Hello Sailor

These are a bit nautical, aren't they? Flexing my scrollwork muscles. I'm glad my fingers can remember how to apply stringer. Feels like an age since I did a bit of scrollollollollolling. If you like these 'Hello Sailor' beads, they're in my shop as I type.

I fixed my it-will-not-go-over-my-head sweater problem and the finished item is waiting to be blocked so I've still not got a photo of it. Here, have an in-progress shot.

Puffin sweater in progress

I'm part-way through another sweater, this time not so colourful. It's just plain grey but I love grey so that is plenty fine by me.

Sleeve-in-progress in my yarn bowl. Puffin sweater in the background.

I've developed a bit of a morning-knitting habit. As soon as I've fed the cat and made the morning tea I sit and knit for about forty minutes. It gives me chance to think about the day ahead and what needs doing.

Lovely grey wool. Lovely Addi Clicks cable stopper. Lovely.

My in-laws are visiting this weekend so I'd better go and throw the hoover about the place and make it look like we actually do some housework.

Have a great weekend!

Hookin'

I've been crocheting like a mad thing lately. I made this blanket for Janine at Cherished Trinkets as her baby boy is due very soon. Janine has got a lot going on. Not only is she about to become a mum and not only is she making her gorgeous jewellery but her and her fiancé have started a new business called Cherished Tea Party Hire. They've just launched their brand new website and it's well worth a look. I wish Janine and Kieran every success with their new venture.

Back to Janine's blanket of blue. It's crocheted in John Lewis 'Baby' Double Knit and it's acrylic.

I wanted to make the blanket in acrylic so that it could go in the washing machine. I like to block finished knitting and crochet because it brings the stitches to life. Some pieces can look like a crumpled dish rag when you cast off but blocking is a kind of magical witchcraft that opens up lace work and gives real stitch definition. I'd always been under the impression that you can't and shouldn't block acrylic projects but after Googling about I found this excellent blog post and gave steam blocking a bash. Sure enough, it worked like a dream and the baby blanket ended up with a beautiful drape and the stitches look lovely. The difference between wet blocking natural fibres and steam blocking acrylic is that the latter is permanent. After I steam blocked the blanket I washed it in the washing machine and sure enough, it held its shape perfectly.

I also crocheted Janine's blanket with a super duper new crochet hook. It's an Addi 'Swing' one. Addi make my favourite knitting needles and I knew I wouldn't be disappointed with one of their crochet hooks. It's ultra-comfy to use and I'll be buying more of them. I got it from my favourite online yarn shop, Stash Fine Yarns.

And now I am using the aforementioned Addi hook to make a cushion. This is one of those popular Ravelry patterns that you just have to have a go at and I am loving it! It's Attic 24's 'Blooming Flower Cushion' which is a free pattern and a wonderful project.

I'm making the cushion in Sirdar Ella which is a cotton blend with a shimmery spangle of silver running through it. I popped to Dunelm Mill at the weekend to grab a cushion pad for it. I've heard tell of this Dunelm place but we've only just got one in Cambridge and Saturday was my first visit there. It's one of those shops that you can't leave without buying something. The feather cushion pad I got is really high quality and cost £3.49. I reckon that's a bargain.

I'm off to carry on with my cushion now. Have a lovely night!