A Year of Projects Update - week 10

 I have a number of finished objects this week.  I did not start all of these this week - some just had a tiny bit of finishing to go!

This is my second Goodwood dress.  It is using Freya by Tilly and the Buttons (my new favourite TATB pattern).

The top in both of these is Freya and ghe bottoms are Safiyah trousers - also by Tilly.  The shorts and trousers are handsets, but the top and dress are done on the machine this time.   I usually like to hand sewing, but these are stretch fabric and although I can do a zig zag stitch by hand, it is not my favourite,  so this time I whizzed it up on the machine!!

I have done a little on the Joy cardi by Veera Valimaki, but not enough for a photo.

My knee is progressing and will hopefully be fully better for next weekend at Goodwood.  But I've not tested it in the garden although it is very needed.   Hopefully in a couple of weeks I should be able to address some of ghe garden!

Anyway, hope everyone has a good week.  I am back at school proper (with students) this week but I gave Goodwood to look forward to. 

A Year of Projects Update - week 9

 Got back from the West country last Monday, so am able to do a post this week!

Although I've been missing for two weeks, I did not take any knitting with me, so there is not much progress in that department!

I did, pretty much finish my Desk top vest.

It just needs buttons which I will add this week.  It is a pattern by Squids school of vintage knitting and knit in De rerum natura Ullyses.

I have also made progress on a new cast on.  The Joy cardi by Veera Valimaki. 

I am knitting this in John Arbon Textiles harvest hues and I am nearly to the splitting of body and sleeves. 

The last couple of weeks have been a bit busy.  I went on my epic walk on the 12th!  I did 57 miles when disaster struck, but it was beautiful before that.

So at 53 miles I twisted my knee!!  I managed to go on to my accommodation but I was unable to do any more walking.   

My family joined me at that point and we spent some time in Devon, then moved onto Cornwall and was able to enjoy the time even though I was a bit hobbly!!

It's back to school this week and I'm not sure I'm ready!  I do have to make my second Goodwood dress, which I'm hoping to do tomorrow.   I hope everyone has a great week 😊 

A Year of Projects Update - week 6

 I feel like I have a lot to update this week!  But I am likely to be unable to update for the next couple of weeks so I will make this one count!

On the projects front - I did do some of my socks by Stephen West and almost finished the Desktop set after losing at yarn chicken!  But I shall give more detail of these when they are done.  

I also wanted to make a start on my second Goodwood dress - however I could not find the pattern I wanted to use for love nor money!  So found a different pattern, but as I hadn't made it before (Freya by Tilly and the Buttons) I decided to make a wearable muslin from my Christmas fabric (bought years ago very cheaply).  I used my sewing machine for this (shock!) as it was stretch fabric and I dislike doing zig zag stitch by hand!  Anyway, it turned out lovely, but the neck was a bit wide.

So, I  decided to make some tweaks and do another muslin - this time a sweatshirt for yoga!

This is perfect, so in a couple of weeks I shall embark on my second Goodwood dress!

So what with the sewing, this week has been busy.  

Monday, I met with my cousin and uncle and walked to the local park and zoo which was lovely  - I haven't been for ages so it was really enjoyable.

Wednesday, I went with a friend to the coast, where we went for a swim, an 8 mile walk, and a second swim.

On Friday, I met with a work mate and went to a different part of the coast for afternoon tea and cocktails!

Now I keep saying I won't be checking in for a couple of weeks and that is because I am embarking on my 'epic walk' on Tuesday.  I am walking the Tamara Way in aid of Macmillan from Wednesday.  It is an 87 mile walk split into seven sections - I take the train to my accommodation near the start point on Tuesday, then will be going out to do the seven sections each day.  My family will be joining me while I am doing stage 6 and will meet me at the end point of stage 7.

We are then spending a further 3 days in North Devon and then going for a long weekend down to St Ives in Cornwall.  I think I am ready - the rucksack is packed and my nails are done!

In case you are interested,  my JustGiving page is here.  And I will try to post my daily progress using an app called Polar steps - I am there as Lucy Bowen.

Absolutely no pressure on either, I am sure to fill you in on the highlights on my return!

I hope everyone has a great couple of weeks and I will catch up again soon 😊

A Year of Projects Update - week 5

 I missed last week.   Didn't quite mean to, but I spent most of last Sunday driving back to Somerset to meet up with my brother.

I have been doing some crafting since breaking up for the summer.   

I finished my first dress for Goodwood.   This is not thd best picture but will havd to do for a moment - then I will do a modelled shot!!

We are going to the Goodwood Revival in September and so I need 2 dresses for the Saturday and Sunday- this is the first. 

I have also nearly finished the Desktop vest but have now ran out of wool - I have ordered a last ball but need to wait for it to arrive.

I have therefore, started a new project!  I fancied a fitted Cardigan, so I've decided on Joy by Veera Valimaki.

I am going to use some John Arbon Textiles yarn and I have made a few inroads on the yoke already.

I have a somewhat busy week this week - all nice!  Meeting friends and doing a bit of walking.  Last week I, not only visited Somerset, but also went to London to check out where my gran used to live.

Anyway,  me and my friend had a lovely day and found out a bit more history of the family!

And that is that for this week.  It's a busy one ahead, but I should be able to report in next week - I hope everyone has a great week 😊 

A Year of Projects Update - week 3

 The end of term is now in touching distance!  Just two days this week.

I have finished my Windlass.

I'm really pleased with it - it is knit in John Arbon Textiles yarn.

I didn't really do much on my socks, but did pick the Desktop vest back up.

I'm knitting this in Ulysse by de rerum natura in the caramel colourway.  The pattern is one from Squidney Knits through the Squid school of vintage knitting.

I've been trying to finish the book - The Room of Lost Things by Stella Duffy as it is due back to the library this week and I'm enjoying it so don't want it unfinished!  I've already renewed it the maximum I can online so I have to finish it for Wednesday!

Otherwise,  it is the end of term on Tuesday and on Thursday I am going to London with a friend to see the houses and school that my grandma lived in and went to.   I have several addresses from where I've been going through mum's things.  I also intend to go back to Somerset to sort through a few more things next Sunday.

And that is it for this week.  I hope you all have a good week. 😊

A Year of Projects Update - week 2

 The start of my year of projects always coincides with me clawing my way to the end of term, and this year is, of course, no different.  I have seven school days left before a long awaited summer holiday!

I have been reasonably busy the last couple of weeks.

First I have an FO.  I have a dress.  For those that have been reading a while, you will know, when I sew, I much prefer hand sewing rather than using the sewing machine.  This dress is a Macalls pattern that I have made before.  This time I have used an old duvet cover.

I  really like this and can't wait to wear it out!

I have also been working on my Windlass knit with John Arbon Textiles yarn - I already have the back completed and so am nearly there now.

I am hoping this may be completed by the end of the day, if not, by next week.

Otherwise,  I am reading a book by Stella Duffy called The Room of Lost Things which I am really enjoying.

I haven't done much in the garden - it's just got to the point where there is so much to do it is overwhelming.  Because I missed all the setting up and preparation out there at the start of  the year it has got out of hand!  Both myself and my husband have decided we will just keep it ticking over and gave a real push in the autumn to start again next year.

Finally, to explain my kitchen cafe!  I follow a lady called Jenna O'brien on substack and YouTube and as part of her Feeling magazine she advocates turning your kitchen into a cafe to bring joy!  As a result I now do the followjng:

I always used to plan out the weeks meals, but now I pick a cafe name, and plan out the meals like a menu.  This has been fun, looks good and is making me think of new things to cook.  I am now branching out into the coffee side of things!  On Jenna's advice I have bought a milk frother and a drink shaker to make iced tea and coffee - I shall report back on my adventures!!

And that is that!  Next time, I will have just 2 days left and I will definitely be winding down!  I hope everyone has a great week.

A Year of Projects - Year 15

 So here is my Year of Projects plan!  I missed last weeks round up post (first time in 12 years).  In all honesty, there is not a lot I want to remember from last year - my mum was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer early in 2024, and she passed away in March this year.  Although there are lots of things I want to look back on, there aren't many from last year.

So here we are looking forward!

I don't have many specifics for this year's list, more of a general idea, which has worked well for me over a number of years.

Knitting ideas

Socks - some more from the Stephen West year of socks

Dress - I would like to do Elsk

Cardigan - possibly Cardigan

Finish items already started - Hinchenbrook, desk vest set, Windlass and socks

Gloves for dad

Sewing ideas

I have lofty ideas to make myself 2 dresses to go to Goodwood this year (the theme is the summer of love) - I have the fabric and will make one Coco - and possible one other

Yoga tops 

Summer pj's  - possible upcycle

Satin shorts

Other ideas 

Kitchen cafe! - explained in week 2!

Plan the garden for next season

And that is my plans for this year.  Not too long and it will develop and change over the year.  I will leave you with that this week.  Next week I will be back with what I have been doing the last few weeks - there are some finishes and a whole new project!

A Year of Projects Update - week 51

 Time is going by too fast at the moment!  You blink and it is nearly the end of my year of Projects year.  Next week I will try to do a round up post - I say try as it's been a bit of a year, so we will see!

I do have a bit of progress this week.  I have finished the main part of the leg on my Stephen West socks for ...?  I'm not sure what month these were now.  

I have since picked up the stitches for the cuffs and hope to finish the cuffs today - leaving me with the feet to do over the next couple of weeks.

I have done very little on my Windlass vest,  but again, I hope to get going on that over the next couple of weeks.

I recieved my journal fron paper republic. 

It is the red one, pictured with my Hobinichi weeks.  I love both of these!!  

Anyway, that is that for this week - I am not sure if I will do next week - I may focus on a new start and new year 😊

Hope everyone has a great week. X

A Year of Projects Update - week 49

 We spent last weekend at Brands Hatch, so no post then.  I'm not sure what I've been doing of late, but it has not been knitting!  

I have made a little bit of progress on my Windlass vest 

This is in John Arbon textiles yarn.

And that is about it for the last 2 weeks!  

I went to see The Salt Path which was lovely  and very true to the book.

I have also been doing a bit of journalling.  I've got quite into it and have treated myself to a journal from Paper Republic.  I will show you when I get it - hopefully this week!

And that is really it this week.  I hope everyone has a great week 😊 

A Year of Projects Update - week 47

 I managed to make it back again this week!  It is the start of our half term break which I have been looking forward to.  I have some plans, but hopefully, will fit in some knitting, gardening and walking.

Yesterday I took a trip to Brighton to catch up with a cousin and his wife, that before the funeral, I hadn't seen since he was little!  It was a lovely morning and I picked up the 2 Raynor Winn books that I haven't read for good measure.  I have read the Salt Path and am going to see that film on Friday, so am really looking forward to reading these. 

Anyway,  in knitting,  I have finished the leg of one sock - I will go on and do the other leg before doing the cuffs and continuing with thd heel and feet two at a time.

These are the latest from Stephen West in his year of socks and I am using up a whole host of scraps!

I have also made some progress on my vest -  Windlass.   I am knitting this in John Arbon Textiles yarn and I have already knit the back.   We are having a bowling party for Daniel today so while I'm waiting for him in the carpark, I will do some of this!

So, that is my Sunday - I have no plans for tomorrow (a bank holiday here in the UK).

Tuesday, me and a friend are going to a local manor for a spa morning - a present for my birthday from my husband.  Which should be fabulous!  Wednesday I am going back to Somerset to catch up with a friend, see dad and sort out a few things with mum's house.  Then at the end of the week I am going to thd cinema to see the aforementioned Salt Path and then I have some pampering appointments so all in all, a busy but should be  relaxing week!

Hope you all have a great week.

A Year of Projects Update - week 46

 I thought I'd start with an apology!  I never intended to take such a hiatus, it just happened that way.  I can't say I've been particularly busy!  We did go to see some of the touring car racing, but otherwise it's just been life!

I have started and finished a small project in that time.   These are the Tatara arm warmers from Brooklyn Tweed.

Someone I follow on Instagram test knit them and I fell in love with them.   It's not the right season but they are winter ready!!

I have also finished the ?March socks from Stephen West.  

I love them and still have them on now!  I have forgotten how to do Kitchener stitch!  I thought it was like riding a bike but clearly you can forget!  I can't be bothered at the moment to look up the start  but when I do I will be fine again - for the time being I will improvise!!

And that is it - I have started my next Stdphen West socks- these will be another great stashbuster!

I really hope to make it back next week as it is the start of our half term break -  so I shall keep my fingers crossed!!

I hope everyone is OK and has a lovely week. 😊

A Year of Projects Update - week 42

 It has been a bit of a whirlwind few weeks.  I have managed to do some crafting which has consisted of trying to complete the March socks for the Stephen West year of socks.

I am knitting these in Stranded Dyeworks but can't remember the colourway name - it is as bright as the picture!

Otherwise,  I have done a lot of spring cleaning - mainly in preparation for mum's owl's.   I have also taken possession of her sewing box which I have filled with a mix of mine and hers.  ❤️

We buried my mum last week in a beautiful part of Devon near gran and grandad under a tree.

We are visiting a tulip field tonight and really looking forward to it!  Hopefully,  I will have pictures next week 😊

A Year of Projects Update - week 40

 I've not posted in a while.  Unfortunately,  the last month has been quite hard and posting took a back seat.

My dear mum, unfortunately,  took a turn for the worse,  having fought cancer for a year, and lost her fight last week. 

There are obviously lots of things to be done, but at the moment I am home for a bit, waiting for the next set of arrangements to kick in.  

I have done a bit of knitting this last few weeks.  I have finished my February socks from Stephen West. 

I really enjoyed these and used a lot of stash!

I gave also started the March socks.

These are being knit in some more stash yarn from Stranded dyeworks.

I have done a bit on my vest, but not too much to photograph.

It is also my birthday today, so I went on a lovely hike over the Seven Sisters - the cliffs on the south coast of England.