Aran Teacosy

I've been thinking a lot about new year resolutions and fresh ideas and new knitting projects, but though there's tons of stuff I want to cast on I'm a bit limited by what I've already got, due to the other post-christmas inevitability, tight purse strings. Its very frustrating getting so many books which sob "knit me knit me" on every page, I think every new knitting book should come with £50 cash tucked in the flyleaf to nip down to the LYS with after some serious decision making.

Anyway, some lovely relative got me a Rowan magazine subscription this year, and though the first issue isn't due for some months the free gift arrived straight away - here it is:



Four balls of 'All Seasons Cotton' in beige, its a 60% cotton, 40%acrylic mix with an odd texture, almost like velour. Its machine washable and knit on 4.5 - 5.5 mm needles. As beige isn't my favourite colour (my least favourite is orange, though I do like ginger in all forms) it took me a while to come up with something to do with it. I'm going to try an Arran style teacosy for my grandmother, with the hollow oak pattern pictured in the centre, with an arran braid either side. I haven't tried such complex cabling before so that will be fun, and the whole thing will be small and light enough to post. Its hard coming up with stuff for my grandmother, Marjorie, because she is extremely frugal. In a 'born-during-the-war-and-prefers-powdered-milk-to-the-real-thing' kind of way. However, this should be suitably useful and utilitarian. The teacosy should only take 1-2 balls, so I could also think of something that matches - is it possible to knit oven mitts?


Happy New Year everyone x

birthday

what would a birthday be without a lovely haul of knitting and sewing goodies, especially some gorgeous additions to my bookstash, thanks everyone x



navy kidsilk, green little big wool
Liberty sewing (pencil) box
Sublime Stitching
Knitting America
The Gentle Art of Domesticity
Last Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts
Bend The Rules Sewing
KnitKnit

noelle - a folly

Here is a good sewing tip: it is very difficult, Very Difficult, crossing-the-north-sea-in-a-sieve Difficult, to thread a whole nutmeg. Don't be fooled by the brittle outer shell, it has a true nut core which will result in many bent pins and very sore fingers. Not with a normal needle anyway. In comparison a cinnamon stick is butter.

ah, christmassy mess

I just saw 'The Golden Compass' and wow, did you see Lyra's knitted hat in, like, the entire second half of the film? I reckon it was made with this Rowan Biggy Print - what do you think? I also loved the pinafore she wore at the beginning, that would be so cool as overalls or an apron in dark blue or purple fabric. And the white spotted blouse, and Nicole Kidman's wicked curls.

Today is the last episode of 'Cranford' and I think my heart will break, its so sad and so romantic. 'Ballet Shoes' is on Boxing Day, I've been looking forward to this for months. Thirties clothes rock.

pink and red heart & smaug

pink and red heart1, originally uploaded by A Homely Heroine.

Here's one I made earlier.

oh branwen

I've finished branwen...






acts of lunacy during this knitting -

not picking up enough neckband stitches, far too tight!
having redone the v-neck, casting off in extra stretchy bind-off - a little too loose : (
sewing up the armhole!!
not blocking before sewing
attempting to thread an ordinary needle with chunky wool


but, I didn't give up, and, having completed by first sweater, I think I can now say, I knit.