Something for the Weekend.

I'm please to announce that the new projects which I showed you in my last post at the beginning of January are progressing nicely.  We all love the thrill of starting a new project but I find that initial excitement soon wears off and so to balance that I try and make a small quick project over the weekend and for this weekend I was excited to read about the Sophie Scarf, have you heard of it? It's a very simple skinny scarf more like a neck tie and it seems to be all over social media at the moment, it's funny how some patterns just seem to take off and to be honest, I can't really see why this one is so popular but because it's so simple and will be quick to make I decided to make it and really you can never have enough scarves at this time of the year.

The original pattern is knitted and can be found here on Ravelry.

I have found a free crochet version on youtube here.  I intend to make this and show it to my crochet group because it's an easy project for them to make. 

I have found a nice squishy ball of DK yarn in my stash, I have no idea which brand it is because the label has long since vanished and I have made a start...

I will show you the finished article once it's done.

My WIPs are coming along slowly, I do have deadlines for these 

Kevin's socks ..

These need to be gifted for his birthday end of February, I have reached the heel flap on one and have started the second sock as you can see, I always make a pair of socks together otherwise the second sock would never materialise. Since starting these I have been asked to make socks for some of the members of my Lip Reading group so I have been taking foot measurements and asking them for colour preferences, I have told them it may take a while but I will get around to it sometime. 😊

Baby Onsie for Grandson number three due at the end of February too....

I have a third WIP on the go only to be disclosed after it has been completed and gifted and then we have the year of woodland blossoms embroidery, the January segment has been completed ....

Once again we are expecting a storm here with gale force winds so I intend to stay snug inside and crochet my Sophie scarf.  What are your plans for the day? whatever they are I wish you all a peaceful and relaxing happy Sunday. 😘😘

Linking with Kathy's slow stitching Sunday

Something for The Weekend.

I think that I've found a solution to the granny blanket in my last post but it means quite a bit of mindless crochet which incidentally I do love, you have to have at least one of these projects on the go for watching TV or for when friends come to visit so it's all good, I'll show you how it's progressing when I've done a bit more. So for the weekend I have decided to make another one of these....

One of the ladies from Loving Hands found this pattern and we have challenged ourselves to see how many we can make. It is knit in the round but some of the ladies have made it successfully with two needles.  I made mine a size smaller than stated just to see if I could do it and because I was using tiny scraps of yarn and I wasn't sure if I would have enough to make a larger version.

It's much easier than it looks and there are other pattern variations too, you can find the free pattern here.

Can you remember me mentioning that I was going to make Daphne's 
Olive oil and lemon cake weekend before last, well I did but I only made half the amount stated in the recipe just in case it didn't turn out right for me but it did and it was yummy, I thought that you would be able to taste the olive oil but you couldn't it was light as can be.  I did mean to take a photo but it was eaten before I had time to get my camera out. 😄

Have a great weekend whatever you are doing. 😊 x

Something For The Weekend.

I always find it's a good idea to make a few small things in between a bigger project, once the excitement of starting a new project wears off I soon get bored with it and sometimes find it a chore to actually finish it. That's where the making of small projects is such a big hit for me, I put my larger project to one side at the weekend and make something small and easy, I get quite excited at the thought of starting this teeny project knowing I'll have a finish quite soon. It could be anything that catches my eye during the week or something that I've had on my to do list for a while. 

Hats feature quite strongly on my teeny project list because they are quick to make and are always useful. A couple of weeks ago Marianna from Lazy Daisy Days had a mystery knit and I joined in, such fun to knit something and not know what it is you are knitting of course you do guess as you go along but you don't know what it's going to turn out like until it's completely done. It was this cute little hat...

Marianna has since named this the Marty hat and has also added a cute little mitten pattern too.  So that's what I'll be making this weekend another of these little hats with a matching pair of mittens.
You can find the pattern for both here

I also fancy making this stir fry I think it sounds yummy.

What will you be up to this weekend? whatever it is I hope that it's a good one.😊

Something for the weekend.

Usually my something for the weekend posts consist of a small crochet or knitted item that can be made up over a few hours but this time it's all about these little balls...

I have a terrible sweet tooth, my downfall is biscuits, cake and chocolate in no particular order, I'm one of those people who just has to eat something sweet with my cup of tea or coffee and as a result the tummy just keeps getting bigger and bigger, so when I saw these little energy balls I just had to give them a try, there's no cooking either and every single ingredient can be classed as healthy apart from the salt which I didn't add. I would think that you could easily use any type of dried fruit I used half figs half dates. They taste amazing and I find that eating just one of these is enough. 

I took samples into work today and my work colleagues loved them too. The recipe is from Deliciously Ella's website if you haven't heard about Ella before you can read her story here and you can find the recipe here.

Enjoy and have a great weekend. 

Friday Catch Up

Happy Friday everyone yay! another working week over and another weekend to look forward to. Thank you for all the lovely comments you left me for my 200 blocks blanket I loved reading them all and it's great to hear that it has inspired some of you to make one too.

Last weekends trip to Ikea was a bit stressful to say the least, my daughter drove because we would never get there if I did the driving the nearest Ikea is situated in a huge shopping mall and there are several entrances if you go into the wrong one it's a nightmare to get out again and back onto the right road, by the time we did get there we were both mentally exhausted.  

It's ages since I was there and I'd forgotten how huge it was it's like a blinkin maze inside we were walking around in circles at one point.  Anyway I saw what I was looking for and tried them out for comfort, I need a new sofa for the living room and I like the look of these and these, not in that colour though white would not stay white in my home for long that's for sure. I was also on the lookout for storage and I think these are great and would do the job admirably lots of lovely coloured baskets to fit inside too, so now I'm pondering :)

This is what I woke up to recently

My fence has blown down! I knew it was going to happen it was swaying back and forth in the wind, it's much worse now it's covered in snow and flat on the ground but never mind I have it all in order, new posts have been bought and painted by a lovely man called Eddie he used to be the handyman at my place of work and has now retired and does odd jobs now and then. He is going to put it back up for me with the help of his grandson once the weather cheers up a bit.

On the crochet front I have completed the first blocks for the crochet block CAL and will show you them very soon along with the project I have made with them.

I am going to do the second square for the moogly CAL on Sunday I have decided that every other Sunday will be the moogly square slot, colours are chosen and at the ready..

Mini Rings progress....

This week we worked rounds 15 to 19
Round 15 - I used  Stylecraft special chunky shade 1065 Meadow
Round 16 - Stylecraft Special Chunky shade 1061 Plum
Rounds 17-19 Sirdar Hayfield Bonus Chunky in shade 742 Leaf Green.

I love that final bumpy round, this is getting quite big now and I'm wondering what the finished size is going to be.

The mini rings of change Cal is hosted by Kate and you can find out all about it here

Now I just had to show you this..

This is the rings of change the full version of the mini rings, a lady called Cigi Cini made this beautiful blanket and posted it on facebook here and has kindly gave me permission to show it to you.  I think it's amazing Cigi has said she used a 4mm hook and 8 ply cotton and it has taken her just 6 weeks to make it! You can find the pattern here


As for this weekend apparently we are going to have snow and gale force winds so the plan is....a little shopping, turn up the heating! get out the hooks and maybe the knitting needles and I'm in the mood for making hats lets see how many I can make this weekend! I also fancy making these, they do look very healthy don't you think and I would only eat a very tiny piece at a time :)


What are your plans? have a great one whatever you do. xx 


Stashbusters! 

Don't forget to link up your January projects to the January link party do take a look at all the many beautiful makes that have been linked already.

For those who are counting please leave me your totals here

the February Stash link party will be up and running on Monday 2nd.

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! 

Something For The Weekend

Baby Hats 6    

Ripple Baby Hats

These crochet baby hats are the sweetest things to make.

I do love to ripple don't you? and if it's a baby hat then so much the better and this pattern comes with an added bonus.....

The sweetest little mittens aren't they cute!

 Baby hats and mittens

Perfect :)


Stats 
Pattern to fit a newborn
You can find the pattern here
Each hat takes 20 grams of Dk yarn
The mittens take 13 grams

From the small stash of little bits

The June link party will close on Sunday night so hurry and get all your lovely June stash-buster projects linked up! 

Have a great weekend and happy linking!

Something for the weekend

Baby Hats 5

If you want to do some brain training I would highly recommend lacy knitting.  The pattern for these little hats is very easy but you do have to concentrate.  I can't tell you how long it took me to get into the rhythm of the pattern and how many times I had to pull them back but once I had it I loved it and I love the result.

I have got quite lazy in my crafty makings, choosing simple patterns just so I don't have to think too much about what I'm doing... my mind does tend to wander all over the place while I'm crafting I think that's why I found these a little challenging. 

You seasoned knitters will be shaking your heads I know but I do feel a small sense of achievement it's been a long time since I knit anything lacy and it has given me the urge to do some more, after all it's good for the brain :)


Size 3 months.
Dk yarn and it took 25 grams for each hat
4 mm needles 

Find the pattern for these lovely little hats here

Made from the stash of little bits.

 Have a great weekend! 

Something for the weekend

It's Bank Holiday weekend and the sun is shining! makes a change in my neck of the woods.
I loved these cute coasters as soon as I saw them and couldn't wait to make some.

Of course I shouldn't digress I should finish the wips I have on the go but I couldn't resist

The reason being I was expecting a few visitors and I hadn't got enough coasters!

 I managed to hook a few before the visitors arrived and one of my friends took three of them with her when she left, 'I need coasters for my caravan and these are just the right colour for my décor!' Of course I was happy to let them go I love making things for my friends.

Which meant of course I had to hook some more.  Quick and easy the perfect Bank holiday weekend project.

Thank you Ana for the pattern and inspiration.

These little coasters weigh in at  7 grams each 

made from the cotton stash

Have a great weekend everyone and for those of you in England make the most of the sunshine while it lasts!

Something For the Weekend

Baby Hats 4

When I see a new pattern for baby hats I tend to jump in there with both feet because I know that this is a job for....'the small stash of little bits' and so when Julia asked us to try out her pattern I was more than happy to oblige.

 These are made with Dk wool and a 4.5 mm hook and have turned out the same size as stated in the pattern. The last round is dc (sc) on the one above.

I made this one using Aran weight yarn and a 5 mm hook.  I started with 13 trebles and worked less rounds to get the same size as the pattern.  I would have made a bigger hat but I only had a small amount of yarn, the last round is dc (sc)

My verdict on the pattern.. it's very easy and straight forward and these hats can be made very quickly, in fact they are quite addictive!  I had to stop myself from making more because I do need to do some work on the projects I flung to one side in my eagerness to try this pattern.  It will be revisited very soon because I want to make some with little girl colours.

To change the hat size just increase or decrease the beginning trebles, you must have an uneven number for the pattern to work

Thank you Julia for the pattern you can find it here

The Dk hats took 27 grams
The Aran hat took 33 grams

I will be showing you my new book next and something cute from the Baby stash.

Have a great weekend!

Something for the weekend

Baby Hats 3

Making something so quick and easy always makes me happy, I like to put aside my bigger projects and make something small just so that I can feel that I am actually achieving something.

Then I can get back to those long term projects with more enthusiasm.

I'm alternating with Knit and crochet so it's knitted hats this time.

The pattern for these hats can be found here and are from new born size up to two years.
They took just 20g of yarn each.

From the stash of little bits

Have a great weekend! 

Something for the weekend

Little shell top and hat

Made with the softest of baby yarn in a delicate shade of Apricot.

and a cute little hat to match

You will love making this little set and you can do it in one evening.

A free pattern and very easy to follow, using Dk weight yarn and a 4 mm hook

The top is newborn baby size and took 64 grams of yarn and the hat 19 grams that's 83 grams of stash busted. 

made from the baby wool stash 

                                             


         Next week a cute little something in red and cream :)     





Have a great Weekend!