I Knit for Macmillan Cancer Nurses and Other Musings...

Hi All

Well it's been a couple of weeks or so...can you believe that we are actually at the end of September. Whoever is messing with the time warp and calendar please stop it now... I can't keep up!  Seriously though, I know I am in my later years but time is definitely not the same and is Bolting away (see what I did there :)) Waaaay to fast - soon it will be that time again...Chri....as Day...Shhhh don't let anybody know :))

Anyway, how have you all been - creating lots I hope.  Last Saturday I took my mum to the I Knit shop in Waterloo for a knitting event that was to support and donate to the Macmillan Cancer Nurses. A lovely time was had by all with some gorgeous tasting cakes and plenty to imbibe.  Lots of knitting done, of course, with some very lucky knitters winning stunning shawls and hats on their raffle tickets.  Even some handmade stitch markers were won - a worthy event with great company and cake.  What more could one ask for? Lol

As you can see, below, a group of hands are busily knitting away at said event.  I should have taken pics of the tasty cakes but they were probably all gone by the time I got round to it:))

Busy Hands

At the present I am gearing myself up for going to the Knit and Stitch show at Ally Pally (Alexandra Palace) later in October.  Really cannot wait for this event and I and my good knitting buddies will be pulling along our trolleys, ready to part with cash for some jolly goodies, can't wait. See you all there.

 Soooo while waiting  for the above to begin, I have been putting together a little garment for another little person who recently made their appearance on this planet of ours.

Cool Red Knit White Stripe

Hope the little man's mum likes it - I just sent it off today so I am hoping for pleasing reaction very soon as it is a surprise gift.  Looks quite funky against the mint green background, I think.

I have also been busy re-fitting some other garments that I knitted for winter...the weather is stunning at the moment with quite warm temperatures for this time of the year - BUT  - we all know what's coming round the corner, now don't we.  Got to get those winter warmers out and on people...

Rustic Brown

This is done in a lovely chunky yarn - not pure wool but a good quality acrylic.  It really is quite squidgy, almost can't wait for winter.

Same cowl only worn at full length  -  simple ridge design.

Minty Cool

This minty number was knitted in two different colour strands of chunky loveliness which means that this cowl is exceptionally cosy.  Again, I have used good quality acrylic - I think I must have had such a stash of the green, lurking around, that that I had to do something with it.  I love using two strands of different colours as you're never quite sure on the resulting effect. 

Again, the same Minty Cool cowl but drawn up closer to give a cosier feel and appearance.

Creamy Tweed

This tweedy piece has not photographed very well so you can't see the detail - but it is in a chunky wool and acrylic mix and I have fastened a knitted flower in the front.  Again, unfortunately, this does not show up very well on this photograph.  Still I think it looks rather fetching against the black jumper.

Not only am I working on lots of winter items but I have been asked to make a couple of rabbits which is going to be fun - I haven't been asked to make an animal before, so am enjoying this challenge with a great sense of fun imaging the children who are going to play with them for years to come.  When I have got a bit further on, with the project,  I will post a pic to show and tell.

Can I just say a little word regarding the plight of the refugees.  Please all you knitters or crocheters out there spare a thought for the children.  I know it seems obvious but as winter is approaching and babies are still being born, they are going to need all the warmth they can get.   Knit a couple of hats or bootees and take to your local charity shop or maybe there is a local yarn store, near to you, who is collecting for them.  Below is a small selection I had in my stock that I took down to the I Knit shop in Waterloo, as they were asking for hats for everyone - not just children and babies.  Also blankets will be needed... I don't know if I Knit is still asking for these but you could always ring them up and ask.

Kiddies Hats

Hats and Bootees

Well, time for me to go but I will be back shortly to show and tell.  Oh, before I go I am ashamed to say that I have not done any spinning since the last time I posted about it.  I will, I will get round to it, I promise...until then create and be happy.

Lovely Day - Yarn in the City...

Hi all

Not been around for a little while - so much to do with sooooo little time.  Anyway, better late than never so here goes...

Yesterday, Saturday 5th September, can you believe that we are already in the 9th month of the year - where has the time gone...so much time has just zipped past...sorry for digression but really someone is messing with the calendar.  Anyway...yesterday was a lovely day spent at Chelsea Old Town Hall at the Yarn in the City pop-up market.  Lovely to see so much talent in one small hall with so many talented knitters wearing their own makes...lovely to see.

I went with my two buddies Jenny and Maggie and we all three had a wonderful day chatting, browsing, spending and eating some lovely ginger cake that Maggie brought. Thank you my friend - it was gorgeous.

I was quite specific in what I wanted to buy  which was better than making purchases for the sake of it - that will come in October at the Knitting and Stitching Show in Ally Pally... can't wait for that one.

So what did I buy?  Well, for some time now I have wanted to learn the art of spinning, so I bought my first drop spindle kit from Porpoise Fur.  I was really excited except when I looked at the spindle, on closer inspection at home, I noticed that it didn't have a notch...so I created one this morning, hope it works.  As you can see below, the colour of the roving ( I hope that's correct, if not, please feel free to send a comment to correct me) is quite scrummy.

I also bought, from John Arbon Textiles 200gms of Exmoor Bluface to practice with...I am so excited about this and have to say the inspiration for wanting to spin is from Amy Edwards Green (whom I first met, many moons ago, it seems, from  the Hobbycraft days in Croydon) on her great blog Stranded...truth, life & yarn.#  Although it was a passing thought for a few before meeting Amy, when she brought some yarn she had spun herself, to the knitting group she used to run, I was quite taken and she is always so enthusiastic.  So thank you Amy...:)

200gms seems a lot but I'm not sure how much I will get out of it - I do realise that there will be many mistakes before I become proficient.  Oh well, nothing ventured nothing gained!

I love buttons and now have about three tins full, although I'm sure I have some more stashed away else where.  However, I think they look so inviting when stored in a vintage looking tin.  I also love tins but they have to be beautiful as well as practical, the perfect balance.

I always feel the need to have more buttons and these, below, were from the Textile Garden stand.  They have the most gorgeous buttons and  fastenings so  If you fancy something out of the ordinary  check out their website.  

These buttons are quite small but would look lovely on a simple cardigan or jumper, possibly at the neck, for a jumper or, perhaps, three on the cuffs of knitted top or shirt...mmm I reckon they would look rather fetching on a blouse with  a high neck and at the cuffs of a blousey sleeve.  I love shawl pins and had to buy this one.  So all in all, although my purchases seem quite small they were exactly what I wanted and I came away from the market a very happy bunny indeed.  Roll on the next event...

Also got some patterns (like I need more, right?!) but they are lovely and you could take as many as you wanted for a generous donation to Medecins Sans Frontieres.  A very worthwhile charity that does so much good around the world.

So all in all, although my purchases seem quite small they were exactly what I wanted and I came away from the market a very happy bunny indeed.  Roll on the next event...

I have also been busy with my needles clacking away and finishing a few hats including a little jumper for a very cute newbie onto the planet.  I hope he and mum like it.  Can you see the cat button? - I bought that from Ultimate Craft on Stoke Newington High Street.  A handy store that I pop into, regularly, just to see if they have anything, sometimes on a last minute basis.  They are not particularly high end but they always seem to have something that I need and so they are worth a visit from time to time.

I know it is probably too big but he'll grow... I love the stripes, kind of reminds me of a rugby t-shirt.  Moss stitch always gives a garment such sense of style and I love its texture, also...

A bobble hat for an adult with a smallish head lol - the colour of a summer sky and...

a lazy slouchy for someone with a cool head. 

Until the next time...

Create and be happy :)