Seeing as so many people are outing themselves with their mess-making, I thought I’d join in! This really does need sorting out. There are piles in there somewhere; gifts that need wrapping; quilts needing pinning together………but nothing much else going on in the way of sewing. I must change that this week.

It’s been too hot here to do much knitting but I have been spurred on in the past two days to try and finish the kimono wrap that I started almost immediately after finishing this one. I thought I was being thrifty by using up this leftover sock yarn but ended up being about 20 rows short! I was not a happy girl - didn’t want to rip it out, so I ordered another ball from Web of Wool, who were more than obliging to provide the same dyelot even though I’d purchased the original ball last October. Their website is very outdated, so best thing is to email or call them if you’re looking for something specific. I also got some lovely fabric at £3/m for some unfinished quilts from Antique Angel - total bargain but they’d sold out of the one I really wanted……..They’re having their summer sale at their workroom in Bucks. on 7-8 July but be warned the sale doesn’t apply to web or postal orders.

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Our second ripe strawberry this season! Better eat it before the slugs do…….

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From the archives - some woad dyed yarn on display at the fabulous Eden Project, Cornwall.

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My well-worn intarsia cushion. Knit in Rowan yarns, Shark design by Brandon Mably.

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My two pieces of Ian Rylatt’s pottery. More about him here. If you’re in the UK, he’ll be exhibiting at Potfest in the Park in Cumbria this July.

Should’ve used the tripod but couldn’t find it………

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Colour week - WHITE

The climbing rose outside my back door after this morning’s rain. Pure perfection.

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I couldn’t resist making a dress for Abby too to go with her cardi and bootees. I used a vintage Style dress/pinafore pattern I found in a charity shop last year and luckily it still had all the pieces. Don’t you hate it when they don’t! Anyway, it’s the 6 month size but she’s a titchy wee thing, so hopefully it’ll fit and she can wear it on all the hot summer days we’re going to have in the coming months.

A close-up of the fabric. I bought it in a Liberty sale some years ago, maybe 4 and have had it socked away for a rainy day. Don’t you hate hand-stitching bias binding…….but it looks loads better than machine stitching it on something that small and fine.

And the reverse. I just love the button!

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So, I’ve finished the green cotton cardi for Miss Abigail’s first birthday. I love the buttons, don’t you?

Nellie from Jaeger JB04
Size 12mth
Patons 100% cotton Kiwi 1.75 balls
4mm addis

The book was published in 2000, I think when Rowan bought them out but you might get it on Ebay. I have to say that I didn’t like the way the pattern was written. Particularly, the set up rows. I very rarely complain about a pattern but I really did have to use DH’s logic on this one. I think I restarted it about 4 times but once I got the hang of it, it was fine. I love the sheen this cotton gives to the garment. It looks quite dressy.

I made some bootees too. Couldn’t resist. Is a bit of a mish mash of about 3 patterns. I made some mary jane-style ones initially but they were enormous when I secretly tried them out on her!

I have signed up for Cotton Strudel’s Mag Swap, so sign up before Monday, 12th June or you’ll miss out! And have also outed myself for Turkey Feathers’ Finish What You Have month in a faint-hearted attempt to finish Mystical Stripe and this baby quilt.

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Well, not strictly true. I’ve had these hanging around for a while and finally decided to simply string them onto embroidery floss and be done with it! Have worn them two days in a row already. They do a number of colour themes and they look Italian to me but not that I’ve checked, so if you get yourself down to a John Lewis Haberdashery, you’ll find them. Would love to say that I’d hand selected them from a beautiful bead shop…….but sadly not the case.

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Feather and Fan scarf
Rowan Wool Cotton - Black 2 balls (from my Secret Pal Clair)
4mm vintage Aero pins

This took about 3 sittings and was a nice relaxing knit and looks very effective in the black. I think I might suggest this to my girlfriend who is learning. Made as a gift in advance for my incredibly supportive midwife. It always gives me a good feeling to give a handmade gift but for me to know the wool was a gift to me and I am passing that on, means more somehow. 90% of what I make is given to friends and family. I’m just that kind of gal.

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