A Year of Projects Update - week 26

 And another year draws to an end.  This is my 50th year!  I have been working my way through 50 things this year.  I've not achieved them all  but I have done a lot and more!  Anyway  that is a different post.

In terms of my projects, I have done a bit this week, especially since a couple of days were spent with my parents.  Whilst there, I continued my Christmas eve cast on.  These are my first pair of socks for the 24 in 24 (or 12 pairs).  I have no doubt that I will not be able to make 24 socks but I shall but try!  I wear knitted socks almost every day that I am not wearing a dress or skirt, so the ones I have are starting to look a bit tired.  This is my chance to spruce up my sock drawer and cut down my sock yarn stash!

These are knit in some Eden Cottage yarn I got in their Christmas stash box from a few years ago.  The picture doesn't do it justice - it is a lovely denim blue colour with a good bit of sparkle.

I have also made some progress on my Tolsta tee. 

I am now on the bottom ribbing  and as I want shortish sleeves, I should soon be done.

Otherwise, I have done some more digging over the veg plot, planted out some garlic and taken some cuttings.  Tomorrow I intend to have a very lazy day, but plant some winter sowing seeds into the greenhouse and on the windowsill.

I have also been baking today - we like to have a buffet style tea on New Year's Eve, and so I made banoffi pie, made some more mince pies and a few quiche!

Well I wish everyone a fabulous new year and may it be everything you want for another year.

I  will see everyone on the other side!

A Year of Projects Update - week 25

 Happy Christmas to all who celebrate and hope you have a great holiday if not.

I have had a lovely relaxing week.  I have worked on several projects and I  think I am ready for tomorrow!

I made progress on my Tolsta tee

I am making good progress on the body, you never know,  it may be finished before the end of the holiday.

I finished my socks.  I cannot remember how long I have had these on the needles  - they are made from an unknown sock blank.

Sorry about the photos!  I have been prepping veg and turkey all day and now it is dark!

I wanted to get these off the needles so I might be able to start a Christmas eve cast on and perhaps take part in the 24 socks in 24 being run by Dandelion and Dogwood.  I do not anticipate being able to do all 24, but am going to have a go!  I have wound my yarn for the first pair and will cast on after dinner.

The yarn is from Eden Cottage and was from their super secret seasonal stash box from a few years back.

Other than this, I have been working on the garden which I did a separate post for.  I have started to dig over the vegetable/flower plot.  Hopefully, I will be able to do a bit more before we go back to school, but we shall see.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and relaxing new year.

The Garden Project - part

 It's time....

To resurrect the garden project.

Preface

I started the garden project in 2018 - my main goal was to renovate the area near the back door - most of which was accomplished.  Now 6 years later, this area is in need of a bit of love again.  Last year I spent very little time in the garden - we'd had two big trees come down which we had dealt with, but it left us with one big tree that was hard to get to and growing at a horrible angle over next door and so was a constant source of anxiety.  

But in this last month, a lovely man called Mark has been over and sorted it out - he cleared a patch of bramble and removed two problem trees for us.

Before:

After:

My mind is whirring!  I have been following Jazzy Rose Flowers (the lady behind Sew Over It) and, although I have no intention of making it my living. I have been really inspired by what she has done with her land.

Things that I did do this last year that were successful, even though I thoroughly neglected it, were our raspberry patch and the potatoes.   So with that in mind I want to continue with a few vegetables and the raspberries.  But I would like to revamp this back patch - create a seating area with the tree stumps - add a second compost heap and second water butt - but mainly to dig over the main patch and divide into a patch for vegetables and patch for cut flowers.

So these are my immediate tasks - I shall report back when I start to do these things!

A Year of Projects - week 24

 We have broken up!  It's been a hard term, so this is a very welcome break.

I've made progress on my Tolsta tee this week, and have split for the sleeves.  It's now just round and round for a while.  No photos this week as it is too dark!

I have also done a few rows on the Hitchenbrook and a few rounds on a sock I found!

We went to Glow Wild at a local garden on Friday night which was magical and I do have a few photos of that!

Today I spent a good few hours in our garden.  I have somewhat neglected it this year.  We had three big trees in the garden - two fell in the last 5 years and we were left with one which was starting to rot.  We had a company over to quote for felling it, but it was so expensive we couldn't afford it.  So for the past 18 months I have been constantly worrying about it falling which has really put me off spending time outside.  Anyway, a few weeks ago, next door had a few trees cut down and I spoke to the guy.  He agreed to do it as part of his training - as a tree surgeon!  Short story is that the tree is now gone and I feel so different about the garden and have grand plans for this year!  There is a lot of tidying to do right now, but I can hopefully put in a few hours this holiday and start to get it ready for next year.

And that is my week.  I hope everyone has a great week.

A Year of Projects Update - week 23

 It is definitely beginning to look like Christmas here.  Because I could really do with more mugs, I got a couple more from Anthropology today!

They are beautiful and I can't wait to start using them!  (Full disclosure - I need no more mugs - but I just can't resist!)

Anyway, I have made some crafting progress this week.   I have put in some rounds on my Tolsta tee in Lay Family Yarn. 

Sorry about the lighting, I took the picture early morning.

I also cast on something new.

This is Hitchenbrook by Martin Storey.  And the yarn is a now discontinued Yarnadelic blend by John Arbon Textiles.

I also found time to make up a batch of Nigella Lawson's gingerbread.  She has it with a lemon icing but we think it is good enough on it's own!

Well that is it for this week  - next time we will be on our holiday so we are definitely counting down the days!  Hope everyone has a great week. 

A Year of Projects Update - week 22

 Oh we have had a lovely week!

On Monday, myself and younger son, Daniel, went to London to check out the Christmas markets.  Despite the slightly dismal weather we had a lovely time and saw lots of festive decorations.

 

At home I have finished my Golden Grass - I say finished I did run out of yarn and went for a parallelogram.

I made this from stash yarn, (so was not about to buy more) de Rerum Natura gilliatt and the pattern is from Pompom magazine. 

I have a new cast on.  This is the Tolsta tee  which I am knitting in some Lay Family Yarn as a Christmas set - I am going to do stripes.

I have also very nearly finished a Christmas dress, so should be able to show next week!

And that is all for this week - only 2 more weeks til our Christmas hols!  I hope everyone has a good week.

A Year of Projects Update - week 21

 Nearly didn't remember the post today!  No particular reason, just the day got away from me.

I have been making a bit of progress - yesterday I got a bit carried away and made a new Christmas outfit for Christopher. 

He is feeling quite festive!

I have also made a little progress on Golden Grass. 

I will be running out of yarn before the end but that is fine - I quite fancy a quadrilateral!

I have also cut out and started to sew a dress.  It is the first for a long time, I will be making with the machine, but it is stretch material and that is slightly easier with the machine - I will finish it by hand.  Hopefully  it may be finished next week.

Tomorrow we have our annual Christmas shopping day and me and Daniel will be going into London to visit the Christmas markets - we can't wait!

I should have a few pics next week - I  hope everyone has a good one!

A Year of Projects Update - week 20

 Despite a busy week,  Marilyn is finished!

I really like it and it will be perfect under my pinafores.  I knit this using West Yorkshire Spinners signature 4ply in milkbottle and it is the Marilyn turtleneck. 

I have also made reasonable progress on my Golden Grass from Pompom magazine. 

I am using stash yarn for this one - some de Rerum Natura - Gilliatt.  I am on my last skein so I will just keep going until I run out - I don't know if I would want a full triangle anyway!

I have a few ideas for my next projects that I may cast on today, but we will see.  

Me and Daniel went for a walk this morning and saw this beauty on the way!

Anyway that is it for this week, I think we have an uneventful week coming up with a nice long weekend next weekend.   I hope everyone has a good one.

A Year of Projects Update - week 19

 As I possibly could have predicted, I have made very little progress since last week.  Work has been very tiring of late, and I'm not getting any younger!

I have made progress on my Marilyn turtleneck. 

I  have completed the body and am nearly done with one sleeve.  I intend to use this as a layering piece under my pinafores, so the length did not have to be too long.  This is being knit in some West Yorkshire Spinners signature 4ply.  The sleeves aren't taking too long, so hopefully it will be all done by next week.

We don't have too much on this week, but I have a parent's evening on Thursday, nonetheless I should be able to get a bit of crafting in during the week.

I have been up to very little else this week and just waiting right now for a man to come and look at our tree.

And that is that for the week - I hope everyone has a great week and hope to be back then.

A Year of Projects Update - week 18

 As I could of predicted, I haven't made that much progress on any project since going back to school.  

That said I have done a bit on my Marilyn turtleneck.   I have now split for the sleeves (apologies for the picture, but it is early and the light isn't brilliant!).

I am knitting this with West Yorkshire Spinners yarn. 

My other main project (the Golden Grass scarf) hasn't seen any progress at all.  That is a project from Pompom magazine.   I read this week that Pompom is stopping trading which is very sad - I have subscribed for years, but the costs of production have become too much and they are ceasing trading.

On a similarish note, the founder of one of my favourite sewing companies,  Sew Over It has stepped down.  The company is still going, but Lisa has started a new venture into cut flowers 💐.   Jazzy Rose Flowers is her new company and I decided to try a box of her Chysanthemums.  These are the last she is doing this year so thought I would take advantage and they are gorgeous.   They were picked packaged and sent in a day and I am very impressed.  I wish I lived a little nearer so that I could pop into her potting shed which she has as an honesty shop for her flowers!

Anyway, that is about that - I have been baking cakes  apple pie and a quiche yesterday, so today is just ironing and knitting!

Hope you all have a lovely week.

  

A Year of Projects Update - week 17

 It has been such a lovely week here.  The weather has not been quite as bad as forecast and we managed to do one or two things out of the house!  Although,  lots was done inside as well!

Firstly I finished my mittens - just in time I feel.  These were knit from John Arbon Textiles Zwartbles from stash.

And this is my new cast on - the Marilyn turtleneck.  I am knitting this in West Yorkshire Spinners.

This is milkbottle and is not as yellow as the picture suggests, but our clocks went back today and we are cosy with candles and fairy lights!

I have also made a little progress on my Golden Grass scarf,  but the rows are taking quite a while on this one, so it is slow going at the moment. 

It is back to school tomorrow and usually I like to be a bit more prepared for Christmas by now (only as it is difficult to juggle school with preparations) but I'm sure we will be fine.

Anyway, I hope everyone has a great week.

A Year of Projects Update - week 16

 We have all made it to half term!  I have a few plans but it will be mostly spent knitting and relaxing!  I don't think the weather is supposed to be up to much so it is a good excuse.

Last week however,  I made a fair bit of progress on my two main projects.

My mittens are nearly done apart from the thumbs  that I hope to finish this evening. 

I am knitting them from some leftover Zwartbles from John Arbon Textiles and the pattern is from Pompom magazine. 

My other project is also from Pompom magazine and is the Golden Grass scarf.

This is also leftover yarn - this time Gilliatt by de Rerum Natura. 

I hope to make progress on  both of these this week and hopefully, start a new one and potentially a dress!  As I said, the weather is not supposed to be good so enforced time inside will hopefully make me nice and productive!

I hope everyone has a great week. 

A Year of Projects Update - week 15

 It's been somewhat crazy around here of late!

Two weeks ago we had OFSTED at school.  For anyone that that doesn't know, that is the government's way of checking our schools.  Inspectors come in for a few days and check every aspect of what we do and although we do it very well in my school, it is still quite stressful!  We won't know the outcome for a little while either.

Also,  we went to Brands Hatch last Sunday for the season finale of the touring cars.  It was a lovely day both weather wise and racing wise.

But that meant no post.  I do have progress to show this week though and it is only one week until our half term break!

I have made good progress on both the mittens 

Badger Creek  from Pompom magazine. 

And the scarf

Golden Grass again from Pompom. 

Both are being knit in stash yarn - the mittens from some leftover Zwartbles by John Arbon and the scarf from de Rerum Natura. 

And that is all the crafting.  I hope to be able to dig up the last of the potatoes this afternoon.  And hopefully do more knitting!

I hope everyone has had a great couple of weeks and that this coming week is full of crafting!

A Year of Projects Update - week 13

 I finished Pineberry!  It has taken me all week and I only finished it today!

And I really love it.  I'm hoping I will be able to wear it lots this autumn 🍂 

I used Eden Cottage yarn for this top which was published in Pompom magazine. 

Now that is done I have cast on two new projects - both from Pompom magazine  - the latest one.

I have cast on Golden Grass  - a shawl and Badger Creek - some mittens.  Both are using stash yarn - the shawl in De Rerum Natura gilliatt and the mitts in some left over Zwartbles from John Arbon Textiles. 

I also want to cast on a hat from the same magazine, but that will wait til these are done.

 That is all the crafting I have done this week,  but I did go for a lovely swim yesterday with friends.

I also am getting ready for the festive season and got some lovely cards from a little company in Cornwall.

Well, I hope everyone has a great week xx

A Year of Projects Update - week 12

 I have very little to show for this week!

 I thought I might be able to finish my Pineberry but it was not to be.

I have attached the waistband to the body and am now just finishing the tie.

I am knitting this in Eden Cottage yarn which I have used in the past and in answer to a comment on last week's blog, I have always found it to wear very well (and the colours are lovely!)  Once I have finished the tie, I only have a bit of finishing - mainly a little seaming and then it is done.  

So hopefully next week I should have a little more to show.   I have recieved the next Pompom magazine and there are some beautiful accessories in this edition - namely, hat, mittens and scarf which I quite fancy now that the days are getting colder.  And I have yarn in stash to do them!

Anyway that is all for this week, have a great week, everyone.

A Year of Projects Update - week 11

 Well I don't really have much to show for my two weeks away from the blog!

I do have a few pictures from my travels so I will include those at the end.

I have made a tiny bit of progress on Pineberry.

I am busy attaching the belt to the body and then just have to finish the other side of the belt.  I hope to finish this week!  I am knitting this from Eden Cottage yarn and the pattern is in the last Pompom magazine. 

With that in mind there are some gorgeous patterns in the most recent Pompom magazine which I am dying to cast on (hopefully this week).

That is all I have done on the craft front. 

Last weekend we were at the Goodwood Revival which was brilliant. 

And this weekend we have been for a walk and saw all the things!

And that is all for this week.  I have less going on after school this week so hopefully more progress will be made.  Hope everyone has a great week. 

A Year of Projects Update - week 9

 I'm back again - for a moment!  It is back to school next week (I'm not thinking about it!)

Next Sunday it is the Revival at Goodwood, which we are attending and really looking forward to.  It is a chance to get really dressed up and watch some excellent motor sport as well!  Whether I will be able to post is another matter, we shall see.

We returned from Cornwall last week and I tried to make the most of my last few days before work starts up.

I made some jewellery with some pebbles I found on ghe beach.

I also photographed the jacket I completed a couple of weeks ago. 

At the moment I am mainly working on my Pineberry from Pompom magazine. 

I have finished the body and am now on the belt, so hopefully by the time I get to properly post again it will be done. 

I have done a bit of baking and made jam this past week - no pics unfortunately!

Anyway, I will leave you with pictures of our holiday and hopefully have a quick post next week.  Have a lovely week.

A Year of Projects Update - week 7

 I cannot believe it is nearly the end of our holiday!  We are off to Cornwall today so am posting now before we lose internet for a week.

It is going to be a quick update this week as we are finishing packing in a moment. 

I finished my jacket but have not taken photos so will post that when I am back.  I have made progress on my wrap top, although it doesn't look like it!  I got to the end of the right side and realised I had made a mistake.  Now usually I live with mistakes and make them a design feature, but this time I couldn't, so had to rip back.  Anyway,  I started the front again, but this time both sides at once.

It's coming along nicely now - I am not taking it with me, just taking my socks as I hope to catch up on some reading.

And that really is it - we have been visiting places this last week but I will catch you up on that in a couple of weeks.

Hope everyone has a great week.

A Year of Projects Update - week 5

 We have had a nice relaxing week.  Our internet has been down so the boys have had to find other things to do  but the weather has not been kind this week - so we have spent most of it inside.  As a result, I have done lots of crafting!

I have made progress on my Pineberry from Pompom magazine.

I am knitting this in Eden Cottage yarn.   I have nearly finished the front and the back is done  so just the left front and the ties to go.

I have also made a pair of trousers.  I am going to progress to a suit jacket that goes with them but these are the trousers.  I have a bit of finishing to do but otherwise they are done!

And that is it for this week.   I hope to do a few more activities this week!  We are hoping to get swimming and at the end of the week we are flying to Scotland to watch some touring cars!

Anyway,  I hope everyone has a good week and hopefully I will be able to post next week from Knock Hill.