MERRY CHRISTMAS....

Merry Christmas from Snoopydog headquarters! I've been so so busy this term with never-ending assessment marking and recording and excessive lesson planning demands, that my blog has been sadly neglected and is feeling very sorry for itself. However, today is the day when there seems to be a slight lull in festivities, as everyone takes a short break to recoup their energy before the annual Boxing Day quiz at the local pub this evening.

What little I have had in the evenings and weekends has mainly been taken up with getting this little beauty under way and red hoodie knitting for Evie. The blanket is Attic 24's Hydrangea Blanket and I have to say, the very simple pattern and gorgeous soft colours have made for perfect wind down crochet after busy days.

This is the simple red hoodie made for Evie's fourth birthday. It just doesn't seem possible that this little munchkin is four years old already. It only seems like yesterday, that we were making a rushed and unexpectedly early, long journey to Manchester to meet this little sweetheart.

The hoodie pattern is by Debbie Bliss and always turns out well. I used Rowan's pure wool DK in a suitably festive red, as her birthday is on the 22nd of December.

December 1st  heralded the start of another December's worth of Opal mini-skeins. I love the anticipation of seeing what wonders lie behind the little door each morning. I have yet to decide what to make, but I suspect i may well go for a pair of granny square cushions, like the one featured above that was made alongside six socks with last year's yarns.

I managed to make this beautifully festive bunting a couple of weekends ago, using a ready cut kit, given to me by Josiekitten last Christmas. The fabric designs and colour combo are perfect, ensuring that the little flags make a perfect addition to the festive decorations.

All the children and grandchildren are home for Christmas and we have enjoyed relaxing dog walks and just being together, sharing good food and wine and most importantly, each other's company. Here's hoping you've enjoyed the festive also!

FIVE TO GO.......

So near and yet so. I've been a bit slow with the needles this week, for no particular reason, although I really don't want this little project to end. I've loved the mix and match of crochet and knitting with each pretty little ball; filled with eager and excited anticipation with every round, to see just how the colours will work out.

It's been a relaxing and colourful journey from the very beginnings way back in July, when I received a little box containing twenty-four teeny tiny hand wound skeins and a cryptic clue, as part of my birthday treat from my dear pal Josiekitten!!!

The first twenty-four days of December each began with the slow ceremonial opening of the day's Advent calendar door to sneak a peek at the treasure wishing and then to photograph the little ball of loveliness.

Eventually, Christmas Day arrived and the long awaited cast-on began!!!! I vowed to stick to the day colour order and to that end I marked each ball band with it's respective number. I had to get my crochet eye and hand back into gear and readjust my tension a fraction and then we were away.

So, here we are with four and a half socks complete and eighteen mini-balls usefully employed. That just leave five more little treasures to go and one and a half more socks to complete, along with ten more crocheted Granny squares.

Then that will be it............................ until next year! :-)

I felt I had to share this lovely doggy collage with you, as Oscar had such a fun afternoon last Sunday with these two beauties, seventeen week-old Alfie and dearest Nellie who, at almost fourteen was very very elderly lady. Oscar spent his afternoon exploring the garden, playing with toys and generally doing what he loves to do ( anything yellow tennis ball related). Alfie spent his afternoon romping around behind Oscar, trying to impress and begging him to play. He really is the cutest little boy! Darling Nellie looked on, with a gentle wag of her tail; her soft, kind brown eyes still shining with enthusiasm for life, despite her frail body. Sadly, dear Nellie finally went to sleep for the last time on Thursday and crossed over the rainbow bridge. She had a long and happy life and is now at peace. So glad we got to see and stroke you one last time lovely lady!

WISHING YOU A PEACEFUL 2017!

Christmas has been and gone and before we know it we are into yet another new year. Decorations are dusted off and put away, the house is cleaned and normal day-to-day routines are re-established. I love Christmas, but there is always a good feeling when all of this has been achieved.

Socks are still top of my 'favourite knits' list, so it's quite exciting to know that I still have my Opal Advent calendar mimi-balls to play with for at least the next couple of weeks or so, in my spare time. 

I decided to crochet two small granny squares from each ball, before embarking on as many 'Dave' socks (Coop Knits) as the yarn will allow. I've photographed the min-balls in the order of their arrival and am using them in that same order, whatever the design, colour or match! 

So, here we go with Days 1 and 2! The granny squares will become a cushion cover and the socks will keep my toes toasty!

I have to admit to having become a teensy weensy bit addicted to this lovely project and am managing to squeeze in every little bit of precious free time to spend with it. 

A spotty - lined bag always adds a little extra pleasure  to the activity! ;-)

So far, each sock has used four mini-balls exactly, almost down to the last few inches of yarn, so I'm expecting six pretty little beauties by the time I get to the end of ball twenty-four. 

My Christmas knitting was completed on Christmas Eve, with this lovely pair of stripey socks for my son. I've now made four pairs using West Yorkshire Spinners' Signature bird range and have loved them all. Mr Snoops' pair have washed very well so far!

 

 I was a very lucky recipient of the above Christmas gorgeousness. Aren't those colours just beautiful? Along with the yarn came the pattern to work it with, Susan B. Anderson's 'Smooth Operator' socks. I've admired this pattern ever since it was published, and of course my dear friend, Josiekitten, remembered! The yarn has taken up residence in the yarn bowl, beside the sofa, so that i can feast my eyes on it. It won't be there for long though, because just as soon my little Advent cuties are complete, this stripey goodness will do it's job. I can't wait!

COLOUR........

Yep, afraid I'm a total sock machine at the moment. They seem to be rolling off the needles at a pretty fast speed. It's just as well though, as these are all family Christmas gifts and there is still one more pair to go. Then it will be the turn of my own fairy feet to receive a pair of snuggly socks in yet another colour way of this same gorgeous yarn.

In case you hadn't remembered the yarn is by West Yorkshire Spinners and knits up beautifully. I really like the beautiful colour ways; most are named after British birds. So, above from left to right we have Mallard, Pheasant and then Holly Berry, with matching solid colours, Juniper, Nutmeg and Cherry Drop.

This is the Mallard pair fresh off the needles and below is the fourth colour combo about to start out on the journey to become a pair of warm socks for yet another of Snoop's family members. This is Bullfinch with heels and toes in Grey. Loving those matching needles too!  ;-)

It's been very exciting first ten days of Opal Advent Calendar opening. As you can see, the colours are absolutely gorgeous, with plenty of choice to suit all tastes. Once my Christmas gift knitting is complete, these little lovelies and their, as yet unseen,  friends will become random socks and granny squares to make a cushion. C.A.N.'T W.A.I.T!!!!

There was such a pretty sky this evening too. Oh I do love COLOUR!

CHRISTMAS IS COMING.......

There has quite a lot of quiet anticipation over the last couple of weeks, since my Opal Advent calendar landed chez Snoops'. It was a birthday gift back in July from my dear friend Josiekitten, but it was only recently delivered. I suspect she didn't trust me!!!

I have to say, it is quite the most exciting Advent calendar ever. There's definitely no weekend lie-ins when you have the next mini-skein to discover. Oooh, the anticipation!

Here are the first four days worth. Cute aren't they! Such sweet, dinky little mini skeins of sock yarny goodness. The only shame is that I'm still up to my eyeballs in Christmas knitting and so am in no position to cast on imminently. I suspect that when I do, it will be to make a pair or two of random multi-coloured socks and maybe crochet some little squares too. Who knows! I am saving that delicious delight for the Christmas holidays, when I will have a little more time. In the meantime....... well, more anticipation  of course.

Mr Snoops has been to this afternoon, playing in a Bridge competition, so I have made the most of a peaceful house and not too much school work to get done, to get my new beast of a sewing machine out and start work on another cushion. This one will be a Christmas gift for the younger Miss Snoops. Then I have the fabric ready for another for Miss Snoops the elder. Hmmm, time is definitely not on my side. 

I'm loving these little squares of spotty gorgeousness and I'm loving the re-discovery of stitching. I just need a lot more hours in every day. I think this will look lovely once finished!

December is certainly marching on with giant strides and the early dark evenings have rushed upon us. I love our city at this time of year, with it's array of twinkling lights, trees and festive garlands. 

Despite the rush to reach the end of my shopping list, I never forgo time to just soak up the simple beauty of this lovely time of year.

We strolled down into the city centre in search of coffee this morning and were greeted with this wondrous sight. Well yes, I guess the clear blue sky was pretty impressive, but so too the smokey smiley halo settled protectively over our city centre church. Perhaps a very special visitor was inside!

Have a good week!