my life of knitting

I can't remember when I first started to knit or who taught me but I think it must have been my sister who could always do things better than me. I do remember trying to knit myself a mini dress when I was about 12yrs old, thankfully I gave up as it would only have looked good on Twiggy and would have taken me years to finish.

The knitting really took off when I was expecting my first child and I was able to make little matinee coats and crochet a shawl in the sure knowledge I had complete control of his wardrobe.

Each child would be put in a little knitted cardigan and I would feel very proud of myself

by the time I got to number four child I felt experienced enough to try harder patterns and you can just see the Fat Controller on this cardigan, it also had Thomas and I think Gordon or James on the back. Oh the hours of untangling yarn as I knitted away for my little darling, it really did try my patience.

Then came the bad years, no one wanted my knitted garments. A jumper I lovingly knitted for my husband was worn once and then left in the wardrobe till I took it to the Charity Shop in the hope that someone would like it. I made several jumpers for myself but they always made me look like an elephant, a beautiful cabled sweater that nobody wanted and a bed jacket that was finished late on Christmas Eve for my Mum, she never wore it.

I decided knitting was not for me and gave away all my wool, as always I was a failure.

 Then came the grandchildren and I was tempted to get out the needles, I was quite pleased with this little top

so made it in another colour, unfortunately it was too small!

 I had a go at making a bag

 a family of snowmen

and some hats.

Now I have my knitting journal and I want to note down all of the things I make. There will be a section for old knitting and different sections for socks, shawls, knitted animals and maybe if I'm brave enough and lose 2 stone I might attempt a garment again. A nice loose cardigan, long enough to cover all the lumps and bumps, it can't be too hard surely?

Mondays, Memos, Mail and Me

The weather has certainly changed in this little corner of  England, not much chance of venturing out into the garden today.

The postman did bring me a few little plants which I am nurturing in my greenhouse, hopefully my garden will be a riot of colour in the summer, that's the plan anyway.

I also had a lovely skein of wool delivered which I'm using for a nice easy oaklet shawl I found on Ravelry here. The yarn was from YanTanTetheraYarns.

I was also very fortunate to win my book club prize for April, I love the handmade cushion and the book looks very interesting. I'm thinking I'd better give the easter egg away as there's been far too much chocolate eating this week and I need to get back on my diet.

waving to Sian and wishing you all a good week x

Easter with the family

It's been a very busy few days here with the family and I've loved it.

 We had a birthday to celebrate

 A food festival with lots of yummy things to eat

 a visit to Morelli's

 we had to go down on the beach

 and look for shells

 Then it was off to Legoland

 where we panned for gold

 and managed to find some

 I loved the lego mini world

 and have taken far too many photos I wont bore you with

 Grandad will love star wars we were told

 It certainly was one of the best bits

 and this little girl was the only one of us brave enough to fight Darth Vader

Then it was off to mum's for a short visit.

So many memories to scrap now!

Mondays, Memos, Mail and Me

 There has not been any interesting post this week but I have been busy making these little egg cosies using a pattern from http://littlecottonrabbits.typepad.co.uk/. Now I don't have a boiled egg very often but I know I used to make them for my children, so how come I could only find one egg cup?

 I have made several layouts but they seem to be quite minimal in design. I feel I have too much stash and this is hindering me scrapbooking, it was all much simpler when I only had a few things to use and more enjoyable I think.

The weather continues to improve and we are enjoying lots more walks now, my fitbit the other day said I had done nearly 18000 steps so that must be good.

waving to Sian and wishing you all a good week x