Classic Jumper

Not much knitting is done by me any more although it's how I started my crafty life many years ago. I believe I was still around 5 or 6 when I learned how to knit from the older sister of a school friend. After that I did a lot of it till working life took over. I took some gorgeous knitting classes back in the early eighties but then I started a City & Guild Course in Embroidery so knitting started to take second and then third place (once I became an art quilter).

So when I started to destash my books, many of my knitting books went to other, more loving homes but I kept a few of them, because I could simply not bear to part from them. One of those was Marion Foale's Classic Knitwear; a beautiful collection of 30 original patterns, published back in 1985. I still remember how much I wanted this book and how happy I was to get it. So it stays on the shelves but I felt it had to then earn it's place and last winter I chose the Classic Jumper pattern (in 4 ply) and made it using a variegated yarn. The finished pieces stayed in my knitting basket over the summer as I couldn't wear it (pure wool) at that time but now that this winter is upon us I got my skates on (not literally!) and sewed it together. This is the result and I love it.

So much so that I have now started this winter's project and it is the sweater from the same book, called Schooldays, also in 4 ply and pure wool. I'm using the same yarn but in a different variegated colour way. Whenever I start knitting again I wonder why I stopped. It's just so relaxing! And I love the results.

Cardigan

I received a real fright today when I went into one of our old cottage rooms which we mainly use for storage till John gets around to painting and decorating (we've only lived here 14 years!!!). I reeled back in shock as I thought there was someone standing there. The room is quite dark with only one small window so it's hard to see clearly.

After getting myself together I realized it was my mannequin standing on the table with the cardigan on that I recently finished knitting. I had totally forgotten that I was going to take photographs and post them on the blog. The mannequin has been in my possession for many years and came from a shop that was closing, so she was a free gift. I used to do quite a bit of dressmaking back then before quilting etc. got in the way and used her as my model. She did have hair in those far off days but I've no idea where that disappeared to. She's now totally bald and I think this is what gives her such a frightening countenance, as you can see. Her blue eyes are a little too lifelike for comfort as well!

The cardigan was knitted during the long, wintery and snowy months of December and January as the light was simply too bad during the evenings to continue stitching and I seem to be unable to just sit still and watch television. So I obtained the pattern (from Araucania Collection Book 3, pattern 4), the wool (Araucania Toconao Multy, Colour 415) and knitted away. I'm really pleased with the results and love the wool, which is hand-dyed in Chile beautifully. The blue buttons came from one of the buttonboxes I can't stop myself from buying on Ebay!

A bit of knitting

Finally I've finished a scarf which I have been knitting for over 2 years now. It was meant to be ready for last winter but at least it's done now and it looks lovely!

I fell in love with the book with the pattern in it at first sight. Even the outside of the book looks delightful as you can see above.

All the patterns use THE most gorgeous wool I have ever seen, made in Canada and called Koigu Painter's Pallet Premium Merino (mostly bought on Ebay by me) and this is the Basic Squares Scarf on page 60 of the book! I still have lots of wool left (like all my other hoarding, I must have been thinking all wool would disappear from the face of the earth and therefore I needed to buy it all first!!!) and I've already made a start on a wrap from the same book. Now only question is, do I need some more wool?

Another fall of snow

We had another huge amount of snow overnight so once again we awoke to a white, silent world. No complaints from me, apart from the fact that postie did not manage to make it up the hill but hopefully the mail will make it tomorrow.

Of course the day asked for more wintry pictures and I once again went around and took loads. I just can't get enough of these and the Canon EOS 400D does such a great job, even in subdued lighting conditions. Here are two just to enjoy for you.

This is one of our bird houses, which was made by John himself. It looks beautiful covered with snow!

And here is a belated Christmas tree, and don't they look much more beautiful decorated by nature itself instead of by human hand! We planted all the trees in our garden apart from one or two, when we first moved in 12 years ago and it's just wonderful to see them growing tall and large now!

Of course, snow also signifies cold, and it is indeed quite cold but I have to say that I must be getting more and more used to it. When we first moved in I used to spend the whole winter wrapped in mutiple sweaters, scarves and coats, not to mention boots and gloves, but now I venture outside in just a t-shirt with cardigan, no coat, no gloves and no scarf, but with boots (my crocs just don't suit this weather!). I still have loads of scarves and am still making more as they are such easy and convenient knits of an evening.

I used to knit all the time before I became entangled in embroidery and quilting and knitted my way around the world, when knitting on planes was still allowed. Then I sort of came to a complete halt when those other activities took over my life but the beautiful new yarns drew me in, as well as reading about Jane Brocket's joy in her knitting. So I picked up my knitting needles again and this is one of the first things I made. It's a scarf and it's the yarn that makes this project. It's called Manos del Uruguay which is space-dyed by hand in Uruquay (as you might have guessed!) and it is pure wool. I will try and show you more of my knitting on this blog in the future! The pattern for this scarf is in the public domain and here is where you can find it: Sheep in the City.