First Knits of the Year

I cannot quite believe it is nearly the end of January! Where does the time go?
There has been knitting - a late Christmas present for a special friend who has had a horrid 2010.

Pretty Thing by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee

It turns out I now have the required brainpower for lace. Made in Posh Sophia 2ply is a a gorgeously soft cashmere hug. It used about 17g of yarn, so I have enough left over from a 55g ball for possibly two more!

Then there is the first FO of the year - Godfather socks for Thomas in left over Hazel Knits yarn from my Oolong socks.

Named Godfather socks because they were knit whilst watching the Godfather trillogy over New Year. They are a little big yet - but at the rate he is growing it won't be long before they do fit.

I'll be back soon, with a new hat and tales of a weekend away in a Convent in York with many other knitters and a few babies thrown in for good measure.

A fabulous Christmas Hat

A quick video, of Thomas' first solo swing, and his fabulous Christmas hat from the wonderful Roobeedoo


All he needs to do is point and he has the catalogue pose down to a tee


The hat is the wonderful Brownie from Twisted Woolly Toppers. I may have to make myself a matching one!
Thank you Roo, we both love it!

6 Months Today

How time flies....

He is a very happy little chap.

Who can now sit up on his own for quite a long time!

Afternoon Tea

Daily Shoot photo for today - Make a photograph today with a diagonal line leading the viewer's eye through the composition. #ds415

2010 - A review

2010 has flashed by in a whirlwind. It started with the announcement of a baby on the way and Thomas arrived in July. Some days have been magical and some days I've been in tears the whole time. I was completely unprepared for the emotional rollercoaster I found myself on following his birth. I am extremely grateful to all my friends (on and offline) getting me through the tough days, offering help and advice. However things have settled down nicely now. I (mostly) know what day it is, I'm (mostly) dressed before lunchtime and am very lucky to have a bit of time for myself in the evenings thanks to a little boy who loves his sleep nearly as much as I do!

Despite the arrival of Thomas, I have still managed quite a productive year. 25 completed projects, not counting the little boy himself... 6 baby cardigans/jumpers, 5 blankets (I only seamed the Lizard ridge but there is one more not pictured that needs the ends sewing in), 5 pairs of adult socks, 3 pairs of baby socks, 3 hats, 1 child-sized cardigan, 1 toy and 1 Christmas stocking.
13 completed before Thomas' arrival and 12 after! Not bad going for a new Mum.
1. Mayrose, 2. Hemlock Ring Blanket, 3. Rumpled, 4. Rainbow Wooleater Blanket, 5. May Baby Sweater, 6. Roo, 7. Spring Shoots, 8. Socks for Mathilda, 9. Caretta Caretta, 10. Swirl Hat, 11. Owl, 12. Thomas in his Garter Yoke Cardigan, 13. Tom's socks, 14. Golden feet, 15. Lizard Ridge Blanket for p/hop, 16. Lollie, 17. Labour socks, 18. Thomas - 3 months - 07/10/2010, 19. Surtsey, 20. Brown Oz Vest, 21. Autumn Socks, 22. Twin 1 Granny, 23. Twin 2 Blanket, 24. Thomas' Christmas Stocking, 25. Brown Handspun Jumper

The plan for 2011?
1. There are some very old WIPs that I really need to finish. My Kureyon Hexagon blanket, started in March 2006 being the main one; and these two pairs of pesky long socks.

2. Finish my Knit Love Club parcels from last year. I kept up until Thomas was born, I am thinking of these as my sock club for 2011.

3. Sort out the stash. I've started this, and everything is now neatly boxed and back in the loft. I just need some time to update Ravelry.

4. Back to Weight Watchers to lose the baby weight (so I can fit back into my favourite jeans and Vine Yoke cardi!)

5. More baby blankets - another friend has a baby due in March and I'm sure there will be more!

The final FO of the year

Thomas'Christmas jumper. It started off as a mix of various ideas blogged about here.
I used some handspun Peregrine fibre and Yarn Yard Bonny held double and made it up as I went along. Luckily I had just enough of both to finish it.
It looks a bit of a strange shape.
However it fits perfectly!

And it is lovely and cosy and warm!

Started: 20th November 2010
Finished: 28th December 2010
Yarn: Yarn Yard Peregrine fibre handspun and Yarn Yard Bonny in Conker
Needles: 4.0mm
Pattern: I started off with the Garter Yoke cardigan for the yoke and then improvised the rest.