PERFECT PARSNIPS!

Thought I ought to show you Mr Snoopydog's parsnips which he has grown on his allotment! Perfect, I'd say........he was very proud of them. Lots of delicious winter roasts to look forward to. Yummy! I think his Christmas Head Warmer may well become his Allotment Head Warmer, as his hair on top doesn't offer as much protection as it used to. Hmmm!

I've finally finished Lucy's 'Red Monkeys', which have now become 'Lucy's Christmas Monkeys' as I have taken rather a long time to complete them. I love Cookie's 'Monkey Socks' pattern. It is very easy to follow and the socks always look fab. I used an Araucania Ranco solid colour yarn. It's a lovely rich red mixed with lighter shades too, which don't really show up on the photo. I have used this yarn several times now and it is becoming one of my favourites for sock knitting.

It's half term this week and a well earned rest is in order after a very busy half-term which included a two-day visit from OFSTED; successful but still very stressful.

SUNNY KNITTING DAY! YAY!

Well, who'd have thought I'd have got his little bunch sorted in an afternoon....and a bit! It's been a glorious October day here, and after a late morning browse with Mr Snoopydog around the French Produce market, and a spot of lunch out watching the world go by, I have spent the entire afternoon knitting in the garden.
First up is my Autumn Days Scarf. This was a nightmare to unpick if I made an error and didn't spot it straight away. Doh! I made quite a few errors! That's why it seems to have taken forever (started on 28th August). However, the yarn is fab, sooo soft and easy to work with and the colours are divine. It's a Kaalund Classic Two yarn; hand dyed Australian wool.

Next up come my first two washcloths. Or rather, my first washcloth and first pawcloth! These were knitted using 'Peaches and Creme' cotton worsted. There are sooooo many beautiful colourways to choose from and I went overboard and ordered lots of fab variegated ones. Scott's pawcloth needed to be made from a solid colour to show off the paw print. Ho! Hum! Lesson in not behaving like the 'kid in the candy shop' next time I order. Anyway, don't expect Scott will mind if he can't see the paw print very well. It's going in his Christmas stocking. I don't think he has any idea what a lucky granddog he is!!!

Hmmmm.......A confession! Well sometimes you just have to own up.

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Originally uploaded by snoopydogknits

Hmmm! Just had one of those 'look over the shoulder to check no-one's watching.......oh, my god they are!' moments. I had just been scrupulously checking and 'sniffing' that my new bag of 'must haves' (bought for me at the I-Knit day by my good friend josiekitten and delivered on Saturday), was still all present and correct.... and hadn't been lost or stolen. I was quickly reassured ... sniff, sniff, sniff. No sooner had I finished and with the woolly whiff of Indie Dyer (not much smell), Fyberspates (yum, yum, yum) and Misti Alpaca (ooooohhhhhh) still jostling for attention, I came across this little gem. Big Brother or the Great Woolly Watcher was keeping his beady eye on me!

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Originally uploaded by snoopydogknits

It's true, I've come out!

POST OFSTED ELEFANTE!

We had an OFSTED inspection last week, which meant NO KNITTING for a whole week, near enough! STRESS, STRESS, STRESS! Anyway, the inspection was successful and I celebrated by chilling out and knitting this little chap over the weekend..........

We had an 'Elephant Day' at school today and so I thought he would be my contribution to the 'art installation' of elephants in the school hall. I have to say he was by far the coolest Elly there and he was a big hit. Not big enough to give up the daytime teaching job though!!!!

The pattern was a freebie on Ravelry; 'Elefante' by Susan Anderson and I just used oddments of double knitting. The pattern was easy to follow, although it took a while to get the crotcheted ears right, as I haven't used a crotchet hook in many a year. He's so sweet!