March in photos

I know the blog has been quiet, I seem to have run out of steam, and its not been a hugely exciting month due to illness.  I have however managed - 

• A fair amount of knitting. 
• A small amount of gardening. 
• Went to the Knitting & Stitching Show. 
• Got a dress for the wedding. 
• Miss the Hen Day. 
• Had a weekend break in London and saw Joe Bonamassa in concert. 
• Shopping trip with eldest daughter, where I got shoes and cardigan to complete my wedding outfit,  she got her outfit and shoes, we got wedding outfits for the boys. Plants from the garden centre
• Had a theatre/dinner trip (birthday present) - Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier at the Arts and dinner at Cau - both very good
• Made an easter bonnet for Jess
• Had a wedding planning meeting

Actually that doesn't sound so bad considering 2 weeks were wiped out.

So here is my month in pictures

Knitting ......

Coats for Give a Dog a Coat

Show purchases .......

From the garden......

Children.......

So March will be over tomorrow.  April is the birthday month for Peter and the girls, and we have a long 4 day Easter weekend to look forward too though the forecast isn't look very exciting but as long as I can get in the garden that will be fine.

Knitting - WIP Wednesday

Work is continuing on the Saroyan Scarf, I'm loving it.  I have just finished the centre section, so now on the home straight with the decrease section.  This will be a lovely cosy shawl/scarf, so may end up not getting worn much until next autumn.  I have my eye on the Holden Shawl next.  I am yet to team it up with yarn from my stash but I have plenty of options.

I am making the most of still having a fuzzy head, which won't tolerate much bending about, hence not being able to get into the garden. Not that I need an excuse to knit.

Weekend - not the one I expected

How was your weekend? My weekend didn't go as it was planned to do.  I was still feeling ill so ended up missing the Hen Day on Saturday, spending the day alone as Peter went to look after the boys rather than them come to us.  They all had a good time and I spent the day quietly finishing off my two WIPs and listening to an audiobook...... not feeling sorry for myself at all!

Sunday, was Mothering Sunday here in the UK and Rachel, Stu and Jess risked a visit and bought lunch. I also started a new project, something for me for a change.

I've been into work today, still not feeling 100%, but I survived the morning and can only hope this virus clears up soon.  I didn't fancy knitting group this afternoon so am catching up on some washing, I really know how to enjoy myself.

So the projects that I completed. Jess happily modelled the dress yesterday, this is the only one that isn't blurred or too dark, she moves around so quickly these days, god help us once she is off on her own!

Little Sister's dress 

Baby Bunting by Sublime

Then the project for me.  The pattern is Saroyan .  I cast this on yesterday afternoon, it grows so fast.  The yarn is some that I bought last week at the show.  I have used just under 2 balls so far, loving the yarn and the pattern, I did 8 increase repeats so that it is slightly wider that given so it will be more of a wrap than a scarf.

Knitting - Progressing

Its Friday.....  and I am still feeling under par, though better than I did on Wednesday.  Thank you for the good wishes, its seems that a lot of you out there are suffering too.

I have been doing some knitting, but not as much as I should have done considering the time I've had sitting around. Its typical, we long for more time, then when we get it we don't feel like doing anything. Add to that the sun has been shining and I have wasted all that gardening time too.  My biggest regret is that I had to give up looking after little Miss J today.

This is my progress on the Little Sister's dress.  As mentioned before the yarn is Sirdar Snuggly Baby Bamboo. I have been annoyed by a number of joins in this yarn, why do they do this? Surely balls with joins should be sold as seconds!

With regards to the yarn I bought on Saturday, my friend Pauline suggested I did a "wraps per inch" to judge what the yarn is.  Obvious isn't it, can't believe I didn't think of it, but then again no one else did either! Anyway it looks like I have some DK (11 wraps), aran (8 wraps) and possibly chunky, the black yarn (8 wraps) is one of those thick/thin yarns so more difficult to judge. Thank you Pauline.

I have been doing some reading too.  Currently reading The Legacy of Elizabeth Pringle by Kirsty Wark



I am hoping that when I get up tomorrow I will feel wonderful and can go forth with my weekend plans, otherwise I am going to feel pretty miserable.  Positive thoughts only

Knitting - WIP Wednesday

This Wednesday finds me home nursing a cold/cough.  The cough started on Monday evening and progressed through yesterday, causing me to actually be sick a few times.  I had a rough night having gone to bed at 7:30pm finally getting up at 4:30am this morning with a pounding headache and hacking cough (keeping hubby awake!).  The cold has now started to come out, lessening the cough which to be honest I am glad of.  I am well dosed up with paracetamol and drinking plenty so hopefully I can knock this on the head quickly.  Have too much on this weekend to be ill.

So knitting, thats what you have come here for.  I have two WIP's on the go.

Firstly Baby Bunting by Sublime.  I am making this in King Cole Big Value DK which was left over from another project. Size 0-6 months, this is for a friend.

Secondly, Little Sister's Dress which I am using Sirdar Snuggly Baby Bamboo (80% bamboo 20% wool), this is for Jess

I forgot to share a few bits from the garden at the weekend. Hubby found these newt babies which he popped away safely.  He also found a large crested newt which is also tucked away from the prying eyes of the girls!!

We have lots of primroses again this year and the first of the daffodils are out too

I love spring in the garden with all the new flowers, shoots and leaves.  To check out our garden through the years pop over to the Our Garden Page here on the blog

Knitting - Spring Knitting and Stitching Show

Yesterday was the Spring Knitting & Stitching Show outing with Rachel.  We had a wonderful day, full of chatting, sunshine (all day), yarn, good food. and ................ scroll down for the and

The show -

My purchases - the Filati da Collezione yarn was from the Abakhan stand all 3 packs for £22.99.  The only problem I can see with it is that it doesn't tell you the name or weight of the yarn so I will have to break a rule of a lifetime and knit a tension swatch to find out what it is! If anyone recognises any of it then please let me know.

100% organic cotton

30% wool and mixed fibres

50% wool and 50% acrylic - yummy colour

50% merino 50% acrylic

And dress shopping for the wedding - so hard.  I did actually find a dress I like, in fact I have three at home now, two of which will go back, the choosen dress, I now need to find a smart cardigan or jacket to go with. As the wedding is a casual affair to be held in our garden I don't want to go over the top but would like to look half way decent!! I'll keep you posted on what I decide.