Patchwork and Pie Dishes

The thing about my mum is that she is just the best at listening to what I want and what I need. The week before P's birthday, when I was laid low with a throat infection, no sooner had I sent a message moaning about how I wished she lived closer than she changed her timetable around and came riding to the rescue, 5 hours up the motorway to mind grandchildren while I slept and grumbled and waited for antibiotics to do their job. That was a big lovely thing she did, as was the job she and my Dad did this weekend hosting M's birthday party. It's the little things as well though, like remembering how I said I wanted to get a proper metal pie dish. Then, the next time she was shopping for kitchen stuff, she bought me one. Just because.
I have to say she's also got me into a rather addictive habit- patchwork. Like I need another craft hobby/drain on scant finances. She's made lovely baby quilts for both the children, and I followed up with a 'Big Boy Bed' quilt for P last year. A dress given to M when she was born got me thinking that I should make all her outgrown frocks into her 'Big Girl Bed' quilt so that's in the pipeline, along with too many other projects. However, we're also working on decorating our bedroom at the moment and I've been thinking that the perfect finish to our shabby chic/country house hotel look would be...a patchwork quilt. As a result, Mum, M and I paid a rather lovely visit to The Patchwork Basket this weekend and I indulged in some retail therapy. Couldn't resist trying them out as soon as I got home either!

Baby Shower Knit

There's a baby shower happening this weekend that I can't be at, so it was time to get the needles out so that I could at least send some handmade love by post. I fell back on what's becoming an old favourite, 'Aviatrix', a free pattern on Ravelry. An evening or so's knitting in Rowan Handknit Cotton and a vintage button adds up to a bit of old-fashioned loveliness for eagerly awaited baby girl.

Birthday at the Farm

Our wee boy is three! As usual with parenting moments like this, it feels like ages and yet no time at all since he was in an incubator in Royal Glamorgan Hospital having surprised us all by arriving 2 months before his due date. It's fair to say he hasn't stopped since, with the fading remains of a black eye appearing in all his birthday pictures as evidence of how he throws himself full tilt at the world (the injury occurred during nap time for goodness' sake!). This year he had a party at his Granny and Grandpa's farm, with a tractor and lambs in the field next door, a straw bale fort to play in and just the right amount of sunshine for a lovely day. Despite a nasty bout of tonsillitis during the previous week I somehow managed to pull off the 'Combine Harvester' cake I'd been planning so I felt I did my bit, but it was a host of wonderful family and friends who really made his day.

This Moment

Okay, just this week I'm breaking the 'No Words' rule below, because I just want to say Happy Birthday to my darling, beautiful son.
{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savour and remember. Inspired by SouleMama.

Big Purple Frog

I'm currently in the throws of having a pattern tested on Ravelry's 'Free Pattern Testers' Forum for the first time. It's for this sweater:

It's called 'Baby Queen Bess' and I'm hoping to make it my first 'for sale' pattern. Obviously wanted to get any glitches out before I start asking people to part with cash and the testing process is certainly doing its job. The only problem was, a few testers pointed out an issue I'd been rather avoiding looking at, mainly because I didn't know how to solve it- namely one of achieving symmetry through the raglan section, technical knitting fans!
The good news is, with input from the forum and a fresh look at the issue, I've worked out how to solve it. The bad news is, with the knowledge that symmetry could be achieved, I wasn't sure I could cope with M wearing the less symmetrical version I made for her, using lovely and expensive wool, in a size she'll fit into for the whole of next winter. So....


Big. Fat. Frog. This was a properly finished article, even had to find the ends I'd neatly woven in. Oh well, at least my mind will be at peace when she grows into it. Plus I suppose in a way I'm saving money, as I'm getting to knit two sweaters for the price of one- sort of!

Mock Cable Stitch

This is rather a nice variation of the ordinary cable stitch, being less bold and somewhat lighter in texture, and therefore quite suitable for small garments, rather than heavy sports wear. the stitches are not properly crossed over, but convey that impression...

Keep Calm continued...

Basket Stitch- This gives the appearance of woven strands, and is particularly suitable for large surfaces, such as pram covers, blankets and men's sweaters...