Owls sweater

 I might be the only person who was glad winter lasted a little longer than it should have. Only because it gave me the chance to wear my new sweater a few times. This pattern is called Owls and is available on the Kate Davies website.

You may recognise the owl cables from some hats I knit for my little girls. They were made so I could practice. I knew this sweater was in my future. I knit it up in Rowan Purelife British Sheep Breeds in Steel Grey Suffolk. The undyed wool smelled like a petting zoo, and made me want a pet sheep! I ended up using six skeins. They came from all over the place. Two from John Lewis, Oxford Street, bought when I was over in England last summer. Once I got home I realise it was the recommended yarn for this project, so I sent my sister to get me three more skeins. She ended up getting them from Liberty of London. She's told me I will love this shop. On my next trip home I will be checking it out! Just as I was starting the ribbing around the neck I ran out of yarn. So I ended up getting the sixth and final skein from Webs. Despite the yarn coming from all over the place, I can't see any difference in the colour.

 I only made one mistake, I put on one of the sleeves back to front. It is hopefully only noticable by me. I couldn't get enough matching buttons to give every owl eyes, so I ended up putting them on every other owl. A friend from knitting group said it looks like half the owls are asleep. I like that idea, so I'll probably leave them that way.

Now I've got to get a little something in the post to my friend in Wales. When she get's it, I'll share it with you.

Happy Birthday Mrs. B.

 Four years ago I started sending out handmade birthday presents to my sisters, starting with Mrs. B. Well her birthday has rolled around again. I asked her if there was anything she wanted, but she said to surprise her. I went with this 'A Very Braidy Cowl' pattern. I knit it up in Lion Brands wool-ease in the Dark Rose Heather colourway. I'm totally in love with this pattern. It's made with really big cables that give it it's distinctive look. I used a live cast on and Kitchener stitched it together.

 I want, no, need one of my own! So now I'm on the look our for the right colour for me. I'm very fond of mustard.

Thankfully, her birthday present arrive on time and she is already wearing her new cowl. Happy birthday Mrs. B. I love you.

Uncertain

I'm not ever sure if I'm going to keep this blog up. I'm not a very decisive person. So for a few weeks I think I'm done with it; and then I come back. I'll share with you what I've been knitting lately and think about this whole blogging thing for a couple more weeks.

This is called Morning Walk Headband Earwarmer, knit up in Lion Brands Wool-ease held double. I added the same knit flower I used on my Mum coin purse I made a while back. That pattern is available here.

Here is my second Meret. It's knit up in Lion Brand Martha Steward Crafts Extra Soft Wool Blend.

Both of these were made for friends named Mrs. G. One from back home in Bournemouth, and the other one is from my new home in Pennsylvania.

Right now I'm blocking a sweater I made for myself, working on a hat, and getting ready to make the binding for a quilt. There is something else knitted on it's way to a sister in England. So while I'm trying to decide if I'm going to keep up this blog, I'm defiantly staying busy. I hope you all are too.

Oh, I'll just share this link with you for a you-tube video I thought was pretty cool.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=QeGWxJDRQno
Enjoy:)

Hot water bottle cover

Americans seem to be missing out on hot water bottles, as far as I can tell anyway. They are wonderful, cheap, portable, heaters. I feel lost without one on a cold night or when I'm feeling poorly. This water bottle cover is for my sister, Miss C. The pattern is available here for free. I knit it up in Sidar Crofter Chunky. It is a lovely soft cotton/wool/acrylic blend. I'm not sure it shows off the cables as well as I would like, but I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. I had to get a little help from my friends at my local library knitting group to get this started, but it wasn't a bad knit. I'm pretty sure I will use this pattern again. I just need to find some more hot water bottles. They are not easy to come by over here.

Re-makes

It's nice to find patterns you want to come back to. Sometimes it's because you really loved it the first time around. Other times you are trying to make it better. The three finished item I'm sharing today are all remakes. The first is the Hermione Cable and Eyelet Hat. This is my fourth time knitting it up. Each time I have made it slightly differently. Always searching for the perfect fit. With this one I am most happy. I feel like it looks and fits perfectly. I will write up my changes on my Ravelry project page if you are interested in them.

Second remake is this Aviatrix baby hat. I made one a little over a year ago to take to a baby shower. I thought I'd make the same things for a baby shower I went last weekend. I love this cute hat.

These Baby Booties were meant to go with the hat, but I finished them a little late for the baby shower. The mother to be will get them tomorrow, so no harm done. Perfect for a winter baby.

I have some other finished items I put in the post to England this week. When they are received, I will share. Hope you are all keeping warm, and getting lot's a creative things done.

Handmade Christmas.

It wasn't so handmade this year. I always have good intentions, but it just doesn't quite work out. All I managed to make on time this year was a pair of socks for my Mum. They are using the Susan B. Anderson pattern from her blog. They are knit up in Patons Kroy socks FX in the colour cascade. I started knitting them while I was over in England this summer. She had said she liked them, so I knew they would become her's.

This slithery snake was made for my little Miss. I. It came five days after Christmas, because other things got in the way of my knitting. The pattern is from the book Knitted Toys by Zoe Mellor. I have made two of these snakes before for my older kids. This time I decided to knit it in the round, and stuff it as I went. It's knit up in Lily sugar'n cream cotton in lot's of colours. It is by far my favorite snake (don't tell the other snakes). Every kid needs one to snuggle up in bed with.

It was very well received,  but now my older kids feel it is their turn for some handmade toys. I'd better get back to work. Happy creating everyone.

Socks and a scarf.

 My husband had surgery last week. While waited for him I took the opportunity to work on these socks. His surgery was a lot longer than either of us expected, so I got a lot done. I think I started them in November. The pattern is called Jaywalker and is available here for free. I used Knit Picks Felici sock yarn in Minty. They are kind of hard to get on and off, but they are really warm and comfy and I love they way they look.

 This scarf was for my neighbors 18th birthday. She said she loves bright pink and bright green. This is just a  simple single rib knit scarf. It's made out of Vickie Howell Sheep(ish).

While I was knitting away last Friday, CNN was on in the waiting room. I watched in horror as the news unfolded of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. I feel a great sadness over this incident. Two of my children attend our local elementary school in our quiet commuter town. I feel like it could have been us, and wish there was something I could do to make a difference for those who survived. While listening to the radio I heard about this request from the Sandy Hook PTA. It's for snowflakes, to turn the school into a winter wonderland for the students. I'm sure they hope it will help with the healing, as they return to school after the Christmas break. I plan on making some with my kids over the break and I hope you will too.
Happy Christmas to you all.