Knitting news

Hello there, hoping you've all had a good week. Wednesday was a very warm sunny day, very nice at knit & natter. Quietly knitting and chatting in the pub conservatory. Cold temperatures crept back in again on Thursday, not so good... it was the cold biting wind that shocked the most. 

I have a few finished cloths and one nearly finished Fish & Chip Vest today.

A washcloth (flannel) knitted in Aran weight Sugar 'n' Cream in Mistletoe colourway. 4.5mm needles.
The pattern is Broken Rib from 'Knit Yourself Calm' book by Lynne Rowe.

A dishcloth knitted in Sugar 'n' Cream Aran weight, Potpourri colourway. This pattern is by Garlene of  The Kitchen Sink for April. It is called Nancy Drew. There is a book to read-a-long with it if you wish. The book is The Hidden Staircase by Carolyn Keene. Have a look on Facebook, or instagram  'thekitchinsinkshop' if this interests you. 

I've started slipping the first stitch purl wise and casting off the last stitch like 'Very Pink Knits Youtube' to make a neater finish. Sometimes I forget to slip purl wise and don't always go back to correct it.   

Fish & Chip Jumper or Vest

I've made these before, some of you may remember my dear QT (sadly passed away a few years ago) modelling one to show sizing. There are two sizes, just change needle size as they're both knitted in DK yarn. The vests and hats are sent to charities in Africa, for the purpose of wrapping babies up before they go home. 
They're requested to knitted in bright colours, no pastels and very little light shades. Cheerful is the aim here. The neck hole is basically a large button hole. 

The net bag with its zip is a laundry bag. It means that I can swap out projects in their net bags and take two or three to knit & natter, in just one bag. With the chattering, it's hard to concentrate on any tricky bits. I have several projects on the go for this such as: Wash cloths, dishcloths, charity knits and socks if I'm on the sections without shaping. 

Angus in his conservatory bed having a snooze. His bed is tucked under the clothes horse drying a towel. Poor dog with his crumpled cheek. 

What are you knitting at the moment?
How do you feel about mistakes in your knitting/crochet, can you leave it, or do you have to correct it? 

Ttfn 
Take care

Knitting news & garden

Hello there,

Thank you for visiting my blog last week and for leaving a comment, I read every one. 
I hope you all had a lovely Easter... I meant to post this on Friday. 
 
This week I've been knitting up a storm. I've finished the Shawl from a Facebook KAL (knit-a-long). It was chosen as a suitable Lent project. Yesterday I blocked it and left it drying overnight. It's the first time that I've blocked properly. In the past I've pinned and sprayed the knitting with water... it didn't work satisfactorily. I've decided to have another go at blocking a Lent scarf, that I made a few years ago. It has never looked flat, rather the edges have curled in. 

Close up of the lace design

I finished this book last week. I'm working my way through Faith Martin's series 'Ryder and Loveday'. I'm thoroughly enjoying the series. It features 1960's WPC Loveday being put to one side to 'help' coroner Dr Ryder. He used to be a top surgeon until his health forced him to change career. When cases seem unsatisfactory in the coroner's report, Ryder requests it is looked into further. Loveday 'assists' part time, then returns to the station daily, to continue her regular work. I've ordered the next book through the library. 

The fenced off area, Mark is trying to improve the soil. It is wet and slippery clay soil. So he's removing clay plugs and replacing it with multi-purpose compost and grass seed. He sectioned the first part off with a fence. 

In the autumn we emptied one of the compost bins onto this bed. Last week, we added some chippings from Johnny's work. The men dropped half a builder's bag off and stopped to cuddle Angus, of course. Hopefully it will help to keep down the weeds. If more chippings are available, we'll continue round the corner with the wild flower border.

A lovely lot of bulbs waiting for their turn to bloom, after the daffodils.

Take care and have a good week.

 

Weekend

Hello there, how are you? 

I've had a bit of a break from blogging, rarely posting on instagram either. 
Grab a cuppa and I'll catch you up with my news... mine's a Rooibos tea (redbush), Morrisons are the best (I've tried them all). 
Tulips from Morrisons too. 

Today: we drove to the next village, parked up and walked to the church hall for the WI market. Mark kept walking to the surgery with Angus. That gave me time for a walk round all the stalls and chat to the stall holders. Raising money for a local charity. 

So what did I buy: I'd been meaning to knit or crochet some ear warmers for a very long time. I was delighted to find this one
cosy ear warmer £5.
A new knitted hat £3
Poodle calendar 10p 
Diary (page a day) 10p
No.7 serum pads 50p
Easter basket (bag) and Cadburys egg £3

Current Read: my library book, working my way through the Rydaer & Loveday series. Policing in the 1960's when WPC trainees made the tea. Coroner Clement Ryder always needs help, so WPC Trudy Loveday is sent to help and learn.

Trying to have an 'digital free' lunchtime, it's lovely having a read over the lunch time. It feels more like a break too.

Current TBR pile: One for the bookclub, my choice fo April- 'Death and Croissants'
one for the library reading group 'The God of the Woods' I'm not sure that I'll finish that one (lots of pages, tiny words), a bit boring. 

Knit & Natter: last week drinking a zero G & T in the pub on a hot sunny afternoon. I took several projects to work on, as I can't concentrate on any tricky bits with the nattering :) The project in the photo is a 'Fish n Chip vest/jumper. 

Mother's Day gifts: Beautiful bulb gifts and delicious tea from the boys (men), no longer teens :) 

now 23 and 25 years. We had a lovely day together, whilst the Grand Prix was on I made some sausage rolls with chicken mince, breadcrumbs, green tops of leek or spring onion, pinch of salt and parsley.

Bookclub: yesterday to discuss this book. I read the next book as well, so when people asked 'if the people get together' I said 'read the next book to find out'. It's a chick flick, told in 24 hours. Surprisingly we had a good discussion, despite some not particularly liking it. 
I won an Easter egg in the raffle, raining money for the playing fields. 

KAL: Knit-a-long the sample piece. There are two a year for Lent and Advent, they come with reflections. I'm just about keeping up, the last week will finish next week. This one will be a wrap. 
Another knit & natter session, ha ha!  

Me and the boys: Angus wanting cuddles, Winston waiting for his Dad (my son). Me thinking about my knitting. 

That's all my news for now, take care and keep smiling. 

Cx