It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

And a good job it is too! Just home from the school's carols around the Christmas tree. Patch gave boxes of brownies to his teachers along with some cinnamon biscuits. Rather yum


I have been busy with makes but of the Christmas present sort so won't mention as don't want to spoil any surprises! These cowls are safe though...





More of the oh so simple Chunky Cowl from Jenny Lord's Purls of Wisdom, using Rowan big wool. Still feels like comedy knitting sitting with those large needles. The white one for my Mum and the teal as a happy birthday for lovely Jude.

And then this as a happy birthday for Lou... whose birthday was in August. Oops


Another favourite make, this time the purl bee's long pom pom cowl. I love the colours on this cowl so, my favourite so far. Maybe that can be my excuse for not gifting it earlier... you almost didn't get it at all Lou! The Swiss dot fabric is the dobby gauze periwinkle with rose pom pom trim, both from the eternal maker. Happy belated birthday, Lou!

Off to knit a little more of Patch's Christmas present. Oh my...
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Is it time yet, Mummy?

... Patch wondered at four in the morning on Saturday. And every half an hour after until I agreed to get up because at least then there was a six on the clock. And this was just to open the first door on the advent calendar. Oh Lordy, what will he be like on Christmas morn? I suppose it is rather exciting when you have a Lego advent calendar and this so sweet Olive the Other Reindeer one from your Goodmums


I thought it was time to maybe update some of the Christmas books used for Patch's advent book calendar, and have had a merry time finding them and wrapping all twenty-four. Still a mix of ones given to Patch, some charity finds, some from teaching, a few old ones of mine, and a couple of recent purchases.


Oh my, I am feeling festive! A bit of wrapping, making some presents, writing Christmas cards and a few carols already sung when we went to listen to Dad in the local choral society on Saturday. It will soon be time to make some festive pies...

And before all the festivities began I knitted a little top for Baby Alban


The pattern is the sleeveless top from Lois Daykin's baby knits. I love the look of this little top with buttons at the side and shoulder, and it was the only reason I bought the book to use for P when he was little. I had forgotten though about all those oh so many ends to sew in... each of the button bands is worked separately and then joined. Next time I hope to remember to change the pattern, and also knit it as one flat piece rather than the front and back pieces as the pattern states, which also have to be joined. And have ends to sew in.


Good job I like the finished little top!

I used Debbie Bliss cashmerino dk and some black buttons from Great Gran's tin, sewn on with orange thread which may be a little matchy but I like it!


Hope they keep you snug, Baby Alban...

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A little ribbon blanket for Polly

The last of my makes for Baby Polly


I used some red bamboo wool from the pile, ribbons from the tangle stuffed into a shoe box and a sweet Cath Kidston print on the back


So together with this bonnet and these shoes Polly's parcel was complete.

A few more baby makes to do... though maybe I should think about Christmas makes first!

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Baby Polly's knitted blanket

Another dreamy knit from Hadley Fierlinger's Vintage Knits


This sweet pattern is the Heirloom Blanket and is such an easy, gentle knit. We had a few beautifully sunny and warm Sundays about a month ago, and this was taken along to the bouncy pillow where I happily sat and knitted in the sun while Patch merrily bounced. For hours.

I used smc select extra soft merino cotton, a brand I've not used or heard of before, but found in a local wool shop and I liked the colour. Oh, and I thought Polly's Mummy would like the colour too! And yes Jo, it is machine washable but at 40... no putting it in with a 60 wash!


It has knitted into a nicely soft and squishy blanket. And no need for a Sssh! as Polly has now received her parcel of makes, and I'm hoping is snuggled under this blanket right now.

I've had a fun morning at Patch's school, accompanying a small group as they used cameras to take photographs of everything they saw as beautiful or interesting. Squeals of delight. And another group were busy lighting fires with Forest School, whilst others were baking. What lucky children! And now I'm off across this field to collect P from school...


Photograph courtesy of the lovely Linda

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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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