And she's back!

Oh my goodness I hadn't realised that I have not been craft blogging for over a year!
So here is a photo round up of my 2018 makes.
Earlier this year I treated myself to a new knitting machine - this one is a mid gauge so will work with 4ply - aran amazingly and DK is brilliant!
I have had two machines since the 80s and really enjoy using them but  there is no denying that getting out the machine is quite an effort compared to picking up a pair of needles. So usually my knitting is by hand.
Recently my hubby had a health scare and consequently lost a lot of weight. Good for him but not so great for the wardrobe - none of his clothes fit!
So I offered to quickly knit 3 everyday jumpers in colours of his choice.
He is very tall and has long arms so hand knitting for him is a real labour of love - of course it made it very worthwhile to get out the machine.
I have a basic V neck pattern for him so I set off on a marathon knitting spree.

I wanted to hand knit some lace work but this pattern had plain sleeves and front so I did those on my new machine - a blend of both techniques!

This yarn knits up well and is very soft so I have adapted my favourite long line cardigan pattern for the machine

 I think Sirdar Baby Crofter is one of my favourite yams of all time. It knits up like Fair isle but without all the hassle and no floats!

I hand knitted the bands for this one but did the big body pieces on the machine which cut down the time for making. I also used quite a loose tension and it's is so soft and cuddly. The evenness of the machine means you use less yarn too!

I love making socks but I hate wearing them so I give all my makes away to friends and family.

This pattern is adapted from a magazine. Simple Knitting issue 176. I love the frill effect and decided to make a pair for my daughter who although a grown up actually has really small feet - size 3-4 and these suit her personality well.

I now use a mixture of sock making techniques. Winwick Mum and Lucy Neatby were my inspiration but now I have an amalgamation of a few different ones which are pretty much my go to technique and then I can add pattern or use a variegated yam.

Persian Tile Throw

I have been working on this project for quite a few months. The pattern is by Janie Crow and inspired by Moroccan tiles. I used Stylecraft Special DK throughout. The colour scheme was chosen by my daughter Katherine to go with her lounge decor.
16 large octagons,9 Persian granny square motifs, 12 Persian granny triangles, 4 small triangles.

catch up on crafting

Sadly the day job interferes with crafting so I don't do as much as I used to. Plus I am doing more work either knitting or crocheting rather than jewellery making.
However here is a round up of some of my more recent makes:

a baa ble hat for me - huge fun to make knitting in the round with simple intarsia work

I bought myself a new bobble maker too

 this rainbow jumper is a family tradition that goes back over 30 years so of course Joel had to have one - the his mummy wanted one - then his aunty!

a variegated yarn makes a cute hoodie with a kangaroo pouch style pocket

a spring jacket in magpie

My current project is a Persian Tile throw for daughter#2. The original looks like this

but Kathy's lounge colours include grey, maroon and purple so this is the colour scheme she has gone with

It is quite a complex project and a large throw so I may be some time.......

My makes this year

I haven't made much Jewellery this year because I have been working on knitting and crochet most of the time.
So I thought I would gather the pictures together .
I haven't been able to get all the pictures but here is a good sample.

21st birthday present

My business partner has a daughter who is just 21 and I have made a blue opal necklace for her.

The feature connector and clasp are Stirling silver.

It is very delicate and I think will go well with her dark hair.



I also made a card and this time remembered to take a picture!

Hope she likes the necklace.

Autumn outfit

Now that the cooler weather is here I have pulled out the knitting needles and made a little cardigan/jacket for my grandson.

This pattern by King Cole uses a lovely bubble type rib stitch that leaves a very warm texture and plenty of stretch.

This is one of my daughter's favourite patterns and as it knits up really quickly I am more than happy to help.

The cute hat is knitted as a square with pom poms in each top corner.

I made a set of mittens with thumbs to keep his hands warm

So what I have been up to?

I haven't been blogging for ages, mainly due to work but also because I've been occupied knitting for my first grandchild. Joel arrived on August 1st so now I know I am knitting for a young man I have tweaked my pattern choices.
Before he was born I kept things fairly neutral, steering away from overtly  pink!
This is a gallery of my creations so far.