Grace's birthday

Grace had a wonderful 18th birthday. Lots of lovely presents, plenty of delicious meals out and extra helpings of fun.

Wow! I can't believe she's all grown up.

As her main present she got a new camera, so I'll be able to borrow it.

Here are some photos - with special emphasis on the knitted and crocheted presents!!

This book is wonderful. We've both started making things from it already.

New projects and stressful times

I've just started knitting Frankie from Kim Hargreaves's Breeze. This is a baggy comfortable cardi that eve has had her eye on for a while. we took a bit of time choosing the wool as Eve had a specific shade of grey in mind and wasn't prepared to compromise. She patiently waited until she found the right shade. It's a lightish shade of grey, dark silver maybe. It looks good, I always think grey is a very versatile colour to wear.

The cardi is double knitting on 3.75mm needles and basically plain stocking stitch. There's Formula 1 on this weekend and the World Athletics Championships are coming to an end so plenty of knitting time to make good progress.

We had a shopping trip this week to Abakhans, Liverpool and I came home with an enormous bag of wool. I vaguely know what I'm going to knit with most of it but it'll be a while before I'm allowed anywhere a wool shop again!

It's been a stressful week this week. Grace's A level results were out on Thursday. We needn't have worried - she is a star - 4 grade As - we couldn't ask for more.

Tomorrow is her 18th birthday so I've been running round getting organised for that. It's going to be the best birthday ever - plenty of photos to follow. It's all very exhausting.

Tender - finished

At last! I finished Tender last night.

The pattern is from Kim Hargreaves, Nectar collection. I used Rowan Kidsilk Haze and it only took 4 balls.

I love the shape of the cardi but the sleeves are rather tight, even though I've only got skinny arms. I would have liked it better if it was a bit longer as well.

Overall I think it might grow on me- it is nice and light but surprisingly warm and not at all tickly.

I don't think I'll be using Kidsilk Haze again. For a start it is too pricey - I was lucky to get 6 balls at a knock down price of £8 in total. It is horrible to knit with, too fluffy and it is difficult to see the stitches. I'm just glad it is finished.

Home again

Just got back through the door after our holiday to Wales - details to follow.

Happy Birthday Doris

My mother-in-law's birthday today - a big 85!! - and still going strong.

Here's the card I made for her.

It's crocheted flowers and leaves with beading detail in the centre of each flower. She loves the card - but then again she thinks I'm wonderful anyway!!

London

Last Saturday Eve and I had a day-trip to London. We were going to see some of the art galleries, especially Tate Britain. It was only when we were sitting on the train that we remembered how awful the pendolino trains are. We aren't very good travellers at the best of times, but usually trains are the one form of transport that I don't get travel sick on - not any more. Those leaning trains are the worst. We had arrived at the station stocked up with knitting, novels and puzzle books but under the circumstances we were only able to sit and concentrate on not feeling sick. The one good thing is the train is very fast - we were in London in just over two hours.

We visited Tate Britain and the National Gallery. A bit disappointed with the Tate, they didn't have many of their PreRaphaelite collection on display. Although we did see Millais's Ophelia, which we had been looking forward to seeing.

The National Gallery was better, in that we weren't expecting too much from it. We could have spent hours more there, but our feet were complaining bitterly.

On the whole it was a great day out

- sitting on the edge of the fountain in Trafalgar Square, eating our lunch,

- walking along the Thames,

- watching the woman with the hoover on the fourth plinth in Traf Sq.

Remind me, though, next time we say "Hey let's have a day out in London!" I need to take travel sickness pills before we go!!!

Daisy Daisy earrings

PDF version
These dainty earrings are so easy to make and look really pretty, especially if the sun is shining. I suddenly felt inspired to make them and in less than an hour I was wearing them. I used Coats mercer crochet cotton #20 and a 1.5mm hook. Here’s how I made them:

Yarn – 2 colours of crochet cotton (white and yellow) – only small amounts needed.
Hook – 1.5 mm.
Notions – earring hooks.

Pattern (English terms used)

Finished size – 2.5cm in diameter

Base ring: using white make 6ch, sl st to join into a ring.

1st round: 7ch (counts as 1 tr and 4 ch), [1 tr into ring, 4 ch] 7 times, sl st into 3rd of 7 ch. (8 spaces)

2nd round: [1 dc, 1 htr, 1 tr, 1 htr, 1 dc] into each space. Sl st into 1st dc. Fasten off white.

Centre: Attach yellow thread to foundation ring between any of the trebles. 3 ch (counts as 1 tr), 1 tr into same space, [2 tr into next space] 7 times, sl st into 3rd of 3 chain. Fasten off.

Attach earring hooks to one of the petals through the top of the treble.

All done, now you can wear your own daisy daisy earrings.