The Last Day of The Year

Well here we are... the end of 2008.

I find it difficult to believe that I've been back at work for over a year. I find it even more difficult to believe that I have a two year old son. I feel very privileged. So lucky, I sometimes have to pinch myself.

2008? It was OK. Nothing to complain about at all.

Oh, and to finish the year I finished a project! Yippee! Hooray!

Erika Knight's Stitch Cushion from Classic Knits at Home. I'm happy.

The buttons come from Buttonmania, one of their sales I think.

And here is how it looks on the sofa.

The Friendship Tree

A few days before Christmas my office had its Christmas lunch at a pub on High Street, Northcote. I'd only driven down High Street before - never stopped. It's a bit of a find. The new Brunswick Street. All types of interesting shops and eating places are popping up. The kind of quirky places that used to make Brunswick Street interesting, but are now being forced out because of high rents.

One place in particular caught my attention, The Friendship Tree. It sells Steiner inspired toys. Lots of wool felt and wood. They also sell some craft books and wool felt to make your own creations. Two types of felt in fact - machine and hand made - in really good colours.

I bought a book, Feltcraft: Making Dolls, Gifts and Toys by Petra Berger, and a family of little pink pigs for Mr S. He adores them and has played with them quite a bit.

Happy Christmas

Mr S and I have been doing quite a bit of Christmas reading. One of his favorite's is Willow at Christmas by Camilla Ashforth. The story of this very loving and gentle bear has captured his imagination.

So I bought him his own Willow for Christmas (aka 'Little Ted' from Playschool). But Willow needed a hat. So this afternoon I whipped one up.

Willow's Hat Pattern

Designed to fit a 31cm head.

Requirements:

1 ball of Shepherd Lambswool Felted in Red (band info: knits to 16.5cm gauge on 5.5mm needles). You will need less than 1/3 of a skein.

scraps of Sirdar Snowflake Chunky in White

5.5mm and 6mm needles (I'm a tight knitter)

Pattern:

Cast on 50st on 5.5mm needles.

Rib 1x1 for 4 rows in Red Lambswool.

Change to Snowflake. Knit 2 rows.

Change back to Red Lambswool and 6mm needles.

Using stocking stitch, knit 6 rows.

Next row: (Knit 2 tog, knit 9 st) 5 times. (45 stitches)

Next row: Purl.

Then stocking stitch the following 4 rows.

Next row: (Knit 2 tog, knit 8 st) 5 times. (40 stitches)

Next row: Purl.

Then stocking stitch the following 4 rows.

Next row: (Knit 2 tog, knit 7 st) 5 times. (35 stitches)

Next row: Purl.

Keep repeating the following two decreasing rows, reducing the number of stitches between the knit 2 tog stitch, until 5 stitches remain. Run yarn through remaining 5 stitches and pull tight. Sew up back seam using mattress stitch.

Sew a few strands of Snowflake to the top of the hat. Secure them by tying them together.

Here is the original watercolour that inspired the hat:

We also finally put up our Christmas Tree. We went to the Stumpy Gully Road Christmas Tree Farm, which was a bit of an adventure in itself. It's the first time I've had a 'real' cut tree since I was probably about four or five. I'm pretty excited about it.

Many of the decorations are handmade (knitted, sewn etc), but I've also invested pretty heavily in a new collection of so called 'shatter proof' (read plastic) baubles!

I have many glass and china decorations, but with a two year old on the loose they are all safely put away in a box. Still the tree looks bright and happy enough. I'm pleased.




Happy Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight!

Christmas Stuff

We have had a very Christmas orientated week.

Mr S' Christmas concert on Tuesday - watching 2 year olds singing 'Jingle Bells' is very amusing indeed! Organised chaos at best.

On Wednesday, Mr S' grandmother (who still does volunteer teaching at the local primary school) had her Christmas concert. Robert took him. They had a lovely time.

And then on Friday the mandatory visit to the city. We caught the train. Everything about trains is fascinating for Mr S - even waiting on the platform.

The Myer windows were fab. This year the theme is 'How Santa Really Works' - based on the Alan Snow book of the same name. Mr S loved it. I bought the book for him a week earlier and we have been reading it. Although much of the detail is too complex for him, he understands the basic concepts.

Then we visited Santa. Followed shortly afterwards by Mr S falling asleep.

It was a big day.

We still don't have a Christmas tree and I'm only half way though my shopping, but things are pretty under control.

I'm also pressing on with the orange aran hoodie for Mr S. Nearly finished the back. Looking good. Photos soon.