Well hello my friends. I am so pleased to actually manage to be here today. Relaxation time has been exceptionally sparse this week and knitting time reduced to zero, until last night, when I managed to make some progress on Sohie's little hat. Here we are, six cute Dougie dogs! Bear in mind that the colourwork panel has not been steamed yet, so isn't really looking it's best. I have been careful to make sure that I have carried the stranding loosely enough across the back, so that when I do steam, it will lie nicely flat.
Such sweet little dogs, don't you think? At present, they are minus their little brown tails and noses. I have to say though, that I am not a great fan of intarsia knitting. I definitely do not find it relaxing, as I seem to be constantly lost in a battlefield of twisted yarn and ends. But, the finished effect is always worth the effort.
I guess the double thickness created by the stranding will, at least, keep little Sophie's ears nice and toasty. Hopefully the hat will be completed this week and then I will make on the start on the matching scarf.
Here's the matching Dougie Dog sweater that I finished a few weeks ago.
Hello there! Good to see you again this evening. The first week back has school has rushed by and hasn't been too bad really. Yes, I know it was only a short week, but even so, I have to say it really wasn't too awful. Mind you, remember I'm saying this before the onslaught of paperwork begins to pile up into that insurmountable mountain once again. So at present I'm seeing the positives and long may it stay that way. Here's to a little bit of knitting time....................if on a winter's night............ there is a spare half hour!!!
I realise that it's about time that I showed you some knitting again. Yes, I know it does seeem a while since anything woolly appeared, but now I'm about to rectify the situation.
I've begun knitting this cute little Dougie Dog Sweater sweaer that you can see in the photo for Sophie (my little granddaughter). It's part of a set which includes a very sweet hat and scarf as well.
It's from this gorgeous book.....
I don't intend to rush along with this one. I have the yarn for all three items and as I'm knitting the smallest size, age 2 to 3, they are unlikely to fit her until next winter. You could say that.....I've started my Christmas knitting for Christmas 2012. Alright, alright, I know, I'll wipe that smug look from my face!
I've also made excellent progress with my Monkey Bread Infinity Scarf. It's another Anne Hanson pattern and a very relaxing knit. The Great Northern Yarns 70% mink, 30% cashmere is completely divine. It is the softest yarn inaginable and blooms amazingly as you work with it. Quite delicious! The infinity version begins with a provisional cast-on, which will then be grafted at completion. It's going to be so warm and snuggly!
I don't remember showing Mr Snoops hat that I finally managed to complete just intime for Christmas. I used the October yarn and 'October Zest' pattern from the Knitspot 'Fall in Full Color Club'. The yarn is Briar Rose 'Fourth of July' and there is plenty left to make scarf or another hat. Ahem, could that be another Christmas 2012 present on the way?
I have to say, he was rather pleased with it. It's doing a grand job of keeping his 'not very well covered with hair' head warm when he's out walking Oscar, if on a winter's night there'a a frost or a chill.
Josiekitten was very generous, as always, and bought me just the best Christmas pressie. I LOVE Michele's pretty project bags, as Josiekitten knows only too well. It's just gorgeous! Guess what was tucked inside?
You're right , of course, a delicious skein of 'Sweetgeorgia' cashsilk lace; a scrumptious mix of 45% cashmere and 55% silk, in colourway riptide. I have to say, that after yet another fondle, I think it's beaten Great Northern's mink and cashmere by a short squish!! I shall be casting on Anne Hanson's 'Almost Ovals' pattern, just as soon as 'Monkey Bread' is complete.
The wonderful Soctopus sock book was gift from the younger Miss Snoops. She had spotted it on my Amazon wishlist. It's full of really beautiful patterns and as I have a couple of skeins of Alice's scrummy sokkusu yarn in my stash, I'm feeling a rather large urge to cast on.
The above skein is colourway Northern Lights and the skein to the right is Delphiniums. Even the colour names are crying out at me, begging me to choose them. I'm staying firmly with Monkey Breadfor the next week and then we'll see.
I'm waiting for a little cardi or bolero pattern to catch my eye in the next week or two as well. I need to make a cover up for Sophie on the wedding day. She will be a Flower Girl, but as the wedding is at the beginning of April, it could well be quite chilly. I have the yarn ready to go and now just need the perfect pattern.
I've chosen some Debbie Bliss Rialto 4ply. It's 100% pure merino and is gorgeously warm and soft. The soft lilac colour is very pretty. Maybe I'll have the pattern to show you next time. I certainly intend to have a finished 'Monkey Bread', so I'd better get my skates on and get my school planning sorted out, so that if on THIS winter's night, there is just a little bit of time to knit, I will seize it.
Hello there! I'm sorry that I didn't manage to post on Sunday evening as usual. On Saturday all of our family arrived, with Scott and little Sophie too. As you can imagine life has been very hectic in the Snoppydog household. I did feel I needed to pop in and say 'hello' to you all, however briefly. Do you like the reindeer card? My class made them for their families. Rather cute, I thought!
This scrummy yarn arrived from Great Northern Yarns on Wednesday. It's a mixture of 70% mink and 30% cashmere. I'm hoping to make Anne Hanson's Infinity Monkey Bread Scarf. No sooner had this delicious little package arrived than the December Knitspot Club yarn dropped through the letterbox. Guess what? It was another skein of the same yarn. HOORAY!
Isn't that colour just gorgeous! The pattern to make a lovely keyhole scarf and mitts set was released on Saturday. I can't wait to get started.
I'm desperately trying to finish the hat that I started for Mr Snoops last weekend. He's not a geat fan of presents and so far, his little stocking doesn't have a great deal to go in it. The pattern and yarn were the Knitspot October offerings.
Here's hoping it will fit, as it's looking a little on the small side at the moment. He'll have to wait until after Christmas for the scarf.
I know this has been a rather short visit, but I am on an imporatnt mission this morning. We are off to sort out bridesmaid's dresses for little Sophie and the younger Miss Snoops, in readiness for the elder Miss Snoop's wedding next Easter. Not the most ideal time to be doing it, but there may not be many more occasions when we are all together before the big event.
So I'm going to have to love you and leave you. I'll try to pop in again before the weekend, to show you the finished hat.
Aaaaaarrrrgggghhhhh! Who or what is that! It has been one of 'THOSE' weeks. I won't go into detail, I don't have the time. The photo above looks a bit how I felt, except for the smiley mouth. It needs turning upside down! But suffice it to say that no knitting got done all week and by yesterday I was feeling rather severe withdrawal symptoms. As my addiction is so severe, I usually manage at least a row or two each day. This week, there was no chance. Instead, my time was filled with I.E.P.s, assessment data, action plans etc. etc. I still have a lengthy 'to do' list. In fact I feel rather overwhelmed by it all and that comes from someone who is organised and well-planned. So, yesterday I had to take action......... I CAST ON! Oh my goodness, the relief was enormous. Gone were the cravings and the twitchy fingers, evaporated were the angry, miserable 'I want to be knitting' thoughts and an air of peaceful happiness came over me. It was pure bliss! What did I cast on?
I started a little 'Wee Willie Winkie' hat for Sophie's Christmas stocking. The Debbie Bliss 'baby cashmerino' yarn is from stash (OH YES!) and I have enough of the pink to make a little jumper ot cardi to go with it. I'm using DPNs and carrying the spare colour up as I go. It gives a lovely smooth, unnoticeable colour changeover. Hopefully it will be finished quickly.
Well, I know this post is very short and sweet, but it's better than no post at all. I still have 'stuff' to do this evening as well as a lasagne to cook AND SOME KNITTING TO DO!
I'll leave you with a couple of shots from the week gone by.
Looks like something nasty to me. HOWEVER...... there is a clue! Know
what it is? My class had NO idea. Time for a hands on investigation. I
won't show you the gory details though.
It was Oscar's second birthday on Tuesday and this was his favourite pressie. He has carted it around in his mouth ALL week long and slept with it in his den most nights. So sweet!
Another spoonful of Autumn and possibly the last, as the leaves are all falling now with great speed. This was the view across the school playground as I arrived at school at about 8.05 a.m. on Tuesday morning. Just glorious!
OH, BY THE WAY, I RECEIVED AN E-MAIL AT THE END OF LAST WEEK..... THE PHOTO AT THE TOP! IT MADE ME SMILE. IT WAS LITTLE SOPHIE'S HALLOWEEN BISCUIT, MADE AT NURSERY. I've carried it in my school diary all week. Every time it catches my, it's made me smile. I know what's really important to me and helps keep things in perspective.
Have a good week.
I've got lots of bits and pieces on the needles at the moment and seem to not be able to settle to finishing any of them. I've been doing a 'little bit of this' and a 'little bit of that' and not a great deal of anything. BUT, this afternoon I decided to cast on and complete something. I did it! Using more of the 'Smiley Stripes' yarn that I showed you last week, I rustled this little beret up this afternoon, whilst watching the rugby international. The pattern is from the 'Hearts and Stripes' booklet by Sirdar. I've made the 6 to 12 months size to go with the cardigan that I've started, for Sophie's Easter gift. The yarn knits beautifully. It's soft and gives a lovely even stitch.
Here's how the yarn patterning is working out on the cardigan, so far...
The first half of the 'Spring Cardi' using the DROPS pattern has also been completed...
It's hard to imagine how this odd shape can become half of a cardigan, isn't it! To the left is half of the back, to the right is the right front and at the bottom of the photo, is what will be the right sleeve. Very clever really!
Young Oscar spent yesterday evening watching Crufts on the TV. He sat mesmerised for some time, before getting up for a closer look. I think he thought this whippet looked a bit o the thin side for his liking.
I'm sorry this is a rather short post this week, but I now have 'pay back time'. As I spent all afternoon knitting and very happily too, may I add, I now need to sort out bits and pieces for school tomorrow. Not that I have anything to complain about, as I sit in my warm, comfortable, peaceful home. My thoughts go out to all those people in Japan, who have had their lives changed forever by the earthquake and tsunami. It's impossible to truly imagine the catastrophic scale of the disaster just from TV coverage. The human loss is immense.
I'm grateful for my own small world and those who share it with me! Thank you bloggy friends!
Ahh, at last a short time to sit down. This weekend seems to have been a constant round of in and out of the house. Nothing very exciting has been going on, I can assure you. It has just reached that stage in the pre-Christmas run up, when old Snoops has realised how many jobs still have to be done and had a major PANIC! So, in order to begin to remedy the situation, little forays out and about have been necessary, so that she can at least feel back in control of the situation. It's always good to be in control! I'll show you a little sneaky peek of one of my 'port of calls' a little later.
Knitting has progressed at a moderate rate this week, a little bit here and a little bit there. Most little bits have been sandwiched between assessments and all manor of other boring paperwork tasks that take up soooo much teacher time, but just have to be done...... apparently! As you can see, I have finished Mr Snoopydog's Christmas hat. At least he has a present now! It's the Aran Watch Cap from Charlene Schurch's book 'Hats On'. The pattern worked really well, but the Rowan 'pure wool aran' has pilled a little. I'm not sure if it is the yarn or the fact that my hands have been rather rough from the cold this last week or two. Lavishing hand cream on them doesn't seem to have made much of a difference.
Spot the Oscar hairs!!!!!!! Whoops! They get everywhere.
The six row pattern was very easy to memorise and I loved the way all the shaping took place over the last four rows, so none of the gorgeous pattern was lost. Hopefully, it will keep his head and ears toasty when he is walking Oscar.
I've made quite good progress on the socks for my son, in as much that a second sock has been started. At least he is almost guaranteed two feet cosies now, rather than the sad only one, that it was looking likely he would receive prior to this weeekend. So, a little bit more control back on board there too!
I must show you a new skein of sock yarn that accidentally slipped into my online shopping basket last week. Megan, over at 'The Thylacine', was having a pre-Christmas sale. Her yarns always look beautiful, but this is the first time that I've purchased from her. What do you think?
The yarn is 80% superwash merino and 20% bamboo. It's incredibly soft. The colourway is Bicheno. It's slightly more turquoisey in places than the photo shows. I just love, love, love it! Thanks Megan.
Snow has hung on all week in our eastern parts of the UK. Today has been the first day with clearish pavements, as well as roads. I snapped these shots from the car as we came back from Oscar's hydro yesterday.
Grey skies and rather misty, but helping to add atmosphere to the shots. The city centre, where we live was much clearer.
Today, by contrast, I snapped these........ eerrrmmm....love them or hate them? Ha ha!
We drove out to a nearby garden centre to collect a small potted Christmas tree, to sit in the front window. We have a very much larger 'not real' tree in our sitting room. The place is massive and a huge area is given over to the most twinkly, glitzy, fun, Christmas displays imaginable. Santa's band were busy playing their instruments and the flashing reindeer and sleighs were busy burning up goodness knows how much electricity. But taken in the spirit of festive fun for little ones, I guess it worked. Mr Snoops walked rapidly away, when I told him that I really did need to take a couple of pics, to show you all this evening. I found him back in his comfort zone, looking at seeds and wellie boots! We did get our little tree though and he's now settled into the greenhouse for the week, before coming indoors next weekend.
So, let's see! That's a knitted present finished and another 'getting there', some shopping done, some cards bought, a little tree collected, quite a few 'confirm purchase' buttons pressed online, a secret Santa gift bought for school, a ball of green yarn purchased to make some little stockings ( I have some oddments of red, white and silver left from last year)
Good evening, once again! I can't believe how quickly the weeks seem to be 'galloping away'. In no time at all, it will be Christmas and the nights will begin drawing out again. I guess, the upside is that I must be gainfully occupied. Busy, is the word!!!!! Knitting is having to squished into little pockets of time whenever and wherever. I really don't mind being busy. In fact, I like it, but I would much, much rather be busy knitting, than doing all the other 'necessary' jobs.
Anyway, now that Oscar seems to be recovering, or at least not limping anywhere as much as he was, Mr Snoops and I decided to resume our Sunday morning al fesco coffee drinking trips. What a lovely surprise greeted us as we arrived in the city centre. I adore these old fashioned 'galloping horses' carousels and this one is a really beautiful example. We watched as the covers were removed and the coke was shovelled into the steam engine, ready for some excited little customers to arrive later in the morning.
I know I'll have to go back and pay the 'gallopers' a visit when the lights are on and the carousel is spinning and the organ is playing. I can't wait!
Knitting progress has had another rather slow week. Certainly no 'galloping' there! I completed a little hat for Sophie, using the remainder of the Rico 'creative poems' aran from the colourful bolero. There was not really quite enough, so the I'm not sure the hat will fit. The pattern is Woolly Wormhead's 'Baby Tri-Peak Hat' . It's very simple, very quick and the pattern is beautifully written. It was quite difficult to photograph without a sweet little Sohie head handy, but here it is.....
I received a new book this week, bought very cheaply from one of Amazon's 'book sellers' . It's 'Hats On!' by Charlene Schurch. I had liked several hat patterns that had come from this book, on Ravelry. I guess the book may now be out of print, as it's an American 1999 publication. It's in black and white, but the for the princely sum of £4.37 I consider it a bargain.
I've chosen to knit the Aran Watch Cap for Mr Snoops as a Christmas gift. It will keep his head nice and toasty, when he's out with Oscar. I'm using Rowan's 'pure wool aran' this time. The last two 'man' hats were made using Rowan 'felted tweed', which is not stretchy and springy enough for hats. Hopefully, this will give a more successful result.
The aran coat is slowly growing. I have almost finished the second front and will then just have the sleeves and collar to complete, before the dreaded assembling and sewing-up begins. Perhaps I'll be able to show you a little more substantial progress next week.
That's all there is to tell this weeek. Not very exciting, but a normal, 'run of the mill' week for old Snoops. Oh, just a couple more snippets of everyday life......
..... a week's worth of woolly socks and a woolly jumper, waiting to be put in the airing cupboard this morning. So bright and colourful and snuggly-looking. I just had to bury my face in them!
....... a saucepan full of delicious leek, onion and potato soup, just waiting to be galloped through the Magimix. That's lunches sorted for the week! Hmmm! Think the camera lens got a little steamy ;-).
Right must dash! Off to the pub now, for the monthly Quiz. We meet up with friends and enjoy a couple of beers. So, no knitting tonight!
Completed these in a weekend, well finally finished on the Monday evening. Fab pattern, gorgeous yarn, quick to knit, look great! (well I think so). They are made using Colinette Prism (2 skeins of 145 frangipani). The pattern is from the Colinette booklet, 'Artyfacts'.They were made for my youngest daughter, who is working for the UNDP in Bratislava at the moment. The temperatures have dropped as low as -15 degrees this winter. She has already reported back.....and they are keeping her nice and snuggly!
There are some really fab colourways in this yarn and the total cost was about £10. Not bad eh! The Colinette website is very, very addictive with lots of gorgeous yarns.
Well, not much has happened here recently. I have been very, very busy at school what with all the festive 'goings on' , and................. I have been frantically trying to finish off bits and pieces that I had planned as Christmas gifts. ! Who would have thought this time last year, that by the end of 2008, I would have become a knitting addict. I began at Easter this year, so not even a year! Here are the latest finished objects; all Christmas gifts.
These washcloths are so easy to make, but the gorgeous colours of the 'Peaches and Cream' cotton make for some addictive knitting. The teal coloured 'Paw Print' cloth is or Scott; to wipe his muddy paws on!
Yet another 'Ribs and Ruffles' scarf for a good friend., made using Paton's 'Shadow Tweed'.
Next up is a 'Scott Walking Headwarmer' for my son. The hat is made using Debbie Bliss Aran Tweed. This is a great free pattern from Ravelry, http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/claudia-4. I've made another one for my eldest daughter's boyfriend. The pattern is easy and knits up really quickly.
ANOTHER two 'Havens', for my two daughters. They are made using Rowan's 'cocoon'. It is sooo soft and very warm and snuggly.
Last, but definitely not least, are four 'keep an i-pod warm at Christmas' socks! These have all been made using leftover sock yarn and a free Ravelry pattern, http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ipod-sock-3
I made them 5.5 ins long rather than the recommended 4.5 ins, so that they fully cover the i-pod.
Not bad for a few stocking fillers!! Now to get on with a Central Park Hoodie that I have ready to cast on for one of my daughters.........obviously not to be finished in time for Christmas though! Yeh, Christmas Eve tomorrow! Lots to do and not much time, so not much knitting tomorrow methinks.
Next up is a 'Scott Walking Headwarmer' for my son. The hat is made using Debbie Bliss Aran Tweed. This is a great free pattern from Ravelry, 
Last, but definitely not least, are four 'keep an i-pod warm at Christmas' socks! These have all been made using leftover sock yarn and a free Ravelry pattern, 
