Caron Cake Scarf

A while ago the crafting community went crazy for Caron cakes. I actually knew this was going to happen. No I'm not clairvoyant, it just so happened that a few weeks before I;d been at the CHSI stitches show and spoken to one of their representatives [whilst he fed me a Caron cake.....not actually fed me, it wasn't like a roman slave thing....he just gave me a cake to eat]  Anyway he used the words "these are going to be huge" and I was like "oh alright Hun, may I have another cake for on the train?" 

And then they launched.

And before you could say knitting needles Hobbycraft had sold out, and on line had sold out [I mean who knew the INTERNET could sell out?] I actually saw a picture of a lady walking out of Hobbycraft with 10 of them! I MEAN TEN!

Luckily for me I snapped one up a few weeks later when the drama had died down! This was during Rikki's why don't you spoil yourself and get a hobbycraft order moment...... I'm still not 100% what he's broken. 

I chose the "Funfetti" colourway which is no longer available on the hobbycraft website [insert sad emojis] I'm not sure why I picked that one, apart from I was two glasses of wine down and the title Funfetti just seemed hilarious! I already knew I wanted to knit a new winter scarf and who does want to swath themselves in Funfetti? 

I believe it comes under the title of a colour change wool, well because the colour changes but its not in  your typical fade style. Instead you get set blocks of colour, all of which I think are roughly the same length [its hard to tell when its knitted up because of gauge and stuff] Now because of these solid blocks of colour I decided to alternate my stitches so for example I started knitting in garter stitch and then when the colour changed I switched to moss stitch! I kept going like this until the end, It worked out quite nicely because it gave me a break from the moss stitch which I am really really slow at. Plus it gives the scarf a bit more texture.

I cast on 31 stitches because you need an odd number to create moss stitch and knitted the whole ball of wool. I knitted it up on 7.00mm prym ergonomic knitting needles. The clip ends on the needles came in very handy for this project as they stopped my knitting slipping off and coming undone! In fact they worked so well that this scarf survived camping without dropping a single stitch! 

Isn't moss stitch pretty? Its so underrated!

And here's my personal favourite garter stitch! Fun Fact : I can knit garter stitch without looking at it. this makes it perfect for watching films for "mindless knitting"

The ball of wool cost me £10 which I think might be the most I've ever spent on a 200g ball of wool but I used the lot! Its worth it though to have such a long scarf! Shops never make scarves long enough to wrap around twice or do a loop with. [ Although my Mother has informed me the best way to where a scarf is to cross it over your chest and across your tummy to keep the cold out.] 

It actually turned out pretty cute as my new winter scarf I like all the colours and the length is a definite bonus but the best bit is the content of the wool, Its 20% wool and 80% acrylic which means its soft enough that it won't scratch but that its hard wearing enough to go through the wash a few times! I'm not sure what it is a about winter that makes clothes so grimy but it sure does! 

In fact the only quibble I have is that the end colours of my ball of wool were a bit mottled. Ever other colour had been perfectly even but the last two were very splotchy and well messy looking. I'm not sure if mine was just a bad lot but it did irk me a bit. Especially seen as £10 for a ball of wool isn't exactly cheap. 

Its not enough to stop me buying more Caron cakes though! I'm lusting after "bumbleberry" at the moment! 

In other news!

-The boys are more than pleased with the latest Liverpool result all I can hear every now and again is shouting!

 - We have brought a new rug for the living room and its shedding like a Yeti! I'm genuinely worried wee are going to have no rug left. But Rikki assures me that its just because its new and that it should stop soon. I will have to hoover though which is gutting!!!

- We are still surviving the summer holidays but we seem to have found out groove a bit more this week. So far we've been to see the monkeys, played mini golf with dinosaurs and learnt some sewing skills! 

Much Love

Frankie 

xxx

School Days Knitted Cowl

Rikki's Nan recently lent me a pair of circular needles to help me finish my miette cardigan more easily, as it goes the ones I were using were shorter than the ones she lent me so I didn't need them. But it would have been rude not to have cast anything on!

I used scrap yarn, Including scrap sock yarn which I doubled up to make thicker. I'm not sure about the colour scheme the red, white, blue, grey and red remind me a little bit too much of school to be honest. And I do not like being reminded of school in any way shape or form.

The whole thing was knitted in the round, I cast on lots [detailed measure huh?] of stitches, then did a row of purl, then joined it together and carried on working in garter stitch and by some kind of bizarre witchcraft stocking stitch kept appearing but I was working in garter stitch! Its like MAGIC!  

However the wrong side is still in garter stitch and the nature of stocking stitch makes the edges curl up like nobodies business. I think this is where blocking comes in, but I just ironed them flat because I'm a knitting rebel! 

So yeah, it not a success and its not a failure it'll probably sit in my drawer until next winter and I'll decide if I completely hate it then.

In other news I'm busting a move trying to schedule a weeks worth of blog posts because lil man is off...... and boy is it fun!

No it is fun, on the days when we have something planned or are able to go out somewhere, on the days we are confined to the house or whatever's in walking distance [not a lot] most of our day is taken up with me being followed by a small child who's whining. I'm not sure why he's following me so much but its actually starting to get on my nerves now.

I know its supposed to be one of those adorable things that kids do because you know "they love their mummy sooooooooooooooo MUCH!!!" but I tripped over him twice yesterday so I'm starting to think of him more as a mini assassin. He actually slid past the hoover that was resting on the top of the stairs whilst I hoovered the middle today and nearly killed me. 

I realise it was probably an accident but all I could see was the headline:

MOTHER KILLED BY SON USING HENRY HOOVER!

I just hope he cleans up after himself!

Bad Pun

Much Love

Frankie 

xxx  

Shopping Thoughts

Today I went to the shops! And I drove! Which is a pretty big achievement for me, because I'm not the most confident of drivers, In fact the only reason I learnt was because my parents made it quite clear that lifts would be stopping and I wouldn't be able to get places. I've done the drive lots of times its only a 15/20 minute one but boy do I get stressed! I've always been a stressy driver, I remember sitting in my driving lessons sweating! And the situation is not helped by having a whiny four year old in the back!

But I did it! And I had to deal with some of my pet driving peeves!

- Pedestrians that cross anywhere! Cross safely or prepare to be run over!

- Cars that don't give you room, either they try and squeeze in the gap with you or they are right up your jaxi!

- Cars that Park on double yellows! The pretty lines are there for a reason you plonker.

- Cars that pip, yes I know I stalled, nobodies perfect stop beeping at me and sod off!

- Roundabouts , just in general

- Hills, and hill starts

-Parking

-One way carparks

-People who ignore the one way system in carparks

In fact maybe I like driving and just hate other people?

But yeah I survived! I mainly went out to prove to myself that I could and secondly so I could spend my new look voucher that I was given for my birthday, and decided to save for a rainy day.

I didn't buy anything groundbreaking, In fact they didnt really have anything groundbreaking in the shop. There was a nice velvet turtleneck with long sleeves I was tempted by....... Until it I realised it was a crop top..... ITS COLD PEOPLE! 

But mainly it was just lil party frocks [which I have plenty of] and tops that wouldn't really suit me. Actually its been a while since I've been shopping and I thought I was going to enjoy it more than I did. It probably didn't help having a small man in tow who takes the same view of shopping as the big man..... that it sucks. But still I saw some nice shirts, but I make my own now, and some nice dresses but I make my own. There was one cool jumper but it was like 30 quid and I was like "No Thank you Sir!" So instead I perused the accessories.

I've been wanting a nice satchel style bag that's big enough to put my tablet in but there's were too small, I like the floppy hats but they weren't quite floppy enough. I did check out the bikinis but they only had bottoms [Is this a new thing? to bare ones breast area on holiday?] I also looked at the jewellery but a lot of it was stuff I've already sort of got! In fact these were the only things I kept coming back to.

A round faced watch with a black strap, I got this for £6.00 and I've been looking for a day to day watch for a while now so that's a winner,

And this red and black print blanket scarf that I got for £4.00, and that Lil man kindly offered to model for me.

He actually looks pretty suave in this and wouldn't take it off so it might be lost to me now.

Look at that face!

   

So yeah I'm pleased with my purchases but they aren't very interesting!!! They are pretty basic wardrobe fillers and very sensible which got me thinking about my shopping habits.

It was weird to go shopping after so long, It felt really strange to walk into a shop and have people giving you the once over, especially seen as the online sewing community is so supportive. I also found myself looking at how the things were made and whether I'd wear it more than once, How would it fit into my wardrobe? What holes could I fill? In fact the main thing I wanted was a pair of smart grey/black trousers in a wool fabric but smart trousers rarely make the sale rail.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I think my shopping ban, combined with the fact I've been receiving hand me downs and up cycling old clothes and making my own has changed me as a person. And its changed the way I dress. Instead of spending money on clothes for the weekend I'd rather I look halfway decent all the time. Lets face it I've probably got enough party frocks to last me a lifetime now I'm a momma. Plus I want my clothes to last or at least I want to love them so much I wear them to rags!

I think I have less of a throwaway mentality now. Oh I've grown up! About time!

That said having a new watch and scarf has cheered me up! 

Has sewing changed your shopping views?

Much Love

Frankie 

xxx

Pink Chunky knit scarf

This scarf came about from having a drawer full of ends of wool. Not enough to actually make something but too much to just bin. So i picked some corresponding pinks and whtes and started knitting them up on my chunky needles.

I cant decide if its awesome in a granny chic kinda way or if i look like a crazy cat lady! I'm kinda hoping its the chic one, becuase we dont have room for a hoard of cats.

It looks more chic in this picture, and at least its warm and cosy! And i mean really cosy! I'm hoping this will keep me from getting any form of cough or cold this year, i am not prepared to be sick over christmas again. 

Speaking of christmas have you had snow? WE HAVE! It didnt really snow though it stopped and turned into ice pretty quickly, which in turn meant that me and lil knitwit had to abandon our walk to the shops this morning because we were both having trouble staying on our feet, which of course was hilarious but could have stoped being funny pretty fast had one of us gotten really hurt. So we turned around and made banana bread instead.

Much Love

Frankie

x

Simple knit chunky scarf!!

So I've been busy! Nothing that's really portable right now but busy,! I've still not photographed my finished dress so I'll Robby do that tomorrow. I've prepped a knitting project for next week and I've started a new one today.

It's going to be a chunky knit scarf I've cast on 25 stitches and I'm just working in garter stitch on my biggest set of needles. 

I'm using my scrap chunky wools, in various colours and stuff the colours are pretty different but I think they look cute together.

I'm going for a chunky kind of slouchy look, and warm! It must be warm! 

In other news I knackeredso my night is knitting this and watching trashy tv. I might trace a few patterns tomorrow so I can get sewing next week! 

Much love 

Frankie

X

Princess Brigette

First of all I'd like to apologise if any if this post makes no sense, I woke up this morning with a neck that felt like the entire England rugby team had run up and down it, whilst tackling rhinos. I don't know if I've slept on it funny or if it's just another side effect of being an incredibly tense person but either way it hurts like the devil and I've lost my hot water bottle. 

But in the plus side I finished my first TWO! Love at first stitch projects! YAY! As promised I'm starting at the beginning and doing one original and one variation of each pattern. So without further ado here's my Brigette scarf! 

I followed the instructions to the letter and I actually think it's pretty cute, and it's a good scarf length. 

I'm actually pretty proud of the top stitching on this , it's pretty darn even! 

Now for my variation! Which I'm lovingly calling the "princess" Brigette! 

I decided I wanted to do a scalloped edged version (the inspiration came from the scalloped edge Lilou dress!) so I cut the pattern, and then found an appropriate glass to draw my scallops. (And yes that is a whiskey glass)

 

After all my scallops were drawn I opted to pin each scallop individually for sewing.

 

If anyone I'd wondering why there's a penny in with my pins it's because my grandma used to say that if you have a penny in with pins you won't prick your fingers! 

After I pinned, I started sewing! This took me much longer than I thought it would! Scallops are hard! Then before I turned it inside out I clipped all of the edges so I would get a neat edge. Then I had to get my iron out, I gave it a really good iron . And I mean a REALLY good iron! 

And yes that is my kitchen work top. I hate ironing and I feel bad if I get the board out and then don't actually iron any clothes, hence no board no guilt! 

 

And voila! Princess Brigette! 

Have you done any pattern variations? 

Much love 

Frankie

Xxx

Knit till the yarn quits...

It's finished! I added the last couple of rows about half an hour ago and immediately put on a full face of makeup so I could take some photos without terrifying the life out of you all! I took a readers advice and knitted until the yarn quit! Definitely I motto I'll be using on future projects! 

It's a big boy, I haven't measured it but it's about six inches shorter than me! It's still super fluffy and is long enough to wrap round, or loop through! (I stand stand stumpy scarves! I have no idea how to wear them!) 

 

Please excuse my mane of hair! It's wild at the moment! Life was so much easier when if was short! 

On the sickness front little knitwits cold has turned into a very nasty cough and he is feeling VERY sorry for himself, he gets that from his father! But he's fairly content quietly playing cars and watching  cartoons! Although I'm started to go a little bit crazy from it all! I actually said whoopsie daisy yesterday. Not sure if my rock and roll image will survive, although the knitting might have already put an end to that! 

Much love 

Frankie 

Aka - the 80 year old women!!! 

Xxx

How long is a scarf?

Just when one gets better, the other one comes down with something! Yes after mr knitwits bout of sickness little Knitwit has come down with a cold (which made him sick last night, I'll tell you something my washing machine hasn't had this much action in a long time) so most of my time has been spent....

1: giving sympathy and yes both boys needed it. The bigger one more so than the little one!

2: keeling the house well aired to get rid of germs, massive fail as little Knitwit now has a cold! Sometimes I think I'd be better just dousing the place in bleach!

3: catching up on crappy telly between spongebob square pants and top gear. Yes both of the boys love these shows.

4: wiping snotty noses (lil knitwits not mr knitwits)

5: knitting, in fact this has been my view pretty much all week! 

But I'm sincerely hoping that everyone will be well soon! I'm sick of Whiney men!

However I was happy when my wool dealer came for a visit bearing gifts. Mr knitwits nan had found more treasures for me and that what has been used on this scarf! 

  

It's super duper fluffy! But quite easy to knit with! Sometimes fluffy knits are just hard work! 

However I have reach what I call the infinity part! You no where it's not six inches long anymore but where it just doesn't seem to be growing ? No matter how many episodes of the Simpsons you continually knit through? 

I've never made a fluffy scarfs like this though, my mother has . She made it for me. There was a huge trend for fluffy scarves at my high school and I desperately wanted one. So my lovely mummy brought the wool and spent two days making me one! I lost it that week. 

I'm not sure if she's forgiven me yet ! 

Hopefully I'll have more luck with this one! 

Much love 

Frankie

Xxx

Lazy Knitting

Sometime you just need something mindless to knit, no pattern just row after row. Nothing complicated basically knitting without thinking.

 

This is what I made when I needed some mindless knitting last week,

 

 

I used the same colour change wool that I used for both of my buckle scarves, but I made this one a lot longer and just kept it straight. It turned out really pretty and I'm glad I kept it simple, the wool is so interesting that I think anything too complicated would just look silly! It was so nice to knit this, the wool knits up so easy and I felt like it took me no time at all! It was a very satisfying project.  

 

Apart from knitting this, I've made two hats (which need to be decorated), done some sketching and cut out a lot of aprons to sew! I'm starting to get really nervous about the craft fair I'm doing. I just hope that all goes well with it and I'm organised enough otherwise you might end up reading a alcohol fuelled blog post filled with melancholy.

 

Also two bouts of news have rocked the world, the first being that Robin Williams has died, I always loved Aladdin as a child and my thoughts are with his family at this time. And we have also found out that the beautiful Lauren Bacall has died, when I was younger I became infatuated with the glamour of Hollywood and she was one of my favourites, my thoughts are also with her family.

 

Much Love

 

And cherish each other

 

Frankie

 

   xxx