September Review

1. start Lilo and Stitch's quilt

2. finish Christmas stockings

3. finish two pairs of fingerless mittens

4. write and publish the 'Simply' patterns

A start was definitely made on the quilt, but it's far from finished. 

The stockings now need the cuff sewn to the tops of the stockings, and the binding put on.

Two pairs of fingerless mittens were indeed made, and six hats, and another two pairs of mittens.

The 'Simply patterns have not been written.

Atelier 6

Look what's arrived!

It's time to play!

I'm just wondering if I should warn the family that there will be no dinner provided today.

Time for Tea!

A lovely addition to my life, a new teapot. I drink either herbal infusions or loose-leaf tea almost every day. A teapot is a requirement. 

Sadly, my old teapot was no longer up to the task. A few weeks ago, I realised the collar (bit that the lid sits on) had a crack in it. As the collar is plastic it wasn't a big deal, but yesterday, I noticed the plastic sleeve also had a large crack. This had the potential to be far more dangerous. 

While the Beloved was making a pot of tea (in the new teapot) he checked to see the extent of the crack. There was not one but two, on opposite sides. The cracks extended about 90% of the up the sleeve. It really feels as if a nasty accident was only a few days away. Thank goodness we noticed in time! 500ml of boiling water in free fall is not fun!

Starting To Prepare for Christmas Dinner

I think I might have been bitten by the gardening bug. A few days ago I was learning about new potatoes for Christmas dinner. This idea pleased me. 

A bout 10cm of potting compost is placed in the bottom of a large container. Seed potatoes are placed on top, and then covered with potting compost. As the shoots grow up through the compost more compost is added. This continual banking up of the growing medium produces a good yield of potatoes.  

I feel the need to give it a go.

Sew MuchTo Do, Sew Little Time

There's a sale of sewing machines, machines suitable for garments and also quilting. A beautiful new shiny toy is now on order for me.

I want it now! I want to make so many things!

Green Beans!

I still get very excited going into the garden and picking veggies!  

Today, we added fresh green beans to dinner. From plant to pot was less than 5 minutes. There's also an extensive crop of lettuce, and oodles upon oodles of flowers and tiny green tomatoes. I'm looking forward to being able to adding them to my salads.

Simply A Hat

Yarn: King Cole Drifter Magnum Chunky

Composition: 25% Wool, 75% Premium Acrylic

Colour: Berry

Pattern: Simply a Hat

Size: adult

Needles: 6mm

Amount used: 100g

Started: 1 Sep 2019

Finished: 2 Sep 2019

This is a part of a series of designs I have been working on. They are for those just starting out in knitting, or those who like the designs. The pattern has been knitted twice. The first version is in English sentences, and the second in how it would appear in a conventional pattern.

The hat uses the following: cast on, cast off, knit (k), knit 2 together (k2tog) and yarn over (yo).

Using 6mm needles, cast on 38 sts. 

The hat is made from two rows of pattern. The first row is knit 3 stitches, knit 2 together, yarn over, and then knit the rest of the stitches in that row. In the second row, every row is knit.

Repeat these two rows until 120 rows have been knit. Cast off. Leave a tail of yarn around 30cm, and cut the yarn. This yarn will be used to sew the hat together.

The knitting will be a rectangle, with a row of holes near the edge of one side; this is the top. Fold the knitting in half and sew the short sides together. Sew in the other end.

Take a cord and thread through the row of holes at the top. Pull the cord tightly. This will gather the top of the hat and produce a pom pom-like effect. Fasten of the cord. Fold up a brim on the hat, and it is complete.

The cord can be crocheted, twisted, a piece of ribbon, or some strong elastic. If elastic is used, the hat can be worn with a ponytail poking out the top.

----

Using 6mm needles, cast on 38sts.

1. K3, k2tog, yo, k to end.

2. K.

Repeat rows 1 and 2 a total of 60 times.

Cast off, leaving a tail of yarn to sew up the side.

Sew the short sides together. Weave in ends of yarn.

Thread a cord through the row of eyelets.  

Christmas Tree Update

On Saturday, I took part in the "Our Island, Our World" festival. There was lots of interest from people wanting to know why there was a Christmas tree on display at the end of August.

Yesterday, I created a Pinterest board for the project. It was lots of suitable patterns for mittens, gloves, wrist warmers and hats. And then , I started a Facebook group.

So much interest!

September Goals

1. start Lilo and Stitch's quilt

2. finish Christmas stockings

3. finish two pairs of fingerless mittens

4. write and publish the 'Simply' patterns