Current Projects - Part 1

Hello there!

Last time I promised you a run down of my current projects.  As I have quite a few on the go, I thought I would break them down into sections, otherwise I fear you may nod off halfway through!

I have a couple of reasons as to why I have so many things on the go, the first being I am a process person, and decide each day anew which project I feel like working on, so I never feel I 'have' to work on something if I don't feel like it!  That might make me a little fickle, but everything gets finished in the end, and I very much enjoy the process of making them.

The other reason is more practical.  I have some problems with my left thumb, which causes me pain from time to time.  I find switching around between projects helps to alleviate the strain.  Even switching between different size knitting needles helps!

So, to start, here are my current knitting projects:

I mentioned previously the fabulous book - 'Knitting Magic - The Official Harry Potter Knitting Book'.  I am making the Hogwarts House Cardigan, in the colourway of Gryffindor, for my daughter.

The pattern calls for an Aran yarn, and I have substituted that with Drops Air, which is a fabulously soft and warm yarn.  I have knitted all the pieces and now I'm doing the making up.

For myself, I am making a short sleeved cardigan from a Simply Knitting magazine my good friend passed on to me.  I am using the yarn specified, which is King Cole Cottonsoft, but I picked this bright fuchsia!

The yarn is really soft and squishy, and it should be a nice cool cardigan for the summer months.

Finally, for the knitting projects - socks!  I always have a pair of socks on the go.  These are a second pair of winter walking socks for me, using West Yorkshire Spinners DK sock yarn.  I make my socks using the patterns by Christine 'Winwick Mum' as a starting point, and then making them knee length with some shaping at the top.  I find with the DK sock yarn 3 x 100 balls makes a pair each for my husband and myself, as long as I use a contrast for the top of mine.  This also helps me tell them apart in the laundry, as my feet are quite large and it's not always easy to tell them apart! 

So there we have it.  Three knitting projects, on three different sized needles! Next time I will show you the crochet projects! ;)

Donna xx

Spring Projects

Hello!

I was looking through photos on my phone yesterday, and realised I haven't shown you these finished projects!  

Regular readers will know I always have several things on the go, as I like to flit between knitting, crochet, dressmaking and quilting.  I had a concerted effort to finish some knitting projects, mainly so I could actually wear the things!  Here are two of my new knitted garments:

You'll remember this cardigan, from a vintage pattern my sister sent me.  

It was a lovely pattern to knit, and being mostly stocking stitch was good for when I didn't want to have to concentrate too much!  The yarn is Drops Cotton Merino, and having worn it A LOT and washed it a few times, I can attest to the fact it is super comfortable - not itchy at all - and washes really well too!  The photo turned out to be a bit of an 'action shot' but never mind, you can get the idea!

This next one required a bit more concentration, on the front at least, but I enjoyed the pattern.  It is part of a twin set, and I have started the cardigan, but butterflied away to do other things... 

Quite a bit of maths ensued, as the pattern was written for 3ply and and the yarn I wanted to use was Rowan Wool Cotton 4ply (now discontinued).  The maths worked though and I am very pleased with the fit.

Good friends of our were blessed with their first granddaughter, and I knitted these little bootees, from Sirdar 100% cotton.  The pattern was from a magazine, torn out years ago, and I'm not sure which one!

Quilting has absorbed quite a lot of my time over the last year or more, and you may remember I had two King Size quilts on the go, one for our bed and one as a marriage quilt for my daughter and her fiancé.  Well, I now have three!  My son has a new, double bed, and so I am making him a double bed size quilt.  I haven't any photos of that yet, but I will take some next time I am working on it.

In the meantime, I needed a little 'placemat' to put Daisy Dog's food and water dishes on, to stop her pushing them around the kitchen floor!  I made this one from my scrap boxes, and the block patterns are from Anita Goodesign's Dogs and Cats.  It's just the job and I can confirm it survives the washing machine really well!

I didn't make myself many clothes last year, so I felt I needed a new dress for summer!  I looked in my fabric cupboard and found a length of Liberty cotton Tana Lawn, in a bright cerise colour.  A hunt through my patterns was next and I decided on this New Look pattern 6370.

I combined a couple of different views as I fancied a sleeveless, day length dress, and adjusted it to make it a bit longer.  This is the result and I wearing it as we speak, as I am shortly going to meet a good friend at a garden centre outdoor café.  

I love the way Tana Lawn presses into knife-sharp creases.  

As you can see, the fabric is quite translucent, so rest assured, dear friends and readers, I am wearing a waist slip. (The bodice is lined.)

The buckle is vintage, bought as part of a job lot a while ago.

So there we have it -  a few of my completed items.  What am I working on now?  Well, far, far too much, as ever, but I kind of like it that way!  I will show you my Works in Progress next time.

Donna xx

A Lovely Day

 Well, hello!

Do you ever have one of those days when you think it's all just so perfect, and everything you do makes you want to smile all the time, and even have a little skip as you walk?  Well, for me, yesterday was one of those days!

Husband and I went to Harrogate, which in normal times we do quite regularly.  However, we hadn't been at all this year due to closures and restrictions, so I felt a little thrill of excited anticipation just on the drive there.  

Once we had parked we wandered up the hill to Betty's, for our lunch.  

We were given a perfect table, in a corner but outward facing, so we could see everything that was going on.  

We decided to both have afternoon tea - one normal and one vegetarian.  The sandwiches were lovely, fresh and summery, the scones tasty, the jam fruity and the clotted cream thick and gorgeous.  The little cakes were a delight - especially the miniature Battenberg and the rich, dark chocolate cube, which was divine.  We had lashings of tea too.

Afterwards we looked at everything in the window...

...and I bought small a bag of deliciousness to take home, using a voucher my step-son and daughter-in-law had kindly given me for my birthday.

We then went to look at the wonderful selection of shops, and just stroll around the town.  The sun was shining, people were happy and smiling, and there was a lovely relaxed atmosphere, with everyone clearly enjoying being out and enjoying themselves.

I made a few small purchases of mini pudding dishes, hair products, and some patterned paper for my new (revisited) hobby of cardmaking (more about that in a later post!)

Then I spotted this book - 'Knitting Magic' - the official book of Harry Potter knitting patterns!  I discovered the book at our village library a few weeks ago and borrowed it to make my daughter a Hogwart's cardigan, but I've had to renew the book twice, (as I try to knit as fast as I can), and felt I really should return it!  There are other items in it I would like to make so I was so excited to find it for the bargain price of £10! Perfect!  I will return the library copy tomorrow!

Before setting off for home we returned to Betty's for some ice cold, homemade lemonade.  We hadn't to rush home, so we lingered, chatted and then had a final walk before returning to the car.  The pavement cafes were filling up with people enjoying the evening sun, and meeting friends and loved ones for meals and drinks, and it all felt so hopeful, so positive, it was such a joy to see.

It really was a perfect day and one which I shall remember for a very long time to come.

Donna xx

Blinking into the Sunlight

 Hello again!

It's been a while, but now I feel I am emerging from a darkened room, blinking into the sunlight.  There are Things to Do outside of the house, and People to See.  Oh, the people to see.  So much joy, so many reunions. 

My darling daughter and I were reunited at a railway station in Northumberland recently.  It was a cross between a scene from The Railway Children and Brief Encounter, and one of the sweetest moments of my life.  We booked a cottage for us to share, husband too, and son for a couple of days.  I absolutely love Northumberland - the huge beaches, the vast sky, the castles, the people.  We walked and talked and hugged and it was a magical time.

Beautiful Budle Bay

Oh, that sky!

Craster harbour - home of the famous Craster Kippers!

Majestic Bamburgh Castle, perched on the coast

This week I had a wonderful reunion with my sister and brother-in-law.  I hadn't seen them for 18 months. Oh it was so good to be back with the one person I have known all of my life - to feel that connection again to the past and the present.  We took a steam train to Haworth, which was so much fun!  Haworth, of course, is home to the Bronte sisters, and we had lunch at the Black Bull inn, which was frequented by their brother, Branwell.

Our train!

Historic Haworth

This is reputed to be Branwell Bronte's favourite chair

This afternoon I have my very dear friend, and her lovely Mum, coming over to our garden for a pot of tea and homemade scones. I am ridiculously excited! How much sweeter the small things in life now are.

Donna xx