Christmas list

I’ve been getting to work on my Christmas list lately. Presents for two of my friends are in the works. One requested a red hat like my Meret hat that I made in 2009.

The other wants a ‘Swedishy’ version of the Selbu modern hat, so I’m making a duplicate of my one. Thankfully I had plenty of my hand-dyed yarn left over for it.

It’ll be my third one, but I love this pattern anyway! I need to figure out what else I want to make this winter, especially since I’ll be in Spain for Christmas – definitely need a project or two!

First knit for autumn

I’ve been in love with the Aidez pattern since I saw it over a year ago. I would’ve made it, except that the amount of yarn it takes would have cost a lot. Then I found some Cascade Eco online and since it only takes 2 skeins I took the plunge. As you can see they’re pretty chunky!

I decided to make the whole thing as seamless as possible, so trawled through Ravelry and read the advice on there. Even though this has cables it’s been very fast to get through. The only problem is row 13 on the main cable chart which should read hold to the back, not the front if you want a real lattice pattern, but that’s noted on the errata.

I’m hoping the raglan sleeve decreases go well. I’m making a size 36 but haven’t taken out the side selvedge stitches, so should end up with a 37″ ish size. I’m also making the sleeves a few sizes larger because lots of people said they came up small for them. I should have the cardigan finished over the next week or so. Now I’ve just got to figure out what I need to sew for autumn/winter.

Crafty catch-up

It’s been a while since I’ve posted so I’ve got quite a few FO’s to show off over the next few posts.
Summer in London has been crap so I haven’t been inspired to make anything summery. My first FO is the Cadence jumper. I made it using the yarn from my Darcy cardigan that I frogged. I made the sleeves a bit longer than called for and was worried I wouldn’t have enough to finish it, but when it was all made up I still had most of 1 ball left! Super easy pattern and it took me around a week to finish.

Next up is the crocheted bunny bookmark. I was bored one rainy weekend and made the bunny in an hour or so.

Next time I’ll update on the hats I’ve finished and my lace shawl progress.

Super veggies

I’ve never grown anything before (aside from a daffodil in primary school), so I’ve been shocked by how fast and well my courgettes, carrots and basil have been growing.

I don’t think the picture shows just how big the courgette plant leaves are! I’ve also got quite a few left in the propagator waiting to be potted up, but I need more soil!

Aside from gardening, I’ve been working on finishing my vintage jumper and since I’m on the final few sleeve repeats it shouldn’t be long until I can sew it up and finally show a FO! I’m also contemplating making a simple dress for my cousin but need to find some fun fabric which might be a bit tricky.
I really feel like sewing at the moment, so I think I’m going to go and work on my strawberry dress and with any luck it’ll be ready for when (if!) the warmer weather comes.

Socks and sunshine

We’ve had some crazy weather in London lately. It was hot and sunny enough to sunbathe out on my balcony a couple of weeks ago, so I spent as much time outside as possible!

Then the past few days we’ve had April showers with hail, thunder and lightning! I wanted to get through some of my stash so I decided to try and make my first pair of socks. I made them on a circular because DPN’s just don’t agree with me!

I really didn’t expect them to turn out so well, or to be finished so quickly! I think it took me 5 days in total. I used the Take Five pattern. It’s really simple, but when stretched out almost looks like mini cables.

I also planted some courgettes and carrots on Easter Sunday.

I’m looking forward to seeing the first shoots come up!

Vintage patterns

I went to my local vintage shop the other day and found a box of vintage sewing and knitting patterns. There were lots of 70’s-90’s sewing patterns and not much else, but I managed to find a few 40’s-50’s knitting patterns. I got all of these for just £3!

There are Stitchcraft magazines from May 1942, April 1945 and February 1947.

I also got a lovely fairisle jumper pattern and a dinky annual digest which has about 4 patterns in and adverts for others. I’m so pleased I actually managed to find something good in that shop for once!

Catching up

I know I’ve been away from blogging for a while. I’ve been doing far less crafting lately because I’ve been focusing on getting a job and getting fit.
My great friend Sinead revamped my CV and I got a part-time job which is great.
Aaaaand I finished the hands of my Winter Wonder Mittens – they just need thumbs!

I’ve also started a new lace project. If it doesn’t drive me to the end of my sanity it’ll be a huge improvement! I’m using the Fylleryd pattern by Mia Rinde.

So far I haven’t made any mistakes…

Mystery project and Christmas decorations

I’ve been working on a little project lately, but I’ll just show you a detail of it for now.

I’ve also taken some pictures of decorations around the house. Our tree first of all, although it admittedly looks better at night.

And my mum’s Russian Santa decoration (or maybe more Ded Moroz?). We went to a market in St. Petersburg before Christmas and it was so cold and snowy we were the only ones there. The detail on it is pretty impressive.

Sadly there’s been no snow in London this year besides a few flakes for about 30mins. Maybe we’ll get some in January? For now I guess I’ll have to make do with watching Christmassy films.

Hearts and attempts at art

I ordered some felt recently because I wanted to make some Christmas hearts. It took a while to turn up so I only got round to making my first heart the other day. It’s very much a prototype and I’ve run out of embroidery thread to sew the edges closed! Also, I definitely need to practise my blanket stitch some more. But I’m pretty pleased with it overall.

I’ve never been good at art, even stick figures are a stretch for me. I hated it in school, mainly due to our horrible art teacher, but the other day I saw a cheap watercolours kit and bought it and a sketch pad. I got home and decided to draw a duck. Why a duck? Because birds are the only thing I remember drawing that looked half like they were supposed to. So here’s my unfinished first attempt at drawing and watercolours!

I had some issues with colours bleeding, and it’ll take some time to get used to how to blend the colours etc. Overall I’m pretty pleased with it, although it admittedly does look better upside down or from far away! Not sure whether I’ll bother working on it some more yet. But it was fun to do something different.

Aftur progress

I finished the body and sleeves of my Aftur jumper really quickly, but put it down for nearly a month before starting on the yoke. I attached the sleeves and body yesterday and started on the yoke, and it’s coming along very quickly as I always find with colourwork.

I like the colour combination, but I’m going to have a lot of light blue, white and dark blue left over. Maybe I could make a hat or mittens? I don’t think they’d be very comfortable though, because this yarn is quite prickly and lets off fluff all over the place! As it is, I think I’m going to have to wear a top under my jumper. It’s not all that bad, but I don’t think I’ll be using Lett Lopi again in a hurry!