and so much change in how we live. The new norm is seeing people wearing masks. What I don’t like is seeing discarded masks!…that’s a new norm I can live without. When I take my dog for a walk I often see them thrown down…how awful to see that as a sign of the times.

I don’t go out often these days like so many other people. My husband works all day so I’m home alone…and it’s lonely…but at least I know he’s coming home so I’m grateful for that.

My work keeps me busy..working from home is ok for me, but for many others it’s a huge challenge.

Parents are being challenged to homeschool…something they probably never considered. How much has our view of teachers changed? I feel…I hope…we’ve gone from the thought that teachers have it easy…’they hardly ever work..finish at 3…6 weeks holiday…jammy job’. …and a realisation of how hard it is to have possibly 30+ children all with different needs facing you every day. 30 sets of parents expecting everything to be perfect…their little one to be cared for, educated, fed, allowed some freedom to play but encouraged to learn.
now lots of parents are tasked with caring every day for their own child or children…potentially different age groups, different key stages to manage…it’s not easy. I amin awe of you (thankfully my time of small children is over) be proud of yourself, your doing really well. Just managing to be present with your children is a gift to them.

Make the most of this time together…learning doesn’t just happen in a schoolroom. Teach them to cook, to bake…and if you don’t know how..help each other..look up recipes and give them a try. If you’re stuck, ask for help..it’s not a failing to need help, it’s called being human. By our very nature we need each other, we need support, so reach out and ask for it.

Just a comment
I like to share patterns, where possible, and I’m happy to share them at no cost. All I ask is that, if you use them, please don’t pass them off as your own. If I use a pattern belonging to someone else or base a pattern on someone elses work, I would always acknowledge their work…it’s only fair.

It takes time and effort to produce a pattern, however simple, and no-one should pretend it’s theirs. Please have respect for my work, and that of others.

If you do make anything, I’d love to see the finished articles…I love seeing what people make.

Have you ever wanted to knit socks? Many people have but are terrified by the thought of it…be scared no more! I have the answer. These are my very very easy to make sock pattern…step by step..bit by bit..absolutely anyone can make these socks!

here we go!

You will need100g 4ply sock yarn…any 4ply will work but sock yarn has more stretch2.75 or 3mm dpns..(double pointed needles)Wool needle for sewing endsIf using circular sock needles you’ll need some stitch markers

Abbreviations
k – knit
sl – slip a stitch
ssk – slip two stitches knitwise, then knit them together

k2tog – knit two stitches together
st(s) – stitch(es)

I hope you all have your needles ready to go as it’s time to learn how to knit socks!
I promise step by step as slowly as you all need.Let’s start!

Part 1.First is casting on! You need to cast on 56/ 64 /72 sts on to one of the four dpns using stretchy cast on. There is a video of how to do this below. You can use the way described here or have a look here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n8E3I6Cg2k
However, if you’re stuck at all just ask. Super stretchy cast on!..my way. This cast on is great for socks or maybe a neckline for a child, as it’s very stretchy. It starts off like a knitted cast on…Ok..make a slip knot and place on the left hand needle as you would normally when doing a knitted cast on.Next…Insert the right hand needle into the stitch, wrap the yarn round as if to knit and pull it through the stitch.
Now, this is where it changes from a normal knitted cast on! At this point you DON’T put the stitch onto the needle. Instead you do a yarn over by moving the yarn from back to front between the needles and over the right needle back to the knit position.

Next, pull the yarn through the stitch on the right hand needle and take that stitch off the needle. The yarn over is now on the needle as a stitch. Place this stitch onto the left needle and pull the yarn tight.

You’ve made a new stitch. Repeat this until you have the number of stitches you need. Now for the actual knitting part! For those of you who have cast on now we have a choice for the first row/round.

If you’re comfortable joining to work in the round then do the following…**Place the first 14/16/18 sts onto one needle, leave 28/32/36 on the cast on needle and place 14/16/18 onto the 3rd needle. Join to work in the round making sure the sts are not twisted…working a 2×2 rib. 
That is…knit 2 sts,Purl 2 sts.Repeat the round for around 1.5inches.

Make note of how many rounds you work so you can work the same for the second sock. On average I usually need about 10 rounds.

If you’re not so comfortable it’s fine. First work one row using two dpns as straights working 2×2 rib as described above. Then continue from ** as above. Please note. I’ve knit many pairs of socks now and I still work the first row this way! Just make sure that when you join the sts you don’t twist them. If anyone is having a problem with joining up their knitting try this quick tip. When you get to the end of the first round, place a stitch marker on the needle and continue to do another 4 sts ON THE SAME NEEDLE. Now using the spare 4th needle carry on with the next round. 
Once you feel confident that the work is joined correctly, slip the sts back to the right needle and remove the marker.

Part 2
Right….Once you’ve knit the cuff to the length you want it’s the easy bit!
Start knitting in rounds..no purling…For 40 rounds

Part 3
If you’re ready we’ll start on the next section. ..the heel. 
There are many ways to do the heel..This is just one.

Next row. (Slip 1, k1) repeat another 13( 15, 17) times (28, 32, 36) sts in total).

We’re now going to work on these 28, 32, 36 sts only. You should have 14 (16, 36) sts on each of the other needles. Just ignore them.**Turn your work so the wrong side is facing you 
Row 1. Slip 1, p to the end, turn
Row 2. (Slip 1, k1) rep to the end, turnRepeat rows 1 & 2 another 15 times the Row 1 once more
NOTE  If you have chosen to work with two colours, this is where you rejoin the contrast colour. Don’t cut the main colour! 

Additional….if you wish you can try another, slightly different heel…work as follows from ****Turn your work so the wrong side is facing you
Row 1. Slip 1, p to the end, turn
Row 2. Slip 1, (slip 1, k1) rep to last st, k1, turn
Row 3. Slip 1, p to the end, turn

Row 4. (Slip 1, k1) rep to the end, turn

Part 4……are you ready for the next step?
Now…turning the heel! It sounds hard and you do need to concentrate…but it looks like magic to me!
abbreviation – k2togtbl – knit 2 together through the back of the loops
Now…with the right side facing …

Row 1. Slip 1, k14 (16, 18), k2togtbl, k1, TURN
Row 2. Slip 1, p3, p2tog, p1, TURN
Row 3. Slip 1, knit to one stitch before the gap (you’ll see where the gap is quite easily), k2togtbl, k1, TURN
Row 4. Slip 1, purl to one stitch before the gap, p2tog, p1, TURN
Repeat rows 3 and 4 until all the stitches on the row have been used up
NOTE! DO NOT slip the first stitch on the final purl row
Any problems please shout..

Part 6

Abbreviation…disk- slip 1 knit wise, slip 1 knit wise , then slip both sts back to the left needle, then knit them together through the back loops
Ok…Once you have got back to 56 (64, 72) sts as stated above…then you’ll just want to knit around and around…remember that your round will always begin and end in the middle of the heel. This is where the sock become personal! This is when YOU decide how long you need it. I suggest trying it on occasionally rather than trying to measure your foot. 

NOTE. Please be careful when trying on the sock..you don’t want the sts to drop off. I suggest you either put needle ends on each needle or place the sts on spare yarn, not forgetting to place markers to indicate the correct stitch numbers for each needle. If you don’t have needle ends then corks, or blutack works too…anything that stops the sts falling off. Make a note of the number of rounds you do so the second sock will match. Continue knitting rounds until the foot is approximately 2 inches SHORTER than you need it….ending after needle 3 has been worked

And finally!….Now to shape the toe!

Row 1. 
N1. K to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1
N2. K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1
N3. K1, ssk, k to end of rowRow 2.
Knit around all sts

Repeat rows 1 & 2 until you have 28 (32, 36) sts
N1 – 7(8,9) N2 – 14 (16, 18) N3 – 7(8,9).
Now repeat row 1 only until you have 16(16,20)sts
N1 – 4,(4, 5) N2 – 8(8,10) N3 – 4(4,5)

Next…knit across the first 4 (4,5)sts so that there are 8(8,10)sts on each of two needles.
Holding them together with right side on the outside, Kitchener the stitches together.

Now..you have your first sock!..make another using the notes you’ve made to ensure they’re the same length…and sew in all the ends!

Just in case anyone didn’t know, I love knitting! There it is..I’ve said it..it’s out in the open!

I truly do though. I was taught to knit by my mum when I was about seven..I remember knitting at school too…along with other things like cross stitch, sewing, cooking and cork printing! Go figure!

Anyway, apart from the cork printing, everything else stayed with me..I love all these things but knitting is the top. If it can be knit, I’ll give it a try.

So..what have I done up to now…I’d tell you the lot, if you have the time!!..which I doubt so..how about a bit of a story? Let’s start with where I am right now

In January 2015 I noticed that on a knitting group I had joined on Facebook, people were constantly asking advice about knitting. Some things were very basic like..how do I cast on?….others were more complex like..what does (k2togtbl, sl1, k2, psso, ssk) mean?. More often than not I was able to answer quite easily and in a way people seemed to be able to understand quite easily…so….I had a think for a while and decided to make my own group that was to help people who were stuck; somewhere they could turn to if they weren’t quite sure what to do next but, I also wanted it to be fun, friendly and to make some friends in the process.

So I started off very basic. I made a group..just little ol’ me…and named my group ‘Mystery KAL’. The idea I had was to do a KAL, (for knitting muggles that means a knit a long…a project that more than one person does at the same time, but the project being done bit by bit), a mystery to everyone but me, and hopefully I could teach people as I went along. I believed that by not knowing what they were facing took away some of the fear. It’s often the IDEA of what you’re going to do that is the issue, not the actual doing it. For example, if someone mentions socks, knitting in the round, fingers on gloves etc, many people will instantly shrink with fear and do a runner. If they only see a small section of the pattern, they just do it. Taken in pieces makes it more manageable. Before they know it they’ve made a sock, or a glove or something else they’d never imagined they could do; the fear is gone.

The first project was a pair of fingerless gloves knitted on straight needles which would be sewn together at the end. Simple, basic and easy enough for anyone, however new to knitting, could do. it introduced increases, knitting in the round for the thumb, using dpns (double pointed needles) and working a rib so both knit and purl stitches. For long term knitters these things are very simple, for newbies, it’s a scary thought.

So off I went. I posted a link to my group on my own timeline and waited! I didn’t wait for long. It turned out that lots of people had questions but felt silly asking on other groups as they felt that everyone was better than they were. On my group everyone is learning,  always, including me!

On 1 February I posted my first clue..I think I had about 20 people. I had lots of questions and spent a lot of time focussed on explaining what to do in words rather than pictures. By the end of the month I believe I had about 100 members! We now have over 900 with a regular waiting list, but I don’t want the group to have too many and become too big. I do spend some time every month checking if people are bothering…if not, they’re gone!

Thing is, I don’t expect everyone to join in everything. I don’t expect everyone to chat all the time, but I do think that, if you join a community group, you should be prepared to be part of that community.  What I don’t expect, or want, or even tolerate, is bad behaviour. People feel it acceptable to say cruel, nasty or just inappropriate words towards others when talking on Facebook and seem to feel that they are protected by the anonymity of the Internet. I say no! I won’t accept bad behaviour, poor choice of language or cruelty towards anyone within my group. If they want to be here and join in, then they can. If they don’t want to read what others say, don’t read it!

I was in a number of knitting/craft groups, many of which I chose to leave when other people behaved in an inappropriate manner. I believe that there are many out there in the big place of social media that believe it’s ok to behave inappropriately on social media sites; it’s almost acceptable to be rude or cruel and no one will stop you. Well…if people want to behave that way they don’t need to come my way.

Many groups also have millions of rules…their admin seem to thrive on the power they have…

You CANNOT discuss animals or children

You CANNOT have chatter

You CANNOT discuss things other than knitting/crochet/papercrafts etc

You must not do this

You must not do that

You cannot say….

You cannot think…

You should not…

You haven’t to…

And so on…

These are adults you’re talking to! Trust them to police themselves and they will; most often they just want to have somewhere to talk…someone to listen. My group has become a very closely knit community in a short time. There are a number of regulars contributors who, like myself, rarely visit other craft groups where previously they had many. Many would ask why but I know it’s a simple answer. I have few rules.

Be kind

Be careful with your words.

That’s it..nothing more. What more is there? Why shouldn’t you discuss what Jimmy did at school today? Why wouldn’t you listen to someone who’s feeling unwell? What about the lady whose husband is sick, the one she spends 20 hours a day caring for…who needs a break, a shoulder to cry on..but doesn’t have one? Why shouldn’t she belong to the group and have someone to pour out to? That’s exactly what I wanted when I started and it’s where we are…and I love it!!

Despite the fact that I’m often not in a position to answer questions that are posted, it’s amazed me how many others have come on board to help…I love my online family

Love Cate xx