I recently got my eyes tested and the optician confirmed what I had definitely suspected - that the dreaded middle-aged deterioration of my eyesight had been fast over the last couple of years.  To the extent that she's booked me for another check next year instead of the two years that's normal.  Anyhow, I got a new prescription for my varifocals ( Read more... )

But I've started thinking about Christmas gifts, because now that my employment is sporadic, I can use time rather than money for presents.  My first make is for my stepgrandson, who will be two at the end of the year, so will need two offerings rather than just one.  I found a pattern for a replica of a Prince George Christmas photo sweater, and ( Read more... )

I've made a couple of jumpers recently - one as a present and one for me to keep.  The Wonder Woman sweater was received well, although I wasn't terribly pleased with the yarn I chose (good colour, but not really the chunky weight it was sold as) and it knitted up much more sloppily than I intended, despite having done a gauge square.

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A quick and easy knit whilst I wait for some new circular needles for a bigger project.  These are again in the bamboo viscose/cotton mix, as I had just a little left over.  I improvised a bit with the pattern, starting with a pattern to get the sole and upper, but then added a rib leg, as the original had a cutout and buttoned ankle strap, which I ( Read more... )

With the news that another set of friends are expecting their first baby, I've knitted another baby cardigan for their little one.  For the first time, I got button bands and collar just right, which delights me.  Since they live in North Carolina and the baby is expected in August, it's knitted in a 4ply cotton from Sirdar, which will hopefully ( Read more... )

I've subscribed online to Knitter magazine and this is the first project from one of those.  It's a simple t-shirt with round neck, but I'm happy with it and will be using it if summer ever gets here.  Knitted in the bamboo/cotton mix again.


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I have knitted another garment for myself. I didn't use a direct pattern for this one, but took the dimensioning from another pattern, and decided to do it in full cabling.  The yarn was a bamboo viscose/cotton mix and I knitted it mainly on 3.25mm needles.  I'm pleased with all but the transition from button bands to collar - but more practice and ( Read more... )

I finally finished re-upholstering the rocking chair!  I still need to give the woodwork some love - preferably a light sand and then waxing, but the cloth work is all finished.  It's been far too many years in the doing, but I now have a new sewing machine, so finished it all off this week.


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I've actually done quite a lot of knitting since my last post, but haven't photographed many of them and have already been given to their recipients.  But just for a change, I've been knitting for myself!  I've used Fiesta DK, manufactured by Hayfield, although the pattern was from Rowan and originally specified a fluffy yarn.  I'm not keen on ( Read more... )

I tried something rather different to baby apparel for a change!  I'm reasonably pleased with how it turned out, although I'm obviously slightly rusty with colourwork and it seems that my stitches come out way more square than the pattern was designed for (the pattern was slightly stretched to allow for the stitch to be more rectangular, and huh, ( Read more... )