New starts

Another enjoyable weekend with a bit of this and a bit of that.  A beautiful day yesterday and the flower colours at the moment are just glorious.  One of my favourite gardens is Levens Hall which is only a few minutes away, and their tulip display is always outstanding.

I finished another knit.  This time a Louisa Harding pattern.  It's another really quick knit or would have been if I hadn't, yet again, not paid enough attention to the pattern.  This time I didn't notice I was knitting an American size 12 which is an English 14 and the finished result was enormous.  I had to reknit the body, but for the collar I just had to pull it back, thank goodness, because the cable was a bit torturous. 

I've had  a bit of fun trying to photograph myself wearing it.  I tried in a mirror, but that looked a bit odd, and then I tried using the self-timer for the first time and this is the result!!

Well you didn't need to see my face or the bottom of the jumper did you?   The camera was propped on a chair on top of a table, and I still had to bend my knees -  I'll have to keep practicing this.

I feel a bit on a roll with the knitting and am becoming more ambitious so as soon as my next batch of wool arrives I will show you the pattern.   I have my next 2 jumpers planned!   In the meantime I'm going to knit a spring rabbit from Mary Jane's tearoom  ...

.... but changing the colours of the clothes

I've also been reminded how useful Ravelry is.  You can really see what a pattern looks like on real people in a variety of sizes and colours.  Very helpful and can save you lots of grief picking the wrong one.  I've even put a couple of projects on.  If you've never used it and you like to knit or crochet give it a try.

Crossstitch-wise I happened across a new French website www.SoCreaStitch.co.uk and loved the charts from Madame La Fee.  I was spoilt for choice.  I really like the French vintage sampler look and chose this one.

I'm really pleased with it.  The chart is the first one that I haven't had to enlarge and it is really clear.  I've changed the colours a little from red to pink, and this is the first week's progress (photo a bit dark),

I started using a hoop and was determined to make a good job, but I'm afraid patience got the better of me.  It's so much slower using the hoop and though I know it did look better, I just don't enjoy it as much.    I've picked my next project already!  Sometimes I think I need to slow down and enjoy the making rather than a bit of a race to the finish.

Speaking of slow to finish ... the crochet blanket is not coming on very quickly ... though still enjoying it.  But sometimes it feels very warm crocheting it with it on my knees!!  I have a rule for myself to prevent my crafting getting out of hand, that I can only have one knitting, one crochet, one sewing and one cross-stitching project on the go at once, and I am pretty good about it.  Thing is I keep seeing much smaller crochet projects I would like to have a go at (and also a Rowan jacket I have fallen in love with) and so I do feel the need to get on and finish.

Well that's about it.  A busy week ahead.  Monday in Leeds, Tuesday in Birmingham a school show on Wednesday and Dan home at the weekend!!  Lots of train time to get some knitting done though.  Have a great week, and thanks very much for any comments left .. it makes my day to get one.