Warm Up Stitches

This stormy weather is the perfect excuse to stay indoors and finally get down to some long-overdue sewing. It’s been so long, I needed a warm-up project; something I could finish in one sitting. This trivet didn’t require a plan, a pattern, or any measurement. Which is just my style.

Don’t look too closely; you’ll see the botched corners and the less-than-regular hand stitching on the binding. But hey, it’s going to get splashed with tea aplenty so perfection is not its destiny.

Meanwhile, I’m choosing fabrics for a bigger patchwork plan. I’m hoping the next won’t be quite so botched. I’ll have to keep practicing those corners..

How to Mend a Christmas Jumper

Tom’s reindeer jumper from Howies is certainly well-loved. It’s is his go-to woolly winter wear. So when he discovered both elbows worn through right before his school kids’ Christmas disco, something had to be done…

Darning is easier than I had first thought. With some spare yarn and a yarn needle, simply stitch across the hole in a horizontal direction, before then going back over the hole in a vertical direction. If in doubt, watch a how-to video.

Tom was after leather elbow patches, but I’ve made that mistake before. Usually the leather is too stiff to sit well on a jumper. So, I found an old tweed skirt that was begging to be cut up. Cut two tweed ovals, pin them over the holes, and check they’re evenly spaced (no one wants wonky elbows). Then, stitch around them with a standard needle and thread (rolling up the sleeves makes this easier.)

Two tweed elbow patches done, so Tom shall indeed go to the ball, I mean, the school disco..

Christmas Crafting

I know it’s early guys, but really, it’s not that early. Autumn is here in its full-on, golden richness and I’ve just got back in the mood to start knitting. I was busy thinking about my favourite colours and what selfish knitting I might start next when an eager friend told me she’d already done lots of her Christmas shopping. If it hadn’t been for her, I’d have bought that mound of burgundy wool I was planning for myself. But instead, I’m getting my Christmas craft on.

I love making Christmas gifts of any sort: baking, drawing, stitching, brewing.. It gets me in the holiday spirit. It’s a little early to go gung-ho on the festive cheer, even for me. But I’m enjoying spending a little more time over some presents and being ahead of my usual November’s-end frantic rush .

Choose carefully to whom you give these made-with-love presents. Some people are strangely bah-humbug about homemade, and no one wants that putdown all over their parcel. But if you can find someone who delights in your creativity and appreciates your time more than your wallet, then you’ve found a worthy candidate. Happy crafting!

Knitting for the Chill

There is a distinct snap in the air today: a chilly wind and an almost-frost. I finished these mitts off in the nick of time. This pair have been hanging around on the needles since last winter (after all, who wants to knit something they’ll have no reason to wear in the heat of summer?) so I only had one cuff and a thumb to polish off in time for the October chill.

I abandoned the pattern after I decided I had to use this tweed yarn that was much skinnier than what was advised. So they’re a little tight, and the thumbs spent last night being stretched out by a carrot. Not a very stylish beginning, but these are everyday gloves- perfect for chucking on when it’s chilly, with no delusions of grandeur. I’d really love to knit some fair isle but for now my fumbling fingers will have to settle for standard stripes. I am revelling in some chilly days and a excuse to wear a newly finished project.

Afternoon Tea

These autumn days pull me back to baking after hot summer days of beer and barbecues. Tom and I pulled forces to bake an afternoon tea for my brother who stopped by. Homemade bread, red velvet cupcakes, and ginger tiffin cake, all delicious if I do say so! Just the right start to getting our baking mojo back. Tom’s bread gets tastier every week, and I’ve got a growing list of things to bake next: apple crumble bars, cranberry flapjacks, white chocolate brownies, and a proper Victoria sponge (can you believe, I’ve never made one!) Grey days are delicious when they bring you back to simple pleasures.