Love is...   Wearing the hat your wife makes for you !!!!

Sometimes you gotta sit down and have a think. I have so many ideas teaming though my head and so many half finished projects I gotta take it all in.
Have a breather.
Calm the craft excitement.

Then realise Q4 14/15 is for finishing things off. Then get started on the next lot of ideas!

So here it is. My first home designed pattern. Gotta keep it simple and gotta show sock recipients love :) This is the inspiration behind these toe warmers.

DROPS Alpaca wool was lovely to work with. Who can resist the cute alpaca face on the lable.


Requirements:

• 2 balls of Drops Alpaca wool 50g. (4ply for socks!)
• 2.5mm double pointed needles
• Contast yarn 4ply. Only small amount required.

Instructions:

• Cast on 60 st
• Divide stitches evenly between 4 needles.
• K2 P2 for whole row. Repeat untill cuff measures 3.5cm
• Knit three rows
• Start colour work Chart A
• Once colourwork complete knit 6cm untill you add in a contrast wool for an afterthrought heal.
• Knit body of foot for 12cm for small size five or 13 cm for size 6. (Allow length of foot minus the 8 - 10cm the heal and toe will provide)
• Toe decreases as follows ; dec 4 stitches at side seam 1st round. Knit 3 rounds. Then reduce 4 stitches at side seam 1 round.
• Knit 2 rounds then dec 4 stiches on next round. Repeat twice
• Knit 1 round then decrease 4 stitches on next round. Repeat three times.
• Decrease 4 stitches on every round untill 16 stitches remain. Finish with kitchener stitch.
• Feed needles though stitch loops along constrast tread untill 60 stitches picked up. Spread evenly umong 4 needles. Work heal as toe decreases.

This has been a massive help to me.. See dummies link below

Jargon busting : Knitting on double point needles (dpn, dpns )

Dummies advise

I got this beautiful grandfather clock charm from my lovely lil Sis. Its so special because one Gran used to buy us charms and one Granpa used to mend clocks. I have clipped it on an old watch chain, with a clip I can pop it on and off easy so the charm doesnt get caught and damaged!

Thank you xxx

Welcome to 2015... Its just dawning on me the new year is here as I am writing '15 over and over at work.

Well what better way to start 2015 than with a new challenge.

Each month I am going to make a themed mini quilt !!!

Its on... I said it.... I will publish this blog post....

Hopefully catch up quilts and quilt months in advance are allowed. Well I guess there are no rules except the ones I make up in this challenge!

So here is January's completed. I am using the quilt I made with my sister for this month. Its is now wadded and bound all good.

So this month I made the trip back to Bilghty for some festive family fun. 1st stop a week with my sister. She runs a yoga studio in Oxford center called Yoga Quota.

My sis is also a craft addict and she has found a gem of a store close by called Darn it and stitch.

DARN IT & STITCH

The lady there is so helpful. She also was able to give me some advise about where ti source japanese embroidary thread. Thats a future project aim !

I picked up some cute fabric and a delightful green wool. Can't wait to choose a sock pattern for it.

Now take time to walk through Oxford center... It is truely beautiful

If you have a car Witney is a relaxing mini trip. Some lovely places for lunch and this gem of a craft store with fabrics and wools too!!


Witney Sewing and Knitting

Today I have been a photographer for my Sister in her new Yoga Studio. The images are hopefully going into a magazine next year!