Worn, wee’d on, washed and worn again………………and so it goes.

Apparently the ones on the t-shirt are kissing.

Long sleeved T - H&M
Pants by me with bias trim cuffs

finishing these socks

making time to sew pj pants, a denim skirt for Coco & her Clothkits dolly (secret christmas present)

baking the christmas cake

going to our new music class

and doing some more ripple crochet expertly taught by Anoushka last week

Well, that’s what my lovely husband has been saying every time he’s seen me knitting these socks.

Through the Loops Mystery Sock-Along
Kristin Kapur for Socktoberfest
The Yarn Yard Bonny - Slate
2.5mm dpns
72 stitch cable pattern
Ravelry

This was really fun and I will definitely knit a pair in stages like this again, it really helped. They’ve been worn and are very toasty. I have to say I’m very impressed with the yarn and am glad I’ve got some more in stash. Hope you had a good Socktober.

Garnstudio mittens b14-15
25g Spinning Gallery DK, Cockermouth, Cumbria
Sea & Sand colourway
4mm dpns

So quick and cute, but keep your wits about you because you need to increase and decrease in sensible spots in the pattern. I was very tired (and wined up) when I made the first one of these and really should’ve ripped it out, but she’ll lose that one, won’t she? However, I have enough yarn to make a spare one, so I may do that when I get a spare minute.

I made myself time to sew this week, being wholly inspired by the craft retreaters in Melbourne. They know who they are!

I have had the pattern for 20 months and the fabric for 16 months.

Miss Coco is rapidly growing out of her pj’s, so some stylish and impractical linen pyjamas are hers for the british winter.

Despite only being 3 pieces, it was a bit fiddly and am glad I spent some time doing this in the daylight as I blindly added all the red bias to the left front without considering the sleeves…….. So the purple sleeve edging is a design feature that just evolved with some repurposed buttons from Mum. I remember them being on one of her handmade dresses from the 70’s.

The disappointing thing about this was that I’d planned on making bottoms as well, but didn’t have the foresight at the time to properly pin the pieces down together. I waved them over it and said ’she’ll be right’ and it got me in the end. All I needed was 4 cms in the width for the front….very, very annoying. I may be in luck if I pop back to IKEA this week, but I very much doubt they will still have this design. So, I’ll see if I have some plain white linen somewhere. So, the moral of the story is that this pattern eats fabric.

Despite all of this I love the way the fabric completely changes according to the time of day and the light level AND the little miss says it’s comfy. So, I am winning after all.

New Look 6333
Size 2
IKEA heavy weight linen 1.5m

enjoying birthday gifts and spoils from Ally Pally

riding our new bike to the park

baking fork biscuits, swiss roll and parkin from here

and waiting for the next instalment of the mystery sock for Socktoberfest

Ally Pally is only days away……..and I’m planning on heading to Handmade at the Chelsea town hall in November. Any other Londoners been before? The exhibitor list looks fabulous.

Swallowtail Shawl
Evelyn Clark
The Knittery 2 ply merino - Smoke
3.25mm Addis

This took far too long to make, which is indicative of our busy life. It’s been a busy year for us here, so I’ve not been posting much.

The yarn is divine - dyed beautifully and wonderfully soft. I have a reasonable amount left over, so may get a cowl out of it as well.

What can I say that others haven’t already said about this beauty? It’s so pretty and am glad I used some clear beads. They give the grey a bit of a lift. It will look lovely draped over a little black dress in the evening or wound round the neck on a blustery day.

Was watching a Culture Show special the other night on China and saw fashion designer Han Feng for the first time. Her designs are amazing and you can watch the programme here. Get inspired!

Zigzag Cowl by Mandy Powers
4.5mm circs
Rowan DK Soft and Rowanspun 4ply

A pretty, quick and snuggly gift for a dear friend back home.

I only got to do two pattern repeats rather than the three, so I was lucky I only just made it with a few inches of the DK Soft to spare for sewing up.

I’d like to make one for myself but I’ve got to get a move on with some secret baby knitting first!