Knitting - She can be warm again

The Emergency hat is finished. I had planned to post this yesterday but was otherwise engaged. The pattern details are here.  It was satisfying to see her wear it straight away, whilst not the same as the one she lost, I thought it looked great.

Lots to do this weekend, the garden calls and I have had to drag myself away from my book, The Lake House by Kate Morton, such a good read, not much to go and I think I have worked out how it will end, I may however be wrong.  Until bedtime!

It's been a while

I've not participated in WIP Wednesday for a little while.  Not that I've not been knitting, just that I've not been in a position to share anything. You can always check out my knitting page tab to see what I've been up to.


I still have Laurie's ten stitch on the go and the frilled dress which I may or may not frog, its come up too big and will require some fiddling to sort, so it may just be easier to rip it back and use a different yarn.
So what am I working on now?  This pattern was given to me recently along with the yarn I'm using.  The pattern is Peter Pan P1093, which covers size Age 1-11 and also includes a sweater version.

The yarn is Tawny Twist n Twirl Hi-lights in pale pink - it's an acrylic double knit yarn.  Not particularly exciting, but fine for this cardigan

I am reading Lunch in Paris, enjoyable read with good recipes too. What they say:

Lunch in Paris by Elizabeth Bard is the story of how the author, an American student living in London, fell in love with her French husband and his country's cuisine. While she writes a good bit about her experiences with food, there are plenty of life's other aspects. Love, in-laws, the health care system, making friends, and politics are among the topics Bard covers in her memoir. If you enjoy food and have either been to Paris or fantasize what it's like, this is a book for you.

Next on the bedside table is Toby's Room, set in the first world war, hubby says I will enjoy it.

So there you have my WIPs for this week, for more pop over to Tami's or Ginny's

Everyone likes a bargain

As you may or may not know it was my birthday on Thursday.  I got a super new lens for my camera, which will allow me to take photographs of Rufus, without him hopefully noticing.  He has a real problem with cameras these days,  unlike his little brother who just loves the camera. In fact I can sneak up on all the family! I plan to go out and try the lens around the lakes and garden tomorrow, weather permitting. I also got a new carrying case and spare battery, all very handy.

see the pretty nails

Check out my beautiful birthday card from the boys.

 And so to my bargain.  Rachel and I were in Dunelm this afternoon and she spotted this book.  I had been planning to buy it on Amazon the other week, then talked myself out of it.  So was pleased to find it here for £5.00 reduced from £19.99.

Imagine my surprise when I got to the checkout to be charged just £1.00 for it!!!  I even asked the cashier if she had made a mistake and she said it must be my lucky day.

I see lots of Fair Isle knitting in my future

WIP's, FOs and Colds...

I have a head cold and am feeling a bit sorry for myself.  It started on Monday at work, I went in yesterday to be told by my boss I looked rough, gee thanks.  I thought I'd done a good job with the foundation and blush!  This morning I got up, made lunch for us both, then just decided to get back into bed.  Head pounding, sneezing.  What's the point of struggling in.  A text message arrived shortly after from a colleague to say he wouldn't be in as he had a cold, so its a bit thin on the ground at work today, sorry.  Hopefully a day of just relaxing will help.  I have a busy weekend ahead, so need to knock this on the head pretty quick.

Anyway, WIP's, that's what you are here for.  Work goes slowly on my Lady Kina, due partly to the fact that I have had a problem with my hands this last week, lots of pain, which has meant only doing small amounts of knitting.  I'm hoping this is just a temporary set back and not the start of something more serious.

My FO's are the hats for our November holiday - Team Speechley.  As I don't wear hats, well not often, I have made a head band  for me.  It a free DROPS pattern, which I knitted up in double knit rather than aran, but as this is knitted via measurements, it worked up fine.  I added a flower to bring in the red and cream patterning.

On the reading front, I am working my way through the kindly lent Miss Read books, currently on the copy of Tylers Row - its like reconnecting with an old friend.

So that's it from me today.  Think a cup of tea is now due, feet up with my book and a blanket.  Don't work too hard!

WIP Wednesday

Just a short one from me today.  The hats continue, 2 down 5 to go - see yesterday's post for an explanation.

I have been kindly lent these books by Pauline of PaulineKnit Blog.  I love the Miss Read books, takes me back to my school days, yes I'm that old!  I read most of these when I was younger but I am more than happy to get reacquainted.

Instant gratification

Last night I had one of those evening when none of my WIP's were shouting 'knit me'.  What I wanted was something that I could start and finish in an evening.  Sheet of paper handy, I doodled a few flowers and decided they would look good on a hat.  A hat is quick, especially a 3-6 months size, so I cast-on 78 stitches and here is the result.  Knitted in Patons Smoothie, the pattern I made up as I went along.  I've knitted enough baby hats to know a rough pattern from my head now.

More buttons and yarn (380g)  for my stash from the charity shop

Books - I had to abandon the Birdsong when it got to the part when they were in the tunnels.  I started to have a panic attack, can't stand confined places. Even woke up in the night shouting from a bad dream. Don't ask about being in an MRI scanner!!!

So I am now reading The Prisoner of Heaven by Carlos Ruiz Zafon this is the third of a series, check out the link for info on the others.  Its a much more stress free read



For more WIP's go to Tamis and Yarn Along

WIP Wednesday

Good afternoon to you all. Happy 4th July to those celebrating, I hope you find time in your busy day to get a few rows knitted.

WIP's - last week I had two cardigans on the needles, these are both fortunately completed .  I still have the ten stitch and other blanket with no movement but I have cast-on both the jumpers for Rufus.  The ribbed sweater is well underway, its basically just 4 rectangles, 2 row pattern so nothing taxing.

The sweater I cast-on last night.  I decided to knit this in Rustic Aran by Kirkton House  -Aran / 10 ply 72% Acrylic, 25% Wool, 3% Other, which at least machine washable, so will make my daughter happy.  It appears to be knitting to gauge so I'm happy.  Both are loose fit jumpers, so can be worn in place of a jacket on cooler days.

I am reading Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks at the moment.  I did watch the TV adaptation so know the plot, so I'm not sure if I'll enjoy it as much as reading before viewing.  We will see.  I recently finished Return to the Olive Farm by Carol Drinkwater, I've read the previous books in this series and enjoyed them, this one however found Carol on her soapbox banging on about environmental issue a bit too much for my liking.  I have the Olive Route and Olive Tree to read, but need a break for now. 

Whilst I still, hopefully have your attention. Can I point my readers in the Cambridge & Stamford area to the following website Bees Knees Events.  If you are in the market for a cake for that special event then please take a look. Amy is the wife of one of my colleagues, she is a talented baker and artist.  Bees Knees can also be found on Facebook .

So thats it for me this week for more WIPs go to Tamis and Yarn Along

WIP Wednesday again

Its Wednesday again, love these short weeks when you have a bank holiday. 

What's on my needles?

Bunting - using up odds and ends to make this - its for my Easter weekend project which is coming on nicely. I should be able to tell you about it soon.

These have something to do with it too

Natures' work in progress - love the Hosta spikes, and the Chestnut leaves

Whilst I have some time when not working/working outside/knitting, I am managing to do a bit of reading.  I have just finished Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky, an interesting read about life in occupied France and the relationships between the French and Germans. 

My eldest has passed me the next Phillipa Gregory - The Lady of the Rivers - so once I'm into that I don't think alot else will be achieved if her previous books are anything to go by.

Remember to stop by at Tamis, Yarn Along and KCCO

WIP Wednesday

another Wednesday comes around and I'm still working on my In the Mood cardigan and my Ten Stitch Twist. Nothing new has been started. I'm not sure I will press on with the socks, these will either go into hibernation or be frogged.

The In the Mood as you can see is coming along, back and sleeve completed, left front up to neck shaping. I would really like to have this out of the way by next Wednesday or at least Friday so I can show it off.

On the reading front - I am currently reading Sister by Rosamund Lupton which I am enjoying, then after that my book club read is The Elegance of Hedgehogs by Muriel Barbery, which apparently has nothing to do with prickly animals.  I sometime wonder if they give books odd titles just to make you pick them up.

Last night I went to the cinema with my youngest to see The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, a very enjoyable feel good but thought provoking film.  Not sure I fancy going off to India in my twilight years, but it certainly looked better than some of the alternatives - old peoples retirement developments? Tell me why would you want to live with a load of other old people?  I hope I am able to stay in my own home for as long as possible, but even if I'm not I'm sure I would prefer to downsize and be in the community at large.  I'll let you know if and when the time comes.

With that I'll let you go off to enjoy some other WIPs with Tami and Yarn Along

WIP Wednesday #18

Nothing much to report on the knitting front since my posts I've been tardy and Plague of Red Hats, apart from I finished the headband, knitted 6 rows of the Baby Surprise jacket, then realised I had repeated a row so pulled it out.  The front of the Teddy hooded top is finished and I've done an I cord for the bottom rather than a twisted cord. Nothing happening on the ten stitch )-:

I worked on the short row scarf this afternoon at Knit Lits, we have a new book, its The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, it reads ok on the back cover so I'll let you know once I get started.

I'm currently reading Distant Hours by Kate Morton. I need to give some time to it, a few pages at bedtime aren't enough as I keep falling asleep.  I need more hours in the day, because I hate having to decide whether to read or knit, unfortunately I'm not that good at multi tasking!

I'm sure there will be some lovely WIP's to look at over at Tami's, so give yourself a treat ......and still no baby news, Chloe uncross those legs!!!

Jolly good reading

In the last week I have read and finished two novels, first being Barbara Erskine's Time's Legacy.  I love Barbara's books, Lady of Hay being my all time favourite.  For a while some of her books seemed a bit samey (I have them all) but this one was much better and I thoroughly enjoyed it. If you like historical novels then give her books a try.

The second was Room, the first Emma Donoghue book I have read, I couldn't put it down, usually I only manage a few pages at night before falling asleep, this book had me reading till 11:30, and then I had to force myself to turn out the light. Very thought provoking.

My biggest problem is I wish I could read and knit at the same time

Ok, so how's this open?

Knitting, knitting and more knitting

with a poorly husband and weather that is unpredictable, I have been forced to knit (-:

So far this Easter weekend I have completed a cable bag, beret and matching scarf and am well on the way with a cardigan for me
I'm hoping that we can get out for a walk today, just waiting for the washing to finish. Back to work tomorrow )-:

I've also managed to get a bit of reading in too - Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger (of The Time Travellers Wife fame) a good read but not as good as the Traveller (no crying).  Now embarking on the White Queen by Phillipa Gregory - a historial romp