MACRAME MONDAY

My kind of morning 😊

I took the day off work today and signed up for a macrame workshop. Some of you may remember my feeble attempt at macrame a couple of years ago… But I am quite proud of my efforts today and have a pretty bookmark to show for my efforts.

The workshop was run by Louise from Lilly Dilly’s and was held at Bodenham Arboretum. Louise talked us through making the bookmark and showed us how to do the individual knots against the backdrop of the lake and the sound of the ducks quacking. A very productive yet relaxing morning❤

Woolly wishes,

Jane ♡♡♡

WINDING UP JUNE!

Flaming and raining…

June seems to have flown by. All of my excitement at the end of May has waned. Work has been incredibly busy and I barely feel as if I survived the month but I have a few days off now to recharge and get back on track 😎

I have sold one item at the craft shop so a long way from making a profit but thrilled that someone liked it enough to pay for it.

I have started a baby blanket in white (a divine bamboo and cotton mix) which I am working on when I have the energy to focus but the rest of the time I am playing around with bits of yarn and a hook with the intent of making a blanket for Lucia N’s little camper.

And my nephew finally sent me a photo of him modelling the cable knit that I recently sent him. 😆

So bring on July, I’m looking for energy and inspiration! !!

Woolly wishes,

Jane ♡♡♡

BAMBOO ON BAMBOO…

But what about the pandas 🐼🐼🐼

I have started a baby blanket in white for a friend who is going to be a grandma later this year. The pattern is an old Sublime pattern that I have used before and shown off on this space.

So difficult trying to prevent white from looking grubby.

I am using my bamboo needles and a bamboo and cotton mix yarn. It is sooo soft. I really feel the urge to work a shawl or a scarf in it in the future as it is doing a good job of draping so far.

More to follow I’m sure😉

Woolly wishes,

Jane ♡♡♡

STASH-BUSTING IN 2021 #18

Swatching. ..

My next big project is going to be a crocheted throw for Lucia the camper. Now I’m not a natural hooker but I would much prefer to do something in one piece and I don’t think I have knitting needles long enough to hold all the stitches that I need 🤔

So I have been experimenting with stitch combos

As can be seen these haven’t been blocked but I’m just practising the hook movements. I quite like the trebles with the raised circles but think that might be a bit ambitious plus my maths may not be up to the task of working out the spacing evenly. I really got my knickers in a twist with the basket weave stitch but thought I could manage the chevron.

Obviously that is only a tiny chevron so ta dah

*A bee kindly obliged and visited the clematis while I was taking this snap. I returned the favour and waited until he had finished before removing my chevrons!*

I have done a few rows to give me an idea of stitches/width and blocked it. So my throw is going to be all ziggy and zaggy😉

Woolly wishes,

Jane ♡♡♡

WOOL THERAPY

Or Storage Wars…

I have taken to crocheting little baskets as a means of de-stressing. There is a bit of a history in basket making and the troubled mind. In the grim days of institutions for those suffering with their mental health a key therapy was basket weaving! Admittedly they were proper baskets made with willow not my woolly numbers.

*A single brown basket and a cluster of blue/yellow baskets*

The multi-colour jumble contains 3 storeage baskets.

If nothing else my double crochet stitches are improving and I have worked out counting for the round. I have used aran weight yarn from the stash and a 4mm hook to give a tighter weave.

Over the weeks I have made quite a few of these and now I am running out of things to put in them 😄

Woolly wishes,

Jane ♡♡♡

SELF-HELP IN 2021 #4

A walk and a squalk….

Or rather a hiss!!!

I walked into Bewdley for some fresh air, exercise and some milk (I don’t even drink the stuff!) and I came across the goslings. I tried to get close enough for a picture of a scruffy but nonetheless cute gosling but sadly I incurred the wrath of the adults 😶

Calming down with a cup of tea I am about to sew up the raglan parts of the cable knit for my nephew so that I can do the neck – yes still a little bit of knitting left. Apologies just this progress report, no photo.

Wishing you all a wonderful woolly weekend.

Woolly wishes,

Jane ♡♡♡

SELF-HELP IN 2021 #3

I don’t appear to be helping myself much….

A couple of days ago I went for a good long walk through Bewdley, across the fields to Ribbesford and then back along the river home. It was a bit blowy but great to get some fresh air. Passing the Old Grammar School I had to take a picture of some flowers arranged by the Guides for Bewdley in Bloom.

*I wonder if there is still a flower arranging badge? There was in my day but I could never aspire to it😄*

We have goslings on the river as well. Very cute but the parents are very protective so no chance of getting a close-up let alone a selfie with them 😏

Now I walked into town today to get some bread and got soaked, it was hammering down with rain. The geese and goslings were on the same patch of grass. Well all except one little gosling. Bless him he was trying to work his way up the steps but they were much bigger than him. His mum was having a right go! But for my healthy respect of the adult geese I would have gone down and given the poor guy a hand. Happily on my way back he was with the rest of the family tearing up grass with his beak 😊

Woolly wishes,

Jane ♡♡♡

WINDING UP APRIL

An up and down month…

The month started with a cute chick and lots of bunnies!

But since then I feel I have been resting on my laurels…

I have been working on my nephew’s cable knit aran. I have completed the front and back and before the month is out (ie tonight) I should have completed a sleeve!

But I have done some reading this month which fills me with a real sense of achievement!

May May be more woolly and booky😉

Woolly wishes,

Jane ♡♡♡

STASH-BUSTING #13

Unlucky for some…

The weather has been glorious today. After mowing the lawn and pulling up some troublesome stinging nettles I have enjoyed an hour’s al fresco knitting. All that vitamin D should help my immunity 😄

I have been working on the first sleeve of my nephew’s cable aran.

**Half a sleeve is better than no sleeve!**

Please ignore the dying primula in the background. The warm weather has taken me a bit by surprise and I haven’t really got into a watering routine yet😕

So back to the sleeve. Another 20 rows to go on the increase sequence and then once it is the desired length I will start on the raglan shaping. He’s not going to get it for chilly spring days but he does live in Scotland and there is generally a chill all year round 😆

Woolly wishes,

Jane ♡♡♡

SELF-HELP IN 2021 #2

Now I’m not a book review sort of girl but…

I probably haven’t read a book in over a year with all the pandemic pandemonium I have been unable to focus but I have just finished The sixteen trees of the Somme by Lars Mytting and what a read!!!

The story is about 16 very old walnut trees that grew in the Somme, were poisoned which made the wood very beautiful and desirable and then disappeared. Ok I hear you thinking?

Actually the trees impact 3 families in the 20th century. Starting with massive loss in the First World War, with tragic consequences in the Second World War and devastation in the early 1970s and finally unearthing the mystery of the trees towards the end of the century.

The action takes place in Norway, Shetland, Scotland and France. We find out about potato farming, all kinds of woodwork, sailing, war and the Resistance. And of course love and loss and the reasons men make the choices they do.

A thoroughly good read, well worth putting my needles down. I don’t think my review has done it justice though 🤔

Back to some knitting in the sunshine.

Woolly wishes,

Jane ♡♡♡