Spinning Around!!!

I'm still alive! Even though I havent posted for ages I have been busy crafting. (Probably even more!!)

Now that the garden is starting to hibernate I can get back on my computer and mess about, so I have taken a few pics to show you what I have been up to.
Most importantly my new crafting skill is spinning, mostly thanks to Miss Bell and her spinning class at http://www.yarn-in-notts.co.uk. I have been spinning with my little drop spindle ever since.
The orange and red little collar thingy is knit from my first skein and my second skein is the green and pink one with fabric, thread and vintage buttons plyed with it (I called it English Rose). The hat I have made from it has worked well and the little buttons dangle lovely. I am not sure wether to keep it or sell it at the moment because I think it is quite special!

I have also made a pair of knucks for my son Tom. They were his idea and I am rather pleased with the result, if a 15 year old thinks something I have made is cool then I can't be all that ancient!

Busy Busy Busy!

Here are my weekend makes. 3 skirts from charity shop sheets and curtains and my lovely Noro Kureyon wrap. When I wear this it drapes like a little jacket and is lovely and warm. I think my yellow ensemble could count as my project spectrum for this month!!
I also have one of my socks complete and have started on the other. I must admit my wrists have been a bit painful so I have had to have a rest from crochet for a few days. Maybe I am doing something wrong!

I have decided after seeing the 'Use what you have' idea on a blog recently that I am going to use that principal as much as possible through my everyday stuff until the Whitsun holiday..... 5 weeks!! I am only buying stuff that I really need to survive (bread, milk etc) and using up all the stuff I have gathered in my cupboards and fridge. This goes for any craft supplies, books, magazines etc etc etc, that I usually spend all my money on.

We have to be careful with our money at the moment as we have booked 3 holidays this year (2 to crete and a round the world trip at xmas) and I want to enjoy them without guilt!
By the way if anyone lives in any of the places we are visiting at xmas and you have good places for us to see please email me as we want to see as much as we can when we have to spend so much time on planes to get there! We are going to:
LA
Fiji
Melbourne
Sydney
Tokyo

How exciting, I can hardly wait.......will have to hunt out yarn stores to spend all the money I am going to save!

Sweet Pea Shawl

Here is my finished sweet pea shawl from The Happy Hooker book. I knit it with the Debbie Bliss yarn I bought the other week. It is soooooo soft and makes me very happy!
I must admit though that I think I will have to have an operation on my wrists to cure the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome!!!

Knitted Babes

Here are the knitted babes I made for my nieces at xmas. Got them to do a little fashion show for you. Their names are Elle McSpence (long blonde one ) and Bibi Buttons (Rainbow hair!)
Hope you like them.

Shopping!!

Been shopping today with no intentions of buying any yarn and.......hey presto! Yarn!
Also some Stags Breath to try tonight. I have been after some for a while. Mmmmmmmmmm.
Now what am I going to knit with my lovely new wool?

Pattern for Fish and Chips

Here's the pattern for Fish and Chips. As usual if anyone has a problem with anything please email me as I am a newbie to this writing things down idea!!


Fish and Chips cabled handbag


Materials
Chunky weight wool , I used Wendy Sarto 4 x 50g balls
Size US 9 , 5.5mm needles.
Lining Fabric
4 x Large Buttons
3 large press studs
Plastic mesh to line the base. (I used the sort you use in the base of cupboards, quite stiff stuff)
Small half round shank buttons for base ‘nobbles’
Gauge
10sts x 10 rows for 2 ¼” x 2 ¼”

Pattern

Main part
Cast on 78 sts
Row 1: (K1 p1) 3 times, K6, P2,K6, P2, k5, P1, K1, P1, (K1 P1) 9 times, P1,K1, P1, K5, P2, K6, P2, K6,(K1 P1) 3 times.
Row 2: (K1, P1) 3 times, P6, K2, P6, K2, P5, K1, P1, K1, (K1, P1) 9 times, K1, P1, K1, P5, K2, P6,K2, P6, (K1, P1) 3 times.
Row 3: as row 1
Row 4: as row 2
Row 5: (K1 p1) 3 times, K6, P2, cable 6 Back, P2, k5, P1, K1, P1, (K1 P1) 9 times, P1,K1, P1, K5, P2, cable 6 front, P2, K6,(K1 P1) 3 times.
Row 6: as row 2

These 6 rows form the pattern. Continue with these until your bag is as wide as you would like it. Mine is 12”.

If you don’t know how to cable:
When the pattern says Cable 6 back....... Slip the first 3 sts onto a cable needle and put to the back of your work. Then knit the next 3 sts. Bring the cable needle up again and knit the 3 sts off the needle. This twists the cable one way.
When the pattern says Cable 6 front.......Slip the first 3 sts onto a cable needle and put to the front of your work. Then knit the next 3 sts. Bring the cable needle up again and knit the 3 sts off the needle. This twists the cable the other way.

Straps
Cast on 10 sts.
Work in SS for 15”.

Sides
Cast on 20sts
Row 1: (K1,P1) 4 times, K1, P2, K1(P1, K1) 4 times.
Row 2: (K1, P1) 4 times, K4,(P1, K1) 4 times.
Repeat these 2 rows till work measures 4 ½”.
Cast off.

The knit side of the SS line should make the piece fold in on itself a bit so that they don’t ‘puff out’ the sides of the bag. The reverse of the SS line is the right side.

To make up:
First cut your lining fabric to fit the main part and cut 2 pieces for side gussets (leaving a seam allowance to turn under)
Stitch bottom of gusset to base of bag using whatever stitch you prefer, then stitch up the sides to form boxy shape. The top moss stitch edges of the main part should be above the gusset top. Stitch down the SS line of the sides to about halfway to pinch them in a bit.

Cut a piece of plastic mesh to fit the base and place inside the bag.

Pin your lining in the sides first and then the main part. Slip stitch in place catching the sides to the main as you go (this is a little bit awkward so if you have a better idea please do it!!)
Stitch shank buttons to base of bag going through to lining so that it holds the mesh and the lining in place and hides the shank of the button in the knitting giving the appearance of ‘studs’.

Slip stitch the handles down the long edges and stitch to bag, going up the handles to ½” from top edge.
Stitch large buttons on, to hide where you have stitched the handles to the bag.
Stitch 3 press studs along top edge to fasten.

If anyone wants me to email the pattern in Microsoft Works format just say. It may be easier to print like that.

Happy Things

Just some things that make me happy......My new book and my crochet hook roll ready and waiting. Polly the dolly is very happy and looking forward to maybe a new garment! New yarn that came in the post today from ebay. Dyed with all natural stuff apparently and going to be made into some socks from this lovely lady's pattern http://autoscopia.com/amelia/. And last but not least Rodney the amigurumi mouse on his little crocheted blanket. (last pic is my crochet roll open and ready for action.)

Pattern for Camofleur at last!

Here is the pattern as promised. Please tell me if you don't understand it or I have got something wrong. Also I would love to see anyones creations from this pattern. Please send me pics if you can.




Camofleur

Materials
1 x 50g ball aran weight yarn for main part
1 x 50g ball aran weight for top part (I dyed with koolaid ½ and ½ )
1 x 50g ball Bergeres de France Papillion (www.begeredefrance.fr/.)
1 x 25g ball Rowan Kidsilk Haze
4 buttons
Strips if leather for handles
Circular needles US 9 5.5mm (approx 16” cord + needles)
US 7 (4.5mm) needles straight or circular

Instructions

Main Part:
Using one strand of aran and 1 strand of Papillion held together.
Cast on 35 sts
Knit 1 row
Purl 1 row
Knit into front and back of all stitches (70 sts)
Stocking Stitch for 2 ½” ending with a knit row
Joining to form a circle *K 2, K into front and back of next st, repeat from * to last 2 sts, K2.
Knit for 6 ½“.
Change to top wool colour
P2tog P2 to last st P1.
Purl for3”
Cast off.
With smooth (knit) side out stitch side opening together. Fold the base opening together and stitch along edge. Turn right side out (with purl side of stocking stitch outside)
Let the top of the bag roll over to form brim.

Flowers make 6

Using Size US 7 (4.5mm) needles and Kidsilk Haze
Cast on 180sts
Row 1: K1 *K2, pass first stitch over second stitch, repeat from * to last st, K1
Row 2: P2tog to end
Row 3: K to end (43sts)
Cast off.
Roll the flower up to create a rose shape and stitch together. Stitch to bag
Handles
Cut two strips of leather for handles and stitch to bag using vintage buttons to decorate.
To line the bag lay it out flat and cut out the lining fabric the same shape with fold at bottom of bag and a seam allowance of ½”.
Stitch side seams with right sides together.
Put into bag and fold down the top of the lining so that it fits just below the line where you started the top part of knitting. (if there is excess fabric just pleat it to fit)
Slip stitch to the bag.
Put a couple of stitches through the base corners to hold the lining down.
Enjoy!

Fish and Chips!

Here is my new baby.....Fish and Chips.
This name is due to the fantastic little piece of linen I found at the charity shop. It matched perfectly with the yarn I used. I wanted to cable but not the usual up and down so I knit this sideways on which worked quite well. The base and sides are moss stitch and it fastens with large press studs at the top edge. The base is lined with a piece of plastic draining stuff (like circles all joined together) from 'Wilkos' (fantastic place!) and I stitched four shank buttons on the bottom to look like studs.
I like it and I hope you all do too. At the top is my oldest cat Hazel is looking a little stressed....any clues on how she can relax a bit?

Sorry for the delay but the pattern for Camofleur is on it's way. I am busy knitting my new design and haven't got any typing done! Had a lovely time in Italy and came home to this . It reads Happy Mothers Day if you can't see it very well. They made and iced the cakes together which made me want to cry as they are usually at each other's throats! Said they didn't really miss me though!!! Cheeky beggars.
We had a great time munching pasta and slurping wine........now we are on a diet!
Right....on with the knitting!

Camofleur!

Here's my new bag.....all finished and I am so pleased with it. It is so cute. At one point (as with all my bags) I thought it was going to look cheap and skanky (daughters favourite word!) But it pulled through and I love it.
I used some fancy wool I bought last year and Some cream aran together. Then some of the cream wool dyed with kool aid. For the flowers I used Rowan Kidsilk Haze...... How gorgeous is that?
Anyway the pattern will be on its way if anyone is interested.
Now what to do next?

Project Spectrum

Here is my post for Project Spectrum. Details found here;
http://www.lollygirl.com/blog/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=414&blogId=1

Here's the Pattern!

Felted ‘Bobble’ Bag

Materials:

3 x 50g Balls Aran Weight 100% pure wool yarn.
Scraps of DK yarn for bobbles
Wadding and small amount of stuffing
Lining Fabric
4.5 mm Knitting Needles US 7
Knitting Needles to match yarn for bobbles
Button and elastic
Piping Cord to fit top edge

Pattern

Cast on 65 sts
SS for 8 rows
Knit 23sts Cast off 19sts Knit 23sts
Purl 23sts Cast on 19sts Purl 23sts
SS for 50 rows
Cast off 7sts at beg of next 2 rows.
SS for 20 rows
Cast on 7 sts at beg of next 2 rows
SS for 50 rows
Knit 23sts Cast off 19sts Knit 23sts
Purl 23sts Cast on 19sts Purl 23sts
SS for 8 rows
Cast off

Stitch side seams together
Stitch base seam together to form boxy shape.

FELT!!

Cut a piece of wadding to fit inside of bag below handle opening.
(like the shape of bag before stitching up)

Put into the bag.& pin in place

Because my bag was ‘floppy’ even after felting I rolled over the top edge of the bag encasing piping cord as I stitched. This gave the bag a good strong handle and edge.

Make Bobbles

Using needles to match the type of yarn you have chosen for the bobbles
Cast on 5sts
Garter stitch 7 rows
Cast off
Stitch cast on and cast off edges together
Gather round one open end and fasten off
Stuff lightly
Gather round other end fasten tightly and pull yarn through bobble to create a nice round shape. Leave tail end to sew bobble to bag.

Stitch bobbles onto bag wherever you want, stitching through the wadding to hold it in place.

Embroider your design

Cut a piece fabric similar to the piece of wadding allowing extra to fold over top edge.
Stitch side seams and base edge.
Place inside bag folding over top edge so that it sits nicely below handle
opening.
Stitch along top of lining with a slip stitch. (if you want you can stitch your elastic loop on at the same time so you can hide the ends of the elastic)
Put a couple of stitches through base corners to hold lining down.

Stitch on a button and a loop of elastic on opposite side to fasten the bag with.

Enjoy the lovely comments you get!

God I've been busy! I am trying my best to write up a pattern for my Felted Bobble Bag that I posted on Craftster and at the same time write the pattern for my new little bag 'on the needles'. I am also worrying about what clothes to take with me at the weekend when me and my husband (Kev) go to Itlay with some friends. Do I take casual or smart? Wintery or spring like? Comfy or sexy? Oh I hate decisions so much I had to go and buy a new pair of shoes to make me feel better. Now are these new shoes comfy or sexy? Only time will tell!
Here is a pic of the felted bag I am writing the pattern for. I will be getting it written up today or tommorrow and posting it here and on craftster. If anyone wants to ask anything about it please email me and I will try to answer any questions.

Here is a lovely little scarf I have made my mum for mother's day next week. It was going to be a pretty little dishcloth but the cotton yarn I used was really too soft so I just kept on knitting until it ran out. I just have to find a pretty little brooch to pin it with as she won't really like the one I have used in the pic, she prefers more delicate stuff.

I have been working on a little bag at the moment which enabled me to have a go a Kool Aid dyeing..........fantastic stuff!

I have done a half/half ball with lemon/lime. My bag is on a pretty camoflauge theme. I will post pics as I go along.

At last I can get on my new blog! I haven't got loads of time but I still wanted to play with my new baby. Here is whats on my needles...

Its Cozy from knitty. No idea how long it will be as I am knitting it from a charity shop big ball find (10p believe it or not!)

The pic doesn't show how lovely the colour and pattern is, just take my word for it.

Also here is my ginger ninja.......Colin

He is my youngest cat. My other one Hazel was away hunting.

He is lovely but a bit stupid, Bless him.

Hello there everyone!
This is me

I have blogged before but I liked the layout here so I have decided to relocate.

I love making anything but particularly like knitting and sewing, cooking and gardening.

I live in the middle of England, far away from the sea! I am 40 married for 20 years with two kids of 18 and 15.