Looking after Daddy, fun, and stretch.

1) K woke up this morning suffering the effects of a nasty cold and fever. He had a shower, and then transferred to the guest room bed, while I got up, stripped our bed and put it in the laundry…ย  Both kids were extremely solicitous of their poor daddy and, at the school gate, M’s parting words to me were to instruct K to have a hot honey and blackcurrant drink – because he’s got a cold, and the drink is warm! ๐Ÿ™‚

2) Working my way through my to-do list today, I realised that I had some more interesting items on it than just the usual laundry, cleaning and ironing (although there was plenty of that too!). My favourite item was to take the next major steps towards completing a project the whole family have been involved with (not that I can tell you what it is, as it’s a surprise for someone!). It was fun!

3) My Pilates teacher told me that I was looking quite tense around my shoulders, and had me sit on the floor while she performed a couple of stretches on my back. She must have done something right, because the release was instant ๐Ÿ™‚ .

Finished Object Friday 40

I have a few FO’s to show you today, so let’s get to it!

First up, here’s my completed Folie Hitchhiker. Knitted with Sublime Yarns Lustrous Extra Fine Merino DK, colourway Folie, on 4mm needles.ย  I’m really pleased with how this turned out, but it is definitely considerably bigger than mine (knitted in 4ply). Should be plenty snuggly and warm though ๐Ÿ™‚ .

Folie Hitchhiker - complete Folie HitchhikerFolie Hitchhiker

Secondly, I was knitting a Niemeyer a while back, from King Cole Bamboo Cotton Solids, in black, on 5mm needles.ย  This was a lovely yarn to knit with, and I really like the result!

Black Bamboo Niemeyer - complete Black Bamboo Niemeyer Black Bamboo Niemeyer

Finally, in non-knitting news, I completed my messenger bag ๐Ÿ™‚ .

Messenger BagMessenger Bag

That’s it from me today, why not check out some more of today’s FO’s over atย Tami’s Amis?

FOfriday

 

Smiles, alignment, and zumba.

1) When I arrived at my friend’s house this morning I was still wearing my hat, and her baby just stared at me.ย  I took my hat off and smiled at him and, after a moment or two, I could see the glimmer of recognition and then he smiled back.

2) I’ve had a project bubbling away in my mind for at least a year now.ย  Recently, all the elements came together: I worked out how to do it, I managed to find all the supplies I needed, I had the reason to get it done soon,and today, I had the time to actually put it altogether* ๐Ÿ™‚ .

3) I’ve started going to zumba recently, and it can be a really good laugh… Imagine, if you will, a room full of ladies all playing air guitar!

* There will be photos at some point soon, but that’s for another post.

Inspired, compliment, and calm.

1) I discovered this morning that the pattern they used to make an A-line skirt in the Great British Sewing Bee is the very one I have earmarked for making a couple of summer skirts. I found the material I’d bought for that very purpose, and went out and bought the zippers and thread I need, so now I’m all set…

2) While I was saying good night to the kids, A suddenly pipes up with “that red top really suits you Mummy!” ๐Ÿ™‚ .

3) K and I sat down for dinner, just the two of us. It’s ages since we last had time to do this – I have a real sense of life calming down a little.ย  (Probably the calm before the storm of May/June, right enough, but I’m enjoying it while it lasts!)

Dawn, complete at last, together.

1) To awaken in the very early morning, and listen to the dawn chorus.

2) I’d bought the material to make a bag about two years ago. I chose the pattern, and cut out the pieces about two months ago. I sewed the strap and the pockets about two weeks ago. This morning, I sewed the bag together, and it hardly took any time at all. I’m happy with the result, but you’ll have to wait for FO Friday to see it – I haven’t had the chance to take any photos yet.

3) Craft Night this evening – just a lovely time to relax, chat, and do craft together (this evening, we were all knitting ๐Ÿ™‚ ).

Promise, something different, and reprieve.

1) I bought some flowers today to brighten up the house – beautiful, fairylike freesia in daffodil yellow and snowdrop white. Most are still buds, full of the promise of things to come in the days ahead.

2) Having finished both my knitting projects, I started on a sewing project I’ve had sitting around for a while.ย  Based on this pattern, I’m making myself a bag. It was nice for a change!*

3) It snowed practically all day, but stopped just long enough for school pickup at 3pm ๐Ÿ™‚ .

* I did have to cast-on for my next project this evening though!

Hard at work, snow evening, and making rope.

1) A’s class has an open afternoon at school today and I arrive to find him hard at work, creating a “Wanted” poster for William Wallace (for King Edward 1). Around the classroom are examples of the work they’ve been doing as they’ve learned about this section of Scottish history – it’s all excellent, and it’s really clear how much they’ve been enjoying it.

2) Throughout the day, it snows and melts and snows and melts and snows and melts… By evening, as the temperature drops, the snow begins to lie and we decide it would be foolish to risk taking A to Cubs, and K heads out on foot for his meeting. Five minutes later, I receive a phone call telling me that the meeting is cancelled. I call K on his mobile, and he returns home. I’m glad to have everyone home, safe, and out of the weather.

3) I need to make some rope (out of yarn) and find this article explaining how to do so. Realising that I need a reasonable amount of rope, K pulls out the power drill to assist with the twisting. It works beautifully – in a matter of mere moments, I have a length of beautiful homemade rope, which coordinates perfectly with my rock-climbing teddy’s outfit! (Check back for WIP Wednesday tomorrow if you want to see pics!)

Daffodils, friends, and outside.

1) K brought me some daffodils the other day, tightly folded into their buds. After a day or two in the warmth of the house, the buds are opening, and the beautiful golden heads are starting to emerge.

2) Friends came round in the evening, and we each made progress on our various crafts. It was good to spend kid-free time together, to work together, to share together, and to talk.

3) Sunshine, and snow. The hills surrounding us are beautiful, sprinkled in white, reflecting the sunshine. The day closed with a lovely sunset, and then the stars came out.

Finished Object Friday 37

Last week I promised to show you some of my FO’s from my Small Person Project

First up, one of my god-daughters will be having a minor operation soon, and her parents have been warned to expect the pain to be at its worst 3-5 days post-op.ย  So I thought I would make a few wee things that may help distract her during those days.ย  Last time she came, she loved snuggling up with my Jupiter Clapotis, so I thought I would make her her very own sparkly scarf (minus the holes that small fingers would catch on easily)…

Isla's sparkly scarfSP Project #2: Sparkly Scarf

And I came across this little sparkly party bag that I knitted a year ago, so I finished it up too.ย  I’m going to put a bead necklace (she loves beads!) inside.

Sparkly party bagSparkly Party Bag

SP Project #4 Sparkly Party Bag

And finally, back to one of the requests which triggered this project in the first place… A cardi made from the same yarn as my Jupiter Clapotis. I’m really pleased with the result, and I particularly like how the feather and fan pattern combined with the varigated yarn produces these lovely wavy lines!

I gave it to the recipient a few days ago, and she seemed delighted with it ๐Ÿ™‚ .

Jupiter Hug Me - feather and fan pattern Jupiter Hug Me - front view Jupiter Hug Me - back viewSP Project #3: Jupiter Hug Me

That’s it from me today, but do check out Tami’s Amis for more of today’s Finished Objects…

FOfriday

 

Work-in-Progress Wednesday 59

Another week, another Wednesday… actually I’ve been confused about days all week – for some reason I’m sure this must be Thursday!ย  Anyway, I’m knitting away on another of my Small Person Projects…ย  This time, another request – a cardigan knit using the same yarn I used for my Jupiter Clapotis.

So, here it is. I’m using the same pattern I used for M’s Hug Me shrug.ย  The back is complete, and I decided to pick up the sleeve on circular needles, to save on seaming later!ย  It’s working pretty well (although, obviously I had to adjust the pattern accordingly).

Jupiter cardiJupiter - feather and fan patternSP Project #3 Jupiter Hug Me Shrug

PS The eagle-eyed among you will be asking, but what happened to SP Project #2?ย  Well you’ll see that on Friday – it’s already done!

PPS Not knitting, but K would probably have me show you this WIP too…ย  my friend and I are having our own sew-along “Make your own bag”!

Messenger bag - liningMessenger Bag – lining fabric

Why not check out Tami’s Amis, and Ginny’s Yarn Along to see more of today’s Works-in-Progress?

tami_wipwyarnalong_gsheller_lilac