December is here already

Goodness this year is racing past.  Can you believe 2016 is nearly done?

How is the Christmas shopping going?  I am actually doing ok, managed to do some of it online or one of my elves has helped out. Still stuff to do, but not feeling under pressure.

The puddings are made, the cake is baked and being fed, so still need to marzipan and ice that.

I won't be sending cards this year, as I plan to make a donation to Dementia Research. Our mum has been diagnosed with vascular dementia and with all that entails (its been quite a stressful few months), I feel that my money will be better spent on helping people with this dreadful illness, too late for her but if it can help others then so be it.  I'm sure you will all understand. Life is very different for her and us and it takes some getting used too.

Knitting has helped take my mind off things for a while, someone asked if I was a human knitting machine the other day!! Ok, I do turn over a far amount of stuff but as they are mainly baby things they don't take long.

This is what I have made since I last blogged about it - ok that is quite a lot

We had the boys last weekend, which was fun, lots of activities in the garden and park -

Love this photo of my handsome husband xxx

so that was our November.......

Knitting - something for me is done

Two and half weeks of knitting and I'm finally done.  So so happy with the end result.  Lots of lovely comments on Facebook and Instagram, thank you.

Here are some of the photos hubby snapped before work yesterday.  The pattern is Ellen by Amy Christoffers .  The yarn I used was from Aldi - Kirkton House Craft Aran - £4.99 for 400 gram ball, this used less than 2 balls, and the fairisle work was done in an assortment of yarn from stash.  So a lovely cardigan for around £10.  So happy with the fit.  I added 2" to the length and 1" to the sleeves. If I made it again, and I might I would do 3" on the length.

Well its back to baby clothes for me for awhile

Knitting - Wednesday's WIP

Along came Wednesday again!

Today's WIP is the Ellen Cardigan for me - I am really pleased with the colour combo that I selected from my stash.  Most of the yarn is from Aldi, those huge 400 gram balls that they have from time to time.  Hoping to get this well underway before I start on some baby requests for later in the year.  If I have time I may also start another ten-stitch blanket.  Several ladies from my knitting group have cast on and I do love these as they are just so easy to pick up and do.

Since I last posted I have made a cardigan for Gus - its the Seaside cardigan from Sublime knitted in Drops Muskat cotton which I got on sale at the Wool Warehouse

I know I haven't posted much again this month but I will be posting a round up of the month in photo form soon.

Take care and be kind to one another.  There is just too much sadness in the world right now

Knitting - Sky Blue Pink

This little cardigan is finished, finally, gardening really gets in the way of knitting.  The pattern is Stylecraft #8980.  The yarn, I have no idea as it was recently given to me.  

Knitting - for want of a needle

I finally got hold of my teeny tiny circular to do the sleeves on my cardigan.  I love this little pattern.  In fact love all of Pekapeka patterns I have knitted so far. The fact that most of Kelly's newborn patterns are free is an added bonus.

This pattern is called Emma Asked -

Check out these beautiful flowers I was given this weekend. Flowers from Miss Pickering in Stamford - thank you Beck and Tim xx

Weekend - why do you go so fast?

I can't believe it's Sunday evening again, where did that weekend go?

We certainly had some amazing weather and have spent our time working on the garden.  Even though Peter wasn't feeling too well, he has a bad throat and a very husky voice, he has finished cutting back all the hedges, amongst other stuff.  In fact we have gone crazy and cut back hard, so much extra light. We also decided that after 17 years - can't believe we have been in this house 17 years -some of the shrubs were past their best, vastly overgrown, so we have cut back and disposed of a number.  Lots of gaps to fill now and some to move if possible.

This photo was taken yesterday after the grass was cut but before the hedges and borders on the righthand side were attacked.

The girls enjoying the sunshine, in fact they were after our lunch!

Just look at that sky

I also managed to get Miss J's cardigan finished.  Pretty happy with it.  The sleeves aren't as puffy as I thought they would be, so thats a result. The pattern is Autumn Cardigan by Kelly Brooker

Peter has cooked dinner, venison casserole, after which I am looking forward to putting my feet up with a new project and another glass of wine. Not sure we'll be able to move later but it's been a good weekend.

Knitting - and there's more

Just a quick post today. I forgot these little hats when I posted the other day.  Both are 6-12 month size and knitted in a pure wool which I can't now find the band for.  Anyway that's another ball used out of my oddments box

I also finished my 2nd Gallatin Scarf yesterday, yarn used for this was Caron Simply Soft Paints in colourway Harlequin.  It goes perfectly with my new dress, well I think so, you may not!

That's it, bye for now, happy knitting

Knitting - Blish completed

It's done and I love it.  This is the first thing I've knitted for myself apart from shawls that I'm really happy with.

I made various modifications to the pattern.  Only a 2" neckband (I have a short neck), a 3x3 rib on the bottom and cuff. I think if I make this again I may do them both just slightly deeper.

Please excuse the no-makeup photos, I'm still not feeling well, but I wanted to get this photographed today, Rachel suggested the poses!

This took only 600 grams of yarn. It's turned very cool here now so I can see me wearing this often.  I have cast on a sweater for Laurie, so hoping to make good inroads into that and have the one for Rufus cast on before next weekend, aran yarn so quick progress anticipated.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend.