Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Bella Paquita

I can't believe I only have 5 days to finish this. The knitalong started in mid Feb and it is due to finish at the end of March and I've made no significant progress since the progress pics. Oh well...... I guess I won't be meeting the deadline. My only excuse is that I have tendonitis is my wrist which has been hampering progress. I'm off to see the physio tomorrow, so I hope help is at hand.

Pattern: Bella Paquita by Marnie Maclean
Yarn : Rowan Calmer in Coral
Needles : 4.5mm
Size : small
Thoughts so far: I've forgotten how much I love Rowan Calmer! I can't wait to finish this.


Sunday, March 16, 2008

Easter bonnet

I can't believe that it's almost time for the Easter break for the kids. I'm sure it was only yesterday that they had the Christmas break. Anyway, I'm sure I'll enjoy having them all at home with me. (NOT!)

We've been busy with some Easter preparations. Aidan will be participating in the Easter bonnet parade in school and we spent the last week making the bonnet. Most of the discussions went something like this:
Aidan : But Mum, I don't want to wear a bonnet, it's too girlish!

Aidan: But Mum, why do you have to make it. Why can't we just buy one!
(Obviously, my son has no faith in my crafting ability!)

Aidan: I don't want any flowers or daffodils. That's too girlish! Maybe just some grass.

So after all that, I made him a top hat, with grass and glued on some Easter chocolates. I hope he's happy.




I've also been suffering from slight tendonitis in my right wrist. Although it's too painful to knit, I can't seem to knit for long before everything feels stiff. So I cast on for a super quick and easy hat for Keira. The pattern is Lola from Rowan Babies. I knitted it in GGH Samoa. It took a few hours to finish. And I loved making the flowers.
This is Zoe modelling the hat.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Spring???

I had a post prepared (in my head) about how lovely March has been. Sunny, bright, cold (ish) and wonderfully spring-like. But the weather has turned disgusting - wind, rain and yucky grey skies!!

This is what is was like out of my window on Monday.
These 2 photos were taken last Friday, what a contrast.

Sunday, March 02, 2008

Mother's Day

I know this is not celebrated on the same day all around the world. But it's Mother's Day in the UK. Look at the wonderful cards which the kids made.
This is from Keira. It's a flower made from her hand prints.
On the back of Aidan's card, it said "My mummy is special because she helps me with my writing and gives me lots of hugs".

I never thought I'd be a mummy, let alone a mummy to 3 beautiful lil ones, but I couldn't imagine doing anything else. Love you all, lots!

Saturday, March 01, 2008

Projects for the month

It's been a long time since I started a new project. And since I have been super good (in my opinion!) at finishing a few old WIPs I felt very justified in casting on for a few (well 3 to be exact!) new projects.


In the last few years of blog reading, I have been following the participants of Project Spectrum have been very impressed by their influences and projects. This year it is PS Elements -(Fire, E arth, Air and Water). For Feb and March, it's Fire the colours red, orange and pink. I had that in mind, when I cast on for my new projects.


First up is a dress for Keira. A basic bottom up, knit in the round variety, with ruffles at the hem. (made up as I go along!) I must have been mad when I decided to knit this in Rowan 4 ply Soft. I had to cast on about 600 odd stitches to create the ruffle. Ugh! It's not better now, it's still about 300 odd stitches per round. UGH! As you can see, progress has been slow. It didn't help that I left my knitting at the gym for about a week.
Secondly, we have Socks on Fire in Araucaunia sock yarn in variegated reds. The sock pattern was specifically written for PS Elements and is a free download on Ravelry. I'm really enjoying knitting socks again! The only problem is that hubby broke one of my dpns. They were Brittany Birch ones too!!!! his only comment was - "Oh, I thought they were normal bamboo skewers and that you were being very inventive." This project is on hold until I can get into town. My LYS has no dpns, actually their stock of needles was very poor.

I'm going to write about new project number 3 later. Baby has been trying to help me type and this is taking forever!!!