A DISMAL WET WEDNESDAY

So, the forecast was for a wet Wednesday and indeed that is what we've had. I had to pop out this morning for a while but was quite relieved to be indoors this afternoon with  a cup of tea, some lunch, more tea and the tv on showing a re run of last nights "Last Tango in Halifax" while I got on with my knitting.

(I had my own little nodathon going on between 9 and 10pm last night Oops!)

Here is a sneak preview of the little outfit I'm making for my soon to be grandson. The jacket is also nearly finished but that is in an off white colour. Both yarns are Drops Fabel which I've not knitted with before and I'm finding really nice to work with.

Today also saw the finish of the Drops Harlequin jacket and booties.

I raided my mum's button box and although I have a feeling theses buttons probably came off my dad's old trousers at some time or another, I think they're perfect for the jacket.

I found the booties quite fiddly to make but I think that was because it was quite hard knitting with this colour, not good on the eyes! I am always so relieved when I knit things in pairs that they are actually a matching pair when they're finished.

I'm going to leave you with my post now as I'm off to the kitchen to prepare our dinner, roasted pork followed by plum crumble. Just the thought of it is making me feel quite hungry. Is it me or does everyone feel hungrier when it's cold, dark, wet and miserable outside?

WARM HAT AND NEW YARN

These crocheted hats were a hit with my grandchildren and so quick to make. I did post a photo of the pink one, posing on a salt cellar but they do look so much better actually on a head. I hope you agree!
 I used some left over Drops Big Delight and unusually I managed to use up near enough all of the yarn by also making them both a crochet head band.
They should keep their heads warm on their winter walks to and from school!

I wanted to make them a little something before I start on baby clothes for their little baby brother.

Here is the yarn I have chosen to begin with!

I'm already working on the sleeves of a first size jacket which will also have pants and socks in the blue edging colour.

I know, I have seemed to have bought quite a lot of blue, when there are so many colours out there but, this is just a starting point!

AN AUTUMN LONG WEEKEND AND A NEW HAT FOR JESSICA!

We've just had a lovely long weekend in France, in Carcassonne which is somewhere between Toulouse and Narbonne.

We stayed in the medieval cite which was very busy during the day but at night time, very peaceful!

So nice for there to be some warmth still in the sun, when it was out and to enjoy a coffee or glass of wine while we sat and watched others meandering passed.

Apparently they filmed some of Robin Hood Prince of Thieves here!

And this is the little square where there was an abundance of restaurants and cafes'.

We took a walk through the castle itself and along the ramparts!

I particularly liked the colours of this stain glass window in the cathedral as the sun shown through!

The canal du midi was a nice place to have a slow stroll. There wasn't much boating activity, I suppose because it's the end of season.

When we got back home and despite the fact that I still have one bootie to knit to match the Harlequin baby outfit, I couldn't resist ploughing through the Drops patterns and ordering my yarn for all the baby outfits I intend to knit.

I couldn't resist this crotchet pattern for my grand daughters and spent just one afternoon making this for Jessica with some yarn from my stash.

(I am so sorry about this picture. In my efforts to make it look more photographic and as I didn't have Jessica's head here with me to model it, I draped it over the salt cellar and now I've made it look like a tea cosy!)

I'm now in the process of making one for Charlotte.

At this point, if you've ever wondered, I can confirm that the Drops Delight yarn washes up a treat.

Last night I was just about to tackle the last round of the hat when I had a mishap.

I stopped to have an evening cuppa in front of the tv when the next thing I knew I'd been woken by the feel of gushing tea all over my recently finished blanket, right through to my trousers and beyond.

My crotchet hook was still in my other hand!

Fortunately the hat was not involved in this incident.

I felt a right stupid idiot!

The hat, will hopefully be finished later today!

EXCITING TIMES!

Over the last few days we have received some exciting news. Our daughter in law who had been told that it was unlikely that she could have any more children found out that she is 5 months pregnant and on Tuesday during her scan all was revealed that she is expecting a baby boy. All a bit of a whirlwind but we are absolutely thrilled that in the New Year around about the 25th February we will have a little grandson.

As you can imagine, I am itching to seek patterns, buy yarn and get going with a wardrobe for him BUT I'm holding myself back so that I can finish this little jacket for Kate's friend's imminent baby.

I've just got to sew in the sleeves, knit the collar and sew on the buttons. I'm also knitting the socks from the same pattern (Drop's Harlequin) in the shade of purple. 

It actually looks better for real, my photo skills never seem to capture things in their best light!

I've also this week been baking cakes for christmas, though why shops have to adorn their windows with christmas trees, twinkling lights, snow and santa before we've even had halloween is, as the saying goes, "beyond me!'

These cakes will be wrapped up and stored, not seeing the light of day until at least the middle of December when I'll remember frantically that they need marzipan, icing and some decoration by the 25th.

My grand daughters will be dropping by, hopefully tomorrow (storm permitting!) to mix their christmas cake which they like to decorate themselves every year.  Next year, they'll be 3 of them cooking in my kitchen, what fun!

The approaching storm is certainly a concern. My husband seems to think it won't be as severe as the weather people predict though he is currently clearing out the garage to make room for my little car just incase.

Kate and her husbands family are on holiday in Cornwall and at this moment in time standing at Land's End on storm watch. She called me to say that it was already very windy down there.
Fingers crossed, the storm will pass safely and any destruction and traffic chaos will be minimal.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

MORE FINGERLESS MITTENS & A BABY JACKET ON IT'S WAY!

So my little knitting production line has continued this week.

First and only completed item to be rolled out is another pair of fingerless mittens.

Ive also managed to get under way with a baby jacket pattern by Drops which had me stumped at first (like their patterns always seem to!) and I'm using Drops Alpaca yarn. I have made good progress over the last couple of days and it is coming along quite nicely, I think. One of the sleeves will be knitted in purple and the other, well I'm not quite sure yet, might be in cream, might even be in green. 

 I'm knitting this for one of Kate's friends who's baby is due at the end of the year.

My post is short this week, but I do have one wise cooking tip before I leave you.

When straining noodles, do always remember to use a colander, especially when you haven't any more that you can cook in the cupboard.

Whoosh went the noodles down the sink, leaving a tasty yet lonely piece of salmon languishing on the dinner plate!

My poor husband who was standing agog at my error was warned not to say one word!

BLANKET, FINISHED AT LAST!

So, at long last, I have finished my granny square blanket. Oh yes, it has taken a while! I started it back in July 2012 when I was on a long car journey to our holiday in the Orkney Islands, the first time I'd crocheted since the 1970's. I did struggle with it at first and ended up casting it to one side for many months. Finally this summer I decided enough was enough, picked it up again and really got to grips with it. The pattern is by Drops, the wool, Drops Delight. I didn't quite follow the pattern in the end but I'm pleased it's finished and I'm very pleased with it. I intend keeping it in the lounge, it'll keep my feet cosy as the winter evenings creep in.

Hopefully it won't be too long before I crochet something else, though probably not another blanket, at least, for a while. I'm looking out for some ideas to inspire me.

I've also knitted these fingerless mittens and I've already completed one of another pair. A friend gave me the easy to follow pattern and the wool I'm using is Sirdar, Click, double knit.

It's nice to knit something that is finished so quickly for a change, just a couple of evenings in front of the tv and they're done.

Earlier this week we had a very foggy morning here and walking Charlotte & Jessica to school we saw the most amazing spider webs. I couldn't resist taking a few photos and the girls intend to use some of the pictures for halloween next month. I don't know what for yet but, they said that they will be very useful.

It certainly is a sign that Autumn is well and truly upon us.

 This weekend has seen me out in the garden, cutting back shrubs and tying up hardy plants that though straggly now are still giving such a lovely display of colourful flowers.
A visit to my daughter in law Jo this morning saw her bringing in the last of her homegrown veg from the garden. I returned home laden with tomatoes and an enormous overgrown courgette.
This week soup will be on the menu here and hopefully some for the freezer too!

FINISHED - TICK!

I know we all keep lists of some kind or other either, mentally in our heads, hand-written, perhaps on a back of an envelope or these days stored neatly on our phones/tablets/computers.
I tend to have my lists stored in my head and on my phone.

"My knitting to do's" list is currently sitting in my head.
1. Crochet the border to the otherwise complete granny square blanket.
( This is currently waiting patiently on the chair in the lounge, willing me to get on with it!)

2. A pair of fingerless mittens, knitted this week in just two evenings, but now waiting next to the blanket on the chair, just to be stitched up!

3. Then there's this little baby jacket I've made for a friend of Kate's, baby not due until December. When I got back from holiday I popped out, bought the wool, (Sirdar Snuggly), knitted it, sewed it, sewed on the button and finished it. Why can't I do that with everything I make?

Moving on now to the "DIY jobs that need attention in the household department" list.
We haven't actually got a huge list, but I think it would be better termed as a rolling list. As one thing is ticked off then something else takes it's place.
So since the weekend Michael has made and fixed in place the shelves in our wardrobe and very nice they are too. That's 1 ticked off!
No 2 on the list was to order the parts to repair the taps in the kitchen. (They have drippy tap syndrome!) Done!

Now on to the list goes -
1. Toilet seat cracked in ensuite - order a new one!
2. Hairdryer needs looking at. It had a distinct burning smell when drying my hair this morning and I think it's got a loose wire. Thankfully I have a spare!

Never ending!