I'm just mad about saffron

(in case any of you are of an age to remember Donovan!).

This is my latest knit from Rowan Winter Blooms book by  Kim Hargreaves, the saffron jumper.  I have finished this a little late as it is very warm and cosy and a bit warm for spring.   I love the peplum and it definitely has the vintage vibe I like.

Its a very simple knit.  If you can cast on and knit and purl you could certainly have a go at this one.  Because I like a fitted look and I knit a little on the loose side I went for negative ease and knit the size small, 34" bust  (while I measure a 37" bust).

The wool is Rowan Lima and really quite strange, it is very soft and fluffy but odd to knit with.  It can't be frogged (pulled back) as it completely looses its shape, and you block it by using the steam method.  I think if may pull or pill quite easily, but it is gorgous to wear. I love the colour, but the wool is variegated and you can just about see that it striped rather strangely in some spots and I broke the wool quite a lot to try and match the two sides of the front and at the seams.

... and a strange, eyes closed, pickie!

 

 

 

I had a lovely mothers' day.  Dan and I went to Dunham Massey which is a stately home.  The gardens were fabulous.

 

Especially this himalayan cherry, the bark was like copper.

 

The great hall had been transformed to a copy of the hospital which it housed in World War 1.  There were actors who walked around reliving lives which had been recorded and in an exhibition you got to find out more about the patients and staff, really interesting.

Our favourite room, the library.

I'd certainly recommend this for a day out (it was very busy and you need to be prepared to wait for a ticket on a similar day).  And a picture of the two of us ..... must remember not to wear such bright socks!

A few days off coming up and I have loads of making plans!  Sometimes I think I enjoy the planning more than the making.  I have two sweater from the lovely PomPom quarterly.  Love this little book which was beautifully wrapped in tissue.  First another warm sweater, which probably won't be worn until Autumn (if we are lucky).

Then a little tee - in the silkiest of yarns

This is my favourite fabric of the moment, Golden Garden by Alexander Henry which took a lot of finding (eventually it came from Vietnam), with a couple of the dresses I am considering.

A new retro pattern from Butterick, to make in Duck egg crepe

Then I found some real bargains at Standfast and Barracks in  Lancaster.  This is liberty Tana Lawn, ok it isn't the current collection but it was only £5 a metre!  So two blouses please.

More Tana Lawn, this time for a Vogue repro dress.

.. and I'm just taking part in Gertie's underwear sew-along.

... and fabric for 2 other dresses planned.  This is my project shelf all ready to get started.

 

So that all looks very tidy and under control, not!  I'm afraid this is the less organised other fabric sitting and waiting for me to do something with, much more messy!

 

So tune in for lots of makes to come.  Now I'm off to watch the final of the Great British Sewing Bee, I really wanted Linda to win.  By the way did you know you can download the patterns used for free at quadrille.co.uk, so maybe I could just make the 1930s blouse as well!!  What plans do you have?