knitwise

After the break...

We had a little break away in Paris during the first week of the Easter holidays and, during the second week, we had family visiting from France. Today, everyone is back to work or college and peace has returned once more at home...  Paris was hectic and wonderful as usual.

Women don't wear fashion like this anymore but  the cafes, it seems, will always retain their charm and unique style. I love to sit at the terraces and watch the world go by...

Now that I am back I can show you my progress on the Winter blanket. I am still a long way to go but as I am sewing it as I go along, I can see it growing and it cheers me up.
I have a lot of sewing plans now that Spring is here and, once the house is back in order, I hope to get going and attack the fabric stash. Kim Hargreaves' new book is out soon and I seriously hope that there will be a little cardi calling for the turquoise 4ply wool which is resting in my knitting basket!...

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Not idle...

I do realise that sometimes there are large gaps between my posts and I do apologize, but I am not completely idle during these silences.  Sometimes, there is not much to show apart from work in progress (I can be slow!...) or I am waiting for the opportunity to have a picture taken (I have finished one knitted top but the weather hasn't be too good to wear short sleeves lately...) or (yes, I confess...) I have spent too much time on Pinterest to gather inspiration instead of actually making something!... So I will have to shake myself awake and I promise I will try to post religiously on a regular basis.

I am still in my "Let's tidy the home" mood,  and I finally bought a frame for this print I bought in Paris last year.  Better late than never!... I put it up in the dining area in the kitchen, bought a lovely red polka dot oilcloth for the table, in the hope of giving this corner a cheerful French atmosphere. More photos will follow when I am finally happy with the look...

Having bought a new sofa for the living-room and Spring (surely?) not far away, I thought a bright and colourful cushion would be welcome. It am proud to say that I only used left over yarns from previous projects  and an old sheet for the backing. It is an envelope style cushion, super easy to make with minimum sewing.  I need to refine my technique by practising on more cushions using my fabric stash.

The sun has just come out as I am writing this. Spring MUST be in the air... Have a lovely week!...

 

 

A cold Winter's day...

What do you do when it is too cold outside and you are lucky enough to have the day off?...

A spot of reading curled up on the sofa

A few more stitches on a crochet blanket  for next Winter

Indulge in a slice of Raspberry cheesecake

Wips...

 
I have been very good lately at restraining myself at one project at a time...  BUT, the approaching Summer with all this sunshine (going to my head) and the constant inspiration from Blogland have changed all that!!! I feel like a butterly flying from one flower to the next. So I have to keep my head cool and get organised!

Christina is growing nicely on my needles and is reserved for evenings in front of the TV. The back is done, so is one sleeve. I love the constant changes in stitches, the work  progresses  in stages, I am happy...

The beginning of Christina's left front

Everytime I go to the bedroom, the sight of my granny stripes blanket feels my heart with a sense of warm happiness. I have decided to give her a twin sister to go on the other bed. It won't be an identical one but the colours will be more or less the same. This project will be for the long Sunday afternoons I will be spending watching the children cricket matches this Summer.

 

The very first stiches on the Twin...

Finally (I hope), I have been literally dizzy with all the sewing achieved by all the talented ladies on Sew Retro. Through these posts, I have discovered some truly inspiring blogs. I have been bitten by the sewing bug and must do something about it!... I am a bit of a novice in this subject so I have to start by something not too ambitious. I have bought a pattern for a blouse from the 50's era. Strangely enough, I have seen a similar blouse in a shop recently. Is the fashion turning into a retro mood?...

 

The pattern. Note: it says "Simple to make"

I am waiting for the pattern to be brought to me by the postman. I have already got the fabric which I think will do just nicely.  When will I have the time for this project??? Well, I am sure I will find it...

Pink gingham for a retro look. What do you think?... 

Things to look forward to...

The Cricket season will start soon, I have been told by the experts at home  and this means hours watching the games on Sundays. This also means (to me!) hours of crochet time and I have already a blanket project planned in my head for those long, hopefully sunny, lazy afternoons.  I don't understand much about the rules of the game  but  my Granny stripes blanket was created essentially on "cricket" time last year and I am grateful for this great British sport...

The new Kim Hargreaves book is due out very soon and this, to me, is always a major event in my knitter's life.  As usual I can't wait to find out her new designs for this Spring/Summer collection. I am trying to race through my Vintage cardi's sleeves to free my needles just in case they are needed urgently... 

New blanket

It might be sunny, Spring might be in the air and the crocus and daffodils might start to make an appearance but there is still frost in the morning and a chill in the air.

So, whilst the washing is drying in the gentle breeze, there is time to snuggle up with my new blanket and a delightful book...

 

School Holidays

 

This week, the children are on holidays and I have taken the time off too. We are not going anywhere but it doesn't bother us. We are planning to take it easy and have a very relaxing time...  I will start to sew those crochet squares together in an attempt to finish the blanket I planned to make ages ago!

 
We will watch this brilliant film which I saw years ago. So long ago, in fact, that I can't remember the end... Excellent!

We will go to an Art exhibition opened to young Artists aged between 13 and 19 which, I am sure, will be inspiring and full of budding talent. Hopefully, the sun will be shining like on this picture and we will be able to have a coffee on the terrace overlooking the quay.

I love holidays!...

 

 

 

 

 

Update

Time for an update on what I have been up too!... I wish I could show a completed project. Sadly it will have to wait... As I mentioned before I am working on a crochet blanket which is progressing quite well although the prospect of sewing up all ends and squares together slows me down... I am using Sylecraft Special as for my other blanket. Pity some of those vibrant colours only exist in acrylic yarns!...

My next project on the needles is Patsy from the latest Kim Hargreaves' book Touching Elegance. The back and one front are completed and I started the other front last night at the knit and natter evening. I am using Rowan Felted Tweed. I might change the sleeves slightly as they are too "blousy" for my taste.

  
 I am eager to finish this cardigan as the new KH's book: "Cherished" is due out at the end of October/beginning of November. I would like to free my needles by then, just in case....

 

Granny Stripe blanket

 My blanket is finally finished and I can say I have enjoyed every stripe! It is definitely too hot at the moment to really appreciate it, but I am sure it will be very warm and cosy in the Winter months. It will also be a cheerful sight in all the greyness ahead... I am unshamefully very happy with it!...

Knit & natter...

Yesterday was Knit & natter evening. We meet fortnightly to knit, crochet, admire each other's work, gossip, bring new patterns to drool over, drink coffee and, the ones with the least will-power, will indulge in a slice of cake or creamy dessert. It is a fun evening and I am always looking forward to it. Unfortunately, I can't say that I make huge progress during these sessions as I am usually too busy listening to the news or admiring new patterns books... Last night I took with me my blanket, telling myself that I don't need to concentrate so much with a crochet project.

This is the said blanket yesterday afternoon before the Knit & natter evening... It is becoming quite big and is not the most discreet thing to transport! But I love it and can't part with it at the moment. So I took it along with me in my big round basket....  As predicted, I only managed to complete one colour stripe....