Saturday, March 10, 2012

What a weird week!

Yes it has been a completely weird week, absolutely freezing cold one day with fires lit and woollies dug out from drawers that haven't been used for months.  Then within a day or so it has been super hot and we're all in need of sunscreen again!!  So on those cold nights it has been so nice to add a few more squares to my blanket as it can keep me warm while I work.  For this pic, I had draped it over the sofa and it looked fantastic in a very retro kind of way.  But it's still a long way off being finished.  I think I've calculated that I need a total of 48 squares to cover a queen size bed.  Eeek - I hope I've bought enough wool to do the job!

I just about went nuts this week trying to make some wristwarmers from a pattern I've had for ages.  I spent last Sunday afternoon having a go at this pattern, then unravelling and doing it again.  Over and over - I think I wasted 3 hours before I gave up completely.  I just couldn't get it to work, I still don't know what the heck I was doing wrong.  So I decided to make something up myself and it worked first time!!  Thank goodness I had decided to scribble down what I was doing so I could remember when it came to making the second one!
They fit really well and will be a snuggly addition to my winter wardrobe.  I had loads of this deep navy coloured wool so a matching cowl was made too.  So if by chance you are as blonde as me and want a nice easy wristwarmer pattern - here's one to try.  It's in US terms and I used a 4.25mm hook with 8ply wool.  This fits a smallish sized hand, so just use a larger hook for larger sizes.

Ch27 and join with slip stitch to form circle.  Or if you're like me and always get this twisted, then don't join it up until the end of Round 1, then stitch in the tail when you're finished (soooo much easier!!).

Rd 1:  Ch2 then 1HDC in each stitch around.  Join with slip stitch.

Rd 2:  From this round onwards you will work into the spaces rather than the stitches.
Ch2 then 1HDC in each space around.  Join with sl st.  Repeat Rd 2 until required length from arm to wrist, then join with sl st.

Next round: Ch3 then in the same space 1DC, Ch1, 2DC.  *Skip 3 chain spaces then in the next space 2DC, Ch1, 2DC*.  Repeat from * to * around then join with sl st.

Next round:  Slip Stitch into next stitch then Ch3, 1DC into Ch1 space from previous round, Ch1, 2DC into same space.  From here on you will be making your stitches into the Ch1 space from the previous round,  *2DC, Ch1, 2DC*, repeat *to* to end of round, joining with a sl st.  repeat this round until you reach your desired length and fasten off.

For my smallish hand I made a total of 12 rows of HDC and then 5 rounds of the fan pattern.  I wanted the wrist part to be nice and snug.  The fan pattern gives it a bit of stretch so you're hand won't feel restricted.

10 more pairs of earrings almost ready to add to my little shop!  I love every single pair, so it's difficult not to keep them all.  The sooner I get them listed the better really!  Otherwise they might find their way into my jewellery box. 
Miss 4 and I had fun on Friday decorating hair clips with ribbon and sparkly bits and pieces.  She gave me a lesson on how to use a glue gun properly as they have them on their craft table at kindy.  How cute are these??  I think she did a fabulous job attaching all the sparkles.  My favourites are the red ones with the big purple glittery discs.  We might have to make some more of these, they'll make brilliant gifts for her little friends.
A few op shop treasures were found this week also.  My favourite being a black merino wrap dress (which just wouldn't co-operate for a picture!).  But these fabulous books were also a lovely find.  My brother used to read Beano when he was little so even though this is from 1989, my wee guy is loving it.  The Rupert book is gorgeous - it looks brand new and my small folk are loving having it read to them.
Caterpillar update .... this wee guy had us worried all afternoon on Thursday because we couldn't find him on the swan plant.  We came to the conclusion that a hungry bird must have spotted him and grabbed him for a meal.  But a few hours later we spotted him, a very long way from his original spot.  He had crawled all along my vege garden then found his way to our solar powered fairy lights.  Yes that's a light right beside him.  So before he disappeared into his little cocoon, he was just dangling there uncovered.  He must have got a heck of fright when the lights came on that evening!!  He seems happy enough thank goodness.  We have to wait patiently now and hopefully we won't miss him on his grand exit.  We missed him turning into this little beauty - it happened so quickly!

And to end my week, I had some lovely news from Karen telling me that I had won her fantastic giveaway!! I couldn't believe my luck.  Thank you Karen - it really made my day.

Well that's me for now.  Have a fabulous week, see you again soon.
Leah
xxxx

17 comments:

  1. Hi Leah, looks like you've had a busy week!

    The blanket is looking wonderful, such pretty colours, and I love the handwarmers and cowl.

    Hope you have a great weekend whatever the weather!

    Gill xx

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  2. You've been busy!
    Love the handwarmers and cowl!
    Carly
    x

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  3. Ha, ha....I can't tell you the number of times I've needed to re-remember something when I didn't write it down, so good on you! The wrist warmers are lovely!

    Your blanket looks great too, another of my weaknesses, miscalculating wool and only realising when I'm nearing th end.

    The boys had butterflies which you keep indoors until they hatch out of their cocoons we saw a few actually coming out and drying off, it was such a great thing for both us and the kids to watch.

    Have a great weekend!x

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  4. Your blanket is looking amazing, so are all your earrings and the hair clips!!!!! My sister-in-law and her partner were in Wellington this week, a month long visit to your part of the world. I am so jealous! Love to hear what weather they are experiencing. They are having a wonderful time.
    Happy weekend,
    Meredith

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  5. I'm loving your blanket Leah, just beautiful and so happy with all those colours. Stylecraft can make a fabulous granny! Love your cowl and hand warmers too, I get like that sometimes and just make up my own pattern, more fun I think x Hope you don't miss the beautiful butterfly moment and have a less weird week next week xox Penelope
    ps. Congrats on that lovely give-way x

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  6. Hi Leah - I was looking at hand warmer patterns on Etsy last night and I will give your pattern a try. Yhey are very elegant aren't they. I am itching to make a second blanket for my bed, but I have committed to making two granny stripe ones for my neices so I shall have to be patient. Lily. xxx

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  7. Such nice wristwarmers! They look super awesome; I must make a pair :) You know, to complement the 14295 wristwarmer pairs I already have. ;)
    xo,
    wink

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  8. What gorgeous pinkness! I love that blanket.
    Your wristwarmers look lovely too - I'll have to remember for next autumn...
    And I used to love Rupert Bear! My children were never interested though :( so you're very lucky!
    Jane x

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  9. Your wristwarmers look wonderful; and what a great idea about the not joining the round until the end of row 1! It's one of those so obvious things that you wonder why we've all been struggling for so long... great tip.
    best wishes
    Karen
    xx

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  10. Hi Leah,love the wrist warmers,thanks for sharing,I've been looking out for an easy pattern to will have to give these a go. Can't wait to see the caterpillar emerge.have a super week,xxx

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  11. I desperately love your blanket!!
    It's just the warmest cosiest looking thing ever!
    Also, loving that your daughter made those clips, so cute!!!
    xx

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  12. Hi Hon, OMG I love, love, love the wrist warmers! What a clever thing you are (and think how stylish you will look this winter). The blanket is gorgeous too - how perfect for horrible, chilly winter nights when you need something warm and bright and cheery! Becks xxx

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  13. Hi leah, and oh wow what a stunning blanket, its so bright and cheery and you have made it so quickly, i feel like i have been making mine for ever, and i have only completed seventeen squares....i am envious of your speed.
    And also to let you know the little house pattern is on its way to you so check that letter box each day. It would be really fun to see someone else make one, i did alter mine a bit as i was using it to front my blog, so i appliqued the door and windows on, but the actual pattern has them knitted into it....but you'll see when you get it.
    Love and hugs Pixie x

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  14. Found your blog on Faith's inspiration list. It looked really cute so I'm following along now.
    It is so neat to be able to watch the stages of that caterpillar's life. I hope you'll be able to catch his debut.
    Your granny blanket is so pretty! What hard hookin' and time you've put into it.

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  15. Gorgeous wrist warmers! Look at you, making up the pattern on the fly--they turned out great! I'm not much of a blonde, but I'm adding those to my to-do list. I'm soooo loving your granny blanket, too--good thing you're getting some chilly days, so you can work on it. :)

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  16. I too am loving the wristwarmers- I have bookmarked this pattern for the future!
    Also love the blanket- it is gorgeous!!
    Enjoy the rest of your week, my lovely.
    Xx

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  17. We are having weird weather here as well. 30 degrees warmer than usual this entire week! The wrist warmers are adorable. I found a baby cocoon pattern on ravelry that didn't want to work right. Hate when that happens

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