Happy Birthday Lynda

Today is my sister's birthday, so a big happy birthday to you Lynda.

I hope the coming year is your happiest yet, and certainly not traumatic like the last.

Here is the card I made for her - ribbons and buttons and fancy paper.

Oaksike up-date

This past week I've been working on Oaksike, the Louisa Harding pattern from Little Cake that I started earlier this month.

Now that Rona is finished and off my conscience I can concentrate on this pattern. At first it seemed a bit daunting - lots of lace with cables - and the back and two fronts are all knitted at the same time. However, I am loving this pattern. It is very detailed but not in a way that you can't let your concentration waver for a second. The lace pattern has a nice rhythm to it.

Once you reach the armholes it seems to suddenly take off. Since taking this photo, I've finished the back section and the other front.

Only the sleeves and bands to do. I'm making this for my birthday - less than 2 weeks to go. The rate I'm going at the moment I'll definitely have it finished in time. The sleeves are a different pattern to the body, so more variety.

This week I'm decorating the spare bedroom. We're turning it from a junk room into a sitting room were we can watch our DVDs without having to fight for the main television. Tomorrow I start the wallpapering! I'll be worn out by the end of the day but if I work hard and get it done, I'm going to spend the next 2 weeks relaxing. Birthday treat - plenty of knitting and watching DVDs - what more could you ask for.

Olympic Hat

Watching the Winter Olympics on the television, I have been wowed by many of the hats worn by the spectators, especially at the Alpine events. With snow forecast again this week (actually, it's started snowing as I'm typing this!) and no sign of the weather warming up I decided to use my last drop of Marble chunky yarn to make a hat. I have already made Paisley and Haven with this yarn - I only bought 4 x 200g balls and I still had about 100m left (wonderful value for money). So this is the hat I have made.

I trawled through the thousands of hat patterns on Ravelry and this is the one that really caught my eye.

The pattern is Bucket and Brims hat by Kimberly Kwon. A mix of stocking stitch and reverse stocking stitch, it is very easy and took about 2 hours to make.

I'm not usually a hat fan but I do love this one. It's very easy to wear and I like the way it looks on me.

It is supposed to be knitted in the round but I used straight needles and adapted the pattern.

Wristlets for Eve

I made some wristlets for myself a few weeks ago. It's a great pattern, Madrid by Alexandra Brinck, and it is available as a free Ravelry download, so when mine were completed, I promised Eve I'd make her a pair. Finding the time was another matter. This week, though, Eve has been on half-term hols from school so birthday surprises have had to be put on hold, which meant it was an ideal time to make the wristlets.

Each wristlet only took one evening to make. I used Rowan cashsoft 4ply which is absolutely gorgeous - so soft.

Eve is very pleased with the finished article and hasn't taken them off yet.

Rona - finished

Finally, finally - it's finished... and would you believe it - I quite like it after all.

Quick recap - the pattern is Rona by Marie Wallin from Rowan magazine #46. I used a mixture of yarns - all DK weight and a 3mm hook.

I hadn't tried it on until it was virtually finished, as I knew that if I didn't like it I would never finish it and no one would get to wear it. I was pleasantly surprised when I tried it on because it was nowhere near as bulky as it seemed in construction. It is a good fit - again surprising because the smallest size was small/medium and I thought it might swamp me.

The colours aren't too bad either - at one point it seemed at bit too colourful but I think the light blue edgings and collar tone it down a lot.

The collar curls a bit so I'll have to sort that out but otherwise I'm happy with the result.

Valentine's Day and all that

We don't usually do anything special for Valentine's Day - it's all a bit too commercial. This year though I decided to make cards for the three loves of my life.

It's amazing what you can do with some ribbon, red paper and bits and bobs.

I spent Valentine's Day afternoon freezing, sitting watching a football (soccer) match - Everton Ladies won 2-1. If it hadn't been so cold I would have actually enjoyed the match - there weren't many spectators but it was a good friendly atmosphere.

I'm desperately trying to get Rona finished this week - by enthusiasm is still lacking - I don't like leaving a project even if I'm not loving it - I feel as though I'm cheating if I do. I should have it finished by the end of the week, then I can concentrate on more fun projects - that's what's keeping me motivated.

I have been naughty again and bought another Louisa Harding pattern book. This one's called Venezia - Felice Mai Dopo. Here are the patterns I'm currently drooling over.

This wrap is called Luna.

This one is my favourite, it's called Maddalena.

This little cardi is called Sofia.

It is however a busy time of the year for me. My birthday is coming up next month and I like to make lots of surprise things for the day. I tend to get so involved planning and making things for my birthday that I sometimes forget that it's Eve's birthday soon after. This year I started planning early so that I don't forget her - so goodies are also being made for her - but don't tell her - it's a secret.

The Owl and the Pussy Cat

Following on from yesterday's blog, here are all three owls, reunited when Grace came home.

On her way to school yesterday morning, Eve suggested making a pussy cat to go with the owl. So here's the finished result.

All they need now is a beautiful pea-green boat (No! I'm not going to make one).

Hoot

I am making progress with Rona - one more sleeve and the collar to go - but it is hard work to motivate myself.

I rewarded myself with a very quick diversion last night.

These little owl brooches are a pattern called Hoot by Ysolda Teague. They knit up in about 10 minutes.

I actually made three brooches - but Grace is wearing hers today so he wasn't present for the photo shoot. There names are Lester, Sarah and Bernard.

Eve has given me a great idea for adapting this pattern - photos tomorrow.

Another new project

Couldn't resist the urge to start Oaksike by Louisa Harding.

It's got lace, bobbles and cables. The back and two fronts are knitted in one piece up to the armholes - 161 stitches on the needles. This is definitely not a boring knit.

Once I've got this properly underway, I promise I will make some progress with Rona!!.

The Modest Vase

I had a little bit of time to kill yesterday so I crocheted this little novelty.

It's was very simple and quick to make and I think it looks really pretty.

Here's what the vase looked like before it was clothed.

Eve thinks it's very Victorian to put clothes on a vase - But I say - those table legs are looking indecently exposed!!

Emily - finished

Here's the finished Emily.

The pattern is by Kim Hargreaves from her book 'Heartfelt'. I used Rowan Kid Classic in cordial - 6 1/2 50g balls used. It is knitted on 4.5mm needles, so was quite quick to knit up.

I love the sleeves, especially the cuff detail. I'm still not sure about the colour. I'm a grey, pink, plum person, so this is living dangerously for me! I've worn the sweater around the house today and I think I'm getting used to the colour!

It's a very comfortable sweater, but needs a tee shirt underneath - the scooped neck is a bit chilly at this time of the year (well, for cold mortals like me it is!)

A Birthday Card

Here's a card I made for my next-door neighbour's birthday tomorrow.



I've started stocking up on new ribbons and buttons for my card making - but I could probably do with more fancy papers. A girl can never have enough supplies.

Of course the main problem is finding storage places for the supplies. At the moment I'm trying to clear out the spare room. I want to decorate it and make more use of it. Up until now it has been the room where everyone dumps the things they no longer want. The plan is to make it into an extra sitting room where we can watch films. However, it's going to take me a while to sift through all the old junk and find new hiding places for it before I can even think about lifting a paint brush.

On the knitting front, Emily is finished. I am just waiting for my photographer to get back from university this evening to take the photos. I'll post these tomorrow.