Knit and Natter

 Hi there folks. Just popping in for a knit and natter. Today we had a glorious day at Wonderwool at the Welsh showground. There was sunshine, lambs of course and lots and lots of lovely wool.

I bought some wool - I knew I would. I had run down all the stash from the basket and was ready for a splurge.

I spotted a Debbie Bliss pattern book in a bargain box for £3. My mum and I both liked quite a few patterns in it so we are going to share it. We both loved the sweater on the cover.

I bought some yarn to make a tank top.

The choice of sock yarn was phenomenal. My choice was this flecked green in a range of beautiful greens. I am going to have a go at some sock patterns from 'Socktacular' which I found on the Welsh Air Ambulance charity stand. It is an interesting book - a sort of pick and mix of sock components where you choose a knit pattern, heel style and toe technique. Looks good.

My next purchase may be in my stash for some time. It was a soft and squishy little bundle of mini skeins which I will use for colourwork when the right pattern and matching yarn comes along. In the meantime it is welcome to sit in my basket and look at me every time I lift the lid.

Finally, I bought a huge skein of yarn for £5. I have ABOLSUTELY no idea what it is but it will be be fun winding it, making a gauge square and possibly making this graceful cardigan.

I have this sweater in my Ravelry library ready for when I have left overs from all of the projects above. It is a beauty.😊

  

Here are a few more snaps of my finished blanket which I managed to complete by doing a few rows every night.

As ever I used up some of the scraps to make a hat. It used up the ball ends of some colours but I still seam to have some left - probably enough for a baby blanket.

Leaving you with a photo of our little cade lamb. He has had a play out in the field today and loved chasing our dog more than the other lambs!

Thanks for popping in. Jo xxx

Old School

My friend often roots out old patterns for me. I love the pictures and the style of language in them. I mean " You still have enough time to knit that swimsuit and bolero for your 8 year old and one for yourself too" Actually I don't but it just makes me laugh out loud.

She dropped this off for me today and I saw a little baby jacket that looked just like my cardigan.

 

 

There were patterns in it that would still be useful today with modern yarns, twists and added elements. What about this for projects on the move?

 

 

This pattern was particularly beautiful but it called for a 'Millward Disc crochet hook' and then the instructions said to hold the disc button face down in your left hand and wind around in circles. I searched the internet but can't find one. Anyone know what it might be or might look like?

 

The technique with this 'disc' makes the most dainty daisy flowers. I am thinking blanket, ladies wrap or pretty summer top.

 

 

Do you collect old patterns? Do you just look at them or do you actually make them up? Would love to hear from you?

 

Jo xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

Whhoa! wool

Today someone gave me their entire wool stash! I am not joking. Bags and bags and bags. Most was from the 1980's - you know that colour red that does not exist in nature.

There was a good range of DK colours all from the Sirdar Country Style range, looking very like a ripple blanket for the man in my life to me.

Then I opened another one and there were 51 balls of yarn from magazines! I have been buying these off Ebay just recently but not in quantities like this. Little M enjoyed sorting them into piles. 'Did you get my strawberry shoes in the picture?' she said. They are blanket heaven. They are acrylic but have a slight sheen to them. I have used them to make the flowers before.

 

There were some mixture balls but these are prefect for my crochet classes if I use my Knitmaster to wind them into 30g balls. What is a knitmaster I hear you ask?...

I was given it by my very good friend who moved into a house and found it in a cupboard. We both wondered what it was and she said if I could find out what it was for I could have it. It is the best wool winder ever, the children love helping and winding the handle. I took it to knit and natter one night when my shoulder was bad a few weeks ago and they all went bananas for it. They have booked it in for the next meeting so that they can do some skein to ball winding whilst drinking wine. I have become very popular!

  

I delved deeper and found fabric for patchwork, and large pieces of felt which will be great for lining.

I am exhausted thinking about what I can do with it. It is making my head explode! Jo xx

 

Knitting night

Tonight at knitting night we were mostly in good spirits chatting about current projects, things we had seen or heard on the television and radio and generally chatting the night away with various types of refreshment.

Mine is the long ginger wine, I have got a real taste for it since Christmas. The petite fours were rich and delicious - and they weren't even mine! There was some rich colours in the knitting and crochet too.

 

We have a bit of show and tell, parenting chit chat and general funny stories of the last fortnight but there is no plan, it just flows along with talk and laughter.

 

There was my table runner (yes, that's what it eventually turned into) a new dishcloth, very neat socks and a Debbie Bliss cardigan on the go. Two of us, including me, are searching for the perfect project which will pop up soon I am sure. Trying really hard to get stuck into something woolly...

Jo xx