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.

Christmas 2007

I've spent some time this year making toddler safe Christmas decorations. Here's a selection - I need to make at least four times as many as I currently have to properly fill the tree for next year - so one of my 2008 projects is already determined.

There are two basic methods: wool felt and embroidery; and knitting and embroidery.

Some of the books I found most helpful were Handknit Holidays, Sirdar's Advent Calendar and Christmas things to stitch and sew.

And my New Year's resolution: buy a better camera, I'm sick of this 'happy snap' version.

Happy Christmas

Well, why not... only a week late and on NYE!

It's 11.25pm on the Mornington Peninsula ... I'm safely tucked in my house, with the TV on, Mr S is asleep, and I'm quietly sweltering (it was 34 deg C last time I checked). While more police than you could shake a stick at are supposed to be 'locking down' the general area. All public feastivities are cancelled to discourage young visitors although how you could keep them away from the beach on such a night is a bit of a mystery to me. There was rioting in nearby Rye last year, so no repeat required. But there is enough illegal fireworks currently being let off to be make anyone happy! Bit premature, but that's the youth of today for you.

HAPPY 2008!

Such a long long time!

Wow, can't believe it's been so long since I posted last.

Of course much has happened. I think I stopped cause life just got too chaotic and something had to give, otherwise I would have become miserable.

Mr S is now 14 months! How did that happen?

I've just looked at my last knitting pictures - both the navy Jo Sharp and 4ply red kimono style cardigans have been finished and worn and washed and worn and washed and worn and washed and worn and washed.... it has been a long time since I posted!

Several knitted hats were also completed.

I've knitted another cardigan since then too - Sublime's Brunch Coat - which Mr S wore to his christening in October. Here is the picture from the pattern book:

I'll try and post of a picture of MY version soon.

I've also been knitting toys and Christmas decorations. I want my tree to be full of things that Mr S can suck on, throw about and generally 'have a go' at, without endangering him.

The magic of the post

Love getting packages in the mail. Even when I know what's in them, it's terribly exciting finding them in the letterbox, carrying them inside and ripping them open. No delicate surgical approach for me, I want it open, and I want it open now!

I'm still a bit of a reluctant internet shopper - I like to touch and feel what I buy before I buy it, and security worries me too. But there are some really good internet shops and sometimes the temptation is just too great.

Superbuzzy proved just too much for my self restraint! And a nice little package has arrived.

I am going to make Mr S a pair of Robot pants later this year (for next summer - so need to wait to see what size he is) and a linen shirt to match, with Robot trim...

I also bought some more strawberry fabric for my quilt and some ladybird fabric that I don't know what I will do with

I realised this Christmas that virtually none of my current tree decorations will be usable for the next few years (most of them are German and Polish glass balls and figures). So during this year I am going to knit, crochet and sew a new collection. This fun book (yes another Japanese craft book) has some great little felt toys that will be perfect. Scaled up, some of them would make good play toys too.