A Year of Projects Update - week 26

 My, December has flown past!

I hope everyone has had a wonderful Christmas day if you celebrate, and now is about to have a lovely relaxing time.

I can't believe it is Boxing day.  We were supposed to be going to my mum and dad's today, but it is not to be.  Daniel tested positive in the week and so we are confined to the house.  Not to worry, we are homebodies anyway and we see mum on the Alexa.

I have started many projects this week.   I started my cross-stitch. 

I cast on  some spring socks - this is a yarn from West Yorkshire Spinners  - I think it is mojito.

I took possession of some tops for needle felting after the success of Finley.  

I am going to make some things for mum's advent calendar.   Liz gave me the name of a YouTube channel - Living Felt - that I am going to watch before I do anymore.

I saw a pattern this week and watched the podcast.   I'll be honest I was going to do it anyway, but then she mentioned it would be nice as a dress... and that was it.  So the Festive Sweater KAL by Skeindeer Knits was cast on.

I am using Navia Duo which was one of the recommended yarns. 

I also cast on a second Sweater as my Christmas eve cast on.  This is Susurrus by Joji Locatelli which was in Pompom magazine and I am knitting it in some yarn from Countess Ablaze  which has been in my stash for  while waiting for this project to be cast on. 

I also finished my advant hardwares.

I also received this book for Christmas. 

It is amazing and I want to make almost everything in it!

I think that is enough for now!  I hope everyone has a great week however you are spending it and I will see you in 2022.

A Year of Projects Update - week 25

 And we made it!  Me and the boys made it to the Christmas holiday!  Hopefully ...

We will be taking a test everyday and hopefully, the government will keep us open long enough to go to mum and dad's just after Christmas. 

I thought I had been productive this week but then I tried to find what I had been up to and couldn't find anything!

Well that isn't strictly true.  I started my needle felting project and became so enamoured by it I  have ordered some more needles and some wool tops to do some more for a project I have planned over the next few months.

Meet Finley.

Between that project and thd next I have decided on a Year long project inspired by Sam - a fellow yopper. 

Before I elaborate, here is the next project on my needles.

I am using a lucky dip bag from Kate Selene as my advent calendar this year and I wanted to do something with them other than a blanket.  And I decided on some mitts.  I am just following a recipe by Kate Atherley in her knit mitts book.

Whilst I was knitting these up I realised they would make an ideal present and so I have decided to make my mum an advent calendar for next year.   Iam going to do mitts and various needle felted items to start with.

And that is that- I have two more projects I would like to start very soon so watch this space.  I should be able to reveal next week.  So until then have  great week and great Christmas if you celebrate. 

A Year of Projects Update - week 24

 I'm a little late today as I wanted to finish Saknes.   Which I did.

Well  I say finish - it needs ends weaving in and buttons, but I'm calling it done!

This was in in last Pompom magazine and I knitted it in Malabrigo rios in Frank Ochre - I shall properly finish it later.

I also finished all 7 washmitts, so I can take them in next week.  Here are 6 of them, but I did the 7th, I promise!

I also knit up a quick petpal for Daniel  - this is a Doggerpillar!

And that is it for this week - lots of finishes.

I have some sewing planned for this next week and then I have many things I want to start.  So until then, have a great week!

A Year of Projects Update - week 23

 I missed last week, and to be be honest I haven't really made much progress of note this week!  I thought I would check in and report on projects I would like to do.

I am making progress on Saknes - I am making my way down the sleeves,  but it is slow going.

I am also now onto number 6 washmitt of 7 so I'm nearly there!  

After that I  want to knit one petpal for Daniel and then I can concentrate on things for me!

So plans: 

I want to plan a make nine for the new year.

I want to do a needle felting project and do my very first cross stitch.

I would also really love to sew a Christmas dress as well as finish my wips!!

I  did do the Christmas Dec's 🎄 this week.

And that is my week really.   I'm hoping I get a bit of motivation back this week and I get a few things completed for next week's update!  Hope everyone has a great week.

A Year of Projects Update - week 21

 Oh my!  Another week has flashed by and I don't feel like I have done that much.

I have done a few more rows on Saknes.

I have finished another wondrous wash mitt - just another 4 to go!

Otherwise, I have started sewing my next skirt - a must as I needed the pattern pieces for my Christmas dress that I would like to start soon.

I also finished a project that has been ongoing for a while.  When my grandma passed away and my mum was going through her things, she asked me if there was anything I would like.  The only thing I said I wouldn't mind is a picture that always hung in hers and my grandads living room.  Well mum found it for me but it was in a bit of a state, having been hung and moved around for about 50 years.  This week I finally got myself together and with some supplies from a picture framer got it back on the wall with as many of the original fittings as possible.

So that is my week - hope you all have  great one!

A Year of Projects Update - week 20

 It's going to be a very short check in this week!  I have managed to make progress on some projects but I haven't achieved anything of note and haven't even taken a photo.

I have done a bit on Saknes and am now on the bottom ribbing.   I will photo it next week when hopefully I will have finished the body.  This week I may purchase some buttons for it.

I have put some rows on my garter blanket  but not as many as I would have liked, so let's wait till next week with that one as well.

I have completed another wondrous washmitt which is the same as the last so no picture there.  I have cast on another as I need to make 7 in total.

I did cut out my next hacked Esma skirt, and just need to get on with sewing it up... maybe next week!

And that really is that -, I made some chocolate orange cakes but ate them before a picture could be taken!

I hope everyone is well - I shall up my blogging game next week!

A Year of Projects Update - week 19

 It's going to be very brief this week as I am back at work and have only really worked on one project.

I did put in  few rows on my marled garter blanket.  I think I will photograph next week as then I think I could be nearly done!

The project I have worked most on, is my Saknes from Pompom magazine. 

Iam using Malabrigo rios in Frank Ochre and the pattern is lovely so I can nearly always find some time to work on it.  I need to do a couple more pattern repeats and then will be onto the bottom ribbing. 

And that is it for this week, hopefully, I will be still able to make progress in this coming week!

I hope everyone has a great one - till next week!

A Year of Projects Update - week 18

Wow, this week has flown by.  I have got a reasonable amount done.

I have a few FO's this week!

I completed the Christmas crackers that I wrote about here.

I am going to make a couple more as presents.

I also finished my first Christmas present this week - one of Sew Sweet Violet - wondrous washmitts.  Only another six to go!

And I also sewed myself a skirt, but I didn't photograph it - I shall for next week. 

Otherwise, I cast on anx have made great progress on Saknes for the latest Pompom magazine. 

I  am really hoping to get to the joining the back and two fronts today (I only have half of ond front to go).  I am using Malabrigo rios in Frank Ochre.

I have yet to cast on my Christmas socks!  But maybe this week...  we will see, I am back to school, so will not have the time really.

Anyway, hope everyone has a great week.

Christmas crackers!

 A while ago, I decided I would like to make some reusable crackers.  I have made my own for several years, but these still come with a whole host of waste that I would really like to reduce.  I think I saw on a podcast, someone say they were going to make some with fabric and I thought that was a fabulous idea.

With that in mind I earmarked half term as a time to create these for the family.

I decided early on that there had to be a snap (otherwise what is the point) and it needed to come apart.  So I had to make two parts to the fabric tube that could come apart, but I didn't want to break the fabric.  So velcro was my solution. 

I made a quick prototype where I had the velcro all around the join.

But although the snap worked it was too strong to pull apart comfortably, so I made an adjustment on the addition of velcro in just four points. 

Assembling the resources:

Four squares of Christmas fabric (I actually used a rectangle approx 44 x 24cm)

Needle and thread (I wanted to do it by hand but most you could have run up on a machine)

Sew on velcro

Cracker snaps

Ribbon or string

Double sided sticky tape

Cardboard tube

So first I cut my tube into 12cm sections.  I then rolled the fabric around to create the outer tube and found that a rectangle approximately 44 x 24cm was what I needed.  Then I pinned it in place and sewed the fabric into said tube.  I then folded over each end (5mm) double to neatly hem it.

At this point I gave it a press and cut the tube in half.  I hemmed the edge in term and the added four pads of velcro around the circle (personally I wanted the harder hooks facing inwards and the softer pads facing out - I donthink it would make much difference but that how I did it!)

Nearly done,  I attached a snap with double sided sticky tape to the inner cardboard tube, and inserted the cardboard tube into the velcro attached outer fabric tube.

Lastly, I used some Christmas string to tie each end of the cardboard tube to prevent the present falling out.

Ta da!!  My Christmas crackers.

A Year of Projects Update - week 17

 I have made it to half term!  We are off to Brands Hatch tomorrow, so I am writing this early or I will forget!

I have 3 FO"s this week!!

I finished the jumper bar the blocking.

I knit this with John Arbon Textiles DK yarn - mostly knit by numbers.

I also finished a pair of shortie socks.

These are knit in some left over Kate Selene yarn.  I have a couple of ends to weave in, but otherwise they are done. 

I  also finally got my act together, and started to make my Christmas crackers!  If I get my act together again, I will make more and perhaps write a post about how I did it later in the week.

Here is the first finished one.

I have a couple of cast ons for this week which I have been looking forward to.

I hope everyone has a great week.

A Year of Projects Update - week 16

 It has been another week of madness at work!  But I only have 4 days before the half term break, so the end is near!

I have made a little time for knitting, however, especially at the weekends as we are still doing very little then.

Firstly, I have made much progress on Daniel's Christmas jumper. 

I have now completed both front and back, and am now working on sleeve 1.

I would love to have this finished by next week, but we will see.

I have also been working on my socks and am now on the heel.  

Since these are shorties I  am now on the home stretch, so should be able to get my Christmas socks on the needles soon!

And that is pretty much it, I  have been doing little else.  I have ordered some fabric from Minerva since it was their craft club sale and I really must start some Christmas gifts soon, but I should have time to put that in next week.

I hope everyone has  lovely week 💗

A Year of Projects Update - week 15

 So I started this yesterday,  but ran out of time!  

This is, therefore,  going to be short and sweet. 

I did finish my Vaara. 

It is not quite like the pattern  I was so focused on finishing up, I overlooked the hem detail!  I still really like it - I  knit it in John Arbon Textiles knit by numbers 4ply.

I  then did a bit of work on my shortie socks and Daniel's Christmas jumper.   I hope to have made much progress by next week so will show you then.

Have a great week 😀

A Year of Projects Update - week 14

 Daniel has been suffering with a cold for what seems like forever 🤧 and now I have finally succombed!  I am feeling very sorry for myself 

I have used it as an excuse to do very little this weekend, other than:

Arrange my flower delivery

Bake cake

And knit.

I've worked on my Vaara in John Arbon Textiles knit by numbers 4ply and have bound off the body.

I've also done some of my new garter stitch blanket. 

And that is that for this week!

I have a pork joint in the slow cooker for dinner and I  have to do some ironing, but otherwise I  hope to finish the sleeves on Vaara and hopefully get to the neckband today!

I hope everyone has a great rest of the weekend and week - off to knit!

 

A Year of Projects Update - week 13

 I wonder where the time goes sometimes!  Last weekend we went to an event called The Goodwood Revival - this is a yearly event which is based around historic car racing and almost everyone that attends (including vendors) get dressed in period clothing.  It is wonderful.

Anyway, that took up ghe whole weekend,  so no blog or knitting last week.  

I have been able to make some progress on some projects and even have an FO!

I was looking through the latest Pompom magazine and saw a headband pattern that I thought would be perfect for the autumn days and keeping my earbuds in my ears on my walks to work.  I also had enough yarn from making my friend's hat to knit it - so here it is.   It is called Broceliande.

I have already used it to walk to get my flu jab yesterday and it was perfect!

I have made progress on my top.  I am now going round and round until I  finish the current ball of wool!

The yarn is Knit By Numbers 4ply from John Arbon Textiles and the pattern is Vaara. 

I've also done a little to the blanket and some on the socks, but not a lot to look at yet.

This next week is my slightly easier one at work, so hopefully that will give me some more time to catch up with things.  I usually like to start planning Christmas now (sorry for the C word) - I have done a few things, but I still feel a little behind!!

Anyway, until next week,  hope you all have a good one.

A Year of Projects Update - week 11

 It's been a somewhat crazy week!  Mainly school related, but there has been some before school organising of the boys added into the mix!

I did manage to finish the hat I was knitting for my friend and coworker that is off school at the moment undergoing radiotherapy.

This was knit in some stash yarn from Eden Cottage  the pom pom is from Toft alpaca and the pattern is looking ahead by Veera Valimaki. 

I also knit a Snitten for her daughter (it is a cross between a kitten and a snail!)

I have also made some progress on my Vaara from Pom Pom quarterly issue 17.

As you can see  I have split for the sleeves and now am apparently doing miles of stocking stitch!  I don't actually mind,  it is nice and relaxing.  I am knitting this in John Arbon Textiles knit by numbers 4ply. 

And that is it for this week.   I can't see that I will do that much this coming week as we have meetings and an open evening.  Next weekend we are going to the Goodwood Revival (a car racing based event) but I shall endeavour to post at some point and share my outfit at the very least.

I hope everyone has a lovely week.  😍

A Year of Projects Update - week 10

 OK, so I had no intention of missing two weeks,  but it just flew by. 

My husband has had the last two weeks off as well so we have been all over the place - beaches near us,  the wildlife centre and we went to Cornwall for our annual holiday.   I will sign off with some pics from when we were away. 

In the meantime  I have not done a whole lot of knitting and no sewing at all!  I have made a little progress on my top but I hope to do more this next week so will update you on that then.

I have made a little progress on a new blanket. 

It is growing fast as I am holding yarn together so it is about a chunky weight!

I have returned to work this week for inset days (ie no students) and during the holidays I found out a member of my department will be undergoing treatment for cancer this term (hopefully treatable).  So I know she likes a walk and I figure when she feels up to it she will need a hat to keep warm so that is my new project.

This is Looking Ahead by Veera Valimaki and I am using some stash yarn from Eden Cottage in the falling leaves colourway - both of which I think is quite apt.

And that is all I have been up to.  I am going to do some bits in the garden later, but otherwise I intend to have a relaxing crafty day, before a return to work properly tomorrow.

I will leave you with a selection of holiday shots!

A Year of Projects Update - week 7

 Ah we have had a good week!  I got my sewing day in!  

I've been doing some jobs in the garden this morning to explain the lateness of this post!  And I'm hoping to get a bit more done this week - we are going to the garden centre tomorrow to this end!

I've managed to get back into my books this week.  I have had an Audible subscription for a few years and had accumulated my maximum credits as I didn't use it.  But this week I have got back into it.  Today I finished listening to the World at my Feet by Catherine Isaac - I enjoyed it a lot and have now moved onto Dear Fatty by Dawn French which has already had me in fits of laughter.   It is read by Lisa Tarbuck who I love which makes it even better!

Anyway what have I been up to?  

Firstly, here is my skirt.

Here it is teamed with my Antiquity blouse that I finished a while ago.

Since the skirt was finished I've been getting some itchy fingers! (Not itchy feet!)  I have been quite monogamous since finishing four quarters  and this week that got the better of me.

I still have Daniel's Christmas jumper and my socks.

But I decided I needed another blanket.

This is a scrappy blanket again,  but this time it is marled project with a resulting worsted weight yarn, so is progressing nicely. 

I have also started a bag from a Pompom quarterly that I found whilst looking back through my magazines.

And finally, I have started a basic tee from Pompom in a Knit By Numbers 4ply from John Arbon Textiles. 

I had a great sewing day on Tuesday, but of course didn't get through all that I wanted.   I did make another Esma and a pair of trousers, plus a couple of alterations, so I feel really happy!  I hope to write a dedicated post later in the week.

And that is my week!  I hope everyone has a brilliant week  - I am likely to miss next week as we are on holiday in Cornwall where there is very little internet - so will be back in a  fortnight!