yarn along

Joining in with the yarn along this week.

Working really hard on the mittens now, I have had to give myself a schedule and really make myself stick to it. If I do I should hopefully finish them over the weekend.

Working on a pair of socks for my nephew, he learnt to knit over the holidays and asked for a pair of green socks, a request like this cannot be refused.

Also, I am trying to design a pair of mittens for Roghan, (3 months old), obviously he doesn't really need to be able to use his hands too much so I was thinking just a long tube of ribbing which goes to his elbows and gathers over his fingers. Any ideas?

Jo x 



at our place

This week there has been, examining fingers, finding it really funny. growing, writing practice, very serious connect 4 competitions, new encounters,  finding beautiful architecture, puzzling and painting.

Jo x 

Ice

We have had a very mild winter this year so the dropping of the temperature and the arrival of ice this week had us all ready to get out there and experience it.



Much fun had by us all and breaking through the ice into the thick cold mud underneath felt great. We were trying to walk up the hill to the quoit at the top but were thwarted by a herd of cows. As much as I can tell faith that cows are lovely and gentle creatures, I had a bad experience with some angry cows when I was younger and I can only keep saying it up until the moment I am faced with them, and then I find myself turning back. All these cows did was look at us but unfortunately that was enough, it's something I'll conquer one of these days - maybe when I've got back up!

Temperature went back up to 8C today so that might be our only day of ice this year.

Jo x 

make: a valentines heart

Simple instructions on how to draw a well proportioned heart for valentines.

Start with a square of paper, any size.

Fold in half one way and into thirds the other way. I've drawn the fold lines on to make it clear but there's no need to do this.

 Mark the centre bottom, the sides of the top third fold, a point halfway between the top corner and the centre line and a point halfway between centre top and the top third line. See picture as this is confusing in words but simple when seen.

Join these points with a nice curve, go over this curve as many times as you need to until you are happy with it. Remember that curves are almost straight at the point where they touch the edges.

 Fold in half and cut out.

Happy valentines.

Jo x 



this moment

Inspired by Soulemama, a moment to pause and remember...

make: knitted cowl

I used aran weight (worsted weight) wool and 60cm 5mm circular needle.

Cast on 90 sts and join for working in the round.

rnd 1: *K3, P2 repeat from * around.

Repeat this round until desired length. I did 4 1/2" ish, enough to cover your neck.

Now you start working back and forth across the needles instead of around.

row 1: K2tog, k to 2 sts before end, SSK

row 2: p across

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until 2 sts are left, k2tog then pull yarn through.

Weave in ends.

The point on this cowl fits nicely into v-neck jumpers to keep your chest warm.

Happy crafting!

Jo x



yarn along

Joining in with the yarn along this week.

We have a finished baby jacket for Roghan from this free pattern, it is very simple and quick to knit, this is the 2nd one I have made and I will definitely be making the next size up.

I have cast on for the second mitten but only done a few rows.

I have been reading Elizabeth Zimmermann's knitters almanac, It is a well read book but I still find something new each time. I just love the way she writes and the whole slightly made up, if it works - do it, way of knitting is absolutely the way I work!

Also this week I made a knitting needle case so I don't have to search the entire house every time I need to start something.

Jo x