Lakeside Forest Blanket

The colours have been chosen, the blanket started. Five crochet hexagons made. Only 94 more to go. I'm using the pattern Lakeside Forest Blanket by Lisa Clarke of Polka Dot Cottage.

The yarn is Blue Faced Leicester DK by Debbie Bliss and I'm using a size 4mm (US G/6) crochet hook. It's 100% British wool in 50g balls. The colours as follows:

Grey #502

Lilac #512

Rose #508

Willow #516

Pale Blue #513

Gold #506

Stone #505

Weekend to do list

This weekend I'm continuing with Kate Davies Ursula knitted mittens started a few weeks ago. They've been shortened to fingerless mitts. Also I changed my intended colour choice of pink (started in the cuff). When I began to knit the pink, the fair isle pattern was very faint against the grey background. I decided to change to the orange leaving the pink still in evidence at the cuff. I would like a matching pair of gloves so I'm still keeping the pink there on this second glove.

I've been reading Maggie O'Farrell's novel 'The Distance Between Us'. I'm half way through and know that I won't be able to put this down towards the end. So far it's a very good read.

This is the first of 99 crochet hexagons for my most recently started project.The pattern Lakeside Forest Blanket is by Lisa Clarke of Polka Dot Cottage. It's a very easy and well written pattern so I'm hoping to actually complete this blanket ahead of the cold weather. Lisa includes advice on how to make alternative colour choices. I'm opting for a mix of colours for the circular centres, a contrast cream band surrounding each colour and an all over grey background.

For a while I've been eyeing up Debbie Bliss's Blue Face Leicester DK yarn (a change from my usual Shetland wool). There are 16 colours in the range, these are the one's I have at the moment for my crochet blanket. This is a lovely yarn to work with...

Crochet Stool Cover

Recently finished is this crochet stool cover made with left over cotton yarn. The pattern is free and came from Annemarie's Haakblog. Instructions are in English and Dutch.

weekend to do list

Knitting, crochet and a bit of reading from this months Mollie Makes. Recently started are the Ursula Mittens by Kate Davies from her book Colours of Shetland, also available as a single pattern download from Ravelry. I'm using  some of my Jamiesons of Shetland stash in a different colour way.
 

 

Next I'm making some crochet glass jar covers using spare cotton yarn. Inspiration came from my current favourite granny chic book  'Dottie Angel'.

 

Here's another jar cover in progress. Well, I like them so much I needed to make another one...

Creative Displays with Knitting Needles

Okay, so I know the best way to store your knitting needles is flat, straight and in a fabric wrap....but these look so much nicer...click on the image to see the board on Pinterest.

The Age of Brass and Steam Kerchief

I downloaded the free pattern for The Age of Brass and Steam Kerchief by Orange Flower from Ravelry. On Thursday evening I started knitting and finished the project on Sunday evening. I didn't spend the entire weekend knitting, this was something I picked up and put down between doing other things. There's just enough stocking stitch without having to concentrate, but not so much it becomes a chore. The eyelet lace pattern is easy to follow and just enough to break up the stocking stitch. 

A lovely, easy and simple, well written pattern. I love the finished item. I would definitely like to make more in different colours.

Yarn and Needles

x1  200m (219yds) skein of Rowan Creative Linen. 

size 5.5mm circular needles.

weekend to do list

On the needles is The Age of Brass and Steam Kerchief by Orange Flower. It's free to download from Ravelry. I started this off yesterday evening on 5.5mm straight needles and have a set if circulars ready to transfer the stitches onto as the number of stitches increase. This is a simple triangular shawlette. So far I'm enjoying this pattern which is easy to follow and progressing quickly. The yarn is Creative Linen by Rowan.

On the 'to finish list' is a 6 inch diameter decorative embroidery hoop. This evolved as it went along with no plan other than to incorporate the pretty buttons.

Reading material is this delightful book from Tiff Fussell 'Dottie Angel'.

More about this book at a later date...