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Showing posts from September, 2012

just cables

I'm also quite keen on cables at the moment; and have two projects on the go. A short sleeve cable cardi, slighty flared at the bottom and Jack's cable scarf. I started my cardigan back in the summer and I've almost finished the left front. It gets a bit tricky counting stitches when you decrease but if I do it a little at a time I have the correct pattern! My cardi is knitted in Sirdar Click Chunky in Cobble; I bought more than enough on Kemps Woolshop months ago so its reasonably priced. I saw a great pattern in the Simply Knitting  magazine but using 15 balls of Debbie Bliss Blue Faced Leicester it worked out to £89 (ouch!) But they do have a nice cardi pattern using Sirdar Hayfield Bonus Aran and that can be knitted for under £20 (bit more like it) Because only the front panels are cabled it makes it an easy knit too. I quite like the colours Rhubarb or Heather. I'm off for a walk in the Autumn sunshine; its going to rain tomorrow. Enjoy your weekend. Amanda x

easy cable scarf pattern (Easy Knits for Little Kids by Catherine Tough)

My son Jack requested a new knitted scarf for our holiday and chose some nice soft Patons Shadow Tweed. The patten is taken from a book called Easy Knits for Little Kids by Catherine Tough that I recently picked up on eBay (Jack is now 20!) I like the book, it has cute designs should I be asked to knit for a toddler and the scarf pattern is sooo easy, just 16 rows and one row of cable. The scarf is almost finished and should be ready for blocking on Sunday, I fancy knitting one for myself next!

little hand made buttons by Buttonmad

  I recently entered a competition at the  buttonmad blog and was one of the lucky 60 people to win a set of hand made buttons. I never normally win anything so really pleased. They arrived this morning; all the way from South Aftrica to my work address. They are so lovely and I now need to knit a cardigan to show them off. I had planned to use them for my cable cardi but that needs ten buttons! I guess I could order some more

crochet granny squares, my little box of sunshine

Isn't the weather just awful at the moment? I do hope it improves for our canal boating holiday in a few weeks otherwise it won't be much fun with more water dropping out of the sky than in the canal! I'm still hooked on my crochet squares and take my little tin to work with me each day. Honestly I'm not mad (just a little crazy) its nice to peek inside, makes me smile. I try to crochet one or finish one at work in my lunch break; I've completed 9 now and just about to finish the 10th (not bad considering I couldn't do this a few weeks ago). At home I have a button jar in my craft room, that's a happy jar! My local sewing shop has rows of buttons, some in jars and some in tubes. If I'm feeling really down I pop along there to buy a couple, very therapeutic although I think the owner thinks I'm mad! Does anyone else have a similar craft thing that makes them smile? Please tell me its not just me ;-)

discount yarn

  for all my knitting friends out there

more granny squares

I ditched the first attempt, I couldn't get on with the acrylic wool from Wilkinsons it was awful. I raided my wool stash, I knew I had some oddments of Debbie Bliss Rialto DK in various forms (including two half finished scarves!) I think I'm getting the hang of this, the first couple are not perfect but then I'm not looking for a shop bought perfect blanket. It's raining here today so no excuse needed to get on with my crochet, very comforting now the autumn weather is here. Thank you Jo for your help this week x And you may want to look at this blog and drool (like I do) at the blankets! Wow I just hope I get to be that good  serendipitypatch.blogspot I'm also busy finishing off three orders of lavender bags (one for 12 sets!) my craft room looks colourful and busy today. A lovely way to spend the afternoon, sewing, lavender filling the air and the odd granny square or two! Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Amanda

I can crochet a granny square!

I finally did it, I worked out how to crochet a granny square! I woke up Sunday morning not knowing how to do it, looked at a few blogs including Little Tin Bird  and  here and hey presto I can do it. I have to say I felt kind of smug doing the first one and want to make them all day long (job gets in the way of that idea). So now I have a truly portable blanket project and made part of one at work at lunchtime today and started another one. I've decided to edge them all in blue so that it looks uniform when sewing them all together. I just love looking at other peoples creations and the colours they use. It was Jo at through the keyhole  who inspired me to give it a go. I love the colours Jo has chosen for her second blanket. I've chosen a sort of Cath Kidston colour range, including red because by the time I finish it it will be Christmas! Not sure I like acrylic but I got the wool so cheap its worth having a go for the first attempt. Amanda x

hand knitted shrug

  Some time ago the makers of Wendy Supreme Cotton Thomas B Ramsden  sent me a free shrug knitting pattern via their Wool n Threads Club. I was struggling at the time with a jumper pattern of theirs so decided to unravel and use the Supreme Chunky cotton for a shrug instead. And here is the finished piece worn to work today, perfect for the chilly Sept mornings driving to the office. Quick update - I've been mentioned here on their blog! wool-n-threads-club blog

Mary Jane Booties FREE Knitting Pattern

  I'm having a rest from knitting Innocent hats so I thought I would share this cute pattern with you that I'm knitting again (I've just finished a pair in Bluebell today). They make a great gift and only takes an evening (or afternoon with a cuppa) to complete! I have used Stylecraft Luxury Merino in DK and size 4mm needles. Size 0-6 months Foot length: Approximately 3 inches (7.5cm) Ankle: Approximately 4 inches (10cm) circumference with strap buttoned What You'll Need Yarn:  I used Stylecraft Luxury Merino as its lovely to knit with and has great stitch definition. Just choose what you prefer to knit with. You will only need one 50g ball and that should be enough to make two pairs Needles:  UK 3.25mm extras: Stitch holder; tapestry needle; 2 small buttons (rounded look cute), about 1/4-1/2" (6-1.3cm); sewing needle and thread to match yarn Making the Left Bootie Cast on 31 stitches. Row 1: Knit all stitches. Row 2: Knit 1, make 1, knit 14, ma