A Girl As Mad As Birds

Finish or Fling? - Advent Calendar Wall Hanging

2010-01-05T10:00:00.002Z

I started this - oh, 1992? 1993? Sometimes around then. So this makes this project one of my oldest UFOs. It came from a magazine - now defunct - called Needlecraft. I used all sorts of oddments for this, so it is a mix of cotton and polycotton fabrics - a mistake I wouldn't make now, but as I'm unlikely to ever want to wash this, I don't suppose it will really make much difference. It's quite big - about half the width of my double bed here.

When I unwrapped this, I noticed some of the pins holding the felt hair on had rusted - but there's no rhyme or reason to which ones had gone. I think I'm going to have to cut some more shapes out - I don't think I have the templates, but I can draw round the other shapes.

Every single stitch is this is hand sewn - the blocks are pieced over paper. The appliqued faces, hair and quilts are all hand stitched, not fused on. And all those stockings are oversewn by hand. When I took them out of their bag, I was amazed at how fine and regular my stitches were, and how much work in general has gone into this.

Pros:

I've done a lot of work already
It will look amazing
It would free up a lot of space in my stitching box

Cons:

There's a lot of hand sewing to do
There's a lot of quilting to do
The Hermit hates Christmas so won't appreciate this

Finish or fling? Oh, definitely finish - I want to display this next Christmas!

Finish or Fling? - Advice

2010-01-05T08:10:00.000Z

This is a sampler design by Jo Verso, from Cross Stitch Cards and Keepsakes. This is another project from the early 1990s, and possibly one of my earliest projects on evenweave.

Pros:

Love the motto
Not a lot of work needed

Cons:

Half and three quarter stitches, which are then back stitched. Yuk.
Can't remember if I stitched it in Anchor or DMC
Fabric seems to have been stained by fruit juice or similar
Damaged fabric where it was frogged - one or two threads severed vertically and horizontally

I'm not at all sure whether I like this enough to want to rescue it.

Finish or fling?

Verdict: Fling!

The Year of the UFO

2010-01-04T14:44:00.000Z

My UFO list can be seen in the sidebar. I've also got it arranged nicely in a little spreadsheet, where I've calculated target dates for finishing - and where I've tried to note the approximate year when I started the project. There are some projects in that pile who are old enough to go to University... LOL

I've realised that the mental weight of all these unfinished objects is dragging me down. Even when I'm really enjoying working on a project, that nasty little nagging voice at the back of my head taunts me, saying that I won't finish it, that it's a waste of time, that I have other stuff I once loved and have abandoned. And this is despite my ability to actually finish a project really really improving since I took up blogging - I have very few UFOs from 2007 onwards.

So, I'm going to be ruthless with these projects. I'm going to look at each one and sit in judgement, weighing up the pros and cons. I'm going to consider firstly whether I actually like the project. And then, whether it will either fit into my home or could go to someone as a gift. And whether it will be worth working on - sometimes, projects are UFOs because of mistakes or damage. The verdicts will be simple - Finish or Fling. Fling won't always mean the wastepaper basket - if anyone wants to adopt a UFO, I'd be happy to send it to them...

Votes in comments will be welcome, because I may wobble and be indecisive - and that's not allowed!

New Year Biscornu

2010-01-03T09:34:00.001Z

Design: New Year Biscornu - free chart available here
Designer: Linden Bee Designs - i.e. me!
Threads: DMC
Fabric: 14 count aida, white
Finish: Biscornu
Trims: 2 green star shape buttons

This biscornu (and the fob) are based on my Thistle Stitching Accessories set, but with a twist to make them New Year designs. I found out that I'd not got the thistles just how I wanted them, so made an amendment and then had to email new charts out to those people who had kindly requested them. I'm sometimes a bit of a perfectionist... ;o)

The aida oddments I used made the counting for the border nice and easy, and aida helps the structure of the biscornu too, I feel, even if it is not quite as attractive a fabric as linen. It's good to use stash though, and I do like the finished effect.

New Year Scissor Fob

2010-01-03T09:22:00.003Z

Design: New Year Fob - free chart available here

Designer: Linden Bee Designs - i.e. me!

Threads: DMC

Fabric: 14 count aida, white

Finish: scissor fob

I decided to stitch this set from my own designs as my first project for 2010. I'm glad I did, because I noticed a couple of changes I wanted to make, and so it meant I could amend the chart and get the corrections out to other people, as well as making myself something I'm pretty pleased with.

I used aida as I basically had some small pieces in my stash, so starting the year frugally!

Tardis Washcloth

2010-01-03T09:00:00.000Z

Design: Tardis Washcloth

Designer: Lorenia - freebie available here

Yarn: Patons Cotton, DK weight

Fibre: 100% cotton

Colour: Denim 2697

Needles: 3.75mm

An online friend saw my previous finish, and asked if she could pay me to make one for her - I was happy to agree, but I asked for a donation to the MS Trust instead.

This knits up very quickly, and the yarn is lovely to work with - good twist, and a slight sheen.

Narvik Beret

2010-01-02T12:55:00.000Z

Design: Slouchy Beret, based on Esme - free pattern available here

Designer: Amy Pickard, modified by me

Yarn: Wendy Narvik(discontinued)

Fibre: 85% acrylic, 5.5% mohair, 5.5% wool, 4% polyester.

Colour: Lapland (643)

Needles: 5mm and 6mm

I bought a couple of balls of this yarn in Atkinson's sale for the princely sum of £0.69 per ball. I don't know why - it's kind of a blue base with yellow and orange running through it. I think I meant it for a pair of mitts for The Hermit, but he kind of recoiled ...

I was going on a trip to Manchester and needed something on the needles, so I thought I'd try this beret again, but make a narrower brim - and if it didn't work, then I wasn't really losing anything yarn wise, even if it ended up in the bin...

But it worked. And worked well. And I had about 20 feet of yarn left from the 100g I'd purchased by the time I'd finished! This fabric has a nice drape to it and although blue isn't my colour, the yellow goes with my favourite winter jacket...

Review of the Year

2010-01-01T17:56:00.001Z

This was another busy year! My work hours increased on a regular basis to 24 hours a week, and I have another little freelance gig on the side. The marks in my Uni classes now count towards my final degree classification, so I'm also taking them a little more seriously. Fortunately, I didn't have a major MS flare or other spell of illness, so all in all, I seem to be managing!

I'm still entranced more by knitting than stitching at the moment, and I appear to have discovered that designing cross stitch is as much fun as stitching it - and an awful lot easier to 'frog'!

Anyway, so I can wipe the lists from the sidebars and start with my "Year of the UFO" project, here is what I completed in 2009:

Stitching Finishes

30. B is for Blackbird - Prairie Schooler - 28/12
29. C is for Cow - Prairie Schooler - 24/12
28. Purple Penguin - Casey Buonaugurio - 06/12
27. Sew Dry, Set Wet - Prairie Schooler - 04/12
26. Autumn Leaves Fob - Heart in Hand 22/09
25. Fall Needleroll - Heart in Hand 22/09
24. Sew and Sew - Mary Garry's Sewing Cabin 10/09
23. Derbyshire - Heritage Stitchcraft 27/08
22. E is for Embroidery - Prairie Schooler 23/08
21. Neat Country Stuff - Homespun Elegance 22/08
20. A Little Sea Bathing - The Sampler Girl 21/08
19. Home is Best - Lizzie*Kate 29/07
18. Antique Hearts Needleroll - Shepherd's Bush 13/07
17. Quaker Strawberry - Blackbird Designs 30/06
16. Petites Lettres Rouges - Blackbird Designs 26/04
15. Holly Berry Sampler - Bent Creek 13/04
14. The Squirrel - Full Circle Designs 13/04
13. Sheep in the Meadow - Shepherd's Bush 13/04
12. Spring Keeper 2 - The Drawn Thread 26/03
11. Spring Keeper 1 - The Drawn Thread 22/03
10. Quaker Bird - With My Needle 15/03
9. Quaker Swan - With My Needle14/03
8. Spring - Prairie Schooler 15/02
7. Valentine Flip It - Lizzie*Kate 09/02
6. Bloom Where You Are Planted - The Victoria Sampler 08/02
5. Fredde's Bookmark 07/02
4. Oh Christmas Tree - Prairie Schooler 29/01
3. All You Need Is Love - The Drawn Thread 25/01
2. Heart Throb - The Drawn Thread 20/01
1. How Does Your Garden Grow? - Lizzie*Kate 20/01

I would be hard pressed to name a favourite amongst these, but I think it would be a Prairie Schooler. I have a new obsession!

Finishing Finishes

37. Purple Penguin - Casey Buonaugurio - Ornament - 06/12
36. Sow Dry, Set Wet - Prairie Schooler - Floss Tag - 4/12
35. Trick or Treat - Lizzie*Kate - Mini Pillow 16/10
34. Autumn Leaves Fob - Heart in Hand - Floss Tag 22/09
33. Fall Needleroll - Heart in Hand - Needleroll 22/09
32. Sew and Sew - Mary Garry's Sewing Cabin - Needlebook 16/09
31. Happy Stitching - Elizabeth's Designs - Pinkeep 02/08
30. E is for Embroidery - Prairie Schooler - Pincushion 23/08
29. A Little Sea Bathing - The Sampler Girl - Pinkeep 21/08
28. Hardanger Motif - Mary Hickmott - MP3 Cosy 20/08
27. Amethyst - Classic Embroidery - Scissor Pouch 01/05
26.French Country IV Pumpkin - JBW Designs - Framed 02/08
25. Easter Cracker Sampler - Bent Creek - Framed 02/08
24. Bird in Tree - Historic Needlework Guild 02/08
23. Alphabet Ribbon Sampler - Historic Needlework Guild 02/08
22. Winter - Trail Creek Farm - Scissor Fob 02/08
21. Miniature Sampler - Cathy Bussi - Pinkeep 02/08
20. Hardanger Square - Mary Hickmott - Pinkeep 02/08
19. A Merry Tree for Thee - Full Circle Designs - Pinkeep 02/08
18. Home is Best - Lizzie*Kate - Pinkeep 31/07
17. Antique Hearts Needleroll - Shepherd's Bush - Needleroll 13/07
16. Quaker Strawberry - Blackbird Designs - Strawberry 06/07
15. The Squirrel - Full Circle Designs - Bourse 19/04
14. Sheep in the Meadow - Shepherd's Bush - Bookmark 13/04
13. Spring Keeper - The Drawn Thread - Floss Tag 26/03
12. Spring Keeper - The Drawn Thread - Scissor Fob 26/03
11. Quaker Bird - With My Needle - Scissor Fob 15/03
10. Quaker Swan - With My Needle - Pincushion 15/03
9. Spring - Prairie Schooler - 28/02
8. Bloom Where You Are Planted - The Victoria Sampler - Biscornu 09/02
7. September Sampler Accent - Periwinkle Promises - Mini Pillow 08/02
6. Flower Garden - Pincushion 08/02
5. Rose Garden - Pincushion 08/02
4. A Maze Garden - Pincushion 08/02
3. All You Need is Love - The Drawn Thread - Mattress Pincushion
2. Heart Throb - The Drawn Thread - Scissor Fob
1. How Does Your Garden Grow? - Lizzie*Kate - Pillow

New-to-me finishes this year were floss tags and bourses. I love how reading blogs gives so much information and inspiration!

42. Pink Sparkly Legwarmers - 19/12
41. Kaffe Fassett Socks - 13/12
40. Mini Cable Rib Hot Water Bottle Cover - 13/12
39. Garter Rib Hot Water Bottle Cover - 12/12
38. Tardis Dishcloth - 11/12
37. Mum's Christmas Socks - 26/11
36. Narvik Beret - 22/11
35. Cable Hot Water Bottle Cover - 15/11
34. Cortina Socks - 14/11
33. Chunky Wristwarmers 3 - 14/11
32. Chunky Beret - 13/11
31. Chunky Wristwarmers 2 - 12/11
30. Waterfall Scarf 2 - 10/11
29. Simple Man Slippers - 31/10
28. Chunky Wristwarmers - 24/10
27. Waterfall Scarf - 24/10
26. Tonks Socks - 17/10
25. Innocent Smoothie Hats x 74
24. Mini Cable Socks - 02/10
23. Blanket Buddy 2 - Lion Brand - 19/09
22. Blanket Buddy 1 - Lion Brand - 18/09
21. New England Stole - 17/09
20. Striped Baby Mitts - Sirdar - 30/08
19. Striped Baby Bootees - Sirdar - 29/08
18. Poetry Society Letter - 29/08
17. Striped Baby Hat - Sirdar - 26/08
16. Striped Baby Sweater - Sirdar 11/08
15. Clapotis - Kate Gilbert 07/08
14. Elongated Corded Rib Socks 29/07
13. Hourglass Dishcloth 13/07
12. Feather and Fan Scarf 25/06
11. Welt Fantastic Socks 20/05
10. Bubby Rabbit 10/05
9. Garter Rib Socks 25/04
8. Corded Rib Socks 08/04
7. Regia Stretch Wool Socks 26/03
6. Golden Luna Moth Shawl 22/03
5. Wool Cotton Socks 28/02
4. Speedy Cable Beret - Pink 07/02
3. Kiri Shawl 07/02
2. Luna Moth Shawl 15/01
1. Opal Plain Socks 13/01

I think 2009 can be called "The Year of the Sock". In 2008, I knit my very first pair, and now I have a basketful - and my friends and family are beginning to get them as gifts too. I also knit a number of accessories, which I am wearing with pride now the weather is chilly!

So, how does 2009 compare to other years?

2009 - stitching finishes 30, finishing finishes 37, knitting finishes 42. Total = 109
2008 - stitching finishes 65, finishing finishes 59, knitting finishes 25. Total = 149
2007 - stitching finishes 58, finishing finishes 55, knitting finishes 0. Total = 113

Okay, so it's down, but this year, I've finished some big projects, I've started having my pieces professionally framed, and I've blogged more - a lot more. So I'm happy.

Now to tackle the project for 2010 - The Year of the UFO!

Cable Hotwater Bottle Cosy

2010-01-01T14:52:00.001Z

Design: Cable Hot Water Bottle Cover - free design available on Ravelry

Designer: Alexis Layton

Yarn: Stylecraft Life Chunky

Fibre: 75% acrylic, 25% wool

Colour: Denim, 2322

Needles: 6mm

I knitted this for The Hermit for Christmas. I only knit blue for other people ;o) The pattern was simple and easy to follow, although I was worried at one point that it would be too small for the hotwater bottle - I started it on my trip away with no access to a hottle, and it looked pretty small when I was working on it, as the cables pull it in a lot. In fact, it got called the Hotwater Bottle Condom because of the likelihood of a snug fit (thanks girls!).

Anyway, it's a perfect fit, it used less than a ball (100g/148m/162yds) of the yarn, and my sweetie really likes it. As he should, actually, as he was the one who picked out the pattern. Is the next step to get him to knit one of his own?

This was the first of three Hotwater Bottle Covers I knitted this Christmas. I think I'm going to make one for myself from all the leftover yarn!

Chunky Wristwarmers #3

2010-01-01T12:51:00.001Z

Design: Chunky Wristwarmers

Designer: Me

Yarn: James C Brett Marble Chunky

Fibre: 100% acrylic

Colour: Mallard Mix (MC6)

Needles: 5mm

I rustled these up with the leftovers from the scarf - are you bored of seeing this design yet? LOL These are my least favourite of the three pairs I've made so far, I think they look a little too restrained! :o)

Waterfall Scarf #2

2010-01-01T08:51:00.002Z

Design: Waterfall Scarf

Source: Yarn Stash Wonders

Yarn: James C Brett Marble Chunky

Fibre: 100% acrylic

Colour: Mallard Mix (MC6)

Needles: 6mm (I think, maybe 8mm...)

My partner in a craft swap liked strong colours, particularly turquoise, and said she would like a chunky scarf. I had leftover yarn in my stash, I knew this pattern was quick and effective and off I went :o)

It was hard to part with it, and I nearly lost it to another member of my knitting group too...

Happy Dance! - B is for Blackbird

2009-12-31T17:05:00.000Z

Design: B is for Blackbird (from A*B*C)

Designer: Prairie Schooler

Threads: DMC as charted, modification noted below.

Fabric: 28 count evenweave, cream

Stitches: Half cross stitch

This is my final stitching happy dance for 2009. I finished it on the 28th, and I'd hoped to have had "A is for Anchor" done too, but work commitments have got in the way... sigh. It's not very flat, as I laid it out on my fluffy duvet...

I loved working on this, despite a visit from the frog. I only made one modification from the design as it was charted, and that was to turn the red eyes of the blackbirds into one of the gold colours, as blackbirds over here have yellow rims to their eyes. It was nice working on this to think of the nesting pair of blackbirds my parents' garden hosted - they used to make their nest in an old honeysuckle bush.

And is is how it looks with the first letter I did.

I'm so enjoying this, I'm not sure I'm going to want to knuckle down to my Year of the UFO project, but I must...

Chunky Beret

2009-12-31T11:50:00.001Z

Design: Slouchy Beret, based on Esme - free pattern available here

Designer: Amy Pickard, modified by me

Yarn: King Cole Magnum Chunky

Fibre: 75% acrylic, 25% wool

Colour: Amber (317)

Needles: 5mm and 6mm

I knitted an Esme beret last year and loved it, so started this one when I went away on my knitting retreat in November. It worked up very quickly - I started it while waiting for lunch to arrive at the pub, and finished it before dinner that evening.

The original Esme has a cabled band, but I just did garter stitch. The band is a little wide, and the yarn with this needle size is a little firm, so it doesn't slouch as much as I'd hoped. However, it makes a great cloche, and I wear it with a brooch pinned to the band. With my bobbed hair, I feel very Thirties!

The hat took only 100g (110m) of yarn too!

Chunky Wristwarmers #2

2009-12-31T09:49:00.000Z

Design: Chunky Wristwarmers

Designer: me, such as they are 'designed'

Yarn: King Cole Magnum Chunky

Fibre: 75% acrylic, 25% wool

Colour: Amber (317)

Needles: 6mm

I've decided I have a new 'go-to' pattern for fingerless mitts. It's basically knit a rectangle in garter stitch, seam where appropriate, darn in the ends and then flutter my hands and wait for the admiring comments...which I get in bucketfuls. And more than when I wear my nicely cabled mitts with a proper thumb ...ahem.

I'm lucky that in the UK, it rarely gets cold enough to need more than these. If the daytime temperature here goes below -2 deg. C, it's about as cold as it gets in an English city - I've been on the hills and been colder, a lot colder, but then I wear the proper gear, 'k?

Another bargainous yarn from The Wool Baa - something like £2.00 a ball, and I used less than 2 balls to make these and the beret in the next post. The wool in the blend makes them feel great, lightweight and warm and the acrylic means they'll go in the washing machine. What's not to like? If any of you say 'the colour' I'll be over to try and convert you to the joys of orange !

Happy New Year! - Free Cross Stitch Charts!

2009-12-30T15:37:00.001Z

To help celebrate New Year - I'm of Scottish descent, how could I not? - I tweaked the Thistle Stitching Accessories pattern to make a suitably festive design. I dated it for the 1st of January - as the belief seems to be whatever you do that day you'll do throughout the year, so why not some stitching? I can't believe it's a new decade already though - where did the Noughties go?

The design uses only whole stitches, no French knots and only four colours, so will be quite a nice design to do if you're feeling a little fragile from the late night and too much champagne! And the fob will hardly take any time at all - I'm planning on stitching this when The Hermit and I go to my parent's for the traditional New Year Lunch!

If you would like a copy of the chart, please comment below and leave an email address unless yours is visible in your blog profile. Some people ask for charts but I have no way of getting them to them :o( Charts are sent in PDF format.

If you do stitch this design, I'd love to see the finished article - and there will be a prize for any I show on my blog!

If you feel so inclined, a donation to the MS Trust for this chart would be appreciated. Pennies will do - and you can make payment via the link in my sidebar or by clicking here

There is no obligation to make a donation - you will be sent the chart whether or not you choose to make a donation, as I appreciate that some people are not in a financial position to do so.

This pattern is offered for personal, non-commercial use only. Items made from this pattern may be sold on a small scale basis such as on Etsy or at craft sales. Sales for charity are positively encouraged! This pattern and the text and photos contained within, may not be copied or reproduced for any purpose other than personal use. Please direct people to this blog rather than forwarding the pattern, thank you! Copyright 2009 N M Wray

The Multiple Sclerosis Trust

2009-12-30T13:43:00.000Z

I'm not sure whether you know or not, but I have Multiple Sclerosis. I'm very fortunate in that currently I only have mild symptoms of the disease, and I'm still able to work, study and follow my favourite hobbies - well, with a bit of organisation and setting realistic goals! Okay, maybe skip that bit about realistic goals - LOL!

The MS Trust have been very helpful to me, giving me all the information I need to help me manage my condition and to understand more about my diagnosis. They have also given me the resources I've needed to talk to my family, friends and work colleagues about the impact MS has on my life.My mum especially found it very hard to come to terms with - but then I think all mothers struggle when things don't work out as they'd hoped for their offspring.

I wanted to give something back to the Trust, and I wondered what to do. I needed to be able to incorporate anything I organised into my lifestyle - and then it struck me. I share my cross stitch designs and knitting patterns on my blog. And stitchers are some of the most generous people I know. So I thought, why not ask people to make a small donation if they feel so inclined? And if I sell some of my finished work or some of my excess stash, then the money can go to the Trust too! Of course, there will never, ever be any pressure to make a donation - I've been stony broke before and I know what it's like, and how sometimes even finding the money for necessities is a struggle. And with the recession...

So, I'm mentioning it now as an option - that's all. And thank you for the support and encouragement you've given me about my designing, making this possible. Sometimes, just a kind word is as valuable as any monetary gift.

The link in the sidebar will take you to my Justgiving page. Thank you.

Comments replied to and questions answered

2009-12-30T12:22:00.001Z

I'm not always sure that replying to comments in situ works, and if I can't email from a person's profile I'm kind of stuck unless I reply here ... so, here's a round up of recent comments and my replies! I value each and every one of my readers and commenters, do keep coming back and if you are nervous about leaving a comment, don't be, I don't bite! :o)

(please, if you ask a question or request a chart and would like a reply, leave an email address - I may have anumber of skills, but psychic powers are not among them! LOL)

Riona said "You and Stephanie [of the Yarn Harlot blog] are the reasons I have made learning to knit one of my stitching goals this year. "

Gosh. I don't know what to say. I mean, Yarn Harlot is a professional at this knitting and blogging (and writing books!) lark - I'm only an enthusiastic amateur. Go for it Riona, and I'd urge you to find a local stitch n bitch group, it's what really inspires me to pick up the needles. It's a real shame that there isn't a local needlecraft group for me, but the blogosphere is a superb substitute!

Katherine replied to my post on the Tardis washcloth saying how she missed Donna in Doctor Who - the good news is she appeared in the Christmas special (and Wilf too) - hope you get to view it soon!

Jillyjill32 picked up an error on my Knitted Cable Scarf pattern - this has now been corrected - thank you so much for pointing it out - and I've re-written the pattern to improve clarity. I'm always happy to get feedback on my patterns, so if you have a comment, please speak up :o)

Mindy - I knitted the Luna Moth shawl is Sirdar Blur - which is 30% kid mohair and 70% acrylic. It's also been discontinued :o(

Leta - thanks for the comments on my charts, but unfortunately, you did not leave an email address and your Blogger profile is not publicly visible. Please can you comment again, leaving your email address? (if you are worried that it may be picked up by spambots, leave spaces in it or add an extra word, telling me to leave out cat or hat or whatever you choose)

And don't forget my giveaway for my 500th post - leave a comment there and I'll enter you in the draw. Leave a link on your blog and you'll get more entries!

Garter Rib Hotwater Bottle Cover - Free Pattern!

2009-12-29T12:47:00.000Z

Design: Garter Rib Hotwater Bottle Cover

Designer: Me - free design below

Yarn: Stylecraft Life Chunky

Colour: Rose (2301)

Fibre: 75% acrylic, 25% wool

Needles: 4.50mm

My sister asked for a gift card for her favourite clothes store for Christmas, and I was more than happy to get that for her. But you can't have nothing to open on Christmas Day, and so I rustled up this little hotwater bottle cover, as my sister is one of the chilliest people I know - she has been known to wear flannel pyjamas in August!

My niece, The Tot, is coveting this gift - she keeps asking my sister if she can have it! So it's certainly a hit with one member of the family!

Garter Rib Hotwater Bottle Cover

You will need:

100g of chunky yarn - I used Stylecraft Life Chunky, which is 162yds/148m

double pointed needles or short circulars - I used 4.50mm, but I knit slightly loosely, you may want tomove up to 5.00mm or 5.50mm

crochet hook - 4.50mm approx to make cord - or a length of ribbon

blunt ended needle for sewing up.

stitch marker

large hotwater bottle

Instructions:

Body:

Cast on 56 stitches, and join in a circle, being careful not to twist. Use stitch marker to indicate beginning of row.

Row 1: Knit

Row 2: *Knit 2, Purl 2, repeat from * to end of round

Rows 1-2 form pattern repeat.

Repeat pattern until you've reached the shoulder of the hotwater bottle - mine needed 64 rows. If you haven't finished on a knit row, then knit one row. This sets up the eyelet row and frill.

Eyelets and frill:

Row 1: *Knit 2, Yarn Over, Purl 2, Yarn Over, repeat from * to end of round

Row 2: *Knit 2, Knit 2 together, Knit 2 together, repeat from * to end of round

Row 3: *Knit 2, Purl 2, repeat from * to end of round

Row 4: Knit

Row 5: *Knit 2, Purl 2, repeat from * to end of round

Row 6: Knit

Row 7: *Knit 2, Purl 2, repeat from * to end of round

Row 8: Knit

Cast off - this can be done knitwise or in rib.

Darn in end at top. Sew bottom seam using a mattress stitch.

Make tie cord by crocheting a chain about 50cm (20 inches) in length. Weave through the eyelet holes. Insert hotwater bottle and tie cord to secure.

2009-12-29T11:35:00.000Z

The Hermit needs ~~nagging~~ gentle encouragement in order to buy Christmas gifts for me, his best beloved - he loathes Christmas. However, for the guinea pigs he will, unprompted, purchase them a new fleecy blanket and some guinea pigs treats - and wrap them. Ahem.

The boys are loving both of us being home, and enjoying the extra time they are getting in their day bed, which is on the table next to the computer. I've peeled back the blanket for a peek at them ... after this picture was taken, Rowan tugged at it to try and get it to cover him again...

Cortina Socks

2009-12-29T08:49:00.000Z

Design: Plain Stocking Stitch Socks

Designer: Based on Regia leaflet socks, with heel from Charlene Schurch's Sensational Knitted Socks

Yarn: Cortina (from Lidl Supermarket)

Fibre: 75% wool, 25% nylon

Needles: 2.5mm DPN

Last year, my second ever pair of socks was a Christmas gift for my dearest friend. This year from OCtober onwards she started dropping hints she'd like another pair ...

My friend requested 'dark, plainish socks - black, brown or grey' - and this yarn, snaffled at a bargain price from a discount supermarket chain seemed to fit the bill - it was plain enough for her, but not so plain I was going to be bored to death with it. There was no way I was going to knit plain black socks! The yarn is a little rougher than Regia et al, but it worked up quite nicely and I think it will get softer with washing.

I don't think they are going to be worn for a while yet - on Christmas Day my friend flew out to India for six weeks, but I know she's taken them with her for her arrival back in the UK, as February is always freezing!

Prairie Schooler Exchange

2009-12-28T14:44:00.000Z

Here is the delicate Santa Leeann stitched for me, over one, no less! We're both members of the Year Round Prairie Schooler Exchange blog, so obviously this is a PS design, although I don't know which leaflet it came from.

This cheery chappie has gone to join my other handmade ornaments in a basket (I don't have a tree). Thank you again Leeann!

Prairie Schooler SAL

2009-12-28T13:41:00.000Z

Day 1

Day 2(under artificial light)

Day 3

The combination of a peaceful Christmas with no travelling and Test Match Special on the radio, with live coverage of England's cricketers taking on South Africa has given me plenty of stitching time until I start work again tomorrow (boo, hiss!).

So my Prairie Schooler SAL is growing apace ... of course, when talking about over one, 'growing' is a relative term ... but hopefully, I will finish it later today. I've had a visit from the frog, I miscounted the vine border and was one stitch out by the time I got to the top ... I've reworked the horizontal row at the top, but the leaves and berries I've left alone, it can be our little secret :o)

Clapotis

2009-12-28T12:43:00.002Z

Design: Clapotis

Designer: Kate Gilbert - in Knitty, free pattern can be found here

Yarn: Noro Cash Iroha

Fibre: 40% Silk, 30% Lambswool, 20% Cashmere, 10% Nylon

Colour: Garnet (22)
Needles: 5mm

This rather luxurious yarn would have normally been outside my budget, but The Wool Baa had it on sale. And the feel of it ... so lovely, and the colour was 'me' and I'd wanted to knit a Clapotis for ages and so I indulged - it wasn't terribly cheap, even on sale.

Jill, the lovely owner of The Wool Baa gave me some hints on working the Clapotis so that I didn't have to faff with stitch markers and twisted stitches - I basically just purled each stitch to drop - and this worked up pretty quickly.

And then disappointment set in. It was very comfortable and the colour sings - but I felt it was a bit too plain for me. I think I had 'Post Project Slump Syndrome'. But I persevered and wore it all through the autumn. And the comments wouldn't stop coming, from a friend you'd spotted me across the Peace Gardens because I was wearing this to the young guy 'chugging' in the city centre who just thought it was amazing.

And now I love it. And I want another one, perhaps in purple or plum. And probably in a yarn which has some colour variation.

And if you're lucky, I might post a picture of me wearing that one, and not my kitchen door modelling it!

Sow Dry, Set Wet - Prairie Schooler

2009-12-28T08:44:00.000Z

Design: Sow Dry, Set Wet

Designer: Prairie Schooler (freebie)

Threads: DMc as charted

Fabric: 25 count natural linen

Finish: Thread fob, beaded edges and loop

I stitched this for my partner Patti on the Year Round Prairie Schooler Exchange. I wasn't sure if she celebrated Christmas, so I played it safe and stitched one of my favourite freebies for her.

I used some large count linen from my stash and stitched the design over one.

To make it a little more interesting, I personalised the back on another piece of this linen and then whipstitched and beaded the edges. I didn't want to puncture the fabric and use an eyelet for the thread ring, so I made a beaded loop inside - I think I may use that again in future, it was easier and looked neater, too.

Feather and Fan Scarf

2009-12-27T14:42:00.000Z

Design: Feather and Fan Scarf

Designer: unknown - from Ravelry though.

Yarn: Wendy Happy

Colour: Taurus (2507)

Fibre: 75% bamboo, 25% nylon

Needles: 5.00mm (I think)

This scarf was made to cover that tricky spring period where it can be quite chilly or draughty but not enough to need a woolly ... It took exactly 100g (420m) of yarn, so it was pretty economical too. And if I get bored with it, as I'm not sure about the colours, I will rip it back and make it into a pair of socks! It does drape beautifully and is wearing well.

I was knitting this one afternoon when I went to my parents for lunch. My mum - herself a knitter, she was the one who taught me after all - at first just thought I was knitting a plain scarf with this self striping yarn and then noticed the pattern. And she laughed. Not normally the reaction my knitting, I have to say - and then she explained. Her grannie (my great grannie) was also a knitter - which I knew. Apparently, she used to use this pattern to knit everybody stripy scarves - whether they wanted one or not - using up her odds and ends of yarn, and almost always alternated with beige! I was quite touched actually - and I think Ma was too - to think I'm carrying on a bit of family tradition!