Finishing off...

July is all about finishing things off. I'm trying to work my way through an endless list of work tasks before starting my maternity leave, AND to hoover up various knitting and stitching WIPs which are cluttering my mind as well as the house. It's part of the tidying we (I) need to do before the new baby arrives.

Since we came back from holiday, I've made/finished:
- a sundress for a first birthday
- one pair of repurposed red trousers for the bean
- and, the socks I took on holiday...

Alas, because there was a bit of a rush to make the dress I did not take any photos before sending it off in the post. But, we've had a lovely thank you card, so I hope that means the dress is vaguely the right size and shape! Happy birthday Harper!

The repurposed red trousers were made with cut offs from a favourite pair of red trews of mine which had the audacity to wear out! They were fabulous in many ways: I bought them in a sale, they were one or two sizes smaller than I normally wear, they didnt fade at all even after several years of wearing and washing and their in-built stretch meant that they were comfortable to wear. What more could a girl ask for? Anyway, once they had given way in the upper thigh, I cut off the salvageable parts of the legs, and turned them into a pair of toddler trousers. I used a favourite pair of the bean's trousers as a pattern. Because I did not taper the legs in any way, the finished trousers ended up slightly on the flared side (actually, they were quite hilariously flared). Perfect for the late 1970s, but not quite so fashionable now. To cure this malady in the most minimalist way, I elasticated the cuffs - again using the original trousers as a pattern (these also have elasticated cuffs).

The socks have been plodding for some while now, but now that Wimbledon is on (c'mon Andy!), I've been making the effort to pick them up everytime I stop to watch a set or two. Yesterday I finished sock no. 2 - but discovered that I had a reasonable length of yarn leftover. Although I am not normally a perfectionist about such things, in this case I decided it would be worth the effort to lengthen the leg of each sock and use absolutely every gram of this vibrant yarn. So, they are finished, sort of.

Scilliness

Before I share anything else, I must say something about the fabulous holiday we had in the Scillies at the end of May/beginning of June.

We were blessed with 7 days of stunning weather, and enjoyed cloudless camping for a week - which certainly made things a whole lot easier when it came to entertaining and occupying an energetic 2 year old. We still wonder what we would have done if it had been dreich and cold for days on end.... but it wasnt, and we enjoyed ourselves mightily in the sunshine.



The bean learned a lot about the possibilities of sandy beaches, and the enjoyment that comes from squashing whatever it is that your dad has lovingly and carefully constructed (castle, moat, car), as well as the joys of paddling in clear blue-green water. We also had lots of fun looking at and going on boats, looking out for helicopters and eating the occasional ice-cream. It was lovely.

[Oh yes, and the bump didnt get in the way too much, although I did sometimes find getting up off the floor a bit of a struggle...!]

holidays

Next week we're off on our holidays. Nowhere foreign, just plain old England, and the furthest away bit of England from Scotland that you can find.

We are going to the Isles of Scilly. This will involve 2 days of driving, a trip on the infamous Scillonian from Penzance to St Marys, then a short boat hop from St Marys (the main island) on the Firethorn to Bryher, and then along the track to Bryher campsite where we are staying.

This will be the fourth time we have been to Scilly in recent years. Last time we took the bean who was a jolly 8 months or so and not yet walking or talking. Now he's 2 and 4 months, and it's a whole different ball game! But Scilly is a magical place for children - no cars to speak of, lots of beaches, rock pools, tracks, footpaths, places to scramble and explore, and lots and lots and lots and lots of boats.

As we are camping and have to pack all our kit ready to be manhandled from boat to boat to tractor and campsite, knitting isnt high on the list of Things Which Absolutely Must be Packed. However, I'm hoping to squeeze in a wee bit of sock yarn and to finish a sock or two while I'm there. Keep your fingers crossed for fine weather!

We normally take our summer holidays at the end of August and beginning of September, but this year decided that the impending arrival of bean no. 2 sometime in August made that just a teensy bit tricky. So we're going now instead. Who knows whether its a good idea to go camping for 2 weeks when you're 6 months pregnant, but we'll soon find out! Fortunately I carry my babies neatly, and the bump isnt very large just yet (I can still ride my bike without too much difficulty), but I'm not sure how I'll cope sleeping in a sleeping bag with a snoring toddler only inches away and no mountain of pillows to keep me comfy...

Knits in action...

Here's a quick snap of the bobble cardigan in action. We were at a friends house enjoying the spring sunshine and the first lolly of the season, and it seemed to do a good job of keeping the bean warm in the bracing Scottish wind.

Since then I've also finished another of those totty tank tops for the bean. This time in blue with black stripes. I still love this pattern, although I'm coming to the conclusion that the sizings are a bit small. The bean is a perfectly average sized 2 yrs and 3 months, looking quite comfortable in this age 3-4 tank. It's a good stashbuster though, and used up just about 2 balls of the main colour. 2 down, rather a lot to go....(!).

Pattern: Child's striped tank (Rowan Family Collection)

Yarn: Jeager Matchmaker DK (2 x 50g balls, plus oddment of unknown black yarn from stash)

Mods: none, knitted as written - but worked flat on DPNs in order to effect one-row stripes without cutting yarn

Comments: next time may try out the round neck version

Given the number of babies due in and around these parts this year (bump now approaching 6 month mark!) I thought I would cast on for something small and pink just to replenish the stash of baby knits. There's bound to be at least one girl among the babies that come along, so I cast on a bubble gum pink Dolly (Martin Storey for Jaeger's baby book). Two-at-a-time sleeves are almost done -being mostly knit on trains to and from London over the last couple of weeks.

FO: Bobble Cardigan

What happened to March? It's such a long month, but this year it's stolen away without me really noticing. Anyway, news to report: the bobble cardigan is finished (hurrah), has been worn (several times) and washed (once).

Pattern: Bobble cardigan by Zoe Mellor
Yarn: unknown 100% wool bought in a charity shop

Buttons: vintage from the button box

Mods: no bobbles (clearly)
If I made this again, I would: add a bit of length to the arms
Time taken: inordinate for something so small (September 2009-March 2009)

It's great; it looks good on, and the bean seems to like it most of the time. Late afternoon has become a time of ripping off cardigans, and this one is no exception. "Cardigan off mummy" he says and pulls the buttons and buttonholes much too hard for comfort. Toddlers dont really know about handknits, do they? But it looks cute... I'm not sure it will last till he's 3 (this is the age 2-3 size) but no matter, there's plenty of yarn left in the stash.

Another FO sprang off the needles this week: a baby beanie - as always knitted in the round using a grumperina stripe (alternate rounds of colour with no jogs). This one is destined for the head of a newly arrived baby boy (probably called James) who was born at home, in water on Monday evening a year and a day after his parents were married. Many congratulations to you Tim, Tee and baby James (probably).

FO: Lottie (Kim Hargreaves: Rowan Junior)

At last there is something to show for 2009. Here is little Lottie, knit for a sweet 1 yr-olds birthday and now on its way to her in the post....

Knit as written except for the flash of pink at the cast on edge. I had an urge to make it a little bit girly (although I didnt knit the optional flower) and thought the pink would perk up the beige/coffee colour a little. I wasn't completely happy with the neckband though, but time was pressing and it I'm not sure that reknitting would have improved things very greatly. I cant decide if it was me or the pattern.

Here's another much older FO, which I dont think I've ever posted here. This is my delightful 2 year old son, snapped yesterday trying to pinch Lottie for himself. 'Scuse the wild hair - we'd just woken up from a 2 hour nap and had earlier been swimming - never a recipe for ruly locks in my experience!

Simple pleasures

Knitting is such a simple pleasure isnt it? I love the process AND the end result - especially when it is worn and loved and appreciated. There seems to be so much to catch up on, so I'll be short and to the point here.

Much Christmas knitting has gone unblogged, and worse, unphotographed. I sent a pair of mittens and a lacey scarf to friends in Denmark. I also made socks for my dear father - maybe I'll be able to catch them in use next time we see him.

I did however, manage to make myself another pair of socks with the leftovers from Dad's socks. I combined the plain blue from his socks with some of the self patterning yarn from 2008's christmas socks, and used a grumperina stripe (one round plain, one round patterned yarn). I really like the end result, comfy, machine washable, stash-busting and pretty!

At Christmas I was lucky enough to be on the receiving end of some fine knitterly gifts.

My dear husband not only got me a copy of EZ's knitters almanac, but also added membership of Rowan for the year.

I like getting things in the post, so regular instalments of Rowan loveliness via their newsletter and magazine is a great treat. The free gift is a kit to make a bag from 6 balls of rowan denim. As I dont really need any more bags, I'll probably knit something for the bean instead.

I also received this lovely skein of sock yarn from my parents (thanks mum!). I'm itching to cast on, but there are other. things. to. do. first.

One of those other things is finish this: the bobble cardigan (sans bobbles). I need to reknit the collar/neckband as it's a bit flabby, and then finish the seaming and find some buttons. I like the way's it's turning out though...

Meanwhile the first birthday is looming and Lottie is still on the needles. Yikes! Better get on....