Friday 1 March 2024

Lots of little random things

The weather has been mixed for the UK so I have been doing lots of sewing for work because I know when it starts to head into spring proper I will want to be in the greenhouse sowing this years flowers and vegetables. The weather has brought about some fantastic sunsets from my studio which are ALWAYS welcome.


I bought a candlestick from an antique shop for a tenner and because I had seen my mum clean one of these on a weekly basis when I was younger, I thought it would be in my genes to be able to put one back together. She was able to disassemble and put one back together like a blindfolded SAS soldier preparing an assault rifle but alas, it took me an hour to work it out and then had to get one of the girls to hold a bit steady to enable me to gain completion. 



My re-upholstered chair has had its much needed seat addition. I know it looks like a child's theatre booster seat but it is now super comfy and I am able to knit in my new chair with full clearance of the arms.


That said, I have finished knitting a baby sweater and some booties for a neighbour...


...along with a crochet blanket which was simply to use up some yarn from my basket.




My table vase is quite repetitive at the moment as I cut off the wind stricken daffodils from the garden.


I always get itchy fingers for gardening in February but I have learnt over time that you can't trick mother nature and it is best to hang in there until the soil warms up. To ease the craziness I have been potting on some of my house plants into larger pots and taking some cuttings. These ones are doing really well and also ready to move up a pot size.


I have been sewing for work but with the bonus of keeping some of the samples I have sewn. This is the Ilford Jacket It is a unisex pattern which I thought would be a bit meh but I have found that I love it made in boiled wool. The little felted left over pieces made for some fab applique fun. There will be more of these for other members of my family in other fabrics this year I think.



I have added three more characters to my Nativity set. The pattern was only for Mary and Joseph but with a little imagination and some off piste crochet shenanigans, I have made three kings. I'm just waiting for the right thingy to fall into my hands for two more gifts - you never have a broken necklace when you want one!


My neighbour who I taught to crochet 10 years ago asked if I wanted her yarn stash. She can't crochet anymore due to arthritis and it was sad to see such aspiration in one basket which could not be fulfilled but my teens and I enjoyed visiting her and we spilt the yarn between us. At the bottom of the basket was a half finished Elise Shawl. I remember teaching it to a load of people at a class so I finished it off and will give it to her for her birthday. She said I could keep it but it didn't feel right to do that.



 Have you ever seen anvil clouds? These ones were amazing last week. We couldn't stop looking at them.


If that feels like a random phone image dump its because it is but lots of lovely things to inspire you I hope. Thanks for calling in. See you for March...ing where I hope to get out and about in the garden.

Jo xxxx

Monday 12 February 2024

February...ing

Hello friends! I have been a bit slack on blogging of late. Happy to read them but too busy to write one. Let's kick off with some seasonal fayre and a round up of what I have been making.



Filling - the gaps of my fading Autumn wreath with some roses I dried (a birthday gift from January) It gives it a little spring like edge but it is so delicate now that I have to keep it inside to stop the wind blowing it away from the front door.


Digging - the last of my parsnips while the ground is still soft but trying to stay off the soil. The veg patch needs a little while longer yet until I can give it a dig over.


Picking - a few choice hellebores for my table vase. You have to condition them well or they just wilt straight away. I cut an angled stem at the bottom and dipped them in boiling water before standing them in cold water up to the stems for about 3 hours. Then into the vase they went. 


Buying - a new hellebore called Camelot which has beautiful peachy tones. 


Promising - to be a glorious show in the front border. The bulbs are appearing and although it should look at its worst right now, in the depths of February, it looks OK 





Finishing - my toe up socks. I really liked the way these were constructed and the after thought heel was not a compromise on comfort. It felt the same as my other ones but was much easier to do. I am going to try a few more from the booklet.




Feeling - just OK with my new knit. I wanted it to be boxier and more of a swing over top so I sized up but because I made it in 4ply scraps instead of double knit it is a bit fitted for me. I have blocked it and that gave it some more space but I will see if I wear it and if not I will send it to a friend. The pattern is here and I would definitely do it again.



Using - up some of my yarn leftovers with some baby knitting and crochet. A little white sweater and a car seat blanket for my neighbours' daughter.

 


Diving - into my vintage sewing patterns. I haven't made one for a couple of years but have a massive collection. This brocade suit was for a video tutorial for Minerva (its not on there yet) I actually like wearing it as separates but it does make a beautiful suit. 


Having - my favourite chair reupholstered. I bought it 16 years ago for £70 in an antique shop and kept saying I would have it re-done. It was my new years resolution to get the seat repaired and recovered professionally. It is so comfortable to sit on/in but it has one drawback - I can't knit in it! There is some fabric left over so I am thinking about making a deep foam seat pad to lift me up. That way, I am hoping I can move my elbows at knitting height. 



Leaving - you as ever with my kitchen table view. The sunsets have been amazing this week. One every night which changes in minutes. 

Thanks for dropping by. Jo xxxx

Wednesday 10 January 2024

Wool news

Happy New Year Folks! I have been away skiing in Andorra with our family which was a nice change for New Year celebrations. Back home now with a stonking cold but lots to busy myself with.


I finished a crochet cardigan over Christmas. I was driving everyone crazy by saying, "These sleeves are sooooo boring!" over and over again but they seemed to take so long to make. I just about made it on the pink yarn which I only had one ball of. The pattern is called a Good Vintage cardigan here but on reading the reviews many said the sleeves were too tight so I changed mine up to be a more balloon shape and I think it has really made it a fab spring throw over.



I have also been making a few things to bust out some stash. I have boxes with collections of wool in but none of them are enough to make a garment but enough to be taking up too much space. I bought, yes bought, this nativity pattern from ravelry which is fantastic. The instructions are so well written. I am thinking I will add to the collection over the years adapting the body shapes to include other characters. They are tall - about 25cm which makes them perfect for a Church Window or big window display. The yarn is Drops lima which has a lovely natural looking colour palette and a is great value. I really don't like a vibrant acrylic looking nativity set. Meh!



I always cast on a pair of socks for holiday knitting, it is a good way to pass the time in the airport and can be shoved in a small drawstring project bag. 


This shoppel yarn was from Wonderwool 2023. Two identical balls rolled separately ready for matching sock knitting. I have to admit to be being super excited about the yarn but on knitting up I was a bit disappointed the dye runs are so short it wouldn't have really mattered if they matched or not because a definitive pattern didn't emerge anyway! 


Anyway, because the wool held promise of being used up completely in two matching socks, I decided to knit some toe up socks with an afterthought heel. After knitting the first sock, I was really pleased with the fit so the wool has certainly made me flex my sock pattern choice. I am using a sock 'recipe' book called Socktacular.

That is all of my wooly news. I have some sewing news too which I will catch up on next week. Off to read your blogs. Jo xxxxx

Saturday 23 December 2023

December...ing

 Best Wishes to you all. My last 'ing' post of the year. There has been a little snow flurry earlier in the month with lots of special treats to eat.


Snowing - on the hill, just a bit on a couple of days. Not enough to cause mayhem for us but enough for my girls to have an hour sledging on our steep fields.


Treating - ourselves to some chocolate. I love florentines but the rest of my family don't so we compromise and have melted chocolate with just a sprinkling of almonds and cranberries.



Making - White millionaires shortbread and getting all the parts right. Sometimes the caramel doesn't set, sometimes the base is too crumbly, I often don't melt enough chocolate for the top (because I am not a millionaire!) but today my big girl made a tray and it was spot on. 


Cooking up - the contents of the fridge to make way for Christmas dinner ingredients. This chicken, pepper, chorizo and chickpea one pot was a good combination and loved by all.


Leaving - out the icing. We don't enjoy it and adding things you don't like just because you think you should is silly. This cake is a metaphor for my preparations this Christmas.


Casting - on a new pair of socks. We are going skiing on New Years eve and I like to have a portable knitting project for holidays so that I can pass the time at the airport and in the evenings. I am having another go at a toe up sock with an afterthought heel from the socktacular book.


Finishing - another pair of Christmas socks for gifting. I have used this colourway before and it feels just right for this time of year.


Printing - off a little wrap for hand knits. It is a lovely way to finish off a gift and give the recipient some washing instructions which are written on the back!


Sewing - up a Lyra Dress in a fabric I have had for ages. It really does lift the mood.


Buying - a few new baubles. The cones were £1 but the others weren't! I usually wait until the sales but I loved these ones so much I just went for it. 


Decorating - the tree. I didn't do it this year, my girls took charge and I sat in the chair with a cuppa and enjoyed being a spectator.


Crocheting - a new cardigan. It is a bit boring now that I am on the sleeves but perfect for watching TV in the evenings in front of the fire. 


Anyway, I am signing off now to get on with some jobs and possibly a bit of sewing. I cut out lots of things to choose from over the break. If I get a few moments, I will sew a seam here and there.

Happy Christmas to you all! Jo xxxxx