Friday 26 October 2012

Perfect weather for knitwear

Yesterday I went to meet a friend for lunch and because of the cold dug out the chunky cable knit scarf I knitted earlier this year. Wow it was warm. Today I wore my hat. I felt very proud to be wearing something I had made myself. This however does not mean I will only wear hand knitted garments, I went to next for jeans and could not leave without this jumper!

http://www.next.co.uk/x50128s1#798106x50

I also gave my friend her very late birthday present and luckily she loved it...phew!

Sunday 21 October 2012

I made myself a bobble hat in the round.

Well the story behind this is a long one so here is the short version. My dad asked for a hat for Christmas, I thought this was a good chance to practice knitting in the round, I got myself some lovely Aran and a pair of circular needles and I cast on.

I had a basic pattern and I think I read it wrong because it got very tall. I also fudged the decreases so its a bit of a muddle but nothing the untrained eye would notice. It wasn't meant to have a bobble but I added one anyway to cover a few more obvious errors.

Voila I have a new winter hat. It can be worn with the ribbing folded up to wear as a bobble hat or folded down to wear as a slouchy hat. It's not perfect but it will keep my ears warm and most importantly go with my brown coat.

Saturday 20 October 2012

Antiques

I do love an antique and today I have given some a new home.

For some time I have wanted something to store my knitting in so I don't have to take it to the bedroom with me to prevent the kittens from getting their paws on it! I love old boxes but often find them to be very expensive and a little lavish for storing knitting in. Whilst walking through an antiques centre in Newark though I spotted a gem in a half price sale meaning it was only £15 and absolutely perfect for my needs. I pondered for some time but I don't really know why because I love it!!!

I also spotted a lovely pair of old bank books including a leather bound one from the late 1800's. I commented on how beautiful they were and before I knew it I was handed them by a friend who had kindly purchased them for me. I just love the quality and really wish things were so well made nowadays. Having said that I suspect the owner of said bank book may have been a very wealthy pair of business men so may not have got the standard book!

Tuesday 16 October 2012

I made bread from scratch!

It's the final of the great British bake off tonight so our last weekly get together is this evening. With this in mind I decided to bake something I have never tried before so I made bread! The recipe is courtesy of Lorraine Pascall and I just hope it tastes good! The join came apart which does look a bit messy but for a first attempt I am pretty darn happy!

Monday 15 October 2012

Moving on.

Well, I have been a little busy over the last couple of days...stress stress stress!  Last night I spent ages trying to amend my blog by adding bits and moving things around. Not very easy on an iPad but once I had started I had to finish.  I also managed to finish a little (late) birthday present for my lovely friend Laura.  I haven't handed it over yet so here is a close up.


Today in between a trip to hospital (just routine and nothing to worry about), a trip to the shops and a trip to the doctors I have cast on another present for Christmas.  I managed to get through nearly a whole ball of yarn which is not bad going.  I just know how you all love close ups so here is yet another one!



Sunday 14 October 2012

Actually finished the back of my top!

I am so flipping proud of myself as I have made half an actual, real life piece of clothing! I never thought I would be able to do it and I am so proud of myself and I am also shocked by how easy I seem to have found it. I have had to ask advise on a few little bits but that is how we learn after all. Just got to do the front now...along with a number of other projects so it might take me a while.

I have been home with my parents this weekend for a well needed rest and my lovely Mummy came home with a Christmas crochet booklet. It came with a request to crochet the little robin but I can do that, not so sure I would be able to do the big ones though!

I have also been researching what to knit when I go to sweater club in December. I think I am going to knit a chunky cowl neck which looks fabulous.

All in all a good weekend.

Friday 12 October 2012

Catching up

This week I have been catching up on a few things. The most important of which was sleep! Been struggling a bit recently but I am slowly reacquainting myself with one of my biggest loves!

I had a meeting at work yesterday about being off sick and whilst it was hard it all went rather well and they agree that I am not well enough to be there. The whole thing is very hard for me as it doesn't feel right not working but on a plus side I do have more time for the people and the things I love most.

On a more crafty note I have caught up on my poppy orders and Tom delivered them to my colleagues whilst I was in my meeting. They went down very well apparently and a colleague sent me a picture of hers pride of place on her tie before I even got back to my car. I am getting a lot of orders so will hopefully be making a very good sum of money for the Poppy Appeal.

I am off home to see my parents today which I am really looking forward to. It might be the last time I visit my home village of Woodnewton before they move to Aldeburgh in Suffolk. It's very exciting as they will be living at the sea side and I do rather love the seaside!

Tuesday 9 October 2012

I think I am in love!

Today I went to visit Eleanor at Knit Nottingham, (www.knitnottingham.co.uk). I had no idea what I wanted other than to check out the new chunkies and oh my word they are amazing! Having as many projects on as I do I resisted he urge to indulge but I did buy the three remaining balls of the sweet briar chunky because I loved knitting with it last time and I have a plan for it which means it is perfectly fine! Plus Tom gave me money to get myself a treat as I was actually being errand boy and picking up his new laptop so I couldn't go home empty handed.

Here is the link to the wonderful chunky yarn which I am so going to ask for for Christmas!

http://knitnottingham.co.uk/shop/product_info.php/products_id/582/osCsid/e30fa89178a852c95abb8b97b948a3d8

The colours are stunning and they have such a beautiful shine. Oooh my new found love, if I could make a cocoon and hide away in it then I really would!

Monday 8 October 2012

I must finish some projects!

I was having a think about what I felt like doing today and realised I have an awful lot of half finished or only just started projects.

I am cracking on with my tunic top but its gets picked up and put down a lot as the results are quite slow to see.

I am also cracking on with the poppies which are pretty easy but I do hate sewing in the ends. I will get them done though as I need to take with me on Thurs when I have an appointment at work (I am still signed off).

I am also working on a second set of boat bunting, another birthday present (which is very late), my cross stitch which I had completely forgotten about and the blanket that I make with each issue of my crochet magazine.

Also, I have thrown in a cute picture of Edith with my knitted cat.

Wednesday 3 October 2012

Strawberry swap and a secret Christmas present.

I received my Strawberry Swap yesterday from Carla of Ducking Fabulous fame. I love it! I received a lovely parcel of wrapped little gifts and loved each one as I opened it. I received some lovely little strawberry earrings and a matching necklace that is just too cute! A little box of lovely colourful strawberry crayons, some very sweet paper and envelopes stamped with strawberries which I can't wait to start writing letters on. The purchased gifts were a very handy note book which might have to go in my handbag as I am forever looking for paper. Some sequins and strawberry beads which have gone in my beautiful sewing box as previously blogged about and some yummy strawberry sweets. All in all I am one very happy girl! So much so I have signed up for another swap with no hesitation.

I have also made another Christmas present and this one I love so much I just want to show a picture of it but I can't so here is a teasing close up.

Monday 1 October 2012

A funny time...

It's a bit of an odd time for me at the moment as I have been signed off work due to anxiety. Less of that though and more of the things that have really cheered me up over the last week or so.

Tom is still not better so we went to Plymouth for a few days to stay with his parents which was a lovely break. I also met up with one of my besties Ellie who I haven't seen in far too long. While in Plymouth I picked up a lovely print of Interlaken (looked on google and it's in Switzerland) for 10p. I also saw the most amazing old Ice Cream Van. I got to spend time knitting, crocheting and reading which was lovely.

Now that we are back home I have dug out my granny blanket, made by my very own Nanna and I love it so much. It's a real comfort. I have also finished a little Christmas present which I can only include a close up of. Yesterday I had a visit from another bestie Laura who had got me a lovely little crochet book, some of the patterns are just delightful and I can't wait to start making them!

All in all I am making sure to rest at the moment and indulge in a few of my many delightful hobbies to keep the monsters at bay.