Monday, October 31, 2011

A little bit of this, a little bit of that...


Happy Halloween everyone! I hop you have been out with your kids and managed to scare the neighbours into giving the kids some chocolate for you to eat when they're in bed put away and keep for them for another day so they won't be sick.

My kids are at a little post trick-or-treat party in their friends' house so I thought I'd take advantage of the peace and quiet to share some pics from my weekend with you! No sewing, not a bit (eek!) but thanks to everyone's suggestions for where my mojo might have been hiding. I've come to the conclusion that it has emigrated to a less busy and stressed climate but I think it might be on the way back after a weekend of chilling out with my family and meeting some friends.

So what did I do? Well, a lot of this:


And a little bit of that:



I have the back done on my cardi and am half way up one side (sitting by my dad's roaring fire is very conducive to knitting). Its not brilliant, my tension is way too loose but I am enjoying it and hopefully it will be wearable at the end. The yarn is a cotton/bamboo mix and just divine to knit with.

The crochet is half a motif from this floating wrap pattern:

                                                                      Source: crochetbyfaye.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest


Well, its supposed to be a half circle, I know its not but hoping that it will be ok when I put them all together and join them.

When I was pulling those projects out to take some pics right beside the patio doors today to get the best of what little light there was, I found these little cuties at the bottom of my knitting bag. Some crochet coasters I made a while back - must make some more. The pattern is from The Yvestown Blog. As you can see, consistency of tension is not my strong point! I'm not sure what the yarn is, its definitely some type of wool as I know I could only make 2 before I started feeling itchy (I'm slightly allergic to wool - not dreadful but I couldn't knit a full garment with it which is awful, as I love working with natural yarns but have had to stop.)


I also got to meet up with my friend Fi of Patchwork Delights fame and we managed to chat about quilting despite the active participation of our kids in the conversation :-)  Fi has started to sell 100% Egyptian cotton thread which she has sourced in Greece and I picked up two spools from her to try out.


Aren't they gorgeous? And at €5 for 1000yds, great value! She has some lovely colours available so if you're interested, pop over to her Etsy supplies page Threads2000 and have a look.

I also popped into IKEA to pick up some fabric on our way home. I got two 3metre bolts primarily for use as backing fabric for kids quilts - and am really pleased with these.


I've used other prints in the same fabric quality and they are perfect for quilt backing. And at a great price - €6.99 per bolt. Fantastic!

All in all, a great weekend! Hope yours was too - enjoy the spooky celebrations :-)

13 comments:

Susan said...

Your knitting is lovely! And I think I need to pay a trip to Ikea- the fabric would make perfect backing for a quilt top I've just finished!

Sarah said...

Your knittin's looking fab, I can just picture you by the fire toastin your toes and clacking away with the needles!

Annabella said...

Well haven`t you been a busy bee? Lovely makes Sarah and I wouldn`t be able to even attempt any of them!

patchworkdelights said...

Love the Ikea fabric there Sarah, need to pop down myself.! Glad you like the threads! Fi

Lynne said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lynne said...

Your knitting looks lovely! Maybe your sewing mojo has morphed for a while?

Katy Cameron said...

Well glad you found your woolly mojo at least. I'm horribly allergic to wool, so I sympathise with needing non 'wool' wool. Looking forward to seeing how your latest projects come out :o)

Canadian Abroad said...

I have to get to Ikea. Wish it wasn't a 45 drive away! Glad your mojo is coming back in one crafty way or another.

Kristie said...

I didn't realize you are a knitter/crocheter! LOVE that floating wrap. I really enjoy picking up the needles, too, especially on a blustery day- a few of those ahead, I think!

Judee said...

Beautiful knitwork and I love that IKEA fabric! Happy Halloween to you.

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Oh you get the twinny itch too - I cannot wear wool near my skin or I go berserk!!
Looking good though xxx

Wendy said...

The crochet looks good to me and a little bit of blocking will sort the circle-ness out. So jealous of your Ikea find! I never find good fabric in Ikea

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

Your knitting looks great - I have the same problem with wool, can't even pick up wool felt without getting itchy hands!!