Having just looked through some of my knitting and sewing books I have come to the realisation that I am a project knitting. I have a long list of items I want to knit and the list is continually growing. I often find a pattern in one of the many magazines I sunscribe to and if the yarn is in the stash will knit it. On many occassions I have no one in mind for the item I am knitting. I just knit it and it will go in the bottom drawer for the appropriate time, when the person who it should go to finds me. At the moment my mind is buzzing with baby bits I want to make. So many vests and slipovers to make, tiny dungarees to be sewn in under an hour, socks with colourwork, norwergian mittens, too much choice.
Author Archives: Jenny Stilwell
Baby Shower
Today was the baby shower for Sarah and baby Jones. I was given my orders and everything had to be ready for it and even though she’d seen most of it she wanted it to be given to her at the shower. If I’m honest I’m not sure of the point of baby showers, other than to get lots of gifts. I’d rather do my gifting after the baby is born. none the less a good time was had by all. We had to blind taste some baby food and all agreed that the savoury ones were disgusting but I found the banana and apple one quite nice! Predictions were made for the labour length, time and date of birth. The ranged from April 12th – May 7th and labour times from 3 hours to 12. Lets hope it’s the lower end of the scale.
For the shower I had made a cot quilt, a cot bumper, some flannels which were edged in the same fabrics as the quilt, a swaddle and the blanket. I am really pleased with the results and my other daughter Jemma was rather shocked for some reason. She kept saying did you really make all those they’re really good. I wasn’t sure whether I should be insulted or complimented. I also made the baby a few comforters which some of the mums there were so impressed with they asked me to make them some.
My favourite item was the swaddle which will be my new must make present for new babies. It’s not long now and I am so excited. I am so looking forward to becoming Nanna Jen.
As soon as I can find the lead for my camera I will upload pictures
A change of scene
If this period of waking up in the middle of the night keeps up I may have to think about finding a night job instead of a day job. The only good thing about being wide awake in the wee hours is that I get to catch on on my knitting , television and maybe read a book. On the needles at the moment is still the Building Blocks blanket for baby Jones. I have just finished the fourth of seven strips and am really pleased with the way it looks. However, I am becoming a tad bored with it. I have managed to knit a couple of sets of bootees inbetween sqaures. I must get it finished then I can relax a bit.
I still have the quilt to finish for baby Jones but I have been inspired by a friend to add strips of plain fabric inbeween the patterned squares. This will not only look very effective but will also cut down on the quilting time. I have managed to make a pair of maternity PJ bottoms, shorten some maternity trousers into shorts, insert a jersey baby bump into a pair of skinny jeans (did I mention my daughters pregnant) and three vintage aprons. The PJ bottoms were made from stash and the aprons were from the new Amy Butler for Rowan Lark range fabric.
I am trying to get in the habit of spending at least three hours every weekend sewing to catch up on some bits. Whereas my knitting WIPs are under control with only the blankets, my sewing WIPs are getting a little out of control. It happens when I think I’m being organised by cutting all the fabric and pattern out so it is ready to sew, all this means in reality is that I have lots of bags with projects ready to go.
Next weekend I am going to unearth them all, make one of my lists of what I have, prioritise them and make a time frame for sewing them. I remember a famous seamstress saying once that you should make appointments for your sewing and treat it almost like a job, You set aside a timeslot and use that time for your sewing and because it’s in your diary there’s not need to feel guilty about not doing other bits. I have to confess I generally put my crafting time ahead of housework etc. The housework will always be there but my sanity without my crafting won’t.
Falling off the wagon
I have been doing really well with not buying any yarn or fabric. I have sold and destashed various yarns, exchanged ones I’m not sure about for ones I will definitely use but today I fell off the wagon. I had to go to London to meet some one and as I had plenty of time after we met I decided to go for a wander. I was either going to Berwick Street and look at the scrumptious fabric shops or travel to Waterloo and finally visit the I Knit London store.
Well the decision was made as I’d told hubbie I wouldn’t go shopping in Oxford Street so of to I knit I went. I am rubbish at using the GPS map thing on my phone so had to ask 3 people at differnt stages how to get there from the station. Once there I was in heaven with all the books and yarns. Such gorgeous colours and fibres and yes I did succumb. I purchased a Knit Pro Cubix circular and an Addi Lace circular as I am itching to knit something with Rowan Fine Lace, saw the Scrumptious baby booklet and had to get it and of course I bought some beautiful yarn. Alpaca of course although this is blended with Pima Cotton. I can’t wait to knit with it but must get on with the baby bits first. The yarn is Manos Del Uruguay Serena and yes of course it is in the heather family of colours.
too soft to miss
On the baby Jones fron the Building blocks blanket is coming along well and 2 complete strips have been knitted and sewn together as well as another two squares. I have also managed to knit a few pairs of bootees and the Rice Pudding Cardigan from Knit Now issue 5
New Start
As I will be moving and downsizing I am having making a real effort to sort the stash out and get rid of the stuff I know I am not going to use. I have made a good start and given away some bits to friends and I have sold over three kilos of yarn. It doesn’t sound that much until you realise that it was all mohair. I inherited lots of acrylic and this has been given to friends and charities. It’s quite good having to sort through it all as I am finding the gorgeous yarns and fabrics and also uncovering some which begs the question, What was I thinking!
I will also be sorting through all my books and magazines and finding new homes for those I know I won’t use. The magazines I will definitely be keeping are all issues of the Rowan magazine, The Knitter and Knit Now. I have some books I have had since the 1980s and I never knitted anything first time round so am unliely to knit them now. These will be destashed gradually. I also aim to get on and update this blog a bit more regularly.
Merry Christmas
I think my new years resolution is to finish all my christmas presents for next year by December 1st. If it’s not made its being bought. I just can’t cope anymore with the stress I put on myself to get bits done. This year for christmas I have made 3 stockings sewn, 2 pairs of mittens, 2 pairs of maternity pyjama bottoms (sewn) , some lavender sachets, 2 doll blankets, 2 scarves, 1 pair of socks and 3 cushions sewn. I am sure there are other bits I have forgotten but hey ho. I also have three December birthdays,
I am rather pleased with myself as I have almost achieved the target I set my self at the beginning of the year. I have a week and only four projects to complete the A- Z of the year, I was worrying slightly as I thought I’d only meant knitting projects but it did include sewing as well. Ironic really as I’ve only used one letter for a sewn project. I will take some pictures and upload them shortly
Seasons greetings one and all. Keeeep crafting
I am going to be a nanna
I have some amazing news, well it’s amazing for me. My daughter is expecting our first grandchild in late April/early May next year. Yes she was the other family member I spoke of previously. I have lots of knitting and sewing planned and aim to make complete outfits. I will knit a cardigan and sew two or three outfits to be worn with it. My daughter told me when she was 6 weeks when she came round with “food poisoning” to be looked after by mum. I put her to bed and ironically for the first time in two weeks didn’t ask her if she was pregnant. As well as being excited with the prospect of becoming Nanna Jen I am so very pleased for her and her husband. I really want to get stuck in and get the baby bits started but I must concentrate on Christmas gifts first. Although I have been buying some fabric for the baby as I will be making the cot bumper , quilt and play mat, as well a few bibs
I have recently come back from holiday where I managed to finish Fetching and do some more on a girls comforter. THe A-Z 2011 is going quite well and I stand a good chance of finishing it. Pictures will follow shortly
It’s baby season
Baby season has arrived and I now have three, possibly four people I know that are with child. With this in mind I immediately started going through my numerous baby books and deciding what to knit. There are so many gorgeous knitting patterns that I am having a tough time deciding which one to do first. I cant wait to start raiding the stash properly to knit all these quick knits . I’ve already started with an impulse baby knit. In The Knitter issue 36 there is lovely mini layette designed by Sarah Hatton called Cherish in Rowan wool cotton. A great quick fix for a finished item, so far I have knitted the hat and one mitten in a blue grey Rowan Wool Cotton.
As I can be prone to do I was panicking about getting lots of baby bits done as well as the Christmas knitting when I had a lightbulb moment to replace the doh moment. The first baby is due in February so the baby bits can wait until after the christmas knitting is done. I am still working on the A-Z for the year which Cherish threw off track a bit. I have a few possibilities for the remainder of the alphabet before 2012 so hopefully my aim will be achieved. I have 4 sets of gloves, scarves and hats to make for Christmas so it’s time to get knitting
Knit Nation 2011
Yesterday I had a fantastic time at Knit Nation. Stashbusting went out the window and more luscious yarn was purchased. I did get almost everything on my shopping list and of course a bit more.
There was only one yarn on my shopping list and ironically it’s the only thing on my list I didn’t get. It was mainly needles as I need to get another sock circular in various sizes and a couple of pairs of tips for my Knit Pro. I needed a 9mm and 10 mm tip but as they are sizes I don’t use a great deal I decided to try the Spectrum points which I bought from www.kraftykoala.co.uk.
At www.brownberryyarns.co.uk I bought all my Hiya Hiya mini circulars. There were about seven sizes I needed and later in the day when I got fed up with losing stitches off my DPNs I went back and bought a 40cm circular to continue knitting it. I was going to take my Mystery Cushion knitting but decided to take a couple of small items I wouldn’t have to think about. I knitted the Snowflake hat from Making magazine except for the swiss darning and a small purse from Knitting magazine. Coincidentally both projects I took with me were designed by Erika Knight.
At last it’s the phot of my haul from Knit Nation
It’s here
Why do all the lovely knitting bits come at the same time. Yesterday my members copy of the Rowan magazine 50 arrived. It truly is a thing of beauty. The postman knocked whilst I was on my way out and handed me a cardboard covered package. I looked at it and thought it can’t be can it? Rowan 50 wasn’t due until 15th July. I decided it must be , excitement took over and I ripped open the cardboard. I was so excited I couldn’t sit down I was running around the front room saying OMG its gorgeous. I semi calmed down and looked at each page, taking in the beautiful photography ,scenery and of course the amazing designs. There is so much I like in this issue. Some I adore but won’t wear as they won’t suit me and at least six I love and aim to knit.
I am a book worm and the dark grey with gold lettering hardcover is something to behold I wish all my Rowan magazines came like this. Can you imagine how good a shelf of these would look.
Then the following day the latest issue of Knitting magazine arrived with a gorgeous coat with matching collar/cowl by designer Jo Sharpie in Rowan British Sheep Breeds Undyed as well as a lovely pair of cotton wristwarmers by Sarah Hazell. I plan on making the coat as I can wear it to work and have it on the shop floor to show off the yarn. I need to knit Cordial from Rowan 50 first though
Jen Sews and Knits 