Knitting........coming off the needles

As promised here are some of my projects that are finally off the needles. 

I did manage to get a few pictures of Laurie in his "designed himself" sweater vest, not great as he wouldn't stand still, but its a good fit and he was really happy with it.

First up is the Nurmilintu shawl

before blocking

 This actually isn't off the needles yet, but has progressed a bit - Sonnensegel Scarf

Sweater vest for Rufus, bit on the long side so will keep his bottom warm!

Laurie - handsome boy xx

My needles are busy - I'm working on a project for Rebecca which will remain secret until finished.  Peter has asked for a pair of socks - I really need to get over my fear of socks so I said I'd have a go.  I still have Gus' ten stitch to finish.  I've some yarn put to one side to make something for me, I could go on, its a case of have yarn will knit. 

Take care until the next time - which will be all about our visit to Rouen

Halfway through Feb already

The weeks go by so fast, yet at times the days drag - especially when you are at work!!  I really don't want to wish the day away, but I guess we have all been there.

My knitting carries on a pace, not much else to do on these cold wet evenings and weekends.  The garden is perking up, lots of signs of spring, but short of a bit more tidying not a lot to do out there.

Yesterday was my birthday, another year older, but another new year to look forward too.  I guess you have to appreciate every one you are given.  Lets face it no one knows whats around the corner for them.

My girls and grandchildren gave me a surprise on Monday, I got home from work/grocery shopping and was just bringing the bags into the house, when they all jumped out on me.  I can tell you its the biggest fright I have had in a long time.  They came bearing gifts and stayed and cooked us a lovely dinner, all forgiven and of course it was great to see them all!

So here's what I've been doing since last I posted

I've been knitting these in between projects but finished them off at the weekend - hate doing faces

Also made 2 batches of marmalade, pictures below are just the first batch

Me again

Yes, I'm still alive, where does the time go? Over 2 weeks since I last posted, really not sure what I've done other than garden clear up, knitting and visiting my mother.

The garden is a full time job right now trying to keep on top of the leaves.  Its a late leaf drop again and the trees are hanging on, though a few more cold days and they will soon start shedding. The first 3 pics were taken walking back to the car on Saturday after a trip to town.  Went for trousers ended up with boots!!

Garden after some raking

Sunrise

Rachel and I found a brilliant craft shop after a visit to my Mum.  Its situated at the Taverham Nursery.  We will definitely be calling in there again

So onto the knitting - actually looks like a achieved a fair bit in the last 2 weeks.  The photo below has come on a bit this afternoon just the neck and arm bands to do on this little slipover.  I plan to make a top for Jess too with the same yarn

for Gus

for Holly

for Gus

for Gus

for Gus

for Jackie

for Rebecca

for Rachel

So that's it for now.  Hope you are ready for the change of clocks this weekend, only bonus to the darker evenings i more knitting time!!

Life gets in the way

I feel like I am taking three steps forward and two steps backwards right now.

I have been busy with the requests for Baby B, altering sleeve lengths on my growing grand children's knitwear - they are long and skinny.  I have a request for a couple of hats for a friend going through chemo, a scarf and hat for my eldest daughter, a cushion with a dog on it for Rufus, and the list goes on.

Dealing with the continuing glut of runner beans and then there is the autumn clear up in the garden - no idea when that will start, childcare - that's a pleasure, eldercare and lots of decisions - not so.

Knitting is the only thing I feel like I can control right now, I have the list and I'm working through it, no deviation

These are my recent finished projects

I lengthened the sleeves on this for Jess

 The sleeves and length on this one for Gus

I am still working on Jess' coat but that is going slowly, but its something I just pickup and do a few rows as and when.

Time to cast on a new project.......

More FO's & WIPs

This year is positively flying by, hard to believe it is Wednesday aain.  Today I have a new WIP to show you.  Its the Feather and Fan Baby Sweater from Lion Brand.  I saw this when we visited their shop earlier this month.  It looks a bit scrunched at the moment as the back and fronts are on stitch holders.  I wish I had worked the sleeves in the round, but I went with the pattern.

Since I last posted I have finished the three cardigans for a friend.  They have been well received, which is always great.

This was last weeks' WIP

Last Saturday I entered the bridal bouquet I made for Rachel into our village show and I won a prize.

1st Prize

 I was so thrilled, as was Rachel.  I now need to come up with something to top this for next time!

That's all from me today.  I had hoped to get into the garden but its raining again

WIP's & FO's

Life is pretty busy again, So what's new.  We are trying to get out for a good walk each evening, which is cutting into my knitting time, but I need the exercise and its good to be outdoors. Especially now I have my hay fever under control.

This week we have lost two members to our family, firstly our laptop who gave us many good years of service, its replacement is on order.  Secondly, was Sylvie, one of our Goldline chickens, only just over 2 yrs but she has looked poorly for a while and not laying in ages or if she did they had no shell. We found her tucked up under the nesting box yesterday.  Scruffy looks a bit perplexed and keeps chasing after the cat for company!  We will try and get her a couple of new mates by the weekend.

I have a couple of projects on the go at the moment. A shawl that I am making up as I go along and Hundreds by Pekapeka.

The finished project is Composite also by Pekapeka

On a different note - the veg garden - rabbits have disseminated the cabbages, slugs are eating the beans and courgettes, and a mole if tunneling over the entire patch, only good thing there is its turning over the soil!!  We have decided to give up veg gardening and just buy the the plentiful veg stalls around us.

That's it for today, hope you are all finding some sun, its really in short supply around here.

Knitting - on and off the needles

Another week has gone by since I last posted.  I honestly don't know where my weeks go!

What have I been doing this past week?  Well, Friday I picked up the boys for the weekend, we had a fun day, making the most of getting out in the garden in between showers, playing with trains and lego when inside.  Those boys would play with lego all day if you let them!

Saturday, the girls and I went to the Aqua Sana Spa at Woburn Centre Parcs.  We had a wonderfully relaxing day, doing not much at all, just dipping in and out of the pool, steam rooms and just generally lounging around and chatting.  We had a very jolly pedicure, it was fun that all 3 of us got to have our treatments at the same time in the same room, much hilarity ensued - most of it at my expense. Peter and Stu managed the children, spending the day at Wimpole Home Farm, sounds like they had a good time.

Sunday, after we dropped of the boys off for a party, we picked up Rachel and Jess and spent the day mucking out the cars..... cleaning up the buggy...... making a cushion seat cover and a peg bag.... generally ticking things off Rachel's "things to do before baby" list.  I think she is feeling a bit more in control now.

Onto the knitting - I have completed a body warmer for Jess and picked back up a cardigan for the baby. Made 2 snuggly bunnies for the boys - one as an alien - no photos of these completed

The body warmer is the Per Body Warmer pattern from Millamia . I used Stylecraft Special aran with wool for the main colour and oddments from stash for the colourwork.  I added the hearts to make this a bit more girly, especially as its in navy. I also did the armhole bands narrower as I think the ones on the pattern look too bulky.  The cardigan is Emma Asked by Pekapeka.

Photographs in no particular order......

trying to coax the chickens to eat the food they made

Miss chickenpox face