Thursday 24 June 2010

The Love Nest

PDF version
Two cute and very loving robins, sitting in their nest – feeling blessed.
A heart-shaped tail and a loving look in their eyes.




Yarn – Double knitting oddments in tweedy brown, red and dark brown for the robins and a selection of 3 browns /beiges /greens for the nest
Hooks – 3 mm (C/D) and 5.5 mm (I).
Notions – toy stuffing.

PATTERN (English terms used)
dc (English) = sc (US)
htr (English) = hdc (US)
tr (English) = dc (US)

Finished size – robin is approximately 7 cm in length

Body
With tweedy brown and 3 mm hook make 2 chain.

1st round: 6 dc (US = sc) into 2nd chain from hook. Join with a slip st into 1st dc.

2nd round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, [2 dc into next dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (12 dc)

3rd round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next dc, [2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (18 dc)

4th round: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

5th round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next 2 dc, [2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next 2 dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (24 dc)

6th round: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

7th round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next 3 dc, [2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next 3 dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (30 dc)

8th – 13th rounds: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

14th round: 1 ch, 2 dctog, 1 dc into next 3 dc, [2 dctog, 1 dc into next 3 dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (24 dc)

15th round: 1 ch, 2 dctog, 1 dc into next 2 dc, [2 dctog, 1 dc into next 2 dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (18 dc).

16th round: 1 ch, 2 dctog, 1 dc into next 1 dc, [2 dctog, 1 dc into next 1 dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (12 dc) Insert stuffing at this point.

17th round: 1 ch, [2 dctog,] 6times. Sl st into 1st dc. (6 dc). Fasten off and close opening.



Tail
With tweedy brown and 3 mm hook make 4 ch.

1st round: 11 tr (US = dc) into 1st of the 4 ch. The other 3 ch count as first tr. Sl st into top of 3ch.

2nd round: sl st into next tr, (1 dc {US = sc}, 2 tr) into next tr, (2 tr, 1 dc) into next tr, sl st into next tr, (1dc, 2 tr) into next tr, (2 tr, 1 dc) into next tr, sl st into next 3 tr, (1 dc, 1 tr, 1 dc) into next tr, sl st into next 3 tr. Fasten off.

Red Breast
With red! And 3mm hook make 2 chain.

1st round: 6 dc (US = sc) into 2nd chain from hook. Join with a slip st into 1st dc.

2nd round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, [2 dc into next dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (12 dc)

3rd round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next dc, [2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (18 dc)

4th round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next 2 dc, [2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next 2 dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (24 dc)


Beak
With dark brown and 3 mm hook make 2 ch.
Work 2 htr (US = hdc) into 2nd chain from hook. Fasten off.

Sew red breast to front of body. Attach tail and beak. Embroider eyes using black thread or yarn.

Nest
Using 3 strands of DK held together (browns, beiges, variegated) and 5.5 mm hook, make 2 ch.

1st round: 6 dc (US = sc) into 2nd chain from hook. Join with a slip st into 1st dc.

2nd round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, [2 dc into next dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (12 dc)

3rd round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next dc, [2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (18 dc)

4th round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next 2 dc, [2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next 2 dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (24 dc)

5th round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next 3 dc, [2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next 3 dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (30 dc)

6th round: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

7th round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next 4 dc, [2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next 4 dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (36 dc)

8th round: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

Fasten off. Place your robins in their nest, where they can be happy together.

Wednesday 23 June 2010

Our Silver Wedding

What a fabulous day we had yesterday. It was our Silver Wedding Anniversary - 25 years - where did they all go?

Chris and I made a trip down memory lane to the church where we were married and went for a drink in one of pubs we used to frequent when we lived in the area.

When we got back home, I put on my wedding dress to surprise everyone.

Here is me 25 years ago...

..and here is me now.

Wow - it still fits - that's some achievement.

Grace and Eve both tried the dress on - they reckoned it was very Scarlet O'Hara.

In the evening all four of us went for a meal.
I still have the place cards from the wedding - so I took them along with me.
And of course, no celebration would be complete without something knitted or crocheted. For the occasion I made these cute robins in a nest.
They have heart shaped tails and a loving look in their eyes.


I'll share the pattern with you all shortly.

Monday 21 June 2010

Dancing Backwards

I've just finished reading a lovely book Dancing Backwards by Salley Vickers.


It's a while since Ive read a book that I've really enjoyed. This one is the story of a woman recently widowed, taking a cruise trip across the Atlantic to new York to meet up with a friend she hasn't seen in years. The actual journey is punctuated by a metaphorical journey into her past in which she unravels her own involvement in troubling events.

I have enjoyed all of Salley Vickers's previous novels, especially Miss Garnet's Angel. Dancing Backwards is well written and a very gentle read. It is both funny and sad in places, a great read for long, lazy summer days.

Thursday 17 June 2010

More Cardis

I've finished another wonderful cardi.

This one is Bea by (yes, you've guessed it) Kim Hargreaves. The pattern is from the book precious.
There were a number of similar cardi patterns that I thought about knitting but I liked the textured details on the upper body of this one. The tie-cord is also a little bit different.
I made the smallest size, which has turned out to be a good fit. The only modification I made was to make full-length rather than three-quarter sleeves.
The yarn I used is Sirdar Balmoral. I only came across this yarn in March when I went on my birthday yarn shopping trip to Black Sheep in Culcheth. I bought this yarn because I adored the colour (what pink don't I adore?). The yarn itself has quite an expensive feel to it but it's very reasonably priced. It's a combination of wool, silk and alpaca. I used exactly 9 balls to make this cardi. I'll definitely be buying more of this yarn, it's lovely to knit with and gives a smart finish to the garment.

I have now started a new cardi (2010 is obviously the year of the cardi for me!). It's a feminine lacy/ribbed mohair cardi that I'm designing myself. The colour is a lovely pale blue (not pink for a change) and I have some gorgeous flower buttons that will finish it off beautifully. The mohair yarn sheds like anything and I end up with a coating of hairs by the end of the evening but hopefully once it is knitted up it will behave itself.

Tuesday 15 June 2010

Fair Isle Fun

I love knitting Fair Isle. I love playing with the colours and patterns. I have been wanting to make a Fair Isle tammy for some time now, so recently I had a go.


As you can see it isn't really a tammy, more of a slouchy beanie. Nevertheless it's very wearable and I'm pleased with the patterning.

I used oddments from my stash of Rowan Scottish 4 ply Tweed. This wool is ideal for Fair Isle knitting - it has a lovely rustic feel to it. I also used this yarn in my Rose vest.

Unfortunately this yarn is now discontinued. I went into John Lewis in Liverpool last week and their wonderful knitting consultant searched the store room for me and came up with the remaining 6 balls they had. I shall be very sorry when it's all used up. Hopefully Rowan will replace it with something similar.

I'm now knitting another Fair Isle hat - this time for Eve. I've adjusted the shaping, based on the first hat, so this one should look more like a tammy. Working out the pattern is fun. There seems to be an awful lot of maths involved. The hats tend grow fairly organically - I don't plan too far ahead with the colours - just join in the colours as and when they look right.
As you can see, I'm knitting this on straight needles rather than in the round. I'm afraid circular needles and DPNs leave me cold. It means a seam up the back, but I'm OK with this.

I had planned on writing out the pattern for the finished tammy - assuming I get it right this time - however, I'm not sure I would begin to know how to explain the shaping and as for trying to chart the patterns - well, that may be beyond my skills. I shall have to see when the latest one is finished.

Sunday 13 June 2010

First Goal

Our World Cup Rabbit has a name. The scorer of the first goal in the Football World Cup on Friday was the South African player-

SIPHIWE TSHABALALA

What a wonderful name. I have to admit that it was hard to concentrate on the game because we were too busy hoping that someone with a great name would score - and we weren't disappointed.

Siphiwe now joins the other two World Cup rabbits as a permanent feature in the living room!

Friday 11 June 2010

Nothing to Report

I've been very busy this week, despite the lack of postings on the blog. Unfortunately I have no camera this week. The camera belongs to Grace and she has taken it with her to London for the week. She's back tomorrow, so I'll be able to catch up with all my projects.

In the meantime, I thought I'd include a lovely summery picture from Lucy Grossmith. This one is called Rose Cottage in Summer.

Looking out of the window today, it's grey and miserable. Warmer weather promised for the weekend, some sunshine to go with it would be nice.

Although, the weather for the coming weeks is irrelevant. The World Cup starts this afternoon and we'll be stationed permanently in front of the television for the duration. England's first match is tomorrow evening - against the USA.

Friday 4 June 2010

New Rabbit

So, here he is! The new rabbit mascot for the World Cup.


He is reasonably quick to knit and construct - being the third time I've made this rabbit, I'm well practised at it. The sweater is knitted with two strands of DK yarn held together - I chose a pink and a blue to make it more exciting.

The pattern is Small Rabbit in Sweater by Debbie Bliss from her Toy Knits book.

All the rabbit needs now is a name. He'll be named after the scorer of the first goal in the competition. The first match takes place on Friday 11th June - South Africa versus Mexico. Until then, I'm afraid he's just rabbit! He is making himself useful though - he's sitting by Eve keeping her company in her revision work.

Thursday 3 June 2010

More Cards

There have been a few more birthdays lately, so here's an update on the cards I have made.


The star in the middle of this card is embellished with wire and beads.


I used cutouts for this card and some lovely flocked Laura Ashley paper.


This is the card I have made for my Dad. The colours remind me of 4th July celebrations!


The sun is shining here today, it's lovely and warm (well, hot actually), so I'm off to do a spot of gardening and then relax in the sun with my knitting. Hope your day is a good one.

Tuesday 1 June 2010

June At Last

Well June is here at last. It felt as though May would never end - not that I'm usually in a rush to get through May - but at the moment the only things on every one's minds are revision and exams. We still have three weeks to go until they are all over but at least it's this month and the light can be seen at the end of the tunnel.

Lots of good things happening in June. Firstly, today would have been Marilyn Monroe's 84th birthday. No time to watch a film (yes, revision, revision, revision!) - I'm not sure which film I would have chosen, if we'd had the time - maybe The Seven Year Itch. Once the exams are out of the way - it'll be non-stop films 24/7.
I did make a cake for Marilyn's birthday. Unfortunately it wasn't a successful operation getting it from the baking tin to the plate. It tasted delicious but definitely wasn't very photogenic!
Later this month we have the start of the Football (soccer) World Cup in South Africa. These are every four years and for the last two competitions I have knitted a rabbit as a mascot.


The pattern is from Debbie Bliss's book Toy Knits. My Mum bought this book for a birthday years ago and I must have knitted virtually all of the toys in this book at least once - it's a great book.

We name the rabbit after the first player to score a goal in the competition.

This is the rabbit from the 2002 competition. His name is Papa Bouba Diop.
This is the rabbit from the 2006 competition. His name is Philip Lahm.

The rabbits have to wear name badges - otherwise I wouldn't remember who they were!

I've now started this year's rabbit. I'll let you see him when he's finished.