Friday 8 February 2013

Revelation

In my ongoing destash attempts I unearthed 4 100g skeins of Trekking XXL in a muted heather/brown colourway - originally bought for this tunic dress. Until I came to my senses and realised that I was never going to knit 12 inches of K1, P1 ribbing in sock weight yarn - what was I thinking?

So, back into the stash it went, largely forgotten until I heard a chance mention of the use of sock weight yarn held double to give a worsted weight - revelation!

So, out came the Trekking XXL and the 4.5mm needles and in just two days I had a cute baby sweater to fit a 1 year old - fabulous result. Pattern: here

IMAG0891

The yarn felt a little scratchy whilst I was working with it but I am happy to report that it softened up very well on washing and looks like it will be a perfect jumper for a rough-and-tumble little boy.

So this leads on perfectly to my 52 weeks of happy post for this this week:
1. The joys of using sock yarn doubled - surveying my stash with new eyes.
2. Having a working boiler, heat, warmth and a roof over our heads (had some boiler problems which got me to thinking about people who have to live on the streets on the cold nights we have been having)
3. Planning our next trip to the Lake District - cottage is booked - yay
4.  Loving the soothing green tea which I am constantly sipping (the sinus infection which is currently requiring the green tea, is not on the list of favourite things - lol)

Sunday 3 February 2013

Winter Footstep Socks

Just dashing through to let you know that my new pattern: Winter Footstep Socks is now available to buy through Ravelry. It is a toe-up sock with a simple, easy to memorise zig-zag lace pattern which practically knits itself - well, not quite - but you know what I mean :)

IMAG0845

And for the early birds among you, there is a 50% discount running until 10th February 2013 (23:59 GMT) - just use the coupon code EARLYBIRD at the checkout.

Friday 1 February 2013

52 Weeks of Happy #3

Much hard work in the Madmum household this week, with an early spring clean and a bedroom move for my two boys - moving them into the bigger spare bedroom (along with all - yes all- of their toys). No more Lego mountains in the living room - well, that's my grand plan anyway.

So my happy things this week:
  1. An afternoon off work, hot coffee, knitting and Downton Abbey re-runs
  2. Decluttering my stash and reducing two big, unruly shelves of yarn to 4 orderly plastic crates
  3. Digging out some of the aforementioned stash and ... horrors... actually casting on with it - The Infinitude Scarf pattern since you ask.
IMAG0876
  1. Bright blue sunny skies today, and small snowdrops peeping up in the garden.