Another Friday March 13, 2015

Yes, it’s Friday again, and as I have missed a few I thought it was time to catch up.

Lots of projects on the go and all going well. Sophie’s Universe is now over one metre wide and still growing. I really look forward to each clue being released so that I can see what will happen next!

Sophie’s Universe part 8

 

This week I also cast on a new shawl – Hitchhiker by Martina Behm – using Opal sock yarn on a 3mm circular needle. I’m 15 teeth in and I can tell I’ll definitely be knitting this one again.

Hitchhiker

 

I also had a quick make yesterday – coasters to pop into our Mother’s Day cards – hope they like them.

Flower coasters

 

And now the weekend is almost upon us – happy Friday xx

That Friday feeling… January 16, 2015

Another Friday already – and am I glad! There is something about Friday that feels full of promise, anything could happen, the whole weekend ahead – in reality it will probably be just another weekend but for now the promise is there!

Since last Friday I have finished one WIP – the Sunlight shawl – and I’m really pleased with how it turned out. All ends are sewn in, it’s blocked and ready to go…

The Sunlight shawl

The cosy blanket is progressing well – I’m up to stripe 26 now and it’s lovely to sit with in the evening, over my lap, crocheting away 🙂

Still not finished the tie, but it’s getting there. And the hat needs one more round, so should be done today.

I also finished reading ‘The Strange Library’ by Haruki Murakami. It’s a charming little story, and reminds me of a book I could have read as a child, or read to my own children. Although it is darker, it just has that feel to it. I’d be interested to know what others think.

The Strange Library

And that is this week. I’ve been finding lots of new CALs/KALs that are about to begin. So if I can finish these current WIPs I can get some new projects on the go – what fun!

Happy Friday xx

New Year’s Resolutions January 9, 2015

It seems everywhere I look today people are posting about their resolutions for the New Year – things to do, promises made, ideas they plan to bring into being, and so on. It made me think about my own approach to the New Year and those things that I might like to undertake, so here goes…

I’ve decided to keep a project diary, where I’ll keep track of all my knitting and crochet projects, plus any other craft-based ideas I might have along the way. I’ll include the details of the yarn I’m using, the hook or needle size, even the yarn shop/website the yarn came from, if necessary. Then I can track my progress, and see how I’m getting on.

And I thought it might be an idea to add the books I’m reading, just so I have a record of those too.

As well as any fabulous recipes I come across, and the results if I try them out!

And find time every Friday for a regular update here, to share what’s happened throughout the week.

So, this week’s projects are:

My Attic24 Cosy Stripe Blanket

My cosy stripe blanket

16 stripes in, more to follow this weekend 🙂

Next, a crocodile stitch hat from simply Crochet Magazine…

My crocodile stitch hat

The pattern is for a child’s size hat but it’s so cute I wanted one for myself, so I’m trying to make it larger – watch this space 😉

And last, but not least, a knitted tie for my hubby, which was meant to be for Christmas but somehow didn’t quite make it! almost done tho’

Moss stitch tie

My current books are:

Haruki Murakami – The Strange Library. A Christmas gift – loving it so far.

Nina Stibbe – Love, Nina. This is my book at bedtime – light, and easy to read, and fun. Not too troublesome before I nod off.

And today I read a recipe for Apple Cinnamon Loaf posted on Facebook. It looks yummy so I may just have to try it out this weekend – I’ll make sure to let you know.

And that’s all for now – happy Friday xx

Crochet Mood Blanket 2014 – Square 4 January 24, 2014

It struck me today how moods can change so many times within a day, never mind a week. The idea of making a square to reflect the whole week is therefore slightly unrealistic – every square would need to be multi-coloured, with stitches missing, knots, mistakes and all. So my squares instead will give more of a general impression, rather than a detailed explanation of the past week.

This week has been, all in all, fairly cheery. My step-daughter and her little girl returned from their travels just in time for us all to celebrate the little one’s fifth birthday. We all got together for a meal, and cake, of course, and a chorus or two of ‘Happy Birthday’. Family, singing, presents and cake – very cheery indeed!

So, on Wednesday I sat down, looked in my box, and found a lovely cheery pink shade of yarn called Pomegranate. Even the name makes me smile! And here it is…

Had I chosen to wait and make the square in the evening, it would have been a very different colour, as some news I received from my son’s college about his exams made me extremely angry, in fact probably too angry even to crochet. I’m glad I had made it in the afternoon!

I’ve also been fairly distracted recently with socks once again, of all sizes. I’m currently making two pairs, different sizes, for two little girls. Almost finished now, and then it will be socks for the boys. I really like the Regia sock yarn I’m using – that added to the cheeriness of the week too!

The stripy blanket has, in the meantime, been on hold. But I’m hoping to get back to it soon…

Happy Friday xx

Loose Ends – Part Two March 20, 2013

Another week, another finished project!

Following blocking, I finally managed to catch my son to take a photo of me with my shawl. And here it is…

My knit and crochet shawl

 

The pattern is from the Caron Simply Soft Collection and is available for free, the Knit and Crochet Shawl. I used Rowan Creative Focus worsted yarn which is a blend of 75% wool and 25% alpaca, soft and warm. And although the pattern suggested 5.5mm needles I found that the pattern was knitting up a bit too open so I changed to 4.5mm. Of course, then I was worried about the completed size, but blocking sorted that out. I knitted this shawl as part of a KAL/CAL with the Stitch Along With Us group on Facebook. The next projects are either socks or something from Nicki Trench’s book ‘Cute and Easy Crochet’. I still haven’t decided yet, not least because I’m meant to be finishing off all my WIPs before beginning anything else! However, I’m almost finished the second pair of socks – only about 10 rows left, on each sock. But then there are all the other projects I’ve since found… Oh well, I can always start another, as long as I’m completing others too!

Happy Wednesday xx

Loose Ends – Part 1 March 13, 2013

And here we have the first project completed – ta-dah! Jasmine’s Firestarter socks – cast off, ends sewn in, and on her feet!

Firestarter

I’m so pleased with these socks, in every way. Great pattern, lovely colours, and one very pleased daughter! She’s wanted me to knit her a pair of socks for ages…

So, that’s the first project finished. No. 2 is off the needles, blocked and awaiting photographs – so soon there should  be another follow-up post. However, I’ve found more UFOs so this could go on for a while…

Happy Wednesday xx

Changes March 5, 2013

I don’t know quite what it is at the moment but I am feeling unsettled. This year is bringing with it many changes, for me personally, and those in my family. I’m just feeling my way forward very gently for now, as I’m not sure what it all means, or how to react. This means a lot of thinking, choices to make, and a new direction to find….

So, in the meantime, I figured rather than begin anything new, the best thing would be to tie up all the loose ends – no pun intended! WIPS beware – you’re about to be finished!! At least, that is my aim.

First up, Jasmine’s Firestarter socks. I only have half a cuff left to do, and the finishing, so that’s an easy start. I’ve just fastened off a KAL shawl that I was taking part in through a Facebook group, it’s soaking as I type and will then be blocked! After that, well there’s my Square Swap blanket, and another pair of socks, and then I’ll have to start going through all those abandoned project bags and deciding whether to frog or finish.

It feels good to write this down – I’ll post updates as they happen!

Happy Tuesday xx

Recycling January 31, 2013

Being the mother of 4 children, now aged 11 to 17, means that over the years I have accumulated a ridiculous amount of plastic kitchenware – tumblers, plates, bowls, lidded boxes.  Now some of it is still useful, and of course I do have a step-granddaughter, so some of it actually comes in handy, but much of it is redundant. Or so I thought…

A humble tumbler

 

What was once merely a humble tumbler can now be put to other uses. I’m always finding them in the childrens’ bedrooms with all sorts of things tucked inside them, but I’ve now found my own use for them…

What’s inside…?

 

Just the right size for holding a tape measure, pencil and 4 dpns, making my current project more easily portable. And that project is…

Firestarter for Jas

 

Firestarter socks for my daughter Jasmine. I love this pattern (and you can find it here on Ravelry) and she’s been wanting me to knit socks for her for absolutely ages. I’m on to the second sock now, so they shouldn’t be too long!

But as much as I love knitting, and I love the socks, I’m just so chuffed to be finding a new use for something old!

Happy Thursday x

 

 

 

Christmas crafting… December 11, 2012

I thought it was time for a quick update as recently there just doesn’t seem to have been any time to blog!

It is a busy time for everyone, with lots of events and activities going on, family visiting, shopping and cooking, just trying to get everything ready for the festivities to begin.

And many projects to complete…

I’ve got one shawl blocking, and another almost ready to bind off. Then there are two strings of bunting to finish, and two pairs of socks. Can there possibly be enough time? We shall see!

So this is the shawl being blocked…

More photos to follow as each wip becomes an fo!!

Happy Tuesday xx

Tuesday’s Tallies October 30, 2012

Another week, another Tuesday…

And yes, I did miss last week – just not enough time right now. I’ve had subject review evening for my year 11 son, GCSE information evening for my year 9 daughter, as well as dinner with friends and a housewarming party to go to so it’s been a busy time for us.

Not that there has been no crafting in between times…

I’ve got as far as I can with my Square Swap blanket. I’ve bordered and joined all the squares I’ve received so far, and my own square is almost complete. I want to add that at the end though so hopefully the other squares will arrive and then the blanket will be complete. I’m so looking forward to that.

And the socks are ongoing… I’m halfway with my 2nd sock for the September SKA Mystery Sock, and I’ve knitted a pair of socks for my nephew’s birthday. Really cute – I love knitting little socks!

So photos…

Square Swap 2012 – the blanket to date…

 

little socks

 

Off now to see what everyone else is up to over at Gingerbread Girl’s blog.

Happy Tuesday xx