Knitting - fueling the passion

I went to Aldi today. I had meant to go on Sunday but couldn't really concentrate on anything funnily enough.

There was still plenty of yarn left today, if you like sparkly or fancy yarn then you will be spoilt for choice, as no one seemed to be buying that, also lots of baby yarn in icky pastel colours.

First off the block is the double knit, 100% acrylic, 4 x 100 grams balls at £4.99 for each pack. There were other colours. I also got the Cool Knits for Kids book which was £1.99.

Then we have the aran weight also 100% acrylic 400 gram ball at £4.99 per ball.

They also had loads of summer flowering bulbs at 99p per pack.  I got some last year and they were very good. I can always find some gaps to fill and who doesn't love a riot of summer colours in the garden

I need to get myself outside and start clearing some more of the borders so I can get these in, always something to do..

Family - Once, twice, three times a grandparent

The news we have been waiting for, our youngest daughter Rachel gave birth to a daughter yesterday evening, after a grueling 26 hour (and that was just the time from entering the hospital) labour.

Let me introduce Miss Jessica Peggy Anne Riddle, she weighs 7lbs 10oz.

from Facebook this morning

We went to visit this afternoon, goodness she is so sweet and snuggly

one tired Mummy

snuggling with Aunty Rebecca

few little marks from the forceps

don't I look pleased!

Nanna meeting her first grandchild

Well done Rachel, and thank you Stuart for supporting Rachel through this ordeal, I'm sure it wasn't pleasant for either of you but the end result was well worth it, so proud of you both. You entered the hospital as a couple and left it today a family xx

I see lots of girly knitting in my future - but not before I finish the boys sweaters!

Knitting - WIP Wednesday

Good morning, Wednesday again.  I have a WIP, a FO and baby news....

First the WIP .....

This is Ronnie from Patons Play Days knitted in Sirdar Snuggly.  This one is for Laurie and I need to do a matching one for Rufus.  Its a fairly slow knit as you are constantly changing yarn and stitch pattern, but it is only 4 rows to the pattern so easy to do.

Next the FO.....

Dolls clothes for my niece Lucy, these were adapted from prem baby patterns, hope she likes them

and then on to the baby news, as you have more than likely guessed its not my new grandchild, but a daughter for my niece Lauren, she gave birth yesterday (her due date) to Bonnie 6lbs 15oz, a first grandchild for my brother Bob and sister in law Anne.  Congratulations Lauren and Danny on your new daughter, hope to meet her soon.

Weekend - Spring is in the air

What is going on with the weather?  It has been a weekend of contrasts.  Yesterday it was so windy at times it was hard to walk, then today we have had wall to wall sunshine and soft breezes.  Its no wonder the plants are confused.

We took ourselves out for a walk this afternoon to check out the flooding around us.  We are lucky in our part of the country, whilst we do get flooding, at no point has there been a risk to property so far.  Most years the river and lakes near to us overflow and this year is no exception. The busway footpath is flooded in four places from the nature reserve to the village, but we were able to get through to the nature reserve with just a little paddle.  Walking along the top of the busway bank at least gets us round the flooded pathway but can be a bit risky when the bus comes, a case of turning your back to it so as not to get caught by the back draft!

Cherry Plum blossom - bit early I would say

hedgerow Snowdrops

These snowdrops and aconites are in the grounds of the Old Manor House

This is the driveway to the Old Vicarage House, you can just make out the snowdrops on the far bank, normally there are more on the driveway

I've been busy knitting as well this weekend.  I cast on the first jumper for the boys but as I won't see them for a couple of weeks I decided to get on with some promised dolls clothes and blanket for Lucy.  Here is the blanket I made her.  I had made the "duck square" ages ago and just added a frame around it then double crocheted the edge, works great on a kiddies pushchair. I have also made a dress, which just needs sewing up, then I will work on a hat and cardigan to go with it.  Something else to cross off the list.

This we are hoping, is going to be an exciting week -  2 babies due, my niece Lauren on Tuesday and Rachel next Sunday, of course they could both be another 2 weeks yet, but it doesn't stop the excitement mounting.

Watch this space for announcements.  I hope you have had a great weekend, do tell

Knitting - No WIPs

Sorry but no WIPs this week, just one finished project.  I do have yarn for my next project which I will be casting on this evening though, does that count?

Here's the finished project

Pattern - Little Ruby from Sublime #634
Yarn - Jumbo DK which was given to me last year and buttons from the charity shop.  This only took 55 grams of yarn for a 0-6 month size, so super cheap too.

My next project is for the boys.  The pattern is Ronnie from Patons Play Days and I'm using Sirdar Snuggly in colourway Stonewash and Indigo Mix

Until the next time, keep dry in this wild weather

Family & Knitting - all go

It has been a great weekend.  The boys arrived Thursday tea-time and stayed til yesterday afternoon.  We had fun, not too many photographs, they just don't keep still these days.

another lounge "tent" - this stayed up all weekend

Can you knit hats for my bunnies? - luckily I had 5 knitted egg cosies, job done

Their Mummy turned up with a large ball of orange yarn.  Whilst Laurie was napping on Friday Rufus asked me to knit them a hat each.  The yarn was super bulky so 36 sts 10mm needles and 1.5 hours later two hats and pompoms made.

We managed to get out in the garden for a while

They love a stick

Ru's hovercraft, very inventive I thought

Saturday we left the boys with Peter for the day and took Rachel out for a bit of shopping and lunch before she has the baby.  Due date is 23rd so we are on a countdown, of course she could go overdue....... lets hope not the suspense is killing me and my already bad sleep pattern

Sunday was more play - sofa arm caps become shepherd capes!  I will spare the adults their blushes, but believe me they were all wearing them!

 Then on to my knitting -

Pattern  - Sublime #617 - Peach Sorbet Cardi, knitted in Colorado cotton

Pattern - Little Deck Shoes from Sublime #634 knitted to go with the Vintage Matinee Coat

Craft group today - cast on Little Ruby from Sublime #634

What did you do with your weekend?  What are you currently knitting? Do tell