WIP Wednesday: Knits and Stitches

Thank you to everyone for the wonderful feedback on the RainbowRainbow shawlette! It's been so encouraging to know that it's been well received - I may even design more patterns! 

Well, it's cold season again, and I don't just mean the cooler temperatures! Unfortunately I've been battling a rather horrible cold - boo! However, all that resting time has meant that I've got some exciting new WIPs! Although I originally said I wanted to finish all my other works in progress first, there have been too much inspiration on Instagram and on blogs not to cast on a few new things.

One such project (inspired by the jumper knit by @onecraftymumma ) is this lovely all-in-one preemie jumper! I have been meaning to knit some preemie things for the Nottingham QMC for a while, and this pattern seemed perfect!

Also on the needles - some preemie hats!

Recently I've also diverged from my usual yarny path and taken up some hand-piecing... I've had a few patchwork projects on the go for several years now, and felt it was time for me to dig them out of hibernation! This bear paw block is the latest one to be worked on - I have been saving up pretty batik fabrics, but now it's time for some sewing!

Now, I know I probably have enough WIPs, as those in this post are not the only ones I have on the go. But I couldn't resist starting another...

This is the first block from a sampler that my mom designed, and my friend and I have both decided to make our own and we are calling them our friendship quilts!

So that's all that I'm working on at the moment! What's on your needles?

FO Friday: RainbowRainbow Shawlette (+ pattern release)

Introducing... the RainbowRainbow Shawlette!
This pattern has been in the works for a while, and now it's time for it's great release!

This triangular shawlette is knit in DK yarn with 5mm needles, and works up quickly to make a lovely, squishy, winter knit! It works to showcase a variagated yarn - so perfect for those hand-dyes! 

It's suitable for beginners looking for a first shawl, or for more experienced knitters looking for a simple, relaxing project!
It's a free pattern, and can be found HERE.

Enjoy!

Wishful Wednesday...

This is what my life looks like at the moment! Full of life's little lovelies - reading good books, good magazines, drinking cups of hot chocolate, and a bit of knitting...

Okay, a lot of knitting.

Which is why this isn't your usual WIP Wednesday post - I've been completing more than I've been starting! I still have this pair of socks on the needles and they haven't gotten any bigger because I've been working on other things, and I'm pretty sure knitting doesn't grow unless you work on it. (Unless someone has come up with magic knitting needles? If you know if someone has invented those yet, let me know in the comments!)

But that's all there is! I'm thinking I need to start some new projects... you know, just so I have something to blog about... and also because my head is brimming with projects that I want to make. A couple of hats, some fingerless gloves, some preemie knits, innocent smoothie hats, and I may dig out some of my quilt projects just for good measure.

Where to begin? Stay tuned :)

Friday Link Love: August 2015

Wow! Where did August go? Seems just yesterday that it was the beginning of summer, and now autumn is fast approaching. I'm not complaining, of course - we are heading into my favourite time of year, when it's the perfect weather to cozy up with warm quilts, hot chocolate, a good book, and lots of knitting!
You know what's also fun on a rainy afternoon? Friday links!

Is red candy really everyone's favourite?

Hear hear, Neil Gaiman! Reading is the key to the future...

Speaking of books, does anyone remember Wishbone? Such a great show!

Thanks to a very talented artist, we can now see Disney Princes as they'd look in real life!

But Disney may have it all wrong, according to this open letter... an interesting perspective!

12 things for those who sew.

Knitting celebrities - some are quite surprising!

Words of Wisdom from Tiny Buddha :-)

Hope you've had a lovely August! I wonder what September will bring?

It's Finished!

A basket of ends can only mean one thing...

Okay, so I know I would usually wait for a WIP Wednesday or FO Friday or some other fun alliterative title, but LOOK!!!
It's finished! It's finished! It's finished!

 I'm so pleased with how this has turned out! It took forever, but considering I made it up as I went along, I think the end product is quite nice, don't you?

It's another one for the hospice, as all the materials are from the Knit-A-Soc stash, with a few additions. From what I purchased, there is some of the grey left over, and a couple of pinks, so I can see a matching winter hat and glove set in my future... a nice reminder of the blanket!
This is definitely a pattern to remember for the future, as it was easy to grow attached to it as hexagon by hexagon was added...

...and the finished blanket came into being!

Ravelry project page HERE.
Join as you go technique from Attic24 HERE.

A Day at the Beach!

A couple of weeks ago, my whole family (aunts and uncles and all) descended upon St.Anne's, Blackpool, for my grandad's birthday celebration. Not having really spent that much time up in that part of England, I wasn't quite sure what to expect.

Cue mysterious and moody beach photo...

Well, I shouldn't have been that surprised because the Great British Seaside is pretty much the same everywhere you go - eating chips on the seafront, huddling up in jumpers because it's a little on the cool side and of course, despite this chilly weather, eating ice cream!

What was different about this visit though, was a fantastic display of kites! We just happened to be just in time for the St.Anne's Kite Festival, and we were in for a treat, there were so many wonderful things to see.
From these mammoth balloon kites...

...to strange but fantastic creatures...

...to fish...

...to these adorable little cows (not pictured - crabs, pigs and frogs, oh my!).

 

There was even Wallace hanging onto an airplane!

It was amazing to see - with all the lines being almost invisible, from a distance it was just a sky full of fantastical floating shapes. Lots of memories made!

Friday Link Love: July 2015

I can't believe a month has passed already! With August the evenings will start to cool down, and there will be more excuses for knitting - yay!
Anyway, shall we get on with what I know you're really here for? I have lots of lovely links for you this month...

Something to make you giggle - honest food magazine covers! (Thanks Julie for sharing this one!)

These examples of modern texting are hilarious!

Extreme crochet: would you ever attempt anything like this?

A guide to wool - what is it and where does it come from?

I love Franklin Habit - his view on "click bait" made me smile!

Also, some wise words on letting your creative fears go.

Finally, some words on the Labyrinth of Life.

I hope you've all had a wonderful July, and I can't wait to see what August brings!