The Twelve Knits of Christmas Part 1

So much to do to get ready for Christmas - I said last year (I say it every year) that I would be more organised this year but with one thing and another it hasn't happened.  So I have my usual situation of over ambitious plans and a shortage of time!

Anyway - I am making progress on my Twelve Knits of Christmas - I have completed the first four items - admittedly they are the easiest and quickest to make but at least it's progress. 

So we have a partridge (not in a pear tree!)...

A turtle dove....

A french hen...

And a calling bird...

They are fun to make and easy patterns to follow.  The book is called the Twelve Knits of Christmas and it's by Fiona Goble. 

Five gold rings will be very quick but the milk maid, piper and drummer are going to slow me down!

The Ladykillers

Grace, Eve and I went to the Playhouse in Liverpool last night and saw the play The Ladykillers.  The Playhouse celebrated its 100th birthday on Friday and this play was a fitting way to celebrate. 

It is the stage adaptation of the classic Ealing comedy film that starred Peter Sellers and Alec Guinness.

This version starred Peter Capaldi, James Fleet, Ben Miller and Clive Rowe amongst others and it was excellent.  So funny - lots of slapstick, amazing scenery and all the acting was top quality. 

We were lucky to get tickets because it was so popular, it sold out quickly.  The show moves to London, to the Gielgud Theatre on 26th November - if there are any tickets left, I'd definitely recommend it. 

Formby Church

Yesterday we had a little trip out to Formby - it's only a short distance up the coast from where we live, but our visit was to see St Peters Church and in particular look at the grave stones. 

The church was built in 1736, the previous chapel having been overwhelmed by sand!  Additions were made to it in the 1800s. 

My grandfather's family originated from Formby - they were farmers, before they moved to Liverpool and the prospect of better jobs.


Numerous members of my family are buried in the grounds of the church and I was hoping to find the graves of my 4th great grandparents. 

Unfortunately we didn't find them but there were many more graves bearing the family name - the family had been quite extensive in the area in the 1700s and 1800s. 

I did manage to identify the grave of my 7th great grand uncle.

He was born in Formby in 1689 and died in 1759.  His grave was near the entrance to the church and he would have been one of the early burials at the church. 

It's wonderful to be able to piece together the past and imagine the lives our forefathers would have lived.  Tracing the family history is such an absorbing and enlightening pastime. 

Bond - finished

I've finally got around to taking the photos of the latest sweater to come off the needles.  It was actually finished last weekend but I haven't been organised this week. 

It's wonderful - such a perfect fit.  Lovely Autumn colours - purples, greens and reds. 

The pattern is by the wonderful Kim Hargreaves - nobody knows how to shape a sweater better than her.  The name of the pattern is Bond and it originally appeared in Rowan magazine #28.  It is now available as a free download on the Rowan website, here. 

I've made this pattern twice before and I'm sure I'll make it again in the future.  The pattern features a slash-necked version, a striped version and a three-quarter sleeves version!

The pattern calls for Rowan felted tweed but I used the more economical Sirdar Escape DK, but any double knitting weight yarn could be substituted.  It took 9 x 50g balls for the smallest size.  It's an easy knit and ideal for knitting in front of the televsion.  This is going to keep me warm all winter.

Furry Fairies

What could be cuter than little fairy mice. 

These knitted Furry Fairies are by Alan Dart - one of my favourite designers for interesting and cute characters.  I have previously made the Snow Queen and the Pudding Pixie from his patterns. 

This pattern is even better because it's FREE!  You can access the pattern, here, on Alan's website.

The original pattern has the mice holding stars but I have changed mine to crocheted hearts.  They each have little silver wings and a pretty skirt.

The knitting up time is about an hour for each mouse - it's the making up time that's longer - but they're worth it. 

All we need now is a Christmas tree to hang them on.  I took these pictures outside in the front garden and received some strange looks from a passing workman - isn't it normal to take pictures of woolly mice in trees?

Christmas is Coming

Christmas is coming and I have a new book. 

The Twelve Knits of Christmas is by Fiona Goble and is based on the song. 

I think one of each will be sufficient - I don't think I'll have time for all twelve drummers and ten leaping lords etc!

Another Film

Eve and I are visiting the cinema quite a lot at the moment - some goods films out.  Last night we saw the new Woody Allen film, Midnight in Paris. 

Having been to Paris this summer it was lovely to relive the sights and the atmosphere of the place - although the film was lacking the huge crowds of tourists and queues!!!

It was a charming film that left Eve yearning for Paris in the 1920s - cocktails with Scott and Zelda! 

A lovely film, with a pleasing feel-good factor. 

The next film we're looking forward to seeing is My Week with Marilyn which is released in the UK on 18th November. 

Birthday Wishes

Today is my Auntie's birthday - she's a splendid 80!  So HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNTIE HILDA.

Here is the card I made for her. 

I crocheted some small simple flowers with crochet cotton, added some embroidered felt and beads for the centres.

For the corners I used some flower stampers in a colour to match the crocheted flowers and added little touches of crystal glitter glue.

I hope she has a wonderful day.

Loretta - Finished

Now that I'm back in the swing of things I've made a effort to finish Loretta which is the textured tee I started back in August.  I know the weather has gone cold now for wearing a tee but I'm just glad to get it finished. 

The pattern is from Rowan's magazine #50 and it's by Marie Wallin.  I used Sirdar countrystyle double knitting to make the smallest size and used only 200g (636 metres). 

I made a number of modifications to the original pattern - the most significant one being that I changed the collar to a scoop neck.  I also did short row shaping and a three needle bind off for the shoulders in order to get a less bulky seam. 

The colour is cool mint but it's very difficult to pick up the colour in the photos and it ends up looking almost white. 

I didn't really enjoy making it at the time - maybe because of other things on my mind - but now that it's finished I'm pleasantly surprised by how much I like it.  Since taking the photos I've slipped a long sleeve top underneath and I'm wearing the knitted top as a tank over the top.  This means I'll still be able to wear it and show it off despite the colder weather. 

Celebrations

Eve and I went to the cinema yesterday to see The Three Muskateers.

Despite the fact that the critics seem to dislike the film, we thought it was great fun.  We really enjoyed it - escapist, funny and action-packed. 

The reason for our trip was by way of a celebration. 

After eight anxious weeks, yesterday I was given the all clear regarding lumps in my breast.  The mammogram, ultrasound scan and biospies had all proved inconclusive, so two weeks ago I had to have an operation to remove the lumps for further testing.  Thankfully, it's all over now and I can put it all behind me. 

My heart goes out to anyone else going through this awful uncertainty.  The feeling of not being in control of your life is so stressful and upsetting. 

So today life gets back to normal - I'm in the driving seat again - and I need to get on with my knitting!

A Lovely Present

I have recieved a wonderful present from Grace - just to cheer me up. 

It's a 1939 edition of the Penguin Guide to the Lake District. 

It was written at a time before too many tourists and cars filled the Lake District - very quaint.  At the end of each chapter there's a little drawing of penguins on their travels. 

Although the Lake District isn't that far from us (only 86 miles from Liverpool to Ambleside according to the book) we don't tend to visit very often.  We had a wonderful holiday in Coniston a few years ago but haven't been there for a while now. 

This little book has inspired me to go and visit more often.  The place names are so delightful - Buttermere, Grisedale, Tilberthwaite and Eskdale. 

The only problem can be the weather - a bit bleak in winter - so maybe when the Spring comes!

Cute Little Crab

I love searching the novelty patterns on Ravelry.  Here's something I saw and quickly made for Eve.

It's a cute little crab - it looks a bit lost on it's own, so could do with some friends. 

The pattern is by Helen Fey and is available as a free Ravelry download. 

The crab only took 15 minutes to make - so easy and quick - it seems a shame to leave him all lonely. 

Jam Jars

My favourite comfort food is apricot jam - love it. 

The best apricot jam is Bonne Maman apricot conserve. 

And the jars are really cute and useful when all the jam's gone!

The other day I spent a very relaxing hour colour sorting my buttons into the jars. 

Very decorative.

Kitty Softie

I've just finished making up a lovely big crocheted softie cat - and because I'm feeling organised at the moment I've taken photos immediately and now I'm posting them - I feel so in control!

Anyway, here are the photos.

The pattern was brought to my attention a few months ago by the hard-working Sara at Tangled Happy.  It's always good to have someone spotting the interesting patterns for you!

The pattern itself is by Jules at Little Woollie.  It is available in two instalments, here and here. 

The Kitty Softie is about 18 inches (46 cm) tall, so is lovely and cuddly.  I used double knitting weight yarn,  just under 100g of my main colour and oddments of the other colours but colour schemes could be adapted to supply. 

A very enjoyable make. 

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

Eve and I went to the cinema last night and saw Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. 

Great cast - and Gary Oldman was superb - but the film was confusing and difficult to follow.  We enjoyed it but it took us a while afterwards to work out what had been going on.

Crochet Jacket - Finished

I finally finished the crochet jacket last weekend.  It's been too hot to wear it and take some photos until today, so here they are. 

The pattern is from DROPS design and is actually called 118-25 Jacket with fan pattern in ”Muskat”.  It's available for free here. 

The yarn I used was James C. Brett ripple, which is double knitting weight.  This yarn is horrible to knit with - it tangles and knots very easily - but was lovely to crochet with.  I used 16 x 50g balls - I had originally bought 20 balls for £10 - so the jacket was very economical. 

The jacket looks grey in colour from a distance but it is actually a combination of greens, pinks and blues with a slight sheen to them.  It looks lovely close up. 

Having used 16 balls it is quite weighty - but this makes it feel quite cosy. 

All in all, I'm pleased with the result - a very nice jacket for wearing this Autumn.