Miss Winkle is done and dusted

This has been a busy weekend with my day class yesterday on hand quilting and a redrafting of the same project today. I was not too happy with the accuracy of the tracing and the heaviness of the lines. I recut the cushion front in cream cotton sateen this time and traced the design lightly with a soft lemon water-colour pencil. I can just about see it which means I can see the size and placing of the stitches much better.

The weather brightened slightly this morning so I was able to take a photo of the Miss Winkle shawlette which was finally dry after blocking.

The pattern is by Martina Behm and is available as a download from her website 
The website is in German and English and Martina has some really unusual designs
I love the explanation of the name of the shawl.

One of my favorite sitcoms is “The Big Bang Theory“. In one episode, nerdy physicist Leonard dates his colleague Leslie Winkle and they have a fierce argument about which version of Quantum Mechanics is correct – String Theory or Loop Quantum Gravity. When Leonard declares that he prefers his space “stringy, not loopy“, that’s a dealbreaker for Leslie (”How will we raise the children?“). This very loopy shawlette is here to celebrate Miss Winkle, women scientists and all women who know what they want and don’t let any man talk them out of it! 

The shawl is knitted in 4ply garter stitch and is really easy to knit once the loop has been mastered. It made a good project for sitting in front of the TV! I even learnt a new technique for binding off. I always thought there was only one way of casting off. Through the joys of the internet I can now do an Icelandic bind off which gives a lovely edge to the garter stitch.

I'm linking up with Sarah from Crafts from the Cwtch who has been running this fun KAL on Ravelry.


My next knitting project is a cardigan for my granddaughter, 3year old Vivi. I've chosen a pattern called Granny's Favourite by Georgie Hallam. I've got my knitting mojo back since I discovered independent pattern designers. Vivi has problems with wool on her skin so I tend to choose either a cotton yarn or a manmade fibre. This time I decided on a pale silvery grey DK yarn; Jenny Watson Babysoft DK. I'll be casting on tonight while I watch the first episode of the WW1 drama The Crimson Field on BBC1. 


I'm also linking up with Wool on Sundays.

A rat's nest of WIPs

I'm linking up today with Janine of Rainbow Hare Quilts with an update on my yarn projects.

I've finished the jumper for Isobel and it's looking good. That left me with time on my hands yesterday to dig to the bottom of my knitting bag and see what else was lurking there.

The card in the middle is Playful Stripes by Alana Dakos. The link is to her Ravelry page. I have knitted this before in a larger size for Alexandra and once the garment is washed and blocked it looks gorgeous. Only thing is that there are so many ends to tidy up!

Playful stripes for Alexandra

The bottom photo is the unfinished lacy card for Isobel. The pattern had been started in 2012 for Alexandra then stayed at the bottom of the bag until last October. I pulled it out and continued knitting it, this time for Isobel, but I started the knitting in a different size. I only realised last Thursday and so 'frogged' the lot! Now I'm off again but this time in the right size, age 1-2 years. The yarn is Sirdar Snuggly baby Bamboo. It's 80% bamboo, 20% wool and lovely to knit with. The card has short sleeves and will be lovely over summer dresses.

Last and not least, (can you hear the trumpet fanfare?)… my crochet homework. Please don't laugh at my 2 granny squares….

I'm still working on getting my Ravelry link going in the side bar but this works in the meantime. I only wish I had discovered Ravelry sooner. So many projects not recorded.


Right, well that's it for my Wool on Sundays link, I'm off to cut out the block for my machine piecing class on Thursday and maybe some more Hummingbird blocks.

Sunday morning with hints of Spring and an almost finish.

What a beautiful start to the day. Not a breath of wind and in the sun it feels quite mild. I decided to take a few photos in the garden to remind me that Spring is not too far ahead.

View at 9am from back garden

Daphne buhloa in bloom

I've decided to link up with Wool on Sundays at Rainbow Hare Quilts this morning. I spent all yesterday hand quilting until my finger tips would stand no more so I decided to see what knitting projects I had forgotten about at the bottom of my basket. I came across this jumper I started knitting for Isobel who is now nearly 11 months.

I had picked up 4 balls of Rowan Cashsoft baby dk in a sale last year and started knitting this in late October. The pattern is a Lace Edged Round neck sweater taken from Baby Bamboo too (346 code B).

I'm not sure why it wasn't finished but it could have had something to do with Christmas. Anyway, all it needed was the neckband and sewing up. I just have to graft the last sleeve on now and block this afternoon.

We live in Vale of Glamorgan but only live 10 minutes from Cardiff city centre. We get the best of both worlds. Beautiful situation and all the amenities of the city too. One of the many attractions of life in Cardiff is the Riverside Farmer's Market held every Sunday morning from 10am to 1pm. Fresh vegetables, meat, cheeses, preserves and the most amazing bread- what more could you ask for? It's an absolute foodie heaven.

Choosing some venison for a pie

The Millenium Stadium

Despite the fact that it feels so mild this morning it is still only 4°. Time to go home and eat the Welsh Cakes with some coffee.

Enjoy your weekend

Catherine