Cable hats, because Summer is late

I think it's supposed to be Summer but someone has forgotten to tell the weather.  So it's May and I've knitted two hats and a cowl, yes...

My Cousin asked if I'd knit him up a hat and I was quite happy to give it a go.  I won't knit for just anyone, but I find if someone has asked (who I like!) they're probably going to appreciate it more ;-)  We agreed on grey, cables but no pom pom.  I forgot in the end to loosely attach one as a joke.

My Cousin has a large head & lots of hair so I made it two pattern repeats larger & it fitted perfectly.  I think he really really liked it too which was awesome ♥

The pattern, Winter Femme by Diana Gates is free and available on Ravelry.  I used Stylecraft Special DK - Grey (1099).

I liked the hat as well so I made myself one with a turn up.  I stuck to the original pattern which fits my normal sized head, but made a bit of a mistake with the cables...  I'd written the pattern out so I could knit on the go without my laptop, but instead of writing that the cable was a repeating pattern of 8 rows I managed to make it 5 rows so they're a lot tighter.  Luckily it worked out that doing another cable pattern of 5 rows at the end got me back to the correct size.  So you could say I made my own but it was a complete accident!

This one is in Stylecraft Special DK - Teal (1062)

Thanks to everyone who explained what Raglan sleeves are, you're a wonderful bunch ♥

x x x x

Catching up, I knitted a jumper!

I thought I might have posted about a jumper I was knitting but it appears not!  We do our weekly food shop in Aldi now, which suits me because it's a lot cheaper, smaller (I hate big supermarkets) and they have different deals twice a week where I buy loads of unnecessary tat, like oven gloves and bike panniers (because 3 wasn't enough already?).

Sometime earlier in the year they were selling big 3/400g balls of Aran wool so I bought two pink.  In hind sight I wish I'd gone for grey, but J convinced me I already had loads of grey jumpers, and he was right, but that's because I wear & like them whereas this pink might just be a little 'lets leave it in the wardrobe'.

This was my only WIP shot.  So far through I decided one ball was plenty and swapped it for cream (no grey left!).  Right at the end I was convinced I wasn't going to have enough left, to the point of making one arm a few rounds shorter (you can't tell) but guess what?  I had this left...

I found a simple pattern on Ravelry called Brick, which was free and really easy to follow.  Because I've never knitted anything to wear so size and gauge hasn't mattered before I wanted something easy but I could definitely have followed something more complicated, so I've now cast on the Solstice cardigan which in contrast is probably the most complicated pattern I've ever laid eyes on, but I am loving the challenge.

Anywho this is my version of the Brick jumper, not bad eh?

It's called Raglan which I think just means it's knitted in one piece, although you knit the arms and collar after by picking up stitches.  This style definitely suits me, no sewing seams!

I've got a nice stretchy waistband and cuffs (use larger needles for this)

And the collar isn't bad too...

I probably should have knitted the smallest size.  It's funny because non-knitters tell me "oh it will shrink" but as it's acrylic my crafty friends know better!  So far I've not washed it, but if it ends up enormous then maybe it can become my festival jumper.

Is there anything new on your needles* you've never tried before?

*or anything ♥

x x x x

Little projects

Although I'm technically still making a blanket (which is definitely not a little project) it's become side lined with all the little things I've been making instead ♥

My mum kindly took these photos for me of the present I made her for mothers day.  The pattern is
Amigurumi Potted Plant by Lion Brand, which according to Ravelry I saved three years ago!  It always helps to save things for later x

You can sneakily peak my parents garden in the background, it's absolutely lush and they've spent a lot of time on it, especially in the last couple of years.  We had a BBQ at the weekend, after an initial technical hitch because we didn't have fire lighters we threw on a whole bag of kindling (overkill?) and I've got to say we did pretty well!  My Dad was the most relieved because his last BBQ took about 4 hours and I think the food ended up being oven cooked because the coals didn't get hot!

J & I went to London last weekend and spotted on the Underground that the Olympic park is now open (and free) so we decided to have a visit.

I really like what they've done with the landscaping because it's not at all formal and there are lots of wild flowers to encourage wildlife





The park was absolutely packed so although it was a bit too busy it's nice to see the area being used.  I'm pretty sure that before 2012 (and before construction began) it was a bit of a wasteland here so to be able to enjoy it now is quite lovely.

I'm still disappointed that this isn't actually a roller coaster.

I think the helter skelter was £6 to go on, which if you ask me is a complete rip off.  I went on one two years ago at Tatton Park flower show for about a pound!  Grrrr

Despite the pricey food (bring a picnic) there is loads of cool stuff for kids like a climbing wall, fountains and play areas

Back at home my Dad helped me to put together a charm bracelet.  I only asked him for some pliers or something to help pull apart the jump rings and he came back with about 5 different tools, a stand to hold the chain with a magnifying glass and solder.  Result!

This is my first attempt at jewellery making and while it was incredibly frustrating at first, and I stabbed myself with some pliers between the eyes (luckily not in the eyes) I quite enjoyed it.  Actually no I didn't, I liked it when it was finished!!

Sadly it was not made for me and has been given to F for her birthday.  She's a music teacher and her girlfriend is really into tennis so I was lucky to find the most appropriate charms!

I had to make the little rings above the flowers on the end (this is how I stabbed myself) but look how neat!!  Not bad for a first go?

They're all soldered into place to keep them from falling off, no corners were cut here where my Dad was concerned!

Alas I think weekend chores are calling :-(  We had a good old tidy a few weeks ago to be slightly more presentable when the first of our friends came to visit, but now it's state again!

x x x x

P.S I met little O at the weekend and my friends really loved his presents! ♥