Where does all the time go?!

Good morning everyone.

I've just updated the Knit Your Square running totals for the last week. Considering it's such a busy time for everyone, the figures are amazing!

I had every intention of posting photos of some of the things I have been making for Christmas pressies, but the batteries have died in the camera. They are recharging as I type, so I shall have to take the photos later. Watch this space!

KNIT YOUR SQUARE UPDATE FOR 15th DECEMBER 2009 (from figures posted up to Sun 13th Dec)

Ruffle scarves, photos and free patterns!

I've been loving making these scarves! They're so quick, very satisfying to make, and make lovely gifts.  I started off with a free pattern I found online, then decided to experiment on the same theme. I've come up with three different ideas and would like to share them with you.  I've included a link to the original pattern in my instructions, because the actual ruffle element is not mine - I've just adapted it!  I hope you find my patterns useful!

My three crochet ruffle scarves.

This one was worked in Sirdar Denim Chunky - a very soft yarn.

I used Robin Aran in cream for this one.

This one was crocheted in Courtelle Chevy with Wool DK in shade 4362.

Experimenting with Ruffles

Using the same basic principle of the ruffle scarf    (http://www.caron.com/projects/bliss/B5_ruffle_scarf.html)   I’ve been trying out a few variations. Here are the instructions for anyone who would like to try them.  I hope they make sense – if not, please ask!

IMPORTANT:   With all ruffle scarves, working the foundation chain loosely makes the first row easy!

Cream Scarf

This was worked in Robin Aran weight wool (but any chunky yarn would do) with a No 6 (UK) hook, and was so so simple to make.

Ch to length required for completed scarf.

1^st (and only!) row: SC into 7^th chain from hook, ch 7, SC into same stitch, *ch 7, SC into next st, ch 7 SC into same st* to end. Fasten off and weave in the ends.

 Denim Scarf

This was worked in Sirdar Denim Chunky with a No 6 (UK) hook

Ch to length required for completed scarf.

1^st Row:  SC into 7^th chain from hook, ch 7, SC into same stitch, *ch 7, SC into next st, ch 7, SC into same st* to end.

2^nd Row:  same as 1^st row but worked into the other side of the foundation row. Fasten off and weave in the ends.

The second row could be worked in a contrasting colour – something I’ll try next, now I’ve thought about it!

Dark Blue Scarf worked in Drop Stitch

This was worked in DK yarn (Courtelle Chevy DK with Wool from my stash. I’ve had it for years, so have no idea if it’s still available!).

Drop Stitch instructions:  Into each stitch, YO, insert into st, YO again but this time  pull up to about an inch, pull yarn through all 3 loops on hook, then ch 1 to ‘lock’ the stitch into place.

Ch to length required for completed scarf.

1st Row:  Work 1 drop stitch into fourth chain from hook, then 1 into each chain to end. Turn.

2^nd Row:  Ch 4, work 2 drop stitches into each space made by the ‘locking’ chain of the previous row. Turn.

3^rd Row:  Ch 4, work 2 drop stitches into each space between every drop stitch of the previous row.

Fasten off and weave in the ends or, if a wide scarf is required, repeat 3^rd row.

 

Having a luffley ruffley time!

Good morning, everyone! It's been a while since I last posted - I've been 'helping' with the renovations on the house which has kept me fairly occupied. Thankfully, I still have the evenings free to knit and crochet. I've been making ruffle scarves which are really satisfying and quick to make. A lot of my relatives and friends will be having one for Christmas, so they're money-saving, too!  I shall post photos and pattern instructions in my next post.

The weather, having been really wet and windy for the last three weeks, suddenly took a change for the better yesterday, and we had a glorious day. I managed to empty some flower tubs, and I brought my geraniums in to over-winter in the conservatory.  I shall spend some time over the next couple of months deciding what to do with the garden in the spring - which seems a long way away right now!

Christmas is looming now that December is here. We are planning on visiting the UK in January. This will be my first Christmas without seeing the children and grandchildren, which I'll find really difficult. Thank heavens for Skype; at least I can see them all on the day, even if it is only on screen.  We are spending Christmas day with some very good friends who live about an hour away. We'll be staying overnight, which will be lovely.  They are both chefs so, of course, we are really looking forward to it!  I can't remember the last time I didn't have to cook the Christmas dinner, so it will be a real treat.  We'll be taking lots of wine, some cheeses, chocolates, and other goodies with us, and I just know we will have a great time in wonderful company.

Here in France, they've just started putting up the decorations in the stores so everything is looking lovely.  The gift ideas have been around for the last month, and one of our local stores has a Croix Rouge (Red Cross) stand which will wrap your pressies in return for a donation to the cause. It's a great idea, and they are very busy. I haven't tried it yet but will do soon.

The Christmas card selections here are, sadly, pretty dire compared to the UK (and very very expensive!), so I'm pleased I already have loads which were bought in the UK before we left.  I just need to find time to write them out!

The sky - so full of promise!

I had every intention of posting photos of all the things I have been crocheting over the last couple of weeks for Christmas presents but, as they all need the ends sewing in, this has been postponed. I now have my usual WIP bag, and a new addition - my 'things-that-need-the-ends-sewing-in-in-progress' bag (TTNTESIIP). I have promised myself that this weekend will be a finishing-off weekend.

Instead, I took yet more pictures of 'our' sky. We are lucky enough to have a huge panoramic view of farmland from the back of our house and the sky is huge; at night, because we have no street-lighting, it is studded with hundreds of thousands of stars  which take your breath away.  I will try and take photos.  This photo was taken at around 7 am on Wednesday morning. We have shutters here so it is hard to tell what the outside looks like when we first get up in the morning and, sometimes, I open the shutters and am so taken aback by what I see that I have to race outside in my dressing-gown and take photos. What the neighbours think, I have no idea!  I'm sure I can hear them muttering 'that crazy English woman'!

At the moment, I am crocheting lots of ruffle scarves for presents but I also want to make a pocket angel to send to my sister. She has been in hospital recently with something that has yet to be properly diagnosed. It's her birthday next week and I thought an angel would look after her for me, so I need to get that in the post asap. In fact, I've just realised how little time I have so I will definitely get that done today!

I hope that I will soon be posting crochet-related photos and not even more of the sky!

Thanks for popping in.

A very welcome day of sunshine - for a change!

This was how our day started yesterday. The sun was full of promise and really lived up to it for the rest of the day. We've had a gloomy couple of weeks so this was very welcome.

You can just see the leaves beginning to change colour. I love this time of year when we get a proper autumn day.

This is  part of the view from the front of the house. You can just make out our neighbours' mad-as-a-hatter dog. We don't have much experience of dogs but they ask us to look after him when they are way. His name is Bondi (said with a French accent!), and he is truly away with the fairies! Very friendly but hyperactive, and it takes the two of us to get his lead on, and that's after letting him have the lead so he can charge around the garden with it for half an hour!

Not a very good picture, but this is a well that needs a lot of TLC - a project for the Spring, I think.

Another view from the back; the trees are all changing colour which can only be appreciated when the sun is shining.

I absolutely love this view of the drive and the little lane we have to drive down to get to the house. We are lucky enough to have the space for two entrances; they have matching double gates which we picked up a few years ago when we found them on offer. The land to the right beyond the gates is ours, and has been divided into three building plots for which we were lucky enough to get planning permission. We've sold one plot, and the other two are currently up for sale. The hamlet has around thirty houses at the moment, and the local Mairie (mayor) is very keen to attract newcomers to the area, so he was more than happy to rubber-stamp our application for planning permission.

The sun is just starting to go down here. I'm standing under the willow tree which is, sadly, losing its leaves for the winter.

It was a truly lovely warm sunny day and really soothed my soul!

A mixed weekend

 These are the little booties I have made as a Christmas present for my latest granddaughter. It's a very simple pattern but has taken ages due to my cold stopping play for ages, but I am quite pleased with the results.

This is a scarf I've made for a Christmas present for a friend.  The pattern is very easy and I'll be making several more, I think.







Well, this weekend was a little better than the last one, mainly because my cold is finally on its way out, although I had a rotten night's sleep last night because I kept waking up either coughing or sneezing. In the end, I gave in and got up for a cuppa. An afternoon nap will definitely be on the agenda today!
I hope those of you in the UK didn't suffer any damage from the storms - I watched all the weather forecasts and the news items,  and it looked pretty wet and windy. We had a milder version of it here but our forecast gets better as the week progresses - apparently!  I didn't stray far this weekend because I still feel a bit worn out from the cold, but I hope to get out and about this week. I feel an urge for some real fresh air and a stroll so I may visit one of our local parks with my camera.  I love the fact that we can post photos on here - isn't technology wonderful?!