Wednesday 27 February 2013

A Beautiful Pie

A while ago I discovered the most delicious recipe for Chicken, Bacon and Mushroom pie in my Nigella express cook book.  It really is one of the most tasty things and incredibly easy to make so I thought I would share it with you all.  I won't type it all out as that would take me a long time and when searching for it to copy and paste I found a video to go with it so you shall have to settle for this link I am afraid.

Click here for the best pie recipe in the world!

Sunday 24 February 2013

Sweater club and my first knitted item of clothing.

Yaaaaayyy!!! I have finished my first ever knitted item of clothing and I love, love, love it! I have mostly kept it under wraps so I could have a big unveiling.

It has taken me some time to knot but I have got a lot of other things done as well so 2 months isn't too bad. I started with the back which was probably the easiest part really (apart from the plain button band). The front panels were pretty easy as well but the decreases at the top and edges looked a bit tatty for my liking, after checking with the Guru Eleanor she told me it would all work out in the end.

As for the sleeves, what a saga! I finished one and cracked on with the second. After some deliberation and checking with Guru E it was decided that they were actually massive and ridiculous looking so it all got ripped out and I did it again. 3 sleeves and a pattern adjustment later they were done.

The button holes were also a pain in the bum but that was mostly down to bad maths, after doing some proper sums it was all fine.

I officially hate sewing up but I have to say it is worth it as I am so blinking proud of myself and so pleased with the finished article. Just wonderful!

The whole idea of sweater club was such a good one, Eleanor has been amazingly helpful and supportive throughout the time we have been knitting. I would highly recommend it to anyone. Such fun!

Now I have the bug I can't wait to finish my tunic and crack on with the next project.

Wednesday 20 February 2013

Mrs Crafty B

Before I started this blog I had a read of Mrs Crafty B's blog.  I wasn't even crafting at this point and I just felt totally and utterly inspired to do something!

This week I have been published on her blog in her weekly feature meet the maker, I showed off the socks I knitted for John for Christmas.  Here is a LINK so you can go to have a look.

Whilst there take a look around the blog and enjoy the virtual world of Mrs Crafty B.

xxx

Tuesday 12 February 2013

My first commission knit

A while back I was approached by a friend from primary school asking if I would knit her a cowl to give to another primary school friend as a birthday present. I accepted and got knitting, I couldn't believe my knitting was considered good enough for people to purchase from me. Anyway, not much more to say on the matter other than it went down well with the receiver and there are some pictures below.

On another note I have nearly finished my sweater club cardigan, I have had to knit three sleeves which was a little annoying, the first one was massive so had to adjust the pattern a little. I have a button band to knit and then I can sew it all up and knit the neck. Cannot wait to get it done.

I have also picked my tunic back up, it to is coming along nicely so hopefully I will have that finished soon aswell.



Sunday 3 February 2013

My beautiful shawl and first large crochet project

Well, where does this story begin.  I think it starts with a trip to Knit Nottingham (as normal) where I met Verity properly for the first time, she was wearing a lovely green scarf which features on this little blog here.  When I got home I decided I wanted to make something similar, I looked up the pattern for the Elise shawl but I also did a quick search on Ravelry and found this stunner.  I read through the pattern which sounded terribly complicated but I decided that it is after all a few loops joined together and that I should give it a go.  I was amazed by how quickly I whizzed through the first set of 16 rows.  From here on I was in love and couldn't stop, that is until I ran out of yarn.  Here the panic set in, I had purchased the yarn in the sale and wasn't sure there was any left, after a frantic facebook message and online order to Eleanor there was a ball set aside for me, yippee!!  I have done nothing but crochet this darling for a few days, including on the train journey to my parents.  I have decided that train journeys are the prime time for knitting, not a lot else you can do on the train unless you want to entertain the other passengers and risk getting thrown off by doing a merry jig!  Anyway...it has now been blocked (i had a damp bed lastnight) and is ready to go, isn't it a stunner!


In other news, Tom is finally getting better and is back at work after about 6 months on Friday, just short shifts so his little knees don't get too sore.  I have a skills test for a job on Friday, fingers crossed they think I am suitable, the holiday to Marrakech we have had booked for nearly a year is coming up and things are generally looking very rosy.

Also, I got to ride my parents sit on lawnmower yesterday, so much fun.  For a little while I forgot about global warming and rode it to and from the house whenever anything was needed, the garden is not that big, probably would have been quicker to walk but it was good fun.

Friday 1 February 2013

A crochet watch

My Dad went for a walk in the snow in his slippers, needless to say he fell over but unfortunately broke his wrist. To adorn his plaster cast I thought I would make him a watch so I got out a selection of yarn and got making.

There were a few issues with Royal Mail and my stamp sing 9p too short so he has only just got it today whilst I am here visiting. I also made a little card for him as well which is rather effective despite its simplicity.

Anyway, here they both are.