knitting, nature and living with autism in the family
Just popping in to wish everyone a happy new year.
I've been dipping into memories of 2011 by making a month-by-month mosaic of some of the things that made me happy …
Mosaic making to start the year has become something of a little tradition for me …
It's good to have something to remember the good bits by (and to gloss over all the bad bits)
Anyway, here's wishing you a very happy, healthy and fulfilling 2012 xxx
Yay, I've finished my Peerie Flooers and am looking forward to wearing them on my next wood walk with Toby, which will definitely bring me a smile – I do love them!
No doubt there will be quite a few wood walks (weather permitting) over the next couple of weeks because here we are again at the last day of term. Toby went into school this morning laden down with homemade peppermint bark for all of the teachers (this is so easy to make and is really good, so it's now my first choice for teachers gifts).
Tomorrow is the start of 17 days of full-on Toby watching. Keeping him safe and entertained with the changes in routine and the added differences that Christmas brings will be a challenge but hopefully there will be some good times sprinkled in there too. I'm hoping for a quiet and calm Christmas with good food, plenty of sleep and some peaceful walks in the woods (with warm and pretty hands!)
All that remains is for me to wish you and those you love a very merry Christmas and a happy New year wherever you are xxx
Like I said in the previous post, I think warm woolies are one of the very best things about winter and over the years I have built up quite a collection of mittens and scarves…
I do like to keep out draughts when I'm out and about, so chunky wool scarves are a big favourite on really cold days. My yarn of choice for a quick chunky scarf is Rowan's big wool. You only need 2 balls (160 metres) and a pair of size 8 or 9mm needles and within 2 or 3 evenings you can whip up a new scarf. Here's a simple tutorial:
Cast on 17 stitches and work the whole thing in moss stitch which is basically:
(K1, P1) 8 times, K1
repeat this for every row, joining in the second ball when you run out of the first and casting off in the same stitch pattern when you only have around 12 inches of yarn left. Weave in the cast on and cast off ends and you're all set for a windy winters day.
Of course I do have another one on the go at the moment…
This time I'm working in Misti Alpacas cloud-soft, hand-painted chunky baby alpaca yarn, this shade is called Swan Lake.
It's not quite as chunky as the Big Wool but works just as well and it really is super soft.
If you fancy grabbing your needles and casting on a scarf or a pair of mittens then pop over to ravelry where there are literally hundreds of wonderful free patterns to choose from.
Happy knitting xxx
little cotton rabbits 