Welcome Lily Rose

I meant to share one of the first pictures of Lily Rose. Here she is, just a day old. So cute! It does make me want more, but I know that two is my limit. I am beginning to get some time back to myself and couldn't face sleepless nights again!

An itty bitty cardigan

I wanted to use up some odd balls of Sirdar Snuggly Chatterbox that I had lying about, so I found a nice little pattern on Ravelry to knit. It's another top down, knitted in the round and was very straight forward. You can find the pattern here It had to be knitted for Lily, as Evie has well outgrown any small baby sizes now. I hope my sister likes it - I did, but unfortunately my photography doesn't show up the lovely pastel colours.

The yarn is nice and soft so perfect for a little newborn baby.

Evie is still coughing away, and I had the pleasure of her being sick over me this morning, as she was coughing so much. Lucky it was only mucous! I took her to the doctor who has given her some asthma syrup which she has to take for a couple of weeks. i am keeping my fingers crossed that it will help to clear the pesky cough up!

A Cornish sea shanty

Last week I put the finishing touches to William's sweater and I am pleased to show the finished article. It was a really straightforward knit, although there were plenty of ends to sew in afterwards!

The pattern said that you only needed one ball of contrast yarn, but I knew in the back of my mind that it wouldn't be enough. Luckily I was able to get another to finish the sweater. It used 1 and a half of the contrast altogether, so the pattern was completely understating the amount. oh well, no real harm done!

I think this is just the right sort of sweater for the spring/summer as its light weight and easy to wash being cotton and acrylic. I just hope that her wears it. I quite want one myself!

On another note, my sister gave birth to a healthy baby girl on saturday 19th weighing in at 8lb 13oz. Quite a big baby! She is gorgeous and very fair. her hair looks almost like spun gold. I've had a lovely few cuddles and hope to see her wearing some of my cardigans soon!

We also had some bad news yesterday. My Nan lost her battle with cancer and passed away in the early hours of yesterday morning, at home in her bed. She was given a couple of months left to live in January, so we had her for a little longer than expected. She was the one who taught me to knit, so I thought this blog would be a nice little tribute to her. Whilst I was at home I saw my nan and grandad evey day as they lived next door to my parents, and they did until they both passed away. I was very close to my Nana and she will be missed terribly. It will be strange not having her so close by any more.

Love you Nana xxx

I love this so much....

When I saw this pattern on Ravelry this morning I knew that I had to have it. It's by a lady called Katie White who goes by the name of Frizzyknits. The pattern itself is called Mini Chic and I just couldn't resist.

I know I already have hundreds of patterns (well that's what it seems like) and I know I already have about a dozen things that I want to make Evie, but there it was calling me in all its glory.

The wonders of instant downloads meant that after paying with a click of a button I was the proud owner of of my own Mini Chic copy. So exciting! I love having it there in my hand and all I could do was to read it and think what it would be like to start knitting. I get such a rush I almost feel like a 'knitting junkie'!

I have permission from Katie to use her photos as I really wanted to share what a lovely pattern it is. I have the yarn in my stash already, and will be making my own little Mini Chic quicker that you can click your fingers!

Still waiting..............

Come on Anna, I want my new niece to arrive NOW!!!!! A week late and still waiting........

Six years ago today......

Six years ago we were waking up to a beautiful, crisp March morning, and by that evening we would be married!

It was a lovely day, and we wouldn't have changed a thing, well apart from the freezing cold weather. Didn't spoil a thing.

We now have two beautiful daughters who make it all so worthwhile. I am just pleased we are all safe and well, and my thoughts go out to all the people in Japan who have lost their lives, homes, family and livelihood. It really makes you thank God for having everything that we have, when some people around the world have been left with nothing.

Another little coffee bean cardigan

I finished another little coffee bean cardigan, this time for Evie. For those of you on ravelry, I would well recommend getting a copy of the download as it is such an easy and straight forward pattern, with lovely results.

I love the way the raglan shapings are done by a YO, and they set so nicely, the cardigan doesn't need too much blocking at all (none done in the photos!)

I used about 2 balls of the plum and 1 of the red (cashmerino and rialto aran respectively), and love the way it turned out. The fact there is no seaming either is even better!

I made the 12 month size on 4.5mm rather than 5mm needles and it fits Evie perfectly. She is a happy little girl.

I forgot to mention I've been 'published'!!

I forgot to tell you all that I had a letter printed in the current issue of Simply Knitting Magazine. I wrote in just after Christmas and it was published this month. it's quite an odd thing seeing yourself in print!

The photos of Evie look quite good and I'm pleased they printed a couple.

My name in print - ha ha!!!

I also have something to be published later this month, but won't reveal too much yet in case it doesn't materialise. I have my copy ordered though, and will let you know if it does appear. I will have to wait until the 24th!!