Ginx Woolly Linx Party February

I seem to have a bit of a Valentine theme going with my features for January, but honestly only noticed this after I had picked them.

Stephanie of Unique Yarn Designs linked with a crochet pattern for these little heart-shaped boxes.  I love this sort of project, and despite my rather ropey crochet skills, I am going to try to make some of these.

Maricarmen of Tramas de Colores has knitted this beautiful rainbow scarf, in a fern pattern. I like every this about it, the colour, the design and the wool looks so soft. Not quite in my theme, but I guess it would make a nice Valentine gift.

And another scarf from Tonya of Sew Crafty Crochet. It was the autumnal colours that attracted me to this scarf, and the heart-shaped ends are a great finishing touch.

and finally Alexandra of Eye Love Knots has made a envelope wallet for your Valentine card. I just love that lacey edging detail.

Thank you to every else who linked up with your projects last month. I enjoy looking at them all, so keep linking and visiting each other.  As we are a fairly small party, your chances of being picked as a featured item are fairly high, and I hope that also sends some new visitors to your blogs.

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The Deer in Richmond Park

 The Hunters Are Coming

I hear a gun shot, a celebratory cry.

As I look in the bushes, a gleaming blue eye.

The hunters are coming, as big and as bad,

They've seen me I know, and they're especially glad.

Up to my feet I get with a rush,

Quickly I charge to hide by a thrush.

"Deer! over there" the hunters they shout.

Will I survive? I'm, beginning to doubt!

I run for my life, over the hill.

Yes! I'll survive. I beating them till ...

I'm flung in the air to the highest tree tops,

I taste blood in my mouth as this little deer drops.

For a moment I lie there, I lie there quite still,

But the hunters are coming, ready to kill.

I try to run, as fast as I can,

But I turn around swiftly, and I'm facing a man!

I close my brown eyes and take a last breath, 

But I squiggle and squirm, not ready for death.

I hear a gun shot, a celebratory cry.

Why was it me who had to die?

As I walked in Richmond Park this week, there was a sign up saying the deer cull is on for the next six weeks. Not completely sure how I feel about this. I do know that the deer, which are in a confined space practically in London, have to have their numbers controlled, and that probably the cull is the least cruel way to do this. 

But then I got home, and saw the poem above, which has been posted on the side of my fridge for the last few years. It was written by my daughter when she was in primary school, and does tug at the heart strings.

Looking back through my photographs, I realize I do not take many of the deer. The one at the top was taken at this time of year, and I kept it mainly because I liked the framing by the trees. And the other one was in mid-summer, when I think I was trying to photograph rabbits, and came upon this deer a bit too close by surprise. I am not sure who was more shocked.

Not much to show on the knitting front. I am making socks, and they seem to taking a long time. On the second one though!

Just a reminder that there is still time join in my Ginx Woolly Linx party for January. Click on the photo above or at the top of the page to find the party. I would love to see what you have been working on this month.

Cardigan ... Finished at Last

I thought about calling this post "The Reluctant Model", as you can probably tell that my son was not over keen to have me take his photograph. Although he has said I can post them on my blog. (Mind you, I am usually not very keen on having my own photograph taken, so I do know how he feels.)

I prefer the photographs taken above, even though they don't show the cardigan very well. I knew if I started faffing about the cardigan I might lose my model completely, so here are some taken outside, which show the garment off better. 

I'm rather pleased with my improvised stripes on the sleeves, although in the end I had wool left over. So I didn't need to do them, but I think they have added something to the garment - the college preppy look.

The pattern I used was call "The Boyfriend Cardigan" by Erica Knight, bought from John Lewis. It is actually a woman's cardigan pattern, but I reversed the bands. It fits my son very well, as he is tall but very skinny. The grey Aran-weight wool is Drops Alaska and was bought online from Wool Warehouse. It seemed good value for 100% wool at £1.80 for a 50g ball, and by clicking about a bit I managed to find a discount code. (I bought 18 balls, but have 2 left over.) 

I was tempted into buying some sock wool, as spending over £30 put me into free postage. So expect some more family knitting here soon.  

I'm also rather pleased with how the toggles look, instead of buttons, bought from Fabricland.

I know this is not great, but it did capture the feel of most of the photos that I took but haven't used.

Just a reminder that there is still plenty of time join in my Ginx Woolly Linx party for January. Click on the photo above or at the top of the page to find the party. I would love to see what you have been working on this month

Ginx Woolly Linx Party January 2019

Hello, and Happy New Year!

I am so pleased to welcome you to the first Ginx Linx Party for 2019, and to celebrate that the party has reached its first birthday. I was a bit nervous a year ago when I started the party. Will anyone come and join, and will I be able to technically put it together each month? But much to my relief you have come from all over the world, and shared your wonderful projects. The party has grown a bit month by month, but also lots of you have come back regularly. 

I have picked a few more favourites than usual, just couldn't limit myself to just four.

Lilia of Lilia Craft Party in Venice has knitted this lovely London Scarf. Her own design, I think it is both cosy and glamorous.

Gema of Hebra de Lana has made Leopold, a polar bear who looks all set for cold weather in his Nordic sweater.

Jo from Three Stories High has made this sweater from a pattern called The Simplest Sweater, but added her own unique coffee-coloured band of Nordic decoration.

Sabine of Nephi Handmade has been running a penguin CAL. I recommend you click on the link to see all the penguins that have been made so far.

Maricarmen of Tramas de Colores has made these cute little Christmas gnomes. I would like to make some of these myself for next Christmas.

and finally Olga of Lacey Crochet has made this beautiful leaf-inspired doily from her own design. I am always a bit in awe of this type of crochet work, done with such fine thread.

So thank you to everyone who has joined in the party over the last year, and I look forward to seeing and being inspired by your projects in 2019.

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"A Christmas Pickle"

Has anyone else got themselves in a Christmas knitting pickle. Taken on too much, and not got it done in time. I've mentioned a few times that I'm knitting a garment, which is in fact a cardigan for my son. It's taken a bit of planning, as he doesn't like anything too flamboyant. I am not completely sure he will wear it. I know that handknitted cardigans are probably not the coolest thing, but he might, as he is not particularly into fashion. 

So I am in a pickle in two ways. Firstly, as you can see, it will not be done for Christmas. The back and two fronts are done, but I am still on the sleeves. Second problem is that I think I am not going to have enough wool. So I have decided to try and solve this problem in two ways. I'm knitting both arms at the same time, and the new plan is to have some stripes of other colours around the elbows. (Does anyone knit arms like this? I have heard that some people knit socks this way.) He is at university, and perhaps this will give him a preppy look. I think this might work out, but will keep you updated, and perhaps eventually I can get my son to model the finished garment. Not sure he will, as he is a shy young man.

And I just thought I would finish off with a few of the knitted ornament that are on my tree this year, made from my own patterns. Christmas Tree, Sand Dollar and Scallop Shell.  

These come out every year, but I may have to think of a few more ideas for next year, as the dog had a bit of a session on some of my other decorations. These are the broken ones on her bed. She had got some knitted ones off the tree, but they seem to have survived. So perhaps she is the "Christmas Pickle"!

Happy Christmas to you all!

Plums and Custard 2CV

I have just completed an order for a slightly different 2CV from my Etsy shop. The customer referred to the car as "plums and custard", and I hadn't heard this cream and maroon combination on the 2CV referred to in this way. I wonder if other 2CV colour combinations have nicknames.

She was really pleased with the finished car, which is knitted from my Henrietta 2CV pattern, with a bit of personalisation.  Here is link to the post with the original Henrietta, and me looking much younger than I do now.

So once again I have had a bit of distraction from my "big project", but I am back on it. (And all I can say is that I have finished the back, and one side of the front. But time is running out before Christmas! Help!)

Just a reminder that there is still plenty of time join in my Ginx Woolly Linx party for December. Click on the photo above or at the top of the page to find the party. I would love to see what you have been working on this month

Ginx Woolly Linx Party December

I feel that my favourites this month might be summed up by the phrase "deceptively simple". Aren't they all beautiful, great colours, and beautiful designs.

The first is this lamp for St. Martin's Day. It made me feel nostalgic for the school where I used to work. Every year we would visit the nearby German School, and make lamps to celebrate St. Martin's Day. I love the coloured ribbons on this lamp, made by Howling at the Moon.

Next Raji's Craft Hobby has made this super crochet star ornament. She has a really good photo tutorial, so even a crochet novice like me could have a go.

Ha, at last some knitting. Isn't this baby jumper and booties just beautiful. I just love the pure whiteness, and the way it has been presented by Gema of Hebra de Lana from Spain.

And finally Fanny of Yarn Around the World has made this classic crochet basket. Love the bright yellow and the shape.

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My Work Basket

I just thought you might like to see the state of my work basket. I have been busy working on this teddy bear, and am just waiting for the toy joints to arrive and then I can put him together. I can't find anywhere locally to buy them, and mail order does seem the best option.

It has been fun returning to my own pattern. It always astonishes me that I wrote it. But then I remember the weeks of work writing and knitting, and altering and rewriting, and testing. 

I love this wool that I have used. You may have noticed it before on my blog, mainly for baby shoes. It was a jumper once, and just seems to go on and on. I may have enough left for another bear, or perhaps a different project. The colour is bit unusual for a bear, but I just like all the different shades in it.

Just a reminder that there is still a little bit of time to join in my Ginx Woolly Linx party for November. Click on the photo above or at the top of the page to find the party. I would love to see what you have been working on this month

Conkers

I've been slightly distracted from my clothing projects by an order for some conkers. If you don't know about conkers here is a link to a previous post, where I explain what they are. 

I don't think it has been a good year for conkers, and I have not seen many this year on my frequent walks with the dog. Probably something to do with the hot summer, or perhaps the disease that seems to affect a lot of the trees near me. Although it seems that it is the leaves that get damaged, and the trees survive on. But my husband tells me it has been a good year for acorns!

P.S. I just got a message from the lady I was making these for, saying there was huge huge horse chestnut tree outside of her home where she and her twin sister grew up. So one is for her and one for her twin. Isn't that cute.

Just a reminder that there is still plenty of time to join in my Ginx Woolly Linx party for November. Click on the photo above or at the top of the page to find the party. I would love to see what you have been working on this month

Ginx Woolly Linx Party November

Your projects this month definitely had a bit of an Autumn feel. Although I like crafting all year, Autumn does seem the time when folk like to cosy down with their wool, and a good project to get stuck into. 

I have just mail-ordered some wool for two fairly big projects. Wool arrived very speedily, and so beautifully wrapped. But I am not a fast knitter, so you may not hear much from me for a few weeks.

Thanks to everyone who joined in last month. It is lovely that so many of you join in regularly, and also nice when somebody new turns up. Please try and visit each other, and leave a few comments. Remember you have all month to do so, so it is always worth popping back to see who new has joined the party.

I loved this glimpse of a work in progress from Sweet Locust Farm. This is a Fair Isle sweater being knitted for her grandson. Love those colours, though it does look complicated.

Next are some soap cosies from Alexandra of Eye Love Knits. Just love all those different textures she has created.

Fanny of Yarn Around the World has been making some little autumnal creations. Have a look at not just these lovely acorns, but also a hedgehog and some toadstools. 

And finally Tonna of Sew Crafty Crochet has made this superb poncho to keep her daughter warm on Halloween. Just love all those sparkles. 

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The Town House and Country House

I was having a tidy up, and found the beginnings of this house in a box of half finished items. It is knitted from my own pattern, Little Woollie House. I love the James C. Brett wool I used, which with its variations gives it a natural look. So I thought it was time to finish off this house - which is actually my favourite part.

I just like the whole process of just plodding along with my stitches, thinking "What colour should I use for the door?", "What shall I put at the ends of the house?"  Very gradually I add doors and windows, and then other bits, until it is complete. So when I began I had not planned to make one side of the house represent the country, and the other the town, that was just the way it turned out.  This house is for sale in my Etsy Shop.

Just a reminder that there is still plenty of time to join in my Ginx Woolly Linx party for October. Click on the photo above or at the top of the page to find the party. I would love to see what you have been working on this month.

Trilobite

Having published my pattern for an ammonite recently, I now have a second fossil pattern - trilobite.  Each pattern will be for sale separately, but if you want to make both fossils I have set up a discount code on ravelr. Both fossil patterns can be bought together for £3.00 if you use the discount code FOSSIL. This offer will run for one month, until 11th November.
 
The trilobite has two flat pieces for the body, and two more pieces for the top section (not sure if I should call this a head). Apparently there were a great many different types of trilobites. I almost sewed on beads as eyes, but as he is meant to be a fossil and not a living trilobite, decided against this.  This is a great little make for using up those oddments of wool that every knitter ends up with.

For my photos I have borrowed my son's fossil trilobite, and while sorting through his books, found a really apt one to use as a backdrop in some of the photos. 

Just a reminder that there is still plenty of time to join in my Ginx Woolly Linx party for October. Click on the photo above or at the top of the page to find the party. I would love to see what you have been working on this month.

Ginx Woolly Linx Party October

Hi Everyone, Welcome to Ginx Woolly Linx Party for October, and a special welcome to anyone who is joining in for the first time. The party will open at midnight tonight.

There were some great projects in the September Party, and here are a few of my favourites.

Emilie of Emzzcrochee has made a cute little robot called Bot.

Fanny of Yarn Around the World has made the Pretzel Brooch as part of her Octoberfest costume.

I love this guinea-pig made by Nephi-Handmade. Reminds me of my pet guinea-pig I had as a child.

And finally Amalia of Handmade by Amalia has made a super knitted basket. I can never have enough baskets to store wool in.

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Ammonite

Given the sort of little things I like to knit, and my son's interests, I am not sure why it hasn't occured to me before now to knit some fossils. He had a very definitely period when he went through his "dinosaur-phase", and I am trying to remember if that was before or after he had his "space-phase". Actually I think he is still interested in both, it is just that I don't sit with him reading books about them. 

I was watching a documentary earlier in the year that was set on the beach in Lyme Regis. We went there many years ago, and had a rather fruitless hunt, but these people on the television seemed to be finding fossils every few minutes. Perhaps we need another trip down to Dorset. When I was very young, my mum used to crack open stones in our back garden with a hammer, and would occasionally find a fossil.

I have written a pattern for one of the best know fossils - the ammonite.  This is knitted with two flat pieces, with short rows to get the curve. I am working on a pattern for another fossil, which I hope will be ready soon.  The ammonite pattern is available on ravelry, Etsy, and LoveKnitting.

For my photos I have borrowed some of my son's fossils.  

Just a reminder that my Ginx Woolly Linx party for September is still running. Click on the photo above or at the top of the page to find the party. I would love to see what you have been working on this month.