The Knitting Novice

I've always had a knitting project on, but I generally keep it simple.  Then it's normally a year before it's finished.  But since my retirement in 2010, I've been doing a bit more knitting, getting more adventurous and also quicker.

I've just completed another jumper for myself.  It's taken about six months, but I did go wrong once and had to unpick a lot. Now it's finished I am pleased with what I achieved.

A couple of months ago this book caught my eye and I've chosen a pattern from it for my next project.  It is far more ambitious that I have ever been before with my knitting, so it might just test my skills to the limit. And it's the first time it's not going to be for me. 

This lovely book by Patty Knox is published by David and Charles, it's full of great patterns and I have decided to have a go at Catch a Wave on page 66

There is a problem, the pattern is for sizes 28 to 40 chest and I need to make it 42.  But luckily I have a very clever sister, whose knitting skills are far superior to mine and I have asked her advice about how to make a bigger size.  She often tells me what to do when I go wrong, and this time her help was needed again. In return I will give her tips and advice on her sewing projects. 

I've started my tension square, apparently very important, to ensure your knitting is the right tension and you are using the correct needles for the work. After all that work, you want it to fit right.

I bought the wool from Jamieson & Smith, which is genuine Shetland Wool from the Shetland Isles and the lady on the phone help me with advice on my colour selection. www.shetlandwoolbrokers.co.uk

This might take a while, but I will report progress from time to time.

Things are growing at last this year

There are potatoes, onions, strawberries, beans, peas and cabbages, all beginning to grow at last on our allotment plot.

After a slow start to the season, finally things are improving. I have five raised beds full of potatoes and the big bed at the top of the picture on the right with all the onions in. With any luck these will keep us going until the spring!

It's all go at this time of the year, these onions already need to be weeded, again.

The broad beans don't look much at the moment, but they will soon fill out. One or two have flowers on already, so that looks promising.  I generally stake each plant, as I find just a few canes and string around the rows never works on our plot.  This time two years ago we had already been eating our beans, but not for the last couple of years. Will the weather every get back to what it was like when we took on this allotment six years ago?

These potatoes have come through now, they have been in over a month. More updated photos to follow.  The strawberries in the centre of this photo are all in flower now, so with any luck, we won't be long before we are eating our own fruit.  If last year is anything to go by we could be in for another bumper crop.  At lease something is growing well.

I want to plant my sweetcorn, leeks, spinach and celeriac just as soon as the rain stops and have a general tidy up on the plots.   It's amazing how quickly the rubbish piles up. 

Making a Waistcoat for Ross

Buying fabric these days gets more difficult. Fabric shops are not as easy to find as they were 20 years ago.  Purchasing from the internet is fine and companies will send samples. But I like to see a large sample of what I'm buying especially as I am about to spend a good few hours making a nice garment.

My nephew came to stay on Monday, so I could make him a waistcoat. He is going to a wedding in July and needs to be dressed for the occasion. We went into Birmingham after lunch to find the fabric.  

This 100% silk fabric was just what he wanted, so first thing Tuesday morning, I checked the toile again for fit and style and started to cut out and stitch.

While I spent the day sewing, Ross worked in my garden, dead heading, weeding and watering.  Then after 6 hours I just had the button holes to do and the buttons to put on and it would be finished. Being navy blue, it was getting difficult to see well to sew, so I stopped for the day. 

Early Wednesday morning in good light I finished the waistcoat, gave it a press and it was ready to admire.

Job well done I think.  Not only could he now return home, but complete with waistcoat and a boot full of plants for his garden.