A good start

What a productive couple of days I have had. Its amazing what affect a New Year can have on my spirits.  I have finally  finished the hitchhiker scarf. I realised looking at my blog that I started it on 1st December, so I set myself a challenge to finish it before the end of the year, which I did.   Its very warm and I like it, though you wouldnt think it looking at the serious expression on my face!

Ive also started crocheting a  blanket.  I took advantage of the Drops Alpaca sale with 25% off, and topped up my stash of alpaca.

Love this wool, Love the colours, yummy. 

Im doing this pattern and these are my colours. A bright centre, light middle section, just using one colour (wasnt sure how that would work) and the blue/grey outer. Its a nice pattern, but I am finding it awkward joining the pieces as you go, its handling the weight of the blanket as I work it pulls on my crochet hook.

 Ive started already, thought I would make up a small group to see if the colours worked etc. Im happy with it, but its going to be along time in the making.    

 Ive worked out to make a blanket the size I want, I will need 11 more of these blocks of 24 squares, equalling  288 squares. 1 block like the above a month to finish in time for next Christmas, thats quite a commitment, hope I can achieve it.  Ive been doing my sums to find out if Ive enough wool, as I wast using the same ply wool as the pattern. Its so complicated working out the amount, there must be easy way. Its the main blue that I am most bothered about, I need to have all the same dyelots.  Ive weighed what Ivd used and I think I will need another 2 balls.

On the sewing front Ive shortened a pair of trousers, for a friend, that had been sitting around since before Christmas.  One of those projects the longer you leave it the more you dont want to do it. I also altered the 2 garments I wasnt happy with from my 2013 makes (pictures to follow)  So yes a good start to 2014.  Now I need a portable knitting project to carry around in my handbag something simple and small.  I must pop over to Ravelry.  

Cheerio   

 

A Square a day (not meal!)

 While reading about  the lovely Julie over at Little Cotton Rabbits, and how she is on a mission to crochet a square a day, it reminded me of my own blanket that I crocheted  back in 1978, when I was in my first job.  I used to sit at my desk at lunchtime crocheting  a square a day.   My sister and her flatmate also started adding to it, hence there being no colour scheme to it at all. 

Its looking abit sad now, and its taken up residence in Millys basket, but in its heyday it was loved, especially by my niece, who, when visiting Grandmas in the summer holidays always asked for the bed with the pretty blanket (she's 39 this year!)

Keep your fingers crossed because tomorrow I am on a girly day out with 2 of my friends, we are all keen crafters.  But at the moment the one that is driving has got a rotten cold.  If we do go out we are heading to York.  We are intending to go to The Quilt Museum and also Barley Hall.  Now I am very excited about the barley hall visit,  because I get to see all the costumes from some of my favourite TV period dramas, Pride and Prejudice, Cranford, Larkrise to Candlford. The Duchess, The Kings Speach to name but a few  Im a big Jane Austin fan and  I  believe the BBC shine when they make a period drama.

IM SO EXCITED I DONT KNOW IF I'LL SLEEP TONIGHT !!!!