A Summer of Small Things

::A tiny (no bigger than 3cm) bobble hat to be included in a shadow box collage of 'likes' my daughter put together for a loved one::

::Slightly adapted crochet bracelets from Pom Pom magazine ::

::Spinning for Tour de Fleece which was great fun::It is a spin along that runs alongside the Tour De France where we spin every day they cycle::

::Then my knitting friend Lisette sent me this beautiful Louisa Harding Kimono Angora Pure yarn to knit the Juliettte scarf which is just so pretty and will be a go to item this Autumn and Winter::You must go and have a look at Lisette's new blog Savouring the Seasons here which is all about farm produce and you will find some delicious recipes too::

::There were these cabled fingerless mitts using Titus which is a lovely British Wensleydale, Blue Faced Leicester yarn with a little UK alpaca and is named for the philanthropist and Yorkshire mill owner Sir Titus Salt::it has a lovely stitch definition and feels as if it will be sturdy but has a soft feel thanks to the addition of a little alpaca::I ordered it from Baa Ram Ewe and I used their Baht'at pattern by Anne Kingstone::

::I enjoyed working with the Titus yarn so much that I decided to try the Limited Edition Goddess 4ply to make the Oleum pattern by Rachel Coopey and this is the Shades of Aire colour way::they are so comfy and I love the unique patterning::The yarn was dyed in collaboration with The Knitting Goddess::sadly the yarn is now sold out::

::So it has been a summer of small things but pleasing in big ways::Hoping your summer knitting and crafting has been equally as much fun::

The Kindness of Knitters

::It was such a lovely surprise when Lisette my online knitting buddy wrote to tell me she had put a surprise package in the post for me::

::When it arrived I was delighted to find a lovely ball of Louisa Harding Kimono Angora Pure from Lisette's stash in the wonderful teal colour that is her favourite.  Lisette suggested I might like to try one of Louisa's scarf designs the Juliet scarf::

::But that was not all - also in the package was a knitting kit for a cupcake pin cushion by Spud & Chloë, a "knitted" china mug with some Downton Abey "downton estate blend", a classic earl grey black tea with vanilla, from The Republic of Tea which has now become my favourite blend of all time::

Box of delights

::It was absolutely the most considerate and exciting package that a knitter could open and I would like to say a big thank you to Lisette for her kindness::

Progressing well so far

::I have also been trying my hand at sewing again lately and have these projects on the go::

• A table top quilt
• A lap quilt
• A trial scoop neck top 

::The little table top quilt was something I started many years ago using the paper pieced method and hand stitching::I finished it and then used my sewing machine on the edging and backing and also for the simple quilting::The other quilt was made from a bundle of Liberty Print fabrics I bought many years ago at the Knitting & Stitching show for about £12 and I used a free Amy Butler pattern too which makes it a very economical project::

Amy Butler's "Brick" quilt

The reverse view

Hand pieced and machine quilted table top quilt

The back

The practice top which I hope to make just as soon
as I find the perfect material

::I have also been spinning and have made up some Fondant Fibre "Penny Sweets" colour way fibre with co-ordinating colour for heel and cuffs for some socks::

"Energized Singles" part of The Knitgirllls Expand Your Horizons Spin along
in Fondant Fibres MCN blend

::The strangest knitting project I did this month was a teeny tiny bobble hat which my daughter asked me to make as part of a picture she was making to give to a friend on his birthday::

This has to be the smallest item I have ever knitted
it probably measures 2.5cm (1/2") at the most

::A long catch up and now I am off for a cup of the delicious Downton Abbey tea and some more sewing and knitting::

Spring Knitting

Overwhelmed

::Sometimes I find that the number of unfinished projects, the wool I have saved for more projects and spinning together with patterns in books, leaflets and pdf files and wool bought just because... becomes overwhelming::

::Combine that with sewing projects of all kinds and the whole crafting hobby could do with some form of control::

::To help deal with this I am planning to finish one project before I cast on or start a new one::

::I went to a new sewing group called Ladies Who Sew in our village hall and took along a patchwork project I have been working on for some years:: I tried not to be too influenced by some stunning work other ladies were producing which in the past would have me rushing off to look for patterns and materials::

::The big question is always whether the hobby is process led or finished item led::

::I think I am always fighting the draw of a new project before I have finished the present one and that ultimately is frustrating::

::Hopefully by finishing some old projects and trying to keep to a certain number of projects on the go I might re-balance the way I work so that I can get a sense of achievement::

• on the needles
• unfinished projects
• future projects

on the needles

::plain vanilla socks::

::baby monster blanket::

unfinished projects

Ten works in progress

::Lush Lava scarf::

::Trileske mittens::

::Mittens for me knit along::

::Felted Yoga bag::

::Denim bag::

::Neptune cardigan::

::Wrist warmers::

::Betty Moette sweater::

::Leaf sock::

::Sparrow shawl::

future projects

::I have wool designated for at least ten more projects::

::I hope my new regime will help me see my hobby with fresh eyes and that there might be more finished items to share and perhaps inspire over the coming months::

::Happy Knitting::