Knitting news

 It’s time for another ten stitch blanket.

On Wednesday our youngest daughter asked if I could knit them a huge blanket for camping. One they could all snug under!

Happy to oblige.  I have a box of DK yarn in lots of bright colours that I had no plans for, other than to try and use it up this year. By using three strands held together I get the chunky weight I like to use for a ten stitch. I decided to just knit until the colours run out and start the next randomly.  As there are lots of reds I determined that this would hopefully be my main colour going through with the other colours as accents. By changing colours this way you don’t get the defined change lines, rather a more blended look. So far so good.

I started this on Thursday 2 June - pm

My progress up to Saturday 4 June - pm

And again after a wet Sunday 5 June

I’m really happy with the progress and how quickly the Dk stash is moving. I do have a 400 gram ball of red aran weight yarn if I need more red but would need to use a 4ply to go with to get the right thickness. I’ll see what’s left once I run out of red, it may be that I can border with an orange mix as that’s my next largest amount. Or maybe now I’m at a corner I could go orange as main for a few rounds, then bring in red again.  Perhaps I’ll give that a go and see how it looks. The one good thing is it’s only ten stitches to pull out and pick up, easy. 

Hot off the needles

I went to bed with two rows left to knit and the sew up to do. I know if I stayed up I would be burning the midnight oil.  Our neighbour woke me at 6:30, they have a gravel drive and he obviously forgot something and came roaring back in to get it, then roared out again, so I decided just to get up and finish.  So here it is

The pattern came from Sirdar Secret Garden Aran Knits and the yarn used was Sirdar Denim, with an oddment of navy for the contrast.  I love an aran knit, works up so quickly.  I was asked how I knit so fast.  I don't think I do.  Due to the heat, I've honestly not done much else other than sit and knit, occasionally read, so house and garden work have been neglected. Yesterday was cooler, so I did help hubby clean the car and also did some weeding.

Thank you for all the kind messages about leaving Facebook, please know that nothing that was said was aimed at me.  It's just the whole thing really, the hate against race, brexit, adverts and just the general negativity.  I can honestly say I am not missing IT, though I do miss the interaction with like minded knitters plus its giving me much more time to knit.  It also means I am spending some of the lost time, back here on the blog as a forum for my knits.  Whilst its not generating the views it did when I shared it to Facebook, its was always more for me as a record anyway.

So what to do next?  Possibly another sweater vest, I want to see how this one goes down before doing another, also the eldest grandson may want one.  I have my ten stitch blanket to finish but to be honest it's just too warm for doing that right now

Maybe something for me.  I need to go through my stash and patterns and see what I fancy.

Plans for today? - need to go and do some shopping, visit the in laws and have a tidy round.  Enjoy your day whatever you are doing

Other ways to connect with me are Instagram - grannysworld_sue or email suespe@hotmail.com
Bye for now Sue

Autumn days

With British Summer Time ending this weekend, it heralds the start of the long dark evenings.  Part of me rejoices in the fact that I can knit without that slight guilt that I should be doing something else!

There is certainly plenty to do in the garden, leaves, leaves and more leaves, and still so many on the trees. Just love the colours.

I currently don't have the energy or inclination to get outside and start clearing up, it must be done, but I'm hoping for a strong wind to blow them into a neighbours garden!

As thoughts turn to the colder days, I have freshen up the blankets in the garden room, love to be able to snuggle under these.  All Ten-Stitch blankets, I really need to make another, they are such fun to do.  To knit yours check out the link above, it's a free pattern, though Frankie does ask for donations to the Children's Liver Disease Foundation, I'll leave that to your conscience. 

Fig tree logs drying out, these make for a lovely fragranced cosy fire, we've yet to fire up the log burners but it won't be long if the forecast is anything to go by.

FO's on a Saturday

I have started this weekend with two finished projects.  Its a satisfying feeling, especially when I have just two more hats to complete for the holiday project, then I can work on something else.

The ten stitch has been on the go since June and I'm actually glad to see the back of it.  The finished size is 50" x 50"and it used 1380 grams of yarn.  The yarn was an assortment from stash, held together to make a chunky yarn, thus giving the tweed effect.  I added the flower to the middle as I wasn't keen on the initial green.  This will be for Jess to play on as they have laminate floors which are a bit cool in the winter months.

I also completed a hat - 1 hour Hat with Bobbles by Stefanie Japel for Craftsy.  I can tell you, I couldn't knit this in an hour, took me more like two, but then I didn't sit at it religiously.  Pleased with the end result.  I expect my youngest will claim it.

To give you a laugh - I left the hat on the head form last night and it gave my husband a real fright this morning when he came downstairs to find it sitting on the back of the sofa!  Must admit these heads are kind of freaky

Having a quiet weekend, the weather doesn't look promising, I currently have washing out but keeping an eye on the weather.  Hope you all have a peaceful weekend.....

Knitting - On the needles

Knitting is going very slowly right now.  I have another Ten Stitch on the go and a sweater which I cast on yesterday at Monday group because I couldn't be bothered to drag along the blanket.

Pattern is Georgie from Patons Play Days

On Saturday it's our Gala Day at the Village Festival.  I am entering the Village Craft and Produce Show, with 3 items of knitwear and 2 jars of jam - 1 Cherry and the other Blackberry & Apple (Granny jam as Ru calls it).

These are my entries, I guess I stand as good a chance as anyone so it will be fun to enter.  I'll let you know how I get on.

Knitting - The decks are cleared

At long last Laurie's Ten Stitch blanket is finished.  Not on New Year Eve as planned but New Years Day. A friend suggested I gave myself an extra 12 hours and pretend I lived in Hawaii, good idea.

The final measurement was 50" square and it used 1600 grams of yarn, most of it was oddments from my stash, so my cupboard is a bit lighter! The pattern is here, its great this is my 9th one!

It is great to have the decks cleared, lots of plans for knitting in 2014, so wishing you all a Happy New Year.

Taking a little break

I've been knitting all day, the weather was awful first thing so we didn't rush to get up.  A luxury of tea in bed with our books,  we then decided to have a brunch of scrambled eggs and smoked salmon washed down with a couple of bucks fizz,  it felt quite naughty.

My plan is to have Laurie's Ten Stitch blanket finished by the end of 2013...... running out of time... I am on the final round but getting stiff hands today, hence the break right now.

Things are quiet here after having the little boys for the weekend, they certainly keep us on our toes now. Luckily the weather was good, cold but dry so we were able to get outside for a while.  Rufus is into pirate ships and Fireman Sam.  Pops built him what turned out to be a ship one end and a fire engine the other according to Rufus

the slide improvises as a firemans pole

Off on a treasure hunt

Treasure

wearing boots 3 sizes too big for him!!

Eating the loot

I took so many photographs this weekend that its impossible to show or decide which to include, so you will have to make do with these.

Right break over and off for a bit more knitting