Magic Yarn Ball Swap 2014 ::

So as you may have been aware, last year I hosted a Magic Yarn Ball swap. I loved putting together the ball for my partner, I'm always amazed by how much you can hide within a little ball of yarn! But I won't post much about that, just incase Alessandra hasn't worked her way though it all yet.

 However my ball from her arrived the day before we headed away for our Christmas break, creating a perfect excuse to cast on something new especially for the holidays! I decided on Martina Behm's Brickless shawl, because I've knit it before and therefore have the pattern pretty well committed to memory, so no massive brain power required and I could just knit on until I ran out of yarn.

I cast on, on the train as we set off on our adventures and I finished about a week ago. The yarn itself is gorgeous, it's malabrigo Arroyo in the Lotus colourway which looks like mermaid tales in my eyes! But the gifts hidden within those strands were something else. So thoughtful and personal, it was such a joy everytime I heard something fall out and I spent quite a lot of time prodding and poking at the ball to try and get an insight as to what might be hiding inside. It was so much fun to knit with and I'm so thankful to Alessandra.

I'm thinking of running another swap as this one was such a success. Maybe to coincide with Valentines day? If you fancy taking part, pop your email in the box below and I'll send out some more details in the next week or so.

Sling Cowl :: A Crochet Pattern ::

One thing I definitely don't really need is more neckwear. I have a bit of scarf/shawl problem, I just love knitting/crocheting these garments and I do put them all to good use. However I've discovered since the temperature dropped, that scarves and baby slings do not make for great companions. I'm always worried about the tails getting in Effie's face and they just don't sit quite right with the sling in place.

When we pulled all the knitwear out of storage last week, I noticed the snood I knit for Johnny a couple of years ago and realised that was exactly what I needed. Something that fits perfectly around my neck, without any ends to get in the way and sits high enough to be well out of Effie's face. As knitting isn't really working for me at the moment, for whatever reasons, I decided to crochet my version.
I thought I'd share this simple little pattern with you here. It's quick, easy, unisex and would make a great Christmas gift too.

Hill Top CAL ::

The lovely Joanne of Not So Granny, is hosting a crochet a long over on Facebook at the moment. The pattern is her gorgeous Hill Top hat from Issue 10 of Simply Crochet, which is also available as a single PDF download.

Inspired by the thought of crocheting along with a group I excitedly ordered my yarn last week. I went for Fyberspates Scrumptious DK Joanne used in her original sample, in the plum. I absolutely adore this yarn and the colour.

As it was I didn't actually believe I'd get started let alone finished. Crafting time is it an all time low, what with our new addition and all. But you know what, I went from yarn in skein (I even had winding to do, my least favourite job) to finished hat on my head by the time the mr was home from work.

The speed in which I finished this project is a great testament to both the yarn and pattern. I simply loved working with both. So much so that before the day was out I'd whipped up a matching hat for Effie.

It's not too late to join in yourself if you fancy, just hop on over to Joanne's blog for all the details.

Handmade Baby Gifts :: The Knits ::

There's nothing like bringing a new life into the world to help realise how many wonderfully kind and generous people you have in your life. I cannot tell you how many gifts this little girl (and her big brother) have received, both before she was even born and in the last few weeks.
Not only that but, my do I have some talented friends too. I really wanted to share with you some of the truly gorgeous handmade gifts this little lady has been gifted.

There have been so many I thought I'd do a little series, starting today with the knits.

Obviously I knit a fair amount of items for her myself, but I was so very touched to have received so many hand knits from others. 'Any excuse for some,' Johnny declared, he's quite right of course, but the fact that because knitters love knitting (and let's be honest baby knits are some of the most fun things to knit) only makes the items Effie's been gifted even more precious in my eyes.

One of my lovely neighbours and fellow craft night and knit and natter attendee brought round this gorgeous box of goodies a couple of weeks before Effie's arrival.

She also included a oil blended especially for labour, which was great, I rubbed it on my belly during the early stages and found it super relaxing.
The knits are the gorgeous (Petit) Artichaut by Solenn Couix-Loarer with matching booties in Drops Alpaca ::

And my utter favourite, which has been worn a whole lot by little Effie, is Granny's Favourite by Georgie Hallam also with matching booties knit in Malabrigo Sock ::

You can see the ravely notes on Angie's knits on her page here.

Another lovely and fairly new knitter, though you wouldn't really know it by her incredible knitting skills, Bex of Ampersand Commodoties, knitted this incredibly dress for Effie ::

It was knit from a vintage Paton's pattern and I cannot tell you how many compliments it received on it's first outing last week. My sister has already claimed it as a hand-me-down for her daughter due in February.

Lastly is this lovely little cardigan, knit for Effie by a friend's Mum ::

She is so unbelievably lucky to be wrapped up in all these lovingly created gifts and I feel so blessed to have such wonderful folks around us

Deramores ::

I should have posted about this a couple of months ago really, but what with being pregnant and all, it just didn't quite happen. However I am pleased to say Deramores are now selling a range of independent designer's knit and crochet patterns, including some of mine, all of which are available as downloadable PDF's.

I'm a big fan of Deramores as it is so having my patterns in their shop is a great honour. Their customer service in my experience has been fantastic, they always ship super quickly and they have a great range of yarns.

One of the other things I really love about Deramores is that I can get cashback on my purchases through topcashback, which when you buy as much yarn as I do is very beneficial. If you haven't heard of topcashback, this is something else that I'm very happy to recommend. Simply sign up, then every time you shop online go to topcashback see if the merchant you're shopping with is on their list, then if they are click through to their site from there. You will then earn cashback on any purchases you make. We use it for everything, let the money build up over the year then come Christmas we withdraw it either into cash or gift vouchers to help with our christmas shopping. You can use when purchasing train tickets, coach tickets, pizza delivery, a whole load of clothes retailers and much more, those are just a few we use most regularly.

Hope everyone's week is going well.

Stash Dash 2014 ::

I have quite a few finished objects this week.

I finally finished up my Baby Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmerman.  I'm not sure if this really counts towards my stash dash total as I haven't really done any actual knitting on it.  I'm going to count it unofficially just because it seems unlikely I'll make that 5,000 total anyways!
I love this cardigan, I loved knitting it and really like the way it turned out.  I did 10 rows of white for every 4 rows of colour, I did this without doing any sums to see if it would work, but fortunately it's almost perfect in terms of colour spacing.  I used Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino DK for the main colour and some scraps I had left over from my Mystery Blanket for the stripes, which was Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran. Buttons are from my etsy shop (don't forget I have 30% off until I go on maternity leave and there's a chance to win £15 to spend in store, see this blog post)
Yardage is 240

Next up is the Milo vest I knit for the baby.  Looks super tiny, which is a bit worrying, but hopefully I've just forgotten how tiny babies really are, it also has quite a lot of stretch.  I enjoyed this pattern and I love the yarn (Cascade 220 Aran).
Yardage is 132

I also managed to finish up the baby granny blanket.  I just kept going until I ran out of yarn.  I'm not sure I'm all that impressed with this piece, I don't think it helps that after soaking it I decided I couldn't be bothered to block it so just laid out to dry.  I'm sure it will serve it's purpose well though.  I used Rowan Felted Tweed, which in retrospect is probably a bit tickly for baby skin, but I figure it will be over sleepsuits and sheets so probably won't be too much of a problem and will certainly be lovely and warm.
Yardage is 764

Lastly I have something entirely different for me, some spinning!  I bought myself a spindle last year from Hill Top Cloud and taught myself from the kit I got.  Then at the Knitting and Stitching Show I purchased some fleece to try and have a bit more of a practice.  That was back in October and I literally just finished spinning that measly 50 grams a couple of nights ago.  I was thinking spinning just wasn't really for me, as much as I'd like it to be, but when I came to ply the yarn I changed my mind a little. As I saw the yarn really come together, I thought maybe I could enjoy this after all.  This is very much a beginners skien of handspun, but everyone has to start somewhere right?! I have no idea what I can/will actually knit from it either, it's really quite ugly in many many ways.  For now I'll just admire all my hard work.
Obviously now I can't stop looking at all the beautiful roving on etsy I'm especially in love with the gorgeous colours over at Spin City Yarns, plus her spindles are works of arts in themselves.
Yardage is 236.

So my total yardage so far is:
Brickless - 315
Hitchiker/Brickless for me - 275
Baby socks and hat - 70
Milo's Hitchiker - 215
Baby Surprise Jacket - 240
Milo Vest - 132
Granny Square Baby Blanket - 764
Ugly Skein - 236
Total - 2,247 (nearly halfway!)

Finding Inspiration :: Summer of Beads and Lace ::

After spending a day catching up with the last few episodes of the Knitmore Girls Podcast recently, I decided that evening I simply had to knit a lace shawl with beads, as you do.
With my brain power at an all time low and with a distinct lack of 4ply or lace weight yarn in my stash, I eventually decided on Martina Behm's Brickless, adding beads simply at the points.  This feels a little like it might be cheating a bit, but I'm loving knitting it and it makes me happy, so all is well.  I've since finished both this and another lace and beads shawl just a simple.
However I was inspired to hunt out some much more intricate, beautifully lacy and beaded shawls for possible future knitting.
Here are some of my favourites from Ravelry.

Click the little pictures at the bottom to see the original source of the images above, or click the big picture to see more of my pins over on pinterest.

Crafting 28/365...

...knitting socks...

I started these socks, oh I don't know, about a year ago maybe, and well they had been abandoned. However last night I felt the urge to do some knitting, so I went upstairs rummaged through the many, many unfinished knitting and crochet projects and dug these out. Surprisingly I managed the whole bottom part (heel to toe) so who know maybe I'll have them finished in less than another 12 months!

Lilley Stitches...

Sorry I have been such an absent blogger of late, I do intend to be better, promise.

I've just popped in to let you know, I have finally set up my new shop!

xxx

Starting to rest and prepare...

As my due date draws nearer, I'm starting to finally realise what is happening! Yes it's true in approximately 3 weeks and 2 days I will be having a baby a real life little person to look after! As a result I probably won't be around that much over the following few weeks...I do seem to have a renewed energy recently, but it's more focused on cleaning and tidying and doing selfish things for myself! I may also be slower to respond to messages, I'll still be about checking in and reading other's blogs, I just may be a little more laid back and slow!

There are so many different feelings and emotions you go through when you are pregnant...it truly is as many will tell you a 'rollercoaster', if I tried to list them all it would take all day...but I'm happy to say that at the moment the main feeling I have is one of a calm, thoughtful, relaxful state.

I have a few pictures to share with you of yet another baby blanket!



It's still a work in progress, that like most things I'm working on slowly and thoughtfully. I'm using Rowan Calmer yarn (the website is down and the moment so I can't post a link) which is 90% cotton and 10% polyester, it's not the softest yarn in the world but it's quite thick and chunky (although that may partly be down to the stitch I'm using).

The stripey hoodie I posted about last week is so so close to completion now...all that's left is for me to stitch on some buttons. I'll post pictures of it in all it's glory when it is truly finished.

Happy Monday xxx

Making more baby things...

...and doing very little else.

I have become so incredibly lazy the last few days. I know it's down to being pregnant and all that jazz, but I still feel very very guilty about it. Johnny is lovely and tries to encourage me to do just nothing but sleep, but there is so much to do! Granted if the baby were to decide to make an appearance today he would have clothes to wear (all washed and folded and put away in size order!), a bed to sleep in (again all washed and ready to be made up), transportation (both in the form of wheels and seat - but not yet sling), nappies to wear, toys to play with (if he so desired), and a million other things he probably doesn't need. My hospital bag is packed (almost) due to the fact my mum and sister posted me one already made up, I think they were starting to worry I would never get round to sorting it out myself! So in fact there probably isn't all that much to do now...but I feel like there is!! I can't even think of anything off the top of my head, except perhaps little things like a bit of hoovering and clean the bathroom....but I still feel like every moment sat on the sofa watching terrible daytime television and crocheting is a wasted moment!

Well not entirely wasted as this was what I produced from yesterdays sofa lounging...

Approximately half a baby hoodie in red and white stripes...I love the colours and the style of the stripes, although Johnny is calling it the jester hoodie. I got the pattern from this book, that I bought a while ago. I seem to have altered the pattern slightly, unintentionally, but it still seems to be working out OK!

It calls for some duffel style buttons, so I'm planning on making some up out of polymer clay today for it...but I can't decide whether to have stripey red and white, or solid red and white alternately or just plain old red ones...

I have to go out today to post some items, which is wonderful, because it is so beautifully sunny and springlike, and it gives me an excuse to leave the house and enjoy it.

Happy Wednesday xxx

P.S. 4 weeks today til my due date!!

Chocolate and Baby Blankets...

I'm still working on a baby blanket a started a million years ago (well maybe not that long ago, but all the way back here anyway), I knitted up the squares, but well they are not the squarest of squares so I begun to edge them in crochet and then kind of forgot about them! That is until yesterday when Johnny said I was absolutely not allowed to begin on anything else for the baby until that blue blanket was finished! He can be such a meany sometimes. So anyway I continue to edge those squares I did.

All was going well until I discovered that I hadn't started out with white and two shades of blue, but an off-white creamy colour and 2 shades of blue!!! I was distraught but Johnny pulled me through my anguish and attempted to tell me it didn't matter...I'm still not sure it doesn't look a bit silly as the original creamy yarn used in the main blocks looks slightly yellow when positioned next to the more recently purchased white which lines the dark blue, but hey ho, these silly mistakes seem to happen more and more in my pregnant state!

They're still not attached to each other but they are ready to be!! Now only to decide how to do it and in what colour...that could well take another 3 months at least!!

On a completely unrelated note I made the most ridiculously chocolately chocolate cookies on Friday, they are amazing, but the fact that we still have some of the 12 I baked left just goes to show you how intensly chocolately they are!

They are from this book I picked up at a bargain price many years ago, I have made these triple chocolate cookies before but think I forgot how insanely rich they really are! The recipe calls for 90g of milk chocolate 90g of white chocolate and 300g of dark chocolate!!! I didn't even use that much, as I couldn't find any white chocolate that wasn't nestle I used 150g of milk chocolate and as 300g of dark chocolate just seemed crazy I only used 200g!

I indulged in them still warm with some hot chocolate and family tree investigating on Friday afternoon, and lovely it was indeed!

Happy Sunday all...I'm probably going to go and sleep a lot...after weeks of complete inability to sleep due to kicking, overheating and being purely uncomfortable, my body seems to have developed an ability to ignore all these things and has decided all I really need to do is sleep, it could sleep all day and all night if I let it. xxx

Some Zesty Baby Treats...

After the massive closing down sale of my favourite place to by yarn, a couple of months ago, I now have quite a large quantity of lovely expensive rowan yarn to use up. One of my favourite finds was a bag (10 balls in total) of the wonderful milk cotton in, the colour I have just discovered is called, "fruit salad" (I think I love it even more now!). I also have to share with you the fact that those 10 balls of yarn cost a grand total of £11.50!!

Despite the fact that Johnny has some horrible aversion to orange as a colour, I have crocheted both a baby blanket and a baby hat, with the above yarn and I still have more than 5 balls left!!

I used a stitch I hadn't done before, with the blanket..it's very simple double crochet chain double crochet, putting double crochet into the gap where the chain below is, and I think it works really well as a baby blanket because it's nice and light. Then I just did a few rows of double crochet around the edge.

The hat I managed to knock up pretty quickly and easily (whilst delighting in watching Heston cook up incredible wonders!)...working completely out of my head...in about 20 minutes! The only pattern I had for a baby hat in crochet was done flat and then stitched together rather than in rounds, which seemed a bit silly to me, so I just used the basis of my oversized beanies, but made it much much smaller!!

I'm not really quite sure how big a new born baby's head is exactly and some of the hats I've bought for him look scarily huge, but I think I've got it close to right! We'll just have to wait and see I guess...5 weeks today!!

Happy Wednesday xx

Getting Ready...

Here are some shots of my preparations for my new shop...

And some more shots of my finished Little Multi-Coloured Houses embroidery hoop....

I've backed the hoop with some little houses fabric I've had forever in fear of using it because I love it so much!!

That's all for today...I must return to washing all the many many baby things I have been given...not quite sure how many sheets a baby needs...but I'm pretty sure I now most certainly have enough!! I've also been awake most of the night, the baby has taken to head butting me in the ribs, which wakes me up in quite a panic, so hopefully I'll be able to get a little more sleep before attempting any crafting today!

xx

Lilley Stitches....

Hello...
I just wanted to quickly share with you some stitching I did for the banner and avatar for my new shop.

I'm off into the lovely sunshine to make my way to the hospital for my last scan....that means the last time I see the baby until he is really here in the flesh!!

xx