A patchwork ball for Polly

Oh I do so like the colours of these hexies all sewn together


Nicely squidgy for Baby Polly, with a tinkly bell inside. And Patch decided he no longer likes any choc, so I was left to eat a Kinder Egg... the plastic container is just what is needed for the bell to jangle around in.

I do like these quick makes! Dear Linda asked oh so nicely for a phone sock protector thingy so I set to with some wool from the pile and really not so much later had this


I used a slip rib stitch... I think the wool is Debbie Bliss Donegal Tweed used as a trim for Christmas scarves knitted last year for Dad and Frits.

And lastly, it must be safe to show some birthday ts





Happy Birthday Barney and Reggie!

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A lace-knit-neck-warmer-thingy

And as mentioned a few blog posts ago, it still refuses to block nicely. Blocking should really open up the lace pattern, and it is 100% wool so why ever not?


The pattern was torn from a knit magazine, but I'm afraid I don't remember which. The wool is Rowan creative focus worsted shade 0791 blue moor heather. Purchased last year for a Christmas scarf for Linda - which didn't require blocking so I had no inkling of its stubborn nature! I wasn't sure how much of the still large looking ball of wool was left but in an attempt to use wool from the pile found this pattern which only required the one ball. Of course I ran out of wool. And of course by then I had spent too long on the pattern to simply unravel. Luckily, almost a year later, John Lewis still had this shade in stock. And now I am left with yet another almost complete ball in the pile. But I do have a neck scarf.

I think the pattern would really benefit from some successful blocking... ideas?


It was gently repetitive to knit, just right for sitting snug in the car at Orford Quay with a Pump Street treat. So rather nice really.

I'm having a sweet snuggly Monday with Patch who is home with an upset tum. I don't feel guilty enjoying a gentle day with P as he is as happy as a lark, so we shall just enjoy our unexpected day of duvet and a Herbie film...
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A spooky Halloween

Feeling rather sorry for myself with a horrible cold... So happy Halloween. In November. Oops.

I think this sweet spooky fabric is just so dreamy but was a little unsure what to make. Maybe not trousers for a five year old Patch, though can you imagine how lovely on a baby or toddler? It would make a lovely skirt with a black gingham trim, but again, not for Patch. Sew a square on a t? Pockets for trousers? Or maybe a pillowcase


Patch loved that he got to sleep on a special Halloween pillowcase, and it does show the fabric beautifully. I was going to add a coloured trim of some sort but decided for comfort to leave it plain


Halloween fabric from Belle &Boo and backed with a black and white gingham from the local fabric shop.

One more Halloween make to show... Patch's Bat Cat costume!


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Another birthday t...

Happy birthday Henry!



And sorry for gloominess of photo, somehow it didn't look quite so bad on the camera.

I do have other makes done but am waiting for some sunny times to take photos. As seen here I do not take acceptable photos in the gloom. I have a shawl-scarf-neck-thingy-knit to photo but that no matter how severe I am appears not to want to block, it just shrinks back to its pre-blocked can't see the lace detail state. And it is wool. Thank goodness my dear friend surprised me with a beautiful crochet shawl-scarf so my neck is still cosy. Thank you so, Jude! And I am so close to finishing another sssh for Polly... hopefully will find some cosy time today when Patch is happily playing so I can knit but still be there to admire the Lego constructions. Though some dreamy Halloween fabric is still waiting to be made into something, so should really be getting that done today. Oh, and we are off to watch Madagascar this afternoon, so maybe not today. But... Halloween Bat Cat costume is done!

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Shhh... for baby Polly

The first shhh is done... the Sophie blouse from Nikki Van De Car's what to knit when you're expecting




A dream of a pattern. I wanted to knit a top to go with the teeny stripey bottoms (Gap sale) so was a little limited in the local wool shop to find a real red red in the right weight wool for the pattern. I also wanted something oh so soft but that wouldn't shed so went with Sublime baby cashmere merino silk dk. The pattern is knitted top down - just love those gathers - and once past the sleeve section is knitted in the round, so only two ends to sew in! Well, I had four as I used more than the one ball stated in the pattern as the substitute wool had less yardage.




So sweet, and a delight to make. Just don't tell Polly yet as there are more makes to be made before the parcel is sent...

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A summer bag... and a sweet parcel!

... in the Autumn. I wanted a bag for the summer holidays that could readily take all the bits that are somehow necessary for a day out, and that could be plonked on the floor or a sandy beach without me worrying that it is one of my favourite bags. And I remembered this pattern





I used Amy Butler's nappy bag pattern, which I have had since Patch was a baby. This was the first time I've made it. Ooops. The main fabric is a Cath Kidston floral cord leftover from covering our dining chairs in Sweet Pea Cottage, purchased from Bicester also before Patch was born. And the lining is some blue ticking from my pile.

The pattern includes instructions for a change mat and cover, a mobile phone pocket to be placed on the shoulder strap, and many handy interior pockets. As it has taken me so long to make this bag I no longer need a change mat, didn't fancy the phone pocket and only kept one of the interior pockets. As I was using fairly heavy weight fabrics I also didn't line the bag with canvas or interfacings as suggested. Oh, and I added a magnetic closure.

The picture shown on the pattern is for quite a large bag, and I suppose it must be to fit a rolled up change mat in, but somehow I hadn't realised just how wide it is.





Really rather wide. Though just what I needed... it does fit so many things in, and the wide strap means it is comfy. I do like it and have used it for most of the summer. I'm sure it would make a lovely nappy bag too!

A beautiful parcel arrived this morn from Beth at the linen cat. So happy to have won her beautiful giveaway! The photograph on Beth's blog is much better, but here are my sweet autumn lavender birds







Thank you so, Beth!

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A sailboat skirt for Esme

I purchased this pattern in the hope that I may one day make a sailboat top for Patch. Sadly I think P is a little old for the sailboat pants. Hmmm... maybe not?




(image http://oliverands.com/)

The sailboat skirt, though, I thought just right for a soon to be five Esme. I kept to the size in the pattern and was a little worried that the skirt was going to be too short. But I am assured it is a good fit. This pattern is a dream to follow. I used some denim as the main fabric and decided to use a red fabric with large white spots for the facings, with red thread for the button holes and edge stitching. Sweet buttons from John Lewis




Giant ric rac added because I had some and Mr R liked it!

I enjoyed this make so much that another was made for Patch's friend Sophie. For Sophie's I used the same denim but with a pale green and white shirting for the facings, white buttons from Great Gran's tin and without ric rac trim. Wrapped and given before I thought of photograph...

Happy birthday Esme and Sophie!

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