November Stash- Buster Catch Up and a Big Thank you!

A big thank you for all the lovely birthday wishes and comments in my pompom post, the pompom making continues and remember Sense are collecting pompoms until December 12th so there's still time to take part if you want to.

Another big thank you to Wendy from September Violets for hosting her beautiful giveaway! and guess who won it? I did!! what a lovely surprise when I got back from work yesterday, I can't wait to receive the fabulous festive table runner, do pop over and see what I have won you will be green with envy I can promise you. :)

The last month of the year is upon us already! I hope you have all had as much fun stash-busting as I have.  There are so many beautiful projects in the November link party do take a look at what everyone has been making AND you still have time to link up those last minute November creations but hurry the last submission is midnight today.

Here are your October favourites.

Jacquelines Pillows

Ana's stash hats

Fiona's Toddler Granny Top

The last Link Party of the Year will be up and running on Tuesday 

I have busted 682 grams of stash this month, see all amazing totals here

Hope you all have a great weekend, I'm off to a festive craft fair today, can't wait! see you soon. :)

Fun With Pompoms!

I love making pompoms but I don't usually make them unless I need them for embellishments, now that has all changed thanks to the Great Sense Pompom Challenge now I can make them for fun too!  

I always have to have someone to blame for distracting me from whatever it is I aught to be doing, and this time it's Ali's fault ever since I read about the challenge on her blog, I can't stop making pompoms!

Now there are so many reasons why we can, and not feel guilty for wasting our time.  Just think of the advantages

What about that yarn you have in your stash, like this bright lime green mohair, I really never thought I would get rid of it, I mean to say what can you do with lime green mohair!

MAKE POMPOMS.....lovely soft squishy squashy pompoms they feel just great. You can use up all those yarns you don't know what to do with because it's all for a good cause, and the different textures will feel so good to the visually impaired.

Smooth and shaggy, big or small, just go with your inner pompom.

I was getting quite carried away with this one it's supposed to be a flower

You can see that right? See there's the stem.

I suppose it could be a candle too.

 Can you tell I'm having fun with these.

Read all about the Challenge here and the great news is there is still plenty of time because they are accepting pompoms until the 12th December and if you can't send them to add to the big pompom tapestry then you can add them to the pompom gallery.

If you really want to get some pompom inspiration check out this website it's amazing, I'm going to try some of those because I still haven't satisfied my pompom cravings yet.

Thank you for the info Ali, I'm having so much fun.:)

105 grams of pompoms made so far and counting...........

Letting you share my beautiful birthday flowers ....

These from my daughter...

and roses from my brother :)

The Monday Smile

Hello everyone I hope that you have had a great weekend, I'm sure some of you have already seen this on Facebook but I felt I just had to share it with those who haven't because it certainly made me smile.

What a fantastic idea! forget the shoes what a great place to store your stash!!
Have you got any unusual places to store you stash? if so I would love to see them. :)

Have a great week!

Something For the Weekend

Something quick and easy to make for the weekend and a great gift idea too. One of the lovely ladies from Loving hands has given me permission to share her Wrist Warmer pattern.  I had a little bit of chunky wool in my stash in fact just enough to give this pattern a go, if you haven't got any chunky yarn you can use two strands of double knitting wool so they are great stash-busters too.

They are very easy and quick to do and I did manage to finish them in one evening, even though it is ages since I did any cable knitting I did enjoy doing it and it does add interest to a simple pattern. Thank you Jacqui for sharing. :)

CHUNKY WRIST WARMERS

 

These simple wrist warmers can be made in an evening and fit an adult woman or man as they are stretchy but you could add 2 or 4 stitches more or less on the stocking stitch (palm) area if needed, and alter the length to suit.

They can be made using straight needles or made in the round

Materials:

Approx 60 - 75g chunky or DK yarn (use 2 strands together for DK)

6.5mm straight needles or 6.5mm dpn’s or circular if made in the round and a cable needle

4 buttons for owl eyes if you like

Basic Pattern:

Cast on 32 stitches

Join in the round if using dpn’s or circular needles

6 rows K1, P1 rib

Follow chosen pattern until work measures 22 cm from cast on edge, making thumb hole after 16 cm if knitting in the round

3 rows K1, P1 rib

Cast off in rib

If using 2 needles, sew side seams leaving 1cm gap for thumb 16 cm from cast on edge.

For ‘owl’ cable, sew on 2 buttons for owl eyes if you wish as seen in photo.

Cable abbreviations:

C4B – slip next 2 stitches onto cable needle and hold at back of work, knit next 2 stitches then knit the 2 stitches from the cable needle

C4F – slip next 2 stitches onto cable needle and hold at front of work, knit next 2 stitches then knit the 2 stitches from the cable needle

‘OWL’ CABLED WRIST WARMERS – 2 straight needles

Left Wrist Warmer

Rows 1, 3, 5, 7: K3, P8, K3, P18

Row 2: K18, P3, C4B, C4F, P3 (right side)

Rows 4, 6, 8: K18, P3, K8, P3

Repeat until work measures 22cm from cast on edge

Right Wrist Warmer

Rows 1, 3, 5, 7: P18, K3, P8, K3

Row 2:  P3, C4B, C4F, P3, K18 (right side)

Rows 4, 6, 8:    P3, K8, P3, K18

Repeat until work measures 22cm from cast on edge

‘OWL’ CABLED WRIST WARMERS using dpn’s or circular needles in the round

Rows 1, 3, 5, 7: K18, P3, K8, P3

Row 2: K18, P3, C4B, C4F, P3

Rows 4, 6, 8: K18, P3, K8, P3

Repeat until work measures 16cm from cast edge

Make thumb hole and then continue in pattern until work measures 22cm from cast on edge

Left Thumb hole:

1st row:  K14, cast off 3, complete cable pattern for the row you are on

2nd row: K14, cast on 3, complete cable pattern for the row you are on

Right Thumb hole:

1st row:  K1, cast off 3, complete cable pattern for the row you are on

2nd row: K1, cast on 3, complete cable pattern for the row you are on

TWISTED CABLED WRIST WARMERS – 2  needles

Left Wrist Warmer

Row 1: K1, (P4, K1) 3 times, P16

Row 2: K16, P1, (C4F, P1) 3 times (right side)

Row 3: K1, (P4, K1) 3 times, P16

Row 4: K16, P1, (K4, P1) 3 times

Repeat until work measures 22cm from cast on edge

Right Wrist Warmer

Row 1:  P16, K1, (P4, K1) 3 times

Row 2:  P1, (C4F, P1) 3 times, K16 (right side)

Row 3:  P16, K1, (P4, K1) 3 times

Row 4:  P1, (K4, P1) 3 times, K16

Repeat until work measures 22cm from cast on edge

TWISTED CABLE WRIST WARMERS – dpn’s or circular needles

Rows 1, 3 & 4: K16, P1, (K4, P1) 3 times

Row 2: K16, P1, (C4F, P1) 3 times

Repeat until work measures 16cm from cast edge

Make thumb hole and then continue in pattern until work measures 22cm from cast on edge

Right Thumb hole:

1^st row:  K12, cast off 3, complete cable pattern for the row you are on

2^nd row: K12, cast on 3, complete cable pattern for the row you are on

Left Thumb hole:

1^st row:  K1, cast off 3, complete cable pattern for the row you are on

2^nd row: K1, cast on 3, complete cable pattern for the row you are on

Have a great weekend! 

Scarf Addiction

You know how it is when you start making something and you can't seem to stop.  You feel that you want to keep trying more of the same but in different patterns and of course in different colour ways.  I'm afraid I get a bit like this with everything I make! why is one never enough?  It's the turn of the scarves this addiction seems to pop up at this time every year as you can see in my scarf collection here which is only natural I suppose giving the cold weather we are having and it's threatening to get colder every day, you need to snuggle up in a scarf or cowl and so do the little ones

 Child's Cosy Scarf

You will love making this one because it's the same easy pattern as the Blue blocks throw, you can see how it happened can't you? it's all down to addiction again, I got addicted to the simple pattern, so continued using it to make this scarf then that led to the scarf addiction.

I wanted to use up the dwindling balls of Aran yarn I had left over from the throw but you are never sure if you have quite enough of a colour to get the effect you want so it was a bit of trial and error and sometimes some ripping back, I did have just enough to make this, I would have liked it to be just a teeny bit longer but it's fine for a little one to wrap around the neck at least once I think.

Soft and cosy and it will be lovely and warm. This is how I made mine but of course the possibilities are endless.

Pattern
AranYarn 
6.5 mm hook

width 6 inches, length approx 49 inches without tassels 

Chain 24 
First row -Dc in 2nd chain, *chain 1, miss 1Dc, Dc in next chain*  to the end. One chain turn on this and every row.
Second row - Dc in first Dc, *chain 1, miss 1Dc, Dc in next Dc* to the end and this forms the pattern.

Stripe Sequence         
Group One                                    Group Two
23 rows Colour A                     23 rows Colour B 
4 rows Colour B                         2 rows  Colour A
2 rows Colour A                         4 rows Colour B

1 - 2 - 1 -2 -1

To finish weave in ends and place 9 tassels at each end.

I hope that this makes sense let me know if you have any problems, and do give it a go, you can finish it in a night it's a great stash-buster!

The Monday Smile

Good Morning everyone and welcome to another Monday Smile. 
A man was telling his neighbour, 'I just bought a new hearing aid. It cost me four thousand dollars, but it's state of the art. It's perfect.' 

'Really,' answered the neighbour. 'What kind is it?' 

'Twelve thirty.' 

Being deaf myself I can certainly relate to this, thank you Bob it made me laugh out loud. :)

here

Have a great week!

Packed Up and Nearly Ready To Go

A big thank you to everyone who has helped to fill the boxes for the Syrian refugee's.

Sent down to London last week and today the Hand in Hand for Syria team along with local volunteers are helping to crate up all the items that have been collected for the Great Winter Drop. I wish that I lived closer so that I could help too.

So what was in the boxes

My stuff, lots of things to show you in more detail later.

Jean from the craft Fair

Day Unit Blanket
Thanks mostly to Hilda 87 years old and partially blind
Judy 85 years, Carolyn 82years.

Lynn-Beth from Loving Hands

Diane from Loving Hands

Ann from Loving Hands

Barbara from Loving hands

Maria from the Day Unit
Maria is 92 years old and donated these woollen blankets because she can no longer knit as she is blind and has arthritis in her hands.

Phylis from the Day Unit 82 years

Doreen from the Day Unit 75 years.

Maisie from the Day Unit 85 years

 
final count

Blankets- 9
Scarves- 16
Hats - 41
Mitts/gloves/fingerless - 35pairs
cardigans/tops/jackets - 14
socks - 33 pairs (knitted and bought)


An amazing effort thank you so much to everyone who has helped, we are now working to fill more boxes for the Big Spring drop.


Have a great weekend!

Blue Blocks Throw

Thank you so much for all the feedback about knitting versus crochet.  It was very interesting to read your comments and I do think it's fun to compare the two when working on various projects.  I will follow this subject up at a later date and I hope you will join me in my knitting challenge which I intend to start at the beginning of the new year but more about that later.

If you remember back in October I had all this yarn I wanted to bust.

I loved the combination of colours and wanted to make something really special with it, well I think I succeeded with this, what do you think?........

I think this is a case where crochet really does comes into it's own

Most of the blankets and throws I make are crocheted and I find them much easier and quicker to make than knitted ones.  I find them easier to join, they lie better, it's easier to weave in the ends and in most cases they are reversible too.

This throw was one of the easiest I have ever made and it grew very quickly too. 

It is crocheted in strips, you make one strip then when you begin the next strip you join it as you go, so no sewing! Yes there are quite a few ends but I weaved as I went and found it was no problem at all.

The pattern is simply one dc/sc one chain and then edged with the same pattern, easy peasy and what a great result even though I do say so myself.

Made with Aran yarn and a 6 mm hook it took 750grams. 
Find the pattern here

It's soft warm and luxurious and would be a great gift for anyone. I may just make one for myself.

This one is on it's way to the Syrian refugee's.

on completing the blanket I had this much yarn remaining.

A great stash-buster too. :)

The Monday Smile

I have woken up to a dark,windy rainy day this morning, I certainly need cheering up! I hope you have all had a great weekend and I hope this sets your week off with  a smile. :)

Doug Smith is on his deathbed, knows the end is near.

His nurse, his wife, his daughter and 2 sons, are with him.

"So", he says to them:

"Bernie, I want you to take the Mayfair houses."

"Sybil, take the apartments over in Pall Mall."

"Jamie, I want you to take the offices over in City Centre."

"Sarah, my dear wife, please take all the residential buildings on the Thames."

The nurse is just blown away by all this, and as Doug slips away, she says ,

"Mrs. Smith, your husband must have been such a hard-working man to have accumulated all this property".

Sarah replies, "Property? ... that's his paper round!"

Thank you for the laugh Val.

Here

Have a great week everyone!