Striped Study Shawl KAL

What a weird-weather day it has been today, I woke up to hailstones, then we progressed on to blue skies  and sunshine, we've recently had a downpour and now the sun is streaming through the windows......how is a girl supposed to know how best to dress???

Well here I am with an update of my shawl, and quite honestly (not wanting to moan) I don't want to go outside to photograph my shawl in the rain, but the sun is pouring in through our leaded-light (this sounds posher than the fake UPVC that they actually are) windows, and  I am getting shadows....

So there we have it, my 80cm circulars are making it impossible to photograph now, as it would be a big crumpled mess and me stressing about the stitches making a quick run for it, and diving off the ends.

I have done seven stripes now, there are five stripes to go, then a border of the multicoloured sock .... ..so I'm guessing there is at least a week left in it for me, with limited knitting time (unless I forgo my motherly duties of course!)

I am loving the knit, really simple to plod along with, and now I am back to good health there is no stopping me!  Thanks for all your get-well comments, I am soooo much better........yay!

Sarah, Crafts from the Cwtch has been reminding everyone of the Knitting and Crochet blog week that starts next week over at Eskimimi Makes, and this morning I've signed up too.....it sounds like a good challenge with lots to be inspired by.  Why not take a look and think about signing up too? This is the third year that it has been done (obviously the first time I have done it) and this year they have lovely  prizes connected to the different post challenges for each day.

Well, better go look out weather we are having now and plan my wardrobe accordingly!



Year of projects 15.04.12

At the beginning of the week I decided to jump on board with Sarah (Crafts from the Cwtch) and Nat's (Misadventures in Craft) Stripe Study Shawl KAL.....and I have to say in the beginning it took every ounce of concentration, but now it is straightforward and dare I say......enjoyable.  I use the term tentatively as yesterday when beginning some kind of lurgy and being a little sleep deprived (smallest boy being very sick in the night) I decided unwisely, to do some knitting and ended up stuffing up a few rows which I took a good half-hour to realise this morning.....typical......lots of ripping out and starting again...it does seem to be a familiar theme when it comes to knitting and me!

Although I've obviously caught a sickness bug, I seem to have escaped with just horrible cramps and nausea, which is fine by me as I am not a fan of being sick.  I have done little else but lay about, and that has been about it.....

So here it is, I am five stripes in, each stripe taking gradually more time, so I guess I am a while off yet, and probably a bit behind everyone else.  But it is a relaxing knit (when you are running on all four cylinders)

Fallen by the way-side is my baby blanket (and I guess if I admitted it, lots of other half started projects) which I must fit some time in on, as the baby will be a teenager before he receives it!  I have to say I am liking the yarn for this pattern, it's very delicate.

Well, it sounds like the rabble have finished their roast, which I cooked but could not face, and once it has been cleared away, I may return to the kitchen, although the smell is making me feel a little wobbly. 

I think we may get some fresh air this afternoon, as outdoors is looking a lot more inviting than yesterday.

Looking forward to reading about all your progress later........thanks for your lovely comments, always soooo enjoyed.

Actually, while I think of it....those knitters among you, which circulars do you use?  I am finding the ones on my shawl hard to work with as the stitches always get caught in the join from flex to needle.  I was looking at those circulars with inter-changeable heads and wondered if the same thing happened?

Your thoughts very much appreciated!

Blue skies and KALs

Well, these Easter Holidays are turning out well.  The sun has been shining for the past few days, and we've got out and enjoyed it. 

Chester has been treated to some lovely beachy walks with three boys to keep him busy....and then flaked out infront of the rayburn for the rest of the day.  His running really isn't that of a graceful sprinter, as his puppy legs still don't have a huge amount of co-ordination and seem to splay out in all directions!

In crafty news, I've decided to join in with Sarah from Crafts from the Cwtch and Nat of Misadventures in Craft in their Stripe Study Shawl knit-a-long.  I fancy a little knitting project, something to stretch my beginner skills.

I thought that an inspiring trip to the LYS was the way to go, but soon found that it was not meant to be, after struggling with a wild six year old, a tantrum-ing three year old and a stroppy nine year old  only to find it closed.

Having a strong stubborn streak and determined not to be put off, I decided to have a rethink and look at what I had at home. 

I found quite a lot of four-ply but the colour I really wanted was half  a shawl, that to be honest I had had a serious disagreement with (as I didn't really remember where I was in the pattern repeat).  Soooo, some frogging and winding later, problem solved and I was casting on.

Now this shawl promises to be straight forward and an easy pattern to follow, so how come I  ripped it back twice....three times before I got the correct number of stitches?  Hubby said to me last night 'I thought you knitted because it was relaxing?'

.......well, I think I am at last on track and it is indeed, a nice pattern, I think I am just over-thinking it all.....or maybe I'm just a little blonde!

purple yarn is Life 4-ply from stylecraft

sock yarn is from Knitglobal

I must admit, as much as my first love is crochet, I am loving knitting  too......is it normal to hold your breath when you count up the number of stitches when you finish a row?  

It is maybe a little brighter than I might have first gone for, but I think as the larger panels of purple start to work in, it will be better balanced (well, thats the theory anyhoo!)

I have to say....looking at the rest of Veera Valimaki's designs, I think I may be doing another after this one and then I can change gear on the colours.

Well, my tummy is starting to rumble which must mean we are nearing lunch time, so I will bid you all a fond farewell and go organise  lunch.

I hope you are all enjoying a sunshiney week too!xxx

Year of projects 07.04.12

Well, this is just a quick post, squeezed in between chocolate eggs.

This weeks crocheting has all been Easter gift related, quick fix crochet, lots of fun and lots of colours!

These were Easter cream egg cosies in such Eastery shapes as bunnies, lambs, chicks and one-eyed aliens!  The pattern is easy to follow, in a simple slip stitch which makes the stretchy cosy easily able to fit a hens egg to keep your boiled egg warm.  The pattern is a ravelry pattern which I did in stylecraft (using some of my more girly colours)....I highly recommend it for a last minute gift idea.

These butterfly wings were quickly finished off with a ribbon to tie around the chest.  I spent ages deliberating the elastic arm loops on other wings I've seen, and decided on this simpler method for my small niece.  These were my own 'see where it goes' design.

I made these lovely little drawstring bags for my mother and mother-in-law with a couple of small eggs in.  The pattern was a ravelry pattern and  I used Rico Micro DK which just has the most beautiful colour changes and lovely sheen.

We have had a lovely Easter Sunday with our traditional egg hunt at my in-laws house with a huge scrumptious lunch which we all chipped in on.  I would show you the pictures of my heart-attack sausage rolls, but they've all been scoffed, along with the cheese muffins and quiche....my sister-in-laws famous lasagne, chocolate mousse, carrot cake all washed down with some chocolate eggs! My family really know how to eat!

Looking forward to looking at all the other projects on this week....that is after I've eaten a little more chocolate.

Hope you all have a great week.x

Butterflies, bunnies, baking and brothers

Wow,  today has just been wonderful!  The sky was overcast and rainy this morning, but by this afternoon just in time for a family walk, the skies were blue and the sun was shining.

We've all been busy, I've been crocheting lots of new creations for Easter gifts......the butterfly will have arm straps put on tomorrow, ready for our youngest niece.

Chocolate cream egg cosies for the older nieces and nephews

Some less girly than others!

We have baked Easter chocolate sponge cakes and chocolate nests complete with mini chocolate eggs.

Well the spots have well and truly landed, and both big and little are now 'poxed'  Thankfully, apart from a few 'bleuugghhh' days, we so far have escaped fairly lightly.  Little has a good sprinkling and big, after feeling poorly, is almost pleased to see the first smattering of spots.

Year of projects 01.04.12

I did consider not posting this week, as I've been dilly-dallying, running here-there-everywhere and generally not really achieving much.

Last week's update caused some differences in opinion over which blanket was better suited for my cousin's new baby.  I must admit to carrying on with the pale green shell-stitch blanket, as I still feel that knowing the mother and it being her first baby, the plainer blanket would suit better.  However, I will buy some more stylecraft and finish the other one too as I do love bright and colourful!

I also showed you the start of a cat (please note I said cat, this may prove useful later) the pattern taken out of a book borrowed from  the library. 

I mentioned last time how much I LOVE this yarn, it is Juniper from Sirdar (in mulberry) and it is divine!  It is thick and thin and swirly and multicoloured....it is also in short supply....if only  I had enough to make a garment out of it....... I have maybe 6 or so balls left but it doesn't seem to go far.....maybe when the weather gets cooler in the autumn I will make a cowl.

Hmmmm......can you guess what it is.......

I'm afraid it is not really as it should be....but hey-ho, it was fun to make and it is beautiful to look at!

Our week of birthday celebrations for biggest boy culminated in a bowling party last night with a group of friends.....phew I'm relieved that is over! 

Today we've been enjoying the sun again....and it seemed we weren't the only ones.

This young lamb was taking full advantage of the sunshine and a relaxed mummy......our lambing is just about over now and the weather has been very kind to us.  Our normal season of lambing seems to throw everything at us, even a bit of snow a couple of years ago.

D'you know I really do enjoy to read your opinions, having other people's creative input is invaluable....thank you all.....

Anyway, to catch up with other year of project work, please check out the Ravelry page here.

The sun has got his hat on!

Wow, what a week it has been!

The sun has shone its little socks off and we have made the most of it!

As chicken pox still lingered, biggest's family tea party, became the non-event of the century, so I had a quick re-think and we went for a family picnic with my folks, the only ones willing to mix with us 'unclean' people!

Do you know...it was absolutely perfect...good food...good company and teddies too!

This is the birthday boy who was nine yesterday....he is just about to munch a raspberry trifle cupcake (from 'Cake Days' Humming Bakery recipe book) which disappeared very quickly.... I would highly recommend them!

I have to say that picnic food is just about my favourite thing.....

After eating until we were full to the gunnels, we stretched our legs.

(I would like it to be noted, that even the biggest boy of them all had a stick to sword fight with.)

Sunday was another glorious afternoon so we took the dogs for a walk while the tide was right out.

The boys had a whale of a time getting wet and beachy.

I saw these beautiful swans (there were 17 in total) all serenely sitting in the shallows with their faces in the sunshine (can a bird have a face?)

(check out Chester's ears, he looks like hes about to take off!)

The dogs bombed about, meeting other walkers and doggy friends......the boys collected shells....as I've already said, we were all truly spoilt.

The week has been a busy one as biggest's birthday celebrations seem to have continued (rather like the queen)  we have the last birthday 'event' on Saturday night, with bowling and food all round for a handful of boys and girls....I do hope they won't actually be a handful though!

Biggest and littlest are still spot-free and I am hoping they will remain so until Saturday night is done....fingers crossed........

Hope you are having a lovely week....and enjoying the sun too!