This week I put the finishing touches on this embroidery. While it may appear to be a small thing, its completion marks the end of something bigger. This is the last piece that I will stitch on the train to work.

I am trading the commute that sees me leaving home at 6am only to return at 6pm, travelling almost 2hrs door to door, for a new job that is a mere 20 minutes up the road.

The kids are excited and my dearest is delighted. They met me in town on Thursday to help me pack up from work. With boxes in the car, we headed for home.

Before starting the new job, there are few adjustments to be made. I will eventually reset the alarm clock. It's 5:30 chirping on my first day off was more than unwelcome. On the other hand,while my body clock resets, I might just try and make the most of these few minutes of peace before the household wakes.

These little sketches have found their way into my daily commute. They fit so neatly into my bag each day, I think I might miss them. Little E is taking great delight in seeing her pictures turned into something else. I love how they capture a few fleeting moments in her perception. One early picture shows a number of arms, legs and very importantly hair while the later ones definitely only have two of each limb and if your very special, glasses too.

These were stitched for my Mother's Birthday present. It's a big birthday, with a nought in it. According to Little E, Grandma is now 3.

On another note - the winner of the give away is number 1 - Viv of Highway Cottage. She suggested that my bag should filled with hexagons. I think I could do that.

My knitting on a train has come to a halt, but I did manage to get some projects finished. I’m not the fastest knitter and sometimes I’m not organised enough to have things ready when I run out the door so the progress was a little slow.
The year started with some afghan squares made up of leftovers from this fishy jersey. I’d love to take credit for the jersey, but it was a joint effort on the part of my Aunts and Mother. It’s a convoluted story that I just might share one day. Anyhow, there is a small bassinet size blanket to go with it.
Then followed this awesome hat. You can find the pattern here and make a donation to a very worthy cause. We have to leave the flaps undone as Little e untucks her ears playing with them.

There is one last project that I’m still working on. On my last train day, I realised I would have to work another two weeks to get it finished. This wasn’t quite my plan so instead, it’s keeping me company in front of the TV in the evenings.

I finished my new nappy bag a few weeks ago and it has been my “going to work” bag ever since. I can throw all manner of things into it as I am rushing out the door at 6 am, knitting, a book and sometimes even lunch.

The inside is lined blue with burnt orange pockets. I'm still losing things in the pockets and vow that I will label them soon. At least the cell phone is one the outside.

The pattern is from the Amy Butler range. It's supposed to be a diaper bag and is all set to be in a few months.

Following in my series of things to do on a train...There are some important things to consider when applying makeup on a train. As you are applying it on a train you are obviously pushed for time. To apply it at home would mean getting up even earlier.

Above: An extreme example of applying makeup on a train taken from The Marshall Cavendish Complete Book of Needle Craft

The first consideration is to apply while sitting in your seat, or using the bathroom. The bathroom has a better mirror, is less conspicuous and beside how else will you get your 10 minutes of balance exercises into the day?

Step 1 Foundation Powder is the easiest to apply and requires less accuracy so go with this option.

Step 2 Eyeliner Best to time this for the brief moment when you will be at a train station. Apply carefully. If the train is moving, apply very carefully.

Step 3 Eye Shadow Brace your knees between the measly vanity and the toilet pan to remain standing at mirror height. This requires more skill if the train driver is running late and prone to jerky movements.

Step 4 Blush Subtle colours are best as mistakes are likely.

Step 5 Lipstick See above. Remember that a scarlet track from the corner of your mouth to the right nostril is never becoming.

Finishing remember to smile nicely at the ticket collector who has been standing outside the cubicle door since the last station, and you are ready for work.

My next tip for knitting on a train would have to be “read the pattern carefully”, followed closely by “it's not too late to unpick” I have finished the cardigan for little e. It looks a little different from the picture on the pattern and possibly a little tighter.

I mis-read some instructions and cast the arms off a little too narrow. This would have been fine if my daughter was a cartoon character and had spaghetti arms. I only noticed this when knitting down the second half of the front and was very reluctant to unpick. I thought I was being clever when I devised a knitted gusset with contrast texture. Granted it looks great , but as I finished it, I had a feeling that it might have been quicker just to unpick in the first place.

After messing up the first button hole (yes, should have unpicked that too)I decided that I would sew domes on. A kilt pin will have to do while I work out where I put those pesky domes. The fleeting moment in which this cardigan fits my daughter may have already passed. For now, the kilt pin compliments my daughter's generous puku quite nicely.

I like the way this looks finished. When little e's puku finally wins the battle with the kilt pin, it will be lovingly washed and put aside in the baby box.

When I first returned to work, I thought I should pick up some knitting. I thought about it a bit, every night when I realised that yet again I hadn't found a project for in my bag the next morning. There are projects that are ideal for on a train. This one isn't one of those.

This hat is loving modelled by the bunny as little e just doesn't sit still. I thought it would be a good project as it was small and used up wool I already had. However, carrying 5 balls of wool and having to mentally line up each colour and code letter can be a bit taxing.

Now I'm keeping it simple. So simple in fact, this jersey is knitted all on one piece. I like it.

I'm sure there is a wealth of train knitting tips out there. I'm not the flashest or fastest knitter so my tips extend to the following:

One ball only
Nothing with serious counting involved
Try to find a seat where your right elbow stocks out (I knit like a wounded chicken)
Try and sit next to a knitter (they don't seem to mind the flapping)