Debbie Bliss Snowflake Cushion

Just before Christmas, I think it might have been the week before, I decided to knit the Snowflake Cushion from Debbie Bliss' Fall/Winter 2010.

I knitted the red and cream version and I really enjoyed it. I always have trouble with fair isle, but I think I just need to keep practicing to get it right.

We have had such a wet Summer in Sydney, so wet that I haven't been able to block it, as it has rained almost every day and it would not have dried. But the sun was out yesterday and today, so I seized the opportunity to do it!

As usual, I used a smaller needle size. The pattern called for 3.75 and 4, but I always use 3 and 3.75. It is knitted all in one piece, wraps around the cushion inner and buttons closed.

The only part I am a little disappointed in is the top stars. There are little gaps where the red meets the cream. You are supposed to wrap the yarn to stop this happening, but it didn't work for me.

I am really happy with the rest of the pattern though.

I know it is February, but I think I might just pop this on the couch for a little while, rather than putting it away for next winter!





Another Blanket

I enjoyed my baby blanket so much, that I have decided to start on another blanket.
I still have some Stylecraft Special DK left from my Granny Stripe blanket and decided to use that up on a Granny Square Blanket.

I have always steered away from the Granny Square. I don't really like the bags or scarves made out of them.They always seem to be trying to fit a square peg into a round hole! (pardon the pun) However, lately I have seen some lovely blankets and thought I would give it a try.

It does seem a little crazy to be working on a blanket in the middle of the Australian summer, but we have had a very mild one with lots of rain so far.

I had a good look through this book to find some ideas about fancy squares, but decided to go with a basic Granny Square simply because I want an easy pattern that I don't have to think about.

I'm really glad that I found this great pack of Stylecraft Special DK. It really is great for projects and the colour selection is wonderful. Really bright and cheerful. I bought it from here.



Baby Boy's Blanket

As you probably know, we do a lot of pink here. Sometimes purple, but mostly pink. I know that this may change on the future as my girls grow bigger, but at the moment, it's pink most of the time.
However, there is a new cousin arriving soon and this one may like blue better. So after a short enjoyable trip away from pink, here is the finished blanket.

I really enjoyed working with the Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, but it was a little splitty sometimes. I don't know if that was due to the way I crochet or just this yarn.

I'm really happy with the simple stripes and the final blue border finishes it nicely.





It is rows of triple with a single border. Lovely.

Beginning of 2012



I have had a little break from my blog while I was busy up to Christmas and enjoying a quiet holiday after.

I didn't really get the things done that I wanted to for the Christmas challenge, but I did do other things.

I made a gingerbread house with a group of mums from the girls school. I was happy to be invited along to join in to their group.

I also knitted a pillow for christmas from the Debbie Bliss magazine. It is lovely but not photographed yet.

I am working on a cross stitch with Christmas words on it. I'm about half way through it now. It has been a while since I have done a cross stitch and I really enjoy following along with the pattern and having a project to work on in front of the TV.



We went to the Carols in the domain with a few families. The girls loved the fireworks the most.

Lastly I am crocheting a blanket for my new nephew who is arriving some time next month.

I chose two colours of the Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino and it is lovely.

I am looking forward to this year, I have enrolled in a uni course so I can teach here in NSW. Hopefully I can complete the papers this year and be teaching next year. My three year NZ degree is not enough to meet the four year requirement.

Happy New Year to all of you.

My Christmas Challenge list

Well I might be a little late, but better than never!

This is what I would like to complete before Christmas this year.

Some decorations ...

All from Fa la la Felt by Amanda Carestio.

And some gifts ...

From Scandinavian Needlecraft by Clare Youngs.

And I would like to make some headbands with crochet flowers on them from here ...

Hopefully I can fit all this in!!

See other lists and participants here.

The Christmas Challenge

I'm joining Polka Dot Daze in her Christmas Challenge.

I think Christmas is a great time for crafting. I love making handmade gifts and decorations.

You should join us here to see what we get up to for Christmas.

Dolls Houses

On that last day of the school holidays, I bought the monkeys very cute dolls houses. They came in a little book like a magazine and you folded them out and stuck them together with little tabs.

Thank goodness I can put together Ikea furniture, read directions, and can work visually. It took almost an hour to get them up and I have to say I was thinking "What did I get myself into!!"

But we persevered and they are lovely. The monkeys were able to put together most of the furniture themselves with only a little help from me.

They are now living on the dining table, I'm not sure where they will live after that.

Don't you love the little clothes hanging up? Very cute.